Tuesday, August 30, 2016

Aug 22-28 weekly recap and my fall racing schedule

I'm going to do double-duty today by belatedly linking up with HoHo and Tricia for the Weekly Wrap, as well as with MarciaPatti, and Erika for Tuesdays on the Run.
Here are my workouts from the week:
MONDAY: 10 minutes stationary cycling, lift 40 minutes
TUESDAY: Yoga class
WEDNESDAY: Zumba class, Mobility 101 class
THURSDAY: Strength Max class
FRIDAY: Yoga video
SATURDAY: Run 3 miles on treadmill
SUNDAY: Rest

A couple of highlights from the week:

Pearl Jamming
On Monday night, Adam and I got last-minute tickets to see Pearl Jam at Wrigley Field. I'm not a huge Pearl Jam fan. However, Adam had long been wanting to see them in concert, so I tagged along.

The band put on quite a show. Eddie Vedder is the quintessential rockstar!
Speaking of Eddie Vedder, we had some unexpected drama. Eddie literally stopped mid-song to throw a misbehaving fan out of the concert:
When Eddie wants you gone, you really have no chance, eh?

Pastafarians
On Friday night, Adam and I took the second in a series of pasta-making classes at Cooking Fools. We learned how to make tortellini and farfalle from scratch. It takes a lot of time and effort!
Here's an action shot of me concentrating on making lemon sauce to accompany the tortellini:
The best part of the class, of course, was getting to eat our homemade creations afterwards. Gosh, I love pasta. Even when I'm not training for a long-distance running event, I am still happy to carb-load all day, all the time!!!

Now, let's move on to this week's Tuesdays on the Run Topic: Your fall race calendar

Ahhhh, fall! My favorite time of year to run and race. By my standards, my schedule is actually pretty quiet this year.

I'll be in Pittsburgh the weekend of September 23 when The Great Race 10K takes place; however, I haven't pulled the trigger on registering.
I've seen mixed reviews on The Great Race. A lot of folks have complained about painful, awkward event-day logistics. Many said this was a one-and-done event for them. Given that my running mojo is still low and that I've got a lot of other stuff going on that weekend, I'm debating whether or not this race is worth the effort. I'm leaning towards yes, but it'll probably be a fairly last-minute decision.

Next up - the Army 10-Miler on October 9 in Washington, DC.
I had heard this was a legendary race that usually sells out almost instantly. This year, a lot of participants have apparently been wary of signing up because the DC Metro is undergoing significant construction. I understand this could create enormous accessibility problems. But my friend Asheesh, who is in the army reserve and is also my best friend Vanitha's husband, inspired me to sign up. I am excited to run with him! Plus, my father-in-law lives nearby in Maryland and his birthday is on the 6th, so the timing is perfect for a visit. We're going all in!

On that note, I am reminded that I need to start amping my mileage back up. Both for the Army 10 and for...

The Rock N Roll Las Vegas Half Marathon, baby! This takes place on November 13.
I've already talked about Vegas here and here, so we'll leave it at that for now. Suffice to say I am really looking forward to visiting America's playground again after a long hiatus.

And finally... I may or may not run the PNC YMCA Turkey Trot again this year in Pittsburgh. I do love the tradition of getting Thanksgiving Day started on the right note. However, Adam and I are flying in very late that Wednesday night, so running the race would require an extremely quick turnaround. This one will likely also be a fairly last-minute decision.
Other notes... Pending some potential travel plans, I'm thinking about running the Carrera de los Muertos 5K on October 29 just for the shirt. Originally, I was planning on running the Hot Chocolate 15K on October 30, but changed my mind since I don't like this year's race jacket. Yes, I pick races for all the wrong reasons.

That's all the races I've got on the brain this fall! I honestly don't have much desire to seek out or train for anything else - and I am comfortable with that. If and when the running mojo comes back, we'll go with it then.

Now it's your turn. What's on your calendar this fall, both racing and everything else?

33 comments:

  1. We did RnR Vegas a few years back and although it was a great experience it will probably be a one and done! I should really look into doing more Pittsburgh races and the army 10 Miler should be on my list some years as I've also heard it is a great race!

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    1. Ahhh, I have heard some similar sentiments about RnR Vegas being a one and done, too. Obviously, it's an uber-expensive race and many folks have said the logistics are awkward, too. But Vegas is a race I'm willing to take a chance on. =)

      Yes, more Pittsburgh races!!! If you do any of them, let me know!!! Here is hoping the Army 10 stands up to its coveted reputation, too!!!

