How is this beauty for a little running motivation:
I woke up to blue skies peeking through the rain clouds and was surprisingly ready to bound out the door [Note: I haven’t wanted to bound out the door for an AM run in months!]
I mapped out a route as I was brushing my teeth – wanted to hit about 6 miles and I wanted to run downtown to see the sights of morning
Dates are AWESOME for pre-run snacks. I don’t feel them in my stomach at all, but they take away all of my morning “I gotta eat or I will faint” feeling and keep me from wanting to eat my arm upon return.
I ran a 10K (adding on 0.2 miles on my street to make the Garmin cross the 10K threshold) in 55:33. 4/6 of my miles were under 9 minutes – which is saying a lot for this town!! I’m getting into my running groove here and it’s just a fact of life that I’m slower with all the hills. Perhaps I should make my goal for my birthday 10K 55:00 on the nose?
Breakfast was a smoothie!
In a bowl 
The Pumpkiny Mix
- 4 ice cubes
- 1/2 cup canned pumpkin
- 1 cup organic skim milk
- 1 small scoop Vega Vanilla Chai (You can totally make this without it – that’s why it’s green tinged)
- 1 whole small ripe banana
- 2-3 shakes both cinnamon + all spice
- Granola + magic shell on top!
Cool coffee (<– which just means I add a few ice cubes that melt and make it slightly cool but not iced)
Cheesy Confessions
Remember a week ago when I tested a recipe for Wisconsin Cheese’s Favorite Foods with Michael Symon? The dish was Wisconsin Parmesan Gnocchi with Brown Butter and Sage and it was AMAZING! You should probably add “lemon Parmesan” to the title, because they were the stars. You can find my whole guest post over at the Eat Wisconsin Cheese Favorite Foods site called “Cheesy Confessions.”
***
I’ve got 3 freelance projects I’m working on today and a conference call. Glad I ran first so my day is wipe open – except for the fact that it’s now 11AM!
See you at lunch!
Chelsea at Striking Balance says
I love the feeling when you just can’t wait to get out the door for a run/walk/workout. Glad you are finding your running groove, the hills must be tough!
Estela @ Weekly Bite says
I love waking up to blue skies and crisp air! Perfect running weather 🙂
Have a great day Kath!
The Wife of a Dairyman says
Gosh, I’m wishing for some clouds here in northern CA! It was 100 degrees yesterday! And after a summer of barely reaching the high 70’s, this was rough!
Jessica @ How Sweet says
I like dates for preworkout snacks too – same thing with dried figs! Love them.
grocery goddess jen says
Those cloud photos are great…nothing like a nice weather day after terrible rainy ones to make you want to go outside.
Heather (Heather's Dish) says
wow, busy day girl! i’m glad you got a great run in first 🙂
Christie {Honoring Health} says
We still have some clouds here, hoping it clears up before I go volunteer at the CSA!
Rachel (Two Healthy Plates) says
Pumpkin smoothie sounds delicious, especially with the chai flavors – yum!
lisasfoods says
I would take those hills as a motivator. The next race you’ll run, hilly or not, will probably be a faster pace for you since you’re working yourself harder.
Gotta get my pumpkin fix to add to oatmeal and smoothies, among other things. (Like just plain pumpkin heated up with some cinnamon, nutmeg, and butter.)
Samantha @ Bikini Birthday says
Bah, it’s raining here. If my morning looked like that I would have leaped out of bed.
Carolyn @ lovinlosing says
I wish I had woken up to blue skies! It’s pouring here and I’m afraid tomorrow’s air travels are going to be a repeat of my trip to Las Vegas last month. 🙁 I really don’t want to be stuck in the Cleveland airport again for 10 hours, no matter how good their burritos are.
Glad you had a good run! Sounds like you’re all set for your 10K in a few weeks. You should come on down to Virginia Beach on the 30th for the Wicked 10K!
Kath says
I would love to come do some of the VA Beach runs – can I stay in your house 🙂 ?
