Mental v. Physical

Some truth in advertising in this title, this is pretty darn funny. And I needed that.

I will take the adage that laughter is the best medicine, because at this point nothing else is helping to get rid of the monster off all head colds.

This does not bode well for the start of my marathon training plan. Or my sleep schedule. But I am more upset about the marathon training.

Half of me is screaming to go out and get the runs in anyway. That is the ambitious half. The sickly half is throwing snot tissues at the ambitious half and snuggling up on the couch and prepping to watch the Biggest Loser.

Rest. Fluid. Foods. That is all I am allowing myself until this thing passes. No reason to make it worse. I'm battling physical health versus mental health right now. You win this round physical, my mental side sneers, but when we hit mile 20 during the marathon, you'll be glad I'm around.

Don't worry, I'll keep you busy mental side. Let's go watch that YouTube video again.

Pumpkin Creme Pies & A Run

I loved Oatmeal Creme Pies growing up. Like to the point, where if my mom splurged on a box, between the two of us we inhaled them within a couple days. Probably not the best idea in the world, but I can hardly blame Little Debbie for making such delectable treats.

A few days ago I was perusing through websites and stumbled upon Pumpkin Creme Pies. I was intrigued. Could they hold up to the awesomeness of my childhood favorites?

There was only one to find out.

I went to the store to pick up a few of the ingredients I did not have; pumpkin, nutmeg and cloves. Then I came home and realized I did in fact, have full jars of nutmeg and cloves...oops. Guess that meant if the recipe went well, I would be making more.

Followed the recipe pretty much to a "T", but made a few substitutions. Lets face it, with as much sugar going into this thing as there is, it is not going to be the most healthy creation, but I could help it out a touch. Highlighted substitutes in bold.

The Cast:

For the Cookie:

• 1 cup Brown Sugar
• 1 cup Sugar
• 1 cup Vegetable Oil
• 1 can Pumpkin (15 Oz.)
• 1/2 cup Egg Beaters
  
• 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
• 3 cups Wheat Flour
• 1 teaspoon Baking Soda
• 1 teaspoon Baking Powder
• 1 Tablespoon Cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon Ground Ginger
• ½ teaspoons Salt
• ½ teaspoons Ground Nutmeg
• ¼ teaspoons Ground Cloves

For the Frosting:

• 1 package Cream Cheese Softened (8 Oz.)
• 1 cup Cocoa Butter, Room Temperature
• 1 package Powdered Sugar (16 Oz.)
• 3 drops Vanilla Extract
• 2 dashes Cinnamon

The Method:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Pumpkin Creme Pies:

Mix the brown sugar, sugar, oil and pumpkin. Add the egg beaters slowly, and continue mixing. Add in the vanilla -- I am still spoiled with the stuff I brought back from the Dominican Republic. I honestly can taste the difference.

In a separate bowl, mix together the dry ingredients.

Combine the dry ingredients into the wet ingredient bowl slowly.

Cut 3 inch squares of parchment paper, the original recipe calls for 24, but because I cut the pastry bag tip a little smaller, I ended up with 30. Using a pastry bag plastic baggie since I don’t have any pastry bags around, cut a hole in the tip, start making a swirl pattern on the pieces of wax paper. Mine were also a little larger then the original recipe, about 3 inches wide.

Put the piped batter circles onto the sheets, and allow them to bake for 12 minutes, you want them firm enough, but overall pretty soft. Pull them off the baking sheet and onto a cooling rack or a towel to settle.

Cream Cheese Filling:

Mix together cream cheese and butter. Add in the powdered sugar, vanilla and cinnamon.

Once the pies are cooled (if they are too warm the frosting will melt off and drip down the sides more than necessary), frost a flat side of one pie, and add another on top to sandwich it off.

I ate a freshly warm Pumpkin Crème Pie and one that had sat in the refrigerator overnight, you know – for testing purposes. Preferred the cooler version, and the pie portion stayed nice and soft.

The Run:

I went out for a nice and easy four mile run before I baked the yummy-to-my-tummy Pumpkin Crème Pies. For some reason during most of the run my body felt out of sorts. I at my usual pre run snack, and had a good breakfast and lunch earlier in the day. I had hypothesis that I wasn’t hydrated enough, or if it might be the lack of sleep the last few days. But I would make the case that it was the Pumpkin Crème Pies fault. The mere thought of them is quite distracting.

To illustrate my point:

The whole time I was out on my run I knew in the back of my mind that the ingredients to this delectable treat were sitting on the counter awaiting my return. My focus was definitely on reviewing the recipe in my head.

A little over the halfway point I started to visualize the completed project. The fall favors of soothing pumpkin and spicy nutmeg. Drool escaped the corner of my mouth. And the frosting, heaven almighty, the frosting! The distraction was overwhelming, as evidence by my running graph.

So, in conclusion, it was definately the pies fault I was sluggish. There really is no other explanation.

