Recipe: Citrus-Cumin Pork Chops with Farro

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Oh, farro. You’re an ancient grain with a bad rap for being tricky to cook, but your nutty flavor, delicate chew and versatility make you worth a second look.

This is precisely why I went off Googling recipes when I found a package of it while cleaning out our kitchen cupboard recently.

Here’s a time-saving tip: Knock out the farro salad while the pork is cooking in the oven, and you’ll have a delicious dinner on the table in just about an hour.

Citrus-Cumin Pork Chops with Farro 

(Recipe adapted from Food Network Kitchen)

Ingredients: 

  • 2 tsp ground cumin
  • 2 tsp paprika
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 4 pork chops
  • 2 tbsp honey
  • Juice of one orange
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1/2 medium red onion, chopped
  • 1 cup farro
  • 2 1/4 cups water
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 10 oz Brussels sprouts, trimmed and thinly sliced

Directions: 

  1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees
  2. Season pork chops on both sides with cumin, paprika, salt and pepper. Place in baking dish.
  3. Drizzle with honey and orange juice, and place in oven to bake for 30 mins.
  4. Meanwhile, heat olive oil in saucepan and add red onion. Stir for 5 mins
  5. Add farro, water and salt and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until tender, about 25 mins.
  6. After oven timer has gone off, flip pork chops and bake for another 30 mins
  7. After farro is tender, stir in Brussels sprouts and cook until tender, another 5 mins
  8. Dish farro mixture equally onto 4 plates, top with a pork chop and drizzle with pan juices.

Here’s a look at the process: Start by sautéing onion in the pan with olive oil.

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Be sure to buy the semi-pearled farro variety, meaning it cooks up quickly, and without any pre-soaking, in about 25 minutes.

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Bring water to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer until grains are tender.

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The Brussels sprouts add some nice spice — plus they’e a great way to sneak some greens into your meal.

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The warmth from the farro will help soften the sprouts, so you’ll only need to cook them for a few minutes.

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Once the pork is done, plate it over a bed of the farro mixture and drizzle pan juices over the entire plate for extra flavor.

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What other off-the-beaten-path ingredients do you enjoying incorporating into meals? 

Fave Fix: Retail therapy is a cinch with Stitch Fix

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I’ve been meaning to check out Stitch Fix for some time. Last spring, I was at the salon when I overheard a few women raving about the personal styling service. It sounded A) fun and B) convenient. But I wasn’t totally convinced I needed it because I like to do my own shopping (i.e. the thrill of the hunt!).

Fast forward to this past March, though, and I was home when my sister received her shipment. I watched her experience a whole new kind of thrill to get a package with five items that had been handpicked for her by one of the company’s  personal stylists.

Ah, but it’s probably pricey, I thought.

Actually, no. The styling fee is $20, which you can use as a credit towards your order. And if you keep all five items, you get an extra 25% off everything.

Hm, the clothes are probably either too expensive or I won’t know how to wear them, I figured.

Nope. You can pick your ideal price range, but items are $65 on average. Plus, each item comes with a card of styling tips on how to dress it up or down.

Ok, sounds good in theory, but there’s gotta be a catch — shipping’s probably a pain in the butt, right?

Wrong again. Returns are free…and easy. Just place unwanted items in the provided prepaid envelope, and drop it at any USPS mailbox.

Well, shoot. Officially out of excuses — and in desperate need of “real” clothes since I wear workout gear 99% of the time — I figured it was time to check it out. So I signed up, filled out my style profile on the site, and a few days ago my first fix arrived!

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Did I mention I’m terrible at surprises? I did sneak a peek at my account ahead of time, so I totally knew what was coming — a dress, sweater, shorts, maxi skirt and necklace — just not the exact styles and colors.

Everything arrived neatly folded, and included in the package was a note from my stylist, Jennifer, with some comments about why she chose what she did, as well as styling cards with a few suggestions for wearing each of the pieces.

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She nailed the color profile; I had mentioned in my comments that I was looking to update my wardrobe with some basics for spring and that I wanted to see seasonal hues.

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Of course, I had an initial reaction to each piece, but I decided I’d withhold judgment until actually trying everything on. After all, this is all about broadening your fashion horizons with the input of some outside help, so it’s best to keep an open mind!

