I know I talk about running a lot. I think that's probably because it's going really really well. I'm seeing improvements after a year of sitting at a plateau (a speed plateau, my distance has steadily been improving). So, when I come on to blog, running kind of takes over. But, food is a big part of my life too. It's also a big part of my running. Do I think that my speed is improving because I turned vegetarian? Not necessarily. But I definitely think its related to my increased intake of healthy, clean foods and decreased processed, saturated fat laden food consumption.
When I was coming home from university, to a home where both my parents eat meat, I was a little worried to say the least. I've never been passive in the meal preparation process but I knew that if I was going to be eating vegetarian at home, I would really have to step up.
I've been making (and help make) foods that my dad could either add meat to, or are filling enough to eat without meat (although for the most part my dad does eat meat with the meals I prepare). So far it has been going very well, although it has only been a week. My mom doesn't eat with us but she recently watched Food, Inc and is considering switching to locally raised meat. Although her motivation may be a little misguided (I have a hard time believing that someone can make such a decision based on a movie) I'm really proud that she's making an effort to become more ethical about her eating.
Since I've been home, where we have a bit of an increased food budget and increased storage space, my diet has improved significantly. Well, maybe not significantly, but I feel a hell of a lot better. I started trying out spinach smoothies with my breakfast and post workout. A few handfuls of spinach, frozen bananas and strawberries, milk and a half a scoop of protein powder. It's a really great way to start out my morning. That goes along with my egg and toast. What can I say...I love a good breakfast.
I also discovered edamame. Or I guess, shelled edamame because what I have isn't in those little pod things. Its got a buttload of protein and is super easy to prepare and oh yeah, it's super tasty. So I made some pad thai yesterday and my dad added a piece of chicken, I just mixed in a half a cup of edamame. It was delicious. It's definitely going to be making a regular appearance in my meals.
Okay, that's enough about food. Writing this is making me hungry. Snack time I'd say.
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Home Sweet Home
Its not that I don't want to blog... I just don't have time. Well, that's a lie. I have time. But when I'm home I really don't go on the computer. This is a nice feeling because in NL, I was pretty much attached to my laptop and I know I spent way too much time on it.
I got home from NL (for good) on Saturday morning, and it truly has been a great four days here in NS. Althought sat I was pretty hungover from my dozen beer on Friday night (13 maybe?) and my hour spent crying, and my 5am wakeup call. Although seeing my parents and sister pretty much cured that tummyache.
I did my next to last long run on the half training on sunday. I did 11.0 miles in 1:47 :) I think it was a 9:47 pace, although I had a few 1-2 minutes breaks which aren't in that time.
I'm not going to lie. That run was freaking hard. I had my mom's garmin with me, so I was aware of my pace everytime I looked down at that watch. I think I'm going to ask for a garmin for my big grad present. Although it was kind of scary knowing my pace all the time, but I think it will do wonders for my running.
Anyways, back to the long run. It was a fast pace and after aout 8 miles I was hurting. My feet, specifically my left foot, get's a serious pain around the ball of the foot. It was throbbing pretty bad, and breaks didn't help. I iced it afterwards and hopefully next week will be better. I'm running with my mom and her friends for 12 miles on saturday (my last long run before Bluenose) and I think it will be a slightly slower place. Im not looking to kill myself here.
So, fitness nerd update. Actually, it's not an update since I haven't mentioned this before but I've been doing this whole "100 pushup challenge" thing, and its awesome. I did the week 2 exhaustion test and I did 16 pushups!!!! 16, good form, on my toes, real pushups. I haven't done that many in...ever? It's crazy.
Well, I guess I'm gonna go watch Biggest Loser with my dad. I didn't run, or workout today. I went out with my sister and her nursing friends last night and it was pretty messy. Super fun though, her friends are awesome and I can see myself hanging out with them a lot this summer. 5 dollar 2oz martini's=good times.
Since I don't take pictures of my awesome meals (yet), here's a goodnight webcam picture of me thoroughly enjoying the end of the new gossip girl.
I got home from NL (for good) on Saturday morning, and it truly has been a great four days here in NS. Althought sat I was pretty hungover from my dozen beer on Friday night (13 maybe?) and my hour spent crying, and my 5am wakeup call. Although seeing my parents and sister pretty much cured that tummyache.
