Here we are just weeks away from wrapping up 2011. With one holiday down and the best yet to come, there is no doubt you have choices to make in regards to how you want to end your fitness journey for the year. For some, you might have thrown in the towel once the office potlucks and seasonal temptations started to spring up a few weeks ago. For others, you are determined to finish strong and make it through the holiday season without the extra baggage to carry through into the New Year. To be honest, I was riding a slippery slope being somewhere in between the two mindsets.  Falling victim to a few cupcakes or a slice of pie (a la mode) with the family is no excuse to give up on all the hard work you have done leading up to now.  With a whole month in front of us, this could be an opportunity to start shifting your habits toward reaching your goals even before you officially set them for the upcoming year. Who doesn’t like a head start!?   If you’re anything like me, you’re motivated by a challenge and any accountability is icing on the cake. So for the month of December, I’m participating in what I like to call 30 for 30…or in this case, 31.   My objective, and I challenge you to join me, is to take 30 minutes out of every day to work on my health and fitness goals.  With some kind of physical activity being the #1 choice, there are plenty of ways to spend your time bettering your health and wellbeing if that’s not always an option.  The real goal is to create healthy habits that will morph into a healthy fit lifestyle.

A few ideas for your 30:

Sweat-Take a group X class, go for a run, hit the gym, use that Bootcamp  or Yoga  Groupon you bought back in June and forgot about (or maybe that’s just me?) Not a Gym buff? Bring your walking shoes to work and take a lap around the block on your lunch!

Stretch-Drop in at a yoga studio for a low impact workout and get your Namaste on. Don’t have time?  Move your coffee table out of the way and get on the floor and stretch it out while you watch your favorite show if you have to! Flexibility is a key component to strength training and protects you from injury.

Plan-Blaze the trail for a successful road to fitness by creating a healthy meal plan- A clean diet plays a larger role in your fabulously fit lifestyle than most people care to acknowledge. So take a day to plan out your meals, go grocery shopping and prep your food so you’re not caught with your hand in the pretzel jar at work come 2p everyday (just me again??).

Commit- This is more than a “30 minutes a day for 30 days” promise to yourself. Commit to making changes throughout your entire day and reap the benefits as you find yourself lighter on your feet and entering the New Year with more pep in your step.

They say it takes 21 days to form a habit and I’m giving you a 9 day bonus just to make sure it sticks! I’m excited for this challenge since it will not only distract me from the carbicide and sugar binges I’m destined to commit over the next month, but it will also keep me active and motivated to hit the ground running NOW instead of waiting til January 1st.

Who’s in with me for the 30 for 30 challenge?!!! Even if you’re already living a super healthy and fit lifestyle, I’d love for you to join in on the fun because there is always room for improvement right?

The weather is changing and comfort foods are slowly making their way back into our diets. Move over fresh fruits and summer salads, enter warm and rich creations for Autumn. Soon enough we will all be hiding behind sweaters and boots, but that’s no excuse to let all your hard work go to waste.  But it also doesn’t mean you can’t dip into the season’s offerings with something a little heavier and let’s be honest; delicious and satisfying. Here is a fan fave at the Blonde residence where I took a lighter approach to a Mexican Classic. 

Figure Friendly Enchiladas
*makes about 10*

• 1 package (1lbs) of ground turkey
• 1 large pack of Light Mexican shredded cheese (I like Trader Joe’s Brand)
• 1 small can CHOPPED black olives
• 1 bundle of green onions
• 1 pack of white mushrooms (you can buy them chopped or sliced too)
• 1 large can of enchilada sauce. (I like Las Palmas Medium)
• 1 pack of wheat tortillas
• Preheat oven to 325

Cook ground turkey meat over the stove until 100% cooked. I sprinkle in a little Lawry’s Seasoning Salt for some extra flavor on the turkey-especially if I get the extra lean.
Chop up the mushrooms and onions and put in separate bowls.

Create an assembly line of all your ingredients. -Tortillas, cheese, olives, green onions, mushrooms, meat, sauce (put in bowl with spoon or just in can with spoon). If you are not using super lean turkey, you might want to drain the meat before putting it in separate bowl.  

