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Return of the Run

February 10, 2012 by Julie 57 Comments

This morning, Ryan and I slept in. (Hey, it was bound to happen after I published a post about why I still work out at 5 a.m.)

We slept through the 5 a.m. alarm and got up at 7 a.m. After a quick breakfast, I headed into my home office to crank out some writing. By 11 a.m., I was more than ready for a break.

So was someone else.

entertain me

Since my workout for the day and Sadie’s morning walk both had yet to occur, I figured I could kill two birds with one stone and exercise Sadie and get some exercise myself.

I grabbed my iPod and fired up my Garmin for the first time in more than two months!

After the Savannah Rock ‘n’ Roll Half Marathon and the Women’s Half Marathon, I joked to Ryan that I “quit running.”

When I was done with those races, I was ready for a break from training and long runs and have really enjoyed incorporating more circuit-style workouts into my routine. I’m still running, but lately my running has been on the treadmill, often coupled with intense incline walking in the form of treadmill interval workouts.

Well, today it felt great to just run.

roast beef with dijonaise 002

No treadmill. No crazy inclines.

Just me and the great outdoors!

favorite

And Sadie.

We covered five miles and I forgot how nice it can feel to just run and zone out while jamming to a rockin’ playlist. (I listened to the first third of my half marathon playlist from Savannah. What’s up Jagged Edge!?)

Lunch

After the run, I quickly showered and dug into leftovers from last night’s dinner.

chopped salad

Yesterday Ryan and I ate a delicious chopped salad alongside grilled steak and quinoa.

I made the salad by combining the following:

  • 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1/2 red onion, diced
  • 1/2 cucumber, chopped
  • 3/4 cup corn
  • 1 cup broccoli florets, chopped
  • 1 avocado, chopped
  • 1 red pepper, chopped
  • 1/2 bunch cilantro, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons lime juice
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

chopped salad corn avocado

This salad was a pain in the tookus to make… probably because I find chopping vegetables to be one of the most mundane tasks in the world. At least the end result was worth it!

The leftovers were a delicious lunchtime “warm up.” I ate up nearly all of the remaining salad while making myself a roast beef sandwich.  

roast beef with dijonaise 003

I topped two toasted slices of honey wheat bread with roast beef, spinach, tomatoes and equal parts spicy mustard and light Miracle Whip.

roast beef with dijonaise 006

roast beef with dijonaise 008

I wanted something sweet immediately after polishing off my sandwich and quickly made myself a mug of hot chocolate.

roast beef with dijonaise 011

Fantastic.

Off to cram in a few more hours of work!

Happy Friday! Smile

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Filed Under: Lunch, Recipes Tagged With: lunch, Recipes, roast beef, running, salad, sandwich

About Julie

My name is Julie and I am a full-time blogger, new mama, fitness enthusiast (certified personal trainer and group exercise instructor) and food fanatic (mostly healthy... but also not-so-healthy) living in North Carolina with my husband, dog and baby boy. Thank you for visiting Peanut Butter Fingers! I hope you enjoy little glimpses into my life and have fun trying the sweaty workouts I frequently share and making some of my favorite recipes along the way!

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Comments

  1. Alyssa @ Life of bLyss says

    February 10, 2012 at 3:02 pm

    gosh, am I jealous of that run. 😉 I keep seeing runners every time I venture out the door and yell, “NO! no running while I can’t. everyone needs to stop until I can run again. it’s not fair.”

    …but not really. but really. I’m 70% serious.

    Reply
    • peanutbutterfingers says

      February 10, 2012 at 3:05 pm

      haha! should i take another two-month break for you? 🙂 hope you continue to heal quickly, friend.

      Reply
    • Amber @ Busy, Bold, Blessed says

      February 10, 2012 at 4:30 pm

      I’m feeling similiar… I’m only taking a 2 week break to try and let a nagging injury heal… but it feels like everyone is talking about running and I’m so jealous!

      Love the pictures of Sadie, so hilarious!

