Dear running group

Dear running group-
I bet you miss me, I miss you guys!
I have been in a bit of limbo lately with my training first with packing up, then visiting SLC and fam, and finally D.C training has been a bit scattered but i have been able to get out to run. That is the best part of running  you can just throw your shoes (or feet) on and go. I ran with one of my most very favorite running partners in the whole world, my mom. We ran twice one 5 miler ish and one 4.5 ish, we even got in some strength training at the gym. It felt so good to be running at home with the Wasatch looming lovely and majestic. I also went to one spin class while in Utah which wasn't my favorite class, husband loved it, but it was good to get some sit time on the bike.

Mom and I before our run, isn't she beautiful

1. 

We flew in on our anniversary so husband planned a night out in the country at a Bed and breakfast in Virginia. I wrote a bit about it and will post later, so charming. Friday morning we drove to D.C to stay with husbands sister Jjana and her husband Cliff (this is one of those confusing, husband sister uncle neighbor moments). They are super sweet to let us crash in the middle of their busy lives. We will be settling in our apartment next Tuesday ish. Seems like ish is becoming too much a part of my vocab lately, maybe it is because my life is sort of one big ish. we are moving here ish? we are training for races ish, I eat healthy ish (four cookies later), we live in California ish,  I work here ish...


When we got in on Friday to D.C Jjana, husband and I went for a run. They live right in Capital hill area so we ran to the capital ran down the mall to the Washington monument and back. Just like one of those end of the world movies as we were running back a thick dark cloud started to descend over the monuments and the wind began swirling up dust and water from the Washington Monument rushing toward the capital. The clouds were amazingly rich and black moving quickly towards us we started to run faster because we knew we were going to get drenched. In dramatic fashion the wind picked up and a giant branch fell off a tree right onto the sidewalk, no one was hurt but it definitely matched the scene of it all. Then the rain came from all sides hard and fast, we were laughing so hard as we ran back up Independence Ave back to the apartment. By the time we got home we were soaked. So fun, I love the adrenaline matched with running in the rain, feels like a survivor game.
Run- 4 miles? with 50 push ups and some bench dips before the storm scared us off.

Then Saturday morning I thought of my ladies as I ran 9.2 miles around D.C as they were probably running at exactly the same time around our favorite reservoir run in Los Gatos.
My route I ran down Independence Ave to the national mall ran past the capital, the Washington monument, stopped at Lincoln said my thanks, ran left on the path along the water front across the 14th street bridge ran along the water on the Virgina side back across the Memorial Bridge past Lincoln, Washington, Capital and back home.
Best moment on my run was when I stopped at the Lincoln monument for a breather and a old biker guy with a long gray beard, sweet leather jacket (in 85 degrees?) asked me in a gentle voice,
 "are you ok honey?"
 I didn't think I looked that bad and not sure if he wanted to talk about the serious inner leg chaffing I was dealing with only two miles into it all. But hey maybe I should of mentioned it perhaps he rides around on his hog with some Vaseline just in case lonely big legged runners are in need. I just responded,
"oh yeah I am doing great"
Not as sticky and humid as I thought it was going to be. Oh no! i started writing about weather, time to end the post.

inspired by the bikers who are riding in the freedom ride this weekend, I am sporting my half stretch half check out my guns look. but really this photo just makes me think that I need a new sports bra.
oh crap now you are all looking at my  boobs. 

catch up

some of the sweet treats I participated in over the weekend

I am sitting on my carpet in all my mess of packing and cleaning and finding the great distraction in blogging. Also I smell a skunk, our kitchen window is open and we have a skunk friend who has run in's with the local cats. occasionally I will hear a crazy cat noise, a sign of some sort of a animal scuffle.
I ate way too much sweets and processed junk the last few days (ok, maybe weeks) and am super excited at the prospect of reeling it in. I need a serious food makeover. It has been a good day to feel the head ache, the bloat, and the lack of energy. it brings me back to my love of healthy eats.
I would like to set up some goals/game plan for my time in D.C, I don't want a repeat of last summer (china + 10lbs). I also need to get my head on for the travel we have coming up. San Jose to Salt Lake City for three days then to D.C for the summer. blah just feel so crappy.
Oh I almost forgot! We went to Chez Pannise in Berkeley this weekend, oh what a dream. I will have to post all about it- ah mazing.
here we are at chez pannise

Quick Training catch up of the last few days, For Friday I biked to the gym- forty minutes distance ?
got to the gym early so jumped on spin bike for 20 minutes did intervals

1 hour pilates reformer class, and then biked home- the shorter route because of I knew I was running longer on saturday.

Saturday- 12.3 mile run around the reservoir with husband, Jen (birthday girl), and Kathryn. Last running group hurrah before we are D.C bound for the summer. Felt great. my muscles were sore from body pump and this weeks training, but once I warmed up it was good.
Sunday- day off!

after our 30 mile ride on Thursday. i look like a ghost with my SPF 70

green smoothie

post workout recovery
-coconut water
-frozen banana
-strawberries
-head of romaine
-splash of almond milk
-ice
Blend together in your trusty blender

I am totally taking the vita mix with me on the plane to D.C.

todays workout-
- 9am body pump class
-35 minute interval speed work on treadmill
5 minute warm up
1 minute sprint
1 minute recovery
repeat that three times

2 minute sprint
1 minute recovery
repeat that three times

repeat both sets twice.

rested and then road an easy 30 mile bike ride with husband.
long day!

loser, oven timing, tummy pain, and to do's

love biggest loser so addicting. this group has had insane results and i find myself starting to get competitive with them. sometimes I want there to be a biggest loser ranch for those of us who only have ten pounds to go. or whatever really I just want to go to a place where all i do is workout and play fun obstacle course like games. and maybe throw in a spa treatment here and there.

