Well, hi again! 
How was everyone’s weekend?
Brandon and I spent Saturday afternoon running errands, followed by attending a basketball game at his old high school.
Evidently the varsity basketball team at Elida High School is pretty much rocking it this year, so Brandon wanted to check it out. It was a surprisingly good time, especially because I got to see this little guy …
… Ethan. He’s our friends’ son, and I haven’t seen him in ages. So he and I had fun eating Skittles and Peanut M&M’s while the “adults” watched the game. 
I also decided to try something new (to me, anyway) in the kitchen this weekend!
Custard Oats!
My friend, Ashley, had blogged about these a while ago. And she also gave credit to Heather for the custard oats.
What are they? Well it’s really just regular oatmeal with an egg added!
Here’s what I did:
- Bring 1/2 cup milk and 1/2 cup water to a boil in a small saucepan.
- Turn down heat to medium-low and add 1/2 cup old-fashioned oats.
- Stirring occasionally, cook oats for about 5 minutes.
- In the meantime, whisk an egg in a separate bowl.
- After the oats cook for 5 minutes, add the egg and stir. Stir a lot and stir quickly.
- After just a minute or two, the oats take on a creamy texture. At that point, remove the pan from the heat and add whatever toppings you’d like.
Bowl #1:
1 packet Splenda, 1/2 sliced banana, peanut butter, and a few chocolate chips.
Bowl #2:
1 packet Splenda, 1/2 tsp vanilla, dash of cinnamon, handful of frozen blueberries, and a handful of chopped walnuts.
I don’t typically add Splenda to my oatmeal. Instead, I usually use brown sugar. But I happen to have a few packets around, so why not?
Both bowls were totally delicious. You should try the addition of the egg. It gives a “kick” of protein and makes the oatmeal nice and creamy! 
————————————-
OK, so you’re probably wondering about the title of this post.
And no, the custard oats were not the “big thing” to which I was referring.
So less than a year ago, I decided to start running for the first time.
Brandon and I ran a 5k in June …
… a 10k in September …
… and a half-marathon in November.
And I have just signed up for my “next big thing” …
… the Nashville Rock and Roll Half-Marathon!
The race is in April, and I’m really excited about it. Brandon and I both love Nashville, and we’re looking forward to a really fun weekend!
And the good news is that our friends, Ali and Brandon …
… will be coming to Nashville with us. And Ali will be also running the half!
The “bad” news is that my running buddy during the last three races (that would be Brandon) has decided to be a spectator for this race. 
I’m still trying to talk him in to running, so we’ll see. But even if he doesn’t run, I know he’ll be cheering for me on the sidelines!
In the meantime, as I start training again, I’m trying to get my darn shin splits under control.
I’ve mentioned this issue to you guys before. I bought a pair of inserts from Wal-mart (just a basic insert), and I started using them slowly … I didn’t go straight into running 7 miles with them. The inserts seemed to be helping with the shin splints initially … but now my shins are hurting again. And now it seems like I’m starting to get some pain in my right heel …
I’m planning on meeting with my trainer friend again this week, to get his thoughts. I would like to just bite the bullet, and spend the money on inserts that are specifically designed for me. But I would hate to spend that money and then find I’m still having the same problem … 
So now that I’ve gone on a tangent, I’m reaching out to you guys again for any suggestions. If you’re a runner and had similar problems in the past, I’d love to know your advice. You can comment on the blog or send me a private email (notsodomesticated@yahoo.com). Thank you!!!
Question for ya …
What did you do this weekend?
Ever try the “custard oats?” Did you like them?
If you’re a runner, what’s the next race you’re running?
Any advice on my shin splints?
(And I know rest and ice for a short-term fix, which I’m doing. But I’m also wanting a long-term solution. )
oooh good luck with marathon training!
Lindsay @ The Lean Green Bean recently posted..Baked Plantains
mmm you know i love the custard oats!
how exciting about your race!! i’m so sorry about your shin splints though. so frustrating i’m sure! i only ever had shin splints in high school and they just eventually went away for whatever reason. they truly are so annoying though! i wish i could help out more!
have a great day friend!
Ashley @ My Food ‘N’ Fitness Diaries recently posted..Brunch Date
Yeyy for another race! You’re such a go-getter
Honestly, the best advice I can give you for shin splints is toning down your running. I know it doesn’t seem practical now, especially since you just signed up for a race, but mine eventually went away when I bought new shoes and took a solid month off of running & replaced it with crosstraining of sorts.
