best recovery drink

I knew today's run was going to be a tough one.  And it was.  I started out too late for my own good, it was already 83deg just two miles in.  I stuck with it, walked a bit, and finished 10mi in 1:41:40.  A pace of just over 10min miles.  Not bad for as hot as it is outside.

When I was within about 2 miles from my house, my mind turned to my favorite recovery drink.  I could not wait to get a tall cold glass of it out of the fridge.  It's not what you might think...  Lots of people enjoy Gatorade or Muscle Milk or some other concoction that is specifically designed for athletes for muscle recovery.

Me?  I enjoy straight up chocolate milk.  It is the best.  No question.  So when I got home - after assuring my roommate that although I was having trouble breathing and talking, I was okay - I poured myself a refreshing glass of the best recovery drink I know of.  And it was delicious!

flashback friday #6

This one should be titled:  boys, boys, boys.  This was the year that I started having crushes on all sorts of boys.  Antonio Sabato Jr. (my mom and I were General Hospital fans), David Coverdale (lead singer of Whitesnake...yes!), all members of New Kids on the Block (except for Danny.  Did anyone have a crush on Danny?!).  And the crush that I knew in real life:  Matt Vanderslick.  He sat next to me in 7th grade homeroom, Mr. DeKryger's class.

I remember Matt bit his tongue really badly while playing basketball.  When he came back to school, all he could have for lunch was milkshakes and such.  He regaled us with the story and showed us where they sowed his tongue together.  See, we didn't have a lunch room/cafeteria at my school so we had to eat lunch in our classrooms.  Matt and I shared lunch everyday in 7th grade.... 

As it turned out he did not like me back...it was just the first of many unrequited crushes I would experience in my life.  Ahhhh, young "love." 

As for the picture...  I have no words.  (In case you're wondering, that IS a sweatshirt with a winter scene screen printed on it.  It was my mom's and I wore it with leggings.  Oh the shame...)

The others:
Flashback Friday #5
Flashback Friday #4
Flashback Friday #3
Flashback Friday #2
Flashback Friday #1

words have meaning

I'm not big into listening to music while I'm running.  Unless I'm on the treadmill, I run unplugged.  I like to hear my breathing, my footfalls, and what's going on around me.  I am not the biggest fan of having a bike whiz past me at crazy mph on the bikepath with out me hearing it coming first. 

Most other times, I've got some sort of music on.  In the car, at work, while cooking, as I clean my room, when I fold laundry...I'm listening to something.  I even wake up to music, my alarm is the radio.  Mostly, I listen to country music.  I know, I know, a lot of people dislike it, but I have loved it since I was a teenager.

I think the reason that I am so drawn to music is because I'm naturally an emotional person.  I easily feel a certain way when I listen to certain songs.  When I go to church on Sundays I make sure I'm on time because I don't want to miss the music. 

Words are incredibly powerful, especially when put to music.  I'm sure you can hear a song from long ago and it brings you back to a place that you'll never forget.  Or you hear a song and immediately you think of a person who was special to you at one time...and maybe still is.  Sometimes all it takes is to hear a line from a song and you're transported to another time and place.  There are songs that I can listen to over and over and every single time, I will be brought to tears.  I love that.

My current favorite song is a songwriter's motivation behind writing songs like this.  Songs that tell a story, that take you places, that mean something.  It's by David Nail, called, "The Sound of a Million Dreams."  The chorus goes like this:

So I labor for hours 'cause I know the power
Of a song when when a song hits you right
Pouring my soul into stories of life
Hoping someone'll hear one tonight
Maybe my voice will cut through the noise
And stir up an old memory
And out of these piano keys
Comes the sound, the sound of a million dreams

Do you have a song that reminds you of somewhere, something, or someone special?  

owww

Well, friends.  I went to my first EDGEfit class.  I have to admit, I was trying to come up with excuses all afternoon.  Maybe I'm not feeling well?  Is that a headache brewing?  What about just going for a run, instead?  Perhaps I'm the only one who does this but even if I'm excited about something (which I sure was about this class), I still get nervous and psych myself out with these kinds of things.

