Training Week 9: Best Damn Race Savannah Half
I admit it: life is much easier without Gizmo, but I can’t say that life without him makes me happy, either. I miss him. When you’re in caretaking mode, you don’t realize just how much time that caretaking consumes. I didn’t really think that he was that time consuming — but he was.
Still, there’s a race to be run, so run I did. I’m joining up with the Weekly Wrap from Holly @ Hohoruns and Wendy @ Taking the Long Way Home to wrap up my last long run leading into BDR Savannah.
Workouts update
- Monday: Yoga (7 minutes), Visit parents & multiple Dogwalks
- Tuesday: YFPR Hamstrings (20 minutes), 8 x 400s for a total of 5 miles, Iron Strength Abbreviated
- Wednesday: Dogwalk, Yoga
- Thursday: Yoga AM (7 minutes), 4 mile “Progressive” Run
- Friday: Yoga (7 minutes), Dogwalk, YFR Hamstrings (10 minutes)
- Saturday: Dogwalk, TBL Pilates (30 minutes)
- Sunday: 9 Mile LSD, DM Total Body (16 minutes), YFR Hamstrings (10 minutes)
Mileage: 18 (-6)
JY = Jasyoga
PB = Killer B
TM = Treadmill
YFR = Yoga for Runners*
WU = warmup
CD = cooldown
SB = Stationary Bike
YFPR = Yoga for Pain Relief
YTU = Yoga Tune Up Lower Body*
*Disclaimer: Amazon affiliate links; I will make a small amount of money if you buy through these links
Running Updates
Tuesday
Monday was a beautiful day, just perfect for running, but I was basically stuck inside almost all day. This morning, when I did my speed work, it was chilly — although 50 by the time I finished! — and very gray. Still much better conditions than we’ve seen in a while.
This speed work went much better than last week’s tempo. I didn’t hit my paces on all my intervals, and ended one short by mistake, but I hit the right pace on quite a few so I was satisfied. It was still hard. It will always be hard! It’s supposed to be hard.
Thursday
It was a very gray day — again — but not gonna lie. 44 felt really nice. I wasn’t chilled for hours afterwards.
I set out to do a 5 mile progressive run. I decided 4 miles sounded just fine as I was running. The first mile was a little bit slower than I wanted, then I increased pace way too much the second mile. The third was a little faster, and the last mile was my fastest. So not quite what I was aiming for but I’ll take it. It always takes me a couple of miles to warm up.
Sunday
I had plans to meet up with someone but it fell through. Which allowed me to get out there a little later — it wasn’t crazy windy like Saturday, but it wasn’t warm, either. This was a surprisingly speedy run for me. I don’t know why. I wasn’t really pushing it, but I held a relatively consistent pace that was just a bit faster than my normal easy pace. I pulled it back just slightly at the end — I’d rather be speedy in my race than in a training run!
Favorites of the week
That chicken noodle soup again after my long run today. It really hit the spot.
Banana chips. Have you ever had them? I made some energy balls with them this weekend. The balls were great, but the banana chips were definitely addictive. I had some of them on my long run today. I guess I need to pack a few. I also need to make sure they’re not somewhere easy to get at at home, I could definitely see these being a problem.
In case you missed it, I wrote another post about Gizmo filled with more stories and photos. Read it here.
Looking forward to some future warmer runs!
Let’s get the conversation started:
Have you ever tried banana chips?
Have you ever eaten banana chips to fuel a run?
For those trapped in snow and polar vortex, were you able to run outside this week? All my runs were outside — there were only three of them, LOL!
Chocolaterunsjudy 
So jealous of those clear trails and your runs outside…I want to move there 🙂
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Oh trust me, it was only like that because of the higher temps on Monday/Tuesday. I’ve been running in the same neighborhood for long runs for weeks now — I was so happy to see the park was finally clear.
The bad news is we have another big storm predicted. On our travel day, no less!
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It felt so great to get outside this week. Although I was stuck at my desk during the nicest weather, I still enjoyed the break from the cold. I don’t think I’ve had banana chips, but I do love those apple chips — good thing they are so $$$ or I’d buy them more often!
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The warmer temps (earlier, now it’s really cold again!) were just what the dr ordered! I’m so over being cold!
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I got out late Monday afternoon, but the cold temps were rallying back and the wind was crazy. I was inside all week until this morning-I got a 2-mile power walk before church and a 2-mile run afterwards. More snow, though, so I don’t know if I’ll be inside or outside this week LOL
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We’re expecting a big storm too. On my travel day. Hopefully we get out before it gets too bad!
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Sounds like some solid running this week! Funny, I love banana chips, but had never considered them for fuel for a long run. I’ll have to try that as my runs get longer. I much prefer fueling with “real” food!
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I probably should’ve gotten in one more run but instead we went to see my parents; Christmas was the last time we’d seen them so it was overdue—the weather in winter makes it hard!
