Alpine Classic Half Review

"Departure from traditional down hill... fun but challenging experience."

The Course:
This video was a great preview of the race. They had 2 goals in mind. 1- Highlight the city of Alpine 2- Provide a unique and challenging course.  I'd say they did both.

Support: There was sufficient support for a smaller race. (Five aid stations and 4 bathrooms along the course) The aid stations offered GU (even the delicious Salted Caramel flavor). The course was well marked, with "race course" signs every couple hundred yards, and "arrow" signs indicating turns. Alpine police drove the course reminding runners to stay on the right side of the road.
Extras: They advertised free race day photos, but I didn't see photographers out. It was drizzling during the race and raining hard at the finish line, so that may be why.  The medal was simple and attractive. The race packet was a draw string backpack and included a free haircut coupon, Alpine Half sticker and race shirt. They had the cutest race shirts that weren't covered in a bunch of sponsors' names.

 (source- Alpine Half Facebook)

  (source- Alpine Half Facebook)
The female pacers had tank tops, but runners had t-shirts.

An hour before the race started there was a steady rain coming down, but by the start it was only lightly drizzling. The overcast skies and light rain actually made for perfect running conditions. The cooler conditions were appreciated on all of those Alpine hills. :)

Runners: There were about 169 half marathon finishers.

Bottom-line: I would definitely run this race again. I love the fast downhill courses here in Utah, but I appreciated the variety this course had to offer. It really was fun to have all of those challenging hills thrown in throughout the race. Runners were able to enjoy great scenery without having to deal with being bussed to the top of a canyon.

Running Nightmares

So you know those awful nightmares you have before a big life event. Like the ones where you go to work naked or you get up to give a speech and you can't find your notes. I've had a few running nightmares, like the one where I was walking to the starting line and realized I was wearing jeans and flip flops. So traumatic. Well I just had a new running related nightmare this last weekend.

I dreamed that I was pacing the Alpine Half, and then at mile 12.5 I realized I was completely off course and lost. Then the dream just got totally crazy because I hitch hiked ----twice---- trying to find where I got off course. Then I finally found where the end of the race was, just to start running to the finish line from the wrong direction.

You know in dreams where you're thinking...this can not really be happening, but you just can't seem to wake up?? Well that's totally how I felt as I tried to circle around and "sneak" back onto the actual course only to finish in the pouring down rain 8 minutes past my assigned finish time.
Well, it's been over 74 hours and I still haven't woken up. Yes all of that actually happened to me on Saturday. Best and worst running story ever! :)

I may have paced those first 12 miles perfectly, but I'll forever remember the Alpine Half as the race where I missed a turn and hitchhiked----twice. :)

This was me the moment I got out of the first car I hitch hiked in, and realized I still wasn't on the course.

 

 This gif pretty much sums up my desperation those last 10 minutes of the race. Longest 10 minutes of my life! I was like a little determined running psycho. I was going to get that blasted chip across the finish line.

  

My family and I have had some good laughs retelling this story over the weekend. The good news is that I ran 13.9 miles at the Alpine Half and then ran 8.53 on the treadmill after (it was raining and after all those Alpine hills I thought the flat would be good for my knee), for a total of 22.43 miles. Now I begin the taper until Utah Valley.

The Alpine Half was actually a wonderful race (and the course was well marked unless you were me). I'll post a full review soon!

Have you ever had a running nightmare?

What about a dream where you can fly?

Those were my favorite dreams when I was a kid, but I don't have them anymore.

Any one ever missed a turn during a race? I can't be the only one? Anyone? Anyone?

What was the best part of your Memorial Day weekend?

Pace me, maybe.

I just laugh every time I read this. Tomorrow morning is the Alpine Half Marathon, and I get the opportunity to pace the 2:20 group. I'm really excited to run in a new place and to experience a challenging course. It's also my 20 mile run day, so I'll get to run 7 more miles after the race. :)

 

With any new distance I get a little nervous, but honestly with the way the week has gone, I'm kind of in a "Just bring it!" mode. I need a confidence booster and running 20 miles is a sure fire way to get it.

The pacers get to wear these cute tanks.

 Started today off with boot camp. If you're local, Kick Your Trash Bootcamp is taking new people for June. The trainer who does it is great and you will most definitely get your trash kicked in a good way. ;)

These 3 yahoos kept me entertained this afternoon. 

Just look at this little face.

Friday Foodspiration

Maybe my body is just craving veggies to counteract all of the birthday week junk I've been eating non-stop, but I just can't quit with the salads.

Zucchini, peppers, tomatoes, feta cheese and TJ's cilantro lime dressing, over baby greens.

Left over fajita chicken, tomatoes, avocado, cilantro, cucumber, tomatoes, TJ's cilantro lime dressing over baby greens.

 

Black beans, Costco's fresh salsa, avocado, cucumber over baby greens.

 

Costco's chicken meat balls, peppers, red onion, feta cheese over greens...No dressing needed!

Some days I just need some comforting carbs, so I made this Wow Butter and banana sandwich more than once.

Breakfast casserole:
I made it up so there's not an exact recipe, but here's the gist.

1. Layer diced potatoes (I steamed my potatoes in the microwave for 3 minutes before I put them in the dish. If you used hash-browns you wouldn't have to add that step.), peppers, onion and ham in a casserole dish.

 2. Blend eggs (I used 5), white whole wheat flour (1/4 cup), and milk (about a cup).

 3. Sprinkle some cheese (about half a cup) on your casserole and then pour egg mixture over evenly

4. Bake for about 45 min at 350 or until potatoes are tender.

 

We made it to Friday! What are your weekend plans?

