Stop criticizing and start approving!

I've been seeing a lot of posts lately on my Instagram page of beautiful females with captions stating "Sorry, I'm bloated today." "I had a cheat meal, sorry for my bloat." "I apologize if this isn't what you wanted to see" ....

LADIES....STOP IT! 

No one is perfect, AND I can guarantee you that even if there was a "perfect" body that body would not look that way 365 days a year! I know what you're going through. I've lived through an eating disorder. I've hated what I saw, and I did all the things you're not suppose to do to change it. Eating disorders (or disordered eating) and body image disorders are female steroids. No one wants to admit to them because then you can't "claim" the "perfection" that you think comes with it. Once you stop apologizing to others for the way you look, or see yourself, only then can you start to see yourself in a new light. I could tell you that 99% of women with eating disorders wish they didn't have it. It's not something anyone wants to live with forever. Find someone to talk to, someone willing to listen. If you have someone in your life (physically or virtually) that you feel the need to apologize to for how you look, then you should probably re-evaluate why they are in your life and if they truly need to be. 

If only it were as easy, as I just made it sound...*sigh*

January 15th already??

I can't believe we are already half way through the first month of 2014! It just goes to show how fast time can pass. So much has been happening during workouts and with work, family, and life that I've been overwhelmed during the week! I have been able to enjoy some wonderful, relaxing and productive weekends though and even spent some time with friends that was long over due now that the holidays are over!

I've had difficulty with positive focus on my tri-season because until this past weekend I haven't felt like I was performing like I wanted to be. It took me a while to realize that I shouldn't be at my goals paces/times yet, because that's where I need to be during peak season, not post or pre-season. New to my swimming has been the addition of flip turns. I'm still not real good at them, and the addition of the turn also takes out a breath or two at the end of each lap. The combination of these 2 things have decreased my swim times. I can't get up and down the pool as quickly as before, but Brian keeps telling me that it will make me a more efficient swimmer in the long run. Trusting a process to make you faster that you can clearly see via a stopwatch is making your instantly slower in the present is a very hard thing to wrap your head around...but, I trust Brian...a lot! I finally saw some improvements in my flip turns and swim stroke this week, and Brian saw them too when we happened to be swimming at the same time on Tuesday. So apparently this process does work :)

I also previously stated that consistent stretching was going to be a goal of mine for 2014. I attended my first hot yoga class this Sunday morning at Bliss Bliss Bliss with a few of my friends. I was very uncomfortable, and my lack of flexibility was very apparent as I struggled with most of the moves. It's that kind of feeling where we like to say "It hurt so good" but in reality you're in significant discomfort. By the end of the session though I felt good. I went home, refueled/fueled for my Sunday long run and headed out the door for the most invigorating, and comfortable run I've had in months! No pain, no discomfort, no difficulty staying within the proper hear rate zones. I had an easy 1.5 hr run in zones 1-2 and felt like my whole body was in sync. My runs have been brutal since my marathon. Aches, difficulty breathing, fatigue, and not being able to hold the right zones with a pace I am proud of were very mentally defeating. It felt so good to have a run that not only looked good on paper, but also felt good while I was performing it. Finally, I can see my 2014 season in front of me and it makes me excited rather than nervous!

So what about the bike leg of this triathlon puzzle? Homewrecker had a retul fit! Not only were there adjustments to the different components of the bike, but I also had inserts, wedges, and a lift put in my bike shoes for proper alignment, and comfort. We were able to address a leg length discrepancy with the use of a lift under my left cleat that not only made my hips feel better, but it stopped friction on my seat and my bum feels better too! I am so excited to see what I can do on Homewrecker this season. The comfort I feel on her being properly sized is 10 fold compared to Polly. I can actually stand up to pedal without hitting my knees on my elbow pads :)

But, so far my most consistent change of 2014 has been how quickly I upload my data for my coach. I use to upload my data by Sunday evening each week. When I asked Brian what I could do to improve this season he said "Just listen to your coach...and more feedback. Update your data more often." This has always been a joke between us, but since I had asked what I needed to do better, and that was his response I knew it wasn't a joke anymore. I have done my best to upload my data within 24 hours or sooner of completing each workout. To help, I even set a reminder on my phone to go off each night at 8pm that says "Data?" just in case I got busy and forgot! It also says stretch just in case I hadn't done that after my workout either! 

So that's the update of my swim, bike and run so far in 2014. It started rocky but I'm excited in the direction it is heading! 

Have you stuck to any of the goals you set for 2014? Or are there any that you are going to start now?

Homewrecker

This post is long over due... but, I present to you HOMEWRECKER! There is a unique story that goes along with how this beautiful, purple beast got her name. . .