Carolyn @ lovinlosing says
Absolutely! We have plenty of room! Hope you’re not allergic to dogs or cats, though. 🙂
Sarena (The Non-Dairy Queen) says
Ya gotta love getting a great workout in first thing! Have a great day Kath!
Laura @ Backstage Pass to Health & Happiness says
I love that you did a recipe for Wisconsin Cheese! Sure, they’re a company, however I have a ton of pride for products from my home state 🙂
Is that coffee, or a stout beer in your glass? Love the pumpkin-y smoothie, I can’t wait to try that out for myself.
Melissa @ HerGreenLife says
Nothing like a beautiful fall morning for get up and get out the door motivation. Good to know about dates for a pre=workout snack. I hate exercising on a completely empty belly.
Anna @ Newlywed, Newly Veg says
I love your looooooong spoon!
Great job on the run! Sounds like you’re really starting to conquer those hills!
Valerie @ City|Life|Eats says
I need to remember that about dates and morning workouts. I always have trouble with morning workouts and feeling faint.
Emily says
Gorgeous morning!
Totally unrelated…I just read this NY Times article and though of your post on these guys:
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/27/us/27stinkbug.html
Bonnie says
I have never eaten dates without surrounded by oatmeal and sugar
I should give them a try!
Angela @ Eat Spin Run Repeat says
You are so lucky to have decent running weather today.. it’s been raining all week here! When I go on long runs I often take dried apricots since I’m not a big date fan, but I agree that they are amazing pre-run snacks!
Holly @ couchpotatoathlete says
As silly as it sounds, I’ve never eaten a date plain — it is always stuffed with PB 🙂
Great run! A 10K in 55 minutes sounds like a great goal!
Nicole @ Yuppie Yogini says
Does coffee that looks like beer in a beer glass give the same effect?? 😉
Cathy B. @ Bright Bakes says
I am completely motivated/unmotivated to run depending on the skies! Yesterday morning was a mirror image of your pics today, and i felt like my feet were flying..today is gray and overcast…and well..so far I’ve just finished up a post on the comforts of home baked cracked wheat bread!!! lol…
your smoothie looks great, as usual. I’m way overdue to try a pumpkin one!
cathy b. @ brightbakes
Marina says
A nice blue sky in the morning always motivates me for a workout!
Smoothie looks great!
Alyssa says
Your guest blog post was great! That dish looks awesome and so easily can be made gluten free 🙂
Diana @ frontyardfoodie says
Oh lovely blue sky! It’s fallish here now and when it’s sunny it’s just so beautiful.
Hands in Namaste says
I love dates too. Try sticking a salty cashew in one 😉
Tina says
I love getting my workout done in the morning and having the whole day ahead of me to be productive. I only have a few more months of that left though. Then my workouts will have to be in the afternoon.
Emmanuelle says
I love dates as pre workout snacks. Especially with a couple of walnuts or filled with peanut butter, yum!
faith @ gracefulfitness says
My goal for the Fall Classic is 55 or less too! We can do it! (well, I am sure you can do it, you’re faster than me!). And, yes, it was a gorgeous morning for a run. 🙂
RhodeyGirl says
Does your fitness level feel different after running all those hills for a few weeks now? PB says that flat runs are SO much easier now that he runs hills!
Kath says
Oh no, I feel even slower!! But I think if I were to run on my old flat paths I would notice a difference. You can’t find a street here that doesn’t have a hill.
Mary (What's Cookin' with Mary) says
What great motivation! I woke up this morning to a gloomy 80* sky… If its going to be gloomy, it should be COOL. lol.
I see you in the spoon!! 🙂 Where’s Kath… like where’s Waldo. hehe.
I’ll be enjoying a siab when I get back from spin in a few hours! I’m already dreaming up toppings.
Laughter-Loving Stacy says
It makes getting up to run so much easier when it’s bright blue and sunny outside! And eating a smoothie instead of drinking it… NICE. 🙂
Amy K. @ onehealthypeanut says
After reading your post I started singing Ushers song “Confessions”, lets see how long it takes to get this one out of my head!
These are my confessions….
