the final countdown…
In exactly 7 days (or 10,080 minutes or 604,800 seconds), I will have finished my very first marathon.
Notice how I didn’t say hopefully or maybe or possible, I said ‘will.’ The 26.2 miles might feel spectacular; it might feel horrible; it might feel just okay; but it will feel something. And I am so excited to accomplish a goal that’s been on my bucket list for awhile.
Here is the pre-marathon preparation game plan for this week:
- Bed at 10pm and up at 6am
- Clean eating (avoid potentially upsetting food, i.e. waffle fries + beer, which were consumed on Friday night)
- Tue: 3 miles, Wed.: 4 miles, Thur.: 2 miles – run all these in the AM
- Buy a cute new running top
- Breathe, relax and try not to think about it too much
I think this is a to-do list I can accomplish 
.
Saturday morning, I let my tumtum settle from the junky food of Friday night (see above) before heading out on a nice 8-mile run. When I came back, I concocted a colorful + balanced salad for lunch.
bed of mixed greens
1/2 zucchini
1 cup quartered strawberries
1/2 pkg. tempeh, spread with honey and dipped in coconut
sprinkle of coconut
100-calorie pack walnuts + almonds
drizzle of honey + EVOO
The nutty, earthy taste of the tempeh pairs perfectly with the sweetness of the coconut + strawberries. Delish.
Then I got myself purtied up for wedding #6 of the summer! It was truly a gorgeous affair, which is while I am going to spare you my ramblings and let you feast your eyes on the photos.
Your eyes don’t lie – that is a SUNDAE BAR! I told Casey (the bride/friend/coworker) that the moment I saw them roll out this cart of goodness, my love for her increased even more. True story. A scoop of vanilla ‘scream, bananas, strawberries + chocolate sauce was more than enjoyed by yours truly.
Insert 4+ hours of dancing here.
This morning, I woke up with a rumbling tummy. I am going to chalk it up to dancing my arse off all night…enter Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal!
1/3 cup oats
1/3 cup organic skim milk + 1/3 cup water
drizzle of agave syrup
1 apple (diced & microwaved for 90 seconds
with a pinch of evaporated cane juice + cinnamon)
more cinnamon
hunk o’ CinnaRaisinSwirl PB
So much better than the packaged stuff. Then I got productive and started crossing things of this to-do list. I make so many, I can’t even keep them straight.
At around 1pm, I started getting hungry again and made a good ol’ yog mess consisting of:
1 cup Stonyfield Farms French Vanilla yog
1/4 cup Dylan’s Sunflower Almond Chia granola
1 sliced banana
1 scoop of regular PB
By the way, is it wrong I am slightly sore this morning from dancing all night?
This weekend, I also received the sweetest package from the other Holly :
Bigelow Pumpkin Spice Tea!!! So excited! However, the best part is the note. I don’t know if you can read it, but it is comments like that remind me why I blog and how appreciative I am of all the nice people in the world.
Alrighty kiddos…I better stop before I keep rambling, and this post gets really out of control. Not before you answer some q’s, however:
(1) What was the highlight of your weekend? Dancing up a storm at the wedding, especially rockin’ out to Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin” and showing peeps how to move their hips to Shakira’s “Whenever, Wherever.”
(2) What is the most unique/best feature you have seen at a wedding? I think mine is a tie between the sundae bar tonight and the photo booth from Charlotte’s wedding last month.
Tags: apple, banana, berries, cake, coconut, drinks, ice cream, oatmeal, salad, tempeh, yogurt, zucchini
September 27th, 2009 at 2:08 pm
OMG I’m so excited for your final pre-marathon week! You go girl
One time, at this Greek wedding I went to, I had to eat a goat’s eye because I was a guest…
And not gonna lie, last night I totally rocked out to some “Don’t Stop Believin’” as well. Best song ever!
September 27th, 2009 at 2:09 pm
I AM so excited for you and the marathon because I know you will kick da sh!t outa it! Imagine that 22 mile run you did on accident the other week.. but a liiitttlle longer and STRUNG OUT ON ADRENALINE AND CARBS!!! You will do amazing mami!
