Lil bit of training & lots of planning

Anyone else feel like they spend most of their time planning and planning to plan?  I am constantly making lists, lists of goals for each year both work and personal, lists for groceries and shopping, lists of things I need to do each week then broken down to each day, lists of what trips I need to plan and what I'm going to do while I'm there and what I need to do before I get there, training schedules, race schedules, holiday lists and schedules, daily work tasks lists etc, etc.... No?  Just me?  Come on I know all you triathletes and runners out there must have some Type A tendencies!  I've been made fun of more times than I can count for being such a planner.  Then on the flip side I've been thanked for being a planner cuz if not half the stuff wouldn't have been possible (especially on vacations).

Not to say that I don't leave room for some spontaneity but it has to fit into the empty slots ;-)  I guess it's just about staying in motion....  Right now my latest lists involve Christmas Gifts and Volunteer Events.  I've started my own little tradition in that the only gift I really want from my friends and family is their time.  I usually have to find the events for them to volunteer at and and book it but it's worth it in today's world of commercialism and corporate holidays I wanted to bring a little taste of reality back to it.  On the block so far this year for different events is a food bank, toys for tots, and homeless veterans.  I've decided to take a short break from volunteering year round with a local hospice and possibly pick up some extra volunteering with an outdoor group, I spend enough time in the outdoors that maybe just 2 x a year for a trail clean up isn't enough!

Training: Yesterday I played another soccer game.  We won which has been a nice change compared to our previous season.  I was told to not be afraid to kick the ball hard at the goal that I was tapping.  1st I've never played forward so I don't know how to take goal shots I welcome any help in that area, 2 my ankle is still tender so I was a little gun shy.  But with time comes experience.  Today I'm going to do 20 mins plyometrics, 30 minutes weight lifting and 1-2 miles on the treadmill.  Tomorrow is sprints.  I'm arguing back and forth with my other half whether to do the 16 mile run this Sat. or next either way 10 miles will be the longest we've ran so far so I don't see the difference and that would mean I could participate in an event I look forward to every month with my local running group... But we'll see who wins the logic behind this one!

Keep moving!

Post Thanksgiving Fallout

Thanksgiving was a success as far as food, friends, family, outdoors, relaxation, sleep goes.  As far as workout status I'm a little bummed.  On Thursday I managed to run 1 mile warm up, 8 hill sprints, and 1 mile cool down and it wasn't too cold.  The bf was complaining about his knee but I felt really good.  On Friday we took the entire family for a hike (about 3 miles), including the new pup and it was awesome weather.  Sat we started out on our 15 mile run and I felt awesome but bf still having knee problems.  Then about mile 4 he actually passed me and the wind hit me like a ton of bricks.  It slowed me down and I got very chilled!  We made it to 6.5 miles then decided to catch a ride back to town instead of finishing the run.  My ankle was swollen I think due to post soccer and hiking strain on the old sprain.  On Sunday we drove back and I had every intention of working out but when the weather didn't cooperate I decided to clean and decorate the house.   :-(

I'm torn I had an awesome weekend but am feeling desperate when I think about how far behind we are in our marathon training!  Wish me luck in hopes of catching up next weekend!  Tonight I have an 8:20pm soccer game and I hope I don't agitate the swollen ankle.  I can do this!  I won't let others influence my workout frame of mind and I won't be so easily swayed by extenuating circumstances, starting NOW!

Vegetarian Chili  (to serve with Frito pies)

1 package Lightlife Smart Ground Mexican Style (or if you prefer to leave this out make it a 2 bean chili and add some black beans)

2-3 cloves garlic (to taste)

½ - 1 chopped white onion

1/2 chopped red onion

2 stalks celery halved                                            

½ bell pepper

1-2 tblsp tomato paste

Add the spices you enjoy: salt, pepper, chili powder, cumin, paprika, chipotle powder, green chili (I usually add all)

½  or full package if small one of Small Red Beans (remember to sift for dirt/rocks)

In a crock-pot add beans, garlic, onion, celery, bell pepper, and all the spices except for the salt fill up half way with water if half bag or ¾ full of water if full bag.  Cook on low for 7-8 hours.  After done cooking take out the celery, bell pepper, and whole garlic cloves.  Stir in tomato paste, Smart ground, and salt.  Serve over Fritos and top w/lettuce, chopped red onion, tomatoes, cheese (optional)

Enjoy!

