Training recap week of 6/23 (Grandma's Recovery Week)

Sorry for the delay in my recap from Grandma's.  The delay is two-fold - busy week at work and I'm still trying to wrap my head around the whole thing.  Despite all the work I knew I had put in, I wasn't sure I'd PR so actually PR'ing has made the whole thing very emotional.

My goal is get them all done within the next week.  I plan on doing a recap of the expo and spaghetti dinner, race recap, post race party recap and travel / logistics overview.  I know when I was doing travel for this race, I wasn't sure which airport I should fly into, where to stay, etc.  Want to put together a post on my thoughts in case others are thinking of running it and this helps them out.

This week was all about recovery.  I did get a couple of short runs in, but took them all easy.

Monday

Scheduled: Rest

Actual: Rest

Tuesday

Scheduled: Rest

Actual: Rest

Wednesday

Scheduled: Rest

Actual: Rest

Thursday

Scheduled:Rest
Actual: Rest

Friday

Scheduled: Rest

Actual: Rest

Saturday

Scheduled: 3-4 miles (very) easy

Actual: 4.00 mi, 44:34, 11:09 pace

Sunday

Scheduled: 3-4 miles (very) easy

Actual: 3.19 mi, 34:42, 10:53 pace

Total miles: 7.19

Total June miles: 129.26

Miles until goal (1,250): 560.10

2 on Tuesday

I have been loving watermelon lately.  Something about the heat and humidity of the past couple of weeks has me craving the refreshing taste of watermelon.  It seems to taste even better this year - is that just me?  Either way, I anticipate having lots of it before summer is over!

A couple of weeks ago, I went and saw Motown on Broadway.  Outside of being the youngest people there by like 15 years, it was really fun.  I knew (almost) all the songs and it was a really fun atmosphere inside the theatre.  It reminded me a bit of Mamma Mia - in that everyone sang along and clapped.  The performers were really amazing and some looked so much like there real life counterparts it was scary.  If you get the chance, I highly recommend going to see it!

Training recap week of 6/16 (Grandma's Week 18)

Last recap for Grandma's training.  I can't (okay, I can) believe it's over.  This was a long training period with ups and downs, but all the hard work paid off.  Nice to know that all the effort was worth it!  I am going to try and get my race recap done this week, but am still processing most of it. 

Let's see how the last week of training went.

Monday

Scheduled: Rest

Actual: Rest

Tuesday

Scheduled: Speedwork (3 x 1M @ half marathon pace with 2:00 min recovery), plus warm up and cool down

Actual: 6.12 mi total
Paces: 8:20, 8:19, 8:00

Wednesday

Scheduled: 3 miles easy

Actual: 3.01 mi, 30:23, 10:06 pace

Thursday

Scheduled:Rest
Actual: Rest

Friday

Scheduled: 2 mile shake out run

Actual: 2.00 mi, 21:37, 10:43 pace

Saturday

Scheduled: Grandma's Marathon

Actual: 26.41 mi, 3:54:09, 8:52 pace

That's based on my Garmin.  Based on 26.2 it's an 8:56 pace.   

Sunday

Scheduled: Rest

Actual:Rest

Total miles: 37.54

Total June miles: 122.08

Miles until goal (1,250): 567.29

Grandma's - COMPLETED!!

I have a new marathon PR - 3:54:08!  I'll have a full recap coming up, but I'll just say this was challenging.  The weather conditions were not ideal, but I pushed through and it felt great to PR.

On another note, I have to say the people of Duluth were awesome.  I met some awesome folks and in the span of 12 hours got invited to come back next year with a place to stay and an entry if I need it.  You all are too nice and made a girl feel super welcomed. 

2 Days. 2 Days.

2.  That's how many days are left until I run another marathon. And only 1 day until I'm Duluth bound.  I can't believe it's here.  It seemed so far off for so long and now it's here.  {takes deep breathe}

I was feeling pretty good about the race - no crazy nerves, taper was going fine... And then it all hit me yesterday.  I was printing out some race info and all of the sudden I was FREAKING out.  How does that happen so quickly?

I am definitely getting nervous, but it's a good nervous with some excitement thrown in.  Not like the "what the h*ll was I thinking" nervousness that plagued me for weeks leading up to Dopey (remember that?  Not fun).

I'm been trying to think positive all week and focus on all my good workouts from the past couple of months.  Those include workouts that went according to plan and ones that I struggled with but pushed on.  So much of the marathon is mental that I like to remember making it through the crappy workouts.

I also re-read my Disney World Marathon recap because that race really did go well and I think remembering that I can run 26.2 and feel good during it is important.

