NON-LINEAR THINKING: RUNNING, SICK KIDS & SOUP

I am an expert at non-linear thinking. Someone close to me once commented that I change the subject more than most people change their underwear . . maybe . .

I had a kid home from school today and the other came home and proclaimed that he thinks he has strep throat. So my bet is that tomorrow I'll have two kids home from school. I did a little math out of curiosity - I wondered how many full weeks of school my children may have attended this year. There have been 19 weeks since the beginning of the school year (not counting winter break). My kids, total 9 days of absences. That leaves us 10 full weeks of school. 6 of those weeks contain a day (or more) off for a holiday. So we're down to 4 full weeks of school. What a coincidence . . . there have been 4 snow days so far this year and that leaves us with NO full weeks of school. Now this presupposes that my kids were never home sick at the same time and that they were not home sick on weeks that contained a holiday or snow day - but still! I was kind of feeling like we have not had a single full week of school this entire year, and in fact we may not have.

Next subject: Running in the winter! I have been "tagged" a couple of times with this floating note on Facebook where you are supposed to write down 25 random things about yourself. I just can't do that. But in lieu of that, here are 25 random thoughts I had while running today. First things first: outdoor temp = 15F, wind chill 0F, time = 1:50 PM, target heart rate = zone 2, clothing = two pairs of socks, warmest running tights, compression shorts, under armor turtle neck, long sleeved running shirt with built in mittens, nylon jacket, gloves, bank robber style face mask, baseball hat, dog on sledding harness tied around my waist. Okay, here are my 25 random thoughts:

1. I only have an hour until I have to pick up the kid at school. I better move it. It's too cold, I want to stay home.

2. I wonder if being cold makes your heart rate go up, or if I am really part sloth?

3. Hill? This isn't a flippin' hill, it's a freakin' mountain!

4. When will I learn to stop making such rookie mistakes?

5. I should have driven the course before attempting to run it!

6. This is part of that 10 mile road race course - I'm doomed.

7. I wonder how much the dog is actually pulling me up this hill.

8. He's probably not allowed in the race, dang!

9. Hey my feet don't hurt!

10. Shoot, now that I thought about it they might start to hurt.

11. I have to remember to thank Martha for helping fix my foot problem

12. I really like Martha - she's a true professional!! I'm lucky to know her.

13. Oh no another hill - Tues. I did hill intervals on the treadmill at the gym and almost got shot off the back, very embarrassing. I hate treadmills. And I really hate that my heart rate shows on the two treadmills on either side of me so there is no hiding the pain!

14. It is really pretty here. I am so lucky to live in such a pretty place. So, this is our reservoir? I just saw a show about turning sewage into drinking water - I am REALLY lucky to live here!

15. I wonder where I am? I think I was supposed to turn left somewhere, I wonder if I did? I really should drive a route before I run it. I don't think I'm going to make it in time to pick up the kid. Check time, check heart rate. Shoot - this is not zone 2 and I'm running out of time and where the heck am I?

16. I like visualization, I should try that for a while, it usually helps me focus. But in order to use visualization I have to have sufficient endorphins flowing to put me in a bit of a hallucinating state. And, I have to think about that Danny What's-his-name guy who talks about chi running. Neck elongated, shoulders back and down, chest open, breathing steady, leaning slightly forward.

17. Excellent! Now I'm hallucinating! I've read about all sorts of visualizations, from people who believe their lower half is a horse or a bicycle or whatever. But in mine - I'm a San Francisco trolley car. I simply hook a cable from the top of my head onto the imaginary power line above me. And if I'm at the right angle, my posture is correct, etc. I simply just have to move my feet to keep up. Ahhh, that's great.

18. Oh that bad dog kennel is coming up. I wonder if Sam will remember it? Probably not, he's not that smart.

19. check heart rate, check time. Oh wow!! It's earlier than I thought. Is that possible? If I pick it up just a bit I might be able to get a cup of coffee at that cute little cafe when I'm done.

20. This is probably not in the training plan - but I really love coffee!

21. I should have brought that espresso gel with me. I secretly love those things! I bet they'd taste great in a smoothie.

22. If I'm going to get injured, now is really the time to do it - I could get out of this 10 - mile race and be recovered in time for the 1/2 marathon in April.

23. That's a completely defeatist attitude that will get me nowhere! If I can't get through this 10-miler what makes me think I can do a half-marathon.

24. Quick prayer to the Gods of running - I didn't mean it, really! I don't want to get injured, I was just on a really big hill and had a momentary lapse. I should have stayed in zone 2 and this bad thinking would not have happened - damn coffee!

25. OMG, I'm done! That was quick . . . check time - time for coffee and will make it to school pick up. YES!! I'm not sooo bad - I love running, what was I worried about? That was a great hill!

And my last random thought was about how I have all of the ingredients to make this soup. Not sure if I want to eat it or just soak my feet in it. But - it's really, really good (provided you have not soaked your feet in it!).

Creamy Potato Kale Soup

(courtesy of Moosewood Restaurants Low-Fat Favorites)

1c finely chopped onions

2/3 c. finely chopped leeks
1/2 tsp. salt
1T canola or olive oil
4 c. veggie broth

4 c. coarsely chopped potatoes

1/2 tsp. ground fennel (this really isn't necessary)

1/2 c. finely chopped celery

2 T white wine (plus one glass for the chef!)

1/2 tsp. dried dill

2 tsp dijon mustard

2 T minced scallions (also not that necessary)

1 1/2 T basil

1/2 c. evaporated skim milk

4 c. loosely packed kale

salt & pepper to taste
squeeze of fresh lemon (optional)

Saute onions and leeks and salt in oil over low heat until tender. Add stock and bring to a boil. Add potatoes, celery, fennel, wine and dill. Simmer for about 20 minutes, covered, until potatoes are tender. In a blender or food processor puree the soup in batches until smooth. Return the soup to the pot and stir in the mustard, scallions, basil and evaporated skim milk. In a separate pot, gently boil the kale in just enough water to cover. When the kale is just tender, drain it and stir it into the soup. Add salt and pepper to taste and lemon juice, if desired. Carefully reheat soup until it is very hot but not boiling.

per 9 oz. serving: 168 cal., 4.6 g protein, 4.3g fat, 28.8g carbs, 311 mg. sodium, 3.96g dietary fiber.

Guess I better go get choppin'