We always want what we can't have & ramblings

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

How many times have you longed for a break from your routine? And the bam! You get it: you're sick and can barely move a finger. And then you long to be exercising!

Yup, came down with some mild flu-like symptoms this weekend & have become intimately reacquainted with my couch; the only exercise I'm getting is walking the dogs.

Hardly shocking, the last 6 weeks have been filled with travel, not enough sleep, training & oh yeah! A little HM. Thank God I had the sense to not run a couple of races in November I was considering. This too shall pass & it's not that bad.

Speaking of rest, I read in this month's Runner's World that recovery should equal 1 day for every mile you raced. So for an HM that translates into almost 2 weeks!

My body seems to agree, unfortunately. I'm a little unclear on just what you SHOULD be doing during that recovery: I would think walking & yoga would be ok, which is what I did afterwards - but perhaps I overdid it. I never had plans to run immediately afterwards, but I was hoping to get my first long run of training for HM #2 in this weekend - not really all that long, maybe a 10k but we shall see.

This time I'll top out at 10 miles because now I KNOW I'm capable of 13.1.

I'm left with the question of whether or not I'm capable of a sub-3 hr HM - I still think I am, but time will tell. Maybe I'm slower than I thought I was. I've no doubt the race conditions slowed me down, but by how much? Again, time will tell.

I've been looking around for HM#3, but every time I find one that looks interesting it conflicts with DH's schedule. Bummer. I was really excited about the niagara falls' women's HM, only DH has a conference near then. Then there was one on cape cod - same story.

I'm finding being already signed up for my second before finishing my first was very helpful in the motivation department. I wasn't sure I would like them, but obviously I do.

One area I'm having trouble with is the refueling department. It's never a good day when you're eating brownies with a spoon directly from a pan, as I did this weekend. The reality was I probably only ate about one brownie, but that is not the kind of mindful eating I pride myself on. And I know there have been too many BLTs (bites, licks & tastes) this week. I've tried to track most of them, but haven't completely managed it,

I don't even have holiday parties to blame it on! DH has several, but I am not invited. Probably a good thing.

Of course the minute you tell yourself you can't have a brownie, you end up face down in the pan (at least I wasn't THAT bad & have, in fact, had no brownies since Saturday). I read today that supposedly the way to curve cravings - which works especially well when you're hungry - is to visualize yourself eating said craved food.

I dunno. Remember, I am the one that remembers landmarks by restaurants & can wax poetic about desserts I enjoyed 20 YEARS ago.

But I'll try most anything at least once . . .

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

NATPLUMMER 12/13/2011 12:52PM

I hope you recover quickly. My sinuses have been pretty bad since Vegas. I would think walking and yoga would be fine. Good luck finding HM #3. Parties...I've got one Friday and one Saturday I'll have to try that visualization...definitely worth a try. Report Inappropriate Comment

TEMPEST272002 12/13/2011 11:23AM

I agree with others - the body is wise. I long for exercise when I'm sick too! lol But you know this is the time to baby yourself and give yourself that extra bit of TLC. Hope you're feeling better soon. Report Inappropriate Comment

SKINNYPOWELL1 12/13/2011 10:53AM

I like what Don said..."scheming and dreaming", lol. Even when you're down with the bug, you are already plotting your next move, that's a good thing for the motivation department. In the mean time, love your couch. Rest up so you feel better. And I totally agree with what others have said about training and resting. Hope you feel better. P.S. When is the Niagra Falls half, that sounds like fun Comment edited on: 12/13/2011 10:55:20 AM Report Inappropriate Comment

DDHEART 12/13/2011 10:27AM

I really enjoyed and benefited from your "ramblings" Recovery I believe is supposed to not be entirely inactive but gentle. i think your yoga and walking were just fine, your illness is more likely the result of the physical stress of training and the race itself...just read same in RW also, air travel is notorious for exposing us to bugs....so....get over the bug, then walk and start your training with short gentle recovery run. You'll do it! Report Inappropriate Comment

SLIMMERJESSE 12/13/2011 9:36AM

Our body is so smart, demanding the rest it requires. Glad you are taking it slow and easy in order to refresh. And, yes, I am a shining example of depriving myself and then digging into that very thing. Have a good day. Report Inappropriate Comment

