March Goals & A Saturday 5k

Ahh, another day off running, and I don't even mind it.

I had decided yesterday that I would take today off as well from training, as much for my sanity as for my body. My long run on Saturday was so depressing, plus it did leave me a little sore Sunday and today, I just needed some time off to chill. Plus I am spending tonight studying for my life, accident and health insurance exam (that my bosses are on me to schedule to take any day now...).

But, I needed a break from studying so here I am.

I have a few goals in mind for March, so I thought I would share.

1. I have decided that I need to kick start some weight loss. I have been at the same weight for over a year now, and I need to do something to lose about 5-10 pounds. So officially, my goal for March is to lose at least 6 pounds. For me, the only way to lose weight is to just cut back on my portions, and replace a few lunches with salads. I already eat pretty healthy, but sometimes I just eat too much knowing that I will just burn it off on a run.
2. Another goal for the month (as well as a way to help achieve #1) is to to join a gym and start weight training. My boyfriend and I have been planning on doing this for a while now, and we both realized that March is our month. So once our tests are over (he has three tomorrow...ugh) we will make a final decision as to which one. I hope to weight train twice a week.
   
3. Stretch a lot more, i.e. do more yoga! I do take the time to stretch after each run (we have these great bars outside our building that are perfect stretch companions) but I know I don't do it long enough, and if I add some yoga to my routine not only it will make me feel better but will also help to prevent against injury. This will be especially useful in the coming months as I round the corner to the (gasp) marathon.

Since I am starting this weight loss thing today, I went home for lunch to make a big salad filled with veggies. This is also part of my plan to eat healthy on a budget, where I don't spend $ on going out to lunch or grabbing a $6 salad from WF or somewhere.

I started off with mixed greens, black olives, feta cheese, chopped onion, and chopped celery.


Then I finished it off with one shaved carrot, some alfalfa sprouts, Tribe roasted garlic hummus, pepper and olive oil and balsamic vinegar.



It not only tasted great, but it was a good way to get rid of some things in the fridge (half of an onion, cut celery stalks, black olives, remnants of feta and hummus...) so all in all fulfilled two goals: 1) eating healthy! 2) sticking to my budget and NOT wasting any more food!

Oooo almost forgot! I am now registered for the Lifepoint Gift of Life 5k this Saturday! This will be my first race since last November! Unfortunately, I will be running it alone, but I think the bf might get up early to cheer me on. :) I went back and forth about doing it at all since I would be by myself, but since I don't have any real running friends around here yet, I figured I might as well! Plus reading everyone's race reports have made me miss having a race of my own to brag about! After the 5k on Saturday, I hope to be in good shape for my long run Sunday morning. (Anything would be better than last weeks long run!)

Now I must get back to studying (and to my green tea) but thank you ALL for your lovely comments on our new look here, and again thanks for everyone's help on my training. I hope this week in running will be fab.