Silver Lining

Happy Halloween!! 

My whiteboard creation – that would be a witch, mummy, bat, pumpkin, ghost, grave (with hands sticking out from the ground), vampire, and warewolf.  Talent right there.

I’m currently running on 5 hours of sleep…5 hours for the past two nights combined. 

Friday we watched a movie and I didn’t get into bed until 2 am.

Last night we went out to the bars, and I didn’t get into bed until 3 am.

Don’t ask how I got up at 5 this morning.  I’m just thankful that I did.

The past few days have been full of tons of treats.  Such as obligatory candy

Splurge cookies that I’ve had my eye on

You know you secretly like those frosted sugar cookies.

Now imagine them in pumpkin!

Fun drinks (+ wayyyy too many other drinks last night )

(Source)

I wanted to make these Candy Corn Martinis last year, but everywhere was sold out of candy corn!  They were okay.  I’m not a vodka person, and they were a bit strong.  But interesting to make!

The other night, we also went to dinner for a friend’s birthday where we literally devoured 3 bowls of chips amongst the 3 of us at our table.  Fast.  Plus a huge soda cup.

I got a massive and amazingly delicious fajita chicken taco salad.  This picture actually makes it look small.  But it was huge.  I only managed half after all those chips Leftovers!

 

Last night was tons of fun.  I ended up dressing up as….

The Tin Man!!  Unfortunately I didn’t get a single full body shot of my costume I’m saddened.  Here’s the only front view (and I’m oddly sitting, so my tutu is sticking out at a weird angle).

I was standing in the background of one picture, so it’s blurry and an odd picture, but you get the idea

My sister made the tutu, and then I made the hat.  Although the hat ended up falling off halfway through the night, and I also lost my heart.  So by the end of the night I was just a silver ballerina.  Haha.

 

What were you for Halloween?  What did you do this weekend to celebrate?

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Flashin’ Costumes

Guess what I have been enjoying lately?

Pumpkin smoothies!!

In giant mugs no less.

With swirls of chocolate syrup.

When I first started making these back in my sophomore year of college, I’d have one every night (no joke).  Often times twice a day.  Such a simple recipe:

• 1 cup milk of choice (or part milk, part water)
• Huge scoops of pumpkin
• Cinnamon and/or pie spice
• Maple syrup or sweetener
• Ice

Blend and enjoy!!  Best topped with whipped cream.

And now…

A Flashback Friday post??  Well…sure, why not

I know I’ve already done a Halloween costume flashback last year (in fact – it was my first Flashback Friday post!), but….I thought I’d do it again to remind you

I only have pictures of the past 5 years on this computer.  But I can tell you what I’ve been!

Junior year (of high school) – Mary Kate Olsen (my friend was Ashley)

Senior year – “Taylor the Sailor”.  Yes – I pinned a sign that said that to my shirt

Freshman year (of college) – a polar bear.

Sophomore year – a fairy when I visited my friend in Santa Barbara.

Night#2 at a party back at school, I was an Indian:

And an Eskimo on actual Halloween night (it was on a Tuesday that year).

And for you’re enjoyment, some pre-party getting ready dancing

 

Junior year – Minnie Mouse!  And sporting my marathon necklace

I found my twin!!

Senior year – Indiana Jones (on the far right)

This was my first Halloween bars experience – it was crowded!!

Then I was Santa the next night.  It was actually November 1st, yet still “Haloween Weekend.”  We assumed people would be dressed up again.  We thought wrong.  It was slightly awkward….oh well!

Last year, my house braved it, and had our own party!  We had a blast decorating…

Making the jungle juice….

Getting ready together…We seriously had no idea what we were getting into. 

I was a gangster/mobster, by the way.

But it was lots of fun!!

The next night, I was a pumpkin when we went to the bars. 

 

What was your best/favorite/most creative Halloween costume you’ve ever been?

I seriously come up with costume ideas a year in advance.  I always have too many ideas and then know what I want to be next year.  Or as I’m shopping throughout the year, I see something and think “that would be great for a costume!”  That’s exactly how my Fairy (saw the dress at Walmart and thought Fairy!), Indian (saw the dress at Target and thought “Indian!”), and Minnie costumes (saw the shirt at Target and thought “Minnie!”) came to be.

