Workout Recap - Week 37

Sunday, September 8th – Hiked Mt Whitney (approx 22 miles with almost 7,000 feet of elevation gain, topping out at 14,505 feet above sea level) {recap coming soon}

Monday, September 9th – Rest day (walked around Yosemite for the day)

Tuesday, September 10th – 45 minute run, Stretched & Foam Rolled

Wednesday, September 11th – 60 minute run (with 1 minute surges), Stretched & Foam Rolled

Thursday, September 12th – 5.8 mile run (Brooks HQ to Green Lake loop and back) and 1.5 mile group run

Friday, September 13th – 2.5 mile run to NP, November Project workout, 2.5 mile run to hotel and 4.1 mile group run

Saturday, September 14th – 40 minute run + strides and drills

Wow... I can't believe, looking at this recap, that all of this was a single week... The mileage might not look too crazy high, but the traveling and constant go-go-going is pretty insane to me... We have a camping trip this upcoming weekend, but after that hopefully we are home until my fall marathon and I can really buckle up and get into a routine. I can't even begin to imagine how folks who travel for their livelihood continue to run and train while on the road. It's cray-cray to fit it all in.

How were your workouts this past week?

Walt Wednesday

Some people do a "Wordless Wednesday" post, where they simply share a photo or image, but I thought I'd make a little series out of my Wednesdays. And since I love alliteration so much, why not go with Walt Wednesdays (obviously everyone can use a little break from the seriousness, scariness and sassiness of life - and what better way to help put a smile on your face than with a cute wiener dog picture, am I right?!)... So, without further ado...

WALT WEDNESDAY!

When life gets overwhelming, how do you de-stress?

Workout Recap - Week 36

Sunday, September 1st – 30 minute run + strides and drills, Stretched & Foam Rolled

Monday, September 2nd – 3 mile warm-up, 5 x 1 mile repeats, 3 mile cool-down

Tuesday, September 3rd – 60 minute run, Stretched & Foam Rolled

Wednesday, September 4th – Rest day, Stretched & Foam Rolled

Thursday, September 5th – 40 minute run + strides and drills, Stretched & Foam Rolled

Friday, September 6th – 150 minute run

Saturday, September 7th – 6.2 mile hike to Lone Pine Lake (acclimating to the elevation before hiking Mt. Whitney)

This week my coach had to switch up my workouts a bit since the hubby and I had a MAJOR hike on the calendar (we would be climbing the tallest peak in the continental US on Sunday), so my mileage appears to be a little low, but I am still glad I was able to get in some quality workouts. I need to make sure I don't slack too much on my stretching and foam rolling, especially when I am at home (it's easier to miss a day or two if I'm traveling, but at home I have very few legit excuses to skip). Next week includes quite a bit of adventuring (camping for a few nights plus a trip to Seattle with Brooks), so those workouts will be a little edited from the norm as well, but hopefully the little shake up is just what I need so I can tackle my peak weeks before my marathon with strength and determination!

How were your workouts this past week?

Friday Favorites

Today is a busy, busy day. Not only do I have my long run, but the hubby and I are packing up and heading north for the weekend when he gets off work (he had to work a photo shoot from Sunday thru Thursday and since he missed having a Labor Day Weekend, he's able to take Monday and Tuesday off next week - with that said, we're using it to our advantage and going camping for the long weekend). Even with all of the last minute things that need to get done, I still wanted to share some of my recent favorite finds. So, without further ado (because I don't have a second to waste), here we go!

Trader Joe's Umami Seasoning Blend

If you've been around my corner of the InterWebs for a while, you probably know that Trader Joe's Everything But The Bagel Seasoning is MY JAM! Like I could eat that stuff on everything. Well, when a friend mentioned a new seasoning from Trader Joe's I had to grab it. It is the Umami Seasoning Blend and it is DELISH! They began with kosher salt, and used a flavor base of porcini and white button mushrooms – earthy mushroom flavor really is the cornerstone of umami (the Japanese for “pleasant savory taste”), which is why they named it Mushroom & Company. The ingredient list also includes onion, mustard seed, red & black pepper, and thyme. I have been loving it on my veggies, pasta and even popcorn! Now if only they would make it in bulk sizes because I know I am going to fly through it super fast...

