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!

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 ;)

What's for Dinner?

This is my Master Grocery List, and all the ingredients I try to ALWAYS have on hand. I'm probably forgetting a few things, but this pretty much sums up everything I eat.

Produce: - tomatoes - onions - jalapenos/habaneros - limes - lime juice (100%) - cilantro - Wholly Guacamole - mushrooms - celery - cabbage - romaine lettuce - celery - cauliflower - Brussels sprouts - bananas - berries - grapes - pineapple - apples - Asian pears - oranges (Cuties) - lemons - chives - broccoli slaw - squeeze basil - squeeze cilantro Organic aisle: - black beans - garbanzo beans (chickpeas) - refried beans - white miso - vegetable broth - Mexican style Smart Ground - Tofutti Sour Supreme - Tofutti imitation cream cheese) - TVP - Tahini - tofu - nutritional yeast - quinoa - oats - whole grain pasta - brown rice - Earth Balance - cereal - ground flax/chia - maple syrup - non-dairy milk (almond, coconut, soy)

Spices/Baking: - garlic powder - cumin - hot Mexican chili powder - paprika - ground ginger - sea salt - red pepper flakes - vanilla extract - PAM spray - Tabasco sauce - liquid smoke - vinegar (rice, white, red wine) - shredded unsweetened coconut - non-dairy chocolate chips - unsweetened dark cocoa - whole wheat pastry flour - almond flour - turbinado sugar - corn grits/Polenta - sesame sticks - nuts (pistachios, almonds, walnuts, cashews) - unsweetened applesauce International: - taco seasoning - green chilies - diced jalapenos - black olives - rice noodles - Sriracha sauce - soy sauce/liquid aminos - sesame seeds Other aisles: - coffee! - non-dairy creamer - peanut butter - Arnold multi-grain thins - Grey Poupon - Frank’s buffalo sauce - hummus - Boca burgers/crumbles - frozen veggies - pretzel shells - vitamins - PB2 - artichoke hearts - Reese's Dark (don't judge!)