Where's the Beach?

Last week I had posted pictures of a dinner Jason had made for me in a Thankful Thursday post. I know I am really lucky to have a husband who will cook, but even better, can cook really really well. He spent five years working in a French restaurant. Lucky me right? So, he definitely learned a lot. I typically do most of the cooking because he gets home later than I do, and I don't want to eat at 8 at night. Sometimes, however, I get really burned out on cooking, trying to be creative, just spending time in the kitchen period. Last week I had one of those days. I had asked him for ideas and he tossed out a list of the ingredients we had. That sort of sent me over the edge. Yes, I knew we had those things in the fridge...thankyouverymuch. Thankfully, he stepped up to the plate and took over. He was initially wanting a stroganoff. But ended up going a totally different direction with Shepherd's Pie. My only complaint is that he decides to get crazy creative when he gets ho...

Full Saturday  Well, this weekend was a full one. I feel like it was almost non-existent because it was so busy, but in a good way of course. Saturday morning started at 7 am with a 4.5 mile run with Jason. It was a pretty good run, though really hot already. We had to rush after the run to get cleaned up and head to the lake to meet the family. We got in some skiing. The kids weren't into any water activities this weekend for whatever reason. I was lazy and didn't even pull out the camera to get pictures of the adults skiing. I will say that my legs and body were shaking like crazy after skiing. I swear I felt so out of shape like I've never worked out a day in my life. Apparently skiing muscles are a whole different set of muscles than I ever use or work! After the lake we had to get home and try to straighten up the house a bit before our guest arrived. A dear friend of mine was staying the night. She lives in Virginia now, so we don't get the chance to hang...

Bis & Tris Today I had a doctor's appointment at 1. I plan on talking about it tomorrow, but for today, I'll just stick to my regular posts. The appointment took far longer than I thought it would take, it was a good thing I had already told my boss that I probably wouldn't be back to work that afternoon. I really needed to sort of decompress after the appointment, so I went straight to the gym to get in a pump session. Today's workout started off with my typical elliptical warmup. It did not take long to warm up either. It was 80 degrees today and the building did not have the A/C on. To say sweatfest is an understatement. I went with biceps and triceps then tacked on a high rep superset at the end (totally optional) Pin It * I for the swing lunges with curls, I did 4 lunges to each side rather than 8. I the idea from Kristin at Stuftmama - check out her videos for examples of how to do the moves. Kitchen Time After the gym, I was going to go home and st...

Spin & Motivation Today was supposed to have been warm and sunny, but the sun was very slow to come out. That was probably a good thing though, less tempting for me to try to run. Instead, I hit up spin. I guess yesterday's interval run kicked my booty more than I realize. My legs felt like dead weights during spin class. In my mind I was keeping pace with the music, in reality it probably looked like I was barely moving. The only reason you'd know I was truly working was from the sweat pouring off of me. After work I spent about 20 minutes stretching. I'm hoping it loosens up the tension or tomorrow may end up having to be a rest day. Tonight is going to be simple - fajitas (for Mexican Monday). I'm just using homemade seitan and sauteing with onions, bell peppers, and portobello mushrooms. It's not really even much of a recipe really. In fact, I sort of feel bad about how measly this post is today. I don't feel like I have any great workouts to shar...

Spin Class Today I had packed my gym bag for either running, spinning, or lifting. I really wasn't sure what I wanted to do actually. My piriformis is bothering me, not quite the sciatic nerve pain at least, but definitely not how I want it to feel for running. So, I decided running might not be the smartest workout for the day. I decided to go with spin. Yes, spin probably doesn't sound like an ideal workout a few days after a half marathon, but it actually was a great choice. At first, my quads revolted against me. I swear they laughed when the instructor said to turn up the tension. But after about 10 minutes, they really did loosen up and it ended up being a great sweatfest workout, especially staring out the windows enjoying the nice views on a gorgeous day. I'll admit that it was really hard to justify working out indoors on another perfect fall day. Too bad we can't just drag the spin bikes outside for a class when it's nice...But, I need to get back ...

Home Style Dinner Revamped Last night dinner ended up being simple, but rather homey. It felt like the meat and two sides type of meal most of us grew up with. Only, for us it was homemade seitan cutlet with a stone-ground mustard gravy*, roasted asparagus and kabocha squash. *For the gravy, I simply took some of the leftover cooking liquid from the seitan and added in lemon zest, juice, super grainy mustard, small dash of salt, pepper, garlic powder and simmered on low until it thickened.   This is definitely not a meal I would have had growing up. It would likely have been chicken, green beans, and mashed potatoes. It was either something along those lines or a casserole. Mom was casserole queen. What did your typical dinners look like growing up? Necessary Rest Day Today was supposed to be a 3-mile run for me. After the dense fog finally lifted around noon, it would have been a gorgeous day for a run. The problem, however, is that I am in too much pain to run. There, a...

