November Favorites

In November I ran 123.2 miles including a MARATHON! It was a busy and exciting month. Below is a list of some of the things that kept me going and that helped me recover.  

Erin Condren Life Planner 

I love pretty stationary and organizing tools. I ordered this planner back in October, but I did not really get into a system or routine with it until November. It's beautifully designed and provides plenty of space to write all of your events and to-dos. Also, it comes with a lot of fun little extras like stickers and a notepad. To check it out click here.

Lululemon Brushed Speed Tights

I purchased these tights right before the Seattle Marathon. They are brushed on the inside for a little extra warmth and have lots of pockets. The side pockets are my favorite spot to store Gu packets. Like all Lulu gear, these tights are really flattering and excellent quality. 

Nike Rain Runner Jacket 

I have had the same running rain jacket for many years and this fall it finally gave out. It is a great wind-resistant layer, but does not keep me dry at all. As a runner in Seattle, this was not okay. I purchased the Nike Rain Runner jacket on Amazon. It is lightweight and completely waterproof. I took it for a 13 mile test run in the wind and rain and it kept me perfectly dry!

Toaster Waffles 

I ate at least four packs of whole wheat toaster waffles in November. I usually always eat oatmeal before a long run, but for some reason oatmeal started upsetting my stomach. So, I switched to toaster waffles with peanut butter and honey. For whatever reason, my stomach problems ended. Hooray waffles!

Long Run 'Cocktail' 

I have talked about this drink before in previous posts, but before you get excited, this is not an actual cocktail! I call it a cocktail because it makes me feel more exciting and classy when I am drinking it ;).  I drink this after nearly every run, especially every long run. This "cocktail" is tart cherry juice mixed with either sparkling water or ginger beer. I usually fill a 16 ounce cup with about 3/4 cherry juice, 1/4 sparkling water/ginger beer (you can adjust these proportions to your taste preference). It is delicious and the antioxidants in cherry juice help with muscle recovery. To read more about tart cherries and recovery here, here, and here. 

Bare Minerals Complexion Rescue 

On Sephora's website this product is described as "a versatile gel cream that combines skincare benefits and naturally radiant coverage in one." I have oily/combination skin and this product is super moisturizing but does not make my skin too oily or dewy. It is a very light coverage, but it is great for natural, everyday use.

Hand Cream 

When the weather gets colder my hands get really, really dry. They crack and bleed. It's gross and no fun at all. So I have to layer on tons of hand cream. I love L'Occitane shey butter hand cream. It is kind of pricey, but a little tube lasts forever and this stuff WORKS!

My New Crock Pot & Tuscan Kale & White Bean Stew

I have wanted a crockpot for a long time! I finally bought one that I found on sale at Fred Meyer. The next day I made the Tuscan Kale and White Bean Stew from Tone It Up's nutrition plan. If you have the plan, I added a little Old Bay seasoning to the recipe. If you don't have the plan, it is an amazing investment. Anyways, the stew was delicious and boyfriend approved!

Snow Flora Soy Candle in Basalm & Cedar from Anthropologie 

Candles are my favorite home accessory. I think that they are great decorations and make a room feel really cozy. This candle smells amazing and it is decorated for winter. Plus, when I bought it, it was on sale -- hooray!

Masters of None 

A friend of mine told me about this show. I loved Aziz Ansari on Parks and Recreation and his stand up is hilarious, so I gave it a shot! I fell in love with the show and I liked that it was only half an hour. If you need a new show, I highly recommend this one! 

Fell in the Sun - Big Grams 

My favorite new running song! (Warning, it has some explicit language -- AKA don't listen to it at work without headphones).

What did you love in November? Let me know in the comments below. 

Thanks for stopping by!
--Alyssa

Race Recap - Seattle Marathon 11.29.15

I hope that everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend! 

As I am writing this, I am in complete disbelief that I ran a marathon yesterday (my sore legs should tell my otherwise). I feel like I trained and prepped for this race for such a long time. All that prep and training was worth it! 

Without further rambling, here is a recap of the race and the events leading up to it. On Saturday -- the day before the race-- I met up with Laura at the Race expo at the Westin Hotel in Seattle. Laura flew in from New York City to spend the Thanksgiving weekend with her family in Bellingham, WA (about an hour and a half north of Seattle). She took the bus down to the expo on Saturday.

