A Day in the Life

A Day Inside My Head

(I apologize)

Inner Athlete: Woo Hoo its Monday! Got my lunch pack packed, my shoes tied tight! 

Inner fat kid: You should stop for Donuts on the way in, who would know?

Me: Mmm donuts.... NO! NO! NO! I didn't spend an hour in the kitchen yesterday to go pay somebody to make me breakfast. 

Inner Athlete: Sitting inside all day sucks. 

Inner fat kid: Did you know this chair spins?! We could spin all day, watch some netflix, and order pizza!

Me: Work. Work.Pizza. Running.Work. Vacation. Work. Cold beer on vacation. Ironman. Work

Inner Athlete; Yay Lunch! 

Inner Fat Kid: Yay Lunch!

Me: Yay Lunch! 

Inner Fat Kid: Wait a second... this is salad!!! Boo Lunch

Inner Athlete: Could you please invest in a treadmill desk?

Inner Fat Kid: I noticed there are frosted sugar cookies in the breakroom. Free Cookies. Frosting. 

Me: Work. Work. Cookies. Treadmill. Work. 

Inner Athlete: Finally! Sunlight! 

Inner Fat Kid: I miss the spinning chair

Me: Sweet Baby Jesus its like the surface of the sun outside. C'mon AC...

Inner Athlete: So what delicious Ironman worthy food are we going to cook up tonight? More chicken Pitas? A salad? Maybe some eggs?

Inner fat kid: You know there is cold beer in the fridge and barros is across the street right? Its your rest day you totally earned this!

Me: Does Pita Jungle deliver? Oh wait, I never made the chicken kabobs... I have some bacon I need to use, better wrap it around the chicken. 

Inner Athlete: There is a lot of smoke outside

Inner Fat Kid: I smell Bacon

Me: SHIT SHIT SHIT 

Inner Athlete: Yay Bacon! And veggies that taste like smoke!

Inner Fat Kid: seriously?

Me: I can make this work still. 

Inner Athlete: My body is a temple and I refuse to eat those smoke filled veggies

Inner Fat Kid: Just peel off the bacon and eat that 

Me: Well. Shit. Better make something for Scott

#FoodPrepSunday #It'sNotRealIfYouDontHastagIt #hashtag

Hi everyone! I am still learning the art of hashtagging, if its an art  I never perfect I will be ok with it! 

I had a couple of people request some of my recipes, here are a few that use as a basis of many meals. Let me know if you like them. Thanks! 

4 requirements for my meal prep... Portable, Cost Efficient, Tasty, and Healthy

Baked Egg

This is one of my favorite breakfast recipes because it’s easy, portable, and holds up well throughout the week.  You can adapt the base recipe and add whatever ingredients sound good to you. I have done artichoke, sundried tomato and feta (seriously awesome), ham and cheese, Spinach sausage and mushroom, the possibilities are endless!

This week I did a Beef Chorizo, bell pepper, and cheese baked egg.

1Lb lean beef chorizo from Sprouts  $2.08 (on sale)

16 eggs (.25/egg) you can also use one of the big egg white cartons

1 Green Bell Pepper ($0.88)

1 Red Bell Pepper ($0.88)

8oz shredded sharp cheddar (On sale $1.25)

This makes 8 servings at $1.09/serving. This can be cut into smaller pieces for little humans but Scott and I have big appetites. I usually supplement this with a green smoothie, toast with avocado, or a bowl of fruit.

Directions

Heat your oven to 425 degrees

Brown the chorizo on the stove until almost all the way cooked, set aside

Chop your bell peppers into small chunks

Crack the eggs into a big bowl and beat until all the yolks are broken and everything is mixed well.

Spray a 9x13 pan with Pam

Spread the chorizo and bell peppers across the bottom and then top with the egg.

Bake at 425 for 45 min, the egg will set and no longer wiggle when you gently shake the pan.

At 45 minutes pull the pan out, top with the cheese and place back in the oven for 5-10 minutes.

(I usually turn my oven off at this time and let it finish baking while the oven cools down)

I leave it in the pan and cut it a slice at night for the next day.

Meatballs

I will do my best to estimate amounts, this is a tweaked family recipe that I have made as long as I can remember and I don’t use measuring tools anymore. I love using meatballs because they are easy to eat at work, I can just cut them with my fork and dive right in.

