Ahhh the colors of spring!
Went out for a run this morning and it was a GREAT one!!! Everything from my outfit to my pace was spot on. I am loving running with the Camelbak. I never used to get that thirsty on my 6 mile-and-under runs, but having the water is soooo nice. And I do think it helps my stamina. [I did a bunch of research on hydration and carbohydrates and am planning the mix to put on my back during my race and last training runs. Will share details soon! Today it was just water though because 6 miles did not warrant extra CHO.]
I brought the sun out of bed with….
6.0 miles
52:52
- 9:01
- 8:43
- 8:34
- 8:42
- 8:53
- 8:58
You know it’s SPRING when….
SPRING BLEND reappears!!! Best. Coffee. Ever.
Also opened the Europe Crofter’s and am in love. These jams are awesome because they are CHUNKY. That’s the love. Asia was not chunky, but North America + Europe both are so buy those!
I couldn’t resist repeating yesterdays oat combo because it was so good!
The Mix
- 1/4 cup rolled oats
- 2 tbsp Bob’s Red Mill Apple Cinnamon Hot Cereal
- 1/4 cup milk
- 3/4 cup water
- 1/2 tbsp chia
- 1 whole medium banana
- Pinch salt, vanilla, way too much cinnamon (it dumped in!)
- Flax (1/2 tbsp)
- Coconut
- CACAO BLISS!!!
- Nuttzo!!
- Crofter’s Europe!!
A single seed blooming in a spring flower bed in Bora Bora‘s head!
How many of you were out running before the sunrise this morning? How far did ya go?
{ 94 comments… read them below or add one }
I love that coffee mug!! Where did you get it?
And I used my French Press coffee maker again this morning… I think it’s going to become a habit… thanks for the great ideas! Hope you have a wonderful day!
Bora Bora bars – click the link!
Aah I skipped my run this morning and stuck with home workout DVDS:) I’m giving myself one more cross training day after my half mary – but back to the running tomorrow! Just reading about your run makes me jealous :p
Congrats on the great run!! I’ve actually never gone running pre-sun, because my parents have always been paranoid about me running alone in the dark. Oats are always my post-run fuel of choice, though. There’s nothing better than a huge warm bowl as a reward! Happy hump day
Hi Kath–you keep making my mouth water with the Crofter’s! I can’t find it anywhere though. Is it in your OpenSky store?? I would definitely buy it from there if so!! Thank you!
Coming soon I hope!
Is it weird that I want to drink that coffee simply because of the color combination on the bag?
I LOVE spring runs! About to go on one myself
happy morning!
can you get europe crofters in europe? and where???
a bientot
the paris food blague
Great Job on the run this morning- what a great way to start the day…
Unfortunately I don’t feel safe running by myself in the morning when it is still dark, and have a sick DH… so no run for me today, yet…
Mmm, delicious oats!
I am getting ready for my am run. Reading your blog helps get me motivated. What is your next race? Do you use steel cut oats or rolled?
We were out at 4:00 this morning doing our last run before our half marathon on Saturday! This morning was only 4 miles at race pace, but we’ve got a 5 mile tempo this afternoon. Love those two-a-days!
I LOVE Spring Blend coffee, too! I bought the regular and decaf!
Great job on the run! Have a great day, Kath
How about swimming before sunrise? That’s what I did this morning, I’m thinking of attempting to train for a triathlon so some of my runs have been converted into swims and biking dates. Although I never really was much of a morning runner. I have a question for you though, do you eat before your runs in the morning if not to you find it makes a difference? I’ve been debating trying the morning runs again, but was worried that if I didn’t eat I wouldn’t be able to manage the distance.
Amy
Amy,
I don’t eat before my runs if I get up and go within 30 minutes or so of waking. I wake up “starving” but then I drink about 8 oz of water and my hunger, which was really thirst, goes away and I’m all set to go. I do come home from my runs all ready for breakfast though. Couldn’t go much longer than an hour. And if I ever did more than an hour of running in the AM, I would definitely need to eat.
