I had this whole post typed out with all the delicious food I made this weekend, and then my browser froze and of course I hadn't saved it yet, so I lost it. Phooey. So I'm just going to bullet point what I made then add in the pictures. Sorry no exciting re-creation of my post. It's late and I'm just not feeling it right now.
* Traditional italian orecchiette pasta made from semolina flour and semi-homemade sauce (sorry no picture, but it was soooo good!) made with my cousin Jordan
* Balsamic steak with sweet potato fries for dinner with Dustin
* Whole wheat/fruit pancakes, bacon, and eggs for brunch with Dustin
Dinner for two!
Close-up without the balsamic sauce on-top
I got the recipe from Clean Eating magazine. I'm excited to try more of the recipes in it!
Brunch for two! The recipe for the pancakes came from Shape magazine I believe. I'll get the recipe for it at a later date also. I thought they turned out really good and with the fruit didn't need too much syrup because they were sweet enough.

Hope everyone had a great weekend also :) I'm excited to be cooking more and decrease the amount of eating out. My wallet and my waistline is thanking me for it.

Peace and Love,
Britt
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First things first, I have been working out pretty consistently, wahoooo! Some of my workouts could be more intense/meaningful, but I'm starting with consistency then working my way to intensity.  

I think part of my lack of motivation and overall feeling of wanting to workout is the overall sluggish feeling I have been getting.  Today it was bad, I ran, but it didn't feel good, and I know it always won't, but still a day off should help that out, and it didn't so much. There are highs and lows with running or really any physical activity you do, but I'm starting to think that my lack of motivation is partly due to my lack of healthy eating. Sure I love fruits and veggies and lean meats and all that stuff, but for the past year or so I've been letting the not so good stuff win out; and it definitely shows in my training and how I feel.  I do not believe in completely taking a food or food group out of your diet (unless for allergic reasons or personal issues with them), but instead I believe in moderation and understanding that one piece of chocolate/cake/steak/pasta/etc will not throw off your day, but 10 (or even 5) will.  

So I'm getting my room/life organized by way of cleaning, rearranging, and throwing away and the next step is to concentrate on my food choices.  I plan to try and make a chart of some type with different food groups and food choices in them ranging from Good to Not so good/only a nibble.  I'll rank them and then can use it as a tool for grocery shopping, picking a snack, and a visual reminder of what I need to/should do to maintain a health body.  

I should do this sooner rather than later, but when it comes to these matters especially when cleaning my room is involved I can't do too much at once. I get over-whelmed because I'm doing too many projects at once and then stuff if literally everywhere in my room.  So one at a time for now :) I'll keep you posted on how it's going {once I start}.  

Happy Leap Day!

p.s. only 58 Days till my race!!! eeeeeeeee!!!! Excited and nervous at the same time
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I'm finally starting to get back in to a groove with working out.  I know this seems extremely late seeing as I have a race in almost 2 months, but I just haven't had the drive that should even with an expensive and big race coming up.  I've been dallying in working out this year so far; a yoga class here, going for a short (semi-crappy) run there, but nothing motivated or regular.  

I am determined though.  

This week is it. 

This is my starting point.

It doesn't get any easier waiting, and I'm sure as heck not getting any more fit/healthier/faster/etc. by doing the mainly nonexistent workouts that I have been doing.  So..

Here's to today. To taking that first step. The first step on the track, in the pool, or on the bike. Here it comes. Get ready for me, cause I'm back.

Peace and Love,
Britt
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I decided about two weeks ago that I am going to be doing another competitive race this school year. I signed up to participate in the Collegiate Nationals Triathlon Open Race in April.  This will consist of an Olympic distance triathlon and I'm really excited/nervous for it! I ran my first Olympic distance tri this past August and while it went pretty well I know that I didn't train as much as I wanted to and the course was super simple (suuuper flat and no crazy turns/obstacles).  The simple course made it a good starter race for bumping up from a sprint distance tri to an olympic distance tri, but it also allowed me to slack on how prepared I was. I don't think I'll have the luxury of a simple course for nationals, and I'm glad. I want to step up my training and knock my time out of the water.  

The distance for an Olympic Tri is:
Swim: 1500m Swim
Bike: 40 K
Run: 10 K

My previous time was an overall: 03:05:20. My goal for Nationals is sub 02:55:00. I know that's quite a bit of time to knock off, but like I said, I didn't train as much as I should have and even though it was an easier course, I think my increased training this time around can off-set the harder course. So, I'm aiming for a bigger time decrease!

