Welcome to Weekly Wrap 18!  For most of this week I was in California at Expo West 2018 with my Chicago running blogging friend, Erica (check out her site Erica Finds).  Since I knew I would be traveling and would be spending all day walking around at the Expo, I scheduled this as a recovery week.  I had the BEST time at the Expo, trying out new foods and products.  There will be a full recap later with a roundup of the products and a chance to win a sampling of what I brought back, but in the mean time I’m linking up with Holly and Wendy for the Weekly Wrap and Marcia, Erika, and Patty for Tuesdays on the Run to bring you a brief teaser of Expo West.

Weekly Wrap 18

Monday 3/5

Run:  Made it to Stair Mondays! It was a gorgeous sunrise over the city, and this time we didn’t get too many funny looks from commuters.  In total, I ran 7.6 miles to and from EDGE, with about a mile of stairs.

Other:  I met with Debbie, the founder and owner of No Denial Foods.  She makes a grain-free, gluten-free, salty-sweet nut mix that I’ve seen my friend Katie munching on at EDGE.  I wanted to pick her brain about how she started her own food company, since that is something I have been thinking off more and more lately as I get positive feedback from energy bite customers.

Tuesday 3/6

Run:  Ugh, this was one of those runs where my body and mind rebelled hard.  I was planning to do about 8 on the treadmill with elevation but I called it quits at 5.  After the mile warmup I knew I didn’t have the mental grit nor the desire to do this workout.  I tried and made it through 5 .5 mile repeats at 6% incline but then stopped.  Woof.

Other:  I posted a new recipe for Vegan Irish soda bread that was a bit controversial – do you put raisins in your soda bread?

Wednesday: 3/7

Run:  I did Single Leg Day at Edge and then an easy 12 mile run.  I was trying to put the bulk of my mileage early in the week, knowing that the Expo would take up most of my time on the weekend.

Other:  I learned that I do not like to take connecting flights.  First, I flew from O’Hare to Houston, then had a 45 minute layover before flying Houston to Orange County.  In total, it was about 8 hours of travel.  I was a bit hangry by the time I arrived (there were no good vegan dinner options in Houston; I had the saddest Potbelly’s sandwich ever: lettuce, onion, mustard and bread.  They were out of the other toppings).  Next time I will just pay the extra for a direct flight (or plan farther in advance).

Thursday 3/8

Run:  After initially thinking I would run 10-15 miles today, I realized that I had not taken a rest day since last Thursday (before my 24 miler).  So instead I lifted some weights and jumped in the hotel’s hot tub.  Then I planned out my Expo Must-See brands before Erica picked me up.

Other:  We visited the Fresh Ideas tent first, which was SO crowded.  Most of the booths were brand new companies or small companies with new products to debut.  Outside was a giant version of Justin’s new cashew butter cup, which I obviously had to take a picture with. That evening after the Expo, I was lucky to be Erica’s plus one at a dinner sponsored by LMS, a marketing firm that represents Rao’s Homemade, WTRMLN WTR, Core Hydration and a number of others.  We met a few other influencers and bloggers, and enjoyed some good Italian food.

Friday 3/9

Run:  Erica and I found a running path near out hotel.  We went out together for the first 3 miles and then she turned back and I kept going for another mile or so before heading back.  I was glad to get the run in before all the rain started.

Other:  We got to the Expo around 9:30 for the tail end of the community breakfast.  Then Erica and I split off – she headed to Simple Squares to help set up and I started perusing the Hot Products Hall.  I spent a full day in the Hot Products (where they had mostly new, smaller companies) and then Hall E (smaller businesses that have been around for a while) Hall E is where the bulk of the vegan companies I wanted to try.  I was really excited to see so many plant-based products, alternative flours, a million different flavors of nut butters and savory crunchy snacks.

Saturday 3/10

Run:  As a Nuun Ambassador, I was invited to the Expo West Nuun 5k.  It was a small race in Riverside Park, an easy drive for Erica and I in the morning.  I was so excited to see some November Project LAX tribe members there.  I recognized a few girls from times that they had been visiting Chicago and joined us for a workout.  Initially, I didn’t think I would try to race it, but you all know what happens when I get to the start line – it’s GO time.  And guess what?  I came in second female overall and won some free Brooks shoes!

Other: Another full day at the Expo!  I was all over the larger convention halls today where the established companies like So Delicious, Lightlife, Clif Bar, etc were.  It was a whirlwind of trying foods, meeting brands, and talking with people from all over the country and world.  At the end, Erica and I met up for a happy hour at Grandy Oats, a small and really welcoming granola company based in Maine.

Sunday 3/11

Run: Easy 9 and change miles – 3 with Erica and the rest on my own.  It was humid and I was sore from all the travel, walking, and snacking all day for the past three days.  No double digits for this girl.

Other:  Packing and heading home for my flight.  I hope I don’t go over the 50 pound limit for my suitcase! UPDATE: It weighed in at 49/7 pounds, bahahaha!

In total, I ran 48 miles this week but each day at the expo averaged about 23,000 steps! It was a recovery week, and next week I will be back to the 50k training grind.  This week was so fun, I’m glad I decided not to do the LA Marathon so that I could come do this instead.  Stay tuned for a more complete rundown of my time at Expo West plus chances to win a sample box filled with all the goodies I’m bringing home.

How was your week?  Have you ever gone to an Expo like this?  When was the last time you raced a 5k?

Happy running,

Becca