What the heck happened?

Okay, so the title of this blog may be a bit misleading, but I honestly have been asking myself that the past week or so. I was doing so well, running 3-4 times a week plus my core workouts. Following the meal plan (for the most part) and losing weight. Then I hit a wall called my knee. Oh hooray for the strain that running put on my poor knee! I haven't officially had a diagnos is yet, but I'm pretty sure I have Runner's Knee aka one-of-the-most-annoying-injuries-ever.

But I'm not here to complain and moan about my injury. So is the life of someone trying to stay healthy, lose weight, and train for a 7 Mile Run and Half Marathon. It just comes with the territory, and is not the reason I wanted to write a blog.

Since so many of us are signing up for the Tim Kerr 7 Mile/5K Run/Walk on September 4^th, Elizabeth and I thought it would be a great idea to have a blog (or maybe several) dedicated to sharing of what I've been doing to start training in my running program. I wanted to take it a step further, and ask that anyone who has/will be running/walking in a race share what they've been doing. Basically, what I will do is have anyone who shares basically write a “guest blog” that we can post so we all can continue this great support. Also, everyone's training/workouts will be different, and I always find it encouraging to read what others are doing, for it could help me in my workouts.

Okay, so here I go...

Now, I should start off by saying that I've been running consistently since early November. I started off really slow, only going about 15 min on the elliptical 3 times a week. Then I slowly started building my time to 30 min and then moved onto the treadmill. I've been trying to keep to Mon-Wed-Fri 30 min runs and then on Sundays, go at least a full hour.

Now, on the training programs I've been researching for the half marathon I'm doing later this year, it says to run based on miles and not time. What I personally recommend to those who are still building their endurance, to start by going by time first, and then once you feel comfortable (I would say after a couple weeks), switch over to running based on length. That is what I'm now switching to. Also, a HUGE recommendation to all of those doing the race Sept. 4^th, make sure you ALWAYS do a run/walk workout on Sunday and make sure it is always the day you run/walk the most. This is because this is your race day, so you want to get used to going a farther distance on this day.

I also make sure I do strength/core training in addition to my running. Lately, I've been slacking on this (thanks, knee) but I mix it up and try to do arm and leg workouts at least once a week, and then core/ab workouts at least twice a week. For my leg workouts, I do a lot of lunges and some leg presses. I highly recommend doing some type of leg workouts if you are doing any races. You need to make sure you can handle the distance, and your legs are going to be the part of your body that tells you whether you actually can do this or not.

Workout at night? In the morning? During lunch? I've heard/read lots of things giving their opinions on what time of day is best for your workouts (a lot tend to lean towards the morning, and this may be true) but for me personally, I would rather do my workouts after work. A lot of this has to do with that being practically the only time I have, but I've also done really early morning workouts before I head into work. I say, as long as you are able to get your workouts in, it doesn't really matter when this happens. The only time that I believe matters is my Sunday workouts, again, because this will be race day. I've been trying to go first thing Sunday morning since all races tend to be bright and early!

So, this is what I've been doing...or was doing before my slight snag. But thankfully, I have my brother who is giving me advice, stretching exercises, etc to help get my knee back to 100%. Plus, it's getting ever-so-close to summer! Wow...is it really almost May already? I love it!!

Also...who's doing the race Labor Day Weekend? I know a few of you have signed up, but Elizabeth and I are starting to plan things for us for race day, and we want to know everyone who's doing the race, so make sure you let one of us know!

Again, please share your workouts/training programs! You can email the healthychasers@gmail.com address or even comment below and we'll put up your guest blog!

Love you all!

Jillian

Take Me Out To The Ballgame!

Freshly cut grass, cotton candy, hot dogs, freshly popped popcorn, peanuts. Some of my favorite scents of summer. To me, they always remind me of one thing: Baseball!

As a huge baseball fan myself, I've noticed that I'm not the only one who loves America's Favorite Pastime, so I've decided to do a special blog designated to Ballpark Food. Now, under the Healthy Chaser Challenge Diet, you may think that any time you take a trip to your favorite team's ballpark, that you have to have a “cheat day,” but I have actually done a bit of research and found that many MLB Teams now carry “Healthier Options” in their ballpark. I've decided to highlight those teams here and provide links to each of the 30 teams' sites so you can check out the options at your favorite team's ballpark!

Toronto Blue Jays – Where my Canadian Chasers at?! The lone MLB team still left in Canada knows what’s up. Healthy foods, that’s what. The Blue Jays have great Vegetarian and Vegan options including: Caesar & Greek Salads, Vegetable Pasta Bowl, Sushi Box, Vietnamese Wrap, Sweet Potato Fries, Asian Salad (vegan option), and an Asian Noodle Bowl (vegan option).

