Girls on Grill: A Welcome to Austin BBQ for my Friend Laura

So, this weekend is going to be big! I'm anxiously awaiting time on the grill.

This will be the second time I have attempted grilling. The last time, BBQ peaches from this awesome website were made and subsequently devoured: http://girlongrillaction.com/2008/03/15/oooooo-peaches-baby-peaches/

Back to the task at hand, though. Grilling. We are grilling to celebrate and welcome my dear friend Laura to the great big city of Austin from Colorado. We went to college together. She just moved here last week and I'm so excited! My good friend Wynne volunteered her yard if I promised to hostess. I love this idea. I jumped on it. And so we are having a good old fashioned back yard BBQ in Laura's honor this weekend.

My favorite Texas beer, Lone Star, will make an appearance. We will all enjoy veggie burgers and some beef (choke it down, so yum) in my friend Wynne's secluded, recently raked backyard haven.

This party is intended to be a come and go and quite relaxed. Here is hoping that it goes without a hitch!

Oh, and to inform you of other recent events: I placed 2nd in my age group at the Frost Yer Fanny Du:

Current book I'm reading: Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood

Make Healthy Muffins

How I did it: Lately, in the slight chill that has passed over Austin, I have had a craving for baked goods. I combed the internet for something healthy and delicious, and I found a great recipe for Pineapple Papaya Mind Muffins. I got home after the gym, and instead of making the Mind Muffins that I was thinking of last night, I opted to make these delicious, moist, and healthy muffins because I had all of the ingredients for them at home. I sort of made the recipe up so if you have any suggestions or tweaks let me know. I do not think they need very many tweaks as they were so delicious right out of the oven last night after my run!

Apple Banana Wheat-y Oat-y Muffins

1 teaspoon butter
4 large tablespoons apple sauce
1/4 cup brown or white sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
1/2 cup oats
1/2 cup chocolate chips
3 medium sized ripe bananas, mashed

Grease each non-stick muffin holder with one drop of oil in each muffin-hole. I used a large muffin tin that made six, large 1 cup sized muffins. In a large bowl, spoon out your applesauce, mix in the small amount of butter and the sugar together. Mix well with a strong arm or an electric mixer. Beat the egg in. Add the dry ingredients. Mash the bananas in a separate bowl and then add them to the big bowl. Add the chocolate chips last. The dough should be wet, but not watery. Spoon dough into the muffin tins. Add a bit of oats and brown sugar to the top of the muffins to make a glaze. Bake for 25-30 minutes @ 350. Stick a knife in the top of one or two of the muffins and if it comes out dry, they are done.

The Mind Muffins that I plan on making in the future are: http://www.womenshealthmag.com/nutrition/papaya-pineapple-muffin-recipe

Making these made me feel warm and happy!

The Frost Yer Fanny DU is this weekend!

I’m so excited for this race. It will be my first duathalon.

I’m a little interested to find out how my legs are going to feel running a 5K after 21 miles on the bike, but other than that I think I’ll do awesome. Maybe I’ll even place in my age group!

This du is called Frost Yer Fanny Du but I don’t think it is going to be too chilly this weekend. The high is 66 on Sunday so I’m feeling hopeful. The race starts at 7 am, though, and at that time the temp will be 35. Just kidding, it will be cold. Looks like I’ll be bringing out the racing tights!

See more progress on: complete a duathlon

What Gets You Going?

At this point in my running, swimming, and cycling life I have figured out that I am an expert at getting others to compete in endurance events. I have dubbed myself privately to be an "expert motivator." This is all part of a larger scheme I put myself through in order to get to those many finish lines that I see in my future. For me, I know the exact recipe that what gets me going. I'm not talking about steak and potatoes. I'm talking about the motivation, drive, and sheer grit that it takes to compete in endurance events like the Frost Yer Fanny Duathalon or the San Antonio Rock n Roll Marathon. For me, I've realized, over the years, that it's pretty simple. Get me out there, on the trail, in the wind, rain or sun leading a group of new runners and I'm all set. I get so psyched helping new runners and triathletes into the sport that I love and that is what gets me going.

This week, I am excited about the Capitol 10,000 and the training for this race! I know it is several months away, the date of the race is Sunday, March 29, 2009, but yet again this year I'm helping a lot of new runners to the finish line in a training group and that, I know, will drive me to my own success as a runner. It gets me going to know how much I'm helping them. When I'm out there on the hilly 10K course in March I'll be thinking of all of the runners I helped get to the starting line, and I know that will make me go faster. My goal this year is to break 45 minutes. I know that helping out with the training group will be integral to my success. The 12 week training is sponsored by the Austin American-Statesman and Austin Fit/USA Fit will be a big part in my success.

Below is the route we are planning on running with the Intermediate and Advanced runners this evening. This is our second week of training so we're keeping the route simple and the mileage short.

I can't wait to motivate more new runners! When I spoke with some of the runners last Thursday on the run a lot of them were saying that eventually they wanted to do a 1/2 marathon and a sprint triathlon. It makes me excited that I can help introduce them to the sports that I love so much. Who knows, one day, they might even be able to call themselves an IRONMAN! Personally, when I finish my first IRONMAN, I will prefer to be called an IRONWOMAN, but that's just me.

Today's Cap 10K Training Route


Current book I'm reading: The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood and Run Fast by Hal Higdon

Goals and Resolutions: Spin #2 for this week

One of my goals that I started working on BEFORE the New Year was to spin either on my road bike, Fizgig, or in a spin class at least 3 times a week. This week was a bit challenging due to the holiday and my gym having funky hours, but I have almost made it. As long as I go for a bike ride on Saturday or Sunday. I plan on it. I just got new road bike shoes for Christmas as well as new pedals so I’m all set. I just need to get my buddies at Jack and Adams to put them on my bike. So, here’s hoping I find the time to do that this weekend.

And so, back to the reason I posted. I’m proud and I feel great because I just spun for the second time this week. One step closer to my goal!

My first spin of the week was with my special. We did a class at my gym with a guy named Skipper. It was pretty easy for us, which was unfortunate. It was still fun though!

Today I did a class that was supposed to be with one of my new favorite instructors—Zach. To my surprise, the manager of my gym led the class in tight jeans and cowboy boots for the first 10 minutes and Zach made his presence for the second 35-40 minutes. It was an extremely tough class and I was dripping sweat. Zach is a very strange fellow, he slept late and got in trouble in front of the whole class for that. Yet he was pretending to strip off his street clothes to reveal his cyclist kit underneath all while being scorned for not showing up to his class. Very interesting. The class was super tough, too. So I’m really glad I went. Met a guy named Mark and Zach came over in the final sprint of the class and put his hand on my wheel to make it even harder. He really motivates and pushes me, saying things like “you are what you do!” and “you want to leave here feeling like you had a workout, don’t you? Now push!” It seems simple but it really works.

Here’s to New Year’s resolutions and making them happen all year ‘round! That is pretty much my only New Year’s resolutions—to keep setting and achieving my goals until the very last moments of 2009.

See more progress on: Ride my spin bike at least 3 times a week