Marathon training started today, and some other rambling...

Well actually, I should say half-marathon training started today because I added to/adjusted my marathon training plan for the half I'm doing on my birthday (June 22nd). The marathon isn't until November. And I actually ran outside today! I took Lucy with me so I wasn't expecting to get a whole lot accomplished, but she actually did really well :) I set my app (iSmoothRun) for a 5 minute warm-up and then 1:30/:30 intervals and off we went.

The subdivision I live in has a main road that goes around in a circle, and it's exactly 1 mile if I stay on the inner sidewalk. Usually I add onto that by using the outer sidewalk/road and go around another street. Here, let me show you what I'm talking about...

My house is at the "pause" mark. If I take the outer road/sidewalk and add on Revere Drive (where the 5 mile marker is) it makes each lap 1.25 miles. If I just do the inner circle of Independence Drive it's exactly 1 mile. Pretty cool, huh?

Anyways, Lucy had enough after twice around so I dropped her back at home, took off my jacket, and back out I went for 3 more laps. On the 5th lap I added the extra street to make sure I hit 5 miles. It went really well, other than some tummy issues (as usual, ugh!), so I will probably keep with the 1:30/:30 intervals for my "long" runs.

After that I watched a couple episodes of Mystery Diners (I love those kind of shows on Food Network!) while making the grocery list, took Lucy for another lap, and then off to the grocery store. I really need to develop a better grocery system because it seems like I'm going every 4 or 5 days, and at about $150 each trip, this is super expensive! The problem is that my husband and I eat completely different types of foods. Of course you all know that I'm vegetarian/plant-strong, but hubby definitely is NOT.

Well well, aren't I just yappy today?! While I'm on a roll, here's today's menu:

• Breakfast: vitamin, coffee
• Pre-run: roasted cauliflower and a black-bean burger (this probably explains the tummy issues)
• Post-run: romaine salad w/tomatoes, onions, celery, radishes, sesame sticks and tahini lime dressing
• Snack: Lime tortilla Popchips w/garlic and artichoke hummus
• Dinner: haven't decided yet

For the past few days I've been hovering at 120 pounds, so this week's plan is get back to around 118. Then June's goal is 116 pounds.

Okay, I think that's about it. Hope everyone is having a happy Memorial Day weekend!

FPC Day 9

Lucy went back to the vet today and got her last set of puppy shots. Now she's good until next year :)  After getting back home, which seemed to take forever (it's a 2 hour drive each way) I made my brunch, prepped some salad for the next few days, and watched some TV. I can't believe it's already 9pm - where did the entire day go?! Jeez. Time to shower and get my work stuff ready for tomorrow. Here's today's eats:

No workout today. Back to the gym tomorrow for a much needed run :)

Have a great night, peeps!

26.2 miles completed! (#runforBoston)

As I was heading back out to finish up the last couple miles tonight, Lucy just wasn't going for it. So I ended up running 23.8 miles, and walking the last of it, with Lucy. Either way, I completed 26.2 miles this week! Just think, before too much longer, I'll have completed 26.2 miles in ONE DAY! Eeek!

Earlier today I went grocery shopping. Then I came home and sauteed some Brussels sprouts and onions with some Asian spices and packed it up for the week. I also made my weekly vat of salsa, and prepped salads for the week. I mashed up some black beans with black olives, cumin, hot Mexican chili powder, threw in some salsa and packaged that up also. I like that on a wrap with some guacamole. I chopped up a bunch of baby Bella mushrooms and put them in a gallon-size baggie with some garlic and ginger, and threw it in the fridge to make something in the next day or two. Then I still have a head of cauliflower and a head of green cabbage that I need to do something with. Oh, and I have a bunch of kale that I'm going to make one of Mama Pea's recipes with.

I spent a couple hours looking at marathon training plans, and am leaning towards this one (from MarathonRookie.com):

Alrighty, must get back into the kitchen before it gets too late. Lord knows I need my beauty sleep ;)

Family Reunion Weekend

I ran 6 days last week! No long runs but I did 3.25 miles on Sunday, 3.55 miles on Monday, 3.4 miles on Tuesday, 3.25 miles on Wednesday, 2 miles on Thursday, and 3.5 miles on Friday.

Saturday we got up early, dropped Lucy off at doggie daycare and headed to Virginia to see my dad. It was 4 hours to get there, we stayed 4 hours, and then 4 hours to get back home. My brother's family also went, and we had a really nice day!