Happy Tuesday!
Brittany (A Healthy Slice of Life) says
I love it when I’m excited to run… the cooler temperature today made it a wonderful day for some outdoor exercise!
Heather says
great job on the run, brakfast looks so good! I have been meaning to make a smoothie lately but keep forgetting when breakfat rolls around!
[email protected] says
So this morning I was watching the Today show, and they had a segment on stink bugs. I thought of how you’re always seeing those critters around! I guess there’s a mass number of them out and about now.
Your Smoothie in a bowl looks devine!
Lauren at KeepItSweet says
does 1 date hold you over for your entire run? i usually can’t do more than 30 minutes without a little more to eat
Kath says
Yes, it’s fine for me. But only if I get up and go. If I were to sit around and doodle, I’d need something more.
chelsey @ clean eating chelsey says
Yum I love dates! They are perfect – too bad I am currently out or I’d be reaching for one now!
Alaina @ The Jogging Concierge says
That sky looks so inviting! Right now in Mass its cloudy and rainy. 🙁
BTW, love the Sam Adams glass. You should add Harpoon to your collection! Did you visit the Harpoon Brewery when you were in Boston?
Kath says
Yeah, we went to Harpoon! And we have a glass to show for it! 🙂
Jessi says
Hi Kath,
First, I’m a big fan of your blog and read it every day – I’m from VA and lived in Cville for a bit and love your pics and descriptions of home in addition to your awesome food ideas. I tried a variation of whipped banana oatmeal and it’s definitely a new favorite.
Anyway, I’m representing a man who is currently walking from New York to LA in an effort to raise awareness about childhood obesity. His name is Matt Livermanne and he has worked really hard to get into shape to realize this dream. Thought you might be interested!
http://www.thebigfitnesswalk.com
Thanks, Kath! Enjoy that beautiful Virginia fall weather for me!
Kath says
Checking it out!
Meg says
You look ready to kick today’s ass in that post run picture, Kath! In a good way, of course! It’s like a BRING IT ON pose, haha!
Have fun with your projects and the rest of your beautiful day! 😀
Meg
[email protected] says
Lady, you look amazing!
And I am cracking up at the coffee in a Sam Adams glass…
Jess says
I did the 10k last year in 49 even though I threw up in the middle (apparently had the flu) you will rock it out. It’s not a hard race!
Kath says
Oh NO!!!
Gabriela @ Une Vie Saine says
I always underestimate how much hills slow me down…but I feel SO much more accomplished when I’m done with a hilly run. Hope the rest of your day goes well!
Jil @ Peace, Love & Munchies says
I’ve been seeing pumpkin everrrywhere! haha I think I need to jump on that bandwagon. Love your blue skies – it’s gross here.
amy says
I love the feeling of wanting to get up and get going! I’ve been getting that feeling lately since I got my Zumba DVD’s, they’re so much fun!
And that smoothie sounds delicious! I haven’t had the chance to use pumpkin in anything yet, but may just go pick some up this week.
Natalia - a side of simple says
I’ve never tried a date before. I think I’ll have to add that to my “to do” list! Sounds like a busy day, good luck!
Ally says
That is not much of a goal, hills and all I think you can do much better than that. Race pace is much faster than training pace – think about some of your past races?
I think you will absolutely be under a 9 min/mile pace for the race and even 54 minutes would be a conservative goal! Great job with the run, good luck!
Emily says
This smoothie is definitely my next smoothie creation; I have been craving a pumpkin one lately but haven’t decided on a recipe. Glad to hear that you were excited for your run this morning, I love those days 🙂
Caitlyn (A Spoonful of LIfe) says
I’ll munch a date before my early morning runs as well! They are such a delicious source of energy! I usually have to FORCE myself to stop after just one because they are SO good 🙂
Bess @ Bess Be Fit says
you can easily take those last 30 seconds off your time! Go for it girl 🙂
Jake says
Can’t you just run for the sake of enjoying running? I don’t get the obsession with the time.
