My Marathon Weight
Oh Snowtober.
You kind of freaked me out there.
I went for a 6 miler last Sunday after the storm and well…
Running in 39 degree weather? Not so pleasant.
But on a positive note, it’s supposed to be 20 degrees warmer on race day!
Shanny no likey 39 degree weather.
5 more days. 
Walking home I spotted this:
And my personal favorite:
Yikes.
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I didn’t have a debit card for 5 days, so I literally had no money the entire weekend.
Thankfully though, I had my fluffy green robe, Netflix, Cheerios, Eggo Waffles and Greek Yogurt to get me by.
Ah yes, taper life is the good life.
For my fellow Netflix lovers, 2 marathon movies are available on instant streaming:
- Spirit of the Marathon: Get ready to cry your eyes out in this one. I get way too emotional when it comes to this stuff.
- Saint Ralph: Seriously one of the weirdest movies I’ve ever seen. Kind of inspiring, but a 14 year old attempting to win the Boston Marathon? So random.
On the toe-front, the infection and blister have both gone down, but it looks like the nail is going to fall off any day now. RIP Mr. Toe Nail. I thought we were friends!
I didn’t run on it for 6 days because I really didn’t want to risk anything on race day.
It’s really weird, but apparently I lost 3ish pounds during those days of not running. I have worked so hard to build those muscles and I really hope they aren’t going away anytime soon. I need them to get me across the finish line!
Does that usually happen during Taper Time? Kind of freaks me out.
My Marathon Weight:
My Marathon Weight has been pretty interesting to follow over the past 26 weeks.
Last Winter was the first real winter I’ve ever experienced in my life.
Oh lookee there. Snow!
I had just moved from Florida, was starting a new job, getting adjusted to city life and enjoying all of the perks that came along with the city that never sleeps.
- Want to get $4 frozen margaritas from Blockheads tonight? Yes!
- Want to get McDonald’s Chicken Nuggets for lunch? Always.
- Want to go to happy hour after work? Sure why not.
- Want to get some beer at the Stumble Inn? You had me at beer.
Obviously the last thing I wanted to do was come home from work and go out for a run in the freezing cold. Fast forward a couple months later and bam! An extra 15 pounds. Heyyyy that’s not cool. I’m almost 5’10, so the weight didn’t look like a lot, but I definitely couldn’t fit into any of my college clothes which was all I had brought up from Florida.
Major fail.
During Marathon training, I turned that laziness completely around. I ran 4 days a week, walked home on some rest days and ate pretty healthily.
For breakfast, I made either toast, waffles, cereal or oatmeal at work. Lunch was the hot bar and salad from the deli downstairs and dinner was usually something like cube steak or homemade pizza wraps.
Days that I was scheduled to run 5-8 miles after work, I’d always have a sandwich for lunch.
Carbs = fuel. They’re SO important during training and you have to find the right balance for you. Too much can sit like a brick in your stomach and too little won’t give you enough energy to complete your run.
I cut out beer completely and only drank probably about 5 times the entire training session.
Yup, I was pretty strict on myself. I’ve slipped up with training in the past (signed up for the Disney World Half Marathon ’11 and wasn’t motivated enough to train for it) and didn’t want it to happen again. I wanted to do it this time.
I want to run a marathon.
(Fun Fact: The day of the marathon will be my 1 Year NYC Anniversary. I did it, Mom!)
In August though, I was pretty depressed. Money was extremely tight and I had been training like a crazy person for a good 3 months. I wasn’t balancing the work and play part very well which a lot of experienced runners are reasonably good at.
That’s when the trip to Atlantic City came along.
GTL?
It felt so good to take a mental vacay away from it all and finally have some real “non-exercise” fun.
Seeing Pauly D was pretty cool too.
In the beginning of marathon training, I lost 10 pounds pretty gradually and then during the final 2 months the weight plateaued. During taper (which is still going on), I lost those random 3 pounds which still boggles my mind.
It’s funny because my monthly Self Magazine came in the mail the other day and I couldn’t help but roll my eyes at the cover:
That headline would have totally suckered me in before I began this crazy adventure.
Burn 500 calories? Sign me up!
After training? Oy. Not anymore.
