Traveling is great. It truly is. You know what’s not great? Running say anywhere from 13.1 to 27 miles and then getting in a car and driving 4 to 5 1/2 hours either to or from a destination. But, that has basically been my life for the past three weeks and I have it to look forward to one more time when I race the NYC Marathon and then get in car to drive home…with my husband, dad, stepmom and kids who missed Halloween to be there.
Traveling is great. It truly is.
From my trip to Vermont which was nicely sandwiched between racing weekends!
WEEK OF OCTOBER 12, 2015
RUNNING
I have to say that I have enjoyed running so many miles for so long that all my triathlon training is becoming a distant memory. I haven’t been on my bike in two weeks and the last time I was in a pool it had fountains, splash pads and a slide. I’m definitely looking forward to more pool time on the other side of the NYC marathon but, this is what happened last week:
Monday: Unplanned rest day
I was traveling back from Vermont with the boys and there was just way too much to catch-up on, unpack, clean and cook, after the epic 4 1/2 hour drive home. I really wanted to get outside and run but, something has to give.
Tuesday: A gorgeous 7 miler with 1 minute at 6:30 followed by 3 minutes easy for the duration. Loved.Every.Minute
Wednesday: Easy 7 miler though rolling hills and magnificent autumn scenery. When it’s this gorgeous outside, you have to call it autumn.
I could run out here all day!
Thursday: Easy 5 miles before getting in the car once again and driving four hours to Bethlehem, Pennsylvania for the Runner’s World Half and Festival.
Friday: 3.8 mile trail race – you know there will be a full update on all the races from the weekend but, I will say, this was my least favorite. Trail running is super frustrating and the trail we did was very technical. More on that later…
Saturday: 5k followed almost immediately by a 10K – amazeballs! More on that later…
Sunday: Runner’s World Half Marathon – epic! More on that later…are you detecting a trend here?
Total: 45 miles, 26 of which were racing. Stick a fork in me and let me taper.
DRIVING
Yes, I’m counting this as cross training because it pushes your endurance level to the max! In the past three weeks between driving back and forth to Wells, Maine; Stowe, VT and Bethlehem, PA I have driven 550+ miles for a total of 24 hours behind the wheel. I don’t think I have driven this much since I lived in Los Angeles.
The three most important things to have when you’re on the road this much:
Snacks – I pack food as if I will be spending several days in a ditch because, you never know.
I didn’t take this many Garuka bars but close…
Podcasts and/or Sirius Radio – I just cannot stand listening to music for an extended period of time. I need Howard Stern or other people talking to me, telling me stories and making me laugh.
My nubby ball – to stick under my butt cheek after racing and then sitting and sitting and sitting… I actually now have several places where I stick and roll it. #ThinkWhatYouWill
RACING
At some point, when my brain catches up to my body, I’m going to tally up all the races I have done since early September. Or maybe I shouldn’t? Either way, it was a shit ton of races and I will be bringing you all the highlights, lowlights and light lights of the events that transpired over the weekend. Right now, even my fingers are tired.
I will say this – the Runner’s World Half and Festival was one of the most fun, challenging and flat out amazing times I have ever had running. Mark your calendars for next year and read all about it here later this week. I cannot wait to fill you in on every.last.detail.
This lamp is in Bart Yasso’s living room. I know this because I WAS IN BART YASSO’S LIVING ROOM! Explanations coming…
FUEL
I’ve really been enjoying carbs in the form of beer. Who am I? Racing and beer go hand in hand (or should I say feet and hand?) so there’s been a lot of it.
Because this is how you have to start a weekend of 4 races in 3 days.
When I’m not drinking a recovery beer, I’ve been drinking Orgain. It’s the perfect protein drink with 16 grams of the stuff and comes in chocolate or vanilla. I’ve been drinking them post run for about two weeks now and I’m hooked!
GEAR
As I announced on Friday last week, I’m now an official Momentum Jewelry Ambassador and was handing out motivation, in the form of super cool and stylish wraps and foot notes, all over the RW Festival!
Oh I will!
I also tried Bombas socks for the first time over the weekend. If you don’t know Bombas, here is everything you need to:
1. They are the Toms of socks in that they donate a pair for every pair you buy. My order came with a card that read “socks are the number one requested item at homeless shelters,” and winter is coming.
2. They have a super cool calf length and then hidden/running shoe length. All are incredibly stylish, comfortable and cannot bee missed. Get it?
