Hello! I am alive! I did it – I ran 30 miles yesterday!

I ran the Born to Run 50k yesterday. And it was quite the experience.

I wanted to run this race for several reasons…

1. I LOVED the book Born to Run

2. Tarahuarmara, the group the book is based on are from Mexico just like my great-grandparents.

3. The race is in Los Olivos, CA – hello I am Olivas. It’s fate, right?

So Friday night I packed up my stuff and headed to Los Olivos,CA

We made it around 10pm on Friday night and it was pitch black. You had to open the gate to drive in and there were cows just standing right there staring.

I made camp and then hit the sack.

4:14am – Wake up to gun shots!

4:15am – Mariachi Music starts blasting.

Guess it’s time to get up.

There weren’t a lot of porta-potties considering people were racing and camping there, but it worked.

I walked over the grab my bib – this was one bonus of staying on site. Super easy.

Then, we were off!

This wasn’t just my first trail race it was my first trail RUN.

And it was 30+ miles of trail. I ran the first hill and 99% of the other people were walking. Then, I was slow coming down the hill because of all the rocks (downhills are usually my thing).

Around mile 3 I realized…

I have no freakin clue what I’m doing!!

So I told myself, “You are going to have your ass handed to you today, get ready…”

Luckily I stuck to my “If you think you’re going too slow, slow down.” plan.

I almost got lost once but someone behind me yelled at me that I started to go the wrong way and I got back on track. There were pink and yellow ribbons on trees that you were supposed to watch out for every half mile or so.

I ran solo the first couple of miles until Steve and two of his buddies caught up to me. I stayed with them for the first 10 from there. Steve told us when to run and when to walk the hills.

Ultra-marathon aid stations are very different from half or marathon aid stations in that:

1. There is a lot of “real food” not just gels and energy drinks.

2. People stop and eat, drink, hang out for a bit.

This was odd to me because I have mastered the art of running through an aid station.

3. The aid stations are very spread out / there are less of them.

*Fuel fail – I didn’t take any fuel with me for miles 10-20. NOT good.

On the next loop out I lost Steve and his peeps so I was solo. At this point runners are very spread out so I went for a while without running near anyone else.

At Mile 19ish at the aid station I caught back up with Steve and we ran a mile together.

Finally at this point I got some fuel and dipped a potato in salt for sustenance.

Then, I took off – I found my 3rd wind and felt great!!!

I ran past 3 guys who were pretty spread out on a long flat stretch. I was feeling amazing until mile 24 when I started to get stomach cramps. I took a little of the gel I had at mile 25, but just couldn’t do it.

I tried to make myself run as much of the flat sections as possible, but my stomach hurt until the end. I even walked the last half mile-ish and kinda hate myself for that.

Once I crossed the finish line I didn’t even get my ‘medal’ – I walked straight to the porta potty line and my friend Russ was yelling at me, “Come get your medal! Where are you going?”

Finally, I went back to the finish.

New PDR (personal distance record)  Official time was 5:45:21 – I stopped my watch during my 2 bathroom breaks out of habit.

The ‘medal’ is actually a handmade amulet! And when the guy puts it on you he says a little speech about it being lucky. I’m not normally a jewelry girl, but I never want to take this off!

At the end I was filthy and stiff. But I was also really happy and proud of myself

After the race we took a drive to Los Padres and I went in the river as a makeshift ice bath! So glad I did that.

Then, we went into town for food. There were cupcakes…

and Sangria.

Then, more sangria back at camp.

We just hung out from there…

One of my peeps, Hector was running the 100 mile race! He is the best. We cheered on the other runners as they came by and it was really inspirational.

Huge thanks to Leann from the Sole Runners for putting so much work into organizing everything!

Overall thoughts…

It was rough. I had NO idea the art of trail running or ultra fueling or ultra pacing. I have a lot of learn. But, I do kinda want to learn so I think I might maybe do it again at some point in the distant future. But that’s not my focus as of right now.

Most importantly – I had a BLAST!!! I went into it knowing it would be an adventure and it was.

I made a video of my experience…

Born to Run 50k

Question: What was the best thing you at this weekend?

I’m going with the loads of kettle corn I ate.

The post Born to Run 50K Ultra Marathon Race appeared first on Run Eat Repeat.

The time has finally come to prove whether or not I am a true descendant of the Tarahuamara. The Born to Run 50K is tomorrow!

When I first decided to run the race I was super scared and pumped about it. I intended to get fully prepared and do a whole training plan and blah blah blah. Then, I got a ton of travel opportunities aaaaand I remembered that I never stick to a training plan so that all fell by the wayside.

