Pumpkin Pie Oatmeal!
Today’s breakfast was so delicious. I know I’m on a serious Pumpkin kick (I bought 8 cans in December because my grocery store stops carrying them after the holidays), but this breakfast might be repeated very, very soon.
My oatmeal contained:
- 1/2 cup oatmeal
- 1/2 cup vanilla rice milk
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 sliced banana
- 1/4 cup pumpkin puree
- Dashes of cinnamon, nutmeg, and ground cloves
- Toppings: Brown sugar and chopped almonds
And a little green spoon. 
Bum Foot Update
As you all know, I injured my foot during Sunday’s marathon. Yesterday was the first day that I could walk without limping or pain, although I still get random shooting pains along the side of my foot. The bruising and swelling is almost gone, but I definitely don’t see myself pounding out a 6 mile run anytime soon.
For the last two months of training, some mornings I would wake up and the ball of my foot would be very tight and would hurt when I stepped out of bed. It only lasted a minute or two. I just realized that the pain on the bottom of my foot and the swelling on the side are related. Basically, my body was trying to tell me I was getting injured, but I chalked it up to “normal” marathon soreness. Soreness, slight pain, tiny twinges, etc. are not normal and are a warning sign something serious is forthcoming! Even though I’ve run 20 races, I swear I learn something new every time.
Into the Deep End
I’m back into the “Fridays are my long workout day” mode. But instead of running double digits for the marathon, I’m going to do the Intro to Iron Pumping Challenge workout, bike, and then Ryan is going to teach me how to swim – all of which I can do safely with my foot!
Ryan is basically a swimming genius. We ran a triathlon relay together and she finished the swim leg (1.5 KM) in 25:43, putting her in the lead for our age group. I think she swam on a team in school?
My swimming expertise consists of doing laps on dry land:
Yeah.
So, Ryan is going to try to teach me how NOT to sink. I am swim “recreationally” (I’m actually a licensed SCUBA diver and you have to pass an emergency swim test), but I cannot swim in a race situation.
I’m going my second attempt at a triathlon in March (my second attempt because I was disqualified from my first for screwing up the swim) so I figure NOW is the time to learn to swim.
Are you a better runner, biker, swimmer, yogi, or something else?
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Better runner by far. And now…injury or not, you’ve really motivated me to increase my miles and try for longer races. It’s tough trying to pace your self so injuries don’t occur.
Good luck with the swim – I can’t wait to hear about all the training that goes into your second triathalon.
I bike and I run. I’m an okay swimmer, and I love to get back into it to toy with the idea of a triathlon! I’m actually a better cyclist than I am a runner (I raced in college), but I’ve been slowly working on that!
Right now I would have to say runner, but I don’t think I can really tell yet because I haven’t swam or biked. I would LOVE to bike but right now it is just not in our budget to buy a bike so we are waiting
I would love to do a triathalon like you are doing one day!!
I am am an expert treadmill walker…bahaha…for as long as the roads are covered in ice unfortunately! boo.
You are going to rock the swimming…have a great feeling about it. Maybe a new fitness addiction?
I am a good ellipticizer?? Haha I don’t know if I could swim. I’m a bit intimidated by it! I’m sure you will rock it.
im on a pumpkin kick too! i tried the organic pumpkin, and maybe its just me, but I DID NOT LIKE IT! prob the only organic thing i dont like..its was like runny and watery.. i like the non organic kind better!
ha, i’m not sure I am good at any of it. I run and bike recreationally. (meaning, slowly), but I don’t normally swim. I’m always tempted to at the gym, but then I remember how cold the water is and I talk myself out of it.
I wish I could bike well! I am definitely best and running and don’t have a ton of opportunities to swim except in the summer.
Glad to hear your foot is doing a bit better…
and i’m def a runner. i fall off my bike and sink like a rock when i swim. actually, my arms just don’t move when i swim. hah!
I like running best, but I really want to give yoga another shot! Glad to hear you’re starting to recover from the marathon!
I think it goes biking > yoga > running > > > swimming. The first three are all pretty close for me, ability and enjoyment-wise, but I am awful at swimming!
