Whew – what a morning!! After dropping Mazen off at school, I headed home to fill my camelbak and departed on my longest training run of the season. The Charlottesville 10 Miler is next weekend, so after this it’s just short runs.
Since the temps were mild, this run went way better than my below-freezing 8 miler a few weeks ago. I put my homemade sports drink in the camelbak so I’d have plenty of fuel, and I think that made a huge difference in my energy level. I was a little sore from strength class yesterday, so it took me a while to loosen up, but overall the run went great. {Well except that my bluetooth headset died at mile 4 and I had to listen to the Edacious podcast on speakerphone while carrying my phone!}
The only downside, I guess, is that I am just so much slower than I used to be. My best mile was 9:40, and most of them were in the upper 9s and lower 10s. The first time I ran 9 miles I was way faster! Today I finished in 1:31, which is what I used to be able to run ten miles in! I’m not all that surprised given I’m 5 years older, with a different body and way less running practice on my legs, but I thought I’d get a little faster during my training. But guess what – I didn’t do a single speed work run, so this is what I get! The silver lining is that my two good friends and I are all the same speed, so we are hoping to run a good potion of the race together which will be fun.
Post run lunch – a turkey + cheese sandwich with pickles, mustard and mayo, Mazen’s leftover eggs from breakfast and half of a Lumi juice.
I picked the Sayas up at school for a playdate. Charlie Horse says hi!
We had lots of fun playing out in the sunshine. Don’t they look like they could be 16 here?!
My latest Birchbox came today – I look forward to peeling back the shipping box back Charlie and the Chocolate Factory style – what color is the design going to be this time!? I keep the boxes filled with trinkets around the house. They are so versatile – gift boxes, storage boxes, markers + crayons, etc. An extra perk of Birchbox! Yippee for Supergoop samples and awesome smelling shampoo. The lip pencil is pretty sweet too!
Shel@PeachyPalate says
Birch box looks good! Well done on the run! Not about how fast your going, you still did it…and you’re lapping everyone on the couch 🙂
KathEats says
Haha great point!
joelle (on a pink typewriter) says
That’s one of my favorite running quotes. 🙂
Linda@ TheFitty says
I love surprise boxes, what are your top ones you suggest?
KathEats says
Birchbox is my very fav followed by Stitchfix. I wouldn’t have tried either if it werent for reading blogs!
Elise says
I actually think the paces you are running your long runs at are good if you’re trying to replicate something close to your 10 mile PR. Have you ever used a running pace calculator? I use McMillian Running and it usually estimates running long runs 1:30-3:00 min. slower than your goal pace. Keep that in mind as you train–you don’t want to be running your long runs at race pace!
KathEats says
That’s encouraging to hear. But unless race day is the perfect storm I just don’t think it’s possible!
Casey @ Casey the College Celiac says
I totally understand on how you feel about speed in a different way. I managed to strain my IT band last year and though I’m finally back running, I’m stuck at 1 mile at a time and am running around 12 minute milers versus my faster 8-9. It’s definitely frustrating at times, but I try to focus on the fact that I am running at all – just like you are 🙂 Great job!
Taca @ A Side Of Dessert says
I seriously need to get my hands on either BirchBox or StitchFix! They must start shipping to Canada!
Allison @ plaidpdxmama says
Way to get your 9 miles in! That’s so awesome. You are gonna have a great 10 miler next week. I understand how it can feel crappy to have a slower time, but you have to think about his awesome it is that you are even able to run such a distance! Keep it up!
Cassie says
What a nice Birchbox surprise!
Cyn says
Congratulations-wishing you all good things under your new roof!
I’m in the market for some new running/workout clothing and was wondering if you have any recommendations. Maybe a good idea for a post 🙂
Good luck with the upcoming race!
KathEats says
good idea! I love Athleta the most. And I just tried Fabletics which is like Stitchfix for workout clothes.
Veronica says
Aww, so cute kids. Kath, you’re an inspiration for every mom. Keep it up 🙂
Elyse says
I so wish BirchBox or StitchFix shipped to Canada!
Mare says
Birchbox ships to Canada.
Hannah @ eat, drink and save money says
Pretty box! I love that you repurpose the boxes. Such a great idea.
Ashley @ Saving Money in your Twenties says
I miss the birchbox boxes– they really were cute! and yay congrats on getting your 9miler done!
Laura says
I knocked out my first double digit run of the year last night while training for a half marathon I’m running in April. My dog and I ran 10.5 miles last night! I wore my Camelback too, so convenient for long runs!
KathEats says
Your doggie has some awesome endurance!
Tracy says
My Birchbox came yesterday, too! I get so excited when they come! You’re right about the boxes. They’re awesome 🙂
Alex @ True Femme says
They totally look like they could be 16! Also, if I could run nine miles in that amount of time I’d be really happy with myself! I didn’t really run at all last year but I’ve been getting back into it since January (just treadmill runs so far because cold weather really bothers my lungs) but I did have a personal best yesterday so I’m hoping that this will be a good running year for me 🙂 Good luck with your race!
Cassie says
Wonderful work! 😀
Andy says
Happy housewarming! Are you able to find a good place for that great white organizing hutch? Stella and Dot stuff is all so cute. I love the simplest pieces.
KathEats says
Yup! We bought it for the new office
Andy says
Ah, awesome. Good luck on race day!
Melanie G. says
I’m obsessed with that No. 4 shampoo! I got it sometime last year in my box, and bought the full size. I’ve kinda considered bathing with it so I can use it every day – the smell is just sooooo scrumptious!
Congrats on your training – you are strong and will do great in your race!!
Melanie
Atlanta, GA