1st time with tofu, 17 miles, and sunburns

Last week during our 16 miler, J asked if I wanted to do 17 miles for this weekend. Naturally in the midst of the run when I'm tired, HOT, and hungry I gave him the death stare and, perhaps cursed followed by a  "no thanks!" It turns out all that was needed to convince me otherwise was to wake up the next day and NOT be sore... hmm my body truly IS getting stronger.

So learning from last week's mistake of not having enough fuel, I decided that 17 wouldn't be a big deal as long as I was smart about it. I did my traditional Pizza Hut carb load 2 days before, and then had a pizza making night on Friday (a new to me experience)

We divided the dough to make 3 small/medium pizzas

Put them in the oven for a few minutes to get them brown and sturdy

 Chopped up Kale & fresh jalapenos to sautee & add (the combo of the two flavors is AHH MAZING)

First time ever trying tofu- we marinated it in a bbq rub sauce, then sauteed it brown

 and added some bbq sauce 

Combine all ingredients + fresh milk mozzarella and bake (don't forget to top it off w/ fresh basil when pull out of oven)

 The taste itself of tofu wasn't bad (just takes on flavor of whatever you make it with) however the texture is something to get used to. This was the perfect light but flavorful and satisfying meal day before a long run.

Due to having a concert later in the evening, we wanted to get done with the run and have down time before dinner, so we left at 10am this time around.
The weather was PRISTINE- sun shining, not a cloud in the sky, and high 50s with a slight breeze. The route we were taking this go round was MUCH hillier than last week's, so our pace wasn't as consistent as last week's splits, but generally that is a norm for a lot of my routes around town. Regardless of how easy or hard the run is, there's always time to play...

Its a life-size photo frame of me!

Score for finding more animals to 'ride'- one of these days I'll get J to pose too.

We lucked out and had a gas station stop RIGHT at mile 8--- last week I wasn't sure I could handle food, so I just did a coke, my stomach grumbling by mile 14 made it clear I need more fuel.  Coke, fig newtons, and salted cashews--- honestly it was PERFECT

After our refueling I actually felt pretty good- I was tight, and bored at times, but I wasn't 'hating my life' by any means. Thank goodness he doesn't feel the need to talk, because there were many times where nothing was said for several minutes and I was just focused on paying attention to my body and my breathing.
 J is super competitive, so when he sees on his garmin that our overall average pace is slightly higher than 9 min/ miles HE DECIDED that we should get our pace below 9 min and made it a point to shout out every few minutes for the last 5 or 6 miles where we were at. I finally had to ask him to stop.

Our last 2 miles we kicked it into gear to 'better our time' and frankly to just be done.

Last week's 16 mile run also yielded an 8:52 total pace... now thats talent right there.  Despite washing my face at mile 8 in the gas station  bathroom, by the end of the run I was COVERED in salt-- does anyone else get this way, or am I just weird?!?!

Although I put sunscreen on my face, I yielded to  to my legs, arms, back etc-- Lesson learned for next time.

Before shower

 After shower... pic doesn't even do it the best justice

Overall it was a good run. I was tight at the end, but I walk fine and after just one day's rest I'll be ready for another workout. Now the big question on my mind is do I want to run 18 miles?


17.0 Miles- 2:31 overall time
Mile 1- 8:58
Mile 2- 9:23
Mile 3- 8:40
Mile 4- 8:49
Mile 5- 8:58
Mile 6- 9:31
Mile 7- 9:11
Mile 8- 9:12
Mile 9- 9:04
Mile 10- 9:20
Mile 11- 9:04
Mile 12- 8:37
Mile 13- 8:19
Mile 14- 8:21
Mile 15- 9:00
Mile 16- 8:25
Mile 17- 7:54