Not Chump Change

on April 12, 2010
in All Posts

Hello there!

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Ears: The better to hear Mommy opening a bag of chips with.

 

Today was a good – but busy – day.  I’m leaving for Williamsport, Pennsylvania in the morning for an Operation Beautiful presentation.  I spent the day doing prep work and packing.

 

It’s my eternal quest to drop the “All or Nothing” attitude and focus more on “Something is Better Than Nothing.”  I didn’t have time for my long bike ride, but I did have time for a short run.

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I did 2.5 miles in 24:00 minutes along a path that I did most of my marathon training on.  It was a great workout.  Don’t ever let someone convince you that 2.5 miles is chump change!  :)  Sometimes, we get wrapped up in double digit runs or speedwork or whatnot, but the truth is… I still find each mile to be a challenge!  I was huffing and puffing by the end.

 

On the way back from the run, I wrapped up some errands and posted this Operation Beautiful note at the bank.  The person behind me was a man so I tried to make it unisex. 🙂

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Today’s eats:

 

Snacks included 1/2 a melon and some chips:

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As well as a Chocolate Cherry Bomb, which contained:

 

  • 1 cup almond milk
  • 1 banana
  • 1 cup almond milk
  • 2 cups raw spinach
  • 15 cherries
  • Nesquik

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Dinner was an egg sandwich with cheese and arugula on a whole wheat English muffin:

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And a plate of roasted potatoes and squash.

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A small bowl of brownie and ice cream is calling my name!  :)  I don’t want the Husband to eat all the brownies while I’m gone!

 

Some last minute items before I hit the hay:

 

 

Night!

{ 57 comments }

 

  • lauren @ Eater not a runner April 12, 2010, 8:53 pm

    I’m with you, 2.5 miles is serious!

    Have a good trip 🙂

  • Estela @ Weekly Bite April 12, 2010, 8:54 pm

    What a great attitude about your bike ride!! I’m sure you felt so good after your run!

    Have a great night!

  • Jessica @ How Sweet It Is April 12, 2010, 8:58 pm

    I have always struggled with the all or nothing attitude. Good job for doing something rather than nothing at all!

  • Beth @ Beth's Journey to Thin April 12, 2010, 9:03 pm

    I had an egg sandwich for dinner tonight, too. Funny. Enjoy that brownie!

  • Anna @ Newlywed, Newly Veg April 12, 2010, 9:06 pm

    lol– I definitely don’t get caught up in double digit runs 🙂 Maybe some day, though!

    Have fun in Pennsylvania! I’ll be waving from Altoona! 🙂

  • Evan Thomas April 12, 2010, 9:07 pm

    I need to drop the all-or-nothing mentality.I should know to be lucky I can run half as much as I do, but I get greedy
    Enjoy your brownie sundae!

  • Kelly April 12, 2010, 9:19 pm

    I went to college about 30 miles west of Williamsport 🙂 I’m curious to see where you’re doing your presentation…maybe Lycoming College?!

  • Jenny April 12, 2010, 9:20 pm

    Waiting for a package is the worst! Sorry it ruined your inital plans by the 2.5 counts:) Enjoy the brownie sundae!

  • Annie@stronghealthyfit April 12, 2010, 9:22 pm

    I love how you eat and cook! I finally checked out your recipe pages (for that sweet potato & black bean balls recipe) and was so impressed 🙂 Good luck with your event!

  • Mary @ What's Cookin' with Mary April 12, 2010, 9:25 pm

    Lovin’ that egg sandwich ! I think I need to have one for breakfast tmr!!

  • Sarah for Real April 12, 2010, 9:26 pm

    Did you get your NEW computer? How is it!?

    • Caitlin April 12, 2010, 9:28 pm

      yes! its sweet. playing with it now!

  • Natalie April 12, 2010, 9:30 pm

    I can’t believe you’re going to Williamsport! I grew up 45 min from there in Bloomsburg and have lived in PA all my life. Can’t wait to read the post about your PA adventures. How are you getting there and where are you speaking? Williamsport is in the middle of nowhere!

    • Caitlin April 12, 2010, 9:32 pm

      PCT and I’m driving into Harrisburgh and then flying!

      • Natalie April 12, 2010, 9:36 pm

        I have no idea what PCT is but can’t wait to read the post.

