LA Day 2

Monday: Our second day in LA!

Happy Star Wars Day!  May the 4th be with you.  I seriously loved all of the geeky posts on social media!

We started the day with a runabout all over LA.  It’s my favorite way to explore a city.  I was really enjoying this downhill…LA has some legit hills!

Oatmeal breakfast afterwards.

Our hotel has a great gym, so I hit it up for some weights and core work.  I’m so speedy!

As I mentioned in yesterday’s post, this was a last minute trip for me with very little planning.  I did have one spot on my list, though.  Kimberly Snyder’s Glow Bio!  I am a huge fan of all of her books and make her Glowing Green Smoothie every morning.  Sadly she wasn’t there, but I LOVED my acai bowl and chia pudding.

After lunch, I went for a much needed pedicure.  I spent the entire time apologizing for my runner feet. 😦

Once Jason finished his last meeting, we met up for dinner at Katsuya.  My tofu salad and crispy brussels sprouts were incredible!

And, this might be the largest glass of champagne ever! No complaints here…cheers!

Runners: do you get pedicures?  How often and what’s do you prefer bold or natural colors?

Since I posted way too many food pics, what’s the best thing you ate?

Do you do more crunches or planks for your core work?  I’ve been trying to add more plank workouts because I favor crunches.

#choosejoy

Weekend Wrap-Up: West Coast Edition

Saturday: Smile…it’s the weekend!

This was the first Saturday in 4 months that I didn’t have a Saturday long run obligation.  Guess what I did?  Woke up and got out to run at the crack of dawn.

Then we headed to the Girls On The Run 5k to volunteer at the Fleet Feet water stop…so much fun!

It was a gorgeous day so we took our bikes out for a spin through the park.  Pink beach cruiser with a basket…safe to say I’m not on my way to being a triathlete!

My kick-arse massage therapist, Robin Frazier, celebrated the 5 year anniversary of Franklin Massage with a fundraiser for Steps of Faith.  It was a huge success and fun party!

I’ve been working with Amy Dutton at Ah Ha Creative to redesign my blog (woo hoo!).  She sent me a congratulatory Boston mug.  How cool is that?!!

Sunday:

AND…Jason had a work trip to LA planned for the week.  I made a last minute decision to tag along for a little west coast R&R.

Airplane survival kit: Starbucks, fruit, and a travel mag

@natrunsfar (natrunsfar.com) sent me so many great Santa Monica recommendations, so we headed straight to the beach!

Shopped on the Promenade

Chowed down on some mexican food…

Followed by Froyo (aka my excuse to eat a cup of cookie dough and brownies)!

Who raced this weekend?  How did it go?!

What are your favorite froyo toppings?

Do you ever take last minute trips without a lot of planning?  I typically research and plan ahead of time.  This trip…not so much.

#choosejoy

Boston Birds

I have had a blast in Boston!!! To everyone running…

Saturday:

I met up with my Fleet Feet Racing Teammate Heather to run the BAA 5k.  We used it as a shakeout run and had a blast.  You get to run the last mile of the Boston Marathon and cross over the finish line.  It gave me goosebumps and made me even more excited for the marathon.

We went over to the Nike Store where we may or may not have stalked Shalane Flanagan to get a picture….totally worth it!

Boston has beautiful daffodils placed all over the city to lift the spirits of the community and support the marathon and Boston Strong.  They’re lovely! 🙂

I also got to meet Lauren (@LOFLO77).  We’ve been Instagram friends and I love her blog (The Foodie Runner), so it was awesome to meet in person!

For dinner, Heather invited us to dine with the QCC (Quarter Century Club).  It’s members have run 25+ Boston Marathon…INCREDIBLE!!  I loved their stories and it made this trip even more special.

Afterwards we went to Bova’s Bakery for dessert…heaven!

We took ours back to the hotel and they lasted about 30 seconds.

Sunday:

I was so excited to meet up with the Oiselle Flock for a shakeout run!!  I know so many of the Birds online, and loved the chance to run together.

