Will Ride for Food

{Whoops....forgot to post. From Friday}

At the recommendation of our friendly neighbor upstairs, we hopped on our cruisers and headed down to the Hippie-filled town of Ocean Beach to check out a restaurant Guy Fieri visited on Triple D called Hodads. He told us it was about a 2.5 mile ride, easy peasy.

It was 5.25....with a HUGE hill both ways. Lil off. On a single speed beach cruiser, it felt long.

I earned my burger. OK, not really, but hey, the little jaunt was a nice one. It's been chilly the last 2 days so it felt nice to ride in the cool beachy weather. It's out last day here so we wanted to do something fun and off our beaten path.

I am not a big burger person (or a red meat person really) but I was game to check this little place out and Wade is a HUGE burger guy, so I kicked my prissy burger attitude to the curb and rolled with it.  It was on point and I got about 1/2 way through my burger before throwing the napkin in. It was stacked high with beef, onions, a bacon patty (yup), lettuce, pickles, cheese, tomato and mustard/mayo.

Washed down with a cold beer.

Yum.

I'm going to go lay down and be fat now.

Date Night + 12 days

Wade and I enjoyed a lovely dinner date out this past weekend. We stayed in Friday and dined on homemade turkey pasta dinner to carb up for our early Saturday morning run. 4:15 am came early - always has me wondering "why" I do this to myself. Oh ya, because it feels good.

With 12 miles completed on Saturday this finished my week off at 39 miles. My highest week ever I think? Feels good. No pains. I even managed 3 1/2 strength sessions (1/2 = mini sesh because I was still sore) My run on Saturday was really really slow, which of course has me worried for AFC in 12 days. I feel prepared, but not. Running in 90+ degree weather is bound to slow you down, so I'm trying not to be bummed about it and just be happy I get to run in this awesome race!

We had a Groupon to use for dinner, so we did.

Drinks at AZ88, a favorite spot of ours.

 
Dinner: Spanish food + Sangria + Flamenco Dancers = Fantastic Date Night.  

And then I got sick. I don't know what the heck has been wrong with me since Saturday night, but it hasn't been pretty, I have hardly moved off my couch. So bored. So useless.

I'm more irritated that it's interrupting my running/workout schedule and that I can't eat. Silver lining? I've lost a few lbs. ;) Hopefully by tonight I'm back to myself.

Hometown Visit

I wasn't sure I wanted to do a recap of my weekend up in Washington...mainly because I didn't do a whole lot that deemed worthy of reading about. But I thought I'd do a short and sweet one, mainly for myself.

My Mom and I flew up to Seattle last Thursday to visit Grandma. I was really looking forward to this trip for a few reasons:

1. Get outta the heat and visit my old stomping grounds.
2. Spend time with my mom, we have NEVER taken a trip together as adults.
3. Visit Grandma and spend her Birthday with her.

The entire weekend was laid back and low key...we spent the weekend AT my Grandma's place and she lives in a retirement center. I was not super excited about this for obvious reasons, but it ended up being really fun! We spent the weekend watching the Olympics (I.can't.stop.watching.), eating, shopping, wine tasting, beer touring (my sis and bro-in-law joined, so fun) and taking walks. Grandma doesn't get around too well anymore, so my Mom and I spent one afternoon shopping and doing our own thing.

But at "just" 92, my Grandma is still sassy and smart and still hovers behind me telling me how to do things and trying to make me food, but of course, with age, comes changes and it breaks my heart seeing her slow down. I can't stress how happy I am that I took this weekend to just spend time with her. Eating PB toast each morning brought me back to being a kiddo, and it was nice to feel that way again!

I ran 2 of the 3 mornings I was there and one of the highlights of my weekend was running along the trails behind the property she lives on. It was cool, humid (82%) and hilly as shit. I had a huge smile on my face as I ran through the trails that were flanked with blackberry bushes on either side...it really brought me back to my childhood.

Runs like that are the reason I run.  

I also ran inside at the new gym on the property which is brand spankin' new and extremely high tech. It was so funny to be working out alongside a bunch of retired Seniors. They were all really friendly and were cracking jokes the entire time...for once I was the youngest fastest, and strongest!

Leaving was tough...but I was really excited to get home to Wade and my furry critters. Best part...18 roses at the airport from my sweetheart. xoxo.

Salmon & Dill Croquettes

I am FAR from a food blogger, a dietician, or a chef...but every once in a while, I run across an amazing recipe that share-worthy.

My SIL gave me a bunch of old Oxygen magazines a while back and I recently busted a few out and stumbled upon this recipe while pursuing the pages and feeling badly about my body image. (damn you fitness models)

Of course, being my Mother's Daughter, I had to add a little twist to the ingredients list to it to sass it up.

