Three Things Thursday: Focus

ONE
It's been a busy crazy week in my house. While I have a hundred different blog posts written in my head (usually dreamed up while running, swimming or biking), I just haven't had the time to sit down and type them out.  It's crunch time for the triathlon, so I'm trying to maximize my time this week between the three sports.  I've been doing a lot of brick workouts and starting to feel comfortable about where I'm at for the Oshkosh Area Sprint Tri.

Thankfully, next week will be an easy taper before the race... and I will be kidless for 5 solid days!!  Watch out, momma on the loose!  I hope to catch up with life while the kiddos spend their summer week at Grandma's. There is already a big list of hopeful projects brewing to get done...

TWO
Oddly enough, with the summer days whizzing by faster than ever, I'm feeling unfocused. Despite a full calendar of activities and training for my 5 fall half-marathons, I'm itching to add more, confusing the crap out of my hubby.  I just can't shake the feeling that something is missing. It's unsettling and stressing me out.  I think this is how athletes get addicted to doing more, going further, pushing faster. My mind continually turns over new possibilities... 50k? 70.3? Oh, what should I shoot for next? What can I say, I miss marathon training and the weekly challenge to rack up mileage.

With all this rattling around in my head, my fingers have been busy at the keyboard researching events. Realistically, I just need to get marathon #3 on the calendar to settle my wild side (before I really do something reckless).  I wanted a mid-December marathon in the south, but can't seem to find the 'perfect' one.  I think I've settled on either the Shamrock Marathon (Virginia Beach, VA on March 17) or the Eugene Marathon (Eugene, OR on April 28).  O' which one will it be?? East Coast or West?  The sooner I register, the better. I keep mulling over the two without decision. I told my husband to make the decision for me, and he replies, "Just do them both." Yeah, thanks.

THREE
For those of you in the #LoseAMarathon challenge, my apologizes on the delayed results from week five. I promise I will get caught up this weekend.  I pulled another flat week (no gain, no loss), but honestly I'm glad to be maintaining. Last year, I tacked on 10 lbs over the summer. Right now, I'm holding steady at my lowest weight in six years. Most importantly, my body feels strong and good in my clothes. The journey to lose a marathon wages on...

The Summer Olympics start tomorrow!!

Don't forget to sign up for the Virtual Games.

Drown, Fall or Dead Last

My first triathlon is exactly two weeks away on Sunday, August 5 at the Oshkosh Area Sprint Triathlon, held in my hometown of Winneconne, WI.  The tri been on my mind nonstop this past week. I'm excited for the new experience, but also very nervous. With running events, I know how to prepare myself. I know protocol. I know what to expect from past experiences. When it comes to the triathlon, it's a big new horizon for me. I've rattled other triathletes with question after question. I've read online stories, columns and forums. But in the end, there are just some things you learn best when you do it yourself.

Like any new adventure, there is always fear of the unknown. The most common thing new runners say to me before their first race is "I just don't want to be last." Rightfully so. It's the fear of inadequacy that lives in all of us from the early age of grade school. We know we may not be the best, but certainly don't want to be the worst ... or last picked.

My initial goal with the triathlon was simple... Learn to swim. Finish. 

Then it became... Don't drown. Don't fall off your bike and please Lord, don't let me be dead last.

And now as the date clicks closer, the competitive athlete in me starts to rear out. You see, there are very few (if any) races that I sign up for to 'just participate'.  I enjoy my daily runs and relax my pace to run with friends during training. But when I toe the line on race day, the adrenaline in me says, "Bring it!"  It's why I do races... to test myself, to find my best.  If I wanted a fun run with friends, I'd save myself the race entry fee and just run my favorite trail. So forgive me friends, I will never be the pal who runs stride for stride with you in a race (unless your name is Anna and I'm trying my best to keep up!). I don't mean that in a bad or judgmental way to those who do races for fun - it's just who I am.

So this competitive nature has driven me to train hard this past week. I had some great brick workouts, combining the three sports of the triathlon...

TESTING THE SWIM.
The swim is no doubt my weakest area. I've never swam before this past January, so it's been a learning process. Swimming is not as easy as the pros make it look. It's extremely exhausting, but I love what it does to my core. I was pretty dedicated to swimming practice January-March and then I got distracted with the marathon... and just lazy every since. This past month, I've gotten my rusty swimsuit back in the pool. Oh-my, it felt like I was starting over.