Built like a Mule or a Clydesdale

Power meal before my run last night. Yummy pesto goodness. Cooked some noodles, pulled out a couple of frozen pestos pieces from its respective ice cube tray in my freezer, and topped off with some mozzarella cheese. Dear me, the drool is escaping down my chin.

Before my run I did a little reading on NY Times, because I like to have something to ponder as I pound away the miles. Sort of like in high school when the English teacher would give a writing prompt in order to force you into creating some literary awesomeness (my teacher's would be so proud of my use of language). I do this for two reasons:

• Keeps my brain from thinking about running. Kind of like highway hypnosis. Thinking about abstract ideas takes all the mental energy that I would use to think, "Why am I doing this?", "How can I create a shortcut on my route and get home to watch Dancing With the Stars on Time?", or, "Am I crazy?" and puts that energy into more meaningful topics. For example, "How can I reduce my environmental impact?", "What new and healthy recipe can I use to entice my office mates?", or, "Did I TiVo Dancing with the Stars?"
• Thinking about a prompted topic keeps me from accidentally singing out loud to the tunes on my iPod. That is more for everyone else's sake rather than my own.

The NY Times article that peaked my interest today was on weight classes in road races. Why it interested me was because I would currently fall under the women's weight class for a Clydesdale, if not at least an Athena. But not just that, I would have also fallen under this category when I was much fitter in high school.

Never one to really think dwell on weight so much as feeling healthy and fit, I've also never run a road race with the intention of winning. My goal is generally to stay in my PR range and enjoy the energy and fun of running along side others. And the cool swag, I love me some race t-shirts.

In high school I lovingly referred to myself as the mule. Never a sprinter by any stretch of the imagination, but I could finish any long distance run our coach threw at us. To me, fast was fast, and finishing was finishing. But I never put myself into a weight class.

The concept was not foreign though, even as a teenager I listened as two of my best friends would talk about weighing in for Power Lifting competition. Their sport recognized that there was a difference in performance between size, enough to justify different weight classes. However, I also learned of the pressure they faced before each competition to maintain their current weight, because even gaining a couple pounds. Because if they were pumped up into the next weight class, they would be on the low end and that could throw them off, not only physically but mentally as well.

All this thought provoking internal monologue carried me through mile two of my run. Then Kat DeLuna started belting out "Whine Up" and I started to jam along proving the second bullet point up top to be absolutely accurate. Inner dialog momentarily put on hiatus.

I finished my daily running and ponder time with a wild berry protein smoothie. Then I flipped on "Dancing with the Stars" and settled in for my final thoughts on my mental running prompt.

Which brings me to my parting analysis. Quite honestly, I really do not have a strong position formed on Clydesdale racing. I know there is a distinct advantage to small, lean racers. However, winning is not why I run. Even when I was younger I ran more to beat my own personal best rather then to race the pack. But that does not necessarily mean that is how everyone else sees this. Some folks want fairness, but on the flip side other folks do not want to be classified.

Its the competitive versus those folks just going out to have fun. I fall on the side that just wants to be healthy and enjoy myself. None of the races in my area have really offered this option for racing, but I will be interested to see if in the coming years if it gains popularity, that it pops up at more races.

***

On a side note, happy "International Walk to School Day!" If I had kiddos, I would definately make them lace up their tennis shoes and trudge it to class.

This Weeks *delayed* Training Plan

I would have run eight miles yesterday. I truly would have. But I was on the road, coming back from a beautiful family wedding down in Milwaukee. It was in Mitchell Park, right behind the Domes. Absolutely gorgeous at night--the shot I took above hardly does it justice. And no snide comments about they might look like. Sometimes an apple is just an apple.

I would have run this morning, but my kitties were all curled up on my bed and we were comfy. One bundled up by my hip, the other by my shoulder. It was surround sound purring.

Coulda, woulda. Full of excuses, I am.

But I do not think this warrants any retribution, yet. In my defense, I had no training schedule for last week, figuring I would take a breather after the half marathon but still going out for a short run and a stint at the gym. But starting tomorrow, all bets are off. So here is my very public plan for the week:

Monday - Off
Tuesday - 4 mile run in the A.M.
Wednesday - Strength training (upper body and abs)
Thursday - 4 mile run with Vero
Friday - Strength training (lower body and back)
Saturday - 5 mile run
Sunday - Cross training - 45 min swimming

A bit of a step back in mileage, but I only have short races in October, and build up for a 10K and 15K in November. I am also excited to switch things up for the winter and work on some cross training to start some spring dualatholons, and maybe even a sprint triathlon.

Blog, I am depending on you to help keep me accountable.

*****

On a side note, tonight I am going to make some pesto, because I have been craving it and the store bought version is so expensive. *drooling* Can hardly wait.

play of game distraction

A ten mile run was on the books. But then I got the call. Two tickets to Lambeau Field. Bye-bye run, hello Packers! Not to mention that I have been dying to get a night shot of the field with my fisheye lens. It turned out just how I imagined.

