First race of 2010.

Tri State Outfitters Duathlon...

I messed around deciding whether or not to race at the duathlon.  Historically, the bike course is not ideal for making me feel good about myself, for whatever reason I am not at all powerful on that ride.  It is seriously hard to start the race season discouraged with my race results.  However, I came to the conclusion that it is way more important to test myself and get real honest about my bike fitness, than to worry about my fragile ego.  

The first run went as well as I could have planned.  I felt strong and worked hard, with my HR redlining the whole time.  Run #1 = 2 miles = 15:02


The bike ride turned out exactly as I expected.  I wasn't strong or fast, but I worked as hard as I could and earned the pace/time I ended up with.   I know by now that it takes me until almost 1/3 of the way into race season before my biking feels comparable to my running.  I want to be stronger at an earlier time this season, so I am working harder to get there faster, but I have sooooo much work to do!  Anyway, during the bike ride, I got passed by 5 women.  I knew I could obviously run faster than all of those women, because I was in front of them on the bike ride, until they passed me ;).  When I was going into transition at the end of my ride, I saw Greg taking pictures and I told him, "I have some women to catch on the run."  He agreed.  Bike = 12 miles = 41:10 

As soon as I left the transition area, I knew I would be working to roll out a solid run and recapture the places I had lost in the women's race during the bike.  I was spent though and I didn't feel lots of zip in my legs.  However, I was able to pass all the women I was chasing.  Caught the last one within about 200 yards from the finish line.  Run #2 = 15:40
 Race Results: 5th OA, 1st AG

I was pretty stoked to race in my new Brooks PACE team running kit, and super pleased with the new arm warmers, racing singlet and T6 Racer shoes!  I felt light, but perfectly dressed for the temps and pace of the race.

 I'm not unhappy with my decision to make the duathlon my first race of 2010.  I have LOADS of work to do in all three sports, but that's good to know, or rather to confirm.  I'll be back on the bike/run course for a triathlon in mid-April and anxious to make some necessary improvements.

A Week in Pictures

I'm not gonna lie, life has been crazier than ever lately, so no time to make a new wordy post.  However, I'm not complaining either.  I choose to fill up my time.

Green Bluff gorgeousness, mid-week no less.  Riding with Greg, heavenly.  Thanks to aerodynamics, sometimes I'm even pulling up front (me on my tt bike, Greg on his mountain bike...due to a little broken wrist issue).





There's been some time spent in the pool.










Even one last Whitworth Masters late night swim happened.  We switch to early mornings next month.  Whoo hoo!!












This fashion faux-pas combo is compliments of: nice-ish weather (too warm for tights, too cold for shorts), stacked-up laundry (no clean capris), and sore calves.  A girl's gotta run, despite the little obstacles along the way :)



See that tiny yellow speck on a tiny bike?  That's me.  Beyond warm for this time of the year here, and another sweet northern ride.






Colbert, right before a hail storm hit us.  Lucky for us, we were only a few miles from home.











On our way into Riverside, shoooooot!!!  Poor Greg.






I think it's only gonna get busier this season, but I don't think I would enjoy it much any other way!

Go Bananas!

As I attempt to fuel my body with healthy foods that will help me feel and perform optimally, I still love me some sweet treats now and then.  Lately, I've been trying out healthier alternatives in my baking.  This is probably just my way of justifying consumption of baked goods, but who crrres?  Anyway, I've tweaked one of my favorite banana bread recipes, using substitutes for white flour, fat and eggs.  I have baked this bread recipe three times and each time, it's quite delicious.  So, it's tried and true.

Please keep in mind that I am NOT a baking guru, nor am I claiming to be.  I am also aware that it's possible to go sugar-free and totally substitute the fat, but I choose to maintain the integrity of the recipe and its flavor :).

Makes two loaves.  Share one or freeze it.  Now, don't go spoiling the "healthiness" of the bread recipe by smothering it with butter when you eat it, that ain't cool.

You can use the same substitutes for fat, white flour and eggs when you make chocolate chip cookies too.  Try using non-fat vanilla yogurt, whole wheat flour, and flaxseed/water instead.  I've done it, and it's real good.

Healthier Banana Bread

Ingredients:
•    2 ¼ cups whole wheat flour + 1 cup all-purpose flour
•    2 teaspoons baking soda
•    1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
•    ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
•    1/2 teaspoon salt
•    4 TBSP milled/ground flaxseed, thoroughly mixed with 12 TBSP warm water (1:3 ratio)
•    1 1/3 cup brown sugar + 1 cup white sugar
•    1 cup non-fat vanilla yogurt
•    3 cups coarsely mashed very ripe bananas (6 large)
•    1/4 cup vegetable oil
•    2 teaspoons vanilla
•    1 1/3 cups walnuts (4 ounces), toasted (optional) and chopped
 
Preparation:
Preheat oven to 350°F. Coat two (9- by 5- by 3-inch) metal loaf pans with non-stick cooking spray, then dust with flour, knocking out excess.
Sift together 3 1/4 cups flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt into a bowl.
Beat together eggs, flaxseed/water, and sugars in bowl of electric mixer at medium-high speed until very thick and pale and mixture forms a ribbon when beater is lifted, about 10 minutes. Reduce speed to low and add yogurt and oil in a slow stream, mixing, then mix in bananas, and vanilla. Remove bowl from mixer and fold in flour mixture and walnuts gently but thoroughly.
Divide batter between loaf pans, spreading evenly, and bake in middle of oven until golden brown and a toothpick or sharp knife comes out clean, 55-65 minutes.
Cool loaves in pans on a rack 10 minutes, then turn out onto rack. Turn loaves right side up and cool completely.