This was the quote of the week, "you're not flipper, you're not a dolphin". These were the words so eloquently spoken by my friend Pam. So, here's the background story... we were at the Y after work for a swim workout when we decided to see how fast we could swim 50 yards. After my first attempt Pam asked me if I felt I went as hard as I could. "um ya - I guess?" Apparently, as she pointed out, I wasn't really kicking my legs - oh ya! I thought to myself, I kinda forgot to kick hard. Ok, start over... next time I was kicking my legs and it was more visible. For whatever reason I was casually kicking my legs under the water the first time and you couldn't really see that I was kicking. One of the goals with triathlon swimming is to save your legs for the bike and the run, I guess I took this to the extreme and turned into a dolphin. Lesson learned. :)

Yesterday, was a successful day, one that left me a bit stiff and sore this morning. Emily and I started the Turbulence Training, we met up for a workout in the morning. At lunch I rode my bike for about an hour or so. After work I swam for 35-40 mins with Pam. Generally one likes to spread their workouts out over the week, I, however, seem to cram my weeks workouts into one day. Hence, the soreness and stiffness. Today I am taking it kinda easy, may go out for a short run and I will probably do some cooking later. I will be sure to share any exciting "concoctions" I come up with.

I just had to post this (I know - two in one night?!?!) I just got done making cupcakes for my sis-in-laws baby shower tomorrow. The theme is "All Star Baby Shower", kinda like a baby's first sport theme. The gifts that we are giving are all Griz baby clothes and some Gonzaga baby clothes. So to stick with the theme I also got little sports rubber duckys (they are carrying footballs, baseball, etc) and made these sport ball themed cupcakes. They turned out pretty cute.





Doing the decorating and piping was a damn chore though - geez! the forearms are exhausted! Anyway, thought they were worth sharing...

Those stupid little fried corn strips that someone named FRITOS got the best of me yesterday! Geez! So I innocently decided to throw a handful in some chili, yes, my healthy chili that I recently made. Don't ask who purchased them at the store and brought them home. It may or may not have been me. I also may or may not have proceeded to eat like 4 servings after dinner. And, that may or may not have lead to a diet coke and 3 chocolate chip cookies for dinner tonight. Waahh?!?! I know! You don't have to tell me... me OF ALL PEOPLE... knows better! It was like I was possessed by a little junk food demon, who came into my body and forced my little mitts to grab onto any junk food I could find. Why do these things happen?! Ugh... I'm over it now.

So, here's my latest little catastrophe that I mentioned in my most recent blog post. My torn wetsuit "issue". See below:



This tear is on the bottom of the leg, across the calf seam. I am guessing that I was just a little too aggressive when putting it on last time. Or, maybe I am in denial and I posses exceptionally fat calves. Either way, I have a problem. Luckily, this can be repaired (thank god! otherwise, I might have been the only person I know to spend a ridiculous amount of money on a "rubber suit" that was rendered useless after four or five uses). I have been in contact with the manufacturer (Blue Seventy, one of the best in the biz). They are gonna help me get it fixed. I guess this is less embarrassing than blowing out the ass on the thing, but if I don't stop the "junk food joy wagon" that might be next.

As far as the training this week... meh. Not so good, less consistent than last week. I mean how can I possibly have time for exercise when I am stuffing my face? In all seriousness, Em alerted me of a new challenge she is going to do. I am going along for the ride, not to "compete" in the challenge but more of an internal goal. This will supplement my training and hopefully get me strong and ready for next springs training. More to come on this, Em's got all the details and is bringing them to our morning workout. I am actually looking forward to working out with her again - we had some good times last spring!

Well, it was a successful week! Here is my week recap...

Monday 08.30.10: REST DAY

Tuesday 08.31.10:
*45 minute swim workout (2x100, 4x50, 5x200, 2x50 = 1500 yards... hell ya!)

Wednesday 09.01.10: REST DAY

Thursday 09.02.10: "Brick workout"
*45 minute bike ride
*30 minute run

Friday 09.03.10:
*45 minute swim workout (4x100, 150, 200, 250, 250, 200, 150, 100 = 1600 yards)
*35 minute bike ride

Saturday 09.04.10:
*1 hour 30 minute bike ride in CDA - (Higgins point ride, twice... HILLS!)
*15 minute swim in lake CDA with wetsuit (I did get a tear in my wetsuit after this... I will blog more about this later as I need to repair it)

Sunday 09.05.10:
*1 hour 20 minute trail run in Riverside State Park (this run left me walking like a baby giraffe this morning)

This was the most exercise I have gotten in a week since June, so I am pleased. Hopefully next week is just as successful.

Lately I have really been enjoying cooking again, well I mean cooking like a "normal person" and not figure prep. I still like to create options that are healthy and make healthy substitutions. What's really great is that my head isn't as wrapped around sugar, carbs, fat and calories. I am trying to eat to perform (yes, you are hearing the 'junk food bandit' say this). I made several healthy options for the upcoming week and then one splurge item, I have even taken pictures for you! See below:


This was dinner the other night, something I call Cuban Mahi Mahi Tacos


Here is something I prepped for the week. It is a garbanzo bean salad with tomatoes, corn, red onion, green beans, feta and a mexican vinaigrette. The tomatoes, corn and onion are from a friends garden - yummo!


This is also something I prepped for tomorrows lunch. It is a green salad with red onion, beets, goat cheese and walnuts. The beets are from a co-workers garden, cooked and peeled 'em myself!


Dinner cooking in the crock pot. Healthy four bean turkey chili (and you guessed it - the veggies are from a co-workers garden)


Here's the splurge... Southern style peach cobbler. I picked these Sunset Peaches up at Greenbluff and also put a handful of Ginger Gold Apple in there (also picked up at Greenbluff). This is just going in the oven and will be ready in 45 minutes - NOM NOM!