Curly took me out for my birthday date yesterday after school.
We started out with some friends at National Frozen Yogurt Day at Yogurtland (FREE froyo and toppings… Brooke has been to this every year of her life so far… 4 times already!)
Curly then told me to drive us to the gas station for my favorite hot chocolate (her treat;) because she knew we would be freezing after eating ice cream. She knows me pretty well.
After our date I hung out with my sister for a bit. I’ve had a few people ask about what my brother-in-law puts in his amazing trail mix: pecans, almonds, walnuts, cashews (he gets all of these unsalted except for the cashews—> he gets those salted), raisins, craisins and no-sugar added dried mango and pineapple.
His trail mix has a magnetic pull included that draws me in each and every time I go to their house.
The next stop for our evening was a birthday party for one of Brooke’s bffs. Lindsey goes all out on her cakes.
Koala bear hugs while waiting for our food is the only way to wait.
I wasn’t super hungry (see above eats right before dinner) so I just went with one of the flatbreads but it was amazing.
I think Brooke gets a little confused on who is supposed to blow out the candles…
And then we went home and watched a part of Land Before Time XXXXXIV (I am pretty sure they have that many at this point). She is really into dinosaurs these days so it went well.
The US OLYMPIC TRIALS for the Marathon is on Saturday! I am pretty tempted to pack up and drive to LA to go and cheer on these incredible athletes. Who will be going to cheer on? Send me some pictures please!
Here is what the course map looks like… they start with a small loop and then they do a 6 mile loop 4 times! Another reason to go and watch them race—> you get to see them run by a ton because of all of the loops!
The top 15 marathon qualifying times for the women and then men:
And a few clips about some of the athletes that will be competing these weekend for the top 3 men and top 3 women’s spots to go to the Olympics in RIO!
PS If you are in need of some running inspiration make sure to watch these:)
“I could just run. I didn’t have to think about anything. For me it was like the first time I felt at home.”—> that part from Kara’s clip gave me goosebumps.
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Who are you routing for to make the US Marathon team?
71 comments
Gretchen | Gretchruns
Whoo hoo!! SO excited! Clara Santucci is a local athlete that I’ve been cheering on like crazy, and I knew that she qualified but had no idea she was in the top 10! That’s really awesome. I’m also going to cheer for Desi, Shalene and Deena. Can’t lie though, I’ll be cheering for everyone :)
Sarah @ SarahRuns26
The women’s field in particular is so strong, it is so hard to only pick three! I’m super pumped for Kara and I hope that she gets to go on to the Olympics, the rest are much harder for me to pick! Shalane, Desi, Amy…I just can’t pick one to leave out! I’m super excited to watch the trials, that’s my plan for Saturday morning!
Michele @paleorunningmomma
Ooh can’t wait to watch! Thanks for linking the clips as I definitely could use the inspiration. Can’t believe that flatbread – yum!
Margaret @ youngandrungry
Thanks for sharing those videos, it’s all so inspiring! I couldn’t imagine what these ladies are going through this week I would be beyond all nerves! I love Amy Cragg and am always pulling for her, but of course Shalane and Dena are always a favorite.
If I were anywhere near CA I’d be right there cheering too!
Sally @ sweat out the small stuff
I wish they all could make it! :)
Kristina Running
I have to bookmark this post so I can watch the videos after work today!
Curly is very smart about having hot chocolate after ice cream. A cold front came in over the weekend down here and I told my boyfriend that it’s a special experience to eat ice cream when it’s cold out and that we had to do it. I wish I would have thought about hot chocolate after because I think I was freezing for the next 48hrs!
Natalie
I definitely want to see Dathan Ritzenhein make the team. I’ve loved him since high school!
And I LOVE Yogurtland! It’s one of my top three froyo places. :)
Kathy
This is MY kind of day!! What a great bday date/party for others/and home for a movie…score!
(My bday is on Thursday…kind of making a week of it around here too…ha!)
Meredith @ the cookie chrunicles
I am still annoyed I missed national frozen yogurt day!
Kaci @ Kaci K. RD2Be
Curly’s froyo is impressive! And I love her reasoning that you’d need hot chocolate after-she’s a smart one!
Cori @ She's Going the Distance
i’d love to see kara goucher make the trip to rio. she has such heart for the sport and is constantly getting better and better!
