Running, weight, and the heat

From freezing temps in Sunspot to a high of 90 today in Tucson - talk about a change in weather!

I've been feeling really down in the dumps about the few pounds I put on in the last week or two.
I know why:
-drinking more
-eating more
-moving less

I also know that I shouldn't beat myself up about it because what's 3-4 lbs? And after all of the work I've done to try to get to a healthier and happier place in regards to body image, I hate that even those little numbers on the scale, and the tightness in my jeans, can affect how I feel about... well, everything. I'd love to say "about myself", but as anyone struggling with disordered body image knows, it's never just about "yourself". All of a sudden, the weight change effects everything - from my hair not behaving, to my dissertation not getting itself written. I wish I wouldn't feel so much better when i have those 3-4 lbs gone. I wish I didn't measure my success in how "good" I am with controlling my weight (in a healthy way, I promise. I love food way too much to give it up), based on the numbers on the scale or the poochiness in my stomach - but there it is.

Because beating myself up about my weight can easily translate into beating myself up about everything my running, I decided to turn off the speed/pace/distance cues on joglog when I left for my run today. It was a good idea.

Today's run was my first long run in a while. I have a 12K trail race in early April and I need to add distance to prepare for it. So today I did a 7 mile run. My pace was about 10 min/mi, which is a fine starting pace for me. I plan to add a mile a week through March, and hopefully on into April as well. I felt comfortable, if a bit heavy legged from yesterday's 8 mile hike, and had no cramping. If I can keep this as my long run training pace, I'll be in good shape and very happy.

Because the temps are heating up I brought along a new training partner:

I've run with hand helds but never a belt. The handhelds get annoying and really sweaty, so I figured I'd try a belt this summer. So far, I like it! I'll take on-body pics next time I use it. I was concerned that having something around my waist would aggravate cramping, but if anything I think the wide compression belt helped alleviate cramping! It gave my stomach something to press against and helped me take fuller, deeper breaths.

I started with the belt on my hips but quickly discovered that it fit better on my waist. The two flasks were very easy to reach and b/c it fit over a shirt I didn't have any chafing issues. 16 oz was plenty of water for my 7 mile run (70 min), but I can see that  might want to add another flask in higher heats/longer distances - or at least run in a place where I can refill. I look forward to running with this belt again.