2Lbs Ground meat of preference, I usually use chicken or turkey because its readily available.

½ cup finely shredded Parmesan

1 cup bread crumbs

1 egg (you can use 2 egg whites as a sub to cut a few calories)

I toss seasonings in randomly. This week I used Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.

Mix together and roll into meatballs, 2 lbs usually gives me 16 meatballs.

Spray a large frying pan with your oil of choice (I love the new Pam coconut oil spray)

Let the pan get hot and then start adding your meatballs, the pan should be hot enough to sear the meatball.

Keep turning until all sides are browned. You can let them finish cooking in a pot of hot marinara or place a lid over the meatballs and let them keep cooking.

You want the internal temp of the meatball to be at least 165 degrees, you can check using an internal meat thermometer.

Breakfast Burritos

I am still on the hunt for the perfect tortilla. I want one that will hold up, taste good, and not be filled with lard. I am filtering my way through the hippie tortillas at Sprouts, it’s a hard job but somebody has to do it! Heads up, this makes 5 Lauren sized burritos (mfp est cal is 450/burrito) on large tortillas.

5 tortillas (pick your favorite)

1 carton egg whites (again you can always use whole eggs)

1 can drained and rinsed black beans (patting them dry helps too)

2 tomatoes chopped

Sausage of choice (leaving this one open, sometimes I use chicken sometimes I go right for the pork! You can also use ham or bacon or leave it out all together) should be around 16oz of meat. If you choose to go the bacon route, think 1/2 slices per burrito. 

8 oz cheese (give or take)

Brown  and crumble your sausage, set to the side

Cook your scrambled egg whites in a large pan, add in the sausage, tomato, and black beans.

Mix together until every bite of egg has some sidekick yumminess with it

Lay out the tortilla, scoop about 1 cup of egg mixture in the center, add ¼ cup of shredded cheese, and roll that bad boy up!

Wrap in foil or saran wrap. You can freeze or throw in the fridge, they last about 4 days in the fridge before the cheese gets weird.

Reheat in the morning or lunch or dinner or all three if you are feeling extra burrito-y and enjoy!

I put mine unwrapped in the microwave for 2 minutes (increase time if frozen)

The Battle Rages On...also a cameo by Amy Poehler.

I battled the fat kid all day long. 

Not in the usual sense, I wasn't trying to shove my face full of pizza and donuts at every turn. 

Don't get me wrong.. I was HUNGRY.

I ran hills last night and I could have happily dove face first into whatever was readily available. 

However I made sure to pack my prepped foods so I was able to stay the MF'ing course. 

Today wasn't about telling the fat kid no. 

No, no pizza for me thanks. 

No, Beer isn't really my thing. 

 It was about telling that little asshole to shut the f*$k up. 

Anxiety, fear, and self doubt were the name of the game today. 

That little voice in my head was screaming today. 

I am not fast enough

I am not skinny enough

I am not working hard enough

I will never follow through with anything

I will never finish an Ironman

I just wanted the voice to go away. 

I don't give a shit if I am not fast enough. I am out there pushing my body and working to be faster. 

Fuck. Skinny. 

Yeah I said it. 

I am strong, I am healthy, and I am working on tailoring my birthday suit. 

That stupid number on the stupid scale doesn't define me. 

It doesn't make me less of a person. 

It doesn't tell you who I am. 

I am a strong badass woman. 

Yeah I wear a fanny pack when I run and I own something called Hoo Ha Ride Glide. 

I still Tri 

(see what I did there)

I will finish an Ironman. 

I will finish if I have to drag my legs behind me like a dog. 

Hell or high water

Blood, road rash, exhaustion, knee pain, sunburns, and black toe nails. 

I will finish.

That little voice inside my head just told me that I just jinxed myself and my finish. 

I am going to crush that stupid voice like a bug. 

The battle rages on. 

Its not always physical. 

Sometimes the mental aspect is worse. 

When in doubt, listen to Amy Poehler. 

(Side note, go buy her book. It's amazing. I laughed, cried, and snorted)

Donut Do That

I made a very, very, very bold statement today. 

I am not being held to it... yet. 