When I registered for the triathlon, I did sign up for the "slow swimmer" wave, so I'm hoping that will relieve some of my fears of being drown by the mass of people. It is an open water swim in a lake, which I've never done before either. Curiosity got the best of me this week, and I looked up the 2011 results from this event. I literally had no idea what a good time was for a 1/4 mile swim. Amongst the women, it looked like 10-12 minutes was about middle-of-the-pack. This past Friday, I brought my stopwatch to the pool and swam a 1/4 mile time trial. In fact, it was the first time I ever swam that far without stopping for a breather.  I did 13.5 consecutive laps (small pool) in just over 11 minutes. I was satisfied with this, knowing that it probably won't make me last out of the water. Of course my competitive mindset immediately thought, "I wonder if I could get it under 10..."

TESTING THE BIKE.
When it comes to the 16 mile bike portion of the triathlon, I'm not entirely worried. I've ridden bike all my life and in recent years, I've spend lots of time training those muscles in Spinning class. Although I'm not entirely comfortable on a road bike since most of my outdoor rides have been on a mountain bike. The wider tires of a mountain bike definitely offer more stability and confidence.

I just bought my first real road bike (as compared to the ten-speed I had when I was 12 years old). On Sunday, I took her out for a 20 mile ride and couldn't be more pleased with how she rides. What a difference! I love this purple beauty and she's all mine! My only concern I still have is riding tight quarters with other bikers. I've never done that before; I always ride solo.

TESTING THE RUN.
Of course I know I can run the 3.1 miles in the sprint triathlon. What I don't know is how fast. How much will my legs have left after the swim and bike?  Of course, this is the whole point of doing brick training. On Wednesday after nearly two hours of swimming and Spinning, fellow Sole Sister Karen pushed me in a 3+ mile run. It was so hot and humid outside; my legs were tired and she wouldn't let me slow down (love/hate moment here). The run proved to me that I could run a mid-9 minute/mile pace, despite weak conditions.

Love this gal, but ready to kill her for making me run so darn fast! haha

On Sunday after 20 on the bike, I immediately set off to run a 5k. The sensation was so weird in my legs. I couldn't tell how fast/slow I was running (and usually I'm a pretty good gauge of that.) But I was happy to finish the 5k under 30 minutes without really pushing.

Are you a triathlete?

Please share your words of wisdom and advice for this first-timer!

Ready for the Olympics?!  Don't forget to sign up for the Virtual Games.

Virtual Games: Track Star 2012

The 2012 Olympics begin on Friday, July 27 in London, England. The Summer Olympics are definitely my favorite (versus winter) because I can relate with the events so much better... especially those that RUN!  Although, my little girls are mesmerized by the gymnastics. One thing is certain...Olympic fever is alive in this house! I can't wait until the Opening Ceremonies. Go Team USA!

To pump up the spirit and add some fun into following the Olympic events, I'm hosting the first annual VIRTUAL GAMES: Track Star 2012.  This will be focused only on the 8 athletic events that are pure running (sorry, no hurdles, pole vaults or jumping).

What is a virtual event?
No matter where you live, you can participate! This is a FREE event. There are 8 run events to complete in the Virtual Games: Track Star. Finish them wherever you'd like (track, road or treadmill) within the specified dates.  No proof of times is necessary as this is a fun event.  The only competition is against yourself... to run your best times possible!!  Although it would be fun to gather up some friends and host a fun track meet, yes? (hint, hint...)

August 3 -12, 2012

Although the 2012 Summer Olympics begin in late July, the running events don't begin until August 3, so that is when we will start too. I plan to run my virtual events on the same day the Olympic women are running... and compare times (ha!). See the Olympic athletic event schedule here. Seriously, when was the last time you timed a 100m dash - middle school? 

Channel Your Inner Olympian!

The 8 Virtual Olympic Events...

