While training for my first half marathon and getting into more distance running, I noticed hip and ankle pains that caused me to analyze my running shoes and find significantly more wearing on the outer edges of the soles. After lots of research, I decided I’m an over-pronator and tried Asics GEL-Kinetic 3s for my next pair. 8 months later, another half marathon, marathon relay and lots of running in between, I’m still very happy with the shoes.
Unlike my last pair, the soles on these are wearing evenly and I’m not noticing the pain problems I was having.
But it’s time to retire them since I killed them with a lot of rugged terrain running, I really started noticing the support breaking down on the last few runs. So I replaced them with the exact same shoe in a different color.
Not too adventurous, but the shoe just works so well for me – why not? And I was giddy to break them in with an evening run. But summer runs are tricky here, I usually end up running at 8 PM or later when temps are finally below 100 degrees. But that means I need dinner before the run. I’ve learned that some foods just aren’t good pre-run meals – heavy squashes, potatoes, hearty broccoli and cauliflower dishes, etc. Quinoa is a great pre-run food for me, usually easy on the stomach and provides fast energy and protein. I was craving tabouleh-like cooked quinoa dish with veggies mixed in and got all experimental in the kitchen.
Tangy Protein Quinoa
- 3/4 cup quinoa
- 1/4 cup textured vegetable protein
- 2 cups veggie broth
- 1/2 tsp. salt
- 1 tbsp. olive oil
- juice of 1/2 lemon
- 1 medium zucchini, shredded
- 1 carrot, shredded
- 2 green onions, chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh minced parsley
Place veggie broth, olive oil, quinoa, and textured vegetable protein into a medium soup pot and bring to a boil. Cover and simmer for 20 minutes. Remove from heat and stir the rest of the ingredients into the pot and serve. Makes 2-4 servings.
It was fun breaking out the grater, I haven’t used it in months. And I managed not to grate my fingers!
The veggies and herbs added nice colors, texture, and flavor – I just love the flavor of fresh parsley compared to dried.
The dish had a hearty and rich texture thanks to the vegetable protein and olive oil, but a slight tang from the lemon juice. The grated veggies didn’t add bulk to this light, summer side and it worked out very well for a pre-run meal.
What’s your favorite pre-run or workout meal?
tangy! i like that!!
ive seen sooo many quinoa salads lately and yours is the the first tangy. i likey!
and i realllly did the last picture. so crisp; love the detail!
Yum! Adding TVP to quinoa is genius! I’m impressed that you run after 8pm I’m in PJ’s by 8 ;) If I don’t work out in the morning, it doesn’t happen.
Thanks on the quinoa, TVP is great with it. I wish I could workout in the morning, but I have to leave the house for work too early. Running in the morning would be much better here, not as hot.
gosh it is so nice to find a pair of shoes that works! you know i have had problems with that and running pain lately. i have been happy with the nike frees though but i cannot say they are the best. they just work for now. the quinoa looks so good. enjoy your day christine!
Finding a running shoe that works is tough. I had to change my shoes twice coz they weren’t working for me in the gym.
I have never had quinoa but it seems like something i would love! Thanks for sharing :)
I know what you mean about having to wait to go for a run until about 8:00 pm. I live in Sac too and I always have to check the weather channel app on my phone to see the hourly temps and the time of sunset. I’m still a beginner runner but I pushed myself the farthest last night. I believe it was 90 degrees and I pushed past my usual 2 miles and went for a 5K! I did it in 36 minutes. Not a great time but it was the farthest I’ve gone straight. Now I have some work to do to get faster! Oh and about the shoes… I’m still trying to figure out the right ones for me. I pronate and use the green super feet inserts, saucony stability shoes, compression socks and run on grass. I’m finally feeling like I’m getting somewhere. But I’m not 100% sure about the shoes. I ate a piece of sourdough toast with hummus and sliced tomatoes pre-run and was burping like crazy! I notice I get burpy on almost all of my runs though. Strange and kinda gross too. Sorry. TMI? LOL!
Awesome run and that’s a great time for pushing yourself! I did about the same distance and it was tough in the heat! Shoes are tough, I did my first half in shoes that weren’t ideal for me and felt it. As you run more miles, see if the soles are wearing evenly or more on one side. I did a lot of searches on shoes for pronation and found helpful reviews on Zappos. Not worries, not TMI and I know what you mean on burping, hummus can do that to me too. :-)