Tag: marathon training

Uncategorized, weekly wrap up

Weekly Wrap up 2-21-2016

Movin' it with Michelle

It’s time again for the Weekly wrap up with Tricia and Holly.  If you want to read, support, and be inspired by others I definitely recommend checking out these awesome blogs.

Last week was a bit shaky for me, but I did manage to get in a few good workouts and my longest run of the year-10 miles of much needed solitude and soul searching.

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Tuesdays miles/planks/strength training
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Hump day planks!
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Thursday’s miles along with a plank

Friday was rest day, and after the week I had at work I will admit I was ready for it.  My stomach was/has been a mess these days and my almost dormant IBS-D has been rearing it’s ugly head.  I woke up Saturday knowing I’d need a bathroom close, so I waited it out and started my long run at around 10 a.m.  Thankfully my stomach cooperated, and I was able to get a really solid ten miler in.  I have to give kudos to my friend Andrea for cheering me on. She’s just about the coolest person I know, and she ALWAYS knows when I need her, even without me asking.  Those friends are the best.

Saturday afternoon I took my daughter’s to a late lunch/brunch at a new place in Geneva called Hache’ Modern Brasserie which highlighted amazing French food.  We had the cheese and charcuterie plate, and were greeted by the Chef himself to present our appetizer.  J had fish and frites, S had steak and frites, and I had the Bouillabase.  All of our dishes were packed full of flavor and you could truly taste the passion in the food from Chef Andrew.  We were also even given a small plate of pork belly to share from the Chef as a complimentary dish while we waited.  The décor was modern French with pops of color and fresh flowers throughout.  We were even lucky enough to meet on of the owners, Peter, who delivered the flowers himself to our table.  Our service was impeccable, and we will definitely return in the future!

We clean up quite nicely, hehe
Lunch Menu
My girls
Cheese and Charcuterie plate, presented by the Chef himself
Complimentary pork belly? Yes, please!
Someone is happy about her steak and frites. Cooked to PERFECTION I might add.
Fish and frites
Bouillabaisse with a spicy saffron broth
desert!! Oreo Chiffon? Yes please!

After lunch we were out shopping and my hubby tagged me in this post on FB.

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He wrote-“Wherever I am, there is always something that makes me think of her. Snapped this picture flying over Venice, Italy”

I had to duck into one of the aisles to gather my composure.  #allthefeels

Today was a much needed day of rest filled with movie watching, craft making, and cooking.  Marcona almond crusted cod with quinoa/roasted veggies, and cilantro peas!

Our new chore incentive chart, filled with some fun and sweet motivational quotes.
Full view

fish

There really is no “recipe” for this fish, just ground marcona almonds, season with salt and pepper and bake in the oven at 350 degrees for 25 minutes!  Yummy, and easy!!

How was your week/weekend?  Highs/lows?  What’s the longest distance you’ve run this year?

Have a great week!!!

❤ Michelle

 

 

runfessions

January Runfessions

Movin' it with Michelle

Today I am linking up with Marcia from Marcia’s Healthy slice for our monthly dose of Runfessions. Grab your drink of choice, snuggle up with your favorite blanket, and join us!

Runfessions-300x295

 

I runfess that despite being signed up for a full marathon in May, I have already sorta skipped my long run for week 2 of training.  I was supposed to run yesterday since it was my only day off from work (on weekend duty at the hospital both Saturday and Sunday equates to mega life suck), but after dropping my daughter off at the bus, while still in my jammies #dontjudge my bed was calling me as my head pounded, and I took a 2 hour nap.  I was going to go run with a friend, but she wasn’t feeling well either so we skipped it all together.  Thankfully my plan called for a 7 miler, and I did 6.5 on Tuesday so it’s not a complete fail.  Next week is a cut back week to 5 miles, so I should be ok…

 

I runfess that if I could, I would only wear running clothes and jammies during the winter months.  I read on a fellow bloggers post, that she too loves her slippers and jammies and it made me realize that work clothes come off promptly after arriving home to be replaced with jammies and slippers, unless of course I am exercising/running.  But even then, after my workout or run, it’s back to jammies after a nice hot shower.  Is this normal?

untitled
See exhibit 1. I’ve been home for 12 minutes.

