A Long Eleven

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Thanks for all your sweet comments about my new haircut.  :)  You all made me feel so nice.   But I was a little confounded by my bangs when it came time to coach for Girls on the Run.  I ended up using a hair clip to pin them up and back.  I think I need to get myself to Target and pick up a bunch of new hair fubbies and thingies!

 

Pre-GOTR snack was a homemade granola bar:

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And after the lesson, I came home, dropped off all my gear, filled my water bottle up with Gatorade, and immediately left for my long run.  I was afraid if I hung out too long at home, I would never leave again!

 

It’s strange for me to do my long runs alone because I’m used to having a training buddy.  So I put some new music on my playlist and tried to zone out.  I also ran a new out-and-back route that kept my interest up.

 

I say that today’s run was a “long eleven” because the last 2.5 miles felt so, so, so drawn out.  I had to remind myself around Mile 9.0 that I’ve run the distance (and more) before, I was not going to die (contrary to how my legs felt), and it would be over in approximately 20 minutes

 

It’s so helpful to think back on all of your other runs – even if you’re doing a new distance – and think about how you’ve felt better and maybe even felt worse in comparison.  Draw on those experiences!  I really get a lot of strength from remembering all my past racing.

 

Here’s my stats:

 

  • Distance: 11.0 miles
  • Duration: 1:46:02
  • Average: 9:38
  • Mile 1: 9:38
  • Mile 2: 9:20
  • Mile 3: 9:28
  • Mile 4: 9:34
  • Mile 5: 9:35
  • Mile 6: 9:44
  • Mile 7: 9:44
  • Mile 8: 9:33
  • Mile 9: 10:00 <—getting angst-y
  • Mile 10: 9:58
  • Mile 11: 9:22

 

Post-run protein smoothie that was PACKED with good stuff:

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In the blender:

 

  • Almond milk
  • 2 scoops protein powder
  • 2 heaping tablespoons sunflower butter
  • Flax
  • Banana

 

I had to go to a meeting for Girls on the Run (tons of GOTR stuff today!), and by the time I left, I was practically shaking with run-induced hunger.  Such a terrible feeling!  I should’ve eaten more before I left for the meeting but I didn’t have time.  Major rookie running mistake. 

 

Dashed back into the house and threw a sweet potato in the microwave:

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By the time I was done eating the potato, pizza was ready!

IMG_0525

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I ate half (or maybe a little more… Hehe) of an Amy’s roasted veggie pizza with added goat cheese.  Adding cheese to Amy’s cheeseless pizza is a great way to satisfy both the Husband and I since he doesn’t do cheese.   Plus, melted goat cheese? Mmm yeah!

 

And just as I was eating the last of the crust, the doorbell rang!  My mother-in-law, father-in-law, and their two dogs are staying with us until Sunday so they can see patients at the clinic.  We have a very full 1,000 square foot apartment right now – four people and four dogs.

 

My mother-in-law saw that I went to Ben and Jerry’s last week and said she wanted ice cream, too!  So we hopped in the car and went on an ice cream errand.  I got Bonaroo Buzz and a sprinkle cone

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Now that my belly is full, I am going to collapse in bed and get some rest!  Sleep is just as important as mileage.  🙂

{ 73 comments }

 

  • Madeline - Greens and Jeans March 1, 2011, 9:45 pm

    As a newly banged gal myself, I am ALL about the headband! Lulu’s little grippy ones are fantastic and hold in place pretty well!

  • J3nn (Jenn's Menu and Lifestyle Blog) March 1, 2011, 9:50 pm

    LOL @ the pizza convo!

    That sprinkle cone looks amazing. I want! 😛

    Your new hair cut is adorable. Love!

  • Beth @ Beth's Journey to Thin March 1, 2011, 9:51 pm

    Do you eat anything during the run itself? Or just the granola bar before and the smoothie after?

    That sprinkled covered cone looks amazing!

    • Caitlin March 2, 2011, 8:46 am

      Gatorade during the run!

