Debating
No, political debate here! I’m debating on what to do with my evening. I am supposed to go see UVM (Mal’s alma mater) play BC (my alma mater) in hockey, but I’m just not feeling it. I think I’d much rather chill on the couch with a glass of red wine and a chick flick… buuut I know it would be fun to go out with friends and cheer on BC/cheer against UVM. I’m already in my PJs and feeling pretty relaxed, but I could easily motivate myself to go out. What would you do?
After my workout this morning, I made a fresh pot of coffee and sipped on 2 sweet and creamy mugs while watching day-time TV. I love being home during the day to watch my favorites: Ellen, Martha, and Regis and Kelly! 
Lunch was a buffalo-cheddar-egg white sandwich on Arnold Select Sandwich Thins, which are AWESOME! They’re sandwich-size, but thinner than regular bread and more “sturdy” than pita bread or a wrap. They’re basically a big, flat English muffin, but much more appropriate for a sandwich. I tried the mutli-grain variety, which I enjoyed a lot. It tasted fresh, natural, and a tad grainy. The Sandwich Thins are also low in calories (100 calories) and high in fiber (5 grams). I’m a HUGE fan of these guys! Thanks, Arnold, for sending me some samples!
My egg-white “patty” was made with liquid egg whites using this easy and quick method. I added some sharp cheddar and buffalo sauce to make a wicked good sandwich!
As always, I wanted something sweet after lunch. I toasted half of a Sandwich Thin and topped with TJ’s pumpkin butter and peanut butter and chocolate chips. The peanut butter and chocolate chips melted shortly after this photo was snapped to make it an even more decadent dessert. Yum!
Around 2:00, I munched on a Shelburne Farm-picked apple.
A couple of hours after eating my apple, I was hungry again. I decided on a sweet and savory snack: prunes with sharp cheddar. The combined flavor was fantastic in the same bite! Attention readers: new favorite snack!
More Debating
My friend, Becca, sent me an email this morning telling me that she registered to run the Hyannis Half Marathon. I have never run a half marathon, but I’ve wanted to for awhile now. It’s a big goal for me. I’m a “decent” runner, but I’ve never run more than 7 or 8 miles at once. I realize that I can work my way up to 13.1 miles if I train properly, buuuut the race is in February… on the Cape! I really don’t like winter much and I hate being cold. I’d love to do this half marathon with Becca, but I’m not sure how I’d handle the cold weather… plus training indoors on a treadmill doesn’t sound like a good time to me. Has anyone ever trained for an event like this? I have a little while to decide, but I also want to give myself more than enough time to train. I have awful hip and back problems, so in order not to injure myself, I need plenty of training time.
Posted by: Tina 25 comments
Posted in: products
Tags: cheddar, egg whites, prunes
on Oct 24th, 2008 at 6:33 pm
I would say go to the game! I know it can be hard once you’re already in your comfy jammies, but hanging out with friends sounds like the perfect way to kick off the weekend!
I’m interested to read what people will say about the half marathon training. I just met a girl who ran one in San Fran with hardly any official training. But it’s MUCH warmer in CA, and I don’t know anything about cold weather! Running a half marathon would be so cool though… looking forward to reading people’s advice!
on Oct 24th, 2008 at 6:39 pm
I’m sure you’ll enjoy whatever you end up doing
I’m in a tea and chick flick mood myself, but sports games are always fun, especially with friends.
I think I’d like to run a half marathon at some point, but I don’t know when…
on Oct 24th, 2008 at 6:50 pm
I vote game! How can you turn down BC hockey? I too am interested to see the comments on training!
on Oct 24th, 2008 at 6:52 pm
i’ll be there
on Oct 24th, 2008 at 6:55 pm
I’m a total home body, I love hanging out at home with a cup of tea and a movie.
As for the half marathon, it would be so fun to run it in the Cape..but the cold weather and I don’t mix. That’s the only thing that would stop me. If it was going to be any warmer time, I’d be all for it.
I love love love the sandwich thins! I found them on sale at BJ’s and stocked up. Yum!
on Oct 24th, 2008 at 7:08 pm
Loooove the lunch dessert and the prunes!!
Go for the half-marathon if you feel it’s right – should be fun!!
ENJOY YOUR EVENING!!
on Oct 24th, 2008 at 7:14 pm
i ran my 2nd half marathon in hampton beach in february of this year. the weather was crazy. 45* at the start, near blizzard conditions at the end, there is more to the race but it was FUN and exciting to be out running in the winter. The first half i ran was last Fall (i am running the same race this weekend!) and i only made it up to 9 miles. The course was flat and easy and I came in with a time of 2:12, since then my best time was 2:02, i haven’t trained much in the past few weeks but i know i can finish the race and I know you could do. Maybe I could come down run with you? I have been debating about running the half at the hamptons again. i have some great running gear from REI that I highly recommend. let me know if you want more information.
and i say at in tonight! there is a crazy show on 20/20 about people the live with wolves!
on Oct 24th, 2008 at 7:58 pm
hey tina! i’m a frequent reader, and i adore your blog, but i think this is my first time commenting? i think you should give running outside in the cold a try! last winter (in nyc) was the first i trained outside consistently, and if you have the right gear (and a HAT), it’s actually pretty awesome. it’s also great to have running buddies, since it can be hard to get your butt out the door when it’s gray and freezing out. when’s the deadline to register? maybe you can start running outside now with the goal of registering in mind, and then decide in a couple weeks? have fun!