As you gathered from my second sentence, I did end up going.  I walked into the room which was outfitted like some kind of torture chamber:  cement floor and walls, metal bars attached to three of the four walls with ropes and pulleys hanging from them.  There was that nervous excitement again...

When the instructor walked in she greeted the 15 of us and casually assessed our fitness levels.  Then she went through the workout of the day:

• 15 Kettle Bell Swings
• 15 Knee Ups (while hanging from one of those metal bars - you're supposed to bring your knees all the way up to the bar.  Shockingly, I could not.)
• 15 Plank Jumping Jacks (literally a jumping jack while in the plank position)
• 15 Scissor Kick Lunges (I am not coordinated enough for this yet so I just did 30 regular lunges)
• 15 Reverse Crunches 

Doing one round of this would have been easy enough.  Hey, doing two or three would be have been good, right?  We did five.  By the time I was finished - in a time of 25:50 - I was a rubbery, sweaty MESS.  I texted my friend right after the class and literally said, "first EDGEfit class...I just died."  He merely responded with: LOL.  

I knew that if I was that sore walking out of the class, I would be utterly useless today.  But surprisingly, while I am sore, I'm not painfully so.  This is the kind of sore that I actually like to feel.  It makes me feel like I did something that was challenging and I overcame it.  Which I did.  Those Plank Jumping Jacks were the hardest physical thing I've done in a long time!

I'm looking forward to the 14 classes I have left.  The harder a challenge is, the stronger you grow from it!!   

new things

I'm not one for trying new things.  I'm a big fan of things that I know I like.  Case in point:  Last week a friend and I met up for our usual once-a-month hang out.  I thought it *might* be fun to try a new restaurant.  But when the day came, I called my friend and said, "Let's just go to WCB, we know what we like there...it's just easier."  So that's what we did.  And it was great, as usual.

I have gotten into a rut with the running routes that I choose to take.  I take the ones that I know.  They are great - I know the elevation, I know the mileage - down to the tenth of a mile, I know the cracks in the sidewalk!  Sooner or later, I always end up down by the lake.  I know I like it, and it's so easy.

But this past weekend, I had a friend coming to run with me.  We were going to stick with 8mi so I had to map out a route that we could take.  I didn't feel like doing an out and back, I didn't feel like just running around the lake twice.  So I branched out and came up with a new route on gmap-pedometer.  I came up with a route that would take us through parts of Wakefield I'd never even driven through.

As we headed out, I kept repeating the names of the streets, sure that I would forget a turn and we'd end up running 13mi or something.  Fortunately, I remembered where to go (and which way to turn at each street).  The thing about running a new route is that you don't always know what you're going to get.  Could be super hilly, there could be no sidewalks, you may encounter big, loud dogs.  Never know.

We found out that the course I'd mapped out was actually really good!  No surprising giant hills, sidewalks for most of it, and no crazy dogs.  I was very pleased with the run and the route overall that day.  (So much so that I ran most of that route again yesterday...and threw in a lake loop at the end of it.  Old habits die hard.)

I guess the life lesson for me here is that trying new things is not a bad thing.  If I let fear of the unknown hold me back, I could be missing out on some really great things.  To that end, I'm trying something new again tonight.

A while back I purchased a Groupon for an EdgeFit class package at a gym near my house.  Since I ran 18mi in the last two days, I decided today might be the perfect day for cross-training - and to check out these EdgeFit classes.

Branching out, trying something new.  Here goes...

flashback friday #5

I'm trying to remember if anything really stands out from sixth grade...  And I can't think of any one thing that I specifically remember.  Perhaps it was just one of those years that gets lost in all the other years.

Maybe we took a family vacation that year?  Perhaps it was to Texas to visit family where my brother and I got yelled at by cattle farmer for moo-ing at the cows.  We city folk didn't know any better.  Maybe we went to Florida for Christmas - one year we flew down on Christmas Eve and by the time we got to our destination, no restaurants were open.  We had Christmas Eve dinner at Circle K (think 7-11 with gas pumps).  I had a hot dog and a bag of doritos.  

