Rock n Roll Marathon Weekend Recap

You know that feeling of accomplishment when you finally do something that you never really thought you would do?

For me, this past Sunday I ran the Rock n Roll New Orleans

MARATHON.

Yes that's right I joined the crazy people that wake up one morning and decide to run/walk/crawl 26.2 miles.

Surprisingly, I was not that nervous about running 26.2 miles. I guess from me running so many races, I went in with the "its just another race" attitude and I think that helped.

So let me tell you about the weekend.

Friday morning  my bff Jennifer and I left early so that we could get to New Orleans by lunch time to work at the expo. She was working for the Spartan booth and I was working for the Womans Half Marathon booth and Gulf Coast Half series booth.

If you haven't heard of either one of these races check them out. The Gulf Coast Half series next race is on April 7th in Pensacola Beach. I will be there come run with me.

Anyways after working at the expo we picked up our race packets.

and took a few goofy pictures.

 

 

I look forward to these pictures at every Rock n Roll race. They always have a ton of picture opportunities. After getting our race package, we picked up our tshirt and swag bag. I love the tech shirts this year.

We decided to go eat at our favorite restaurant The Louisiana Pizza Kitchen for dinner. As most of you know I am on a 40 day Paleo challenge, so I didn't have my normal grilled chicken pizza. I ordered a tomato salad and special order seafood gumbo. It was so good.

I had been sick all week with bronchitis, so we went back to the hotel and went to bed.

Jennifer had to work the Brooks booth on Saturday morning, so I stayed in bed pretty much all day resting up, hydrating, and taking medicine to feel better for Sunday.

I did get up and meet up with Jennifer for some shopping at the Riverwalk. It was very tempting to sail away for a week or 2. Who needs 26.2 miles of running when you have Royal Caribbean at your disposal? lol! We could have been stow aways or something. HEEHEE!

After shopping we met Melanie and her husband and some other friends for dinner at WOW. I was able to order some sweet potato fries to carb load. I have been doing some research on Paleo carb loading for running. Sweet potatoes were the number 1 suggestion. So I ordered some to go for race morning also.  Jennifers bff Melissa came in town to cheer us on Saturday night. It was nice to have someone there to take care of our stuff on Sunday morning. I was very grateful she was there. I took my gear picture and went to sleep!

On Sunday morning I woke up feeling pretty good. The weather was perfect. Jennifer and I lined up at the start line.

When you are running a race with 18000+ people, you would think it would be chaotic and crazy, however the Rock n Roll group manages to keep it very organized and easy to figure out. They have different corrals that each runner is in. We were in corral 15, so You just find your number and get in the group.

Jennifer and I started our 26.2 mile journey around 7:22am.

I am going to recap my actual race tomorrow. A lot of things go through your mind in a 26 mile run. I was doing this race as a way of telling my self I could do it and also prove that a paleo/CrossFit/runner could finish a marathon without a lot of LSD/long distance training. Guess what?

It worked!

 

Stay Tuned...

 

 

 



I am a marathoner!!!

I finally can say that! Ahhhhhh! I am still trying to wrap my head around it in details so I will recap sometime this week! I am so glad I had my BFF Jennifer running with me. It was an amazing experience.

Rock n Roll New Orleans, lets do it...

Thankful Things Thursday

I haven't done a Thankful post in a while, so here it goes...

 

1. First of all I have to thank myself for sticking to my 40 day Paleo challenge. I am actually loving it. I have lost 10lbs in the first week. I have found that it is a very easy way to eat. I am not missing the processed, grains, dairy, or refined sugars AT ALL.

 

2. I am thankful for a great Crossfit Box. Crossfit Coastline has shown me that I can bring back that strong body I used to have. Its amazing the results I have had just in these past 2 months.

We filmed a CrossFit commercial last night with some awesome people. I hope it comes out ok!

