And The Running Drama Continues...

Here's a little random trivia about me:  I have always loved learning.  I loved school, college (minus the comprehensive math exam I had to pass my senior year, in order to earn my mathematics degree), and even the master's work I did at UNC-CH (go HEELS!) in Accounting.  If I could get paid to be a student for the rest of my life, that would be my dream job!  Second choice, some artistic job where I get paid to paint and be creative.

I have loved being under the instruction of some wonderful trainers/instructors in the past few years, because I have learned so much about my body, how it works, and how to care for it.  I have loved reading books  on food and nutrition, because I have learned how the body reacts to what we fuel it with.  And, I have enjoyed watching my love affair with running evolve, because it has been full of twists and turns that continually are teaching me new things, as maddening as that can be at times.

Wasabi Pasta Salad & More

While we were at the beach last weekend for the Quintiles Half Marathon, I got called out.  LeAnne casually (or not so casually) mentioned to our friend Ashley, that I have some ungodly amount of recipes (um, she said 75ish...oops) stored as drafts on our blog.  They had a fun time picking on me over that.  So, to redeem myself for hoarding all this time, here are a few to get your weekend going.

13.1: Success!

Sooooo...we did it!  Look at those shiny, heavy medals around our necks!  We are 13.1 veterans!  What a wonderful weekend filled with fun memories!

13.1 Race Day Checklist

Well, my come-to-Jesus moment is almost here.  In less than 12 hours, I'll wake up at an ungodly hour of the morning (is 4:45 even considered morning??) to lace up my running shoes and put 12 weeks of training to the test!  I am feeling simultaneous waves of excitement and anxiety.  I think butterflies in the morning might eat me alive!  Actually they've already started! 

Training for 13.1: 5 Days!

The forecast is looking GOOD so far for race day Sunday!  For that matter, the entire weekend is looking great!  We're all hoping to enjoy some time on the beach and preferably not freeze while waiting for the race to start (at the ungodly hour of 6:15/6:30am)!  Here's to hoping the forecast stays this spectacular!

Just TWO more runs before the big day! 

5 days & counting (squeeeeal!),

Dawn 

Chocolate Smoothie

Chocolate Smoothie

For those of you who know Dawn & I well,  you know we LOVE.SOME.SUNSHINE!  Ya'll we text each other weekly updates on the sunshine forecast!  I seriously think I suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder in the winter months.  Bentley jokes he is going to buy me one of those lights, and I truly think I just might let him next winter!

With the warmer temperatures & sunshine this week (YAY), I wanted to share one of my favorite smoothie recipes.  It's very similar to a chocolate milkshake or slushy!

13.1 Training: Live & Learn

Race day is 8 days away!  I am so giddy with excitement, I can hardly stand it!  I have had so much fun training for this race. It has taken some skin thickening to get out there and run all winter through rain, show, slush and 19 degree temps, but it has made the winter seem a little shorter and brighter than usual.  I have learned about myself, about my body, deepened friendships and made new ones.  13.1 has been on my "bucket list" for at least 4 years.  I always thought it would be one of those things I'd be lucky enough to barely complete once, I'd check it off and then move on.  But, I have found incredible love and satisfaction in long distance running.  I think it is safe to say this is not a "once and done" event.  I will be doing this again for sure.

Yesterday my running pal, Ashley, and I did our taper run.  It was my worst run ever.  Hahaha.  I'm laughing about it, so it's all good in training land!  Live and learn.

Chickpea Ratatouille

Our family decided to watch the Disney movie Ratatouille for our family movie night recently!  It's been a while since I'd seen the movie, and I was pleasantly surprised at the messages about food and fresh ingredients that were woven throughout the movie.  I also love the message that ANYONE CAN COOK!  This recipe is proof how easy, yet healthy and satisfying a dish can taste.

13.1 Training: 12 Miles

I ran 12 miles today!  My little legs ran for TWO hours!  That's like running to my big girl's school and back.  That is craziness.  And crazy satisfying!  Today was the highest mileage I'll run before the big day in 2 weeks!  I think I've discovered I prefer long runs to short runs, as it gives me more time to settle in and get in a groove.  Next weekend will be a shorter run (6-7?) as I taper and rest my legs for race day!  I have discovered, thanks to my little bump in the road with my knee/hip issues, that I perform so much better on long runs, when I do them every OTHER weekend, with a medium length run on alternating weekends.

Without further adieu, some useless, random thoughts from my run.  Note:  I did a lot of thinking and evaluating during the first 9 miles.  The last 3 miles, not so much.  Those miles were spent willing my legs to keep moving.  (smile)