The Longest Day & The Best Day

08.24.14

Wow! This weekend was crazy! Let me be more specific... Saturday was crazy.

It began at 5:15 AM when my alarm went off - "IT'S RACE DAY!"

I actually wasn't too tired waking up but I was still beelining for coffee. I fueled up with whole wheat toast with peanut butter and sliced bananas before heading out the door.

Allie and I left for the race at 6:15 on the dot. The race was moved up to 7 AM from the original 8 AM start time because of the heat. And the location changed to start and end at the Titans Stadium. Something about a sports stadium really got me hyped up for the race! 

"Make the caption 'I woke up like this.'" - Allie

The place was a ghost town. I swear I saw a tumbleweed blow by when we walked to the stadium. I had never been a part of such a small race! We even started before 7 AM because all of the runners were lined up and ready to go. We started so quickly that I didn't even get a chance to start up my running app! 

The race actually went well. I was a little nervous because I was unable to do my last long weekend run (a 5-miler) due to torrential downpours. I was also concerned about my right ankle that had been bothering me during training. Surprisingly, my ankle felt completely fine during the race. It was my left hip that felt tight. It's always something.

I put my running playlist on shuffle and it was perfect. I started off strong with Beyonce's "Run the World" and was really enjoying every mile with the songs that came on. I was going uphill (so much for "flat and fast" courses) around Mile 4 and really needed a boost. Then, the soundtrack score from "Remember the Titans" came on and it took me almost to Mile 5. It was just what I needed!

I definitely felt more confident during this race and didn't even get pre-race jitters. Although, I wish I did because sometimes they help! I was so happy crossing the finish line in 59 minutes! My goal was under an hour so I was all smiles. My last 10k time was 1:02 so I was thrilled to shave off a few minutes. 

Major shout out to my sister for waking up early on a Saturday to take me to my race and for being at the finish line cheering me on!

I was home from the race by 8:15 and immediately showered, iced, and rested up until we hit the road for Alabama. We had tickets to see Keith Urban and Brett Eldredge! Allie and I had planned for this day for months and we were psyched that it was finally here! 

BFFaeaeae

 

Brett has some serious selfie game.

That's my main man Keith glowing on stage.

This was my third summer in a row seeing Keith Urban in concert and this was easily my favorite show. It was fun going backstage and meeting Brett and the band. We had such a nice day (despite the insane heat... it cooled down to a crisp 99 degrees). 

One of my absolute favorite moments was walking to our seats before Keith was going to take the stage and we walked right by him as he was getting psyched up for the crowd. He was about a foot away from me and my eyes just bugged out. 

We had been up for almost 24 hours straight when we rolled into the driveway at 4 AM, but it was SO worth it! 

21 Day Challenge

08.20.14

I'm always looking for new goals and new ways to challenge myself. I have been doing so much running lately and I desperately want to try something different in the health and wellness department. 

I decided that I am going to try a 21 Day Vegan Challenge. As many of you probably know, I have been vegetarian for close to a decade. But I'm ready to kick it up a notch and try a vegan lifestyle for three weeks.

In the last year or so, I have introduced fish into my diet and my body has responded really well to that. (I actually tried salmon for the first time earlier this month... is anyone as shocked as I am?!)

Why 21 days, you ask? Because 21 is the magic number for successfully creating or breaking habits.

This shouldn't be toooo hard because I don't chow down on Big Macs regularly... or ever. However, I do hold a special place in my heart for milk, cheese, and greek yogurt. I'm going to have to find substitutes for three weeks. (I think I can manage putting almond milk in my coffee for a few short weeks.) 

I am certainly at an advantage because I live in a city that is exceptionally accommodating of peoples' differing dietary needs. Almost every restaurant I have been to has so many vegetarian and/or vegan options on the menu. 

These three weeks will be an experiment to see how my body and my digestive system feel after cutting out animal byproducts. I'm sure 100% of you are thinking "How are you going to get calcium? How are you going to get Vitamins X Y and Z?!?!" There are substitutes for every micronutrient. For instance, foods like oranges, broccoli, and kale are all really great sources for calcium. Plus, I will be taking iron and B12 supplements just to be safe.

If I had a nickel for every time someone asked me "But how do you get protein?!" I could pay for graduate school and then some. Well, this picture will be my guide for a few weeks!

Because I am still training for the rest of this week, I won't be starting this challenge until after the race is over. I really cannot change up my eating habits until I cross the finish line.

There are so many pros and cons for going vegetarian or vegan. Here are just some of the links I used for my research:

http://www.vegetarian-nutrition.info/updates/vegan-diets-pros-cons.php
http://www.livestrong.com/article/265682-pros-cons-of-vegan-diets/
http://pcrm.org/kickstartHome/resources/grocery_list.cfm

I'm marking my calendar to begin on August 25th and end on September 15th!

(Shout out to my mama and dad for celebrating their 31st Anniversary today! Love you T & A!)

Fitness Must-Haves

08.16.14


As I'm sure most of you know, my two fitness passions are yoga and running. These are some products I love and/or have my eye on!

lululemon The Mat

My most recent purchase has been lululemon's "The Mat." It is definitely different than any other mat I've ever used but this thing is the real deal. So far, I've really loved it and I haven't experienced any hands or feet slipping while I'm in downward dog. 

lululemon Free To Be Bra

 The Free To Be Bra is absolutely the BEST sports bra I have ever had. I have it in the black and white striped pattern. But, I have my eye on this cute floral pattern too! It is technically designed to support the body during yoga but I use it for running as well. 

