HI! Happy Friday night! (Or Saturday morning for some of you.) I’ve got loads to talk about, but I want to update y’all on the 26.2 saga AND give stuff away! Who doesn’t love that?!
You’ve heard the stories before about my running. Some of them are pretty ridiculous. Many of you who read P&P know that I am training for a marathon, thanks for my glorious stories about how my marathon training started without me and more of the same. A couple of weeks ago, I introduced the Five Emotional Phases of Marathon Training. Phase one, the Honeymoon phase, discussed the initial high that accompanies the first few weeks of marathon training. Feeling strong, happy, and bad-ass despite the fact that you really aren’t doing anything that special. For me, my honeymoon phase peaked at the end of week 3 of training on a super easy nine mile run that left me feeling like I could have run nineteen.
Two days later though, that feeling was GONE.
I had done my long run on an early Monday morning instead of a Sunday due to some inclement weather, and so I took Tuesday off (normally an easy 4 or 5 mile day) and set out to run six on Wednesday.
I wanted to die.
We all have runs where we kind of hate our lives and would rather be just about ANYWHERE else, but this was different. The first minute, ALL I wanted to do was quit. I mean, thirty seconds out and I almost turned around. Then the guilt set in. This is SIX miles! How am I going to run this plus TWENTY if I don’t ball up? And I wasn’t really tired, or sore or hurt, I just hated it.
I did it. In a full five minutes longer than the week previously. That week I wasn’t trying. This week I was all in and miserable.
The next day, I only had to run 5. I told myself I’d go at 9AM to get it over with. I put my running clothes on.
I didn’t get out of the house until 4PM. And even then, the fact that I did was a miracle.
Welcome to the second emotional phase of marathon training: APATHY.
At first you’re excited. But then three, four, five, six weeks in, it’s not new or exciting anymore, but you’re still months away from the race so you can’t really look forward to it. You’re running enough that it’s hard and boring, but not long enough to be really challenging or bad-ass. Every day seems the same. Progress stops. You’re just pounding the pavement with what seems like no payoff in sight. You fail to see the point. You’re bored. You’re disaffected. And most importantly, you’re apathetic.
Welcome to phase two.
I hung out in phase two for a while… I think that was weeks four, five, and most of six. I didn’t want to run. I dreaded it. I did nothing impressive. A ten and eleven miler were in there, but whatever.
Who cares. I have ten MORE weeks of this sh*t. Why am I wasting my life getting sweaty? Why am I gaining weight from being so hungry? Why do I have to think about running before anything else, like, having an actual life?
This is the apathy phase of marathon training. And it sucks.
But there is good news. You move on and out! I am now in the third emotional phase. You will hear ALLLL about it once I’ve moved on to the fourth emotional phase. Since I am making these up as I go, I can’t really observe what’s going on until it happens, so yeah.
——–
Now the funner stuff: giveaway time!
A few weeks ago, the nice folks over at MyBlogSpark hooked me up with a giveaway from Green Giant. In the mail, I received a salad bowl, serving spoon, HUGE freezer (insulated) bag that could hold several six-packs or an entire picnic’s worth of fresh veggies and fruits (a more ideal option, I know…), a pedometer and another box with a Green Giant Broccoli with Cheese Sauce. Which came in dry ice. Which of course you’re not supposed to touch. Putting it in your drinking water, however, is ridiculously fun. (Have you ever gotten a cocktail with dry ice in it? Way cooler.)
I was glad to get this opportunity to review it because I feel like I’m often biased against frozen foods like this. And yes, it’s nice in theory to always eat fresh (not frozen) veggies, but with life’s realities, sometimes it’s better to have something fast and easy and frozen–plus, often you get just as many nutrients with frozen vegetables. This definitely helped alleviate some of my bias and get me on board with frozen veggies.
I heated up the broccoli with cheese sauce to enjoy at dinner.Super easy. Microwave in bag, let sit, put into bowl, stir, devour!
Basic stats:
Pros:
- Really delicious! I thought it would be kind of fake, processed cheesy tasting, but it totally was not.
- Comfort food–feels decadent, but it’s low in fat!
