monday musings.

monday musings.

8.20.2012

1. What? It’s the first day of school?? I can’t believe the class of 2016 at SMU is embarking on four amazing years today. Feels like yesterday I was eating dinner in Umphrey Lee and sweating on my walks from class to class. #college

2. I got some sweet new running kicks this weekend and I’m looking forward to Wednesday’s run. Apparently, it only takes me about 6 months to run through a pair of shoes. Good to know. If you’re in Dallas, hit up Luke’s Locker. The only place to get running shoes.

3. However, Wednesday’s run will be contingent on me being able to walk again…apparently 300+ squats in 1 hour will reek havoc on your legs.

4. The reason behind the squats? C and I volunteered at a triathlon this weekend. We were responsible for body marking (writing the numbers on all the participants arms and legs). That meant squatting down hundreds of times to write on their calves. Talk. about. sore. I feel like I’m 100 years old.

5. Early morning Saturday swims followed by even earlier mornings volunteering made for one VERY sleepy weekend. By the time we get home, it’s only 11am but we’re already climbing back in bed for a mid-day nap.

6. We went to Dish with some friends for Restaurant Week. While $35 for a 3-course meal and $20 for 3 wine pairings did seem like a good deal, I wasn’t wow’ed by the food or the ambiance. Can’t say we’ll be going back.

7. Even though I can barely walk, I insisted on wearing these new JCrew shoes I got for a STEAL on Friday. Love.

8. I’m digging these two photo apps I discovered this one and this one.

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wishlist

wishlist

8.17.2012

Lately, instead of browsing the JCrew website for cute work clothes or weekend outfits, I’ve been obsessed with sportswear. This would make sense since I’ve been spending a whole lot of time training. After October’s triathlon, I’ve signed up to run the Dallas Half Marathon in December. I’m craving these items as I transition towards a more running focused training plan. (PS. Guess my favorite color?!)

Those Nike capris are amazing. They NEVER lose their stretch and are made out of recycled water bottles! Thumbs up for green clothing. I obviously need another pair. Having the proper attire always makes for a more enjoyable workout.



A few tips I’ve learned along the way:

1. Get fitted for the right shoes. Don’t just go to the store and pick the cutest ones on the shelf. I tried on over 15 pairs when I went to get fitted to find the right ones. I’m actually due for new ones soon. Depending on your training/running style, sneakers should last about 6 months or 400-600 miles.
2. Find the perfect sports bra. Does this need any more explanation?
3. Pockets, pockets, pockets. You don’t want your hands full during a run.
4. Pick materials that agree with sweat. The last thing you want is a shirt that is soaking up sweat, leaving you raw and uncomfortable by the end of your run.
5. Layers. Embrace the tying-of-your-sweatshirt-around-your-hips technique so loved by “soccer moms”. 

Unity Pullover | lululemon / Nike Legend Tight Fit Training Capris / Nike Women’s Fast Pace Running Tank Top / Brooks PureCadence / swiftly headband | lululemon

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finding my nemo.

finding my nemo.

8.15.2012

I’d like to argue that the #1 barrier to entry in the triathlon world is swimming. Hopefully, for many of us, running and biking are second nature even if you’ve never raced in either event. You can successfully get from point A to point B by either biking on your sweet, turquoise cruiser bike (with basket) or running in flip flops from the couch to the freezer to get a scoop of ice cream between commercial breaks. Hey, we’re all friends here, I’m not judging. Good. So we’ve established that most folks can run and bike somewhat successfully.



Swimming, however, seems to baffle most folks. While the pool doesn’t prove to be as much of an issue, it’s certainly open water swimming that has most people shying away from triathlons. Sharks, murky waters, slimy lake bottoms, fish, amoebas, temperature, waves, tides…all reasons I’ve heard for avoiding open water swimming. I know this because, well…I was one of those people. My main issue being the disgusting, squishy, slimy, muddy bottoms of the Texas lakes. I managed to get over it. Mainly because you should be swimming…not walking around in the lake. Henceforth, you can minimize contact with the bottom of the lake…if you get really good at swimming.

