Sunday Run Day ReCap #4

*phew* What a week!  I have been dealing with major calf cramps and knee pain.  So I kinda took it easy this past week.  Wednesday was a fun run with the gals.  Nothing too crazy.

Wednesday!

Sunday, we were scheduled for 20 miles.  Goodness, I was mentally trying to get my mind wrapped around running all of that.  It didn't help that I woke up Saturday morning with serious calf cramping again and then slept horribly Saturday night before awaking to +60 degree weather to start the run off this morning.  We traversed all around the suburban area, where we could find hills to mimic Little Rock as best as possible.  It was exhausting, but we made it.  My knees and hips were shot afterwards, so the rest of the day was a very lazy one with stretching and icing.

Slow & steady 20 miles!

But of course, we had to have celebratory coffee in my hard earned mug afterwards.

My legs are going to need some extra TLC the next few days.  So glad that there is only one more +20 mile run before the marathon.  (So, SO ready!) 

A Day of Foodz

I slacked this week.  Getting used to writing a blog again means making time to write a blog.  With a sick family. that time has been limited.  However, food and nourishment is a continual need in life, so here is a typical day of yumminess in my life.

Random PSA:  I eat a TON of chicken.  I find it completely ironic that they day I chose to post this, there isn't a single piece of chicken.  

Coffee, always.  Sometimes cold (as pictured), but mostly hot.

Egg/egg white mix, turkey sausage, and sweet potato/butternut squash blend for breakfast.

Ground bison, peas, and these random millet & brown rice ramen noodles from Costco (that were AMAZING, btw).

Crab cake bites, green beans, and brown rice bowl.

Not Pictured:

My daily snacks. Mixed vegetables that I pretty much gnaw on every day.  Peppers, carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, snap peas, whatever is in season.

I also typically grab a post workout snack for that "window of gainz" after CF in the AM.

Before running, I stick to my staple of an english muffin, almond butter, and a banana.

Lots and lots and even more water. 

Sunday Run Day ReCap #3

This past week was mostly miles pounded out on a treadmill.  The weather just plain sucked.  But today was race #2 of the Off Road Series and the need for my Little Rock Marathon long run.  So we ran both the pavement and the trails.  Much fun and mud was had by all!

 Still clean!

Not so clean anymore!

 Mixture of mud and road running.

The Meal Prep Life

It's Foodie Friday!

But since the snowpocalypse that didn't come to full fruition arrived this morning, I stayed huddled in the house and worked from home with a sick husband and a kiddo that got a free pass from school.  Since I didn't go cray-cray with any creations this week, I thought I'd talk about the food prep life.

I get comments all the time at work about my containers.  I love them and I love out of them.  I have an IsoPack backpack that I use every day.  It fits my meals, laptop, paperwork, water, and any excess stuff I need to haul,  I love it!

Isolator Fitness IsoPack

On Sunday, I typically set aside a couple of hours, and batch make some meals for the week.  With my busy life of running, sports, fitness, I'd rather have spare time during the week to spend with my family then try to make a meal for one before or after a meal for two is made. (They do not eat like me, and therefore meals together typically require two types of meals being made.)  I make a breakfast and lunch/dinner combo, along with snack and mini veggie bags.  I try to mix it up, but it varies as to what I have in hand, what is on sale, and what is in season.  Below are just some the random pictures of batch meals I have made in the past,

The food lasts the work week and keeps me on track.  Otherwise, I know me, and I would easily deviate from my food plan with excuses of "I'm too tired to cook." or "I just ran, I can splurge,"  This not only hold me accountable, but I also hate wasting food.  :)

Now, if only I could figure out what polite, PC appropriate quick witted response is appropriate for all the "Oh I could never do that" or " you are so dedicated" or "you always eat like that" comments.  

365 days since I started CrossFit

Wow-zah!  It has been one year, or 365 days, since my first CrossFit class.  Part of me cannot believe it has only been a year, part of me feels like it has been so much longer.  I love it!  I'm not an oversharer about my fitness regime (aside from posting running stuff- according to some), but I do love love my CrossFit.  I wish I had a before picture of my body then compared to now.  Not a face "this is me" picture but more of a "look at how much my muscles have grown" picture.  However, I have PR-ed in running since starting CrossFit.  I have changed clothing sizes.  The way my pants and shirts fit it completely different due to muscles growing and fat shrinking. The results are there.  I just have to remind myself of the progress I've made.

