Down 2 Earth Trail Run Recap

Congratulations to MASH Up Conditioning winner Kalynn Carter! 

I tried trail running and I loved it! This race was runner's serendipity. I was supposed to run six miles March 8th and didn't manage to wake up Saturday morning to run (running alone is hard!). Sunday night, before dinner, I logged onto Facebook and saw that Run South Florida had posted a listing of the weekend's races. One of the races was for Down 2 Earth Trail Run. The distances were 5K, 10K, and half marathon. I sent my friend a text message asking if she would run the 10K with me and she responded with "yes!" I signed up that night while Alex was bathing the girls and went to sleep very nervous about the trails. I had run trails before during the obstacle course races, but for some reason, just running the trails scared me.

I don't know why I was scared because I had the best time on the run. It was disorienting and exhilarating at the same time. I was so focused on the path directly in front of me and keeping an eye out for markers that the miles flew by. Nature took care of the intervals and I found myself running most of the 6.2 miles. This race challenged me and pushed my limits. I wondered out loud at least ten times whether we were lost, slipped twice, and fell twice. The best part of the run really was sharing it with my friend and having her love it so much that she said she couldn't wait to run the trails again. Coming from someone who used to always say she didn't like the outdoors, I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this race. I guess this just shows me that I love running so much I can do it anywhere and still love it.

What I liked:

• Even though we did two loops, it didn't feel that way because nothing on the trails was recognizable the second time around. 
• Sufficient signage. 
• We unleashed our inner Katniss Everdeen. 
• Trails felt great on my knees. 
• Race director was hilarious and personable. You can tell he loves organizing these races. 
• Small race. 
• Oleta National Park: beautiful trails. 
• The company. 
• Sufficient water on the course. 
• No need for an interval timer. 

What I didn't like:

• I love race medals and this race gave us beads instead. 

Next Race Recap is March 16th's Shamrock Run 4-miler. My next two races are in Chicago and I'm praying it's not snowing or too cold!

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Michelob Ultra Miami Beach 13.1 Recap

Last chance to enter the giveaway for MASH UP Conditioning!

It's test week! I can't wait for Saturday to be here so I can be done with this test. I feel like there is always something I am waiting for to pass so that I can back to "normal." I'm not sure what normal is because as soon as this test passes, I need to start focusing on getting the house organized and packed up so we can hopefully sell it quickly. I can't believe Chicago is less than four months away.

Before that, however, there is running to talk about. Running has officially become a part of my life; it is probably the only thing that I have consistently kept up with over the past few weeks of studying. I have half marathon #9 on March 2nd and this marathon also happens to be my favorite half marathon. I first participated in this race last year and loved everything about it: the company, the course, and the weather. The race did not disappoint this year.

 I ran this year's half with my running friend and it was 13.1 miles of talking, laughing, and enjoying the run. I've had a mantra the past few races of "my race, my pace" because my goal hasn't been to get a personal best, it's been to really enjoy the act of running and the sense of freedom running gives me. The course was beautiful as usual and you really can't beat the backdrop of cruise ships.

The only thing I didn't like about this race was the emotions it brought up for me about leaving Miami and all the amazing running friends I have made in Miami. This is my last half marathon in Miami, unless I fly down for one next year or we move back to the area so finishing this race was bittersweet. My goal is to run with all those great people as much as I can over the next four months.

What I liked:

• The course: it takes you down Ocean Drive and two of the most beautiful and scenic bridges in Miami. 
• Plenty of water and entertainment on the course. 
• The company. 
• Smaller race. 
• Meeting other runners like Dr. Dribble and Instagram friends. 
• Location of race (Miami Beach). 
• Energy gummies passed out at mile 8. 

What I didn't like:

• My last big Miami race. 
• The medal was OK. I liked last year's medal with the rotating detail better. At least this one has a bottle opener, right?

Next Race Recap is March 9th's trail run (so much fun!). I think I need to find a race for March 22 and March 30th just so that I can say I raced every weekend in March. 

