Jogging My Memory

Today was another very good day. Being in a good mood is a wonderful thing!

I started out with a run this morning. I didn’t have a specific plan for how far to go. The first few miles I was being very mentally wimpy and couldn’t get into a good gait. I was considering stopping at 2 and miles, but I knew I should go further. It was a good thing too, because after mile 2, I really found my legs. Running didn’t feel so awkward, and my lungs had adjusted some to the colder temps (my car said 45° and I was wearing my running pants, a long sleeve shirt, and a wind breaker). At that point I decided to aim for 6.5, but as I reached the 3 mile marker I knew I could keep going, so I did. I ran 4.25 miles and then ran back for a total of 8.5 miles in 1:16 (just under a 9 min. mile pace).

I feel really good about this run. I haven’t gone on a long run in a few weeks, and it felt so good to get back out there and do my thing. My glutes killed on the hills, I think from my lifting on Saturday, but otherwise it was a great run! It was also very reassuring to know that I didn’t lose all of my endurance over the past few weeks.

After the run I came home and did my Whittle My Middle ab workout for the day it consisted of:

• Plank with Straight Arms: 1:45 min
• Side Plank with Straight Arms: 0:45 min each side
• Bridge 1:15 min
• Bridge with One Leg Up: 0:15 each leg
• Plank Rotations with Straight Arms: 1:05 min
• Plank with Bent Arms: 0:45 min

These ab workouts are really killer, and not just for my abs. My arms are getting a workout holding all these planks!

I was so far from hungry after my run that I couldn’t bring myself to eat anything. I showered and about an hour later, I finally ate a Nutty Banana Boom Pro Bar. These Pro Bars save my life after long runs, and they are delish warmed up in the microwave for 15 or so seconds. This one had chocolate chips in it that got a little bit melted- yum!

I wanted to rehydrate properly, so I drank this Essential 10 Cal. Vitamin Water throughout the day. I made it last much much longer by diluting it with water and ice. I actually like the flavor better diluted than I do when it’s not.

I didn’t eat lunch until 3. Per Tyler’s advice I made scrambled eggs with peppers and onions, on a TJ’s Whole Wheat Pita with Laughing Cow and 4 oz of grapes.

This afternoon, I snacked on a piece of that yummy Xagave Pumpkin Bread that I made yesterday, with a little bit of Earth Balance spread. So good!

Dinner was Polenta with Baked Mushrooms and Fresh Parmesan Cheese.  These flavors work so well together, I really recommend this if you like mushrooms.

I served myself two servings of Polenta (to make up for that run this morning), and was extra full as a result. I think one serving would be plenty for most dinners (that’s 1/4 cup of dry polenta). I have leftovers in the same quantity as I ate tonight that I was intending to be one dinner, but I may turn into two smaller servings rather than one big one, so I don’t overdo it some other night.

Don’t fret though, I still found room for dessert, although not until a few hours after dinner. I’ve never been one to pass on dessert, especially on a long run day ; )

I had Zours and 2 Chocolate Newman-O’s from my Newman’s Own Organics package.

These Newman-O’s are very good. I was worried they might taste stale like healthy versions of foods sometimes do, but these taste so much like an oreo that I can’t tell the difference. The chocolate middle was chocolately and creamy and delicious with a similar consistency to an oreo (at least I think so – I haven’t had an oreo in a long time). If you want a healthy take on an old treat, these are a great option. I’m thinking next time I eat them I’ll be crumbling them over some Soy Creamy vanilla ice cream – like a Blizzard/McFlurry. Genius right?!

Well that’s it for my day, I hope you had a great Sunday and that your Monday starts off the right foot!

And don’t forget, if you haven’t entered the Xagave Giveaway, you have until 5pm on Wednesday, so get to it!

Night!