The Feed Zone

Happy St. Patty's Day!!

We have been busy. The Goofy was great. Except...Sarah and I did get sick... we think it is from the water at the drink stations. Not completely sure, but we were feeling great, and then after two days of stopping at each drink stop and guzzling down our fair share we both ended up with some major stomach issues. I suppose it could be the fact that we ran 39.3 Miles in two days but.. ya never know. We took those races easy and had a blast, we stopped and took pics with sooo many characters. Along with the water stops, and bathroom stops.... we think it was the water.

Here is Sarah and I at some point during the 1/2. Yes it was dark. Disney is the only place I know that starts a race at 5:30am on the button. But, regardless of the early hour, they make it very magical. Fireworks, Characters, pixie dust...Disney does it best.

This was us at the end of the Marathon. We brought our 1/2 marathon medal in our bags with us that day because there was no way we were running 39.3 miles and not getting credit it for it. We brought home 3 blinging medals that trip =) Shortly after this pic I started eating a protein bar... and my day went downhill from there. By the end of the day I made a trip to the ER because I could not keep a single thing down. BOO.

Aside from that we have been in winter recovery mode. I was feeling alright after I got over the Disney experience but then ran into a nasty flu that lasted 2 weeks. It was horrible.

But now the sun is out, the snow is gone (hopefully for good) and I am back to running and training for my next marathon. I have chosen the Colfax marathon here in Denver. It isn't going to be a super easy marathon, but my plan is to just attempt to not give up!  During that goofy I learned a lot about myself as a runner. When running the 1/2, I wanted to give up between miles 8-11, but then I was good. During the marathon I wanted to give up between miles 15-20 and then I was fine. There are always times during whatever race that I always want to give up, but I always thought it was because I was running a much faster pace. My new theory is that regardless of pace I will want to give up during those miles. So if I can figure out how to overcome that mental block, I will be real happy =)

Also, I have tried to eat more real food while running. Looking at GU lately makes me irritated.

Check out this new amazing cookbook, The Feed Zone Cookbook. I stumbled upon it and had to try it. I suggest you do the same, give it a whirl and tell me what you think. I have tried the Chocolate Peanut Coconut Rice cakes and it was a success! During my 18 miler last week I had 2 "blocks" of this and never once did I want to bonk. I also noticed that my recovery was easy peasy.

Sorry it is backwards, but the cover was so pretty I wanted you to see a pic. Totally buy this book for its cover. I think it will be worth it ;) Oh, and p.s. I did not get this book for free. I bought it with my hard earned cash.

Who is running what this year?

What is your favorite marathon? -Mine used to be Disney....and although it is still very magical it has been tainted. Time to find a new favorite.

Do any of you have any good portable running food recipes?


Here is to Spring and Happy Running!!

-Jen

Spring 2012

I know it is early to be talking about Spring but I just finished my new Spring 12 collection and had the shoot last Friday.  Things have been so crazy for me that I haven't taken any good pix of the other things I am up to.

I did my 18 miles last Saturday at an 8:30 pace.  I somehow made it through and not even sure how I did it.  I was up so late the night before and was sick so I was way dehydrated.  I felt really dizzy after the first 3 miles and had to stop.  I really didn't think I was going to make it.  I ate some sports beans, drank some water and started again.  I just kept thinking....just 9 miles out and then I get to turn around and come home.  I even came in at my 8:30 target pace!  Glad it was over.  This Friday I am going to be early!

Tuesday I did my track workout, which I can tell I can run my target pace with less effort.  Don't get me wrong, I still don't love it but it does seem a little less miserable.

I will do my tempo tomorrow and my 20 miles on Saturday.  I guess the nice thing about being busy is that I don't have time to dwell on workouts that I am not looking forward to.  I just wake up and do them and go on with my day.  Oh and another secret, maybe this is not a secret but I try to keep my mind thinking about anything and everything besides how I am feeling while I am running.  Before I know it my workout it over!

I really do love(like) my workouts but you know what I mean :)
Because I don't have any pix I just wanted to share some of my favorite looks from my new collection!

I am already wishing it was the weekend!  Anyone else?  Any fun plans?

XX
Sarah

I almost took a week off.... oh yeah and an EARTHQUAKE!

So Tuesday morning I woke at the crack of dawn to run my 20 miler. (normally I go on Saturdays but we are thinking about camping this weekend so I needed to get it done)After an hour of dilly dally I made up my mind that I wasn't going to do it.  Even though I would be back around 9-9:30 it would completely wear me out and ruin my whole day I just knew it (or at least this is what I kept telling myself).