 

I runfess that with the recent news of my husband basically being gone three out of four weeks of February, has pushed me back a few steps.  My “I am strong and can do all the hard things” has quickly changed back to “Please let me not cry all day every day, especially at work” and I hate it.  Every day I see him more gone, and the distant smile or half laugh while we watch our shows for an hour before bed, because I know he’s TRYING to be present, makes my heart physically ache.

 

I runfess that today, while at work I almost did something bad.  See, as the “relief supervisor” you have to carry this mobile phone with you, everywhere you go. You are at the beck and call of every nurse, doctor, technician and client, and the phone can often times ring NON-STOP while on duty.  I have lovingly referred “RS” duty” as “really shitty” and “really stupid” because that’s how the doctors and nurses often treat the lab, and the RS supervisor gets the brunt of the mis-treatment. More times than not, I go home in tears and need a nap to shut out the shift.  When I arrived on duty at 0615 hrs. this morning, the phone….was BROKEN.  Halleluiah!!!  Gah…I could leave my desk number so people could ahold of me that way.  That would suffice, right?  Nah…I called IT and had the phone fixed.  Darn you integrity!  LOL! **note-karma had my back today, I didn’t get yelled at ONCE today which is a miracle in of itself when it comes to weekend duty!

 

And that my friends, is a wrap.  I hope you join us for Runfessions!  What do you have to runfess?!  Remember it can be anything!!

Cheers

❤ Michelle

Deployment thoughts, marathon training, Uncategorized

Pre-deployment thoughts

Movin' it with Michelle

A lot of people have asked me how things are going in regards to my husband’s upcoming deployment.  At work, I keep on my game face most days, and I have really learned to hold it together for the most part.  At home, I can’t always say the same.

The truth is, the pre-deployment phase is almost worse than the deployment itself.  A million thoughts go through my head as I watch my husband mentally exit more and more every day.  I see the worried look on his face as he stares off in to space, and I see the tiredness compounding in his furrowed brow and blood shot eyes.  We’ve got just shy of 6 weeks to go, and just yesterday it seemed like I was saying he was leaving in 4 months.  Will the time go by just as quickly when he’s gone?  Probably not, but I sure can hope.

I question whether or not my teenage daughter and I will get through this year, to be honest.  For the last few weeks, things have actually been pretty great…and in honor of her privacy, I’ll just say last night we had one of our infamous blowouts.  You know, the kind that leave you feeling like you’ve been punched in the throat?  Yup…one of those.  But my husband was there, as always, to mediate.  He’s always been so great at being our middle man, our “let’s hash this SH&%!” guy…what will we do when he’s not here, and hormones are flying?  Lord help us, truly.

Despite the fact that I know I am strong, and I know I will get through this, I honestly don’t want to hear that sentence from ONE MORE person.  I really don’t. I’m sorry if that sounds mean and I appreciate the fact people think I am strong, but instead let’s sit down and talk about how bad this freaking sucks, or as my husband admits, “I’m sorry for the hell I’m putting you through.”  Let’s share a glass of wine, and talk about how we’ve got each other’s backs as friends/family and a reminder of “I’m here for you” would be wonderful.  Because isn’t that what friends and family are for?  To get through the hard SH&%# together? I sure think so…

What am I going to do about the fact that this truly sucks?  I’m going to take care of ME, so I can better take care of my kids.  I’ve started taking more time on my physical appearance, actually taking time on my make up in the morning, picking out nice outfits to wear for work, etc.  I started doing this a few weeks ago, and it’s amazing how much of a difference it makes I’ve found. Even my coworkers noticed, asking me why I am dressing up more…I smiled and said, “If I look pretty on the outside, maybe it’ll cheer me up on the inside,” and I think it’s working, a little…

