Getting Ready for Race Day

First off, I promised Jason I would ask you guys: Do you ever fix this: 2 pieces of toast with a fried egg in the middle? I hate fried eggs, so this has always been so gross for me. Anyone else eat this, or is he just weird?

Scoutie has been enjoying my gym bag during my taper time. Yes, I am that lazy that my gym bag stays by the front door,so my cat can lay on it. She always makes a bed out it. No matter what's on top (like my water bottle and shoes). 

I'm getting ready for race day (on Saturday morning). 

I'm going to be wearing my lucky blue Nike capris, black Champion tank and gray/orange Champion sports bra. I will also have my mp3 player, Nathan water bottle with my Gatorade chews (fruit punch) and my Garmin.

My goals for this is are pretty simple:

A Goal: Finish 2:15 or sooner

B Goal: Finish 2:30 or sooner

C Goal: Just have fun and cross the finish line un-injured

I'm picking up my packet on race day, so that's why it's not pictured. I'm excited and nervous all at the same time. I know I"ll do well, but I'm always afraid I won't accomplish any pf my goals. That's always in the back of my head. I know my body and mind can accomplish the things I set for it and I will have fun on Saturday.

Wish me luck!

Anyone else racing?

Chicken Pot Pie Soup

For California, it's a little chilly here (nothing compared to anywhere else, though). So, cold, rainy weather calls for some soup. 

I love chicken pot pies, they're one of my favorite cold weather dishes. So, I found a recipe that combined the pot pie and soup. I made chicken pot pie soup. Perfect! It needed a lot of things cut up and took some time. Luckily, Jason was able to help me and make dinner prep seem like nothing. 

What seemed like nothing, and my dinner was ready. Poof, magic and dinner had appeared in front of me. ready to be inhaled. This recipe will defiantly become one of my favorite to make during the cold weather season. 

I'm so excited! Time change is this weekend. I also glad it's the day after my race, so I don't show up an hour late. 

Anyone else racing this weekend? I'm running in the lucky 13 half marathon on Saturday. If you're local, stop by and say hi!

The Good (Bad) Food

I am a normal person. I like to eat whatever I want. I may not always chose the most healthy items to eat, but I try to make them from scratch. I like to know what is in my foods. If I buy the foods, I prefer to be able to pronounce everything in it. I'm kind of weird like that. 

The other week, I made (for the first time ever!!) my own cheesecake. 

When I have cheesecake, it must have some sort of chocolate involved. I don't like plain cheesecake, even with the fruit toppings. It can have a ton of chocolate drizzle on top and then I'll eat it. 

I used this recipe and it was so easy to make (I even made the crust, too). One of the benefits to making your own cheesecake is that you can see exactly what is in it. That's also a down side, because after seeing how much cream cheese (I know, I know, it is cheesecake) is used, I didn't eat nearly as much as I would have if I bought it. 

I'm still on taper time, but I do get small workouts in, like my ripped class. It was so difficult last night and I sweat so much! Loved it!

Do you prefer to make your own things or buy them? Anyone else out there tapering with me?

Long Time & Taper Time

I needed a break from blogging. I was tired of taking pictures of everything around me, instead of enjoying everything around me. I have been living and enjoying every minute. Just because I haven't been blogging doesn't mean I haven't been running. I've been enjoying the sunny, warm weather here in California. I work about 2 minutes from a trail and I've been hopping on that right after work. I can't wait until the time change next week, so it stays lighter later. 

I've been eating, but not as well as I should be. We went to a place that claimed they had giant burgers. They had yummy burgers, but heavy on the mayo. They were ok, but not worth another trip. 

I have my next half marathon next weekend. So, that means I'm on taper (aka crazy time). This also means that I did my last long run (13.1 miles) last weekend. My route was one from my old neighborhood. I parked at the old apartment, ran to the park (by my work), around that park and met up with my weekend running friend.

I'm glad I had her meet me at the park, for the second, and last loop around (she drove me back to my car). I was running out of water and the water fountains were frozen over (which means, no water for a thirsty Shelly). She had plenty of water and kept my mind off of how far I had already run.

