Running Pop Quiz

Today officially marks my first day of maternity leave and since I go in tomorrow, my list of things to do is longer than a marathon!  What's a girl to do...oh yeah...blog!!  I found this quiz yesterday from Michelle at Running with Attitude who linked over from Christine over at Big Dream Runner.
Feel free to play along!!

1. FUEL: Shot Bloks, GU, Energy Chews, Candy or Other?
I have been known a time or two to eat the Chocolate Mint GU as an after dinner dessert...I mean come on people it tastes like frosting!!!  My only complaint about GU is the difficulty I have getting the package open during winter runs.  Here in New England we not only wear gloves but LOTS of layers making it hard to rip and eat the GU.  However, it is worth it once it hits your lips!!

2. Race Length: 5k, 10k, 1/2 Marathon, Marathon, Ultra or Other?
I love the 1/2 marathon!!  I had never run one until I was training for a marathon (I signed up to run the Boston Marathon for Diabetes after only running a 5k!).  At the time it was a training run but after having Em they have turned into my favorite race!  They are enough of a challenge but training for them doesn't eat up as much time as a marathon so I don't get as much Mom guilt!

3. Workout Bottoms: Skirts, Running Shorts, Capris, Pants or Other?
Usually you can see me sporting a skirt....NEVER will you see me running in shorts unless someone is chasing me down the street!  I honestly don't even wear shorts in my non-running life!  14 years of being a catcher has blessed me with strong legs...that cause things to ride up in not so flattering ways.  I LOVE skirts and when the temp dips down I wear them over my tights!

4. Sports Drink: Gatorade, Powerade, Cytomax, you stick to water when you run or Other?
When I'm running it is water only....everything else just pisses off my belly!  After long runs I like to chug some NUUN or Cytomax.  This helps to ward off any post long run headache if I didn't hydrate enough.

5. Running Temperatures: HEAT or COLD?
Cold please!!  Yeah heat, humidity, and I are not friends!

6. Running Shoe Brands: Saucony, Mizuno, Nike, Brookes, Asics or Other?
Sacouny girl right here!!!  I bought my first pair of Sacouny Rides when I first started training for Boston in 2007 and since then I have bought 4-5 pairs every year!!  Some ladies buy purses...I buy running shoes!!  This summer I tried out the Kinvaras 3 and LOVE them too!!!

7. Pre-race meal: Oatmeal, Bagel, Banana, Eggs, Cereal or Other?
When I'm not preggers (which did I mention will be tomorrow?!) it's a Sugar Free Red Bull (I know, I know but we all have our vices), whole wheat bagel, and peanut butter.  Prego running is just minus the Red Bull sadly!  This has to be consumed too at least an hour before I head out the door...since it is good the first time....not the second!

8. Rest Days: 1x per week, 2x per week, never ever ever or Other?
1xper week....sometimes 2 depending on what is going on and how I'm feeling.

9. Music: Have to have it or go without it?
Since moving to Cape Cod, a lot of my running (except Wednesday nights which I can't wait to get back to running group!) is spent alone (wah!) so I find it easy to get lost in a good playlist.  I feel like the music gives me rhythm to my stride and pushes me at the right spots.  When I am running with others I am music free.

10. #1 reason for running: stress-relief, endorphins, you love to race, so you can eat all the cupcakes you want, weight-loss, love running for social reasons or Other?
Running for me covers so many things....it's stress relief, me time, endorphins, the thrill of competition, a way to bond...but above it all it teaches me about myself and helps me clear my head!  It challenges me and makes me a better version of myself!!

Monday Motivation

Today's motivation/inspiration comes from Miss Dimity, one half of another mother runner.  Her post today about her Twin Cities 10 miler was just amazing!  Head over to read the whole post but here is a quote where she just sums it all up!

"Running doesn’t just bring me mental peace. It soothes sore spots I didn’t even know were bleeding; it brings back memories, both lovely and cringe-worthy; it lets me realize when I’m being petty and should let things go; it gives me confidence to take on things I shouldn’t let go (but want to); it solidifies friendships; it connects me with branches of my family I thought had withered; it lets me relive and laugh and wander and chat and connect and imagine."

 Most days, especially lately, running is a physical challenge for me...but then there are those days where you realize just how much more it does for you!!  Running Changes Everything!!

What's For Dinner Menu Plan...Week 2

Last week's menu went well!!  It was relieving to have it all planned out and not have to think as much during that hour when I'm toast and Em is feeling the effects of being in school all day with no nap!  I had all my ingredients on hand and could throw together whatever I had planned!  I had to laugh to myself thinking through this week's menu and actually made a few adjustments since it was turning into a comfort food fest!  You see the temps are cooling off and my nesting instinct has kicked in full force! 

You'll notice too that the menu is short....like 4 days short!  That is because unless Miss Baby decides to come on her own early, she has been served eviction papers on Wednesday.  After having surgery previous to having children and then an emergency C-section with Em, that is the plan....but we all know about well laid plans! 

 Since I'll be gone and not able to pack Em's lunch (aka a box of snacks) I am going to be making a couple of batches of these amazing oatmeal pumpkin muffins....she has them instead of a sandwich and loves them! 

So here is what the "short" week looks like...you'll notice the heaviness on the comforting food!

Breakfasts:  

Crock Pot Pumpkin Pie Steel Cut Oats (I'm going to add in apples too to use them up) OR Green Monster Smoothie

Lunch:  

Salads with grilled chicken (I have to balance the day at least a little!)