On a separate plate take a tortilla and spread sauce on it like a pizza. Not too much, but just enough to get it moist and cover the inside. Load it up with all the ingredients, but don’t overdo it, so you can roll it back up. In order of most to least, I usually put meat, cheese, mushrooms, green onions and olives. Roll it up taquito style and place in a rectangular Pyrex dish (lined with the nonstick of your choice). I put the folded side down so it stays closed. Once they are all packed in a row, I pour the extra sauce over all the enchiladas, especially the edges and in between each so they cook nicely. Then I douse more cheese over them (this is where you can be good, or really bad) and finish off by sprinkling the chopped olives here and there.

Since the meat is cooked, the “cooking” part is really more of a warming/melting of the cheese. My oven sucks, so it can take over 20 mins. But I just keep my eye on it. I don’t like the tortillas crunchy, so I keep my eye on that too! I also reheat some sauce for dipping in case you want to wet your whistle more than what’s already on there. Mr. Blonde prefers to add a little Tapitio for some extra kick!

Any leftover mixins can be combined with extra cheese and melted it into a yummy tortilla chip dip! My advice is to give to your husband or boyfriend while they watch football because it’s dangerously good!

Enjoy these alone or with a healthy side of your choice!

A week from today, I will be basking in relaxation under the Hawaiian tropic sun in celebration of a dear friend’s wedding.  As a bridesmaid, I  have been preparing for these exotic nuptials for quite some time now.  And I don’t mean with dress fittings and shopping for matching shoes. The bride’s twin sister, aka Larinna over at I Heart Spandex, and I have been prepping, primping and pumping up for this bikini clad getaway since the sun broke through the clouds back in March.  The Hawaii Project, as we called it, has been a long going effort to not only have fun working out together, but to further reach our goal of feeling fit and fabulous in our bathing suits on our Hawaiian getaway. 

Atlas! Our trip is just around the corner and with the final countdown officially starting today (because I said so), I’ve compiled a list of things I’m doing in preparation to ensure I look and feel my best in my bikini and island attire:

Keep it Fresh-With 7 days left, I’ve committed to the freshest, cleanest, lightest meal plan I can stick to with my hectic schedule. Think Lean proteins, Low Carbs, No Dessert or Alcohol (it’s 7 days, I can survive)

Work It-There’s  no time to miss a workout. I’m not banking on dropping a dress size in 7 days, (I might be blonde, but I’m not stupid) but pumping up the endorphins and getting my sweat on won’t hurt the cause.

Chug-a-Lug- The benefits of drinking H2O are astronomical as I’ve mentioned here. But in order to lose any water I’m retaining, it’s time to drink up! Plus, with all the benefits of water for your skin, It will help me achieve the natural glow to compliment my island style.

Soak It Up-Your skin will relax if you treat it well. Using a daily moisturizer, perhaps one with a hint of color and firming lotion should do the trick to leave my skin glowing, smooth, and lifted

Dress the Part-Since I live in a beach town, I’m hoping to score a few fabulous finds in beachwear before I jet off to the Islands. This really has nothing to do with being Bikini ready, but rather a warning to my husband that I will be shopping this weekend Plus when you look fabulous, you feel fabulous!

Happy Feet-Mani/Pedi is a must if I plan to show these little piggies that are more ready for socks and boots than I would like to admit!

Tanning-When all else Fails, if you can’t tone it, TAN it.  I may live near the beach, but along with my blonde hair, comes some ghostly looking skin at times.  As you know, I’m not a proponent of the Fake n’ Bake, but I sure do love me a fabulous spray tan!  And for the record, I’d rather be orange than pasty any day. However, that’s not the plan for this vacation!

Attitude Check-I absolutely cannot forget to pack my confidence and self admiration on this trip.  Far superior to any workout, diet, or tan in a bottle, the way you feel about yourself will make or break your appearance.  I’m not in the best shape of my life, but I feel great, and I’m loving the balance I’ve found in my road to fitness.  Like I always say, Chin up, chest out and smile! *hand on hip*

All selfish bikini body desires aside, I’m stoked to be a part of my girlfriend’s special day and thankful for her brilliant idea to have a destination wedding in Hawaii!

What are some of your last ditch efforts in preparation for a bikini bound vacation?