I kind of want to take it back

I kind want to see if I can

I know I can finish an Ironman if I put everything I have into it. 

I am not sure I can do this. 

5 months isn't long at all right?

You guys will all help me with the detoxing and shakes?

Okay. Ok. Okaaay. 

I promised if one of my friends signed up for IMAZ70.3 that I would... 

Give up pizza and donuts until after the race.

I know. 

I know. 

Its not set in stone yet. 

I could take it back 

I am a little tempted to see if I can do it. 

But fa reals... no pizza after a 10+mile run? 

No pizza to go with my beer after a 50+ mile ride?

No maple long johns?

I may have really jumped off the deep end this time. 

Living the Sherpa Lifestyle

As a triathlete and triathlete wife I am currently in a cocoon of sherpa bliss. 

What is a Sherpa? 

Well in the Triathlon world it's usually the athletes spouse/parent/significant other/person who lost a bet who will be helping that athlete carry a lot of shit around (Including but not limited to bikes, bags, bike pumps, more bags, sunscreen, wet suits, and more bags), they scream and jump up and down when they see the athlete on the course, they will drive the athlete to the nearest drive through after the race, they come up with awesome signs, and they will listen to every detail of the course including that 3rd bathroom stop that didn't go as planned. 

I really enjoy sherpa-ing for Scott 

One of the best things about being the sherpa is that you are not racing but that's also one of the worst parts.

Watching him train day in and day out, two a days, 100 mile bike rides, and ice baths don't really get me ramped up for my race in October but walking through Ironman Village or watching athletes get their transitions ready really makes me wish I was suiting up with them. 

So why am I in Sherpa heaven? 

Its 3 weeks until Ironman Coeur D'Alene 

Which means I get 5 days by a lake, a really beautiful lake. 

I also don't have to run 26 miles so that always makes me happy. 

However after a few days of sherpa-ing by a lake and out of the heat I get to start my training program for IMAZ70.3

The day we get back I get to plant my ass on a bike. 

There are no take backs, no excuses, no bullshit. 

I am scared. 

I am nervous

I am excited

I am scared

I am putting a lot of trust in myself and that is hard. 

I am embracing the suck

I am dreaming of post training pizza

I am really scared 

There are so many miles between me and the finishers shoot in October. 

Miles that I am excited to take on

miles that lead to pizza 

Miles that lead to amazing things. 

I have sat through 3 soon to be 4 Ironman events and there is really nothing that compares. 

3 weeks until I leave the safe and warm cocoon of my sherpa lifestyle. 

I can't wait to see whats on the other side! 

Pizza Sprinkles

Scott is out of town this weekend and when he goes out of town we have an unspoken agreement. 

He leaves to attend a conference, hiking with his brother, or have a boys weekend 

and I get to sit at home and watch Harry Potter movies, read Nora Roberts novels, and pretend the laundry and chores don't exist until an hour before he gets home. 

Being the amazing husband that he is, he pretends not to notice. 

I know I could wait and he would help which makes him even more awesome but I like spending time with him when he gets home that does not involve mops or brooms. 

I haven't started my meal prep either except to go grocery shopping

I have been in a meal prep FUNK.  

I am having a hard time coming up with new ideas that fit the following criteria

A. Cheap

I need to make my meals budget friendly. If budget wasn't a concern I would just eat Chipotle every day.

B. Healthy

If calories and nutritional content weren't a concern I would just eat Chipotle every day with cheese and sour cream.  

I prefer lower carb foods with moderate calories.  I need to lose some lb's but I also need to run for an hour. 

C. Portability

I can't cook up a steak and chop a fresh salad in the break room at work. 

It needs to fit in Tupperware

D. Durability

I cook all my meals on Sunday, I need something that won't grow a second head by Friday

I have a few standbys but I am getting bored and when I am bored I forage for something that will make me less bored. Like pizza, nothing boring about pizza. 

or cupcakes. 

Pretty much anything with sprinkles

"But Lauren, Pizza doesn't have sprinkles"

What do you think pepperoni is? 

Pizza Sprinkles.

Standbys include but are not limited to..

