Survey!

Charissa tagged me in an awesome survey recently and I was excited to have the chance to sit down and answer these questions (thanks, Charissa!). You can read Charissa’s answers here in case you missed her post.

1. Would you rather run along a beach path or mountain trail?

I prefer the beach. It would be amazing to live near the water one day!

2. If you could choose the flavor of Gatorade at your next race’s aid stations, what would it be?

I love my G2 Raspberry Lemonade.

3. If I gave you a $100 gift card to a running store, what would you purchase with it?

Shoes of course. The most essential part of running!

4. Do you prefer to follow a training plan or wake up and then decide how far and how fast you want to run?

That kind of depends. I like the structure that a training plan provides. I can mentally prepare for each run and know what lies ahead, but at the same time that can make running feel like more of a chore. So I guess I prefer to wing it based upon how I feel that day though I would probably never wake up and think how amazing it would be to run 20+ miles that particular day.

5. Would you rather start your run with the uphill and end on the downhill or start your run with the downhill and end with the uphill?

I would rather start uphill. I love sprinting downhill at the end of my run.

6. When you can’t run, what type of cross-training do you choose to do?

I love my Orange Theory workouts.

7. What is your preference—>out and back, point to point, or loop runs?

I like point to point, but that’s difficult unless you are running a race. So on a normal day I like loop runs.

8. If you could recommend ANY running related item to a new runner it would be…?

I’m going to agree with Charissa here and say running shoes. It’s so important for a new runner to get fitted at a running store and to run in the right shoe. Otherwise, injuries are more likely to happen.

9. Do you see any wild animals while out on your runs?

Mostly just deer, rabbits and squirrels.

10. Ever gotten lost while out on a run?

If I don’t have a specific route planned out I may try to mix things up with a few different turns, but I usually have a good general idea of where I am. Thankfully if I were to get lost I have an iPhone.

11. If you could have one meal waiting and ready for you each time you got home from a run for the next 30 days…what would it be?

My mom’s lasagna is amazing!

12. Capris or shorts? What do you run in most?

I prefer to wear shorts as long as I possibly can.

13. At what mile (or how many minutes) into your run does your body start to feel like it is warming up and ready to go?

I would say that it usually takes me about a mile to get warmed up.

14. What do you do with your key when you run?

It’s usually either in a pocket or in the holder that I use for my phone.

15. If you could relive any race that you have done in the past, which one?

The Baltimore Marathon was such a wonderful experience and my first marathon. I loved it!

16. What type of run is your least favorite?

Maybe a tempo run? It really just depends upon the day.

17. When you go for a run, do you leave from your front door or drive somewhere to start?

I usually go from my front door because it’s easier, but I like to drive somewhere too for a change of scenery.

18. When running in daylight, are sunglasses a must or an annoyance?

I don’t think that I could run with sunglasses. I feel like they would really annoy me, although I’ve thought about getting pair a time or two.

19. When you get tired, what keeps you from quitting?

Getting back home to my little family.

Tag! You’re it:

Tamieka @ Fit Balling Running Mom

Victoria @ Ice Packs + Races

Weekly Update: 8/17-8/23

I’m linking up with Holly @ HoHo Runs & Tricia @ MissSippiPiddlin for the Weekly Wrap.
The first week at my new job went pretty well. It’s been an adjustment getting up even more ridiculously early than normal so that I have enough time to run and shower before work, but it hasn’t been as difficult as I feared. Other than being tired, it’s actually pretty nice to have my run done early and it’s a great way to begin the day. Maybe I should’ve started this sooner?

Monday: rest day/First day at the new job!

Tuesday: 10 miles

All my early week day runs will likely be on the treadmill since it’s just too dark and not entirely safe at that hour.

Wednesday: 5 miles

Thursday: 5 miles with Fleet Feet

We got a little soggy from the rain, but the resulting double rainbow was amazing.

Friday: Orange Theory

We went to the fair later on in the morning which was nice because it wasn’t too crowded yet. I love fair lemonade and Haylie enjoyed seeing all of the animals.

