Worst Athlete of the Month Award goes to....

Me! But I'm working on getting out of that category.

I had a great three day weekend. It's not THAT bad being back at work today - but I would totally rather be the pool. Heat index is supposed to be 103 today. That makes running hard, but sometimes race morning feels like that.

I talked with Coach Rob about motivation. We have a phone date today to talk more about motivation and talk about race logistics for Saturday. Trying to decide if I'm going to use a fuel belt or just use race hydration. Always up in the air for hot race days.I'm really feeling like my workout funk is over. I am feeling like me again!

I did a super short bike ride and a 5 mile run this weekend. Of course I spent TONS of time at the pool with the kids. I love that part of warm weather. Lots of BBQ's and pool fun.

Memorial day camo and red, white, and blue

Ice cream!!!

water balloon fight

My First Guest Blogger! Jess @ Blonde Ponytail!

I have been wanting a guest blogger for a while and asked Jess @ Blonde Ponytail if she would do it. She was very excited to help out and answered some questions for me.Check her out!

Thank you Ann for allowing me to do a guest post on your blog!! 

1.      Why did you start running? What kept you in it?

I played softball in college at Stanford University, so running/conditioning focused on power and speed; primarily anaerobic training.  The bases are only 60 feet apart; you don’t need stamina for that, right?  

Now I can run 138,336 feet!

Following college, I would run 3-4 miles regularly during the week simply to keep my muffin top from over-flowing, but I never really got into more than that. Honestly, I thought distance runners were “a different breed”.  Now, I am one!  And, you know what?  We are!

Then, I met a new friend, Harmony, who encouraged me to run this 100k relay in April 2010.  I loved it!  My leg was 7.7 miles which was long to me.  Following the race, she encouraged me to sign up for the Portland Marathon in October 2010.  It was rated a one of the best races for new runners. 

What? A marathon?!  Ummm, okay.  Ignorance is bliss, right?  I trained all summer and in October, I raced my very first race:  The Portland Marathon. 

Now, running is a rewarding challenge.  I like testing my limits, learning and improving.  You know the best part?  The running community rocks!  The support and connections keep me lacing up my shoes. 

 

2. What do you use to pick a race? Location, distance, swag?

I have only run 3 races thus far, so I am a “noobie” (new racer).  Presently, location makes a big difference when selecting a race because it’s cheaper.  I have run the Portland Marathon (October 2010) and the Windermere Marathon in Spokane, WA (May 2011), both within driving distance from Pullman, WA.

However, in January 2011, my husband and I ran our first half marathon in Boulder City, NV (just outside Vegas).  This is an inexpensive destination race, and we are going back in December for the RnR Vegas Half Marathon!

3. What is your pre race ritual?

Going into the Portland Marathon I had zero rituals established.  Now, I have a better plan.  I use every long run as a dress rehearsal for the big day.  This includes dinner the night before, clothing, pre-run fuel, hydration, and running fuel.  I want my body to be ready.

Gear:  Before a race, I lay out EVERYTHING I will need.  I always pin my bib on my shirt making sure the placement is just right! Gotta look good for pics. J And, I stalk weather.com to see if I need a visor to keep rain out of my eyes, whether to bring throw-away clothing, or lube up extra Body Glide to prevent chub-rub chaffing. 

Nutrition:  I will amp up my hydration the week of marathon, adding some Nuun or other electrolytes as needed. 3-4 days before the race, I eliminate all dairy, and gradually reduce my fiber intake.   I try to eat an early dinner (4-5 p.m.) the night before, so the food has a chance to get through me.   Chicken and brown rice works well as I have been following a GF diet of late.

Race day:  I get up early and chug water, visiting the toilet as many times as possible.  Then, I eat my PB on toast with a banana 1.5-2 hours before race start.  I know some runners even GU before racing, but I have yet to try that.  I haven’t developed a warm-up pre-marathon, but for my half I jogged a bit.  I don’t like to get to the start line too early.

Note of caution:  if any of you read my Windermere Marathon Race Report, you saw that sometimes things don’t go your way on race day no matter how well prepared you are. Live and Learn!

4. What are some of your favorite running accessories?

·         I am dependent on my Garmin 306 and have the display set to pace, overall pace, distance and time.

·         My 26.2 shirt, shorts and socks are comfortable AND functional.  Now, that the weather is nicer, I can wear them more!

·         Post run I NEED my Recovery (Compression) Socks!  (Pssst! You can save 15% off a pair using code “ja100dw”)

·         I use a 2-bottle Nathan Hydration belt for long runs. There is a pouch for fuel too.

