Go Mommy Go!

First, I want you to know that when I post reviews, it is on product I have decided to buy. No one has provided me with free product (though it would be nice!), so you can be assured my review is objective and I am not under any pressure to write one way or another about a product.

I share because I know how difficult it is to find plus sized sports apparel, and remember how it was 100 times harder when I was a size 24. Heaven forbid it needs to be real technical apparel for a specific sport, then you're doomed to the inconsistency in sizing between manufacturers, spending a mint in shipping items back for return or burning a tank of gas making that trek across town because they have something that *might* work.

Seriously, I start feeling manufacturers think anyone a size 14+ does not exercise or take on super challenges like triathlons and marathon or long distance cycling.

Dear Manufacturers, I'm here to tell you, some of us do move beyond our couches and jaunts to run errand…

Family arrived on Thursday and I've been going non-stop since. Seems like being at work is the time I get a break. Don't mistake me, I enjoy the time with them, I just think the irony is funny.

Saturday was Cass' Birthday party at the local gymnastics place and it was a hit. A great time was had by all and I even snuk in a few bounces on the trampoline. Would have *played* more, but the coaches were giving me that "no-no" look. After the party we hit the pool for a while. Everyone was zonked by the end of the day.

I had every excuse lined up to avoid my 5 mile run on Saturday morning, but went anyway. When I arrived the running group cancelled the run because of the dramatic lightening storm going on. Thankfully a friend from my tri group who also runs with the running group, invited me to her house to the run in. If she hadn't invited me, it would have been too easy to let it go for the day.

The run was great and running with her (or a little behind her after a…

1. He was alyin', cheatin', lazy, P.O.S. anyway. You're way better off!2. The cooler weather, more comfortable training and increased running pace times is what I look forward to most this time of year.3. My best friend is truly authentic and I adore her. (Of course she loves purses too. :)4. It's more than challenging, to be honest with you.5. Appearances can be over-analyzed. Sometimes things ARE exactly as they seem.6. The last person I gave a hug to was my neice, Hopie.7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to running errands with Mom, tomorrow my plans include a 5 1/2 mile run and a 5 year old's Birthday Party (my Daughter!) and Sunday, I want to get in my LD swim, have fun at Schlitterbahn and cook-out in the evening!

Success means having the courage, the determination, and the will to become the person you believe you were meant to be.

You must have long range goals to keep you from being frustrated by short range failures.

—Charles Noble.

13 things I'll do while Mom and the neices are visiting from NJ:

Pick them up, on time, from the airport. I hate waiting, why should I make them wait?
I will get my long run in, regardless of their visit on Saturday morning (5 1/2 miles) and a long swim on Sunday (1.5 miles)My Duaghter's birthday party is on Saturday. We will have a great time at the gymnastics place -- even if it is crazy with 27 kids! (more boys than girls, incidentally)
Schlitterbahn Water Park - 'nuf said. That's for our Sunday fun
I will try to keep in mind that my Mom is who she is and that she won't change. The choices she makes has nothing to do with me. I can only accept her as-is and love her (which I do!) and hope that she "gets it" someday.There will be some grilling-out this weekend. YUM!There will be pool-fun.
I will be patient with my nieces, and try not to ring their necks when they get all "whack"
Immediately upon departure of my "guests", I will have to beg…

Last night the thermometer in my car actually read 89 degrees! It was amazing to see that at 7pm -- so I was psyched for my run! LOL -- psyched and run in the same sentence... that's a head-shaker for sure!

I met up with my running club for a 40 minute "easy" run. I was doing pretty well until I needed a potty break. :) No matter though definitely would have hit a full 5K without the stop and I'm good with that. My average pace was fin--I think I need to try to run more, I think. I might go to 4/1 intervals in a couple weeks.

Today will be my first day of actual "hill" training, where we run over the Kemah bridge. I'm not exactly looking forward to it, but I know it will make me stronger and I will do it without complaint.

Thursday night will be my first night for a "tempo" run. I've never done that before either, but again it will make me a better runner. Basically you run a 1/3 of your time at your desired marathon pace. I've yet to det…

Breakfast
2 egg whites, 1 egg
3/4 oz. Lowfat Cheddar
Ezekiel English Muffin
1/2 and 1/2 for Coffee

Lunch *Updated*
Pei Wei Children's Chicken Teriyaki, 1 serving
Pei Wei Children's Portion - Brown Rice, 1 serving*
20 grapes

They actuall provide 2 servings of brown rice with the kids portion -- I ate it all. The change up'd my carb intake (great for my hill training day) and lowered my fat intake. Not too worried about the calories, since I am running tonight.

