Product: NuGo Free Dark Chocolate Trail Mix Bar – $3.29+
You know what’s hard?
Being gluten-free and traveling. Especially when the tummy rumbles hit while sitting at an airport. There are few, if any, gluten-free options as far as restaurants go…except, perhaps, a salad. Maybe. If it’s not pre-made with bits of pita or croutons in it. A fruit cup, perhaps. But that’s not going to fill you up.
Well, the hungry belly hit me at the airport in Minneapolis, Minnesota when I was killing some time before my flight back home left. I was already thirsty, so my roommate and I trolled the terminal until she spotted a Quiznos to grab some fountain drinks from. I stood and watched the luggage and when she returned with some cold caffeine, she handed me a NuGo Free Dark Chocolate Trail Mix bar that she purchased at the register. She was going to find a nibble at one of the shops, but wanted me to have something of some nutritious value without having to down a Snickers bar.
Dark chocolate and nuts…I was okay with that.
But there was more to this bar than just that. Oh yes. After obtaining a snack for her, we returned to our gate and settled in to have our bite before heading to Chicago O’Hare to meet our connection. I tore into the wrapper and revealed a standard looking granola bar. However, what this bar contained was nothing like those granola bars, which are normally packed with preservatives and high fructose corn syrup. None of that here. The NuGo Free Dark Chocolate Trail Mix Bar was a delicious combination of rice protein crisp, organic brown rice crisp, real dark chocolate, almonds, tapioca syrup, brown rice syrup, agave, chicory root fiber, dried cranberries, rice protein, pumpkin seeds, flaxseed, water, acacia gum, flaxseed oil, water, salt, walnuts, and baking soda. That’s it. Every ingredient something I recognize. No chemical names. Nothing that screams cancer-causing badness either. Just wholesome good food…wrapped up in a vegan and gluten-free treat.
Now, I’ve had my fair share of these bars. Some have been completely amazing. And some have really failed to impress me at all. So, where does the NuGo Free Dark Chocolate Trail Mix Bar stand?
I devoured it if that is any indication. Honestly…amazing flavor. Every bite had a little bit of salty-sweet to it. It kept the palate interested. And I kept going back for another bite…savoring…yet devouring. It was the perfect snack.
And that’s not far from the truth. This particular bar only packed 190 calories into it, but provided 9 grams of protein and only 5 grams of fat. Low fat and protein packed? It’s this runner’s dream come true. This bar was also low in sodium…even with the nuts and seeds included. I loved that too. It was a treat and didn’t spoil the athlete’s diet either.
I have one more of these bars, a different flavor, tucked away in my running snacks drawer at home. And now…I can’t wait to rip into it and see how it compares. I was completely won over by the delicious, natural flavors that were packed into this bar. NuGo Free…you have definitely won me over with this bar. Thank you for getting rid of my airport hunger, for getting me to O’Hare where I had a couple more options (although I ended up eating Garrett Popcorn…I admit it!), and for showing me how delicious your brand is. Nutritious, delicious, and allergen friendly. I’m sold.
NuGo Free Dark Chocolate Trail Mix Bar (unwrapped)
It’s early. I know it’s early. But this is actually later than I would normally get up to prepare for a race I need some time to travel with. The fact of the matter is…I wanted to rest so I set a later alarm. This means a little more hurrying this morning, but it was worth it.
You see…I’m nervous.
Why?
This morning, at 8:30 a.m., I will be taking off from the start line of the Activate America 5 Miler in Frankfort, Kentucky. No big deal, right? Well…it is for me.
You see…last year when I ran this race something happened. First of all, the weather was horrible. No exaggeration. I’m talking thunder, lightning, driving rain…the works. The race start was postponed…but they finally decided to let us run it. Even with a couple flashes of lightning still working. So, we lined up, immediately got soaked to the skin, and headed out for a very wet run.
I was doing okay for the first part of the race. We were told that if we felt uncomfortable running in the weather to come in after 2 miles as there is a 2 mile walk attached. I paid for this race, so I was going to run the entire thing. And after the 2 mile and 5 mile races separated, I felt a sharp pain in my foot.
I admit…I’d been nursing the foot for a little while. I walked around Vegas a couple weeks prior in Sketcher’s Tone Ups, which are great, but not for walking the strip for 8 hours straight. So, I had already been sore. But this was all-out pain. I didn’t stop though. I just altered the way I would stride and land. By the end of the race, I was fighting for each step but made it past that finish line. And then limped around for the better part of the summer. You see, instead of listening to my body, I ran through the pain and ended up with a stress fracture in the top of my foot and really, really bad runner’s knee. I didn’t run the rest of the summer. No joke. There was no way I could. I’d try…and immediately have to stop. I was cranky because of it, I hated wearing bandages and braces on my knee and foot, but I was in a lot of pain. From June to August. And it took multiple doctor’s visits, x-rays, and specialists to finally get me back in shape to run.
So, yeah…I’m nervous. This was the race that briefly ended my running last year. I’m sure all my U2 concert going peeps remember my hobbling around, tears, and the way I had to bandage and brace my right leg and foot. It sucked.
