Orange, Red & Purple

I have a new job. So if you're wondering what's up with the lack of posts lately, that would be it. Leaving one job and starting another is very emotionally draining. I used to work at a public relations agency, but now I work in the communications department at a Fortune 50 grocery store chain. Oh yes. I now work with the grocery stores. Kind of a dream job for a food enthusiast such as myself. No, I'm not going to tell you which Fortune 50 grocery store chain (there are three of them, you know) because I don't want you thinking that because I got a fancy pants corporate job that I'll go changing my eating habits. It's still me. I still overdose on vegetables from time to time. I still drink like a fish. Don't you worry. This will always remain the original Basil Vodka.

And to prove it to you, allow me to present you tonight's dinner. Forget greenery, I don't discriminate against the other vegetable colors. Like orange. Like red. And like purple.

Boom.

That would be a sweet potato grated into hashbrown form with some red bell pepper and purple onion. Okay, so there may or may not be some black in there too from when I had to take Sheldon out for a potty break mid-cooking, but let's just ignore those slightly burnt pieces. 

In addition to the exciting news that is my new job, I'm also knee-deep in my half marathon training. If for some reason you're really curious about the itty bitty details of said training, you're more than welcome to follow along on Daily Mile. Or if you just want a recap: it's going really well. I'm maintaining a consistent 9:30ish min/mile on all my runs (even my long runs!) so I've shaved about a minute off my average pace since I updated you last. Which is pretty amazing. The big day is May 1st so there's still a lot to do, but so far I can say training is definitely going well. 

And with that I leave you with solid intentions of updating this blog more often and checking up on your blogs as well. Because, let's be honest: I miss you guys.

Questions

• Have you had to deal with a big job change? Was it stressful? 
• When's the last time you've had a sweet potato? Because they're seriously amazing.
• Anyone else on Daily Mile? If so please friend me!

Eighteen Schmeighteen

Eighteen degrees. According to weather.com it "feels like 11." Um, okay. It's not below zero, so I suppose this will be fine.

The thought of another treadmill run sounded so positively awful that I decided to buck up--bundle up, rather--and take my run outdoors where it belongs. The outfit consisted of my running tights (yes, the pair I got on sale at Walmart), my Layer 8 fuzzy long-sleeve, and this awesome jacket that I found at TJ Max. Color-wise, I looked adorable. My Layer 8 is a turquoise that matches my shoes, and the jacket is a jewel-toned purple. And my hat, mittens and pants were all black. I was awfully cute. Because apparently that's what's important.

Monday's run was to be three miles. There isn't a great three mile route near me (or at least that I've come up with) so I just doodled around the park. I was a little cold at the beginning, but I warmed up quickly. Not slipping on ice and not splashing in puddles became a very fun game. There was a lot of leaping over things and a lot of running around giant puddles. I think I had more fun on this run than I was supposed to.

I ended at 2.6 miles, 25 minutes. That would be a 9:40 min/mile. I was UNDER 10 min/mile. Which is a rarity this early in my running career. It was simply amazing. After I got back to my apartment I did hop on the treadmill for exactly three minutes and fifty-six seconds. You know, to run the .4 miles needed to wrap up my 3 miles.

Last night I fell back in love with running.

Questions

• Have you ever used a treadmill to "wrap up" your outdoor run and get your miles in?
• Do you have to worry about snow, ice or slush where you live?
• What is the coldest you've ever run outside?