{Friday Fab 5}

Posted in Friday Fab 5 by sneaksandstilettos

{#1-GU Chomps}
Last week on my long run I brought these along to try because I knew I wouldn’t need much fuel for the run. If I didn’t like them, then I’d survive. I liked them and they did their job of providing energy to my muscles to keep powering my run. If you feel like you need to chew something in order to feel energy, then the GU Chomps would work well for you. I am so used to the GU gels that chewing while running felt like extra work. I find sometimes it is the little things that annoy me when running most, so I try to avoid them at all costs. They were tasty, handy, and effective for those interested.

{#2-Sweaty Bands}
In honor of Memorial Day, my favorite headband company was offering 20% off last week. I took advantage of this deal ~~knowing~~ hoping summer running is upon us. These bands hold hair back, stay in place, and are super cute.

{#3-State Track}
Last weekend was state track at UW-L and several runners from our high school ran. It was fun to watch them perform and think about how far they’ve come since being in middle school track and cross country. Watching high school races always reminds me of how and why I fell in love with the sport of running in the first place. Such amazing memories!

{#4-More Trees}
As I mentioned last week, I love trees. This is my favorite tree-yes, you read that right! I used to run, walk,and sit by this tree in college often. I first saw it at a high school cross country meet and keep coming back to it.

{#5-Goodbyes}
Yesterday was my last day as a teacher at the school I’ve been teaching at for the past six years. I got a job at a new school starting in the fall. Even though I am looking forward to the opportunities at the new job, I never anticipated how hard it would be to leave my old job. I made some great friends and memories while teaching and coaching there. Lets just say there were some tears. Ok, quite a few. I pretty much skipped my run last night to cry, talk to my husband about the change, and cry some more. I know running would have made me feel better, but even I don’t always follow the advice I give. I’m going to miss everyone so much!

Happy Weekend!

31May2013

{Friday Fab 5}

Posted in Friday Fab 5 by sneaksandstilettos

This rainy weather is making me mad! Here is what made me happy this week!

{#1-Lake Love}

Ry and I drove along Lake Michigan while in Racine for The Color Run and stopped to see a lighthouse on the drive.

{#2-Devil’s Lake}

Speaking of lakes, Ry and I will be running the Dances With Dirt Half Trail Marathon in July at Devil’s Lake. Our first trail race for both of us!

{#3-Tree Love}

I’m obsessed with taking pics of trees! This was one I stopped to take while on a run!

{#4-Historic Third Ward}

The third ward is one of my favorite places to walk around in Milwaukee. We spent part of Saturday here after eating lunch at my loves place…duh-Ryan Braun’s Graffito.

{#5-Mexican}

For my birthday we went out for a simple dinner at our favorite Mexican place in the area. You know you’re a runner when one of the first things you think of on your birthday is how it will change your age groups when running races. I have one more year in my current age division!

Happy Weekend!

24May2013

{Friday Fab 5}

Posted in Friday Fab 5 by sneaksandstilettos

With the loss and tragedy in Oklahoma all of these photos seem trivial. Sometimes it is the small things that keep us moving forward. Thoughts and prayers to those in Oklahoma.

{#1-Salads}

What will your next salad include?

I have a new love for experimenting and creating new types of salad. I love fruit on my salad, which I know is often a very personal taste. The possibilities are endless! The above beauty was my dinner several nights this week. The dressing is great; it is all natural, gluten and allergen free, and free from high fructose corn syrup. When dining out I love Wendy’s Berry Almond Chicken Salad (now back for summer) and their Apple Pecan Chicken Salad (minus the nuts-ick). I also LOVE Panera’s Strawberry Poppyseed and Chicken Salad finally back for summer, too!

{#2-Lilacs}

I can just smell them!

One of the best things about spring are the lilacs blooming. I’ve loved the smell since childhood and think they are beautiful, too. They were in full bloom when Ry and I went for a walk last Sunday past a park where we snapped these shots.

{#3-Cowboy Caviar/Pinto Bean Salsa}

At a coworkers get together last Friday, she had this AMAZING Pinto Bean Salsa, so of course I got the recipe to share with you. I’m going to use fresh vegetables to go with my clean eating.

In a small saucepan combine the following:
1 cup of veggie oil (I would sub for a healthier oil)
1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper

Bring to a boil. Remove from heat and cool.

In a large bowl combine the following:
15 oz of pinto beans (drained and rinsed if using canned)
15 oz of black eyed peas (drained and rinsed if using canned)
11 oz of white shoepeg corn
1 small jar of pimento, drained
1 cup chopped celery
1 cup chopped green pepper
1/2 cup of chopped white onion

Pour marinade over bean mixture. Marinate in the refrigerator overnight or 24 hours. Drain and serve with chips. Enjoy!

