4 days out

I’ll be straight up with you that this marathon is hanging over my head and I am ready for it to be done.

For those of you not from Minnesota there has recently been a lot of drama associated with the Twin Cities Marathon and the group Black Lives Matter.  Black Lives Matter is organizing a protest that was supposed to interfere with the finish line of the marathon. No one wants to hear that the week of the race.  Marathon running is not something you do on a whim and some people have trained their whole life for this event.  Why on earth would you want to ruin that for someone?  In a press conference this afternoon, the Governor and the St. Paul Police Department were quoted in saying that they will prosecute anyone planning to interfere with the race or its participants.

Thank goodness. This is an athletic competition, not a political forum. 

For me this race is not about a PR, but simply about finishing strong and determined. I want nothing more than to cross the finish line and see my friends and family!

Please keep Bailey, Katie, and I in your thoughts on Sunday morning.  We will need all of the positive vibes J

Keep up to date on Instagram!

Catherine

Tommie Johnnie Weekend Recap

I feel like the last three weekends have been crazy bananas up here, but it has been totally worth it.  This weekend was no exception.  It was the Tommie/Johnnie game and ESPN Sports Center broadcast-ed from campus from Friday to Saturday, so everyone was even more spirited.

Saturday

Saturday morning started with a workout with Bailey.  I think I kicked her butt a little and enhanced her new interest in Crossfit!

W/O

3 mile run (easy)

21-15-9 of each WOD

WOD #1

Back Squats (135#)

Box Jumps (20”)

WOD #2

Front Squats (75#)

Burpees

WOD #3

Overhead Squats (45#)

Single Jump Rope x 100 reps

Post workout it was over to SJU to drop a car and give Brett and Andrew their game tickets. I am so glad that they came up to visit!

Then it was back to CSB to have a family lasagna lunch with the Thole’s.  It was the first time I’ve gotten to see Joy, Christopher, Kim, and Henry since school started.  They had some big news to share.  Kim and Christopher are expecting their second child.  YAY for babies!  Can’t wait to meet the new little one in March.

 

After lunch it was back to SJU for the game.

 

Then at halftime I had to get back to CSB to get ready for the Shania Twain concert in the cities with Riley, Mark, and Dani.  I am so glad that I got to see and have dinner with everyone before the concert.  We got to talk a lot about Riley’s application to the MN State Patrol and his plans for next year.  Now it’s my job to make sure I finish his reference before the big marathon this weekend….

 

Shania was good, but Gavin DeGraw definitely took the cake in both wardrobe choices and overall experience.  I knew I liked Gavin DeGraw, but his performance was absolutely amazing.  A definite addition to anyone’s concert list.

Sunday

I got back to campus at about 1am this morning.

Then it was sleep, eat breakfast, and explore the Millstream arts festival with Mom and both Annie’s. 

All in all it was a great weekend!

 T-7 days until the marathon. :)  

Catherine

Garlic Soy Green Beans

This week has been all about being new and healthy, so tonight I tried a great adaptation to one of my favorite veggies; green beans. I love this recipe because it provided me with the perfect complement to some leftovers that needed to be eaten (rotisserie chicken and a baked potato).

Garlic Soy Green Beans

Yields 4-6 side servings

Ingredients
1 pound green beans
2 Tbsp. sesame oil
3 cloves garlic
1 shallot
2 Tbsp. tamari (or reduced sodium soy sauce/coconut aminos)
Optional: sesame seeds for topping

Directions
Trim ends off green beans. Mince garlic, and chop shallot.
Add sesame oil to a large skillet over medium to medium-high heat. Let heat for a couple minutes until hot.
Add shallots and garlic. Heat for 20-30 seconds.
Add green beans and stir well to coat.
Saute until just tender, about 5-6 minutes, stirring often so garlic doesn't burn.
Add tamari/soy sauce/coconut aminos. Toss to combine and cook 1-2 minutes.
When serving, don't forget the garlic/shallot pieces on the bottom of the pan - huge flavor!

http://www.thegardengrazer.com/2014/10/asian-garlic-green-beans.html

                                                                                                        

I don't know about you, but Annie's 22!

I had to keep a massive secret from Annie for the last three weeks and on Friday night it totally paid off.  She had no idea that Connie and I had 12 of our best friends and her brother Phil, who flew out from Colorado, over to their house for a barbecue. She was shocked!

