My first half marathon--I did it!

Last Sunday, I completed the Woodrow Wilson Half Marathon.  After training for three months, it was such a relief and accomplishment to cross that finish line.  It was a long morning, but completely worth it!

4:30 am: Woke up, took a shower, and ate a piece of peanut butter and banana toast.

5:15 am: Drove to the finish line, parked my car, and hopped on the shuttle to the start line.

5:45 am: Arrived at the start line. Froze outside and contemplated how I was going to spend the next 2 hours before the race started.

6:30 am: Plugged in ipod and started to get 'in the zone'

7:28 am: Still waiting in line to use the port-o-potty...

7:30 am: Quickly make my way to the 8-9 minute mile section.

7:35 am: RACE STARTS!

A ripple of energy and excitement filled the air as over 2,000 of us waited for the gun at the start line.  We began at Mt. Vernon (home of George Washington) and followed the George Washington Memorial Parkway.  I tried to keep a fairly even pace for the first few miles, but I was all over the place. I trained solo, so I was really distracted by everyone else on the course.

 

Due to the course's design, it was impossible for spectators to watch until about mile 6.  I was so used to running through the National Mall that I actually got a little bored.  Luckily, pedestrian traffic picked up around mile 7 and by that time, I was warmed up (it was 47 degrees in the AM) and keeping a fairly steady pace.  I also knew that I would get to see my friends around mile 10 or 11.


As I made my way to mile 8, I felt pretty good.  I just kept telling myself that if I could make it to mile 10, I could definitely finish.  Around mile 9 and 10, we crossed the Woodrow Wilson Bridge.  As I looked to my left, I saw a birds-eye view of Washington DC.  Although incredibly windy on top of the bridge, I picked a man and tried to keep pace with him until we successfully crossed the Potomac.

Running to National Harbor at mile 11, I saw my roommate and boyfriend waiting for me.  I had anticipated this moment since the start of the race and I was so happy to see them!  However, after I passed them my energy level dropped and I started to feel tired.  I felt a little defeated as I climbed the two largest hills on the course.  This was the most mentally challenging part of the race--but as Eminem's song "Lose Yourself" came on I reminded myself that after all the work I put in, I had to push myself to finish the last two miles.

The wind blew the 12-mile-marker over, but as soon as I passed it I kicked up my pace.  With only a mile left and a jolt of energy, I ran at a 7:45 min mile pace.  People lined up to cheer us on during the last stretch.  The only thing going through my head was, "I just want to be done. I JUST WANT TO BE DONE!"

I crossed the finish line at 1:53:05 and averaged a little over 8:30 miles.  I met my goal!

We went out to a wonderful brunch at Brasserie Beck where I ate the 1500 calories that I burned off that morning.  I couldn't imagine a morning spent in better company or with two better cheerleaders!  Thank you all for your support--I really, really appreciate it :)

3 months later...I race tomorrow!

Cue Rocky music.

@#^@!%!% I am running 13.1 miles in less than 24 hours. Three months ago, the longest I'd ever run was 6 miles (once.)  This past week, I was more anxious than excited about the race.  When I woke up this morning I had butterflies in my stomach--but more from excitement than nerves. I'm picking up my race packet in about an hour--the countdown officially begins!

Accuweather (which I've been compulsively checking for the past two weeks,) has not forecasted rain. YAY! However, the morning temperatures will be between 47-50 degrees.  That's a whoooooole lot cooler than what I've trained in.  Thank you Autumn, for FINALLY showing your face.  Did you really have to choose this upcoming weekend?!  Stumped on what to wear, I consulted google (of course) and came across this link on Runner's World.  I took some of their suggestions into consideration and decided on the following:

 1. Champion short sleeve running shirt.  I've trained a lot in this hot pink top because it is light-weight, keeps the sweat off my skin and allows others to see me easily.

2. Nike Dri-Fit dual hoodie (I can't find the original, so here's the closest thing.  Also, I won't wear this during my real race, only for warming up.) I love it because it hugs my skin, keeps me warm, and stays out-of-the-way while I run.  The best feature is the dual hood--one acts as a normal hood, but there's a lighter one under it if you just need a little protection from the cold (which I will need tomorrow morning!)

3.Under Armour long sleeve.  Scratch that. I've actually decided not to wear this but since I already took the photo and made it pretty, I didn't want to have to redo it.  Instead, I've decided to wear a long sleeve polyester shirt over my pink one so I can easily take it off when I've warmed up.