PM Snack
Cascadian Farm Granola Bar

Dinner
1 Flatout Light Wrap
4 oz. Turkey Breast
1/2 C. Fresh Spinach
Mustard
Peppercinis

PM Snack
1 C. Cantaloupe
1/2 Cup 2% Cottage Cheese
============================
Total Calories: 1,351
Carbohydrates: 125 g
Fat: 40 g
Protein: 111 g

This week will be a busy one! My Daughter's 5th birthday is being celebrated early, while her couins are in town visiting. I am commiting to keeping my running schedule, regardless.
Mon: 45 minute (easy) run (nothing is easy in this heat!)
Tue: Hill Training at Kemah bridge (yeah, the one I just biked over)
Thu: Swim 1,650 (easy)
Thu: 35 Minute Tempo run Family arrives!
Fri: Off
Sat: Long (easy) run - 5 mile Daughter's birthday Party!
Sun: Long Bike (might run/bike/run in prep for Du the Bear) Schlitterbahn!
Cassie started Kindergarten today. She was excited last night and couldn't sleep last night, but today was more nervous. I saw her off to school; no tears for me (or her), but I'm sure that next year, when she goes to public school, I'll shed a few. She's doing Kindergarten where she's been since a young toddler, so the transition doesn't seem that big of a change, and that's good for both Cassie and Mommy. :)

Well, there really isn't much about this race to report. I participated on an Olympic distance relay team, taking care of the bike leg. I will admit the week before I was sort of bummed I didn't sign up for the individual sprint.

This tri was in my "backyard". Our tri club was a huge presence at the event, so it was nice to have the other clubs to "our house", so to speak. It was cool. :) I love that our club has so many different kinds of athletes and all accepted, no matter your skill ability.

I got there early to help wherever I could -- Elysha joined in the volunteer fun too, so it was nice to have a personal cheerleader there! Getting there early meant I could pick where I wanted to rack (on my assigned rack anyway). So I found my number, racked, set-up and then went to go volunteer. That mainly meant policing transition and checking the athlete's bikes before they entered. I was surprised how many folks were missing their end caps! I mean, so much s…

1. I remember, I remember my bicycle from when I was kid: pink with a flowered banana seat.2. Dear Dad, I want you to know that no matter what has happened in the past between us, I forgive you and accept you for who you are, and love you just the same.3. Is that my ass in that picture???!!!4. I'm trying to resist the temptation of office snacks.5. I'm saving a hug just for you! 6. If I made a birthday list something totally frivolous that I wouldn't buy for myself would definitely be on it!!! 7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to date-night with Hubs on Saturday. Tomorrow my plans include doing the bike portion of a relay team for the Clear Lake International Tri and Sunday, I want to get my 4.5 miles run, then relax!

And for this week, 13 things about nutrition (in my world):

1) Trying to avoid Soy and Peanuts for my thyroid is really challenging. It's like a kid trying to avoid HFCS in treats.

2) Trying to switch to organic Dairy and veggies, as possible. This, too, is supposed to help my thyroid via my body's biochemistry. Been reading "Master Your Metabolism" in an effort to be kind to my Thyroid and have it play nice with me.

3) 3 nutritionally *valuable* foods I can't go without: Fage Yogurt, Ezekiel English Muffins and in-season fruit

4) 3 nutritionally *cheap* foods I think about: ice cream, candy corn and those right out of the oven, really-bad-for-you, muffins that I pass in the grocery store every weekend. They really do call my name, but I ignore them.

5) I've been on a salad entree kick lately with the California Roll Salad, the Mexican Crab salad and the Avocado and Grape Tomato Salad. Too bad for Hubs, most have Cucumbers in them, which he loathes. I real…

Avocado & Grape Tomato Salad
by Whole Foods

Serve with broiled salmon -- the simplicity is what sets it apart, so refrain from adding additional ingredients!

Serves 3

This delectable salad proves that fresh, high quality ingredients taste superb with little adornment. Halved grape tomatoes and avocados join onions, parsley, cilantro, lemon juice, extra virgin olive oil and sea salt in this perfect side dish or simple appetizer with tortilla chips. Can be prepared up to four hours ahead of serving, making it convenient for those summer days when you're constantly on the go.




