I've always been like this and a super fast breakfast option for National Pancake Day!

Today's workout:

- 45 minute HIIT class

- 15 minute stretching

- 20 minute dog walk

So I'm the worst at eating breakfast.  I've always been like this.  I have always been the person that sleeps for an extra fifteen minutes and spends the next hour rushing around trying to fit in a workout and getting ready for school or work.  Breakfast has always taken a backseat...and more often than I care to admit, no seat so I'm starving by lunch, aka the worst way to stay healthy.  I grab a banana on my way to a workout simply to prevent myself from passing out during class.  

Lately, I've found myself after morning workouts being extremely hungry and needing some sort of sustenance to keep me moving.  Enter my modified Kodiak cakes.  They're my favorite.  (In the interest of full disclosure, this post is not sponsored, nor is the company even aware of this post.  I am simply a huge fan of these).  I've always been a big fan of flapjacks but find it difficult to justify consuming them, what with the lack of nutritious value.   I discovered Kodiak cakes a few months ago while browsing the aisles at Target.  What I noticed at first was the different types of pancakes they offer.  Protein packed, whole wheat, waffle, buttermilk & honey, and even gluten free!  

Over the last couple weeks, I've been modifying them a bit based on my lent choices, as well as honing my taste buds.  I only prepare and eat these after a morning workout.  I prep and make them in 10 minutes.  My favorite are the protein packed, and rather than covering them in butter and syrup, I eat them plain --- you'll see why below.  My modified recipe keeps me feeling refueled and content after a hard morning workout.

Recipe makes approx. 2, 3 inch pancakes

Fill a 1/2 cup measuring cup 3/4 of the way with Kodiak mix, then fill the remaining 1/4 with oats.

Mix with 1/2 cup water.  Toss in a tiny amount of vanilla and/or cinnamon.

Heat small pan on medium with a minimal amount of butter or non-stick cooking spray (this is why I don't use additional butter, or syrup or topping on the pancakes and the edges get nice and crispy).  Once the butter/spray is heated, pour half the mix in.  Once the top starts bubbling, flip the pancake.  Check the bottom to prevent burning.  Repeat the process with the remaining half the mix.  Serve...

Or if you're like me, eat pieces of them while running around the house as you finish getting ready.  As you race out the door to work, give the leftovers to the dog.  Shhh, don't tell my husband this.

Keep in mind that a) I only eat these after a morning workout, and b) you can modify these with whatever you have on hand.  I've been known to put a little almond butter on top, or mix in blueberries with the batter for a little extra antioxidant (and because my blueberries were going to go bad).

Stop skipping breakfast.  You'll eat far less throughout the day and feel much more energized.  :)

My letter to the best coach I've ever had

Dear Coach,

This morning while slogging through those dreaded treadmill miles, the ones I have to do when it's too dark and too cold to run outside.  I thought about how I really got into running - not just getting into it, but sticking with it.  The mega-caloric burn, and the feeling that comes with it are simply side benefits.  When I was a young, inexperienced, impressionable little freshman in high school, I decided to try long distance.  If I'm truly honest with myself, I tried it because my brother did it.  Why I stuck with it though, is a completely different story.

I'm 31 years old now.  I ran with you for four short years and it changed my life.  Since I last ran with you, I've run 7 half marathons, multiple 10ks and 2 Ragnars.  I've fought through a tough surgery, and I'm currently in training for another half marathon and ultimately my first full.  

You see, I need to say thank you.  A long overdue thank you for the time and effort you put into someone like me.  The amount of self-confidence running has given me is something I could never repay you for.  Running has given me some of my best friends.  Running has taught me that I can truly do anything I set my mind to, and it's the one thing that gives me back exactly what I put into it.  You taught me what happens when you don't give up. 

Here's the thing - if I had a coach that only put time into the fastest runners, I wouldn't be where I am today.  I would just be another person the goes to the gym with no major goal in mind.  I used to sit in class when I first joined track, and dread the hard work of practice...but slowly, I began to love it.  The camraderie, the energy, the outlet.

Each year after the first, I waited for it to be track season again because on the track, I really felt like me.  I didn't have to be a great student, or a great daughter, or perfectly put together.  I could run and who cared what I looked like or acted like or felt like.  Track season changed my life.  It made me learn to love running, and love myself.  I have a dream to someday qualify for Boston.  It is the ultimate goal, and it is what keeps me waking up at 5am to hit the treadmill when it's minus 12 outside.  

In the summer, when I'm doing high knees, butt kicks, and other drills on the grass at my house, I'm reminded of how I learned those types of things.

Life changes almost weekly, but the consistency of running has allowed me to roll with the punches.  When I need an outlet, I grab my running shoes.  When life is fighting to push me down, running brings me up and clears my head so I remember what truly matters.  When a task seems insurmountable and I want to give up, I remind myself of those early days when I wanted to give up and you encouraged me not to.

