Am I the only East Coast runner who thinks this has been the windiest damn winter ever? I am so done with it.
On Wednesday, I did a really hard (for me) run: 14 or so miles with two by six miles at a 7:45 pace. I decided to do this on a flatish path in the nearby state park in order to best mimic the B & A marathon course. I had company for the first set of six miles, so I did the workout as an out and back. Yep, it turned out we went out with that stupid 20 mph tail wind, and then back with the head wind. And then I had to repeat it all over again in the same windy conditions. I really hate the wind, but on Wednesday, I beat it and nailed my paces, making for a happy, if not wind-burned, runner.
The consequence of the wind, though, is that I ended up chilled to the bone for the remainder of the day. No extra long hot shower, no amount of tea or woolen socks seemed to be enough. Which led me to soup making Wednesday night. I don’t share many recipes here because I am a recipe follower, not creator. I do love to cook, though, and this recipe for chicken corn chowder, which my friend Sue gave me years ago, has become a winter favorite around here. There’s nothing gluten free, dairy free, vegan, or anything else special about it, but it does use good, whole food ingredients. Hope you like it!
Ingredients:
2 bacon slices (I use uncured turkey bacon here)
1 lb. skinned, boned chicken breast, cut into bite-size pieces
1 cup chopped onion
1 cup diced red bell pepper
2 garlic cloves, minced
4 1/2 cups fat-free chicken broth
1 3/4 cups diced peeled red potatoes
2 1/4 cups frozen whole-kernel corn
1/2 cup flour (I substitute whole wheat)
2 cups milk (it calls for 2% but I use skim)
3/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
Instructions:
Cook bacon in Dutch oven coated w/ cooking spray over medium-high heat until crisp. Remove bacon from pan; crumble and set aside. Add chicken, onion, bell pepper and garlic to pan and saute 5 minutes. Add broth and potatoes; bring to boil. Cover, reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes or until potatoes are tender. Add corn and stir.
Place flour in bowl, gradually add milk, stirring with a whisk. Add to soup and cook over medium heat 15 minutes or until thick, stirring frequently. Stir in cheese, salt and pepper.
Who else is sick of wind? What’s your favorite type of winter soup?
I agree. I am so over the wind! I do not mind running in cold weather, but when it is accompanied by a freezing breeze that cuts through all my warm layers of clothes, I am done. Any winter soup is amazing after a cold run
Amy @ Writing While Running recently posted..Austin Marathon: Eating in Austin
Ugh I hate the wind. Of all the bad weather conditions, I hate wind the most.
Amanda recently posted..Frustration
Ugh – wind running is the worst….well at least when it’s in your face and not on your back! We’re just getting some here in SoCal the last few days and it’s definitely not my fave!
Sheil recently posted..Almost Long Running
I’m not living in a cold climate these days, but Asians looooove soup, in any weather. We eat soup here, even when it’s 90 degrees out. Steaming bowls of broth and noodles are normal for lunch…when it’s 90 degrees out. This was baffling and hard for me to accept at first…now I guess I just view it as normal.
But I love thick, blended soups. Potatoes & leek, or spicy black bean, or creamy corn (or spinach)…cooked up and hit with the immersion blender. I have a pretty unhealthy attachment to my immersion blender, come to think of it.
Holly KN recently posted..Chinese New Year, Days 1 and 2
We’ve been cursed with wind lately too (although it’s warm not frigid like yours) and it can play havoc with your running. I’ve had some runs where I feel like I’m not making any forward progress because of it. Definitely not fun but good resistance training.
Char recently posted..Trickery and Subterfuge
It HAS been really windy, hasn’t it?? I’m so over it. Pretty much over winter. Like you, I’m generally a recipe follower (with a little creative license) versus a creator. This looks delicious and simple to make. Thanks for sharing this recipe.
Christine @ Love, Life, Surf recently posted..Friday Round-Up: Put on your own oxygen mask first
I’m over this whole winter – including wind! One of my last Dailymile updates – F U Mother Nature. That tells you how much I’m loving it.
Jeff recently posted..Winter trail run….
Our family has a couple of favorites: split pea, and 18 bean. No winter is good winter as far as I’m concerned, but we live in the Midwest, so we get plenty of it.
Kovas – Midwest Multisport Life recently posted..Can You Outtrain a Bad Diet?
I just said the same thing yesterday – “what’s up with the wind?” I’d take rain or snow any day over wind. It’s just a confidence zapper but you nailed it. Nice job!
Corn chowder=yum!
Angela @ Happy Fit Mama recently posted..Blog Your Heart Out
You guys have had a tough winter this year with all those storms, ours doesn’t seem so bad in comparison. I do feel like there is a light at the end of the tunnel with March being so close!!!
My favorite winter soup is hamburger soup. Corn chowder is good, my Mom always used to make it.