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  2. I saw Pearl Jam in concert several times in college, and as good as they were back then in their prime, they're pretty awesome now. I was at Saturday's show, which was great. Glad you guys got to go too!

    Do you guys have a pasta maker? I do, but haven't used it in a few years. It's pretty cool to make it yourself, but a little time-consuming.

    I have a couple local 5ks on the calendar in October, and maybe one in Ohio in November, but that's about it. I'm mostly looking forward to running in cooler, hopefully less humid weather again :)

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    1. Oh wow - that is super cool that you got to see Pearl Jam back in college! The concert on Monday was great, but Adam said there were about 3-4 classic songs that he couldn't believe they didn't play that night. He saw the set list from Saturday's concert and said it was much better that night. Good for you for picking the better of the two date options at Wrigley - I am glad you got to go, too!

      No, no pasta maker for me. It's one of those gadgets that if I had one, I'd probably use it once or twice and then never touch it again. Too time consuming, indeed! But great that you have one!!! Dinner at your place. ;-)

      Which local 5Ks do you have on the calendar? I'm so with you on looking forward to fall running weather. This humidity has been killer!!!

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    2. Yeah, I had friends who went to both and they agreed Saturday was better :) But you got to see Dennis Rodman, right?

      The one I have is a hand crank, so it's less expensive than other options. Making pasta was on my list last winter, but oops, it never happened. So this year! :)

      Both 5ks are night races - Full Moon on 10/14 in Zion and Scary in the Prairie on 10/29 in Pleasant Prairie.

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    3. Yeah, kind of. More like I saw Rodman's image on the screens from the nosebleeds in the upper deck, LOL.

      At the pasta class, we used hand cranks, too. To be honest, I didn't know there were non-hand crank options! That's probably what the restaurants use, right? Otherwise it would be way too laborious for an employee to stand around all day cranking dough!!!

      Those two 5Ks sound really fun! Very Halloween/fall themed. =)

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    4. If you have a Kitchen Aid stand mixer, they have a pasta maker attachment. It may be a little easier, but I think the hand crank is fun :)

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    5. I like the hand crank, too. It's a nice way to combine cooking and strength training at the same time! Or maybe that's just wishful thinking... =D

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  3. Right now my fall races include the Park Ridge 5K and the Hero 10K. And I'll most likely do the Lincolnwood Turkey Trot 5K or 10K. That's a tradition for me. I was supposed to go on a work trip to San Franciso in October but it got canceled. Which means right now I don't have any travel plans. My calendar is actually kind of empty right now!

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    1. I want to hear more details about how your 5K training is going! And thanks for the reminder about the Hero races, I was holding off on entering Valerie's giveaway since I wasn't sure I'd be in town, but I think I'm in the clear now. Would love to potentially join you! Bummer about your San Fran trip getting cancelled but now you've got some more flexibility for other fun local events. =) I'm super excited for Santa Fe in December!!!

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  4. Oh a concert! how fun! I'm not a Pear Jam fan, but know others who are, and would LOVE to see them in concert. I'm glad the rowdy concert goes got kicked out! I wish some concert goers from my concerts would have gotten kicked out!

    I know a few people from Harrisburg who are going to be at the great race! It sounds like a lot of fun!

    What does this Carrera De los Muertos shirt look like?

    I'm very jealous of anybody doing LV RnR! have fun!

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    1. I was glad the misbehaving guy got kicked out, too. I've also been to several concerts and events where I got very frustrated with fellow attendees being obnoxious and disturbing everyone else around them. Grrrr.

      So cool that you know folks from Harrisburg who will be at the Great Race! If you hear about their experiences, please share with me - I'd love to find out what they think!

      There's a picture of a prior Carrera De Lost Muertos shirt here: http://emmers712.blogspot.com/2013/11/carrera-de-los-muertos-5k-race-recap.html

      Thanks so much, Ana!!! And I am jealous of you running RnR VB, that is a race that has been on my radar for a long time, too!!!

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  5. Wow I guess it's unwise to misbehave at a Pearl Jam concert. You and Adam have really made the most of this summer! I remember that shirt from when you last ran Los Muertos. Definitely worth a repeat! Thanks for linking up!

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    1. Yeah, don't mess around when you are visible to Eddie Vedder!!! Thanks Marcia! You've really made the most of this summer, yourself. As always, appreciate you cohosting the linkup, I love this week's topic!!!

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  6. Taking a class on Friday night? Man you have energy. I'm pretty much thinking of hitting the couch for a movie at the end of my work week! I guess I'm getting old. Glad to hear you are getting back into running. This weather (heat+humidity) is enough to knock the mojo out of all but the most diehard runners. Can't wait for a day without a heat index. BTW, I like apple jam as well as pear jam!

