New Shoes, Great Run, Grilled Veggie Salad

New Shoes Means Lunchtime Run

This morning when the alarm went off at 5:15, I was snoozing hard. I had already told myself that if I was tired enough to fall back asleep after the alarm, I'd allow that luxury. So, off went the alarm and I was out immediately startled again at 6:15. This is the time I would normally wake up if not working out. So, I thought today was going to be my rest day. However, I just couldn't pass up a lunchtime run with Jason. I seriously needed to try out my new running shoes right?! The fact that it was sunny and 60 degrees also helped get me energized. I also knew that I wouldn't be able to get a run in tomorrow because we have a co-workers lunch celebration. So if I skipped working out today, that meant my workout tomorrow would have to be before work and it'd likely be step. Inside vs outside, morning vs noon...the decision was practically made for me.

The run was so much better today than the other day. I had pep in my step, maybe it was the new shoes! We did an easy 9 min mile run for 3 miles. No broken records by any means, but it was a nice pace. I wish we could have gone another lap putting us at 4.5 miles, but we both had to get back to work. That's the only downfall of a lunchtime workout, time constraints. Since I didn't get to my ab work yesterday, I did that after work with a good stretch as well.

I must say that I am sooo happy with my new shoes. I was a little apprehensive about purchasing them online without having tried them on for a little test jog around the store. The first time I got fitted for running shoes, I was told that I had a neutral gait and they recommended a particular Asics model. I loved them. However, they have long since stopped making that model and the new models are more for pronators.

Now, the last time I went to the running store (2 months ago) to try on some new shoes, they changed their mind (it was a different sales person) and started saying I pronate. Huh? There were several people involved in the debate. Anyway, I got really fed up, really long story and lots of chaos going on. I left sans new shoes. I started doing a lot of research on shoes for neutral to ever so slight pronation and found rave reviews for Brooks Ravenna. I am so glad for those reviews. I think I have found my new running shoe. They fit perfect in all the right spots. The cradle my arch (which is high). I also run more on the balls of my feet (probably a leftover habit from dance) and these are nicely padded in just the right spots. Heaven.

Ok, now that you're thoroughly bored with talk about shoes, I'll move along.

Sunshine, Extended Daylight Equals Grilling Weather

The sunshine and extended daylight really put me in the grilling mood. I decided on a big Grilled Veggie Salad. The veggies/toppings included: chickpeas, potato, zucchini, yellow squash, red and green bell pepper, and portobellos. I tossed the potatoes and chickpeas with thyme, rosemary, coarse sea salt, and small drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil and used a baking sheet to "grill" them on. I marinated my veggies in balsamic vinegar, a port wine vinegar, black pepper, garlic, thyme, and rosemary. I gave everything a rough chop and served over baby spinach and red leaf lettuce with balsamic vinegar. 

Do you ever make a grilled veggie salad?