Training Tuesday: Countdown to Triathlon Day

My moment of truth isn't that far away with the triathlon coming up on Sunday. I've trained my ass off, completing all but one workout. There were only a few occasions where I didn't do the workouts exactly as prescribed, so I feel ready. I actually feel more than ready, I'm prepared to kick ass. Luckily, thinking about the Sports Bra Challenge has prevented me from getting anxious about the race.

I've been checking out the race Web site, studying the course and reviewing previous race times. Nothing I do this week will improve my overall fitness, so I'm taking it easy workout wise. I'm focusing on visualizing all the legs of the race and how I will feel: strong, fierce and fast.

I've also put a lot of time into thinking about my goals for this race. It's my first triathlon and a sprint distance, so I know I can complete the race. I always go with the idea of dreaming big, so here's what I'm thinking:

A Goal: Place in my age group. Given previous times and my training times, it's within the realm of possibilities, but a stretch goal.
B Goal: Complete the entire race in one hour. This is still a bit of a stretch.
C Goal: Finish the race in 1:15, with tight transition times and a respectable 5K time.

Here's my game plan on race day.

Swim: Focus on being a skinny little boat in the water, reaching and pulling through every stroke with strong flip turns.
Bike: Keep in the high teens/low 20s in terms of miles per hour, staying smart about selecting gears.
Run: Run like I stole a baby bear from it's mom and I happen to be coated in honey. MacKenna will be running a portion of the 5K with me to encourage me to get a move on. My goal is to keep my miles in the low 8s.

Mantra: Don't stop until you're proud.

Introducing the Sports Bra Challenge

I've been pretty open with my struggles with self-image and self-confidence. I grew up a little "fluffy" for my height, and was teased mercilessly for a long time. It hurt to be the biggest cheerleader, and wearing clothes that weren't nearly as stylish as my classmates.

My parents were always supportive, instilling that I am beautiful, powerful and smart, a legacy that my husband continues. With their support, I've found a healthier lifestyle that's allowed me to shed some weight, get active, find new sports that I love and meet friends who share my passion.

But old habits are hard to break. I wonder sometimes if people are staring at me when I run, in the same way my classmates used to stare and laugh at me in gym class. As a woman, it's so easy to nitpick at my appearance and base my happiness around how I feel about how I look.

It's time for a change.

It's time to be proud of the body I've earned.

It's time to decide I don't give a damn about what stranger's think.

It's time to embrace me.

On Thursday, I'll be participating in the Sports Bra Challenge, a movement based in New York that encourages women to enjoy their workout in a sports bra. This has long been a goal of mine, and I'm excited to participate in an event that empowers women to love the way they look. There's a lot of marketing out there that tells us, subtly and blatantly, that we should look a certain way. Ignore it, shed your negative self talk and your shirt and join me.

I've partnered with mi-bra, which I'll be wearing on my last pre-triathlon run Thursday. Plan to join me, wherever you are, then come back here Thursday for a great give away.

Happy Mother's Day!

My family had lunch at the Waukegan Yacht Club. I'm so happy I was able to spend the day with my mom, who is the best mom ever. I'm not biased or anything, of course.

This photo was the best part of being at the yacht club. We were supposed to have brunch, but we waited for almost an hour past our noon reservation time. The company was amazing, but the food and service wasn't.

Stand Mixer Sunday: The Only Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe You Will Ever Need

For years now, I've been on the quest for the perfect chocolate chip cookie. I wanted it to be chewy with a slightly crisp exterior, decently thick and about palm sized. I imagined the perfect chocolate chip cookie with be moist with a velvety mouth feel and rich, stick to your teeth chocolate flavor.

Friends, I have found it. The recipe could be my legacy to the baking world and I would die happy. If you know me in real life, these cookies will now be a staple to any get together when I'm asked to bring something. No need to mess with perfection, search the Internet or scour Pinterest. This gourmet chocolate chip cookie recipe is where it's at. 

The Only Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe You Will Ever Need

2 cups flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 1/2 sticks salted butter, melted until liquid and cooled until room temperature

3/4 cup packed brown sugar

1/4 cup white sugar

2 room-temperature eggs

1 package sugar-free vanilla pudding

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

1 cup grated milk chocolate (I used a chocolate bunny, but a milk chocolate bar works the same)

Kosher salt

Sift together the flour and baking soda, then set aside.

Using a stand mixer with the paddle attachment, cream together the butter, brown sugar and white sugar on medium, then add the vanilla pudding and mix until incorporated. Add the eggs, one at a time, and mix until fully incorporated. 

Slowly, add the flour mixture until it's all mixed together. Fold in the chocolates, then cover and chill in the freezer for one hour.

Start preheating an empty oven to 350 degrees. When your oven reaches 350 degrees, let it sit for 20 minutes to ensure a stable temp.