IFDEEVARUNS2 12/13/2011 9:19AM

Sorry you've been feeling poorly! I still haven't recovered mentally from my marathon and that was in late October. Sigh. I'm trying to cut myself some slack. Report Inappropriate Comment

LBTHOMASJR 12/13/2011 9:13AM

One day of recovery per mile raced is what I have heard as well. It doesn't necessarily mean that you can't do anything. I think that really depends on what your body is telling you. I generally like to give myself 2 or 3 days completely off and then add back strength, stretching and light cardio. Walking is great and even running is fine as long as it is something super taxing like speed work. Welcome to the world of addicted Half Marathoners! Good luck with your recovery. Report Inappropriate Comment

DDOORN 12/13/2011 8:52AM

Our bodies just seem to know when it's time to "pull the plug" and recharge, eh...? Sure doesn't stop you from scheming & dreaming new challenges for yourself, though! :-) Don Report Inappropriate Comment

KISSFAN1 12/13/2011 8:02AM

Sorry that you have been sick and not feeling well. I've been involved in a holiday party and a refreshment event after piano recital where there were tremendous temptations, so I know how hard it can be to avoid them. Luckily my husband's job is the type where he doesn't go to an office and so no office parties or anything like that to make it harder on me. Hope you feel better soon! Report Inappropriate Comment

EMMANYC 12/13/2011 7:57AM

If you're looking for a memorable race in a city with great food, what about the Toronto Women's HM on May 27? One of the aid stations (that you pass a couple of times) is manned by shirtless firefighters (!) and you get chocolate at the last one. And Toronto is a great foodie city, because it's so multicultural. Report Inappropriate Comment

Touristy Vegas in pictures

Friday, December 09, 2011

DH likes to say that Vegas is Disney for adults. I willingly suspend my disbelief, and so I enjoy it. I'd never been until the mid to late 90s, but oddly enough, outside of NYC, Vegas is my most visited US city. Life can be strange.

All these photos were taken with my cell phone, so I apologize for the quality.

Panel at the expo. Meb Klefizighi (something like that - 2009 NYC marathon winner); Rod Dixon; and I never did catch who the last person was. My biggest takeaway from their talk? Every time you get to run should be seen as good, no matter how bad the outcome (barring loss of limb or life, of course!).



John "The Penguin" Bingham. One of my personal heroes -- his books really encouraged me to waddle on. He sure likes to hear himself talk!



The crowd pleaser Kara Goucher, who came thru as very nice and down-to-earth. I would've had my photo taken with her (heck, I would've definitely had my photo taken with the penguin -- he was always busy, tho) - but the line was just too long and it was getting late.



The Venetian at night. There's a small ice skating rink, too.



I've never been to Vegas during the holiday season. It's not NYC, but I enjoyed all the decorations.



In the daylight. They're serving free hot chocolate or mulled apple cider & roasted chestnuts - never could quite figure out the schedule -- I did manage to snag some hot chocolate and the chestnuts one day. Decided I'm not real fond of roasted chestnuts.



The night photos were as I was walking back to the hotel from the expo Friday night. Glad I caught the volcano at the Mirage erupting then, because I missed it on my run. I seemed to have missed most things scenic on my run . . .



The Fountain of the Gods inside Caesar's Palace. They also have live, moving statues but I didn't take any photos. The hotels with large shopping malls make them look "real" with the painted sky & such -- down the steaming manholes in NYNY.



Fountain & statue outside of Caesar's Palace.



The big cats outside the MGM.



The big cats INSIDE the MGM. Doing what cats do best. I like to visit them whenever I'm in Vegas.



I have race-day photos to look thru, but I'm sure some are bored by all the race ramblings, just as I'm sure there are more race ramblings to come.

