New territory. And January recap.

Before I got sick, I made a big step in my marathon training. On Sunday, I ran my longest run in over seven years. Let me say that again:

On Sunday, I ran my longest run in over seven years. Seven. Years.

Seven years ago, I was childless. Seven years ago I was seven years younger. Seven years ago I had little idea what I was doing with my running.

Now, I'm a wiser runner and, I hope, a better one. Sunday's run would certainly help me to believe that. It was great. I ran at a 9:30-ish pace, starting a little slower and finishing up with a few miles at my marathon goal pace (8:30). I was pleased with how I felt during the run, and after. I ate an English muffin with a little peanut butter prior to my run and took two gels on the run -- a vanilla Clif Shot and a chocolate one. The gels were easy on my belly and kept me energized. I'm more-or-less convinced that the Clif Shot gels are for me so now I just need to bite the bullet and order up a case. Or two. Probably two.

The next day? Well, that's when I was as sick as a cat. And the next, too. So, I haven't exactly run since the 16-miler but I am looking forward to today's run!

*     *     *

Now, about the recap. Marathon training kicked off this month and my mileage reflects that. It was a little lower than planned, because of my own illness (missed a 5-miler) and my son's illness last week (missed a 6-miler). But, that's no big deal in the grand scheme of marathon training. Overall, I'm happy with how my running went this month.

January stats:

Running (miles): 129.7
Racing: 2 -- half marathon and a 15K (both the local Winter Series)
Cross training: 9


Not bad. In addition to the running, I've gotten serious about my smoothies and have been making them almost every day again, experimenting with new and different ingredients and just generally enjoying them. I've also gotten back to having chia every day and I've been creating new healthy recipes. And, I went crazy with the running motivation. 


In other words, February has a lot to live up to.


Yup. Sure does.


Enjoy the rest of the day!


~ Felice

Who's the winner?

Not me, that's for sure. See, I've been as sick as a cat lately. ("Sick as a cat?" You think it's "sick as a dog," right? Well, I don't know about dogs. I do know about cats and I know that they -- or, at least, my cat -- get sick Every. Single. Day. so I'm going with "sick as a cat.")

Yup, sick as a cat. It's just been awful. So, I'm behind. Behind on everything. I've had to scramble to finish some freelance work, I've missed my scheduled runs, my house is a mess, and I haven't blogged. Well, that's what happens, I guess.

At least now I'm getting to the blog.

And good thing, because I have a Bob Harper Kettlebell DVD winner to announce! Yay!

Using random.org, I chose a winner from all of your entries (you guys really wanted to win this one!) and the winner is . . .


Catey from Losing It 


Congratulations, Catey! Send me an email at felicehalf at yahoo dot com so you can get going with the kettlebells!

Now, I've got to get back to doing something about those piles of laundry and dishes and the toys that are everywhere. So, have a good day, everyone. I hope to be back with more running stuff tomorrow!

~ Felice

Giveaways, giveaways!

Hope you all are having a great weekend!

Just a reminder that I have THREE giveaways ending this week coming up so be sure to check them out!

Bob Harper Kettlebell Workout DVD -- ends 1/30

Progresso Soup and Biggest Loser Workout DVD -- ends 2/1

Subway gift card -- ends 2/2

Good luck!


~ Felice

Subway Turkey Melts review and giveaway!

So, funny thing about Subway and me. My little guy loves going there for lunch. First, he can get black olives on his sandwich and he looooves black olives. Second, I usually let him get a bag of Sunchips that we share and he thinks that is an awesome treat.

Neither of those are the funny thing, though. The funny thing is that, no matter how often I correct him, Conal always -- always -- calls Subway, "Sub Boy."

And every time, it cracks me up.

"Let's go to Sub Boy!"

OK, so maybe that wasn't particularly funny to all of you but, hey, I guess it doesn't take too much to crack me up.

Anyway . . . 

Let's talk turkey!

I was recently invited to try out the Subway Turkey Melt. I took my little boys out to lunch to give the sub a shot and we ordered a foot long Turkey Melt with spinach, tomatoes, black olives, pickles, banana peppers, cucumbers and a little oil and vinegar. I had the sub cut into four pieces and I was lucky to get one piece for myself -- my guys chowed down! 


We enjoyed the sub. It was full of veggies, which I love. My kids do a fairly good job eating their veggies but they always eat them when they are on a Subway sub. To me, taking my guys to Subway to get a Turkey Melt or some other sub is a good alternative to grabbing a bagel, or something else that isn't quite as veggie-rific.


And what about New Year's resolutions?


Subway is all about New Year's resolutions right now -- January is prime time for eating a healthier diet, exercising, changing your habits. In support of your healthy resolutions, Subway is sharing tips from their trainer, Monica Vazquez, from the Food Network show “Fat Chef.” Some of her tips include this one (which is really what I'm working on this year, too):

Cardio and weights are equally important
Although losing weight is about calories in versus calories out, simply burning calories with cardio won’t give you the best results. Muscle helps burn fat (even at rest!), so building lean muscle tissue will help you lose weight, get fit and stay that way.

Lift those weights!

For more information on Monica, check out www.fitnessbymonica.com. 

In support of your healthy eating resolutions, Subway is offering one lucky reader a $10 Subway gift card. The winner can try the Turkey Melt, or any of their other subs -- the choice is yours!

To enter to win the Subway $10 gift card, leave me a comment. Feel free to let me know what your #1 New Year's resolution is.

Additional entries:

As always, you can gain extra entries. Remember, though, you must complete the required entry first! (Leave one comment per entry for the additional ones to count):

• Follow this blog, or let me know that you already do (leave a comment) 
• Follow me on Pinterest, or let me know that you already do  (leave a comment) 
• Pin an image from HERE (whichever one you'd like!)  (leave a comment) 
• Link to this giveaway from Facebook or Twitter (do as often as you'd like, just leave a comment each time) 
• Link to this giveaway from your blog (leave a comment) 

This giveaway will run through Thursday, February 2nd at 11:59pm EST and the winner will be announced on Friday.

Good luck!

~ Felice

Review disclaimer: I was sent a gift card to try a Subway sub to review. I was not otherwise compensated and the opinions expressed here are entirely my own.