Today is going to be another busy day: errands, NuVal, two phone calls back-to-back (one involves very exciting news!), walk #2 with Murphy, gym date with Marie, dinner, recipe test, blog, bed. Wow, just typing all of that made me tired! 
Lunch
I enjoyed a yummy lunch combo this afternoon: sandwich + salad. For some reason, these two always go so well together and they fill me right up.
I had a ham and Swiss cheese sandwich on whole wheat Sandwich Thins with tomato, lettuce, and sprouts.
In my salad: arugula, carrots, cucumbers, celery, tomatoes, sprouts, chickpeas, and balsamic vinegar. It was an awesome mix of flavors and textures.
Sandwich + salad with a juicy orange for “dessert”… delish! 
Do You Have Race Spirit?
Last night, Dave and Marie drove Mal and me to the gym for Body Pump. (The 4 of us have become quite the BP Posse! 
) When Mal and I got into the car, Marie surprised us with a whole slew of green goodies for our upcoming St. Patty’s Day 5K this weekend. She also bought me a light green t-shirt that says “Irish Princess” that I plan to wear on race day.
When it comes to road races and fun runs, I’m usually such a bum and don’t dress up. I love costumes, theme parties, and fun stuff like that, but for some reason, I never participate in the festiveness of road races. However, after feeling like such a scrooge for not getting into the holiday spirit at the Jingle Bell 5K last December, I vowed to wear something fun and festive to this St. Patty’s race. I’m glad that Marie gave me a little push! I’m excited for Sunday!
Do you dress up for themed road races and fun runs?
Registered Dietitian Day
In honor of Registered Dietitian Day, one of NuVal’s RDs graciously answered a number of reader questions– from sugar and sweeteners (like agave nectar) to vegan and vegetarian protein sources. Check out her blog post here.
Healthworks Giveaway
Thanks to everyone who entered! Here’s your winner: 78!
#78 Kelsey
I also took advantage of the 24-day Groupon and LOVE the classes at Healthworks. Would love to win the membership!
Congrats, Kelsey! Please email me at tina@carrotsncake.com to claim your new HW membership!
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Happy Hump Day! Enjoy the rest of the afternoon! 
{ 49 comments… read them below or add one }
love your cute st. patricks day stuff!
I was so excited to see that the RD chose my question to answer!
About agave and other sweeteners. Your race is going to be so fun decked out in all that GREEN!
I always plan on dressing up, end up forgetting, and then being bummed out about it! I did once run a Halloween 10k in fairy wings and a tutu though!
What a pretty sandwitch! Almost makes me want to eat meat
lol!
I had almost the exact same sandwich — plus avocado!
LOVE the festive gear! I’m sure you’ll get lots of smiles
It’s definitely harder to get into the theme with races because you also have to be comfortable but it makes things more fun! You will look awesome at the race!
I’ve only ever done 2 races, and they weren’t dressing up occasions! Though I think I would if the opportunity arose – but to a limit! I would want to still be able to run comfortably :p
Love the St Pattys Day gear! Here in Pittsburgh, celebrating is huge!!
you know, i don’t do races, but i can imagine that it would be that much more fun to dress up! i would definitely dress up to go watch
I dressed up as superwoman for one on Halloween last year. I’m doing a Shamrock 8K on the 20th and I need something green to wear.
It must be a busy day everywhere. Great eats and fun race attire!
I’m thinking running in that bobble headband would be a bad idea. If it doesn’t fall off, it will give you a headache.
That’s so fun. I’ve never run in a themed race to dress up, but I totally would!
Love dressing up! Though I don’t do it enough…hmmm. Can we say Santa speedo run in Boston?
I love your festive pieces! I’m running in a 6 mile St Pat’s race this weekend with my sister and we’ve been planning to make some fun shirts. My mom always likes to get us holiday socks- I should pull out my shamrock ones.
those socks are the cutest….
I’m also doing a St. Paddy’s day run and trying to figure out what to wear that’s still comfortable to run in. So far I’m thinking a St. Patty’s shirt and green-ish knee socks and then whatever else we can come up with this weekend.
Yup, having race spirit makes you giggle at the ridiculous costumes (including your own) and you forget you’re exercising! My friend and I got “old lady” costumes at the Good Will last year (i.e. granny-type dresses) and everyone in the race asked if we were ladies in the 1980′s on our lunch break.
