Here’s what’s been up this leap month…
celebrating
Miss Finley’s third birthday! (How is she three?!) The ice cream theme – because when asked what she dreams about she always says ice cream… ha! – featured amaretto “ice cream cone” cupcakes, lots of balloons and a Finley-sized ice cream truck tent. Party aside, she is the smartest little girl! Seriously, I cannot get over how much she remembers, the connections and insights she makes and the fact she can count to 37. Just love her ♥
reading
We’re bombarded by distractions at every turn… push notifications (turn them off!), 27 tabs open in Chrome, bouncing between work and personal email (does anyone else feel like email rules their world?!), staring at three screens at once. It makes me crazy! Because focus… how do we find that focus anymore?! (It took me forever to write this post thanks to all the distractions… ugh.) Anyway, I recently read this article on deep work – “that place of intense concentration and cognitive focus where real progress is made” – and tips to get to that place to do more of it. A work in progress for sure. And, now I need to read this book.
Another excellent read: this one on our biggest fear.
looking forward to
Spring and more daylight. We got a taste of it on Saturday when temps topped out at 60F, and it felt amazing. Aaand, then it snowed on Sunday. Only in Minnesnowta!
eating
All the beets. Between pure clean powder in my morning oatmeal and pickled at lunch or dinner, I’ve been eating a LOT of beets lately to increase my nitric oxide (NO) to an optimal level for peak health + athletic performance. It seems to be working, as evidenced in the pic below… the top bright pink test strip was last week; the bottom two light pinks strips were from early January. These NO test strips are courtesy of pure clean powder and are super easy to use. Simply place the “saliva here” end on your tongue, fold to transfer to the other end, wait three seconds, open the strip and wait another 45 seconds to see how pink it turns.
Anyway, it’s been a gradual process to get here – too many beets and my GI don’t get along that well! – and I’ll continue to test throughout training to make sure it’s still at an optimal range. Watch for a more in-depth post about NO soon!
proud to
Represent Coeur Sports again this year! Our team kits are in – aren’t they sharp and stylin’?! – and it’s been so fun seeing all the women on the team get creative with their team pic. The common thread in all of them: it’s a community of strong, inspiring, beautiful and lift-you-up women. I’m proud + honored to be a part of it again in 2016!
favorite quote right now
Fear defeats more people than any other one thing in the world. -Ralph Waldo Emerson
24 Comments
I am so bad at having crazy amounts of tabs open on my computer! I’m trying to get better at being focused, but sometimes I just feel like my mind is all over the place.
You and me both! I like it starts with being mindful of it and working from there… one day at a time!
I definitely need to invest in some of the NO strips. I put Pure Clean Powder in my smoothie or cream of rice every morning, but that is my only beet intake during the day. I need to check this out!! I love this quote!! I finally had a near perfect execution of my FTP test last night on the bike by letting go of fear and comfort. I mentally prepared myself more for this one, left fear at the door, repeated “Courage over Comfort” when it got hard, and reaped a 12 watt increase over my highest FTP test to date. Your inspiration, drive, and determination has helped me see my dreams can come true with hard work, dedication, and focus (among a variety of other things), so thank you!! 🙂
Definitely get some NO test strips… great way to measure to ensure you’re at optimal levels for training + recovery! Love the mantra! And, congrats on your FTP test… that’s a HUGE gain! Great season ahead for you. Keep chasing those dreams – they’re there for your taking!
Thanks Erin!! I’m definitely going to get me some NO test strips! Thanks for the inspiration and encouragement along my journey! Dreams can come true and I’m willing to work hard to watch them become a reality 😉
You’re welcome, Kecia! Indeed, they DO… excited to see you chase ’em down 🙂
As an opener of 27 browser tabs myself, I’m looking forward to reading the links you’ve included. I love much of what the internet has brought to modern society but one of the things I dislike is how it’s reshaped our lives into this quasi-ADD experience, where we’re all constantly distracted by shiny things and squirrels. (SQUIRREL!)
re: beets – I keep hearing that I should consume more for peak athletic performance but they all taste like dirt. Even this can of beet-passion fruit juice I got in a race swag bag tasted like dirt. I told a friend that eating beets could make me run like Desi Linden and I’d still be like, “….eh.”
I feel the same way… the internet (and social media) and I have a love/hate relationship. So grateful for all the connections because of it, but man, it’s a distraction when I want to get sh!t done! Happy to send you a sample of pure clean powder! It mixes into oatmeal, smoothies, etc. really well without that dirt-like taste 🙂
Thanks for the offer! I’m definitely willing to give it a try!
Let me know your address, and I’ll get one in the mail to you 🙂
I can’t wait to hear more about NO! I gave pickled beets a try because I saw you post some on IG, and now I’m addicted!
Yeah! Aren’t they the BEST?! Could seriously eat an entire jar in one sitting… my GI would hate me, though 🙂 Post coming soon!
Your niece is the cutest!! Three seems like such a fun age. I don’t want to rush Axel’s life, but I am getting excited about the years ahead when he can talk and interact more. I love those curious, innocent years. ☺
Amen to more daylight! Summer will be here before we know it!
You really do represent the Coeur brand well! Congratulations on another year with that amazing team.
Thank you! She’s such a hoot! And, Axel – he’s adorable! Love the example you’re setting for you… fit, strong mama crushing her goals. Can’t wait to see your year unfold 🙂
And, thanks for the Coeur well wishes! Such an honor to be on this team again. Congrats to you on SOAS, too! They’re lucky to have you!
I’m really interested in trying the pure clean powder because I know beets are supposed to be good for you. Problem is, I don’t like beets no matter how hard I try. 🙁 Does the powder taste ‘beety’?
Hi, Jen! The powder is a bit beety, but it’s not like eating a plain old beet. I mix in my oatmeal and add in unsweetened coconut, chia, vanilla almond milk and blueberries, and it’s really good! Happy send you a sample so you can try!
Great update!! Finley is so cute!!!
I love beets. I eat them in salads mostly. I don’t drink too many smoothies but I do have beet powder to put in them when I make them!! 🙂
It is March and the days are getting longer!! Thank goodness!!
Thanks, Leslie! She’s a hoot, that’s for sure!
Thank goodness for longer days and warmer weather! Hope all’s well on the west coast and that IMWI training is rocking!
I love that quote!
I’m really bad for too much phone right now. At least it only happens at home, because I disable my data, but it’s still a huge waste of time. To help with writing, someone told me to set a timer for a 25 minutes. That 25 minutes is uninterrupted work time: no phone, no other tabs or Windows open (unless pertaining to the task you’re doing). It works so well!
I just finished reading ‘Born to Run’ by Christopher McDougall. It was such a fascinating read! I highly recommend it.
Happy March 🙂
LOVE that tactic! And, speaking of… I actually have an app on my phone called Pomodoro that does that exact thing. It sets a timer for 25 minutes and dings at the end. Must start using!
I think I’ve read that book? It was awhile ago, but yes, excellent read if I remember correctly 🙂
Happy March to you, too, friend!
You ain’t kidding about distractions. I’m a one woman circus sometimes. LOL LOVE the kit and happy birthday to that cutie. She’s a doll.
Right?! Me, too. Ugh. Like I said to Danielle above, I need to start using the Pomodoro app!
Thank you! I think she’s a doll, too (though I’m biased!) 🙂
Happy Birthday to cute little Finley 🙂
Blessings,
Edye // Gracefulcoffee
Thanks so much, Edye!