Building a Base

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Chomp.

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It’s a slow morning over here.  Per the usual.  A rough night with the wee one always leads to a slow morning.  Henry decided 5 AM was an excellent time to tell me all about his theories on… something.  It sounded important.  The baby babble is super cute so I can’t be annoyed.  But I can be sleepy!

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Savory Oats

 

Sunny-side up egg

Edamame

Mushrooms

Carrots

Tomatoes

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Good stuff.  Good stuff indeed.

 

Someone has decided to be friends with Henry…

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Building my baby’s immune system one pet at a time.

 

Speaking of building things, half marathon training has gone really well this week!  Now that I’m about 11 weeks out, I’ve decided to switch to a focused training plan instead of just going willy-nilly.  I’m using this plan from Hal Higdon because I’ve used it before and really like it.  I am, however, making the cross-training day a ‘bonus,’ not because I don’t believe in the power of cross-training (I definitely do) but because I know my schedule and how hard it is to workout five days a week as opposed to four.  I hope to do my cross training more often than not, though.

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As you can tell by this highly flattering Instagram pic, my post-training regimen now includes a protein smoothie the size of my sweaty face.  And that, my friends, is reason enough to get out on the road.

 

On that note – off to go run. If you’re training for a race now, too, how’s it going?  What’s your race goal?  I’m starting to warm up to the idea of actually trying to kill it during my race (as opposed to just ‘go out there and have fun and finish’). 

{ 48 comments }

 

  • Rachel (Two Healthy Plates) November 9, 2012, 11:16 am

    Love that maggie is just as long as Henry! Happy Friday!

  • Jackie November 9, 2012, 11:27 am

    I’m following the same Hal Higdon plan and doing the same thing (ie, not doing the extra day of x-training). It’s hard enough to work out 4 days a week with a baby (8 months), especially when one of the runs takes a long time. My half is in 3 weeks, so if the lack of cross training really burns me in the race, I’ll let you know! 🙂

  • Jenn November 9, 2012, 11:29 am

    I’ve been a fan of your blog for a few years but have never posted, but just had to comment on this.

    You and I were pregnant about the same time, my original due date was July 18th, but my little one decided to arrive 6 weeks early weighing just 3lbs, 12oz. She is doing fantastic and has also just discovered her voice and babbles half the night away. While it certainly is adorable, it has made us a little sleep deprived.

    It’s great to see how Henry is growing (he sure is adorable). Funny enough, if we had a boy we were going to name him Henry as well, instead we were blessed with Hayden Elizabeth 🙂

    Love the blog! Keep up the great work.

    • Caitlin November 9, 2012, 11:30 am

      Oh I am so glad that Hayden is doing so well, Jenn 🙂 xoxoxox

  • La November 9, 2012, 11:37 am

    Not sure if this would work for y’all, but our daughter recently started waking up earlier (anywhere between 5-6 am) and after feeding and changing her, with the lights off in the nursery, I noticed that she would rub her eyes. Even though we were getting up and playing, I figured that maybe she was still tired, so I put her in the swing (which we just recently moved down into the nursery) and off she fell asleep for another 3-3.5 hours! Amazing. I now go back to bed until 8, so it’s been a nice way to sneak in a few more hours of snooze time.

    • Caitlin November 9, 2012, 11:41 am

      niceeeeee!

  • Cindy November 9, 2012, 11:38 am

    That is the cutest picture ever of Henry and Maggie! 🙂

  • Amanda K. November 9, 2012, 11:42 am

    i’m running my first post-baby half marathon TOMORROW and i’m super nervous. everything has gone great (training, etc.) but for some reason i can’t shake the nerves. i keep thinking, “at this time tomorrow, i’ll be DONE!!”

    • Caitlin November 9, 2012, 11:47 am

      you are going to be epic. do great things!

    • Amber @ Busy, Bold, Blessed November 9, 2012, 1:02 pm

      Good luck!!!

  • Megan@ The Running Doc November 9, 2012, 11:48 am

    I just started training for a half marathon that’s the 3rd week of February. So far it’s been good but I’ve only been training for 2 weeks. 🙂 We’ll see how I feel when my training plan calls for runs of 10-14 miles. And as soon as that race is complete I plan to use my half marathon training as a base for marathon training. I’m hoping to do the Flying Pig at the beginning of May!

