My heart rate training is continuing to go well and I’m finding that I really love this method. Before I started the Maffetone Method, I felt pretty disappointed in my running shape. I struggled to maintain a pace that was once easy for me. When I attempted speed work, it felt like it was too hard on my body to try to run any faster and it left me mentally defeated.
I delayed my second MAF test a bit because of a bit of a heat wave we had when I was due for the test. We also happened to be in NYC for my husband’s cousin’s wedding that weekend. Our hotel was right next to Central Park so it was nice to revisit some of those fun hills I experienced during the More Fitness Half.
I picked up a new Nathan handheld water bottle on our trip at the New York Running Company. I’m still getting used to carrying it, but I like it a lot. I like the special phone pocket. It’s much nicer than wearing the gigantic armband for my iPhone. My only complaint is that if I put too much ice in my water, the bottle is so cold in my hand that I have to keep switching hands.
The weather lately has been a little better. Last Thursday, it was 62 degrees with low humidity. I was practically skipping during my run because I was enjoying it so much. Every time I passed a fellow runner, I said “Good morning!” and had to restrain myself from adding “Gorgeous day, isn’t it?!” It was a welcome change from the heat and humidity. I was able to do my second MAF test this morning with the temperature being only 59 degrees. I can see about a 30 second drop in my pace per mile from my first test which is encouraging.
One problem I’m noticing is my sleep, or lack thereof, is really affecting my heart rate. The nights where I get too bed too late and the baby is up once or twice – which means a short night of broken sleep – make it hard for me to keep my heart rate down in during my morning run. It is what it is though. I still plan to stick with the Maffetone Method for a few months. I think that once fall hits and the temps start cooling off (and maaaaaybe the baby decides to sleep a little more), I will hopefully see more of an improvement. Fingers crossed!
In other news, I recently started a year long program with the Institute for Integrative Nutrition to become a health coach. I don’t talk much about nutrition on my blog, but if you follow me on Instagram or Twitter, you’ll see nutrition is something in which I’ve become increasingly interested. I love the IIN program because it covers over 100 dietary theories and focuses on how an individual can uncover the best diet for their body. I love the holistic approach to studying nutrition because it’s not just what we put into our bodies that matters – what we do in our day to day lives, our careers, our relationships, etc all play a role in our overall health. I plan to do more with studying nutrition, but I’ll discuss that in a later post 
.
Happy running!
