Celebrity Spotlight: Scott Jurek

Today was such an exciting day!  My sister-in-law Jaime and I attended VegFest, organized by VegMichigan.  It's a vegan expo featuring restaurants, bakeries, health food experts, cooking demos, natural products and clothing, and national presenters.  This year the featured speakers were former Piston John Salley (whom I met last year), PCRM president Dr. Neal Barnard, comedy writer Carol Leifer, and (drum roll) Scott Jurek!  I couldn't believe it when VegMichigan announced that Scott Jurek would be there this year!  I was going to meet Scott Jurek!

I blogged about Scott last summer when I read his book Eat and Run.  I was inspired by his ability to run 50 and 100-milers - and to do it on a vegan diet.  He is the reason I'm running a full marathon this year. 

When Scott presented he was so down to earth and laid-back.  Because it has been such a difficult week for the running community, he started out by having the audience do the "rebel yell" written about in Born to Run.  Then he showed us a video with pictures of him that showed his transition from meat-eating non-runner to where he is today.  He used that to set the stage for his presentation and referred back to it often.  

As he talked he made several key points that I think are important for someone transitioning to a vegetarian or vegan diet:

• Fuel - He likened your body to a car and said you only want to fill your body with the best food (whole foods, organic fruits and vegetables); just like you'd only want to fill your car with the best fuel.
• Integration vs. elimination (a.k.a. "Wow, look at all these new foods I can eat!")
• Quantity - eat enough food
• Quality - get more plants

He also talked about the make-up of his 5,000 calorie-a-day diet (that's a LOT of plants!), which consists of 50-60% carbs, 20-30% fat, and 15-20% protein.  Then he answered some audience questions, during which time he addressed specific questions related to running.  His final question was about egg replacers in baking.  He prefers ground flax or chia seeds unless he wants a nice fluffy texture - for that he uses Ener-G.  

Then Jaime and I hurried out to get in line for an autograph.  Oh boy was I nervous!!  I couldn't wait to meet him!  I knew my time was short so I kept going over and over in my head what I would say!  Well, actually I kept saying it out loud to Jaime.  Poor Jaime.  When I finally got to meet him I shook his hand, told him I loved his book and that he inspired me to sign up for a full marathon.  He said, "Why stop there?  A 50K is right around the corner!"  I was so nervous I just laughed.  Then he signed my book - most AMAZING autograph ever!  (It means I pass a lot of guys at races - ha ha!)

Then, as if that wasn't exciting enough, he even let me sneak around the table for a quick photo.  What a great guy!

Jaime and I had planned to stay for John Salley and Neal Barnard but we were too excited so we left after meeting Scott!  And exhausted.  Best.  Day.  Ever.

On the Run: Martian Invasion of Races Half Marathon 2013

I've been sitting on this post all week.  After the tragic events at the Boston Marathon, I felt selfish posting about my own race.  But races are events to be celebrated and shared.  I've kept this one simple.

Last Saturday I ran my 5th Martian Half Marathon.  Due to heavy rains during the week leading up to the race, much of the course was under water.  The runners were rerouted off of Hines Drive through some of the surrounding neighborhoods.  It was a nice change of scenery and kept things interesting because, save for the first and last few miles, I wasn't sure what was coming next.

The temperature was decent for a long run but because of the wind and occasional rain and sleet, it certainly seemed a lot colder than it actually was.  I wanted to run the race about a minute faster than I did to beat my time from Gross Ile.  Even though that didn't happen, I did come in 2nd in my age group, 9th female, and 92nd overall out of nearly 2,000 runners. 

 

Age Group Award

 

I also ran the Kids' Marathon with the the Girl's Running Club from school.  The girls had been training for weeks, logging their miles, getting ready for their big finish.  I was so proud of them and excited to run their final 1.2 miles with them after my race! 

Time 

1:34:09

Pace 

7:11/mile

Fuel 

Vanilla Chia Pudding (this recipe, minus the cocoa), banana

Tunes

Off to the Races / Lana del Rey

It Gets Better / fun.

Paris (Ooh La La) / Grace Potter & The Nocturnals

Designer Drug / Mayer Hawthorne

Can't Hold Us Back / Macklemore

The Man That Never Was / Rick Springfield 

I Will Wait / Mumford & Sons

Heart Attack / Raphael Saadiq

Where Have You Been / Rihanna

Michael Praytor, 5 Years Later / Ben Folds Five

Never Go Back / Grace Potter & The Nocturnals

Ain't Messin 'Round / Gary Clark, Jr.

Work Around It / Them Swoops

So Good / B.o.B.

Get Ready / Mayer Hawthorne

Babel / Mumford & Sons

Felt / Garbage

We Come Running / Youngblood Hawke

Everybody Talks / Neon Trees

Change / Churchill

One More Night / Maroon 5

Something Good Can Work / Two Door Cinema Club

I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor / Arctic Monkeys

I Knew You Were Trouble / Taylor Swift

The Antidote / St. Vincent

Radioactive / Imagine Dragons

 

Next race: Back to the Beach Half Marathon - May 19th

On the Run: Rock CF Rivers Half Marathon 2013

This is the 3rd year of the Rock CF Rivers race on Grosse Ile and I've run it every year.  I love it!  It's so well-organized in all respects, the shirts are great, it's not crowded, I can keep warm in the high school before the race starts, and there are plenty of bathrooms (mostly real inside bathrooms with actual soap and sinks!).  It also raises a lot of money for cystic fibrosis, which is really cool.  What's the downside?  No post-race bananas!!!  Wah-wah!  Ah well, I can't have it all.

