12 weeks, 13 miles, 13 pounds

I am going to run a half marathon on June 14. It's called the Drop 13 half marathon, and you can earn 2 extra medals if you a) beat your best 1/2 marathon time by 13 minutes. and b) lose 13 pounds while training. I want to do both!

My best half marathon time is 2:29, so I'd have to run it in 2:16. I started this 12-week training program this week (with a few modifications).

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Here is the link
to the training plan.

I also started using my Fitbit and tracking my food again on My Fitness Pal. I can do this!

Kale Salad

The kale salad I made last week was pretty good. Here's the recipe:

Ingredients

9 cups bite-size pieces kale leaves*
Juice of 1 medium orange, divided
¼ cup plus 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
Pinch of salt
1 tablespoon orange zest
2 teaspoons honey
Freshly ground black pepper
1 cup sliced strawberries (or blueberries, blackberries or raspberries)
¼ cup dried currants or raisins
¼ cup slivered almonds or pine nuts, toasted
¼ cup crumbled feta cheese, if desired

Directions

Combine kale, half of the orange juice, 1 tablespoon olive oil and salt in a large bowl. Massage kale by scrunching small amounts with your hands, then releasing and repeating. With massaging, kale will soften, somewhat deepen in color and become more fragrant.
Make the dressing by whisking remaining orange juice, orange zest, honey and pepper in a small bowl. Gradually whisk ¼ cup olive oil into the juice mixture to combine well. Set aside.
Pour the dressing over kale. Add strawberries, currants and toasted almonds. Toss gently. Let salad ingredients marinate for 15 to 20 minutes before serving. If desired, top with goat cheese.
*Note: Remove and discard center ribs and stems from 1 large bunch kale leaves. Tear kale leaves into bite-sized pieces.

Yes, I know it's been a month

I haven't posted recently because I don't really feel like I have anything to say. I'm still exercising regularly. I'm getting faster at running and I'm getting stronger (I can do a pull-up with the pull-up assist band now). I'm trying to eat better. Sometimes I do great, and sometimes I eat too many cookies.

But I am not making any visible progress. I weigh the same, my measurements are the same. Which is frustrating. But I'm struggling with some other things, and so not eating cookies is not my #1 priority right now. I'm just doing the best I can and trying not to get discouraged with my lack of results.

But I'm trying out a new kale salad recipe and an acorn squash soup recipe tonight...hopefully they'll be yummy! If they are, I'll post them here.