30 During 30's List

Alrighty, so more than a month after turning 30, I have finally finished the 30 During 30's list that I promised.  To view the list, click the link above!  I'll update as I finish each item.  Note that this list is to be completed during this entire decade.  My 30's are proving be both awesome and crazy busy and there is no way I can do all this in 1 year!

New Kicks

When I started trekking longer distances back in January, I also started getting major blisters on the bottoms of my three outer toes on both feet.  At the urging of some very wise people, I went to be fitted for shoes and was told that I slightly underpronate (which means my poor outer toes are getting the major work of walking).  Since my pronation issues are not that horrible, I don't get blisters at lower mileage (and can wear regular shoes).  However, it does present enough of a problem to cause major blisters at higher mileage (8+ miles). 

I was fitted for shoes and went through a giant pile before attempting to make a decision of going between two stability shoes - New Balance 860v2 or Brooks Adrenaline.  I went with New Balance as the Brooks cut into the top of my big toe (no matter what size I tried on this happened - the toe box just doesn't work for me). 

While I have loved a lot of things about my NB training shoes - they broke in easily, I have not had one blister with them, they are lightweight and breathable, very comfortable - they broke down unbelievably fast!  I literally wore through the sole. 

Now, yes, I have been doing more miles at this point in my life than I ever have (I've completed over 30 miles  in the last 5 days), I still expected that they would have lasted longer.  I needed to replace these shoes before my half on May 20th.  I really didn't have a choice seeing as my knees and hips were starting to register the impact of wearing the worn out shoes.

I made the decision to buy one more pair of the NB 860v2 shoes simply because my half is in just over 3 weeks and I didn't think it would be a good idea to switch brands and shoes completely.  Plus, these shoes break in so quickly that I don't think it will be a problem.  I am disappointed with the current quality of New Balance though.  They used to be my go-to brand with decent arch support and quality levels but this just isn't the case anymore.  Case in point:

Shoe on the right = old trainers.  Shoe on the left = new trainers (only worn 5 miles).

Oh well, live and learn, right?  The goal of having no blisters was successfully met, so I don't have anything to complain about!  The new trainers should be fully broken in just in time for my half.  Although I like the new blue, I do kind of miss the orange.  Guess that what going to grad school at University of Tennessee and teaching at a school whose colors are blue and orange will get you...and affinity for orange.

So, while we are on the subject of new kicks and breaking in shoes, check out these bad boys:

New hikers!  I have had the same hiking shoes (Merrells) for the past 8-9 years.  They made it through countless miles of hiking, camping, field work, and crazy mud messes.  They always looked new, the tread never wore, and they were 100% water proof (my new ones are not but I will be hiking in the desert mostly).  During the last field course I worked on (1.5 years ago), I started to feel their age.  I could feel every stick, stone, and pebble through the bottoms of the shoes.

Despite the good run with those, I knew I had to get new hikers before the next field course that I start on May 20th (yes, you read that date correctly, I fly out the day of my half marathon).  I went with Merrells again since I had such a great experience the last time.  These hikers are going to take me to the bottom of the Grand Canyon (and then back up again!).  Well, that is if they are broken in on time. 

Since I will be doing so much hiking, I will likely take my old Merrells along just in case I need a switch or I start getting blisters.  I do need to pick up some pronation correcting inserts for these though. 

So with all that foot talk, I leave you to have an amazing evening!  If you have suggestions of great brands of trainers that are of fantastic quality (beyond Brooks), let me know!  I'll likely be looking for different shoes around mid-summer.

Pineapple Pancakes

Looking for something a little different for breakfast?  Do you have summer-fever and/or the Monday blues?  Then this breakfast may be just what you are looking for!

Whole pineapples were on sale for $1.99 on Friday and I just couldn't pass it up!  However, I hate cleaning them up and I ended up leaving it on the counter until it developed a soft spot.  I cut it up this morning and was going to throw some in my yogurt this morning but decided to make pancakes instead!  I am attempting to use up as many pantry items as possible over the next month and a half before I move so getting rid of pancake mix was on my mind.

Therefore, I present to you:

Pineapple Pancakes with Coconut Greek Yogurt

Makes 5 medium-sized pancakes, enough for about 1.5 large servings
Ingredients:
Pancakes:
1/2 cup (~100g) fresh or frozen/thawed pineapple, chopped
1.5 servings pancake mix (I used a combo of Bisquick GF and Bob's Red Mills GF)
1 egg white
1/3 cup milk of choice
1/8 cup rolled oats
Cinnamon (optional)

Topping:
2 oz plain Greek yogurt
1 tsp honey
1 Tbsp unsweetened coconut

Preheat skillet over medium-low.  Meanwhile, mix the pancake ingredients, the batter will be thin and lumpy.  Pour batter into hot skillet in 1/4 cup servings.  Cook on the first side until the edges are dry.  Flip.  Cook for another couple minutes (until golden brown).  Mix all topping ingredients together and top the pancakes with the coconut-yogurt mixture.  Enjoy your trip to the tropics!