Reading and Eating
Well, reading-wise there’s not much to report. I’m still reading The Running Grave, and it will take me a while. This book is so heavy I just prop it up on two pillows. Normally I don’t read 900 page books, but in this case I’m loving it. It’s so good, I don’t want it to ever end! On the eating front, Pumpkin Palooza continues! Here’s a recent dinner of pumpkin soup, salad, and homemade bread from this recipe. It’s been a while since I’ve made this bread, and I forgot how easy and delicious it is. Last week after my long run, I was craving oatmeal: I cooked it with a scoop of chocolate protein powder and topped it with toasted coconut and sunflower seeds. YUM. On the subject of that long run, after the first 4 mile segment I munched on one of these cookies while taking my daughter to school (and prior to finishing the last 9 miles.) Last month San shared the recipe for Easy Healthy Breakfast Cookies. They were the perfect mid-run fuel. On the subject of cookies! I do believe it’s time for The Perfect Fall Cookie, which Susanne shared last year. I know many people made them, including myself. Just remind me- did anyone tweak the recipe? Did we add more fall spices? I want to make them this weekend! Well, I’m getting ready for my long run tomorrow morning (14 miles!) I have all my gear out, including another breakfast cookie. And ice- I will be bringing lots of ice. Do you have a favorite fall cookie? Do you like oatmeal? What’s your favorite oatmeal topping/mix in?- I love oatmeal!
Weekly Rundown- It was a Win-Win-Win-Win!
Hey, guess what- cutback weeks WORK. After an easier week, I was all set to go on Monday and felt good all week. Thanks as always to Kim and Deborah for hosting the Weekly Rundown. Read on for details! Monday I was ready to start the week with a double workout! First, a 3 mile run… Then after I dropped my daughter at school, leg day at the gym. Sled pushes and pulls, squats, deadlifts, tibialis and calf raises, and abs. Tuesday Perfect day for an upper body workout. i got out my pull-up bar and did three sets of negatives (ouch, as always) and did overhead press with 15 pound dumbbells, followed by core . Once again my son’s bedroom has been turned into my “poor man’s home gym.” Wednesday AH! Since I didn’t do a long run on Sunday, I REALLY wanted to do it today (Sundays and Wednesdays are my days off from work.) Wednesdays are tricky because I have to get my daughter to school, and on this day I also had to be home to wait for the dishwasher repairman. But I was undaunted! I ran 4 miles early in the dark, took my daughter to school and went straight to the trail for 9 more (hot) miles- 13 miles total. Breaking it up this way isn’t my favorite way to do a long run, but it worked for today. I got four miles done before it was too hot; I got out on the trail; I got my long run done (leaving my Sunday free); AND we got the dishwasher fixed. It was a win-win-win-win! Thursday I planned either a short run or cross training for today, and I opted for the latter. 20 minutes pushing and pulling the sled… Pulling is actually harder! And then the rest of the time on the stair climber. UGH. People complain about the treadmill, but the treadmill is heaven compared to the stair climber (and don’t try to convince me otherwise!) Friday Back to the gym. Runner’s Touch, , tibialis and calf raises, squats… then rounded it off with bench press and planks. There! I did upper body TWICE this week! Saturday 5 mile run before work. Yes, still hot here. Some days have been upper 80s instead of 90s, but the humidity is still high. Maaaaybe we’ll get a cool down by the end of the month? Or maybe not. Sunday Remember how I wanted to clear my Sunday morning? On tap for today- sleeping in a little, then watching the Chicago Marathon! Woohoo! I’m so excited for all the runners- the weather looks amazing. While they’re running, I’ll be watching and eating waffles. How was your week? Are you having lovely fall weather? – Grr. Did you have a favorite workout this week? – Mine was definitely the trail run!
October Coffee Date
Ooooh! It’s October, officially fall, and that means all you pumpkin naysayers can just be quiet! I’m joining Coco and Deborah for the Ultimate Coffee Date, drinking my favorite Earl Grey tea from one of my Halloween mugs (yes, I now have more than one! Why not?) If we were having a delicious Earl Grey tea together, the first thing I would tell you is that I have a new book by my favorite author. Oof! Good thing I’ve been working out, because this book is over 900 pages and it’s HEAVY. I don’t know why we continue the pretense that these mysteries are written by “Robert Galbraith” when everyone knows it’s a pseudonym for J.K. Rowling. I just love this series so much. In this one, Robin goes undercover to infiltrate a religious cult, and I’m enjoying it immensely. There’s nothing better than having a great book to read. The second thing I would talk about is, after my post about wanting a shoe with a wide toe box that’s not zero drop, Susanne sent me this article.. Altra has come out with a non-zero drop shoe! It was just released a few days ago- I DEFINITELY want to try it out! The last thing I would talk about over coffee/tea is, I have my TV sports viewing lined up for this weekend, and it’s going to be a good one! The Baylor game is on Saturday night, and I’m hoping the momentum from our incredible come-from-behind victory last week will carry forward. Then, Sunday morning is the Chicago marathon! GOOD LUCK LISA!! (and Des, and Galen…). I’ll be watching and rooting for all the runners. Lastly, the Dolphins game is Sunday afternoon. Ahem. I have no idea what happened last week, but this week we’re playing the Giants, so barring any major tragedies, we should be able to pull out a win. So that’s three things I’m excited about; it’s a pretty great week! What would you tell me over coffee? I think I’ve asked this question before, but do you have a very favorite author? Who else is watching the Chicago marathon on Sunday?
Spooky Life Updates
First of all, in case you missed it, check out my guest post on Elisabeth’s blog yesterday! I was so excited (and slightly intimidated) when Elisabeth reached out to me… really? Little old me? Elisabeth’s blog is incredible, and I’m really happy with how the post came out. Thanks, Elisabeth! One of the things that came up in the post is my love of waffles, and someone asked in the comment section for my favorite recipe. Well… I’m not sure anyone would really want my favorite recipe, but here it is: two cups of oats, two scoops of protein powder, one banana, two cups of water, salt and cinnamon. Blend it all up and voila! Waffle batter. However, if I really want to live it up, I make this recipe for pumpkin waffles. I still tweaked the recipe- used whole wheat flour, left out the sugar and used stevia instead, and substituted 1/2 cup of coffee… heh heh… for some of the soy milk. They were so good! Even my husband liked them, and he’s usually dubious about my “healthified” recipes. Anyway, on Sunday after I finished my pumpkin latte waffles, I got out the Halloween decorations! My first thought was, “WHO put that Christmas decoration in with the Halloween stuff?” Then I remembered… That’s our Snoopy “countdown to Christmas” ornament, and last year on December 26th my son suggested we start the countdown right away. I explained that the earliest you can set it is October 1st, and he said “Let’s put it in with the Halloween things and start the countdown on October 1st then!” Of course my son isn’t here to experience the start of the official countdown, but I sent him a picture. Just for the record- I really don’t want to start counting down the days till Christmas, because it reminds me that time is ticking away and eventually it will be December 26th, which is a very, very sad day! On the other hand, 84 days is a lot. I love this time of year. Now that it’s October, I can get out my new Halloween mug… The last thing in the world I needed is another holiday mug, but I couldn’t resist. Snoopy! Purple! Here’s the other side… I’ll be drinking lots of tea out of this mug during the month of October. Are you embracing the spooky season? Do you like holiday mugs? Is it too early to start the countdown to Christmas? – Yes. Yes it is.