Now, I completely consider myself an average gal.  I've tried boot camps, gyms, fancy gyms, gym classes, gym challenges, etc.  None of them stuck with me.  I'd burn out.  Lose motivation. Get sick only to never return.  CrossFit is different.  Once I overcame my own timidness in relation to trying CrossFit, I was hooked.  Yes, I had to learn the mechanics, the moves, but once I did, I never looked back.  Now the lifts, the kettlebells, even those bloody burpees, all have become a part of my life.

I am a firm believer that there is a healthy routine for everyone.  Whether it is CrossFit, boot camp, TRX, spin class, 1:1 training, something is out there to get your body moving and your heart rate up.  It just requires time and patience to figure out what works for you.  CrossFit has become an important part of my life, and my routine, in conjunction with running.  I'm so beyond thankful for my CrossFit community and friends, and all the challenges, strengths, and gains that have come along with it.  I cannot wait to see what the next 366 (leap year!) days have in store for me.

Sunday Run Day ReCap #2

Tuesday night was a steady 3 miles on the treadmill.  Nothing too crazy to write home about.  Wednesday was the usual evening run with the gals.  My legs felt great and I got in a good 5 miles with one of the sunshiny bright Belles.

Wednesday night chill.

But... Holy Cannoli! What a Sunday RunDay.  It was sooooo cold when I woke up this morning to meet my running gals.  We are training for Little Rock, half and full (full for me), so we set out on a loop with some "rolling hills," two loops for the full runners.  I think it was around 30 degrees the entire run.

Our "it's too early for a face photo" picture at the start.

The first loop was tolerable once I warmed up.  We got through it alright and then said farewell to those that needed 9 miles after refueling with gu and water.

Parting is such sweet sorrow.

That second loop, it was BRUTAL!  I could not get my head in the game.  I don't know if it was my hip aching, my knees crunching, or my mental mind game about the aforementioned issues, but I started feeling every step I took.  We switching up the intervals we were running to get through it, and thankfully, I persevered.

 Thankful for these two for keeping me moving forward.

Afterwards, it took forever to warm back up at home.  I had to ice my knees and hip, so that didn't exactly help either.  Hot tea, shower, blanket, all of the above!  The rest of the day has consisted of laundry and football.  I'm not much for moving around right now.

18 miles, ftw.

So glad that this upcoming long run is a shorter one before we have to venture on the 20 miles.  Oh my goodness!

Banana Nut Bread

It's Foodie Friday!

I had a TON of bananas that were going bad, and just looked oh so very sad, sitting on my counter.  So, I had to do what ever foodie gal does, make BANANA BREAD! *DUN DUN DUN!*

No particularly enlightening recipe here.  I just smashed the naners, added some Flapjacked mix, eggs, and almond milk, and stirred stirred stirred!  For kicks, I added some greek whipped cream cheese in the center middle of the batter.  Baked that thing and voila! Banana Bread!  It was super delish and easy to make.  

Stir, stir, stir and add that whipped cream cheese, yo!

Before and after mackin' in my oven for some lovin.'

Imma loafin' around.

Mmmmmm.  Nom nom nom!

Progression on Running

The official results for Sunday's 3k came in.  They truly showed me how far I have come the past year.  Usually, when it comes to running, I train for a race then slack off.  Or get injured and have to take time off to heal.  Last year, while I had my typical knee issues, I didn't go through too much trauma aside from a grade II sprain on my left ankle thanks to soccer two weeks before a half! But I digress.  I was stoked to take the results from Sunday and compare them to the same race a year ago.  I improved by over 4 minutes! That's nuts to me.  Maybe it is the fact that I ran fairly diligently last year .  Maybe it is the addition of CrossFit to my routine.  Maybe both. Or neither.  But seeing process like that = motivation to keep running.

SunDay Run Day ReCap #1

This weekend was a super run-filled full one!  I was scheduled to complete 16 miles for my marathon training, but I also had signed up for a local off road trail series and the first race was today.  So, the gals I run with and I decided to run 14 on Saturday and the remaining 2 on Sunday.


We were so fortunate on Saturday.  The storm let up before we took off running at 7AM and only came down with some force once for a few minutes around mile 10.  We finished up, and the rain decided to return with a vengeance.  Talk about luck of the draw!

Post run selfie, a true requirement of our accomplishments.

Saturday night was the annual party for the local run club.  I had never been before, so it was quite an adventure.  Delicious food, fabulous friends, and some entertaining dancing moves!

Some of my fabulous running group...Wearing something other than running gear!