  • Alli November 9, 2012, 11:50 am

    I agree! I love protein shakes! 🙂 I’m actually training for my first full marathon! Eek! I trained 2.5 years ago and got up to 18 miles before I toned it down. (I was 13 weeks pregnant) I’m excited an nervous for the next 17 weeks! Have a 9 miler tomorrow. So far so good! I used to never let myself take walk breaks, but have since changed my mind and wow(!) has it helped. Good luck with your half! 🙂

  • Sonia the Mexigarian November 9, 2012, 11:51 am

    I’m running the Big Sur 1/2 Nov 18. It’s going to be my second half ever, and I am very nervous about it. Ran my first 1/2 Oct 7 and had a hard time trying to keep up with training between then and now. My longest run was this past Sunday, 7 miles. Since it’s taper time now, I am worried I haven’t trained enough, especially for the rolling hills. ack.

    do you still wear your knee sleeves for runs? just races? or did the issue fix itself? every time I run, I feel like I’m donning armor with compression sleeves, knee sleeves, hat, etc.

    the picture of Maggie licking Henry’s feet is adorable. 🙂

  • Sonia the Mexigarian November 9, 2012, 11:58 am

    forgot to ask, what do you put in your post-training protein smoothie? 🙂 just thought I’d ask.

  • natalie @ will jog for food November 9, 2012, 12:01 pm

    Looks like Henry and your dog are BFFs 🙂

    I’m 18 weeks pregnant, so no training for me! But I really want to run the Disney half marathon again! Hopefully in 2014…

  • Whitney November 9, 2012, 12:01 pm

    I’m training for my third marathon that’s less than a month away. I’ve been using a Runner’s World 16 week plan. I have really loved the plan and hope it produces some excellent results. I think every race I do my goal is always try to get a PR even if it’s 2 seconds. Sometimes it happens and sometimes it doesnt and that’s okay! 🙂

  • Sarah @ Yogi in Action November 9, 2012, 12:05 pm

    I’m so impressed you find the time to train for a half-marathon with a little one at home! Speaks volumes to your commitment!

    And Henry and Maggie are adorable together! Glad Maggie finally decided she liked Henry.

  • Jennifer November 9, 2012, 12:24 pm

    My FIRST half marathon is 4 weeks away but I’ve been struggling with a stupid chest cold and it’s making me nervous! I’m supposed to have my first 10 miler this weekend and I don’t think it’s going to happen. I hope I can get well quickly and get my butt in gear! PS Henry is seriously adorable!

  • Carolina John November 9, 2012, 12:40 pm

    I’m hopped up for a 40 mile trail ultramarathon coming Dec 2nd. it’s going to be epic. but I’m just trying to finish, not kill it. Go crush that half!

  • Katie November 9, 2012, 12:44 pm

    I’m training for the Disney Princess half in February. It’s going really well, except for the massive head cold that’s currently plaguing me.

  • Ellen @ Wannabe Health Nut November 9, 2012, 12:57 pm

    Love the savory oats! And ohh yes, I do not recommend the “willy-nilly” training planned. I did that for my first half this year and totally wished I had been strategic about my planning! Learning lessons…

  • Ebernst November 9, 2012, 1:18 pm

    I’m training for my 2nd half which my sister and I will be running on Thanksgiving morning! Yay for a 10 mile run this weekend! I can’t wait to hit the double digits again!

    And then come Jan 1 2013, I’m kicking off training for my first HIM, Ironman 70.3 Raleigh!

  • Sara November 9, 2012, 1:24 pm

    As a follow-up you your tutorial on making pretty omelets, how do you make sunny side up eggs without them being all grossly undercooked? The last time I made them they were this soggy mess with burnt AND raw whites. Yours look so properly cooked! How do you do it?

    • Caitlin November 9, 2012, 1:27 pm

      I will do a tutorial soon! The secret is a really hot pan 🙂

  • Jennifer V. November 9, 2012, 1:43 pm

    I start my training for my first marathon next week! Super excited to get this going, but scared too!

    Love your blog…and all the operation beautiful stuff!! 🙂

  • Adrienne J November 9, 2012, 1:57 pm

    My first marathon is tomorrow and my IT band hurts!! Training was going well up until 3 weeks ago. I slacked on cross training for too long!

  • Lindsay @ Healthforgaers November 9, 2012, 2:10 pm

    I am using the Hal Higdon training schedule right now for a 5 miler then I am moving on to a 15k and the half training schedule for the spring. I love the schedule. I adjust it to what each week looks like but I never find it hard to fit in most of the plan and I like the flexibility of making one of my cross training days a rest day. It is working great.

