Guest Blogger: FAB Races!

I’m proud to introduce my fabulous guest blogger today, Tina from Fabulosi-T. We are both ambassadors for I’m Fit Possible and were teamed up to guest blog for each other. I know you guys will enjoy her post as much as I have!

FAB Races

When I first “talked” (via email) to Alyssa she asked me a few questions about me. Where was I from? Calgary, Alberta, Canada! What’s my fav activity? Running! What are your favourite races? YIKES! Oh my…I had never given it much thought! Hmm. That question got me thinking. How do you pick? The more I thought, the harder it seemed to decide. I knew right away which ones I hated and never wanted to do again (bad organization, race length was really off, lack of aid stations…) But, after some careful thought I finally came up with my FAB list of Fav Races!  

(…And in no particular order…you can’t make me RANK them, too!)

Rocky Mountain Soap Company Women’s Run (Canmore, Alberta) 

I have run this race since 2011, the year I lost 40 pounds. The first year I did 12k in 1.5 hrs, then the next year I did the same distance 15 minutes faster! In 2013 I had an amazing weekend at this run where I ran a halfmarathon on Saturday and followed it up with a 10km on the Sunday. Both were strong races and showcased where I proved to myself I really can push further and be stronger. I love running out in the mountains, it must be something about the air here. I always feel great and the view is spectacular. This race has the BEST swag. Over $50 worth of product, an awesome buff (multifunctional headwear) and giftcards for the RMSC store! At the finish line runners are treated with scented clothes to refresh and wipedown, along with a fantastic healthy lunch. This year, I will run 10km on Saturday and 10km on Sunday in preparation for my marathon the next weekend! I look forward to another great weekend in the mountains. 

Calgary Marathon (Calgary, Alberta) 

I have run this race since 2008 in all distances (5k, 10k, halfmara and marathon). In 2012, I ran my first marathon. In my hometown! What an experience. This race is special for that reason. I never EVER thought I could do this. But in 2012 after running a few halfmarathons, I nervously made the decision to train for a marathon. It was a hard few months training, but I learned after every run where I went past 21k, 25k, 30k, 38k…that I realized I could actually do this!! And on race day when I finished 42.2 kilometres, I burst into tears! I have never ever forgot that feeling. And, I still get goosebumps when I think of that special feeling that was so overwhelming. This year, Calgary Marathon turns 50 (Canada’s oldest marathon!) and I am once again running the marathon. The bling will be awesome. There will also be a celebratory beer garden! Here’s hoping I can best my time of 5:11! 

Banff Ekiden Marathon Relay (Banff, Alberta) 

This was not my first relay, but this was the most fun I have EVER had at a race! This is a marathon divvied up into 5 legs. I ran this race with my blogger pals Michelle, Leana and Cori. We were the #littlebloggybluebirds and we had a hoot. We all ran some of our best times all on hills and mountain terrain. And, I think that was partly due to the fact that we were there to have fun, and not concern ourselves with pace. And soon as we left those stresses behind, we had awesome runs, one after another! We lost our voices cheering, and had a wicked time laughing, taking silly pictures and getting to know each other better. These women are rockstars and I love them all dearly. The gals each ran 1 leg, and I ran the two short legs. All legs added up to a marathon! It stands as our fastest marathon too (lol). We learned to roll with the punches, too, as the presence of a bear on the route resulted in the race doing last minute changes to the route.

Run to the Pub (Bozeman, Montana)

Last March I took a road trip with an old friend and we drove 8 hours to Montana (my first American race!) for a wicked Saint Patrick’s Day Race. The trip was fun, the weather fantastic (we wore shorts in MARCH hurrah). The race itself was very well organized and the volunteers rocked. The view running from outside the city down into main street into a street party with beer was fantastic. It was mostly a downhill course, and felt fantastic the entire time. As we passed houses coming into town, people were sitting outside on lawn chairs cheering us runners on. This was such a great atmosphere. We got great shirts, pint glasses in a sweet swagbag. The town was welcoming, and probably one of the best trips I ever took to a race. I would recommend this race to anyone, and totally want to do it again! 

And my last favourite race? Well, this isn’t a race I ran. It was a race I volunteered at the WOW Superhero 10km Run last October. My friend Cori and I decided to not run and volunteer: BEST decisions ever. Cori and I were at the 10km turnaround point. We planned our superhero outfits, and brought clappers, pompoms and our fabulous cheer. We had a blast cheering on runners and despite the weather (a very early snowstorm). It was an amazing experience high-5ing runners and went hoarse cheering on all the superheroes running. We even cheered on runners on the pathways that weren’t in the race. I have never has so much fun! I think EVERYONE needs to volunteer at a race. you will love it and feel fabulous. 

 I think that from my FAB race pics, they have something in common. I look for a fun and fabulous experience every time I go out to race. Even if it a ‘serious’ race. If it isnt fun, why bother? Life should be all about having fun and making some fabulous memories. When picking a race to do, have fun no matter what. Everything else will fall into place! 

 What are your fav races? 

Link up with Tina:

Instagram

Pinterest

Fabulosi-T Blog

13 Things That Happen When You Date A Girl Who Loves Her Dog

Yep…this is just too true!

Friday Five: Food I Eat

I decided to do my Friday Five in recipes that I frequently make because I love food!!

1. Energy Smoothie

I love this for mornings or before a workout!!

