In 24 hours, we will be Marathoners!!!

I cannot contain my excitement! What a crazy ride its been over the past few months, but I feel ready for this. The weather today is so perfect and I think tomorrow is going to be the same. I ran with Runner's World at the rocky steps (saw a little blurb about the marathon in the December issue and it had a note that they were doing a shake out run in Philly this AM). I of course ran with this cool old guy half the time who was asking me about my favorite parts of the magazine and I had no clue who he was- just figured he was one of the runners world contributors. Everyone started taking their pictures with him at the end, and I whispered to someone to ask who he was.

Freaking Bart Yasso!!!

He told us all to be very conservative in the first half because if you can be strong in the last 10K then you will really break it down.. because you will be passing so many people that it will give you incredible strength. That is my goal- to not hit the wall! : ) I'm planning on running with the 3:40 pace group for the first half and then breaking it down for the second if I feel good.

Did you sign up your parents/ Josh for the text messages of you hitting each 5 mile mark? Its kind of confusing. ..but should be cool if it works.

I'm planning on wearing capri tights, tee, gloves (long sleever at beginning to throw in the donation box).

I'm just ready for that starting line... trying to relax and hydrate today but its hard to sit still!!!! I have been trying to eat really well all week and I feel strong and not at all heavy from the taper. little pains in the shoulder (which is what wraps around to my heart- phys therapist assured me its not heart related, just muscular) and in my shin, but overall the shin splints are feeling much better. I have been doing advil 2 x day so that has helped.

Well, I'm off to hydrate more... cant wait to see you this afternoon for the Expo!

Last note before go time??
XO
Mer

Track your Favorite Runner!

will write more later, but make sure you sign up your family and friends!!!

http://live.activeresult.com/msg/MSG-signup.tcl?event_id=33

its free : )

Oh and also, will you and your parents and Josh be hanging out a bit after the race or are you all going right to the family reunion? Just want to plan if I will have company! : ) And let me know what time you will arrive on Saturday...

SO EXCITED!!!!

XXO

Holy Taper, Batman.

I am in a bit of a state of disbelief. Or fear. It is just so weird that the marathon is this Sunday. This Sunday!!! Holy hell!! That's 4 days away, generously counting Sunday as a day.

I was feeling a bit slow and sluggish on my Saturday run, so Monday morning I did like a faster pace for a couple miles, about 7 min pace, felt good, but am worried about sustaining goal pace. Which, I was on crack or was temporarily not able to do math when I signed up for this... I said my predicted time was 3:15:00! That is running 7:30s which is crazy. I'm in the 2nd coral with that. Honestly I would be thrilled to pull that time off, but I really just want to break 3:30:00.

I am prob running 4 tomorrow, 3 Friday, and like 2 on Saturday?? Some people say take sat off, but I think I'll feel better loosening up.

I had a nightmare the other night that I woke up and I missed the starting time. I think I was in my parents house looking at the kitchen clock making tea and was just super upset. I hope that is the only one, although a lot o people say they have hitting the wall nightmares.

I think I'm wearing the shorts and top I wore for the half. With gloves prob. We can wear clothes we want to donate into the coral for warm up, and put them in the donate bins right before the race. I think I may do that-

I am pumped but nervous and ready to finally conquer this race - I keep thinking o the two mantras that helped me the most during college:

1. From you, "where do you you want to be?"
2. From coach, at sr. yr conference 10k, "you could run this pace all night"

And one from Carl for humor, "be fierce! Grrrrrr!"

Ha.

I may not be in the 10k-shape, size 0, sports bra and butt-huggers-confident that I was back then, but I did work for this race and I am so happy we really do get to share our first marathons! It is certainly a long time coming!

Keep popping those advil, I know I'll down a couple pre-race. Are you still having chest pain?
I hope not.

Felt good this weekend!

I hope you felt as strong and good as I did this weekend! Advil 2 times a day is helping the little shin and my body is feeling rested : )

I got my race number and I am number 3031 in corral 3 (my predicted finish time was 3:33)... so overall, I've got lucky 3's on my side!!!

I wanted to try and figure out the service where you can send your family members texts as you cross certain mile markers/ check points, but I didnt see anything about that on the website, did you? I hope they still do it...

