Road to a 50 Miler

I just wanted to share an update on my training for Brazos Bend 50 miler. I have completed 6 out of 20 weeks. I've been training on the road, on the treadmill, on the track and on the trail. The general scope of my training goes like this…2 hard weeks of high milers followed by 1 recovery week and then repeat. Week 1 was a nice 24 mile week to ease me into training and my highest mile week I hit 48 miles! Whoa! To give you a scope of my normal routine, I'm usually running 18 - 20 miles a week when I'm not training for anything.



Week 1
 
Week 2 


Week 3

Week 4

Week 5

Week 6

Initially, the most challenging thing was running long on Saturday and then following up with running another long run, the next day. Now, it's not so much about whether I can physically do this (my body is doing fine), it's more about mental toughness to keep going - also time. My training has been going so smooth and I'm nervous about October. I know that will be my most challenging month. Miles increase and so does my film work load. Training is about to get interesting.

Recent PR Post Baby & Summer Fun

How is my training going????
I didn't run as often, I actually missed 2 runs, but I ran my designated long run, (16 miles on Saturday). That's the farthest I've ran since getting pregnant with Dakota. So, considering I hit my long run distance and I'm not dealing with any injuries, I feel pretty good about running, right now.

How was your fourth of july weekend????
The girls and I took a mini-trip to Abilene. Trey had to work. I stayed at my mom's house and Chey got all paparazzi.

Besides visiting with my momma, we also celebrated DJ's birthday at the Abilene Swim Club Pool. I know, another pool weekend, we can't get enough!

Birthday boy and family

Chey enjoyed the mini-Rapid Pool Slide
 
Dakota looking good in her swimsuit

We slept so loooong this weekend. Running gives me the sleepies and apparently swimming does it for the girls. Actually, Dakota didn't even swim, I suppose it's being passed around -- that gives her the sleepies

Dakota was sleeping hard this morning, I finally woke her up at 8:30 am. I was thankful I got a chance to run on the treadmill, while she was still in bed. Thanks, Dakota!

Since When is this a Long Run? & Brownies!

It was a good first week of training for the Dallas (Half) Marathon. Now, only 11 more weeks, something like that....

Saturday Long Run

Distance: 5.11 miles
Average Pace Per Mile: 10:09
Duration: 52 minutes
Weather: 66 degrees, but I was still sweating like crazy
I felt okay about this run. I took three rest breaks for 30 seconds. I caught my breath for a moment and chugged water. I drank about 8 oz of water.

I was done in less than an hour and this was considered my long run for the week. Yeah, I'm really liking this half marathon schedule. I know, that as the weeks progress, the miles and time, will be more demanding, but still this is not what I'm use to for a training schedule. I might have to reconsider more half marathon races. Now, I feel like I'm cheating on my ultra marathons. I'm sorry, I take it back (maybe).

Other than running and Jubilee of Tables, I also got a chance to spend quality time with my girls!
 
One last thing, this post deserves is chocolate and while I'm thinking about it, I deserve chocolate!....Paleo Brownies! 
I tried this recipe and it is a keeper! Oh, and it's made in a slow-cooker, hellz to the yeah. Here's the simple recipe. 

Caveman Tortillas & Going the Distance

I miss burritos! Warm-soft-heavenly creations. After some online searching, I found a Paleo tortilla recipe that sounded like it was worth the time.

Ingredients: Eggs, Almond Meal, Honey, Salt, Oil

At first, I didn't know how to handle the batter. The first few tortillas looked more like pancakes. After, a few tries, I finally figured it out...
 
Excuse me while I devour awesomeness.

This picture was taken a few days ago, since then I've had my hair trimmed and colored. I really like it.

Here is an example of the pancake.

A few days ago, Erin left a blog comment and suggested I make a pound of bacon at a time, that way I can still enjoy it during the workweek. I took her advice and made it ahead of time. That's the BEST bacon advice, I've every received. Thanks!