Andrea Duke is an Elite Oiselle runner and one of the kindest ladies!

Obviously, I love her style!

The run was led by Sarah (Mac) Robinson aka Oiselle Mac, the marketing director and runner at Oiselle.

I stopped by my favorite Boston juice shop.  How yummy does this look?!! Cocobeet made a special race recovery juice for the marathon.  It will be a perfect post-race treat!

I met up with some more of my Fleet Feet Race Team Members for lunch.  It means so much to have friends in town for the race!

Jason and I had an early Italian dinner, so I could get back to the room to prep for the race morning.

This mushroom risotto rocked my socks!

The race forecast: Temps in the 40’s (perfect), Light rain to start getting heavier (blah), and a headwind out of the east at 20mph (crap!).

It’s definitely not ideal, but I’m going to show up and run the best race that I can run.

THANK YOU SO MUCH for all of your encouraging words and well wishes!!!  I read them all and they mean the world to me.

#CHOOSEJOY

Boston Bound

Thursday:

The Brentwood Breakfast Club celebrated Dave’s birthday with mustaches and mini sombreros.

I made sure to drink tea from my Good Luck mug from Jenn!

I have a weird quirk.  Before I go out of town I like for all of my laundry to do be done and I put clean sheets on my bed. Coming home to fresh bed is the best!

Friday:

I arrived to the airport at 5am…eek!  My first stop after security, was Starbucks.

And then there was a travel miracle…the seat beside me was empty!

Jason was working in Chicago all week, and we reunited in Boston!  Seeing him and the finish line made it real.  The city is full of energy and I love it!

We went to the expo for bib pickup and lots of shopping.

HUGE THANK YOU to Ricky and Saucony for my Boston Kinvaras!!!!

I’m exhausted in the most wonderful way!  It feels great to be checked in.  Next up: the BAA 5K!

I know a bunch of folks are racing this weekend.  Share your race or long run!!!

Do you adjust your diet for race week?  I drink more water and add more carbs.

The race bag was full of fun goodies, but I’m a little skeptical about this one!  Have you guys tried it?  There’s a big trend of savory run nutrition.  I like mine to taste like frosting!

#choosejoy

Packing for a Destination Race

I love destination races, but they take a little extra planning.  The weather can change leading up to race day, so it’s best to pack race options for rain, cold, heat (I sound like the mailman), etc…

Most importantly remember NOTHING NEW ON RACE DAY! 

Race Day Outfit: If you are flying, it is a good idea to pack your race outfit in your carry-on bag.

• Visor or hat
• Shorts or tights
• shirt or singlet
• Socks
• Race shoes
• Throw away jacket (zip-up preferred)
• Gloves
• Earbuds
• Handheld water bottle or fuel belt
• Bib belt or safety pins
• Hair clips. Rubber bands
• Sports bra
• Sunglasses
• Armband for your ipod or iphone
• ziplock bag for your phone or key if it’s raining (plastic bags always come in handy!)

Technology:  Don’t forget your chargers!!

• Laptop and charger
• Phone and charger
• Garmin and charger

Toiletries:

• Sunscreen!!!
• Makeup
• Bodyglide
• Deodorant, face wash, body wash, toothbrush, toothpaste, etc…
• Medication and vitamins

Nutrition:  These are my race fuel choices.

• Gu
• Picky Bars
• Cocogo Code: JENCHOOSESJOY (all caps) for 10% off
• Do you usually drink coffee before a race?  Make sure you have a coffee maker in your room.  Often, race hotels will serve coffee at ungodly hours to runners before a race.  Have a plan.  Coffee is important.
• Race Day Breakfast:  You’ve practiced your long run breakfast for months. Do your best to recreate it in your hotel room. I take banana bread. Instant oatmeal is also easy to make in your room if you have a coffee maker.

Recovery:

• Massage Stick
• Compression sleeves
• Ibuprofen
• Protein powder.  I like Vega Recovery Accelerator.