Salmon and Dill Croquettes
Adapted from Oxygen Magazine

Ingredients

1 Medium sweet potato, peeled and diced
1/2 Small onion, diced
1 16 oz can Salmon, drained (I used Trader Joe's brand)
2 tablespoon Dijon mustard
2 whole eggs
1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped
1 tablespoon old bay seasoning

1 Clove fresh garlic, minced
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1/8 teaspoon Sea salt
1/4 teaspoon Ground black pepper
1/2 cup Yellow cornmeal

Preparation

1) Preheat oven to 400 degree F.
2) Steam sweet potato and onion in about 1/4 cup of water until the potatoes are soft and the liquid has been absorbed. Add more liquid as needed to complete the cooking process. Place potato and onion mixture in a large mixing bowl.
3) In a bowl, mash the salmon (bones included) with a potato mashe.
4) Add the salmon to the potato mixture. Add mustard, eggs, seasonings, garlic, lemon juice and dill. Mix together.
5) On a small plate, pour out the cornmeal
6) Take 1/4 cup of the salmon mixture at a time and use the palms of your hands to roll it into a ball. Roll the balls in the cornmeal mixture to coat. Add more cornmeal as needed to coat each croquette evenly.
7) Place croquettes on a lined/greased baking sheet. Bake for 20 minutes. Serve Hot.

I served mine over my "go-to" Kale Salad, with a spritz of a new Truffle Oil Spray I discovered last week.

So Yummy!

How to Staycay...

In a day. No hotels involved.

Wade and I woke up BRIGHT and early on Sunday morning to get our long runs in. 10 sweaty, humid miles later we reconvened for coffee, ran into our friends and had a nice little morning. On our walk back home Wade said to me "let's pretend we are on vacation today!".

If anyone knows my husband, this is slightly out of character...but I was totally on board!

We cleaned up, took a power nap and headed out the door to start our mini vacation day.

First stop:

Modern Steak

We shared fresh oysters and I ordered the Warm Lobster Salad and Wade enjoyed the Shrimp and Artichoke Tortellini. Cocktails were enjoyed as well. The interior of this place is TO DIE. I want to live there. So so perfect.

 We were already at Scottsdale Fashion Square, so we walked over to check out the Nordstrom's sale, where Wade scored some new sunglasses and then we popped into the Ted Baker store where I was treated to a shiny little present. He's very sweet.

Next Stop:

Papago Brewing Company

Beer tasting. Twist my arm. We each sampled 3 beers and then settled on a small beer for enjoying. Great brewery, good beers. Good service.

Final Stop:

Talking Stick Resort and Casino

1. Blackjack Tables. Low bets only. Make lots of new friends.
2. Weasel your way into fancy restaurant as a "VIP" and get private seating.
3. Eat delicious food.
4. Drink equally delicious wine.
5. Enjoy rooftop bar.
6. Wander down to cigar bar.
7. Listen to live music...Stevie Nicks covers, love love love.
8. Drive home WAY past bedtime.

I told him to "be serious". Lordy.

Waking up this morning sucked and I got a well deserved ass beating by Naydine and a Bosu Ball at the gym. I really wanted to throw up. But, I felt much better afterwards. Silver lining, right?

Today was clean clean eating after all that indulgence. But it was one of the BEST days we have had together. So fun, so carefree, so close to home. We made a promise to do this more often.

Does anyone else do this in their hometowns?

SF Photo Bomb

Day 1

A BIG Birthday. A Flight.. A Westin Lunch. An Upgraded Room. A Seafood Dinner. Many Many Drinks. And we just might have gotten escorted out of a club #2...whoops. I swear it wasn't me. (side-eyeing my husband)

Day 2

A Hangover. Irish Coffees at Buena Vista. Wine Country (nuff said). Sushi Dinner.

Day 3

A Drag Brunch. Shopping. A Bar Tour. A Thai Massage. Clam Chowda

Day 4

Union Square Shopping. China Town. A Goodbye Lunch. A Flight.

Wade and I have traveled to SF together and separate and it was really fun and refreshing to see it from a local's perspective. I can't wait to visit again in October! (hint, I'll be there for a race too)

5K #2 & My Weekend

Weekend Highlights...oh yes, I live a VERY exciting life. 

We kicked off the weekend with a nice early run on Saturday morning, and waking up at 5:00am on a Saturday is my idea of relaxing. Ugh. 9 miles followed by a stop at our favorite coffee shop. We ran into some friends there and hung out for a while, made some fun plans, and then walked home. I cooked up a delish and healthy breakfast, did a little yard work, laid out by the pool for a bit. And then this happened:

Oh Oregano's...my favorite guilty pleasure.