So this weekend I will (I hope) get out on the roads/trails and get my first official long run in of 6 miles.  To keep mentally sane through all of this, I’ve been working out a lot at home (Tracy Anderson Transformation videos) , planking, and treadmilling when needed.  I can happily report that between stress-haha, a healthy diet, and consistent working out, I have lost nearly all of my marathon weight from last year.  My goal this year is to NOT gain weight during training, if I do decide to stick with the full.

12605434_1086246881418436_6509335534326877025_oThird work out this week!!!

 

Thank you all for your kind thoughts and words during this difficult time.  I am so glad I decided to keep the blog going while my hubby is gone, and appreciate the support and prayers. And guess what?  My teen just came up to me and gave me a hug, saying she was sorry for yesterday.  I hugged her tight, and told her I was sorry too…#allthefeels

❤ Michelle

Grandma's Marathon

T minus less than 2 weeks until the Grandma’s Marathon 2015!!!

Movin' it with Michelle

Happy Monday everyone!!!!  I hope this post finds you well rested from an amazing weekend.  My weekend was filled with movie watching (we rented McFarland on Friday night, and it was amazing!), long runs (12 miler on Saturday) and run club coffee with friends, grocery shopping for the week, Cougar’s baseball game on Saturday night, and my nephews graduation on Sunday.

These ladies helped me find my smile...I had misplaced it for a couple weeks...<3
These ladies helped me find my smile…I had misplaced it for a couple weeks…<3
MMMMM, the only time I drink beer is at a ball game. I even had 2!!
MMMMM, the only time I drink beer is at a ball game. I even had 2!!

As you can probably guess, there was very little rest for me this past weekend but I am NOT complaining at all.  It was a much needed escape from the stressors of normal every day life.

With that, I’ve been thinking A LOT about my weight, and how since turning 40 I just can’t shed these dreaded 10 lbs.  So starting today, I am biting the bullet and doing the military diet to see if I can jump start shock my metabolism so I can run Grandma’s marathon at least a couple lbs lighter.  Thankfully I am still just shy of 2 weeks out for race day so I am not worried about my system getting upset.  I think this is much needed reset, and have heard great success stories from others who have tried it.  You can read about the 3 day ‘cleanse’ here. Disclaimer: I am not an advocate for quick diets, nor am I a certified nutritionist.  I’m simply trying something new to jump start this 42 year old body that wants to hang on to weight I’d rather be rid of. 

military-diet-logo

Last week wrap up: I managed to run 21.55 miles, 3 core work outs, and added in weighted side bends to help firm up my muffin top. LOL!   I missed yoga due to National running day being the same day as my previously scheduled yoga work out, but still did a lot of stretching.  I also took my own advice and took a nice long Epsom salt bath Friday night which really seemed to refresh my legs for my long run on Saturday.

How was your week, last week?  What are your plans/goals for this week?  Have you ever done a cleanse/restart diet?

Have a great week, y’all! Remember, keep movin’ forward!!!!!!

❤ Michelle

Friday Five, Grandma's Marathon, marathon training

Friday Five and mid year check

Movin' it with Michelle

Here’s my Friday fives from the work week and mid year check in, in no particular order…

I contemplated briefly, running a fall marathon.  Yet after my 4 mile run in the heat and humidity, I changed my mind, immediately quickly.  I’ll focus on speed and getting my half marathon time under 2 hours, instead, like I initially planned.

LOL! Photo Cred: Princess and the Frog movie
LOL!
Photo Cred: Princess and the Frog movie

I have continued to work on my moving forward mantra with lots of self-talk, doing things I love, and surrounding myself with positive people.  I’ve also made more effort to reach out to people who I know too, are struggling.  Yay for forward progress!

