2016 Races

What a year of racing it has been! I honestly cannot believe I picked up running a little over four years ago. AND LOOK WHERE IT HAS TAKEN ME! Not only have I been able to see some amazing places (this year had me running from Seattle to Big Sur, Vancouver to Vegas, Napa to Utah and all over Southern California), I have met some of the coolest cats around... many of which I am honored to call FRIENDS! I am BEYOND BLESSED to have found something I LOVE to do and hope I am able to do it for many, many, MANY years to come! [PS If you missed any of the recaps, feel free to click the name of the race below and it will link you directly to the post.]

February 7th - Cardiff Kook 10K

February 14th - Los Angeles Marathon

February 27th - Phoenix Marathon

March 13th - San Diego Half Marathon

April 1st-2nd - Ultra SoCal Rangar

April 3rd - Carlsbad 5000

April 24th - Big Sur International Marathon

May 7th - Cinco de Mayo Trail 10K

May 14th - ASICS Vine Body Sole Half Marathon

May 29th - Strawberry Festival 10K

June 4th - Fontana Days Run Half Marathon

June 5th - San Diego Rock 'N' Roll Half Marathon

June 18th - Seattle Rock 'N' Roll Half Marathon

July 17th - Craft Classic Half Marathon

August 6th - Balboa Park 8-Miler

August 13th - SeaWheeze Half Marathon

September 3rd - Disneyland 10K

September 4th - Disneyland Half Marathon

September 11th - Santa Monica Classic 10K

October 2nd - St. George Marathon

October 30th - Los Angeles Rock 'N' Roll Half Marathon

November 12th - Las Vegas Rock 'N' Roll 5K

November 13th - Las Vegas Rock 'N' Roll Half Marathon

I ran two 5Ks, five 10Ks, one 8-miler, ten Half Marathons, four Full Marathons and one ultra relay race. Not only did I run a Boston Qualifying marathon time (a HUGE PR), but I also PR'ed my 10K and Half Marathon distances! This was an AMAZING racing year for me (even if it is ending on a painful note)! Here's to 2017 being just as FANTASTIC! 

How'd racing go for YOU in 2016?

If It's Not One Thing...

If it's not one thing, it's another... Or at least that's what it seems like lately with my running.

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As most of you know, if you've been following along with me on my running journey lately, I have had a bum hip. The issue started before my last full marathon, which was on October 2nd, but really 'blew up' after my race (I'm so thankful that I was able to run a BQ time at that race before the pain really set in). I have been running since, but I would say for the last seven weeks or so my training has been greatly impacted... doing a lot more biking, yoga, walking, etc.

The hubby and I are currently between insurance since he started a new job at the beginning of November (thankfully it will kick in on January 1st), so the only 'professional' opinion/ help that I have been able to get on my hip was from my chiropractor. She believes that it was my psoas muscle. I did a series of adjustments, modified my workouts, used an electronic pulse massager to try and get the issues worked out, stretched, rolled, shed some tears, etc.

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Thankfully a couple weeks ago I would say that the pain let up. Don't get me wrong, the hip still felt funky (which I could feel when I was running and it was especially obvious when I was stretching since I had very little flexibility or mobility on the right side), but I was stoked to be pain free.

Well, shortly after my hip started playing nice, my next few runs had major stomach issues. I will spare you the details, but I would legit be running from bathroom to bathroom on them. I don't know if it was what I was eating, when during the day I was running, or just that my stomach was no longer used to being jostled around on runs. It happened on any of my runs that were over 4 miles and the problem lasted for at least 2 weeks.

Once the stomach issues subsided I was hopeful that I could get back into my Phoenix Marathon training plan. [Originally I was planning on attempting to run a sub 3:30, but with the way my body has been acting lately I know that my goals will be greatly impacted and finishing the distance will be the main priority for the race now.] My speed was greatly affected (and I would say that my hip is still not 100% so I am taking runs easy while building up my distance/ base), but I was hoping I could at least run consistently, happily, and pain-free...

I guess the joke was on me. When we were back in Michigan visiting family for the holidays, we went to a trampoline park with our nephews... Well, let's just say my fibromyalgia + jumping on trampolines did NOT lead to living happily ever after... It has been over a week since our jumping adventure and my back is still screwed up. I think the error wasn't so much in jumping, but we had a 'race' where we would jump, then twist around, and then jump to the next trampoline. The whipping myself around in a circle I think is where my downfall arose.

Since then I have got in my runs (although the 13.1 miles I was supposed to do while in Michigan had to be broken up into two runs), but they have been rough. The heating pad and Tylenol are my new (old) best friends. It legit hurts to take deep breaths most of the time. I am doing my best to listen to my body, but also trying my hardest to get in the mileage necessary to be able to complete the Phoenix Marathon in February (and the Los Angeles Marathon in March).

