Friday, February 3, 2012

Superlatives!


Remember high school when everyone voted for which classmates were "most likely to succeed" and "best dressed" ?  
Well this post is kind of like that, only it's the superlatives from my past week.  

Most Likely To Be Delicious:  Girl Scout Cookies



















There's just something special about the Girl Scout Cookie.  Special enough that I walked away with eight boxes this week to be distributed between my roommate, Anthony, and me.  Let's just say it's been a delicious week.  I remember when I was a Girl Scout back in the dark ages, I would get all excited when people would order something other than Thin Mints and Samoas.  "Get Some Originality, people!"  my nine year old self thought.  But let's be honest...Thin Mints and Samoas are probably the best - those people knew what they were doing.  

Which brings me to my next question:  Why has some giant cookie company not replicated the Samoa so that they can be purchased throughout the year at the grocery store.  Maybe it's patented as a trade secret?  Those Girl Scouts must have an awesome legal team.  


Most Likely To Steal My Heart:  The Soda Stream


I am pretty open about my love for the carbonated drinks.  I've managed to limit myself to two Diet Cokes a day this year, and let's just say that's an improvement over 2011's consumption.  So when I saw the Soda Stream being demoed at Macy's, I was pumped to get one of my own.  

Yes, it is as cool as it looks.  And the extra cool part is that, ironically, I think it's going to help me cut back on (flavored) soda, because I love the straight carbonated water I can make.   

Soda Stream is $100 retail, but if you use one of those 20% off Bed Bath and Beyond coupons, it's down to $80.  Go buy it because it's fabulous and will be a fun coffee table conversation.  No, of course this is not a sponsored post.  This baby sells itself.  


Most Likely To Be Difficult:  Eugene Marathon 

I'm running the Eugene Marathon at the end of April.  And I want to give it some real effort.  Finishing on Hayward Field deserves that from me.  It's time to get training.  When trying to see what to aim for, like any time obsessed runner, I went to McMillan to see what he thought.  Most of my times point to around a 3:20 marathon, give or take a couple minutes.  I get this is a lofty goal, given that I ran a 3:35 in Boston.  And guess what, my $10 buck training plan agrees:  


This training plan is no joke.  (See below workouts for week 17!)  Especially because I'm going to start around week 8 of the 20 week program.  Who trains for 20 weeks?  That sounds terrible.  


The funny thing is, I feel this time goal is doable.  I am pretty good at tolerating moderate discomfort for a long period of time, and I've never really trained for a marathon properly.  I think the greatest challenge will be having the discipline to properly train.  I'll be adding a "training tab" for Eugene to keep me honest and to share my misery.  Highest mileage weeks of my life, here I come!

Sooooooo....
Have ya tried the Soda Stream?  
Bought any Girl Scout Cookies?  
Have a marathon training plan quite possibly created in hell? 
Commiserate with me =). 


51 comments:

  1. I love this cookie!!! I have cut my soda down to one diet a week. I think I was like you with 2 a day!!! Erica

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    1. my work has free unlimited diet cokes. makes it even harder to stop! good for you almost quitting :).

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  2. I don't know how I've managed to not get Girl Scout cookies yet. Thin Mints and Samoas complete my life. I actually still have some Thin Mints stashed in the freezer from last year (talk about majjjjjjjjor self control... and a lot of candy in the house). I need to go find a Girl Scout.

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    1. yes go find one! I'm sure they'll be outside the grocery stores soon enough ;)

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  3. yes, girl scout cookies - I tried to say no to our neighbor who is selling them, but my hubby nixed that. I love them, but I eat way too many!

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  4. I'm trying to quit soda for goods. Every time I have one I spend the rest of the day feeling sick and hating it. I'm trying to remember that feeling whenever the craving strikes.

    I'll see you in Eugene!

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    1. wow that is a bad soda reaction! Sadly they just make me feel awesome. Yeah see you soon :)

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  5. Holy crud! Reading your training plan just gave me such major anxiety I stuffed my entire pb&j sandwhich in my mouth all at once! 8 x 1 mi repeats.....I might freaking die! I'm keeping my eye on you with this plan little bunny. Believe me if you can hack that training you will definitely get a 3:20.

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    1. I know. I can barely bring myself to read those last weeks. To be honest I am sure I'll be tweaking it.

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  6. Haha, my hubby is obsessed with getting a soda stream. You did a good job sellin gme on one.

    I'm going to be keeping a close eye on your Eugene training. McMillian puts me around 3:20 for a marathon too, but that seems crazy fast to me. My recent half marathon PR is 1:33, and my marathon PR from back in the day is 3:35 as well. You're the perfect model as I try to choose a NYC marathon training plan for later this year :)

    I'd venture to say a 1:33 half marathon is much easier to obtain than a 3:20 marathon, but what do I know. McMillian seems to think it works.

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    1. I think it depends on the person, distance wise, but there's no doubt that running a fast marathon takes some major dedication and pain tolerance! Cool I'm probably running NYC too.

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  7. Girl Scout cookies are so good!

    Wow that is an intense week! I like the pacing of the long run and the idea of ending with a fast mile. I may have to try that...adjusted to my respective goal paces of course!

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  8. I've been on the fence about the Soda Stream because, I am a diet coke whore. I drink two to three per day and I hate diet pepsi. Does the diet taste ok? Good luck on your quest for the 3:20. You are always improving and with your work ethic it will happen!

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    1. Soooo...my roommate and I did a taste test with the Diet and Soda Stream comparison. You CAN tell a difference but it's very minimal. that said, I don't mind Diet Pepsi, so it's hard to say how you'd react.