Or maybe neither of those vacations happened during my sixth grade year.  Maybe those memories are muddling together with all the others.

What I do remember is this is the year I began to hate the way I looked.  I thought I was fat and ugly (I still had those chubby cheeks, for goodness sake) and I was only 11yrs old.

At least I knew enough to grow my hair out, however I cannot be held responsible for those bangs.  It was the early 90's. 

But this picture is not as bad as 7th grade...just wait till next week. 

Flashback Friday #4
Flashback Friday #3
Flashback Friday #2
Flashback Friday #1

it's too hot to __________!!!

If there's one thing I've learned about New Englanders, it's that they like to complain about the weather.  (And politics, but I'm not touching that one.)  I'll give you some examples:

• Springtime - it's too rainy, there's too much pollen, when will it be summer already?
• Wintertime - there's too much snow, there's not enough snow, it's so cold, it's so windy.
• Autumn - (hmmm, I'm not sure I've heard much complaining about the autumn...it's pretty great around here!)  

And this brings me to, 

• Summertime - it's too hot to cook, it's buggy, it's too hot to go outside, it always rains on the weekends, it's too hot to move...you get the idea.  

Which leads me to today's post:  It's too hot run!  With temps getting into the upper 90's, it's just not safe to run, and I'm not super stoked on running in hot weather (save for the Boston Marathon...).  I had planned on trying to beat the heat with a morning run today, like I did yesterday.  However, when I checked the temp prior to getting out of bed, it was nearing 80deg already. 

Instead of getting up and slogging through a tough run (because I know it would not have been a good one) I set the alarm for my usual get up time and enjoyed an extra hour of sleep.

Thank goodness for a gym membership and air conditioning.  

july's half marathon

Since there was no realistically feasible half marathon to actually register for during the month of July, I decided to take matters into my own hands.  I'll be running a half marathon around the lake in Wakefield. I'll just run around a few times - 4 to be exact.

Since running more than two laps around the lake makes me crazy, the ONLY way this will be do-able is if I have company.  This is where you come in.  On Saturday, July 14th, I invite you to come down to Lake Quannapowitt at 8am and run with me for one, two, three, or even all four laps!  If you don't like to run, you are still invited!!!  Come for a nice walk around my beautiful lake/town.  Or just hang out at the park and enjoy a nice day (here's hoping it's a nice day...)!!

More details to come as the day approaches.  But perhaps get this in your calendar and run with me!!!!

flashback friday #4

What can I say about 5th grade? 

I did a project on tennis pro Martina Navratilova; Mrs. Heeringa was my teacher; Grandparents Day was one of my favorite days of the year; I got scolded by my teacher for not inviting all the girls in my class to my birthday party; oh, and I got a "mom" haircut.

What was I thinking....  My face is young (I still had those cheeks that you just want to squeeeeeeeze!) but my hair and clothes are that of a much older person.  Yes, I'm wearing a jumper - a midwest thing:  long dress with a button up, tshirt, or turtle neck underneath.  Most of the time they had appliques on them.  This one was a good ol' fashioned button up, buttons all the way down the front.

We're getting to the "Ugly Years," as I like to call them.  I can't quite believe I'm sharing these with you all...

In case you missed them:

• Flashback Friday #3
• Flashback Friday #2
• Flashback Friday #1

race recap #2

What a week!  I can't believe it's Thursday already, and I haven't posted my race recap yet...  Many apologies.

Last Sunday turned out to be a beautiful day!  The weather was gorgeous, if a bit on the warm side for running long.  I got down to Seekonk with about 45min to spare before the race began.  Luckly it was a small crowd (only 111 ran the half) so registration and bathrooms were not super busy.

