Wait, how is it Monday already? Wasn’t just yesterday Friday?

If it’s Monday that means tri training starts today! Well, according to my calendar, it actually started yesterday. Oops. Guess I’m not off to the best start.

Since I’m essentially starting from scratch, I plan on following this beginner triathlon training plan. I’ve used it before and really like that it uses time instead of distance. You can also pick which sport is your weakest and focus your training more on that. Using time as a guide is a good way to help beginners prevent injuries by going to far too soon. So here goes!

Cute pic of the day:

{He’s signing “banana” in Kynado language.}

A little link love for you:

Reading

Will somebody please make these for me?

Here’s a great list of WordPress plugins for bloggers.

Maybe American parents have it backwards.

Writing

Why food allergies may be on the rise

Is formula the answer to more moms breastfeeding?

Some kids only get an hour of gym a week. Ridiculous.

It’s not your imagination. Cutting calories makes you want food more.

**The winner of the Albion Fit giveaway is posted!! Is it you?!**

Have you joined the What’s Beautiful campaign yet?! You should.

Monday Mentions: Tri Training is a post from: with a Side of Sneakers

**Learn more about Ramblin Rose events here**

Sometimes I feel like a fraud.

Here I am writing this blog that’s supposed to be about fitness: training for triathlons and races. But in reality, there hasn’t been much of that.

I’m not where I thought I’d be at this point: 16 months into motherhood. I’d assumed after an active pregnancy and jumping back into things easily that I’d be back at my normal fitness level by now.

I’m not. And I’ve been ok with that. But now I’m ready.

I started out strong, easing back into running {after a long, drawn out break due to pre-pregnancy injury} just weeks after having a baby. But then it went downhill. Not a steep downhill; a slow and not-so-steady slight downward incline.

My baby didn’t sleep. Like REALLY did.not.sleep. I became an absolute robotic zombie. I went into survival mode. Most of the time survival mode did not include physical activity that went beyond the athletic feats it took to coerce the babe into slumber. I had no interest in the effort it took to go to the gym or picking my feet up faster than a walk.

Then I got stuck in a rut. I adapted to the routine of not really doing much or always taking care of everything else first. I remember a friend telling me once that she gave up long distance running after having a baby because she no longer had interest in going out on 2 hour long training runs. At the time I didn’t understand. Now I do.

Even when babies exhaust you and frustrate you and plain wear you out, you still want to be there for as many moments as possible. It’s hard to tear yourself away even if you know taking care of yourself is good for everyone in the long run.

So I’m in need of a little push. Something concrete on the calendar that I can’t brush aside. And I’ve found just that. Two little somethings, actually.

I’ll be doing not 1, but 2 triathlons this summer/fall. A couple months back I won a giveaway from Caitlin and immediately registered for the Winston-Salem Ramblin’ Rose Sprint Tri. Now I’m excited to announce that I’m a Ramblin’ Rose Blog Ambassador! Which means they’re graciously covering my registration to the Ramblin’ Rose Tri in Charlotte.

Ramblin’ Rose organizes a great series of women-only events that “inspire & empower families”. Though I have no qualms competing against men, I love the camaraderie of women’s-only events. The Ramblin’ Rose tris are specifically designed for beginners- they’re super sprints of 250m swim, 9 mile bike, and 2 mile runs {“ish”- each race is a little different}. The perfect intro {or re-intro} to the sport of triathlon.

I’m so excited {if not somewhat terrified} to have these two events on my calendar. I can’t wait to start training. This is perfect timing to go along with the What’s Beautiful campaign I’m participating in. Anybody want to do one with me?! *Nudge nudge*

I might need you all to remind me that I need to train though…deal?

Follow Ramblin’ Rose on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram.

Just Ramblin’ is a post from: with a Side of Sneakers

This is a campaign with Under Armour and Fitfluential. I hope you will enjoy the What’s Beautiful challenge as much as I do.