Paperwork:

• Id
• Hotel confirmation
• Flight info
• Race confirmation numbers.  A lot of races mail you a passport for the expo.
• Race bibs if they were mailed to you.  Boston mailed us our 5K bibs.

Reservations:  I know you don’t pack reservations, but it’s an important part of planning your trip.

• Are you attending the race pasta dinner or do you need reservations at a local restaurant?  Remember that Italian restaurant reservations fill up quickly on race weekend.
• Shakeout Runs.  Runner’s World and other running brands will host shake-out runs at large races.  They often ask you to rsvp via Facebook invitation.

This was a Runner’s World shakeout run in Chicago with Deena Kastor and Bart Yasso!

What have I forgotten?

Do you like destination races? Where is your favorite destination race?

Do you participate in the pasta dinner and shake-out runs before the race?

Are you big planner or do you just go with the flow when you’re travelling?  The more I plan, the less stress I have on race day.

#choosejoy

Watercolor Weekend

It has been a gorgeous weekend in Watercolor!

Saturday:

Sunrise from our balcony…

And running around Western Lake…

I logged 9 miles and then we hit the gym for some weights.

Big salad for lunch and a side of fries, because it’s vacation!

Italian for dinner at Borago, because it’s not too soon to start carb loading for next weekends race, right?!

This was the yummiest mushroom ravioli!

Sunday:

Sunday’s high temp: 75 degrees!!!

We headed over to the Watersound to see our favorite dunes.

17.5 miles, but a couple of those were strolling on the beach:)

I loved the morning fog.

Visited the Watercolor Farmer’s Market.

We had lunch at the beach club grill where I found a brussels sprouts and butternut squash salad…so good!

After lunch, we hopped on our bikes to tool around:)

A pre-dinner pic:)

One of the best parts about staying at the Watercolor Inn….nightly cookies with your turndown service!!!

 

What’s your favorite dish at an Italian restaurant?

When do you start carb loading for a big race?

What’s your favorite beach?

#choosejoy

Mostly Silent Saturday

13 miles.  Started in the dark and finished in the sunshine!

Ended at the beach…

And met the hubs at Another Broken Egg for breakfast!

Took some time to enjoy our balcony:)

View from our table at lunch.  This doesn’t suck.

Sugar Shak ice cream at the beach is mandatory.

And, a pic before dinner:)

What’s your favorite ice cream flavor?  Today, I had cake batter!

Vacation running…yay or nay?  Obviously, I love running on vaca.

Have you gone back to work or do you have some time off?

#choosejoy

Taper Time and Beach Bound

Monday:

8 miles and some TRX in the gym

 

I finished making Rocky Road fudge to deliver to friends.

 

Tuesday:

Track with friends.  My post-it prep got a little complicated!

And we had breakfast afterwards 🙂

 

Wednesday:

11 miles.  It was dark and rainy, but it was warm enough to run IN SHORTS!

 

Luckily I brought some dry clothes and met my sweet husband for a crepe breakfast afterwards.

I had Christmas Eve dinner with my Grandparents, Pop, and cousins 🙂

Thursday: Christmas Day…beach bound!!

We usually take a little vacation during the Christmas holiday.  This was the first time we actually travelled on Christmas Day.  Guess what?  Nothing is open.

But then, there was a Christmas miracle!  We found an open Starbucks in the middle of Alabama!!!

We made it to Watercolor…my happy place:)

 

Of course I wore my I Run 30A shirt.

 

The Great Southern Cafe has my favorite vegetable plate ever, so it was the perfect Christmas dinner.

And lastly, a Christmas sunset.

 

Did you have to travel on Christmas day?  Where did you eat?  We found an IHOP and Starbucks.

What was the highlight of your Christmas?  Breathing in the salt air with my husband.

What’s your favorite vegetable?  Broccoli

St. Jude Memphis Marathon

I got all of my ducks in a row the night before.  (I say ducks because we’re staying at the Peabody…I quack myself up!)

