Hi everyone! How’s your night going? Who else is NOT watching the Superbowl? 
Bahah
Thank you so much for all of the sweet compliments on last night’s dinner party!
It was a little hard to wake up this morning, but I was so glad I did because Meara and I made 10 miles our biotch.
Before leaving the casa, I had some fruit:
An apple w AB and cinnamon on a fancy paper towel –which was wet from cutting the strawberries and banana on it… klassy- and 1/2 cup of coffee. That’s all I needed for a nice little energy spike 
The pilot babysat Meara’s little guy (he’s one and adorable) while we set out on our 10 miles of justice.
Splits:
Mile 1: 8:56
Mile 2: 9:12
Mile 3: 9:01
Mile 4: 9:12
Mile 5: 9:02
Mile 6: 9:13
Mile 7: 9:15
Mile 8: 8:58
Mile 9: 9:04
Mile 10: 8:38 (!)
Then we walked .46 mi. It was an AWESOME run and gave me a little bit of extra confidence to rock out my half in a few weeks. The weather has made me slack on runs lately –I can’t stand rain and cold- so I wasn’t feeling much like a runner and was getting worried about my half. Today’s run made it so much better
I was happier inside than I looked on the outside
That is, until I had to face THIS:
Ice bath!!! *shudders*
Despite my hoodie, hot tea and book for distraction, I was miserable in that thing. My knees will thank me later.
Snack:
Lunch was a salad beast with leftovers from last night:
and mashed sweet potatoes:
‘Twas glorious 
I chilled quite a bit today and we went to visit our cute little neighbors, trained a client and tonight Jeni and I saw Dear John.
I was a little apprehensive to see it after hearing mediocre and bad reviews, but honestly, I loved it for two reasons.
1) I don’t have high expectations for Nicholas Sparks movies. They only need to have eye candy (Channing Tatum- check) and make me cry like a baby (double check).
2) This movie was even more believable and “real” because I’ve been there. I know how devastating deployments are what it’s like to wait and yearn for any type of correspondence- I cried the first time I saw the pilot on Skype (embarrassing, but true). I know how amazing it feels to know that your love is alive and ok, and also how frustrating it feels to not have a choice in any of it.
So in an almond shell, I thought the movie was very good.
Well I’m off to type up Winter Shape Up Week 4 –and will auto post it early for all of you early birds out there- and then get to sleep.
Have a wonderful night!
G
ICE BATH!!!! Looks totally miz! Ahhhh! Great job on the run though.
I still wanna see Dear John..I don’t care what people say
ice bath *shudder* indeed but awesome run! great splits for 10 miles. and you totally kicked it’s booty
That’s a fast run! I cringe at the thought of the ice bath, though. I’ve been wanting to see Dear John, despite the bad reviews it’s getting. I’m always a sucker for sappy love stories. Can’t wait for Week 4!
Congrats on the long run! I can’t wait to make it that far. I’ll prob end up seeing Dear John by renting it, that’s usually how I end up watching Nicholas Sparks movies. Always good for a tear-fest at home!
good idea, i was crying into a popcorn napkin haha
I saw Dear John last night, too. I thought it was good, but def didn’t compare to the book! Did you read the book ?
no i haven’t, but totally want to now!
Congrats on the 10-miler
Ice baths are bittersweet- the first 3 minutes suck but its sooooo worth it!
I haven’t seen Dear John yet, but I’m looking forward to it. Like you, I don’t have high expectations for Nicholas Sparks movies. haha. They filmed it here in Charleston, and my husband was actually flying the C-17 that they show several times (at least they show it several times in the previews).
