(Headwind) Luck Half Marathon

Every time I run a half marathon, I set up a practice run 2 weeks prior. I wear what I plan on wearing during the race. I eat what I plan on eating during the race. So, 2 weeks ago, I had my outfit planned. 

I had been checking the weather all week (as us runners normally do before a big race). It was suppose to be 40 (at the start) and a high of 69 (way after I finished) and sunny. The Lucky Race was in Davis, Ca (about 20 minutes away, without any traffic). So, I picked up my bib and shirt race day morning. 

I had plenty of sleep (I think I fell asleep about 9:30 the night before) and was ready to go. I was nervous, because I hadn't run this distance (for a timed race) in over a year. I hadn't trained as hard for this race, as I did for my first one (I wasn't in the gym 4 hours a day 6 days a week, but I did get my best time for that race). 40 degrees is cold first thing in the morning. 

I have run in the rain, sprinkling rain, hail, sun and dark skies. But, I have never trained in heavy winds. I should have trained for a super windy race, but I didn't. About 4 miles into the race, the course took us along the side of the freeway (with a chain link fence to separate us and the cars). It had already been a windy race, nothing I couldn't handle. But that wind and then add the freeway wind (for about 2 miles). We got a little break when we went over the freeway, just to head back. Which meant, another 2 more miles in the heavy wind. Ugh! I should have trained for windy, but I never though of it. 

At about mile 6, they were handing out water, Gatorade, banana slices, oranges and chocolate GU. I hadn't practiced with GU for this race. I practiced with Gatorade chews (which worked perfect). After last year's race, where I got food poisoning, I was afraid to try anything I hadn't practiced with. I took it just in case. I then started eating my chews I had brought with me. It helped and gave me the energy I needed. 

I was able to deal with the rest of the freeway wind. We made our way around this beautiful park and I started feeling like my tank was empty. That's when I took out the GU. I've had GU before (I just didn't train for this race with it). I ate half of it and kept going.  With 2 miles left of the race, I ate the rest of it. 

I made my way across the finish line at 2:41:46 (official time). I didn't make my first or second goal, but I did make my 3rd (and most important. I crossed the finish line with a smile of my face and un-injured!

I was smiling the entire time (ok maybe not all of it, I didn't want any bugs in my teeth). Here I come, crossing the finish line, to get another medal to add to my collection. 

I did it (with little training, but I did it)!!

After the race, we had some errands to run. As soon as I got home, I took a shower, to wash off all the salt. Then, I put on my compression calf sleeves, fixed a pb&j sandwich and poured a couple glasses of green monster juice and settled in on the couch. 

I wanted to take a nap, (because we had plans with some friends, to celebrate, that night) but I just couldn't do it. I laid there watching tv (which usually puts me to sleep) and I read some, too. But, my mind was wide awake. I would get up every once in a while, so I wouldn't get stiff and I would stretch. I'm so glad I did! It made a huge difference!

I kept my sleeves on while we went out to dinner. I enjoyed my well earned onion rings, club sandwich and my hoppy beer!!

This bib is now on my board with the others and my medal is hung up in place, with the others. I can't wait until I earn my next medal (nothing on the schedule, yet). 

Anyone else race this weekend? What races do you have coming up? Do you run the full distance before race day?

Good vs. Evil

I finally finished my nails last night. I know it's a crappy paint job, but they're cute, right? It's called easter egg. I think I want to call it bubble gum. This may be the last time my nails are all one color, for a while, at least.

There were so many good and "evil" things about my run last night. I'll start with the good:

* It was 75 and sunny

* There was a slight breeze

* The sun was nice & bright and keeping me warm

* I ran with some upbeat tunes that helped keep my pace

* It was warm enough to run in shorts and a tank!!!

* I carried water (very smart of me) and it was so refreshing when I needed it

The "evil"

* 75 gets pretty warm to run in. It becomes difficult when you haven't done so in a year

* The humidity was pretty high 

* A random lady waved me down (I was spacing out during the run), made me stop and pause my music and asked me if she could walk in the bike lane (there was a pedestrian path). 