I was dreading it so I crawled back in bed to hear my husband say that I should at least do something??  What!? Boy this upset me so I got up and did P90X back and biceps.  Then when he finally woke I told him that I was burnt out and really needed a week off from running.

It was settled... I was taking the week off and only doing workout videos.  As the day progressed I kept thinking about running.  It was interfering with my work thoughts.  It was driving me nuts!!  Needless to say by the time 6:30 rolled around I was out the door doing my tempo run.  It looks like the aftermath of Irene is going to hit this weekend so that means no camping.  Which means back to my 20 miler on Saturday.

So in the end I didn't end up taking the week off.  I guess as much as I would like to sometimes, when I am in training I just can't seem to relax.

This is the breakdown...
6 miles with 5 miles at 7:50
Mile 1 - 8:51
Mile 2 - 7:41
Mile 3 - 7:47
Mile 4 - 7:49
Mile 5 - 7:52
Mile 6 - 7:27

Done and Done!

I know I look super cool here with my socks and all but I had this set up going on for a shoot so I thought I would capture myself after my run.

Breakfast for dinner I say..

My version of a "healthy egg sandwich" although there is still bacon and cheese so I wouldn't say it is that healthy.  But I cook the bacon in the microwave on this tray that allows all the grease to drip off and makes it super crispy.  I love it.

Whole Wheat English Muffins
Crispy Bacon
Scrambled Eggs with Cheddar and Mozzerella mixed in.

Salt and Pepper and Done!
Simple, fast and delish!

These are my most favorite English Muffins EVER!

Please don't be grossed out!  I just wanted to show you how much grease comes off!

SO GOOD!

I did Tracy Anderson on Monday and will be doing something tomorrow I don't know what yet. Insanity was supposed to come today and it didn't.  Totally lame so I am not sure what I will do.  Thursday will be my track workout, Friday maybe Tracy again and Saturday will be the dreaded 20 miler at 8:45 pace.

In other crazy news an EARTHQUAKE was felt in NYC yesterday.  I was working in my studio when I realized things were shaking.  At first I was like.. "What are they doing to this building?" And then I realized no this was definitely something else.  It was small and thankfully everything was ok and no one was hurt but then it got me to thinking about what if.....  and I don't even want to go there because it just freaks me out!

Do you ever take a week off??

Don't forget to enter our awesome GIVEAWAY!!

XX
Sarah

Summer Love and Fall Training

Workouts this week have been great. Monday was Total Conditioning, Tuesday was running club and Wednesday was a rest/laundry day.....

Today I am heading out the door here in a few to get in 9 or so miles on some new trails with some friends.  Should be good. Friday I am going to either swim or bike followed by a 5k time trial this Saturday. For some reason I am not nervous yet for my 5k time trial. I am about to start training for my fall/winter marathon. (California International Marathon, Dec. 4th) So although I already have an idea of what I am shooting for (finish in 3:40 or faster....), I am wondering how ready I am to go for that goal. I am going to use this 5k as sort of an indicator on how much fitness I either gained from recovering from my last marathon or lost.....who knows. But either way, I am going to head out as scheduled on the FIRST training plan. Same as Sarah. 

But, I want to be sure I have finished up my summer with all the things summer can bring.  Who loves Smores'. ME.

I was able to get in some good summer lovin' and visits with family. Who else loves hanging out with the cutest nieces and nephews in the world? I do. I feel SO lucky to have them. 

Look at these amazing cousins. This is Samantha, Autumn and Allae and Colton. Now, check out what they can do!!! Great workout.

TOTALLY AMAZING.

Despite the fact these crazy talented kids looked totally in control. I was nervous taking the pictures.... you guys are awesome.  Maybe you can teach me sometime?

Plenty of stops at my favorite place to get Fried Shrimp. LOVE YOU GRAMPS. (one of his favorite spots.)

And lots of working out with my family. Heather is into posing a lot lately. So I do my best to look ready and rockstarish but she is obviously much better at it....

So now that summer is winding down. Whats next?  For me, the marathon and that is about it. I will continue to cross train more and run 3 days a week and hopefully get faster..

Whats next for you?

Any fall/winter races?

Anyone else running California International?

What are some of your favorite summer foods?


Have a great week all!  -Jen

And the Training Begins...

