The Pressure I Put On Myself

Yesterday late afternoon I started feeling REALLY tired. Like to my bones fatigued (I blame the lady cycle I'm on). I contacted my buddy "J" who runs the morning track workouts (he's awesome and is trying to help me PR on my race this weekend) to let him know I might not be there. Being the cool coach that he is, he reminded me that rest is good and that I need this fatigue crap gone before Saturday. I went to bed feeling guilty that I wasn't going to make my workout, feeling like I'd let my fellow runners down and hoping I'd wake up rested/raring to go. I'm sitting here in my PJs, at 750 am slugging coffee and most certainly can tell you that this miracle did NOT happen.

I've gotten it in my head that I HAVE to PR for this 5k. My current time to beat is 22:50. I have no clue how I ran my last 5k that fast. Seriously. I've started to put pressure on myself in a way that I'm notorious for. **sigh** The idea of racing is no longer fun at this point. WHY do I do this to myself? I've got no clue. It's not like I'm going to lose sponsorship from Nike! It's not like my friends and family will respect me any less. I'm still fast. I'm still fantastic. So, I'm going to take a rest today and stop freaking out about this damn race. I'm going to allow myself to focus on other things like grocery shopping and just not worry about it. I'm lifting tomorrow, resting on Friday (getting my hair cut whoooo!) and Saturday whatever happens will happen. :) My money for this entry goes towards a great cause and that's what matters. If I cross that finish line with a PR then hot diggity damn! If not then I'll shrug, say oh well and take my happy ass to the farmers market with my fellas. :) 

I came across this post on facebook this morning. Have you checked out her page? It's awesome. The most recent post hit home for me. 

https://www.facebook.com/womenarehungry

Whole 30 Day 23

Today's workout was--
KB goblet squat ass to the grass on a VERY low step bench 3 x 10
Sumo KB squats 3 x 10
supersets-
bench press 3x 20
1 arm KB row 3x15

supersets-
single leg RDL KB 3 x 15
elevated feet push ups 3 x 10


Core supersets
suitcase crunches 14, 14
hip raises 14, 14
suitcase crunches 14,14
hands over head crunches 14,14

Breakfast--Grain free hot cereal with almond butter stirred in, coffee and fruit

Made some date bites and "lara" bars so I had 2 dates and a few nuts along with mango slices for a snack.

Lunch--Chicken thighs, pork ribs, homemade bbq sauce, greens and sauteed yams followed by too many tastes and nibbles of the homemade bites I made earlier.

Dinner--Steak, sauteed peppers and zucchini "noodles" with tomatoes.

What I Spent On Food This Week 8/23-8/30

Grand total spent was $315.29 from Saturday to Saturday.

Keep in mind this week I haven't had to spend a bunch on meat as I stocked up recently at Costco and at the Savemart 5 for $25 sale.

Saturday 8/23--$54.26
Farmers Market Purchases-- Total of $32.50
Chocolate Bear Claw for the kid
2 Pluots
3 White Peaches
2 White Nectarines
1 Basket Strawberries
3 Organic Purple Peppers
3 Organic Zucchinis
1 Organic Cucumber
1 Head Organic Cabbage
1 Bunch Organic Carrots
Small Bag Organic Snap Peas
2 Baskets Organic Cherry Tomatoes
3 Bunches Yam Greens (1 for a friend, 2 for us)
1 Bunch Okra Greens
1 Canary Melon
1 Cantaloupe

Safeway Purchases -- $21.76
Acorn Squash
Mango
Odwalla OJ
Organic Asian Greens Salad Mix
Organic Half and Half Salad Mix
Tessemae's Southwestern Ranch Dressing and Marinade

Tuesday 8/26
Had a friend pick up some staples from Trader Joes for me. Total spent was $37.95
3 bags of organic dry roasted cashews
2 jars of salted almond butter

