Feature Friday: Running With The Kenyans Book Review, Trying Something New-To-Me

Happy Friday! Finally we are out of January and into a MUCH shorter (hopefully less cold) month. I’m also trying something new-to-me diet-wise for the month: going vegan. NOW before you get all judgmental and say things like ‘how do you plan get to all your iron’ or ‘why would you want to do a thing like that?’ - hear me out. Whenever I find myself either in a food-making slump, having stomach issues (I had some major cramps on my long run last Sunday), or just in general not excited about my breakfast/lunch/dinner options —> I look to switch things up. I would really love to find out what types of foods agree with my gut and which ones don’t and eliminating everything besides fruit/ vegetables/ beans/ grains (gluten-free) seems like the way to go at the moment. I don’t forsee it as lasting longer than a month because I truly love pizza, burgers, steaks, chicken, BACON all that goodness. I also love cheese. But if I’m able to find out which foods make my body feel great and which ones do not- I think that worth it for the month. I have so many recipes I can’t wait to make and will be absolutely loading up on things like Molasses (in my granola), Tempeh (I’ve never tried it, but honestly it is so good for you- it’s made from fermented soybeans and has loads of B vitamins, calcium, iron), Chickpeas, lots of nuts. I am most certainly NOT doing it for “losing weight” “getting stronger” or to potentially boost my running performance (unlike this article mentions Scott Jurek did it for). I would love to just cut down (or maybe out?) the digestive issues that sometimes wreak havoc on me throughout the day.

SOURCE

ON other news- let’s do another book review!

I recently finished Running With The Kenyans by Adharanand Finn. This book was a bit slow to start for me, but then I couldn’t put it down when he started to go into more detail about his training for his first marathon. Finn & his family packs up from London and moves to Kenya to study the Kenyan running way it Iten (one of the most popular (if not, most popular) running/training destination in the world). While there, he decides to sign-up and train for his first marathon and recruit several local runners to train with him. I love how he recaps their long run sessions (how mentally he felt through the run- I could totally relate) and the community that he describes there.

While he never truely uncovers the ‘secret’ to why Kenyans are such exceptional runners, they are all so humble and he does an excellent job of describing each individual that he meets (even Mary Keitany!). If you’re interested in an insight into training for your first marathon, Kenyan running, or just travel in general- I highly recommend this book.

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I’d love to know your thoughts on the book if you’ve read it?

Any books you can recommend to me?!?

If you are a Vegan + runner —> send me your favorite recipe!

Weekend recap!

Well we’re back to Monday. How was your weekend?!? I’ve been excited for this week for awhile because it’s a cut-back one in terms of mileage! I have 2 workouts on tap and then the rest are either easy miles , rest, or cross training. I’m taking this week to get ample amounts of rest (SLEEP!) and enjoying the downtime. Today’s a cross training day and I’m excited to get in 45 minutes of swimming! So happy to have an outdoor heated pool to enjoy.  

Let’s flashback to Friday night where I watched the Ladies US Figure Skating National championships! With a side of Sour Patch Kids obviously ;) Also just noticed that the tv has hockey on, but don’t be fooled- I WAS watching figure skating! Ha. 

We’ve also gotten 48” of snow in the past 7 days?!? So we took advantage of it and hiked up our (unestablished) ski mountain, then skied down.  

Stella had a ton of fun too.  

Shepard’s Pie (Cooked by Alex) for dinner. Yum!  

Then a long run on Sunday on very tired legs. 

Fueled by some slow cooker chicken corn & potato chowder. Yum!  

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Any snow where you are?!? 

Favorite way to refuel after a winter run?  

Favorite sour candy?  

Weekend Recap

There was really only one theme this weekend and it was: SNOW. So. much. snow. I love snow (I mean why else would I be living in the mountains?!?), but when you have to commute in it- it’s not as enjoyable (…for me anyways). Our typical 30 minute drive takes upwards of almost an hour when it’s snowing and Friday morning- it was basically a blizzard out there. This was the view when I got to the gym (this is normally a sidewalk…).

