Lunch Already!? And Gasparilla Goals

on February 25, 2009

Afternoon! It’s 11:37 and I just finished my lunch. Part of the trouble with beginning work at 7 AM is that I end up hungry for lunch so early.

I have a natural tendency to "front load" calories in the morning, which can lead to trouble if I get too snacky in the afternoon (like yesterday). One of the ways I’m trying to balance out my meals is to have a regular breakfast but a light mid-morning snack and early lunch.

So, my mid-morning snack was an orange…

And my lunch included two mini WW pitas stuffed with spinach and chicken deli meat.

The mini pitas are so much more satisfying because they take a little bit longer to eat than 1 big pita. Yay!

With mustard on the side for dipping action.

Plus, 3 small carrots.

Gasparilla Goals

Since Meghann announced her Gasparilla Goals this morning, I figured I should, too! On Saturday, I am running the 15K at 7:30 AM and the 5K at 9:30 AM. On Sunday, I am running the half marathon (which starts at 6:00 AM!!).

I am doing this race series for the challenge of DISTANCE, and thus I will not be focusing on speed as much as I would if these races were separate. So, Goal #1 is to finish, have fun, and not get injured!

Of course, I have some time goals in mind, too! They are:

15K: As the 15K is my first race and my preferred race distance, I’m pretty sure I can set a new personal record (PR) without much effort. My PR for a 15K is 1 hour, 27 minutes, and 58 seconds, which I set in September at the Miracle Miles 15K. I hope to finish this 15K in 1 hour, 25 minutes (which would put me at 9:30-minute miles).
5K: Because there will be a thirty minute waiting period between the 15K and 5K, I think I’m basically screwed for the 5K. My PR for a 5K is 23 minutes and 36 seconds, which I set in December at the Dash of the Elves 5K. I hope to finish this 5K in 31 minutes or less (which would put me at 10-minute miles). This 5K is about fun, not speed.
Half-Marathon: I am really excited about this Half Marathon because it’s only my 2nd Half! My PR for a Half Marathon is 2 hours and 6 minutes, which I set in October at the Marine Corps Half Marathon. My goal for this Half Marathon is to simply improve my time and set a new PR — even if it’s only by a minute!

I think my favorite race ever was the Marine Corps Half Marathon — it was a lot of fun and a scenic race. Check out the race recap for all the details!

If you’re a runner, describe the best race you ever competed in!

{ 38 comments }

VeggieGirl February 25, 2009, 9:58 am
Good luck with your goals!!
d.a.r. February 25, 2009, 10:01 am
Good luck with your goals!! Those sound awesome, I can’t wait to hear how you do! I’ve only run two races, so I don’t really have a favorite yet 🙂
Emily February 25, 2009, 10:12 am
Love those mini pitas!
Good luck with the all the racing!
Erica February 25, 2009, 10:17 am
Lunch looks so yummy. I love the mini pitas! Good luck with the races! Can’t wait to see the pics and hear all about it!
peanutbutterandjuli February 25, 2009, 10:18 am
Good luck with this weekend!

My FAVORITE race was the Chicago Marathon- there is so much energy, so many people cheering you on, and you get to see lots of different parts of the city! Made the 26.2 miles a bit “easier” 🙂
foodsthatfit February 25, 2009, 10:19 am
My favorite races are trail races! Definitely less pressure than road races. Everyone is more laid back and most are in it just to finish and don’t care as much about times. Also, after having knee issues myself, I have found trails don’t cause me as much pain and I use different muscles than just road running! Good luck with your upcoming races!
Becky February 25, 2009, 10:30 am
If the 15k starts at 7:30, and you run in 1 hr 25 min, wouldn’t that be 8:55-leaving only 5 minutes before the 5k? Or am I totally missing something?

Good luck with the races!
Adi February 25, 2009, 10:34 am
Becky, I was totally wondering the same thing! Maybe our math is off? 🙂
Caitlin February 25, 2009, 10:42 am
adi and becky – i meant 9:30 but i wrote 9:00. i changed it, thanks for noticing the error!
Tyler February 25, 2009, 10:53 am
I primarily define myself as a runner, but my favorite race ever was a triathlon in callaway gardens (in georgia). in a triathlon, you can get a lot more scenery because of the bike course…there was a 20 mile bike loop that went over rivers, by big grassy fields, and through the trees. And then there was a 6 mile trail run! Most gorgeous race course I’ve ever seen!
Red Head, Yellow Dog February 25, 2009, 10:53 am
the best race I ever ran in was the St, Jude’s half marathon. It was my first half marathon and it was AMAZING. there were people lining the streets of Memphis with signs thanking us for what we were doing and showing the faces of people whose lives were saved by St. Jude. plus we got to run by all the different cool places in Memphis (beale street, missippi river, my college etc.) I teared up several times because of how many people were out cheering and how amazing it was that so many people were out running for such a great cause. I actually wrote my law school admissions essay about training and running this race! It changed my life!
Sarah (lovINmytummy) February 25, 2009, 10:57 am
I think those are great goals. I also think you will be a lot faster than you think and blow those times out of the water!
greendogwine February 25, 2009, 10:58 am
Good luck with the races – you’ll do great!
Meg February 25, 2009, 11:00 am
Great goals! I am always hungry for lunch early too!
alli February 25, 2009, 11:22 am
i’ve run in the jefferson distance run in philadelphia twice (so far!)… it’s a half marathon that starts through the city and then goes in a big circle around boathouse row. there’s lots of bands and fans along the way and it’s so much fun! it’s a great course and i got my pr when i ran last september and broke 1:30.
Carolina John February 25, 2009, 11:27 am
those goals look pretty realistic. With those distances back to back to back like that, you’re in for a fun weekend!
lauren February 25, 2009, 11:34 am
great goals…cant wait to see how it goes!