Wednesday 8/27 total spent $108.75
Safeway $101.08
Produce Stand $7.67

1 bag Chicarrons (I know I know..hubby will die if he can't snack)
1 package Udi's GF bagels for the kid
2 packages lamb loins on sale
3 packages grass fed steaks on sale
1 package wild caught shrimp
4 bananas
2 oranges
1 bunch organic broccoli
1 bunch asparagus
1 package sweet taters precut
1 young coconut
1 pack ready pac snacks for the kid at tonight's Ports game
1 package organic salad mix
1 package organic heirloom tomatoes
Tessamae's Lemon dressing
1 package organic basil
Raspberries
Organic Strawberries
Organic sliced apples for the kid's lunchbox
3 boxes organic milk for the kid's lunchbox
1 Butternut squash
5 Nectarines
2 Pluots
Ginger
Fuji apple
3 Asian pears

Friday 8/29 Spent $81.33 total No pic...sorry.
Savemart- $12.67
Costco- $68.66
1 Mango
2 Avocados
1 Bag onions
1 Sqaghetti Squash
1 Bag trail mix on close out
1 1.78 lb piece Wild Coho salmon
1 Can macadamias
1 Pineapple
1 Container organic blackberries
1 Pack (4 packages) of Chicken Apple sausage
1 Case (4 cartons) Organic coconut water
1 Package Medjool dates



Saturday 8/30 Spent $33 total
Coffee shop- $6
Farmers market- $27
2 cups of coffee
1 iced tea for the kid
4 Bunches yam greens
1 Bunch Chinese Watercress
3 Organic Zucchini
1 Organic Cucumber
1 Organic Heirloom tomato
1 Basket Cherry tomatoes
2 Melons
1 Organic Bunch purple carrots
4 Organic Bell peppers
2 Gala apples
2 Pluots
2 White peaches
3 White nectarines

That's The Way The Energy Bites Crumble

I ate the last of the date bites last night. This made me sad so I decided today I'd fix that and also try a few new recipes in the process. We love Lara bars...they are NOT the cheapest snack so I thought I'd try my hand at making a homemade version as well.

I tried this recipe--
http://taylorrmade.wordpress.com/2013/04/18/homemade-paleo-larabar-bites/
I used part pistachio butter and part almond butter in place of the sunflower seed butter. I also added in a few extra dates and a bit more water to get them to stick together properly. Very tasty end result and I think they'll be great pre-run bites on my way out the door!



This one---
http://www.ourfamilyeats.com/2012/04/homemade-chocolate-lara-bars-recipe/
I used half almonds and half walnuts. I tried to put them in muffin tins to harden but they just fell apart so I had to scrape them all back into a bowl, add water THEN roll them into bites. Add water when you make them. Trust me. Super tasty...like brownie batter but with crunchy nuts.



And a homemade coconut cashew cream pie Lara bar--
1/2 cup almonds
1/2 cup cashews
1 cup pitted medjool dates
1 cup shredded coconut
2 T coconut oil
Mix together in food processor and press into pan. Put in fridge to harden.

Mine crumbled a bit when I went to cut them so I had a few that I had to just roll into balls. The rest I smashed down/shaped into bars then wrapped individually. We'll see how they turn out once they've frozen. They taste good at least! :)

The Abominable Abdominal Truth

I woke up this morning wiped the hell out. It's a lady cycle thing...some of y'all know what I'm talking about. If you don't then you are lucky and I hate you. I'd planned on hitting my old gym to lift but truthfully I was feeling so puny that I knew I'd only piss myself off SO I decided to workout at home. We have an extra bedroom that's the "home gym". It's a work in progress. I do have some dumbbells, kettle bells, medicine balls and such so I can give myself a nice butt kicking when needed. I'd thrown on a t-shirt to walk the kid to school so as soon as I walked in my spare room, I chucked it. I HATE sleeves when I'm working out.

Now, I need to tell y'all something important here, I don't do no shirt/bare belly. My stomach is the part of my body I hate the most. BUT I was feeling inspired to try something new and frankly was too lazy to go get a tank top. As soon as I started with my goblet squats and I looked in the mirror my eyes went straight to my rolls (yes, squats and rolls...NOT pretty!) and I went into panic mode. I stopped, took a few deep breaths, told myself to STFU and got my head straight. I stopped focusing on what I didn't like and started focusing on form. Then I started seeing things I DID like.

