Run and Eat Simply: The Sweet Smell of Sweat in a Public Restroom and an Avocado Salad

You know you're a runner when...

There's a difference between "people who run" and "runners", and today I encapsulated the difference. The old me, given the situation of a 7:15 AM appointment for a state inspection/oil change/tire rotation would have just brought something to occupy my time, maybe even conceded defeat and actually watched the morning shows that are always on the TV- I was figuring about 1- 1 1/2 hour.

The new me, well, the new me dropped off my car, went to the bathroom in the service area and changed into running clothes. The runner just left his stuff in a gym bag on the coat rack and left the service station, heading out in one direction about 30 or so minutes, then turned around and ran back... roughly 6.5-7 miles. It was humid and hot (about 85 degrees) so I was, of course, drenched in sweat upon my return.

Then, this sweaty, "runner", grabbed his gym bag and went back into the bathroom to clean up. Have you ever tried to change out of sweat-saturated clothes, rinse off, dry off and then change into cleaner clothes (well, dry gym clothes)? Easy to do at home... but very challenging in a public restroom. This separates the "runner" from "someone who runs".

The runner, when faced with the torment of The Today Show in a car service center decides that this would be the perfect time to get in that run. The runner doesn't care that he is a disgusting mess of humanity whose stench permeates at least 100 square feet around him, he just runs, cleans up the best he can, picks up his car and leaves. That's what I did today, and I liked it.

To reward you for reading this far, let me give you a recipe for an Avocado Salad I came up with today for lunch!

2 Ripe Avocados- diced

1 large tomato- seeded and diced

1 cucumber- diced

3 cloves garlic minced

1/4 sweet onion finely diced

1/2 cup almonds- more if desired

Juice from 2 limes

Gently combine all the above ingredients together in a large bowl- squeeze the juice from the limes on top and mix in- add salt, pepper, ground hemp seeds, and cilantro to desired taste

1 cup plain yogurt (Greek style is what I used, but it's up to you)

Add the following seasonings- salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, cilantro, cumin, chili powder, cayenne pepper, and dill weed- mix together- start small until the flavor is to your desired taste.

Serve by putting the salad in a bowl and topping it with the yogurt dressing.

Enjoy!