• Home
  • About
  • Work With Me
  • Contact

Nutrition Nut on the Run

  • Recipes
  • Workouts
  • Running
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Beauty
  • Shop My Favorites
    • Shop Beautycounter
    • 2020 Holiday Gift Guide

Race Reflections

October 24, 2010 by Hillary 20 Comments

May 4, 2008 I ran my 1st half-marathon at age 18.

2

May 3, 2009 I ran my 2nd half-marathon on my home turf.

16

One week ago today, October 17, 2010, I ran my 3rd half-marathon with 20,000 others.

image100imageimage

That would be my iPod on my hip & camera in my hand.

I never knew that the decision I made to join the cross country team my junior year of high school would change my life forever. My liking for running sprouted as a teen, though since my schedule was already occupied by dance, gymnastics, and swim team, my hobby of running remained on the back burner for a couple years. After five years of competitive swimming, I quit cold turkey. Suddenly, I had the time to run with my school’s team. Even though I have many fond memories of swimming – meets, a.m. practices, and traveling – the two seasons I ran XC are certainly the highlight of my high school years.

When I graduated high school and moved away to college, dancing [competitively] got left behind at home. That only meant one thing: more running! I got involved with the Walk Jog Run Club on campus, and running quickly became a part of my daily routine as I tried to avoid the Freshman 15. My first semester of college, I met a girl by the name of Courtney. Little did I know, she would become my devoted running buddy, and a best friend.

With the support from our tremendous running club founder/coach/mentor, we signed up to run our first half-marathon together at the end of our freshman year. We trained together side-by-side for 12-weeks straight. And just as our shirts said, “13.1 miles… we are in this together”, we crossed the finish line of the Eugene Marathon hand-in-hand in 2 hours 4 minutes and 16 seconds. Our goal to complete a half-marathon [no walking allowed] was met. We felt accomplished, happy and fit.

Our sophomore year, the WJR Club didn’t have plans to participate in a half [or full] marathon, but that didn’t mean Courtney and I weren’t determined to run our second ‘alone’. Again, we trained day in and day out around our new territory. After another Spring semester of timely training, we traveled home the first weekend of May to run a picturesque half-marathon located within the Redwood groves at Avenue of the Giants State Park. With one half under our belts, we knew what to expect and made a goal of a sub 2 hour race. Though our training methods remained similar to the first, perhaps it was the additional year of pavement under our feet and larger calf muscle circumference that allowed us to finish in 1:59:13.

Over a year went by without racing a half. Courtney and I both had our fingers crossed we’d be able to run the infamous Nike Women’s Marathon in San Francisco at some point in our lives. It turned out we got drawn from the lottery our first time entering, so 2010 was gonna be the year! Now at different universities, training for #3 was going to be very different. No more 90-minute runs together talking about roommate drama, long-distance relationships, exams, awful jobs, and homesickness. Training for half #3 was so different that I was skeptical it would even allow me to run a better race. I did something right though – maybe even 2 or 3 things – as I finished feeling like a true long distance runner, and an empowered athlete in 1:43:21.

You live run and you learn: a 1/2 dozen things I learned from 1/2 #3.

1. Training solo is possible… though, not nearly as enjoyable.

2. One can adequately train indoors for an outdoor race.

3. Strength train for a leaned and toned, “runner’s body”. [i.e. May ‘08 v. October ‘10]

4. Speed and interval training is the secret to a PR.

5. Don’t fret the rest days. You are stronger than you think you are!

6. My heart has never loved an activity as much as running.

With 3 half-marathons under my blistered feet and thousands of miles of training, I think I’ve finally allowed the my true inner strength to surface, to “bloom”. I really do not think of myself as a highly-competitive person – I don’t run beat others – but a new flame has been lit inside of me. Let’s just say I am thinking about a sub 1:40 half-marathon… and then, and then… committing to those 26.2 miles :)

I don’t run races to finish first, second… or third. I run races because I’d rather wake up early on Saturday mornings to run 10 miles and eat banana pancakes than sleep in. I run races because it allows me to stay committed to my goal of living a healthy, fit life. I run races to bond with friends. I run races to experience new, beautiful places. I don’t run races for ‘free’ Tiffany & Co jewelry.

