First Bib of 2012

So the idea of this is to keep track of my running progress throughout 2012! A race per month that is and as I said in my last post, ideally a half marathon per month, except for October & November when I'm running marathons. After only 7 5 weeks of training I ran my first half of the year.

Yesterday I ran the Red Nose Half Marathon in Columbus, GA... A FREE race organized by the Columbus Running Club, FREE = No Medal, but hey, it was a certified course! I finished in 2:27 which is 6 minutes faster than my last half... but my last half was almost 2 years ago. What I ambition? I ambition to finish this year doing the Vegas Rock N' Roll half in the 1:50s. My accomplishment thus far? Running the entire distance! I am thrilled that I didn't walk other than at the water stations while drinking water :)

I hope these races keep me motivated and my training going, next weekend I run the Museum of Aviation Half and can't wait to get my medal!

Upcoming races per month:

• January - Red Nose Half Marathon / Museum of Aviation Half Marathon
• February - Tybee Island Half Marathon
• March - Publix Half Marathon - Atlanta
• April - TBD
• May - Pensacola Half Marathon
• June - TBD
• July - Napa 2 Sonoma Half Marathon
• August - Chicago Triathlon
• September - TBD
• October - Chicago Marathon
• November - Solar Eclipse Marathon - Australia
• December - Vegas Rock N' Roll Half Marathon

As you can see I have a few months that I still need to find races for but most of my year is planned out, I might throw a few 10Ks & Sprint Triathlons in there to add some excitement to the off weekends but those are the MUST DO races.

If you have any other races you would recommend feel free to comment, I would love to hear suggestions!

Until next post!

CM

Fuel your body

One of my New Year Resolutions this year is to complete at least a race per month throughout 2012. Ideally these will be 11 half marathons (2 in January) and 2 marathons, one in October and one in November. I am particulary excited about 2 specific races, the napa2sonoma in July and the Australia Solar Eclipse in November. Obviously, to accomplish this, it will require a fair amount of training but also I am determined to fuel my body with the foods that will keep me going.

In an effort to keep it healthy I am trying to plan my meals around a weekly menu, for this week besides my almost daily Ezequiel Turkey Sandwich and Sophia's beloved Lentil tacos I have a few others. I will post more recipes throughout the week but for today I will leave you with the following!

Chicken Chow Mein

INGREDIENTS

• 250 g Dried medium Chinese egg noodles
• 2 tbsp sunflower oil
• 280 g cooked chicken breast, shreaded
• 1 garlic clove, finely chopped
• 1 red bell pepper, seeded and thinly sliced
• 100 g shiitake mushroom, sliced
• 100 g bean sprouts
• 3 tbsp low sodium soy sauce
• 1 tbsp sesame oil

Begin cooking the noodles according to instructions in the package and let them stand while preparing other ingredients. Then pre-eat a wok over medium heat (today because I just moved and can't find my wok I used a skillet, it was messy but it tasted just fine). 

Add the sunflower oil and swirl around the wok to coat it's walls. Once the oil is hot add chicken, garlic, peppers, mushroom, scallions and bean sprouts and stir-fry for about 5 minutes.

Now you can add the noodles to the wok, toss well, and stir-fry for an additional 5 minutes. Drizzle over the soy sauce and sesame oil and toss throughly combined.

This recipe serves 4 and it's under 500 calories, it's a good healthy option if you need to carb up for a race or long run!

I hope you get to enjoy this delicios recipe, try it out and let me know what you thought!

XOXO

CM