Training for the Brooklyn Half this year has been FUN. Its had its ups (like my super strong 10 mile race in Chapel Hill, NC last weekend), its had its downs (like when I skipped two weeks of workouts cause I was sick and it was eternally freezing here)....and its had lots of 'meh moments' where I wished I could forego a run to lift some heavy ish in the gym.
After a pretty dope 14 mile training run yesterday, I'm feeling excited that I woke up today with fresh legs, no injuries, and a renewed enthusiasm for this race. My head is IN THE GAME.
And while my track record speaks for itself - I am injury prone and it probably has something to do for my wrecklessness with speed workouts and mileage increases - I am pretty dang impressed by my nutrition this race season.
I am feeling strong, lean and ready to race!
Let's hope my upcoming 30th birthday doesn't mess up my mental fortitude or my nutrition game!
I wanted to share with you my fave recovery salad since summer is around the corner in the Northeast and this salad is refreshing AF...and its the perfect combo of nutrients to heal, recover and restore nutrients to a hard working bod.
I have to say guys - if you're training for a race, if you're hitting up the gym, if you're slaying it in spin class... I want you to start shifting your personal perspective. YOU ARE AN ATHLETE. Having this unique respect for your body and the amazing feats it does helps you to make cleaner, healthier choices. Afterall, you've listened to enough episodes of TRLS to know that athletes don't have a free pass to gorge on junk - but rather need to be super mindful about decreasing inflammation with food.
This salad uses the omega-3 fatty acids in walnuts to quiet inflammation in the body. These "superfood" fats literally change the way your cells communicate with one another so instead of freakin' out & sayin, "AH WE ARE ALL GONA DIE LETS CREATE HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE!" your cells say, "Totes chill. Lovin' life. Let's live forever."
The beets are rich in nitric oxide - a superfood that is especially useful for athletes. Eating nitric oxide on the reg (in dark green leafys, tart cheeries, beets, watermelon) helps to increase your body's ability to deliver oxygen to muscles so you feel less fatigued less quickly during workouts.
Food is dope.
Let's eat.
Recovery Salad: Beets, Walnuts and Parsley Salad
Serves 4
Per serving: 300 calories, 22 grams carb, 21 grams fat, 9 grams protein
1 large beets (or 1 package LoveBeets)
1/2 cup walnuts
2 large tomatoes, diced
5 sprigs parsley, destemmed and chopped roughly
1/2 cup crushed hemp seeds
Salt & Pepper
1/4 cup honey
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
1/4 cup dried tart cherries* or raisins
1. In a small bowl, combine salt, pepper, honey, vinegar. Mix well.
2. Combine the rest of the ingredients in a large bowl.
3. Dump the honey mixture on top. Mix.
4. Refrigerate for 30 minutes to 1 hour before eating/serving.
* If you happen to have these on hand - they also deliver a powerful punch of nitric oxide!
