Wait a minute…
Where the heck did October come from? Fall is my second favorite season (behind summer, obviously), but it also means that winter is just around the corner… and, even the hardiest Minnesotan isn’t ready for another polar vortex. Fingers crossed 30 below holds off awhile longer. In the meantime, here’s a glimpse of what’s been up since Ironman Wisconsin…
reading
A few Seattle friends of ours started a 100-day challenge on September 22, i.e. pick something to work on every single day, whether it be giving up processed sugar, doing 25 push-ups or starting a gratitude practice. In addition to me giving up sweets (see ya, Talenti sea salt caramel gelato! I oddly don’t miss it), Nick and I decided we would read for 30 minutes before bed every single night. I’ve kinda been bouncing between books, but am currently rereading Wheat Belly (it’s fascinating) and thanks to a twitter conversation this week and joining a book club, just added another 10 books to my Amazon wishlist. If anyone has any recommendations, leave me a note below!
off-seasoning
The off-season has freed up a ridiculous amount time. It’s quite strange to come home after work and not have to hit the pool for 4,000 yards or get on my bike for 90 minutes of hard intervals (we’re even eating dinner at actual dinner time… some nights). So, what am I doing with all this newfound free time? Working on a few blog projects (so excited about them!), spending Saturday afternoons at vineyards, painting (loving the Sherwin repose grey in our bathroom!), sleeping in until 7a every day(!) and trying to dial back my appetite to normal person proportions (it’s hard).
bike loving
I cannot get enough biking (in my super awesome Coeur shorts!), even as the days get shorter (this whole sunset at 7p thing… oof). Nick and I have managed to squeeze in a few quick rides in the hour of daylight after work, and last weekend, I soaked up as much 80-degree sunshine as I possibly could. #bikeLOVE (Sorry for the photo overload below…)
yoga-ing
In addition to all the bike love, I finally returned to my blissful yoga mat. It feels amazing and awful at the same time. Amazing because yogaaaaahhhhh (and savasana). Awful because dear god, I am so painfully inflexible thanks to all the linear swimbikerun. My hips and hammies… ouchie.
watching
Parenthood. I tear up every single episode. And, who else is sad this is the farewell season?!
eating
SweeTango apples. Have you guys tried these yet?! Another University of Minnesota masterpiece! SweeTango is a combo of the current darling apple, Honeycrisp, and Zestar, and is the best apple I’ve ever had. Crisp and juicy with a tiny bit of tart sweetness. Go get one now because unlike other apples, SweeTangos are only available through early November (until next fall).
drinking
Matcha tea. Thanks to my lovely grandma (who turned 87 on Wednesday!), I’ve been a tea drinker for as long as I can remember. Some of my favorite memories are afternoon tea with her, drinking out of one of the vintage teacups from her collection. So, when I heard about matcha tea, I had to try. Matcha is ground green tea leaves and is filled with more antioxidants than any other source as well as other super healthy nutrients L-theanins, catechins, betacarotene and chlorophyll. I picked up this sparkling matcha by Motto… pretty good! Next up is mixing matcha in my morning smoothie!
feeling
For the past few months (er, maybe this year?!), I haven’t really felt like sparkly self. The distraction of ironman training helped me ignore it, but in all the recent downtime, I’ve had some time to think a bit deeper about why. Well, I have some answers and am taking steps to make some changes (I’ll tell in due time). Just doing this has lifted a big weight off my shoulders; I feel happier, lighter and in control of my life. Because:
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K 1. I am so proud of you for taking the steps to make changes!! And inspired (looking for my steps to take…need flashlight…and wine). 2. This is the final season of Parenthood?! Oh dear. Sometimes I get annoyed at that show though like seriously no family could have drama THIS MUCH!!! But I still watch! 3. Thanks for being my #bikelovin ironman yoda guru!!!!
Thanks for sharing…the last point REALLY hits home with me right now. I too am very unhappy, but I have narrowed it down…it is 99.9% work related. I think it is time to find a way to incorporate my passion into a career. Thanks for the reminder that it is time for me to shape my world 😉
Will have to try that tea; thanks…always on the lookout for healthy drink alternatives to water. And definitely interested in hearing more about the self-exploration. I think we’re all on that journey – er, rollercoaster – with its ups & downs. But you’re pretty damn sparkly every day, as far as I’m concerned! xo
I still haven’t tried a SweeTango! Must do this ASAP. I’m excited to hear about what’s next for you 🙂
Love your style and can’t wait to hear more about the blog project. Happy off seasoning! I’m jealous.
Seems like you are having an awesome off season. I am so sad about parenthood too!
