It’s sleeting as I type. No wait…now it’s full on slowing…and blowing…you get the idea. Except for two days of lovely “seasonal” spring weather here this week, Mother Nature seems to be suffering from a case of PMS….or menopause….I’m not quite sure what it is, but here’s how my workout week went, in spite of it:
Monday: Run 4 miles
Tuesday: Yoga
Wednesday: 3 trail miles
Thursday: Run 2.7 miles (ran out of time)
Friday: Strength/Core
Saturday: Rest
Sunday: Stepmill and CrossFit (knee cooperated nicely, thank heavens)
It was a chaotic, single parenting week filled with track meets, make-up track meets, cancelled track meets, you name it. Mom’s sherpa duties were in high demand shuttling weather appropriate clothes/shoes/fuel as we went from 30 to 72 degrees and snow to sunny and warm to high winds to thunderstorms, freezing rain and back to snow. Ugh.
My own running was very much on the back burner and that’s perfectly okay. I appreciate not having the pressure of a race on the horizon right now, although I’m looking forward to running the 5-mile River to Ridge Trail Race in LaCrosse, Wisconsin in May.
Highlights of the Week
Do you recognize my Legend Calf Sleeves in action?
Thing 2 had her first ever track meet, a large affair that included four different middle schools. Much to my delight, she decided at the eleventh hour to give long jump a try and ended up throwing down an almost 12′ jump that won the meet, boys included. Bam!
Blog Field Trip
I was invited to join Lifeway Kefir CEO, Julie Smolyansky for brunch at RPM Italian in Chicago (that’s one of Bill and Giuliana Rancic’s restaurants) in celebration of the launch of her brand-new Kefir Cookbook. I’ve been splashing Lifeway kefir in my post-run smoothies for as long as I’ve been running and the Lifeway Headquarters are in the town where I grew up so I was super excited to attend.
We enjoyed delicious brunch items made with Lifeway Kefir and I learned that Kefir is fantastic for so much more than I ever knew. Lifeway also makes more products than I realized. The Caveman chugs flavored Lifeway Kefir straight from the bottle (insert eye roll) but they also make frozen Kefir Pops, Farmer Cheese and also some non-dairy Elixir, that’s kind of kombucha-like. It was a fun outing and the cookbook is much more than a bunch of recipes. There are fun stories about Julie’s childhood, family and travels, and lots of talk about health and the health benefits of probiotics. Stay tuned for more on that!
Hot List
I am an Ambassador for My Marathon Jewelry! Nana has been a friend of the blog for many years. She’s a former Olympic athlete (tennis) who now handmakes beautiful, rustic sport-inspired pieces of jewelry and charms. She also has a full line of “non-sporting” jewelry that is gorgeous as well. With Mother’s Day coming up you will want to check it out. She does regular giveaways on her website as well.
I was too lazy to take a nice pic but these have red peppers, black beans and green onions inside.
Zooma Spring Cleaning Challenge. We’re starting week 4 and I’ve been mostly free of added sugars for 2 weeks now. I wish I could say the weight was falling off of me but I can say I feel pretty darn good. I’ve done meal prep for two weeks now (might be a record here) and just today I made a batch of Deb’s Muffin Pan Huevos Rancheros, (sans the cute tortilla) which are totes delish. Make them!
Fizzique Curb Your Cravings Instagram Challenge starts Monday! Join us and you and a friend could both win a case of Fizzique Sparkling Protein Water. This stuff is amazing! Learn more about the challenge here.
Me with my friend Katie back in 2010 awaiting the start of our wave in Boston. Katie’s running Boston again this year. Gooo Katie!
Boston Marathon. I love LOVE seeing everyone’s Boston pics on social media, mostly because they channel all the feelings I had back in the years I ran that amazing race. It truly is so SO special and I wish everyone could have a chance to toe the line in Hopkinton.
How was your week? Crazy weather? Watching Boston coverage?
I’m kind of, ok full-on jealous of your field trip with LIfeway! I love their Kefir and use it in my smoothies as well! You’ll have to share more over lunch–if I ever get a free Thursday….
You guys can’t seem to catch a break with that weather up there. I think we are all ready for some more seasonable weather and want it to actually stick around.
Kudos to your daughter on her long jump!
wow your daughter totally rocks! I love it. That cookbook sounds kind of interesting I will have to look for it. I’ve pretty much decided I am not wearing winter clothes anymore 🙂
The weather has just been crazy and it sounds like you have it even worse than us. Congrats to your daughter! I’ve also loved seeing all the Boston pics and it really makes me want to get there some day.
Congrats to your daughter! This midwest weather has been nuts. The Kefir cookbook sounds really interesting, I will keep an eye out for it!
Look at the legs on Thing 2!! And I love the Legend Comression socks on her ..nice pop of color too!
Seriously, someone has pissed Mother Nature off and I wish they would apologize! It’s just crazy! This Wisconsin Trail race sounds fun …can’t wait to hear more about this one!
We had crazy weather, but not as crazy as yours. Congrats on your daughter – how awesome to win her first event! Sometimes running has to take a back burner – and sometimes I don’t mind at all. 😉
Looks like you had a very busy week! But worth to see your kiddo win her event–how cool is that?! I’m hoping to catch some of the Boston coverage…gotta find it!!
Congrats to the daughter’s successful track meet! HOw awesome! I also made the huevos rancheros, and they were incredible. The hubby snuck into the kitchen and snagged the two remaining ones…so I’m gonna have to make then again. Glad your knee is behaving!
YAY Thing 2! That’s awesome!
SO much fun getting to know you in 2010 – that’s when the T&L friendship developed. “Hey, want to go to lunch?” “Oh, btw, I forgot my wallet….” 🙂
GOOOO Katie!
Huge congrats to your daughter! This damn weather has just reached the point of ridiculous, hasn’t it?! What a cool field trip. I’ve never tried kefir – sounds like I’m missing out.
Congrats to your daughter! I can’t believe the weather you guys are getting up there.
I don’t think I’ve ever tried Kefir but have heard of it!
I am also enjoying looking at all of the Boston Marathon pictures! I think next year I am going there to spectate.
Crazy weather here as well and it’s continuing this week. I wish it were better for those running the marathon today. I’m never going to run it but I would love to spectate one year.
And that is a cool field trip.
My week was not good other than my race. Looking ahead to better times.
Can’t believe you guys are still experiencing such crazy weather – have seen that on so many other bloggers’ posts too! Hope “real Spring” shows up soon! Well done on your daughter’s long jump! Fantastic result especially as it was such a last minute decision!
I am so interested in checking out that cookbook! My mom and I have been drinking Lifeway Kefir for a few years and we love it!
Wow I can’t complain about the weather in Philly now…at least we haven’t had snow for over a week, lol!
Glad your running is going well and pain-free! Your daughter looks like a real track star, how exciting!
I can’t even deal with this weather anymore! Congrats to your daughter on her awesome long jump. Girl power!
WTG Thing 2, and beating the boys! Boom 🙂
Sounds like you’re coming back strong & congrats to your daughter! A chip off the ole block.
I haven’t actually tried Kefir to drink yet, but I use the farmer’s cheese is an omelet-type thing I make regularly & am addicted to the little (pricey) cups. I would’ve LOVED to be on the field trip! Very cool.