June 20, 2012

A great run!

Once again, I had to choose to run uber-early in the morning at 4:00 a.m., or to run on the treadmill. I chose the treadmill. Monday's run on the treadmill actually wasn't all that bad, so I was hoping to have a good run today. Today is run #2 of marathon training: 15 minutes easy running, followed by (5 minutes tempo + 2 minutes easy)--repeat for a total of 4 times, then 10 minutes easy running.

I set my Garmin up for the intervals, and then forgot to start that workout on the Garmin... so I had to do it by memory instead of having the watch remind me. Which is how I managed to screw it up a little--I only did 10 minutes for a warm-up instead of 15. But I killed the rest of it, so I'm fine with that.

Even though the intervals were longer ones (5 minutes is long!), the workout went by pretty quickly. I watched a Lifetime movie while I was running. Too bad I'm caught up on The Bachelorette, because that passed the time much more quickly! I was thrilled when I saw my overall pace:
8:36/mi pace for 5.35 miles?! I'll take it. I do find running on the treadmill to be easier than running outside, so I doubt that my pace would have been that fast if I were outside. But seeing these numbers renewed my confidence big time. The best part? ZERO knee pain! It makes me realize just how much my knee was affecting my pace before. I am so excited that all the stuff I've been doing lately is actually helping my knee, and I was able to run pain-free today.

I had a serious runner's high after that! But I stretched really well, and I foam-rolled my legs. My next run is on Saturday, and it's actually a 10-mile race. I don't plan on racing it, however. Jessica and I are going to run it together at a slow pace, because it's been really effing hot lately. We even bought grass skirts and leis and stuff to wear--so we plan on having fun with it :)

I've been having an avocado smoothie every morning for breakfast lately, and I truly believe that there is something magical about it. It keeps me full for HOURS and it curbs my cravings for the rest of the day. I've been experimenting a little to find the right combo, and I think I have it perfected:
3/4 cup cold water
1/2 avocado
1/2 frozen banana
1.5 Tbsp. natural peanut butter
1/2 scoop vanilla protein powder
8 ice cubes

Using the cold water, frozen banana, and ice cubes makes the shake thick enough to eat with a spoon. It's not necessarily the best-tasting-shake-ever!, but it tastes really GOOD and the texture is awesome, and it works like magic on my appetite. It has 325 calories when made how I wrote it above, which isn't bad at all.

I haven't had meat in about a week, and so far it's been easy. Last night, I made chicken paprikash for the family, and mushroom paprikash for me. I used to make it all the time, and I forgot just how good it is!

Yesterday afternoon, my mom and I took the boys to the beach at the State Park. It was about 95 degrees outside, and the beach was pretty packed. I just sat in the shade and watched the boys play, and it was a really nice afternoon. We packed a little picnic to have for lunch, too.
I'm loving Instagram on my iPhone, in case you can't tell ;)  The kids had baseball last night, so we left the beach and got ready for the game. Eli's game was first, at 6:30. It was still pretty hot out, but I was losing my mind listening to everyone bitch about it! Half of the team didn't show up, probably because the parents didn't want to sit in the heat (the games aren't called off for high temps). The parents of the kids who did show up complained non-stop about how hot it was, that the kids shouldn't have to play in this weather, look how miserable all the kids look, etc etc.

But not a single kid looked miserable! Not a single kid complained about it being "too hot". The kids had a blast, and I'm sure they would have no idea it was a super hot day if it weren't for all the parents complaining about it. I certainly do my share of complaining about heat (just read my marathon race report!) but I know that yesterday was about the kids, and the kids were totally fine and happy to play ball despite it being 90 degrees outside. Kids are pretty resilient.

Actually, I used to complain about the heat much more--but my brother spent over 3 years in Iraq in the Army, and he used to post pics of the thermometers reading 120+ degrees. If those soldiers can do their jobs in that kind of heat, who am I to bitch about sitting through a baseball game in 90 degree weather?! (I try to keep that in mind on my summer runs, as well).

But anyway, today's run boosted my spirits a LOT! I'm going to have wine with Renee tonight, and put those calories burned to go use ;)


  1. Katie, I totally thought about that (unnecessary complaining) after watching The Hurt Locker. I used to feel some days that I was going out of my damn mind as a SAHM, but then I realized that even on my hardest day I never once worried about being blown up while I was doing my job.

  2. It's really great that your knee didn't hurt! Maybe the treadmill is a much-needed break from the pavement pounding of the outside world!

