The Run/Walk Approach to Running a Marathon – Steamtown 2011

October 10th, 2011 | Posted by Alison Spath in Fitness - (11 Comments)

I do not recommend running a marathon on short notice.

I will never do that again.

But do I regret it?

Destined to Be an Old Woman with No Regrets

Absolutely not.

And if you told me you wanted to try it, I wouldn’t talk you out of it either. If you’re an experienced runner and have run a marathon or two before? Go for it.

With that said, it’s obviously best to run a marathon when properly trained – but if it weren’t for the fact that I went into this under-trained, I probably wouldn’t have investigated the run/walk approach to a marathon.  From where I sit now, I’m very grateful I had a reason to try it.  Read more...

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Steamtown Marathon 2011

October 9th, 2011 | Posted by Alison Spath in Fitness - (9 Comments)

I made it!

Steamtown Marathon 2011 Finisher

4 hours and 50 minutes (go slowly was exactly right) and a sore left knee, but so SO relieved and happy!

And can I just say: Krispy Kreme donuts after 26.2 miles?

Krispy Kreme at Steamtown Marathon

Best. Donut. I’ve. Ever. Eaten.

EVER!

I’ll write a real race recap tomorrow, but I’m here tonight to say that I am delighted with how it well went, sore knee or not. I can’t wait to sing the praises of Jeff Galloway’s run/walk approach to a marathon – it worked like a charm!  Read more...

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Twas the Night Before Steamtown

October 8th, 2011 | Posted by Alison Spath in Late Night Craziness - (7 Comments)

I made it!

Steamtown Expo

Picked up my swag.

SWAG Fashion Show

(that’s actually a really nice long sleeve tech shirt.  and green glasses rule.)

Rolled out my leg on a rolling pin –

Yoga Mat and Foodie Rolling Pin Foam Roller

(thanks for that, Katheryn!)

Like so:

and had a hotel bed pre-marathon dinner time picnic.

Pre Marathon Dinner Spread

(my current fav salad mess, half a bagel, Brussels sprouts, Buffalo Sabra, Friends on TV!)

Tomorrow’s mantra?

Smile, breathe and go slowly.

– Thich Nhat Hanh

For realsies.

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Destination Marathon Food Prep

October 7th, 2011 | Posted by Alison Spath in Life - (2 Comments)

T minus 36 hours until Steamtown, tonight has been all about getting ready for a three hour road trip to Scranton, PA tomorrow and then a 26.2 mile race on Sunday.

I’m definitely excited to run this marathon, but I ain’t gonna lie – I’m plenty nervous too, mostly about my knee. I’ve been stretching my IT Band like Gumby on an organic taffy pulling machine and am pleased to report I’m currently pain free – but still.

I mean, that’s sounds like good news, right? I thought so too, but then I started listening to the horror stories my friend Google tells me when I search for “running a marathon with ITBS”.  Read more...

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Last Minute Marathon Lessons

October 3rd, 2011 | Posted by Alison Spath in Fitness - (4 Comments)

So it’s the first week in October, and that means this is marathon week over here.

October Calendar

I’ve had a couple of training trial and errors through the month of September, and there’s a couple things I’ve learned over these past 4 weeks.  This little ditty is for you long distance runners out there who might find yourself signing up for a marathon at the last minute because you were thinking “hey, that sounds like fun!!”  Read more...

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Long Run Saturday

September 17th, 2011 | Posted by Alison Spath in Fitness - (5 Comments)

OK baby girl, enough with the bike riding birthday breakfast bonanzas – you’ve got a marathon you’re supposed to be training for.

Steamtown Marathon Letter

Oh shoot, you’re right!  Well, it’s Saturday, so I guess that means we’re running long today, eh?

A few weeks ago I made my own version of Brendan Brazier’s Direct Fuel Bites for long runs. This batch was made much like the one I made last year – with dates, coconut oil and cocoa powder. This time I threw in a little dulse (for electrolytes), hemp seeds (for protein), chia seeds (for kicks) and shredded coconut (for fun).  Read more...

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It’s Not Peachy Being Green

September 8th, 2011 | Posted by Alison Spath in Breakfast - (5 Comments)

Right Kermie?

Kermit the Frog

(something like that.)

Random fact: my kids never took any interest in Sesame Street. I WAS TOTALLY LOOKING FORWARD RELIVING MY CHILDHOOD, GIRLS! That was part of the reason I had kids in the first place.

Anyways.

Peaches! More peaches! Peaches are turning out to be one of my new favorite smoothie additions.

Ginger Peach Green Smoothie

They are just so… peachy?

Load Up Smoothie Ingredients

Layered with frozen banana slices and some spinach, they make a great smoothie trio.

My other new favorite smoothie additive –

Grind Your Ginger  Read more...

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Steamtown or Bust (except hopefully not bust)

September 4th, 2011 | Posted by Alison Spath in Fitness - (2 Comments)

About a month ago, my crazy running friend Shawn got the crazy idea that we should put our names on the waiting list to run the Steamtown Marathon in Scranton, Pennsylvania.  This is the same dude we watched participate in the Lake Placid Ironman this year – thus confirming his insanity.

Steamtown is known for being one of the fastest marathon courses in the country, which makes it a really popular race.  Many people want to run this race to increase their chance at qualifying for the Boston Marathon – and I totally get that.  Read more...

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