Grapestomp 10k Recap + Breakfast at The Rising Loafer
As I type this I am propped up in bed in my sweatpants, enjoying the lingering flavor from the last bit of pumpkin spice cinnamon bun that Brandon brought me home from Cinnaholic on Friday. Then after I finish this post I am going to get caught up on a few episodes of Parenthood. That’s my ideal evening, folks.
I know I haven’t said much about the 10k lately and it’s probably because I stopped training over a month ago. I originally planned on taking a week off from training {by the way, don’t do that} when we went to College Station last month. However, all of the excitement from planning our wedding has completely distracted me from running ever since. So I was definitely feeling a little apprehensive about the race but I decided I would run it anyway and just do my best.
Sunday morning started dark and early at 6:30 am and I ate a piece of whole grain toast with vanilla almond butter.
I can’t believe I waited this long to try this almond butter. It is so good! I tried a sample of their maple flavored almond butter last week and it was also good but I think I like the vanilla better. I also had a banana shortly after that to help prepare me for the race.
For fuel during the race, I really wanted to get Clif Shot Bloks after reading how helpful Sara thought they were but I completely forgot to look for them when I went grocery shopping over the weekend. Instead, I packed a few dates in a Ziplock bag to have ready to go.
The race was set to start at 8:15am and it was very chilly outside with temps in the low 40’s. I know some of you are hardcore and run in the snow with snotscicles hanging from your nostrils but I’m a Florida girl so I’m a big wuss when it’s cold.
I wasn’t exactly prepared but I brought a headband that I had from our trip to Tahoe last winter to keep my ears warm and I used Coco’s body heat to help warm my hands.
She enjoyed the shoulder massage too.
Coco didn’t run the race though; she hung out with Brandon at the finish line until I was done.
The half marathoners started first and the rest of us had to patiently wait for our cue.
In the meantime, we snapped a picture of the grape guy who was also running the 10k.
It was pretty funny to watch the grapes bounce while he ran.
Then it was time to go! I didn’t take any pictures during the race because they would have been a blurry mess but it was a beautiful course. The path opened up to the vineyards with their changing leaves and the golden hills behind them and it made for a perfect view. It wasn’t overly crowded either.
I warmed up pretty quickly and took off my jacket and headband as I entered mile two, which made me wish I hadn’t worn them since it was something else to carry. There were also more hills than I was hoping for and I started to get pretty famished about half way through. I grabbed a PowerBar gel from one of the stands prior to the race so I ate {drank?} that at the three mile mark. It was actually my first time ever eating a gel and I didn’t want to put my mouth on the package {because of my severe germaphobia} so I attempted to pour it in my mouth while running. Yeah, that’s not a good idea. It ran down my chin and onto my chest, err…boob, so I looked like I was lactating the rest of the race. Awesome. Can’t wait to see those pictures!
A few minutes later, I felt another spark of energy and kept on truckin’. Even though my hips started to ache really bad around mile five, I pushed through it and finished somewhere around the 57 minute mark.
Sexy. Actually, I was staring directly at the water jugs in this picture because I couldn’t wait to go drink some.
I’m not sure exactly what time we started {like I said, somewhere around 5m 30s) and I forgot to stop my Garmin so that wasn’t much help in figuring out my actual time.
Regardless, I was so happy to finish and to say that I ran my first 10k! It was actually pretty fun. By that point, I worked up a good appetite so we all went to breakfast at The Rising Loafer in downtown Pleasanton. I ordered a veggie omelet which comes with their delicious homemade banana bread.
It’s cut because I almost took a bite before remembering to take a picture!
Brandon had the stuffed croissant sandwich with egg whites and cheese.
And we split a stack of fluffy nine grain pancakes.
I know, it looks a lot but breakfast is my favorite meal so I often order more than I can handle. We Brandon cleared our plates though.
Well, I can say that I really enjoyed running the 10k and would definitely do another one but I’m not quite sure I’m ready for a half marathon. I think it would be a great accomplishment but I’m hesitant because of the many injuries I see with long distance running. I know everyone’s experience is different but honestly, I’m not sure I love running enough to do it for almost two hours, nonstop, and risk hurting myself. That and I am really itching to get back into BodyAttack.
I saw there were a lot of races this weekend! Did you run one and if so, how did it go?
If you watch Parenthood, do you cry at every single episode or are my hormones completely out of whack?
