Meet & Greet

Another blogger, Susette at You'll always have my heart mentioned that Scott Jurek was in town to go on a run and sign books.  I had no idea and since I have a lot less to do lately I decided to check it out.  I hadn't read his book yet, but I've had the audio version on my iPod for months.  I set about listening to his book for the rest of the day! 

I also text'd my brother Joe who is the speedy runner of the family and who had mentioned to me that he is interested in Ultras.  He had no idea Scott was in town and had read his book.  He was willing to drive me (I really hate driving in this boot) and I was excited to spend time with a brother I hardly see.  (Busy lifes!)

I was standing on my tip toes and taking this picture.  He's 6'7".  I sent the pic to my parents to confuse them slightly.  They would wonder what we were up to.  

Before the chit chat he took those that could run on a little 45 minute run about.  My brother went and I sat around waiting.  While I was waiting I started talking to another lady, Rebecca.  I didn't get a picture of us but we had SO much in common and have decided to run some trails together this summer.  She works at the U, is divorced and adorable.  Adorable is important isn't it? 

The room was super crowded.  Scott Jurek is such an amazing athlete and is quite inspirational.  He was so friendly and personal.  I definitely recommend his book.  I'm about done with the audio version but I bought a book that he could sign because I knew after starting to listen that I would need a hard copy to highlight and refer back to. I can learn a lot from his quest for full body health.  I'll never be a vegan, but there is always something to learn.   He even has vegan recipe's in the book which look awesome.  

Before he started signing books I met Susette!  I love meeting fellow bloggers.

She is younger then me, but close to my age.  She is running like crazy and it gives me some hope that even at my age I can come back strong. 

We were at Wasatch Running Center in Sandy.  It was an impressive store! I will definitely be taking a trek out there again. I appreciate them hosting such a great event.

The next day the picture from Wasatch Running Center on Facebook was of me talking to him with my boot!  Hahaha

Love it!

If you get a chance to see him, do it!  It's worth it!

Hopefully you won't have a photo bomber in the back!  Haha

If you could meet any runner, who would it be?

Blog on...........

Scott Jurek

I'm working so I can't do a full post yet. But here is a preview photo!

Easter

It was a great Easter Sunday!  All my kids came to lunch and it was the first day off Whole30.  Although I did make a delicious, completely Whole30 meal for everyone.  

No nitrate/nitrite Ham from Trader Joes, Spicy Tuna Cakes, Deviled Eggs, Asparagus and a HUGE salad with all sorts of veggies in it.  

Part of the NOT Whole30 was the Sangria.  I just wanted some booze after 30 days!

My kids and Jake's girlfriend Emily.  

Clockwise:  Austin, Sami, Emily, Jake and Daniel

Me with my kids.  I can't believe they are adults.  It's crazy.  They can't take a serious picture either.  It's all good, I love them madly!

Later when my glass light broke I thought my son's cleaning technique was some good thinking.  While I was off looking for the proper dust pan, I came back to this:

Boom!  They are thinkers!

The Foot!

No pain at all.  Not even ibuprofen.  That is better then before the surgery.  Of course it's in a boot.  I've been diligent about wearing it and even put a shoe cover on it to work outside.  This Friday I can start small amounts of time in my shoe.  I will probably keep using the night splint until I see the podiatrist again.  

Yesterday I went to the gym and it felt fabulous!  I used the recumbent bike for 20 minutes to warm up and then just worked out on the machines.  I'm going again today to just keep my spirits up if nothing else. 

I also started reading this book:

 

Many runners have recommended it.  I figured since I was basically starting fresh then I might as well work on my form a little bit.  I bought the book from Thriftbooks (used books) so I can take it to the gym while I pedal the bike.  So far..LOVE IT.

Tomorrow I'm back to work.  Yeah!  I'm ready to get back to life!

Blog on.................. 

Jelly Bean Virtual Race

Bet you thought I forgot about it.  No way, Jose!  I actually ran it the day before my surgery.  

Hot!!

My top even looked like a Jelly Bean.  

I ran the 5K.  When I signed up for the race I didn't know I was going to have surgery on my foot.  I actually scheduled the surgery so that I could run it.  I hate backing out on things.

It was a beautiful day!  I enjoyed the run immensely although it's a little disheartening how much speed and strength I have lost since November.  

Boom.  Done.

Yes I know a 5K is 3.1 miles but I missed the 3.1 and ended up doing 3.2.  Does that mean I won?  Hahaha

Do you see that orange Port-a-potty?  I love it!  Thank goodness for it because after my run I needed it and the regular bathrooms were locked! It's magical!

My medal and bib.  If I didn't complete I would have to return the medal and I didn't want to do that! (medal whore)

A race like this would be fun to do with some friends too.  If I didn't have surgery I would have tried to complete both the half and 10K just for fun.  

Maybe next year you can join me!

Blog on...............

Whole30 DONE and RECAP!