Th rest of the day was spent taking a nap, hanging out at home, furniture assembling, ceiling fan installing and being lazy. We also boiled some crap legs for dinner...good week at work calls for crab legs. Amazing.

I also did my weekly grocery trip....half my cart is always all produce. How 2 people can eat so much fruit and veggies is beyond me.

Another early morning today, with a 4:45am wake up call. Why I torture myself with this shit is beyond me. My club had a race so I woke up extra early to help with shirts and registration.

Plans for the 5k?

Wade's Plans: Balls to the Wall
Lindsay's Plans: Meh. It was hot. And dusty. And hilly.

My buddy Ryan and I decided to run together and and at the gun start I looked at him and said "let's go". I cannot stress how nice it is to run with someone in a race. I was hot, sweaty, eating dirt and cursing myself the whole time...but ya know what? I had FUN. And with Ryan biting at my heels, it kept me going. I got to yell at him to get his ass moving when he tried to walk and all of that resulted in a PR for both of us.

After we crossed the finish he gave me a high five and a big smile....and his teeth were covered in dirt.

Wade's PR: 20:06 (6:28/pace)
Lindsay's PR: 24:06 (7:47/pace)

We finished off the morning with a mimosa brunch with friends....and then I hit Nordstroms's Rack later on in the day....mwhahahaha. More on that in another post.


On running/working out this past week:

Miles: 29.1
Days: 5

This was the first week I think I have EVER run 5x/week and I actually was good with it and hit all my runs as I hoped for. Our training plan for the AFC Half has us running 5x/week and then bumping up 6x/week. Little scared about that. I worked out with a trainer on Wednesday and have some fun gyms plans for next week so I'm really liking my workout groove right now.

Have a great Sunday Night!

I did it & I didn't die!

I did this...

And then this...

And then I murdered this....sorry little black beans....

I survived and honestly, it wasn't even that bad. I'm gonna go drink a beer.

Yoga, a run and pizza...

Quick recap.

I had a super weekend mixed with friends, fitness, food, and a little bit of work of course.

Highlights:

• Friday evening "Ladies Night" with some of my favorite girls...Japanese and a glass-o-wine.
• Saturday morning yoga in the part led by my great yogi friend, Erin. 
• Saturday night date night with my cute hubs at a new restaurant, pizza included.
• My first attempt at a "long" run since Ragnar. Rough. Cold. Slightly painful. 
• >----Insert work here----< 
• My delicious Tuscan Kale and Salmon dinner. Sunday Night dinner at it's finest. 

I also managed to squeeze in some shopping. I am still on a shopping strike, and I technically didn't spend any money because I had a credit at a cute little boutique/resale store where I had sold some items. SCORE! My favorite "buy", which I think will be a good summer staple to my wardrobe. Brand spankin new and by Nine West.

I worked at MAC yesterday and picked up some several essentials while I was there...and a couple new fun things.

I have issues. I realllllly needed 2 new lipglosses. I did. Swear. 

___________________________________________________________________

So on the topic of my "long run". I wasn't looking forward for this for 2 reasons.


1. Rain was in the forecast.
2. I'm STILL sick.

I was also sore from my killer yoga session the day before, but I think it helped loosen up my tight hips.

Bonus.

I sucked it up and set out, all alone, on my trek. I was aiming for 8-10...hoping for 10, would be satisfied with 8. Still frustrated that I should technically be running 18. But moving along... It was freezing cold, (yet I still wore shorts WITH compression socks and long sleeves, der) very overcast, and I was just praying to beat the rain. And it was clear...for 7 miles.

And at mile 7...the sprinkles started falling, my leg started hurting and then it hailed. Funny thing is...it took me that whole time to get into my groove.

Oy.

I limped through the last couple miles....walking several times and stretching out my cold legs. I made it to 9 miles and headed in. I was cold, hurting and sick of being sick.

But I'm glad I did it...shitty runs like that make good runs SO much better. I'm hoping for one today in fact. I'm also hoping that it's a good sign that my leg stopped hurting immediately and hasn't bothered me since, whereas before, it hurts for a few days afterwards.

Baby steps.

Slacking Off

It's been a few days since I have posted....and boy did you miss out on some action.

I kid.

But for reals, I've been slightly busy, and nursing this body back to health...update on my weekend tomorrow.

Swears.

Not that anyway really cares. Hehe.

On another note, anyone been to True Food Kitchen? It's one of my favorite restaurants and I have to give myself a pat on the back for coming REALLY close to copying one of my fav dishes from there. Tuscan Kale Salad with Grilled Salmon. I ate it for dinner Sunday night....leftover salmon for lunch....and that amazzzzzing kale for dinner again.

Yum.