I'm Pretty Lucky

If you read my last post I was a little burnt out with the workouts and the workout encourager.  So I spoke with boyfriend on Friday night and told him how I felt.  I gotta say I feel a little bad for airing out my frustrations in the blogosphere.

My sweet, handsome man of a man bought me a massage on Saturday.  He also didn't want me to do anything around the house that day (but I just had to do laundry).  How lucky am I?

Now I just have to figure out something dang on special to do for him for Valentine's Day.  Survivor is on February 15th and that is he and his families' favorite show.   Should I go cheesy and do it themed around that? 

Ideas?

Dirty Laundry

Normally I don't like to air my ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ out in public but I'm sure others have felt this way when they are training for an Ironman with their significant other.

Pooped. 

Now, now, I accept the responsibility for creating a very tough training schedule that my boyfriend, his best friend, my friend the Bad-#-s-s, and maybe a few others follow.  Actually I didn't create it.  Joel Friel created it and put it on Training Peaks to follow- but I distribute it. 

It's just that the day after the 1/2 marathon I did a gym workout.  Then Tuesday I hit the pool and did a rolling hills 7 mile run.  Then Wednesday I hit the pool and did a hilly 6 mile trail run.  Yesterday I did a hilly bike ride.  My legs were toast.  There was no time to buy groceries, clean the house, aka recover.  So I'm a bit off kilter.

Poor boyfriend took a spill on the bike yesterday (aches and pains and road rash) so he got to sleep in today.  So when the alarm goes off and I delay getting up.... I hear... "well you might as well get it over with. Get up and workout." 

So, I promptly got myself out of bed, prepared myself under my favorite blanket in the living room and turned on the What If episode of "Grey's Anatomy".   Man I think I'm halfway back to homeostasis.

Then I broke the diet today by having Kix at work.  Delish! 

Sometimes the prodding just doesn't help.  Doesn't help.  I revert to solitary mode for peace and tranquility.  Now here's to hoping Meredith Webber healed me and I can return to my normal workouts this evening.  And boyfriend - no nagging if I don't.  (He doesn't read this anyway.)

Tinker Bell Half Marathon - Awesome!

First Race of 2012 - Disney Tinker Bell Half Marathon

Inaugural

If you ever wanted to do a race down at Disney... DO IT!  They are great because they are well organized (would you expect less?) and very fun.  This is the second race that I've done with thim and the expense is worth it.  You run through the parks and there are characters that you can stop and take pictures with as well of tons of support:

Cheerleaders - at least 5 teams that I can remember

Bands & Drill Teams - again at least 5

Red Hat Ladies - this group blew my mind... there were like 200 of them out there cheering for us.

Military

Hula Girls

Smiling Volunteers

I took a picture with Sulley and George Sanderson at the very end.  It cost me $35 from the photo service but it was so cute that I had to order it. 

My Tinker Bell's Pom-Pons (thanks to the fabulous Kate McCreary)



Soapbox for Swimming

No, no.  I don't mean pour some soap in the fountain to make it suds up and then go swimming in it.  I'm just gonna step myself up on my

and talk about triathletes and swimming. 

First of all I commend athletes who enjoy biking and running for getting into the sport.  It is awesome.  I myself am a fan of the swimming and running aspects and had quite a bit to learn about biking.  Actually, I still do if I'm perfectly honest with myself.  I still hate going fast on a down hill if there are lots of sharp turns.  BRAKE much?  Yes, yes I do.  I'll probably need to replace them yearly if not sooner. 

But swimming... swimming... swimming.... I thought myself to sleep about this the other night after working out with some friends.  Trying to figure out where the problem lays. 

What is the problem?  Pregunta?  Well whose responsibility is it to make sure that new swimmers to the sport learn the fundamentals of swimming?  NO I am not talking about stroke length, form, and cadence I am talking about triathletes who are afraid to stick their head in the water, afraid to be in a pool where they cannot touch the ground, afraid to turn themselves upside down, never learn to float, etc. 

Ttriathlons are dangerous for swimmers who cannot do this. 

• More often than not you will be swimming in a pack of athletes who are brutal right off the start.  People have swam over me, kicked me, punched me.  In fact, I have unintentionally swam over, kicked, and elbowed people myself.  (I'm sorry by the way.)  It is stressful and it will test you.  You need to be in control of your breathing.
• Unexpected waves will through you off in the middle of your swim.  You need to be in control of your breathing.
• Sometimes a wave will take you under.  You know how to be relaxed when you are flipped upside down.  I mean you try not to get in that position but nature is nature.
• In order to swim with correct form you need to learn how to float. Or maybe you get tired... another reason you should learn to float. 
• Lakes and oceans are deep.  If you are not comfortable in the deep end of the pool you probably aren't ready for the open water swims. 

I'm not trying to scare people but I do want to be real. 

Is it the coach/ teachers fault for not making the swimmer stick to basics?  Or is it the athletes fault for trying to skip steps?

Oh and sharks... what if you have to outswim a shark?  Haha... I'm just joking.  


Or am I?

Not so wordy Wednesday....

