Roadblocks + Wardrobe Malfunctions
You know it’s gonna be a rough run when…
your sunglasses are broken…
and this happens to your socks…
on both feet! Please excuse the bad socks (they were the last pair in the drawer) and my narly-in-desperate-need-of-a-pedicure-but-will-have-to-wait-til-spring feet :0
I was psyched to run outside because it was sunny and 40 degrees, but on the trail there were quite a few icy patches that I had to jump over. Then, I got to a stretch that was just complete ice and I was nervous about falling on my arse. I tried to run on the grass a little, but that was really muddy. Huff. So, I walked in those spots until I got to the cleared trail. That was sucky. I don’t like having to stop during a run. I lose my momentum in a nanosecond and it disturbs the flow of the run for me.
At the start of mile 2, the socks bunched. I had already stopped to walk through the ice patch, so I really didn’t want to stop to unbunch the socks! I was getting peeved and decided that I would just finish up this mile and be done with it. I wasn’t enjoying this run at all. But, at the end of the second mile, I said to myself, “These little frigger socks are not gonna get me!” So, I trudged on. Lumpy socks, icy trail and all! I was pretty thrilled that it was all over when I finished the 3 miles 
I went straight home for a well deserved breakfast! I baked up some Pumpkin Oat Bran Muffins last night and was looking forward to having one this morning…
PUMPKIN OAT BRAN MUFFINS
(adapted from Quaker Oat Bran Cereal box)
- 2 cups oat bran
- 1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 tsp. baking powder
- 1/2 tsp. salt
- 1 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
- 1/2 cup canned pumpkin puree
- 2 egg whites, beaten slightly
- 1 cup skim milk
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1 tbsp. canola oil
- 1 tsp. vanilla
- 1/4 cup Special K granola or other lowfat granola (optional)
Combine dry ingredients and mix well. Add combined pumpkin, egg, milk, honey, oil and vanilla. Stir until incorporated.
Spray a 12 cup muffin tin with cooking spray. Fill muffin cups about 3/4 full. Sprinkle each with granola, if using. Bake in a 425 degree oven for 15 minutes.
Nutritional info per muffin (including granola topping): 107 calories, 2.4 grams fat and 2.8 grams fiber.
2 POINTS per muffin.
(nutritional info calculated using www.calorieking.com)
Of course, I had to kick it up a notch with some PB2…
and a cup of joe with half and half…
The muffins are nice! Hearty, but with a light and moist texture. The pumpkin flavor was very mild. Next time, I might pump up the spice a bit!
I ran some errands and came back for a low-key leftover lunch. I heated up the remaining serving of Progresso Chicken and Barley soup with a handful of shredded baby spinach. The result was delicious and the addition of the fresh spinach made it taste more like homemade…
Along with that, I heated up the last of my Taco Bean and Cheese Burger and served it on an Arnold Sandwich Thin with more baby spinach and salsa…
Later in the afternoon, I snacked on a Chobani Pomegranate yogurt topped with a funky fruit bar that I picked up at Target…
It was like a plump fruit leather – kinda chewy and rubbery.
Dinner was BBQ Meatloaf (using 96% lean ground beef) with sides of broccoli rabe and roasted butternut squash…
I heart butternut!
GTG – Day 7: Total – 21 POINTS
Do you walk during a run? Do you feel it disturbs the flow of your run?
I’ll be back later with the winner of the Souper Giveaway!
Have a great day, everyone!
Questions? Email me! aloserforlife@gmail.com
34 comments
I am totally out of PB2! I love that stuff ALMOST as much as you do!
Stopping in a run would totally ruin my flow too. You continue to inspire with keeping up the good motivation
And those muffins look divine!
Food sounds great!
We love those fruit bars from Target. My kids like those & the Clif Twists for snacks.
I am def. going to try making your bean burgers. That looks like the simplest recipes I’ve found so far. So many of them have a huge list of ingredients & then they won’t stay together long enough to cook! Thanks for sharing!
Best wishes,
Lynn
OHHHH That sock thing made me cringe!! I HATE when that happens to me!!! AAHAHAHAH! lol
Muffins look so good! I picked up those fruit leather things at Target too- I got the Apricot Mango (1pt!) I loved them! I think they should skip the white drizzle of icing but otherwise they are a nice purse treat. lol
I puffy heart meatloaf- but never make it because I love my Mama’s! 
Ohhh- I am definitely going to make these muffins ! I was just wondering how to get some pumpkin into us again !
Those muffins look delicious. I am going to make them next week. I joined Weight Watchers on the 8th and I am doing great so far. Thanks for all the great recipes.
way to go girl on finishing out your run!! i’m not a fan of walk breaks…once you get into your rhythm i really don’t like to stop.
and those muffins look SO good!! MMMmmmm!!!