Love the weather report!! Super excited to run this thing and just get it under our belts : )

XO
Mer Figgy

ditto

I owe you a better post, but had to update you on a few items:

1. I am registered for NYC half!!!! March 20 here we come!

2. Sunday weather so far so good! 58 and sunny for the high! Morning will be chilly, but great for us runners!

More to come....

Nightmares, Weather, and The Mills Inn- AKA the ONE WEEK Countdown!

So I had a really fantastic dream the other night that I was running the marathon, bopping along, stopping to refuel and eat...sandwiches.. (yes, you heard me right, sandwiches) and before I knew it I had hit the half marathon mark.. at 3 hours and 40 minutes! My family was so relieved to see me because they thought I had collapsed or something! All I can say is.. the real thing better go more smoothly! : )

The weather is looking pretty good! 54 and sunny- just like it was last year and that was SOOO nice. I feel like most people last year wore shorts and a tee and then layered a long sleever on top and threw it off a little into the race. I think that's what I will do (and wear my number on the short sleeve t) but it is very stressful to not be able to plan out my outfit! I can't believe you havent worn tights yet.. I totally broke those out. I'm a wimp! I hear that folic acid is supposed to help with circulation so I bought some.. we'll see if that works this winter!

And OF COURSE you will have no choice but to stay at The Mills Inn! Who will I be nervous with if you arent there? My little brother is coming to stay Saturday night and I told him he must be respectful of those of us who will be going to bed at 9 PM!!! : ) Do you want to do our traditional Mug Shots dinner? I will also promise to be better about getting actual food in my house for breakfast! So let me know if you want any special yogurt, oatmeal, etc. I was just going to grab GU's during the race since they supply them- have you been using them on your training runs at all?

And we can definitely go to the race expo on Saturday- no problem there.

I am still feeling injured.. actually had to stop my run short yesterday because my shin muscle was feeling like it was pulling away from the bone. In addition, I have had this weird pain that runs from the back of my left shoulder to the front part of my chest- right in front of my heart- for the last 3-4 weeks. It mostly hurts right when I start running but has now started to hurt even when I'm just sitting around or casually walking. It freaks me out because its right near my heart and lungs, but my physical therapist says it should just be muscular and maybe is a pinched nerve.

Either way, I am totally ready for this marathon to be OVER so that I can enjoy my winter cooking and crafting and getting ready for Xmas! It will be nice to take a little break from running and do some cross training.

What is your workout plan next week? I might do some 400 m pickups on Tuesday.. I think we are supposed to take it pretty easy and REST REST REST. I know how hard it is to do that but I have to!! I need to just relax and not be stressed and eat well and sleep- big time.

I am ready to rock this thing!!!!! Hope you are too : )


Excited to see you in one week!
XOXO
Mer

Successfully Registered

New York...Here we come!

Dear Meredith Mills,

We have received your application for the 2011 NYC Half-Marathon. Your entry number is 686578. Please include this number and your name in any correspondence pertaining to the race.

Two Weeks.

Oh boy.

I write this on the eve of the NYC Marathon. All the excitement for the Marathon up here is making me excited and nervous.......anxious to go.

We have two weeks. SO crazy. I am starting to freak out about details. like, What are you going to wear?!!??! It is going to be in the 30's tomorrow morning for the INGNYCers. I was reading something that said if it is under 50 to wear tights? I don't know I have successfully not worn full tights yet on a run. My hands have definitely gotten a little numb.

Do you want to go to the EXPO on Friday? I was thinking of trying to leave work early, like half day style and get back to Philly, early enough to relax. I have to check with Josh and my boss to see if this is okay. If not, we'll have to go on Saturday? What do you think?

So Josh is coming back with me. We are staying with my parents Friday night, and Josh is staying there Saturday night, but I was hoping that I could check into The Miles Behind Us guest quarters at the Mills Inn and Suite for Saturday night so we could have a similar routine as the Half???? If you want me out of your hair - I will do so..........

I am impressed by your Penn State Football survival story. I think I would have walked to whatever hotel I could find with a closet vacant. haha. I told Josh your story, and he too was impressed. I suppose you are now ready to run a marathon! :)

Yikes.

