Thursday Link Love

Posted on May 31, 2012 by runningthewindycity

I’m feeling a bit under the weather. Nothing to be concerned about but I’m definitely having some stomach issues and I’ve felt queasy since last night. Its not fun- especially considering I have a busy day today!

I still managed to get in a workout this morning. I did my weekly brick at the gym (rainy here) in order to clear up my Saturday for the Color Run and spending time with my friends from Michigan who are staying with us and running on Saturday as well. I rode 12 miles on the bike (44 minutes) and then ran two miles on the treadmill (btw a 7:30 and 7:40 min/mile). I couldn’t believe how quickly I got bored, but then I haven’t been on a treadmill since March.

Now I’m choking down some breakfast (which is a good thing considering an hour ago the thought of cottage cheese overnight oats made me want to puke) and sharing some interesting links with you!

Remember that time I wrote a blog post about the cost of health? Well, I stumbled across this article yesterday that compares the costs of co-pays with the costs of procedures out-of-pocket. Did you know that if you have an insurance you may pay more for the same procedure than someone who doesnt? Say whaaa?

I made Ashley’s banana scramble yesterday and it was awesome. Especially topped with peanut butter and berries. I’ll have to try it in sandwich-form soon.

Coffee lovers rejoice, coffee has been linked to decreased mortality. Woohoo! I think its time for my second cup

Runner’s World has done it again. They always send out recipes that are drool-worthy but I never quite get around to making them. I think that has to change though, portobello and aspraragus tortellini? Yum!

Running may be an alternate form of treatment for individuals diagnosed with clinical depression. This women shares her story about how running above all other medications, helped her manage her depression.

Also, any other Big10 alums out there? This year the BTN is hosting a 5K/10K that finishes in Soldier Field. I’m planning on registering and running the 10K decked out in maize and blue . Will you be running? Which team will you support?

Have a great Thursday!

Things I’m Lovin’ Thursday ~ 03/08/2012

Posted on March 8, 2012 by runningthewindycity

Hey guys, happy Thursday!

Today I thought I’d share some things with you that I’ve been enjoying lately that haven’t been posted on the blog.

(1) Waffle stacks

I mean, just look at those layers! From bottom to top there’s waffle, peanut flavored yogurt, banana slices, waffle, more yogurt, leftover banana, and sunflower seed butter.

I almost died the first time I ate this, so. freaking. good.

2) Sweat-tastic, hardcore workouts.

(source)

As upset as I am about not being able to run, I’m enjoying getting my sweat on in spinning class. I forgot how much cycling raises your heart rate! I sweat so much more cycling than running (maybe it’s an efficiency thing?).

Also yesterday morning I woke up to go to a 5:45 spin class and then headed to the pool for a mile swim. When I walked into my apartment it was 7:45 and I had already cycled and swam, I felt so hardcore!

3) Kale chips

I really should just say that I’m loving ketchup because that’s really what kale chips are to me, a vehicle to eat ketchup! Kale chips are a tad bit healthier than fries though… the sacrifices I make .

4) This little face

How could you not?

5) This snack

I know it looks like a hot mess but it tastes delicious. Just microwave a sliced banana with a scoop of peanut butter for one minute and then stir in yogurt and granola. Mmmm.

6) Ice packs

I was told not to take Ibuprofen for my heel and it wasn’t working anyway, so ice packs have become my best friends. Plus, icing my foot is a great excuse to do homework on the couch in front of the t.v.

7) Speaking of t.v., I’m loving that my apartment building is now HD compatible.

(source)

Yes, I was living in the dark ages and watching non-HD tv because my apartment building “couldn’t handle it”. Well that just changed and HD was installed yesterday, yay!

8) Cottage cheese parfaits

I know I’ve blogged about these before but they are just so good! I’m loving them as a snack or even for breakfast.

This morning I had the one above that was stacked with fig jam, cottage cheese, banana, roasted cashews, more cottage cheese, banana, granola, and sunflower seed butter. Ah-mazing

What have you been loving lately?

Things I’m Lovin’ Thursday ~ 2/23/2012

Posted on February 23, 2012 by runningthewindycity

Today I’m switching things up and doing my Things I’m Lovin’ Thursday a little differently. I decided that instead of posting about something that I’m currently loving, I’m going to post about something that I have mixed feelings about. It’s always more interesting to talk about controversial topics anyway

(source)

I’ve always had a love-hate relationship with the ~~dreadmill~~ treadmill. While I appreciate it’s usefulness, I find running in place to be so boring. I sometimes even feel like a hamster running on a wheel.

(source)

Plus (and maybe more importantly), I also think that I stride differently when I run on a treadmill. My step seems longer and I feel bouncy. It’s totally different from running on the pavement and my constant fear is that the difference in my stride will eventually lead to an injury

As a result, I try to run on the treadmill as little as possible. I mean who wants to get injured right?