It was a little chilly this morning - around 27 degrees - but thankfully there wasn't too much wind.  And honestly, it was pretty much perfect once I got going.  This is such a nice course.  There are long stretches along the water, spots that take you by gorgeous homes, and at one point you even run through the Naval Air Station hangar.  Everyone along the course is super friendly and supportive.  My favorite was the guy in the full Spider-Man suit encouraging me on around the relay exchange point! 

I wish I felt better about my race.  I should, considering I ran it almost 7 minutes faster than the same race last year.  However, I had a lot of negative self-talk going through my mind as I ran (started too fast, uneven pace, why did I sign up for a full marathon??)  Then when I was done and saw my time, I was frustrated that it wasn't a new half marathon PR for me.  I placed 5th in my age group and had hoped for better.

BUT, not every race can be a PR, right?  Or put me in the top 3 in my age group.  And maybe every race isn't going to be the best one ever.  On the bright side, I improved from last year's time on this race, I kept pushing myself when my mind was telling me to slow down, AND I chicked a lot of dudes.  Oh yeah, and I got to see Spider-Man.  That, my friends, is not your everyday occurrence.  

Time 

1:33:20

Pace 

7:07/mile

Fuel 

Vanilla Chia Pudding (this recipe, minus the cocoa), banana

Tunes

Off to the Races / Lana del Rey 
It Gets Better / fun. 
The Man That Never Was / Rick Springfield 
 Paris (Ooh La La) / Grace Potter & The Nocturnals 
Get Ready / Mayer Hawthorne 
Back in Your Head / Tegan and Sara 
Babel / Mumford & Sons 
Run Right Back / The Black Keys 
Sixteen Saltines / Jack White 
Never Go Back / Grace Potter & The Nocturnals 
We Found Love / Rihanna 
Ain't Messin 'Round / Gary Clarke Jr. 
Work Around It / Them Swoops 
I Will Wait / Mumford & Sons 
Can't Hold Us / Macklemore & Ryan Lewis 
Heart Attack / Raphael Saadiq 
Better Left Unsaid / Otto Vector 
In My Head / No Doubt 
Blue Orchid / The White Stripes 
Runaway Baby / Bruno Mars 
Young Blood / The Naked & Famous 
Back & Forth / Foo Fighters 
Blood for Poppies / Garbage 
We Come Running / Youngblood Hawke 
Where Have You Been / Rihanna 
So Good / B.o.B. 
The Antidote / St. Vincent

 Next race: Martian Invasion of Races, Half Marathon - April 13th

On the Run: ShamRock 'n' Roll 10K 2013

The morning of my second race of the season dawned much darker, colder, and windier than that of my race a few weeks ago.  Thankfully the streets were cleared from the snow the day before but the windchill made it feel well below 20 degrees.  It was ch-ch-chilly!  That's okay, though, because once I got going I was felt great and didn't get too hot.  Although this race was sold out it wasn't too crowded.  Either it was capped at a low number, they did well with the 2-wave organization, or not everyone showed up due to the cold.  Whatever the reason I was happy with it because I despise crowded races!

I placed 2nd in my age group and was awarded a nice beer mug.  On top of that I was the 4th woman to finish over all.  Alas, it was no PR for me but I'm just getting warmed up, baby!

I don't drink beer but I can put a lot of wine in this!  Ha ha!

Time 

43:35

Pace 

7:02/mile

Fuel 

Vanilla Chia Pudding (this recipe, minus the cocoa), banana

Tunes

(all Irish bands for St. Patty's Day) 

Something Good Can Work / Two Door Cinema

Salty Dog / Flogging Molly

Salvation / The Cranberries

Barroom Hero / Dropkick Murphys

Girl From Mars / Ash

Vertigo / U2 

Don't Shut 'Em Down / Flogging Molly

The Great Defector / Bell X1

Devil's Dance Floor / Flogging Molly

I Just Shot John Lennon / The Cranberries

Good Rats / Dropkick Murphys

Selfish Man / Flogging Molly

All Because of You / U2

Someday / Two Door Cinema Club

Next race: Rock CF Rivers Half Marathon - March 24th

On the Run: Riverview Winterfest 4-Mile Run 2013

I kicked off the 2013 race season last Sunday with a 4-mile run in Riverview.  Although this is a shorter distance than my usual Sunday run, I was super pumped to do a race - my first since October!  This one has a nice flat course, it's small and organized, and everyone is very friendly.  Conditions were ideal for February in Michigan - 28 degrees at race time, minimal wind, and dry roads.  What more can a girl ask for?

Two years ago when I ran this race I came in 4th in my age group.  The top 3 finishers get awards, so that was my goal this year.  Ideally I wanted to finish 1st or 2nd.  I ended up coming in 2nd in my age group, 7th female overall.  I won a cool mug to show for it.   

When I was given my award, I was told that with my speed and young looks, I could run on the high school track team.  HA!

Time 

28:02

Pace 

7:01/mile

Fuel 

Banana

Tunes

New Day / Alicia Keys  

Change / Churchill

We Come Running / Youngblood Hawke 

Everybody Talks / Neon Trees

One More Night / Maroon 5

I Knew You Were Trouble / Taylor Swift  

I Will Wait / Mumford & Sons

Something Good Can Work / Two Door Cinema Club

Next race: ShamRock 'n' Roll Run 10K - March 17th