Once I was permitted to run again, I asked my sports med doctor about training smarter.  He suggested I join MIT and that is when I found out about heart rate training.  Being the crazy OCD, Type-A personality woman that I am, I follow directions, plans, etc pretty much to the letter.  If the plan calls for a 4 mile recovery run, then I will run as slow as I have to to keep my HR in Zone 1.  The HR training was frustrating at first, because I felt like I was crawling, but this year I have really started to see some positive results.

My Zone 2 runs have been faster.  My speed workouts have been done as prescribed, despite my bitching and complaining about Yassos.  My recovery runs are completed, though I feel like a turtle at times.  I toss in strength training, yoga and lately PT for my lower back (a non-running injury) and there you have my training plan.

Yesterday was the Earth Day Challenge Half Marathon – the first of 2 spring half marathons I had signed up for.  I had planned on running it as a training run, but a few friends suggested it was a great course to try to run a PR (personal record) on.  Cap City Half Marathon is a crowded race and I want to try focus more on fun and friends for that one in a couple of weeks.  So, I had a couple of goals in mind for Earth Day:

1.  Run faster than my previous PR last October 2011 – 1:57:31

2.  Run a 1:55 half marathon.

3.  Break 1:55 (pipe dream)

Met up with my Run DMC friends before the race – we all create quite the supportive community at races – it is truly amazing!

It was cold – like 38 degrees and overcast at the start.  Better than the 87 degrees that Boston had for their marathon last Monday, though.  I did appreciate that we were able to stay in the athletic complex until almost the last minute to avoid freezing our tails off.

Just after 8 AM we were off!

Look how small the race was!  I am used to running huge races, so this was a nice treat.  There was no weaving in and out of people – it was a great set-up!

The first four miles were hilly, to say the least.  Check out the elevation profile below.

Talk about waking up in a hurry!  I tried to take the big hill conservatively, but it took me a little while to recover.  First mile was run at a 9:16 pace.  A little discouraging since I knew I had to average a 8:47 to hit 1:55.  I told myself to relax, there would be plenty of time (and flatter course) to make that up.  I was told the rest of the course was flat, which I don’t completely agree with, but certainly better than the first 4 miles.

Once we hit the Kokosing Gap Trail, things got a little boring, but it was perfect for me to find my zone, listen to my music and settle into my goal pace.  Things started to get interesting when the leaders were passing us on their way back and then when we turned around and were passing the others on their way out.  This picture was taken by a fellow Run DMC runner on my way back down the trail.

Miles 4-13 were run between 8:23 and 8:48/mile.  The race finished on the track of the Kenyon College Athletic Center and I had no idea coming in what my time was, but I knew I was under 2 hours.  I was tired of running at the pace I was running.  It was weird, it wasn’t like I couldn’t continue to run it, I just was ready to be done!  This picture was taken by a fellow MIT friend in the last mile.  I had no idea she was there!

I picked it up in the last mile (8:23) and as I came around the corner of the track and saw 1:53 on the clock, I knew I had to make it in before it hit 1:54.  I did it!  1:53:52 was my official time!  I came in 2nd in my age group!  I cut almost 4 minutes off of my fall half marathon!

Since I began religiously following the heart rate training program laid out for me, I have only gotten faster.  I had to slow down to do it, but it has paid off.  This is not the kind of thing that happens right away, or even in a few months.  I began HR training in February of 2011 and I didn’t PR a race until October 2011 despite trying twice before that race.  However, since then, I have PR’d every race that I have run – 2 half marathons and a 5K.  I truly believe that HR training has taught me how to listen to my body.  I am able to get my required training in at the appropriate intensities, while allowing my body to recover so that I don’t overtrain.

So, what is my next goal?  A friend mentioned a sub 1:50 fall half marathon.  We shall see – it is “only” 4 minutes faster than I ran yesterday. 

