Running and Roasting

Not watching tv last night was a little like getting my teeth pulled.  Slightly unbearable but completely irreversible.  Once I set my mind to something, there’s absolutely no going back.  Unfortunately, however, that old adage of “you want what you can’t have” is very, very true.  Which is why, by the way, you should never set any food as “off-limits.”  You’ll just crave it.  A lot.  Trust me.

Anyways, I survived my very first day of strength training and no tv.  And aside from a little bit of dramatization and agony, I lived to tell the story. 

Breakfast

Supposedly today is the last day of 60 degree temperatures, and so I decided to once again take advantage of it with some warmth, in the form of a big ol’ bowl of oatbran.

• 1/4 c. oat bran
• 1/4 c. wheat bran
• 1 apple, diced
• 1 c. milk + 3/4 c. water
• cinnamon and nutmeg
• toppings: 1 tsp chia seeds, 2 T. Galaxy Granola and a scoop of Teddy peanut butter

Morning Snack: Cantaloupe!!!!

I broke away from homework for a little while in order to fit in a morning run.  And I’m so glad I did.  My legs felt wonderful, my knees were pain free, and I was completely, 100%, totally enjoying myself.  I found myself running up a hill (which my dad and I call “Victory Hill”) which I haven’t run since before my knee injury in February.  I celebrated with a little Rocky dance at the top. 

That being said, I still plan on continuing with cross-training.  Biking has been great for my running performance and knee problems, and I’d like to keep at it.  Once the warmer weather comes around, maybe I’ll throw some swimming in there too!

Lunch

Two whole wheat toasts with butter.  Raw vegetables.  One whole egg and one extra egg white.

I almost always crave fried eggs after a morning run. 

Afternoon Snack: 6-oz. plain yogurt + 2 T. crushed flax, 2 T. Galaxy Granola Maple Pecan Quinoa, and a scoop of PB&Company Dark Chocolate Dreams Peanut Butter…

…I think I’m addicted!

Dinner

When it comes to cooking beets, roasting is where it’s at.  Some people prefer them bottled in vinegar.  Some people eat them raw.  Some people puree them into a smoothie or a soup.  I’ll eat them any which way, but if given the choice, I will always—always, always—opt for the roasted beet. 

Simply preheat the oven to 425 degrees F., and cook the diced beets (which I toss with a little olive oil and sea salt) for about 25-30 minutes, flipping halfway through.  Voila.  Roasted, caramelized, sweet perfection.  It will make even the most simplest of salads seem gourmet.

The Salad

• mixed greens
• cucumbers
• tomato slices
• roasted carrots and beets (I chopped the carrots onto the same baking pan as the beets)
• 2 T. each of walnuts and feta cheese
• 1 tsp olive oil, drizzled on top

+ 2 slices of toasted, homemade whole wheat bread. 

+ dessert!

I’ve been hanging on to the last of my Coconut Bliss coupons for a while now, and finally decided to pick up the Dark Chocolate Dreams this week.  Honestly, I can’t decide which flavor was my favorite, but this one is definitely high up on the list.  It was intensely dark and creamy.  And we all know how much I love my dark chocolate. 😉 

Off to chillax with a snack and a good book!  I’m moving on to “sarah’s key” now, which I’m really excited to start.   

Happy FRIDAY!

Question: Have you ever tried roasting your vegetables, and if so, what is your favorite vegetable to roast?  Definitely beets.  And brussels sprouts.  😀

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Injury Update

If you recall, my long distance running and plans for a half-marathon stopped at the beginning of Februrary this year due to foot pains that turned into severe knee pains.  I was told by my doctor that I had plantar fasciitis in my left foot and was told different things about my knee.  Basically, my knee cap was sliding all over the place rather than sliding up and down like it should (i.e., pain!)

I stopped running when even walking downhill gave my knees major trouble and headed to physical therapy for 2-3 weeks.   In addition to resting my body (but staying active through the elliptical at the gym and walking,) I continued physical therapy on my own after a week or two of learning the exercises from a physical therapist.

It’s almost been 3 months now since I officially stopped running, and I’ve slowly—oh so slowly—been reintroducing running to my routine.  Here’s what a typical week looks like:

• biking: 2 days a week…currently I’ve been keeping the mileage at about 11 miles, but I’d like to increase my mileage and number of days at a gradual pace
• walking: almost every day!  It’s a low impact, stress-reducing, heart pumping workout that I’ve re-fallen in love with.  Depending on the day, I’ll walk anywhere from 4-6 miles.
• running: 2 days a week for 2 miles each run
• yoga/strength training: 2 days a week or whenever I need it!