I can swim to save my life but that is the extent of my abilities. It’s running all the way for me! My husband is the opposite – he’s happiest in the water and is definitely not much of a runner, but he’s trying. Love the leaf bowl.
So sorry about your foot. I am a better cyclist……..
runner and yoga for sure. i’m afraid to bike because i hate dealing with traffic and the idea of possibly hitting people or crashing. and i’m a great “water-treader” but suck at race-swimming!
sounds like ryan will do a great job teaching you some good strokes, good luck!
Caitlin, do you think the pain on the bottom of your foot could be plantar fascia? I’m a runner and I’ve had PF at least four times. The worst was about a year ago, and I had to stay off that foot (no impact exercise) for about 3-4 months. It’s definitely curable though, and icing, Ibuprofin and morning exercises REALLY speed the recovery process. Just thought I’d let you know in case there’s a chance you have that as well!
dunno? im trying not to self diagnosis and just stay off of it LOL
i dont think PF causes bruising and swelling on the side, does it? im leaning towards a stress fracture or some sort of tendinitis.
Are you seeing a doctor? If it’s plantar fascia or a stress fracture, you should definitely see one.
My mom has had plantar fascia twice and although its treatable, it does require a doctor. Three girls on my track team have stress fractures right now, and a doctor’s treatment is very necessary in that case as well.
Hopefully it’s nothing too serious, but I’m glad to hear that you’re focusing on cycling and swimming for the time being.
When i had PF, it did swell, but did not bruise. When I had a metatarsal stress fracture, it did swell, but did not bruise and the pain was on the top of the foot. I also had metatarsialgia (sp?) which basically felt like the ball of my foot was an entire bruise and there was some swelling, which sounds most similar to your foot? (not trying to diagnose; I’ve also made fatal errors with self-diagnoses). I was actually in PT for a hip stress fracture at the time of the metarsialgia (oh, hi running injuries, you’re fun!), and the physical therapist applied the ultrasound machine to the foot, and taped it… it felt infinitely better. Anyway, all these foot injuries basically just took time and a switch to low-impact activities to heal. and, yeah, seeing a doctor wouldn’t be a bad idea.
I don’t really have health insurance right now, which is why I’m not seeing a doctor.
I’m not really great at any of those things…but I have fun trying so I keep doing them!
Oh, wait. I am a pretty great weightlifter. I can squat more than most guys at the gym!
I swam competitively for ten years! I love swimming! It’s a great workout. If your true love is running, swimming won’t be the same, but it’s always great to learn new skills!
I am a better runner for sure. I can’t do much else!
I am a yogi for sure. I have always wanted to try biking, though.
lol– hope you don’t turn orange! I burned myself out on pumpkin back in November…but I had it almost everyday in either oatmeal or yogurt, so I know where you’re coming from!
Swimming will be a fun challenge!! Good luck!
Great to look on the bright side of your injury and accept that you can always learn something new, especially when it comes to listening to our bodies!
I used to love swimming, I’m jealous your going to learn how to “really” do it haha…I’m a spin class lover for sure…I’m slowly working on enjoying running here and there though
I’ve been rationing my pumpkin, knowing that when I run out, the story won’t have any.
I need to learn how to swim for real too! I’m scuba certified and can pass the basic test, but I want to be able to compete in a tri. Running is my strong point. Have fun swimming!
I was a competitive swimmer for years in elementary and middle school, and lifeguarded and swam for fitness in high school and college. After I meet my goals of completing half marathons and marathons, I REALLY want to try a triathlon. The Danskin women’s triathlons are nice for beginners – there’s one at Disney, actually!
I’m a better runner… every time I try swimming I find that I just can’t figure out a breathing pattern that works for me, and my lungs end up burning and I feel like a mess.
I’ve really been contemplating putting swimming into my workout routine. We had a gym at our old condo and my bf would go all the time, I found it too boring. Maybe I just need a partner in crime.
Have fun at your lesson
Hey Caitlin!
Your post about your foot jumped out at me, I have been running marathons for a while and have had a number of injuries…one of which was peroneal tendonitis. I remember waking up in the mornings and having a pain in the ball of my foot for a while before one day after a long run, the outside of my ankle/foot began to hurt so bad I swore it was broken. I went to my sports med doc who diagnosed me with peroneal tendonitis.