Momentum's Live Your Power Collection

Momentum Jewelry just released a new "Live Your Power" line of wraps and I am loving them! I am loving the POWERFUL feeling of this new collection and know you like it too! With the new "Live Your Power" Collection, they are introducing 3 bold new sayings with 3 striking new colors that can help serve as a reminder to always believe in yourself so that you can go fearlessly chase your dreams! (I think I need at least seven new fabric wraps in the Graphite color...) // JUST START - Today is the day. The truth is, you'll never feel fully prepared or ready. So why postpone even longer? Even if the first step is small and a little unsure, you must take it, for after it will be another step, then another... each leading you closer to your goal. // BELIEVE & YOU CAN DO ANYTHING - The mind is a powerful force. Focus on keeping a positive mindset, repeating encouraging mantras, and surrounding yourself with people who encourage and believe in you... soon you will too! // RISE UP - You are powerful and wise... a force of nature. It's time to rise up, reaching to fill your potential and live a life in which your authentic self can blossom and shine.

Wild Keepers Ambassador

I have mentioned this ambassadorship a few times before (since I was lucky enough to be a part of the ambassador program back in the beginning of 2018), but, in case you are interested in applying for the next round - applications open TODAY! The deadline to submit your app is September 22nd and the term begins on October 2nd (and ends on January 30th). It's an AMAZING way to give back to the world around you and to Keep Nature Wild! PS If you aren't able to commit to the four months of participation, you can still share your impact HERE.

Source

Birthday Freebies

September is our birthday month - WHOOO HOOO! My birthday is the 10th and the hubby's is the 13th. Some of the places we frequent from time to time (think IKEA, Souplantation, Menchie's, etc) send us birthday coupons to help celebrate our special day. We don't take advantage of all of them (some are like $5 off a meal that would probably cost us $20 anyway, so unless we were planning on going there anyway we don't need to take a special trip just for the small discount). Even still, it's a fun way to treat ourselves (and our wallets) for a couple days out of the year.

Source

QALO Dog Tags

Walt recently got a QALO Dog Tag in the mail (I just need to actually take some photos of him wearing it), but I saw they just released some new designs and I am in LOVE (and, if Walt could talk, I'm sure he would agree with me ;)). I don't know which is my favorite - the Ocean Sunrise, Neon Mountain or Base Camp silicone dog ID tag. I love that these not only don't have the jingle jangle of most tags but they are also more rugged for our rough and tumbled doggy ;)

Left: Ocean Sunrise / Middle: Neon Mountain / Right: Base Camp

What are you loving lately?

REVIEW: Quest Caramel Chocolate Chunk Protein Bars

Let me tell you, when you've been as inundated with home renovations as we have been, you get excited about the small things... like when a package arrives at your front door that doesn't have to do with the house (and is a surprise to boot!)!

The last package I received from Quest Nutrition included some Taco Tortilla Protein Chips, but this package was smaller so I wasn't exactly sure what to expect (although I was leaning towards a new, potentially fall themed protein bar flavor if I had to wager a guess). I guess you could saw I was half right, because it WAS a new flavored protein bar, but it wasn't in the fall flavor category (well, I guess caramel and chocolate are acceptable for EVERY season, so maybe I was 100% right after all ;)). Not only was the package a box of the new, Caramel Chocolate Chunk Protein Bars, but it was PERSONALIZED! For someone who NEVER saw their name spelled "right" on personalized gifts, this was awesome!

