Refuel Your Body

Today’s run: 10 miles in 1:28 (8:48 avg)

I loved every stinking thing about today’s run from the 19 degree start temp to the coyote who crossed our paths to the gift I left in the dirt (at least I was kind enough to cover it with a tumbleweed). By far the best part of the 10 miles was how great I felt. Now that my body has less pain, I am able to run more effortlessly. This is a gift beyond words. You have no idea how happy it makes me. Or, maybe you do. It takes so long to come back from injury and it can be so debilitating mentally and physically. When you can finally run half way okay, it is reason to celebrate.

I think I owe my life to Matt at Handled with Care Massage Therapy. His active release work is doing the trick.

Out on the run: there goes Ken trying to ditch me, or maybe he’s just gunning for that porta potty at the bottom of the hill. (Yes, my phone camera sucks. But, 15 years ago I would have been carrying a huge Polaroid camera and that would have sucked worse).

See if you can pick out my coyote friend. Hint:  he looked nothing like this:

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I think turquoise is my color. It accentuates my large breasts.

This was my last longer run before the Rock ‘n Roll Vegas half marathon next weekend. I got my running gear in the mail a couple of days ago from the Team Refuel folks. It is seriously the coolest. I am going to do my best to not soil it. I love the “Refuel Your Body” logo.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A lot of people ask me what the big deal is about drinking chocolate milk. I’ll tell you why I like it so much. After I run, I never feel like eating. Chocolate milk is the quickest and easiest way for me to get the right amount of protein, carbs and calories for recovery right away post-run (8g protein,  24g carbs, 150 cals per 8 oz). It’s also got potassium, calcium and magnesium.

I don’t drink it after every workout. I usually drink it for workouts that are greater than one hour and are fairly rigorous. You don’t have to buy any particular brand of chocolate milk – I get the cheapest low-fat, one gallon jug from my local grocery store. 

Here’s what the research says about chocolate milk:

“Low-fat chocolate milk contains high-quality protein to help repair and rebuild muscles after strenuous exercise. It’s also been shown to help athletes tone up – gain more lean muscle and lose fat – compared to drinking a carb-only drink.”

Did you run/race today?

If you have been injured and returned to running, have you been able to pick up where you left off in terms of speed and endurance? I am slowly getting there. Even though I raced a lot this summer, I never felt like my running was back to where I was pre-stress fracture.

SUAR

Dead Camels

A day of perfection was kicked off with a “delicious” (I love how people use that adjective not to describe food so I thought I’d try it, feels weird) 7 mile, 60 minute run.  It got me in the best possible mind space for the day. Cool air, quick turnover, feeling strong.

Emma and I set off for Denver.  I couldn’t resist taking this picture because by this time next year she will hate me and that doll and we’ll be fighting about how much make-up she is not allowed to wear. I’ll hold onto these moments:

First stop, the zoo. We saw some dead camels. or maybe they were just laying down, but I’ve never seen a camel lie down before so I alerted the zoo officials that they were dead, just because it was my civic duty. I also screamed “DEAD CAMELS!” in front of the crowd of little kids at the exhibit. I did not, however, see even one camel toe on  a human. Just the one on the dead animal’s foot.

In the Lorakeet (kind of like a Parakeet) feeding area, a reader, Malisa, recognized me and said, “Hey Shut Up and Run!” That was pretty cool. I don’t know how she knew it was me, I was not wearing a SUAR shirt and my shorts were clean. Maybe it was the temporary SUAR tattoo I had on my forehead. Hello fine reader!

Meanwhile, Ken and Sam were off on their own little adventure climbing two, yes two, 14,000 foot mountains, Grays and Torreys. It was a five hour pretty strenuous trip. Here is Sam taking a piss. I love this picture for obvious reasons. No, he did not crap his pants, he slid down some dirt, but I like to think it is my role model status as a pants crapper that came into play here.

My boys at the top of one of the peaks. It was a tough ass climb. I am proud of Sam. He is showing some real endurance and perseverance at the ripe age of 13. Ken does pretty well at the ripe age of 45, too.

Meanwhile, Emma and I headed to the American Girl Store. She’s not big into these dolls and doesn’t own any, but we wanted to see what all the hoopla was about. We both found it a bit creepy. Cute, but creepy. You can bring in your dolls to a hair salon there. It freaked me out. The dolls sit in little chairs and get hair styles. It costs like $15 per doll. Imagine going on a date and being asked what you do for a living – “Oh I am a hair stylist for dolls.”

And who knew a doll could ride a contraption like this?

We stopped at Yogurtland, which has just become my new all time favorite place. I mean what’s not to like about a squirt of yogurt topped with 5 pounds of candy and brownies? I know, Janae has been telling me this forever and now I get it!

Our last errand was to “TriBella” the coolest tri store in Denver. I talked to James, the bike mechanic about fueling on the bike. His suggestion was two Honey Stinger Waffles glued together with a fine schmear of peanut butter. I am ALL OVER THAT.

Now it is time for some Chipotle and wine (Cupcake Chardonnay anyone?)

Any plans this weekend? We are going to the parade that kicks off the Boulder County Fair tomorrow. Nothing like a small town parade to get your juices flowing. Sunday we have our last brick – probably 2:15 hour bike ride and 45 minute run. Stingers and PB here I come!

Happy weekend!

SUAR