I did my next to last long run on the half training on sunday. I did 11.0 miles in 1:47 :) I think it was a 9:47 pace, although I had a few 1-2 minutes breaks which aren't in that time.
I'm not going to lie. That run was freaking hard. I had my mom's garmin with me, so I was aware of my pace everytime I looked down at that watch. I think I'm going to ask for a garmin for my big grad present. Although it was kind of scary knowing my pace all the time, but I think it will do wonders for my running.
Anyways, back to the long run. It was a fast pace and after aout 8 miles I was hurting. My feet, specifically my left foot, get's a serious pain around the ball of the foot. It was throbbing pretty bad, and breaks didn't help. I iced it afterwards and hopefully next week will be better. I'm running with my mom and her friends for 12 miles on saturday (my last long run before Bluenose) and I think it will be a slightly slower place. Im not looking to kill myself here.
So, fitness nerd update. Actually, it's not an update since I haven't mentioned this before but I've been doing this whole "100 pushup challenge" thing, and its awesome. I did the week 2 exhaustion test and I did 16 pushups!!!! 16, good form, on my toes, real pushups. I haven't done that many in...ever? It's crazy.
Well, I guess I'm gonna go watch Biggest Loser with my dad. I didn't run, or workout today. I went out with my sister and her nursing friends last night and it was pretty messy. Super fun though, her friends are awesome and I can see myself hanging out with them a lot this summer. 5 dollar 2oz martini's=good times.
Since I don't take pictures of my awesome meals (yet), here's a goodnight webcam picture of me thoroughly enjoying the end of the new gossip girl.
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Hockey trumps studying
Im feeling very stressed out about my two remaining exams. I probably haven't studied enough, but I still have all day tomorrow, and almost all day Tuesday. I should be alright...but they are my last two exams of my undergraduate. And I have like an 83 and 85 in them (Im hoping to keep those A's intact) but I dont feel as prepared as I should.
Ten miles of hilly running in St.John's doesnt scare me at all, but 2 little exams have me stressing out all night instead of studying.
Speaking of ten miles. I had my third ten mile run this morning (of my training for my half in May). I was a little "ahead of schedule" on my training so Im just staying at 10 miles until a month before the race (this upcoming weekend), doing an 11, then a 12, then a weekend off, then race day :) Im actually super excited for this half marathon!
Why you ask? Well, Im running faster, thats for sure. I finished todays 9.77 mile run in about 1:36, which is a 9:55 pace. Im running harder. Today was not the same as last week. Last week I was floating. I felt like I could run forever and finished on a sprint. This week, pain. Both physical and mental. I just felt like I was working for every step. And boy, was I working hard.
But I finished it. And it feels good to have another long run under my belt. A little sad because it was my last long run in St. John's. Back to Dartmouth on Saturday. Im actually really looking forward to being home, but St. John's is truly a beautiful place: to run in and to live in.
And tomorrow, although I am going to be studying, Im also going to be watching the Boston Marathon. I read about the course online and it made me want to run it. Not any marathon, but that one! Running Boston is definitely a lifetime goal of mine. And Ill do it eventually, I know it.
Anyways, game 3 of Pittsburgh/Ottawa is on, so Im gonna watch that, maybe shovel a bit more food in my face and go to bed early. Big day of studying tomorrow and then Im almost done!
Allison :)
Ten miles of hilly running in St.John's doesnt scare me at all, but 2 little exams have me stressing out all night instead of studying.
Speaking of ten miles. I had my third ten mile run this morning (of my training for my half in May). I was a little "ahead of schedule" on my training so Im just staying at 10 miles until a month before the race (this upcoming weekend), doing an 11, then a 12, then a weekend off, then race day :) Im actually super excited for this half marathon!
Why you ask? Well, Im running faster, thats for sure. I finished todays 9.77 mile run in about 1:36, which is a 9:55 pace. Im running harder. Today was not the same as last week. Last week I was floating. I felt like I could run forever and finished on a sprint. This week, pain. Both physical and mental. I just felt like I was working for every step. And boy, was I working hard.