017

I run races to be… me.

* * *

After 13 weeks of training, I gave my body a break from enduring exercise this week. Actually, if it weren’t for my accident Tuesday evening, I probably would have clocked in a few more miles; though, I think a week of light workouts, sleeping in, and rainy rest days was exactly what my body ordered.

  • Monday:
  • Tuesday: 1 mi. ITR… Urgent Care
  • Wednesday: 2 x 1 mi. ITR + 20-minute spin + strength training
  • Thursday: 22-minute run
  • Friday: 2 x 1 mi. ITR + 20-minute StairMaster + abs & stretching
  • Saturday:
  • Sunday: 2 x 1 mi. ITR + 20-minute StairMaster + strength training

I hope you all have enjoyed your weekend. How is it already Sunday Eve? Stay tuned for the giveaway winner announcement + a comforting, fall recipe.

Hillary

What is your favorite race distance?

Any races in the near future for you?

What have you learned from running?

Filed Under: Running Tagged With: Avenue of the Giants Marathon, Eugene Marathon, Nike Women's Marathon 2010

I Run To Be

October 18, 2010 by Hillary 30 Comments

image

 

 

 

… and the post-run endorphin high is still running, or maybe it’s the fact that I’m wearing my pretty little finisher’s “medal”, and my sore calves are reminding me of yesterday’s epicness.

It is weird to think that Nike Women’s Half-Marathon 2010 is now a thing of the past. I have been looking forward to this event on my calendar ever since receiving a confirmation e.mail that my best friend Courtney and I were both picked from the lottery to participate in the race, which we entered on April 5th! Unfortunately, living in different towns meant we wouldn’t be able to train together side-by-side like we had for our first two… but, that did not mean we couldn’t and wouldn’t still enjoy our 3rd half together.

Not nearly as excited to start training solo, I officially began marking down my minutes [and miles] in the middle of the summer on July 17, 2010, and have been giving exercise my all for the past three months. Yet, not having my friend physically by my side meant I’d be training a little bit lot differently this time around. Rather than doing most of my training on real road [or trails], I spent countless hours at the WREC being a hamster on the treadmills, running lap after lap around the indoor track, pushing the pedals of the spin bike song after song, BodyPump-ing, strengthening and stretching. There were many a times when I was skeptical that this whole indoor training ‘method’ would even work, but it turned out there was no reason to have my doubts :)

What I did doubt was that I was even going to be able to participate in the much-anticipated race after running my body down from a stressful, sleepless week studying for three difficult exams. I pushed through – as I always do – and after a solid night’s sleep Friday night, I woke up rested. I decided to loosen up my muscles with an easy 28-minute run around my old college neighborhood before sitting in the car once again. Oatmeal –> showers –> Starbucks + gas, and Court and I were headed into The City to join the pink parade!

022 

Once checked in at our hotel and refueled, we joined the gazillion runners standing in the line that wrapped around Union Square to pick up our race packets at the expotique.

015

060

057

056

The expotique wasn’t all that impressive; though, Courtney and I didn’t stick around very long to snatch up all the swag as us small town girls don’t do crowded city-life events so well. We did convince ourselves that we mustn’t miss the scene at Nike Town though, so we wandered around that zoo of a store before heading to the top floor of Macy’s where we happened to randomly run into friends from home at The Cheesecake Factory [another madhouse!].

Instead of making it any more of a hassle trying to get around the city with an extra 20,000 hungry runners at dinner time, we staked out a couple seats at The Factory for a standard pre-race meal of a monstrous serving of pasta, salad and bread. After much race strategizing and lots of laugher, we headed to our hotel room and got to bed at a decent hour for our 5:00am wake-up call…

Race Day.

I woke up hungry – yay! – and chomped on my SF-made 18 Rabbits bar and banana as I got ready to run. Court and I met up with my other bestie running the race, and we daringly headed out our hotel lobby doors together into the dark street lined with porta potties and a sea of people.

