Final Stretch

As I approach the final race of triathlon season, I always aim to finish strong and give everything I have left. Ironically, I finish my off seasons with a very same attitude. I'm sure anyone who's trained for an IM of half IM can relate. Given my last week of freedom before 70.3 training, it was time for my final off season stretch. Instead of swimming, biking, and running I spent the last week:

Climbing... (12.5 repeats of 36 flights~equivalent of Pikes Peak) Boarding... (Good ol' 7 Springs in the Laurel Mountains)

and cross-fitting.... (this was too ugly for pictures)

And can't forget Transitions~They were spent eating/drinking/socializing.

(fried oreos)

dinner with KIM!

Too bad I was finally starting to enjoy the off-season...... As 2010 comes to a close, cheers to next year and for the beginning of NOLA 70.3 training!

Living it Up

As much fun as the off season is, I'm ready for it to be over. Given I have all this extra time on my hands, I've been trying some new recipes and experimenting with some new food types. Here is one I recently tried and loved...Great for the gluten free types~

Black Beans and Quinoa

Ingredients

• 1 teaspoon vegetable oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, peeled and chopped
• 3/4 cup uncooked quinoa
• 1 1/2 cups vegetable broth
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• salt and pepper to taste
• 1 cup frozen corn kernels
• 2 (15 ounce) cans black beans, rinsed and drained
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro

Directions

1. Heat the oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Stir in the onion and garlic, and saute until lightly browned.
2. Mix quinoa into the saucepan and cover with vegetable broth. Season with cumin, cayenne pepper, salt, and pepper. Bring the mixture to a boil. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 20 minutes,
3. Stir frozen corn into the saucepan, and continue to simmer about 5 minutes until heated through. Mix in the black beans and cilantro.

*I only used one can of black beans and also added some tomatoes. I'm pretty new to quinoa but love love love it. It's so good for you and yummy. And one batch will last you awhile....

Besides baking and eating, I've been doing my fair share of drinking way too many adult beverages. As a matter of fact, I think I embarrassed myself at a christmas party when I told my husband's commanding officer that he needed to do more core strengthening exercises. Oops. I was one hot mess. Needless to say I think I got that out of my system.

Other than that, NOLA 70.3 training starts Dec 27th. Since I'm coming off IM FL, I will start 16 weeks out. I know most programs start at 20 weeks out, but I think 16 is a smarter strategy. Looking forward to it big time! As for now workouts have been swimming, biking, and running an hour or so 1x a week and lifting/cross-fitting/core on the other days.

If you need some off-season inspiration, this is one of my favorite workouts:

"Helen"

Three rounds for time:
Run 400 meters
1 1/2 pood Kettlebell X 21 swings (or 55 pound dumbbell swing)
12 Pull-ups

Other than that, I'm off to the "burgh" tomorrow for a physical therapy presentation at the University of Pittsburgh. Hopefully, I don't ripped a new one and I don't freeze my butt off. I feel bad for all my fellow northerners. Brrr!!!

Cheers to the Off Season

The 2010 triathlon season is quickly coming to the end.

Are you excited?

I sure am.....

Can you sense my sarcasm?

I'm lost without training! Post Ironman Depression is real!

And I think I'm seriously starting to lose my marbles~I've cleaned closets, cleaned my house, cleaned my bike, cleaned out a filing cabinet, and have shopped for everyone on my Christmas list. Now what?

Maybe some cross fit and hot yoga?

Hopefully I'll figure it out sooner or later.

But for now I'll say CHEERS to the off season and YAY for guilt-free-double-fisting!

What are your plans for the off season? I could use some inspiration :)