I'm also trying to remember to trust my training.  I have put in a lot of hard work this training cycle and I need to remember that.  I did tally it up and as of today, I ran 498 miles in training for Grandma's.  This included a couple of down weeks when my body needed the break.  For a comparison, I ran 499 miles for Dopey and that was for 4 races.  This is just 1 race.  I've got a solid base and lots of speedwork in the bank. I know hard work pays off - I saw it first hand at Nike DC.

So the final countdown is on.  Wish me luck!

2 on Tuesday

I am starting to pack for the race this weekend and can't decide what to wear.  Help!  I know the top - it's the same style I wore for the Disney marathon and I wore it during Nike DC so I know it's comfortable and has some good vibes attached to it.  I just can't decide what shorts to wear.  Which one do you like?  Let me know in the comments!

I've been trying to cook more lately and my friend Joanne posted this delicious recipe on her blog - sweet potato gnocchi with balsamic-roasted asparagus and caramelized onions.  It came together pretty easily and was really yummy.  I used regular gnocchi as I couldn't find sweet potato at the store I was at.  It was still good, but I would like to make it with the sweet potato gnocchi as well as I think it would be even better. 

Training recap week of 6/9 (Grandma's Week 17)

This is it folks - only 1 week left until the race (okay, really 5 days).  I can't believe it's here already.  I am feeling good, but trying not to over think it and stress myself out.  I really do better when I am relaxed.

I spent this past weekend in Connecticut with family.  It was a busy weekend with lots of unhealthy food, but it was a very relaxing time and perfect for the weekend before the race.

I'm definitely got the taper aches and pains, but nothing hurts badly.  Only 5 days to go!!

Monday

Scheduled: Rest

Actual: Rest

Tuesday

Scheduled: 4 miles easy

Actual: 4.01 mi, 42:00, 10:29 pace

Wednesday

Scheduled: Speedwork (8 x 0.5mi @ 10K Pace with 90 sec recovery), plus warm up and cool down

Actual: 6:75 mi total
Paces: 7:58, 7:53, 7:50, 7:50, 7:51, 7:56, 7:45, 7:42

Thursday

Scheduled: 3 miles easy

Actual: 3.12 mi, 30:57, 9:56 pace

Friday

Scheduled: Rest

Actual: Rest

Saturday

Scheduled: 8 miles easy

Actual: 8.01 mi, 1:19:13, 9:54 pace

Sunday

Scheduled: 3 mile easy

Actual: 3.01 mi, 31:38, 10:31 pace

Total miles: 24.89

Total June miles: 84.53

Miles until goal (1,250): 604.83

Cheddar Tailgating Bread {Pinterest Success}

Now that I am finally caught up on my race recaps, I want to share some of the other stuff I'm been doing this spring (and now summer).

I went home at the end of March for my nieces birthday.  She's only 2, so we do a small family thing and I offered to bring an app with me.  Of course, I turned to Pinterest for my dish.  I decided to bring an appetizer and after some deliberating, I decided on Cheddar Tailgating Bread.

I saw a couple of versions (by various blogs) on Pinterest but I decided to go with this one on Tasty Kitchen by Foodie with Family.  It looked relatively easy and that I'd be able to make it on site.

It was pretty easy to put together, which is no easy feat considering there were 4 small children running around and a house full of adults distracting me.

Overly simplified directions by me -

1. Melt butter and mix with garlic and sliced green onions
2. Cut loaf of Italian bread into squares/grid, but don't cut all the way to the bottom.  Separate pieces to make space
3. Pour butter/garlic/green onion mixture into the crevices created by the squares

4. Wrap bread in foil and bake for 10 minutes
5.  Remove from oven and sprinkle with cheddar cheese, making sure to push the cheese into the crevices

6.  Return to oven uncovered and cook for another 15 minutes until cheese is melted
7.  Let sit for 3 minutes to cool and sprinkle parsley over top

Next time, I will probably saute the garlic and green onions for a bit to soften them before adding to the bread.  I'll also decrease the amount of cheese because it was overflowing and we didn't even use all the cheese it called for.  I'd also cut back on the amount of parsley because it seemed like a lot to me (but you might like that much!).

Overall this recipe was easy and delicious!  I would call this one a Pinterest Success!

You can get the full recipe here!

2 on Tuesday

You may remember a couple of weeks ago, I shared Tasting Tables Best Doughnuts in NYC list.  Now, they've come out with the 13 Best Ice Creams in NYC.  Since that is clearly seasonal, I think I'll need to tackle that one first.  Summer just calls out for ice cream, right?

Registration for the Star Wars Half in Disneyland opened today.  To no one's surprise, it sold out quickly.  The Challenge sold out in 26 minutes and the half in 2 hours.  Personally, this race doesn't appeal that much to me.  I like Star Wars, but would rather go out for the Avengers Half.  It's also the weekend after the Disney Half in World, which would be tough vacation wise.  Did anyone out there sign up?

