Track attack

Many thanks to Jen for joining me for a fun track workout in Oakland on a drizzly Wednesday morning...I needed the incentive of great conversation and strong coffee to do intervals.

After a warm up jog/run to the track, I did three 800s. I felt strong during the 800s. I started them off speedy and concentrated on finishing them with a bit of a kick. All 800s were under 3:42. In January, my 800s were around 3:50, so this shows some significant improvement :) Next time, I should do four 800s, and I'd like to build up to six or seven (ouch!) 800s. I like ending track workouts with a 'cherry on top' 400. Today's 400 was in 1:43--which is quite speedy for my fatigued-by-800s legs!

Uphill, downhill

I like running hills. Several of my running routes send me to run up into the hills, and I'm treated with some great views.

Yes, the uphills take more work. I know training on hills engages my quads, and I love seeing new muscle definition! And I sometimes feel like a skier when I'm cruising downhill. When it's rainy, I occasionally worry about slipping and falling on slick descents. But the change of pace feels good and helps the time and miles pass by.

My next goal race is the SF half marathon on July 26, and it will be a hilly 13.1 miles. So I will continue to do workouts that include hills and will embrace the burn in my quads.

Skirting

Three cheers for spring! What a glorious five miles for spring! There's no way to control my spring fever...

I took advantage of Oakland's warm and sunny weather by wearing a running skirt. The skirt is comfortable and lightweight and fits my waist/hips very well. Plus, the cuteness and funness of wearing the skirt makes me zoomier ;)

Week of April 5

On tap for this week:
Key 1: 800s

• More fun at the track..The goal is to run the 1/2 mile repeats in sub 3:48!
  

Key 2: Tempo run

• 25 minutes warmup; 20 min. at 10k pace; 15 min. cooldown. I will rely on Garmalade to get me closer to an even 8:25 min/mi pace.
  

Long: 13 miles

• Will probably run up College Ave and add a hillyneighborhood loop at the end.
  

I run, you run, we all run for pancakes!

It was a networking long run today through the Presidio, across the Golden Gate Bridge, and back up to Pacific Heights area with J and J. Us three ladies had never run all together, and it was a smashing success! The pace was great, the views were clear and scenic, the luna moons were adequately chewy, and brunch afterwards was delish! Even though I randomly fell while running back up Presidio Blvd, the Presidio is an incredible place for running with nice shady trees and soft trails and paths.

We ran 10 miles. We nearly ran 9.92 miles, and then realized that those extra 0.08 miles would make or break our athletic careers, so back around the block we went. I highly recommend Ella's for post-run brunching, and I especially enoyed the lemon ricotta pancakes:


Hazelnut-Lemon-Ricotta Pancakes

This recipe fuses the lemon-ricotta pancakes at the Four Seasons with the hazelnut waffles at Balthazar. I adapted a recipe for cottage-cheese pancakes from "Joy of Cooking," adding ricotta, lemon zest, hazelnuts and more salt.

Grated zest of 2 lemons
1/3 cup sugar
1 cup flour
½ cup finely ground toasted hazelnuts
2 teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 cup milk
3 tablespoons melted butter
2 eggs, separated
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup ricotta, strained of any liquid.1. The day before, rub together the lemon zest and sugar in a bowl. Cover.

2. Mix the flour, lemon sugar, hazelnuts, baking powder, baking soda and salt. In another bowl, whisk the milk, butter, egg yolks, vanilla and ricotta. Fold this into the dry ingredients. Whip the egg whites just until stiff, then fold them into the batter.

3. Heat a pancake griddle. Lightly coat the surface with butter, then use a ¼ cup measure to scoop the batter. Cook until the pancakes appear dry around the edges, about 3 minutes, then flip them and cook for another minute or two.

Cotton

Most days, I prefer wearing my running clothes that are made out of 'technical' fabric. Those running clothes wick the sweat away and make you feel like a serious athlete-in-training...But on nice days when I just wanna have a fun in the sun run, nothing beats putting on a cotton t-shirt or tank top.



Today was a cotton day because it was such a nice, sunny day, and I was really jonesing for a medium-long run at a moderate pace. So I put on my 2001 Chicago Marathon t-shirt and loved every step of the 60 minutes of running.