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First up was the Finnegan Roll Cuff Denim Short ($58). Honestly? I may or may not have wrinkled my nose when I first saw them…yellow is not my go-to color, and I’m super picky about shorts. But, after trying them on, I was immediately converted. Great fit, great style, and in bring color to help me spruce up my look for spring. Awesome!

Next was the Rowson Colorblock Striped Sweater ($58), which was pretty and soft and almost perfect…except that the fit was just a tad baggy around the stomach and waist. Otherwise, everything else about it was spot-on; I love where Jennifer was going with the stripes up top to give me some extra width in the shoulders.

Third was the Leighton Metal Bauble Necklace ($34), which I’m wearing in the third picture. It’s a versatile, neutral piece that I could wear with a lot of outfits. But I already have a few necklaces that are similar to this style. Plus for that price, I’m looking for more special statement jewelry, not basics.

In that same picture is the Dawn Jersey Chevron Print Maxi Skirt ($58). I don’t have many maxi skirts, and this one is a nice bold pattern that can be dressed up and down. Jennifer suggested it as a great piece for brunch with the girls, which I loved. The fit, length and style were all terrific, too, but the material was just a little thin for my taste.

Finally, I tried on the Regina Cut Out Shoulder Sheath Dress ($138), which I had the highest hopes for in this particular fix. I mean, who doesn’t love a funky, bright dress for spring?! But, as you can see, it’s probably just one size too big, so into the return bag it went.

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The final verdict? I’m keeping one of the five items — the shorts — and am calling my first brush with Stitch Fix a win.

Why? Two reasons: First, a good pair of shorts is notoriously difficult for me to find (kudos to Jennifer for nailing it). And second, shipments should get more and more accurate every month with feedback, so I gave detailed comments and can’t wait to see what she picks for me in the next round.

Ready to try Stitch Fix for yourself? Feel free to use my referral link to fill out your style profile and get started!

Disclosure: This is not a sponsored post. I simply love the service and think it’s fun to share my experience. I pay for Stitch Fix on my own. If you sign up for Stitch Fix using my referral link I will get a credit…and Hubby will love you forever for getting me to wear something other than gym clothes 🙂

Canyon Meadow Ultramarathon: Ready or not, here I come!

Lake Chabot

“Beware of the company you keep. See that you associate with the right type of people.”         -Dada Vaswani

Here’s the thing about having fit friends: I like to say they’re the best-worst influence — not only do they encourage you to push your limits, but hanging out with them also tends to shift your frame of reference on the crazy scale.

Case in point: Running an ultramarathon (more than 26.2 miles). It was never really on my radar…until I started marathon training with the always-encouraging Pavement Runner and working with ever-amazing Jamie Walker, both of whom have completed many ultras of assorted distances.

Slowly my mindset started changing from, “Who would want to do that?” to “I wonder if I could do that?” to “I think I want to try that!”

Throw in an upcoming 30-something birthday at the end of May, and suddenly signing up for a race of 30-odd miles (50K) that same weekend solidified into a plan.

Oddly enough, Jamie’s said it’s actually easier (in some ways) than a marathon because the approach is completely different; whereas there’s pressure to run the entire 26.2 on the roads, an ultra on the trails is a different beast where pacing is the name of the game.

I got my first taste of it at the Lake Chabot 30K in February, but with this month’s triathlon, I haven’t had as much time to train and/or hit the trails as I’d like. But, regardless, my plan is to stay conservative and to try to finish, injury-free, in about six or seven hours.

Stay tuned for my mini-plan for training in these final weeks leading up to the event, including what I’ll be packing to keep me happy come race day!

Would you ever attempt an ultra? If so, how’d it go? If not, what are your thoughts about where I fall on that crazy scale? 🙂

30-Minute Total-Body Elliptical Workout

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Confession: I’m not a real fan of the elliptical machine. I think it dates back to my college days when I used to read a magazine during some so-called “workouts” and barely break a sweat.

But after avoiding it like the plague for years, I figured it was about time to reconsider my attitude toward the machine — especially since my sister happens to love hers.