I did my last Lonnggg run last Saturday, I was super anxious about it, the running group I ran a few Saturday mornings with was already tapering for tomorrow's race, so I was going to face 20+ on my own. I did a map my run, turns out I hit about 22+. I went for three hours. I drank a lot of apple cider and kombucha to compensate afterward. I felt kind of awful the rest of the day, tried to nap, while Josh constructed bald caps for our Halloween costumes. And then I had to go to a Halloween party at his friend from work's apartment in Manhattan. Ugh. I should have just opted out and slept.

My legs felt fine after the run, except for a bit of creekiness. But Sunday, I was hurting. I took advil and pulled out a giant ice bag I made from the freezer. For the first time during all this business I felt knee pain. I was super nervous it would be bad news. And like a miracle, by Wednesday it seemed fine. I had made pumpkin feta muffins on Sunday afternoon to have for the week, so maybe they actually helped my knee!

Oh I meant to tell you my variations on that recipe:

use chopped cooked kale in place of spinach, as you mentioned you were not a kale fan, this will change your mind.

Also, I made them once with a grated goat cheddar instead of feta (cheddar and kale are so good together btw), and these were great.

And each time I have made these I have used alternate flours, a combo of Oat (1 1/4 C) and Corn Flour (3/4 C). I really like the flavors of these.

And I have been using chopped walnuts instead of the seeds since I always have raw walnuts around (they are supposed to improve your mood via the Omegas :) )


I took today off today, with plans on doing a run tomorrow morning and considering going up to central park to catch the end of the marathon. I slept for 9+ hours last night (that is rare as hell for me-) so I felt like I needed a good day of no running activity. It was quiet (Josh was at his own boy College football weekend, not F and M of course ha.), but nice. Sunny gorgeous fall day. I slept in (til 8:30, was magical, the sun was already shining), woke up and did not have to put on running clothes right away, and put on jeans instead! Gathered my canvas bags, and walked to the big Farmers Market that I usually miss Saturdays. I bought 4 squashes, and goat feta. So excited.

I took a nice walk to watch the last 6 pm sunset for 6 months, sigh. Dark at 4, here we come. I guess this is part of why being a morning runner pre-work is better than running post-work at 7 pm.

And I never have liked tapering. haha. I am hoping to at least increase the sleep hours.

Can't wait to celebrate our accomplishments, soon, with planning more races :) Did you really want to plan a February SC? and the 2011 NYC Fall? Would you consider a June vacation?

in luv, running, and Boston 2012 hopes,

Ziga

watch out for wildlife

PS- I forgot to tell you!!!
On Friday when I was doing 10 miles in the darkness of the fall morning, a GIANT and I mean GIANT buck with like 8 points on his antlers ran towards me on west rive (martin luther king) drive!!!! It was so freaky because it was pitch black outside with just a few street lights and I have never seen a giant deer like that, especially in the city. My heart was pounding afterwards, but I was at least glad that he made it across the road without getting hit.

I should have been wearing my heart rate monitor- that would have been exciting! : )

Hope you see some less-wild wildlife on your next adventure...
XO

aches and pain and darkness....

Only a few weeks remain!!! my smartcoach is giving me the countdown and it is both a relief and an anxiety. My shin muscle may fall off the bone before we get to race day. Luckily, I am going to my orthotics dr this week. Your knee may do the same....but who needs two knees to run?
What is wrong with your tummy??

too too too many pumpkin feta muffins.

So here is a real definition of a nightmare in the Karen Ziga/ Mer Mills world:
I spent this past weekend in an RV. Not just an RV, an RV with 5 other people, at a Penn State game, from 5 PM Friday until 5 PM Sunday. AND I SURVIVED!!!!! High five, right?
Here was the menu (boys went grocery shopping): bacon, eggs, wonder bread, white rolls, 3 different kinds of chips, and entire bowl of halloween candy, burgers, cheese....and 4 cases of beer.

I managed to get 10 miles in Fri AM and another 8 in on Saturday, but it really was less than I was supposed to do. Dan and I slept on the dining room table "bed" which was only 5 1/2 ft long.

