A new treat, and training updates....

I decided to experiment with a new treat for our Superbowl Party.  I've seen several times on blogs and Pinterest examples of cookies made with various types of candies...and I just had to make my own version.

I started out with my family's recipe for Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough.  However, before adding the chocolate chips, I divided the dough in half so I would have some "chipless" dough.

My candy of choice for this trial

From February 2012

These are to die for good...better even than Reese's.  They almost have the consistency of a peanut butter truffle...yum.

I scooped some of the plain, not yet chilled cookie dough into a spoon...

From February 2012

Formed the dough up around the PB cup,

From February 2012

added a little more dough on top, and molded it into a ball.

From February 2012

I chilled the dough for a couple of hours, and then I had to bake a couple to see how they turned out...

From February 2012

They baked exactly how they were supposed to....

From February 2012

These were AMAZING when they were warm and melty, and still really good after they'd cooled.  They were a hit with most the people at the party (my own kids informed me they prefer the regular chocolate chip cookies).

I would definitely make these again...and can envision all kinds of candy combinations that sound yummy....

As for my training updates, I've had a good month.  I exceeded my January goal of 9 miles each week actually running at least 10 miles every week but 1. On advice from some of the runners I work with, I did cut my mileage back just a little one week in January and only did 7 miles.  I didn't want to do too much too fast and risk getting re-injured.  

February has been good so far.  I've increased my mileage, and every week I'm running about 12 miles.  The week I was sick I only got in 10.6, but considering the stomach flu took me out for 3 days, I felt glad I could run again.
I took a day to "cross train" and went skiing at Snowbasin...even by myself, I had a wonderful day...

From February 2012

With a morning like this, I was pumped for a beautiful ski day...

(in my super cute new hat)

From February 2012

See that cloud behind me?

From February 2012

It settled over the top of Strawberry, which is my very favorite place to ski in the mornings.  Visibility was almost nonexisitent until about 1/2 way down, and not being able to see what I'm skiing on makes me really nervous, so I spent most the day on various runs accessible from the Needles lift.

(I had to change to my goggles because of the intermittent cloud cover)...

From February 2012

I had a fabulous day, and my run the next morning, the first with my new Garmin 405, was amazing.  I am quickly becoming addicted to information on distance and pace that it gives me.  It makes it easier for me to push harder, because I can see that I'm going faster.  When I ran yesterday, I had a goal to run less than 12 minute miles, and with the Garmin on my wrist, it was easy to see when I was slacking and give myself a push.

I'm feeling really good about my training, and considering setting a pretty major goal for June...

January, Week 2 Progress

Well, good and bad things happened during week 2. 
Monday 1-9   I ran my normal 3.2 mile course around my neighborhood in 21 degree temperatures.  I felt pretty good until mile 2, when my legs started to get cold.  At mile 3, I started to feel unstable on my cold legs, so I walked the rest of the course. 

Tuesday 1-10  I had a "Brilliant" idea about 3/4 of a mile into my usual course...the track at my kids' elementary school looked completely ice free, so I thought I'd do 4 laps there (= to 1 3/4 miles), then just take my normal route home...which made my miles almost 4.  It was a great plan...until I got to the part of the school's track that cuts across the playground.  That part was a solid sheet of ice.  Crap...but I was committed so I just walked that part and ran the rest.  It felt really good, and I got in nearly 4 miles.  When I got home however, my right calf was a little sore and my left knee was having a few twinges. 
Wednesday 1-11  I skipped my planned yoga session and went afternoon skiing instead.  I had a fabulous time...the snow was pretty good considering it's all man made.  I did have this little problem where my pole got caught on something and I fell...I hit my head and slid down the hill.  Mostly it just hurt my wrist, but I took it easy the rest the afternoon. 
Thursday  1-12  I gave myself a rest day because of my skiing fall.  My neck was aching and I didn't want to hurt myself more.  I rested on Friday as well because it was the 2nd day of my 2 shifts in a row.  Friday night at work I ran on a code, and I could really feel that I strained my calf more.  Shoot.  I iced it immediately, and it felt better.  It felt so good I decided to run on the treadmill after working. 
Saturday 1-14  4am  on Saturday, I ran 3.5 miles on the treadmill...and it sucked.  After working 12 hours, and straining my calf, the entire run just seemed really hard.  Funny thing was, my calf didn't hurt at all while I was on the treadmill...just as soon as I finished. 

I took the rest of the holiday weekend off.  I've been icing my calf a few times a day, taking my anti-inflammatories, and today I got a massage.  I also went and got my feet evaluated at Striders.  I have a neutral stride, and really high arches.  I bought some insoles that will hopefully help with my persistent Plantar Fasciitis, as well as my calf issue.  I also got some KT tape and instructions on how to tape up my various injuries. 

I also bought a foam roller this week.  I usually do yoga at least once a week, so I wasn't expecting to be especially tight.  I WAS WRONG.  Oh my gosh, my IT band was extremely tight, as were my calves.  I am a foam rolling convert, I could feel the tight spots releasing. 

Overall, I'm really pleased with my progress this month.  Now, if I could just heal up these injuries....

January Goals and Weekly Progress

I have lofty running goals this year (for me).  I really want to run a 10K.  This is a big deal for me, and it scares me a little.  I'm for sure going to do the Classic 10K in September, but I'm currently contemplating running the 10K that's part of the Utah Valley Marathon.  The very idea both invigorates me and gives me anxiety. 

My running goal for January is to run 9 miles each week.  Check for week 1.  I was able to run 3 days this past week, and by the 3rd day, I ran 2.5 miles without having to stop for a recovery walk.  My endurance is definitely coming back, I'm really pleased.  The course I have mapped out in my neighborhood is 3.2 miles (according to my car), leaving me about .2 miles to walk home as a cool down. 

Another goal for January is to get in a weekly yoga workout.  Gotta keep those muscles nice and loose.  I got in an express Ashtanga practice on Wednesday. 

I also got some new shoes.  I've been running on K Swiss tubes, and I LOVE them.  I really wanted a pair to have at work, so I took the older model to work, and got these ones...

They're almost identical to my other ones, and they feel great.  I'm a little sad they're not purple (the older ones are), but I wear a LOT of purple, so maybe I need to branch out a little. 

 

I'm excited to get back on the road this week.  It snowed here today, so I'm a little worried about the cold...historically, I can keep my upper body warm, but even with several layers my legs get really cold.  I'm glad about the snow, though, I'm headed up skiing next week :)

 

Did you keep your New Year's goals or resolutions this week? 

 

What kind of shoes do you like to run/walk/cross train in?