  • Heather C April 12, 2010, 9:31 pm

    Williamsport?! REALLY? Where exactly?
    I’m from Pennsylvania but more specifically my aunt/uncle/cousins live in Williamsport! Have a great trip

  • Shannon (The Daily Balance) April 12, 2010, 9:35 pm

    congrats on the Woman’s Day placement, that’s so great! 😉

  • Cynthia (It All Changes) April 12, 2010, 9:42 pm

    I love how James’ ears are so big compared to his head. He always looks like he’s listening 🙂

  • Rachel April 12, 2010, 9:57 pm

    I love your attitude about exercise. I need to work on that all-or-nothing mentality too. Sometimes life just happens 😉 You have been incredibly busy lately. Safe travels tomorrow and good luck at the OB event!

  • Jessica @ The Process of Healing April 12, 2010, 9:58 pm

    Your dinner sounds SO good! There is just something comforting about egg sammies in my book. Girl, you have got me seriously craving brownies and ice cream…

  • Danielle April 12, 2010, 10:00 pm

    I totally agree with you that “something is better than nothing”. I’ve been really struggling to go for a run, thinking that I have to do three or four miles for it to really count. I’ve decided to focus on time, going out for 15 or 20 minutes, rather than the distance and it has helped SO MUCH! Thanks for sharing your experience with this too 🙂

    Have a great trip tomorrow and Good luck!

  • Gloria April 12, 2010, 10:06 pm

    Thanks for sharing the note you left today. Although I didn’t find it, it definitely brightened my day! I just applied for my dream job and I keep going back and forth between being really excited about the possibility and being really negative about my chances of getting it. Even though there are tons of applicants, I am definitely going to stay positive and excited…and then if I make it to the interview, my attitude will help me get the job 🙂

    Have a fun and safe trip!!

  • Lisa (bakebikeblog) April 12, 2010, 10:11 pm

    ooooh that smoothie looks good!!!
    And I agree re something is better than nothing re exercise 🙂

  • Mara @ What's For Dinner? April 12, 2010, 10:13 pm

    I love that you have a Green Lite Bites bowl 🙂 I need one! Have a great trip:)

  • Katie @ Two Lives, One Lifestyle April 12, 2010, 10:15 pm

    Have fun in PA! Hopefully the weather is great, it could really go either way this time of year. You’ll be so close to my favorite place on Earth/ alma mater: Bucknell!!!

  • Kellie April 12, 2010, 10:15 pm

    I have the all or nothing attitude. I am trying to get rid of this thinking too. Something is better than nothing.

  • Ellen Collis April 12, 2010, 10:17 pm

    Love the note by the ATM machine. I rarely ever like the number I see on my balance, so a little encouragement when I go to get cash out would be nice 🙂

    http://www.firednfabulous.blogspot.com/

  • Sydney April 12, 2010, 10:37 pm

    Your puppies are so adorable! Have a nice trip 🙂

  • Amber K @ sparkpeople April 12, 2010, 10:39 pm

    As always, your food looks fantastic! And I can barely run for more than a couple of minutes, so 2.5 sounds like a marathon to me!

  • Jessica @ Jessica Balances April 12, 2010, 10:59 pm

    It’s nice to hear you say that 2.5 miles is still challenging! 🙂

  • Caitlin@TheTwentyFifthYear April 12, 2010, 11:31 pm

    Have fun in PA – wish you were coming a little further west!

    I really love what you said here about running. No matter this distance, they are all a challenge in themselves and nothing to be taken lightly. Thank you!!

  • Jolene (www.everydayfoodie.ca) April 12, 2010, 11:41 pm

    I am with you on the “something is better than nothing” attitude! So true!

  • Heather (Heather's Dish) April 13, 2010, 12:34 am

    i love that you said you’re done with the all or nothing – there are so many times i get stuck on wanting to do something specific and if it doesn’t happen i get down. time to change that! 🙂

  • Natalie of (Nat Attacks a Balanced Life) April 13, 2010, 1:22 am

    Hi CAITLIN!

    Goodluck for your trip, I am sure you are going to make so many people realaize how beautiful they actually are inside and out.people just sometimes forget what they are looking for i guess.

    Anyways..I am first time commenter/contacter on your blog but a LONG time dedicated reader. Your blog has put a lot of prospective in my life and THANK YOU for that. Ever since I started reading your blog, which shortly followed after eat, live, run and then carrots n’ cake I started reading yours I became addicted, which gave me the courage a few days ago to finally launch ‘Nat Attacks a Balanced Life’ and I have you to thank for that. Its a work in progress but I had to start some where..right?

    Anyway I should have just waited till i got the pics but I have some exciting news you may enjoy. I grew up in Los Angeles but have been living in New Zealand for the past 5 years and I have officially started operation beautiful around town. I will send you the pictures ASAP! I told my flatmate all about it and before we hit up a few places for some cocktails we stuffed our bags and my camera with a few notes to spread Operation Beautiful around the world I cannot wait to make more of a mark here in Christchurch, New Zealand.

