Thursday, July 18, 2013

Midweek Long Runs and I Love Iced Coffee

I'm keeping it short and sweet today. Bar studying is totally consuming my life, at least when I'm not getting in a training workout. But I had to share this: yesterday was my longest run so far. I ran 15 miles!

Obligatory Garmin shot
It was a nice boost of "I can do this" confidence since, between Sunday's long run and yesterday's long run, and including Tuesday's easy 4 miles, I hit 33 miles in four days.

My dad ran 8.5 of the 15 miles with me, for his longest mileage to date as well! I convinced him to train for a half marathon that I'll be running with him in September, and he was nice enough to work his schedule so I could run with him. Having company is just so nice on a long run!


Ok, and these views don't hurt. We did an out and back along one side of Bellingham Bay and onto a trail that runs through the woods. No crazy elevation, but some nice inclines and declines to mix it up a bit.

Then I headed out by myself for a 5.5 mile out and back along another side of Bellingham Bay. There was a pretty strong wind hitting me from the side that made the run a bit more difficult, but it also meant that I felt nice and cool the whole time while inhaling the ocean air, so no complaints here!

I finished with a mile through downtown Bellingham. There are a lot of new restaurants and shops that have opened since the last time I explored down there! It's been a few years since I really walked around, but now I'm excited for when I return in September to really explore. It's neat to come home and find new things!

I reconvened with my dad, who was getting some work done, and we inhaled burgers from Fiamma Burger -- veggie for me, lamb for my dad. They have all kinds of options there, including bison, salmon, and even elk!

Before we headed back home so I could start studying, I requested iced coffee.


I believe this photo accurately captures my feelings about iced coffee after a long run. Is there anything better??? In retrospect, I really should have gone with the venti size...


Do you love iced coffee? Do you prefer running solo or with friends?

27 comments:

  1. I'm hopping on a plane now and coming to Washington so we can run and drink iced coffee together. :) In all seriousness, though, congrats on a killer 15-mile run! It definitely helps to log those miles with other people. I have a feeling my next half-marathon will have to be with friends or teammates; I can't *imagine* running 13.1 miles solo right now! ;)

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    1. Please do!! Then quiz me on my flash cards? Haha!

      How about you find a half to run post-Chicago and you can pace me and I'll keep you company? ;)

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  2. Iced coffee during the summer is an absolute necessity. I drink way too much of it. As in, I cold-brew a 2 gallon batch at the beginning of every week and we're fighting over the last drops on Saturday :)

    Congrats on the new PDR! Really enjoying following along as you train for ChiMarathon :) Especially these views. Holy crap, so beautiful.

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    1. I should brew coffee myself so I know the amount I'm drinking... sometimes it's 2 large iced coffees in a day (oops).

      And thanks! I have been loving the training process so far, despite the heat in NYC, but getting to run out here makes it even better!

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  3. I wish I had friends to run with! haha. I don't like iced coffee but I do love their caramel apple spices

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    1. It makes running so much more fun :) But you have a husband who runs, at least! Starbucks's caramel apple spice drink is a delicious treat!

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  4. Seriously this sounds just like me!! EXCEPT my long runs are on the weekend and I learned to make ICED COFFEE myself! I like to drink iced coffee during the day in the summer, then go for a run later! I swear it totally helps my energy when running!! New follower from Naturally Fit Sisters

    http://www.fit.naturallysisters.com

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    1. Hi there! My long runs are normally on the weekend but I'm running a 5K this Saturday and want to race it if possible, so trying to keep the legs fresh :) Glad to know I'm not the only iced coffee addict!

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  5. Running solo or with a partner depends on the day. If I am really motivated gotta go solo, keep my own pace. If I am not so motivated I like to have a partner to keep pace and keep me motivated. No matter how tired, out of it, or non-motivated I feel I still refuse to let my partner get too far ahead (or finish ahead of me most of the time, just a little competitive).

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    1. For long runs, it's incredibly hard for me to go for multiple hours without company. I'm a social person! But I love 30-60 minutes of solitude for shorter runs :)

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  6. Congrats!!! So exciting. And, um, you're running your long runs at 6:45 now?

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    1. Haha that must have been the .01 mile where I sprinted towards the iced coffee ;)

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  7. I adore ice coffee. Drinking some right now! I actually prefer to run by myself most of the time. Don't know why but I do. Congrats on your PDR!

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    1. Thanks, Christine!! I prefer to run by myself for tempo runs, but for easy runs where I'm just getting mileage/time in and not paying attention to pace, I love company.

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  8. Beth @RxBethOnTheRunJuly 18, 2013 at 3:00 PM

    OH MY GOODNESS!!!!! I'm so proud of you! This gives me so much hope for my 14 miles this weekend. AMAZING JOB! Isn't this all so exciting? And I absolutely LOVE that picture of you with the coffee. I think you should make it your profile picture. Great job this week, Jen! You're training is going so well! I'm so happy for you!

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    1. THANK YOU!!!! :) It's SO, SO, SO exciting. I'm so annoyed that the bar is distracting me, though ;)

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  9. I can give you unlimited free iced coffee!! Come see me haha

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    1. I will DEF stop by post-bar. I am so excited to check out the shop!

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  10. Great job Jen! I am so proud of you. Your training seems to be going absolutely perfectly! This is my first week of true training so you are definitely an inspiration!

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    1. Thanks!! It has been going really well so far. I feel super lucky, but I'm pretty sure part of it is following a smart plan rather than just trying to "race pace" every run like I did in the spring. Having a coach has really helped in that regard! :)

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    2. And GOOD LUCK for the rest of your first week!!

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  11. I love having someone with me on my long runs, but on my shorter runs I like to be by myself and run out the frustrations of my day.

    Good luck on the bar!! I was where you are last summer (except I took the Illinois bar) and I would not have survived the summer without my running and, of course, my daily dose of iced skinny caramel macchiato!

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    1. The coffee is an essential element of bar studying, that's for sure ;)

      Good to hear you survived! Training and running has been a really nice stress reliever, although even that might not help me in the coming 10 days...

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  12. BIG iced coffee lover. If you don't add cinnamon to it you need to. It is the bombdotcom! <3

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    1. I don't normally but that's a GREAT idea... BRB going to do it right now.

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  13. I just saw your post on Laura's site. Chicago is such a fun marathon for your first. You will LOVE it! I don't drink iced coffee but am a huge fan of an iced macchiato or green tea latte after my runs. Perhaps a 'will run for Starbucks' tshirt is in order : )

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    1. I'm so glad to hear that! I thought it'd be a great start :) I've never had a green tea latte but that sounds awfully good, I may need to try one!

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