Rush, Rush

(Doesn’t the post title have you singing the Paula Abdul song? Maybe it’s just me.)

But I am in a rush … I was all set to post an update last night and ACK! My Internet crashed! So I have just a few minutes to tippity-type before I’m on the clock.

First of all, a MAJA shoutout to some Orlando-area bloggers that I stalk — I mean follow — who completed a 5K this weekend. Ironically, I was planning on entering the same event, but I chickened out! I need to get a baseline run time to try and beat, since my disaster of a run at October’s triathlon. I haven’t posted that race report, but it’s on the to-do list!

Anyway, I saw all three pop up in Google Reader, talking about their races, and I couldn’t get over how happy they looked!

(pic via The Inner Workings of a College Graduate)

So, when I really didn’t want to get out of bed on Monday morning at 4:44, I thought of that picture … because I want to be ready for the next race.

So, congrats to Caitlin, Meghann and Lindsay! You all made a difference in my life.

By the way, I am back to hardcore training for an Olympic distance triathlon in Orlando in March, the weekend before my 29th birthday. Yeeps!

Last night, the hubby and I were playing “clean the fridge” for dinner, and when I saw the half-cup of canned pumpkin left over from my weekend pumpkin blueberry oatmeal, I knew I needed to make the Pumpkin Gnocchi posted by Esi of Dishing Up Delights.

(Okay, forgive me for this. I know that the first rule of food blogging isn’t don’t talk about food blogging … it’s take pictures. I didn’t do that last night, but I am getting better!)

The gnocchi was amazing … a great texture, not too overpowing on the pumpkin flavor, and since I substituted some Smart Balance Light for the butter — relatively healthy! I told Esi, the only thing I would do differently is add some balsamic vinegar to the browned butter. It just needed a little something.

(Here’s her picture of the dish)

I served my version with some roasted Brussels sprouts (heavenly) and some steamed summer squash. They were so teeny tiny compared to the monsters I was getting this summer.

Today got off to a good start — weight training and a 5:45 am spinning class. It’s awesome — I burned nearly 450 calories in just over 45 minutes. But the teacher makes this crazy WHOOP WHOOP sound all through class. I assume she’s trying to make us pedal harder and climb those hills, but all I want to do is unclip and knock her off the bike! Mean, I know. I haven’t had my coffee yet.

Today I have to go to Panera for a lunch meeting, so it will be a challenge to stay away from those yeasty warm breads and head toward the black bean soup. But I’m up for it.

And with that, it’s time to go earn a living!