NWM 7

NWM 5   

Are we sure we want to do this!?

The NWM is the 10th largest half-marathon in the world and largest women’s marathon & half-marathon!

We plied on through the saturated streets of anxious runners until we found a spot of pavement to our liking. There we waited for the next short while, gearing down for our trek across town.

084 

Friends helping friends.

087089

We plugged in our ‘pods and started to get excited! We were doing this!

NWM 6

Strong. Happy. Healthy. Women.

086

Running buddies for life.

NWM 8 

At 7:00am, the running got under way. It took approximately 6-7 minutes until we ran danced across the start line – faster than I expected! Courtney and I jig-sawed through the streets of moving feet together for the first 5.5-6 miles at a decent pace until I decided to give it a rip and give this race all I had!

My Run.

image

y-axis = speed. x-axis = distance.

Race Details.

I felt strong and comfortable the entire 13.1 miles. Well, I take that back… comfortable isn’t the right word. I pushed myself to discomfort on several occasions. The hills, for which I didn’t train for, were challenging, but defeatable. The beautiful scenery and wonderful, encouraging signage was a great distraction. The weather was ideal – costal cloudy coolness – so I really didn’t have much in the way to worry about.

I jammed through my iPod playlist and chanted positive mantras inside my head. “You are stronger than you think you are!” The time on the course flew by. It didn’t seem like long at all before I was passing the Mile 10 marker and stretching out my stride for the final 5K. The endorphins increased, my music got louder, and my feet got faster. There it was – the hot pink finish line. I wasn’t holding anything back. “Pain is temporary. Pride is forever.”, I repeated to myself.

104

I crossed the finish line of my 3rd half-marathon feeling accomplished, as I squashed my old PR by nearly 16 minutes!

Half Marathon #1: 2:04:16 [9:30 pace]

Half Marathon #2: 1:59:13 [9:06 pace]

Half Marathon #3: 1:43:21 [7:53 pace]

 101  

Smiling runners sporting their cute finishers tees [& a “baby” belly apparently].

100

Something else made us smile too…

020

010

013

If you didn’t know already, every single finisher of the NWM receives a very special blue box from a [handsome!] guy in tux and red bowtie at the finish line… only the best type of metal medal a girl would dream of. Of course I sported my prized, hard earned possession today :)

More NWM reviewing & race talk to come, as this post is already getting quite lengthy.

xo Hillary

* * *

I run to be… strong, not skinny.

It’s your turn!

Filed Under: Running Tagged With: 18 Rabbits, Nike Women's Marathon 2010, Starbucks, Tiffany & Co.

Another 13.1

October 17, 2010 by Hillary 21 Comments

I can now check off goal #3 from my 10 in 2010 goal list!

022 

Did I run my 3rd half-marathon with my bestie today? Yes.

Did I set a PR? YES!

Did I get a lovely Tiffany & Co. necklace from a hot firefighter in a tuxedo? Yes.

Did I enjoy every step of the race? Yes.

Did I eat 4,000 calories today? Yes… if not more ;)

Am I looking forward to half #4? Double yes.

* * *

Detailed race review & official race time coming very soon! Between waking up at 5:00am, running 13.1 hilly miles, travelling through rainy San Francisco, and a tummy full of veggie tacos + tangerine wheat beer, I am useless.

Today is what life is all about.

Filed Under: Running Tagged With: Nike Women's Marathon 2010

Learning to Live

October 9, 2010 by Hillary 5 Comments

The green light has yet to turn yellow or red. I may just as well be the Energizer Bunny. There are still no stop signs in sight. In other words, I apologize for keeping y’all hanging… after all, free coconut water is serious business. So, without further adieu, the four lucky random winners are:

Comment #48: Amanda
Comment #30: Elise
Comment #66: Courtney
Comment #3: Chelsey

Please e.mail me your mailing address, so O.N.E. can send your case of coconut water ASAP!