I don’t think this is the proper way to sit in a high chair.

Saturday: 21 miles

I met up with a girl from my Fleet Feet running group. She is faster than me, but I kept up with her as long as I could. It’s awesome to have someone pushing you harder than you would normally push yourself.

Overall this way a really good run. It was a bit slower than I had hoped for, but I’m trying to focus on the positive aspects instead. Physically I felt great which is huge. Also I didn’t have any intestinal problems or cramping which is also huge and was a big concern after my terrible 18 miler a few weeks ago. I’m as ready as I’m going to be for my marathon, so now we taper.

Sunday: Orange Theory

I was pretty sore from yesterday’s long run so this may not have been the best idea. I was pretty glad when it was over and I normally love Orange Theory. Tomorrow will be a much needed and well-earned rest day.

Someone figured out that my breakfast smoothies are delicious, so I had to share.

I hope you all have a wonderful week!

What was the favorite part of your week/weekend?  

If you would like to help me reach my fundraising goal for Girls on the Run, I’m including the link below. Every little bit helps and would be greatly appreciated! Thank you in advance!

Alanna’s Girls on the Run Ragnar Relay Fundraiser Page

5 Things I’ll be Doing in 5 Years

It’s the Friday Five with: Cynthia, Mar, and Courtney today! Today’s topic is 5 Things I’ll be Doing in 5 Years. This topic made me laugh because I had this year of my life all planned out and I had to watch as that plan totally fell apart. So I’ve been striving every day to live in the moment and not worry about the future. That’s a task that is easier said than done, but ultimately I do have long-term goals that I can share.

1. Mother of 2- Yes, I would like to have one more child in the next 5 years and then I’m done. I’m going to tap out at 2. Being a parent is simultaneously one of the most wonderful and difficult things that I’ve ever done. I think it would be great for Haylie to have a sibling, but I’m also trying not to stress myself out over it.

2. Travel- I would love to travel some more. My husband has been wonderful at helping me fulfill my dreams and see some amazing places. I’ve always said that if I were independently wealthy I would travel the world. Next on my wish list is Venice. A girl can dream right?

3. Moving- I wouldn’t mind moving to a slightly larger house some time in the next 5 years, especially if we do have a new addition. At the same time, our little town house is nice and cozy.

4. Job- I just want a stable job that makes me happy, as I’m sure everyone does. That is certainly not easy to find in this industry, but I really don’t like being unhappy at work when I spend so much of my time there. That time is precious, and could be spent with my daughter who is already growing up way too fast.

5. Running- I really want to BQ and then run Boston. That’s my dream. When I even think of what an amazing and emotional experience that would be it gives me chills.

There you have it. I have no idea what I’ll actually be doing in 5 years, but I hope that I can accomplish at least some of these goals.

What are you going to be doing in 5 years?

Zengo Cycle

“Zengo Cycle is a full-body, cycle-centric workout for your body and mind that will Rock Your Day.” 

There are 5 locations in the DC area: Bethesda, Logan Circle, Kentlands, Mosaic and Cathedral Commons. I chose the Kentlands since it’s the closest to me and signed up for a 6am class with Christy. Online sign-up was pretty easy and your first class and shoe rental are both free. Once you register online the first class credit is automatically applied to your account. You pick which bike you want to use for the class. It didn’t really matter to me other than I was pretty sure that I didn’t want to be in the front of the class.

I was greeted right away by a friendly staff member. She gave me shoes, showed me the lockers and then set up my bike. This was my first time in cycling shoes and they are so strange to walk in. I didn’t realize that the shoes click into the pedals. I was slightly terrified of getting injured during class because my hands got all sweaty. I could just picture my hands slipping and me face planting all while still attached to the bike. If anyone is going to get injured, it’s going to be me. Thankfully this didn’t happen.

The room was dimly lit and the studio was filled with Schwinn Cycling bikes. Clip in shoes are a requirement. They rent the shoes for $3 per class after your initial free visit. I loved the atmosphere in the room especially with it being so early I really didn’t want to deal with bright light.

