¡Estoy en España!

Finally back in Spain! It has been a busy few days here between the airport, and traveling around Madrid and Toledo. It seems strange to be writing in English, but I think it is a good thing that I feel that way! I spent my first two days here in Madrid, where we went to see things like Plaza Mayor, El Palacio Real, El Parque Retiro, Gran Vía, Puerto del Sol, y Real Jardín Botánico. 

And here's what Toledo looks like! I have more pictures, but they're taking a long time to upload. I'll post more pictures, and write more about my semester abroad soon!

Thursday Thought

I am spending my day as I did for most of my summer lifeguarding at the pool. Since it’s a cloudy day and no one is here I have the perfect opportunity to share my thoughts for the day. I like the idea of, in a way, getting paid to blog for the day!

Snack throughout the week: 

Today's Lunch: Tomatoes and edamame 

With my trip less than a week away, I have been spending a lot of time starting to pack, doing laundry, and shopping for clothes and items I’ll need for the next four months. Although I do not like how much everything is costing, I am thrilled to finally be spending money on myself, and buying things that will help me look and feel my best while I am abroad. I spent a whopping $91 in CVS on toiletry items! Aside from the essentials, I’ve treated myself to new skirts, dresses, tops, makeup, a watch, scarves, and a new leather travel duffle. I know my happiness should not depend on the material items I have bought, but for someone who has hid behind gym clothes for the past few years, it feels great to finally be comfortable getting dressed and in my own skin!

Got a pedicure! Color: Conquistadorable (thought the name was fitting for my trip!)

Which brings me to my Thursday Thought:

“Create a life that feels good on the inside, not one that just looks good on the outside.”

Whenever I scroll through Facebook and Instagram, I often wonder if the people I am friends with, and the people I follow are truly as happy as they make themselves appear to be, or if it is all just for show. Today it seems as though everyone is striving for attention, and applause from others, and on social media that comes in the form of “likes.” I could not believe it when my friend was telling me that someone she knows deletes her photos or posts if she doesn’t get a certain amount of “likes.” How sad is that? Rather than competing with others for “best life award” by how one perceives themselves online, why not actually be content with who you are and where it is that you are going? This is something that has honestly taken me years to conquer. Whereas before I would scroll down my newsfeed and think that everyone has such a better life than me, I have now come to the realization that comparison is the thief of joy. Each and every one of us is on a different journey, and we cannot compare the lives of others with our own. Right now I truly feel as though I am happy with where I am, and excited for where I’ll go in the future. 

Name Change!

            As you may have noticed, my name has changed! Although I still am, and will forever be Runner Girl, I think Life of L is a better representation of the person I have become, and the person I will continue to evolve into in the future. After nearly two years of running poorly, unbalanced eating habits, and several injuries, I have realized that I cannot place so much emphasis on one of my many passions. We often define ourselves based on one role we play rather than recognizing the fact that we are complex individuals with many defining factors. By only highlighting my life as Runner Girl, I have burnt myself out from obsessing and stressing over being the same athlete I was when I first started running. I am a little more than 13 weeks away from the Valencia Marathon, and I will keep you posted on my training along the way. I’m going into this race with a different mentality than before. I am looking to enjoy the experience rather than focusing on hitting certain times. We’ll see how this goes! I am more than excited to be training for my first international race! 

   Since I am a little over a week away from starting my senior year of college, in Spain might I add, I have been thinking about how much I have grown and changed since my freshman year where Runner Girl originated. Aside from being a runner, I have now become a teacher (almost!), volunteer, coach, baker and chef extraordinaire (in my mind at least!), traveler, crafter, health enthusiast, and blogger. I am most looking forward to finding more balance in my life, and sharing my journey on here along the way! 

Runner Girl is Back! 30 Days of Paleo

It has been months since I've updated this! It certainly was a busy semester with student teaching, taking classes, and coaching. First and foremost, BYE BYE BRACE FACE!

In the past few months I've ran a St. Patrick's Day 10 Miler in Freehold, a half-marathon in Atlantic City, and a half-marathon in Washington D.C. Here are two pictures from the Nike Women's Half! It was definitely an exciting race, and I am happy I got to spend the weekend with my sister and Sean.

I also finally turned 21! Sean took me out to dinner on the big night, and then my friend Christine came out with us to Rho. It was a great night! The next night my brother and sister took me out on a "bar crawl" around Bordentown and Hamilton. 

