Adventures!

A tree recently downed by Sandy

I am thoroughly enjoying my little off-season break from any scheduled training. I have a general idea of WHAT I am doing on a certain day but there are no scheduled workouts, no yardage to hit in the pool, no HR intervals on the bike and no track-tasticness to tackle. That will be here soon enough!

I've been hitting up the weight and I am pleased with how quickly my body is responding to getting back into the gym. I really did miss weight training this past season and definitely feel that this needs to stay in my training regime this season.

I'm now teaching another group exercise class and the Y on Thursdays (awesome!) so I had a killer set planned for Thursday and then I have my normal bootcamp class on Friday morning. I have been actually DOING my classes (wow! work!!) so between Thursday, Friday, running and some additional workouts I was doing, my lower body was WORKED. My shoulders and core were that sublime sore that is a gentle reminder of how hard you worked.

I have been loving running and have been getting in at least 3 miles every day for the last week or so...Saturday morning, I hit up the TM at the house early for a quick run. It was one of those runs where the first 10 mins was a little rough and sore but then my body responded and I felt fantastic. Happy. I could feel every muscle in my body and I was just enjoying the feeling of the run.

Then I got for out a "naked" bike ride for a couple hours. It was a bit chilly but it was so nice to out and just riding with no plan, no agenda, no destination and no Garmin. JUST GO and enjoy the day.

Sunday I hit up some trails and just ran, had fun and was my dorky self--Enjoying every minute of it. I don't know why I don't do this more!!

I was seriously contemplating taking a swim...there was this little waterfall then lead into a somewhat shallow pool at the bottom. Maybe in warmer temps...

There were all kinds of trails all color coded so it made it pretty easy to follow. I never once thought about getting lost-except the HOPE of getting lost! I could have stayed out there all day, running around and playing.

This was the "pink trail" and we had a lively conversation about what the colors stood for. Was the "black trail" black like a black diamond trail skiing? My running buddy has his own idea of what the pink trail was for...PANSIES! (not his exact words for the pink trail...lol)

Showing that tree some of my sweet moves!

It has been my intention all along heading into the off season to get onto the trails running and to get some mountain biking in. I tend to avoid these kinds of activities during big training cycles and near races since I fear injury (my middle name is NOT Grace).

Rev 3 has an adventure race series and this year they are doing this pretty epic race in Wyoming. The Cowboy Tough Expedition Race in July. It is a four day race covering 320 to 485 miles.
*drool*
So.Want.To.Do.THIS.

So maybe I have a tiny bit of motivation to get out there and get a little more adventure into my life. Now to learn orienteering...

Friday Fun

Lola has a "big girl bike" now and is already stead-fast on the helmet rule.

This week she wanted to get out for a ride and her helmet was in the house, so she grabbed mine, put it on and proceeded down the driveway...out onto the street, me chasing after her with camera in hand!

Much like her bike-loving Mommy, Lola always has a blast when out on two (plus two) wheels!!
Literal squeals of delight!

She loves to descend!(see that false negative-flat she is screaming down?)

I just love her expression!

Lola often pretends to have bike trouble while out riding too--this time, she discovered a FLAT!! OH NO

take THAT flat tire!

back in action!

Fitmas Gifts

Can you believe Christmas is next weekend??

I am done most of my shopping and I have just a few little things to pick up and I will be done! Now, to get it all wrapped up. I just love wrapping the gifts, I think it is my favorite part!!

I wanted to put together a list of simple and inexpensive Holiday gift ideas for the fit person in your life or maybe even for you. Or me. I love all of these things and I think you will too!

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For the Triathlete/Runner/Cyclist in your life:

TriSlide

From SBR Sports, Inc

I discovered this little gem this summer and there are no more stick glides in my life anymore. So easy to use, no chafing and gets that wetsuit off in record time! Plus it's a great anti-chafing spray to use for running (goodbye chub-rub!), on your feet or on your bra line.
Definitely a multitasking spray not limited to wet suit use.

