Marathon Monday
“Occupy” Monday was spent working at home, healing up from the Fargo Marathon, and getting some important errands completed.
First up, we got vaccinations for our trip to Africa. Because of the best nurse ever, it was the first time I didn’t feel pain from needles. Oh happy day!
Then we stopped off at my favorite running store, Running Away Multisport, and got new shoes.
John got the new New Balance Zeros but oddly, I didn’t like how they felt and went with the shoes I lost on the course, the New Balance Minimus Trails.
Monday continued on a fun and lucky note with a trip back to O’Hare airport.
When we were leaving for Fargo on Friday morning, I left my laptop charging in Terminal 2 of O’Hare report - something I didn’t realize until we got to Fargo.
This added stress and tears to our weekend and although we tried to put it out of our mind during the race, that’s easier said than done.
On Monday, an employee from O’Hare called me after getting one of my teary messages. Someone had found it charging and turned it in. I’m typing on it with a pear-shaped bully butt on my feet. :D
I’m a lucky girl and very grateful for good people.
We ended the night with two awesome things: dinner with a new friend and dinner at a new place, Smoke Daddy!
Smoke Daddy is one of those placed that reminds me how much I love our Wicker Park/Bucktown neighborhood, It’s an adorable BBQ joint and the service and food are top notch.
It was too cold to eat out but there’s a great area with twinkling lights perfect for a date night.
I’m always happy when we eat with other meat eaters because John gets to share his dish. John and our friend ended up getting ribs and sweet potato fries - he ate most of those. :D
I had sides. Glorious Sides - macaroni and cheese and peppery corn bread. So good, I didn’t want to share!
I don’t eat mayonnaise but Smoke Daddy’s cole slaw is made with more of a vinegar base and the cilantro gives it something special - I have to make this at home!
And then we shared a skillet cookie because no marathon is complete without a skillet cookie.
There’s live entertainment every night and she was great - singing country songs and reggae all night.
Whew! It was a exhausting Monday for some of us…but great start for the rest of us!
Going Far in Fargo
So I finished the Fargo Marathon…with a P.R.
Fargo is different than other marathons I’ve run in that the chip was not on my bib but tied to my shoes.
Oh, my poor shoes.
Yes, I lost my shoes on the course.
Or more precisely, I threw them away.
I got a rock in my shoe at mile 17, and it cut my foot so badly that keeping the shoe on was agony.
So I tried to throw away just one, but running on one shoe is even worse. So by mile 18 I had thrown both away (I carried the chip in my hand), and ran the last 8 miles barefoot
And this was the result.
Running barefoot was horribly painful and I ran the entire time with tears in my eyes. I kept looking for smooth parts of the street to run on and grass but there were pits and twigs everywhere.
And to add insult to injury, my (fully charged) Garmin died partway through the race.
I somehow still managed to reach my goal.
I may have cried those entire eight miles, but it didn’t matter when I crossed the finish line and found John.
My time of 4:13:53 at the Fargo Marathon was a 20 minute improvement from my Marine Corps Marathon time of 4:32 and my pace improved from 10:18 to 9:50 minutes/mile.
I also ran the half in 2:06:57, my fastest half on record. :)
John also had a tough race, but he finished in 4:10 - a p.r. for him by 17 minutes!
Fargo’s Marathon was one of our favorites - the course is beautiful and the people were lovely. Practically every quarter mile, people were handing out water and treats at unofficial aid stations.
Everyone called out “Honey Badger” because I had written it on my bib instead of my name.
Even with perfect conditions, the race was a tough one.
But as my favorite sign from the course said, “Ambition never looks back.”
Getting Ready for a Marathon
First, there’s the carbo-loading.
Getting my race prep pile ready and modelling my race day outfit.
Not being able to fall asleep from all the excitement and crashing…two hours before the race.
Waking up to marathon alarm - thank goodness, I cleverly placed it across the room.
Shocked as always that God created a 5am in the morning.
Getting my first shot of caffeine and sugary gel at 5:05…and hitting the starting line singing Eye of the Tiger.
Like a {Boss} Boo!
Just Keep Swimming, Swimming
This is one of my favorite pictures from the Marine Corps Marathon.
It looks like a moment from a Broadway play - they are all arranged in triangle formation behind me and will break into song at any moment:
Do you hear the people sing, Singing the songs of angry men?
It is the music of a people, Who will not be slaves again! (JAZZ HANDS!)
Yeah, I sing Broadway songs when I run so this could have totally happened!
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{Face Down all Your Fears!}
With only a few days left, my training was reduced but felt mentally intense.
I ran without music a lot and hours on the mat (at the studio and home) just made me focus on race weekend.
I tell myself nervousness is good and pressure is great - it makes you always want to be better than your previous reached goal. Here is my training breakdown:
Monday, 5/7: C2 Hot Yoga, 60 Minutes
Tuesday, 5/8: C2 Hot Yoga, 60 Minutes; 3.5 miles, 35 minutes.
Wednesday, 5/9: Hot Power Fusion Yoga, 60 Minutes
Thursday, 5/10: 5 Miles in 49:19.