Today is Earth Day.  I checked in on my post and pledges from Earth Day 2011 to review how I did.  I think that we did pretty well, but there are definitely places were we can improve. 

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Also today, I am running the Earth Day Challenge Half Marathon.  I am carpooling with a friend or two so that we are not all driving to the race, which is about an hour away.  I am excited to be running my 6th half marathon and first half marathon of 2012.  Wish me luck!!  I’ll make sure to update with a recap tomorrow!

Sunday – Dinner out with family for a belated birthday celebration for Jon

Monday – Baked Ziti, broccoli and salad

Tuesday – Mexican pizzas, corn and salad

Wednesday – Perfect pork tenderloin, garlic mashed potatoes, asparagus & salad

Thursday –Leftovers

Friday – Make your own pizza and salad

Saturday – Breakfast for dinner

Review: Schar Sandwich Crème Cookies

Hidden Valley Ranch Adds Gluten-Free to Labels

Katz Gluten Free Adds English Muffins (egg-free) to Line Up

Celiac Camp for Kids – The Great Gluten Escape

Bob’s Red Mill helps Autistic Families Celebrate Birthdays

Topricin Giveaway – Don’t forget to enter!!

Chipotle Rave

About a month ago I wrote a review on Topricin and raved about how much better my feet were feeling this round of training compared with past seasons.  As my mileage creeps up, my plantar fasciitis starts to act up.  This was not the case this season, as I had started using Topricin Foot Therapy Cream on my feet.  Coincidentally I saw in Runner’s World Magazine that it was rated as the top choice for sore feet!  Yes, I have had another foot issue going on, but plantar fasciitis has not been part of the problem for the first time!  Another great benefit of Topricin is that it is gluten-free for those who suffer from dermatitis herpetiformis or other skin rashes related to gluten.

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I am pleased to share that Topricin has graciously offered to give a tri-pack (will have one of each – original, kids and foot cream) of their products to 3 lucky blog readers!  How cool is that?  All you have to do to enter is follow the instructions in the Rafflecopter box below.

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We had a busy day yesterday!  I was up at 5 AM to get my miles in, had a CPR/AED class at 9 AM, picked up Jon from school early to take him to lunch and then to get take his driver’s license test, and then took Hannah to a doctor appointment.  I figured I would treat Jon to Chipotle for lunch since it is his favorite place to eat and there was one on the way to the exam station.

Chipotle locations are not hard to find in Central Ohio.  There are 3 locations that I frequent on a regular basis and they are all about the same distance from my house, it just depends on where else I have to go.  The location we went to yesterday was new to us, located on US 23/Columbus Pike in Delaware, Ohio. 

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I began my order as I always do, by asking the employee taking orders to change her gloves.  Then I saw something I had never seen before – the entire line stopped what they were doing, they changed gloves and washed their hands.  Then, they removed all of the spoons and tongs from the food on the line & wiped down the line.  I asked if they do this every time someone asks for gluten-free and was informed that this standard operating procedure anytime someone comes in with any kind of food allergy (though we all know that Celiac Disease is not an allergy).  I was uber impressed!  I have had many great experiences at Chipotle restaurants in the past, but most times the person making my food will change gloves and wash their hands and then be the only person to handle my order. 

Though restaurant was not overly busy at the time – there were 2 people in line ahead of us – and those people had to wait while the staff performed the safety procedures.  I thanked them for their patience and the staff gave them their drinks and chips “on the house”. 

I love to sing the praises about experiences like the one I had yesterday!  I love to educate others on Celiac Disease how to keep us safe – a few employees were asking about the gluten-free diet and Celiac Disease and what it entailed.  I would love to see the other Chipotle locations adopt these practices as an effort to minimize cross-contamination risks.

I had the opportunity to review some pretty cool snacks recently.  Funky Monkey Snacks (love the name!) are real fruit snacks made using a proprietary freeze-drying process that creates “Fruit that Crunches” while retaining close to all of fruit’s natural goodness.  It is no secret that I love fruit, so I couldn’t wait to dig in!

