Last week was a blur of incessantly stretching my hamstring, cleaning out closets (not Eminem style, actually cleaning out closets), traveling, packing, making food and eating it! That’s what happens when you’re in race taper mode, find out it’s going to be cold rain for the race, and then have to travel to NY the following day for a 6 year-olds birthday party. Thank God (Columbus?) for the Monday holiday! I could now use a Tuesday and Wednesday one as well.

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WEEK OF OCTOBER 6, 2014

RUNNING: Well, since this was a taper week, there wasn’t much running. I did take two full days off over the past weekend, when I was in Boston, so I did a 9 miler on Monday. I felt really good overall (7:26 pace) but that stupid hamstring was definitely THERE, just pissing me off. I did a last shake-out run on Wednesday (7:50 pace for 3.5 miles) and I probably should have skipped it. After that, I did a ton of stretching and rolling and yoga-ing.

At the race expo, getting my hydration on Meb-style, with Gen UCAN.

At the race expo, getting my hydration on Meb-style, with Gen UCAN.

CYCLING: I taught my two spin classes, the last of which was on Thursday, a mere two days before the half. I tried to take it easy, but I just can’t. When I’m teaching, and that music comes on, I enter beast mode. Again, probably not the best idea, but it is what it is.

CROSS-TRAINING: Sleeping and eating. I kid you not. My husband was away on business for most of the week, which meant I got to go to sleep whenever I wanted, without feeling guilty. The only time we usually have together during the week is after 8pm, when the boys go to bed. I was in bed at 9pm pretty much every night he was away, which resulted in the best sleep ever leading up to a race!

RACING:Β It was a cold, rainy forecast but I wasn’t afraid! In fact, I’ve run some of my best longest races in the pouring, driving rain – – my first marathon and the Boston marathon come to mind. I highly prefer the rain to heat and humidity. Turns out, my body loves it. I pushed to a new PR in the half-marathon of 1:28:50, beating my previous time from last year by 47 seconds, and placing third in my age group out of 526! Full re-cap coming on Thursday…

FUEL: This may take a while. I started cooking on Monday and I just couldn’t stop. My husband was away, which meant that a lot of the food may not get eaten, but I wanted to indulge every craving. I also wanted to have a hot hearty meal at my disposal when I came home after the race. There’s nothing like coming home after a race, when you’re tired, dirty and hungry and have to figure out something to make yourself. Needless to say, I had plenty to chose from:

I made this ONE POT meal after reading Michelle of A Dish of Daily Life's post. It was easy, delicious and everyone in the family ate it! How can you beat that?

I made this ONE POT meal after reading Michelle of A Dish of Daily Life’s post. It was easy, delicious and everyone in the family ate it! How can you beat that? I also ate it the night before the race, so this may be my new pre-race meal!

I am in love with Siggi's yogurt. Sorry Chobani but you're off my list for now. I sprinkled in some Hemp Hearts...I'll be talking more about those in another post.

I am in love with Siggi’s yogurt. Sorry Chobani but you’re off my list for now. I sprinkled in some Hemp Hearts…I’ll be talking more about those in another post.

Egg salad with avocado and greek yogurt (ok so Chobani is not totally off the list!) was heaven! Thank you FitBottomedGirls for the easy recipe.

Egg salad with avocado and greek yogurt (ok so Chobani is not totally off the list!) was heaven! Thank you FitBottomedGirls for the easy recipe.

I also made one of my all-time favorite fall crock pot meals – Turkey Sausage and Sweet Potato Stew. It’s absolutely delicious, easy to make, and bursting with nutrients. It was the perfect recovery meal for me, post race. With LOTS of bread!

THINGS I LOVE: The fact that my son wears his cheese head around the house, or while waiting for the bus, and yells “I’m a cheese fan!” Um, no sweetie, you’re a Green Bay Packer fan! Hilarious.

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THINGS I DON’T LOVE AS MUCH:Β Apple. SO many curse words come to mind when I think aboutΒ the release of the new phone, and all the Apple BS that goes with it, I may write an entire post about it. If not, I’ll continue complaining on social media, but will also continueΒ to use my Apple laptop, iPad, iPod and iPhone. That’s how they get you!

MUSIC:Β Somehow hearing “Eye of the Tiger” during every single race, never gets old. Thank you Sylvester Stallone, for being such a badass.

READING: Train schedules! I’m headed to NYC this week bitches!! I cannot wait to meet (and room with) Amanda aka Miss Zippy and so many of my other favorite blogger friends, for Fitness Magazine’s Meet and Tweet! Obviously you need to follow me on Twitter for this one.

RANDOM QUOTE(S)Β OF THE WEEK:Β  “I like rice. Rice is great if you’re hungry and want 2000 of something.” Β  Β  Β  Β  Β – Mitch HedbergΒ 

“People who love to eat are always the best people.” – Julia Child

What did you eat this week?

What’s your favorite food?

What song do you never tire of hearing?

If you raced – let me know how you did!!!!

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