This past year (2013) I traveled 3 different times with my coach and friends, Lori and Brian. We traveled to Eagleman 70.3, Lake Placid, NY for a training camp, and then again to IMLP. The bike I have been riding since I started triathlon's name was Polly. Polly previously belonged to Lori, which is initially how we met. Polly was a great bike. Lori rode her for 6 or 7 years before I bought her. While at Eagleman (and every other time we're together) we were chatting about racing, speed, training, and BIKES! I'm bike illiterate, and until more recently triathlon illiterate as well. I'm just good at doing what I'm told! :) I vividly remember looking at Brian and saying "I can trust you to tell me when I've improved enough to invest in some free speed, right?" He looked at me, put his head down, and reluctantly said "You're ready." I say reluctantly, because Brian does NOT like to make financial decisions for me (which I don't blame him). I try to remind him that when I ask a question that pertains to a purchase/hotel/travel I'm asking for his honest/coach opinion and if I can't afford his answer that's fine, but I still want the truth.

I went home and told Jason, very excitedly, that Brian said I had improved enough that a new bike would be beneficial. He was very proud of my. . . until we started discussing the price point of a custom built Project One bicycle. . .then he got sick. . .(just kidding...kinda) From there, I played on the Trek website for months and the longer I played the more I feared to tell Jason about what I was designing. It wasn't until I was determined that I wanted a power meter to take my training to the next level that "Homewrecker" came into play, because the more I added the higher the price increased and by the time I was done designing it took several conversations before Jason finally gave the "OK" for my dream bike to be built to my exact specifications.  Before that, Jason would just refer to her as my "baby" saying if I got a new bike I had to race for a few more years and couldn't even think about asking to have a baby...I was cool with that :)

I have a wonderful marriage, and would never actually purchase a bike if I felt it would "wreck" my marriage, but as a non-triathlete, I totally understand how it's hard to swallow the purchase of a new bicycle, but as my husband, he understands how much triathlon plays into my happiness and he sees my potential and what I've been able to accomplish on a bike that's actually too small for me (Polly was an XS and Homewrecker is a Medium). He really is the best!

This coming Friday I will be traveling to Pittsburgh, PA for a Retul fit of Homewrecker. This bike fit will set me up in the best position to get the most out of each ride. . . I'll be sure to share how that goes after they hook me up, and make me a video game for a few hours!

A look back through 2013

As 2013 is coming to an end, I thought it would be appropriate to take a look back. The easiest things to remember are the ones that are most fresh in your mind. So while I could look at 2013 and say it wasn't a success because my most recent race didn't go as planned, that's not the case. 2013 was an amazing year for me in the sports of triathlon and marathon running. It was also a year blessed with special memories made with friends and family. So while it would take too long to relive a memory from each day, I've chosen to highlight each month with a special event that took place, and end with some photos of the year.

January - I spent much of the first few weekends in January helping prepare for my nephew's construction themed 3rd birthday party. I loved this time, because it wasn't often that I got to spend extended amounts of time with him and my sister due to them living 1.5 hrs away and my training schedule being hectic. 

February - Valentine's Day in 2013 was spent as a double date with my brother and sister-in-law at Richwood Grill. The food there is amazing (it has since closed) it was local, fresh, and organic products. It was awesome to get to spend time with them without the company of children. It isn't often that it happens, but I loved sharing my Valentine's date night with them.

March - Marathon building month!!! Lots of run focused workouts. As well as building time on the trainer and getting use to my new Adamo saddle. March is also the birthday month of my nephew, Jacob. He turned 4 and my goodness is he ever an amazing, funny kid. We share the same attachment in life, our blankets :)

April - MARATHON PR 3:36!!! I will never forget running the Glass City Marathon and realizing that I was going to PR by 12 minutes! It was an amazing feeling. I went into the race as a training run, and walked away with the biggest smile on my face!

May - In May I participated in my first triathlon of the year. Black Bear Triathlon in Maryland. It was an Olympic distance race and I was ready to see how all my winter training would come into play. This race would turn out to be an amazing learning experience. The race itself was a bust. I had an asthma attack in the water (due to temperatures being so low) within the first 2-3 minutes. I was furious with my body for failing me, but was not going to walk away that easy. I wasn't the only one pulled from the water, the temperatures were so low that nearly 15-20 people had the same thing happen so the race director allowed us to bike and run for training. So that is exactly what I did. I pushed myself through a cold, rainy bike and run and was very happy with the results of those 2 legs. It definitely was a great training day! 

