new personal distance, 8 miles!

Had I written this yesterday right after my run, it would have been the most amazing thing I may have ever written but now a day later, and I'm not quite sure how I feel.

Lets talk about the amazingness of yesterday's run first though because it truly was one of the BEST runs I have ever run, so far!

I guess it doesn't really start on Sunday, it started Saturday night when I decided to head to Pei Wizzle and indulge in an amazing bowl of Pad Thai worth 40PP, and lemme tell you, it was thebomb.com.

Not my bowl, but hot damn..doesn't it look delish! Source

Seriously, I couldn't remember the last time a) I had Pei Wei and b) that I enjoyed it that much. Eating out less is not only friendly for the waist line but for the taste buds too! =D

So yeah, 40PP equates roughly to 1500 cals for this amazing bowl of goodness but the truth is this, 8 miles is a huge distance and I needed/wanted to carboload. Did it make a difference? Abso-fricken-lutely!

Anywhoo..so Sunday I had my typical brunch of southwestern omelet, sides of meat and a hashbrown. Took my A&P Exam which I did fab on...thank god since the last two tests were meh, had a sunrise energy bar covered with peanut butter and took off.

Sunrise bar NOT covered in peanut butter

The sun was shining, the temperature was warmer than it had been, and overall I was just in a great mood! I also told myself that I needed to start out slow. I really hit a wall on my Friday's run probably because I had a lot of 8 min/mile spurts in there and my body just can't handle 8 min/miles yet.

So my first 5 minutes started of slow...mainly because I was trying to warm up

1st min: 17:20

2nd min: 18:28

3rd min: 13:43

4th min: 12:02

5th min: 11:58

After that I tried to get into my regular pace...or lets say my desired race pace..anywhere in the 10 min/mile range..

My mile times:

1st mile: 12:55

2nd mile: 10:22

3rd mile: 10:15 - Took my first 1/2 fuel

4th mile: 10:21

5th mile: 11:14

6th mile: 10:05 - Took my second 1/2 fuel

7th mile: 10:34

8th mile: 9:31

I think my 5th mile was a little slower since I had to run uphill, as well as against the wind but it was also this mile where I really got into my groove. Sorta sucks that it took so long since I was only running 8 miles, but at the same time, after that I felt like I could run my half marathon distance! 

I was mentally and mostly physically in-line on this run, I wish I knew exactly what it was but I don't so I'm gonna say that adequate pre-run fuel (the noodles, being properly hydrated) played a huge role in my mentality.

Lets talk about mile 7...

Saturday I started feeling a pain in my left lower ankle/calf..nothing major but a dull pain. Hell, I don't even know how I got it since I wasn't running..I'm thinking maybe from jumping jacks, jumping etc without shoes on. I usually workout without shoes at home if I'm doing things in the living room like DVD's. 

The pain was still there on Sunday but I decided to head out for a run.. it felt the same until I hit mile 7 where it totally flared up. It wasn't debilitating but it definitely hurt, I pushed through it and still felt amazing given my time, my endurance, etc., but the as soon as I quit running, I began hobbling. It just fricken hurt!

Thanks to Twitter, I quickly put some peas on it to start icing and although it is better today, it's still sore. I should mention that my right left leg has the same pain but not as bad as the left felt.

I have no clue what to do or what's going on?! Today is a rest day which I am totally honoring. I'm taking cardio off the plan for tomorrow too, and depending on how I feel may do my strength training routine but I'm terrified this may be an overuse injury, but wouldn't it have happened while I was running, and not doing some cardio? 

I feel so invested in not only this race but the entire vacation that I'd be devastated if I were to be sidelined, but even more importantly what if this is something serious?! I can't go to the doctor.

I'm just really bummed and fear I may have jinxed myself with this post.

Although I'm thrilled that I performed amazingly yesterday, I'm also really, really worried that this could be something more serious.

Thoughts?

Experiences?

Words of encouragement?

Please send positive, healing vibes my way... my ankle/calf could really use it!

up down, up down, up down

Remember how last week I gained 7.5 lbs, well this week I lost 'em.