There is a short arms circuit towards the end of the class using light weights. I could really feel the burn using only 2 pound weights!

It was a great class and I really enjoyed it. I don’t know that I would go back just because the $22 per class is a little pricey for me, but if I got another chance to go for free I would be all about it. The music was absolutely awesome by the way. That might have been my favorite part of class. It was such a great mix of songs. I told my husband, when I got home, that I really wanted the instructors playlist. Also now I really want a new bike, but I should get my old one fixed up first so that I’m sure I will really use it.

Have you tried Zengo Cycle?

Don’t forget to check out my Freekeh giveaway!

Weekly Update: 8/10-8/16

I’m linking up with Holly @ HoHo Runs & Tricia @ MissSippiPiddlin for the Weekly Wrap. Wow this week just flew by! My last day at my job was on Tuesday and then I start my new job as a pastry teaching assistant on Monday. I was making a cake for my friend’s daughter’s birthday on Sunday so it was nice to have some time to work on that as well as get some extra workouts in. I’m going to keep this one short since I was so long-winded last week. 

Monday: rest day

Tuesday: 9 miles

I ran before work since it was supposed to rain in the afternoon. It was surprisingly humid already though. It was strange seeing everything looking so empty at work and for sale signs everywhere.

Wednesday: Track workout + Iron Strength

“Broken Miles”-longer stretches at 10k pace with intervals of “all out” 400s and recovery laps in between

Thursday: Zengo Cycle + 5 miles with Fleet Feet

Friday: rest day

Saturday: 14 miles + cake decorating

This run felt much better than last week and I even remembered to charge my headphones. Hopefully I’m ready for next week’s 20-miler!

It was also quite a nice night to sit outside and relax while Haylie played in the sprinkler.

Sunday: Iron Strength

We went to the birthday party late in the morning at Bounce U. It was so much fun and a great place to have a party! Haylie really enjoyed all of the jumping. I was really pleased with how the cake turned out and it tasted great as well. I used my white cake recipe with fresh strawberries for the filling.

Don’t forget to check out my Freekeh giveaway! Have a wonderful week!

What are your favorite cake flavors? Have you been to a Bounce U party?

So this is happening…

I figured that I should officially announce that I am training for my 2nd marathon. I have big goals for this race, but I don’t know if I’m quite there yet. Only time will tell. I recently read a quote that said “If your dreams don’t scare you, they aren’t big enough.” So I guess there is nothing wrong with having slightly terrifying goals. This was kind of a spur of the moment decision on my part so I didn’t really put as much time into training as I would have liked to. I’ve been training for Ragnar so I had a pretty good base to start with at least.

I happened to be on Facebook one day and saw several people from back home posting about the half marathon. I wondered when the full was and when I checked it happened to be the day after my sister-in-law’s wedding. We will be in town for the wedding, plus I’m making the cake. I took it as a sign that I simply had to run in that race. My husband was concerned with me getting enough sleep, but who really gets a good night’s sleep before a race any way?

It is only those who believe in their ability who shine when it matters.
-Maurice Greene

So I’m excited and terrified!

Warm Breakfast Freekeh Recipe – and Giveaway!

I was pretty excited when Sweat Pink had this opportunity to participate with Freekeh Foods. I love to try new things! One serving of freekeh has 6 grams of protein and 4 grams of fiber.

“Freekeh is a process which means “to rub” in Arabic. Freekeh was created by accident nearly 2,000 years ago when a Middle Eastern village was attacked and their crop of young green wheat was set ablaze. Most folks would sulk over their misfortune, but the crafty villagers rubbed off the chaff, cooked it up and “Eureka!” Freekeh was created. We’re proud to offer you this tasty, nutritious ancient grain with a funny name.”