Weight Day Well if you ever want to sleep soundly for 10+ hours, run 13 miles or more. I slept like a log last night. I was actually sound asleep by 9:30. Jason was watching the Razorback's game. I couldn't care less or keep my eyes open, so that was that. This morning I really felt spent. I absolutely didn't want to go to the gym for my workout. But, I forced myself to get going. I knew that once I got going it'd be all good. The only downfall was that the heat was on once again. Seriously? It felt like a sauna. Oh, and good thing I wasn't wanting to use the squat racks. Once again, they were filled with 45# plates. So glad that someone can lift that heavy, but apparently they can't re-rack their weights when done.   Anyway, I went with biceps, back, chest today. I started with my typical elliptical warmup then went with trisets of 3x8: TS#1 Hammer curls Underhand barbell row Flat bench chest press TS#2 Alternating curls Pullovers Chest flyes ...

I Faltered  I thought today might be a rest day. Usually the day after I do legs ends up being a rest day, very rarely a run. But, I didn't overdo it yesterday. And I was itching to wear my new running shoes. Jason was supposed to do a 6-mile tempo run. Soooo, I packed my bag "just in case." Honestly, I thought maybe once I got to work and had been sitting all morning that my legs would start to revolt against me. But they didn't, well, not completely. They're tired, but I can indeed hover over the toilets today. Jason said he was going to do his run at lunch, so I could tag along. We never run together anymore. I actually was a little nervous. Weird right? Of course, he was supposed to be doing 1 mile warmup, 4 miles at 8:40 then 1 mile cool down. So, I was worried about the 4 miles fast. And, when being honest with myself, I knew I didn't need to go out for a fast run period. This is supposed to be a back off week. Meaning, ease up stupid. Don't b...

Interval Run Well, I guess I'm terrible with following a running plan. I have really good intentions though. That counts right? So my schedule is totally off this week. Yesterday I did 4.75 instead of 4 (and that should have been done on Monday. But instead of the easy run, I managed a pace fairly close to what last week's tempo pace should have been. So, I'll say yesterday made up for last week. Today was supposed to be this week's speed run (1 mile warm up, 4 miles at 8:28 min/mile, 1 mile cool down). I knew that wasn't going to happen after yesterday's harder run - and it wouldn't have been smart to try on my part. But, I was hell bent on trying 2 things: still getting in speed work and doing 5.25 miles (to round out from yesterday to give the 10 miles over 2 days...yes, I'm nuts). Instead of mile intervals - I went with minutes. I started with 1 mile warmup at about at 8:45 mile/min pace then I did 3 x 5:3 intervals (5 min fast/3 min jog recover...

Running Well, I was all over the place with figuring out the workout plan for today. I had a 4 mile run scheduled (according to the half training plan). Well, it should have been yesterday, but since that didn't happen, it was moved to today. I also wanted to get in triceps and abs, or maybe biceps/triceps/abs along with the run. I had thought that maybe I'd do weights at lunch then the run after work. Then I changed my mind and decided to run at lunch then do weights after work. Does this count as being flexible or just wishy washy? Either way, I got in a pretty quick 4.75 mile run during lunch. Yes, I know I was only supposed to do 4, but I just couldn't resist going through the part of the path that takes you through the shaded, wooded area. It's really like running through the forest. The temps were in the low 70's, but the humidity was up there today. Thankfully, there was a nice breeze coming off the river that helped tremendously. I did push myself a l...

Monday Spin Today was a typical Monday workout day for me - spin class. I can't begin to tell you how much easier it was not having done a leg day yesterday. Duh right ;-) It was still a tough workout mind you, but my legs weren't yelling at me the whole time. I had thought I might try to get in triceps or chest before the spin class, but just really didn't feel up to it at all. It was a "meh" kind of Monday. I think the weight workout would have ended up being only so-so for me just because of my mind set. Of course, maybe that's just me trying to justify skipping out on the weight workout.... SOYJOY(ous) When I got home from work, there was a rather large box waiting for me. I couldn't for the life of me remember anything I had recently ordered, or that would be showing up so soon. I scanned the label, but nothing just stood out reminding me what the package was. And it had to be a good one, it was heavy! When I first opened it up, I was still cl...