4. Champion padded sports bra.  BEST BRA EVER.  It's incredibly supportive, soft and unlike some of my other bras, the elastic doesn't scratch my skin.

5. Feetures! socks.  I purchased these at a running store last week.  The socks are specifically designed to provide more support and keep your feet dry while you run.  Labeled on the socks are "L" and "R"  to provide the best fit to each foot.

6. Nike Dri-Fit spandex.  Definitely high on the list of favorite purchases.  I've trained in these babies all three months--it doesn't matter the weather, they are great!  They fit nicely, keep my skin dry and are easy to run in.  I've never had a problem with chaffing, but they are a sure way to protect my skin after 13.1 miles.

Not pictured: My ipod, ipod armband, my Garmin Forerunner 305 and heart rate monitor, Brooks shoes (pictured above), and sunglasses.

Also, if you're wondering what to wear while you train, here are a couple of tips I've learned as I've trained the last three months.

1. Do NOT wear anything cotton. It absorbs sweat, becomes heavy, and sticks to your skin. Also, it causes chaffing. I made the mistake of wearing cotton shorts and a cotton tank on two separate occasions and really regretted it both times.

2. Invest in a good sports bra.  I bought two padded bras when I started training more and there is a huge difference in the amount of support they give.  I used to double-up on the cheap target spandex ones--now, I can never go back.

The race begins at 7:30 AM at Mt. Vernon Estate in Alexandria, VA.  I'll run north along the Potomac and cross the Woodrow Wilson Bridge (touching a bit of DC soil) and will end in National Harbor, MD.  We are going out to brunch after to celebrate and ending the night with a wine party at our place (yay, I can drink again!)  After all this hard work, I can't wait until tomorrow!

13.1 miles: half the distance, twice the fun

Training for my half-marathon has been one of the most rewarding experiences I've had. I finished my 7th week of training today--successfully completing a 9-mile run yesterday morning. If you remember from my first post, the longest I had ever run was 6 miles.

As the weeks pass, I notice positive changes to my mood, physical appearance, strength and endurance. I can comfortably run 5-miles, something I thought impossible 7 weeks ago.

Training

I tweaked Hal Higdon's Half Marathon Training: Novice plan to fit my schedule, and it has helped me keep up with my runs and make significant progress.  A typical week looks like the following:

Monday: 60 minute cross training (kickboxing class)

Tuesday: Short run (4-5 miles)

Wednesday: 60 minute cross training (kickboxing class)

Thursday: Either a shorter run in the morning or a 60 minute strength training class

Friday: rest

Saturday: long run (6-11 miles)

Sunday: rest

Tips

If you're considering training for your own half marathon, here are some tips:

1.  Plan ahead.  When life gets busy, it's difficult to find time for longer runs.  Also, it's difficult to get up on a Saturday morning to do a 9-mile run after going out on Friday.  For example, when I went to Las Vegas, I had to rearrange my entire schedule to fit around my trip.

2. Invest in a watch that will track your pace and distance.  I've become addicted to my Garmin Forerunner 305.  Yes, it's expensive; however, it's become a pivotal part in my training process.  I can track my distance, path, heart rate, calories burned, pace and more.

3. Make sure you're doing enough cross training.  I went through a 2-week period when I didn't go to any strength training classes.  Strength is key to a successful race, especially when you start to get tired. When your running form starts to fail, stronger muscles will help propel you to the end.

4. Watch your diet.  Especially being a vegetarian, I have to make sure I'm getting the nutrients I need.  Green vegetables are key to keeping my energy levels up.  I can physically feel when I haven't had enough--I'm lethargic and struggle to run only a few miles.  I've also started eating more salmon, almonds, avocados, spinach, lentils, dark chocolate (yes! chocolate actually helps prevent soreness after runs--35% cocoa or higher), peanut butter and bananas.

5. Timing is key!  Almost always, I start my runs before 7:30am.  I don't handle the heat well, and it's also helping me prepare for my 7:30am race start time.

6. Make an awesome running mix.  I try to plan my more 'upbeat' songs for the end of my runs to give me a little more motivation and kick.

