My week in workouts.

This New Year's I recently started tracking my progress. I track my progress in workouts everyday so I know how many miles I've gotten in and how many workouts I've done. I'm obsessive about organization so every color means something different. 

Purple(my favorite): Running

Green: CrossFit

Blue: Swimming

Red: Biking/Spin

Black: Lifting or a rest day 

My week in workouts: 

Monday 3/3/14: REST

Tuesday 3/4/14: (CrossFit) Diane- 21•15•9 Deadlift (115#) Handstand push-up

Wednesday 3/5/14: (CrossFit) 15 minute clock- 1 min. Max Squats 2 min. Double Unders 3 min. push-ups 4 min.Superman 5 min. Pull ups

Thursday 3/6/14: 5 mile run

Friday 3/7/14: (CrossFit) 14.2 10 overhead squats (35#) 10 chest 2 bar

12 OH Squats 12 c2b 14 OH Squats 14c2b 

Saturday 3/8/1: 10 mile run

Wrap up: 3 CrossFit workouts, 15 miles running, 2 rest days 

Do you track your workouts? 

Running and CrossFit are my favorites.

Through my childhood- teen years I've played a lot of spots. I've pretty much tried everything except running. Weird... But, recently I was thinking about why I love running and CrossFit. I started CrossFit on June 15,2013 so not even a year ago. I've been running for the past 6 years and I like that because it's my alone time. I usually shut my phone off for my long runs so I don't feel obligated to check it. I swear, I can go all week without a single phone call and the second I get to the park to run, my phone blows up with text messages, phone calls, Facebook posts, tweets to me etc... I usually know someone couldn't get a hold of me when my sister shows up at the park to interrupt my run.  That's happened quit a few times. Anyways, I was thinking about every sport that I've played and why they didn't add up to CrossFit. Here's what I've come up with: 

Ballet/lyrical/dance/gymnastics: This was my longest sport. I started dance and gymnastics when I was 4 or 5? and graduated after 13 years there. I lived the sport but what kept me was my instructors. The students were nice but they all had their own cliques.  They weren't the first ones to care if you hit a "pr" or got technique that you've never done. Actually, they were kind of stuck up. 

 Soccer/Softball: Soccer and baseball are probably my two favorite sports. I started soccer when I was 8 quit until I was 12 and started back up until I graduated. Let's be honest here, I wasn't that great. I lost a lot of confidence when I would ask for help but the coach wouldn't help me. It wasn't a sport where everyone got a chance to play. I spent most of my time on the bench. The other players really didn't care if you played or not but if they didn't play then all he'll would break loose. 

Swimming: I swam for 8 years before Jr. High. I loved it, but I had to chose between swimming and soccer. Terrible idea. I was also "the fat kid" so I probably wasn't that good. 

Kickboxing: Kickboxing was my cross training to running. I loved it but you couldn't go at your pace and it stopped becoming challenging after high school.  At one point the class was full of age of 65+ and the next week it would be full of children. That's fine but our classes were so full that you could nearly get your workout in. 

I think that wraps everything up. So back to why I love running and CrossFit. 

Running: You don't need to relay on anyone. You put your headphones on or listen to you breathing and your good to go. There's no bench to sit on unless you're tiered. You are your own team mate. Whether you're first or last, someone will always be cheering you on. And if not, you'll have your thighs. 

CrossFit: At the CrossFit Box that I go too, we have two coaches. Anytime you need help with form, they are there to help without judging or being annoyed. I've also never felt so welcome in a sport. Everyone is your friend and will help and cheer you on. You can be fat, thin, fit, skinny, as long as you put out the effort in and try(without cheating) then you'll learn something. 

If you've never tried CrossFit, try it. I hope you love it. 

Last night, one of my bestfriends came home to visit. We went to Panera to grab something to eat and I had lent and my long run today in mind.  I always forget to ask for the apple when I go instead of extra bread. 

Last night I tried the "You pick two" again. I love the "You pick two" because you can always try something new. I also love that panera puts the calorie content beside everything. I stopped being a calorie counter but it's nice to know when I'm eating. I ordered half Mac n' Cheese and half of a Tuna Salad Sandwhich. That was the first time I had either. They were both great. Maybe a little too much bread but it filled me up for my long run this morning. 

Today's goal is a 10 mile run. I ran 5 the other day so I'm going to work on my long run today. It's supposed to be almost 50 degrees, so that's exciting! 