3. I received a personal email and note from the founder with my purchase. When a business owner takes the time to do that, I’ll go back and buy again and again.
This is just one of the six pair I bought. Yep, six.
THINGS I LOVE
Meeting new people. If you know me well, you know this is not something I’m inclined to say. I’ve never been a group person, I like my alone time and if I ever have a free night, I will most likely spend it at home by myself with a book and some wine.
But, over the past couple of weeks I have had the opportunity to meet so many new people, bloggers and family friends, and I have genuinely enjoyed all of it!
Some new friends from the RW weekend, plus one I just met from Rise.Run.Retreat and my old pal Laura of Mommy Run Fast. I love it when my blog worlds collide!
From the Rise.Run.Retreat to meeting new extended family in Vermont and then of course, all the new peeps at the Runner’s World weekend, my head is spinning with how much group activity I’ve been involved in and how much fun I’ve been having.
Clearly I now need two weeks of alone time to recover.
THINGS I DON’T LOVE AS MUCH
Spending weekends away and not getting to sleep in. Sometimes I think all this racing and waking up early to run is stupid. There, I said it. I mean, when I get away from my kids for the weekend and still have to wake up at 5:00am, I question the life I have chosen for myself. Why can’t I have a hobby where you get up at 10:00, like brunching?
I would really love just two days of sleeping until 7:00am. I’m not greedy, I just want to wake up after the sun.
READING
I don’t have a daughter, but I am one, and I know this much to be true:
How To Succeed In Business? Start Playing Sports, Study Says
Very interesting article from espnW on the direct correlation between women who are active in sports and extremely successful in business. How successful? Do the names Hillary Clinton and Condoleezza Rice ring any bells? Great bedtime story for any girl…or boy.
RANDOM QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“Think like a guy and lead with your fly!”
This was actually very helpful running posture advice from the marketing guru at Altra, the lead sponsor of the Runner’s World Half and Festival weekend. More on that later…
How was your week?
What are your essentials for road trips?
I can’t wait to hear all about the weekend. And Bart’s living room? Do tell!! I was gone the past two weekends from home and it was far from a relaxing weekend of sleeping in. And I wasn’t even running! Rest up girl! Here comes NYC!!!
I don’t even know how I’m going to begin to tackle all that was this weekend. Bart Yasso was just such a character and actually took all of us to his home. It was ridiculous in the best possible way.
I need sleep mama!!! I may have to book a local hotel and just stay there for two days!! Glad you were able to rest. You will need it now that you can RUN!
your DITCH comment made me laugh out loud.
that is completely ME when we take road trips as well (although I used to pretend it was for the child).
OH and howard stern??
He’s married to a friend of mine from high school.
Apparently he’s a lovely amazing man when not shock jocking 🙂
OMG seriously? You went to high school with Beth O? That is too much!
“I’m not greedy, I just want to wake up after the sun”
So true. I’m glad you had such a great time this weekend. It was one of the best events I’ve ever attended. To be honest, I am glad I bypassed the trail run because I think I might have injured myself. You’ve been traveling so much lately. I would just want to sleep now. LOL
You were very smart to avoid both the trail run and 10K. You kicked so much butt in the 5K and half and I was sad not to see you at the coffee maker this morning 🙂
I am so looking forward to your weekend recap! I’m pretty sure I know all the spoilers but I’m happy to read about the experience!! You have been on the MOVE lately my dear! I totally agree with the podcast thing. I think I’m more obsessed with podcasts than I am music! I am very much looking forward to starting a new program post marathon!
Oh yes! A Nellie podcast? Bring it ON!
I love Bombas socks! Congrats on your ambassadorship! I can’t even begin to tell you how much I hate long drives. It used to be bad but then it got so much worse once we had the little guy. Plus traffic is here is so so so horrendous so we are always stuck!
Traveling is always so much worse with the kids, especially at Cooper’s age!! And I cannot fathom the traffic in Brazil. At least the road trips I’ve taken have had very little in the way of traffic. Thanks Brittany!
So much to say about this weekend! I tried to sit down and start my recap last night and didn’t even know where to start so I went to bed. I was exhausted!! Next trip- we’re picking one day to sleep in! Agree that this was one epic weekend!!
YES! We need at least one day to sleep in…although I’m so glad I wasn’t worried about throw away clothes this morning 🙂
I can’t wait to hear more about the weekend down at Runners World! I looked like you all had an amazing time. And OMG you have been traveling a ton. And I love that you are a Momentum ambassador now and that you love Orgain. So great, right? Get some rest lady. Can’t wait to cheer you on in NYC!!