But, you know what, I made the best of it. I had fun, didnt drink a lot, and tried to get a bit of sleep.
And Dan took me to Sheetz to get a sandwich that wasnt made with wonder bread :)

Overall, I was proud of myself for facing the challenge head on.
Now there's just that pesky marathon.... : )

Love you!
Mer

just bought a pumpkin

...to make my pumpkin feta muffins tonight! : )

how about this option ON TOP OF NYC marathon? woot woot!
http://runrocknroll.competitor.com/savannah

could just do the half? too aggressive??

XO

Other possibility:

San Diego, June 5, 2011.
http://san-diego.competitor.com/

Other NYtimes article I meant to send you: Well Blog Running Post



Other Item:

I have made these twice, with a few tweaks...so good. MMMMM Fall.

a few links I like today

for you! If you do not follow these on Twitter:

http://www.thekitchn.com/thekitchn/recipe-roundup/a-pot-of-beans-10-tasty-ways-to-cook-beans-129941

http://recipes.rodale.com/Recipe/homemade-fig-bars.aspx

http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/running_dialogue/2010/10/19-days-until-nyc-marathon-and.html

YESSSS

That would be awesome! And Warm :)

Do you think it would be too soon?? Or is that running paranoia?

Thanks for #!

No worries about weekend- My parents are coming up, so maybe it would be best for me to get my run out of the way Saturday AM. Last Saturday was crazy. 20 miles in 40 mile/hour winds = my morning.

And whoa!!! so lucky to have those tix! My family will be jealous :) Enjoy all the games (hopefully!) We should chat anyway soon too, to calm the increased nerves as we are officially 1 month away almost!

Hilton Head Half

Oh my gosh the female winner last year only ran a 1:36... want to take 1 & 2 in 2011?? : )

Cell # is 717 215 8194 : )

I have playoff tickets this weekend! : ( So I dont think I will be able to come up. Because then I am back in NYC TUes-Wed, then world series (fingers crossed) tickets Wed night. I'm really sorry.. I just dont think it will work out : (

BUT all this means that we can potentially do NYC marathon?! If we qualify for Boston we won't want to just sit around in the fall...
Want to do a half in Hilton Head?Birthday treat?  http://bearfootsports.com/Hilton_Head_Half_marathon.htm

Boo.

I know. I saw that yesterday.... Very disappointed, but yeah 2012, here we come. Maybe we can pick another half for this spring??

P.S. we need to have a phone date (to discuss weekend???), but I had to have my phone replaced and lost all my data! Including #s.

OH NOOOOOOOO

Boston 2011 has already filled!!!!
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702304410504575560903657686116.html?KEYWORDS=boston+marathon


2012 here we come?

Phew.

Wow. I just looked at my Smart Coach. haha. 3:05:02? 7:03 pace? hhahahaha.

What a funny little app. you are, Smart Coach. At least, it was a good for having a mileage guide - ?

ANYWAY, I am feeling much better this week - Last week did not go so well. Last week was the week after our weekend in Cooperstown, for the wedding. After two great runs (one long run on Friday around hilly Sparta, Josh's parents new town/lake & one fast 9-10 mile run through Cooperstown with Josh's uncle on Saturday morning - legs a bit tired) we had a fun time at the wedding Saturday night. Sunday we all slept in, and I made the executive decision that I must take a day off and this was a good day, even though it was still pretty outside - but we were driving home. I had woken up with a sore-ish throat, blamed it on alcohol and dancing. Drank lots of tea and orange juice.

Monday woke up and it was still there. Decided to take off Monday too and sleep in. Felt kind of crappy all day at work- then found out I had to go right from work to meet Josh and his Aunt (and her boyfriend who were staying in NYC after the wedding for a few days) for dinner. And it was raining. Ugh. It was really nice of them to take us out, but I looked and felt not like a nice dinner (more like sweatpants and tea). So got through that... And ended up cross training Tuesday, Thursday, an Friday (got one run in on Wednesday). By Saturday I was expecting good weather and felt much much better - I heard about these group runs on Saturday mornings run by the Prospect Park Track Club, and they were open to all- and there were people involved who were training for marathons. SO I went. I wanted to try for as much as I could, not knowing what quite to expect others to be doing. There was a group of people who were doing 20. I ended up going for it. We ran from Prospect Park (Grand Army Plaza), down to the Brklyn Bridge, over it, across Manhattan to the West Side River, North up to 86th Street, and turned around. What a gorgeous day. There was another girl there who was running about my pace, and we ended up running the whole thing together, and even pushing it with about 5 miles to go. Not sure what our pace was, but it felt good.