Yeah, the article might have a few semi-achievable tips in it, but it’s not broadcasted in a healthy way.
If you want to make a change in your life, you have to make the time and find something you love to do.
Push yourself, create short term goals, figure out what time of the day you like to exercise and always focus on the bigger picture.
That’s the key to balancing work (your real job + exercise) with play– and hey, if a few pounds come off along the way, that’s cool too.
It doesn’t have to be marathon training or even running at all. It can be biking, hiking, walking around the neighborhood or even doing an open water swim at the beach.
You can do it. All it takes is a little leap of faith.
“Some people run to get in shape… we get in shape to run.”
Love that quote.
Post-marathon training, I feel like a totally different person inside and out.
My legs are SO much stronger now and I know they’re going to take me across the finish line strong in just 5 more days.
I’ve finally found my balance.
Apparently this marathon thing is really happening…
That One Time I Ran To New Jersey
My big toe officially hates me.
I will spare you the graphic image, but if you really want to, imagine a bruised black toe with a blister underneath the toenail and an ingrown toenail.
All. At. Once.
GAH.
I’ve been freaking out. I know this all a part of running, it makes me tough and yadda yadda, but why does this have to happen now?!
Online, I stumbled upon this article:.
If there is a blister under the toenail, you may see the toenail raised and it may be swollen and painful. It is best to try to ignore this for 24 hours and see if it goes down by itself. If it is still raised and painful after a day, then you may want to drain the fluid. If the edge of the swollen area is near the edge of the nail, sterilize a needle, sanitize the area, and try to pierce the blister with the needle. Press to drain it, apply alcohol and/or antibiotic cream.
OMG.
I literally cannot think about this or I will pass out.
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Saturday, I had this awesome plan to run to New Jersey.
At the beginning of marathon training, I had this “Long Run Bucket List” planned out in my head. I figured hey, if I’m going to be running for a good 2-4 hours, why not do a little sightseeing?
I covered pretty much all of them!
- Central Park
- East River
- West Side Highway
- Battery Park
- Brooklyn
- Queens
- The Bronx
The last two on my list were New Jersey and Times Square.
Times Square, you might be this weekend. Yes, I want to be one of those crazy people running through Times Square like I have a fire lit up under my you know what.
All for the tiny thrills, right?
The plan was to run 13 miles Saturday morning, but sadly, it only turned out to be 7.
It actually all worked out for the best though!
I started off in Central Park, got bored after 2 miles and then ran over towards Riverside Park.
I swear I am ADD when it comes to running paths.
Along the way, I stopped at a 7-Eleven for a bottled water because I knew there probably wouldn’t be any water fountains uptown.
Heading north, the crisp weather, pretty Fall leaves and deep blue Hudson River kept me in a relaxing, steady trit-trot.
Scenes from the run:
Ulysses S. Grant’s Tomb on 122nd Street
Stairs to get down towards the water path near Dinosaur Bar-B-Que at 125th street.
(I followed 2 runners because I had no idea where I was going. This happens far too often.)
Pretty Hudson River.
Running path on the left. Biking path on the right.
And my new favorite spot to get away from it all— the river banks of the George Washington Bridge!
Let’s keep this spot our little secret.
Directly under the bridge, there is even the cutest Little Red Lighthouse. Seriously, that is what it’s called.
I was so tempted to just sit there and chillax the rest of the afternoon.
After this lovey dovey moment, I got pretty lost.
For like an hour.
I asked about 10 different people how to get to the top of the bridge and no one knew. In fact, they all looked at me like I was nuts.
I walked between a busy intersection (don’t do that), ended up on some train tracks (also bad) and made about 3 circles before finally following some super nice bikers in the right direction.
Directions: Go up the hilly paved path right past the Little Red Lighthouse, turn left and go over the covered foot bridge, turn right, and then take your first left on 181st Street, walk east and turn right on Fort Washington Ave, right on 178th and then follow the bike path signs west to this narrow windy passageway:
And then you’re on the bridge!
When I finally made it on top, that’s where it all went downhill. Literally and figuratively.
I started cramping and felt SO nauseous. The bridge was a mile long and I thought I was going to be sick the entire time.
When I finally reached the end, I turned left, walked a block and entered Fort Lee Historic Park.