Despite my lack of blogging, you can bet that I’ve still been eating, and that I’ve still been running. But, more importantly, I’ve been smiling a lot more… making the most out of every moment. I have done a lot of thinking and self-reflection recently about the grander scale of life, and am happy to report that I’ve been acting on those aspirations! Carpe diem.

Running

image

The other day I scared the crap outta myself when I finally [1 week before race day] decided to check the course map of the 13.1 miles I’ll be running. Let’s just say my anxiety rose 3 fold – hello, Death Hill at mile 6. Although, I feel my training has made me a stronger runner/athlete, I haven’t been trainin’ no hills. It is a bit too late to do anything about it now either, as it’s taper time. I’ll do what I can do – my best!

Training continued at the WREC through Friday.

Five Mile Friday
  • 1 mi. indoor track run @ 8:40
  • strength training – abs, arms & legs
  • 1 mi. indoor track run @ 8:50
  • 3 mi. treadmill run @ 24:00 – yay!

Today, I ran around downtown – outside! – after strolling the farmers’ market. I should have planned the timing of my run better because it the sunshine was toasty this afternoon. I called it quits after a mere 22 minutes, but it was a pleasurable, autumn run nonetheless. I don’t wear my hardcore outfit everyday ;)

26

Food

011

018

This week sometime [can’t remember when] I made the best OIAJ to date.

  • 1 c. water
  • 1/3 c. steel cut oats
  • ½ T flax Almond butter from the jar
  • 1 T pecans
  • 1 tsp. apricot jam
  • ½ fresh peach
  • cinnamon

FYI: I bought another jar of Trader’s Joe’s Almond Butter w. Flax today – exciting!

You know what else I bought at TJ’s today? Butternut squash ravioli – they’re new! These aren’t just any squash ravioli – oh no. They’re filled with amaretti cookies and apricot kernels – I couldn’t help but think of my idol, Giada!

037

Simple Saturday Supper: Butternut Squash Ravioli + drizzle of organic olive olive, fresh arugula, lavender chevre & fresh black pepper

 

I’m going to go… I’ve gotta get back to living my healthy life as a college student. After all, there will never be another today.

027 

 

Until my life’s traffic slows up again…

Healthy Hill

Filed Under: Life Tagged With: Breakfast, Nike Women's Marathon 2010, Oats, Trader Joe's

When Life Gives You Lemons

September 24, 2010 by Hillary 11 Comments

Summer does not want to leave.

image

… but that’s alright with me if it means I can still find juicy, local, organic peaches at the farmers’ market.

027 

& then eat them with 0% Greek, pecans and unsweetened coconut. What more do you need in life?

* * *

This morning I tried my hand mouth at hot lemon water [boiling water + fresh lemons]. It’s suppose to have an array of health benefits, including acting as a body alkalizer. Believe what you please.

014 

It was certainly tangy, thanks to the citric acid. My mouth puckered with every sip. However, I think I could become accustomed to its astringent taste if I give it a second or third chance. After all, I love a good cup of bitter green tea.

* * *

I’m looking forward to a relaxing, warm weekend. Though, I don’t think I’ll be making a trip to the farmers’ market in the morning, seeing as how I went last night:

001

003

Remind me when I’m being ungrateful of how lucky I am to buy fresh produce at the farmers’ market. Just thinking about it makes me ever so thankful.

I have some sweet recipes up my sleeve for the weekend. However, it doesn’t seem to be baking weather, now does it? =/

I’m cleaning the disaster of my room tonight…

Have a lovely “fall” weekend!

Hillary

 

Today’s Training

Half

Despite feeling like I was on crack after eating half of an Espresso Love Gu Energy Gel, I wasn’t really feeling a lengthy workout tonight. I wanted to get in and out. Hello, it’s Friday!

  • indoor track run [2.5 mi.]

8 laps @ 7:40 – purely caffeine.

6 laps @ 6:50 – takin’ it easy.