Chicken Meatballs in Marinara with salad

Chicken Teriyaki Meatballs roasted vegetables

Salad with chicken

Roasted Chicken with hummus, a hard boiled egg, and carrots

more salad with chicken

More sides of protein and varying sides of vegetables

This week I am going with chicken salad with avocado instead of mayo

I will stuff my face with carrots until the need to forage goes away

I might make more banana cookies as a treat for not ripping through anything and everything I can find in the work fridge. 

Chicken Salad

1 cup chopped grilled chicken 

2 stalk chopped celery

1/2 chopped red bell pepper

1/2 chopped green bell pepper

1/4 cup chopped red onion 

1/2 avocado smashed (like you are making guac)

mix it all up, season with garlic salt and dig in!

It also goes great in a lettuce wrap or in a pita

My plan is to put all the chopped ingredients into a Tupperware and add the avocado the day of. 

Cookie Monster

Today was a day that I could have happily planted my ass on the couch and curled up with a pint of Ben and Jerry's finest. 

I could have pulled up speed dial and let the good folks at Barros talk me into a large sausage and double cheese pizza. 

I wanted to

I realllllly wanted to

I still want to

Instead I went tearing through cabinets and pinterest trying to find a way to make something that would satisfy both my sweet tooth, my hormones, would not require a trip to the store and not help me gain 12 lbs. 

Banana Oatmeal peanut butter chocolate chip cookies

#Winning 

3 bananas, 1 cup of oats, 2 tbsp PB2, and 1 cup of chocolate chips later the beast has been soothed. 

I fixed a flat on my bike (all by  myself!) while they were cooking (20-25 minutes at 350). Then I burnt the roof of my mouth, my tongue, and my fingers trying to eat them straight out of the oven. 

Patience and eating slowly have never really been my thing. 

After devouring a cookie and coating my tongue in aloe I jumped on my bike trainer.

Bike trainers are the best. 

Seriously. 

It's 100 degrees outside and I was able to get in my ride in the comfort of my own home (and AC) while watching Super Troopers. 

and eating cookies. 

whoops. 

I only had 2!

I followed it up with a big ass salad and a Disney movie. 

Because.... I am an adult.

The more I thought about the cookies the more I realized I may have stumbled onto pinterest gold. 

150 calories and other than the chocolate they are filled with good things. 

I think they would make good race food both pre race and race fuel. 

I might try adding a few other things to them like switching the pb2 and  chocolate chips for a little brown sugar and dried cranberries, I could add some flax seed or chopped up dates. 

I could even add some coconut. 

The possibilities are endless

This also means the cookie testing is endless. 

Beating Down My Inner Fat Kid

I am very honest in this little blog 

I don't hide my issues, my insecurities, my fears, my doubts, my bad habits, my training programs, or my relationship with food. 

I know not everyone has the same issues that I do. 

Not everyone wants to eat a whole double cheese and sausage pizza while chugging a beer in their sweat pants. 

I get it. 

Everyone has different life goals, 

Most of you probably don't have the urge to go swim miles, bike 112 miles, or run 26.2. 

I plan to do all three and then because I apparently love pain I will follow that up with a tattoo commemorating the event. 

I am not everyone

But I hope that in reading this you know that whatever food habits or issues you may have... 

You are not alone. 

It doesn't make you less of a human

And I hope you do what makes you happy while working towards a healthier lifestyle. 

its a struggle

it sucks

its beyond rewarding 

and you can make those changes to achieve a healthier lifestyle 

Sorry that was a little more serious than I normally am so here ya go. 

Nacho Lucky Day

I saw the most amazing picture today. 

Can you guess what it was?

It wasn't a sunset 

It wasn't a beautiful newborn baby

It wasn't a pudgy adorable puppy

It was nachos. 

Glorious, cheesy, and topped with pulled pork.

I was able to refrain from licking my phone but I wavered on that decision. 

Who needs a long, low cholesterol life when you have chips with melted cheese. 

I looked at the picture, drooled over the picture, then tried to figure out a way to work nachos into my life. 

Because I am trying to lose a couple pounds, train for a 1/2 Ironman and generally improve my lifestyle; nachos are not on the regular menu. 

I would have to run a stupid amount of miles, bike to Tuscon, or swim around Lake Pleasant for a couple hours in order to enjoy a face

full of cheesy goodness.

Now most rational people without major food issues are thinking "why don't you just get in a good workout, make sure your other 2 meals are healthy, and split the nachos with your husband?"