In 5th grade, I was a picnic blanket.  I literally had a blanket over me with plastic food, plates, and even ants glued on.  I’ll find a picture and show you, I swear.  I loved being “Taylor the Sailor” – got a few laughs on that one.  I also loved being Indiana Jones because I love Indiana.  And that whip got a few comments lol.

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Cookies & Nuts

Yes.  That’s as creative a title as you’re gonna get.

 

It’s been a while since I baked my favorite cookies.  When a friend’s birthday came up, I had the perfect excuse

However, when it came time to mix in the chips, I realized I had no chocolate chips.  I had debated buying chocolate chips the other day at the store, and I ended up putting them back on the shelf.  I guess I thought I had decided to buy them?  Not sure…

But I did have cinnamon chips!

Seriously – make.  these. cookies.  Life changing!  I definitely had a good 3 cookies worth of dough.  And probably 3 cookies of actual cookies.  And that was just in the afternoon.  So addicting.

I also think they make excellent post-run food.

I mean, made with oats, whole wheat flour, and canola oil – it’s like a super sugary energy bar cookie, right?

Right.

 

I’ve also decided that these make an awesome pre, post, & during (?? I’d stop during a run for these babies) run snack as well.

 

A seriously 100% impulse buy at Costco.  I’m usually so good at avoiding these.

Best cinnamon almonds ever.  No joke.

Dangerous.

Would you like some running talk?  Okay.

My run yesterday was great.  4.5 miles.  And today was another 4.5 miles.  Both were okay – nothing great, but not horrible.  Just normal runs.

And that’s good However, my knees, and left ankle are slightly bothering me.  As is my left inner shin at times.  I did get refitted for new orthotics, and I’m hoping that’s the solution here.  According the orthotics doctor (what are they called?), my ankle is rolling inward and my feet are just overcoming my current orthotics.  And my shoes aren’t super supportive.  So without the support of orthotics, I do think I’m feeling the pain from that.

I hope.

I just am not looking forward to buying another set of expensive orthotics :-/. Boo.

In din-din news….

Dinner was semi-homemade. 

Enter this rice:

These beans:

And this sausage:

Which I was really sad to see has lamb casing.  Boo.  Oh well

Give you this:

Yes….there were veggies and sausage under there.  Very good.  But very salty.

 

I can’t believe I haven’t asked….what are you all being for Halloween this year?!?!  I love love love Halloween and dressing up!  But you’ll have to wait and see what my costume is

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Long Lost Love

First – I’m so sorry for being MIA for days – my computer has had a few issues, and still doesn’t seem to be quite over it yet.  Roar.  Sometimes it turns on.  Sometimes it doesn’t.  I’m trying not to use it for too long, and I need to spend most of my computer time researching dietetic internships (which is stressing me out beyond belief), so I may be around randomly for now

 

I’ve also been pretty under the weather.  I really don’t get seriously sick, besides a cold (knock on wood).  This time my whole body just ached and I just wanted to curl up.  I felt dizzy, lightheaded, about to faint at times, and all around awful all weekend. That part seems to be gone now, but now I’m stuck with a cough and some congestion. 

 

Anyways, enough complaining.  This week I had to say bye to 2 close people thing in my life. 

Mr. Maple

And Mr. Chocolate

Now, these 2 were very close.  So it was only fitting that they went within a week of each other.

With swirls of goodness

We left on good terms.

Although I’m still sad to see them go.

And I’ve been surviving without nut butter in my pantry for a good week now.

Shocking.

 

I’m going to attempt to run today.  How long?  Well that depends on how I feel.  My two 3-mile runs in the past week have been sh*t, but that’s okay.

I’m at the point where I’m not training, and running should be done for fun, short cardio fitness, stress relief, etc.  And if I’m not up for a run – don’t run.

Today I want to run, and I hope it goes well.  My body is no longer achy, nor do I have a headache. 

I’m also starting to do strength training again.  With work, I barely had time to fit in my runs, let alone strength training.  But I know strength (especially ab strength) is very important in running and injury prevention. I also miss the way I felt from strength training.  Not to mention a little more muscle .

I only wish I belonged to a gym at this point.  $$$!!  

 

Okay, I’ve been on this computer long enough, and I should get off before it combusts.

Adios!!