Physical Therapy definitely helped me out big time, the therapist really worked on my plantar fascia to loosen it (it like a biatch!) and also massaged/dug deep into my calves. This combined with icing, flushes (alternating heat and ice) and lotsss of stretching had me running within a couple weeks. No pain now, I just have to be very diligent about stretching and rolling out my plantar fascia (a frozen water bottle works wonders for this!)
Sorry for rambling, but I know how annoying injuries can be so thought I would chime in!
Good luck!
Oh, interesting. So you calf hurt, too? Because today I realized it was EVERYTHING.. my lower foot, my calf, the side of my foot. Remember how I had to take a few weeks off because my “archilles tendon” was hurting? Yup. Same pain. I’m really leaning towards peroneal tendonitis now but I can’t afford PT or a doctor appointment. Hopefully it will just go away on its own with no running. Thank you for sharing this.
Oh you’re welcome!
It definitely sounds like what mine felt like. I know you are an anatomy pro, so when you look at the peroneals and where they originate and insert…attached proximally to the head of the fibula and its ‘belly’ runs down most of this bone. It becomes a tendon that goes posteriorly around the lateral malleolus of the ankle, then continues under the foot to attach to the 1st metatarsal.
It makes sense why that whole area hurts!
I’m not an expert by any means (trying to get into PT school though, so maybe someday
but definitely just take it easy, lots of icing, gentle stretching and foam rolling if you have one!
Hope it gets better soon!
I just looked at a few google images and yup… this is definitely where I’m having the pain. Well, its a relief that it’s probably not a stress fracture!!
Cyclist! ha. I did take a university swim class last fall that totally increased not only my swimming ability but also my LOVE for swimming (seriously, there’s nothing like getting out of the water after a workout…happy and calm for the rest of the day
) and I’m just picking up running again after a three year hiatus caused my patellar tendonitis. A physical therapist told me I just shouldn’t run but, thanks to you, I’m giving it a go again. Taking it slow, wearing patellar support straps, and icing afterwards 
.
I swam on a team through high school but haven’t been in a pool since! I’d say now probably a runner
I just ordered a book online that gives you different swim workouts to choose from all in a waterproof spiral notebook. I’ve seen a few people at the pool using them, and they all say they love it! I can’t wait to get it! It might help with the boredem issue that some people face in the pool. It is called Workouts in a Binder: Swim Workouts for Triathletes. I’m not a swimmer at all, but I’ve definitely morphed into looking like a swimmer when I swim within the last year (at least that is what people tell me)! I prefer to run or do yoga if I had to pick!
I’m definitely a better runner. I tried swimming when I was a kid and had to do the noseplugs/goggles look, which just wasn’t any fun. I don’t mind biking, but I’ve never really gotten into it and NYC isn’t exactly the best place for me to relearn! I guess I’ll stick to my running for a while
Hm, right now I guess I’d say I’m a “Body Pump-er” because that’s by far my favorite workout. But I’m hoping that through training for my first 5K I’ll become a runner, although probably not a marathoner. I want to try swimming – it seems more relaxing for the body. But what do I knwow?
I really need to master the art of pureed pumpkin. Your pumpkin yogurts and oatmeals always look so yummy, but mine never seem to taste right. Any tips? (short of following your mixes exactly
)
Swimming was definitely my strong suit – I was a competitive swimming from 4 grade through high school. Unfortunately after I quit competing I basically quit all together because I didn’t have much access to a pool I could do laps in. I’m doing my first triathlon this year (exact date and race TBD) so I’ve jumped back in the pool. I do not remember swimming being this hard! I haven’t felt so out of shape in a long time!
Also, my tip for you, which Ryan may tell you as well, is focus on form and do a bunch of drill work at first. Having the proper form makes going extended distances that much easier.
Biking is probably my weak point, and unfortunately there’s not a whole lot I can do about that until it warms up and the ice starts melting! I’m going to start doing spin classes, but it’s definitely not the same.
I think you need some sort of sweetener. With the oatmeal, its brown sugar, and with the yogurt, its agave (or honey would work). i think plain, unsweetened pumpkin is pretty blah. And spices like cinnamon help, too!