And herein lies the point of this post: my need to get better at swimming. As with most of my “events” in triathlon, I pretty much have 1 speed: get to the end, quickly and without dying. This worked pretty well for me in the beginning but it pretty much always insured a last place finish. If your “training speed” is the same as your “racing speed”, you’re most likely not going to win…unless everyone else in your age group drowns - your chances drastically increase at that point.

Last night, I tackled my lack of speed in the swim. An endless pool, as it turns out, is a magical thing. You can set the “speed” and therefore, force yourself to swim at that pace. In the course of an hour, I managed to strengthen my kick, increase my arm turnover, and breathe more efficiently. (Disclaimer: I have a kick-butt coach.) I was swimming a whole MINUTE faster on my 100 meter pace than I normally do, proving that I can, in fact, vary my speed (now that I’ve learned how).

I’m looking forward to testing out my new-found swimming skillz this weekend at our Open Water swim workout. Sorry Brendan, but I don’t think I’ll need to be drafting off of you anymore.

Just keep swimming…just keep swimming…just keep swimming…

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monday musings.

monday musings.

8.13.2012

1. Another weekend filled with workouts and races. After 3.5 hours at the lake on Saturday, C and I managed to do nothing for the rest of the day.



2. C raced Sunday morning and I played with helpful, doting Sherpa. After brunch at Company Cafe with our sweet friends, Jessie and Brian, we passed out for a good 4 hours.

3. I made some pretty delish granola bars this weekend. Recipe to follow.

4. With a little menu planning on Sunday night, C and I were able to stock the fridge and pantry with healthy options for the week to come. We made some awesome buffalo & sweet potato tacos last night. Recipe also to follow.



5. It’s Restaurant Week here in Dallas which means for $35 a person you can eat at some of Dallas’ fanciest restaurants on the cheap!

6. The fact that I’m even considering doing an Ironman 70.3 (half Ironman - 1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike, 13.1 mile run) is just insane. I’m pretty sure I’m losing my mind.

7. The Spice Girls. Still amazing.

8. Hoping for some good news this week relating to our potential new roommate.

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{recipe} rice bars

{recipe} rice bars

8.09.2012

As someone with a speedy metabolism and a tiny stomach, I generally have to eat about every two hours. Unless I plan ahead, I’m left shoving whatever I can find into my mouth. This has become especially apparent during my training. It’s really important to fuel your body properly in order to perform at your best for each workout.

There are hundreds of different kinds of “energy bars” on the market. Each one boasts unique benefits and ingredients designed for pre-workout, post-workout, female, male, protein rich, fiber rich, gluten-free, sugar-free, vegan…the list is endless. If you look at the ingredients, sometimes there are all kinds of weird things in there to preserve it and hold it together.

This recipes is inspired by the rice bars in the FeedZone cookbook. After testing two flavors from this book, I realized the possibilities were endless.

Rice based bars are PERFECT for athletes because rice is very easy on the stomach and digests well during activity. It’s the right amount of simple carbs to give you the energy boost you need and they are easy to eat. I’m including recipes for both sweet and savory bars (something you rarely find).

Bacon & Egg Rice Bars

• 2 cups uncooked calrose rice (sticky rice)
• 4 eggs
• 8 oz bacon (or turkey bacon or sausage)
• soy sauce or liquid amino acids (to taste)
• brown sugar or maple syrup (to taste)

Cook rice according to package directions. Cook bacon until crispy. Scramble eggs in bacon pan (grease removed) until firm. Mix eggs, rice, bacon together in rice pot. Add soy sauce and brown sugar to taste. Press into a foil lined 9x9 pan and refrigerate until firm. Cut into manageable bars to your liking. Wrap individually in foil lined with parchment. Store in fridge for up to 4 days.



Raisin & Almond Rice Bars

• 2 cups uncooked calrose rice (sticky rice)
• 1 cup raisins (or any other dried fruit of your liking)
• 1/2 almonds (or any other nut of your liking)
• honey (to taste)
• brown sugar or maple syrup (to taste)

Cook rice according to package directions. Mix fruit, nuts, and rice together in rice pot. Add honey and brown sugar to taste. Press into a foil lined 9x9 pan and refrigerate until firm. Cut into manageable bars to your liking. Wrap individually in foil lined with parchment. Store in fridge for up to 4 days.

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