Montreal Day 1!

Hello from Montreal! We had a great first day! The day started at 6:30 am when I dredged through the rain to the gym. I had a 40 minute tempo run on the agenda and completed it on the treadmill. Here is the workout:

Incline         Speed        Time
.5                 6.0             0-3
.5                 6.5             3-8
.5                 7.0             8-10
0                  7.1            10-12
0                  7.3            12-14
0                  6.6            14-16
0                  7.5            16-18
0                  6.8            18-20
0                  7.6            20-22
0                  7.8            22-24
0                  6.8            24-25
0                  8.0            25-27
0                  6.8            27-29
0                  8.5            29-30
.5                 7.0            30-32
.5                 6.5            32-37
.5                 6.0            37-40

This work out was hard!!! I do not know if it was because of the time of day (I don't usually work out first thing in the morning) or the workout itself, but I was dying during this workout!

Once homed and showered I had a bowl of Instant Oatmeal with Flax. I only use these packets for emergencies when I am in a rush. My oatmeal included a banana, peanut butter, blueberry jam, and a handful of granola.

After breakfast a hot man in a car came to pick me up and we were on our way to Vermont (Magic Hat Brewery) and Montreal, Canada.

The car minus the hot man

Here are a few pictures from our drive and first day of vacation:

Picnic lunch at a rest stop in VT

Magic Hat Brewery

Jardin Nelson Restaurant in Old Montreal

Incredible wine!!!

French Onion Soup

Veggie, Olive, Basil, Cheddar Cheese, Moz Cheese, and Goat Cheese Crepe

Coffee with Amaretto and Cognac

GREAT DINNER!!!

It was a perfect first day to our vacation (and NO rain)!!!! Cannot wait to go explore more today!!! I am finishing up a Luna Bar and heading to the hotel gym with Evan to get in a quick workout before we head out for the day. Have a great Thursday!

Updates and Recipes

I have been a little MIA, so I thought I would update everyone with my recent workouts and yummy dinners because along with physically training it is important to refuel with good, healthy and delicious food. 

***Warning: my runs have all been done on the treadmill due to the gross rainy Boston weather we have been having***

Sunday

Workout: 3 mile run (26:30), Long Stretch

Dinner: Whole Wheat Spagettii with Zucchini, Shrimp, Green Pepper and Tomatoes with Pesto Sauce!

Recipe:

1) Make pasta in a pot

2) Chop up veggies (1 zucchini, 2 small tomatoes, 1 green pepper)

3) While the pasta was boiling, sauted some zucchini and tomatoes in a pan with a little pesto sauce

4) After the veggies get soft add the shrimp and saute the shrimp (1lb) with the veggies and pesto sauce

5) Drain the pasta and add the pasta to the pan with veggies and shrimp

6) Saute all together and add a little extra pesto sauce, parmesan cheese and red pepper flakes

7) Let sit for a few minutes all together with a lid on and then serve!

Monday

Workout: 15 minute warm up on the eliptical machine, 45 minute express Body Pump class (no bicept or tricept tracks)

Dinner: Spinach, Tomato and Ricotta Cheese Pizza and a Simple Salad with Home Made Croutons

Tuesday

Workout: 4 mile run (34:45), 12x3 tricept machine (sorry don't know the name), 12x3 bicept curls, 25 minute core conditioning class.

Dinner (Whole Foods Recipe found in July/August/September 2010 Meals for 4 under $15): Grilled Chicken Sausages with Zucchini, Tomatoes, Feta and Orzo.

Whole Foods Recipe also avalable at WholeFoodsMarket.com: (amount of ingredents depend on how many people you are serving-just add as much as you like or need and you wont mess up the meal)

1) Prepare orzo according to package directions

2) Prepare chicken sausage according to package directions

3) Heat oil in a large saute pan over medium-high heat

4) add garlic, stir for a few seconds, then add zucchini and cook 3-5 minutes

5) When sausages are done, cut into large bite-sized pieces and add to saute pan along with tomatoes, basil, oregano, salt and pepper

6) Continue to saute until tomatoes are just softened about 1-2 more minutes

7) Toss together cooked orzo, feta crumbles and sausage

I am off to pack and eat some ice cream. Evan and I are leaving for Montreal, Canada early tomorrow morning for a mini vacation. I am hoping to squeze in a quick early morning run. Hopefully, I will be back tomorrow night with an update and pictures of our trip! Have a great night!

