RDP Dean Frigo 33 5K Recap and Life Recap

Where have I been?

Recovering and Racing... Lets start with the fun stuff.

Saturday I got up early and hit the neighborhood for 4 pre-race miles. Then I headed down to Lowell for the  RDP Dean Frigo 33 5K. This is a great race, for a good cause and a ton of fun. It goes through the quiet streets and country roads of Lowell. Not a flat course but nothing terrible either. Since I had run very few days last week from the recovery process and I ran 4 miles before arriving I was planning to just finish.

Mile 1 went by really fast and I was surprised. I knew almost right away I was not going to be able to push myself the way I did at the last race. I was planning to follow my friend Josie but she went speeding off. Every race I try to find motivation... this race? Beat as many of the Lowell High School Football players.

I wasn't sure I was ever going to make it to Mile 2... I finally made the turn and I knew exactly where the course was going from there. I spotted a good running friend Tom. I just kept focusing on catching him. Finally I did. He gave me the good job Deanna thumbs up and I looked at him like I was about to die I am sure of it.

By this time many of the younger kids were flying past me because lets face it they are much younger than I am with much more energy. I then spotted another running friend Sue. I just kept focusing on her and letting her pull me to the finish. At the 3 mile marker another running friend Tim was cheering both Sue and myself onto the finish. I was so thankful because I was able to put my head down and finish as strong as I could.
26:33
143rd out of 432
3rd place (F 25-29)

I love getting the Medals!!!

Part of my absence however has been completely miserable.

Well I spent a short period of time in the ER....

All in all... I am finally feeling better after spending a lot of time doing this:

This is not something I do well. I rest as much as I could force myself which probably wasn't enough but I am back and ready to get going.

Do you have a hard time doing nothing?

Favorites Friday

Happy Friday!

Today's Favorites include:

1. I love getting a really good massage... so today I did. It was relaxing and helpful the really sore back I have had for two days.

2. Having a really good talk with my Granny Barb. She is always so supportive.

3. Watching a feel good Disney movie and relaxing.

Source: profile.ak.fbcdn.net via Hannah on Pinterest

4. When Coworkers bring me fresh Vegetables!

I can't wait to see what kind of recipes I can find to make use of this zucchini.

Do you like Zucchini? What should I do with it?

100 day Challenge

30 Minute Walk

Don't Beat Yourself Up

Yesterday my plan was to get home from work and rest for a few hours before meeting my group that I run with. I knew I was going to go early to get in some added miles. I needed to run a total of 7 to be on my running plan for the Chicago Marathon. I arrived at the parking lot around 5:15 and I got out my trusty water bottle, filled it with nice and set off around 5:20.

I started at Burr and headed south toward Crown Point. I was planning to run 3.0 miles total before my group started at 6pm. 1.5 miles from Burr is just past the Rt 30 under pass along the bike trail. The heat was really bad from just before the underpass and also just past the underpass. After 1.5 miles I really started to feel it. As  turned around to walk for about 30 seconds I was completely miserable. My stomach was feeling funny and the further I pushed on the more it cramped. When I got back to the parking lot at Burr street I was a mess. Luckily another good running friend Dan showed up right then. I was telling him how hard the first 3 miles were. I was planning to go another 7 with Dan. Another runner Thomas also showed up  as we were talking about the miserable heat.

Pretty sure I looked like this guy

As we stood there to see if any other runners were going to brave the heat I began to feel worse and worse. I tried eating some ice, drinking water and nothing was working. I even got into my car and let some cool air blow on my face. Eventually I gained some composure and I walked slightly over 1 mile with Thomas. I have never really had a day when running hit me this hard. The heat just really took its toll on me. It really got me to thinking about how every run is different and every day is different. We really cannot be so hard on ourselves. I decided once I pulled out of the parking lot to head home that was it. I was moving past the run and looking onto the next one. We can't dwell on these little things. Not everything is always going to be perfect....

So remember don't beat yourself up. Stride on.

100 Day Challenge (Day 88)
3.0 Mile Run
1.20 Mile Walk

Are you committed or interested?

This morning I read this....

Source: transition.inov-8.com via inov-8 on Pinterest

I also woke up this morning and there was still no power. I was forced into using my phone as a light as I tried to navigate through my kitchen to get some food together for the day without having to open my refrigerator.

I was able to pour my oatmeal that I could make at work and my banana. I am so grateful that Dunkin Donuts has fat free milk and yummy coffee 24 hours a day!

I ended up with this for lunch after making a quick stop to the Meijer's on Route 30 (thank god they are open 24 hours)

I can honestly say before I was committed I would not have done most of this. I would have hit up fast food twice in one day. I still am able to plan for two healthy meals and have no excuses to make the best of this day.

Are you committed or interested in making this day a success?

100 Day Challenge Day 87
Does cleaning up a bunch of branches that fell in your yard count?
Back on the wagon today.

Rules to Live By

Today I saw this from one of the most famous trainers around and one of my favorites...

Source: amazon.com via Deanna on Pinterest

I really think there are many truths with this list. So here are a few more tips from his tips that I thought of as I was reading this....

