Sunshine Pups

on February 13, 2011

I am very happy today. :) It positively feels like spring outside. Itâ€™s SUNNY and WARM â€“ in fact, itâ€™s 61 degrees. We havenâ€™t had a day like this inâ€¦ months. I hope it lasts!

Snagged a shot of my sunshine pups after their walk:

Today, I did a really fast (for me) training run of 5.0 miles in 47:30. A couple days ago, I complained about painful DOMS (delayed onset muscle soreness) as I ramp up training for my Half Marathon. A bunch of people agreed that I needed to 1) stretch more and 2) focus on eating protein after hard workouts.

When I got back, I stretched for 15 minutes and made this amazing protein smoothie:

In the mix:

Silk almond milk
1 large banana
Bunch of frozen strawberries
1.5 tablespoons almond butter
2 scoops vanilla rice protein powder

It hit the spot! I also had some toast:

I ate a very late lunch around 3. I made a HUGE batch of this mix so we can eat extra throughout the week. In the mix: raw spinach, wild rice, canned chickpeas, tomatoes, and celery with balsamic.

Iâ€™m loving the salad-dressing-and-rice combo lately!

Iâ€™m headed back outside to enjoy the dayâ€¦ Is it sunny where you are, too?

{ 62 comments }

Carolyn February 13, 2011, 4:01 pm
Yippee! I am glad the sun is shining where you are. I know I feel so much better when it is gorgeous out. I moved to Arizona last summer and after a few “cool” months we are back in the 80’s today and I LOVIN it. I did manage to get a snarly tan line at brunch this morning that I need to remedy stat.
Holly @ Couch Potato Athlete February 13, 2011, 4:06 pm
Yes it is finally sunny here in MN! I think it was almost 45-50 degrees today? I love it. I should take a pic of Jason — he looks like your pups, only he’s on the couch taking a nap with the sun shining right on him!

I’m glad your run went well!
Stephanie Norton February 13, 2011, 4:07 pm
It is GORGEOUS and sunny here(50 degrees) too in Iowa! I got out and did a 6.2 mi run in it! Congrats on your run and hope you have a great rest of the day!
Susan February 13, 2011, 4:10 pm
It’s been sunny in Sonoma County for weeks! Great running weather. Hard to believe it’s winter. Unfortunately, we’re supposed to get rain tomorrow.
Jasmine @ Eat Move Write February 13, 2011, 4:23 pm
I’m in San Diego, so it’s pretty much always sunny, so… YES! 🙂

I love grains on my salad. It just makes the whole meal stick a bit better. Enjoy your day. We’re about to go for a walk by the lake to enjoy the day, too!
Lauren February 13, 2011, 4:29 pm
Nice job on the run! It’s so nice in Colorado today too 🙂 By the way what kind of balsamic is that?
jen @ taste life February 13, 2011, 4:34 pm
Yes, it’s finally sunny here in Western NC today, too! It’s not as warm as where you are, but is definitely in the 50’s. It’s just supposed to get warmer and warmer all week, too.
Jamie @ Food in Real Life February 13, 2011, 4:42 pm
I wish it was sunny here, but alas, it is gray 🙁
Michelle February 13, 2011, 4:42 pm
Up here in Niagara it is not sunny- but finally up over the freezing mark! I only had to wear tights and a long sleeve with a vest for my run today! The footing is still off as we have so much snow. But soon it will be hot and humid so I will enjoy it!
Bethany @Bridezilla Bakes February 13, 2011, 4:43 pm
YES! It is sunny and a balmy 45 degrees here in Chicago. Almost miraculous — the snow is FINALLY melting after the blizzard two weeks ago.
Sarah @ The Strength of Faith February 13, 2011, 4:45 pm
Not at all! I was preaching this morning, sat down and realized it had started snowing during my sermon. I’m trying to figure out what that means?
Darcy @ She Sings at the Table February 13, 2011, 4:46 pm
It’s beautiful here (in Iowa) too…it’s amazing the impact a little time outside in the sunshine can have on my mood!
Kari @ Human, MD February 13, 2011, 4:47 pm
It’s BEAUTIFUL here (atlhough I’m only 60 miles away from you in Winston-Salem)! I just got home from a 60 mile bike ride and I wore SHORTS! And didn’t freeze. It was fantastic.
Katy (The Singing Runner) February 13, 2011, 4:48 pm
It is absolutely BEAUTIFUL here! 🙂 I got to enjoy the lovely day for most of the morning while I was cheering on my blogger friend who was running the 26.2 with Donna in Jacksonville Beach! 😀 It was her first marathon and she did amazing! 😀
VeggieGirl February 13, 2011, 4:51 pm
No sun here – it’s 45Â°F (20 degrees warmer than it’s been all winter so far!) and dark 🙁
Janene @ One Run at a Time February 13, 2011, 4:55 pm
It’s B-E-A-UTIFUL in Athens, OH, and I got a nice 7 mile run in the sun! I’m deliriously happy, and apparently solar-powered.
Freya February 13, 2011, 4:56 pm
Ahh lucky you to get super weather! It’s cold, windy and dreary here (as always – it’s england after all) but apparently the sun is showing its’ shiny face tomorrow!
Lee February 13, 2011, 4:57 pm
Yup, yup. 65 degrees in Atlanta.

