OC Half Marathon 2016 Recap

Yesterday I ran the OC Half Marathon. It was a really good race even though SkinnyRunner my long time partner in crime at this race was not there (this is me trying to make her feel guilty). I usually run the full marathon but since I haven’t been running long lately I decided to keep it half style this time.

Pre-race: The night before the half marathon I set out all the stuff I need for the race and after the race. I usually pack a bag with the basics like water, change of clothes, flip-flops…

Since Ben is here he offered to drop me off at the race. The OC marathon/half is a point to point course which means it starts at one place (Fashion Island)  and ends somewhere else (the Fair grounds in Costa Mesa). You need to park at the finish and take a shuttle to the start which requires an extra early wake up call to get all that done.

I got to the start with just enough time to hit the bathroom and line up as the gun went off.

I was sporting my Surf City Marathon tee as my throw away, but didn’t need it. It wasn’t that cold and I could have been okay without it. I hate when I waste a throw away!

The race: I love the OC half (but I am partial to SoCal races). There are a few small hills, but it feels like a lot of downhill too in the beginning. There is one steep hill at mile 11. There is an aid station right on the hill to distract you, but it’s so steep it never distracts me. I felt really great the whole race until the top of that hill. I ran it (I walk a lot of hills lately) and at the top felt like my legs were super heavy and done. Luckily, I got it back and kept chugging away.

I am pretty happy with my finish time since I feel like I have been slower than usual lately  – 1:46:56. With an average pace of 8:10 I’m super excited about that! I have been really just slogging along lately listening to audio books and thinking about life on my runs.

I grabbed a banana and hitched a ride home (Ben picked me up). Local races are the best, it’s just so much easier to coordinate.

Aaaaaand I signed up for a marathon at the expo that I’m super excited about! I am not even 100% sure I can do it since it’s out of town and I am not sure of what’s going on in my life over the next three months but I am still excited and going to plan for it to happen. Boom.

Next up: Tinkerbelle 10k and Half Marathon this weekend! I need to get my costumes ready!!

Question: Do you have any travel plans for this year? I never know how far in advance to plan stuff!

The post OC Half Marathon 2016 Recap appeared first on Run Eat Repeat.

Do carbs REALLY lead to weight-gain? Expert reveals whether banning bread is best

CARBOHYDRATES are often hailed an undisputed no-go zone when it comes to dieting.

The Best Dog Instagrams to Follow

Weekend bullets

I haven't really had much to say lately at all, so I haven't been writing. I've been having a good week! Just nothing exciting happening around here :)

Here are some bullets:

• I still haven't decided on a goal for fall, and after talking to my therapist about it, I actually think I'm going to choose NOT to make a big goal for this fall. Because I always feel the need to be hyper-focused on something in order to stay on track with my eating and exercise, I haven't learned how to stay on track without setting a huge goal. This summer, I'd like to be content with where I am and how I am doing things. Maybe in the fall, I'll think of a spring goal to work on. (There is nothing wrong with having goals, of course; but I want to learn to be content even when I'm not actively working on a tough goal.)

• I went for my first bike ride of the season last week, and it wasn't as fun as I'd hoped, unfortunately.

Read more »

Best Run Eat and Repeat from April 2016

Hello! How are you I’m great – just ran the OC Half Marathon (recap tomorrow), made pancakes and am hanging out with a bunch of ants who decided to move in. So I have all that going for me right now. Before I get to the highlights of April – do you have any ant advice?

Here is the deal – There are a bunch of ants that have decided to walk around the condo. They are not super bright because they’re not looking for food necessarily. They have not gotten into the food or the cat food (which is on the floor all the time). There was a steady line of them at first – I got rid of that. But they are still randomly a few here and there – on the wall in the bathroom, on the floor in the living room… what the heck?

Okay, now back to running and eating. It’s May 1st! I want to share my favorite Run, Eat and post I’d like to Repeat for April.

Favorite Run

How To Make Running Easier

Favorite Eat

I had a ton of great food this month, it’s hard to decide. I call it a tie!

I am going to go with the Blue Apron Dinner I Made With My Little Brother

And the 3 Ingredient Oatmeal PB Cookies

Favorite Post I’d Like to Repeat

What Should I Do With My Life? <- the post where I was hoping Jesus would leave a comment or some life expert/guru/therapist/Oprah would tell me what to do

Question: What was the BEST thing you did or ate or other in April?

The post Best Run Eat and Repeat from April 2016 appeared first on Run Eat Repeat.

One Word Weekend–Running Around OC

Running (11 miles)

Dinner.

Watermelon.

OC Marathon

Expo

(new RER) Sweatshirt

(Available via Spreadshirt Shop)

Weekend Reading:

 Trans Fat and Why To Avoid It via Fannetastic Food

How Much Cardio is Too Much via Fitnessista

This is How You Use KT Tape via Women’s Running

Question: What’s your word of the day?

The post One Word Weekend–Running Around OC appeared first on Run Eat Repeat.

I’ve entered Kansas. 1,260 miles down. Starting to lose my...

I’ve entered Kansas. 1,260 miles down. Starting to lose my mind and the only cure is the Mulan soundtrack on repeat. With all the force of a great typhoon. http://ift.tt/1bJZ1aW to follow along.