Note to self...

Today, my coach posted this on our group page...

"One thing I often practice is visualization. Whether it's running a race or doing a workout, I always visual the finish before I start. Where do you want to be in 30, 60, 90 days? How do you look or how do you feel? Write it down into a paragraph and write it in the present tense. Share if you dare. It's powerful!"


This is my response...

Meet Capri, my new BFF

Raleigh Capri 3.0

After I completed my first triathlon last summer, I knew I was hooked.  I had no idea that I'd ever want to compete in one, but why wouldn't I?  I was a natural swimmer, I had just started to enjoy running and, biking... Well, how hard can it be?

I didn't have a road bike, but a friend of mine let me borrow one of her bikes, a hybrid bike.  I didn't get much outdoor training due to weather or time.  But I thought that the bike portion of the race would be relatively, I don't want to say easy, but do-able.  Ha!

Where I made fantastic time on the swim (41st of about 280), I lost it all in the bike portion.  I don't blame the bike.  I blame those damn hills!  No, I'm kidding.  But I do think I may have done somewhat better if I did have a road bike.  Your body just sits on it differently.

So, since I knew I'd be doing more triathlons in the future, we started to really consider buying a road bike.  They are not cheap, and quite an investment.  But what better to invest in, than my health?  I'm so excited to start training for this June's triathlon on my new ride :)

Crock Pot Chicken Fajitas

Are you on Pinterest. I love Pinterest!! This morning as I was browsing, I noticed (and repinned) a bunch of my friend Christina's pins for healthy things to eat.  This was one of them...

Chicken Fajitas.  How easy is this?!

First, I cut up both red and white onion and some mini bell peppers.  I sprayed the bottom of the pot with cooking spray, tossed in the veggies and seasoned with a little salt and pepper.

Then, I added some chicken breast and seasoned with salt, pepper, garlic powder and lemon zest (the recipe called for lime juice, but I don't have any lime on hand and I always have lemons).  I added about a cup of chicken broth, too, just so it doesn't get dried out.

And that's it!  Cover and set on low for 6-8 hours, or high for 4-6 hours.  I happen to see this recipe at 9:00 am so I'm going for low and slow.

See you at 5:00 :)

P90X Day 30

Whaaat? The first 30 days of P90X are done? That's cah-razy, considering the first time I tried this I only finished two weeks.  That's because the first two weeks are the hardest.  But I think I remember reading somewhere one time that since humans are creatures of habit it takes about 14-21 days of doing something to get used to it. Also, my awesome Beachbody coach, Rhonda, posted something on Facebook the other day that read...

Motivation is what gets you started. Habit is what keeps you going.

So true.  It has become a habit.  Even for my kids, "Mom, are we going to the basement now so you can do your workout?"  So, how do I look after 30 days?  The changes are subtle, but there are changes.  I've noticed some trimming in the waist and toner arms.  I still have a way to go, 60 days to be exact, but I'm getting there.

I hate it... But I love it!

...said by Tony Horton before the Ab Ripper X workout.  I started P90X again, I'm in the beginning of week two.  I've never gone beyond the end of week two, so this is going to be a challenge for sure.  So far so good.  My faves :: Plyometrics and Yoga.  My not so fave :: Kenpo!  I think I'll begin to like it in the weeks to come.  But right now I am so uncoordinated it makes it hard to keep up.  I'll be updating my progress daily on my Facebook page to keep myself accountable :)

And I've working on a new look for HBIC.  Yesterday I made this silhouette with my Mizuno running shoes that I wore for my first half marathon.

Decisions, decisions...

I saw something similar to this the other day, so I had a little fun in Photoshop last night and made my own version.  ;)

Banana Bread Muffins (with Chocolate Chips, of course)

Don't throw away your mushy, brown bananas!  Make these instead. They're super easy, you don't even need a mixer, I just use a wooden spoon. :)

You will need:

3 or 4 bananas
1/3 cup melted butter
3/4 cup sugar
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp baking soda
pinch of salt
1 1/2 cups flour
1/4 cup of chocolate chips (I use the mini ones)

Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.  Line your muffin tin with cupcake liners or parchment paper, or spray/butter a bread loaf pan if you want to make bread instead.

Mash the bananas and mix with melted butter in a bowl.  Mix in the sugar, egg and vanilla.  Add the baking soda and salt.  Add the flour and stir in chocolate chips.  Just mix together with a spoon until combined.

Add to your muffin or loaf pan.  If you're making the muffins, bake for 22 minutes.  If you'd like a loaf instead, bake for 1 hour.

Let cool for a couple minutes, then continue to cool on a cooling rack. Unless you want to eat them warm, of course.  Enjoy! :)