No, here is the real reason my marathon training suddenly took a nosedive:

More Treats Please?

A dog racing track in Wisconsin (Dairyland) recently closed, and hundreds of greyhounds have been coming off the track homeless.  They’re sweet, quiet, low-maintenance dogs which seemed like a perfect compromise between what I wanted (a big dog) and what Husband wanted (a small, perfectly controlled robot dog).  A bit of research, some adoption applications, and BAM!  We ended up adopting Molly (known in her previous racing career as Juicy Fruit).

She’s in a foster home right now to get a headstart on her training, and is coming home next week.  Despite popular opinion, greyhounds are not running dogs at all – at least not for any kind of distances.  Molly here, for example, likes to bounce around for 5 minutes and then splay out on the floor for a nap.  So I’m going to have to make some adjustments to my running schedule, since I’ll have to factor in dog-walking time as well.

I may downgrade to the half, I may run the full on a different, easier plan, I may postpone my marathon plans for 2010…who knows?  It’s really too bad Pfitz doesn’t call for dog-cuddling in his plan.

One thing I’m bad at:  Blogging.

A few months back, in a fit of spontaneity and inspiration, I registered for the Flying Pig and then in a fit of madness and insanity, comitted to the Pfitz 18/55.  Last time around, I peaked at 50 miles, so I figured another 5 wouldn’t kill me (famous last words).  My training plan starts the week after Christmas, so no sitting around and eating all the leftover holiday cookies, pies, and pot roasts for this little piggy.  Of course, I might be modifying some nuances of the training plan, possibly the week where I’m supposed to do 11 miles on Friday, 5 miles on Saturday, and 18 miles on Sunday. Or maybe the week where I’m supposed to race a 15K on Saturday and then run 17 miles on Sunday.  I just don’t know, there are so many fun weeks like these to take me all throughout spring!  Stay tuned – the inevitable meltdown should be really fun.

Last time around, I had an awful approach toward cross-training and by “awful,” I mean “nonexistant.”  Trying to be better about it this time around, I joined a facility that offers fitness classes.  They were having a promotion on Yelp and offering a free class for new students, and being Little Miss Arrogant Marathoner, I turned my nose up at the easy-sounding classes and opted into one called “Shredded.”  It was yesterday.

This morning, I was supposed to do my long run, but I could barely turn over in bed because I was in so much pain.  EVERYTHING HURTS.  My thighs hurt, my shoulder hurts, my abs hurt, my butt hurts MOST OF ALL.  I signed up for their monthly membership, which gives you unlimited access to all classes, and from now on, I am staying away from any “Shredded” or “Power Hour”; I will only be taking ones called “Pilates for Wusses” or “Easiest Core Ever” or “Why Don’t You Just Lie Down and Go To Your Happy Place?”  For sure this will help make me a better runner.

*   *   *

Last night, after the exercise class from hell (in a good way), before the soreness had set in and I could still walk upright, Husband and I went to check out Province for dinner.  Time Out Chicago had released a list of the “100 Best Things We Ate This Year,” and their rabbit confit was on in.  No lie, this dish was delicious.  It was warm and comforting, just something I would’ve loved to curl up with a bowl of on a cold, Chicago day.  If you’ve never had rabbit before, don’t be afraid of it.  It tastes like chicken (really), and is completely harmless (and yummy).

Rabbit Confit

Potato Frites

I had a lemon-honey rotisserie chicken as my entree, and ordered a side of perfectly seasoned and cooked fries with it.  Husband had the beef tenderloin, which cut like butter.  But the highlight of the entire night was dessert – the apples and almond wafer “stack,” with dulce de leche ice cream.  Holy running gods, this was one of the best desserts I’ve ever had in my life, and it’s pretty safe to say I’ve eaten a whole lot of desserts in my day.  This apple stack made me want to renounce cupcakes and all other dessert wannabes, and become a Province groupie.  Husband said he would prostitute me out to the chef if it meant he could eat this everyday.  I would completely support this.

Apples and Almond Wafer Stack

Ok, Pfitz. I will run that 15K race followed by a 17 miler if you promise me this afterwards.

