This ‘N That

Our Friday night was a smashing success!  The husband and I shelled out $370 after work – and no it wasn’t on a bar tab!  That’s right, we didn’t go out partying – we went shopping (that’s what married couples who don’t drink do on Friday nights for excitement)!  I’m actually pretty pleased with our loot considering we picked up 2 suits (gotta love sales at Jos. A Bank), a new cell phone (after rebate Verizon actually paid US $20!), and groceries at Whole Foods and Fresh Market (thanks for the reminder, James!). 

Anyone else have trouble finding a low calorie protein powder?  I used to use one put out by Jillian Michaels that was only 55 calories, but I can’t find it anymore and now I’m hard-pressed to find a replacement with less than 100 cals that still packs a protein punch.  I also can’t see spending what feels like $9867.99  on a box ‘o dust.  I settled on the Whole Foods brand at 80 calories for $10, but I’m underwhelmed.

Yesterday was my rest day, and unlike last week I made a conscious effort to eat lighter foods and a lot more greens.  I had toast with jam for breakfast, chicken and spinach salad for lunch, an apple, some veggies and humus for a snack, and a veggie and brown rice stir fry for dinner.  I still felt mildly bloated this morning, but much better.  Maybe getting out for a walk in the evenings would help.  I can’t help but feel like it’s a shock to my system to be so sedentary … or maybe it’s all in my head.

Came across this great article on MSN the other day. It’s full of tips for and amusing facts about runners.  Probably not much you don’t already know if you’ve been running for a while, but hilarious nonetheless.  Don’t miss it!  … After reading it, I’m just wondering … how many of you have mastered the Snot Rocket?  I haven’t attempted it yet.  Sounds messy!

Rain, Rain Go Away.

Helloooo, elliptical!

I have nothing nice to say about the great outdoors today except that the cherry trees are beginning to bloom – a welcomed reminder that the sunshiny week we reveled in earlier this month was not a figment of my imagination. 

I actually took this picture of my neighbor’s tree last year, and I am (not so) patiently awaiting it’s full transformation.

 

Lake Montebello

Logged a slow and steady 3.9 miles around Lake Montebello this afternoon after work.  I felt guilty at first for abandoning my hills, but the fierce wind I was forced to fight against easily made up for any shortcomings. 

The man-made lake was created in the 1880s for drinking purposes and while still owned by the Department of Public Works, most simply know of it as a great place for a stroll (a rarity in Baltimore city).  The pedestrian path around the lake measures 1.3 miles around and has clearly defined lanes for cyclists and those on foot.  Both the Baltimore Marathon and Half Marathon courses loop around the lake, offering runners a much needed reprieve as it is perhaps the only flat stretch of road in all of Baltimore.

I snagged this photo from SeeDaneRun.  Read about his experience as a Charity Chaser at the Baltimore Marathon in 2008.  He passed all but 99 runners (out of 5,887!) raising $12,000 for the United Way - very cool.