Sorry that was rambling! but it sums up my week. I was tired for sure on Saturday and we had to go out to Long Island to hang out with one of Josh's work buddies and her boyfriend. Good thing all we did was sit around. I treated myself to Punkin' Ale beer (Dogfish Head) and Sweet Potato chips. and maybe a piece of pizza that I may or may not have regretted. haha.

This week is going better. So far got two nice morning runs in, and am hoping to go meet that group again on Saturday.

OH the foot! I think it is the shoes I wore for the half! They are different than my Kayanos, but in general it is doing better. Never even had to buy a bottle of advil. ha.

I have sweet potatoes and kabocha squash sitting on my counter - and I cannot wait to use them. I found a brand of organic frozen butternut squash that is good and has been wonderful for my quick weeknight dinners. I had it with onions, spinach, and eggs - with balsamic. Yes eggs are just the easiest thing at night. I really wish I didn't have to ride the train because THAT is where my time goes to. It is just wasted time that I could be spending on making better dinners, so in that respect I sympathize with the average American. If I want to go to bed at 10, I do not want to be making dinner til 9. I hope I move back to Manhattan and become rich. haha. It is frustrating, fall just makes me want to burrow up in my kitchen in between trips to the farmers market. boo working!

In other news, Josh found out he has a promotion! He finds out details this week, but he is happy, and hopefully can relax a tiny little bit with his finances - not mine though ha.

Keep me posted on your photo shoot- I may have bad news too- My mom may kind of screw up our plans for the Philly weekend- she may have to go to San Francisco when she was planning on coming up here, and instead is contemplating coming up here and bringing me home for Monday's (Oct. 25) Dr. appointment. If she decides to do this, I will request that they only stay Saturday and bring me back Saturday eve. So we can still get our run!! I have been looking forward to it!

Bread pudding sounds quite yummy :) I hope to bake something soon haha.

well cheers to ALMOST THERE and cozy sweater weather!

Oh! If you still wanted to come up and spend Saturday night and Sunday here that weekend, you are more than welcome!!!! We could certainly get you back to Penn Station for a train Sunday afternoon!!!

let me know!

luv,

Ziga

On track for a 3:13 ?!

So I was looking at my Runner's World Smart Coach app last night, I realized that I am training to run a 3:13 marathon!!! No WONDER I've been so tired/ feeling like I can't keep up with the Smart Coach's demands!!! It's not designed well, because when you put in all the variables that create your workouts, you only put in the time from a recent race (I put in 1:33 half... since that was recent when I made my training plan) and how many miles you want to run a week, and it spits out your plan. It NEVER asks you for goal time, which I think is pretty stupid considering most EVERYONE has a goal time for a big race that they would bother to make a long term training plan for!!!
 GRRR. But, we must remember that the Smart Coach was a mere 99 cents and so its perfection is far from guaranteed. Anyway, bottom line is I am training much harder than I need to to hit a sub 3:40, which makes me feel good, because, let's be honest, I havent been doing my 12+ mile runs at sub 8:15 pace.. and I should have realized awhile ago that that was nuts.
  I did, however, do my 20 miles at (first 15 miles) 8:45-9:10 pace and (last 5 miles) 8:20/ race pace!!!! I felt really good-- how did you feel? It was such an unbelieveably gorgeous day. I ran out to Manyunk and ran along a little trail and it was so nice to feel like i was trail running. We should decide where we want to run our 20 when you come to Philly!
  So bad news for our back to back Philly/ BKLN extravaganza:
1) my photo shoot might get cancelled
2) if my shoot is still on, I wont get to NYC until Tuesday and I have to work in Philly on Monday SO I dont think I will be able to run cross-islands with you. I am very sad about this... but stupid work calls.

