WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

Marine One flying over the park.

TAKE YOUR WRAP TO WORK WEEK

This week is is our first "take your wrap to work" week. All the credit for creating these yummy wraps goes to D. He was inspired by a wrap he had for lunch last week.

Our menu this week looks like this:

Monday -- avocado, cucumber spear, spinach, pine nut, tomato, pesto wrap

Tuesday -- avocado, cucumber, chick peas, humus, red bell, carrots, spinach wrap

Wednesday -- shrimp, cilantro, red bell, spinach, tomato paste wrap

Thursday -- tuna, corn cucumber, onions, pickled jalapeno wrap

Friday -- black beans, corn, cilantro, tofu, shredded carrots wrap

Saturday -- stacked zucchini, carrots, red onion wrap

It has been and will continue to be a yummy week!

TRAINING: Week 3

This past Saturday I ran 12 miles (before 8am).

Picture taken when I arrived home post-run at 8:46pm.

It was a hot morning. The majority of our run was along the C&O Canal. Thankfully it was shady for most of the run (until the sun came up over Georgetown). I also had some great running company. I could not be more grateful for my running group. The last few miles of my run I was averaging a 8:50 pace. Rock on --- that is faster than the pace of my 10K (run the day before).

Good company definitely results in faster more confident running.

I'm looking forward to next long run on Saturday!

Week 4: bring it...

RACES

This past week I participated in The Welcome to Summer Virtual Run. I ran both the 5K and 10K races. I figured it was a good way to get in some mileage and some speed. It also allowed me to set a baseline for my marathon training. I figure I will run a 5K and 10K again at the end of July, August, and September.

Both of these runs were completed in temperatures greater than 80* and with high humidity. At the end of the 10K, I had sweat dripping from every part of me. At the end of the 5K, I was a little whoozie. I sprinted down a hill to end the race and it knocked me out; too bad I didn't 26 minutes.

Next time...

My next 5K is on July 4th; the Firecracker 5K.

I've also set goals to break 50 minutes in the 10K and 1:50 in the 1/2 Marathon distance this summer. All in route to a marathon PR and sub-4 hour race in November.

TRAINING: Week 2

My marathon training plan has me easing into the mileage. (PTL)

Yesterday I ran another 10 mile loop -- this time past Iwo Jima, across the Key Bridge, along M Street in Georgetown, along the waterfront, around the Mall, and across the Memorial Bridge. It was a great route. Unlike last week when I ran alone, this week I found another runner at the same pace. We're both gunning for sub-4 hour fall marathons.

We chatted non-stop for 10 miles. Before we new it we were finishing our route at a sub-9 minute per mile pace. It felt SO good.

My recovery from this week's 10 miler was much smoother (and less painful) than last week. Last week I was plagued with some severe muscle soreness in my quads and a wicked headache (brought about by dehydration, I think). This week I drank more before, during, and after the run. I also ate two pieces of toast with butter and sea salt before heading out for the run. I think both eating and drinking better/wiser made a huge difference in how I felt during and after the run.

Note to self: salt and water make me feel good.

Next Saturday: 12 miles (and then we are going blueberry picking).

FUN, FUN, FUN

We've decided we're going to fill this summer with a lot of family fun. There are SO many things to do in the DC area - from museums to zoos to parks to swimming pools; and everything in between. Our Saturday goal each week is to get out and do something. Prior to this past weekend we've been strawberry picking, shopping at the farmer's market, to a local park with a carousel, and firefly catching.

This weekend we drove out to a wonderful nature preserve in Fairfax County.

We also made our way down to Yards Park.

We went for a walk along the river, ate a picnic dinner, and played in the water. Best.evening.ever.

READY, SET, TRAIN

I am planning to run the Richmond Marathon on Saturday, November 10, 2012.

My goal for this marathon is to break 4 hours. That means I have to run the full 26.2 miles at a 9:09 pace. This is more than 30 seconds per mile faster than my best marathon. It is going to take a great deal of training to cut that much time off my current PR, but I'm game for at least trying.

To help me meet this goal, I joined a running group. We meet every Saturday morning at 6am for our weekly long run.

This past Saturday we ran 10 miles.

After one run, I am on pace to reach my goal!

Next Saturday we are doing another 10 miles (this time hills).

I can't wait.

BIRTHDAY

Today is my Grandmother's 95th birthday!

She's one amazing lady... in addition to living alone and still driving. She leads one healthy life. She has a wonderful circle of friends. She is a wonderful cook, hostess, and entertainer. She is a loving and doting grandmother and great-grandmother.

I am so happy that my children have gotten to know her; that they have played at her house; that they have been loved on and hugged by her.