On Monday I started my NYC marathon training.  If you remember I have decided to follow the Run Less Run Faster  training plan for a 3:40 marathon.  I was originally going to shoot for the 3:30 but right now it is a little fast.  I may work up to it.

Monday's Workout
3x1600m with 200 RI @ 7:02 pace (really I was supposed to do 1 min RI but that was just not enough time for me to fully recover.  So I would walk the 200m before I started up again.

10 min warm up
1st mile @ 6:58
2nd  mile @7:00
3rd mile @ 7:15 (I could have kept my goal pace for this but thought I lost my keys and slowed down to check. At which point I could not pick it back up.  I was just tired)
10 min cool down

Overall I felt better and stronger since the last time I did these.  Which is a good sign!

Tuesday I headed back to MN to spend the week with my family as well as run the Warrior Dash.

Yesterday had lunch with Scott, my Brother and Sister.  We had salads with crispy procuitto on it.  SO good!

I swam and played with the kids but that was about the extent of it.

This mornings workout.  Bryan the speedster came and ran with me.  It was already in the mid 80s and the humidity has been the worst I have ever felt.  Today it is supposed to be up to 110-112 with the heat index.  Needless to say I was sweatin bullets.

Anyways the workout was supposed to be 2 mile warm up, 2 miles at 7:35 pace and 2 miles cool down. Because I ran with Bryan I changed it up a little because he is so fast.  While he was just strolling a long I was breathing very very hard lol!

Mile 1- 7:59
Mile 2- 7:17
Mile 3- 7:31
Mile 4-10:13 ( I had to stop and take a little breather before we started back up)
Mile 5- 8:46
Mile 6-8:18

As you can see the beginning of the run was much faster.  I was tired when I got home and so sweaty that my whole face was burning from salt.  So I did what anyone would do and decided to jump in the pool!  Ahhh so refreshing.

Tomorrow I will be going to Heather's Gym and then Friday is 13 miles @8:53 pace. Saturday will be the Warrior Dash!!  Woohoo!

Anyone else have any big races or fun races coming up?

I almost found some running flats!  Will post what I find soon.  Anyone into barefoot running without the toe flats?

How about the mudder buddy?  I think that is what it is called?

XX
Sarah

Recovery and Whats next

I'll be in Minnesota until July 2nd and my plan while I am here is to relax, recover and figure out what is next on the agenda.  This is how it has gone down so far.

It was easy to rest on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday but today I am feeling all rested and ready to roll. I realize that my body will need a little more time to recover regardless of how totally normal I am feeling right now. BUT, I still wanted to get in some sort of workout.

Today's Workout: Keeping up with my 5 year old at Bounce Depot.  It is like this giant warehouse with all kinds of blow up slides, obstacles courses etc. I went in there thinking that we'd have some great bonding time and I'd be all ready to bounce around with him for hours... Only to start feeling like my brain was going to explode and my lunch come up after only 15 minutes.  Apparently running 26 miles is easier on your body then the bounce depot..... (note to self, only go to bounce depot with 5 year old if one of his friends promises to be present.)

After my workout or lack thereof I did the next best thing and stop by the grocery store and pick up all of the ingredients for dessert. My family and I are staying with my in-laws for a few days and I'd promised them some dessert of their choosing. 


So this Mess....

Followed by this Mess....

Turned into these two desserts (Banana Cream Trifle and Chocolate Banana Cream Pie) that I thoroughly enjoyed =)

Although I am able to relax and recover from the marathon I am already excited and anticipating what is going to be next on the calendar. I am for sure doing a Sprint Triathlon at the end of July.

SUPER excited about it.  

I will be blogging my training adventures for sure.....not that I have any idea how to train for one of those.  Suggestions?

Along with that, here are some up coming races this fall that I am trying to decide between.
Rock'n'Roll marathon or 1/2 in Denver (Oct. 9th)
Mankato Marathon in Minnesota (Oct. 22nd)
CIM Marathon in Sacrament (Dec. 4th)

And of course, my dream race which although probably won't happen this year but always do need to add to this list is:

Disneys the Goofy Challenge
My first marathon was the Disney marathon and after being a part of it and watching all of these people participate in the goofy challenge that I swore I'd go back.  If they can do it, I can do it! But I'll probably have to wait until next year....my dad always taught me to pay my bills...SHOOT.

Anywhoo, WHAT TO DO????

Anyone out there ran the Denver Rock'n'Roll?

Mankato, or CIM?

Also, I need help with training for my first tri.  Do I really attempt to do speed on a bike or just go for rides?

