Raw Food Gives Me Wiiiiiings!

Happy Friday, everyone!

Since last night ended relatively early (I am not a late-night person, no matter what the situation), I was up and at 'em by my regular hour, ready to start the day.

I had my favorite cereal breakfast- Cheerios, blueberries, and almond milk- before heading to the gym for my second long run of half marathon training. The streets are full of slush and ice, so treadmill it was.

Apparently raw desserts do something to my energy levels, because I felt like I could have run forever! I completed 8 miles in 1:04:55- about an 8:07 average pace. Treadmill runs are generally easier than outdoor ones though, so I need to wait for the snow to melt a bit to test my real pace.

Post-run, lunch was had.

A delicious roasted seaweed, spinach, tomato and hummus salad:

This sounds weird, but tasted absolutely amazing. Just try it, okay?

Along with an apple and almond butter-ed sandwich thin:

And a random container of vegan tofu salad I picked up the last time I went grocery shopping. Recreating this stuff has been on my to-do list for far too long now.

Currently, I'm snacking on a plate of almond butter and chocolate chip stuffed medjool dates, as I contemplate actually getting some homework done...

I'm a lucky girl, because I get to celebrate my birthday yet again this evening. I can already taste the chocolate-peanut butter bomb...

Treadin' Seven

The first "long run" of half-marathon training is officially donezo!

I'm way too much of a wimp to run in the current freezing temperatures, so I decided to hit the gym for seven miles on the treadmill. Pre-run, I fueled up with a doughy bowl of raw oats, banana, strawberries and almond milk.

This bowl makes me excited for spring to arrive!

While running, I tried to keep things interesting by randomly varying my speed from 6.2 mph to 10 mph, maxing out at the latter for two one-minute intervals. They were rough! I finished in 58:32, roughly an 8:21 min/mile average pace.

After some stretching, I came home to a fabulous leftover lunch. Normally I'm not a doggy-bag type of person, but last night's meal was too delicious not to take home.

I had a heap of brown rice with a few chunks of soy beef in spicy sauce:

As well as four pieces each of Hawaii and Veggie roll.

Almost as good the second time. Rice is actually my least favorite grain, but it paired well with the rest of the meal and definitely filled me up.

The rest of the afternoon will be spent organizing the apartment and getting my act together for the semester ahead. Enjoy the end of your weekend!

Are you a leftover lover or leaver? 

PS- Today is both an exciting and difficult day for my family. Prayers would be appreciated for both situations :)

I've Learned My Lesson

Apparently Indian food and running do not mix! Last night's wonky stomach should have been a warning to me, because today's five miler was probably the worst run I've ever had!

Breakfast pre-run was a bowl of Kashi GoLean, Fiber One, strawberries and 8th Continent Vanilla Soymilk.

I haven't had soy milk in so long- the vanilla flavor tasted kinda weird to me.

Around 8:30, I set out on a run along International Drive.

I passed lots of resorts, palm trees and ponds, and even got a glimpse of Sea World!

That being said, the run was anything but fun. The first mile was great, the second was okay, and by mile 2.5 I realized that I should have turned around much sooner! Last night's bhartha and fried onions were sloshing uncomfortably in my stomach, and my mouth became uncomfortably dry. I stopped in a 7-Eleven to use the bathroom, which was out of order, then went across the street to a Dunkin Donuts, where I was refused not only the bathroom but also a cup of tap water. So frustrating! I ended up walking the last 1.5 miles home because my poor stomach felt so icky.

Here are my stats:
 - Mile 1- 8:15
 - Mile 2- 8:30
 - Mile 3- 13:22 (half running, half walking)
 - Mile 4- 12:58 (half running, half walking)
 - Mile 5- 16:53 (all walking)
 - Total time: 01:01:58

Indian food, I love you, but let's try to work out a better schedule next time, okay?

Right now, I'm noshing on a whole-wheat bagel with natural peanut butter and a sliced pink lady.

On our last day in Orlando, we're headed out to a botanical garden and then to Winter Park for the afternoon. Hope you have a great Saturday!

Are there any specific foods you've learned to avoid before a workout?