A New Challenge to Stay "On Track"

Hello friends!

It's been a crazy month. The hubster and I have put our home of 18 years on the market. It was a crazy month of projects and clean up. The toughest part is keeping everything SUPER clean every day and having to be out of the house for hours at a time, each night and weekend. 

This has presented a challenge for me and my clean eating plan - it's tough to find time to shop, prep, cook my healthy, clean meals. This week I mixed pleasure with business and cooked extra chicken breasts at a friend's "Grill & Chill" and brought them home to throw in salads all week for lunch. Sunday I shopped for fresh spinach, broccoli slaw, grape tomatoes, and various bell peppers. I also picked up lots of fruits and veggies, hummus, and Greek yogurt. Add that to my Isagenix shakes for breakfast and the occasional dinner (when I'm too busy to stop, but want to stay away from "fast" food!), and I'm having a wonderfully clean week of healthy eating!

Now, on to my next challenge.  

About 8 years ago, I ran my first half marathon. I trained hard, but on my own, but I was lucky enough to meet a friend on race morning and ended up running the full race with her. I know that she helped me push my pace and I was <THIS> close to making my goal... but I just missed it. By TWO MINUTES. <Heavy Sigh>  ( Here are my official results! 3901 Jennifer Jensen-Marhenke  F30  2:02:17 )  I never topped that time the next 4 times I tried that distance. I moved on to a full marathon, triathlon, and century cycle ride with Team In Training, but those races were about the mission and journey, not the time it took to get there. 

Now I'm ready to challenge myself. It's time for a half marathon PR. 2:00:00 or less. That's my goal. That's what I need to start working on.

Thankfully, not only do I have tips and experience from the fabulous TNT coaches, but I'm lucky enough to work with a certified Road Runners Club of America running coach, my very own Mr. Ben Grojean at Compete Personal Fitness. Sure I've been working with him since January, but this will add a new level of difficulty to my weekly work outs.

Here they are, my new 'wheels'. Typically I'm an ASICS girl, but I'm
going to give these Sauconys a try! So far, they're GREAT!

I've purchased my wheels - aka shoes - which is the most important piece of equipment for a runner. I went to Scheel's and had a fabulous experience (as usual) and ended up with a new brand of shoe! I'm a skeptic and was nervous to take them out for my first run... but they were AWESOME!   Aren't they the cutest?!

So, I went for my first run on Monday. 30-45 minutes of running at conversation pace. I couldn't fit it in until after dark, so I hit my local gym and jumped on the treadmill. Some people dislike the treadmill, but I actually enjoy it! My music, movie or TV, control over my pace, and no creepy dark streets or trails to navigate on my own. Safety first! My second run (last night) was for a full 60 minutes! HOLY SWEAT FEST! I wish workout shirts just snapped off so I didn't have to pull it over my face. YUCK!

So, I'm 16 weeks away from the St. Louis Rock N' Roll Half Marathon with a 2 hour finish time goal. I know that if I stick to my plan, work hard, and smart, and remember all the parts of my whole life and keep balance (rest, working out, eating right, and visits to my chiropractor)!

So, I've started my journey... and I'm excited! I'll be sure to share my progress (Ben took measurements and I weighed in), and hopefully, pictures of me crossing the finish line crushing my PR in St. Louis!

Let me know how your running adventures are going ... or share with me some new recipes!

Until then,
<3 Jen

Back to "Normal"?

Hello Friends!

I'm coming to you from my couch, where I have perched after showering, painting my toes and finger nails and relaxing. It's a first in weeks. Wanna know why I am finally paying attention to a very important pillar of my whole life? Because our house is FINALLY on the market. The hubster and I have been working for quite some time and it has been a challenge to my five pillar lifestyle.

I've been diligent with my workouts and visits to my chiropractor, but rest and relaxation and solid nutrition have taken a back seat.

I realized how important planning is. We've all heard it before. Fail to plan and it's a plan to fail. Amen to that. If we get too busy on a Sunday to get my grocery shopping done and meals for the week planned, we end up eating something 'quick' or 'easy' - fast food, restaurants, or convenience foods. My will power was just "meh" - the rest of the family is having pizza, why not. They're going out for Philly Steaks, why not.

It's a vicious cycle. When you don't eat right, you don't have the energy to do all the things you need to do. The more junk fuel you put in your body, the more you crave junk fuel. It's mental.

Yesterday (Sunday), I got back to my schedule. I fasted (with a cleanse). It was tough, but felt good to have purpose, to use will power, and to push through so I can feel amazing again. I cooked breakfast and dinner for the family - breakfast was french toast (nothing that I'd want, so it was ok to make it for them without wishing I could have some.) and dinner was one of my favorites and a special request by the hubster. I'm going to give you the recipe!

Cajun Chicken Pasta

Ingredients: (and how to modify it)
1 lb boneless chicken breasts
1 each red, yellow, green bell peppers
1/2 white (sweet) onion
2 cloves garlic (or minced garlic)
Cajun Seasoning to taste - (you can buy this premixed, or you can use Cayenne pepper, paprika, chili powder, garlic, salt and pepper)
1 cup chopped mushrooms (fresh or canned - fresh is better!)
1 large can tomato sauce (if you have fresh tomato sauce from your garden, or an organic brand, that's the best. I use Hunt's because that's what the hubster likes)
4-6 servings cooked whole week fettuccine pasta (I boil the pasta in water with a touch of olive oil and sea salt for 8 minutes)

Drizzle olive oil in your non-stick skillet and heat to medium high. Add garlic, onion, peppers and mushrooms and saute. (I like my veggies a little more crisp, so don't over cook them!) Season with your mixture of Cajun seasoning. Want it extra zippy? ADD MORE!

Cut the chicken breast into strips, season heavily (turn to coat all sides) with the Cajun spices. Add the chicken to the veggies, cover and cook on medium heat until the chicken is cooked through. Add tomato sauces and simmer for 5-10 minutes.

Plate: One spaghetti spoon 'scoop' of pasta, and a heaping spoonful of the chicken/veggies sauce, a touch of Parmesan cheese and you're all set. Serve with a spinach or mixed green salad and enjoy!

This stuff is even better left over. The seasoning really develops and seeps into the noodles, too! YUMMMMM!!!!

So, here's to getting back on track and to having the house projects done... for now, until we get to the "new" house!

Until next time,
<3 Jen