Weekly Recap: October 24-30

Second week of recovery post-marathon and I'm back to feeling almost 100%. I still have a slight twinge in my knee but with 2 weeks of no running under my belt, I'm going to go for an easy run this week to test it out. Fingers crossed I'm pain free but I'm itching to get back out on the roads!

Monday: Insanity Pure Cardio (40 min)

Tuesday: taught 1 hr Spin/TRX combo class

Wednesday: 30 min elliptical

Thursday: taught 1 hr Spin/TRX combo class

Friday: REST

Saturday: 15 min elliptical; 1 hr spinning

Sunday: taught 20 min core & taught 50 min spinning

TOTAL: 0 mi

Wine & Cheese Pairing at the North Market

Last night, Todd & I ventured downtown to the North Market for a Wine & Cheese Pairing. We luckily had a little bit of time to spare before the event started so we stopped at a couple of the local vendors for dinner. We went to Hubert's Polish Kitchen for pierogies, mashed potatoes, and a cabbage roll and then stopped at brezel for a rosemary & olive oil pretzel with whipped cream cheese (it was to die for!).

My meal is the left & Todd's is on the right

Amazing pretzel!

The wine & cheese pairing was from 7-9 PM so after our quick dinner, we went upstairs to the Dispatch Kitchen, where they offer weekly cooking classes and tastings. We sat down and were excited for the 4 pairings we were going to try. We were even more excited when we saw the wine was from Lemelson Vineyards, a vineyard in the Willamette Valley wine region and right by some of the wineries Todd & I had stopped at during our trip to Oregon last summer.

A list of the wines & cheeses we were going to try as well as a place to take notes

They even had a representative from the winery there to talk about the vineyard as well as the wines we were going to taste

Up first was Riesling with Muenster (but it wasn't like American Muenster)

Then we had Pinot Gris with Headwaters (my favorite cheese of the night and I found the black line in it to be interesting because it was actually a line of ash)

Enjoying some wine & cheese

Todd throwing back some wine

Our third pairing was Chardonnay with Wagon Wheel

Our last one was Pinot Noir (the wine Oregon is known for) with Pantaleo

I really enjoyed this event because while I've been to plenty of wine tastings before, I'd never been to a wine pairing or a cheese tasting. I definitely need to go to more cheese tastings though to get more of a taste for something other than American cheeses. They had a beer & cheese tasting a few weeks ago that Todd & I weren't able to go but we're hoping they'll have another one in the next few months because it was a great night out for only $20/person.

Book Club---Room

Last night, I went to my monthly book club where we discussed Room by Emma Donoghue.

I had heard great things about this book and was excited to read it. The story is told from the perspective of Jack, a 5-year-old boy, who lives with his Ma in 11 x 11 foot room. All Jack has ever known is his Ma, Room, and "Old Nick", a man who visits Ma only at night. He spends his day passing time watching TV, reading the same five books over and over again, and singing songs with Ma. Without giving too much away, Jack & Ma are thrust into the "outside" world and must learn to live with much more than they're used to. For Jack, it's difficult to understand everything that exists when he had never actually been outside Room before. For Ma, she struggles to integrate back into the real world and show Jack all that exists while also protecting him.

I thought the first part of the book went by really slow and was struggling to get through it but then it turned a corner and I couldn't put it down! I'm glad I kept reading otherwise I would have missed out on a unique and intriguing book. While the book portrays a horrific situation, it's easy to get into once the plot moves along because it is seen through the innocent eyes of Jack. I definitely recommend reading this book!

All the girls at book club...seriously, such a fun group!

Up next month....Before I Go To Sleep by S.J. Watson

Weekly Recap: October 17-23

Week 1 of recovery went well & for once, I didn't feel guilty for taking 3 days of rest! My left quad, right knee, and left achilles tendon were sore after the marathon and still don't feel 100% so I'll probably take another week or two off from running.

Monday: REST

Tuesday: taught 1 hr Spin/TRX combo class

Wednesday: REST

Thursday: taught 1 hr Spin/TRX combo class

Friday: REST

Saturday: 40 min bike

Sunday: taught 20 min core & 50 min spinning

TOTAL: 0 mi

2011 Circleville Pumpkin Show

On Friday night, Todd & I went to the Circleville Pumpkin Show to enjoy all things pumpkin-related. I look forward to this event every year and it's the only event that Todd & I have been to every year since we met; this year marks the 4th year we've been together. The weather was perfect, a little chilly once the sun went down but typical fall weather.


We were both starving when we got there so before we headed to Lindsey's bakery for their famous pumpkin doughnuts, we grabbed some fried cheese on a stick. It's like a corn dog but instead of a hot dog in the middle, there's mozzarella cheese. But don't worry, because Todd later went back to also get a corn dog!