Being an active girl on the go, I’ve succumbed to the fact that I am inevitably a pony tail chick.  Between crunchin’ in a workout whenever possible, showering on the fly and being undecided about cutting my hair short again, or getting through this awful “shoulder length” doo I have going on, regardless of how much time I spend stylin’ my tresses in the morning, it’s without a doubt pulled back by mid afternoon.  I’m always on the hunt for ways to perfect my ponytail, knowing that it could be seen as simple, boring, or do I dare say a Tom-boy look. As I’ve mentioned before, I’m a fan of rockin’ a head band from time to time, but that calls for a little too much planning for me.  Recently, I stumbled upon these adorable hair ties by Emi-Jay, and I’ve been obsessed ever since!

Created by two LA Teens, these hand made little treasures are “Guaranteed to make your outfit and your day.”  Not only do they come in super fun and eclectic colors and prints, they are made of a soft stretchy material that doesn’t dent your hair, pull your locks, and better yet, can double as a bracelet.  If you’re anything like me, you never leave the house without a hair tie on your wrist, and more times than I would like to admit, I’ve look down during a more “formal” affair to find a ratty ol’ elastic band!  Fear not, with an Emi-Jay hair tie, you’ve only accessorized that much more!

Celebs like Jennifer Aniston, Gwyneth Paltrow and Kim K. are fans of Emi-Jay hair flair and better yet, each hair tie purchase supports Charities like Operation Smile and Locks for Love.

I love how they come in every color under the rainbow including girly pearlescents and camouflage!

[ 5 ties for $12.99]

I can’t decide if they are cuter in your hair, or on your wrist!

Emi Jay didn’t stop at just hair ties either, they make adorable headbands and hair bows too! With so many options, you really can’t go wrong!

[Headbands $5.99]

Perfect for workouts!

[Satin Bow Hair Tie $17.99]

This looks adorable at the bottom of a braid!

Need I say more?  I’m Obsessed.

Contrary to what some of my readers might think, I haven’t fallen off the face of the blogosphere quite yet! Anyone that knows me well, knows that I look at life through Blogtastic glasses and I’m constantly jotting down topic ideas for a rainy day when I get a free moment to let my creative juices flow! Needless to say, there haven’t been too many “Rainy Days” here in sunny San Diego, so I apologize for my absence.   I might not be blogging as regularly as I would like, but I have been keeping myself busy with a new fitness venture that has me over the moon with excitement as it premiers in San Diego this weekend!

As with any fitness enthusiast, I’m always down for a new physical challenge, so when my friend Stephanie, owner of The Dailey Method in Rancho Bernardo (opening this fall!) introduced me to this amazing hybrid workout, I was all over giving it a whirl.  The Dailey Method (yes, there is an E in Dailey) is a fusion of ballet barre work, Pilates, yoga and orthopedic exercises. Don’t let the “low impact” theme fool you into thinking anything about this workout is a walk in the park.  Focusing on postural alignment, small isometric movements, and core stability set to upbeat music, this 60 minute class keeps your heart rate up through challenging positions and hurts sooooo good.  I’m yet to walk out of a class without feeling like I got a full body workout that (gracefully) pushed me to the limit from head to (tippy) toe. The Dailey Method, created by Jill Dailey and originally based out of San Francisco, sets itself apart from other barre classes with their ever changing curriculum and spotlight on the neutral spine position.  Working within the natural “S-curve” of your back not only creates a more challenging workout, but elongates the body which in turn builds core stability for a safer and more effective workout!  Double whammy, I’ll take it!

Not  to discount other workout methods, but I have seen better results in strengthening my core and tightening my bikini buns through The Dailey Method than any other regimen I’ve been involved with. I’m diggin’ the long lean muscle tone as a result and after three solid months of hittin’ the pavement hard for my marathon training, my body is loving this new approach to fitness. I’m soooo excited to announce that I’ve jumped on board to be an instructor for the Carlsbad location, opening July 30th!  If you’re in the area or happen to be visiting America’s Finest City this weekend, come join us for our Grand Opening Extravaganza as the first Dailey Method Studio opens in San Diego!  We are hosting free classes all weekend long with raffles throughout the day both Saturday and Sunday.  Topping it all off with a Grand Opening Party Sunday afternoon where DJ PARLIYAY will be spinning live throughout class and into the early evening. You can sign up for a class here if you’re interested.