This year, the weather is going to be hot!! No rain. Just starting at 72 degrees is going to suck. So, the plan is to run smart. Yes…I want to beat last year’s time, which was actually really good for someone running on a bad foot and an injured knee. Will I be upset if I don’t? Probably. But the important thing this time is to run smart, listen to what my body is telling me, and to finish strong…not limping.
I’m about to finish getting ready to climb into the car for the drive to Frankfort, Kentucky so I can pick up my packet and get some stretching in before the runner’s line up. Here’s to a good, injury-free race.
Think of me, friends. And I’ll try to focus on the run, not the injury I got last year.
Restaurant: Sebastian Joe’s, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Every city has one. A local gem that houses the best ice cream treats anywhere. The locals know it. In fact, they frequent this place often, telling their friends and even complete strangers about where to find the best ice cream in town.
In Minneapolis, Minnesota…it’s no doubt this honor would go to Sebastian Joe’s.
As I have established before, one of my favorite ice cream treats to indulge in (with the help of my roommate) is a banana split. Life doesn’t get much better than a banana topped off with vanilla, chocolate and strawberry ice cream, whipped cream, and whatever else that particular shoppe adds to theirs. I was in the mood to indulge. It was my last day in Minneapolis and I had already eaten a delicious lunch. But that didn’t stop me from seeking out the best ice cream the Twin Cities had to offer. I found it too…at Sebastian Joe’s.
Sebastian Joe’s has been a staple to the Twin Cities since it opened back in 1884. This family owned, community-minded business has been churning out delicious premium ice cream using only all-natural ingredients of the finest quality. That means that the owners are very particular about what they put in their ice cream, which to me, speaks a lot about their standards and how highly they regard their products.
I entered the shop late one afternoon with Cathy. We were still full from lunch, but we really just wanted to treat ourselves to something good. Since we both love banana splits, we decided to do Sebastian Joe’s version of it…The Banana Boat ($6.79). What is the Banana Boat? Well, it’s a chopped banana, layered with three flavors of ice cream of your choice. We went with as close to the standards as possible (vanilla, chocolate and strawberry). They didn’t have a plain strawberry flavor, so we opted for the strawberry banana to go with our vanilla and chocolate standard. On top, we were served hot fudge and caramel, and it was topped off with another topping of our choice…which we chose almonds. And then whipped cream layered the top part.
Oh…this was going to be heaven in a dish. The Banana Boat was impressive. So impressive that a local who asked if we had ever had this ice cream before said that it looked delicious and commented on me taking a picture of it. Yeah…drool-worthy!
One thing I did notice that set this banana split apart from any other I had before is that they chopped the banana up into slices. This made it so much easier to eat. I wasn’t having to saw through the banana on my own. I could just scoop it up with my spoon and whatever flavor I had at that moment and enjoy. Oh…so good.
First bite…and I was hooked. The ice cream was melt-in-your-mouth smooth. Full of flavor. And that Strawberry Banana flavor was beyond delicious. It is a personal favorite. Doesn’t do me much good as I don’t live anywhere near Minneapolis…but if you happen by…get a scoop for me and eat it in my honor. You won’t be disappointed.
Every flavor melted well into the next. And I think I possibly might have enjoyed the best banana split I ever sat down to. And, trust me, I’ve sat down to many a banana split in my life. It has always been my favorite ice cream treat. Some things never change.
It didn’t even matter that I was full when I walked in there. My stomach found room for bite-after-bite of this delicious Banana Boat. It was well worth the extra indulgence.
Looking to support a long-standing, local, family owned business around the Twin Cities…find Sebastian Joe’s and try out one of their flavors. Or, go for broke and get one of their famous sundaes. I highly recommend The Banana Boat. And if you want someone to share it with…I’m happy to help.
Restaurant: The Bad Waitress, Minneapolis, Minnesota
If you happen to be traveling through Minneapolis, Minnesota…and you really need a fantastic place to eat…ask a local. That’s what we did. And had we not, we would have missed out on this unique, fun, amazing little diner off Nicolette Avenue. After finishing up some good shopping at a local record store known as The Electric Fetus, we asked the man behind the counter for any good places to catch a bite to eat. He immediately said to hit up Nicolette Avenue, referred to as “Eat Street” by the locals because of how many restaurants line it. And his suggestion…The Bad Waitress.
So…why is it called The Bad Waitress?
Mister Fantastic table marker at The Bad Waitress in Minneapolis, Minnesota
When you step inside, you are greeted by the look and feel of an old-fashioned diner. What makes this place unique are the wall hangings are old horror/sci-fi movie posters. Antiques, bought locally, line the walls and the nooks and crannies. You seat yourself. Pay attention to which table you are sitting at…this will be necessary when you place your order. My roommate and I came here with my aunt the first time (yes…we went back…because I forgot to take pictures of my food) and then we returned, happily, on our last day in town. Totally worth each trip. The first time we visited, we sat at the Thor table. On our return visit, we were at the Mister Fantastic table.
Why is this important? Because at The Bad Waitress, you are your own order taker. The menus are located on the table. Pick one up and peruse at your leisure. Located on the table with the menus is an order form. Put the name of your table on there and fill out the order form with what you want to eat. Be specific about any changes. Include your drink choices at the bottom. Then, when you finish with that, you take your order to the register and pay for your food ahead of time. You will receive your drinks then…unless like me you order tea. That will be brought to you by one of the awesome staff members.
