Sep 12 2017
Flying Fish 5k (19:17)

Flying Fish 5k (19:17)

Last weekend I ran my third 5k since returning to the running scene.  I’ve run the Flying Fish 5k before and enjoyed the race.  Last year was extremely hot, and I ended up winning the race in 19:35. I was coming back from an injury and pleased.  Since I have less running under my belt; I wasn’t sure what to expect at the Flying Fish 5k (or any 5k).

The Flying Fish 5k is put on by the Flying Fish Brewery in Somerdale, NJ. It’s always the same day as the Somerdale Day Festival and it starts and finishes at the Flying Fish brewery.  Post Flying Fish 5k, there is live music and most people hang around at the Somerdale Festival. In all, it’s a good day.

Since running the 19:47 at the Philadelphia Airport two weeks ago (in ideal weather), I was realistically hoping to be around that time at the Flying Fish 5k.  Recently, I have put in more miles and run through hilly regions such as Chambersburg, Tennessee and North Carolina.  At the start line of the Flying Fish 5k, I didn’t feel bad but nowhere near feeling fresh either.

I also knew a couple of faster females would be there.  It is hard going to race (Flying Fish 5k) you’ve won, knowing you won’t, but I’m happy to have a deep field of incredible women to run with.  Many of whom are good friends.

My good friends, Danielle and Amelia came down and stayed at the LOLZ hotel to run the Flying Fish 5k as well.  Amelia had a 20 miler that day.  Spoiler: she ran 18 miles before the race, ran Flying Fish 5k, and PRed.

danielle amelia and i

I warmed up and got the Flying Fish 5k start at 9:55. I chatted with a few friends including the women who won, Erin and women who got fourth overall Grace.  With that introduction of characters (minus my husband who ran the race as a marathon tune-up), we were off.

During the first mile of the Flying Fish 5k, I felt better than expected.  However, I took it out faster than what I’m currently capable of and ran a first mile 5:55.  As I crossed the first mile of the Flying Fish 5k and looked down, all I could think was: Oh $hit.  Not in a good way and not in the way I’ll hold that pace.

During the second mile of the Flying Fish 5k, I found my groove and held on.  I hoped I wouldn’t regress into a 20+ min 5k, but I also knew I deserved it for running the first mile that fast if I did.  (To compare my fastest mile before that was 6:07).  I hit the second mile of the Flying Fish 5k in 6:23 and I didn’t feel great but also not terrible.  There was a small hill that I forgot about, but I was happy with that.

The third mile of any 5k is usually a blur.  In a 5k, I like it that way, and I just wanted the race to be over.  At the end of the race, the Flying Fish 5k has a half mile long straight finish.  I could see Erin about a minute ahead, followed by another female I recognized, then me.  I just focused on the Flying Fish 5k finish which did not feel as if it was coming closer.

I hit the third mile in 6:12 and finished the Flying Fish 5k as the third female in 19:17.

Flying Fish 5k Thoughts: 

It was 20 seconds faster than last year as well as my previous 5k so I can’t complain too much.

me running flying fish 5k

Progression:
8/20 Run the Runway 20:54 1st F
8/26 Philadelphia Airport 19:47 1st F
9/6 Flying Fish 5k 19:17 3rd F

Questions for you:
Do you run the same races each year?
What is your favorite race time start?
Since it’s at a brewery, this one starts at 10 am, but I typically do better with 8 am starts.

Hollie 12 Comments
Sep 14 2016
Flying Fish 5k (19:35)

To be honest, if I weren’t so excited all month to run the Flying Fish 5k, I would have skipped it.  The Flying Fish Brewery is a local Brewery with some of my favorite beer.  The race director is great, and we did a special group run with them a few weeks ago.

After running RNR last weekend, I can tell you I wasn’t recovering well.  It took me four days for my calves to loosen up, but they were still sore. On Thursday someone burst my bubble and said the temperature high was going to be close to 100. The race started at 10:00 am so I knew it would be a tough day.  I don’t typically like to race at 10:00 (I like the race over) by 9:00 but this race was worth it.

I woke up at 6 am and had no idea what to do beforehand.  The race was closeby do I didn’t have to leave early either.  After twiddling my thumbs for a few minutes, I opted to clean my house and head over.  When I got out of my car, I realized just how hot it was.  I easily picked up my bib, warmed up (which meant I just sweat more through my clothing) and headed to the start line.

