TODAY at 8am EST….Track me here!
Am I nuts or what?!?!?!?!
It was kind of fun being spontaneous today and just deciding to do it! Ever since we drove to Toronto to register my nerves have been off the hook! I figured two things, 1) I know I am ready and well rested. I ran a half two weeks ago and I have barely run much since. My legs feel good and I am not sore, and 2) I deserve a little ‘celebration’ after these crazy 2 weeks!
On our way home tonight we went to one of our favourite restaurants- Baton Rouge!
I told Eric my ‘treat’ for all my hard work was running the half marathon tomorrow. He was like, ‘TREAT!?’ That doesn’t sound like a treat to me.’ hehe….only a runner would understand!! ;)
Eric’s treat was going to his favourite restaurant! We were famished and I was excited to load up on carbs!
I had to skip the alcohol though…which was hard…because I wanted a huge glass of Merlot.
Cold H20 rocks! :(
All Eric could think about was his beloved ribs and fries that were on their way. I think he eats meat like once a month now so when he does…oh boy, watch out!!! lol.
I ordered the Grilled Vegetable Sandwich with roasted cinnamon apples. Oh my GOSH was this ever delicious!
It was about the size of my head and I ate every last bite plus about a serving of Eric’s fries.
Filled with grilled portabella mushroom, zucchini, romaine, and peppers in a balsamic olive oil dressing.
To my delight, the chef was more than willing to accommodate any vegan request! It was one of the easiest restaurants I have been to in terms of flexibility. I never expected this especially given that it is a STEAKHOUSE!
His ribs and fries:
Oh boy! Those are the best fries ever let me add.
I was cracking up because Eric kept saying, ‘Geeze everyone is going to think I am carbo-loading!!’ lol.
He said he had to fuel up for his early morning tomorrow!
I don’t blame him, poor guy. I told him he doesn’t have to come tomorrow, but I think he thinks that is ‘wife speak’ for I’m going to say you don’t have to come but I really hope you do. bahahaha. ;) Perhaps…
Dessert was bread and chocolate. Yup, that’s right!
Dark chocolate once home:
And an Endure Glo Bar:
I’ve been one nervous nelly today. I think it is because I am not sure how I am going to fare in such cold temperatures tomorrow (32F). I hope it doesn’t make things too hard on me. Eric’s coworker ran this race one year and she said it was so cold the entire run was miserable and she would never do it again. I sure as hell hope that isn’t my experience. Kind of freaked me out a little!
Right now I am *thinking* I am going to wear the white tank + red Shape Jacket + long pants. I am a bit worried that I may get too hot and I won’t be able to do anything about it. There is no way I am ‘tossing’ this jacket either! That would be like leaving my baby on the doorstep of a stranger’s house.
I hope that if I roll up my sleeves and unzip my jacket half way that will be enough to cool me down should I get hot. I also toyed with the idea of wearing shorts, and then my legs would be cool but my upper half warm. I don’t know!! Ideas?? Has anyone run a race in 30-35F weather?
Oh and my pre-half splurge were 69 cent Wal-Mart gloves! hahaha. Sorry Lulu, couldn’t afford ya this time. The gloves are good though because I can toss them if need be.
I really can’t believe I am running another HALF tomorrow! Crazy. I am so excited!
Track my race LIVE:
By the way, for those of you who had fun tracking me last time you can track me LIVE again tomorrow morning!
Click here to enter my BIB number: 8446
My race begins at 8am EST! I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want to beat my last time (1 hour 57 mins. 45 seconds), however I am just not sure what the cold is going to be like for this half so I am not setting a time goal this time. I am going to do my best and that will be more than enough! :) This is my last ‘hoorah’ of the year and I want to have fun more than anything.
Stay tuned tomorrow for the race craziness!!! Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
[PS- Eric just said I am a lunatic and if you guys really knew how weird I was you wouldn’t read this blog! hahaha!!!! Nice hubby eh?]
You might be surprised- I find I run faster in the cold.
You really won’t feel that cold, I promise. The worst parts will be before the race starts and after it is over. All 3 of my marathons were winter/spring ones which meant starting to train in November and working all the way through to January or April, depending on the run. All outside because I can not run on a treadmill! Good idea getting toss-able gloves, and if Eric comes, have him ready with a big sweatshirt and hat so you don’t cool off quickly. I think I see a marathon in your future. . . come run Boston with me on April 19!! :)
I kinda knew that you would end up deciding to run it.
