The changing of the seasons typically coincide with changes in my workout schedules.
As the temperature dropped over the past few weeks, I started to shift my outdoor runs to the lunch hour. By the time midday strikes, the temperature has usually warmed up by 7-10 degrees Celsius which is substantial when you are running outdoors!
For example, when I got up this morning it was –3C (26F) and by noon it had warmed up to 9C (48F). As much as I love getting my workout done with in the morning, during the Fall season, I prefer to run outside after it warms up. I do not like the cold, despite being a former Winter Endurance Athlete. ;)
My lunchtime workouts have left me with the big ‘before or after’ question regarding the timing of my lunch: Do I eat lunch before my run or do I eat after my run?
I have been experimenting with eating lunch before or after my run and I have found that when I eat my lunch 30-45 minutes before my run, I have much more energy than if I wait to eat until after. Of course, that makes total sense, but I was almost certain I would get running cramps after eating, but that hasn’t been the case. Sometimes I also ‘split up’ my lunch and have half before my workout and half after. This seems to work well too.
After yesterday’s awesome Avocado-Lime Black Bean Salad, I was inspired yet again to mix it up for lunch. I wanted something fairly light, yet still energizing for my run and this Cinnamon Spice Sweet Potato Chickpea Salad was born…
Cinnamon Spice Sweet Potato Chickpea Salad
A hybrid between raking the leaves in the Fall and sipping a margarita on a tropical beach. Somehow, the flavours of cinnamon and Coconut oil just pair together so wonderfully. Don’t forget the sea salt too; it really makes the flavours pop in this recipe.
Ingredients:
- 1 large sweet potato, peeled and chopped into 1/2 inch pieces
- 1.5 cups cooked chickpeas
- 1 small onion, peeled and chopped
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
- 1 tbsp coconut oil, divided
Directions: Preheat oven to 425F and line a baking sheet with parchment or a non-stick liner. Peel and chop sweet potato. In a large bowl, add the cooked chickpeas, uncooked sweet potato, chopped onion, cinnamon, salt, and 1/2 tbsp coconut oil. Mix well. Spread onto prepared baking sheet and place in the oven at 425F for 36-40 minutes. Remove from oven and place into a large bowl. Add the remaining 1/2 tbsp coconut oil and stir well to coat. Add additional sea salt if preferred. Serves 1-2.
I don’t know about you, but 6 ingredient recipes make me happy. Very, very happy.
[Note the onion is missing and I couldn’t fit all the chickpeas and sweet potato on the board so I just grabbed a handful ‘for show’!]
Mix the above ingredients together in a bowl and spread out onto a baking sheet.
It smells like love, puppies, and rainbows mixed with a tropical beach.
Bake for 36-40 minutes at 425F.
Deeply inhale and fill your lungs with the sweet cinnamon and coconut aroma.
Place salad back into a bowl and mix in more coconut oil as it is a bit dry when it comes out of the oven. Sprinkle with more sea salt and serve immediately!
When I made this, I assumed it was a two-serving recipe, but I loved it so much I ate the whole damn thing!
After all, I needed my pre-run fuel. ;)
And boy did I ever have energy on today’s run. Granted, I had to wear my running jacket + gloves to feel *sorta* warm, but it was refreshing once my body warmed up.
After about 30 minutes of digesting, I hit the road.
Side note: I haven’t been blogging about all of my exercise lately, but I have been running on average 19-25 miles per week, with 1-2 complete rest days per week. Right now, I consider myself to be in ‘maintenance mode’; I am not presently training for any races, but I am still running consistently to keep up my ‘base’.
Side Note #2: Remember when I broke my second iPod Shuffle by putting it in the washing machine? Well, I am proud to say that I have been running for about 4-5 weeks now with absolutely NO music and I don’t even miss it much anymore! I never thought I could get used to running without music, but here I am. I find that I get more thinking done too.
The run:
- Distance: 4.16 miles
- Time: 34:10 mins
A delicious snack followed…Healthy Cookie Bites! Aka: Oatmeal in cookie form. ;)
Now that Fall is here and Winter is quickly approaching, do you change up your workouts with the seasons or the time of day that you workout? Do you move inside, put on workout DVD’s, hit the gym, or just bundle up?
[As I typed this post, a notification popped up on my computer telling me that daylight Saving Time ends this weekend….doh!!]
Mmm that looks delicious! It almost makes me want to lick my computer screen!
