Celebrate Running

Happy National Running Day!

I didn't pack on too many miles today, as I ran 7 on trails yesterday, and hope to do the same tomorrow. I’m still sticking to the every other day plan until I feel more confident in my body. I did do some sprint work on the treadmill for a solid 15-20 minutes.

Speaking of my run yesterday, I stumbled upon these guys on the side of the beaten trail. I’m convinced they are strawberries, but my coworker says they aren’t. Until I come to a more conclusive decision, I enjoy making her nervous by telling her I’m going to eat them next time I see them. (I promise I really won’t Mom)

Speaking of berries, did you hear about that recall on the bags of frozen berries sold at Costco? Apparently they are causing outbreaks of Hepatitis A, so that’s no good… here’s the link to the full article if you’re a worried Costco-goer. Which I am, but my main worry stems from how I can collect as many food samples as possible without getting trampled.

Good thing I’ve been sticking to my fresh cherries this week! Yum…

See my special glass of water sitting there? Sparkling water, lemon, lime and a mint leaf. I received the highest honor last night when Andrew told me that it tastes good. This is coming from the guy who drinks so much Gatorade it possibly running through his veins…

Speaking of cherries, and water (gosh I’m good at linking it all together today) I’ve been adding about a tablespoon of tart cherry juice to my water every morning, as I’ve read it’s supposed to help with general inflammation… and is just all-around good for you. Remember my word of the year?? Hint, it rhymes with moactive…

I’ve gotten about a million emails from the Rock ‘n Roll Marathon series letting me know that today only until midnight, for National Running Day, you can save $20 on any race you sign up for. Just a thought, if you’re considering adding to your race schedule. As for me, I’ve been eyeing some shorter distance races to sign up for within the coming summer months. I’m still waiting to sign up for anything, as I want to get moved and settled and get other life things taken care of first.

There are tons of other fun running –related deals/contests out there to celebrate today that I’ve seen being advertised on other blogs – I would just do a little internet surfing, and I’m sure you will stumble upon something cool.

How are you celebrating National Running Day? I’m trying to be extra thankful today for being able to run again. It’s a gift, and easy to forget how quickly it can be taken away.

Cheers!

Purple Spandex, Kiwis, and Being Born to Run

As many of you may already know by now, today is National Running Day. And of course I celebrated it by running. At breakfast, lunch and dinner.

lunchtime run

No I haven’t gone off the deep end; it was only a couple miles at a time, 10 in total on the day. And each time was a great time. But I would have to say that the breakfast run was my favorite.

Not only because I wore my new purple Nike running spandex that I got at the outlets for $10…

I have no idea where these pictures came from,
 I blacked out when I took them.

but because I managed to talk Andrew into joining me for my 6 a.m. excursion. And it ended up being beyond entertaining.

The first mile or so he ranted about the Celtics/Heat game from last night. Why he is suddenly an avid Heat fan is beyond me, but I let him vent for a while.

After about a mile he began insisting that we cross the street a few times because the side we were on ‘just didn’t feel right’. Next he spotted a gated community college’s track and sprinted towards it, urging me to hop the fence with him and do a few laps. My hesitation came from

A. getting arrested for trespassing and

B. breaking an ankle

… and I was able to convince him that we had to continue on.

Conversation then shifted to the book “Born to Run” by Christopher McDougal which he is currently reading, and I already have read. It’s a great read yet apparently all he’s retained from it so far is that we were literally born to run. The last mile home consisted of random outbursts of him screaming encouragement over his shoulder:

“Kait, we were BORN TO DO THIS.”

I’m sure the surrounding neighborhoods enjoyed the wakeup call.

It was much livelier than my typical morning runs alone when I rarely even remember the first half, or how I even got out of bed in the first place. After returning home I quickly threw together a delicious bowl of Kiwi Cinnamon Oatmeal – a simple concoction that sounds random, but is sweet and filling.

-          ½ cup of oats

-          1 TB of ground flax

-          1 TB of cinnamon

-          1 kiwi

Fill bowl with the first three ingredients and then enough water to more than cover the oats. Microwave for 2 minutes and slice the kiwi over the top.  VOILA!

How did you guys embrace National Running Day?

I'm off to our weekly softball game... in my glasses. Not the best combo, but what can ya do.

Cheers!