Menu and order form at The Bad Waitress in Minneapolis, Minnesota
And then…it’s all up to the kitchen. You supplied your order the way you wanted it…so now they execute it…just as you instructed. This is why you have to be specific. The first time I ate there, it was the day before I ran the Minneapolis Half Marathon. So, I went with an omelette for the protein and for safety measures. I got it with their American Fries, which was a chopped up red potato (organic!) that was sauteed up to perfection. And they offered gluten-free toast as a bread option…and it arrived with a buttery glaze that was to die for. The omelette I ordered that day was the Death Valley Veggie Omelette, a 3-egg omelette that had gruyère cheese, red peppers, basil, and garlic tucked inside ($11.00). Cathy got their Hamburger on a wheat bun and topped it off with some goat cheese ($10.00) and substituted the chips and salsa for the American Fries ($1.75). And my Aunt Jan ordered the Tomato-Basil Tortilla Wrap with Grilled Chicken, keeping the chips and salsa as the side ( $8.50). I got an order of their green tea with lemon ($2.50). And after a little bit of a wait, which I never mind as it means things aren’t prepared ahead of time, but to order, our food was brought to our table and we dug in. Literally. I was hungry and forgot to take pictures. Trust me when I say…our food was amazing.
Happily though, my roommate and I returned to enjoy lunch there on our final day in Minneapolis. My aunt had an appointment to get to and the rest of my family headed out for a little journey together. Cathy and I had some loose ends to tie up in town, like a few more bookstores and record stores to hit, so we stayed behind, borrowed my aunt’s car, and made the rounds. Lunch time rolled around and we had decided that we couldn’t miss the chance to eat at The Bad Waitress again. So…we did.
This time our orders didn’t change…too much. With camera ready, we wrote down the order and placed it. This time, I didn’t stray too far from the breakfast menu. Why? Because breakfast is awesome and I’d eat it all day if I could. So…I opted for a change of pace and got another omelette, this time the Flying Saucer Omelette, a 3-egg omelette served with organic mushrooms, spinach, thyme, and goat cheese. I stuck with the gluten-free toast, but this time chose the hash browns as my side ($11.00). Cathy loved her burger so much, she tried it again, this time pairing it with gruyére cheese ($10.00) and keeping the chips and salsa as the side. I went with tea again as my beverage…the green tea with cherry ($2.50). We wrote the order up and paid at the register. Cathy came back with her Diet Coke, but I had to wait for a moment while they brewed up my tea. It was brought to my table on a fun little tray. Love the diner feel of this place.
The Bad Waitress’ Green Tea with Cherry
We had a bit of a wait again for our made-to-order food. But it arrived in good order and everything once again looked fantastic. And this time…I snapped pictures.
The omelette was fantastic. Stuffed with sauteed mushrooms, goat cheese, and seasoned with thyme. The flavor combination was divine. The goat cheese added a rich creaminess to the eggs, the mushrooms gave it bulk, and the thyme added the seasoning. I dashed it with some hot sauce and tucked into it. Amazing. And the hash browns…cooked to perfection. The top layer was a crispy brown, but beneath was the soft shredded potatoes. Just how I like them. And, just as before, the gluten-free toast was done to a buttery crisp. No need to add anything. It was delicious that way. I was in love with the food there. The menu is loaded with options and served the entire time they are open…so if you want breakfast at 5 p.m…write it down and you will get it
Next time I’m in Minnesota, I’m totally getting back to The Bad Waitress. The atmosphere, the concept, the food…all beyond my expectations. It looks like a greasy-spoon diner on the outside, but inside is a business that is supplying customers with organic and local food that is prepared to perfection and delicious with every bite. You’ll clean your plate. Even if you feel like you can’t take one more bite…you will.
For places to eat in Minneapolis, Minnesota…this one sits at the top.
The Bad Waitress’ Flying Saucer Omelette with Gluten-Free Toast and Hash Browns
I have a lot of things I love in life…and despite a lactose intolerance…ice cream is one of them. Thankfully, these little Lactase supplements exist which allow me to indulge in my love of all things ice cream…with some restraint.
After filling up on pub grub and taking a stroll around Excelsior, Minnesota…checking out Lake Minnetonka…and letting things settle…Heather said we couldn’t leave without getting some frozen custard from what she hailed to be the best frozen custard place around. Perhaps in the world. I was intrigued. For one thing…I’d never had frozen custard before. I know…shocking. Frozen yogurt…yes. Sorbet…yes. Gelato…yes. Ice cream…always. But frozen custard was new to me.
She took us up the ways to this great little stand called Adele’s Frozen Custard. I was ready to be wowed.
I already liked the look of the place. A small little structure built just off the road. People were sitting outside and enjoying their bowls of delicious frozen goodness as we arrived. They have a limited number of available flavors. On the day we were there, they had the standard chocolate and vanilla…in addition to bubble gum, grasshopper, and chocolate raspberry truffle.