We both got VIP treatment at the expo because I am an Amica Insurance customer and Amica was the major sponsor of the race. This meant we got to skip the line to get our numbers and received  goody bags with some little extras. So that was fun! Then Laura and I walked around the expo and collected as many free samples as possible. Laura and I had not seen each other in a long time so we were trying to catch up as we walked around a very busy expo. We left pretty quickly. But everything at the expo was well organized. Also, the participant/finisher shirts we received were really nice! 

When we got back to my house, our friends, Malia and Jenny, came over and my boyfriend made a big pasta dinner for all of us (he's the sweetest!). He made the sauce from scratch and it was absolutely delicious. After we ate, we chatted and caught up. Malia and Jenny left around 8:30pm and Laura and I got ready for bed soon after. We both drank a Nuun before bed and I gave Laura her early Christmas/marathon gift. It was a necklace from Erica Sara Designs that says 26.2 on the front and on the back I had it customed engraved with the date of the marathon. I got one for myself too :) 

All of the carbs! 

www.ericasara.com

We had to wake up at 5:30 a.m. For a pre-race breakfast we both ate two whole wheat toaster waffles with peanut butter and drank some coffee. Then I called us an Uber. I did not want to deal with parking and driving, so the Uber seemed like the easiest way. Our driver was so sweet and dropped us off as close to the start line as possible. We arrived at the start line around 6:45 a.m. It was so, so cold. I think it was around 30 degrees and very foggy and damp. I checked the weather incessantly the day before, and it looked like the fog was supposed to burn off by 10 a.m.

Laura ended up switching her entry to a full marathon walk because she was dealing with a tight and sore hamstring and wanted to have a little extra time to finish. Her start time was 7:15 a.m. My start time for the full marathon run was 8:15 a.m. I watched Laura start and saw her off by ringing a cow bell that volunteers handed out to spectators! 

Starting line selfie! 

Then I went into the Armory at the Seattle Center where it was heated and there were real restrooms. I did some warmup exercises and stretches. At around 7:40, I made sure all my gear was in order, my hat was on securely, my shoes were tied, my fuel was all set, etc. I put all my extra gear into my bag and headed over to gear check. I debated for so long about what to wear. I knew it was freezing out, but if the fog burned off and the sun came out, I would get warm. So I decided to ditch the lightweight pullover I was wearing and just go with this long sleeve shirt and a tank top. I also wore these leggings, mittens, a headband, ear warmer, and a light hat. 

After checking my gear, I made my way to the start line. I was so nervous, but also excited. When I was waiting at the start line, I was actually pretty warm. I think this was because of all the racers in close quarters. I set up my playlist and my Garmin and then it was GO time. 

The first mile, was tough as it always is. I was trying to get my legs underneath me and trying to make my way through the crowd. The crowd actually was not as bad as other races. By mile 3 I hit my stride and felt great. I was definitely a little cold, especially my hands, but I figured I would warm up as I kept going. At mile 4 I took my first Clif Blok and grabbed a water at the aid station. They had aid stations every two miles, which was perfect! 

The next 8 miles flew by! I took a Gu at mile 8 and washed it down with water. Once this hit, I felt unstoppable. My legs felt fresh and I was enjoying every step. I was doing it - I was running a marathon!! 

I knew my parents and boyfriend were going to try to meet me at mile 11 and so I started keeping an eye on the crowd around mile 10. I absolutely love the crowds along race routes. My favorite sign said "this is a lot of work for a free banana." It made me chuckle out loud. I found my parents and boyfriend at mile 11. It was so great to see them!! I gave them a giant group hug and continued on with even more energy. I took my next Clif Blok at mile 12. However, I did not plan this one right because I had to wait another mile before getting water to wash it down. There was a race clock at mile 13. As far as time, I was right where I wanted to be. As I said in a previous post, I did not have a time goal for this race, but I did know where I should be if I was running well. 