I spent the majority of the race thinking through the pros and cons of the course, water stations, swag bag, etc.  Here's what I came up with:

PROS:

• Small crowd - no weaving in and out of people.  For a large portion of the race, I was by myself.
• beautiful course - we wound around neighborhoods and back country roads.  At one point, I caught a glimpse of the ocean far off in the distance.
• Nice people - every volunteer was offering up a smile and a good job.  The registration table volunteers were friendly and helpful, in the bigger races they can seem harried and too busy.
• Swag bag - we got a pretty good swag bag filled with a full size Muscle Milk, granola bar, Hammer Gel (like Gu) and a Tshirt that I will actually wear.  
• Hilly course - the hill at mile 11 was a killer.**

CONS:

• Far away - this is not a "con" for the race organizers, just for me personally.
• Plastic cups - the water stations had plastic or styrofoam cups.  For two reasons this is a con for me: 1. they don't biodegrade like paper cups do, and 2. they are harder to drink from.  A paper cup you can bend into a spout and gently sip water from it.  A plastic cup doesn't bend and therefore you end up inhaling the water or spilling it all over yourself (which on a hot race day isn't bad)
• Not fueled enough - again, this one is on me.  I went to a couple graduation parties the night before and didn't get a good meal.  Picking at snacks does not a dinner make.  Lesson learned.
• Hilly course - the hill at mile 11 was a killer.**

** You'll note the hilly course on both the pro and con lists.  I love 'em but I hate 'em.  

Over all I had a great experience, I don't think I would do it again unless I had friends with me - it was a lonely car ride!  But there is talk of a marathon being organized for next year.  Interesting...

After the race, I quickly headed home to get ready for an afternoon of grad party hopping.  My friends and I were able to attend four parties that afternoon/evening and though I was completely exhausted by the end of the night, it was well worth it to be there for my girls.

I'm taking it easy this week with less mileage and some easier runs.  A few here, a few there.  Still haven't found a July half...  Would running an unsanctioned 13.1 be legit?  

i'm gonna eat these for breakfast

Here is the elevation chart for HM #2 tomorrow:

Notice, the first 8mi are pretty much all uphill.  Whoa, baby.  A friend, Jocelyn, told me once (and it's been my mantra ever since) "the hill is your friend, the hill is your friend."  And while I prefer running uphill to downhill, this looks challenging.  Hopefully, the first 8mi of this race will be kind and indeed, friendly to me.

flashback friday #3

Ahhh, fourth grade.  What I remember most about this year is that this was the turning point for me.  I no longer felt like a kid, I was growing up!  I turned 9 years old, which is practically grown up.  I remember starting to care about what I looked like and what I wore.  I didn't let my mom put braids in my hair or choose my outfit.  Those earrings?  Picked out by yours truly.

It was about this time that I began to compare myself to my friends and schoolmates.  I noticed when I looked, dressed, did my hair differently than them.  There began to be a divide between the popular kids and the not-so popular kids.  I desperately wanted to be with the first group, who didn't?!  At this point, I wasn't part of either group...not pretty/sporty enough to be popular; not nerdy/smart enough to be not-so popular.

This was also the year that I became a poor student (I started early enough don't you think?).  I remember that I began getting homework and because I didn't like doing homework, I wouldn't do it.  That set a trend that I'm not too proud of to this day.  Life lesson from fourth grade:  get in the habit of doing your homework! 

There it is, fourth grade in a nutshell.  Next week:  5th grade (and it's a doozy!)

Flashback Friday #2

Flashback Friday #1

national running day!

Yesterday, June 6th, was officially National Running Day!  I couldn't let this day go by without heading out for a run - I mean, what kind of runner would I be if I had?  A very bad one, that's what.

After work, my coworker Megan and I headed out on the Minuteman Bikeway for a few miles.  Megan is currently training for the Marine Corps Marathon.  I am training for the Memphis Marathon, and a few other (11!) half marathons...we've established that already, though.  Oh, you missed it?  Find out what it's all about here.

Here are a few pics from our NRD run.  Enjoy!

not a food blog

This blog has always (usually) been about running and it will continue to be so.  However, I made brussel  sprouts for the first time last night.  And they were good!  They get such a bad rap...but the truth is, they are tasty, easy to make, and really good for you.  The nutritional content of these vegetables is very high; to find out more check out this website.

