WORKOUT -
Ran on TM and outside
22.0 miles/2:58 (total)
TM: 17 miles/2:15
1.0 incline
Outside: 5 miles/43 mins
rolling hills
I started running at the gym this morning because it was really early and still dark out… it’s suppose to be 90elevenhundred10 degrees today so I wanted to get this run done early.
I did 17 at a 7:56 pace, changed my clothes and went outside to finish the run. And like Jason Aldean’s recent behavior, it was inappropriate… inappropriately hard. Those 5 miles (8:36 pace) were worse than the previous 17.
{All from just one run; good thing I have a housecleaner… my husband}
But I just kept trugging and finished with 22 total; bring on Chicago in 5 days!
INSPIRATION
My friend Ashley (we went to Hawaii with a group of friends last year) just ran her first half marathon in Bellingham, Washington, this past weekend… she killed her goal of 2 hours by running a 1:56:55!
Besides running her own photography business, she’s a superbusy mom to 4 kids including twin boys.
The lesson learned here is that if you have more than 2 kids, you need to own a factory or somewhere to make them earn their keep, and if it’s important enough to you, you’ll make the time.
ONE MORE RANDOM THING
My posts have been random (read: crappy) the past two days, and I swear I’m off the “I’m going to freak out and pass out now so give me some meds now!” chill pills, but I gotta tell you about the most exciting part of my day yesterday: the SweeTango apple.
I usually buy whatever apple is cheapest, minus Red Delicious because they are disgusting and should only be used to throw at burglars, but I was at the store the other day, and the grocer was really friendly and recommended these SweeTango apples – I’d never even heard of them.
He cut me slices of three different types of apples to taste and these were so good that I had to buy a bag even though they were $2.99/lb and Fujis were only $1.69/lb.
What kind of apple eater are you? Any fruit you don’t like?
I asked the grocer what his favorite apple was and he said Granny Smith with salt and lemon on them, like a margarita?! never heard of that but sounds sorta good.
He provided such great service that I had to go tell the manager on duty about him.
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{ 63 comments… read them below or add one }
My favies apples are Fuji hands down. But, intrigued by this SweeTango of which you speak
I totally have to say that, what you did for that store clerk, was awesome! I work in customer service too and ya a rarity that people actually commend my services!
Side note: I’m running my first half marathon on Sunday in Boston, MA. It’s the Boston Athletics Association annual half. I’m so excited and nervous.
My favorite is the Honeycrisp. I also found a delicious fruit dip recipe on Pinterest: Mix 1 cup of Plain LowFat Greek Yogurt with 1/2 Nutella. OMG…so GOOD with apples!!!
hmm….sweet tango…I have never even heard of those.
I am a Fuji girl all the way!
oh jason jason jason, what was he thinking?!
congrats on the 22, excited for you to rock chi-town.
never heard of sweetango apples but def gonna keep an eye out now.
i know, i always liked him and was bummed to hear about his “mistake”.
I love Fuji apples and crisp green apples. I especially like that I can buy the little green apples that I can use for school lunches and then eat some with peanut butter. I rarely eat blueberries; I know they’re good for you, but I just don’t like them.
I ran 10 miles yesterday and I broke it up just like you: 7 miles outside, came in to change out of my disgusting clothes, grabbed some water, and finished up on the treadmill. I may do more broken up long runs because they don’t seem quite so challenging.
i love breaking up runs (and couples. kidding. maybe), its definitely easier mentally.
Ehh I’m not really an apple fan, but if I do eat them I like Granny Smith apples! I absolutely loathe Red Delicious and my worst nightmare in the world would be to make me eat apple sauce, drink apple juice, and eat a red delicious all in one sitting.
Good luck at the Chicago Marathon this weekend! You’re going to kill it girl!
Is it weird I teared up at the story about Ashley? I am running my first half on Sunday and can’t wait ~ seeing my kids watch me do it, makes it all the more a tear jerker. Yep I will be crying – I can feel it now.
I love apples. My favorite are the Honey Crisp – we have them here in Missouri it is almost there “time”. I can’t wait to sink my face into one.
Good luck – I can’t wait to read all about it.
I’m a Granny Smith fan; otherwise any apple that is tart and crispy will do the trick. I also hate Red Delicious and agree about them being burglar deterrent.
I definitely need to look for the SweeTango apple; never heard of it before and we have LOTS of apples and apple orchards around here!
I splurged on SweeTango apples for the first time the other day, and they were amazing! Definitely worth the $2.99/lb. when I want to eat two a day.
WOW! 17 miles on the treadmill? Sounds tough (because I would have gotten bored. Did you watch the news or listen to music?).