Thats all I've got to say about that. HA!

I'm 1.5 lbs away from my 5%. Maybe next week I can hit that target. I was hoping for this week as it's my 8th week and well, that would have been pretty cool to say I've lost 8.5lbs in 8 weeks, but no..that's not the case and that's ok.

I guess if there is one thing I've learned after years, and I do mean, years of weighing myself daily, sometimes even multiple times during the day, is that fluctuations happen and for the good part, there is NOTHING, nothing you can do about them.

If anything I find it pretty darn comical.

Besides that, I'm awfully TGIF!!!

I have a test due before 6 PM tonight and then an exam due on Sunday before 6 PM.. it's all a bit much with other stuff that's been going on that I'm not sure I want to bring to the interwebs.

and on that note...have a great weekend everyone!

the highlight of my morning

 

What's yours? 

Tzatziki inspired by Zaytinya

I finally made the recipe I've been meaning to recreate forever...since this summer! What can I say...I've been 'busy'.

Inspiration..

Tzatziki from Zaytinya in DC

This is some of the best tzatziki I've ever had and I've had my fair...love..

Peel, de-seed and slice/dice the cucumbers..next time I would dice them even smaller.

Then put the diced cucumber in strainer for a couple of hours..de-seeding the cucumber should take most of the water out of the cucumbers but I do this step just in case since I don't like watery tzatziki.

After several hours, add in some greek yogurt (I used roughly a 1/2c.), red onion, garlic and Herbs de Provence.

Chill for several hours..I usually make mine in the AM and then serve in the PM.

 Serve with pita bread and marinated chicken...yummmmmm...

Verdict: I loved it!! I can't remember if it's similar to Zaytinya's since it's been a while, but I loved it! Nate on the other hand thought it was more like our cucumber salad than tzatziki.

The only things I would change next time are:

1. Smaller pieces, more cubes not slices.
2. Less garlic.
3. Maybe a greek, reg. yogurt mix.. it was awfully 'stiff'. Regular yogurt could make it more 'runny'.

Next dish to learn is shish kafta but I must admit I'm a tad scared to cook lamb. Sometimes it can taste
 really gamey.


Anyone have a favorite Greek dish to share?
Tips on cooking lamb?

Other Greek dishes I've cooked: Pastitsio

1 month till the Disney Princess Half Marathon!

I can't believe that in 1 month I'll be down in Fl!!! AAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!!

I'm so excited..seriously...a lot of my thoughts are swirling around for my first Half.

I can't believe after all this training, its about to happen! 4 weeks... thats nothing since these past 8 weeks have already gone by in a blur!

My greatest worry right now is that I haven't picked out what to wear?! Do I go the costume route or just normal running clothes with a tutu?!

I had my 7 miler yesterday which was interesting since it was snowing, the streets weren't plowed and I gagged and nearly puked on my Gu gel.

I feel like I should have been warned. That stuff is nasty but it did give me a pep in a step so it obviously does its job. I don't have too many more long runs coming up so I need to figure out soon what I plan on fueling myself with.

Besides the Gu, I tried shot blox on my last run and they werent really my thing. They were way too chewy and looking back now, I didn't have quite the same rush I experienced yesterday after the Gu.


Any other recommendations of fuel I should try?



Let's talk about something really crazy though.. me running in the snow!

When I started my training, I had planned on completeing one of my weekly runs out on the road. Sure, I wasn't 100% sure I would actully do it, but the plan was at least 1x a week outdoors.

The last 6 runs have pretty much been out in the frigid temperatures.

The coldest I've run is 9*, which is way too cold. I think I've realized the lowest I'll run outside is 15*.

My first few outdoor runs were mentally exhausting, remember my 4 miler?

They say that treadmill running is different from road running well running in the snow is completely different than running on dry pavement!

