Life's a race so run it!!!

UCLA and Pre-Race Dinner

Last night was a blast! I am not a huge fan of college football, partly because I went to a small private school that only had a baseball and basketball teams, but I loved all of the school spirit UCLA fans had the tail gators, and parties looked like a fun times( I feel a little jiped on my college experience). We watched most of the game, but of course us girls started chatting and the next thing you know the game was over. UCLA was murdered, good thing I didn't really care who won.

The boys looking O' so serious


Us girls taking pictures



If you have ever been to any sporting event the healthy options are so limited. Between the bacon wrapped hot dogs, and the bbq cheese nachos it's slim pickings! I think that I need to come up with a small chain of places called Bobbi's Better CHOICES, that serves healthier food at all sporting events!!!! I stuck with these yummy, sugar coated almonds. The ingredients were simple, water, almonds, and sugar.The lady assured me that their was not butter or oil.

The ginormous DIET COKE!!!!! I had to pee every five seconds!


After the game we hit up old town Pasadena, one of my favorite spots in So Cal. I love the streets lined with the best restaurants, and stores. They have everything from the Container Store(I know this classifies me as a nerd) to the biggest Crate and Barrel I have ever been to. We walked around a while to find the perfect eatery. We decided on a little Italian restaurant tucked in the back streets. We got to sit on the heated patio which was nice, and the food was delightful. I had a race in the morning so I stuck with one glass of red, and ordered the Tuscan Chicken with steamed veggies, and mashed potatoes. A nice balance of protein,carbs,fat, and veggies. I also had two small pieces of sourdough bread and balsamic vinegar.

The photo credit for this shot goes to Melissa:)

Before we were seated we got to sit at the bar and watch the chefs work their magic, what an amazing show!

10k Personal Record!!!!

Woke up this morning and it was raining, I was sure that I would be getting wet today, I decided to lay in bed and listen to the rain for a bit.

Pre-Race Breakfast. I knew I had plenty of time to eat before the race, but we didn't get home until 11pm so I wanted to sleep in as much as possible.I grabbed this PowerBar Nut Naturals on the way out( I got it for free at last weeks race). This is not something I endorse, please eat something that works for you!

We headed out the door at 7:30 am which is so late for me, I haven't run a race this late in a long time. As we drove to downtown Riverside, thoughts about last years race started running through my head. I ran well, I just remember wanting to throw up at the end because I think I had pushed myself to hard. I wanted to think positively, so I thought about my Marathon, that always works! I can do this, I ran 26.2 miles in the RAIN!!! Ok I took a few deep breaths, checked my time from last year and it was a 47:26, which means I ran a 7:45 pace, not bad. I know I was just nervous because I haven't been running a lot lately. As we approached downtown the rain cleared up and the sun shined down, I was smiling and ready.

Hubby dropped me off to pick up my bib number, and run and stretch before the race started. It was a good 30 minutes before the race started after I got all my registration taken care of, so I jogged for about ten minutes and did some deep stretching. I also went to the bathroom TWICE my tummy just can't hold it before a race, it's part of the experience. Of course there was no TP, another thing I need to add to my list of things to bring to a race. Waiting at the starting line I thought to myself, I need a small laminated check list for race days (this is the OCD coming out in me). So what would be on that check list? What's on your check list?

Race day Must haves

1. Shoes
2. Tank
3. Socks
4. Hat
5. LongSleeve
6. Sportsbra
7. Skirt
8. Warmups(I need new ones something for the Christmas list)
9. Ipod
10. Garmin
11. Vaseline
12. Race Number Belt
13. TP
14. Camera
15. Heed/Water
16. Protein Snack
17. Banana
18. Recoverite
19. Face Wipes

What did I forget?

Race Recap:

Mile 1: Obviously I was pretty chipper...lol...I clock in at
5:1o too fast I slowed down.