Don't get me wrong, it was a difficult run. I hadn't run this far in over a year, and my training has been very skim. I can't wait for the race and I know I will enjoy myself no matter what. 

How far do you run for your last run? I always run the full distance of the race 2 weeks prior (in case I get injured, I have time to heal). 

Rolls & Fritters

I haven't been posting too much food on here lately. That's because my dinners have been pretty boring or nothing special to write about. Usually things I'd never make again. Until last night. I made Sausage Phyllo Rolls. I didn't have any phyllo, so I used puff pastry instead. Here's the cooked meat mixture. It may look nasty, but it was so good.

It always takes me longest to fill the dough and roll. I always pack it too full and it explodes, so I'm trying to prefect this part.

I also made Corn Fritters. I've never had these before. I figured, since I like corn and pancakes (that's what it sounded like), I thought I'd like these. I hardest part for these, was flipping them. If you remember, I never make the pancakes, Jason does. Well, these turned out ok.

A couple of the fritters got burnt, but they still tasted good. I loved the rolls. When Jason got home, he had dinner. He pretty much hated the fritters (he also likes corn and pancakes), but he loved the rolls.

I'm going to keep the fritters recipe, Jason doesn't have to eat everything I make.

Of course, I'm still tapering and I'm just filling my time with things to do. I have a bunch of lists all over the house, so I'm planning on completing these lists this weekend. How do you survive taper week(s)?

Have you made anything new (that turned out), lately? Recipe, please!

Smoothies & Shots

I am really getting into this post workout smoothie thing. I love it! What a great way to cool off after a sweatastic workout. This weeks smoothie was frozen banana, frozen mixed berries, chocolate protein powder, honey greek yogurt and V8 mixed berry juice. I love the color, too. You can tell how crazy I am about it, by my eyes.

Yesterday, I mentioned that I took an energy shot before heading to the gym. I'm still trying to catch up on sleep from this weekend. The Guayaki Organic Energy shot couldn't have worked better! I have taken many energy drinks/shots. This shot works for me!! I'm so happy I finally found something.

I was sent some samples by these nice people. They couldn't have come at a better time! Usually, when it comes to energy products, I'm not a huge fan of the taste and I crash super hard later in the day.

I had a little difficult time opening the glass bottle, but once I did, I took a smell. Not too bad! Next, was to actually try the shot. The taste was pretty good! I had the lemon flavor. It tasted a little like tea (since they are also a tea company, I wasn't surprised). Look at all the good stuff in this little thing. I love that there are only 35 calories (I am a calorie counter) and only 8g of sugar!

I was expecting to crash maybe somewhere around noon (I took it at 4am). I never once crashed. Never got sleepy. I don't know if it's because I'm finally catching up on sleep, or if it was the shot, but I had so much energy left at the end of the day, when I got home last night, I dusted the house, vacuumed, organized the kitchen and my running gear for next week, made dinner, did laundry and dishes and got stuff ready for this morning. I never once felt my heart rate go crazy or got the shakes (like most energy drinks I've tried). This shot has me sold (this is my honest opinion and they are not paying me to say any of this).

This morning, I woke up before the crack of dawn (like normal) and headed to the gym. If I haven't said it yet, but I hate taper!!!!! I did 4 miles in sprints, worked my arms and legs in the weight area and finished with a 20 minute core workout. I definitely got my sweat on and am ready to sleep in tomorrow (6am wake up call).


Have you tried any energy products that are good?

Me, Myself & Running

I am super tired. I took a little energy shot before I left for the gym this morning. I'll tell you more about tomorrow (I want to see if I crash or not). Here I am before the energy shot. I'll give you an after picture tomorrow. I do feel it.

It looks like everyone was trying to catch up on their sleep. Mickey loves my shoes. This time, he was using my running shoes as his pillow.