 

 3. Klean Athlete! I am very thankful that I have found a supplement company that is not only NSF certified but actually taste good and I am seeing results quickly with. You can check them out at www.kleanathlete.com

 

4. I am thankful to have a best friend that not only trains the crap out of me at Coastline Crossfit, but can get goofy with me when I need it. We are running the New Orleans Rock n Roll marathon on Sunday, wish us luck! Love you Jennifer!

You can read Jennifers blog Training a Trainer.

 

5. I am thankful that Sunglasses Shop sent me these super fly SXUC sunglasses. AND that they are going to give on of you super fly people a pair too! SCORE

 

6. I am thankful that I have great kids that I can spoil for their birthdays. My daughter is going to absolutely flip a lid when she opens her birthday present March 16th! She may have a heart attack.

 

7. I am thankful for the great people at the CNN Omni Hotel Atlanta for helping me make the above thankfulness possible. If you are going to be in the Atlanta area, you should definitely check out the Omni.

If you are going to the Philips Arena for any concerts, you should check out the Rock Star Package they offer. Its amazing!

 

8. I am thankful for the awesome people at Swiftwick socks for making socks that my feet absolutely love! Also that they sent me some really cool and crazy printed socks. Argyle, Hoo Ha Ride Glide, Spark to name a few. I love them!

 

9. Last but not least. I am thankful that god gave me the health, body, soul, and mind to do what I am hoping to do on Sunday!

26.2 miles

So now its your turn. What are you thankful for this week?

 

 



FitAid Energy Supplement Paleo Friendly Drink Review and Giveaway.

I was going to recap my fun Dirty Girl Mud Run weekend with my girls, however I am waiting on a few pictures to be emailed to me, so I will recap next week.

You guys know I am one week in to my 40 day Paleo challenge for Lent. I am loving it so much. The food is not a problem and the water is not a problem, but sometimes you want to drink something with some taste, so I went on the lookout for a Paleo friendly drink.

One of the drinks that caught my eye was FitAid.

What is FitAid?

FitAID is NOT an energy drink…it’s a ““synergy” product with almost 3 grams of supplements designed to enhance your performance in the physical demands of your sport.

• About one quarter of the sugar as a typical soda or energy drink
• Glucosamine & Natural Anti-Inflammatories for joint health, flexibility, and to help reduce soreness *
• B-Vitamins for consistent energy *
• Electrolytes to combat muscle fatigue *
• Supplements for Mental Acuity, Focus, and Balance *
• Sweetened with only 9 grams (45 calories) of Organic Blue Agave which is low on the glycemic index (meaning absorbs slowly into blood stream – no spike and crash.
• NO Artificial Flavors, Colors, or Sweeteners
• No High Fructose Corn Syrup, No Aspartame, No Sucralose, No Grapefruit
• Light tropical / citrus flavor…Not too sweet and very refreshing
• FitAID is not only packed with performance enhancing supplements, but it is also all natural and healthy.

FitAID was designed with efficacy in mind. Crack a can of FitAID 15 minutes before your workout and within 15 minutes after your workout for recovery See if you don’t feel more healthy, less sore, more focused, less fatigued, stronger, faster, and more agile for longer.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food & Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

 

After reading about all of the great supplements that FitAid fit into that little can, I knew I needed to try it. The great people over at FitAid sent me over a pack of four to review.

I was so excited to try it, I cracked open a can on the way to Crossfit Coastline immediately. I was not sure what it was going to taste like, but I was pleasantly surprised. It has a very light citrus taste and leaves no after taste, thank goodness. If you know me, you know I don't do after tastes (is that a word?). I was able to get through the workout with a ton of energy. I used to drink a Sugar Free Red Bull before working out but I would end up crashing afterwards. I didn't have that problem with FitAid. I felt great all morning long.

I am definitely a FitAid drinker now. I was amazed at the amount of vitamins and supplements that were in one can...



I will be using FitAid this weekend at the Rock n Roll Marathon. I am hoping the rain holds off. Please say a prayer and do a "please don't rain" dance for me.

 

Now for the great new.