      Reply
  2. HRCK the Herald says

    February 10, 2012 at 3:03 pm

    Your food looks so colorful today! Love it. Happy Friday!

    Reply
  3. Stellina @ My Yogurt Addiction says

    February 10, 2012 at 3:04 pm

    Sometimes a good run is all you need! 🙂

    Reply
  4. Annette @ EnjoyYourHealthyLife says

    February 10, 2012 at 3:04 pm

    What an awesome day for you so far! I love runs like that–where you just GO and enjoy it 🙂

    Love the colorful and yummy lunch–enjoy your day!!

    Reply
  5. Hillary says

    February 10, 2012 at 3:04 pm

    It’s funny you mention this: I’m in the last month of my half marathon training, and I cannot WAIT to stop running for awhile. But I know for certain that, at least a few months after the race, I’ll be craving some longer runs. The grass is always greener!

    Reply
  6. Carolyn says

    February 10, 2012 at 3:08 pm

    I am with Alyssa. I ran for too long on a bad foot and can’t run now. I am so jealous of all the runners that I see. I really want to be out there – especially on days like today where the weather is PERFECT! 🙁

    Reply
  7. Becca @ Blueberry Smiles says

    February 10, 2012 at 3:08 pm

    Hot chocolate is the absolute best a February Friday afternoon. And love the anthropologie mug!

    Reply
    • Ellie@Fit for the Soul says

      February 11, 2012 at 2:21 am

      I know!!!!!! those mugs are sooooooooooooo prettiful 😀

      Reply
  8. Katie @ Peace Love & Oats says

    February 10, 2012 at 3:10 pm

    I was wondering if you’d get back into running! And great time for your first run a while, clearly strength training helps! And that roast beef sandwich looks so good, I can’t remember the last time I had roast beef!

    Reply
  9. Ashley @ My Food 'N' Fitness Diaries says

    February 10, 2012 at 3:12 pm

    nice job on the run! it is nice to zone out and “just run” sometimes.

    as for chopping veggies, ugh, i totally agree – i absolutely hate it! i generally love cooking, but that’s one part of it that i really do NOT enjoy. needless to say, your chopped salad looks delicious and full of color!

    Reply
  10. Stephanie @ Legally Blinde says

    February 10, 2012 at 3:13 pm

    I really hate chopping vegetables, too – it takes me forever! I’m in awe of people with actual knife skills. I hate it almost as much as I hate washing and tearing up lettuce. But it’s always worth it in the end 🙂 I do love having hot chocolate after a meal as a sweet treat! Had some last night after dinner – so comforting.

    Reply
  11. Lauren @ Chocolate, Cheese and Wine says

    February 10, 2012 at 3:15 pm

    Hot chocolate is the perfect sweet treat – I approve.

    Reply
  12. Jaime D. says

    February 10, 2012 at 3:22 pm

    I love how you listen to old school songs when you workout – I do the same thing and my friends/husband make fun of me all the time for it!

    Reply
  13. Sarah says

    February 10, 2012 at 3:22 pm

    I always feel like I need something sweet after a meal! Hot chocolate for the win!

    Reply
  14. Marisa says

    February 10, 2012 at 3:24 pm

    I am feeling very lethargic today from a week of hard workouts but the way you just described running has turned this frown upside-down and I’m going to get off my butt and go workout today. Thanks, Julie! 🙂

    Reply
  15. Laurie says

    February 10, 2012 at 3:25 pm

    You get such great pictures of Sadie!!! Love her expressions!

    Reply
  16. Angela @ Eat Spin Run Repeat says

    February 10, 2012 at 3:26 pm

    Your salad sounds fantastic Julie! I totally hear ya on the running – I am normally an indoor treadmill kind of gal, but even I am itching for a real outdoor run these days!

    Reply
  17. stacey says

    February 10, 2012 at 3:27 pm

    headed out to in the 28 degree north east weather but it was so worth a outdoor run! great day!

