Sunday already, I’m sad that the weekend is coming to an end. And that I’m on call next week, ugh. But I banged out the last long run of my half marathon training today, 11 miles, and improved my pace considerably from my 9 mile run last weekend. I’m thrilled about that because it was windy and cold for the run, the first 2 miles were tough and I was expecting it to be slower. The half marathon is in two weeks, so I’ll be tapering down my long run next weekend while trying to push my pace a little more.
Training for this half has been considerably smoother than my last half in October and I think the Vega Whole Food Optimizer smoothies I’ve been drinking before and after long runs have a lot to do with it.
When I initially tried it, I had luke warm feelings about the flavor and texture. Since then it’s grown on me a bit. I’m pairing just one scoop of it with greens and fruits for a better tasting, lighter smoothie. I have one of these smoothies about an hour before a long run and about 30 minutes after since the first thing I want to do is hit the shower! Long runs while training for my last half really took a lot out of me leaving me tired and cranky for the rest of the day. This time around I’m covering more miles and hardly feeling it after, I think this is really working as running fuel and a great recovery food as the Amazon reviews stated. Granted, it’s not cheap and not something I could afford on a regular basis, but something I will splurge on for long race training from now on.
More proof is that after the 11 miles, I still had energy to hit Costco on a busy weekend day! You know, just to load up on some produce to hold me for the next few days. :-P Watermelon, bananas, grapes, kiwis, carrots, spinach, red peppers, dates, and mini sweet peppers for hummus dipping.
Then I broke out my pizza leftovers from last night to spruce up for a quick dinner while watching the Oscars with hubby.
Since it had no cheese, I decided to add Daiya Mozzarella Shreds and a fresh chopped tomato to the top before placing in the oven for 10 minutes at 400 degrees.
And paired with lightly steamed asparagus and more Veganaise/honey mustard for a dipping sauce.
The Daiya shreds hardly melted in the oven, but they took on a much softer and gooey texture making the pizza much more rich. I can’t wait to try my own homemade vegan pizza with the shreds.
Have you ever tried Vega Whole Health Optimizer or any Vega products?
“The Daiya shreds hardly melted in the oven, but they took on a much softer and gooey texture “—good info! Thanks for the report.
Oh your comment to me re making the oatmeal raisin carrot cake balls in the vita and the blade being a PITA to clean..honestly, it was not bad…at all! I Some “doughs” just don’t get too glommy and sticky and impossible. This was one of them. whereas others….look out, nightmare.
Glad your half training is going easier than last fall. :)
I don’t use Daiya too much, just been having fun with it this weekend.
That’s great on the balls, sometimes gooey dough is a pain to dig out from around the blade in my Vita-Mix versus being able to take the blade out in a food processor.
Looks like a good way to spruce up the leftover pizza!
I like daiya…but just in limited quantities—there’s something slightly weird about it.
I use Vega…and I feel the same way, that it makes a difference in energy after a hard workout (and probably improves the workout itself too). I’m still a bigger fan of sunwarrior, but I know vega has a lot of extra good stuff in it. I justify the expense…even though I probably shouldn’t!
That’s my thing with Vega, I can only justify the expense when training or working out really hard. :-)
I love Vega products! The Whole Food Smoothie one is great too.
Hmmm, I gotta try the smoothie optimizers next – thanks!
Great run! You must have felt like a million bucks! I’m still not a Vega fan … but glad that you’ve found a fuel that works for you! So important!
Sounds like it definitely super-charged you if you were still so full of energy after 11 miles! Happy (or tolerable?) Monday!
I like the vega product but it has maca in it and maca overstimulates my central nervous system in a similar way that caffeine does so I avoid it. Vega has a regular sports protein powder without all the extra ingredients but I just use the Sun Warrior for recovery smoothies and add in my own various ingredients.
The daiya makes for great quesadillas btw..really melty.