Rewind

It is officially fall here in Maine.
October. The trees are aglow in splendid colors. The cool temps have returned
and
Lola is now 8.

My baby is now on swim team and playing field hockey. She is as funny as ever too!! I am forever grateful I have this blog just for capturing those fun moments with her!

where has time gone?
and where is the rewind button??
There are some moments I would like to revisit,I would like to fast forward through and some I want to hit pause on...

This summer, I got to venture out to San Diego for the screening of From Fat to Finish Line (which is now on Netflix if you wanna see it!). I love the positive energy and the community that has come together surrounding the release of the film. Our Facebook group is growing and growing - and I cannot wait to unveil the fun stuff that is coming!

It was quite the adventure for sure -we flew into Las Vegas (I've never been) and then drove to San Diego the next morning. It was such a beautiful drive too! The desert landscape is so different from the lush, green Maine mountains where I play!! It was HOT too...wow.

The view from our suite at the Golden Nugget

Pool View

I was so super stoked to stay at the Golden Nugget for ONE REASON:

SHARK TANK!

See that blue tube running through the center of that pic above? That is a slide tube where you get to ride a water slide through the shark tank. Yes. That alone was worth the entire trip out west. But we had so many more amazing adventures that I cannot wait to share with you!

10 Things I Want My Daughter to Know About Working Out

Lola has been getting more and more active lately and she's learning about doing active things that you LOVE to do!

we were featured in ALL YOU Magazine this June

She loves running on our treadmill.

She runs races, she runs with me for fun and does "brick" workouts (bike to run) with a smile

She even loves to come to BOOTCAMP with me

I enjoy the conversations we have about health and how to make good choices when it comes to nutrition, especially the importance of breakfast! I am by no means a food nazi and she gets to have stuff like pizza, eating out, chips and the occasional order of onion rings from our local corner store that she loves. I emphasize choosing foods that FUEL our bodies in good ways and a healthy balance of "treats" now and again. She is the self proclaimed "BACON THIEF" (she will steal i toff your plate and eat it!)

When I finally gave up fad diets and silly things to lose weight--and I finally embraced a healthy lifestyle and had a WHY bigger than wearing a smaller size--that's when things really changed for ME. Being a healthy role model for my daughter and showing her how our bodies can be strong and do amazing things was always my #1 priority. Not skinny jeans. Not a size label. It has never been about appearance for me...and this has rubbed off on my daughter as she grows.

She participated in her first race at just 18 months old. She has always ever known me as active & healthy.

Lola recently started tumbling and she is SO passionate about it!

She asked me the other day about her muscles and being strong enough to do handstands. And flips. And backhand springs. That is what I was striving to teach her all along. I am so proud to hear her talk about the THINGS her body can do and not it's shape or size. I beam with pride when I see her choosing a healthy option because she wants to be healthy.

Last year I found this article and saved it in my bookmarks. As I revisit these thoughts today, I found it very appropriate to share with YOU. From Wellfesto:

Mid-way through a recent group exercise class, the teacher lost me.  She didn’t lose me because of some complicated step sequence or insanely long set of burpees; I mentally checked out because of a few words she kept saying over and over.  “Come on!  Get that body ready for your winter beach vacation!  Think about how you want to look at those holiday parties!  PICTURE HOW YOU’LL LOOK IN THAT DRESS!”

“THAT DRESS?”  My brain couldn’t focus on an image of some random dress hanging in my closet.  All I could think about was my three-year-old daughter hearing and trying to process those words.

My daughter’s little brain is making sense of the world every single second, taking in verbal and non-verbal cues about how things work and what things mean.  And when it comes to exercise, I want her to grow up seeing it as a joy, and not a utility…as a gift, and not a chore…as an opportunity, not an obligation.  I want her to do it for the love of it, not to fit into a dress.  I want her to grow up knowing that…