I am absolutely obsessed with Justin’s maple AB right now! Apparently I need to get to try the vanilla flavor next!
So the bf and I tried watching parenthood as our new show but he made us stop because he couldn’t stand everyone yelling over each other. I gave in but I really need to find the time to start watching it again because I loved the first season. Why are there only 24 hours in a day grrrr.
Also I forgive you for having just tried Justin’s Vanilla AB…but only cause I like you! To think you’ve deprived yourself for so long! Congrats on the 10k lady. You’re awesome :)
That’s hilarious! Brandon complains about the same exact thing when we watch that show. But I make him watch it anyway. :)
Congrats on the race, girl! I just started to get back into running, and a 10k is a huge accomplishment in my books. Running one would definitely be worth it if I could follow it up with that kind of breakfast though — holy.gerbils that looks good. And Justin…. ohhhh he has my heart.
Congrats!! Looks like you had an awesome race! And a great time, considering you stopped training a month ago. My first 10k was killer.. hills the entire way!
I’m drooling over those pancakes! They look delish!
Yay! Congrats on the race girly. I feel ya on the cold. I ran my half yesterday and it was in the 40s too… eek! The sun definitely helps and I was also surprised at how quickly I warmed out. Sounds like a really nice day and I am so glad you will do it again :) happy Monday!
Congrats on finishing! But I can’t belive that guy ran in that costume! ha
Congrats on your first 10K! That is SO exciting!! :) And I love that guy’s grape costume. Hilarious!! We have a big 10K race here in Richmond, and I saw people dressed up as a roller coaster! All 4 of them ran the whole thing together, attached in little cardboard “cars” it was so funny!
Hahaha- just picturing that cracks me up!
Congrats on the race! Seriously impressed that you were able to pull that off untrained. And that post-race breakfast….ya, I’d run a 10k for that.
While I think Justin’s Chocolate Hazelnut wins as my favourite for Justin’s nut butters, the vanilla almond is a close second for me!
Oh, I have to try the hazelnut! Especially if you say it’s better than the vanilla.
As a retired language arts teacher, I have to tell you how much I enjoy your blog. You have a very natural ‘voice’ in your writing and I feel like I have been there with you in your exciting adventures. I am a FL gal but love visiting your area so of CA so can identify with many of your visited locations! Your pictures are really top notch and I love your posted recipes too. Keep up the good work. Have fun planning your wedding. The actual day goes by so quickly so to me, the prewedding activities are the most fun!! I was married three years ago for the second time at age 66!!!
Thank you so much Carolyn. Your comment brought a huge smile to my face. :)
Congratulations on your marriage! I’m sure planning went a little smoother for you since you already knew what to expect.
I am trying my best to cherish these moments. Even though I waited almost nine years for it to come, it is still such an exciting time.
Congrats on the race!! I can’t believe you carried your jacket and headband with you the entire way – I would have ditched them somewhere ;) I also can’t believe you’re in the health industry and such a germophobe… How do you handle work??!
Lets just say I use a lot of gloves and that my hands are constantly dry from washing them a million times a day. :) I probably wouldn’t be
such a germaphobe if I knew other people washed their hands more. I can’t even begin to tell you how many people don’t wash them after using public restrooms; it’s so gross! :/
Darn, I can’t find that vanilla Justin’s anywhere! Any tips?
Health food stores usually carry it but you could always buy it online. Here is a link to iHerb.com for some: http://www.iherb.com/Justin-s-Nut-Butter-Vanilla-Almond-Butter-16-oz-454-g/48053
Great job on your race! I’m the same way with the half-marathon thing. I love running, but not for hours on end! I laughed so hard at your gel mis-hap, that would totally happen to me too. Also, your breakfast looks amazing. Breakfast is definitely my favorite meal too, so I indulge bit time on the weekends!
Loving Coco’s ensemble girl! So so cute! :)
I have never ran a 10K, but I feel like that would be the perfect distance for me. I think halfs are just a bit too long and 5Ks are too short!
I’ll bet some people were watching your grapes bounce while you ran…
Sorry, it was right there ;). Congrats on the race, and good choice on the post-race breakfast.
Congratulations on your 10K! What a fun course! And you did SO great for having stopped your training! That’s such a fast pace! Maybe you don’t need to train for things, maybe you’re just SO good that you can just do races without prepping! :) I kid. Cocoa is adorable and I bet she and Brandon were the cheerleaders for you! YUM to all that post race breakfast! Those post race meals are always much more delicious than any other meal!
