monday musings

monday musings

10.30.2012

Sorry for the delay kiddos, I was home nursing a migraine yesterday…

1. C completed his first Ironman 70.3. Yes, you heard right. 70.3 miles - 1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike, 13.1 mile run. He ROCKED it. So stinking proud of him.

2. I’m awkwardly pumped to run 13.1 miles in December. Call me crazy.

3. Our house back home in CT is flooded. There’s water up to the windows and the whole street is underwater. 7.5 million people in the Northeast are without power. I’m thankful that my mom has friends to stay with but still so scared for everyone up there. It’s not just the water. Trees are coming down along with power lines which are causing fires. Please send prayers to everyone on the east coast!

4. A wonderful glass of pinot noir finally graced my lips last night as C and I celebrated his race. It had been something like 7-8 weeks since I had a glass of wine. Bliss.

5. We sipped wine and ate Mom’s spaghetti while watching Homeland. We’re 6 episodes in and sufficiently obsessed. It’s just complicated enough that I can’t predict what’s going to happen and find myself constantly sucked in. So thankful for Showtime On-Demand. It’s the little things…

6. I did use some down time yesterday to craft this little gem. Chalkboard paint and all!

                     


7. I’ve joined the “runners who run with a handheld water bottle” club. I apparently become dehydrated during my runs which severely upsets my stomach. Somehow, having water with me keeps the issues at bay. Who knew? But I love my adorable new Amphipod bottle.

8. Did you sign up for GymPact yet? You need to!!!

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in which I stuff vegetables in my blender.

in which I stuff vegetables in my blender.

10.23.2012

I actually have to do this. Because, confession, I don’t like fruit. Besides bananas, apples (kinda) and watermelon…I don’t eat any other fruits. I think it’s a texture thing. Who knows.

Also, I don’t really like spinach…or kale.

But, alas, I’m thankful for the smoothie. In this capacity, I can stuff all kinds of gross stuff into the blender with a scoop of my favorite protein powder and, voila, all I taste is yummy vanilla or chocolate goodness.

(We got a sexy new blender from KitchenAid that perfectly matches my orange KitchenAid stand mixer. Coincidence? I think not.)



Additionally, frozen fruit is so affordable and you don’t have to worry about it spoiling. We recently stocked the fridge with all kinds of frozen fruit including mangoes I think I need to try making a tropical smoothie with pineapple, mango and coconut milk!

My favorite combos so far include:

Cinnamon Vanilla Blueberry

• Vanilla Juice Plus+ Complete
• Frozen Blueberries
• Milk/Water
• Cinnamon
• Spinach
• Flax seeds OR coconut oil
• Optional - Greek Yogurt
• Optional - Maple Syrup (to sweeten the plain greek yogurt)

Chocolate Banana

• Chocolate Juice Plus+ Complete
• Frozen Banana
• Milk/Water
• Almond butter or peanut butter
• Flax seeds
• Spinach

Smoothies also work well for me post workout when I really don’t feel like eating a meal. If you pack enough nutrients into your smoothies, they can easily be considered a meal (or a snack for C). It’s important to get protein in your body no more than 30 minutes after a workout so that your muscles have the fuel they need to rebuild and repair. After that 30 minute window, your body is already breaking down. No more starving yourself after a workout! Women are often afraid of protein but, ladies, get over it! Muscles look sexier than fat so accept the fact that you need to be fueling your muscles. Chocolate milk is a GREAT post workout treat because it contains all the good stuff your body needs to repair itself. Just make sure it’s lowfat chocolate milk.

Do you have a favorite protein powder? I’m digging the Juice Plus+ Complete because it tastes good just mixed with water which is great if I’m in a pinch. It’s also plant based which I’ve heard is easier on the stomach than whey protein Always up for suggestions though!

What’s your favorite smoothie combo? I’m a sucker for the chocolate banana varieties but I’m learning to mix more berries into my diet. I also like adding espresso powder!

This is not a sponsored post. I just happen to really like Juice Plus+ Complete shakes. I was not compensated for this post.

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monday musings.

monday musings.