I ran 4.5 miles in Berlin as the sun was rising! Such a beautiful day for running here, too – a perfect spring day!
Olivia
I’m making a special trip to Fresh Market soon to get some Spring Blend!
I wish I could get up and run before the sunrise! I would be too scared, I think. And oh…I don’t really run..lol.
This was the first day in a while I chose to sleep in! Gotta treat yourself some how
I was NOT running before sunrise haha. I love Spring Blend- it’s not at my Fresh Market yet though! I’ll be snatching it up the day it comes in though
Didn’t get a chance to run outside this morning, too busy working on a project I procrastinated on last night!
Tasty looking breakkie!
Your oatmeal looks yummy. Today was the first time that I decided to sleep in
I’m an early bird otherwise.
Unfortunately I am awake at 5am as is for my job so running in the morning is never an option throughout the week! Reading your blog keeps me motivated for my post-work run though!!!
What does spring blend taste like?
Smooth caramel
Sounds like a great start to the day!!! The run and the breakfast! Have a great one!
Have you ever figured out how many calories are in your morning oats?!
Yeah. They are almost always <500 calories. Which is less than 1/3 of my daily needs and what I need to get my day going!
I made it out for a 5 mile run this morning! It makes for such a lovely day when you are refreshed from a good run. Now, I am enjoying egg white and oatmeal pancakes topped with half a banana and chunky soy nut butter. Yummmm:) Have a great day!
1.5 today, followed by 30 min on bike and strength. Hoping to get 6 in tomorrow!
I am doing a half marathon on 4/11 and have received conflicting advise. One person has told me to taper my runs down in the last two weeks leading up the THE run. Others have disagreed. Thoughts?
This will be my first real run and I am totally nervous. I ran 10 Sat. I really hope I can squeeze out the extra three on 4/11. Eeeek!
Two weeks of taper sounds right – but not run-free – just lightening up. I’m doing 8 miles the weekend before mine and then minimal running the week of.
I love how the spring blend bag coordinates w/Crofter’s Europe… Not to mention your bowl! (oh yeah, and the french press!) A visual feast!
OH.. for any ATL area KERF’ters… I just discovered yesterday that Natural Foods Warehouse now sells Barney Butter AND Crofter’s… at a discount! Love a good shopping trip!
I need to get a french press coffee maker to make at my desk… any ideas??
I love the Bodum in my Open Sky store! It’s what I have in green.
http://katheats.theopenskyproject.com/bodum-brazil-3-cup-press.html
I just finished the last drop of my Spring Blend…..from last summer
Gotta stock up!!!
5 miles planned for lunch time. I love first thing in the morning but not getting light here until almost 8:00!
I was just going on and on about how awesome the North America one is. It’s like REAL FRUIT!
I wasn’t out running but I was out rowing this morning long before the sun was up!
Mmm, I love chunky jam.
I was up before the sun, so I chose breakfast first and now on my way to run!
The packaging of that Spring Blend alone makes me want to try it. So bright and colorful!
I had to skip my run this morning due to weather
Got a great work out indoors though!
No run for me this morning… today is spinning
I looked forever for Crofters Superfruit jam and I finally found it and thought the Asia one sounded good but you’re right, it’s not chunky! I’ll have to give the others a try…
No run for me this morning
I’m glad the run went well
Question: Does the Camelbak move up & down when you run like a backpack? Or does it stay in place?
i can’t really run because of my knee, but i wasn’t even up before sunrise because we’re snowed in here in colorado! there’s about a foot on the ground and it’s still coming down…yikes! looks like weight training and yoga for me today…
I love Crofters, but I didn’t like that kind. What did you think?
Loved it! Not quite a fun as North America but still really good and chunky
I went for a run yesterday when the sun came out, it was prefect. I can’t wait for summer. I have kickboxing and a class called dancers workout today. Wednesday is my supper fun day.
I had about 5 miles of speedwork so even though I was at the gym, it was definitely dark out! Our weather here in the Midwest has finally taken a turn for the better so I would’ve been just as happy running outside this morning.