Philadelphia Phillies – Now, you all may think I'm biased writing about this team, but they really do have amazing Healthy options, including Gluten-Free foods! Citizens Bank Park has been voted “Best Ballpark Eats” by the Food Network in 2007, and the No. 1 Vegetarian Ballpark by PETA for the last four years in a row! This year, they've added even more healthier options including: Vegetarian Crab Free Crab Cake Sandwich, The Vedura Vegetarian Wrap, Vegan Hot Dog, Vegetarian Black Bean Burger, and even Frozen Yogurt! Yum! I know many of you may be headed to Atlantic City this summer to see a certain group, so if you have the opportunity, I HIGHLY recommend checking out a Phillies game at Citizens Bank Park! I swear, that’s the non-Phillies fan part of me saying that… Since I have a game coming up, I will definitely try one of these healthy options and report back on the deliciousness I’m sure I’ll have.

Colorado Rockies – Visiting the beautiful state of Colorado this summer? I know the first thing you think of when you hear Coors Field is a certain light beer, but it also has highlighted Healthy Options! Their Grilled Chicken Sandwiches can be found at a variety of stands throughout the ballpark. Also check out their Chef Cobb Salads, Chinese Chicken Salad, Garden Burger, Veggie Wraps, and their Panini and Wrap stands!

Washington Nationals – Not only is Nationals Ballpark a beautiful park with a fantastic view of our Nation's Capital, but they also have AMAZING food. I have had the privilege of eating there on numerous occasions. Seriously, if you are planning a trip to D.C., make sure you go when the Nationals are home. You won't be disappointed. Okay, so enough of my random support of an N.L. East rival team's ballpark. Nationals Park features a stand called Field of Greens that is home to grilled vegetable or turkey wraps, hummus, and salads. You can also get Grilled Chicken Sandwiches and Veggie Burgers at the Georgetown Grill.

Boston Red Sox – Ahhh, Fenway Park. The history! While I, myself, have yet to make it to a game at such a historic venue (one day...), I hear that they have excellent Healthy Food Options! They offer Turkey BLTs, Veggie Burger, a Veggie Dog, and other Healthy Options at a variety of concessions stands throughout the ballpark! *Writers Note: Elizabeth…I think I need to visit you so we can go to a game…just saying*

New York Yankees – I know we have a few Yankees fans out there, and for all of the Nathan's Famous and Johnny Rockets stands located throughout new Yankees Stadium, there is a designated stand specifically for Healthy Options, including Gluten-Free Fare. You can check out Melissa's Farmers Market vegetable and fruit salads, Famiglia gluten-free pizza, Hebrew National hot dogs and Premio sausages (served without buns).

New York Mets – I've heard that Citi Field is also one of those gorgeous new ballparks, but I have yet to go. Maybe this year. If I do get up to New York, I will definitely check out their World's Fare Market, which includes Light Food Option: salads, fruits, and more as well as Kozy Shack Gluten-Free Stand, which includes pudding, burgers, beer, and more! I'll also probably check out the Phillies beating the Mets while I'm there...but that's another blog. ;)

Detroit Tigers – Ya know, every time I think of Detroit now, I think of that Super Bowl commercial with Eminem and that car (sorry, I'm blanking on what it was for exactly...that and the fact that I'm not really into cars). But another great part of Detroit (so I've been told) is Comerica Park. I really need to go on one of those trips that people take where they go to all 30 MLB Ballparks in one season. That would be epic...but I digress. So, if you happen to be in Detroit and checking out the Los Tigres, stop by the FOX Sports Detroit Brushfire Grill for selections of Garden Burgers, Black Bean Burgers, Veggie Dogs, Chicken Sandwiches, Veggie Italian Sausage, Watermelon, and Corn on the Cob. Okay, pause for a second here...not only does that stand have the longest name ever for a concession, but really? FOX Sports? Okay, randomness over. Unpause.

Minnesota Twins – Before I get into the delicious offerings at Target Field, can I just talk about the fact that I kind of love how this new ballpark is named Target Field? While I'm not normally one to support ballparks/venues being named after a brand (Dunkin Donuts Center anyone?) I'm a big fan of Target and all it's awesomeness, so I'm kind of okay with this ballpark naming. I mean, who doesn't love Target? I guess only Target-haters. But I'm not friends with those people. You can get anything at Target...plus it keeps us out of Wal-Mart, which is always a good thing. Also, the Twins have a special place in my heart because they were one of my oldest brother's favorite teams growing up. He even had one of those Twins jackets. I'm not sure why he liked them seeing as we lived in PA. Maybe he liked Kirby Puckett. I should really ask him about that. Oh hey, tangent, nice of you to drop by. What were we talking about? Oh yeah, that's right...food!

