Back to Running and Spartan Race Giveaway **Giveaway is closed**

Yet again, all has been quiet on the running front around here. It's taken me a while to get back in the groove. Actually, it's taken me quite a while to build up any motivation to train, or even just run. Finally, three weeks ago, I decided that if it didn't happen then, it would just get easier to slack off (and I felt so judged after those "body at rest tend to stay at rest" commercials). I timed it just right, as I got to run during the recent warm spell. Also, I registered for the Sunburst Half Marathon (previous race reports can be found in the RR tab) and my younger brother will be running the 5k.

The first week was rough, as you could imagine. My pace was just under eleven minute miles, but my goal was to run at least four times a week however slowly I needed to go to complete four miles. This "plan" has worked well for me in the past (when I've slacked off and needed to quickly get back to it) and hopefully will continue to do so. After the first couple runs, though, my body started adjusting, even remembering what my old slow pace was. I'm not quite back to my usual nine minute mile slow pace, but after another two weeks I think I'll be alright. If all goes well, I'll get a 20-mile week after Sunday's run, which will be most encouraging.

My goal for this half marathon is to train to complete. It would be ridiculous to make this a goal race. I'll likely legitimately train for a half marathon in the fall and use that as a goal race, with maybe a 10k or two thrown in between.

So be on the lookout for biweekly running updates. I'll include a weekly training update on Mondays, aka rest days, and a mid-week running thoughts post on Wednesday or Thursday.

About that giveaway. Although I've never participated in a Spartan Race myself, I figured some of you guys have and would appreciate an entry giveaway. I was informed about the upcoming Spartan Races in Miami, Atlanta, Charlotte, North Carolina, and was asked to share that information with you. If you're in any of cities and are interested in registering, click the link to receive 15% off.

To enter the giveaway, comment below and tell me about your running or workout plans - are you training for a race? Going on a big hike? Whatever you're doing, I want to hear about it. I will pick the winner on Friday and email you the code for one free entry to any Spartan Race.

**Winner has been chosen!**

Congrats to Ben Keil!

Recipe: Potato Leek Soup with Chorizo

This potato soup is a "recipe" I've made a few times during the colder months. By recipe, I mean that I added ingredients until it looked right and had the consistency I was after. Eventually, I wrote an actual recipe out so that I could post it here. Potato soup is my favorite cold weather soup of all time. It's starchy, thick, and comforting. My mom used to make a baked potato cheeseburger soup that I was my first potato soup love.

For this soup, I was inspired by a potato soup from Once Upon A Tart I tried a long, long time ago. Their soup featured Yukon gold potatoes pureed with roasted garlic, and even though it was 80° the day I tried it, it was so memorable. You can add roasted garlic to this soup, which I did once, but I didn't include that step so as to make it easier.

What I love about this recipe is how easy and quick it is to make. Unlike many traditional potato soups, this one doesn't contain much milk. You could probably leave it out, if you really wanted to, though it adds a creaminess that chicken broth alone doesn't provide. The ingredient list is simple - Yukon gold potatoes (my favorite kind of potato), leeks, garlic, carrots, and chorizo.

First, the chorizo is chopped and sauteed in a dutch oven. Cooking the chorizo first gives the soup more flavor, since it's not cooked with the soup. If I'm not using chorizo, I add bacon grease. Or not, if you're vegetarianizing the recipe.

Next, the leeks, carrot, and garlic are sauteed for a couple of minutes.

The potatoes are chopped into a large dice so that it cooks quickly and is easier to puree. Add the potatoes to the leeks and saute a few more minutes.

Chicken broth is poured on top, brought to a boil, and reduced to a simmer. It takes about 25-30 minutes for the potatoes to cook. To puree the soup, the easiest way is to use an immersion blender; if you don't have one, a food processor or blender will work. If you want to leave it a little chunky, remove a cup or two of the potatoes before blending.

Pro tip: You probably shouldn't use an immersion blender in a ceramic-enameled dutch oven.

After pureeing the soup, warm milk is stirred. Besides the creamy consistency, it also smooths out the flavors.