1. Your not worried about the instability of the road because normally you can see where the sidewalk/road ends.
2. Also, I feel like I'm engaging my abs more because there is so much instability I am trying prepare myself for a fall.
3. If snow is on the ground there is a drag on your legs when trying to lift them just a tad bit higher than you normally do.
4. The slickness of the road, ice, snow etc.
5. You need to drink more because of the dry air.
6. Just because the last time you ran was 15* doesn't mean that todays 15* requires the same clothes. I think that's been one of my biggest struggles, figuring out the right balance of what to wear.

It's just an experience I think any runner can benefit from. It's made me not only tougher physically but also mentally.

I have no fear of not being able to complete my Half in 4 weeks, and as I was walking past a convenience store yesterday, a guy yells out to me..Is it worth it?

ABSOLUTELY!

Weightloss and Half-Marathon Training

I haven't finished my long run for Week 7, so I'm post-poning my recap until tomorrow.

Instead I'll address a comment that Foo  made on my weigh-in post ,

"the fact that your even losing while training for your 1/2, is surprising in itself!"

I didn't sign up or start this 1/2 with the intention of losing weight. Actually, I had hoped to be at my goal weight by now, but so the story goes.



In the fall of 2008 I had my first major back episode, it gave out on me for 2 weeks while on vacation, I went to a Chiropractor and within a few weeks felt better, then in April of 2009 I relapsed. If I ever wanted to run again, I needed to lose weight. I actually wasnt even supposed to start running until I hit 158 lbs. I stuck to that but in the mean time my weight has gone back up and I currently do not weigh 158lbs.

When I started training in December I was back up to my heaviest of 166.5 lbs. I started feeling the extra weight in my knees, in my back. I was just too heavy to hit the pavement 3 times a week and no matter how much I continued on with my back exercises, it wasn't going to take those extra 10lbs off my frame.

Sure I knew before then that I needed to do something about my weight, but it wasn't until I started running for something greater that I realized I needed to take action. I needed to lose the weight if I wanted to finish.

I haven't been worried about over-use injuries, I've been worried about my back not being able to support my body through 13.1 miles.


It's been mentally and at times physically difficult to run while losing weight. Running creates an insatiable hunger that can't be quenched and when your restricting your calories, it can be quite frustrating not only for you but for everyone else whom you live with..;)

I've been eating all the Activity Points I earn as well as the Weekly Points WW gives you, and still there have been times where I've been hungry, angry, crabby, run-down, you name it.

In my opinion, to be a successful runner, you need the proper fuel for distance runs and right now I am not properly fueling myself, which could explain how and why I am losing weight.

So, half-marathon training does not equal weight-loss.

Actually, I wouldn't recommend it because in my opinion, it leaves you feeling weak in mind as well as weak in spirit, but right now it's all about finishing 13.1 miles.

Who says you can't eat ice cream for breakfast!?

What's the craziest way you've eaten oatmeal? 

It's weigh-in day!

Would you believe me if I told you that in 1 week I gained all that I lost during my entire time on WW?

and lemme preface... I did not go hog wild like I did at Christmas.

I'm beginning to feel that this new WW appears to be quite fad-like, if you look at my numbers, high losses with high gains interspersed. Wouldn't we call this a fad if it weren't WW?

Moving on, it's a new week and I'm ready to make it my bitch.

Today will be the first day I'm working out in 4 days, 1st day also that I am tracking in 4 days. There are definitely some thoughts ruminating in my head but I've got to run before I go have lunch with two Detroit bloggers.

Then back to hitting the books hard. I may have perhaps underestimated the time and commitment to these two classes. Sciences are not my strong suite and then add it short deadlines with 30+ pgs of reading and yes, I'm a mess.

How are you?

quick update

just a quick post as I am majorly swamped this week and in case I disappear, ya'll know what I'm up to!

staying an extra day in Chicago, and then my mom and bro hanging out at my house all day yesterday has thrown my schedule a tad off and I'm still trying to wake up and it's almost 11!


school right now is really kicking my bootay... 3 tests this week just for A&P, forget about daily Chem class and I must admit I feel a tad overwhelmed. Glad I decided to not take a 3rd class because I'm not quite sure when I'd be doing that work.