Tomorrow {today} marks the start of my actual training. I don't have a set plan yet, but I do plan to get my booty in gear! So for me and for you, a few motivational sayings I found via Pinterest and Nutrition Nut
And on that note, it's time for bed. Tomorrow{today} starts a brand new day and new adventure. In the words of Nike: Just Do It.

<3 - Britt
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Life List 01/16/2012
 
So as I said before I'm going to post my life-list. There's already quite a few things on it, and I'm sure I'll think more to add, but right now here is my life list. My life list is full of things I want to accomplish, some may just be big dreams, but it really is my goal to cross off all the things on this list.  Do you have a life list? What are the top dreams/hope/wishes you want to accomplish before next year, five years, ten years, or before you die? It really is fun to come up with this list!

Run a half-ironman. Visit Greece. Run in a 24 hour relay. Be a Maurices mainstreet model. Have my blog featured.  Run a marathon. Attend the Healthy Living Blog Summit. Complete the American Triple T. Ride in Pelotonia 180 miles.  Visit and explore Australia. Learn to speak Italian. Become a certified yoga instructor.  Teach. Re-learn the piano. Become a semi-accomplished seamstress. Visit wine country in California. Keep my house/apartment clutter-free {mostly}. Travel Europe. Pay off my college debt. Build a house. Run a race in at least 10 different states 1 ohio 2 illinois 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10{or more!}. Learn to Knit. Learn to Crochet. Learn ASL.   .......

to be continued. 

Adios,
Britt



 

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Hello! I've been away for quite a while, it's been a busy/crazy past several months with a lot of small things going on and a few big events. Here's a {very} short run down of what's been going on during my absence:

1. I got my first nephews in November (Yes, that was plural. My sister had twins!)
2. I completed my internship at COSI Exercise Science Lab
3. I finished my undergraduate coursework and graduated with a Bachelors of Science majoring in Exercise Science Education!


I've also been at somewhat of a writer's block. So from here I'm going to go with some of my New Years goals. I'm not big on resolutions, but I do think the new year is a good time to re-evaluate your habits and tendencies and come up with ways to improve. So that is what my list is, ways to improve myself.

1. Continue my physical activity, but increase to more regularly throughout the week.

2. Compete in 4-6 races this year 
       *Triathlon
       *Biking
       *Running
  Just fun ways to keep myself motivated and be active!

3. Plan and stick to a budget
   *With getting a job and big-girl responsibilities this is a must!

4. Plan a menu for my meals for the week
    *Along with that add in one to two non-meat meals
    *Eat as fresh, organic, and locally-grown as possible

5. Be more spontaneous
     *I'm a planner, a big, big planner. Sometimes its okay to live by the seat of your pants, and I think I need to a little more

6. Blog more regularly!

I"m sure there's more, but no need to overwhelm myself.  One thing I also want to write down/list out is my life list. I got the idea from the Nutrition Nut (awesome blog which gives me a lot of inspiration!) and I've been meaning to make one, so that is my project for my next post. So write to you soon!

Much Love
<3 - Britt
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I am lucky enough to live in a city that has an amazing abundance of food choices. Not only are there hundreds of unique and delicious sit-down restaurants, but there is also a growing number of faster service/semi-sit-down all-natural/organic restaurants also. One of my all time favorites is called Northstar Cafe. The food is a little more expensive then most faster-ish food restaurants, but I will pay for it (most) any day when I know I’m getting a great quality and deliciously cooked food.

The menu has the main categories of soup/salad, sandwhiches, pizza, dessert, and a few misc. But there is hardly anything on it that I wouldn't order. So much is so so so so delicious, but one of my all time favorite meals to order is their Square Meal

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It has brown rice at the bottom with sautéed red onions and red peppers mixed in, topped with spicy black beans, an avocado, and tortilla strips. It is so tasty and so filling. My mouth is watering just thinking about it. Another one of my favorites from there is their chocolate truffle cookie. It’s huge, chocolately, with a melt-in-your mouth/almost gooey middle texture with chocolate chips mixed throughout. I didn’t get it this time, but you can bet I’ll get it next time!

I can’t wait to eat my leftovers.. I think I’ll go have a bite now.

Cheers!

BK
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Another school year has begun. With just a little over a week and half under way I can’t believe I’m finally in my final quarter of undergraduate school work. The start of a new school year is always exciting to me. Between new classes, seeing old classmates, and a new place to live there’s a lot happening with a new school year. I am starting my 5th year of school and I have been (un?) lucky enough to have moved every year I’ve been in college. My parents would probably lean more on my unlucky side of it, they certainly do not have a fondness of moving.

