I DID IT!!!

The Fun Run at the Son's school was totally hard, completely fun and amazingly satisfying!

Not only was his was my 6 month goal but it was my first competitive athletic event ever, if you don't count Field Day in elementary school and I did it. I finished 109 out of about 200, I think that's pretty good.

The only disappointing part was that my family couldn't be there. My Son got a stomach virus the day before and had to stay home but he cheered me on over the phone before hand and he was the first person I talked to when I was finished. He had high hopes that I would win the entire race but I just wanted to finish and I did. I brought him home a medal for being the best inspiration ever.

The race itself was pretty tough I have to say, the course had a lot of hills, a few not very long but quite steep or with a curve in the middle. There was also a group of guest runners who threw me off a little at the beginning with their amazing speed. I knew this group was serious as they all stood there in worn out Newton running shoes which are only available at one place in Costa Rica. We were all at the same point for the start and within 10 seconds they were already 500 meters ahead and hitting the first corner. It started to throw my pace off and then i just settled in and reminded myself not to watch other runners. I kept my pace comfortable and never had to walk like many other people did.

I will admit I did look back a few times to see what was happening behind me but it was mostly to make sure that the ambulance wasn't right behind me. I didn't want to be the very last runner and I wasn't.

The entire experience was really fun and I can't wait to do it again next year. I figure if I can be in the middle group of finishers after 6 months of training I should be able to crack the top 50 after a year of training.

I have another race in March, a 5k.
I'm going to stick with that distance for awhile.

xoxo
martha

!!!REVIEW!!! Tracie Long Training

So after owning Tracie Long Training's DVD Better Burn Better Buns  for at least 2 months I finally set out to get some Better Buns this morning. 

First let me say that you definitely need to review this one, at least once before attempting. It is very choreographed and if you don't pick up change ups or dance moves quickly this will become frustrating fast.

The workout itself is pretty long, it runs 55 minutes but is very varied which is really nice. I can't really tell how much of a sweat it worked up since I am one of those uncoordinated people who needs to do something a couple of times, especially with a new workout. 

Tracie uses some really fun and different moves in this video which keep it interesting. You transition from warm-up to cardio to abs floor work to some sliding stuff, lots of med ball moves. I am not usually one for those sliding moves that require a rag or a slippery disk on the floor but she made it fun and safe. 

I think the next time I do this DVD I will work up a serious sweat. Again the routine is very inventive and different from a lot of others I've seen. In particular there is a skater sequence which, after I get the moves down a bit more, should be a real ass burner.

There are two other women in the video, one who dies modifications and one who performs the higher impact versions of the exercises so you can switch it up to suit how you're feeling or adjust to your level of fitness.

Tracie also sets up this video so you don't really need to much equipment, a mini med ball, a mat, a couple of rags for the slide moves but you do need a solid hour if you want to do the entire video.

All in all it's a keeper with lasting power. I will be revisiting this DVD often as well as checking out some of Tracie's other videos.

4 out of 5 Luv Muffins

enjoy!

martha

motivation

Sometimes you just have to do it, break the tired old cycle and get yourself back on track. Tonight I started that. I have been running very regularly and hitting the gym, semi regularly but I haven't been doing too much at home and I needed to. How much I needed to I realized tonight when I revisited Tom Holland's Total Body Workout. 

I had been feeling a bit lazy lately and uninspired and I couldn't figure out why. I still don't know why I've been feeling this way but tonight I broke the cycle and got some DVD action happening again. I have a stack of DVDs piled up that need reviewing so I'm going to try to do a different one at least every other day, got to leave room for the unpredictable family life so I don't want to say everyday.

Tomorrow I'm heading to the gym early to get in some swim time. I have been trying to add a 1/2 hour of pool time to my week and for the past 3 weeks it has worked out. Swimming is one of those sports that wipes you out but feels really good.  It also works a bunch of muscle groups you might not otherwise use so it really balances your entire workout program nicely.

All for now, keep an eye out for new reviews.

more later.

martha

Fun Run and Dominical Road Race

We just got back from a fantastic weekend at our friends Jess and Sean's place out on the Pacific coast. 

The weather was perfect and they have a really amazing home/view/pool.

