October recap

Pre-workout fuel: 1/3 banana and Cinnabon Cream of Wheat
Workout: 40 minutes Jackie Warner OnDemand selection, 10 minutes stretch and 2+ mile walk with Denali

Sweet November. I'm not sure whether to be excited or, umm, unexcited(?).

Reasons to be excited:

• W.O.O.F.
• Bison burgers after the W.O.O.F.
• Seeing my grandma(!)
• Thanksgiving
• Bruegger's Bagels at the end of the 101st annual Thanksgiving Day Race
• "Falling back" with Daylight Savings Time
• First run in the snow

Reasons to be unexcited:

• Two days of post-run hunger after the W.O.O.F.
  
• Cooler temperatures
• Renewing the registration on my car
• Holiday deadlines at work
• Being forced to wear gloves during runs

Before I get too ahead of myself, let's take a brief moment to look back at October. If you remember correctly, I challenged myself to strength train three times a week and not shy away from lunges, squats and all things legs. I also signed up for Tall Mom's 83 miles in October challenge.

How did I do?

Good, I'd say. I didn't notice the results I had hoped for (i.e. changes in measurements) but I did follow the "Biggest Loser" DVDs three times a week - even going back-to-back for some sessions (Wednesday and Thursday) when a MWF schedule posed a challenge. That's a big deal for me! I think I would have gotten more out of it had I used a DVD program geared toward someone who had a higher base of fitness.

As far as the miles ... we'll let them speak for themselves.

18
Total number of runs

2
Number of races registered for (both in November)

6.18
Average distance per run

13.26
Farthest distance ran

8:20
Pace for fastest run

9:01
Pace for slowest run

111.24
Total miles ran in October

5
Consecutive 100+ mile months

914.07
Total miles ran in 2010

Showin' some Friday love

Pre-workout fuel: Too Healthy Pumpkin Muffin with peanut butter and a banana
Workout: Ran 4.25 miles in 36 minutes, 15 seconds; average pace, 8:32. "Biggest Loser: Power Sculpt" for 50 minutes followed.

Friday, Friday, Friday! Friday, Friday, Friday!

Come, on! Sing it with me!

Friday, Friday, Friday!

I sort of feel like I'm earning weekend today but that's OK. I'm going to breakfast with one of my favorite mamas (she's expecting twins!) tomorrow, and I'm fairly certain that Mark and I will go to the movies. We don't have any plans for Halloween, and I don't even think we're passing out candy (last year's effort = bust). It should be a calm, relaxing weekend.

Now, it's time to show Friday some lovin'!

Food. I like soup ... a lot - too much probably. We even have soup nights at the winter at Casa de Healthy Strides. Soup and sammies to warm the soul. Usually, though, my soup comes from a can and that can usually comes from Progresso. The brand is a bit more pricey than, say , Campbell's but it tastes better and is Weight Watchers-endorsed. The Vegetable Barley is my favorite but this week I took a HUGE risk and tried the New England Clam Chowder. You know what? I didn't spit it out. I actually kind of enjoyed it. Don't get me wrong - it's no where near as tasty as the clam chowder I had at a beachfront restaurant in Malibu. Then again, I'm only eating at my desk at work -- not on the deck, looking out at the Pacific.

Fitness. I'm thisclose to the conclusion of my October challenge. Yay! I have fulfilled my goal of strength training three times a week, and I hit my 83 miles on Sunday. Just one more run (a long one on Sunday), and I can call it D-O-N-E. Sort of. I'm already gearing up for November, and I ordered "Personal Training With Jackie: Xtreme Timesaver Training." I probably won't get to it next week, depending on when Amazon ships it, because I need to save my legs for the W.O.O.F. but I am looking forward to a shorter routine (just 30 minutes compared to "Biggest Loser" workouts of more than 45) and one that promises to beat Jillian Michaels in difficulty.

Life. Now this one's sort of fitness related, too, I hate to say. I was exchanging FB notes with my cousin about my status message proclaiming my registration for the 101st Annual Thanksgiving Day Race. You see, her brother had seen the update and decided that he wanted to do it, too. Of course, he then wanted her to do it. She was a bit uncertain - fearful we're all in better shape - but I assured her that I'd run with her and bribed her with finish-line bagels. I'm not sure if it was the support or the promise of bagels but I think she's in. Add in three other cousins who are already registered, and my family will be partying at the starting line.

Here I am excited about Thanksgiving and not giving a ... about Halloween. Do you have any great plans?

Awe, shucks

Pre-workout fuel: Instant oatmeal and a banana
Workout: 50 minutes "Biggest Loser: Power Sculpt" and 2.15-mile walk with Denali

I'm awesome/ A quarter of my life gone by and/ I met all my friends online/ Mother $%#@# I'm awesome/I will run away from a brawl/I'm awesome


Yeah. I'm awesome. This morning, I managed not only to get in my workout but I baked chocolate chip cookies, cooked and consumed an egg white-veggie omelet, actually styled my hair, stopped at the grocery to pick up snacks for tutoring and (my favorite part) picked up coffee on my way to work. Oh, and I actually got there 5 minutes early, too.

