I knew this little winter break would come to an end soon, but it still managed to sneak up on me. So much so that I forgot to buy a new notebook for my classes, which started Monday.
Doh!
I’ve really liked having a little extra time during the week and not worrying about how much studying I need to do on the weekends, but I guess I’m ready to get back to it. For those of you that are interested, I’m taking Advanced Nutrition: Protein, Fats and Carbs and Food Writing. A nice balance of hardcore biochemistry and something a little more creative (at least I hope!).
Getting back into the swing of classes also means some tweakage to my schedule – one of my classes ends literally after my usual grandma-like bedtime.
On Sunday I prepped a giant batch of quinoa with some grilled veggies (cauliflower, zucchini, broccoli, red and green bell peppers and crimini mushrooms) and a little fresh sage to package up for dinner all week.
I added in some baked sweet potato, grilled chicken, arugula and goat cheese to the mix
Hopefully I don’t get too sick of eating the exact same thing all week, but it sure is a relief to know I don’t have to worry about making dinner for a while.
This combo of veggies, protein, complex carbohydrate and a little fat is usually my go-to for a quick, healthy meal that is both satisfying and full of nutrients.
The fact that I didn’t lead this post with running means, basically, that I’m having a sad about it. After Saturday’s half, I ran an easy recovery run on Sunday and actually felt great. But Monday morning I visited the treadmill only to be met with some really bad Achilles pain. It came on rather suddenly, and although I kept running for a bit in hopes it would go away, it just got worse.
So I haz a sad. 😦
I think it was the combination of the hills from Saturday’s race and running in older shoes during my recovery run that did it, but who knows, really. I hate being injured, and at this point have no idea how long it’ll take to heal. I plan on cross training and stretching until it feels better, then assessing the situation regarding marathon training. If you have any PT exercises for the Achilles, send ’em my way!
Question: Do you have a quick, go to meal? Have you ever had Achilles problems?
im so sorry about your injury!! i love your quinoa kick and balanced meals!! my go to meal is cottage cheese and roasted veggies!
ha – first classes last night for me too. and silly me forgot a pen. oops?
take a day or two off, woman! why cross-train if you’re hurting. it’s not worth the risk!
feel better!! what’s the boozing date verdict? 😉
Thanks 🙂 verdict still TBD (grrr), but stay tuned!
I keep thinking about making meals in advance. Seems like it’d take so much pressure off during the week!
Delicious looking eats! I’m not as good as I should be about making a large amt of food and dividing it up for the week although when I do make it happen it’s like the best thing ever! Most of my quick go-tos involve pasta, olive oil, and veggies or tofu.
Sorry to hear about the crabby Achilles, I think that rest and elevating your heel are normally better than overstretching but I don’t have first hand knowledge of that particular crabby body part. Others, yes. 🙂 and 😦
I am always SO afraid of hurting my achilles, mainly because my friend Luther tore his when I was skiing with him and I remember seeing the look on his face when it happened… yikes. I hope you get to feeling better soon!!!
Aww, nooooooo! Sorry to hear about your Achilles! You definitely don’t want to mess with that, so your smart to take it easy for now. Get those new shoes! Just wondering, considering your history with ITBS and now the Achilles… Do you think you need to be wearing orthotics? Or if you do wear them, do you think they need an adjustment?
Also, question about your Quinoa masterpieces: do re-heat them, or eat them cold all week long? They always look so good!
Take care of yourself!
Xo
Melanie 🙂
Thanks:) I do wear orthotics – interesting question! Hmm
The quinoa salad are really good cold – easy to bring to class that way. But heated up they’re good too!
Ps- why not try to sneak in an extra bikram class this week? Bet some yoga will do that Achilles some good!
Omg I love your quinoa idea. Very efficient to get through the week. My quick meal is just chicken with veggies. Kinda boring but tasty 🙂
Your meals look delicious – I would rather eat the same thing a few days in a row than have to cook every night!