And while there some folks who came by had flyers for a 5k road race in March so we all decided to run it together, should be tons of fun. We will also be picking up a cutie-patootie new beagle puppy since their little darling Sparkle is about the give birth any second now.

I got my first email regarding the CDS Fun Run today. It will be February 22 and they warned that it was a hill course. I'm going to spend the next few weeks trying to lengthen my regular run. I figure I can handle the hills a bit better if I can run farther, kind of shift the strength from distance into endurance, maybe it will work, or maybe I'll feel like I'm going to die. The hill the the finish line is really long and steep so it should be really interesting.

In the next week I will be posting a review of at least one Tracie Long DVD and a new recipe.

more later.

martha

Grilled Marinated Eggplant

!!!RECIPE!!!

This is a very simple recipe with a lot of flavor and yumminess.

Ingredients:

2-3 medium sized eggplants

olive oil

garlic

thyme

oregano

red pepper flakes

vinegar (red wine vinegar works well but any kind you like will do)

salt and pepper

Sterilize a large (3 cup) wide mouth  jar by placing it in boiling water for 10-15 minutes.

Cut the ends off the eggplant then slice the eggplant the long way, about 1/4 inch thick. This is kind of a pain if you don't cut a flat end onto it first.

In a sauce pan bring 1/2 cup water and 2 cups vinegar to a boil. PUt several slices of eggplant into the boiling water until slightly translucent, about 1 minute. Drain on a paper towel or kitchen cloth. Repeat with remaining eggplant.

In a small bowl mic salt pepper, garlic, thyme, oregano and pepper flake. Use amount that suit your taste. You will need about 3 tablespoons total volume.

On an outdoor grill or stove top, grill the eggplant slices until browned. I use a cast iron grill pan which has ridges that put nice lines onto everything that cooks in it but you an use a cast iron skillet or a rack in the oven.

Place a pinch of seasoning into the jar, layer several slices of eggplant on top and repeat until all the eggplant and seasoning has been used.

Now cover the eggplant with olive oil. You can also use a combination like sunflower and olive, just make sure that whatever you use doesn't have a flavor or it will interfere with the yummy olive oil taste.

Place in the refrigerator for at least a day, 2 to 3 days in better.

enjoy!

martha

avoidance and motivation

Yes, I know, I am a bad blogger. 

This entire month has been a wash. I can blame it on the holidays or school vacation for The Son keeping me busy but the truth is I just haven't felt like it. I have been slightly avoiding it because I have felt off my mark for a few weeks.

Time for a new Daily Calender!!! Woohoo!

Whenever I get this kind of malaise I do one of, or both of, two things. 

I create a new calendar and I organize something, could be my closet, could be the giant toy pile or just throwing out a ton of loose papers that are in a sliding stack on my counter.

Tomorrow is a calendar day. The Son goes back to school early next week so that frees up some daytime for the gym or errands or whatever. Which is great for incorporating the Women's Health Ultimate Fitness Plan 2009 into my regular workout routine. It's great, it got a few parts which including 2 different sets of weights moves and interval training using your choice of cardio. Check it out HERE.

I have a few reviews I am working on, some stuff from Tom Holland and Tracie Long as well as a recipe or two.

more later.

martha

Happy New Year!

2009!

It's here and the past is past. I never make resolutions out loud. I usually take some time to look at last year, think about what I accomplished, where I didn't finish something and how I can change that but I never make a specific New Year's resolution.

I am, however, getting back on a schedule of exercise and nutrition effective immediately. The holidays kill me, all the food, less exercise (though this year was better than most), cold weather and too much traveling.

Fruits and vegetables, fish and grains, throw in some Super Foods ad everything should be normal again in a week or so.

The Husband got me a Polar HR Monitor for Christmas, I've used it twice, it's totally fun. You can track all kids of stuff with it, HR, calories, time, zone time, etc. There's some sort of website companion feature but the application seems to only be for PC so I haven't tried it yet.

I am hoping to get some gym time on this week/weekend. I need to reassess my current routine and update and/or change it to get reinvigorated.

I should have a few new reviews coming soon and possible a product review. as well, I will have some new recipes and articles in the not too distant future.

All for now.

martha