Coconut tempeh = love!
1) Highlight of the weekend was probably finding little SABRAS on Friday night and talking on the phone to my BFF Stuart for 2 hours last night.
2) I’ve never been to a wedding!!!! Isn’t that crazy!!! I wanna dance for 4 hours!!!!
loVE you!
September 27th, 2009 at 2:14 pm
Looks amazing! SUNDAE BAR?! Too cool. That may have to be at my wedding. All I need now is a groom. And a dress. And a few monir things but at least deesert is decided on!
I love that you say “arse”…haha. I always Americanize (ise?) my writing. Need to stop that. Brit-speak is where it’s at.
Good luck with your to-do list! You’ll be running whilst I am flying- I’ll send some turbulence at the other runners. Cause I got sKilLz, yo.
(1) What was the highlight of your weekend? Sleeping this morning…much needed after a week of 2-3 hours sleep, finally 7 hours of blissful snoozing. Oh, and a random breakdancing session in the complex courtyard yesterday with some neighbours who were drunk (and therefore, easily impressed) was awesome
(2) What is the most unique/best feature you have seen at a wedding? The only weddings I have been to were ones I worked at…so aside from seeing my harp and the music in front of me, I haven’t seen much! I did go to my mom’s wedding but was drunk before it started (I did not know that I am such a lightweight and 2 glasses of champagne would knock me for 6) so I saw a lot of cool blurry stuff if that counts
(actually, seeing my brothers in kilts was kind of amusing too…)
September 27th, 2009 at 2:23 pm
SO EXHILARATING!!!! You’ll do great – best of luck!
1.) Baking blondies.
2.) Individual tiny wedding cakes for each wedding guest.
September 27th, 2009 at 2:26 pm
good luck on the final stretch girl! you go this .. and if all else fails at least beer is a carb and carbs give you energy sooooooo, no sweat
I’m just gonna throw this out there — you are effin’ hot as hellz.
yay for that tea! put it in your oats, please? k thanks.
love you Hollypop
September 27th, 2009 at 2:44 pm
Looks like a great wedding. I love the sundae bar!
I went to a wedding a few years ago that was super kid friendly (games, popcorn maker, candy station, toys, endless coloring materials…). I was pregnant with the toddler at the time, so I guess that’s why it stood out. They also had tons of water and drinks in buckets everywhere. I guess the overall emphasis was not so much on having a “perfect” wedding but to make all guests really comfortable. I loved that!
September 27th, 2009 at 2:47 pm
A sundae bar was my dream for my wedding!
My favourite features always have to do with ice-cream. One wedding we went to, we played free mini golf while the B&G had photos, and that included an ice cream. That inspired me to get an ice cream van for ours, and it was awesome.
The highlights of my weekend were:
- our Saturday day night, including a long walk, good beer and Inglourious Basterds
- our Sunday ride, which I may have kinda crushed!
Good luck for marathon-week!
PS I love homemade apple cinnamon oatmeal. I can’t believe I used to eat that stuff packaged!
September 27th, 2009 at 2:52 pm
Highlight: talking to my family on the phone:)
Those photo booths at weddings are so awesome, kind of dangerous too!
Love your salad mixture!
Enjoy this week and take it easy, you’ll do great next Saturday:)
September 27th, 2009 at 3:02 pm
Wow, that bride and groom really know how to throw a party! A sundae bar? Are you kidding me? Amazing!
The best part of my weekend has been getting Sunny for two weeks
The most unique feature I have seen at a wedding was a ‘make your own’ trail mix. They set out nuts, chocolates, dried fruit, crackers, etc., and bags so you could make your own snack bag.
September 27th, 2009 at 3:08 pm
Girl, you WILL do awesome on the marathon.
I can hardly wait to hear all about it. And I know I’ll just end up wanting to do my own after reading your recap on it. 
Six weddings? So jealous.
I love going to weddings…good food, dancing, and just having fun. Love it. 
September 27th, 2009 at 3:11 pm
6 weddings in 1 Summer? You popular gal, you. Way to keep up with the positivism on the marathon! Bed at 10 is impressive, I usually give myself till 11, but then again I sleep laaaate(as in 7am is later than 6).