The race announcer said the race was going off promptly which I was thankful for.  After the countdown, we were off. There was a lead pack of several men followed by two women, then me.  The first mile went through several turns and by the end of the first mile I found myself as first woman overall.  I was unsure if I would be able to maintain that lead throughout the entire race and honestly if it was another mile, I probably wouldn’t have.  I crossed the first mile in 6:08 which was my fastest mile after injury.

The second mile got hot.  I was running alone, but I knew the two women were on my tail.  I tried to power through, but my legs had minimal pep (which I know was from racing Rock n Roll the weekend before).  After running up the hill and doubling back, I crossed the second mile in 6:37.  I was worried it might be a 5k where I regressed the final above a 7 min mile.

The final half mile was a long straight away where you could see the finish line, but I knew it was coming.  Combined with the 93-degree heat and no shade, I knew it would also be tough.  I knew I had zero kick and that the second place woman was closing the gap.  I had to fight and dig deeper than I had to win.  Did winning fuel my fire? Maybe, but I also really didn’t want to log another 6:30+ mile.  I knew I could potentially run a post injury best, and I wanted to give that a fair shot.

I also knew I had zero kick and that the second place woman was closing the gap.  I had to fight and dig deeper than I had to win.  Did winning fuel my fire? Maybe, but I also really didn’t want to log a 7-minute mile.  I knew I could potentially run a post injury best, and I wanted to give that a fair shot.

I mentally blocked everything out and dug as deep as I could go.

I hurt.

I hurt a lot, but I didn’t injury hurt.

As I saw the finish line draw closer, I saw two kids holding a tape to break.  I powered through and crossed the third mile 6:18 and finished in 19:35.

Flying Fish 5k

I was extremely pleased for several reasons:

  • It was my fastest 5k after my injury, and I was injury free.
  • I actually showed up to the race, which I wasn’t sure I would in the heat.
  • I mentally pushed myself out of my comfort zone again.

As I’ve mentioned, I’m pleased with my time.  I do believe when my legs feel good and with a good weather day, my fitness is closer to 19:00 right now.  I might be biased but the Flying Fish 5k is one of my favorite 5ks because it’s hosted from one of my favorite local Breweries (Flying Fish).  If you’re ever in the area, you should definitely check them out (but you should invite me too).

Questions for you:
Do you have a favorite beer?
Have you ever run from a brewery?

Hollie 20 Comments
Aug 9 2014
Skylark Diner (Edison)

Skylark Diner (Edison, NJ)

Last weekend I met Danielle and Amelia at the Skylark Diner. After a more than eventful day, I was happy to see some friends, enjoy my whipped cream coffee and try a new diner.  To give you a brief overview of what I mean by eventful:  I ran my longest run post-injury, hit traffic on the way to work, work was 3X as busy as usual (I loved that part) then I locked my keys in my car.  (That has become a terrible habit since moving to NJ).  I used a shoe horn to prop my window open and break into my car. I have no idea how that worked.  So when I arrived at Skylark Diner, I was happy.

Skylark diner has been on multiple NJ “Best Diner” lists so I knew it was one I had to go too.

Skylark Diner Atmosphere: A
The Skylark Diner is one of the cleanest, most open diners I’ve been too.  Judging the Skylark Diner only on the atmosphere it was great. They flew (bad pun) with the travel theme.  I liked the inside a lot.  If you browse the website you can see they went with a modern, flight (Think the Jetsons) type of theme.

Skylark Diner Coffee: A
The Skylark Diner is in the top five best coffees I have had. It had the biggest mugs, the waitress provided several refills, and it had delicious whipped cream. There was nothing else I would want more in diner coffee…except more.

Skylark Coffee

Skylark Diner Food: B
The Skylark Diner has an upscale menu and is known for its healthy and fresh options. The Skylark Diner has excellent food including all-day breakfast; greens tossed in balsamic, burgers, sandwiches and wraps, pan-seared seafood, and so much more.

I ordered the Mediterranean salad. It had chicken, artichoke, greens, blue cheese, and Parmesan. For $14, I expected a more substantial salad, but it was good. I also ordered a side of pita bread.  The food itself was good.  I was just left hungry.

skylark salad

The diner looked like it specialized in seafood. Next time I come, I’ll be trying the salmon salad.

Skylark Diner Dessert: B
I ordered the bread pudding. I haven’t had bread pudding in ages, and it’s my favorite dessert. Personally, I like my bread a bit more toasted, but it was good. At first, the waitress at the Skylark Diner said they were out (and none of the other desserts appealed to me), but she came back and said they had some.

