Home For The Holidays Virtual 10K

The other day on DailyMile I ran across a group having a spirited virtual 10K and I thought it would be fun to participate.  You can check out all the details with Stephanie.  It appears many took on the virtual 10k with gusto.  There were costumes and group runs all celebrating the holidays with a healthy approach sprinkled with a ton of fun.

For me, I chose to run the 10k alone in the wee hours of Christmas morning.  I dressed in my bright green vest for some holiday color and attached my Road Id Supernova light which guided my steps through the quiet streets of my little city.  If seen, some may have considered me a lone Christmas star traveling along spreading good cheer.  But in reality this was just another training run toward Boston.  I used this 10k as pure motivation to get out there on Christmas to run my recovery run. 

Yes, I ran alone however it was a powerful time of reflection.  There was an unusual sense of peace in the air.  Typically, running in the dark hours of morning can cause hesitation.  I tend to be more guarded, but surely even those who tend to lean toward Santa’s Naughty list on a regular basis take Christmas day to be good, right? 

I carried my camera along to snap some photos of some of the amazing twinkling light displays along my route, but my battery was dead so I have nothing to show for my effort.  As I made my way back dawn was breaking and I could see even more households coming to life.  Families waking up to celebrate one of the happiest days of the year.  I am so glad I took time out on this special morning to experience it all in the quiet moments before entertaining family and friends later in the day.  Of course it did not hurt to burn a few extra calories because I have been consuming more than my fair share of White Snow.  I finished my Home For The Holidays Virtual 10K in 57 minutes.  

Keeping Pace:  Boston Training

Week 2:  (shows what the Hanson’s Less-Is-More Plan has on schedule)

Monday: (0-6 miles) Yoga – I’m finding that getting back into yoga is definitely helping the running.

Tuesday: (Speed) Warm up, 4×800 at 10K with 400 jog, cool down – same as last week.  My goal is to reach 6×800 meters in the next few weeks.  It is a bit difficult mustering up that much energy first thing in the morning.

Wednesday: (Off) Worked the abs with Jillian Michaels’ 6 Pack DVD

Thursday: (3-6) 3.65 at 9:58 – slow and steady…fighting nasty cold germs

Friday: (3-6) took my off day

Saturday: (4-8 at 45-60 seconds slower than MP) 8 miles at 9:12 – again faster than it should be or maybe I should just reach for a new marathon goal pace?

Sunday: (3-6) 6.2 at 9:11 – Home For the Holidays virtual 10k

Just in case anyone is wondering what White Snow actually is, I am here to tell you that it is the most addicting “not so healthy” snack imaginable.  It has it all.  The sweet.  The salty.  Seriously once you start you just can’t stop! 

White Snow

2 cups Rice Chex cereal

2 cups Corn Chex cereal

2 cups Wheat Cinnamon Chex cereal

2 (12 or 16 oz) packages of White Chocolate chips

1 (12oz) salted peanuts —- I used almonds

1 (16oz) bag M&M’s —- I used dark chocolate

8 oz of small pretzels

Mix all dry ingredients, except pretzels.  Melt the white chocolate chips and pour most of the melted chocolate over dry mixture to coat evenly.  Add the pretzels and mix the remaining melted chips.  Pour onto parchment or wax paper lined cooking sheet.  Spread evenly and let candy dry about 2 hours.  Break into pieces and enjoy!

So I leave you for now with a little post holiday cheer wishing you all a bright new year to come!

Noah, always the ham!

Missing our boy, Schotzie, but our tree would not have been complete without his precious face.