I’m a runner, swimmer and rider – biking is just painful!! I find it really dull
I should do it more though..but swimming is great, apart from after when you’re cold and covered in pool water :s and don’t even get me STARTED on sea water!! ARGH!
Is there an actual name for what’s wrong with your foot, or is it just tired and sprained?
Have a good day
oh, and I want your breakfast bowl, it’s ace hehe
I’m sure there is a name, but I’m just guessing thats wrong with it (i dont have insurance). its probably tendinitis.
I can’t run to save my life…well, I can but I hate it. So I try to only do it when I’m really inspired. I guess I’d rather do activites that I enjoy…so that I’ll stick with it longer…like cycling or lifting weights. But I love love love your little spoons!!! I think those would help me slow down the eating process.
Ok that oatmeal is definitely drool-worthy and something that i just might have to copy for breakfast tomorrow before heading out for a ride on my horse, and then my run!
..i’m a rider first and foremost (as in horseback rider), and have just started to become a runner.
im a horrible swimmer! thats pretty much the reason i wouldnt want to do a tri, is that 1/3 part that is swimming.
I’m better at walking. Does that count? lol
The morning foot pain sounds like plantar fasciitis….you might want to check out the signs and symptoms!
I think I’m better at yoga and runninng. I would swim more often but I went down a slide too fast one time (as a kid) and almost drowned. I like to swim but stick to 3-19 ft of water. Lakes scare me too.
I am not a “swimmer” either, I can swim, just not for long periods of times. I have wanted to as it is great for your body but just never have, maybe one day, like after my 1st marathon like you but that is 2+ years from now so we will see. YOU CAN DO IT THOUGH!!!
I’m a scuba diver too! So much fun!
I am a sit-on-my-ass-er.
I did my first triathlon this past fall and the swim was by far my best event. Having said that, even as a pretty strong swimmer, the swim portion of triathlons is pretty intimidating and stressful. I can see how you got panicked. I was surprised by the minute of panic I felt before I could get my head in the game. I can’t wait for spring to do another tri. Especially since I’ve been working hard to make my running less pathetic.
Definitely a better runner. I probably could do alright on a bike but swimming is definitely bot for me.
I didn’t think I was a good swimmer (just passable) until I did my first sprint tri and ROCKED the swim! I was so nervous about it and didn’t think I was as prepared as I could be, but I was first out of the water in my age group. But, I’ve only done the one sprint so far so maybe it was a fluke! LOL!
Good luck with the awesome workouts you have planned for today!
Courtney
adventures in tri-ing
I definitely enjoy running and biking equally, however I think running is much more difficult, so it’s more rewarding. I’m a terrible swimmer, which I learned last summer when I was recovering from a fibular stress fracture after running a half marathon (see, we all get injured!).
PS. I share your pumpkin enthusiasm. I love pumpkin bread and cookies, but in order to eat better, I started making pumpkin pie oatmeal (almost exactly like yours!) awhile ago. Love it! Of course, I started making the pumpkin yogurt as soon as I found your site, and it’s my new best friend
Runner, but I think it’s only because that’s what I have always focused on. I bet by the time you get to that triathlon you will be a rocking swimmer!
Good luck on swimming!!
I’d say a better runner, but I was on a swim team when I was in school and I still find that I can swim competitively quite well. Maybe I should attempt a triathlon next?!?!
lol, its funny, whenever I had to run in school last year I would always say: “I like to let my horse do the running for me.” (I’m a rider) And now the funny thing is I actually enjoy running!… though I’m still going to have to say I’m better at riding than running.
Hope your foot feels even better soon
Swimming is definitely my weakest leg. I seem to have one speed ….. “slow”
i have recently fallen in love with swimming again. check out Total Immersion, you will love it. i’m digging it now
I hope you figure out what’s going on with your foot! I think cross training is so important. Swimming is such amazing exercise and it’s so easy on your body! As my pregnancy progresses I think i’m going to turn to more swimming since the other activities may get harder. Good luck!
I am a very good swimmer, but I hate it! I like to run and do step classes at the gym!
I’m a much better swimmer than anything else. I don’t have access to a pool in DC but I so wish I did! It’s such a great workout and one that my body seems to agree with.
