Weekend Recap

Happy Monday! Wow I REALLY needed this weekend and last weeks training of recovery was amazing. At first, it was a bit odd to NOT be running all the miles, but come Saturday- I couldn’t have been more thankful for it. Let’s flashback to Friday afternoon where after having a completely crazy week at work, it felt so amazing to be able to get a nice 30 minute swim in (even though I also really wanted to get some strength in, but the universe was telling me not to since I brought two pairs of right-footed sneakers with me?!?!? - in my defense they are literally the same color/style Brooks Ghosts, but wow I had never done THAT before!)  

First day of my February vegan diet before I re-introduce food groups went well! Had this for dinner and so far, I’ve only craved a meatball sub once!  

Also had a Pinterest -fail Saturday morning trying out a Banana Oatmeal Vegan pancake recipe. Ha they were a complete blob.  

My planned 5-7 miles easy Saturday got switched with my Sunday easy 8 mile run because it was 32* outside and just SO BEAUTIFUL! I didn’t want to stop running, but good thing I have some self-control ; )  

Sunday was ALOT of meal-prepping for the week ahead (I think it’s the name-of-the-game when it comes to this months diet)  

Also had a way better attempt at a different recipe of Vegan pancakes (they even had Chia seeds in them!)  

Easy 7 miles in the crazy 20mph winds (but it was almost 40* out?!?) . Anytime I wanted to cop-out when the wind got really strong-> I reminded myself of all those brave soles who finished Boston last year.  

Then Stella and I went out for a little snowshoe later on before watching the pats at the super bowl!  

Don’t worry- Brady rested up the whole day for the game.  

Alex’s two friends from High School (who love back in Maine) are visiting this week, so I was mainly solo this weekend and will be this week as they head off for a few days to ski at Park City!  

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How was your weekend?!? 

Favorite Pinterest recipe you’ve found?! 

Any Super Bowl fans out there ? I just love how amazing the commercials are every year.  

Feature Friday: 21 Questions I Need Answered & Another Book Review!

Wohooo it’s Friday! What a long short-week I had at work. It’s been so nice to be able to get out on my lunch break to run in the sunshine (also because it’s been way too cold to run in the early mornings) . Yesterday’s 8 miles were lovely and I’m excited to do my first ‘back to back’ longish runs today! I’ve got 12-14 miles on the schedule and will hopefully be able to run outside since it’s supposed to be a low of 10* I think? 

I’m focusing on really slowing down for my easy runs, but still getting in those hills! I climbed 500’ yesterday, but hoping to get in a bit more today!  

I thought it would be fun to list out 24 questions that I’ll answer, but I’d also love to have you answer too!  

• Where were you born? North Conway, NH 
• How old are you? 28
• Favorite day of the week? Wednesday’s  
• Favorite ‘splurge’ after a running race? A burger & sweet potato fries!  
• Favorite thing to do when tapering? Mani/ Pedi
• Favorite food? Any type of pasta & fresh rolls
• Favorite dessert? Tiramisu  
• Ocean or lake? Ocean, but I also love lake houses!  
• Mountains or beach? Mountains
• Favorite color? Buttercream yellow
• Favorite smell? Freshly roasted coffee
• Last meal on Earth? Napolian Pizza fresh in Italy  
• Favorite place you’ve traveled to? Either Yosemite or Italy!  
• Favorite season? Fall
• Favorite TV show? Gilmore Girls  
• Favorite movie? Miracle
• Last best book you’ve read? Shoe Dog by Phil Knight
• Favorite book? Marathon Woman by Kathrine Switzer
• Best song ever? Dreams by Fleetwood Mac
• Trails or Road? Trails!  
• Your favorite place to relax? In my heated blanket or outside on the trails far away from civilization  

I’ve got another book review! I loved this book by Becky Wade! She describes her year of travel to various running communities throughout the world. I loved how she described each running culture & how different they all were. It’s a fun and quick read, but I really felt like I got to know the runners along the way. Definitely a great read for anyone who loves to travel and run! 

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Give ME your 21 question answers!  

Last weeks training RUNdown 12/16-12/23

This long weekend went by way too fast. Anyone else feel this way?! I also feel that we should have an extra week or two between Christmas & New Years. Two holidays so close together just makes this week pass by way too fast. Last night we continued my family’s tradition of Italian food on Christmas Day- I made homemade Chicken Parmigiana and it was incredible.  

Then we proceeded to eat our weight in homemade Oatmeal Chocolate Chip cookies. Warm cookies fresh out of the oven is my favorite.  

Also we did both cross country AND alpine skiing yesterday?!? We decided to start with a cross country ski on our lake trail (normally they groom it, but they didn’t yesterday).  

Then we decided to skin up the ski mountain that is basically right out our doorstep. I’m not sure when exactly, but someone created the ski area (with lifts and set trails) here at Stagecoach- unfortunately it never actually opened! Fortunately for us, it isn’t open and we are able to hike up it and ski down with basically fresh tracks. It really blows my mind that it took us two years to finally find this trail to hike up.  

We both definitely got spoiled with some amazing gifts yesterday and also really looking forward to spending some money that I got on some new running gear!  

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Monday, 12/17- 5 miles easy at 8:38 60’ up. Originally this was supposed to be an easy 6 mile run, but I only had a short amount of time and decided why not make it a fun little temp-ish run. It was nice to run “faster” again! First time since Vegas!  

Tuesday, 12/18- 6.04 miles easy with 360’ up & 30 minutes of strength in the morning!  