Enjoying my fried cheese....and no, I'm not wearing a turtle neck

We stopped to take our annual picture in front of the pumpkins

And we looked at the winner of the Biggest Pumpkin....1436 lbs!

On our way to Lindsey's bakery, we passed the Wittich's candy booth....oldest candy shop in Ohio and is also my maiden name although I'm not sure if I'm actually related to the original owners

World's Largest Pumpkin Pie in Lindsey's bakery

Look at all those delicious pumpkin doughnuts!

We waited in line for about 20 minutes and left with a dozen of the BEST doughnuts ever; they were still warm from the oven and literally melted in our mouths

We stopped to get some pumpkin chili, Todd's favorite (I forgot to take a picture), and then get some pumpkin pizza, my favorite

Very tasty!

We were both starting to slow down a little at this point, our eyes were definitely bigger than our stomachs....until I saw this sign!

Gotta have a little dessert to end the night

We walked around for a little bit longer and on our way out, Todd spotted DiRusso's Italian Sausage; he wasn't hungry but this is a local favorite from his hometown and I convinced him to get one

He was glad he ended up getting one

We both left the Pumpkin Show very full and cold but had a great night and I can't wait for next year already!

Race Photos from 2011 Columbus Marathon

The pictures I posted on my race report the other day were all taken from my camera by Todd. My parents were also at the race, biking around and cheering me on, and luckily my dad captured quite a few pictures too which is what are posted below. I will note: I'm waving in a few a of the pictures and I'm not waving for the camera, but I was waving to either acknowledge my parents or to get their attention if they didn't see me. I think it's easier for me to find them in the crowd than for them to find me in the race.

Pre-race in corral B

Stretching

One last posed picture before the start of the race

Way too excited about running 26.2 miles

Fireworks at the start

Around mile 6

Waving at mile 12

Running through campus at mile 15

And closer-up.....by the way, I really hope I beat the guy in front of me, he definitely doesn't look like he can run sub 8 minute pace

Passing through the Clif Shot station around mile 16...still on campus

And there I am waving again

Bringing it home at mile 25.5 with Emily to my right in gray

Ultimate Chocolate Chip Oreo Brownie Bar

I was on Pinterest last week when I came across the Ultimate Halloween Peanut Butter Oreo Brownie Bar and knew I had to try it after I finished the marathon on Sunday.

Source: kevinandamanda.com via Jenny on Pinterest

I was especially intrigued by the seasonal M&Ms used in the recipe, White Chocolate Candy Corn. After some internet researching, I found out that these are a Walmart exclusive and may not be available at all Walmart stores. Luckily, I happened to find them on my first try, although I did have to walk around the entire store to finally find a small box with only 6 bags left....and I bought 3 of them.

I highly recommend finding these ASAP

I did change the recipe slightly in that I used chocolate chip cookie dough instead of peanut butter cookie dough and I just used regular oreos instead of the special Halloween oreos with the orange filling.

Ultimate Chocolate Chip Oreo Brownie Bar

Ingredients:
1 pouch of chocolate chip cookie mix (and ingredients needed to make batter)
1 package of white chocolate candy corn M&Ms
1 package of oreos
1 box of brownie mix (and ingredients needed to make batter)

Directions:

1. Preheat over to 350 degrees.
2. Mix together cookie mix, stirring in M&Ms
3. Spray a 9x13 baking dish with cookie spray and spread the cookie dough in the bottom of the dish
4. Top with a layer of oreos
5. Mix together brownie mix and spread on top of cookie dough & oreos
6. Bake at 350 degrees for 45-55 minutes.

Layer of cookie dough with M&Ms

Oreos on top

Topped off with brownie batter

Enjoy with a scoop of ice cream on top!

2011 Columbus Marathon Race Report

As with the 2010 Columbus Marathon, my goal going into this year's marathon was to break 3:30. I felt pretty confident with my training, doing my longest training run ever with a 21 miler and doing two of my long runs on the actual marathon course. I hit 40+ miles during my training cycle 3 times which is a lot for me considering I teach spinning & TRX 3 days/week on top of running. The only time during my training that my running suffered a bit was for the couple weeks around our wedding & honeymoon at the end of August but I wouldn't have traded enjoying that time for anything in the world.

I woke up on race day feeling great. My right knee had been giving me some trouble last week but luckily I didn't run much since I was tapering. I iced and stretched a lot since I thought it was my IT band acting up. The weather was perfect, a little chilly but little wind and sun. The race was expecting a record number 17,000 participants....11,000 in the half and 6,000 in the full. Todd & I have planned out where he will be meeting me on his bike with water & shot bloks and I know my parents will also be riding around on the course. I had a gut feeling this was going to be my race; unfortunately, I finished in 3:35, just a little over a minute off my PR.

