Tag: Running

• A Side of Tips

  Posted at 7:11 AM by Brittany, on January 12, 2015

  Here’s how this post is going to work: I’m going to randomly share a few updates in my life, because despite this article telling me I shouldn’t (number 2) this is my life and I do what I waaaannnt. Plus I disagree with that article.

  Then I’m going to share a life tip related to the update. Got it? Good.

  -Coffee. In the world of black crack things are smooth, pun intended. Starbucks has released Casi Cielo and I’ve had a few at work coffee tastings with the brew. My favorite tasting was one that my manager conducted. (Side note: I’m totally still sipping on Christmas blend while I write this post.)

  

  Coffee and cookies.

  She always goes above and beyond to ensure I can partake in things. These are vegan cookies, and the gingersnap flavors paired great. I love my people.

  COFFEE TIP: When brewing your morning coffee, pour hot water into your mug while you’re waiting. This will warm up your mug (duh) and minimize heat loss.

  -Running. My running has been fantastic. Like…I can’t believe it’s not butter fantastic. I’m going to blame the fact that I have an excellent balance in my life right now. It’s also hard to beat fantastic views and post run showers/feasting.

  

  (Winter) RUNNING TIP: If you have the option, start your run inside. I despise running on my treadmill for long distances as much as I despise cold lungs. Combining indoor/outdoor helps my mental stability and gives me big fat warm lungs.

  -School. Ohhh boyyyy, here we go. I’m a solid week into the next level of my chemistry class…and…it’s going OK. I’m knocking on every patch of wood I see after typing that out. I refuse to let this class go down in flames like the last class. I finished the last class with a B, so I’m hoping for AT LEAST a B+ this time.

  For this I also blame life balance. Funny how switching things around to provide a routine can benefit the overall flow of life. If you can, I suggest you try it.

  

  Usually the case for me.

  SCHOOL TIP: This actually goes for school/work/anything really..PACK YOUR LUNCH. Seriously, you’ve all heard it before, so DO IT! Prepping your meals ENSURES a healthy intake which ensures my favorite word: B A L A N C E. It also helps your pants to fit despite sitting for longer periods of time. I like when my pants fit.

  -Food. I’ve had the chance to get some baking in (there’s that balance again.) along with some solid meals. My current obsessions are: raw desserts, and anything with coconut flour. I’ve also been really into making things without refined sugars.

  I made this…

  

  Click photo for recipe.

  …and these…

  

  Cliccckkk.

  I subbed flax eggs for both of those, and swapped sugars for raw honey. The muffins came out perfect, but my bread looked like a sunken ship. The icing was too watery and made my bread too moist. Waste not though, I turned it into more of a bread pudding because the flavor was still good!

  FOOD TIP: Try using food to add sweetness to your baked goods. Dates, bananas, apples, raw honey, maple syrup, and more. All of these have helped satisfy my sweet tooth while allowing me to feel good about what I’m putting into my face hole.

  CliffsNotes Version: When life is balanced, things work together like a beautifully harmonized song. All that’s missing is a mountain adventure. and cake.

  Q: What’s your life tip for the day? 

  

  | 69 Comments Tagged Coffee, Random, Running, School, Starbucks

• Unplugged

  Posted at 6:57 AM by Brittany, on January 5, 2015

  I’m back from my week long Arizonian adventure, and I was almost 100% absent from anything and everything blog related. I did read some posts each morning to accompany my coffee in order to make room for my breakfast, and I even posted one measly post, but the rest of my time was spent…away from my computer.

  

  In typical recap format, here’s a count up of a few things I did last week.

  One – trip to the theater. This show was FANTASTIC.

  

  Two – mountains climbed.

  

  

  

  Three – lovely bike rides. I rode a tandem bike for the first time. Scariest moment of the entire trip and I nearly lost my lunch out of fear, which could go two ways.

  I’ll let you use your imagination for that last sentence.

  

  

  Four – pots of coffee. I use a French press at home, but without this I brewed my morning coffee in a pot. I drank about four pots this trip which is 2x more than my normal coffee consumption. No regrets.