Christy @My Dirt Road Anthem recently posted..XTRAIN Hard Strikes workout review
Congrats for nailing your run in really windy conditions. That should definitely prepare you for your marathon. Those days when you just can’t get warm after a run are rough. I’m lucky that I don’t generally have a ton of stuff I need to do, so I often crawl into bed with my dogs until I get warm. My outdoor runs have been pretty windy lately, too. I’m ready for some temps in the 40s.
Beth @ Running with the Sunrise recently posted..Moving to Hosted Site!
Yes. It is windy every time I go out. Ugh!
Darlene recently posted..Sick of Winter
Wind has been knocking me all over the place! But summer is creeping in here in Florida…I’d almost trade wind for the Africa heat were about to get!
Kat recently posted..Princess Half: My reasons for playing dress up
Yes… The wind is killing me. I don’t enjoy the cold, but 20mph winds make it so much worse.
Alyssa K recently posted..Am I Crazy?
I don’t know how you deal with all that cold weather. I’m here in Cali crying that it won’t get above 62 degrees in FEBRUARY! Us spoiled West Coasters.
This recipe looks very filling & delicious. Plus it has bacon…I’m sold!
Maureen recently posted..Chores
Love me some good corn chowder!
Jamoosh recently posted..Wordy Wednesday
Mmm that soup does sound good!! I hate all cold weather and we just got 7 inches of snow. UGH!
Linz @ Itz Linz recently posted..Snow Day
Sounds delicious and the ingredients are up my alley! I too am becoming a bit annoyed with this winter. This one seems unreasonably colder than usual. We don’t have much snow but an awful cold/chill that won’t go away. Plus, we’re in the prairie so the winds are usually brutal around here. Stinks!
Christina recently posted..Running for a health charity
I made soup the other day as well. Chicken and wild rice. But corn chowder is definitely up there on the list!
Nicole@TheKidlessKronicles recently posted..Jambalaya and Flight
I hate the wind as well and can stand anything else. That recipe looks very nice, we might try it this winter.
In answer to your question about smokers: This is Africa so there are tons of smokers everywhere. At least we have strict laws against smoking in public places. Also no advertising and so on. But people still smoke a lot here.
Johann recently posted..Pet Peeves While Running
Yes, yes, yes, definitely sick of cold and winter! It’s really affecting my mood to run which then affects my mood all around! Kudos to you for still getting out there!
abbi recently posted..This is a Running Blog
It has been a touch windy hasn’t it. I give you props for getting out there to run. And, this looks yummy!
Michelle recently posted..The Water Slide
I agree about the wind- I can’t remember EVER running on so many windy days! And I do NOT love it…. Ready for spring for sure!
I love a good hot and sour soup with Chicken. The brothee kind not the thick kind.
A good Tom Yum is good too
Kierston recently posted..#RECIPEFRIDAY: Protein Packed Pesto!
This year is light on the wind for us here in NOLA, but last year I ran an out and back race with 30 – 40 mph winds and yup, brutal. It wasn’t as cold here (probably upper 30′s and low 40′s) so I can imagine how much worse the chill makes it.
Gracie (Complicated Day) recently posted..Rock n Roll: Yay or nay?
I feel like this winter has been so long. It seems like it has gone on for months now! Just when I think that spring is around the corner, then it snows. UGH. I want warm weather…like now. I am getting antsy!
Tasha @ Healthy Diva recently posted..Friday Favorites: What I am loving right now
I hate running in the wind! It can make a cold day so much more miserable! That soup looks delicious!!!
Mindy @Road Runner Girl recently posted..Fitness Friday…February 22nd Edition!
Oh wow, that soup sound perfect for winter. We’ll be in the northeast next week… I hope the wind is gone by then. I’m prepared for the cold, but cold and wind? Ugh!
Laura @ Mommy Run Fast recently posted..Friday’s Favorites + Kids Table giveaway
That looks delicious! I love corn chowder, and it’s finally cold here, and snowy. I made chicken noodle soup last night.
The wind here hasn’t been bad so far, but spring is our “bad wind” season on the high plains–I’m bracing for it. Good job toughing out your run in that.
Yeah wind is the worst. It’s kind of ok when it’s super hot and it cools you but the icy stuff is no bueno.
I’ve got some chicken tortilla soup I just made!
Marcia recently posted..A Blog From the Heart
I hate the wind too. I was out on a run this week and the wind was blowing so hard it whipped a little branch off the ground and slammed into my face. Ouch! Although I was able to remain happy to be out there since it was my first run coming back from my calf injury. It helped to put a positive spin on the dreaded wind.
Beth @ Miles and Trials recently posted..Setbacks and Stares
I love soup!! (My favorite thing about the winter!)
Tonight I think we will have a gumbo (I’ve never made it but…)
Your recipe looks awesome – I pinned it for later!!!
