Thankful Thursday: 3 randoms

I'm giving thanks today that events of the past 24 hours or so could have been so much worse but they weren't.  God clearly had a hand in what has been happening.  While I can't share them on the blog right now, to everyone who heard my requests for prayers on Twitter yesterday or called or texted to make sure everything was ok, thank you. I have an amazing group of friends and I feel blessed to have you all in my life.  I'm ok (what was happened was with loved ones). I just can't share it publicly here.

Now...3 randoms

My iPad - my students LOVE it and I'm loving having it to use in therapy.

The return of Oberon - a true sign that summer is just around the corner.

The fastest run I've ever done - I guess all the stress (and stress eating) yesterday fueled an amazing run.

Now, go hug your loved ones and tell them how much they mean to you.  Then come back and tell me what you are thankful for today? 

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Weigh-in Wednesday

Starting Weight (11-28-12): 153.6

Last week: 143.0

This week: 142.0

Change: down 1.0

Total change: down 11.6

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Bayshore Half Marathon Training: week 10

I can't believe I'm 10 weeks into training for Bayshore and less than 3 weeks away from my next race.  Time flies when you're workout out almost every day :)  This week was a pretty decent week and was capped off with an amazing long run, so I'm happy with it. After last week's crappy runs, I needed some success this week.

Monday 3/18/13 - Plan RUN 2 miles (11:08 pace) - Did RUN 3.1 miles in the sleet and rain in 34 min (11:03 pace).  The run was pretty much a clusterf*ck with the weather and the paths I was planning being closed, but I got it done.  

Tuesday 3/19/13 - Plan Swim (30 min) - Did SWIM - 1/2 mile in about 22 min / STRENGTH - arms and abs for about 30 min. 

Wednesday 3/20/13 - Plan RUN (5 mile tempo inc w/u, 3 miles at 9:31, c/d) - Did RUN TM Tempo. Covered the tempo in about 50 minutes total with the tempo portion right around a 9:30 pace.  Got up extremely early for this and felt tired and crappy the rest of the day.  Pre-dawn runs are not my friend but I knew it wouldn't happen if I didn't get up and for this I'm proud of myself. STRENGTH - 30 min of abs and rolling.

Thursday 3/21/13 - Plan RUN 2 miles (11:08 pace) / STRENGTH 30 min - Did BIKE - a quick 20 min spin on my lunch hour.  It was an ok 5 miles.  

Friday 3/22/13 - Plan REST - Did BIKE - Completed the JellyBean virtual 21k bike ride (13 miles in a very slow 1 hr 4 min).  Just spinning out the legs mostly.

Saturday 3/23/13 - Plan RUN 8 miles (11:08 pace) - Did RUN 12,1 miles in 2 hrs 4 min (10:17 pace).  This run absolutely ROCKED.  I ran negative splits and finished feeling fantastic.  I wish I could say I continued to feel fantastic, but my stomach pretty much revolted by the time I got home.  

Sunday 3/24/13 - Plan BIKE (45 min)  - Did BIKE 45 minutes.  It was eh.  Legs were toast.

I realized this morning that trying to blend my half plan with a 25k plan is more complicated than I thought.  I also learned that I can't read my own spreadsheet.  I clearly need help.

Meal Monday: easy egg sandwich

In my healthy living survey post last week, I mentioned eating microwaved egg mcmuffin sammies almost every morning for breakfast. I got the idea from Corey - if you don't follow her blog, you really should.  Just sayin'.  She makes hers much more gourmet-like than I do, but you really can make these how ever you want.  Throw in some veggies, different cheeses, a different meat, no meat, whatever. A few people asked how they I make mine, so here you go.  It's really complicated, so I suggest you pay attention!

Assemble your ingredients


Crack egg into a ramakin or coffee cup and scramble slightly.


Cover (this is a VERY important step) and microwave on high for about 40 sec. Too much more and you'll be cleaning exploded egg out of your nuker.  Too much less and your egg will be really runny.  You might need to experiment with this to see what works best for your microwave and your tastes.