Or this...lol Photo cred: Myfitnesspal
Or this…lol
Photo cred: Myfitnesspal

I have been eating REALLY well for a few weeks now, (You can read about my shocking revelations here) and have lost maybe a lb. but that’s reaching.  Argh.  Someone pass me a cheeseburger and fries, PLEASE.  I’m truly at a loss…and not the weight kind.  Is it so much to ask to drop 5-10 lbs.?? LOL!!!

BAHAHAHAHA!
BAHAHAHAHA!

My legs/body is tired this week.  I physically feel ok, but every time I run it’s like I am carrying two lead filled bricks vs. legs.  I ran my last 4 miler in my long run pace of 10:30…seriously?  Why does everything hurt?  I am half contemplating skipping my 12 miler tomorrow…but am on the fence.  Even if I’ve cut long runs a bit short, I’ve never skipped one that I can recall…

pretty much how I feel this week, and when my alarm goes off at O'Dark 30 for my long runs.
pretty much how I feel this week, and when my alarm goes off at O’Dark 30 for my long runs.

After no more than 1 day off consecutively in the last 2 weeks, I am  SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO happy it’s Friday.  I’ve got lots of plans filled with power washing my deck, staining said deck, and a baseball game with my family tomorrow night.  Sunday is my nephew’s 8th grade graduation and I can’t wait to see my sister and her family.  It always does my heart wonders to be near my peeps.

Photo cred: giphy.com
Photo cred: giphy.com

Have you ever had issues with coming to a stand still in regards to weight loss?  Have you ever skipped a long run during marathon training?  How are you coming along with your goals this year?

Happy National running day…week!!!

marathon training

Running please forgive me, for I have sinned…

Movin' it with Michelle

See, I let self-doubt ALMOST win this week.  And I feel I must confess…

It’s time for some Runfessions, as well as the good, bad, and scary from today’s 20 miler…

I’m linking up with Marcia from Marcia’s Healthy Slice (please head over to her blog if you don’t follow already, she rocks!) to confess my deep and dark confessions from recent times, and today’s long run. So sit back with your beverage of choice and enjoy…

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Today’s run was not like any normal long run.  Nope…see, it was my last longer run before I run the Grandma’s Marathon in 3 weeks time.  And it wasn’t just any long run…it was the infamous 20 miler!  Those that have run a marathon before know this distance is key to overcome, not just for the physical aspect, but for the mental strength it gives you when hitting this milestone.  Yet although I have done this distance several times, and completed 2 full marathons I was letting self doubt steal my joy.  Runfession #1.

I set my alarm for 5:30 am this morning, my only day off this week, and set my gear out for the run. First mistake…I should’ve set it for 4:30, but I digress.  Deep down, I was doubting my ability.  Runfession #2.

The first few miles hurt.  My right LEG has been killing me, with random aches and pains that really started to freak me out.  It hurt in places it never had before, and I wondered the entire first 5K if this was a good idea.  Here I go…self doubting…So I stopped at my favorite place in Geneva to fill up my water bottle and hit the bathroom since it was a real bathroom not a porta-john.  I popped 2 Motrin in hopes my LEG would knock it off, and kept running.  I didn’t find my groove until around mile 6.5-7 when I came upon a couple bikers who were taking a rest that wished me well.  I smiled, continued on, and crossed the bridge in North Aurora to get my last mile in before I hit the turn around mark.

And that’s when the hornet started chasing me…and I screamed like a girl…oh wait, I am a girl…Here I go, being silly and finally I smiled when I hit the turn around point.  But just as the hornet left me alone, the NEED to use the restroom entered my body, and I started to panic.  There was no bathroom for miles, and it was just me and the trails.  Please don’t let me pants my poop…please don’t let me poop my pants…please…Runfession #3.

Watch this for Marathon thoughts!!!

