11 Miles, a Shakeout Run, and Wknd Snapshots.

Hey hey hey! How was the weekend? Back on that grind today. Workout done – 55 minutes of spin class to kick off my Monday.

This weekend was filled with lots of r & r! Time to charge the batteries and exhale a bit…oh yeah, and run. Lots of runnin’ and gunnin’ involved.

Friday night I did let my hair down a bit and went out to play with the girls for a vino tasting then dinner at Taco Diner.

Made it an early night since I had to get up for a sunrise run with my girl Elyse. 11 miles of straight hills and humidity.

That big steep one in the middle was a killer. It has been a while since I’ve done hill work and it kind of reminded me of this race but I got it done. Mounds of opportunity.

I came home and refueled with a smoothie – strawberries, banana, greek yogurt, coconut almond milk, and agave.

Also my favorite thing to eat post run. Nothing like ice cold watermelon after a hot hot run.

Saturday evening I went to church so I could get up and play some more on Sunday Funday. Love that Saturday night option.

The next morning I was up and thought I would get a quick shakeout run in. In 80 degree weather. Kind of reminded me of a sauna but I pushed the pace a bit to see what I could do. Not too shabby.

Cleaned up and had lunch with my cutie pie mama.

Tried the fajita chicken salad at our favorite brunch spot. The patio at Frankie’s never lets us down.

I really enjoyed the low-keyness of this wknd since next weekend I will be in Houston for Memorial Day with my honey. I can’t wait!!

How was your weekend? Restful, crazy fun, productive?

What’s your favorite meal of the day?

I would have to say brunch.

Did anyone PR or run a rockstar race this weekend?

Humid Run and Some Like it Hot.

After sleeping in a bit this morning (which was heavenly – hey, a girl needs her beauty rest) I was out of bed around 7:45 for a quick and easy run before things get a little crazy….work all day then teaching a class tonight. 4 mile jaunt in the ‘hood sporting my new Boston tee.

About 80 percent humidity but with little bit of a breeze. I will take it because I am bracing myself for triple digit temps this summer. Training for marathons in this TX heat is no joke.

The next couple of days is looking like a sauna too…hopefully the sun will come out and allow me time to kick it by the pool. I am hopeful.

Breakfast post run…my favorite Clif bar and a banana.

I had very little time after doing some yoga stretching but I threw together a spinach salad for lunch…with red pepper flakes to spice it up. Not sure what’s with me and spiciness lately. I love to make it hot.

Do you like it hot? If so what’s your favorite kind of spice to put on your food?

What’s your favorite kind of running weather? 

Weds Spin Playlist and a Little Runspiration.

I made quite a tasty breakfast this morning from the Chelsea Café. Spinach, feta and eggs on toast. Actually my attempt to make an omelet failed so I decided to make a sammy out of it and it was delicious.

This morning I taught 55 minutes of spin class with a throwback playlist from my music vault. Love mixing up the old and new.

Round 2 of happy hour is tonight. Let’s go for a ride!

Stereo Love- Edward Maya feat. Vika Jigulina: Warm up

Don’t Wake Me Up- Chris Brown: Standing run, double time it at the chorus

Where Have You Been (Papercha$er Remix)- Rihanna: Working in and out of the saddle, level 7-8 resistance

Crank it Up-David Guetta feat Akon: 20 second sprints

How Low Can You Go- Ludacris: Active recovery

Harder Better Faster Stronger- Daft Punk: Rolling hills

Take Over Control- Afrojack: Back to a flat road, work up to a level 9 hill

Cry- Flo Rida: Accelerations

Titanium- David Guetta feat. Sia: Active recovery

Diamonds- Rihanna: Keep resistance at level 7, work up to 10/11 hill

Scream- Usher: Last set of rolling hills for the day

I’m a Machine- David Guetta feat. Crystal Nicole: Team sprints to the finish

Solider of love- Sade: Cool down

And a little runspiration for those of you getting your run on today. Work it.

What did you have for breakfast this morning? 

Any group fitness instructors out there? What’s your favorite thing about teaching?

Do you have any words of runspiration for us today? 

TGIFriday Faves.

Finally Friday! So ready for the weekend. I am already starting to count down the days til I get to visit the BF in Houston for Memorial Day and the start of SUMMER! It will be here before you know it.

My faves this week -

Morning runs by the lake. My time to reflect, ponder the day, and pound the pavement a bit. Plus how could you ever get tired of this view? Hasn’t happened yet.

Essie nail polish. I can’t wait to add to the collection. So many yummy colors.

This shirt. Describes me to a T as I am quite the party animal during the work week.

Watermelon and feta? Sign me up. Anything with feta or goat cheese and I’m on board.

Blushing a little bit at being able to Ship my Pants.