Mile: 2
12:15

Was a nice flat street around the pond, I was feeling great. No pain in my legs jut a little side ache here and there. I took lots of deep breaths trying to ignore the cramps. There was a small hill, but once again the key to pushing over it, is mentally telling myself YOU CAN DO THIS. I also always look down at the ground a couple steps ahead of me and pump my arms low. That way I don't see it as a hill but just the road in front of me, try it it works!

Mile 3:
Hubby caught me adjusting the Ipod, I need new headphones mine keep slipping out of my ears!

Mile 4:
The race did a loop, which means we did the same 3 miles twice, booooo!!! lol...It actually wasn't that bad I knew the course now and could anticipate the hill.

The last three miles were a killer I knew I was going to beat my time as long as I just kept telling myself this is MY RACE, I am running MY BEST. It's hard sometimes running with others because I tend to get caught up in their stride and I will be going either too fast, or too slow. I tried not to look at my Garmin to much and focus on my body, on the way it was feeling. I was all warmed up, but starting to slow down a little. Then all of a sudden this older gentlemen started running next to me and helped me pick it right back up. We didn't speak but we knew we were helping each other. He stuck with me the last 2 and 1/2 miles and then at mile 6 he passed me up a little, and I got competitive, and sprinted IN! I know it's a fun run, but hey every second counts in my book!

Final Stats:

10k time:41:48 (no chip could be faster)
Avg pace: 6:44
Max pace: 4:09
Calories Burned: 709
8th girl, 69th overall, 4th in my division

WOW I PRd by 6 minutes from last year!!! WOOT WOOT! I received a metal for being in the top 100, I did that last year too. Last year I also got second in my division, this year I got fourth. O well I ran so much faster, I was pleased. Hubby was there at the finish line to take care of me, which he does so well. I was good and had my Hammer Recoverite right away. I also went for a little jog and stretched, I never do this and I know I need to. It was the perfect weather, for a perfect race! People ask me why do you pay money to run, and I tell them this, because running a race is not just running it's an experience!!!!

"Everyone in life is looking for a certain rush. Racing is where I get mine."- John Trautmann

On the way home we stopped by Starbucks, it was getting a little chilly and I was craving some hot apple cider. It was so yummers:) Then when I got home I took an hour nap and woke up and made lunch. It's cold outside now and nothing sounded better then Chile. I made a protein packed sweet potato! The best thing to have after a race :)



I also worked on my BSI recipe, I know I am cutting it close, but I never seem to have a free moment. I mean even tonight after all that has happened today we have a softball game!

I was little nervous about cooking eggplant, but once I did a little research I quickly found out it's not all that hard. I love all types of grilled food, so why not eggplant right? Well here it is:

EGGPLANT,TOFU, AND PEPPER SKEWERS WITH BUTTERNUT SQUASH RISSOTO

1/2 block of extra firm tofu, cubed
1 small eggplant, cubed
3 tbs of olive oil
1 red bell pepper chopped
1 yellow bell pepper chopped
2tbs of balsamic vinegar
2 garlic cloves, crushed
1 teaspoon of sugar
2 wooden skewers

Served on Top of Lundberg Butternut Squash Risotto!

Preparation:

1. Put the eggplant,bell peppers, and tofu in a large plastic bowl. Pour on the combined oil, vinegar, garlic, and sugar and toss. Marinate for 10-15 minutes.

2. Make the Lundberg Butternut Squash Risotto while marinating.

3. Thread alternating eggplant,peppers, and tofu onto the skewers. Cook on hot,lightly oiled bbq grill or flat plate for 7-8 minutes, or until eggplant is tender, turning occasionally. Serve on top of Risotto.

WONDERFUL!

Well I know this post has been long if your still reading, I have changed one thing on PILE ON THE MILES CHALLENGE instead of posting me a comment with your miles on November 28th you can send me an email at marie.bobbi@ gmail .com . I am excited about all who are doing it, the prize I have decided will be a package full of my favorite race day treats!!

I am proud of all who raced this weekend, way to run! Have a restful Sunday evening...remember tomorrow is MAKE A DIFFERENCE MONDAY :)

P.S. Through this entire blog I have been listening to christmas music next to the fire, I know I am one of them...lol