Karien @ Running the Race
Goodness, that trail mix does look amazing… Yum!!
Brie @ Lean, Clean, & Brie
SO excited for the marathon trials! And that is so cool you are able to go and watch — I’m just a tad jealous ;). I am rooting for Des, Kara, and Shalane!
Rachel @ Simply Rachel Nicole
Those times are seriously incredible! Thanks for linking all of the clips! It looks like Curly spoiled your for your birthday!! :)
Laura @ This Runner's Recipes
I’m so excited to watch the trials! Shalane, Sara Hall, and Desi are my favorites.
Annie R
It’s so hard, I wish all of them could make the team. I’m definitely rooting for Shalane, and I want Amy to make it just because she was so close last time. Then I’m between Desi, Kara, Sara Hall, and Deena Kastor is so incredible…soooo all of them. I want all of them to win.
For the men, I’ve only seen Meb and Dathan race in the past so I’m definitely rooting for those two.
I absolutely cannot wait to watch!
Jenny
Oh no!!! I totally forgot about free froyo day. How did this happen? I’ll be kicking myself for that all week now. I’m glad you got to go though.
Jane @janerunswild
Oh my gosh I am so jealous that you’re watching the Olympic marathon trials!! That is so amazing, no doubt the experience will be incredibly inspirational. Maybe one day you will be running with them! Can’t wait to see pictures and read about the experience in your blog!
ida
shalane, desi and degna for the women, meb, dathan and galen for the men. I’m going to the trials and I’m so excited to see how it all unfolds!
Hollie
Ha that’s so funny about Brooke blowing out the candles.
Kris L and I have spent multiple texts geeking out about who we think will make the trials. I’m not sure where the third women’s spot will go…I’m between Hall and Deena but there are so many wild cards there.
Taylor
Can’t wait to watch!! Love that your niece thought to get hot chocolate after froyo because you might be cold!! That is the most precious thing!
Lindsay @ A Runnaroundd Life
How could we pick just ONE person to root for? They’re all such amazing athletes. Whoever makes it will deserve it!
Sam
I hope I can find a way to watch the LA Marathon! I love all of these superstar lady runners!
Di
Love the Olympic trials! I always end up crying! haha. I love Kara but since I’m a Master’s I usually root for Deena! How amazing is that woman! But I’ll be happy for anyone really, it’s such a huge deal to even run the trials!
Staci
Will Lindsey deliver one of those to my house? I am not a huge cake fan but that looks great! My daughter would love it! haha!
I love that you are your family are so close and that you guys all spoil each other!
I am so excited about the trials! So many talented US athletes all in one spot! Can’t wait!!
Catie B
Meb all the way! I just love him!!!
Jen @ Pretty Little Grub
I would love to watch the trials. That course is great for spectators but holy boring for the athletes!
Tiffany @ The Chi-Athlete
Dr. Dre ——> ANDREA DUKE! What what!
Itzel
This Saturday, I’ll be cheering for a friend who is running in the B group. It would be super cool if she were to qualify for Rio, but even if she doesn’t, it’s still such an accomplishment that she can run among such a talented group of athletes!
Jesisca
Myself and all of West Virginia are cheering on Clara Santucci! She’s such an inspiration to some many in not only our town of Morgantown but for the whole state! The past two years I’ve run the Pittsburgh 1/2 Marathon she has run the marathon and won! She’s so humble, true, and an incredibly dedicated athlete! Check our her video and help cheer her on…. http://player.piksel.com/player.php?video_uuid=xl0u3639
Sam @ See Sam Run
AH! I am SO excited for the Trials on Saturday. I can imagine running that course being super boring, but it leads to much more course support for the runners. I’m rooting for Kara, and also Shalane and Lauren Kleppin! Alana Hadley is also on my radar as well. Don’t think she’ll make the top 3, but I think she’ll have a great run.
Megan @ Skinny Fitalicious
I can’t believe I missed national froyo day. It was 82 in Phoenix and would have been the perfect treat!
Maggie
I am so excited to watch the trials! I love Shalane and Kara. I’m also majorly rooting for Teal from Miles to the Trials — she went from a 4:07 marathon to qualifying for the OTs, while getting a PhD in neuroscience. I think she’s secretly a super hero.