But I finished it. And it feels good to have another long run under my belt. A little sad because it was my last long run in St. John's. Back to Dartmouth on Saturday. Im actually really looking forward to being home, but St. John's is truly a beautiful place: to run in and to live in.
And tomorrow, although I am going to be studying, Im also going to be watching the Boston Marathon. I read about the course online and it made me want to run it. Not any marathon, but that one! Running Boston is definitely a lifetime goal of mine. And Ill do it eventually, I know it.
Anyways, game 3 of Pittsburgh/Ottawa is on, so Im gonna watch that, maybe shovel a bit more food in my face and go to bed early. Big day of studying tomorrow and then Im almost done!
Allison :)
Friday, April 16, 2010
Last round of exams
So I really really want to start blogging more.
The more I read other peoples blogs, the more Im inspired to write in this more, but unfortunately I have these little things called exams. Ive had two so far (a 3 hour biochemistry exam from hell, and a 30 minute joke of a Political science exam) and two left, both of which will be a little difficult but not too bad I think.
But back to what I was saying. I religiously read a handful of health blogs daily, and a ton more a bit more casually. Not only do they inspire me to write in this, but they inspire me. Period.
I've actually been reading a lot of blogs "about me" and "favourite posts" and looking at the marathon posts. I want to run a marathon so bad now. My goal is to do one before I turn 25, but I think Im going to start training for one next summer. This summer is all about the halfs, and smaller races and I think Id like to lose a few more pounds before I start training for the ol' 26.2.
The point is, I am going to run a marathon, and I cant wait. I know its going to be hard as hell, and yeah, its going to be hard on my body, but I know I can do it.
And this summer, I think Ill be doing more than the one half marathon. I know there are a few around NS this summer, so Im thinking Ill be doing 3 :) Hopefully. Now if I get a job and cant get the time off, thats another story.
And about this blog, I really want to start doing the whole "pictures of my food" thing because Im proud of what I eat and I want to share it! When I get home, Ill have access to a camera and usb and what not. I love that Im vegetarian now. It started as a thing to do for health, but after watching the trailer for Earthlings, there are definitely some ethical reasons for me to not eat meat aswell. I love animals, and if I dont need to eat them, why should I? If you don't believe that the meat/animals we eat, arent horribly abused during their lifetime, then you need to watch that trailer.
Anyways, I think Im gonna go pick up some beer and chips and watch the hockey game. Not kidding. Ive been studying all day, and this is my reward! Have a great night everybody! If anyone is reading :)
The more I read other peoples blogs, the more Im inspired to write in this more, but unfortunately I have these little things called exams. Ive had two so far (a 3 hour biochemistry exam from hell, and a 30 minute joke of a Political science exam) and two left, both of which will be a little difficult but not too bad I think.
But back to what I was saying. I religiously read a handful of health blogs daily, and a ton more a bit more casually. Not only do they inspire me to write in this, but they inspire me. Period.
I've actually been reading a lot of blogs "about me" and "favourite posts" and looking at the marathon posts. I want to run a marathon so bad now. My goal is to do one before I turn 25, but I think Im going to start training for one next summer. This summer is all about the halfs, and smaller races and I think Id like to lose a few more pounds before I start training for the ol' 26.2.
The point is, I am going to run a marathon, and I cant wait. I know its going to be hard as hell, and yeah, its going to be hard on my body, but I know I can do it.
And this summer, I think Ill be doing more than the one half marathon. I know there are a few around NS this summer, so Im thinking Ill be doing 3 :) Hopefully. Now if I get a job and cant get the time off, thats another story.
And about this blog, I really want to start doing the whole "pictures of my food" thing because Im proud of what I eat and I want to share it! When I get home, Ill have access to a camera and usb and what not. I love that Im vegetarian now. It started as a thing to do for health, but after watching the trailer for Earthlings, there are definitely some ethical reasons for me to not eat meat aswell. I love animals, and if I dont need to eat them, why should I? If you don't believe that the meat/animals we eat, arent horribly abused during their lifetime, then you need to watch that trailer.
Anyways, I think Im gonna go pick up some beer and chips and watch the hockey game. Not kidding. Ive been studying all day, and this is my reward! Have a great night everybody! If anyone is reading :)
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