So.  I have almost completely fallen off the running bandwagon since my half marathon.  I say ‘almost’ because the wagon is still rolling along at a snail’s pace, and I’m mercilessly being dragged behind it. 

 

We’ve been walking in lieu of many of my normal runs.

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Since the 19th, I have pounded the pavement three or four times and swam twice.  Not too shabby but not stellar either – like I said, hanging on the wagon by my fingertips.  I’m hoping to get enthused again about running soon… and by soon, I mean this afternoon.  Seriously.  TODAY.  No more slackin.’

 

In the meantime… let’s eat.

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This is, without a doubt, THE BEST DARN BLACK BEAN BURGER recipe ever.  It’s by my friend Emily at Daily Garnish, and there’s several things that I love about it – it’s hearty and filling; a little bit crunchy – not smooshy; it reheats well.  And I usually have all of the ingredients in my fridge or pantry.

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I did make a few modifications to the original recipe:

 

Subbed out one can of black beans for kidney beans

Added garlic salt and cayenne pepper; skipped the other spices

1/4 cup coconut oil instead of 1 tsp olive oil…. because coconut oil is awesome

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I wish there were leftovers! But all six patties disappeared between last night and today’s lunch.  Most ended up in my belly.

 

Anyone else in a slump?  I’d like to get out of it soon, but it’s been kind of nice to relax after the insanity of half marathon training.

{ 45 comments }

 

  • Emily February 1, 2013, 1:52 pm

    That bean burger is seriously the best! I love it too, especially the pepitas.

  • Emily February 1, 2013, 1:56 pm

    A quarter cup of oil instead of a teaspoon? That seems like a LOT.

    • Caitlin February 1, 2013, 1:59 pm

      Meh, it works. And then it ends up being about a little over a tablespoon in each burger. Healthy fats!

  • Laura @ RunningJunkie123 February 1, 2013, 2:03 pm

    Hmm…..I LOVE black bean burgers. Especially with avocado and hot sauce:-)

  • Anne February 1, 2013, 2:13 pm

    Thanks for the recipe. Im trying to eat less meat so this would be a great way to switch it up!

  • Laura February 1, 2013, 2:25 pm

    I’ve just started following your blog…it’s awesome! I ran a half marathon the day after you did and I, too, am in a post-race funk. I love the training process and was so proud of my race time, but it does feel good to be free of the commitment. But now I am floundering! I need a new goal!

  • Katie February 1, 2013, 2:28 pm

    That bean burger looks awesome!!

    I find after something big you should try and find something new! Is there a yoga studio you haven’t been to in a while? Or other new workout option? Or at least a route that you didn’t take while training that you could go back to?

    • MissPinkKate February 1, 2013, 10:43 pm

      Exactly! Take a break from running and let your love build up again naturally. Don’t force yourself to do something you hate, life is too short. Workout videos at home? Swim races (I’m doing an outdoor NYC race this summer, not sure if they have stuff like that in your area)? Crossfit?

  • Katie @ Talk Less, Say More February 1, 2013, 2:29 pm

    Okay, first of all that burger looks amazing and WILL be made soon. Thanks for the suggestion!

    Second, I had a rough week with my 1/2 marathon training thanks to a migraine on Wednesday and a major asthma attack on Thursday. After a great adjustment at the chiro today, it appears I had a few major misalignments and he thinks my body was going through a “detox” especially since I was able to run 3 1/2 miles the day after an attack. I’m feel great today so I’m hoping next week really picks back up!

  • Angela February 1, 2013, 2:30 pm

    Mmm looks so good!! I am definitely in a slump…I need a burst of energy in a huge way.

  • Elise @ Expeditions of Elise February 1, 2013, 2:53 pm

    I find that some of my favorite veggie/vegan recipes come from Daily Garnish! She’s always on the ball. Although I will admit I LOVE your “breaded baked tofu” recipe…the method you use is foolproof even when I mix up the seasonings!

  • Emily February 1, 2013, 2:54 pm

    I love your blog and have been reading it since it was about your wedding. What I like the best about it is that you have so many original ideas and recipes to share. I hope you don’t take this the wrong way but I don’t think it’s fair to ask people to pin a recipe that someone else took the time and effort to develop just because you made a couple of substitutions. You wouldn’t want someone to plagiarize your writing, right?

    • Caitlin February 1, 2013, 2:58 pm

      Oh, I guess I can see what you mean, but I link back to Emily’s recipe – not like I copied it into my blog! I guess I wouldn’t mind if another blogger did that for me – it’s really just sending her traffic, too!

      Thanks for reading for sooooooo long. I appreciate it so much!

  • Jena February 1, 2013, 3:19 pm

    Your body probably just needs a break! Give it a while and you’ll probably have the itch to run again. Maybe work on some interval training (though I don’t know how well that would work with a jogging stroller) so you can knock out a quick run and still feel like you put it all out there? Might also be time for some new tunes.

  • Becka February 1, 2013, 3:20 pm

    YUM

  • jessie bear February 1, 2013, 3:25 pm

    that burger looks GLORIOUS

  • Janie February 1, 2013, 3:33 pm

    Making these this weekend. It is decided!

  • Renee February 1, 2013, 4:40 pm

    The recipe looks really good. I have not tried to make a bean burger before. I have found myself in a running slump this week and I need to get back into it real quick because my race is still a few weeks away! Hopefully my motivation comes back tomorrow for a long run!

