The week is off to a much better start than last week.
But I did my first week of my Crossfit Endurance half training plan. And it just so happens, that it corresponds perfectly with the 6 Month Running Challenge. The basics of the Crossfit Endurance is to make each run count. No recovery runs or maintenance running. They are based on speedwork and high intensity interval training. By combining the strength and power endurance from regular crossfit workouts with spedwork from the endurance program, a runner should be ready for race day. Considering that I’m slower than cold molasses in a frozen tin jug, anything will help.
Here are the workouts from last week
Tuesday: Short Intervals: 16 x 200m, 8mph on treadmill.
Thursday: Long Intervals: 2 x 1600m, 5.5 mph on TM
Sunday: Tempo Run: 4 miles, 75% of 5K pace. This is the closest to a “long run”.
I’ll be honest. Speedwork sucks. But I think I’ve been propping up in the comfort zone for a few…years. Having a plan is good, and knowing I’ve got some tough races and mountain climbs coming up is just the reason I need to not give up and take the easy road.
It’s getting easier to get a shot a day, but posting is usually put off until the weekend. I played around with shooting in RAW and I do believe I have been severely limiting myself, especially in the area of portraits and lighting. I had no idea how easy it was to shoot and edit in RAW and I’ve had the program all along. I use Photoshop Elements 7 (much cheaper than the professional. 80 bucks for Elements vs hundreds for regular Photoshop). The version 7 had Camera RAW editor but I had no idea. It only launches when you upload a RAW image…and I’m an idiot for not figuring tht out.
So, here are shots 16-23 of Project 366/2012.
366.16 “It’s the possibility that keeps me going, not the guarantee.”
~ Nicholas Sparks, The Notebook
366.17 “I watch with breaking heart as you slowly fade away”
~ Nicholas Sparks Message in a Bottle
366.18 Weight and See…….
366.19 Just that good
366.20 Peeking
366.21 It’s a good day for a tiara.
366.22 Doesn’t quiet belong: cow in a pecan orchard
366.23 Safe. Weather app for a night of storms.
23 down……
Some weeks, I’m treading water and trying to keep my head up. This was one of those weeks. Each night after work, it was tough keeping my eyes open until bedtime. What’s sad is that it was a 4 day week. Something about those make the rest of the week DRAG by. Even with the constant need to nap or sleep, I managed to get in 3 crossfit workouts and 3 cf endurance workouts for the half marathon in May. Also, I suspect that I’m not spreading my calories out throughout the day so I had some serious sugar crashes that had me begging for sugar/carbs…..or a nap under my desk. Somehow, I doubt my class full of kids would take a nap with me. If I could bottle 1/10 of their energy, I would be a loaded woman. I need to add a more substantial breakfast to my day and a little more protein to my afternoon snacks so I can keep up with my workouts and my kids.
One of my favorite things to make is taco salad. It’s quick, healthy, and makes you feel good if eating while watching Biggest Loser. I’m not kidding. Something about that show makes me want to pig out with pizza or gooey enchiladas even while Bob is slaughtering his team with crossfit workouts. This week, I tried being all healthier-than-thou. One pan of taco meat can be used throughout the week in wraps or salads. For this one, I kept it simple with lettuce, beans, tomatoes (yes..I ate them raw!), black olives, and green onions. This can be on the table in 20 minutes. While the meat is cooking, chop the veggies, and assemble.
Taco Salad
- 1 lb of lean ground beef or turkey
- 2 Tablespoon chili powder
- 1 Tablespoon Ancho chili powder
- 1 teaspoon of chipotle powder
- 3 chopped garlic cloves
- 1/2 cup of water or broth.
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1 can of pinto beans
- Salad veggies as desired. I used green leaf lettuce, tomatoes, green onions, black olives
- Shredded cheese
1. Brown the protein.
2. When fully cooked, add the seasonings, garlic, and water.
3. Layer lettuce, meat, beans, veggies. Top with cheese.
Eating a big taco salad is much better than what this guy has.
