Upcoming running events:
10/25 Halloween Hustle 10k
11/29 Mississippi Coast Marathon, MS
New Years Eve and Day (thinking about) a 10k in NV, a 5k in AZ
1/11/15: Disney Marathon, FL
Done:
36 5ks in 19 states
21 10ks in 17 states
29 half marathons in 22 states
27 marathons in 27 states
(15 State "Bingos")
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My literacy student is going through a high-stress time (job training for the first substantial job she's ever had -- a lot of classroom-type testing that is, of course, difficult for her). Understandably, she has not done much homework lately because she doesn't have the mental bandwidth for it -- who would? So yesterday we talked about stress, and watched a TED talk of Kelly McGonigal (the author of the Willpower book), and it was as if it were speaking directly to her situation.
The point of the talk was that stress is bad for your health and increases your chance of dying ONLY if you believe that stress is bad for your health. The studies show that people who have the opposite view of stress actually have a lower risk of dying! She goes into some of the scientific reasons for this, but explains it in a way that is understandable.
One of the factors of stress is the hormone oxytocin, which causes people to be more social -- we seek out other people, either to get support, or to offer support. It's a stress hormone, but it's a way that we fortify ourselves when we're under stress.
So her conclusion is that stress can make us more courageous and resilient. It depends on how you view it and what you do with it. When you feel stress, tell yourself, yeah, this is my body, preparing me to handle anything that comes my way.
I had a music professor who made this point. He said a little stage fright is a good sign -- you'll be on your toes, thinking more clearly and able to respond quickly. Too much, and it falls apart. But a little stress is better than no stress, for performance.
I just thought that was interesting, and it applies to all of us. I advised my student to look at the stress in this way -- it's putting her on her toes, and it's a good thing, but she should keep it under control by doing deep breathing, which slows the heart rate and send more blood and oxygen to the prefrontal cortex, which she needs for the task she's faced with.
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Planned: Just walking today. But I'll try to be hopelessly inefficient, making lots of unnecessary trips back and forth.
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Actual:
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Planned: oatmeal 160, 200 cal fruit and vegetable allowance.
I need to go to the grocery store -- out of fruit.
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Actual: 8:45 oatmeal and frozen blueberries
[360]
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Planned: 500
[860]
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Actual: 10:20 - Smart Ones & spinach 240
Doritos 150
[750]
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Planned: 200
[1060]
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Actual:
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Planned: 500
[1560]
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Actual:
OK, I went to Subway. Got a 12" turkey sandwich (660), a bag of chips (210) -- ate them for lunch & dinner.
In between, I had several cookies and a piece of cake and two chocolates. Coworker's birthday. So I am sure I am over in calories.
But GO ROYALS.
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