Runs From December 25-31, 2011, 19.4 Miles

December 26, 2011

8.54 Miles
1:39:17 Time
11:38 Pace

Probably not accurate as I got a little lost...my new Saucony jacket is so warm!                                                           
December 29, 2011

8.2 Miles
1:30:48 Time
11:03 Pace

Sigh, I left my YakTrax at home and we got snow in Canada.  It was a standard run here in the states.  I also finally got my NYC Marathon shirt sent to me (they were out of larges at the Expo.)

                 








December 30, 2011

2.66 Miles
26:05 Time
9:48 Pace

I finish 2011 with 1704.26 miles in 313:56:07 for a 11:03 pace.

Another stat, top 5 Fastest Months (All 2011)
December 20:39:27 Time 121.25 Miles 10:13 Pace
June 26:19:57 Time 147.29 Miles 10:44 Pace
March 28:21:56 Time 158.18 Miles 10:45 Pace
November 16:29:58 Time 91.99 Miles 10:46 Pace
October 26:01:35 Time 144.43 Miles 10:49 Pace

Runs From December 18-24, 2011, 31.01 Miles

December 19, 2011

5.34 Miles
52:19 Time
9:48 Pace

Aww, someone brought their dog to run at the running group. The dog kept up, no problems. My paces were consistent the first 4 miles, 9:56-10:04, and then the last mile I ran 9:31, which was up Greenwich Ave.

December 20, 2011

8.2 Miles
1:31:15 Time
11:08 Pace

Felt a sensation in my shin during my run, but it went away quickly.

December 21, 2011

2.66 Miles
21:56 Time
8:15 Pace

83 weeks ago mile 1 (logged atleast), today mile 2501!  One of my favorite quotes..."Running...it is a euphoric feeling I look forward to every day.  It keeps me connected to life." Allan Steinfield, Former Director NYC Marathon.

December 23, 2011

8.2 Miles
1:30:00 Time
10:59 Pace

The weather was so nice out.

December 24, 2011

6.61 Miles
1:09:21 Time
10:30 Pace

I just noticed I ran the exact same routes as I ran last week (ie both Mondays were the same route, both Tuesdays the same route, etc).  I also saw this girl from one of my yoga classes twice today.  Not sure if she recognized me when she ran by.  Happy holidays!

Hot and Spicy Chorizo Chili

I made this back in September and made it again for a Vegetarian/Vegan party.  People seemed to like it, I didn't have many leftovers.

http://www.pillsbury.com/recipes/hot-and-spicy-chorizo-chili/e9dd9e80-92fe-4f69-93e8-c0d2d4794151

Runs From December 11-17, 2011, 31.01 Miles

December 12, 2011

5.34 Miles
50:11 Time
9:24 Pace

I felt a little cold and not really warmed up for the first mile or so.  I even commented to another runner that she looked in better shape than me but then I felt better and picked up the pace.  It was about 33 degrees.

December 13, 2011

8.2 Miles
1:22:09 Time
10:01 Pace

Dusted my snow hat and gloves and I guess I can put my shorts away.  24 degrees when I started but winter running isn't so bad once you get out the door and warm up.

December 15, 2011

2.66 Miles
21:59 Time
8:16 Pace

It looks like there will be a New Years Day 5K near me in Darien, CT!  It is a small race and I did it last year.  Unfortunately it looks like the parks dept are being jerks to the Van Cortlandt organizers and there will be no Christmas or New Years Day race in the Bronx.

December 16, 2011

8.2 Miles
1:24:54 Time
10:21 Pace

Nice weather, but I struggled a bit more than usual.

December 17, 2011

6.61 Miles
1:08:45 Time
10:24 Pace

Got tired at the end, first two miles were 9:28/9:52 and the last two were 10:24/11:03.  Looking forward to a day off and more yoga.