·         I love keeping my blonde fly-a-ways at bay with a BIC Band!

·         Nike shoes have worked for me and recently I have run in the ultra-light Frees!

Does anyone Journal?

I just read a blog post from a team mate and friend: What is Mental Fitness? You should check her out....she's GREAT! I love her energy and she's totally infectious. Her standard "double thumbs up" always makes me feel stronger.

I'm in a rut right now. I want to run, bike, swim. For some reason I just am in a funk. I just don't want to do anything. Ugh. Why does this happen? As far as I can tell I'm ready for summer (I work in a public school), I'm slightly tired from work/family/new heat, and I haven't had a race since April. Last year I raced once a month. It kept me focused and kept me going.

I know everyone needs a break and a slow down - but that's not typically my style. I'm a "clip board", a list maker, a do-er. I get things done. I'm often of the mentality that no one can do it like I want them to, so I just do it. Ask my husband - he hates it. :) I'm getting better - but it's a struggle. Every.Day.

So, trying to figure out my motivation. I do have a 1/2 Marathon next Saturday. You'd think that would motivate me. Nope. It's my 5th one. I know I will finish. But I do have a goal. I want 2 hours flat. Not sure I have earned it for this one, but I'm going to push and follow my plan.

I'm going to start journaling. See if I can figure things out. Anyone else do this?

Wordless Wednesday (my first!)

Jogging stroller - both tires blew out! Crap!

Me and Megan after 12 miles. That sun spot is just our glow of awesomeness

nice weather = sprinkler time!

Mason hearts caterpillars. it's on his finger.

Mason in puppy Hugo's crate (St. Bernard)

Sammy hearts video games

Wine, 12 Miles, Garage Sale, and a Baby Shower

What a weekend! It all started on Friday.....

Sam and I asked his parents to come over to talk about Sam's trip to CA. He won a Medifast contest (10 winners nationwide) for weight loss. He lost 85 pounds on the program and completely changed his life. He went from sleep apnea and terrible self esteem to Triathlete. It's amazing. I'm so proud! He went to LA and got some pampering, shopping, and a photo shoot. He also made a ton of new friends - friends that went through what he did. He got back to Va totally inspired and took a training to become a health coach. He is super inspired to help others change their lives too.

While Sam was talking the four of us managed to finish 4 bottles of wine. Ugh. When my alarm went off at 6am on Saturday I had no idea how I got to bed let alone why my alarm was going off. Oh yeah. Running.

I got up. Got ready. Left the house. I was meeting Meg to run 12 miles. Our 1/2 marathon is in two weeks and we need our long. This is also our girl time, no kid time, no husband time, and fun time. I did text her to tell her I might be a mess (I pictured puke and walking). We got started on the trail and started talking.

We went out 6 miles and then turned around and headed back to our cars. There were TONS of runners, walkers, and bikers out. It was a beautiful day. My hangover checked out and I didn't think about it once. We talked the entire run except the last mile. We got "serious" and just got it done. We ended with a negative split, no walking, and two happy girls!

Sunday morning we joined out neighbors yard sale. We added a few kid things, a set of dishes, and a ton of Southern Living things that we have NEVER used (but I HAD to have). We made $28. Not too shabby. The score of the day was when a neighbor gave us 2 bottles of wine for a kids toy. I was pretty impressed with that trade!

Saturday afternoon also included a swim and a baby shower for a friend. It was at a fancy restaurant and so much fun. Great food and good friends.

I managed to stay pretty Paleo through the weekend. I swam and ran. I played with my kids and watched a movie with my husband. What a nice little weekend.

Winner Winner Chicken Dinner!

I've been trying to dress more fashionable and fun since loosing weight and toning up. Gotta show off the slimmer me. I still have some "fat kid" issues and don't always think I should wear anything but workout clothes. I'm working on it, getting there, studying the latest trends.

I have a few friends helping me out. Megan, from Events in the City DC, has been helping me a TON. She's my real life bff and Sole Sister (running buddy extraordinaire).

Also helping me out is Carly, Thirty Something Fashion, I love her blog alot! We went to the same high school - always fun to follow a blog of someone I actually know. I feel less stalker-ish that way. :) I just won a dress on her blog! I could not be more excited!!!!! Here's the dress I won:

I love the comfy workout clothes - they make me feel ready to workout at any minute. Sometimes I come home from work and change immediately so I have no excuse to just lay around and do nothing. I have been updating my workout wardrobe too. More fitted shirts, running skirts, matching pieces....it all counts right?