This morning, I ran 4 long and slow miles. My legs didn't do what my brain wanted them to do. I guess my body just didn't want to run this morning, because when I got on the stairs, I was moving. I was at level 10 (highest I've ever done) and the last 3 minutes, I sprinted (level 15 for me). I covered an even 2 miles (88 floors) in 20 minutes. That's my best, yet!

Last night, when I got home, I needed to cool down (I live so close to work, I don't drive with my ac on). It was 102 yesterday. The only thing that sounded good to eat was a cold salad. Since I already had all the fixings chopped and ready, it was a breeze to put together. I had mushrooms, green peppers, tomatoes, and hard boil egg in the mix. Super yummy and it hit the spot.

After I ate, I ended up falling asleep until Jason got home from work. I never take naps, so this is huge. I must had been extremely tired for me to take a nap, and not hear Jason walk through the door. The rest of the night, I took a cold shower and relaxed. I went to bed at a decent time (10) and was able to up at 4 for the gym. I can't wait for this week to be over.

Look at my countdown (off to the right), my next half is coming up so soon. And, as you can probably tell, I'm in taper mode right now. Hate it!!


How do you feel when you taper?

Day 1

So, this is the first day of complete relaxing (at least no running). It is very difficult. This is all in the head. The last 2 days, I've wanted to run further and harder than I have in the past. I'm not sure why, but the only thing I can think of is that I know I shouldn't (so I don't).


I'm doing ok, so far. No too stir crazy. I'm filling my days with work and my nights with relaxing and errands to get ready for this weekend. Tomorrow, you will get a preview of what I will be listening to while I'm running (yes, I will have my ear buds in).

How did you handle your first taper?

Last One!!

I got int 4 miles on the nasty tm today. It did treat me well. Tapering is getting more and more difficult. I can't wait until i can run what ever I want! I have to keep this post short. Our washer went out this morning and I have to go to the laundry mat to wash race day clothes.

I loved these left overs. They were so good!!

You can really tell that I liked them!

Scoutie decided to entertain us while I iced. Very cut little kitten (even though she's almost a year old).

Off we go!

Tapering is Hard Work

Since this is my first 1/2, I've never tapered before. I think this is more difficult than the actual training itself. I had 5 miles on the schedule. It seemed so easy (and I was really pushing it too). I wanted to run longer, but, from what I've heard and read, your not suppose to. I'm suppose to let my body heal right now and prepare it for the torture it's about to go through. I have so much built up energy, that I'm use to getting out after work. I guess it's a good thing the entire house needs to be cleaned before this weekend and I have a bunch of errands to run. Wish me luck on my taper.

I'm getting pretty sad, since I only have one more day of working out. I want to be well rested for my race, but I love working out. It's been a hobby since I was a little kid. When I was learning to write and had to fill out questions. One question would ask what my hobby was and I would write "working out". Most other kids wrote playing with friends or cars and swimming or something like that, not me.

On the other hand, I am very excited for this weekend. It's raining right now, I hope it gets it all out during the week and be some sun with a slight breeze for just Saturday. That's how it's suppose to be. But, I also checked the weather at the end of last week. I'm going to keep hoping for some "perfect" weather for my first 1/2.

How Far?

I had 10 miles on the schedule tonight, which got cut short. I was feeling a little knee pain and didn't want it to get worse. So, I chose the smart route. I ended up running 7 1/2 miles. Not too shabby! I'm icing my leg while I cook dinner...spaghetti. This is my hubs favorite.

I have a question for you guys. Since I've never raced this far (1/2 marathon), how do I taper? Here's what I was planning:

20th: 5k (fast) run / spin
21st: 6 mile run
22nd: rest
23: run to gym / weights/ run home (round trip run 5.15 miles)
24th: rest
25th: 5k fast run / spin
26th: not sure, usually a long run day
27th: 5k fast run / spin or rest day
28th: rest
29th: rest
30th: race day!!!

So, how far should I run on the 26th? Should I take the 27th as a rest day or do my normal workout? Thanks for every one's advice during this training cycle. I'm stronger than I ever though I was and am ready for this race. I just wish I could speed up time. I hate the waiting game.