By Quarterfinal Friday, 28-21. We led by fourteen at halftime and spent the second half surviving. The other team had a quarterback who was better than anything I'd seen on film — faster off the line than advertised, smarter than our scouting suggested. He moved our defense around like chess pieces in the third quarter and I spent the rest of the game trying to counter something I hadn't prepared for. We won because Marcus made a spectacular catch on third and nine with four minutes left and the line gave the quarterback time enough. We won by luck and by one great play. I'll take it. You take what the game gives you.
My defensive coordinator Dave came into the office Sunday morning with a printed copy of the other team's quarterback's stat sheet and said: "He's going to be good. Not now — in four years." I said I know. He said, "You should feel good about beating him now, before he learns how good he is." I said I feel better about the state championship we're going to win. Dave laughed. I'm not joking.
Sofia ran her first official 5K Saturday morning. A neighborhood race, four hundred kids, timed chips, finisher medal. I ran next to her for the first two miles and then she accelerated and left me behind, which is exactly what I hoped would happen and also which I did not expect to happen at seven. She finished at twenty-seven minutes and fifteen seconds. I finished at twenty-nine twelve, which means I was beaten by my seven-year-old daughter in a 5K and which I am choosing to interpret as a proud father moment rather than a fitness crisis, though it might be both.
Semifinals next week. First time at this stage in Denver. We need to be better than we were Friday. That's the work.
Semifinal week means everything gets tighter — the film sessions, the reps, the meals. After Friday’s quarterfinal win and Sofia’s 5K on Saturday, I spent Sunday morning mapping out the week ahead, and that starts with what we eat. These oatmeal pancakes are what I make on game-day mornings when I need something that’ll carry me from the kitchen to the fourth quarter without crashing. Clean fuel, no junk, five minutes in a blender. That’s the standard this week.
Blender Oatmeal Pancakes
Prep Time: 5 minutes | Cook Time: 10 minutes | Total Time: 15 minutes | Servings: 4 (about 8 pancakes)
Ingredients
- 2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
- 1 ripe banana
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup milk (dairy or unsweetened almond)
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- Butter or coconut oil for the skillet
Instructions
- Blend the batter. Add the oats, banana, eggs, milk, maple syrup, vanilla, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt to a blender. Blend on high for 30 to 45 seconds until completely smooth. Let the batter rest for 2 minutes to thicken slightly.
- Heat the skillet. Place a nonstick skillet or griddle over medium heat and add a small pat of butter or a drizzle of coconut oil. Let it heat until a drop of water sizzles on contact.
- Pour the pancakes. Pour about 1/4 cup of batter per pancake onto the skillet. Cook until small bubbles form on the surface and the edges look set, about 2 to 3 minutes.
- Flip and finish. Flip each pancake and cook for another 1 to 2 minutes until golden brown on the underside. These are more delicate than flour pancakes, so flip gently.
- Serve immediately. Serve warm with fresh fruit, a drizzle of maple syrup, or a spoonful of peanut butter for extra protein.
Nutrition (per serving)
Calories: 265 | Protein: 10g | Fat: 7g | Carbs: 42g | Fiber: 4g | Sodium: 310mg