Then again, that is what worked for me and everyone is different! I hope you can get them under control soon
Brittany @ Itty Bits of Balance recently posted..Coconut Butter Me Up
Thank you for your thoughts, Brittany. Everything you said is right on point … I hate to tone down running with a race in the works, but maybe I need to focus on cross-training for a while to keep my cardio fitness up.
I’ll keep you updated!!
I agree with Brittany…. have you given yourself a break from running yet? Your body needs a little time to recover.
Also in my opinion I would go ahead and bite the bullet on the custom inserts. When it comes to my feet I don’t mind paying a pretty penny to ensure that my body stays healthy. (Expensive shoes, expensive socks, custom insoles…etc) Trust me it’ll be worth it no matter what.
Becky @ Fit Chick on the FLy recently posted..All I Want For Chrismukkah
Thank you for your thoughts, Becky. I really appreciate them. I probably will focus more on cross-training for a bit (which is what I did tonight). I also spoke with my trainer friend today, and I think I’m going to bite the bullet and go to a shoe store he recommends and look at getting new shoes/inserts. Thanks again!
ahhhh this weekend was spent running, relaxing and eating…my favorite kind
i’ve never tried custard oats..it sounds interesting though, and im always looking for good sources of protein.
the rock and roll marathon series is SO much fun! i ran the one in philly a couple of years ago and it was well organized and I really enjoyed it. i’m setting my sights on running the chicago marathon in october
i’ve never had shin splints before, but i feel you on your frustration with it. i’m dealing with some injuries myself
Theresa recently posted..A whole new year and sauce making
Isn’t it amazing that we keep running when it seems like injuries keep coming up? It’s like an addiction!
Custard oats sound great! I might try that for lunch today because I didn’t have my usual oatmeal for breakfast!
Pamela recently posted..Weekend Eats (And A Workout)
That sounds like a great race! I think I missed it – are you running the 1/2 or the full? Either way, exciting!
For shin splints, one thing I’ve found over the years that has helped is freezing a dixie cup full of water, then peeling the paper off and using the “cup cube” to ice my shins. There are also some great stretches you can do for shin splints, but kind of a lot to explain in a comment!
I have 3 5ks, a half marathon and a 25k coming up!
Sarah recently posted..TGIAF
Wow, you have lots of races coming up!!
I do ice my shins in the way you are describing, but it’s just not enough for me. Thank you for the help, though!!
YUM! Custard oats sound brilliant, especially when I am having trouble deciding between the two. Great find!
Meg @ My Chocolate Covered Life recently posted..Check it out (literally)
1 – The custard oats look awesome. I’m making them soon!
2 – I live close to Nashville and have been considering running the race…we could do a blogger meet up! (Side tangent – Daniel and I will probably be moving to Nashville within the next three years – we LOVE that city!)
3 – I hope you can figure out a plan to make your shins feel better! Praying for you!
natalie @ southern fit foodie recently posted..Vacation Recap: Christmas in Cancun
Thank you for the prayers … those will help more than any running shoe I try!
And I LOVE Nashville, too. We would totally live there if work allowed. And I would LOVE to meet up if you decide to run!! Please keep me in the loop!
How exciting for the next big race!! And I’m so glad you liked the custard oats, they’re pretty much the bomb
WOO HOOOO!! congrats on the new race! I am doing a 5k on Saturday…I’m super excited!
I live and die by my superfeet insoles. They don’t totally get rid of the shin splints but man they help. Have you tried icing after runs?
Cinnamon @ eatpraytri recently posted..Running in other countries…
Thank you for the Superfeet idea! I might go check out a running shoe store in the next couple of weeks that carries that brand!
And yes, I’ve tried icing. I’m not great about doing it consistently, but I do typically do it before and after every long run.
Those custard oats sound really tasty! I think I’m going to have to try that! And yay for signing up for the half in Nashville
. That will be so much fun! I have only been Nashville once, but I absolutely loved it!
Lindsay @ In Sweetness and In Health recently posted..My Mom’s Beef Vegetable Soup
Congrats on signing up for another race! My sister got compression socks for Christmas and said that they really help. They come in fun colors, and might be worth a try?
Emily @ Perfection Isn’t Happy recently posted..Chocolate Makes Me Feel Better
Hey, that’s a good idea, too! Thanks, Emily!!
No problem!
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I get horrible shin splints too. Try to avoid running on concrete. Asphalt is 70% more forgiving. Buy good shoes and change them out regularly. Those are the tips from the folks at fit to run.
Thank you so much, Carrie! I appreciate the advice. I had heard that thing about concrete, too.
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