‘Twas the Night Before Race Day

and all through the apartment….

Just kidding.

Kind of. I am being a slight weirdo and over-analyzing/over-preparing/being over-excited about tomorrow. But just because it’s my first race! Well, my first “distance” running race. I know it’s not a big deal, and you probably think I’m a nutcase.

But it’s so fun to pretend that I am an actual runner; that I’ll actually get to do a race recap and actually get to be part of the running world for a morning!

I stuck with my Runner’s World/Insightful Friend via her Personal Trainer race week plan this week.

1.) Hydrate and Fuel

I did some research on how much water I should be drinking per day since I was having dehydration issues.

Livestrong.com told me:

“MayoClinic.com suggests that drinking about 2,000 mL (2 qts.) of water a day is adequate, since food sources also contribute some water to each person’s diet. Another guideline from the Institute of Medicine is that men drink about 3000 mL (3 qts.) daily and women 2200 mL (http://www.livestrong.com/article/527779-how-many-milliliters-of-water-should-you-drink-a-day/#ixzz1xtqMEXOP).

To test out my hydration intake, I kept track of exactly how much water I drank on Wednesday.

– 5 camelbaks of water = 750 mL each
– 4 cups of water = 500 mL each

Total water consumed on Wednesday: 5,750 mL

Ok, I think I’m drinking enough water now.

I took a healthy snack to Book Club Thursday night for all of us gals to munch on.

And made a delish chocolate peanut butter smoothie for a snack this afternoon.

CNG’s Chocolate Peanut Butter Smoothie

Ingredients

– Skim Milk
– Ice Cubes
– Chocolate Whey Protein Powder
– Cocoa Powder
– Unsweetened & Unsalted Organic Peanut Butter

Directions
Mix 1 cup of skim milk, 4 ice cubes, 1 scoop of protein power, 1 heaping teaspoon of cocoa powder, and 1/3 cup of peanut butter in a blender on SMOOTHIE setting.

*****

2.) 3 mile run outside in the heat.

It actually wasn’t too hot out, but I was glad to run outside again anyway. The weather for tomorrow morning is supposed to be around 70 degrees, so I should be just fine!

This run was my last-run-before-my-first-race-last-renewal-of-confidence-run.

It was great. My headphones worked, nothing hurt, and I ran it in 30:37.  My under 30 minute goal for tomorrow may be attainable!

Though either way, I have to remind myself that it doesn’t really matter. I’m only racing against myself. I’m going to try not to put unnecessary pressure on myself for no reason.

*****

I picked up my race packet last night at Pacer’s in Silver Spring.

I’m glad I don’t have to worry about registering in the morning.

I’m racing! I have a number!

I was stressing out what to do with my stuff during the run. I didn’t want to bring my iPhone with me and check it in the bag check, just since you never know what could happen. So instead, I decided to shell out $24 for a cool fanny pack racing pouch. Now I don’t have to worry about my phone since I can keep it on me! I’m also going to take my ID, some cash, my metro card, and some chapstick.

And don’t worry, I’m not so ridiculous that I think I need to use shot bloks for a 5K. I just wanted to buy them! I will probably try them out on my long run next week.

I’ve got my playlist all set. There will be praying to the running gods to keep my headphones working. Hopefully I will make my goal time so that Tubthumping will be playing as I cross the finish line.

I am currently sticking my quads with my vacuum cleaner hose because I don’t own a stick.

Don’t judge me.

Now let’s just hope I wake up!

The First Step

I’m so excited because…….

I just signed up for my very first race!!!!

Damn, I must be getting serious about this running thing.

I signed up for the Purple Stride D.C. 5K! Now I really gotta get running. I have no idea what to expect, but now I’ll actually be able to do a race recap. Ha.

The race is on June 16th, and I just found out I have to move six giant filing cabinets (and all of the files) at work the day before the race. Do you think that will eff with my muscles too much? I hope not.

I am super pumped to get to pick out a race outfit, and PR…..since I have yet to even establish a R. Sweet!

I’m not worried about the length of the race, since I know I can run 3.1 miles no problem – but I’m worried about my time! Since I’m a new runner (that’s my excuse, OK?) I’m slow as shit. I run like 10 or 11 minute miles. Everyone talks about race adrenaline though, so I’m going to try try try to make it in 30 minutes or less on race day.

*****

I started the day off with my typical overnight oats in a jar and a cup of Hazelnut coffee. I seriously look forward to both of them every morning.

I have the same overnight oat mixture every morning. (Hey, I’m still Chicken Nugget Girl, alright?)

I’ll fill you in on my exact overnight oats recipe next week on What I Ate Wednesday. The suspense is killing you, I know.

For lunch, I felt pretty blah. I could not bring myself to eat my usual spinach salad for lunch. I just was not feeling it. I ate my afternoon snack for lunch instead! So rebellious.

chocolate covered cherries > spinach

It was the first time trying this flavor, and it was delish. It actually tasted like chocolate covered cherries. Mmmmm.

I also had a lovely ripe Georgia peach from Whole foods.

Speaking of Whole Foods, I have a confession to make.

I have a problem.

I have a Whole Foods addiction.

When I started eating clean, I started shopping at Whole Foods more often. Yes, it’s expensive, but the produce is so much better and there are so many more healthy options to choose from. I would go once a week and load up on all of my healthy goodies for the week.

Lately, I’ve been going two or three times a week – buying a few things here and there, probably equaling the amount of groceries that I would get when I used to go once a week. Maybe a few more items, meaning a bit more $$$.

Guess how many times I’ve been to Whole Foods this week? Guess.

Four.

Four times. And it’s only Friday. That means I went to Whole Foods every day this week except Memorial Day.

I am currently scared to look at my bank account. Don’t make me do it.

Next week, I am only allowing myself to go ONCE. Yikes.

But oh well, this afternoon’s Whole Foods trip brought someone special into my life. I met a new BFF who even rode home with me.

Huh? A passenger?

Until I eat him.

I really need to take a chill pill on the whole Whole Foods thing. But at least the first step is admitting I have a problem, right?

*****

As soon as I got home I started munching on my new favorite snack. Pretzels and chocolate peanut butter. Yes, you heard me. CHOCOLATE PEANUT BUTTER. It has just the right amount of sugar and protein. Lolz.

Heaven.

God’s gift to the world.

Today is a rest day – which I’m surprisingly glad for. I did my Sarah Ivanhoe yoga DVD last night along with an On Demand five-minute ab blast, and my abs are actually kind of sore today. After five minutes. Sad.

But I’m going to be healthy-ish this weekend (as I always say on Friday afternoon….). I’m going to try to get a short workout in tomorrow and my long run (7 miles, eeeeeek!) on Sunday.

Happy Friday!