November 25, 2013

My First 5K, Running Tips, and Pumpkin Granola Bars

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I ran my first 5K this Saturday!  It was a whopping 25 degrees and I was the only girl, but me and my family did it. The boys were *thrilled* but Nathan ran with me and for not training, did really well (ie finished less than a minute behind me.) It was really fun and I enjoyed it a lot. Since it wasn't very windy, it really wasn't that bad, and as long as you've got gloves and a hat, it's hard to stay cold while running.  The winner of the boys and the winner of the girls each got a turkey as a prize.



Now that I've proved to myself I really can run, I'd like to try a 10K next. My goal is six miles this week and is like to keep running throughout the winter. Icy driveways might be a problem, but we'll see! 

I'm not a runner, but I have been trying to run consistently the past couple months.  Here are some tips I've learned and picked up along the way.

1) Listen to your body!  Don't push that last half mile if something is hurting you.  It's your body's way of letting you know something is up, so don't ignore it.  That extra three minutes of running won't help you in the next couple weeks if you injure something.  On the flip side, if you're feeling good and pumped, push that extra mile.  Don't limit how far you can run by how far you think you can run.  Sometimes your body will surprise you.  Sometimes it won't.  Listen to it.

2) Set reasonable goals.  I needed to do some research on running before I set my goals.  Don't set them so high that they're almost impossible because that just leads to discouragement.  It didn't take me very long to get started running longer distance, but it has taken me a while to add several miles to the original distance.  I had some unreasonable goals in the beginning, but I've been working on them.  I tried running certain distances and certain minutes and I found minutes worked better in the beginning and distances works better now. 

3) Invest in a good pair of shoes.  Shoes don't make you a runner, but they sure make it more comfortable - thus, they help you become a better runner. And since you're running to keep your body healthy, investing in good shoes helps prevent injury (which would negate keeping your body healthy;)

4) Listen to something while running.  I time my miles by how many songs it takes me to run them.  They're fun to listen to and motivating.  I also love getting my worship time in while running.  Sometimes I prefer radio theater and those are great, too.  The only exception to this is in earlier in the morning.  Before I ran, I walked, usually every morning.  In the late winter, early spring, the sun doesn't rise that early and walking down our pretty long driveway in the dark, listening to intense audiobooks - bad, bad, bad combo.  However (I digress), music is great help while running!

5) Pretend you are racing someone and that they are always just beating you.  If you're competitive, this is a good one. It keeps me on pace and guarantees I don't slack off. (Refer to point number one though - be wise!)

6) Stay relaxed.  Don't tense up.  You'll just get hurt and I'm speaking from experience:)

7) Get accountability.  I run for volleyball, so practices and games are my accountability and they are very motivating.  If you don't have that sort of goal, get a person to keep you on track.

8) Find a time that gets the most of your.  I stink at running in the morning.  It's just ugly and leaves me feeling defeated (ie, I can't believe those two miles kicked my tail like that!)  I run best between 3-5 in the afternoon and so, obviously, that is my favorite time to run because I can run the best then.

9) Have fun!  Sounds easy ... it isn't always. Run for the right reasons with the right attitude.

10) Let me hear your thoughts!  Do you run?  If so, what are your tips for running?

Also, make sure you've got energy for your run.  Here is one of my favorite granola bar recipes.  I've been trying to get the texture right for a really long time. More often than not, mine are too wet and aren't firm enough to hold unless refrigerated and even then, they've been ultra soft. These on the other hand, although refrigerated, are firm like real bars!  The flavors are nicely balanced and there isn't a dominant one. It isn't too nutty or pumpkin-y, just very fall-ish (spell check hates me right now)




Pumpkin Cranberry Walnut Granola Bars
Recipe Source: The Sweet {Tooth} Life
Yield: 4-6 bars

2/3 cup walnuts
2/3 cup oats
1/2 cup cranberries
1/2 cup pure pumpkin puree
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

Grind oats and walnuts in a food processor until fine. Add cranberries and pulse 4-5 times. Add pumpkin, brown sugar, and pumpkin pie spice and pulse until mixture pulls into a ball. Press into a small pan and refrigerate for several hours. Cut and enjoy!

40 comments:

  1. Love the tips! I also run later in the afternoon, it gives me something productive to do later in the day! I think that if someone is just starting running, they should begin by counting minutes, not miles! I still do that, and it helps keep me motivated!

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    1. I agree and am glad that has worked for you! Took me a while to get it all figured out:) Thanks Avery!

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  2. Way to go, Mary Frances!! Was it hard being the only girls? Did you run faster when you were with other people?

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    1. Actually, I was grateful once I started running, because then it wasn't as competitive and I enjoy running by myself. I think I did run faster, not a ton, but it was fun to get a better time. I think I learned I enjoy team sports more ... I wouldn't enjoy the jostling for position in a running race:)
      Ah yes, I thought you would like my headband!

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  3. OH, and that warm headband... hmmmm.

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  4. Congrats on finishing your first 5K! I did my first one about a year ago but haven't run much since then lol

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  5. #1 is definitely the most important! I wish I'd listened to my body more otherwise I probably wouldn't have injured myself. Well you live and you learn right?

    Congrats lady! And awesome prize :)

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    1. Many of your posts helped me keep that in the forefront of my mind. Live and learn -> truth! :) Thanks Davida!

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  6. Congrats on your first 5K! Nice tips. I started running this year, I could use some tips. Love the no bake pumpkin cranberry bars. Perfect energy boost after a run!

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    1. Glad they were helpful! The bars are great after runs. Thank you!

