Häagen-Dazs - Destination Series

My motivation to workout!!

WOD

I kept up with my exercise from last week! Even though my distance wasn't as far as last weekend's, but my time has improved!

I pushed for a longer northbound route this time and got a great view!

4.17mi/6.7km Run Northbound
2.05mi/3.3km Run Southbound
3.6mi/5.8m Walking
0.12mi/200m Walking Lunges

Weekend Skincare (Facial Mask) Routine

Saturday's run was sunny and windy; Sunday's was sunny and a bit dusty (a decent length next to the highway). After spending hours outside running and going to places this weekend, I had to do some extra work on my skincare routine. 

I found my skin a bit drying with the strong SPF sunblock and the thick lotion seemed to clog pore, so I used oil cleansing to ensure that the sunblock is entirely remove and added some cleaning mask in the regimen to clean out the pores. Then of course, a lot of hydration masks with Sodium Hyaluronate help replenishing moisture.

Saturday

Cleansing: Origins Never A Dull Day

1. Caudalie Instant Detox Mask 
2. Origins Maskimizer 
3. Fresh Black Tea Instant Perfecting Mask Mask 
4. boscia Tsubaki Deep Hydration Sleeping Mask 
5. Clinique Moisture Surge Overnight Mask 

Sunday

Cleansing: NudeSkincare Perfect Cleanse Omega Cleansing Jelly
Exfoliating: NudeSkincare Detox Brightening Fizzy Powder Wash

1. Origins Maskimizer 
2. Blue Lagoon Algae Mask 
3. GLAMGLOW GravityMud Firming Treatment
4. Fresh Black Tea Instant Perfecting Mask 
5. Sisley-Paris Radiance Glow Express Mask 
6. Sisley-Paris Express Flower Gel  Mask 
7. Sisley-Paris Eye Contour Mask
8. GLAMGLOW Thirsty Mud Hydrating Treament 
9. Fresh Rose Face Mask

Okay, I know it sounds crazy. But I'll do anything to prevent drying skins.  For sure I don't just rely on skincare products and weekend routines. For diet, I increased my proteins intake (good for the post-exercise recovery too) and will make some bone broth to give the skin (and bones) a boost. :)

Sunday workout

10K Run

The beautiful day and post-workout scenes totally worth the distance :)

WOD (Workout of the Day)!

7.25mi/11.7km Run
2.8mi/4.5km Power Walking
0.12mi/200m Walking Lunges

Ok I'm no marathon or even half marathon runner, my usual run is 5K (3.1mi) with occasional 10Ks.  So it's a pretty lengthy workout for me :)
I'm content but also a little disappointed at the time I clocked for the run. 

Homemade Meatballs

Getting back to cooking weeknight dinners!

Tonight's menu: Homemade meatballs
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1 lb (16 ounces) ground beef
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
2 tsp parsley (1 tsp for garnish)
1 tsp oregano
1 tsp garlic powder
1 egg
1/3 cup whole milk
1/3 cup panko breadcrumb
2 tbsp freshly grated Parmesan cheese (more for garnish)
1/2 finely chopped red onion

1. Combine milk and breadcrumbs, let the milk soak up the breadcrumbs for 10 mins
2. Place ground beef on a cutting board and loosely break it up into small pieces (until the meat is not in strands)
3. Add salt, black pepper, oregano, 1 tsp parsley, garlic powder and mix them up with the ground beef
4. Whisk an egg in a bowl, place the meat mixture into the egg.  Quickly fold the mixture a few times to absorb the liquid evenly
5. Add milk/breakcrumbs mixture, grated cheese, and chopped red onion into the meat mixture. Quickly and gently mix until combined
6. Roll the meat mixture into golf ball size balls
7. Turn the heat on medium high, add olive oil
8. Add meatballs and cook for 7 mins, until brown (Do not flip meatballs until the sides are not pink)
9.  Turn meatballs over, cook for another 7 minutes
10. Add marinara sauce. Simmer the sauce and meatball on low heat for 25-30 mins
11. Serve meatballs on a plate, garnish with parsley and freshly grated Parmesan cheese (optional)

Running outfit

Ran a 10K on Saturday.  Tempature was 70F (21C), Sunny.

I wore a long sleeves running tops and a pair of crop pants (few inches above the ankles. approximately 5/6).  The morning was a bit chilly so I went out with long sleeves tops and just wore the same thing for running later...horrible idea.

I actually have a gauge at the distance it takes for me to feel 'warmed up', at the same pace, under different weather. It takes about 1 mile to fight off the cold when the temperature is around 30F;  then it takes 0.25 miles less as the temperature rises by 10F.  So on a 70F sunny day, it took almost no time to 'warm up'. Actually 68-70F is around room temperature, so as soon as I started running, I felt warm or even hot quickly. The most comfortable outfit would have been something lightweight and mesh-y to keep the body cool. As a leisure runner, I spent about 1 hour to run the 10K.  With the wrong outfit it was quite a long time to be uncomfortable.

So I will stick with the following outfit rules from now on:
F(C)
30s (0-5C) - long sleeve tops & running jacket, long pants, hat, running gloves
40s (5-10C) - long sleeve tops, long pants, earband
50s (10-15C) Cloudy/Windy: long sleeve tops, long/cropped pants; Sunny: short sleeve tops, long/cropped pants
60s (16-20C)+ - short sleeve/sleeveless tops, cropped pants/shorts

I find that the best weather for running is around 40s-50s. 60s is not bad too when it's not too sunny.  I really enjoy the cool breeze (but not strong wind) when running on a trail by the water - it really helps cooling down quicker and motivates me to make more strides and go faster. 30s could work as well but it is usually accompanied by some strong and chilling wind that makes my skin feel dry and irritating.  I used to complain that Chicago maintained at high 30s to 50s for a long time in the year.  It was a bit chilly to be out and about, but for runners it was a paradise.  Now I feel like that my time there was ephemeral!