I’m really good at packing a lot in small spaces, and even though I hate clutter and too much stuff, I always seem to jam pack my rooms. (I cannot wait to have a house/apartment mostly to myself to actually be able to spread out and not live out of one room).  With a room FULL of stuff moving is always fun. This year it went pretty smoothly with only one item not being able to found in between moves, so I’d say it was a success! I’m happily settled in to my new residence for the year and am very excited for all that this year holds for me. I live in a house with 10 other girls (I know it’s a lot, but it really is awesome), and have loved getting to know them better and having atleast one other person around at all times is also a perk. I lived with just one other person the past two years, and I liked it, but the increase in number of people this year is a nice change also.

So here are some pictures of the move from one place to another. (*Note: there was a two week period between places, leases not meeting up is uber annoying, but what can you do about it..)


*Note: Sorry for the poor picture quality. Most of these were taken with my phone

My old room. I was in the process of packing/moving if you can't tell.
Putting together my [huge] closet!
Really bad picture, but you get the idea. It's big!
My dog chole hiding from all the loud noises of assembling my closet/wardrobe
My (mostly) finished room!
On the day of move-in (with the parents help) I also celebrated my birthday with my family in Columbus. The day of my actual birthday my parents were out of town visiting my middle sister in D.C. so we celebrated a week early. We went out to eat at an amazing Italian restaurant called Marcella’s and the food was delicious. Since it was my birthday I got a free dessert and my choice was a no-brainer. I decided on The Profiteroles dessert. It’s 3 cream puff pastries, but instead of being filled with cream they’re filled with chocolate, vanilla, and pistachio honey ice cream made from a local (completely amazing) ice cream shoppe Jeni's.

It was absolutely delicious :)
I received a tshirt quilt made by my mom (Love it!), which is actually on my bed in the picture above, a cute homemade apron and mug rug from my brother and sister-in law, and payment towards a bike rack from my brother, sister&husband, and brother&wife. I unfortunately do not have the pictures of me with my gifts or with my parents from that night, but when I get them from my dad I’ll have to add them. I also received, in the mail, the game/ice breaker Table Topics from my sister who lives out of town. I first saw the game when I was visiting her in San Fransisco two and a half years ago and am very excited to get to use them in the  near future!

That’s all for today folks.
Toodles,
BK

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So my birthday day didn’t go exactly as planned as you may have read here. But I still ended up having a good day in the end thanks to my amazing family and friends. I was able to get a ride from one of my roommates to the Pharmacy and to pick up my football tickets (Go Bucks!) and then mainly hung out at home the rest of the night. My brother paid me a visit a little later in the afternoon and showed up at the door with these:


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My mom called him and filled him in on my fun morning and then he stopped over with flowers from him and my parents! They are absolutely gorgeous and have been a beautiful centerpiece on our dining room table.  They make me smile everytime I see them.

A couple of my roommates and I decided to get pizza from a delicious local pizza parlor and we also watched Bridesmaid. Which was hil-ar-ious. Loved it. I was also surprised with a birthday cake and candles. Have I mentioned how awesome my friends are already? Yes? Well I’m going to tell you again anyways, they are the best.

Hope everyone had a great weekend!

Toodles,
BK
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A Race in Review 10/01/2011
 
As I showed in my first post I completed two triathlon races this summer. One I completed in May and the other in  mid-August. I am happy to say I at least did these two, but I wish I could have done more. No matter how free I think my weekends will be they always end up becoming filled to the brim. There is definitely no time to fit in a 2-3 hour race that may be 2-3+ hours away from home.  But at least I did two. The most recent race I completed was the Sylvania Duathlon/Triathlon on August 14 and here’s some info on that race:

 I was lucky enough to have my parents and boyfriend there supporting me and we left my home town at 5:00am to complete the hour and fifteen minute drive up to Sylvania. I wasn’t able to go to the race site ahead of time so I wanted to get there with plenty of time to get my packet (which I still haven’t received my t-shirt yet, they were out the day of… hmph) and get set up in transition.  We arrived at the race-site about 6:30 which allowed me a decent amount of time to prepare. I haven’t gotten in to racing too seriously so I don’t need much time to warm-up, as my “warm-up” normally consists of the jog to transition area to set-up and then another jog to the start line. Another awesome aspect about this race is that there were about 10-12 members of the OSU Triathlon club racing so I saw quite a few familiar faces and it definitely helped me to relax.

Gabbing away/Setting up my transition area.

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Did I mention this was my first Olympic distance triathlon after only completing two other sprint races and one indoor race? No? Well it was, and I was nervous. I tried to act like I wasn’t, but the butterflies were in full motion that morning especially as I had been training, but nothing great and definitely not as much as wanted to. But, I digress, I was able to get everything all set in transition and hand off my extra bags to my parents before heading to the start line about 7:15 (it was a 7:30 start).