My fiance buys those fruit bars to eat post-workout! I never paid attention to them only being 1 point! Good to know!!!!
i hate when my sunglasses break, so far…I’ve kept two pairs since summer. that’s along time for me. I tend to run/walk most of the time, when outside. I can however crank it out on the tread w/o stopping. weird
Those muffins look yummy. I know there are a lot of advocates of the walk intervals during runs (no matter what speed you do or length), but I find that it gets me out of my rhythm.
I can totally relate to the psychological minefield that is stopping and walking in the middle of a run. Unless I have planned for walking breaks (which I do for my long slow runs. I run 10mins, walk 1 and repeat), if I have to stop in the middle of a run for any reason it totally messes with my head. And sometimes I can’t get my groove back. I’m proud of you for powering through!
Congratulations on making it through your run despite all the problems you encountered. I loved your food choices today too.
Those muffins look mighty good.
I often plan for walking breaks during my runs because I used to totally lose my momentum when I stopped. But when I plan them, I’m fine with them. It’s all psychological for me I guess… You did an awesome job on your run!!! I could never run/walk on ice… Yes, I know I’m a baby….
Awesome muffins!
The muffin looks absolutely delicious!
Geez, Marisa, where do I start? I definitely don’t like to walk during a run! Once I had to because my allergies were bothering me and I felt like I was sucking in pure pollin. So I know what you mean about getting frustrated if you have to stop and start.
Second, that meatloaf looks awesome! You call it barbecue meatloaf, so I assume you use barbecue sauce in it? Please share!
And roasted butternut squash! I adore butternut squash, but I usually cut it in half and roast it whole and then scoop it out. Looks like you cut it in chunks and roast? That looks like a great idea! MUST TRY.
Finally, have to say, I don’t always see a lot of people posting about broccoli rabe. It is one of my new favorite veggies. In the past few years, we have developed such a relationship, me and the rabe.
My Pop was the one who introduced us and taught me how to cook it. True love. I miss Pop and the easiest way for me to feel close to him is to cook his recipes, one of them being broccoli rabe!
Marisa Reply:
January 20th, 2010 at 9:34 pm
Hi Reen!
For the meatloaf, I use 1 pound 96% lean ground beef, 1/4 cup plain breadcrumbs, an egg white, salt, pepper, garlic & onion powder and 1/4 cup barbecue sauce. That’s it! It has to be smooth – no one around here will eat any meatloaf with “chunks of stuff” in it -LOL!
For the butternut, I peel it, chop it and roast it with a little olive oil in a 425 degree oven for about 20 minutes or until it browns up a bit.
Broccoli rabe is great! Love it with pasta!
Wow, great job finishing your run! I would’ve walked home. You rock!
DEFINITELY making these! Thanks for the recipe
Please tell me how you made that squash!!!
Marisa Reply:
January 20th, 2010 at 9:35 pm
Lori,
See my reply to Reen’s comment
i have SO many socks that do that to me & it drives me absolutely insane!!!
I don’t like to walk when I run because I do feel that it interrupts my flow and it’s that much harder to start up-I think I just slow way down to where I might as well be walking
Your poor glasses
Now THAT’S determination! You go, girl!
Oh I am making those muffins. Thanks for posting. I wish I had one right now. How about I email you a 100 calorie brownie in exchange for one of those muffins?
Marisa Reply:
January 20th, 2010 at 9:37 pm
Deal!
hmm I think it depends when you are walking, if I am having issues with my ipod, I slow down to a walk to change the song or playlist and it doesnt ruin my flow, but having to cross a st unexpected and stop-that I dont like
ahh I hate when that happens to my socks!!
DELISH MUFFINS
I did 2 min run, 1 min walk and that helped me get through a hilly patch. Cause I told myself that I was going to do that…I didn’t feel defeated. Sometimes you need those intervals…sometimes you don’t. Good on your for getting out there
I love pb2 and I’m all over your muffin and burger recipes. Thank you! I’m perpetually in search of the perfect vegetarian burger. As for flimsy socks…got a pair (or four) of those, too.
Oh yum, those muffins look amazing!
hahahha, OK sorry Marisa, but I’m cracking up over the socks! This has happened to me more times than I wish to remember, so that’s why it’s so funny. The muffins look great!! Hey, don’t you love Chobani yogurt?!?!? I use it often for smoothies!
Marisa Reply:
January 20th, 2010 at 9:39 pm
I heart Chobani!
oooh those muffins look divine! I’m printing the recipe right now! I lurve pumpkin spice anything!!!! Yummmmm
Oh I just hate it when that happens to my socks! So annoying. but a totally yummy muffin!
sorry about the malfunctions. i HATE it when that happens to my socks!!!!
oh, PS do you know the carbs/protein in those muffins?