Weekly MM: Hills of Many Sorts

*Welcome to one of my weekly MM (Marathon & Meatless Meals) posts! Starting in August, my first post of each week will also include updates as I train for my first marathon! This challenge is part of my 2013 Personal Goals (check out my progress here). I will be running the Anthem Richmond Marathon on November 16th.*

Last week marked the official beginning of Boyfriend sitting out of marathon training. I actually managed to get out of bed and drive to the week's first early run last Tuesday a full 10 minutes early. It's getting increasingly harder not to notice that the mornings are staying darker and getting cooler...I guess that means fall is here (but I'm still in denial!). Dark and cool morning runs bring with it a bit of quiet peacefulness; and also seems a little less draining on the body. But that's where the "pros" stop.

Yesterday I found myself reaching for the tupperware container at the top of my closet, which is filled with my winter wicking shirts and pullovers. Also, I'm in desperate need of reflective accessories. I'm leaning towards some sort of flashing armbands or waist clip, versus a reflective vest. Am I the only one that feels like all I shop for is food and athletic gear?!

I got very close to 10 miles last Tuesday morning (9.75) and felt fairly strong throughout it. Since his injury began creeping back last week, Boyfriend's made me increasingly more aware of HILLS. Other people have been complaining about it too. So, obviously, that seems to be all I notice on runs now...my body recognizes even the subtlest of inclines and declines. I'm hoping sooner or later, it'll also notice how much easier they are getting to tackle.

Remember last week's post when I mentioned ongoing highs and lows? Well Wednesday was the golden child of this past week: Boyfriend and I ran a small 5K in a local business park. Hills? TONS! I still managed to beat my high school cross country record by almost a minute (honestly, not as much as I hoped). Boyfriend, on the other hand, stopped short of the finish line, deciding that this small race wasn't worth giving up his ability to run the marathon in November. To mainly the lows, we drank beer that night.

Saturday morning I nearly missed the start of the run, showing up at exactly 6:00AM. I'm glad the handful of red lights I ran were worth it. Although it was cool again, the two 5 minutes intervals took a toll on me the first hour. The second hour was a slow and steady struggle to 13 miles. I felt a tinge of pulling on the bottom of my right foot during the last half hour...as did I feel the creakiness of my muscles and lack of fire in my gut. It was a serious push to keep just under a 10 minute/mile pace. And then I got a side cramp in the last ten minutes. I refused to stop moving though. I have a feeling this mental + physical test is going to be an essential part of my training moving forward: how I feel and what I think I want to do (uncomfortable, stop) vs. what I'm capable of and what I really want to do (not stop).

My mediocre run was unnecessarily rewarded with The Griff (chocolate peanut butter shake + biscuit breakfast sandwich) from The Dairy Bar....I know, I know. Sometimes I just need to make a bad decision! The rest of the weekend had nothing to do with being healthy. Except: I did go apple picking Sunday.

The football game in Charlottesville was a bust since it rained THE ENTIRE TIME and Boyfriend refuses to leave a game early. It was to his benefit that Sunday was gorgeous and he gave no opposition to apple picking at Carter Mountain before heading home.

I've been trying to play around with our loot of 11 pounds of apples, 1/2 gallon of cider, and half dozen apple cider donuts. So far, I've most enjoyed the apple pie smoothie I've had for breakfast twice this week: 3/4 cup apple cider, 1/4 cup almond milk, 1/3 cup plain Greek yogurt, 1 frozen banana, 1/4 teaspoon vanilla, 2 tablespoons cashews, cinnamon & nutmeg, and handful of ice. (And look! No added sugar!) A half an apple is optional.

Crockpot apple sauce or butter is happening next, as well as this crazy pizza.

Oh yeah, and we finished off this weekend with a few hours on a rock in the James River, which nearly deserted because of Sunday football. It's insane to me that we have something as gorgeous as this at our disposal in Richmond!