Today is a very important day. It is Andrew’s 36th birthday. He has work off for a few days, so we are heading south for him to get in some mountain biking. Thank goodness his fibula healed up in time for mountain biking season… He is grateful he broke it right as winter came along when the trails were too muddy for him to ride anyway! Here’s to all of the peanut M&M’s, in-n-out, bike shops, and scary movies (the one time each year I will watch one with him). I’m so grateful for Andrew and can’t wait to spoil him today.
Signs of a runner doing a big workout are below. My friend needed some downhill mile repeats, so we joined her in the action.
It’s been over 6 months since I last did MTCs (our downhill mile segment where we drop about 150 ft in the mile), and my body could tell. Downhill running is a whole different ball game on my muscles. After so much flat training, the recovery back up to the top of the segment felt harder than ever. Getting back on trails again is going to be quite a shock to my system!
Mile splits-> 5:50, 5:36, 5:34, 5:41.
The downhill sure helps you speed up your leg turnover to keep up with gravity, but I have a feeling I am going to wake up extremely sore today. I’m not sure how we used to do 10 of these in one workout and much faster!
Let’s catchup with life:
*Another round of TJ’s 5-ingredient pesto chicken pasta. This is my #1 meal currently. We also toasted some bread with mozzarella along with the pasta and added some basil and TJ’s bruschetta sauce on top.
*Started this:
*Beretta has a new dog bed she is loving.
*I really want to do the Great Wall Marathon someday. I looked up the course records and both happened in 2013—> Jorge Maravilla ran it in 3:09:18 and Silvia Serafini ran it in 3:32:12.
*I finished listening to this, and his story was heartbreaking.
*I made cinnamon rolls last night for Andrew’s birthday. Once upon a time, Andrew ate a cinnamon roll before it was cooked haha… that is how much he loves cinnamon rolls.
*I would love your honest opinion on these. I think I might be in the minority, but I think these are just okay. I feel like everyone else in the world thinks they are the best candy ever.
Thoughts on Cadbury mini eggs?
Any memoirs that you love?
What would be a dream marathon for you?
Feel free to wish Andrew happy birthday today, he always reads the comments. Also, celebrate his birthday of 3/14 with some pie;)
39 comments
Cheryl Acevedo
Happy birthday to Andrew!!!
The Hungry Runner Girl
Thank you, Cheryl!
LC
Hey Janae!
Cadbury – nope! And I am not a picky candy eater…but I will pass on those.
My list of dream marathons is LONG. Currently hoping to get into NYC while my niece is still living there so we can share those memories together. <3
And of course Happy Birthday Andrew! Enjoy your day, your cinnamon rolls, and the time on your bike. Looking forward to the pictures =]
The Hungry Runner Girl
LC! I am dying for you to be able to get into NYC so you can do it while she is living there. Will you please let me know if you get in? Thank you friend and I’m glad I’m not alone with the eggs. Happy Thursday!
Michelle
Happy Birthday Andrew!
Kelly M
Happy Birthday, Andrew! I turn 36 at the end of March.
I love the mini eggs. I will finish a bag in one or two sittings… which is TERRIBLE! I am the same way about candy corn.
Molly S
Happy birthday, Andrew! Wishing you a healthy year and being able to get through all of Janae’s showering of birthday love today. heheh I love spoiling my husband too on his birthday.
Great mile splits!! So impressive!
I saw The Women available at the library this week but it was a 7 day loan. I was too nervous that I would need more time so I will await for it on my Kindle.
Alicia
Cadbury eggs = gross to me
I love m&m Easter candy with the peanut butter eggs. I’ve already purchased 4 bags and almost done with my second. I know I have a problem lol.
Memoirs, I just ready Mariah Carey’s which was really good and currently reading Paris Hilton’s. I’m loving memoirs lately so please share if you find others you like. I’ve also pre ordered Katie Ledecky’s book that comes out in June.
