A Better Run

Boo ya!

14 miles? Pshhh…. I got that! 🙂

After last week’s horrible long run, I decided to make a few changes this morning to guarantee a killer long run.

1. Starting my run an hour before the sun rose.

My alarm was set for 4:45 this morning and I was out the door by 5:30. It was dark and still very humid, but the missing sun really made all the difference. My body didn’t feel quite as defeated as last week and everything just felt better.

2. Gatorade.

I added about a quarter of the bottle of gatorade to my camelbak and diluted it with water. The gatorade was very effective in cutting my need for water. Instead of constantly drinking from my camelbak, I was ok with only a sip or two every mile. I also felt stronger and more energized throughout the run. Who knew gatorade worked such wonders?

3. A New Route

My original plan was to run 3 miles to a nearby trail and complete the run on the trail. However, once I reached the trailhead it was still pitch black and very scary. I always run the trail during the day, so I didn’t realize it doesn’t have any light. I could picture the headlines now “Running Blogger Disappears in to the Abyss on Early Morning Run” Umm… i don’t think so.

Instead I continued on the main well-lit roads and found a new route to a nearby mall. The new route was really a blessing. The new surroundings kept me entertained and wondering where to turn next distracted me from how many miles I had left.

A little more than 2 hours later I finished the 14 mile run feeling about 20 times better then I did after my 12 miler last weekend. It’s amazing what a few changes will aide to a successful run in the heat. 🙂

Before I took off this morning I had a pice of toast with almond butter and chocolate chips.

I was very short on time once I got back to my apartment, so I quickly whipped up a smoothie I could drink on my way out the door.

Ingredients:

• Frozen Strawberries
• One Peach
• Ice
• Amazing Grass
• 1/4 cup Oatmeal
• Plain Yogurt
• Almond Milk
• PB2

I needed this smoothie to be filling and was hopping the addition of raw oatmeal would do the trick.

To make the oatmeal blender friendly I soaked it in almond milk before it went in the blender.

It did the trick!

Topped with a little granola.

The smoothie was delicious and really easy to drink in the car on my way to Salutation Nation!

Salutation Nation is a Lululemon sponsored event which brought thousands of yogis across North America together to practice yoga outside at the same time. The event promotes community, yoga, and getting outside!

Did you participate at a Salutation Nation event where you live? Rumor has it over 25,000 yogis participated this morning!

I spotted a few friends in the crowd.

And had the pleasure of practicing next to Katy.

The hour class brought a whole new meaning to hot yoga. I would say yoga at 9:00am in the blazing sun is definitely hot yoga. 🙂

Many thanks to Lululemon for sponsoring the event and to my favorite Orlando Power Yoga teacher, Kelly, for leading us this morning. 🙂

After yoga I had to hightail it back to my apartment to grab Maddie and bring her to my sister’s to bring to my parent’s for the evening. On the way out the door I only had enough time to grab a granola bar for the road.

When I did finally make it home for good an hour or so later, I was starving! I quickly through together a fun twist on the all-american classic of burgers and fries.

What appears to be a regular burger is actually a grilled portobello mushroom cap with cheese, roasted red peppers, spinach, and honey mustard.

Sweet potato fries

Pickle!

I have 3 hours now to shower/ nap/ relax before my big evening out in honor of the future Mrs. I better rest up or there’s no way I’m going to make it! 🙂 Wish me luck!