stuff i dig: osprey 2 l water reservoir

Osprey 2 liter Hydraform Water Reservoir

photo and other information here at REI.com

About a year ago, I got a day pack with water reservoir at Costco for 20 bucks. What a steal. Not as cute as the Camelbak brands, but I was willing to sacrifice looks for a third of the price.  This backpack (a pretty detailed review can be found here) fit my needs perfectly for day hike use, but I had some serious complaints about the water reservoir, or more specifically, the mouthpiece. After just a few uses, it was leaking like crazy. I took it back to Costco and exchanged it for the same product, but had the same results a couple months later. Lame, but hard to complain when it came with such an inexpensive backpack.

Solution? The Osprey 2 liter! This will fit in most backpacks and day packs comfortably and has an easy to use cap.  Even on first use, my water did not taste plastic-y and the mouthpiece is holding up well.  My mom has used this product on several multi-day backpacking trips and loves it.

(Note: Originally, I ordered the 3L for 2 dollars more. An extra liter for two dollars? No brainer. However, the 3L won't fit in most packs.)

It comes with an interesting magnet on the mouthpiece that can clip to your should strap or shirt, to make the mouthpiece more accessible.  I found it to be awkward and unnecessary, so I just didn't use the magnet clip.

Hooray for Osprey for making wonderful products!

Popeye's Ice Cream

Originally from the Blendtec website, this recipe for spinach ice cream is delicious!

Popeye's Ice Cream

3/4 cup half and half or coconut milk
1/4 cup agave nectar (can be substituted with 3/8 c sugar)
2/3 cup nonfat powdered milk or powdered coconut milk
2 cups spinach, lightly packed (I used more!)
1 1/2 tablespoons vanilla extract
2 1/2 cups ice cubes (I used a little less)

Add ingredients to a blender pitcher and secure lid. For Blendtec models, press "Ice Cream" and serve. For other blenders, blend at medium speed for 20 seconds, then on high for 25 seconds or until smooth. Makes 3 3/4 cups.

Nutritional Information: (for 1/2 cup serving)
80 calories
11 g carbs
3 g fat
9 g sugar
1 g protein

Iron Christmas 70.3- The Gift that Keeps on Giving

Remember back in December, when I competed in the Iron Christmas 70.3? And won?

I entered it by total coincidence. I happen to click on Lucas's blog from a comment he made on Fat Cyclist. One comment of several hundred (literally) because I was bored at work. He had just posted the virtual race details, and I figured I had nothing better to do than accept this random blogger's challenge.

Best decision ever.

Not only was the virtual race a fun challenge over the holidays, it taught me a little about myself. That I can swim enough to get by, I can workout for several hours with a little motivation, etc.

Anyway, here's all the awesome stuff I got in the mail last weekend for winning:

A TON of Gu and Chomps, courtesy of OutsidePR.  There was a mixup with shipping, and they were kind enough to throw in some extras.

Not one, but TWO pairs of Ryders Eyewear sunglasses, also from OutsidePR. Can't decide which one I like better- the silver ones are transition and the black ones are normal.

Gift certificate to Everyday Endurance. I've picked which shirt is my favorite, but I don't feel like I can order it until I've done a real tri myself...

And last but not least... a Road ID!!

 

I was so excited to order this.  The last line is typically a motivational quote or something funny, so of course I felt pressure to think of something clever in only 24 characters.  It was really funny to google and see some ideas- "Shut up, legs!"  "Is my bike OK?" "I run so I can eat what I want!"

I was looking for something more motivational, and Husband thought of a perfect and simple idea: "Endure to the end". My religion is a very important part of my life, and "endure to the end" is a common saying or slogan among LDS people.

Thanks again to Lucas at the Super Fatlete, OutsidePR, and Everyday Endurance!

New Mantra?

I'll take one of these, please.

Fitness inspired jewelry from The Silver Maple.

Cap2Cap Recap

 

First  race  organized ride of 2011! The Cap2Cap in Richmond or Williamsburg, VA. We had some friends that do this ride every year and love it.  Participants choose from full, half, or quarter century distances and can either start in Williamsburg (the former capitol of Virginia) or Richmond (current capitol).  The full century goes from one city to the other- hence the Cap2Cap name.  Husband and I opted for the half century. I wanted to have the rest of the day to go to colonial Williamsburg and I also felt like I wouldn't be ready for the full 100.

I always tell myself that I need to take more pictures of events. So... here's what I got.

We got to the start 40 minutes early, giving us plenty of time for bike assembling, packet pickup, and potty stops. I commend the ride organizers for varying the start times for the different distances, allowing packet pickup and the starting point to be less crowded. 

The route was beautiful! It took us through wooded country roads with few hills.  We kept a really good pace (for us) of 17mph and enjoyed the whole ride.  The "feed zones" were sufficiently stocked. I may have had some comments in this area if I were doing the full century.  There were a few different bars and trail mixes out, but if I were doing the whole thing I would have hoped for more variety like the other centuries we've done. But we were fine for the 50 miles and didn't even stop at all of them.

One thing I really liked about the Cap2Cap was the finish line festivities. Because of the staggered start times, all riders were ending around lunch time and there was a great catered lunch. 

We had a great first event of the season! More to come!

trail running

We have finally arrived in Virginia! The first chance I got, I went for a run around my neighborhood.  My parents (who we're living with for now) live on a very quiet street that backs up to a branch of the Potomac River.

It makes me laugh that people talk about how cold it is here. Cold? This is balmy. I was only wearing one jacket. 

One nice perk to the Vibrams is that I am able to run on packed snow.  This stuff here was pretty slushy, but in Utah I ran on many sidewalks that were completely solidly packed snow and had no trouble. 

It was nice to go out and have no agenda or even a watch on.  While I did grow up in this area, I am seeing things with new eyes- where are good cycling routes? How can I find some running trails?

For now, I am just excited to be somewhere that has trees! And foliage!

2011 events

If all had gone according to plan, I would be somewhere in Kentucky right now, and arriving in Virginia tonight. But since things never go according to plan, we are still stuck in Colorado, waiting for the weather conditions to improve.  Husband and I are moving to northern Virginia, as he just graduated in December, and who really wants to settle in Utah anyway?

Anyway, with this extra time on my hands, I have been planning events for this coming season.

My goals are to do at least one triathlon (it will be my first), at least one century and one half marathon.  I also imagine there will be some additional cycling events of varying distance or other random things that come along.

Here's what I've got my eye on:

Tour de Carroll on April 23
Westminister, Maryland
metric century (63 miles)
website

Frederick Run Fest Half Marathon on May 7
Frederick, Maryland
website
OR
Alexandria Half Marathon on May 28
Alexandria, Virginia
website

North Mountain Triathlon on June 18
Martinsburg, West Virginia
sprint- 400 yard lake swim (isn't that only 365 meters??), 11 mi bike, 5k run
website
OR
Colonial Beach Triathlon on July 9
Colonial Beach, Virginia
sprint- 700 m river swim, 14 mi bike, 5k run
website

Civil War Century on September 10
full 100 mile century
website

I imagine the late summer and fall events will change as the year goes on. I may feel ready for an olympic distance, or maybe another half marathon or something.  I will also have to see what my work situation will be like- I expect to be working many Saturdays, so I may have to cut back. There will also be some horse events that will be added depending on how that all plays out.

If anyone is in the northern Virginia area and has recommendations for events in the area, hit me up!