September 27th, 2009 at 4:12 pm
you are so beautiful!
that sundae bar is nutzo!
im going to a wedding in a few weeks and i cant wait!!!
September 27th, 2009 at 4:38 pm
Sounds like the wedding was super fun. By chance, was it at the Monona Terrace?
1.Highlight of the weekend: Shopping today and spending way too much money.
2. I think a build your own coffee bar and chocolate fountain were the neatest thing I’ve seen so far.
September 27th, 2009 at 4:48 pm
Aaaahhh!!! A freakin’ marathon! You are amazing Holly! Sounds like a solid plan for the week too. Especially the eating part. I splurged on hotdogs and mayonnaise salads two days before my triathlon, and it, ahem, did not help :\
Smart friend – you can win anyone over with a sundae bar!!
1. I worked all weekend, so my options here are pretty sparse. But I reeeeally enjoyed my easy four-mile jog yesterday. I love it when I can say running is FUN
2. I haven’t been to a wedding since I was a child. I’m 23 though…so I sense there will be MANY in the next few years to come!
September 27th, 2009 at 4:49 pm
This is just too exciting!! Haha! Pumped for you!!
<3 jess
xoxo
September 27th, 2009 at 4:51 pm
OMGoodness you are so close now sweetheart! I’ve got more faith in you than ever. My prediction is that’s it’s probably going to feel like all of the above but what you feel AFTERWORDS is something you’re never gonna expect. You might have a good guess, but honestly it’s like the culmination of everything you’ve worked so hard for.
So I’m not sure where “buy cute new running top” falls in the list” (not sure if they are in chronological order) but I HIGHLY suggest you buy that top sooner rather than later. If it’s going to chafe, pinch, ride up, annoy the crap out of you you want to know BEFORE race day. Nothing new on race day!! Maybe you already know that. I’ll shut up now.
Can’t waaaiiitttt for next weekend! GO GIRL GO! Sending tons of running love your way!
September 27th, 2009 at 4:52 pm
Oh and I’m totally scribbling Pumpkin Spice tea on my grocery list. I was just thinking today I’m ready for some pumpkin lovin!
September 27th, 2009 at 5:21 pm
Whohoo! Good game plan. I got the worst anxiety before my first marathon, but after the first mile of the race…it was pure joy. (until the last mile
– I am not trying to scare you, you will do FABULOUSLY!!!)
Also, I LOVE dancing at weddings and my sister-in-law had a sundae bar at her wedding. The best news. One time I saw a “cake” made out of crispy cream doughnuts. That was original.
September 27th, 2009 at 6:10 pm
Less than a week, so exciting! Get some rest and get lots of food in ya! Can’t wait!
September 27th, 2009 at 6:16 pm
Your apple cinnamon oats look divine! I want some
September 27th, 2009 at 6:57 pm
You are going to do GREAT in the marathon! Enjoy the week leading up to it.
This weekend I joined Twitter which changed my life forever hehe. Also went to a great food and wine festival in RI.
September 27th, 2009 at 7:14 pm
yay yay yay for your countdown . . . you should put the final countdown on your ipod!
September 27th, 2009 at 7:26 pm
having my roommates parents take us out to dinner and then breakfast! haha
holly i am so so excited for you about the marathon! that pre-marathon plan sounds exactly what i will be doing (but not until about 9 weeks from now!) clean eating is definite key and a cute top to make you feel awesome while running haha
September 27th, 2009 at 7:53 pm
GOODNIGHT – wedding #6?! You are one busy lady! I love weddings so much…
And T minus 7 days – you will do FABULOUS!!
:D:D:D
September 27th, 2009 at 8:42 pm
I can’t believe your marathon is so soon! That’s so exciting!
I just bought some tempeh and have no idea how to cook it.. but that salad sounds very intriging! What’s your favorite way to prepare it?
September 27th, 2009 at 8:45 pm
HELL YES you’lll have finished that ‘thon! I’m so, so excited for you. Maybe we can run Grandma’s together one year!