Thanksgiving Shenanigans

Super duper excited for a long weekend in the mountains with friends, family and my bf.   Keeping my fingers crossed that my new job lets me out early.  We have a 3.5 hr drive to the mountains in the middle of what is supposed to be a nasty storm.  I'm going to offer to drive because the bf has been sick, I know I'm great you don't have to say it :-)   

So the last 3 or 4 years my brother and I had convinced my parents to have a completely vegetarian thanksgiving and they've loved it.  This year however we are having extra guests including the bf (1st holiday season together) so the parents have decided to do both a turkey and tofurky...  But maybe I can convince a few extra ppl it is just as delicious, nutritious and filling.  I am making vegetarian gravy from scratch (the main ingrediant is turnips) very yummy.  We have of course the mashed potatoes and stuffing and a vegan green bean casserole that has been requested.  We are doing the tofurky, for some reason my brother loves this stuff, personally I would prefer stuffed squash or grilled portabellas but I can compromise....

Along with that I will be going to the gym today during lunch in preparation for driving after work. Thurs. will be hill sprints (bf's idea but now that he's sick don't know if he'll participate).  Friday will be a hike with the dog (as long as there isn't snow on the trails) and Sat. will be a 15 mile long run with hills at 9,000 feet.  I brought lots of layers!  The average person gains 5-20 lbs over the holidays, yikes!  I'm going to indulge but not overindulge....

I am thankful for my friends, family, boyfriend, being able to run, having a car that will get me there, having a job still that is allowing for me to do all this and my health! 

Goooaalllll!!!!

I scored my first goal at last nights indoor soccer game!  Or at least my first goal since I have been reintroduced to soccer.  I remember playing regular soccer when I was younger from about 3rd - 8th grade then I had to stop because my highschool was too small to have a soccer team.  Later in college I took a PE soccer class and played intramural soccer off and on.  It had been almost 8 or 9 years then a friend asked if I wanted to join her indoor soccer team.  Wow!  What a workout!  I like it for my sprint days.  I wore my HR monitor and my HR is defenitely anarobic during the sprints it will go up and down between 120s to 170s and it goes by so fast.  But I've also noticed I'm more prone to injuries which is bad when you are trying to train for a marathon...   Yesterday I felt my ankle almost give out again, and I thought noooo there is no way this can happen cause last time it took me 2 months to recover from the sprained ankle.  But then I went on to score a goal instead.

I am torn between having fun crosstraining days with my friends or playing it safe!  My final decision is that I'm going to keep playing at least this season.  The whole point is to keep me moving that's why I signed up for the marathon and that's why I try new sports.  So I will keep playing..

Now on to more recent news we had a TG potluck at work (frito pies which I brought the vegetarian chili for, recipe soon to come) and I had 2 bowls!!! Plus 1 cookie! :-(  I am so full I can't think straight.  My body becomes sluggish I can't think straight (see I already said that) and I'm even thinking how am I supposed to work out feeling like this.  Well, lesson learned stop at 1 serving and wait at least 1 hour before going back for more!

I called my mom and told her how full I was and that I no longer fit into my clothes.  She said well you just have to take it easy with the food.  She said I don't want to hear you complaining when you come up to visit for Thanksgiving that you are eating too much.  You have to know your limits and control yourself.  I am thankful for having people in my life that can tell it to me how it is and that I am open to taking it the right way.  So I will workout tonight to the extent I can without getting sick and I will take control of my eating for this Thanksgiving Holiday!