I love these ramakins because they are perfect for creme brulee they make the egg the perfect size for the English muffin you should've been toasting while the egg cooks.

Nuke a slice of Canadian bacon for about 10 sec and assemble your sandwich. You can add cheese but I never do.


Easy-peasy breakfast, healthy and full of protein, done in less than 2 min.  I usually eat some fruit with mine, but you could also just grab this and eat it in the car on the way to work not that I've ever done that.

What's your favorite breakfast?

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Fitness Friday: #runchathunt #runchat

So, a couple weeks ago, the awesome guys at #runchat came up with a running scavenger hunt. Runners could vote on what they wanted to find and as we all ran during the last half of March, we were to snap pics of items that made the top 10 & post them to Twitter & Instagram. Each tweet containing the hash tag #RunChatHunt is an entry to win awesome prizes.

I went out on the first weekend for my 10 mile run & knocked 9 off the list! It was a pretty crappy run and I seriously think it was the hunt that kept me going.

Easy one - "race sticker" on my own van :)

"a bridge"

"hills" - around me, all I have are rollers and this run was full of them.

"Christmas decorations still up!" - I was shocked to find this one.

"Letters on signs to spell RUNCHAT"

"Welcome to....sign" - I actually ran in and out of 2 towns on this run.

"water"

"Trail Marker"

"A scene from one of your favorite run locations" - this is the trail near my house and my usual running path.  That white stuff on the ground is actually ice.

On Monday, I headed downtown to get the last item on the list - historical landmarks.  Grand Rapids, MI has a TON of historical landmarks and on my 5k route along the Grand River I hit up 2 of them.  3 if you count President Ford's grave site.

"Historical Landmarks" - 6th Street Bridge, President and Betty Ford's grave sites,  Valley City Milling Company.

Personally, I think I should receive bonus points for the crappy conditions I ran in for both of these runs!  Ice on the 10 miler and rain/snow/slush on the 5k - can I just say how OVER winter I am?  But, this is March in Michigan so next weekend it could be 50 degrees and sunny.

Overall, this was a really fun project.  Seeking out items on the list made the runs more enjoyable and helped take my mind off the nasty weather.  Did any of you participate in the Runchat Scavenger Hunt?  If you did, leave a link in the comments if you blog about it - I'd love to see what you found in your neck of the running woods.

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Thankful Thursday: healthy living survey

This survey was on Mindy's blog yesterday and I thought it would be fun to answer the questions. Being healthy and trying to live a healthy lifestyle is something I feel thankful for, so it fits with my Thursday theme :)

1.  What did you eat for breakfast? Most days, I'll eat my version of an egg mcmuffin - an egg cooked in the microwave with a slice of Canadian bacon on a toasted English muffin.  Usually there's a side of cantaloupe and coffee with French Vanilla creamer. Today, I had 1/2 a serving of PB Overnight Oats, a side of melon and coffee with creamer.

2.  How much water do you drink a day?  This varies.  I shoot for 64 ounces and sometimes this happens but usually I'm closer to 32 ounces.  Bad, I know.

3.  What is your current favorite workout? Right now I'm all about the running.  I'm starting to see some nice improvements in my pace and that's encouraging.

4.  How many calories do you eat a day? I use My Fitness Pal and have my calories set at 1240.  I will also "eat back" any exercise calories I earn.  I'm little and it's working for me so please don't say my calories are too low.

5.  What are your favorite healthy snacks? I'm not sure that they are healthy because the calorie count is so high, but I love almonds, especially mixed with a few chocolate chips.

6.  What do you usually eat for lunch? This depends on whether I go out or go home for lunch.  If I'm going home, it's usually a big salad with some canned chicken mixed it.  If I don't have any chicken, I'll add a Chobani Greek yogurt for protein.  If I have to go out for lunch, I'll usually hit up Subway or Panera.