   100m  (.062 mile)

   200m  (.124 mile)

   400m  (.25 mile)

   800m  (.50 mile)

   1500m  (.93 mile)

   5000m  (3.1 miles)

   10,000m  (6.2 miles)

   Marathon (26.2 miles) **

** You do not have to run the full marathon in one shot.  Break it up into segments and challenge yourself to complete a total of 26.2 miles during the 10-day Virtual Games (average of 2.62 miles each day).  And yes, the challenge of this virtual event is to run or walk all eight events.  Be A Champion! 


How it works...
• Each participant will receive an official Scorecard to track your performance in each event. Simply log your finishing time onto your Scorecard once you complete each event.

• When the Olympic closing ceremony concludes, so do you.  When you finish your Virtual Games, dress in your country's finest colors (red, white & blue for the USA!) and photograph yourself holding your completed Scorecard.


• Email the photo of you (with your Scorecard) to runwithjess@comcast.net. This completes your Virtual Games and scores you one entry into the prize pool. Photos are due no later than midnight on August 12, 2012.


Host a Virtual Games!
Because I love to see runners encouraging other runners, there is also a BONUS ENTRY option.  Gather up your friends (just one or your whole running club) and host a Virtual Games of your own. This would work especially well to complete the shorter distance events (100m, 200m, 400m, 800m). Believe me, you always run faster when there is a friend by your side to push you along.  Most local high schools have no problem with you using their track to run. Just call the office ahead of time to be sure.  Don't forget to have someone bring a stopwatch. After your Virtual Games track meet, gather at the local diner for a celebration lunch and watch the Olympics live on TV.  Email me a photo of your group and you'll score a second entry into the prize pool.

Get signed up today and
Stay tuned for Prize Announcements!

Please spread the word amongst your runner friends!
Tweet #VirtualGames
Got A Question? Please comment below...

Zensah Sports Bra Winner

Thanks to everyone who entered the Zensah Sports Bra Giveaway.  If you missed it, check out my latest review on their running bra here.  I just wore it to Spinning today and it's still holding 'em up strong.  :)  Congratulations to...

TAMARA GRAND

You've just won yourself a Zensah Sports Bra!

Please email me your shipping address and bra size.

Shop Zensah here.

LoseAMarathon Weigh-In #4

Consistency is key when trying to lose weight.  To me, it's about more than just pounds. I want a lifestyle change to carry a healthy weight the rest of my life. Sometimes the weight falls off and other times, life happens. Can you relate?  This past week, I had a great week of workouts... but then we went on another 3 day camping vacation. There was plenty of outdoor exercise involved, but also lots of beer and smores.  It all balanced out to hold me flat for the week. The scale literally didn't move an ounce.

Based on the weigh-in results that rolled in on Monday, it was a real toss-up week for people. Some made big strides, others continued to click off the pounds one by two... and then there is definitely frustration out there.  Keep pushing my friends!  You can do this.

Each week, I recognize the top performers on the scale.  Losing weight is a tough task, especially as we get past the first couple weeks.  These participants have attacked the challenge and LOST BIG in week four.  Congratulations!!

Lost 6 or more pounds

Larissa D.

Jacky C.

Jill G.

Beth H.

Katherine G.

Jill M.

Brant M.

Lost 3% or more body weight

Jacky C.

Beth H.

Tammy P.

Katherine G.

Larissa D.

Shari F.

Jill G.

Ann I.

Lauren A.

New additions to the Half Marathon Club

Lost -13.1 pounds in 4 wks!

Ann I.

Brant M.

Jill M.

Lauren A.

Jackie H.

* To quality for Scale Crushers, you must report in two consecutive weigh-ins before the deadline.

Reminder: Weigh-ins are due before midnight every Monday (email me your full name & weight).  If you miss it the deadline, please just wait until the next week to report.

* * PRIZE WINNERS **

Special thank you to CLICK Espresso Protein Drink for the awesome giveaway this week. 100 participants won a free sample of the chocolatey coffee-flavored drink. (Read more about CLICK here).  Please show CLICK some love by liking their Facebook page here. They do a lot of giveaways on a weekly basis. Plus they are always posting yummy drink recipes.

Winner of the Ultimate CLICK Prize Pack

Deb K. Johnson

No need to email me since you already submitted your email addresses.  Just sit patiently and wait for your CLICK to arrive! Enjoy! I look forward to hearing how you like CLICK.  


If you didn't win and still would like to try CLICK Espresso Protein Drink, you can take advantage of their great Sample Offer...

