Hi, friends! I got after it this morning with a 7-mile run. I know, right? It’s been awhile since I’ve run “long” distances, but this morning’s 7-miler definitely made me realize just how much I miss running.
Breakfast
I started my day with a Sweet Breakfast Scramble with canned pumpkin, cinnamon, and peanut butter in the mix. I also drank a glass of Dandy Blend with almond milk with breakfast.
Workout
After breakfast, I headed out to run. It was a cold, gray morning, so the first couple miles were pretty rough. I felt tired, stiff, and almost like my body forgot how to run””it even felt sort of unnatural. But, by the time I hit mile 3, I started to get into a groove and the next few miles flew by. I kept a nice steady pace, listened to my music (David Guetta station on Pandora), and let my mind wander. It felt just like old times and really made me miss long runs. Of course, I still love (love, love, love) CrossFit, but I think switching things up with running will be good for me””both mentally and physically. There’s just something about zoning out on a long run that totally relaxes me and makes me feel happy.
Now that I’m feeling better health-wise, I want to get back into running again. Maybe even sign up for a half marathon or something crazy like that? Oh, running, how I’ve missed you so!
I used my Timex GPS Watch to track my distance this morning, but I barely looked at my pace during my run. I just ran and enjoyed myself. I finished 7 miles in 1:00:24, which was an average pace of 8:37.
After my run, I stretched, foamed rolled, and got licked to death. GAHHH! SO MANY PUG KISSES!!
Then, I quickly showered, got dressed, and packed a lunch to take with me to New York City this afternoon.
Inside the bag: leftover spaghetti squash with veggie-meat sauce and sweet potato slices with peanut butter.
Just as I was about to leave the house, I remembered I didn’t have any cash on me to buy a ticket for the commuter rail. My car is in the shop (getting fixed AGAIN), so I couldn’t swing by the ATM to grab money. Crap”¦ so I broke into Mal’s change jar.
Thankfully, there were lots of quarters in it! Thanks, Mal!
With $6.75 worth of quarters in my pocket, I said goodbye to Murphy.
And then walked a mile to the commuter rail to catch the train to Boston.
It was a beautiful morning for a walk!
Lunch
By the time I got to the commuter rail station, I was pretty hungry for lunch, so I broke into my bag of goodies.
When I arrived at South Station, I had about 30 minutes to kill before the Bolt Bus left for New York City, so I stopped by Starbucks for an iced decaf pumpkin spice Americano. Mmm! So good! It’s my new favorite fall treat!
Now, I’m on the bus and blogging this post. See you in the Big Apple!
Question of the Day
Have you ever “missed” a certain type of workout/sport/activity? How long did you go without doing it? Why did you decide to return (or not return) to it?
91 Comments
Looking forward to seeing what you’re up to in NYC.
Nice job on the run. Fall is my favorite season to run 🙂
I think I’m going through something similar with CrossFit vs. my old triathlon training/yoga. The balance/approach I’ve found is to keep doing the things I liked before–teaching spin classes, running (especially on trails)–when I feel like it and not getting too hung up on whether or not I’m “training” optimally. It’s easy to get caught up in it, but knowing that I’m not going to the olympics or winning the crossfit games next year keeps things in perspective and then I can just pick what I feel like doing most and go with that…it’s like intuitive exercise! 🙂
I’ve been without yoga for about a month now since I’ve been abroad. I sincerely miss it. Sure, I could do a yoga video in my room or pay $30 for ONE class in a Moscow yoga studio (crazy right?), but it is not the same as a decent class in my favorite studio in California.
What beautiful views on your run! I love when things luck out like that and you can find a way to work with what you got!
I have a question, how long do you wait until after breakfast to run?
I waited maybe about an hour.
I COVET your love o’the run….
I sometimes take a week or two off from running just to mentally give me a break. Whether or not I feel the need for it, I always feel better afterwards.
I also have been taking some time off due to my head cold over this past week. I can usually manage to continue running (slowly) when I’m sick, but this head cold has me out of breath with just walking, nevermind running. I don’t mind taking the rest. 😀
I really need to look into crossfit! I think I’m just intimidated by how FIT everyone will be, which, I realize, is such a silly reason not to try it!
@Sarah (The Simple Dietitian): Don’t be intimidated!! I finally started crossfit a few weeks ago and I am IN LOVE! Everything (literally EVERYTHING) can be scaled to your fitness abilities. The coaches are so great at helping with that too, so get in there and do it already! My biggest regret is how long I waited to start crossfit, you will love it! 🙂
Hope you had a safe trip to NY! I love how you show your packed meals when you travel! It goes to show that Paleo/healthy eating is possible even when traveling!
Looks like you had a beautiful fall day. Welcome back to running!
Mmmm! I love the sweet breakfast scramble. I’ve made it both ways, with and without the banana and both were great (both with canned pumpkin). I thought about adding in flax meal and turning it into a pancake.. I’ll report back if it works! haha
Nice! So glad you liked it! Let me know how the pancake goes! 🙂
Hi Tina,
Long time reader here, first time commenter.
I just wanted to say, without being rude, that as a reader, I’m a little over the infomercial aspect of your blog nowadays. Not one of your post doesn’t sell something or promote something or link to a company site.
I really miss the days where your blog was about YOU and not about products.
Anyway, that was just my opinion.
Thanks for your comment. While I LOVE blogging at CNC, it’s also my job. Working with companies is my livelihood. It helps pay my mortgage and other bills, so without this type of financial support, I wouldn’t be able to blog. Hope you understand!
@Tina: Hey Tina! I’ve only been reading your blog a couple of months now but I just wanted to thank you for your reviews and comments on companies and living a healthy lifestyle! I’m new to the “fit and healthy” lifestyle and I really appreciate all that you blog about! Plus your blogging about Murphy makes me giggle on a daily basis! So thank you!
So…you want to run 10 miles together this weekend?
Ha! Sure!
I’ve been focusing on CrossFit and hadn’t really run at all since the Portland Rock ‘n’ Roll Half in May, but with the weather changing and all these fun events coming up, I’m realizing I kinda missed running! I’m signed up for a couple races in the next few months and I’m looking forward to getting back into it!
I suffered 2 herniated discs in my spine earlier this spring so I had to take about 3 months off of all workouts, cardio and weightlifting. Talk about rough! grrr… but our health is what’s most important and there are way worse things so I’m grateful to have what I do.
I haven’t been running in so long because of the house. But now we’re moving in so I can finally run and explore my new neighborhoods! 🙂
I missed taking dance classes. I teach them so often that I get burned out, and have to get myself to an adult class to rejuvenate my creative juices and dance for ME again. Its hard getting there, but I’m always happy I did it. I had to stop for awhile when I realized I was getting down on myself for my body not still being able to do the crazy things it used to be able to 10 years ago…and then had to re-check that ego at the door and get back at it…dance will always be my other great love (even if we break up from time to time!)
Your pictures have me CRAVING a blustery walk with a scarf! Alas, it’s not quite that chilly yet in Alabama…
When I broke my foot junior year of high school I couldn’t have imagine how frustrated/upset I would get by not being able to exercise. I felt so sluggish and lazy, and just want to go out and sprint down the road. When my foot was finally healed it was the best feeling ever to get back out and run again. Those pictures are really making me jealous 🙁 I miss the crisp fall air and changing leaves!
When you use the pumpkin in the sweet breakfast scramble, do you still use the squash or is it in replace of? Thanks!
Replace it! 🙂