Author Archives: Emily

Reindeer Run 5k

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Forgive me physical therapy gods for I have sinned – I ran a 5k when I was told to speed walk.  But I didn’t run the whole time!  I’ll go back to the beginning….

This was the morning of the Reindeer Run 5k.  We signed up a  month ago, before my tendonitis diagnosis, so that I could have some race experience before my Half in March.  After my pt told me not to run we decided we would walk the course, so I could have the general experience and since we had already paid for our entries.  Adam was even super-husband and agreed to walk with me.  There was a little snow, but not much, so the setting was perfect.

The race was slightly themed, I saw several elves and one group went as Santa and all his reindeer.  We don’t have a lot of cold weather running gear, but I borrowed an old sweatshirt of Adam’s and did my best.

We picked up our chips a little late and ended up running to the start line from the pick up point.  And I just could not stop.  I love running so much.  I’m not very good and I’m not very fast, but it seriously fills me with joy.

We ended up doing some jog/walk intervals, and I always started walking whenever my leg hurt.  In the end we ran about half of each mile.  I don’t feel like I pushed too hard or set my recovery back too far and we had such a good time!  Here’s an action shot the husband snapped –

Our final time was 33:25.  I know most running bloggers are speed demons, and I’d love to keep up, but for jog/walking it and coming off a 1month hiatus that is pretty damn good!  And I’m feeling much more comfortable with the idea of my half now.

Afterwards we hit up the post race party.  They had hot dogs and pizza and cake.  Here’s Adam’s plate –

That just did not appeal to me.  My post-run breakfast was a little more my style –

But I’m not an angel, I did snag a beer!

All in all in my first race was a great experience.  I’m proud of my self for running, and I’m proud of my self for not running the whole time.  Everyone was super friendly and happy and the setting was perfect.  I had so much fun!

There was even more excitement on the drive home.  As we drove home from the Reindeer run 5k we saw a deer!

It was in a partially fenced in park.  Adam pulled over and I got out to take some pictures.  It go so close to me!

I’m not gonna lie, I was basically swooning, so fun!

Now I’ve got to hustle again so I can shower before Adam’s parents get here.  They are coming up to do a mass birthday/Christmas/anniversary celebration since we can’t connect with them later in December.  I can’t wait!

Have you run any races?  Which was the most fun and why?

Just Call Me Mrs. Peno

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This evening was not at what I was expecting (but still good!).  Adam came home this afternoon and we made a pile*.  For hours.  Fabulous 🙂  *If you don’t know what I’m talking about watch the movie Where the Wild Things Are.

Prior to the pile Adam made a bagel that he was randomly super nice and shared with me.

It was 9:30 before we thought about dinner so we ended up redoing our weekly meal plan and heading to Subway.

I got a 6inch honey wheat with chicken breast, buffalo sauce, ranch, pepperjack, lettuce, tomato, and lots of jalopenos.

It was super spicy, but not that filling.  Which is why I also ended up eating most of this –

I’m having a love affair with jalopenos.

And Bones was fantabulous.  I didn’t get a gym trip in but I am planning on doing arm exercises when I do my pt.

As far as the race tomorrow we have decided to walk it – LAME.  It’s a 5k and we are less than thrilled, but it is just too stupid for me to risk running it when my doctor told me not to.  Such is life.

What is the best thing you’ve ever eaten jalopenos in?  In nyc I used to get jalopeno and cheddar cream cheese on bagels and it was socks rocking.

Snacked

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As predicted I did lots of snacking.  I’m pretty sure any long-term readers can guess what the first picture will be of –

popcorn!  With 1T Promise melted on top.  Mmmmmn.

I also cracked open a new holiday find.  Westoy Chocolate Peppermint Stick Soy Beverage.

This stuff is pretty concentrated (180calories per 8oz serving) so I measured mine out.  I ended up having 1 3/4 cups (i.e. more than one serving) but at least I know exactly what I was getting.  Liquids are really hard to eyeball, if I’m drinking something other than diet soda or water – not that I ever drink anything but diet soda and water – I almost always pull out the measuring cup.

It was very tasty; slightly minty and nice and thick.  And yes, I drank it over ice.  I have a mild obsession with drinks over ice, when I was a kid it was how I drank milk!

The plans for this evening are low-key but exciting to me.  A trip to the gym, making dinner, and a new episode of Bones to watch!

Do you measure out drinks?  Why or why not?

Tonka Tonka

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Remember how I said I was out of shape?  But I trucked ahead and did that Pilates workout yesterday?  Today I feel like I was hit by a truck!!!  I seriously didn’t get out of bed until noon and I’ve been shuffling around the apartment like an old lady.  This feeling is the reason why I don’t want to work out today, and exactly the reason why I’m going to work out today.  Like I said before, I never want to feel like this again.

Plus, it seems to be effecting my fashion sense.

Breakfast got slept through, so I started the day with lunch.