While you were sleeping Saturday morning, I was running. I got up early and ran 19 miles. The next morning I ran 12 miles. Looking at my weekly stats: I worked out for 8 hours and burned 4,650 calories. Is that allowed? Okay, so now I don't feel as bad for eating Trey's box of cookies. They were Oreos, he knows better than to get cookies I really like. I usually prefer when he gets the Chewy Chips Ahoy. I can't stand those. So the whole cookie binge was not my finest paleo moment, but you know, I was justified -- the numbers people! look at the numbers!

The Novelty is Wearing: Paleo Day 23

I think I found paleo chips, they are called Turbana Plantain. I found them at Central Market, near the popcorn section. I got the Chili Lime bag, but they have all kinds of flavors. The bag I got tastes like Lay's Limon Chips. Soooo good! I'm not even lying. Go find you some and try them. I'll be going back to CM, soon and I'll be stocking up on these bags.

Ingredients: selected fresh plantain, vegetable oil, salt and chili-lime flavor.


The last few days of Paleo have been tough. I've been craving junk, especially after running 18 miles Saturday. After a long run, like that I just want to indulge, like I normally do, but then I remember... "the challenge." Don't get me wrong, I didn't deprive myself. If I wanted pizza, I ate it -- and I'm talking about the real kind -- and by real I guess I mean fake -- Domino's Pizza. Ahhh, it was just what I needed. :) So, I cracked 20 something days into the challenge. Technically, again....but who is counting?!? (ME). A few more days of this challege and then we'll see what I decide to do. Go Paleo or go home.

Here is a glimpse of my training from last week. Now, this feels like Ultra Marathon Training. 

I'll leave you with a snapshot, taken during one of my running breaks.
 Running Near the Trinity:

Paleo News Segment Featuring Yours Truly

Yesterday, I talked with Channel 33 news about the Paleo 30 Day Challenge. I was worried I would go blank during the interview or I might say, ummm, likeeee, you know..I'm a videographer and editor and that is my biggest pet peeve. A little umms are okay, but I've edited some rough stuff before. Ummm, you know.

First they interviewed Lee and Isis. It's funny because the first time I saw them was last year on the CW news. (Here is the blog post from that). Now here we are, kind of full circle. Since that story aired a year ago, I've ran with them numerous times. They are seriously a cool couple, I'm so glad to call them friends.

HERE IS THE NEWS CLIP! 
 
The reporter and cameraman were at my house for about 30 minutes. They walked in and were like, wow - you have a nice house/kitchen. My kitchen is amazing, I know. I love it. It's the main area that convinced me I wanted to live there.


After the interview, they asked if I could make something in the kitchen. I threw together my lunch for the following day. That was fun! I felt like I was on a cooking show. Note to self: If this video stuff doesn't work out, fall back on my food/hosting skills. Joking. Maybe. Hey did you see my Rachel Ray moment, when I walked away from the fridge with an army load of food? See I might have a future in TV/Food/Hosting, after all. 

During the interview, I mentioned one of the main challenges, for me is I "have to" shop at three different stores to complete my weekly paleo grocery list. It can be a pain, but this is honestly how I'm able to save myself money.

Paleo Shopping Hotspots
1. My Local Grocery Store
This is where I buy my family's favorite, staple items. Cereals, breads, can goods, some meat, sweets, etc. Just because I'm doing paleo doesn't mean my family is too.
2. Sam's Club
Can you say bulk? I like to get nuts and produce there. Mountains of produce.
3. Central Market or Sprouts
This is where I can find quality meats, herbal tea, Chey's organic milk (which is so cheap - 3 half gallons for 6 dollars), specialty items like almond meal, chia seeds, some raw nuts, and some produce.

Tips for Running in the Rain

Saturday, I woke up to the sound of rain. Thank you Jesus. I considered canceling my long run and running on the treadmill. But the thought of running in place for more than an hour sounded like torture, in the end I ran 12 miles outside.