Spray a cookie sheet with oil. Using a 3 Tablespoon scoop, portion out six cookies. Dust with a pinch of kosher salt. This brings out the sweetness of the cookie and shouldn't be omitted.

Bake for 10-15 minutes, rotating the cookie sheet about 2/3 of the way through the baking process. The cookies are done when the cookies are set and the edges are slightly brown. My oven took 14 minutes to make these bad boys.

Serving with milk or coffee, or sandwiching some satiny ice cream.

Another Goal Off the List: Volunteering at a Race

Good morning, it's 5 a.m.

First, let me start with saying I'm sorry. I was a volunteer and was happy to provide my time to a race, but apparently, I left my brain power behind.  Forgive me, races gods, for I have sinned.

I woke up today at 4 a.m. to head out to Batavia for the Bridge to Bridge 5K and 10K to knock out one of my 12 Goals for 2012. It's the second year of this race, which benefits a Montessori school and the Batavia Lions Club. As a Lion, I was happy to pitch in my time to another club.

The top male made this look effortless

I spent my time handing out numbers for the 10K, then handing out medals at the finish line of the 10K.  It was great meeting all the runners in the morning and wishing them the best in their race.

The female winner of the 10K was amazing. She was 13. I knew she was destined to finish fast when she showed up with her own race belt and the best gear, then asked me about the age breakdowns. When I gave her the finisher's medal, I told her that I thought she was the top woman. She told me she knew she was. If by some miracle you're reading this, just know that you are an inspiration. I wish at 13 someone had told me to get my ass off the couch and start running.

My biggest sin of the day was realized when I discovered I gave the top female 5K finisher the wrong bib and they announced the wrong name. I felt very guilty, and told her that I was sorry. She was cool with it. A winner is a winner, and they can fix my botched timing job.

This whole experience was inspiring and positive. I enjoyed feeling everyone's nervous energy, as well as helping out another Lions club. One 10K finisher cried when she completed the race and hugged one of my fellow volunteers. It's cool to reconnect with that exhilaration, which is what I feel when I finish each successive distance or set a new PR. This race was a great family event with a 1-mile kids race where the little ones get a medal. I have a whole new appreciation for the volunteers who make races possible. And at 220 runners, it's the perfect sized race that I hope to run it again next year.

Cooking with Kelly: Rich and Fudgy Quinoa Brownie Recipe

After the wild success of my dark chocolate amaranth cookie recipe, I thought I'd give cooking with grain another try. Quinoa is a very exciting ingredient to me, because it's a complete vegetarian protein source that is about 10 percent protein. Plus, it's gluten free and very tasty. I've used it in a million ways as a replacement for rice or oatmeal.  I decided to take a leap from savory to sweet and the results are awesome. These turned out moist, rich and creamy, with a deep chocolate flavor that I loved.

These would be awesome with a tall glass of milk or a morning coffee.

Rich and Fudgy Quinoa Brownie Recipes
1 cup of cooked quinoa
1/4 cup almond milk
2 Tablespoons Splenda
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
3 Tablespoons canned pumpkin
2 eggs
1 Tablespoon vanilla
2 Tablespoons honey
1/8 teaspoon baking soda
1/5 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Using a food processor, pulse together the almond milk and quinoa until smooth. Add the remaining ingredients, except the chocolate chips, and pulse until everything is combined.

Pour the batter into a greased 8x8 pan, then sprinkle the chocolate chips on top. Bake at 375 degrees for 20 minutes, being careful not to overcook. Remove and allow to cool in the pan before cutting into 16 pieces.

Fashion Friday

My mom requested that I bring these fashion posts back, and I'm not one to disappoint my mother. Especially so close to Mother's Day. These are actually outfits from the past two weeks, so please don't think I wore the same cardigan every day.

The khakis from Anne Taylor via the $.33 sale at the thrift store, the top from Banana Republic and the cardigan is Old Navy via Goodwill. The necklace Tim gave me for Christmas in 2002 - it's a gold and diamond heart.

Pants from Banana Republic, dress shirt from the $.33 sale at the thrift store and the necklace is from my mom.

I wear glasses sometimes, but mostly when I forget to bring my contacts to the gym. These are a pair of $8 glasses I bought from  Zenni Optical. Same 'ol cardigan, grey shirt from JCP, skirt from Banana Republic and shoes from Nine West via TJMaxx. The belt is from The Limited and I bought the necklace at a charity auction a few years ago.

Hello, blurry Kelly.  Stop moving and take a photo. This is a skirt from JCP's petite section, a dress shirt from H&M, flats from Ross and a scarf from the thrift store.

I love this khaki dress I got from Goodwill. I've worn it with a dark cardigan and scarf, and then a bright cardigan and belt. Now I wore it over a dress shirt from a $.33 sale at the thrift store. I'm really getting my $2 worth out of this one. The necklace is from The Limited and the shoes are from the clothing swap. Thanks, Maggie!

See other outfits.