Yesterday was the last day of my Whole30 challenge.  Keep in mind that I ate a Paleo lifestyle before starting the Whole30 so I didn't have a huge tired/cranky time followed by a surge of energy. 

I have really put some thought in how I would recap this.  Because I didn't have this HUGE life changing weight loss/food battle event then some may think it's not worth the time.  Lets start with the not so great stuff. 

Thumbs Down:

Cooking - there seems to be a lot of cooking.  I was also trying to keep food stocked up for Daniel (17 year old son).  

Homemade Mayo - I have about a 40% success rate on this.  Frustrating

Planning/planning and more planning - Then shopping shopping and more shopping.

Expensive - In the excitement of new recipes and the anticipation of limiting some foods I over spent.  It doesn't need to be expensive.  

Hard to find something to eat if your out and about - This is where just plain lazy comes in.  Remember when our flight team was stranded in an itty bitty town?  HERE   I did just fine at their grocery store, it's just not easy.

Almond milk - Goes hand in hand with the smoothies.  I only had 2 smoothies in 30 days and I needed to use homemade almond milk.  I like the convenience of store bought but not the taste, for smoothies.

No every day smoothies - I miss my smoothies

There is plenty of awesome:

Thumbs Up!

Homemade Mayo - it's DELICIOUS!  I just need to get better at making it.  I just don't like the idea that I HAVE to make it.

Almond Milk - Homemade - I could drink it all day it's so good!  I miss the store bought kind to put in my seldom eaten smoothies.  If I made enough for both I'd have to make it almost every day.

NOTE:  I have had people tell me that store bought Almond Milk is all natural.  I like the Unsweetened Vanilla Almond Breeze.  Here is a list of the ingredients:

INGREDIENTS: ALMONDMILK (FILTERED WATER,  ALMONDS), CALCIUM CARBONATE, TAPIOCA STARCH, NATURAL VANILLA FLAVOR WITH OTHER NATURAL FLAVORS, SEA SALT, POTASSIUM CITRATE, CARRAGEENAN,  SUNFLOWER LECITHIN, VITAMIN A PALMITATE, VITAMIN D2 AND D-ALPHA-TOCOPHEROL (NATURAL VITAMIN E).

Hmmm

New recipes - I found some stuff that I will make over and over again

I Feel better - Overall I feel more energy and happier

My body feels tighter - Fat usually settles right on my abdomen.  In the last 30 days it has felt like there is even less there, like my body is smoothing out.

My tastebuds feel like they "re-set" - sounds really odd, but I feel like fruit tastes sweeter and I can appreciate the tastes of the foods better.  I don't have to overload them with salt or sugar.  I had a couple of small chocolates today and they were overwhelmingly sweet.

Labels - I am now a big label reader.  What is really in that season salt?  Oh, sugar, weird.  For 30 days I read labels everywhere. I even went to Whole Foods and browsed around looking for things that were simple and healthy. It is such an eye opening experience and I learned so much from it. 

My son's health - Today Daniel stated that he really didn't want to stop eating healthy, that he felt really good and he even lost a few pounds.  He also mentioned that when he eats breads and sweets they make him uncomfortable and gassy.  

My health -  Knowing that what I'm putting into my body is fresh, organic and healthy.  I am completely in charge of how my body is treated and I want to respect and give it energy and light.  Sounds a little hippie-ish but it's true.  Despite the difficulty after my surgery and frustration of just laying around I still felt great. 

Cravings  - It took at least 25 of those days but my cravings are way down!  

The Whole30 challenge was a definite success!!

I feel great and I have a clearer idea of how I want to continue eating.  I have ton's of new recipes to use and will keep making almond milk.  Today was sort of a day off, but I served my kids a completely Whole30 compliant meal (except the Sangria) for Easter. (Easter post coming)

I will continue the Paleo lifestyle and use most of the Whole30 principles.  I will have a tea with honey, crystal light and the occasional alcoholic drink.   But the majority of my day will continue in a Whole30 way.  I don't want to give up eating delicious, nutrition food and as much as I want!  I was never hungry on this challenge.  NEVER!  Cravings, yes, but not hungry.  It also got me in touch with my stress eating habits.  I'm a horrible stress eater!  Hopefully I'm on my way to conquering that battle.  

I will probably do it again when I feel like I need a restart!

I did not lose any weight.  Well, I lost about .8 lb.  I've been laying around for  9 days and unable to exercise so I didn't even measure myself.  I really don't have a lot to lose and my body LOVES this weight for some reason.  If you wanted to do this program to also lose weight then nuts and fruits have to be eaten very sparingly.  I'm sure the few pounds I would like to lose for summer will come right off when I start running again. 

If you have any questions about the Whole30 challenge you can email me, comment or check out the Whole9 website that has most of the information to get started or see if it's right for you.

Thank you for being patient with all my food pictures.  I may not stop.....

Blog on................