Today’s run: 4.75 miles, 51:48 minutes. YT: 420.54. I didn’t see any elderly Chinese men running backwards today. Maybe yesterday I was hallucinating.
Today is July 2, and so we are officially in the second half of the Thousand Mile Year. I’m noticing that having a year-long project has an impact on your perception of things. It’s kind of like a tattoo: It anchors you to this person you were six months ago who said, “I think I should do this.” And I can tell you, that person who sat in Cayucos, California, whipping together this blog in the final days of 2009, never thought that six months later, she’d be sitting in her 5th floor walk up on the island of Manhattan pecking out this post on a sunny July day after a cheerful run through Chinatown. How did this happen?!
Have you noticed that I’m 80 miles behind? Yep: I’m going to have to increase my average weekly mileage to 25 miles a week. Doable – but easy to screw up. It means that the long run can never be tomorrow. It’s always got to be today. The “power month” can’t be next month. It needs to be this month.
While I don’t see another move coming – and I’m still surprised at how much this one turned me over and squeezed me out – I’m sure there will be other challenges before the year is up. In particular, snow and sleet and wind and rain, probably not in that order.
Let’s see what we can do.
Today’s run: Rest day. YT: 86.5 miles. Thought I’d do a month 1 wrap up, seeing this is the last weekday before February. I’m good on mileage for the month, yay, and feeling great! No trouble with injury. I’ve also lost a couple of pounds “by accident” (although of course I’m eating healthy like always, other than wine and a few decadent dinners). But best of all, I’ve been so pleased and surprised that this endeavor that I thought of as so solitary has hooked me into a community of like travelers, here and at DM, who make me glad every day. Thanks for being there you guys! Life is truly a gift.
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Here are the recipes I’ve had on repeat lately. Note that I also added my favorite food bloggers to the sidebar this week.
Chard and Sweet Potato Gratin. LOVE THIS. More carby than I usually make, but delish. It’s elegant comfort food. Though I’ve yet to make it with chard. I’ve done kale and mustard greens.
Green Chicken Pozole
Green Pozole with Chicken. LOVE THIS. So unique! The pureed pumpkin seeds make it special, and it’s super pretty in a bowl with fresh radish, avocado, and cilantro. I use half the hominy called for, and canned tomatillos.
Tempeh with Broccoli.
My own recipe (although I’m sure there are many similar) and my favorite quick weeknight meal these days.
1 block tempeh
1 bag or head of broccoli
1 tsp or so sesame oil
Sauce:
1-2 tblspoon peanut butter
1 tsp honey (optional; to taste)
couple teaspoons hot sauce
couple tablespooons soy
couple tablespooons white wine or rice vinegar
2 tsp (or so) minced ginger
2 cloves garlic or large shallot, chopped.
1. Saute tempeh in a tsp or two of sesame oil with garlic or shallot (careful not to burn!)
2. Make sauce. You may want to double the volumes above the first time and see how much you like.
3. Add broccoli to tempeh pan and drizzle sauce over.
4. Add a little water if needed to keep it from being too dry.
5. Add lid for a superquick steam
6. Open and saute if needed until broccoli is cooked but firm. Should still be bright green!
Enjoy!