    Thank you for doing what you do.Ciao

    • Caitlin April 13, 2010, 6:37 am

      Awesome! Thanks so much for your kind words! Please email me any notes you post!

  • Freya @ Brit Chick Runs April 13, 2010, 2:57 am

    I love you exercise attitude – it’s my eternal life mission to have one as good as yours!! It’s so balanced 🙂
    Have a good trip tomorrow !

  • Julia @ British Bride April 13, 2010, 4:11 am

    I totally know what you mean about having an all or nothign attitude – I am sometimes guilty of the same thing. Something is better than nothing is a good motto!

    Thanks, Julia

  • Tonyne @ The Unlikely Success Story April 13, 2010, 5:43 am

    I try to tell everyone that somethings is better than nothing. Even dancing in your kitchen to music playing a little too loud while you’re cooking dinner is burning more calories than standing still, and it’s more fun! 🙂

  • Hedda April 13, 2010, 6:58 am

    It is probably wise of you to focus on the “Something is better than nothing”- attitude- it will make you feel better about your work-outs and..well, life in general 🙂
    I am such a bad cook, so I was wondering if you might had some instructions on your dinner? It looked so good, and perfect for this sunny weather ^^ Yes, it is spring-time in Norway- finally! Sun- oh, I love you!

    • Caitlin April 13, 2010, 7:08 am

      do you mean the roasted veg? just coat in olive oil, salt, and pepper and roast at 400 degrees for 30 minutes or so.

      • Hedda April 13, 2010, 8:09 am

        And the egg sandwich? Is that just an omelette made with just eggs, nothing else?

        • Caitlin April 13, 2010, 8:30 am

          just a fried egg! with cheese and greens on top.

    • Hedda April 13, 2010, 9:15 am

      Thank you,
      Now my mother and me are guaranteed a tasty dinner 🙂
      Good luck with your presentation!

  • Rachel April 13, 2010, 8:18 am

    I need to work on my all or nothing attitude too. I’m so glad you said 2.5 miles is still kind of a challenge. I ran a half marathon on Sunday and even at mile 2 I was getting tired. It never seems to get (much) easier. I hate when people say they’re going for an EASY 7 mile run…nohting about 7 miles is easy lol.

    Have a good trip!

    • Caitlin April 13, 2010, 8:32 am

      it will get easier eventually, i promise! congrats on your half.

  • Heather (runningwithsass.com) April 13, 2010, 8:41 am

    you are so right. sometimes I feel pressured to go back to running 8 and 10 miles all the time, but I am happy running 3-5 right now, and doing speedwork with the short mileage, I still get a great workout!

  • Susan April 13, 2010, 9:39 am

    Love that bit about the 2.5 mile run – you’re right, no matter how “fit” you are, no run is chump change! That’s why I’m always careful about calling workouts easy, or breezy, or anything along those lines. Jeez, if I work hard enough, a 5 minute sprint would tucker me out!

  • Laura@FindingAHealthyBalance....after a 100+ Pound weight loss!!! April 13, 2010, 10:14 am

    How long do you “roast” your potatoes, squash, etc???

    It always looks so good when you have it but not sure how long to roast and at what temp.???

    Thank you.

    • caitlin April 13, 2010, 2:19 pm

      see comment 35!

  • Haleigh April 13, 2010, 10:40 am

    I have trouble with the all or nothing mindset too. I’m working on it and I think a little bit is definitely better than nothing now that I am a busy career woman. Where can you find frozen cherries for the cherry chocolate bomb shake? I’ve looked at several stores and none seem to have any. I guess I could take the harder route and buy a bag then stick them in the freezer, lol. Hope you have fun in PA! Good luck! xoxo

    • caitlin April 13, 2010, 2:19 pm

      mine is just near the frozen fruits. regular grocery store!

  • Brigid April 13, 2010, 11:29 am

    I so agree with you on something is better than nothing. I’m truly trying to adopt this way of thinking. I only had time to run 4 miles yesterday, where I normally would run 6, and I was huffing myself. It’s good to know that others feel that way at times too.
    Good luck on your talk tonight.

  • Catherine April 13, 2010, 1:12 pm

    I get way wrapped up in the “all or nothing” mindset sometimes too. In my marathon training I was only able to do 18 out of 20 miles on one of my planned runs due to a new kind of running gel wreaking havoc on my system and I felt super defeated at first because I couldn’t do the last two, but then had to remind myself that I still did a great job. 🙂

  • Heather ODonnell April 13, 2010, 1:58 pm

    Thanks for this post. I had 4 miles of speed work scheduled for Sunday, but was only able to get 2.5 miles in (note to self: don’t schedule speed work the day after a race).

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