Trail Running and the Weekend!

Since it is off season for USA Fit Rio, there are just some randomly spaced runs coordinated by the coaches. Not many people attend, but it is still a nice motivator, to get to run with others instead of by myself. I woke up at 7:00 due to pups wanting to go out to potty. I got up, made two fried eggs and three pieces of bacon (although I'm not real sure why we call them fried... I still cook them in Pam, but just dot scramble them up). Fried makes it sound like I poured an inch of oil in a pan and let it fry! Breakfast was good - pups helped with the last piece of bacon and a bit of the eggs. I still have problems eating right when I get up, but I surely wasn't getting up earlier on a Saturday!

I met coach Amy, and some other Rio Fit runners including Michelle, Alison and Arv at Walgreens (score! Only 6 minutes from the house). We ran out two miles and back two miles. It was a challenging run - lots of hills and very sandy! Might as well been running on the beach (except no waves to look at and listen to). I ran out with Michelle and we chatted a bit, and then I ran back with Alison. We chatted also. It is nice to run with her bc she isn't that far into her running journey and she describes the same troubles as me - wanting to lose a bit of weight, hitting the wall while running, etc.).

We finished up after some chats, at about 9:45 and I headed home. I feel pretty good post run, and I think my body is starting to adjust better to the low carb diet. I am a bit hungry now, and I even got up and did the dishes with the intent I find a snack, but didn't. Oh well, at least something got done, lol :).

I'm planning on getting off my booty, showering, and heading out for some shopping today. I need to do some shopping for myself, I MEAN start my Christmas shopping! ; )

Jason is at martial arts and has UFC fight at a friends house tonight - NO THANK YOU! I'll just continue my shopping journey and maybe catch a pedicure. My feet deserve it!

Happy weekend and happy running!

Low Carb Deliciousness

Hubby and I went to a new restaurant in ABQ on Monday; BJ's Brewhouse... Yum! Check out my grilled chicken salad. Oh, and did I mention they brew about 10 of their own beers? Their lightest one is low carb too! Mmmmhhhh!

I still needed some sweetness when I got home hints the homemade Pumpkin Spice latte. Only 3 carbs total. Yummy!

Run, Pilates & Yoga

Woke up early for a Saturday morning - 5:45 AM to be exact, yuck! Since I missed some runs this week, I wanted to go meet Katie & Danielle to run with the Lululemon group. I ate about 1 1/3 scrambled eggs bc it was making me gag; had some coffee and headed out the door. I got to Lululemon at about 7:15 AM. It was about 45 degrees. We ran about 30 minutes. I felt pretty decent during the run, despite my small un-yummy breakfast. Post run, we headed inside Lulu for some Pilates led by Danielle and then Yoga led by Katie. I'm not going to lie - by about 8:30 (30 minutes into Pilates and Yoga), I felt pretty cruddy. Probably partially diet and partially coming inside to 70 degrees when I was sweating and immediately starting Pilates. We finished up at 9:00 AM and I headed back to my side of town. I talked briefly with Katie, Danielle and Julia about whether or not I was doing the PF Changs half in Phoenix, in January. Truthfully I haven't decided. I want to do that run, but that is a two hour event, and losing weight is way more important, so I can be successful at subsequent races. I truthfully don't feel like I can run over five or so miles, without going back to a carbo-licious diet. I don't want to be tortured thru the whole race. I think I'll try to continue what I am doing, see how much weight I can lose by maybe Christmas time, and then decide.

It's a pretty cold day in ABQ. It actually night snow tonight. I might go run in the AM anyway. Lets just see how sore I am!

Besides all that, all is well. I'm sticking to my diet, and had an incredible dinner from Pappadeaux last night - jalapeño and cheese stuffed shrimp wrapped in bacon and drenched-with-butter spaghetti squash! Delicious! Sometimes this diet can be pretty awesome! Should have taken a picture, but you will just have to drool at my description! Mmmhhhhhh!

Cooking this weekend

I found this recipe via a Facebook post. Looks delish and super low carb! I'll be making these sometime this weekend! Yum yum yum!
http://www.closetcooking.com/2012/11/bacon-wrapped-jalapeno-popper-stuffed.html?m=1

Lazy week

I've found it hard to stay motivated, being as though I'm not running with my group lately. It's more difficult too as I just don't feel my body has adjusted to this diet. Running under a 9:30 mile average for a half marathon was easy and comfortable before. Now, running a 10:00 mile just for a few miles seems torturous! I'm going to Lululemon tomorrow to participate in a group run/yoga combination. It's at 7:30 AM - gag! Why it needed to be so early, I'm not sure. It's nice and cool here in ABQ! Ugh, okay, enough negative nancy! See what not exercising does to you? ; )

Spaghetti Squash

I made spaghetti squash for the first time today, and it actually turned out, surprisingly!

I washed one medium (about 8 inches tall) spaghetti squash well, and then cut it in half long-ways. I scraped out the innerts (seeds and pumpkin type stuff), and then baked in the oven, bowl side up at 375 degrees for one hour. I let it cool a bit, and then used a fork to shred the noodles in the half's. Once I had dumped noodles in a bowl, I used a spoon to get the rest. It made about 5 cups, and at 40 calories and 8 carbs a cup, that's much better than real noodles! I did have a taste and they are better than noodles! Can't wait to try them with dinner.

Low Carb Pizza - DELISH!

I made this yesterday afternoon:

Mix (I used my Kitchenaid Mixer):

3 cups shredded mozzarella
3 eggs
1 tsp. garlic powder
1 tsp. basil

Once well mixed, press onto a greased pizza pan, or parchment paper lined pizza pan (works very well!)

Bake at 450 degrees for 10-15 minutes, or until golden brown.

Remove from oven and let it stand for 15 minutes.

Flip the crust, dress and pop it back into the oven for 5-10 minutes, or until your toppings are cooked to your liking.

I used 1/2 cup of Walmart Great Value brand pizza sauce (8 carbs total), about 1 more cup of mozzarella and about 20 pepperonis.

It turned out a lot better than expected! Delish! Next time I will put some more seasonings in the crust! I'd give it an 8/10 though!

I forgot to take a picture when it was fresh, so this is the re-heated picture! Still yummy!!