Lake Ridge Turkey Trot -2013

Today was my first race in a little over a year. (My last one is here).

 

I wasn't overly excited about it, which is why I didn't mention that I had signed up for it. It was a 10K, I'd been told the course was "brutal", I hadn't been training specifically for it, and I wasn't anywhere near the shape I was in for my last one.

 

But I just wanted to race. It's Fall! It's what runners do when the leaves start to change...... We race, carb loading with every pumpkin bread and muffin we can find.

 

The race was Sunday morning at 9 AM, located in Woodbridge, VA (my old stomping grounds!). The temperature for the race was perfect, low 50s. The clouds were out though, and the humidity was at 97%. Yuck.

 

This race kicked my ass. In a serious sort of way. I can't exactly pin point what happened, but I just didn't feel strong, focused, or like doing it in general.

 

The first mistake I made was going out too fast. I didn't have my Nike App turned on, but I knew I was going too fast.

 

Check out the elevation on this bad boy. Any smart runner knows to save their reserves for the last half of the race.

 

 

Around mile 2 I started to get a side stitch. I was cussing myself out with every 4-letter word in the book.....I'm pretty sure I got this from mistake #1.

 

The last, and most fatal mistake I made was that I quit mentally. I told myself I couldn't do it. I wasn't conditioned enough and I let the negative thoughts creep in and keep reminding me that I wasn't.

 

I pulled it together for the last mile, finished fast and strong (my legs had WAY too much umph left in them for somebody who was supposed to be racing) .

 

My chip time was 49:49. (Average pace of 8:01).

 

 

and to my surprise I won 1st place in my division.( Yay for medals!......and being materialistic)

 

My goal for today's race was to hit 8 minute miles. I got awfully damn close to that, but I just don't see this as an accomplishment. I wanted 6 STRONG 8-minute miles. I wanted performance and consistency, and I didn't.

 

My next goal is to run a half marathon in Richmond this February. It may be a long shot, especially based on today's performance, so I'm going to start training early December and see how it goes before I register myself for it and commit.

 

 I didn't, however, have any issues committing to this bag of popcorn as big as a toddler.

 

I saw it at Costco and even though I'd never had it, I love popcorn any way I can get it (except with fake cheddar powder - orange or white- it's a disgusting. The kind of disgusting that makes one gag,)

 

Plus, it's "Biggest Loser Approved" so it's obviously good for me:-)

A Legs Workout to Make You Uncomfortable.

 

Anybody here love having sore muscles? If you're reading this blog, I'm pretty sure you do because all of us runners are crazy like that.

 

Crazy enough to do a workout like this.

 

 

Fortunately, I only had time to do one round because, just being honest with you and myself, I don't think I could make it through 2-3.  Every single move was challenging. I'm talking burning muscles, shaking legs, the whole nine ....I definitely ended with jello legs. 

 

The next morning things didn't feel too bad so I decided to go for a midday run through D.C.

 

 

The weather was perfect, around 60 and partly cloudy.

 

 

and the scenery is always amazing. 6 comfortable miles and not a one of them was boring.

 

About an hour after my run though, the DOMS started to reallllly kick in. Everything hurt. Getting up from my chair, sitting down, walking stairs.

 

I love it because it means that I worked hard.

 

There is this line that Jillian Michael's says and it really hits home for me: 

 

"Get comfortable with being uncomfortable"

 

Your body is never going to change unless you force it to. Doing the same exercises everyday isn't going to get you anywhere. Our bodies are made to adapt to the stresses that we place on them. If you want to change, you have to change what you're doing.

 

Plus, you get to have awesome recovery meals.

 

This burger was topped with about a ton of different condiments post-picture. Ketchup, mustard, Cholula and relish....Delicious.

 

When was the last time you had DOMS? What were you doing?

 

Do you like Jillian Michaels?

 

What's your favorite condiment?

Are You Afraid of the Dark? & Pumpkin Protein Pancakes

Do you guys remember that show as a kid?? I used to watch it with my brothers and sisters ALL the time. We loved turning all the lights off and just waiting to get scared! Ha. Good times.

 

But let's talk about running.

 

 I used to be a fearless runner, much to the protest of my boyfriend and family. I'd run in the dark because it's when I had the time. (How else are you going to fit in 15 miles before you have to be somewhere at 9 AM?) I know that there are stories about runners (especially female) having terrible things happen to them, but terrible things happen everywhere.

 

I'm not going to stop doing what I love to do because there are sick people out there.

 

I have made an effort to be better prepared though. I've been running with my mace (day or night) and I've also started to take my headphones off when it's dark, so I'm more aware of my surroundings.

 

Yeah, terrible idea. Apparently, I am in fact, afraid of the dark.

 

 

Do you know how many animals there are in these woods?? Deers, rabbits, squirrels, raccoons, mice.....They are everywhere! Dancing along in the leaves just to scare the shit out of me.

 

 

They obviously did a good job.  I took my headphones off at the beginning of mile 3 and started booking it......Never in my life did I think I'd actually run faster without music.

 

It felt GREAT though. I should try "running away" from things more often.

 

Today, I'm running mid-day though. What a weekday treat! My daughter had a teacher-workday so I had to stay home with her. (She loves biking beside me while I run)

 

I fueled up with this delicious bowl of oats.

 

 

I don't know who I am these days, because I usually despise frozen fruit, but frozen mango is totally doing it for me;-)

 

and just because breakfast is the best meal of the day.

 

I made these pumpkin protein pancakes last week. I modified the original recipe a bit:

 

1/4 c. nonfat, plain greek yogurt

1/4 c. pumpkin puree

2/3 c. old fashioned oats

1 egg

1 egg white

TONS of cinnamon

A dash of nutmeg

A sprinkle of chia seeds

 

I let mine sit for about 10 minutes after I mixed it up, just to let the oats soak.

 

Topped with Sunbutter and bananas. Seriously good!