# 12

Tomorrow is the Magellan Chicago spring half marathon. It will be my 12th half marathon.

This year has brought me a different perspective on running. Last year and in 2009 I just wanted to run a little, do some races and have fun. I would always be amazed at how much I could PR by in all of the events.

Fast forward to 2011. I decided I was no longer going to be complacent with my running. I've been training hard and seeing results.

Tomorrow will be a challenge because of the weather. 44 degrees, rain and very strong head winds (for the 2nd half of the course).




Earlier this week.



Today.

The wind is whipping and I'd swear I saw some snow falling.

Goals:
A: break 1:50
B: get a PR (break 1:53)
C: finish and don't get hypothermia or an injury.
Also *no peeing, puking, or pooping during the race. So far this has been possible for all the 2011 races*


Lunch:












(my second bowl today!)

I hate angel hair because It cooks in 2 minutes. (I also love it for the same reason) I wouldn't have had the 2nd bowl if I had to cook more pasta for another 10 minutes. I love vodka sauce or creamy marinara.





Cb wanted my food too.

Plans for the rest of the day include:

Take a nap
Gather up all the race stuff
(still need to figure out clothes)
Watch Spirit of the Marathon again. (it helps me get motivated for a race in super soggy-crappy conditions)

Good luck to everyone racing tomorrow in the chicago spring half, Toronto marathon, bay 2 breakers, or in another race.

See you at the finish line!

-Xaar

Eeek!

The active forecast for Sunday- the Chicago spring half marathon

*I looked at the forecast earlier in the week and only saw cool weather (yay!) and small chance of showers. Now it's rain and wind too*

I don't know what to wear now. Should I wear my Saucony (somewhat) rain proof jacket and capris, or skip the jacket?

The wind won't be fun either. Since it is an out and back course, we can all look forward to the 2nd half (heading north) having 18mph headwinds. (the course is 95% of where I usually train. The headwinds aren't fun.)

Cold rain and wind. Don't like it.



-Xaar

Terrific Tasty Thursday

Found the More cupcake truck on the way to work this morning.


Passion fruit, chocolate, cookies n cream, carrot, red velvet and many more.

Which to choose!?!



Carrot!!






(I like using different lens/film combos in the hipstamatic app)



Breakfast. Carrot cupcake, cherry yogurt parfait, three region blend coffee from starbucks- but sadly not from the Clover machine. This particular location hasn't heard of the magic clover brewing machine that the location closer to my office has. Oh well. The blend is still delicious.



Yes- it was moist and tasty and everything you would dream that a really good carrot cupcake should be.

I love Chicago street food trucks. There is a wide variety of gourmet food cruising the downtown everyday during lunchtime.

Do you have street food, a maggot wagon, or a roach coach in your area that you like to get food from?

-Xaar