June - On June 9th I celebrated my 1 year wedding anniversary with my amazing husband. What makes him so amazing? Well one thing would be that on the morning of June 9th I was hours away in Cambridge, Maryland competing in my first Half-Ironman. He wished me luck on Friday morning and sent me on my way with my 2 very dear friends (and coach) Lori and Brian. He didn't blink an eye when I mentioned wanting to do this race, in fact when I returned home on Sunday evening at around 11pm he had dinner from Muriale's (our rehearsal dinner food) and presents waiting for me. He knows triathlon makes me happy and that makes him happy. I couldn't have picked anyone more understanding. Oh yeah, did I mention it was my FIRST half-ironman AND I went under 6 hours? 5:42:05 to be exact :)

July - Not only does July house 2 of the most special boys in my life's birthday's (Drew and my Dada) but it is also IRONMAN LAKE PLACID month!!! Tackling this hilly, challenging course made for an awesome day! I managed to PR in the Ironman-distance by 33 minutes. A years worth of training really paid off! I enjoyed spending the week with Lori and Brian, as well as my Dad and Jason who joined us for the weekend. It was relaxing and exciting all at the same time. I can't wait to do it again in 2014. Being able to travel to these races and afford to also pay the entry fees is not something that I take for granted.

August - August was a special end to my triathlon year. I qualified for the Best Of The Us race by coming in 3rd overall female in WV's qualifying race (Stonewall Jackson Triathlon) This was my first major "win" as a triathlete and it was pretty great. The following weekend my 3 nephews and I participated in the Kids Sprint Splash and Spin race on Friday evening. They LOVED it! I was able to get into the pool with them for their swim, run along side their bikes, and run along the trail with them. I will never forget Drew telling me "This is beautiful, you should bring me here more often." On Saturday morning I participated in another first for me. A sprint distance race. This was the most painful triathlon I've ever endured. I was fatigued from racing the weekend before and an all out race for 1:03:00 is painful! It was so incredible to place first overall female. I can't even put into words how I felt. . . Did I mention it was Jason's birthday, and he got up extra early to come watch me race? :)

September - FOOTBALL SEASON! This is my favorite month of the year. My weekends are spent with my very very best friend, and other half. My cousin Brittany! She and our friend Julie come for every home game and spend the weekend with me. We don't live in the same town so getting to see her for 7 weekends in a 3 month time makes me so so happy!!! September is also when I made a HUGE change in my diet. It wasn't easy, but I was loving how I was feeling.

October - October is the month of the Ironman World Championships. It is so inspiring to watch the live feed via the internet. All Ironman All day! It's often referred to as "Tri Porn" :) October is also when my last marathon training cycle was really in full swing. I was nailing workouts I had never thought possible and feeling better than I have ever felt. My diet changes and focus on racing and training was really paying off.

November - While we are all aware that my race did not go as planned, lets not forget that November is a time to remind us to be thankful for all our blessings. I have the ability and means to race, travel and share the sport I love with some amazing friends and family. I have the support of my family and friends not only for sport but also in life. I have a wonderful father and mother who love me dearly, and incredible siblings. My sister-in-law and brother adapt family dinners around my eating style and everyone is so encouraging. I have the most inspiring, funny and loving nephews. They love me like no other, we have a bond that I will forever cherish. So while my heart was broken for most of the month over the outcome of one race, it was also mended by all the blessings that I have been able to enjoy in life. 

December - What's better about December than the fact that I, yours truly, was born? Ok, kidding. Kinda ;) This month is just a spill over of all the family time and blessing that start in November. Traditions are my favorite and I look forward to them all year. I love decorating and making the house smell of Christmas. It's also a time to reflect on how amazing my life really is, and focus on my goals to make 2014 even better! 

 Eagleman 70.3

 Our Newest Addition, Diesel

 Glass City Marathon 

 Huntington Marathon

 Lake Placid - Prerace

Pre Swim with Lori and Brian 

 My Momma became a TOUGH MUDDER!!

2 Carseats and a booster seat piled in the back!

 Finally got our wedding tattoos!

 Throwback of our Wedding Day!

 Became a part of Team Wheaties

 There's nothing like living in Morgantown on Game Day!

Weekend Activites

So this weekend's activities didn't go quite as planned. I headed to the doctor on Thursday even because I  was having trouble with my breathing. (I have asthma for those of you who don't know) Come to find out, sinus infection, ear infection and referral for a pulmonary function test. BUMMER!

Like the good little athlete I am, first person I texted was my coach, Brian. This is what transpired!