So anywhos...Target Field (yay, Target!) has great vegetarian and gluten-free options including Veggie Dogs and Burgers, Veggie Burritos and Tacos (mmm...tacos...), Fruit Kabobs, Fruit Smoothies, Gluten-Free Nut snacks, Shrimps Skewers, and Talenti Gelato. Huh...I feel like I need to go eat at Target Field. They also apparently have something amazing called a Walk A Taco that isn't necessarily the healthiest choice, but sounds super delicious. Is it weird that I want to visit a ballpark specifically to try their food? Maybe I should become one of those food tasters, like on the Food Network or TLC or something! Yeah....I can't do that. I would be so fat. But, I'm sure, I would be completely full.

Milwaukee Brewers – Now, I didn’t find a lot of the “Healthy Options” at Miller Park, but I did find one option that I didn’t find anywhere else: the Soy Dogs. They also have Spicy Fish Tacos. Now, I haven’t eaten a lot of soy, but I can eat a fish taco any day. Just sayin.’ I just really love tacos. Period. So of course I had to highlight this option. I mean, who doesn’t love tacos? I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone who doesn’t. You know what type of fish tacos are amazing? Mahi Mahi tacos. Delicious! Put a homemade salsa on that, some greens, and you’ve got yourself one healthy, delicious taco. Wait…we’re talking about ballpark foods aren’t we? Wow, I get so distracted when discussing food. Moving on!

So, these are the main teams I found with great Healthy Options. Going to a ballpark not listed above? Don’t worry. I’ve listed all 30 MLB teams below with links to their ballpark information. Now, who’s coming to a game with me??

Oakland A's Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

Houston Astros Toronto Blue Jays

Atlanta Braves Milwaukee Brewers

St. Louis Cardinals Chicago Cubs

Arizona Diamondbacks Los Angeles Dodgers

San Francisco Giants Cleveland Indians

Seattle Mariners Florida Marlins

New York Mets Washington Nationals

Baltimore Orioles San Diego Padres

Philadelphia Phillies Pittsburgh Pirates

Texas Rangers Tampa Bay Rays

Boston Red Sox Cincinnati Reds

Colorado Rockies Kansas City Royals

Detroit Tigers Minnesota Twins

Chicago White Sox New York Yankees

I <3 Baseball.

Jillian

Labor Day Weekend 7 Mile Island Run & 5K!!

Hola Healthy Chasers!

So this idea has been thrown around especially since so many will be in a certain area during Labor Day Weekend, so I wanted to give you all the full update! *Special shout out to Denise & Mary for finding the correct link!*

The Tim Kerr 7 Mile Island Run & 5K will be taking place Sunday, September 4th in Avalon, NJ (approximately 40 min south of Atlantic City)! Now, I know that Denise & Mary are already signed up for the 5K, and I plan on doing either that or the 7 mile run, so if you were interested in joining us, check out the link above for all of the information!

Proceeds from this run go to Tim Kerr Charities, and we've linked to their official site so you can read up on who they raise money for and other great events they have throughout the year!

I'm sure there will be plenty of us there running in this race, so don't hesitate to join us!

Jillian

That's what friends are for...

Hello Healthy Chasers!!

To kind of piggy-back on Elizabeth's recent blog post, I wanted to share my own personal experiences recently. I think it's good to share all of these things with each other because we are all doing this TOGETHER. I was recently reminded of this fact when I noticed the support being thrown around in the community (mainly via Twitter/Facebook) to help keep each other motivated. Even though I will be the first to admit that I don't like asking for help, it's great knowing that we have such a strong community that will be there to help no matter what.

As a known chocoholic, I have been prone to serious stress-eating that revolves mainly around, you guessed it, chocolate. We all have our stresses and issues that we go through on a daily, weekly, monthly basis, and for me, the last two weeks were no different. With lots going on at work and such, the last two weeks saw me not exercising as regularly and indulging in more than my occasional piece of chocolate (a whole bag of peanut butter cups, to be exact...no...not in one sitting...but even over the course of several days, that's SO many calories). So, I've been down on myself for basically falling off the wagon and cheating on my diet (and also feeling like I'm cheating on my gym). But I became inspired last night when I noticed a whole bunch of support being thrown around helping another Chaser stay motivated.

Knowing that we have that support, not only from this community, but from our other friends and family members, is such a great feeling. We have to constantly remind ourselves that we're not doing this alone. We have so many great people around us to support us. And another good thing to remind ourselves us is to ask questions. Sometimes I need to clarify with Elizabeth (or Google) what may or may not be healthy or a good choice. Constantly asking questions or even giving suggestions is what this Challenge is all about. Having a healthy lifestyle is something I've been trying to pursue for the past year or so, and I've slowly gotten better. I've been able to cut out things that I used to eat constantly and incorporate different routines on a daily basis so I know that I stay on the right path.