Here are a few tips for running in the rain
1. Don't be afraid of the rain, it's just water.
That is unless, there is lightning, in that case go back to bed.
2. Stay close to home.
I circled my neighborhood, so if the storm got out of hand, I could race home.
3. Stay hydrated.
Just because it may be cooler, you still need to stay hydrated. I placed a water bottle by my house, so anytime I needed a drink I could take a quick swig.
4. Avoid Blisters at All Cost.
Around mile 8, I went home and changed into dry socks and shoes.
5. Wear a shirt.
I ran wearing a lulu race back shirt, but I did contemplate wearing just a sports bra. I'm glad I went with the shirt because I had material to wipe the rain off my face.

Here is my weekly milage. I fell a few miles short of my weekly goal.

This picture was taken Sunday morning. I'm training for this ultra by running back to back long runs. Saturday mornings, I run long and Sunday mornings, I do the same thing. This past Sunday, was brutal. For one, I woke up late and for two I was dead tired. Next weekend I have a lot of miles on the schedule. Anyone up for an 18 miler? Oh and how about 12 miles the following morning? Anyone?

Bigger Than Your Face

When I make salads at home, I like to use a huge bowl. Yes, a bowl that is bigger than my face is typically what I use. This isn't your supermodel size salad. No, it's a "fill me up - I just ran 40 miles this week" kind of dish. 

How is Paleo going? 
GREAT! 
I decided to pass on nachos this weekend, since I really have not been craving beans. I'm scared if I have a taste, I might lose it and go swimming in it. So I passed on that....However, I did indulge in a Hershey Bar and single serving popcorn. That was my first treat since starting the 30 day paleo challenge. I savored every bite of it.

Here is my training log from last week, fueled by Paleo. My weekly mileage is starting to go UP and I'm not sure I'm ready. Today is an optional rest day. I can sit on the sofa and recover from my training or I can do some light cross training. What to do? What to do? The sofa is looking good.  

Do you Snack?

I'm a schedule snacker. Mid-morning and afternoon snacker to be more specific. My favorite GO-TO snacks are hard boiled eggs, handful of almonds, left-over steamed veggies, cheese sticks, or fruit.


I guess I'm not the only snacker in the family. I discovered Cheyenne raiding Nana's fridge. She managed to help herself, while I was in another room. I'm sure if she had more time, she would've pulled a chair up to the fridge.

BUSTED! 
Hey, that's the same look I give Trey when he calls me out for eating the last 6 cookies. "What, I thought you were done." Someone please tell Trey, I need the extra calories since I'm burning over 3,000 each week. 

Health Update: 
My throat hurts like someone took a metal brush and shoved it down my esophagus. Needless, to say training has taken a backseat. I've only missed one day, so that won't hurt anything in the grand scheme of things. Here is my training from last week.

Week 3: Palo Duro 50K Training

My DailyMile weekly stats.

Stats from last week:



Lately, the idea of running on a treadmill has not been appealing, so I've been dragging my groggy self out of bed, pre-dawn and beating the pavement. The hardest part about morning running, is getting up. It's painful.

Last week, before I went to yoga class, I ran ONE mile sock-less. My feet rubbed and rubbed until they blistered. My feet are barely healing from that 10 minute jog. One mile was not worth it. I learned my lesson. But you know, you can wear minimalist running shoes sock-less and not blister. At the moment I have my eyes on the New Balance WT10 Minimus Trail. DROOL. Hey, New Balance, get smart - like Brooks and have me product test these shoes. I'm an expert in this field, trust me.        :) 


Speaking of trails, it's been a while since I've been on the dirt trail. The truth is, I'm scared. I've ran several times to the entrance and backed off because the grass is so high. Every time I think about running there, I have visions of snakes and hairy wildlife...it's enough to terrify me and be content with the road. Once the grass dies down, I'll give it another try. I miss it, dearly.