People ask me why I run, and then tell me that they hate running.  I run for a kid named Hunter because he can't, but I don't hate running because from the beginning, I've had people that celebrate the triumphs, and helped me through the setbacks.  

High school was a long time ago, and I don't live in the past talking about "the good old days" because I love my life as it is now.  However, you instilled in me a love of running, provided me with the tools I needed to succeed, and what I didn't realize then is that would be something I would have for the rest of my life.

You will likely never read this.  It will probably end up somewhere in the blue nowhere.  Regardless, I thank you, PKB 420, and the distance coaches you hired in my four years.   

Running changed my life.

Friday fit and fun finds :)

As I've been going about the first couple weeks of the new year, I've been thinking a lot about what I want to happen on the blog in 2016.  First, I'd really like to blog more.  In the past, I've only blogged when I've been inspired to do so.  I'm really good with structure and deadlines so I figured if I give myself two topics per week to blog on, I will at least begin to accomplish my goal of blogging more.

That doesn't mean just slapping up some no nonsense post with a photo of a salad and my new rug for lack of anything else to post... it just means posting things that I normally am doing anyway.  For 2016, that means a) 1 read 5 books per month, or 60 books this year, and b) every Friday, post any fabulous fun and/or fitness finds from the week!  The first will be explained in tomorrow's post, and the latter is something I decided on while I was using a Christmas present this week...

1.  S'Well bottles.   These are THE BEST.  My water stays cold and my coffee stays hot for HOURS.  I put a bottle next to my bed at night and I wake up in the middle of the night and my water is still ice cold.  I got ours here, but you can buy them at your local Starbucks - I just bought them online so we could get the colors we wanted.

2.  My Garmin vivoactive watch.  This watch tracks everything I want and more.  Steps, calories, pace, distance, sleep, etc.  I bought the white one because I am more likely to wear it all the time, which I do.  Between runs and wearing it all the time, I did not have to charge this for almost three weeks.  Battery life.  Amazing.  Good thing since I'll be training for a marathon this year. :)

3.  The 2016 daily SomeEcards calendar.  This calendar cracks me up on a daily basis and I can't wait to get into the office each day to see what that day's page is. ~$7.49 on Amazon prime.

4.  Sambucol.  I had a really rough cold last week and Sambucol was recommended to me by a coworker.  While the taste isn't the greatest, they simply dissolve on your tongue and is also considered a homeopathic remedy.  I've never been good with any sort of medication as I don't like the "out-of-it" feeling it gives me.  Sambucol boosts your immune system and allows you to feel better while your body recovers.  I got mine for $12.99 at Walgreen's.

5.  This milk frother.  My mother-in-law got me one for Christmas and I am obsessed.  Since I received it, I have only bought coffee once.  For someone who loves plain lattes and frequented coffee shops on the way to work, this is huge.  I brew a regular k-cup, and throw some milk in the frother, pour it on top of my coffee, toss some Penzey's cinnamon sugar over the foam, and go.  I've learned that stronger k-cups taste best, and whole milk foams better than skim.  I know you can probably get a cheaper one on Amazon but I can really attest to the quality of this one.  Given how much I used to spend at Starbucks, Collectivo, and the like, this has already been worth the money.

I hope everyone is having a great 2016 so far!

Resolutions, changes and a little motivation

A friend of mine posted this photo the other day (thanks, Elizabeth)!  I love it.  It is SO true.  

We are all given the same tools to succeed - it is how we allow our circumstances to affect us that determine our outcomes.

I'm not the biggest fan of new years' resolutions as I believe that if you really want to make a change, you can do it any day of the year.  Any day of an attempt to make yourself better is the beginning of a great new year in my book.  That being said, for some reason, the changing of the clock and the calendar at midnight on NYE triggers a motivation in people that they seem to have lost throughout the year.  Time and circumstance seem to change our outlooks and push us back to our old habits.  

You have to decide which "you" you want to be that minute, that day, that year.  Am I the person that pushes herself beyond her limits to reach her lifelong goal of running a marathon, or am I the person that gives up with some old excuse?  

There's a reason the past is behind us.  It's behind us, pushing us to be better but still there to remind us to reflect times gone by.  We must remember trials and tribulations, but also celebrate the successes, as small as they may be.  A new year isn't about popping champagne and making a resolution - it's about a new chance on you.  A chance to remind ourselves that we have the power and ability to change our circumstances.  We need to stop looking back at what was, and begin embracing what is and what will be.  Most studies indicate that it takes 21 days to form a new, or break an old habit.  If you need or want to make a change, start now, start today - because if you think about it - 21 days out of a lifetime sure isn't much.

RUNNING from Wisconsin to Florida

Let's just chat for a second about how I keep moving forward.  When I think my life is hard, I remind myself of my buddy - the little guy I run 4.  How if he can, I can.  

