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). 

Running with the Bugs (in photos)

I ended up having beautiful weather here, in Cali. 65 degrees and sunny. That type of weather just calls a runners name. How could I possibly stuff myself in the icky gym. I asked to get off of work a little early, so I could enjoy the sun a little longer. 

I got off of work and drove the 5 minutes to see this gorgeous sign.

The sun was beaming and so was my smile. I think I had this smile plastered on my face the entire time. There were so many people out and they were all so friendly. 

The scenery was nice too. So green!

The only thing about running at this time of night, is the bugs. Bugs were crazy last night. They were in swarms and I swear they were following me. My sweat must have smelled too good for them to pass up. I hope mosquitoes didn't bite me. I always find out 2 days later, in the shower. 

The creek was flowing and sounded so nice. Everyone around had huge smiles on their face and they were so eager to smile and say hi!

When I got home, this happened:

I haven't touched any weights in way too long! It hurt, but it was a good hurt! (Like the new mirror?)

Ok, maybe the hurt didn't feel too good then. I'm pretty stiff and sore now. My face only shows a little of the pain. I took what I remembered from my ripped class (that I also haven't been to in too long). 

After this face was made, more weight lifting happened. I pushed through the pain. 

Can you tell I just got a new phone that I wanted to try out? I love it! Thanks for all the advice on it! Are you running outside? What's the weather around you like?

Girls on the Go 5k

On Sunday, I had another race (I love it when they're back to back weekends). I ran the Girls on the Go 5k with my friend. The night before was so much better than last weekend. I went to bed and a nice time. I did things around the house and just relaxed (as I should). 

In the morning, I was so eager to get up and drive downtown. This was the first year I've seen this race locally. I think they're  normally in SoCal area. After the kids' run and the 10k races were off, the 5kers lined up. 

There weren't as many people there, as my other races. There were a good number, though. 

I ran with my friend and she led me. She set the pace and did great! 

It's always so nice to run with friends, it makes the time go by so quickly. It didn't even feel like we ran a 5k. 

When we crossed the finish line, we got medals. I love it! My friend and I decided to match out outfits and of course, we had to wear our tutus again!

Do you ever match your clothes with friends, when you run? What's your next race?

Davis Stampede 10k

Last weekend was a difficult weekend. It started with Friday. We had a lot of errands to run and the time it came to our last errand (grocery shopping), we were too hungry and didn't have any energy. We decided not to go that day. We had more errands to do the next day anyways. 

So Saturday (day before Super Bowl Sunday), we went to the store. There were only 3 parking spots left (I did count). I couldn't handle going (plus, I didn't feel well that day). I decided I could stay awake until midnight and go then (this store is open 24 hours). About 11:30, Jason decided to take a shower (so we could go straight to sleep, after we put the groceries away). That's when all hell broke lose...

All of our sewer pipes decided to back up. After waiting for the plumber to arrive and snake the drain (which the pipe was hidden and we had to break some stuff in order to find it), we were able to get about 2 1/2 hours of sleep that night. 

I got up bright and early (still dark out=can't wait for the time change and it gets brighter early and late) for the Davis Stampede and arrived at the start to pick up my packet. Of course, it was so crowded and busy. Everyone had so much energy and were so happy to be there. I was tired and just wanted to get this done.

When I lined up, I started getting more excited and happy to be there. I told Jason I wasn't sure what time time was, but I was guessing about 1:10.

After a wonderful 6.2 miles later (best run I've had in months), I spotted Jason (near the finish line) and 1:09 (according to my garmin).

Jason was super sleepy too, so the photos aren't that great.

I crossed that line with the biggest smile and enjoyed every 4,140 seconds. Lately, my runs have been slow and sluggish (not great when my next half is in March). 

After checking my official time, I found I finished 1 minute earlier than I thought. Official time: 1:08:21. I'm so glad I had this man to run to. He inspires me to succeed and finish faster. 

How's your 2013 race calendar going? I have 2 more races on the schedule (March=half and Aug=5k color run)