Hi Gina!
xoxo
Honestly, when I saw Dear John, all I could think about was You! I can only imagine what it must be like to actually have to deal with deployment and my heart broke for you! It made me cherish the time with my own husband even more. You are such an amazing, strong, woman and I’m sure you’re pilot is SO grateful to have such a supportive wife to come home too
awww, thanks girl <3
Ok, i’m not a runner so i wanna know, how long do u stay in the ice bath and do u do it every time u run? Are u suppose to take a shower after or will that defeat the purpose of an ice bath? Thanks!!!!
hey brenda,
i only do it for longer runs (10 miles or over) if my knees start to get tight during the run- it helps a lot!
i thought it was ok to shower after, but the pilot told me no, so i didn’t today. i used to and it didn’t seem to make a difference.
Nice job on the ten miles:D
I loved Dear John too. Loved the book even more! I commend anyone who has to go through that with the love of their life. So heart-wrenching.
Congrats on your run! I am brand new to running, starting week 4 tomorrow and I will be running/walking in a 1/2 marathon in Jamaica in Dec. So so scared because right now I just don’t see it happening but I know I have a lot of time and a long way to go. I’ll keep trying!
I started strength/weight training today and want to follow one of your workouts (Intro to Iron Pumping and/or Winter Shape Up). Can these be done together or should I just pick one? I would like to do strength 3x a week, two at the gym and one at home.
Those mashed sweet potatoes and salad beast look sooo yummy! My goal is to eat more whole foods so I have to really focus and try hard. It’s so hard to get away from processed stuff when you have eaten it for so long.
You are my hero LOL Really, you are a true inspiration! Just back from a business trip last week and trying to catch up on the blog. Hope all is well.
hey girl,
jamaica is an awesome place for a half! i want to go!
i would just pick one as far as the strength training goes– they’re structured to be done on their own
thanks for such a sweet comment- have a great night <3
You rocked that run! I did 6 miles the other day and my ave. was 10:58. (treadmill run, it was snowing outside! can’t wait to get back to GA!!)So you think the ice baths helped? I’ve been noticing the tendon on the inside of my right leg by the knee feeling jacked up after I upped the mileage. I don’t know if I could get into an ice bath, though! ugh.
yes, even though they’re not fun at all, ice baths work wonders
Wow, an ICEBATH? what’s that for? ps. I’m new to your blog Gina and love it, it’s in my google reader now.
hey kate,
thanks so much! it’s to help with inflammation after a long run- it helps a lot!
I’m so envious of those splits! I’m excited when I run an 8:30 pace in a 5K. I hear ya on the cold weather running blahs. We had our first clear day in a couple of weeks here in the SF Bay Area, and I felt so blissful knocking out a couple of miles. Can’t wait till summer, or at least spring.
Awesome and congrats on the 10 miles! I am training for a half that takes place on April 10 and still have not done 10 miles but know I am gonna be so excited!! when I do. I love to read about your running training and eating as well- I have struggled with the pre, during and post fueling and actually ended up gaining wt in the beginning of the training. Any words of wisdom you have on this would be SUPER appreciated.
Which half are you doing?!?! Ive got my second half in Tampa in like 18 days! It’s so cold though so running has been tough, and I REFUSE to do long runs on the treadmill!!!! Awesome splits on the run btw! Was there some Lady GaGa love on the music during?!?!?!
oh fun! i’m doing the princess half in orlando
and no gaga today- meara and i chat the whole time
Wow, this is so touching! I can’t imagine what it would be like waiting to find out if you loved one is alive and ok. Very sweet!
I loved the movie as well! Channing is some sort of hotness
XXOO
I totes use paper towels as cutting boards too
Congrats on the great long run Gina! I had 14 miles today and it was freezing! Brrr….
Gina, you are such a BEAST for running 10 miles. I am so envious of you. I get super winded after about 35 minutes of running! But just got to take it step by step I guess
My boyfriend attends the Naval Academy and I flat out bawled in front of him when I left him at Christmas. I really want to see Dear John. I MUST bring tissues since that is such a close subject to me (as it is even more to you!) I hope to become as awesome of a military wife as you are! Keep up the awesomeness!
definitely have the tissues handy!
and yes, just take it step by step- you’ll get there!
xoxo
Big congrats on the 10 miler, Gina, and awesome splits! You’re going to rock that half. I can’t help but remark, though, that a salad and fruit and sweet potatoes seem like awfully little food to keep you sustained and refueled–as someone who is also training for long-distance runs, I wonder if this is really enough to feed your calorie-torching body? Not trying to attack or offend, just genuinely concerned.
hey jenni,
i don’t post all of my meals- just the ones that are fun/more exciting. i ate a lot more yesterday, a hefty dinner and popcorn at the movies
I just found your blog 2 days ago and I’m addicted!! LOVE it!!
