Eugene Marathon/ 50 Miler Training RUndown Week 5: 1/21-1/27

Happy Humpday! I’m so glad we’re already halfway through this week. It’s getting close to our yurt trip and I’m so excited. I also just can’t wait for a few days off.

Monday, 1/21: 5.30 miles easy @ 11:40 pace with 838’ up. I definitely felt super tired & sluggish on this run, but was really surprised at the amount of elevation I gained. I’m starting to get stronger with those hills!

Tuesday, 1/22: 30 minutes of strength & 1.5 mi warm-up / 6 miles @ goal marathon effort (8:20) / 1.5 mi cool down. 9 miles total. originally had some 1k repeats on the schedule, but decided that this morning felt like a good one to get my tempo run in and I’m glad I did. I started out at a conservative pace (8:41) and bumped it up from there until my last mile was under 8 minute pace! All done at 0.5% incline and on the treadmill since it was an icy mess outside.

Wednesday, 1/23: REST DAY!

Thursday, 1/24: another snow day! 8 easy miles on the treadmill

Friday, 1/25: ANOTHER snow day! I did this speedwork on my treadmill at home (it’s not the best for going fast, but I made do). 5 x 1k with 400m Recovery between sets & 1.5 mi warmup & cool down. 7.5 miles & then strength work afterwards

Saturday, 1/26: 6 easy miles!

Sunday, 1/27: strength & followed by my longest run since July! 15 miles on a mix of snow covered trails & then slush-filled roads

Total Mileage: 50.82 miles!

Total Elevation Gain: 2,171’ up

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Training Tuesday: What I Ate In A Day

Happy Tuesday! How’s your week going? I’m so excited that we’re finally almost into February! January is definitely my least favorite month.

I wanted to share with you what my typical food looks like when training and working a 9-hour day. I documented what I ate last week when I had 30 minutes of strength training & 9 miles on the treadmill (with middle 6 at goal marathon effort- 8:20).

I woke up at 4:15am and had two slices of sourdough bread with almond butter and a drizzle of honey.

Also- a cup of coffee ( a must ).

I replenished & fueled my run with a gel (~40 minutes in) and electrolytes (~every 5-10 minutes while running and then I make sure to drink the remaining after I finish while stretching).

My first ‘real breakfast’ or second breakfast (however you want to look at it) happened at work shortly after 8am with the Can’t Beet Me Oatmeal II from this cookbook (I make a few servings of it at the beginning of the week so I can just pop it in my bag before I leave in the mornings), another cup of coffee that I brought from home (with one scoop of these collagens), and a banana.

I try to snack every 2-3 hours, so I had orange slices and a few handfuls of trail mix (from Natural Grocers) around 11am.

I had lunch around 1pm. This week, I made a big batch of the GImme Veggies Fried Rice (from this cookbook) and added a few slices of cooked chicken (also prepared on Sunday). Also with the remaining half of Kombucha and carrots/hummus.

Around 3:30pm (right before I leave to go teach skating at the rink), I had this almond butter bar (so tasty!). Normally I love something like PB & apple slices, almonds, or small thing of popcorn for my snacks- today I was craving something a bit chocolatey.

I got home shortly after 5:30pm and arranged our salads for dinner. I had already pre-diced the veggies on Sunday and cooked/sliced the chicken breast (on Sunday as well), so getting them together was super easy. I topped mine with a bit of ranch and Frank’s Red Hot for dressing.

I’m all about an after-dinner snack, so I had a bowl of popcorn and two of Justin’s Dark Chocolate Mini PB cups. Along with a cup of Throat Coat Hot Tea with two tablespoons of Apple Cider Vinegar and a drizzle of Honey (it doesn’t taste the greatest, but I swear that adding Apple Cider Vinegar has helped stave away any colds or sinus infections this year thus far- I’m normally always sick through winter and I haven’t had one niggle since November).

Sometimes I’ll eat more than this or sometimes less, I just really try to listen to my body and go with what it is craving (to an extent). If I’m extra hungry after a run, I’ll grab a Breakfast Sandwich at Starbucks. I almost always try to eat every few hours to keep myself from bonking or making a bad decision later on. I also never cut-out certain food groups because I truly believe that everything in moderation is the healthiest way to live. HOWEVER, I do know that my body feels its best (and mentally I feel my best) when I eat generally well so I keep that in mind as well when reaching for ample sour candy.

I also always drink at least 96 fl ounces of water, plus more if I’m running longer than 6-7 miles.

Here’s a daily cuteness for you. This was taken directly before he turned very naughty.

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What are your favorite snacks throughout the day?

Favorite way to unwind after a long workday?

Weekend recap!

Well we’re back to Monday. How was your weekend?!? I’ve been excited for this week for awhile because it’s a cut-back one in terms of mileage! I have 2 workouts on tap and then the rest are either easy miles , rest, or cross training. I’m taking this week to get ample amounts of rest (SLEEP!) and enjoying the downtime. Today’s a cross training day and I’m excited to get in 45 minutes of swimming! So happy to have an outdoor heated pool to enjoy.  