7. Stay hydrated.  I'm refuse to give-up coffee or soda (although my dentist would not be happy to hear that.)  Both of these dehydrate the body so I make sure to carry my water bottle around everywhere.  I try to fill it up at least twice a day because it is very difficult to run when I'm dehydrated.  Instead of Gatoraid, try coconut water.  It's an all-natural, fat-free, mega-electrolyte water.

8. Wear proper attire.  The day I decided to wear my H&M cotton tank instead of my microfiber shirts was a painful mistake.  The seams of the tank chaffed against my arm to the point where it scabbed (I know, it's gross.)

9. Don't push yourself too hard.  Make sure you're taking enough rest days.  If you're supposed to run 5 miles and your body just isn't feeling it, swap that day out for an easier one.  You always want to listen to your body to prevent injuries.

10. Have fun!  Enjoy the process and feel proud of yourself for all you've accomplished.  The Woodrow Wilson Bridge Half Marathon is October 2, 2011.  I have about 5 weeks left to train. Whoot whoot! 

If anyone has tips to add, please contribute :)

Running on Capitol Hill

I'm blasted by a wave of humidity and heat as I stepped outside of my apartment last week; DC humidity clings to your skin and envelops you in a heat blanket.  My sunglasses fogged up and my body screamed, "go back inside!"  Even at 7am, the temperature was 85 degrees.

HA!  There was no way I was getting up to do my 5-mile run.

As I drifted off to sleep, I realized that the reason behind signing up for this 1/2 marathon was to push myself beyond my comfort zone.  Out of bed it was.

Typically, I begin my runs by Union Station, and follow a path past the Senate Reflecting Pool and up the stairs to the Capitol building.  From the Capitol, I make my way along the National Mall.

 It's there that I see hundreds of tourists swarming the free museums, eating their ice creams and taking photos.  This energy keeps me excited and distracted--helping me continue running even when all I want to do is stop.

Luckily, the 3-day heat advisory is over, and I'm feeling less like a fried lobster after my runs.  This is my 4th week of intense physical training and I'm finally beginning to feel a difference.

I have a 6-mile run to complete this weekend: it's been at least six years since I've run one, so here goes nothing!

13.1 miles here I come...

One of my New Year's resolutions was to run a half marathon by the end of 2011.  As I looked at the calendar today, I realize that I only had a few more months to actually make it happen!  I knew I needed at least 3-months to train, so it was now or never.

Alas, I signed up for the Woodrow Wilson Bridge Half Marathon on October 2nd.  The race begins in Alexandria, VA and ends in National Harbor, MD.

I've never run more than 6 miles in my life so this will be a challenge.  I ran a 5K in Hyde Park while I was studying in England and I did a year of cross-country in high school.  Other than that, my experience in long-distance running is slim to none.

My training regimen will be a mixture of shorter runs, kickboxing, strength training, yoga, and 6-11 mile runs on Saturdays.

Training officially starts tomorrow so any tips would be greatly appreciated. Wish me luck!

I quit eating meat, cold turkey

This is a long post, and I used my phone to shoot the pictures, so please bear with me...

I'll be honest, if you asked me two months ago whether I thought I would become a vegetarian, I would have replied: heck no. I'm definitely not a health nut--I love Buffalo Wild Wings and the occasional Taco Bell taco. I never shopped at Whole Foods because of their high prices, and I played into the "I don't even want to know" mantra when addressing meat processing plants.

Things have obviously changed.

Background

For the past two days, I've debated how to approach this post. Originally, I wanted to share some of the information I learned after reading Skinny Bitch; however, I was worried it would sound too preachy.

Last Saturday, I stopped eating meat, cold turkey. There was no "last supper" nor a last hamburger to savor (which was the original plan). I decided enough, was enough.

In the past week, my roommate introduced me to vegetables I didn't even know existed. She also suggested techniques to make sure that I get a variety of nutrients into my diet.

How it started

It began with a trip to Whole Foods. Before, I could never justify spending the extra money on organics. However, after the research I did, I feel that it is worth the extra money to buy healthier produce.

Unlike my usual trips to the grocery store, I picked up a cart of organic veggies and a few new staples. 

Some examples:

• agave nectar (a natural sweetener, used instead of sugar)
• soy yogurt
• vanilla rice milk
• vegan sour cream

Before this began, I was experiencing a lot of stomach problems that I attributed to dairy and anxiety. Therefore, along with cutting meat out of my diet, I've significantly reduced the amount of dairy I'm consuming. It has made a HUGE difference.