Congrats on your first 10k! It makes me excited for my first in 2014!
I cry in almost all the episodes.
Congrats on a great race!! Breakfast IS the best meal.
Way to go Sarah! Congrats on the race!!!! I love your choice of post-race breakfast!! :-)
Woohoo! What a fun race. I do one 10k a year…the BoulderBolder and have been doing it for the last 10 years (so since I was 9!) I would love to do a half, but am not so motivated to train in the cold and dark, so I haven’t yet. Maybe one day. Good job on your accomplishment!!
Congrats on your first 10K! You killed it! I love eating Shot Bloks during long runs and races – actually, I would eat them like candy if that were acceptable. The strawberry flavor is so good! And I’m with you on the almond butter, especially Justin’s. Now I’ll have to try the vanilla flavor – I’ve only had the maple before!
Way to go! I love Justin’s – a piece of toast & nut butter is my go-to pre-run fuel. Congrats on your 10K – you did great! The first meal after a race always tastes amazing to me. There’s nothing better than a good meal and a long shower afterward.
I can never find justin’s vanilla almond butter, so I have to settle with the maple (both are good, but I agree with you vanilla is a little better). And I love the grape guy who ran! How funny. I think you really, really have to love running to do the distance stuff a lot but luckily there are so many other forms of exercise that if running is not your cup of tea you can just look elsewhere. Also- congrats on your race time!
Congrats on the 10k! That grape guy is completely cracking me up. I’ve been slowly trying to get back into running … it’s the mental part that is so hard for me! Forcing myself to just do it since I always feel so good after! And those breakfast pictures are making me hungry – they all look delicious!
Congratulations lady! It sounds like you did a great job, especially after not running and training as much as you would have liked. Your post run breakfast sounds wonderful, I love that you get banana bread with the omelet
Well done you!! You did so well especially after taking a break from training too for the month beforehand. I always regret any warm clothes I’ve put on usually just before the 10 minute mark of running, it always seems like a good idea till you get really hot and sweaty and need to carry things.
Love Coco in her jacket she looks too cute!
I really need to get some of that almond butter shipped over. They don’t sell it here but I am hoping they decide to bring it out here soon.
Congrats on finishing your 10km race!! I wish I had run there just to see the grape guy too haha ;) And all that food, it looks amazing! Give me some of that banana bread please! x
Congrats! You did great even without training! I’m running my first 10K this weekend, and I cant wait for it just to be over. Im like you…I’m not sure I love running that much to put so time into training for a half. But never say never I guess!
Congrats on the 10k speedy lady! That is really great considering you didn’t train much before. You are awesome!!!
Oh my gosh, I love Parenthood! And yes, I cry pretty much every episode! I so want to try that vanilla almond butter. I’ve tried the maple but I don’t like it that much because it’s salted. Congrats on the 10k! What an amazing accomplishment. You should be really proud of yourself!
You did so good without training! I did not run any races but the SF Nike Marathon was this weekend and it was so cold and foggy, I could not imagine having to endure that.
Your banana bread sounds so good, I am kind of on a banana bread kick and have been eating them almost everyday for the past few weeks. Talk about giving yourself you a treat. ;)
Never heard of Parenthood! I will have to look that up.
Congrats on your race! I cant believe you carried your jacket and headband too! Post race brunch is the BEST!
YEAAA you go girl!! Nice job!
Oh my gosh yes – Parenthood is SO good and makes me want to cry too! I totally forgot it had come back on air and DVRed the new episodes last week, then watched them all at once. It was fabulous!
Congrats on finishing your first 10k! sub 1hr is pretty damn good!
I did that once and my goal for next year is to break my 10k PR. Actually, it took me a a good 6 months before I signed up for another 10k and then a few months later I signed up for a half. Training for one isn’t too bad as long as you start building your base miles and take it pretty easy. Following a training plan like one on RunKeeper app might help. I’m using that for my marathon training and intermingling it with another program.
I love Justin’s nut butter. I get the small packets and eat them on the go when I need a boost in energy and snackage.
Congrats on the 10K! After mine last month, I agree 100% about not being sure I’d want to move up to a half marathon. I definitely want to do more 10Ks to improve my time, but running for 1 whole hour is boring enough for me already! LOL!
All that breakfast food looks divine, too… a perfect post-run treat! :)