Indian-Style Potatoes and Spinach

I am not normally big on potatoes but this was great.  The water made them nice and moist.  Not really spicy, but with the chilly pepper there was some flavor.  The bagged spinach I used was great as well.

http://vegandad.blogspot.com/2009/04/indian-style-potatoes-and-spinach.html

Instant Vegan Alfredo

Wasn't sure how it would turn out using tofu as a sauce.  With the nutritional yeast it did have somewhat of a grainy taste but it was still pretty tasty, and I am sure much healthier than a dairy based sauce.  I couldn't find the wheat pastry flour so I just used the standard flour.  For the pasta I used a mixture of  Ronzoni Garden Delight rotini and penne rigate, which have a full serving of vegetables, or atleast some good marketing.  I should see if I can find other recipes that use tofu as a sauce.

http://www.happyherbivore.com/recipe/instant-vegan-alfredo/

Vegan Spanish Casserole

Another recipe I found from the Healthy Recipes app, which I used while in the store to come up with a last minute idea.  Plenty of beans so quite healthy and I found it to be tasty.  For the tomatoes I used stop and Shop (store brand) Mexican style stewed with jalapeno, cumin and red pepper.  It gave it a nice kick and it was already mixed with the spices.  I also added some hot sauce.  I'd probably try this recipe again.

http://recipes.sparkpeople.com/recipe-detail.asp?recipe=347586&src=droid

Runs from August 22-28 2011, 34.98 Miles

Monday August 22, 2011

5.3 Miles
53:38 Time
10:07 Pace

Took it nice and easy. Not too easy, I ran the last mile up the Greenwich Ave hill at 9:37 pace, to finish strong.

Tuesday August 23, 2011

8.2 Miles
1:28:00 Time
10:44 Pace

Fueled with powdered lemon lime Gatorade (as offered at the NYCM).  Slower than last week, but it still felt good and finished strong.  Paces varied from 10:03 (last mile) to 11:31, I want to be more consistent but in fairness this is a semi hilly route.               

           



















Wednesday August 24, 2011

7.38 Miles
1:16:20 Time
10:21 Pace

Started strong (my fastest mile was mile 1, 10:06 pace) and finished semi weak (miles 5 and 6 were my slowest, 10:50, 10:51 pace). More consistent, my paces varied by 45 seconds.

Thursday August 25, 2011

5.09 Miles
56:53 Time
11:11 Pace

Didn't have it in me today, but they all can't be great runs.  I also have been running more, resting less.       

       


















Friday August 26, 2011

6.35 Time
1:15:46 Time
11:56 Pace

My worst run in about a month, since the heat wave warnings.  I don't like to say pain, cause if it was painful I would have stopped, but I did feel like I was close to being in pain.  Not sure if I will run much Saturday, was hoping to do 11ish                           

Saturday August 27, 2011

2.66 Miles
32:38 Time
12:16 Pace

Today I logged my 2000th mile, though I was hoping to log my 2010th.  I have been logging runs for 67 weeks, 2010/67 would have been 30 miles a week, a decent average to be running for 67 weeks, as opposed to a mere 29.86.  I have been feeling crappy so I took it easy today.

In fairness I started running maybe 74 weeks ago but started logging my runs beginning with my first 5K.  Then again I didn't record consistently the first few weeks after that.  I might take an easy week, but hopefully I can bring up my average to 30 miles a week in a week or two.

Tofu and Mushroom Stroganoff

I'd say this is decent.  The sauce was good but not great.  I found this recipe for soy cream, not sure if its the same as the soya (with an a) cream mentioned in the recipe.  I am not sure what smoked tofu is but I did use the freeze overnight tip.  I did allow time for the tofu to defrost a little, and I did notice the tofu was a bit firmer, which was nice.  I couldn't find any red grape juice either, but I did use regular grape juice.

http://www.suite101.com/content/vegan-tofu-and-mushroom-stroganoff-recipe-a206600#ixzz1VUPuC3yG

11.51 Mile Long Run

11.51 Miles
2:06:09 Time
10:58 Pace

Next week I think I will start posting runs on a weekly basis.