I am seriously going to miss my nights out with this chick. 

I don't know what I'd do without this nut in my life.  She definitely encourages me to be the best person I can be and I can't believe we've only been in each others lives for 4 years...

Love you Annie, 

CB

A week of new recipes

I hate being stuck in ruts.  Whether the ruts come from relationships, workouts, or meals I always work to dig myself out as soon as humanly possible.  This week’s rut is food.  I am so sick of all of the “normal” things that I eat and I feel like my body is craving change, so I found a bunch of new recipes!

Here are some of the new recipes I am going to try this week.

Crock pot Apple Oatmeal

3 C. Steel-cut oats
1 1/2 C. water
1 1/2 C. unsweetened almond milk
3 Tbsp. flax seed
2 Tbsp. maple syrup 

2-3 apples, chopped
1 1/2. tsp. cinnamon

1/3c raisins

1tsp. vanilla

Place all ingredients in a crock pot that has been sprayed with non-stick spray. Cook on low for 5-6 hours, or high for 2-3.

Serves 10, about 1 cup per serving. Leftover oatmeal can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, or frozen in individual portions.

from http://www.beachreadynow.com/recipes/21-day-fix-crock-pot-oatmeal/

Cashew Chicken

http://sallycooks.com/2013/06/27/crockpot-cashew-chicken/

Turkey Meatballs with Spaghetti Squash

http://www.skinnytaste.com/2011/11/crock-pot-italian-turkey-meatballs.html

Crock pot Chicken Pot Pie

http://www.skinnymom.com/skinny-slow-cooker-chicken-pot-pie/

In case you haven’t noticed I am addicted to the crock pot.  My days are so jam packed with work, class, workouts, and an attempt of a social life, that I often run out of time to prep or I end up eating at weird hours.  Neither of which I enjoy. So the crock pot is an awesome alternative for me.  I can prepare everything ahead of time and then all I have to do is turn it on in the morning before I head to work.  Who doesn't love coming home to an apartment that smells like something delicious?

Be sure to check back this week for my reviews of the recipes :) 

Have you tried any great new recipes lately?

Catherine

Espirit De She Maple Grove

 Yesterday was Annie's 22nd birthday.  After two years of pestering I finally convinced her to do her first 5k and she did an awesome job. 

We were super worried because driving down to the race it was pouring rain.  My worst fear was that we would get all the way down there and it would be cancelled, but the skies cleared up about half an hour before the start.  It turned out to be a gorgeous night for a run. 

Jesse and I did the 10k and Annie did the 5k which was super nice because this course is a loop.  So I did the first lap pacing between Jesse and Annie just to make sure Annie was doing okay then on the second lap I sped up to keep up with Jesse which was awesome because we kept each other motivated for the last couple miles for sure.  Oh, and we both PR'd from our time last year :) 

Mom made the trip to Maple Grove as well to cheer us on, so we had a great cheering section with her, John, and LJ. 

I think she always has a hard time when I go back to school, so I am glad I got to see her. And we all got to catch up post-race with a little Noodles and Co dinner. 

Tonight I have a GIANT surprise planned for Annie's birthday, so make sure to stay tuned for a post about it tomorrow. 

Happy Friday, 

Catherine

New WOD Tab and Monday Motivation

You should all be very proud of me because I finally figured out how to add a tab to the blog! Check it out!

I am challenging myself to document every single workout that I do the good, the bad, and the ugly, so you guys will always have the inside scoop.  The goal is that there will be a new blog post and a new WOD posted before my head hits the pillow each night.  That is going to be a serious struggle some days, but I will try my best!

Now for some Monday Motivation

We all have something we are reaching for right?  What is the one thing that we want more than anything else?  For me that is to compete and place in a CrossFit competition.  This is a LOFTY goal, but I am more than determined to make it happen.  I will give up just about anything in order to make this dream a reality. I mean look at these ladies.  Who doesn’t want to look like that?

Happy Monday!

