Wednesday, January 23, 2013

A Mini-Vacation

This past weekend was just what I needed.

After work on Friday my daughter, twin sister and our good friend all headed up to NJ to visit our recently knocked up best friend. A three day weekend with all my favorite people was just what the doctor ordered.

Here are some pictures to sum up the fun:
 
 
Mani/Pedi Time:-)
**I always feel terrible getting pedicures and tip very well due to my nasty runner's feet. One time (probably a TMI) my toe nail feel off mid-pedicure......HA. How embarrassing**
 
 
Atlantic City for the day.
 
 
The girls gambled, we walked the beach and boardwalk.
 
 
Ate an ENORMOUS piece of pizza
 
 
And ate massive amounts of food. This is the Chocolate Volcano at the Rain Forest Cafe.
 
Despite being out of town I managed to get in all my runs this weekend (score for dedication!). On Saturday I was supposed to do an 8 mile pace run.....while I wasn't as fast as I wanted to go, I was close enough not to be disappointed. I think what really killed me (besides running in a completely straight line! The worst) was the second half of this run. I have really been pour about adequately fueling before and during my runs......The 4 miles back to the house were brutal mentally and physically.

My long run (which was supposed to be Sunday but got switched to Monday) was supposed to be 17 miles. I didn't think that this entire length was going to happen since my last couple of long runs were a bust and I didn't run at all last week due to foot pain. I set out bright and early before anybody in the house had woken up. **Lacing up at 7 AM, when you are on a mini-vacation, went to bed at 12:30 am, and everybody else in the house is still warm it bed is realllllly hard**

I've decided that my fueling before and during my long runs has not been the best recently and really wanted to make sure I had enough calories to sustain me. Since there are NO running stores in Cape May I was forced to go to Walmart, which had NOTHING. My last resort was 7-11 the night before my run. I was able to find a Power Bar - Performance Energy. I used to eat these a lot pre-run and really like the Vanilla ones. The only one available that night was Chocolate, WOOF. I hate chocolate-flavored bars, GUs, etc. It was my only choice though.......Last minute I also remembered I had a Blueberry Pomegranate GU in my gym bag.

Pre-Run I had half of the PowerBar and a cup of coffee. After 6 miles I returned home for the other half of the bar and about 6 oz of water. The next stop was around Mile 12 or 13, where I had the GU and water. I felt amazing the entire time I was running.....before I knew it 17 miles were done (at a 8:11 pace) and I was headed inside to eat anything and everything I could find.

I really needed this run to help boost my confidence for my upcoming marathon. I know that I can do it!! If I did 17 miles without any issues than 26 are not going to kill me. I know this.

Today I cranked out 5 easy miles on the treadmill and tomorrow is cross-training (spin class). I am a bit anxious for this week because my mileage is going to equal 42. That's high for me

12 comments:

  1. 42 miles is a good number of miles if you haven't been that high before. Listen to your body this week and foam roll as needed ;)

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    1. Thanks for the advice!

      I actually don't have a foam roller (I have "the stick") but I've used one at the gym recently. Talk about some pain in my IT band/quads!!

      I have been this high in mileage before...during my last marathon training. I'm ok for a few weeks of it but I think if I did it all the time my body would break down.

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  2. Wow what a run! Sounds like a blast! I am having the same difficulties out on my travels! I miss my juicer and Lara bars! My trip has taught me to be more prepared next time and bring more food !! Love and shine courtstar

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    1. It's very important to be prepared!! I need to get all long run things (power bars, gels, camelbak, hat, gloves, etc.) and make sure they are in my gym bag at all times!

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  3. haha, that pic of your daughter with the huge slice of pizza is hilarious! =)

    Glad the run went well, great job on fueling!

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    1. I know! It was so delicious too! We were fighting for the last bite:-)

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  4. your little girls is so lovely!

    I'm just STARING at that massive pizza. whoa!

    what a great looooong run! Very nice. I'm actually very clueless about fueling and about to write something on it. I'm intrigued at what people use and when!

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    1. This comment has been removed by the author.

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    2. Thank you!

      It's really something that you have to do to learn what works for you. As a general rule, if your running longer than an hour you should fuel. It really makes the biggest difference ever.

      Not just fueling during your run is important. You have to fuel before (which I need to get better at) and after.

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  5. I had no idea you were a twin. So cool! Your daughter is adorable... and so is that dessert!

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    1. It's a ton of fun. We hated each other during middle and high school but we are the best of friends now:-)

      Thank you! and it was SO rich and yummy!

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  6. Hate is such a strong word, sister. I'd say we just weren't that close. lol. Keep up the good work.

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