Very good pace for me.  Felt great.  No gels, just water and Gatorade.  My splits were odd: Worst mile was mile 5 (12:15), 2nd best was mile 1 (10:22) and best was mile 11 (9:09).  9:09 for the last mile?!

6.35 Mile Run

6.35 Miles
1:06:29 Time
10:28 Pace

A penguin moment. A women running with a baby stroller almost passed me. She was catching up but then she turned right.

2.66 Mile Speedworkout

2.66 Miles
21:27 Time
8:04 Pace

Not sub 8, which I did the last two times I did a speed workout on this route, but in fairness I rested the day before those times.  On the plus side CardioTrainer had the first two miles at an almost identical pace.

7.38 Mile Run

From Wednesday August 17.

7.38 Miles
1:27:23 Time
11:50 Pace

It was hot and I had to walk at times. That's ok, I had planned on going slow as I want to do a speed workout tomorrow.

8.2 Mile Hill Run

8.2 Miles
1:24:08 Time
10:16 Pace

Not the best time for the route but I still felt great at the end.  Better than average time for the route.  Maybe the powdered Gatorade I have been using instead of water gives me an extra boost.

5.3 Mile Greenwich Running Company group run

5.3 Miles
48:52 Time
9:13 Pace

Felt great today.  There were new runners tonight and it definitely helped.  Even had some energy at the end, and I picked up the pace up Greenwich Ave.  Maybe the yoga and light weights this weekend helped too.

Spicy Vegetable Pasta

I made this today.  I actually thought this was a bit bland, despite the recipe using my favorite spice mix, garam marsala.  I think maybe some more vegetables and possibly a creamy sauce could have helped.  On the plus side it took about 30 minutes total to prepare and cook.

http://www.vegrecipes4u.com/spicy-vegetable-pasta.html

Thai Tamarind Chili Tofu and Cashews

I made this Friday August 12.  Quite good.  Not amazing but I would make this again. I love tofu and the cashews added to the taste.  I actually unknowingly cheated with my goal of trying vegan recipes.  Apparently the Thai Kitchen roasted red chili paste I used contained a fish sauce that contained anchovies and shrimp.  Oh well.  I couldn't find vegetarian oyster sauce, though I didn't really look, but apparently it uses shiitake mushrooms, a favorite of mine, instead of oysters. 

http://vegandad.blogspot.com/2009/08/thai-tamarind-chili-tofu-and-cashews.html

Mustard-Crusted Tofu with Kale and Sweet Potato

I made this Tuesday, August 9 and I thought it was great.  Kale is great for you and with the tofu and sweet potato it had a great taste.  Not A+ but I'd give it an A because its healthy and easy to make.

http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Mustard-Crusted-Tofu-with-Kale-and-Sweet-Potato-239827

17.84 Mile Long Run

 17.84 Miles
3:39:20 Time
12:18 Pace

Not great but I had some issues, like with the bag I was carrying, I think I overfueled as I used both gels and energy blasts, and I tried the powdered Gatorade which seemed a little too sugary.  I didn't exactly crash but I did some walking at times, though in fairness this is a pretty hilly route, with CardioTrainer having total climb as .4 miles.  I think I will lay off the 16+ mile long runs til September and try 3 loops for a 3/4 marathon here http://www.thelabordaymarathon.com/

6.61 Mile Downtown Run

6.61 Miles
1:12:11 Time
10:55 Pace

Felt nice and easy as I ran it nice and easy.  I think I will do 15-18ish tomorrow.  I was thinking of trying a 20 but that might be too soon for it.

7.38 Mile Run

7.38 Miles
1:16:17 Time
10:20 Pace

It was hot.  Time for a day off and some yoga.

