The Epicurious Runner

It is beautiful outside today! I must say it does suck to have these three days off without pay, but I couldn’t have asked for three better days. Especially since it’s been raining for the past week.

Today was my first run since the half marathon last week. I was so excited and ready to get out there and finally run, I’m not gonna lie, the sunshine had a lot to do with it! It was 53 degrees out when I left and it was perfect. I wore capris and a tech t-shirt and I was actually kind of hot. I think anything over 50 degrees calls for shorts. I was shooting for a 4 or 5 mile run, but ended up doing 6! It was one of the best runs I’ve ever had, I felt great the whole time and it didn’t seem like I had lost any stamina at all from taking time off.

• Distance: 6.01 Miles
• Duration: 54:17
• Pace: 9:02
• Calories Burned: 615

Mile Splits:

1. 8:45
2. 9:00
3. 8:57
4. 9:10
5. 9:13
6. 9:07

Laura & Shawn: I haven’t thanked you yet, but I hope you are reading this because THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU! You are so awesome and generous and I miss you guys so much! It was so nice of you to think of me and send me such an awesome gift! Laura, you are a huge part of my inspiration when I run, I was also so jealous of your dedication and speed in high school. We need to run together because it will be epic! haha, thanks Laura and Shawn, you guys rock!

So I started reading this the same night I received it and it’s crazy, it is nothing like I had expected. It’s a story about the Tarahumara, a tribe from Mexico and how they have a natural ability to run super long distances. Like a hundred miles a day! It’s insane, I never would’ve thought anyone like them ever existed. It’s a great story and it’s extremely interesting. There is way more to it than I am explaining, but trust me, it’s a good read and I highly recommend it and I haven’t even finished it yet!

Later tonight I am headed to a place called Rub BBQ to meet up with Eugenia to discuss the Head Editor position! I am pumped to eat some good BBQ and to possibly have a new job! Yay!

Love <3

Had a pretty boring, but productive day at work today. It felt like a really long day so I was happy to finally leave and head to my second yoga class ever. The class tonight was even better! There was a lot of good stretching going on and I felt more comfortable. I had trouble with the pigeon pose, I think that’s what it’s called. I just get confused with all the leg twisting, but the teacher came over and helped me out and once I got it, it felt soooo good. That was the best part of the class definitely. There is also a section where she works our abs and core like crazy and I love it! I am definitely going to continue going. It will probably only be once a week, but maybe after my HM I will start going more often.

I started reading Shutter Island last Thursday and I just finished it tonight on the subway ride home. One of the best books I have ever read! It was so engaging and I just couldn’t put it down. I absolutely love the way it was written, I can not wait to read more of Dennis Lehane’s books. I recommend everyone read this book, it has entered into my top five favorite books of all time. What are my top 5 books? I’m not actually sure, but it is now something to think about. Now, I have to go see the movie this weekend!

Last week I had finished reading The Lovely Bones and I immediately watched the movie right after I was done. The book was great! It was really depressing though, but definitely a powerful story. My only negative criticisms would be that the writing was a little weird at times and it got a little dull toward the middle of the book. Dull sounds so harsh and I don’t think that’s the right word, but what I really want to say is that a few of the middle scenes just weren’t as engaging as the rest. A great read though and I highly recommend it. The movie was slightly disappointing and I don’t think the characters were written strongly enough. It was a good film overall though, but the first half hour was the best.

I am on an awesome reading streak! I must keep it up. Next up…The Time Traveler’s Wife. Wow, all these books I’m reading are now movies, hmm.

My fundraising deadline is looming very very closely and it’s really getting down to the wire. I’ve just about accepted that I have to hundreds of dollars in order to meet my goal, but if anyone is willing to donate I would REALLY REALLY appreciate it! It’s going to a great cause and any amount is helpful!

So, once again, DON’T FORGET TO DONATE TO LEUKEMIA AND LYMPHOMA!!!

Click Here  To Donate! ~> Steph’s Fundraising Page!

I had a 30 minute Tempo Run planned for this morning and man was it cold! I knew what to expect though by looking at this!

I guess it wasn’t so much the cold, but the wind was absolutely terrible. I could barely control myself. I bundled up real well, I was wearing two pairs of pants, a sports bar, a tank top, a long sleeved shirt, a short sleeved shirt and then over that I had 2 zip up coats. I also had a pair of gloves and a hat! It was completely necessary. Okay maybe I could’ve done without one of the coats, but it was brutal out there. At one point my left leg kept hitting my right leg and causing me to trip in the middle of my stride, it was crazy. That was the coldest temperature I’ve ever run through.

• Distance: 2.9 Miles
• Duration: 26:47
• Pace: 9:14

So, it wasn’t exactly a tempo run and I didn’t exactly hit the 30 minute mark, but seriously I was glad that I even got out there and ran because that is what really counts. I was ready to stop, I was tired and my lungs were hurtin’ for some warm air.

I got the book ‘Run Less, Run Faster’ for Christmas and I started reading it last night and I already love it. I’ve heard so many good things about it in the past that I knew it wouldn’t let me down. I am going to revamp my training schedule for the HM and base it on the book so that I can follow along with it. It basically is a training plan that involves running 3 days a week with 2 days of cross training. That is exactly what I am looking for in these winter months. It focuses on quality, not quantity.

Please don’t forget to donate! I have until January 9th to reach my 25% mark!

My Fundraising Page

I just finished this book a few days ago and I must say it is one of the funniest books I’ve read. It is probably the only one that has ever made me laugh out loud. Jen Lancaster is a great writer and I can not wait to buy her other books. Her footnotes were amusing and even though I didn’t think so at first, it turned out to be a good, progressive story. It’s truthfulness in the situations were scary at points, but somewhat educational at the same time. I found myself repeating many things in the book to my boyfriend because I knew he would appreciate the hilarity of the situation. A lot of memorable moments and overall a great book, I recommend to almost anyone. 4 1/2 out of 5 stars. 

I officially signed up for my Triathlon!