I’m “mini tapering” for the Stockade-Athon on Sunday.

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It doesn’t seem right to taper at all since I’ve been taking it easy since October 3rd.  I’ve been following Hal Higdon’s Post Marathon Recovery Schedule and week four says “Race”.  Ok, but I’m not looking forward to it.  It’s a 15K, 9.3 miles and I can’t expect to meet my last 15K time of 1:14.  But the mind has begun to churn out goal times and planned methodology.  I can’t help myself.  It just might be a set up for major disappointment but there you go.  The mind of the obsessed. 

Week ZERO (after marathon): Ran 6.6 on the Saturday after.

Week ONE: Total 16 1/2 miles

Week TWO: Total 36.17 miles (there is some walking in that total)

Week THREE:  Total 33.52

Week FOUR:  mini taper week with a 15K race on Sunday:

Monday:  7.5 miles

Tuesday:  3.25 miles

Wednesday:  6 miles

Thursday:  3.75 race pace miles

Friday:  3.31 easy miles (Geesh! My legs were heavy today!)

Saturday:  Walking is on tap with Shane. He deserves a rest day as well. Actually, Shane will get two days rest since Sunday (the day of the race) I’ll only take him for a 2 + mile jog to warm up before leaving for Schenectady. 

Why is Shane a good running partner? 

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He might stop a lot to “smell the roses” and “water them” but he never backs out of a run.  He’s always at the door as if to say “Come on Jo! Let’s go and have a great run!”  He makes me feel safe when it’s pitch dark outside and odd noises are heard around me.  He always, and I mean ALWAYS, runs NEGATIVE SPLITS which makes me run negative splits.  His goal, obviously, is to get home to play Frisbee or ball, but whatever the goal, it’s great for my training.

Have you ever tried running with your dog? What did you like/dislike about it? 

Tortilla Pie

Based on an old TexMex favorite “Frito Pie”

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Using healthier ground turkey and these interesting Multi Grain Tortilla chips with FLAX, this dish had Ted eating heaps without coming up for air.  He also finished off the whole bag of chips.  He loved the taste of these salty little crisps. I’m not so sure they are recommended for a low carb, low fat diet but they could sure fool you with the “FLAX SEEDS” and the “ORGANIC GRAINS”.

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*I made a version for me using Tofu.  See below.

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The Turkey Version

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  • 1 lb ground turkey – 93/7 lean
  • 1/2 cup chopped red onion
  • 1 seeded and chopped green bell pepper
  • 1 TBS minced garlic
  • 1 can crushed tomatoes (about 14 oz)
  • 1 (15 oz) can black or kidney beans – drained and rinsed
  • 1 can sweet corn or Mexican Style corn – drain.
  • 1 tsp chili powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 cup Cheese grated (cheddar is best but use your favorite.  I used Fontina because it’s what I had)
  • 2 cups Multi Grain Tortilla with FLAX – Do NOT crush.

Preheat oven to 350 F.

In a non stick, oven proof, LARGE skillet over medium heat(preheat the skillet before adding turkey), add the turkey and let cook for 8 minutes.

Add the onion and pepper and cook for 5 more minutes. Add the garlic for an additional one minute. Turn off heat.

Stir in the tomatoes, beans, corn, chili powder and salt.  Top with the tortilla chips then with the cheese.  Bake for 30 minutes.

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The Tofu Version

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  • 1 12 oz container Extra Firm Tofu (I used Sunergia Indian Marsala flavored but plain firm or extra firm is just fine .  Make sure to drain tofu, crumble and pat dry.
  • 1/2 cup chopped red onion
  • 1 seeded and chopped green bell pepper
  • 1 TBS minced garlic
  • 1 can crushed tomatoes (14 oz)
  • 1 (7.75 oz) can Chick Peas – drained (you could also use black beans or kidney)
  • 1 can sweet corn or Mexican style corn, drained
  • 1 tsp chili powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 2/3 cup Cheese grated (cheddar is best but use your favorite.  I used Fontina.)
  • 1 cup Multi Grain Tortilla with FLAX – Do NOT crush.

Preheat oven to 350 F.

In a non stick skillet over medium heat, add the onion and pepper and cook for 5 minutes. Add the garlic and tofu and cook for 3 minutes.

In a casserole dish, add the tofu-onion-pepper mixture and then stir in to combine the tomatoes, chick peas, corn, chili powder and salt. Top with the tortilla chips then with the cheese.

Bake for 30 minutes.

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This was a flavorful, fun meal.  Healthy ingredients that offers sweet corn, salty crunch and lots of fiber and protein.

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I just love fun, easy, and delicious dinners!

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What’s your “go to” fun, easy meal that everyone loves?

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