Cathy’s order of Grasshopper Frozen Custard from Adele’s Frozen Custard
Since I also have to concern myself with a gluten allergy and not sure what all went into special flavors, I stuck with the standard vanilla custard with a topping of strawberries. YUMMY! Remember…if it has strawberries…it wins. Heather got the chocolate raspberry truffle custard and Cathy opted for the grasshopper flavor (which I almost got and was glad I didn’t when it was served with crumbled cookie crumbs on top!). We placed our orders, payed and waited on the frozen goodness. Mine was the last to arrive, but in the time we waited, I was busy studying the frozen custard making machine. It was fascinating to see the cascade of frozen custard come pouring out of it in blocks. Mmmm.
When our orders were up, we all headed outside to sit and enjoy our flavor of choice. Heather and Cathy were both very content with their choices. And I was too.
So, what’s the difference between ice cream and frozen custard? Well…it’s like this…
Ice cream is composed of a base of cream, milk and sugar. Then air is whipped into it. To make it into frozen custard, egg yolk is added to the ice cream base, and the air is then whipped out of it, making the texture very smooth and velvety rich. Simply put…it’s sophisticated ice cream that creamy good.
If Adele’s is any indication of how fantastic frozen custard is…well, call me a believer. I was blown away by the rich, soft texture of it. My vanilla one wasn’t bland at all. I would have been content to down it without the strawberries on top. It was creamy good and had that full vanilla flavor that I want in a vanilla ice cream (or in this case…custard).
As this is my only consumption of frozen custard to date, I can’t really say how it compares to anything. But I will say this…it is a rich, delicious flavor that melts on your tongue and excites every taste bud it comes in contact with.
Adele’s is also run by a local family and is open seasonally…which means this is not a year-round treat. So get it while the place is open and the getting is good. The parking lot was packed when we arrived and when we left. This is no secret to the locals…and visitors should make their way there and see what all the fuss about Adele’s Frozen Custard is all about. It’s worth the journey.
And me…I’m now a believer if frozen custard.
On a side note…it was ironic to get back into the car to head back to my grandpa’s house and have Adele on the radio at that moment. It made the perfect ending to a perfect day with good friends and amazing food.
Jake O’Connor’s Public House, Excelsior, Minnesota
Restaurant: Jake O’Connor’s Public House, Excelsior, Minnesota
Remember how I said I love Irish pubs? Well…if not…let me remind you…
I LOVE IRISH PUBS!
Take to heart that as a gluten-free vegetarian, this often means no more than a salad and a ‘safe’ side of mashed potatoes (or champ), but I am okay with that…as long as it is good. And I have reviewed so many salads at restaurants that they really need to wow me in order for me to really rave about them anymore. Once you’ve had one salad, you’ve had them all, yes?
WRONG!
And Jake O’Connor’s Public House in Excelsior, Minnesota proved that to me once and for all.
My friend Heather, formerly of Chicago, now back in Minnesota, came out to my half-marathon. Following which we all went out to celebrate my first ever sub-2 hour half with some good food and atmosphere. She had sent me a link for this pub weeks prior and we decided it would be the ideal place to go after my race. After all, they even had items on the menu marked that could be made gluten-free. My heart was so happy that day! So, after a shower and some chat time, we headed out to get some food for our hungry bellies.
First of all, this pub is beautiful. It really is. Stained glass. A wooden bar. Dimly lit. Perfect pub atmosphere. We were seated in a little corner booth and brought our drink orders. For me…water. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate! We were given ample time to look over the menu, and after discussing the fact that the fish and chips showed up beneath the sandwich category (leading to confusion of whether it was traditional fish and chips or a fish sandwich), and it was confirmed that both Heather and Cathy (the roomie) would be getting the traditional fish and chips, we were ready to place our order. I went last because I was the confusing one…
My order was simple. I got the Berry and Chicken Salad (without the chicken!!) done up gluten-free ($8.75). With a side of fries ($5.95), made gluten-free. Easy peasy, yes? And we all decided to celebrate with a pint of Magners from the tap ($3.50). It was necessary. The three of us LOVE our Magners.
Orders in, we sat and talked and just had a blast waiting on our food. And when it arrived…let me tell you…portions are HUGE!!
My salad was bigger than my head, I swear. But it was delicious looking. At first I didn’t receive my fries with the order, but they arrived soon after, lacking the malt they are usually cooked in and done in a separate frier. So much love for that.
Jake O’Connor’s side of fries done gluten-free
I gave my salad a small dash of the poppyseed vinaigrette and took my first bite. Here is what I loved about this salad and why I would totally order it again. It had a myriad of flavors. Every bite was different. Textures were different. This salad was fully loaded with spinach and romaine as the greens. Then was topped with fresh strawberries and blackberries. It doesn’t stop there. Cubes of soft Cambozola cheese (a combination of a French soft-ripened triple cream cheese and Italian Gorgonzola) were at each “corner” of the salad. Also included were caramelized figs and candied walnuts.
Sounds like an epic salad, yes?
Well…it was. And quite filling. I have actually never been full from eating a salad…but I was this time. In fact, I hardly touched my plate of fries. I was intrigued by the layers in my salad…how the flavors all worked together. How there were sweet parts and salty parts. And how it just worked over the greens. There wasn’t too much of anything. An equal balance was found and that was what made this salad work. Being a vegetarian meant I ordered mine sans-chicken, but I didn’t miss it in the slightest. I was filled with green, fruity goodness.
