Through Nina's Eyes

Yesterday, I decided to cook . I cook meals as it’s an art. I see food as a source of fuel for our bodies. I eat to stay healthy. 5 to 6 meals a day. First meal starts at 5am in the morning and ends at 8pm or earlier, depending what I do. I have no favorite dish. Yet, one can say I love veggies, fruits and nuts.

As being a runner, a runner’s diet – Carbs is important. Each runner has their own diet. I keep myself with healthy, simple vegetarian , chicken and fish dishes

I like to drink water, teas which is good for the soul.

Yesterday, I cooked vegetarian pasta dish.

Simplicity is best.

“One must still have chaos in one’s self to give birth to a dancing star”

Friedrich Nietzsche wrote many quotes that made people think about life , our world, relationships and health to name a few..

Another quote of his ” that which does not kill us, makes us stronger”

And “he who has a why to live , can bare almost any how”

I run because its chaos to the body which leads to becoming healthy, running does hurt , it makes one stronger in mind, body and spirit and finally, I enjoy physical activities and running is one of them … having the goal of running a marathon is why and how I’m reaching is taking one hinge at a time…

Today, I crossed trained – did a workout on the spin bike and weights ( arms, legs, shoulder, abs, back) basically core muscles. 

The last two days I took a break from running as I was feeling my running legs needed a break. Likely because the week prior I worked out 4 days straight on the same muscle groups and legs were beginning to feel. This is where cross training comes into play. 

Cross training has so much benefits as training to run a marathon. For me, it allows my body to have a balance when it comes to the muscle groups. Along with this advantage, other benefits are :

1. Reduces risk of injury where you use different muscles groups
2. Increases flexibility and core strength.
3. It helps in improving the cardiovascular fitness
4. you can still train as recovering from certain injuries — your fitness level stays up and have proper and quicker healing. 
5.  Diversity for the mind, body and soul.

There are many cross-training work outs you could do such as

1. Walking
2. Swimming
3. Cycling
4. Spinning
5. Rowing,
6. Weight/strength training
7. Yoga/Pilates/Stretching exercises 
8. Elliptical  
9. Hiking
10.  Skiing/ Cross Country Skiing
11. Snow shoeing
12.  Skating 

And the list can go on.. the above are a few.

I, personally stick with weights, spin bike, elliptical, hiking, walking, swimming, stretching exercises and now learning a new activity – cycling and last year, I learned snow shoeing.  It is fun to bring in diversity.

Sometimes , I will take a break from running for a week or two and when I return back to running – my running improves and I can go longer…

I would encourage all to incorporate cross training activities as running or training for a race. 

 

 

 

Running is a high impact workout yet there are many benefits for running such as

1. it builds strong bones, knees , joints and muscles
2. maintain or lose weight
3. mood booster – runner’s high – reduces depression, stress
4. keeps the mind sharp as you age
5. running adds years to you life and feel younger
6. reduces risk of death from heart attack or stroke
7. reduces risk of cardiovascular diseases
8. lowers the risk of developing cancer
9. lowers the risk of developing neurological diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s
10.  improves your immunity, cognitive function and mental health
11. lowers blood pressure
12. helps one to sleep better
13.  helps clears up the skin… a 5 mile run is like a spa treatment…running enhances blood flow to the skin cells to regenerate therefore it is like an anti aging medicine
14. Finally Running builds self esteem and confidence

there are various benefits on running ,

for me, the most benefit it has done is building and maintaining a strong body where I have awareness of my right side and keeps my legs, bones, knees, back and abs all healthy.

I feel strong overall.

I would encourage one to run even if it is 3 to 5k – once a week, incorporate with your other activities as it builds strength and overall good health

 

Now, its year 2020

I’m at the point now where I can run 3 times at 8 to 10km ..

I feel stronger, my aim is to build my body, my legs to run 21.1km consistently this year.

“Time is like a river, you can not touch the same water twice because the flow that has passed, will never pass again”

The most precious commodity we have and many take it for granted – Time

Once it is gone , you will never get it back.

From the time I wake up until I rest my head on my pillow, I am active ….

may it be working on my goals, my career, health, relationships and play.

I invest my time to have the best version of myself to come out…

When I was young, I would make a list of things to be done, write them down and work towards it before turning the tv on. If I did not have it completed by the time I place my head on the pillow, it gets carried forward to the next day ..

Spending time in a worthwhile way

Yet all on paper, gets done..

Time never returns

The biggest joy in life and time we have is to be happy, love others with your heart and be the best version of yourself…