  • Holly @ Couch Potato Athlete March 1, 2011, 9:53 pm

    I don’t usually have the problem of not eating enough 🙂 But when I do it is a horrible feeling! After a long run (I consider long 6-7+ miles) I have a big shake and usually an egg on a piece of toast.

    I’ve never had goat cheese on a pizza but it sounds heavenly!

  • Kristy @ KristyRuns March 1, 2011, 9:57 pm

    I always have snacks or nut butter around in case I have to go too long between meals. I’ve got to eat a ton to feel well. Ummm…I want that sprinkle cone!

  • Annette @ EnjoyYourHealthyLife March 1, 2011, 9:59 pm

    WOw I love your day!! 🙂 Especially the ice cream and sleep comment parts! P.s. your hair does look fab, just go grab some pins and you’ll be good to go. Or cute headbands- those help me too when I run. Nice job on 11 miles, and your pizza looks amazing! What a great day for you today, Caitlin 🙂

  • Christina March 1, 2011, 10:08 pm

    For what it’s worth, I’ve read that after a long run (or other workout) you should avoid fat- ie, just get some protein and lots of carbs. Supposedly the fat gets prioritized in your digestive tract and the protein and carbs don’t get to your muscles as quickly. On the other hand… sunflower butter in a smoothie sounds pretty delicious. 🙂

    • Caitlin March 2, 2011, 8:46 am

      Oooo very interesting. The sunflower butter in a smoothie tastes so good though.

  • Emily March 1, 2011, 10:11 pm

    Love your hair, Caitlin! When parts of mine are too short for my pony tail, I use a yoga headband during a workout. Works great!

  • Angela (Oh She Glows) March 1, 2011, 10:16 pm

    Great run…that was a speedy 11 miler!

    I pretty much felt like I was going to poke my eyes out on my 11 miler yesterday…I did most on the treadmill and then I had to get outside for the rest, but it dragged on and on and on. I cant wait til warmer weather!

  • Kristina @ spabettie March 1, 2011, 10:16 pm

    that is the best tweet!!

    back on the topic of your hair – I don’t know if you like BANDS, but THESE are my new favorite –> they DO NOT slip!! they are tight, stay in place and are CUTE ! 😀

  • Kelly March 1, 2011, 10:16 pm

    That cone is amazingly awesome. And I add goat cheese to pizza that already has cheese because goat cheese is just that good and necessary.

  • Katy (The Singing Runner) March 1, 2011, 10:20 pm

    Way to kick that 11 miles butt! 😀 Woot woot!

    That ice cream looks amazing! 😀

  • courtney @ the granola chronicles March 1, 2011, 10:25 pm

    That sprinkles cone is adorable – yum!

  • Rachel March 1, 2011, 10:27 pm

    I keep my bangs out of my face with headbands from J. Crew (I can usually find them on sale for $5 or so). They’re metal, and covered in kind of a satiny/ribbony material. They fit close enough to my head that they stay on and don’t let my hair flop around, but they don’t pinch like plastic headbands.

  • christine March 1, 2011, 10:33 pm

    Hahaha, your tweet said “booyah!” I’m desperately trying to bring that work back, but my high school students aren’t buying it.

  • maria @ Chasing the Now March 1, 2011, 10:34 pm

    Congrats on the run. Maybe using a bondiband or something similar would be good? My bangs are in the longer-end of growing out and it’s a lifesaver. I got so tired of clipping them back.

  • Ashley March 1, 2011, 10:35 pm

    Your hair looks so great! But please please do a FAQ post on where in the world you got the word fubbies from. I’ve never heard it but it’s so freaking adorable!

    • Caitlin March 2, 2011, 8:47 am

      I dont know where I can up with fubbies but I’ve been saying it for years!

  • Melissa (MelissaLikesToEat) March 1, 2011, 10:36 pm

    Cute haircut! I haven’t had bangs in awhile. They look great on you!

  • Amber March 1, 2011, 10:38 pm

    I’m all about plain bobby pins. I always do twists or sometimes a little poof (just a little one, no Snooki!) And I always make sure to do an X with the bobby pins so they stay put. I never leave the house without a few bobby pins in my purse or my pocket haha.

