Rants, Recipes, and Running

If you would have asked me 1 year ago, "Do you want to go to yoga?" I would have laughed, and thought to myself "That's not a workout! If I'm going to spend an hour at the gym, I may as well spend in lifting weights or running!" Boy was I wrong. And how I have changed my thinking! I label this post "downward facing diva" - because I feel like I have transformed into my own personal various of a "yoga diva". Better known as a "yogi" over the past few months. I started yoga because I had a revelation that it's quite pathetic that I can run 20 miles, but I cannot touch my toes. Yoga helped me do that, and much more! I will share that I wasn't feeling so "yoga diva status" at my 1st bikram flow class approximately 3 weeks ago. Where I found myself outside the studio, at the corner of a busy intersection in town, lying on the cement in a sports bra and yoga pants dry-heaving! Not my finest moment. And le...

Right now I am in the midst of training for 2 races. And it's been pretty darn fun! Race 1: El Tour de Tucson I'm doing a 75 mile bike race on November 21. This is definitely the furthest I've ever rode my bike! This is a yearly tradition in Tucson, and it's quite the event. People fly in from all over the world to compete, as Tucson is on the top 10 for best cycling cities in the country! We get some very elite cyclists. In the past, we have gotten together with friends and spectated with our coffees and cheer. But this year, I've decided to partake in the events! The option is to do a 40, 55, 75, or 105. My butt cannot handle 105 miles on a bike. Everyone tells me I have the physical ability to do so, and I'm sure I do. But I seriously have no desire to spend that much time on a bike. My friend Amanda and I are going to do it together, and we got her uncle's company to sponsor us. The company is called Ship Bike . It's pretty cool! He engineered...

What have I been up to in the world of "training" lately? Having fun! I have no races on the horizon, which kind of makes me crazy. This probably won't last long. But I do have to say it's really nice. Especially since for the past couple of years, I've always had something - marathon in January 2014, many half marathons last spring, my half ironman, 3 Ragnars this past year..... My new job gives me a lot of flexibility with my workouts. I only have to be into the office early on Tuesday and Thursday, so other days of the week I don't have to be in until 8:30-9am. I feel like I have so much extra time!  My workout plan changes every week, but I have goals I like to maintain weekly and that is: 2-3 weight training sessions 3 runs (1 speed workout, 1 longer run) 1 cross training day 1 rest day I have been doing this plan since November, and I feel like it's the perfect balance to keep me healthy, injury-free, and engaged! Always changing it up -...

As I highlighted in my "looking forward" post for 2015, in August, Ryan and I will be backpacking the Kalalua trail. To a seasoned backpacker, this may be a walk in the park. But for me, this is a big challenge !! It is listed as one of the top 10 most dangerous hikes in the world . What it will entail: Hiking 11 miles through mountains, hugging a cliff, through rainforests to a beach. This is described as "difficult" terrain with steep inclines and sharp cliffs. If you lose balance and fall off that cliff, you will most likely die. If hiking those 11 miles in isn't enough challenge, try it with 30 pounds on your back. Then we will camp overnight on a secluded beach. Wake up on the morning of our 6 year Anniversary (awwww), and then do the 11 mile hike all over again. (I anticipate there will be many mai tai's consumed the night we complete this, and arrive to our hotel. And I've already been warned about this incredible dive-of-a-burger-joi...

All these vacation posts may have one thinking, "She must have falling off the wagon on that half ironman training!" Not entirely true. However, I will say that week-long trip away did give me a little break from the constant circus of running from the pool, to the pedals, to the road! It was heavenly . It has also been extremely difficult for me to get back on my bike since we've returned. Those 3-4 hour rides are so mentally difficult for me. Dealing with traffic, stop lights, sharp turns, worry of having to change a tire....it all gets me quite worked up. Plus, 4 hours on that tiny, torturous seat becomes barbaric. I am currently in my final push before the taper. Race day is October 19. I can almost say "I made it!" Which is a pretty cool feeling. Because I'm working this weekend, my training is a little screwy. I had Wed and Thurs off this week, so should have gotten a 50 mile ride in. But I just didn't have it in me. So here is a sample of m...

