Lovely long weekends

I spent the long weekend eating and eating and eating and hanging out with my lovely family in Seattle. I ran zero miles last week. That definitely changed this week. My 18-week training plan is in full swing.

Weekend favorites? Seeing my family, of course. They are always so much fun. Eating donuts here and here. Having a delicious dinner here. Making homemade mac n' cheese with mom Mom and drinking pinot on the deck. Salt and Straw with brothers. And coffee and REI shopping with everyone, our favorite.  Oh, and my doggies!

Quick photo highlights:

Beer with my brother

A bit of sun. We had a great view of the space needle from our hotel, too

 Hanging out with my little doggies (Max not pictured)

8 miles then null

Last week I ran a nice easy little 14 mile week. Two three milers and a glorious, beautiful, perfect eight miler on Saturday through Golden Gate Park. Aside from running the rest of the week was filled with lots of...outings. Friday we tried a bar I hadn't been to called Chambers. I loved the outdoor space and the art galleries. 

Awesome sign behind the bar

Outdoor pool at a bar in SF? This seems like LA to me...

 Saturday morning I ran that awesome eight miler with Lauren then ended back at home where I scarfed down some spinach and eggs and got a phone call from friends of ours inviting us to Napa for a quick tasting at their favorite winery. We went to Peju which was spectacular. We did a tasting of about seven wines and left with three bottles plus one more we drank before we drove back to the city. The Provence may be the best summer wine ever. That night we had dinner with our friends at the famous House of Prime Rib where I was able to eat back three times the calories I burned on my run. English cut, spinach, mashed potatoes and seconds, please.

Some vines at Peju.

 Sunday was Bay to Breakers which I did not really run, just casually walked and enjoyed the crazy costumes and more crazy people. It was a long day with a lot of beer and too much bar food.

B2B near Alamo Sq.

Due to the crazy week last week, this week I have felt awful and have run zero times, been to the gym zero times and done yoga, you guess it, zero times. Let's hope I feel better before I fly north for my weekend trip to Seattle to hang out with my parents.

Official marathon 18-week marathon plan starts next week. Yikes!!

Wanderlust and Bridge Runs

You know that feeling in the middle of your long run where you pass mile three and you feel like you're flying and you just run faster so effortlessly you think you're weightless? That  has gotta' be the sweetest feeling in the whole world and perfectly describes how I felt almost the entire time on my run over the Golden Gate Bridge this Saturday.

Lauren and I set out Saturday morning to run across the GG and get in six miles for her half training and my ramp up to marathon training. I had never run over the bridge before so I was EXTREMELY excited. She picked me up and we made a pit stop at Sport's Basement and I finally bought a new running hat. Another Nike pink one. I am such a creature of habit.

Me and Lauren after coming off the bridge (Girl Scouts in background) also, new pink hat.

We hit the bay trail and ran up some steps and through winding paths and we realized there was a Girl Scout event going on. There were literally hundred upon hundreds of girl's doing a project for a badg which involved walking across the bridge. Somehow, despite weaving around all these kids we still managed to have a great run. The weather was perfect (55 degrees, light flog, breeze and some sun) Running over the bridge was amazing and gave me a whole new perspective on the city and how beautiful it is. I had a blast and clocked 6 miles at a reasonable time considering the weaving and how hilly it is.

Perhaps the only people-less part of this run

The rest of Saturday was followed by laundry, eating giant breakfast burritos with J and some drinks with friends.

Yesterday, I went to Wanderlust in the City, an awesome city version of the famous Wanderlust Festival. I ate lots of samples and got my Vinyassa on in the sunshine. It was very fun and nice to dedicate my practice to my lovely Mom.

Me in the white tank top! Thanks random Instagram photo taker.

View of the stage from my mat

I love doing yoga outside with a ton of people. I did City of Hope's Yoga Fest last year and loved that, too. I'd love to do a girlfriend trip to Wanderlust in Tahoe someday. Speaking of Tahoe, we are going for a little weekend out of the city in three weeks. Can't wait!

I am already looking forward to this coming weekend and along run in Golden Gate Park (I LOVE running there, it's so peaceful and I have so much room to run!) Oh and it's Bay to Breakers, too. Yeah!

Happy Monday, friends!

Morning routine

Oh hey. How is your week? Mine is going OK, thanks. After J's parents were here this last week I spent this last week getting settled into a normal routine of eating at home and running. I am slowly building my mileage back up starting with 12 miles total this week followed by 15 next week and from there the mileage will continue to ramp as we get into deep marathon training.

I decided to use the 18-week Hal Higdon marathon plan (Novice 2) Wish me luck. I also really think I need a speed workout I've got to mess with the schedule a tiny bit.

I am feeling tightness in my left calf after my 3 miler last night. So I spent this morning with NPR and these guys:

Foam roll, sip coffee, stretch band, repeat.

So fun! NEED to stop being a slacker and get back to yoga class. Tomorrow morning, I SWEAR. Must get a solid hour of stretchy-ness in before I run Saturday's six miler with Lauren.

In other news, these:

My new fav choco chip cookie friends

Go make them right now. They take 20 minutes and taste amazing and are vegan and gluten free. You will really like these. J ate almost all of them.

Tonight I have reservations at Flour + Water after nearly one year of waiting for an open table not at 5pm or 9pm. Let's hope the hype is all true. 

Happy running, friends!

Happy Marathon Training!

Ordered myself some gifts as a celebration to kick off marathon training. Who's ready to eat 26.2 miles for breakfast?!