Skip to main content

Running, Legs & Easy Indian Dinner Courtesy of Patak's

Running & Legs
Well today we finally have sunshine and no gusting winds. I was beginning to think that would never happen. But, I decided to hit the treadmill and get in legs today rather than head outside for a run.

I must admit something first. I don't know why, but treadmill running makes me feel like less of a runner. I know that probably sounds silly. I mean, I'm on the darn thing running. I'm usually doing intervals trying to increase my speed. But, I don't enjoy it at all. I've never ever had that runner's high, awesome, love the world feeling from a treadmill run.

It just doesn't feel the same as the wind on your face, the sun on your skin, the feel of the pavement under your feet. There's just something so crucial to the enjoyment factor I usually equate to running that is just flat out missing.

But, I really need to work on speed, and the treadmill is a great way to get that done. I also really wanted to work quads today and then major focus on hamstrings on Sunday. So, this worked out best for the workout I was going for.

I started with 1 mile at a 9:13 min/mile pace then did 1 mile at what I had wanted my half race pace to be: 8:34 min/mile. I recovered for about 30 seconds then jumped into 2 min intervals that I repeated 3 times: 8:34 min/mile with recovery at a 9:22 min/mile. I finished off the last 1/2 mile (to round out to 4 miles) at 9:06. Not fun, but it did fly by thank goodness.

After the run, I hit the legs. I know that lifters are cringing right now. I almost lifted first (which is always what I recommend), but actually am happy with the way it played out. My legs/muscles were quite obviously warmed up nicely. I actually felt like I could have lifted heavier than I did surprisingly enough. Maybe because I was sooooo warmed up? Anyway, here's how it went down:

Barbell squats - warmup set of 10

SS#1 - 3x8
Barbell squats
Plie squats

SS#2
3 point lunge (w/ single weight held in both hands) - 3x6
Calf raises - 3x15

1 set of alternating squats with front kick using dumbbells - 16 total (ouch)

I did some ab work on the stability ball and using weights before stretching and heading out.

Way Easy Wednesday
As I mentioned yesterday, Jason had gone to Target recently. He made the mistake of going hungry, however, so that meant coming home with various new sauces. He thought he was picking up a curry paste, but it ended up being Patak's Tikka Masala Curry sauce instead (unfortunately not vegan though).

I went ahead and made some brown rice last night while making the chili because I knew it would make for an incredibly easy dinner tonight using the sauce along with homemade seitan I had on hand.

I simply sauteed red onions, bell peppers, and carrots until soft. I stirred in the seitan and allowed that to cook for about 3-4 minutes before stirring in the sauce and adding in some frozen peas. I just let that simmer until the sauce was warm. I reheated the rice and served.
 

I think the sauce had good flavor. It was fairly mild for my tastes, but not bad. I certainly made for an easy dinner. I'd love to try my hand at making a vegan version of this sauce now.

Daily To-Enjoy List:
  • Running (though indoors)
  • Easy dinner
  • Sunshine (and no gusting winds)
  • Extra time to re-paint my nails
  • Watching movie on couch

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Love in Photos

In honor of Valentine's Day - Love in Photos Husband Family and Furbabies Friends Even if you're not a fan of Valentine's Day - I hope you have a wonderful day and remember the loves in your life.

Hump Day and More Pineapples

Full-Body Workout  I'll readily admit that getting up this morning was quite painful and almost didn't happen. I forced myself out of bed though not exactly excited about tackling a full-body Pyramid workout. Sort of daunting at 5 am really. I did the warm up from Shock Cardio Cardio Core Circuit (cardio only premix) then hit the weights. It was a pyramid up only so I increased my starting weight. I topped it all off with the first 2 1/2 drills from the cardio workout. I ran short on time and was basically spent. Squats into Plie Squats Step Ups (seriously hate these especially at 5:30 am) Incline Chest Flyes into Chest Press Pullovers into DB Underhand Rows Step Ups (freaking again) Static Lunges Overhead DB Press into Lateral Raises Deadlifts Kickbacks into Overhead Extensions Hammer Curls into Alternating Curls Calf Raises I am so excited to report that my new cross-trainers and running shoes arrived today. Can't wait to test both of them out. I waited way way way too

Hitting the Gym and Lazy Means Creative Tex-Mex Creation

Sunday, Gym Day Why do vacations and min-vacations go by so quickly? Just doesn't seem quite right. Anyway, we left Branson around 9:30 am to head back home. It was a pretty uneventful drive back, which is usually a good thing. We got home and unpacked, then I headed up to the gym. I started with a 10-minute treadmill run to warm up before hitting the weights for back and light legs then abs. I went with a giant set for back then supersets for legs. GS - 4x8 Underhand barbell rows Pullovers Double-arm rows SS#1 Rear-leg elevated lunges (Bulgarian Split Squats) - 3x8 Calf raises - 3x20 SS#2 - 2x8 Walking lunges Plie squats with low-end pulse Single-leg deadlifts - 2x8 I did some ab exercises, stretched, and called it quits. Lazy = Crazy Dinner I may have made it to the gym and washed a few loads of laundry, but I never made it to the grocery store - lounging in the pool trumped grocery shopping. This meant getting creative with dinner. We had another package