{#4-Outdoor Eating}

I love eating out in the sunshine. Add a body of water and you have the perfect relaxing setting! Bonus points if you make a fresh salad or cowboy caviar and eat it outside. Heaven!

{#5-Streaking in Progress}

Source: pavementrunner.com via Sarah on Pinterest

Yes, you heard me. Leave it to Runner’s World to make running even more fun and crazy. It is simple. Run 1 mile everyday starting on Memorial Day (Monday, May 27) until the Fourth of July (Thursday, July 4th-duh). Share your challenge with the world by posting this photo to your Facebook account. Make a public commitment like I did with my summer training plan. I’m going to modify my streaking since with my training plan I will NEED those rest days. On my rest days I’m going to commit to walk a mile to keep the streak going. So join me…and pardon my streaking!

Happy Weekend!

17May2013

{Friday Fab 5}

Posted in Friday Fab 5, Products I love! by sneaksandstilettos

This week flew by for me! Anyone else? I suppose that is a good thing. Here’s what was going on this week.

{#1-Twins Game}

Ry and I went to a Twins game with the coaches he coaches with and their families, and the athletes and their parents this past weekend. It was freezing cold, but like Mandy, we too have a goal to see as many major league ballparks as possible. Ry had been to Target Field a few times before, but I had never. It was a fun park, but I still cannot believe they have no roof like in Milwaukee! Check out Mandy’s 14 day challenge while your looking at her blog, too. I’m always looking for quick, easy workouts to do after or before a run. This sounds like a great way to do that. You all have five minutes so stop with the excuses already.

{#2-I love Target-especially their running clothes}

Love Target!

So, while picking up a few necessities at Target this past weekend I made the mistake I’ve made a number of times before, I went to the workout clothes section. Lets be honest, I don’t view this as a mistake and I know it will happen again…over and over. Anyways, if you are looking for cute, affordable, and comfortable-while-you-workout gear, check out Target. I love them all.

{#3-Starbucks Carmel Ribbon Crunch Frappuccino}

YUM!

RUN, don’t walk to your nearest Starbucks and order this NOW! I’m more of a warm coffee drinker, but I was in the mood for an iced coffee and saw this advertised as new and went with it. Don’t ask about the calories, just workout and eat well the rest the day. You will be in heaven for as long as it takes you to drink it! Amazing!

{#4-Utah}

Big Cottonwood Marathon-Utah

Utah will be checked off the 50 state list in September! I registered last night for the Big Cottonwood Marathon and am so excited. This course looks beautiful!

{#5-Walk with Mom}

After enjoying my Starbucks, mom and I went for our first warm(er) weather walk of the year to the spillway on Mother’s Day. The water was high, but it was nice to get back out. It was great to spend time with the woman who has taught me so much. Love her!

Happy Weekend!

9May2013

{Friday Fab 5}

Posted in Friday Fab 5 by sneaksandstilettos

Amen, it is the weekend!

{#1-Beautiful Sunsets}

With three track meets and working one night at GR, it was all about the little things this week.

{#2-Skinny Cow Ice Cream Sandwich}

And what better way to relax for a few minutes after getting home and before going to bed during a crazy week where you can’t workout, than a guilt free treat.

{#3-Tulips are blooming!}

This week our tulips bloomed and the peonies are coming along. Love spring!

{#4-Green Grass and New Shoes}

For a few weeks now I’ve been needing a new pair of running shoes so I can alternate shoes between runs. I liked my old Mizuno Wave Riders and decided to get the same ones, but an updated version. I love them. Not sure what I like most about them though-how comfortable they are or how happy the colors make me when I look down at my feet? Either way they are awesome!

Also awesome is this green grass! I just can’t get enough of all this green everywhere. Doesn’t it just put a pep in your step!

{#5-Thank you nurses and teachers!}

Source: passionpinkandpearls.blogspot.com via Sarah on Pinterest

I had some wonderful teachers that inspired me over the years and still do. I work with amazing teachers who inspire me everyday! My coworkers are the best! I’ve been lucky to be treated by very kind nurses. There are some special nurses near and dear to me whom I see their kindness and compassion in all they do. When I was little I used to want to be a nurse because my aunt’s a nurse. Then I realized I don’t love blood. Fellow teachers and nurses, YOU make the world a better place. Thanks for all you do.

3May2013

{Friday Fab 5}

Posted in Friday Fab 5 by sneaksandstilettos

What a week! Weather ups and downs aside (pretty much like my unprocessed eating and running this week), it is May and that is awesome!

{#1-Hiking}

While the weather was amazing this past weekend, Ry and I took advantage of this and hit the trails. We were shocked to see snow on the ground yet in quite a few spots while hiking in Black River State Forest. We got in a sunny and hilly eight mile hike. Ah-Perfection! What state parks are must hike in Wisconsin? We’re always looking for new trails!