8.2 Mile Hill Run

8.2 Miles
1:30:05 Time
10:59 Pace

I felt so good running, I thought my pace was a lot better than it was.  Oh well.  I also ran 9 days straight last week, a record, Fri 7/29 though Sat 8/6.  I would have continued through Sunday but Lululemon didn't have their running group.

5.34 Mile Greenwich Running Company group run

5.34 Miles
48:49 Time
9:03 Pace

I felt like trying to go fast today and that's exactly what I did.  I struggled at bit, but was still able to pick up the pace at the end when I ran up the Greenwich Ave hill.  In fairness CardioTrainer had 9.26/5.12m, but that seems low based on other times I ran this route and I do go by MapQuest.

I really like running up hills.

Mianus River Park, Greenwich, CT run with Johan

From Saturday

5:04 Miles
1:30:37 Time
17:59 Pace

Went with my friend Johan.  Time includes some stopping to drink/eat and some walking.  First time to Mianus River Park, but as I have said before, if you don't run trails you are missing out.

The Jamaica Underwear Run in Central Park

From Friday

1.79 Miles
13:43 Time
7:40 Pace

The website says its 1.7 Miles but CardioTrainer had more.

My friend Tracy was suppose to do this event but she canceled and suggested on her blog someone say they are her at registration. This is a free event but it reached capacity, though they don't stop people from running it who aren't registered. With registration however I got a ticket for bag check and free boxers at the end. I was honest and told them she canceled and I would taking her place, and luckily they took my word.

I got to the event a bit early and was a little self conscious to strip. As more people came, it was easier to just to, you know, take your pants and shirt off, and put on my costume. I was able to get close to the front of the start and when the race started I was blocked briefly by two sets of two people holding their arms together and people on my side. After I passed them I was able to keep my pace without worrying about bumping into anyone. It was tough running at the 7:40 pace and I didn't really hold a steady pace based on the CardioTrainer graph. I was really psyched the first mile was 7:03, despite that I took some pics while running.

I slapped hands with the Naked Cowboy when I finished and then someone from the press (or maybe Brightroom) stopped me and asked to get a picture. Then I remembered to stop CardioTrainer (so actually my time might be a little faster.) All in all it was a fun night. Good weather. I also recognized the friend of someone I know from races and I said hello and introduced myself and we chatted for a minute or two. It was neat to run through Central Park in my boxers and see other people in their underwear and costumes as well. Some people in the area didn't care, other people cheered myself and the other runners on which was nice. The tourists were probably confused.

http://www.nyctri.com/Jamaica_Underwear_Run.htm
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=210537628985105
Pictures http://www.flickr.com/photos/59540935@N08/sets/72157627366706220/
Youtube Video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=45Da2xR9edA

5.09 Mile Recovery Run

5.09 Miles
51:04 Time
10:02 Pace

I wanted to do this one slower than usual but I seem to have a tendency to try to pick up my speed.

Spicy Vegan Potato Curry

Pretty good, almost a little too spicy for my taste with the curry, garam marsala and cayenne spices.  The potatoes gave it a nice texture.  I probably wouldn't make it again but still a decent recipe.

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Spicy-Vegan-Potato-Curry/detail.aspx

7.63 Mile Run

7.63 Miles
1:17:36 Time
10:10 Pace

I don't lift weights often anymore, but I hope my arm is getting somewhat stronger for carrying a 20oz water bottle during my run.

8.2 Mile Hill Run

8.2 Miles
1:26:51 Time
10:35 Pace

Decent run, the last two miles were my fastest. I think I set a record for the longest headphone life. I have a tendency to accidentally leave them on the floor and step on them before their natural life is up.

4.88 Mile Run With Johan

4.88 Miles
48:12 Time
9:53 Pace

It was pouring when I got to the Greenwich Running Company for the group run.  Me and Johan just talked to the staff there until it eased up and then decided to just drive back to Stamford to run.  It felt like I was running faster than I was.  We might run some Mianus trails this weekend.