Something happened at mile 14 and I got really cold! At this point I was running around Seward Park and the wind was pretty strong and the fog was still thick. My hands were frozen and I started to wish that I had that pullover.  I started to lose my stride and my legs felt a little tired. I kept telling myself that I would get my Gu soon and that the fog would burn off and I would warm up. At mile 15, when I was pretty freezing and felling a little low - I saw my parents and boyfriend again!! They had decided to stick around and see me as I looped back. It was so great to see them and it completely lifted my spirits! 

At mile 16 I took my next Gu and washed it down with water. I actually walked through this aid station. This felt good, but I got really cold. So I immediately started running and I tried to pick up my pace a bit to get some more energy back into my legs. Things felt good for a while, but I had studied the course map and I knew the last 10k of the race was going to be tough. 

At mile 20, I took my next Clif Blok with water and I tried to mentally prepare myself for the hills to come. At mile 20 there was a doosy of a hill - I mean straight up! I tried to run all the way, but I had to walk. Walking was the wrong choice. My legs immediately seized up and I found it hard to catch my breath because the air was so cold and damp. So, I decided that I had to keep running the rest of the way, even if I was shuffling along. This was the only way to keep my legs somewhat warm. The next 6 miles are a bit of a blur. It took everything I had, mentally and physically, to get through those 6 miles of hills. I actually think that the downhills were the worst part. Running downhill hurt my joints and stung my freezing legs. My stomach was also acting weird so I decided to not take any more bloks or Gu and instead I stuck with Gatorade and water at the aid stations. This actually worked pretty well and kept my stomach in check. 

By mile 23, all I could think about was a hot shower. My hands were freezing and felt numb. But, by this point my legs were in a rhythm and I just had to keep moving. By mile 24-25, there was a bit of lull in the hills and I actually regained some strength. Then came a monster of a hill around 25.4 miles. This hill was tough, but a really great song came on my phone and I was just pumped to tackle it and get to the finish line! At mile 26 I started to tear up a bit. I was going to do it! I was going to finish a marathon!! I was so happy, cold, and tired (all the emotions!! haha). Because the course leveled out, I was able to push my pace for the finish. 

As I crossed the finish line, I threw my hands up in the air from excitement! I was so happy to be done and so happy that I did it. That was the hardest run of my life and I do not know if I have ever been that cold for that long. But I finished!  

Laura had finished a few minutes before me, and she was there to greet me at the finish line. She gave me the biggest hug and her warmth felt amazing. I was a little teary and was having some difficulty breathing. Then I saw my parents, my boyfriend, Malia, Jenny, and Laura's parents. They all gave me giant hugs! And it felt so good to see their smiling faces! I have the best support group. I am so, so thankful for them! 

I went to the recovery area, which was heated. However, it was really stuffy and loud in there. I began to feel really nauseous so we went back outside. Laura and I took pictures with our medals. My boyfriend gave me some GoldFish crackers and I felt so much better. Side note: I wonder if Goldfish/Prepperidge Farm sponsors average, non-elite marathon runners?? If so, they should contact me ;). 

I hugged Laura goodbye and she and her parents left for Bellingham. Then my parents went to get our car and my boyfriend and I went to get my gear at gear check. I ended up getting us  lost haha (very typical of me) and then decided that I needed to use the bathroom. So we ended up walking around basically the entire Seattle Center. I think this actually ended up being a good thing because it helped my legs loosen up. Once I got my gear, we found my parents and they drove us home. 

The second I got home, I jumped in a hot shower. I stayed under the hot water forever! It felt amazing. My boyfriend made me some warm chili. It was so yummy, but my stomach was being super weird. So I ate as much of it as I could and then drank my post long run "cocktail" (tart cherry juice with sparkling water). I also ate some leftover cranberry bread that my boyfriend's mom made on Thanksgiving. SO yummy! Then I parked myself in front of the TV and watched football for the rest of the day. Perfect recovery in my opinion! Later on, we ordered pizza and salad. Unfortunately my stomach was still acting funny. So I only had one piece and a little salad. Then it was bed time! 

If someone had told me four years ago that I was going to run a marathon, I would have told them that they were crazy! But, I did it! I loved the entire training process and could not be prouder of Laura and myself for accomplishing our goal! 

"It always seems impossible until it's done"

-Nelson Mandela 

Laura and I want to run a marathon every year together. The plan is to run a race in a different city each year so we can travel together -- two of my favorite things, traveling and running, with one of my favorite people in the entire world! Can't get better than that. 

