Happy Thursday! I went for a walk to start the day – not my idea of a “real” workout, but I’m unmotivated because I don’t have a plan 
Luckily, I have my next race figured out (below!) – so the plan is coming tonight!
Coach’s Oats sent me some packets of their instant oatmeal and I love steel cut style so I made that the base of my breakfast bowl.
I added EVERYTHING I could to this bowl of oats! It has a Coach’s oat packet, almond milk, pumpkin, chia seeds, salt, stevia, protein powder and peanut butter
This is the protein powder I used. I’m not a fan of the taste so I’m trying to “hide” it in recipes. It’s not working.
I was MIA from blogging last night because I was on a mission to figure out my next race. I gave myself a big break after Long Beach – I haven’t run more than 8 miles since. <- That’s also due to the traveling and getting sick. I have been saying for a few weeks that I want to run again!!
Last night I wrote out all the races that I’m either already signed up for OR are on my “must run” list for 2012. I really wanted to take advantage of my last training fitness and run a full marathon in January, but there are no races that work for me.
Since this may be my last marathon (yes, I said that for Long Beach too) I’m returning to the scene of my first marathon – Surf City. Could this be my First and Last marathon? Maybe. It’s further out than I wanted, but it will work. Now I have 12 weeks to train – I just need to pick a plan!
Last night’s list also reminded me that I’m signed up for 2 half marathons in December and 1 in January! I don’t usually train for half marathons, just kinda show up and go. I need to incorporate these races into training so they work with my full not against it.
Race Calendar:
December: 4 Las Vegas Half Marathon
11 Holiday Half Marathon
January: 29 Tinkerbelle Half Marathon
February: 5 Surf City Full Marathon
March: TBD
April: 20-21 SoCal Ragnar
Question: Got your eye on any upcoming races?
I really really want to do the Nike Women’s Race in S.F. this year!!!
I heard about how cool the Nike Woman’s race is in SF and would love to take part! I just did my first half this past October, so I wanted to try and sign up for 2012. I heard it is a lottery… anyone who knows the drill I would love some advice!
I have many of those races ahead as well. Vegas, Tink and Ragnar. I thought about Surf City but it is just a week after Tink and I have a problem knee that limits me a bit. (Plus the crowds kind of turn me off) I did Nike Womens this year but dont think I’ll go for it again in 2012 because I’ll be vacationing in Maui in September and running the half to celebrate my 30th!
Happy training!
I’m considering doing Surf City marathon too, and the OC marathon to get the Surf City Challenge done!
Way to go! Keep setting those fitness goals.
This is a great site!
Luke
I will be running my first half at the Las Vegas RnR! If I see you I might be the weird girl staring at you. Haha!
I’ll be running Surf City, Tinkerbell, and Ragnar too!!! The big one this year is LA Marathon–my first full!
Hey girl, you have lots of races planned, go you!! Just wondering is this going to be your last marathon because you might be possibly be thinking of getting preggers after then 🙂
Are you doing the Santa to the Sea Half on Dec. 11th? I still need to register.
Not Santa to Sea 🙁 I’m doing the Holiday Half.
You’ll be running a marathon while by brother celebrates his birthday… honestly, right now I’m not sure which is better 😉
I’m thinking of making my first half marathon the RnR Portland in May… not cause I’m hoping SR will be there and not so I can pretend we’re best of friends
I’ll put in a good word for you with SR 🙂
Be still my heart
I was thinking about doing the surf city half! wooohooo!
Yay!! I’m running the Surf City Marathon too! (….though, I’ve been dragging ass getting my training started for it.) Do I have to pay you royalties if I follow your training regimen? 😉
Ha! If I actually make an official training program for once!
Hey!
Why are you telling yourself that this may be your last marathon?
I mean, you’re a runner, you’re young and you love marathons – this just doesn’t sound right to me.
I mean you are not injured, you don’t have a chronic medical condition, I see no reason why you shouldn’t be running marathons for decades.
Love your blog!
Marathons are really rough on my body, so I’m considering hanging it up on that distance. Maybe.
The best way I’ve found to hide the taste of gross protein powder is to use it in baking. Of course, most protein powders bake super dry so that’s something to watch out for.
Exciting about the race!! I have my first marathon coming up in exactly 1 month!
I am running the Tinker Bell half TOO!! How fun!
I’m running the Philadelphia Marathon (my first marathon!) next Sunday, Nov. 20th. Still can’t believe that’s already here. I’m already signed up for the RNR USA Half Marathon in DC in March, but my “really want to run in 2012” keeps growing and growing.
Congrats on signing up for your next marathon!
Just signed up for the Miami ING Marathon in Jan! Thank god my baby loves his jogger!
I just signed up for the Disney World Half Marathon this morning. Excited!!
I have my eye on the Napa to Sonoma Half Marathon, but probably not for the next one…I just don’t think I’ll be able to train in time! I love that area of California, though, so I’m determined to do it SOMEDAY.
Definitely do the Nikes Women’s…it was my first full this past October and I LOVED it!! I would only do the half if I ever did it again though!
You don’t think walking is a “real” workout. I used that as my workout everyday and it works great for me! I love to walk!
Walking isn’t going to the gym to do strength training like I was supposed to. I love walking as exercise!
Wow..you have a lot of races coming up! February 5 is my birthday..and Superbowl Sunday! 🙂
You really don’t like that protein powder? I love it, it’s my fav!!! 🙁 Spike uses the chocolate flavor of it and loves it because it’s like double chocolate or something like that. LOL!
