Toe Up

Exercise: active rest, walk, bike, etc.

Yesterday I opted to run 8 miles instead of tackling a long run. You always hear it's better to under train than over train and my training has been pretty spot on thus far so a shorter run was just fine. And I'm so glad I only did 8 because it was effing torture.

I don't want to get too graphic, but by mile 4 I thought my insides were going to explode. I kept having to stop and walk until I got to the nearest restroom over a mile away. It didn't offer any relief so I jog/ walked the rest of the way home. Longest 8 miler ever, took me almost 90 minutes to complete. Ughhh.

Today I planned to run but I've been running with a painful big toe the last few days that has now become grossly infected. Yay. I'm hoping to get into a podiatrist today but am so nervous to get diagnosed because I'm pretty sure I won't be running for awhile. Never good to hear during Marathon training. Or ever really.

This So Cal cloudy, gloomy day perfectly reflects my attitude. I'm feeling very sorry for myself at the moment. Time to turn my focus to being grateful for all the awesomeness in my life.

I'll let you know how it goes...

Tying Knots

Exercise: hoping to get in a midday nap elliptical and weight session

While I was in Vegas I had a 16 mile run on the schedule but abandoned it to do more important things like swimming, eating at buffets, drinking margaritas and watching two of my favorite people tie the knot. I did run 10 miles and probably walked a few miles but it's not the same. Music man will be out of town next weekend and throughout the following week so I plan to do my long run of 17 miles Friday or Saturday. I'm wondering if I should try to do another longish run tomorrow; like 12? Or is that mileage too much too close?

By the way, I found a discount for the Malibu Marathon and decided to go for it. It's November 11th so I know I have enough time to train, it's just getting the long runs in that is difficult. Training for the Bulldog built up my base so I just need to expand on that. We don't have any other big trips, events or awesome Vegas weddings planned for the near future so I should be able to remain consistent up until the race.

And speaking of awesome Vegas weddings; here are a few photos from the night. I have some other faves to post when I get a chance

Have an awesome week!

Not Quite Clandestine

Exercise: 10 super slow miles in North Las Vegas

Sleep was non-existent last night due to a toddler and husband that are very particular to sleeping in their own beds. I'm sure the few beers and glass of wine I had didn't help either :) But I was pretty exhausted this morning. I was mentally done with my run before I even started but I powered through for 10 miles. Slow but done!

I'm loosely following a training plan that had me running 16 miles today and there was just no way. Music Man and I are staying on the strip tonight so I told him we had to walk 6 miles to make up the difference. 6 miles in fancy shoes, not sure how that will go down... see ya tomorrow blisters.

Tonight's festivities include a very hush-hush wedding!!! Makes the occasion so much more fun that it's an intimate affair. I offered to prepare the bouquet and the bride allowed me to do it. So much fun having a small hand in the preparation.

That's all for now. Have an awesome Saturday!

New Hairs

Stability Ball Workout

Practicing Safe... Salad and other yumminess

Today I'm hosting a family potluck and play date for my MOMS Club. We have a boat load of tomatoes and basil in the garden right now and it's 1000* so making a caprese pasta salad seemed like a no brainer. Yesterday I picked up some fresh mozzarella from Trader Joes and although I had farfalle (bowtie pasta) at home I bought some orcecchiette because of it's cute round shape. I thought it would be a super cute dish to serve but instead I got this:

MMMMMMMM.... Condom salad, my favorite!!! The al dente texture does not help. Oh well, I figure I'll add some fresh spinach leaves and the green might break up the condommy look. Can't win them all.

I have made some meals that were a bit more successful and some were even out of my comfort zone. In the last few months I've been in a bit of a food rut making the same oatmeal, turkey sandwiches and bbq chicken salad over and over and over.

First, I made some cashew cream that was incredible. I've found that I probably have a lactose intolerance so cashew cream is my savior.

I just rinse about a 1/2 cup of raw cashews and soak them for a few hours. I drain them and then throw them in the blender and add a tbsp of water at a time until the the mixture is nice and creamy and then I season as I would alfredo or whatever. Maybe some garlic, nutmeg, a pinch of nutritional yeast. Super tasty. For the pasta above I just blended in some random leftover marinara and the result was rich, creamy, deep. I would eat this stuff alone, it was that great.

Then there is wild rice with steamed veggies and mmmm sauce. The mmmm sauce came about because I had some leftover homemade hummus that needed to be used and I just threw in the other ingredients she suggested and it was awesome sauce, literally. And yellow peppers, my favorite veggie ever. For this week.

OKRA! Breaded and baked. So very good. Weirdish dinner, Music Man called it "a meal of cubes", but it was so good and now I need more okra in my life. I trimmed and cut up the fresh okra in bite sized pieces. I dredged in rice flour, then egg, then an unmeasured mix of corn meal, rice flour, a little coconut flour, s&p,  garlic powder, onion powder and a dash of cayenne. Served with corn and bbq tofu.

And lastly, is cashew cheese pizza with my beloved peppers. Served with 3 berry salad with goat cheese, pecans and balsamic. For the cheese I made it a bit grainier, like ricotta by doing what I did with the cream, just blending less. I added a bit of salt, pepper, nutritional yeast and garlic powder to make it more savory and it was pretty great. The crust is a homemade multi-grain with wheat flour, almond meal and flax meal. I used a basic dough recipe of 2 cups flour/meal combo, 1 t salt, 1 cup water, 2 1/4 t yeast and 1 t sugar. just warm the water, put in sugar or honey and yeast and let proof. Mix flour with salt and then mix everything together in stand mixer, food processor or by hand. let rise for an hour, punch down, let rise again, roll out and let rest. Heat oven to 400 while dough is resting and bake for 8 minutes. remove from oven, top the pizza and bake for an additional 5-7 minutes.

Enjoy!

Aww Nuts

Exercise:  An easy 4 miler with the Little Man

This week has been a little nuts in our house. Music Man has a ridiculous deadline he's trying to meet and has been a little stressed, Little Man continues to wake up at all hours of the night, and I'm just trying to hold it all together. I feel like once Music Man finishes his project everything else might fall into place. But we also have a ton of events to attend and host this week so we're just busy, busy, busy.

Actually, all of August has been nuts with trips, visitors, events, lack of sleep and general exhaustion. I'm hoping September will flow a little more smoothly. I doubt it with school starting and Music Man possibly traveling again, but a girl can hope ;)

There are a few races I had in my sights for September but I'm not sure if that's realistic. I know I could complete the PacificCoast Triathlon but I'm not sure I'd enjoy it with how tired I've been. And having fun is a non negotiable requirement. I'm thinking a late fall or early marathon might be a good idea so I need to do some research and find one that won't be too huge or a logistical nightmare. Anyone know of a good one? Malibu? Long Beach? Maybe Long Beach is too soon... Santa Clarita? I need a gooooooaaaaaalllllll!!!!!