Nachos and running, the pro's and con's

I love nachos! In fact, they are probably my favorite food. I really enjoy all different types:

• Homemade ones loaded with beef, beans, tomatoes, jalapenos, olives and then topped with real cheese baked in the oven.
• Restaurant ones loaded with beef, beans, tomatoes, jalapenos, olives and then topped with real cheese baked in the oven.
• Ones at friends houses loaded with beef, beans, tomatoes, jalapenos, olives and then topped with real cheese baked in the oven.

A little guacamole and salsa on the side and I am one happy puppy.

This past Saturday, the wife and I were running some errands around town (one of which was REI, can we say one of everything please!) and decided to use a gift certificate we had to a local watering hole. The first item I notice on the menu...Nachos!!! If I had a tail, it would have been wagging. I happily informed my wife of what I was going to order for lunch. She wife asked if that was wise, I mean, she pointed out that I am training for a marathon and was planning on going for a long jog in the afternoon. Being the new found all knowing running expert, I explained that one of the perks of distance running is that ability to indulge in calorie high pleasure food occasionally. I would easily burn off most of my nachos this afternoon.

And now, the pro's and con's of eating Nachos and running:
Con: Grease does not equal a strong start.
Con: Really full belly does not equal comfortable running.
Con: Lots of salt can cause some bloating, not really the best for running.
Con: Jalapenos and mile 5, really do not go together (one great benefit to running on lightly travelled rural roads is that there are not a lot of people to see you doubled over in the ditch).

So after weighing the pro's and con's, I have come to the conclusion that eating Nachos before a long run may not be the best idea. For the future, I shall still partake in eating a plate of my beloved cheesy goodness...just after a really long run, with a rest day to follow.

Whoa! Slow down turbo

For weeks, my training for the marathon has consisted of 60 to 90 minute long sessions on the elliptical trainer (my psychological aversion to treadmills will most likely be explored more in-depth in later posts). Last week, we became blessed in the Inland Northwest with some unseasonably warm weather. The Snow melted and the perfect conditions for me to hit the streets and start logging miles brightened my days.

My first adventure on the asphalt jungle produced and easy 5 mile run without stopping or any difficulties. Following that run, my logical conclusion was to run 6 miles. Again, no problems. As we can see how this logic is working, the next time out called for 7 miles. And like the rock star I think I was, no problem. What happens next in this blog post can best be summed up by those famous words from the Apollo 13 astronauts "What do you mean the bathroom is broken?" Oops, I meant "Houston, We've got a problem."

After my successful jaunt the day before, I awoke the next day bright eyed and bushy tailed with an idea. As can be witnessed by my signing up to run my first marathon, not all of my ideas fall into what many people call the "bright" category. My idea for this day definitely would not be classified as bright. My idea, was to run 3 miles (or for my global readers, 5k) in under 27 minutes...after only running 3 times...all year...after just running 7 miles...without eating. I shall never be confused with Einstein, maybe his brother Herb (its the hair).

The course I mapped out featured a gradual incline for the first mile, followed by a flat second, and a down hill third with a small (but steep) 50 yard hill two blocks from the finnish. The first mile started out great, I was flying (for a Clydesdale) and was able to complete the mile in just over 9 minutes. With the hard part of the course over, I knew I could make up time on the back 2/3s. But then part of the way through mile 2, I started to struggle. Gritting my teeth, I dug in and pushed on. As I rounded the corner to for the 3rd and final mile, I noticed a jogger merging onto the same street I was on about two hundred feet back. With a nice long downhill head, I was not going to let this guy catch or pass me. Pain and Exhaustion be darned. For 3/4 of a mile, I kept the other runner at bay. On 37th street, I headed right, and he headed left. My legs were shot, but I was ahead of finishing in 27 minutes. Three blocks from home, I hit the last incline and my legs stopped. I could not get them to move. My mind and lungs were screaming, "MOVE!" Nothing, zip, zilch, nada. I had bonked.

