June 06, 2014

Heartbreak Hill Half & Festival, Day 2

Continued from Heartbreak Hill Half & Festival, Day 1

Okay, so I have a confession... I've never eaten a cannoli. After I posted about the pastry shop yesterday, lots of people commented that I should have gotten a cannoli. I've never tried one, so I wasn't sure if I'd like it. Next time, I will definitely have to try one. But that carrot cake was SO good!

The past two days have been crazy busy here in Newton. We had to get up bright and early this morning to be on a bus at 6:00. We went to do a workout called the November Project. I first read about this group in Runner's World magazine in the November 2013 issue (I think!). They do some crazy running workouts--running up and down stairs, and big old hills. Today was the hill workout, and it was done on Summit Hill. I wasn't sure what to expect when we got there, but it was actually pretty cool!

There was the "leader" named Brogan, and there were probably about 200 people that showed up for this workout. It blew my mind! It's a free workout, and all you have to do is show up to join in. We were told we'd be running laps--down the hill, then turn and come back up the hill, go around this little field, and then repeat. The thing that I liked about it was that nobody ever feels like they are last--because it's a big loop, you don't know if the guy next to you is on his first loop or his fifth.

My plan was to take it very easy, and just do one loop, because I'm running three races over the next two days. I didn't want to tear up my legs before the races, otherwise I would have tried to do the whole workout (1 hour). Even that one loop kicked my ass! It was so tough.

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After the workout, we headed to breakfast at a restaurant called Zaftig's. Brogan came and had breakfast with us, and he was so fun. He explained how the November Project got started, how it grew, and what a big success it's been.

The afternoon was spent meeting some pretty amazing runners! The first was Sarah Reinertsen, a former Paralympic track athlete. She had her leg amputated at age 7, and she now runs marathons!


Then we met Shalane Flanagan, superstar distance runner ;)  She was so nice! She said her favorite post-marathon treat is a burger, fries, and a beer. Haha!

We had lunch, which was all recipes prepared from the Runner's World cookbook--watermelon and feta salad, chilled zucchini soup, sweet potato salad, and chicken sandwiches. Bart Yasso had lunch with us, and I was really looking forward to meeting him. He's another superstar runner--he's been running for nearly 40 years, and he has some awesome stories. He talked to us for a little bit, answering questions, and then when he left, I was feeling a little bummed that I didn't introduce myself.

So, I did what any crazy would do, and I chased after him! ;)  I introduced myself and asked if he would be so kind to sign "my" issue of Runner's World. We chatted for about a five minutes, and took a couple of pictures. He is SO nice, and I want to read his book on the plane home.


We went to the expo after lunch to pick up our race packets. Since I'm doing the Hat Trick, I got two shirts, a hat, and a pair of socks with my bib! I walked around the expo a little bit, and I was feeling completely exhausted by 4:00. I didn't sleep much at all last night in the dorm, so I'm going on very little sleep, and tons of walking around. Yesterday, I got in almost 24,000 steps, which didn't even include a run! This weekend has been so exhausting, but so much fun.

Tomorrow morning, I have the 5K and the 10K to run. I'm nervous, but I am planning to take it easy. If anyone is around, and wants to meet up, you can look for me at the finish area after the races; also, feel free to tweet me, so we can find each other!

Continue to Heartbreak Hill Half & Festival, Day 3

11 comments:

  1. I will miss seeing you tomorrow at the Kona run but I think you are having more fun there!! Have fun tomorrow!
    I've never had a canoli either; I'd never heard of them until the show Cake Boss.

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  2. AnonymousJune 06, 2014

    "Leave the gun. Take the cannoli."

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    Replies
    1. AnonymousJune 06, 2014

      Do you know that movie, Katie? I think of that line every time I hear the word cannoli. LOL

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  3. what a great start to what sounds like an amazing weekend !! Glad you're having fun - Good luck on the races

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  4. Canoli is like, 90% "frosting"- you'd love it!!! :) Good luck tomorrow!!!! We are doing our 7th race of the year tomorrow!!! :) Fingers crossed tight for a PR for me, and two good races for you!!!

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  5. Good luck! My daughter lives in Boston and I recently visited - we went to Mike's and I did not get a cannoli either! The line was too long! And we had brunch at Zaftig's too.

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    Replies
    1. You can always try Modern Pastry, which is down the street on the opposite side from Mike's. It's also delish. :)

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  6. Anonymous, I just tried to like your comment! My favorite line too, whenever I hear the word cannoli! I even bought my brother a shirt that says that!

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  7. Whoops...good luck Katie!! My daughter is running her first half marathon tomorrow in Philly! So excited for her!

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  8. I don't know what a cannoli is. I've heard of it, but what is it?
    I realized while reading your blog that I've actually been running for 36 years. Wow!

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