What we can get excited about is.... a whole 20 miles together!!! whoppee! I cant wait. We should plan somewhere yummy to go afterwards.
Speaking of Yummy, I made Mark Bittman's breakfast bread pudding as a preparation of seeing him.. DELISH and even works as a dessert as a bonus! His talk was.. pretty depressing. We are killing our planet and will end up in a nuclear wasteland of a planet and its all because of marketers/lobbyists/politicians/CAPITALISM. I'm just glad that I can't be held AS accountable being that I do not eat cheap crappy Beef, soda, junk food, etc 234098903845 times a day like the average american.

Most interesting stat: American today complain that they have no time to cook. Americans today watch average 14 hrs of TV a week. Where did all their time go??!!! I will always make time to cook. And eat. Obviousllyyyy.

Anyway, training is going pretty well I think- how is yours? how is the foot? Danskos still in play?

I miss you friend and I am excited to see you in only a few weeks!

XOXOXOX
M&M

Pickin it up

Dansko clogs- oh no!! what a mess we are....My shin is feeling ok, I just have this weird gait issue/ body stiffness that makes me feel like I can go no faster than a 9 minute mile. I ran with my friend Tess from work today and we did 6 1/2 miles with two 1 mile pick ups in the middle. That reminded me that I can (painfully) run faster than 9 min. I think this weekend will make me feel better.

I'm sure your foot is FINE- you couldnt have injured it during that race alone?! however, do some RICE-ing and get that advil!! I know that Wednesday farmers markets are more important, but try to get some before this weekend : ) Speaking of which, I love how we think the same way about weekend travel/ bring out of our routine. Poor you with no tea kettle!!! And wine= totally legit obstacle : ) We will definitely make up for it during our peak training back to back Milliga (Mills and Ziga) runs in October. No worries there. I think I might try to do 12-14 this weekend but I am at the shore again (Dan is doing a 50 mile bike to the shore) so it always sucks to do mileage there.. get out the book on ipod.

Be strong!!! and heal fast. I think X-training is best for now.

Yours in Running,  : P

Mer Figlet

PS-- They just wanted to fit in with the massive amounts of canadian geese on the path. Speaking of which, I totally saw one of the geese drinking out of this bowl of water that a nice old man puts out for the dogs on hot days. And then the stupid thing pooped right next to the bowl- BLEH.That's why I support my grandmother poking holes in the eggs so those birds cant reproduce at her pond! : P

Jokes on me.

Hi Buddy,

Well, we can pop advil and ice together after our "slower than normal" runs this week. I mostly cross trained with little 2 mile jogs (to the gym and back) Monday and Tuesday, feeling mostly physically fine, except for one thing: the outside of my left foot. I even wore dansko clogs to work this week instead of something more...ahem...stylish. anyway not good. Josh assures me I am fine. I am worried. It kind of aches. This is not the time I want to have to take off. I ran this morning, and whats weird is it doesn't hurt as bad while running - or that is in my head - and yeah I was going slower than normal. I hate when other chicks pass me. Dudes, okay, chicks? no.

Anyway here's to hoping that it is really not serious. I still have to try advil, I don't have any right now and haven't been to the drug store (lazy, busy, etc). And tonight I have to pack for this wedding. We are leaving tomorrow after work to ride the bus to Josh's house in NJ, then driving up to Cooperstown Friday morning. All fine, except it means I have to run out of my element with many obstacles (wedding, wine, family, other people's driving schedules, hotel rooms, no tea pot) for the whole weekend. So honestly I do not know how much I can get in for a long run. Ideally I would do at least 16-18 on Saturday morning, before the wedding, and then take a deserved Sunday off- but will I be too tired to last through a wedding ceremony or too hungry to not-eat-so-much-so-I-fit-into-my-dress? ugh. and the foot.

As for food news, I too bought some sweet potatoes from our office farm market table, they set one up on Wednesdays too! Not purple though. I have been craving all things in the root veg category for some reason.

Anyway, this weekend was lots of fun, and I am glad we have completed the first big phase. This next part is definitely the toughest and I am glad I have you to help me get through it, as always.

luv, your buddy, ziga

p.s. there were a lot of males making "duck" noises during the race.

Tardy Me

Well I have been a bad blog poster, but I am back in the saddle! The 1/2 marathon was a bit of a disappointment for me but I am super proud of you my ziglet!! you were fantastic! Getting to see you was worth falling of my pace for the last 4 miles.. sigh.