  • Emily Malone February 1, 2013, 4:53 pm

    Yummm! We actually made those this week too. Cullen wouldn’t eat his – more for me! 🙂

  • Sara @ fitcupcaker February 1, 2013, 4:56 pm

    If I just ran a marathon I would prob be in a slump too! You will get out of it…So I used to HATE beans and I had a bean burger one time and actually liked it…so I might give this one a try! It looks awesome!

  • Lauren February 1, 2013, 4:58 pm

    I always get in a bit of a running slump in the winter. It’s normal for me, but once the warm weather returns, I get the itch again. Thank goodness for indoor cycling to be my cardio escape when it’s this awfully cold.

  • Katie @ Peace Love & Oats February 1, 2013, 5:39 pm

    I’m in a serious strength training slump! I really need to get back into it

  • alexe February 1, 2013, 5:59 pm

    That burger recipe is my favorite too! I’ve been making it regularly since she posted it. YUM! 🙂

  • Lisa February 1, 2013, 6:28 pm

    I love the flavors of black bean burgers. What I don’t love is that they fall apart so easily and are impossible to eat!

  • Caitlin February 1, 2013, 6:42 pm

    This looks amazing!! Everything I’ve made from Emily’s blog has been AWESOME!! I regularly throw together her 20 minute meal combo, love her masala burgers, the lentil loaf, and that amazing pumpkin spice cake!

    When you go on walks do you not bring Maggie due to her scrawny little legs?? Is she not curious where everyone goes without her?

    • Caitlin February 1, 2013, 7:18 pm

      Haha she does not enjoy exercise at all!

  • Lisa February 1, 2013, 11:47 pm

    I like to add some corn into mine as well!

  • Jamie February 2, 2013, 8:56 am

    I feel you with the exercise slump. It’s been quite cold here the past few weeks and I have a pretty tough time talking myself into an outdoor run when its below 30 degrees. I belong to the town ‘economy’ gym and have been running out of ideas of how to entertain myself with limited equipment!

  • Jessica R @ From the Kitchen to the Road February 2, 2013, 9:48 am

    I am totally in a running slump. The stupid winter weather is getting me and chasing me indoors more than I care to admit. And indoors doesn’t mean to a treadmill because I don’t have one. It just means I’m sitting instead of running. I hope this stops soon.

  • Chattynatty February 2, 2013, 12:28 pm

    I just finished my January goal of running at least a mile a day everyday in January. I missed one day for illness but ended up with total mileage of 70 miles for month- but I’m spent (physically and mentally). So I’m taking a week off. Then I’m getting back on the training plan. Good luck getting back out there.

  • Tricia February 2, 2013, 1:49 pm

    I love that you gave a shout out to Daily Garnish. I think I found your blogs about the same time through something on facebook and just started checking out a few when you all mentioned each other on posts. You and Emily are on the top of my list. And you each have recipes that I use repeatedly!

    • Caitlin February 3, 2013, 9:16 am

      Thanks!

  • Kris February 2, 2013, 4:55 pm

    I love black bean burgers; actually I love all bean burgers. I tried Emily’s, but I have my own tried and true (containing oatmeal and chipotle pepper powder) that I make all the time.

    No slump here. I’m psyched because I finally joined the Y after hating my community’s fitness facility for the last two years (way small gym and few crowded fitness classes). I did Body Pump again for the first time in a few years, so I’m enjoying my post Body Pump high. Tomorrow is Cycle — yay!

    • Kris February 2, 2013, 4:58 pm

      Not to mention cardio — I counted at least 75 cardio machines and at least 6-7 different types. Now I don’t have to slog away on the treadmill.

  • Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin February 2, 2013, 6:20 pm

    I tried those burgers and I wasn’t a fan of the cinnamon in them, but they were otherwise really good! I also really like Eat Live Run’s spicy boyfriend approved black bean burgers.

  • Emily February 3, 2013, 4:09 pm

    Your blog has inspired me to start running…. You have so much useful information. Thank you!!

  • susan February 3, 2013, 6:51 pm

    I’ve been on a running break too. Partially due to bad weather but also I have a very active puppy who has to be walked a minimum of 30-45 min per day. He is not old enough to run with me yet and I have had a hard time finding time and energy to walk him and then get in a run as well.

  • Allison February 4, 2013, 3:47 am

    Wow, I am making that tomorrow night. I think we actually have all of those ingredients on hand. Astonishing, really. Thanks for all the inspiration to stay healthy even while catering to a little bundle of joy!

  • TiffanyS February 5, 2013, 10:47 am

    Wondering what you could substitute for the oats or just leave them out? They look amazing. I’ve been adding a dash of cayenne to almost everything:)

    • Caitlin February 5, 2013, 11:25 am

      I’m not sure – you definitely could not leave them out. Maybe quinoa?

  • Amanda K. February 7, 2013, 2:19 pm

    i made these last night and you’re right, they are DELICIOUS!
    your blog has been so pin-nable recently 🙂 the face scrub, strawberry-cherry smoothie, and now this. love it!

  • Heather June 25, 2013, 12:11 pm

    Wondering if these freeze well? Would love to have them on hand for quick meals!

  • Jackie July 4, 2013, 7:21 pm

    Since I discovered your recipe I’ve made it several times – substituting sunflower seeds, adding jalapeno & chia…whatever I have on hand. Always use the coconut oil and you really can’t go wrong.

    One thing I do is make a big batch and freeze the patties with parchment paper between them. So easy and so good to just take a couple out of the freezer and right into the oven (on the parchment paper). It’s become one of my favorite quick dinners!

  • Angela January 30, 2014, 12:05 pm

    Hi! I don’t have pepitas on hand. Do you think flax, almond, or pecans would work well?

    • Caitlin January 30, 2014, 1:37 pm

      Almonds would be good!

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