I received two packages of Freekeh to review, the original and rosemary sage. There is also a Tamari flavored one. You can do almost anything with Freekeh from having it for breakfast to soups and salads to stuffed peppers. They have several recipes listed on their website or you can just use your own creativity. I haven’t had a chance to try the rosemary sage one yet, but I think when I do I will try some version of the vegetarian stuffed pepper recipe. That’s right up my alley, being a vegetarian myself.

So I decided to give the Original flavor a try first. I love breakfast foods, but I get up so early for work that I don’t really have the time or motivation to cook on week days. This is great for a weekend breakfast when you have a little more time since it does take about 25 minutes to cook. Luckily though once you get it started there’s not much to do but wait.

Of course there are many other ways that you could utilize the original flavor, I decided to go with the warm breakfast freekeh.

It was nice and easy to prepare, only requiring water, vanilla, cinnamon and butter. I decided to use almond milk in place of the water for a richer flavor.

And now we wait…..

Once it was done I added some Greek yogurt for some extra protein and creaminess as well as some blueberries. I also sprinkled a little extra cinnamon on top because I can never get enough cinnamon. I enjoyed this yummy breakfast treat. It was a nice hearty meal so that I didn’t get hungry again right away. I love that there is so much that you can with Freekeh.

I actually had a lot leftover so I enjoyed it for breakfast again the next after my long run. I just reheated it with more almond milk then I added some brown sugar, Greek yogurt, blueberries, strawberries and more cinnamon. It was even more delicious the second time around! My daughter liked it too.

So…. do YOU want to try some freekeh? I’m having a giveaway so one lucky reader can win!

GIVEAWAY

(click on the image below to enter)

A winner will be chosen at random on August 28, 2015. So go ahead and enter to win your chance to try Freekeh foods!

**US Residents only, please.

I was selected for this opportunity as a Sweat Pink ambassador and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

Weekly Update: 8/3-8/9

This week I’m linking up with Hoho @ HoHo Runs & Tricia @ MissSippiPiddlin for the Weekly Wrap. 

I apologize in advance. This is going to be a pretty long post so thank you for bearing with me.

I accepted a position as a pastry teaching assistant at the school that I attended. I think and hope that it will be a good next step in my career. I’m going to be working 4-10 hours days, which will be nice so I can have three-day weekends, but I’m concerned as to when I’m going to run. That probably sounds silly, but it’s really important to me. I used to run after work because I would be done around 2. Now I will be working 6-4:30 so I will have to go straight to pick up Haylie at daycare. I’m okay with getting up early, but at the same time I need to get sleep. I don’t love the idea of rolling out of bed before 3am so I can run (on the treadmill) and shower, but that may be my best option. I really do not feel that cutting down the days that I run is an option for me. I think that would make me crazy. I may not have as much time to blog or do other things either. There will certainly be a period of adjustment. I’m excited for this new opportunity and taking the next step in my life.

On to the rest of my week…

Monday: rest day

Tuesday: 10 total miles (4 before work & 6 after)

My morning run was nice since the temperature was in the 60s. It actually felt a little cool until I started moving then I quickly warmed up. My afternoon run was pretty rough though. By then the temperature was 90 and it was very humid. I had to stop every 2 miles to let my heart slow down and catch my breath. In retrospect I probably should’ve hit the treadmill, but I’m afraid that I will be spending a lot of time there with the hours at my new job so I wanted to get outside while I still could.

Wednesday: Track workout (200, 400, 600, 600, 400, 200, 200) & Iron Strength

This was such a fun track workout. I really like the 200s because you can go all out and not worry about saving any energy for the end since it’s over so quickly. Next week will be the last track workout for me because of my new work schedule so I’m a little bummed about that.

Thursday: 5 miles with Fleet Feet

This was a nice run too. The temperature felt great until we started running and realized it was still quite humid, but I enjoyed chatting with the group. I feel like runs are usually more enjoyable when they are shared with others.

My husband and I watched The Maze Runner that night. It was a good movie, but I was surprised by the ending. They obviously left it open for the sequel. That’s the first new movie that I’ve watched in a while and the latest that I’ve been up. So it was pretty exciting.