So I started playing with different elements to keep things fresh, and I added in a few strength-training moves mid-session for more of a total-body workout.

The result? A fun, non-impact way to cross-train on those days off from running…or a great way to break up the monotony of typical treadmill time at the gym.

Here’s one of my favorite workouts, which will get your heart pumping and your muscles burning — all in 30 minutes (not including warm-up and cool-down).

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Once you’ve mastered the moves above, kick things up a notch by throwing in some backward pedaling and alternating between pushing and pulling the handles.

Another tip: Work the core, test your balance and challenge stabilizing muscles by going hands-free for a 10-20 count of strides every few minutes.

Happy ellipticaling!

Liebster Award: Sharing the Blog Love

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When I first started blogging a little over a year ago, I wasn’t sure where it would take me. But through it, I’ve met so many fascinating and inspiring people…one of them being Kecia, who recently nominated me for the Liebster Award (thank you!).

The Liebster award is an internet blogging award that gets passed from blogger to blogger.  Here’s how it works:

– The nominator asks you 11 questions
– You answer those questions
– You nominate 11 other bloggers to answer 11 questions you pose

So here are the questions and answers Kecia asked me to answer…

1. How did you choose your blog name? 

It took me a while to settle on a name! I didn’t want anything too personal or too feminine because I envisioned it as a mix of a blog and a heath & fitness publication. KineticFix had a nice ring to it, and it spoke to my desire to always be in motion.

2. What is your favorite thing to write about?

Two things, really: First, I enjoy documenting training because it not only holds me accountable, but it’s also a great way to connect with other people who are experiencing the same thing. We’ve created a little community where we swap info and help each other grow. And second, I love interviewing people. It’s fascinating to hear more about why they do what they do, what drives them, what they’re striving for, etc.

3. Why did you start blogging?

I desperately needed a creative outlet! My day job at the time was in high-tech PR, and I wanted a place where I could explore my passions for heath & fitness, connect with others who shared those passions and maybe even inspire a few people in the process. In a great twist of fate, blogging actually led to my current job, which is at SweatGuru, a start-up that merges technology and fitness — the best of both worlds.

4. What kind of workout makes you feel the best after it is all over?

Speed work. It’s easy to go out and run X number of miles and just zone out, but on the track you’ve got to be dialed in and make every lap count. It can be painful, but there’s a great feeling of accomplishment when you hit your goal paces. And it’s also rewarding to see — and feel — improvement over time.

5. What is your favorite post workout recovery food?

When I’m being “good,” I love a nice recovery shake! My current favorite is Osmo Acute Recovery blended with ice, a banana and almond milk. Or if’ I’m in a hurry, I’ll grab chocolate milk and a banana. And when I want to treat myself, I’ll go for brunch, deep-dish Chicago-style pizza or a burrito. As you can see, I’m pretty food-motivated 🙂

6. What motivates you?

Besides all the food I just listed? Well, my immediate gratification is my post-workout morning coffee. Overall, though, I’m extremely competitive — with myself. I love setting a goal and going through the whole process of trying to accomplish it, whether it’s learning a new discipline or going for a new personal record.

7. What is your “A” race or biggest fitness goal for 2014?

I’ve got a few! First, I was hoping to tackle a half Ironman this fall, but after my recent Olympic triathlon, I am resetting expectations and want to work on my open-water swimming technique and confidence. Second, I hope to complete my first ultra-marathon, which I’ll attempt at the end of May. And third, I’m still after that elusive sub-four marathon, which I may shoot for in the fall.

8. What is your favorite motivational song?

Eminem’s “Lose Yourself.” I’m a proud Detroiter!

9. If you could meet anybody (past, present or future), who would it be and why?

Wow, this is a tough one…but, off the top of my head, I’d say Leonardo da Vinci. Centuries after his death, the man is still an enigma. He was a true Renaissance Man, so diversely talented and ahead of his time that he seems almost super-human. I’d love to pick his brain, talk about the stories behind his paintings, how he got the ideas for his inventions, etc.

10. If you could give your 16-year old self a piece of advice, what would it be?

Non-running activities are key to becoming a better runner. Take a more holistic approach with lots of cross-training, stretching, balance work, massage and even an adjusted training schedule. Train smarter, not harder.