If they up the entrants to 60,000 next yr it will be a very difficult decision for me. And it might have been a very different decision for me if I'd had to fight my way thru the Mandalay Bay after the race . . . sort of makes me glad that I'm slow & that I stayed at the Tropicana and had no problems walking back to the hotel after the race.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

SKINNYPOWELL1 12/12/2011 4:44PM

Nice pics, thanks for sharing, can't wait to hear more race details and see pics of that too. Hope your day is going fantastic. Report Inappropriate Comment

LJCANNON 12/11/2011 2:55PM

Love Vegas, and there is no such thing as a Bad Picture of it, LOL!! I don't Gamble, but it is my FAVORITE Place to visit because of the scenery, the Shows, and the Guided Tours over the Hoover Dam and Grand Canyon. The Patriotic Show on the Fremont Street Experience always makes me tear up. I am looking forward to more of your Vegas Ramblings. Report Inappropriate Comment

JEANLECUY 12/11/2011 6:23AM

I am not a gambler and my hubby is not either. He has been their twice on business and hated it... So thank you for taking pictures since I know it is somewhere we will not be going. lOVED the pictures. And the ramblings. Report Inappropriate Comment

TEMPEST272002 12/9/2011 6:27PM

I've never been to Vegas, but it's on my list. So many things to do & see in such a small space! Thanks for sharing your pics. Report Inappropriate Comment

KKINNEA 12/9/2011 4:37PM

Wish I had known the Tropicana was looking so good! Excalibur was convenient but not the greatest stay. Anything that end of the Strip was better than needing to get on a shuttle. Report Inappropriate Comment

PUDLECRAZY 12/9/2011 4:37PM

Fun pics. Looks like you had a great time. I've been enjoying reading your blogs. Report Inappropriate Comment

-DYET- 12/9/2011 2:47PM

Great picts! I absolutely loved that tree in front of the Venitian!!! It was soo cool!! Did you run? I did and I thought it was a great race!! Report Inappropriate Comment

SLEEPYDEAN 12/9/2011 2:35PM

Thanks for sharing. I can't quite find my camera cord to transfer my pics. I wish I could have been at the expo on Friday to see Kara. She was pretty awesome at the expo I saw her at in October. I got to meet her husband and little boy there too. Report Inappropriate Comment

NATPLUMMER 12/9/2011 1:50PM

Meb Keflezighi won the San Jose RnR HM in October. I didn't get to see him, though. It's cool that you got to hear the talks. You got much better pictures than I di. 60,000.....are they kidding?? They couldn't even handle what they had this year. Report Inappropriate Comment

SLIMMERJESSE 12/9/2011 12:33PM

Thanks for sharing the photos. I will always have the great memories of my last visit with my dear cousin. We were laughing fools together - non-stop. I remember asking her, as we walked along, if she wanted to go to NYNY. She laughed and said she lived next door (and often visited) the real thing, why would she want to go to the LV venue? Anyway, we had a great time together. I find that people either love it or hate it. I was going to come back last year and do one of the helicopter tours that I've taken before. But sad news a few days ago for the five who took one and crashed. Have a fun day. Report Inappropriate Comment

TAGSUIT2 12/9/2011 11:42AM

Love Vegas!!! Been there several times and love the scenery inside the hotels. Report Inappropriate Comment

PICKIE98 12/9/2011 11:36AM

Have not been to Vegas since 1977,,maybe again someday,, Disney would be my first choice though,.love your pics.. wwe got to sit next to Leo the MGM lion and take a pic with him, PETTING HIM!!! Report Inappropriate Comment

Last day in Vegas: another food blog

Thursday, December 08, 2011

So somehow I'd gotten into my mind that walking to fashion show mall would be a good idea. Only first I needed lunch. I always wanted to try out witchcraft, a sandwich place by Tom Colicchio of Top Chef fame, so I headed over to the MGM.

To get to the restaurant, you have to walk thru the entire hotel, which is a pretty good walk. And it was CLOSED. By this time, I'm getting a little hungry but I decide the other restaurants there weren't what I was in the mood for. I decided to head over to the Cosmopolitan, because I'd read the pizza at D.O.C.G. was good. Only THEY were CLOSED. WTH?

By this point it's noon, I'm hungry & a bit tired. I briefly consider walking the rest of the way to the mall, but I need food & I need it NOW.

I decide to try out China Poblano. We saw it when we went to the buffet - the reviews said pricey, small portions, but good. They were right on.