What are some of your favorite dinners? 

Long Run and Celebration

Wow! Saturday was a very eventful day, I am still recovering from it and it's Monday. The day started out with a long run (8 miles) around the Charles river.

Distance: 8 miles
Duration: 1:07:55
Mile 1: 8:52
Mile 2: 8:33
Mile 3: 8:36
Mile 4: 8:21
Mile 5: 8:03
Mile 6: 8:28
Mile 7: 8:27
Mile 8: 8:32

I felt very strong during the run. I was a little nervous because I usually do my long runs on Sundays, but because of my brother's birthday celebration I decided to do the long run on Saturday. Sometimes it takes me a mile or two before I get into the run, but today I felt good from the start. Before I went out for the run I had 2 small pieces of toast with peanut butter. Once home and showered I had a yogurt with a small handful of granola and a small apple.

After my second breakfast I met Evan (he went to the gym while I ran) at Starbucks for coffee and a little people watching. Evan and I LOVE people watching!

We walked around the prudential afterwards trying to find my brother a birthday presents and maybe something special to wear that evening. I ended up buying a new dress and Evan got a new shirt. After shopping we came home and warmed up some leftovers for lunch. 

After a little R&R, we started to get ready for our evening out. Here I am in my new dress!

We met my parents and brother at our favorite Chinese resturant in Chinatown: The New Golden Gate. The food was incredible, I am still thinking about it!

Chinese Greens, Lobster, Sizzling Beef and Veggies

Birthday Boy

New Friend

After Dinner we went over to the Financial District for my brother's surprise birthday party at the Revolution Rock bar. The bar was packed with all my brother's friends, our extended family and a some of my friends. There were so many people there and we all danced the night away until the bar closed at 2am. My feet hurt me more from the dancing than the run . Once home (at 3!!) I had a mini grill cheese sandwich! YUM!!!

Sights and Tastes of Boston

Yesterday I had a great time exploring Boston. I started off with a BIG bowl of banana oatmeal that included 1/3 cup of oatmeal, 1/3 cup of milk, 1/3 cup of water, 1/2 of a banana, coconut, a big scoop of raisins, peanut butter, raspberry preserves. I also had some coffee.

Then I proceeded to go on a 2 mile walk around Boston's South End Neighborhood. Here are a few Boston sights along the way......

After a lovely walk I took the bus to Harvard Square to meet my dad for lunch. We went to Henrietta's Table to enjoy another restaurant week lunch.

My dad and I enjoyed our lunch on the patio taking in the sights and tastes of Harvard Square.

I started with the spinach salad with native blackberries, goat cheese and spicy maple pecan vinaigrette.

Next I had the baked scrod with potatoes. This meal was SOOOOOOOO good. One of the freshest yet simplest meals I have had. I felt like I was in the south of France enjoying a lovely lunch!

After lunch I said goodbye to my dad and headed downtown to meet a friend for a little shopping. We had such a great time catching up and trying to find deals. I ended up buying a pair of work pants on sale from $80 for $46 at Ann Taylor Loft! I love finding deals!

After shopping I met Evan for a drink at a local bar and then headed home for dinner which was inspired by my friend Laura: Mexican Bowls.

My bowl included mexican rice, beans, corn, red and green peppers, cheese and salsa! Evan and I enjoyed a glass of Smoking Loon Cabernet Sauvignon with dinner. What a GREAT day enjoying Boston like a tourist. Have a great Saturday and HAPPY 21st BIRTHDAY to my brother Jon!!! I will be out celebrating with him tonight.......