So climbing the stairs in my house reminds me that my legs are still hurting from the two jogs this week. I don't know what the deal is. I guess I really have to back down on the intensity.
But it was a beautiful weekend, so I had to get out. I decided to get the bike out and pump up the tires for the first time this year. I rode all the way to "downtown" West Des Moines. Probably about 12 miles out and back. They fixed the trail under I-35, so that was nice.
Tonight I made dinner, and it was properly proportioned between meat, veggies, and grains. I made quinoa for the first time. It's interesting.
Other things of note: I bought the new iPad this last Friday. It's nice. The screen is beautiful. Now my Apple menagerie is almost complete. I cleaned out my garage yesterday. Yes, I've only lived here for 8 months, but over the winter, lots of sand and salt accumulated in there, so it was good to pull everything out, sweep it clean, and then reorganize all my stuff.
Anyhoo, sorry. I know that was really exciting.
Monday, March 19, 2012
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Back at it
Winter is over! At least that's what the weather in central Iowa this week makes it feel like. I swear, the stars just lined up this week. Yesterday I got out of the lab at 7, which allowed me to get home while it was still light out. I was able to go for a jog, run to the grocery store, and cook dinner! Three things I haven't done on the same day, since, well, I don't know when.
It seems like I wasn't the only one to notice the sun was out. It really was like everyone has come out of hibernation. All of a sudden, the sidewalks were crowded with people out jogging. I could tell I'm not the only one out of shape. It was the first run I've been on in a month, and it was awkward. I felt like I weighed 15 pounds heavier than last time, although that's not true. Perhaps it just felt weird running in shorts and a t-shirt this time. I didn't have all those layers and underarmor holding everything tight. After the jog, I took a quick shower and ran to Trader Joes to pick up some fresh groceries.
Dinner was blackened tilapia tacos with broccoli cole slaw and oven baked sweet potato fries. Warning: Food Science Joke ahead. Cole's Law: Thinly sliced cabbage.
Today was even better! I left the lab at 6. SIX! Like three whole hours before the usual. 6 pm, which is only one hour later than most normal human beings get to leave work. I ran the car through the car wash to clean off what is hopefully the last of the salt from what was hopefully the last of the snow. Came home, and put on my running shoes. There were even more people out jogging today than yesterday. I still feel like a running walrus, but hopefully that will get better. I've kept the last two jogs short, just over a mile. I pushed it too hard back in February, so I'm trying to ease back into it. One milestone was achieved today though -- 50 miles since the beginning of the year. That's not super impressive, but I did take the last four weeks off.
Finally, for dinner tonight, I WARMED UP THE GRILL! Yes, that's right. It's grillin' season baby. Tonight's menu included lemon pepper pork loin grilled to a perfect medium, (more) broccoli slaw, and a baked sweet potato. Didn't mean to repeat the sweet potatoes, but I didn't think about that til it was too late.
It's amazing what a little sunshine will do for the mental health. Being out of work at a decent time for two days straight is completely unheard of. Driving home with the sunroof open and actually FEELING THE SUN shine through it. Awesome. Having the windows open at home. Awesome. I'm actually in the mood to do stuff -- it's a natural anti-depressant. I gotta bottle this shit up and keep it handy for a rainy day.
It seems like I wasn't the only one to notice the sun was out. It really was like everyone has come out of hibernation. All of a sudden, the sidewalks were crowded with people out jogging. I could tell I'm not the only one out of shape. It was the first run I've been on in a month, and it was awkward. I felt like I weighed 15 pounds heavier than last time, although that's not true. Perhaps it just felt weird running in shorts and a t-shirt this time. I didn't have all those layers and underarmor holding everything tight. After the jog, I took a quick shower and ran to Trader Joes to pick up some fresh groceries.
Dinner was blackened tilapia tacos with broccoli cole slaw and oven baked sweet potato fries. Warning: Food Science Joke ahead. Cole's Law: Thinly sliced cabbage.
Today was even better! I left the lab at 6. SIX! Like three whole hours before the usual. 6 pm, which is only one hour later than most normal human beings get to leave work. I ran the car through the car wash to clean off what is hopefully the last of the salt from what was hopefully the last of the snow. Came home, and put on my running shoes. There were even more people out jogging today than yesterday. I still feel like a running walrus, but hopefully that will get better. I've kept the last two jogs short, just over a mile. I pushed it too hard back in February, so I'm trying to ease back into it. One milestone was achieved today though -- 50 miles since the beginning of the year. That's not super impressive, but I did take the last four weeks off.
Finally, for dinner tonight, I WARMED UP THE GRILL! Yes, that's right. It's grillin' season baby. Tonight's menu included lemon pepper pork loin grilled to a perfect medium, (more) broccoli slaw, and a baked sweet potato. Didn't mean to repeat the sweet potatoes, but I didn't think about that til it was too late.
It's amazing what a little sunshine will do for the mental health. Being out of work at a decent time for two days straight is completely unheard of. Driving home with the sunroof open and actually FEELING THE SUN shine through it. Awesome. Having the windows open at home. Awesome. I'm actually in the mood to do stuff -- it's a natural anti-depressant. I gotta bottle this shit up and keep it handy for a rainy day.
Sunday, March 4, 2012
Not all fast food is created equal
It's been a really rough few weeks. Work has been crazier than I ever thought it could be. I put in probably 70 hours last week, worked both days over the weekend, and then on Tuesday I worked 19 hours. On top of all this, my mom is sick, and the news coming out of the doctors is getting worse each time.
In a way, the break from running has been good. I injured my legs a few weeks ago, so the rest has been important. But I feel that I'm slipping back on my fitness goals, which brings me to the topic of this post.
Although I'm not exercising like I want to, I'm not eating complete crap -- at least not as bad as I used to. But tonight I decided to get McDonalds, which is the first time I've had it in a few weeks. Suddenly, I felt gross. Not all fast food is created equal. There are some chains that use fresh ingredients or at least, higher quality ingredients. I don't feel disgusting, just really full, after eating a massive burrito from Panchero's. They cook the steak or chicken right in front of you, and the rice, beans, and veggies are fresh. Even Chick-Fil-A isn't so bad. I wouldn't say it's health food, but the chicken breast is real. McDonalds is just gross. You can find pictures of a McD's meal that's been sitting out for months and its appearance hasn't changed. That isn't natural!
Anyhoo, tomorrow I may try to go for a run to test out my legs again. If that doesn't work, I need to get the bike out. With all the stress going on, I need to be doing something again. Plus, I need to be in shape this year for Alaska.
In a way, the break from running has been good. I injured my legs a few weeks ago, so the rest has been important. But I feel that I'm slipping back on my fitness goals, which brings me to the topic of this post.
Although I'm not exercising like I want to, I'm not eating complete crap -- at least not as bad as I used to. But tonight I decided to get McDonalds, which is the first time I've had it in a few weeks. Suddenly, I felt gross. Not all fast food is created equal. There are some chains that use fresh ingredients or at least, higher quality ingredients. I don't feel disgusting, just really full, after eating a massive burrito from Panchero's. They cook the steak or chicken right in front of you, and the rice, beans, and veggies are fresh. Even Chick-Fil-A isn't so bad. I wouldn't say it's health food, but the chicken breast is real. McDonalds is just gross. You can find pictures of a McD's meal that's been sitting out for months and its appearance hasn't changed. That isn't natural!
Anyhoo, tomorrow I may try to go for a run to test out my legs again. If that doesn't work, I need to get the bike out. With all the stress going on, I need to be doing something again. Plus, I need to be in shape this year for Alaska.
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