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What a difference good conditions makes! I’m glad you had some nice runs heading into your race!
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It was really nice to get a change of scenery. My long runs for the last 3 weeks were all in the same place & I was getting pretty tired of it!
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Great job on your runs this week Judy! I’ve never had chicken noodle soup after a run but now that I think about it, that would be amazing to have after a cold run!
I’ve never had banana chips but I would definitely try them!
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I highly recommend the chicken noodle soup after a cold run!
I’m definitely bringing some banana chips with me. I hadn’t had them before; seemed to work.
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Even on gray days, I do feel better getting out there in the fresh air. Great job getting back on track this week with your runs
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I can deal with gray (sort of) but the cold — yuck!
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Have you ever tried banana chips? Yes. Too sweet for me. I prefer plantains.
Have you ever eaten banana chips to fuel a run? No.
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Great job on your runs. Not a fan of bananas, so nope!!
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I didn’t like bananas growing up. Mainly because my mom likes her a bit green & I don’t. I like mine with just a few spots! And now I love them & their versatility.
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Are banana chips crispy like chips? I actually hate dried bananas, but I think I might like them if they had a different texture. I do love soup after a cold run, though. That hits the spot.
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The soup definitely hits the spot! The banana chips are crispy — basically bananas cooked in oil with some sugar. So not really a great snack except on the run. I bet they’d be good in trail mix too!
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No ice! I used to like banana chips but my teeth are quite fragile and I worry about how hard they are now!
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Thankfully my teeth are pretty good so far knock on wood.
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The 40s feel amazing after super cold weather we had a couple weeks ago! We lucked out with a couple days of nice weather last week but the cold was back for the weekend. I’m weird about banana chips. I don’t like them when they’re too sweet, I prefer them with savory seasonings.
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I don’t think I’d like savory banana chips but whatever floats your boat!
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Great clear trails photo.
I feel you on the warm up need – physically but for me also mentally. Get out of my own head and just go I think that’s part of why racing helps me – I can’t bail. So shut up and go until I’m warmed
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I think having to walk to the start is hard, though! Brrr! You’re tough.
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I have had banana chips. Don’t remember if I liked them or not. I try not to buy snacks because we have no self control. Would rather buy real bananas and we eat them everyday.
Good luck with your vacation and race. Hope the weather cards are better to you than me. The weather was perfect except for the race.
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Oh we definitely go through lots of real bananas but they’re hard to carry on the run.
Weather doesn’t look great but it will be warmer & that’s good.
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Yes, warmer is great. A sock coming back to the cold, though.
I agree. Bananas are my pre or post run food. GU is my race/run fuel.
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Sounds like you’re ready to race! I haven’t had banana chips in years. I’d sort of forgotten about them. I totally feel you on Gizmo. There’s a huge void but also a huge relief. Care taking is a load of work for sure.
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I know you do understand, unfortunately. Hugs.
Not sure if I’m ready but I escaped the snow so it’s all good for a few days.
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I’m so so sorry about Gizmo (and that I missed the posts the last 2 weeks). We lost Elvis in December and I do really still miss him. It’s just quiet. Not that he was loud but he was more talkative, if you know what I mean.
I’m glad you got some good trainings in. I always try to hit my targets for my intervals too, but don’t always manage. It still means you are working hard to hit it and that’s what it’s about. When exactly is your race?
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We still have the dogs, but yes, I miss Giz so much. I understand & hugs back to you. The race is Saturday!
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You are good to go!
Still sending love for Gizmo. I understand what you mean, but that doesn’t make the void any less.
I prefer apple chips to banana chips, but I think they would be tough to use as fuel. Then again, maybe they would be perfect.
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Thank you! Yes, there’s definitely a big hole with Giz gone. I wanted to foster some cats already, but I know it’s not the right time in my life.
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I love bringing homemade energy bites on runs with me – but I’ve never tried them with banana chips before. Are they soft or hard chips? (I’ve only seen hard).
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The banana chips are hard — but you chop them up in the food processor with the rest of ingredients— nuts, dates, etc. So it gives it a banana taste but since it’s not actual bananas it won’t go bad quickly.
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I’m funny about banana chips. Usually they’re too hard and crunchy and that’s weird to me. lol That said, I do like them when I can find some that are a cross between crunchy and soft. I’m like Goldilocks looking for the perfect chip. haha
How do you make energy balls with banana chips?
I had chicken noodle soup after my 50k. It was the most amazing thing I’d ever eaten.
You should definitely ask for a play date with Lola. She might really appreciate it!!
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I don’t know, Lola is 13 & can be intimidated by a pack. The pet sitter had a pug puppy (sooooooo cute!) & she was scared of it.
The energy balls are all ground together in the food processor so the banana chips get ground up — they just give a banana-y flavor.
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