Anyone who knows me knows that I've been a Disney freak since the beginning of forever.  One of my biggest dreams is to run the Disney marathon in January.  I'm a firm believer in rewarding yourself when you reach goals and milestones, no matter how small.  

I went to for a run on Christmas and came up with the brilliant, semi-crazy idea of "running to" my buddy, who as fate might have it, lives near one of my favorite places on earth, in Orlando, Florida... just a short distance from Disney World.  My address and my buddy's are 1,259 miles apart.  My goal, or resolution if you will, is to run those miles in 2016.  I know injuries and setbacks can happen, however, those would be instances in which I would count pool running or elliptical miles as part of this.  

I am pretty confident that I can complete get there - if I am at my halfway point by mid 2016, then I will book my runDisney trip.  Goals and rewards - we can't accomplish either without dedication and motivation.

Thank goodness for my Garmin Vivoactive which will allow me to track exactly where I am on the map throughout this journey.  Running Disney would be amazing - this race goes through all four parks and the ESPN Wide World of Sports complex.  Meeting my buddy would be epic.

Body Attack and early morning routines

Monday workout

-         -  1 hour Body Attack class

I’m already sore from this morning’s class and it only ended a ½ hour ago.  Body Attack is awesome if you’ve never done it before.  It’s a HIIT style class where you’re constantly moving, and the moves are all pre-choreographed by the instructor so you’re always going with the beat of the music.

I had never tried this class before and figured what better time to go than super early on a Monday morning?  ;)

I’ve been asked on several occasions “how I manage to get to the gym so early.”  The answer is quite simple – planning and prepping.

The night before, I lay everything out – socks, shoes, water bottle, daily contact lenses, etc.  I put my banana on the counter, and generally, during the work week, I am in bed between 9:30 and 10:30, and my morning will look like this:

4:35 a.m. – alarm goes off, snooze for a minute or two more, and finally crawl out of bed

4:40  – brush teeth, get dressed, drink some water, grab keys and a banana

4:55  – walk out the door, while eating a banana – I have to eat something before a workout and bananas are enough calories to keep my energy up without making me feel sick

5:15  – class starts

6:30 a.m. – usually on my way back home

6:45 – quick shower, coffee, type up blog post or read e-mails

7:15 – pack lunch, etc.

7:20 – finish getting ready and let the dog out

7:45 – leave for work

On the mornings I work out, I have everything planned to the minute.  I have learned that sacrificing my coffee time for an extra 10 minutes of sleep is SO not worth it.  I need to have a cup in me before I head to work.  That being said, I’m far more awake on the days I work out in the morning, and am able to avoid the afternoon slump.

I will be honest – some mornings, it is VERY hard to crawl out of a warm bed.  Mondays are actually the easiest because I can go to bed early on Sunday evenings… Fridays are the hardest.  Working out in the morning is best for my schedule as it allows me extra time to make healthier meals in the evening and relax or do something fun.  I also do a lot of food prep on Sundays which really helps keep things running smoothly.  I try and figure out what I feel like wearing that day while I’m driving home after the gym.  I don’t wear very much makeup and my hairstyle leans more toward blow drying/straightening, or putting it up in a clip most days.  If I’m feeling fancy or have extra time, I might curl it too. 

I am often okay with 6 hours of sleep per night during the week because I make up for it on the weekends. J

I’ve found that it helps to write down my workout plan and that it’s better to have a gym where I really like the classes and instructors, than one that just convenient.  Find a combination that works for you.  Try the lunch break workout, try the evening workout, and you’ll find pretty quickly what works best for your routine - and don't beat yourself up if you miss a few mornings 

Happy 10 days before Christmas! :)

Weekend Wrap Up and my first turkey!

My weekend started with the husband and I heading downtown to see the holiday train come through!  Canadian Pacific has a train that they decorate on the outside with lights and they stop at various points throughout the country to collect food and donations for local shelters.  I had never seen it before so I couldn’t wait to take in the sights!  It was really pretty, but parking was tough and it was crazy crowded.  However…I can’t wait to see it again.

Saturday I woke up and headed to an early morning spin class with a friend at our new gym.  I knew I had a long day of food prep ahead of me for the first annual friends thanksgiving so I needed to get my workout in early!  I also realized that if I’m going to continue my spin class kick, I need to get a spin seat cover… my extra black scarf just isn’t going to cut it.

 I headed over to my friend’s house to begin prep for the meal.  We were set to eat about 5:30 and we got the turkey in the oven right about 11:30.  I was incredibly nervous about this part because I had never cooked a turkey before.  My friend’s parents stopped by and helped out a ton with some pointers.  We ended up serving ten people, and began with an autumn squash soup starter.  The turkey came out and it was perfect.  

The husband carved it for us and we were ready to eat.  My friend and I co-hosted and co-cooked everything from potatoes and rolls, to stuffing and desserts.  Everything was delicious.  The selfie didn’t turn out the best – I was too focused on clinging to the staircase and getting everyone in the photo than smiling like a normal human.  