7.  What is your favorite body part to strength train? Can I say none?  I really don't like strength training and I have to force myself.  Probably my favorite part to train is core/abs because it's quick.  Sadly, I don't do this enough and my abs are a joke.

8.  What is your least favorite body part to strength train? Right now, my least favorite part to strength train is arms/shoulders/back.  I love the fast results but since I hurt my shoulder about a year ago (doing the 100 pushups app - I made it through the whole thing with "girly" pushups and started again with military and fraked up my shoulder, BOO) strength training for this area just HURTS and I'm afraid of doing more damage.  I know I should work my legs more too, but then I'm too sore to run.

9.  What are your "bad" food cravings? I really don't think any food is "bad" if you plan it into your diet.  Plus, restricting items will just make you want them more.  That being said, I love pizza and would eat it for every meal if I could.  Oh, and ice cream, and red velvet cupcakes with cream cheese frosting, and creme brulee, and cream cheese frosting....

10.  Do you take vitamins or supplements? No.  I don't even take a multivitamin, which I know is really bad but I just never remember to take them.

11.  How often do you eat out? I've been trying to not spend money so lunches have mostly been at home and we are meal planning, but I'd say I eat out once a week on average.

12.  Do you eat fast food? Yes, but typically fast food for my family (at least the kids and I) is Subway.  I rarely eat McDonald's anymore and if I do, it's usually a double hamburger or a chicken sandwich and no fries.  I've even started liking their fruit and yogurt parfaits.

13.  Who is your biggest supporter? I have many and most of them I've "met" through social media.  I'm not going to single out any one supporter, but they know who they are :)

14.  Do you have a gym membership? Yes, I have a membership to the local YMCA.  There are 3 locations within 10 miles of my house and depending on what kind of workout I need will depend on which one I go to.  I rarely go to the classes other than spin, but rather use the treadmills, weigh equipment and the pool. Two of them have lap pools and the one closest to my house does not, one has a better indoor track, one has fans... you get the idea.

15.  How many hours of sleep do you get at night? I go to bed with the intention of getting 8 hours but I sleep like crap and probably only get about 5 hours of sleep each night.  Even with sleep meds, I only get about 6 hours.  If anyone knows how to fix broken sleep, I'm all ears.  Particularly around 3 or 4 in the morning.

16.  Do you have a "cheat" day? No. I tend to eat relatively healthy most of the time and I don't plan out a "cheat" day.  However, on long run days when I've burned a couple thousand calories? If I feel like eating, anything goes.  I've been watching my calories enough lately that going out and blowing all my hard work is hard.

17.  Do you drink alcohol? Yep.  I love good, local beers. I bet if I stopped having a beer each night I could drop the last 5 pounds.

18.  Do you have a workout buddy? I have some friends that I run with when our schedules cooperate, but I don't work out with a buddy at the gym.  I wish I did - maybe the strength training would go better if I was with someone.

19.  What is the best thing that has changed about your life since committing to a healthy lifestyle? I would have to say the encouragement to go beyond what I though possible.  I've taken up running, traveled for races, ventured into triathlon.  The encouragements and friendships developed through social media have been huge, also.  Most of my closest friends now are ones I meet through running - either in person or via Twitter and blogging.

20.  What was the last healthy thing you did? Wednesday morning I got up at 5am to go to the gym and run since I knew the run wouldn't happen after work.  I spent the rest of Wednesday exhausted, but I got my workout in!

What about you? How has healthy living impacted your life?  Feel free to copy the questions and blog yourself or pick a question to answer in the comments.  I'd love to read your responses.

Weigh-In Wednesday: 10 pounds gone

Starting Weight (11-28-12): 153.6

Last week: 144.8

This week: 143.0

Change: down 1.8

Total change: down 10.6

I can definitely tell my clothes are fitting better and a couple pair of fat-pants are bordering on no-longer-safe-to-wear-pants, but I'm not sure I can see a difference. Maybe with another 5 or so gone I'll start to see it.