Split Pea Soup is always one of those things I’ve been curious about but unable to try, due to the usual inclusion of ham bone.  This cartoon Dr. McDougall’s sent to me is actually vegan.  However, I topped my bowl with turkey pepperoni and Kerrygold Dubliner Irish Stout cheese.

It was ok, but I haven’t been missing as much as I thought – the best part was the cheese and pepperoni!  I ended up only eating half of the cartoon, so I am pretty sure a snack is on the near horizon.  I’ll see you then!

Do you like split pea soup?  What is good/bad about it?

Last Lab and Leftovers

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I just got back from my last Chem lab ever!  Until next semester that is 😉  Actually, I have to go back next week to officially check out, but that won’t be bad at all.  Nevermind that I did end up failing my quiz, let’s focus on the positives!

I ate some sour cream and onion PopChips before I left for class.

Without a formal lunch though I was starving before I even got to campus.  I tried to trick myself into fullness my eating far too much gum and my body got its revenge by giving me a wicked stomach ache.  😦

And I think it’s good that I’m mentioning the stomach ache before dinner, before I show you what I actually ate for dinner.  The rest of the Annie’s shells leftovers +

I mixed some greens into the mac before microwaving and then doused the whole thing with Taco Bell hot sauce packets.

I know it looks a little swampy, but it ended up being tasty.

I’d like to say I’m going to bed soon, but I’ve said that the past three nights and then stayed up past 1, so let’s just not pretend.  🙂

Do you take home packets from dining establishments?  I’m not so lacking in class that I go out of my way to steal them, but I always squirrel away any leftovers.  The Arby’s packets that are always lying around – Adam eats way too much roast beef – make for the best sandwiches ever!

P.S. Please please don’t enter this; I NEED to win.

I Don’t Need to Leave the House

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My big plan for the day (other than pretending like there’s not an impending quiz) was to go to a Pilates class at my gym.  I showed up at noon and…..nothing.  I was so frustrated I just went home – I couldn’t have done much anyways, I was wearing my ‘yoga bra.’

I might have sat on the couch and stewed for a while.  I might have felt the need to eat a few marshmallows dipped in peanut butter.

But then I got down to business.  Using Netflix’s Watch Instantly program I made use of a ’10minute Solutions Pilates’ DVD.  I did legs, abs, and whole body stretch for a nice 30minute routine.  Loved it!  I think I might start devoting 10minutes a day to this video – I could feel the burn, it was easy and quick, and I can squeeze it in.

Don’t ask me whether or not I’ve done any work since then!!!

Do you prefer to work out at home or at the gym?  Do you ever use exercise DVDs?

Quack Quack

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I had my second pt session this morning.  Good news and bad news.  He could see the improvement in my home exercise already, yay.  But then I got on the treadmill.  I ran in my running shoes and barefoot for a while (the soles of my feet are killing me now!).  Apparently I run like a duck. 

He showed me the proper way to run – leaning slightly forward, feet hitting a straight line in front of you – and had me practice for a while.  Ultimately he told me not to run until our next session on Tuesday.  I can keep doing the elliptical and I should speed walk to practice proper foot placement.  I’m more than a little disappointed, I’m ready to run again!  Plus I’m signed up for a race this weekend, I’m still not sure what’s going to happen with that.

I had a yummy smoothie all planned for breakfast but I was running late so I ended up just eating a Passion Fruit Macadamia KIND Plus Bar in the car.

When I got home around 9:30 I also ate an onion bagel with reduced fat chive cream cheese.

Yum!  These Thomas’ bagels are so nice and chewy.

Today’s a lab/quiz day so it should be pretty busy.  I can just say now that I’m going to bomb my quiz tonight 😦  It’s a good thing I have two weeks until the final, I’ve gotten a bit behind.

What animal describes your running style?

Born Again (Exercise) Virgin

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First off, who thinks it’s a good thing I’m not single???

Although I guess it’s not a good thing for Adam!  The sweatshirt is actually pretty cute.

The problem is more the sneakers and dirty yoga pants (yes, these are the pants I rocked all day yesterday).

Before class this evening I had the pre-gym snack of champions –

I what I really like is the juxtaposition of my diet soda and candy bar next to the headline for an article about healthy diets.  🙂

My friend ended up not being able to go to the gym after class.  I can’t even tell you how proud of myself I am that I went anyway.  After a month off I am more than ready to get moving again!

I set the elliptical to level 7/random and did an easy pace for 30minutes.  I’m not gonna lie, it was hard!  I am out of shape.  And it’s not even like my fitness level went back to square one, it’s like being reborn a fat person.  In NYC I stood from 7-5 and walked constantly so it wasn’t that big of a deal that I didn’t get any formal exercise.  Here I sit on the couch most of the day, and for the last month with my injury I’ve been trying not to move at all.  Fortunately, I am super excited to get back on track.

After my cardio I did some arm/ab strengthening and lots of stretching, including my pt.  ‘Twas good.

I still have to shower and I have pt at 8am tomorrow so I’ve got to rush off.  Sweet dreams!

Have you ever had a fitness rebirth?  What’d you do to get back into fighting shape?