4 Days Away

My half marathon is 4 days away.  I've been excited about it for awhile.  I trust my training.  I feel prepared for it.  I know I will do well....

Except I'm having some foot issues.  For the past 7-8 weeks I've had issues with my right big toe.  Somethings not quite right with it.  It hurts when I run.  It has started hurting even when I'm not running.  I've gotten a blood blister on the toe as well as other blisters.  I think it's because I'm altering my stride when I'm running because it hurts.  But it never hurt enough to make me stop running or take a break.  This whole time I've been saying I just want to make it through the half marathon. 

Yesterday the top of my right foot is swollen.  I haven't run since my 12.2 miles on Saturday so I don't know what's up with it.  I iced it last night and didn't run my planned 3 miles.  I'm going to try running today. 

I'm not sure how many of these injuries this week are truly real (or potentially serious) and how many are just my noticing every ache and pain as I mentally prepare for the race.  Time will tell I suppose.

Less than 1 week

It's now less than 1 week until my half marathon.  This training cycle is SO different compared to the last one.  Even though I hit all of my long runs before I still doubted whether or not I'd be able to do it on the actual day.  This time though I'm confident.  I know I will not only compete it but I should get a PR as well.  On Saturday I ran 12.2 miles and I felt great.  I even contemplated running 13.1 but decided to save that for the 29th.  All of my long runs have been great and I finally understand what Mike meant when he always told me to trust in my training.  I get it now. 

I'm even contemplating signing up for a full marathon. What??!!??  I know, right?  I am not slapping my credit card down yet but I'm letting the idea sit for awhile.  We'll see how this race goes first before I go too crazy. 

Sunday Mike and I volunteered at the bib pick up for the Half Moon Bay International Marathon.  It felt good to give back to a race I'm going to run but it was also exciting seeing all of the first time marathoners picking up their bibs.  It definitely inspired me hearing some of their stories. 

Raffle Prize

I absolutely love Running 4 the Reason's raffles.  It seems like every time I donate to one of her fundraisers that involves a raffle I win!  What's not to love about that? 

This time I won an awesome tech shirt Run Pretty Far. 

They also included a sticker which I can really relate to:

I can't wait for Laura to have another raffle.  Wonder what I'll win next time?

Homemade Granola

One of my favorite breakfasts is nonfat Greek yogurt, cut up fruit or berries, and granola.  But I've realized that store bought granola has a lot of sugar, aside from being pricey too.  I decided that I should try making my own.  At first I wasn't sure how it would compare to my favorite granola from Trader Joe's.  I was so surprised.  It's delicious!  First of all the smell of it cooking makes the whole house smell amazing.  I will never go back to store bought granola again! 

Here's the recipe I used (adapted from Alton Brown's granola recipe):

 

Ingredients

3 cups rolled oats
1 cup slivered almonds
1 cup cashews, roughly chopped
1/2 cup shredded sweet coconut
1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon dark brown sugar
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons honey
1/4 cup vegetable oil
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup raisins

Directions 

Preheat oven to 250 degrees F.

In a large bowl, combine the oats, nuts, coconut, and brown sugar.

In a separate bowl, combine honey, oil, and salt. Combine both mixtures and pour onto 2 sheet pans. Cook for 1 hour and 15 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes to achieve an even color.

Remove from oven and transfer into a large bowl. Add raisins and mix until evenly distributed.

Summer Breeze 10K

I ran my third race today (first was a half marathon, then a 5K).  I signed up for Brazen Racing's Summer Breeze 10K in San Leandro.  This race fit in perfectly with my next half marathon training plan and it was close by to home so I figured it would be a great race for me.  Mike and the boys came along for support. 

The boys were happy to see there was a playground near the start/finish line so that kept them entertained while we waited for the race to begin. 


It was a cool, overcast day which I think is perfect for running.  I was a little chilly in a tank top prior to beginning the run but once I started running I was perfect. Mike caught a picture of me as the race began. 

The course was an out and back.  The first part I felt really good.  I was hoping to run negative splits and to keep my first 3 miles around 11:30 but I ended up running the first mile a minute faster.  I struggled a bit around miles 3-4 but kicked it into gear when I realized I might make my first goal of completing it in 1:07. 

As I came upon the last quarter mile I spotted the boys.  I loved seeing them running out to me to give me a high five. 
 

It totally boosted my spirits and helped me finish in 1:07 which was my premium goal time.  It's definitely a time I'd like to beat in the future (sub hour is a hope of mine) but it felt good to set a goal and to meet it.  I look forward to signing up for another one and seeing what I can do after I start incorporating some speed work.

Loved the hugs from Lucas and Evan after I finished.

They loved the spread of food Brazen puts out for their runners!  I was amazed at all of the yummy treats!  We didn't stay long.  I double booked us this morning and we had to head off to Fairyland to see The Cat in the Hat so I grabbed food and headed straight to the car.
 
I'll definitely do another Brazen Race in the future.  Great course, easy packet pick up, awesome food for the runners, and a great medal too!

It's Mike!

I was perusing the Half Moon Bay International Marathon's website.  I was curious about the route (the fact that I'm looking that up with about 60 days to go until my half marathon just goes to show how detail oriented I am!).  When I was on the main page they have a montage of pictures that filters through from last year's event.  Imagine my surprise when I saw this picture pop up:

It's Mike!  He's easy to spot in that yellow shirt.  :-)

See Jane Run San Francisco's Post

Imagine my surprise when I was scrolling down my Facebook news feed only to see my picture!  They had posted the picture taken of Lucas and I from when Mike ran the Half Moon Bay International Marathon back in September.  Their comment was, "champions of encouragement."  I love how this picture is still circulating out there!