  • Melissa Q November 9, 2012, 2:41 pm

    Henry must smell like food – best way to make friends with the puppies!

  • jameil November 9, 2012, 2:43 pm

    Training for my first half on Dec. 1st and practicing the full route for the first time TOMORROW! EEEK! Glad I’ll have multiple people from my running group there to run it with me. And our running store is going to be set up with goodies along the route! Yay! My race is Dec. 1st & I’m soooo excited! Wheeee! My main goal is to finish strong. My time goal is 2:37.

  • Kristen L November 9, 2012, 3:07 pm

    Awesome job getting going with the training plan. Sounds like you have built up a good base. I’m training for my first marathon! It is just over 3 weeks away — doing my last 20 miler this weekend.

  • Elizabeth November 9, 2012, 3:16 pm

    Savory oats..I have never seen anything like it and now I’m intrigued. I just can’t even imagine the flavor but I love oats and all those veggies!
    Good luck with your half marathon training. What race are you running?
    I am running Thunder Road Half Marathon Nov 17 and an out of state half marathon Nov 24..so excited! I love to run..my goal is 1:45 but I’ll be happy with a 1:49:59 🙂

    • Caitlin November 9, 2012, 5:17 pm

      Have fun at Thunder Road! I am doing the Zooma Florida half.

  • rachel November 9, 2012, 3:40 pm

    what’s your id on instagram?

    • Caitlin November 9, 2012, 5:17 pm

      I am private.

  • Jen @ Jen is Green November 9, 2012, 5:57 pm

    I used hal higdon for my first marathon, which I’m running TOMORROW. AHHHH. My goal is to finish without feeling like I am going to die. 😉

    • Caitlin November 9, 2012, 7:59 pm

      Good luck!

  • Sarah November 9, 2012, 6:35 pm

    Funny you should ask – I’m about to do my first half in two weeks! EEEkkk. I’m fairly confident I’ll finish. In the past two months I’ve done a 21km Tough Mudder race, and completed a 19km run. And tomorrow have my last long run – 18km. Done two 10kms this week. My training has been off the past two weeks due to various things, and my body is NOT feeling tip top. I’m getting headaches and can’t figure out why…. and don’t feel as fab as usual. But all that said, my 10km on Wednesday morning was a PB? Go figure!!!

    Feeling like a real runner these days as I’m missing my left big toe nail 🙂

  • kat November 9, 2012, 6:41 pm

    I love your dachshund. I love dachsies in general, but please keep the babies + dachshund pics coming, they make my day.

  • Katie @ Talk Less, Say More November 9, 2012, 7:55 pm

    I have used Hal Higdon since I initially started running. Tomorrow I’m running a 10k and hope to start training for a 1/2 marathon in a couple months. Maybe sooner…

  • April November 9, 2012, 8:22 pm

    I am training for my first full marathon – Disney – in January! Still doesn’t seem real yet…

  • deb November 9, 2012, 8:22 pm

    I’m training for my first half ever! The princess half 🙂 Training is going pretty well, getting a little nervous about running outside for my long runs all winter though. My goal is to finish and have a great time doing so!

  • luv what you do November 9, 2012, 9:01 pm

    I am running a half marathon in 2 weeks. My training is a bit hit or miss. My goal was to PR, but that seems like a far fetched goal based on my training so I’m just hoping to have fun and not hit the wall. I’ll just have to find another half early next year to keep me running through the winter!

  • Elise November 9, 2012, 10:12 pm

    Hey Caitlin! New-ish blog reader over here. I’m training for a Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot right now, and it’s going really well! I have a history of injuries, so I’m doing an official training plan and taking rest days very strategically. It’s going great!

    • Caitlin November 10, 2012, 8:32 am

      Have fun with training 🙂

  • Jun November 9, 2012, 11:33 pm

    I notice your meals lately have been anything but sweet- even your breakfast! are you trying to eliminate sugar or anything similar to that from your diet? just curious!

    • Caitlin November 10, 2012, 8:31 am

      No, I’m just trying to be better about not eating so much sugar. It’s really hard (I say this as I eat mapley French toast 🙂 )

  • Carin November 10, 2012, 5:53 am

    Your chandelier on the pic looks like an earring – is it the one you’re missing? Problem solved – just stand in that exact spot the whole time and no-one would know…

  • Reenie November 10, 2012, 10:34 pm

    Aghhh!!! Maggie and Henry sooo cute.

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