What fries I did munch on were really well done. They had that crisp outside and were soft inside. Fried to perfection. And, thankfully, not over-seasoned. Nothing kills good fries like too much salt. These hardly tasted of salt. And perhaps the seasoning was left off. I loved it that way and enjoyed what I managed to eat before calling myself at capacity and setting my fork down.
Pub grub can swing either way…good or bad. The same is said for the atmosphere. Jake O’Connor’s got it right. The food is fantastic. The Magners pours were delicious. And the atmosphere was what I expect from a good pub. No touristy Irish music playing here. Just the buzz of happy customers and some regular tunes over the sound system. That, my friends, is how it is done in Ireland. And that is how Jake O’Connor’s Public House does it in Excelsior, Minnesota. A taste of Ireland…right in the heart of Lake Country.
Yeah…I fell in love with the place. Head over heels.
Oh…and my friends really enjoyed their plates of fish and chips. They found the fish cooked to perfection and not overly greasy or overly breaded. And the salt ‘n malt chips were to their liking as well. For those of you who have a thing for fish and chips…well…there you go. Two very happy customers.
But this gluten-free vegetarian is going to be raving about that salad for life. Who would have thought something as basic and simple as that could fill me up after running 13.1 miles…and leave such an impression. Jake O’Connor’s Public House…you are doing Ireland justice. And I salute you for that…and your gluten-free menu options.
As if I needed another reason to go back to Minnesota…
Jake O’Connor’s Berry and Chicken Salad (NO CHICKEN!) done gluten-free (and vegetarian)
Today pretty much marks the halfway point of the year. And what did I accomplish on my three mile hard training run this morning? 500 miles this year. Exactly.
500 MILES!
I hit my goal. Already!
I really wanted to make the last three miles count. Seriously. So I was very glad that it fell on a training day when a hard run was required. This meant more speed, more inclines, more power. And it meant that these last 3 miles toward my goal of 500 for the year would mean a little more at the end of it.
So I really worked it. I made every moment of this run count. I ran at a harder rate, getting my heart pumping, working for each mile. And in the end I couldn’t be happier with the results. Yes…inclines and speed work are tough. But hitting that goal made it all worth it.
I am in a steady training schedule for my next half marathon, which hits in September. So, I’m back to a strict schedule on my runs. And after that, I have one more half marathon in mid-October to run. I’ve been contemplating a fifth one this year and have it narrowed down to two. One is up in Indianapolis (again), while the other one is closer to home…here in Louisville.
Additionally, I have a bunch of races I haven’t signed up for which I need to. Perhaps that’s how I’ll spend my break today at the office.
With races in the works, looks like downtime isn’t in my future. But that’s okay. I like it like that. Hell, I’m the girl who goes on vacation and keeps on training. This is how you know you love to run. I don’t have to convince myself to lace up my shoes. I don’t have to talk all bad ass about my running (because I am not a bad ass runner). I don’t have to comment about how great a run feels. I just run for the love of it. I finally found something in this life that I love. And the best part is…I don’t have to be good at it. I just have to keep my passion for it. The key is to run smart. If I hurt or ache…I take a day off or run slow. If it’s hot…I run early or late. If it’s hot on a workday, I keep the run short and I listen to my body. That’s the key to any run…listen to your body. If you go out too hard, too fast, do too much when your body isn’t ready for it…you get injured.
I know. It happened to me last year in the race I’m running on Saturday in Frankfort, Kentucky. Trust me…no runner wants to be sidelined for months with a stress fracture in the foot and runners knee that just won’t get better. But it happened. And I limped and hobbled my way through June, July, and August before I was able to get back into running. And it sucked. Far better to run smart than to do yourself damage. It saves on medical bills…and a lot of unhappiness.
I’ve learned a lot in the time I’ve been running and I’ve learned to set feasible, reasonable goals. With that said, my goal on Saturday is to run a good race. Am I aiming for a specific time? Yep. I came in last year (on injury!) at 45 minutes. I want to beat that. But, it’s going to be warmer this Saturday, so we’ll see how it goes. The most important thing is that I go out there and have a good run…and more importantly…have fun doing it.
So…with these 500 miles behind me…time to set a new goal.
Me crossing the finish line of the Minneapolis Half Marathon – Minneapolis, Minnesota
Race: Minneapolis Half Marathon
Place: Minneapolis, Minnesota
Date: June 3, 2012
Time: 1:58:28
Oh yes…you read that right. My first ever sub-2 hour half marathon. It was my goal to do that once this year in the four half marathon’s I am signed up to run in (with a possible 5th one in the works). And then I go and do it on my second one for the year. This has been a fantastic running season. And I couldn’t be more proud of this finish.
If something was going to go wrong leading into this race…it was bound to happen. I’m not being dramatic. Bear with me.