I don’t know if this helps, but when I used to play soccer (in the middle of the winter) I would wear shorts and sweatshirts for practice, and it seemed like that was a good balance, no matter how much running I did. Since I don’t think it’s that cold yet, I probably wouldn’t wear a sweatshirt, but maybe a long sleeved shirt?
Good luck tomorrow!!
Good Luck!!!!!!!!
Sending lots of cozy warm (but speedy) vibes!…. Have tons of fun!!
for every mile think of the past months that you’ve overcome. so 13 miles, 13 months. That’s what got me through the 12km race I did. It’s inspiring. There were months/miles that were hard.However, you’ve gotten through those months you can def. ge t through the miles
You will do great girl! This is such an awesome way to kick off Project Snow! Such an inspiration as usual. :)
If anything – it’s better to have layers you know are manageable (i.e., an extra shirt you can tie around your waist, gloves you can throw away, etc.). I love, love, love running in the cold! I can’t wait for tomorrow (bib 5795!). Good luck!!!
You are incredible, girl!!! Best of luck in the race…I know you’ll do great! :)
I really hope you decide to run a marathon one day :) I decided that after my first half marathon in September a Full Marathon in October 2010 would be what I need to kick it up a notch! I NEVER thought I could go the 13 mile distance and when I did it got my head full of magical 26.2 mile dreams that are in need of fulfillment. I enjoyed reading along to your blog as you were training for your first half as I was training for my first too. I’m hoping maybe you’ll decide to go the full distance so I can coincide reading your training along with mine but of course no pressure ;) Good luck tomorrow!
rock it out, girl! have so much fun :D
i actually had a dream last night i was running a marathon in canada with you, but i had no idea where to run. everyone else (who was from canada) magically knew where to go, and i kept getting lost. it was so random! ANYWAY, good luck tomorrow!
xoxo
Around 0C is honestly my favourite running temperature. It’s not too cold at all I promise.
You can always take off the jacket and tie it around your waist (double-knot!). I did that in my first 10k in Apr which was around the same temperature and it didn’t bother me at all.
Oh my gosh, Angela! Good luck tomorrow- you will rock it!
I just received my Glo-bars in the mail and they are AWESOME!!! I did a review on my blog post for today:
http://katsdailyplate.wordpress.com/
Thanks again! I have the feeling I will be ordering more in the near future ;). I can’t wait to hear about the race. And don’t worry; once you start to run, all that nervous energy will become good, useful, and productive race energy!
You crazy woman!!! ;-) You’ll rock it out!
Good Luck!! That’s awesome!! I absolutely LOVE running in the cold. I ran a 5k race this morning and was so excited that it was 55F, because it’s been in the 80s/90s in South Carolina lately, and I can’t run in it – I get too hot and get migraines. :(
Last winter when it was in the 30s here I ran in a long-sleeved shirt, running pants, gloves, and a winter headband. My biggest issue was that my eardrums would start to ache badly as I was running if I didn’t have the headband covering them.
Good luck, you will do GREAT!
I love that you spontaneously signed up to run another half! Good Luck tomorrow and 32F is not that bad (I actually love running when it’s lightly snowing, so beautiful). I haven’t raced (ever, hmmm) but I run in VT and the toughest will be the start & end as someone mentioned, you’ll get warmed up & should feel fine, I would stick with pants over shorts.
good luck tomorrow with your race! im running a half too but in san fran so definitely not as cold weather!
i tell my hubby the same thing, you don’t have to go but i secretly hopes that he does. and normally he does.
Good luck tomorrow – I’m sure you’ll do great! I have to say that Project Snow is one of the reasons I’ve kept up running in the 40 degree Nebraska weather.
I ran a few races in that weather last year (I’m injured right now, so none this year- bummer!!!) and the coldest/worst part will be before and after the race. Make sure you warm up, cool down, and stretch MORE than you think is necessary. Your layers look great, but maybe have Eric hold a warmer jacket that you can wear before and after the race! Oh, and I always run faster in the cold- my theory is the faster I run, the sooner I will be inside and warm :)
Good luck!!
Good luck tomorrow! Can’t wait to hear how it goes. If it were me, I would wear shorts, the tank, and the jacket. I would definitely wear gloves too. My hands always get so cold. Like you mentioned, unzipping the jacket a bit always works like a charm to let out some heat if need be. I’m excited for you!