MOST IMPORTANTLY, it is Andrew’s birthday today. I am so grateful for Andrew. He is my best friend, and I look forward to his days off so much to be able to hang out together all day. He makes everyone in our family’s world better… I cannot wait to spoil him today.
Okay, back to the run.
Running after the time change took so much strength and bargaining to get out of bed yesterday morning. That one-hour change made me feel like I had the flu for the first 6 miles. However, we did have some light at the end, and we heard birds chirping, which felt very strange after such a long winter.,
The kids didn’t have school yesterday!
And then we got everything ready for Andrew’s birthday, including some coconut cream pie:) It just needs the whipped cream and then it is good to go.
Time for some tangents:
*Back to being outside as much as possible! Life is so much better outside for us.
*It was 35ish degrees on Saturday, and I kept thinking about how hot my ankles were during my long run because I had tall socks on. I’m praying for cold temps on race day, but if things start looking hot for Boston, I will need to wear a few long layers and run at the indoor track to prepare for warmer temps.
*I’ve had this medal next to my bathroom mirror for almost a year. Every day I get to look at it and think about my goals for this year. It’s a great motivator on those mornings I’m getting ready to run and feeling tired.
*Remember how I quit diet coke/soda at the end of December? I drank from Andrew’s Stanley thinking it was water, and it wasn’t… it was Dr.Pepper, and it was so delicious. I might have to try ‘moderation’ with this stuff after the marathon. Why do I love soda so much?!?
Have any tangents to share with me??
I feel like most people have very polarizing opinions on the taste of soda… either love it or hate it? Are you one of those people or somewhere in the middle?
-I had never had it until I was a waitress and we all drank it non-stop during our shifts. That is when I was hooked.
Happy PI day… favorite pie?
Feel free to Tell Andrew happy birthday, he will love it! The more attention he can get for his birthday, the better;)
36 comments
Megan
You should try Hypafix for your heel. It’s a medical tape, and it works great for preventing blisters/hot spots and it’s very gentle on the skin.
Allison
Happy Birthday to Andrew. He inspired me to do Kendall’s new heavy metal ride on Saturday – it was tough but I got a PR!
I love diet Coke in a can – only in a can and only the 12 oz can. Very specific but when I am struggling to get out of bed to work out, I remind myself that I can have a diet coke and that actually helps. I have tried to quite too many times to count.
Andrew
Yesssss!!!! By far my favorite class! Let me know what ride is your favorite!!
Sarah B
Please get that sweet boy a pair of crocs lol, he is so adorable! Hope Andrew has a great birthday!!! Listen, I will never ever be able to give up pop, that is my one weakness – my kryptonite!! I have tried and tried to stop drinking it to no avail and I am quite the mean person when I don’t drink it. I have no other vices (hahaah jk) so I allow myself to have a Pepsi at least once a day! If you took running and Pepsi away from me I might be in a mental institution lol
Corey
Super happy birthday to Andrew!!! Have fun celebrating (and eating pie) :)
Maureen
Beck and I have similar reactions when we’re hungry but our food isn’t done. Unlike Beck I can only be mad at myself since I’m cooking the food ha!
Happy birthday Andrew!! I hope the family makes you feel extra loved today.
Courtney Mick
Good for you for sticking to your soda resolution even after accidentally having some of Andrew’s! I actually work in the quality laboratory of a factory that makes soda and we have to do lots of taste tests every day to make sure the product is correct…bleh. As you might imagine, I have NO desire to drink soda outside of work. I’m sick to death of it!
I love how Andrew’s birthday is on PI day and he wants coconut cream pie for his birthday! The favorite around our house is a peanut butter mousse pie with oreo crust. I meant to make it for today but just completely spaced that PI day is today, so there might be mutiny in the family today XD.
Happy Happy Birthday Andrew! You don’t look a day over 30! Even though Beck is already looking like a teenager in his sassy crocs pic! Have a great day!
Molly S
Happy birthday Andrew! I think he likes his pies extra well done, right? ;)
I make key lime pie for my husband’s birthday. I vote pie over cake most days of the week as is!
I hope your heels do better today in the Adizero shoes!