We had wonderful food, conversation and a lot of fun.  First annual Friendsgiving – success!

Sunday started off with some cleaning and coffee, and then I met my friend at Costco – the poor girl doesn’t have a membership so I share. J  I nabbed a few staples and a few gifts, and then went out to finish the rest of my Christmas shopping for all the fantastic tiny humans on my list.  I’m crazy excited about some of the gifts I found for these fabulous little ones.  I did some grocery shopping and headed home for some Christmas decorating.  The husband and I had some wine and finished the night off in the glow of the holiday lit living room with the Bill Murray Christmas Special (free on Netflix right now)!  Oh, and St. Nick came to our house and I found this issue of Time magazine that I’ve been eyeing… the husband got a  couple things and the dog got a nice big bone in his stocking. :)

I don't mind that today is Monday today because I have circuit tonight and I'm loving it lately!

I hope you had a fun-filled first weekend of December!

Let's challenge ourselves!

***My thoughts and prayers go out to the victims, families and residents of San Bernandino***

I heard a statistic a few weeks ago... the average person gains 7 pounds between Thanksgiving and New Years'.  That is terrifying.  It takes a decent amount of time to lose 7 pounds...and I'm not talking through water weight or cleanses.  I'm saying to lose that weight by exercise.  

The biggest reason I hear from people as to why they don't workout is that they don't have time during the holidays.  That being said, I decided to combine two of the least time consuming challenges I've done in the past.  Wake up 15 minutes earlier in the morning, or do them right before you go to bed.  If you really want to push yourself, and have a decent base, trying doing each daily rep twice.  That's what I'm hoping to shoot for.

However, the focus here is not to rush through the reps, but to do them correctly.  For example, when doing a proper push up, your body should be flat, your back shouldn't be arched and your behind shouldn't be sticking in the air or sagging toward the ground.  This guy has a great explanation of the proper technique.

Now, I've done the abs challenge before but I've never tried the push up challenge.  My Monday night circuit class inspired me to do this one, because I was pretty weak on our "fire drill" push up challenges.  They were way more of a struggle than they should be for me.  I'm hoping these challenges will give me a good base and I can just maintain after they are over.

Enjoy the challenges and let's fight those holiday pounds!!!

Let's play catch up!

I love this guy.  Every year of my blog, I count the days until
December so I can post it again :)

How is it already December?  I feel like the last few months have just flown by.  Soooo… let’s catch up on things that have happened since my last post a week ago!

- I baked two pies and a turtle cheesecake for Thanksgiving.  YUM.

- I ran a race with my friend on Thanksgiving and the post-race treats were cinnamon rolls!  It was a lot of fun to run with my friend, but not my best race for sure – apparently I was not very hungry or just saving my stomach for Thanksgiving food aka twelve helpings of stuffing and could NOT eat the hill for breakfast…  I have a plan though, which includes incorporating some more spin and body pump classes to make me stronger - hopefully it will work.

- I did some black Friday shopping and while physically being in the store was kind of a pain since it was so busy and parking was crazy, I did manage to nab a few good deals online. 

- I spent about an hour at the running store quizzing the poor girl working about her Garmin Vivoactive watch.  I had narrowed my choices down and after talking to her, I finally caved (after almost a year) and bought the Vivoactive in white.  So far I love it.  I even sleep with it on since it also tracks sleep patterns.  I don’t want to get too much into it as I’ve only had it a few days but hopefully after a few more workouts, I’ll post a full review.

Remember how I talked about my race a couple weeks ago where it was 17 degrees and my legs went numb?  Well… Cabela’s had a really good deal on the Northface Winter Warm tights so I bought them.  You can find them here at Cabela’s since the sale is still going on.  They’re super soft on the inside and will definitely keep me toasty warm through winter runs.  

I went back to circuit class on Monday night and loved it.  One station was side jumps and while I was freaked out to do it at first (I’m still babying my knee a bit), the trainer told me to just do it since I have to get back to doing stuff on both sides… so I did.  It hurt a tiny bit but I need to make it strong again.

My friend and I joined a new gym, and tonight we’re trying out their spin class.  (Since I always set my posts up around 6 in the morning, I will be spinning while you read this!

Until I can get back into the shape I want to be in, my work out plan is …

Monday – 2 mile run in the morning before work, circuit class in the evening

Tuesday – spin class (they call it road rage) in the morning

Wednesday – warm up run, followed by a kettlebells’ class in the morning

Thursday – PiYo class in the morning, HIIT class in the evening

Friday - spin class (road rage) in the morning

Saturday – yoga class, followed by either BodyPump or a long run

Sunday – rest day / spend a few minutes in the hot tub

My plan may be a little intense at first, especially Mondays and Thursdays, but I will play it smart and throw in an extra rest day if I need to.… for pain reasons only – not laziness. J

I have a race on New Years’ Eve (4 weeks!) and am hoping to run the 10k feeling stronger than I have the last couple races!  

