Anniversary Date :)

Thursday was me and Carlos' happy 4th anniversary! Friday night we got to celebrate with dinner and a movie! It was both of our first experience with South American food, so I though I would share some pictures!

First, Carlos showed up lookin all cute-like ;)

They sat us at a nice candlelit table with a glass of red wine! They brought bread with two dipping sauces (both full of delicious spices)! This was followed by a potato and cheese empanada! MMM..

 Then we moved along to our fabulous entrees! This is Pebellon Criollo, a Venezuelan Dish. Black beans, rice, fried plantains, and a shredded beef/veggies roast. Let me just say YUM! Everything on this plate was delicious!

Carlos' meal: Caribe Chicken! Veggies, rice, and chicken cooked in oil and Caribbean spices, again, yum! 

Sadly, no picture of our delicious creme brulee, but you can just imagine!

We will surely be returning to this place! There are many things left on the menu for us to try out!

It was also just really nice to have a nice night out with the boy! We are both so busy that after 4 years, date nights tend to be a last priority. I am glad we made each other a priority for our lovely night!

Breaking Down the Wall

Last week, sadly, I had a pretty negative experience with my first 10 mile run. I posted about hitting a wall around mile 8, and losing all my energy. BUT I also mentioned that the circumstances and preparation leading up to the run weren't ideal.

Join me on this weeks 12 mile run! I was SO anxious about jumping up 2 more miles, especially after a bad experience last week. I was determined to prepare properly this week. I got in a couple good, solid runs and a cross training day during the week. I tested out my new Nathan running pouch, and it works great (minimal bounce)! I drank tons of water Friday and a little Saturday morning. I had a nice, quality breakfast around 6 this morning. Great way to start the day!

This run was SOOOO much better than last week. Mile 6 was the same location as last week, and I could FEEL the energy difference. My attitude was in the right place. My legs were on my side (except for my right arch). My heart rate was lower than normal, and my breathing was in check! The weather was gorgeous, contrary to Weather.com's predictions!

These treats helped me power along! I love my energy jelly beans, yum! Today's flavor was Fruit Punch! The Electorolyte mix in isn't bad either! Definitely helped with my energy level!

 This is also one of my favorite tools! My Polar Heart Rate Monitor helps me keep track of my time, my heart rate, and my calories burned! Fortunately, it's also pink :)

I am HAPPY to say that I had a GREAT 12 mile run today! I feel amazing! I feel so much closer to being ready for my race! I am beginning to learn the value of properly preparing!

I also got fitted for custom insoles for my running shoes to help with my arch pain. If you see my limping the next couple days, you will understand why (but hopefully not for long)! AND I enjoyed a well deserved deluxe pedicure to celebrate this afternoon. Now my lovely, sore, swollen toes are going to kick it up for the night!

Back down to 10 miles next week!

Its all mental!

Today while I was running (5.5 miles), I had a lot of time to think, and think, and think.

I was thinking about how much my attitude and body image are linked. Last week, although I was sick, I started to finally notice the changes in my body. Changes I have truly struggled to notice until now. I felt proud. I felt like I looked like I had runner legs, and even tried running in shorts (still a bad idea).

Cue this week. I am feeling a lot better, have gotten in some mileage. BUT I gained this week, and I feel like I look big again. All the mental progress I made last week is gone. So quickly! And I realized its SO mental. The 20 pounds lost didn't go away, only the image I saw in the mirror did. How do I fix that image?

The second realization that I had. When I signed up for a half marathon, I told myself I had to go all in. That meant I was committing to training properly, I was committing to eating and tracking properly, and I was committed to cutting down on the alcohol. I haven't done ANY of these. I am still drinking Friday nights, before my long runs, and Saturday nights after. I am skipping mid week runs because I am "too tired" after work. And I haven't tracked at all. I am making this SO much harder for myself.

And it needs to change NOW. Today, I am committing. Committing to tracking, to running and cross training more frequently, and to drinking less (and possibly not at all). I know that I want to do this the right way, to change my body for the better. And I KNOW it won't happen if I keep half-assing everything.

I am putting it out there for all to see. I am committing today.

Valentine's Dessert!!

I asked around the boards and got a lot of great feedback before trying this recipe! Parents and Carlos all loved it, in fact my mother (my toughest food critic) called it "Heavenly". Whew! I can't say its particularly Point+ friendly, but yum!

 First I took Dove Caramel filled chocolates and spread them across the bottom of the pan.

Second I Mixed a batch of No Pudge Brownie Mix(with NF Greek honey yogurt), and poured it over the chocolates.

 Last, I baked it (per box directions), and served with low fat, slow churned butter pecan ice cream.

MMMMMM :)  (Oh and with some wine too)

I highly recommend adding the caramels, perhaps when you are less concerned about P+! 

A typical menu!

So, my eating/drinking has been very up and down this week. I wanted to share a few of my favorite, typical eats.

 A pretty typical breakfast for me. Scrambled spinach, egg, egg white and shredded 2% cheese. Ezekiel break and blueberries... mmmm!

Spinach, grilled chicken, avocado, feta cheese, olive oil and balsmic!

3 oz of steak, sweet potato, and corn on the cob! I know I could have used a green veggie, but this was a delicious dinner!

 This are just a few examples! Not all from the same day! I usually snack on fruit, pop chips, lately sliced bell pepper, popcorn, fruit smoothies, etc!

Post Run and Prep for Week!

With yesterday's run in the past, and a 12 miler in my future, I am trying to get on the right page. Icing my knees today! And getting all my snacks for this week!

Broccoli soup, Greek yogurt, avocados, mango, blueberries, nectarines, plums,
spinach, mushrooms, bell peppers, strawberries, No Pudge brownies, and pop chips!!

MMM, it makes me so excited to eat this week!

The day I left my soul at mile 8.

Today was a 10 miler for half marathon training. Yes 10 miles is a lot, it sounded very intimidating. My circumstances were against me as well. I missed mile 9 last week due to strep throat, and really haven't run in about 9 days. I squeezed in a short one yesterday, but thats it for the week.

I showed up with every intention of attempting 10 miles. I realized I may need to walk a bit, but I was going to give it my best shot. Miles 1-3 were a little harder than normal, as it was a little warmer that it has been lately, but we were doing fine. Miles 3-4 were a piece of cake after hitting up the water station. Miles 4-5 seemed to drag on, my running buddy and I felt that it was further than a mile (which it was a bit more). 5-7 were not bad because they were mostly downhill.

Then I hit 7-8. This is where my soul left my body. I was dehydrated. My back hurt. My feet hurt. I was feeling nauseous (curse that pitcher of Hef last night!) My amazing running buddy kept at it. She was tired too, so her pace came down. I started walk/running and attempting to keep up. But I had nothing left, nothing at all. I wish I had taken a picture of my hands, they were so swollen, I felt like Fat Bastard.

So to make a long story short, I have learned to refrain from drinking an entire pitcher of beer the night before a run. I have also purchased gear to carry my own water and snacks.

The good news is I DID IT, I FINISHED, my first double digit run! I DID IT!

I am not particularly excited about 12 miles next week. But I will be better prepared.

At least today I had a solid after-run lunch to help build back up.  Turkey burger, sliced bell pepper, nectarine, and organic/natural cheese puffs!