Garmin Forerunner

I've had this little baby on my Wish List for a while. For a while, I've just used various running apps to track my stats. I'll definitely want to step up my game once I start training for the half marathon. I'm always thinking to myself that I am not a serious enough runner to have gear like this. But, hey, if you run even a mile, you're a runner. And you deserve the best gear that helps you better yourself inside and out! Gotta start taking my own advice.

Nike Flex Trainer 3 Lightweight Cross Training Shoe

I love the look of these shoes and I have a killer coupon to DSW dangling over me just waiting to be used. I'd like to have a second pair of shoes to wear around town or simply for cross training. I'm going to be due for a new pair of running shoes by the time I start training for the half. 

So if I get a new pair + the Garmin watch, I'll be all decked out! Just gotta get myself a tutu and tiara. 

Then I'll really be ready to cross that finish line!

Bon Appetit!

08.11.14

I have been all about food lately. It must be because I'm halfway through my training. The last few days, I've either had two lunches or two dinners. I just cannot stop! My metabolism is out of control and I simply can't keep up.

One thing I have noticed since I started training (thus, eating around the clock), is that I have inadvertently started implementing the "five small meals a day" rule into my life. Hmm... Perhaps this is another reason why my metabolism is on fire lately!

One of my biggest concerns moving out of my mom and dad's house and to a brand new city was food. I'm about 8 hours away from the nearest Wegmans and 14 hours away from Chef Mom and Chef Dad. 

Now that I'm fully responsible for my own groceries and meals, I have complete control over how I fuel my body. It has been easier than I thought to stay healthy and creative with my meals.

I have had a few friends ask me what they should eat or snack on to get back into shape. Now, I am certainly no registered nutritionist but I can share what works for me!

A typical grocery list looks like:

-skim milk
-greek yogurt
-berries
-bananas
-broccoli
-red bell peppers
-tomatoes
-avocado
-beans (black, garbanzo, cannellini, etc.)
-nuts (almonds for snacking, walnuts for salads)
-granola or cereal
-hummus and pita chips or pita bread
-pasta or quiona (of course)

Allie and I thought this was so hilarious I had to share.

Breakfast consists of greek yogurt, granola, strawberries or banana, and a drizzle of honey. A mid-morning snack is an acai smoothie (almond milk, packet of frozen organic acai, frozen strawberries, banana, and add chia seeds). 

Pinterest has been my best resource for recipes. I get a lot of pinspiration from recipes I've pinned months ago and finally want to try! Some of my favorites so far have been:

Avocado
White onion
Garbanzo beans
Salt & Pepper
Lemon juice

...all mashed together and spread on whole wheat toast! It really hits the spot after a four mile run. Believe it or not, you'll get plenty of post-workout protein from the beans and the whole wheat toast. 

Not the prettiest picture but it's beyond delicious!

I successfully cooked a brand new recipe and it was a hit! I made another Pinterest recipe from Martha Stewart. It was a pasta dish with a twist. Allie and I both enjoyed it and I would definitely make it again. It wasn't too difficult for a newbie like me!

Here is the link: http://www.marthastewart.com/952343/tortellini-lemon-and-brussels-sprouts?xsc=soc_pin_2014_7_12_gen__A&crlt.pid=camp.txrTPhUE7Iq1

Bon Appetit!

It's Just a 10k: Training Recap

08.08.14

I have been having a tough time keeping up with my own life right now. I'm settling into a new work schedule, focused on studying, and spending any extra minute lacing up my sneakers to train for the next race!

A few weeks ago, my sister and I went to the Nashville Running Company to get Allie some new shoes. I was chatting with the sales associate and told her that I'm running in the "It's Just a 10k" race in a few weeks. Her response? "Have fun with that one! It's one of the hottest races of summer." The next day, I got an email from the race director saying the race is rescheduled for an hour earlier to beat the heat. 

What have I gotten myself into?!

I'm just about halfway done with my training schedule for the upcoming 10k. It definitely hasn't been a seamless process. The change in weather is really getting to me. If I don't run before 8:30 AM, I can't run that day. The humidity is unbearable. I feel like I am drinking in the air when I run. I shouldn't complain about the weather because, come November, we will still have beautiful weather here!

What I like most about this 4-week program is that I only run 3 days a week. However, the days I do run are a real kick in the butt. Tuesdays are simple 3 milers and cross training. Thursdays consist of 1 mile warm-up, intervals, 1 mile cool-down. Long runs are reserved for Saturday or Sunday. It's all very doable. 

My cross training is always yoga. If I had access to a gym, I'd utilize a bike or elliptical. But I prefer yoga anyway! I usually do vinyasa yoga on my own or a 30 minute Mandy Ingber video (author of "Yogalosophy" and Jennifer Aniston's instructor). I absolutely love her instruction and how she doesn't take yoga so seriously. I always feel great after her videos. And sore the next morning! After this race, I'll have a few short months before I start training for my next race. I'm definitely going to use that time to get back into yoga!

Here is the link to the yoga workout I use: http://www.fitsugar.com/Bikini-Body-Yoga-Workout-34707417

Strength training at the very least is always squats, push-ups, core work, lateral lunges, bird dogs, etc. I like to mix it up with other moves too but those are always on my list. I'm definitely trying my hardest to train well without a gym membership (I'll eventually get one when I find one I like). Even if I did have access to a gym, going for a 4 mile run and then driving to the gym just seems a little crazy to me. So I'm working with what I got!

I'm looking forward to finishing strong with my training and with the race! Only two more weeks to go!

Next up: fueling for workouts!