Four years ago I was in a dark, rough place. With the support of family, friends, and surprisingly {but importantly} this blog, I was able to dig myself out. I was somehow able to find the inner mental strength to power through a physically painful feat and I came out on the other side in a much better place. Since that time, there have been a lot of ups and downs, hills and valleys, light and darkness. But it’s the ups, the hills, and the light that stand out.

Here I am four years later, standing at the top of a slippery slope, wondering if I’m going to go tumbling down headfirst in catastrophe or slide down with grace and ease.

The pain that made me fight that first battle with myself has long since lifted enough for me to not make it a part of my daily life. Although there is enough of a reminder there each and every day, I’ve been able to put it aside and forget about it. Until recently.

I always knew that there was the potential for pregnancy and breastfeeding to be either the miraculous answer or the deal breaker, I just didn’t know which way it would go. Two-ish weeks ago I cut down to nursing twice a day. Almost since that day, the pain has slowly and steadily come back.

I don’t know if it’s here to stay or if this is just a transient adjustment, but I do know this: I have to be ready to fight it this time. I also know that I won’t have to fight it alone; can’t fight it alone.

Getting bogged down in the what-ifs and woe-is-me’s isn’t an option. There’s nothing productive about that. Instead, I’m making sure I start this next journey, whatever it may be, from a positive starting place.

It’s that second part that makes me proud to be a part of the What’s Beautiful campaign. Knowing I don’t have to do it alone. Every single person has a journey to take. A path to travel. A battle to fight. But we do not have to do it alone. Your journey is not the same as mine, but the support we need is the same. The benefit we get from that support is the same. And that’s what this campaign is about.

Under Armour first unveiled the What’s Beautiful campaign 3 years ago. This third round is going to be bigger and better than ever. The idea is to redefine the female athlete. It’s not about being the skinniest, the prettiest, or the most gorgeous. It’s not about perfect skin, pretty hair, or the best beach body. It’s not about what you can’t do or haven’t done. It’s about what you are going to do and what you’re capable of if you push yourself beyond your own limits. And most of all, it’s about joining each other to make it happen.

So join me for this journey. Your journey. Our journey. We have different roads to follow but the same end destination: personal improvement. Conquering our fears. Refusing to let obstacles stand in the way of our goals.

So set a goal.

Get support.

Make it happen.

Oh and maybe win prizes. Like UA swag or a trip to Costa Rica for yoga & surfing lessons. You know, nothing cool.

Join individually, join a team, or start a team. Or join lots of teams!

Join my team, SHEisSTRONG: focusing on strength. Pushing ourselves. Achieving things. Encouraging new moms to see the beauty in strength, not in getting rid of the baby belly.

My view on life is different this time around. I want to be a role model for my son. I want to be able to run along side him or carry him for hours without getting tired. I want him to see women as strong, motivational people.

So take a stand. Say #IWILL. And then do it. With ME.

To borrow words from my friend Tina, This is a movement. To believe and achieve. To strengthen and encourage. To redefine #whatsbeautiful.

Join or follow the conversation and the motivation with the hashtags #whatsbeautiful and #IWILL.

Follow my What’s Beautiful journey or join my team here.

If you need help joining my team or getting started, email, Tweet, or Facebook me.

Disclosure: I am participating in this campaign on behalf of Fitfluential.

#IWILL… Will You? is a post from: with a Side of Sneakers

Happy Mother’s Day to my momma and all my momma friends out there!

I didn’t share any links with you last weekend because I was too busy attending derby parties and birthday parties- not a bad reason to step away from the computer, right?

Well this weekend I’m going to keep it short and sweet because my mom is here with me {yay}!

So here you go:

Reading

This recipe completely intrigues me. Although adding my favorite wine to anything is a win in my book.

Combine 3 of the best tastes and put them into one drink… YES PLEASE.