The Venus Spa Breeze razor
From Gillette

Dudes (legs only please) and chiks will LOVE this razor!!
The lubricating edges guarantee a smooth shave and the way the head flexes on the contours of the leg. No razor nicks or cuts.
 
 
 
 

Balega Enduro Socks
From Balega
 
No blisters, they last forever and just all around comfy!!
Pick up a couple pairs-the perfect stocking stuffer!
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

 

 

Foggle wipes

From SBR Sports, Inc.

 

Another winner from SBR. Use these on your swim goggles before a swim, on your glasses before a ride or run (or anytime you head out) and you will be clear from the fog! Not only do they apply an anti-fog to your lens but they clean them as well. Double win!!
Each wipe can be used multiple times so they last a long time. I keep a couple stashed in my swim bag, on my bike and in my car.
 
 
 
 

The Sufferfest Cycling videos

 

 

 

 

You gotta love the company's motto "I will beat my ass today to kick yours tomorrow"

#IWBMATTKYT

Seriously, best line ever! and they keep their promise. With workouts named "A Very Dark Place", "Downward Spiral" and "The Hunted" you can be sure you are getting your money's worth. Make sure you have a towel and bucket ready.

Bonus: The price is actually quite low ($11.99) compared to some other indoor cycling videos I have seen. 

 

Tough Chik Visor

From Tough Chik

 

I have two. Black and hot pink.

I need four.

 

I'll wear the dry one while the wet one gets washed or it hangs to dry. SERIOUSLY.

 

I actually have three visors in active rotation right now (Tough Chik black, Tough Chik pink and Rev 3 Quassy).

 

 

I babied my pink one for weeks, I wanted to keep it my "dressy visor" (did I just write that?? yup, I did). The Tough Chik visor is also loaded with good mojo. They don't advertise this on the site, but it's true. I wore one for every single race this season. GOOD MOJO

I love HeadSweats hats and visors-the quality is A+ yet they are so easy to care for. Just toss it into the washing machine and they come out looking brand new. They keep the sweat out of your eyes but keep your head open to the air for killer ventilation on hot days. Grab one of the active gal in your life.

Not a visor kind of gal?

well you can't go wrong with a tee shirt from Tough Chik!!

 

 

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Family Fun and Fitness

 

Flickin' Chicken

From Haywire Group

available on Amazon.com

 

Want to have some active family fun and laugh hysterically? Flickin' Chicken is the perfect way to get the family together for some fun.

The object is to land your chicken on the target in the least amount of throws. Think golf with rubber chickens...yes, hilarious! The chickens bounce and roll so it's a lot harder than it appears.

Lola and I have had SOOO much fun playing this game all summer and now, we brought it indoors for the cold weather. She makes up her own rules and we always have a blast.

Flickin' Chicken was nominated for The Outdoor Toy of the Year in 2011.

 

 

Make Your Own Medal Hanger!

I came across this post from Lauren at {Sweat Junkie} where she purchased some pretty and funky knobs and made her own medal hanger!!

I thought this was such a brilliant idea and what racer would not want to hang their bling from a hanger that was made by their loved ones?? I know that if little miss Lola made me one, I would treasure it always (hint hint!!)

Also, what a fun family project to do together. This is really a win/win.

 

 

 

 

 

I hope you enjoyed my list of Fitmas ideas!!

 

What is sitting at the top of YOUR wish list??

Fun Foto Friday

It's FuN FoTo FriDaY!!

Today's fun is brought to you by The Mainiac Sprint Triathlon on September 17th

This was the last tri of the season for me and it was SO.MUCH.FUN!!

What a great way to end the season and spend some time with friends

Don't worry-I'm buying all the pics so I'm not really pirating these...

 Left to right:  Meg (who did IMLP this summer), Melissa (who is a rock*star and has the most amazing quads I have ever seen in my life!) Dawn (my BFF and one of the nicest peeps I know) and me.
White girls CAN jump - especially Meg! Look how much AIR that girl got

All smiles on the run-what's not to smile about. Just check out that blue ocean! This run has spectaclar views of the beaches and some amazing homes along the coast of "The Pool"

Happy Friday!
We will be celebrating fall with some apple picking and a long run :)