1. Strength equals self-sufficiency.  Being strong – particularly as a woman – is empowering.  It will feel good someday to be able to carry your own luggage down the stairs if the airport escalator is broken, and it will be important to have a solid shot at outrunning a stranger should you meet one a dark alley.
2. Fitness opens doors.  Being healthy and fit can help you see the world differently.  The planet looks different from a bike or a pair of skis than it does from a car or an airplane.  Out in the elements you have the time and space to notice details and meet people and remember smells and bugs and mud and rain and the feeling of warm sunshine on your face.  And those are the moments that make up your life.
3. The bike is the new golf course.  Being fit may help you get a seat at the table.  Networking is no longer restricted to the golf course, and the stronger you are – and the more people you can hang with on the road and trail – the more people you’ll meet.
4. Exercise is a lifestyle, not an event.  Being an active person isn’t about taking a class three times a week at the gym.  It’s about things like biking to the grocery store and parking your car in the back of the lot and walking instead of taking a cab and catching up with friends on a hiking trail instead of a bar stool.
5. Health begets health.  Healthy behavior inspires healthy behavior.  Exercise.  Healthy eating.  Solid sleep.  Positive relationships.  These things are all related.
6. Endorphins help you cope.  A good sweat session can clear the slate.  You will have days when nothing seems to go right…when you’re dizzy with frustration or crying in despair.  A workout can often turn things around.
7. Working out signals hard-working.  The discipline required to work out on a regular basis signals success.  Someone recently told me they are way more likely to hire marathon runners and mountain climbers because of the level of commitment that goes into those pursuits.
8. If you feel beautiful, you look beautiful.  Looking beautiful starts on the inside.  And being fit and strong feels beautiful.
9. Nature rules.  And if you’re able to hike/run/bike/swim/ski/snowshoe, you can see more of it.
10. Little eyes are always watching.  We learn from each other.  You may have a daughter—or a niece or a neighbor or a friend – one day.  And that little girl will be watching and listening to everything she you say and do.  What messages do you want her to hear?

I’ll never talk to my daughter about fitting into THAT DRESS.  But I will talk to her about what it sounds like to hear pine needles crunching under my feet and what it feels like to cross a finish line and how special it is to see the world on foot.  I will talk to her about hard work and self sufficiency.  I will teach her the joy of working out by showing her I love it.  And I’ll leave the rest up to her.

The Jen & Lola Show "Foggies Review"

Ok...so Lola is swimming like a fish and using goggles like a champ. She has been using SBR Sports TriSwim line since she was a baby (remember the "stay pretty" video??) and it's time she now uses Foggies!

We did TONS of swimming yesterday and decided to do an impromput review for you!! Here it is...

Inspiring!

The lovely Jen at Running with the Girls nominated me for The Very Inspiring Blogger Award! I think Jen is such an inspiration and I thank her so much for thinking of ME for this award. If you don't already read her blog, please check it out!

Here are the rules for how The Very Inspiring Blogger works:  

- Link the person you nominated you (done!) 

- Share 7 facts about yourself

#1 I love the water--all water! Pools, the ocean, lakes, ponds, rivers. You name it. I love to swim, surf, boat, waterski or just float around. I do however have a love/hate relationship with the lap pool. Some days I love it, some days I dread it...put me in open water and I will swim forever. 

Peaks To Portland 2.4 mile swim

#2 I was not much of an athlete after junior high school. Before high school I love figure skating, gymnastic and riding horses and did so competitively. I also played basketball, field hockey and ran track. Then I was too busy being social to care about sports. Fast forward to age 35 when I discovered I had an athlete with competitive drive hiding inside. I am happy she surfaced.

Flying High at the Surf City Half Marathon in CA 

#3 I am allergic to bees, wasps & stinging insects. I did not experience a severe reaction until I was about 20 when I stepped on a yellow jacket and ended up in the hospital. I once got stung while living in Boston, I sat on the bench waiting for a bus and sat on a bee. My doctor was only on the next block so I ran to his office for an epi shot...in heels...and a suit! 

#4 Losing over 100lbs changed my life and my career. I am so passionate about helping others!

I am now a dualy certified ACE/AFAA Personal Trainer, USAT (triathlon) Coach, Weight Loss & Nutrition Coach. I am always looking to expand my education and I am currently expanding my cycling credentials to include USA Cycling and SPINNING (R). I love helping others feel amazing in their own body and making exercise FUN!

#5 My healthy lifestyle has influenced my daughter!! Here she is running a mile for the first time non-stop. She started with a goal of a 1/2 mile and then kept going. I love this kid higher than the sky!!

#6 I remember when I heard about Rev3 and their team (then called Trakkers). I was SO enthrolled by the idea of an amateur triathlon team, I added it to my "list of goals" (nothing TOO big or TOO small as far as I am concerned). When I got picked for the team in 2011, I was SOOO excited, I cried. I am still excited every year when I get to reapply and so far I have been blessed to return each year. I love our team, I love Rev3's mission and the races are amazing. I consider them my second family!! Rumor has it that applications for the next season may be coming out soon...also, with several races still on the schedule for the year if you have not registered yet, what are you waiting for?? A discount?? (message me, maybe I can hook you up!)

