Paying it Forward and Bella's First 5k

This past weekend a few of my friends and my husband ran the ATT Half and Full Marathon in Cary, NC.  Since I had already run Myrtle Beach a few weeks earlier I was not willing to risk injury and run this race too.  I am very conscious of what a body , especially mine, is capable of.  

We departed after the race started and began our journey to get to a place cheer people on.  We were practically bribing cops to let us cross the race course a few times.  Finally, we were able to park around mile 11.5.  We thought that would be a great point where people would be tired and need some extra encouragement.  

While we were there we met some wonderful ladies.  They were there just to volunteer and cheer people on.  They are running their first Half-Marathon in May and decided to go support other and "Pay it forward".  I couldn't get over it.  I thought that was so wonderful.  I started running and exercising for my weight, but I have learned so much about people.  Some good and some bad.  This was definitely good.  It put alot in perspective.  I have chosen my races for what organization they benefit.  NewYork is the perfect example.  I am such a believer in getting children involved in physical activites.  It not only helps their bodies but their minds.  

It was so much fun to be a spectator!  This may be my new calling.  It was so nice seeing smiling faces so grateful for the encouragement.  It helped that we knew a lot of the people, but we will definitely be doing it again.  

We really want to take the kids to do this as well.  Joe, Anthony, Gabi and Sophia will be getting their first dose when Bella does her first 5K.  Shes been participating in the "Girls On The Run".  It is such an amazing program!!  Go to www.gotrtriangle.org for more information.  Bellas first 5k will be April 16th.  I'm her running buddy and am so honored.  I didn't run my first one until May 2009.  I am so proud of her.  I'll keep you posted.  

Also we only have one more day of 100% vegetarian.  The kids have all decide on big burgers from Red Robin for Friday.  I'm not looking forward to it.  I have really enjoyed the vegetarian thing and more than I thought!  We have tried alot of new foods and just added a lot more variety.  From here on out, we will stay mostly vegetarian and just throw 1-2 days in of meat in for the kids.  I'm happy we all completed the full month and I can say it wasn't very hard.  I promise when I can I will post more of the recipes.  Today was an especially yummy day of Brie, Tomato, Arugula and Spinach Sandwiches for lunch and Pear, Ricotta, Walnut Crostini's for dinner.   

Hope you are having a great week!

Vitamins

The past few days I have been feeling so tired.  I definately increased my workouts and thought it was that.  However, I have had a sinus infection and bronchitis, as well as allergies,  so i thought that it was just a combination.  Then I thought maybe is was depression over the thought that my favorite Core class instructor was leaving.  Could it be all of the above?

I have come to the realization that a little may be from all that, however, when I started my antibiotics I stopped taking my vitamins.  The combination for the antibiotic and vitamin was really irritating my stomach so I stopped the vitamins temporarily.  Bad idea.  I started them back up today and finally feel so much better.  It's amazing how such a little pill can effect me.  This is in part because my diet is less than perfect.  Don't get me wrong I eat pretty healthy.  However, I am certainly not a veggie lover.  I eat them because I have to.  I would much prefer fruit any day of the week over a vegetable.  So for me I will have to stay on top of my vitamin consumption so that I don't effect my performance and training.  

And for dinner tonight...some kind of quinoa. Yum???

Bad Blogger...

So I have been slacking off on writing the blog lately. It certainly not for being lazy, just that there is so much to do on a daily basis lately.  The kids schedules seem to have picked up.  We run all day until bedtime and then collapse.  

I certainly haven't slack off on my training either.  The tri has added a whole lot more training too.  I have now added swimming into my already packed workout schedule.  So I now swim on my run days too.  On the weekends, I try to do all three...Swim, Bike, and Run.  I, however, make sure I never miss my rest day.  I have really needed it lately.  

The vegetarian month has been really great actually too.  The kids are enjoying it as well. I have decided to add a tab in the blog with recipes and things that we have tried for our vegetarian world. Check it out if you have time.  I doubt it if we will stay vegetarian forever.  However, we will definitely stick to maybe one or two non-vegetarian meals a week.  That is a swing the other way from the mostly meat diet we had before this month.  

I myself have seen a lot of benefits from this month so far. I have lost @2 pounds.  That may not seem like much, but I have been at a sticking point for a while.  I have enjoyed looking at things in different ways too.  I have learned alot more ways to incorporate different proteins in my diet. I grew up with the mindset that meat is THE protein.  Now beans of all kinds have taken alot of that mindset.  The kids realized very quickly that desserts are vegetarian.  Interesting, huh?  

We have only really had one yucky recipe.  For the most part, we have had alot of good ones.  We have really enjoyed a Vegetarian Chili from Whole Foods.  We followed the recipe on the back for Southwestern Chili Nachos.  It adds corn , black beans, and a few spices to the mix. You serve it over nachos with cheese.  Our best meal yet!  

There's still a lot to explore as a vegetarian.  I'm looking forward to trying a lot of new foods.  Coming up on the menu for us is Tofu and Tempeh.  Wish me luck!