Cherry Pineapple Smoothie
My new obsession when I am actually home after my run and not going straight to work from training is SMOOTHIES!
Yesterday morning I tried this one: (I never measure anything, it is simply handful of this, handful of that, scoop of this, and a pour of that).
Approximately 1 c. of unsweetened vanilla almond milk
Handful frozen organic frozen cherries
Handful frozen organic pineapple
Small frozen banana (broken in small chunks)
Blend in magic bullet and enjoy! This was so good and really refreshing. Nothing tastes better after training in the heat than a smoothie!
National Running Day Re-Cap and More
Happy Thursday! Yesterday was National Running Day and a great day it turned out to be. The day ended with working at Sole Sports with some awesome employees and then a group run with friends and customers. After the group run in 100+ degree temps we headed over to Oggi’s in Glendale. Happy Hour was a blast with great conversation among friends.
I am feeling super encouraged today with my own training after this morning’s run on the AlterG anti-gravity treadmill. I think the iron supplementation is helping in addition to the increased calories. I am taking a double dosage of iron daily to get my super low ferritin numbers up. Also trying to eat a lot more and more frequently. This morning I ran 6.2 miles at 75-80% bodyweight at ave. just a little over 8:00/mi pace and it felt pretty easy. Which is very encouraging because lately NOTHING has felt easy or even remotely easy. So this is a HUGE step in the right direction. This weekend. I will get in another easy run, some cross-training on the bike and maybe a swim too.
(Happy Hour After National Running Day)!
New Beginnings
New beginnings is where I am starting from. I will chronicle my progression as I try whole heartedly to cut out the majority of processed foods and experiment with whole foods, more fruits, vegetables, plant powered nutrition, antioxidant rich smoothies, and gluten free fuel.
I plan to try to be good about blogging recipes and pictures as well. Keeping you all informed of great recipes and new product finds.
I am also excited to say I have decided to take a true “multi-sport” approach to my training. I will be swimming (yes, real swimming workouts with real swimmers…I don’t call myself a swimmer quite yet), cycling, and running. A true balanced approach shall we call it. Might even throw in a triathlon 
With the heat of the Arizona summer, it should be fun and limit mental and physical burnout as I prepare for the Tucson Marathon in December. It will be a fun journey 
Starting to Feel Like An Athlete
This week I see progress. Progress in health, sport, energy, and simple things like for the first week in months I don’t have any scheduled doctor appointments. Such a blessing.
I am starting to feel a bit better. I was found to be anemic and have started on iron supplements which I think are helping, I am working on my nutrition, finding a good balance of consistant training without over-training, and am back to physical therapy a couple times a week (2-3x).
This week I have already gotten 2 runs of 5 miles each on the AlterG anti-gravity treadmill at 80% bodyweight and will get another (fingers crossed) on Friday. I will get a couple easy runs outside this week too and a few days of cross-training. Today I have a hard workout at Endurance Rehab. doing some core and lower body strength training. Crazy, how much strength one loses with a month or so off. But I am determined to not only come back but come back stronger, fitter, and faster in the long run.
I am also so so excited for my trip to Wisconsin in a month to see my best friend Chrissy and her little one, Julia. I have not seen them since I moved last July. WAY TO LONG. We will have a blast and it will be nice to get out of the heat for a few days. Can’t believe it’s really suppose to be 108 here by the weekend… seriously?!?!?!
Other than that, plan to start working harder on writing my book and building the coaching business, also raising awareness of my non-profit for neuro research and treatment (Support Barrow). Busy times ahead but life is good!!!
Smoothie time, it’s the little things!
I will start with what has put a bright smile on my face, a homemade smoothie with berries, pineapple, banana and almond milk. So yummy. Something I could drink every morning for breakfast with much pleasure and contentment. Healthy and delicious, nutritious, and refreshing.
The last 2 mornings I feel I have taken a few steps back in the health department. I have had several Dr appt’s this week, have felt to weak to do any training or exercise the last couple days and it has been a struggle to even to get out of bed in the AM’s. Yesterday the Dr.’s discovered 3 superficial blood clots in my arms and some swollen lymph nodes/ glands that they had CT scanned. Results to come. These 3 blood clots result even though I am on Coumadin (a blood thinner) which causes the Dr. worry as that should not happen.
I am only so honest and public about all this because I want my friends to LISTEN TO YOUR BODIES. I probably have over the years done a pretty good job of not listening so well and just “sucking up the aches, pains, etc”…
Right now I am frustrated as I felt I was slowly moving forward last week and things were progressing (maybe a little to well). But the Dr.’s told me it would be frustrating and not without setbacks along the way as this was a huge medical setback and we still have a long road of testing to get to the bottom of it.
I so wish I had the energy to go out and train today but instead I blog and will work on my book. It’s getting closer.
Gluten Free Banana Blueberry Muffins
What better to do when you can’t sleep than make homemade muffins. Here is the recipe. Enjoy!
Gluten Free Banana Berry Muffins
2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp xanthan gum
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 3/4 cup all purpose gluten free flour
1/2 cup softened salted butter
2/3 c. sugar
2 tbsp agave nectar
2 eggs
2 ripe mashed bananas
1 c. blueberries
Whisk together baking powder, soda, flour, xanthan gum, salt, cinnamon in a bowl. Beat together butter, sugar, agave eggs, bananas in another bowl. Add dry ingredients into wet ingredients and mix together with electric mixture until combined and smooth. Gently fold in the berries. Scoop batter into muffin or mini muffin pans and bake 20-25 mins. Watch so the edges don’t burn. I add a sprinkling of cinn/sugar to the tops just before baking. Really yummy.
Enjoy
Live Your Life
I rarely show frustration towards others on this blog. I try to keep that to myself. But today I am frustrated towards people who seem to think they understand circumstances that they are for the most part clueless about.
Not just in my life (but yes is mine as well) it seems that others have it figured out and are not opposed to expressing their opinions both in front of and behind the back of those in question. I have seen this over and over, and it frustrates me.
In addition, those that make judgements are often so completely uninformed of the entire situation that it simply makes things so much worse and so much more painful in the long run.
I firmly believe in the fact that we must live our life to be who we are and love what we do. We must to be kind to others and always a friend to those that are supporting of us and caring for us. We must try to trust those that are there during the scariest of times and during times of joy.
My entire life I have lived to worry about pleasing others, trusting others, and doing what I felt was best for others. As I get older and deal with adversity I am learning a bit more about living life and the emotions that go with it. Happiness, courage, determination, perseverance, and anger. This past 6 months has been pretty crazy and the next 6 months will be about enjoying the journey back …. living life just the way I WANT TO. LIVING each day to the fullest; with friends, socializing with friends, running, biking, swimming, eating sushi, drinking java, sipping wine on the patio, reading out in the AZ sun by the pool, etc…
I’m done living for others and it’s time to live for my Higher Power and for myself. It’s MY life and no one get’s to take that away from me, it’s been way to hard of a fight and I am not willing to let anyone get in the way of my dreams and goals.
