Quick Update

I am only 18 days away from my next half marathon!! The Disneyland Half Marathon!! So excited!! This last Saturday I completed my long mileage day - 10 miles in under 3 hours! This was really good for me. I am not a fast runner by any means.  I was concerned with my time because there is a time cut off at mile 4 (1 hour 35 min) and mile 10 (3 hours 10 min), but I should be fine! (Also super excited for my little guy who will be doing his first race ever! 100 yards Kids Race in California Adventures.)

Here is a picture of the race course - Super excited about running through the parks and going through Angel's Stadium!

Last night, I did one of my midweek runs, 2 miles in under 25 minutes!! So stoked about my run!! My husband thought it was just ok, but I know it rocks for me! He just doesn’t see the improvements I have made in my running since 2008 (the last time he ran with me). I have shaved minutes off and my endurance has greatly improved. I have also gotten a better grasp on the mental aspect of running. Just being able to go out and consistently push myself is a huge accomplishment. I do most of my training on my own and it would be so easy to cheat myself out of miles and skip workouts because I am tired, but I have finally figured out that I can do it on my own and that I am stronger for it.

I have also begun training for the Tour de Fresno and the Valley Girls Ride. Yep, I am back on my bike. So far training is going well and the Women on Wheels group that I am riding with is awesome!!

Also, my Salad Challenge is going well. Still loving all the yummy greens!

Dare to be Remarkable!!

Chandra

Salad Challenge

So for the past two weeks I have been doing my own little food challenge. I have been eating at least one salad a day as a primary meal – mostly at lunch time. The purpose is to see if I feel better, have more energy, and hopefully lose some weight. The goal is to continue the challenge until the end of the month.

My definition of a “salad” consists of 3-4 cups of a leafy green (i.e. Spinach, Romaine, Baby Field Greens) with a smattering of other veggies/fruit (so far mostly grape tomatoes, red onions, shredded carrots, dried cranberries and strawberries), and just a tablespoon of cheese (feta or blue). I have then topped it off with a light balsamic vinaigrette or light raspberry vinaigrette.

So far I am really enjoying this challenge. I do feel better, not as much of a “crash” after lunch. I also think it is helping me to eat better through out the day. I am usually really good in the morning (oatmeal or egg whites) and at lunch time I was tying to cut calories/save calories for dinner and as a result I was pigging out at dinner. I was also spending the better part of the afternoon looking for snacks. BAD! Now since I am doing this little challenge, I am still able to keep the calories down during lunch but I am also experiencing more fullness through the afternoon, less snacking and I am also eating less at dinner. GOOD!

Right now my favorite salad combination is a fresh spinach with dried cranberries, blue cheese and a raspberry vinaigrette. SUPER YUMMY!!

I’ll try to keep a update going on my little challenge!

If you dream it, then do it!!

Chandra