Chicago Marathon Day

I woke up excited to run!! I’ve never tapered properly until this race and I really missed running…a lot.

Temps were perfect for race day!

I bring my banana bread with me for destination races. It’s tried and true, and I enjoyed it in bed with a cappuccino.

Here’s the rest of my race prep. THANK YOU Fleet Feet for the throw away gloves!

Use code: JENCHOOSESJOY (all caps) at Cocogo.com to save 10% off your order!

Don’t forget the all important Body Glide!

We bought passes for the hospitality tent. A little pricey but so worth it. We stayed a block away from the tent.

It was a nice warm place to sit down and drink some water before the race. I didn’t get to enjoy their yummy breakfast spread.

But it gave my husband a nice spot to hang out with TVs to watch the race.

The crowds were crazy walking to my corral but I found my 3:50 pacers and we started at 7:36.
It felt like we were running in slow motion. In hindsight I was probably a little too conservative, but I desperately wanted to have a negative split and finish strong.
As promised, the course was flat and the spectators were incredible.
I started my garmin and changed the screen to the clock view. It’s the first time I’ve run by feel. I trusted the pacers for the first half and picked up my pace around the mile 13. I didn’t look at my watch until mile 25.

Splits:
8:40, 8:26, 8:57, 8:28, 8:37, 8:35, 8:30, 8:58, 8:51, 8:50, 8:20, 8:31, 8:11, 8:30, 8:27, 8:25, 8:20, 8:23, 8:11, 8:21, 8:20, 8:08, 8:03, 8:08, 7:52, 7:42

Gu 15 mins before race, 1 hr, 2hr, 20 mile marker.
This was the most fun I’ve ever had running a road marathon!  Can you tell? 🙂

1st Half: 8:45

2nd Half: 8:15

After meeting up at the hospitality tent after the race, I came back to the room, took an ice bath and shower and I ate pretzels in bed. Guess I needed salt.

After some rest we had celebratory bubbles!

And dinner at Osteria Via Stato

Gnocchi and butternut squash ravioli

And brought a slice of fudgy chocolate cake back at the room!

Did you race this weekend? I’d love to hear about it!!
Have you run the Chicago Marathon?
How do you celebrate after a race?

#choosejoy

18 Miles and a Birthday

Friday:

Run mail is the best mail. The Chicago Marathon Participant Guide makes it feel so real and after studying Jack Daniels, I’m super excited to read this book!

I made this pasta to “carb-up” for Saturday’s long run.

The hubs contributed by bringing home this big as yo face slice of chocolate cake.

Saturday:

I woke up at 2:30am and thought it was time to run. I ate a Picky Bar, realized that it was stupid early, and went back to bed.  Don’t you hate it when that happens?!! I woke up to proof on my nightstand.

Long run with the awesome Run 4 Others group! Loving the Athleta Powerhouse Tank.

Vega Sport Recovery Accelerator is a must after my long runs.

Family birthday dinner at my step dad’s house.

What did I get the man that has everything? Birthday Bubbles!

His chef prepared a special birthday menu,

And he was so kind to make individual eggplant lasagnas for the vegetarians…delish!!!

His home has beautiful downtown river views from the rooftop.

And lastly I had to show off my elevator skills.  Jason just laughed and took pictures.

Sunday:
After some high mileage weeks, my body is feeling worn out.  I kept today’s run at a nice and easy recovery pace.  I ran without my Garmin, so I could run by feel.  My hubs joined me for the first 5 miles…

And I met him for breakfast afterwards!

 

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend!!!

Did you race or have a long run this weekend?  I’d love to hear about it!

What’s your favorite recovery product?

#choosejoy

The Friday Five

1.  I’m really particular about my pumpkin candles.  This Pumpkin Chai from NEST is my favorite!!  I bought mine at The Iron Gate in Franklin, TN…gorgeous store!!

2.  Do you get excited when the new Fall TV Shows come back?  Here are a few of my favorites and a couple of new ones that I’m watching!

3.  I know that we are all about pumpkin in the Fall, but it’s Honeycrisp Apple Season and they are heavenly.  Go and buy some right now!

4.  This week I pre-ordered Lauren Fleshman’s new Believe Training Journal.  If you order it through the Picky Bars website, you get 6 Picky Bars with an autographed copy.  My fan girl is coming out!

5.  This list from Ultra Runner Joe cracked me up!  I picked a few of my favorites to share…

How to Tell a Trail Runner from a Hipster

*Due to the athletic, muscular build of their legs, a trail runner cannot fit into skinny jeans.
*A trail runner showers in the creek or with baby wipes; a hipster showers at the YMCA or not at all.
*A trail runner drinks whatever beer is available at the finish line, but will wax poetic about craft beers on non-race days. A hipster will wax     poetic about craft beers, but will drink PBR at any given time.
*A trail runner has a well-groomed beard; a hipster has a…who am I kidding, their beards are equally out of control.
*Hipsters only eat free range organically grown food. Trail runners eat whatever you put within reaching distance.
*Hipsters wear tacky sweaters to make a statement. Trail runners wear tacky sweaters because they forgot how cold it is on the top of a mountain and that’s all they could find in the abandoned shed.

