Exactly one week ago I was outside ready to start my second week of post-heel injury training when my hamstring started to act up. In fact, it hurt so badly that I couldn’t run a block without thigh locking up. It was painful and terrifying, especially since I hadn’t felt anything prior to trying to run. I decided to give it a week to heal and then attempt running again.

Well this morning was the morning to go back out there and give running a try and I was so nervous! I woke up, lazily put on my warm running clothes (it was 36 degrees!), and headed outside. I walked a few blocks to loosen my legs and did some stretching (thanks Henry!) and then I was off.

I ran a big 3.2 mile loop around my building and held a painfully slow but steady pace. I figured it was more important to see that I could run the distance pain-free than to keep a fast pace. The run was a success (wanted so badly to keep going) and I have no pain or tightness so far!

When I got home I put on my new compression sleeves, I’m planning on being extra cautious until Boston.

And then it was time for breakfast and Couscous Cottage Cheese Oatmeal (adapted from Kath’s Strawberry Cheesecake Oats) was on the menu!

Couscous Cottage Cheese Oatmeal
1/4 cup couscous, cooked
1/4 cup oatmeal
1 cup water
1/3 scoop vanilla protein powder, optional
1/2 banana, smushed
2 large strawberries
1/3 cup cottage cheese
1 tsp maple syrup (optional)

Add couscous, oatmeal, water, and protein powder (if using) to a pot and cook over medium heat. Once the oatmeal started to thicken, whisk in banana until you can no longer see banana pieces. Cook for about 5 more minutes or until oatmeal reaches your desired consistency and then stir in strawberries and cottage cheese. Add maple syrup or other sweetener as necessary and then pull off of stove and serve.

I topped mine with a spoonful of White Chocolate Wonderful but it’s also good with Cookie Butter (what isn’t?) and I’m sure would taste just fine with other nut butters

Also, I completely understand if you’re wary of putting couscous in oatmeal but I encourage you to step outside of your comfort zone and give it a shot. The couscous is chewy and breaks up the texture of the oatmeal in a really good way.

Yesterday I even tried it in overnight oats and the texture was amazing. Just sub in an equal amount of couscous for oats and you’ll be good!

I’m going to leave you with this picture of Sonic sleeping on my biostatistics notes last night (sooo cute). He’s obviously not a statistician.

Have a great Tuesday!