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Recipe Revisited: Beer Cheese Dip

Don't forget about the MASH UP Conditioning Giveaway!

I am in the middle of studying for my graduate school comprehensive exam. I started this journey of going back to school to become a marriage and family therapist back in 2010 and it's hard to believe that I am two months shy of graduation. The only thing standing in my way is taking and passing this exam. I'm working on cases, timing myself, and studying intensely with one of school friends (future colleague!). I am ready for this test to be done with so that I can give my brain a rest for a little bit. I am already thinking of going to Disney to celebrate passing this exam (I will pass it. I will pass it. I will pass it.).

Because it has been too quiet on here, I am sharing a recipe that also dates back to 2010. I remember when I first made this Beer Cheese Dip and how much I loved the recipe. This has become my go-to appetizer recipe and I make it whenever we have people over. I love the simplicity of ingredients and how quickly it comes together. The last time I made it, I made half of the recipe and that was enough for eight people to snack on before the real meal.

Beer Cheese Dip
Source: Jodi Zyvith on Allrecipes.com 

2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
2 (8 ounce) packages shredded Cheddar cheese
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 cup beer
1 (1 pound) loaf round bread

Place cream cheese, Cheddar cheese, garlic powder and beer in a large bowl. Using an electric mixer, blend until smooth.

Remove and reserve top of round bread. Hollow out the loaf, reserving removed bread pieces.

Spoon cream cheese mixture into the hollowed loaf. Replace bread top between servings. Use the reserved removed bread pieces for dipping.

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Disney's Glass Slipper Challenge Race Recap

Before I get into my recap, I wanted to say "thank you" to everyone who helped make my weekend in Disney possible. I signed up for the Glass Slipper Challenge through a charity (Give Kids The World) and had the goal of raising $3,000 for the charity. Without all the donors and support I received in my six months of fundraising, I would have never met that goal and been able to run last weekend. So, thank you!!

The Glass Slipper Challenge was to run 10K (6.2 miles) Saturday and a half marathon (13.1 miles) Sunday. Having done the Princess Half Marathon last year, I knew these weren't the types of races you did for time. For me, these races were training runs with lots of stops for pictures. Trust me, I stopped a lot along the way during both runs and my watch almost died on me during the half. I don't think I have enjoyed a race as much as I did these two races. I especially loved the medals and knowing that I worked so hard to get them made these medals even more meaningful for me.

The 10K run started and ended in Epcot. The course itself took me out to the highways, into the park, and on the boardwalk. I was in corral A so I was in the first group of runners to start. For people outside of Florida, it was hot and humid, but for me it was perfect running weather. The first three miles of any run are usually my hardest so I wasn't surprised that I felt like I was running on air during the last three miles. The highlight for me was probably seeing Jeff Galloway running along the course. I finished the 10k in about 1:10.

The half marathon also started and ended in Epcot but the course took me out onto the highways, through Magic Kingdom and Cinderella's castle, highways again, and then through Epcot. I was in corral D so I didn't have to wait too long to start running. It was foggy morning and humid again, but the weather was perfect for running for me. I waited in all the lines of the characters the girls' knew and in the lines of the characters that would make for fun stories to tell the girls. I really, really, really enjoyed having this last stress-free run to focus on having fun without all the self-imposed stress of gaining a new personal record. I finished the half in 2:52 and was so thankful my watch didn't die!

Disney races are expensive, but the experience is worth the price. I said it last year and I will say it again, but I think Disney races are great races for first timers because the races are such productions. There is so  much entertainment on the course that the miles don't feel as long. I'll be in Chicago next year, but I am hoping to be able to participate in this challenge again next February.

What I liked:

• Another running vacation!
• Loved running through the parks and the castle. 
• Great characters on the course for pictures. 
• Plenty of entertainment on course to distract you from thinking about mileage.
• All the costumes!
• Fireworks at the start line send-off for half marathoners. 

