Well, this week sure is taking it’s sweet time isn’t it? Or is it just me?
I started Wednesday with a planned tempo run – the goal was to warm up one mile, then four miles at ~7:45/mile and cool down for two. Here’s how it went down:
- Mile 1: 9:00
- Mile 2: 7:45
- Mile 3: 7:59
- Mile 4: 7:40
- Mile 5: 7:47
- Mile 6: 8:35
- Mile 7: 8:40
So 7 miles in 57:36, 8:13/mile. The legs felt pretty good, although they definitely felt the Central Park hills during those tempo miles!
For these types of runs, and the other speedwork I have planned during this training cycle, I’m trying to get more comfortable with being uncomfortable. Sometimes I tend to wimp out once the legs and lungs start burning and get too focused on not finishing strong. I really want to gain some confidence in my fitness and ability to push through the pain, which I think will help improve my overall speed immensely.
This morning I ran a very much pre-dawn 5.5 miles with Lindsey and Megan – despite our early start time (5:45 a.m.!) we were all quite chipper and the miles flew by 🙂
Now, with it being the New Year and all, I decided to spice up my usual lunches this week.
I always bring my own food to work, and for a looong time lunch has consisted of good ol’ PB & J, yogurt and a piece of fruit. While I think this is a most excellent combo, I’m a teeny bit sick of it.
(Shhhh, don’t tell PB&J that I’m cheating…)
So I made use of near-empty containers of PB and yogurt for some super-convenient and delicious lunches.
Greek yogurt, chopped pear, dried cherries, walnuts, raw oats, honey and cinnamon
Some good protein, carbohydrates/fiber, healthy fats, antioxidants and calcium. Yum!
And overnight oats! A delicious, way to use up an almost-empty jar of nut butter.
Overnight the oats soak in the milk/yogurt mixed in and are a great hearty consistency the next day.
It’s very important to clean out the jar completely…
This natural peanut butter jar was filled with:
- 1/2 cup raw oats
- 1/3 cup almond milk
- 3 scoops greek yogurt
- Chopped pear
- Dried cherries
- Cinnamon
For some reason, I prefer sweet stuff for lunch, like fruits, nut butters and yogurts, rather than salads or sandwiches and like to get my veg on for dinner.
What about you – do you like sweeter lunches? Savory? Favorite go-to lunch?
My lunches are usually savory (salads and such). I almost always kick the sweet habit right away with breakfast… 🙂
Yay, early a.m. running. Thanks for the wake up call! It’s going to be a 2 cups of coffee kind of day, but worth it 🙂
LOVE OVERNIGHT OATS!!! Girl, awesome run and I love what you said about being comfortable with being uncomfortable!! SO TRUE!!
hmm i think i prefer everything sweet! i would have to say pancakes for lunch are a def favorite!
dang girl – 8:13 mile is pretty darn epic!! sounds like an awesome tempo run!!
I have a rough time with the whole “comfortable with being uncomfortable” thing. Too bad running long and slow isn’t as much fun for my competitive side!
I think you and I have the exact same “go-to” lunch of pb&j, yogurt, and fruit. It’s so easy! I’m also the same way with not really getting my veggies in until supper, but I try to make up for it then!
The “being comfortable with the uncomfortable” training is def. something that I also had to work on. I was always so used to pacing myself where I wasn’t even out of breath and could just chat the entire marathon and feel amazing at the end. It’s hard to get out of that zone but once you do it def. builds your confidence. Nice run!
What a great looking lunch! I’m really going to have to work on my calorie intake. I do not eat junk BUT my calories are inconsitent and I have skipped lunch…Bad I know. Thank you for stopping by and encouraging me!
Mmm, nothing beats oats in a jar! I tend to crave savory things at lunch, sweet would confuse me!
I almost always have a savory lunch and a sweet breakfast!
hey girlie!
yeah for new lunches! I get so into certain foods that I forget to mix in old favorites, new lunch today for sure!
LOVE the tempo…ughh the early morning!! I can’t remember the last early morning I ran, I love the sunshine and extra hours of snooze.
I hope you enjoy your weekend!!
xoxo!
I usually crave savory lunches. I do leftovers, like today is chili. Sometimes I do sandwiches and salads.
I used my half-eaten carton of TJ’s Greek Yogurt today, too! Mixed in some pumpkin, cinnamon and raw oats. DELICIOUS.
I am a sweet breakfast person, and a savory lunch person!
I’m a savory girl 100%…
Great job on the run! Those are some awesome times!!
I’ve got a jar of overnight oats in the fridge RIGHT NOW! Thanks for the inspiration! Mine has the greek yogurt & almond milk, as well as about 1/4 c pumpkin. I think I’m going to throw in a banana in the morning, too. Can’t wait!
Wow! Your warm-up def proved to prepare you for some awesome times! with a 15 degree wind chill that was needed. I’m bad…I don’t warm-up b4 races–but you have inspied me to reconsider!
The cereal looks stellar!
[…] mentioned last week I’m a huge fan of sweet lunches and favor fruits, yogurt, peanut butter, oats and nuts. […]