The Aaron Rodgers fist bump. Bros just giving each other a pat on the back. As they should. That is exactly how I look after a run--relaxed and just hanging out, not a single spot of sweat on my brown, and perfectly coiffed hair.

Although I did allow myself to once again be distracted, I did fit in a nice 6.5 mile run on my day off to make up for my slacker tendencies. I felt good, my muscles had a hard time falling asleep afterwards. But at least I had a Packer victory to get me through the night.

Yeah, the score is correct, 59 to 24. And if you look at the screen on the scoreboard, it looks like Aaron is giving another fist bump, this time to the opponent after the game. Is it some secret male athlete language, and if so could I have the translation?

Fist bumping it over and out.

stream of conscious running

When I run, I run alone. All part of my lone wolf syndrome. Apart of that running is my internal dialog. A small portion of what went through my head during a quick three mile run, here it is in the unedited version...

Oh, a Robbie Williams song coming up on my iPod. Thank goodness for the British.

Why is the guy in the yellow Slug bug staring at me? Better yet, why is he driving a beetle?

Wish I was out sailing right now, they all look so pretty.

What should I have for dinner--leftover chili it is.

Poker face, she has me like nobody, something lyrics I can't remember.

Wow, I bet if that lady was going in the same direction as me, she would totally pass my rear end. Kudos to you speedy woman, I aspire to your greatness.

Did speedy woman just pick her nose?

Nah, she's too cool for that right?

Crud, only two miles in and my tummy feels like it wants to expel its contents.

Shouldn't have eaten that chicken right before I ran, but it's soooo good.

Damn you chicken. But I love you still.

Tonight I'll be visiting with the 'rents of some of my favorite kiddos.

They will have wine.

Hmmm....sounds good right now.

Wine--I'm such a wino.

Not really, but sometimes I wish I could be.

Damn you Lady Gaga with your catchy songs, thank goodness no one knows your on my iPod run mix. Just dance, baby....

Mom's friend left a pumpkin on my patio today.

What the heck am I going to do with a pumpkin?

I could make a pie -- wait, never done that before, scratch the pie.

I'm hungry now. I could eat a horse.

Okay, no. That is disgusting, there is no way I could eat a horse.

Maybe a cookie. Chocolate chip of course.

I wonder if Robbie Williams likes chocolate chip cookies?

extreme house distraction

My attention span is shorter than a fly. And I do not even have the added perk of flying around and being a pest to everyone.

The plan was to head out for a nice two mile warm up, head into the gym and lift some weights, and then head back out for another six miles.

I ran a whopping two miles.

In my defense, I was slightly distracted because something big has come to my hometown. You might say something extreme. And I am warming up my vocal cords.

"MOVE THAT BUS! MOVE THAT BUS!"

That is right, Ty is in the house, or should I say, building a house.

Extreme Home makeover is building a home about two blocks from where I grew up. I used to babysit a couple of cute kiddos in a house kiddy-corner from this monstrosity they are constructing.

Now, I am not into the whole idea of trying to get on T.V. or anything like that. I had one motivation for skipping out on an hour of my workout this evening, and one motivation only.

Freebies.

Freaking awesome freebies at that. They were giving things out left and right. Noodles and Co came in with bowls of mac and cheese. Hats and totes were being tossed into the crowd. It was madness, pandemonia, and pure awesomeness.

Did I also mention that Derek Hough is one of the celebrity guests for the week? Totally not ashamed of the little bit of drool that just escaped from my mouth.

Now, I was going to stop for just a moment to see how they were doing. Do a little sideline supervising. But then I got to talking with the other spectators and they fed into my gossip mill.

It all started out innocent enough. Discussion of when Ty would be flying in from the reveal in Idaho. Square footage of the house. How the police department and a local music store donated a piano to the family.

Then the gossip became steamy. All of a sudden I was thrown into tales of how the next evening benefit concert featuring three Christian bands might have special guest appearances by Justin Bieber and Lady Gaga. That made total sense, of course Christian music and the totally pure Gaga go together perfectly. That has to be truth, right? I mean, you could argue that the whole alejandro video had an amazing religious overtone.

Yeah, I am probably going to be struck down by lightening.

Before I knew it, all my barricade neighbors and I were being ushered out by the security who closed up the viewing session at 8:00pm. It was then that I looked down and realized that I was still in my running gear, highlighted by my Pepto-Bismo pink running shirt and had yet to log in a single mile.

It was starting to get dark and I decided it would probably be safest to head to the gym and run on the treadmill, even though that thing drives me crazy. And of course my watch does not calibrate well to it, so I swear I was going faster then the little display panel was showing me.

A whopping two miles later and a couple of quick reps on some weights, I was being ushered out by the staff so they could close up shop by nine.

There are two morals to the evening. The first; I get easily distracted thanks to my puny attention span. This is why I prefer to run straight away in the morning. Get it done with and nothing can jump up and drag my attention in another direction. Planning runs for the evening is not just not ideal for me.

The second; I will do anything to get Derek Hough's attention. Even if it means wearing my Pepto-Bismo pink running shirt in public.