What I didn't like:

• The price of the races!
• Having my race entry tied to my fundraising goal. 
• Weather was fine for me, but I know others didn't like the heat or humidity. 
• Again, not an issue for me, but these races are extremely walker-friendly. Not ideal if you are running for time. 
• Long wait times for the other corrals. 
• Some of the lines for the characters were too long. 

Next Race Recap is this weekend's Michelob Ultra 13.1. This race might solidify my craziness and I hope to survive back-to-back half marathons!

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Review and Giveaway: MASH Up Conditioning

Stacy Redwine and Jamie Zacharias are the ladies behind MASH Up Conditioning, a workout that is 15-minutes long and broken up into a five-minute mind/body set, a five-minute agility and strength set, and a five-minute high intensity interval set. The DVD that I tried was their Tempo DVD and this DVD has seven different 15-minute workouts and comes with an eating guide and  workout calendar for different fitness goals (starter conditioning, fit conditioning, athletic conditioning, and performance conditioning).

Being a mom of two, student, intern, and manager of my household, what I really liked about MASH Up Conditioning was that each routine was 15-minutes long. I love T25 because the workouts are 25-minutes long, but even so, on some days a 25-minute workout is not possible (the biggest culprit is having no motivation). With these 15-minute workouts, I feel I don't have an excuse to not be active. Also, because the workouts are broken into five-minute segments the workouts feel short. Basically, MASH Up Conditioning makes working out accessible to all kinds of schedules.

Another thing that I like is that MASH Up Conditioning includes an awesome strength set. Weight training is something that I want to include more in my workout regiment, but I have always had trouble with figuring out how to include it because I don't know how to work out using weights. These sets make me feel like I will actually be able to have the strong, sculpted arms I have always wanted.    

Lastly, I really liked that the workouts cover all fitness levels and, for each move, you are given multiple options and modifications. Not only do you have three levels (regular, intermediate, and advanced), but you are also given the modifications if you are pregnant. This, in my opinion, really sets MASH UP Conditioning apart from other workout routines because you are given the whole spectrum of movement instead of having to buy specific pregnancy workouts. I remember being pregnant and feeling at a loss over how to workout and not wanting to spend money on pregnancy-geared workouts that wouldn't follow me post-partum or as I got stronger.  

The first time I tried the Tempo DVD my plan was to only do one 15-minute workout. I liked the workout so much that I ended up doing two more workouts and now I find myself feeling more motivated to fit in 15-minute workouts throughout the day. 

I'm spreading the workout cheer by hosting a giveaway for a MASH Up Conditioning DVD. The giveaway is open through March 12th and is open to US residents. To enter you must leave a comment telling me what your fitness goal is for 2014, like MASH Up Conditioning on Facebook, and follow their Twitter page. Winner will be selected using Rafflecopter and will be notified by March 13, 2014. To enter:


a Rafflecopter giveaway

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A Runner's Thank You.

In a few hours I will be waking up to run the Enchanted 10k as part of Disney's Princess weekend. If it weren't for all the people who donated and helped me reach my $3,000 fundraising goal, I wouldn't be here thinking about running through Epcot tomorrow wearing my red with white dots shirt. It's an honor to be running for an organization like Give Kids The World and it's humbling to know that I got here because of the generosity of others. 

If you are out there tomorrow, make sure to say, "Hi!"

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(PS this is my trying to blog from my phone. I'm sorry if the format is funky!)

Sunshine Burgers Review!

I say it all the time that running has changed my life and it's true. Running has set me on a path that I never thought I would walk. I never thought of myself as athletic until I started running and I never thought it would be possible to feel as confident as I do now. I never thought I would be an ambassador for anything, let alone something fitness-related. Yet, here I am representing Sweat Pink Ambassadors and writing up this review of Sunshine Burgers. Life is one beautiful, unpredictable adventure!