    Reply
  18. Kaelin says

    February 10, 2012 at 3:27 pm

    Your run was awesome, even after a long break!! I have been running for 6 months or so and seem to be getting slower!! Yikes! I was running 10:00 miles and now have slowed to 11:00 miles or so. Maybe its that I am not racing, but I wonder when running will feel faster and easier. Not that I ever expect it to be easy.

    Reply
  19. Rachel says

    February 10, 2012 at 3:27 pm

    The more I read your blog, the more likely it’s becoming that I’m going to suddenly walk in the front door with a puppy (much to my BF’s poop-scooping chagrin).

    Reply
  20. Khushboo says

    February 10, 2012 at 3:32 pm

    I unknowingly burnt out on running too- I am loving weight training too much lately that the idea of running over 30 minutes has completely lust appeal!

    Reply
  21. Lena @ Fit on the Rocks says

    February 10, 2012 at 3:48 pm

    I’m itching for the end of May to roll around so that I can take a break from training, too! I just had my first half last weekend, but I have a 10 mile race coming up in April and another half in May. We’ll see if I end up taking a break, since it’ll be so nice to run during the summer evenings!

    Reply
  22. Gen says

    February 10, 2012 at 3:53 pm

    Your salad looks divine!
    It’s hard to run here in France because it is really cold these days, snow and everything but I continue because I love it, and I wear a lot of layers!

    Reply
  23. joelle (on a pink typewriter) says

    February 10, 2012 at 4:07 pm

    Sometimes it really DOES feel good to just run! Happy Friday! I’m actually in FL now too – visiting the bf who’s back from his deployment, yay!

    Reply
  24. Heather H. @ Run Eat Play says

    February 10, 2012 at 4:25 pm

    I love salads but I usually avoid them because I hate chopping all the veggies!

    Reply
  25. Kerry @ Totes My Oats says

    February 10, 2012 at 4:31 pm

    Whenever I take my dog for a long run like that I always wonder the same thing… “Why don’t I do this more often?” It’s such a feel good feeling!

    Reply
  26. Amanda @FancyOatmeal says

    February 10, 2012 at 4:36 pm

    Running – an oldie but a goodie

    Reply
  27. Jaima says

    February 10, 2012 at 4:38 pm

    I am very impressed that after not running for two months you were able to go out there and run FIVE miles! That’s awesome. PS-I have the same coffee mug from Anthropolgie..or I should say I used to until I dropped it one day and it shattered.

    Reply
  28. Grace says

    February 10, 2012 at 4:41 pm

    I love that your sleeping in is until 7 and that would be by version of waking up early…oh the life of a collge student. But I only have a few more months and maybe I’ll be working out at 5. Maybe.

    Reply
  29. Jenna says

    February 10, 2012 at 4:42 pm

    I have been reading your blog for about 2 weeks now and i make sure to check your page atleast twice a day
    ! I love your blog! As i was ready todays lunch post, I just had to say that i have that same mug 🙂

    Reply
  30. Carol @ Lucky Zucca says

    February 10, 2012 at 4:49 pm

    That picture of Sadie is awesome! Love it! Running outside is the best. I finally have gotten to the point where I actually look forward to it.

    Reply
  31. Kristen @ notsodomesticated says

    February 10, 2012 at 5:09 pm

    That salad looks delcious, but I would have been right there with you … chopping veggies gets old, quick!

    Reply
  32. Sneakers2Sandals says

    February 10, 2012 at 5:18 pm

    The photos of Sadie are epic 🙂 Makes me want a Sadie! But I don’t think I could deal with shedding (hence why I have a cockapoo)…

    Reply
  33. Bethany @ Accidental Intentions says

    February 10, 2012 at 5:31 pm

    Hah, I love chopping vegetables. It’s seriously one of my favorite things about cooking. When I was younger (like, 18, so not when I was *young* young), I used to beg my mom to let me chop the vegetables when we had salads…not like that was a hard battle to win haha. Also led to me dropping a knife point down onto my bare foot once…but that’s a different story 😉

    Reply
  34. Caitlin says

    February 10, 2012 at 5:46 pm

    I took a 3 month break after doing 2 half marathons last year! I felt the same way. Was it hard for you to bust out 5 miles after a break?