My wave didn’t start till about 7:45 so I had plenty of time to relax freakout before the canon start. Yes, there was a canon start to each wave, it was loud, and I jumped each time. Also a side note, once or twice on the canon start a few wood chunks were shot every which way, a little dangerous, but I don’t think anyone was hurt.

Hanging out before our wave started

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Ready. Set. GO!

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The swim wasn’t an in water start but it was slow-ish walk into the water and then swim. Oh the swim. For a non-swimmer 1 mile is loooong, like way long. I was also mis-lead as to where we turned to go back so my psyche was completely off for the second half of the swim. I came out of the swim with a 32:54 time and as my boyfriend put it I looked (and felt) rough.  The caffeine/carb drink I had before racing did not sit well during the long swim, but after about halfway through the run to transition the sick feeling started to pass and I was once again feeling okay. 

If my face looks white that’s because I felt like crap… but no worries it passed!

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Another note about this race is that you notice I am wet here. This is absolutely normal. I just swam in a man-made lake for 32 minutes.

Fun fact: I remained wet for the entire rest of the race.

It started raining during the swim (I didn’t notice it, weird huh? J ) and stopped for a brief time at the end of my swim to the beginning of the bike leg, but then started and did not stop until close to the races finish. Luckily for the spectators there was a large building that they could stay inside during the race. Also this is a fun fact because for my very first sprint triathlon it started pouring down rain during the bike leg and did not stop till after the race also. Unfortunately for the spectators there was no place to stay dry and many of them got almost as soaked as the participants!

Mom hanging out while I’m out somewhere bike riding in Sylvania

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The rain was never horrible, but still not extremely enjoyable either. The best part about the rain is that it was not 100 degrees outside as it was the day before. So I suppose you could say that I was grateful for rain (I’m so indecisive). But back to the race…

Transitions and I do not get along. I did absolutely awful in T1 and T2 for this race. T1 = 3:28. T2 = 3:12. I can’t quite remember what occurred in T1 that made it so long, but it was, and I can’t change it now, so moving on.

Trying not to fall over in my slippery shoes..

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The bike: 24 miles. This is a great course to do your first Olympic distance triathlon. One of the main reasons is that the bike is flatter than a table. When I say there were no hills, I mean there were absolutely NO hills at all. The hardest part about the bike was the rain picked up, but other than that, it went well. My time was 1:26:22 (avg. mph rate of 17.3) which was faster than what I had expected, so I was happy.  T2: awful. I did have to make a quick potty break which added to the time, but my transitions needs worked on like woah.

The Run: 6.2 miles, 59:27, 9:35 pace. The run went fairly well also. I know I could have pushed myself harder, but I’m bad at gauging how much oomph I have in me for long races and generally tend to err on the side of caution with my pace throughout most of a race. I know I could have pushed myself more as there were plenty of water stops available and electrolyte replenshers throughout the run, but I didn’t, and even with water and cliff shot blocks I was just getting very fatigued at the end of the race.

Almost there!

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I was tired, relieved, and excited at the end of the race. It was great to finish and see my parents and boyfriend there for me. It was great to have the support of my fellow Tri-Club members at points throughout the race. And it was great to feel the accomplishment of finishing an Olympic Distance Triathlon! While I have a ton of room for improvement I’m happy with my performance. I’ll mark a little notch in my list of completed races and I’m already looking forward to the next one.

D and I after the race

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Awesome fellow Tri-Club members

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I have many improvements I want to make for my next race, but I must first decide what my next race will be! Fall is a busy time for college Triathlon teams, but due to finances and a crazy internship schedule on my end I don’t think I’ll be able to participate in any more races till winter/spring quarter.  This isn’t for certain, but I’m not making any promises to do any races either. My training wasn’t very consistent before this race and it has really slacked off since then, which is pretty ridiculous and annoying. I’ve been crazy busy, but that is still no excuse for the non-existent physical activity in my life right now. I’m hoping with the beginning of fall quarter in a few short weeks I will be able to get back in to training mode and a regular schedule. I’m feeling sluggish and I need it.

So I’ll keep you posted on potential races in my future and also expect a goals post in the coming weeks for the rest of 2011!

Cheers,

BK

p.s. I need to remember to get pictures with my parents at my races.

p.p.s. Let me know if you have any questions about my race or racing in general! I love questions/comments and will answer them to the best of my ability!

p.p.p.s. Funny side note. I was home a couple weeks ago and had my swim cap from this race out and my dog decided it was an awesome toy. She was just as interested in playing with it as she was her squeaky, actual dog toys. Doesn't take much to please dogs. She was so cute about it, so I didn't mind sacrificing the cap for some doggie play :)


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