Happy Running -Jen

p.s. my plan is to be happily running again next week.  Take that week easy with some normal miles and then hop back into training slowly the following week =)

How to taper and my long weekend.

I hope you guys all had a great Memorial Day Weekend!  I had such a great time in Cape May,  We laid on the beach, ate good food, went to a movie, ate more good food and oh yeah I did go running one day.  I got up early Saturday morning and went 4 miles to the beach.  I could have ran back to the campground but I just wasn't feeling it.  So this is me below before we headed out.  We pack everything on the bike, including our tent and a blow up mattress :)  It took us about 3.5 hours to get there.  Yep my bum was sore from sitting on that little bike seat for so long.

Like I mentioned above we ate some great food.  For some reason I only took a picture of my breakfasts.  Saturday morning I had granola with yogurt and fruit.  It was a perfect way to start my trip. Sunday I had the best oatmeal I think I have ever had.  It was oatmeal with chopped nuts, topped with sliced banana and cinnamon.  I don't understand why it was so good.  Something about the oatmeal was different than what I am used to buying.  I am going to get to the bottom of this.  I made mine at home with water and maybe this one was made with milk. 

No trip would be complete without dessert.  I mean this town had ice cream available to you on every block.  Scott loves ice cream so most of the time I would nibble off of his but this time I just got my own.  Almond Joy flavor.  Please excuse our winded and dirty look. We have not showered for 2 days now and have been riding around on a bike.  Oh yeah and definitely no make up!

One of our favorite things to do on camping trips is to hit up the garage sales.  Look what we found for a dollar!  It kept us entertained the rest of the trip!

Now to the matter at hand.  How do you taper?? In the past I have really dropped my training down and this time I feel like I am still running too many miles before my race?  At my peak I got up to 48 miles and now I just don't know how much to drop off before my race?  I want my legs to be rested but I am not sure how rested?  Any suggestions?  I posted my training plan below.  It is really itty bitty so I will give you a recap..

Week 16- 33 miles total with a long run at 15 miles

Week 17- 33 miles total with a long run at 13 miles

Race Week - Sunday- rest

                    Monday- 10 miles easy

                    Tuesday - Tracy Anderson (PS I am going to be doing a post about this soon)

                    Wednesday - 8 miles easy and Yoga

                    Thursday - Rest

                    Friday - 2 miles easy

                    Saturday- RACE

I am just wondering if 33 miles a week is too many before my race?  Anyone have a plan that they loved and thought worked?  Maybe I am over anaylizing this but as I am sure many of you racers know that your conscience will slowly creep in and you will begin to think..."Am I running too much? Do I feel and injury?  Does my knee hurt?  Am I not running enough?"  Yes, all of these thoughts are now coming into effect.

So let me know!  I would love to hear what works for you?

Also, when you make oatmeal do you use water or milk? Or almond milk?

What kind of oats do you buy?

XX
Sarah

I was soo unmotivated...

Last week especially I was VERY unmotivated.  Here is what happened when I was feeling unmotivated....

I didn't cook dinner very often.... so we went out to eat a lot and one evening ate some yummy soup from an asian restaurant called Pho.  It was good I suppose, but I feel like the soup comes with lots of spices, veggies, sauces on the side and maybe I should have used them.....

My sons hair doesn't get combed...(but honestly I hardly ever comb it anyways, I just kinda like the crazy look).

One night I did actually end up making dinner but of course, didn't do the dishes.... When I woke up the next morning I came down and found this lovely Julia Child like jellied mess in my pot! YUK.  It was the fat from the roasted chicken jellied with broth.

And then there is the laundry.  These baskets were scattered throughout my house for the entire week.  Luckily they are all clean but only 1/2 are folded and the rest just heaped together.  I was so unmotivated that I didn't even bother to put the clothes away and what is folded, my husband did.  I had nothing to do with laundry so much this past week.

Also, last week I only ran 32 of the 50 miles I had on my schedule and luckily, my long run (22) was ok. The rest of them were nothing to write home about.

So what in the world happened here!? Personally, I blame it on being a girl, (it was that time of the month.....lovely), and the fact that this marathon training is just burning me out.  I was feeling burnt to the max. I didn't even care that I was sluffin' off my runs which is highly unusual for me. I am a pretty structured stubborn type and typically if something is on my running schedule, it gets done.