I always have, and most likely always will ( I pray ) be a runner . Although many hours are put in lifting weights, road biking, and swimming laps. Running is the sport where I am most comfortable. It is me. I am a runner . In my 1st triathlon back in May, I felt rather awkward swimming in the open water, and REALLY awkward elbow-to-elbow among road bikers. But when my feet hit that pavement, I was " home " Since we've been in San Antonio, I haven't done a great deal of road biking. I don't know the roads/trails around where we live, I have no one to call if I get a flat 20 miles out in the country (Ryan's usually in class or flying)......But since I had a random week day off, I decided to dust off the Mercier and my cycling shoes. As I reunited with the road, I discovered a few things about my response to road biking that I never knew I'd encounter...... It has the ability to restore my mind and destress me like none other. I think it's the fac...

  Below is a pretty accurate depiction of ME running this past weekend. Okay, so it's an older man - but that is exactly what I did, and exactly how I felt. So I thought I'd share.....you know, to really "take you there"     There was a time in my life where I lived in a "cool climate". I now kick myself for not just relishing in that cool climate as a runner. For the past 5 years of my life, we have lived in warm climates. I will admit that in terms of lifestyle -- I love living in a warm climate! I love that you can go outdoors 365 days of the year. Snow/Ice never affect my day. But as a runner, it can be rough. June-September are the hardest. Right now in Tucson and San Antonio (where we currently reside)....there is very little respite from the heat, if any at all. The mornings can be 90 degrees at 5 am, and it only gets hotter. In San Antonio, the weather app on my Iphone tells me it's 74 degrees. I kick my heels in a fit of joy ! ...

As I've stressed earlier, the most enticing part of moving to San Antonio was trying out new running trails and parks! I just think it's such a fun and intimate way to get to a know a new city! AND it's FREE ! There are several trails/parks I have yet to hit up. But I am going to start my review of a few that I've checked out. I'd like to think some San-Antonio-newcomer may someday stumble across this blog and find this useful. **I say this because sometimes it's really hard to find out where to run in a new city . Is it safe? Are there water fountains? Where do you park? The list of mysteries go on, and I've had to find out much of this on my own!** Leon Creek Greenway : I give this 4 out of 5 stars . My only complaint is that it was a bit overcrowded on a weekend morning. It's a nice black-top trail that literally goes on for miles and miles! I believe the full Greenway system actually has 130 miles ! There were water fountains and bathrooms al...

One of the most exciting parts for me on this move is discovering new running and biking trails. And I've decided that this hobby is one that really makes a person get out there and see the sites! Typically the popular biking and running trails are through beautiful parks and scenic areas. So it really gives you a taste of the area you are in. I don't begin my travel nursing contract until Monday - so I had this week to get settled in. Now that the week is ending, I am finding extra downtime. So have been putting my research to practice (I did my research on the best running and biking trails in SA -- as there are tons ) My first attempt was the Gruene River Trail. Gruene, Texas is a historic town outside of SA (northeast). If you are ever in the area, and you want a break from city -- this is the place! From the first glace, it has the image of "Ole Texas small town" with "Honky Tonk" dance halls etc. But the streets are cobble-stoned, and they have th...

When someone mentions Las Vegas to you...what comes to mind? Usually one gets images of bright lights, the Bellagio fountains, extravagantly decorated hotels, high end shopping, scantily dressed women, gambling, excessive spending, and hangovers. Well I'm here's to prove that belief wrong. :) I am currently in Vegas accompanying my husband. He is at a 2 week course for the Air Force, and I happened to have Wednesday-Sunday off from work (I had taken PTO many months ago as we were planning a vacation during this time). So I packed up the car, set off for a road trip to Vegas. The one thing I had to do was figure out how to entertain myself during the day while Ryan is at school. My initial thought was, " I know! I'll buy myself a pack of Marlbarols, drink Manhattans, and spend the afternoon with my ass planted at a slot machine so I can waste thousands of dollars!!!!" Oh wait, no. I wouldn't do that . Ever . In a million years . In fact, I loathe casino...