That is a bummer about your Achilles – I hope you’re able to find some good exercises (and maybe laying off the running for a little bit is the best?) Luckily there are so many other awesome forms of exercise!
So sad for you! I am in the same boat, but I have phantom foot pain (side, below the ankle) that makes the treadmill/running impossible. I ran a half marathon three days ago, and a 3 mile follow up the next day – no problems at all. I wake up yesterday with this annoying twinge. Boo! I am taking a few days off to see what’s up, so I will take solace in the fact that you are doing the same!
Quinoa = the perfect food. 🙂
Food writing course?! WHAT? They didn’t have that when I was in school….grrr! I’d say you’ve got an “A+” in the works for this semester 🙂 I have actually never had any problems with my ankles, knees back or elbows, so I can’t help you out there but my go-to meal is anything in the crock pot! Loooove throwing something in there and coming home after a long day to a delicious smelling apartment and a great meal!!
Sounds like a fun lineup of classes! What kind of food writing are you doing (it can’t be like, Gourmet, right?).
That bites about the Achilles, but it sounds like something that can heal up in a reasonable amount of time – i.e., not something you were ignoring and is now a huuuuuge problem.
i’m so sorry about your achilles! fingers crossed a few days of rest is all it needs.
my go-to easy meal is pretty simple: a bean, a grain, an oil, a bunch of veggies, and avocado. it’s simple and healthy, and even though it’s boring, but sometimes simple and healthy is exactly what i need.
Oh no!! Poor you- injuries suck! 😦 I’ve never had any Achilles problems, but as with all injuries resting it is the (obvious) only good advice I can give I’m afraid!
Hope it feels better soon! And your course sounds amazing by the way! 🙂
I totally forgot to get new notebooks too! I have to use the back of my old ones until I get some new ones tomorrow 🙂
i’ve had achilles problems before but i’ve ignored them. maybe not the smartest thing. i’d suggest stretching both calf muscles. hope that it gets better for you!
So sorry about you being hurt! I hope it heals quickly!
I love prepping meals so that I don’t have to worry about them! it makes the week so much easier!
My calf/achilles started acting wonky this past fall during marathon training. Still have no idea what caused it, but it went away after a few days. The body is strange sometimes – try not to freak out! I really like doing a stretch where I squat down and either put my weight on my toes or my heels, depending on where I need to feel the stretch. Feel better soon!
Ari has achilles problems. He was told to always warm up a little by hopping from one foot to the other before he runs, and also to stand on a stair and slowly lower his heels down. Hope that helps!
So exciting you’ve started classes! I still need to buy my school supplies, and I need to start making more things in bulk. I’ve started keeping a big kale salad in the fridge and I just made a grain salad, too. I think if I add a soup to the mix, I’ll be golden.
I’ve had achilles problems for two years as we’ve talked about a little before… the best thing you can do is not run for a bit- maybe a week or two. Honestly, my achilles started acting up when I was running more than 2 days in a row which it sounds like you did… try to do some RE Running Equivalent workouts for awhile… spinning, the eliptical (hard at high resistance). The best thing for your achilles is seriously electric stim and ultrasound at PT. See if you can go to one appointment- I know its a time issue but you can use it instead of working out somedays. It will get better… you may always feel it a little from now on but once you get some treatment youll be able to run on it! I mean the worst advice I got was from my orthopedic doc and the first PT I saw- they told me I couldnt run. Once I saw a PT who was a runner, he taught me how to marathon train smart. 3-4 days of running no running two days in a row, being properly trained. It will get better, I promise!
thanks for your help and advice, Lizzy 🙂 I hope it gets better soon!
Boo – I am hoping your Achilles starts to feel better soon. I know how frustrating it can be. I just switched my sneaks today because they felt pretty worn out during the half. I think I have about 300 miles on them. Maybe some stretching and the new sneaks will help your Achilles. Keep me posted!
I’m taking Advanced Nutrition too, and I was a little scared when I realized it’s just more biochemistry. At least this professor is way better than my biochem professor.
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