When we awoke around 6:45 a.m., Ryan rolled over in bed and grabbed his phone to check the weather.
“Fifty five degrees!” he said.
Woo! Finally some cool running weather!
Ryan, Sadie and I headed out to tackle the 11-mile run on our half marathon training plan a little after 7 a.m.
When I went to select a workout playlist for our run, about three words of a Bob Seger song came out before my iPod went dead.
I am the kind of runner who relies greatly on music to keep me motivated and my feet trucking along. I didn’t want to wait for my iPod to charge, so I threw it in our mailbox and we took off.
Oddly enough, from a mental standpoint, this was the best I’ve felt on a long run. I’m sure the cooler temperatures had a lot to do with that, but I also enjoyed the rhythm of our breathing and footsteps and chatted a lot with Ryan.
That boy helps put everything into perspective like no one else can and I am so glad he’s training for this race with me.
During our run, I ate Gu Chomps at miles 4.5 and 7.5 and they gave me the extra boost I needed to power through the remainder of our run.
Though our average pace per mile was slower that our other long runs, when we finished, I felt like I could’ve kept going and completed a full half marathon without hesitation this week. It was a great feeling!
Breakfast
For some reason I wasn’t hungry at all after our run this morning. My appetite was off yesterday as well and I’m still waiting for it to come back with a bang.
Since I obviously knew I needed to eat something, I ate a banana and a spoonful of peanut butter while making myself an egg sandwich.
I used dippy eggs in the sandwich, which was a good idea… in theory.
It was quite messy to eat!
But yolk-soaked bites make the mess totally worth it.
Plus, Sadie loves licking the plate after I eat dippy eggs about 5,000 times more than when I just eat scrambled or fried eggs. More delicious licks!
And now I must go find something to wear for today’s baby shower!
Hope you guys have a wonderful and relaxing weekend. 
P.S. Ryan has a question for you runners out there. Have any of you tried running in those toe socks (not shoes)?
He’s very interested in them but doesn’t want to buy a pair without hearing about someone’s first-hand experience. Thanks in advance for your input!
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I love the shot of Sadie stretching! It’s like she’s saying, “come on guys! what’s next on the agenda!?” She’s a cutie 🙂
That’s great you two can run together and enjoy each other’s company. My hubs refuses to break a sweat. haha. If only I had his metabolism. 🙂
Haven’t tried toe socks. I don’t think I’d like it, but who knows?!?!
It was a cool 42F here in CO for my run this morning, but I felt the best I have in a long time (tingling fingers and all). I was doing a shorter distance but working on my speed and felt like I could keep going too! I was kinda disappointed when I reached the corner of my street and realized I was already home!
I’m glad your run went well without music! It can be such a mind game but sometimes when I shut my iPod off it really helps me…especially during a race! I don’t have toe sock advice but have heard great things from friends who have problems with blisters in between their toes. Enjoy the rest of your weekend!
Yeah I have two pairs of those socks and tend to wear them in the winter when I’m freezing. I like them for cold weather.
do you think they help with preventing blisters at all?
Probably! He should give them a try. I don’t usually get blisters (I just end up loosing the same toe nail over and over again… ) TMI I know.
haha it’s okay – i had a black toenail on my wedding day.
I have them and they helped just a bit for preventing blisters. The best thing is a product called Body Glide or Vaseline on the spots you are prone to blister.
I’ve never tried them myself, but I know Cely over at RotR swears by them for blister prevention. She blogs about it all the time, if that helps any 🙂
I was going to say the same thing. I don’t have a problem with blisters but Cely swears by these socks!
Why Have I never made a pb and egg sandwich? Congrats On the road.
Hahah Julie we’re on the same week of our training schedule! 😉 We did 11 miles, too … but it was so chilly out up here in Ohio, that we decided to do it on the treadmill!! 11 miles on a treadmill was a bit much, but I survived! 😉
Congrats on your run! Have a great weekend!
i hope you at least had some good tv shows to watch!
Glad you had a great run and some cooler weather! Your breakfast looks soo good! 😀
Sounds like a great run!
I have the injini toe socks and love them, but then I like toe socks in general, and use Vibrams for shorter runs. My feet get blisters if I think too hard about them and the toe socks really helps, so I use them in normal shoes too. They will be out for 20 miles tomorrow.
