sidebar | life and training 12.15 – 12.21
MERRY CHRISTMAS WEEK! MERRY HALF MARATHON PR! JUST MERRY, DAMN IT!
What a week the last one was! Of course, though, I have to start with my shiny half marathon personal best from Sunday.
I think the half is now my second favorite race distance, behind the 10K. I’ve run four and each of them felt significant and were positive experiences overall. Granted, I’m sure I’ll run a total flop in the future and curse the 13.1 for eternity thereafter, but right now, in my post-race happy daze, I’m certainly raising it on a pedestal.
Race morning was pretty smooth and nondescript. Parking was easy and well-directed, the race village compact but effective. It was rather dark in the neighborhoods surrounding so I ran my warmup in the parking lot, which was twist but fine. Afterwards, there wasn’t much to do but drop my warmup hoodie back to my car (and lose a hairtie in the process, buggaboo) and wander around the start area stretching and doing various warmup exercises.
I slurped down an Untapped gel about 20 minutes before the start gun. We lined up around 7 and began maybe a few minutes late. The half marathoners were first to roll out, followed by the 10K, then the 5K field.
I honestly didn’t really look at the race course beforehand. Kind of a running sin but whatever. I didn’t realize, therefore, that the trail is speckled with pedestrian bridges, and I was to encounter 8 total ascents and descents. Real talk? This was a happy surprise. I love hills, they keep my pacing and breathing honest and give various muscles stimulation that totally flat courses do not.
Runners were pretty spread out after the first mile, when I also found my stride pretty easily. Around mile 4 or 5 I was clumped with three other runners, who broke off from me when I stopped for water. It’s kind of cool being part of a pack, even if it’s only a short amount of time.
I ended up running pretty close to an older woman for a good part of the race. We were flip flopped back and forth and she at one point told me she wanted to keep near me since my pacing was “so incredibly steady.” I passed her probably around mile 10 but she finished 20 seconds or so behind me and also won her age group, which was pretty cool. I think her name was Amanda? She suggested later that I become a pacer for a future race, and that’s kind of a neat idea.
The final 3 miles I completely dropped the hammer, and shocked myself with how much I was able to increase my pace. Those miles clocked at 8:08, 8:08, and 8:04. During the final climb at mile 12.5ish I dropped another woman who had overtaken me beforehand. I really think I might have some natural climbing ability since I tend to take them much more easily than a lot of people.
I saw J at the finish line, and of course ran by him yelling and waving my arms. I kicked at a 7:16 pace for the final bit and crossed in 1:49:13. The announcer called me out as I ran through smiling like an idiot (he commented something like “Yeah there we go!” at my happy expression AND managed to pronounce my last name right!)
I ran a 1.5 mile cooldown to get my mileage for the day. This coming week is a cutback so I’ll probably hover around 55 miles instead of my near-70, with easy runs predominating and maybe one workout later in the week if my body is ready. I did an easy run this morning and felt pretty good, so I’m encouraged that my recovery will go smoothly as I continue on with this training cycle.
That night, J and I celebrated at Nueva Cantina for dinner. This place decks the fucking halls for Christmas and it was so wonderfully festive inside; I love how all-out they go! I ordered the Grinch Margarita and shrimp fajitas, and we shared some red and green chips and salsa beforehand. I think coming her in combination with my race finally put me in the Christmas spirit.
Earlier in the week Little Miss Ba and I headed to Shortwave for a gingerbread latte. Fabulous. I did some work in the cafe and enjoyed the cozy, overcast weather.
Good noms from the week: leftover cranberry salmon with potatoes and carrots and fish tacos with black bean salsa. And, of course, pasta and meatballs before the race.
I also received this fabulous PR package from Lundberg Farms and Simpli! The olive oil in the pack was clutch since I just ran out literally 10 minutes before I opened the box. Really hyped to not have to buy rice for a good long while.
Christmas is here, friends! I hope you’ve found some spirit over the weekend – many people I spoke to were hopeful that the vibes would arrive once their kids were out of school and final preparations in order. I think I’m there at last. I’ve some last-minute shopping to do still, a few gifts to wrap, and a couple more Christmasy activities on the docket. I also need to go pick up my race award Christmas Eve and think I’ll make an afternoon of it with coffee and whatever other errands I need done.
MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE! Much love and many hugs!
The Fuck We Cooking This Week?
…A festive and healthy Christmas salad!
…A wintry bourbon cocktail.
…My birthday cake!
2025 Christmas Menu
Merry Christmas, all! Here’s a little menu I put together to help you have the holliest and jolliest of holidays!