  3. AnonymousJune 20, 2012

    Awesome pace! Despite running miles and miles every week, I can't seem to break a 9-minute pace, so I have instant respect for anyone who can. I hope your knee stays in good shape so you can go for a sub-2:00 half and I can live vicariously through you.

  4. How do buy good avocados and know when to use them? I either cut them open and they aren't ripe enough, or they are too ripe and brown. any suggestions?

  5. Hello! First timer to your blog and I think I know what I'm having for breakfast. I love avocados.

    1. You want to pick one that is dark green, and when you squeeze it (lighly) it should be firm but with a little give - like a tomato. If it squishes too easily it's too ripe and if it's hard to squeeze it's not ripe enough. I usually buy one that is ripe and one that is still unripe and put the unripe one on the window sill for a day or two until it ripens up. They stay pretty well in the fridge for a couple of days but be aware that one you cut into it and store some of the uneaten part it will turn brown within hours. It's still fine to eat and tastes good but the color is not pretty.

  6. Strong work on the pace! I am an outdoor runner and haven't hit a treadmill in months. Mine is a fabulous dust collector at the moment. But seeing your pace makes me wonder how fast i can run on that damn beast! Glad you had a good run and a renewed outlook on running!
    I am also wanting to try your shake recipe. NEver thought to put avocados in a shake...but love them so can't wait to try it. also that paprikash looked awesome..can't wait to try that recipe out too!!

  7. AnonymousJune 21, 2012

    I'm going to try that smoothie tomorrow! Thanks for the recipe Katie =)

    1. AnonymousJune 22, 2012

      I tried the smoothie this morning - it was so so yummy, and you're right it did keep me full for hours! BTW I'm a vegetarian and fully support your decision to switch over, I love trying new recipes and making meals more colorful =)

  8. what model is your Garmin watch? I'd like to get one, but have no idea what isgood, which features are important, etc. Any insight would be greatly appreciated!

  9. So glad you had a good run! Very inspiring because this weekend, for the first time ever I'm hoping to run a half marathon distance!! Nervous doesn't begin to cover it!! Haha. Just hope I survive! And I hear ya on the heat. I've been running at night to avoid the nasty humidity. Bleh!

  10. WOW! An 8:06 mile is AWESOME!!! And I'm glad your knee is feeling better!

  11. AnonymousJune 21, 2012

    Katie, this is off topic but my Fitness magazine came yesterday, and it was really exciting to see you in it! Congratulations!


  12. You hit on the exact reason I rarely complain about the heat, no matter where I live. After three tours in the Middle East, my husband can bitch about the heat all he wants but I never will again. When I was training for the Marine Corps Marathon in 2005, he was on his second tour in the Middle East. I had to do my training runs around 3 p.m. in the heat and humidity of a Virginia summer. Every time I felt like griping about it while I was out there running, I thought to myself, "if he has to carry a million pound ruck sack, body armor, etc around over there where it's 120 degrees, I can do this".

    Great job, Katie!!

  13. i know what you mean about the complaining! We've been having a heat wave all week, yesterday it reached 109 degrees! Yes it's hot and everyone knows it, but does it have to be the topic of everyone's discussions or facebook statuses?

    That smoothie looks delicious. I need a breakfast that will tie me over like that, maybe I'll try it out!

  14. Amazing run, and point about the heat!

  15. x-raychickJune 21, 2012

    Come to Texas. I feel like it's been over 90 everyday since March. If you never did anything because of the heat here then you would stay inside in the AC for 90% of the year! Lol!

  16. I'm not a big fan of the heat (like most), especially because the humidity in WV is so high. But I like to remind myself that I'd rather it be hot than be snowing and icy! Something about being extra sweaty makes me feel refreshed. The mushroom paprikish looks awesome; my family is a big chicken eater but I'm not a fan of meat. I'll have to try your vegetarian version.

  17. "I'm going to have wine with Renee tonight, and put those calories burned to go use." I knew I liked you for a reason. ;-) Way to go on your run! Cheers~

  18. AWESOME RUN!!!! Wow, that is inspiring. I've got 3 miles scheduled today and you have motivated me to push myself! That smoothie recipe looks awesome - I'm going to try it! I'm kinda surprised it doesn't come out more green.

  19. I can't stand heat complainers! I think "You live in an air conditioned house, drive your air conditioned car to your air conditioned job... What are you complaining about?!"



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