I think I have the standard version and they work fine for me here (London, UK), however I think they might be a little too thick for Florida. They certainly would have been a no go in Maltese summer. If they have a lightweight version that might be a good idea.
thanks so much for the feedback!
I really like having my iPod for runs so when I find it’s dead when I try to turn it on I cry a little. Okay, so maybe I don’t cry but it’s a bummer! I do end up liking the quiet time though and I feel like I have a clear mind after my run. So maybe it’s a good thing not to have music for every run. Good luck with the rest of your half training! 🙂
~Kari
Wow, great job on the run to all 3 of you this morning! I haven’t tried those socks yet, but I used to have regular toe socks (as in not the kind you run in, just regular socks when toe socks were ‘cool’ – and looking back, I’m not sure why they ever were!) They certainly took a lot of getting used to at first. Once he gets his shoes on, I imagine they’d probably feel the same as regular socks. Is there supposed to be some benefit to running in them AND shoes? I know Vibrams are based on the science behind minimalist running, but I’m not sure these wouldn’t make a huge difference if you had shoes on as well.
I have those toe socks and i don’t do long runs in anything else. I get blisters from my toes rubbing against each other (weird i know) and those totally prevent that.
What half marathon are you training for?
savannah rock ‘n’ roll!
That dippy egg bagel sandwich looks so yummy! Too bad I already ate breakfast, otherwise I would’ve definitely duplicated your meal. Maybe for lunch? 😉
Strong work on your run! Sometimes it’s nice to go without music. I just like to take everything in and enjoy it.
i LOVE the injini socks! that’s all i wear with my running shoes. i do the avon walks and they have prevented me from getting blisters. i do still end up getting blisters on my baby toes but it’s not because of the socks, it’s because of the way my toes naturally overlay.
i personally prefer the micro ones. it does take a little while to get used to them but now i don’t even notice them. a lot of stores are starting to carry them so you shouldn’t have to order them online. totally worth the $12!!
so glad to hear this!
Congrats on the run! I love I when long runs go well and feel comfortable. And this is silly but I love mid-run fueling… It’s fun to bring ‘snacks’ and the honey stinger chews I like taste like candy!
My boyfriend has a pair of those socks, so do his Dad and brother in law. They like them for distance running, but make sure that Ryan has enough time to break them in before the half.
I really dislike running without an ipod. I’ve started running with my iPhone, which I am much better about charging. Plus, since I run alone it is a safety thing. Awesome run though!
I have a friend who has those socks, and he really liked them. I’ve never tried them though.
do you run with just the iphone’s main speakers blaring? no headphones? i like that idea!
Sometimes I use headphones (I have an armband for it) but when I run with other people we will usually run with one with the speaker. That way we can talk and listen to the same music.
So far I’ve had pretty good luck with my injinji socks. I bought them in the summer because I was suddenly getting blisters during 3+ mile runs. I haven’t had any blisters since. They’re surprisingly light and don’t feel restrictive at all. I’m actually considering purchasing a pair for winter. Hope Ryan likes them if he gives them a shot!
Have a great time at the baby shower!
I’ve heard those toe socks help a lot with blisters — http://www.runningoffthereeses.com/ just wrote that she ran a marathon in them and loved them.
My appetite is ALWAYS off after a long run. I know that I always SHOULD have something, but it takes a while for my stomach to settle!
I need an ipod for long runs! I ran a half last spring, and right before the gun went off, the director said absolutely NO ipods and threatened to remove us from the course if he saw us with them. It was such a shock to hear right before running because I relied on it for every long run before. The only time I don’t run with an ipod is on trails because it’s so peaceful in woods trails.
I haven’t tried toe socks but I really don’t like the idea of material between my toes! If that makes sense 🙂
Have a lovely weekend!
Nice run this morning, Julie (and Ryan)! Way to go with the flow about your iPod, too. I usually run without music because then on the days I really need the boost, the effect of the music is much greater. Maybe that’s weird, but I think it works!
Ahhhh when I go for a run I NEED an iPod. It pumps me up and keeps me motivated to keep going. I think it’s awesome that you kept trucking along without musical motivation 😉
I LOVE SADIE! she makes my morning!!
