The weather in the north east was picture perfect this past weekend, and after reviewing this past weekends chatter feed additions, it looks like quite a few people capitalized on such a beautiful weekend. Here are a few fun facts:
One Week To Go, Go Away Summer!
There comes a point where a person must accept his or her fate and hope for the best. For runners, this usually comes exactly one week before a big race. Additional training won’t make you more prepared, and overworking and not resting can make your performance suffer. One week out is the time to just sit back, rest up, and hope your preparations were enough.
I talked last week about how we were feeling very confident this go-around, despite missing more workout sessions than we would have liked. My personal feelings of confidence have quickly diminished as a result of back-to-back 70–80° days this weekend. I was reminded of summers past and just how much training in a warm, humid climate can really suck. We had a few friends in town this weekend, and while out and about touring around the wonders of Buffalo (Cheerios factory!), memories of running in the heat of last summer came crashing back into my thoughts.
Don’t get me wrong; I don’t mind running in the summer. But if you look at my training logs, the majority of our summer runs start at ten o’clock at night. I suppose there is some benefit to starting the Buffalo Half Marathon at 7:00 a.m., which means we will be finishing up shortly after 9:00 a.m., before the heat really sets in. There is also the extra plus that the majority of the race is along Lake Erie, which will provide a nice, cooling wind for the most part. But still, why couldn’t the forty-degree weather hang around for an extra couple of weeks!?
Even with the weather being slightly less than cooperative, I suppose I am still pretty excited to race a longer distance again. I never thought I’d enjoy distance running, but there is just something about plodding along for hours and being able to cover the vast majority of the City of Buffalo in that time. Call me crazy, but I like it!
Weigh-in Wednesday May 15th: I Forgot a Title.
Here at 2 Fat Nerds, each Wednesday is a Weigh-In day, where all of the data from the previous week is collected, displayed, and analyzed. Let’s see what data was submitted this week!
Weight Loss
Each week, members who have opted to have their weights publicly displayed for the world to see have them graphed on the main blog. It is a great way to keep track over time, and it gives a bit more accountability to your workouts. If you are interested, leave a comment!
The Last Long Run Before a Race
There is nothing quite like wrapping up your last major long run before a big race. There is a sense of validation that washes over you as you stumble up the three flights of stairs, completely in need of a big glass of water. A post-workout stretch and a nice, big smoothie packed with strawberries, yogurt, and chia seeds confirm that it was a good training session . . . and that we are good to go for race day.
Deep down, there is always some doubt about being ready for a big race. Did we train enough? What about all those skipped workouts back in weeks 4 and 6? Why didn’t we suck it up those nights we were too tired to run? None of these things bother me after last night’s run. We finished our 12 miles and have just under two weeks to get some easier runs in and get our legs back and ready to go. We know we can go the distance; we know we could have finished 13.1 last night. We know we won’t just complete the race, but we’ll also push ourselves to do our best. It is an exciting feeling.
Weekend Gathering, Running, and Did We Really Sign Up For That?
This weekend featured a family gathering in honor of all the mothers in our lives. Though I wasn’t in Albany very long, we did get two great runs in! On Saturday, Mom, Dad Dave and I set out for a nice 5k in the pouring rain. It was great to see them all push through the humidity and downpours to get a great workout in. On Sunday morning before Mother’s Day brunch, Mom, Dave and Aunt Linda set out for a nice walk (with some running!) and Mike, Suz, cousin Jon and I went for a nice run. Boy was it humid both days.
I’ve talked about this many times before, but I am constantly amazed to see just how far this family has come since just a year ago. Everyone is excited to get out and move, especially before a big meal. Speaking of big meal, here’s a picture Paul took of brunch!
Apparently it is hard to get 10 people to stop moving and also not look doofy (cough Mike). But anyways, it was a lot of fun to have everyone together.
