Race Report: Sweetheart 5k

I talked my non-running husband into walking the Sweetheart 5k.  The medal was too fun to pass up and I couldn't do a sweetheart race without a partner.  I planned on running my race and then going back to meet up with him so we could finish together.  

I have run this course before for another race, Overrun Ovarian cancer 5k in 2012 and I actually PRd. I wasn't trying to PR this race since it was a couples thing for us. Before the race we got to hang out inside which was nice and I ran into a few friends and made a new one.  Before we headed out I had to take a quick pic of my outfit to share with the Sparkle Skirt Princess FB group and the Swirlgear community.  Especially since this was my first race wearing Swirlgear, and the long sleeve shirt was perfect for the 28° temperature.  

I took my place toward the back of the pack and waited for the start.  I started my Nike+ app and set off.  There were a lot of people walking this race, which doesn't bother me at all, but the course was pretty crowded.  One lane of the street was coned off and I dodged around people until the very end.  I felt really good the entire race.  There are several up hills that I remember walking part of last time I was on this course, but this time I felt strong and kept running the entire race. I have figured out that I hold myself back and don't race like I could.  Part of it is that I still see myself as the "big girl" trying to run and part of it is fear of burning out too early.  I know it is all in my head and I'm trying to leave it all on the course.  This time I raced my 4th fastest time, 35:57, despite the crowd!  I think I'm getting better at pushing myself and I know my strength training has helped so much.  

After I received my medal: 

Which is one of the cutest medals I have, I walked back to meet with my hubby.  He refused to run ;) but we crossed the finish line together. 

 He said that he had fun, we'll see what other events I can talk him into.  He is going to Shake with Your Sweetie tonight at Bar Method and then dinner to celebrate Valentine's Day belated.  It was really fun to share this race with him and he was a good sport!  

Helping others to help ourselves

At this morning's Weight Watcher meeting we tackled the always present issue of emotional eating.  I think I will always battle this to some degree.  I know I make more bad choices when emotions run high, and stress and anger are the worst offenders.   Over the years I have learned to turn to exercise or a creative outlet more and more when things get me rattled and I want to turn to food.  But today, someone suggested volunteering as an outlet. I had never really thought about it that way, but it really made sense to me.  

1. It keeps you busy

2. It forces you to take the focus off of yourself, and put it on others

3. It gives you perspective.  

4. It can give you a sense of accomplishment to help your community. 

It may seem selfish to "use" volunteering as a tool to help yourself, but everyone will benefit.   And any way you choose to help out is valuable.  Don't downplay the work that you do.  

Here are a few ideas of ways to volunteer:

Give blood

Volunteer at local races

Work at a food bank

Get involved with fundraising for various organizations 

Knit for Warm up America

There is a volunteering opportunity that matches everyone's abilities and time availability.   

Calling in Sick

This week I have spent 3 days on the couch and my trash can looks like a Kleenex graveyard.  Advil and Mucinex are my BFFs and I honestly believe that my fitbit thinks I have fallen off the face of the planet.  The only running going on here is my poor sore nose.  Guess what is scheduled tomorrow? Chocolate Rush Half Marathon.  It is a fun local race on the paved trails I run on quite frequently.  Right now those trails are under a foot of snow and the race officials have opted to not cancel, but have warned us about safety concerns and provided a virtual race option. Also,they

have marked a shorter path that runner will lap 4 times.  If I were healthier, I would give it a shot.  I love running in the snow and I own some Yaktrax. It would be an adventure!  The runner in me doesn't want to take the virtual option: I feel like I am chickening out. But, I have to realize that I am still fighting this virus and 13.1 snow climbing miles would hinder my recovery. I have a full marathon and a 50k to train for.  I know there are more hardcore runners out there, but I have to call in sick for tomorrow's race.  

How do you decide when to call in for injury or illness?

Cozy Steel Cut Oats

One of my favorite breakfasts, especially this time of year, is hot oatmeal.  When I started doing monthly cooking, I included large batches of steel cut oats cooked in the crockpot.  It is so nice to have a stash of a healthy breakfasts for me and my kids.  I love having the option to use fresh ingredients and controlling what is in each batch.  I didn't invent this method, I just love it. 

Here is how I made my batch of banana blueberry oats and stocked my freezer. 

The Ingredients:

I let what I had on hand dictate the flavor.  Those bananas were going to be used for smoothies, banana read or oats yesterday. 

4 ripe bananas

1 pint of blueberries.  Fresh or frozen. 

1 24oz. Package of steel cut oats. Not quick oats

4 cups unsweetened almond milk

2 cups water (any 6 cups of milk and water combo works. It's all about your preferences)

a pinch or so of salt

1/2 tsp of vanilla extract

Cinnamon to taste (optional) about 

1/2 tsp

Honey, maple syrup, etc. OPTIONAL

I tend to skip adding honey or anything to sweeten because the fruit really sweetens the  oats.  You can always add more when you reheat your serving and customize it to who is eating it.  

This recipe is easy and flexible. There is room for so much improv, but don't skip this step: grease the crockpot before you put the ingredients in to prevent sticking. I use about 1/2 tsp of coconut oil.  I warm it up by rubbing my hands together and then rub the inside of the crockpot before it is on.  You can spray if you want, just use an oil with a neutral flavor, not olive oil. 

Here's the hard part: put all the ingredients in and stir. That's it. I also stir occasionally while it cooks. 

After 4 hours on low it looks something like this: 

I like a really thick oatmeal. If you prefer it thinner, just put less oats in the crockpot, or add liquid when you reheat.  

To prepare my freezer bag servings, I let the crockpot cool and then put it in the fridge overnight.  You need to make sure it isn't hot when you bag it up.  I used a 1/4 cup scoop to place 3/4 servings in each quart size bag. (3 scoops per bag)

Then you squeeze excess air out to prevent freezer burn. And load the individual bags in gallon size bags labeled with the contents and points plus value or whatever you need to know about it. To eat: simply reheat a serving by removing it from a bag and microwaving it for approximately 90 sec or in a saucepan until heated.  Yum! 

After I bagged it up and counted how many servings I made, I headed over to my Weight Watchers Recipe Builder app to figure out points plus per serving.  I also did it before I started to get a ballpark number.  I enter in exactly what I put in and how many servings I made. 

2pp per serving as I made it this time !  Next time I may add honey or more milk and that would change the pp.  Simple, cozy, comfort food that helps you stay on track and avoid prepackaged processed foods.   17 healthy breakfasts are ready to enjoy!

Race Report: Kickoff 5k

When I signed up, it sounded like a great way to start the day of football party food.  I didn't expect it to be quite this cold. 

Yep, feels like 0°.  It was my coldest 5k to date.  For the most part, my running gear was perfect for the weather: sugoi tights, sparkle skirt, lululemon long sleeve, Lucy jacket, gloves and cozy hat.  The only thing I forgot was warmer socks! Holy cow my feet were frozen the first half of the race.  Note to self: get some smartwool cozy socks.  

The course took us around the parking lots at Arrowhead Stadium. Not the most exciting course for scenery, but it is find of fun to run by the stadiums.  For the most part the road was clear of ice and snow.  Still felt like I had to go a little slower on the downhills, because I would find ice if it was there.  The course had great mile markers that had gun time posted.  

The best part was the medal!  The KC Running Company has really fun medals for their 5k races and today was no exception.  Here is the bling:

And my reward for frozen toes!  I really feel like I earned it today and I can't wait to run the Sweetheart 5k in 2 weeks with my hubby. Another fun KC Running Company event.