1. Drink a large glass of water before each meal. I think what he is means here is stay hydrated. If you are feeling really hungry before a meal drinking the water will help your body decide how hungry it really is.

2. Don't drink your calories. Ok sometimes we do. It isn't always going to be possible. However we can limit it by not having things such as lemonade but adding lemons to water.

3. Protein... very important. Just remember it doesn't have to be from an animal it can be from many sources like greek yogurt.

4. Slash the flour... go whole wheat. It is so much better for you.

5. Fiber.... will help you from feeling hungry.

6. Eat apples and berries everyday... why not? Enjoy them in new ways.

7. No carbs after lunch... This is debatable. Just make sure you are being smart about your carbs after lunch. Really fuel on smart carbs

8. Read food labels.... I suggest before you even put them in your cart at the story.

9. Stop guessing portion sizes. MEASURE IT OUT! Get a scale and learn to love your measuring cups.

10. No artificial sweeteners. I really due believe there are ways to limit these as much as possible. For example limit your diet soda intake and drink more water.

11. Ger rid of white potatoes... honestly I am not sure I agree 100%. I do think there are other options like sweet potatoes that due provide better nutrition for our bodies. I think the key is to limit them.

12. Make one day meatless... this really can make you feel really good and allows you to get creative with your meals at least one day per week.

13. Ger rid of fast and fried foods.... I do agree. Try to limit the fast food as much as you can. If you are going to eat fast food be smart about it. Plan ahead and select the best options.

14. Eat a real breakfast... totally agree 100%. Starting the day off right will fuel a better rest of the day. If you are not a breakfast person find something you do like and stick with it.

15.  Eat at home more... I do agree with this. Get more creative If you love pizza instead of going out create something really good at home.
16. Banish high salt foods.. it isn't good for you. Limit them.

17. Eat your vegetables... really do it. Try new ones or new ways to enjoy the ones you know you love.

18. Go to bed hungry... I think what this really means is not to stuff yourself at dinner. Spread it out throughout the day. You don't have to eat 90% of your intake at dinner.

19. Sleep right. I truly believe cutting the caffeine and being prepare will help with this.

20. Plan one splurge mean per week..... Just plan for events or one day to really enjoy something you like. Don't limit everything. Enjoy something if you really want it. Just put it down and make yourself aware of it.

What do you think of Bob's rules? Do you have more rules we should add to live by?

100 Day Challnge
Day 86 (Monday July 23rd)
A very busy day. Took a short walk at lunch time.

Mudathlon 2012 Recap

Mudathlon 2012

3 Miles
40 Obstacles
1:25
A Muddy good Time

100 Day Challenge
Saturday: Pre Mud Run 6 Miles 57 Minutes

Sunday: 14 Mile Long Run for Chicago Marathon Training







My team met up in Valparaiso early. You have to ride a hay ride back into the farm area where they hold the race. We checked in and also went to gear check. We all had different start times but since several of us had 9AM we decided to start at 9M.

Our team plan was to stick together, help each other and cross the finish line together.

The obstacles and mud started pretty quickly. Some of the obstacles were a little tougher than I anticipated. Mile 1 came and we are shouted only 2 more to go. Our friend Angie was waiting for her team to start and she snapped a photo of all of us.











Over hay bales, Over fences, through tires, down a fire pole, water, mud, water mud... mud and more mud. Then we made it to the famous slide where a friend caught up with us.

I was having so much fun

So 40 obstacles and just over 3 miles... we hit the final stage of the famous mud pit and were able to collect these well deserved treats. We laughed, slung mud, helped each other, and all finished. We had a blast. The best part is what we all had smiles on our faces and really lived up to our name "MudAnimals"

I haven't been this sore in a really long time. Proof that even I could use more cross and strength training. The one thing I can say is that I can't wait to do this again... I mean look how happy I am.

What is the last really crazy fun thing you did?

Friday Favorites

Every Friday I will start sharing some favorites so here is favorites Friday for July 20th

This Guy: My step Dad Tony
Yesterday was his birthday. I know I mentioned him on Father's Day but here is a shout out to the best step father a girl could ask for. Honestly I am so lucky to have him in my life. He one of the most supportive and reliable people I know. He is always willing to do whatever he can for me. There are not enough words for me to even explain how amazing he is. I hope he had an awesome birthday since I wasn't able to be there to celebrate.










Yummy Food:

I saw this article today form Eat this Not that about grilling fruits. All of these ideas sounds AMAZING. I love fruit and I love cooking on my grill. I am really excited to try some of the ideas. I really like the idea most of grilling the strawberries and cantaloupe on skewers... maybe with some chicken. I also love the idea with the bananas. Although instead of ice cream I was thinking I bet that would also be good with some vanilla yogurt or Greek yogurt with cinnamon.


Doing Something a Little Crazy:
Tomorrow I am doing this: I love running and I also love taking on a new challenge. Although this is not exactly a true running event but something I am going to do for good times with friends. I am really excited. Stay tuned for the race recap sometime Saturday or Sunday.

What are you loving these days? Would you do something crazy like the mudathlon?


100 Day Challenge
Day 81 July 26th
4 Mile Run