Runs from January 8-14, 2012 26.34 Miles

January 9, 2012

5.3 Miles
51:29 Time
9:43 Pace

Slower than usual...Alex from the group said I might benefit from doing mid foot striking, as that would help with speed. I am bad with focusing on form.

January 10, 2012

2.66 Miles
22:21 Time
8:22 Pace

Great weather and felt much better today than the last few times I went out.

January 12, 2012

5.09 Miles
47:22 Time
9:18 Pace

I plan on signing up for the Leatherman's Loop 10K trail race lottery...Apparently it is a really well known race in the CT/NY area that started like 30 years ago. You also "run" through some swampy areas. It's lottery so there is no guarantee I will be able to sign up.

January 13, 2012

5.09 Miles
48:22 Time
9:30 Pace

Its windy out there.

January 14, 2012

8.2 Miles
1:23:23 Time
10:10 Pace

Running the cracked/uneven sidewalks in the dark wasn't much fun.  Rolled my ankle like twice.  Also why do cars give me the high beam?  I can see them coming and I am running on the side of the street.

Garam Masala Tofu Scramble Recipe

I love garam marsala and tofu.  I also like the smell of anise/fennel which I think I used for the first time.  Didn't seem to go together, just seemed like a bunch of a ingredients.  Hard to explain.  Ok, but I probably wouldn't try this again.

http://www.101cookbooks.com/archives/garam-masala-tofu-scramble-recipe.html

Vegan Sweet Potato, Coconut Milk, & Roasted Chili Ravioli

This was more like dumplings.  Michelle says I should boil the potatoes for about 30-40 minutes to get them to be creamy.  I also need to get a pasta maker thingy so the edges look all pretty.  The taste was so so.

http://www.petitekitchenesse.com/2011/12/03/vegan-sweet-potato-coconut-milk-roasted-chili-ravioli/

Runs From January 1-7, 2012, 39.59 Miles

January 1, 2012

3.1 Miles
25:00 Time
8:04 Pace

Noooo.....My 5K progression streak has sadly ended. Splits were 7:24, 8:26 and 8:13. I started too fast. I think I finished 3rd out of about 15-20 people...I held the lead for part of the race! Very unofficial race, I am not sure if the mailbox was the finish or the turn into the beach, but a race is a race. I got my feet wet in the plunge but it was too cold for me to try to dip my head or the rest of my body in. My prior 5K time still stands as my PR.

May 20, 2010 RFR 33:39, 10:50 Pace
August 8, 2010 Sgt Keith A Ferguson 28:00, 9:01 Pace
September 28, 2010 United At the Cove 26:29, 8:29 Pace
January 1, 2011 Pear Tree Plunge 25:54, 8:21 Pace
May 19, 2011 RFR 24:07, 7:46 Pace
January 1, 2012 Pear Tree Plunge 25:00, 8:04 Pace

January 2, 2012

5.34 Miles
52:01 Time
9:44 Pace

I guess its not the end of the world I ran my 5K slow as I recovered in time to run with the running group and the Saucony rep. I tried the Triumph shoes and while they fit snug I liked my New Balances better. I think they were geared for mid foot runners more as well.

January 3, 2012

8.2 Miles
1:28:23 Time
10:47 Pace

Weather.com said it was 25 degrees out and it felt like 13 but I was snug. I am not a fan of Saucony shoes (or any non New Balance) but I like their jackets!

January 5, 2012

6.35 Miles
1:09:36    Time
10:58 Pace

A bit depressing as I saw the site of the recent Stamford fire.  I left a small toy in the shrine.  I have this route a few times before, its nice, not a lot of traffic and a nice view of the Long Island sound but its kinda of a long boring road.

January 6, 2012

5.09 Miles
50:21 Time
9:54 Pace

Ok pace and it wasn't too cold out but I felt I couldn't breath as well I normally do...not sure why, normally I have that problem only when its really cold.

January 7, 2012

11.51 Miles
2:13:54 Time
11:38 Pace

My heart was not in this run today.  I also didn't fuel so that probably made the situation worse.  I haven't run 10+ miles in almost a month.  On the bright side this puts me close to 40 miles for the week, which is the most since October.  Looking forward to yoga Sunday.

Vegan Sweet Potato Millet Pie

This was made to impress Michelle who loves sweet potatoes. Good thing I didn't cook it for her as it came out so so. I couldn't get the potatoes to be creamy as I was worried they would explode in the microwave. The vegetables and millet was ok, but I wouldn't rave about it. I might try using more broth next time, as I seemed to have to add water at times.

http://www.fitsugar.com/Vegan-Sweet-Potato-Millet-Pie-Recipe-20452359

Crispy Cajun Tofu Sticks

I had a crappy time with this. I think I needed more spices as when I followed the recipe, and actually added some extra spices, the spices barely covered the tofu. I also didn't think heating the tofu in the oven made the tofu that firm. I kinda prefer a more firm texture.

http://vegandad.blogspot.com/2010/02/crispy-cajun-tofu-sticks.html

Spicy Sweet Potato Pasta

I need to start doing my reviews right after I make the recipe as I forgot exactly how this turned out. I think I liked it. I think I used some of the hot sauces I purchased from my recent Canada trip, such as Marie Sharp's Grapefruit Pulp Magno Habanero hot sauce and Stonewall Kitchen's Habanero Magno hot sauce.

http://www.thepreppyvegan.com/2011/10/spicy-sweet-potato-pasta.html