Refueling Mexican-Style

Posted on May 2, 2011 by Kelly

It was a gorgeous weekend in NYC!

Despite the mountains of studying and work I had on my plate, I did manage to enjoy the sunshine a bit and get some decent running in. I ran an easy 5.25 miles on Sunday, following Saturday’s 12 miler and the Achilles is still feelin’ good.

I really like easy recovery runs the day after long runs, as opposed to resting or cross training. They seem to get the kinks out of the legs and help a bit with muscle soreness, and became a staple in my marathon training plan last year.

Anyways, here’s how the week went down.

  • Monday – XT: spinning/elliptical, lifting, core and PT
  • Tuesday – 7.2 miles
  • Wednesday – 7.0 miles, 4 @ tempo
  • Thursday – XT: 55 minutes vinyasa yoga
  • Friday – 6.7 miles
  • Saturday – 12 miles
  • Sunday – 5.25 miles; PM Bikram yoga
Total: ~38 miles
Not bad! My goal is to keep the mileage steady at 35-40 miles/week for a while and try to really work on my speed until NYC Marathon training starts in July (hooray!).

All of this weekend’s sun had me craving Mexican flavors, so I decided to put together some easy tacos with fresh, delicious ingredients. Avocado, tomato, mango, broccoli, spinach and cilantro


I topped whole wheat tortillas with the veggies and grilled shrimp

And added a little peach mango salsa and monterey jack cheese

Really easy, fresh and delicious, this may be one of my new favorite post-long run meals. It’s filled with a ton of nutrients that are great for recovery:

  • Protein (shrimp)
  • Antioxidants (spinach, mango, broccoli, tomato)
  • Carbohydrates (tortillas)
  • Healthy fats (avocado)

It’s going to be a long Monday, but waking up to this news, at least we’re off to a great start!

Question: Thoughts on recovery runs after long runs? Or, favorite Mexican dish? I love me some good guac!

P.S. HUGE congrats to my friend Meghan, who kicked some serious butt during the Eugene Marathon yesterday and set an amazing PR!

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  • greensandjeans

    I’m with you on the guac! I’m also a big fish tacos fan

  • http://yourdailygrace.wordpress.com yourdailygrace

    Hope you have a great day:)

  • http://secondcityrandomness.wordpress.com Amy @ Second City Randomness

    he he he… your mexican food from yesterday looks sooo much healthier than mine! :p

  • http://www.runnerskitchen.com Megan (The Runner’s Kitchen)

    I agree that a little exercise the day after a long run can be good for the leggies. I didn’t run yesterday, but I did walk a bunch, so I’m going to count that as miles :)

    I love gucacmole. I could swim in a giant pool of it!

  • http://fitgirlfoodie.wordpress.com Jenny

    Peach mango salsa?! I’ve never seen that before! Sounds super tasty :D

    • http://mealsformiles.wordpress.com mealsformiles

      it’s from Whole Foods and so delicious!

  • http://koolcatkaren.wordpress.com Karen

    This looks so good!!!! :) And great runs this weekend. I’m so glad your achilles is behaving.

  • http://nyc-runner.blogspot.com Rach @ Girl on the Run

    I try to take a spin class the day after my long run – it seems to really help loosen up my legs, and it’s fun to switch it up, too!

  • http://whatkateiscooking.com Kate (What Kate is Cooking)

    I usually take rest days after long runs, but it just depends on my level of soreness. I’m usually fine after 10 miles or less, but during marathon training, I could hardly even move the next day! I try to walk on those days- helps with soreness!

  • http://leashieloo.wordpress.com leashieloo

    Yuuum Mexican! The grilled shrimp tortillas look so fresh and tasty, I am totally making something like that soon!

  • http://thenchangeit.com Kace

    Mexican is slowly topping Italian as my go-to comfort food. I’ll eat just about anything! But can’t beat a good soft-shell taco.

  • http://marathonmaiden.wordpress.com/ marathonmaiden

    i always do a workout the day after long runs. i feel like it’s good to keep my muscles from being immobile and this stiffening up even more!

  • http://foodtorunfor.blogspot.com/ Lizzy

    Love Mexican food and that shirmp dish looks delicious. I also love sweet salsas- I love mango! Great job on your long run and your week of solid workouts!

  • http://yummyrunning.blogspot.com J

    Yum looks good! As for recovery runs after long runs – towards the end of my training schedule I started to do easy runs on Sunday, the day after my tough long runs. I think it helped my legs to get used to running a bit while tired. Pretty much from Week 7 till I entered taper I was doing two workouts on the weekends and i think it helped!

  • http://runnerscookie.com Corey @ The Runner’s Cookie

    Long run recovery definitely involves whatever food I am craving :) Your mexican dish looks awesome. Taco bowls, burritos, and anything with avocado is pretty great in my book. Usually the day after I do a very slow, easy run and lots of stretching and foam rolling…I want to get better about icing after my long runs.
    Congrats to your friend on her PR!!

  • http://sometimeshealthylivingblog.com The Sometimes Healthy Girl

    I think it’s great that you’re staying motivated pre-NY Marathon training. You’re inspiring me to make some goals :-) .

    I love love Mexican food. Specifically because I studied abroad in the country. Therefore, the cuisine brings back fond memories. While it’s not too healthy, nothing gets me going like a good mole dish. YUMMY!

  • http://thisitalianfamily.wordpress.com Rach @ This Italian Family

    Oh wow that looks great! Shrimp tacos sound fabulous right about now!

  • http://www.insightfulappetite.com sofia

    guac. burritos. margaritas. give it all to me at once, and i’m a happy camper.

    can’t wait to eat guac with you on sunday!! :)

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  • Dana

    Do you always eat this healthy after long runs? I am seriously impressed, and slightly embarrassed!

    I ran the NJ Marathon on Sunday and immediately devoured the PB&J sandwich (healthy) that my mom handed me at the finish line, followed almost immediately by a bacon cheese burger and fries (not so healthy!)

    I can not manage a run for a few days after marathon day. I am swimming and stretching this week and plan to come back with a short weekend run.

    • http://mealsformiles.wordpress.com mealsformiles

      No!! I definitely had a Shake Shack burger, fries and milkshake after the NYC Marathon, make no mistake :)

      Congrats on your marathon! You deserve some rest and recovery time!

  • http://www.beinghealthier.com Laural (bhealthier)

    oh i love the colorful veg and fruit- yum! wow 12 miles- nice week!

    hmm recovery- uh duh- chocolate milk! ha, really I do water and a good mix of carbs and protein. rest and get my bf to rub my feet & knee!