Update!

Alright, so... I SUCK at doing this blog thing. I keep promising that I am going to keep up with it, but as we have seen, my last post was in July. Epic fail. So - I am not going to promise that I will update daily or weekly, but I will promise to make a better effort to post cool things and recipes on here.

Post race - sitting down because I
can't walk

So, last weekend, I ran my FIRST half marathon!! I never thought I could do it. If you have looked at the 'My Struggle' tab, you will know that I have struggled with my weight for most of my life. I finally got in control and lost 50 lbs (and have kept it off!) about 3 years ago. While I was losing my weight, a friend from college suggested to me that I run the Broad Street Run. At that point, I couldn't run a mile straight. This was a TEN miler. For whatever reason, I guess I just believed in myself, I accepted the challenge and signed up. I stuck to a training program and got my runs in pretty religiously. It came to race day and I ran 6 miles straight but then had some crazy
hip pain. I stopped and stretched a bunch of times. I finished the race - doing a lot of walking - sat down and couldn't get up to walk. I had to be taken by ambulance to the hospital, because I couldn't walk to get to the car which was a mile away, where they said I probably just pulled my hip flexor. It turns out the bones were inflamed and I had a pre-stress fracture.

It took a long time to heal - crutches and rest - but it healed up and I  was slowly able to run again. So, I decided to try about Broad Street again for 2013. I signed up with the American Cancer Society DetermiNation group. I raised $500 for the ACS and secured my spot for the run. I ran a bit faster than the previous year, since I wasn't injured!, but not as fast as I would have liked. I did slack off on my training a bit because I was scared of another injury. But I made it through and my fiancé ran the last 2.5 miles with me! How sweet is that!


This year, I decided to run the Nike Women's Half in D.C. I had never even thought I could run a half marathon, but I figured what's an extra 3.1 miles further than Broad Street? I was nervous, but that Tiffany's necklace that was promised at the finish line was a HUGE motivation! So, I signed up and began training. I work with little kids all day, so of course I got sick like 3 times and had some delays with my training. I also had some problems with shin splints (that I remedied by pre-run stretches, ice baths, and strengthening my hips and leg muscles) that messed with my training. So when it came to raceway, I was SUPER nervous. I was nervous that I was going to get injured. I was nervous I wouldn't finish. I was just nervous. I only knew a few people running, but I wasn't close with these people, so I didn't contact them to meet up before the race.

Alan and I at the Expo

EXCEPT for 2 beautiful crazy ladies that I met on instagram. Now, some of you may think it's crazy, but ever since I created my healthy insta to post about my accomplishments and all my foooood, I have realized how AWESOME the FitFam community is. There are soooo many people on there of all different abilities and backgrounds and they are all SO super supportive of people wanting to lead a healthier lifestyle! So, after Alan and I went to the expo, we ran (read: drove) over to Arlington National Cemetery to pay respects to my grandfather and late grandmother. It was a super emotional time there, but I am glad we went. We had dinner plans with my girls from IG Nathaly and Denise in Georgetown. We had never met before in person, but it was like we had been friends forever. We all had the same sense of humor and were just laughing and enjoying each others company throughout the whole dinner! Denise was running the half the next day and Nathaly was being an awesome friend and supporting, just like my fiancé.

Running towards Arlington
National Cemetery

Running over the bridge
back to the Lincoln Memorial

So race day finally came and I was about to crap my pants because I was so nervous. My fiancé and I had utilized the code that Nike provided us with and a code from my friend to take UBER from her apartment to the race. Let me tell you - that was SO much easier than taking a crowded metro into the city at that time. AND because of using 2 $10 codes, we only had to pay a little more than ONE dollar! WINNING. (Ps - if you use Uber and need a code: cwj0k and get $10 off!). I stood at the start line for what seemed like FOREVER, then it was finally go time. I waved goodbye to my fiancé and started running. The first 7 miles were pretty easy - we passed the Capitol building, the White House, GW University, Watergate, Arlington National Cemetery, The Vietnam Memorial, The Lincoln Memorial (you can view the course map here).. SO many cool things. It was around mile 8 when we were running by the East Potomac Golf Course where things got really hard. There were't any cheering sections and there wasn't much to look at besides water. I walked a lot here, I think I was getting a little discouraged. I got a second wind around mile 10 after seeing that we were almost there (It was a 5k with a 10 mile warm up!! haha)! But that second wind got overpowered by pain in my glutes around mile 11. I was getting nervous I may not finish because I was scared that the pain meant injury. I told myself no matter WHAT, you've run farther than ever at this point, you can be proud of that - and I was, but I kept pushing. It was around mile 12 where I got my final wind - we were running back through the 9th street tunnel (we had run through it at mile 2) and I saw the wall we had signed at the expo and the "WE RUN" sign and it just made me so happy and helped me push through. When we got out of the tunnel, there was a HUUUUUUGE screen that was flashing our names and giving us that final excitement. I tried to get a picture but the names were going SO fast that I couldn't. As I came around and hit mile 13, I SPRINTED to the finish and crossed the line at 2:37:38. I was hoping for a 2:30 finish, but I will take it all things considered. Don't worry, I will conquer and BEAT that time!!

Mile 10.5 beauty

WE RUN at mile 12.5

My FIRST little blue box!

I DID IT!!!

Alan and I post race

My Girls post race

Tiffany & Co. Bling!!!

Peace, Love, and Happiness. xo

Slacking!