Here's to hoping my body starts feeling like its old self soon and I can get back to being able to #RunHappy...

What's the longest you've had to deal with an injury?

Happy Holidays!

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from The McDots!

<3 May your 2017 be filled with tons of smiles and miles! <3 

Workout Recap - Week 52

Sunday, December 18th – 5 mile run with the hubby, Stretched & Foam Rolled

Monday, December 19th – 7 mile run, Stretched & Foam Rolled

Tuesday, December 20th –  Rest day (travel to Michigan)

Wednesday, December 21st – Trampoline park for 75 minutes

Thursday, December 22nd – 5 mile run

Friday, December 23rd – Rest day

Saturday, December 24th – 5.5 mile run

My workouts may not have gone totally according to plan this week, but I'm proud to have gotten in what I have with traveling back to Michigan and visiting both of our families. My stomach has been revolting a bit on me, but I'm assuming that is due to the time of day I am attempting to run (and the holiday 'treats' I may be indulging in).

How were your workouts this past week?

REVIEW: Purple Carrot

I've been able to test out and review a couple different meal delivery services in the past few months. I love the idea (fresh, pre-portioned ingredients that arrive at your doorstep) and they have all been great thus far, so when I was contacted by Purple Carrot a couple weeks back I didn't have to think twice about it. Oh yeah, and when I was told that they offer 100% plant-based meals I jumped for joy! (Although the meal delivery services I have tried in the past offered a vegetarian or vegan option here or there, this company offers all plant-based foods - HECK TO THE YES!)

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Purple Carrot offered me a month of meals (each week included three two-person meals). Unfortunately there was some miscommunication on the first delivery, which was sent the week of Thanksgiving while we were out of town, so the perishable items were all bad by the time we got home to use them - BUMMER! At least the boxes all include the recipe cards so we technically can still give them a go in the future.

Once we were able to try the meals, I was stoked when the prep time seemed to match up with reality (in the past, some of the services we have tried seemed to greatly underestimate the amount of time it would take to get everything ready). Although the hubby and I have been vegetarian for years (my last meat meal was December 31st of 2004 - shrimp scampi at Red Lobster), this service really opened our eyes to a lot of new meal ideas and flavors.

Shepherd's Pie - I may have assumed that ALL the rice milk went into the mashed
potatoes since everything is pre-portioned... OOPS! Had some soggy potatoes.

Spicy Jackfruit and Bell Pepper Fajitas - We've had jackfruit before but
never cooked it ourselves.

Peanut Tofu Buddha Bowl - Hubby loved it!

Unboxing... Everything comes in it's own individual package so you know exactly what goes which each meal.

I was expecting to dislike this Tofu Banh Mi with Kimchi Mayonnaise, but I think it was my
favorite meal we've tried! 

When I opened the package for this one I could smell right away that
it was going to be a yummy pesto!

This one was actually one of my faves. I would have loved a little more broth, but it had some great flavors going on!

Love being introduced to new ingredients... like the root of celery
(celeriac that was used to make the 'chips' that went with this meal)

The final product didn't look as pretty as the photo, but at least the flavors were there (even if my presentation was not)

Hubby was stoked that he was able make the meal all on his own!

In case you were unaware, eating a plant-based diet has been known to have many health benefits. Some of those include a reduced chance of high blood pressure, heart disease and stomach cancer, along with 3.6 additional years of life for people who eat very little meat compared to those who eat it often.

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And not only is it good for you, it's good for the planet! When you make the choice to eat plant-based meals, you’re also choosing to reduce your environmental footprint. From saving water and lowering carbon emissions to protecting farmland and supporting biodiversity, vegetables and grains are the smart and sustainable choice.

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Eating plant-based doesn't have to be difficult... and Purple Carrot proves that! Purple Carrot makes it easy to cook amazing veggie filled dinners that are good for you and the planet! Each meal took around 35 minutes to prepare and the flavors were DELISH! They currently offer two subscriptions (a 1-2 person plan or 3-4 person plan). Free shipping is included and you can skip or cancel anytime. If you're interested, you can use "30DAYS" to get $30 off your first order.

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Now, since you know I've gotta #KeepItReal, I did need to mention a few of the cons I had with this service. First, like all of the meal delivery services we've done, I feel as though there is so much packaging since everything is individually packaged. Some of it can be recycled, but I would love to see the use of more compostable materials. Also, I realize that it is cheaper to have all of your clients eat the same meals, but I wish you could select your menu. There are a few flavors that I strongly dislike (including curry and peanut sauce), so I wish I could opt out of those meals or swap them for something else. Other than that, I think this is an AWESOME plant-based meal delivery service option!

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Even if you aren't a full-blown veggie (although I would LOVE to urge you to try a plant-based diet for many-a-reasons), I'd be willing to say that you would enjoy these meals and wouldn't feel as though you're missing your precious meat.

Have you ever tried a meal subscription service?