Last week snow, this week shorts

What a difference a week makes.

Last Saturday, I did my long run in off-and-on snow showers. Giant, wet flakes.

This Saturday, I wore shorts and a T-shirt and wished I'd put on a tank top instead.
It was suddenly in the upper 50s with sun breaks.

My plan was to run 5 miles near a 10-minute-mile pace.

Brad was headed to the track for some speed work, so we ran together part way and then separated to do out own workouts. We met up at the end and ran home together.

In all, I ended up running 5.82 miles in 57:19, a 9:50 average:
A bit more distance and speed than I planned, but it was all comfortable.

Brad wanted to try a different picture spot:
What a beautiful spring-like day for a run :)

Friday family fun

Lots of family fun this weekend, starting Friday night with dinner, basketball and froyo.

The THS girls had a playoff game at Westview High School. But we had to fuel up, so our first stop was Qdoba at Bridgeport.
Don't bother me while I'm eating my burrito!More hot sauce!
Ready for the game:
Warming up... ready to rumble:
The game was close all night, with both teams playing aggressively and taking turns on top.
But we fell behind in the final minutes and lost by 5:
They played great - lots to be proud of!

I seem to have a mild frozen yogurt addiction and insisted that we find some near Westview. Luckily, there was Yo Zone across the freeway at Tanasbourne.
Unluckily, I didn't think it was that great. Good, but not great.
But always fun :)

Gratitude - 3/3

I am grateful for a warm,dry day.
I am grateful for a day to just hang out and read.
I am grateful for America's Test Kitchen and Motorweek.
I am grateful for Linus.

"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows" James 1:17 NIV

Gratitude - 3/2

I am grateful it's Friday.
I am grateful for my space heater.
I am grateful for a good basketball game, even if we lost.
I am grateful for a silly husband. (no mas pantalones!)

"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows" James 1:17 NIV

Tempo Thursday: another PR!

Thursday. That means another internal debate about going on my tempo run. I am such a wuss.

I even tried to get Brad to cancel my workout for me by volunteering to come right home after work and help him. (He was home after having a strange reaction to the Vicodin he took before bed - after having a root canal)
It didn't work.

So I dutifully changed my clothes in the (CE)2 bathroom and headed outside to run a 5K.

Despite snow on the ground this morning, it was actually sunny and mild this afternoon. Until I stepped outside. Raindrops began falling as I walked across the parking lot. Perfect.
Oh well. Too late to turn back.

So after conquering my lazy wussyness... I ended up having an awesome run and PRing again!
I set a new 5K PR last month, running an 8:58-minute mile - my first time breaking the 9-minute mark.

This time I ran the 5K in 26:29, an 8:32-minute mile. Holy crap. I almost feel like my Garmin screwed up!
My splits:

Mile 1 - 8:36 pace
Mile 2 - 8:33 pace
Mile 3.1 - 8:28 pace

With warmup and cooldown, I did 3.53 miles in 30:56.

I had a meeting at 4:30 at THS, so I tried something new: I showered in the locker room!
I used the women's staff shower and was in and out pretty quick. I don't think I'll do it often, but it's nice to have the option.

:)

Gratitude - 3/1

I am grateful for a snowy morning and a sunny afternoon.
I am grateful for a quiet 3rd period.
I am grateful for a new 5K PR.
I am grateful for a short meeting.
I am grateful for an evening at home.

"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows" James 1:17 NIV

Muffin Wednesday: Millet

Strange school schedules and other excitement messed up recent Muffin Wednesdays. But today seemed like a great day to bake, what with the snow and everything.

I had some left over millet in the cupboard and went searching for a suitable recipe. Found this one on OPB.org.
2 1/4 c whole wheat pastry flour (I just used regular flour)
1/3 c raw millet
1 t baking powder
1 t baking soda
1/2 t fine-grain sea salt (I just had regular salt)
1 c plain yogurt
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1/2 c barely melted unsalted butter (we had margarine)
1/2 c honey
Grated zest and 2 T juice from 1 lemon (didn't have lemon so used 2T OJ)

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Butter a standard 12-cup muffin pan or line with paper liners. (Mine actually made 17 muffins)

Whisk together the flour, millet, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a large bowl.

In another bowl, whisk together the yogurt, eggs, butter, honey, and lemon zest and juice until smooth.

Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir until the flour is just incorporated.

Divide the batter among the muffin cups, spooning a heaping 1/4 cup batter into each one, filling it to a bit below the rim.

Bake for about 15 minutes, until the muffin tops are browned and just barely beginning to crack. Let cool for 5 minutes in the pan, then turn the muffins out of the pan to cool completely on a wire rack.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I pulled out the snowman papers again :)

I think the general consensus is that the texture is fun with the crunchy millet but the taste is a bit bland. Donna suggested making them into jam thumbprints. Maybe some butter and/or honey to liven them up.

It was nice to bake again after missing a couple weeks :)