Also, don’t be in such a rush to grow up! Listen to your parents, and be a kid for as long as you can 🙂

11. Are you going to pass on the torch and nominate 11 fellow bloggers?

Heck, yeah! Here’s my list:

Double D Athlete

Fueled By LOLZ

Must Love Jogs

Kelsie Lou

Run Away with Me

Running Wild

Single-Tracked Mind

Sprinkled Twist

Stamped with a Heart

The Game Plan: Playing to Lose (Weight)

Twenty-Six & Then Some

My questions to each of you:

  1. How did you choose your blog name?
  2. What is your favorite thing to write about?
  3. Why did you start blogging?
  4. What would be your ultimate athletic achievement?
  5. When are you the most nervous while competing?
  6. Describe your most embarrassing athletic moment.
  7. What is your “A” race or biggest fitness goal for 2014?
  8. What one or two things do you currently do in your training that are keys to your success?
  9. How do you set your goals?
  10. What was the best advice you were ever given?
  11. Are you going to pass on the torch and nominate 11 fellow bloggers?

The rules:

  • Thank the blogger who nominated you.
  • Answer the 11 questions given to you.
  • Nominate 11 other bloggers (generally with the same number of followers, though it can be tough to tell; ideally less than 500).
  • Post 11 questions for your nominees to answer.
  • Comment on your nominees’ blogs to let them know you nominated them.
  • Have fun spreading the blogging love!

Thanks in advance, and I can’t wait to read your responses!

Recipe: Stuffed Peppers with Turkey and Rice

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It’s easy to get in a dinner rut, so I’ve been scouring my old cookbook in search of long-forgotten recipes to add back into our nightly rotation.

This one is a family favorite — not only because it’s delicious, but also because it’s a super-simple one-pan, one-dish meal that can be made in a little over an hour.

One tip: If you want to further shorten the prep time, try buying quick rice or using a pre-made version in a pinch…although Hubby and I usually go the rice-cooker route to keep from using too many processed ingredients, especially with the vegetable mix being pretty high in sodium.

Stuffed Peppers with Turkey and Rice

Ingredients: 

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 medium yellow onion, minced
  • 1 pound ground turkey
  • 1 package Knorr vegetable recipe mix
  • 1 cup brown rice, cooked in rice cooker
  • 5 bell peppers, hollowed out from the top

Directions: 

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  2. Pour olive oil into pan over medium heat. Add onion, and cook until slightly translucent.
  3. Add ground turkey to onion, stirring  to break up and cook through.
  4. Add Knorr mix and brown rice to cooked turkey, stirring to incorporate.
  5. Line a baking dish with parchment paper, placing hollowed-out peppers in it.
  6. Fill peppers evenly with meat/rice mixture.
  7. Bake uncovered for 60 minutes, or until peppers are tender.
  8. Allow to set/cool 10-15 minutes before serving.

Here’s a look at the process:

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Cook the onion and turkey before pouring the Knorr vegetable seasoning packet into the pan.

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Add rice too cooked meat mixture, and stir to incorporate all ingredients evenly.

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Remove the pepper tops (keeping bottoms intact), and scoop out the core and seeds before placing peppers in baking dish.

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Distribute meat mixture among peppers, taking care not to over-fill.

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Once cooked, the peppers soften up and their skin will start to slightly wrinkle.

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Serve with a side veggie, or alone for an easy, healthy dinner in a matter of minutes. Enjoy!

Happy Earth Day! 5 ways to “green” your exercise routine

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Most people equate Earth Day with reduction, whether it’s waste, electricity or water, but you can also celebrate the holiday by doing something positive – both for the planet and your health.

One idea? Escape the confines of your gym with an outdoor workout. Not only do jungle gyms and park benches double as fun ways for sneaking in strength training, but a recent study from the journal of Environmental Science and Technology also found that there are actual benefits to your mental and physical well-being by exercising outside.

Now that’s the gift that keeps on giving long after the holiday.