These triathlon ready Asics Gel Noosa running shoes. Just slip ‘em on and go. I have a love affair going on with Asics plus the colors are so right up my crazy alley.

This Trader Joe’s find. I am loving coconut anything lately. I must warn you though they are addictive and delicious.

Statement necklaces. Because every girl needs a little bit of sparkle in her life.

What are you up to this weekend? Are you going to spoil your mama silly for Mother’s Day? What’s your favorite running shoe?

Bird of Paradise and Wknd Snapshots.

Monday morning workout- 55 minutes of spin class, back in the saddle with my hardcore 5:45 am-ers.

Happy seis de Mayo! Hope you all had a wonderful weekend full of some r & r. Mine was quite lovely…lots of rest, an invigorating yoga class, and some yummy eats.

Starting off with 90 straight minutes of power vinyasa flow. Cashed in on my birthday freebie from my favorite yoga studio. Gettin’ bendy with it.

My favorite yoga move of all time has to be the bird of paradise. Such a beautiful pose. I am slowly getting back into it.

Mama joined me and she rocked it too. After class we went to our spot for some yummy Tex Mex. Rehydrating with sangria swirls on the patio.

I deviated from my usual dish and tried their veggie tamales which were super delicious and hit the spot.

We did a little shopping and browsing around at the boutique next door. I found the perfect wrap watch. Love this color too.

Later on I just chilled and finally saw Silver Linings Playbook. Such a good movie…forever girl crushing on Jennifer Lawrence and Bradley Cooper is a serious hottie.

This week in workouts-

Monday- Spin class/abs

Tuesday- Bodypump/3 mile run

Weds- Spin class

Thursday-6 mile run

Friday- REST

Saturday- 10 mile run

How was your weekend? Did you celebrate Cinco de Mayo? 

Making Me Smile and Weds Spin Playlist.

Happy May 1st! This morning started out with round 1 of spin classes for the day. Round 2 of happy hour is tonight. Rockin’ it out to some new tracks and some old.

Probably what a lot of my students are thinking…

The Other Side- Jason Derulo: Warm up

A Little Party Never Killed Nobody- Fergie feat. Q Tip: Jumps / Level 6-7 resistance

Move Shake Drop- Pitbull feat. Flo Rida: Working up a 7-8 hill

Like a G6- Far East Movement: Accelerations, 15 seconds on/off

Brave- Sara Bareilles: Active recovery

Paradise- Coldplay (Julia Luna Electro Remix): Rolling hills

Til the World Ends- Britney Spears: 7-8 resistance, keeping up w/ intensity of the song

Lolli Lolli- Three 6 Mafia: Sprints in and out of the saddle

Tonight (I’m Loving You)- Enrique Iglesias: Active recovery, slowly building back up to level 7

Let’s Go- Will.i.am feat Chris Brown: Flat road, working up to a level 9 hill

Play Hard- David Guetta feat Neyo and Akon: Level 7 jumps

Find Your Love- Drake: Keep resistance at 7, going all the way to 10

Bottoms Up- Trey Songz feat. Nicki Minaj: Last set of rolling hills for the day

Shut it Down- Pitbull feat Akon: 30 second sprints, strong finish all the way to the end!

Fine China- Chris Brown: Cool down

After working out I came home and whipped up some lunch while getting ready for work. Quinoa with chicken sausage, feta and spinach. Kind of excited about lunch today cuz it has been a minute since I’ve had quinoa.

Oh and these two are making me smile today. Totally cracking me up.

Anything good for lunch?

What’s making you smile today?

Know of any new remixes I should add to the playlist? 

Quick Dinner Faves.

With my crazy schedule…full time job along with teaching 4-5 spin classes a week at the gym, things can get a little hectic. I like to plan my meals in advance so I don’t run for the drive thru window…although at times that can be tempting! Here are some quick dinner faves I have as arsenal to prevent such dilemmas.

Southwest stuffed peppers- Adopted from this recipe. This was super easy and fun to make! Plus I had leftovers for DAYS. I will definitely make again. I used quinoa instead of the rice and dressed mine up with avocado and crumbled goat cheese for an extra kick. You can omit the turkey if you are a veggie and just fill it with black beans and quinoa…still fantastic!

Quinoa fried rice- From this post…super quick and filling. I had it on the side with my mama’s famous teriyaki chicken wings. Like chinese takeout made at home!

Spicy chicken and sauteed kale- This is is also one of my staples for lunch because I can make it in the morning while I’m getting ready for work or even the night before. I use frozen cooked chicken strips and season them with a little olive oil, garlic powder, and louisiana hot sauce. Bake on 400 for 25 minutes. Sauté the kale in a pan with nonstick cooking spray, add seasonings. Quick and healthy lunch and/or dinner.

