Hello Hello Hello!
What.a.week! If you couldn’t tell by my minimalist posts this week, I was absorbed by all things school this week. It was a tad crazy, but I managed to make it through to Friday… somehow I always do. There was little sleep, projects in the library, a 2-hour heart-to-heart phone call with my mom, and many many circles run around the track. I knew if I pushed though my responsibilities though, I would be rewarded with something fun.
… and FUN it was!
The alarm clock went off early yet again this morning, but lucky for me, it wasn’t to get to class. I was running a race :) I can’t remember the last time I ran a race; it’s been far too long. You wouldn’t know it from my blog, but I’ve probably run 30+ races in my life [not including my adolescent triathlons, swim meets, etc.]. I’ve been competing in running races since 8th grade, or so [over eight years].
When I discovered there was a local 10-mile race exactly 1 month before my big race, I got really excited. Running 10 miles is exactly where I want to be at this point, so I thought participating in a race would be a true test of where I stand with my training.
Before leaving the house this morning all by myself – my first solo race I might add – I fueled with a piece of quinoa wheat bread with a smear of peanut butter and half of a banana… then a few more bites of a second piece.
How do you feel about peanut butter before a race?
I made it easily to the start of the race in beautiful Bidwell Park with plenty of time to stretch and pump up my ‘pod. The weather was ultimate for running a race: cloudy & slightly cool – thank you, Mother Nature.
My sweet roommate planned to meet me at the finish of the race, but I guess she got there a little earlier than planned to take a few paparazzi shots.
Where’s Waldo Hillary?
Almost there – about 0.25 miles to go!
Sprinting to the finish with a smile.
Balloons :)
Walkin’ it out.
Hydrating & Happy
I didn’t drink a drop during the race. The Chico State x.country runners were keeping the aid stations stocked with water and electrolytes, but the thought of consuming anything during a race makes my stomach churn. [I plan to take a few swigs of water during my half, don’t you worry.] Are you a thirsty runner?
Race Details:
I had a flexible time goal in mind, but with my lack of long runs this training season, I was a bit skeptical of my endurance. I can feel a difference in my strength between the abundance of speed workouts and strength training (BodyPump = love), but I didn’t know what that would do for a 10-mile run.
Lesson learned today: You are stronger than you think you are.
Mile 1: 7:45ish – Ummm, holy crap. Slow down, Hillary!
Mile 2: 15:45ish – No need to be going this fast. You’ve got 8 miles to go.
Mile 3: 24ish – Ok, so 8-minute miles seems to be the theme?
Mile 4: 32ish – Am I really still doing this?
Mile 5: 40ish – Halfway done. Hope I don’t ‘crash ‘n’ burn’.
Mile 6: 48ish – I love running.
Mile 7: 56ish – Jamming to my tunes, feeling strong.
Mile 8: 64ish – I owe you, WREC track.
Mile 9: 72ish – You’re getting under 80, girl.
Mile 10: 78 something – I’m waiting for the official results to go up; will update via Twitter.
What I would have done for a Garmin Forerunner/exact mile splits!
I honestly did not know I had that in me. And the scary part… it wasn’t that tough. The course was completely flat, but I was comfortable and relaxed until about mile 8.5… then I cranked up my new playlist, started to kick up my heels a bit higher, and me a my pacing partner [some random guy] began pushing one another.
What does this do for my expectations for the half!? I have no clue. Do I account for the SF hills, or push for the same pace?
* * *
Feeling like 100 bucks, my roommate and I strolled back through the dewy park to our cars. I made a pit stop at Starbucks for a tall latte before coming home to make waffles for my cheerleader and I.
Sinless Saturday Waffles version 9.18.10
with 1/2 peach, pecans & maple.
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1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
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2 T ground flax
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1 T baking powder
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1/2 tsp. salt
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2 ripe, mashed bananas
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1 1/2 cups 1% milk
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1/4 cup canola oil
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1 egg
Now that’s one perfect morning.