This is nothing new. Brian is my voice of reason, and I'm his relentless athlete who tries to talk him out of his rational. I knew the best thing for me wasn't to get in the pool the day after being given steroids and antibiotics for an ear infection, but my mind and body were already set for a swim in the morning! None the less, I listened, and I rode my bike for 30 minutes instead! (*How I've grown - There was a time when recovery meant nothing to me, and I would have jumped in that pool without a second thought. I now know, it's not worth it in the long run.)

Saturday, instead of a run test - which obviously would not have been a good idea - I rode my bike in zones 1-2 for an hour. I cleaned my house, did some laundry, and had lots of cuddle time with my fur-babies! (*Lesson - recovery is imperative to repair the body! Sometimes I have to talk myself into doing nothing (not even folding clothes) but I never regret when I do)

My favorite date night is sushi night! Hands down. Sushi does not make me feel anything but satisfied after I eat it. Only thing is, I LOVE soy sauce with my sushi. I have been using Bragg's Liquid Aminos at home, but this weekend I decided 'who cares' and I took my soy sauce to the restaurant with me! Bragg's has 160mg of sodium compared to the 900mg in a regular bottle of soy sauce, and it tastes so good that even Jason ate it instead of the restaurant's! (*Lesson - Who cares what others think. Do what makes you happy, and if that means adapting your restaurant meal to fit your needs by taking something of your own, then DO IT!)

And last but not least, I talked last month about adding my core/hip/glute work regularly to my schedule now instead of waiting until January...well after my easy ride Saturday and my 1:20 interval ride on Sunday I got down on the floor and performed my routine. As usual, I had a training partner, except instead of lying under me during my planks, he decided he wanted to sit on top of me during my bridges and crunches! What would my life be without these fur-babies? (*Lesson - My core lost more strength than I could have imagined in just a few weeks off. Adding core daily has made a huge impact in my core sessions already. In just a few weeks I have been able to advance my exercises...Never give up just because it's hard!)

And in case you're wondering how I'm able to accomplish all my training, racing, house work, puppy cuddles, working full-time, family activities, and date nights without loosing my mind....I have the most amazing and supportive husband! (who also works on Sundays and sometimes Saturdays too like this weekend) He doesn't question my training schedule, and he loves my drive and passion for what I do. Even with the amazing family support I have, and the unconditional love from my dad who is also my travel side-kick and #1 supporter and fan, it wouldn't be possible without such a supportive and understanding counter-part! Who also, helps unload the dishwasher and takes out the trash without being asked! ;-)  (*Lesson here - have people in your life that support you and enhance your drive for whatever your passion in life is. Negative people have no (or limited if you can't avoid them) place in your life!)

Happy Monday! Hope you all have a fabulous week! 

Banana Nut Bread

So as promised...Here is the recipe to the fabulous Banana Nut (or nut free) Bread I posted last night! I tend to have trouble sometimes when making a 'clean' recipe. They never seem to turn out right, I mean they're OK, but never like "Mmmm..." but this, this cake was the most moist, perfect banana bread. Even Jason had quite a few comments about this recipe!

In a bowl:

mash 4 ripe bananas

1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce

1/2 cup honey

2 eggs

1 cup whole wheat flour 

(I use white whole wheat, it's not as grainy)

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon baking soda

Mix ingredients while you pre-heat the oven to 350.

Spray 4 mini loaf pans with non-stick spray of choice

I then divided the batter and topped 2 with walnuts and left 2 without since Jason prefers his without.

Bake 28 minutes ( or until fork comes out clean)

I turned and moved mine around in my oven a few times but each oven is different.

Easy. Simple recipe that came out DELICIOUS!

Thank You!

This blog is just to say THANK YOU! 

I have received some incredible messages recently thanking me for my inspiration. Honestly, sometimes you're not quite sure what others think of what you're posting on social media. It's refreshing to hear that I am making a difference. 

I know what it's like to look up to others for inspiration and a sense of peace that time and patience really do make great things happen. Fitness and health do not happen over night, nor do they have an ending. Often times I find myself frustrated with my fitness level, but once I stop and realize that I've only been competing in triathlon (of any distance) for 2 years now it makes me smile and be proud of where I am. I love to follow other athletes and watch their journey. It makes me excited for where I still get to go in this sport. 

I look up to my coach and his wife more than they will ever understand, and I trust my sports dietitian 100% and part of that is due to being able to follow her journey and watch her practice what she preaches. Seeing my friends post about their workouts, makes me excited for my own, and just knowing someone else is suffering the same good hurt you are somehow makes it more enjoyable :) So know you are not "stalkerish" or "creepy" for sending a message my way. I look up to others the same way you may look up to me.

So again, THANK YOU. I'm open to all questions. I love getting emails and messages about all things health and fitness related, and will pass on my knowledge to the best of my ability!