Ooh, that tempeh looks good! I might just copy you for the block that’s sitting in the fridge, all lonely-like.
Gorgeous wedding (and how do you get your curls to look so purdy?!)! I can’t believe you’ve been to SIX in one summer.
Thanks for your sweet, sweet comment about quitting my waiting job. I heart you so.
September 27th, 2009 at 8:52 pm
holly girl, you are so adore!
I want to add, how you didn’t devour the entire ice cream bar, is beyond me, i’m about ready to just through my computer to get my hands on that goodness! haha…
so egg-cited about the “final” marathon stretch. girl your gonna rock it! I know you can do it!
September 27th, 2009 at 9:23 pm
1) The cooking class for 24, 24, 24~~
2) I dunno, because I always doze off during weddings! >.<
And girl, I am EXCITED for you! I wish I was there at the finish line waiting to celebrate the completion of you first marathon EVER! Can't wait to see your recap! And yes, you WILL finish it!
September 27th, 2009 at 9:30 pm
Weee! You are so close to the finish line! Can’t wait to see you triumph:)
I can see myself getting very comfortable at that sundae bar…
September 27th, 2009 at 11:02 pm
I got to attend a lecture by Michael Pollan today! I haven’t posted about it yet because I have so much to say and I want to make sure I quote him correctly.
September 28th, 2009 at 12:06 am
what an awesome weekend you had
all that food looks deeeelish!
best of wishes on your marthon!
YAY
September 28th, 2009 at 12:22 am
A marathon! How cool! With a positive attitude like that and a plan to boot, it sounds like you’re going to knock it out of the park!
Beautiful wedding pictures! I am in love with the flowers. Six! Good gosh! I went to one this year and it was enough to drain the energy right out of me!
Have a great week getting geared up for your big event!
(P.S. Autumn spiced tea?? Sounds delish!)
September 28th, 2009 at 12:40 am
glad you had so much fun!
i have to say, my own wedding was pretty unique…we got married in a movie theater, to a bunch of movie clips edited together. and my sister in law got married in the baseball field in philly. we like to be “different.”
September 28th, 2009 at 12:44 am
ahhh so exciting! All of those eats look absolutely divine. Sundae bars=greatest things EVER.
September 28th, 2009 at 3:02 am
How exciting for you Holly…I’ll be cheering you on! I hope to do a full marathon myself one day and can’t wait to hear how you go! You’ll rock it, you know you will
1) There were many highlights of my weekend, including going to a Poetry Society knit-a-thon, shopping in Islington, speed Scrabble and a fun early morning 5 mile run – but I’d say the most exciting thing was seeing the guy who’d won Masterchef here in the UK this year wandering around near my house – it floored me! We watched the show religiously and were rooting for him all the way! Shame he was on his phone otherwise I would have said hello.
2) Last weekend I went to a wedding in Supersano, Italy and it was the most relaxed and chilled out wedding ever. After the ceremony, we all went swimming and sunbathing all afternoon before gathering again for the 7 course Puglian feast
Have a great week Holly, enjoy the final stretch! xx
September 28th, 2009 at 6:37 am
How exciting the marathon is getting closer for you. I would be a nervous wreck!!
Have a great week!
September 28th, 2009 at 7:57 am
funny that i was just catching up on your blog, miss holly, as i received an email with your comment on mine! crazy stuff yo! aaanyway, six weddings?! holy cow. went to an engagement party of sorts this weekend — it hit me that i’m reaching the age where all of my friends are getting serious with their boyfriends and getting engaged and married soon. freakin’ scary. looks like a good time, though! i think a sundae bar is absolutely necessary at my wedding… yep.
wooo marathon! can’t wait to hear how it goes.
September 28th, 2009 at 8:03 am
Hope you have a great pre-marathon week! You are going to rock it!
1) Highlight of my weekend was replenishing my almond butter stock!
Oh – and getting a good night’s sleep last night which doesn’t happen much these days.
2) I actually haven’t been to a lot of weddings… The thing that I loved about ours though was that the reception was in a tent that had icicle lights all around the edge. After it got dark, the tent looked so pretty!