I had a Caesar salad WITH whole anchovies - which I liked - who knew? The only time i'd ever had anchovies was on pizza & I hated that. The salad was a decent size. I also had a refried bean taco & a wild mushroom taco - both small, but really tasty. I thoroughly enjoyed my lunch. DH, BTW, was out gambling.

So then, refueled, it was on to the mall. I wandered around a lot, tried on a few things, but bought nothing. And then I stumbled across the Red Velvet Cafe. Oh my. Let's just say I'm glad I didn't find it earlier in my trip (altho I bet lunch there would be awesome).

I really don't know what got into me, but I got the red velvet "cake" - more like a really big cupcake. If you go there, don't get it to go - sit down with it, because they warm it up and let me tell you that was some deliciousness. I ate about 3/4 of it, yes I did, including every last bite of the frosting. And it's vegan. Some reviewers claimed the cakes were less than 200 calories but I don't believe it.

You can bet I will return next time I'm in vegas. I regretted not getting the vanilla chocolate chip cake . . .

I went thru the miracle mile of shops at Planet Hollywood on the way home - and finally broke down & bought several sweaters at H&M - wouldn't you know the first place I looked at last Thursday?

Maybe tomorrow I'll have some time to wrestle some photos onto my computer; maybe not. But for now, hopefully this will be my next racing bling - youraustinmarathon.com/images/storie
s/2012/photos/2012%20m%20%20hm%20medal
s.jpg

Pretty cool. Then I have to pick some race for after that . . .

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

MARGARITTM 12/12/2011 3:07PM

OH YAH !!!! That cake place and I will be making friends on my next trip! The medals were great weren't they! Report Inappropriate Comment

JEANLECUY 12/11/2011 6:18AM

They warmed the cupcake up? Sounds yummy. Glad I do not live near Vegas or I might have had to ditch the low carb diet for one of those! Report Inappropriate Comment

KKINNEA 12/9/2011 4:34PM

Red Velvet Cafe sounds divine - wish I knew it was there! I was noted the food places running down the Strip!! Pricey but so worth it is Scarpettas in Cosmopolitan and we stumbled on Border Grill in Mandalay on Friday. And America Restaurant in NY NY is the hero - only place open after the event!! I think we need an "Eat then Race" pact for next year... Report Inappropriate Comment

SLEEPYDEAN 12/9/2011 2:37PM

Is DOCG that little hidden pizza place? I stumbled acrossed it and waited in line for a while, but then decided that pizza might not be the best for the my upset stomach. I did a few yelp searches for Vegas restaurants, but it seems like your knowledge would come in handy for my next trip there. Report Inappropriate Comment

DDHEART 12/9/2011 10:29AM

Smiling as I read....the next race.....I believe you're infected with a running virus!! You enjoyed that cake, now it's back to training right? Report Inappropriate Comment

LJCANNON 12/9/2011 10:03AM

Definitely putting the Red Velvet Cafe at the Fashion Show Mall at the top of My List of places to go the next time I am in Vegas. Report Inappropriate Comment

SLIMMERJESSE 12/8/2011 4:37PM

What amazes me (among other things) about Vegas is how convoluted it is to walk from a short point a to point b. I remember the days when you just walked down the street on the sidewalk. Couldn't believe the changes last time I visited. I also bought some nice sweaters yesterday at Marshalls. I'd gone in to get a couple of gifts - which I did get- but then these sweaters called my name with such a great price! (smiling) Woohoo for you and your next race plans. Report Inappropriate Comment

IFDEEVARUNS2 12/8/2011 4:28PM

So it sounds like you benefited from the closed restaurants, LOL! I'm thinking of signing up for Austin again..... Report Inappropriate Comment

NATPLUMMER 12/8/2011 3:28PM

CLOSED....BOOO!!! Sounds like our search to find a buffet after the race. Now I want red velvet cake and vanilla chocolate chip cake...I won't do it, though. Nice bling....can't wait to see a pic of you wearing it :-) Report Inappropriate Comment

10 things I learned from my first HM

Wednesday, December 07, 2011

1. Consistency is key

Not to long ago I read that there's some formula you multiply your weekly mileage by to see where you'll hit the wall - and that had me worried, because I don't think I ever ran more than 20 miles, and many weeks, while nursing injuries, significantly less.