Weekend Things
Trader Joe’s Favorites
24 Things I Now Know
What I’m Loving Lately {Summer Edition}
a PDR {in the pouring rain}.
You are awesome! I could crank out ONE 8-minute mile, maybe, but not 10! I looove running through balloon arches at the finish. It makes me feel so accomplished! And I used to love pb & b toast before a run, but lately it’s been messing with my tum, so I stick to mostly carbs, like cereal with a banana and a bit of almond milk!
Yay! Congrats on your race, Hillary! I ran my first race this morning too, and the weather couldn’t have been better here in CA – cool and cloudy! I decided to grab a swig of water and ended up spilling it all over my face like an idiot, so I just skipped it on the next stop. Seems like it just hinders your pace and is distracting.
Congrats! That is a fabulous time!
Go you!
great job!!! you are speedy!!! and those waffles look perfecto!
Your roomie is so awesome for coming and taking pics! Congrats on a great run :)
Great job on the race! Sounds like an awesome morning. It must have been a great feeling to finish so well.
Wow! Congrats! Reading this post makes me want to lace up my shoes and go running RIGHT NOW!
I love my Garmin Forerunner, and at $120, the 205 is all you need and more… as well as reasonably priced! One of my running buddies — an ultramarathoner — says that the heart monitor one is a waste of money, and my half-marathon partner and I have discovered that the 205 gives you the freedom to run anywhere (makes it easy when you’re bored of the same route), and has just enough special features (and then some, as we haven’t tapped them all yet!) to do what we need to do!
Now you’ve got me researching :)
Go YOU!! That is awesome – and I always eat PB before a race… it’s a must.
Congrats on knocking that race dead!!
Congratulations on a great race! Those waffles look amazing. Can’t wait to give them a try. Love all your recipes and the pictures always look great. I have three kiddos and I am constantly trying to prepare healthy, but yummy food for them. You have a lot of great ideas! I enjoy your blog.
CONGRATS on the 10 mile run!! That’s so awesome! I totally wish I could do that.
So glad you did well! Many of my Fleet Feet buddies were out there too! You ran an amazing race! Isn’t One Mile and Bidwell Park beautiful? One of my most favorite places in the world. We are so lucky to have it right here where we can enjoy it. Waffles look super. I need to find a gluten free recipe that actually tastes good!
Great job on your run! It’s such an amazing feeling to have a good race! And, thanks for a breakfast idea for tomorrow! I have to try those waffles!
Hillary, not that you even checked out my blog, but I totally gave you the wrong site address! I’m losing it in my old age! Just wanted you to know the correct person who left you the comment. :)
Peanut butter before races is clearly the go-fast fuel! ;) I use it before 99% of races or LRs in my b-fast, and it hasn’t failed me yet!
Races are really one of the best ways to test your fitness during training – you push yourself harder than a normal Long Run, and have the adrenaline rush from spectators and the race atmosphere. This obviously worked out perfectly for you! Tackle those SF hills with the same attitude ;)
Wow great job Hillary! Glad you were feeling so well toO! I can’t believe you aren’t thirsty for 10 miles though :)
Congratulations on the race. I’m new to your blog and I am really in awe for the wonderful posts you’ve been sharing here. That peanut butter and banana looked so yummy on wheat bread and I so love the waffles and peaches. Seems you really had a great day and I hope to read more posts from you. Keep it up!
Congrats on the race!!! That waffle looks to.die.for!!!
CONGRATS on the race! The half is my favorite distance – a 10 mile would be fun, too! I love peanut butter – but before races or hard workouts, it doesn’t always love me. A total splurge on ANYTHING when I’m done though. These waffles look GREAT! How many servings does one recipe make?
Shoot, I can’t remember how many servings/waffles this recipe makes since it is such an old recipe — maybe 1-2 large waffles?