The Europe jam is definitely my favorite! I just can’t have any other type of jam now
Your colourful post has put me in QUITE the spring mood
I love Crofters! I got some as a prize from a blog and will have to invest in some when I run out soon. It’s the only jam with a little bit of sugar that means I can eat it and not get digestive pains.
I wish I was a morning person and could run early. I’m an afternoon and evening runner and I’m okay with that because I definitely don’t have enough energy to run when the sun isn’t out yet.
You always have the best coffee. I love spring blends!
I walked 1.5 miles before the sun was up! Due to how far north I live, and the time zone that I am in, the sun doesn’t start rising until 7am. boooo!
Also, Crofter’s was in my dream last night!
Just 8 miles, tapering this week for a big race saturday.
I have seen those jams now several times and will have to try them out since you give them such high marks.
I’ve been wanting to try some Crofter’s sooo bad. Sooner or later I’m going to have to pick some up!
Well, it wasn’t today but I got up on Monday and decided to hop into the cold 30* weather and give an outside run a try for the first time this year. It was fantastic! 2.8 miles in 25 minutes, it felt so nice to get off the treadmill. Too bad I have to cut back on cardio now (long story short – I need more calories in than out) so I compromised this morning and ran less intense but still 30 minutes on the treadmill. I can’t wait until it’s 40-50 when I wake up!
I FINALLY found a kabocha squash too!! And Oikos! I can’t wait to try both of them! I love when I walk around a grocery store and see products and produce that I hear about on blogs.
I’ve also been getting up and drinking water and doing my runs instead of eating before I work out and it’s working out pretty nice! I hope I can try it while I’m not on spring break back in classes too.
My running won’t be until After work – 8 miles. I never used to hydrate during my runs, but now I”m starting to think that I perform better when I do. Unfortunately, I can’t run with a bottle and am not sure about a fuel belt – maybe a camel back is the answer…
I have trouble running before the sun comes up. I love my bed too much. Great run, though! I love Crofters! It’s like crack of the fruit spread world!
I had a fantastic 10-miler before work today! SO fun to be the only one out and to hear the birds chirping while running past houses with smells of bacon, pancakes, etc wafting out of them. I especially love smelling toast – there’s something so comforting about it.
Isn’t morning running great?!?! Glad that you are enjoying it, too.
no running for me. i have to get up at 5:45 for work as it is. I will run after work though and put the sun to bed haha!
you have my favorite eats in the blogger world- do you post everything you eat? or keep some off the site?
Everything. I’ll usually mention it if I’m going to have a piece of chocolate or something. And sometimes I take bites and nibbles of things, but everything substantial goes on.
i have a couple questions?? i read where you said that your oatmenal has around 500 cals and that it is about 1/3 of your daily requirement…curious how you run as much as you do with only having around 1500 cals a day…seems too low to me? are you trying to lose? also,do any of you wear heart rate monitors and what kind do you reccomend? love this blog!
That’s at most one third – I probably eat closer to 1800-2000 calories.
PS. Check Open Sky for HRM recs and videos
Congrats on the run!!
Gosh, Crofter’s is the BEST!
That mug cracks me up.
I used to run before the sun came up and it was the best! It’s so nice to be worked-out (?) and a showered by 8am. I should get back into that
I was up early and went 12 miles. It was a good 12 until my doggy running partner slowed me down.
Love that Spring is around the corner!
I was up early and did 6 miles on the treadmill, which made me so happy! My shin splints are finally gone after over a month (knock on wood)!
i don’t run; but when i have (in a galaxy far far away) i was never able to do it outdoors b/c of hydration issues (and wanting to have my hands free) – maybe a camelback would get me back to it?
You def. need one!
Good job with the run! I’m trying to increase my speed but it’s slow going right now… It’s hard for me to run if the sun’s not up because I live in the city and get nervous running too early.
