Pacing For Pretzels

Morning Sunshines! There isn’t an ounce of sun shining in North Carolina today, but it is always sunny on Fridays, at least in my book. I actually skipped through the hall at work today. I think a big part of my excitement is that I actually have two days off in a row this weekend. I plan on enjoying it.

How Fast Can This Devil Run?

Hopefully, faster than a few months ago.   Last night, I bought some cheap devil horns and a tail online at Costume Super Center and also found my favorite Target workout tank in red and on sale! I am now all set to run the 10k next weekend dressed for the occasion. I found a very cute ladybug headband and thought about cutting out black circles and attaching them to the above tank top, but that would be far too crafty. I have always been in the “I purchase my Halloween costumes” camp, vs. those that have the talent to make them.  After deciding the devil was easier (and I can remember being a devil for Halloween at the age of four or so… it suited me quite well), I considered buying a devil kit with wings, but it was more expensive. Plus, do I really want to run six miles wearing wings? I can imagine some minor discomfort.

Yesterday, I had a 5.5 mile run scheduled and I actually completed it – woooot. I slowed down, thanks to the advice of my father, and averaged an 8:28 minute mile. I was pretty beat by the end (granted, I have only slept 5-6 hours each night this week which is unusual for me), but I know I need to slow down to about a 9 minute mile to complete the half successfully. I also did a little gym sess during lunch with my coworker. It consisted of 20 minutes on the crazy arch trainer which I turn into a stepper.

Who needs to take lunch when you can just eat at your desk? Just look at these pictures from yesterday, all desk eating. I am slightly a hermit/office freak, but we can’t always be perfect, right?

My fruit for the day (I really meant to eat that apple but I just don’t love them):

My first time trying Quaker Simple Harvest – it was pretty good.  In the past I used the regular Quaker’s packets but I was impressed with the ingredients (or lack of) in these.  Since I just use the hot water on the water cooler at work,  the consistency a bit hard, or “uncooked”.

Of course, I spruced it up with my usual ground flax seed, one banana, and almond butter:

Lunch was pure snackage and included another banana and half a Larabar as well as two servings of cottage cheese.

I eat a lot of Apple Pie Larabars, no doubt. But how could I not when they are $.80 at the commisary?!?

I should have bought more on Sunday – 4 didn’t last long!

Cottage Cheese #1: Rachel’s is my absolute favorite new find. This Cucumber Cheese variety to to die for. At $1.25/cup, it is a little out of our food budget but I sneak it in there. Notice my pretty Sigg bottle in the background.

Cottage Cheese #2: Because the first one wasn’t enough. How am I ever going to cut out dairy (I am considering cutting it out to see if my skin will improve). This looks HIDEOUS, I know, but try it – cottage cheese, hot sauce, and black beans. Yummy protein!

After work, I was really excited to use my new salad bowl but we really didn’t have many “fixings”. This is the best I could do:

It contains organic baby spinach, cucumber from the Farmer’s Market, cherry tomatoes, banana peppers, chick peas, Trader Joe’s feta cheese, and a sprinkling of hemp seeds.

All shook up (literally, in a Tupperware container with TJ’s FF Balsamic Vinagrette)  and Tayified:

I baked the last of my beloved squash and zucchini (for now, of course):

Beeeeautiful:

Somehow I am finishing this post on Friday night, writing about Thursday night. When will I ever catch up? ;-)

Tags: halloween, mizunos, oatmeal, races, salad, zucchini