February 13, 2012

Real Foods Challenge: Day 13 (And a 10 mile long run in the snow)

Wow, what a great day!! I definitely feel my mood improving. I spent the morning kind of dreading my long run today (10 miles) but knew I'd feel better once it was done. I was in the mood for cold oatmeal today, so I made chocolate oatmeal and put it in a peanut butter bowl...

Just smear peanut butter all around the sides of a bowl and freeze for about 15 minutes while you prep the oatmeal.




This combination was 1/2 c oats, 1 Tbsp. chia seeds, 1/2 c milk, 1 tsp. maple syrup, 1 Tbsp cocoa powder

Just mix the oats and throw them in the fridge for about 10-15 minutes to thicken. FYI: It will only thicken that quickly if you use chia seeds--without the seeds, it will still be very liquidy (unless you let it sit overnight). To eat it, you just scrape down the sides of the bowl when you eat the oats, and get a little bit of peanut butter in every bite.

Since I was meeting Jessica at noon for our run, I was debating whether to eat lunch before I left or when I got home. I prefer to run on an empty stomach, so I decided to wait on lunch. I did eat half a banana when I walked out the door, just so my stomach wasn't growling. And I grabbed a couple of medjool dates to take with me.


I've never in my life used Gu or any kind of gel like that. Even for my half-marathon, I just had water for my training runs; and during the race, I just had a little Gatorade. So I'm really nervous about fueling during the marathon. I don't want to get an upset stomach, but I know that I will need to have some sort of fuel for my really long runs. Today I chose to try the dates--they're pretty much pure sugar, but they are still a "real" food.

Jessica, Julia, and I headed out on our run, and I immediately wished I had worn my Icespike'd shoes. The sidewalks and trails were covered in snow and ice, which made for very tricky stepping...

Yep, this is what we were running on
We went slowly and carefully, and I was feeling so great that the time went by fast. I brought my camera along to take some pics for fun. I saw all these geese, and of course they startled and flew away when we approached.


We took a pit stop because we felt way overdressed. It was 30 degrees out, but I was really hot about a mile into the run. I was wearing a thermal-like shirt under my fleece, and decided I wanted to ditch the thermal but wear the fleece. So this involved stripping down to my sports bra to make the change. Jessica did the same, and Julia was our "lookout" person. I suggested a picture, but Jessica said no way, sorry ;)

I was getting a little thirsty after about six miles, and I did what any normal runner would do during a long run in the snow...

Mmmm, snow.
Snow never tasted so good!! I ate a couple of snowballs and was good to go again. I was getting a little ahead of Jessica and Julia, so I reached my hand up while I was running and took a pic of them:


Jessica was really not feeling well--her back was hurting, but she pushed on. I ate one of my dates at around mile 8, and while I didn't feel any sort of energy boost, my stomach didn't hurt from it. So I'll probably continue to use the dates for fuel.

When we were done, Julia took a picture of me and Jessica to capture our first double-digit run for marathon training:

That's supposed to be the number 10 ;)

By the time I got home, it was already 2:45--which would mean a very late lunch! We eat dinner at around 4 or 4:30 (because of Jerry's work schedule), so I just decided to eat something very light. I was craving a big, crunchy, juicy apple... enough so that I stopped at Kroger on the way home from Jessica's to buy one. I had that for lunch along with a couple of pieces of cheddar cheese.


Not much of a lunch, but it was delicious and I was still hungry for dinner an hour and a half later. I had put a pork roast in the slow cooker (yes, we just had that for dinner not too long ago, but they were buy one get one free at Kroger last week). So we had the pork, with applesauce, sauteed Brussels sprouts, and mashed sweet potatoes (I just peeled and boiled the potatoes, then mashed them with a little maple syrup). It ended up being a delicious, comfort-food dinner.


I think I've been cooking my Brussels sprouts a little longer each time I make them--I love when they get a little burnt brown and crunchy!

Food log:
Breakfast--chocolate oats in a pb bowl
Lunch--cheese and an apple
Dinner--pork, mashed sweet potatoes, applesauce, Brussels sprouts
Snacks--1/2 banana, popcorn with oil and salt

18 comments:

  1. Congratulations for so many things! Congrats on the long run (and eating without a bellyache), on feeling better with your eating challenge and on the article! That's great! Can't wait for you to get your hands on a copy so you can post it!

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  2. Wow, 10 miles - way to go! Have you ever read the blog of that Aussie cyclist who swears by medjool dates? I think his site is: http://durianrider.org - he's a bit extreem but I remember reading about the dates there ...

