Xterra Race Report, Shoe Review, BT50K, Recipes That Work

Ok, be ready for a long one. I've been busy since Mohican trying to catch up on yard work and other things so haven't got a chance to write. Lots to talk about!

XTERRA RACE REPORT-CHAPIN FOREST

I'll try to provide as much info as I can about the Xterra race last week, I imagine I forgot a lot. I have been trying to forget that my husband passed me. It's not working though! I keep seeing him running by me, laughing, booty shaking, - chest pumped up ready to make Tarzan sounds! HMPF. He beat me by 10 seconds. And he won't let me forget it. Speed work on!

My son and I got to the race early to help with registration, and then it was time to line up! My legs were still a bit heavy from Mohican the week before, but I had decent times during my last day of speed work during the week so I decided to run. I kept up for awhile, but started to get slower as the miles increased. I wasn't really worried about placing in this race as it was just a recovery run for me. HOWEVER....I saw my husband coming up behind me after a few miles. I did not want him passing me! I pushed it but he caught up with me, big ol' grin on his face, shaking his booty as he ran by. BLAH! I'm happy he's going faster - but it's on now. SERIOUSLY!!! I have a new goal in my races now!! HA! In the end I got second in my age group and if I'm remembering correctly 5th overall female.

The Painesville 5 miler is this coming Sunday and I am ready to take my husband on again! I've doubled, even tripled my running workouts this week in order to get my BT50k miles in and also be able to get 2 rest days. I want those rest days! My last long run before BT50k will be tomorrow - 15 miles. Rest Friday, Rest Saturday - and by then I'll be more than fired up for Sunday's 5 miler! That behind said - I do have to say this will be my last short race until after North Coast 24. It's just too much of a pain to try and squeeze in all my required mileage and save some rest days before races as well. My main focus is the North coast 24 hour baby! I'll be glad to go back to a regular training schedule once the BT50k is over. And I'll be glad to have strictly one event to focus on.


SHOE REVIEW

I will never quit Adidas. Never again. I knew I shouldn't have done it. I should never have clicked on that little icon on the North Face site. But I did. Deep down I knew it was wrong, and I suffered the consequences. I am glad I am not out of money, since this was part of my prize from the Mohican race. I used some North Face bucks to purchase new trail shoes. I should have bought a coat or something. I can't even say that the problem was I ran 25 miles in them the first time I wore them. I can't say that because I felt the blisters a little over mile 1. I kept on running, but it wasn't a good run because I was pretty ticked at myself for what I did. I KNEW better. I have the perfect shoes in Adidas - both road and trail. I NEVER should have got these North Face shoes. Why fix something that's not broken?

I have to admit the shoes do look pretty.
Northface/W Betasso shoes:



Doesn't matter much when you get blisters like this though:

BT50K TRAINING
Just as soon as it "started" it is almost finished. I had a long run this past Sunday, 25 miles. I mixed it up and gave myself a small taste of NC24 as well. The first half of the run was spent running a mile loop over and over again for 13 miles. I then met up with my husband to do the remainder of the run on the hilly trails. Tomorrow will hold my last long run, only 15 miles. I'm kind of looking forward to tapering!

RECIPES THAT WORK
Ok so I'm a sucker. Especially this time of year. I love Frappucino's, Frappes, chocolate shakes, ice cream - you name it. I needed to do something and I needed to do it fast! I also needed a recovery drink for my early a.m. runs. "But I still need my coffee!" I thought. So I decided to try and make my own Frappe style drink - healthier version. It tastes great and almost just like the McD's version. (The only thing missing is the whipped cream!)

Here's the recipe:

8 oz black coffee
1 scoop chocolate whey protein powder
2 tablespoons of fat free, calorie free chocolate syrup (I use Walden Farms)
1 banana
ice to your liking

Put all ingredients in a blender and blend until desired consistency. You can put a little ice or a lot, depending on how thick you want your shake. The only calories come from the protein powder (100 - 20 from fat) and the banana. Drink it right after your a.m. workout before you head off to work. ENJOY!