Food Journal THIS

After a long day, sometimes I like to make a cake to celebrate just how long and ass-bad that day has been. Case in point: yesterday. Call it emotional eating, I call it delicious defiance. When life gives you lemons, make yellow cake.

Since I've been journaling everything I eat as part of my personal training, I have never eaten yellow cake with chocolate frosting right before I curl up in bed for 7-8 hours. Yesterday changed all that. Cake + milk + Thursday night shows=the perfect antidote to a crazy day.

Look at these guys

The finishers!

Dad finished the half in 3:05 - just 5 minutes off his stretch goal of 3 hours. He did negative splits, starting with 14- to 15-minute miles, and finishing with 11- to 13-minute miles. I'm so proud of his effort on the course. I tweeted our progress and notable music choices throughout the race; it's fun to read those and kinda re-live our experience. Mile 6: Electric Slide. Mile 7: "Elvis," performing Don't. Mile 8: DJ at the Edgecliff playing Working Day and Night by Michael Jackson (p.s. I flippin' loved this and had to contain myself. Will add it to my running playlist). Mile 8.5: I'll Be There by the Jackson Five. 

Dan finished the full in 3:50, and looked strong as I saw him running down the final stretch. Come to think of it, I think this was his 5th Flying Pig! He's curled up on the sofa now, watching the Reds game. And by watching I mean napping.

more highlights to come...

The Highlight of Dad's half marathon

Forget the finish line, Mile 7 with The King rates as Dad's favorite part of the race, in spite of the uphill. He's already asked me to make a 4 x 6 of this picture. Don't be surprised if this shows up in the Ohio Wesleyan alumni magazine.

Who was that blue streak?

In case you can't identify that blur of black, blue and yellow, that's Gina @ mile 3. Oh yeah, she passed us. Go on, girl!

He's Ready

Dad at the start. He was so nervous, but managed to give me a thumbs-up and a smile before we crossed the start line. No turning back; we were on our way.  I love this picture.

Dan takes a page out of Grandpa's book

Dan set out his breakfast for tomorrow. When I was a kid, my Grandpa Faulkner would do this every night. Seeing how neatly my 31-year-old husband placed the cereal box, bowl and spoon on the counter produced a rush of memories about Grandpa and simultaneously cracked me up.

Still Life with Rolls

Only 79 centavos @ kroger

The 10K Roundup

Mark caught my "kick" in the final stretch - and by kick I mean lead feet. Let's just say today's 10K was a learning experience. When I tweeted that I was wondering if I should eat this morning, I chose about 4 Sport Beans and that was it. Should have had a GU or a bar. Lesson learned. I was about 1.5 miles in when all I wanted to do was walk. My splits are as follows. I'm posting this as a reminder to myself to #1: eat before the race and #2: don't go out too fast.:

Mile 1: 8:08 (Definitely went out too fast; this mile includes the Taylor-Southgate bridge)
Mile 2: 7:40 (Seriously, why did I think I could hold this pace?)
Mile 3: 7:55 (Pushed up the Licking River Bridge even though I wanted to walk)
Mile 4: 9:14 (Walked up part of the CWB Bridge feeling lightheaded & a touch nauseous)
Mile 5: 8:37 (Barely remember this, just remember walking some up the hill on Main)
Mile 6: 7:59 (A nice downhill & flat section of the course)
Last .2: 1:32 (Mark snapped the fuzzy pic above...kinda captures how I was feeling at that point)
Final Time: 51:09...As I crossed the finish line, the announcer said GRETCHEN..........Muh-HAN

Jackie was at the finish and waved to me, giving me a knowing look about name pronunciation. Update: I found a great video that Jackie made of today's events.

All in all, this was a fun race and a beautiful morning. I bumped into Kelly at the finish line, and we wandered around for a while. She said the announcer called her Kelly Mathew. Beautiful. The Mah- names never disappoint in public address situations.

Can I just say that seeing Denise Austin at the start was awesome? I eagerly joined in her warm-up stretches, but Dan was a little too cool for Denise. It was all a front; I know he loves Denise.

Since I didn't eat until after the race, I didn't have any coffee this morning. Classify this as mistake #3 today. I took a great nap once I got home, but ever since then, I've been cringing under the cloud of the worst caffeine withdrawal headache I've ever had.

For now, it's Derby time. The other first-weekend-in-May tradition for me. Instead of mint juleps & Kentucky Browns, it will be water and pasta. I'm still on the hook for 13 miles tomorrow with Dad.

Kellogg's Snacks brings the celebs

Ernie handing out snacks

Moses' post-mile anguish

Moses after the kids 1 mile run

LOVE her

Omg Denise Austin is kicking off the 10 k!!!

Following this interview, Jonathan Hawgood called her a "pepperpot." He might be a 90-year old trapped in the body of a 30- or 40-something.

And So Flying Pig Weekend Begins...

This was Dan last night taking a brief ice bath after an even briefer run. He's got a new pair of Mizunos and has been registered for the full marathon since January. Will he do it? We shall see...I think the look on his face says it all. Fun fact: this photo captures the first time our bathtub has been used since we've lived in the condo.

Moi, I am running the 10K this morning at 8:00, then walking the half with Dad tomorrow. Rain is expected both days, so I'm prepared to be drenched all weekend.

More updates as the weekend wears on.

Dan Lowers Himself into an Ice Bath