Anyone running any races or doing a long run this weekend? 

Breakfast for dinner - yes or no?

I got mail!

What a dandy of a day this turned out to be. I got a special package from Active Bands! I won a set of their headbands in a giveaway on the Run Your Race Pacers blog, and they finally came. I'm pretty much obsessed with them. If you have problems with your headbands slipping while you run, these will change your life.

 I made my main men model them for me. Don't they look thrilled.

We spent the afternoon doing yard work. All 4 of us absolutely love being outside. It was such a beautiful evening!

I made up this recipe for dinner, and it was a hit with 3 of the 4 of us. Cory decided he only wanted cheese and juice for dinner. Some days I am just done fighting by dinner time. :)

Mexican Casserole
Ingredients:
1 lb of ground turkey
1/2 c chopped peppers (I used red and green bell peppers)
1/4 cup chopped onion (I used a red onion)
2 T cumin
1 T Mojito Lime seasoning
1 t chili powder
1 can of rinsed black beans
1 cup of water
3 diced roma tomatoes
1 can crushed tomatoes
2 c of shredded cheese (less if you want to cut cost/fat)
Optional- Fresh salsa

Brown 1lb of ground turkey (I already had this cooked and frozen in my freezer)
Saute peppers and onion for about 5 minutes, add ground turkey, cumin, Mojito Lime, chili powder, beans water, roma tomatoes and crushed tomatoes. Simmer for 10-15 minutes to combine flavors.

In a sprayed casserole dish, layer corn tortillas, meat mixture, cheese (I did 2 layers, but I think 3 layers would have been even better!) I dropped about six spoonfuls of fresh salsa on top before I put it in the oven.

 Bake at 350 for 30-40 minutes and Voila!

Do you wear headbands when you work out?

Do you ever make-up recipes or do you always stick to the "known"?

What's your favorite flower?

Pumpkin Spice Oatmeal Recipe

I'm usually a Clorox Wipe kind of a girl when it comes to regular bathroom cleaning, but we all know you've got to bust out the bleach and really give the bathroom a good deep clean every once in a while. About an hour after I sacrificed my morning (and a small piece of my soul) cleaning our bathroom like my mama was about to come into town, I found this..... 

I adore my children, but I will never understand how someone can make such a big mess with toothpaste every. single. day.
Moving on.

I eat oatmeal most mornings, and I was craving this recipe this morning.

Pumpkin spice oatmeal recipe (single serving):
1/2 c dry old fashioned oats
1 1/2 c water
1 T chia seeds
1/4 t cinnimon
1/4 t pumpkin pie spice
Dash of nutmeg
Dash of salt
Microwave for 2 1/2 minutes
I add half a banana, 2 T of ground flax seed and a 1/2 cup of plain non-fat Greek yogurt to mine.

Here's a little Thursday motivation for you. 

Today's workout:
30 minutes on the spin bike as a warm-up (The PT recommends I do this before I run)

5 miles on the treadmill

Came home and did some of the upper body and ab sections of this workout video:

 Upper Body
Chest press
Reverse fly
Alternate press
Wide bent over row
Renegade row
DB  pullover
Close grip hammer curl
Straight arm kick back
Arnold press

Abs
Straight leg crunch
Legs up crunch
Tall sit up
Reverse crunch
Tummy tuck
Single leg jack
Sumo side squat
Windshield wiper
Pulsing side planks

Do you have a hard time eating foods (like pumpkin) that are associated with seasons or holidays in the "off season"? 

What's your favorite at home workout video?

What spice do you use the most?

Meeting with the CEO!

Utah Valley Marathon is in 24 Days! 
Sad thing is that the last few days I've started wondering if I even want to run it. So I just had a big important motivational meeting with the CEO of my life.... me. :)

This past week has been tough. Everyone in our house has been sick with a cold. We're all sleep deprived. I'm set back in my training due to this injury, and my faith that I can run all of these races is very shaky right now.

So the CEO told me, "Enough Jessica! The pity party is over! Forget all this negative junk and focus on your blessings, others and your big picture goals. Control what you can and forget the rest! The injury isn't your problem. Having a cold isn't your problem. No other person is your problem. Your attitude is your problem."

Wow that CEO can be a real witch. :)

I studied Business Marketing in college and read many of Zig Ziglar's books ( He's a famous sales person, motivational speaker and trainer), and here are some of his quotes that inspired me today.

“People often say motivation doesn’t last. Neither does bathing—that’s why we recommend it daily.” 
(I'm weeks away from the marathon...I'm tired in every aspect. This quote helps me realize that I need to dig deep and create motivation to see this through.)


“Expect the best. Prepare for the worst. Capitalize on what comes.”
(This quote reminds me that even with a training set back, I can still capitalize, or enjoy, every run I'm blessed to do --- even if I'm not as fast or trained as I wanted to be. There is JOY in the journey.)

So here are some pictures from this week that make me very happy.

 This is how they have been watching TV lately.

 Exciting things happening in my flower bed and garden right now. More on this soon!

 My loves

  MaeBelle

 He could throw rocks all day long.

 The injury doesn't make me happy, but I'm very grateful that I had the opportunity to go to PT twice this week and work towards getting well.

 Smoothies. So much happiness in one drink.

Do you ever have to call yourself out on being a little negative whiny ninny?

Do you drink smoothies year round or only in the summer?

Any one doing a garden this year?