Starter
Whipped Goat Cheese with Sticky Maple Bacon and Cranberries
Main Course
Leftover Stuffing Stuffed “Meatballs” and Gravy
Sheet Pan Cranberry Glazed Salmon
Stovetop Herb Brown Butter Mashed Potatoes
Dessert
Swirled Cranberry Champagne Cake
Drinks
Santa’s Spiced Pomegranate Spritz
This Week’s Meal Plan
Meatless Monday…Easy Spicy Chickpea Noodle Soup
Tuesday…Spicy Buffalo Shrimp Bowls with Creamy Lime Ranch
Christmas Eve…2025 Christmas Cookie Box
Christmas Dinner…Sheet Pan Cranberry Glazed Salmon
Friday Happy Hour…Winter Snowstorm Margarita
Saturday Brunch…Smothered Potato Breakfast Enchiladas
Gameday Snack…Olive Cheese Pizza with Feta Stuffed Crust
Shops & Wish List
Skincare & Wellness
Tree Hut…Eyeing the Merry Mint body wash (if it’s similar to their other mint scent from a couple years ago) and their lip butter, or the Frozen Honey lip mask.
Fashion
Target…Love the drop shoulder style of this bubble dress, though not sure about the bubble hem…These floral leggings + matching bra are SO cute…This sweater dress is super sleek, love the scarf-like piece by the neck…Yes, I don’t mind me a good heart sweater for Valentine’s…
Week in Training
Monday, 12.15: 17 miles, 9:31 pace
20 miles Saturday, then this today. I wanted to get a proper long run in and a speedier workout since I’m racing Sunday and don’t want to do anything too close to the event, so I performed a long run workout this day. Considering some leg fatigue and the insane 20+ mph winds, this went better than I could’ve hoped. Averaged 8:40 over 9 x 2k at marathon pace (abut 11 miles of work) and didn’t even fall off that badly during the “wind-ervals.” My slowest split was 8:46 and my fastest 8:36. I took two Maurten gels and an Untapped during the workout, for which I’m proud of myself. All in all I’m very pleased, but I am TIRED.
Tuesday, 12.16: 6.5 miles, 11:15 pace + 10 minute lift
Surprisingly nice run this morning, was really expecting my legs to protest but they actually felt okay considering, and my heart rate only averaged 144!
Worked a long shift today so had limited time to lift, but happy that I got in a little something regardless.
Strength:
- 3 x 10 ea. single leg press 100#
- 3 x 12 pushup
- 3 x 10 ab rollup 15#
Wednesday, 12.17: 9.5 miles, 11:11 pace + 5.05 miles, 10:43 pace
Two good old fashioned zone 2 runs, the first with 145 bpm average and the second only 148! Was going to plug some strides into the first run but didn’t really feel up to it, so plan to do them tomorrow. Second run came after an 8 hour workday so my legs were sleepy, but the fresh air felt wonderful.
Thursday, 12.18: 8.5 miles, 10:37 pace + 10 minute lift
10 x 200m intervals today, descending from 5k pace to…who the hell knows. Didn’t feel like I had much pop in my legs today but I did what I could – I’ve been feeling a little heavier than usual this week from my training load. Looking forward to a random Friday rest day!
Friday, 12.19: 25 minute elliptical
Chill spin after work felt great.
Saturday, 12.20: 5.25 miles, 11:14 pace
Felt like total balls on this run – perhaps my wonky schedule (rest day being yesterday and no long run this morning) plus some less than stellar sleep contributed to the blah feeling I had. It was also much colder and windy and I don’t think that does me any favors. One bad run does not a bad race make, however, so trying to stay positive for Sunday!
Sunday, 12.21: *FLORIDA HOLIDAY DISTANCE CLASSIC HALF MARATHON* 13.26 miles, 8:14 pace (1:49:13)
What a HELL of a race! I was very encouraged from the outset by my 1.5 mile warmup, since I felt pretty good and the temperature was pretty much perfect. It’s funny, I actually didn’t really look at the course map at all so I didn’t realize I’d be going up and over 8 pedestrian bridges, and they were all pretty steep. I truly think this helped me as hills keep my pacing honest, help control my breathing, and switch on different muscles depending on whether I’m ascending or descending.
Honestly? This half was pretty much perfect. Started at an 8:24 mile and finished with an 8:04, right at my lactate threshold, and felt I had more in me. Ate a stroopwafel with peanut butter and coffee before the race, took an Untapped gel 20 minutes prior to start, then had a Maurten at mile 4, a caffeinate Honeystinger at mile 7, and another Untapped at mile 11. Water when I could, probably every 2 miles or so. J was waiting for me by the finish line and, as I do, I ran by him screaming before the announcer applauded me by name (and pronounced my surname right!). A lady I was running around a good amount of the time complimented my pacing and told me I should pace a race someday. We both walked away having won our age groups and earning new personal bests.
Yep, a PR by over a minute (I ran a 1:50:5x last February) likely could’ve gone sub-1:49 but honestly? On not fresh legs, I’ll take this as a huge, wonderful victory. 16.5 miles total for the day!
Total running mileage: 68
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