I never hit the wall. I think being consistent - and cross training - are the keys. I am not the sort of person who lives to run. I like variety. I like the challenge & endorphins of running, too, which is why I do it.

2. Cw-x tights are worth every penny to me

Between swimming, yoga & my cw-x tights, my achy hip mostly stopped bothering me in that last month of training. I wore them for my long runs & would stay in them for at least a half hour afterwards.

YMMV

3. Don't try ANYTHING new before your HM

I knew this & I was going along pretty religiously respecting it. Or so I thought. Until I thought it would be a good idea to do a new yoga DVD the Tuesday before the race.

I'm not sure that's what caused my knee to be so funky, but it started shortly afterwards.

4. Research, people!

It's amazing to me the number of people who have no idea that Vegas can get cold. It was, in fact, colder here on the day/night of the race than it was back home in NY. I've been here in winter so I knew it was a possibility. It can even snow. Weather.com is your friend, but give it +/- 10 degrees because forecasts change.

Research the race itself. I'd read plenty of stories of RnR events being disorganized, so it wasn't a huge shock to me.

Research hotels. I switched partly because the Luxor had no wifi. The wifi here worked great. How far away from the start & finish lines are you willing to be? Will you drive? How far will you want to Walk after running 13.1 miles? I was riding my runner's high so we walked the mile back to the hotel, including having to go up & down the non-working escalators.

Research restaurants. What do you want to eat? I knew I wanted a goid pancake breakfast on race day. Blueberry hill did not disappoint.

5. Don't rely on the kindness of strangers

I'd read about races where they run out of water or food for the slowpokes like me. Yes, it would be way easier to run without carrying four 8 oz water bottles or GUs and a post race snack. I didn't have to struggle with the aid stations or wait hours for food afterwards - priceless.

Not to mention the many aggressive runners basically elbowing their way thru you - and the walkers walking so close together that you couldn't run around them. Or the street littered with gloves & hats & even sweatshirts.

6. Options are nice

Half my suitcase was taken up with running gear - that is not an exaggeration. Even with research, weather is variable. Pack a variety of tops. You won't regret it. A variety of running snacks isn't a bad idea, either. You never know what you might crave race day.

7. Check your bib AND chip

Well, anything where the numbers need to match - check em. Really, who would've expected my chip to not match my bib?

8. Go to the talks

If you have time, of course. They're interesting. You will learn new stuff. You could have your photo taken with an Olympian - I didn't, but I could have!

9. Goals are good, but running IS the goal

Goals are good, they motivate us. But you won't always meet your goal - I know I most definitely didn't. But in the end, I did: I ran a HM. It impresses the hell out of people. It's what I set out to do.

10. Finishing is winning

Kate Gosslein's shirt said so. Did you know this was her first marathon? I didn't until afterwards.

There will eventually be photos. Lots & lots of photos. Just not yet.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

ONMYMEDS 8/13/2012 10:39AM

I know this blog is dated, but the advice still applies. Every race, if not every run is it's own learning experience. Report Inappropriate Comment

HONBAD 12/7/2011 9:19PM

Great blog! I am toying with the idea of a HM and if I do, I will be sure to heed your advice! Thanks for sharing :) Liz Report Inappropriate Comment

PUDLECRAZY 12/7/2011 5:40PM

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TEMPEST272002 12/7/2011 5:32PM

I'm impressed! Thanks for sharing these lessons-learned. One day I'll run an actual race... and I know the first person I'll be asking advice from is you! Report Inappropriate Comment

NATPLUMMER 12/7/2011 3:28PM

Great lessons! Report Inappropriate Comment

SKINNYPOWELL1 12/7/2011 2:02PM

AWESOME lessons learned, it sounds like you were very prepared. You put a lot of planning and training into it and it paid off. Can't say enough times how proud I am of you. You totaly inspire me in many ways. Gonna have to invest in those tights, they are on my wish list, hoping Santa will bring some, lol. Can't wait to see the pics. Report Inappropriate Comment

JEANLECUY 12/7/2011 1:58PM

Judy, loved this blog! Congrats on finishing and excellent job on summarizing what you learned. I love to research before hand! So proud of you Report Inappropriate Comment

