OK, Ladies!

I just registered for the 2013 Hippie Chick Quarter Marathon!

I've done this race a couple times and love it! It's a very positive, energetic all-women event. It's for women of all abilities, all sizes, all speeds.

Ladies, join me :) :)

No. 7

No. 7 done!

I finished one Valerie Wolzien book and jumped right into the next one from the THS library: Murder in the Forecast.

Nothing award-worthy, but a good, quick mystery. Just what I love to read :)

Next up: a Michael Connelly that Eryn snagged for me :)

Peak mileage!

With just two weeks until my next half marathon, it was time to run 11 miles this morning!

I got up early, did some stuff around home, then hit the pavement about 10:30 a.m., ready to do 11. I started slow, sped up a bit and then fell into a rhythm... a fast rhythm (fast for me... running is all relative)!

The weather was excellent - low 40s and mostly cloudy, a bit windy and just a few sprinkles. (Looking at the forecast, I was braced for a very wet run)

I hit 11 miles and was still almost a mile from home. I walked a couple blocks, but instead of walking the whole way home, I decided to weave around the neighborhood a bit and up my mileage. Ended up at 12.36 miles in 1:58 - a 9:33 average!!!!!!!!!

My current half-marathon PR is a 10:18 average - so that's huge! My race goal has been a 10-minute average :)

I was pushing but still comfortable - keeping my heart rate and breathing under control. And I feel great! Tired, but great. My calves are yelling at me, but that's about it. 

Next week was supposed to be 12 miles. But since I went long today, I think I'll maybe run 10 next weekend at a slower pace and call it good.

I feel so ready for this race! Unfortunately, the Heart Breaker has a big hill (~200 feet) between miles 3 and 4, so I'm not sure a new PR is coming this time. I'll give it a try, but that hill could take me down :)

Week 9 training recap:

Sunday: 3.12 miles, walked around DC

Monday: walked miles and miles and miles around DC

Tuesday: Rest Day - traveling

Wednesday: spin class

Thursday: Rest Day - exhausted!

Friday: 4.05 miles
Saturday: 12.36 miles

Week 9 Total: 19.53 miles

:)

4 before work

After Thursday's speedwork fail, I decided to hit the treadmill early Friday to get in a few miles before work.

I climbed out of my cozy bed shortly after 5 a.m., ate some oats and then took it to the garage.

My plan was 3 easy miles, but when I got there, I wasn't ready to stop. I was getting into a groove and kept going for another mile.

I would have done more, but I need time to cool down before my shower. I'm a complete sweat hog.

And now I have 15 minutes to get to work - so I'd better hit the shower quick! :)

Treadmill Thursday

Yeah, it didn't happen.

I have been so good during my training! For eight weeks, I've been faithful to the plan, regardless of weather, busyness and tiredness. 

But this whirlwind trip to DC has left me exhausted! The time change, combined with getting up very early on inauguration day (1:30 a.m. home time), kicked my butt.

I felt like a zombie all day. Then I came home from work and laid down my head for a short nap before I hit the 'mill for my weekly speedwork (pushed back to today because of my travel schedule). My alarm didn't go off, and I woke with a start at 4:45, thinking it was morning.

Screw it. I'm going to bed - and I'll try again tomorrow.

:)

Banana bread

Last week, I was all set to bake banana bread for my students. I'd been collecting bananas, and they were perfectly overripe and waiting for me on the counter in CE2. But the night before I was set to bake, someone threw them away!  :(

Fortunately, my very thoughtful father brought me a bunch he had that were on their way out. I finally had time to bake again, so I whipped up a batch this morning in the CE2 kitchen.


I've used this recipe for years, and I love it. It's very quick and simple - and tastes amazing. AND... it's naturally cow-free - no modifications needed!

3 c flour
3 t baking powder
1/2 t baking soda
cinnamon to taste (I use just a dash)
2 eggs
mashed bananas (I think I used 5 - whatever I had)
1 1/2 c sugar
1/2 c veggie oil
1 c nuts, optional

Preheat oven to 350. Mix everything in a large bowl with an electric mixer. Pour into two prepared loaf pans. Bake for 45 - 55 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean. For nice, clean slices, cool before cutting. (Modified from Better Homes and Gardens)


Enjoy :)

Well, crap

I guess I'm not running the Disneyland Half Marathon this year after all.

Registration opened yesterday, and by this morning, it was already sold out. Major bummer!

Apparently, they offered preregistration at other Disney events, and the race filled up before it was even open. Sucks.