Friday: rest day

I had the day off work so we decided to go to a near by shopping center and walk around. We fed the geese and duckies, played on the playground and rode the carousel. It was all fun and games until we went to Starbucks. We bought Haylie one of those little squeeze fruit packages and I put her bib on. For whatever reason she did not want to leave her seat at Starbucks or take her bib off. So we promptly headed home after her meltdown began. Never a dull moment. 🙂Saturday: 18 horrible miles

I really have no idea what happened here. I’m incredibly grateful that my legs felt fine, but everything else was horrible. I had started to get a cold on Thursday, which Haylie had already been dealing with for several days at that point, so I was surprised that it took me that long to get sick. I’ve run with colds and sinus infections before so that’s not a big deal, but then I started having some intestinal distress followed by severe cramping. I didn’t do anything different from normal so this was really frustrating for me. Sometimes I get a little bored always running the same routes, but this day I was glad that I did because I knew where all of the port-a-potties were. So at least a bad situation wasn’t made even worse. Also my Bluetooth headphones died a little more than half way through the run. I really need music during long runs by myself so I wasn’t pleased about that either. It was my own fault though. I had thought about charging them when I was laying out everything that I needed Friday night, but decided that they were fine. Lesson learned.  It wasn’t a horrible pace, but my 16-miler 2 weeks prior was so much better all around. Here’s hoping that next week’s long run is better.

My favorite (and only) pair of motivational socks. I wear them on all of my long runs and races.

 

the importance of foam rolling

 

my laundry washing helper

Sunday: Orange Theory

It was endurance day. Thank you Orange Theory, that’s just what I needed the day after an 18 mile run. 🙂

Later we went to the beach and had fun there. Haylie was able to overcome her initial fear of the waves. She’s so darn cute! We had a great weekend! I’m only sad that it had to end.

Have a wonderful week!

I would really love your thoughts/suggestions as to when I should make time to run with my new work schedule? Have you ever been in a similar situation? Do you have any tips on dealing with intestinal issues during a long run/race?

A Day in the Life

Since I work for a catering company, or at least I do for one more week, I don’t have a set schedule. My work schedule is business dependent. So some mornings I might go in at 5 then not until 7 the next. I’m hoping to find some more normalcy in my next job.

My Wednesday life has been pretty set this summer, especially the past month, so I’ll walk you through a typical Wednesday for me.

4am- I wake up and go downstairs start the coffee and feed our 2 dogs and crazy bird. Next I go upstairs to make the bed then back downstairs to put away the dishes from the previous day and get a cup of coffee. (I’m not a morning person and I’m pretty sure by now that I never will be therefore I require caffeine in the morning)

4:15- I take my coffee upstairs and check my email hoping for a dream job offer. Since I didn’t receive one I check craigslist and indeed for a dream job posting. After no luck with that I read some blogs and scroll through facebook.

5:00- I try to make myself look presentable by brushing my teeth, washing my face and cramming my contacts into my tired eyes.

5:20- I grab my bag with my work clothes for the day, which I thoughtfully laid out the night before, and kiss my husband good-bye. I also grab some water and a banana on my way out the door. I love bananas!

5:40- I drive to a local high school, find a place to park and walk to the track for the workout with the Luna Chix.

5:45-7:00- We complete our challenging, yet wonderful, track workout. I grab a luna bar and eat it while walking back to my car.

7:05-7:15- I drive to work. Once I arrive I go to the bathroom to make myself less offensive smelling after the workout with my On the Go Sports Towels. I eat my banana and clock in around 7:30. I’m really supposed to be there at 7:00, but it’s slow during the summer so work has been okay with my fashionable lateness.

7:30-12:00- We make pastries to fulfill the orders for the day then start prepping for the next day. (I try not to eat all of the pastries.)

salted caramel banana chocolate chip bread pudding with vanilla bean creme anglaise

12:00-12:30- We sit in the coolest place that we can find and eat lunch. It’s crazy hot working in a kitchen in the summer.

12:30-2:00- We finish our prep work the clean up and plan out what we need to do for the next day, including what time we need to arrive.