What Fall TV Shows are you excited about?

What are you up to this weekend?

Happy Friday and have a wonderful weekend!!!

#choosejoy

Cancelled Race

Will. Run. For. Coffee. 6 miles with the Breakfast Club.  This group makes me laugh so hard that I get a bonus ab workout!

Here’s an article from Runner’s World on the 8 Reasons To Drink Coffee.  Drink up!!

Speaking of Starbucks…For those of you with a gold card, they’re running a 5 stores for 5 stars promotion.

I’m up for the challenge!

During our morning run, we realized a bunch of us were running in Swiftwick socks. I said that I have a drawer full of Swiftwicks…here’s proof! Rock The Socks!

After our run, I started packing for the Eastern Kentucky Half Marathon this Saturday….when I received this email.

Bad news: The race is cancelled…big bummer:(  The town has been declared an emergency area from flooding and they’re expecting more rain.

Good news: I’m still going anyways to visit with family!!!

I trust race directors in these situations. I was in Memphis last December when they cancelled the St. Jude Marathon.  It’s just part of life. Bummed, but I’ll just do a long run instead.

This evening I went back to Orange Theory with Corrie and Kellie (it was her first class)!  It was another awesome class that kicked my butt…thank you Sunil!

Pre-sweat!

Post-sweat!

Picky Bars must have known that I wore their shirt this morning, because I came home to Picky Mail!!

P.S. Cookie Doughpness is my new favorite flavor!

Have you ever had a race cancelled at the last minute? How did you adjust your training?

What’s your favorite brand of run socks?

Do you share my Starbucks addiction?

#choosejoy

The Franklin Classic

We started the day with a 4am alarm to bake for the post-race brunch. My husband requested his favorite breakfast casserole.  I also took the brown sugar bundt cake that I posted yesterday.  I’ll post the recipes shortly:)

I had a Picky Bar and coffee before we left the house.

The new Cookie Doughpness is SO good!

Time to race: The Franklin Classic! We met up with so many awesome friends. Our entire community runs this race.
I ran in my favorite Saucony Kinvara 5’s. The yellow makes me so happy:)

 

Lots of love for Fleet Feet Racing!

This was my first time running both the 10k (7:00 start) and the 5k (8:30 start).

***Preface: I don’t run short, fast races very well.  My stubbornness lends itself to endurance!

I didn’t taper for these races and I’m in the middle of training for the Chicago Marathon.

 

My husband had a great 10K race!

The course is hot and hilly.  Every year I question why I run it.  It’s mostly because I want to run with my friends (peer pressure at it’s finest), but also because it supports Mercy Community Healthcare. I beat last years time by 27 seconds. Not a huge difference, but this year I had so much more breath control. I felt more relaxed. Progress.

10k splits: 7:49, 7:50, 8:04 (hills), 7:47, 7:36, 7:28
Finish time.  10th in AG.  48:14

I probably should have found a seat in the shade, but instead I stood around socializing in the sun.  I felt a little stiff for the 5k, but I just reminded myself that it was temporary. Also, the hills weren’t as bad on the 5k course.

5k Splits: 7:31, 7:34, 7:37
Finish time.  5th in AG 23:45

This was only my 2nd 5k.  My first was in July and I ran a 21:xx.  My friend Corrie said that I was on the 50k to 5k plan!

Conclusion:  Short-distance runner are badasses. Today’s races just made me want to puke.  Can you tell it was hot?!!!

Just finished the second race…wiped out!

I drank Cocogo Lemon-Lime in my handheld for both races.  I definitely needed it today!

Use code: JENCHOOSESJOY (all caps) for 10% off your order!

We stayed to cheer on our friends for their awards and then the best part of the race…brunch afterwards hosted by our friends Alex and lauren!!!! Thank you SO much for hosting a bunch of stinky runners!!!  Everything was incredible!

Just look at this spread!

My friends are seriously good cooks.  I made sure to try it all!

The obligatory post-brunch pic…

We took our full bellies home for a much needed shower and rest.

After a full day, I didn’t really feel like cooking so we headed out for celebratory pizza at Mellow Mushroom. I love their build your own salad menu!

Romaine with cucumber, shredded mozzarella, and portobello mushrooms

And of course their pizza!

Tell me about your Labor Day!
What’s your favorite race distance? Do you stick to that distance or run others?

#choosejoy

Drop Week…BOOM!