KAREN_NY 12/7/2011 1:29PM

SWEEEEEET!! Love this. "Running is the goal." It was for me too. I just signed up for my 2nd. :) Comment edited on: 12/7/2011 1:30:40 PM Report Inappropriate Comment

LEONALIONESS 12/7/2011 11:42AM

SP won't let me edit! I wanted to add HUGE congrats for doing so well on what sounds like a really rough and rocky course. I guess the general consensus is that they doubled the race field but not the support, which meant they couldn't handle the extra runners well (or at all) Report Inappropriate Comment

KKINNEA 12/7/2011 11:35AM

Nice conclusions - I agree wholeheartedly about weather.com and clothing options. Report Inappropriate Comment

LEONALIONESS 12/7/2011 11:34AM

So, a bunch of people on the runners Livejournal group I'm part of did this race and all of them agree it was an absolute nightmare of a race. Incredibly poorly run and slipshod. I'm reading their race reports like this D: I'm glad you had a good experience, it seems most folks really did not. I know I'd be just as frustrated as the folks on runners are. I hate poorly run races! Your next one is not a R&R again, is it? I'd be interested to see how you think this one compares after running a smoothly run, well managed race. My local race company is just amazing so I'm super duper annoyed but poorly done races now. First world problems! ;) Report Inappropriate Comment

KATIEKATE11 12/7/2011 10:33AM

THANK YOU for your suggestions. I start training in January for my first HM. I hope I can go back to your blog before I run my race in June to make sure I have all of my ducks in a row! :) Report Inappropriate Comment

DDHEART 12/7/2011 10:22AM

Yes! You do impress the hell out of me! Not that I didn't think youu could do this, far from that! I know you're one very very determined and accomplished woman, but I'm not so much a distance runner...I have run the 13 plus miles but in a training situation and it's hard hard hard! So you impress me and of course I envy the experience and knowing you had a chance to see some of our mutual friends....well yes I'm envious. Congrats on your great finish! Report Inappropriate Comment

TERRYT55 12/7/2011 10:22AM

Great information! I know I wouldn't have thought about the cold in Vegas without my sister and brother in law, who are locals, reminding me to bring warm running gear. Congrats on your first HM Report Inappropriate Comment

IFDEEVARUNS2 12/7/2011 9:48AM

Awesome! Report Inappropriate Comment

SLIMMERJESSE 12/7/2011 9:32AM

Woohoo! How exciting and fun! Report Inappropriate Comment

KASHMIR 12/7/2011 9:02AM

Excellent!! Report Inappropriate Comment

SHEILA1505 12/7/2011 8:45AM

Great stuff, Judy! Report Inappropriate Comment

Kara Goucher said I should . . .

Tuesday, December 06, 2011

Fair warning: if describing food makes you wan't to eat, you might want to skip this blog.

My husband & I always seem at odds when it comes to food in Vegas. He wants cheap eats - not so easy to find anymore, but not impossible. I want good food - there are SO many amazing restaurants here.

OTOH, he has just been ridiculously proud of the whole HM thing - which came as a huge surprise because he's come to very few of my races. I am not one to toot my own horn in general. Before we left, tho, every time we told someone we were going to Vegas he made sure they knew why. I think I didn't usually mention it because a) I didn't wan't to jinx anything and b) like I mentioned, I don't really like that attention.

He almost immediately posted a photo of me before the race on his facebook page & kept urging me to post my photo here.

And then he consented to go to the Wicked Spoon buffet with me at the Cosmopolitan - and didn't even complain TOO much when we had to stand in line for an hour. If you go, go early - it's well worth the price but it's very deceptive. You stand in line to pay, which is normal, but it's only once you've paid that you see the line you REALLY have to stand in - to be seated.

I have eaten at quite a few Vegas buffets over the years, and this one ranks right up there with the best. And I let myself eat everything I wanted to - I left totally stuffed, but not uncomfortable. The portion sizes of everything was quite small - of course you can get as much as you want, but I didn't get seconds of anything - I ate 3 plates of food as it was!

