Blue

Well it has been quite a depressing weekend here in the blue nation. With the Kentucky loss there's been a cloud over all of us... literally its been raining all day. Hopefully it doesn't keep this up tomorrow because I was going to use the good weather as I venture outside for my run. I hope everyone else is keepin up! I have less than a month now and time is flying by, so kick the asphalt right where it counts and get out there and run!

If you haven't found a race yet to do you can use this cool "race finder" from Runner's World.

http://runnersworld.com/channel/0,,s6-239-0-0-0,00.html

1 Month

Exactly 1 more month of training until my marathon training comes to an end and I have to prove to myself that it was all worth it! I've been eating alot of chocolate lately :) and that will be the first to go. I am currently savoring my last piece as I type this post! Its time to get serious, and serious I am. Good luck to all those runners who have races coming up! We can do this!

My friend Leslie (we ran our first marathon together) documented some of the race day quotes that she heard as she ran the 26.2 mile course. I'll be thinking of her and the quotes she wrote down as I push through April 24th!

A couple encouraged each-other with this little cheer they sang repeatedly up a small hill:
She: "good for you"

He: “and good for you!!”
She: “and good for Me!”

He: “and good for Me!”

Man1: “what are you going to do after the race?”

Man2: "I’m going to go home.. lay down. Throw-up. Drink some chocolate milk, and throw-up again.

"It's rude to count people as you pass them. Out loud." Adidas ad

"To describe the agony of a marathon to someone who's never run it is like trying to explain color to someone who was born blind."
 Jerome Drayton

Thanks Leslie! Hope you'll join me on the next run!

The Tastes of Thai

Over this past weekend I was walking with my husband into Kroger across the street from our apartment and the most delicious smell was in the air. We had never been to this Thai restaurant but we knew it had to be coming from there. So on a spur of the moment thought we decided to try it out. My husband and I love food. Anything food... thats why its so good to have healthy recipes on hand to use so that we don't go overboard. But we thought we'd go out after all how many overweight Thailanders (?) do you see? And to think I that the "Broken Down Palace" movie scared me away for so many years, I'd love to vacation here.

We had some amazing curry food with coconut, chicken, citrus leaves, and green and red peppers over rice. It was delicious! One of my favorite desserts was served there too, Coconut rice and mangoes, but I held strong.

Here is a delicious Thai recipe to try yourself, and I urge you to try your local Thai restaurant as well. Maybe after race day?

Thai Red Curry Mahi Mahi Salad

You can find the full recipe on Food Network here

Tip for Today

I was in need of this tip for today since I'm headed over to wingers as soon as I get off work to watch the cats play in the first round of the NCAA! (you better be cheering on UK at 7:15 ET)

I'm sort of short on time this week so if you ever find yourself in this situation here's a tip:

Don't think, "All or Nothing". If you don't have time to do an entire workout, don't take the "all or nothing" approach. If you're really short on time, go for a quick 2-mile run or get in 20 minutes of strength-training. You'll still get some benefits and you'll feel much better mentally for not skipping a workout entirely.

Go Cats!

Saturday Laughs

Best Food for Runners - Part 4

Salmon

Why It's Good for Runners: Salmon is an excellent protein source, but it's also one of the best food sources of omega-3 fats, essential for brain development and function. Omega-3s also assist in the prevention of heart disease and high blood pressure. Salmon also has protein, vitamins A, B and D as well as a range of minerals vital to a balanced and healthy diet.

How to Add it to Your Diet: Salmon is a very versatile fish -– just add some fresh herbs and bake, grill, or poach it.

Wasabi Salmon Burgers (or Salad) with Edamame Pesto

I found this recipe on my friends site "Steph's Kitchen" check it out, the link is below. She says:

"For a low carb option, serve on a bed of greens and skip out the buns (and literally do your buns a favor) for a healthier option." But I think if you used a whole wheat bun it would work too, us runners need our carbs still, and thats one benefit of running, sometimes we can cheat a little.

Go here for the entire recipe, it sounds delicious!

Quote of the Day - Happy Friday

"There are as many reasons for running as there are days in the year, years in my life. But mostly I run because I am an animal and a child, an artist and a saint. So, too, are you. Find your own play, your own self-renewing compulsion, and you will become the person you are meant to be." --George Sheehan

this quote actually got me pretty motivated to run, I have a long run tomorrow - 11 miles, and I have to wake up early on my only day to sleep in, in order to get it done. But I only have about 5 more weeks until the marathon and I need to push myself to really take this serious!

I have added the "Insanity" workout to my regiment and it has actually helped alot! I have more energy now that I have just running, and its motivating me to eat healthy and to stay on my running schedule. I suggest to those who are training for a race, add a little extra to your workouts and you'll actually be less tired :) as backward as that sounds! good luck training, keep it up, It WILL pay off!

Happy Friday!

Best Foods for Runners - Part 3

Bananas

Why They're Good for Runners: A good source of carbs, bananas also contain potassium, which runners lose through sweating and help regulate muscle contraction and prevent cramping. Bananas are also considered a "safe" pre-run food because they're unlikely to cause gastrointestinal issues.

How to Add it to Your Diet: Bananas are convenient to eat as snacks or as part of a meal. Add them to your cereal or make a smoothie with frozen bananas and skim milk.

Whole Wheat Banana Pancakes
1 large overripe banana
1 egg
½ cup (4oz) skim milk
½ tsp baking powder
½ tsp baking soda
½ tsp ground nutmeg
¾ cup (90g) whole wheat flour

Mash the banana in a medium bowl. Add the egg and milk. Whisk until frothy.
In a smaller bowl, add the flour, baking soda, baking powder and nutmeg. Sift into the banana mixture. Mix until just blended.

