No stress fracture; Crazy mud race??

Ok, so three of my friends here want me to do this with them on the 18th of June!! Am I crazy? Am I ready? Will I die??

Oh, and my leg does not have a stress fracture.  I am so happy!! It totally made my day!! I can't wait to run in the morning:)

Highlights:Spartan Race Sprint Mid-Atlantic The Spartan Sprint Race is a 3-mile obstacle race set to take place in Aldie, VA at Pev?s Paintball Park on Saturday, June 18th. The event features challenge obstacles like a barbed wire crawl, fire jump, and even Spartan inspired elements like a spear throw and gladiator pit. Proceeds of the race go to Homes for our Troops, a charity dedicated to providing specialty homes for veterans who have been severely injured. Each participant will receive a Spartan Race t-shirt and medal. There will be a post-race party, awards ceremony and a kids' race, as well as many other activities guaranteed to be fun for the entire family! Don?t miss out on the excitement because tickets are going fast! If you are interested in battling mud, obstacles, and the occasional Spartan, register at www.spartanrace.com, or check out our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/spartanrace. For videos log on to www.spartanrace.tv.Web URL:http://www.spartanrace.com/virginia-obstacle-racing-spartan-sprint-midatlantic.html

You might be a Penguin

This is a term that got its name from John Bingham, a 43 yr old couch potato and smoker, who decided to change and made the change!! He is a columnist for Runners World magazine... a real movational writer and an amazing example of what we can do if we put our minds up to it.

Taken from http://www.johnbingham.com/biography.html

You might be a Penguin if...

...you have to politely (for the third time) tell the men in the police car moving behind you that no you do not wish for a ride.

...you wear your jog bra on top of your singlet. This is especially true if you are male.

...during a race, you keep turning around to see if there is still anybody behind you.

...the rest of the pack is out of sight before you have run 100 yards.

...you meet both the hare and the tortoise running back towards you doing their cool-down after a race

...the only reason you don't drop out of a race is that you are embarrassed that the police in the car behind you (closing the course) will see you.

...as you are rounding the corner onto Main Street and the finish line, you overhear the announcer on a microphone to the crowd of 500 saying "We are assured the young lady is coming in!" (Oh well, at least I was young).

...you recognize all the regular runners on your favorite route from behind.

...you get passed on the uphill by a runner pushing a double baby jog stroller.

...you shoot a 24-shot roll of film during a marathon.

...you make arrangements for a late checkout at the hotel.

...you are more worried about the porta-potty lines than the start line.

...your support crew talks about meeting you for supper, not lunch.

...you have to memorize the route because you know that you will lose the back of the pack.

...the truck picking up the cones is pressing on your behind. (Don't laugh - this actually happened to me!)

...as you pass a course volunteer they ask you, "How many are behind you yet?" and you say "Behind me? Behind? Gosh... I think two... Unless they turned around!"

...the awards ceremony is over before you cross the finish line.

Loved these!! I can totally relate!  :) However, I am a runner, and I don't care what place I come in as long as I finish... besides, it's the joy in the journey!! if I ran fast enough to place, think of all the scenery I would miss!  :)

It is me who is my enemy!!

It's me who is my enemy
Me who beats me up
Me who makes the monsters
Me who strips my confidence.
~Paula Cole, "Me," This Fire


I found this quote and I think it fits my past 30 years or so... Why could I not be content with how I looked all growing up?? I was thin, cute, and full of life! But all I saw was my belly that stuck out instead of being flat (DUH crunches would have fixed that!) I wasn't sure of myself I just kind of wanted to hide.. but yet at some point I must of felt good with the way I looked because I ran in the Miss Helena paegent and was 3rd runner up?? one minute I would like myself and the next not... who knows?? Now, 34 years later I am finding that I can do the things I set my mind to. I can find that little girl that has been hideing.. She's there and I need to take care of her, she wants to be happy and isn't that why we are here on earth? is to be happy? The Lord has given us each a temple (our bodies) don't we want to take care of them the way he would want us to? Shouldn't we feel that is important for us to be happy? I did some soul searching awhile back and I realized that I was the happiest when I was running... Running is what I want to do!!! This is killing me not being able to until we get the x-ray read, come on its been 24hrs!!! I am hoping no news is GOOD news!!! I went to the gym today and just walked a mile and rode the bike for 8miles and was so bummed the entire time. I just wanted to leave the gym knowing that I got a good workout, but instead I feel like I slacked off.  If I do have to take a break  from running maybe I will talk with Joseph about getting me a trainer so I can figure out other ways for me to leave the gym knowing that I pushed as hard as I could... In the end though I guess I still burned calories!! See, right there I was beating myself up for not being able to work hard enough today, when it should be hey, I went to the gym!! I have eaten well and am drinking my water!! it takes time to change but each day is a new day and we can self talk ourselves into making the changes that need to be made.
-HUGS

Hoping for the best..

