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

Expedition Everest: Summit Party

Don't miss my recap of the Expedition Everest Expo, 5K and Scavenger Hunt.

Following the race, was the Expedition Everest Summit Party.  After finishing and picking up a bottle of water and some snacks (they had mini Cliff Bars and banana's), I picked up my stuff from baggage and headed into Animal Kingdom.

People were still working on the scavenger hunt while I was headed in (Pam and her mom were still out there so I had some time to kill), so they had a walkway for finishers to head into the park.  Once I was inside the gates, I made a detour to the bathroom to change my top and clean up for the party.  While I wish I could have showered (not possible), I did use my Nathan's Power Shower Wipes.  It's definitely not the same as showering, but at least it got the sweat off my face.  I also put on my jacket, because man was it cold out.  Only like 65 degrees.

The main section of the park that was open was Dinoland USA (everything open) and parts of Asia (just Everest and Kali River Rapids).  I immediately headed for Everest - couldn't wait to ride it at night!  There was no wait, just the walk to the front.

I have to say, riding Everest at night was definitely a different experience.  I've ridden the ride a lot, but it felt very different at night.  It was a little scarier!  The parts inside were in the pitch black.  It was a lot of fun!

 When I got off the ride, I was ready to get right back on!  The line was a little longer this time, but then I realized they were still doing single rider line.  So I used that line and rode 3 more times!  That might be the most I have ever ridden Everest in a row.  By the 4th time, I needed a break.  And I was awful thirsty.

They still had the adult beverage carts out, so on the way back to Dinoland, I stopped and got a margarita.  It was delicious (sorry, I love margarita's).

Since I was still waiting for Pam and her mom, I figured I would check out the rest of the party.  They had a DJ out and he was playing some fun music.  They also had some characters out, so I stopped for some photo's - Goofy and Pluto in their farming finest.

 

After Pam got there (her mom headed back to the hotel early), we headed to check out Kali River Rapids.  It's always been closed when I've been there or way too cold to ride it.  It wasn't quite warm enough (still) but we did anyways.  Most people seemed to be waiting for Everest because there was no wait all.  We ended up in a raft all by ourselves.

I have to admit, it was fun but it was definitely kind of creepy.  Since the park is usually closed at night, the ride isn't well lit which added to the spookiness.  And since not many people were riding it, there was no one else in site.  It was still fun, but doesn't hold a candle to Grizzly River Run (in California Adventure).  It might be better with more people in the raft (and in the daytime), so I'll have to check it out again.

Overall, I enjoyed the Summit Party.  I got my fill of Everest, finally got to ride Kali River Rapids and the DJ was pretty good.  Not quite as good as the Wine and Dine after party (with the Food and Wine Festival going on, that after party is pretty epic), but still a great time!