Runs for Cookies

Posted: 04 Jul 2012 06:00 PM PDT

Jerry and I don't usually do much of anything on the fourth of July, but my parents decided to have a party this year. I was really happy that Jerry was off work today. He's been working so much lately!

Since he was off, I actually had the option of running outside instead of on the dreadmill. However, I chose the latter--shocking, right?! I've discovered that my knee doesn't give me any problems when I run on the treadmill, so I'm actually growing to like it for that reason. And as I mentioned before, I have been watching shows on Netflix while I run. The Biggest Loser is the perfect show to watch when I run--I pretend Jillian is yelling at me instead of the contestants ;)

Today on the schedule was the same as last week: 15 minutes easy, then four repeats of (5 minutes tempo + 2 minutes easy), and ending with a 10 minute cool down--a grand total of 53 minutes. I turned on the Season 10 finale show of TBL and started running.

I've noticed that my "easy" pace is feeling easier each time I run... which is awesome, because it means I'm probably getting faster. I'm curious to see what my pace would be outside in ideal conditions (today it reached over 100 degrees, so I am perfectly content running in the air conditioning). I know that my outdoor pace is not going to be this fast, but I feel like I'm getting back to where I was before I started marathon training.

Jerry is working Friday, so unless my mom can watch my boys in the morning, I'll have to do 10 miles on the treadmill. I'm learning to like the treadmill, but 10 miles on it will be tough. Anyway, I felt awesome after running, and I was dripping with sweat. I took a shower and got ready for the party.

I ate lunch before I left, so that I could hopefully avoid the food at the party until dinner time. For lunch, I wanted something cold, so I had a cup of fruit salad (that I made for the party) topped with Kashi GoLean Crunch and almond butter. It was a really good, light lunch.

There is fruit under there, I promise!

I asked my mom what she planned on doing for food at the party, so I could plan out in advance what I was going to eat. Everyone was going to bring a dish, and my mom had brats to cook on the grill. I brought the fruit salad I made and a vegetarian hot dog to throw on the grill.

I was really surprised at how good the veggie dog was--I wasn't expecting it to taste very good. With the ketchup, mustard, and onions on it, I wouldn't have really known the difference. I ate two cups of the fruit salad, and avoided all other food.

Until dessert.

My aunt made cake pops, and they were tempting me the whole afternoon. I finally decided to eat one, and just estimate the calories in it. I guessed about 200 calories. It was delicious, and worth every calorie! Then it was very tempting to go back for another, but I restrained myself.

It was extremely hot all afternoon. I wore my favorite green sundress (the one that many of you complimented on my Michelob cider review). I actually got that dress for $2 a Goodwill. I love it! But I felt so sticky and gross (there was 100% humidity today). I sat outside under an umbrella and chatted with people.

It's kind of interesting--when I was obese, I despised the heat. I would have stayed indoors in the air conditioning the entire time and complained about the heat along with everyone else. But ever since losing the weight, the heat doesn't bother me that much. I felt so "normal" sitting outside on the fourth of July at a picnic, wearing a sundress ;) Sounds cheesy, I know.

My aunt kept asking me if I wanted to bring home some cake pops "for the kids", but I just couldn't do it. I knew my kids wouldn't get a single one of them if they were in my house (I would eat them all), so I declined.

I still have about 300 calories left today, so I'll probably have a couple of glasses of wine tonight. I'm glad that I stuck to my guns at the party, even with the cake pop!