“Doing it Dailey” has been such a fun experience for me in learning the curriculum and watching my body change with every class. This Blonde is proof that switching it up from the usual gym goer’s routine into something new and exciting has more than just the physical benefits!  Fitness should be fun, so don’t limit yourself to the confines of the barbell jungle. I promise you, you won’t regret channeling your inner ballerina in return for a stronger, leaner, and more fit physique!

What new workouts have you on your tippy toes?

[My post marathon grin]

It’s Official: A week ago today I became a Marathon runner!  As I’ve mentioned before, it has been a long time dream of mine to be among the ranks of other 26.2 milers, and I have to admit I’m still on cloud nine.  I couldn’t have asked for a more perfect experience, from start to finish on Race day, and I was thrilled to have walked away with a great finishing time, followed by a speedy recovery.

Over the last week, several people have inquired about my overall experience of the race and I can honestly say I have nothing but positive feedback for them!  I had an absolute blast as I ran with my friends Nicole and Asia through the beautiful backdrop of Sunny San Diego! Live bands, cheering crowds, dozens of high fives and friendly peeps at the water stations kept us motivated to put our best foot forward with each mile.  The three of us chatted about work, life, The Bachelorette (obvi), and how we can’t believe we were running a marathon as we saw the miles pass quicker than we could have ever imagined!  I can’t say it was painless, but it definitely was NOT as painful as others built it up to be.  I was determined to embrace the experience for every drop of sweat it was worth, and I believe I did so. 

Taking in all the fantastic scenery was almost impossible as you ran along the course, but a few of my highlights were:

[Petco Park- I’ve been here a million times for the Padres, but never actually RAN through it.] {photo compliments of ieatneat}

[Mission Bay –Quite possibly my favorite place to run in SD. I knew once I got here, I had less than 6 miles to go, and I needed to turn on the back burners.]

[SeaWorld Finishline-The park was visible once you hit Mission Bay, around mile 20-21.  The finish was so close you could taste it, but the last 5 miles made it feel like a mirage you couldn’t seem to touch.]

I went into race day with a positive attitude ready to Rock n Roll feeling confident in my training, preparation and strength to make it through.  I knew physically and mentally I was able to run up to 21 miles successfully, since I had done it a month earlier with my running group.  So the only questionable task at hand was the uncharted territory of the last 5.2 miles.  I decided to make this my focus for the week leading up to the race.  The way I saw it was, the first 21 miles were in the bag (cakewalk right?), and 5.2 miles is chump change in comparison, so I needed to conserve enough energy mentally and physically in the beginning to finish strong.   Splitting it up in my mind helped me stay positive and energized all the way through.  My plan worked perfectly and sure enough, when I hit mile 21, instead of hitting an unbearable “Wall” that I had plans to hurdle over, I looked at it more as a restart point.  It hurt pretty bad, but once I saw the finish line, that wall became more of a door that just needed to be opened.  I said to myself and the girls, “The race starts now ladies, THIS IS IT.” I immediately regained an adrenaline rush that took me into the finish line with a HUGE smile on my face. :) I might be blonde, but  I know a thing or two about mental games with yourself.

The finish line greeted us with a sea of people that looked as happy to see you as you were them.  Everyone was on your team and applauding.  I was ecstatic to find my three biggest fans; My husband, my dad and my brother holding a sign and cheering me on for the last 1/8 mile. 

Nicole, Asia and I held hands as we crossed the finish line in 4:01:59 with tears in our eyes and smiles on our faces.  WE DID IT!!!!   

I will never forget the day I completely my first marathon.  Not only because it was the BEST DAY EVER, but It was the culmination of three months of hard work, faith in God, and an unbelievable amount of support from so many friends and family.  I couldn’t have done it without God’s protection of my health, the emotional guidance of my husband and the marathon know-how of Miss Fitness Fatale Nicole.  For them, I am eternally grateful!