Holiday gift ideas for the runner on your list!

As I know many of you will be out shopping this weekend, and I have a race Thanksgiving morning, I decided to compile a list of some awesome items for the runner on your list and put it up on the blog early!  Most of these I own, so I can attest to their awesomeness and effectiveness!  Also, many can be found on Amazon and ship Prime so if you're a last minute shopper like me, it's perfect!  Click on the links and it'll take you right there!

- A flip belt – these are incredible.  I used mine for my last half and I barely felt it on me at all.  It carried everything I needed – phone, Kleenex, keys, money, ID.  They don’t slide up or down, and fit perfectly under your tank on your hips.  

- This ball for arches – amazing.  I got a similar one by default…  during Ragnar my teammates crashed at my house and my teammate Kristy had this out … my giant dog thought it was a toy and we didn’t notice.  She couldn’t find it for the rest of the weekend, and I found it when I came home.  When I texted her about it, she told me just to keep since she lives in Illinois and it would’ve cost what she paid to ship it.  Thanks, Kristy (and my dog is sorry)!!!

- A super cute ornament – there are a ton out there – from 5k to 26.2. 

- This foot bath.  My husband’s mom got me one for Christmas a few years back and I use it after long runs, and all races.  It’s wonderful.  Throw a bag of Epsom salts in (these from Target are cheap and work well) and you’ve got a wonderful gift. 

- A charm bracelet or necklace that has the race distances on them.  Here are some examples from Etsy - running jewelry.

- A Road ID – they’re cute, come in a variety of colors and it will keep your loved one safe.  I purchase my original ID and five bracelet colors for under $20, and I wear them all the time.

- Either of the Runner’s World cookbooks here ---> this or this  – the recipes are quick, easy and give runners the nutrients necessary to fuel their runs. 

- A subscription to Runner’s World or Running Times – each costs about $12 - $14 a year.

- A fun / funny daily running calendar.

- A training log to keep track of all their runs for 2016.  This one is very popular.

- A Nature Box shipment.  These snacks are wonderful – they’re easy to grab on your way out the door and have a wide variety of flavors and nutrition.  You can send a one-time gift, or a 3, 6 or 12 month gift.    

- This running calendar – I can’t take credit for this one – my bff’s sister sent this idea to me.  Thanks Amanda!

- A foam roller.  This three in one is awesome, and my personal favorite but I guess it's not available anymore.  You can find a similar one here.  Otherwise, purchasing each piece separately is a great idea and Target has each for a good price.

- Compression socks  / sleeves / leggings.  Runners love compression – my favorite is anything by ProCompression – their styles are so much fun!

- KT Tape – we hate buying it because it’s pricey, but necessary. 

- This wrist wrap – it’s for sweat, nose drips, etc.  Why can’t I come up with a genius idea like this?

- Running books – not only do we like the act of running, we like to read about it too.  The ones here, here, here, and here are my personal favorites.  Also, this movie and this movie.

- Any kind of clothing that has the word “wicking” in it.  We love that stuff J

- Anything from Brooks’ running – I cannot say enough about their products.  I’m a firm believer when it comes to running gear to just have a few quality pieces that you wash over and over – now you know why I’m wearing the same clothes in all of my posts.

There are a multitude of fun things out there for runners, depending on the distances they've run or goals they have.  Have a Happy Thanksgiving!!! 

Top Ten Tuesday – Reasons Why Runners Love (and Hate) Thanksgiving Weekend

I personally love Thanksgiving - it is my favorite holiday, but the weekend can be rather stressful as well.  I love the time off but to go anywhere, traffic is crazy.  I love running a race on Thanksgiving, but again, it can be stressful to fit it in.

Let's get to it!

10.  Love - There are a turkey trots everywhere on Thanksgiving Day – it gives us another excuse to sign up for a race!

9.  Hate – In accordance with 10, we kind of hate this too.  Everyone who hasn’t run a mile all year suddenly becomes a runner…along with their kids, their 3^rd cousins, and their Aunt Edna.  These races are crowded… with trotters.  Don't get me wrong, I love the enthusiasm, but stay to the right please. :)

8.  Love - Carbs.  Potatoes, stuffing and rolls. 

7.  Love - We can eat as much as we want without being “the weirdo” (see #8 – carbs).

6.  Hate – the run the day after you eat as much as you want at Thanksgiving is terrible.  Like, must do loops in half mile increments around your house, dead legs kind of terrible.

5.  Love – napping.  Runners love naps. 

4.  Love – the leftovers.  Loads of deliciousness all ready to go for you after your Friday or Saturday long run.

3.  Hate – how the Black Friday Shoppers make such a big deal out of waking up at 3 in the morning to go shop.  Honey, you do it once a year – we do it every time we have a race, or need to fit a run in.