Below are four more ways to show your appreciation for Mother Nature while breaking a sweat today:

  • Use equipment that doesn’t require electricity. Try a manual treadmill, such as the TrimWalk, which requires no power (unless you count sheer willpower, of course). Simply set the pace and go, and when you’re finished, it folds and stores conveniently under a bed. If you’re up for a bigger challenge, try a bike generator, which allows athletes to translate their exertion into energy, in the form of a 12-Volt battery.
  • Practice eco-running. The mission? Simply lace up your running shoes, grab a garbage bag and jog around town, filling it with trash. Sure, in the grand scheme of things it’s a small step, but it’s more about raising awareness for personal responsibility and creating momentum for a more positive impact on the planet. Visit EcologyRunner for more information on this movement, a brainchild of Samuel Huber, who created it to merge his two passions.
  • Participate in a local Earth Day event. Get involved, and help rally your community to make a difference! Visit EarthDay.org to view a list of events happening around the world, including celebrations, beach clean-ups, conservation talks, conferences, festivals and more.
  • Get some eco-friendly fitness gear. Enhance your workout with equipment that works well and does some good. For example:
      • Amplify your ability to give back with LSTN Troubadors headphones. Not only are they made of reclaimed beech wood, ebony wood or cherry wood casing, but for every purchase, the company will also help restore hearing to a person in need through the Starkey Hearing Foundation.
      • Close the gap between your active lifestyle and others’ needs with the MiiR Growler water bottle. For each bottle purchased, one person in need is supplied with water for a year.
      • Finally, hydrate responsibly with Treeson spring water. For every bottle sold, a tree is planted — and each bottle comes with a mailing label so it can be returned via USPS to be put through a special process that turns it into clean energy used to make more bottles.

How are you honoring Earth Day this year? 

Avoid the Bunny-induced binge: 8 ideas for a healthier Easter

Source: Lynda Giddens, Flickr

Source: Lynda Giddens, Flickr

Spring has sprung, but it’s not just the longer days and slowly-warming temperatures that signal the change in seasons – it’s the aisles of Easter candy that have hopped into area stores.

While children have been waiting with bated breath for the Bunny to bring baskets filled with goodies, it’s a holiday that can fill adults with dread when they are in the midst of trying to lose (or maintain) weight.

But don’t despair – there’s still hope for taking part in all the fun without abandoning your current diet plan. Below are a few easy tips for those who are on the hunt for a healthier Easter this year:

1. Focus on non-food traditions

For those who practice the holiday, it’s about more than candy-filled Easter baskets, so create lasting memories with some new family customs that highlight the true meaning of the season.

2. Plan for holiday splurges

Deprivation is never good because you’ll inevitably set yourself up for failure later; rather, make smart choices earlier in the day if you know that you’ll be eating heavier at afternoon parties.

3. Practice portion control

It’s not only about what you eat, but how much; give bags of pre-portioned candy or shop the bulk food section of your local store to purchase only what you need for baskets.

4. Hands off the goods

Resist the temptation to crack open that bag of jelly beans before breakfast; stores stock candy early expressly for this purpose, counting on the fact that you’ll polish it off and be back for round tw0.

5. Don’t go into meals unprepared

Never sit down with an empty stomach because you are almost always guaranteed to overeat; instead, drink plenty of water and snack sensibly between meals to prevent spikes and dips in blood sugar levels (at just 76 calories, a hard-boiled egg is a great option).

6. Add some activity to your day

Easter egg hunts, parades or even strolling to church or around your neighborhood to look at decorations are also other healthy options for getting fresh air and helping to burn some calorie.

7. Rethink the Easter basket

Non-traditional gifts such as bubbles, books, Dollar Store items, crayons, gift cards, sidewalk chalk, clothing and more are unexpected and can be even more exciting for recipients.

8. Consider healthy meal substitutions

Tweak traditional recipes to lower their calorie, fat and sugar content; try substituting applesauce for oil, skim milk for cream, egg whites for eggs, and simply reduce the amount of sugar in baked goods without sacrificing sweetness.

Do you have any favorite healthy Easter tips to share?

What’s the deal with running?

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Runners….yeah, we ARE different, as the ads proudly state.

After exploring the quirks of swimming and cycling in honor of my recent triathlon training, I’m turning the mirror on myself and my swift-footed cohorts to examine some of the peculiarities of the third and final discipline, such as…

What’s the deal with the preoccupation with bodily functions?

