10 Race Week Things and 10 things since we last caught up!

1. Just high-fiving each other probably because….

earlier on in the day they were quiet for a few minutes—> in those few minutes they managed to tear apart a huge styrofoam box into the tiniest pieces and leave a trail all over Andrew’s entire house.  It doesn’t look bad but literally, it was everywhere.  At least they are creating some pretty hilarious memories together.

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2.  I made dinner last night for us and it sure is nice that we love the same exact foods.  We are also both left-handed.  Weird, right?

Bbq shredded chicken, fresh corn, avocado, cucumbers and tomatoes.

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3.  Remember how I have wanted a dog for a very long time?  We will be running together often.

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4.  This morning my sister called me to tell me about some crazy wedding dress sale going on today and so Brooke and I went.  No exaggeration, it was JUST like this clip from Friends.  It was CRAZY.  I didn’t find anything (probably because I was more concerned for Brooke’s safety than searching… I kid, kind of) but we are all going shopping tomorrow.

5.  6 miles on the treadmill with my buddy next to me.

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6.  Avocado and wheat thin sandwich.  Try it.

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7.  I don’t know how I forgot to share this picture with you when Brooke got her hair cut last month but clearly she was very excited about it.

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8.  LOVE the tank on you Holli!!!!

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9.  His favorite late-night snack.  Pb on a spoon with honey.  I usually do this with chocolate chips but honey is a good combo too.

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10.  Found this on my Netflix after my niece left my house yesterday.  And I’m never changing it:)

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There are ten (well, probably a lot more too) things that I do the week leading up to a race (well, the races that I am shooting for a pr or a fast for my current fitness level race… the week before races that I do just for fun are a little bit different):

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*Josse and I were talking about this on our run yesterday and we are both the same way—>  If my runs the week leading up to the race are good and I feel fresh then I have an awful race.  If my runs the week leading up to a race are hard/my legs feel like lead and I am exhausted with most of the miles = an awesome race for me.  Josse has had the same experience with all of her best and worst races too.  SO, for the week leading up to a race… I always hope for some pretty miserable runs before the race:)

*I always make a new race playlist and try to arrange the songs so that my favorite ones come on during the last few miles of the race or during the hardest sections of the race.

*I cut out veggies/salads for about 1-2 days before the race.  I stick to simple, easy to digest foods and that keeps my stomach happy on race day.

*I eat spaghetti with chicken the night before the race.  Mainly because it is my favorite meal but I also like to tell myself that it helps me to run faster.  If it is the night before a warm race then I go a little heavy with the salt shaker.

*I pray that my favorite little alarm clock sleeps in a little bit later than normal to get in a bit more sleep.

*I look over my training log at my hardest runs and think about the fact that I pushed through the hard parts of those runs so I most definitely can do the same thing during the race.

*I go to lunch or dinner with my mom at some point and she gives me one of her awesome pep talks (maybe that is what she should do for her guest post while we are on our honeymoon).

*I rarely do any speed work besides just some 30-60 second strides and I ALWAYS take the day before the race completely off.

*I test out my race day outfit (if anything I want to wear on race day is new) to make sure that NOTHING chafes me—>  chafing during a race drives me nuts (and really hurts when I get in the shower after a race).

*I go get a massage (from Josse) about 5 days before the race to get my legs nice and happy and ready to run.

You know what is fun… I get to do all of these pre-race/race-day/post-race celebrating with Andrew.  I like that.

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Anyone else left-handed?

What is your favorite late-night snack right now?!

What are some of the things that you do the week of a race that you want to rock?

How does your food change the week leading up to a race?

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43 comments

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I eat Wheat Thins and avocado together all of the time–it’s the BEST!! :) I also do the honey and peanut butter thing on a spoon, and it’s pretty darn delicious.

During race week, I try to do anything but think about the race, otherwise I will start to feel anxiety. And I definitely drink more water than I probably normally do. I have a race tonight that I’m trying not to get nervous about. It’s just SO hot out there, and night races are challenging!

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I love that Natalie… I do my best when I don’t really think about the race leading up to it either. AHHHH Have so much fun tonight (stay as cool as you can too) Natalie and let me know how it goes!

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My husband and my mom are left-handed, but I’m a boring rightie. :) I love pretzels with pb as a late night snack–sometimes I throw chocolate chips in there too. I never run the day before a race; it probably wouldn’t make much of a difference, but now it’s just habit. I’m not too picky about what I eat the days leading up to the race, but I do try to avoid too much dairy because it tends to make my stomach hurt. Good luck at your half!

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I am the same way… I don’t know if it makes a difference but I’ve been doing it this way for so long I don’t want to change it ha. Plus it’s nice to have a bonus rest day right?! Thanks Denise and I hope you have a wonderful rest of your day!

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I’m a leftie too! So is my bestie.