The night before the run, I looked this place up on Yelp.
Honestly the fort was pretty lame, but the bathroom, water fountain and views were nice!
Yay.
I still felt nauseous, so I sat on a bench for a while, called my mom, tweeted for someone to come pick me up in their car (I was serious about that people lol) and enjoyed the view.
And boom goes the dynamite.
About an hour later, I slowly walked back over the bridge and then hopped on the Downtown A Train at 175th Street.
I spy a marathon ad!
Overall, a crappy run with purdy views.
I skipped an 8 miler on Wednesday because of the rainy weather, so I just substituted this run for that run and did my long run the next morning.
On Sunday, I felt so much better! I busted out 12 miles – two loops in the park – at a 10:40 avg pace and felt SO happy about it.
What’s the prettiest place you’ve ever explored by foot? Any tips for preventing blisters?
Things That Make Me Happy & A Giveaway
Today was a happy day.
The sun was out, the weather was crisp and I had a meeting that wrapped up with Pumpkin Pie Tasti D-Lite frozen yogurt.
Glorious!
Also in the happy forecast this week:
- Boots, blazers and leggings.
The easiest work outfit ever. Especially when your alarm goes off 40 minutes late.
- Marathon ads all over the subways
I was so excited the first time I saw one, that I told the closest person nearby– a random man with about 4 teeth–I was running it. I don’t think he was amused. Or spoke English.
- Spandex.
It is wonderful.
- Candles that smell like baked goods.
Oh yes.
- Dracula.
He is badass. I wanted to take a picture with him, but didn’t want to look like a tourist. Major fail.
- Giveaways!
I haven’t hosted a giveaway in a while, so when I found out this one let me channel my inner Iron Chef, I was pumped.
The Challenge:
Develop a quick “5 minute” combo from one Lundberg rice bowl, one Stonehouse 27 sauce and 1-3 other ingredients (No more than 5 ingredients total).
Because I live in a tiny apartment with literally 1 foot of counter space and only cook for 1 each night, this was a challenge was right up my alley.
Ingredients:
1 jar Stonehouse 27 Dates & Tamarind Cooking Sauce
1 bowl Lundberg Heat & Eat Organic Countrywild Brown Rice
1 can Light Goya Coconut Milk
2 cups Mushrooms (that was a total guess by the way—whatever’s in the Styrofoam container is what I put in hah)
1 bag Trader Joe’s Just… Grilled Chicken Strips
Directions:
Turn the stove on medium heat.
Add the entire bag of chicken strips to a pan and cook until crispy. Wash, chop and add the mushrooms to the same pan. Cook until mushrooms are tender. Next, stir in the coconut milk and Dates & Tamarind Sauce. Bring entire mixture to a boil and then let simmer for 3-5 minutes.
To cook the rice, lift flap on bowl and microwave on high for 60-90 seconds. Or if you’re microwave-less like me, boil a pot of water and add 1 tbs of water to the rice. Stir for 30 seconds.
Boom!
Taste Test Time:
Ok so, I was terrified this wouldn’t taste anything like I hoped it would..
But apparently I totally had a Rachel Ray moment.
It tasted amazing!
Shannon – 1, Iron Chef – 0.
The Coconut Milk and Dates & Tamarind Sauce combination was seriously a million times better than the Chinese Take-Out down the street (I have officially OD’d on their curry chicken).
And I have enough for leftovers tomorrow! Woop woop.
Extra ingredients? Add 2 handfuls of spinach, diced onion and red peppers to the pan when you stir in the coconut milk.
If you’re in NYC, Stonehouse 27 Sauces and Lundberg Heat & Eat Rice Bowls are both sold at the Whole Foods in Union Square.
Feel free to check out their store locator pages for more information:
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Want to win your own Stonehouse 27 Sauce and Lundberg Heat & Eat Rice Bowl?
To enter:
- Leave a comment with 3 ingredients you’d add to make a “killer combo”
- Like Stonehouse 27 on Facebook for an extra entry: https://www.facebook.com/Stonehouse27Co
- Like Lundberg on Facebook for an extra entry: https://www.facebook.com/lundbergfamilyfarms
5 Winners will be chosen at random on Thursday, October 27th at 12:00pm EST. Good luck!
