Wintry Mix (1.27.2009)

Today, I woke up to a light dusting of snow and it is supposed to turn into ice later tonight through tomorrow. Meetings are being rescheduled for tomorrow, so that means that "working from home" may be in effect for tomorrow. Yippeee.

Sunday

I woke up Sunday morning and had a bowl of oatmeal with all the usual suspects mixed in.

Then, I headed to the gym for a run. I haven't run outside in a long time because I have been digging the whole TV thing at the gym.

I was able to run just under 6 miles in 60 mins on the treadmill. I have decided 60 mins is my limit for treadmill mileage. Any longer is torture.

After my run, I met my parents in Patapsco State Park for a hike with the dogs. I grabbed a Chocolate/Banana Vivianno (with an espresso shot) from Starbucks for my ride in to meet them. My mom had half an egg/cheese on an everything bagel for me when I got there.I was able to get some errands done which included two different grocery shopping trips. First, to a newer, nice Giant where I finally found the White Chocolate Wonderful peanut butter!!

I also picked up some Peanut Butter Puffins and finally see what all the fuss is about. These are SO good. I think half the box is gone and it is only Tuesday. I did have some help from Kevin though.

More Sunday eats included lots of clementines,

Sushi (not pictured), and then a snickerdoodle cookie from Whole Foods. It was chewy and soft - just the way I like them.

Monday

Instead of the normal Monday spin class, Kevin and I moved the dining room table to make room for a home workout that a friend at work told him about. It is a website called I Want Six Pack Abs and I figured it would be fun to try because hey, who doesn't want six pack abs?

We modified it slightly since we don't have a pull-up bar handy. It was funny doing it together at home and Oscar kept trying to lick my face during the push-ups.

We grouped the exercises in twos and would take a 30 sec - 1 min break in between 1 set.

1. 20 Push-ups x 3 sets
2. 20 Squats x 3 sets
3. 30 Stationary lunges (15 on each leg) x 3 sets
4. 20 jumping jacks x 3 sets
5. 15 Burpees x 3 sets
6. 45 sec plank x 3 sets

It was definitely a tough workout!

I tried making a new recipe out of Cooking light and was very excited about it. Endive Gratin.

Pre-baked Endives sprinkled with turkey bacon

Covered in a mixture of skim milk, whole wheat flour, butter, and spices. Topped with parmesan cheese.

Baked for 20 mins at 400 degrees.

It looks like it would have been great, right?

It was HORRIBLE. The endive was super bitter and took on this slimy texture. yuck. Kevin and I both picked off some cheese and turkey bacon (the good stuff) and then we threw it out. I hated to waste it, but I couldn't think of anyway to save it.

Good thing we had also cooked up the remaining brussels sprouts,

and baked coconut crusted tilapia.

Tuesday

Tonight is Key Run Weekly Workout # 1 at the gym

• 10-20 minute warm-up
• 6 x 800m (90 sec. RI)
• 10 minute cool-down

I need to update my blog to show my 2009 Race calendar, especially since I added one for this weekend!

We are doing the Superbowl Trail Race on Sunday @ 9am which is part of a series that the Baltimore Road Runners Club puts on. It is a 5 mile loop that you can do once or twice. Kevin and I are going to try and do the 10 miles.

This is the exact way it is described on the website:

"The course is a five mile loop you can do once or twice for a 5 or 10 mile race. The terrain is trail, grass and one or two small inclines (hee, hee)."

I guess that means the "two small inclines" will really be a couple of large mountains? we shall see...