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    1. LOL - thanks, Pete! However, a pasta-making class comes with a lot of post-class incentive, which makes it a lot more palatable (literally and figuratively). =) It's not a coincidence that this heat and humidity has NOT knocked YOUR mojo out, yes? I can't wait for a day without a heat index, too. And I love all jams, too! Apple, pear, strawberry, peach, they are all good! =D

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  7. WOW!!! You've got some creative friends! First a daughter named Graceland, now a son named Vedder? So much inspiration - I love it!!!

    RnR LV starts at 4:30 PM, so I'd call it "early evening." I relate to the night race adjustment, though. The Disney Wine and Dine Half Marathon used to start at 10:00 PM, which was insane! It made for an entire day of nerves and putzing around just waiting and worrying. The event wreaked havoc on the next day, too, of course!

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  8. Meh, I wouldn't do Hot Chocolate, jacket or not. It's just too big and too much.

    You've got some good races on your fall calendar, tho! I've still got to see if I can override this PF.

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    1. I hear you - I've had a lot of reservations about Hot Chocolate for the same reasons, but it's gotten decent reviews over the last few years so I figured I would try once. Just not this year!

      I wish your PF the speediest of recoveries, as always! In the meantime, you are ROCKING out your yoga and your strength work with Becky!!!

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  9. My mom's cousins all live in the DC area, and many of them are doing the army 10-miler. 3 cousins were in the army, and it's become one of their traditions.

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    1. Awesome! I can imagine that anyone who has been in the army, or has army connections, would have tremendous appreciation for all that this race stands for!!!

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  10. Thanks Karen! I hope so too! I've definitely learned that you shouldn't write races off due to bad weather or other circumstances beyond their control. Yes, having company makes a race a party. =)

    I truly hope you can run the Richmond Marathon!!! Wishing your feet the speediest of recoveries, as always!!!

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  11. Don't worry - I pick races partly based on swag, too. Which is 100% why I totally wish I could do Carrera. Maybe some year!

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    1. Like I have said many times before, you and I think so much alike it's almost scary. =) =) =) Fingers crossed we can run Carrera together next year or some time in the future!!!!!!

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  12. Yes, the 10:00 PM was INSANE. It did help a little bit that it was 10 PM EST, which is 9 PM CST and would be 8 PM MST for you. But even so, it was a big source of anxiety for sure! I think 4:30 is very doable, too. When I was in college, I used to love running in the late afternoon after class - but as an adult I've adapted to running in the mornings, too. Yay for running RnR LV next year and staying with your bro!!! You'll have a great time!!!

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  13. I am not a fan of Pearl Jam but I remember in college I had some friends that would always be singing their songs.

    How could I forget about RnR Las Vegas? I thought I was done with the Chicago Marathon. I am thinking of dropping out of MCM. These long races are just killing me. I don't mind the running but runs longer than 10 miles are no-no for my anymore. I am thinking of signing for the Hot Chocolate race because I like their jacket. And no Carrera de Los Muertos because it is just so crowded.

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    1. Ah yes, Pearl Jam was the heart of the grunge era in music for me back in those days, too!!!

      OMG - I had forgotten that you were running MCM in addition to the Chicago Marathon and RnR Las Vegas. Your running calendar is PACKED this fall!!! I don't enjoy doing long training runs, either so I can totally relate. Yes, Carrera is super crowded, it's gotten too popular for its own good, right?

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    2. Yes. I remember running it and actually enjoying it. But now not anymore. I wish the race organizers would move the location.

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    3. I saw that you are selling your MCM bib. I can totally understand. It's really tough on the body to do two marathons so close to each other!!!

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  14. The cooking class sounds fun but I can't imagine making pasta from scratch. In fact, if I can't pull a meal together in about 15 minutes, it's not going to happen. LOL. You've got some great races lined up. I haven't made any plans after Chicago except for one half in December. I'm guess I'm waiting to see how I feel? Thanks for linking, Emily!

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    1. If it weren't for the class, I don't know if I'd ever have the time and patience to make pasta from scratch, too! I am very much about being able to pull together meals quickly, too. My motto is, "Simple and classic are also tasty." =) I hope your marathon training continues to go smoothly for you and I look forward to hearing about your additional upcoming race plans! Thanks to you and Tricia for hosting the linkup, as always!!!

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  15. I'm so jealous of Vegas! I so want to do this one day! I bet that concert was off the chain!!

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    1. Likewise - I am so jealous of all the amazing travels you are always doing! Every week you are going someplace else. =) It's awesome!!!

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