Happy Birthday to Andrew and happy pi day
Jessica
Happy birthday to Andrew! Sounds like some fun birthday plans.
I LOVE Cadbury mini eggs! I have been known to buy the big bag of them just for myself. This year I’m limiting myself to 2 of the smaller bags.
Jenny
Happy birthday Andrew!!! I’m with you on the cadbury eggs, I also think they’re just okay. Unrelated question: for one of your Friday Favorites posts, could you write about who your favorite Peloton strength instructors are? I’ve mostly used Callie and Rebecca so far but am curious who you like! Thanks!
The Hungry Runner Girl
Jenny, I wish I was better at answering this question… I usually filter the time and what muscles I want to work on and then choose the first class! I’ll ask in the questions for people’s favorites on a post if that is okay, then we can both find some new favorites. Have a beautiful day, Jenny!
Corry
Happy birthday Andrew!
This Easter will be five years since I gave up all candy (except if there are pieces in ice cream). I had to, my mini egg addiction was out of control. So it’s fair to say that I love them! I miss them.
Biographies are my favourite read. I did read the Matthew Perry’s and was actually shocked that, at that point, he was still alive. Such a sad story and life. After reading that book, I figured he be one of the one we’d seen go too soon.
Have a great day celebrating Andrew!
Gabby Kennedy
Mini eggs used to be one of my favorite, but I feel they’ve changed the flavor or something or maybe it’s just me and the fact I’m not into sweets like I used to be!
Happy Birthday Andrew!
Katie A
Happy Birthday Andrew!! March is a great month for a birthday (my husband’s month too), and on PIE DAY no less! Hope it’s a fabulous day/week/month enjoying all the things you love.
No thanks to Cadbury mini-eggs.. I will happily share those with everyone else. :) I’d rather have jelly beans over just about any other easter candy.
I think memoirs might be my favorite book genre. It’s a much more realistic way to compare your life to someone (If you’re prone to do that!… versus social media), since the book usually explains the challenges the person faced. I need to checkout Matthew Perry’s.
Thanks for the Adidas ideas yesterday too.. I am going to checkout their big sale at some point today!
Allison
Cadbury Mini Eggs are one of my favorite things in the world, and I have absolutely no self-control around them. If you locked me in a room with one million eggs and gave me 24 hours to eat them all, I could and would do it.
Nicole
Happy birthday Andrew!
Cadbury, mini eggs are my absolute favorite! You can send any you don’t want to my house please.
I enjoyed the Katie Couric memoir. If you grew up watching the Today Show at all, you’ll love it.
Wendy
Happy birthday to Andrew!! Sounds like it will be a fun weekend!
Are you heading all the way down here to SoCal? Or just to St. George? Either way, the weather is going to be so nice this weekend.
We do like the Cadbury mini eggs, but they’re not the best, just good enough.
I need to make that pasta dish again.
Downhill running is so hard! I hope you’re not too sore today.
Safe travels, and have a great day!
The Hungry Runner Girl
Just St. George but I wish SoCal! We haven’t been to those beaches in forever. Thank you friend and I hope you are having a beautiful day!
Shannon
Happy birthday Andrew! Enjoy the day! I love Kristin Hannah, and I haven’t seen this one! Thanks for your review on The Women. I am on a waitlist a mile long on my Libby app. I have a question for you today Janae, well I have like 100 questions for you but the blisters on my feet take priority! I am now starting to build upon my mileage and I actually ran my furthest distance yesterday, 9 miles at 8:49 avg pace. Excited to see the progress! Anyhow can you recommend 1-2 pairs of shoes for the treadmill? Majority of my runs are on the treadmill because well, Mom life. I currently wear ASICS Gel keyanos. I have a feeling they aren’t what I should be wearing. Currently running 20 miles a week and hoping to build to 30. Thanks for your help!!!