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Bayshore Half Marathon Training: Week 9

So, after a few really great weeks, I finally had a not-so-stellar week.  It was bound to happen eventually - anyone who's been a runner long enough knows that a bad run or workout isn't the end of the world, even if at the time they think it is.  Moving on.  Here's the week's recap...

Monday 3/11/13 - Plan RUN 2 miles (11:10 pace) / STRENGTH (30 min) - Did RUN TM 1600s (4 MI inc w/u, 2x1600 in 9:00 w/ 800 jogs, c/d).  4 miles total in 40 minutes.  I knew with my schedule this week, I needed to shift things around, so I got up before the sun and hit the gym.  I was at Parent-Teacher Conferences until almost 8:15, so it's a good thing I worked out in the morning.

Tuesday 3/12/13 - Plan BIKE (45 min) - Did SWIM - 1 mile in about 57 minutes.  Did a ladder workout of sorts and it was slow and made me lose confidence in my swimming.  Is it possible to forget how to swim? 

Wednesday 3/13/13 - Plan RUN (4 mile tempo inc w/u, 2 miles at 9:00, c/d) - Did amazing RUN.  I did my first 2-a-day run workout and it was phenomenal.  Run 1 was 3 miles in 31 minutes (10:24 pace) and run 2 was with Brea and she pushed me to 3 miles in 27:46 (9:15 pace)!!! We finished the run with a night out at a brewpub with 3 of the guys from the running group.  So glad I was able to make this run happen and meet up with Brea.

Thursday 3/14/13 - Plan RUN 2 miles (11:10 pace) / STRENGTH 30 min - Did nothing.  I had Parent-Teacher Conferences and decided to take a rest day.

Friday 3/15/13 - Plan REST - Did BIKE - I rode on the trainer for about 10 min and realized my back tire was flat.  Finished with about 15 min of abs.  It wasn't what I wanted but at least I got something in.

Saturday 3/16/13 - Plan RUN 10 miles (11:10 pace) - Did RUN 10.4 miles in 1 hr, 55 min (11:01 pace).  This run really sucked. Yes, I met my pace goal but at this point, I'm really better than that.  The route was icy and the wind was brutal but I really shouldn't use that as an excuse.  I hated pretty much every minute of the run, especially the part at mile 2.5 where 2 dogs ran up to me.  If you know me at all, you know I'm not a fan of dogs - especially ones that are unleashed and jump on me when I'm running. Literally - one jumped on me and they were not small dogs. I tolerate my friends dogs and even had dogs when I was growing up, but dogs on runs and me don't mix.  I don't like it when people bring their dogs on group runs and I'm terrified of stray dogs I see on the trails/streets.  So, it's no surprise I was completely freaked out and the stupid dogs decided it would be fun to run with me for about 1/2 a mile.  They would run up to every house's front door and then back to me.  I've had friends who were bit and the entire time I was afraid one or both of them would turn on me.  They eventually left (ran into someone's back yard through an open gate) but I worried the rest of the run that they'd be back there on my return trip through that area. To make matters worse, I had GI issues before I even left the house and felt sick the entire run. I think the stress with the dogs just compounded the tummy ache.  I only took in about 3 sips of water and 2 shotbloks, which I'm sure didn't help my energy levels. Between the weather, road/sidewalk conditions, GI troubles and dumb dogs, this run was nothing like my last few runs and I was frustrated and pissed off the rest of the day.  I bitched to a few friends about it, but basically it was what it was.  I even ended up much more sore than I thought I should which just pissed me off even more.

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Sunday 3/17/13 - Plan BIKE 45 minutes - Did BIKE 4 miles in 20 min.  This ride frustrated the shit out of me. I had a friend come over and fix my bike tire and I figured inflating the tire would get my biking speed back up to where it belongs.  Even in the big gears, I struggled to get over 14 mph and I only averaged 12 mph for this ride.  After 20 minutes I gave up.  I don't like to think of my self as a quitter, but that's what I was.  Mentally, I was done.  I was pissed and felt like a failure.  Between the slow swim I had earlier in the week, Saturday's long run, and the shitty bike rides lately, I'm really questioning my ability to do a tri this summer and not completely suck. I know I have until July, but still. I'm supposed to be getting better, not worse.