I've had two off days for working out in a row now, Monday and Tuesday, but determined to get my first run in for week 7 today. food has been meh the last two days but I am trying to get back on the straight and narrow today. TOM is wreaking havoc on what I want to eat, and my will power seems close to none.

it's just one of those weeks, we all have em, and we all get through them. I just have to remember that.

the books are calling!

Good Eats and Good Friends in Chicago!

Thanks for the lovely comments and suggestions on my last post! I did read them all but with being on the road all day yesterday and worrying about a dying phone, I wasn't able to respond!

I'm still on the high from this past Friday's weigh-in so making it to the gym yesterday morning to complete my last run for Week 6 was a no brainer...

that and the fact that the Courtyard had a beautiful gym...

 

After much lolli-gagging around, Nate and I finally made it out of the hotel around noon-ish, me starving at this point head over to Yolk for breakfast but deterred by the long line, head back to WestEgg where I feasted on this skillet..

 

Ok so not all of it, anywhere between 2/3rds and 3/4th, and 1/2 the english muff. It was alright....next time, Nate and I gotta get outta the hotel earlier so we aren't in the brunch rush!

Plan was for it to hold me till dinner at 6, which it did for the most part but I must admit, having been awake at 6 made me ultra sleepy around 3 and we stopped in at Starbucks to rest our feet.

awe hell, who am I kidding..I wanted some coffee and saw this delicious looking reduced fat berry crumb cake, and since you can't have coffee without cake in the afternoon, I twisted Nate's arm into splitting it with me.

After the gut wrenching decision on whether or not to leave our car at the hotel or take it with us to Greek Islands, we decided to take it with us since it would save us some time backtracking towards the Mag Mile and then heading back to the direction we already were so that we could head to our next location, Schaumberg! Thank god we did take the car because valet was FREE!!! I think it's the only free thing we've gotten all weekend... ;)

Because of the lovely company Nate and I got to dine with, I, in a combination of not sure whether or not I should snap pics of my dinner and great conversation, didn't take any pictures of my food, but instead will I'll leave you with one of Marisa and I. Thank you Marisa and Dave for a lovely evening!

Can' wait till we head back there for another lovely double date!

This weekend truly was lovely, despite the fact it didn't go according to any of our plans, we really did a lot and enjoyed ourselves..doesn't make a Monday have bad!

How was your weekend?

Welcome to Chi-Town!

For those of you who follow me on Twitter (and if you don't you should!) know that Nate and I could not get outta the house yesterday.

We had to take care of some things before we left and then we had to head to his brothers and parents so yeah..we weren't on the road until nearly 2! and didn't make it into Chicago until 6! We had hoped to be here by 4..

4 or 3 stops and 2 arguments later, we finally arrived...whooot whoooot!!! but Nate needed to decompress a tad from the drive so we chillaxed in the room..me fiddling around with the internet and Nate updating his Mafia, city and facebook.

Despite the late start I wasn't going to let that ruin my mood so Nate and I got dressed and headed out.

Those are brand new over the knee STEVE boots I got for Christmas..remember this because it plays an important role in my story. Can't wait...skim down to the end!

During my last two stays here I noticed that the majority of the stores close between 7 and 8...uhm..wth?! isn't this a tourist town?! don't you want to sell stuff?! i don't get it... perhaps a native Chicago-ian can enlighten me!?

Anywhoo..we ended up at the WaterTower Place where Nate got a jacket because he was beginning to look like a homeless man! a very rich homeless man...

doesnt Nate look thrilled I made him get out of bed to take this pic? :D

and because I forgot gym shorts, I was on the hunt for some cheap shorts, which I found at Adidas..

oh snap... how about some crazy sales tax people! I can't figure out if its 10.25 or 9.75..yesh..I'm smart. SMRT!

Nate's cousin and  gf come to Chicago frequently so they gave us some suggestions for dinner..we opted of OySy..

I was a tad shocked when i first walked in, I was expecting it to have more of a loungey feel like Nuimi, but it was very low-key. We got seated right away and I started browsing the martini selection and decided upon a Flirtini.

