Good angel- Bad Angel: I'm not sure which is which these days...

It's snowing and cold.

This means I've run on the treadmill the last 2 days.

Yesterday I ran for 1 hour and 10 minutes.

It was the longest 1 hour and 10 minutes of my life.

Sometimes I think that the treadmill was invented by a man that has never run a day in his life. He's jealous and hates runners. He wants them to suffer and find misery in the things they normally find joy in.

It's a slow torture.

It was so bad that at mile 3 the little angel on my right shoulder started making me think that maybe I could just run 3 and call it good. I might not even run the marathon. Who's crazy idea was it to train through January and February for a 26.2 mile race anyway? I must have been crazy to think it was possible. How mad would my friend who's running the race be at me if I bailed now?

And then the angel on my other shoulder (you know- the one that got me into this mess in the first place) said "You can do it!!! Don't listen to her. She's a doubter and wants you to fail, and never reach your goal of running a marathon!"...

...I hate that little girl perched on my shoulder talking me into such things.

Geesh.

So I guess me and the treadmill better become friends, because I have a marathon to run.

Cold Feet Don't Exercise...

I don't know if it's scientific or not, but I just discovered something.

I'm visiting my parents for a couple of days with my lovely kiddos.

My parents are wonderful people who keep their heat around 70 degrees at night (It's awesome and amazing and I love them deeply for it).

My loving husband on the other hand makes us turn ours down to 60 degrees each night before going to bed- my toes are cold just thinking about it (I'm not even allowed to put it on 70 during the day much less at night).

A little background on myself: I usually like to get up around 5 a.m. and do my running/lifting/exercising- get it done and out of the way and then have the whole day to relax and enjoy with the family.

Present day however(which would be the last couple of months or so since it has gotten really cold): It has been so freaking cold in my house in the mornings that I don't think I could blow myself out of bed with dynomite these days. The mere thought of getting out of my warm bed and being knocked over by the cold in my home makes me cringe just thinking about it.

However this morning I am meeting a friend to run 4 miles. We are meeting at 7:30. Lastnight when I set the alarm on my phone I completely forgot that I am now using my super old one and the time on it is 1 hour fast. So I set the alarm for what I thought was 6:45, but what really turned out to be 5:45 (of course I didn't realize this until I was nice and awake and dressed- hence the reason I writing you dear blog world instead of back in bed).

Anyhoo- I so just looked at the phone, turned off the alarm, and hopped right out of bed. There was no worries of it being too cold- I just got up and got dressed- No worries.

Conclusion- Obviously if it were slightly warmer in my home I would be able to get back to getting up early and working out. I wouldn't have to go through this awful routine of setting my alarm only to wake up with my nose cold and seeing my breath and thinking "Be REAL!!!" I mean I'm starting to think Jack Frost is sharing the bedroom with my son for crying out loud!

I might have to have an ole sitdown with the hubinator to see what we can do to remedy this situation cause this Early Morning Exerciser wants to early morning exercise again!

Move over Oatmeal- There's another Boss in Town...

Toda y I gave my wonderful go to breakfast- oatmeal- a holiday.

Instead I used Bulgar Wheat. It was delightful and nutty. I feel really good about the decision.

Not only was it nice to have a little break (I mean I love you oatmeal, but it's not you - it's me okay)- but it was good for my body to get some other stuff it needs and can use ya know.

I don't know if you know this about me, but I'm a Workout Aholic (sp?)- there I said it.

I ran 5 miles yesterday only after I had brutally worked out my legs lifting and doing plyometrics for an hour earlier in the day...

...I LOVE IT!

So- with that said I need to give my body lot's of yummy and good for it stuff so that it can continue to workout like a rock star!

So- if you want to give your body some good for it goodness- here's the lowdown:

1/2 cup Bulgar wheat cooked (duh)
1/2 cup peaches diced (or whatever fruit floats your boat- banana and some raisins would be tasty here too)
1 tbsp ground flaxseed
2 tbsp chopped walnuts- or almonds or pecans if that makes you happier
1 tsp honey (I buy local for all it's wondermous allergy fighting benefits)/ you could use maple syrup too (yes- the real stuff)
sprinkle of cinnamon

Stir all together and Yay- Oatmeal's Brother from Another Mother is ready for you to scarf down! Enjoy!

How to Cook It All!

I just got this new cookbook. Awesome!

I've made muffins, dessert, bread, main dishes- And have not been dissapointed even once!

If you are vegetarian or just looking to add some healthier meals to what you already have going- this is a great book!

Happy Cooking!

Marathon Training:

This is my game plan for the marathon:

I'm so all over it.

Marathon Training Schedule: Novice 1
Week
1
rest
3 m run
3 m run
3 m run
rest
6
cross
2
rest
3 m run
3 m run
3 m run
rest
7
cross
3
rest
3 m run
4 m run
3 m run
rest
5
cross
4
rest
3 m run
4 m run
3 m run
rest
9
cross
5
rest
3 m run
5 m run
3 m run
rest
10
cross
6
rest
3 m run
5 m run
3 m run
rest
7
cross
7
rest
3 m run
6 m run
3 m run
rest
12
cross
8
rest
3 m run
6 m run
3 m run
rest
13
cross
9
rest
3 m run
7 m run
4 m run
rest
10
cross
10
rest
3 m run
7 m run
4 m run
rest
15
cross
11
rest
4 m run
8 m run
4 m run
rest
16
cross
12
rest
4 m run
8 m run
5 m run
rest
12
cross
13
rest
4 m run
9 m run
5 m run
rest
18
cross
14
rest
5 m run
9 m run
5 m run
rest
14
cross
15
rest
5 m run
10 m run
5 m run
rest
20
cross
16
rest
5 m run
8 m run
4 m run
rest
12
cross
17
rest
4 m run
6 m run
3 m run
rest
8
cross
18
rest
3 m run
4 m run
2 m run
rest
rest
race

It's Hal Higdon- Here's the full plan.

26.2

I'm training for my first marathon.

Scared.

Overwhelmed.

Nervous.

Sore.

Anxious.

Unsure.

All things describing where I am right now.

I think that closer to the race, which is in April, these words will only be intensified.

But I feel like if I don't ever reach into the unknown to see what I'm capable of then there will be parts of myself that will always be unknown to me and I'll always be wondering if I could have done more.

I'm not getting younger.

I'm probably in the best shape of my life.

I'll never have this moment again.

So for now- I'm hanging on to these things like a life support for dear life.

I'll embrace and except the fear and doubts like a close family member who annoys me, but who I realize, at the end of the day, is still a part of me and still deserves respect and love.

Marathon- April.

I can do it.

Spicy Popcorn- Perfect Snack w/ No guilt...

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons canola oil
• 1 cup popping corn kernels
• 1/2 teaspoon sweet paprika
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Directions

Heat oil in deep pot over medium high heat. Add corn. Cover pot and pop the corn, shaking pan often. Remove from heat. Combine spices in a small dish and sprinkle the blend over hot corn. Serve.

*You can also add some parmesan cheese- It's Tasty!!!

We always enjoy this Tasty Treat in the evening while watching a movie- We make a lot and eat it as our supper- Yay for movie night!