 A Few More Blonde Highlights/Lowlights:

• My favorite sign I kept repeating aloud said, “EMBRACE THE SUCK.” Meaning, the miles ahead are going to hurt, so own it.
• Nicole’s ipod broke halfway through, so I gave her mine, complete with DJ Parliyay. I had plenty of singing aloud and high fives to give to keep myself entertained.
• I forgot to wear sunscreen, so I got a little pink (fail) and I might have a racer back tan for the month of June, but I think my hair got blonder (win!)!
• We saw the unimaginable-Yes, someone crapped their pants and didn’t seem to care. 
• Three co-workers and two sets of friends came out to the course to cheer us on!

• I will admit I’ve lost sleep because I was hoping to break 4 hours and now I know I could have, but it was more important to me to finish together. I wouldn’t change a thing about the race, so it just means I need to do another one!

• Never been so thrilled to drink a MGD 64 and probably never will be again! ha.

• Champagne Brunch brunch at Bali Hai with friends and family might as well been the land of milk and honey. Couldn’t have imagined a better ending to a THE BEST DAY EVER!

It’s officially “MAY GRAY” here in San Diego, and with that came a few spring showers. My only hope is that it means more than spring flowers, but a really hot summer.  Honestly, I have no idea how one would lead to another, but like I said, it’s my only hope to get me through these otherwise gloomy and wet days.  I wish I could say I’ve braved the elements and still hit the pavement for my AM runs, but like I wrote yesterday, my gallantry has been used up just getting out of my warm cozy bed and putting one foot in front of the other. Determined to still get in my mileage for the week, I had no choice but to hop on the treadmill, which in the past hasn’t been an issue, but through my training (which has been 95% outdoors) , the treadmill isn’t as great as I thought it once was.  Don’t get me wrong, I’m still a fan, but these past two days have opened my eyes to the true differences of Treadmill vs Outdoor running.  This is an age-old debate on whether treadmill training is more beneficial than detrimental, and after clocking over 12 miles on the rubber this week, I had some time to think about it.

Treadmill Discrepancies:

Lack of Wind Resistance and Other Elements- Your gym is most likely ventilated for comfortable cool temperatures while workin’ it on the Cardiotrain.  When running in the Great Outdoors, you have to deal with hot/cold weather, as well as wind resistance and heaven forbid, rain of some sort.

Surface Differences- The treadmill surface is soft and steady. No pot holes, curbs, gutters or cracks in the cement to take the pep out of your step.  One could argue the treadmill is a “safer” place to run, but it doesn’t expose you to the true demands of the road.  This is why it’s recommended to change up the elevation and/or resistance to mimic a more realistic path.

Running Form-With the belt moving under your feet, all you have to do is get one foot in front of the other.  Some runners lean into the machine causing bad form, while others shorten their gate and shuffle along.  I’ve found you have to really focus on keeping proper form when running on the treadmill.  Plus, we all know where one wrong step can lead you.  OUCH.

Speed and Mileage- Who knows if this is correct or not.  Unless you have a Garmin watch that is properly functionally, you won’t know for sure how fast you are really going and for how long. We can’t assume the treadmill at the gym is perfectly calibrated.  Plus when you hop off for water or to wipe your sweaty brow, the belt is still moving, even though you’re not!  I’ve been around the block (on treadmills) enough times to know that every machine is slightly different, so make sure you keep that in consideration.

Caloric Burn- If you allow it, the machine can do the busy work for you. Studies have shown that running OUTSIDE can burn up to 5% more calories than running on a treadmill. This is mainly due the lack of elements while indoors that I listed above, and that the belt is aiding in pulling your feet back.

Despite these differences, the treadmill actually has a few benefits that you don’t get when hittin’ the pavement:

Reduces Overuse Injuries by 50%-Specifically shin splints, which can be a huge nuisance to a runner at any level.

Great for Intervals/Sprints-With a built in stopwatch, distance and pace tracker, it makes it as easy as 1,2,3…SPRINT!

Multi-tasking-When else can you catch up on all your fave TV shows while getting in a work out!?

Convenient- Case and point: It was raining and I had to run.

After a little online research, the consensus is to mix it up when possible, but if you are training for an event of some kind, running outside is your best bet.  Tonight, I’m praying for blue skies and dry roads for tomorrow’s 9 miler, because there is only so much TNT, specifically Charmed, I can watch in one week before I am forced to brave the rain for my sanity!  

What’s your preference when running?