Moral of the story: I am not fully prepared for this.

It will be my first:

1. distance more than 26.2 miles
2. trail race
3. camping experience in years

I made a race day strategy based on some ultra running advice I heard a while back that stuck with me…

“If you think you’re going too slow,  slow down.”

So – this is the plan…

1. Go SLOW. SLOW. SLOWER. Okay good.

2. Eat per usual marathon strategy and eat more ‘real’ food if I can. <- Since I never did this distance before I don’t really know how I’m going to feel.

3. Walk the ridiculous hills.

and finally

4. Don’t try to be a hero.

Sure, I didn’t stick to a training plan for the ultra but I did make sure to fuel up like I was a bear about to go into hibernation today…

Watermelon. Of course.

Rice…

Krispies eaten as cereal and treats. Hey, it is rice.

I’m a very salty sweat-er so I always eat a lot of salty foods leading up to a race. This is what works for me, do you.

Then, I packed up and headed out…

What food does one pack for an ultra trail race?

Beer, chocolate milk and watermelon, obviously.

My patas and THE 5 freeway

Pit stop for food. I packed a big salad and stole a bite of the Cool Ranch Dorito taco. It didn’t change my life, but I’m not their target audience. <- please note this comment for future use. 

I had to print out the waiver to take with me and it’s scary! It seriously says, “If I get hurt, lost or die it’s my own damn fault.”

See? I’m scared.

If I die I want to leave RER to a LOUD red headed Mexican in love with watermelon and manatees. Readers can vote if there is more than one.

Question: What are you doing this weekend?

*I’m not going to have the best reception/wifi tomorrow so I’m going to take the day off. If I can, I’ll say hola via twitter but maybe not.

The post Born to Run Ultra Marathon Plan appeared first on Run Eat Repeat.

Hello and Happy Friday! I got back to Long Beach, CA yesterday around 6pm. Home sweet home. (I don’t live in the LBC, but it’s got my heart.)

On the way home I stopped at the store for a quick grocery trip. I need supplies for the weekend! And then this happened…

Busted! I blame Ben for the Oreos, but we didn’t need the Snickers ice cream too.

Ironically, I weighed myself this morning and was very happy with the number. This Run, Eat (Snickers Ice Cream), Repeat diet is working!

I also made PB Rice Krispies treats for the race this weekend. It’s a very bare bones trail race so you have to bring your own stuff and the Sole Runners are setting an aide station that we’re all contributing to.

Now I have a ton of work to do for my recruiting job (I’m doing contract work for my old company) before I head out of town again tonight.

The craziest week of my life still has one massive hurdle before it’s done – um, my first 30 mile race! <- More on that in a bit. But I started my day with a FitnessGlo stretching video to keep it easy breezy.

Flashback Friday!

Three years ago today I was living in Columbia, MD and went to the Wine in the Woods event where I got drunk and then went to the mall.

RER on the internet machine…

MizFit has my No Bake Cookie Recipe up today

Tina asked me to do a Search me Sunday post on Carrots n’ Cake a while back that’s super fun!

Skinny Runner has some of my favorite tunes here

Question: Oreos or Snickers Ice Cream? Yes, you have to pick one.

The post Flashback Friday and RER in other places appeared first on Run Eat Repeat.

Oh.my.gosh. I woke up feeling 100x better after a full night of sleep. Oddly enough, sleeping in a fancy hotel bed > tweaking your neck on a red eye flight. Shocking.

Last night we had a dinner that wasn’t noteworthy blogworthy. Then, I convinced Tina to get fro-yo with me. It was an easy sell

This morning we hit up Central Park again for a run. The weather is perfection for running right now and there were a ton of people out.

I ended up doing 3 with Tina and an additional 2.7 alone.

Then, I hit up Melissa’s Gourmet Deli for breakfast. I stayed near here when I was in NYC last June and remember this place having great sandwiches (and tons of options).

Egg white with spinach and grilled chicken in a ww wrap, grapefruit, iced coffee. Heck yeah I asked for hot sauce packets. #MonicanLikesItSpicy

Then, we got ready and headed to the Mercedes Club

Fitness Magazine organized an amazing blogger Meet & Tweet event called #FitBlogNYC

It just worked out that I was going to be in NYC for the WF event so I got to attend! I was excited because Tina went last year and it looked like a lot of fun.

There were A LOT of bloggers here! I feel like the east coast has a lot more bloggers than the west – might be a population thing, might be that they’re avoiding me because I’m weird…

Sometimes I’m RunEatRepeat before I’m Monica…

The day started off with an into by Fitness Magazine editor Betty Wong…

Then, Fitness Magazine Beauty Director Heather Muir interviewed Sarah Lucero, Executive Director of Global Artistry with Stila Cosmetics.