Saucony Kinvara 5’s, Fleet Feet Racing Kit, Swiftwick Zero Socks, Oiselle Strappy Bra, and Garmin 620

Amphipod Handheld, Picky Bar, Gu, and Cocogo

Woke up at 5:30 for coffee and banana bread.  I’m superstitious about this pre-race breakfast.

Met up with my Run 4 Others friends at 7:30!  It’s so fun to do a destination race and still have so many friends.

Temps were in the low 50’s with a cold 15mph wind!

The race started at 8am.

After running the Flying Monkey Marathon two weeks ago, I wanted to go out easy.  I started with the 3:55 pace group.  I stuck with them for around 6 miles and realized I wanted to pick up the pace.  I really tried to run this race by feel.  I stayed talkative and gave lots of high-fives!

Here are my splits:

9:10, 8:46, 8:46, 8:27, 8:20, 8:50, 8:44, 8:43, 8:45, 8:35, 8:40, 8:39, 8:33, 8:23, 8:25, 8:26, 8:15, 8:08, 8:12, 8:16, 8:04, 7:58, 7:51, 7:52, 7:37, 7:34

You get to run through the St. Jude campus at miles 5 and 24.  I teared up both times feeling such gratitude for my health.

Finish Time: 3:41:42

I got really cold immediately after the race…probably from the strong wind.  I took a hot shower and ate pretzels in bed.

I loved getting to wear some of my race swag afterwards:)

I always crave chips and dip after a race (must be a salt thing) so I inhaled this spinach dip…

over a glass of wine!

Nutrition:

Gu 15 minutes before the race and then at miles 8, 15, and 21.

Cocogo in my handheld and sports drink at the water stops on the course.

Muscle Milk immediately after the race for recovery.  It’s not my usual, but it got the job done.

**I walked every water stop…still haven’t mastered the pinch the cup running technique.

Can you drink and run at the water stops?

What’s your favorite recovery/protein food and drink?

Do you have a reward food after you race?

#choosejoy

Memphis Bound

So, I made a last minute decision to run the St. Jude Memphis Marathon. I was registered for the half.  I wasn’t sure how I’d feel after running the Flying Monkey Marathon just two weeks ago. I still have heavy legs (read…I’ll be slow), but I’m looking forward to the distance.  I’m using it as a training run for my upcoming ultra.

3 marathons in 7 weeks.  This is first for me!

So with that said…I haven’t tapered.

Wednesday:

My fave crepe breakfast at the Perch!

Followed by 11 miles with these beautiful ladies!  This run in Percy Warner Park was part of the Flying Monkey Marathon course.  It felt like I was returning to the scene of the crime!

Thursday:

A rainy run with The Breakfast Club…followed by breakfast (of course)!

I also did some PiYo DVD’s afterwards.

Friday:

Memphis Bound…in the rain.  Thank goodness it’s not raining like this on race day!!

Jason loves when I do this…

Lunch at J Alexander’s in Germantown for magical cornbread croutons and a veggie burger.  The croutons aren’t on the menu…just ask for them.  Now!

We hit up the expo…

Where I had to buy some St. Jude swag!  The Run TN shirt is from Fleet Feet🙂

We checked into the Peabody.  It’s always so pretty at Christmas.  And, big BONUS: you can walk to the start and finish line from the hotel:)  No race morning parking fiascos!!

I knew I’d need to rest, so I brought our Christmas cards with me and FINALLY finished addressing them!

St. Jude Heroes are invited to the Pasta Party.  You receive quite the greeting!!

 

It’s not too late to give!  Click HERE to make a donation 🙂

We joined our Run 4 Others friends for dinner.

And listened to some remarkable first hand accounts of the many ways St. Jude provides care for children with cancer for NO CHARGE to their families.  This race is about so much more than running.

Have you ever made a last minute decision to run a marathon?  How did it go?

What’s your favorite weather to race in?

When you travel for a race, does that change how you eat before a race?

#choosejoy