I’ve been a lax-blogger.  Didn’t have the energy which is very out of sorts for this “energizer bunny”.  Both my sister and I were bitten by the bug in Myrtle Beach and I’m still struggling with it. Nauseous, deep chest cough, the occasional sneeze, I’m not used to being sick.  In fact, I can’t even remember the last time I was this ill. We’re talking years.  It’s not fun.

What happens to the training schedule when your sick?  I guess it should go on hold but try telling that to the Boston Marathon obsessed.  I’ve made some really questionable choices this week.  

  • Tried to run on Thursday and got 3.1 miles in plus a weight workout, that was at 4 am.  Stupid move on my part.  Spent the rest of the day in bed. 
  • Friday, got up AGAIN at 4 and decided to double my run since I felt a little better.  6.5 miles with Shane.  Can’t say that did me any good either.  At least I made it through the work day.
  • AND…getting even MORE STUPID!   I didn’t want to miss the most important run of the week, the long run.  My goal was 20 miles. I started on the treadmill because we were hit with tons of snow yesterday and the roads weren’t clear enough for my leg to tolerate long miles comfortably.  15 miles on the treadmill..  They were slow miles due to frequent stops (still nauseous), heavy legs, etc. It was a relief to get off that machine and I thought I’d enjoy getting outside to finish up my miles.  My legs would barely move. I eked out 3 slow, sluggish miles, finishing with 18.  Now I’m sipping Diet Ginger Ale because it’s the only thing my stomach will tolerate.  Nutrition after exercise is so important, but for the first time ever, I can’t choke anything down.  Not good.

Why put myself through such torture instead of letting the body recover from the flu bug?  It’s called “Mental Training” (some of you are still calling it “Stupid”).  You see a big part of completing endurance competitions such as the marathon is the mental ability to push through discomfort.  That’s what I did this week.  As few miles as the 3.1 on Thurs. to the long run of 18 on Saturday took all I had to complete.  I didn’t fuel for those runs because I could barely eat anything so muscle glycogen levels were depleted.  The Heart Run is next weekend and I’m signing up for 18 miles PLUS plan on running home afterwards (20 – 24 mile long run).  I needed to get some miles in before that event.  Fingers crossed, I’ll be able to get back on schedule Monday. 

In the meantime, HEALTHY COOKIES!  Low fat and OATMEAL.

A healthy way to get calm your snack attack.  Approximately 90 calories, 16 grams of carbs, 3 grams of protein and only 1 little iota of fat.

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Makes 15 small cookies.

  • 1 cup quick cooking oats
  • 1/4 cup 100% whole wheat flour
  • 1 very ripe small banana – mashed
  • 3TBS brown sugar*
  • 1 TBS honey
  • 1 egg white
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • pinch of nutmeg
  • 1 tsp vanilla

Preheat oven to 350 F.

Mix all the ingredients together in a large bowl.

Drop on a cookie sheet you have sprayed with non-stick spray and bake for 12 – 15 minutes.

* If you prefer, replace the brown sugar with 5 packets of Splenda and you might substitute Brown Rice Syrup for honey as well.

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Enjoy!

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