I loved all of the flavors that I sampled, but I think the JiveAlime was my favorite!  I loved the crisp pineapple with the lime!  Here is a list of the whole line of flavor options:

• Applemon
• Bananamon
• Carnaval Mix
• JiveALime
• MangOJ
• Pink Pineapple
• Purple Funk

Funky Monkey Snacks are not only gluten-free, but dairy-, peanut- and tree nut-free as well.  I love that they don’t have any added sugar or preservatives and they are non-GMO verified.  For those who follow a raw or vegan diet, these snacks are both!  Each 1 ounce serving contains 3 servings of fruit!!  What a fun way to get kids to eat fruit! 

Funky Monkey Snacks can be found in many stores across the US or purchased online.  Have you tried Funky Monkey Snacks?  Which one is your favorite?

***These snacks were sent to me free of charge for review purposes.  The opinions shared here are mine and have not been influenced by anyone or anything. 

Today is the last day to enter my Sharkies Giveaway!  You have until midnight EST!

I said it the other day and I’ll say it again – where did my baby go?

All grown up!

I am making him a surprise for when he gets home from school today!  I can say it here because I am pretty sure he isn’t reading my blog.  If he is, I am impressed!

If you missed the review of the ice cream cake we got from Cold Stone Creamery for his party the other day, check it out – it was amazing!

Don’t forget to enter the Sharkies giveaway – ends Wednesday at midnight EST!

Sixteen years ago today was my due date when I was pregnant with Jon.  The little stinker wasn’t ready to come out yet, which is indicative of his personality.  Two days from now my “baby” will turn 16 and I am sending out a warning to all who live in Columbus – the boy is taking his driver’s test on Wednesday – clear the sidewalks! 

I have to share that no one in my immediate family passed their driver’s test the first time around.  I pray that this curse does not extend to Jon!  Both of my parents, myself and my sister all failed for one reason or another the first time around.  I did great on the maneuverability portion of my test.  During the driving portion, I went through a yellow light and it turned red, so I failed.  If I would have stopped, the car behind me would most likely have hit me, which would also have caused me to fail.  When I went to retake my test, the instructor asked me why I failed the first time around, because he saw no reason for me not to have passed.  I explained what had happened and he said he wouldn’t have failed me.  Too bad he wasn’t the instructor in the car at the time, right? 

Keychain was a gift from Grandma Mary!  How apropos! 

Good thing that Tuesday is “Taco Night” since that also happens to be one of Jon’s favorite meals!

Sunday – Leftovers – grilled chicken, burgers, baked beans and salad

Monday – Chicken fettucine Alfredo, steamed broccoli and salad

Tuesday – Taco Tuesday – soft tacos, black beans, corn and salad

Wednesday – Take-out – perhaps the boy can go pick it up with his sparkly new driver’s license?

Thursday – Perfect pork tenderloin, sweet potato puffs, green beans & salad

Friday – Make your own pizza and salad

Saturday – Pasta with marinutta sauce, roasted zucchini and salad

Lots of fun stuff going on in the past week – make sure to catch up on these posts if you missed them:

Cold Stone Creamery in Westerville makes gluten-free ice cream cakes!

Sharkies giveaway – make sure to enter before Wednesday at midnight!

Sweet Potato Pizza – perhaps one of my best accidental combination ever!

Gluten-free slutty brownies – Thanks to Brandie for sharing the recipe!!

ZonePerfect Perfectly Simple bars are gluten-free and safe to eat!

Easy, 3,2,1 Micrcowave Cake – Gluten-Free

Review: Popcorn Indiana Chip’ins

Hope you all have a wonderful week!!

Who likes free stuff?  I do!!  I have a pretty awesome giveaway for you guys today, but first I need to tell you about my love for Sharkies.