  

  This is not a pot of coffee, rather it is a coffee roaster I saw at the Phoenix airport. Random, and photo worthy.

  Five – days of running. Loved kicking off my half marathon training in the flat lands.

  

  Six – Marvel movies. Last year my family and I had a Harry Potter marathon and finished them all. This year we started watching Marvel movies. Not in order, so I still have more to watch, but I greatly enjoyed oogling Tom Hiddleston in Thor.

  

  Other honorable mentions

  • I ate the best $2 tacos I’ve ever had .

  

  • I was gifted 20 pounds of food for Christmas that took up two giant shopping bags. Including multiple grains and pastas. I got it all home.

  

  Kinda like this.

  • I got a new iPhone. Somuchfaster. I used it to snap multiple photos of the mountains on my flight home.

  

  

  Unplugging was great, and I’d like to give a shout out to my Arizona family for handling my “hanger” when it reared it’s ugly head. Similar to the Hulk in all those Marvel movies, I’m a different person when I get hungry.

  They handled me like a champ. Thanks guys.

  …and just like that, it’s back to school and work today. Happy Monday.

  Q: Favorite Marvel movie?

  

  | 67 Comments Tagged Arizona, Coffee, Explore, Running, Vacation, Vegan

• Three Updates

  Posted at 7:28 AM by Brittany, on December 8, 2014

  Running – Anyone notice minimal run talk around these parts lately? That’s because this is what my Garmin looks like right meow…

  

  Dead battery. It’s been dead for….a while. I haven’t charged it because I haven’t wanted to use it. Instead, I’ve been running 2-3 milers on my treadmill every few days.

  I’m happy to report that my semi running break inspired me to look for my next race, and I’m all signed up for this St.Paddy’s Day Run in March. Every year I tell myself I won’t run a race between Jan-March because it’s SO COLD before hand, but every year I do. LOCAL runners: SIGN UP NOW before a price increase!

  Work – Work is fantastic, as per usual. Starbucks just opened the most gorgeous roasting plant I have ever seen. I haven’t seen it live yet, but am planning a trip in January with a few fellow coworkers. Click the photo below for a quick article.

  

  I’m almost embarrassed (but not really) to admit how obsessed I am with this place. I cannot wait to see it. Once I arrive I will force them to hire me. I’m so thankful to work near the birthplace of this coffee company.

  It’s not easy to describe, but Starbucks is different in Washington, more specific Starbucks is different the closer you get to Seattle. There’s a sense of pride in the product that I sadly don’t see when I travel to Starbucks locations in other states. Basically what I’m saying is if you have a sour impression about Starbucks, you must get to Seattle and experience the passion and love that goes into each and every cup.

  Let me know when you’re here, and I’ll meet you for a tasting. 🙂

  Food – Not much food talk around here lately either. That’s not because I haven’t been eating, but simply because I’ve been eating the same quick and easy things all day erryday. School sucks the joy out of everything.

  Lots of pumpkin, lots of vegetables, lots of bananas, lots of almond butter, and too many handfuls of these chocolate covered crack cluster nuts. Say that 5x fast.

  

  Chocolate salted almonds. Costco did me dirty.

  Q: Give me an update, I’ve been semi MIA in blogland lately. 

  

  | 58 Comments Tagged Coffee, Costco, Running, Starbucks, Work

• A History of Memorable Events

  Posted at 3:49 AM by Brittany, on November 6, 2014

  – 1989: Shot into the world, or “birthed.”

  

  Note: I did not come out looking like this. I was 8 mo. here, and already loving everything Halloween.

  – 1991: Stepped on a giant slug, proceeding to give me a life long phobia. Real talk.

  – 1992: Had the best hair I’ll ever have, this cannot be repeated.

  

  – 1997: Became the coolest kid on the block with my authentic Japanese Pokemon cards. Thank you dad for living in Japan and sending me this gold.

  – 2000: Hit puberty, tried to fight it by wearing the same soccer shorts and Old Navy tech vest…everyday. This lost me my title of coolest kid on the block.