Ingredients
1 pint grape tomatoes, halved
1/2 cup chopped flat-leaf parsley or cilantro, or mixture of both
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/4 white onion, chopped
2 avocados, chopped
High quality sea salt, such as Fleur de Sal

Method
In a non-reactive glass bowl toss together tomatoes, parsley, oil, lemon juice, and onions. Add avocados and salt and toss gently. Chill if not serving immedia…

Wow!What a great event! It was run well, organized and challenging.

Admittedly, I was not looking forward to traveling for another tri, but did so because their bike jerseys were super cute and cheap too (relative to bike jersey prices). The fact that I'm twisted enough to even do a tri in Texas, in August, I think qualifies me as well. Thank goodness Elysha is as twisted as I am, because at the least I had someone to commiserate and celebrate with, because you know you do both during the sport of triathlon, because you hate the fact that you actually love this stuff. :)

We were also joined by Angel, a beginner triathlete (this was her second tri) -- and even with her challenges she hung in there. She was terribly short on sleep (by about 7 hours) and had not eaten anything. Virtually no sleep and lack of nutrition won't help any finish. Kudos to her for completing the swim and the 5k though! The bike was challenging enough, without having the added challenges -- So Angel, i…

1. When will I be okay with my body?

2. The Slow, Fat Triathlete was the last good book I read or movie I saw or tv show I watched.

3. Everything has its beautybut you have to be "present" to see it.

4. 3/4th of a Subway 6" is what I had for dinner.

5. I'd like your sinuses, please. Can we trade?

6. In a good, positive mental place is where I want to be right now.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to getting myself together to leave for Austin, tomorrow my plans include picking up my race packet for Sweet & Twisted and lunch somewhere in Austin and Sunday, I want to race well, keep positive and come home!

Wow... just was researching the book "Mind Gym". I think I want to read it... in fact, I think I need to read it.

Here are some quotes from it:

Competition is won or lost on the six inch playing field between the ears. Practice the seven C's (Competitive, Confident, Control, Committed, Composure, Courage, Consistency) of mental toughness. Learn to love the competition. Pg 28

It takes years of hard work to become an overnight success. Are you willing to make the commitment and pay the price. Pg 69

Learn how to fail successfully. Hate to fail but never fear it. Learn to view failure as feedback. Pg 80

You cant outperform your self image. - Dennis Connor. Pg 81

Discipline means doing what you have to do when you need to do it, whether you want to or not. Pg 95

The more you hurry the later you get. When you find yourself rushing you are no longer in the present. Pace instead of race. Pg 144

The less tension and effort, the faster and more powerful you will be. - Bruce Lee / The way …

And for this week, 13 things about the Summer coming to an end and going back-to-school:

1) I love the Summer, when school gets out, because the traffic drops tremendously. During hte school year it takes me 10 to 15 minutes longer to get to work, and that's 10 to 15 more minutes of frustration a day. I suppose I need to learn to relax in my car -- maybe some Mind Gym audio for my car would be productive?

2) Back-to-school means Cass-a-frass' birthday is close. I think it's hilarious how excited she gets for a birthday party. I mean, in an almost 5 year old's world it absolutely IS everything. I think she's planned several different suare's, but we've settled on a Tinkerbell theme and a party at the local gymnastics place. :)

3) I hate the heat... I know, I've said it before, but this Summer was just styfeling... suffocating.. yuck! It's nice to know that in just 6 to 8 weeks we'll get a cold-snap... just maybe. :)

4) End of the Summer also m…

This was posted to a running board by someone and forwarded to me. I really like what it says.

"I saw an interesting piece on 60 Minutes about Tampa Bay's Evan Longoria. No doubt, the man has great talent; however, he went unnoticed until college. He went from being a pretty good high school ball player, to one of the best in the Major Leagues. During college, he started to train his brain. It was that training that paid off for him.

I could not help but think that training for and completing a marathon or a half marathon takes more than just running. We also need to train our mind like we train your body. Willie Mays once said, "What you are thinking, what shape your mind is in, is what makes the biggest difference of all." And, more simply put by Yogi Berra "it's 50% physical, the other 90% is mental". Mental training teaches us to think clearly and use our mind effectively. We must learn not to chase bad thoughts. Each week visualize yourself completi…