Now, I know you're thinking you just ran a HM & you damn well ought to be able to eat anything you want, but here's the reality: if I'm lucky I burned 1400 calories. But I consumed about 600 - 700 calories during & immediately afterward. And this is why it's so easy to gain while training for long distances: IDI syndrome (I deserve it).

I had:

Pecan French toast - usually I'm disappointed by French toast at restaurants, but this did not disappoint.
Caesar salad
Spinach salad
Pasta with eggplant sauce
Butternut squash ravioli (almost got that at Spago)
Gnocchi
Mac & cheese (holy yum!)
Garlic bread
Breakfast panini
Cheddar hash browns

I also had a taste of my husband's eggs Benedict

I know, I know. Sounds like a huge amount of food - and it was - but the portions were small & I didn't completely finish anything.

I stuffed some bananas & apples in my purse - should've grabbed the bananas at the end of the race yesterday but I just didn't think of it.

The good news was I wasn't too hungry for dessert . . . I got a chocolate covered marshmallow that had some sweet crunchies on the bottom - nothing at dessert was labeled so I didn't know what it was. And 2 chocolate dipped strawberries that had crushed oreos on the bottom - thank you so much for placing that idea into my mind! Some of the chocolate fell off as I was eating it & I didn't even finish off what fell off; I was that full.

There seriously wasn't a bad dish there & there was way more I didn't try.

I stopped off at Ross on the way back but continued my non-buying streak. We'll see if I break it today.

I finally showered after I got back & then I kind of crashed. I was going to do some yoga - got into my pjs after the shower - but couldn't find the motivation. We were going to get together with NATPLUMMER & her husband for dinner, but frankly I was too tired, not hungry & couldn't muster up the energy to get dressed again. I had an apple, protein bar & some cookies in the room.

Well, Kara Goucher DID say at the expo that it's important to refuel after a long run even if you don't feel like it, after all.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

SUSIQZER 12/10/2011 6:32AM

Who are we to argue with Kara? ;) So awesome that your husband was so proud! That's so sweet!!! Report Inappropriate Comment

DDHEART 12/9/2011 10:37AM

Love the expression of pride that your husband showed...I totally understand your not wanting to jinx or draw the spotlight but it is a very very nice feeling to know you are being proudly touted by your number one fan! Report Inappropriate Comment

NATPLUMMER 12/7/2011 3:27PM

YUM!!! You didn't want those green bananas from the race anyway. Report Inappropriate Comment

SLEEPYDEAN 12/7/2011 2:49PM

My eating was so messed up in Vegas because I had stomach issues from the time I got there. I'll have to live vicariously through you. I heart Kara. I got my picture taken with her at the Nike Women's race expo - I was soooo happy. I've been looking into Nutrilite lately because of her promotion of it. Report Inappropriate Comment

MARGARITTM 12/7/2011 2:20PM

WOW we will have to go to the Cosmo next trip! Tony roma's has a decent prime rib on Freemont Street too. I also gave myself full license to eat what i wanted to on Monday!!! After being soooooooo careful before the race! I highly recommend hitting the Walgreens for a case of water and some bananas for your room ... most hotels/casinos charge $2.99 a bottle! and Starbucks $1.59 for one banana! Stock up at Walgreens and save that money for something you will really enjoy! Report Inappropriate Comment

KASHMIR 12/7/2011 8:59AM

Be very glad you DIDN'T grab the banana at the end of the race...they were GREEN! I read one statement they might have been the reason many people after the race were having severe stomach issues. Kara is so right...I never feel like eating after a race, but know I must. IE. Cheap Eats for hubby...Hooters has a $9.95 Prime Rib. I was very happy with my post race dinner except having to wait until after 1am to be seated. Report Inappropriate Comment

KANSASROSE67 12/6/2011 4:13PM

LOVE your new pic. Great job!!! Report Inappropriate Comment

LJCANNON 12/6/2011 10:45AM

It really is all about Portion Control, even at the Buffet. And you did stop before you were STUFFED. Sounds to me like you did pretty good! Report Inappropriate Comment

SLIMMERJESSE 12/6/2011 10:03AM

Those are great choices at the buffet. Really cute new photo. Again, congrats! It's very cool. Report Inappropriate Comment