I have really been digging salted caramel Greek yogurt with some mini chocolate chips for a late night snack.

I definitely agree on trying out new stuff before using/wearing it for a race! And I too cut out veggies and leafy greens leading up to a race. Good luck this weekend!!

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Lefties unite! Ummm I might have to copy your snack right this second. Thanks Marissa and I hope your Thursday is a good one!

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Realizing you have chafing when you get in the shower is the worst kind of wake up call. Omg so painful!

Peanut butter and chocolate chips are the best snack! I usually keep both ingredients in my desk at work!

Two kids being quiet is definitely cause for alarm. It’s kinda hilarious that they tore apart the styrofoam box but I’m sure cleaning it wasn’t so fun.

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I’m not a lefty, but my hubby is. We have to strategically plan how we sit at restaurants :) Lately I am loving the Quest Peanut Butter Cups (kind of like Reese’s, but with a lot more protein). So this might be really odd, but I take a sharpie and write my goal race pace on the top of my hand the day before the race and I try to visualize running that pace. I realize that physically this helps me none, but mentally I feel like it does! I just try to shift a higher percentage of my overall calories to carbs a few days before a longer race. For shorter races, I don’t really change anything. That wheat thin avocado sandwich looks so good. I’m going to have to try it.

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My husband and I are both lefties as well!! It’s a terrific combo :)

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I’m a leftie! I definitely cut out vegetables a few days before and apparently they’re a big part of my regular diet because boy, do I miss them by race day. I can’t wait to have a big salad the next day.

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Leftie here!

I cut high fiber but also meat the day before a race. I actually do best if my biggest meal is at lunch time then a light snack later. (Maybe it’s my 52 year old digestive system?!)

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My boyfriend is lefty but I am not. When we go out to dinner with other people he can’t sit next to me unless I am to his right. :)

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My husband is left handed too.

My race week looks a lot like yours. I like that you switch putout runny playlist though. I never thought to do that and usually just use the same one over and over.

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I’m guessing she doesn’t like having her hair cut lol!
I did the same thing once I became an aunt to all my siblings (that had kids) phones so that my contact name was “Coolest Aunt Ever” hahaha
Before a big race I definitely like to do an intense foam rolling session or get a massage. My muscles always feel so much better after. And hydrate, hydrate, hydrate.

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I am left handed, and I always wish my fiancé was left handed as well cause it’s a total pain when we eat at the bar and hit each other all the time. plus he doesn’t get why it takes me hours to use scissors

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My go-to late night snack right now is watermelon sprinkled with salt – I have an addiction right now!

Week leading up to a race I also get a new play list. I usually put a slow song as my first song because I’m usually trying to weed out of the groups of people and find my stride and then by the end of the list I play some kiss ass songs to get me through the last couple of miles! And I also eat alot more carbs! My go to meal the night before is fettuccine Alfredo, chicken and garlic bread, lol. Carbs, protein and more carb = perfect!

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I’ve been stealing my daughters Nature’s Path peanut butter and chocolate Panda Puffs and throwing in some chocolate chips at night. Those are my new favorite cereals. So good! Also, this is random – but are you wearing your engagement ring on your right hand? It’s beautiful, by the way. Good luck wedding dress shopping!

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Im new to your blog but love reading it. I live in Utah as well and you have provided some inspiration to me to keep going after I was recently diagnosed with an autoimmune disease. Anyway…my favorite late night snack right now would have to be chocolate protein microwave mug cake. Sometimes topped with a little bit of almond butter or coconut oil.
The week of the race I try not to change to many things up. I usually only have one speed day but it’s more like 1 min fast 1 min slow. Nothing crazy. Just enough to make you sweat, get the heart rate up, and the legs moving. I do try and move my clients to later morning so I can get more sleep but that doesn’t always happen. I do love it when my clients are doing the same race as me because we typically spend the whole session stretching ?
I also cut back on lifting unless I’m using the race as a speed workout which is what I’m doing this weekend.
I’ve never tried to change up my diet the week of the race because if I feel good/don’t have tummy issues on my training runs, then why change it? I guess I’m scared changing it will make me sluggish….
Are you running the Utah valley half this weekend or the drop 13?

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Whole grain toast is my favorite late night snack. It’s so simple and perfectly portioned. I cut out any very fibrous foods the day before and eat more bland leading up to a half or marathon, and up the probiotics as well to keep my gut healthy.

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I’m right-handed and my best friend (since were 4 – we are now 51) is left-handed. When we were little we would always sit with me on her left so that we would bump arms/elbows at the dinner table. We thought it was hysterical and would do more laughing than eating!

I love to dip a soft pretzel in honey (not cheese); it is a great sweet/salty combination.

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My husband and his dad are lefties. I do most things left handed but I write right-handed and I generally eat that way unless the hubs and I are bumping. Then I switch to make things easy.

