marathon training, Sunday Supper

Week 4 of training, complete!

Overall week 4 of training went off without a hitch.  Despite little sleep, I managed to get in my weekday runs, strength training, and even a shake out walk today.  I also finished my week off with a couple hours of yard work, which included glimpses of spring!

Green little sproutlings made me SOOOO excited today!
Green little sproutlings made me SOOOO excited today!

But back it up a little…sorry, I am getting ahead of myself-LOL!  Yesterday was my scheduled long run, and I had 11 miles on deck.  I hadn’t run long outside since November, and my nerves were pretty high.  My friend D offered to meet up with me at 8 a.m. as she was starting at 7 a.m. and I could sleep in a little while she started out since she needed 18 miles.

Despite saying we would both wear our FVM jackets, the rest of the outfit was NOT planned, LOL!!
Despite saying we would both wear our FVM jackets, the rest of the outfit was NOT planned, LOL!!

It worked out PERFECTLY.  The sun was out, the temps were nearly perfect and I couldn’t have asked for a better morning.  Despite being much faster than I am, D offered to slow it down so we could just run, chat, and leave it all on the trails for a couple hours.  And that’s exactly what we did…we kept it a 10mm pace, which is my ‘sweet spot’ to run in where I am pushing myself yet can still glide along easily while holding a conversation.

3-15longrun

My ITB is starting to feel the miles, so I did have to stop at stretch it out several times.  A quick stretch though, was what seemed to do the trick and I tried to ensure we weren’t stopped for more than a minute each time.  The run was amazing, but I am guessing this is greatly due to the company I was in.  ❤

Since the hubby is working all weekend, I decided to take the girls to see the new Cinderella movie.  I LOVED it. They did, too!  I highly recommend seeing this film.

Always time for silliness!
Always time for silliness!

Today was a busy day of Fox Valley Marathon planning and my fellow Co-Directors of Volunteers and I met up with the Race Directors for a an overview of the new online tools we will be using.  Can’t wait!

I finished the day, as said previously, by working on my yard, raking, walking, pulling up dead stuff and yes…scooping a winter’s worth of dog poo.  Gross is all I can say.

Tonight’s Sunday Supper was Red snapper that I pan fried, served with a broccoli slaw with pancetta along with a cauliflower and leek mash.  Delish indeed!!!

Love our Sunday Suppers!
Love our Sunday Suppers!

I’ve posted how I prepare Cauliflower mash previously here and just added a chopped leek to the mix.  YUM!

Broccoli Slaw 

One bag of pre-chopped broccoli slaw

2 teaspoons of Mayo with olive oil

A splash or two of rice wine vinegar

Kosher salt and pepper to taste

1 cup of pancetta that has been browned with garlic and chopped mushrooms (drain on a paper towel)

Mix well and let chill for an hour before serving

Red Snapper

Dry your fillets with a paper towel and season with kosher salt and freshly ground pepper.  Heat a non stick pan with cooking spray and just a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil to medium/high heat.  Cook skin side down first, add a pat of unsalted butter and flip about 4-5 minutes and brown the other side for just a minute or two until the fish is completely cooked.  Finish with a light sprinkle of kosher salt.

As the weekend draws to a close, I am counting my blessings.  I truly couldn’t and SHOULDN’T ever ask or want for more in my life, than what I have today.

Did you all get your long runs in?  Were you able to get outside this weekend?  What’s your favorite healthy meal?

Have a great week, y’all!

 

❤ Michelle

 

marathon training, running, strength

Tuesday Truths…

If you’ve been following my blog for any length of time, you know of my love hate relationship with the Treadmill.  While yes, I am truly thankful I’ve had it for yet another winter in Chiberia, 99.9% of my runs on the ‘mill have been downright painful.  But I won’t keep playing that broken record, because in all honesty I am tired of that tune as well.

Sorry y'all...lol
Sorry y’all…lol

So tonight, as I walked out of work I had a well devised plan to pick up my youngest from after school care, my oldest from Badminton practice, and get home to change clothes QUICK and run outside.  The temps were darn near perfect with the sun peaking through the fog and temps at a balmy 52 degrees.  SCORE.  And even though my hour commute home between the drive home from work and kid taxi’ing had a temperature drop – I was RUNNING OUTSIDE darn it.

A little sun would have made these conditions PERFECT!!!!
A little sun would have made these conditions PERFECT!!!!

And so I did…I laced up my shoes, stepped out of the front door, and abruptly stopped.  I hadn’t run OUTSIDE in nearly 4 months.  Would I remember how to do this?  I wasn’t sure…

The first mile was tough.  My ankles hurt, my heels felt weird, darn it was my right shin acting up?  I had to smack myself to shut up and I made my way around my neighborhood loop I have mapped out.  The first mile was clocked in at a 9:06 mm.  I stopped briefly to check my phone as I thought I heard it beep and wanted to make sure the kiddos were ok.  As I turned I saw my hubby driving past me on his way home and he cheered me on.  It was just what I needed!!  The second and third mile were nearly effortless and I felt my legs get an extra spring in their step as I took off…It was just me, my music, my hood, and my miles…and suddenly I was reminded why I do this.  Why I take so much time out of my life to train…because I LOVE the feeling you get when you are no longer running, and you begin to fly.  My splits were 9:06, 9:11, 8:50 and 8:38 for the last tic.  I feel like a new woman, honestly.

Sheer...bliss!
Sheer…bliss!

Today at work everyone kept asking me why I was smiling even more than I usually do…and I just smiled some more.

“I am running outside, tonight,” I said.

But I didn’t really run…I flew.  And my soul is truly in a better place.

My take away is that although yes, my treadmill runs were tough this winter I truly believe they made me a stronger runner mentally.  While I’ve always taken pride in my mental strength when it comes to distance running, that strength was tested over the last several months.

And I am happy to report…I passed!

How did you deal with less than optimal conditions when it comes to running?  What is your favorite temperature to run in?

Thanks, y’all!

❤ Michelle