3M Half Marathon Recap

It was on my resolution list to do 1-2 halfs this year and knocking it out in January only seemed fitting. I learned very quickly last year that you can't take your days of running outside in Texas for granted. The heat will swallow you whole. The only way I was going to run a half in Texas was if it was cool/cold. Well, I got exactly what I asked for.

The whole weekend was pretty. Saturday it got up to 80 and was so pretty outside. I knew based on stalking the weather all week that Sunday's temperatures were going to be AWESOME. It was going to be in the 50's in the morning and warm up to the mid to high 60's. What wasn't so awesome was the 15-30mph winds that accompanied. "It will keep me cool" I thought. Yep....

Race morning arrived. I am the type of person to "hurry up & wait." I always have us to the airport and through security with at least 1.5-2 hrs before take off when we really could get by with 45mins to an hour. I am always thinking, well what if something happens and we need the extra time?! I was up at 4:55 Sunday, making my breakfast, drinking my coffee, & getting dressed. I told B that I wanted to leave no later than 10 minutes til 6. Race time was 7:30am.

It took us less than 20 minutes to get to the start line. B looked at me funny when I got out of the truck and started putting on my bib # and jacket. His words, "You want to go up there and stand around for over an hour?" ... "Well yes...I need to go to the bathroom and I want to check it out." He obliged because he knows I get anxious about big events like this.

 We walk to the start line and the wind is KICKIN! Like the flags are standing straight out, everyone is huddled up trying to stay warm or they are running back and forth to keep warm. Thank God I had brought my jacket with me. B stayed with me until about 7am and then headed back to the apartment to relax for a bit, warm up, eat, and then head to the finish line.

I started with the 2:15 pace group. I LOVED that they had pace groups. I stayed with them briefly, found my stride and took off ahead of them. It was pretty packed for the first few miles as you can imagine...(over 5000 runners). By mile 4, my stomach was not happy with me. (TMI...sorry). I slowed to a walk briefly to give my body a break & then picked back up. I stopped at mile 5 or 6 to use the bathroom at the aid station...I lost time here because there were probably 5 people ahead of me waiting. Boo!

I took back off  in efforts to make up my time which in the end, I did plus some. I remember the wind kicked up at one point and I and a few runners around were dodging flying limbs. #BadAsses. By miles 7 & 8...I was getting tired...running into head wind for the most of the race was taking its toll. I did walk/run a little bit but not for long. The last stretch of 0.20 miles was uphill with the strongest wind imaginable. My hips were killing me and I wanted to walk bad but I just put my head down and pushed through. To be totally honest, the miles were just ticking right off. It felt like my Garmin was buzzing all the time telling me my pace and that I had just finished whatever mile.

B was right before the actual finish line taking pictures, and I saw him luckily so got some good smiles in. It felt SO good to get across the finish line. My feet and hips hated me. B booked it around to meet me and gave me the biggest hug. I alllllmost cried but I didn't. The knot in my throat was there but it quickly passed. I tend to get emotional over big things....like my first half. I think it's all the adrenaline pumping & the thought that hello you just ran 13.1 miles for FUN. HA!

Overall, the race was great & I PR'ed which I was really happy about. There were lots of people cheering along the course with some GREAT signs...some political, mostly not. And of course, what always makes me smile? Dogs! There were TONS along the course and they always bring a smile to my face. Hello, dog therapy!!

Another awesome thing, which was a first for me, was that they had medic runners throughout the race. They ran the course and had a back pack full of medical items. I was running near them and any time someone would slow down and move to the side to walk, they were sure to ask them if they were okay. It was really nice and made me feel comfortable IF something were to happen. I think every race should have something like that. No matter the size!

I was sure to tell B after the race when we were walking around the finish area... "Don't let me sign up for another for a long time." and then when I got home....and had a chance to sit down...I legit started thinking about how I could beat the race time I just finished!! WHAT?! There is the Austin Half/Full in a month, but I don't think I'll be running even though I thought about it earlier this month. I would really be a glutton for punishment.

Official Results

High Country Half Marathon

Boone, NC

August 27, 2016

2:31:45

3M Half Marathon

Austin, TX

January 22, 2017

2:14:16

MLK Day + Weekend Happenings + Loft Sale Picks

Happy Dr. Martin Luther King Jr Day! It is fascinating to me how one man had so very many amazing, wise, and kind words to say every chance he got to speak. I am curious what he would say about today's world based on his words many years ago. Below are a few of my favorites of his.

"I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear."

"Darkness can not drive out darkness. Only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate. Only love can do that."

"The time is always right to do what is right."