Well, as some of you know I have been having issues with my shins:( I thought all along it was just shin splint but really I'm not haveing much relief on my left leg in one certain spot. I have been doing all kinds of reading on shin splints and such and am thinking that it actually might me a stress fracture instead:( This kind of bums me out!! I want to run!!! I don't want to have to do modified exercises!!! I have half a mind to not go to my appt tomorrow and just continue on. But, I really don't want to do anymore damage!! So, I guess I will go to my dr in the morning and hope for the best... I have another 5k in 4 weeks!! I don't want to have to walk the majority of it again because of some stupid leg pain!!! anyway.. on the up side I did lose another pound this past week:) that 24 lbs!!!! Well, wish me luck and a few extra prayers would be great!!
Hugs-

Meals for the week.

Here is a menue of what I will be making this week for dinner. Then, there will also be a couple of leftover nights...

Baked Chicken Parmesan- Skinnytaste.com

Here's an Italian classic made lighter. Baking the cutlet as opposed to frying really lightens this dish up while remaining moist and full of flavor. Serve this with a big salad for a complete dinner.

Baked Chicken Parmesan

Gina's Weight Watcher Recipes

Servings: 8 • Serving Size: 1 piece • Old Points: 5 pts • Points+: 6 pts 

Calories: 224.5 • Fat: 8.6 g • Protein: 25.1 g • Carb: 14.2 g • Fiber: 1.3 g   

4 (8 oz) chicken breast halves, sliced in half

3/4 cup seasoned breadcrumbs (I used 4C whole wheat)

1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

2 tbsp butter, melted

3/4 cup reduced fat mozzarella cheese (I used Sargento)

1 cup marinara or Filetto di Pomodoro

cooking spray

Preheat oven to 450°. Spray a large baking sheet lightly with spray.

Combine breadcrumbs and parmesan cheese in a bowl. Melt the butter in another bowl. Lightly brush the butter onto the chicken, then dip into breadcrumb mixture. Place on baking sheet and repeat with the remaining chicken.

Lightly spray a little more cooking oil on top and bake in the oven for 20 minutes. Turn chicken over, bake another 5 minutes. Remove from oven, spoon sauce over chicken and top with shredded cheese. Bake 5 more minutes or until cheese is melted.

Thai Fried Rice-skinnytaste.com

Thai Fried Rice

Gina's Weight Watcher Recipes

Servings: 4 • Serving Size: 1/4th • Old Points: 6 pts • Points+: 8 pts

Calories: 320.8 • Fat: 7.0 g • Carb: 43.9 g • Fiber: 2.5 g • Protein: 20.2 g

8 oz chicken breast, cut in small cubes

3 cups jasmine rice, cooked

1/2 large onion, chopped

3 cloves garlic, minced

2 scallions, chopped

3 egg whites, scrambled

1 whole egg, scrambled

2 tomatoes, sliced

3 Thai chili peppers (optional)

4 tsp vegetable oil

4 tsp soy sauce (or more to taste)

2 tsp fish sauce

salt and pepper

Prepare rice ahead of time according to package instructions. It's best if it's made slightly on the dry side.

Heat a wok on a high flame. Meanwhile, season chicken with salt and pepper. When the wok is very hot, add 2 tsp oil. When the oil gets hot, add the chicken and cook on high a few minutes, tossing so that its browns all over. Remove chicken from wok and set aside, add the eggs and salt and cook a minute or two until done. Set aside.

Add the remaining oil to the wok and add the onion, scallions and garlic. Saute 1 minute, add the chili pepper and tomatoes and stir in all the rice. Add soy sauce and fish sauce stir to mix all the ingredients. Keep stirring a few minutes, then add egg and chicken back to the wok. Adjust soy sauce if needed and stir well another 30 seconds. Serve with sliced cucumbers.

Spinach and Feta Stuffed Chicken Breasts-skinnytaste.com

Spinach and Feta Stuffed Chicken Breasts

Gina's Weight Watcher Recipes 

Servings: 4 • Serving Size: 2 pieces • Old Points: 4 pts • Points+: 5 pts

Calories: 205 • Fat: 3.8 g • Protein: 32.0 g • Carb: 10.6 g • Fiber: 2.6 g   

10 oz package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and juice squeezed out

1 tsp oil

1/2 cup (2.5 oz) fat free Feta cheese

1/3 cup fat free ricotta

1/4 cup chopped parsley

1/4 cup chopped scallions

1/2 onion, chopped

2 cloves garlic

salt and pepper

3 (1.25 lbs) chicken breast halves

1 egg

1 tbsp water

1/2 cup whole wheat seasoned breadcrumbs (I used 4C)

spray oil

toothpicks

In a small sauté pan, heat oil. Add onions, garlic and scallions and sauté about 1 minute. Add spinach and parsley, salt and pepper and cook another minute. Remove from heat, add feta and ricotta cheese.