PS: this is what happens when you try and transfer a pumpkin cupcake in the car.

I tried.  And failed even more.

The frosting ended up all over the container

But that didn’t stop me from licking it off

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2 hour intervals

If I thought I was hungry the day of my half, I was possibly even more hungry the day after!  I literally ate every 2 hours, if not more. 

9:45 (luckily my job let me sleep in!) – whole wheat waffles topped with syrup & pumpkin cream cheese.

Mmmm cream cheese.  Who says it’s just for bagels?

With a small bit of Voskos Greek yogurt with pumpkin butter swirled in.

11:30 rolled around, and my appetite was high!  I had a small bit of a pesto turkey sandwich at work.  About half of a half…so pretty much a 1/4.

And then made my real lunch at 12:30 – Trader Joe’s black bean and corn enchiladas. 

There was no sour cream in the house, so instead I sprinkled it with feta cheese.  Which was a brilliant idea.

See the Diet Coke there in the background? 

Okay – let’s just pretend you didn’t.

Oh heyyyy.  Whats up.

My, what attractive bling you’re sporting.

I actually wasn’t super hungry come 2:30, but I needed a snack pre-work.

Bagel thin with strawberry jam

and pumpkin cream cheese.

But of course I was starving at work about 4:30.  I snagged some trail mix and chowed it down fast.

At 6:30, we breaked for dinner.  Nothing too appetizing on the hot foods bar, I stuck with a salad.  As my co-workers said “the mother of all salads.”.  Hey – I like ‘em big. (mixed greens, blue cheese, kidney beans, beets, pickles, sunflower seeds, raspberry dressing).

And a ton of rice.  I said I wanted a lot.  And they listened.  (Full size plate, btw)

8:30 rolled around, and 2 hours post-dinner I was hungry…right on schedule!

Apple (2x what’s shown – I already ate a few slices!) with laughing cow cheese, and peanut flour dip.

And around 11:30 I got out of bed after trying to fall asleep on an empty tummy.  It wasn’t working.

Cereal to the rescue!!

 

And then I was out like a light.  I assume we’re talking a burnt out light here.

 

Official race photos are in!  If I had known the color theme of the race was going to be hot pink, I’m not quite sure I would’ve worn it.  I definitely blend in!  not too many great pics – I’m rather small in a lot of them.

Front and center:

Raise the roof!

Right in the middle:

Almost done!  Holding onto my Ghiradelli chocolate as well.  That’s what’s important.

Right under the clock…clapping? haha

So hardcore…she told me to pose this way…not quite sure why.

More natural.  If you call standing stiffly with a fake smile natural.

 

I’m going to be honest here – as I was looking at these today, I wasn’t all too happy.  I said to myself that they weren’t “very flattering” and I found myself getting down on how I looked in these pictures.  (I’ve mentioned how I’ve recently had a good amount of weight gain, and how I’m dealing with that).  I was kind of put off by these.  I knew it wasn’t good of me to think these thoughts, but I couldn’t help it.

Later I realized how incredibly awful I was for critiquing myself the way I did.  These pictures demonstrate me running 13 miles for crying out loud.  And here I was critiquing my body.  These pictures prove the strength and stamina that my body has to offer.  How dare I think poorly of it? 

Just a little something I realized this afternoon…

Tell me one (or more!) thing your proud of your body recently accomplishing

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Will Run for Tiffany’s…and food

I did it!  I ran the farthest I’ve ran in over 1 1/2 years, with no foot pain, and minimal knee pain! 

That’s not to say I’m no in pain now.  My legs are definitely stiff, and my hips are sore!!  A sure sign that I need to work on strengthening my hips more.  But we’ll worry about that tomorrow, or another day

 

My mom and I arrived pretty late to the expo on Saturday.  After standing in line for a while, we finally entered the tent at 4:30.  I definitely encountered a few problems during the trip.

First, I couldn’t find my college ID (remember – I registered with the college student special).  They almost didn’t give me my bib number.  Then I found it – thank goodness.  A few things went wrong the next morning, but I’ll get to that!