  • Allison @ Happy Tales March 1, 2011, 10:39 pm

    yessssssss I knew you’d be using the term fubbies in an upcoming post since you got your new haircut… ahhh I love that term! So glad you made it up 🙂

    Great job on your long run!!! Sure was a pretty day for it…

  • Ashley K March 1, 2011, 10:46 pm

    I love your hair! I have bangs as well, and use two bobby pins to pin them back when I run. I part my hair to the side, so when I put it back I keep the part and bobby pin the bangs, like this (but in a pony). http://www.prom-hair.com/tips/images/short-linda-evangelista.jpg

    Or I just grab a headband and slap that on with a pony tail. 🙂

  • Julie (A Case of the Runs) March 1, 2011, 11:03 pm

    I nearly wanted to quit just for a 6-miler today! My legs felt SO heavy! But I did what you did and remembered that I’ve done this a zillion times and that it would be over soon.

  • Lana March 1, 2011, 11:08 pm

    Congrats on the 11-miler!! by the way, I’m loving your new bangs!!…so grown up looking.

  • Maryann (The Balanced Bean) March 1, 2011, 11:10 pm

    Haha! I totally eat more than my bf 🙂 and yum to that ice cream cone!

  • Kira March 1, 2011, 11:12 pm

    That ice cream looks so yummy!

  • Tricia March 1, 2011, 11:12 pm

    My “stylists” tell me i need long bangs cause they look good on me. But they drive me crazy when they are in my face. So you’ve got many options. But my favorite is what I call a snap clip. They come in different sizes depending on how much bang. Basically its a thin flat metal/plastic clip that is slightly raised in the middle. I just take my bangs and pull them straight up, twist the ends, lay it on your head, and then snap the clip open slide over a little extra hair +bangs, and then snap it shut. Hopefully that made sense. It is my best method, and it stays pretty much no matter what I do!

    • Caitlin March 2, 2011, 8:49 am

      Yes! Snap clip is what I used yesterday and it was great. Need to go buy more.

  • Coco March 1, 2011, 11:13 pm

    i still LOVE that you call them “fubbies”.

    for some reason i loved this post so much. maybe it’s the ice cream, and that tweet–love that! i am actually NOT a runner, but I do yoga and strength training, and sometimes my man will be like umm how are you eating all that? and i’m like “muscles need FUEL!”

    here’s to womanly strength & power!!!

    p.s. i LOVE sweet potatoes but unfortunately no one else in my family does. maybe i will start buying them for myself for a quick lunch item on the go.

    • Caitlin March 2, 2011, 8:49 am

      I am woman, here me roar1

  • Camille March 1, 2011, 11:31 pm

    Ahh, that ice cream looks amazing.

  • Samantha March 1, 2011, 11:31 pm

    Love your hair/bangs! Ok–what are fubbies? I’ve never heard that word before!

  • Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table March 1, 2011, 11:52 pm

    Super cute hair! I have to change my regularly… otherwise I start considering new tattoos. LOL!

    I’m going to the GOTR volunteer meeting in ATL tomorrow! So excited. Thanks for introducing me to the program.

    • Caitlin March 2, 2011, 8:49 am

      Oh thank you for volunteering with GOTR!

  • Kate (What Kate is Cooking) March 2, 2011, 12:06 am

    Major props for getting in a long run in the afternoon! I have to go first thing otherwise it won’t get done. As soon as I walk in the door, I’m on the couch and the run is forgotten!

  • Carin March 2, 2011, 12:06 am

    I am consumed by jealousy and memories of Ben’n’Jerry’s – just looked up their site to see what the heck Bonaroo Buzz is and saw sooooooooo many yummy flavours…

    I am also jealous of all the bang-bearing runners who can do headbands – NOT a good look if your ears stick out like mine!

    Ho hum. There are worse things in life than lack of ice-cream variety and jug-styley ears.