* On my way back (on my out and back run), the sun was dead smack in my eyes and very blinding

After the run, I had to make a pit stop at the grocery store. I felt so bad for the people around me. I bet you could smell me a mile away. I bet the entire store needed to be aired out after I left.

By the time I got home, Jason was already home. Since I got to run outside, in shorts, I was in a very good mood. We decided to enjoy the night, outside, with a beer. I love this time of year!! It's prefect running weather!!

What's your favorite time of year? What color are your nails? Has anyone ever stopped you on a run before to ask you a question?

What Goes Better?

The other night I made the best burgers. They were made from The Pioneer Woman's Mushroom & Swiss burgers. Instead of ground beef, I used ground turkey sausage, and instead of swiss I used this garlic cheddar we had on hand. Excellent burgers!

And, what goes better with a burger, than a beer and some night time reading. Dean is a great man and so interesting to read about all that he has done.

I'm drinking out of the glass I got from my last race. I love it!

What books are you reading right now?

Is there an Echo?

After deciding that yesterday was going to be a rest day, I fixed up a quick breakfast. I love my "go to" meals. I had 2 pieces of toast with some butter and cinnamon and a side of grapes with some coffee. It was great. Hit the spot.

In the afternoon, I started to get hungry, once again. So, I decided to make something that's been in the back of my head for a while: roasted chickpeas. All I did was drain them from the can, pat them dry, put them on the cookie sheet, toss with oil, garlic sat ans a hint of chili powder. I baked in a 450 degree oven for about 30 minutes (tossing in the middle). They're great! They kind of remind me of a healthier version of corn nuts.

Lunch came so fast, I couldn't believe it. I love routines, so much, I echoed my morning routine and fixed 2 pieces of toast, with butter and cinnamon with a side of honeydew and a bottle of water.Hit the stop once again! I love fresh fruit, too.

My big project for the day was to organize all my recipes I've been collecting. That's one of my hobbies, to collect recipes that I will one day make. I have 2 binders: One filled with recipes that I want to make some time,

and one filled with recipes that I've made and we love them (aka my "favorites" binder).

They are all organized by what kind of meat they use, if they're pasta or something else, what type of food, dessert and thing like that. I was so happy once I finished! I jumped for joy!

After finishing that huge project, I wanted to get out of the house and check out a new store that just opened up. It's called the Sunflower and is just a couple miles away. It's suppose to be like Trader Joes and Whole Foods combined, just smaller.

It was really nice inside and just as described, reminded me of those 2 stores. We found a few things we wanted to pick up.

We came home, opened these babies up and sat outside enjoying the nice breeze, while we still have one.

Today, we have some more errands to run, which one includes a farmers market. I love farmers markets. If I could, I'd prefer to get all my fruit and veggies (and things like that) through the farmers markets, but they don't always have what I need.

I better go eat breakfast, so we can get ready and go.


What do you like to buy when you go to a farmers market?

Beer Does a Body Good

Happy Friday everyone!! Since I'm not training right now, I get to have beer! I don't drink too much. Usually about 2 beers. It's so nice after a hard day at work, a long workout and a hot drive home, (I hate turning on my ac, I know, odd woman) an ice cold beer tastes so good!


It goes so well was the last of the leftovers!

Proof...only 2 beers. I liked both of them. They're pretty good. I prefer lighter beers, compared to darker. The darker ones taste like burnt chocolate (yuck!).

I have a very busy weekend ahead of me. I'll catch you up as my days go by.

How did you start your weekend?

Laziness is Happiness

Last night was a lot of fun. We had our friends over for dinner. I made salads and chili. They brought over the best homemade chocolate cupcakes with PB frosting. They left us some and I'm trying to hold out as long as I can to eat them all.

We played Balderdash, drank and had a ton of laughs.

Here are the hubby's being their funny selves.

Us girls are a little more serious.