Maggie sort of matches the rug!
nicole February 13, 2011, 4:57 pm
It’s 72 and perfect! I’m going to take advantage and go on a long run. I’m also thinking about how excited I am for spring.
Ann February 13, 2011, 4:58 pm
We had a few minutes of sun today, but it was 35! To us that felt like a relief, but the forecast is for 50 on Friday. I am majorly in need of sun and Vitamin D!
Your salad reminded me that I’m planning to make one this week with chickpeas and lemon tahini dressing. I’m looking forward to it!
Liz @ Tip Top Shape February 13, 2011, 5:03 pm
That salad mix sounds (and looks) great!! I love making a big mix and then eating it for the rest of the week. Easy meals!
Paige @Running Around Normal February 13, 2011, 5:05 pm
Maggie looks so purty on the zebra rug! It feels like spring here too! The sun is shining…though it’s 20 degrees colder than where you are…
Mary @ Bites and Bliss February 13, 2011, 5:13 pm
It’s an absolutely fantastic day here, too!! We better enjoy it before the 100* days start coming. 😛
Alex @ Healing Beauty February 13, 2011, 5:15 pm
Not sunny but not cloudy here in Denver. It is fairly warm though- high 50s! Yay! Hopefully some of the snow mountain outside in my yard will begin to melt!
Heather February 13, 2011, 5:15 pm
Perfect weather today! Sunny and 75 🙂
Kristen @ That Hoosier Girl February 13, 2011, 5:16 pm
It IS sunny here today! All of the ice is melting and I’m about to head out on my first “real” walk with the doggies in a long time. Can’t wait!
Parita@myinnershakti February 13, 2011, 5:23 pm
It’s HOT here in AZ! 79 degrees and rising this week. 🙂
Christie February 13, 2011, 5:31 pm
It’s gorgeous here in middle Georgia! We are chilling at the house with all the doors and windows open doing some spring cleaning.
Anna @ Newlywed, Newly Veg February 13, 2011, 5:33 pm
We certainly aren’t at 61 degrees…but we got up to about 40 degrees today, which is MUCH warmer than it has been! We got our dogs out of the house for a lonnnnng walk too!
Jen February 13, 2011, 5:37 pm
Not exactly a sunny day today in Buffalo, but I’m just happy it’s warm enough for me to not need to wear three layers to walk to the grocery store!
maria @ Chasing the Now February 13, 2011, 5:37 pm
Stretch and foam rolling make a huge difference in my soreness level.
SaraRM February 13, 2011, 5:41 pm
Mid 60’s and sunny in OK and theres rumors of high 70s later in the week!!! After 2 weeks of snow it is very much welcomed. Very ready for spring.
Michelle (The Runner's Plate) February 13, 2011, 5:50 pm
I love napping in the sunshine!