What's your longest run this weekend?

Treadmill Thoughts.

If any of you know me then you know I hate the treadmill. Actually, it takes a lot to get me on there but when I do, then I get stuff done. It might be slow and I might stop a lot because I think it get shin splints but I get stuff done. 

Tonight's run got done. I told myself I was going to do it and I did. I was miserable the entire time. (No need to lie) I am an absolute complainer when I'm on the dreadmill. Soooo to make it fun, I want to let you know about what goes on in my head (or "Missieland" as one of my longest best friends would call it.)

Missieland 

1.) I go to the gym in hopes to watch The Big Bang Theory or Two and a half men reruns. 

2.) I never get gassy until someone shows up beside me. 

3.) Contemplating my triathlon training for August, I've concluded that the swimming comes first because of you drown then you don't have to waste your time on biking and running. You just cut your loses at the swimming. 

4.) Now I'm not sure if I want to go the Pgh Tri in August. That's my birthday/anniversary/ best month ever. I don't want to die then...

5.) I'm pretty sure the girl beside me doesn't appreciate me blowing my nose into my sleeve while running. At least I did it on the other side...

6.) I wonder how fast I can make this go before I trip on my face and go flying back... If it didn't hurt so bad it would probably be hilarious. Who trips on a treadmill?! Let's keep this thing slow to make sure that doesn't happen. 

7.) Wow five miles is further than I thought...

8.) I guess this is how hamsters feel sometimes..

9.) Am I done yet?! Only two miles left..I can do this....

After I finished that fun extravaganza I had to shower and run errends. By this time it was close to 8pm and I was starving. Luckily, Panera is right beside the gym that I go too. Since it was so late and I was going home to get to sleep, I didn't want to eat anything heavy. I decided to go with the Chicken Hummus Power Bowl. 

The first thing I noticed was their packaging. I had to drive about 20 minutes home and you know SW Pa is full of potholes. It with stood the test of my driving and the potholes! That doesn't happen often...

It was full of spinach, cucumbers, tomatoes, onions, and chicken. They added lemon juice over top of it. The bowl was really light and filled me up before I went to sleep. I would defiantly eat this before working out too. It's light enough that you won't get sick before a gym session. 

*At a lot of Panera Stores this bowl is not located on the menu yet, but if you ask for it, they'll usually have it. 

This is my little blogging helper. He needs my kisses. 

It's Friday, friends! What are your weekend workouts?! 

February Bulubox

I went with another 6 month subscription to bulubox. I love their products and I'm always looking to try new things. Here is what February contained...

SoyJoy:I've been looking for these to try for years! They don't sell them in my area. (At least I haven't found them yet) I ate this for breakfast on my way to work after the pulmonary doctor. It was good, quick, and easy. It didnt crumble in the wrapper so I actually got to eat it without crumbs everywhere. The taste was great but it didn't really keep me full. Maybe I just like to eat a lot. It's a good "before gym snack" (it won't make you gassy on the treadmill. You know you were thinking it. ) 

JustFruitBar: When I was little my mom used to buy my sister and I some kind of all natural fruit roll up that had that awkward texture like sand paper. This had that, but a little bit thicker. It brought back my childhood. I actually really liked this. It was a good snack instead of average candy. It was like a helathy fruit roll up. 

Salvation Chia: I've had chia seeds before. I like to put them in my oatmeal because of the weird texture. I think it absorbs some of the crunchiness better. I like to also put peanut butter and chocolate protein powder in my oatmeal for a morning chocolate fix. Chia seeds absorb a lot of liquid so I recommend keeping it a little runny and letting it sit a few minutes after you stir it. 

PowerCrunch Proto Whey: If you like vaniella, then this stuff is for you! I personally like chocolate but it didn't have many calories and was really sweet. I put it in Lactaid milk after a CrossFit session. It was very filling. 

Flow (no picture, sorry): I've never taken a pre workout supplement before but I really liked this. I took two capsules before I went to the gym. It didn't make me jittery but I did focus a little bit better. 

All of these products can be found here: 

http://www.bulubox.com/?acc=7cbbc409ec990f19c78c75bd1e06f215

Get a box FREE use offe code: BULUGAN290 

Have you tried any of these products or get monthly sample boxes?

What are your favorites? 

Marathon Training Time

So, I previously wrote that I have some great news coming up. I was asked to become an official Pittsburgh Marathon Training Menu Blogger for Panera Bread! I love Panera (and the Pittsburgh Marathon) so I couldn't say no. I have started working with them this week and it's great so far. 