  I also had a hair cut like this for years…thanks mom.

  

  – 2004: Introduced myself to coffee at the orthodontist (totally ironic.) Put enough cream and sugar in my cup to give five people diabetes for life.

  – 2005: Got braces. This sparked my fascination of teeth.

  

  16 yr old black haired Brittany.

  – 2007: Became a carbotarian by giving up meat, but eating all things bread and chips.

  – 2009: Got a job at a smoothie shop and found my love for veggies, and wheat grass.

  

  – 2011: Started this blog, ran my first race, unleashed the (slow as molasses) beast, got a job at Trader Joe’s, and met a boy.

  – 2012: Gave up all animal products, and perfected the art of roasted vegetables. Ran my first half marathon through the happiest place on earth.

  

  – 2012: Sparked my insatiable appetite for cupcakes.

  – 2013: Had a life changing breakup with aforementioned boy, which taught me peace, patience, and balance. I’m now very (possibly too) comfortable being alone.

  

  Balance is bliss.

  – 2013: Got a job at Starbucks. Cracked out on coffee even more than at the orthodontist when I was 15. Discovered a new passion for the bean.

  – 2014: Fell in love with the mountains and with my life, despite my always changing path. Learned that change is constant and adaptation is key.

  

  – Yesterday: Reminded myself why I never wear LOOSE fitting cotton bottoms while running. Everything moves. Everything.

   Q: What was a memorable moment in time for you?

  

  | 64 Comments Tagged Mountain, Random, Running, Starbucks, Trader Joes, Vegan

• Running Thoughts – Take Two

  Posted at 6:02 AM by Brittany, on November 3, 2014

  Sometimes when I run I think about dancing sugar molecules in the form of cookies making their way into my mouth. Actually let’s keep it real, the only time I’m not thinking about food while running is when I’ve eaten too much before the run, and I have to distract myself with other thoughts to prevent myself from stopping.

  

  Truth

  I haven’t been running as much as I’d like the last few weeks, and my clothes have let me know it’s time to put down the fork and put on my Garmin. While on a run the other day (one I had eaten enough pumpkin and beans beforehand to fuel a small village) I had empty brain space to think about things other than cookies.

  My Thinks 

  1. “There are three of you, and one of me..I would love if you shared this sidewalk. Then again, you are all around age 12 and haven’t grown into your naturally occurring hormones known as “manners.” It’s OK, but not really…MOVE or I will hit you.”

  2. “Oh man, the yellow light is flashing. I’d better slow down, I don’t want to get a ticket.”

  3. “I wonder if I’ll ever have to use my MACE.”

  4. “I feel like a busted can of biscuits. Too many chips.”

  

  5. Meghan. <—-Post inspiration right there.

  6. “The seasonal Clif Bar I ate yesterday was as soft as my under-run midsection. Usually I’m putting my jaw through the wringer to eat one of those.” I love this flavor, makes me warm and fuzzy inside like swallowing a caterpillar.

  

  7. “I’m going to blog about this. I’ll call it running thoughts.”

  8. “Oh look, a chubby kid with a cupcake. I wonder if he would share that with me. Doubtful, chubby kids don’t share. I speak from experience.”

  

  I laughed waaayy hard at this.

  9. “I feel haggard, but those guys just whistled. They must have been warning traffic a train was coming. And by train I mean me.”

  10. “That run was at a quicker pace than I thought…hmm…GIVE ME CAKE!”

  

  Blogging Thoughts: This post was way cooler in my head.

  Q: What do you think about when you have open brain space?

  

  | 69 Comments Tagged Food, Garmin, Running

• Early Morning Confessions

  Posted at 6:12 AM by Brittany, on October 24, 2014

  1. They’re baaaaccckkk…

  

  Coming to a Starbucks near you after November 1st.

  2. I kind of want to run a marathon..but I’m really scared.

  3. My typical grocery haul is what I like to call balance.

  

  4. I dislocated my elbow last week (at 4am), and spent 15 minutes trying to put it back in its socket. Sadly this has happened a handful of times before, but not recently. I cried, yelled for my mommy, pulled it back into place, and then went to work. Damn you yoga planks…

  5. Still obsessed with fall squash. 6. I really miss hiking, and being active all day. I’ve been so sedentary with school lately I’m starting to grow another human off my backside.

