It’s amazing how a shift in perspective – and a shift in the choices we make – can change how we think and feel. Ten days of a renewed perspective and better choices have certainly affected the way I think, feel and even run.

I’ve officially conquered the first 10 days of my clean eating and strength training challenge. For me, it hasn’t been about losing weight or eating in a way that I can’t possibly sustain come March. It has been about taking back my control and will power … and hitting restart after too many consecutive bad choices.

I promised to keep you updated on my progress. Throughout the next 60 days, I’ll share with you what my training looks like, as well as insights into my diet and what I’m learning/thinking about the program.

I think the biggest reminder I’ve experienced during these first 10 days is how inextricably nutrition is related to performance. We all know that nutrition is important and fueling our bodies with the right things affects running performance. I’ve been stunned to see just how much that is true. In just one week, my running has felt different. My long run the first Saturday of the year was slow and sluggish and a fight to get through. My long run this past Saturday was strong and I kept getting faster. In fact, it was probably the fastest I’ve run since moving to Florida from Atlanta. Same course, same start time, similar weather. Coincidence? I think not.

Here’s what my training looked like during the first 10 days of the year. All of the strength training videos mentioned are DVDs from the Hammer & Chisel program.

• Friday, Jan. 1: AM: Chisel Balance (35-minutes of strength training); PM: 3-mile walk with my mom
• Saturday, Jan. 2: Ran 8 easy miles
• Sunday, Jan. 3: ISO Chisel Strength (35 minutes of strength training) + 60 minutes restorative yoga
• Monday, Jan. 4: Ran 5.5 easy miles
• Tuesday, Jan. 5: AM: ISO Speed Hammer (30 minutes of strength training); PM: 90-minute sports massage
• Wednesday, Jan. 6: AM: Ran 7 miles with 7 x 3-minute intervals at marathon pace with 3 minutes of easy jogging between each; PM Chisel Endurance (35 minutes of strength training)
• Thursday, Jan. 7: AM: Total Body Hammer + Abs (1-hour strength training); PM: CPR re-certification course to maintain my marathon coaching certification (required every two years). I’m a big believer that every runner and coach should be certified in first-aid/CPR. Make it your 2016 goal to get certified or re-certified through the Red Cross. Here’s more about why you should get CPR certified.
• Friday, Jan. 8: REST + chiropractor appointment
• Saturday, Jan. 9: Ran 10 miles – The first five were with my dad in a perfect progression (from 9:34 to 8:27 pace). The last five were on my own and I kept the pace mostly between 8:15 and 8:35. After I got home, I did Max Hammer Strength (35 mins of strength training)
• Sunday, Jan. 10: 3-mile recovery run (slow) and Chisel Agility (35 minutes of agility work)

On the clean eating front, all I can say is that it feels incredible to make good food choices. I will post later this week with details on the kinds of foods I’m eating for my meals and snacks. Here is a snapshot on my thoughts so far related to the 21 Day Fix, Hammer & Chisel and running:

• The Hammer and Chisel workout DVDs are a great complement to running. Most of the workouts are short (35 minutes or less) and have excellent exercises for runners, including single leg exercises. They are easy to incorporate into run training. While challenging, they are not too hard and don’t leave you feeling overly taxed if doing two workouts in one day (e.g. DVD and running/cycling/swimming, etc.).
• I can’t imagine doing the Hammer and Chisel DVDs as my only workouts. Perhaps that is the runner/triathlete in me who has always been used to so much endurance/cardio along with my strength training, but some of the workouts leave you feeling more drained than others.
• For the 21 Day Fix eating plan, I recommend bumping up a carb, fruit and teaspoon serving if you are also running. I try to listen to my body, and if I’m running long and am feeling hungry, I eat a little more. The carb servings I’ve been eating include: brown rice, sweet potatoes/regular potatoes, WASA crackers (3), whole wheat Vann’s waffles and corn on the cob.
• I’m drinking more water than ever, which is something I’m not always good at. I hit more than 100 ounces in a day twice last week. I use my Thermos Connected Hydration Bottle to drink all my water and it has helped me transform my dehydrated ways.
• I’m down 0.8 pounds since January 1. Again, I’m doing this to eat better and to get more defined, not to lose weight. With the extra strength training I expect to mostly stay the same with my weight and hopefully lose some body fat and gain definition.

Tell me how the first 10 days of your 2016 are going. How is your training and eating? If you’ve made any amazing healthy recipes lately, share a link in the comments below!