September 28th, 2009 at 8:12 am
What? Waffle fries and beer aren’t good marathon fuel!? Since when?!
What a beautiful wedding! SUNDAE BAR?!?! Holy moly, that bride is smart!
1. The BBQ we had yesterday was a blasty!!
2. At one of the last weddings I went to, the hubby was a hunter so the surprise groom’s cake was a deer head! He liked it! I haven’t been to that many weddings yet, my wedding season starts next year!
September 28th, 2009 at 8:26 am
http://lilybeans.wordpress.com
September 28th, 2009 at 8:37 am
Very exciting about your upcoming marathon…I know you’ll rock it!
Wow, a SUNDAE BAR? What a brilliant idea! I think there should be one at every wedding!
September 28th, 2009 at 9:03 am
you go girl! that is so amazing you will be done with a marathon! you are going to feel SO AWESOME when its done! i hope to feel that feeling one day
food looks great too! i have never tried tempeh before
September 28th, 2009 at 9:32 am
OMG I’m so excited for you to accomplish your goal. Yay for cute running tops. Glad you got to have some waffle fries and beer before you go on strict marathon eats. Yum!
Those roll-type things at the wedding look SO good and a sundae bar is genius fo sho.
1. Dinner at my bro and SIL’s last night. Love family time
2. Hmmm, I can’t say anything very cool has happened at weddings I’ve been to. Kinda sad.
September 28th, 2009 at 10:48 am
so, so exciting!!!! ONE WEEK!!!
hmm…i haven’t been to many weddings, but I did love the mashed potato bar at one of them. they were served in martini glasses and had ALL kinds of toppings. it was fun.
September 28th, 2009 at 12:28 pm
I spent my weekend getting my primary group exercise cert, and taking a spin instructor workshop. ALL WEEKEND. It was fun, and I learned so much, but I was so ready for it to end by Sunday night! Thank goodness my love had spaghetti waiting for me when I got home! As for the wedding question: wedding at the Chrysler Museum in Norfolk, VA. AMAZING! My answer in three weeks: MY WEDDING at The Biltmore in Asheville, NC!!! Hell yeah!
September 28th, 2009 at 12:34 pm
ICE CREAM BAR?! shit, i am so having one of those if i ever get married. or, just for the hell of it next weekend. yum. i love it. as i am sure you did.
i am going to be out of town during your race! bah! i can’t wait to read all about it when i come back.
adorbs photos of your sweet face that i love so so much!
oh and the rest of that wedding food was amazeballs, i just was distracted by the ice cream
XO!
September 28th, 2009 at 1:01 pm
Yay! You WILL finish the marathon, I have no doubt. That 22-miler prepared you well
Rest up this week – your eats look ahhmazing!
Best part of my weekend? Running 11 miles without pain. Yahoo!
I haven’t been to many weddings yet, but I’m super excited about being a bridesmaid for my BFF’s wedding next June!
September 28th, 2009 at 1:45 pm
glad you got the package!
Thanks for the shout out!
Loved the wedding pics!! Have a great week!
September 28th, 2009 at 2:14 pm
My keyboard has drool all over it. I blame you and your picture of the sundae bar
I now officially want to get married, for the sake of getting one of those sundae bars!
The best thing about my weekend was finally cleaning up my room (sad, but true)
And the best thing I’ve ever seen at a wedding was an open bar, hahah
but I’ve only ever been to one wedding (a teacher’s daughters wedding…) I hope to be able to top that…
xx
P.S. Thanks for the comment and I added you to my blogroll
September 28th, 2009 at 4:01 pm
Alright, I am on major catch up mode but I feel better since we chatted on sunday so I do know what is going on in your life. Phew.
Ummmm breakfast and lunch look amazing!!
1) Without doubt my 10 mile run – best run of my life!! The house warming was fun, but nothing could top that feeling!
2) True story: I have only ever been to one and a half weddings!
Truer story: I love you! Can’t wait to see you this weekend! Did you know Hal Higdon is gonna be at packet pick-up??
September 28th, 2009 at 4:28 pm
your going to ROCK that marathon girlie!! I have total faith in you
mm pumpkin spice tea sounds SO good!