Let the Half Marathon Training Begin!

 I START HALF MARATHON TRAINING THIS MONTH! 

This means that now my family time will be even more limited although I did use some of my Fantasy Football winnings to purchase a training plan from Another Mother Runner which will help me stay on track but allow for some downtime too, if you count being a wife and mommy as "downtime".  If you haven't heard of them, you should really check them out.  They understand the challenges of being an athlete and a mother.  I recently ordered their book Tales from Another Mother Runner:  Triumphs, Trials, Tips and Tricks from the Road.  I can't wait to delve into it!

Week 1, Day 1

Monday, February 1 was Week 1 Day 1.  My first run was a circuit run which means I did a 5-10 minute warm-up, then alternated performing 4 different moves for at least a minute before jumping back on the treadmill for 5 minutes in between each one.  The moves were squats, planks, arm circles (forwards and backwards) and push ups.  I didn't think I would like this kind of run but I really did and I'm looking forward to the next one.

Week 1, Day 2

For day 2 I had to put in 4-5 easy miles.  I decided to run on my lunch break rather than wake up at 4:30am when my alarm went off.  I'm so glad I did!  It was a beautiful, warm and sunny day out!  If you look at my splits you can see that I have no idea how to pace myself. Granted, it didn't help that I was dodging beer bottles, sticks, ice, patches of snow, puddles and just random pieces of garbage floating around Manchester, but still I think those times are horrible even for me.

Day 3, today, was a rest day except for performing a Super Short Strength Training Circuit.   The circuit consisted of performing each of 4 moves for 1 minute.  The moves were:  Push ups, leg lifts, spider man walks and of course, squats!

Tomorrow I need to run some intervals so I'll be "runching" (running lunch) it again!

For the record I am running the Gate City Half Marathon in Nashua, NH on Sunday, May 15! 

Easy Chocolate Fat Bomb!

It's been a hell of a week and all I want to do is relax on the couch with a beer and pizza, but I know if I do I'll end up with a nasty stomach that will ruin my weekend.  

So instead, I'll pop a gluten-free pizza in the oven (not low on carbs), sip on some wine and whip up a fat bomb or as this nerd likes to call it a Fat Bob-omb!

Tonight I'll be making a Keto Chocolate Mousse.  It is super easy and equally as delicious.

Ingredients  

• Unsalted butter – 60g (2oz)
• Philadelphia cream cheese – 60g (2oz)
• Fresh double cream (heavy cream in the US), whipped – 90ml (3oz)
• sugar-free cocoa powder – 1 tbsp, I honestly just use the Hershey's unsweetened.  It is pretty low in carbs (1 net carb per serving I think).
• Stevia or another sweetener to taste – 1 tbsp

Instructions

• Leave butter at room temperature until softened (or blast in the microwave for 10-15 seconds if you haven’t got the time)
• Mix butter with sweetener, keep mixing until completely blended
• Add cream cheese, blend completely into a smooth mass
• Add cocoa powder, blend completely
• Whip double cream and gradually add to the rest of the mixture, mixing well
• Spoon into small glasses (I like to put it in wine glasses to make me feel fancy) and decorate with shavings of dark chocolate
• If you have the time, refrigerate for 30 mins or so – it will taste even nicer.

Now you might be asking yourself why I am eating a FAT BOMB if I want to lose weight?  Well, simple, fat keeps you feeling fuller longer and yes, your body needs fat.  Fat bombs are a quick snack that let you keep up your energy.  They also provide lots of healthy fat that your body needs to reduce your cholesterol and your risk of heat disease.  

As a runner, a fat bomb is a great way for me to fill up before a race but not to the point where I get sick from eating too much.  Remember, I have a sensitive stomach and I am still trying to figure out what works before a run and what doesn't in terms of energy.  For my first 10K (6.2 miles) I fasted for 17 hours beforehand.  My stomach felt great but I was EXHAUSTED by the end.  Had I indulged in a fat bomb beforehand I could have been in better shape.  

For more information on why fat is healthy check out Butter Bob and his website Butter Makes Your Pants Fall Off.  He also shares information on Intermittent Fasting which I practice and will talk about in a later post.  

My 2016 Races

Sabrina's 2016 Races and Finish Times

It's going to be a good year!

January

1 - Lowell First Run 10K

• Time:  1:06:58
•  Pace:  10:46

17- Snowflake Shuffle 3 Miles

• Time:  29:55:3
• Pace:  9:59

February

13- Fat Tuesday 5K

• Time:  30:38
• Pace:  9:52

March

20 - Shamrock Shuffle 2 Miles

• Time: 21:23
• Pace:10:42

April 

24 - Northshore 10 Miler

• Time:  1:47:51
• Pace: 10:48 

May 

1 - Cinco de Miles 5K

15 - Gate City HALF MARATHON - My First!!!!

29 - Boston's Run to Remember 5 Miles

June

19-RibFest 5 Miler

July

3 - Finish at the 50

August

September

18 - Halfway to St. Patrick's Day 5K

October

November

10-13 Rock and Roll Half Marathon in Las Vegas - this is a dream race!  

December