Happy pre-Christmas eve!
What a treat to have a nice, long holiday weekend. Now that my final 20 miler of the cycle done, I am thrilled to slow down a bit. It’s officially taper time!
I met my running buddy May at a park for our final long run yesterday. It was a beautiful day. Temps started at 40 degrees and quickly warmed up to almost 60 by the time we finished. We aimed for an “easy” pace but kept finding our legs wanted to speed up. The run averaged 8:45/mile which was a little faster than I planned, but it was also a confidence booster to finish the week on a high note.
Here’s the recap of my marathon training week:
Monday: 8 run (4 at 7:25)
Tuesday: Spin + weights
Wednesday: 6 run (3 at 7:30)
Thursday: 10.4 run easy pace
Friday: Off
Saturday: 20.5 run ave 8:45 pace
Sunday: Weights/circuit + recovery run or spin
I was thankful that my stomach felt good this morning, after some extra rich foods at our Christmas potluck last night, including tamales, Chicken Tikka Masala, Chinese “dumplings” wrapped in lettuce, and rice cakes and a pumpkin cheesecake. It was delicious!
I found some fun, new recipes on some friend’s blogs this week. Here’s what our menu will look like:
Monday: Christmas Eve- Jen’s Quinoa Mac and cheese
Tuesday: Christmas Dinner with friends- Homemade corn tortillas for fajitas, empanadas, fresh guacamole and salsa, possibly tamales
Wednesday: Leftovers
Thursday: Last minute family trip to see new parts of Texas while we’re living here, packing snacks and eating out
Friday: Trip
Saturday: Heather’s Creamy Chipotle Pumpkin soup
Sunday: Lindsay shared Elle’s Butternut Quinoa Gratin
We’ll see how motivated I am to cook this week. It’s the first time we’ve spent this holiday at home, so I’m used to being cooked for over the holidays! It’s very possible we will take the lazy route and survive mostly on leftovers. 
Are you home for the holidays, or traveling?
Great job on the 20 miler! Sounds like you had great company and great weather. I can’t believe the race is only 3 weeks away. That came up fast!All of your food from the Christmas potluck looks amazing! Wish I lived closer so I could have crashed the party.
Have a great Sunday!
Angela @ Happy Fit Mama recently posted..Meal Planning: Week of December 23
I know- it’s crazy how close it is. I’m trying not to think about it too much.
I wish you could have crashed the party, too!
Laura recently posted..Last 20 miler done and Menu planning Link up
Great job on the 20 Miler
Hope you enjoy the Quinoa Mac N Cheese, this is our Christmas Eve dinner too. I love your Christmas menu
Jen recently posted..12/23 Menu Planning and Another Cookie Recipe
I just saw you have it for Christmas eve, too! Yes- Christmas day we’re spending with friends, and one of them is from Argentina, so empanadas made the menu, and then we decided to go the whole way with the Spanish/Mexican/South American food theme. Should be yummy!
Laura recently posted..Last 20 miler done and Menu planning Link up
Nice job on that long run! Funny how quick weather can warm up!
Kat recently posted..Weekly Workouts: ‘Tis the Season to do work!
Thanks, Kat! Yes- it was crazy. We had gloves, headbands, and jackets for the first loop, and by the end were down to tshirts!
Laura recently posted..Last 20 miler done and Menu planning Link up
Way to go on the 20 miles and on meal planning! We will be gone celebrating a week of Christmas’ until Thursday so I get a week off of meal planning! Kind of nice actually
Giselle@myhealthyhappyhome recently posted..An Easy Christmas Craft and Vegan Fudge Recipe!
That is very nice! That’s always been the case for us, too… this is the first year we decided to stay home, so it feels weird to think about cooking… have a great holiday!
Laura recently posted..Last 20 miler done and Menu planning Link up
Great job on your last 20 miler! Sounds like you are READY!
We are relaxing at home for the holidays, which makes it SO much easier for me to finish my last few weeks of marathon training. YAY!
Allison @ Johnson Jocks recently posted..Wednesday Ramblings
Thanks, Allison! Yes- staying home worked out well for me in that sense, too. Buddies to do the last long run with! When is your marathon? Are we racing the same weekend?
Laura recently posted..Last 20 miler done and Menu planning Link up
Great pace on that 20 miler! Pumpkin cheesecake. Yummy!!
Lisa @ RunningFitnessHealth recently posted..2.6 Mile Virtual Run/Walk for Sandy Hook
Thanks, Lisa! Yes- the pumpkin cheesecake is one of my favorite holiday desserts. I’ll have to share it one of these days!
Laura recently posted..Last 20 miler done and Menu planning Link up
Awesome job on the 20 miler! Have a great trip at the Hill Country. Have a great taper and I will see you next year!
Thanks, May! Enjoy your trip and taper, too!
Laura recently posted..Last 20 miler done and Menu planning Link up
Congrats on the long run!! Now to enjoy the festivities.
Love that you guys are having Mexican. Since Christmas Even is the big dinner in my house, I’m pushing for a Chinese Christmas dinner.
Merry Christmas!!
Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table recently posted..Strange But Good: Dessert Edition
Mmm, that sounds good. Yes- I’m excited about this meal. Apparently tamales are the thing to have for Christmas down here, and we are more than happy to adapt that tradition for this year!
Laura recently posted..Last 20 miler done and Menu planning Link up
That food looks good!!! Cheers to hopefully an easy cooking week! I’m trying to get back on track. Hopefully the new year I can branch out to try more new things. The holidays have slowed down my adventurous side of cooking. Merry Christmas to you and the family!!!
Maria @ Lil Mys Ninja recently posted..Meal Planning {12/23 – 12/29}
I love that you are trying so many new recipes this week – so fun!!! Way to rock your 20 miler!! I’m writing out my grocery list for your cinnamon rolls- weeeee!!!
Kelly recently posted..Snips and Snails and Puppy Dog Tails
Great job on your 20 miler! You are ready for the marathon!
Jamie @ couchtoironwoman recently posted..Closing in on 1,000 Miles
Way to go with your 20 miler!! The butternut quinoa gratin was a win! Hope you enjoy it
Lindsay @ Live. Love. Nutrition. recently posted..Weekly Meals and Workouts 12/23
Hooray for taper time!!!! Great job on your last 20 miler. Isn’t it a relief to know that was your last long run? I love knowing that my hardest workouts are in the bank.
Tasha @ Healthy Diva recently posted..Friday Favorites: 2012 Recap
Great job on your last 20!!! Have a wonderful holiday!!!!
Michelle recently posted..Christmas Eve Eve
Wow, 20 miles! I’m lucky if I can run 20 miles in one month! LOL Great round up of recipe and the butternut quinoa gratin and qinoa mac and cheese sound like recipes I need to add to my menu plan. Have a wonderful holiday!
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Congrats on a strong long run! We are traveling for Christmas and loving every minute of it. I need to check out that quinoa mac and cheese recipe.