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Interval Run, Legs & Gardein Inspired Dinner

Intervals & Legs
Today was sort of a weird one. Tomorrow we have a huge annual holiday meeting. My division typically helps put together a funny skit for the meeting. This morning I was asked to help out with something and ended up having to go to the first rehearsal where they were going to just block it out. So that took up an hour and a half. Next we had our division potluck. Then right after that I had a meeting. So much back-to-back, definitely no time to take a break and hit the pavement or gym like I'm used to doing midday.

But, the day went super quickly at least. The skies were, again, threatening rain. I kept checking the radar hoping it might hold off long enough for a run outside. It of course didn't rain the whole time I was at work. The minute I walked out the door? Yep, rain. Good thing I had gone ahead and decided on the gym after checking the radar one last time.

I went with 4 miles on the treadmill then legs (focusing on quads). I started with 2 miles at an easy pace of 9:22 min mile at a 1% incline before moving into some intervals.

I did 6 x 1 minute intervals of 8:27 and 9:31 min miles. Then I finished out doing .4 at 9:13, .1 at 8:57 and .1 at 8:34 to give me an even 4 miles.

I have to say, I really and truly think that the speed is totally off on the treadmills though. For example, I was doing 2 miles at 9:22. So technically I should have hit 2 miles in 18:44 right? Please correct me if my math is off. But, that's what I think. However, it was really 18 mins, which would be a 9 min mile. Anyone else think treads are off? Or is it just my gym's equipment?

Anyway, after the run, I went for legs. I opted to do 2 supersets of 3x8 with a plyo exercise in between.

Barbell squats - warmup set of 10

SS#1
Barbell squats
Plie Squats

Squat jumps - 16

SS#2
Static lunge
Calf raises - 15 reps

Alternating split lunges - 16

I did some ab work with a medicine ball then called it done. I went home and stretched and rolled out on the Triggerpoint Therapy kit while watching the last half of the Ellen show. Man I wish that came on at a different time. I forget how funny she can be.

Lazy Dinner
I really wasn't terribly excited to be cooking tonight. I need to figure out how to train the pupsters to clean the house and make dinner for us. What I really wanted to do was paint my nails and try to work on holiday cards - yes, terribly behind this year. I also need to start wrapping presents. Then there's that pesky pile of laundry waiting on me.

But motivation level is fairly nil. I'm going to just go ahead and blame it on our crappy weather. I have forgotten what sunshine looks like. I think that's excuse enough to feel lazy. Don't you agree?

Well, dinner had to be made. I went with what I knew Jason would suggest if I had asked him. He's definitely a potato guy. He specifically asked that I pick up either new or fingerling potatoes the last time I went to the store. So, we had fingerlings on hand along with some asparagus (which need to be used up).

I just roasted the potatoes seasoned with small amount of olive oil, salt, pepper, minced garlic, parsley, and nutritional yeast flakes. Since the oven was on, I roasted the asparagus as well and seasoned with a lemon pepper spice blend.

I had some Gardein Herbed Dijon Breasts on hand (picked up because they were on sale and I had a coupon so double score). They do come with a sauce, but I sort of added a little bit more to it - a tbsp of stone ground mustard, red pepper flakes, and some balsamic vinegar. There sauce is ok, but a little bland for me.
 

And that was that. Simple, easy, tasty.

Daily To-Enjoy List:
  • Weights (starting to enjoy legs and maybe b/c I'm breaking them up into 2 sessions)
  • Easy dinner
  • Time to paint my nails

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