Here’s a little running math for you: Whether it’s color and frequency of “number one” — or consistency and urgency (!) of “number two,” the telling of too much information goes up exponentially as either A) the number of runners or B) the length of any run increases.

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What’s the deal with the gross side effects?

I’ve seen plenty of pictures and run across the occasional telltale red dots on male runners’ shirts at longer endurance events, but it wasn’t until my 30K at Lake Chabot this past winter that I came face-to-face with the worst case of bloody nipples I’ve ever seen. My girlfriends and I had to hold back shudders as we watched a gentleman cross the finish line with red literally streaming all the way down to the hem of his shirt.

Another lovely unintended consequence of pounding the pavement? The dreaded black toenail — aka it’s-only-a-matter-of-time-’til-it-falls-off syndrome. I’ve been fortunate up until this point (knock wood), but it’s only a matter of time — or a combination of lengthy descents and ill-fitting shoes — until this happens to most of us.

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What’s the deal with snot rockets and spitting?

Not only does a good run get our competitive juices flowing, but it also gets our bodily fluids going, as well. I envy the runner who can launch perfectly-formed pockets of spittle or blow a spray of snot with sniper-like accuracy. Whenever I’ve attempted to do so, I end up with a face full of spit — or worse.

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What’s the deal with race-day rituals and superstitions?

Whether it’s a special pre-race dinner, a lucky piece of clothing, a favorite pair of shoes, a particular way to tie shoelaces — or, like me, putting the left shoe on first — running tends to bring out the quirks, rituals and obsessions in every one of us.

The oddest part? We can tell you what it is, but we often can’t tell you why we do it. Because even we don’t know why; we just know it works.

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What’s the deal with the fashion faux pas?

I’ll be the first to admit guilt here: Back in my high school track & field days, I was out there in my shorts, sneakers and (cringe) tall athletic socks, which were neither running nor compression socks, but rather the awkward mid-calf length cotton variety.

Other offenders here include shorts that are too short or too long (both bad for obvious reasons), blindingly bright colors (although great for night runs!), socks with barefoot shoes, obscene amounts of gear and other assorted fashion fails.

And don’t even get me started on our shoe collections… As my Twitter friend Peter Esko so eloquently put it: “The correct number of running shoes is n+1 where n is your current number of running shoes. #moreshoesmoremiles”

I couldn’t have said it better myself.

Any other running-related habits that you find humorous?

Race report: HITS Napa Valley Olympic Triathlon

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On Monday I gave a quick recap of how the race went this weekend. Today, I’m sharing the full report on my first Olympic-distance triathlon (1500-meter swim, 24.8-mile bike and 6.2-mile run) at HITS Napa Valley.

The Day Before the Race

On Saturday, Hubby and I drove up to Lake Berryessa in Napa for our pre-race packet pick-up. Half of me was excited because, physically, my fitness level was right where I wanted it to be for my initial attempt at this distance: I had taken it easy in the previous weekend’s half marathon, and my final shake-out swim (1500m) and bike (15 mi) in the days leading up to the race felt comfortable and almost effortless.

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The other half of me, however, was starting to get increasingly anxious. I had only gotten in one “real” open-water swim session, despite knowing that that leg would be the most difficult for me mentally. I kept thinking, though, that if I could just power through the swim, I’d be home free for the bike and the run.

But, as they say, “hope is not a strategy”…especially when, on Saturday afternoon, I felt an all-too-familiar tickle in my throat. I chugged water and took all kinds of Vitamin C, Elderberry and Echinacea in the hopes that it was just allergies, but it progressed over the course of the evening into a full-on sore throat and full-body tired feeling.

Not that I’m using my not feeling well as an excuse; I know plenty athletes at all levels who race — and win — through sickness. But, looking back, I do believe that it factored into my ability to attack the course when things got tough. More on that later.

Race Morning

Before we knew it, the 4:30 am alarm was jolting us awake in our hotel room (not that Hubby and I had much sleep that night; we were both up every few hours in anticipation of the big day). We dressed quickly, loaded our gear into the car and set off for the hour-plus drive to the race site.