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  7. I am just trying to get back into running since having Elanor. It's hard, but I'm thankful I have the ability (though I am even slower than I was before!). One of my running tips is that if it seems really hard to go running and you REALLY don't want to...you probably should. :)

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    1. You are amazing Mrs. Mann. I think running is hard now! Haha, yes, you are so right!

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  8. CONGRATS!!!!! I miss running outside so much. Good for you for getting out there in the colder weather!

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    1. Thanks Erin! Once I get out there, it doesn't feel cold .... it's the getting out there part that gets me:)

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  9. I just discovered your wonderful blog from our friend Zainab @ Blahnik Baker and I am so glad I did! You have SO many good recipes! Those pumpkin cranberry granola bars are to die for... and perfect for this time of year.. especially this week of Thanksgiving. Also, congrats on finishing your first 5K! I am like you and am not a runner, you're tips are perfect for us just starting out. And investing in a good pair of shoes is the best advice I got when I first started... it helps tremendously!
    http://www.thecheerybaker.com

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    1. Thank you for the sweet comment Ally! I waited so long to get shoes and after I got them, it made such a difference. Have a great day!

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    2. Yay!! Isn't she amazing?? I love her recipes too :)

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    3. Awww! You are so sweet Zainab! Made my day!

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  10. First of all: congratulations, Mary Frances!!!!! That's so nice!!! And the prize is fabulous too, yay ;)
    Thanks for the tips, those will be definitely super helpful! I find it hard to follow the first one, but I guess it's something we all have to learn the hard way, isn't it? :(
    And I love the bars too! I need to try them now that I'm training for my next race in January! Bars are the perfect snack :D

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    1. Aw thanks Consuelo! (marathon runner:) I can't wait to hear about your next race!

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  11. You are so cute! Haha that is a fantastic prize--congrats on winning! And I love these tips--they are all so good. After picking up running towards the end of high school, I ended up with a knee injury about a year and a half ago that put me out of running commission for a good year or so. I'm back to running short distances, but you're right--it is SO important to listen to your body and not push those extra few minutes, and good shoes are a must. I would add stretching in there--I've found that adding some calf, quad, hamstring, etc. stretches afterwards have helped me not feel any pain after my runs these days!

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  12. Congratulations, Mary Frances! That's a fantastic achievement. I got into running later in life, several years ago, and while it always feels like work to me, I'm addicted to it -- it always makes me feel like I accomplished something once I've finished! Keep up the great work. :) (p.s. those granola bars look delicious!)

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    1. It definitely makes my body feel so much better. And hey, it doesn't help to have a little self esteem boost! :) Thank you Marcie!

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  13. Wow, I'm so impressed by your tips, diligence, and speed! You have become quite the runner! And that's a very nice turkey! :) Congrats!
    I love the looks of your granola bar recipe! And that is the first granola bar I've EVER seen that is actually PRETTY. (And knowing you, absolutely delicious!) If I had ten thumbs, they'd all be up on this post!

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    1. Well thank you Hannah! I'm not quite a runner:) but I'm working on it! I'm glad you like the bars, honestly, I cannot ever get granola or granola bars to photo right. They are always so blurry! Thank you though!

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  14. Congratulations!!! That is so exciting! I don't run either but a 5K has been on my list. I hope I can do it. I love your tips especially setting reasonable goals. That's where I have been failing. These granola bars look amazing!!

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    1. I know you can! It was a while before I figured out the whole "reasonable goal" thing ... I'm still working on it. Thank you!

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  15. Love love love that picture of you. :) I didn't think I could run until my husband nodged me try about 6 years ago. I ran my first 5k in 2009. I cried after crossing the finishing line...so I KNOW you have just accomplished a wonderful achievement! Good for you to set a new goal!
    Awesome tips too. :)
    Tina at www.tinaschic.com

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    1. Aw thanks! Maybe I should post with turkeys more often;)
      I was running witha bunch of real runners, so although it seemed big to me, I knew it wasn't to them, so thank you for your sweet words, Tina!

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  16. Dear Mary Frances, You look so happy. Congratulations!!

    The pumpkin bars make a wonderful treat and are so very healthy too.

    The tips you gave for running are also wonderful tips to live by.

    Personally, I do not like to run. I do love taking long walks with my little dog though.

    I wish you and your family a very Happy and Blessed Thanksgiving.

    Catherine xo

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    1. Thank you Catherine! Long walks with pets or friends make some of the best memories. You are very kind!

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  17. Congratulations! So cool that you won a turkey! Thanks for all the great tips! I'm about to start the couch to 5k program this weekend. Your bars sound and look yummy! Great sustenance for running.

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    1. I hope you can keep us updated! You'll do great, Reeni! Thanks!

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  18. I only just started going on early morning walks! These tips are going to help me SO SO MUCH!!!! CONGRATULATIONSSSSSSSS on your 5K!!!!!! :) :) and this granola bar looks delicious!!!!! I always fail at making granola bars! But i'm definitely making these! :)

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    1. Haha, so few of my granola bars actually work, its embarrassing!

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  19. Congrats on your 5k! Sounds like a wonderful feat—I always wished I was a runner, but I can't seem to enjoy it unless it's dressed up in some sort of team sport. But the pumpkin granola bars…I can handle that ;) I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving, Mary Frances!

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    1. I think I enjoy volleyball more than running for the same reasons. Same to you Irina, thanks!

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  20. Sorry it took me so long to comment! CONGRATULATIONS on your first 5k! Firstly I'm impressed that you actually did it, and secondly that you stuck with it! I would not have had that kind of determination, I'm sure.
    And those granola bars look fantastic. Great post!

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    1. Thanks a bunch Chloe! You can definitely do it, don't sell yourself short! :) Thanks for your encouraging words!

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