Wendy
My hubby and I will be there on Saturday!! We’ll be picking up our race packets for the LA Marathon on Sunday, so we’ll hang out and cheer on those amazing runners!! Hoping to see/cheer on Kara, Shalane, Sara, and Meb!! It will be great inspiration for us to have a great marathon on Sunday :)
Love the inspiration videos! Thanks for sharing!!!
Rachael @ Catch Me if You Can
if i lived anywhere close to LA i would absolutely go and cheer like a mad woman for all those amazing athletes! i cant wait for our city to one day host the Olympics, its so inspiring!!
Mel_OutRunCF
Go Kara Go!!! She is such an inspiration! She’s been through so much and she’s coming back stronger each time… She’s managing hard training and motherhood…no matter how fast she runs or how she places, she’s an incredible model.
Cassie
Totally routing for Kara! And SOOOOO excited that it’ll be aired on TV! Can’t wait to watch. :)
Sara
I am rooting for shalane, as well we dathan and meb. I’d like to see Desi and kara win the 2 and 3 spots behind shalane, 2012 repeat I guess haha
Margaret @ Simple Fit Foodie
Gimmie some of that trail mix..!! And flatbread. YUM #foodieproblems
ellen
Sounds like you had an amazing day :) Loved the videos! thanks for sharing :)
Julia @ Lord Still Loves Me
They still make Land Before Time??????? THAT MAKES ME HAPPY. I loved those things. Seriously, my mom could probably recite the entire movie I watched it so often. That, and the Brave Little Toaster.
Amanda B @ Cupcakes & Miles
I’m so excited for the marathon trials! I don’t know who exactly I’m rooting for. I like them all, I’m just super excited to watch it. We’re having a watch party at Fit2Run, so that should be fun!
Emma @myfullfatlife
I love that cake!!!
Steph @ loveandlunge
Is it wrong to want to root for all of them? It’s such an amazing feat that I can’t even fathom. Each one of those running deserves as much support and praise as possible. GO TEAM USA!!
Leanne
I am so excited for the Olympic Trials! I hope my husband doesn’t mind too much that I will be focused on them on his birthday (and yours!). My daughter’s fifth grade teacher, Susanna Sullivan, is running the Half and we can’t wait to cheer her on from VA.
I hope that Kara and Shalane make the team! They are so inspiring!
Sam
Brooke being into dinosaurs reminded me of my “interest” in dinosaurs as a kid. When I was 4/5 my mom was going to update my bedroom and asked me what theme I wanted. The boy I had a crush on was obsessed with dinosaurs, so naturally I wanted to demonstrate my enthusiasm on the topic… I said dinosaurs (without providing her the context) and my mom kept asking me if I was sure. I insisted and she put together the most amazing dinosaur room.
She bought big industrial sponges, cut them into different dinosaur shapes, sponge painted my walls and then did a sponge dinosaur painted border across the top, the bottom half of the walls had wallpaper with a formal dinosaur border across the divide between paint and wallpaper. My rug, closet doors and bed all were themed.
But then, the boy and I ended up at different schools the next year and I had a dinosaur room until 7th grade….. Oh memories.
Grace
Ah! I’m so excited for OTQ on Saturday, especially since my cousin is running. Make sure you cheer for Becky Wade!
Grace
That was supposed to say OTs!*
BB
I know there are a lot of donut lovers on this site, just a warning to be careful!
http://jezebel.com/man-dies-after-krispy-kreme-race-requiring-runners-to-e-1757770871
Casey
We are going to the trials! My husband was hoping to be in them, but it just wasn’t in the cards for him. Regardless, it should be a fun day! His coach is Fernando Cabada and he has another really good friend running so we have a lot of cheering to do. Creepy as this offer may be, if you feel like making the drive you can crash at our place:) And hey, it’s about 80 degrees out here this week so that should make it extra temping;)
Kristin
I’m so excited to watch the Marathon trials this weekend!! And I fully just decided to go get froyo for lunch after seeing your pictures…. thanks! :)
Clark
4 loops of same route sounds awful.
Of course there was a similar race just a few days ago. The Groundhog Day marathon. 6 laps “Ever see the movie? The course will give you the opportunity to relive the same day several times. A total of 6 loops of approximately 4.4 miles on a CERTIFIED course (Yes! You can qualify for Boston!) will have you feeling just a little case of deja vu. Plans are to have two aid stations plus the finish line area. Map is here. Don’t plan on the course being free of snow. It’s paved, which means no underlying rocks and roots, but that’s about all we’re promising.”