2009 has been a pretty piss-poor running year for me, but I ended it with a decent race, at least.  Husband’s entire office was pressuring me to beat his coworker’s butt in the Hot Chocolate 15K, but as it turns out, he’s one of those little snots that never runs, trains for 2 months and then runs 7:30 miles with a bum knee.  Sure, I run 7:30’s too…during my interval workouts.  Life, why do you taunt me so?

It was a fun race, and I’m actually very happy with my time (1:19:03), considering I just started doing speedwork again recently, and just began running/training seriously (again) a month or so ago.  I’m especially proud of my pacing job, as I started out strong and hung around a steady 8:30 for the next 9+ miles.  My slowest miles were actually in the beginning, since it took place on a narrow lakefront path and the first few miles were so congested with people running at a slower pace.  I couldn’t break out and find a groove until 4 miles in, and then I settled snugly into my zone.

Afterwards, there was plenty of chocolate, in the form of candy bars, chocolate fondue, and cups of hot chocolate.  I was feeling pretty good until I came home and found out the elevator was broken.  Then I had to walk up 6 flights of stairs after racing 9.3 miles, and I didn’t feel so hot after that. Next week: cutback week or 12-miler?  I guess that depends on how much I eat…

*   *   *

Speaking of eating, my friend Tina was visiting from New York this weekend, so we decided to visit our alma mater, Northwestern.  And by “visit Northwestern,” I mean “hit all the restaurants that we used to frequent during college” because everything in my life revolves around food.  In the span of an hour, we’d gotten bibimbap from our favorite Korean diner, cupcakes and other assorted pastries from Bennison’s, and frozen yogurt from Red Mango.

Bibimbap

Flower Cupcake

Bennison's Apple Tart

A few hours later, we had dinner at Rollin’ To Go and I ate a Carmelo sandwich (turkey, bacon, avocado, and remoulade).  I love love LOVE this place, their delicious sandwiches and pizzas, and house-made potato chips.

The Carmelo

It’s hard to believe we’re in November already, huh?

I had the nice change of running with a partner for once in my life this week.  Peter, from my running forums, was in town for the Chicago Marathon, and met up with me on Thursday night to take a jaunt along the lakefront.  His 3:21 marathon probably should have tipped me off to the fact that there was no way in hell I could ever keep up with him, but he was nice enough to slow down to an 8:45-9:00 pace.  The weather, on the other hand, was not so cooperative,  with the wind and rain.  I guess I should have clarified that “seeing the lakefront” really meant “keep your damn head down because Chicago weather sucks after October.”

Afterwards, we went out for burgers and sweet potato fries at The Counter, and discussed how there really is nothing better in life than having a lovely run followed by a delicious, gut-busting meal.  Facts of life, dudes.

On Saturday, keeping up with the “general crappiness” theme, the weather turned on me after a mile, from somewhat cloudy to a windy, freezing downpour.  I had no hat either, being totally unprepared, and cursed my way through 10.2 slogging, slow, miserable miles.  That’s the first double-digit run I’ve done since the marathon last November, so despite all my profanities along the way, it felt damn good to get those doubles under my belt again.

And of course, on the last half mile of that, the sun came out.  Oh, Chicago.  By the way, the best way to wind down after an autumn long run?  Apple pie and a cappucino (with full-fat milk, of course, for those recovery nutrients).

Warm Apple Pie

The Husband and I spent the rest of the day at a nature museum, and then sought refuge from the cold with a cozy, romantic meal at Coco Pazzo Cafe.  My craving for Italian food is apparently directly proportional to my mileage, and I was able to indulge my long-standing love affair with big wide noodles (yay carbs!).

Beef Carpaccio with Pecorino

Pappardelle with Duck Ragu

A deserving end, I think, to a 30-mile week.

I didn’t drop off the face of the Earth, I just had a series of crazy life changes between August and September that sidelined pretty much everything else – including running.  I bought a condo, moved into the city, and got married. Now that the dust has settled, I’m back in training mode.  This time of the year especially proved to be nostalgically emotional for me – last time this year, I was gearing up for my first marathon, and the memories have only been exacerbated by lead up to the Chicago marathon in the city.