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First and foremost, how cute are these snacks?  Okay, so I am getting close to being 40, but I can still act like a kid, right?  I will admit that I have been known to grab a pack of fruit snacks in the past, especially if I need a little carb boost before a workout, but don’t want to eat a big snack.  Food and I don’t get along well when I run or workout.  I do feel guilty at times, though, because I feel like I could be making a smarter choice than fruit snacks.  Sharkies are that smarter choice!

Sharkies® Organic Sports Chews are:

· USDA Certified Organic

· Have no artificial dyes or flavors

· Free of fat, gluten, wheat, nut and dairy free

· Vegan and vegetarian friendly

· Available in four flavors; Berry Blast, Fruit Splash, Citrus Squeeze, and Watermelon Scream

Not only are Sharkies® Organic Sports Chews USDA Certified Organic, they deliver a clean source of carbohydrates and naturally occurring electrolytes, such as sodium and potassium, to provide a quick energy source before or during a workout. Containing 110mg sodium, 30mg potassium, and 36g total carbohydrates per serving – Sharkies® Organic Sports Chews help to replenish what’s lost during exercise.

 

Conveniently packaged in a portable snack pack, you can bring Sharkies® wherever your active journey may take you; whether you are shredding steeps of powder, cycling mountain roads, taking part in a marathon, or simply off to the gym, Sharkies® has a variety of products that will fit your whole family’s  needs.

So in addition to the sports chews, they now have a line of kids snacks that are free of high fructose corn syrup, wheat, gluten, nuts and fat!

· Sharkies^® Organic Fruit Chews are USDA Certified Organic, are packed with 100% daily value of Vitamin C and contain no artificial dyes or flavors. They are available in Berry Bites and Fruit Splash flavors.

· Sharkies^® Omega 3 Smart Twists provide kids with the benefits of vital and essential Omega-3s (EPA/DHA) in a conveniently twisted, great tasting rope. Equivalent to a serving of fruit and packed with 100% daily value of Vitamin C , Omega 3 Smart Twists are available in Berry Surf and Tropical Wave varieties.

Sharkies^® are sold in select supermarkets, sports and specialty retailers, including bike and running shops nationwide, select regions of Whole Foods, REI, Sprouts and at Babies R Us. Check out the store locator at http://www.sharkiesinc.com/locator .

I loved every sample that I tried and I have tried the whole line!  The kids were also big fans!

Are you ready for the fun part?  One lucky reader will win:

· Samples of the Sharkies® varieties

· Exclusive Sharkies® Under Armor shirt

·BPA-free Sport Water Bottle with special freezer stick to keep your beverage cool

All you have to do to enter to win is to follow the directions below.  The giveaway will be open for entries until Wednesday, April 18, 2012 at midnight EST.

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Today is Friday the 13th.  Are you superstitious?  I am to some degree.  By that I mean that the thought crosses my mind, thinking maybe I should be superstitious, but then I get busy and forget about it.  Some people say that Friday the 13th is a lucky day for them.  I believe I have always found it just to be another day.

I didn’t mean to leave you hanging drooling with that picture of the chocolate chip banana bread on Wordless Wednesday.  I am not supposed to use words, right?  Well, here is the mix I used. 

I thought we could all have some fun on this Friday the 13th with a “Friday Five” – gluten-free style.  Please leave your “Friday Five” answers in the comments section.

1.  Favorite gluten-free bread (pre-made, mix or made from scratch)

2.  Favorite gluten-free pizza crust (pre-made, mix or made from scratch)

3.  Favorite gluten-free dessert.

4.  Favorite gluten-free crackers.

5.  Favorite gluten-free cookbook.

My answers:

1.  Canyon bakehouse Colorado Caraway

2. Udi’s gluten-free pre-made or Bob’s Red Mill mix

3.  Carrot cake

4.  Crunchmaster sea salt

5.  Too many to name just one

Your turn!  Ready, set, GO!!! 