Eat Fit Not Fat – Mother’s Day Brunch Gone Healthy! Chocolate Chip Banana Pancakes
Mother’s Day Brunch Gone Healthy – Chocolate Chip Banana Pancakes
We decided this week to do breakfast for dinner with a tribute to the Mom’s in our lives. What mother doesn’t appreciate her children cooking her a hot, tasty and delicious breakfast on a Sunday morning? This week, with my own Mom in mind, I wanted to make pancakes. My mom absolutely loves blueberries and raspberries. Since blueberries aren’t in season just yet, I used a generous helping of fresh raspberries and sliced strawberries to top these fluffy pancakes. If you are able to this Mother’s day, grab your spatula and hop in that kitchen and show your Mom just how much you love her by whipping her up something yummy and healthy! (Disclaimer-Mom, I promise to make these for you when I am home sometime soon. I love you and hope you have a very Happy Mother’s Day!)
Ingredients
1 cup whole wheat flour (you can use unbleached white flour as well)
2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1 large banana, ripe, mashed well
1 cup 1% milk (or almond milk)
3 large egg whites
2 tsp oil
1 tsp vanilla
1/4 cup mini chocolate chips
cooking spray
maple syrup (topping)
sliced strawberries (topping)
raspberries (topping)
Starting To Understand Nutrition: Essential Amino Acids.
Nutrition has always been a mystical subject. Amino acids, fatty acids, omega 3s, omega 5s, antioxidants, probiotics, vitamins, minerals, supplements, fiber . . . apparently there is quite a lot to keep track of. Is it really necessary to understand all of these things in order to be healthy?
Several months ago I wrote a post on weight lifting, more importantly, kissing it (Keep it simple stupid!). Combing through many deviations of workouts and training plans, and the whole host of fancy gym equipment can easily overwhelm and intimidate a beginner, to the point of inaction. I am finding that nutrition is the same way. So, a few days ago I set out to keep nutrition simple, and a bit more understandable. As a quasi-vegetarian, I wanted to make sure both Ellie and I were getting everything we needed, while increasing our training more and more.
Weigh-In Wednesday May 8th: Saul Bass Day?
Here at 2 Fat Nerds, each Wednesday is a Weigh-In day, where all of the data from the previous week is collected, displayed, and analyzed. Let’s see what data was submitted this week!
Weight Loss
Each week, members who have opted to have their weights publicly displayed for the world to see have them graphed on the main blog. It is a great way to keep track over time, and it gives a bit more accountability to your workouts. If you are interested, leave a comment!
The Bigger Picture
Last night a friend of mine called asking for a ride. He had gotten pretty sick earlier that day and needed to fetch his car that was still downtown from work. No problem, I was more than happy to help out. At the time I was at the grocery store, so I quickly checked out, took my groceries home and headed over to pick him up. Before heading over though, I switched into my running clothes just in case.
I must have figured that if he was too sick to drive earlier in the day, I didn’t want him behind the wheel heading home after a day of being sick. I knew the distances between where we needed to go was right around a 10k, so no sweat. I figured I would just run it and get my car after taking him home. At the time I didn’t really think anything of it. I figured it was the easiest way to get everything that needed to happen done, while impacting the least number of possible (AKA letting Ellie get her work done as opposed to driving around for a while).
Eat Fit Not Fat – Sweet and Sour Pork
I would have to say Chinese food is one of our top 5 choices for take out. This week I made over the ever so popular sweet and sour pork entree that is a staple on most Chinese take out menus. This weeks recipe was probably one of my favorites. Lots of colorful veggies come together with tender pork chunks coated in spicy sauce and topped with sweet pineapple chunks to make a complex and delicious flavor in your mouth.
Ingredients
Serves 4
1 pound pork tenderloin, cut into 1/2-inch piece 1 package thin rice noodles or white/brown rice 2 1/2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar Kosher salt 2 teaspoons low-sodium soy sauce 1 tablespoon cornstarch 1 1/2 tablespoons chili sauce 1 1/2 tablespoons sriracha sauce 3 tablespoons sugar, plus a pinch 3 tablespoons peanut or vegetable oil 3 cloves garlic, minced 3 carrots, thinly sliced 3 scallions, cut into 1/2-inch pieces 3 cups snow peas, cut in half 2-3 cups shitake mushrooms 1 red pepper, sliced diced pineapple for topping Read the rest of this entry