I generally eat nut or sunflower butter before bed. If I’m very hungry I’ll spread it on a brown rice cake.

I eat a variety of cooked leafy greens the week prior to a race. I like having the extra iron and anti-oxidants. I eat a lot of greens in general but I don’t eat as many raw veggies race week. I increase my carb intake a bit for half-marathons. I don’t carb load but I do have some extra. I also drink a sport drink the day before. I tend to drink a lot of water and don’t want to mess up my electrolyte balance.

I run during the week but no hard workouts and no strength training after Monday. (for a Saturday race).

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I am totally left handed too. :) Those salads that you made look so good.

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I love my salty popcorn at night…rice cakes with avocado or cottage cheese also! I’m all about salty snacks…especially with the warm runs lately… I always have a small piece of steak and rice the night. I feel like red meat gives me a boost on race morning ;-)

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Hmmm favorite late night snack: cucumber cream cheese rollup on wheat wrap, greek yogurt with granola, or Purely Elizabeth cereal!
The week of a race I add a bit more carbs, but do not really change things up too much. I eat a couple good carb filled meals the couple days before and have an english muffin and peanut butter the day before a race as a snack!

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I really do miss friends!

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Awwww thanks for the love, Janae ♡
I’m a leftie, too!

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I am ambidextrous but I tend to write with my right hand and I do most everything else with my left hand although some things, (like dusting or painting), I use both hands which probably looks weird but then, well, so am I. ;)

How on earth did you time the high five picture so perfectly? So. Cute. You should frame that so that when they’re older you can whip it out and show it to them anytime they have a disagreement. Trust me on this.

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Pho is my favorite night before race meal!!

My favorite late night snack is definitely popcorn. I practically inhale it. I said we need to get a dog because I spill a lot. My bf said “or you could be less messy.” LOL

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A man after my own heart!!!! I eat pb&honey BY THE SPOON almost every night!! In fact…I’m eating it right now!

Um…Andrew and Janae…have you ever tried pb&honey AND chocolate???? The threesome is heavenly.

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Vacuuming up that styrofoam sounds like a nightmare. if only they were a bit older so they could clean up the mess themselves! ;)
I’ve read your blog for at least three years now, and I don’t think I ever knew you were left handed! Is Brooke too?
My favorite late night snack is a bowl of banana, peanut butter, and chocolate chips. My mom made it for me last night (gotta love being home from university) and she topped it with whipped cream. Nice touch.

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Big spoon full of Nutella and/or a bowl of Multigrain Cherrios, without milk.

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I’m loving on berries right now for a snack! Or as an addition to any meal haha Strawberries, raspberries, blueberries…I’ll take them all! Plus I don’t feel guilty about eating them. Win, win!

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Ohh avocado and wheat thins sound yummy!

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Hahhaha that styrofoam trail is cracking me up because something similar happened at my house recently. I had a comforter that had feathers in it and my cat must have stuck a nail in it at some point because the other day when I went to fluff out the comforter a bunch of feathers came out and went flying! I have a grey rug just like Andrew so my rug had all these tiny white feathers all over. Oh well, nothing a vacuum can’t fix and it gave me a good excuse to buy a new comforter :)

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Yay for the lefties!!!!

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Question: How in the WORLD do you run with your bangs down?! Brooke is adorable, Andrew is handsome, the dog is adorable, and you are gorgeous! Such a beautiful family. I’m sure Andrew’s little one is very handsome, as well. So happy for you!

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Random coincidence: my mother just came back from France where she bought there for my daughter that exact same giraffe romper that Brooke is wearing. Lucy wore it today too. It’s adorable!!!

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my go-to before races have changed from pasta to a potato or sweet potato with chicken or pork. BUT i do cut out all the other vegetables.

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I’m a leftie too! When I read you are, it made me smile – lefties rule the world! ;)

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Lefties rock – I am one – I do a lot of similar things you do before a race. Massages are key:) Love almond butter on a spoon dipped into dark chocolate chips.

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I’m a leftie and so is my entire family! Mom, Dad, Brother, and his wife (my sister in law) The odd one out is my husband who’s a rightie.
My favourite meal the night before a race is baked catfish (high in protein), white sushi rice and frozen veggies (for some reason, frozen veggies are easier for me to digest than fresh veggies!)
I have chronic hamstring soreness so my favourite thing to do before a half or full marathon is to pay a visit to my Physio who massages out all the soreness and inflammation, then tapes up my hamstring. I call him a Magician.

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I’m left handed! Also, this post came at the exact right time for me. I am running a marathon next weekend and have been feeling so stressed out during my taper because my legs have felt like lead. So now I feel more hopefully that that just means I’m going to crush the race!! Thank you!!!!

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I’m left-handed too!!! I love a handful of dark chocolate chips or popcorn for dessert at the moment!

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