After that I got comfortable. So comfortable that I took a photo to share my abominable abdominal truth with you....this is me. This morning...post workout.

I'm not ripped, I'm a bit squishy in the middle...that's ok. I have a husband who loves every single inch of me and always has, even when there was an extra 40 pounds of mush there. I'm fortunate. I carried a GIANT baby in my belly and was cut open to get him out when my body wasn't capable of birthing him. I am strong, I am fast and I am capable.

I remember being at a girl's day out event a couple of months ago. My tall, gorgeous, slim friend "A" made a comment about her stomach and then commented on how "it's not as flat as Lisa's" and I was like "ummmmm...clearly you have never seen my stomach". I keep it hidden (the glaringly pale color which has probably already partially blinded you shows this as truth) for a reason. It's my "dirty little secret". I'm fit and I have some belly fat. **shrugs** Doesn't mean that I can't do the things I want to do in any less of a beastly fashion. Just means I don't have a 6 pack. I don't know that I ever will. I don't want to get that particular about my eating again. For me, that's borderline obsessive and I've worked had to get out of that pattern. I dunno why I was inspired to share today. I just was. Enjoy. Live your life, do your thing and make the most of what you've got! :)

Whole 30 Day 22

Woke up (no sleep aid last night) feeling pretty energetic. Leg pain is gone and I'm ready to rock and roll even thoughI've had no coffee yet. Headed to the lab in a few for my 7am lab draw appointment. Taking a rest day since I ran my booty off yesterday.

Evening update--Feeling steady on the energy still. Has the "tiger blood" finally set in? Whoooo!

Breakfast--Baked egg in an avocado, sauteed cherry tomatoes, yam greens and coffee with coconut milk

Lunch--Stuffed Butternut squash with okra greens and Canary melon

Snack--Almond butter "ants on a log", dried mango slices
Dinner--Chicken salad using homemade mayo, pecans, apples. celery and leftover chicken, mango and the last 2 date bites.

Mayo recipe--
http://thehealthyfoodie.com/fail-proof-home-made-paleo-mayo-whole30-compliant/

Mommy Mighty Mouse Runs For JDRF

My fundraising  is in honor of our buddy Blake. He was diagnosed with Juvenile Diabetes just last year. Please take the time to read his story here-
http://roseiswriting.blogspot.com/2013/08/life-changer.html 

We are so very blessed to call him a friend and are even more blessed that he's still with us. I remember when his Mom sent me a text notifying me that he was in the hospital. I was hiking with my family. I found a quiet place to process everything she was telling me and as I watched my healthy, happy son jump around on the rocks tears started to flow. As a parent, I couldn't imagine how scared my dear friend was. I couldn't fathom the emotions her family was experiencing. All I could do was sit, cry and offer up hopes of healing and answers for them all.

Blake is an AMAZING kid. He is kind, compassionate, patient, bright and is my son's "Brother From Another Mother". He handles this disease with a strength that, even as a grown woman, I don't think I could ever possess! He's currently fitted with an insulin pump that keeps him from having to jab himself a zillion times a day to check his blood or give himself shots. It's because of research money and donations that medical advancements like this pump exist!

Obligatory "bro" photo of Blake and my son at C's party last year--

Here's our group pic from last year's One Walk in Oakland. I remember commenting when we arrived at how the snack table looked like one from race's I've run with all the carb loaded foods. Rose gently and quietly explained to me that for a lot of the kid's with T1 just a WALK around the Oakland Zoo was like running a race for the rest of us. It floored me and made me pretty quiet for the rest of the day (and that doesn't happen often). I spent a lot of the walk in contemplation over just how severe the effects of this disease were on the kids who have it AND the impact it had on their day to day activities.

I said a year plus ago that I was done with running distance after being hit with too many pains/issues from the long runs BUT I've decided that if so many kids can suffer with dignity daily as they battle diabetes then I can most certainly buck it up and go through training again! I will run for those who can't and I will do it with a smile on my face and love in my heart! 


I'm running the Race To The Flagpole half marathon on November 8th in hopes of raising funds for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.  JDRF is the only global organization with a strategic plan to progressively remove the impact of Type 1 Diabetes from people's lives until it is no longer a threat to anyone.