Training recap week of 6/2 (Grandma's Week 16)

We are in the home stretch people!  Only 2 weeks to go and now it's taper time.  I am very excited to be in taper.  My body has been waiting for this.

Monday

Scheduled: Rest

Actual: Rest

Tuesday

Scheduled: 6 miles easy

Actual: 6.00 mi, 1:00:30, 10:05 pace

Wednesday

Scheduled: Speedwork (8 x 0.5mi @ 10K Pace with recovery), plus warm up and cool down

Actual: 8:04 mi total
Paces: 7:55, 7:53, 7:45, 7:59, 7:53, 7:53, 7:47, 7:49

Thursday

Scheduled: 5 miles easy

Actual: 5.1 mi, 51:00, 10:01 pace

Friday

Scheduled: Rest

Actual: Rest

Saturday

Scheduled: 5 miles easy

Actual: 5.0 mi, 50:51, 10:10 pace

Sunday

Scheduled: 14 mile long ru

Actual: 14.01 mi, 2:19:47, 9:59 pace

Total miles: 38.15

Total June miles: 59.65

Miles until goal (1,250): 629.72

Pineapple Coconut Popsicles

Since it's summer now, I thought I'd break out my popsicle molds.  I found this recipe on pinterest, but it didn't link to anything (I hate when that happens).  It listed ingredients in the subject, but wasn't fully specific (just items, not amounts).  After doing some pinterest searching, I made an educated guess as to what amounts to use.

Only 4 ingredients and they are so much better for you than popsicles you buy at the store.

Pineapple Coconut Popsicles
Source: Pinterest (if you know who's recipe this actually is, let me know and I'll give credit!)
Yields: 10-12 pops depending on the size of your molds

(1) 20 oz can of pineapple chunks
(1) 14 oz can of coconut milk (I used regular, but you could probably use lite if it's a big deal)
(1) Banana
1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Directions:
1. Combine all ingredients in blender
2. Blend until smooth
3. Fill molds, but not completely
4. Freeze for at least 8 hours

So yummy and delicious!

2 on Tuesday

Last year at the Lululemon warehouse sale, I picked up two pairs of spandex shorts to wear under my running skirts for costumes.  I honestly wasn't expecting to love them (I'm not a huge spandex fan when running), but they are the most comfortable shorts.  I wore them at all 4 Dopey races, including the marathon (don't worry, I did laundry after the 10K so they were clean).  They aren't available anymore, so I had taken to ebay to stock up on them.  They just came out with a similar version - the Dart and Dash.  From what I can find online, they are the same as my shorts, just slightly longer.  I ordered them online and they should be coming tomorrow.  I hope they are the same!

Speaking of ebay, does anyone sells things on ebay?  I was doing some cleaning this weekend and realized I had developed a bit of a stockpile of foundation.  So in an effort to lower the stockpile, I am thinking of selling some on ebay.  It seems easy enough, right?  Anyone ever sell anything on ebay with luck? I'm not looking to make a ton of money, just clean out my makeup drawer.

Training recap week of 5/26 (Grandma's Week 15)

Another week done, only 3 weeks to go!  I can't believe it's so close!  This week of training went really well and makes me excited for the race.  I'm feeling good about it!

Before I get to the recap for this week, I did want to quickly share that I (finally) created an Instagram account for the blog.  If you want, you can follow me here.

Monday

Scheduled: Rest

Actual: Rest

Tuesday

Scheduled: 6 miles easy

Actual: 6.00 mi, 1:01:49, 10:18 pace

Wednesday

Scheduled: Speedwork (6 x 1mi @ Half Marathon Pace with 90 sec recovery), plus warm up and cool down

Actual: 8:43 mi total
Paces: 8:26, 8:22, 8:25, 8:24, 8:17, 8:08

Thursday

Scheduled: 5 miles easy

Actual: 4.31 mi, 43:46, 10:10 pace

My legs were really feeling Wednesday night's speedwork so I cut this one slightly short.

Friday

Scheduled: Rest

Actual: Rest

Saturday

Scheduled: 5 miles easy

Actual: 5.01 mi, 51:25, 10:16 pace

Sunday

Scheduled: 21 mile long run (16 easy pace + 5 mi @ goal race pace)

Actual: 21.01 mi, 3:23:20, 9:41 pace + a 0.5 mile cooldown walk
Paces: 9:11, 8:53, 8:54, 8:55, 8:45

They weren't quite at race pace, but Kirsty said that it was more about effort then pace it was okay to be slightly below race pace. 

Total miles: 45.25

Total May miles: 141.02
Total June miles: 21.50

Miles until goal (1,250): 667.87