Great photos as usual! I want to get Wheat Belly, and I’ve heard Grain Brain is good too. I just finished The Primal Blueprint by Mark Sisson, it’s fantastic! I wish it had been the first book I read when I went primal. And I hear you on not missing the sweet stuff: when you’re faced with giving up and then actually doing it, you realise that you had more of an emotional attachment to the snack than an actual taste adoration. Or at least, that’s how I feel about the sugary things I don’t eat anymore!
Wow-you are definitely keeping busy! I’m envious of all the biking you’re getting to do 🙂
You continue to be an inspiration to me everyday! So glad you’re getting so much deserved downtime!
Three things: 1. Words cannot express how I feel about Parenthood. And it is so good to hear that someone else cries EVERY single episode. And yes, I am beyond sad that this show is ending. 2. Don’t EVER apologize for posting photos. Ever. LOVE your photos. Keep them coming. 3. SweeTangos. Yep. The. Best. ’nuff said!
I can so very much relate to what you said about ironman being a distraction – love, love ironman training, but it can be so all-encompassing that it will cover anything else in life. Excited to see what is upcoming and great suggestions! I need to try the SweeTangos and maybe try matcha tea sometime (people were sharing match mugs everywhere in Patagonia!).
My FB status this week was about how Parenthood makes me cry every.single.episode.
It’s really true how sometimes the things we love distract us from the things we know we need to change. You reminded me of a few things I need to reconsider/change. Thanks + good luck 🙂
Oh I love apple, cheese and wine! You definitely deserve some fun time!
I love matcha tea too. I need to start making some at home!
Your bike pics have been seriously drool-worthy! Glad the weather has still been so nice for it 🙂
Ah- dialling back the eating is the toughest thing for me post-big training/race.
What books are on your Amazon wish-list? I think one of the best books I read this summer was Philomena: http://www.amazon.com/Philomena-Mother-Fifty-Year-Search-Tie/dp/0143124722. Apparently there’s a movie on Netflix that focuses on the mom, whereas the book focuses more on the son.
Lastly, yay for making some changes to be more of your sparkly self (love the way you said that). Hope it all goes well!
Ooo… thanks for that recommendation, Abby! Added to my list 🙂 Also on it: Counterclockwise: Mindful Health and the Power of Possibility; Unbroken; A House in the Sky; The Rosie Project; The Boys in the Boat; The Latehomecomer; Moloka’i; The Last Runaway; the Invention of Wings; Serena; and, The Buddha in the Attic. Whew… that’s a long list! 🙂
I read Unbroken a couple of months ago – it’s super good and I hear that Angelina Jolie is making the movie! Can’t wait. I just finished The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce and I highly recommend.
I started Unbroken last week, Ellen… SO GOOD. Added your recommendation to my list, too! Hope you’re well!
Sounds like your recovery is going well! Taking the time to do a lot of things that you didn’t before! I have been reading a ton too! Definitely the worst part of IM training is the eating. It is way to hard not to eat as much after a spin class than a 50 mile ride! 🙂
Can’t wait to hear what is in store for you in the future!!!
I’m with you on loving the free “post ironman training” time. I love sleeping in and getting to stay up a little later at night. It’s been glorious. No real IM blues here! Again, you must come down for a visit. You can ride your bike til about February. Not that I will be… lol I just heard about those apples from a friends who is a fruit breeder (yes, that’s her job) so I know they will be awesome! And finally, so glad you are feeling sparkly again. xoxo
I don’t know how you could give up sugar! I think I would go crazy without – but that right there might be the problem. 🙂 Sounds like a great challenge and I can’t wait to hear how it goes (especially during the holidays). Exciting blog projects??? Do share! When you can, of course. One of my friends introduced me to Parenthood and I have decided that it will be the show I watch on Netflix while on the trainer… may keep me from crying? Can’t wait to hear about all of the changes and sparkles coming your way.
I related to so much of your post here, it’s not even funny:) First of all, I always love your ‘currently’ posts and I might have to try one for myself! Second, I totally understand the whole ‘eating normal human portions’ thing. After IMMT, I forgot that I wasn’t training a billion hours a week, but I was still eating the same… I didn’t gain weight, but just felt, well, gross. It’s hard for me to be OK with working out less (a little OCD over here). I have also tried to cut out sweets (goodbye random cookies) and flour based products. I love your goal of reading 30 mins a night… something the hubby and I should try! Oh and your last comment about wanting to make changes… you already know I’m feeling that too. Ironman training can absolutely mask other things that are going on in your life i.e. the fact that you aren’t happy at your desk job, blahh. In due time… we will find what it is we have been searching for! Skype session soon:)