We have a pool and last summer I was swimming A LOT. I stopped after a while though because back then my hair was super long and it would basically turn into Amy Winehouse’s beehive when I would get out of the pool. After brushing my hair for 30+ minutes everyday after I would get out of the pool, I finally got tired of it and stopped. (plus it was starting to get cold)
I’ve never really gotten into biking but I really want to. Right now my exercise of choice is definitely running but I’m open to all sorts of things!
I should really give swimming another shot now that my hair is short… maybe I’ll go to the gym sometime soon and actually get in the pool rather than just thinking about it!
I don’t think I’m really *great* at anything, but I love running, cycling AND yoga. Swimming… well… I can do a mean doggie paddle, but that’s about it!
Currently, I’m amazing at throwing darts, BUT I am working on running and other activities which involve a bit more cardio! I just joined 24 Hour Fitness and jumping in that lap pool seems like a fun idea.
i am a much better cyclist and runner than swimmer – i learned how to swim to pass a lifeguard cert, but other than that my “swimming” consists of jumping into the pool when i get too hot from sunbathing
I am not great at any of those, but I am a better biker than runner or swimmer. I am trying to be good at all 3 by the end of the year!
Have you read up on plantar facitis. (I am sure I spelled that wrong) but it sounds like that might be what your foot problem started as…
In upstate NY there was a pumpkin shortage this year! There were signs in the grocery store telling customers to not buy too many cans. Crazy right?
I’m definitely more of a runner, followed by biking during the summer months. I’m a newbie with yoga, and swimming? HA! Let’s not go there.
I can float and do the “doggy-paddle” but that’s about it! I truly admire that you’re learning how to swim in order to compete though. I’d love to focus on learning how to swim this summer as well! 
good luck… I love being in the water and in the ocean, but I can’t really swim – I mean, I won’t drown or anything but I can’t really do anything more than float around & doggie paddle. it intimidates me for some reason.
Biker then runner…which is why I am glad the bike leg is the longest!! Just a tip….try to keep your bottom half higher than your top half (i.e. feel like your butt is higher than your head) it helps with bouancy. youll do great!!
I’m DEFFF best a running. I’m an okay swimmer but I have the worlds worst balance, so riding a road bike TERRIFIES me.
I’ve been a swimmer for 12 years and absolutely love the sport. I posted some instructional videos on my blog if you ever have questions about certain strokes!
I am a better biker and I can float around in the water? If you count that as swimming
(I find it sooo much easier than running) But I would LOVE to be a better runner! I am still working on this. I do love the challenge of a hard run, it always feels so amazing afterward! good luck with your training!
I am for sure a better runner and the idea of swimming petrifies me. I CAN swim but to race? Yeah no.
Good luck!!! Sounds like a fun workout!!
I’m a terrible biker! I always feel like I’m going to fall off or crash into someone. I don’t have the best control. I’m kind of uncoordinated, so I think that’s why I’ve stuck to running all these years.
I am good at running and great at pumping iron. I’m contemplating entering my first road race later this year…
I’m definitely a better runner but I’m not an expert by any means. I would love to learn how to bike!
You’ll do great and I hope your foot gets better soon.
I’m good at…walking! lol
My mind races during yoga, I get too bored during biking, I’m not athletic enough yet for running and I can’t swim because every pool near me has chlorine in it and I’m allergic.
But that doesn’t stop me from doing pilates, kickboxing, dancing around like a fool, and hitting the gym to walk on the treadmill or jump on an arctrainer or elliptical.
I am certainly a better runner than anything else. The swim part of a tri scares the sh*t out of me. I can swim to stay alive, but not to actually get anywhere. I want to learn though!
I’m definitely a better swimmer than anything but running is a close second. I’ve certainly done more running than anything fore the past year.
I am a better runner by far!! I WISH I could do something like a Tri in March–it is one of our snowiest months here!
Good luck, I am sure you will give me inspiration for my first in August! p.s. so, are you getting the foot officially checked out? It’s too bad, but a good time to lift and cross train!
No… I’m probably not going to the doctor. I don’t really have health insurance right now since I’m unemployed. Well, I have COBRA, but it’s terrible and for “life and death” emergencies only.