On Monday, after I went for a run, my roommate and I went into work (yes…on Memorial Day when everyone else had the day off) and put in six long, hard hours to get into a good spot as we were only working a half day on Thursday before taking off to Minnesota. For lunch, we got Chick-Fil-A. Don’t get on my case yet. As a vegetarian, I got a large fruit cup and a medium order of waffle fries. I’ve done that before, and been fine. But something (we’re guessing some accidental gluten contamination in what is usually gluten-free fries) made me feel under the weather for five days…including travel days. I worked through it and no one was the wiser, but I felt awful. And now…Chick-Fil-A makes me more than a little nervous when it comes to eating on the go. Ugh. Gluten intolerance sucks.
Add on top of that the flight delays from hell. We got to the airport in Louisville in good time, thanks to my co-worker and teammate, Kayla, who was kind enough to take us there. After breezing through security and getting to our gate…our flight is delayed? Why? Because we are flying through O’Hare in Chicago…and all flights were grounded due to very bad weather. AH!
Then, the second leg of our flights from Chicago to Minneapolis gets cancelled!! Good thing my roommate checked our flight status while we were waiting and went to get it sorted if possible. Yep. Flight was cancelled and we were now given two of the remaining three seats on the flight out of O’Hare to Minneapolis…at 8:15 p.m. Better than nothing. I text my Aunt Jan to let her know of our change in arrival time. And the long wait begins. Then, we board and fly to Chicago. Upon arrival we now have a five hour layover. So we walk around the terminals for a bit. Then get some dinner (I grabbed a salad and a gluten-free peanut butter cookie from CIBO and my roomie got a delicious sandwich from Frontera). We eat. We get some caffeine into our system. We buy some Garrett Popcorn. We munch. We wander. We get to our gate. We are moved to another gate. We finally board and we are off to Minneapolis. Arrival time…10:00 p.m. And Jan is there to pick us up.
Friday rolls around and we’re off hanging with Jan and my cousin Natalie. We hit up the Mall of America. It’s a good time. Except Grandpa, my road hero himself, is starting to feel under the weather. So, now we’re doing what we can to ensure that he gets to feeling better.
Saturday rolls in and I head to the race expo that morning to grab my packet and see what all is going on at the expo. This is a very small expo. Tiny. So, it takes a grand total of 15 minutes to do everything, and that included waiting in line at The Depot Hotel in downtown Minneapolis to get the packet. I go through the lines, get my bib, timing chip, t-shirt, and check out the few vendors that are there. And then…we leave to hit up a record store and grab some lunch. That afternoon…the rest of the family arrives (my mom, dad, sister, brother-in-law, and two little nephews). All the cousins come over for dinner and we aim for an early bed time…which doesn’t exactly happen…but we tried.
Now, all afternoon I had been trying to get out of my family who might be coming out for the race. I knew my roommate and my aunt were a lock. But no one else for sure. And I was really bummed out about that. So, when Sunday morning rolled around and I hauled myself off my air mattress to get changed and ready for the race, I was still bummed. I headed upstairs to eat some cereal and get a banana to go. And up the stairs comes…my dad!! I ran over and hugged him. I was so happy to have him coming out to the race. Especially since my reason for running a half marathon in Minneapolis, my grandpa, was sick and couldn’t make it out to the event.
We headed into downtown Minneapolis and attempted to find the lot we had pre-paid for parking at. We managed, but all the gates were still down. Yes…on an event morning. We used the call box to get this information, but some marathon runners (the marathon started an hour before the half marathon) were in a hurry to get to the start and swiped their credit card so we went and parked on their dime. We ambled out of the car and toward the starting point. The are had the pace markers up and we walked by, seeing a lot of marathon runners stretching and getting ready to start. Since we still had a good amount of time…we headed to Caribou Coffee for…coffee and some breakfast. I got a Vanilla Northern Lite Cooler and ate my banana. Then made use of their indoor plumbing by using the bathroom. And while we were taking turns, I answered their chalkboard question…Who Do You Run For? My answer – “My Running Hero – My Grandpa!”
The marathon was getting ready to kick off, so we all headed out to the starting line to cheer them on. The National Anthem was sung and soon, they were off. This was the first time I got to be a spectator at a race. So it was a lot of fun shouting at the runners and getting them off to a good start. Once they passed, we crossed the street and I started to stretch out.
Heather, Me, and Cathy after the Minneapolis Half Marathon – Minneapolis, Minnesota
And that is when Heather, my bestie since third grade, showed up. Now, Heather is becoming a pro at being at my important races. She was at my first half marathon in Chicago too…which is where she was living at the time. Now in Minnesota, her arrival at the race really brightened my day. Yeah, I was very bummed about grandpa…but I had other friends and family who were turning up to cheer me on. And that meant the world to me!
I stretched and talked and talked and stretched…and soon I noticed the corals filling up. So, I gave hugs to everyone and they all wished me luck and I headed off alone to choose my pace group. I opted for the 9:00 pace, figuring that was as good a place as any to start. I also happened to be in the first wave they sent off.
I had some fun talking to some of the people I was near. Some were anxiously searching for the pacer, as they wanted to run near them so they knew they were on target. Some were running their first race ever. Some chose this as their first half marathon. Some were pros at this. Some were discussing the hills on the course. And others just plugged into their iPod’s and focused on the run ahead.
The National Anthem was sung once more and then…moments later…we were off.