#7 I LOVE PEANUT BUTTER. I can and will eat it directly out of the jar with just a spoon. This also applied to Justin's Maple Almond Butter, and Wild Friends Chocolate Coconut Peanut Butter. I could live on this alone...

_____________________________________________

I nominate the following blogs for their own Very Inspiring Blog Award!!

A former teammate of mine, Tara, who is crazy fast, crazy smart and crazy cool. I love her style and I wish I could run as fast as she does. She is an RD and is always working hard to help others get healthy and fit!! She loves fruit. 

www.taramartine.blogspot.com

My current teammate, Pam, at Run Today Tri Tomorrow. I love this gorgeous gal and she is currently doing something really special on her blog right now. Raising money for an amazing cause AND giving away a free entry to Cedar Point 140.6!! Please check it out and support her!

http://runtodaytritomorrow.blogspot.com/

Katie at Run This Amazing Day! I got to know Katie through the blog world and then we shared a coach (Sonja) and go to know eachother a bit better. I don't have time like I used to for reading all my blog friends, but I love to catch up on Katie's adventures and her growth as an athlete the last few years is amazing...definitely inspiring!

http://www.runthisamazingday.com/

Finally, Scott. Oh...Scott. My friend and my on again/off again athlete. Scott is hilarious and his twisted sense of humor made us fast friends. We have an understanding-I write schedules for him. He does not do them. WE laugh about it and life goes on. While some days he lacks focus in motivation for himself, Scott is great with getting others UP and doing good things. He is loyal, smart and funny. His blog cracks me up all the time.
 http://trainfatboy.blogspot.com/

3 Things Thursday

3 Things Thursday: What's going on in my world today? 

THING 1

As part of my 2014 SEASON OF FUN, this weekend several of my athletes are doing a local mud run, The Into the Mud Challenge.  This sold out race promises "Filthy Fun for Everyone" and being mud season here in Maine, why not?

I have avoided these types of races close to tri season for fear of injury risk but since Knoxville is all about having fun, I am excited to share this experience with my "kids". They are somewhat regretting inviting me to come and play because my little competitive beast is coming out and I am all "LET'S KILL IT" and they are all like...NO! Let's just have fun. I say you can race hard and have fun too, right!?? Plus, there are mud and obstacles :) Sounds like the perfect time to go hard and have fun!

Do you do obstacle course runs and races? 
(if you are a Spartan Race fan, stay tuned! fun stuff coming up)

THING 2

Lola's 1st race at 18 months old-a .25 mile track run! 

Speaking of races, did you know that Knoxville has a KIDS TRIATHLON? Yes! It's called the REVVIE. I am hoping that this will be coming to the Maine race too so Lola can participate! She has done the Kids Adventure Races with Rev3 and has done several kids runs...this would be really cool to have her to her first tri with Rev3.

The distances will be broken up by ages:

Athletes will be broken into two groups by age.

Ages 6-9

• 150 Yard Swim
• 2 Mile Bike
• .7 Mile Run

Ages 10-13

• 250 Yard Swim
• 4 Mile Bike
• 1.25 Mile Run

Lola's amazing finish at Rev3 Maine GLOW RUN 

Do you have children that race? Let's hear about it!!

THING 3

FOOD! What am I noshing on lately??

Well, somewhat controversial in the "EAT CLEAN" camp is the powdered peanut butter, PB2.
Now, as someone who could eat an entire jar of peanut butter or almond butter in one sitting, I was happy finally try this out and I have been adding it to my IsaLean Pro shakes.  Mixed with my chocolate shake, it gives it a fantastic PB chocolate flavor without the nearly 200 additional calories (plus, it mixes up easier and I don't need my blender if Im on the go)

Food Babe did a post on PB2 and it's atrocities, the comments are just as interesting as the article itself. While I am an advocate of EAT CLEAN and this PB2 does not fall into my 100% clean category (it's processed and it has added sugar) I did not throw the PB2 in the trash and run for my life. It is a NON GMO crop and the ingredients consist of peanuts, sugar and salt, with 1g of sugar per 2 TB serving. I have no fear of the fat in regular peanut butter and I tried this product specifically to add to my shakes.

I did discover that there are alternatives available such as JUST GREAT STUFF, which is non-GMO as well, organic and uses coconut sugar. I will give this a try.

What are you thoughts on PB2? Have you tried it? 

In other food news, my new favorite snack is strawberries paired with walnuts.
DELISH!!

As seen on my Instagram...two days in a row!

What's going on in YOUR world today?

Monkey See, Monkey Do!

