Chicken Shawarma Recipe, H1N1 Shot, + 14 Miles Manana

The past few days have been depressing running wise. Early this week I got the H1N1 flu shot with my son because we're going to Disneyworld over the holidays. (I don't like getting those sorts of things, but because of all the traveling we're doing in December, I finally decided to do it.) I already had sort of a cold, and the combination of that and the shot, I think, have just made me down in the dumps and lethargic. On Wednesday I was supposed to do an 8 mile run with 4 miles at LT pace, but I only ran 3.5 miles with 1 mile at LT pace. The next day I ran 4 miles with 2 at LT pace to catch up on mileage. Major bummer. I was thinking that my LT pace was going to to be faster this week. I'm trying to take care of myself though, while still getting in the miles. Hopefully my 14 mile run tomorrow goes well. I still have this itch in my throat that won't go away and I hope it doesn't get worse.

On another note, I made Chicken Shawarma this week and it was really good. I think I mentioned before that I love Eastern European food because of my Armenian heritage. I've had Chicken Shawarma before, but found this recipe on CookingLight and decided to try it. The esposo told me to not put the yogurt mixture on his, but I didn't anyways, and he liked it. (He doesn't always thank me when I ignore is picky food wishes, but he did this time.) Anyways, this recipe is healthy and good. It also tasted great with whole wheat pita. Try it, it won't disappoint.

Week 2 + 36 miles completed

Today I did my 13 mile run. I usually eat well before runs but ran today on a bowl of cocoa puffs and feel that was one reason I felt like shiz during the 8 miles I ran at marathon pace. My goal was to run an average 8:20 pace but I averaged 8:12, which I feel good about. I brought a strawberry-banana Powerbar gel, and decided to use that instead of the rest of my Swedish fish. (I used the candy for the first half of my run.) I chugged the gel with tons of water and I could barely taste it, thankfully.
This week I have 40 miles on the schedule with a 14 mile long run. 16 weeks to go!

Product Review: Recovery Socks

I've been wearing Recovery Socks for the past few weeks and posted a review here. I thought I'd share my review with you guys again on my blog, since Friday OFFICIALLY marks the start of the Christmas shopping season. Do you like our ghetto Christms tree? Anyways, here's the review:

After running several half marathons, I finally decided it’s time to knock the full 26.2 off my bucket list. Consequently, I’ve been on the look out for products that will help me remain injury free while logging more miles than I’m accustomed to. I read about Recovery Socks on several different blogs and forums, but decided I needed to check out the hype when I read in “Advanced Marathoning” that Paula Radcliffe, the Marathon World Record Holder, swears by compression clothing. Wearing Recovery Socks, may never give me her abs or talent, but if an elite athlete like Radcliffe believes in similar technology, I’ll take her at her word.

According to the Recovery Sock website, these socks are “not simply a graduated compression sock.” The site claims that “the Recovery Sock’s advantage is that it’s compression socks incorporate a Patented Graduated Compression design that enhances and stimulates circulation in the lower leg - making it a superior sock.” That sounded good to me, so I decided to put Recovery Socks to the test for a few weeks to see if they improved my performance and recovery.

I wore the socks during and after 3 runs above 10 miles, and only after a few other runs. Judging from the few weeks I’ve used the socks, I believe that the benefits of Recovery Socks increase when used for both running and recovery. My legs felt fresher following days I used the socks in my training. Furthermore, as I increase my mileage, I’m concerned with preventing cramps and lactate acid build up, and it seems the socks have helped prevent both of these problems. That being said, Recovery Socks are not a supplement for stretching and proper training. I still feel the minor aches and pains of someone preparing for a marathon. However, I think these socks are well worth the price and would be beneficial to any runner currently running medium to long distances.

My only beef with Recovery Socks is that they don’t come in more colors. I ordered mine in black but they also come in white, grey, fuchsia, and lime green. I like the grey socks as well, but would like to see more colors offered. (Not all chick runners want to rock Barbie pink.) My black socks kind of look like business socks, but my husband thinks I look good in them and frankly, so do I.;) If my Recovery Socks keep living up to all they're claimed to be, this runner won’t be bashful to wear them on race day.

