Pure Barre

I went to my first Pure Barre class!

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My friend Christina from lululemon invited me to come to her class on Thursday.

It was completely different than anything I am used to. If you're not familiar with pure barre, it is basically a full body workout using a ballet barre and a couple other props, like 5lb weights and a small red ball. 

It primarily focused on core and legs, which is basically the opposite of what I usually focus on... Needless to say, my core and my hamstrings were particularly sore. My arms on the other hand, not at all.

I would definitely go again sometime because I love to work muscles that aren't worked as much in my weekly workout schedule, but I couldn't see myself doing this on like a weekly basis. It is much more "toning" and high-rep strength training than I prefer.

I can't wait to try another new workout class! I have so many options now that I am not training for a half. Maybe I'll try crossfit?!

Ramblin' Rose Half

What a fun day! Stephanie and I woke up at 5am to eat my typical pre-race breakfast: toast with peanut butter. Then we headed back to bed to sleep until 6am. We arrived at the race at 7 and we were so ready to start running. The hardest part to me is the first couple of miles because you know you have 13.1 ahead of you.

Once we started I knew that I was going to have to be pretty uncomfortable the whole time if I wanted to get a decent time. I never listen to an iPod or wear a watch while I am running because I like the mental aspect of racing. I like pushing myself as hard as I can and then finding out my time once I have crossed the finish line versus trying to keep a set speed throughout the race. 

I have never felt so uncomfortable while running. Mentally I was completely there, but I felt dehydrated and I had a headache beginning at mile 1. The course was incredibly hilly and my calves hurt from reducing shock to my knees as I went downhill and my quads hurt climbing up all the hills. I was reminiscing about the Tobacco Road Half Marathon, where the course was almost completely flat.

I remember the sense of joy as I turned the corner and saw the finish line. As I got closer and closer I could read the clock and I saw that I was going to PR! I sprinted through the finish line (or what felt like sprinting at that point) and finished with a time of 1:52:31. I PR'ed by a minute and a half.

I finished 4th in my age group and 79th overall (out of 785) with an 8:35 mile pace.

I definitely think that my lululemon running skirt helped score the PR. I mean it's a lot easier to run fast when you look cute doing it...

After the race we went to my favorite cafe in Durham, Nosh. My mom and I split the peanut butter, banana, and honey stuffed french toast, along with a side of cheese grits. It was incredible. And fattening. But so incredible.

Then I headed to lululemon where my boyfriend rewarded me with a new pair of running crops. The Run Inspire Crops are seriously my all time favorite pants ever. Ever ever ever.

And then to top it all off, I went and got a pedicure with my cousin. My disgusting feet look much better now!! But they still have quite a few callouses and blisters. They could use some rest!

Dash to Downdog

On Saturday, Stephanie and I went to Lululemon's Dash to Downdog. It was such a fun event!! It started with a 2.5 mile run followed up by an hour of yoga on the Durham Athletic Field. 

The weather was absolutely perfect! I definitely think yoga is more enjoyable outside versus in a studio. The event was a great way to connect with local fitness enthusiasts, and an enjoyable, sweaty Saturday morning.

Saturday afternoon I went home where I had access to a kitchen and so I had to cook. I feel like I haven't cooked in forever!! I made a recipe from my favorite clean eating blog: Turkey, Spinach, and Feta Muffins.

I used the same recipe as posted here, but I changed the proportions a little. They turned out so good!!! I want to make them every weekend and store them in my fridge as a quick grab-and-go protein source.

Ingredients:

1.3 lbs 99% Fat Free Ground Turkey

4 oz. Feta Cheese Crumbles

2 Blocks Frozen Spinach, Thawed

1 Tbsp Greek Seasoning

1 Tbsp Garlic Powder

3 Egg Whites

I put all the ingredients in my KitchenAid and blended until well combined. Then I sectioned them out into individually-lined muffin tins, baking at 350 degrees for 40 minutes. It made 20 total muffins, around 65 calories each. Once they were completely cooled, I placed them in a container and stored them in the fridge.

They tasted WAY better than they look. Promise.

In celebration that my cousin is moving to North Carolina on Friday, I am posting two pictures of Burdick's goodies :)

Chocolate Mousse Tart

Almond Milk Latte 

Uhh... I want them NOW.