My favorite race was my first marathon – Marine Corps Marathon in DC. While it was extremely tough and I didnt have my best time – I had so many friends and family there. Many of them jumped in and ran with me for a little bit and others ran around to see me at different points. Plus, I ran with my dad. All in all – it is a good memory.
Holly February 25, 2009, 11:39 am
Hi Caitlin! I am really curious as to how you are plannign to fuel before and between the races this weekend. How do you fuel differently for a half Vs. a 10K

Good luck and most importantly, have fun!!
Brandi February 25, 2009, 11:42 am
Great goals! I think leaving the 5K one as just fun is a great idea, especially since you’ll be running a race before that one.

You two are going to be awesome!

I’ve only run in 3 5Ks so far, but my favorite was the last one I did in October of 2008.

Nick and I ran it with his dad and mom, and this was his dad’s first 5K since having open heart surgery. I ran with him most of the way, but then he smoked me at the end! The worst thing? It was pouring the whole time, but it was nice to run with family members and be there for his accomplishment – plus I made my next PR that day!
Aimee February 25, 2009, 11:47 am
I love when I run the Pittsburgh Great Race (10K) with my Husband, which we have done together 3 times. He can beat me for sure, but that is the race that we always do together. My PR for that 10K was 50:52.

Good luck. I have a 10 mile race Saturday and I plan to think about your race weekend to get me through 10 miles 🙂
elise February 25, 2009, 11:51 am
good luck!!!!

i agree, mini pitas are SOO much fun to eat, theyre just so cute!
talieworld February 25, 2009, 11:59 am
Love mini pitas to. 🙂

Good luck!
runliveandenjoy February 25, 2009, 1:28 pm
I think my favorite race is the 10k right now. It’s quick, but still a good distance! I ran one a few weeks ago in 36:16 which I was happy about!
Amanda (Two Boos Who Eat) February 25, 2009, 1:38 pm
I still think the best race I’ve ever done was a 5k in a park. A flock of geese chased me! It was horrifying but I ran so fast! LOL!
redheadedjournal February 25, 2009, 1:47 pm
Good luck on your goals!
Laura February 25, 2009, 2:01 pm
I ran my first (and only!) half marathon in 2 hours and 3 seconds…I SO wanted to get less than 2 hrs but there is a reason for those little measly seconds 🙂
Good luck!
Missy February 25, 2009, 2:17 pm
Good luck!! Love the mini pitas! I now will be in search of them! So cute!
Leah February 25, 2009, 2:24 pm
I do the exact same thing with a small snack in the morning! I tend to have about 5-6 eating times during the day.

I cannot wait to hear about your races this weekend!

I think i’m more excited than you are?! You are going to do so great; don’t worry!
Danielle February 25, 2009, 2:25 pm
Good luck with your goals this weekend!
I just realized I haven’t had pancakes ONCE this year! That’s going to have to change very very soon!
Erin of Care to Eat February 25, 2009, 3:48 pm
I really like your goals! It sounds appropriate to not freak about speed.
PLUS YOU’RE ALREADY PRETTY FAST HOLMES!
I fwd’d your comment about Rob TO Rob, and he was modest as always (his response: Yeah). We done pretty good with our hubs, right? 😉
Mica February 25, 2009, 3:53 pm
Those are great goals! I hope you reach all three this weekend!

I haven’t had a really great race yet, so I’m crossing my fingers for the Half in April!
Carrie H February 25, 2009, 3:56 pm
Hi, Caitin,

I have a quick question … When you run long distances, how much of your calories do you usually “eat back”? Yesterday, I ran 10 miles and burned about 970 calories. Normally, I eat about 1700 calories and exercise 300-500 calories off per day. Yesterday, I ate about 2100 cals. And today I am starving! I’m not sure if it’s just one of those days, or if it has anything to do with my eating/running yesterday. Thanks!

Carrie H
Becca February 25, 2009, 4:09 pm
I don’t know why, but I can’t work up the nerve to run a race! I guess I’m just so use to being alone on runs!
sweetandfit February 25, 2009, 4:25 pm
good luck with your goals! those mini pitas are so cute =) you always have the cutest lunches
Caitlin at Healthy Tipping Point February 25, 2009, 5:48 pm
Thanks guys!! I love the support!

Holly – I am going to eat… a lot!! I’ll do tons of recaps this weekend, including all my fuel.

Carrie H – I don’t count seriously anymore, so these are all ‘guesses.’ I use 1800 calories as my base and then I usually eat back any calories burned during a run (on cross training days, i don’t up my intake because i just don’t feel hungrier). so, if i burn 400 calories on i run, i will usually eat 2200. on a long run such as the one you did, i typically burn 80 – 100 calories per mile. so, on sunday (my half marathon), i plan to eat around 2800 calories. that’s a lot, but i’m 5 ft 3 and 119 lbs and i’ve maintain this (well except for the honeymoon) for 3 years, so i’m doing something right! 🙂 if you don’t refuel properly, your body will have trouble recovering, and your running ability will decrease.
inmytummy February 25, 2009, 9:42 pm
I think my favorite race was the Charlottesville Half Marathon. It’s hilly but so picturesque. I ran with a friend and both of our families drove there to support us. Plus, I had this really good smoothie afterwards. Odd that I remember that smoothie, but I do.
Carrie H February 25, 2009, 10:22 pm
Mine are estimates too, for the most part, but it is always nice to be reassured to eat! 🙂 Thanks, and have a great night.
Anonymous February 26, 2009, 6:47 am
My best race is also my toughest- Boston Marathon each year I have done it. It is always such a mix of emotions ranging from excited, nervous, angry, happy etc. Its amazing! I cannot wait for April!

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