I've just been getting things ready for the week and relaxing. I guess I needed to sleep in. We woke up around 10. I haven't slept in that long in such a long time. I feel completely refreshed!

I must eat these cupcakes before they go bad. I hate wasting good food.

Lots of Money

Since yesterday was St. Patty's Day and we didn't want to go anywhere, we had green beer at home. I have to admit, this was my first green beer. Hey, what do you know, it tasted just like normal beer (or course). I think we put in too many drops of the food coloring. Opps!


With the beer, we had the (hopefully) last bit of chicken sandwiches. Of course, I put a lot of fresh spinach on it. Yummy greenness in my tummy.

Tonight is filled with taking the dry cleaning in, buying new running socks, ($5) pizza and grocery shopping. Spending lots of money night. Let's just hope everything works out as planned (I'm tired and don't want to be out too late).

When I went to Fleet Feet to find new running shoes (because of my blisters), they recommended not getting new shoes, but getting new socks. I love their honesty. They could have had me buy $100 pair of shoes, but steered my to buy $15 pairs of socks.

Hope everyone has a great Friday night and an even better Saturday run!

Happy 4th of July!

My beautiful fruit salad: chop everything in bite size pieces, and leave grapes whole. Place in covered bowled over night in the refrigerator, and serve cold. Very nice chilled summer dish.

The best breakfast ever! French toast with a little butter and some light syrup, with a cup of coffee. Such an easy breakfast to prepare.

The fireworks show.


This was just a small amount of the food that was brought to the party. Such great, yummy treats!

The BBQ tasted so good. I tried my husbands steak, it just melted in my mouth...no need to chew.

I set my alarm early, for a holiday, 7:15 am. Of course, I hit snooze a couple of times. I began my day by fueling up with some water, a half of a banana, and some extra fruit salad I had made for our Fourth of July festivities. I headed out the door for my short run this morning of 2.25 miles. When I came back , I popped in a Denise Austin's Pilates DVD and set up my yoga mat for a 25 minute session. I love practicing pilates or yoga after a nice run. It really stretches my muscles out. Afterwards, I finished my workout with a mini 15 minute free weights. It was so nice to work my arms after stretching them for 25 minutes.

After I showered and cleaned up, Jason made me a great breakfast using Cascade Prides' 100% whole wheat stone bread, a couple of eggs and soy milk to make french toast. This is my favorite breakfast, and I could eat a million pieces. I was strong, and only had 3 pieces. I love this bread. I wasn't always a big fan of whole wheat bread, but I decided that I wanted to start to eat better, and this was a start. This bread has nice flavor, but not too sweet. I enjoyed my favorite breakfast with a cup of coffee with some creamer.

After a couple of hours flying by, we got ready to go to our friends' house for the 4th of July fireworks show and BBQ. This is a long tradition and we always have a blast. There is always so much food and drinks. This year, my weakness was the chocolate chip cookies. I had too many to count, I guess it's a good thing that I am working out tomorrow. I brought my fruit salad and some beer.

The fruit salad was made up of 1 full personal watermelon (using a melon baller), 1/2 of a honeydew melon (using a melon baller), 1 lb. strawberries (chopped to bite size pieces), 2 kiwi (peeled, and diced), 1 banana (chopped), and 1 1/2 lbs of purple grapes. I mixed everything together and let it sit overnight in the fridge. I like to make sure the juices from all the fruit soaks together. The salad was a big hit, but not as big as the usual side I bring; the 7 layer dip. That is usually devoured within a few hours. I wanted something semi healthy that I could eat this year.

Our gracious host always barbecues for us, and the guests bring the sides and fireworks. As I mentioned before, there is always way too much food, drinks and fireworks. It is always great to see everyone. This year, I had 1 hot dog in a white bun with mustard (which is my best friend in this type of situation), 2 beers, too many chocolate chip cookies and a couple handfuls of M&M's.

I hope everyone had a great Fourth. Tell me what is your least favorite firework? Mine is the Piccolo Pete's, too loud.