She shared a bunch of great make-up tips like:

• Power Pout is hot right now (strong lip color)
• Coral Blush – do it
• Make sure everything you are wearing has a purpose – don’t slap on random makeup (note to Monica, listen up)
• She swears by misting for a fresh look

There were also healthy snacks. I grabbed a green juice.

My ‘blog is my business’ was a super interesting session too. The line up was Smitten Kitchen, Jill Hanner, Possessionista and Erin from Fitbottomed Girls – um, these are the best in the business!

Sadly, I had to leave early to catch my flight. Boo.

It was a whirlwind trip, but so good to spend time with my favorite Bostonian. Thanks Tina!

I hit up the salad bar in the Jet Blue terminal at JFK for lunch. I grabbed a pack of hard boiled eggs from the event and added those the to salad too.

I am soooo spoiled but this is a direct, cross country flight and it doesn’t have wifi. First world problems to the max, but I was hoping to get a bunch of work done on the plane. This must be what it was like to live in cave man times…

Oh well, guess I have to read these magazines my RW friends gave me…

and enjoy some Pop Corners. I love these.

See you later!

Question: Popcorn or Kettle Corn?

I’m going to say 60% of the time kettle corn, 40% regular.

The post Fitness Magazine #FitBlogNYC Event appeared first on Run Eat Repeat.

When we last spoke I was in San Francisco doing yoga in the airport. Yes. the SFO airport has a yoga room. I can’t make this ish up.

From there I boarded a red eye to New York City. I don’t know why I keep signing up for red eyes and hating myself in the morning but I do.

I got a little sleep, but not enough. I know you can sleep when you’re dead, but that might come sooner than later if I don’t slow my roll.

When I got to the hotel I did what anyone who’s been traveled from OC to SF to NYC in 24 hours would do…

I went for a run!

I asked Tina to take this picture of me running in Central Park. Yes, I look very man-ish when I run, but it’s not your place to judge.

Tina writes a little blog called Crossfit and Cake, I mean Carrots n’ Cake…

Run – done.

Eat – at Whole Foods.

The breakfast bar is ‘only’ $6.90 a pound! I’ll take it!

Then we hit the showers and went out to explore… I’m a suburbs girl all the way so NYC is a bit overwhelming to me!

T and me in Times Square.

Then, we went to Gente for lunch

Chocolate Bomba. Yes.

We had lunch with Laura, PR Coordinator and David Senior Director of Corporate Communications for Runner’s World. It was super cool to meet them!

But, no amount of begging would make them agree to put me in the magazine. Oh well, some dreams die hard…

Finally it was time for the main event! The reason I came out to New York was for the Rinds and Vines media event at Whole Foods.

Oh my gosh! It was a cheese lover’s dream. I tried a million cheeses, told a million cheesy jokes and took notes to remember my favorites.

The winner of the bunch was… the Cranberry and Orange Goat Cheese log. Love.

And now I’m blogging from the hotel room talking to you nice people…

I desperately need a nap, but I’m not sure we have time before dinner. Send help. Or a Red Bull.

Question: Cheese or Cheesy Jokes?

The post Whole Foods Cheese and Wine Tasting Event appeared first on Run Eat Repeat.

This morning I woke up bright and early for a quick 3 mile run – that’s all I had time for but you gotta work with what you got  

Then, I hit up John Wayne (the airport, not the guy) to head to San Francisco. The Orange County airport is so much easier to use than LAX!

Iced coffee and oatmeal brought from home (ate eggs at home too).

Made it to San Francisco!

Quick wardrobe change…

And the first thing I did when I got there was Mission: Iced Coffee

I dropped my stuff off at the hotel and headed to the Ferry Building…

Just the tip: The best iced coffee in the world is from Blue Bottle Coffee Co. in the Ferry Building in San Francisco.

I am an iced coffee connoisseur and I support this message.

Then, I grabbed some cherries and headed to my meeting  

Question: What’s your local airport?

The post Just The Tip–The Best Iced Coffee In the World appeared first on Run Eat Repeat.

I am packing for my travels, but someone is not being cooperative. FTR – I just put Vegas on RER so much because he bugs me a lot but I’d rather he was a dog. Or a live in masseuse.

Tomorrow morning I am headed to San Francisco for a day long round table about a new weight loss prescription pill (not for me to take, only for my thoughts). Not sure how much I can share about it – but I’ll share what I can later.