While I've always known that they were good for me, I've shied away from making them because I was afraid I'd mess them up and consequently, not like them.  So, I surprised myself while walking through Target (of all places!), by picking up a bag.  Last night seemed like a good night to saute them with some onions, garlic, grape tomatoes, and pasta.  I seasoned all of this with some red pepper flakes (I love spicy food), salt, and black pepper.

I found that making brussel sprouts is surprisingly easy.  If I can do it, anyone can do it.  I promise.  Here's what I did:

First, trim the ends off then cut the cute little guys in half.

Drop them in a pan of hot olive oil along with some salt and pepper, toss and reduce heat to medium.  I covered them for about 6min, occasionally flipping them around in the oil.

After about 6min or so, I added some garlic, onion, and red pepper flakes.  Covered it again while my pasta finished cooking, another 3-4min.  Once the pasta was done, I tossed the pasta and grape tomatoes in with it.  Below is the finished product.  I finished it off with some parmesan cheese.  Deeelish!

Up close and personal:

like someone's chasing you

There are some really awesome signs people bring to cheer on runners at long races.  In fact there is a website dedicated to such signs. 

Some of my favorites are:

• 26.2, because 26.3 would be crazy!
• run fast!  don't fall down! (I like this because a couple summers ago, I fell down...a lot.)
• toenails are for sissies! 
• that's not sweat, it's your fat cells crying!
• pain now, beer later!

and one that I used in my recent long run:

• run like the police are chasing you!

On Sunday, despite the gloomy weather, I went out for a long run.  I wanted to get at least 8mi in, but when it started raining 2mi into my run I considered shortening the distance by a lot.  However, the rain didn't last long so I carried on.  I determined to run 2x around Lake Quannapowitt and that should get me close to 9mi.  I didn't realize that I actually ran 10mi until I got home and mapped it out.  Wahoo!

The first time around, on the pretty side, I encountered a guy who decided to pass me.  I could tell he just didn't want to get beat by a girl (because I had previously passed him).  I noticed that as soon as he passed me, he started slowing down again.  So, I remained calm and carried on, all the while catching up to him and eventually passing him.  I continued to hear him behind me but I wasn't going to let him pass me again so I picked up the pace until I dropped him.  Felt pretty good about that....

The second time around (also on the pretty side), I encountered a couple running together.  I had stopped to get a drink at the water fountain as they breezed past me.  Judging their pace, I knew I could catch them and keep pace with them.  However, once I caught them, I realized I could pass them.  So I did...and I heard the guy then try to keep pace with me!  I didn't want to let him pass me so for the next mile or so, I sped up and kept him just behind me.  Just before I turned to head home, I stopped at another water fountain and let him run past. 

I literally had people chasing me, trying to catch and pass me.  It wasn't a race, but it was certainly great motivation for kicking up my pace a notch!  I ended up with 10miles at a 9:05min/mi pace.  What the what?!  Can't say I've ever run that far, that fast!  Thank goodness for people chasing me...

This coming Sunday is half marathon #2 in the 12 in 12 goal.  I'll be heading down to Seekonk, MA for the Castle Awards Half.  Should be interesting - the current weather forecast is 82 and sunny.  Another hot one!

flashback friday #2

This week's picture is from third grade.  I learned how to write in cursive, my teacher was Mr. Onderlinde, we stayed in one classroom all day, and track and field day was really fun.

In elementary school I always looked forward to track and field day.  Mainly because we didn't have classes and got to be outside all day.  And the events weren't really that hard:  arm hang, 70yd dash, water balloon toss.  I mean, it was just an excuse to play.  In third grade no one really cares if you're good at something or not...it's all about having fun.  It was before I started caring about what I wore (as evidenced by my sweater with silver threading!) or what I looked like (as evidenced by the double french braids, thanks Mom!).

Reflecting on things, I really enjoyed third grade.  And I think I was pretty cute, too.  :)  Next week:  Fourth Grade.

In case you missed it:  Flashback Friday #1.