Thank you for stopping by! 
--Alyssa 
@runninginteralia 

P.S. 
Even though the marathon is over, I am going to continue this blog!  Please let me know if you have any post requests. 

October Favorites & Random Thoughts During a Long Run

I ran 140 miles in October. I think that is the most I have ever run in a single month. I am pleased to say that my legs and feet are hanging in there (knock on wood). 

I realize that we are over a week into November, but I wanted to share some of things that I loved during October. 

Pukka Tea - Three Ginger

I found this tea at Whole Foods. Honestly, I bought a box because I loved the packaging. I am kind of a sucker for pretty packaging. This tea did not disappoint. The ginger flavor is pretty mellow, but still very refreshing. It is perfect after a rainy, cold run.

Apple Crisp 

I love this recipe that I found on Karlie Kloss' YouTube Channel. 

Oatmega Bars 

These bars are delicious! I am always searching for the perfect protein bar. I love Clif Bars but they are little on the sugary side. These bars are low in sugar, high in protein, and taste like a brownie! Since I discovered these, I have carried one with me everywhere. You can order them in bulk on Amazon and I found them at Whole Foods.

Nuun 

This is an every month favorite. These little drink tabs are packed with electrolytes and low in sugar. My favorite flavors are watermelon and lemon lime. 

Bark Thins
Just yum. I have a weakness for chocolate and these dark chocolate pieces are my favorite indulgence. I love the dark chocolate pretzel flavor, but you really can't go wrong. 

Gu Salted Caramel 

I never used to take Gu as fuel. I always used Clif Bloks for Chomps. But, I wanted to give Gu a try because it seemed like an easier way to get a boost of calories quick. I read a race rundown on JBirdRuns blog where she had mentioned that salted caramel was her favorite flavor of Gu, so I decided to give it a try. It was really good. Way better than I expected. Now this stuff comes with me on every long run. 

Joggers from Fabletics 

I only wear jeans or real pants if I have to. This means that around the house, I wear a lot of yoga pants or sweats. I ordered these joggers from Fabletics and they are so soft and cozy that I never want to take them off. If you order these, I would recommend getting them a size longer than you normally would. Mine are little short. 

Now or Never by Kendrick Lamar (featuring Mary J. Blige)

This song is on Kendrick Lamar's last album, good kid, m.A.A.d city. My boyfriend told me to add it to my running mix, and I am so glad I did. During my last few long runs this song has come on during some low moments and provided a needed to make it to the end. I also listen to it around the house, in my car, and when I am walking my dog. I just love it. 

Here are a few random thoughts I had during my last long run 

"Am I really going to run 22 miles?!"

(Beyonce song comes on) "I still really want to learn the 'Single Ladies' dance." (Step in a puddle and snap back to reality.)

via GIPHY

"I wonder if Kendrick Lamar goes running?" I have a lot of Kendrick Lamar on my running mix, maybe too much-- I do not think that is possible. (#dontkillmyvibe). 

"Should I stop at that bathroom? I think I will be okay." (2 miles later) "I really should have stopped at that bathroom, why is my bladder the size of a peanut?!" TMI, sorry....

"What mile was that? Was I supposed to take a Gu or Blok at this point?" 

"When I get home I am going to eat a blueberry bagel with Dad's homemade jam and butter. Oh! and eggs... and greek yogurt with the pumpkin granola... and an oatmega bar... and goldfish crackers...and a turkey sandwich"

"Come on lady tell me that I am at mile 21. I feel like I have been on mile 20 for an hour!!"

"One foot in front of the other, you can do anything! Just keep swimming!"

"I did it!!!!!!! Bring on the bagels!" 

This is what I ate after my 22 mile run. So many liquids.

What do you think about while you are on a long run?

Thank you for stopping by, 
Alyssa 

Running Necessities

The following gear and products are my necessities for a great a run! 

A Fitted Pair of Running Shoes 

The running shoes I currently switch between are the Nike Air Zoom Structure 18 (narrow) and Brooks Adrenaline GTS 15.  I think that a pair of running shoes that fit your feet and support your natural gait is the best investment you can make. The best way to find the proper shoe is to go to your local running store and have them fit you for a shoe. Usually, they will have you try several different shoes, and they will watch you run and/or walk to make sure the shoe supports you properly. To read more about proper shoe fit check out this article in Runner's World. 

