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January 10, 2014

8 Miles Before 8 a.m.

Breakfast + Brunch Oatmeal
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When my alarm went off a little after 6 this morning for my running date, I REALLY wasn’t feeling it. I’m tiiiiired, I whined to myself. I probably shouldn’t have had those 2 glasses of red wine at happy hour last night, either. I checked my phone: freezing rain and 27 degrees?! Great. I debated texting my buddy Sokphal to see if she still wanted to run or not, but then I decided I should probably stop being such a wimp. If she texted, we’d go from there. But I wasn’t going to be the one to bail first.

So I dragged myself out of bed and got ready. I didn’t hear anything, so I headed outside at 6:30 and there she was. Oh, okay. So we’re really doing this? Cool. Got it.

Sokphal said it was pretty icy on the sidewalks but that the streets were totally fine. We debated what to do. Go inside and run together on the treadmill in my apartment gym? Blah, that’s boring. New plan: run on the non-slippery roads over to the track, and see if that was icy. Avoid the scary sidewalks and stay in the bike lane until we arrived. Thankfully, we both had bright/reflective clothing on, and this plan worked out just fine.

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When we arrived at the track (at Washington & Lee High School), it was still more or less pitch black out (although my camera lit things up nicely for the photo above), but we were in luck: the track was not icy at all. We had between 7 and 8 miles planned, so we decided we would just do most of them on the track, then run back. Not the most thrilling route but it would do.

And what do you know? We ended up having a GREAT run. Isn’t it funny how that happens?

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We got to talking and the miles went by quickly, so we decided we might as well just go big and do the 8 mile option. 4 miles on the track later, and we were ready to run back. Check out my frost/freezing rain-tastic legs! Yikes. I had on an ear warmer and super warm gloves so I wasn’t cold, but I could’ve used my visor to keep the rain out of my face. I also should have done a braid or something – my hair was a complete rat’s nest when we finished!

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Farewell, track. Thanks for the non-slippery miles. You make me miss all the track workouts my friends and I used to do on UNC’s baby blue track in grad school! Maybe I should bring track workouts back again…

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By the time we got back to my place (again, sticking with the roads vs. sidewalks), we had covered 8.15 miles, and at a great pace, too: our average pace was 8:34 minute/miles. Our miles on the track were between 8 and 8:15, and the road miles were a little slower since we were being cautious.

My watch didn’t get the satellites right away, so I snapped a picture of Sokphal’s instead.

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Thanks for getting me out there, girl! Totally would NOT have done that without you. Yay for running buddies. 🙂 Also, a side note – Sokphal is working with local running/triathlon coach Clay Battin, who I recommended to her after meeting him at an event recently and being really impressed by him. She’s gunning for a BQ this year at her spring marathon and said he’s been AMAZING to work with (lots of detailed analysis and communication, great technical tips/advice, etc.) – highly recommend him if you’re looking for a local DC area running coach!

And now, I’m enjoying being warm and dry. For breakfast, I rocked my Perfect {Microwave} Banana Oatmeal, topped with some cottage cheese (salty/sweet combo FTW! adds great protein, too), some chia seeds and slivered almonds, and some pomegranate arils that I impulse purchased at Whole Foods earlier this week. Yum!

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Plus a large unpictured double latte. 😉 So obsessed with our Nespresso espresso machine.

And now, back to work! Matt and I are leaving this afternoon to head down to North Carolina this weekend to meet our new nephew in Winston Salem, and swinging by Chapel Hill tonight/tomorrow morning to see friends on our way. Should be a fun and busy weekend! I’ll be back Monday to share our adventures.

And now, since you guys said you liked this, my weekly workout recap:

  • Monday: 45 minute swim (alternating backstroke/breaststroke/freestyle)
  • Tuesday: 1 hour 15 minute hot power vinyasa flow class at the Studio DC with my buddy Karen – great class (kicked my butt!)
  • Wednesday: 4.5 mile (freezing) solo run
  • Thursday: rest day
  • Friday: 8.15 mile run

Have a wonderful weekend, friends! How are your workouts going this week?