My feet don’t hurt much at all any more, and my knee has felt some major improvements along with the knee exercises (and that awesome foam roller!)  I still don’t plan on pushing it any time soon.  I’ll keep it at 2 miles, 2x a week for at least another month, while building up some fitness through biking.

All in good time. 😀 

Thought of the Day: I like to remember the fact that you have to work with your body at whichever point in life you are at.  If you’re injured, don’t beat yourself up over the fact that you can’t do what you used to do.  Look at it with perspective…look at what your body can do and make some realistic goals that are achievable for where you are right now.  I won’t lie and say that I’m not at all disappointed about not being able to run the half-marathon!  But I’m also excited about progressing forward from where I am and making new goals for myself.  I would love to run a 5k by the end of summer and that is a reachable goal that I can work towards. 😀

Counting Time

Alarm was off at 6.

Breakfast was eaten by 6:15.

Overnight Oats—combine everything and let it sit in the fridge overnight

• 1/2 c. oatmeal
• 1 T. crushed flax
• 2 T.wheat bran
• 1/2 banana, sliced
• splash of vanilla
• toppings: handful of almonds + 1 T. Galaxy Granola

Showered and dressed by 6:30

In the car by 7:00.

At the doctor’s office by 7:30.

I was in a bit of a frenzy this morning.  That was partially due to my rushed breakfast and partially due to the uncertainty of what the orthopedic would actually tell me.  Here are the highlights of the visit:

Pros:

• No stress fractures!  He took an x-ray, which gave me so much more peice of mind. 
• I have a referral for physical therapy.

Cons:

• I still didn’t really get an answer to what’s causing my knee and foot pains.  He simply told me that I have chondromalacia.  Somehow, I have a feeling this is related to my foot pain (overpronating, maybe?) which is causing my knee to shift out of place when I run, hence the wearing away of the cartilage.
• I didn’t get to the root of the problem. 

I’ll be going to Physical Therapy this Friday, but I’m also considering visiting a foot doctor now to see if I could use orthotics.  I have to remind myself to take this whole process one step at a time without getting too frustrated. 😉 

Home by 10:00.

Orange and pistachios, eaten by 10:15

Out the door and biking by 10:30.

Biking definitely strengthens the quad muscles, which is a big part of taking care of this knee pain.  I’m realizing more and more how important cross-training is, even for the die-hard runner (maybe I should say “especially” for the die-hard runner 😉 ).

Back from an 11-mile bike ride by 11:20.

Lunch eaten by 12:00.

I always crave smoothies for post-workout meals.  Today I went with a very delicious Green Monster. 😀

Green Monster

• 4 c. spinach
• 1/2 frozen banana
• 1 carrot, grated finely
• 1 c. milk
• 2 T. wheat bran
• 1 T. flax, crushed
• topping: 2 T. Natures Path Pumpkin Flax Granola

I always feel so vibrantly refreshed after eating a Green Monster.  It’s probably all psychological, but I love that feeling!

+ a toasted slice of whole wheat sourdough with about 1 T. crunchy peanut butter

Homework started by 1:00

Homework temporarily ended at 2:00

Out and back from a 3-mile walk by 3:00

Homework from 3-4:00

I could not sit still for anything today!  Way too gorgeous, and I took every chance I could get to soak up the 50 degree sunshine. 😀 

For a quick snack, I grabbed a crunchy pear…

…and the other half of my KIND bar (sooo yummy!)

More homework between 4 and 5.

Early dinner by 5:00.

Dad and I were both starving for dinner.  Thank goodness for quick-and-easy, leftover vegetable soup. 😀  I poured myself a big bowl and served some kashis on the side for c*r*u*n*c*h.

+ a square of Endangered Species dark chocolate, dunked in crunchy peanut butter. 😀

Made the lunches for tomorrow, 6-7.

Bubblebath by 7:00

Blogging and snack at 7:45.

Sooo ready to relax!  I have a busy day planned for tomorrow, and I’d like to get up early and make it to the gym.  I layed out all my workout clothes and set the alarm clock so I won’t have any excuses. 😉

I also plan on picking out a sweet potato tomorrow for the challenge.  😀 I have a couple ideas in mind, and I’m excited to see how they’ll pan out (don’t worry, I’ll post it even if it’s a complete flop )  As Julia Child would say about cooking mistakes: “Never apologize.” 😀

Finished blogging by 8:31. 

 Goodnight! 😀