My Favorite Nutrition Products

Can you tell I've been training for a 140.6 distance race again? Yes that is where I've been! With all of this hard training, Powerbar products have been helping me pull through. I know there are a ton of products out there but below are my 3 all time favs:

1. Power Bar gels

Why?

Nutrition Facts

Serving size 1 pk

Calories 110

Calories from fat 0 
* Percent Daily Values (DV) are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

Amount/Serving	% DV*
Total Fat 0g	0%
Sodium 200mg	8%
Potassium 20mg	1%

Amount/Serving	% DV*
Total Carb 27g	9%
Sugars 10g
Protein 0g

Compare to a similar product:

	Amount Per Serving	%Daily Value*
Calories	100
Calories from Fat	0
Total Fat	0 g	0%
Saturated Fat	0 g	0%
Cholesterol	0 mg	0%
Total Carbohydrates	25 g	8%
Sugars	5 g
Fiber	0 g	0%
Protein	0 g	0%
Vitamin C		200%
Vitamin E		100%
Calcium		2%
Iron		0%
Sodium	40 mg	2%

Hello sodium! When training in well above 90 deg temps with 90% humidity on a daily basis, I have to have a product that is going to deliver something with sodium. Although I love most of the flavors, I've been on a double latte, kona punch, and tangerine kick lately. I find those flavors all go down easy on the hot days in the dirty south. During my long rides, I make sure I take in one gel every 45 minutes.

2. Powerbar Energy Blasts

Why?

On my 90 mile plus days during training I rarely do solid foods. Rasberry energy blasts are usually the next best thing and go easy on my stomach. I find them to be the perfect treat after mile 60 plus. It's one of the silly things I always look forward to on my rides. Those and then maybe a redbull lol. I love grabbing a small bag to take with me on the go..... (Which really is 24-7). Maybe that is why I run out of these so fast......

3. Ironman Restore

Why?

Most importantly I love this orange flavor. Yummo. And equally as important, after those 20 hr plus training weeks a girl has to replace her glycogen stores right? After my long runs, my stomach is usually tore up from the floor up. This smooth flavor is a good fix. There is definitely more science behind it than the flavor :) Thanks to Chloe for the good recommendation....

Thank you Rev3 again for hooking us up with such an awesome product!

Ironman Training: Lessons Learned

As of this week I am 10/20 weeks into Ironman training. And while I'm only half way there, I've learned a lot over the past 10 weeks. Since time is obviously an issue, I'm going to keep this simple. To all my peeps thinking about doing an Ironman or to those participating in one in the near future, here is the down and dirty:

1. No matter how type A you are, things will go wrong and workouts will be missed.

2. Despite how understanding your significant other may be, they will eventually become annoyed by how much training you are doing. They will like it even more when they get stuck with your share of household chores. (especially the extra laundry from your stinky workout clothes)

4. If they haven't told you before, your friends, family, and other acquaintances will tell you are psycho.

5. Half of your grocery budget will be spent on bars, gels, and recovery drinks.

6. Diaper rash cream and A&D will become your new best friends.

7. If you were paid per hour for training time, you would be rolling in some big dough.

8. Unless you belong to a 24 hour gym, the pool will never be open late or early enough to fit every single scheduled workout.

9. Looking at your bike will make your crotch hurt no matter how rock star your saddle is.

10. Naps during your lunch break will become your 2nd best friend.

11. Off days will be like holidays.

12. Waking up at at 4 am or earlier to squeeze in workouts will become the norm.

13. Kiss your social life good bye for a solid 4 months.

14. If you do choose to be social, you will likely be inebriated off of one glass of wine.

15. Your tan lines will be just plain ugly.

16. While you are in the midst of it, you will swear you never want to sign up for another Ironman again.

Anyway it's 9:30 and it's past my bed time! And I'm so out of it I skipped # 3!

This weekend is IM FL training camp with Chloe from Florida! Scott is headed over to Destin to fly all weekend and therefore I get the opportunity to spend Labor Day beaching it on the governments dime. Yay!

Happy training!!!!!! :)

OnE LaSt Hurrah!!!!

This week has been a lil crazy to say the least. Two major things have changed: bring on the IM training and gluten free diet. Probably not the best idea to start both at once... but owell I'm a crazy girl of extremes. What can I say?

Luckily before my momentous leap, I was able to have one last hurrah with my Pitt PT girls in Boston. It was a fabulous weekend that included shopping, binge drinking (by my definition more than one glass of wine), spending girly time, racking up PT awards, networking/job searching, and attending a PT course or two.This year I was able to be a part of a wonderful cause to help raise money for the Physical Therapy Foundation. Through the efforts of myself and 3 other girls, we were able to rack up $40,000 to donate to research. There is a contest each year between universities to see who can raise the most. This year we won :) The award looked like our very own Stanley Cup (filled with alcohol of course). We were all super stoked and simply excited to be part of such a wonderful cause. Yay Pitt!
Anyway hopefully I got all of that out of my system. No time for that this week. It's "get down" to business time. We're talking daily 430-am-ers to squeeze in workouts. And I am NOT a morning person!

So far I'm batting 1.00. Long days but I'm glad to really be back. Despite a 2 week hiatus from the pool, I'm not feeling too bad.

As far as the GF diet, it's just sort of something new I'm trying. I've read so many good things about it lately I figured why not? I could probably use to lose a few and really want to be a little more conscious of what I'm eating. I plan on trying it for a few weeks to see how it goes. Luckily wine is gluten free ~although tonite I'm feeling it after only a glass.

Anyway hope everyone is ready for a fun 4th and long weekend! I know I sure am :) I know how I'll be spending it......


Training!!!!!!!!! :)