Spicy Tempeh Stir-fry

I switched it up, I used tofu instead of tempeh (Shop Rite didn't seem to have it) and I added some pasta and hot sauces.

http://www.theeconomicaleater.com/2011/04/spicy-tempeh-stir-fry.html

Spicy Tortilla Casserole with Roasted Poblanos

Let's just forget about this. In baking this I set off the fire alarm like twice and then I burned my hand pouring the "salsa" in the pan, which caused me to drop the pan and have some of the salsa go down the sink. I made some more but I had to use tomato sauce as opposed to the diced tomatoes. I am awful at baking.

http://goveganmeow.blogspot.com/2010/07/spicy-tortilla-casserole-with-roasted.html

Runs From December 3-10, 2011, 29.65 Miles

December 5, 2011

5.3 Miles
51:29 Time
9:43 Pace

Why must New York Runners events be so pricey?  The Empire State Building run up is $100.  The course record is is less than 10 minutes.  I paid less than that for my first marathon.  I will pass on this event.

December 6, 2011

5.09 Miles
51:31 Time
10:07 Pace

Nice and misty out.

December 7, 2011

5.09 Miles
50:38 Time
9:57 Pace

Pretty consistent (paces ranged from 9:48-10:13) and another rainy day.  I wanted to do my 8 mile route but I don't want to be in the rain too much with my phone.

December 9, 2011

2.66 Miles
21:23 Time
8:02 Pace

Another speed run and this time it felt better than before.

December 10, 2011

11.51 Miles
1:58:53 Time
10:20 Pace

Fastest pace for a run 9+ miles.  Felt great.  No fuel needed.  The prior record was when I ran 15+ miles back in October at a 10:34 pace.

Sweet and Spicy Tofu

I wouldn't rave about this but it was easy to make and I liked the "light" taste to it.  Would be great as a side dish.  To kick up the spice, in addition to the diced jalapeno pepper, I also used about 1/2 teaspoon of the habanero pepper flakes from the Dave's Gourmet Six Pure Chiles Gift Shaker mix and a few drops of roasted garlic hot sauce.

http://www.seriouseats.com/recipes/2009/04/healthy-delicious-sweet-and-spicy-tofu-recipe.html

Runs from November 27-December 3, 2011, 25.22 Miles

November 27, 2011 Ottawa, Canada

4.97 Miles
59:18 Time
11:56 Pace

I didn't get lost this time but I did stop to take some pictures.

November 28, 2011 Peterborough, Canada

7.41 Miles
1:19:04 Time
10:40 Pace

The same route I did about a year ago during Christmas, though this time I did ran it over a minute faster per mile.  I didn't get lost either.

I really like running up hills.

November 30, 2011

2.66 Miles
21:16 Time
8:00 Pace

I haven't run this fast in about 4 months.  I feel I just jog too much so I figure I should do some more speed work.  I think I need to learn how to breath more efficently as well.


December 1, 2011

5.09 Miles
46:00 Time
9:02 Pace

Happy with the pace.

December 2, 2011

5.09 Miles
50:34 Time
9:56 Pace

I can't run fast every time.

Spicy Malaysian-Style Stir-Fried Noodles

Overall this was just a so so recipe.  I wasn't too impressed but I did use some good hot sauces I recently purchased.  I did find this recipe when I was in a rush and just searched 'spicy vegan pasta' or something.  I used Sweet Surrender sauce which I bought from a gourmet spice store in Peterborough, Canada.  It's delicious and it has a citrus taste.  I sampled some of their other sauces but I felt they were a little too sweet, especially the berry one.  I also used this great and hard to describe (its like small chunks of different things as opposed to a sauce) Hot & Spicy Sauce from this Asian store in the Chinatown in Ottawa, Canada.

http://m.myrecipes.com/details/preparation.rbml?id=10000001924714.xml&bcat=search&cat=Search+Result&op=22&fid=21

Runs from November 20-26, 2011, 10.27 Miles

November 21, 2011

5.3 Miles
49:33 Time
9:21 Pace

I am psyched with this pace, though some ankle pain later in the run.  Hopefully that goes away the next time I run.

November 26, 2011 Ottawa Canada

4.97 Miles
1:01:59 Time
12:28 Pace

I used the running map the hotel provided and picked the 8K route.  Got lost a bit...ill take their word on the distance as I am not using my phone data here.  My ankle feels much better.

Terry Fox (From Ottawa, but not from my run)