2.  Love – going to the running store on Black Friday.  You can go at any time and the sales are all the same and there’s NO ONE in the store.

1. Love – Thanksgiving weekend for me, means that I have Thursday – Sunday off.  A 4 day weekend in which I can wake up at whatever time I want to get my workout in.  I can run at 6am or 3pm if I want – total bliss.  Also, the weather is usually the last perfect weekend before the cold / snow sets in for the season.

Race recap!

Before I head off to Monday evening circuit, I wanted to get yesterday's race recap up! 

I ran the 2^nd race in the winterseries, the Elf Run, with my friend.  After the weekend’s snowstorm, I was pretty impressed that the course was pretty clear.  Lighthouse events did a great job of keeping the course salted. 

When I woke up Sunday morning and it was 14 degrees, I questioned my sanity of signing up for this series.  I remembered feeling the same way 2  years ago but still signed up again this year.  Clearly, I am a quick learner. J

Anyway, I slept a little later than planned so ate half an English muffin and drank my coffee on the way to the race after picking up my friend.  Packet pick up was simple, and after some deliberation about how many layers to keep on, I ended up in my yoga pants, with my tank, running festival long sleeve, Brooks’ nightlife long sleeve over top and a vest.  Race start was 17 degrees.

I was toasty warm on top throughout the whole race but my legs went numb in the first half mile.  I think it’s time to become a “real runner” and invest in some good winter running tights – this is a good thing since it will a) keep me off the treadmill, and b) prevent me from freezing to death this winter.

The race course took us through gorgeous neighborhoods where the snow from the day before was beginning to crystalize into ice and looked beautiful clinging to the trees.

The last mile of the race my tummy started to feel… funny… my friend knew something wasn’t right because I wasn’t laughing anymore (she keeps me cracking up).  I couldn’t decide what made it worse, running or walking – so we fought through the last mile and I told her as we neared the finish that I was just going to keep running toward the school where the bathrooms were.  To keep a long, revolting story short - don’t ever do anything different on race morning.  I didn’t even realize I did – I ran out of creamer and used whole milk in my coffee instead.  Running shakes things up.  Unless you know for sure that there are deep woods that will shield you from anyone along the race course, don’t change a thing.  

After my “experience” my friend and I went to look at the post-race booths.  We found a really fun item, but the booth only had one left and we wanted to grab a couple.  The owner of the booth offered to have his wife drive over to their store a few minutes away and open up just for us so we could get more.  WHAT?!   A running store would open just for us??  This is a dream come true.  Thank you Fleet Feet Sports in Brookfield – you guys are amazing!!!

After scoring some great items, my friend and I went back to her house where her awesome husband made us the best pancakes I have ever had.  Not even kidding.  Best chef ever.  We had some coffee and chatted over pancakes – it was really a perfect Sunday morning.

If you live in southeastern Wisconsin, this race series is a good one - it keeps me training through the cold weather and the race director does an amazing job!

Weekend Wrap Up!

Weekend wrap up kind of begins on Thursday evening when the husband and I went to the Holiday Lights Festival kick-off.  We met for happy hour and walked over to watch the city’s holiday lights turn on!  I love this event – it gets me in the Christmas spirit.

We were up a little later than planned on Thursday night due to some vehicle issues on his second truck, so Friday night when I got off work we decided that due to the pending snowstorm and residual exhaustion, we would have a Hunger Games movie marathon.  We wrapped up in blankets and had some hot cocoa and watched two of the movies Friday night.  We woke up Saturday to a winter wonderland…and it was still coming down.  I was supposed to go to the outlet mall and hour away with a friend of mine but we decided to postpone due to the weather.  I did some shoveling, had some coffee, and the husband and I went mattress shopping.  Fun, huh?  Ahh, domestic life.  We ended up spending a bit more than we wanted but got a good deal on a king.  I’m so excited for the extra space!!!  We ran a few other errands, and stopped at the best gas station on the way home for some of the good stuff aka diet coke.  

After watching the WI Badger football game (so frustrating), we watched the last Hunger Games movie, and I went to bed early to get some rest before my race. 

Sunday afternoon, I stopped by my friend’s son’s robot competition which was actually pretty cool – my friend and I had a good chat and I headed out for some grocery shopping. 

The husband and I topped off the weekend with some pizza and the Green Bay Packer win!!!  So excited for this super short week, and Thanksgiving, which I am kicking off with a 5 mile race!!!

Creating a circuit workout, inspired by Fuel Up. Go!

Lately, I’ve had to switch my workouts to early mornings.  However, last night I managed to go after work instead of while the world was still sleeping.

I’ve missed two weeks of HIIT and circuit classes (sorry Eric!) due to these life and work commitments – I’m seriously missing the classes and the people.  Since Fuel Up. Go’s classes are offered Mondays and Thursdays, and last night was Wednesday, I decided to create my own little circuit.  