I'm hoping most of you will contribute a dollar per mile that I'll be running...a mere $13.10 each. This is such a small amount to ask. It's basically the cost of  2 meals at a fast food place! Your money will go to an amazing cause and will help SO many kids! Please donate even a few dollars if you can't contribute the $13.10! With your help we can continue finding ways to battle this disease that affects so many children today!

Donate to our team Blake's Buddies here--
http://www2.jdrf.org/site/TR?fr_id=3882&pg=personal&px=8476668

If you prefer, you can mail a check directly to JDRF at 950 Fulton Ave, Suite 150, Sacramento, CA 95825. Just make sure you include a note saying the donation is for Blake's Buddies, Lisa Brown.

Thank you friends and family, from the bottom of my heart. I promise to make you all proud. :)

Whole 30 Day 21

Pre-run snack--Chicken thigh, yams and OJ.
During the run I tried the date endurance paste.
Post run breakfast--Butternut squash, yam greens and Canary melon with coffee and coconut milk.

Lunch--Coconut water, grilled chicken thighs with homemade bbq sauce, okra greens, grilled veggies, roasted Brussels and fresh fruit.

Snack-- Fried plantain with salted almond butter
Dinner--Slow cooker country ribs, homemade bbq sauce and baked sweet potato fries.

Today's 8 Mile Trail Run Recap

Got up around 550 am, got dressed, ate a leftover grilled chicken thigh, some grilled yams and a glass of OJ and got the pork ribs for dinner in the slow cooker before I headed out. Picked up my running peeps and headed over to Brushy Peak. Decided to take the easier (nominally) hill instead of the beast hill this time. Felt really tired as soon as I got started but I pushed ahead. My legs felt ok..just heavy. No pain though which was my main concern starting out. My stupid water bottles on my fuel belt kept falling out which really annoyed me. Once I got to where I could loop back to the parking lot, I did so. I dropped one bottle off and kept the other (with watered down coconut water and sea salt) in my hand as I ran. I was headed back off to the trail and  I saw my friend Sunny. She's an amazing athlete and I was happy to see her. I knew she'd be good for my flagging energy and would run with me (ok...in front of me because home girl is FAST). I knocked out a few miles with her and we parted ways since she was headed to do more miles that I was interested in trying. I headed back towards the parking lot and my entire fuel belt went flying off. Apparently it hates me now!  I got to the parking lot, tossed my other water bottle by my car and did a few random loops to get to my 8 miles. Met up with everyone else, chatted and took a group photo before we all headed our separate ways. It takes a special kind of crazy to get up on a Sunday morning for a 7am meet up to torture yourself with hills. Thanks for being that kind of nutty guys! :) Let's do it again soon. Just not tomorrow!

I managed to knock out 8.01 miles with an overall average pace of 10:43. My elevation gain with all the hills was 1502. I don't feel bottomed out like I did after last trail run so that's a plus.

http://runkeeper.com/user/728668836/activity/420421165?&activityList=false&tripIdBase36=6yb31p

If anyone has recommendations for what sort of water vest/backpack I should look into, PLEASE let me know. The fuel belt debacle was a pain in my ass and I don't need a repeat of it. Happy healthy Sunday all! Go have some fun and do something you love!

Whole 30 Day 20

Breakfast--HB egg, banana/cashew muffin with salted crunchy almond butter, peaches and coffee
as usual.

PWO snack--US Wellness turkey jerky
Lunch--Leftover salmon with pineapple, salad with Tessemae's Southwestern dressing, cherry tomatoes, cucumber and a bunch of lovely fruit from the farmers market. Had another cuppa coffee with coconut milk too.

Snack--Leftover grilled yams with a blob of salted almond butter 1 date, handful of dried mango and a cutie. Starting the process to fuel for tomorrow's run so I don't bonk again after.
Dinner--Butternut squash stuffed with bison and bacon served with yam greens and roasted Brussels with fig balsamic.
http://civilizedcavemancooking.com/entrees/beef/bacon-beef-butternut-squash-2/