I think I am the odd ball out–it is definitely not sunny or warm here in Alaska: cloudy and 13 degrees.
Melissa (MelissaLikesToEat) February 13, 2011, 5:52 pm
Yes it’s a beautiful day here in San Diego! Love it!
Mama Pea February 13, 2011, 5:53 pm
You’ve been making me crave that dressing like crazy, and then I saw it has egg yolks in it. I’m going to try to make a vegan version…I’ll send it to you for the husband 🙂
Carin February 13, 2011, 6:00 pm
Very very sunny here in NZ – too hot too sleep last night!
AJ @ Flowing to Fifty February 13, 2011, 6:05 pm
Snowing. Envious.
Kate (What Kate is Cooking) February 13, 2011, 6:28 pm
It is sunny and hot today, but it’s supposed to rain this week 🙁
Katie @ peacebeme February 13, 2011, 6:28 pm
It is sunny and high 50’s here today, I love it. 😉
Gracie (complicated day) February 13, 2011, 6:29 pm
So funny – I rarely if ever get muscle soreness from running (maybe once or twice a year!) but today I ran a speedy marathon and in an hour, I was feeling it. I made lunch and the minute I put some protein in my mouth I could tell my body was screaming “More! More!” Haha. So I got in some quality protein and already feel fine.
PS – beautiful day here, too.
Ali @ Ali Runs February 13, 2011, 6:56 pm
Great run! Enjoy the sun, we still haven’t gotten it here yet. It was a balmy 30 degrees today.
Kacy February 13, 2011, 6:58 pm
It’s almost 70 here and sunny. Quite a change from -31 last week! Haha. I went on a 7-mile run outside and it was perfection.
Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin February 13, 2011, 6:59 pm
We finally reached temperatures in the 30s today and it felt tropical compared to the weather we’ve been getting lately!
Kelly February 13, 2011, 7:06 pm
Aw, I love Maggie and James! Rascal loves to lie on the cold tile in our lobby after we take him on a long walk. He spreads out flat as a pancake so his belly is flush with the floor. 🙂
Laura February 13, 2011, 7:08 pm
Almost ninety degrees, but we have the explanation of it being summer in New Zealand. 🙂
Corrie February 13, 2011, 7:59 pm
What kind of protein powder do you use?
- Caitlin February 13, 2011, 9:01 pm
  Its by Standard Process (you can only buy it through the distributor). I’ve had Jay’s Brown Rice, also good!
Jessica Lee February 13, 2011, 8:08 pm
Hi Caitlin…do you ice your knee before or after you stretch? I’m having the same issue with soreness and tightness in my muscles and I think I’m waiting too long after running to stretch.
- Caitlin February 13, 2011, 9:02 pm
  I don’t have to ice as much as I used to, but if I do, I stretch and then ice! Sorry you’re having trouble.
chelsey @ clean eating chelsey February 13, 2011, 8:42 pm
Today was so so sooo nice outside! Not 61, but 43, which felt so nice. I took Charlie for a walk and had to take my coat off!
Maddie (Healthy Maddie) February 13, 2011, 8:58 pm
The weather is great here! I just hope it stays.
Jillian Babbel February 13, 2011, 9:02 pm
It was a nice 70 in the Bay Area (CA). We’ve had a week’s worth of 70+ weather (which is unusual for February) but I’m LOVING it and am already ready for summer!
Mac February 13, 2011, 9:51 pm
I totally regret not going out for a run today, it has finally warmed up and was in the 40s today! Felt like a heat wave, compared to what we’ve been used to here in WI.
Heather February 13, 2011, 10:00 pm
I was flipping through the channels last night and I saw your commerical for operationbeauitful.com on Oprah’s channel, very cool!!! I loved it
- Caitlin February 14, 2011, 9:00 am
  Yay! Thanks 🙂
Jess@atasteofconfidence February 13, 2011, 10:18 pm
It was warm here today, too! 40 degrees!
Jolene (www.everydayfoodie.ca) February 13, 2011, 10:47 pm
It was so sunny and beautiful today!!!! It was a welcome change from the -40 C we had been experiencing!
annette February 13, 2011, 11:35 pm
It was sunny here- and I heart rice with balsamic as well, Caitlin!! 🙂
Allison @ Happy Tales February 14, 2011, 12:14 am
Yay we’ve been loving this weather, too!!! I hear tomorrow is supposed to be even warmer, yesss!
megan @ blackberries for jam February 14, 2011, 8:19 am
That salad looks so refreshing! What kind of balsamic do you use?
- Caitlin February 14, 2011, 8:58 am
  Mazetti – it’s awesome.
Amber K February 14, 2011, 1:50 pm
No, I wish. I’m freezing!

Previous post: 11 Hours

Next post: Espresso Scones