2:49, 2:49, 2:49! It WILL happen!
Andrew
Hahahahaah, I see what you did there. Janae reminded me a few times about that today! Have a good one!!
Elsie
Happy Birthday Andrew! You are an amazing example of a husband and father!
Andrew
This made my day!! Thank you!!
Jan
Happy Birthday Andrew ! Enjoy the treats and have a great family day !!!!
Thank you Janae for all the tips. I am running a half in Philly on March 26th. All your help has kept me going thru the winter months to train. Especially the fuel and recovery fuel foods. Love the Core Power and advised my friends of the positive effects refueling soon after a hard workout helps.
Happy Training !
Jackie
I love diet coke so much! I used to have a can every day. And then I switched to non-caffeine soda (like Fresca) and now I have a soda stream and have flavored soda water. But when I go out for lunch or am running errands by myself, a soda is my reward!
My favorite pie is probably pineapple pie. The recipe is from an ancient Betty Crocker cookbook.
Happy b-day to Andrew! Anyone who prefers pie to cake is alright in my book!
Ashlea
I love pop..I like the “fizzy” feeling. Ive tried bubbly water as an alternative but it’s not the same. So weird you mentioned Dr. pepper. I bought that the other day as my daughter was asking what it’s like but I haven’t had Dr.pepper since I was a kid!
Happy Birthday to Andrew!! I’m sure he will be spoiled today
Therese
i carry my chicago marathon medal in my purse
Lynn
Happy birthday, Andrew!
Simone
Happy Birthday , Andrew! Have a great birthday week!
Wendy
Happy Birthday Andrew!!! I hope Janae and the kids spoil you with all of your favorites.
This time change is hard for me to adjust to too. I don’t like that it’s so dark in the morning again. But I am loving the sun being out until after 6. Today was a little easier getting out of bed.
Beck is adorable trying to persuade you to buy him Crocs. How do you say no to that sweet face?!?
Have a great day celebrating Andrew!
John
Happy birthday Andrew, hoping you can get in a good bike ride soon!
Sarah
Happy birthday, Andrew!
Janae – Let us know how you celebrate so I can borrow all of your great ideas, just like I borrow all of your great running gear/kids gift ideas!
I can’t think of a single pie I don’t like – they’re all great! But if I had to pick one, I’d go with a classic cherry pie.
Emily
Happy birthday to Andrew!
I love diet soda, and my favorite is diet Barqs, which used to be easy to find. Lately, I haven’t been able to find it anywhere, and I’ve looked in multiple grocery stores in several states. It was hugely exciting when I found it in Georgia on a recent vacation, and I drank a whole 12 pack in 5 days. oops.
Seriously, though, I used to drink too much, and decided to do ‘moderation’ by giving it up except on weekends/holidays, and that’s worked pretty well. I switched mostly to seltzer from our soda stream, and crave soda less often than I thought I would, and go for weeks at a time without drinking it. When I have it, it’s a fun treat.
Your pie looks great! I love apple, cherry, and chocolate silk pie, and my husband is very into key lime. I am anti-banana and will not go near banana cream.
Amy S
Happy birthday Andrew!! Hope it’s a great one!
Erica
Happy Birthday Andrew! You deserve all the spoiling today.
Diet soda: I pretty much do not know why I find it so magical. But it could basically be on my list of things to take to a deserted island with me.
Amanda H
Happy Birthday to Andrew!
An ice cold Coke straight from the cooler is pure heaven. Especially after a run. I would drink pop almost everyday if it was good for me.
KJ
Happy birthday Andrew!
I am a Diet Coke addict. Yes, it probably slows me down and I know it will kill me some day but it makes me happy and prevents me from eating a bunch of sugar after a run or mid-afternoon when I need a pick-me-up.
Also, I ordered the white Amazon tees you recommended and they are amazing! Thank you!
Kelley
Happy Birthday Andrew! I love caffeine free Coke Zero. I think it tastes like regular Coke and I can drink it whenever I want and not worry about not sleeping….well from that anyways :)
Tess
Happy Birthday, Andrew! You continue to inspire me with all things Halloween.
