7 Weeks Training Done Now... and Blood Oranges

We have completed 7 weeks of our half marathon training schedule and so far it has gone quite well.  A couple of little hiccups along the way, but for the most part we are getting the runs in.  And, I am enjoying the confines of running according to a schedule.
I have noticed that my legs are getting more muscular and leaner.  I know I am going to be very happy about that when the weather warms up and I transition back to running shorts and skirts.

And I am hungrier! I was warned to expect this side effect but until I experienced it, wasn't quite sure how hard it would hit.  I need to find some ways to  make more satisfying meals instead of just eating more snacks at night.  I am going to do some menu planning today.

I am struggling with hydration.  I have had some good advice about making sure to drink more water throughout the day.  Normally I drink tea all day but not much water during these cooler months and I need to do that.  So I am now putting water in a container on the counter in the morning, and making sure I drink it before noon, and then refilling it and making sure I drink that before dinner. 

I am also going to start carrying water on any runs I do over 3 miles in length.  And I am going to start experimenting with using nuun this week too, during the run.  I had planned to use nuun in the water bottle during a 6 mile run yesterday, but it didn't happen.  The rain was coming down so hard I thought it would be silly to go out and get cold and wet and take the chance of getting sick, so we did a speedy 2 miles when it finally let up late afternoon. 

The 6 miles will become 6.2 miles (10k) on Monday and I will try the nuun then.

I am still doing some strength training and some core work each week too.  And when I look back at my notes, I see that I have had 2 rest days each week for the past 2 weeks.  I think I need to do some better workout scheduling as I don't really think I need that second rest day right now... maybe as the running mileage starts to increase this next few weeks I may go back to it again.

All in all I am happy with how things are progressing.  The shorter runs are getting faster and the longer runs are not killing me, yet!  I am trying to keep things interesting by varying our routes, and signing up for some virtual races as they come along, too.

This week I bought some blood oranges... have you ever tried them?  I have seen them but never tasted one, but the little produce market near us that I have come to love, had some cut for sampling yesterday so we both tried a piece and really liked them.

I bought 6 of them... and we just shared one after our pancakes this morning.

I am not sure what variety these are... they have a dark crimson centre and I can see that we are going to have to be careful with the juice.  It stains the rind of the orange and seemed to stain  my fingers too.  Did I see that Chobani is making a blood orange yogurt now?  I really have to get across the border this year to do some shopping!

Do you like to try new freggies?   What have you tried lately that you would recommend?

I love to try new fruits and vegetables and am always curious to read what people like and don't.