Let’s flashback to Friday night where I watched the Ladies US Figure Skating National championships! With a side of Sour Patch Kids obviously ;) Also just noticed that the tv has hockey on, but don’t be fooled- I WAS watching figure skating! Ha. 

We’ve also gotten 48” of snow in the past 7 days?!? So we took advantage of it and hiked up our (unestablished) ski mountain, then skied down.  

Stella had a ton of fun too.  

Shepard’s Pie (Cooked by Alex) for dinner. Yum!  

Then a long run on Sunday on very tired legs. 

Fueled by some slow cooker chicken corn & potato chowder. Yum!  

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Any snow where you are?!? 

Favorite way to refuel after a winter run?  

Favorite sour candy?  

Feature Friday: Michelle Obama's Becoming Book Review!

I really enjoyed Michelle Obama’s book Becoming. I thought that it was so well-written and wasn’t softened down at all. She really does tell it all and I loved how she used words that I had never before heard (i.e. I had to look them up in the Dictionary!)- I feel that it’s extremely rare when you read something these days and have to look up a word that’s used (or maybe that’s just me and the normal types of books that I read).

There were so many similarities that I found between her life and mine in her book and I especially loved one thing that she really continued to draw upon- we are planting the seeds to our life, but then we just need to sit back and watch them grow. —> I LOVE thinking of everything in my life this way and it really helps take a lot of the pressure off of everyday things that are ‘out of our control’ (same with running). If we’re putting in the work necessary for the seed to grow, then all we can do is continue to nurture it and wait.

I also thought how fitting it was how much she talks about her love for Chicago- I may need to read this book again right before I run the Chicago Marathon this year. It did get me really excited to see if the marathon passes by any of the major icons she mentions in her book (or in the neighborhood where her and Barack lived?!?). Another book that really tied into my running choices this year (Shoe Dog by Phil Knight was the tie to Eugene/ Eugene Marathon last Fall for me).

Another weird connection that I found out pretty immediately in her book- is that her father had MS. This is the second book that I’ve picked up (without knowing) that the author has a very personal connection to MS. She discusses the impact of his MS so well and I could relate to so many of the situations she describes (along with both her fathers’ feelings about the autoimmune disease, along with her views from the outside).

She does such a wonderful job tying in how she became First Lady, but also doesn’t sugar-coat it. She very plainly describes how difficult it was in certain situations to be in the limelight and how she came from a very typical middle class family, but was able to seek every opportunity that was presented to her. Another big take-away that I took from her book and one that I want to start implementing into my life —> how connections that she made helped open up doors (professionally) to both her and Barack. You never know who may meet that could help you later on in life!

Overall- this is a definite must-read in my book. I finished it in less than 2 weeks and honestly would have finished sooner if I had extra time on my hands : )

Have a great weekend and let me know your thoughts if you also read her book! I’m getting my long run in this morning (12-15 miles) and will hopefully get on the ski slopes one of the two days this weekend.

Here’s also a cute little photo of Brady because…why not ;)

Travel Thursday: 10 Non-Traditional Things To Do In Steamboat Springs, CO!

Happy Friday-eve! OK so I’ve been wanting to this type of post for a while now, but honestly it always felt pretty daunting to write it all out. BUT it’s a new year and I’m up for the challenge! I’m getting in some easy miles this morning (5-8) and strength training as well. Also resting up for another ‘longer’ run Friday morning (12-15)!

Here are some non-traditional things that you should totally do if you’re ever in Steamboat Springs, CO. I’ve collected this list through my adventures around the valley over the past five and a half years.

• Walk along Yampa Avenue at night. They put up the best lights and it’s so beautiful (reminds me of that scene in The Notebook where they meet and dance in the middle of the road- I’ve always wanted to do something like that!)

• Eat at Haymaker in the winter and do their sleigh ride dinner. It is 100% amazing.

• Snowshoe hike out to Fish Creek Falls in the winter. It’s so beautiful and quiet in the winter. Snowshoes are highly recommended to get to the Falls and then beyond if you’re feeling in shape!

• Camp out along Seedhouse Road north of Steamboat Springs. This is my favorite area that I’ve been to in the Valley. So beautiful and relaxing out there.

• Cross Country ski during the full moon along Stagecoach Reservoir. The groomed trails make it easy to follow among the moonlight.

• Participate in one of Steamboat Running Series’ races. Their half marathon or Steamboat Stinger are both amazing races (and well put-together!)

• Eat at Mazzola’s and get their pizza. It’s incredible and you will not be disappointed.

• Run along Emerald Mountain’s trails in the summer. You can’t go wrong with any trail you choose.

• Stay at Strawberry Park Hot Springs overnight and enjoy a fresh soak first-thing the next morning.

• Rent one of the yurts at Pearl Lake. We did this in the winter and it was so nice to wake-up there the next morning among the snow and quietness of the park. I’m sure it’s just as beautiful in the summer too!

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Ever been to Steamboat? Tell me something that you’d add to this list!