Taper (and not a slender candle)

Today was the day for my final 20 miler of my Boston training cycle!  It was supposed to be tomorrow but with the impending rain, I made it today and I am so glad I did.

I started the day with a Green Protein Pancake from Julie on PBfingers.  And yes, I love almost everything she makes!  The darn thing looks really freaky and I was skeptical even while I was dumping it into the pan to cook but it was awesome.  I could barely finish it it was so filling.

After lazing around for a bit I headed out to the farmer’s market to get some strawberries and I was so disappointed by what was there.  I strolled the whole thing in 2 minutes and headed home, strawberry-less.  After talking to the people I live with, they said that was a new one and they are really just getting started but it was a huge bummer to me.

Once I got home, I decided to quit procrastinating and get on the road.  I had done some hip focused yoga last night and hit my trusty 9 minute yoga for runners before heading out.  The run was about as perfect conditions as you can get.  Upper 50s when I left, topping out in the mid 60s.  There were lots of people out, the wind was refreshing.  Most importantly, I felt good.  I think all the stretching really helped my hip flexor, though I felt it the whole run, the really sharp pain only lasted the first mile or so and it didn’t slow me down at all.  I even was able to run negative splits, finishing in 2:52:59.  Considering the goal pace it always 8:55-9 for these runs, I was more than satisfied with that result, especially when I felt so strong and good at the end!

I pass this sign often when I am running and when I drive to work and I just had to snap a picture.  My other dog people out there, how true is this?!

After my run, I was able to get a bit of work done before the people I live with had some people over to watch the basketball games and I got TOTALLY suckered in.  It was nice to have some actual chill time though and I wouldn’t have traded it.  I will be able to get plenty done in the gross weather that is supposed to be tomorrow.

I got up and went to the bathroom at one point and saw that I got a serious sun burn today…it was barely 60 degrees!  That is crazy!!  But there you see it.  Tomorrow it will just be a tan but right now I am blow away by it.  I guess it is that time again, need to invest in some good sport sunscreen again for the season.

Hope you are having a great weekend and that none of you are Wisconsin fans.  What a heart breaking loss, but amazing game!!

Nutrition Slip

At some point in the last week I kind of forgot that “oh yeah I am running a marathon in two weeks” thing.  I mean I haven’t forgotten about the actual running of the race but more the nutrition focus I usually work on during the taper weeks.  So without thinking last night I made this absolutely fantastic Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cake.  I also made this in cupcake form for the super bowl, but hadn’t made it since.  After dinner last night, Casey and I picked this off my pinterest food board and I made it for dessert.

Amazing, but so not what I should be eating right now!!

This morning when I realized my blunder, I got up and made a wholesome breakfast with a bit more nutritive value.  Pbfingers blog had Banana Bread Protein Pancakes that I had been wanting to try.  They were super easy and the recipe is made for one person so I don’t have 10 left over pancakes either!

YUMMO!

 

I am pretty scared of cottage cheese (the consistency bugs me out) but you can’t tell it is in there at all…it blends right in.  These really kept me full for quite a while.  I ate them at about 9, had an eye doctors appointment at 12 then went straight to the gym to run (yes on the treadmill, it was super hot out) and still wasn’t really that hungry when I got back at 1:30.  I’d say thats some serious staying power.  I think I am going to try the Pumpkin Protein Pancakes tomorrow after my long (well long-ish) run in the morning.

All this talk about cake and nutritious breakfast made me think of the Bill Cosby skit…

Tomorrow will be a busy one too.  I have to get up to get my run in early (before the heat gets to me).  Then I want to hit the farmers market because we didn’t go last week, then one of my professors is having a cook out at his house in the afternoon with the grand finale of the wedding shower to top off the night.  It will be a big day of tempting food but I am going to try to not forget about that running a marathon thing again and focus on eating smart while I am at all these events!

TAPER TIME!

Today I put in my last 20 miler before my race.  It was much better than my last one (very similar to how my first one went).  I toe the line 3 weeks from tomorrow and feel I am as ready as I can possibly be.  I know I have left it all out there training wise and should expect my best race to date.  I just hope that all the hard work, early mornings and sore muscles will pay off when the gun goes off.

Training up to now

After doing all of this (no, I have not missed a single run) I feel that I have very much earned this…

The glass was a christmas gift from my mom, and my favorite one I own!

 

…and this…

Taper

 

my much earned, well deserved taper.  Tapers are such a a tricky time.  It is so hard to shift focus and momentum with the race coming up, but after so many cycles of training I know how necessary it is.  My goal (after tomorrow having a great brunch) will be to shift my attention toward very vigilant nutrition and hydration for the next three weeks.  (On a random side note, anyone that gets a naturebox, the sweet blueberry almonds are phenomenal.  I have eaten mine all already and it makes me sad!)

I am ready for this race (knock on wood) and can’t wait to see what I am made of on September 8th!