I’m Starting my Training…Tomorrow

Some Monday morning running motivation for those who need it. Honestly, don't we all need it after eating our (my) way through the Super Bowl. I "officially" start training tomorrow for my April 10K so I have a free pass today.

The original link to my Monday Motivation courtesy of Women's Running Magazine.

I did it! I signed up for an all women’s 10K in the end of April. I have run three 10Ks in the past 5 years and truth be told I haven’t “trained” once. I’m imagining what I can accomplish if I actually train. Maybe a time under 60 minutes?! The first 10K was the BolderBoulder in 2007. I had no idea what I was getting myself into when my dear friend I was visiting in Boulder asked if I wanted to do it. It was an emotionally driven race for me. My mom had been diagnosed with lung cancer just 8 months prior to the race and my friend, Maggie was a great support to me in my time of need. It wasn’t long before that she had been battling similar emotions with her own father. WOW! It was A-Mazing and the spectators make that race what it is! Every May since I strive to be the most awesome spectator as I cheer marathoners on in the La Crosse Marathon.

Last year I ran two 10Ks; one in June in Green Bay, that I hope to repeat this year and then another in August which I have no intention of repeating.

Ok, back to my training. For the past 13 months I have been running with a small clip on iPod using Nike+ to track my runs. Nike+ has a 10K training program that I signed up for on their website. When I say I signed up for it I mean I clicked on it. For the past few months I have had many Monday morning runs, beginning my week off “right”. Well, because the race in April is on a Sunday this plan has me beginning my weekly runs on Tuesday. It’s going to take just a little bit of getting used to, but I am so thankful that I have a free pass not to run today. I am still full from my all-beef Super Bowl foods and it’s 9:30 the next morning.

A Jew in the Midwest on Super Bowl Sunday

Every year we host a small gathering of friends to watch the Super Bowl. For me it’s always been about the commercials, I majored in advertising after all. As I’ve gotten older it’s also become about the food. The one exception was when the Packers played (and won) last year and my then 7 year old was amped up, then I got real into the game.

This year I’ve decided to keep the food simple and classic. Pigs in a blanket and meatballs are among the many snack foods I have in my house right now. Simple with one obstacle that is. Often times when people first learn that I’m Jewish one of their first questions is, “Do you eat pork?” Yes, I like bacon and I will even occasionally make pork chops for my gentile husband.

After shopping for Super Bowl food I realized my answer isn’t that simple. I also only eat all beef hot dogs, bologna (actually only kosher) and meatballs. Part of it is a preference, but it’s mostly because of what I ate growing up. It all comes back to the nature v. nature debate. I have no problem finding beef hot dogs here, after all Oscar Meyer is headquartered in Madison, WI. It’s not really cow in a blanket that I want as much as bagel dogs, but that brings back an old conversation about missing east coast food, sigh. Having “classic” tastes I also really do not enjoy Pillsbury crescent rolls (there you have it folks, another confession of my pickiness). So, I went where I go for most of my recipes; online! Easy solution: puff pastry. I am so excited to taste my cows in a pillow!

Ok, so now onto the meatballs. Who knew most appetizer-sized premade frozen meatballs were not all beef? I know who…you! Well, not me. I did eventually will some all beef frozen meatballs to appear within my site in a grocery store. I didn’t want to mix them; although I will confess I have already eaten both. So, I have a large crockpot with lips and asses meatballs (sorry, but I’ll never forget learning in junior high that’s what hot dogs were made from) – true or false, I really don’t know, so why not the meatballs too? Back to the crockpots, a large crockpot with meatballs covered in a sweet sauce and a small crockpot of all beef meatballs in barbecue sauce.

About the game? I was never “into” football growing up, but I did own a Giants coat in high school and I have some family members who are fans. But I did grow up in New England, so I’m confused about who to root for. My kids, for whatever reason, are cheering for the Patriots. Oh who am I kidding?! I can’t wait to eat and play Super Bowl Commercial Bingo.

Some time I’ll talk about my obsession with cooking shows.