National Half Marathon Recap

Another one in the books folks! Yep, I completed my second half marathon on Saturday, and it was great!

Friday

We arrived in DC around 7:30 with just enough time to hit the expo. A friend had already picked up our bibs so we just walked around and bought a few things.

 

Katie and I

Katie and her husband, Matt

Once we got back to our hotel, I layed out my clothes and got into bed. Our room was awesome and had a kitchen and a little living area. Score!

 

The race shirt- I like it!

 

Saturday

The morning came so quickly and I knew it would! It was freezing when we woke up, but I was excited and ready to go.

 

Things were off to a good start until we went downstairs and the cab we ordered wasn’t there. Fortunately, another one came along and we got in.

 

The cab dropped us off on a street where a police car was blocking traffic. I didn’t see any other runners but I didn’t really think anything of it. When we got out, we asked the cops which way to the start line. Turns out that the cabbie dropped us off 3 miles away from the stadium….and we only had 20 minutes until the start of the race!!

PANIC.

 

Katie then jumped in the middle of the street and hailed down a tow truck that worked for the city (he was dropping off cones). Four of us piled in his two seater tow truck and he took us to the race. SUCCESS!

 

Anyhow…when the race actually started, I was feeling okay. I wasn’t too speedy, but I wanted to take it slow and just get warmed up. My goal was not to burn out, and to finish strong!

 

Mile 1-3 – No problem, moving along at a 9:30/10 min pace

Mile 4-5- Ok, I need to speed up

Mile 6- HUGE HILL, feet hurt, took my first walking break

Mile 7- Feeling sluggish, why can’t I get in a groove?

Mile 8- Woman hands me a water bottle on the sideline- LOVE HER! Took some Shot Blox and felt better

Mile 9- More hills, feeling like my PR is vanishing and I might as well just let it go and have fun!

Mile 10-11- Having a fun time, feeling a little pain but not going crazy. Taking little walking breaks as needed. Took a Gu.

Mile 12-13 – Feeling amazing! Picked up the pace and finished SUPER STRONG!

 

Final time: 2:14:28

 

I was soooooo happy when I was done, and I could care less about my time! I didn’t beat my 2:12:58 PR, but I finished really strong and felt amazing.

I wish I could say that I still felt that way….Realizing afterwards how close I was to beating my PR I know that I could have killed it if I just pushed through a little more and took shorter walking breaks. I wish I wasn’t upset about it, but I kinda am!! Oh well…there are more half marathons (and hopefully a full) in my future, and I know that I will kill that PR.

 

And Katie???? She blew away her goal of finishing in under 4:30. I was so proud of her!

Today I’m feeling really good- my body is a little tight, but I can tell I was properly trained and fueled because I’m really not in any pain.

 

Time to just rest up and get ready for another week ahead.

I want to thank you guys so much for your encouragement and support leading up to the race! Even though I haven’t been around much, I really appreciate you still coming by and commenting!

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I did it!

What a fun race! Recap to come soon!

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Trust

As I woke up this morning with only one nostril functioning and a head full of crazy hair, I tried to just become aware of my surroundings and settle into the day.

 

Embracing pre-race jitters is a part of the fun, isn’t it? The more I realize how nervous I am, the more I remember that this is a part of the experience.

 

I’m not happy about being sick, but this hurdle is just a little bump in the road. I can push through. I WILL PUSH THROUGH.

 

One of the main reasons I love races is because it gives me a sense of accomplishment, excitement, and the ability to be proud of myself in a true and honest sense.

It seems to me that as an adult, there aren’t as many opportunities to cheer yourself on- and to compete with yourself in this way. For me, it was something that was left behind when I stopped playing team sports.

 

Sure, I can compete against the lady next to me on the elliptical to see who lasts longer…but it’s certainly not the same rush as crossing that finish line.

 

So now I’m just getting myself all set to go to DC this afternoon.

Coconut water for today (supposed to be great for hydration)

Regular gatorade and a gatorade primer shot, some bagels, pb, and bananas for my friends and I tomorrow.

Fuel during the race will be some shot blox and gu (not pictured, but its the chocolate one).

 

And my camera isn’t good enough to get a picture up close, but that gatorade primer thing had a message on the back that really stuck with me.

 

"Prime your body to start out strong and then trust your training."

Ok. I will.

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Sick Day

I’m writing to you today from the couch- where I’ve been since this morning.

Nothing too bad going on, but for the past few days I’ve felt myself getting run down. I barely had a voice last night after teaching all day and by 10 I knew I wasn’t going to make it in today.

Another big reason why I needed to rest up today..

Yep, that Half Marathon thing….it’s Saturday!

 

I am starting to really get my pre-race jitters and nervousness. I’m not in the best position since I’m under the weather, but I’m hoping that I am pleasantly surprised by my performance in the race.

 

I’m not expecting to beat my PR from my first half, but I’m just hoping to finish strong.

 

I’ll be sure to post a recap after the race- but in the meantime I’m just trying to get better!

Ever get sick before a race?

How do you deal with pre-race jitters?

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Get your EBC’s!

No, I didn’t mess up the alphabet.

 

I’m talking about EBCs…Easy Breakfast Cups!