{#2-Nathan Fuel Belt}

With warmer temperatures the need for water on our hikes and runs is (or was) back. We took my fuel belt for the hike and I was reminded just how much I love it. There is a pocket for your phone or a snack. Most importantly, it stays put with the weight on my back side and doesn’t make my back sweat like my Camelbak. I despise carrying water on any run or hike!

{#3-Grilling}

We fired up the awesome grill I got last summer for a master’s graduation gift from my mom and stepdad this past weekend. Grilled chicken, veggies, and potatoes were yummy! Try this recipe for healthy potato fries-they were delish!

{#4-Runner’s World Magazine}

I finished my Runner’s World magazine and love everything about this magazine. Even though I don’t consider myself a newbie runner anymore, I still enjoy Marc Parent’s monthly column-The Newbie Chronicles. I especially loved the end of this month’s column which discussed his son running cross country and how runners are just different than other sports participants. Check out his column newbie or not! The link above takes you to a few years worth of columns. You’ll laugh, be inspired, and relate!

{#5-The Color Run}

I’ve wanted to run “the happiest 5k on the planet” for a while and guess what the husband bought me for my birthday? You guessed it-entries into the The Color Run. What is better than running a race? Running it with your other love! Can’t wait! Anyone else done a color run? What did you think of it?

Happy Weekend!

26Apr2013

{Friday Fab 5}

Posted in Friday Fab 5 by sneaksandstilettos

{#1-Awesome weather coming up!}

Fond memories of being at Grandma and Grandpa’s house.

Go visit a favorite park, walk around town, or head somewhere to hike and run like Ry and I plan to do this weekend. Last weekend we visited this park; I spent many childhood hours here while visiting my Grandma and Grandpa. The park always reminds me of flying an eagle kite on a windy afternoon. Anyone have any must hike spots in Wisconsin?

{#2-Wheat Tortilla Quesadillas}

I can’t write or say the word quesadilla without thinking about how Grandma says it in Napolean Dynomite. So go make yourself a dang quesadilla, with wheat tortillas and jalapenos, unless you are too busy training to be a cage fighter! Wheat tortillas are sooo good!

{#3-Go Brewers}

Thumbs up to the Brewers on sweeping the Cubs and Giants and 2/3 with the Padres. I have even more faith in you now. Oh, and I’m really looking forward to getting these stitches out next week. Running with them isn’t my favorite.

{#4-Goals In Your Shoes}

Love this!

Kara Goucher, an Olympic marathoner, posted this photo on Facebook of her and Shalane Flanagan’s and Joan Benoit Samuelson’s shoes before the Boston Marathon. I love how they have their goals printed on the insides of their racing shoes. I’m so doing this before my next race. What will you be writing in your workout shoes?

{#5-Weather!!}

Sorry! I’m just so excited to get out there and hike and run and hike and run!

Happy Weekend!

19Apr2013

{Friday Fab 5}

Posted in Friday Fab 5 by sneaksandstilettos

{#1-Tragedy and Gratefulness}

This week more than ever we need to hug those we love, say those kind thoughts we might hold back, and appreciate the life we’ve got. In the wake of tragedy, we must turn to those we love and support those who are grieving. It is sad, but often true how bad events can put everything into perspective. This week I had so many people say kind thoughts about being glad I was ok and not in Boston. Family, friends, coworkers, students (even the kid that sometimes gets on my nerves) all had kind thoughts to say to me this week. It made me think about why we don’t just say those things on a regular basis. Why do we wait for tragedy to strike before telling people in our lives they matter. That they are important. That they inspire us. That we can’t imagine our world without them. How often do we take those people for granted. My husband and I had an extra scare this week with me being clutzy with a beer glass at my other job and a miscommunication, and we realized we don’t tell each other enough how much we mean to each other. So don’t hold back this weekend. Who would you regret passing kind thoughts onto-tell them tonight. Many prayers go out to those in Boston and Texas and everywhere.

{#2-Moving Forward}

Vet Fest benefits Reedsburg Area Veteran organizations, the Reedsburg Area United Fund (which helps fund over 25 local non-profit agencies), and will also be used towards local high school scholarship awards.

For me running has always been about running through my triumphs and tragedies. Good days are even better with endorphins. Bad days lead to problems being resolved on a five mile route. Stress flies away as the miles do. Running races helps me to see the generosity and genuineness of the human spirit. Even more so when the race benefits a charity or group of people. Whether it is the cowardness of some individuals or the weather that has you down, do something this weekend that helps you stay positive .

{#3-Explore new places}

So excited to have been introduced to this place.

This past weekend after running in Reedsburg we swung by the in-laws for lunch. My mother-in-law mentioned this neat little market; I just loved it. Who would have thought a small town would have awesome local organic produce and products, grass fed beef, and so much more. AND the prices were so reasonable-half of what we usually pay at our regular grocery stores. I was so impressed. Check this place out if you are ever near by! What a find! My coworker said they have an email list they send out to let customers know when new produce, etc. is coming in. Does anyone else know of other local stores that carry organic products?