      Thank you for the work ethic comment. Actually means a lot to me :)

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    1. Sorry, typo...
      I don't drink a ton of soda but that machine is interesting!
      You can get a 3:20. I know it!

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    2. get the machine! Making bubbles is way fun!

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  10. This training schedule sounds killer, where did you find it?

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    1. Running Planet "Advanced Competitive Runners". Truth be told, I don't think I can run 10 miles as a recovery day as the plan suggests. The non-workout days are going to get reduced for the sake of my sanity.

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  11. That cookie does have a corporate twin...

    http://www2.kelloggs.com/ProductDetail.aspx?id=21913

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  12. An easy run is classified in your plan as 8:15 pace/mile. That's like my very fast pace. Obvi this plan is not for the likes of me.

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    1. Honestly 8:15 isn't comfortable for me either. I'm pretty sure I run many of my easy runs over 9 mins / mile. And will probably continue doing so. I'm not going to Garmin my pace on easy days.

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  13. I love your kilometres comment because I heart metric and that looks about right for my pace right now... To think of it in miles kind of makes me ill - and I'm not even contemplating that. :) That said, I'm super impressed that you're going for it! So jealous that you're going to Eugene. I would have loved to see all the HTCers/bloggers there, but Vancouver is the next weekend.

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    1. Eugene is the place to be! Although I bet vancouver is a beautiful place :).

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  14. Where did you get your training plan from? You're running some speedy times :)

    I have only had girl scout cookies once... samoas. Yum. I also had Edy's icecream with samoas... even better!

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    1. Hi Josie (love reading about your running adventures btw). But I find it unacceptable you have only had girl scout cookies once! :)

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  15. Good News!! Samoas are sold by Keebler as "Coconut Dreams" year-round. :)

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    1. haha good to know. somehow I just don't know if I'll enjoy them as much...;-)

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  16. Can you believe my husband has NEVER has girl scout cookies? I keep telling him they're the most amazing thing in the world. I'm intrigued about the soda stream - I have an addiction to diet coke too!

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  17. Here's the deal...I believe McMillan. I believe you can do a 3:20. You CAN. I wish I were going to be there to see it happen. Maybe I'll fly up to cheer you on...hmmmm.....

    I want a Soda Stream thingy.

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    1. go get a soda stream! I bet your kids would get a kick out of it. Yes fly up! Agree with you on mcmillan, but it's only if I do the correct training and have no race tragedies.

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  18. You can definitely run a 3:20 and I'm excited to stalk your training while I work on getting my groove back!

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  19. I think the Eugene Marathon will be a lot of fun - I wanted to do that one this year but plans changed. Maybe another year...

    What is the advantage of a soda stream, besides being able to drink plain carbonated water? Does it save you money? Or just save plastic? Just curious... Thanks!

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    1. They argue that it saves money (carbonated water is 25 cents per liter over time). I think long-term it will save me slightly, but creating less waste and the coolness factor was really what sold me.

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    2. Do you need help in either the training ideas department or the race strategy department? Willing to help you! Ask RoseRunner and Average A about my Race Plans R Us deals ;-)

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  20. Drnkin root beer from my SS right now....win.

    Eugene is a fast course. You'll do better than you think. Which means I am betting on a 3:17. Get it!

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    1. Thanks for the vote of confidence, RR. Oooh I haven't tried the root beer yet! ;-)

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  21. My husband cannot say NO to anyone to we have something like 14 boxes of Girl Scout Cookies coming from 4 different sources to our house. Hellooo samoas and tagalongs! They do make Samoa ice cream - have you ever had that? It will change your life. And my husband actually got me a soda stream as kind of a joke present for Christmas from Costco and we took it back - but now I kind of wish we hadn't!

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    1. hahaha. Well the soda stream isn't for everyone. One man's return is another girl's treasure :).
      Def had the ice cream. It's amazing. Although to be honest, I kind of like my deserts separate.

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  22. I got a Soda-Stream-type thing (not the same brand) for Xmas and I *love* it. I mix cranberry (and other) juice w/ soda water and it's awesome.

    I'm sure you can run a 3:20 and it will be exciting to watch you train. Believe McMillan.....

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    1. Oh cool, I gotta try juice.
      Thanks for the vote of confidence. Yes, it will be fun to watch me suffer. I mean train. =)

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  23. I am curious about Soda Stream because I have heard it on radio ads. :) I don't like having gadgety stuff in my kitchen. So, that's one reason we haven't bought one yet in our household.

    I refused to buy Girl Scouts' Cookies.

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    1. haha. Hopefully the little girlscout wasn't too sad upon your refusal! $ and calories saved on your part.

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  24. YOU CAN DO IT!! :) sounds like a great plan!

    never tried soda stream. I love the peanut butter patties & lemonades. bought 4 boxes already!! :)

    looking forward to reading about your training for Eugene! You got this my friend!! :)

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  25. i'm sorta thinking any real training program will feel like hell if it's working, right?? the other kind is documented in Runner's World 12 weeks to a marathon...bwahaha! sorry, i'm in a snarky mood here! but in all honesty i totally think u have a sub 3:20 in u, and like u said, i think u're 'hard core' enough w/mental toughness to warrant running a time faster than those pace things predict.

    good luck and as for that superset, don't be intimidated, just think of it more like two mini-tempos.

    oh, and i told someone this same thing earlier tonight: girl scouts are peewee crack dealers.

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  26. I NEED the soda-streamer. Lovve carbonated water, I'd get one of those and just float away.

    Girl, I am surprised that you haven't already broken a 3:20, that's totally in your achievable range!

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