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We arrived to Chaparral Cove about 6:15 am, and went straight over the the transition area to get set up. It was fairly hectic because everyone performing their respective pre-race rituals (think body-marking, port-o-pottie lines and lubing up with BodyGlide), but I’ve got to hand it to HITS — they streamlined the process extremely well.

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Not only did they organize us in alphabetical order within the transition area, but they also provided each athlete with a stool and bike space. Plus, having a bike holder on the ground was SO much better than the hanging kind, which is subject to getting knocked over by overzealous athletes (as I experienced in a previous sprint-distance race).

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The Swim

Once our transition areas were set, we met up with a friend, Tara, and eased into the water for a few minutes before the guns went off. We were expecting the temperature to be in the 50’s, so when we found out it was in the 60’s, it was a pleasant surprise!

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When it was time for the women’s heat to take to the water, I hung toward the back of the pack. After the gun went off, I counted five seconds, then eased my way in. I knew the first few minutes would be complete chaos until everyone found their groove.

Long story short, I never found mine. Mid-way between the shore and the first large buoy was a smaller one, so I gave myself permission to take it easy to that point, and then I’d get down to business. But by the time I reached it, though, I was still in the middle of a splashing pack and started to feel short of breath with my legs and arms getting increasingly heavy.

From there, I figured I’d alternate breaststroke and backstroke until the first big buoy. Or until I calmed down and got my breathing under control. But it only escalated from there. I started hyperventilating. A million thoughts were rushing through my head at once.

Do what you do in the pool. I can’t see anything! Focus on your breath. I just swallowed a mouthful of water! Focus on the next buoy. It’s so far, and I’m losing ground on the group! Why can’t I control my breathing? Relax! I can’t catch a breath. Should I pull over to the kayaker? No, you can’t stop; gotta keep moving forward. I just got kicked! Keep moving. I just inhaled more water! I don’t want to be here. I’m so far out! Just focus on the shore and get there.

Rather than stopping, I resorted to flipping over on my back and counting 15-20 backstrokes before flipping over on my stomach, sighting and doing 5-10 breaststrokes, then repeating the process. I was hoping the routine would help me calm down, but none of my mental tricks were able to override the physical fight-or-flight mode that my body was now locked into.

By the time I rounded the last buoy and headed to shore, things had progressively gotten worse and I started wheezing after swimming through a lovely pile of chunky vomit (ew). Because I hadn’t breathed at a normal rate or depth in 20+ minutes, every deep breath I tried to take would start a coughing fit, which only made matters worse.

By the time I finally hit shore, I wanted to burst out crying — partly out of sheer relief, partly out of disappointment in myself and partly out of terror at having to do it all over again. But I knew the longer I waited, the more I’d psych myself out, so I tried to shake it off as I got back in the water and started lap number two.

I tried again to hit the mental reset button, but it was no use. I had passed the point of no return, still wheezing, unable to take a full breath. I knew I had to make a call: Either spend the second lap fighting, or just give in and try to get it done as best I could to conserve some energy. I chose the latter, and breaststroked/backstroked it in while distracting myself by counting every single stroke.

After I rounded the final buoy, I came up alongside a man who was doing the breaststroke, as well. He must’ve seen me struggling because he smiled and said, “We’re in the home stretch. Almost there, and then we’re done with this!” I could have hugged him; it was just what I needed — knowing that someone else felt what I was feeling — to give me a final push to get to shore.

Once there, I tugged off the top of my wetsuit and made my way up the ramp. But I knew I was in trouble — not only was I still not able to catch a full breath, but I also felt dizzy and completely drained from the adrenaline-ridden adventure in the water.

Time: 55:47

The Bike

I took the first transition (5:48) to strip down, dry off, get dressed in my bike gear and try to recollect myself. It’s never fun getting in from the swim and seeing most of the bikes already gone, but you can either give up or reset your expectations for the day and focus on the finish. Again, I chose the latter, hoping I could make up some time during my stronger disciplines.

Although I was still struggling to catch a breath (every time I’d try to inhale more than halfway, I’d start a coughing fit), the bike leg went really well. I knew I was starting at the back of the pack, so I made a goal to try to pick off as many people as possible to keep myself motivated.