Tune Belt Sport Armband for iPhone & Headphones

I like to run with my iPhone, and I prefer to have it on my arm for easy access. The Tune Belt Sport Armband is the best armband I have tried. It fits my phone well, does not slip down my arm, and has a handy clip/velcro flap for containing headphone cords. 

Thin Running Socks 

This is a new necessity for me. I used to run in whatever socks were clean and I often purchased the cheapest athletic socks I could find at Target or Fred Meyer. Or, if I did splurge on a pair of athletic socks, I would pick the cushiest and softest pair available. After suffering from blistered feet and toes after every long run, I decided I needed to change up my sock routine. When I was fit for my last pair of running shoes, the saleswoman recommended Feetures ultra thin socks. I bought a pair and now I cannot go back. I have been blister free (knock on wood) since running in these socks. I also have had great success with Nike's lightweight running socks.

Headband and/or Hat

To keep my hair out of my face and off my neck, I always use a thin headband when I run. The headbands that I currently wear I got for free through Fabletics VIP rewards program. But, one of my best friends gave me a set of North Face headbands for my birthday that I am really excited to try out :). I almost always run with a lightweight hat to keep the sun and/or rain out of my eyes. My current favorite is this one from Brooks. Side note, Fabletics is one of my favorite online spots for workout gear and lounging clothes. Click here to get your first outfit for $25!

Spotify 

I love to listen music while I run. I have created a pretty great (in my opinion) running mix on Spotify. I also like discovering new running or workout songs through Popsugar or Tone it Up's channels and playlists.

Nike +

I always use this running app to track my distance and speed. I like this app because it tracks the total miles I have run per month and tracks the miles I have accumulated on a particular pair of shoes. It also allows me to share photos from my run.

On a totally random note, the whole time I was writing this post I could not stop humming Bare Necessities from the Jungle Book.

Then after listening to Bare Necessities and watching the above video, I got really excited for the new Jungle Book!

What are some of your running or workout necessities? Also, what movies do you want to see this Fall?

Thanks for stopping by,
Alyssa 

@runninginteralia

September Favorites

September was a wonderful month. I spent most of it traveling through Europe with my boyfriend. We had the best time! I knew we would be walking a ton and that I needed to pack light, so I took a break from running while we were gone. Because of this, there is a slight travel theme to the list, but hopefully you enjoy it!

Jelly Belly Sport Beans

These sport beans are super yummy and convenient. They come in a resealable package, which is great for packing on a long run. I found mine at REI, but the link above directs you to Amazon.

Ezekiel 4:9 Rasin Bread 

This bread toasted with some peanut butter or Nuttzo has become my go-to pre run meal.  I found it at Trader Joe's and I am not sure what took me so long to discover it! 

Foot Rubz Massage Ball 

I discovered the Foot Rubz massage ball at REI, and I am so happy that I did! I try to use it before and after every run. I even brought it with me on our trip and used it after long days of walking.

The third stop on our trip: Florence, Italy 

21 Day Fix Program 

Strength training is an important component to training for any race, and I really struggle with it.  I just want to run! :) I am always trying to find new ways to motivate myself to pick up weights, and I noticed one of my friends posting about the 21 Day Fix workout program on Facebook. After talking with her about it, I bought the program. The workouts are only 30 minutes and I am sore after each one. Best of all, you can do them at home with minimal equipment. I will do another post about how I incorporate this program into my running routine. If you have any questions about this program or want more information, please feel free to comment below or send me an e-mail. 

Eagle Creek Travel Cubes 

Before I packed for our trip, I watched tons of YouTube videos to get some tips and tricks (also, great for procrastinating!). I discovered these packing cubes on Pretty Neat Living's blog.  These cubes are so handy for organizing, as well as for unpacking and re-packing quickly. Also, the double-sided cube was great for securing my dirty clothes and making sure that nothing became smelly (TMI sorry). The link above is for Amazon, but I found mine at REI. 

