Lately, all of my running has been done for one reason: to train for this crazy ass goal of five half marathons in five days. Don’t get me wrong, I’m excited about my goal and a lot of my runs have been enjoyable, but they all have a goal: to build my mileage high enough that I can run 65.5 miles in one week and not get hurt.
Not very exciting, huh? I’m just plodding along for a really.long.time. every day. In fact, running has become the thing I schedule everything else around. When a run is going to take up more than an hour every day (and often more like 2.5-3 if you consider the getting dressed and ready, running, eating, showering time), it plays a major role in the daily planning. If I’m not running, I fill my day to the brim with trying to catch up with all the other things in my life, like laundry, grocery shopping, and that little thing I like to call a job.
Yesterday was different. It was a planned cross training/rest day. I had a yoga class on the agenda and I hadn’t grocery shopped the day before due to schools being out. And I won’t even get into my to do list. Oy. But, when I stepped out the door to take my kids to school, I was surprised by the temperature. And I thought, “I want to run”. Not, “I have to run”, but “I want to”. I made myself go to yoga anyways (I so need the core work!)
Thus began an internal conversation I haven’t had in a while:
Runner Me: I want to run.
Responsible Me: You need to go grocery shopping.
Grocery shopping done.
Runner Me: I want to run.
Responsible Me: You need to eat and you need to do some work.
Eat + deal with the time sensitive work.
Runner Me: I want to run.
Responsible Me: Today’s not a run day. You need to… Ah, hell, go run.
So off I went, in a running skirt and short sleeves! And while I’d love to say that it was a glorious run that felt amazing and rainbows and unicorns appeared, well, that would be a lie. My legs were tired, my stomach rebelled (the last mile was rather uncomfortable), I’m still trying to figure out my shoe issue…
But! For the first time in a while, I ran for the pure joy of running. And I loved every single minute because I was doing what I wanted to at the pace I felt like going (fast! for me) for as long as I felt like running (or until my stomach said STOP!). So, somehow, it was 6 miles of pure bliss!
It’s always good to be reminded that I *choose* to run because I *love* to run.
Now, WIAW… Huge thanks to Jenn for inspiring me to actually pay attention to what I’m eating.

Breakfasts are less frequently this:
And are more frequently something like this (often with the addition of an egg):
Lunches continue to be basically a hash of whatever I can find in the fridge – lots of veggies with either an egg cooked in or some meat added. (This meal is almost always Paleo compliant.)
Dinners continue to be the hardest part. I’m already dealing with somewhat picky kids (not to mention Jones’ nut allergy), plus Beer Geek is not interested in joining me in this adventure.
Here’s one of my “successes” this week:
And here’s a “not quite there” + a recipe:
Help me tweak this recipe to make it more “paleo”. (If you don’t eat paleo, this is a super yummy stew that all of us love. It’s even better if you add Japonica Rice. I’ve made it so many times the cookbook opens directly to this page LOL)
Pork Canton Stew
1 lb lean pork shoulder or pork loin roast, cut into 1 in pieces
1 t. ground ginger
1 t. ground cinnamon
1 t. ground red pepper
1 T oil
1 large onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 C chicken broth (I usually use another cup or two)
1/4 C dry sherry*
1 10 oz package frozen baby carrots, thawed (I just cut up regular carrots and cook a bit longer)
1 large green bell pepper, cut into 1 inch pieces (I use whatever color I have on hand)
3 T low-sodium soy sauce*
1.5 T cornstarch*Sprinkle pork with ginger, cinnamon, and red peper; toss well.
Heat large saucepan or Dutch oven over med-high heat. Add oil; heat until hot.
Add pork and brown on all sides.
Add onion and garlic; cook 2 minutes, stirring frequently.
Add broth and sherry.
Bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to med-low. Cover and simmer 40 minutes.Stir in carrots and green pepper; cover and simmer 10 minutes or until pork and veggies are tender. Blend soy sauce into cornstarch in a cup until smooth. Stir into stew.
Cook and stir 1 minute or until stew boils and thickens.
Serve as is or over rice.
As you might notice, I’m pretty sure sherry, soy sauce and corn starch are not paleo. Any suggestions on what could replace them?
oooh do you know KERRI OLKJER of FITVEWS?
she’d know the paleo replacements!
YUM! Stuffed peppers are one of my favorite things! I make mine with lentils because I don’t eat meat, but they’re still so hearty and filling!
it was a beautiful day to run! Got to take those nice January days when we can get them 🙂
Wow…that is quite a goal! Good luck!
Oh yes, those runs are the best! I think I am truly one of the people that run with my heart and not my body/legs.
I think you could use something acidic like citrus juice (maybe lime or lemon) in place of the sherry. For the soy sauce, maybe balasmic vinegar and mushrooms? And for the cornstarch, if you cook it longer it will simmer down and be thicker, or you could puree some vegetables to thicken it up.
Not sure how any of those suggestions will pan out, just some that I’ve found along the way on the internet! 🙂
As for Paleo recipes, they are a life-saver because I’m following GAPS (a more medical/healing approach to Paleo). Recently I made a shepherd’s pie that was just awesome. I bet your kids would love it because it’s made with squash instead of potatoes and is extra sweet! 🙂
Oh! And I forgot to mention… I bet you could add cauliflower rice to get a similar version with the Japonica.
Awww, what a lovely post! Really – I enjoyed reading it because I can relate. Well… I’m not that strong a runner, but I can at least relate to the mental part, oh… and that little thing called a job. 😉
I use arrowroot exclusively now instead of cornstarch (a result of my grain-free endeavors) and it’s paleo. Works as well if not better than cornstarch. For the sherry I would say you can sub either citrus if you need acid or homemade chicken stock. Typically the soy is really only lending saltiness when used in such small amount so you could add some sea salt. I like the suggestions of mushrooms, too, which will lend the earthiness that can accompany soy sauce.
I should mention that not all arrowroot is indeed paleo. Need to check ingredients for added corn/corn starch. I got mine from Amazon in bulk a while ago…while have to check to see the brand. Perhaps Bob’s Red Mill??
This was a fun post! Everything look great:)
Those kind of runs are the best!
I like me those runs too…Now I just need to get my sneakers on again!
Love the self conversation! It sparks many ideas within and is totally understood!
Thank you for sharing!
I am so happy that you got to experience that moment where running is pure passion, it really is special!
Aren’t “joy” runs the best?? 🙂 🙂 I hope you have a fabulous rest of the week.
It is really your joy to run . Good luck !
I LOVE the idea of a sweet potato and sausage. Sounds like a great combination to me.
Oh pork stew sounds good. I’m craving soups lately! Even though its still in the 100 degrees here 🙂