RunnerGirl
I totally agree about the course sounding awful! My husband did a 100 mile race and the course was a 20 mile loop run 5 times :-/
T.O.
Yay! I can’t wait to watch the trials! That third place female spot is going to be so competitive! I’m also watching for Alana Hadley, the youngest runner who is age ineligible for the olympics but it’s awesome to see a young person get to compete with all these older pros! Hope everyone has a great race and runs their hearts out!
Kathy
Oooh, I’d love Serena Burla to make it. The fact she’s back in racing form after cancer and children is amazing. And of course, I’m rooting for Annie Bersagel. She’s an attorney. I’m an attorney. I’m pretending that she’s my less well-padded doppelganger.
Tracy
Kara all the way! I live in Boulder County and run with local store Boulder Running for Wednesday night fun runs sometimes…I was running along and looked to my left and she was right next to me!…( for like split second, lol) Just about died…just amazing to see her. I love the video…run there all the time. She to me is what running is about. The heart and love.
Jill @ RunEatSnap
Kara Goucher seems like such a great person! I will have to watch the other videos as well. Thanks for sharing!
Sheena @ Paws and Pavement
Thanks for the reminder about the trials. Will definitely try to watch.
Erin @ Her Heartland Soul
That cake looks amazing!!
Amy @ Life to the Full
In the list of top runners, I’m rooting for Sarah Hall! And a girl from my highschool is running, too, so I hope she can qualify for the team :)
P.S. That cake looks AWESOME!
Stephanie
Desi, Desi, Desi!!!!!!!!
Sarah
Kara Goucher is my new woman crush. We are the same age and have sons (her’s is two years older than mine) and watching her run on that clip just now made me want to run a marathon. I just started her book and I registered for the lottery for the NYC marathon :0. If I get a spot it would be my first marathon! I love your blog, Janae, and I read it religiously everyday. You and all the other runners on your site have inspired me to push my limits as a runner from the moment I found your blog 2.5 years ago (also when I first started running)! I couldn’t even run two miles without stopping then and now I have run two half marathons, a 10k, and a handful of 5ks.
Thank you for showing us into your world!
Stephanie
So exciting! Go Sara and Kara!
Carina
Can’t seem to play the videos for Sara or Amy, fyi.
Caroline
I’m super excited because one of my classmates will be running in the trials! Dylan Hassett! She’s a sophomore at my college and a bunch of my friends on the cross country and track team are excited for her.
Also excited for Kara Goucher because she is basically a goddess. :)
Marcie J
You should totally pack up and come watch!!! I’m heading down with some friends to watch Amber Green (my bestest friend!) run in it. You could come hang with us!!
shelly
I completely forgot about those movies. My son loves dinosaurs too. I need to have him watch it.
Heather
GO CLARA GO! Clara is coached by my husband and kinda my training partner. haha. I get a head start and she chases after me.
I see someone else shared her video– pretty cool story!
Glad to hear your toe is on the mend!
Caitlin
Duuuuuuuude I love this post. Everyone of those videos are amazing. Also- curly’s amount of froyo clearly she takes after her aunt!! Happy birthday (belated) hope it was amazing!
Cait
Joanna
Cheering for Danna Herrick, a sweet friend from college! Thanks for your post about running fuel, very interesting and helpful! I wonder if you might write about recovery nutrition? I am a fairly new runner, training for my second half marathon in April. For my first race I basically always did “easy” runs, it was mainly about working up my miles. This time I decided to try some hill and speed workouts between long runs. I want to run faster, and because I convinced my hubby to run with me I find myself more competitive this time. :) Anyway, I have experienced some serious muscle fatigue which kept me from completing my long run. . A problem I didn’t have last time. I am sure my biggest problem is that I went too hard too fast. I took some extra rest days and now I am easing back into my plan but I also want to focus more on my nutrition. I figure if I want my body to get stronger I should pay more attention to how I feed it. Any tips you have would be great! I have been researching some, the information is overwhelming!
katelyn
I would like state that briefly (very briefly) dated Shadrack Biwott at the U of O… I had no idea he was running the marathon these days! This is my new party convo go to, haha!