I'll Race You There!

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Guess what? I ran a race! Want to do it too? Check out this website, Active.com, which will help you search for local running and biking races and events in your area!


Last weekend, my mother and I got up at 5:30 to scoot our butts downtown and run the Chicago Women's 5k in Grant Park. Yeah, it was extremely early. But it felt like, by the time I was fully awake, I had already run a 5k for the day. Wonderful.

Here we are, post-race. Please note the bananas in my shirt (because sometimes you just don't have enough arms for all the stuff they hurl at you after you cross the finish line) and my mother's goofy towel-on-forehead picture. We're related. Yes. 

Did you know that you burn more calories in a race than you would running the same distance on your own? It's true. Why?

• First, instead of simply running in a straight line, a race causes you to weave in between people (especially at the beginning). This changes things up on your body and causes you to use a few smaller muscles than you usually would on a typical run. 
• Second, you tend to run slightly faster than normal in a race, with the excitement of the race and the pace of the group around you (just be sure to sign up in a group that is about your pace or slightly faster, so you don't get stuck with a bunch of slow pokes!).
• Third, the adrenaline your body produces for a race elevates your heart rate, meaning you will be burning more calories. (Want to read about how your heart rate zones affect your caloric expenditure? Read this!)

So, all in all, it was an awesome morning. A wonderful run that took us from Grant Park to the Aquarium and down along the lake front, where we had a beautiful morning view of the Chicago skyline.




Looking to get the same experience? Check out this website, Active.com, which will help you search for local running and biking races and events in your area!

The photo above is the obligatory pre-race shot. Don't forget to take one if you have your smart phone with you! Being able to see the other contestants in the background is awesome, and it's fun to look back and see how excited you were.

...It's also awesome to look back and see someone cross the finish line. Here's a shot I took of my mom finishing, who was only a minute or two behind me. Check out the couple of girls behind her - they're so proud! 

At the end of the day, my friends, not much feels better than completing a race.  Looking to get the same experience? Check out this website, Active.com, which will help you search for local running and biking races and events in your area!

Recipe | Peanut Butter Banana Protein Shake

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For those of you who are fitness buffs like me, protein shakes are a must. Even if you're not hitting the gym on a regular basis, protein is still a must-have in your diet. Most studies suggest that the average adult needs between 40 to 55 grams of protein each day. 

The icing on the cake (or on the protein shake, I guess?) is that this recipe makes one mean yet delicious shake. I often crave it. Proof that it is delicious.

Picking your protein? There are many options. Look for a Whey protein. Whey protein is the same protein found in milk and is best for post-workout supplements because it is fast-absorbing and as a result can quickly get to work repairing your muscles.Try to get this in your system within 40 minutes of working out if you're using it as a post-workout shake!

 

Want the full recipe? Read on, my friends! :)