4 laps @ 3:55

2 laps @ 1:42

8 laps = 1 mile

  • 16-minute StairMaster
  • 2 x 8 tricep dips
  • 2 x 8 push-ups
  • planks

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: Coconut, Farmers' Markets, Greek Yogurt, Lemons, Nike Women's Marathon 2010, Peaches, Pecans

Keep Calm & Run On

July 20, 2010 by Hillary 28 Comments

‘Tis the motto of my life currently. Can I copyright it? It’s simple… to keep calm, I run. It really is the cheapest and easiest form of therapy. Speaking of running, how about I finally reveal my training plan for my upcoming half-marathon!?

On October 17, 2010, my running partner for life [a.k.a. Courtney] and I will be running the Nike Women’s Half-Marathon in San Francisco, CA. We have run 2 halfs together, and this race will mark our third. Unlike the previous two, we will sadly not be able to train with each other this time around, as I am now attending a different university. Running races together is a bucket full of fun, but I think the best part is the time spent together training, side by side – chatting, laughing, pushing our endurance, sweating, and accomplishing. I’m not looking forward to training for 3 months solo, but I must run on.

I will be using the 12-week training plan that the advisor of our running club made for us our freshman year of college [for our very first half]. However, since I have a few more miles on my legs since 2008, I will be turning up the training a notch – I want a PR!

The 12-week training plan from our advisor/best teacher ever is as follows:

  • Run 30-45 min. 3-4x/week
  • Cross train 1x/week
  • Long run 1x/week

In 2008, for our first half, we started our first long run at 50-60 minutes, peaked at 100-120 minutes (10-12 mi.) on Week 9, and then tapered to 80 minutes (8 mi.) by Week 11.

  • Rest 1x/week
How My Training Will Differ for Half #3:
  • I will be ‘moving’ during training, changing up my routine a bit.
  • I don’t have my partner in crime to run with.
  • I will have The Resort, which means: a) more cross training b) interval/speed work

My goal is to strengthen my endurance for the remainder of the summer, so it will be easier to maintain when I return to the school scene. While at school, I plan to use spinning as my main form of cross training, the treadmill and indoor track for interval/speed work, and weight training for general strength.

Tentative Long Run Schedule:
  • Wk 1: 60 min.
  • Wk 2: 65 min.
  • Wk 3: 70 min.
  • Wk 4: 80 min.
  • Wk 5: 90 min.
  • Wk 6: 100 min.
  • Wk 7: 90-100 min.
  • Wk 8: 100-110 min.
  • Wk 9: 100-120 min.
  • Wk 10 : 90 min.
  • Wk 11: 80 min.
  • Wk 12: 1/2 Marathon!

I think that basically sums up my training plan for Half #3. Please don’t hold me to it too strictly, as some weeks there may be 2 rest days, some weeks there may be none. Life is going to continue on for the next 3 months as is wishes; I will do my best to stick with my plan, but if it gets sticky, I’ll just run on…

For the next 3-months, you will be able to follow my daily training here.

* * *

Because I’m playing catch-up, Monday was a treadmill interval day:

45-minute run @ 2.0 incline

Set 1: 8 min. @ 6.8 / 2 min. @ 8.0

Set 2: 8 min. @ 6.8 / 2 min. @ 8.2

Set 3: 2 min.@ 6.6 / 2 min.@ 7.4 / 4 min. @ 6.6 / 2 min. @ 7.6 – random!

Walk It Out: 5 min. each @ 4.6, 4.4, 4.2

 

Today [Running Tuesday!], was a hill repeat day in the forest:

65-minute run, including 4 hill repeats [2 long @ 2 min. / 2 short @ 45 sec.]

 

I think that does it! Let me know if you have any bits of training advice, or questions about my plan. For my fellow foodies out there, more photos + recipes soon : )

XOXO,

HILL on the run

Filed Under: Running Tagged With: 12-Week Training Plan, Nike Women's Marathon 2010

  • Bloglovin
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Search by Topic

Instagram

I’m sure Koba is wondering why we ever lived in I’m sure Koba is wondering why we ever lived in Florida for two years.