The Challenges

Realizing that I don't need meat to feel full. In fact, when I eat lighter meals, I feel better mentally and physically. There is no "food baby" (aka bloating) or guilt.

Becoming vegetarian is like learning a new language. I'm incorporating an entirely new set of ingredients into my diet--many which I've never cooked with before. It is very overwhelming, but I'm trying to take each day at a time.

Limiting carbs--people warned me not to simply replace meat with carbs. I'm trying to limit my carb intake to one meal, whether that's cereal for breakfast, a sandwich for lunch, or pasta for dinner. I replace the rest of my meals with salads, soups, vegetables and fruits.

The Changes

Overall, I've noticed positive changes. Knowing that I'm putting healthy, natural foods into my body makes me feel good. My stomach aches are much less frequent and I no longer have that horrible feeling I used to get after eating fried or unhealthy food.

I feel less tired, but I'm not getting more sleep (trust me.) I'm trying to cut down on the amount of sugar/caffeine that I'm drinking and I believe it's helping.

Empowerment. I finally feel as if I have control over what I am putting into my body.

Now that week 1 is over, here is a recap of 3 Vegetarian recipes to try:


Eggplant sandwich with kale chips (pictured above)

Ingredients:

• eggplant
• goat cheese
• lettuce
• roasted red peppers
• ciabatta bread

Directions:

1. Cut eggplant into slices, drizzle with olive oil, and place in oven
2. Toast ciabatta--spread one half with pesto, the other with goat cheese
3. Layer on the goodies and you're done!

For the kale chips, tear the kale into smaller pieces and place on cooking tray. Drizzle with olive oil and salt, and place in oven. Cook until crispy.

Natural banana "ice cream"

This is by far the best (and most healthy) dessert I've ever made. It's super easy as well.

Directions:

1. Un peel two bananas and cut them in half. Place them in a Tupperware container and freeze overnight.
2. Place them in a food processor (or blender) with a small amount of vanilla rice milk.
3. Blend until you reach the texture of ice cream.

I guarantee that it will taste exactly like banana ice cream. However, it's all natural (and delicious!)

Vegan nachos and home-made guacamole

• Ingredients (guacamole):
• 2 ripe avocados
• 1/2 red onion
• 1 fresh lime
• 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
• 1/2 ripe tomato
• 1/2 teaspoon chopping fresh cilantro 

Directions:

1. Cut the avocado in half and peel. Be sure to keep the cores.
2. Put avocado in bowl and mash.
3. Add the remaining ingredients (except the tomatoes) and mix together.
4. Place the cores back in the mixture and refrigerate for 1 hour.
5. Add tomatoes before serving.

Nachos:

I used whole grain, organic chips from Whole Foods and topped them with beans, salsa, rice, corn, tomatoes, home-made guacamole and vegan sour cream (Tofutti Better Than Sour Cream).

My Vegetarian (ad)Venture

Before I left England, I wrote about the differences between eating habits in the UK vs. US. I promised myself that when I got back, I would sustain the eating habits I acquired while living with my European roommates.

Some of my nasty habits are gone:  I stay far away from fried foods, fast food and kraft macaroni and cheese (sadly).  I've skipped the boxed mixes and started making a lot from scratch.

However, I've noticed that I'm slipping--and my wakeup was last night when I ate a bowl of cereal for dinner.  Time to make some adjustments.

My first week back in the US, I noticed a difference in the taste of food.

I was also getting sick to my stomach very often.  Anxiety about being back may have caused the stomach aches, but I have a feeling the differences in the quality of the food had something to do with it.

So, starting on Monday, April 11, with the help of my vegetarian roommate, I will start my month-long Vegetarian (ad)Venture. No meat, no exceptions. This is just as much of a test of self-control as it is health related.  Luckily, I'll have my roommate to keep me motivated and show me a variety of recipes.

Why am I doing this? Because I'm curious; I want to see if I can feel and see the difference in my body, appetite, etc.

This trial has more to do with what we treat our animals with and less about how we treat them (although I hate animal cruelty as much as anyone.)

Over the course of the next month, I'll post once a week about the topic.  I'll also try to include some recipes in my posts that I found especially appealing to vegetarians (or those of you looking for meat-less meals.)

Any ideas for my last supper?