A favorite food blog, swedish fish, and 10 miles

In the spirit of Thanksgiving, I thought I'd share with you a favorite food blog that has a ton of great recipes, that are not always nutrient dense, but worth the calories. You can find it HERE. I'm not afraid of caloric food, but if I'm going to waste a lot calories on something, it better taste good! (Maybe that's why I don't lose a lot of weight running.;)

Speaking of fuel, I was reading a thread that I can't find again in the million threads in the Runnersworld forum, on what different people use as fuel. I've written on various occasions how my gels are making me want to gag, so today I bought a bag of Swedish Fish to use on my 10 mile run. Gels have always seemed to me like they'd be way more effective than candy, but after reading a few people on Runnersworld swear by Swedish Fish, I thought I'd give them a try. My problem wasn't gagging them down, but eating them too quickly. My run went well, but I'm not sure if it was due to the fish. I bought another bag to use on my 13 miler on Saturday and I'll try them again on longer runs.

Other people suggested sports jelly beans, (which I heard were nothing but glorified jelly beans with extra salt, and prunes...) I think I'll try the jelly beans next. In the end, I'll probably stick to the gels or GU chomps for my marathon, (just because I have it engrained in my mind that those are better), but it doesn't hurt to try new things.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

12 mile run completed: 17 weeks to go!

I was glad to complete my 12 mile run yesterday pretty easily, (at an average 9:27 pace,) and have a week of marathon training completed. My ankles and knees feel a little sore but I'm really being hypersensitive about any pains because I have this fear I'm going to get hurt and won't be able to finish my training...I'm gonna think good thoughts and hope for the best though.

I was supposed to run 33 miles this week and accomplished that. I was also glad that my 4 mile lactate threshold attempt on my 8 mile run on Monday was successful. I know people have different ways of calculating that but I'm just using my best half marathon pace as mentioned in Advanced Marathoning. (7:47) I'll try harder on that though, as my training progresses.

Anyways, here's my schedule for this week:

Monday- 8 miles w/ 10 x 100 m strides
Tuesday- Rest or cross training
Wednesday- 10 miles -general aerobic
Thursday- Rest or cross training
Friday- 5 mile Recovery run
Saturday- 13 miles with 8 at marathon race pace

Total Miles: 36

I know I won't qualify for Boston on my first marathon. I don't even know if it's realistic for me to shoot for running under 4 hours, but I think that's very possible and something I'd be proud of. I've been a little torn about whether or not I should train like I was going to qualify for Boston, (with an 8:20 race pace,) and just hope I make it in under 4 hours on race day, or if I should train at a slower pace so I don't get hurt. When I have goals in my mind I tend to be an all or nothing kind of person, and so I've gone back and forth on this. Any suggestions?

Armenian Rice Pilaf, Yoga, Miles

Tonight I'm going to my second yoga class of the week. I took a yoga class like 5 years ago in college, and enjoyed it, but after the class on Tuesday, I really felt like a new person. Perhaps it's because I'm the world's worst stretcher, or maybe I just needed a mental and physical break, but I felt like my body was telling me, "please do this more often, Laura." So, I'm gonna go ahead and listen to myself.

I wore my REALLY worn out Brooks Ghost shoes last night to do my 9 mile run and I came back with new pains that I usually don't feel when I run so slow. I'm getting a new pair of shoes for Christmas, so I was just trying to get the last wear out of a few of my older pairs of shoes. Runner's World has given rave reviews to the new Brooks Ghost 2 shoes, and those are really tempting to me, but I think I'm just going go with my Mizuno Waverider 12's again.

On to the recipe...

I'm a quarter Armenian and really, the only thing I have to show for it, is olive skin and knowing how to cook some dang good food. I thought I'd share a good Armenian Rice Pilaf recipe that my husband loves because everyone can use another way to cook rice.

Armenian Rice Pilaf

-2 T. butter
-1/2 cup vermicelli; broken in little pieces
-1 cup rice
-1 1/2 cups chicken broth

1. Heat butter in saucepan until frothy.
2. Add vermicelli; saute until golden. (Watch this carefully or it will burn.)
3. Add rice, stir.
4. Add chicken broth, stir to mix.
5. Bring to boil.
5. Lower hear and cover and cook for 18 minutes on simmer.

8 miles: 4 at Lactate Threshold

Today I ran 8 miles. The first two I warmed up, the middle 4 I ran at a 7:47 pace, and the last 2 I cooled down. I felt good and it wasn't very difficult again. I don't own a Garmin so I do most of my lactate threshold miles on the 'mill. (I can't really think of an alternative.) Do people without a Garmin just carry around a pen and paper when they run? Seriously, I guess I'm not the sharpest crayon in the box, because I haven't figured out how Garminless people track their pace unless they are just averaging. Seems too tedious for me...

Anyways, this hasn't been a huge problem for me because I like running both outside and on the treadmill, but I understand that the closer I can get to running like I will be on race day, the better off I'll be. I'll just do what I can, I guess.

Tomorrow is a rest day and I think I'm gonna do a yoga class.