Best Lulu Purchase Yet

I received the Vinyasa wrap from my dear friend Amy for my birthday.  So excited to take this baby to New York with me, just in time for the marathon!

Six Weeks No Soda

For a variety of reasons, I decided to end my love affair with diet soda on September 8, 2013.  Six weeks later I'm doing okay.  I know it may sound silly that I am going cold turkey off soda pop.  But I wanted to challenge myself to see if I could leave this chemical syrupy substance behind.  I have a friend who is also battling an addiction of his own.  And the only way I felt I could support him was to give up something I loved -- a demon of my own.

My diet soda love began in college when my roommates and I would drive to Hart's convenience store and fill our 32-ounce plastic refill cups with Diet Coke for just .26 cents.  We'd supplement our soda beverage with penny candies, which tempted us in the aisles where we made our purchases. Then we would try and subsist on saltine crackers and Top Ramen for the rest of the week.  Such glowing examples of healthy eating....

Diet soda became a deep addiction.  I have given it up before.  There was a four-year stint where I did not drink it.  And then, I thought, I could maybe just have a soda on weekends, or when I went to a movie, or when I went on a road trip, out for Mexican food, or pizza.  You can't eat pizza with WATER, can you? My freebies turned into dailies, which turned into an 8a.m. run to Sonic for a 44-ouncer after my carpool dropoff.

So as an addict says: I am taking it one day at a time.  I can tell you that Crystal Light powders, which add flavor to water, are helping me out.  Hint Water is another favorite.  I still get cravings for that dark brown beverage, especially when I walk by a freshly poured Coke Zero bubbling over pebble ice in a 32-ounce cup.  And I still can't bring myself to say I will NEVER have one again.  But putting it out there for the public to read is one step closer to ridding myself of this nasty habit.

I need your help.  Tell me how you have overcome an addiction.  What works?  How did you stay the course?  How did you stop your cravings?  And when can you say you are done with it?  For me, I'm one day at at time.  But hopefully those days will turn into forever.

Marathon Race-Day Tips from the Pros

By Allison Pattillo
• Published Apr. 15, 2013
• I enjoyed this article from Womensrunning.competitor.com  Great advice from some amazing runners

We caught up with adidas athletes Stephanie Rothstein-Bruce and Rene Kalmer, as they were preparing to run the 117th Boston Marathon, the first time for each at Boston. Turns out the two 2:29 marathoners get race day jitters and love cheering crowds – they’re just like the rest of us, only faster! Read on for their down-to-earth advice.

What do you eat for your pre-race dinner?

Stephanie Rothstein-Bruce (SR-B) – I recommend everyone eat what they usually do before a big run. For me that means rice, some sweet potato and meat. I focus on healthy fats and carbs.

Rene Kalmer (RK) – I go pretty light with rice, vegetables and a little bit of meat.

Do you have a particular pre-race ritual?

SR-B – I watch Rocky movies – the inspirational quotes keep me going!

RK – I’m not superstitious, but I also don’t do anything new before a race. I keep it just like at home.

Do you get pre-race jitters and, if so, what do you do about them?

SR-B – Oh, yes I get nervous before races! I cut back on my caffeine so I’m not too jazzed. I then remind myself that I chose to do this and try to focus on the opportunity not my nervousness.

RK – Of course, but I remind myself of all the hard work I put into my training runs and try not to think too much. There is so much positive energy around an event — I soak it all up for the race

Do you come prepared with a race-day strategy?

SR-B – I think about strategy a lot and have five different ones for every race. As the race unfolds, I’ll make game-time decisions and decide which one to use.

RK – I think it’s good to have a strategy, but also the confidence to change it depending upon the race.

How do you run through the tough parts of a race?

SR-B – I definitely suffer during a marathon. I feel like it goes in cycles, and I never invest too much in how I’m feeling, good or bad, I just ride the wave and stay in control. For the last two miles, I just pull from somewhere else. We put in too much training to let pain stop us.

RK – I focus on what I can control and feed off the energy of the crowd and enjoy the scenery to help through the tough parts.

After a big race, both athletes take a least a week, sometimes two, with no running. And for fun, Kalmer likes to mix in some retail therapy during her downtime!

Girona On A Bike

My husband recently returned from a cycling trip to Girona, Spain.  He went with three others friends on a "mancation" to ride bikes, sight see and enjoy the Mediterranean coast.  The boys were part of a Marty Jemison tour.  Marty is a former pro cyclists who rode with Lance Armstrong during those famous winning (and performance enhanced) years of glory.  Marty and his wife give public and private tours in Girona, the famous cycling town and throughout Europe.  You can find out more information here.  

If you ever want to enjoy Europe close up, a bike tour is the BEST way to travel.  The riding is usually between 30-70 miles per day, the accommodations are five star, and the food -- ah, the food is ridiculously amazing.  Plus, you can enjoy that food and have a second helping because you've already burned hundreds of calories on your morning ride!  Who's ready to go with me?

The charm of the European cobblestone streets is constant

Breathtaking Coastline

This is the entrance to Lance Armstrong's former home in Girona.

Riding a bike make you happy!

Such beautiful homes on such tiny streets

The Ultimate Motivational Clip - Rise & Shine!