A. We don't share food. ever. 

it works for us and helps both of us avoid missing fingers. 

B. Portion control is not really my thing

I'm actually eating my salad out of a mixing bowl as I type this and I may or may not have accidentally spilled cheese on my computer. 

C. I don't feel like biking to Tuscon. 

So I guess that means I am shit out of luck, eh? 

Well I am nothing if not resourceful when it comes to finding a way to eat things I want 

Thats why as I was drooling over my phone and my boss was wondering if I was exhibiting stroke symptoms I decided I would make a Nacho Salad! 

Pulled pork, black beans, corn, red onion, cilantro, cotija cheese, and guac for dressing. All piled on top of  a big ass bed of lettuce. 

Not bad right? 

Its not a plate of melted cheese and deep fried corn tortillas

But it also won't give me a massive food hangover or lead to a downward spiral of food guilt. 

I know it will still be pretty calorie laden but those are all pretty wholesome ingredients. 

I will leave you with this...

I googled "how was cheese discovered" and " Nacho meme" for this blog. 

I was not disappointed. 

Since animal skins and inflated internal organs have, since ancient times, provided storage vessels for a range of foodstuffs, it is probable that the process of cheese making was discovered accidentally by storing milk in a container made from the stomach of an animal, resulting in the milk being turned to curd and whey by the rennet from the stomach. 

I probably should have stopped 3 memes ago. 

Pop Tarts and Pizza

Let me start by saying I enjoyed my salad and turkey meatballs for dinner

My protein box for lunch was delicious

Greek yogurt was a nice snack 

and I couldn't really find any fault in my eggs with chicken sausage for breakfast

But I would kill some pop tarts, a pizza, 12 hotpockets, and 4 cupcakes

I would.
 I would do it and enjoy every moment....

right until I surfaced for air

Then I would probably go through a range of emotions....including but not limited to happiness, sadness, fullness (yes I consider "fullness" an emotion), worry, anxiety, oh look I missed some frosting level happiness, oh crap I just ate a weeks worth of calories, I just ate a weeks worth of calories I should probably brag about this, this is not going to end well, and what the f&*k was I thinking?

So as I watch the 800th Taco Bell commercial and scoff at the taco biscuit being just like Momma's cooking but also thinking that I could really go for a chalupa I try to think about my upcoming races instead. 

I think about the hard work I have put in

I think about the commitment I made

I think about pulling a hot pocket filled stomach for 56 miles on a bike. 

and I go to bed at 7pm so I stay the hell away from the fridge

whatever works, right? 

Goodnight! 

But Why?

I'm starting to feel like the toddler who just learned the phrase "but why" and has irritated all family members, teachers, day care workers, and random strangers on the street to death. I have to ask 10 million follow up questions to every statement I hear about what is the best route, the best training, the best shoe, the best food, etc, etc...

Heart Rate Training is the way to go 

But Why?

Carb Loading is the way to go

But Why?

Metabolic Efficiency Training is the way to go 

But why?

This bike seat is the Cadillac of bike seats

But why?

These socks will stop all blisters

How?

These Shoes will save your life

Really?

This foam roller will cure cancer

Is that so?

Kale is a super food that will make you faster than the flash 

If you are referring to how fast it makes you go to the bathroom then I have no follow up questions. 

Like with most things, everyone has an opinion. 

And everyone thinks there opinion is the right one. 

I see no problem with that because I am harassing everyone I know in the tri/running world for their opinion. 

But it can be hard to wade through everything to find something that works for me

Carb loading doesn't work for me

Minimalist shoes don't work for me

But these things could be the almighty savior for others runners/triathletes

So off I go again to scour blogs, articles, and stalk a few athletes to find out what makes them faster, stronger, leaner, and able to eat pizza without gaining weight

I'm sure somebody out there is thinking they are probably faster, stronger, and leaner becuase of the lack of pizza in their life but I disagree.

 I have yet to meet an endurance athlete who does not enjoy pizza and ice cream. 

Go run 20+ miles and try to convince me that a kale smoothie would really hit the spot. 

Working on my inner athlete

Weekends are always the hardest.

 I want to get up and get my miles in but I also want lay in bed surrounded by donuts and coffee. 

