I generally do not enjoy treadmill running, and envy bloggers like Kari who love it to death. However, yesterday it seemed dumb to lose sleep to get up to run before work, when I had the whole rest of the day free, and I couldn't handle doing a 7 mile tempo run in the nearly 100 degree, humid, heat.
So I sort of felt like using the treadmill for my tempo run was cheating. Not because I think treadmill running is cheating at all, but for ME, the challenge of the tempo run is mental - forcing myself to keep a pace that's out of my comfort zone. When my options are keep the pace or fly backwards off a huge machine and bust my face in front of dozens of people, it doesn't quite have the same effect.
In the end, the thought of the air conditioning won out. I keep reading about people watching TV while running, and since I live right across the street from the YMCA where all the machines have their own TVs (that I have never once watched in my year-long membership), I thought it was time to try it. That show "Doctors" was on with Jillian Michaels as a guest, so that seemed good. Except I kept looking forward to the commercials when my ipod would pump me up. TV just doesn't seem to do it for me while exercising.
Even though I may have considered it cheating (and I did put the incline on 1, not zero), this was a TOUGH workout. I did a 10:00 mile warm up and cool down, and five miles at tempo pace.
Average pace, 8:18. I feel good about that.
I rushed home and did Jillian Michaels 6W6P DVD, then rushed back to the YMCA for yoga. Sounds like a lot of working out, and it was, but it's summer, and I have time for all these various types of exercise that I wish I could fit in during the school year.
Yesterday I also made THE BEST iced coffee. My mom loves it, and got me addicted to it when I was home. But, seriously, it's incredible. Eric even tried a sip of mine (black) and said it was "not terrible".
However, it's a bit of a commitment. You start out cold brewing coffee, which basically means you mix grounds and cold water and let it sit for 8 hours.
After I put it in the best mixing bowls, my mom told me she uses a milk jug. Much smarter. We have one for next time.
I had no idea what cheesecloth was prior to this experiment.
I had to strain the coffee into another, larger, bowl. I didn't use this bowl in the first place because it doesn't have the nice pouring spout and I feared a gigantic mess.
Looks gross, tastes amazing.
And then I poured it BACK into the original bowl so I could pour it into the pitcher without spilling. I like to make things as complicated as possible.
Oh, but then I realized I forgot to stir it, and poured it back again.
Second time's the charm.
And finally ready to pour into pitchers and refrigerate.
Here's a question that occurred to me. I've never heard of cold brewing coffee. Could you brew it hot and then refrigerate it? I LOVE iced coffee, but don't have a lot of time and I have no idea what a cheese cloth is :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for posting this Alyssa! The twitter notification was: I sent you a direct message asking what containers you used for the overnight soaking/brewing. This answered that question!
ReplyDeleteEmily- I have hot-brewed coffee at double strength, then refrigerated it, and poured it over ice/milk later - but allegedly the flavor changes if you let it sit in the fridge for a while, instead of drinking right away. Something about the acidity? I don't know the science behind it.
They call that game you're playing Tower of Hanoi, I think.
ReplyDeleteI second emily's question. why not just brew it hot? ALSO, have you tried making coffee cubes, for a bonus? Freeze coffee in ice cube trays, then when you add it to coffee, it won't dilute.
ReplyDeleteCoffee is gross, unless it's in ice cream form. Mmmmm....
ReplyDeleteThat is a lot of working out, but I'd do the same thing if I were you. You know, there are still charity slots open for the JFK 50. You only have to raise 500 bucks. I can help. :)
Thanks for the iced coffee steps! I am going to have to try it. I drink just 1 cup a day, but could easily drink way more :)
ReplyDeleteIm going to have try the ice coffee as an once I get home. I can tell the kids its a science project we all need to work on. Only problem is they will insist on trying it, could be just like the great matcha shortbread debacle of 2010. I had a four year old up to midnight because of my innocent concoction. Regrets and delicous cookies were had
ReplyDeleteI miss coffee so much it hurts. Especially today when my head feel like a giant cloud. Where did you find cheesecloth? Husband has looked for it so we can strain my dirt tea, but he says he can't find it. He might just be lazy. I really want to try cold brewing coffee now, so I'm going to have to go get grounds.
ReplyDeleteI was inspired to make a mini batch today (32 oz). I let it brew from 9:30am-9:30pm, can't wait to try it in the morning. I found cheese cloth at Wegmans in both the "nature's marketplace" section and in with the random cooking implements like bamboo skewers and kitchen timers.
ReplyDelete