My friend Tricia and I camped out at Mile 20 this morning, and watched the marathoners run by.  We watched Sammy Wanjiru and Deena Kastor surge past, and stuck around to cheer on the middle-of-the-pack. Do the elites ever get cold?  It was 30-some degrees this morning and they were still in singles or sports bras, and shorts.  I’ve never been a marathon spectator, but I was incredibly excited this year to come out and support, and it was so much fun.

Since the move, my commute is a lot more reasonable, and my training has begun to ramp up again.  I ran 8 miles yesterday, and registered for a 15K at the beginning of November.  I’m mapping out a new training schedule, planning a half or two in the new year, and eyeing a spring marathon.  You know what I’m really excited for?  Taking ice baths again.  Am I a masochist or what?

*   *   *

Photos from today:

The wheelchair athletes

Elite women surging by

Push through the pain! Only 10K left!

The crowd in Chinatown

And of course, this would not be my blog without food photos…

Apple pie cupcake with pie crust!

Apple slices inside - so delicious!

Food hiatus from cheering on the runners

Deep fried hash browns

L to R: Mike, Cass, and Cass's friends

Me, Meghan, Cory, and Katie

The next morning, my alarm went off in my ear at 5:15 AM.  Ouch.  In my early-morning haziness, I forgot to attach my chip to my shoe, so now I’ll never know how long it took me, officially to get through those obstacles.  I lined up with Wave 5, but quickly found out that there were a lot of non-runners there.  It was only a 6K course (2 3K laps), but people were walking 400 meters in.  The first loop was obstacle-free, to tire you out before pitting you against danger.

The second loop started with a series of giant mounds – not hills really, but large speedbumps to scramble up.  Next came the plastic barrels, a junkyard of old cars, giant spools to jump over, and two walls – one after another, the second taller than the previous – to push yourself over.  Lines were building around some of the obstacles, particularly the walls, where several people were having trouble getting over them and had to be pushed.

The construction pipes that came next were more suited to my height. After that, the course led into the woods – steep, muddy, and extremely slippery.  We crossed a narrow plank across a deep ravine (I thought I was going to slip and die here), scaled the steep uphills back into the clearing, and leapt into the muddy swamp.  The website had recommended duct-taping your shoes to your feet, which I blew off.  The minute I stepped into the swamp, I immediately regretted not heeding that advice.  I had to slow down and struggled just to keep the muck from sucking my shoes off, and people were losing their shoes left and right.

When I emerged from the swamp and hit the concrete, my feet felt 15 pounds heavier.  We ran through a simulated “abandoned city” and over the fire – which was actually disappointingly small and faded from everyone jumping over it.  The very last obstacle was the hyped “Muddy Mayhem” and it didn’t disappoint.  There was barbed wire stretched out low across the mud pit, forcing you down deep.  Unlike the swamp, you couldn’t just wade across – the wired made you get down on your hands and knees and drag your whole body through the mud.  Awesome!

Afterwards, my fellow forumites and I hung out at the post-race party and yes, I took advantage of the axe-throwing.  Despite my lack of coordination and general physical clumsiness, I actually got one into the target!  Booyah!  All in all, it was a truly awesome time and I will definitely be back next year. Maybe even in costume…

Warrior Roast

Muddy Mayhem

Where I Bid Adieu to My Retired Brooks

Everyone Clear Out!

The Warrior Gang

Things are getting hectic in the Princess Kai household.  I had a terrible last week, running-wise.  Let’s just say that having to grade 60, 5-page papers in 3 days was not very conducive to fitting runs in.  We finally got our loan finalized and confirmed, the walkthrough for our new condo is this weekend, and then we’re closing next week.  After that comes painting, buying furniture, and moving.  I’m just looking forward to a shorter commute and running along the beautiful lakefront.

Fiance and I went hiking in the Swallow Cliff Forest Preserve last weekend.  These woods were crucial in my marathon training last summer, as they were the only accessible hills around me.  I knew Philly would have some hills, and with my regular running routes being flat as a pancake, these trails broke up my routine and strengthened my legs.  Nevermind that there was always a shirtless cross-country team training there.  I didn’t even notice.  Honest.

Why Hello, Bambi

The Lone Tree

Into the Woods

I will definitely miss this forest preserve when we move downtown.  What I won’t miss?  Being eaten alive by bugs.