  7. Folded/curled chips > flat chips. I will dig throughout an entire bag searching for all of the folded chips. Don’t even get me started on when 5 chips are baked on top of each other.

  I guess once a digger always digger.

  

  8. I rarely have enough free time to spend reading blogs. Have I mentioned how badly school is cramping my style? Is it December yet??

  9. I don’t even have time to focus on creating tastings with my one true love – black crack.

  

  10. I want a new iPhone (I’m still rocking the iPhone 4 I got in 2011)…and the Garmin 220….and a trip to Ireland…and room filled with coffee and chocolate.

  Q: What’s your confession?

  

  | 92 Comments Tagged Coffee, Confessions, Random, Running, Vegan

• Experimenting on Humans

  Posted at 6:16 AM by Brittany, on October 2, 2014

  In science, whenever someone has a hypothesis about something, they have to run a serious of tests based on observations and experiments in order to form a solid theory. In running, whenever I have a hypothesis about observed correlations between outside factors and my results, I test them multiple times to prove my own type of theory..for my own body. Still with me?

  When it comes experimenting on humans, there isn’t much leeway. It’s unethical to a certain degree to do such a thing, but if the human being tested on is yourself I’d say you’re in the clear!

  

  Human experiment gone wrong.

  Test # 1: The Less is More Test – For this experiment I decided to take into account how my body felt after loading up on food the morning of a long run. My results were almost always the same. I felt slow, and sluggish. I then decided to put “carb-loading” to the test by eating a substantial amount of food the day before my run, and LESS food the day of my actual run. If I let science do the talking I can assume the food I consumed the previous day has been stored for readily available energy, allowing me to eat lighter before my actual run.

  Results: For the last two weeks I’ve been testing this idea and it’s been proven correct for my personal running adventures. When I eat less the day of, I run lighter and don’t feel as sluggish.

  

  Something like this the night before…plus 10993784 more carbs and some nut butter.

  

  Something like one of these before my run, plus maybe 30 minutes to digest.

  Test # 2: The Coffee Test – What I’m about to say will surely shock you. I normally consume around 10-12 oz of coffee a day. That’s it. One cup, that I rarely finish all of. I know, I know…the coffee loving barista only drinks a small amount of coffee. What can I say I’m naturally energetic. Or am I? After consuming an extra cup or two of coffee before a fatigue free long run, I decided to drink an extra cup within 30 minutes of my next planned run.

  Results: Every time I’ve had coffee within 30 minutes before my run I felt an elevated boost of energy. This has resulted in me ALWAYS wanting a cup before my runs, because feeling tired 2 miles into a 10 mile run is all kinds of problematic. More black crack please.

  

  Test # 3: The “GETCHURMINDRIGHT” Test – For this experiment I decided to pump myself up by telling myself before a long run, “you GET to go run 9 miles,” instead of “you HAVE to go run 9 miles.” I did this for my last three long runs, and I also mentally prepared myself for the distance by taking it one mile at a time.

  Results: Master your mind, master your life. Running (and a lot of other things in life) is mostly mental. Blocking out the negativity resulted in three extremely positive long runs. After practicing a positive mind space I noticed my runs were, dare I say COMPLETELY enjoyable. I wasn’t dying mid way to ten miles, I gracefully trotted into the final mile.

  

  Test # 4: The Every Other Day Test – What I’m about to admit is not something I’m proud of, but it’s real life so roll with me here. This experiment was completely unplanned, and sprouted based on a semi uncontrollable situation. My training schedule had me running 4 times a week, with two cross train days, and one rest day. Up until a couple weeks ago I was running probably 5 times a week, and bouncing between two cross train days with a random rest here and there.