Running with no music?! I am so impressed! Don’t think I could do that. Since I don’t workout outside, my workouts don’t change much. I still work out first thing in the early morn because I like how it sets up my day!
I didn’t think I could do it either!
Working out in the am. is the best! Today is day one of me getting back into it, but I know soon ill look forward to it!
I love getting home from work and relaxing with my family knowing ive already sweated it up 9-10 hours ago :)
That combinations looks heavenly. Chickpeas and sweet potatoes are something I always have on hand…Thanks for the fabulous idea!!
Oh wow, Chickpeas AND Sweet Potato….Yum!!
We’re heading into Summer in NZ so I’m the opposite – can’t wait to get outdoors and see some sunlight! In winter I hog the garage outside with my boxing bag, cross-trainer and rowing machine..poor hubby has to keep the car outside! lol
I usually work out indoors, so the weather change isn’t too big of a deal. But I do prefer to run in the springtime when it is somewhat cool in the morning but with enough sunshine to keep me warm :)
I love this salad that you made — and it looks especially “fall like” with the twig spoon!
please send these by the dozen to colorado, STAT! :)
Your posts always invoke the seasons. I love it.
I stopped running with music too and I totally love it! At first I thought it would be totally impossible, but now I don’t even consider grabbing my Ipod unless I end up going to the gym. Normally when winter comes around I head right for the gym, but now that I am training for a few hilly winter races I really need to work on running outside despite colder temps. So far its been fun but we’ll see how I feel once things really get cold :)
haha you took the words right out of my mouth regarding the cold. I keep saying to myself ‘oh this isn’t so bad, I can run outside all winter’ and then I realize it is 8C and winter is brutally cold and also icy. I guess I will just run outdoors as long as I safely can!
First off, that salad is beyond amazing.
Secondly, I’d stab my eyeballs out if I had to run without music. Honestly, not sure I could accomplish it? Clearly why you are the big time runner and I’m a little slogger (slow-jogger);)
Thirdly, the cold and I do not agree. I have been running inside since October 1st. Love my treadmill. Love, love, love it!
Love your blog too
I used to rely on music during my runs! After my daughter was born that completely changed :)
I still love running to music, but I also enjoy quieting my mind :)
I’m a gym-goer year round, so the change of seasons doesn’t change my routines much – apart from the fact that there are just NO outdoor ones at all now. I wish I’d seen this recipe before I made dinner tonight!!
“running for about 4-5 weeks now with absolutely NO music and I don’t even miss it much anymore! I never thought I could get used to running without music, but here I am. I find that I get more thinking done too.”
OMG THAT IS GREAT!!!!!!
I was the victim of violent crime and part of it, I am convinced, started b/c I was being followed on my runs in a big city but was too tuned out to notice. I ran with my headphones and got so into the music, I forgot about the world. So, I have spent the past nearly 10 years running without any music. I dont do treadmills, so it’s only outdoor running for me and I think it’s GREAT that you’re going without music.
I think you get wayyyyy more thinking done, too :)
And the recipe, looks stellar!
The pics of you as a little girl…that was my childhood: tons of snow! I grew up in Minnesota. Go figure that I am living in San Diego and it’s 95F today! Total indian summer!!!
:)
(I was in Balboa Park today Averie and thought of you! Wasn’t the 95 degree day killer?)
This recipe is an awesome variation on the same ol Brendan Brazier yam fries I’ve been stuck on. Can’t wait to try this!
I do feel more safe without the music…funny you should mention that. And of course I always carry pepper spray b/c I just feel better with it.
What an awesome flavor combo, Angela! I could pretty much eat chickpeas with anything! LOVE!
Boo to winter :(
It’s amazing how you throw things together so quickly and they come out so fabulous!
I’m with you on the supposed-to-serve-2-but-I-ate-the-whole-thing ;)
I LOVE running with no music. (actually I am a scaredy cat and NEED to be able to HEAR outside…)
:D
Yum! Sweet potatoes and chickpeas are both one of my favorite foods :) Congrats on running without music! That’s hard to do. During the winter months it gets dark so early that I have to ride my bike/run earlier or just go to the gym if it gets too cold.
That chickpea salad looks great! Three times in the past week, I have gotten up to go work out (4:30), have gotten dressed, and then gotten right back in bed because I just couldn’t do it.
That looks delicious! Now I have nice lunch ideas :).
What a tasty lunch!!! And you are one speedy runner!!!
That looks great. Take out the onions (which I hate anyway) and it could almost be dessert!