It was an out-and-back-course, and the first half went great; I passed a handful of people, was fueling according to plan (a personal victory to multitask on the bike!) and enjoying myself as I played cat-and-mouse with a fellow rider: I’d pass him on the hill climbs, and he’d breeze past me on the descents.

In fact, it became a bit of a joke after the first few times — I’d pass and tag him, then he’d return the favor. On and on it went, and I think that camaraderie actually helped both of us stay in the race toward the end. Those rolling hills sure got a lot tougher on the way back in, and by that time my stomach started to feel a little wonky.

Although it wasn’t my strongest ride (I was aiming for around 1:30), I was proud that I bounced back and put in a decent effort despite a rough start to the race.

Time: 1:46: 37

The Run

Getting off the bike and into my running gear in the second transition (5:53) proved a more difficult task than I had anticipated. What should have taken me about a minute turned into six because I was dizzy, nauseous and exhausted. Looking back, I think I used up all my adrenaline in the swim, and then finally relaxed on the bike, so when it came time for the run, I had no more “go.”

Even though I had consistently fueled during the bike, I could tell I was on fumes at that point. I was so disoriented, I had to ask a few people to point me toward the run exit out of transition, and when I saw that the first stretch was a hill, I knew the odds of me being able to run the entire 6.2 miles were slim.

Damn. Enter resetting of expectations…again.

Between (still) not being able to take a full breath, a now-upset stomach and cramping calves, I alternated walking up hills and jogging on flats and down hills. I’d literally go until something started going (lungs, stomach, calves), then walk, collect myself and do it again until something else went. Definitely not the way I had intended to spend the last leg of the race.

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The only thing left to do? Turn my frown upside down, turn my tears into cheers. That became my new mantra, and the more horrible I felt, the more I would clap, yell and try to rally all the runners around me as we took turns passing each other. Seeing them perk up, smile and quicken their step in response somehow kept me going. Well, that, and a few cups of Coke at the aid station!

After the final hill climb, I jogged past a women and told her how great she was doing before I slowed to a walk next to her. My stomach was not happy, my whole body ached and I was going to collect myself before jogging to the finish, but she picked up the pace and told me that I couldn’t stop now — we were so close. It was the push I needed  to get running again, around the last corner, down the hill and across the finish line.

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Time: 1:10:16

Doris and Hubby were there waiting for me with big smiles and open arms. I’ve never been so happy to cross a finish line; in fact, I think I was in disbelief for the first few minutes.

What followed was a flood of emotions: Joy at the finish, embarrassment at my swim performance, relief that it was over, disappointment in my time, happiness over the bike portion, anger about the less-than-stellar run and pride at putting it all aside to get the race done regardless.

Final time: 4:04:23

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What’s next?

Well, after my stomach settled, the first stop Hubby and I made was at Habit Burger to reward ourselves with a little post-race cheeseburger, fries and chocolate shake action.

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Next on the agenda? Getting well. After the full-body ache set in, I had a suspicion that I was running a temperature. I confirmed it Sunday afternoon, and it has since morphed into a bad cough and head cold, so I’ve spent a few days loading up on vitamins, juice and rest to try to kick this bug.

As for long-term plans, well, I’m mulling over where to go from here.

My hope was to do a half Ironman in the fall after completing this race, but it’s pretty clear I’ve got to go back to the drawing board and work through this open-water mental block before taking on a longer distance. Whether that means lessons, coaching, duathlons and shorter distances — or a combination of all of those — in the meantime, I’m going to try to figure out.

Is it the end for me and triathlon? No, not at all. With my love of running and my new-found passion for cycling, I feel like I’ve just scratched the surface when it comes to multisport events. And not only did I enjoy training immensely, but I also made some major strides on the bike, so I’m most proud of that small, personal victory from this experience.

Most of all, though, I’d never want to walk away from anything with a bad taste in my mouth. So even if I’ve got to start from scratch in the pool and build up to a successful (aka anxiety-free) sprint race, I think it’d be a very rewarding process from start to finish.

And you know what else? Just like I told myself during the swim to keep from throwing in the towel: You just gotta keep moving forward.

How do you bounce back from a tough race?