10.22.2012

1. How did Monday get here so quickly? Ugh.

2. I may or may not have had a meltdown on Sunday during my ride with my triathlon team. My goal is to get faster but I’m not sure I have the pain tolerance for it?! Talk about a 25 mile emotional roller coaster…

3. I REALLY wish I could share the pictures from my “behind the scenes” tour of the tiger exhibit at the Dallas Zoo on Saturday! One of the perks of being a volunteer there is getting rewarded with fun tours and exclusive access. I mean, I was 2 feet from a HUGE tiger with just a chain link fence between us!

4. Pumped for our trip to Connecticut and New York City at the end of November. I’m not going home for Thanksgiving or Christmas so this is a treat! It’ll be so fun to see friends from home and spend some time bundled in scarves and strolling Central Park with Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate. I wonder if there will be snow?

Christmas in NYC - 2011

5. The rest of the weekend involved some serious grocery shopping and lots of lounging. It was nice to have a weekend with little on the agenda.

6. We made a game time decision to eat at Ken Rathbun’s Blue Plate Kitchen on Saturday night. The food was delish but the prices were less than desirable. However, since C hasn’t been drinking for the past 6 weeks or so (gearing up for his race) it was definitely less expensive than it could have been!

7. It’s here. We’re headed to Austin this weekend for C’s 70.3 Ironman. I’m the world’s proudest sherpa. The weather is supposed to be great and I’m hoping to snap a few pics of the pros.

8. Used a gift card from Earndit to get my first NatureBox subscription! The snacks look legit and I’m excited to try it out! You already know I’m a sucker for monthly subscription boxes like Birchbox.

9. Loved having lunch with some sweet triathlon friends last week. How it makes the day so much more enjoyable!

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10.20.2012

chilly morning run. time to start the day.

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{featured friday} food blogs.

{featured friday} food blogs.

10.19.2012

{featured friday} highlights some of my favorite blogs and websites that I want to share with all of you! These are blogs that consistently blow me away with amazing content. I know you’ll fall in love with them too!

As I was browsing Bloglovin and reading all the recent posts from my favorite blogs, I realized that I must be following close to 75 different food blogs. Really though, you should see my feed - all food. Needless to say, I’m usually sitting at my desk, drooling over the stunning food-tography and mouthwatering recipes. It makes me so anxious to get home and try them out! My Pinterest boards are overflowing with recipes I’ve pinned from all of these blogs.

In the end though, I like to play favorites. I have a few food blogs that I’ve come to really rely on and trust. These are the blogs I turn to when I need a simple banana bread recipe or a knock your socks off dessert. The commentary is funny and witty and the recipes are to die for. If these blogs don’t make you want to spend a day in the kitchen, then I don’t know what will!

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This photo was taken after I took my last exam of college @smu #2010grad #throwback

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back on track.

back on track.

10.18.2012

Now that triathlon season is over for me, it’s time to focus on training for theDallas Half Marathon (Dec 9th)! This will be my first half marathon (of many, hopefully!) and I’m really pumped.

There was a time when I couldn’t run a 5K. There was a time when just running the whole thing seemed impossible. Like during these two 5Ks…





But miraculously, I’ve come to really look forward to running…

After a long weekend in Austin, I was ready to get back on track. My body was ACHING to run on Monday. I headed out to the trail after work for a quick 30 minute training pace run. It. felt. amazing. Honestly, it was probably the best run of my life. I can’t really explain it. I just felt the need to run. I set my watch and took off, the next time I looked at my watch, I was 10 minutes from being done! That has NEVER happened to me before. I’m one of those people who checks her watch every 30 second to check my pace and heart rate. But this time, I just zoned out and ran. I may have experienced my first runner’s high!

Tuesday’s workout was an easy swim. Even though I’m training for a half marathon, my coach is incorporating lots of cross training into my schedule to avoid injury and have “active recovery”.

The strange thing is, I used to dread when my schedule said “RUN”. Now, it’s what I love the most. My body craves a good run. However, I do appreciate the fact that my schedule is always varied and that I can mix up the weeks with swimming and biking. I’m prone to shin splints and very tight calves so it’s nice to be able to rest my legs but still get a cardio workout.

Wednesday was weights. At 6am. Ouch. It was hard. I wouldn’t consider myself to be very strong and my muscles were shaking within the first 15 minutes. Today (Thursday), my whole body is aching (even my head). Muscles I didn’t even know I had are screaming at me. Sitting down is a workout and forget the stairs in my parking garage. I’m taking the elevator.

But the pain feels good. I know I’m working hard. My body is rebelling but it will get stronger. I can’t wait to do weights again and see an improvement in my strength.