Have you tried the Spirutein brand? It’s like dessert.
So why are you making a commitment to ‘last marathon’. Is there a need to stop?
Now that I see there is a Tinkerbell run (and I’ve heard nothing but fun things about it) – I’m off to go sign up whether I can run it or not!
ahhh… its sold out. but the family 5K is still open 🙂
Yes, the need to stop is that it jacks me up 🙂
I noticed that you and SR are both running the Holiday Half in Portland on Dec. 11th. Are there plans in the works to have some sort of meet up… pre or post meals/snacks so that you can mingle with your fans? It would be rockin’!
I am signed up for the Tinker Bell Half in January too 🙂
I’m hoping to sign up and run the Rock n Roll San Diego Marathon as my first marathon.
I really wanted to do Big Sur, but it sold out so fast and I don’t have the time to sign up with a charity and do the fundraising. But RnR SD is flat, so I’ll at least get a better time (hopefully!)
I am running my first full marathon (CIM up here in Sacto) which is Decemeber 4-yikes! Then I am running the Shamrockn’ Half Marathon in Sacto in March…one of the most popular up here and my fave.
Good luck at the Surf City Marathon-I am sure it won’t be your last! February 5 is my birthday! Not sure how I am celebrating, but no marathon 😉
I am running a 5k in 9 days – my first race EVER, and I am signed up to run the Flying Pig Half next May. I’m excited.
Good luck!!!
I am doing Holiday Half and Tinker Bell. Oh, and Ragnar, obvs. Do PCRF Half in May with us!!
I should!!! Okay, okay, I probably will 🙂
I’m maybe doing Mission Inn this weekend, the RnR Vegas 1/2, and then Surf City 1/2. And then maybe a baby so a break. TBD 🙂
I’m playing Mission Inn by ear because of a wedding. Might see you there. Maybe.
I’m playing it be ear because of the weather- if it rains I’m not going because of those 6 miles on that dusty bike trail. My shoes do not want to get muddy. If we both go we need to meet up 🙂
I am running the Tinkerbell half, too! Would love to meet you 😉
Whew! looks like you’ll be pretty busy this season! I’m more at a 5k level right now…looking forward to a private corporate one in January with some co-workers in Palm Springs! 🙂
nike half is a blast! I’m looking forward to Oakland 1/2 in march, and some trail runs over the winter.
I’ve got two big races (hopefully) that I’m looking at in 2012 – a 25K in May (it’ll be my 3rd time running it) and my first marathon in October! Plus 5 and 10Ks here and there.
I’m (likely) doing So Cal Rangar too! I’m not really a runner though so it should be interesting…right now I can’t run 11-min miles and that’s the time limit, so hopefully my teammates are faster!
AHHHH So excited for you and really really jealous of your race schedule! Time goals for surf city?
Sub 3.
Oh wait, that’s your goal.
I don’t know what I should shoot for – I barely made Long Beach under 4. What do you think?
are you going prego on our after surf city??? just come sb this weekend.
i wont get you pregnant, promise.
I would only go if you were going to get me pregnant. We would have fast albino babies.
I am apparently adding a 4th half in June. 4 halfs in 3 months. Oh yes, this is going to be epic.
Wow, you have got a full race calendar! That’s so exciting. I just finished my third half marathon last Sunday, and it was such a fun race. I am already looking to sign up for another half in February (Kaiser Permanente Half in San Francisco) and maybe a longer trail race in March or April. My fiance and I are also planning to run a 5k together before our wedding next summer! I think I may try to do my first marathon late next year. Good luck developing your training plan for Surf City!
I too am contemplating races! I am considering RnR New Orleans in March. There are so many races to choose from!!!
Hey, walking is totally a real workout! I walk between 15-25 (hilly!) miles a week, and my legs and booty look bangin’. 🙂 (This is totally a joking comment, not snarky, I swear. I’m smiling while I type this!)
I think walking is the #1 best weight loss exercise, always have! I just need more to combat all the cereal I ate this week. It was A LOT.
That sounds exactly like my oatmeal–I even use that same protein powder, but I like it. Maybe it’s just because I haven’t tried a lot of others so I don’t realize there is better out there, but it tastes good to me in my oatmeal and smoothies! 🙂 Okay, this might be a stupid question, but how do you find out about all the races that are happening? I’ve done some googling and found some based on word of mouth, but is there anywhere specific that lists everything?
Yes, Active.com – I’ll post links in my next post 🙂
http://www.runningintheusa.com is also a great website for finding races near and far…and all types 5k, 10k, halfs, wholes, duathlons, tri’s, etc…hope that helps too.
YAY!! Thank you!!! 🙂
Yep! I am signing up for the Country Music RNR Marathon tomorrow when I can get $20 off with the discount 🙂 Can’t wait to start another traniing plan!
Yay!! My bf and I are running Surf City (but only the half), too!!
Nike Women’s IS SO MUCH FUN! I can’t wait to do it again.
Oh racing, it is such an addiction….
Yeah! I’ll be at RnR Vegas too doing the Half! I know there will be thousands of people there, but I may see you in person and that you are a real person! heheh… It is so crazy that I feel like I know you because I read your blog all the time.
I’m not a real person. I am a computer generated blog.
Kidding.
Hope to meet you!