Trying Sunshine Burgers was a first for me in a big way. This was my first time having a veggie burger! I had always been weary of them because when I would  hear "veggie burger" I immediately thought of something that was made only with those vegetables I didn't like. I imagined broccoli and spinach packed into a party and that did not appeal to me. So when I heard about Sunshine Burgers and their line of veggie burgers made with things like quinoa and chia seeds, I signed up as quickly as I could. They sent me six of their burgers and, to date, I've tried six of them. I'm not terribly creative so I don't have any innovative recipes using Sunshine Burgers, but I did come up with meals that convinced me veggie burgers aren't scary and could be a part of my diet.

The first one I tried was the falafel burger. This burger actually tasted like a falafel! I ate it with Two Peas and Their Pod's Greek Quinoa salad and it was delicious.

The next burger I tried was the Loco Chipotle. This is a bigger burger that I ate with a haas avocado and a bit of sour cream. This is the veggie burger that turned my thinking about veggie burgers around. If you know me, you know I love spicy and anything I can add avocados and sour cream to so this burger was made for me. I was in heaven!

The last burger I tried was the one that started things off for Sunshine Burgers: Garden Herb. This burger is made with brown rice, raw ground sunflower kernels, carrots, herbs, and sea salt. Talk about simplicity in ingredients! I ate this burger with quinoa, olive oil, and dash of Parmesan cheese. Because this was the original burger flavor, I was apprehensive about the taste. But, considering the founder of Sunshine Burgers started off making these burgers for her kids, I shouldn't have been surprised the burger would be tasty enough to please picky little eaters. 

Aside from being impressed with the taste, I was also impressed with the ease of eating these. All the patties are cooked and simply need to be reheated. These are perfect foods to eat when you need to put something together quick and you don't want to feel guilty about what you just ate. While I still feel like I need my meaty burgers, I'm glad I was open to trying something that was out of my comfort zone because I discovered something new that I like and that's good for me. These burgers fit right in line with my goal of being my healthiest and fittest self. 

I did not pay for these samples nor was I paid by Sunshine Burgers to write this review. All the opinions are my own.

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(PS this is my trying to blog from my phone. I'm sorry if the format is funky!)

Happy Snacker: No-Bake Granola Protein Bites

I'm a snacker. Actually, I'm a huge snacker. I'm also one of those people who eats when she gets bored so it's really important that I have healthy snacks made and ready to eat. One of my favorite snacks has to be this recipe for No-Bake Granola Protein Bites. I came across the recipe one day when I was searching for recipes that contained oats and chocolate chips. I immediately made the recipe and added a few extra goodies to it to really made it something I could enjoy. The best part is that these healthy snacks are seen as dessert by my girls. If you like peanut butter and chocolate, then you will definitely like this recipe. If you like not feeling guilty about the snack you are eating, then this recipe is definitely for you. 

No-Bake Granola Protein Bites 
Source: Slightly adapted from Mel's Kitchen Cafe
Yields about 18 bites

1 cups quick oats
1/2 cup crispy rice cereal (I use Special K)
1 scoop (1/4 cup) vanilla protein powder
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
1/2 cup ground flaxseed
1/4 chia seeds
1/2 cup dark chocolate chips, cut into chunks
1/3 cup honey or agave nectar
1 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1 Tablespoons coconut oil

Combine all the ingredients together in a large bowl, being careful not to crush the cereal too much. Mix until well-combined. Add a tablespoon or so more of peanut butter if the mixture does not come together well.

Using a cookie scoop or your hands, drop rounded tablespoonful-sized portions onto a parchment or wax paper lined cooking sheet.

Refrigerate for 1-2 hours.

Star snacking!

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Ragnar Relay Miami to Key West Recap

The idea for running Ragnar Relay's Miami to Key West run started almost six months ago. My friend did it last year and loved it so much that she wanted to do it again this year. I was one of the first people to say yes and immediately claimed Runner 2 as my position. This runner had about 18 miles of running spread over three runs and one of those runs included running the 7-mile bridge down in the Keys. Now, if you know me, you know that bridges like this one freak me out. I figured that the best way to to conquer my fear was to tackle it head on by running the bridge. Running, after all, has become something that has helped me push my limits and discover new parts of myself.