And the weather even in San Francisco was super hot yesterday.
i watched the news… talk about boring.
Pink Lady apples are the bomb. And if you can add peanut butter, apples are 100x better.
The man in Ashley’s 1/2 marathon photo is going to be the reason for my nightmares for the next 2-3 weeks. Thats one intense face!
I’ve never heard of a sweet tango. My favorite are braeburn apples. Mmmm
My favs are Honey Crisp and Pink Lady’s. So sweet!
Your run sounds brutal but I’m sure it was NBD to you. My 3 my TT run was OK, not too bad. I hate stinky gym clothes…I’m reviewing some new detergent for Fabreeze this week. I LOVE gala apples but they’re like $2.50 lb. here right now. I’m kinda diggin’ the candy apples at Costco, of course I can’t actually buy them but tasting’s OK. Jessica
SweatismySanity.com
My favorite apples are honeycrisp, pink lady and granny smith. in that order.
Funny..I dislike Red Delicious too…I have never had one that isn’t soft, brown or blah. I quit buying them years ago.
I like more of a sweet, tart apple…pink lady or gala.
Favorite fruit lately are blackberries but with the price of them I will have to quit buying them soon. ;-(
Honeycrisps. So excited to find them around. I will have to keep my eyes open for the SweeTango.
The Kidless Kronicles
I just saw those apples for the first time this week and thought I might try them. But then I ended up getting my beloved Honeycrisps since they’re back in season. Apply buying is so complex.
I love Sweetangos! Jazz apples are also ridiculously good & usually cheaper than pink ladies & honeycrisps.
Love a Granny Smith with salt and cheddar cheese. Sometimes I’ll even melt the cheese on the apples. I’m crazy like that.
Honeycrisps are pretty much the only way I’ll eat an apple. So good.
Golden delicious and pink lady apples are my favorites. When baked in a dessert, I don’t discriminate.
Good luck in Chicago!
I eat an apple a day. Apples are my favorite food! My favorite varieties are Gala, Fuji, Honeycrisp and Pink Lady. And I always splurge for organic!
Love that you spoke to the manager — that’s some good karma right there.
I (heart) Fuji and Gala apples. But now I’m intrigued about this SweeTango and according to the comments, HoneyCrisp. I need to go to Apple Hill and go find some!
The only fruit I hate is grapefruit. And that nasty little orange turd-sized random fruit that I picked off a tree on the way back to my car this morning. Tasted like a bitter smelly foot.
It sounds like the grocer likes the Mexican spice called Tajin. It is a blend of lime, chile and salt. It is SO GOOD on melons, mango, jacima and any type of juicy fruit. Fun fact: in small print on the label, it says, “This is NOT a Candy.
I’ve never heard of those kinds either?!? I love gala / fuji (if crispy), and honeycrisp!
Way to bust out 22. You’re a freaking fast machine!
Pink Lady hands down
I like Fuji and Gala apples. The only fruit I dislike is Granny Smith apples and Red Delicious apples. Nice thought on using them on burglars! Maybe I can start chucking them at all the bad drivers here in LA. Haha! Oh wait, I’d be clearing our orchards if I did that!
I have a Granny Smith apple every day at work. I also HATE red delicious apples and as a kid, that’s all my Mom used to buy. Yuck!
LOVE Honeycrisp. The best are the fresh ones from the farmers market. Hate mushy apples. I wish they would all just turn to applesauce already.
I have apples almost everyday. So good! I’ve never heard about a SweeTango. I’ll have to keep my eyes open for it!
Being a native Washingtonian, I’d better like apples or they might kick me out. I couldn’t agree with you more on the Red Delicious. Whoever came up with that name was obviously a marketing GENIUS because they are so red and so NOT delish. I’m slightly obsessed with Honey Crisps right now. I feel like you can only get them sometimes, not year-round, like Cadbury eggs, so I hoard them and eat them like a crazy person even though they too are $2.99 a pound. I really don’t care for mangos.
Oops, I forgot to mention how rad it is that you took the time to find the manager and tell him/her about the great employee. I’d expect nothing less from you, SR! You just rock like that. I kind of have a thing going with the elderly produce guy at my grocery. He sees me every.single.sunday and I say, “You stayin’ out of trouble?” and he says, “Tryin’ my best.” It’s kind of our thing.
I love Pink Lady apples, they are my favorites. A close second and third are Honeycrisps and then Granny Smiths with salt.
And way to go for your friend Ashley! That’s awesome. She looks strong in her race pic but the guy on the left of thatpic looks like he’s totally hating life.
Honeycrisp Apples. That is all.