Not a swimmer, that’s for sure! I’ve done two sprint triathlons and I dread swimming soooo much, I really need lessons. I want to do a longer tri but I think I seriously worry about my safety swimming!
I just saw my orthopedic doctor this AM for the pain I had in my foot after the Disney Marathon. Looks like I’ve got tendinitis with possible calcification (there’s a small piece of what appears to be bone floating around near the tendons, but it doesn’t look like an actual chipped bone). SO, no weight bearing exercise for 2-3 weeks – swim/bike only. I’m with you – I can recreationally swim, but not “race” to the other side of a pool or anything like that. Here’s to new adventures in working out!
cross country horse riding all the wayyyy or cycling
I overstocked on pumpkin back in December too because I was scared of the whole pumpkin shortage! haha. It’s supposed to last me most of the year
I LOVE to swim and miss swimming on a team (I swam since I was 8). I’m going to try swimming more now with my knee. It’s just hard without a team to push me!
I am stocked on pumpkin because of the shortage! I eat it all year round.
I am a biker, first and foremost. I have gotten better at running over the past year.
I am terrible at swimming. That was my worst event in my triathlon, but I slogged through it. Good thing that event is first LOL
Comparatively, I’m probably a better swimmer since I swam on a team for so long. But I like to run more. I kind of suck at biking, but want to get better, and eventually do a tri!
Pain in foot first thing in the AM is often plantar fascitis. An orthopedist or podiatrist can do a a formal diagnosis but you can google it and read about it and find good stretches to do for it (which really is all you can do for it plus orthotics) Very common in runners unfortunately.
I’ve been swimming for as long as I remember (we used to have a pool when I was growing up) and I’m actually a certified lifeguard and swim instructor, I spent my four summers throughout college working at a small summer pool outside my hometown. So ya, I’m definitely best at swimming! I started running about 1.5 years ago and now I’m really into that too. I want to do a triathlon SO bad but honestly I’m SCARED of biking!!! Maybe it’s because my city is SO hilly but biking scares the crap out of me. Haha
I love that leaf bowl! Where did it come from. I think I need a set of three. Why three, because one would seem lonely. And two is overly balanced. Three seems a good number for leaves.
I got it at Marshall’s
Haha three is a good number.
I used to be a better runner but a permanent back injury changed that. Now I’m definitely a better biker and love love love spinning! What an incredible workout!
I’m a better runner than anything else, but I am definitely attempting to get better at yoga. I also don’t own a bike but I would like to someday. I haven’t swam other than recreationally in forever, so that would be a daunting task. Good luck!
Pretty bowl of oats. I am a runner, but did swim for 6 years. Not excellent at either…but it’s the passion that counts =)
The oatmeal sounds fantastic! Seriously craving pecans now…
Running is definitely my strength…. I’m a fairly strong swimmer and biker though. I’m FINALLY going to do a tri this summer, I cannot wait!!
Your oats look yummy!
I like to think of myself as a runner, but truthfully I have to train a lot to feel like I’m “fit” when I’m running. Swimming, on the other hand, although I’m not fast at all (I have a tiny upper body, ok!) I can swim forever! Even if I haven’t swum in years, I can jump into a pool and swim 2+ km no problems, and I feel completely at home in the water. My only worry with swimming is getting sick – a couple of years ago I caught giardia from my local pool and was soo sick – I’ve been too scared to go back!
Hey, I just wanted to let you know that i’ve been reading your blog for a week or two and I used the fat talk video to present in my english class. We are learning about the use of rhetoric and how it makes an argument effective; I think everyone enjoyed and everyone was shocked by how far women would go to not become fat. Anyways just wanted to let you know, have a good three day weekend!
Thank you SO much! I really appreciate you spreading the word about fat talk!
I’m definitely a better runner, although I think I could be a good swimmer with the right practice and training. While I love cycling, I’m cursed with naturally weak and scrawny legs, so I can’t push it as much as I’d like to. In running, my heart gives out first, in cycling it’s always my leg muscles.
I would say I’m a better biker (but that would be spinning) as we don’t cycle outdoors. Walking is best for me but this week starts my 2nd week of running. It is a real challenge for me (oh the shin and hip pain LOL). But I’m sure it will get better.