I guess our dresses and purses with tennis shoes looked more like a flashback to the 80′s than a flash forward to when we’re 80!
So yes, I definitely recommend dressing up. You’ll have lots of fun!!
Races make me so nervous! So I never really get into the fun part of it, until the running is over, kind of silly! I wanted to run that 5k but have a 21 miler the day before & am not sure how I will be walking. . .
I’m doing my first “festive” race this Saturday and still deciding what to do. It is my first ever 1/2 and so I’m not wanting to make life any more difficult for myself with “festive props”, but don’t want to be a scrooge either.
Middle road? Likely I’ll pick up a green bandana from the $ store that I can wear somehow. And I do have a green tech shirt, but not sure you’ll be able to see it under my rain running jacket, as the weather here is cold and rainy. Praying the sun peaks our for Saturday though!!!
hmmm that gives me a good idea to buy a bunch of that stuff for my team to wear at work on St Patty’s day
Cute race gear!!! I wore some antlers at a jingle run this last CHristmas, but they fell off halfway through and I didn’t even notice!
I haven’t dressed up for a road race yet, but I’m running a St. Patrick’s Day one this Saturday, which happens to be my 30th birthday! I was considering wearing some sort of birthday-themed outfit to counteract all the St. Pat’s stuff everyone will be wearing, but I’m stumped.
Love a good sandwich and salad combo.
I love the socks with the pink clovers on them
I love the St. Patrick’s Day race in Southie! I didn’t go too crazy with dressing up, but I like to think the Irish whiskey that I was sweating out was part of my costume
I’ve never dressed up for a roadrace but that sounds like fun!
Really enjoyed reading Rachel’s post – thanks! I’m running a race this weekend too – The Foggy Bottom Milk Run. Some dress up as cows, but I think I’ll stick to my shorts ‘n’ tee. Have fun and good luck Sunday!
I am yet to dress up for a race, but am considering doing so a little with the next 5k I do because my friend Annie is in love with themes! I think we’re going to find a way to look sassy for Run for the Cheetahs next month…
I am in love with sandwich thins too – so much fiber and so slim and yummy – they make a great egg sandwich too:)
I love your St Patty’s gear for the race—so festive!!
I am running my first 5K on Saturday and unfortunately it’s not a fun one–It’s “Get Your Rear Into Gear” so I don’t know what I can wear to that one but am psyched none the less!
oooh that race sounds like lots of fun!! you guys are going to have so much fun!
What cute gear! Sprouts make every sandwich/salad better. I love them!
Love the goodies! I don’t dress up for runs … I have an ‘Underwear Affair’ 10K in June and the people I’m running with want to dress up. I just feel so self conscious about it!
My cravings have gotten so bad that I had to buy some ham and swiss cheese the other day – those sandwiches looked so delicious!
K
I’m not so good with dressing up for stuff, but I’m running the St. Pat’s 5K in Providence and I think you’ve got me inspired to join in the festivities. I think I’ll be trippin’ to Target for some green gear!
I love the race day goodies…you are going to be adorable! I CAN NOT wait to see pictures!!
Can’t wait to hear about the exciting phone call!
I LOVE dressing up! IE, the red dress run in D.C. So much fun!!! You are going to have a blast! The costume totally changes your attitude when you are running!
Sprouts are so good on salads!!! I can’t wait to hear what the exciting phone call is!!
Can’t wait for the very exciting news! You always do such good teasers lol.
I’ve never ran a race before but dressing up sounds like FUN!
I love races with a fun element. No use in taking everything super seriously!
I love dressing up for any and all occasions! I actually did a small FOB for Fitness about halloween-costumed races. It came out in their October issue in the Fit Families section. Some race coordinators sent me the most outrageous of pictures. Anything to pump up the fun
enjoy!
I’ve never dressed up for a race, but I think it would be fun. I would love to do the Bay to Breakers in San Francisco one day.
I don’t normally dress up for races. I’m just trying to finish
Sandwich looks great, what bread did you use?
Can we see a picture of you in your race outfit? It looks so cute!!
Hi Tina!
Your post about what you are wearing for your race this Sunday reminded me of my race accessories!!! I meant to post my accessories but forgot…until I saw yours!!
Good luck on your 5K! This is my first 5K since high school (10+years)!!
http://lovinglife29.blogspot.com/2010/03/cafe-ena-and-race-day-accessories.html
great blog but some pictures will make it better