- anne
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24 comments
  • Monique @ Burpees to Bubbly
    January 10, 2014 · 10:15AM:
    Nice work! I totally would have bailed on that. I am totally a fair weather runner, especially in the morning :)
    Reply
  • Hillary
    January 10, 2014 · 10:20AM:
    Brrrr! Great week of workouts! I would have definitely warmed up with hot oats and a latte, too.
    Reply
  • Abi@AbsofSteel
    January 10, 2014 · 10:33AM:
    oof, it takes so much more effort to get out and run when it's cold and wet. Nice job on getting it done! I've been wimping out on the treadmill lately but fingers crossed for an outdoor run this saturday.
    Reply
  • Sokphal
    January 10, 2014 · 10:53AM:
    We.Are.Total.Bad-asses. (Is there a hypen in there or not? I never know). And I felt like a drowned rat when I got home. :) Yeah for Clay! Yeah for you living so close-by! Seriously, those 8 miles really flew this morning!
    Reply
    • Anne
      January 10, 2014 · 7:28PM:
      We totally are, hyphen or no hyphen. ;) I was also a drowned rat - and my hair was SUCH a mess it took me ages to brush it out! Worth it. :)
      Reply
  • Dana @ Conscious Kitchen Blog
    January 10, 2014 · 11:35AM:
    Good for you! Such an inspiration with all your morning workouts. :)
    Reply
  • Sara @ Zero to Sixty
    January 10, 2014 · 12:28PM:
    I would have definitely went back inside for the treadmill ha-ha so good job! Week workouts are going well. Next week is going to be the start of my half marathon training. I am so nervous to even start training! Sara :)
    Reply
  • maria trains
    January 10, 2014 · 1:05PM:
    That is definitely the biggest plus of having a workout buddy... it's so easy to talk myself out of a workout or talk myself into putting it off til later. But, I won't do that if I know someone else is depending on me.
    Reply
    • Anne
      January 10, 2014 · 7:27PM:
      Exactly, totally agree!
      Reply
  • Elizabeth @ Positive Change
    January 10, 2014 · 1:05PM:
    Great week of workouts! Your breakfast looks super yummy! This weekend we are flying to Disney to do the Walt Disney World Marathon!
    Reply
    • Anne
      January 10, 2014 · 7:27PM:
      How fun! Good luck!
      Reply
  • Shel@PeachyPalate
    January 10, 2014 · 1:53PM:
    Well done on dragging yourself out of bed! I find it hard enough when I'm only heading to the gym! Bet you feel like a superstar now! :) Happy Friday!
    Reply
  • Brittney @ Sweets 'N' Greens
    January 10, 2014 · 1:53PM:
    I'm heading to North Carolina next weekend! Excited for some southern BBQ and grits :)
    Reply
  • tina January 10, 2014 · 3:39PM:
    What kind of gloves do you wear running? I have North Face gloves but my fingers are still always freezing!
    Reply
    • Anne
      January 10, 2014 · 7:27PM:
      I wear Brooks gloves -- I wrote about them in this post, they rock: http://www.fannetasticfood.com/2013/12/13/brooks-shoes-winter-accessories-giveaway/
      Reply
  • My Virtual Mission
    January 10, 2014 · 3:52PM:
    Being careful in those types of running conditions is important. How many of us have wiped out just walking? Love the track idea. Might have to see if we can find one near by. Thanks for a great post.
    Reply
  • Shana January 10, 2014 · 5:23PM:
    I'm going to pass on the track idea to my husband -- he's training for a tri and I worry about him wiping out on the icy sidewalks. That oatmeal looks killer. I'm going to try it with Greek yogurt (I hate cottage cheese).
    Reply
  • Paula Argento January 10, 2014 · 6:42PM:
    The power of a workout buddy! Great story and inspiration, Anne! Happy New Year!
    Reply
  • Laura @ SneakersandSpatulas
    January 10, 2014 · 10:24PM:
    Great work! I was going to run tonight after work but it was rainy, cold, and dark so I chose to stay nice and toasty on the couch instead :) Will workout tomorrow to make up for it!
    Reply
  • Christina @ The Beautiful Balance
    January 11, 2014 · 12:50AM:
    You are such motivation! Seriously, 8 miles before 8? Amazing!
    Reply
  • Annie @ Annie Get Your Run
    January 11, 2014 · 10:36AM:
    You're inspiring! I can't wait to get over this cold so I can get back to running outside. Keep up the AMAZING work!
    Reply
  • Whitney @ To Live & Diet in L.A.
    January 11, 2014 · 1:01PM:
    You're a champ! Don't think I would have made it out for that run with OR without a buddy! Having someone motivate you to work out when you don't want to definitely helps though. The BF and I pushed each other yesterday morning to get out of bed before sunrise to do our favorite circuit class and we were both very happy we did! Happy Weekend :)
    Reply
  • Heidi January 11, 2014 · 11:27PM:
    I had the same internal debate when I woke up at 4.45 am this morning for my run with friends. We didn't have to worry about ice here in Brisbane though, just heat stroke! After an incredibly humid, sweaty 18 km around the river I am so glad I made it out the door. Running buddies are the best.
    Reply
  • Roadrunner January 12, 2014 · 8:13AM:
    Really impressive, Anne. Takes iron willpower to do that! Well done -
    Reply
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anne mauney fannetastic food
Hi, I’m Anne! I'm a Washington D.C. based Registered Dietitian, mother, runner, and lover of travel, adventure, and the great outdoors. I've been blogging since 2009, sharing a mix of lifestyle content, recipes, and fitness tips. Come for the recipes – stay for the fun!
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anne mauney

I’m Anne, a Registered Dietitian and mother. I've been blogging since 2009 and love showing others that eating nutritious foods and staying active can actually be fun rather than overwhelming!

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