Back On Track

Getting back on track isn't always easy.

As you all know.... Last week wasn't my greatest week for high mileage.  

In fact, I only ran once the entire week, a measly 3.5 miler on Saturday.  

After my rough 14 miler I decided to take a week off and I am glad I did.  

This week I am getting back on track with healthy eating, new workouts,

 and a consistent running schedule.

I woke up early this morning and put in a 5 mile run with Olive before work.  We ran a slow 2 miles to the nature preserve, ran 1 slower mile in the woods on the trails, and ran 2 slow miles back home.  It was a nice change of pace and scenery and gave Olive a little bit of time off the leash.  I also committed to running Wednesday morning by myself, Thursday morning with my running club, and Saturday or Sunday a long distance run between 10 and 15 miles.

Secondly, I bought an awesome groupon for fitness classes at the local gym.  20 classes for 70 dollars.... that comes to $3.5 dollars a class.  And I don't even have to be a member of that gym.

Here is a list of the classes and times offered.  

There are times offered before work and after work 

which is really awesome for my 8-5 schedule. 

 I am most excited about body pump, step, core strength, zumba, and HIIT.  

Going to Step or HIIT tomorrow :) The Fight Club and Body Combat doesn't speak to me... punching the air for a half hour in the gym..... eh 

I also did some reading into two of my running books.  

Opening up and reading a few pages here and there 

re-motivates me and kind of gets me back on track. 

 I am going to start highlighting/tabbing some of my favorite chapters 

to re-read on bad weeks (like last one).  

Because I got my workout in this morning,

 and couldn't go riding with the heavy rain, 

I got home and made some home made raviolis- 

filled with leftover roasted veggies from my flat bread night.  
I mean.... we can't ALWAYS eat healthy.  Sometimes a good amount of pasta is just what the doctor ordered. 

The dough was made using 4 eggs and 2 cups of flour t

hrown into my food processor.... does it get easier than that?  
Pasta out of a box I guess.  

I used my dough roller to roll the dough very thin to form the raviolis.    I got this for 20 dollars at marshalls and is one of my favorite and simplest kitchen gadgets.

Once my dough was the right size, I put mounds of filling on half of the strip of pasta.  

I then flipped the dough over onto the filling,

 cut each into squares, 

and used a fork to seal the edges.  

The beets gave the filling a pretty red color. 

 They could even be made into heart shapes and make a pretty valentines dinner :) 

Don't over cook these suckers... they only need a few minutes because of the fresh pasta.

I crisped them up in a pan with a dash of olive oil,

 and topped the raviolos with some mushroom, parsley, and parmesan cheese.  

Delicious dinner- all home made.  I made sure to pack 80 % of it away before I sat down to eat.  Portion control was never one of my strong points. 

I also took my brand new running clothes for a spin around the block.  

I love the colors and the fit - nothing gets me back into running like a new outfit, or three.  Especially if it comes in bright colors. 

Food prep for the week completed my "Back On Track" routine.  I baked the eggs with salt and pepper in muffin tins at 350 degrees until the eggs were cooked through.  I assembled the sandwiches with spinach, ham, and cheese.  

I individually wrap the sandwiches, 

throwing half in the freezer and half in the fridge. 

 Olive was very curious as to what was going on and why she wasn't getting any.... 
Just kidding 
she was eating all of the crumbs off the floor 
because I am the messiest cook in the world. 
Dogs make great vacuums... 
any one ever go to a friends house 
and get sort of angry when you have to actually pick up the mess you made?  
Every home needs a pup. 

I also made Fitnessista's Breakfast Cookies 

using oatmeal, bananas, chocolate chips, coconut, flax, and chia seeds. 

I wrapped two at a time and threw half in the freezer,

 half in the fridge, for afternoon snacks during the work week.   

Or morning snacks, or Pre/Post gym snacks.

I also prepped lunch for the week.  

Lunch will be a half sandwich and fruit or quinoa bowls.  

The quinoa bowls are made with quinoa, carrots, red pepper, onion, garlic, and brocolli.

  I made another batch with diced chicken and egg as a stir fry.

Yummy dinner made, a week of breakfast and lunches prepped, workouts started,  bought a groupon for fitness classes, new workout clothes....feels good to get back on track!  

Any suggestions on which classes I should take from that list?

Anyone take any HIIT classes?