  When I was asked to work a double shift at work a couple weeks ago, mentally I was distraught about having to skip my 5 mile run (I could have run in the dark if I wanted, but…I didn’t want to.) I am very schedule oriented and this messed with my mind. Do I know that if I skip a run I will be fine? Yes, but that doesn’t make it any easier. So I skipped my run, and guess what happened? I ran 8 miles the next day. If I’ve done my math correctly, that’s 3 more miles than planned. AND IT FELT AMAZING. So I tested the idea of running one day, and resting the next.

  Results: For the last two weeks I’ve taken WAAaaAAyy more rest days than scheduled, and done a serious of run, rest, run, rest, with a few back to back runs or workouts thrown in the mix. This has resulted in AMAZING long runs with MORE energy, and a much happier mindset about accomplishing OTHER things outside of running…like eating.

  

  The unplanned 8 miler.

  Test # 5: The Slow is Pro Test – For this experiment I took it back to the basics of slower and more comfortable runs. I used to beat myself up if my run wasn’t at a certain speed, and recently the speed I felt I needed to achieve was anything under 10 minute miles. In my mind 10 minute miles were slow as molasses, and someone that’s been running for years shouldn’t be compared to a sticky sweetener. Well I say to hell with that hogwash because my slow running pace has given me some of my best overall runs…ever.

  Results: When allowing my mind to go hand in hand with test number 3, I mentally accepted that my pace was going to slow down in order to allow me to continue running without wanting to stop. 8 miles at a 9:46 pace is fantastic, but so is 8 miles at a 10:00 pace. If I push I know I can obtain the quicker pace, but that usually results in me dreading my next run.

  I would rather enjoy myself at a steady speed and be EXCITED to run again.

  

  …and then when this happens I can be even more excited.

  While none of these have been scientifically proven, they seem to work for me for the time being. Our bodies are constantly changing and adapting to new ways of doing things.

  Other key factors include: 298325982 ounces of water the DAY BEFORE my run, similar to food. PLUS another 587583 ounces the day of. Water all day everyday. Good sleep, happy muscles, cooler weather, a good BM (truth stops for no one, see note below*) and a huge meal post run to refuel! Another benefit of not eating much before means plenty of room in my belly for AFTER.

  *Runners trots – they are so real, and they hurt SO much. Let your imagination fill in the rest.

  Q: Do you ever test certain factors to see how they play into your workouts?

  

  | 40 Comments Tagged Coffee, Garmin, Running, Vegan

• Post Vacation Shenanigans

  Posted at 6:45 AM by Brittany, on September 22, 2014

  Since arriving home from my mini trip to LA, things have been busy. The day after I came home I attended the most adorable/rustic wedding for a former coworker of mine. Total swoon city.

  

  

  The dinner tables were littered with pages from Harry Potter and large vegetables.

  

  The day after the wedding I had my long run for the week. I worked 5:30-2 that day which meant I had to run in the peak of the heat. I was dead, it hurt, I wanted to quit, but I slowly finished.

  This is also the day I started house sitting for the honeymooners from the wedding I went to, and another lovely lady that frequents Starbucks. I was able to run in a different town because of this!

  

  The run was a bad idea. Well, I would have done it regardless, but it further induced a minor head cold that was brewing behind the scenes. It started with a sore throat, and progressed to full on mucus overload. I blame germ infested Disneyland and airplane travels!

  I ended up skipping my run last Tuesday because I couldn’t muster the energy. Instead, I walked to a local yet new to me coffee shop, enjoyed a cup of black coffee, and proceeded to go for a walk around the water. This was a much better decision.

  

  

  

  

  One of the houses I am house sitting for is within walking distance of an adorable row of stores, coffee shops, and the water. I am in pure heaven staying here.

  It seems that taking a couple days off from running and going to bed before 8 for a couple nights put me on the fast train to healthy town. I was able to run a 3 miler last Wednesday, which put me back on track for the week along with a few more 3 mile runs, and a 6 miler yesterday.

  I’m much better this week, but man do I hate getting sick.

  

  Truth, my mom was sick, my coworkers were sick, I didn’t prepare for this!