Dinners:

Sunday: Grilled Cheese Sandwiches and soup...comfort anyone?
Monday: Turkey Mini Meatloaf....I got this recipe from "Cook Yourself Thin" and I love the recipe.  It has spinach and whole wheat breadcrumbs in it.  Each mini meatloaf only has about 210 calories.
Tuesday: Crock Pot Chicken Parm...Yeah here comes the comfort again!!  My "last meal" so to speak since I can't eat after midnight!

So what's for dinner this week at YOUR house?  Don't forget to check out the other recipes and menu plans at Fitness, Health and Happiness or Mommy Run Fast

Fitness Friday Favorites

I recognize that the longer I go without posting, it may give you all the indication that perhaps something is going on around here....well not yet!  Little Miss is getting her eviction notice effective Wednesday but nothing has been happening otherwise!  Today is my last day at work and the Type A Fancy Nancy is in full force getting things set up so that the sub can coast for the next 3 months....yes my lovely husband convinced my doctor to give me the 12 weeks I was hoping for!!!!  So I apologize for this short post but I do need to get back to making sure every I is dotted and T is crossed (because obviously things would implode if I don't :-) ).  Here are some of my favs this week in and around the fitness world!

Bani Bands are one of the ZOOMA sponsors and I was so excited to meet one of the owners at the Cape Cod expo a few weeks ago...even more surprised to find out the he lives in Newport, RI (my hometown).  I do find myself loyal to locals and thought I would pass some love on to them!  You know how much I love me a sparkly headband and I actually bought this very one for my delivery day...momma needs some sparkle to go with the hospital gown!

I am loving Under Armour's new campaign for women...their #What'sBeautiful and #Sweat Every Day is so inspiring!!!  Their clothes rock but now so do their ads!!  Check them out!!

Have Pinterest...Know Fitfluential....Have Kick ASS workouts!...and who wouldn't want that back?

The last thing I've been loving lately...and let's be honest a lot more than lately are the AWESOME workouts that some of my fellow Fitfluential Ambassadors are cranking out!  My Pinterest Workouts board is filled with them but do yourself a favor and check out Jess at Blonde Ponytail, Tamara at Fitknitchick, and Brad at Brad Gouthro Fitness or Live Lean TV.

What are you loving this Fitness Friday???

WIAW....Green Monster Obsession!

I promise I was not driving at this time...and excuse my sausage thumb!!

This school year I have certainly been obsessed with my Green Monster smoothie every morning!  Each morning I whip one of these babies up and know that I am getting not only a healthy dose of protein and calcium, but I'm also starting my day off with some fruits and veggies too....not to mention the fact that it takes about 2.2 seconds to whip up!

Today's Green Monster contain:

• 1 banana
• 2 handfuls of spinach
• pumpkin puree
• 1 scoop of peanut butter
• 2 scoops of protein powder (cookies and cream flavor)
• 12 oz coconut milk

I know they look scary but I would encourage you to try one out....I promise you can't taste the spinach and they are so super yummy!!! I'm linking up with

How do you start your morning off right??

I'm headed to my last doctor appointment today and couldn't be more excited....Miss Thang has been causing lots of swelling yesterday and today...not to mention tingly fingers and legs.  So fun! 

Totally Random Tuesday....

Yeah it's one of those days when I am feeling completely random.  Call it too much on the brain....too much on the checklist of things to do, but I have a million thoughts swirling around and lucky you get to be the dumping ground for some of them!  I mean I can't expect my hubby to get all of it and my high school students certainly are not listening!

I got an email yesterday that there are openings to join Team Tough Chik!  If you've never heard of Tough Chik before, head on over to check them out!  While you're there, check out some of the other team members!  These ladies rock and so does Team Tough Chik!  I'm looking forward to join this time around and wearing my "uniform" at my comeback race this winter!! 

Etsy/Pinterest has been working overdrive in the Fancy Nancy house as I try to put the finishing touches on Miss Baby Capen's nursery before she gets here!!  Seriously though I could spend countless hours just combing those sites looking for the perfect night light or wall hanging!  The room is just about done...which is great because so am I!!  I got the girls' Big Sis/Baby Sis shirts in the mail yesterday that I had ordered from Etsy.

Fall running is my favorite time of year....New England winters can be harsh...they melt into often times raw Spring and hot, humid Summers follow.  Fall is like the reward for running through them all!  Crisp weather and beautiful scenery show up for each and every run.  Suddenly runs where you struggled to breathe, are like a walk in the park!  I LOVE Fall running.....and I'm missing it dearly!!  I know I only have one more week but oh boy as my usual local races happen all around me, I am totally having FOMO syndrome!!  Em and I am taking lots of walks and soon it will be three of us!  I can't wait!!!

So thank you so much for allowing me a few minutes to lighten the load and brain dump a bit!  I honestly feel better.  Things are getting checked off the list...yesterday I interviewed and we hired a sub for me (nothing like waiting to the last second) and hopefully today I will get some more things checked off.  Until then I'll keep plugging away and getting outside to enjoy these gorgeous Fall days....dreaming of long runs in my Sacounys!!

Monday Motivation

This has been my quote of the year....to finish what I've started.  It is the phrase that I repeat to myself when runs get tough and this month it has been the phrase I have repeated over and over when the couch looks like a much better option than working out!  It's easy to quit...especially when you have a good excuse...but the true growth comes from when you dig deep and finish what you started.  Finish that training plan, you're almost at the starting line...finish your meal planning, you have just a few pounds to go....finish that last round of the circuit, you are stronger than you think! 

This week...

Finish what you started!!!