I stood in the street and looked down at my watch. I could not move as the time kept running to and then through my goal of 27 minutes. As I walked the three blocks home, realization dawned upon me that I was not ready to run a marathon. That's ok, because I am not running a marathon tomorrow, or even next week. My race is still over 5 months away. There is a reason why people must train to race a marathon. I have a good base started. Personal Best in 5k's and 10k's will come with the training. I need to practice patients. My journey has just begun.

Random Question

Is it a rule that in order to have be an indie band, someone in the band must always be wearing a stocking cap?

A special shout out to AZSynCPA!

I hope you had a great race this past weekend participating in the Arizona Rock & Roll half marathon! Keep running and I lift a glass of red to your accomplishment!

Could this be the first signs of getting a little bit older!?

Oh how the mind remembers and yet the body forgets. In my twenties when I was a runner, I could jump out of bed, throw on my shoes and be out the door.  Within a few seconds, my body would be warmed up, and I would be feeling fine and at pace. Today, arrgghhh!!! Now, it seems like I first need some caffeine, then a little walking around to loosen up, and then when I start to jog, it seems like a good half mile before my body finds a groove. I hope this is just the effects of a long lay off and that as I get more into my training my old body will come back.
Training wise, I just finished a nice 7 mile jog, felt strong except for the last mile.
On a side note, I think a higher power definitely endorsees my marathon training. Ever since I announced it to everyone that I was training to run in one in June, we have had almost perfect running weather.  And its January...in Spokane!

What did man do in a cave 6,000 years ago? He made wine!

Even our early ancestors realized the health benefits of drinking red wine. http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2011/01/110111-oldest-wine-press-making-winery-armenia-science-ucla/

Top Gear Tuesday

This coming Tuesday, January 18th, we will be hosting our very first Top Gear Tuesday at the Spokane Tasting Room. I have had a lot of people sent me emails and call about what exactly is Top Gear? So, here is a fun little clip of the show, that will give you a taste of what to expect this Tuesday. Just imagine sitting in a room full of friends, eating nachos, and drinking some great red wine.

The power of Chocolate Milk

As I have started my journey to running 26.2 miles in just under 6 months, reading and research has been one of my late night past times. It does not take a rocket science to realize that I can not longer fuel my body for distance running with pizza, beer and nachos (but were not that time of my life so glorious!). One of the greatest nuggets of information I have found is that low fat/fat free chocolate milk is a great recovery beverage. The only catch, it is best after long workouts of at least 45 minutes. So, if needing a little extra motivation to go longer, imagine the reward of a nice tall glass of chocolate milk. http://www.fitnessmagazine.com/recipes/healthy-eating/superfoods/chocolate-milk-after-workout/

I have signed up to do what!?

First, a little background. In my mid-20's I discovered the joy of running. I used to run every day and be pretty moody when I was unable to go for my daily run. At my peak, I was logging over 50 miles a week. Friends would ask me if I was going to participate in any races or do a marathon. "Maybe" would be my stock reply, not really thinking or giving pause to answering the question. I felt blessed to be one of the lucky people who got a runners high. Then life happened.

I developed a severe hernia and needed surgery. Went back to EWU to finally finish my degrees in Accounting and Economics, started the winery with my parents in addition to running the vineyard, and got married. After not being able to run for a while and then having major changes happen in my life, running faded away.

But I always missed it. Whenever I would be driving to work and see people out for a jog, I felt a pain of envy. Every so often, I would buy a pair of running shoes, go for a few jogs, and then get distracted. Another nice pair of shoes slowly making their way to becoming wine stained work shoes. After work, when one is tired, it is so much easier to hit Taco Bell then it is to lace up the shoes and hit the asphalt. I find it interesting that the fast food gives a short term pleasure rush, but when I workout and eat healthy, I always feel a million times better.

This past December, I realized that I needed to make running a priority again in my life. So, I decided to set a goal to run a marathon. To add incentive to the goal, I went online, did some research, and found a nearby marathon that was far enough into the future to allow me to properly train, but close enough to not give me much leeway from training. I signed up for the Seattle Rock & Roll Marathon Saturday, June 25th. And now, to add even more motivation, I am telling everybody.

I have started this blog to chronicle the chaotic life of running and vineyard and winery while trying to train for my first marathon. After that first marathon, I hope to transition this blog into one about wine and running.