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  3. You are such an inspiration! I've been contemplating trying out a "real food only" type of eating program for awhile now, for a variety of reasons. I am anxious to hear how the rest of your month goes--and then I might try it myself! I'm really afraid of the crankiness and cravings that I KNOW will hit me. I need to work up the determination to get through a certain amount of time to do it.
    Thanks for keeping us updated and your absolute honesty! :)

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    Replies
    1. I have to say, it was AWFUL the past week or so, but it's definitely getting better. I'm excited to see how I feel at the end of the month!

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  4. You always look so cute on your runs! Congratulations on your big run today, awesome!!

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  5. Do you like okra? I buy a bag in the frozen section and cook it until the edges get crisp and semi-burned too.

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    Replies
    1. I've only tried it once, in a gumbo that I made. I never would have thought to cook it like I do the Brussels sprouts, but I bet it would be good!

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    2. My husband and I love it when when we take the frozen (or fresh) okra and slice it up, throw in some salt & pepper, minced garlic, grape tomatoes and olive oil (sometimes I use the Pam olive oil spray and put it under the broiler for about 5 minutes, then stir it abbit and broil about 3 minutes or so more. It comes out crispy and yummy! I don't like boiled okra. It's a texture thing! We also do this with asparagus and zucchini. Yumm!

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  6. I lived in the UK for a while and I think that magazine you are talking about is a fun, light read for woman, it cost about a pound or something like that....so nothing weird, just a good read for the girls :) hope you get a copy, I would love to see it!!

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  7. I'll look out for the magazine for you Katie and get you some copies when I find your article :)

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  8. Tammy/texzanFebruary 14, 2012

    Katie,, I have mentioned before that fueling for a Marathon is very important,, 26.2 miles is a long way for your body to run without proper fueling . You also should be training on your long runs exactly how you plan to fuel the day of the marathon . Your body needs more than just water,, you need electrolytes as well as to much water could deplete your body of these,, and this could be dangerous . If you are not aleady educating your self,, on fueling for 26.2 miles I would Highly suggest that you do this,, you cannot go out and run that milage on an empty stomach.. please read up on fueling for a maratahon... I am sorry if I am sounding bossy,, its my maternal nature.

    And I want you to have a good experience during your marathon,,, Bonking would not be a good experience for you .

    Training for your fueling is just as important as the run itself.

    please keep me posted,, have a great day !

    Tammy

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    1. Thanks for your concern, Tammy, but I HAVE done my homework on fueling for a marathon. Not sure if you read this whole entry, but I wrote that I need to find something that agrees with my body because it is important to be fueled during my long runs. I never said that my intentions were to drink only water during the marathon, so I'm not sure why you assumed that? But thank you for thinking of me.

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  9. Tammy/texzanFebruary 14, 2012

    Shew,, so glad to hear that,, and I probably did half ass read your blog . I am always in a hurry . I just had not heard you talk about your fueling for your long runs,, and I was concerned. I know for me that was the hardest part,, I hate trying to eat and run ,, It does not agree with me. I did a half iron in 90 degree heat,, and could not eat a thing,,, and the run was just brutal. So I have experienced bad fueling first hand . My Marathon I fueled as planned and did fine,, but had knee issues . I am so excited for you to do your Marathon,, and just hoping you have a wondeful experience,, thanks for the response . I Love following your training ,, thanks for letting me <3 Happy V Day.

    Tammy

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  10. I've been following your blog and am totally intrigued and inspired by your story! Right now, as of January, I am running for the first time in my life - trying to get weight off and get healthy. I'm turning 32 this month and I have four children, 6 and under. I'm so happy for you and the transformation you've had! What a fabulous blog you have documenting this journey! I have a question! What are chia seeds? I know I could just look it up but I figured I'd ask. Cuz the PB and Choc. Oatmeal sounds great~! :)
    -Rachel

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  11. Way to go! You are always a fun read and so inspirational. My friend and I just signed up for the Capcity half yesterday...we are only planning on walking/jogging it but I am still really excited to experience it and I hope running is in my future. I'm just not a runner but I am seeing from your blog that I can become one, thanks for sharing your story and much continued success to you!

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  12. Pick Me Up Magazine has a website http://www.pickmeupmagazine.co.uk/ and a facebook page. If you contact them and request a specific magazine, they may be able to help you out.

    Thanks for your blog and all the hard work you put into it. I feel like I am running vicariously through you. I keep telling myself that today is the day to begin, but I always come up with an excuse not to :(

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  13. Hey,
    Just started reading your blog, it's great! I live in the UK and will be watching out for Pick Me Up with interest :) Like someone else commented, it's a real life magazine, lots of people's life stories and pictures.

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I used to publish ALL comments (even the mean ones) but I recently chose not to publish those. I always welcome constructive comments/criticism, but there is no need for unnecessary rudeness/hate. But please--I love reading what you have to say! (This comment form is super finicky, so I apologize if you're unable to comment)

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