I have heard about ice baths after long runs…I have bad knees so I quit running longer than 5 miles at a time. How long are you in there for? I may have to try that and get my mileage up again!!!
Once again, AWESOME blog!!
i usually do it for 10 minutes. i hate it, but it helps so much
ps welcome to the little bloggy!
Go you for the 10 miles!
CONGRATS on the run!!!!
I was supposed to do a 9-miler this weekend but instead had to resort to the ‘mil because DC got 30 inches of snow!!!
I’m using a training plan for a “10 mile race” to increase my long run to 10 miles. Way to go! I can’t wait to follow your lead!
That ice bath looks torturous! I’m training for my first marathon, but I have yet to dunk my whole lower body into an ice bath– I’m working up to it by dunking my feet into an ice bath in my kitchen sink! How long do you normally stay in your ice bath?
10 miserable minutes
YOU ROCK!!!
now back to me
I have a few questions for you…shall I email? tweet? would you want em here?
they are all you/running related
I don’t think I could ever get in an ice bath!! Yikes!!
10 miles? I’ll get these some day.
Great job!
i know what you mean when you don’t feel like a runner……good job today! ice bath? you are brave!
Congrats on the 10 miles! You’re just awesome!!
That ice bath looks SO uninviting in the winter time. I don’t think I could have done it!
I’m gonna do icebaths this training go ’round cause I really don’t want to get injured again….I’m scurred about those 10 minutes though!!
I wasn’t planning on seeing Dear John because 1. all I see are bad reviews and 2. I’m afraid of the nerve they might hit, or taking that nerve in a weird direction (ie Brothers? uhh no thanks) But I think I might rent it or something since you liked it, I did love the Notebook.
The first everything is terribly emotional…I bawled the whole time on our first phone call cause I was so happy to hear his voice!
Congrats on the 10 miles you are an inspiration! I did 7 miles for the first time yesterday. I can’t wait to see Dear John but will probably have to I can’t convince my Marine to go with me =)
Great job on the run, I’m impressed. You are going to rock that half marathon!
thank you, i’m actually starting to get EXCITED for it!
I’m dying to see Dear John…love Channing Tatum!
Awesome job on the 10 miler-training for a half is rough, but so worth it!! But I don’t know which is worse…the ten miles or that ice bath…brrrr!
I’m not a runner but I recall using this tip from the book Chi Running (I think). It might be a nice alternative to an ice bath for some. Lay on the floor on your back with your legs completely vertical against a wall for a while after a run. Cold and elevation both decrease circulation in the legs, so it might offer similar results.
awesome- i’ll try that tomorrow, thank you!
Awesome run!
I read Dear John and I liked it, I won’t see it in the theatres because it got such bad reviews, but maybe I’ll rent it some time.
xo
K
Ugh, I just got cold chills looking at that ice bath!!
Glad to hear you liked Dear John. I am 1/2 way through the book and can’t wait to see the movie!!
Brr! I don’t envy you for taking that ice bath – that must have been cold. And I’m from Canada! LOL!
Glad to hear you enjoyed the movie – I’m going to wait for it to come out on DVD because I just don’t think anything can beat The Notebook.
K
Great job on the run! Ice backs scare the ish out of me… I usually just ice my knees for a really long time.
Mmmmm,apples and cinnamon. Nothing beats having a dose of awesome fruit.
[...] full lower-body ice baths– but those sound scary!! And COLD! I’m not quite as brave as this lady… [...]