Wednesday, 12/19: Rest Day! 

Thursday, 12/20: 6 miles easy with middle three miles at goal marathon pace (8:40, 8:21, 7:59). 10 minutes of strength  

Friday, 12/21- Skin up the ski mountain & 5 miles easy afterwards at 9:44 84’ up. This was probably one of the coldest runs I’ve done (4* out?!?) and I’m honestly pretty proud of that. I survived!  

Saturday, 12/22- 7 miles easy @ 11:06 625’ up & yoga. I’m trying to listen to my body more and slow down on my runs when I feel like I need it. No shame in slowing that pace down!  

Sunday, 12/23: 4.25 miles with alternating the incline from 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, 5% and back down . 9:56 pace & 30 minutes of strength. All done after teaching skiing all day! Pretty happy that I still managed to get it done despite being tired (also my butt was SO SORE the next day!)  

Total Mileage: 33.29 miles  

Total Elevation: 1,129’ up 

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How was your Holiday? 

Favorite homemade cookie?!? 

Favorite trail running shoe- I need some recommendations!  

Feature Friday: An Ode To Running In The Cold

Happy Friday! Finally. This week has definitely dragged on and I’m ready for the weekend! We may try to go skiing at Winter Park tomorrow (I’ve never been there!), but still waiting to see how Alex’s back is feeling (it’s been bothering him since last weekend, nothing too serious but obviously still painful). I have some easy miles on the schedule this weekend, but otherwise nothing too crazy to do! Maybe also making some chex mix because I’ve been craving it! I’m hiking up the ski mountain this morning to get in some awesome cross training and fun (more-so on the ski down the mountain! ; ) ….). I also stayed up super late last night to finish my library book (I had 80 pages left and can’t renew it again at the library)- totally worth it because it finally started to get REALLY good.

Flashback to yesterday mornings’ very early strength & 7 mile run on the treadmill. I used to go to the gym EVERY morning Mon-Friday for so many years and then switched up my schedule since the MS Run The US relay last Spring. It was a really nice change, but I also really missed waking up early and seeing my “gym people”! Anyone else feel this way or just me?

Since it has been SO cold here (3* yesterday morning at 8am?!?), I thought I’d give you a nice little breakdown of how running in the cold feels for me. I’d love to know your thoughts on winter running in the comments below too!

Pre-Run: Time to brace yourself for the cold. Break out all those layers. Pop in some hand and foot warmers. Fill those water bottles up with hot water so they are less-likely to freeze. Go pee before adding on all those layers because there’s no way you’re going to peel them off until after you’re done. You’re on lockdown at this point. There’s no turning back- time to head out into the cold.

Early Miles: Yeah, this isn’t so bad. So glad I added on that fourth down layer. I feel pretty great. I can’t believe I thought this run would suck. *slips on hidden black ice* Ok, don’t get ahead of yourself. Careful, carefullll…. Maybe I should slow my pace down a bit, how fast am I going anyways (looks at watch in utter-debelief. Wow, I thought I was going really fast, but actually I don’t remember ever going this slow)?!?

Later Miles: Wow I am seriously SWEATING! Whose idea was it to wear all these layers anyways?!? I’m so glad that this run has taken twice as long as I was anticipating because otherwise my lashes wouldn’t be frozen and I would still be able to feel my fingers and toes. Are my legs still even moving? Am I ever going to reach home?!?

Post- run: I’m hot, but I’m cold. I can’t wait to officially burn my skin off in a steaming hot shower. Also where is the hot cocoa?! *looks outside* wow it really is coming down out there! Who in their right mind would ever brave those elements?!? Oh right, me!

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Do you ever stay up way too late to read a good book?

Thoughts on winter running?

Going to the gym- love it, hate it, or tolerate it?

Three things you’re doing this weekend? —-> definitely skiing somewhere, baking something, consuming ample amount of hot cocoa, and making homemade pizza tonight!

I'm Very Upset About This & It's COLD.

I just heard the news and I’m pretty upset by it.

BUT then I just saw on the news this morning that it actually isn’t until January 1, 2019 SO that’s a bit of a relief. We have definitely watched the full seasons through at least 5 times. It’s one of the best shows (in my opinion) to just have on, get a few laughs, and get some chores (or dinner or laundry) done.

Also my view while writing this post this morning is my second-favorite way to start the day (after a run ofcourse…). I’ve really been loving my Oiselle camp cup- it keeps my coffee warm in the morning when the air in our house is still a bit chilly (also sitting under the heated blanket helps keep me warm as well ; ) ) …. It looks like they discontinued the camp cup, but I’ve linked to something kind of similar!

It has been SO cold here lately. Currently 3* outside this morning. I’ve been waiting to do my runs later in the day (because I’d rather run outside than on the treadmill if I can), but it’s still only in the low 20’s later in the afternoon. We’ve also been getting some snow showers (nothing too crazy), but it sure does make the core trail look so beautiful!

Also- it’s National Cookie Day. I have to know. What cookie is your favorite?!? I love either chocolate chip, oatmeal chocolate chip, or vanilla bean joe joe’s from trader joes (they are unbelievable- think of a golden oreo, but way better)!

Happy Colorado Gives Day! I love this state and how they dedicate a special day to support your favorite local charities. Do you have something like this where you live?

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Where do most of your runs happen in the winter- outside or on the treadmill?

Favorite Cookie?

Favorite show you’ve been loving lately?