Giving credit to a important message about running and um (really must I say it, just look at the picture)... http://blog.attunefoods.com/2011/04/running-and-digestive-health/

I had my own bout of this during my 12 mile run- 6 miles in.  It was time to GO!  So, thank goodness for the kind people at the Home Depot by Dodger's Stadium.  The temporary workers outside must have wondered what the crazy eyed white girl was doing trying to enter their "hiring office" to see if there was a restroom.

I'm not usually this crass.  Sorry guys.

Keep in mind to watch your diets runners!

The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

Yes its a good movie or so I'm told because I've never seen it.  Yes it does have an awesome theme song. In fact, I used to have it as my ring tone for a while and I would always get compliments on it.  (One I remember specifically was the exec producer/ voice of Dr. Doof from Phineas and Ferb.  An awesome man to work for.)  Ok enough name dropping....

Why am I bringing it up in a blog post?
Because I'm back from my hiatus in the blogging world?
    No, no, it couldn't be that.  I don't have that many readers to begin with.
Because I met Clint Eastwood the other day?
    No, no, I'm not that cool.  Although I did watch Unforgiven this long weekend.  Side note: Unforgiven is an awesome film and only one of two Clint Eastwood films that I have seen (Gran Torino).  I guess I have some homework to do.  My boyfriend would probably make me do a marathon movie viewing if he knew. 

No wait a second it IS because I'm baaaaaack.  Cue theme song.


THE GOOD

• I've lost about 4-6 pounds since the training & nutrition plan has begun
• I kicked boyfriend out of the house and caught up with my girlfriends this weekend and it was a BLAST.  Thanks ladies!  Thanks bf!  Apples to Apples, the card game BS, and some failed attempts at Kinect-ing. 
• Ran 12 miles last weekend and was barely sore the next day.  Take that 12 miles!
• I burned most of my calories from fat last week (15.5 hours of training last week).  Take that fat!
• One of the talented actors I cast in one of upcoming films got rave reviews in the last screening.  Made my day!  (I knew he would be FANTASTIC.  I just love it when others realize it too.)
• Holidays were great.  Guess I never posted about that. 
• Boyfriend is lovely.  Everyone always asks so figured I'd say... yes he is adorable and awesome and I am a lucky girl.
• Booked flights for the big Ironman in June!

THE BAD

• I'm pretty sure I have a sinus infection that won't go away.  Major head paid when I move my head around. Ouch.
• I gained some the weight back from said girls night.  Even though I tried to stay healthy.  Ok... healthy-ISH.  Ok, I totally I went of the rails but I was back to it the next day.  Ok, the day after the next day....cough, cough. Today. 

THE UGLY

• Pinterest fail.   Oh the cauliflower crust pizza.  You see, I was TRYING to be healthy on Saturday and thought I'd make this fantastic looking healthy pizza. 

Yum!  Right?
So the recipe called to blend up the cauliflower in the food processor so that it turns into rice.  I prepped the cauliflower ahead of time so that when my guest had been there for about an hour I'd whip this baby up.  And then.... I forgot to make it because I was having so much fun.
About 2 hours into the night when anyone entered the fridge this HORRIBLE horrible smell would kill the party.  Needle scratching record.  "What is that smell?!"  And I explain and apologize and go about playing more games and I continue to forget and the night ends. 


Next day Wow, it was likely a baby's diaper gone wrong throughout the entire house.  I could not even open up the fridge without wanting to gag.  Boyfriend to the rescue!  He saved the day.  Now our garbage smells. 


WORD TO THE WISE.... make the cauliflower crust immediately after chopping up the fresh cauliflower that you just bought from the store and save your life.  And maybe your relationship.


Recipe:


Cauliflower Pizza Crust
1 cup cooked, riced cauliflower
1 egg
1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
spices, optional


Preheat oven to 450 F. Spray a cookie sheet or pizza pan with non-stick spray. In a medium bowl, combine cauliflower, egg and mozzarella. Press evenly on the pan. Sprinkle spices such as fennel, oregano, parsley, and/or garlic powder on top.


Bake at 450 degrees for 12-15 minutes (15-20 minutes if you double the recipe). Remove the pan from the oven. To the crust, add sauce, then toppings and cheese. Place under a broiler at high heat just until cheese is melted.


Pizza crusts can be frozen after the initial baking and used later. Can be doubled for a larger pizza.


Makes 4, 1-slice servings.


Carbs per serving: about 2 g

 

Butternut Squash Soup - Must Share!

Sorry I've left you all without a post in a while.  The workouts have been going pretty well... we are on to week three and going strong.  The nutrition plan has been pretty difficult the past week - holiday drinks, work bake-offs, and yummy goody gifts galore. 

So far I haven't lost any weight (or gained any weight) but I've gained muscle and lost body fat percentage. 

In other news...

If this recipe was on Pinterest I could have marked it down as one that I have completed.  I may have to pin this recipe myself.  I found it on Tasting Table and it is SUPER delicious.  You guys have to try it.

Workout Song of the Day: "Hide U" by Kosheen (an oldie but a goodie)