Sunday, Run Day rounded out the weekend with a 3k at a park in Midtown.  It was freezing!  Winter has decided to arrive, and with a grand entrance at that!  Thankfully, the sun was shining.  The trails were nice and muddy since it rained so much yesterday.  Bonus!  I was really proud of this run as I managed to run the entire thing without stopping to walk once!  I am typically an interval runner, but since this was (technically) just under 2 miles, I thought I would go until I couldn't go anymore.  And go I went!  

Mandatory finish line smiles.

Overall, I'm super impressed my legs are still attached to my body after this weekend!  Now it'

s time to go get my roll on (roll out? Rollin'?) and stretch so they don't decide to fall off tomorrow.

Protein Fluff

It's Foodie Fri-Yay! & today it is all about Protein Fluff.

I found this on Pinterest. Usually I'm full of Pinterest fails, but this one surprised me.

The ingredients are:
Cottage Cheese  (or Greek Yogurt)
Sugar Free Jello
Sugar Free/Fat Free Cool Whip

I omitted the Cool Whip, but added it here in case you wanted to give it a whirl.

Essentially, you make the jello and let it set.
In a blender mix:
2/3 cup Jello
1/2 cup Cottage Cheese
(1/2 cup Cool Whop)

Mix until it is fluffy and puffy and smooth.

Then CONSUME!

Rate: 9/10 - It was delicious, but I liked it straight from the mixer when it is more liquidy smooth than out of the fridge as it developed more of a meringue texture.

I made several batches and stored some for a snack at work through the week.

I'm curious to experiment a bit more with this and see how other flavors of jello and ratios turn out and if the pudding mix is a good option too.

2016 Goals

Forget Resolutions that start with "I want to."  Stand tall (like a heron)  and say to 2016 "I WILL!"  And since this blog is meant for my rambling words about becoming a better me, this year I will break down my yearly plans into categories that I will accomplish, and excite me to be me!


(1) This year I will run: Little Rock Marathon, Savannah Half Marathon, St. Jude Half Marathon, and a yet to be determined Rock'n'Roll Half Marathon. (Dwan! we need to pick a race for our       vouchers!)

I love running, don't get me wrong. But if I don't have a plan spaced throughout the year, then I will give myself a break and end up starting back at the beginning in terms of speed and distance.  I need to add another race in there for the summer, perhaps the Navy 10 NM again, or a RnR if it fits my schedule.

(2)  This year I will lose 10 lbs.

Yes I know this is cliche, but I have 10 lbs to my current goal weight, and I think that 10 lbs is a totally reasonable amount to shoot for.  My real challenge will be keeping it off once I reach it.


(3) This year I will, be a better friend.

It seems as life goes on, everyone gets busier.  Babies are born.  Life becomes more chaotic.  Spending time with those you love and care about isn't always easy.  There are people I need to visit.  Friends I need to reconnect with.  Adventures yet to be made.


(4)  This year I will, seek balance.

CrossFit, running, soccer, softball, family, friends, clean eating (& its prep time), work, sleep.  Everything requires time.  I need to seek out a balance to healthily do all I need (& want) and keep my sanity.  :)


2016 is a new year for new goals, accomplishments, and success stories.  What are your "I WILLS?"

In the Beginning

Truthfully, I have no idea if anyone wants to read yet another health and fitness blog.  I debated even tempting to write one.  But once upon a time, when I first started working towards a better, healthier me, I kept one.  And I enjoyed writing out my thoughts and feelings, sharing with others, and having others share with me.  Social medial, while helpful and motivating, limits the amount of excess words I babble through, my stream of consciousness.

Hippos & Herons came to me as a name for many reasons.  Both are creatures that I admire and both are from my childhood.  "I want a Hippopotamus for Christmas" is by far my favorite Christmas song.  In fact, my current vehicle is named after this song.  Herons were something my mom used to say I was like, as a tall and lanky child.  But both also have much deeper meanings.

Everyone has fat days.  I may say I feel like I hippo if I overeat or overindulge.  But when I go to CrossFit, I'm all for being a hippo.  Strong.  Powerful.  Beastly.  Being a hippo has perks!

A heron is such a graceful bird.  Hopefully, when I run, I am more like a heron than a hippo.  But a heron may also be how I feel when I feel more fragile on my legs too (thanks to many a knee and hip issues).

A hippo loves healthy eats!  As do herons.  Both have diets worthy of clean eating.  Again, amazing creatures, I say.

So... here's to working towards a terrific 2016, sprinkled with more of my nonsense and ramblings.