  • Lindsey March 2, 2011, 12:30 am

    Hehe, “I had to remind myself..I was not going to die…”. That ice cream looks really good!

  • Kris @ tryingtotri March 2, 2011, 12:33 am

    Super cute haircut! I’m going through the bang thing right now too – I’m growing mine out from short to long, and at the awful in-between stage! I wear headbands when running to keep them out of the way for now. Can’t wait until I can pull it all back into a ponytail….

    Great long run! I’ve got a 14 miler coming up on Friday, hope I can rock my times as well as you rocked yours!

    • Caitlin March 2, 2011, 8:50 am

      Good luck on your upcoming 14!

  • Shannon March 2, 2011, 1:13 am

    Love the new haircut!!! I’m so afraid to rock bangs because I fear they will be super annoying when I workout. Congrats on finishing an 11 miler! Sounds exhausting.

    PS I always take the bigger half as well and my boyfriend is 100 pounds heavier. I’m going to start telling him that I get it because I’m the runner!!

  • Laura (Starloz) March 2, 2011, 2:10 am

    i love cones with chocolate & an added bonus is when there are sprinkles too.

  • Amanda March 2, 2011, 5:16 am

    Oh my. I’m an ice cream lover, but that sprinkle cone looks amazing!

  • Caroline March 2, 2011, 6:25 am

    Ah, your haircut makes me want bangs again! I have a cowlick along my hairline and after experimenting over the past few years, I know that bangs are more trouble than they’re worth. I have to put major effort into making them look good.

  • Lauren March 2, 2011, 6:48 am

    I love your hair!!! I just recently got bangs and went short with them. THey are short enough that I don’t have to pull them back but as soon as they get a little longer, it’s so annoying. Not even a headband works. Oh well, all for the name of beauty I guess.

    Have a great day girl!

  • Kara March 2, 2011, 7:18 am

    My Bondi band holds back my bangs when I run if you don’t want to use clips. You will get some fly aways if you use the clips too much.

    That ice cream cone looks pretty fantastic!

  • Deva (Voracious Vorilee) March 2, 2011, 7:21 am

    The last time I had true bangs (not side ones), I pinned them back with bobby pins, or used metal barrettes. Now that I have a short, angled bob, I use metal barrettes to hold my hair back and out of my face. I just grab what I want to keep out of my face, give it a twist to one side, and clip it back (granted, I have super fine hair so I get a lot of it in a barrette, but it works!).

  • chelsey @ clean eating chelsey March 2, 2011, 7:23 am

    Ugh! I hate getting that shaky hunger from running! Looks like you averted the crisis though! 🙂

  • Tina @ Faith Fitness Fun March 2, 2011, 7:27 am

    I am so going to use a variation of that excuse for having the bigger half next time!

  • RunnerCouple - Sara March 2, 2011, 7:33 am

    Great run!! I love reading about other people’s runs – it helps me get motivated for my own! I have never had a sprinkled ice cream come, I think I may need to try one of those soon. The downside of living in the Antarctica of PA – all the ice cream/yogurt places close down in September and don’t open up again until May – isn’t that so sad!? 🙁

  • Nicole March 2, 2011, 7:37 am

    yes, try the lulu grippy headbands like the previous commenter said. They arent too expensive (compared to the rest of their stuff) but work great, even on my thick hair.

  • Ashley March 2, 2011, 7:47 am

    hi caitlin! i love your new hair cut, i actually have the same style, just blonde 😉

    i highly recommend these barrettes for workouts…i swear by them for bangs, and also for the years that i had really short hair and had to clip it down to work out. they are super cheap at any grocery or drug store and work really well!
    http://www.buy.com/prod/goody-black-colour-collection-contour-clips/q/sellerid/31740164/loc/68687/219453526.html

    • Caitlin March 2, 2011, 8:53 am

      Those look gooodddddddd!

  • Baking 'n' Books March 2, 2011, 7:52 am

    Love the pizza, love the cream. Wish I ran like you to justify it. I’ve been horrible at binging and wake up feeling horrible and it’s killing me. Look terrible, feel terrible.