Loved the inspirational story about your friend running her first half! I’m training for my first half and have a 2 year old. 4 kids and still making time for herself is really awesome!
I had to LOL when I read what you said about Red Delicious apples, because it’s TRUE! They are ANYTHING but delicious. On a serious note, I hope that someday I can run 22 miles. I am ‘training’ for a half marathon at Disney World in February, but I use the term training very lightly, because right now I’m trying to heal up a shin splint. So for now, I’ll live vicariously through you
I love apples. I must admit I do love a good honey crisp or granny smith. Poor Jason… lol. I really hope I see you in Chicago rocking it.
My brother is a horticulture major at the University of Minnesota and got to try out these SweeTango apples 3 years ago. They and honeycrisps are both AMAZING apple products form Minnesota. Don’t ever get fooled by imposter apples from other states/ We love our apples here in MN and SweeTango is by far the crunchiest most delicious apple ever! So happy to see other people enjoying them!!!
Funny, I’m eating a honeycrsip as I read this. It’s a toss up between honeycrisp and sweetango. I can usually get both pretty easily since I live in the state where they were developed. Did you know that the honeycrisp is one of the parents of sweetango?
hmmm never knew it, interesting! i was wondering what kind of apple it was.
I go through phases with my apples, right now I’m on a Fuji kick. I’m gonna have to check out these though. Always up for a new fruit!
Honeycrisp are my current favorite apple variety. They are so juicy! Next in line would be Pink Lady apples. For a “dessert” what I like to do is chop up an apple, nuke it in the microwave for a minute, sprinkle with cinnamon and raisins, and drizzle peanut butter (or PB2) on top. I don’t feel as guilty for eating it because there’s fruit in it.
I LOVE that you told the guys manager about his exceptional behavior… we need more of that in this world. Little positive reinforcements go a long way so I really hope that guy gets that positive feedback!
Gala lover here (probably b/c they’re generally inexpensive and delicious!) Growing up my mom would always cut up granny smiths and put salt on them — not my fave!
I never knew there were so many apples. I just thought there are green and red. I noticed the different tastes. Wow! I just usually like to buy the light green ones. Next time I go shopping I’m going to look out for all the names. I may buy one of each kind just to see which one I like the best.
I have four kids and know it can be tough training and making time for the family. I LOVED the signs her kids posted. My oldest daughter has already ran a few 5K and even placed 1st! I’m slow.
Uhhh, what is w/all the haters out there?? I can’t be the only one, please tell me I’m not..I kinda like red delicious apples!! eeek…there I said it!
I actually like them too! I used to HATE them because of reasons stated (mushy, flavorless) but I gave them another chance recently and they are so not how I remember them! My husband has also been converted, although he pulled his nose up when I first bought them again. Give the Red Delicious a chance people!
oh em freakin gee.. I want a granny smith with lemon and salt.. mmm.. sounds so good.. never heard of a sweetango.. but u convinced me to try one.. I love cantaloupe (cant a loop ay) with lime zest on it.. im hungry now..
I love red, green, and yellow apples. With peanut butter. I know, I am very sophisticated. Also, Jason Aldean, come on dude.
Mutsu are amazing! And they’re only available for a couple of weeks a year so I buy an obscene amount of them! My friend likes granny smith with salt…I tried it, it was ok. Maybe I needed the lemon?
Red Gala or Fuji and only red ones. For some odd reason, I get hungry 30 min after I eat one if I have it for a mid-morning snack. Does this make any sense?
Try it with peanut butter…
My self esteem is at an all time low…red delicious are my favorite apples. You have to squeeze them to pick the right one because mushy is totally gross. But a nice, crisp red delicious makes my day. Which apparently makes me super weird.
Honey crisp apples are by far my favs…sweet crunch, yum! Speaking of changing clothes, I am doing the Boston Half this weekend and the forecast is rain and cold! I live in Florida, so running 13.1 in a cold rain is not something I’ve experienced. What do I wear? I’m freaking out about it…any tips from you or your readers?
I used to think I didn’t like apples, but that was because my mom always bought Red Delicious. Those things are nasty. I do like Honeycrisp, Fuji and Gala. I’ve never heard of SweeTango, but I’d give them a shot (as long as they’re nothing like Red Delicious).
My fave apples are Jonagolds…YUM!
Honeycrisp (when I’m in the States) Pink Lady (when in Italy). With cinnamon , they’re even better!
Peer pressure…I am weak. I went to the store last night and picked up my $1.99/lb. SweeTango apple.
I am enjoying – like, a lot.
Thanks.
Honeycrisp are delicious up here in Minnesota, and they are ridiculously expensive. But, so worth it! I also enjoy Honey Golds if I can find them.