FINALLY the running God’s heard my cries, and there was the porta-john sitting out in a park at around mile 12.5  Emergency averted…thank goodness…after texting back my friends who were cheering me on, I continued…

A spot near and dear to my heart where my friend Andrea nearly had an asthma attack because we were laughing so hard...
A spot near and dear to my heart where my friend Andrea nearly had an asthma attack because we were laughing so hard…
If I wasn't going to go fast, I might as well take lots of breaks with pretty pics, right?
If I wasn’t going to go fast, I might as well take lots of breaks with pretty pics, right?
6 miles in, and smiling, sorta...
6 miles in, and smiling, sorta…
This bench always makes me smile. #memories
This bench always makes me smile. #memories
I may or may not have been chased by these dudes...REALLY, I am NOT going to attack your chicks. I promise!
I may or may not have been chased by these dudes…REALLY, I am NOT going to attack your chicks. I promise!
The Geese...with just 2.5 miles to go, right before the sky opened up.
The Geese…with just 2.5 miles to go, right before the sky opened up.

So while this run was TOUGH, both mentally and physically, I caught myself laughing the last 2 miles as rain poured down on me, and I ran as fast as I could.  I ran with my heart, even when my legs wanted to quit.  I laughed, I nearly cried, and I cussed at myself several times.  I sang, I spread my arms open like wings and “wheeeeeee’d” down a few hills.  I danced on the flats, pushed up the hills, and held my arms up when a gust of wind blew over me.  I smiled and greeted every single biker, pedestrian, runner and motorist I saw.  And when I wanted to quit, I physically smacked my right leg, and said, “KNOCK IT OFF, MICHELLE!!!”

I thought of each and every one of you who takes the time to support my average running abilities because you see the passion I have, even when I forget I have it myself.  I thought of my amazing family and friends both near and far who’ve shared in my heartache as well as cheered on my success.

And I thought of those who can’t run…and I ran for them for a mile or two.

20.13 miles done.  Another badass run in the elements Mother nature loves to provide.

Done!
Done!
The hay is in the barn!!
The hay is in the barn!!

My last Runfession, is that while I am my own worst enemy I too truly believe I can do this.  Running, life, you name it.  I won’t quit.  And I have running in part, to thank for that.  Thanks, Running…I think you are pretty cool. Oh….and I didn’t even pants my poop….

Have you ever had an “accident” a near miss while out on a long run?  What is the longest distance you’ve run solo? Do you have any Runfessions you want to share?

❤ Michelle

marathon training

The Eve of my 20 miler

Movin' it with Michelle

‘Tis the Eve of my 20 miler, and all I can think of is, “Holy crap, can I REALLY run 20 miles by myself?”

Even though I ran my last 2 long runs and all of my short runs solo this training season, I am still terrified.

Photo cred: bolsingerblogs.com
Photo cred: bolsingerblogs.com

Why?

More than likely because last week I was sick, and this week I am just in a funk I can’t shake.  I keep catching myself looking back on my past and revisiting old ways of thinking that were simply NO DAMN GOOD terrible.  Yet I keep doing it…self doubting, self loathing, and self torturing to boot have all been beating my positive self talking mantra, BADLY.

What on earth am I doing?  Back…back…BACK IT UP.  GAH.

photo cred: mommyish.com
photo cred: mommyish.com

I am going to be my best to shake this funk…I am PRAYING tomorrow’s solo 20 miler will go off without any major hiccups so I can regain some sort of confidence.  I have NO IDEA what the heck has come over me, but I DO NOT like it one bit.  I have come too far to feel this way.  Ever.  AGAIN.

Yet I do…and it scares me a little.  Because I hated that person that I was…and I don’t use the word hate, lightly.

So tonight I am going to lay out my running clothes and gear, beef up my play list, and run with all my being tomorrow. I am going to head to my favorite part of the Fox River Trails in the morning, and have a nice long 4 hour talk with myself.  We are going to discuss believing in oneself, confidence, positive thinking, and moving forward.

