I freely admit that I am a lucky duck to live in San Diego. It’s no fault of my own really; my parents decided that San Diego was just nicer than Brooklyn so they moved here before I was born (not that I’d be upset to live in NYC, because I have a ridiculous obsession and love of that place as well. But I digress).
I made good on my goal (well the first step of it) of running a 1/2 marathon this year. I am officially registered!
I’m nervous about it! I haven’t been running much lately, but I’m going to make a looong training plan to ease into it. Mitch is doing this race too, and so is my friend (and running buddy) Jenny. Even though the race is awhile off, I wanted to go ahead and register, because once money is on the table (or, in the hands of the race organizers) I think I’m much more likely to stick it out.
Any advice out there for me, the non-runner, running my first half marathon? I’m excited to get into it.
Now, besides proximity to cool races, I love that my city has lots of smaller companies (and some larger ones) that are trying to make it among the “big fishes” out there. And if I can help support them, especially if they are chocolate-related, I’m all for it!
I was recently sent some samples from Jer’s Homemade Chocolates, and I was excited to try them out because I’ve seen them in my local grocery stores but had never tried them before. Jer’s is based out of Solana Beach, which is about 20 minutes from where I live. The nice PR folks at Jer’s sent me some of their Peanut Butter Toffee bites and a Valentine’s Day sampler:
I haven’t tried the Peanut Butter Brittle Bites yet, but they look really good…especially the cayenne flavor. I might even share the wealth…but you’ll learn more about that soon.
I went to take a photo of the chocolates, and discovered a thief had gotten to them first:
Ok, maybe I gave him permission, but Mitch tried the Original IncrediBall flavor, which is a peanut butter filling with white chocolate outside. He said it was really good…he of the “I don’t like sweets” fame. The other night I sampled the Toffee Break flavor with dark chocolate, and that was really tasty as well. I liked how the toffee wasn’t the “break your teeth” kind. These peanut-butter yummies are 80 calories a pop and it was really hard to stop at one, but I did, somehow.
Two thumbs up, Jer’s of Solana Beach.
I also really like Chuao Chocolates, which is also based in North San Diego (hmm, that might be the place to live if you like gourmet chocolate). They sell Choco-pods which are 50 or 60-calorie chocolates that are individually wrapped and come in flavors like passion fruit/caramel or nutmeg with caramelized cacao nibs.
Does your town have any local companies that you love? Lest you think my love of local companies is limited to chocolate purveyors, I am also a big Kashi fan and they are based out of San Diego as well. And that’s not to mention all the smaller folks out there who sell their products like homemade jams and such at our farmer’s markets. I am so impressed with anyone who tries to open their own business, especially in this economy.
Lastly, I was given a bloggie award from one of my favorite local bloggers, Melissa, and in it I’m supposed to list 7 random facts about myself and then nominate 7 others. I’m going to be lame and skip the nominating, but here are my 7 facts:
- I think Valentine’s Day is kind of dumb. I love getting flowers and all, but why spend three times as much just because it’s that one day?
- My ringtone for when Mitch calls me is a Lady Gaga song, I can’t think of which one at the moment.
- Tempeh still freaks me out. I bought a package on sale and had it in my fridge for so long it went bad.
- I am OBSESSED with Mad Men, even though we’re taking a long time to get through the first (or second? not sure) season. Too bad I didn’t discover it before we went to a taping of The Soup where the cast made an appearance.
- I wish I was one of those girls who always looked really cute with hair and makeup done, but I am just too lazy most of the time. And I like sweatshirts.
- I am going to be on TV Monday morning, and I’m not exactly looking forward to it, because it means a 4 AM wake up call tomorrow, and because I’m not completely familiar with what I’m talking about, which isn’t fun given that it’s going to be live. Wish me luck!
- I think I’m a little insane to be applying for grad school…but I’m doing it anyway.
And with lengthy post, I’m out. Oh before I go:
HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY SUSAN!!
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My best advice would be to follow a training schedule! It will help you get into 1/2 marathon shape safely! I have a few that I followed posted on my blog! Check them out!
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Ditto! I used Hal Higdon’s half marathon training program, and my first half went really well! I blogged about it during each week of my training. http://simply-allie.blogspot.com/2008/11/13-weeks-to-131-my-first-half-marathon.html
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Good luck with the half marathon training
I’ve been thinking about training for one but it scares me too!! I’m sure you’ll do fantastic.
I love this Maryland based company Potomac Fine Foods. They make the best hummus EVER! And it’s made less than two miles from my office. Plus they also own two restaurants: in Maryland and in DC.
I also love getting local produce at farmer’s markets!
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that is awesome about the thigh glider!!!!!!!!! i laughed so hard!
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Yayyy for the half marathon!! I’m thinking about doing one around the same time as opposed to May. I just don’t know where I’ll be living then yet – so I can’t sign up yet! My only recommendation is not to run more than 4 times a week – ideally running every other day. It’s okay to run everyday if you’re training for a marathon, but I think that can get you injured in a half marathon plan.
Good luck on your TV appearance!! Live TV scares the crap out of me. You’ve probably already done this – but make a list of questions you’re expecting to be asked and how you plan to answer them. Additionally, list the points you want to get across and stick to those. It will hopefully keep you from going “uhhh” and you’ll sound like you know more than you really do
Thanks for the bee-day shout out!!!!
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Hallie Reply:
January 24th, 2010 at 4:51 pm
Yeah, the plan I made up only has us running 3x a week. I need cross training or I’ll go crazy! Plus I have to walk Nina some days too. My #1 goal is to not get injured…that would suck
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Good luck on the half! Personally, I like Hal Higdon’s training plans.
The only local thing that I can think of is Sweetwater beer.
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wow those chocolates look seriously amazing! back home in NJ, one of my local favorites is strollo’s italian ice…so creamy and cold and delicious, i miss it all summer!!
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Good luck on the half! I’d like to run my first 5K this year….is there anywhere online that I can see all the San Diego races for the year?
Also…what channel will you be on Monday? I want to check it out!
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Congrats on signing up for a half marathon! That’s fantastic. It sounds like you’ve got some great supporters doing it with you too, which always helps.
Obviously Columbus isn’t even close to as cool as San Diego, but we have been known to be the home of many grea food companies (hence the reason why we are also one of the fatest cities!). Wendy’s started here, and Krema nut butter (I think). We also have a great chocolate company called Anthony Thomas. Have you heard of it? I don’t know if it started here or not, but their chocolates are GOOOOOD!
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ooo grad school?! Now you can really commiserate with me! Whatcha going to grad school for?!
and a happy blog birthday to ya, too!
xoxo
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Hallie Reply:
January 29th, 2010 at 3:31 pm
The program I’m applying to is a master’s in nonprofit management. Yes, I want to make no money for the rest of my life…but I’ll be saving the world! Or something like that
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