Kentucky Oaks

So I may be a few weeks late, but here is my recap from the Kentucky Oaks!

Ben and I went to the Oaks with his family. For those who don't know, the Oaks is the fillies race the day before the Derby at Churchill Downs.  

We had amazing weather! We got there early enough to see everything before it got crowded. Luckily, we had seats inside the Derby Museum, which made it much easier to eat, get drinks and bet without having to fight a crowd!!!

Our seats outside were great too!

My drink of choice was the Lilly. So delicious!!!

And Ben's was the Mint Julep

We had a great time! I can't wait to go back next year. 

Girls On The Run 5K Recap

This past spring, we started Girls On The Run at my school. This has been the most rewarding experience! I am so proud of all the girl's hard work and dedication!!!!

Girls On The Run is a program for girls in grades 3 to 5 to help inspire girls to be healthy and confident. The program focuses on self-esteem, health education, life skills development, mentoring relationships and physical training. The program was 12 weeks long and the girls ran a 5K at the end of the season to celebrate their accomplishments.

Here are some pictures from our wonderful season!

I can't wait to coach again next year!!

If you want more information about GOTR, check out their website here.  Or feel free to email me and I can share my experience! It is an awesome program for these girls!!

Where Has April Gone?! Half Marathon Recap from MARCH!

Why is it that spring is always the busiest season!?!

I cannot believe it's already the end of April. Sheesh!

I just realized I never posted about my second half marathon!!!

On March 30, we ran the RunTheBluegrass half marathon again for the second year in a row. Here is my recap from last year, my FIRST half marathon!!! 

This race continues to get better and better as the years go on! We did the race the first year when it was at the Kentucky Horse Park, but opted for the 5K as we were not 13.1 miles ready yet :) 

The course is now at Keeneland and it was the same hilly, sharp curves and hills at mile 9 course that I remembered last year! I didn't train on the course like I did last year, but I don't regret it. I almost think training on the course made me dread the hills because I knew exactly when they were coming!

Ben and I before the race. It was a beautiful morning and we couldn't have asked for better running weather!! Cold morning at the start line and cool during the race!

Ben and I both beat our time from last year, and that was our only goal!! I finished in 2:28:47 and Ben finished in 2:07:06. 

We're already talking about doing another half in the fall. I would love to be able to do RunTheBluegrass every year. I love supporting a local race! We even recruited a few friends....

I really do love and enjoy running. I just wish I had more time to run during the week when I'm not training for a race. Let's be honest, I have not been very good about waking up when my alarm clock goes off at 5am to hit the treadmill or run outside. 

 I'm so exhausted with work and grad school and everything else, the extra 30-45 minutes of sleep sound so much better. And if I don't run in the morning, it seems impossible to get a run in at night because there are a bazillion other things going on. If only I could schedule a certain running time and keep it... 

 We finally have a "free" weekend with minimal commitments so I will have a chance to run errands, do homework, catch up on laundry and go for a run. 

Hoping I can drag this little guy with me on all of the above :)

Have a great weekend!

HR Monitor

I have been debating whether or not to purchase a HR monitor for a while now. 

My sister has had one for years and was always encouraging me to get one. I already had one to use with my Garmin Forerunner, but I couldn't figure out how to use it if I wasn't running outside. 

I finally find the pink Polar FT4 on Amazon for $60 and decided to go for it. 

It's safe to say I am now obsessed with it! 

I love seeing how much I'm burning when I workout. 

Whether it's a quick 5K on the treadmill and stretching....

Or a 9 mile run burning over a thousand calories!!

I LOVE seeing my maximum and average HR during my workout. 

I've also used it during Pure Barre and online Barre3 workouts. I love seeing how different each class intensity and burn can be! 

Best purchase in a while :) 

Do you have a HR monitor? Do you use during every workout? 

What I Ate Wednesday

Today, I'm linking up for "What I Ate Wednesday" hosted by Peas and Crayons.

I didn't make anything in the crock pot this week, but I did grab some pre cooked chicken at Trader Joes to throw on my salads.

Love this chicken!!!

We've also been having protein pancakes for breakfast. Seriously, these things are delic!!! They are from Tone It Up and they are the perfect breakfast item. They really do keep you full in the morning because its full of protein and fruit and such, and its gluten free :) the recipe can be found on their website here.

I love to top mine with Raw Agave Syrup. Much better for you than maple syrup (according to TIU at least!).

I can't finish this post without admitting I've had dessert lately. Like almost every day. Fro yo with a friend Friday..... Ice Dream cup from Chick Fil A last night.... Yikes! If I wasn't running so much it would sneak up.

I didn't post last Friday for Lose 5 lbs in February, but as of Monday, I am down 2 lbs and currently at 123.5. I have to remember to take a snapshot this week (although it may be ugly with all my sweets!!!!).

Anything new you are eating this week or recipes to share?!! Link up!

Lululemon Fail

Any other Lululemon lovers out there?! 

I could live in their clothes. I wear them to barre class, to run, when I run errands, whenever I get home.  If only I could wear them to work.... (Although I have to a few trainings when I'm feeling extra lazy with my buddy, Tracy by my side). 

I've only been on the Lululemon train for about 2 years, but I've seen them gradually go down in terms of quality.  I read all about this on the website but had yet to experience it myself. 

Well I got a new pair of groove pants, and boy oh boy can I tell the difference!!!! And not to mention, they feel see through, especially in the behind area!!!!! I am so bummed. I wore them to Girls On The Run practice (another post for another day, but I'm loving it!!!) and the seams started to unravel. So mad!!!! 

Anyone else experiencing this?! I wonder if I should take them to the Lululemon store.... Any suggestions?! I'm not ready to give up on my beloved Lulu's, but I can't have see through pants during downward dog......

What I Ate Wednesday.... One day late

Ok, so i'm one day late posting but here it is anyway :)

I am linking up for "What I Ate Wednesday" hosted by Peas and Crayons 

I am loving Gina's Skinny Taste recipes!

I made the Santa Fe Chicken in the Crockpot on Sunday night to have for lunches and dinners this week. 

via

It is delic!

I made some Quinoa to have with it, and it's the perfect combo!

On Tuesday, my friend, Britney and I got Chipotle take-out to eat while watching the UK game. 

I got a burrito bowl for only 470 calories!!! Deal!

(I had brown rice, chicken, black beans, corn and tomato salsa and fajita veggies - NO CHIPS!)

Anyone have a recipe they are loving that you want to share! Please let me know :) 

Have a great Valentine's day!!!