See what I mean? Totally awesome.

I'd like to think that time moved extra slow for me this morning but I think a small change in my routine helped me out. I got up and ate a small breakfast - per the usual - and did my sculpt challenge for the day. Rather than immediately leash up Denali, though, I headed to the shower. Ten minutes later, I was clean and within 15 minutes we were on a walk. My hair was able to air dry a bit on the walk, cutting my quality time with the blow dryer, and I also felt an urgency in the shower (as opposed to standing under the hot water for 20 minutes just because it feels good).

Of course, with all that time you would think that I would have managed to come up with an outfit that didn't make me look like I was in my student's second-grade class.


Alas, I didn't. I guess child-like enthusiasm for my cookies distracted me.


Super-Duper Easy, Make-Before-Work Chocolate Chip Cookies

1 box white cake mix (I like Duncan Hines)
1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
1/2 cup egg substitute
1/2 cup mini chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix together the cake mix, applesauce and egg substitute until just combined. Add mini chocolate chips and mix just until there are no lumps. Drop cookies onto a parchment-lined cookie sheet and bake for 10 to 12 minutes - until the tops of the cookies start to crack.

I got about 32 cookies out of the batch and they are about 100 calories a piece. Pretty awesome.

What is this ... Augtober?

Pre-workout fuel: Instant oatmeal and half a banana
Workout: Ran 6.53 miles in 58 minutes, 53 seconds; average pace, 9:01.

Today, it went a little like this ...


It wasn't a pretty run but it was a run.

P.S. I dare you to try that last one while managing a dog. I just might be Superwoman.

P.P.S. That top is over at Zazzle.com and is available in a variety of styles - even a tech tee version.

P.P.P.S. I wear a size small.

P.P.P.P.S. That last note was for Mark :)

Courting the idea

Pre-workout fuel: Cinnamon raisin English muffin with peanut butter
Workout: 55 minutes "Biggest Loser: Boot Camp" and 2.2-mile walk with Denali

Type of accident - Check one
▢ Fall ▢ Auto/Motorcycle ▢ Other (______________)

√ Fall

How did accident occur?

My dog is an easily startled doody head.

Do you intend to file a claim against any party?
▢ Yes ▢ No ▢ Unsure

Can I sue my dog? That might be interesting ....

So I got this stupid paperwork from the insurance company. They basically want to know if there's a way they can get out of paying my emergency room bill from when I fell while running with Denali. Where did I fall, did anyone force my injury, do I have a lawyer ... you know those sorts of things. Sorry folks - I don't think you can sue a dog. I think you would have to take that up with God, and I'm sure there's a pretty long line for that.

◊ ◊ ◊

Speaking of Denali, I was just watching the sweat drip on the floor as I held a wide-legged push-up with weights. All of the sudden I hear plop ... plop ... plop. The red KONG had fell out of his mouth and bounced to a spot right underneath my belly. Rather than going back to his bone (one toy is not enough to entertain him), he decided to stick his head between my legs, pause to lick my stomach, grab his KONG and then backing up to the rug.

Such a guy!

I do have to give myself props because not only did I not collapse on top of him, my form didn't waiver when he was underneath. A sure sign my October strength challenge is paying off!

Some more Friday love

Pre-workout fuel: Cinnabon Cream of Wheat
Workout: Ran 4.39 miles in 38 minutes, 46 seconds; average pace, 8:49.

A night with somewhat improved sleep, a weekday run with my husband, an imminent trip to Starbucks. What a Friday - and it's not even 7:30 a.m.! Come on, let's show Friday some love.

Food: Dunkin' Donuts Mocha Mint roast coffee. A good bag of coffee was part of Mark's consolation gift for breaking my coffee pot. I had planned on getting a decaf roast from my fave coffee shop but I couldn't resist this little guy, sittin' on the shelf at Target. It smells AMAZING while it's brewing, and the flavor has just a hint of mint. It's not something I'd drink all day, every day for the rest of my life but it's a nice little treat.

Fitness: I am half-way into my October challenge, which includes running 83 miles and incorporating strength training three times a week. I'm well on my way to hitting my mileage - nearly 50 miles so far. And the strength training? It's fantastic. I definitely feel myself getting stronger. I did chaturanga push-ups yesterday, during "Power Sculpt," and I didn't struggle that much when holding myself an inch off the ground. I can also hold this scoop move in "Boot Camp" without dropping the weights for a break.

Fun: My Snow Patrol station on Pandora. Snow Patrol, The Fray, a little Keane - you can't go wrong with that in my book. Of course, I wish I could take them along for the drive to Louisville. I know "where there's a will, there's a way" but I spent too much time packing to worry about that. I'll take "Wicked" (the audiobook) instead.

Hope everyone has a fantastic weekend! Any great plans?

