Just Plodding Along

Right after the Choccolocco 50K I was over running. No interest. And that worked out just fine cause we were moving and I need to get checked out a little more before I run. But now it has been awhile and I want to run again. I mean hello I have two big relays coming up in August. But I am still waiting to go to the doc so no running. Getting a bit frustrating. So instead I have had to stay motivated by reading about all the awesome running everyone else is doing and staying strong by doing lots of yoga, Pilates and body weight exercises. And Max has been taking me on walks around the neighborhood. Now that the treadmill is here I can do a bit more walking since it is in air conditioning so that is nice. Instead of working out I have been looking into fun summer recipes. My new favorite drink involves half and half of  low calories lemonade, club soda, and muddled strawberries and mint. So good! Strawberries and grapes are on sale in my area so I have been buying those up and...

Two awesome things happened today: 1) 6 a.m. run with the Big Dog peeps where we got to wear test some new Brooks gear. This shirt below is da bomb. Warm, fuzzy, just long enough, everything you want in running clothes. Good thing too because it was about 34 degrees this morning...... ahhhhh what. I would expect this kind of weather from Illinois. But Georgia. Really??? Get it together. I also got to try an awesome vest- this one Source Feels like paper, keeps you all toasty. Some sort of voodoo magic going on. And it is super bright which comes in handy at 6 a.m. now. I might need my own version of this. Bit classier than the classic sweater vest I do believe. 2) Got to see two of my favorite peeps this morning plus some other very nice ladies at a little social event. I decided pumpkin bars were needed at this event so made some to take and share and swear I have eaten the majority of the pan. Somebody save me from myself. Why do none of my pants fit....? I blame...

First off did anyone watch the NYC Marathon this morning? Amazing. I just have a hard time comprehending how fast they move. Amazing! One day I would like to do this marathon....and then eat a lot of New York Pizza. Are you really that surprised that a race goal involves food? I feel you all should just expect that by now;). After a week of hard running my legs are feeling it. But on the bright side my core and arms feel good and strong so I like to think the cross training is working. Photo randomness from the past week. Fun with family involves fish bowl drinks with us. I love you giant margarita. I had all intention of parading Max up and down the main street on Halloween. But I was so tired after working all day all I could do was watch The Great Pumpkin and make Max parade around the loft and hang out with me dressed as a hot dog.  He was not pleased. Have no fear Max there is always next year to humiliate you in public.  Treat yo self day was awesome...

I worked out three times today so there has been a lot of this today I also found this to put in our kitchen since this seems to happen quite often to both D and I and lord help us if it hits us at the same time. The parents have been here visiting so much food has been consumed. We hit up Minnie's on my friend Kendra's suggestions and it was delicious. Southern home-cooked deep fried deliciousness. Do yourself a favor and try caramel cake. It is magic. We started last Saturday off right by heading to Oktoberfest on base put on through MWR (or the Family Morale, Wellness and Recreation Program). It was very well done with a lot of activities for the kids.Since D and I are a kid free zone we were in it for the food.   You had me at freedom fries (they taste more patriotic than the french version)  and ice cream. Cheesecake flavor to be exact.  The last few days have been nothing but fun and eating (well and working out- trying to stick to Pilat...

Today I woke up a bit sore and creaky from Saturday's 16 mile jaunt so I declared it a rest day. Tomorrow I am going to run between five and ten, whatever I feel like. I did manage to do yoga and abs so winning there. Fun fact I have been to Ikea in four states... No make that three. I only proclaimed my undying love to the one in Illinois as we drove by. Actually demonstrated the love in AZ, MN and now GA. Most successful trip to date. Went in for a nightstand and dresser and only came out with a nightstand and dresser and in about an hour. That might be a world record. We were motivated by food though. I found a restaurant called The Vortex in downtown Atlanta that looked like a lot of fun and delicious. It is a bar and grill with a sense of humor and a huge beer and whiskey list.  D got something covered in bacon and gravy called The Hangover Helper. I got a veggie burger- homemade and probably the best I have ever had. Had to get tots too. (Shout out to tater tot Tuesday). Over...