This is my take-away from the week, though.  Or at least this is what I'm trying to tell myself.  My goals for this year are not going to be defined by one crappy weekend of training.

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Meal Monday: Pinterest Ideas

I never had the chance to make something this weekend that was blog-worthy, so I thought I'd put some links to a few of my favorite Pinterest recipes on here instead.

Vanilla Walnut Overnight Oats

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This is by far one of my favorite overnight oat recipes and I eat it just like in the picture, with raspberries and walnuts on top.  The recipe makes a HUGE bowl, so I usually cut it in half - or save half for the next day.

Microwave Baked Apples

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Yes, I've made these apples.  No, I'm not ashamed.

Petite Turkey Meatloaves

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These meatloaves have gone into our regular rotation.  I think we eat them at least every other week - they're fast, easy and healthy.  I don't have the fancy mini loaf pan, so I just form them into loaves and put them on a foil-lined cookie sheet with sides.  I also make a slightly different topping - ketchup, mustard, brown sugar and Worcestershire sauce (I have no recipe - it's mostly ketchup with a little bit of everything else).

Do you have a favorite Pinterest recipe?  Leave me a link in the comments if you do - I'm always looking for fun, new recipes.

Thankful Thursday: #runchat friends

I'm so thankful for social media, otherwise I would never have had the chance to run with Brea yesterday.


And have her push me to one of my fastest 3 mile runs EVER...while carrying on a conversation!


I really believe this to be the case...

I pretty much laughed when a friend said I could run a sub-27 min 5k. Now? I think maybe they've seen greatness in me all along and I'm finally starting to see it in myself.

So, thank you. To each and every one of you who have believed in me when I doubted. Encouraged me when I felt discouraged. And just plain lifted me up when I needed the boost.

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Weigh-In Wednesday: better than nothing

Starting Weight (11-28-12): 153.6

Last week: 146.0

This week: 144.8

Change: down 1.2

Total change: down 8.8

After maintaining & gaining, down 1.2 pounds is better than the alternative. Plus, one of my friends reminded me of this awhile back:


When you look at it that way (and I've now lost 8.8x that much) it puts things in perspective. Plus, nearly 9 pounds on a barely 5'2" body is a decent amount. It's just not where I want to be yet.

I'm just a very impatient person in every respect. So I see the fact that I've been working on this for 4 months and only averaging about 1/2 a pound a week. That's really frustrating. In my mind, I should be well into the 130s by now.  Oh well.  Onward and (hopefully) continuing downward.

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Bayshore Half Marathon Training: week 8

This past week was pretty stellar on a number of levels.  I'm starting to wonder if I need to rethink all the training paces (for the "easy" and "long" runs) in the plan I'm following and just start running by feel, because I feel pretty freaking amazing right now.  I'm noticing that the faster I run, the less pain I have.  I don't know if it's just my magic shoes (I really think the Newtons have special powers and I'm running in them exclusively now) or if I'm just getting stronger and finally moving past my injury - which seems completely crazy but I don't know how else to explain it. Am I running 100% pain-free? Not exactly.  I still have a little shin soreness here and there and my calves/ankles are getting used to the Newtons, but from where I was a year ago at this time, I'd say I'm 85-90% better.

Monday 3/4/13 - Plan RUN 2 miles (11:10 pace) / STRENGTH (30 min) - Did RUN 3 miles in 32:02 (10:40 pace) because I felt really good and didn't want to stop at 2 miles and STRENGTH 15 min arms and 15 min abs.