Panko crusted tilapia- Again, I am a huge fan of the frozen precooked bags of fish and chicken. Makes it so easy! I season these with the same seasonings as the chicken then coat the fish with panko bread crumbs and bake in the oven for about 20 minutes. Serve with your favorite side dish.

Can you tell I like my blue plate?

What are some of your go to easy to whip up meals? 

Give me ideas

Cookin’ and Bookin’….Wknd Snapshots.

Hello hello! Hope your Monday is coasting along smoothly. My morning started with a nice cycle burn…55 minutes of spin with my peeps. We ended the workout with this track. Lots of resistance and sprints out of the saddle. 

 

 

My weekend was actually very restful…and much needed! I am loving taking a little bit of down time before marathon training for this race starts back up again this summer. Lots of time poolside and some vinyasa yoga flow…

 

 

I have to say I am actually pretty sore from Sunday’s yoga class. We did a LOT of planks, side planks, and low pushups so the upper body is seriously feelin’ it. 

 

This weekend was the Thrill of the Grill 5K at Central Market! I actually did this race with my mom so I didn’t ‘race’ race it. It was just a fun run with fam and friends! Cookin’ and bookin’!!

 

 

I’ve done this race for the past few years and it is always a lot of fun! The course was a little bit different this year and with more hills than what I remember but still a good time. There’s live music, breakfast and lots of freebies afterwards! Ultra marathoner Dean Karnazes was even there to join us for some speedy miles!

 

(Source) 

 

Sunday morning was church and then I was feeling like getting my yoga on…I found a new class to go to on Sundays at 12:30…the girl who teaches is great and I loved the pace of the class. I haven’t been sore from yoga in a long time so I will definitely be back for more. Yeah, I like to be tortured. 

 

I even had time to make a new dish…the quinoa version of ‘fried rice’…get on board. This is good stuff…nice healthy alternative!! Lots of leftovers for the week. I will be posting some new recipes too so stay tuned!

 

 

How was your weekend? Did you go out to eat/try a new restaurant or dish? 

 

What strength training move do you love to hate? 

Seriously have a love/hate relationship with planks…and lunges…hurts so good!! 

TGIFriday Faves.

Thought I would share a few of this week’s favorites with you…

-26.2 bible verses for running…love these for running and for just life in general. I plan on putting some of these up on the wall as daily reminders.

-I saw this video on a couple of blogs yesterday. It really is amazing how we see ourselves.

-All of the Boston tribute shirts popping up. I’ve got to get my hands on one of them to wear in my next race.

-This post on the bond that we share as runners. I could not agree more. There is just something unbreakable about the friendships you share with your running buddies. We are such a tight knit community and I am so thankful for that.

Rock N Roll Dallas 2012

-Sharing a little sangria on the patio with my mama after a long long Monday. Totally needed that this week.

-I also had some of the most amazing ceviche ever in a little pineapple shell from this place. I love when my food looks like artwork.

Have a safe, fun, relaxing weekend!

Color Run, Patio Weather, and What’s Next.

This morning’s workout- 55 minutes of spin cycle with my rowdy bunch at the gym. Love my Monday morning crew.

This weekend included a little running and lots of time outdoors. The weather in Dallas was warm and breezy…perfect temps for drinks on the patio.

The festivities even went on into the evening…Saturday night I enjoyed some live music at this cute little coffee bar with my good friend Natalie.

Love this girl…always an adventure and fun times catching up.

From one of our last little outings

Let’s see what else happened? Oh yeah the Color Run! A messy 5K with lots of paint and colors splattered about. This is definitely a race to check out if you haven’t done it before! It’s like a big party for 3 miles.

Every half mile or so they sprayed you with a different color. Yellows, blues, purples, pinks, oh my.

I did this race with a bunch of old friends from Luke’s Locker and the Frisco Running Club. A lot of people brought their kids too which was super fun! I definitely recommend it if you have kids or want to bring your family. Or, if you are new to running and want to run/walk your first 5K, this is definitely the race for you. It’s untimed and NO ONE cares about their finish time. It’s all about the fun.

At the end of the race they give you a packet full of color and you throw it up in the air. Like you just don’t care.

After the race I got all cleaned up and set out for another run. What’s next? I have a half coming up that I have volunteered to pace in two weeks so I want to be good and ready for that. I will be leading the 2 hour pace group. Super exciting! Anyway, clocked in over 10 miles on Saturday including the 5K. I made sure to stop and smell the flowers along the way.

Sunday I went to church and then came home and made some stuffed peppers with black beans, ground turkey, quinoa and lotsa yummy things! They turned out delicious. I will post the recipe later on in the week.

How was your weekend? Have you ever done the Color Run?