These sound right up my alley. Although I would completely defeat the purpose and at least double the recipe.

Perhaps my favorite read of the week, 10 Things I Really F’in Want For Mother’s Day. Sorry I never got you any of these things, mom. Husband, it’s not too late…

Writing

The life of an allergy mom.

Can you really get fit with just 3 minutes of exercise a week?

The chicken and the egg: weight & personality

One thing you may not have thought of when you were house hunting.

Colic & migraines?

How many miles is that cheeseburger?

Don’t forget to enter my Albion Fit giveaway!! It ends tomorrow at midnight.

Also, tomorrow I have a really, really cool campaign to share with you- I’m so excited to be participating and can’t wait to fill you in and tell you how you can participate too.

Happy weekend!

Sunday Snippets: Mother’s Day Ed. is a post from: with a Side of Sneakers

**UPDATE: The winner is Kortney, comment #15. Send me an email!**

If you haven’t caught on by now, I pretty much live in workout clothes. I shouldn’t admit this, but it’s not only when I don’t have time to change after the gym. Sometimes I put them on first thing in the morning {or half way through the day} with no intention of any kind of workout. I’m at the point, and have been for an embarrassingly long time, that putting on jeans is officially “dressing up”.

This tells you two things. Ok more than two, but two that matter in this post:

a) I love getting new workout clothes

b) I’m a pretty experienced critic

Factor number one was taken care of when Albion Fit sent me some new workout clothing to try out. Point number two was up to me, and judge them I did, both from a workout standpoint and a just-wearing-around-today view.

Here’s what I tried out and what I thought:

1. Go Long Crew with Thumbholes.

Don’t tell me you don’t love thumbholes. You know you do. As do I. This shirt is super soft and light. It’s the perfect wear-to-the-gym-but-take-off-before-you-start-to-sweat-shirt. It’s also “normal” enough looking that it’s not a dead giveaway that I’m wearing workout clothes. Much like the racks at Target, my closet is currently full of bright, obnoxious colors, so I’m really loving this more subdued, subtle tone.

2. Optimum Capris

I’m addicted to workout leggings, especially capri form. They’re good whether it’s warm or cold, and they don’t make your ankles look weird with big sneakers the way long leggings do. My drawers are stuffed with dark bottoms, so this light gray shade is a nice change. I love the white waistband and the little hidden feminine pattern at the bottom. My biggest pet peeve with form-fitting pants is seams digging into all the wrong places, which these pants don’t do.

{Excuse my I-haven’t-showered-brushed-my-hair-or-glanced-in-a-mirror bedraggled look- it’s kind of my go-to look these days.}

3. Gown Suit

Surprise! Albion Fit makes women’s fitness AND swimwear. I love that it’s not skimpy and revealing. Kind of a throw back to the 40s. Pools don’t open here for another 2 weeks, so I’ve yet to give this the tried-and-true test run, but it’s nice to have an option besides a string bikini in my arsenal. {Although this momma is not ‘fraid of the 2 piece.}

I’m actually really loving this new arrival, perhaps because I’m a sucker for black & white stripes.

And does this hoodie not look insanely cozy?

Now that I’ve yammered on about clothing I have and you don’t, don’t you want to know what’s in it for you? Of course you do… it’s your very own go long crew shirt with thumbholes, any color.

Here’s the dealio:

1. “Like” AlbionFit on Facebook.

2. Pin something you like from their collection on Pinterest.

3. Leave a comment letting me know you did, included the link to your pin.

4. Have a party.

Open to US/CA residents only. Giveaway ends 10/13 at midnight-ish.

Not one to chance your luck with a giveaway? Use coupon code sideofsneakers15 to get $15 of a $50 purchase.

Happy virtual shopping.

Albion Fit {Giveaway} is a post from: with a Side of Sneakers

Psst…this is a sponsored post from Odwalla & Glam. See end for more info.

What would happen if 100,000 trees were planted across the country in 2013?

