Much thanks for the vacation suggestions. You guys are awesome! We definitely have lots more research to do before we make a decision on anything. You know I’ll keep you posted!
I started my day with an ashtanga practice. My body felt great and I haven’t had any pain in my back in days. I even did backbends with no soreness after. I think I can safely say that my back has healed! It just goes to show the power of rest and listening to your body. It’s hard for me to do sometimes but it paid off in the end.
Breakfast at my desk after yoga.
Overnight oats – in today’s mix: oats, plain greek yogurt, almond milk, chia seeds, dried cranberries, blueberries, bananas and cinnamon. Crofter’s and almond butter on top.
I came home for lunch and assembled a sampling of foods.
Half of an organic pink lady apple, Trader Joe’s low-sodium tomato soup, Trader Joe’s multi-grain chips and a sandwich with avocado, sprouts, tomato, spinach and cheddar on whole wheat. Two things on this plate were gross – both of the Trader Joe’s items. I usually like their store brand but the chips tasted like cardboard (seriously) and the soup was pretty tasteless too. Good thing my open-faced sandwiches never let me down! 😉
Let’s get to the interesting part of my day. Mid-afternoon I saw Tweet from the Marine Corps Marathon that there were only 800 spots left for this year’s race.
I haven’t discussed this on my blog but I have a major marathon itch right now. Don’t get me wrong, I am 100% happy that I am going through yoga teacher training and wouldn’t give that up for anything but I am looking forward to training for some type of fall race. I haven’t decided what that is going to be yet but this Tweet brought back a flood of wonderful memories and emotions from last year’s Marine Corps Marathon.
The next thing I knew I was on the website and registering for the 2011 Marine Corps Marathon.
I filled everything in, including the credit card info, and was ready to hit submit when I thought I should probably run this by my husband first. We had a bit of a heart-to-heart and decided that this is really not the best time for me to commit to running another marathon.
My life is really busy right now and I am the first to admit that I haven’t been spending enough time at home with Brandon and Sullie. I think I need to re-evaluate my time after I’m done with yoga teacher training and then make a decision about a fall marathon.
I have to say that I’m more than a little sad that I won’t be running Marine Corps again this year but there are so many other fall races that I can sign up for after I have a better grasp on my schedule.
I taught BodyPump after work today and then came home to make a delicious feast with Brandon. We continued with our ethnic dinners this week and went with an island-themed dinner tonight (inspired by our vacation planning!).
I came across this recipe for Un(Fried) Coconut Shrimp when I was reading Coastal Living a couple weeks ago and Brandon requested that we have it soon.
I made two sauces to go with the shrimp – mango mustard and honey mustard.
Brandon picked out a plantain when we were at the store a few days ago and was in charge of making fried plantains. They were SO good. I made a pot of black beans with onion, habanero pepper and garlic. This was such a fun and delicious dinner!
Happy Friday! What does everyone have going on this weekend?
I just found you on Twitter! 🙂
That coconut shrimp looks amazing. I can’t wait to experiment!
Alaina – I followed you too!
The coconut shrimp is a fun dish to get you excited for summer cooking and warmer weather! 😉
I understand how you feel about the marathon! Last year, after my half-marathons, I felt really tempted to sign up for another, just in the last minute… but then, I had promised my hubby to take some “rest” as planned. Training does indeed take a lot of take and is especially hard when your schedule is already packed!
I’m nevertheless sure you will indeed find another marathon to sign up for later. After all, some marathon variety isn’t a bad thing either 😉
How did you make your almond butter? I just made some yesterday and it doesn’t have the same shade of brown as yours. They were raw almonds, does that make a difference?
Laura – I didn’t make it. It’s Trader Joe’s creamy salted almond butter. It is made from roasted almonds though and not raw which would explain the difference shades.
I am definitely going to make this recipe. I love coconut shrimp but rarely order it at restaurants. And as much as I love plantains, I’ve never made them either! It must have been hard to say no to the marathon, but I’m glad you made the right choice for you and your loved ones. I know when I get an itch to run a race, it’s very hard to hold myself back.