Friday, 5/11 + Saturday, 5/12: REST DAY, PT + Foam Rolling
Sunday, 5/13: 3.1 Miles in 29:55 + Core Restore Yin Yoga.
11.6 running miles is over a 50% reduction from my highest mileage weeks and the four hot yoga classes kicked my tush.
Ramping down the running has left me sluggish, a normal thing according to the books I’ve read.
This week, the final few days before the marathon, I will run even fewer miles but I will sprint a lot to keep my legs bendy. I’m getting antsy and anxious and just can’t seem to relax or sleep.
At these times I have to ask - what would Dory do? She’d just keep swimming. :)
Stay a While, Crocodile
Here’s a little knowledge on this terrifying Tuesday: the first known crocodiles were 27 feet long and may have been able to swallow people whole.
That’s five of me, standing on top of each other, heading towards you. Menacingly. Nigel would not have survived.
Actually, crocodiles and Nigel have much in common: short splayed legs, a round, chubtacular belly, powerful jaws, and a propensity to lay around with that “derp” expression.
Not quite sure why he’s such an evolutionary fail… :D
After hot yoga last night I was famished - apparently countless bowls of soup weren’t enough.
So I did what I do best - cut up a small pineapple and ate it with my hands.
I woke up not hungry for breakfast so I used the time to pack a delicious lunch - a baby spinach salad dressed with miso-wasabi dressing, miniature red and orange bell peppers and roasted Brussels sprouts on the side.
I also ate an Ezekiel English muffin with a Chipotle “grain meat” sausage - love this sammie!
The Chipotle vegan sausages is primarily made from my favorite veggie: eggplant!
Today’s Workout:
My first workout of the day was a 3.5 mile run easy run in 34 minutes.
My second workout was a 60 minute C2 hot yoga class with my favorite teacher.
My run felt good except for a lot of pain in my triceps when I was pumping my arms.
In yesterday’s and today’s C2 hot yoga class, I finally had a breakthrough in side crane pose but it definitely left me sore!
I think this will be the year of crow/crane poses. Although I can hold regular crane/crow for a long time, I am working on full crane - getting those knees to the top of my triceps. There’s always a new challenge everyday. :)
Runnings and Doings the Yoga
There are beautiful thunderstorms and rain outside and I love running in a storm. Feeling the raindrops on your body when you run is so freeing.
I especially love those moments when you come in after a wet run you get that immediate chill followed by a hot shower.
And yes, I love cuddling with Nigel after an evening run and yes, he is not excited about it. I get pretty jealous that he’s so excited when John comes in from his runs but he just keeps napping when he sees me.
LOVE MEEEEEEE!!!!!
Nigel is super mopey and sitting in a corner with his favorite toy because John is out of town visiting family and Nigel Bear can’t wrap his mind around this. It would be heartbreaking if it weren’t adorable!
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WOD
Today’s run was an easy 3.1 miles (5K) in 29:50. I couldn’t have run it faster if I wanted to because oddly, the heat is getting to me. And it’s not even that hot - just 82 in the rain!
I know it seems silly but I rarely warmed up before I ran. I might walk around a bit and do a bit of yoga but I would just get to the line and run.
After the Marine Corps Marathon, I thought, “What am I doing?” I’m practically using the first two miles of every race to warm up and feel more limber and that is a waste - so I got smart and make myself do a warm-up jog now for almost a quarter mile.
I don’t count it towards my daily total but it’s been remarkable how much better my legs feel!
{Why would anyone want to shoot them?}
My second workout was a C2 hot yoga class - we did a lot of “Shoot the Ducks.” I hate the name but love the challenge of the pose - I am no where near getting it but it looks so awesome!
After my run and hot yoga class I was ravenous and enjoyed this delicious combination: toast with berry preserve and fresh rosemary leaves!
I saw an old Gourmet magazine which had sweet jams with unlikely spices in it and I wanted to give it a try. VERDICT? Delicious! It’s an unexpected flavor for me and I love it!
My review of the Rodney Yee yoga DVD for at-home practice inspired a personal challenge posed by Yee: Can I hold Downward Dog for five minutes on my forearms and palms? Let see if I can by the end of the month?!
I have been concentrating on just downward dog on my arms and the longest I’ve gotten to 2:35 - it’s intense and my arms were shaking. :)
Hope everyone had an awesome Thursday!
Meals ‘n Miles
It’s 72 degrees in Chicago. FINALLY.
Nigel took it all in stride but anything above 65 is not good for bullies or any smoosh-faced dogs.
I hear ya, big guy. My first workout today was a 5.25 mile run in 51 minutes and it was hot.
My compression gear which keeps me nice and toasty in 40 degree runs was not fun today so it’s worrying me as I plan on wearing it during the Fargo Marathon. I’ve got a few days to get used to it so cross your fingers that it will work out. :D
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I haven’t posted my eats in some time because I’ve been eating the same six things - oatmeal, eggs, salad, tofu, Greek yogurt, and veggies.
