Day 143: Cereal Weekend

Every now and then, JE and I go crazy for all those sugary breakfast cereals we never feel are worthy to be called breakfast. This weekend it was Pops and Honeycomb. That is what we ate for dessert, and lunch. It seems that it is always an augmentation to some grand feast we have planned for ourselves. Today was our Valentine Feast: Moroccan Lamb with couscous. It was fantastic.

Moroccan Lamb

Mix in a large bowl
2 Tbl Ras El Hanout seasoning (recipe online or available in spice shops)
Pinch of Saffron
1/2 cup water
Add, cover and place in fridge overnight:
3 lb boneless lamb leg or shoulder (trimmed of fat and cut into 2.5 inch chunks)

In a Dutch or French oven, saute:
1/2 cup butter
2 medium onions, finely chopped
Cinnamon stick
4 cloves garlic sliced
When onions are translucent and fragrant, add the marinated lamb and cover with:
6 cups chicken broth
Cover and place in 300 degree oven for 4 hours
Return to stove top and add:
2 cups dried apricots coarsely chopped
1 1/2 cup whole, blanched almonds
3/4 cup honey and a couple handfuls of baby carrots

Boil down to a thick syrupy glaze, stirring often, and serve with couscous and flat leaf parsley.

The four hours this was cooking, we spent down at Crystal Cove State Beach. We sat for along while, until we got cold, and then walked the entire length of the 2.5 mile beach. The sunset was amazing tonight.

Saturday, at our trianing, I asked what we should be doing this week for training. Jimmy said that we have our fitness already and that this week won't be adding to that, just maintaining it. It is also a bit of a recovery week from our ride yesterday. I set a new pace record. For 3.5 miles, I ran a 10 minute mile average! Hurray! I'm hoping this is my race-pace (I know this sounds remarkably slow to some folks out there, but this is good for me).

This week's plan:
Monday:
AM: Running 20 minutes at park and cycle to work, Sets
PM: Swim 800 yards, plus warm up and cool down
Dinner:Roasted potatoes with chicken breast and creamed spinach

Tuesday:
AM: Gentle Yoga, Cycle to work (Take bike into shop for tune and race-ready)
PM: Core Strengthening and Training
Dinner: Chipotle

Wednesday:
AM: Run 20 minutes
PM: Swim: 400 yds
Dinner: Panini with homemade tomato soup

Thursday:
AM: Bike Back Bay
PM: Bike home
Dinner: Indian curry or Taco Salad

Friday:
REST DAY!!!
Pick up Race packets
Dinner: Pasta with red sauce and beef

Saturday:
Race on the Base!
Dinner: With friends at Baja Fish Tacos on Lake Forest. Please come celebrate with us!