Okay, I don’t want to complain here – but the expo was horrible.  I knew it wasn’t a great expo to begin with.  But this year, we literally got our bag (which I love, and am so happy I got a pink one), with 1 mini Luna bar and 1 sample bag of Kashi crackers.  That’s all the expo had to offer.  Oh – we did get a Safeway smoothie sample.  In previous years at least we’d gotten free Jamba Juice, Luna moons, Clif shots..I’ve walked away from the expo with 10 mini bags of Bare Naked granola before!  Oh well, moving on….

The new slogan of the race:

I like it better than the “Run Like a Girl” slogan they’ve had in the past.

Since it was late 5:30, and we were both trying to rest our feet, we didn’t shop around much.  Just went straight for some grub.

Chipotle, because that’s how us cheap women roll.

What a beast.  Bed of lettuce, black beans, rice, chicken, fajita veggies, pico de gallo, and corn salsa.  Guacamole was in a container on the side so I could eat it throughout the salad.  Don’t ever think I don’t get guac at Chipotle.  I don’t disappoint like that.  Plus chips on the side for more carb consumption, of course.

I also had an apple + PB, 2 hot chocolates, and a small chocolate piece back at the hotel that night.

 

The next day went a little something like this:

5:50 – wake up.  Slightly on the late side.  I thought I could handle it.  Wrong.  Turn on coffee machine

6:00 – Go to get cup of coffee and notice there is no coffee in the pot.  However, the machine is sitting in a lake of coffee.  Great.

6:05 – slightly panic.  I need caffeine.  Call front desk to send up new pot and new thing of coffee. 

6:10 – Eat.  Toast bread x2:

6:15 – Make new pot of coffee.  Strong coffee.  To get in maximum caffeine in as little liquid as possible.

6:20 – Can’t find my body glide.  Anywhere.  Research substitutions.  Result to smearing lotion on my arms.  And pray there’s vaseline early on in the race.

6:30 – Chug cooled coffee.

6:40 – Try to go to the bathroom one last time.  Fail.  Oh crap.  No pun intended.

6:50 – make my way onto the street (our hotel was literally next to the start line).  Try to forge my way to the front of the 9:00-9:59 section.  Street is blocked.  Fail.

6:55 – Go the back way.  Get stuck in the back of the 9:59 pacers.  Oh well.

7:00 – Start!

7:05 – waiting…..

7:07 – still waiting….music, cheering, excitement going on…

7:08 – moving!!  I seriously started to tear up with excitement and disbelief that I was there!

7:11 – Cross start line.

Miles 1-3: Stuck behind tons of slower people.  Frustrated.  Averaging 10-11:00 minute miles.  Try to breathe and soak in the experience.  I walked for 45 seconds at mile 2 and mile 3.

Mile 4: Still frustrated at being around slower paced people than I want, I try and realize it’s not the end of the world.  Enjoying the race, and knowing I won’t PR, I stop for a photo op!  Plus a 45 second walk break.

Mile 5: Take vanilla Gu.  I planned to take it at mile 6, but I knew mile 6 is a hill, and I’d rather take it before the hill.  Plus I was already at around 50 minutes.

Mile 6-8: HILLS!!!  I’m not going to lie, I really like hills.  Really.  I love powering up there, and the relief once you get to the top. 

Mile 8: Dodge orange peels.

Mile 10: Downhilllll.  I think this was the downhill mile.  Or it was sometime around now.  I took 2 clif shot blocks (that they handed out on the course) before going downhill.

Mile 11: It wasn’t nearly as packed on the course now, and I was able to pick up my speed.  Only 2 more miles to go, and I was feeling good, so I definitely wanted to pick it up!

Mile 12: Chocolate mile sign!  Chocolate?  Where?  I almost missed the chocolate mile!  Luckily I grabbed one from someone at the last minute and held onto it.  No way was I slowing down to eat chocolate now….sorry!  I looked at my watch and it said 2:02.  I would’ve loved to come in under 2 hours, but that didn’t happen.  So I decided to try and make it under 2:10. 

Mile 12-13: Sprinttttt.  Ready, GO!  Wait…are those rain drops?

Mile 13-13.1: Finish line in sight!  I went at it so hard, I really started to feel nauseous during that last little bit….but….then…finish!!!!!

Official finish time: 2:10:17 (darn so close!)

