Half marathon #3 means 12-miler #3! š The San Diego Rock nā Roll Half Marathon is in 18 days, which means my 12-miler (the longest of my training) took place last Friday. I am running this race with Team in Training again, and our big official event for this 12-miler (or the 21-miler for the marathoners) was on Saturday. Since I am a mentor for TNT, I was out there supporting instead of running, and I did my run on my own the day before.
Truthfully, I was really worried about this run because I had a solid two weeks of unspectacular runs. And not just unspectacular, but bordering on bad. I have no idea what it was, but it was the biggest running rut that Iāve had so far. I had to do run-walk intervals for the second half of an 8-miler, and the next week I could only finish half of my scheduled 8 miles! Of course I am still thrilled that I can run that, but itās not good news five days before Iām supposed to run 12!
However, I was pretty darn determined that I was going to finish my 12. In the couple days leading up to the run, I focused super-hard on my water, my food, my rest, and my positive thinking. All of which I think contributed to my awesome 12-miler! Granted, I didnāt run it as fast as I would have liked. But my time was better than my previous two 12-milers, and considering the variables (it was so hot) I am thrilled. San Diego, here I come!
Besides running, Iāve been keeping up with the weight lifting as always. My current favorite workout is this one from Womenās Health. (Especially those Spider-Man pushups. ;)) I pick that magazine up on a whim every once and a whileāI have subscriptions to Shape and Selfāand I really like it! They have great workouts.
Of course, Iāve also been doing a lot of eating. Itās been so exciting to have a kitchen to cook in again, and Iām eating it up (pun completely intended). Plus, I have no idea what my options will be in Australia so Iām taking advantage of all that I can! Get ready for a whole lot of random eatsā¦
This is one of my very favorite recipes; I had it for lunch a few days ago. Itās even on my recipe page! For two servings, I mixed a can of wild salmon (skinless/boneless, I buy it at Costco) with a few tablespoons of Greek yogurt, chopped apple, chopped carrot, dried cranberries, salt, and paprika. Yum. š Itās really delicious on toast, but I ate it this time with Kashi crackers.
Iāve also been really obsessed with green monsters. Iāve always liked them, but all of a sudden Iām usually drinking one a day. I just love them, and Iām digging the simplicity right now.
I make them right now with one banana, one cup of milk, and a few handfuls of spinach. Thatās it! (Every once in a while a frozen strawberry or two.) And I promise you canāt taste the green. š
Ooh, this was a good lunch, too! It doesnāt look too appetizing (my faultā¦I grilled the wrap too long and it ripped) but it was tasty. I stuffed a wrap with spinach, hummus, and chopped carrot before grilling it for a few minutes longer than I should have. I love pretty much anything thatās warm and has hummus in it.
Oh my goodness, then there was this breakfast. Disclaimer: it may have tasted extra delicious to me because I had just finished a hot run. But I bet it tastes amazing no matter the circumstances. I really, really love these waffles. I donāt buy them that often because theyāre expensive and I have no qualms about eating them every day. This is the brand (I get the HempPlus ones) and theyāre just awesome. But the really amazing part of this breakfast was the āsauceā I made.
In a small bowl I mashed together half a banana, a tablespoon of almond butter, a tablespoon or two of milk, and a couple drops of maple syrup. Then I microwaved it for about 20-30 seconds and stirred until it came together to the consistency you see above. It was SO. GOOD. I want to make it all the time and smother everything with it. I am not ashamed at all to tell you that I licked the little bowl.
And I used the other half of the banana to make a green smoothieātold ya I was obsessed. Plus half a cup of milk and some spinach.
And last (I promise) was this dinner. First a confession: I had never made tofu before! But I followed this recipe/guide, and it turned out great! Next time Iāll definitely marinate the tofu or make a sauce because it tasted pretty plain, but I like the taste of plain tofu. (For lunch the next day, I mixed the leftover tofu with hummus and made another grilled wrap. Yummy.) Rounding out this dinner was roasted broccoli and zucchini with some sweet potato chips. Love me some sweet potatoes.
And thatās it for tonight! See you tomorrow for some more eatsā¦and maybe some more of that banana-almond butter sauce. š