Preheat oven to 350°.

Slice chicken breast halves into 3 thin cutlets. Pound them to make them thinner. This helps when you wrap the cutlets. Season chicken with salt and pepper.

Place just under 1/4 cup of spinach mixture in the center of the chicken. Roll it and secure the ends with toothpicks to prevent filling from coming out. It's ok if it's not perfect. The egg wash and breadcrumbs keep everything in place.

Dip chicken into egg wash, then breadcrumbs.

Spray cookie sheet with oil and place chicken on cookie sheet. Lightly spray chicken with oil and bake about 25 minutes, until cooked through. Remove toothpicks and serve.

Chicken Thighs with Artichoke Hearts and Feta Cheese-skinnytaste.com

Gina's Weight Watcher Recipes

Servings: 6 • Size: 1 med thigh with artichokes • Old Points: 2 pts • Points+: 3 pts

Calories: 107.4 Fat: 2.8 g • Carb: 4.1 g • Fiber: 1.7 g • Protein: 16.6 g  

6 skinless boneless chicken thighs, excess fat removed

6 oz jar marinated artichoke hearts

1 clove garlic, crushed

1 tsp oregano

1/4 cup reduced fat feta cheese

2 tbsp fresh chopped parsley

salt and fresh pepper

Combine artichoke hearts along with liquid and chicken and let it marinade about 20 minutes or longer. After it's marinated, drain all liquid, add garlic, oregano, salt and pepper.

Broil on low about 6 inches from the flame for about 10 minutes or until golden brown, turn chicken and cook an additional 8-10 minutes and chicken is fully cooked. Top chicken with feta and broil an additional minute. Remove from oven and top with fresh oregano.

5k and Self Forgiveness

Yesterday I did my second 5k.. My one goal was to beat my time from last month. I wasn't able to due to nasty cramping in my legs. I was talking with a friend after the race and she mentioned that it was warmer than last time and asked if I was well hydrated, I guess I should have been drinking water the day before the race, not just prior to the race. Well, I guess that is where self forgiveness comes in.. It wasn't my best run, I need to continue to train and work hard, continue to fuel my body and convince myself that its ok.. I think I have realized that its easy to forgive other people but difficult to forgive myself.  I was talking with a friend once about losing weight and I was telling her that so often in the past I would slack off, either eat something bad or not exercise to my full capability and I would just say well I screwed up so I guess it really doesn't matter if I just screw it up the rest of the day, and really mess up big. This time is different, I tell myself its ok, there is always the next meal where I can eat well, there is always tomorrow where I can work harder at the gym.. I think I am learning self forgiveness, its so easy to forgive other people but to forgive ourselves is often difficult. We are only human beings and we are not perfect! We are going to have our bad days, but the important part is that we get back on the horse and continue our journey!

The picture that changed it all..

Dinner tomorrow night! with some short grain brown rice and some broccoli!

Asian Grilled Chicken -Skinnytaste.com
I love spring! It's so nice to get outside and use my grill. Here is a low fat, tasty recipe for chicken. The marinade gives this grilled chicken a lot of flavor. Letting it marinade overnight gives you the best results. This recipe would work for boneless, skinless thighs as well. Serve this with rice or vegetables.
Asian Grilled Chicken Recipe
Gina's Weight Watcher Recipes
Servings: 3 • Size: 2 cutlets • Old Points: 6 pts • Points+: 6 pts
Calories: 295.9 • Fat: 6.1 • Carbs: 11.4 • Fiber: 1.3 • Protein: 39.9
6 thin boneless skinless chicken cutlets (3 oz each)
Marinade:
2 tbsp lemon juice
2 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tsp fresh ginger, peeled and minced
2 green onions, minced
1/4 cup low sodium soy sauce
1/4 cup teriyaki sauce
1 tsp honey
2 tsp sesame oil
Combine all marinade ingredients in a small bowl. Pour the mixture over the chicken, turn the pieces to coat evenly, cover and place in refrigerator a minimum of three hours, but preferably overnight.
Preheat grill to high. Grill chicken top side down first until well browned charred, about 5 minutes