I thought I'd also share some of what we did this weekend. We hit up a new brewery on the east side called Lazarus Brewing. It was a pretty cool spot with outdoor seating & roll up glass garage doors to make it more open air. They also have a kitchen serving up tacos, chips, and dips as well as coffee too. Check it out if you are ever in East Austin.

Also, if you are looking for some great deals, I posted two sweaters on Instagram I recently picked up from Loft. I really love them and they are great if your weather is warming up like it is here in Texas...even though it's JANUARY. Right now they have 50% off new arrivals using code LONGWKND & 60% off sale items...no code necessary. 

Cream Sweater

Camel Sweater

They unfortunately have sold out of this sweater in the camel color but have two other colors available. I really love it in the charcoal color too!

I've rounded up a few more of my picks that you can shop from below. Loft has been on point for me lately & their sales are always great!!

Happy shopping!!

Gimme all the Brussel Sprouts!

I may be an outlier, but my affinity for brussels sprouts may be off the charts. Really! I promise you, I could eat a bag of them by myself. This recipe was a great way to jazz them up and try out something I have never cooked with before...shallots. Look like a large garlic bulb, but burn your eyes like an onion.

I found this recipe on Pinterest. [If you aren't following me, you can find me at haley_marozas]. It looked easy enough, and I had almost all of the ingredients in my pantry/fridge. Let's get on with it shall we?

Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Mustard Sauce & Charred Shallots

Ingredients

• 20 brussels sprouts
• 4 tsp olive oil
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
• 2 TBS stone ground/whole grain mustard
• 2 tsp honey
• 2 TBS water
• 2 shallots

Directions

1. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees.
2. You will need to slice the bottom of your brussels sprouts off and then cut in half.
3. Spread them all out on a baking pan and toss them with 3tsp of olive oil. I used EVOO. Also add in your garlic powder and some salt (I prefer sea salt) and pepper to taste. 
4. Roast them for 15 minutes. Pull them out and toss them around some more and add back in to your oven for another 5 minutes or until goldeny brown.
5. Char your shallots. You will need to slice them thin and add to a frying pan with the remaining 1tsp of olive oil. This will take about 10-15 minutes to get a charred/golden brown look to them.
6. Remove the shallots.
7. Using the same pan, add your vinegar, mustard and water. Bring them to a boil over medium heat. 
8. Let it simmer for about 3 minutes until it reduces and thickens up. Once reduced/thickened, add in your honey and stir. 
9. Pull those sprouts out the oven, throw in the charred shallots and add your sauce and mix well. 
10. VOILA!

 I actually doubled the sauce so we could have it to drizzle over our chicken. This was a healthy but flavorful meal and very easy. What way do you like to serve up your your brussels sprouts?

Five on Friday Randoms

Good Morning!! Even though this was a short week, it felt long? Anybody else think the same? Let's hop to it with my round up with this week. This will be all over the place for sure...but I kinda like it that way.

O N E.
My mom lost 2 of her 3 labs within a week over this past summer. One was very unexpected and one we knew was coming. It was super upsetting for my mom since she is alone during the week and my dad works in Charleston (he commutes back to Boone on the weekends). Well, she did lots of research and found a breeder she was interested in. After one unsuccessful breeding, they bred another and PUPPIES!! The puppies were born on Christmas morning!!! So amazing! My mom has first pick male so these babies will be super blocky and super precious. He will come all the way from Idaho in February. We are so excited to add this pup to our family & my mom is tickled. I may just have to fly out there to get some puppy breath. I've linked their website below so you can get your fill...the pictures are STUNNING of where they live.

Momma "Honey" and all her pups.

BoulderCrest Ranch

T W O.

I had received this color corrector as a sample a while back and never re-bought even though I LOVED it. Well, I got a Sephora gift card for Christmas so I went and bought it along with a bunch of other stuff! It is awesome to put under eyes and any dark acne scarring. Both of which I have. I put it on top of my primer and tap it in. I let it dry completely and then start with the rest of my make up. 

T H R E E.

I tried out a new recipe for brussels last night. We LOVE brussels in our house. I'll be sharing the recipe next week along with pictures. Stay tuned!!

F O U R. 

Podcasts...any of y'all listen? I listened to "Serial" when it was about Adnan and his girlfriend. I was OBSESSED. Then I fell off the train. I keep hearing cool things about "Up and Vanished." Have y'all listened? I love the ones that tell stories from week to week or are geared towards women. Let me know some of y'alls faves. 

F I V E.

I shared some of my resolutions last week on a group blog that I participate in with my girlfriends, but I am going to add one more here. Take more MEANINGFUL pictures. I am awful about doing it sometimes. It can be on my DSLR or my phone. I really love to look at pictures so I just need to take more...especially for documenting here too.