Cooking tip for the day! never make a dinner where all your dishes revolve around the oven. An obvious right?... you would think after Culinary school, cooking many a dinner for people I wouldn't do this to myself.
I did it tonight, I was cooking dinner for five people not really a large group or a fancy occasion but every time I feed people I just feel this need/urge to make it nice, even though the eaters of this dinner probably had no concept of how good it really was. husband gets it. that is always nice.
I made very healthy dishes a kale salad, roasted sweet potato, tri tip roast (wow I know my first solo beef cooking experience). and chocolate dipped strawberries for dessert.
 but I always tend to overeat, I need to stop getting myself to that uncomfortable point of I am going to burst. It kinda ruins the meal, but i just keep doing it. any solutions universe?

workout today-
6 mile run in the morning with Jen, relaxed run on creek trail. took an hour or something. I didn't pay attention to pace just enjoyed being out with a friend.

Strength- I heart kettle bells! 45 minute circuit.
kettle bell one arm swing, kettle bell wide squat with shoulder raise thing,  pushups, lunges with curls and shoulder press, bicep curls,  up down planks on bosu ball, pull up machine, bench dips, and quad extension machine.
rotated through these exercises with some order. hit most of them for three sets. felt pretty bad ass.

Guess what is still on my to do list...
*laundry
that is for tomorrow. but hey I haven't missed any workouts.
tomorrow training- sprint/ speed work on treadmill and body pump  in the morning. A long bike ride with husband in the afternoon.

these have been the most boring posts ever and really kinda terrible writing. but there is a sort of liberating feeling that I am not writing for anyone but myself.
p.s going to Chez Panisse for dinner on Friday!!! Anniversary/birthday/  I saved up the money and we are going.
ugh my tummy hurts, that will teach me to overeat on chocolate covered strawberries.

conscious eater

this was the moment today after my two workouts when I was pushing it on energy, so hungry!
i was craving some of this

seed topped oat and amaranth bread i made a while back for friends

But instead I made salad, lame. If only baked goods made themselves. 

 todays workout
-Planned on a bike ride outside but too rainy so at 10:15 am 1 hour spin class heart rate range 65% to 85% with an average of 75%, tough class I felt strong but wished i could have been outside
- after I met husband at the pool for a swim outside in the cold pool, he forgot his suit so I was on my own. Jumped in noticed a little team or group doing a workout written on a white board. I felt too lazy to create my own practice so I stole theirs. Felt great I love how quiet swimming is, some of the best alone time.
2,200 yards roughly 40 to 45 minutes

I have been reading more lately about Paleo diets, and I hesitate to say the word "diet" because those suck. but really more so a shift or change in what I usually eat.  kinda a major shift actually because of the little detail  around increasing my protein and not eating as much grain. not sure what i think...
The last few years I have been eating a mostly vegetarian/vegan diet. But haven't totally claimed or identified with those labels because who wants to be put in a box. Sometimes I call myself a conscious eater. or maybe a Michael Pollanite if there is such a thing.
With my  recent reading and exploration I have discovered  vegan, raw, paleo whatever it may be all stress real food, whole food sources, staying away from processed food and eating vegetables. In all my confusion I had some broccoli tonight and figured that should keep everyone happy.

Tomorrow goals/schedule
-730 am wake up, pick recipes and make grocery list.
-9-10 am run with group in the morning
- yoga or weight train. 11-12 gentle yoga or 12-1 foundations. or gym time
-clean up house, laundry, continue packing,
-make dinner 6pm

both of these photos look ridiculous

I am having one of those post exercise chocolate moments. of course, rather than make a nice healthy dinner with the veggies I have in the fridge. I am using chocolate chips as a spoon for almond butter. yes that is dinner tonight. don't judge me. Of course in these photos I had prepared a nice healthy sushi hand roll but right now it is chocolate, you can't always be prepared. 

ok lid is on the almond butter I am taking control. 

todays workout: 9am- 6 mile run on Los Gatos Creek trail

                          6pm- spin class, the rain prevented a much desired ride outside

                         strength work- after spinning did sets of lunges, push ups, squats

                         and random machines then got bored and left. was distracted by

                         the new Oprah episode waiting at home on Tivo, oh and the chocolate. 

So many things to do before we leave for D.C in a week. Blah blah blah. 

I rented Love and Other Drugs from red box my plan is to throw it in and get to work on cleaning and packing. I have this strange attachment to having movies playing while I do housework, I never actually sit down and watch them but just to have something making noise at me. Occasionally I will get all smart and put on a good NPR program or podcast but the movie thing is soothing to me. Reminds me of my mother, when I was little she would say, 

"go pick out a good movie for us while we get this done"

I would sit my little legs in front of "uncle buck" or "the burbs" and fold big amounts of laundry.  maybe she was using it as a motivator to get us kids to help out around the house with cooking or cleaning. 

nonetheless I am sticking with this motivator.

goals for tomorrow

-laundry

-go through old clothes create goodwill piles

-set aside clothes for the summer

-bike and swim 

-eat veggies

p.s a few weeks ago I took photos of myself in sports bra and shorts and plastered them around the house to get motivated around taking my healthy eating up a notch, the plan was to give it a real solid few months of increased strength training and really clean eating then taking new photos and comparing to see if it made any difference in toning me up. 

the pictures are in the kitchen and bathroom and are intended to remind me of my goals and motivate me but really all i do when i see them is think, "he you, you look good" as I reach for the chocolate. not working