The other day while I was frying up some eggs and totally going to be late for school, I realized that something’s gotta give.

 

Either I need to swap the eggs for something else, or be able to do this faster. (Note that waking up earlier is not an option here)

 

So last night I came up with these little pre-made omelet cups that are delicious and quick on the go. Just reheat (or don’t) because they taste great at room temperature too.

 

Easy Breakfast Cups (makes 12 cups)

• 1 container egg beaters
• Any veggies you like (I used spinach, mushrooms, red pepper, and onion)
• Canadian Bacon (optional)
• Shredded Cheese (optional)
• Non stick cooking spray

Sautee up the veggies in some cooking spray.

Spray your muffin tin with cooking spray and add the veggies

Note: you can also use a mini muffin tin!

Add the Canadian bacon on top of the veggies

Pour the egg beaters on top of that- about 3/4 full

If you’re adding cheese- put it on top before baking. Bake at 350 for about 20 minutes or until the egg is firm and the tops are getting a bit golden.

And there you have it! Fancy pants omelets even if you’re on-the-go!

 

Enjoy

 

What is your favorite grab and go breakfast?

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Pizza Shop at Home

Tonight for dinner, Joe and I made our own pizzas!

 

After my 10 mile run in the rain (which went pretty well), I was more than happy to relax with a delicious meal at home.

We started with our own dough, and kneaded it out until it was about the same size as our baking sheets.

(This was one bag we had in the freezer, but the majority of the dough we used was from Wegman’s and I didn’t get a pic of it)

We added our own fresh toppings- veggies, turkey sausage, fresh basil,mozzarella cheese, some spices and a little parmesan

My pizza pre-baking

Post baking awesomeness!

It was SO good! And we have sooooooo many leftovers!

 

Time to lay around and watch TV until bed. Have a great evening!

 

Have you ever made your own pizza?
What are your favorite pizza toppings?

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Rainy Sunday

After a beautiful and sunny Saturday, I woke up to a grey and rainy Sunday morning.

(those plants are SO dead)

 

Not a big deal- but it will certainly make my scheduled 10 mile run a wee bit more challenging (while simultaneously making me feel more bad-ass)

 

I’m really hoping for a good run, despite some recent issues I’ve been having with my feet. From what I can tell, it seems I might have Plantar fasciitis. It’s not too bad yet, but I need to take proper precautions.

I’m icing, taking ibuprofen, stretching, and going to inquire about insoles at my local running store on Monday.

 

Breakfast this morning wasn’t all that exciting- but I did use this delicious creamer in my coffee.

 

I’m normally a black coffee chick, but this is so good and you only need a tablespoon to make the coffee creamy and light. Plus, coffee with milk is better for your teeth.

Eggs and toast were also enjoyed. These eggs are so gold in color- look how yellow this is and it’s only 1 yolk and 2 whites! And that bagel thin is slathered with Smart Balance (I’m in love with that stuff).

Time to get some stuff done before I go meet my friend Katie for our rainy 10 miler together. (I’m joining her for the second half of her 20 miler) Go Katie!

 

Oh and in other news, I chopped 5 inches off my hair yesterday!

 

Not the best picture, but you get the idea!

 

Have you ever had plantar fasciitis?

What are you up to today? Is it raining where you are?

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That voice inside

If you’ve read my About Me page, you know that I’ve been through the ringer when it comes to diets.

 

So for the past couple of months, as I found my way to a lifestyle that worked for me- I must admit didn’t do it alone.

Even though I still relied on myself to pick and choose foods that made me feel good- I was still following some sort of "diet" guideline or plan.

 

I’d also track food using a journal, or some other tool. Which I think in general, is not a bad idea. And if you’re trying to lose weight, it’s especially helpful.

 

But then I asked myself- what am I trying to do?

The surface level answers are:

• Feel good
• Look good
• Be healthy
• Be happy
• Live life joyfully

When I probe deeper though- I hear a voice that still says:

• LOSE WEIGHT. Your number one goal always and forever will be to be thin enough to accept yourself.

 

Wow.

 

Unlike years ago, the voice is no longer the loudest one in my head. And for the most part, I don’t really hear it.

 

The strange thing is though, that I hear it most when I’m not following some sort of plan. 

Recently, I decided to give myself a "tracking" and "rigid planning" break. And overall I’ve felt fine- except for that voice. I feel like when I drop the planning, it gets louder because I get more fearful and uncertain about what is going to happen to my body if I’m not regulating foods as closely as I was before.

 

During my tracking break I’ve had my ups and downs.

 

Some days I thought I wouldn’t make it through, that I have no self control, and that a DIET was going to be on the agenda for the next day.

Some days I was amazed at the excellent choices I made without thinking about it, and how awesome it is that my body knows exactly what it wants.

I guess what I’m trying to say is that I’m tired of all of the planning, rules, and formalities I place on myself when it comes to eating.

 

I’d like to become an intuitive eater.

 

I’d like to trust myself and my body to know what’s best for me.

 

But I’m afraid of the process.

 

Do you always "track" your food even if you’re not dieting?

Have any tips for me on my road to intuitive eating? Have you been though a similar process?

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