Blog Evolution

This is not really about training - but, considering the marathon will be over in a month, I figured I'll need something else to talk about on this blog...so, we'll start with this.  

I gave up processed foods for Lent - (well, not ENTIRELY, I still allow whole wheat flour and cocoa powder - I mean the goal of Lent is not to ACTUALLY die.).

The point here, is that almost a week in, I feel pretty darned good.  Granted, this is one of those Lenten "give-ups" that I'd just as soon "give-up" for good.  So, maybe we can call it a test run.

Things I've noticed:

1. Shopping takes longer when you read the labels
2. Applesauce made with just 1 ingredient (apples) costs more than applesauce made with apples + 4 ingredients (corn syrup, high fructose corn syrup, water, ascorbic acid)
3.  I get really mad when I go into the grocery stores that make it easier to buy the "healthy" food (not naming names, here), because I see how expensive things are, and realize there are a lot of people for whom it's just not feasible.  

So, aside from the internal dialog I have about the need for better access to healthier food choices for lower income people, this new lifestyle seems to be going pretty well - and even that is not so bad, I mean - we SHOULD be thinking about that kind of thing. 

I even found a couple of good recipes to help with my sweet tooth!  This is from the blog "My Wholefood Life"

Peanut Butter Cup Granola

3 cups rolled oats
1/2 cup peanut butter (for a peanut free option, click here.)
1/4 cup applesauce
3 T coco powder
1/3 cup maple syrup
1 tsp vanilla
2 T non dairy milk
Preheat oven to 330. Mix all the dry ingredients in a large bowl. Mix the wet into a small bowl. You may have to microwave the peanut butter to soften it enough to stir. Add the wet to dry. Spread mixture onto a lined baking pan and bake for 15 minutes. Pull the pan out and move the granola around a bit. Place back in the oven and bake for another 10 minutes. Serve with milk or sprinkle over plain yogurt. If you are feeling extra feisty, you can sprinkle a few chocolate chips in.

The plan is to continue to regale you all with my running prowess, but also throw in some fun things about this food journey. I started off this whole food process weighing in at 142 lbs (last Monday) - yeah, I said it. Don't judge. This Monday, I was down to 140! I had been complaining that all that running wasn't shedding a single pound. Turns out, it probably was...it's just that the nabs for breakfast may have been finding the pounds as soon as I lost them.

Looking forward to sharing more successes!  This week is gonna be hard!  40 miles of running...and NO snickers bars!

What am i doing? Nothing...just squeezing the goo outta my toe.

Wow-wee!  I meant to post last week, after the big 18-miler, but I was so darn tired, and disappointed - and busy! - that I didn't get around to it.

The run was terrible.  I hit the wall at about 14 miles, so the next 4 were spent in agony of mind, body, and spirit.  There was crying.  And I'm not a crier.  But,  I did the whole 18.  That was probably the first time that I thought: "Hey...I think I really might be able to do this!" Even as difficult as it was, at the end of it...I wasn't dead.  So, there's that!

I did have a pretty bad case of swollen toe - or what I've learned is sometimes called "runner's toe."  Essentially, a lot of fluid build up under the nail, causing some intense pain.  On Thursday - Valentine's Day, my dear, sweet Arjay did the most romantic thing anyone has ever done for me.  He healed me!  Seriously.  That's a heckuva Valentine's Day Present!  Here's what we did:

1. Super heat a paperclip - I mean red hot.  This is no job for a candle - we used the burners on the gas stove.
2. Place that glowing paperclip in the center of the pain on the toenail.  
3. The paperclip will melt through the nail, without any pain - no nerves in the nail!  It may take 2 or 3 times, but once it pokes through - INSTANT relief. (Arjay says it's pretty clear when you've poked through, so no danger of burning the skin below.
4. Squeeze the yuck out.  (it's not really that gross...mostly water with a little blood).
5. Soak it 2-3 times a day in 1/2 water, 1/2 hydrogen peroxide.

I can't tell you how great it felt - after 5 straight days of agony, to not have it hurt!  I mean...there was a little pain, but nowhere near what I had been going through, so yay for that!

This week was a "step down" week.  I had two five mile runs, and a 9 mile run during the week, no other drama, except painful toes.  Saturday's run was AWESOME!!  12 miles in the snow!!  I was so cold when I got back, though.  I got into the door, and immediately began shedding the wet clothes - I have no idea how I didn't freeze to death!  But, wow!  It was so, so pretty!  Big, huge flakes - and that "quiet falling" that snow does...just amazing.  

So, this week - we are building up the the longest run before the marathon.  I have 5 miles Monday, 10 miles Wednesday, 5 miles Thursday - and then the big 2-0 on Saturday.  I think I'm ready for it!  Send me your prayers and vibes, I shall need them!