I did a nice warm up run on the treadmill, and then did the following exercises for 45 seconds each.  At each station, do as many reps as you can in the time allotted.  I completed the entire circuit 3 times, and after each of the stations below, I ran on the treadmill for 45 second increments at an 8:30 pace.  

I don't know about you, but I had a really tough time trying to figure out what else to do at the gym, other than simply run, or cross-train, or do bicep/tricep curls and I have to say, most of the workout was inspired by the circuit and HIIT classes I've been taking with Eric and Lauren from Fuel Up. Go!  Seriously, these trainers have changed my life and my workouts.  If you live in, or are ever in the Milwaukee area, you should check them out.  Classes are pretty cheap too.  I cannot WAIT to get back to class on Monday!

*While I understand that most of these are photos of machines you've already seen, I've learned that visual aids make it easier to learn what workouts to do.

Station 1 - arm swing pec flies (this may not be the technical phrase for it, but that's why I call em').  They work your arms as well as your pectoral muscles.  The toughest part for me is controlling my arms to reach the middle at the exact same time.

Station 2 -  Leg extensions.  This machine really works my quads and strengthens my knee range of motion.  After my ACL reconstruction, I take no chances when it comes to strengthening my knee mobility and function.

Station 3 - sit on the ball and roll down your back until the ball is just between your shoulder blades, with your feet planted shoulder width apart and your legs bent at the knee.  Keep your core and your glutes engaged to prevent yourself from arching.  Lift the weights from your ears to almost full arm extension.

Station 4 - Lay flat on your back on the weight bench (front bench in photo) and place your hands on either side of your head, gripping under the bench.  Engage your core and repeat leg lifts, lifting your hips off the bench as your toes point to the ceiling.

Station 5 - Jump rope.  You can modify this to left leg reps, right leg reps, and both legs.  I often switch to left leg because again, I am trying to strengthen my knee as much as I can.

Station 6 - Ab curls.  Place your feet under the pads, and slowly roll backward.  Engage your core and roll upward.  *This is one of my favorite abdominal exercises.

Station 7 - Lunges.  Pick up a dumbell in each hand, and repeat forward lunges, switching legs each time, while curling the opposite arm up while the opposite leg goes forward.

Station 8 - Vertical knee raisers.  Place hands on the grips in front of you, and lift your legs, straight out, side to side, crunching up.  *This (other than planking) is my most difficult ab exercise, and the one I would like to see the most improvement).

***In the interest of full disclosure, while I am taking the course required by National Association of Sports Medicine, I am not yet a certified personal trainer, and the above exercises are mainly those that I was taught by certified personal trainers...please proceed accordingly.***

Thanks for reading!  I'm hoping to post a new, fun, change-it-up workout each week!  In the meantime, I'd like to also thank Eric and Lauren at Fuel Up. Go! for inspiring my workout and for pushing me these last few months.

Happy Friday! 

Healthy comfort food?! Roast chicken with veggies

With the weather turning cooler here in Wisconsin, I’ve been craving warm delicious comfort food.  However, I still want to keep it healthy and I don’t have a whole lot of time (or motivation) in the evenings to cook an elaborate meal.  When I told a friend that I was having roast chicken for dinner, she stared at me and asked how I would have time to cook that on a Wednesday.

Anyone who owns a crockpot knows it really is a saving grace.  You can cook anything in them.  I’ve been really trying to grocery shop with what’s on sale as opposed to what’s on my list.  There are a few staple items that I purchase weekly, like yogurt, bananas, sweet potatoes – that type of thing, but normally try to keep the food simple but healthy and the costs low.

While grocery shopping this week, I was happy to find that whole organic, free range chickens were on sale.  I scooped one up and circled back to the produce section, grabbed some carrots (also on sale) and decided to use up a leftover onion and celery from my CSA. 

Enter the crockpot roast chicken.  I came home from work and the gym, and dinner was all ready to be plated.  Also, an added bonus is that the whole house smelled comforting and delicious! 

Try this out – it was amazing, and as long as you don’t add any gravy or sauces, it’s also pretty low calorie and the perfect weeknight, chilly weather warmup meal.  I served roasted broccoli on the side as well, for some vitamin E.

Ingredients:

- 1 whole chicken

- 4 - 5 red potatoes, depending on size

- 1 onion (I used yellow because that’s what I had available)

- 2 stalks celery

- 4 garlic cloves

- 2 tbsp minced garlic

- 1 tsp cayenne pepper

- 3 tsp black pepper

- 2 tsp paprika

- 1 tsp cumin

- 1 tsp kosher salt (reg. salt is fine, I just used what I had on hand)

- olive oil

Chop carrots, potatoes, celery and half the onion.  Shake in Ziploc bag with oil and 2 tsp black pepper, and 1 tsp paprika.  You can refrigerate overnight or use right away. 