Cleaner water, healthier soil, fresher air? You betcha.

In a world filled with technology advancing in leaps and bounds by the millisecond, it’s easy to forget the basics. It doesn’t matter how many nutrients you can manufacture and inject into any given food, it’s never going to be the same as biting into a rich, nutrient-packed apple picked fresh off the tree.

But the only way to get naturally nutritious fruits and veggies is if they have nutrient-rich soil to grow in, clean water to feed their growth, and fresh air to breathe. Trees can help, and so can you. Odwalla {the juice company} is teaming up with Nature.org to plant 100,000 trees in cities across the U.S. by the end of the year. They’re combining technology with nature: for every virtually tree we build, a real-live growing tree will be planted in your name.

If the goodness of the earth isn’t enough to get you virtually digging, maybe this will: “plant” a tree and enter to win a $10,000 gift card and year of Odwalla juices and bars. Sounds good, huh?

Between March 20, 2013 and May 31, 2013, Odwalla will contribute $1 for each tree you create to The Nature Conservancy for the planting of trees– no less than $75,000 and up to $100,000. The mission of The Nature Conservancy is to conserve the land and waters on which all life depends. More information about the Conservancy is available by mail at 4245 N. Fairfax Drive, Arlington, Virginia 22203, by phone at (800)628-6860 or at www.nature.org.

Disclosure: Compensation was provided by Odwalla via Glam Media. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Odwalla.

Plant-a-Tree is a post from: with a Side of Sneakers

Need some foodie pinspiration? Lindsay’s throwing a pin party! Here are some of my favorite pin-worthy recipes. Feel free to link to yours in the comments.

Oh and follow me on Pinterest!

Creme de Menthe Brownie Balls: Chocolaty, minty, and just happen to be vegan.

Mojito Pina Colada Cupcakes: The flavors of a mojito and a pina colada all crammed into a delicious gluten free cupcake. Feel free to sub AP or whole wheat flour if gluten free doesn’t float your boat.

Broiled Grapefruit A fun way to squeeze some extra fruit into your diet with this healthier dessert alternative.

Smoothie Shortcuts Smoothies are great but sometimes you just don’t have the time to get all those ingredients together. These make it super simple to start your day off on the right foot.

Homemade Iced Coffee I’m a HUGE iced coffee fan. Putting leftover coffee in the fridge just doesn’t cut it. Try this simple approach and you’re at home iced coffee will forever be changed for the better.

Salted Caramel Shortbread: A vegan version of the beloved Millionaire’s Shortbread. So, so good.

Cinnamon rolls are my downfall. I love them. Obsessed. I have a million versions. These are some of my favorite. {Hint: make them the night before then pop them in the oven the next morning for an easy and delicious breakfast.}

Chocolate Hazelnut Cinnamon Rolls

Vegan Cinnamon Rolls

Funfetti Cinnamon Rolls

Ok now I’m hungry. What are some of your favorite Pin-worthy recipes?

Enter Pin-Pun {Here} is a post from: with a Side of Sneakers

I learned a lot of things this week.

Important things.

Like:

- I hate legal-pad-style notepads. Notebooks and binders, please.

- I don’t like when Chick-fil-A thinks no butter also means no pickles

- Accidentally getting a caffeinated cup of coffee from Starbucks when you ordered decal is bad, bad news.

- I haven’t been taking very good care of myself. This is a food blog with no mention of food in who knows how long. {See Chick-fil-A reference above.} Oy.

See? Important things.

Anyways. Here are some of my favorite reads for the week:

Reading

These 2 parenting posts have been all over Facebook this week. Both of them crack me up, especially the sleep stuff.

How To Be a Perfect Parent in 5 Easy Steps… or Probably Never

Exhausted new mom’s hilarious take on ‘expert’ sleep advice

This brings the meaning of the word lonely to a whole new level. Katharine is always such a strong and inspirational person.