But for now, I’m popping Aleve like candy and plan on becoming best friends with the foam roller tonight. Cheers to achy muscles!

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monday musings.

monday musings.

10.15.2012

1. ACL #4 is in the books. It was a blast but boy, I’m beat. I think I might need a break from ACL for the next few years.

2. I had every intention of running while in Austin (as per my schedule) but it just didn’t happen. The weather was weird and sleeping in felt way too good. I mean, we were on vacation!

3. I’m really digging my Juice Plus+ chewables and drink mixes. So far I’ve made some pretty awesome smoothies. Recipes to come!

4. This was the week of doctor’s appointments. Got a thumbs up from the dermatologist. Pumped to see the nutritionist this week. With all this training, I want to make sure I’m fueling my body properly so I can perform at my best!

5. Perks of Being a Wallflower was awesome. Wish I would have read the book first but I love, love, loved the movie. However there were too many “feelings” for C. He was a good sport though. Luckily I baited him with Sour Skittles.

6. I’m going to try to use all my techie-ness to upload a video of Needtobreathe from ACL. They played an awesome set but I managed to get a nice sunburn during their show.

7. It’s weird. Coach emailed me my schedule this week. I’m only running once. The rest is swimming/cycling cross training. I JUST WANT TO RUN!

8. The 58 degree mornings and the 85 degrees afternoons are killing me. I’m craving boots and sweaters, like whoa.

9. I think I need a new saddle on my road bike. My butt bones feel bruised and shorts aren’t helping. Any suggestions?

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10.14.2012

Waiting not so patiently for @needtobreathe in the shade. #aclfest

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Boom Day 3 #nocontacts #cantwearsunglasses #aclfest

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It’s really hot out… Waiting in the mud/shade for the civil wars #aclfest

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10.13.2012

Day two! But not before we get breakfast and do a little shopping!

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10.12.2012

#aclfest day 1 in the books! I think @ckthoms had a great first day!

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Florence & the Machine at #aclfest

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let's make this personal.

let's make this personal.

10.11.2012

Today, I’m swallowing my pride.

Have you noticed I don’t post times with my race recaps? I never talk about how fast I ran during training runs. I don’t talk about swim splits or average mph on the bike. Me and the clock, we don’t get along.

I should probably back up here and say that I’ve only done a handful of races. I’m in no position to complain about my results. I just started this whole endurance training thing. But I’m competitive. I train and train and train and train and then I race. For me, I need the end goal of racing. I love the thrill of knowing I’ve worked so hard to be there. I like waking up early for a run or ride with the purpose of getting faster for my race.

I expect to see results. Fast. Like yesterday. If I could run 10/min miles on Saturday then I should be able to run 9/min miles by next Monday right?

No, wrong. I know that’s wrong. But every time I look at results from a race, I compare. I stare, dwell, fume, plot over those results. I look at the other people in my age group and wonder if I’d just tried harder, swam more, sucked it up a little more, could I have beat them? Things get personal. I become spiteful.



Me and last place are really bonding these days. We’re getting to know each other really well.

For awhile, this was discouraging. I know, it should be fuel the for fire. But it wasn’t. I just made excuses. I told myself I’d never be “fast”. I should have probably stuck with golf. Who was I kidding? Endurance sports obviously weren’t my thing.

But when someone finds out I raced a triathlon, do you know what they say? “Holy crap that’s amazing! I could never do that! Wow! That’s so impressive! You’re so awesome!”

They don’t ask how fast I went. They don’t care what place I came in. They are nothing but kind and supportive.

I’m my own worst enemy. I’m competitive. I want results. I don’t want to be in a relationship with last place anymore. So, we’re breaking up. It’s going to be a bad one. It’s going to hurt a lot, this break-up. There will be tears and sweat and possibly blood. But I’m over it. We’re done.

So, here’s to second to last place. I’m coming for ya.

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{race report} US Open Sprint Triathlon

{race report} US Open Sprint Triathlon

10.09.2012

Let’s just set the scene here for a second. Overcast skies. 48 degrees. Slightly windy. 2000 racers. Hilliest transitions. Even hillier bike/run course. Did I mention it was 48 degrees?

Ok so picture that scene. Got it? I’ll get started now.