Some more great news, I will be running my first FULL MARATHON on May 4th, 2014. Pittsburgh will always have a place in my heart because that was my first half marathon last year. I feel so lucky that I get to working with just a great organization. 

This year, I'm trying something new with my training. Last year I spent probably 5-6 days a week running and maybe 1-2 days strength training. This year my goal is to cut back a little bit. I'm going to do 3 days strength training and 2 days with a short run and one day with a long run. I have also been doubling up on workout days to give myself a couple extra rest days. 

My biggest issue with marathon training right now though, is this weather. I live in an area with a ton of hills so getting out to train is tough. We've been getting massive amounts I snow and sidewalks aren't staying clean.  I don't feel like it's worth hurting myself to run outside but I hate the dreadmill. They've been calling for a nasty winter storm today for the past week, so I made sure this morning that my husband was up early enough to go work out. When we left it was a nice light snow. We had to stop at his parents house and their back roads were covered but still manageable. By the time we went to the gym and lunch, there was about 4 inches on the ground! NOT COOL! We kept our gym workout kind of light because there were a little bit busy since everyone wanted to get in and out. I packed old gym shoes thinking it wouldn't matter since I was only going a couple of miles. That was an awful idea. We got in a good ab workout and 2.50 mile run. It was better than nothing. Afterwards we went over to Panera because it's conveniently located right across the street from our gym. 

I got a "You Pick Two" with the Chicken Tortalini Pasta and Chicken Noodle Soup.  I know it's a ton of carbs but I really just wanted something that would warm me up. It was a great "snow day" combo. 

I feel like this week coming up is going to have a ton I progress so I'm hoping I can share great results with you at the end of the week. 

How's the weather in your area?

Any advice for a first time marathon runner?

Race Season is Right Around the Corner.

If you're from anywhere near the northeast above West Virginia, then you know this winter has been rough. We've had weather in the negatives or single digits almost every morning for weeks. That ground hog wasn't kidding when he said 6 more weeks of winter. Getting to the gym has been tough becsuse every time I try to go we get hit with a snow storm. 

Training has had it's ups and downs though. Right now, I'm mostly making it to CrossFit 3 days a week and getting to the gym when I get there. To motivate myself I've made done new training schedules. 

I'm going to start working on my marathon training schedule this week. I plan on working in swimming and biking to my cross train days. Even though the calendar only has one workout on most days, there might be two. I think as long as I stick to my training schedule, I'll be as good as gold. 

I'm really hoping for some decent weather soon so I can get outside. In the meantime, I meal prepped with a summery salad to feel like it's summertime. 

I found a recipe similar on Pinterest under Triathlete Magazine's board. I had to change it up for myself a little bit. 

2 10oz. Cherry or grape tomatoes (Chopped)

2 Cucumbers

1 Purple onion 

1 Can white kidney beans (drained and rinsed) 

1 Can Garbonza Beans 

1/2 cup White or red wine vinegar (I used white)

4 tbs. Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Salt & Peper 

Mix everything and refrigerate for 30 minutes before eating. 

My Weekly Disappointment

So, for the past three weeks it has been miserably cold. Not only in the single digits, but in the negatives.

I usually go to morning CrossFit but this week I just couldn't. The two weeks before that I would go but I would be miserable all day. Over exerting yourself while trying to breathe just isn't a good idea. I can make up the classes and miles while swimming and running. 

I know to some people -7 isn't that cold. Well, here where it hasn't done that in years, it's freezing. It hurts to breathe. The windchill was -30. Just walking a few steps was putting me out of breathe. I pretty much took this week off. I have found that resting does much more good than harm. It's okay to rest. It doesn't mean you're weak. Sometimes we all need a break. I'll never understand why some people get so prideful about weather and something's. When you tell someone that it's -7 and they have to feel big and bad to tell you, "Well, it's -8 here!" Dude, I don't care. Either way they're both cold! I'm not killing myself to get a workout in that I can make up. I know some people would disagree and that's okay. I really don't care. 

If you don't feel well it's okay to take a day or even a week off! Don't let someone make you feel obligated to go out and do it. 

In better news, it was over 25 here yesterday and will climb to 40 today. 

I also have big news coming up about the Pittsburgh Marathon & Panera Bread. Stay tuned and have a great weekend.