Slice other half of onion and peel the fresh garlic.  Push the onion slices and fresh garlic inside the chicken – the end which should be obvious. :)  Mix remaining spices and rub all over outside of chicken.  Place chopped veggies in the bottom of the crockpot, and add the chicken on top.  Cover, and cook for 8-10 hours on low, depending on the heat range of your crockpot.  Remove chicken and slice.  Use the remaining crockpot veggies as a side.  Enjoy! 

Simple, hearty and perfect for a chilly fall evening!

Top Ten Tuesday - Why Runners are Weirdos

I just received a notification saying that I haven't blogged for a week!  How is it possible that a week has passed?  It has FLOWN.

I have realized in my adult running life that runners, myself included, are really weird.  We do things while running or related to running that really don't even make sense to us.  I constantly find myself reflecting, on a run, or a purchase, and I think... wth.  I also think that when I start telling someone about something running related and their eyes glaze over, or their face contorts into something that can only be described as a "wth" face.  These just happen to be the top ten things that popped into my head on my 5am run.

10.  When I blow my nose normally, I go wash my hands, then use hand santizer...the whole ball of wax.  On a run if I've used up the two tissues I normally carry, I think nothing of doing a farmer's blow, or shoot, wiping the excess on my sleeve and moving on with my life.  

9.  We start realizing that we have more running shoes and running clothes than normal clothes and normal shoes.

8.  We recognize brands, models and base price of shoes on any stranger's feet.  (I thought this was normal until I pointed out the Brooks' PureFlows and GTS' to my bffs in the Atlanta airport and they slowly moved away from me...)

7.  We don't bat an eye when we hear phrases/words like yaktraks, gu, flip belt, forerunner, O2Gold thumbholes, and trots...and we throw around words like "only"... only 5 miles, only a few inches of snow, only $120 for running shoes...

6.  A paper cut will make me sob for days, but chafe marks are worn like a badge of honor.

5.  The only reason we monitor the weather is to determine what layers we need to wear...we won't skip our runs because of a little thunder... bad weather makes better stories.  

4.  Waking up between 4 and 5 am in the middle of winter to go to work or anywhere else is a struggle... but if it means we get to run first, we go up like a firework on the 4th of July.

3.  We look at mile markers to the next exit and think in our heads say out loud "I've run that before." 

2.  We actually do check "our hydration" in the 48 hours or so before a race or long run to determine whether we need to make modifications to our liquid intake.

1.  We continuously retake and delete "bad" photos when we're dressed up and put together ... but sweat covered, tomato-faced post race photos must be sent out via e-mail, text, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and carrier pigeon...in triplicate.

You're welcome :)

Top Ten Tuesday! Not ALL running-related :)

It's Tuesday :)  I only have a 4 days of work this week...and....

Today's workout:

- 4 mile run, with 30 sec. pickups, and 30 second walks every 0.25 miles

- 20 minute abs and planks

Top Ten Tuesday returns with my favorite things of the last week or so!

1.  Number 1 by far - I sent a 1/2 marathon medal to my iRun4 buddy, and his dad posted a picture of him wearing that with his "Amy Runs 4 Me" shirt today.  Normally, Top Ten Tuesday isn't in any order but... there is no contest as to that being my number one.

2. Flip belts.  I wore this one for a 1/2 last weekend, and I will never wear anything else.  It holds my phone (music), kleenex, salt tabs, O2Gold, keys, etc. ... and I don't even notice them! 

3.  Eric Church's new CD - this guy continues to amaze me with the music he comes out with.  His lyrics, the emotion he puts into it, never ceases to raise the bar with every album he produces.

4.  Food prep Sundays - I've got a really fun post coming up later this week about Food Prep Sundays, but this really saves my life, my time and our pocketbooks every week.

5.  Kara Goucher's win at Big Sur this past weekend.  This woman - such an inspiration.  She perseveres through all hardships, and this weekend - it paid off.  Congratulations, Kara - you're a rockstar!

6.  Terra Heritage blend chips.  These are amazing and full of flavor.  

7.  Fabletics clothing - I just received a new outfit (thank you!!) yesterday in the mail, and I can't wait to try em' out!  However, I'm not worried, because everything I've received so far is fun, comfy and stylish!

8.  Skull candy earbuds - yes, I channeled my inner 18-year old and replaced my old samsung buds with these babies.  Love them - they fit me well and the sound is amazing.

9.  Nail Bar - every few weeks, my friend J and I get manicures at Nail Bar.  We go right after work, and decompress.  The best part?  The serve unlimited wine.  Free.

10.  Presidential debates - it's that time again, and I love it.  I love watching potential candidates go back and forth with their opinions.  I love knowing that my opinion matters when it comes to electing the leader of our nation.

Anyone have anything in their Top Ten this week?  
  
Anything else on your minds?

Any motivational quotes?  You know I love em'!!!