C and I arrived at the race around 6:15am. It was pitch black and freezing cold. C was wearing about 4 layers. Cold. C (aka my pit crew) checked my bike and put air in my ties. I gathered all my things and headed to transition.

I basically had to undress to get body marked since I was wearing about 3 layers. After that, I climbed a never ending hill to my transition area. It was a three tiered parking lot and you better bet I was on the highest, most furthest away tier.

After getting all my gear laid out, I helped sweet Becca (we were 1083 and 1084!!!) get her things together. Then we gathered up our wet suits, goggles caps and BodyGlide and headed into the hotel to defrost.

While inside with my team (taking pictures and joking about how crazy we were for racing in this weather), I managed to work myself into a mini panic attack that might have involved a tear or two. I honestly don’t know what happened. I managed to psych myself out to the point where I thought I might actually throw up. It was bad. C has no idea what to do with me when I’m like that. It wasn’t pretty.

Once I managed to calm down, get my wet suit on and get a hug from C, things started looking up. I almost forgot that it was 48 degrees outside.

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monday musings.

monday musings.

10.08.2012

1. Race report coming tomorrow! You’ll want to read this one!



2. I bought some caramel apple candy corn on an impulse buy - disgusting. Total fail.

3. I’m ready for a new book. I finished Gone Girl friday night and was VERY disappointed in the ending - anyone else have this issue? Suggestions for my next book? I’m thinking Love Walked In, Unbroken or White Jacket Required or some Harriet Evans book…

4. How the heck is it already the middle of October? I haven’t had enough pumpkin and butternut squash meals yet.

5. ACL is this weekend! Pumped to get out of town for a little while. I’m excited to see Florence & The Machine, Needtobreathe, The Avett Brothers, M83 and discover some new bands!

6. I have two more vacation days left (including the days I need for Christmas and Thanksgiving). What should I do with them? Something worthwhile and CHEAP!

7. Are yoga DVDs totally bogus? I kinda want to get back into yoga but classes just don’t work for me and I don’t want to pay for them. If you’ve used a yoga DVD do you have any suggestions?

8. I’m getting really excited for the Dallas Half in December. I’m already thinking about what races are going to be next after that! What is it about endurance sports (specifically racing) that makes it so addicting? I mean, you’d think after consistently coming in last that I’d get fed up…but no.

9. The blender arrived last week and it’s PERFECT!

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monday musings.

monday musings.

10.01.2012

1. It rained. It basically rained the ENTIRE weekend. Until Sunday afternoon around 4pm, the sun came out and the skies cleared just in time for me to get in 20 miles on the bike. The air was cool and crisp which made for an amazing ride. Andddd I got to wear my new lululemon vest (I have it in Ray).

2. Did I really just post about the weather?

Why yes, that IS me awkwardly squatting/lunging? on the left hand side trying to get my wetsuit on. I call that perfect technique.

3. This weekend’s crappy weather didn't stop us from swimming Saturday morning and testing out some snazzy wetsuits. SO thankful we did this because I’m definitely going to be racing in my wetsuit on Sunday. 74 degree water is a tad chilly.

4. C had a race this weekend - his first olympic distance triathlon (1500m swim, 24 mile bike, 10k run)! Of course, it rained the entire race but he was a trooper and managed to secure 3rd place! His first podium finish! I was beaming - could not be more proud of him. Austin 70.3 here we come!

Could we be any less photogenic?

5. These cookies happened this weekend. This might just be my new go-to recipe. It only made 8 GINORMOUS cookies but I think that’s the perfect amount. They are so chewy yet crunchy and taste like heaven. There’s brown butter involved so you know it’s good.

6. Before the weather turned on us, I managed an awesome 5 miler on Friday afternoon in my sexy new compression sleeves. I obviously needed another pair (this time in black) to match other outfits. My success on a run directly correlates to how cute I look. Anyone who tries to deny this is just too embarrassed to admit it.



7. Does anyone else find it ironic that Lorena’s charity on Top Chef Masters is theAlliance for a Healthier Generation and yet she “created” a meal for Taco Bell? Thank goodness she got the boot. She stuck around for way too long. Don’t tell me who wins…we haven’t watched that episode yet.

8. This is the obligatory “I’m excited for Fall” post. But it’s true, I am. I’m planning on making Pumpkin Orzo for dinner tonight and I’ve already made a batch of butternut squash and apple soup. Love me some fall, bring it on Dallas.

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