Fit Healthy Fun

Well Lookie Here…

Look who picked up her first piece of hardware this weekend?

That would be me! I ran my personal best 5K on Saturday – a time of 24:58. I was thrilled with my time – a full three minutes faster than my last PR. But when my friend told me she won overall female with a time of 21 and change, I knew I had a chance of placing. Well, I did – I took second place in my division! It was a small race and apparently my division wasn’t that fast, but still, I’m a proud chickadee! It’s kind of making me want to run another small 5K next weekend and see if I can go 2 for 2!

Here are some tasty eats from the last few days…errrr…weeks.

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Holy Guacamole

Happy Cinco de Mayo, amigos! I do enjoy a reason for a fine Mexican feast! Tonight’s meal was inspired by this find:

I just combined that seasoning packet with 1/4 cup olive oil and 1/4 cup of water, mixed and marinated my chicken for about 1 hour.

Then I got to work on the guac.

I’ve always wanted to try TJ’s guac kit. So cute that it includes all of the ingredients for muy delicioso guacamole.

However, the ‘cados were way hard. I had to substitute in some avocados I had in reserve. It was more delicious than my un poquito amount of Spanish words can describe!

Muy bien.

Here’s the final plate. Chicken grilled by the husbo, arroz con frijoles negro and blue chips with guac. The husbo actually said “You need to blog about this one!”  It was that good.

Maybe you’re wondering why there’s no mention of workouts in this post. Welp, that’s because I haven’t done any since Sunday’s race. I’m playing doctor again and think I have some tendonitis in my left foot. Nothing to get crazy about, but I definitely have to give it some rest, ice, compression and elevation (RICE is the best). I hope I can get running by the weekend. I have a 5K coming up on May 22nd that I’m looking for a big PR in – so I need some track workouts ASAP!

Well, buenos noches! I hope all of my amigas are enjoying some Mexican treats – especially some Margaritas and Coronas!

First Half Recap

Well, it’s been a while since I’ve shown my face…or words as the case may be save for updating my training page. Let’s just say that since my last post (April 8th), some things have occurred. I have…

Eaten exactly three breakfasts that were not smoothies. The two pictured above and my pre-race meal which is still to come.

Used xanthan gum in a smoothie. (Thickness for real.) I’m not really sure how I feel about it.

Made Averie’s peanut butter cookie dough balls with extra protein. These will get their own post soon. They are TDF.

Purchased my second magic bullet after my first one bit the dust almost five years after I got it. I’m loving this spritely new motor!

Got new running shoes that I’m in love with! (Brooks Ghost 2)

They took some getting used to…

Sick. They’re so light and speedy though, that they’re worth any pain they inflicted.

Made about 298,339,398 Chocolate Cherry Bomb Shakes (kristensraw.com).

AND ran my first half marathon! I couldn’t have been more excited to run. I knew I was very prepared and couldn’t wait to get out there. Here’s all my gear:

Road ID, iPod, Sport Beans, Garmin and splits written on a note paper which was stuffed in my shorts.

Pre-race meal of toast, PB and banana. Of course with coffee.

Happy runner at the start!

Mile 3. I was SO excited to see the husbo standing on the median. I was waving for a few minutes before he saw me. I blew a kiss and I was off!

Running away. Where’s Waldo?

I wound up running 2:06:59 (my chip time). Thanks girl in the green shorts for ruining my finish pic.

Happy to see my mom at the finish (she’s down there in blue) and Husbo right behind!

Did a tiny bit of post-race stretching. Not enough because today my legs are SORE! I have to roll around a bit on the foam roller. Not even an ice bath could save those half-marathoning legs!

All in all, I’m thrilled I did it. As I was running, I couldn’t believe I was actually doing it. I was running a half marathon! I was a bit emotional in the beginning, reading people’s inspirational shirts, watching a man run in full Army combat gear in honor of US veterans. I was just so happy. The first six miles absolutely flew by. I definitely got slower by the end. It didn’t help that it was humid as anything and it reached about 75 – 80*.