My morning started with a sauteed vegetable, bean, potato, and cheese burrito and a few hours at work. It wasn't sleeping in and donuts but it could be worse. It's also the all holy rest day so I have spent my afternoon watching bad 90's movies and grocery shopping.  

Tomorrow my plan is to meet Heather at 5:30 and run 7ish miles, then plant my face in a bowl of eggs. 

I don't know if this behavior is actually beating my inner fat kid down or just tiring him out like an excited puppy. 

It's hard to tip toe that line of losing weight and getting in the calories required to train. 

My body says eat a steak topped with some chicken nuggets with a bottle of ranch dressing and a dozen scrambled eggs on the side...maybe a pizza and ice cream for dessert. But my mind says if you run 8 miles and eat just kale you could totally hit your goal weight. 

Neither of those are "healthy" thoughts 

The healthy thing to do is fuel my body with the proper foods to train. 

Pizza tastes better than healthy thoughts. 

(see how the fat kid just lashes out when you least expect it?)

Athletes eat and train they don't diet and exercise. 

So I try to act like an athlete, I try to be an athlete. 

I spend most of my days in different forms of spandex

I run, I bike, I swim, I go to the gym, I eat entire grocery store aisles 

(that last one is super athletic)

   

Racing Recap and Tacos

Yesterday was my 4th sprint triathlon, Lifetime Tri Events Marquee at Tempe Town Lake. 

I am by no means an experienced triathlete but I have figured out enough through trial and error how to not make (too big) of an ass out of myself. Not that it really matters at triathlons, you are surrounded by the most amazing and supportive group of strangers you will ever meet. I was struggling in the middle of my run yesterday, no matter what I do I tend to fly out off of my bike and out of transition 2 at around an 8:30 pace. I am in no way shape or form an 8:30 runner, my body likes the 12 min zone, every now and then I can hold a 10-11 min pace but that usually involves a lot of downhills. So this 8:30 pace usually lasts about a mile before I can convince my legs that this was a terrible idea and we need to slow the F down if I have any chance of not dragging them behind me across the finish line. After I finally slow down I start the wogging portion of my day....

walk...jog...gasp...repeat. 

I get a lot of "good job buddy! You got this! Almost there!" during this time. 

This leads me to believe that I look very pained or constipated

Either way, these strangers who don't know you, your history, or what brought you to this point are trying to help you finish. 

This never fails to amaze me. 

I am a head down, head phones in kind of runner. Partly because I am shy, partly because I tend to make poop jokes when feel uncomfortable and this usually does not go over well with a stranger. 

(sometimes they laugh and that is how I have met 90% of my friends)

You're not allowed to use headphones during races so I don't have the option to be unsociable. 

I held a conversation with a perfectly nice stranger yesterday, he was just begging for someone to talk to him during the last leg of the race. I was clipping along back at my 8:30 pace to finish the last mile when I heard a guy I had just passed yell " great job! seriously that is like a sub 9 minute mile! the finish is just around the corner! great job! is this your first race? are you training for a specific distance? "

He fired these questions off rapid fire

in my almost to the finish line haze I actually responded

Thanks... yes its an 8:30 pace... thank you for noticing? yeah just a mile left...thanks... no this is my 4th... IMAZ 70.3...gaaaaaassp ( this pace is not conducive to talking)

stranger: thats awesome! what about a full? when are you going to do a full?

Me: snort... gasp... snort... 2016 is the plan

Stranger: you should volunteer this year!

Me: are you human? snort...cough...

Stranger: you are pulling away, push to the finish!

me: Ok... thanks! take..luck..

That was just the run. 

I also managed to blow a snot rocket onto one of the elite/pro athletes. 

Those guys come out of nowhere!

I looked behind me, all was clear... I blew my nose to the right...then blew it to the left, right as a blur in a leotard flew by. I couldn't even tell you if it was a male or female. All I know is they got a face full of grossness. 

For that I apologize, I am so so so sorry. 

Nobody deserves that. 

The swim went well, the water was so much cleaner that my last race. I didn't have to fight my way through bushes or dead bodies. (joking! kinda..) only live ones. It was colder that I was planning for so Heather and I were some of the very few and very brave no wearing wet suits. It was our own Arizona polar club. I am not convinced I really need a wet suit but everyone seems to think they are the best thing next to wearing floaties in the water.

