Following the Half-Marathon training schedule, this weekend would be my longest run so far.  Saturday around here was really cold (for me that's anything below 50 degrees!) so I ran inside on the dreaded treadmill and waited until Sunday to do a "long" run, which for me right now is 6 miles.  Let me remind you, I haven't run 6 miles in quite some time, so I was a bit nervous about it.  I ran with a good friend, and I will admit, I initially did not want to.  I thought I should go solo in case I couldn't keep up, my knees started aching, I had to walk, or maybe I just didn't want to talk while I was huffing and puffing.  Boy, was I wrong and I am SO glad I had a partner!  The pace was great, I didn't need to stop and walk (which I might have done had I been by myself) and the conversation was great!  Even better, was I felt super afterwards!  Although, had it been a cold, dreary day I'm not so sure I'd sound so positive!

Later, as I was trying to think what for dinner, and as my boys were making plans, since there was no school today, husband decided we should do pizza on the grill.  By the time, I started getting ingredients together I was getting really hungry!  I always  make our pizza dough, but normally know in advance and make the dough the day before or in the morning so it has time to rise.

I found a new pizza dough recipe I thought I might try, as it called for using the mixer with a dough hook.  That sounded like just what I needed as it would cut a lot of time.  I could mix the dough and then head out to the grocery.  Well, it turned out so perfectly, and the dough so much  prettier and easy to work with, I just have to share!  It was so elastic I could even shape it and toss it up in the air (don't be too impressed, just a few inches) like they do on the cooking shows.  

I had a yummy Margarita  Pizza with fresh basil and mozzerella on a perfectly thin and light crust.  My boys had Hot Italian Sausage with Red and Yellow Peppers.

BETTER PIZZA DOUGH!
1 1/4 oz packet active dry yeast
5 Cups all-purpose flour (whole wheat flour is also a great option, or sometimes I make it half and half)
1 Tb sugar
Kosher Salt
2 Tb extr-virgin olive oil, plus more for the bowl

Put 1 1/2 Cups warm water (110 - 115 degrees F) in the bowlof a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook attachment.  Sprinkle yeast over the water and let stand until foamy, about 10 minutes.  Whisk flour, sugar and 1 tsp salt in a separate bowl, then add to yeast mixture along with 2 Tb olive oil.  Mox on low speed until the dough starts to come together, about 1 minute.  Increase the speed to medium low and mix untilthe dough starts to look smooth, about 1  minute.  Increase the speed to  medium and mix until the dough is smooth and elastic, 4 - 6 minutes (it should stretch 3 inches without breaking).  Transfer to an oiled bowl and cover with a damp towel or plastic wrap.  Let rise in the refrigerator overnight.  (I DID NOT DO THIS.  I COVERED IT AND LET IT RISE FOR ABOUT 2 HOURS, PUCHED IT DOWN AND LET IT RISE AGAIN SLIGHTLY FOR ABOUT 45 MINUTES - AND IT WAS FINE) 

The dough was so smooth and elastic - just beautiful! 
Do you think it was the recipe or using the mixer instead of mixing by hand? 
Hmmmm . . . will need to experiment.  
Either way, I'm sure I ate BACK those 6 miles! 

Today's workout?  Left my legs alone!  It was a P90X Chest and Back DVD.  My arms are already sore . . .

And thoughts and prayers to family and friends of the capsized cruise ship. . . 

     We are at my brother's for the Thanksgiving Holiday.  He and his wife are huge Foodies so there has been much cooking, eating, drinking, laughing and repeating.  I can only handle so much of a good thing before the need to break a sweat and get my body in action takes over.  I was so at that point late Thursday afternoon.  
     All of the men and boys had gone to the woods on their hunting expeditions so the house was quiet and it was the perfect time to work off some of the feasting.  Before leaving I had bought a new pair of running shoes and had them in my car so I was looking forward to giving them a try.  Alas, it was not meant to be.  Due to some crazy family arranging, I did not have the keys to my car, someone had locked my car. . . with  my shoes inside.  So, I sat around in my running clothes wondering how in the world my brother had gotten hold of my car keys, and why in the world he had them up in a deerstand!  
     So, when they came back after dark I quickly got my keys so I could get my shoes and be ready the next morning.  Alas, it was not meant to be.  My new expensive running shoes were not in the car.  So, that explains how I came to be at a Marshall's on Black Friday, looking for running shoes.  
     Before that morning I could not imagine needing or wanting anything enough to venture out on the largest shopping day of the year.  Since I couldn't rationalize spending a lot on shoes again, I hunted and scrounged and actually found a great pair in my size for a mere $25 bucks. Well worth the hassle.  That afternoon while the men and boys were back in the woods I had a much needed sweaty run and then just kept walking for another hour.  It was perfect!  Then I could begin again with the cooking, eating, drinking, laughing and repeating.  
     I think from here on out,  I will just keep those shoes in my car for emergencies.

     Have you had to buy "replacements" that really aggravated you?  What did you do to get over the Thanksgiving Food Coma?

There has been a lot of hype lately about barefoot running and all the wonderful benefits of running the way were were "born to run".  A friend sent me a great article from the New York Times last week on this subject that also included some of the history behind the transformation of running shoes.  Apparently, before we started wearing all the fancy cushioned running shoes and expensive orthotics, runners had very few injuries.  Now, studies show that almost all runners will experience some form of injury.   
So,  perhaps all those barefoot runners you might see around are on to something.  I can't say I will ever be one of them, but I am trying to run "lighter" and avoid heel striking when I run.  Perhaps I would have been doing this all along had I ever been coached?  That might have saved me lots of hamstring, hip and knee pain, not to mention the always lurking plantar fasciatis . . . 

That being said, this is a new Nike video that takes the barefoot running to another level - at least it's good for a chuckle!  

Have you bought a new pair of barefoot shoes? Or maybe you want to try this way to run .. .let me know!

Credits:
Jorg Badura for The New York Times The Lost Secret of Running: Christopher McDougall demonstrates a lost running technique from the 1800s called the 100-Up.

By CHRISTOPHER McDOUGALL Published: November 2, 2011    


The video below has been age-restricted due to content, so no kiddos in the room please!!