Use promo code BOGO

Buy one CLICK sample ($2.95), and get one free!

To order, click here.

Healthy Recipes: Drinks!

During week four of the Marathon Weight Loss Challenge, participants scored an extra point into the prize raffle (to win this ultimate CLICK package) by submitting a healthy drink recipes. Smoothies are one of my favorite afternoon fillers, so I was happy to receive some new recipes.  Hope you enjoy too!


Sweet Tart Smoothie
Submitted by Charissa F. 
at Colourfulpalate.com

¾ cup almond milk
2 tbsp. cranberries
¾ cup organic strawberries (frozen)
½ banana (frozen)
½ lemon, juiced
1 tsp. maca powder (optional)
1 scoop protein powder (optional)
1 tbsp. chia seeds (optional)
4 ice cubes
Blend everything in a high-speed blender and enjoy!

Nutritional Information (without protein and maca)
100 Calories  |  4g Fat  |  69mg Sodium  |  5.5g Fiber  |  7g Sugars  |  3g Protein

Favorite Green Smoothie

Submitted by Heather C.

2 cups spinach


½ cup non-fat Greek Vanilla Yogurt

1 tbsp peanut butter


½ banana


1 cup unsweetened almond milk



Blend up and enjoy!

Nutritional Information

303 Calories  |  33g carbs  |  12g fat  |  18g protein

Cantaloupe Slushy
Submitted by Erin Weldon
at TheVeganWeightWatcher

1 medium cantaloupe
2 dried deglet dates or 1 dried medjool date, pitted
1 dash ground cinnamon (optional)
1 dash vanilla extract
a few handfuls of ice

Halve the cantaloupe and scoop out the seeds.  Scoop the flesh into a high speed blender and discard the rinds. Place all remaining ingredients in the blender, in the order listed.  Blend just until smooth; it's okay if there are some specs of date remaining.  Pour into two glasses and serve immediately.

Nutritional Information (per serving, recipe makes 2)
119 Calories   |  29 Carbs  |  3g Fiber  |  27g Sugar   |  2.5g Protein




Pumpkin Smoothie
from RunWithJess.com
I get asked for this recipe every time I post a picture... so here it is!

1/2 frozen banana
1 c. almond milk
heaping spoonful of light vanilla yogurt
1/3 c. pumpkin
handful of ice cubes (5-6)
1 scoop vanilla protein powder (I use SlimFast brand)
1 tsp. vanilla extract
dash of pumpkin pie spice and cinnamon
Blend everything up. Top with light whipped topping and sprinkle with cinnamon.

Nutritional Information
308 calories  |  56 Carbs  |  7 Protein  |  9 Fiber

My favorite drink that is fast (just a quick shake), filling and a tasty treat remains....

CLICK Espresso Protein Drink

Read more about how to make CLICK here.

Married to your Running Mate

It's 5am and the birdies are calling me. The sun is showing first light of day. It's slightly chilly in the 60's as we snuggle in our camper. The alarm goes off... Time to run!!

Oh-wait, it's not my turn. Rats! I nudge my hubby and encourage him out the door. I'm way more excited for his run than he is. I wouldn't call myself a morning person, but I certainly LOVE the crack of dawn runs. My husband on the other hand, despises the early morning hours. He grumply rolls out and dresses for his long run... mostly because he knows I won't let him go back to sleep. Today he's shooting for 8 miles, his furthest distance yet in his training for the Air Force Half Marathon.

I try my best to pump him up for the run... "It's a perfect morning, nice and cool. I'm so jealous you get to run right now. I wanna..." In a brief moment, he looks at me, considering switching spots. I give him one last "You're gonna do great," and he's quietly out the door.

The past couple months have been an adjustment for me as my hubby becomes a regular runner. He's always enjoyed the race hooray, jumping in 5ks whenever he could, but that was really the extent of his running. Now with his first half-marathon on the horizon, he's been diligently following the training plan (that I made for him). I couldn't be more proud. There's nothing a runner (me!) loves more than inspiring another to take up the sport.

However... When you have two little kids and a busy schedule, two runners in the family can get crowded. Those fantasy dreams of being "running mates" don't happen. Someone needs to hang back with the kiddos, and we've already proven we don't exactly run well side by side (my last twisted ankle injury). So instead, we strategize and squabble over running time. Remind me again why I wanted a running mate...