- Super easy–just microwave and you’re good to go.
- Good source of nutrients!
Cons:
- Lots of sodium : (
- Huge ingredient list
- Confusing serving size–it says 2.5 servings on the package but that would be a REALLY small portion.
I ate a good portion of it by itself and then my dad had made some whole wheat pasta and I ended up mixing the two together just out of curiosity. This was REALLY GOOD! If you’re a cheesy pasta person I would recommend this as well. It’s still really good by itself–but having just started a real-world, demanding job this week and finding myself rolling into the house at eight pm with zero energy to chop or cook, it would be a quick two-step dinner (heat veggies, boil water for pasta).
Overall: the convenience of frozen foods always comes with some disadvantages as well, like the sodium count and long ingredient list, but the ease of preparation is great, especially considering how many unhealthy and less tasty options are out there. I will be buying these and using them for some easy work lunches or after-work dinners. I do wish the sodium was lower, though!
Want to try it yourself? The lovely folks over there have offered to give one lucky reader the same prize pack (salad bowl/spoon and awesomely huge insulated bag, plus a coupon for a free veggie pack of your own to try out!). Thanks to MyBlogSpark/GreenGiant for the giveaway and good luck to everyone who enters!
(And to make it even more special: as a bonus and to celebrate my first week as a San Franciscan–kind of–I’ll also send you a sweet treat that comes straight from my new city.)
If you want to win, simply leave a comment here. Tell me: do you ever buy frozen vegetables? What are your favorites/what do you use them for?
Extra entries available if you retweet the giveaway: free prize pack from @CourtPancakes and @GreenGiant at http://bit.ly/fiQKqG! enter by Monday at 11:59PM PST! #myblogspark
(leave a comment here telling me if you retweet!)
Hope everyone has a WONDERFUL weekend!
xoxo
Courtney
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The frozen veggies I buy the most are the big bags of mixed veggies (corn, green beans, peas, and carrots) I use it in bowl diners all the time when my favorite fresh veggies aren’t on sale! I’m glad you’re documented the emotional phases because I’m sure they will come in handy in a few months when I start training. Since I am so emotional though mine could be like the 26.2 emotional stages of marathon training!
I love buying the mixed veggies frozen! I give you so many props for doing a marathon!! You can do it!
First of all, I’m playing major catch-up on your blog (sorry!). So I wanted to say – congratulations on your new job!! That’s super exciting and I hope life in San Fran treats you well.
Secondly, I love these phases of marathon training. It’s so true! Marathon training is definitely an emotional roller coaster. I don’t know how anyone puts up with me for those 15/16 weeks.
Glad to hear you’re out of the apathy stage and the next one is treating you better.
And I do buy frozen veggies from time to time. It’s a lot more convenient and since I’m cooking for one, it can be a lot more practical than fresh produce. My favorites are edamame or spinach. So easy to cook into a pasta dish.
I’m always buying frozen veggies! I love adding various veggie mixes to soup.
I buy frozen veggies all the time…just for the sake of convenience. Sometimes, I just don’t have the time (or the money) to have fresh produce on-hand, so I opt for the frozen stuff on occasion. I think it tastes least funky in stir-fries, soups, and egg scrambles.
I’m glad you’re done with the “apathy” phase of marathon training. I remember when I had a crappy run early on in my training and had the same thought. If I can barely handle 8 miles, how in god’s name will I be able to run 26.2? But I did, and you will too. The training will get you there…you just gotta roll with the bad runs, as annoying as they are at times.
I use Trader Joe’s frozen corn a lot – it’s easy to heat up as a quick side dish (+ no other ingredients…just corn!). Although I prefer fresh vegetables, I think convenience sometimes ranks first!
I always buy frozen vegetables. They’re just more budget friendly for me right now, though I seriously savor fresh vegetables whenever I’m home compliments of the parentals!
Apathy is my fallback phase, especially during long runs on the treadmill. Then I bribe myself with frozen yogurt
Frozen veggies are ok, but I prefer fresh always. More flavor! More delicious
I buy frozen vegetables and use them in soup and stew. My favorites are peas and spinach.
janetfaye (at) gmail (dot) com
Hey thanks for commenting on my blog! I read a few of your T.I.A. posts, girl you are hilarious!! Haha. I’ll start following and i”m looking forward to reading more!