Catherine

Granite Games 2015

Where do I even begin with this weekend?  The words life changing and inspiring come to mind.  This weekend I lived and breathed CrossFit (fairly normal right?).  I had the opportunity to volunteer at the Kill Cliff Granite Games here in St. Cloud.  Amazing.  Even as I am writing this post I am getting teary eyed thinking of how hard I worked and how incredibly rewarding it was all at the same time.  I sit here writing and my feet are throbbing, my arms are all cut up, and bruises line both legs.   

It is no secret that I love CrossFit and if I could spend all my time doing it I wouldn’t even have to think about my answer because I’d do it.  Being able to set up equipment for world class athletes and being sweated on by those very same people makes me want to hit the gym this very moment. 

This weekend I got to spend time with some of the fittest people in the country.  Who gets to say that?

I had to put this in here because I got to reset his rower during a WOD and I touched him.
I could've died. Such a cool and down to earth guy.

Sam Dancer

Although a huge part of my weekend was being there with the athletes it was also the location and the experience.  This event was held at St. Cloud State University and we seriously took over.  Three separate tournament spaces filled with athletes and spectators alike. I had one major health nerd moment that I thought I’d share with you.  When I was told that the food was outside for lunch I figured it’d be the normal fried foods you find at all major sporting events…ummm I was so shocked to see all paleo, healthy, gluten free, and vegan meals being sold!  How awesome is that?  I wish you could walk down a normal fair street and see those very same options. 

Anyway I will be done gushing over my amazing weekend and let you see some pictures!

 

Day 1

Day 3 

Loved getting to see people from my old Box CrossFit Charis!  This killed it this weekend :) 

Team Charis

My new Granite Games Custom Reeboks.

Hope you had a weekend as awesome as mine!

Catherine

Swimming

Swimming was an incredible fourteen year chapter in my life and I often overlook its importance.  Today I saw an article written about my first swim coach in the Pioneer Press and it brought an immediate smile to my face.

To recall the memories of my first:

Race

WGS (three letters no Stillwater swimmer wants to see ever)

Set of wind sprints

Swimming made me into the person I am today and I wouldn't change it for a second. 

Also, if you want to read the article here it is!

Catherine

First Week Recap

Being back at school has been an adjustment.  New schedule, New apartment. New classes. So finding a new groove is tough, but I am so lucky to have an awesome support system. 

Bailey came up on Friday to see Kyle and of course we hit the gym, but forgot to take a selfie...

Annie's boss and her husband are so inviting and have become more like a second family.  We went there for dinner on Friday night.  YUM! Look at all of those fresh eats :) 

Then of course we went out.  You can't expect us to not tear up the town the first week back! 

Annie, Connie, and I went on a surprise escape to Duluth on Saturday to get away and enjoy some time together.  It was a blast.  We couldn't have asked for better weather for sightseeing! 

Monday, much to our demise, we had class.  Since we were out of town all weekend that meant that I had to do my 20 mile run on Monday after class.  I am so grateful that I connected with someone else who is running Twin Cities and she ran with me.  THANK JESUS! I honestly hit a massive wall on mile 17 and if I wouldn't have had her there I would've quit.  It just goes to show how much control your mind has over your body because as soon as I finished I was instantly relieved and so grateful that I really gave it my all. 

And the root beer floats with Annie afterwards made the five hours of running totally worth it! 

How was your Labor Day weekend?

C

Fall Goals

I haven't done a goals post since the beginning of summer and I promise there is a reason.  Coming into summer I was confident and motivated to see what summer had in store, but I quickly realized that the summer I had envisioned wasn't what I was getting... Sometimes you've got to roll with the punches and it honestly took me a while to adjust.

I'm not by any means saying that my summer wasn't wonderful, amazing or life changing, but it was definitely different.  This summer I indulged more than I would've liked, but that's life. (I love ice cream and s'mores too much to say no)  I had to go with it and now I know that I am more committed to staying on track.

Goals for the fall:

-start a new eating plan (more details to come in the upcoming weeks)

-workout for 2+ hours a day

-reward myself with non-food rewards 

-inspire someone to go to the gym or try a healthy recipe

^There's a story to go along with this goal.  I have been back on campus for less than a week now and I have had at least five people ask if I would let them know when I am going to the gym or if I could share some recipes with them. How amazing is that?

-keep a positive attitude

-work to maintain healthy social relationships

-finish the marathon

-post marathon kick ass in the box.  PR every lift by January 1st. 

What are your goals for fall?

C