With the half marathon only one week away and coupled with the success of my 8.5 mile run the weekend before, I was gunnin’ to run at least 10 miles on Saturday. I figured if I could complete 10 without knee or calf pain, I’d have a good chance of completing the Rock N Roll Half on October 2!
For all the running I do, I’ve never run over 9 miles at one time. My plan was to run the same route as my 8.5-er and simply run an extra mile out past my usual turn around point on my out and back course.
Success!
Next time I do a long run like this, though, I am definitely bringing food! I remember around mile 7.5, the clouds were starting to burn off, the sun came out to say ‘Good morning!’, and I felt the endorphins and runner’s high kick in. However, it only lasted for one mile. Right around mile 8.5, when I passed the 1 hour mark and usually when I’m about done with my run, I was FAMISHED. My little bowl of Peanut Butter Puffins just wasn’t doing it and I found myself wishing I’d brought a granola bar or gel or something to keep me going. (Water’s not an issue along this course because fountains are plentiful.) I noticed on the half marathon course there will be a Gu energy station around mile 9 — good thinking, guys!
When I got home I immediately scarfed down the last watermelon of the season, 1/2 bagel lox sandwich + runny egg. Mmmmmmmm!
I had just enough time to shower, run up to Ikea to stock up on supplies for a little home improvement project — here’s a sneak peak of the overall makeover which I will showcase in a later post:
Then it was off for wine tasting, lunch, and a little shopping with the girls!
After raving about it for the past year (see here and here), I finally got Kristi, Gina, and Sarah to my favorite South Bay restaurant, Nick’s on Main in Los Gatos. Sonja’d been there before with me and of course couldn’t pass up the opportunity to go again. Our reservation was for a late lunch at 2 pm. However, Sarah and I arrived fashionably late, closer to 2:30, due to losing track of time while wine tasting at Savannah Chanelle beforehand. Oops!
Top photo left to right: Sarah, Sonja, Gina, Kristi, Mindy, and the chef/owner, himself — Nick! Lucky him, he got pose with us 
The eats n’ treats: We started off with 2 orders of crab risotto for our table to share because it’s really that freakin’ phenomenal. Gina ordered salmon, Sonja and Kristi shared a Kobe Beef burger, Sarah got a salad, and I got meatloaf with mashed potatoes — and it all fantastic as always! In addition to creating a few more fans, I enjoyed going with a group so I could try some new dishes. I will definitely be back with Shaun for that burger and of course, more risotto!
NIck’s on Main – 35 East Main Street Los Gatos, CA – (408) 399-6457