The awesome people at FitAid are giving one of you guys a case of FitAid.

Enter Below.

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I will run the giveaway from 2/19 till 2/26. I will announce the winner on Wednesday 2/27.

 

I was sent product for review by the awesome people at FitAid. All opinions are of my own and no one elses.

40 day paleo challenge update...

Hey guys! I hope y'all had a great weekend. I did! On Saturday I ran the Dirty Girl Mud Run (recap tomorrow) with a few of my favorite gals...

And on Sunday my daughter had her last gymnastics meet of the season. She rocked this meet...

So I know you guys are wondering how my 40 days of Paleo are going? If you didn't read my post last week, I decided instead of giving up something for Lent, I would change my diet. I am using the practical guide to Paleo eating, here is the food list...

I am on day 6, and I am already down 9lbs. Most of it is probably from detoxing off of processed foods, but I'll take it!

 

I am a creature of habit. I can eat the same things everyday. I am trying to venture out this week and make different things. However here are some of the different things I have made this past 6 days.



Kale salad: Kale, mushrooms, boiled chicken, topped with avocado

Shredded chicken sauteed with mushrooms, red pepper flakes in water.

Cucumber slices with kiwi on top.

Closer look at cucumber/kiwi

Lunch at Outback. Salmon and grilled vegis. Eating out is so easy on the Paleo diet. You just need to talk to the waiter, manager, cook about how you need your food cooked. I even asked the waiter at the local Mexican food restaurant for celery sticks to dip into the salsa, and he brought me a whole plate full. SCORE!

This has been my new obsession the past couple night. Shredded boiled chicken, shrimp, mushrooms, chopped fresh jalapenos, sauteed in water, re pepper flakes, and cumin. With a cut up avocado. 

HOLY YUM!

This is the same thing in soup form, topped with black pepper, even better!



I have been all about some kiwi lately. They are $.33 at Walmart, you cant beat that. I found Kelapo Extra Virgin Coconut Oil at TJ Maxx, so I decided to pan cook my kiwi in the coconut oil, and it was delicious! My 5 yr old loved it! Kid Approved!

I also mixed sauteed kiwi with sauteed chicken and it was delicious for breakfast. (NOTE: saute them separate and mix them to eat. Do not saute together.)

I also used the Kelapo coconut oil yesterday afternoon for a healthy snack for my kids after school. Slice a banana, sprinkle with cinnamon and chili powder and cook in coconut oil on both sides. This is delicious! And so healthy for the kids.

When I got home from the gym yesterday, I had an awesome box at the door from FitAid.

FitAid is a Paleo friendly pre or post workout drink. It has a very mild sweet taste. It is sweetened with blue agave and natural stevia. I am loving the taste of FitAid. I will have a full review at the end of the week about FitAid.

I hope you guys have a great healthy week and I am tapering down for this weekend Rock n Roll Marathon on Sunday with my BFF Trainer Jenn. Wish us luck! Going in as Crossfitters and not a distance runners. Fingers Crossed!

 

First week of 40 day Paleo done!

How are you doing with all of your goals for the year?

Fitness Friday and a Valentines Day treat

I'm still feeling the love, so I am going to write in red today too!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Valentines Day! my husband and I decided not to do much this year for birthdays, Valentines, Anniversary, Mainly because we are taking a trip to Ireland in August. So that's everything balled into one. LOL!

We did however get the kids something, because after all they are our true Valentines. The kids and I made my husband some chocolate covered crispy bacon, thanks to Brent's wife for the idea. My hubby loves bacon and loves dark chocolate, so we combined the two for a special treat last night.

Yeah, I agree, it doesn't look real appetizing! However, my kids and husband loved it. I wasn't able to taste it. I am on day 3 of my 40 days of straight Paleo. Just in 3 days I already feel better. I am also lugging around a big ole gallon full of water. Yeah old school!

Jennifer and I have a marathon next weekend in New Orleans, so I am hydrating and getting healthy before this race.