Today was one of those days when I didn’t want to get out of bed and workout.  Which, under true exhausting circumstances, I’ve learned to listen to my body and take a day off.  This however, was my little blonde brain playing tricks on me in the wee hours of the morning.  My bed was cozy, it was drizzling outside, which for San Diego might as well be torrential downpour, and I talked myself through the whole gamut of reasons why I should stay in bed. Then it hit me!  If I want to be a marathon runner, I need to stick to my commitments and most importantly my training schedule.  Today, there was no room for excuses in this journey to success. So I yanked myself out of bed and was on my way!

Running outside wasn’t an option I was willing to consider, so I headed to the gym for an early morning date with the treadmill.  I’m not one to make a game time decision when it comes to my workouts, but this morning, I was happy to just be up and moving, so I figured I’d take it one step at a time and decide my strategy as I went.  I ended up having a great Interval workout that kicked my butt enough to feel empowered to work that much harder on my training these last 2.5 weeks leading up to Race Day!

I wanted to share what I did for any of you runners out there looking for a great midweek challenge.  I based it off the Yasso 800 method where you run ½ mile (800 meters) at your goal race pace, followed by a recovery period of the same time.  Fitness Fatale, Nicole, wrote a great post about these intervals you can check out here.

Like I said, I was wingin’ it this morning, so I modified my run slightly. Here is what I did:

Because I was on the treadmill, I add a 1.0 incline just for good measure.

Warm up 2 mile jog @ 8:30 pace.

½ mile interval @ 7:03 pace

¼ mile recovery @ 9:30 pace

(This is when I thought to myself, What are you thinking!?)

½ mile interval @ 7:03 pace

¼ mile recovery @ 9:30 pace

(Surprisingly, the recovery started to feel longer after this round)

½ mile interval @ 7:03 pace

¼ mile recovery @ 10:00 pace

(I had to slow down on the recovery at this point because I was DYING)

½ mile interval @ 7:03 pace

1 ¼  mile recovery/warm down jog @ 9:13 pace.

I was huffin’, puffin’ and hurtin’ on almost every interval, but I dug deep and made it happen.  The entire time, I imagined myself on race day reaching a point of exhaustion but pushing through to the finish line.  Today’s run was definitely more of a physical challenge than a mental one, but if your head isn’t in the game, you don’t stand a chance.

Today was a perfect example of turning my rainy day workout blues into one of the best workout challenges I’ve had in a while.  Just goes to show, sticking to your goals always pays off!

What’s your motivation to Choose NOT to Snooze?

I realize my reflections on marathon training are FAR past overdue, and with the Big Race just shy of 3 weeks away, We will just leave it at, Better late than Never.

The truth is that other than my weekly LONG runs, which for me are on Saturdays, I haven’t really embraced the complete mentality of training for a marathon. I was hoping I could continue my already aggressive workout schedule, add in a few runs and bust out a descent time on race day and check it off my bucket list once and for all. I praise God for keeping my injuries to a minimum, and I’ve enjoyed the entire process, which has included closer friendships with other fitness enthusiast Nicole and Asia as well as pushed my body both physically and mentality to new heights.  It wasn’t until I completed a grueling 16 mile run on Coronado Island that it hit me, this marathon is real, and I need to do everything in my power to make it happen as painlessly and effectively as possible! 

My #1 fan, aka Dad, called me right after this particular run and reminded me that I had been in this exact position before.  Seven years ago, I was 5 weeks out from the Nike Women’s Marathon in San Francisco.  I ran the exact same 16 mile course on Coronado Island with my running group at the time. To my unfortunate dismay, I injured my Achilles the following week on a 10 mile training run and my dreams of running a marathon were sidelined by crutches and a sweet handicap pass for my car on campus….NOT.  I was crushed, and haven’t made it to race day since.  Looking back, I was undertrained, dehydrated, malnourished (from a training standpoint) and was skipping around in an old pair of shoes. Hence my unfortunate accident costing me a lot of pain and possibly a complex of ever running again. It took me a few years, but obviously I’ve moved on.