Don’t get me wrong, I love what I eat but I will start again tomorrow with the hopes that I will try some awesome new recipes!
Tonight, John is working late so I felt like I was back in my living-by-myself days when I ate a ENTIRE small pineapple for dinner. With my hands.
Yup.
Hello May!
I know May’s going to be good. Check out my May flowers - this plant is bursting with three flowers and several buds and it started out as a shriveled up little guy. I can’t believe I’m going to have to transplant it soon - potted plant win!
May also begins with an exciting purchase! These are my first pair of hiking boots! :) In less than 50 days, John and I will be embarking on our adventure to Africa where I will climb Mt. Kilimanjaro and we will be going on a safari!
If I told you I was so excited that I limboed into a table, it wouldn’t be a lie. :) No baby elephant will be safe from my hugs.
This will be my third camping trip EVER and I’ve never ever hiked up a mountain. This will be my first pair of hiking boots EVER. This will be the longest time I have ever gone without my flatiron and make-up in public EVER.
Let the hysterical laughter begin! ;D
I bought Lowa boots at Erehwon I will be breaking them in towards the end of May - the Vibrams and my NB Minimus feel so different than the high heel on these guys and I can feel it in my hip after only a few minutes of walking.
*****
Oh yeah, and May means the Fargo Marathon is almost here. EEEEEEEPPPPPPPP!!!!!
Breakfast this morning were two clementines and coffee with almond milk. I’ve been feeling under the weather so I took a rest day yesterday and am keeping it light today with a short run and hot yoga.
Here’s hoping I’m back to 100% by tonight!
Workouts + Monday Miscellany
I think my Nigel Bear is perfect. Well, that would be a roll of shredded toilet paper.
Nigel loves the cardboard tube and he has figured out he can get to them all by himself. :)
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We had a full weekend - it started with waking up at 5 am so we catch our Friday flight for a Friday wedding - yes, young ones, my generation thinks Friday weddings are acceptable.
We came back Saturday after the wedding brunch and took Nigel for a long drive and decided we really wanted to see Five Year Engagement and it was a hilarious date night movie.
After my own pratfall at a lovely wedding, I appreciated the physical comedy. :D
I got some messages about the dress I wore:
a) this is what it looked like from the front - yeah, it was really windy! :D
b) For a previous message sender, the scar on my arm is from cooking for the first time in our new house. I hadn’t gotten used to the dimensions of a much larger oven and when sliding out a pan of roasted veggies, I pressed the edge of a pan heated to 450 degrees to my bicep. It felt not awesome.
c) This is what the back looked like without the wind.
I honestly couldn’t love a dress more and I am so happy others felt the same.
When I came home from my own long run on Sunday, this is what I found. John ran 21 miles in total and he and Nigel were recovering with ice packs.
You might think that I spoil Nigel the most but this man walked into a natural foods pet store and walked out with three treats on Nigel’s morning walk.
And after his kick-ass 21 miles, it was Nigel who got all the cuddles.
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Running Bunny Weekly Report 4/23-4/29
I had an intense training week - I took four C2 hot yoga classes and increasing the load of advanced classes has been the most effective way to take my practice to the next level.
{Unknown Source, please message me if you know}
In Sunday’s hot yoga class, I was able to stand easily in Bird of Paradise pose. I am still working on extending my leg and looking in the other direction at the same time but I will add this advanced pose to my practice!
John is a bit concerned that I am pushing myself too much but I always believe that hot yoga cures everything. :)
I ran a total of 17.86 miles this week - a 4.5 miler, a 3.11 miler (in 25 minutes!) and a ten miler on Sunday.
It’s been tough ramping down the mileage - I’ll only be running ten milers as my long runs until the race because I want my legs 100% refreshed. With less than three weeks until the Fargo Marathon, I am jumping out of my skin with excitement!
WOD + WOW: 5K P.B. & Our African Adventure Begins!
Today was a intervals day and I ran a 3.3 miles in 26:35 minutes!
My 3.11 mile time (5K) was 24:56!!
I want to thank the Academy, G-d, John, and my mom.
Not really, I want to thank carbs. Pure, unadulterated carbs.
It was tough and this is what I looked like after. :) In race conditions, I am hoping this will translate to a 27-28 minute 5K soon!
With a little over three weeks until the Fargo Marathon, I’m in my taper phase where I bring down my mileage and focus on speedwork and my hot yoga classes.
My second workout today is 90 minutes of yoga at home using Tara Stiles’ book!
I hate to admit it, but I don’t love the Wednesday teachers and I find it distracting to my practice - I know I should overlook mannerisms or teaching style but it becomes so closely intertwined with your concentration that it’s tough to do!
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Today was also awesome for another reason: we booked our trip to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro and bought our plane tickets!
Our trip is going to involve a trek up and down the mountain and a two-day African Safari! This is one of my biggest dreams and I am so excited just imagining seeing the lions, zebras, and elephants walking about in their natural surroundings.
We tried to take a family portrait after we bought the tickets but Smooshface McGee was hogging the spotlight as usual.
Sadly, no English bullies up Mt. Kili. :)