 

Fitness Friday...

My week!

 

Saturday; I went and cheered on the Soul2Soul Scoot that my great friend Mindy put on. My son ran in the race and placed 3rd in his age group with a time of 25:35. I was sooo proud of him.

Sunday; I rode my spin bike for 45 minutes. I was going to long run but the weather was terrible so I chose to spin instead.

Monday; Crossfit in the morning

Tuesday; Crossfit in the morning and stretching at night

Wednesday; Deck of cards at CrossFit (total burn out, loved it!)

Thursday; Crossfit in the morning and 3 miles on TM

Friday; I am going to CrossFit this morning and cheering on the milk mile being put on by one of my friends for her cross country team. FUN!

 

I hope all of you have and a very active week and a great Valentines Day.

Stay Strong!

Klean Athlete Protein Review...

I hope you guys are having a very loving day! Happy Valentines Day!



 

I have always been athletic. I was a personal trainer, spinning instructor, and group fitness instructor for many years. I have always known protein was a key element in my success in building muscle. My body responds well to high protein daily. I try to take in around 150 grams a day on training days.

You can bet that I have tried A LOT of different brands, flavors of protein. Some good, some bad, and some out right terrible, lol! When I was given the chance to review a NSF certified unflavored "KLEAN" 100%whey protein powder, you know I jumped at that opportunity

 

I was so impressed by the packaging. Its so nice and "KLEAN" lol! I was excited to receive the multivitamin too. I have been taking it daily, and I have had no stomach issues at all.

The first thing I did was check out the Whey Isolate Protein.As you can see there are 85 calories, 1 carb, and 20 protein per scoop. Perfect!

What is Klean Athlete?

 

While the rest of the world sleeps in, you’re doing laps, putting on miles, improving your splits. You’re an athlete. And you deserve supplements that meet your unique nutritional needs safely and effectively.

Klean Athlete is exactly that. The entire line is NSF Certified for Sport^® and certified to be clean of banned substances. Bottom line is that Klean Athlete gives you everything you need and nothing you don’t. No yeast, wheat, gluten, soy, corn, sugar, or starch. No artificial coloring, preservatives or flavoring. Just safe nutritional supplements that support your healthy lifestyle and peak performance.

Klean Athlete has a whole line of products to suit your athletic needs.

Check them out here.

 

After going to Crossfit Coastline, I was excited about trying a smoothie with the Klean Isolate. It was absolutely delicious and became one of my go to smoothies after the WOD.

I also was mixing 1/2 cup of unsweetened almond milk, 1/2 cup of dark chocolate almond milk, ans 1 scoop of Klean isolate, for a great "chocolate milk" drink.

After a few days of smoothies, I started adding it to my actual foods. because the Klean Athlete Isolate is flavorless, it is a great add in to your favorite recipes and dishes.

Spinach, Kale, 1/2 avocado, 1 egg white, 1 scoop Klean isolate, and Chia seeds.

Spinach, Kale, 1/2 Avocado, 1 egg, sauteed in water mushrooms and 1 turkey bacon strip (cut up) crushed red pepper, and 1 scoop of Klean Isolate

2 mashed bananas, 1 egg white, lots of cinnamon, 1 scoop Klean Isolate.

mix well, cook like pancakes.

 

I also added a scoop to my turkey burgers, bowl of black beans, and sugar free pudding.

As far as drinks are concerned, I usually drink water most of the time. however sometimes you need some flavor. I am a Crystal Light drinker, so I decided to add it to my Margarita flavored Crystal Light. Yeah amazing! It doesn't alter the taste at all and who wouldn't want a protein packed glass of Crystal Light?

As you can tell I was upset when I used the last scoop! (I have reordered more, of course!) At least I used it for a Crystal Light Mojito!

Fueling my muscles is what its all about!

It is my new protein of choice, and I am so happy I got to try it.

I definitely have become Klean Athlete!

 

I was given the product by Klean Athlete for review. All opinions are my own.