Monday, January 15, 2007

Breaking Rules in Winter


With all this snow going on, a runner can get a little restless. Luckily, we had a high of something like 18 (F) today, so I planned the day around running at the hottest point possible. Hottest? Well, anyway, I wanted to go out and run.
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Admittedly, I am breaking the "rules" a little. Right now, I am supposed to run just one day per week and make nice with the elliptical machine every other day. I ran six miles on the treadmill at the gym yesterday, so today should have been either a) a rest day or b) elliptical day. I was okay with neither. You see, though, I'm lazy, in an active sort of way. Why go to the gym- which would involve driving three miles and combing my hair- when I could step right out the front door and go? I know, right?!
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So, with no pain in my knee (PT is working, I'm a believer!) and enough clothes on to add a good ten pounds, I was out the door. The trails, sidewalks and streets are still covered in snow and ice. Thanks, however, to Yaktrax, my feet didn't move anywhere I didn't want them to. It was four miles of loveliness in the world of running. For most of the run, I was able to run right down the middle of the road, my most favorite way to run. What? I like to pretend I own the road. Like that is a surprise to anyone.
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I didn't want to stop, I really didn't, but I knew I should. I knew I would want to run another day and therefore, would have to hold back on this day. Self-control, who knew. Besides, I had an ambitious winter soup recipe waiting for me at home.


I say ambitious because, well, I don't make soup. I open cans, and I heat in a sauce pan. I don't make it. I particularly don't puree and combine. But I did today. And boy, oh boy, was it worth it. I broke some recipe rules, too, which is always pushing it because, as you saw, I don't make things. A skipping of the shallots and an adding of some sauteed red peppers just "for color" as my grandma would say, led to a soup experience. Yes, experience. Okay, maybe it was just a combination of having trodded through the snow, labored over a food processor and stove, and fabulous ingredients but still, it was so good! And so easy, which should be encouraging and make me want to try more recipes but oddly, I just want more soup.



10 comments:

Backofpack said...

The soup sounds good except for that puree part. That always puts me off - I don't like to have to do those extra steps.

And wow! A picture of you! It's great running in the snow isn't it? I'm so glad your pt is working.

Anonymous said...

BoP- You know, I thought I'd hate the puree part and it would be a pain but it wasn't really that bad. I hate cleaning up, though. I want someone else to do that.

GG- I was careful and stayed on snowpack, mostly. Walked over the icy spots, okay? :-)

And to both: I know, this makes twice I've posted my own picture. Weird. But I look like a running robber, so I had to take a pic. :)

Danielle said...

Ah isn't it fun being all bundled up and I hear you on heading to the gym. Hey, 18 isn't bad anymore actually, if it's not windy that is, that's about what it was when I finished my run on Sunday. I think I'm probably going to have to break down and get some yaktrax...I started to buy some last year, they were out of my size, then I banned running outside in cold, but now I'm doing it again and have enough stuff to keep me warm now too, and I did it last night and it was tough on the fresh new snow we had...nothing like slipping and sliding (OK, I was careful and slow enough to avoid the sliding, but still!!).

anne said...

I have been thinking about that soup since I saw you posted it this morning. I want it for lunch. Yes, yes, it is 80 here but it just looks good.

Runner Girl FL said...

I'm with eb. I want the soup too, even though it is warm!!

justacoolcat said...

I'm not even hurt and I didn't get on my bike this weekend.
Your pic reminds me of a place I worked a bunch of years back. When I biked in the winter I'd wear a full face mask. Many of the programmers were Chinese and my friend Robin loved to say "Killa! Killa!" .

Sizzle said...

that soup looks wicked good!

Anonymous said...

Danielle- They are worth the +/- $30 in my opinion. And I was worried they'd wear out if I had to go on road or cement at all, but they show no wear at all really.

e.b.- It is good- make it! :)

RGF- You too!

JACC- Funny, 'cause I sort of felt that way. Hmmm.

Sizzle- It fo sho was. :)

adam said...

That soup looks pretty good but if it was 18 deg. here and I'd just been running I would want drop in something that used to walk! (chicken pieces?) Sorry, can't help it if I'm a carnivore.

I've been tempted to get yaktrax but I've always thought they would never get any use! This winter and your post are starting to change my mind. Ran a 50k last weekend and nearly threw out my back on the ice!

We have had a bit of snow and cold here, like you in CO, but unfortunately not much of that brilliant sunshine! (nice photo) I envy the fact that you get to wear sunglasses!!

Anonymous said...

Oh, Adam, don't worry- I also baked salmon!

And yes, get the yaktrax- well worth the $$.