  Today I go back to school, and the adorable house I am staying in right now is giving me the motivation to power through chemistry (my third chem class, and they never get easier) with the end goal in site! I want to buy one of these tiny houses!! WEEE. OH and as promised/requested here are two lovely photos of the cat I am house sitting with, in all her (semi) lion cut glory.

  

  

  Meow.

  Q: What are your remedies for a head cold? I eat oranges like they’re crack, rest like I’m a mummy, and let the bugs run their course. Thankfully it never lasts more than a few days. 

  

  | 46 Comments Tagged Cats, Random, Run, Running, Wedding

• Early Morning Confessions

  Posted at 6:50 AM by Brittany, on August 8, 2014

  1. Can’t stop won’t stop with the rice cake/nut butter/epic topping combo. These two were pre hike fuel, and by that I mean I ate these before eating another ten pounds of food on my drive to the mtn.

  

  2. One of the recent search terms that brought someone to my blog from The Google was the word “shanked.” Yup, sounds about right.

  3. Those blackberries pictured above? They were free. I walked about a mile to find some bushes and filled a bowl up. Food tastes better when it’s free AND when you work for it.

  

  4. Every time I incorporate certain kinds of gluten back into my diet I swell up like a puffer fish. The puffiness lasts a couple days, and it’s annoying because WHO can avoid cupcakes – come on man!

  5. My coworker and I finished part of our Coffee Master project. It’s a giant board of knowledge. I feel like a proud mama.

  

  6. The amount of sweat I’ve been producing on my runs lately is probably enough to fill a child size swimming pool. So.Hot.Outside.

  7. This breakfast bowl. My face was rocked so hard.

  

  …and this dinner bowl…really just this bowl. It delivers good things.

  

  8. I found this style of Teva’s at Nordstrom Rack for $30 off original price. Basically I felt like a boss, and they are my new obsession.

  9. My cat is a model.

  

  10. I’ve been getting inquiries about what I’m going back to school for, and since I’ve been lazy about writing a post on that topic I’ll give you the Cliffs Notes version: Holistic Nutrition through Bastyr University. Bastyr is a natural health college in Seattle and the program will be a bit different than your standard nutrition program.

  I’m thinking about going for the B.S. in nutrition and culinary arts to open more doors for the future, and because it just sounds like a blast. This college has a huge focus on whole foods and how they affect the human body. Totally my speed, totally crunchy granola.

  If you’ve read my blog for a while you’ll know I was going for dental hygiene in the past, which thankfully is paying off because most of my prerequisite classes for that program transfer over to the nutrition degree. I do have four prerequisites needed still which I am working on now. Long story short that’s what I’m up to!

  More on that later…perhaps.

  Q: What’s your confession? 

  

  | 46 Comments Tagged Coffee, Coffee Master, Confessions, Nutrition, Running, Starbucks, Vegan

• Fancy That

  Posted at 9:15 AM by Brittany, on July 14, 2014

  I find it quite comical how my mind/mood works.  It’s not uncommon for me to feel a certain way inside, and the moment I express those feelings to the outside world they change. Indecisive much!?

  

  Case in point – anytime I feel like I’m in a running funk and I express it on the blog, I get the urge to run. So I’ve been running lately, not far, but I’ve been running. Partially to balance out the treats I’m enjoying.

  

  An abundance of raspberries means a crumble cake is in order.

  

  I find that when I remove the stress, or feelings of pressure from something, everything else just falls into place. Once I switched from the half marathon to the 5K for a race I ran yesterday, I was no longer dreading the idea of running and it became rejuvenating again.

  Fancy that.

  

  Even a 5K warrants a trip to Whole Foods.

  I’ll have a post dedicated to the race,  because it was too good of a run not to talk about. My entire weekend was good actually. The day before the race I went to spend time with a friend and explore.

  

  

  

  It was a fantastic day. Today I’m back to exploring the mountains, it’s been 11 days since my last climb!! Thank you 4 day weekend! 🙂

  Q: Do you ever feel emotionally indecisive when you make a choice one way or another? I’m even worse when it comes to purchasing things. 

  

  | 39 Comments Tagged Adventure, Baking, Explore, Running, Vegan, Whole Foods

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