Week 4: Another Week Down and Some Great News…
We’re now in the process of closing in on our first full month of training and so far, so good! My shin splints are slowly getting better (yes, I know rest is best, but I am taking it easy) and our mileage is slowly increasing…Fundraising has hit a bit of a lull, but I think it will naturally have its ups and downs during the season (but still baking…read on for a tasty Cherry Oatmeal Bread recipe). We also got some great news this week from my family that I’ll share with you further in this update!
Sorry this update is a bit tardy, it was all written and then our modem decided to go off to a better place…but, we are finally back up and running after an internet-free weekend!
Training…
This week was the first week we ventured outside of Memorial Park proper for our long Saturday run and out into the streets of Houston (along with thousands of other runners…). Those training for the Full Marathon (us) ran 4 miles, and those training for the Half Marathon ran 3 miles.
Saturday (8/22): 4 mile morning run
Sunday: Rest
Monday: Mark – 20 minutes easy (morning run with Sasha); Stef – lunchtime yoga and 20 minutes easy (evening)
Tuesday: Rest (neither of us were feeling the greatest…)
Wednesday: Stef – lunchtime yoga; Both – Track Practice (3 x 800; 1 x 400; form drills; Happy Hour J )
Thursday: Mark – 20 minute very easy (wasn’t feeling well); Stef – 20 min easy + lunchtime yoga
Friday: Rest
I totaled up my mileage for the week as being 10.5 miles, so I really haven’t added much in the way of mileage to my schedule yet. Mark, not having as high of a base mileage as me starting out has been increasing mileage at a steady clip (but not too much as to get injured).
According to our schedule, we have one more week of similar mileage and then in September we will be ramping up more quickly (but within the max suggested increase of 10% per week).
Fundraising…
As I’ve mentioned, the fundraising has gone a bit slower this week. Partly because people at work have settled into the schedule of having goodies for sale and partly because I’ve lost a bit of my momentum to bake during the week (not everyone wants the goodies on Mondays…). But, I still managed to make some more cash for Leukemia and Lymphoma Society through the sales of my (Gluten Free Peanut-Choco Cookies) and a loaf of Cherry Oatmeal Bread. I don’t have exact numbers on this computer, but I got approximately what I asked for ($0.75/slice bread and $0.50/cookie).
I still could use some help with baking ideas and other fundraising ideas as the season proceeds. Steph from StephChows had a wonderful suggestion to sell some limited edition StephChows jam for our Team in Training effort. We’ll work something out, hopefully this week, and have details about the fundraiser soon!
Now for what you came for…my newest recipe!
Cherry Oatmeal Bread: The Ultimate Quick Bread when you don’t have over-ripe bananas…
Ingredients (Adapted from Cast Sugar):
- 2 Egg Whites
- 1 1/4 cups Unsweetened Applesauce
- 1/3 cup Canola Oil
- 1/4 cup Buttermilk (I use Skim Milk with a dash of lemon juice added)
- 1 1/4 cups White Whole Wheat Flour
- 3/4 cup Granulated Sugar
- 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 3/4 tsp cinnamon (good quality suggested)
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp Nutmeg
- 1/2 cup Dried Fruit (I used Dried Cherries)
- 1 cup Old Fashioned Oats
I followed the recipe as listed by Cast Sugar, but used Pam for Baking rather than buttering the baking dish. I also omitted the topping for this batch (worried it would all fall off during cutting anyway).
Special Announcement:
Okay, so you may (or may not) have read my testimony as to why I chose to run my first marathon with Team in Training. Well, if not, go on and read it here and then read my update 
Daddy Update…
Due to my testimony, it gave my father the (much needed) extra push to get blood work done at the VA (as well as some other tests in the coming months). Well, my Mom called me on Thursday to let me know that the results came back…
All is good, all is normal (well, except his triglycerides…)! 13 years and his blood counts are all pretty much smack dab in the middle of where you’d expect a 60 year old male to be…hallelujah! A little more talking to my Mom revealed that my testimony reminded my Dad how long it had been since he had his last blood test (3-4 years) and that 10 years average remission (+) 13 years current remission (–) 3 to 4 years since last blood test yields Dr. visit should be in order (as much as he hates to see the doctor)…
Stay tuned for Wednesday, I’m planning on posting a new dinner recipe featuring the lovely New Mexican Hatch Chile Pepper!
MMMM that bread is the perfect no banana option! yum!