4.5!

Just ran 4.5 miles with the CES group! I turned around early because I only wanted to do 3-4 and test my calf. Averaged 9:30 per mile.

Felt pretty good. Still some pain but a huge improvement over the past few weeks. It spasms while I'm resting now. Feels weird like there is a large worm inside of my calf. Gross.



I love him.


Today is hella busy.



Ill be Biking up to xsport for rock n roll Chicago 5k packet pickup. The race is tomorrow. Ill be taking it easy with my wonderful wonderful during the race.



After pickup I'll be heading to soldier field for the Nike 26.2 preview for the Chicago marathon. They have guest speakers, gear testing and stuff for sale. My training group is having a tailgate there- I'm excited to go mingle with the runners!

Good luck to all who are racing this weekend!!


What are your weekend plans?


Tchau

-Xaar

Happy good cupcake Friday and a PSA

Happy good Friday!

Dreary rainy cold today became awesome, amazing Friday because of this:






The cupcake truck!!!

It was a tough decision between carrot cake and passion fruit merengue.






Passion fruit won today.







The cake was so light and fluffy just like the merengue topping.

Then I bit into it and found something yummy:






Passion fruit custard!!!

The gourmet street food trucks definitely make up for the lack of agreeable weather here in Chicago.

Now on a more serious note, the PSA.

When I got back to my aunt's house after the Boston marathon I saw this:






And this:






Yes kids, that is a horrible sunburn mainly on my right upper side.

The thought of sunburn never crossed my mind. For the past 3 years of running fairly consistently I have not gotten burned. Maybe a little color, but not the absolute pain like this. I've run in the sun, rain, fog, whatever and nothing. Now I know that "chaffing" under my arm in the race was really something much worse. No wonder the Vaseline didn't do much to help it. :(

So let this be a lesson. Use sunscreen so you don't end up like me.


What is your favorite flavor of cupcake?
I really enjoy carrot cake since it's not too sweet. Red velvet is a close second.

Can anyone recommend a good sunscreen for me to wear while running?
Since Chicago has a summer with heat and sun (unlike san Fran) I'm going to need something that protects my skin and stays put (doesn't get into my eyes, doesn't wash off with sweat.)

Recommendations please!! Thanks!

-Xaar

18 mile LSD

Did 18 miles in 2:46. About 9:14 a mile. I didn't plan to go out quite that fast but felt extremely comfortable. I never tried to push the pace and felt great the entire time. I ran on the lakefront trail all the way to the hood where it ends. The only bad thing was all the bathrooms were locked (until april- from what I could read on the internets.) Oh well. Now I know not to drink too much before- during a run.

Had some orange bloks and some cran apple chomps and a salt stik every 5-6 miles.









About 6 miles into the run. It was about 35 degrees with 10-15mph winds.









Saw this on a side of a restaurant near my place and decided it was what I needed post run.









To celebrate my 18 miles, a Sam Adams Boston lager. What could be more fitting??!!









Sam Adams with fully loaded chili! Delicious!

167 miles for the past 4 weeks!! 60 miles this week!!!!! Yay!






Sears tower celebrating St Patricks day.

Cheers!

-Xaar