Tuesday 3/5/13 - Plan SWIM (20 min) / STRENGTH (30 min) - Did BIKE 10 miles in 45 min and STRENGTH 15 min of abs.  I wanted nothing to do with getting in the pool.  I really still don't.  Maybe as summer gets closer and so does tri season, I'll be more motivated to swim.

Wednesday 3/6/13 - Plan RUN (4 mile tempo inc w/u, 2 miles at 9:26, c/d) - Did RUN 4 miles in 37:27 (9:21 pace).  I'd had a really emotional, sad, messed-up day and just needed to get out of my head.  I hit this pace on a hilly loop near my house and felt so much better when I was finished.  One of the responses to the picture I posted of my watch was "Holy Shit!" and that really made me smile.  I think this was my fastest 4 mile run EVER and while I don't advocate running pissed and frustrated, sometimes it just works. Finished with STRETCHING for 20 min and some ab work.

Thursday 3/7/13 - Plan RUN 2 miles (11:12 pace) / Bike 40 min - Did BIKE 10 miles in 43 minutes.  No run.  My legs were pretty wrecked from the hard 4 the day before and the thought of a brick made me shake.

Friday 3/8/13 - Plan REST - Did REST

Saturday 3/9/13 - Plan RUN 8 miles (11:12 pace) - Did RUN 8 very hilly miles in 1:20:41 (10:05 pace).  I completely crushed this run and aside from a little shin soreness that night, I felt pretty freaking good.  I had no plan to run this as fast as I did and I even had enough gas at the end to run the last mile in 9:36 - it was my fastest mile of the morning!

Sunday 3/10/13 - Plan BIKE 45 minutes - Did BIKE 10 miles in 46 min.  This ride frustrated the shit out of me.  I rode intervals while I watched GLEE and I was a sweaty, hot mess at the end, but my average pace was only 13 mph.  I can't figure out why I'm riding so slow on the trainer and I'm worried when it's time to move outside, I'm not only going to be worried about clipping in and out (which I'm terrified of) but also that I'm going to be so slow that I'm not going to want to do the tri I'm registered for.  I don't go out thinking I'll win or even place, but I KNOW I'm better than 13 mph on my road bike, so why am I sucking so much right now?

Anyway....besides one shitty bike ride, the week was pretty awesome.  I just hope to stay healthy and keep running as great as I have been.

How was your training this week?  What is your next race?

Meal Monday: Orange Chicken

This is a recipe I originally found through ShrinkingJeans. I made it a few weeks ago and I loved it, but my kids weren't thrilled. They're weird though, so yours will probably think it's great. Super fast, easy to throw together and have on the table in under 45 min.

Orange Chicken

2 pounds chicken breasts (I usually don't use this much)
1 green pepper
3/4 cup light Catalina dressing
1/2 cup orange marmalade
2 Tbsp beef bouillon or beef broth
2 Tbsp onion flakes
1/2 tsp celery seed



Preheat oven to 350*

Cut chicken and green pepper into bite-sized pieces.

Combine sauce ingredients in a bowl.

Toss chicken, green pepper, and sauce mixture in a 9x13 pan.



Bake at 350* for 30 min or until chicken is done. I added a little corn starch/water mix to the sauce after 30 min & put it back in while the rice cooked to thicken the sauce a bit, but that's totally optional.


Serve over brown rice with a side of broccoli.


(I promise it tastes better than it looks - my food photo skills are seriously lacking)

Do you have an easy, 30-minute recipe that you like to serve on busy nights?

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Fitness Friday: TGIF

Just a couple things I stole from FB :)

This one tells me that to see results you need to do the work, whether that's in fitness, weightloss, or just wanting to make some changes in your life. I'm seeing results in faster running and today wearing a pair of jeans I haven't worn in almost a year. I have to say, putting on these jeans this morning felt pretty fraking fantastic! No shortcuts.  

That one is self-explanatory :)

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend and if you are racing Saturday or Sunday (I know a number of my closest friends are) then kick some serious assphalt!