We got the first significant snowfall of the season on Sunday with about 2 feet of snow and some wild winds...and we are getting another 5-8 inches tonight and the temps are in the negatives today...which resulted in a lots of stuff indoors. I'm just getting over bronchitis so I did not want to push my luck with too much outside time in artic temps and wind (even though I just love running in the snow).

Lola wanted to make cookies and lemonade while snowed in on Sunday. We got so much snow, my hometown was even featured on CNN!!

We had all the stuff to make peanut butter cookies so I was not disappointed in that option (oatmeal is my fav but we are out of raisins). I always have stuff to make lemonade!!

I even got all fancy and used two glasses fitted together and did my best impersonation of Tom Cruise in Cocktail...which Lola found comical. Then I could not get the glasses apart very easily, which she also find quite funny.

I had to laugh when she got out her play Disney Princess camera and took pics of her snack....I wonder where she ever go an idea like that???? ha ha ha

MONKEY SEE, MONKEY DO!!?? 

Sunday was also the day that we were finally able to open our #TeamRev3 Secret Santa gifts!!

This was mine....

I still have not figured out WHO my Rev3 Secret Santa is...and no one is giving me any hints. MY first guess was Jordan but, I was wrong.

I then guessed Susan and she has not replied so...

Monday was the first day of the #RunnerBox #FitApproach challenge and the challenge was to run one extra mile.
Done.
In addition to teaching 5 classes (2 of them cycling) AND doing my own quick circuit workout, I got in 3 miles on the treaddy.

Today the challenge is PLANKS! I've SO got this...

Let's Go to Ohio!

In the days leading up to the race I became very calm. Focused. Ready. Calm.

This is very unlike me. Usually leading into a race I get very excited and butterflies start nesting in my tummy. It's a mix of nervous energy, expectation and a dash of anxiety.

Calm is a new feeling for me.
I wasn't scared. I wasn't nervous.
I was just ready.

I knew that the calm would not last. How could it? How could I be toeing the line of my biggest race to date and be this CALM? Relaxed? It made me nervous. I kept sending text messages to Coach telling her that I was scared of this feeling.

Then the vomit hit the fan...so to speak.

We were going to leave on Wednesday to drive to Ohio. We rented a huge minivan (a Toyota Sienna, which I am in love with btw). Wednesday morning, Lola got sick.
Really sick.
Fever.
Projectile vomiting (grapes across the living room, sweeeeet!).

The calm left and the anxiety, worry and panic set in.

My biggest fear is that I would not have my little girl, my inspiration, my heart with ME. All of this change came about because of HER and the finish line would be missing a huge part of ME without HER there. I wanted nothing more than my family with me to celebrate this accomplishment.
It broke my heart.

My other fear was what if I get sick too? 

I started to have a mini-freakout complete with tears, anger and frustration. I felt such a complete loss of control over the situation. This race was the culmination of years of hard work and I was afraid it would slip through my fingers with nothing I could do to stop it...

There were lots of prayers happening.
We delayed our trip by a day in the hopes that Lola would feel better and get to go.
The thought of driving 15 hours to Ohio alone wasn't thrilling but back up plans were made.

Casey would stay home with Lola.
My friend/athlete/training partner Marc was able to come with me if Lola did not improve and he would pack and be ready to roll at 3am if need be! (Thank you, Marc!!)

Thursday morning we woke up super early and finished packing up the van. We woke Lola up shortly before ROLL time and she was fine. She woke excited and ready to GO TO OHIO!

She seemed to be doing great and then BOOM! Sick again...no fever but she was started throwing up again. We debated back and forth what to do. I called my Mom seeking advice.
I wanted Lola and Casey with me but I did not want my daughter to suffer through a very long car ride sick. I did not want us to be 8 hours in and have one of us get sick. I did not want to get to Ohio and spend the weekend throwing up myself...My Mom said to roll the dice, bring a bucket and go.
Casey was not too on board with this idea and was very concerned about Lola being stuck in a minivan, sick. But we rolled the dice...

Two hours of driving brought some vomiting, crying and she was afraid of the dark. It broke my heart to see her like this and I wondered if me made the right decision. She started to get warm again and when the sun came up, she finally fell asleep.

She woke up a NEW GIRL.

No fever. No sickness. The spunky, high energy girl we know and love was BAAACK!
It was all going to be OK

Lola re-enacting the action with the puke bucket

Let's get GOOFY! 

Yup, she was feeling better for sure! Shaka

The drive to Ohio was pretty cool! I wish we had more time to make some stops along the way, like Niagra Falls, the Football Hall of Fame to name a few.

We took Route 90 all along Lake Erie and it was a beautiful drive!

NEXT STOP: Sandusky, Ohio