With that, Coach Dad humbled me through my own story, and basically told me to Shape up or Ship out. I was determined to run this marathon on MY schedule, with MY ideas of what I should do. Which, I wouldn’t consider myself a stubborn person, but I was making decisions that said otherwise.  Running 16 miles, 18 miles or even 21 miles does NOT make me a marathon runner.  Crossing the finish line on race day makes you a marathon runner and that’s what I need to focus on.  I paid and signed up for a great running group, and have a support team of other athletes with a wealth of knowledge about the sport, so in theory, I have everything I need to make it happen.

These next 4 week leading up to my race are now dedicated to focusing on my running, which means stepping up my game quite a bit.  Previously I was getting away with a maximum of 3 runs a week, which never went over 6 miles at a time (other than my long runs on Saturdays with my running group).  Although I paired them with 4 alternating days of additional cardio such as Spin, Stair mill, and Walking uphill, I wasn’t getting the mileage needed to make this Marathon happen.  Well Hello MILES, Nice to meet you this week, because you are more than ever, and surprisingly, I’m lovin’ it! Including my 18 miler last weekend, I finished up at just over 30 miles for the week. Which included a mid week 9 mile run. This week, I’m scheduled to run 40 miles!! EEK! This includes the longest run of the season topping off at 21 miles this Saturday AM.

Needless to say, I’ve put aside my pride, took a rain check on a few extra gym days, and I’m hittin the pavement hard for the rest of the month until I can join the ranks of other Marathon runners.  I’m more excited than ever now that my goal is so close I can taste it.  I’m determined to embrace these next four weeks as becoming the runner I’ve always wanted to be and know that I am.  Who knows, I might surpass all expectations and actually do well at this thing!  Until then, the words of pal Jen over at Sweat and the City ring true with every training run, “Hydrate, Rest and PRAY!”

Ever since I’ve challenged myself to step it up in the strength department by lifting heavier weights, and experimenting with different exercises, I’ve found that I my nutritional needs have changed with my progress. Pair that with added mileage each week for marathon training, and I feel like I’m either eating myself (and my husband) out of house and home, or I’m starving! I’m having the hardest time nailing down what my body wants, other than just MORE food.  I’ve done some research and a few experiments during the week, with some success, but in the end, I find myself reaching for the bottomless pretzel supply here at the office. UGH! SOS! I admit, I’m a total Carbivore, which some may argue is OK with the amount of running I’m doing.  However, I’d rather NOT be desperate and reach for the handy-snacks in the break room.  I’m a creature of habit so making my breakfast and lunch every night for the next day is truly second nature to me.   But let’s not forget, I’m still a blonde, and I forget to pack an extra snack if I plan to go running after work, or if I’m sprinting off to one of my extracurricular activities.  I don’t remember what I packed yesterday that satisfied me, and I can’t recall what I ate that made me ravenous 30 minutes later.   How is that supposed to help me solve my problem and stay away from the snack monster at work all day!? Well, the answer is that it’s not.  I’m determined to nip this hunger in the butt, so I decided to keep a food journal for the next 2 weeks.   This isn’t a calorie counting, “I don’t want to eat it because I have to log it”, or a cheat sheet to make me feel better. 

My main motivations for my Food Diary are to see:

• What I’m eating
• How it makes me feel
• How long it held me over and
• Make sure it’s not 75% Pretzel sticks!

Hopefully these next 2 weeks will give me the information I need to go back to the drawing board and modify my eats to fit my needs.  I’m a girl on the go, and with my activities changing day to day, I would be foolish to think my diet shouldn’t too.  I’m looking forward to this mini challenge of logging my meals, with hopes to gain some insight into building a happier (no more pretzel cranky pants), healthier, and STRONGER athlete of myself.

If you’re struggling with what you eat, or how you feel, I challenge you to do the same thing!  I’ve found that diving off the deep end into a strict diet, or counting calories and fat can be exhausting and more so than not, your initial efforts are drowned by the overwhelming tasks of what it means to be on a diet!  So hold your horses, because we will get there, but let’s start with getting used to the idea of being conscience of what and when we feed our lean mean muscle machines (this would be your body )  Warning: This is NOT a free for all eating binge just so you can write it down!  Although, if that’s what you do daily, the information would be interesting to see on paper!  So who’s willing to create a daily Food Diary with me? Come on, its only 2 weeks!

PS. Since you’re logging your progress at the gym anyway (wink wink) use the same journal to log your meals! Here is mine sitting at my desk at work.