My new running technique worked! I really want to increase my race speed because I normally run 10 minute miles. I looked on WikiHow (great source for general information) and decided I would try “speed splits.”

• Duration: 47 minutes
• Average Heart Rate: 172 bpm
• Maximum Heart Rate: 198 bpm
• Calories Burned: 442 (woo hoo)

So, before my run, I thought my CamelBak was leaking–horrendous! Here’s a great trick if you think your water pack or bike tire is leaking: fill up a sink and press down. If you see air bubbles, it’s leaking!

Thank god–mine was fine! My neighbor Michelle said that if you overfill them, they tend to leak. I think that’s what happened to mine.

Vegetarian Dinner – Polenta “Arepas”

It was a melty, wonderful mess. I cut the packed polenta into thin slices, baked at 350 degrees for 10 minutes, added the tomato slices to the pan, and then baked another 15 minutes. I added the cheese to three of the six slices and let it all melt together. After I pulled them from the oven and stacked them, I topped the “arepas” with fresh parsley, which served as a nice palette cleanser.

On the side, I made a hot kale and spinach salad with red kidney beans, green pepper, onions, garlic, and pine nuts. The chewiness of the kale was a perfect compliment to the crunch of the nuts!

And I confess… while cooking, I had a smidgen of wine. Don’t tell Future Husband, but I almost finished off “his” bottle. 🙂

Does anyone else have any powerful mantras? I really believe in the power of positive thought–especially when pushing yourself physically! Try it–I swear it works!