{#4-New Running Tights}

Road Runner Sports-$29

I wore these tights from Road Runner Sports in my half marathon last weekend-they ROCKED. Totally flattering, comfortable, and they have mesh behind the knees/calves for ventilation. The best part-they were on clearance for $29!

{#5-Spring is coming…it has to be!}

A summer sunset over Lake Onalaska!

Even though it was snowing during our tornado drill at school today, we had two track meets this week…so in my book spring is on its way!

Happy Weekend!

12Apr2013

{Friday Fab 5}

Posted in Friday Fab 5 by sneaksandstilettos

{#1} Chicken Bruschetta

Yum! Fast and easy, too!

This one is first on the list this week because it was awesome. The husband loved it! Easy to make and healthy, too.

{#2} Run Happy

This week was another terrible, unspring-like week in the Badger state. I put on my fun colored, blue run happy hat in the sleet for my run last night and repeated that mantra in my head. Run happy. Run happy. I thought of Team Hoyt that I posted about on Monday’s Motivation and realized I had a lot to run happy about.

{#3} Unspring Spring

As I’d hinted about in the previous, this is the scene around the state. I’m standing on ice by the way.

{#4} Coping Mechanisms

These are a few of the coping tools used to deal with the weather this week. I took a hot shower with my Beach in Hawaii Pandora station playing after my cold-to-the-bone run last night. I used this shower gel and lotion to enhance the beach experience. The only thing missing was my Bahama Mama or margarita sitting on the side of the tub. I thought that might be taking this whole thing a bit far. I mean I’m not losing it or anything…yet! We’re jammin’!

{#5} Pet Love

Elf!

And if all else falls, happy or sad, we always have our pets. I love our cat to the moon and back. I know, I am that person. And by our cat, I mean my cat. He is the best cat ever. Like a dog he greets you at the door, loves to snuggle, talk, and watch out the window. He knows just what to say when you’ve had a bad day and is there to cheer when you have something to celebrate. I can’t imagine our world without pets. Give some love to your pets!

Happy Weekend and Run Happy! We’re Jammin’!

5Apr2013

{Friday Fab 5}

Posted in Friday Fab 5 by sneaksandstilettos

{#1} La Croix Sparkling Water

Lots of flavors, too!

Over the past few weeks I’ve started gearing up to slowly give up something I love almost as much as running and my husband-caffeine! I really like this sparking water. The fizz makes me think I’m drinking soda, but the all natural, no caffeine, no sodium, no calories, and many flavors are all things I love. It took me a few cans to get used to, but now I’m hooked.

{#2} Whole Wheat Oatmeal and Berry Pancakes

Ryan and I made pancakes Easter morning as a special treat. These were yummy and not heavy feeling like pancakes can be. We left the nuts out! Recipe: http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Fruit-and-Nut-Pancakes-386529

{#3} Baseball has started!

Go Brewers!

To celebrate opening day we clinked cupcakes and watched Moneyball; the Brewers played their game during the day. I substituted Chobani non-fat plain greek yogurt for vegetable oil-tasted awesome!

{#4} Running on Empty by Marshall Ulrich

I started reading this book on the way to Alabama in February. I finally got to read a few more pages over spring break. So far he is just starting his run across the United States; very interesting and motivating. I want to run an ultra race someday, but not across the U.S.

{#5} Homemade Spaghetti Sauce

Source: familyfreshcooking.com via Sarah on Pinterest

Ingredients
1 Onion, chopped
6 cloves of fresh chopped Garlic, adjust to taste
1 large Bell Pepper (I like yellow or orange in this sauce)
Olive Oil
28 ounce can of chopped Tomatoes (I used fresh, organic tomatoes instead)
a few pinches of Sea Salt
a few pinches of Cracked Black Pepper
a few pinches of Smoked Paprika
optional: a handful of chopped fresh Basil or Italian Parsley
Method
In a large saute pan heat olive oil over medium high heat. Add garlic and onions. Cook stirring frequently until soft, fragrant and slightly browned about 5 minutes. Some pieces will char a bit, but that will add more flavor to the finished sauce. Reduce heat to medium, add bell pepper and cook a few minutes longer. Add tomatoes. Increase heat and bring sauce to a boil. Partially cover, reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 25-30 minutes. Let the sauce cool a bit and purée with an immersion blender or food processor.
Notes
This recipe is more a method than anything else. Feel free to toss in some spinach, mushrooms, fresh herbs, finely diced carrots, celery, etc.
Adjust salt and seasonings to taste. You can also make it spicy with red pepper flakes or cayenne.
Source: familyfreshcooking.com

Happy Weekend!
Trailbreaker Half Marathon Race report to come!