My shoulder is pretty pissed off today but open water will do that. 

I ended up taking 17 minutes of my previous time on that course. Its amazing what taking 20 lbs off your body and a decent training plan can do. 

(I can hear my husband rolling his eyes)

This race has me so damn excited for whats to come. I am ready to dive into training head first and not come up until an athlete resurfaces. I hope the athlete in me manages to hold the inner fat kid under the water until he shuts the hell up. He is usually the loudest after a race, yesterday was no exception. I finished the race, grabbed my medal, watched Heather come in, loaded the car back up, and hit the first drive through I could find. 

A jumbo jack has never tasted so good. 

I won't go into details but it wasn't pretty. 

I am just now starting to get over the post race fat kid hump. 

The raging hulk hunger has mostly subsided and I am not sitting in a ball of shame surrounded by empty take out boxes so that I will call that a win. 

My food is prepped for the week and I am ready tackle whatever comes. 

Even if the fat kids rears his ugly head again, I will wrestle his ass to the ground and hog tie him. 

Food for the week:

Breakfast: Smoothies, Scrambled eggs with ham, cheddar, and tomatoes 400-500cal

Lunch: Green lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, and homemade turkey meatballs 300cal

Dinner...

Guess... 

Seriously you won't get it...

Guess!

SALAD WITH CHICKEN!

calm yourself.

I can barely handle the excitement 

#truestory

Prepping for Ironman

I try to do at least one race a year that scares the absolute shit out of me. It keeps me focused and I do better with a goal in mind. Ironman is beyond terrifying, that is why I am starting with a 70.3 or half Ironman. Prepping for Ironman has become a huge part of my life. If I am not running, I am biking or swimming. If I am not working out, I am researching nutrition theories, reading training books, or shopping for triathlon gear (the last one is my favorite). My bike trainer has become my new best friend, I can set up my bike, get some miles in, watch tv, and read my training book. 

My 16 week training plan doesn't start until July 1st so I am working on getting my nutrition in line and getting my baseline training where I want it. I read that before you start a 1/2 Ironman training program you should be able to run, bike, and swim comfortably for 1 hour. I can do all of those things for 1 hour at a time but not at the speed I would prefer. I have been working on getting my speed back and my endurance up. 

I have also been trying to make nutrition my main focus. I know how to train and I know how to eat to lose weight. I don't know how to do both. 70 miles is no joke and if I don't fuel my body properly I could run face first into the wall before I reach the finish. I have to put a lot of my focus on training my eating habits. The more weight I can take off, the better my body will feel. There are so many theories, books, plan, and opinions when it comes to what is right in the nutrition world. It can be daunting to try and figure it out on your own. I am trying to read as much as I can to get a well rounded view of whats out there. The most intriguing theory I have found is Metabolic Efficiency Training. This involves training your body to use your fat store vs carb stores. If you burn fat vs carbs you can go longer without having to constantly refuel. One thing I hate about long races is constantly sucking down race nutrition. I don't want to eat while I run, I want to get the race over with and fall face first into a large sausage and cupcake pizza (not a real thing but it should be) If I could run and refuel with pizza and beer I would but for some reason people insist on water, gatorade, and goos. 

I forgot what I was talking about. 

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Nutrition! 

MET also involves training at a lower intensity to trick your body into using your fat stores for longer burning fuel vs the quick energy you get from carbs. 

 

I looked into hiring someone to tell me how to do this but as it turns out nutrionists are slightly outside my Ironman budget. 

Plenty of triathletes have finished races without trainers, nutrionists, million dollar bikes, and tri suits that wipe your ass for you. If Dave Scott can win Ironman on 10 bananas I can figure out how to eat the right food to fuel my body

right?

right. 

well..maybe.

 

My brain says the best way I can succeed as a triathlete is to give this everything I have, push myself, and be the best possible shape before I start my training program.  This means strapping on a feedbag full of lettuce when I want a bowl of ice cream with a kalua drizzle or my own pizza topped cupcakes (seriously, can someone get on this?). It means swimming/biking/running when I want to watch binge watch netflix until I forget what year it is. 

It means (as a good friend reminded me) embracing the suck.