In a blender:
•1 cup of caffeinated green tea
•1/4 cup each raspberries & blueberries
•1 tbsp chia seeds
•1 cup kale
•1/2 cup strawberries
•1/2 of a Granny Smith apple

2. Egg wrap

I used to eat this for breakfast but lately I’ve liked it as postworkout! I always sautée the veggies first, and any veggies can be used. I didn’t add a serving size for veggies because I love a TON in there, so it’s up to you. I sometimes throw green peppers in there. Then I add the egg whites, then cheese and then put into the wrap. I also add salsa onto the finished product.

•4 egg whites
•2 handfuls spinach
•Red onions
•Chopped broccoli
•Green peppers
•1/4 cup sharp cheddar cheese (opt)
•Whole grain flat out wrap

3. Oatmeal Bake

Mmm love oatmeal bake! I don’t like any other oats.

•Add 3/4 cup blueberries in the bottom of a pan (I spray with olive oil first) – note: my recipe says to slice 2-3 bananas and add onto bottom before blueberries, but they don’t fit into my macros with the oats so I leave them out. But I used to use them and they were awesome! Make sure they’re ripe because the green ones (my fave!!) taste funny cooked.

•In separate bowl combine: 1 cup oats, 1 tsp baking powder, 1 tbsp cinnamon and a pinch of salt. Then evenly pour over blueberries.

•In another bowl mix: 1 egg, 1 tsp vanilla, 1 cup milk (I use skim). Add that over the dry mixture.

•Add 3/4 raspberries and chopped walnuts (opt) then bake at 375* for 25-35 min.

4. Protein Shake

I make different variations of these, depending on my mood. Right now it’s 1 cup of skim milk, 1/4 cup raspberries and 1 scoop of Optimum Nutrition Mocha Cappuccino protein blended in the blender.

5. Pancakes

I know what you’re thinking, but these are healthy and amazing!!! They sound weird, but I promise they’re not. This is a variation of the Biggest Loser Oatmeal Pancakes that I made my own. This makes a single serving which is about 2 pancakes. Let me tell you they are very filling too.

•First grind 1/3 cup oats, 1 tbsp cinnamon, a pinch of ground cloves and a pinch of nutmeg in a blender

•Add 1 tsp vanilla, 1/3 low fat cottage cheese and 2 egg whites then blend

•Pour into a frying pan or onto a skillet and sprinkle a few blueberries onto them.

These are so good with peanut butter or chocolate peanut butter on top!! I hate cottage cheese with a passion, but I cannot even tell it’s in these. The texture is smooth and you can’t even taste the cottage cheese.

Enjoy!

xo

Feel this moment

Feel this moment by Pitbull – great song. I love music. It’s a lifeline for me. I commute back and forth to school (an hour each way) and if I didn’t have music I’d go insane. I hate the radio, though. The talking…no. I recently discovered Fit Radio for my workous. Download it if you haven’t already! It has some great mixes.

Okay, so the title was the point of the intro. Feel this moment. Love that song. Lately, I’ve learned to “feel the moment.” It’s taken me so long to actually do it, but I’m pretty successful for the most part. I’m really trying to feel the moment in workouts and in my eating, which is HUGE for me.

So a little background info:

I’m Italian…I’m a little heavier than I should be, and I’m trying to battle those Italian genes that want me to eat and eat. A few years ago I saw a weight loss site that I signed up for because I was serious about losing weight. So I was all “yea, this is great!” because, you know, I was losing weight slowly. What I didn’t realize was that I was starving myself and very restrictive. I’ve never admitted it until recently that that is what I did…because I nevery realized it until now. I was only eating around 1200 calories. But I’d do so much cardio (I was the elliptical queen, doing 60 min about 5-6 times a week) and I would get hungry that I’d eat a bunch of crap after my exercising! So essentially, I would barely eat, then eat ice cream, cookies, diet soda, etc.

I didn’t realize that I wasn’t actually being healthy. I finally gave up soda a few years ago, which I’m proud of (every now and then I’ll have a little…then regret it when my tummy hurts). NOW my battle is sweet tea. I live in the south where tea is sweeter than you can imagine! And it’s sooo good.

So I had lost some weight in all of my restrictive eating, lots of cardio, and no resistance training and decided to push myself harder by running hard on the treadmill. Bad idea. I gave myself a bad injury. I had a bruised bone and cartilage in my knee which gave me a huge setback. The doctor said I could go on the stationary bike, but who wants to do that when you burn so many calories on the elliptical or treadmill?! Not me. So I got lazy. And with my crappy eating, and lazy (again) lifestyle, I gained weight slowly back. So fastforward to now, and I’m still battling to lose that weight. Except now I realize what I’ve done wrong and how to correct it. I know that I can lift heavy weights and it’s GOOD because I won’t get bulky and I don’t have to do as much cardio. The problem is I no longer want to do cardio! And I’m trying to work on my eating to moderate the bad stuff.

I’m trying to “feel” the moment and make myself go after my goals. It’s hard! But I have graduation in 6 weeks and I really want to look good in that super cute dress I just bought at the store. So I’m going to eat well, lift heavy for 3-4 days, do 2-3 days of cardio, and on my rest day go for a slow walk. After all, I have a Boxer puppy so he keeps me on my toes a lot!

Although I’ll post a lot about fitness, nutrition, and my weight loss journey, I’ll also post randoms. So keep me accountable! 🙂