The verdict? I can’t wait for my next half! I’m definitely doing one in October. Right now, I’ve got a 5K coming up in three weeks to get ready for. I’m going to be hitting the track hard! So stay tuned!

I am Officially a Half Marathoner!

What an amazing experience! I’ll be back later to post all about it!

A Shoe Workout?

I just returned from my 5 mile training run.  I ran the same time as Tuesday’s 5 miles.  My pace was identical!  Freaky.  My splits were a little more consistent on this run though.

Mile 1 – 8:53
Mile 2 – 8:55
Mile 3 – 8:45
Mile 4 – 8:42
Mile 5 – 8:33

I really should have averaged less on mile 3, but I had a pretty long traffic light stop.  Although my Garmin’s auto-pause feature was on (the timer stops when you’re stopped), it takes a few seconds to register, slowing your pace.  Oh well.

I am now wearing my Recovery Socks that I ordered to help keep my leggies fresh in these last few weeks of half marathon training.

Here’s some info about the benefits of the socks from the Recovery Socks website:

• Boost performance
• Stimulate blood circulation
• Improves oxygen delivery to muscles
• Lactic acid production reduced
• Proven cramp relief
• Exclusive wicking antibacterial fiber
• Worldwide patent
• Tested and used by world class athletes

I will share a pic of my socks later in the week.  My camera is charging as we speak.  These are the socks I got:

My legs feel pretty good.  These are a pretty legit way to recover.  After stretching of course.

On to something not so legit.

I was sitting down to enjoy my post run smoothie (which was dinner since the husbo was out having cocktails with coworkers) and toast and I saw a commercial for Sketchers Shape-Ups.  It wasn’t this exact commercial, but here’s the gist:

Now, the commercial I saw actually said “All of the benefits without the effort of working out!”  I mean COME ON.  I totally get the whole walking on an uneven surface engages more muscles and makes you work your core.  That’s great.  I’m not totally opposed to these things, but the benefits of working out?  Wearing shoes is NOT a workout.  Working out is not easy.  If it was, we’d all be walking around looking like supermodels.  Working out is hard, but it will give you results.  Walking in space boot looking sneakers will not.

This just made me a little crazy and I had to vent it out because I know that people are buying these things thinking they’re getting  a workout.  And Joe Montana?  Spare me.  These shoes are not going to make your butt and thighs smaller.  Walking at a brisk pace, running or jogging for at least a half hour four times a week will make everything smaller.  Yes, it’s harder…but it works.  Take your $110 and buy some good walking or running shoes and get up and move.

That is all.

How do you feel about Shape Ups, Fit Flops, and those Reebok versions of “butt-lifting, calf-working, thigh-slimming, cellulite-reducing” shoes?

Well, well, well…

…look who decided to show up.  It’s me.  I apologize for the absence, but I was a little busy on my week off last week.

I was a little busy transforming this:

to this:

This project took me ALL WEEK LONG!  But I’m loving the way my newly painted cabinets look!  I spent a lot of time in my basement last week.  I laid out all of the cabinet doors down there, pumped up some Pandora and painted away.

I was sure to use proper protection.  Don’t be too jealous of that hot basement wall paper in the background.  (Or my sweet face mask for that matter).

Something a little crazy also happened while I’ve been away.  I woke up Monday morning with a severe craving for something I haven’t had in a long time…

Oats!  I made an oat/oat bran mix with banana and Justin’s honey peanut butter.  Hit the spot.

Never fear, smoothies were consumed throughout the week.  However, they were all GREEN!

One of those was a “Peaches and Cream” smoothie.  It had coconut milk, spinach, half a banana and a cup of frozen sliced peaches with a scoop of vanilla protein powder.  Keeper for sure.

Another shocking thing…I went all week without a cherry chocolate bomb!  Stunning I know.

The mighty return on Monday!

Another first happened over my vacay.  In addition to my regular training runs, I did my first double digit training run!  10 miles!

It took me a total of 1:34:56 – a 9:29 pace.  I was very proud…and exhausted when it was over.  I can’t believe that in less than a month, I’ll be running that amount plus 3.1 more miles!

