a (half) marathon kind of morning

Whew!  It’s not even noon and I’ve already done so much…

I decided to go for 13 miles this morning; it’s been quite a while since I’d run a half-marathon (last September, perhaps?) and the weather outside was perfect: mid-70s and overcast.

I’m not sure what came first; my eyes popping open at 6:18 a.m. or me hearing Hadrian’s collar clinking as he awoke.  After taking him out and caffeinating myself, I powered up with this:

Kath would be so proud!   It was 1/4 C oats, thinned with my new find So Delicious Coconut Milk, 1/2 banana, 1/2 C sliced strawberries, 4 oz. strawberry yogurt, 2 tbsp Wegmans granola and some flax seeds.  It was awesome!  I was a bit worried it would be a little heavy in my tummy for my run, but I had to fuel up somehow.

I devised a plan that would allow me to not carry anything on my run.  I hate holding stuff, like a water bottle, while running.  I would do 4-5 miles outside, then 3-4 miles inside on the treadmill while eating and drinking, then finish up the remaining miles outside again.  I set my towel, water bottle and snack out by the door and headed outside.  I did my 5-mile residential route near the hotel in 40:30 and quickly let myself back into the hotel.

I grabbed this, along with my water bottle and towel:

Susy found these awhile back and we ended up splitting a box of them that she ordered online.  I only have two left!  Instead of a goo or a gel, these are nickel-sized gummies you can chew while running.  I’m not sure which I prefer (sport beans, goo or chews), but these certainly take a little while to eat.  Goos are often thick and a little chalky, so I have to have water immediately after, but the upside of goo is that it’s super quick to take.  I’ll have to do some recon around here to see where I can find an assortment of refueling options and pick up a couple soon.  I used to think I didn’t need a gel or anything unless I was running a full marathon, but in reality, anytime I run ten or more miles, I make sure to take something around mile 4 or 5 to help keep me going.

Anyway…  I hopped on the treadmill and set it for 7.7.  I’m not sure what that equates to (this machine didn’t tell me what my pace per mile was), but I ended up doing 5 miles in 39 minutes–FAST!  Thankfully, I got to talking to the guy next to me, who just relocated temporarily from Florida, so that helped kill the time.

I quickly dropped my towel and water bottle back off in the room and headed out for the remaining 3 miles.  My legs were tired after such a fast pace on the treadmill, but I smiled to myself as I left the parking lot for the second time this morning, because I felt so good and strong and healthy.  Despite my fatigue (ten-plus miles will do that to you no matter how well you refuel), I was definitely on a runner’s high.

I slowed a bit to about a 9-minute mile for my remaining three, but still felt good.  It’s not often I run 13 miles.  On a whim.  By myself.

I was soaked, obviously, so I stretched and changed my clothes once back in the room, then headed BACK out to take Hadrian on a slow jaunt around the hotel.  I downed a cup of the coconut milk and took this to go:

I was craving something chocolate-y and decadent after that run and knew I needed to start eating soon.  I LOVE Luna bars.  They taste great, and with only about 180 calories each, they are great snacks without being too much.

I figured out my time for this morning, and it is my fastest yet!  My last actual half-marathons have all been almost exactly 2 hours, to the minute.  My first one at that time was great, but later on I’d been training faster yet always crashed mid-race.  Needless to say, my last couple half-marathons have been very disappointing.  My time today:  1:46!  As in ONE HOUR AND FORTY-SIX MINUTES!  Holy cow!  How did that happen?  Well, losing 18 pounds doesn’t hurt, and I think I’ve come up with the reason I was always crashing.  I always went out fast with Susy, and I just couldn’t maintain her speed.  I’ve gotten faster, but I have to keep my pace strong and even to have energy left to finish the distance.  For me, that’s about 8-minute miles, max.

After the walk, I whipped up some smoothies for Andrew (who got up just as I returned from my run) and myself:

I used the remaining half of my banana, 1/2 cups each of pineapple and frozen peaches and mango chunks, 1/4 C plain yogurt, 1/2 C coconut milk and flaxseed meal.  YUM.  Andrew got a strawberry-banana one with oats and flaxseed meal.

