Chasing My Joy

My journey to becoming an Ultra Runner and Ironman

Archives for October 2011

Pumpkin Goodness!

Last night I was in the mood to bake so I looked up healthy pumpkin bread recipes and found this one from Good Housekeeping. I grabbed a few things on the way home from the store and put together all the ingredients I would need.

I used the recipe almost exactly except I added walnuts and made three mini instead of one big one.

I think they turned out great, easy to make and delicious. I added little spider rings for fun and gave one away to my PT Djimmer as a thank you as well.

At the store a couldn’t resist this pumpkin spice coffee as well, SO GOOD. Bailey and Winston like it too!

Share the Road

A friend sent me this photo this morning….talk about sharing the road!

This morning was back at normal training. I don’t start getting workout plans from Charley until November so I am still making it up as I go. In general here is the plan for October:

Mondays: Rest
Tuesday: am Interval swim between 2200 meters and 3000 meters, pm easy 2-3 mile run
Wednesday: am spin class
Thursday: am Interval swim between 2200 meters and 3000 meters
Friday: Interval Run (no more than 20-30 min) then 30-40 min elliptical trainer
Saturday: Long Ride (30-50 miles)
Sunday: Easy Run

This plan looks too easy when I write it out but I am not supposed to run for more than 20-30 min at a time or do any lower body strength training until Djimmer (my PT) gives me the green light. I will also be doing my PT exercises every night as well as plank and push-up. I can’t wait until my knee is better and I can start doing speed work and long runs again!

Don’t miss SUAR give away of marathon bars!

Planning Races

Isn’t it time to start planning for 2012 races! I know that it may seem crazy but it’s weird to me to not have a race lined up. The only thing I am signed up for is Coeur d’Alene and that almost 9 months away. I will probably take October completely off of racing since it is already so busy. Here are the things I am interested in doing:

1. A turkey trot fun run (a must!) we will probably run the Anthem 10k since that is where my parents just bought their new house. I ran it last year, the course is beautiful and challenging.

2. A winter series, the last two years I have ran the winter distance series. This is a well run series and I enjoyed running the progressive series (5k, 5m, 10m) but I am getting a little bored with it too. I am considering the Chilly Cheeks duathlon series. It seems fun but riding my bike in the snow is intimidating and I would have to ride my mountain bike, bleh. Both series have races in December, January and February.

3. I would like a winter half marathon, I am thinking February or March, I am willing to travel but hopefully not too far from home. Any Suggestions?

4. We need a spring tune up half ironman, I am considering the RAGE 70.3 in vegas some time mid April, anyone raced this?

5. A late spring marathon. Last year Cory and I ran the Colorado Marathon and had a great time but I would like to run a different race.

6. CDA Ironman, already signed up….this is going to happen!

7. A summer or early fall ultra marathon, I am not sure yet I will want to talk to coach Charley about timing and ironman recovery.

I am already so excited about next year, I really hope that between having a coach and physical therapy I will be able to reach all my goals with no injuries.

I am off to help my parents move into their house, glad we aren’t in heavy training now!

How far in advance do you plan your races?