I also gave up soda in the last year, and I don’t crazy miss it – but man, do I love a good diet coke from a fountain! I made a lemon cream pie over the weekend and it was so good! I actually have never made pie before, so I was shocked at how it turned out. Yours looks delicious, enjoy! Let us know how the shoes worked out.
Kathy McElhaney
Happy birthday, Andrew!
My parents drank Pepsi (we never call it soda or pop!) all the time when I was a kid, so that has always been part of my life. Les would rather his be slightly flat which works well for me if I don’t finish my drink ;)
I love fruit pies – cherry, berry, apple, peach. Probably an unpopular opinion, but I’m not a big fan of pumpkin pie, it’s a texture thing because I love pumpkin bread or muffins.
Megan
Happy birthday, Andrew!!!
I am definitely team soda. I enjoy it in moderation so I’ll have a couple of diet sodas per week. I really crave it in the summer months after a really hot run!
I have a training question! I notice in your recaps that you do one weekly speed workout then a workout during your long run on the weekend. Do you feel like this works better for you vs two speed workouts during the week plus a weekend long run? I’ve read different opinions as far as recovery is usually better with 1 workout during the week vs 2 and wanted to get your opinion! Thanks Janae, have a great day celebrating Andrew!!
The Hungry Runner Girl
Hey Megan! That is such a great question and I’ll write more about this in a post. I find that my mid-week workouts are never as solid as my weekend ones. I’m not sure if it is because of all of the things that I need to do during the week for kids and their activities or what but I just feel so much more alive during my weekend workout. I can’t imagine doing two speed workouts during the week with the current kid schedule but I’ve always wondered what would be better. I love having a big effort on Saturday since I always take Sundays off to rest too. Maybe I’ll have to try it out a bit during one training cycle and see! In 2019 I did do a big speed workout on Tuesdays and ‘challenge’ days (lots of climbing) the following day and that really made me strong. I’ll have to play around and think more about this… thanks Megan, keep me updated on what is working for you!
Katie A
Happy birthday to Andrew today! Hope you all have a great day celebrating him. I am not as much of a cream pie fan when compared to apple (or better yet, apple crisp!), but that pie looks exactly like something my husband would like & his birthday is next Monday, so now you have me thinking of PIE! Also, how fun to be born on ‘Pi Day’!
I hate the taste of soda, just because it’s SO super sweet to me. I think I should be grateful for that, because I am totally a sugar addict with other things (cookies, bars… gummy candy..). Giving up/taking a break from super yummy things is so hard!
PS-Cute nails!! My kids told me this morning I need to paint my nails green for St. Patrick’s day later this week. :)
Mariah
Happy birthday Andrew!!!
No soda for me, not a fan. But I love coffee for caffeine!
Stacey
Happy birthday, Andrew! My dad’s birthday is tomorrow. It’s a great time of the year to be born!
I agree that Beck needs a pair of Crocs. How cute is he?!
I have Raynaud’s (my fingers and toes go numb and develop frostnip easily) so I am DONE with this cold weather. If it’s 30 degrees on April 17th, I won’t blame you though :) I’m hoping for close to 60 and would never say no to a tailwind.
We’re almost there! I REALLY hope I get to meet you but if I don’t bump into you, I’ll be wishing you a hopeful heart and fast feet.
AmandaM
Happy birthday, Andrew! At least through an Internet lens you appear to be a wonderful father and great husband :-). You deserve a great day!
My favorite pie is an ice cream pie that my grandmother used to make with an Oreo cookie crust. She would top it with Cool Whip!
Jen M
I like a root beer on occasion, and I swear that the Sierra Mist at Costco is better than all other sodas (but I guess it’ll be Starry now?). But overall, I’m just not a soda drinker. I was the weird kid who wanted tap water with her Happy Meal in kindergarten and I’m still that way!
I love the no-bake Butterfinger pie from Spicy Southern Kitchen, but am currently going low-carb due to some less-than-ideal blood sugar numbers, so no pie for pi day :-(
Happy birthday, Andrew!
Kerry
Hi Janae,
I’m debating buying a pair of the ASICS superblast. Do you like them? Also, what types of runs do you wear them on? Thanks!