From
From “Meet the Robinsons” movie

I’m sure all of this is part of the normal “pre-taper” and “taper” madness.  But sheesh…I feel like I am mentally spent, and need a vacation ASAP.  I even asked my sister if we could leave a day early for the race just to ‘get away’ for an extra day, LOL.

Ok, no time like the present to move forward.  Thanks everyone for joining me on this crazy journey of training for my 3rd full marathon, LOL…I promise, I’ll be back to normal (what IS normal, anyhow?) in a few weeks!!!

marathon training, Recipes, Sunday Supper

Week 14 recap and a recipe!

Movin' it with Michelle

Training:

Well, sad to say last week SUCKED.  I came down with a rotten cold, which left my chest heavy and my heart even heavier.  I managed to get in Tuesday’s 4 miler, and Yoga on Wednesday but the rest of the work week I was down for the count.  So yesterday when I hit the road for my 12 miler, I knew it would more than likely be tough.  See, solo long runs when you are feeling strong can be really awesome…but when you are already feeling low, the miles can really hurt when you are alone with your thoughts.

When I don’t run, I am not able to release all the life crap that piles up, which leads to a very unhappy Michelle.  As the sunshine beamed down on my face, I could feel the energy draining from me rapidly.  WHY did I pick a route that had NO shade when I set out for my run mid morning?  DUMB DUMB DUMB.  Realizing I would run out of water, and had picked a route with NO fountains and NO shade, I decided to turn around for home early. But 9 miles are better than no miles, right?

This week I work all but Friday, so while seeing everyone post on social media about the ‘holiday’ weekend filled with BBQ’s and vacations I am left feeling slightly bitter.  And I don’t like this feeling.  So today I am going to get out of the house for a couple hours and go consignment shopping with my neighbor in hopes to regain my smile.  Gosh, where the heck did I put it, anyhow?

A Free People dress, for 25 dollars? Yes please!
A Free People dress, for 25 dollars? Yes please!

Weight Loss:

None.  Nope. Not a single lb.  My nutrition was good minus a few bites of artichoke dip at Friday’s work pot luck, and I’ve cut back on my nightly date with wine but so far, no luck with losing anything.  So glad I bought one size bigger capri pants and shorts…sheesh.  LOL!

Weekly Goals:

My goals are to get through work and weekend duty with out any casualties, to include myself.  I’ll be doing my 20 miler solo, on Friday which is my one day off, and to say I am nervous would be an understatement.

Recipe:

Despite being sick all week, I really wanted to get my recipe posted for this week.  I’ve made a healthy and tasty dish!

Baked Trout stuffed with lemon and herbs

4 previously cleaned trout-ask your fish monger to make sure they are fresh

1 lemon, sliced

Fresh herbs-dill, thyme, parsley are great!

Kosher salt and pepper to taste

Drizzle of extra virgin olive oil

Preheat your oven to 375 degrees and line a baking sheet with foil.  Spray with cooking spray.  Season your fish both inside and out with the salt and pepper, and stuff with the lemon and herbs.  Drizzle with EVOO, and cover with foil.  Bake for 25 minutes.  I removed the heads and tails to serve, because they wouldn’t fit on the plate, LOL!

Nest time I'll add even more herbs, but this was so tender it literally fell off the bone!
Nest time I’ll add even more herbs, but this was so tender it literally fell off the bone!

Sautéed Kale with Sopressata salami

6 pieces of sopressata salami sliced, and chopped

1 bunch of kale that has been rinsed and de-veined

Drizzle of EVOO

Kosher salt and pepper to taste

Drizzle the extra virgin olive oil in a pan, and heat to medium heat.  Add in your salami, and sauté until golden brown.  Drain any grease from the pan. Add in your kale, and toss gently in the salami and remaining oil.  Season with kosher salt and pepper and cook for 5-7 minutes.

