Are You Afraid of the Dark? & Pumpkin Protein Pancakes

Do you guys remember that show as a kid?? I used to watch it with my brothers and sisters ALL the time. We loved turning all the lights off and just waiting to get scared! Ha. Good times.

 

But let's talk about running.

 

 I used to be a fearless runner, much to the protest of my boyfriend and family. I'd run in the dark because it's when I had the time. (How else are you going to fit in 15 miles before you have to be somewhere at 9 AM?) I know that there are stories about runners (especially female) having terrible things happen to them, but terrible things happen everywhere.

 

I'm not going to stop doing what I love to do because there are sick people out there.

 

I have made an effort to be better prepared though. I've been running with my mace (day or night) and I've also started to take my headphones off when it's dark, so I'm more aware of my surroundings.

 

Yeah, terrible idea. Apparently, I am in fact, afraid of the dark.

 

 

Do you know how many animals there are in these woods?? Deers, rabbits, squirrels, raccoons, mice.....They are everywhere! Dancing along in the leaves just to scare the shit out of me.

 

 

They obviously did a good job.  I took my headphones off at the beginning of mile 3 and started booking it......Never in my life did I think I'd actually run faster without music.

 

It felt GREAT though. I should try "running away" from things more often.

 

Today, I'm running mid-day though. What a weekday treat! My daughter had a teacher-workday so I had to stay home with her. (She loves biking beside me while I run)

 

I fueled up with this delicious bowl of oats.

 

 

I don't know who I am these days, because I usually despise frozen fruit, but frozen mango is totally doing it for me;-)

 

and just because breakfast is the best meal of the day.

 

I made these pumpkin protein pancakes last week. I modified the original recipe a bit:

 

1/4 c. nonfat, plain greek yogurt

1/4 c. pumpkin puree

2/3 c. old fashioned oats

1 egg

1 egg white

TONS of cinnamon

A dash of nutmeg

A sprinkle of chia seeds

 

I let mine sit for about 10 minutes after I mixed it up, just to let the oats soak.

 

Topped with Sunbutter and bananas. Seriously good!

A Girl Obsessed.

Did you know that the crappiest weather really is the best to run in sometimes? Today brought chilllllly temps (especially compared to the 90 degree days we had this weekend) and sprinkles of rain all day. I wasn't looking forward to rushing outside and getting my run in.

But I should have been.

As soon as I started running I knew that I was stupid for trying to avoid it. It was one of the best runs I've had in a few months. While it was only 3 miles (wish I could have done more but baby girl had a 2 hour early dismissal today) it felt AMAZING:-)

 

Oh hello negative splits, it's nice to see you again.

 

I told myself that my last mile was going to be sub-8, just for shits. I could have done it, but I'm glad I didn't push myself too much. I need to remember that I'm not training for anything these days. I'm running just because I love to run.

 

I'll save the sub-8 and 7s for my next 5K;-)

 

After my run I did 20 minutes of ankle weights and resistance band work for the bootay.

 

I don't know what has been going on with me recently, but my hunger is out.of.control. Seriously. It's almost burdening. I mean, I allllllways have a healthy appetite, but recently it's been crazy. Time to check myself.

 

Perhaps it's all in my head though, and I just want to fill up on these goodies while I can.

 

Best Greek Yogurt Ever.

 

These pita crisps are AWESOME. Combine that with a pumpkin ale (who doesn't crave salty carbs with their beer) and you've pretty much entered.

 

What can I say, I'm a girl obsessed. And that's just 3 of the pumpkin treats currently in my kitchen. I'm not going to show you the pumpkin cereal bars, pumpkin ice cream, and pumpkin granola.

 

People say that they gain weight during the holiday season. Screw that. I'm about to put on 10 lbs of strictly this delicious, orange, fall gourd.......

 

You know the scene in Willy Wonka where Violet turns into a blueberry. Yeah. It's going to be just like that.