Merrell All Out Charge Shoes

These shoes were a lifesaver on our trip! They are light, breathable, supportive, and sturdy. 

Ginger Chews 

These are an every month favorite. If you have a sensitive stomach and like the taste of ginger, I highly recommend these. I always have some at my desk, in my purse, and in my kitchen. They were also great for traveling. I can get motion sick on planes and these saved the day. I found mine at Whole Foods, but you can also find them online on Thrive Market's website.

Simple Cleansing Micellar Water

All of Simple's products are great if, like me, you have sensitive skin. This product is especially soothing. I like to use it as a makeup remover before I cleanse my face at night, but when I am tired and/or lazy it can be used as both a makeup remover and cleanser in one! The link above is for ULTA, but I found my bottle at Fred Meyer. 

Tarte Eye and Cheek Palette

Before our trip, I purchased Tarte's Rain Forest After Dark eye and cheek palette. It has everything I use all in one place. It was the only makeup (besides foundation and mascara) I brought and needed while we were traveling. I may buy another Tarte pallet sometime soon. 

Downtown by Macklemore and Ryan Lewis 

This is my current favorite running and anytime pump-up song! Also, the video features an appearance by one of my favorite baseball players. So many favorites in one place :)

What were some of your favorites from the last month? 

- Alyssa 

The companies mentioned did not send me any of these products and this post is not sponsored in any way. I will always tell you if a post is sponsored or if a company sent me a product to review. I will always tell you my honest opinion.

Power Oat Bars

Welcome to Running Inter Alia! (To learn more about me and this blog click here.) I could not think of a better first post than one of my favorite recipes! This is a recipe I have developed over the years, but it is loosely based on a recipe I found here. The recipe is for what I call "Power Oat Bars." These bars are great for a snack anytime. But, I love to eat them right after a run to stave off the hunger (or hanger) that can set in before I can prepare and eat a more substantial post-run meal. These bars are great because they contain some protein and lots of carbs, which is the perfect combination to refuel after a run or workout. Best of all, they are incredibly simple to make. The only equipment you need is a mixing bowl, spoon, and an oven. 

Power Oat Bar Recipe

Dry Ingredients 
1 1/2 Cups of quick cooking oats 
1/2 Tsp. salt 
2 Tsp. cinnamon 
1 Scoop of vanilla protein powder (you could probably use chocolate, but I have never tried it). I usually use Perfect Fit Protein in my bars, but I think that any protein powder will work. Side note: the creators of Perfect Fit Protein, Tone It Up, recently changed the formulation of this protein powder. I have not tried to make these bars with the new formulation, but once I do, I will provide an update. 

Optional Dry Ingredients
1/2-1 Cup chocolate chips (I prefer dark chocolate) 
1/4-1/2 Cup raisins
Anything you else you want to add, such as craisins, walnuts, hemp seeds, or chia seeds

Wet Ingredients 
2     Ripe bananas 
2/3  Cup unsweetened Apple Sauce 
1/3  Cup peanut butter (almond butter also works great)
1/2  Tsp. vanilla 
1 Tsp. coconut Oil 
2 Tsp. honey (optional) 

Directions 
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. 
2. Spray a brownie pan (the size does not really matter, but may affect cooking time) with a non-stick cooking spray (I use a coconut oil based spray that I found at Trader Joes).
3. Place bananas into the mixing bowl and mush them up until they are mostly smooth. It is okay if some chunks still remain. 
4. Add peanut butter and apple sauce to the bananas and mix together until the mixture is blended well. Again, it is okay if a few small banana chunks remain. Once the apple sauce, peanut butter, and bananas are mixed well add in the vanilla, coconut oil, and honey. 
5. Add all of the dry ingredients to the mixture. I like to add in the optional ingredients last. 
6. Once the ingredients are well mixed, spread the mixture evenly in the pan. The mixture should be pretty moist. 
7. Bake for 20-25 minutes. It is done when the top is golden brown and the center is still slightly mushy. Let cool and slice into bars. 

These bars keep best if they are refrigerated. You can also freeze them. They seem to defrost really well. I usually put them into a gallon size Ziploc bag and place them flat in the fridge.  

I hope you enjoy these as much as I do. If you make them, let me know what you think!

-- Alyssa