Skylark Bread pudding

Skylark Diner Cost: $$$
For coffee, salad, and dessert, it was 30 dollars at the Skylark Diner.

Overall thoughts/Would I come back to the Skylark Diner (Edison)?
The food was good. It was a little bit more expensive than I would have thought, and the service was meh.

The waitress poured half of Danielle’s beer as foam and still charging for a full glass (if LOLZ can pour beer better, you know you have an issue). I prefer the Edison diner down the road.

One last note, my biggest pet peeve for food is when I pay in cash and a wait or assumes I don’t need change. I left five dollars over my meal cost, and when she brought back Danielle and Amelia’s cards, she didn’t bring back my change/receipt. She didn’t ask if I wanted to change but assumed I didn’t. Unless the service is god awful, I will always leave at least a 15% tip, but I get peeved when I am not given the option to choose exactly what I want to leave.

You Can See All Diner Reviews Here.

Questions for you:
What is on your strange food quirks?
For me, my coffee with whipped cream.
What is a restaurant pet peeve of yours? 

Hollie 6 Comments
Jun 10 2013
The Light Beer Waffle

Light Beer Waffle

Light beer is not my thing, but finally, I have one more beer waffle recipe for you light beer lovers.

It’s just as easy as dark beer and Guinness pancakes…maybe easier then winocakes but no matter if you like light beer I suppose it deserves its own little recipe.  I make things and say…it’s all for the blog.  I only blog for my readers and only make weird combinations of pancakes…for the readers…

Light beer and dark beer is like asking people if they like vanilla or chocolate ice cream then when giving a recipe just saying oh sub either or…they should both be equal…I guess.

So that is that.  Light Beer Waffles are simple and I’m just bringing your attention that beer waffles do exist. 

lightbeerwaffle

Light Beer Waffle Ingredients:

2/3 cup flour (all-purpose flour, wheat flour)

1 egg

1tsp baking powder

6 ounces light beer (for some reason all I had at the time was bud light lime…so that’s that).

Light Beer Waffle Recipe:

  1. Preheat a waffle maker (I like Belgian waffle maker) and use cooking spray.
  2. Mix all dry ingredients together in a large bowl in a separate bowl.
  3. Add wet ingredients (including light beer) together and mix in a separate mixing medium bowl.
  4. Add dry ingredients to the wet ingredients.
  5. Pour waffle batter into preheated waffle iron and cook until golden brown.
  6. After cooked, put on a plate and add a layer of melted butter, maple syrup, honey vanilla greek yogurt, whipped cream, and powdered sugar.

Question for you: Favorite light beer? Would you try a light beer waffle?  What about a craft beer waffle? 

I guess mine would be bud light lime, but I blame that on one of my housemates from college liking bud light.

Hollie 21 Comments
May 27 2013
Guinness Pancakes

It’s no secret that my favorite beer is Guinness.  I’ve never denied it on my blog.  Since my favorite beers is Guinness, it would only make sense that one of my favorite desserts is well…Guinness flavored anything.  Lately, I’ve seemed to be able to enjoy this a lot more since many of the foodie places I’ve gone have had this option…

No I did not have this for breakfast before work because well…that might be enough to lose my job.  They are a nice treat for dinner if you are feeling it, but then again I’m always feeling a casual beer at dinner so why wouldn’t I feel a casual bunch of Guinness Pancakes?

Guinnesspancakes2

2/3 cup flour

¼ cup cocoa powder (I used gheridelli cocoa powder but I know Hershey’s dark cocoa would be good here too)

1 egg

1 tsp baking powder

2/3 cup Guinness

1 tsp vanilla extract

*Personally I used NO sweetener here because I like the raw flavoring of Guinness.  If that isn’t your thing than maybe these pancakes aren’t your thing but you can always use a different brew or add sweetener.

Guinnesspancakes1

My verdict?

Well duh these are my new favorite.  They are extremely dark and almost fudge like.  I bet they would be just as good in waffle form so that’s what I’ll probably do…tonight.

GuinnesspancakesGuinnesspancakes1

Questions for you: 

Favorite alcoholic (or nonalcoholic) drink?

Mine is almond milk with a splash of seltzer water and 2/3 tsp chia seeds…whatever that means.  Just kidding my drinks diet is typically water, coffee, milk and Guinness.

Hollie 25 Comments
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