I ate some of my dark chocolate with almonds and sea salt last night. I tell you- you cannot go wrong with chocolate and sea salt. The almonds just send it over the top. I cant believe there is no milk in it either! delish.

My shin-y shin shin is still feeling weird.. my runs the past two days have felt odd. I cant seem to run my normal pace. Hoping its just temporary. How long are you going this weekend? I will have to run at the beach again as we are going there for Dan's city-to-shore bike race. I think I might do 18. With the water bottle belt. No cleaning this time (so hopefully no soapy water!). I'm starting the book "The Help" on my ipod for long runs. I've heard its fantastic. Should be a good distraction : )

I like the Philly Inquirer article! So true. Screw carbo loading. We like our BLT sandwiches! : )

I like twitter too- thanks for intro-ing me!

The Kale frittata/ saute thing sounds ok. I think it sounds better than the chips. I just feel like I am eating seaweed when I eat kale. I just bought some purple (yes- purple!) sweet potatoes at the farmers market they put on at my office. They are long and very skinny- I have never seen anything like them. I will roast them and make a balsamic-maple syrup mash. MMM

I wish you didnt have your reunion right after the marathon- we could plan such a wonderful day of feasting....

Miss you...
And lets plan a "20" for Oct 17!!!
XO
Mer

did you read this in the Inquirer?

http://www.philly.com/philly/restaurants/20100916_FOOD_TO_RUN_ON.html?viewAll=y

Kale

Hey kale hater-

just had some sauteed, add sprinkle salt, crack eggs over, sprinkle generously with Pecorino or Parmesan, cover, let eggs cook. eat with good bread or crispy crackers. I still need to try the oven roasted chip version.

luv, ziga

tomorrow!!!

it's tomorrow!!! ahh!!!! (well the first 13.1) !!!!!!!!! so excited!

pace?

How do you feel about 6:50-6:55 mile pace?

Do your hammies hurt? Mine are sore. Need a massage :)

hope you had a nice nyc visit.

Did I tell you I found a goat cheese called Lil Ziggy? it was pretty funky.

yum.

i still have toenails, however feet are not...pretty

though, they never were in college either.

I tried my fanny pack looking water bottle over the weekend and I hate it. Not the idea of having a nice sip of water, but the feel and look of the thing. It is supposed to fit all nice in the small of my back and it bounces around - I ended up carrying the bottle in my hand.

I ran a 4 mile race for a tempo workout this Saturday in Central Park - it was good, I have been afraid that I cannot go fast at all, and I wanted to see if I could do a faster tempo (even if for only 4 miles!) but ran a 25:54, so weirdly 6:29's average. I wish I could do that for 13.1 and 26.2. I am excited for this weekend. We need to plan out our details!

For weekly runs I have been doing between 8-12, but my weekly mileage has been hovering between 35-45 miles mostly, so I have been throwing in a few cross training days. I haven't done a completely long run yet. My schedule on my phone I put in has me working up to 20 before the marathon but only once. This past weekend, the day of the 4 miler, I ran 13, then Sunday ran about 10. I am about to go xtrain before work now............

The one thing I need to do really is abs. holy crap some of the girls in the race had crazy abs. I want those (again?? dare I say) - -

love you, I hope your foot feels better, soon! we need to have a phone date this week to discuss this weekend!

ziga

Let's make a bet about who will lose a toenail before Nov 21st

Because I'm pretty sure I will win. These long runs are killing my little toes! My second toe is all black and blue. War scars...
How many miles have you been running on weekly runs? I cant get past 6 milers even though my plan suggests 7 milers. But the 18 miler this past weekend certainly upped my numbers! I listened to a book on tape to get through it.
I tried my new bottle belt- funny story.. washed it out before I ran with it and I must not have rinsed in completely. I went to drink my propel at mile six and finished with a mouth of bubbles!! Not the refreshment I was looking for : )  I will have to try it again for the big 20-miler coming up in a few weeks!
Hope you had a nice Labor Day too!
XO
Mer

yes, literally running! : )

..And we are training for a marathon! Across state borders, and over a blog, but still training together. College running partners and ‘buddies’ uniting for a common cause- to make it to Boston. Here begins the incredible journey…

It worked! we are up and running...........