    Reply
  35. Hope @ With A Side Of Hope says

    February 10, 2012 at 5:47 pm

    I hate chopping vegetables too! It looks like your chopping was worth it though. That salad looks delish! The sandwich looks great too 🙂

    Reply
  36. Vanessa says

    February 10, 2012 at 7:14 pm

    Omg the salad looks so good. I am totally going to make it to bring as a side for lunch next week!

    Reply
  37. Lauren @ What Lauren Likes says

    February 10, 2012 at 7:39 pm

    The salad sounds bomb! Hmmm I need hot chocolate now 🙂

    Reply
  38. Katie @ Talk Less, Say More says

    February 10, 2012 at 7:52 pm

    That salad looks SUPER delicious but I’d have a hard time making it too because I HATE chopping. ha! And man could I go for a mug of hot chocolate…

    Reply
  39. Sarah says

    February 10, 2012 at 9:01 pm

    I think mentally running takes the cake in the workout category for the clarity it brings. but man, it hurts my knees. any tips?

    Reply
  40. Julie says

    February 10, 2012 at 9:01 pm

    Hm, I hope you were listening to “Where the Party At?” cause their other ones are slower?

    Reply
    • peanutbutterfingers says

      February 11, 2012 at 10:54 am

      “let’s get married.” 🙂

      Reply
  41. Lauren says

    February 10, 2012 at 9:07 pm

    I am totally craving hot chocolate now. 🙂 Happy Friday Julie!

    Reply
    • peanutbutterfingers says

      February 11, 2012 at 10:54 am

      have a great weekend, lauren! 😀

      Reply
  42. Jules @La Petite Maison Verte says

    February 10, 2012 at 9:32 pm

    Running outside is the best. There’s just no topping that freedom! I used to despise chopping vegetables, now I kinda find it therapeutic. I just put my iPhone on the counter on Chris Brown Pandora radio station and chop away 🙂

    Reply
  43. Michelle (Better with Berries) says

    February 10, 2012 at 9:39 pm

    Oh, I so want to just run outside right now! I haven’t done it in a while either. Unfortunately the high temperature here tomorrow is 18 degrees, so I don’t think it will be happening anytime soon 🙂

    Reply
  44. Shannon from Healthiful Balance says

    February 11, 2012 at 10:03 am

    Yay for getting in a great run with Sadie! I think that gives you some extra points.. Mommy 2012! 😀

    Your lunch looks delish! Have a nice weekend! 🙂

    Reply
  45. Lia says

    February 14, 2012 at 12:52 pm

    Your meals always look so amazing…. I decided to make the salad in this post last night for dinner. I added some cayenne pepper and put it over a bed of baby spinach since I wasn’t in the mood for meat/fish. It was absolutely incredible, and I will definitely be trying some more of your recipes 🙂

    Reply
  46. Laura @ Unchartered 20s says

    February 14, 2012 at 5:17 pm

    Gurrrlll you are making me want some roast beef!

    Reply
  47. Sarah says

    April 1, 2012 at 8:09 am

    Julie!

    You should try putting it in a big bowl and chopping all the ingredients with scissors instead of chopping each individual veggie!

    Reply
Newer Comments »

Trackbacks

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    […] Now that I’ve talked about getting back on track fitness-wise, I’d like to talk about jumping on the healthy food wagon again. But I’ll save that for another post – in the meantime, here’s a scrumptious salad I modified from Julie of Peanut Butter Finger’s chopped veggie salad. […]

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Hi! I’m Julie and I am a mom to three energetic boys and a personal trainer and blogger living in Charlotte, North Carolina. Welcome to my blog! Peanut Butter Fingers follows my life and my interests in food, fitness, family, travel and (mostly) healthy living.
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