Tuesday, September 9, 2014

The Weekly Chase v 25.0 - Blog post #100!

Fall is right around the corner (thank goodness!) and we are finally getting some cooler temps in Texas (at least that is what TV weathermen have promised!).


Marathon training is plugging along despite the fact that I miscalculated the number of weeks of my
plan and found myself 2 weeks behind. I may not be *quite* fully prepared for that first full,even
though I have some big goals for that one, but it will definitely be a good warm up for the other 5 I have planned.

Last week I managed to get in a good speed workout, 8 mile tempo run, my 15 mile long run AND a bonus easy run with my little last week. A grand total of 31 miles – a number that hasn’t been seen since early spring!

My 15 miler felt pretty good although I've had some nagging belly pain all week. I missed my long run
with my MRTT girls because of it and the long run seemed so lonely without them! I won’t let that
happen again (I hope!).

This week brings the same routine; tempo, speed and long run, but I need to get it all in before the
weekend due to an exciting commitment I have in Austin this weekend (more on that next week). I am
sad to miss out on a couple of birthday celebrations due to it, but I have wanted to do this weekend for a L O N G time and I feel lucky to have gotten in on it (I signed up months ago!)!

I’m still keeping up with my barre workouts and am now just *17* away from that 100 milestone! I feel like it compliments my running so well, especially since it is *so* low impact and offers a great deal of core strength to my run. I also love that I have some serious biceps – all thanks to just 3-5lb weighs (proof you don’t have to lift heavy to get noticeable muscle definition).

I have NO doubt about this.

I’m also baking my favorite 'Marry Me' cookies for Louis’ school for a teacher appreciation ‘milk and cookie bar’....hopefully this rascal won’t eat them all again (last time he not only ate the cookies, but the plastic bags as well!).


So that’s my week...

What are you training for right now?

Don’t forget to enter the AMRAP bar giveaway! It closes tonight!

Thursday, September 4, 2014

The Friday Five - Randoms

This week's topic for the Friday Five link up with the DC trifecta, Courtney @Eat, Pray, Run DC, Mar @ Mar on the Run and Cynthia @You Signed Up For What? was Race Day Rituals.  My rituals aren't really rituals, they are randoms.  I am usually the one running to the starting line before the gun because I am so unorganized and always late, so I didn't think that'd be a good topic for me to report on....so I'm just going to give you some fun randoms from my week.

#1

It was Ryan's (my fiancee) birthday on Monday!  He had been in Montana all weekend for a wedding so I had some time on my hands.  I was sad that I couldn't go, but I had zilch for time off left after all the traveling we did this summer, so I threw myself into a surprise birthday project for him.


He spends a lot of time in his home office, working hard, often burning the midnight oil, so I figured he deserved a much cozier space.  I really wish I had taken a before shot here, because it was sad.  Pale yellow on the walls, no decor, a pink curtain still hanging from the girl's bedroom it once was.  It got a revamp.  It turned out gorgeous. He loves it.


#2

A mid week run/bike ride with my little love.  It kind of turned into a really fun moonlight run/ride.  I love taking him out with me.  We talk.  A lot.


#3

This week marked the start of a new class for me.  Health Assessment.  Hold your excitement!  Only TWO classes left until I can start the *real* work....a long year of clinicals.  So, if you happen to know a physician or nurse practitioner in the DFW area who would love to precept a student, let me know!  My clinical ap is due in December....yikes!


#4

These ladies.


I'm not sure how I would have suffered through the hot and hilly 14 mile run I did on Sunday alone.  I think we all helped each other get through that one.  It also included cupcakes (of course!) and a pet rescue.

Pet rescue: long story short - don't leave your pets locked in your car in the heat!  Cracking the window one inch and leaving a small bowl of water does little good.  Trust me, I will call the cops or break the window if it's *really* hot.  Luckily, the police and the city animal control officer showed up just in time for the owners to return to their car.  Who takes a dog to a park and leaves it in the car?!


#5

I'm hosting my blog's first giveaway over here.  I'm giving away three boxes of the winner's choice of refueling bars.  They are *really* good.  You should definitely go enter.


So...tell me something random about your week!


Wednesday, September 3, 2014

Another First....A Giveaway!!

AMRAP Nutrition is introducing a new, awesome, nutrient dense refueling bar this week and I was lucky enough to be part of their launch!


I am always looking for ways to get protein, especially after I run, as I don't always have the time to cook a meal and protein shakes can get old fast. I could also see using these to fuel before my workout as they all contain unsweetened coconut, which has been shown to be a great source of quick, available energy and boost metabolism as well. I also love that ALL of the bars are a good source of iron, ranging between 8-15% of the RDA per bar.

Originally geared toward the Crossfit Paleo lifestyle, AMRAP has developed a refueling bar that is loaded with nutrients; protein to help repair and build muscles and good fats for energy, while meeting the needs of a clean diet.  No fillers, no ingredients you can't pronounce or don't recognize, just 7-8 real food ingredients such as egg whites, honey, unsweetened coconut and a variety of nuts and nut butters.

From AMRAP:

Through determination, intensity, and focus, we aim to inspire and empower our community to reach their full potential. Together we will change the world.

Mission
AMRAP (As Many Rounds As Possible) describes our company. Our philosophy is simple: produce high quality products, never use preservatives or artificial sweeteners, promote the paleo diet and live a healthy lifestyle.
Company Overview
If you can't grow, gather or kill it you won't find it in our products. We use only high quality, clean, delicious ingredients that will heal, fuel or recover your human machine!

Your expectations are very high, and we hope to rise above and beyond them.
Even though they were designed with the Crossfit athlete in mind, these are perfect for any after workout activity, especially running.  While they are not as high in protein as some of the other well known protein bars, they still deliver between 12-15g of protein a bar.  BUT, they are filling and they have no hints of that fake sweetness I've tasted with other bars.  I tried a Quest bar last week and couldn't finish it (or even get halfway through it) because of the "fake" sugar taste it left on my palate.  This is what AMRAP bars leave out...they are naturally sweet, no unnatural/faux sugar needed.  The honey and unsweetened coconut add plenty of sweetness to the bars.

AMRAP bars come in three flavors:

Cashew & Vanilla



Fig & Cacao



Almond & Honey



My favorite was definitely the Almond & Honey; it was the first bar I tried.  I am not a huge fan of foods with nuts, but honestly, this was *really* good.  I was a little hesitant because of the fat content of this particular bar, as they other two have significant;y less fat, but reminded myself it was "good" fat.   Cashew & Vanilla was a close second.  I didn't care for the Fig & Cacao as much compared to the other two, but it was still tasty.



So....here's your chance to win some of these awesome, brand new to the market, refueling bars.  AMRAP has given me the opportunity to give away THREE boxes (8 bars each) of the winner's choice in flavor!

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Beginning today, September 4th, Thursday Sept 4th, AMRAP is offering, for a limited time, the chance for customers to pre­order a 12­count variety pack of the new AMRAP BARS for $45. Place your
order on the website, www.amrapnutrition.com.