I think the phases you describe fit a lot of things I’ve undertaken in my life.
Keep up the good work though and I know you’ll reach your goal. To answer your question about frozen veggies…YES! My favorites are probably broccoli, asparagus and corn.
yes, i definitely buy frozen veggies. we eat a lot of salad but sometimes get sick of it, so frozen is a good alternative. i also like to add frozen corn to mexican dishes to just add a little more veggies. my favorite is a mix by green giant of edamame, corn, black beans, and a couple other things i’m forgetting. it’s called ‘healthy’ something or other.
tweeted http://twitter.com/thepajamachef/status/41603655610273792
I buy Trader Joe’s organic broccoli all the time, and use it for quick stirfry dishes and pasta, and sometimes just plain steamed, eaten with a fried egg for dinner. And yay for Ghirardelli! I remember when I first visited SF years ago with my family and I discovered Ghirardelli chocolates. Still one of my favorite brands!
Oh my gosh. I totally went through that Meh phase during training as well. So true. And yes, I do buy frozen veggies. They retain just as many nutrients as fresh and can be just as healthy (especially when you buy the kind without added ingredients). They’re great in a pinch!
the quality of frozen vegetables has much improved over the last few years. I enjoy them and I love the Green Giant Baby Brussels Sprouts & Butter Sauce
Thank you for hosting this giveaway
Louis
schnitzomage {at} gmail {dot} com
That marathon training thing is SO interesting!! And by the way, you are totally gorgeous!!
Frozen veggies are the BEST! I’m a cheapo, and frozen veggies are MUCH cheaper, so I’m happy!
I checked out your blog too! Love the emotional phases of marathon training! So true. I haven’t decided when my next one is going to be. I have a half tomorrow but haven’t put in the training I’d like to with my classes.
I love the basic veggie mix from Publix. I put a cup or two in my spaghetti or rice to sneak in vegetables.
Living is SF must be so exciting! That graph you made of the emotional phases rocks! I only wish I was so creative! Here’s the trick to dealing with apathy when training. You have to force yourself to do different workouts, like speed and incline intervals. You’ll get stronger, faster and it will give you something new to focus on. Can’t wait to see the next stage.
Oh, almost forget, my favorite frozen veggie is cauliflower and I LOVE making curried cauliflower (olive oil, salt, pepper and curry powder roasted for 15 minutes. I literally just ate an entire bag of cauliflower on Thurs. night.
We buy frozen veggies to add to meals, especially when we are in a hurry!
I had no idea of all of the emotions in marathon training! Thanks for enlightening me!
Good luck getting out of “apathy”. When I started actually using training plans, I had no idea how much mental exercise you also get… it’s exhausting!
I eat frozen veggies all the time. They’re perfect to throw into salad, pasta, and scrambles (all very standard dishes for me).
Oh the joys of marathon training – I completed one over a year ago and I still shudder at the thought of training for another one. Longest.six.months.of.my.life.
We used to buy frozen veggies all the time, but we’ve gotten started using more fresh things lately. I can’t even remember the last time we were in the frozen veggie aisle!
Im so glad I found your site. I love the honestly about marathon training. I just started training for a triathalon. So Im in the same boat. Good times! ha! But its fun.
I do buy frozen veggies. They save me mucho time when Im busy. I like just heating them up with a protein. Good way to get a fast healthy meal in!
I usually buy fresh veggies but I’m not opposed to frozen. My clients often ask and i always tell them frozen is absolutely better than none at all!!
I sometimes do frozen veggies for convenience. I prefer fresh though. And love your stages of training. I’m sure I will relate so well if I ever train for a race longer than my 5K.
This is a great post! I really need to work on the whole apathy thing during fitness.
I try to keep some frozen veggies and berries in my freezer in case I’m desperate for a meal and don’t have veggies around, but for the most part I avoid them. Steaming some broccoli and melting some cheese is just too easy to justify spending more on something like this.
I buy frozen spinach because you get so much for the price and its also super convenient.