However, my Garmin told me I went 13.16 miles.  So if I go by that…technically I very well might have ran 13.1 in under 2:10

 

Garmin splits:

• Mile 1: 10:23
• Mile 2: 10:00
• Mile 3: 10:50
• Mile 4: 10:49
• Mile 5: 9:33
• Mile 6: 10:33 <—huge hill the entire mile
• Mile 7: 10:57
• Mile 8: 9:10 <— uphill
• Mile 9: 10:33 <—uphill…again
• Mile 10: 9:33
• Mile 11: 9:17
• Mile 12: 9:14
• Mile 13: 8:09 (told you I still had it left in me )
• Mile 13-13.1: 7:34

Elevation chart (if interested):

(Since this is for the full marathon, there actually was no big incline at the end of the half)

Oh….why hello.

(Source)

Thanks for my Tiffany’s Mr. Fireman!

This is by far my favorite out of all the years I’ve done it.  My other 2:

I can’t find the one from 2006 when I walked the half, but it wasn’t too pretty.  It honestly reminded me of a bottle cap.

One thing I have noticed about these necklaces is that they tarnish and get very dinged up looking very fast.  The background behind the runners on my marathon one (on the right) tarnished within days. 

I love my mom’s from when she walked the full in 2005.  Any runner would want this one.:

(Source)

Sadly, I don’t have that one.  I’m jealous.

Anyways…back to race day.  I got my goodies, and went to stand in line to get my picture taken.  I’ve never done this before, and I also had a good 1 1/2 hours to wait around for my mom to finish.  Standing in line is where I ran into this lady!  She was standing right behind me, and tapped me on the back, recognizing me from the blog.  Congrats Hillary on your PR!!

I ate a banana, drank a few sips of chocolate milk, and some Gatorade recover while waiting.

After some photography posing, I headed to the medical tent to ice my knees and foot.

It was freeeezing, by the way, and it had started pouring while I was in the tent.  I immediately headed to the stretching tent where I foam rolled, and stretched.  Hence the name – stretching tent.

Ate a protein Luna bar (peanut butter flavor.  Not my fave.  But I was hungry!!).

Then stood in line in the rain for a massage.  Mmm felt nice.

Finally I met up with my mom, where we caught up for 5 minutes.  Then I left her to catch the shuttle back to our hotel.  She waited for my dad who was picking her up and they were leaving straight for Sacramento (another story).

I then stood in line for an hour waiting for the bus.  In the freezing rain.  Crazy crazy cold!! 

On the bus, I ate another banana – yes 3 bananas all before 1:00.  Call me crazy.  Or call me a runner.

 

Back at my hotel, I showered and got so fresh and so clean in the locker rooms.  Then hauled my suitcase down to the shopping mall area, where I sat and ate some grub before catching BART (basically a subway that runs around the bay area).

Thank goodness I decided to go for this Thai place in the food court because you will never guess what they had –

Pumpkin curry chicken.  Oh yes.  Yes they did.

I also got garlic pepper chicken, which was bomb.

Now you see it.

Now you don’t.

HUGE plate, by the way.

It was 2:00 pm.  I figured this would hold me over a good 4 hours right?

I figured wrong.

I was hungry when I got home at 3:50.  Where I grabbed handfuls of this bad boy:

On my way out of town, I had a snack dinner?  It was 5:45.

So this beast weighed in at 15.0 on the scale.  In my head, I thought it was 1.5 pounds.  I was shocked.  But somewhat proud. 

Heck yes I just got myself a 1.5 pound yogurt.

Is it sad I was slightly disappointed when I realized it was only 15 ounces?  Still a beast of a yogurt though.

Pumpkin pie + vanilla wafer flavors.

I knew I would get hungry on the road, and packed a snack dinner part 2.

Frosting?

No no.  Just awfully photographed cottage cheese + nectarine.  In a frosting container.

And once back at…home?…school?  (I really don’t know what to call this place anymore). I had a bowl mug of cereal.

Well. Guess I can say I got my fiber in for the day.

I like how most people have post-celebratory big race dinners.  And I had froyo, cottage cheese, and cereal.  Gotta love it.

So, that was my day, race, and eats in a nutshell rather long post.

All in all, I felt awesome during the race.  My knees were a bit achy.  But not bad at all.  I do wish I could have kept up a faster pace, but I just got stuck.  Sometimes I seriously felt like I could have been walking faster than I was running.  But I knew from the beginning I wouldn’t beat my PR of 1:53.  I was just happy to be out there! 

