I normally am not a fan of Mondays. Sure, I enjoy getting back into a normal routine, but I hate how they never seem to include any fun. I made sure to make fun happen yesterday though. I started off with a fabulous workout of a quick weights circuit followed by a spin class. My circuit looked a little something like this:

I did each move back to back 3 times through. It took all of 15 minutes and I could feel it before I finished. For the record, I have such a love/hate relationship with push-ups. They work my upper body so well, but are so tough! I love seeing my strength with them increase though. It makes me feel all hardcore. Although not as hardcore as my race. 😉

After the gym, I managed to find that elusive balance we all seek. Normally I feel like I either don’t get anything done or I spend too much time with to-dos and don’t have enough fun moments with the family. I set aside 1.5 hours to bang out what chores I could. Badda boom! Laundry done. Floors swept and mopped. Playroom cleaned and vacuumed. Just in time for me to take to the great outdoors for some bubble blowing and sidewalk chalk drawing as my bonding time with my sweet girl.

Then, I made sure to take some time for myself too during nap time. I whipped up a tasty little snack by peeling and chopping an apple then microwaving it for 90 seconds with some cinnamon. I topped it with a small drizzle of maple syrup and a sampler packet of this Love Grown Foods apple walnut granola I received for review.

At first, I thought this little snack would need some yogurt to tie it all together, but it didn’t. The apple + granola combo was actually really filling and reminded me of a healthified apple crumble.

Delicious! Love Grown Foods knows their granola. The stuff is like crack!

Whilst satisfying my belly, I satisfied my hankering for finding future races by checking out the Run Georgia calendar Lee directed me to. This could start a problem. I found a couple options for my next race – hopefully a 10K in the next 6 weeks or so. Then, the crazy set in. I know I want to do a half marathon in the fall. I am already 99% sure I will run the Rock & Roll Savannah half marathon.

Savannah is one of my all-time favorite places. I have always thought Rock & Roll races sound like a blast. I have family in Savannah. Most importantly, it gives Peter & I an excuse for a mini-vacation just the two of us. Then, I see another half marathon at my alma mater and I think that would be so fun too!

Something like the following happens in my head:

• Crazy, Run-Loving, Race-Ogling Tina: Oh! Maybe I can do both!
• Logical Tina: Ummm…they are only two weeks apart.
• Crazy, Run-Loving, Race-Ogling Tina: I could take the first one easy. I would be doing my longest training run that week anyways. I think?
• Logical Tina: You’re crazy! Buuuttttt…you could always plan for the Savannah race and see how training goes and maybe do both? Oh, crap! Crazy Tina you’re getting to me!!!!

And so on. It doesn’t help when certain people send tweets like this…

See? The addiction has officially begun. I don’t know what to do, but at least I have time on my side!

I rounded out my day with a nice walk for more family time and a satisfying dinner. I whipped up a version Meghann’s Black Eyed Pea + Cornmeal Biscuits.

I followed the recipe almost exactly, except for using a frozen mixed veggie blend instead of fresh broccoli and corn. It was quite the hearty dinner. For some reason it upset my stomach, though. I started feeling very crampy and uncomfortable, so I laid low and relaxed the rest of the evening by catching up on some Desperate Housewives. Hey – I have to keep balance between kid and adult entertainment too! 😉

• How do you find balance to start your week off well?
• Can you relate to my Crazy/Logical Tina conundrum?

Thank you all for the wonderful comments and support on my Month 3 Progress post! I always feel a bit awkward publishing these posts, but I believe in the importance of sharing the real deal in accomplishing body goals in a healthy manner. Don’t forget to let me know in the comments of any questions you may have about how I do things for an upcoming Q + A post. I’m an open book, so ask anything. 🙂

Yesterday afternoon, I realized something that needed a quick remedy.

I also craved a burger. Thus, this beauty was born.

I marinated two portabella mushroom caps in a mixture of olive oil, Worcestershire sauce, minced garlic, and sodium-free steak seasoning. Then, Peter plopped them on the grill to cook for about 5 minutes per side with some additional basting action for optimal flavor.

I topped my ‘bella burger with a thick smear of goat cheese, spinach, tomato, pickles, and red onion. Only one vegetable could stand up to this fabulous dinner. None other than my all-time favorite roasted Brussels sprouts.

After that meal, sister night ensued. We can entertain each other all too easily with our random senses of humor. For example, we have a tradition that we must eat ice cream while watching The Biggest Loser. Why? Simply because the irony of it amuses us so. Plus, its tasty.

I now need to back up a bit. Before the fun of my evening began, I went out for a run. I headed to an area I could easily get around for a little over 3 miles. I wanted to do a quick run to push my pace and see what I could accomplish. 

I managed to keep my pace where I wanted (average 8:27), but I really struggled. It felt like everything was against me. I ate too close to my run. I dressed too warmly. The wind was blowing. The evil hill wanted to kill me.

For the record…it keeps going after that curve. A lot.  

It kind of stunk. But was awesome at the same time to know I pushed through. Perhaps this will make my 5K seem easier since it’s supposed to be a flat course and I learned a few things to help prepare myself better.

Did you know? My 5K is THIS Saturday! I can hardly believe my race is on Saturday! I have so much anticipation and I feel so excited for it. I also have all these thoughts swarming my mind on whether or not I will be prepared for the race. Not so much prepared physically, since I do feel ready in that aspect, but prepared with all the little race-day things I know nothing about. Here is what I have in mind for this weekend:

1. Pick up my race packet at early pick-up Friday afternoon.
2. Charge my music, Garmin, etc the day before.
3. Lay out all of my clothing, race bib, technology, etc the night before.
4. Wake up early to eat one of my tried and true pre-run meal combos.
5. Leave early to have time to get there on time and find my way around.

I have no clue from there. I hope I don’t walk around looking like a deer in headlights at the venue because I don’t know what to do. I am thankful that it now looks like Peter will manage accompanying me, which before he wasn’t sure about. That will help knowing I have someone to watch my stuff, get some pictures, and cheer me on! I also feel SO thankful that Lee will be there with me. I know she will help me feel at ease and show me what to do. Until then, I will gladly take any advice you have!

• What pre-race and race day tips can you share?
• Do you like Brussels sprouts?