To Read and to Make

Hi Friends! Happy Tuesday.

I said I was going to take a couple days off from running and this is day 2. I was struggling last night to stick to the plan, I really wanted to run today, but I came across an article in the January/February 2013 issue of Running Times that helped. The article is called The Long View, Strategies for maximizing your running life, not just the next race, by Richard A. Lovett. The article was basically about running with a long-term plan. There were 7 main points, here's my very abbreviated take on them.

1. Developing as a runner takes time (years), be conservative to stay healthy long-term.
2. Use each race or workout as a stepping stone, a short-term goal on your long-term plan.
3. Don't base your training plan on what works for others. Know your limitations.
4. Build a good mileage base.
5. Take time off between racing seasons.
6. Run a variety of races. Vary the distance and terrain.
7. This is a hobby, keep it fun.

The article obviously had lots of interesting info to back up these points, you should read it.

Speaking of keeping it fun...

This makes my heart so happy.

Also, dinner tonight is Cream Cheese Chicken Chili. It's so good, and even easier to make. Here's the recipe, this recipe is a combo of a bunch of other recipes I've seen for this. Sorry, no pic, but I think you can imagine what it would look like if you put all this stuff in a crock pot...

2 frozen chicken breasts

2 cans black beans, drained and rinsed

2 cans sweet corn, undrained

2 cans Rotel tomatoes (I use 1 regular and 1 mild) undrained

2 cans tomato soup

2 packages dry ranch dressing mix

2 Tbsp Chili Powder

2 tsp Cumin

16 oz light cream cheese

I mix all the canned ingredients, seasonings and dressing mix together and then add the chicken breasts to the crock pot. Put the cream cheese on top, don't stir in. Cook for 3-4 hours on high or 6-8 hours on low. Shred the chicken and stir in the cream cheese before serving. 

It's also really good the next day on top of some salad greens.

And finally, there is a group that is organizing a run to honor the victims of Sandy Hook. There will be a virtual component so you will be able to do the run from anywhere. Check out their Facebook Group here for more info.