WIAW: Indian Summer Treats for Runners

We love summer squash, not only because it tastes so good, but also for all its benefits: antioxidants help reduce inflammation, low in calories, and packed with vitamins.

I don't know about where you live, but here in New England we've been having some unseasonably warm weather. It's good for running and it means that the farmer's market is going full swing, so we can still find some locally grown summer squash.

mr.C loves to grill up the yellow squash and zucchini with some EVOO, rosemary, and garlic (to keep the mosquitos away!), but this weekend we decided to try a new recipe that gives these veggies some room on our fall menu.

This recipe is so simple, but you might need to plan ahead for the baking time. "Tian" is a French word used to describe a casserole dish in which veggies have been layered with spices and cheese, and are then baked.

It was good. Really good. And the leftovers are really good too!

One of my favorite Halloween treats has always been candy corn. This year I'm trying to stay away from the extra holiday calories, so I'm going to make some healthier treats. One of my newest recipe finds is great any time, but especially after a good workout since it's made with protein powder.

Find more healthy Halloween snack ideas at Jen's WIAW link up.

Training Truths: Patience is my new BF

I do not consider myself a patient person. AT ALL. Dealing with this adductor injury is giving me no choice, so I have had to make patience my new best friend. Not really. Sandy, you are still my BFF!

It has been strange to hear my running friends make comments about how impressed they are with my resolve to wait out this injury. Playing the waiting game has been hard. No matter how much I want to, I know I must take this one day at a time. One run too soon or too long and I could be forced to the sidelines again.

So, getting back into my running shoes has been slow. Fewer running days, shorter distances, and slower paces. I'm ok with that as long as I keep healing.

Monday: 50 morning squats. 5K walk to the beach with mr.C and the dog after school.

Tuesday: Squats. Ran 2 miles on the trail. The run was ok. Some tenderness still lingered around the adductor, but it was progress. Strength work at home later.

Wednesday: Squats. More tenderness just walking around. Strength exercises. Finally tried an Epsom salt soak.

Thursday: Squats. Feeling much better. Strength exercises and another Epsom salt soak after school before I headed back to the HS for Open House night.

Friday: Squats before work. Busy day - school, mammy #2, and then a soccer game under the lights. Rest day was in order.

Saturday: I was finally was able to sleep in and it felt awesome!! Strength exercises and squats followed by a two mile easy run. Felt much better on this one. Might be the downhills that are aggravating the adductor. Epsom salt soak and ice for 20 afterwards.

Sunday: 50 squats and then in preparation for the Bengals game, I did a little stretching and some squat jumps so I'd be ready to celebrate some touchdowns!

What do your running friends say about you?

Fitness Friday: #GoalGetter2013 September Review

How do I feel about September? Meh. Here's why:

1. I didn't run

2. I had to DNS another race

3. I volunteered at a race I was supposed to run

4. I almost did 50 squats a day for 30 days

5. I did a TON of strength training

I'm ready to move on. Ready to get back in my running shoes. Ready to log some miles. Ready to be injury-free.

What are you ready for?

WIAW - Wheat Free ZOOMA Road Trip

Last weekend was my first BIG wheat-free road test as I headed to Cape Cod for some ZOOMA fun. Unsure of how I would do finding G-free restaurant/menu options, I packed some snacks in a cooler for the trip: rice cakes, PB&J, cheese, GF crackers, grapes, and yogurt. So for WIAW, I'm giving you a peek at my eats from the weekend!


When we arrived in Falmouth, I whipped out my trusty iPhone and opened the handy dandy YELP app. Using the search feature, I found three restaurants listed under GF menu options. After reading the reviews and checking the websites, we choose Stone L'Oven because it boasted delicious GF pizza. This very late lunch also became dinner.

After fulfilling my ambassador duties and serving up Personal Best medals at the post-race expo, we headed to Woods Hole for lunch and a little sight-seeing. After using the YELP app again to locate G-free restaurant options, we settled on Fishmonger Cafe after reading the menu posted on the door. mr.C and I shared a delicious serving of GF Rice & Beans: black bean chili, brown rice, cheddar cheese, shredded lettuce, and fresh corn tortilla chips served with salsa and sour cream. Blogger blunder, I forgot to get a picture, but here's one of our post-lunch wild berry fruit smoothie made fresh at Woods Hole Market.

On Friday night when we skipped dinner but joined fellow ZOOMA ambassadors briefly after the Mocktail Party, I noticed that Red's (the resort restaurant) offered GF items on their menu. So for dinner on Saturday we ordered some take out on our way back to the room after watching the sunset on the beach. We both chose the GF veggie burger meal with fries. The GF bun was so huge I had to cut it in half. Despite my terrible photo, the veggie burger tasted homemade and included a spicy kick.

With so much success finding GF restaurants using the YELP app, we did it again on Sunday. This time we hit the jackpot with Idgy's - a 100% Gluten Free restaurant! It was so nice to be able to order ANYTHING off the menu. I selected the chicken panini quesadilla and mr.C chose blueberry pancakes and eggs.

We were so happy with our meals that we picked up some GF chocolate chip cookies to go. All I can say is, we should have bought more!

There were actually more cookies in the baggie, but I ate some before taking the pic!

For breakfast both Saturday and Sunday, I raided the mini kitchen and had PB&J rice cakes, some yogurt, and coffee. I've never been a BIG fan of the large restaurant-style breakfast, so this worked perfect for me.

Most of the food we ordered was made in restaurants that also made meals containing gluten. While we are not allergic, we knew the possibility of cross-contamination existed and all of our servers made a point to also tell us. We were comfortable with the small chance, although I recognize that some people may not be.

I'm feeling really good about my first time eating on the road and staying true to wheat-free diet. It was easier than I though it would be thanks to YELP and restaurants offering GF menu options.

How successful is your diet on road trips ?

Training Truths: Switching Gears

Last week should have been a taper week for the ZOOMA Cape Cod half marathon, but instead it was another injury-induced-no-running week. I haven't become a couch potato during my time off though because I'm hoping to bounce back enough to be ready for my next running event in just two weeks!

Monday - My 50 squats a day streak continued first thing in the morning and after a chiropractor adjustment, I did some touchdown lunges.

Tuesday - Morning squats and a 5K walk along the New Boston Trail with mr.C and the dog. Threw in my challenge workout while we were there: superman pulls.

Wednesday - Morning squats and another 5K walk with mr.C and the dog. This time we went to the beach and when we got there I did some dolphin walks on the dock.

Thursday - Morning squats and a quick walk after school on the Goffstown Trail before heading to my step daughter's soccer game. Does jumping up and down while cheering count as exercise? I think so! For my evening workout, I broke out the PAPER PLATES for some gliding saws.

Friday - Morning squats and then we were off to Cape Cod for the ZOOMA weekend. We walked around Falmouth after lunch doing some sight-seeing and some shopping.

Saturday - Spent the morning working the ZOOMA Cape Cod race handing out personal best medals. In the afternoon, we went exploring on a 15 mile bike ride along the Shining Sea Bikeway from Falmouth to Woods Hole.

Sunday - Started the day with a little yoga and a walk on the beach before leaving Cape Cod and heading home.

Have I mentioned how much I love the Under Armour September Challenge? Every day there is a new exercise that pushes me to try something new. As much as I have enjoyed focusing on some strength work the past 6+ weeks, I'm ready to put on my Mizunos again and go for a run.