Marathon Mom

It was amazing how much smoother this past week went at dinnertime with the plans in place. How did I forget this?! I was so happy to have everything planned since my week was crazy; busy working 6 days, nonstop running around, O's birthday (and parties) and just life! Despite the best planning a couple meals went unused thanks to missing ingredients and no time to check another store, but that makes this week's planning even easier. This week I even discovered a new snack that is actually keeping me full and not searching for food all afternoon! I'm starting to use UCAN more than just pre-run and it is great, especially the new cinnamon. Pumpkin UCAN Pudding 1/4 cup pumpkin puree 1 tbsp almond butter 2 tbsp unsweetened almond milk 1/2 scoop UCAN Cinnamon 1/2 scoop UCAN Vanilla Protein 1 tsp chia seeds Mix and top with pecans. Chill in refrigerator until ready to eat Is it just me or does it seem like when you sit down to plan meals you go back to your fallb...

My baby is 6 today! Seriously where did the time go? The past 6 years have been filled with joy and frustration as you develop into the strong, determined little girl you are becoming. You have your own agenda at times and aren't always the easiest kid but your strong willed, determined personality will make you a successful person. We love you! This past year you have grown so much with starting kindergarten, learning so much that you can do, learning to be a student and friend and wanting to soak up knowledge everywhere. You are developing great friendships with so many people and are liked by so many. Your personality draws people in!  Dance and gymnastics are a big part of your life! This year you started the first year of competition dance as one of two 5 year olds in a 6-7 year old group and are finding your place. You still love gymnastics (even more than dance I think) and continue to make great strides there. To my excitement we ran our first 5K together this year and soon...

This morning I woke up back in reality, but luckily not the reality of below 0 I missed last week or the feet of snow dumped on the east coast that many found. We in the midwest are lucky with minimal snow and temps in the 20s today! I gentle shock to the system after 8 days of 80s and sun! This also meant a week of not planning meals and having my food served as I requested. Traveling with celiac (and as a vegetarian) can be rough but I have found Royal Caribbean crusing is better than many options. Although not as great this time with the combo veg and GF. My best meal was a curry they threw together at the last minute when they failed to mention I needed to give them 24 hour notice to have the eggplant parm made GF. Otherwise breast fast was eggs or grits and lot of fruit and PB, Lunch always a big salad and then there was bread, yes bread! Anyways more about vacation later now to get back to my own meals, no more dessert nightly... Menu Sunday:  Tofu Stir Fry Monday:...

After two years of injury, attempting to run marathons injured, then healing and running a marathon on easy runs alone I finally feel ready to train again. I think this may have come sooner but a few weeks of less than ideal eating, more wine than I needed and a week of migraines pushed running in the wrong direction. I have pretty good nutrition but a month of cookies, wine, guacamole, pie and more cheese than I've eaten all year messed with me. My running suffered, I was tired, I didn't sleep well...I drank afternoon coffee and the cycle repeated!  Add to that cold weather, snow and minimal daylight and now I'm physically and emotionally exhausted.  I'd attempt speedwork, I'd get no where near my goal pace and I'd quit. Instead running slower than marathon pace. Don't get me wrong I'm thrilled to be running pain free but I wanted more. I wanted to continue my forward momentum where I was running PRs and improving with nearly every race. I knew it...

I said one of my goals for 2016 was to focus on nutrition and with this get back to meal planning and prep on Sunday. So I decided to link up with Laura for her weekly Menu Planning An unexpected day off work meant I got some much needed extra hours of sleep and was reminded how big my little girl is getting. She woke up at 7am and not only got herself breakfast but also got down coffee cups and made a pot of coffee! I'm drinking it as I type and she did pretty good. Now the important part...Figuring out what to eat this week for the right balance of leftovers, future freezer meals and not too much since we leave Friday on vacation. Menu Sunday: Bean and pepper chili Monday: Chickpea avocado wraps with roasted sweet potatoes Tuesday: Chickpea wild rice soup Wednesday: Chickpea nuggets with roasted veggies/potatoes Thursday: Black bean tacos Friday: Airport dinner, any suggestions for healthy eating at JFK during a layover? Saturday: Yummy Cruise Dinner Sunday: Yummy...

After a miserable week I am finally getting around to writing down my goals for 2016, they have been floating around my migraine ridden head but unable to focus to get them out...Yep, I started 2016 with a bang and I've had a migraine since Monday (still going strong today). I think this is all due to a recent medication change so I'm hoping it is over soon. And since this is more than I normally get in a year it must mean this it for 2016, right?! 2016 Goals Fitness Goals Sub 3:30 marathon (okay actually 3:20 is what I really want) Run 2016 miles (while I’m not focusing on quantity this is a fun obtainable amount if I stay uninjured Figure out a new strength training program to try Try 1 new fitness activity a month Stay injury free!! Run a 50K Food No dairy while marathon training Track my food again and focus on eating for fuel Plan meals weekly, try 2 new meal each month Garden this summer and grow our own veggies Eat out 1 time per week a...