Saturday, March 19, 2011

Twenty Miles ... & Chocolate!

My alarm went off at 4:45am this morning.  Thats earlier than I woke up all week.  By 6:30am, I was at my running partner Nancy's ready to run.  Nance had told me about her neighbor who she's been running with a lot.  Kristen is super fast and I was up for the challenge.  Nancy and Kristen are planning on running Providence and they wanted to do 20 today.  I wanted to do 18 but deep down if I did the whole 20 I wasn't going to be disappointed.  At 6:30, us three ran four miles and watched the sun come up.  While running around the neighborhood, we realized it was hot.  Like almost 50 degrees hot.  When we got back to Nancys, our other friend Leslie was waiting for us.  (Leslie isn't training for anything so she didn't want to do as much). We all quickly stripped down to t's, grabbed our water bottles and off we went.  I can tell you right now I'm shocked how great I felt.  We probably stopped for about 4 minutes at Nancy's around mile 4 and then didn't stop again until Mile 15 where we refilled water at Dunkin' Donuts.  We ended up with about 6 minutes total of stoppage time.  But 8 of these 20 miles were under the 9 minute pace. I can't be more pleased!  I did try to quit on the girls at the end, but they wouldn't let me.  Even slowing down to make me stay with them.  This is the confidence boast I needed.  I can do this on April 18th, and I will!!  Here's the key- run with people who are faster than you and you will get faster too! (Beck- can't wait for you to join us!)
20 Miles/3:04:37/9:14 pace!!!!
Mile 1: 9:02
Mile 2: 9:05
Mile 3: 9:10
Mile 4: 8:52
(~4 min break, not timed)
Mile 5: 8:54
Mile 6: 8:50
Mile 7: 8:58
Mile 8: 8:47
Mile 9: 8:36
Mile 10: 8:39
Mile 11: 9:03
Mile 12: 9:04
Mile 13: 8:58
13.10 Miles 1:56!!!!!!! 
(not including the break we took at Mile 4 to strip/grab water, prob 4 min)
Mile 14: 10:06 (HUGEEE HILLLL)
Mile 15: 9:23
Mile 16: 9:05
Mile 17: 10:07
Mile 18: 10:06
Mile 19: 10:10
Mile 20: 9:40

When I got home I had very limited time before heading into Boston for Gretchens baby shower at the Langham Hotel. Have you heard of the Chocolate bar at Cafe Flueri inside the Langham?  Well it was pretty amazing!  I'll let the pictures do the talking...
 And below are my plates.  I got several goodies and a vanilla crepe with berries and bananas!! Yum!
 Gretchen is only 7 weeks away from her due date and in these pictures you can barely tell she is pregnant!
If you haven't checked out Cafe Fleuri in Boston, you should.  A buffet of the most delicious desserts you could ever imagine= heaven.  And I'm not even a sweets girl!!!

I've had quite a Saturday and its not over yet.  (I also shopped at the Loft with bff Courtney and made Seafood Lasagna). Now off to hang out with my girlfriends.  Let's hope I don't fall asleep on them.  Happy Saturday!

20 comments:

  1. Congrats on an awesome run!! Looks like you found the perfect way to celebrate... it's giving me the itch to make some cookies. And dip them in chocolate ;)

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  2. Awesome job on the 20!!! That is a fantastic pace! You are totally proving to yourself that you are faster than you thought. You just need a push once in a while :)
    The baby shower looks so fun! That chocolate looks deliciousss.

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  3. What a great run for you! The furthest I've ever gone on a training run is 17 - I can't imagine going longer!

    I think a trip to Boston would be worthwhile just for that chocolate bar!

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  4. Great 20 miler!! The post run treats look great too :)

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  5. Great job on the run! I hope you can stay awake! I always need a nap after a run that's longer than like 10 miles.

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  6. Good job!!

    Amazing that you're still going after a such a great run and a baby shower! I'm a beginner so I'm still trying to work up to a really good long run.

    Very inspirational!

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  7. You nailed those 20 miles!! That's great that you have training partners that push you. Awww, the weather sounds wonderful there...it stays too cold too long here! :(

    GOOD JOB LIZZY!

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  8. Fantastic run. You're a star!

    The buffet looks incredible. I'd be all over the vanilla parfait!

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  9. I am SO proud of you Lizzy! And so INSANELY happy for you! We are both gonna kick it on the 18th, I'm sure of it.

    I ended up doing 14 yesterday to try to give my body a bit of a break and so that next weekend when I do 20, it'll be fresh and ready to go!

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  10. congrats on a wonderful 20!! you are gonna rock it!

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  11. Congratulations Lizzy!!! Great job making it through the run - I knew you could do it. :) I have no doubt that you're going to be able to pull of this crazy training schedule and I can't wait to cheer you on on the 18th.

    Also - I'm impressed by how early you got up to run...I don't think I've ever gotten up that early unless it's for a race!

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  12. Awesome run Lizzy! I am so pumped the weather is getting to be nice here in Boston!!!

    That baby shower looks like it was a blast! Chocolate fountain!!!

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  13. Seriously, G doesn't even look pregnant! so impressed you got this post up already. very cute photos at the Langham!

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  14. Whoa, you are superfast Liz! I actually have heard of that chocolate bar, but have never seen pictures! Wow, that's heavenly!

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  15. Wow, Gretchen looks awesome! I can't believe your 20 miler splits, 1:56 half, NO BIG DEAL! So awesome. I can't wait to see you rock the house on April 18th :)I've heard amazing things about the chocolate bar at the Langham, I definitely need to check it out!

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  16. 20 Miles definintely desserves a solid amount of chocolate! I went to that choc. bar once for my 12th birthday :) It was amazing then, and I'm sure its still incredible!!
    Way to go on the run!! That was awesome!!

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  17. Thanks, for the great post, Lizzy! And for celebrating with me at the shower. It was such a great day!

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  18. That's such a great baby shower idea! And I agree - Gretchen looks amazing for 7 weeks away :)

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  19. Great job on your run!! Also, that shower looks like pretty much the best way to re-fuel after 20 miles.

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