on Oct 24th, 2008 at 8:04 pm
Hey Tina! I was actually talking about signing up for that with some friends from work. I think it would be a fun excuse to spend a winter weekend on the Cape. I have also never done a half marathon, but I think this one sounds like fun!
on Oct 24th, 2008 at 8:05 pm
Love the chocolate chips and pb! I would watch the chick flicks, but that is the mood I am in tonight. I am sure whatever you choose will be fun!
on Oct 24th, 2008 at 8:35 pm
Hey Tina…. ok I love Arnold Select Sandwich thins… so much I want to enter the contest cause I have a great name but I am in Canada – email me if you want to use my name and submit it
The prune and cheese snack I would be so all over… yum and the little treat dessert- very creative and nice. Your food looks awesome.. so healthy. Go for the half marathon – you can do it. My wife did one last year if you need any advice let us know.
zesty
on Oct 24th, 2008 at 8:52 pm
Arianna,
I think that is a great idea!!! Maybe I just need to build up a little cold weather courage before I register!?
Tami and Molly,
Let me know if you sign up for any half marathons in the coming months. It would be fun to have a running buddy!
on Oct 24th, 2008 at 8:53 pm
I’ve run Hyannis race past two years as part of a marathon relay team, and have had a blast. It’s beautiful to run by the beach in the winter. Yes, it is cold, but you bond with your fellow runners. To train, I did at least one run outside each weekend, provided the roads were clear of snow and ice. If the race sounds like a good goal for you, go for it!
And by the way, thanks for all your pumpkin inspiration, I’ve been mixing pumpkin into my plain yogurt all week for a great snack.
on Oct 24th, 2008 at 10:57 pm
If you were going to do the half marathon, you would at least need to do your long runs outside for training. You can run on snow and ice, I personally hate doing and am bad at it, but apparently you can put screws in the bottom of your running shoes for traction. (Google this, I am still perplexed). But my boyfriend runs on snow and ice without doing this, so perhaps I am just an uncoordinated runner. BUT it does sound like fun and something different, so definitely think about it – you have plenty of time to train!!!
Also, how do you get people to send you samples?!?!
on Oct 24th, 2008 at 11:14 pm
Oh, that half marathon sounds good! Cold but good. I have been debating training for one of those as well but I’m up on the north shore so maybe I’ll give the Hampton one a try. If any of you decide to do that one, let me know.
on Oct 24th, 2008 at 11:14 pm
Almost forgot! That snack of yours and the pumpkin muffins look delicious! I’m loving the design on the top of the muffins.
on Oct 25th, 2008 at 1:10 am
I just signed up for the Seattle Half Marathon which is the day after Thanksgiving, I live in Chicago so I’m used to the cold but I usually run inside, because the cold scares me….ahhh what did I get myself into? I did my first half in June but I almost fully trained on a treadmill and was fine, go for it- gotta love having goals to motivate you!!!
on Oct 25th, 2008 at 5:43 am
love your creations, expecially the pumkin butter chocloate sandwhich. i want to get TJ pumpkin butter looks really amazing. and props on the craetive design on your lovly muffuns, looks delish. and i love your blog, very inspiring.
on Oct 25th, 2008 at 9:45 am
That’s cute how you made a little design in the muffins! Very creative.
Prunes are the best!
on Oct 25th, 2008 at 10:10 am
Tina, what day is the race? If you have 12 weeks that would be plenty of time if you’re already hovering in the 6 – 7 mile range. A lot of beginner training programs only have you running three days per week – two short runs and one long.
on Oct 25th, 2008 at 10:11 am
being in NC, i definitely PREFER winter to summer training! that said, i don’t know how i’d deal if the winter was like yours up in boston! we don’t have the snow and ice or frigid temps to contend with here. i think with the right gear though (insulated pants, good wicking jacket, layers, gloves) it would be doable, plus the treadmill IS your friend in inclement weather
i have trained for both marathons and halfs using the treadmill as my primary training during the week and going out for long runs outside on weekends, and it’s worked fine! as for the timing, you do have enough time to train — look on the runner’s world website for some suggested training plans. i definitely think using a plan is the way to go, rather than free-styling. i particularly like their ‘ultimate’ plans. anyway, good luck!
on Oct 25th, 2008 at 12:45 pm
All,
Thanks for your training ideas and input. I’m still on the fence about the race, but perhaps I will look into some 1/2 marathon training programs.
BeeElle,
The companies usually contact me and ask if I want to try some of their samples. I love trying new products, so I almost always agree. You could also try contacting companies that you are interested in– most will usually agree to send samples to new potential costumers.
on Oct 25th, 2008 at 2:59 pm
Tina – I have done the Hyannis run 3 years in a row as the relay…they do a relay so 4 people run b/w 5 and 7 miles each to make up the whole marathon course. Just a thought so you dont have to run quite so far…two of the 3 years I have done it the weather was ok, the 3rd year I couldnt feel my feet the whole way.
but it’s such a fun day!
on Oct 25th, 2008 at 7:49 pm
Some of these commentators are crazy! Skip the half-marathon in freezing-ass cold weather and stick to the gym for pete’s sake. Especially if you awful hip and back problems as you say. Running on hard pavement will not do you any good.
on Jun 10th, 2009 at 5:58 pm
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