I had plans to run 6 miles on Wednesday morning, but I ended up feeling so good that I ran seven eight miles. Edit: I just used my Nike+ sports band and discovered that this run is longer than originally thought. Woo-hoo! Alma and I ran along the Bridle Path in Central Park early in the a.m. and I had absolutely no pain in my hamstring or IT band. I think the key is running slowly and only running 3-4 days a week. I’m trying to build up the mileage gradually, so that I don’t back-track into injury. I still haven’t decided for sure, but I *might* run the Greta’s Gallop half-marathon in a few weeks. I ran Greta’s back in 2007 and it was my first ever race in New York City/Central Park. And during last year’s Greta’s Gallop, I met Alma! This is one of my favorite races, so it would mean a lot to me if I could do it (even if my time is very slow)!

Pre-run fuel was a cup ‘o coffee and half a luna bar – I’ve noticed a big difference in how I feel when I have a small snack a few minutes before running.

IT band problems? Runner’s World has a great tutorial on stretching and strengthening that pesky body part. I’ve tried the stretches and I think they really help  

Highlight of the 9am hour: overnight pumpkin oats for breakfast!

• 1/3 cup each of oats, greek yogurt, 1% milk, and pumpkin
• chopped peach, handful of raisins and walnuts
• cinnamon, maple syrup, honey

I had meetings most of the day, so lunch was quick. The weather is dreary, so I needed lots of color in my salad!

• romaine, shredded carrots, red onion, mushrooms, roasted potatoes
• kidney beans and chickpeas
• tastings of pasta salad and tomato-mozzarella salad
• whole grain croutons, feta cheese, craisins
• 2 Tbs balsamic vinaigrette

Afternoon snacks were sunchips and some delicious mini-muffins from my co-worker. She used my pumpkin-chocolate chip bread recipe and they were SO good

My early evening was occupied with a top secret baking project (to be revealed soon) and some yoga. I need to go to a formal yoga class ASAP – it always makes me feel so much better. By 8pm I was starving for dinner. I had some leftover homemade pizza dough, so I baked up another mozzarella and tomato creation. This time I remembered to add chopped, fresh rosemary to the dough and it really made the flavors pop. I love when the mozzarella cheese gets crispy and bubbly – the key is to bake the pizza in a VERY hot oven.

With POM juice + seltzer:

Dessert was a sampling of my freshly baked goodies. I had to make sure they tasted alright I can’t share the recipe yet, but I’ll give you a hint: peanut butter chips, chocolate chips, and M&Ms were involved!

Time to finish up Season 2 of Gossip Girl. I still haven’t watched this season’s premiere!

Question: If you could only eat 3 foods for the rest of your life, what would they be?

For me, it would be peanut butter, greek yogurt, and veggie pizza!

Speaking of delicious food, check out this mac ‘n cheese restaurant that just opened up in New York. The Primavera mac with spinach, artichoke, fresh herbs, tomato, parmigianno, and feta sounds soooo good. Any locals want to try it out??