Splits:

Mile 1 – 9:30
Mile 2 – 9:26
Mile 3 – 9:31
Mile 4 – 9:30
Mile 5 – 9:36
Mile 6 – 9:30
Mile 7 – 9:23
Mile 8 – 9:51
Mile 9 – 9:16
Mile 10 –  9:20

Today’s training run was also one to be noted.  I ran 5 miles…5 minutes faster than my 5 mile race time in November.

Splits:

Mile 1 – 9:10
Mile 2 – 8:44
Mile 3 – 8:50
Mile 4 – 8:48
Mile 5 – 8:22

Total time was 43:56 for an average pace of 8:47 per mile.  That’s a minute faster per mile in 5 months!  I was a happy camper.

The final new thing I tried over vacay was Hot Barkan Method yoga.  The Barkan Method differs from Bikram in that the standing series of the class is an hour and the floor series is half an hour.  It was INTENSE.  I was sore for two day in my shoulders, arms and back.  I will definitely be trying this class again!

Until next time!

What is your favorite style of yoga?

Running Essentials

There are a few things that I MUST have every time I go out for a run.  Let’s take a peek, shall we?  Allow me to model my goods.

There I am all ready to hit the road.  This was actually right before my bomb three mile run this afternoon, but more on that later.  So here’s a quick run down of my must-have gear:

iPod nano: There are a lot of people who can run without music and just go with the breath.  I am NOT one of those people.  I must have my tunes.  Fresh updates to the playlist are constantly added to keep me moving.  I have the newest version with video, but have never used it.  It’s purple too, which is pretty sweet.

Incase Armband: How could I run with my Pod without an armband.  This one does the trick.

Garmin 405: I only got this baby for Christmas, but cannot imagine being without it.  I love my Garmin.  I don’t have a name for it, but my virtual training partner?  Well that’s a whole other conversation.  This bad johnny tracks my mileage, pace and calories.  I love love love my Garmin!

Road ID: I never leave home without it.  It has my name and important contacts – home, husbo and mom – just in case of an emergency.

I also need a ponytail holder – which is on my wrist in that pic and was promptly put to use after this picture was taken.  And then, I ran my fastest 3.1 miles ever.  25:01.  I was soooo proud!  I’m running a 5K at the end of May (after the Half) and was hoping on breaking 26 minutes, but it looks like I might just be faster!

After my speedy 5K, I came home to a little of this:

From NY to you…a delicious slice of pizza!

Here is a peek at yesterday’s 4.5 miles:

Negative splits at a pretty sweet pace!  🙂

Here was last night’s dinner:

Turkey burger on a sandwich thin, roasted sweet potatoes and salad with a tasty brew.

For now, I have a cup of tea and will be watching some NCAA b-ball with the husbo and the pooch.  I know my friend April is rooting for the Cats!

What is your favorite piece of running gear?

First Day of Spring

We had a beautiful first day of spring on Long Island!  I actually collected pics of a full day of eats!  I can’t believe it!  My day started with this springy green smoothie:

Of course now that I got around to writing this post, I forgot what was in it, but there was almond milk, banana, spinach, vanilla protein powder and a few frozen cherries.  I think.  The husbo and I ran some errands and when we returned, my maca powder was waiting for me in my mailbox!  I was psyched and whipped up this pre-run snack.  Toasted Ezekiel, almond butter, banana, cinnamon and maca.  I felt very Fitnessista with it.  I totally forgot to get stock up on shot bloks while we were out, so I had to improvise.  I popped a Zico coconut water in the freezer and took it with me on my run.

I have been feeling some tenderness in my ankle after runs, so I bought this support to wear.  It looked bad and felt worse.  I felt fine while running, but really tweaked my foot while wearing it.  I’ll use it for after a run for some compression, but not during.

I did 8 miles in the glorious sunshine.  I stopped at mile 4 (and paused the Garmin) to drink my Zico.  Don’t worry, I stopped at a middle school so I could properly dispose of the container.

After my 8 were complete, I came home and uploaded the Garmin while I rolled around on my foam roller.  Then I whipped up a beast of a salad for lunch.