Kim recently posted..Snow Day Fun
Ugh! I hate running in the wind! My last half marathon was a very flat course, but there was a headwind the entire time and I felt miserable! Made me rethink the distance:0 I’m over it now, but I hope I never have to run a long race in the wind again:) The soup sounds delish!
rachelle q (hikermom) recently posted..Thank You to all of my Sponsors and Participants!
2x6mi is CRAZY.
That soup looks delicious!! I’m obsessed right now with white bean, sausage, and kale soup. Yum.
Wind is my least favorite element.
Heather recently posted..Three Things Thursday
Windier this year than last, but not worse than two years ago. We’re in the middle of a huge stormy pattern right now that isn’t going to let up for a while.
David H. recently posted..The slow return
We had a nice wind last night during our run but we were all thankful for it because that cool breeze help keep us comfortable as it was 72* (-:
Jeff Irvin recently posted..Yeah, that was Stupid …
Wind is the worst element, I think. Snow? Fine. Rain? Sweet. Heat? Sure. But wind? Ughhhhh. That soup looks delightful – I might have to jerry rig a vegetarian version. Nomnom.
Efo recently posted..5 Tricks to Stay Entertained on the Treadmill
The wind was blowing up to 70 km/hr here last weekend but we still managed to go out skating. But running in wind is my least favourite thing to do.
Your soup recipe looks great! I make Taco Soup in the slow cooker a lot in the winter. My other favourite is Beet Borscht that I make in the fall and then freeze in ziploc bags. It’s nice to have some pre-made on hand for those lazy, winter days.
Leslie recently posted..A Wintery Weekend Away
I’ve always liked a good, hearty lentil soup when it’s really cold out and I need to feel cozy inside. I’ve gotten really spoiled though by the favorable climate in our region. I do remember winter on the East Coast, though!
MILF Runner recently posted..WHERE’S MY STEVIA?????
I hate having the head wind on the way home, whether it is running or cycling. So unfair! That soup looks pretty yummy. I just need to veganize it
.
Debbie @ Live from La Quinta recently posted..Friday Fitness: Adding Tempo Training Runs To Get Faster. Plus 3 Workouts!
A hot meal after a cold run is a must. That sounds like a really tough run. You are amazing!
It sounds like it would warm you on the inside, perfect for a cold windy day!
LisaM@RunWiki recently posted..#KleanAthlete Review: Protein Peanut Butter Cups and Protein Sunbutter Cookies
Sounds delicious! And yes, i think this winter has been far too windy. I am done with the whole winter experience. But hey, you did it and thats what counts!
Taylor @ LiftingRevolution recently posted..Vegan + Paleo = The Pegan Project
most of my runs happen in san francisco… the chill and the wind are along with me on most of my runs. you get used to it? maybe. you get accustomed to dealing with it may be a better description.
clam chowder… or corn chowder. that is the way to go. (as you can see, the wind blew away all my upper case letters).
Pavement Runner recently posted..Playlist Thursday and #LoveMusic
Couldn’t agree more on the wind – BLECH! Even today’s 4 miler seemed fraught with headwind.
I’m thinking that just the act of having to apply layer after layer on my body, that that should consitute cross training. Who’s with me…
Lisa recently posted..They can’t all be great
SO glad you shared this recipe! I am really trying to focus on cooking healthier meals and am on the hunt for some new recipes.
I am on the same page as you – I can follow a recipe to the “t” but I am definitely not much of a creator!!!
SO tired of the wind. Since we are on the coast (literally like 50 feet at times from ocean), the wind is brutal. Cold and harsh coming off the ocean. UGH
Michele @ Nycrunningmama recently posted..Slowing Down the Treadmill
This looks so good! I see a new comfort food in my future!
katie recently posted..Random Ramblings..
I love the wind! OK, maybe it’s a love/hate relationship and of course, there are limits, but someone I recently read called it “Natures Embrace” and I’m happy to go with that. Embrace it back, don’t expect to see comparable times and write it in your log, “wind day” so you’ll know why.
yes!! so windy and so cold! ready for spring in Cleveland.
Kristy (@KristyH5) recently posted..Strength Training 2.22.13
It has been so windy!!! I almost got blown away on my last run..literally!! Thanks for the great recipe. I am ready for a windless, slightly cool Spring!
Toni Church recently posted..The Lactating Runner “Guest Post” by Marie Ortiz
That soup looks great! I love a nice hearty soup when I am cold. I often make a big pot and use it for lunches throughout the week. I want to hear more about this 6 miles at 7:45 thing. Do you do a warm up, then 6 miles @ 7:45, then some other amount of miles, then another 6 @ 7:45, then a cool down? And what is your non 7:45 pace? And what is your MP? I am curious because I am trying to run at around a 7:45 or 8. Thanks!
Travel Spot recently posted..My Side of the Mountain