My brother, my dad, and me :)

Needless to say, I was so exhausted that I spent the entire day Sunday in bed, just vegging out and watching TV. I never even turned on the computer. Lucy was wiped out from playing with the other dogs all day Saturday, so her and Bogey stayed in bed with me :)

Today was right back to work. I went to the gym at lunch and got in a much needed run. I had to take it easy though, since I had another one of those weird weak/dizzy episodes in the shower this morning, and my equilibrium has been "off" all day. One more week until I get the blood work done and find out what the hell is going on. Ugh.

Three Things Thursday

1. I got home from work, took Lucy for a walk, changed into my PJs, had a salad, then turned on the TV and the laptop. I sit down and this is the look I get:

She looks so inquisitive. What do you think she is thinking?

This is Lucy at 5 weeks old. I can't believe she was ever this tiny! 

2. Did you know I also have a cat? Because Lucy is so needy and always craving attention (and so photogenic!), Bogey hardly ever gets mentioned. I'm sorry Bogey. You know I love you too!

Bogey is pretty mellow. He just lounges around and eats, a lot!

He's very festive at holiday time :)

3. I really have nothing else today, so I'll leave you with the cutest piglet I've ever seen :)

Awwww!

Today was an exhausting day at work. Thank goodness tomorrow if Friday! Be well, my peeps!

Gotta run, Laura

Ten Things Thursday (continued)

Alrighty then, I feel much better now :)

4. Went to the gym and ran 3.4 miles in 35 minutes. Took it nice and easy, and now I feel pretty good! I look like a hot mess, but here's my new NMA tshirt!

5. I "met" a new running blogger today who has a nifty little running quiz on her site. I'm going to share it tomorrow, but if you want to have a look, go visit Sarah at Courage2Run. 

6. Uh oh, running out of things to say. My life is quite boring.

7. Here are a couple "truths" from Ecards:

8. I have a question. For those of you who post your trackers on your blogs (i.e., LoseIt, WW, etc) how do you do that? Like, if I have an app on my iPhone that I want to get a picture of here, how would I go about that. Yes, I'm rather blog-illiterate.

9. Lucy is much more photogenic than me, so here are a few recent pics of her. Doesn't she look like a porn star in the first pic?! I love how she sleeps with one arm up in the air! 

And how about this goofy face?!

Love how she pouts :)

10. Are any of you doing anything special this weekend? My husband and his family are catholic (I'm a non-practicing jew), so I got sucked into Easter plans. We are going to hubby's moms and I have to figure out something to make. I volunteered to work tomorrow since I've missed so much time during the past couple weeks, so I'll have to throw something together either tomorrow night or Saturday morning.  I saw a recipe for deviled eggs that look like little chicks, so I might try to make something creative like that, but without eggs. Maybe potatoes. I'll let you know if whatever it is turns out good!

Gotta run, Laura

Three Things Thursday

 1. My new bed came!!!

2. I’m embarrassed to say this, but this is actually my first ever brand new bed. I’ve always had hand-me-downs, and they were always full size. This is a King and I can’t wait to have a night without my hubby’s elbow jamming into my spine!

3. I expect Lucy to still sleep on top of me, but that’s okay

Hummus Love

Happy (Meatless) Monday! I didn't get to run this weekend, despite the beautiful weather or the fact my treadmill is FIXED!  Lucy has not only eaten 3 Fitbits, about 12 dog beds, and a laptop (among other minor things), she also did this to my treadmill:

 

Thankfully, my husband was able to fix it by cutting above the chewed up part and then putting on a new pluggy thing. Whew! I really don't have an extra grand laying around to buy a new treadmill!

I did spend quite a bit of time in the kitchen this weekend. I had been trying out some different "Dessert Hummus" recipes, and I finally came up with the perfect combination of ingredients :)

"Cookie Dough" Hummus

 

Ingredients:

• 1 (15oz) can of chickpeas, rinsed and peeled
• 1/4 cup peanut butter
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 tbsp non-dairy milk
• 1/4 cup maple syrup
• 1/4 cup non-dairy chocolate chips

Directions:

1. Add all but the chocolate chips to a food processor and blend until smooth and creamy (make sure there are no “pieces” of the chickpeas left).
2. Pour into a bowl and fold in the chocolate chips.
3. Chill for at least an hour.
4. Serve with graham crackers, apple slices, or eat it right off a spoon!

As for the nutrition information, here’s what you get for a 1/4 cup serving (makes 8 servings) because really, who can eat only 2 tbsp?!

Calories: 175, Fat: 7g, Carbs: 25g (fiber 3g, sugars 11g), Protein: 4.5g.
PointsPlus 5