And this is how much snow we had gotten from Thursday night to Friday afternoon when I got home from work:

Saturday was filled with mainly hibernating. I read most of the rest of my book (full book review coming out on Friday!), did a bunch of cooking, and then went out for a snowy/icy run!

It finally stopped snowing sometime after dark Friday evening, so my easy 6 miles on Saturday was mainly just icy (I used my spikes) and snow packed. I also am still working on really slowing down my easy pace and I think it’s finally paying off! My average heart rate on my run yesterday was 137, BUT I also gained over 860’ in elevation in 6.02 miles.

I also did some yoga after my run to stretch out, then enjoyed a nice little appetizer platter for my lunch :) Anyone else love these?!?

Sunday was spent getting ready for the week ahead (I lay out my clothes for the week), reading, blogging!, 6 miles at goal marathon effort, and teaching skating.

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Favorite things to put on an appetizer platter?

Snow- yay or nay?

DRIVING in the snow- yay or nay?

Then VS Now, I'm Excited For THIS, And The Easiest/Best Lunch Ever?

Happy Friday-eve! I’m honestly most excited to do absolutely nothing this entire weekend. I kinda just want to hole-up on Saturday with a good book, hot cocoa, and some good appetizer platters (our favorite ‘Saturday afternoon snack/replacement of lunch’). I’ve been so busy (and overly stressed) at work lately that my runs have been so needed. It helps so much to just ‘zone out’ and not think about anything when running. I think sometimes that’s my favorite thing about getting out for a run. We’re in the midst of getting more snow (yay for skiing, not so yay for driving), so throwing it back to a warmer day where we could see the ground.

I’ve also forgotten how tired and hungry you are when in the midst of marathon training! I’m on week 4 of serious training and WOW my legs feel dead, I’m falling asleep on the couch at 8:30, and am feeling so unbelievably fit already (yay). Here’s to hoping all this training pays off and gets me to the start & finish line of both the Eugene Marathon & my 50 miler races strong and healthy!

Here’s to hoping I’m more in shape for my 50 miler than I was for my 50k….

My lunches for this week have been amazing. I’m not here to brag, but well…I kinda need to because it tastes SO GOOD. It’s also super easy to throw together (less than an hour prep on Sundays too!). I’m kinda one of those people that eat the same thing all the time if I like it, so I’ll probably be eating this for the next year or so. ——> Brown Rice (made a giant batch on Sunday), Green Peppers, Onion, Diced Tomato, Spinach, & Black Beans. I then top it with the most delicious salsa & guacomole. All that I’m missing is Tortilla Chips (but honestly I’ve been munching on salted almonds lately - I just leave them in my car so whenever I’m feeling hungry, I grab a handful- which helps me with any of those salty/crunchy cravings (and is much more nutrient-dense as well)!

Since the 10 Year Challenge came up on both Facebook and Instagram recently, I thought it would be fun to reflect on here!

10 years ago, I was a freshman in college. I wasn’t even a runner at this point! I was actually injured (partially torn meniscus in my knee) from a skating fall (yes, I competed in college as a figure skater)!

I was very driven in my skating, easily persuaded to try new things from new friends (hello, college!), and focused on my studies. My favorite past-times included skating (duh), studying, going out to dinner with friends, rushing in my new sorority (oh hey, Gamma Phi!), and learning what ‘going out’ on the weekends actually means (oh, how naive I was!).

I also sled along the slippery slopes of various eating disorders when I was injured. I was convinced that I would gain ‘a ton of weight’ because I was unable to skate/ train. I was also introduced to running (but it took me a few more years before I would catch ‘the bug’) from my roommate- who was part of the SU Track & Field Team!

Today, I’ve honestly grown so much and am excited to continue to grow, learn, and mature! I realize that food=fuel and that if I need to take a few days off of running, it’s not a big deal.

I’ve learned to love the outdoors- in every way, shape, and form.

I’m so glad with where my life is now and I wouldn’t change a thing. I can’t wait for what the next decade brings!

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What did your life look like 10 years ago?!

Favorite lunch food?

Favorite outdoor activity?