The run was last weekend from Friday, February 7th to Saturday, February 8th. Because I was part of Van 1, my Friday started off with a 5:30am wake up call and getting the girls ready to spend the weekend at their grandparents' house. I was picked up by my teammates at 6:45am and we made it to Key Biscayne close to 8:00am. The nerves started setting in on the drive over and we were all afraid of getting lost and going off course. At this point, our first legs were running parts of Miami we knew, but we were still afraid of getting lost.

Runner 1 started at 9:00am with a 5.5 mile run. As soon as he took off, we hopped in the car and went to the first exchange point to wait for him. As soon as I heard them yell out "303" (our team number) my nervousness subsided and I was ready to run. My first run was 4.4 miles through Coconut Grove and Coral Gables. Because I was still afraid of getting lost, I followed the runner who started a few seconds before me very closely. I ran faster than I would have wanted to run, but it was extremely hot out and I knew this would be the only run I had to run fast.

I switched off with the next runner at the next exchange point and, again, we all hopped in the car and headed over to the next exchange location to wait for the next switch of runners. This happened all through Runner 6 when she switched off with the first runner from Van 2, Runner 7. It took us 3.5 hours to cover the first 22.8 miles of the trip to Key West. While Van 2 runners ran, we went to La Carreta for lunch and then drove down to Homestead to wait for our next legs of runs to start.

My second run was supposed to be 4.7 miles but ended up being closer to 5.25 miles. Normally, this isn't a problem, but it was uncomfortable in this situation because it was nighttime and I was running on gravel roads. This run was probably the most humbling run of all of my runs. I was running at night with nothing but the light on my head and the light of the moon and the stars. I was running through a place I never thought I would run through; I had a canal on one side and a ditch and grasslands on the other. I ran without music and felt so connected to myself and my surroundings.

It took my team about 8.5 hours to run the 48.3 miles we had to run that night. By the time we passed off to Van 2, we were all exhausted. It had never felt so good to shower and lay down. I slept hard and woke up surprisingly rested the next day even with only 4 hours of sleep. That sleep was much needed because the last set of runs were going to be the hardest. Those runs, totally 32.5 miles, were all going to be done during the day. Our van started running at 10:00am and I started running the 7-mile bridge (which actually ended up being a 9.5 mile run because I run the roads before and after the actual bridge) at 10:10am. It took me a close to 1:40 to complete the run and, fortunately for me, there was a great sea breeze and wind from the passing cars to offset the heat of the day. I felt bad for the runners after me because I knew they would be running a flat course with little to no breeze. It took my van about 5 hours to finish our legs.

Once my van finished, we headed straight to the best little restaurant and ate everything on the menu. I think this was our celebration dinner. We were so happy to be done and excited to be so close to the finish. Team 303 finished around 7:00pm and we had enough time to take one picture with the whole group. While the Van 2 people went out that night, us Van 1 people stayed in and slept. Again, I was tired!

The weird part of the run, however, was the sense of disconnect. Because we were Van 1 and finished early in the day, it felt weird crossing the finish line at night. At that point, I felt like I hadn't done anything to deserve my medal at the end of the day.

The next day, Sunday, February 9th, we drove home. Of course, we caught a lot of traffic and ended up stopping to kayak and have dinner together.

What I liked:

• It was a running vacation!
• The people in my van were freaking awesome. They were so awesome that we were talking about doing more races together. 
• The 7-mile bridge was an incredible experience. 
• I loved the Ragnar shirt and medal. 
• The course was well-marked for the most part. 
• All the van decorations. 
• The support from other runners and vans.

What I didn't like:

• The weaving throughout Miami to get the mileage. There were so many turns and getting stuck at traffic lights that the runs were more stressful than enjoyable. 
• Most of the runs for Van 1 were without support so our van couldn't stop to help or cheer on the runners. 
• The heat. 
• I didn't really feel connected to the runners of Van 2. 

Next Race Recap will be Disney's Enchanted 10K!

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