So as I sit out by the campfire enjoying my morning coffee, I daydream about the run my hubby is surely enjoying by now (or not). I calm my thoughts of "it's not fair" as I recall our conversation on the 3 hour drive last night. Probably more accurate description would be "my 3 hour rambling" about where I should run my next full marathon. I drive the hubby crazy as I disect every event with the pluses, negatives and logistics. It will literally take me weeks to finally decide. And when I do, there's no one more relieved than he. But through it all, he's ever supportive, nodding his head with the continuous "yup, sounds good babe." Choosing the marathon is just step one, and no one knows that better than he.

Once training starts, our family schedule circles around "mom's marathon training." Even though I get out and run early, 16-20 mile runs can consume a weekend... from the rest before ("No, we can't go out tonight...") to the hours gone running, and then the lazy recovery day afterward. No doubt the marathon is work for more than just me. It's a family affair... which is why come raceday, there is no one more excited for me than my hubby (ok, my mom too!) He'll be flying around the race course, meeting me at checkpoints with my support bag, and waiting at the finish with a great big proud hug. No matter what my finish time, I'm a winner.

I guess I really do have the perfect running mate... even if we don't necessarily "run together." Sure hope he's enjoying that morning 8 miler. Run baby run!!

Does your partner run too? How do you balance two running schedules in one house?

CLICK'in the weight off

It's another busy Thursday as I prepare for yet another vacation weekend (please Lord, guide my diet willpower once again!).  I didn't get enough coffee this morning. I'm slightly stressed which makes me crave sweets, in particular my crutch chocolate. All of this not a good combination for a runner trying to lose a marathon (in pounds).

Quickly, I reach for a CLICK Espresso Protein Drink before I blow it. CLICK is the perfect afternoon drink - a boost of caffeine with the rich taste of chocolate. It reminds me of the mocha coffee drinks that I used to treat myself to in the McD's drive-thru... instead of 300 calories, I get away with only 90 calories per drink.

In my handy dandy CLICK mixer, I combine 1.5 scoops of powder, 14oz of water, a hand full of ice cubes and shake to perfection. It's quick, tasty and packs 15g of protein.  It's the all-in-one solution for me... a mid-day snack that boosts my energy, curbs my appetite and fulfills my chocolate fix!

They also offer Vanilla Latte and Decaf Mocha flavors too!

Get CLICK'in
I know you'll love it when you try CLICK... which is why I'm so excited for the week 4 weigh-in this coming Monday.  CLICK is rewarding 100 participants of the Marathon Weight Loss Challenge with FREE SAMPLES of the delicious protein drink!

Eligibility: You must be a registered participant of the Marathon Weight Loss Challenge. You must report your weigh-in no later than midnight on Monday, July 16, 2012. Please INCLUDE YOUR MAILING ADDRESS with this week's weigh-in report.

In addition to the 100 sample winners, there will be one GRAND PRIZE winner who will be completely CLICK'ed out with this ultimate prize pack:

1 canister of CLICK Mocha

1 canister of CLICK Vanilla Latte

1 CLICK Bag Pack

1 CLICK Shaker

1 CLICK Tumbler

Stay STRONG in your weight loss journey this weekend... 

and BE PROUD to report back your weight come Monday.  

Good Luck!

LoseAMarathon Weigh-In #3

I worked my butt off this week and thought I did pretty decent on my food choices (especially considering the holiday).  I felt like I was in the zone; however, the scale had another story on Monday morning.  I was only down -0.4 lbs. Seriously, darn it. I'm not too terribly upset though.  I had a big loss (-6.6) the previous week and my body never puts up back-to-back big weeks.  I've been doing this weight loss thing for a while, so I've come to learn my body reactions pretty well. I continue to fight in my quest to Lose A Marathon.  Not satisfied with yesterday's scale reading, I'm determined to make week four count.  Yesterday, I ran 3 miles cross country, did the Day 9 Ab Challenge, rocked a 45 minute Spinning class and ended the night with 30 minutes swimming laps in the pool. Take that!

Each week, I recognize the top performers on the scale.  Losing weight is a tough task, so I am in awe at how these participants have attacked the challenge and LOST BIG in week three.  Congratulations!!