Basically, what I wanted to say is that I love knowing that if I (or any of us) fall off the Healthy Chaser Challenge, there are so many of us to help pick us up and set us back on that wagon. I love all of you and wanted to personally thank Elizabeth for coming up with this idea and allowing me to help and add my two-cents (as quirky and random as they are). As Seggie has mentioned on numerous occasions, summer is just a few months away, and I know that together, we can all continue on to our goals and be summer-ready in no time! :)

Love you all!!

Jillian

A special message from Elizabeth

Hi Healthy Chasers,

Thanks for your patience as we've been MIA in the blogosphere as of late. I have to admit, I fell off the Healthy Chaser horse last week. The good news is that I've managed to find my way back up with support from my fellow Healthy Chasers, my friends, and my CrossFit community.

Last weekend, I received the heart-wrenching, but inevitable news that my friend's dad's body was found in the Japanese earthquake and tsunami wreckage. He had been missing since March 11, but we had not given up hope despite being conscious that with each passing day, our worst fears might soon become our reality. My friend's dad had been working at Sendai airport recently (as part of his position as an aviation engineer), although when I initially heard from her, I completely misunderstood when she told me that he was supposed to be at the airport. I assumed he was at Tokyo/Narita airport returning from a business trip or from visiting her, her two adorable little girls, and her husband, (who live just outside of Tokyo) before heading to his U.S. home in Seattle. My own dad, shocked, saddened, and feeling helpless upon hearing this news had the fleeting idea that he should go to Japan to help look for Keiko's father.

So my sadness at this news, coupled with a long and stressful work week, some relationship ups and downs, and some hormonal fluctuations (TMI, perhaps?), put me at risk for munching last weekend (Thank goodness, the UConn Men won...oops, not winning any friends in the mid-west, with that comment). Fortunately, my house is junk-food free (for the most part), so I indulged in some Edy's Slow Churned French Silk ice cream, more than my normal serving size of almonds, squares of Dove dark chocolate, and sugary fruits like bananas and pineapple...Oh and some Girl Scout Cookies, because someone had brought them into work. :) It might not sound like total "off-diet" eating but since I've been following the meal plan since the summer and in recent weeks greatly reduced my carb and dairy intake to follow a close approximation of the paleo diet suggested by CrossFit exercise, it was plenty indulgent for me and made me feel worse, instead of better. I even contemplated baking some chocolate chip cookies or one of my favorite raspberry/almond coffee cakes to perk my spirits but thankfully, I was too emotionally exhausted to take out the mixer. :(

Monday came; I packed my workout clothes, checked the CrossFit "Workout of the Day", and didn't even make it to the gym. On Tuesday, I contemplated driving past the gym exit and tried to convince myself that I'd go to "the next class" an hour later and I'd just run into Target and Border's to do some errands first, but I knew that I wasn't kidding anyone, including myself. It wasn't the greatest workout, and I didn't necessarily leave the gym feeling much better than when I arrived, but I was proud of myself for going, for making the effort, and for doing something that would benefit my emotional and physical self. As I was stretching at the end of my workout, the woman next to me sighed and told me that she didn't want to come to the gym today, but she didn't go yesterday (Monday) and she was getting married a week from Saturday and she had to get her workouts this week. We laughed at my similar situation and attitude (except fyi: I'm not getting married next Saturday) and went our separate ways.

As I was leaving the gym, there was a message from a friend and coworker asking if she would see me at the next hour's class and although it would have been great to workout with her, I was ecstatic that my workout was done...until the next day.

I guess the message I’m trying to get at with this post is that everyone has triggers that cause them to fall off course now and then. There are stresses and strains from everyday life that sometimes feel too much and we look for a means of comfort...many times that comfort is food; but food is not the answer. Sometimes, you might not know what the answer is, but what you do know is that you have friends, family, loved ones, and your fellow Chasers to get you through the rough patches, to help pull you up, to get back on the healthy meal plan, to get back in the gym...to get you HEALTHY.

Special thanks this week to my co-blogger and friend, Jillian Ashton, and life-long friends Natanya Marracino, Jocelyn Mercado, Chelsea Foxwell, and Keiko Nakano. Also, thank you to Shaina for making my variation of the Japanese flag in honor and remembrance of all those who have been affected by the earthquake and tsunami.

Please continue to keep my friend Keiko and her family, especially her mom and sixteen year old sister, in your thoughts and prayers as they continue to mourn the loss of their husband and father.  JAPAN <3