Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Trail Mix and quick Race Recap =)

So, first here is the race re-cap.....

The CIM racers. From left to right (Amber, Doug, Tara, ME, Alison)



I went to Cali with my friends who I had been training hard with for 16 hole weeks! I was shooting for a 3:40 and came in at a 4:09. I was cold, and the run felt hard and I hurt so the marathon beat me that day, and I gave in. I stopped running at mile 16 and tried to figure out how to get to the finish line via cab, hitching a ride, borrowing a cell from someone and calling my aunt... (there were people talking on there phones while running and I was SO tempted to ask to use one).

But then along the way a nice soul saw me looking all flustered...(aka crying) and said to me. "you are not quitting, now lets get moving" This nice guy (who was struggling just as I was, and whose goal was to finish in under 4 hrs), talked me through enough miles to get me to the finish on my feet.  I don't think he has any idea how big of an impact he had on me. He helped me suck it up and just finish. There is a picture of him next to me on one of the marathon photos.... but because I am not willing to pay 50 dollars for a stupid race photo alas I don't have a picture to show you. But, his bib number was 6010. If you search  for his bib number at this website, you can see him. Also, he did not make his goal but he did not even care, he just wanted to finish.

Sometimes when you meet people along the way it helps put things back into perspective. I love running and I love marathons, regardless of what time I finish I just plan to keep running them until I am 100.

So all in all I ran another marathon, I can't wait to run another one again. Trying to conquer "race day" has always been a struggle for me and so the story goes... onto the next.

But before that. here is some DELICIOUS trail mix that you all should make and eat over this holiday season. My grandma made this for me, I took it home yesterday and it is almost gone already....

Pumpkin-seed Dried-cherry Trail Mix



Recipe:
2 Cups Pepitas (baby pumpkin seeds)
1 Cup Almonds
3/4 Cup Sunflower Seeds
6 Tablespoons Maple Syrup
1 Cup dried cheeries or cranberries

Toss the pepitas, almonds and seeds with maple syrup, and spread them on a baking sheet lined with parchment. Bake in a 300 degree oven for 20 minutes, until golden. After the mixture has cooled, stir in the dried fruit.

As for what is next. Sarah and I are running "The Goofy" in January which is 39.3 miles of total Disney Magicalness. We are not running for a time, we are running to finish and have too much fun while finishing. We are going to dress up, relax, and enjoy the magic. No watches, headphones or anything, just pure running fun =) I can't wait.

What should we wear? We are thinking of picking a Disney Character and going to try to replicate it into a running fashion.  Suggestions????

After the goofy, I plan to come home, run with running club and on my own and do whatever feels good. I will get back into running with no race specific plan.

Happy Running all and MERRY CHRISTMAS!

-Jen

10 comments:

  1. You amaze me Jen. I'm sorry you didn't hit your time goal but that isn't what running is all about all the time is it? Good for you for finishing in what I consider a freakishly amazing pace! Still my idol.

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  2. I would love to do the Goofy Challenge one year! It looks so fun. Plus who can't have a great time at Disney?!

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  3. Congrats! I hope you have a great time with the Goofy Challenge.

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  4. Congrats on being able to tough out what sounds like a very hard race. Kudos to the 4:09, that sounds impossible to a slowpoke like me! Can't wait to hear about the Goofy, that might be on my race bucket list.

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  5. I love the pic of you and your friends! It's awesome!

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  6. "Trying to conquer "race day" has always been a struggle for me and so the story goes... onto the next."

    I can so relate to that. But you did conquer by sticking it out.

    Can't wait to hear about Goofy!

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  7. Running for fun is always a good thing once in a while. I just closed out 2011 with a Half Marathon which was strictly for fun. We dressed up and although I wore my watch, I never looked at the time!! It was stress free and I actually felt better not having to stress out and babysit the Garmin! I was able to enjoy the scenery and take it all in and I think we all need that once in a while. Congrats on your marathon. 4:09 is not bad at all!!

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  8. What a great guy! It's amazing how random people end up in your path at just the right moment.

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  9. Sorry that the race didn't go according to plan, but that is awesome how that guy really helped you out during the race. The running community is always helpful I've found.

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