Sounds like a great morning for a run! 🙂 The weather here is chilly today too. It’s the perfect fall day! I cannot wait to go out and enjoy it.
the thought of running in toe socks makes my feet hurt. never tried them and dont think i will! nice job on the run, julie! 😀
Mmmmm dippy eggs!!!!
Great job this morning. I did 12 miles but WAY SLOWER than you.
I haven’t tried the socks but I have heard good things. I feel like anything is worth trying once. On a shorter run to start.
The Kidless Kronicles
I have used Injinji socks for two years now, and they basically cured my blister problem! They stay in place better than other socks too. Definitely try them.
I got them as a gift and actually liked them. It took some time for me to get to used to having them on. I’ve never gotten blisters, more dead toenails, but I guess it’s good to prevent them!
I am never hungry right after a long run. It takes about 12 hours (almost to a ‘T’) to return, and then I can’t seem to fill up no matter how much I eat. (It is kind of annoying sometimes.)
That sandwich looks so good. I love using the yolk as a dipping sauce. It’s like it has its own au jous.
I’ve seen those socks, but I thought people used them instead of regular ones to keep their toes from blistering. I didn’t know you could run in just the socks.
Great job on the 11 miler!! You are going to kick butt on the half marathon. 🙂
Mmm, now I’m craving dippy eggs!
great run!
on an unrelated note, i LOVE bog seger. that’s all 🙂
Nice run!! Hmm I’m legit eating drippy eggs right now! Messy but so good 🙂
Cely actually just wrote about those socks on Running off the Reese’s… & I believe she said she wore them for her marathon training & did not get any blisters. Also, while I’m commenting I wanted to tell you that thanks to you, I’ve been eating egg/jam/cheese sandwiches all week & they are my new favorite thing.
I swear dogs have a thing for eggs. The second one hits the pan when I’m cooking them, Ginger comes trotting into the kitchen and doesn’t leave until clean up time. I’m pretty sure the only thing going through her head is “Eggs, eggs, eggs, must get some eggs!”
I’ve never worn toe socks, but I read Running Off the Reeses (hilarious blog) and she ran a marathon in them:
http://www.runningoffthereeses.com/2011/10/15-thing-friday-marathon-edition.html
I want to try out toe socks! I’ve been getting blisters between my toes…so you’ll need to summarize all your comment responses so I get a little insight too if these work or not. I hope so because my little toes are so blistered!
I had a dippy egg bagelwich this morning too!! I am the same way with running, but it is nice that you have Ryan with you when that happens!!!
Ahh toe socks for running?! they look so intriguing!! And remind me of the awkward ones I wore in middle school hahaha
Well done on the run…not only for completing 11 miles but for also doing so without music! I also rely heavily on music as motivation during my runs, I think seeing my ipod battery die at the start of my run would have made me cry!
It’s funny, I’ve always been the same way about music while running- I used to think it was a mental thing. Like, if I couldn’t hear myself huffing and puffing, I wouldn’t know I was tired. Then I participated in a race where ipods weren’t allowed and I did MUCH better than I ever had before.
I think when I hear the beat of a song, I try to keep up with that tempo, even if it’s too fast for me- so I get tired more quickly. Without the music, I just rely on my own body to keep me at a good pace.
Great job on the run! Keep up the good work! 🙂
Oh, and about the socks- Cely at Running off the Reeses’s [ http://www.runningoffthereeses.com/2011/10/15-thing-friday-marathon-edition.html ] just did a post that included them.
Do you use the heart rate monitor with your garmin? Do you think the calorie count is correct?
I’ve never used them but I have two friends that bought them for the same reason and said they really help with the blisters…until you get over 30 miles. For the non-crazy among us who run less than 30 mile runs, they should be good 😉
Power to you for pumping out 11 miles without music. I don’t know if I”d be able to rock that!
Yay for an awesome run! And thank goodness you had Ryan there with you. could you imagine tackling 11 alone with no music? I would die!
Cool weather seriously makes a HUGE different!! You are a beast for finishing that run without music. I would probably die. Haha! Dippy eggs make egg sandwiches much better. Have fun at the shower!