We have done some hard core eatery exploring since we got here. This place is a pharmacy and a lunch counter where you can get the scramble dog- apparently a Columbus original. It is a Chili dog with pickles and oyster crackers. The dad in-law had it and said it was not bad. I had a banana and peanut butter sandwich. They asked if I wanted mayonnaise on it. I opted out- what is that about? Why would that go on a pb and banana sandwich? We also have visited this place For D's graduation It is pretty good and they have fried goat cheese so we will be back. We have found a new breakfast place Pancakes, omelets and coffee. What more could you need. They have some sweet potato pancakes on the menu I am trying next time we go. This is a long way of saying that tonight we had salad for dinner. All about balance people. Marathon update: Both are back on and training is going well. Keep your fingers crossed for me that it stays that way.

Last week I realized that I had gotten lazy. Since I wasn't running I was less motivated to stick to my normal healthy eats. The bank account lays out evidence of a week of take-out and Subway. Nobody needs that many veggie sandwiches in a week. I was pretty strict about my diet during marathon training so I was okay with loosening up a bit but this week starts round two of marathon training (exciting news about that coming soon! Do I know how to build anticipation or what). So it is time to get back on the healthy eating saddle. So I have been busy pre-making healthy options so I have no "but I got off work late/ I would rather be outside/ I am tired" excuses to stop on the way home.  Black beans Lentils with peas and onions Quinoa Rice Fruits for an easy snack Fool proof. Now I can just remove some of the above and mix and match, add a side of veggies or a salad and dinner done. More time to focus on getting back into training and making...

Since the first of the year the hubs and I have been eating mostly vegan. I say mostly because the occasional chocolate sneaks through / work event where every thing is covered in cheese happens. It is partly to force the eating of more fruits and veggies and partly me being horrified after a documentary I watched about the food industry. My husband is super supportive of me so he was game to change his eating habits too. We played Taps for the last package of bacon. That being said I am not preachy about it and if you invite me over for dinner I won't turn my nose up (and will bring wine). But I am going to talk about what I eat so if you are not into it skip this post and I promise the next one will be about running again. And of course the disclaimer: I am not a medical professional. I am a big believer in everything in moderation including moderation. I do think having more of a plant based diet is better for you.I do not think eating meat is bad for you but I do think the...

I have been fueling for long runs a little differently. I usually eat toast with PB and banana. Instead I have been making protein pancakes. What drew me to try this is the fact I can put chocolate chips in it. WIN! Plus who does not love pancakes?  I got the recipe out of runner's world. 1/2 cup pancake mix- I use whole wheat because then I can claim it is healthy. One scoop of protein powder. Any kind will do- I like chocolate A dash of olive oil (tablespoon will do) 1/3 cup of water. You can add fruit or chocolate- just add chocolate you know you want to. Mix (add more water if needed), fryer up in the pan and add PB and syrup or whatever you want. Delicious and nutritious....maybe less nutritious with a pound of chocolate and peanut butter but for sure delicious.

First off today was 7/11 which meant FREE SLURPEE. And I happen to live by two Slurpee meccas so I stopped on my way to work. That is right 8am Slurpee run. Though it was tiny, the sugar free strawberry banana hit the spot after 6 hilly miles this morning. In other food news our neighbor showed up at our door with homemade tarts yesterday, waltzed in, placed them in the fridge and waltzed out. So that was awesome. On to the sad times.  I have heard great things about Oiselle and am on the hunt for the perfect running shorts so I ordered some rogas and today I opened the mail to find  I danced back from the mailbox with visions of 20 mile tempo runs (I have never done a 20 mile tempo run and I have no intention of doing one in the near future but that was my fantasy) with magic shorts. Visions of trails and fields to frolic through a la The Sound of Music (singing optional). And look at them. They are cute and they feel so good. And they fit my ...

First just to clear up any confusion for those tracking the #RWStreakExtreme, Jac  is the awesome one not me. She is the one who has been streaking since Memorial Day. I am just the person who egged her on to keep going and do a July 4th to Labor Day streak with me which started yesterday.  So just so we are straight, Jac = hardcore run streaker, Bean = person with a big mouth who committed to running everyday for 60 days when I normally have two days a week of doing a whole lot of nothing. (and then Jac threw out the idea of streaking for a year, and I was like I will think about it while I shook my head and mouthed no freakin (or some version of this word) way, but now I am intrigued. Could I run everyday for a year...... interesting thought. That being said day 2 of #RWStreakExtreme was 1 mile in 9:36. Going strong, oh yeah. Up next calories: If you live in Tucson go to the Pasco Kitchen happy hour. Just do it $5 entrees that are deli...