I also only walked about 4-5 times for 30 seconds during the entire race.  I’m not lying when I said I actually forgot to walk.  During the mile 6-9 hilly sequence, I was so caught up in the hills that I forgot to take walk breaks.  It was all fine in the end – I really only started doing long runs with walk breaks to ease back into running.  But I felt good!  Funny enough, one of my biggest regrets is not getting more pictures.  It was only me and my mom with an Iphone camera, so we obviously didn’t take many!

 

But now…I can’t wait for my next race!!  Thank you for all your guys’ support and encouragement throughout my injury and training.  You guys are the best

And stay tuned for what I ate the day after my half

Did you race this weekend?  How’d you do?  Brag your story away!!

What do you “Run to be?”

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Thank You Knee

Warning: Wordy post ahead!!  And sorry to be so dramatic, I’m just so happy to be running this  (I’m not sure why I made my smiley crooked.  He just…..is).  I’m currently in SF enjoying the expo and time with my mom.  See you tomorrow!!

 

Many of you, but not all of you, know the history of my knee injury.  I first talked about it a bit here, but to those of you who don’t know the history, here’s a brief recap:

 

I was training for my second marathon (SD rock & roll) last year, and in March of 2009, I began to feel slight knee pain/stiffness.  Nothing horrible, just a little something off.  It gradually got worse to the point where I decided to take a few days off of running.  When it didn’t improve, I extended my time off.  The week turned into weeks, which turned into months, which turned into a year-long battle.

I cross trained.

I stretched.

I rested.

I saw 3 normal doctors, 2 orthopedics multiple times, 3 physical therapists.

I got an x-ray and 2 MRIs done (first one here)6

Doctors weren’t helping.  They all said different things.  Both MRI’s came back with “mild inflammation” and “rest” was the “cure.”  Sure I rested.  But every time I tried to slowly incorporate any type of activity (swimming, elliptical, biking, walking) – my knee hurt.  It even hurt while resting.  I seriously gave up all hope of ever running again.  I came to face the fact that I might have to live with short 3 mile treadmill runs the rest of my life and deal with an aching knee.

Then in January 2010, I saw a physical therapist who thought my problem stemmed from weak hips.  She started me on hip strengthening, and introduced me to foam rolling.  It helped, but it still wasn’t nearly better.  She also recommended massage therapy, so I began a chain of massages that actually eventually really did seem to help get out the knots in my legs (though I’m sure foam rolling helped in this as well).

And then in March 2010, I went to get new shoes.  Keep in mind, I have insanely high arches which collapse, and also over-pronate.  So I’ve been running in high stability shoes along with orthotics (to help my bunion).  I was told that was way too much support, and was put into a lighter stability shoe along with my orthotics.

I began to run again – slowly, of course.  I was shocked when there was hardly any pain.  Slowly (slowly!!) I increased my running, all while foam rolling, icing, and wearing a knee brace.  Could this really be happening? Could I really be able to run again?

Before I knew it, I signed up for half-marathon 6 months out.  I was worried I was rushing ahead of myself too much, but I had such high hopes.

And here I am! 

I’ve had occasional slight knee pain since I’ve started running again 6 months ago, but nothing nothing in comparison. 

During my injury, I always dreamed of the day I would run another race, and said to myself if that ever happened, I would seriously kneel down and cry.  (Dramatic much?). 

Tomorrow is that day.  And I can’t believe I’m able to do it again.  I learned to appreciate every mile I run, and not overdo it.  Rest is important when you feel a slight injury or weird feeling. 

Thank you knee for giving me this opportunity again

 

 

1. So while I’m out running my half marathon, tell me?  Have you ever dealt with an injury and what did you learn from it?

I’ve struggled with plantar fasciitis years ago, a calf injury after my marathon, bunions, this knee injury, my weird side abdominal injury, and now more plantar fasciitis (or some weird heel pain?).  Injuries seem to love me!

 

2. What has your most meaningful race been?

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Running This Flashback

I had PB&J for breakfast the past 2 days. 