Two on Tuesday Running This morning I got myself up and out the door for a morning run before 5:45 am. It was already a muggy 84 degrees when I reached the Big Dam Bridge. It was also very very dark. I guess I wasn't paying attention to the fact that it's staying dark longer now. I'll be honest, there weren't nearly as many people out and I was a tad nervous. But, I did have on my Brooks reflective shorts and an ankle band. So, back to that run...the first mile my right knee was hurting, not the IT band kind of pain either. It was a very strange pull up through my inner thigh. I thought I was going to have to cut the run short, but it ended up loosening up and was fine around mile 1. And despite that, miles 1-2 were really great (sweaty, but good). At mile 2, I got into a fight with some insect, perhaps a bumble bee. It kept circling me, buzzing my face. That totally threw me off. My heart rate went crazy, I lost all rhythm. So the 3rd mile really sucked for me. I...

Holy Hell - A Miracle Happened Well I finally did it! I finally got my rear out of bed for an early morning run. It was a bit by mistake I'll admit. At about 4-ish, I rolled over and reset my alarm for my regular wake-up call...or so I thought. At 5:20, the alarm went off. Not sure what I switched, but it wasn't my alarm time apparently. I will admit to resetting, thinking I could just doze for an hour. But I was awake and knew there was no way I'd go back to sleep. I took it as a sign and got up and got ready. It was so hot and humid already. The minute I stepped out of the car, I knew it was going to be a tough run. There was not a bit of breeze to be had. It was already 80 degrees with 80% humidity. Thankfully the sun wasn't out yet at least. I started my run just a little before 6. I promised myself 4 miles because I was sort of struggling at the beginning. Apparently leg day topped off with 3 days of spin equals sort, tired, heavy legs. Who knew? Luckily, my...

Resting Last night I set out all my running gear and set the alarm for 5am for my typical Thursday morning run. When the alarm went off, I automatically got up and stumbled into the bathroom to change. My hips were sore (mostly left side and not sure what's going on there), my legs heavy, and my heart just not into this morning. I went back to bed sort of feeling a bit guilty for not getting out there and getting it done. Also started thinking about how not running was going to throw off my schedule workouts for the rest of the week. I never really even fell back asleep, just dozed. But you know what, that's what I needed. So no morning run for me. I'll either get a run in tomorrow morning or maybe do something crazy insane like speed work on the dreadmill. At least it's air conditioned at the gym...well, sort of. It gets pretty freaking hot since the treadmills are up in the windows basking in radiant heat. Baking & Grilling Looking at the upside, I had som...

Sunday Grilling We had a great time with our friends playing around in the pool yesterday afternoon. They brought their 13-year old son plus tons of pool toys like beach balls and a blow-up basketball hoop. There was a nice breeze so it really wasn't overwhelmingly hot, despite the fact that it was close to 100 degrees. That's what pools are made for though right? I had made Strawberry Salsa and Seitan cutlets first thing in the mornings to use for dinner. It was too nice out not to grill. I have been wanting to try to recreate a salad that our friends (the ones we visited in Florida) have made for me several times. It has green beans, potatoes, artichokes, and romaine lettuce. I think the dressing is a combo of Dijon, olive oil, and lemon juice, perhaps garlic. I decided to try to make my own grilled version. Grilled Green Bean, Potato & Artichoke Salad Ingredients: Salad: 5-6 red new potatoes (depending on size), cubed Fresh green beans, just to desired amount ...

Baking Night Yesterday was a nice, relaxing day. We enjoyed pizza for dinner since we didn't get to have our normal Pizza Friday. I think I may have a pizza addiction perhaps. Do they have groups for people like me? Last night I ended up playing around with the base recipe from the fabulous Kristina (spabettie) for Garbonzo Cookie Balls . I have made a version using cranberries and another using vegan chocolate chips. She recently made a Mint Chocolate chip version that got us into a little chat about other awesome flavor combos. So, last night I decided to play around a little bit. I think I kind of upset Jason because we were supposed to play pool. Instead I was wanting to bake. We had just finished watching What Happens in Vegas and I was a little antsy. The oven was still fairy warm from the pizza, and I thought I could make the cookies quickly. I know he gets annoyed with me sometimes for just not being able to stop going, doing, thinking. But, back to the cookies. I ...

More Spinning Today was a spin day for me. I've really been enjoying alternating the spin and run days. The only downfall, is that I'm having a hard time fitting in my weights unless I do a two-a-day. While two-a-days are ok, I know I can't do them all the time. I'm already burning out on them. And of course I don't have to run 3 days or do spin 2 days. It's just that I'm enjoying those things a lot right now so that makes me want to do them. On the flip side, I still love my weights. I know that there is always talk about lifting and cardio. I want the two to go together so badly, but can they ? More Pineapple Salsa Since we made a larger than usual batch of the Pineapple Salsa , I have been trying to think of different ways to use it - going for creativity. I thought that the spicy/sweet combo of the salsa might go really well with a blackened seasoning. I've been craving my Blackened Seitan recently. So, last night I made some Blackened Sei...