You know a thing or two about too much traveling! And yes, now I’m in sweet sweet taper mode and I will REST. The weekend was so great and how I felt during the half has boosted my confidence for NYC. I am READY!
Right there with you on the post race beer! But only if it is high quality. No Miller 64 or Michelob Ultra for me. Ick. And I love Orgain. I thought I was the only one out there drinking it!
Looking forward to your recap of the weekend!
Well, there are at least three of us drinking Orgain but that’s fine because I want it to be in stock at all times!
I hear you on the beer. You will be happy to know that I was drinking only craft beers this weekend and they were delicious.
Ah…..you’re such a tease….I want to hear all about RW weekend…. and if you are hinting that there will be some sort of contest at the end of this week so that we can enter and go with you next year, then just forget about the contest and take me! Name your bribe….it’s done!
OMG I totally would! NO contest!!! I don’t even know if I will be able to go next year but I will truly try to make it happen and may have to just pay for a few friends to be there too. If this weekend was great, it was infinitely better with the women I was hanging with.
I’m never going to convert you to trail running/racing, am I?! Sounds like an amazing weekend–I know it was before even hearing the details. And looks like you crushed all the races, which is just what I’d expect from you. Coupling it all with the long drives is definitely hard. I hated driving 4.5 hrs back the day after Wineglass–killed me!
And bet your ass my little chica is in sports. I love seeing her thrive out there on the field. Maybe even watching her shoulder into the competition to get to the ball…
Never. If I came in 3rd overall and hated most of it, it’s just not happening! 🙂
Those first few steps out of the car are just ugly.
And of course your daughter is in sports! And nothing wrong with a little nudging…nothing.
Yeah, I made the mistake of hopping on an airplane about an hour after I finished a hilly, PR-setting half marathon in Atlanta a few years ago; let’s just say that I was in my PTs office the following week – ha! I like to learn things the hard way, you know? The lessons seem to stick with me a little better – ha! I have heard about these Bombas socks, but I forgot about them; thanks for the reminder, I need some new ones! Oh, and I love your Momentum Jewelry pretties; those are awesome! Congrats on your awesome, amazing races; I can’t wait to read more about your trip to the RW Half & Festival!!! Way to go!
Thanks so much Tara! I cannot imagine having to get on a flight after a fast and hilly marathon. At least you can get out of the car every couple hours and stretch a bit. Sounds like you learned your lesson 🙂
wow i love that quote! reminds of chi running, something i’m reading about right now 😀
i always need good snacks for road trips, and to put my feet up like a kid or just like myself. so many great runs and races, congrats and great, great job!!! you make it all look rather effortless 🙂
Thank you so much! I remember reading Chi Running a long time ago but I could never really implement it! Good luck 🙂
As I was getting up for my race sunday and it was 30 degrees and would take over an hour of train riding to get there I seriously questioned my idea of a “hobby” and “fun” lol! And I was too cold to brunch after. Honestly like you said waking up AFTER the sun seems like such a luxury when you are able to do it!
I know!!! Like me, you’re probably very happy you woke up to freeze your butt off, after you cross the finish line but could we please have a race that starts at 11am? Just once? I hope you had a great race despite the cold and lack of sleep 🙂
It was so great to meet you this weekend. I hope our paths can cross again at a race. I can’t wait to see more of your recaps!
It was great meeting you too! Thanks so much for reading and commenting. As you know, there are so many more stories to tell! Thanks David 🙂
I like your style of eating carbs. Wink! xo
So much awesomeness in here I don’t know where to start! I was so super jealous of all of ya’ll at the Runner’s World Festival. I find myself saying that a lot lately, lol, but excited for all of YOU! I LOVE my Bombas socks. I don’t run in them but they are my everyday sock of choice and I love to wear the calf length ones under my boots! I can’t believe you were in Bart Yasso’s house, I may have gotten little fangirl going if I had been there, very cool 😉 Welcome home and I hope things settle down a bit for you in a few weeks! Just in time to stress over the holidays, lol.
I wish you were there too! It was truly an amazing weekend and exceeding my expectations, which were pretty high! Bart is as nice and funny as everyone has always said he is – a true ambassador of running. I can’t wait to write more about the weekend!!
And no stressing for the holidays yet. I’m still stressing about NYC 🙂