I prefer cooking my kale, and love how vibrant and green it is!
I prefer cooking my kale, and love how vibrant and green it is!

Sweet Potato hash

One sweet potato, peeled and cubed

Smoked paprika, kosher salt, pepper, dried oregano, fresh thyme and one clove of garlic, smashed but keep in tact so you can remove.

Pat of unsalted butter and a sprinkle of brown sugar (shhh, my secret to get the potatoes to crisp up)-save this step for last.

Heat coconut oil in a large sauté pan over medium high heat.  Add your potatoes, seasonings, herbs and garlic clove and cook for 20 minutes.  Five minutes before serving add the butter and brown sugar, cooking still at medium to high heat.

My family has transitioned from the good ole russet potato to sweet potatoes to my delight.
My family has transitioned from the good ole russet potato to sweet potatoes to my delight.

Dinner is served!

5-24dinner

How do you deal with ‘off’ weeks?  I’ve found my delving in to my ‘other’ passions it helps keep me centered somewhat still.  Have you ever cooked a fish whole?  What was the best part of your week?

Have a great week, y’all.  Remember, to keep movin’ forward!!

❤ Michelle

 

marathon training, Recipes, weekend wrap up

Running long, cooking slow, and Lily Trotter sock review!

Movin' it with Michelle

As most of you know, I had 19 miles on deck this weekend for my week 13 of marathon training.  While I normally prefer to run my short runs by myself, the thought of running 19 miles solo was not giving me peace of mind.  Add in the forecast of 50-60% chance of thunderstorms and you could say I was nearly dreading the miles.  I didn’t sleep hardly a wink Friday night, but had my rain poncho and gear all set.  I woke up at 4:30 a.m. and was out the door by 5:15.  The first few miles were VERY wet, and I was thankful for my poncho despite it’s lack of comfort.  If you read my mini recap on my FB page, you saw that I accidentally ‘dismissed’ my first 3 miles of running when I ‘paused’ to take off my poncho. Damn.  Thankfully I knew were I was and had just looked down at my watch.  Here we go with more runner’s brain math, ack, lol.

 

Soggy, yet smiling!
  
I was lucky enough to run into my friend Melissa around mile14!
 The miles ticked by, and something happened out there that even surprised ME.  I was…HAVING FUN out there, running between raindrops, enjoying the trails, and listening to music. I COULD run solo, no matter the mileage, and this made me smile.  It was liberating to be out there on my own, with claps of lightening in the distance to cheer me on.  And even when it started to POUR cats and dogs, I smiled.  I took cover briefly to fuel, but when I realized it wasn’t letting up I continued on for a good 3 miles in some pretty hard rain.  And I do believe, I was smiling from what I’m told from friends who saw me out on the trails that morning.  I felt/feel nearly renewed.  My legs hurt, my knee ached, and my ITB yelled at me the last few miles, but nothing was going to bring me down.  YAY for a good long run.

5-17longrun

I was contacted by Lily Trotters a couple months ago to try out their compression socks.  But I received the socks, on the very day of my daughter’s accident and honestly forgot about the review.  Saturday seemed to be the perfect day to try the socks out after my long run to aid in my recovery.  Here’s what I thought:

Loved em!!!
Loved em!!!
1. They were very easy to put on, unlike some other compression wear that you have to tug and pull to get on.

2. The colors were really fun, and I loved the polka dot print.

3. They were SOOO comfy, and I actually slept in them last night and woke up with happy legs.

All in all, I loved them and will use them in the future.  I am particular with my socks, but am hoping they will make sleeves too so I can run in them as well.

In my attempt to eat healthier and lose 10 lbs. I decided to make crock pot pork carnitas for dinner so I would have yummy left overs for lunches this week.