That’s romaine, tomatoes, carrots, avocado and baby beets with Annie’s balsamic.  Plus water with lemon and Cooking Light.  Enjoyed al fresco.

A MoJo bar to get my mojo back after my long run.

And then a brewski.  Sam Coastal Wheat was AWESOME!  It will be my summer beer of choice!  Beer was busted out so we could play this:

A little Bagg-o with the Hus-bo.  Good times.  Check out our hot yellow grass.  And cute Bailey.

Then I laid on my back and put my legs up the fence for some circulation assistance for my weary legs.  Check out that blue sky!  I jumped inside and took an epsom salt bath.  Then it was time for dinner with Momma.

The following pics were taken with the ‘berry.  Be warned.

The most delicious pre-dinner cocktail:

A “Lemon blueberry frost.”  I forget what was in it, but it was lemony and blueby and beyond fabulous.

Bread:

multiply that by two.  It was bomb.

Salad:

Baby spinach, walnuts, beets, and fried goat cheese.  Out of this world.

Main course:

Presentation was totally lacking, but it was delish!  Chilean sea bass with roasted peaches, spinach and ‘taters.

Cotton candy brought with the check.  How cute is that?  Husbo just about devoured the whole thing.  I had a few bites.  How could one resist?

So there’s my first day of spring!  I hope yours was springy and fun!  I’m going to miss these warm temperatures when they disappear this week.

Yoga Gear

I don’t have any good food to show you today.  You can rest assured that I’ve been drinking chocolate cherry bomb shakes daily for breakfast and loving every minute of it.  I also have been indulging in salads galore and a little more Irish soda bread than I’m proud to admit.

I figured, since I’m low on writing inspiration tonight, that I’d share some of my favorite yoga gear with you!  I love yoga and have been practicing Bikram (hot) yoga regularly for about six months.  I have found that the right equipment can really make a difference in your practice.  So here’s what I use every time I hit the mat:

Manduka eQua towel:

I bought this towel at my studio and I can’t even imagine practicing without it.  I’m a sweater as it is and when you put me in a 109* room and make me hold triangle pose for a minute, I am literally dripping.  I used to slip and slide all over the place, but my eQua towel sips up all of my sweat and keeps me sturdy.

Manduka Black Mat PRO:

I ADORE this mat.  It is so thick and cushiony.  I feel very secure and comfortable.  My practice has improved tremendously because I’m focusing on my poses and not my mat.  It does not bunch or crease.  It stays put and does what it should.  It’s on the expensive side ($90), but if you’re serious about yoga, it’s a great investment.  Plus, Manduka offers a lifetime guarantee, mat recycling and makes eco-friendly products.  

Lululemon Stretch-n-Go Strap:

Crumby pic…sorry.  I love my strap.  I prefer not to have my mat cooped up in a bag.  As I mentioned before, my mat is usually wet when I leave class and I feel like it’s better in slightly exposed.  The strap also does double duty to get me further into my stretches at the end of class.

So there you have it!  My yoga essentials.  I highly recommend each of these items.  If you’re in need of a towel, mat or mat carrier, check these out!

In the meantime…here are my recent runs (4 miles each – Monday and Thursday respectively)

I was absolutely thrilled after this run!  I pushed hard for negative splits and those couldn’t look more lovely to me.  But wait…

I couldn’t be more proud of that fourth mile!  During mile 3 I came up with a little mantra to get me through mile 4 – “Your legs will move you, your breath will fuel you and your spirit will carry you.”  I repeated that a few times to myself after stopping for a traffic light for longer than I would have liked.  But in mile 4, I came up with a new one.  I saw that pace dipping lower and lower and I couldn’t give up…because I deserved it.  So my new mantra – “Do it because you deserve it!”  It may seem lame, but it totally gave me the boost I needed to smash through mile 4 – and it felt great

I couldn’t be happier that it’s Friday.  It’s been some week!  Bring on the beautiful weather of the weekend!

Do you have any mantras that you repeat to yourself to get you through tough workouts?

PS – fANNEtastic Anne is giving away an Eat Smart Precision Scale here!