No running this morning, but last night did 3.1 miles at a 8.2minutes/mile pace. I am training for a half and Tuesdays are the ‘short and fast’ days. Tonight: 9 hills, 400m each, incorporated into a 5 mile run. Sundays are loooong and slooowwww: coming up is an 11 miler at a 10minute/mile pace. I do my long Sunday runs with ten minutes running-1 minute walking. Do you do that? I find it really helpful, since I need to stop to drink anyway, and the minute of walking gives me a big burst of energy right afterwards. Also, you were asking about fuel? I stick with water for drinking, and then eat Sharkies (http://www.sharkiesinc.com/adults) for fuel on anything over 7 miles. They are *mostly* ‘real food’, and the only thing I’ve found that won’t upset my stomach on the long runs…
Good luck with your training!
I don’t do run/walk because I find it extra hard to start running after a walking break.
I think I have a sample of the Sharkies!
Post if you give ‘em a try! My fave is ‘citrus squeeze’
Such pretty colors in this post!
what great time splits! jeolous!
I got in three miles and some lower body work, but it was inside a gym. I’m too scared to run in the dark! Don’t wanna get scooped! :-p
I woke up at 9am to begin enjoying my last full day in Paris
I have a probably silly question… do you ever need to go to the bathroom during your runs?
Haven’t had to yet!
Hey Kath! I am curious as to what the grind to water ratio is that you use! I always seem to make it too strong or too light! Thanks!
Steph O’Donnell
I used 3 tbsp of coffee (2 decaf, 1 caf) for about ?? oz of water? I’m not sure of the exact oz because I pour it to a line on my french press. Darn. I’ll try to measure tomorrow. I think it’s probably about 16 oz? Maybe more though. I get 1 overflowing mug out of it.
I love spring!! It’s so relaxing. Yesterday’s weather was perfect and I just enjoyed sitting in the grass during part of my run.
Man, I just can NOT get my body going in the early morning. Mid-morning workouts? Fine. Getting up super early? Also fine. WORKING OUT super early? Can’t do it. I know I’d be able to do something low-key, but I’ve convinced myself that the level of intensity I usually work out at is too high for me to just wake up and go.
Any tips? You should do a post on what helps you!
You’ve gotta be well rested. And give yourself time to wake up. I read my emails and phone for at least 20 minutes until I’m awake.
I skipped running today because I just ran a half marathon on sunday and am still feeling like I need a break – swimming is on the agenda for the evening! usually, i’m finished with my morning runs by 6m though!
I would love to hear what you found on hydration and carbs while running because this is definitely something that I struggle with. I have run multiple marathons and half marathons, and to eat and drink during them (especially during the marathons), but the last half I did I was trying to get a PR, and didn’t want to stop and the extremely crowded water stops (and i don’t love carrying my camelback during races – although, i do use it for my runs). I like to drink water and take dried fruit with me (with the sugar)…and i drink coconut water after. Let us know!
I’m planning to post about all the details
But the whole not wanting to stop thing is why I’m running with my Camelbak. I figure it would be worse to stop and try to drink from a cup (and likely be under hydrated) than any chance of slowness from the camel on my back. Since hydration is most important, I’m trying to ensure I’m super hydrated. To get in enough CHO and water, you’d probably want to stop at ALL the water/Gatorade stations, which would probably slow you down a lot. So I think you’d need some kind of on-body hydration and fuel.
Great splits this morning! I was also up before the sun to hammer out a few miles in 20 minutes + some strengthening. I am not a distance runner. I am all about the short and fast
Hope you are having a great day!
Can’t wait to hear more about the carbs & hydration. I had a great 8.5 mile run this morning…73 minutes long and I felt so good the whole time…must’ve been the fact that I was wearing shorts & a t….yay Spring
I have a camelbak too and love it! Now I just need to build my endurance to 6 miles + again. ahah
How do you decide where to run? All my running routes are borrring!!
aw girl i LOVE that coffee! it’s my favorite!
i spent probably ten minutes on the phone with my boyfriend the other day trying to describe the flavor – i’m that hooked! enjoy
- rebekah