I could hear my family and friends cheering for me as I crossed the start line. I flashed my signature peace sign and just told myself to pace myself. Why? Because I tend to go out way too fast and then suffer in the end. I knew that this course was going to provide some hills and I wanted my energy for them. So…I did what I could and kept a good pace. In fact, I somehow missed the mile marker for the first mile. Because, before I knew it…I was coming up on Mile 2. It was a great morning to run. A little warmer than I liked…and it was only going to heat up more, but it felt good to be out there. The spirit of the race was fantastic. People were scattered along the course. There were spectators and people cheering and holding signs everywhere along the way. Just after Mile 3, we doubled back and headed back along the river front.
And for the first time ever…I got the thrill of a lifetime at the halfway mark. I spotted my dad and my aunt on the side shouting and cheering as I passed. Yep. They met me halfway. And just a little more up the way…Heather and Cathy were there. And they were screaming for me. They were awesome. All four of them. Best spectator moment ever. Nothing gives you a second wind more than seeing your peeps cheering for you halfway through a 13.1 mile race. It felt great.
And then…the second half of the race kicked in. It was really starting to warm up now, but I was wearing my new race tank, and it was keeping me cool. I was carrying a water bottle with me. Unfortunately, and lesson learned, I had flavored water in it…which wasn’t settling well in my stomach now. But, it was hydration. So I sipped at it as needed. There had been hills here and there…and awesome people on them to tell you that you were almost at the top and to keep pushing. My speed slowed down now. I lost the pacer I had been keeping up with the entire time prior to that. But the heat was getting me…and so was that flavored water. Blech.
Top it off with the hills and I was just fighting for each step I was taking at this point. I felt off. My great pace was lagging. And I was just starting to feel the effects of the stressful week. I was going to push through though. And I did. And that wall was broken through, especially at Mile 9.5, where the turnaround happened again and I was now on the last couple of miles to the finish. When I hit Mile 10…I knew it was only a 5K from there on and I was still making pretty decent time…despite the slow down. I got out my Annie’s Bunny Fruit Snacks (citrus flavored) to put something in my stomach. The citrus, while delicious, wasn’t a good choice on a day when flavored water was churning my stomach. But I needed the energy. From now on…I might go with the Sports Beans. Anyway…I gave the eat and run a go and continued on to Mile 11. Another mile down. Then another. Soon after Mile 12…a hill loomed. I knew it was coming because I had looked at the elevation map. It wasn’t going to be as hard as the one I hit around Mile 7…but my legs had carried me up and down hills all morning. By Mile 12, they’re ready for a rest. But I powered up it as best as my legs would allow. And then…the home stretch.
My iPod was playing Rob Thomas and Santana’s “Smooth.” And if you haven’t seen the video for Marathon Thoughts…you won’t understand why this was appropriate. I could hear the announcer. I knew I was close. Around a corner I came and there it was…the finish. I picked up speed. I even passed some people. I totally chicked a guy who was making his way to the finish by passing him on the double. I saw my dad, Jan, Heather and Cathy. Cathy was screaming at me about a new PR. I could see I was under 2 hours…and I bolted across that finish line.
Aunt Jan, Me, and my Dad after the Minneapolis Half Marathon – Minneapolis, Minnesota
As I made my way down to the end of the finish area, I was handed my finisher’s medal, a bag of snacks, some water…and I waited until I could spot my cheering section. They found me in no time and I shouted “THANK YOU, ROB THOMAS!” Cathy got it. No one else did. Again…watch Marathon thoughts. You’ll understand. Soon after, I was on my back with my feet up, laughing, talking, and discussing the race. According to my Garmin…I ran 13.2 miles from start to finish. So, let’s hear it for that extra 0.1 mile. WOOT! I was just elated. My first ever sub-2 hour half marathon. I was aiming to do that in Hershey, Pennsylvania in October. But I tore it out in Minneapolis…for Grandpa…who was there in spirit and doing himself some good by staying home and resting.
I ate my Picky Bar (by Lauren Fleshman…good carbs/protein ratio) and downed my protein shake. Water followed…and I downed two bottles on the walk back to the car. We parted ways here. Cathy and I headed off with Heather. We were going by her house. I was going to shower. And then we were heading out to a pub for lunch. My dad and Jan gave me hugs and I promised I would see them when I returned after lunch.
This race, for me, was a mixed bag of emotions. I am still working on getting my pace figured out…and how to properly fuel by body on these long runs. I loved having my dad there. I loved having my aunt, my roommate, and Heather there to cheer me on. I experienced the high of reaching one of my goals, finishing a half marathon in under 2 hours.
But…I was very sad not to have grandpa there to be a part of the experience. But…there will be other races. And, as I said before…he was there in spirit. It was best that he stayed home to rest and get better. I know that. And I’m glad he did just that. With that in mind, I think I was meant to set that PR at this race. For Grandpa. Just like my headband said.
Official results of the Minneapolis Half Marathon are that I finished in 1:58:28. I was 828/2779 finishers overall. WOOHOO! I was 366/1773 women to cross the finish. And I was 79/356 people in my division. I couldn’t be happier with these results.
You know what? Grandpa is pretty damn proud of me too!
Product: WOW Baking Company Peanut Butter Cookie – $1.50+
It was bound to happen at some time.