Pro tip: I've seen soup recipes that add the milk before pureeing. DO NOT DO THIS, or you'll end up with a soup latte - soup topped with milk foam.

Top each bowl with some chorizo and paprika and you've got dinner! I love this soup so much, I think I'm going to make it tonight, maybe with some cheese. Alongside Irish soda bread. It's such a great basic recipe you can easily modify by using different ingredients. Leftovers (if there are any) might need to be thinned with additional liquid, since it thickens considerably when refrigerated.

If you make this recipe, let me know how you liked it and if you have any comments about the recipe. Post any modifications you make, too!

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Print this recipe

Potato Leek Soup with Chorizo
Recipe by Christina Provo

Serves 4

Ingredients -

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 package chorizo, about 11 ounces, chopped
1 cup chopped leeks, rinsed thoroughly
1/3 cup peeled and chopped carrots
3 garlic cloves, peeled and minced
4 cups Yukon gold potatoes, peeled and chopped into small cubes
4 cups reduced sodium chicken broth
1 bay leaf
3/4 cup whole milk, warmed (you can use any percentage of milk as long as it's not skim, but the consistency will probably be thinner)
Kosher salt and black pepper
Paprika

Directions -

1. Heat a tablespoon oil in a large dutch oven over medium heat. Add chorizo and cook for 5-7 minutes until browned. Remove using a slotted spoon and set aside. If necessary, add up to a tablespoon of the remaining oil. Saute leeks, carrots, and garlic until leek begins to soften, about 3-4 minutes. Stir in potatoes and continue sauteing for an additional 5 minutes. Season with 1 teaspoon kosher salt and a few grinds of pepper
2. Pour chicken broth over top and add bay leaf to pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to maintain a rapid simmer. Cover. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 25-30 minutes or until potatoes can be easily pierced with fork.
3. Reduce heat to low. Remove up to two cups of potatoes if you want a chunkier soup. Puree potato mixture with an immersion blender until completely pureed. Pour in warmed milk, stirring to combine. Check seasonings and adjust if necessary. Divide soup between bowls. Top with chorizo and a sprinkle of paprika.

Get Your Morning Energy with Honey Bunches of Oats

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Honey Bunches of Oats for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

Cereal is sort of my guilty pleasure breakfast treat, as I don't often buy pre-made breakfast meals. Honey Bunches of Oats was one of my favorite childhood cereals (honey? bunches of oats? Yes, to both!) and I jumped at the opportunity to try the newest cereal in the HBOats line, Honey Bunches of Oats Morning Energy.

Available in two tasty flavors, Cinnamon Crunch and Chocolaty Almond Crunch, Honey Bunches of Oats Morning Energy makes it easy to get in a nutritious and fulfilling breakfast that tastes good. Each serving of HBOats Morning Energy contains 6 grams of protein, 5 grams of fiber, 12 grams of sugar as well as delivering more than 2/3 of your day's whole grain.

Honey Bunches of Oats Morning Energy Chocolatey Almond Crunch includes chocolatey morsels, almonds, and cocoa-y clusters of puffed rice. I liked it, though I don't know that I'd want the taste of chocolate for breakfast every day as I generally have to be in a mood to enjoy the taste of chocolate.

My favorite was the Honey Bunches of Oats Morning Energy Cinnamon crunch, made with sweet, crunchy cinnamon clusters. This flavor is more to my liking and morning palate. I absolutely love cinnamon, and I favor cereals with that flavor.

Another important requirement I have for cereals, beside nutritional content and taste, is the crunchy to soggy ratio. I would say that this cereal doesn't stand up to milk as long as others, but the crunchy clusters keep it in balance.

As far as nutritional content is concerned, HBOats Morning Energy would be a good compromise between parents and kids. It contains enough good news on the nutrition front while appealing to most kids' palates. Even for your adult self, it's a good cereal to add to your collection (because I assume most adults have a Seinfeldian cereal collection - I currently have four in my rotation).

If you want to learn more about this cereal, visit Honey Bunches of Oats Morning Energy on Facebook and on Twitter.