Just like that we’re having a Winter flashback. Here’s the proof:

I don’t even know what to make of this.

Yesterday I took the day off so that I could celebrate Passover with my family. I ran another 4 slow easy miles earlier in the day.

Monday 4 miles

Then it was off to my brother’s house for the main event. After a few prayers and symbolic Passover traditions I ate and drank like I just completed and ultra marathon or something.

Dr Brown's Cream Soda

180 calories! That’s ridiculous. But I splurge once a year for this. So good!

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Matzah with horseradish and homemade Matzah ball soup

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The main course dishes were my mom’s traditional Pot Roast (with onion and carrots) recipe and a lemon chicken dish. There was also asparagus and sauteed mushrooms, and a traditional side called Charozet which is basically finely chopped apples and walnuts in wine with sugar and lots of cinnamon. It’s like having oatmeal without the oatmeal. And of course Matzah manages to be included in every course….EVEN DESSERT! My sister in law made a cake inspired by Ina Garten but instead of cookies she dipped pieces of Matzah in dark chocolate and crushed them to form the cookie layers. I paired the delicious cake with some fresh whipped cream, a drizzle of melted chocolate and some fresh fruit. Duncan waited patiently for something to fall to the floor. Then he scored big when a certain someone shared their pot roast with him.

My entire body aches tonight and I am so sleepy I’m worried I’m getting sick. Or maybe my body is rebelling against the 1,569,245 calories I consumed. Either way I’m sort of freaking out. I’m sure it’s partly the taper crazies.

I was overwhelmed with so many posts and articles in regard to the anniversary of the Boston Marathon attacks but secretly viewed almost each shared link and found myself quite emotional at work today. Today on Twitter I read a Tweet from PavementRunner that was exactly something I’ve felt for quite some time. For the last year I have hated that when you Google “Boston Marathon” you get so many horrific images from that day. A beautiful historic tradition has been maimed and marred. And I can’t wait for next Tuesday when hopefully we can all Google Boston Marathon and see awesome photos of triumph and smiles….especially from those who were affected so drastically last year.

twitter conversation

I’m trying not to think about my goals for the NJ Marathon obsessively but that’s about as easy as turning down dessert. Recently, I read this though and it struck a chord…

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So maybe that’s how I need to think of this. I’m going to strive to reach my potential. I know what I’m capable of. But we’ll just have to see how the day plays out. And this one gave me a good me laugh…

photo 3

Well folks, I’m turning into a pumpkin. Nighty night.

Questions:

Anyone running the Boston Marathon this year? Spectating? I’ve got a handful of friends who are. One who is returning because she only made it 25 miles last year before being stopped. I am so excited for them all.

Anyone have any delicious Matzah recipes? Totally forgot to tell you about the appetizer my aunt made— stuffed mushrooms….instead of breadcrumbs though she used Matzah! They were delicious

Welcome to Part 3 of my recap of the Center of the Nation Series. Of course if you’ve missed part 2 just go here and if you missed part 1 just go here.

In my last post I covered off on South Dakota’s race. That brings us to our Wednesday in Wyoming! I’ve got LOTS to talk about for hump day.

First, let me start off by saying the course in Wyoming was breathtaking.

wyomingsunrise

Sunrise on the ranch is what I call morning glory!

It was an out and back course on a family ranch (thank you Jensen family). Terrain was loose gravel and dirt, mostly flat with one hill leading up to the turnaround. This was where we first got to experience the “turnaround crew” or as others called them the “ice guys” (photo to come for Day 5 recap) . They were 2 of the many amazing volunteers. These 2 guys spent countless hours at the turnaround cheering everyone on and offering water and ice (it was a HOT HOT day). They gave out free hugs too.

The morning started with a speech from Roger. He had asked that this day be “Boston Day” and that people wear blue and yellow. He was ponying up $5 for every person in blue and yellow up to $500. Long story short, Roger lost over a hundred pounds and he did it for the main reason that he wanted to run the Boston Marathon because his dad had run it. And simultaneous to that he wanted badly to raise money on behalf of his niece Julia who’s been battling with Cystic Fybrosis.

Speech!

Speech!

bostongirls

Boston Day!

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Red Sox in support of Boston worn by none other than Clint our amazing race director!

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Good morning!

Because the course was made of loose gravel and dirt, I opted to wear these lovely zebra print gaiters that my friend Shishaldin made. (She made them for all 5 of us. And two different patterns too!)

Gaiters made with love. Thanks Shishaldin!

Gaiters made with love. Thanks Shishaldin!

So the only teensy weensy problem on this day was my tummy…..not sure if it was the fast food we had the day before or nerves or what but I was REALLY uncomfortable for the entire run. And there were times were I had no choice but to walk and pray for the “urge” to pass. Thankfully I made it to the finish before heading over to the lovely “powder room”.

portawyoming

At least my $11 blue capri pants purchased the night before from Walmart were a success!

Between Roger’s speech in the morning and then feeling physically ill, my emotional state became compromised for sure. I think it was at about mile 12 that I started to cry. But it wasn’t really a bad cry. It was a GOOD cry. I had that moment where I realized how lucky I was to be able to travel and run and experience life.

There were a few more highlights of the day….a new friend Daniel was closing in on the finish line for the half just as I was closing in on it too….only I still had to complete 2 more laps. But Daniel was struggling those last few minutes and I picked up the paced and supported him and cheered for him and got him to the finish. Of course then I gave him a congratulatory hug and went back out for my final 4 miles. (This was my slowest day. 2:43 finish time.)

daniel-rogpic

Daniel wore superhero shirts every day and came in first place for all 5 halves. All were between 1:42 and 1:55. Amazing!!!

Another highlight was getting to know two really inspirational guys. Meet Grant and Aaron:

grantaron

These guys are working towards completing 50 marathons this year, raising money for the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation for spinal cord injury research. You can find out more about their efforts and donate here. There was also another runner who had a graphite prosthetic. I didn’t know his story until just today when someone shared this article.

wyomingwatch

Slow time….fun gaiters…..my favorite state sign of the trip….and more bling!

With Wyoming complete, we headed back to our cabin but not before making a stop at the state line for a photo op:

wyomingdone

To be continued.

Question: If you could only see one would it be a sunrise or a sunset? Ever had a runner’s trots issue?