Three Things Thursday

Pre-workout fuel: Cinnamon Raisin English Muffin with peanut butter and half of a banana
Workout: Ran 4.28 miles in 37 minutes, 37 seconds; average pace, 8:47. The run was followed by 40 minutes of "The Biggest Loser: Power Sculpt."

1. I could not sleep last night. At all. My mind was just non-stop about things of little importance - seriously, I think I spent two hours planning outfits for our upcoming mini vacation. I usually try to turn things off by counting but every time I tried, my mind flashed to "The Exorcism of Emily Rose."



Needless to say, I was too scared to close my eyes much less sleep. I eventually got up at 5:15 a.m. and was out for my run by 6 - about an hour earlier than normal.

2. I know I talked about running in the dark in my last post but this was the first time it was DARK for my entire run. It was a bit unsettling at times. Not because I was scared I was going to be attacked but because it was just eerie. The river, black. Trees, rustling. Denali even seemed to sense something different, as he was way more spaz/ADD than normal. I would like to think that he was on the lookout for any potential danger as a protector. Knowing him, he was probably trying to find a squirrel he heard.

3. I came back from my run to find "The Biggest Loser: Power Sculpt" awaiting me. We leave for Louisville tomorrow morning, and I was worried about getting a run in - much less the typical Friday double workout. Hence, the strength training today. I didn't want to do "Boot Camp" two days in a row, though, and I was lucky enough to find this workout at the library. It's a bit similar to "Boot Camp," with three levels and the use of upper body and lower body moves. However, "Power Sculpt" doesn't have the burst of cardio, I didn't sweat nearly as much and I didn't feel nearly as fatigued as I do with "Boot Camp." Nevertheless, it might be a good alternative if I get tired of listening to Bob's lame "BC" jokes.

In the stars

Pre-workout fuel: Half peanut butter and jelly sandwich and a butternut squash smoothie
Workout: 45 minutes "Biggest Loser Boot Camp" and 3.4-mile walk with Denali

Have you heard that song by Bruno Mars? "Just the Way You Are"?

Oh her eyes, her eyes/ Make the stars look like they're not shining/ Her hair, her hair/ Falls perfectly without her trying/ She's so beautiful/ And I tell her every day/ Yeah I know, I know/ When I compliment her/ She won't believe me/ And it's so, it's so/ Sad to think she don't see what I see

I think the universe was trying to tell me something after yesterday's post because I heard that song three times on three different radio stations on my less than 3-mile drive to work.

Of course, if the universe is talking, I want to know why I woke up thinking about Frostys. And not the kind I was worried about with the impending weather doom.

If Eva Longoria eats them, so should I!

While eating a Frosty for breakfast, depending on the circumstances, would not be beyond me, I am not so sure they are available at 6 a.m. So I had the next best thing. Well, the most appropriate next best thing: A butternut squash smoothie.

I can't take credit for the idea but I have adapted the recipe to fit my tastes and ideas of what a smoothie should be.

Butternut Squash Smoothie
Adapted from edible perspective

3/4 cup unsweetened vanilla Almond Breeze
1/2 cup pureed butternut squash
1/3 frozen banana
HEALTHY dash cinnamon
A couple shakes of nutmeg and ginger
A couple drops of vanilla
A sprinkle of sweetener
3 ice cubes

Put everything in the blender and whirl until it's good and frothy.

If you're not so sure about this, let me tell you one thing. It's good. Still not convinced? Here's a second thing: It really kind of tastes like pumpkin pie, and you can't go wrong with pumpkin pie.

Belated September recap and October goals

Pre-workout fuel: Cinnabon Cream of Wheat
Workout: 45 minutes "Biggest Loser Bootcamp" and 2.2-ish mile walk with Denali

September, by the numbers:

1 - Half-marathon complete

2 - Number of scraped knees

4 - Number of free water bottles scored at F4F health expo/F4F

6.7 - Average distance per run

8:32 - Pace of fastest run

9:10 - Pace of slowest run

16 - Total number of runs

107.25 - Total miles ran

And now a look at October ...

Goal No. 1: Complete Tall Mom's 83 Miles in October challenge. It will average out to about 21 miles a week, which is close to where I wanted to keep my base. I'll continue to run four times a week - Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday - and do a long-ish run of ~7 miles on Sunday.

Goal No. 2: Follow the "Biggest Loser Bootcamp" program three times a week - Monday, Wednesday and Friday. I will follow Level 2 for the first two weeks and up it to Level 3 for the last two weeks. I have taken my measurements and have a "starting" weight so I'm curious to see how things change over the course of the month.

Goal No. 3: Not eat myself into oblivion when I go on a mini-vacation to Louisville. On the opposite end, I will use the hotel gym at least once while I'm there.

What's missing from this list? The River City Rat Race 10K. The run just happens to be the same day as my friend's baby shower (she's expecting twins!). It wouldn't be a problem normally but the race starts at 2 p.m. and the shower at 3 p.m. Factor in that I need to make and deliver the cake, and I have a scheduling issue. Instead, I plan to run a 10K on Thanksgiving day in Cincinnati.

What are your goals for October?