Pour batter in a non-stick skillet or griddle over medium heat sprayed with non-stick cooking spray. Cook about 1-2 minutes a side, small bubbles will form but not as many as traditional pancakes. I just peaked underneath for a light brown color, then flipped.

Best Foods for Runners - Part 2

Sweet Potatoes

Why They're Good for Runners: Sweet potatoes contain the always-important carbs and are an excellent source vitamin A, a powerful antioxidant. They're also a good source of vitamin C, potassium, iron.

How to Add Them to Your Diet: As the name says, these potatoes are sweet, so you don't need to do much to make them taste good. Cook them in the microwave, add a pinch of margarine or butter, and you've got a great side for dinner. Or, slice them up into wedges and bake some tasty oven fries.

I love sweet potato fries with a little salt on top. I would have never had them had i never married a southern boy, but now I love them more than regular fries and crave them often. They are not the easiest things to cook since they caramelize easily and fall apart, but done just right, they are delish.

You can fry them but since we are all training for a race I suggest baking them tossed with a little olive oil so they don't stick.

Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.

Line a sheet tray with parchment. In a large bowl toss sweet potatoes with just enough oil to coat. Sprinkle with salt or maybe some cinnamon-sugar. Spread sweet potatoes in single layer on prepared baking sheet, being sure not to overcrowd. Bake until sweet potatoes are tender and golden brown, turning occasionally, about 20 minutes. Let cool 5 to 10 minutes before serving.

Best Foods for Runners - Part 1

Quinoa
Why It's Good for Runners: For those runners who are bored with pasta, quinoa is a tasty alternative. Quinoa is not only packed with carbs, it's also very rich in protein. A 6-ounce serving of quinoa contains 132 calories, 23 grams of carbohydrate, 4 grams of protein, and 2 grams of unsaturated fat.

How to Add it to Your Diet: Cooking quinoa is very similar to boiling rice. It's an excellent side dish to have with fish or chicken. You can also eat it cold to go along with a salad.

I found this amazing food site today called "I love milk and cookies" What caught my eye was the recipe with Quinoa, my friend Amy has been telling me about this stuff for months and I have yet to try it. I promise I will though this looks delish.

Quinoa Lunch Bowl

FOR THE QUINOA
1 tbsp olive oil
1 small brown onion, diced
1 clove garlic, finely chopped
1 chilli, deseeded and finely chopped
250g mushrooms
1 cup Quinoa
500ml stock (whichever is your preference, in this recipe I used chicken)*
sea salt and black pepper
parsley, roughly chopped
8 gourmet sausages
*You might need to add more stock or water if you see that the quinoa is drying up.

FOR THE GARLIC GREEN BEANS
olive oil
5 cloves of garlic finely chopped
400g green beans, cut into thirds
sea salt

MAKING THE QUINOA
In a medium pan, heat olive oil over medium heat.
Fry onions until soft and translucent.
Add the garlic, chilli and mushrooms and cook for another 2 minutes.
Add the quinoa and stock and stir to combine.
Cover pan and allow to simmer for approximately 20 minutes or until the quinoa has taken all the liquid and is translucent. The quinoa should be soft with a slight bite, if not, then add some water and cook further.
Meanwhile, grill sausages until cooked. Slice before serving

MAKING THE GARLIC GREEN BEANS
Heat olive oil in a pan.
Add garlic and beans and fry until beans have become a bright green colour.
Season with salt.

Are You A Warrior

Oh my goodness! I got an email about this race in my inbox and I am sooo excited! You need to check this site out and sign up for a race of your life is you can!

My husband and I are competing in 2 of them, and they are both at least 6 hours away! So don't make traveling an excuse :)This will be the craziest day of your life and i'm sure you'll enjoy every minute of it, and check out this meat that you get to eat after! Its well earned! I feel like Elaine on Sienfeld when she's told she uses too many exclamation points, but I just can't help it! this race looks amazing, and dangerous, exactly why my husband is so excited.

Check it out here http://www.warriordash.com/ Find the closest one to your home and make sure to sign up fast, because they are really selling out!

You not only get the "craziest frickin' day of your life" but you get a cool hat after too!
We'll be at the New York and Illinois ones so come and check it out!

Eat More Nuts

Angel Hair Pasta with Basil and Walnut Pesto

Ingredients
2 cups fresh basil leaves
2 cups trimmed fresh spinach
1 cup trimmed arugula
1⁄3 cup walnut pieces
4 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
3 garlic cloves, peeled
1 tablespoon olive oil
370 g angel hair pasta or spaghettini
fresh basil sprigs to garnish
1⁄2 lemon to serve

Directions

1. Place the basil, spinach and arugula in a colander. Wash the leaves well under cold running water. Shake to dry. Transfer the leaves to a food processor.
2. Add the walnuts, Parmesan cheese and garlic and process until finely chopped. With the machine still running, slowly drizzle the oil through the feed tube, processing until the pesto is thick.
3. Meanwhile, cook the angel hair pasta according to the package directions; drain. Toss the pasta with the basil and walnut pesto in a large serving bowl until evenly coated. Garnish with the basil sprigs, squeeze the lemon juice over the pasta and serve.

Recipe from Best Health mag

PER SERVING

400 calories
13 g protein
14 g total fat
2 g saturated fat
5 mg cholesterol
54 g total carbohydrate
1 g sugars
6 g fibre
90 mg sodium

This dish provides a heavy dose of thiamine, essential in converting glucose into energy.