Reasons to Love Summer Running

For the Summer Soulstice race giveaway, I asked you to tell me what your favorite thing is about summer running.  Here is what some readers had to say:

• I love night running, so summer makes perfect weather for that. The sunset doesn't hurt, either. (T.C. Glotfelty)
• Less clothes and the runners tan. (It's me!)
• Less guesswork as to what you should wear to run....it's almost always: shoes, socks, shorts, and shirt! (RunDBrown)
• Seeing all my neighbors (who were hibernating) while out running! It's so fun to catch up! (Jennifer Perkins)
• Green grass, flowers, running through the occasional sprinkler and wearing less clothes. (Orangemoon23)
• It feels new--new races, new friends, new routes, new shoes. I look forward to exploring through running! (JulieB)

Why do I love summer running?  My list includes:

• Catching a cool breeze while running on the Detroit Riverwalk
• Finding shade, solace, and maybe a deer or two on the Rouge River Gateway Trail in Dearborn
• Running exclusively in tank tops and Lululemon shorts
• Seeing more runners out and about to wave to, smile at, or say hi to (and see how many respond - it's a sociological experiment)

Rouge River Gateway Trail (photo courtesy of Brian Wolski)

I have to say, however, that my friend Megan summed it up best in her Facebook post.  (She is a teacher also.)  I couldn't have said it better myself so I will copy her words and share them with you.

It's summer, and you know what that means...we can run WHENEVER we want, WHEREVER we want!!! (Megan)


Happy summer, happy running.  Enjoy every moment.

Summer Soulstice Giveaway

It's time for another giveaway, courtesy of my friends at RUNdetroit!  I've got a free entry to the Southfield Summer Soulstice 5K/10K on Saturday, June 20th.  This race is unique because it takes place at sunset.  Stick around after the race for music, food trucks, and Michigan craft beer.  It sounds like a great time!  I'll be running the 10K.

Full details can be found at http://www.southfieldsummersoulstice.com/

For a chance to win, leave a comment below telling me what you love most about running during the summer.

Winner will be chosen Friday morning.  Please check back to see if you won.  Good luck!

Post-Run Rehydration

I'm normally very good with staying hydrated.  Due to humid weather and some recent end of the school year (ahem) indulging, I've been a bit dehydrated.  Even though the weather was cool and the humidity was down, I was feeling the effects of that yesterday after finishing my long run.  Instead of turning toward my usual post-run oatmeal, I found myself craving a cool and creamy green smoothie.  Thankfully I had a couple of bananas tucked away in my freezer.  What's a smoothie without frozen bananas?  I just needed to grab a couple of things at the corner farm market, toss it all in the Vitamix, and I was good to go!

Post-Run Summer Smoothie
(print recipe)

Ingredients:

1 bag baby spinach, rinsed
1/2 pineapple, cored and cut into chunks
Mango, peeled and cut into chunks
2 frozen bananas

Directions:

1. Blend spinach, pineapple, and mango in blender* until liquified.
2. Add frozen banana until creamy and smooth.  Do not over-blend.

*High-powered blender, such as Vitamix does the job well!  If you have a regular blender you may need to add water to get it to blend.

Serves 2.  Or one very hungry and dehydrated runner!

Summer Berry Parfait

It's been forever since I've posted a recipe.  Like forever-ever!  This one is hardly a recipe but it'll have to tide you over until I get a real one for you. (I'm putting the finishing touches on a new muffin recipe that should be ready soon - stay tuned!)

I posted a picture of this on the Vegan Road Runner Facebook page recently but I know not everyone follows me there. In case you missed it, here's my current favorite summer lunch.  It would also make a fabulous breakfast.  

Summer Berry Parfait

(printable recipe)

Ingredients:

1 cup strawberries, rinsed and sliced
1/2 cup blueberries, rinsed
6 oz. vanilla soy yogurt
1/4 cup old-fashioned oats (dry)
1 tbsp. toasted wheat germ*

*If you have a wheat allergy, omit or substitute with something you can tolerate.  I like the flavor it adds but it's also tasty without it.

Directions:   

1. Combine the berries in a bowl.
2. Top with yogurt, oats, and wheat germ.
3. Mix together and enjoy!
Makes 1 serving.

This bowl packs a nutritious punch!  Antioxidants and vitamin C (berries); protein and calcium (soy yogurt); B-vitamins, folate, Vitamin E, minerals (wheat germ); fiber (berries, oats, and wheat germ).


What's your favorite fresh fruit breakfast or lunch?

The Soaps of Summer

Summer is here and it means a lot of things - hot runs, suntans, fresh tomatoes, grilled tofu, and dinners on the patio.  For me it also means one other important thing - new soap!  That's right, Cellar Door Soap and Skin released their new line of summer soaps a few weeks ago.  Good timing, too, because my stash had dwindled down to just one bar!  Eek!

This new line of soap is so amazing that you'll probably have a hard time deciding which one to buy.  You might just want to buy them all.  That's what I did!  All 10.  And then I got 1 free because I filled up my punch card.  Oh happy day!

This first group here is bright and citrusy.  You can't go wrong with Yuzo (grapefruit and mandarin) and Lemon Verbena but Bon Temps Rouler has quickly become my new favorite of the collection.  The blend of citrus, pineapple, and blackberry is a vibrant, refreshing summer scent.

Next up are the fruity/flowery scents.  Melon Spritzer is a delicious blend of cantaloupe, watermelon, and honeydew.  For Cucumber & Coriander, the name says it all.  It's a unique blend that smells like fresh cucumbers with a hint of coriander.  You won't find this scent anywhere else.  Lastly we have Summer Fling - a slightly floral scent but not overwhelmingly so.  The label says magnolia and lily but I'm not good enough with flowers to discern particular scents.  I think it's just nice and fresh.

With the exception of Colada Sunset (which smells like a delicious pina colada - another favorite of mine!), these last soaps are a bit earthier.  Carcosa Woods is woodsy and mossy - in a good way.  Like taking an early morning nature walk.  If you love the smell of fresh cut grass, then you'll love Grass Stain because that's exactly what it smells like.  Fresh cut grass without having to actually cut the grass?  Sign me up!  Lastly we have one of my new favorites - Black Mamba.  I can't really describe this one.  It'd consider this one of the more "manly" soaps but I've also been using and love it.  In fact, I came home with two bars of this!

There you have it - the new Summer Collection from Cellar Door Soap and Skin.  All vegan.  All awesome.  You can find them online, on Facebook, at select specialty shops, or at local Michigan farmers markets this summer!


What scents make you think of summer?

Happy Summer!

Photo credit: Brian Wolski

Today is the Summer Solstice - the first day of Summer.  The weather has been all over the place here in Michigan the past couple of weeks.  We've had mild days, 90 degree days, stormy days, and downright chilly days.  On average, however, it was a pretty nice spring and after the frigid winter we had, you won't hear me complaining! Whatever summer might bring, I'll take it!

I'm looking forward to more hours of daylight for running and more time to rest and recover from running.  This school year was the worst I've had yet so it will be a well-deserved break for me.

What are you most looking forward to this summer?