Navitas Naturals has some pretty awesome products.  I love their Cacao Nibs, but today I am going to sing the praises of the latest product of theirs that I have tried:

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More information on the power snacks:

NEW BLUEBERRY HEMP NAVITAS POWER SNACKS
Nourishing “Grab & Go” Snacks Made from Organic Superfoods

Novato, California (March 5, 2012) – Navitas Naturals is adding Blueberry Hemp to their award-winning line of organic Navitas Power Snacks. Blueberry HempNavitas Power Snacks provide a diversity of the most nutrient-dense organic superfoods and organic seeds, fruits and nuts. These bite-sized cubes have a healthy whole food appearance, delicious flavor and rich chewy texture. Navitas Power Snacks do not contain refined sugar, preservatives and artificial colors and flavors. In addition to being certified organic they are also certified gluten-free, and are GMO-free and dairy-free.

Organic food experts have been giving Navitas Power Snacks accolades since they were launched in 2011. In January 2012, they won the 2012 Grocery Headquarters Magazine Selling Wellness Trailblazer Award. Their team of editors judged hundreds of nominees on their innovative taste profile, ingredients, packaging and/or intrinsic health benefit. Navitas Power Snacks were also featured on Good Day Colorado (FOX 31) in a segment about the healthiest nutrition bars that stores should stock by Kelsey Blackwell, the Food Editor at Natural Foods Merchandiser Magazine (NFM). The video is a companion to an article in the January 2012 issue of NFM and on New Hope 360.

Why Hemp?  Nutrition experts recommend hemp seed because it’s an easily digested complete protein source. It is also one of the richest vegetable sources of the Omega 3 & 6 essential fats, and in an ideal ratio to support human health. Hemp seed is also a plentiful source of fiber, vitamins and minerals such as magnesium, iron, zinc, and potassium.

Blueberries are famous for their delicious fruit flavor and abundance of phytonutrients, which many scientists believe provide powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that may protect against heart disease, colon cancer and other ailments. In addition to the organic hemp powder and dried blueberries,Blueberry Hemp Power Snacks are made with other leading organic functional food stars such as chia, maca, lucuma, camu camu and maqui, as well as other wholesome raw foods such as date paste, sesame seeds, cashews and sunflower seeds.

Offered in an 8-ounce re-sealable and recyclable pouch for $8.99, Navitas Power Snacks and other Navitas products are available at thousands of stores throughout North America including Whole Foods Markets, Wegmans and HEB, and at many online stores such as NavitasNaturals.com and Amazon.com. Each 1-ounce serving is approximately 3 or 4 Navitas Power Snack nuggets.

I loved these snacks!  They do have sesame seeds (which bother me in large amounts), so I have been eating 2 squares at a time (with no issues, I might add!).  I had never tried anything with hemp in the past, so I was excited to try these.  I am sure you can imagine the smart remarks that Aaron made about the hemp…ha ha!  He actually opened the bag & tried one – I was shocked!  He said it tasted like a Fig Newton, but wasn’t a huge fan.  I was impressed that he tried it at all, as he is extremely picky.  These are the perfect snack to keep me from munching too much before dinner.

The snacks are certified gluten-free by the Gluten-Free Certification Organization (GFCO), organic, raw and vegan.  The ingredients are as follows:

Ingredients: date paste, chia seeds, sunflower seeds, cashews, dried blueberries, sesame seeds, hemp powder, maca powder, lucuma powder, maqui powder, natural blueberry flavor, camu camu powder

Each serving is 2-3 squares and contains 130 calories, 7 grams fat, 2.5 grams of fiber and 3 grams of protein.  The Navitas Naturals Blueberry Hemp Superfood snacks can be found in stores across the US (Whole Foods is one of the many).

***These snacks were sent to me free of charge for review purposes.  The opinions stated here are mine (and Aaron’s) and have not been influenced by anyone or anything.