12 Miler, Time to Rock

I went for a little more tropical smoothie for a little weekend change and I must say it hit the spot!

I spent a lot of Sunday relaxing in my favorite spot with a few upgrades, the cozy pillows, as well as my water bottle (really always with me) and a good book.  Currently I’m reading The Glass Castle.

It was sort of a long weekend so I just had to have a calm day!  Also I was planning for a very long run this morning so I drank a lot of water and let my legs rest.

Also, the most important part of the night before a long run, is obviously going to a burger place with friends for dinner!  We went to Wheezy’s.  They make kinda smaller burgers, not quite slider small, but almost, so you can order a couple different kinds.  Of course I had 2 burgers and fries, veggie burgers of course.  And the best one they make, I promise, is called the White Trash burger with thousand island, crunchy iceberg lettuce, and american cheese.  It kinda tastes like a Big Mac.  So good.  Then of course we went to Fro Yo.  It was directly next to the restaurant, so I literally had no choice.

This morning I did 12 miles with an average pace of 8:36. YAY!!  I was so worried I wouldn’t be ready for my half marathon in 2 weeks, especially when the hamstring issue happened.  So now I feel so much better and ready to Rock n’ Roll!! ( haha get it? Rock n’ Roll half? yea I know my jokes aren’t good. )  I’m just so happy that I now feel ready.

I finished it off with a really easy yoga sesh tonight to stretch it out, and I’m about to go to bed because I am completely exhausted!

Also thanks for the comments about the morning running!! Glad I’m not alone and that we are not all superhuman morning rockstars, which is what I envision all runners, besides myself, to be.

Anyone else doing the Rock n’ Roll SF?  Other Rock n’ Roll races in different cities?

Running Offenses

I saw this in Runner’s World and thought it was SO funny.  I am guilty of actually every single one of these, although I really do make an effort to not run obliviously.  Especially funny about having seen it in a running magazine when that is an offense!I think I am the worst about wearing running gear in social situations.  I have been on a mission for most of my life to find ways to wear athletic clothes in a way that is socially acceptable.  I mean it’s serious.  I even have levels of sweatpants, my at home only really comfy (really ugly) ones, all the way up to the expensive lulu’s.  When I wear jeans I like to call them my grown up pants.  So anyways, I am a major offender, and with no guilt about my offenses!!

My leg is still hurting today so I decided to play it safe and not run at all.  I really, really (reeeeaaalllly), don’t want a serious injury so I will absolutely not run until it feels better.  Instead I did yoga and some more core work on NTC.  Also, doing the core workout yesterday was such a crazy eye opener because I am super sore today.  I actually can’t believe how sore I am.  So no wonder my leg is hurting!!  I am apparently completely lacking in core muscle.  I can’t believe I let it get so bad!  I have a new plan that involves core 4-5 days a week.  I think I have to.

Do you do consistent core work?

Anything in particular that works well for you?

Nike Training Club Muscle Work

Favorite thing I’ve seen in a while.  This Waldo makes me really happy.  Also I have an urge to go to yoga tomorrow.

So yesterday I did a 7 mile run at a very average pace and was feeling a little better than last week.  I’ve been adding a bit more protein into my diet, sometimes the whole vegetarian thing can be lacking in that category.  While I’m feeling great about eating a ton of fresh and whole foods, I don’t normally count or keep track of exactly what I’m eating, like number of calories, protein etc., and I think maybe I was lacking a bit.  One thing I added back in for the first time in a long time are eggs.  I’ve had this yummy looking egg, cheese, avocado, sprouted wheat bagel the last 2 days as well as my almost daily smoothie for breakfast.

Yes, that is a large sized mason jar of coffee behind it.  No it wasn’t full originally, that’s the starting level and I added a bunch of milk.  I’m not totally coffee crazed 🙂  Anyways, I think and hope that is what the problem was last week, so I’m trying to keep better track of the exact content I’m eating this week and see how I feel.

Here’s another lovely view of my smoothie obsession.  This was today’s batch:

          

In this batch is:

Strawberry, mango, pineapple, banana, spinach, almonds, chia seed, and water.  It’s just so completely wonderful.

Today I started a run and am having a bit of pain in the tendon behind my knee connected to my hamstring so I changed things up a bit.  I did a few half mile loops around my house, then called it good for running.  I went inside and did a workout from NTC (Nike Training Club) and it was perfect as well as something I’ve been meaning to add more to my daily routine.  NTC is a free app from Nike that has all different kind of workouts, at different levels, and tells/shows you how to do them.   It is really great.  I am not a member at a gym so I often miss the core building/weight lifting element that I should be incorporating and this is a great way for me to do it.  Core muscle is so super important to help prevent injury and be a better runner.  This pain I’m having was a huge reminder of that.

Have you ever used NTC?

Are there other great apps out there that do a good job?

 

Stretch It Out

Today was a yoga day.  It always feels wonderful to go and I try my best to get there once a week.  I think it really helps balance out the running, and just everything.  It’s so peaceful and strengthening.  I do think you have to really find yoga teachers that you like and are good for you and what you want.  I think that’s the hardest part.

I saw this hat online and have decided I need this for next winter when I end up running in the dark.  It is run specific and is supposed to be amazing.  It’s made by Panther Vision.  I haven’t tried it yet so I can’t attest to its awesomeness….yet.

Aaaaand it was a burrito bowl and chips kind of night.  I just don’t think I’ll ever stop being obsessed with this for dinner.  I don’t know what I will do if Whole Foods ever decides to stop having a burrito bar.