Kelly – I love cooking things like coconut shrimp at home because you can make healthier versions of traditionally unhealthy foods.
Plantains are definitely not healthy…but delicious!
I was also tempted to register for MCM yesterday! I LOVE that race! Instead I’ll be signing up for the Philly marathon in Nov…a good race, but no MCM 🙁
Would a half marathon in the near future satisfy (half) of your marathon itch?!
When I decided to pass on MCM, Philly was actually in the back of my mind. I’ve heard good things about the race and I’ve never been to Philly. Have you run the full? How is it?
I feel you Jen! I’ve kind of wanted to sign up for more races lately too, but took stock of my priorities and realized that training is something that kind of takes over your life and although it’s rewarding I think I need to prioritize other things right now. I’ll do a race again at some point!
It’s so true that training kind of takes over your life. I hesitate to make that emotional and physical commitment without being 100% certain that I can handle it and without full support from Brandon.
I agree that sometimes other things just need to take priority! I can still run smaller races and run for fun…I don’t have to be training for a marathon! 😉
I think this might be my most favorite meal yet! Looks like B and I might be recreating this tonight.
Do it! Such a fun and festive meal – especially considering the beautiful weather we’re having right now. It will get you excited for summer cooking!
I can totally relate to the marathon sign up part. My fiance is very supportive of my running but is also very aware of how much time it consumes when training for a marathon. I am wanting to sign up for the Rock and Roll Marathon-Savannah in the fall and am in the process of “convincing” him to go along with it. I have not signed up for the race itself, but have booked the hotel (just in case) haha 🙂
Whitney – we should definitely get together for some long runs if we both decide to do fall marathons! I love that you’ve booked a room for Savannah!
SAD! 🙂
I know…don’t worry. I’ll be running one soon enough. PROMISE! It just won’t be MCM!
I read your re-cap today and I am nervous for the 20 mile wall! Did you post your training plan for MCM? I did not see it. I am looking for one. I want under 4 hours too but will be ok with over 4. Can you email me if you have a plan? Thanks so much! Tara
I am SO INSPIRED by the fact that you said no! I have a disease where I keep taking things on to the breaking point. There are so many super-people blogging out there and I get so motivated to do *everything* as they seem to do—but we only ever see a slice of their lives in the blogs. Maybe they can make the choices to do the stuff that they blog about because a lot of the behind-the-scenes things are facilitated away or something… who knows what the rest of the picture is?
Anyway, not to say that you’re not a super-person (I actually read your blog because I really want to live with as much of a commitment to fitness as you have—but right now my job is a bit of an impediment!), but it’s SO GREAT to hear someone say “I wanted to, but I decided not to” and not be apologetic for it.
Huzzah to you!
Thank you so much for your comment!!! I also suffer from the “over-committing myself disease” but with the help of my husband, I’m trying to be more realistic about what I can take on. I want to succeed in and enjoy the things that I do take on and it’s impossible to do that when you’re stretched too thin.
I could have easily have put on my blinders and registered for MCM anyway but at what cost? I know that I’ll feel better about committing to another marathon when it’s clear that I’ll have the time to properly train and still be a good wife, teacher and employee (I work full-time too!!!).
Again, THANK YOU for the reinforcement of my decision!
got a kick out of the Caribbean menu…i just made plantains for the first time myself this week..i didn’t fry them so i’m sure they weren’t quite as delicious as brandon’s, but they were still great! and thanks for the tip on luxury link…i have lots to pour over now… 😉
I have a feeling I’ll be making some island-inspired dinners when I get home! Loving all the fresh fruits and fish here in Hawaii and am already thinking of ways I can incorporate these flavors back home. That shrimp looks fantastic!
And good for you for realizing you’re overextended. It’s tough to pull back and prioritize life, huh? I’m learning to do it but it’s hard!