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Thankful Thursday: Hills #runchat

Yep. Today I'm giving thanks for hills. Now, if you know where I live you know it's pretty freaking flat.  However, lately I've been trying forcing myself to run some hillier routes. Partly it's because they tend to be the plowed roads and sidewalks while my beloved paved trail won't be clear until all the snow melts.  Anyhoo....This was my route yesterday:

Check out that red line - that's the elevation change :)

And this was my time:

Hills really do make you stronger!

Now, I have another hilly run on Saturday.  8 miles are on the schedule and I'm running somewhere I've never run before.  Thankfully, the run is NOT on the mountain bike trails like I originally thought but still on hilly roads.  While I'm liking all this hill training, I'll also be thankful when I can have a nice, easy, flat long run.  But for now, I'm embracing the hills. 

Is it flat or hilly where you live? Do you welcome some route changes every now and then or stick to your familiar paths?

Weigh-in Wednesday: and I was doing so well

This was NOT what I wanted to see when I stepped on the scale this morning. (Caution - don't read if you don't like f-bombs.)

Starting Weight (11-28-12): 153.6

Last week: 145.4

This week: 146.0

Change: up .6

Total change: down 7.6

I could make a ton of excuses: I was at a conference on Saturday and Monday and ate what they served for lunches (but didn't snack which for me is huge), I went out for dinner a couple times this weekend, did more snacking at home (but on almonds and these fancy raisins that don't taste like the gross little black raisins), I didn't work out hard enough.  Whatever.  The fact is, I gained this week and it fucking sucks. And before anyone goes "but it's only 1/2 a pound" take a look at the last two months and you'll see I've only lost about 5 pounds and just over ONE pound in the past 4 weeks.  That, my friends, is bullshit, when you are really trying.  For Christ's sake, everyone on Biggest Loser this week lost over 10 pounds in two weeks WHILE AT HOME and I can't lose a single pound. (For shit's and giggles, I calculated what I would've needed to lose to be safe at the "5% in 2 weeks" challenge at it would've been 7.25 pounds - basically what I've lost since fucking NOVEMBER!)

The graph looks all pretty with it's nice downward slope until you look at the numbers on the sides.  That's pretty fucking pathetic, IMO (and before you blast me for being upset about weighing 146 pounds, keep in mind I'm just over 5 feet tall - this is NOT a good weight for me).  If I'd shown you a screen shot of the past month it would look even worse.  I have people criticizing the amount I'm eating and saying I'm not getting enough calories. Obviously that's not true if my weight is either maintaining or going up. I'm pissed.  I'm trying to figure out what I'm doing wrong and why my body hates me so much.    

Bayshore Half Marathon Training: Week 7

This week was supposed to be a cut back week, but I went a bit off course so to speak.  Sadly, I'm paying for that with some really achy legs (to the point of keeping me up at night), but I'll live.

Monday 2/25/13 - Plan: RUN easy 3 miles at 11:12 pace.  Did: RUN - I took advantage of a very gorgeous day here in West Michigan and just ran.  I picked a hilly route and didn't really watch my pace but I felt fantastic and ended up running 4.25 miles in 41:31 (a 9:46 pace).  I really surprised myself.

Tuesday 2/26/13 - Plan: CROSS TRAIN.  Did: BIKE/STRETCH - 45 minutes on the basement trainer and then a 15 min stretching session.

Wednesday 2/27/13 - Plan: RUN easy 3 at 11:12 pace. Did: RUN - the weather turned to shit again so I hit the dreadmill and it was AWFUL. Did 3 miles in 31:55 (10:38 pace). I just kept upping the speed to try and fight boredom, so yet again, I blew the "easy" run.

Thursday 2/28/13 - Plan: RUN easy 3 at 11:12 pace.  Did: BIKE/RUN BRICK - I had planned on running at the gym right after work and then going to a "bring your own bike and trainer" spin class, but the spin class fell through.  Decided to do a brick at home instead.  BIKE inside on trainer 10 miles in 46 min then RUN outside 3.32 miles in 37:28 (11:17 pace). The run felt like crap and I could never get a rhythm due to all the snow piles and ice I had to jump over at every intersection.