It was alright. Not the best I've had but not bad. and then we waited. and waited for at least 10 minutes before I flagged down another waiter and politely reminded him our waitress had forgotten us. Anywhoo..she came back all apologetic and took our order.

We started with...

Seared ahi tuna with avocado

Cucumber and Seaweed salad

Dinner was...

Spicy Salmon, Spicy Tuna and  a Cali Roll

Sashimi Platter

The food was delicious and the fish fresh, and let me tell you the best part...it was cheap! I'm actually down right mad since the prices are comparable to Michigan and wow...Chicago is not Michigan.

After dinner I wanted to check out Pops for Champagne but by the time we got there, nearly midnight, they were at capacity and it would be at least a half hour wait before they were letting anyone in, and since it was technically 1 am Michigan time and Nate's an old man..we headed back to the hotel.

Only to find out this happened!

My new STEVE heels!!

Right heel

Left heel

Needless to say I was pissed and I'm not really sure what my next course of action should be. I mean. I didnt do anything crazy..walked up and down Mich Ave and that is it! Thoughts? Recommendations?

I knew there wasn't anything I could do so I tried my darndest to not ruin the lovely evening we had up until then..because it truly was lovely and not something we do often!

Now we are about to head out for brunch and spend the rest of the day in Chicago. Then for dinner meeting up with someone whom I met over Twitter!!

Have a great Sunday!

Week 6 Weigh-In

Morning blends... Happy Friday!!!!

Can't believe another week has passed including my first week of class. It's been a doozy for sure!

However, I had a fabulous week Weight Watcher style.. I dunno what it was but I so felt in the groove. I haven't felt this dedicated in over a year a half when I lost my initial 30+lbs.

I'm trying to incorporate more veggies into my day, I already do well with fruit and try not to eat more than 2 pcs, my water consumption has been almost 3 liters daily and it's just all going swell! I wish I could bottle this for when times are tough.

A fabulous week brings me to a fabulous weigh-in, better than my first weigh-in actuallly...

I lost 4 lbs this week!!!

Source

and that puts me back in the 150's, which I haven't seen in what... 5, 6 months maybe?!

I'm thrilled seriously..hard work pays off, and I have to remember that if what I want down the road is worth it, a little sacrifice now won't kill me.

With that I am heading to Chi-town this weekend which can be disastrous but between lots of walking, and planned workouts, I hoping to either maintain this weeks loss or even squeak out a pound so that I can finally hit my 5% mark next week!

Have a safe and warm one everyone!

To Workout or Not to, that is the question!

Not sure what's going on but I felt great this morning.

Slipped into my jeans (hell I can't remember the last time I slipped into my jeans without having to do the hip wiggle dance!) and knew it was gonna be a good one, and yet when I pulled up to the gym at 10 I felt like this...

It's not even tired, but just sorta worn out. There could be a couple of reasons why:

1. I didn't have coffee this am since I can't drink in Chem class.
2. School is already stressing me out. Anatomy and Physiology is so much work. I had no clue.
3. I've worked out at least 7 days in a row

I went and did my strength workout and called it a day, so I'm wonder..

Do you workout when your not feeling hot because you don't want to mess up your training plan or do you take a rest day?

CousCous Salad

afternoon blends...

what a snowy mess here in Michigan... with that how about a lovely summer-like salad?

My MIL has been making this making this salad for at least a year, but neither Nate nor I have had yet to try it until this weekend, and let me tell you....sssoooo yummy!!!

 

 Ingredients:

1/2 c. couscous

1 can beans and corn each

1 red pepper chopped

1 bundle green onions

1.5 tbsp oil

1 tbsp lime juice

1 tbsp red wine vinegar

cilantro - i like LOTS

1/4 tsp. cumin

Directions:

Prepare couscous according to package. 

Chop up pepper and green onions, add canned black beans and corn.

Mix up dessing: oil, vinegar and lime juice.

Add coucous and top with cilantro!

Variations:

My FIL loves it warmed up and added with chicken.

I personally think it tastes best chilled!

Has anyone tried this salad before?

Any other couscous recipes you love?