Marathon Mom

It's been an interesting week of ups and downs, snow and now sun, stress and fun. Last Thursday I found out I'm allergic to Cooper! It explains why I've felt like my seasonal allergies haven't quit since last spring and my asthma has been kicking my butt! So we spent last weekend cleaning dog hair out of everything (a near impossible task) in hopes of me feeling better. I doing a month trial of medications and vitamins and then we discuss allergy shots. Ugh! I have been chosen to join Team UCAN Inspire! I love UCAN and can't say enough great things about this run fuel. I mean what is better than no sugar drops or hitting the wall, no GI distress and burning fat?! Ask me if you want my referral code of 10% off Snow! Yep woke up twice to snow this week! Seriously I am done with this! A few weeks ago I ran in shorts now I'm bundled up again. ENOUGH!! Last week we took O to kindergarten orientation! Where did the time go? How did she go from a ne...

Life has gotten crazy the last couple weeks, work is extra busy because part of my team is out plus I've been working longer days and weekends. Trauma season hit early this year! The consequence of an early spring,, oh well I'd rather have the nice weather. My hip has been achy so last week I got back in with my sports chiro for some work. I needed that! I also needed new shoes and thanks to Adidas for changing shoe names I was way too confused to order online like I usually do! Luckily I love my local running store and headed for a much needed visit on Monday and came home with these pretty purple guys! Finally after nearly 15 years running I get purple shoes :) Cooper made sure they were kept safe... But I did find out that I had unkowingly switched shoes and that was probably contributing to my current issues. Although he kept the shoes safe, my flash drive was a different story! The dog truly did eat my homework!! I have parts of my thesis saved on here, luckily most...

One of my goals for 2015 is to look at all aspects of my training beyond just the physical part to attempt to improve on my running performance. I’ve made huge changes to my workouts, running mileage and cross training in the past year (greatly over the past 6 months). For the past couple years I’ve toyed with the idea of meeting with sports dietitian but haven’t found the time to pursue it. A few weeks ago I met a local elite runner who spoke to our MRTT group and she gave me information on the person she had worked with. So why not? Over the past few months I’ve been researching different sports dietitians/nutritionists but haven’t found the perfect fit. There is a lot to consider before paying someone to critique your eating and work with you to improve. Honestly I’m not sure I want someone to see that I may sit down and eat almond butter by the spoonfuls! Things to consider before working with a sports  dietitian What is there education and certification? A regis...

After a sluggish and down right rough week of running I think I turned things around. I'm ready for Week 9 and the much better weather that is here (and even better that is on the way!). Saturday I managed to pull off a 14 miler with a runner friend who pushed me through the first few miles too fast! Hip was slightly achy afterwards which had me near panic mode for a few hours! Too long dealing with that injury that I'm still on edge with every ache. It got better, even took advantage of the weather on Sunday after a long work day and got Cooper out for 4 mile run/walk. Oops nonmatching socks then entire run! This week I'm excited to see what's ahead with temperatures in the 60s! Monday: AM Kickboxing PM P90X Legs/Back/Abs (switching up leg day to Monday to avoid long run day) Tuesday: Intervals 12x400 (6;15 pace) with 1 mile w/u and c/d Wednesday: P90X Chest/Back/Abs and Cardio X Thursday: PM Tempo run (7 total miles) Friday: AM Cardio X PM P90X Shou...

We all have our ups and downs in running, in life, in everything but it is still tough when things don't go how we plan. Last week went great, running was wonderful despite being all on the treadmill thanks to cold and wind. Even with a busy weekend I managed to get in my workouts. Now fast forward to this week. Monday: sleep won but I lifted after work Tuesday: 1 mile repeats turned into a sluggish easy 6.5 mile run Wednesday: lifted in morning and afternoon gave up on running after 3 miles which included 3 walk breaks. Yoga instead in hopes of refreshing. Thursday: morning 10 mile tempo run turned into 7.5 miles at MP, started awful and got slightly better last 4 miles. Friday: no running today, leg day What now? Shake it off and learn, right? The good news this is a cutback week so lower mileage but after such a great week mentally this is tough. I know my body is telling me something but what? Am I eating enough and the right foods Am I sleeping enough Am I resting...

I first discovered hemp hearts a few months, I know late to the party! My extent of use has been throwing on salads or in my coconut yogurt for a little extra protein. I decided to get adventurous when I was given a bag to try from Manitoba Harvest and bake with them. Benefits of Hemp Hearts Plant Based Protein - 10g per tablespoon High Fiber - 1g per tablespoon Omega 3 Fatty Acids Lots of Vitamins - Magnesium, Iron, Vitamin B, Manganese, Zinc and Calcium   They sound perfect for a vegetarian runner! I'm always looking for ways to increase protein, iron and calcium. Plus Omega 3s are great for recovery, Sweet Potato Bars 1 cup mashed sweet potato (could do pumpkin) 1 banana mashed 1 cup dates soaked 1 tsp vanilla 1 cup almond flour 1/4 cup hemp hearts 1 tsp cinnamon 1/2 tsp nutmeg Put first four ingredients in food processor and puree until smooth. Add remaining ingredients until mixed. Pour into prepared greased baking dish and bake in preh...