Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Pre-Cowtown Jitters

It's finally here...race week!!!

Of course it can't come without some impending problems....like Winter Storm Q (yeah, apparently weather guys up here were getting upset that our big storms don't get names..) that's supposed to drop a foot of snow the day I am supposed to leave for Texas.  While writing this we decided to leave a day early to just not play with fate or Mother Nature (she's a real testy lady). Also, if I haven't mentioned my training for this half marathon has been (put on your ear muffs) a total shit storm.  I've been teaching cycling classes 4x a week, take college classes 4x a week, and do crossfit 4-6x a week.  Plus last week I got the 'end of the world, I hate my life, put me down now' stomach flu.  I was pretty much on a Gatorade diet from Tuesday-Sunday.

I'm hoping some serious adrenaline will kick in and my new strong muscles will carry me through the 5K on Saturday and 13.1 miles on Sunday (did I mentioned I signed up for the Cowtown Challenge..yeah it comes with a sick medal)!

I have no plans or estimated finishing time for this race, just because of how poorly this training has gone.  I just want to go out there, maybe without my watch (?!), and hopefully fall in love with running again.  I want to enjoy the company of my family and the scenery of Fort Worth (yes, I'm serious..I LOVE Fort Worth). I'm kind of excited just to have fun and no pressure on this race!!

I plan on using ENERGYBits about halfway through to help me finish this race!  I'll let you know how it goes!

Do you have any big races or events coming up? How do you deal with obstacles that come up? 

Thursday, February 7, 2013

Failures and Triumphs

Why do I love crossfit, besides my new found strength, growing muscles, and amazing community?



You aren't allowed to have an ego!  If you're anywhere near or around my level, where the games will always be something you watch on TV.  Christmas Abbot and Andrea Ager are your idols..you also are quite familiar with failure..A LOT!  That's why I love it.  The minute I get a little cocky because I nailed a body weight exercise WOD..I get out on my ass by a damn Oly (Olympic lifting) WOD because I can't get under the damn bar and SQUAT!

It's very similar to love I have for endurance events.  I love them because you won't always have a great run, you won't always PR at every race, and you might just have a shitty training season (like I am currently in).  But everyday you still get out there, you still put in the time, and you still follow your nutrition for race day to perfection.


Some of my friends consider this passion of mine an obsession or weird.  I smile and just walk away because I know in my mind that this all transfers to real life.  I never allow myself to get too cocky, but I never get too down on myself because I always remember that there will be a new day, another chance to try it again.

What is your biggest failures?  How do you overcome them? I try and follow up a bad workout the next day with a confidence boost lift.  Yesterday- I couldn't for the life of me get under the bar during cleans, so today I did squats and am almost back up to my max from before I got hurt! 


PS- next week is Valentine's Day..have you bought something sweet for your loved our for yourself? Want to give your body something sweet without the guilt?! Comment below and see how you can get a discount for EnergyBits!





Tuesday, February 5, 2013

Avocado on Avocado on Avocado **RECIPE**





Lately I've been having an avocado obsession, so here's a couple of recipes I came up with!!

Avocado and Kale Recipe:
Ingredients:
3 avocados (pit scooped out)
3 lemons, peeled (could use limes or mix them)
2 bags of Kale

1. pit and peel both the avocados and citrus and place in blender
2. mix to consistency you like (I like mine smooth)
3. massage avocado/citrus mixture onto kale leaves
4. ENJOY!

Here's my recipe from the Super Bowl.  My friend, Twyla, has asked me to bring a healthier, gluten free dip that she could enjoy without feeling guilty.

Avocado and Greek Yogurt Dip:
Ingredients:
3 avocados
1 lemon
1 lime
Organic salsa
2 large cans of chicken (in water, 98% fat free)
1 cup plain greek yogurt
spices you want

Layer 1:
Mix spices with greek yogurt, like chili powder or cayenne pepper, cilantro, etc.
Spread into bottom of dish

Layer 2:
Blend pitted avocados and peeled lemon and lime in a blender (leave some chunks)
Add in spices, like cayenne pepper or chili powder
Spread on top of Layer 1

Layer 3:
Open chicken and drain the water
Spread on top of Avocado layer

Layer 4:
Top it all off with that salsa!! and ENJOY


Today's Workout:
*45min of Spin

*18:31 of Lifting:
10 Pushups
15 Power Clean and Press (65#)
25 Bench Jumps
25 Overhand Inverted Row
25 Thrusters (20#)
25 Overhand Inverted Row
25 Bench Jumps
15 Power Clean and Press (65#)
10 Pushups

PS- HAPPY NATIONAL PANCAKE DAY!!  Have you had your pancakes today??  I didn't..would anyone be willing to share their favorite clean pancake recipe?!