Lost 7 or more lbs.

Sarah W.

Lori F.

Deborah M.

Cheryll C.

Amber H.

Lost 4% or more body weight

Lori F.

Deborah M.

Cheryll C.

Theresa B.

Already Lost a Half-Marathon!

-13.1 or more lbs in total challenge (3 wks)

Deborah M.

Lori F.

Ramza G.

Diana S.

Mary E.

* To quality for Scale Crushers, you must report in two consecutive weigh-ins before the deadline.

Reminder: Weigh-ins are due before midnight every Monday (email me your full name & weight).  If you miss it the deadline, please just wait until the next week to report.

* PRIZE WINNERS *

There are some unclaimed prizes from the first two rounds, so I am drawing new winners for those prizes this week. This week's winners drawn randomly are...

Nuun sports bottle & tube of hydration tablets

Michael Fuller

Kim Reed

Olivia Portugal

Decal stickers from RunnerDecals.com

Tracey Lurkins

Sarah Briggs

Email your shipping address to me at runwithjess@comcast.net

Claim your prize before next Tuesday, July 17 or I will draw a new winner.

Think yourself fast & skinny

I am my own worst critic. Most days I can keep in under wraps, but in those moments of weakness, I am able sabotage my efforts in one swift act.  It all begins with a thought, one negative notion that is planted in the back of my brain. If not unarmed quickly, that tiny egg has a way of exploding. Before I know it, I'm skipping a workout, devouring a bowl of ice cream and arguing with my husband. This is my main hurdle in finding a faster pace, a slender frame and overall happy days.

In week four of the Marathon Weight Loss Challenge, I've challenged both myself (and the other 950+ participants) to attack life's negativity with full force. Fight it with positive commands. In essence, grasp the power of positive thinking...

Think yourself skinny.

Think yourself fast.

Think yourself happy. 

Self-talk is powerful. Whether you're conscious of it or not, there is a running conversation in your head at all times. Our thoughts are the primary creator of emotion, which guide our actions and ultimately determine our results.  It is a cyclical cause and affect:  thought = feeling = action = result.  So if you want different results, you need to think differently.

Step One: Recognize the negative thought.

"Life is no fun when I'm on a diet."

"Time for my daily punishment (workout)"

"I'll never be fast/skinny. It's just not in my genetics."

"I have absolutely no willpower."

"I'm so slow."

"I look horrible in this outfit."

"I don't have time..."

"I can't... "

Step Two: Cancel the thought. If your inner chatter sounds like any of the above, you need to deal with it immediately to change your aura. Use a verbal command... "No! Stop it! Cancel that!"  Seriously, say it out loud.  I admit this might be odd if you're on the subway or something, but the more fiercely you attack the negativity, the better.

Step Three: Replace the negative with a positive. Analyze your initial thought and understand it in a more positive way that will assist you in reaching your goals.  Here are some examples...

"I don't need food to have social life. My friends and activities will define my fun."

 "When I finish my workout, I always feel energized and strong."

"My genetics are not my destiny. I know I can lose weight with healthier habits."

"I can better take care of my family/job/house when I first take care of myself"

"I am a work in progress. Every day will be a little bit better."

During this week's mini-challenge, dig deep into your self talk. Write down the negative thoughts that become your excuses... and then create positive counterpoints.  Practice this mental exercise every day. This may not be easy, but it will help you think more objectively about yourself and your weight loss efforts.

Step Four: Be proactive with positive self talk. Begin the day with a plan... document what you plan to do today to achieve your goals. Tell yourself you can. It's like a daily pep rally in your honor.  Grab your lipstick and write on the mirror, "I can do it!"  Make yourself a little sign each day this week with something motivational to fight negative thoughts... hang it on the fridge, post it on your car steering wheel, tape it to your computer, stick it to your television's remote control. Repeat it to yourself all day long. By using positive self-talk, you can coach yourself to the result that you're dreaming of... one day at a time.

Weight loss and training are much easier if you believe you can do it.  Many of us have self doubts about reaching our goals, and this is completely natural. By replacing our doubts with positive thoughts, we build self esteem and belief in ourselves. That belief can change your actions and carry you to your goals. Good Luck!