This morning marked the first long run for my slow and steady half marathon training plan. It has been a couple of weeks since I embarked on anything longer than 4 miles, so I set my starting point at a reasonable 6 mile long run. Before heading out the door this morning, I grabbed a Gatorade performance drink to keep me hydrated.

A few weeks ago, Gatorade sent me some of their new G Series FIT products to try out for the ‘ol blog. With 6 miles I didn’t need a Gu packet or other fuel, but I wanted something to balance out my buckets of sweat and aid my endurance. The Melon Pear performance drink did the trick. PS – Loved the flavor!

I finished up my six miles with an 8:56 average pace.

Hold up. What was that first number again? EIGHT?! The only time I’ve seen my average pace anywhere in the eights for a longer run was my 10K race. Today’s average pace was even faster than my speed work on Wednesday. Why, hello electrolyte superpowers!

Also, if you’re interested, Gatorade’s G Series FIT includes small energy bites for pre-workout fuel and a recovery drink with a great balance of carbs and protein for post-workout. They make great options for those who need something convenient for on-the-go or for those who have trouble stomaching much volume before or after workouts. I like how Gatorade emphasizes the importance of fueling well before, during, and after a workout – because we all need to pay attention to our fueling technique. 🙂

FFF Features time! First, a BIG feature. I finally added a recipe page!

I don’t consider myself a “food blogger”, so I always shied away from creating a page with recipes. Then you all convinced me through Twitter and Facebook (do you hang there with me yet?!) that a recipe page would make a great addition. I want to make it easier to access my super simple concoctions. I tried to find everything, but I no doubt left some things out. Let me know if you had something specific in mind that you can’t seem to find!

Featured Post of the Week: Emotional Eating / Overeating Triggers

Featured Workout: The Workout BEAST

Featured Meal: My Favorite Enchiladas

Featured Cuteness: Unseen Daytona Pictures

Featured Reading: Three New Blogs to Check Out

 Liz @ Little Bitty Bakes

Yum! On every single recipe. Liz makes my mouth water daily.

Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table

SO inventive! SO fit! So badass in the best way possible, but still SUCH a sweetheart.

Kris @ I Heart Wellness

She works incredibly hard. Read her blog for unparalleled motivation and passion.

• What do you focus on the most: pre-, during-, or post- workout nutrition?

I have a beast of a workout to share with you all this morning. Hold up. Let me clarify. This workout will not make you look like a beast. It will make you feel stronger than a beast. It will give you a hunger beast (aka that super hunger that sets in after hard training). A strong body to kick butt on my fitness endeavors? Me likey. A strong appetite reflecting a fired metabolism? Me likey that too.

I have only so much time to milk all I can out of my workouts. I like to go big or go home. Balls to the wall. Squeeze out every last drop. Okay, you get the picture.

I began my workout yesterday with my short, steady 2 mile run from my training plan. That run where I sorely missed my revamped workout playlist? Yea, that one. While completing my run, I dreamed up a circuit workout with a new mix of moves I wanted to try. I hopped off after my 20 minutes and got my self all set up in the weights area to bust out the little routine I came up with on my run.

My subconscious apparently had something against me. It had it out for me when dreaming up this circuit. Clearly…

• Speed Skaters – 20 reps per leg
• Kettlebell Swings – 15 reps total with 20 # kettlebell
• Wall Squat with Resistance Band Chest Presses – I grabbed a heavy resistance band and looped it around these wood columns we have in our gym. I did 45 seconds of a wall squat up against the column while simultaneously doing chest presses with the band.
• Planks with Spidermans – I held a straight arm plank for 15 seconds, then completed 10 “spidermans” (pull knee out and up to the chest) on my left side. I held a plank again for 15 seconds and did the final 10 spidermans on my right side.
• Toe Taps on the Step – A drill where I shuffle my feet quickly, tapping my toes up on a step. 45 seconds.
• Kettlebell Cleans – 10 reps per side with 20 # kettlebell
• Wide Stance Squat with Upright Row – 12 reps with 10 # dumbells

The combination of complex moves that work the entire body, plyometric style drills, and new-to-me equipment (kettlebells!) gave me a much tougher workout than I expected. I went through the circuit three times…and still finished in around 20 minutes! Wham, bam, thank – you – ma’am subconscious!

I felt the effects of this workout later in the day when I craved a hearty and filling dinner. I wanted my favorite enchiladas!

Kill the Hunger Beast Enchiladas

• 6 oz lean ground beef (or chicken or turkey)
• 1/2 can refried beans
• 1 cup corn kernels
• 1/2 cup diced onion
• 1/2 cup grated carrot
• 1 can green enchilada sauce
• 1 can 98% fat-free cream of chicken/mushroom soup
• 1 small can diced green chilies
• 12 corn tortillas
• 1 cup shredded cheese of choice

Preheat oven to 350. Cook your ground beef/chicken/turkey. In a large bowl, mix the filling ingredients (meat through grated carrot). In a separate mixing bowl, stir the enchilada sauce, soup, and diced chilies to create the sauce. Pour 1/3 of the sauce into the bottom of a 9x13 baking dish.

Place approximately two large spoonfuls of filling mixture into center of corn tortilla. Roll and place seam-side down in the baking dish on top of the sauce. Repeat until you fill all your tortillas. Pour the remaining sauce over the enchiladas. Sprinkle shredded cheese evenly over the top. Bake for 20 minutes, until cheese begins to bubble.

You can easily make this recipe without the beef and simply use the full can of refried beans. We use the beef on occasion for added texture. You can also use your personal favorite enchilada sauce. I do the soup mix in mine to create a thicker sauce because I’m a freak about thinner sauces making my enchiladas too soggy. Overall, lots of ways to mix this up and I’m sure they will all taste good. Unless you add some chocolate covered grasshoppers or something crazy like that. But I trust you’re smarter than that.

• Do you like enchiladas? Green or red sauce? What fillings?
• Of Possible Interest: Check out my interview as the “Fit Blogger We Love” over on the Fitness Magazine site this week!