So far my Paleo meals have been going great! Last night I made Chicken Piccata all by myself! My husband, Chef Sam, is in LA......so it was a big deal for me to make it and not screw it up. For breakfast I made Egg Houses. Let me tell you.......delicious! You hollow out a tomato, crack an egg into it, back it at 425 for 25 minutes and top with some bacon crumbles and salt and pepper. OMG! It was SOOOOOOO good! Took a little time, might be more of a weekend breakfast, but so worth it!

Workouts are on track for the week. It's Wednesday, Monday was my day off, and I did my bike workout yesterday. :) Totally on track! My trainer ride was a ladder workout. It was hard work, but in a good way. I think it might be my favorite workout. Thanks Coach Rob!

I have a 1/2 marathon coming up and need some participant goody bag ideas. Any thoughts???

My Diet through the years....

I know, it's been a while since I posted. Gotta get back into it!

Over the years, since I graduated from college, I've tried a million different "diets".

In grad school it was Slim Fast. Ugh. Not sure why I thought that would work at all. It didn't. It didn't even last that long and was SOOOO pricey.

When I got into the work world it was "bring a salad for lunch". I'm not sure on what planet I thought a lonely little salad would give me the energy to get through an 8 hour workday with elementary school kids, but I thought it was healthy.

Then I got pregnant. Oops. No more diet, right? I can eat whatever I want?! Sign me up! I signed up and gained 60 pounds. Awesome.

I had Sammy and tried some meal replacement shakes, Shaklee Cinch. I had good success and felt healthy and energized. I really liked the program. Hit pre-baby weight and OOOOOPS - pregnant again!

Once again - gained a crap ton of weight. Ugh.

The day I got home from the hospital I started Shaklee Cinch again. I started going to the gym, just walking, and watching what I ate. I also was chasing around a 15 month old and nursing. Whew! I ended up winning a Shaklee Cinch Success story! That was awesome, motivating, and had a $500 payout! Weeeeee!

I signed up for a 5K and have never looked back.

I am currently eating Paleo. I'm loving it. I've been pretty hardcore about it for the last week (although, I refuse to give up alcohol :) ). A friend at work is helping to guide me through it and answering my questions. It's great to have here there at work and socially so I have some pressure to be honest with my eating. I even got a Paleo cookbook. I can't wait to try the recipes!

What all have you tried to loose weight? Any favorite Paleo recipes I should try?

What is strong?

Strong is being their for friends.

Strong is waking up early to "get it done".

Strong is registering for a race.

 Strong is taking a day off.

Strong is trying something new.

Strong is my family.

Strong is my Sole Sisters.

I am Strong.

Sammy's muscles

I'm sure I don't need to point out the muscles that make me strong in this pic :)

I do not. I am a runner.

This is my mantra. I wrote it on a card and put it in my wallet. EVERY time I open my wallet I see it. I say it to myself on hard runs, and very exciting runs, and when the weather sucks and I'm outside anyways. My run yesterday was my first run outside on the road in 2 weeks. It was hard. I truly wanted to be out there pounding the pavement. I had the drive, but physically it was tough.

My pollen cough is better, almost gone. Each cough I think - that could be it! The last cough! Well, not yet, but it's coming I can tell. The weather yesterday was beautiful. Could not ask for better running weather.

I got home from work and told Sam "I need to run". He kicked me to the street and said "get it done". Thanks Sam! I ran. No plan. No music. Just me and the Garmin. I ran through the neighborhood and thought, watched, and enjoyed.

My legs were tired, I got a cramp in my right side, and I was tired. I did 3.55 miles. I did them easy. I did them with purpose. I did them because I wanted to. I should have done more - but it's only Monday. I have all week.

I did it becuase:
I do not run. I am a runner.

Gotta find that Restart button

The last 2-3 weeks have been crazy in and around our house. My training has been put on hold due to a nasty cold, weather, spring break (scheduling was NUTS), and some family (well, friends that are family) health situations. I need to get back into the groove of working out, feeling rested, and eating right.

To get back on track I thought I would post pictures of all the people that inspire me, get me through it, and who I just flat love. Here it goes!

Mom, Joan, and me at the Georgetown Parkway Classic

Joan, Hayan, me at the indepence 5k

My Sole Sisters. Couldn't do any of it without them. Meg, Al, and me

me and Katy. My ROCK

Mother's day 1/4 marathon

Joan, Mark, Mom, me at our first family Turkey Trott

Me and Sam. First race together. He's amazing

Who inspires you? How do you get back on track?