Just Keep Swimming!

I've been trying to be positive about swimming but to tell you the truth it's been a long tedious journey. It comes so easy to so many of my friends but I make such little progress, even when I am consistent, in the pool. I've taken 2 semi private lessons with KE and I'm feeling more confident already. Still struggled today when Jilly and I did our Faux open water swim in the shallow end, across the short direction at One Mile Sycamore pool though.

I did the 24 day challenge from Advicare and I can't believe how good I feel just changing my eating habits... Well I should say routine, not a habit since it still doesn't feel second nature to me to eat 5-6 meals a day. Even today I only had a tall green tea lime refresher from Starbucks and it was WAY TOO SWEET! The only dessert I've had besides fresh fruit was a small root beer float that I didn't even finish. It's amazing how REAL food tastes so much better when your body isn't polluted by all those refined, chemical, over processed crap.

Last night I cooked chicken breast lightly seasoned and pan fried, no oil until a little brown on both sides. I added 1cup of water, lid on and let it cook on medium for 25 minutes. Chicken was perfect! I put the cut up chix in some romain leaves and added some home made mango peach salsa. Next time I'll definitely add some black beans. I felt like it was missing something. What a perfect meal by the pool though!

Morning routine

My friend Shelly asked if I'd like to run 30 minutes on MWF mornings 5:15am with her. I made to 2/3 this week. Not too bad! It feels good to get back into a routine. We tell the runners in our programs that consistency is the key to a healthy running lifestyle. I'm attempting to set a good example.
Of course the dog was another story. She was terrible on and off the leash today. I guess I had better get her fat tooshy back on a running schedule too!

Back in the game

I ran my first race with some of my No Boundaries 5k group today. The Downtown Mile was a 1mile foot race through downtown Chico between the Bike stage race criterium. I am SO PROUD of my coaches, mentors and team. Many of them got a taste if racing before their graduation 5K event in a few weeks. My time 7:58. Not too shabby for not participating in speed work in nearly a year and hardly and running in the last few months.

Star struck

While we were headed home from a whirlwind vacation to celebrate my birthday, and my little sisters too, I made an effort to see my BadAss Mother Runner Mentor and Friend Sarah Bowen Shea read from her (and Dimity's McDowell's) new book Train Like a Mother.

She is so down to Earth honest, witty and sincere about herself, her relationships with her BRB (best running buddies), her kids, her husband, her co-author and dear friend and her "tribe" of mother runners. She even (almost) convinced my husband to train for a marathon.

I feel so blessed to have had the opportunity to spend the evening listening to her speak.