Post Run Refuel

After a long run, I love to refuel with: toast with peanut butter and honey, Powerade Zero (only the zero calorie blue kind for this girl), and my favorite of the three items-chocolate milk!

Studies have shown that it aids muscle repair after a strenuous workout- Got milk?

What is your favorite post run/workout meal?

Free Lunch #1

I enjoyed my first of three free lunches from Lynn (another coming from Adam) this past Friday.

First free lunch included:

2 spring rolls and red chicken curry from Thai by Thai

Here's me and Lynn enjoying our Thai food! Apparently, the sore loser didn't want to smile for the camera.

I have to thank him not only for the first of several lunches but for the added motivation this summer. I am not sure that I would have made it out there everyday. However, the thought of losing to Lynn and hearing about it all year really pushed me. I don't think I've made a point to let him know how thankful I am- so...thank you Lynn for the food and the motivation!

And this doesn't change anything, I still want my remaining 2 lunches.

Running. Unplugged.

As I headed out for my run Saturday morning, I realized that my Ipod was dead. Totally dead. It did not even enough power to get through a mile with me. Waiting around for the Ipod to charge was not an option as my cousin was getting married in just a few hours. So...I headed out without music (gasp)!!! Rarely do I run without music or my running partner Tom.

But that morning I was thankful that my Ipod died and that I was forced to run unplugged. I was able to hear the rain drops from an early morning rain dripping off the trees on to the path. I heard the birds chirping and animals moving in the bushes.

But most importantly I was able to reflect on the wedding ceremony taking place that afternoon in which my cousin Rj and his beautiful bride Ali would (finally) tie the knot. Ali has been with Rj since I was in middle school and she's felt like family to me for such a long time. I was grateful for the ability to quietly contemplate Rj and Ali's marriage and their future as I ran. They are an amazing couple who has many years of happiness ahead of them.

I found (surprisingly) that I enjoyed myself while running unplugged (and had a great pace per minute). I've now committed to running at least one run per week unplugged.

Here are a few pictures of Rj and Ali's Day-

The Bride and Groom

All seven of my grandparents grandchildren on the same weekend they married many years ago- wish they could've been here to celebrate with us.

Me with the beautiful Bride, Ali!

I. WIN.

I finished the summer of run, about 2 weeks ago actually, life is crazy again now that I am back to school. This post is long overdue and I am so excited to be writing it.

If you want to refresh your memory about the "summer of run" and how it began, check that out here.

115 miles in 74 days of running (75, because I couldn't just stop cold turkey, I needed to wean) commenced on June 17th, and as a result here are....

The things I've gained:

1. A new found love and respect for running. Running, to me, is no longer a love/hate relationship (hate it while you are doing it, love it when it is over)- but a love/love relationship instead.

2. Personal satisfaction from setting a goal and working hard to achieve it. There are many days when I did not feel like running, like after this injury or after this trip.

3. A solid running partner, even though we don't always run together.

4. Four free lunches and the sheer joy for having proved Lynn wrong. Lynn- I. WIN.

5. Consistency in my running schedule- I am not running every day (less time now that school is back in session) but I am more consistent and begin to miss it if I haven't been out in a day or two.

Things I've lost:

1. The constant ache in my left knee, IT band, and hip.

2. The feeling of dread I felt as I head for each run- I can't wait to get out there now!

3. The idea that I wouldn't be able to run every day for 74 days.

4. 30 secs off my pace per minute

(enough to hopefully finish a half marathon in November in under 2 hours)

5. 10 lbs. - enough said

Last, but certainly not least, I have to thank a few people for their love and support throughout this process:

My husband Brendan- for being my Webmaster, joining me on an early am and late night run, and for always believing I could do this.

My cousin/running partner Tom- your easy going attitude combined with our crazy conversations make the miles fly by.

My father-in-law- whose love for running (and perseverance) inspires me every day.

My family- my Mom(s), Ross, Dad, Ryan, Rj, Ali, Dan, Uncle Ron, Aunt Michelle, Fraser, Lauren, Shannon, Spencer, Nana, Grandma, Uncle Mark, Aunt Diane (hope I didn't forget anyone)- for your love and support.

My readers- thank you to anyone who took the time to read this dinky little blog that chronicled my experience throughout the summer. I appreciate it more than you know!

**This is not the end of the Summer of Run blog, I intend to keep posting and sharing what I hope continues to be my love/love relationship with running. So- feel free to keep on reading!