2:00-2:30- I drive home while listening to my music way too loud.

2:30- I arrive home and let my dogs out. Then I do a quick recheck of my email, craigslist, and indeed. I’m hopefully able to send out a few resumes to perspective employers.

3:00-3:50- Iron Strength! It’s a hard workout, but I think it’s helping to make me stronger.

4:00- I feed the dogs then go pick up Haylie from daycare.

4:20- We return home. Haylie likes to hang out on the stairs for a while before finally venturing upstairs and into the kitchen. She has a snack and some juice while I get her things organized for daycare the next day. We then pretty much play and relax a little until dinner which my husband usually prepares. Since I spend my days working in a kitchen, I’m more than happy that he makes dinner. (There has a tendency of being a good meltdown from the little one in there somewhere.)

6:30-7:15- We eat dinner then I clean up and wash the dishes. If there is time left we play a little more.

7:15-8:00- Haylie’s bath time! Followed by milk and a story.

Hooray for teeth brushing!

8:00-8:30-My shower time! I’m usually in bed around 8:30 or so. Then I tend to play around on my phone instead of going straight to sleep.

9:00- I’m out for the night. I really need as close to 8 hours of sleep as I can possibly get. Then I get up and do some version of this day all over again. I love little family and my crazy days.

Does this look similar to your days?

Weekly Update: 7/27-8/2

It was a pretty good week of both running and job opportunities. I received an offer letter though I’m not sure that I will take the job just yet. It’s a good opportunity for my career, but the schedule could prove to be difficult. So I’ve got some things to figure out this week. I also had another interview on Monday that I’m still waiting to hear back on. All these job interviews are making me a little crazy which is I why I need to run. 🙂

Monday: 3 miles

Tuesday: 8 miles on the treadmill @ 8 min. pace

Wednesday: 4.75 miles done at the track with the Luna Chix + Iron Strength

The track workout consisted of a 1600/1200/800/400/200 with one lap recovery in between plus 3 laps warmup and a 2 lap cool down.

We receive points for attending the Luna Chix workouts and once you get to 10 you get a prize. So today I got a visor and socks. Yay! I do so love prizes.

Thursday: 8 total miles

I ran 4 miles before work and 4 after with Fleet Feet. I finally got to try out my runningluv today. I have to admit that it’s really nice to have something to wipe my sweat on besides my hands and shirt. I hardly noticed that it was there other than when I needed to use it. I actually wish that I had ordered more than one.

Friday: rest day

It’s funny that when I first started seriously running that I looked forward to my rest days so much. Now I really don’t at all. My day feels like there is a void in it somehow if I don’t run. Plus I get an overall sense of laziness.

Saturday: Iron Strength

Sunday: 12 miles

I met up with some friends from my Thursday night Fleet Feet group for a run. It was so nice to have company and to run somewhere new. The run itself wasn’t as good as the previous week’s long run. I have got to learn, the hard way apparently, that I can’t do Iron Strength the day before a long run. It’s a great workout, but it leaves my legs feeling tired for sure. So I was dragging a little during this run, but I got it done.

I’ve been fighting with this blister on my middle toe and apparently now I’ll be losing that toenail too. Oh well it was nice having all 10 toenails while it lasted.

I was asked by a friend to make this Paris themed baby shower cake shortly after we returned from our own Paris trip. So naturally I was very excited to make it and I was happy with how it turned out.

I received this little poem in an email from Fleet Feet and it really resonated with me so I wanted to share it.

It’s a daily goal, and a life-long aspiration.

It’s at once a physical act, and an emotional journey.

It’s a foundation of health, and a pinnacle achievement.

It takes time. It gives you years.

It moves you away and brings you closer.

It is empowering. It is humbling.

It creates interaction. It enables solitude.

It tears down insecurities. It builds communities.

It takes a lot, but it gives so much.

It is The Power of Running.
#TPOR

Have a wonderful week!

Do you like finding new places to run? How do you feel about rest days?