To combat the total loss of any energy I decided I was lacking iron and just some R&R. So after a few days of out of control nothingness I made myself a delicious high iron dinner with some lovely sweet potato carbs. I also bought myself some airborne and started taking it daily. I did this early on in the winter and felt it was helping me stay peppy so because I am in desperate need of some pepp, I stocked up =) (and I drank a diet pepsi....oopps, did I say that)

This week I am feeling much better and just starting to check all of the things off that I missed last week while trying to stay on task with what is on the Calendar this week.  So far so good.

How often do you feel unmotivated?

Me, not too often, but when I do get that way, it is like I crawl into a hole and disappear.

What do you do to come out of it?

Does it typically interrupt just your workouts and or home life?

Heres to staying motivated =) -Jen

Hello! I have decided I am going to do a Tri =)

I decided a couple of weeks ago I was going to try my first Triathlon. So being that it is going to be my first I am going to do a the Anthem Sprint Tri. This is a tri in my area that includes a 525 meter pool swim, 11.7 mile bike ride and 5k run.  I am pumped about it =)

At first I was kind of hesitant wondering what the heck I was getting myself into but after going for a couple of bike rides....(of course right now my main ride is a Trek Cruiser which I do LOVE but don't think would be the best choice for race material....) I am liking the idea more and more. Plus, this decision is coming at a time when I feel like the marathon training is just wearing me out. I am logging lots of miles and trying to do all kinds of speed work and it is just exhausting.  So throwing in a swim and a bike ride are just doing wonders for my morale.  Spice it up they all say.... and I agree. It helps.

So whose with me? Let's all do a some kind Triathlon and then we can compare notes. I love hearing about other peoples experiences, what they like and what they didn't.  I literally do file all of it away and refer to when necessary.

Because of this decision I decided I need to learn how to swim better.  To take care of this little dilemma me and a couple of my friends enrolled in a swim class at our gym.  I do know how to swim but regardless, you can also get better.

Me sporting my new swim suit and Speedo goggles (I found on sale, thank heavens... I already spend so much money on running workout stuff I could hardly justify throwing a new sport into the mix.)

This is me and my friend Tara who is joining swim class with me. She is a rock star runner and all an together incredible athlete.  And you see that pool behind me. FREEZING. We thought we'd be tough swimmers and use the cool pool, but once we realized the "teaching pool" was so much warmer we switched. Now I know why my 5 year old has no problem hopping in the other pool. It was like a crazy 80 degrees!

Once I figure out how to swim correctly, I will also need to learn how to bike. Although going to spin class is a killer workout I am not sure how that all plays out when you are really outside.

Wish me luck. Happy running, swimming and biking =) -Jen

Hello! I decided I am going to try my First Tri =)

I decided a couple of weeks ago I was going to try my first Triathlon. So being that it is going to be my first I am going to do a the Anthem Sprint Tri. This is a tri in my area that includes a 525 meter pool swim, 11.7 mile bike ride and 5k run.  I am pumped about it =)

At first I was kind of hesitant wondering what the heck I was getting myself into but after going for a couple of bike rides....(of course right now my main ride is a Trek Cruiser which I do LOVE but don't think would be the best choice for race material....) I am liking the idea more and more. Plus, this decision is coming at a time when I feel like the marathon training is just wearing me out. I am logging lots of miles and trying to do all kinds of speed work is just exhausting.  So throwing in a swim and a bike ride are just doing wonders for my morale.  Spice it up they all say.... and I agree. It helps.

So whose with me? Let's all do a some kind Triathlon and then we can compare notes. I love hearing about other peoples experiences, what they like and what they didn't.  I literally do file all of it away and refer to when necessary.

Because of this decision I decided I need to learn how to swim better.  To take care of this little dilemma me and a couple of my friends enrolled in a swim class at our gym.  I do know how to swim but regardless, you can also get better.

Me sporting my new swim suit and Speedo goggles (I found on sale, thank heavens... I already spend so much money on running workout stuff I could hardly justify throwing a new sport into the mix.)

This is me and my friend Tara who is joining swim class with me. She is a rock star runner and all an together incredible athlete.  And you see that pool behind me. FREEZING. We thought we'd be tough swimmers and use the cool pool, but once we realized the "teaching pool" was so much warmer we switched. Now I know why my 5 year old has no problem hopping in the other pool. It was like a crazy 80 degrees!

Once I figure out how to swim correctly, I will also need to learn how to bike. Although going to spin class is a killer workout I am not sure how that all plays out when you are really outside.

Anyone else participated in a triathlon?

What other things do you do to spice up training?

Wish me luck. Happy running, swimming and biking =) -Jen