The Hungry Runner Girl
Shannon! I am SO excited for you! That is a great question, do you think it is your shoes or your socks? Also, I love to go up in size on my running shoes which always helps to prevent blisters. A bit more space can do wonders, I am a size 9 in normal shoes and wear a 10 in running shoes. Do you by chance have a running store near you? Going in to try on a bunch of shoes on their treadmill and have them analyze what you might need to best suit you. If you want to stick with ASICS, I love the NovaBlasts! As far as socks go, I’m really loving Bombas, the blister tab is awesome on them. Keep me updated!
Shannon
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! I’ve never heard to size up my shoe size and thanks to your advice I’ve called out local running store and set up an appointment for fitting shoes. The things you learn when you get the courage to ask out loud! I love this running community! Again Happy Birthday Andrew!
Carol
Happy Birthday!!!!
Kathy McElhaney
My dream marathon would be one that Les trained for and ran with me. Gotta get him up to a half first, ha!
Happy birthday, Andrew!! I’m so glad you’re in Janae’s life.
Annemarie
Happiest birthday to Andrew! Have an amazing day and enjoy your time off! 😊
Beth Risdon
The Great Wall is on my list too. I am actually visiting China and the Wall in early April!! Wish the timing worked with the marathon. HBD Andrew!
Maria
Happy birthday, Andrew!
Janae – those mile splits ARE fast!! And the mini Cadbury eggs are good, but starburst jelly beans are where it’s at for me!
Donna Mason
HAPPY BIRTHDAY ANDREW!! Enjoy all of the fun celebrations for the next several days. Have an amazing year, you deserve it!!!!
Amy J.
Happy Birthday, Andrew! Kristin Hannah’s books are SO good – also, I’ve shared that TJ’s account with so many people thanks to you lol!!! What book is that you have for the Great Wall marathon? It looks like it would have quite a good list of marathon options in it!
Rebekah
Those are 100% my favorite chocolate candy ever!
Mindy
Happy birthday Andrew! I hope you have a great day/weekend doing all the things you enjoy!
Not a fan of Cadbury mini-eggs, I would rather eat M&Ms, my husband loves them though.
Matthew Perry’s book is so sad and gives a deep dive into what I think a lot of people in Hollywood struggle with. Chasing fame to fill a void. I cried for him so many times, I listened to it not long after his death, and now watching friends reruns or clips makes me sad for all that he was going through.
Other memoirs that I have really liked, it’s not a genre I read often, Kara Goucher (never buying Nike again), Des Linden (the story telling was incredible), Jessica Simpson (so eye opening and sad).
Dava
Happy Birthday Andrew!
Marissa
I buy a bag of the Cadbury mini eggs every year, and am so excited to eat them! The first few taste delicious, and then they start tearing up my mouth, and I remember I don’t actually like them. Give me a year to forget, and I’ll go through the same cycle next year!
Marissa
I don’t know if love is the right word, but “I’m Glad My Mom Died” by Jeanette McCurdy was really good.
I really want to do a marathon out of the country and probably one in Hawaii!
Happy birthday, Andrew!! Have a blast biking this weekend!
Mary
What book is that you have that showed that Great Wall of China marathon? Does it have other marathons?
Dream marathon is BOSTON! I’m not fast enough though.
kelly
Alles gut zum Geburtstag Andrew!
I like the mini eggs but feel some better Easter has come into play! Reese’s pieces eggs are so good.
Hope your few days are spectacular!
Tess
Happy birthday Andrew!!! Also, agreed on Cadbury eggs, never understood it.
Warren
I think I’d always knew about Perry’s Canadian connection…my fave was book put together called the Groucho File by Groucho Marx….lots of laughs….and memories
Tiffany
Happy birthday to Andrew!
You should add Dave Grohl’s memoir to your list. It was really good!
Lindsay
I’m playing catch up after Spring Break, but happy belated birthday to Andrew!! Also, I consider myself quite the chocolate candy connoisseur and those Cadbury eggs are very low on my list. :)