My Heart Races

Marathon Blog

Coke and Donuts

 (Belle dress | New Balance Sneaks | black Current Elliott jeans | white V-neck | Athleta Beanie- in stores)
Lou is going on day 5 in her Belle dress.  She feels beautiful and unstoppable in it so I won’t ask her to take it off.  Another reason is that I’m going on day 5 in my Athleta beanie and New Balances.  When you think of costs per wear, we are both basically earning money at this point.
This past week, a big awesome Dunkin Donuts opened on my favorite 10 mile route.  I was in the middle of a tiring marathon pace run, but I was so excited I stopped and snapped a picture.  Note to self: bring cash next time.
After a race, my stomach always feels uneasy.  I usually can’t even look at the tables of food and treats at a marathon finish, much less indulge like all the other runners.  The only thing that settles my stomach and brings me back to the land of the living is: a Coke (the real stuff) and a donut.  If you have a sensitive stomach after running or racing- try a Coke, Dr. Pepper, or Sprite.  The combination of the sugar and carbonation makes everything better.
If you’ve read my FAQ, I briefly mentioned that one time I ate a dozen donuts after a half-marathon.  It was in Santa Barbara with my sister-in-laws, Lisa and Rachael.  In my defense, I waited way too long to eat anything, so by the time my appetite finally kicked in, I was ravenous and the box of donuts was right in front of me.
One time, Rachael and I were at our kids’ preschool graduation party and there were donuts there.  I reached for one.  The teacher said, “you don’t strike me as someone who eats donuts.”  Rachael laughed out loud.
One time B and I were in New York City and I decided last minute to run a half-marathon in Central Park.  While I ran, he waited in line for two hours for a famous Dominique Ansel Cronut.  That’s love, my friends.
If you follow me on Instagram, you’ve seen the following pictures.  Some people have asked for outfit details, so I’m including them here:
Happy Running!!
XOX

Easy Trader Joe’s Dinner

Monday night is the only night we can have family dinner without at least one person missing. Since school was out on Monday, things were too hectic to plan or prepare for it.  Thankfully I had some staples from Trader Joe’s in my pantry and fridge and was able to make something that was quick and healthy that the kids loved.

You’re gonna need-

One bag frozen broccoli
One bag Trader Joe’s Organic Brown Rice Pasta Fusilli
2-3 cooked chicken breasts (I had some on hand from Sunday Food Prep day)
1/4 cup Trader Joe’s Clarified Butter (ghee)

 (Not all ingredients pictured- sorry. Next time I’ll be more prepared.  .)

2 tsp lemon juice
2 tsp dried basil
1 1/4 tsp garlic powder
3/4 tsp seasoned salt

Cook pasta and steam broccoli while you measure spices and put in a small bowl.

When pasta and broccoli are done, heat the Clarified butter in a large skillet.  Add lemon juice and the mix of spices.  Mix well.  Add cooked pasta and broccoli and diced chicken.  Stir well.  Top with fresh parmesan cheese.

The kids loved it.  The broccoli was fight, as usual, but in the end it was Kids-0, Broccoli-4.

Runner’s Breakfasts

I get asked frequently if I eat before I go running in the morning.  I usually do.  If it’s a run that’s around  45 minutes or less, I get up and go.  Anything an hour or over, I eat.  For this first breakfast, I stick to carbs and fat, with no fiber and not much protein.  The carbs and fat fuel my run, and avoiding too much protein and fiber means no upset stomach.  Lately, I have a thing for Raisin bread toast with peanut butter.  I eat one slice, with the exception being Friday morning before a 15 miler- I had two.

When I get home from my run, I eat again.  It’s easily the most hectic meal of the day.  I’m getting the kids fed and ready for school, emptying the dishwasher, doing hair, etc.  I grab bites when I can.  I usually eat something like: two eggs (I add spinach to them when I have it), a banana, and a bowl of oatmeal.
At around 10:00 am I eat again.  A healthy lunch depends on this small meal.  If I skip it for any reason, lunch time hits and I end up eating far too much (then I have gluttony guilt.)  For this snack I’ll have an apple and a greek yogurt with a tablespoon of chia seeds added.
My breakfasts (with lots of water) set the tone for the rest of the day.  I’m more likely to say no to the nightly urge to eat five bowls of cereal while I watch The Bachelor if I’ve started off the day the right way.