I thought I was well prepared for the inevitable, but then…the longer delays began to happen and my gluten-free snacks I packed disappeared sooner than I anticipated.
Airports are difficult enough to navigate when it comes to food choices. Add being a gluten-free vegetarian on top of it and it can be nigh on impossible to find something to eat at times.
Thankfully, that wasn’t the case (completely) at Chicago O’Hare. I was stuck there for five hours. Prior to that, I was delayed getting out of Louisville. And as I had intended to eat lunch at O’Hare, the delay meant I was hungry. I had packed a breakfast bar and some raisins in case, and they were consumed along with an expensive fruit cup prior to boarding the delayed flight. Hey…you can’t change the weather.
After delays, a cancelled flight, and then a new flight, five hours later, I knew lunch at O’Hare was now going to become dinner at O’Hare. And so…it had to be. Originally, my roommate and I thought to splurge a little and sit down to eat at either Wolfgang Puck or Macaroni Grill. But upon inquiring about gluten-free vegetarian options and being told I could have a salad (overpriced, of course), we decided instead to just grab something else and sit in the food court to eat. Save some money.
Thankfully, O’Hare has these little shops called CIBO Gourmet Market, which carry foods that are appropriate for vegans, vegetarians, the gluten-free, and meat options as well in the form of deli sandwiches and salads. I stopped in to take a look around and opted to grab one of their Strawberry Fields Salads (a mix of greens, strawberries, walnuts, and feta cheese). My roommate was convinced that wouldn’t be enough to hold me, so I ended up reaching for a WOW Baking Company Peanut Butter Cookie to enjoy post-salad. I admit, I still paid an arm and a leg for my meal, but it wound up being cheaper than the sit-down places in the end.
So…with the salad eaten, my roommate and I split the cookie for dessert. Let me tell you…WOW Baking Company makes one terrific and delicious gluten-free peanut butter cookie. It was like biting into a fresh peanut butter cookie. Honestly. It had that crisp outside for the initial bite, but each chew was soft and delicious.
Even better…the ingredient list had nothing funky or strange listed on it. The WOW Baking Company Web site even indicates that their cookies are made from all natural ingredients without the use of any preservatives. This means you can’t just hang onto the cookies or they will lose their freshness. I bought this at the airport and it was really, really fresh tasting. Their peanut butter cookie is made with natural, crunchy peanut butter, lending it a bit of crunch throughout. Epically delicious. I was WOW-ed. No really. I remember finishing a bite, looking at my roommate and saying, “Damn…these are good.” Peanut butter cookies bring a bit of salty-sweet to the taste buds and mine totally appreciated the taste and texture of these!
These cookies are available in some retail locations including Fresh Market and Whole Foods. You can check their Web site for stores in your area that may carry these delicious cookies. Remember…one cookie is two servings, so eat half and save the rest for later…or share with a friend. It’s tempting not to, but it’s all about portions, friends.
Want a delicious cookie that is free of gluten and wheat? I highly recommend trying the cookie options that WOW Baking Company bakes up. It’s magic in cookie form. And now…I’m hooked.
Can you believe it? I hardly can…but it’s all been possible because of the hard work I’ve been pouring into each run I take.
I’m in training. Again. Actually, it seems like I never really stopped training. I went from a half marathon in Indianapolis at the beginning of May to another one, this time in Minneapolis, on Sunday, June 3. It wasn’t the best planning, I know, but it was how the cards were dealt. Imagine my surprise when I plugged the new race info into my iPod app and already was up to having to run 8 miles on a long run. Craziness. But…the life of a runner is never boring.
As my training has progressed to this, the second of four…maybe five, half marathons for the year, I’ve covered a lot of road. I’ve dealt with minor set-backs (injuries) and I’ve struggled with finding things that I can handle eating while running (I still have yet to master that!). On top of that, maintaining a healthy and balanced diet to fit my restrictive dietary needs (I’m a gluten-free vegetarian!) and not dropping pounds has been an even more epic battle. Making sure I get enough protein…an even bigger battle.
But that’s a different story.
Yesterday, I was out on my last easy training run before the half marathon on Sunday. And in those short 2 miles I covered, I rolled over the 450 mile mark. This leaves me with less than 50 more miles to cover until I reach the goal I set in January. Hmmm…I think it’s time to up the mileage! I can’t believe I’ve reached the goal so quickly. Considering that in January I was bummed out for getting a slow start, my training schedule has certainly made up for it. I am so happy my feet can still carry me miles down the road at whatever pace I feel I want to maintain.
Today, I head to the airport to fly to Minneapolis, Minnesota. I’m running in the Minneapolis Half Marathon on Sunday, June 3. The weather looks like it will be perfect for running. Ideal. And…even better…my grandpa is going to be there. He’s the one who inspired me to put on running shoes and hit the road and the fact that he will be at the race means so much to me. I look forward to crossing that finish line and giving my family and friends hugs and just reveling in the moment that he was there to see it happen.
I’ve been so ready to make this trip. And now that it’s here…I’m ready to get running.
Perhaps that’s the taper talking…but this race on Saturday means the world to me. I’m ready to run it the best I can.
The Celiathlete 