Because of a big Labor Day race, my Chicago Training Group didn’t have a formal training run on our schedule.  This week also happened to fall on a drop week, and my long run called for 16 miles.

I ran 4 very dark solo miles.

I love that my Cocogo packets fit in my handheld sleeve!  Lemon Lime kept me hydrated today.  Cocogo is offering free shipping through Labor Day.  AND…you can use my discount code: JENCHOOSESJOY for 10% off your order!

I met these ladies for 8 miles.

The sunrise was spectacular!

We had awesome zucchini muffins baked by Lauren…I love friends that bring baked goods to a run!!!  I brought these little bags of granola for everyone.  Apparently, food is our love language.  (I’ll post the granola recipe this weekend.)

Then, I headed out to run 4 more miles.  I got super lucky and ran into the Run 4 Others training group. They were kind enough to let me jump in with them and I ended up with 17 miles.  I’ve said it a million times, but I feel so blessed to have this incredible run community!
I loved that today’s run was so relaxed. No set pace. No preset routes. Just great company. I don’t want every run to be loosey goosey but this was a nice reprieve. Also, when did 17 miles become my relaxed drop week?!!  Progress is beautiful!

After an ice bath and shower, I propped my feet up on my porch swing in my LF Oiselle sweats.  They are so comfy!!

 

After some rest, I went to Fleet Feet to pickup my packet for the Franklin Classic.  I signed up for the 10k and 5k.  With a broken toe, I won’t be speedy, but I still plan to run it for fun.

Of course I needed to buy this cute Nike pullover. It’s impossible for me to go to Fleet Feet without buying something.  Who’s ready for crisp fall running?!!

We went to Costco and I couldn’t resist this black bean “pasta”.  I have no idea what I’ll do with it,but curiousity got the best of me.  Side note: do NOT go on a Saturday afternoon. It was a zoo.

When I got home, I had to ice my foot.  It was a little cranky from my long run:(  Just another reminder that I won’t be racing on Monday.

We had a Mexican dinner with the tastiest blackberry margarita!

And a slice of birthday cake from Whole Foods…just because.

And then…Lauren Fleshman favorited my tweet!  I am definitely a big nerd.

I hope you’re having a super long weekend!

Have you tried Black Bean “pasta”?  Let me know if you have ideas for it!

Are you a COSTCO or Sam’s Club shopper?  Those stores are always crazy and stress me out.

#choosejoy

21 Miles, 3 Boys, and a Monkey

Friday Night Prep.

I don’t always eat pasta the night before my Saturday run, but when the miles start to get into the 20’s…game on!

I make sure to lay everything out the night before, because who’s brain works at 4am?  Mine does not.

Vega Sport Recovery Accelerator (Apple Berry).

Gu (Chocolate Outrage).

Cocogo (Raspberry Passion Fruit). ***Use Code: JENCHOOSESJOY for 40% off your order

Picky Bar (Cookie Doughpness).

Garmin 620.

Amphipod Thermal Lite 20oz.

Cyclone Cup

 

The all important coffee is setup and ready to go.

Nespresso Vertuoline and Aeroccino (It’s the only frother I’ve found that works really well on almond or soy milk)

 

Saturday Long Run

4:00am alarm…doh!

100 % humidity at 6am…good times!

 

1

I am pacing an awesome Fleet Feet Nashville: Chicago Marathon training group.  I ran 3 solo miles, met my group and paced for 18 miles. 21.5 total.

My favorite recovery breakfast is oatmeal. Isn’t this the prettiest oatmeal?!  Trust me…it tasted even better than it looked!!!

 

 

3 of our nephews were staying with us this weekend, so after an ice bath and oatmeal, my husband and I took them rock climbing.  I felt surprisingly good after running (no soreness at all).  That’s a lot of progress for me!

 

3 little monkeys showing us how it’s done!

 

After rock climbing, we stopped for dinner and froyo.

 

Vegetable Lettuce wraps from PF Chang’s

 

Sweet Cece’s.  I promise there’s froyo underneath that cookie dough;)

 

The Monkey

A couple of weeks ago, I entered the lottery for the Flying Monkey Marathon.  Well…I got in.  Let the terror begin to set in.  This is going to be a doozy.  Here is a note from the RD and the elevation chart:

“Today is not your lucky day.  Today is, in fact, a bad bad day for you.  I am sorry.

We have run the lottery, and your name was selected as one that can participate in this year’s Harpeth Hills Flying Monkey Marathon.  Yep.  You are in.  Words cannot express how sorry I am for you.  Or how sorry you will be.  Anyhow, looks like you are in.  Good luck with that.  You will most certainly regret it.  I’ll be in touch.”

What do you eat for dinner the night before you long run/race day?  Are you superstitious about eating the same foods each week?

I’m wrapping up my first week of blogging.  THANK YOU SO MUCH for your support and encouragement!!!  #choosejoy