Month: March 2011

Breaking in the new kicks

Yesterday my beautiful new Brooks came in, but I had a 6 miler scheduled and I knew running 6 miles in new shoes would be a terrible idea. So instead I went out on a 4 miler in my old running shoes then came home changed into my Brooks for 2 miles. To be fair I first ran 4.2 miles because as much as 6.2 is an uneven number, I do like the roundness of 10K!

As soon as I put on my new shoes I couldn’t get over how LIGHT they were. My Nikes are like bricks in comparision. The Brooks also breathed (sp?) really well. I have some teeny tiny blisters one the same toe on each foot, but really I enjoyed the fit (I was between sized and went for the bigger one aka unisex size 10s). I plan to have the Brooks be mainly race-day shoes, but until I get my Nike Air Pegasus in May I’ll be wearing them a bit more regularly along with my old Nikes.

I hope I can break the Brooks in enough to run in them next weekend (4/3) in my half. Is that too soon?

WIW – Frustrated Edition

  • 2 Weeks Ago: 177.4
  • This Week: 182.0
  • Change: +4.6

WHY?!?!

Lately I have been running more than I have been in MONTHS and eating pretty well, yet I’ve been losing and gaining these 5 pounds for weeks upon weeks. I’m very frustrated.

JUST yesterday I was thinking about how I heard that Cheeburger Cheeburger has amazing french fries and I thought, I’ve lived here 3 years and never been there. Because I really try hard to not eat junk and yet here I am doing my damnedest to exercise and eat well and I’m yo-yoing. Seriously it makes me want to go each french fries and cheeseburgers until I start crying.

Don’t worry I’m not going to, but there is that little fat devil on my shoulder that still whispers these ideas. Luckily I listen more to my svelte angel. Plus *hopefully* my new Brooks running shoes will be delivered today and I am pound out my feelings on some pavement later.

UPDATE: As a friend pointed out – yes I blogged about how it’s not about numbers, it’s about how I feel. And I feel good. I feel the same as 2 weeks ago, not 5 pounds heavier. Numbers aren’t everything….numbers AREN’T everything…

Got my weekly report from Daily Mile last night.

Last week I ran 26 miles in 5:04:00. I wonder how accurately reflects an eventual marathon time. My training runs are always differently paced than races, but these runs were done over 5 days. Hmm just curious if anyone can “predict” their half/marathon time based on their training.

This week I have 33 miles to run – technically I have 24 since already ran 9 of them. scary and awesome.

WINNING

Mooooonths ago I said March 21st was my goal date for my UGW. 

Also mooooooonths ago I said I was going to start training for the LA marathon which was yesterday.

Neither of those things happened.

However:

I’m back to running after a cold weather hiatus

I’ve been maintaining my weight and hoping to start losing again

I’ve refocused

This journey shouldn’t be about numbers – calories, miles, weight, etc. It should be trying your damndest, making good life decisions and feeling good about yourself. 

Yes tonight I went for a looong run. Many miles for many minutes. However how I felt is the real reward. I have a half marathon in less than 2 weeks. I’m not going to lie I was wrapped up in time, pace, distance for most of my training, but when it comes down to it – I just want to have fun. Enjoy the run, enjoy my health, enjoy my body.

My UGW will come.

Running a marathon will come.

I believe in myself and that is truly winning.

 HOLY MOTHER THIS LOOKS GOOD and IT’S BRUSSELS SPROUTS!

Shaved Brussels Sprout Salad with Red Onion, Lemon and Pecorino

Serves 6

  • ½ small red onion
  • Juice of 1 lemon
  • 1 teaspoon honey
  • 1 teaspoon whole grain mustard
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 3 cups Brussels sprouts (use larger sprouts if possible)
  • ½ cup finely grated pecorino romano
  1. Soak the onion slices in a small bowl of cold water for 15 to 20 minutes while you prepare the rest of the ingredients. Ask a question about this step.
  2. In a small bowl, whisk together the lemon juice, honey, mustard and a pinch of salt and pepper. Whisk in the olive oil until the dressing is emulsified. Set aside. Ask a question about this step.
  3. Trim all of the Brussels sprouts, cutting off any bruised outer leaves and slicing off a good portion of the hard root end. Using a mandoline, shave the sprouts one at a time. When you’re done, use your fingers to gently separate the leaves so that the shredded sprouts resemble a very fine slaw. Ask a question about this step.
  4. Put the sprouts in a serving bowl and toss gently with the onions (which you’ve now drained) and the dressing. Fold in the pecorino, taste and adjust seasonings if necessary. Serve immediately, before it starts to wilt! Ask a question about this step.

http://www.food52.com/recipes/7650_shaved_brussels_sprout_salad_with_red_onion_lemon_and_pecorino

Meatless Fridays

My no snoozing and bed making for Lent has gone well thus far. So has avoiding meat on Ash Wednesday and Fridays in Lent. Okay it’s been 1.5 Fridays, but still. It’s funny how I don’t consider myself a major “meat eater” but I do eat a fair amount and have to THINK about my protein choices on Lenten Fridays.

I usually have a small turkey and hummus sandwich midday  – today I had a MorningStar Farms Blackbean Burger. God bless MorningStar Farms and their vegetarian food. I plan on having a salad with MorningStar Farms “chicken” for lunch. Later I’m going to have spaghetti squash with MorningStar Farms “italian sausage crumbles.”

Maybe MorningStar Farms will send me some free products since I gave them a bunch of shoutouts! Message me for my address 😛

**EDITOR’S ADDITION** My sister used to work for the Meatless Mondays Campaign – very cool site and info about going Meatless even just 1 day a week http://www.meatlessmonday.com/why-meatless/

Beat

I’ve had a SERIOUS workout week

  • 4 miles Fri, Sat, Sun, Mon
  • 8 miles Tues
  • Spin/weight training/yoga Wednesday
  • Weight training and 5 miles Today

It was really hot after work so instead of running outside and then weights I decided too do weights first. It was me and dudes by the weights and I’ll be honest I felt like shoing off a bit especially since I was in my spandex running shorts and I was looking pretty good. Then I headed out to run what was supposed to be 6 miles, but I was NOT feeling it. My legs didn’t want to move. I was half walking and jogging the first half. I debated if I would do 4 miles today and 6 tomorrow (I have 4 scheduled for tomorrow and Saturday as a legit rest day). I decided to split the difference and run 5 today and then do 5 tomorrow. It’s funny once I hit the halfway point and looped back I felt MUUUCH better. Ended up taking 1 hour 33 sec for 5 miles – but I fought hard and my legs were mad at me. Tomorrow only running – 5 miles no weights and Saturday I’m OFF.