*   *   *

Some 4th of July eats:

An American Staple

I know some people thinking ketchup on hot dog is a mortal sin, but I say the more (condiments), the merrier!

Gelato!

July 4th Pancakes

Steak Crostini

Lately, strawberries have been on mad sale at my local grocery store, a huge carton for $2.99.  If you’re like me, you get too busy/lazy/forgetful to wash and divide them into individual Ziplock bags to take to work.  So at the end of the week, I always end up with a giant batch of very ripe strawberries.  Fiance doesn’t really like strawberries, which means it’s completely up to me to polish them off.

On Sunday, I decided to make sorbet.

Step 1

I’ve always been fascinated with home-made ice cream and I don’t have an ice cream maker, so this was the next best thing.  It was so simple and easy, and I used a recipe I got here.  The essential part of the recipe is to re-blend the sorbet mixture after you freeze it the first time – the first time around, the syrup and strawberry puree are still not fully blended and you get a lot of ice crystals from the water.  Re-blending it smoothes the whole mixture, and when it freezes a second time, it becomes sorbet, not just sweetened frozen strawberry puree.

Delicious and Home-made

Wait for a hot, hot summer day and enjoy!

As a runner though, the heat plagues me like nothing else.  I can deal with ice, snow, rain, and the freezing Chicago winters, but once the heat gets above 75 degrees, I am a complete wimp.  My legs won’t move fast enough, I can’t breath in the humidity, and it just feels like my innards are cooking in a boiler.  My pace has skyrocketed from an approximate 8:40 pace to about 10 minute miles, and now I have to get up early again just to escape 100 degree weather.  Instead of a refreshing runner’s high, I suffer from “OH MY GOD, THIS IS TOO HOT I’M GOING TO DIE I NEED TO DUNK MY HEAD IN ICE.”

But then I think about what someone on the RW Forums said – that we run outside to experience nature, and to feel the earth changing beneath our feet.  We’re out there when the first snowflake falls, when the monstrous geese that usually honk at me bring their babies out in the spring, through the sauna of summer and the tempting smells of the grill, and we’re the first to notice the leaves changing colors.  It gets me out there, and keeps me trucking on.

*   *   *

I was watching Giada’s show on The Food Network the other morning, and caught a braised short-rib recipe that I thought looked delicious and surprisingly easy.  I went in search of short rib after that, and it has officially kick-started an obsession.  Why short ribs?  Because. The first time I made this, Fiance proclaimed it was the best thing I’d ever made.  Even though the cooking time is 2.5 hours, the actual prep time is about 10 minutes, and it makes a large enough batch that you can freeze and store, and have it ready for dinner or lunch any day of the week.

Giada’s Penne w/ Braised Short Rib
(this is the unaltered recipe, but I’ve found that even halving it makes enough to last Fiance and me lunch and dinner for 2 days)

- 4 lbs beef short ribs (bone in)
- 1 large onion, diced (I also added diced celery for added flavor)
- 3 gloves garlic
- 5 Roma tomatoes, chopped (I used vine tomatoes)
- 1 cup red wine
- 3 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 2 cups low-sodium beef broth
- penne pasta (as much as you want)
- Parmesan, salt and pepper, and parsley to taste

Soon They'll Be Falling Off the Bone

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.  Season the short ribs with salt and pepper, and brown on all sides in olive oil or cooking spray in a large pot or Dutch oven (about 8 – 10 minutes).  Remove the ribs and set aside.

There Is Nothing Better in Life Than Searing Meat

Saute the garlic and onions (and celery, if you add any) in the same pot for about 2 minutes, scraping up any brown bits from the meat.  Add in the chopped tomatoes, Dijon mustard, red wine, and beef broth.  Bring the mixture to a boil, and put the ribs back into the pot.

The Waiting Begins

Cover the pot, toss it in the oven, and set your timer for 2.5 hours.  You can go for a long run, finish that novel you’ve been writing, do some errands, or if you’re me, open the oven every 2 minutes to take a whiff of the wonderful, beefy aroma coming out (Giada does not recommend this).  After 2.5 hours, the meat (short rib is usually a tough cut) will be so tender it will be falling off the bone and tearing apart with the slightest force.  Cook the penne during the last 10 minutes remaining.