Friday 3/1/13 Plan: CROSS TRAIN. Did: REST - Had to work the carnival at my school and then I went out to dinner.  Decided a rest day was in order because my ankle and calf were very sore and tight. 

Saturday 3/2/13 - Plan: RUN "long" run of 6 miles at 11:12 pace.  Did: RUN - I had a conference for work to attend during the day, so my run didn't start until around 3:30 in the afternoon.  The good part of this was that it was still sunny and had warmed up a bit.  By "warmed up" I mean it was in the mid 30s with the wind chill in the 20s.  I wore my jacket but was so warm within the first mile from the sun that I took it off and then froze in my t-shirt.  I'm actually following 2 different training plans and one had me going 3 today and the other 7, so I sorta split the difference because I need my long runs to be more than 3 miles, step-down week or not.  I picked another hilly route (only because it was free of ice and snow) and busted out 6 miles in 1:02:09 (10:21 pace).  I definitely have an issue with finding an "easy" pace.

Sunday 3/3/13 - Plan: CROSSTRAIN. Did: BIKE/STRETCH - rode one of the spin bikes at the Y for 50 min while I watched the end of the Wings game and my girl ran.  Finished with some running stretches with my girl.

I'd say it was a pretty decent training week, but I think I should have tried to follow the plan with regard to the easy runs.  My legs are feeling pretty nuked this week - especially after the back to back run days.  But...I'm really loving my Newtons - all those fast runs have been in them.  I don't know if they improve my gait and my run is more efficient/strong or if it's all in my head, but I'll take it. 

Yesterday, my girl came home with the track and field schedule.  Practices start the 11th and there are already race conflicts - the one Saturday meet falls on a day I'm running a half marathon and she was going to run her first 10k, and if she makes an invitational meet, that happens to fall on the day of the Bayshore Half - which I've already paid for and have non-refundable hotel reservations for.   My son is also in the spring musical and has rehearsals 3-5 days a week.  Neither of them are driving solo yet.  Now I'm panicking about how I'm going to get in all my workouts and what to do about the races I have scheduled.  The fact is - I'm not going to get in all my workouts and because of this, even if I still run the races, my performance is going to suffer.  No matter how much I try or how much mom guilt I have, I can't be in two places at once.  I can try to move more of my workouts to before school - and I'll need to do this next week because I also have parent-teacher conferences (FML) but history has shown that pre-dawn workouts really only work once or twice a week, otherwise I turn into a raving bitch from lack of sleep. Missing meets is hard for me.  What if she gets hurt? What if she has the meet of her life and I'm not there to see it? Mom guilt on top of control issues really sucks.

I'm not really asking for advice but just need to vent a little. My girl has already told me to run the half that she's missing the 10k for.  If I run REALLY fast, I might be able to make it back to where the meet is before it's over, but I probably won't see any of her events.  Sigh.  Can I just say I hate this time of year?

Meal Monday: Chicken Caprese Pasta

This was Sunday night's dinner, and while certain members of the family didn't rave about it, I thought it was pretty darn tasty.

Ingredients

2 large chicken breasts
1 box (12 oz) bow tie pasta
1 container grape tomatos, halved
8 oz fresh mozzarella cheese, cut into little squares
1 bunch fresh basil, chopped
1/4 cup olive oil
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
Salt & pepper to taste


1. Grill or sauté chicken until done & cut into bite-sized pieces.
2. Meanwhile, cook the pasta as directed on the package.
3. Make the sauce by cooking the oil, balsamic, salt & pepper over medium to low heat until it reduces a bit.


4. Put chicken, pasta & tomatoes in a large bowl.
5. Add sauce & toss to coat.


6. Add cheese & basil right before serving.


7. I served this with some broccoli and oven baked "fried" mushrooms. Very yummy.


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