One in yogurt-mess form:

• Peanut butter yogurt (peanut flour mixed with yogurt)
• Cereal
• Raspberries
• Pumpkin butter

Yes, there was yogurt under there

The juicy berries mixed into the yogurt like PB&J!

This morning in overnight oats form:

• Peanut butter overnight oats
• 1/2 a nectarine
• Raspberries
• Sprinkle of granola
• Jam

Mmm pretty much like fresh raspberry jam

 

I also was quite the fashion statement:

Running shoes + cute dress = oh shush it, I have a sore foot.

 

Today I worked a bit, then hit the road home!  Grabbed a sandwich at a local deli on the way.

Sooooo good.  Seriously – big ol’ sourdough rolls make deli sandwiches.  I used to get plain sliced wheat.  But the sandwich is 3097532085032 million times better with this bread.

 

I drove straight to my orthotics appointment, where I was refitted.  And told I need new orthotics.  SUPER DEEEE DUPER.  Apparently, my arches have stretched out and are now over-riding my current orthotics.  Causing my ankles to roll slightly inward.  She was also in shock how tight my ankles are.  Even though I stretch after each run – it’s not enough!!  Most likely the cause of my recent foot pain.  I really need to focus on like hour long stretching or something if I want to keep running.

 

Then to Target.

 

And guess what was right next door across the street?

I can’t turn down the fact that they have pumpkin pie flavor.  If I see Yogurtland, I must buy.

 

This then welcomed me home when I walked in the door:

Except someone seems to have been picking at it!

 

I thought the yogurt and trail mix would ruin my appetite for dinner, but I still felt munchy.  I rummaged around, and found some tomato soup in the cupboard.  Eaten with a quesadilla made with a flatout wrap and cheddar cheese.

 

And then I was soooooo full.

 

I haven’t done a Flashback Friday in so long, but I figured this race weekend would be perfect to flashback to my previous times running this race!  I actually flashbacked to it last year as well, but I’ll re-flashback

 

In 2007, I ran the full Nike Women’s Marathon in SF.  It was my first marathon, and actually one of my first serious races!

I spent the day before with my sister, mom, and cousin hanging out at the hotel and exploring the Expo!

…and getting attacked in Macy’s.  No big deal.

The next morning, we were up bright and early!  (My mom and cousin walked the half)

 

I was wandering the streets, when I ran into my dad and siblings!  Seriously, out of all the people in the crowds, and out of all the places they could have been.  Talk about coincidence!  It really made me excited.

It really meant a lot that my whole family came out to support me.  I love you guys!!!  During the last 3 miles, I randomly saw a huge sign that read “DO IT FOR ZIMMER!!” (Zimmer was our dog who died of lymphoma, what this race benefits).  I cracked up, and my brother started to run alongside with me.  I challenged him to beat me But he dropped off behind me.  HA!

Sprinting to the finish!

Done

Finishers!!

 

In 2008, I ran the half! 

Enjoying the day with mom and her friends:

My hand always looks like it’s hanging dead when I have my Garmin on haha.

The weather was freeeeeezing this year!!  I ran the half, and everyone else walked, so I hung around for a good 2 hours afterwards waiting.  So cold!!

 

I can’t wait to make new memories this year!!

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Pumpkin Rehab

Wussup bloggie friends? 

I never understood the huge hype on those commercials.

Someone made an appearance this morning.

Overnight oats!  Pumpkin ones of course.

I love cream cheese on overnight oats. 

This meal was either super filling, or I just wasn’t plain hungry this morning.  As I didn’t get hungry for 4 hours.  That’s crazy and unheard of for me.

I ran a few errands for work, and picked up a few goodies at TJ Maxx along the way.  Including these Pumpkin Spice almond cookies.  I had 4 while driving between errands.

SO GOOD!

 

I also had a few bites (which probably equaled out to a whole slice) of cherry pie (cobbler?) they had at work.

SO GOOD.

 

So you wanna see me goodies, do ya?

(I accidentally typed ‘me’, meant to type ‘my.’ But ‘me goodies’ makes me sound like a legit pirate so I’m cool with that).

I’m wondering what went through the cashier’s mind when I purchased all pumpkin delights.  (And yes – those would be pumpkin spice jelly bellies).

Not all pumpkin – I did find that beauty of a deal:

SWEET.