Hold Your Horses

Discard the bones and shred the meat with two forks.  Giada says to remove the meat and ladle the mixture into a food processor to smooth it out.  I generally just leave it as it because I like large chunks of celery, tomato, and onion with my pasta.  Also, I’m pretty much too impatient to use the food processor – I just throw in the penne, garnish with parsley or Parmesan or whatever, and serve with a side salad.

Have a Fork Handy

Voila!

Although I’ve always been a lone runner and although I really love to lose myself in my own head while running, I may have a running partner come August or September.  The four-legged kind, that is.  Fiance already promised that once we move into our new condo downtown, I can finally get a dog.  I’ve been obsessively browsing the Chicago-area animal shelter sites for available dogs and researching training tips.  Having volunteered in shelters throughout college, I have a soft spot for the misunderstood “bully breeds.”  Not to mention as a lone female runner on the smaller side, I’d much rather run with a pit bull or doberman than a chihuahua.

Admittedly, I also have somewhat of a Napolean complex.  I lobbied for a Great Dane or an Irish Wolfhound, arguing that if I ever injure myself on a run, I could just ride the dog home, but Fiance adamantly shot those down upon seeing photos:

Irish Wolfhound

Great Dane

Anyone have breed suggestions or training tips?

*   *   *

Food photos!!!

Molly's Cupcakes

Molly’s Cupcakes is my favorite, favorite, favorite cupcake store in all of Chicago.  I’m incapable of leaving the place with only one cupcake, so when I bought a few the other night and the girl behind the counter told me, “There’s still room in the box,” I was immediately sold.  From upper left to lower right:  tiramisu, burnt caramel apple (SO GOOD), coconut cream, lemon meringue, red velvet, and strawberry shortcake.

Lemon Garlic Shrimp Crostini (Cheesecake Factory)

Lemon Chiffon Cake (Cheesecake Factory)

Strawberry Sundae from Chinatown

This is a perfectly acceptable and healthy dessert.  Antioxidants from the strawberries, protein and calcium from the ice cream, carbs and grains from the waffle cookie, and uh, healthy fats from the whipped cream.  Yum!

It’s the time of year when most people are waking up to sunshine, tanning at the beach, and grilling in their backyard.  Runners, on the other hand, are waking up at 6 AM to avoid the heat, slathering on sunscreen while wolfing down toast and bananas for their long runs, and taking refuge in the neighborhood sprinklers.  I’m waiting to see if I’m picked for the NYC Marathon – part of me is excited for the prospect of having a monumental, longterm goal like a marathon, and the other part of me just really wants to sleep in and not have to obsessively check the temperature every Saturday morning and watch my hydration the day before.  And then there is the part of me that whispers, “But if you train for another marathon, you’ll get to eat whatever you want again.”  Satan, get thee behind me!

In the interim, I’ve signed up for a 10K in June and, uh, Warrior Dash in July.  It’s a 6K course consisting of obstacles such as Leg Break Leaps, Tunnels of Terror, Warrior Roast, and the Slithering Swamp.  All very safe, I’m sure.   In addition to the ubiquitous race t-shirt, you also get a warrior helmet and there is knife-throwing after the race.  This is obvious a very serious and intense race; I fully expect to see Deena Kastor and Ryan Hall in Joliet that weekend.  Watch for ESPN coverage.

*   *   *

I tried out The Counter in Chicago with some friends a few weeks ago.  It’s a build-your-own-burger joint, and the burgers are delicious, albeit overpriced.  They certainly don’t give them away, that’s for sure.

Half and Half

The Kai Burger

I topped my burger with fried onion strings, bacon, tomato, lettuce, and garlic aioli.  They also had a churros milkshake, which was pretty much the best thing ever – cinnamon and vanilla, with bits of churros throughout.  Yum!

I also discovered the best sandwich place the other night, having dinner with some friends.  The Bourgeois Pig Cafe is hugely personable, and has a huge selection of sandwiches, pastries, and coffee.  I had The Walden – curry honey chicken salad between focaccia.

The Walden