Today I competed in my first Triathlon! It was a sprint Tri - which consists of swimming 750 meters, biking 12.5 miles, and running 3.1 miles! Initially when I signed up, I wasn't too excited about those distances because I figured, "those are such short distances, this will be a breeze!" But I must admit it was one of the bigger physical challenges I've done! Because I actually took the "sprint" to heart! Starting April 1, I started triathlon training. And my totals for the month of April were: Run = 85.9 miles Bike = 220.7 miles Swim = 8.6 miles It was one heck of a month for mileage, and I will never have another one of those I'm guessing.I didn't have a husband at home, and I didn't work overtime. So I had the time! I felt great physically -- all that cross training was amazing for injury prevention! I've joined a group called the Desert Tri Girls. It's a great group of women -- all different ages and fitness levels training...

I learned how to ride a bike long ago. I remember my Dad taking the training wheels off that bike on the 1st nice spring day (usually occuring in April back when the Midwest actually got springtime). He held on to my bike, told me he wouldn't let go, and after a few seconds -- he let go and I was on my own! I remember that invigorating feeling of, "Holy crap, I'm doing this on my own! I'm really doing this!" and then that stark realization of, "Oh crap, how do I stop?!?!". Well, over a decade later, I went through this process again last night. My new bike came in the mail -- and a friend of mine has a cousin who happens to be quite the "bicycle guru". He graciously assembled my new bike for me, adjusted it, and had me test ride it up and down the street so we could adjust the handle bars and seat properly. Except there's one small problem..... my bike doesn't have pedals . It had these "clipless" little stubs you instal...

I can now call myself a biker chick! No, not the harley driving, motor revving, leather chap wearing type. I am the padded spandex, helmet wearing, bright jersey, mile-trekking type! Tucson is a huge road biking city! If you're out on a Saturday morning, don't be surprised to see huge packs of road bikers in their bright colors and spandex trekking the mountainous, hilly roads in our beautiful climate. It was named #9/51 for top cities to bike in the US. (Minneapolis won! Which I thought was pretty neat) To be honest, cycling has not always been my favorite sport. I liked cycling indoors, in spin class, away from traffic. My husband and I used to ride a few years ago, but he had a light road bike - and I had a heavy trail bike. It was really challenging to keep up. So gradually I started to form a bit of dislike towards road bikers. I would be running along the trail, and a road biker would zip past me. I would roll my eyes. I feared the traffic, the risk of a t...

Run, Drive, Sleep, Repeat. As I reflect on the last weeks race, I am feeling inspired from running my first Ragnar relay. “What exactly is Ragnar?,” I have been asked many times over the past few weeks. In fact, I was asking myself that many times too. The website is somewhat vague. You sign up, pay, and attempt to train for a race that pretty much tells you “200 miles, 12 runners, 3 legs”. The rest is left to your imagination. It all started Friday morning. Alarms went off at 4 am – and the first van was off to the start line. We drove 1 hour from out hotel out into the desert to a random town called Wickenburg, AZ. The closer we got to the race start, the colder the temperatures dropped. I knew I was headed for high elevation. I was the team’s first runner with an 8.5 mile run. The starting line was crowded with hundreds of creatively decorated vans, some people in costumes, some elitists ready to sprint their 202 mile relay!  I slapped on the “paton bracelet”, ...

Yesterday, I decided "to hell with you, gym.". This is the time of the year in Tucson when you can actually spend time outside, and you won't fear for your health. (i.e. dying of dehydration or severe sunburn) So when I wanted to get some exercise, I drove to the gym, pulled into a parking lot FULL of Massechusetts license plantes, and said "Yep. It must be Senior Citizen exercise hour", and looked at the crowds indoors , (Oh, snowbird season, I love you....) .... And so I said, "To hell with this..." And drove 1 mile north to a park called "Riverfront Park". Now, let's not be foolish, here. There's not really a river. There are no rivers in Tucson. But there's a "wash" that as once a river in the ice ages. So they have built beautiful bridges and running trails along these washes. I turned on my heart-rate-monitor and started jogging not knowing where I was going. I haven't done this in............ ....