#takemetothemountains #snowday
dog [noun] companion, loyal comforter, playmate, f dog [noun] companion, loyal comforter, playmate, forgiving, loving, energetic, protective, best friend.
this is the season ✨ she will make beautiful th this is the season ✨

she will make beautiful things

not perfect things 

but honest things 

that speak to who she is

and who she is called to be 

— Morgan Harper Nichols 

#happynewyear
❷⓿❷⓿ - moved clear across the country to ❷⓿❷⓿

- moved clear across the country to a new state for the second time
- hopped from one AirBNB to the next for 6 weeks while looking for a house to call home
- made new friends, virtually & IRL
- binge watched more TV shows than I can recall
- leveled up as an entrepreneur: hitting milestones with my virtual assistant and @beautycounter businesses
- voted for a new president 
- ascended new trails and explored alpine lakes of the Pacific Northwest 
- adapted: to Zoom holidays, takeout, and masked faces becoming the (temporary) norm

This challenging year was all about appreciating the little things while living through some really BIG things. 2020 had more than a few lessons to teach us all. Through a pandemic, pivotal change in presidency, and loud cry for human rights, I see very clearly how privileged I am. It was the year to let go of plans and lean in to a new perspective. 

After all, hindsight is ②⓪②⓪.
From my quaranteam to yours, happiest of holidays From my quaranteam to yours,

happiest of holidays! ❄️

#happyholidays #wintersolstice
#GIRLGETAFTERIT GIVEAWAY 💯⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ Best th #GIRLGETAFTERIT GIVEAWAY 💯⁣⁣
⁣⁣
Best thing about 2020... for me, it’s been relationships - virtual and IRL.⁣⁣
⁣⁣
One of the goals that I set for 2020 was to make one new local friend in Seattle (seriously something I wrote down as I began the new year moving across the country). While I’m happy to say that I did so (during a pandemic), I feel fortunate for the virtual friendships that developed, too.⁣⁣
⁣⁣
I’ve gotta take a second to give a shoutout to my newest soul sista @weeksofwonder. You helped me get after it during my second year of entrepreneurship with a hefty dose of #2020 mayhem. 🙏🏼⁣⁣
⁣⁣
Wendy and I met here on IG, and what started as a business relationship and accountability partner has turned into a special bond that transcends any walkie-talkie or social media app. This creative spirit has not only inspired me to get after it and dream bigger as an entrepreneur, but in the same way has encouraged me to honor rest and play: whether it’s giving each other kudos on Strava for tackling a run, building badass business plans and packages, or simply holding space to share the wins and the many woes, personally and professionally, of a memorable year. Having Wendy in my corner has led to some serious momentum and a sense of consistent community.⁣⁣
⁣⁣
2020 has been a shit show, but it delivered GRL PWR 👊🏻⁣⁣
⁣⁣
We want to hear from YOU: Who has been your supportive soul sister through the ups and downs of 2020? ⁣⁣
⁣⁣
One lucky winner will receive a @girlgetafterit swag bag with hoodie, beanie & water bottle. ⁣⁣
 ⁣⁣
HOW TO ENTER:⁣⁣
1. 👆🏼LIKE this photo⁣⁣
⁣⁣
2. 👇🏼TAG a womxn who has helped you GET AFTER IT this year - virtually or IRL⁣⁣
⁣⁣
3. 👯‍♀️ FOLLOW @hillontherun, @weeksofwonder AND @girlgetafterit⁣⁣
⁣⁣
BONUS ENTRY: Share this post to your story and tag us!⁣⁣
⁣⁣
Winner will be announced Sunday @ 5pm PST. This promotion is not endorsed by Instagram. Must be 18 and over to enter. Only available to ship in the U.S.
Follow on Instagram

10% off Primally Pure

My Favorite Collagen Peptides

Recent Posts

  • A Few of My Favorite Things: 2020 Holiday Gift Guide
  • Six Months in Seattle
  • My Amazon Favorites
  • Farewell Florida
  • 10 Years + A Life Update!
  • An Inside Look at My Health Using InsideTracker

Connect with Me

  • Bloglovin
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Keep in Touch

Get the Nutrition Nut Newsletter delivered to your email inbox.

Follow
Privacy Policy & Disclaimers

Copyright © 2021 Design by Deluxe Designs