Hey guys (whoever actually reads this...)! I have not been posting a lot lately. I've been in a funk - most likely weather related - and have not really felt like I've made much progress with my fitness lately. I've been teaching my Spinning classes 2-3 times a week. I love teaching classes! I feel the pressure to make sure I push myself my hardest to set a good example for the people that show up.

Lately I've been trying to lift weights more. I think that lifting has produced some results, but it's been slow going. I haven't seen much progress with my weight, but at some point, the numbers matter less and the physical changes are more important. Though I am trying SO hard to stop weighing myself everyday and relying on that number to set my mood for the rest of the day, it's hard. Everyone has been telling me I look like I've lost a lot of weight recently, so even though I may not see it, others are, so I guess I am doing something right. I suppose slow and steady wins the race.

It's also around that time where I have started my training for the Broad Street Run! I am determined not to get hurt this year, so I have been very careful with my training. It's been a delicate balance with also teaching about 3 Spinning classes each week and having 3 running days, but I am managing so far.

Lately, I have been focusing on eating clean. Just cutting out processed foods and focusing on homemade and whole foods. It's been a bit of a challenge, but I am really doing my best. Here are some of my favorite products that are considered clean and help me get through my days.

Quest Bars:

Quest bars are all natural, high protein, low carb, gluten free protein bars. Some of the flavors are ABSOLUTELY delicious: chocolate chip cookie dough, cinnamon roll, apple pie, and the peanut butter cups. I have not had all of the flavors, but the ones I had were awesome. They are a little chewy and dense, but if you heat them up for about 15 seconds, they're softer and even more delicious. Each bar has 20-21 grams of protein and between 3-6 active carbs (meaning they have a lot of fiber that 'cancels out' some of the carbs - very scientific wording, I know..). *If you use the code 'SAMPLE' when you order, they will send you an extra bar for free as well as ship your order for free!*

Peanut Flour:

Peanut flour is defattened, ground up peanuts. I have an ADDICTION to peanut butter, so this is my go to option for the next best thing. Similar to PB2 but without the added salt and sugar. I mix 2 Tbsp of the peanut flour, 1 Tbsp water, a dash of salt, and a few drops of Stevia and spread it on one slice of bread to take for lunch. I also use it in smoothies. It can be used to thicken soups, in baked goods, or for coating meats for dishes like Pad Thai. In 1/2 cup (4 Tbsp) there is 110 calories, 4 g fat, and 16 g protein. Even though it doesn't specifically taste like peanut butter (especially the processed plastic butter that almost everyone eats like JIF and Skippy), it is enough to satisfy my cravings! If you click the picture of the peanut flour, it will take you to the website iHerb.com. *Use the code 'MMM553' to get yourself - as a first time customer - $5 off any purchase under $40 and $10 off any purchase over $40. I will also get rewarded for you using the code, so spread the love!*

Little side note: 

Make sure you check your labels. Jif (and many other peanut butters, not to mention things like cool whip..) contain hydrogenated oils. They're terrible for you. I'm not getting into it, but you can read up on it here if you would like.) Look for organic peanut butters that contain ONLY peanuts (and probably a tiny bit of salt, but avoid it if you can). Just check out the ingredients in the pictures below and decide what YOU want to put in your body. You really are what you eat.

Protein Powders:

 

I really struggle with protein powders. I really HATE whey protein. I think it's very gritty and has a weird taste. So, lately I have been using Jay Robb egg white protein - strawberry flavored. It's pretty delicious and mixes well with shakes and is a great supplement to an PWO meal (post workout meal). I would not recommend baking with it, it turns out pretty rubbery. Per scoop, there are: 120 calories, 0 g fat, 4 g carbs, and 24 g protein. Can't beat that! Click on the picture to check out the website!

I also just tried About Time Whey Protein. It is made of whey protein isolates, so it's not as gritty and it is absorbed quicker especially PWO. I have only tried the chocolate flavor, and it was pretty darn good. I mixed it with almond milk and the peanut butter flour previously mentioned and had one kickass protein smoothie. They have a bunch of different flavors and they're all clean!! The nutrition for these are: 105 calories, 0 fat, 0 carbs, and about 25 g of protein. Check them out by clicking on the picture. *if you use the code "BEAN" you will get 25% off your order!* Check out their trial packs - you can get 2 for $3.99 or if you use the code 2 for $2.99. For trying out a new product, you can't be mad about that!!

I am going to try to start posting more, especially since I've had people coming to me to ask questions. If you have anything specific you would like me to post about, leave me a comment!! :) 

Peace, Love, and Happiness. xo

Zombie Run

A few months ago, Alan, my boyfriend, had told me that he wanted to do a Tough Mudder with me. I couldn't believe those words came out of his mouth! He had recently become inspired (not because I was on his butt about being healthier or anything...) to work out and start eating a bit better, and wanted to see how much he could push himself. This would be an ultimate test; a test we would endure together. If we could make it through this, we could make it through anything.

Despite it looking like hell on earth, I decided that would be an awesome adventure to accomplish together. In theory it was great, but reality told a different story. He's recently been in and out of the hospital a few times (he's okay now!) and with my recent hip injury, we decided to save it for another time when we are on top of our game - maybe next year?

Instead, on October 27, we are going to do the Zombie infested 5k obstacle course. It's still an obstacle course, just a little more on our level right now. We just registered and are heading down to Darlington, Maryland to RUN FOR OUR LIIIIIIIIVESSSSS! Should be a dirty, good time! Check it out, give it a shot, let me know if you'll be in Maryland that day... :)

Let's just hope that these bones of mine can handle training this summer...

Peace, Love, and Happiness xo