#RealTalk - I don't know if I was more excited that my name was on the box or the bars themselves ;)

Did you know that in the nine years Quest's has been a company, they’ve never released a Quest Protein Bar with caramel? Did you also know it’s one of their most requested flavors? Well, that’s all about to change, because as of a few days ago you can now bite into the soft and chewy Quest Caramel Chocolate Chunk Protein Bar! Loaded with chocolate chunks and pockets of caramel, each bite is a delectable surprise for your caramel cravings. #Scrumdidilyumptious

Source: Quest Nutrition's Facebook Page

At first I was a little nervous about this flavor because I thought (strictly from the name of it, the color of the box and the graphic on the packaging) it would be a chocolate bar with chunks of caramel throughout (which I'm sure would have been acceptable - but I am not a big fan of the chocolate/ brownie type based flavors, so I wasn't super stoked). Let's just say I was pleasantly surprised when I opened the wrapper of the bar and saw that it wasn't brown. In fact, it was a little ooey and gooey. I know, I know, they say there are "pockets of caramel" in the bar, but I was expecting it to be more like the classic soft caramel candies, not so much a sticky, runny, ribbon of caramel. It sort of reminded me of the syrup in the maple waffle bars I tried a while back. {FYI: I am not saying one consistency of caramel is better or more preferred over the other, it was just an observation I made when opening the bar for the first time.} Have a wet wipe ready ;)

With the visual observations out of the way, it was time to give the bar a taste test. And, I'm happy to report, it was yummy. I think the S'mores, Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough and Cookies & Cream are still my top three flavors, but this comes in right at number four. I appreciate the pieces of chocolate throughout the bar, but if I had my way I think I would've added a few more chunks of chocolate and a few less pockets of caramel. Again, don't get me wrong, I appreciate the flavor profile (especially if they've never done caramel before and it's highly sought after), but I may have swapped the proportions.

Ignore my sleepy face... I normally grab one of these for breakfast,
hence the less than stellar light and dark circles under my eyes ;) 

As with their other bars, every delicious Quest Bar flavor has 20-21 grams of protein and plenty of fiber without a lot of unnecessary ingredients or extra carbs. All Quest Bars are gluten and soy free, and contain no added sugar. {This specific bar contains 20 grams of protein, 4 net carbs, 15 grams of fiber and 1 gram of sugar.} This is the bar that promises food can taste as good as it is good for you. With Quest Bars, you can eat toward your goals and love every bite along the way.

Source

What is your favorite protein bar flavor?

Walt Wednesday

Some people do a "Wordless Wednesday" post, where they simply share a photo or image, but I thought I'd make a little series out of my Wednesdays. And since I love alliteration so much, why not go with Walt Wednesdays (obviously everyone can use a little break from the seriousness, scariness and sassiness of life - and what better way to help put a smile on your face than with a cute wiener dog picture, am I right?!)... So, without further ado...

WALT WEDNESDAY!

When life gets overwhelming, how do you de-stress?

Workout Recap - Week 35

Sunday, August 25th – Mt Diablo Trail Marathon, Stretched & Foam Rolled

Monday, August 26th – 90 minutes on the stationary bike, Stretched & Foam Rolled

Tuesday, August 27th – 40 minute run, Stretched & Foam Rolled

Wednesday, August 28th –  3 mile warm-up, 6 x 1000m repeats, 3 mile cool-down

Thursday, August 29th – 40 minute run

Friday, August 30th – 40 minute run, Stretched & Foam Rolled

Saturday, August 31st – 45 minute warm-up, {3 repeats} 2 miles at MP, 3 minute jog, cool-down to 2 hours and 20 minutes

This week may not have gone exactly how I wanted (or was expecting), but my two quality speed workouts (6 x 1000m and 3 x 2 mile repeats) were on point so I guess not all is lost. And here's to hoping that when the heat and humidity chill the frick out come fall I will be able to run these paces a little easier... but only time will tell... and Mother Nature ;)

How were your workouts this past week?