I’ve still to shower; between shake-making, dish-doing and now blogging, I feel kinda lazy right now!  Well, I suppose “lazy” might not be the right word to describe me…

We’re having a low-key day today 🙂  Andrew has already fallen asleep on the couch in front of a gangster movie, and after a late lunch we’re going to head into EA to visit Abigail at work and borrow a cooler from his parents.  Some friends of Andrew’s from work have invited us on a “beach” trip tomorrow, so I’m going to try to find a bathing suit today–all of mine are a bit big!  Wish me luck…

my first beef on weck

I tried my first “beef on weck” tonight at, appropriately, the restaurant touted as the inventor of the famous Buffalo sandwich.

Andrew and I have been meaning to go to Schwabl’s since we first saw it after we got here.  You can read all about it here, but basically it’s an old, well-known hole-in-the-wall place that is known for its roast beef and seafood.  Surprisingly, neither Andrew nor his parents had ever been, so the four of us met there tonight.

One of the drinks they’re known for is called the “Ebenezer Punch,” which is a mixture of Southern Comfort, orange and lemon juices, lemon lime soda, and is only served during the summer.  Andrew got one and it was tasty but tart.

We all ordered the infamous “beef on weck,” which is essentially sliced roast beef served on a kimmelweck bun.  Kimmelweck buns are large hamburger buns covered in salt.  You can find beef on weck sandwiches all over the place, but apparently Schwabl’s is known for starting them, so I figured it would be a good place to give it a try.

Andrew and his mom got fries on the side, as well as their vinegar coleslaw.  You can see some of Andrew’s punch in the top left corner.

The place is small; it might only have ten or so tables with a bar.  Seating is limited, so it’s not uncommon to have a wait at prime dinner times.  We showed up after 7 p.m. and had to wait just a few minutes for some people to leave a table in the front.

The walls are covered in framed newspaper articles and plaques announcing “Voted Best Beef on Weck” from just about every local publication.  What I liked the most was the customer service and homey atmosphere.  Every waitress was 50+ and wore white uniform dresses, similar to a 50’s diner, but with less kitsch.  The gentlemen servers and bartenders wore shirts, ties and white aprons.  Everyone was more than polite and our waitress offered not once, but twice, to bring us samples of some of the sides we were debating about.

Sorry folks, had to use the flash for mine.  Andrew’s dad and I opted for the german potato salad instead of fries and I didn’t regret it.  Look at all the salt on the bun!  Traditionally, you’re supposed to put horseradish on your sandwich.  Horseradish jars sit on Buffalo dining establishment tables just like ketchup and mustard do everywhere else.  I love horseradish, but man does it have a kick sometimes!

I don’t know that any of us thought it was the best beef on weck we’d ever had (it was for me since it was my first), but it’s definitely the kind of place you bring your out-of-town guests, or go to when you want that small, cozy, welcoming atmosphere.  Or Hungarian goulash.  Apparently they serve it on Saturdays, and only on Saturdays, for lunch and dinner.  We’ll be back then.

sweatbands and their ability to see into our souls…

Who knew a simple piece of fabric could cause me to reflect so deeply on running?

While surfing the internet the other day, I saw a sweatband that was emblazoned with the phrase “I love running, I hate running” over and over again.

I immediately identified with it.  All those years in college of huffing behind my best friend and boyfriend (who had both run cross country in high school) told me I wasn’t a ‘real’ runner.  I found no enjoyment in running back then.  I hurriedly put the headband (I’ve been looking for sweatbands for awhile now) in my online shopping cart and selected my fabric color.

Moments later, I thought back to my previous actions.  Did I really still have a love/hate relationship with running?

I thought about it.  I thought some more.  And then it hit me.

No, I didn’t.  I really only love it.  Truly.  Are there mornings I don’t really want to work out?  Sure.  Are there good runs and bad runs?  Of course.  But the nagging feeling of dread that used to haunt me before leaving for a run is gone.  Long gone.  I’m not sure when it left, but it’s nothing more than a distant memory.

I clicked back into my shopping cart and hit ‘remove’ on that particular headband and selected a purple “Will Run for Ice Cream” headband instead.   Because if THAT doesn’t describe me to a “T,” I don’t know what does.  If only it had come in teal…