Kath says
Of course. I run for the sake of enjoying running EVERY SINGLE TIME I RUN! I’m not obsessed with time, I just note it for fun.
Jessica @ The Process of Healing says
Beautiful weather! I’m loving how it’s cool but still sunny! Perfect for running…
Food & Other Things says
Weather can make all the difference on a run! I’ll have to try a date as pre-run fuel sometime…good luck with all your work!
Samantha says
thanks for the spoon pic..I feel like you did it just for me:)
Kath says
I did 🙂
Mary @ Bites and Bliss says
I love the magic shell drizzle on the smoothie. Kinda looks like art- yummy, delicious art 😛
lynn (The Actors Diet) says
pumpkin pumpkin everywhere! gotta get some cans – thank goodness there’s no shortage this year!
Bee Goes Bananas says
I love your dishes! You must have the cutest kitchen. All of your bowls and dishes match the style of your new kitchen perfectly.
Where do you find all of the unique dishes, bowls, spoons, glasses…? They’re so adorable!
Kath says
Everywhere! I usually buy 2 at a time (one for me, one for Matt) instead of whole sets so I have all the variety. We have a whole set of white dishes for company dinner parties.
Haley says
Your photos are definitely art… beautiful! Congrats on the morning run AND for getting it done so quickly!
Mmm… I’m still waiting for canned pumpkin to resurface on Maui, but with the eat local challenge I’m doing I couldn’t eat it this week anyway… haha.
RhodeyGirl says
My comment is MIA!
j says
kath,
I’m always amazed at how far you run. I can barely get in 3 miles now and then. how do you feel like these years of running are effecting your joints? I have been running, although not as much (distance-wise) as you, for the past 5-6 years and I really am starting to feel it in my knees and hips. I do try to do an elliptical to try to soften the effects, but wondered if you’ve faced this and if so, how you’ve dealt with it.
Kath says
I had foot surgery on a foot joint 5 years ago and have not felt any negative effects, but everyone is different! Perhaps it’s the sardines and omega-3s that keep my inflammation down?
Jake says
Years of running WILL affect your joints J, and not in a good way. I’m glad you realize it now before it’s too late unlike other bloggers.
Kath says
Some people run into their 80s and never have a negative effect. Why do you think I’d never run a marathon? Because I know it would be detrimental to me.
Rachel says
A smoothie in a bowl…what a brilliant idea! I love bowls and anything that can be eaten out of them. Maybe putting a nice, thick smoothie in bowl would make smoothies more appealing.
Jake says
I definitely understand not running a marathon. But even a half is NOT good for your body. In addition, pounding pavement 4-6 days a week is not good for our joints/bones/etc. Those people in the 80s who never experience anything are flukes. Every story I have ever read on food blogs of runners talks about their numerous injuries. It’s as if an obvious, DUH wake-up call has never resonated.
I run maybe 3x a week tops and no more than a 10k. It’s not worth killing your body over.
Kath says
Well if you read closer you’d know I don’t run more than 3x per week… for that reason
Lauren says
Girl, you look so fierce in that picture!! This should be your newest heading photo in the top left corner. Just sayin’. 🙂
Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin says
It seems like I always get your weather a day after you! I hope I wake up to those beautiful skies tomorrow. 😉
stacey-healthylife says
Wow that is a very nice magic shell. 🙂
Jake says
Sorry Kath- I thought you did at least 4x- My bad!!
Hannah says
Beautiful skies! I miss the Blue Ridge parkway… 🙁
steph @ goeatapeach says
Morning downtown runs are my favorite cville runs… I love seeing all the merchants and everyone setting up and getting ready for the day, its so peaceful and exciting at the same time. Aww, nostalgia, running downtown, eating breakfast, and starting class at 11 am was my schedule every day, Monday-Thursday, for years!
whitney says
I love waking up ready to run. I wish I felt like it more often.
Good luck on your freelance articles. It’s nice to have the whole day to prepare.
Rachelle says
Yay Wisconsin, my home!
Oh, if only you could go to the markets here where smaller makers sell their cheese.
SO YUM!!!!!