Sean and I started the summer off with a night in Atlantic City at The Pool. I am hoping to go back soon!

This season we had a team of fifteen girls, and our final 5K race was at Rider on June 8th. I was so proud of all of our girls for finishing. We had a great season!

The coaches ordered rugbys this season. I lived in mine all winter!

I also bought new running sneakers at the Princeton Running Company and received a discount for being a Girls on the Run coach. Can it get any better?!

Finally, I decided to try going Paleo for the month! Essentially I am staying away from wheat, dairy, and sugar. I am excited to see what the next 30 days will bring! Tonight's dinner was organic broccoli, organic zucchini, and grilled chicken.

I honestly have not been this happy in the longest time, and I am looking forward for what the future will bring!

Saturday Snow

Today I woke up to a snow covered Saturday morning! I'm not really a big fan of snow, so I've been waiting for the roads to clear so that I can head to the gym! Last night I started prepping food for my second week of training. I'm thinking of starting the morning off with this protein shake:

1 cup almond milk

1 cup water

1 scoop plantfusion protein powder

1/2 cup frozen blueberries

2 frozen strawberries

Then, after the gym I'll refuel with this recipe:

Frozen Greek Yogurt Banana Pops

2 Bananas

1/2 cup plain greek yogurt

cinnamon

sliced almonds

2 tbsp ground flax seed

To make, all you do is peel the bananas and stick a popsicle stick in each. Then, mix the yogurt with the desired amount of cinnamon. Coat each banana with yogurt mixture. Roll the pops in almonds. Place in the freezer for 40-45 minutes.

 As usual, we indulged in our Friday night pizza! If you're training mean and eating clean all week, go for the pizza! Can't wait to start the new week!

Chocolately Goodness

So, you made it halfway through the week! Why not treat yourself to a delicious, chocolate chip oatmeal bar? Think chocolate isn't a part of training? Boy are you wrong! I enjoyed making these as a midday break between observing my Spanish class in the morning, and class at night.

Ingredients:

1 cup old fashioned rolled oats

1 cup oat flour

1/3 cup protein powder (optional)

1 T chia seeds 

1 t cinnamon

pinch of sea salt

2 medium ripe bananas, mashed

3 egg whites

1/2 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk

2 T smooth natural peanut butter (or almond butter)

1/2 T honey

5 drops of liquid stevia (or 1 T more of honey)

1 t vanilla

1/4 cup carob chips (or chocolate chips)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350° F.
2. In a bowl combine all dry ingredients: oats, oat flour, protein powder, chia seeds, cinnamon, and salt.
3. In a large bowl combine all wet ingredients: bananas, egg whites, almond milk, peanut butter, honey, liquid stevia, and vanilla.
4. Slowly pour and stir the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until everything is well mixed, then gently stir in the carob chips.
5. Pour the batter into a greased 8 x 5 in. or 8 x 8 in. baking dish.
6. Bake for 15-20 minutes; remove from oven and cool for 15-20 minutes.**
7. Cut into 8 squares and enjoy.

(Recipe By Fitsugar)

"Falling down is a part of life, getting back up is living."

Hello there! It has been a while since I've posted on here, and I have a lot to catch you up on! The new year has welcomed a new me and I am happier than ever! I joined a new gym, started a new semester at school, bought new clothes and new running shoes, finished decorating my newly designed room, started a new eating plan, and started a new training plan for my upcoming half-marathon in April. Keyword: NEW. Out with the old, in with the new!

I am SO excited for tomorrow with the kick-off of my 12-week training for the Nike Women's Half-Marathon in DC. Here are some of the things I've been doing so far to get ready:

Lunch! Crock-pot Buffalo Chicken lettuce wraps with greek yogurt cucumber feta dressing.

 Food prep for the week! I have a really busy schedule with classes all day, so I make everything on the weekend so I have everything ready to go all week.

Finally perfected my chocolate peanut butter protein shake!
1scoop PlantFusion protein
1 tbsp cacao powder
2 tbsp chocolate pb2
2 cups unsweetened almond milk
1 cup water
Shake and enjoy! I certainly do!

I am really looking forward to what the next 12 weeks will bring. I have never felt so empowered, or have been so committed to a workout/eating routine, and I can't wait to experience the transformation from start to finish. I don't have any real goal set in mind, but as long as I feel better about myself, and do better than I did the day before, I will be one happy runner girl.

Can't wait to update my progress next Sunday!

Oh yeah, happy super bowl Sunday! Is it time for chicken chili yet?