    Love your hair by the way! Why don’t you use a stretchy “head-band” thing like a lot of people wear for yoga and stuff – that will take care of your hair in a jiffy, it won’t fall out of clips and it looks cute 🙂

  • Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin March 2, 2011, 7:56 am

    Haha at that convo with your hubby. After running, I can definitely eat MORE than a man. 😛

  • Elizabeth @ The Sweet Life March 2, 2011, 8:08 am

    Love, love your Twitter comment–touche!

  • megan @ blackberries for jam March 2, 2011, 8:25 am

    I give you major credit for venturing out on a long run in the afternoon. If I don’t head out in the morning for longer distances, my energy plummets! And your post-long run eats always look amazing!

  • Devon March 2, 2011, 9:08 am

    LOVE the new hair! I’m a huge fan of Goody StayPut headbands. They come in thick and thin widths and a ton of cute colors (very important haha). I usually put the band on first THEN make a pony. They have fantastic little grippies that don’t slip during runs- even with my awkward head shape (other headbands never stay on!)

    Not as eco friendly- but prewrap (found at your local sporting goods store) is also a life/bang saver in a pinch!

  • K is for Karma March 2, 2011, 9:15 am

    Congrats on your 11, lady! You’re making my worry for my post-work 5 seem like childs play 😉 haha — I would run any distance for that cone/ice cream, though! YUMMMM!!!!

  • Marisa E March 2, 2011, 9:44 am

    Love the new cut and color! That was a fast 11 miles- I’m only up to 5 now and I’m slow as molasses. I try to pick up my pace a little and I totally feel like I’m gonna die!! I just keep pushing though- I have my first 5K on the 19th and I’m so scared!!! I’m working up to a 10 mile race on May 1st- double scared!!!
    BTW- that tweet was friggin hilarious!!

  • kristen March 2, 2011, 9:45 am

    I have to say first what an AWESOME 11 mile run! great job!
    And then of course I have to say that ice cream looks pretty awesome too haha

  • Jillian@ Reshape Your Life March 2, 2011, 10:15 am

    I love your comment about the pizza. lol When I had bangs I would just use bobbie pins to pin them back, it seemed to work just fine, but you could also use some kind of head band.

  • Heather March 2, 2011, 11:26 am

    I think bangs look awesome…but running with bangs is frustrating!

  • Kacy March 2, 2011, 11:49 am

    That’s a good tip! I quit my 9 mile run this weekend because I just felt incapable, but I know I can run the distance. Blarg.

    Love the pizza comment 🙂

  • Kim March 2, 2011, 12:09 pm

    For your bangs, here’s what I did when I had that style. I’d gather up my bangs and lift them up off my face. Twist them together and then pin them down with two crisscrossed bobby pins. They never moved. I got lots of my fellow yogis to adopt the trick. 🙂

  • Amber K March 2, 2011, 12:15 pm

    Man I love that pizza. I actually had it for dinner last night! Although I love the caramelized onion sauce too much to add cheese to the mix 😉

  • Clare @ Fitting It All In March 2, 2011, 12:20 pm

    AWESOME stats for such a long run! I feel the same way about knowing that I’ve run that distance before. It’s the reason I decided to switch my 19 mile training run to last weekend and am doing 13 the weekend of Mardi Gras instead. Even though it’s only an hour tacked onto my day, knowing that I’ve done it before helps my mindset and stress levels so much!

  • Jo @ Jo In the Kitchen March 2, 2011, 12:28 pm

    Non-slip headbands are essential when I run! Otherwise I get super angry with my bangs 🙂

  • Erica March 2, 2011, 1:49 pm

    Haha, love that tweet;-) Will definitely be using it on the hubby.

    Great long run! I had to push myself this morning, too. I kept thinking that my legs would “catch up” before long, but it just never happened. Oh well, some runs are like that;-)

  • Lesley March 2, 2011, 7:57 pm

    I just tried that ice cream flavor today and it was crazy good! Thanks for the influence, lol.

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