Recently I started to wonder if my concerns were justified. Do runners stride differently outdoors vs. indoors? Is training on a treadmill equivalent to training outside?

I did some research on the topic and here’s what I found:

Running on the treadmill offers similar fitness and caloric benefits to running outside but it differs in that you don’t have to deal with wind resistance or uneven surfaces. The result is slightly easier running conditions (approximately 2-10% less workload). You can overcome this by setting the treadmill to an elevation level of 1 or 1% (source).
Runners often let the treadmill change their stride to a more upright, bouncy form with a shorter, less powerful stride. Other runners may lean too far forward when on a treadmill in order to “keep up with the belt”. Both of these alterations are detrimental to running form and may increase risk of injury (source).
The most common problem associated with treadmill running is the tendency of the moving belt to “grab” your feet and pull them back under your body. This can result in a stumbling, shuffling stride that places excessive stress on your knees, hips and back. To avoid this quickly lift your feet off the belt, your goal is to of have a quick, compact stride (source).
Running outside gives you greater variability and challenge because of the different terrains, but running on cement can be risky when it’s wet or icy outside and cement sidewalks can be jarring on your knees and ankle joints (source).
Treadmill runs are less difficult than outdoor runs because they require less muscle fibers, coordination, and balance and the treadmill belt actually propels you slightly forward so you do less work (source).
When you are training for an outdoor event, it is advised that you do at least 60% of your training outside so that your body is prepared for both the extra demand of running outdoors as well as running in different weather conditions (source).
Benefits of treadmill running include: no weather or terrain issues, can stop whenever you want, can workout and watch t.v., a smooth and cushioned surface that is better on the joints, and no concerns about personal safety (source).

(source)

I also came across a great article from Runner’s World called The Upside of Running on a Treadmill that listed 9 reasons to embrace running on a treadmill:

1 It’s the only way to do a tempo run on a cold, sleety morning without cursing your existence.
2 No need to obsess over your mile splits since the belt demands an even pace.
3 Get your legs used to Boston’s hills even if you’re in Boise.
4 No more rushing out the door to squeeze in a run while there’s still daylight.
5 Less layering, less shivering, and less laundry to do.
6 You don’t have to shove 45 pounds of child and jog stroller up a hill in front of you.
7 You can do hill repeats without having to find steep grades—or pound down them.
8 A cushioned treadmill belt is more inviting when coming back from an injury.
9 You feel less guilty watching Gossip Girl when you’re running.

So after reading all of this information, I have to say that my perception of treadmills has changed a bit. I definitely now can see some of the benefits of the dreadmill and understand why many people prefer the treadmill to running outside.

Does this mean my personal feelings for running on the treadmill have changed? Probably not, but at least now I’m informed about the benefits and risks of running on one

So how about you, treadmills: love them or hate them?

Things I’m Lovin’ Thursday ~ 2-16-2012

Posted on February 16, 2012 by runningthewindycity

After a weekend trip to Michigan that didn’t go as planned and three days of eating shelf staples in lieu of a trip to the grocery store and fresh foods, this Thursday, I’m really lovin’ veggies!

I started celebrating the return of veggies last night with a salad packed full of arugula, mushrooms, tomatoes, and tofu.

It was really good, did not take long to make, and filled me up in the way only veggies can. It was a very welcome return

I continued the salad trend today by having another arugula salad with cashews, almonds, mushrooms, spicy mango chips, raisins, and tomatoes for lunch.

For some reasons I prefer almost any other nut to almonds (cashews are my favorite) but I feel like I am the odd woman out in this sense. Does anyone else not get the obsession with almonds?

Dinner was another attempt to fill my veggie-void.

I had a disasterous thawed homemade black bean burger that crumbled the instant it hit the pan with pan-fryed brussels sprouts and carrots in olive oil, salt, pepper, and lemon juice.

The brussels sprouts were definitely my favorite veggie of the day, but that probably doesn’t surprise you too much

As you can tell, my current obsession with all thing vegetable is a little ridiculous, but rest assured, I had a carb-tastic breakfast of Toasted Oatmeal Flake cereal with almond milk, a banana, and raisins.

Off to work on a presentation for the morning, remember tomorrow is Friday!!

Things I’m Lovin’ Thursday: Cliff Notes Edition {2-09-2012}

Posted on February 9, 2012 by runningthewindycity

My goal is to finish up a presentation for tomorrow, pack, and get in bed at a reasonable hour tonight so I’m going to have to keep this post short.

Here is what I’m lovin’ right now.

I’m lovin’ having to be creative in the kitchen in order to use up all of the fresh veggies (read: kale), before going out of town tomorrow.

I made savory oats cooked in water with nutritional yeast, sea salt, pepper, and corn and threw it over sauteed kale and mushrooms. It was perfect topped with Bone Suckin’ Sauce.