Pork Carnitas

Pork roast, boneless-pat dry and season with kosher salt and pepper

1 large red onion, roughly chopped

4 cloves of garlic, minced

3 small red chili peppers, chopped

The juice of 1 large orange, 3 small limes

Spice Rub

2 tsp. ground cumin

2 tsp. smoked paprika

1 tbsp. dried oregano

Drizzle the roast with extra virgin olive oil, and liberally apply the rub.  Place in your crock pot with the fat cap up, and add your onions, garlic, and peppers.  Drizzle over the juice of the oranges and limes, and cook on high for 4-6 hours, or low for 6-8 hours.  Remove the pork, and let it rest for 10-15 minutes.  Pull apart with two forks, and place in a bowl.

5-17porkcarnitasfork

Drain the liquid from the crock pot, and add the strained liquid back in to the pork to keep it nice and juicy!!  I served it over a salad of mixed greens with black beans, corn, and avocado.  No dressing needed, just drizzle a bit of the drained juice over the top!

Dinner is served!
Dinner is served!
Weekly mileage-27 miles, a few miles short but my knee is happier

Core fitness-6 days=600 sit-ups

Lb.’s lost-NONE…but I blame it on girlie crap this week.

Did you run long or race this weekend?  Have any good crock pot recipes you love?

marathon training

Week 12 training wrap up

Movin' it with Michelle

Last week was a GREAT training week for me.  I pushed myself, made a new running friend, AND did some new fueling for my long run that REALLY seemed to help me from fading out the last few miles.  Sorry for some of the repetitive information, but I really wanted to log the breakdown of my week because I really am feeling strong because I’m old and don’t want to forget.

Mileage breakdown goes a little like this:

Total mileage: 30.34 miles which is my highest mileage for a week this year.  Those of you that have been following me for a while, know that my training plan is modified to save my debilitated right knee.  I have patella femoral syndrome, and very little cartilage left so I use the run less mantra.  I do ONE long run on the weekend, and two modified shorter runs during the week.  I also try and walk 1-2 times per week.  So 30 miles is AWESOME for me.  YAY.

Strength work outs: I did weights twice last week!  Met my goal!!!

Yoga: Wednesday yoga sessions are becoming a regular in my house!  Winning!

Long run: my last week’s 18 miles got flip flopped as I had the half marathon last weekend.  I met up with my new friend, Teri as I previously mentioned, and managed a strong 19 miler.  The last few miles were really tough, but I kept movin’…

 Ya gotta be silly to survive 19 miles, right?
Fuel: For my shorter runs, no fuel.  Just water or Nuun when temps got too hot to run without hydration.  For my long run I had a granola bar for breakfast, and 2 bottles of water.  It was going to be a very humid run, and I didn’t want to dehydrate.  I carried a 16 ounce handheld filled with Nuun, and tried to fill up at all the water fountains.  I had a Huma Chia gel at miles 6, 10, and 15 and salt tabs at mile 6 and 12.  I found by fueling every 4 or so miles after the 6 miles mark kept me feeling strong, YAY!!!

Sunday for Mother’s Day my family took me downtown Chicago which is one of my favorite places.  We ate, we shopped, and we walked just over 3 miles! It felt great to stretch my sore legs.  AND, I got a new Garmin Vivofit, ate at my favorite restaurant, and shopped at my favorite clothes store-Free People.  I did also breakdown and by a new pair of jeans, one size larger than I normally wear because my legs just won’t accommodate skinny jeans anymore.  😦  My weight is back at post pregnancy weight so I need to figure out my diet.  I eat healthier than I ever have, but am guessing my love for wine is jacking with any sort of weight loss.  I’m guessing the desert pictured below isn’t helping, either, LOL!!


          All in all it was a GREAT training week, and GREAT weekend.  I am beyond blessed with amazing friends and family and I am reminded of it, daily.

How was your week in regards to training last week?  What did you do (if anything) for Mother’s Day?  What are you big plans for this week?

Have a great week, y’all!

❤ Michelle