I keep running out of time to make a good lunch.  I really need to cook up big and tasty recipes to grab and go during the week.  Unfortunately today, this is what I was stuck with:

No, not a cardboard box. I actually did eat the meal inside the box (surprise!).  Actually, I picked out all the chicken (I’m kinda grossed out by frozen meal processed chicken), and cooked up a chicken sausage link which I added to the mix. 

Even though my chicken sausage was probably just as processed.

 

Dinner was probably the best salad I’ve made so far at the salad bar.

SALAD BEAST.

+ a side of parmesan crusted potatoes.  Fried chunks of yummy potatoes.

SO GOOD.

You know what else I found today?  Pumpkin cream cheese at Trader Joe’s. 

Yes. 

Seriously.

I stopped.  I stared.  I did a little dance. 

I pondered.  I thought.  I just bought 2 containers of cream cheese this weekend at Einsteins.

I bought it.  I had to.  Besides, now I can taste test!

Here we have Trader Joe’s on the left, Einstein’s on the right.

(I took pictures of my apples dipped in them, but they turned out awful quality, so I won’t torture you with them.  And yes, I had apples dipped in cream cheese.  I told you – I love cream cheese.  Especially when it’s artificially dyed orange and flavored pumpkin).

I’ll compare the 2 in another post, but know this: it’s awesome.  So good.  Buy it!  Along with peanut flour.  Seriously.  Trader Joe’s?  I’m proud of you.

 

In other news, anyone know of a rehab program designed for pumpkin addicts?

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Pain in my heel

Just a quick peek at today’s eats, as I only snapped pictures of about half.

Breakfast in a mug!

Don’t let the mug fool you – that thing is huge!!

The downside of using a deep mug as a dish means it’s difficult to get down to the yogurt.  But yogurt there was!  And you know what kind

 

I snacked at work, and had a pre-run English muffin with PB & banana.  Like I said – unpictured eats.

So here’s the dealio with my foot.  Friday night, I wore super high wedges that did something to my left foot.  The next day, my heel was aching.  And the day after.  And the day after that.  Limp-causing, throbbing, piercing pain.  It’s on the inner side of my heel, and closer to my inner ankle.

 

First thought?  Oh – I hurt my foot, it’ll get better tomorrow.

Second thought? Crap – plantar fasciitis.

Third thought?  Something wrong with my achilles tendon.

I’ve been icing it, and wearing supportive shoes – but it hurts.  It has gotten better.  But I’m super worried for my race this weekend for 3 reasons:

 

1. I don’t know how badly it will hurt to run on Sunday.  Can I make it all 13 miles?  Will it hurt so badly I have to stop?  Can I even run on it?

2. If I do run, will I aggravate it so badly that it prolongs the injury and makes it worse in the long run?

3. If I rest this week and don’t run on it, how much will that effect my running this weekend?  My last long run was on Thursday.  Will it effect me greatly to take 10 days off before my half?

 

So I rested.  And today felt much better.  I attempted a short run – anywhere from 1-4 miles, depending on how I felt.  The first 3 went well, so I attempted 4.

At exactly mile 3.68 I felt a slight piercing pain, and immediately stopped.  Immediately.  I didn’t attempt any more running.  I iced, stretched, and prayed for the best.

Seriously, a sign of someone who just won’t give up:

I’m so sick of injuries, I really am.

I can’t even imagine if I can’t run this weekend.  If you’re a long time reader, you know my struggles with my knee injury.  The race this weekend means so much to me. 

But honestly, I really think I’m okay to run.  It’s definitely improved.  And if I feel any awful pain during the race, I know I can stop.  I’m just in disbelief that this seriously has to happen…now.

Anyways, moving on…post-run was a cottage cheese fruit salad flavor (2 servings of cottage cheese in that container) with cereal.

And a homemade iced coffee with almond milk and creamer.

And didn’t eat the rest of the night….

You know I’m kidding

Think rice, chicken, corn on the cob, and bites of a PB cream cheese brownie at work.

Followed by the rest of my kabocha squash with BBQ sauce and hot chocolate at night.

 

Has anyone ever suffered from plantar fasciitis or any type of heel pain before?  Did you run a race on it?

I’ve had what I thought was plantar fasciitis once in the past.  But it was more of a sharp sharp pain in my arch.  Not my heel.

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