Em & I on race day....she was running the 1/2 and would meet me at mile 25 to run the last mile in with me

Nervous & excited at the start

The Stats

Mile 1: 8:05 (Right where I wanted to start off at)

Mile 2: 7:49 (I see Todd & my parents and hand them my arm sleeves & gloves, it's a lot warmer than I expected!)

Mile 3: 7:53

Mile 4: 8:09

Mile 5: 7:48

Mile 6: 7:55 (I see Todd again and get a shot blok & water from him)

10K: 49:24 (Again, right where I want to be)

Mile 7: 8:02

Mile 8: 7:58 (The miles are clicking off and the crowd support is fantastic this year)

Mile 9: 7:50

Mile 10: 7:54 (I see one of my firefighters I train and it puts a smile on my face)

Mile 11: 7:58

Mile 12: 7:59 (I get another shot blok from Todd; I can't believe how good I'm feeling)

Mile 13: 7:40 (Fastest split of the race; probably because this is where the half & full marathoners split off and I subconsciously pick up the pace as the half marathoners also pick it up to the finish)

13.1 mi: 1:44:19 (On pace for a 3:28 marathon & feeling great!)

Mile 14: 8:15

Mile 15: 8:07 (I see my parents as we head through campus & grab another shot blok)

Mile 16: 8:13 (I think back to last year's marathon and by this point, I wanted to quit the race; I know for a fact I will finish in a better time than last year)

Mile 17: 8:03 (I'm suppose to be seeing Todd here & I don't...something isn't right)

Mile 18: 8:15

Mile 19: 8:42 (This mile has a steady incline and is my least favorite mile on the whole course)

Mile 20: 8:37 (Legs are starting to get tired & I'm hitting a wall; I could really use a shot blok from Todd)

20 mi: 2:41:28 (Pace fell off slightly but should still PR if I can hold on)

Mile 21: 8:46 (I see my parents around 21.5 mi and they tell me Todd got a flat tire and will be at mile 23)

Mile 22: 8:41

Mile 23: 8:14 (A little downhill and I'm excited to see Todd; I also get a nice surprise when Lynn & Nathan are there)

Mile 24: 9:01 (Yikes! The wheels are starting to fall off and I stop and walk a few times; I really need to push through here especially since the 3:35 pace group just passed me)

Mile 25: 8:53 (I meet Emily at mile 25 and she pushes me home)

Mile 26: 8:58

Mile 26.2: 1:59 (Garmin read 26.26 so my last 0.26 miles was 1:59 which is 7:38 pace; flying into the finish with a huge smile on my face)

Overall Time for 26.2 mi: 3:35:44
Average Pace: 8:14 min/mile

Overall: 876/4741
Female: 165/1886
Females 25-29: 42/387

Seeing Todd around mile 9

At mile 23, I finally see Todd again and also Lynn & Nathan!

Todd running with me for a few seconds

This is why I run marathons....huge smile on my face with the crowd cheering the runners on

Em & I

Todd & I

My parents, Todd, and me

Oh yes, the inevitable blisters I always get during a race...notice my bloody shoe on the floor

Eating at Easy Street Cafe....although I didn't eat since my stomach was mad at me

Lessons Learned from Marathon #6:

I have amazing friends & family; I truly wouldn't have made it through my training without Todd by my side (literally, as he rode his bike next to me on most long runs) and during race day as him, my parents, and my friends helped support me during the race even though they think I'm crazy

Always carry extra shot bloks because you never know when the person you're counting to have these will get a flat tire and leave you without anything from mile 12 to 23

Do more weekday mid-distance runs (8-12 miles); I did a lot of 5-6 mile runs in the AM and then would do another 4 in the PM just to increase my mileage but I think I need to do more "longerish" runs

Do more lactate threshold runs....I always seem to hit the wall, luckily this year it wasn't until about mile 21-22 and I think this would help

Despite hitting the wall, I can usually run a pretty even pace; in fact, my overall pace at the 10K and the 20 mile mark was only off by 5 seconds....unfortunately I averaged 8:46 pace for the last 10K (mile 20 to the finish) which is where the race counts the most

Don't give up! A lot of times during a marathon when I start to get tired, I give up mentally and start talking myself out of pushing harder. For example, once I realized around mile 20 I wasn't going to break 3:30, I started telling myself it didn't matter and to just try to PR (break 3:34) when I should be telling myself to keep pushing to try to break 3:30! I bust my butt to train for this race for 14 weeks and I shouldn't give up that easily

My marathon PR is from 2008 and I was beginning to worry I would never get close to that again but this race helped ignite my passion for running & proved to me that my fastest days are still ahead

With another marathon under my belt, I'm looking forward to recovering (quads are a little sore and my right knee started hurting as soon as I crossed the finish line) and taking a few weeks off from running. I know where my weaknesses lie and I hope to improve upon them for next year's race...yes, I said next year's race!

And seriously, if there is anyone in Columbus that needs a runner partner and runs similar times to me, please let me know!