Yes, I'm actually doing this.

I been keeping a bit of secret from the social media world and actually the larger contingency of my IRL friends as well, so it's time to come clean.  I signed up for a marathon.  (Yes, the running kind, yeah the whole thing)  Sometimes people travel for that "first marathon experience" but I choose the local one here in the twin cities, in which the finish line is less than a few miles from my house.

I signed up for it initially when I was still in the glow of runner's high, injury free and drunk on my own self-worth.  Not a bad place to be at all, but post injury, I've been struggling to reconnect with the original enthusiasm.  At one point, I was ready to throw in the towel completely, but a chance meeting of someone else who was also in the TC marathon changed my mind and I decided I owed it to myself to at least make it to the starting line (and hopefully the finish line as well).

That being said, there are all sorts of reactions to sharing such news as "I'm running a marathon" or what I really mean is "I'm going to attempt to run a marathon".  Sometimes people feel the need to bestow praise, "That's awesome, good for you!", which is nice, but all I've really done so far is spend $100 in hopes of a goal.  Some people feel the need to question my motives "Are you sure you want to do this?", or my sanity "Have you talked to a doctor about this?".  Some people make a point to remind me of what's involved "Do you know how long you have to run?"  The answers are, Yes, I'm sure, Yes, the doctor says it's ok, and yes, I'm very aware, 26.2 miles.

Dealing with reactions is one thing, but perhaps a more crucial thing is dealing with the training.  There are about as many marathon training programs as there are people who run marathons.  All of them focus on different things, cross training, long runs, fast-short-runs, fartleks, hill training, and the list goes on.  Even with that, choosing the program is still the easy part and sticking to program far more difficult. 

So - the whole thing feels entirely surreal to me on many levels, but I'm actually doing this.  I've created a training program which I have followed very closely although not to the letter.  I can maintain a pace that is sufficient to be "declared a finisher", but slower than I would have hoped for.  On one level, I wish this was the glossy, victory speech that everyone loves to hear... but this is me, a human with a goal.  True passion mixed with authentic self-doubt.  There's beauty in that, even if it isn't the kind of beauty that gets tied up in a package with a bow.

Copy Cat: Thai Chicken Salad

The Copy Cat series will be an ongoing series in which I attempt to re-create mine and others favorite restaurant foods.  There are always exceptions, but generally food cooked at home is more affordable than food ordered out - and often times more healthy.  Learning to create the foods we crave can save dollars and sometimes calories!

So not only did I rip off this salad recipe from Panera Bread, I also ripped off the idea to do this salad recipe from Jen (a PriorFatGirl).  Hopefully, it's understood that imitation is the most sincere form of flattery.

A couple fridays ago I was getting together with my friend Jacalyn to hang out.  We were planning on eating dinner, but hadn't decided where yet, when she suggested we cook something ourselves.   Of course, I said "that'd be great" and suggest we try making the "Thai Chicken Salad" I had just read about on Jen's (aPFG) blog.  

Generally speaking, I'm not a huge fan of salad and maintain the "you don't make friends with salad" line of thinking.  I guess I see it as a side dish as opposed to a satisfying meal.  However, the "Thai Chicken Salad" @ Panera Bread has caused me to rethink that a bit.  

Here's the shopping list: 

Thai Chili Sauce  (packet I had at home)
Romaine ( $2.99 for 1 bag)
Chow mein noodles ($1.39)
Chicken ($2.67)
Red Pepper ($0.40)
Edamame ($4.00)
Spicy Peanut Dressing ($4.00)
Peanuts (in stock)
Vinegar (in stock)

The Spicy peanut dressing and edamame carry the heavier price tag on this salad, but I can assure you they were worth it.  I will also add that I'm lucky to have a local grocery store (Cub) that has a great ethnic foods section, so I'm never lacking when wanting to create recipes with more exotic flavors.

To make: 

Mix Chili Dressing - Mix one part thai chili sauce to two parts vinegar.  Whisk until even.  Drizzle chili dressing over rommaine leaves.  Add cooked edamame beans (without shells).  Add diced red pepper.  Toss together.  Lay on plate, and top with chow mein noodles, grilled chicken, peanuts, and spicy peanut dressing.

Jacalyn, who was incredibly helpful with this creation

A salad you can make friends with!

Ok, while this was a salad, it was seriously HUGE!  Not to mention hearty and delicious.  It was a very satisfying meal.   It could have been a little large in terms of portion size, but it was very well rounded and balanced healthwise.    

My back of the envelope math says that this serving was about $3.50, which I consider a little high for an at home meal, but still half of what you would pay at Panera.