Week 7, Monday, and meal prepping failure

Today is the start of week 7 of my 20 week half marathon training plan.  This week begins 5 runs a week vs. the 4 that I've gotten used to doing.  It's wild to think that two months ago, I was averaging 6 miles a week, and now my weekly mileage will now be 20+ miles per week.  I think often of places that are 20 miles away from my house, and how I could run there over the course of a week.  Examples:

• From my front door to my favorite winery in CT is 15.74 miles.  I could run there, and get started on my way home, in one week's runs.
• From my front door to Bradley International Airport is 20.17 miles.  I could run and get on a plane with no belongings in a week.
• From my front door to my friend Nicole's apartment in Santa Monica CA, is 2912 miles.  It would only take me 146 weeks to run there!

Right, you get it, I'm excited about running a lot more. I have my first 5k race coming up this Saturday.  My friend Tracy (who is an incredible inspiration!) will also be running, but she is at like a 6:30 minute mile, while I'm at 8:47... so we plan to meet up after!  I'm aiming for a 26:30 minute time, but I'll honestly be happy with whatever.  My parents are out of town this weekend, so I'll be going by myself, unless I can drag the boyfriend with me (it's at 8 am...).

Today is not only the start of week 7 but it is also Monday.  I loathe Mondays.  I've concluded that there is nothing worse than setting your alarm for Monday morning on Sunday night.  It makes me sad and grumpy, especially after a long weekend.  I spent the weekend down in Old Lyme at boyfriend's beach house.  It was fun, but we didn't really get any alone time.  It was also his birthday on Saturday, and as a gift I got him.... a... SKYDIVING package! It's been on my bucket list for a long while, so when he mentioned a few weeks ago that he'd like to go, I jumped all over it (ha! Jumped! See what I did there?).
 

Course map for the 5K this weekend, it's through a rose garden!

View from my bedroom at the beach this weekend :)

Also this week I am trying to get a grasp on "meal prepping".  Not something I do often, but with how busy my schedule has been lately, I feel like I'm eating out way too often and probably not making the smartest choices.  I need to really start taking some time once a week and plan out meals rather than think last minute about what to make.  I always end up unsatisfied!

Shout out to my loyal reader Kristin Kendall on her 26th birthday tomorrow!!!! Love ya!

What does your week look like in terms of runs? How many? How many miles? Any races?

Have you ever been skydiving? What was it like?

Any suggestions for quick, easy, vegetarian meals that are delicious?

Strawberry Rhubarb and new shoes!!

I got a new pair of shoes.  They are Saucony and blue and lime green! I took them out last night for an intended easy 3 miles, but of course it started raining and lightning and I got nervous so after two miles I called it quits. Then I hopped on the stationary bike and did a few miles.  I truly just do not enjoy riding the bicycle.  After one run, I've assessed the shoes as "good".  I'll have to wear them a few more times to give you a full run down (ha! see what I did there?).

 

Tonight, I'm doing this mixed interval workout at the track, which is conveniently located 2 blocks away:

-Warm up: 15 min

-3 x 400m @ 15 seconds faster than 5k pace

      -2 min rest in between

-1000m @ 10 seconds faster than 5k pace

      -2 min rest

-4 x 200m sprints

      -1 min rest in between

-Cool down: 10 min

Unrelated to running:
I made strawberry rhubarb bars!  A coworker had given me a bunch of rhubarb from his garden, so I made these bars as well as some strawberry rhubarb iced tea!

Strawberry Rhubarb Iced Tea
-2 tea bags (I used regular Lipton black caffeinated)
-4 large strawberries, halved
-2 stalks rhubarb (I cut into 2 inch pieces)
-Filtered water
-Mason Jar

I placed the strawberries and rhubarb in the mason jar, and filled with about 5-5 1/2 cups filtered water.  I put the black tea bags in (so the tags hung out the side), screwed the top on, and placed in the sun for 6 hours.  I then drained out the fruit & tea bags, and poured over ice!  Delish and refreshing on a hot, humid, summer night.

I got a manicure and pedicure the other day... and went super patriotic! I NEVER get colors on my fingernails, so you know I was feeling wild and crazy.  Note my peace sign tattoo, that I got when I was super young, and that I hid from my parents for 6 months by wearing sneakers 24/7.  

I made roasted cauliflower and put it atop a delicious salad the other night for dinner.  Perfect summer meal!

Tomorrow is the 4th of July.  I normally never do anything terribly exciting, but tomorrow I'll be going to the beach to my boyfriend's beach house.  It's his family tradition to have ~120 people for a huge beach shindig.  Apparently, people wear nametags.  Then, Saturday is his birthday, so we will stay down there and celebrate some more!  I'm excited.

What is your favorite summer dinner and drink? Have you ever cooked with rhubarb? Favorite recipe?

Your runs this week total ___ miles.  Plans for running this weekend?
-Sunday --> Sunday = 20 miles, plans to run Friday AM and Saturday AM with a rest day Sunday!


What are you doing for the 4th?

Wish List Wednesday?

I'm generally a content person.  I don't need lavish things to make me happy.  However... I've been drooling over these things for days now.  So today is what's on my Wish List Wednesday where I can show you all the products I'm hankering for:
(Click any of the photos for photo source/page link)

These are SO COOL! Love the colors.

If only it wasn't $399.99....

And this entire red velvet cake.

Wishing a SUPER HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my sister, Kelsey, who might be my only dedicated blog reader!  She lives in Lousiana so... we won't be celebrating like I would like to be

Tuesday was my rest day... and boy was it awesome.  I relaxed after work, got a manicure and pedicure, baked some fruit bars, and hung out with my boyfriend.  It was SO hot and humid and nasty that I was really glad it was my rest day.  On the other hand, today is just as hot and humid and I have to get a 5 mile run in after work, and before 7:15... I'm going to see the film "Fed Up" with my friend Alyssa and my mommy.  It's about the sugar and food industry controlling our lives (totally true).  You can watch the trailer ----> here.  I'll totally be recapping it for you after I see it.

What are some items on your Wish List of running gear/unrelated cake?

Have you seen "Fed Up" or any other food related movie?  How did it change your views and what you eat?

The best part of your Wednesday so far is _______________.