From SF I’m headed to NYC for a Whole Foods event.

Then, I come home Thursday. Aaand head to Los Olivos Friday night for the 30 mile race Saturday morning. I’m super stressed because everything is timed so closely I hope there are no travel mishaps. But I’m going to just try and go with the flow and not worry about things I can’t control. <- Pray.

Wish me luck!

Fat Talk Talk

Stop saying you’re fat!

I am not the girl who complains she looks fat to other people because I actually used to be fat. It used to make me uncomfortable when my high school friends would complain about their (cute little) bodies. I mean, if they’re thinking those things about themselves – what must they be thinking about me?!

At the same time, I don’t mind the word “fat”. I’ve been called worse things and I kinda like it as an adjective in general.

But, this article says No One Likes a Fat Talker

So whether you are fat or skinny or bloated or ate a whole pizza or shrunk your jeans – DON’T say mean things about yourself. It doesn’t help you feel better or make the people around you think highly of you.

I know it’s hard. We all have bad days. But the next time you feel gross, put something on that makes you feel good, call your best friend and put on some Amy Schumer jokes.

Please: Say something nice about yourself (even if it’s in your head) right now!

Thoughts?

The post Stop the Fat Talk or no one will be your friend appeared first on Run Eat Repeat.

Hello and Happy Monday!

I normally think of pancakes as a weekend food (hello I used to live for Pancake Sunday) but the owner of Flap Jacked recently contacted me about their Protein Pancake Mix. It is a “just add water” protein pancake mix – love it!

She let me choose the flavor I wanted to try and I picked the Banana Hazelnut.

QUICK FACTS

• 200 calories/serving (4 pancakes!)
• 15-17 grams protein
• 4-7 grams fiber
• The first ingredient is whole oat flour.

You guys know I am a big fan of protein pancakes and have several recipes on RER for them. But, if you don’t have the ingredients to experiment making protein pancakes this is a great way to try test the p’cake waters.

The pancakes were delicious and easy to make. But I do have to warn those protein pancake virgins out there – the texture of protein pancakes isn’t as fluffy as ‘normal’ ones.

And because we’re talking Banana Pancakes I have to throw in some Music Monday love here:

FlapJacked has 3 flavors – Banana Hazelnut, Buttermilk and Cinnamon Apple

Check out their Facebook Page for Updates

Tweet them if you love ‘em

and their website has the nutrition info & Recipes for the mixes

And the company is giving one RER reader a bag of the flavor of their choice and a mini-bag of the other 2 flavors!

To Enter: Leave a comment with the protein pancake flavor you’d want to try first.

Open to residents of the US. Closes 5/14 at 8pm PST. I was provided with the mix and compensation in exchange for my review. All opinions are my own.

The post FlapJacked Protein Pancake Mix Giveaway appeared first on Run Eat Repeat.

< 7 Minute Workout how to is below >

Happy Mother’s Day!

I spent the day with my mom. We went to church and then I made brunch for the fam.

It was the usual brunch fare. I rolled up Pillsbury Croissant rolls with ham and cheese and baked them like that.

Then, I made a batch with chocolate in them! To die for.

The 7 Minute Workout

Today the New York Times Magazine wrote about the 7 Minute Workout. It’s a study published American College of Sports Medicine Healthy & Fitness Journal claiming that

“In 12 exercises deploying only body weight, a chair and a wall, it fulfills the latest mandates for high-intensity effort, which essentially combines a long run and a visit to the weight room into about seven minutes of steady discomfort — all of it based on science.”

I know a lot of you are already familiar with Tabata style workouts where you exercise intensely for a short period, rest, then go back to intense for a 5-8 rounds and then do it all again.

Well, I agree with the Tabata style for getting in an effective workout in a short period – doing a straight up 7  minute workout made me skeptical so I decided to drop everything and try it real fast.

The video is tragic, but that’s what happens when you don’t plan it out. But you can do the 7 minute workout yourself by using this

Tabata Timer

and /or doing it along with me -

Warning: It’s very boring since it’s just me doing random exercises for 30 seconds at a time. Plus it was after 9 pm and I’m a tired grease ball.

How to do the 7 minute workout – for each move:

30 seconds of exercise

10 seconds of rest

The exercises:

1. Jumping Jacks
2. Wall sit
3. Push ups
4. Crunches
5. Step ups
6. Tricep dip
7. Plank
8. High Knees
9. Lunge
10. Push up with rotation
11. Side Plank

Question: What is your favorite exercise out of that list?

Least favorite?

Winner of the Glossy Box Giveaway:

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