Lindsay strikes again! You won’t miss the pie with these around.

A bean free veggie burger. Mmm.

Writing

Life is short.

Run strong. #BostonStrong.

Yeah, I said it. I’m sick of nursing my toddler. At least the way things are right now.

Parent playtime. Good for everyone’s sanity.

Read anything good this week?

Little Lessons is a post from: with a Side of Sneakers

Is it really Monday already? I had an absolutely packed weekend. It was a ton of fun, but even though I was baby free for the first weekend in this history of ever, I feel like I got absolutely nothing accomplished. That’s ok though, sometimes just having fun is the only thing you need to check off your to-do list.

Friday night we went out with friends and then to a rehearsal dinner at a fabulous restaurant {you know, the kind of restaurant that makes a side of green beans taste like a gourmet meal}. Saturday morning started bright an early at a semi-local vineyard for a bridal shower for one of my favorite people. After the shower at Weathervane Winery, we did a quick tasting. I don’t particularly care for North Carolina wines- something about grapes grown in old tobacco fields doesn’t sit well with my tastebuds. I did, however, love the wine slushies they had. Apparently it’s the new thing. I could so picture myself with a giant glass, a twisty straw, and a lounge chair by the pool.

We followed up the tasting with lunch at another vineyard. Childress Vineyards is the first vineyard I ever went to and even though I’ve now been to numerous wineries, this is still probably the most beautiful of them all. I’ve never had a chance to eat at their bistro before and it was fabulous. I loved the chance to catch up with old friends and it went way to quickly.

I hightailed it back to town just in time to throw on a dress, grab some heels, and head to the wedding of a good friend of the husband’s. After a day of rain and tornado warnings on Friday, the weather ended up being perfect on Saturday. The sun was shining, the sky was clear, and it was the perfect temperature for an early evening outdoor wedding. That is, until the sun went down and we all froze our butts off. I’m still trying to thaw.

As if that wasn’t enough for one weekend, the bridal shower made it’s way into a bachelorette party that night. Unfortunately we didn’t leave the wedding early enough for me to make it to that part of the evening, so I missed out on that fun. Not to mention I was completely frozen and exhausted anyways and I welcomed the warm comfort of my bed.

We spent the next morning getting breakfast with out of town friends that had come up for the wedding, then I finally got my baby back. He then proceeded to be a complete crankster for most of the afternoon and evening. I should’ve just gone and gotten some cuddles and let his grandparents keep him. {Just kidding!! Sort of.}

So yeah. For this mom that usually does nothing but chase around a toddler on the weekends, it was quite fun, exciting, and a nice break from the norm.

Now that I’ve rambled on way too long, here are some fun links from the week:

Reading

Have you heard of this life-changing loaf of bread? It’s not really bread at all. If you can eat bread, I wouldn’t say this is all that life-changing, but if you can’t, it’s pretty darn good. It’s a little bland and strange as is, but warm & toasty? Mmm. KB and I have been fighting for slices all week.

This is the most beautiful and well-written post I’ve stumbled across in terms of Boston-related reflections. it’s like Emily sucked the words right out of my brain before I even knew I was thinking them. You should check out her Babble link at the end of that post as well.

I had every intention of already making these but time got away from me. It’s happening this week. Yum.

I am so doing this to my hair the next time I dress up. Ok, I’m probably not. But wouldn’t it be adorable if I could?

This might be my favorite post of all times. It’s raw and honest, and as a former adamant high-raw vegan, she’s completely opening herself up to backlash and criticism, which makes her words that much stronger. It just goes to show health always comes first, not the label you put on it.

Writing

My thoughts on Boston come nowhere near conveying what they should, but here they are.

Will naming a disease affect how you decide to treat it? Apparently so.

I’d love to multitask by reading on the treadmill without getting motion sickness. This new technology might just let that happen.

Two posts that include some of my favorite trainer moms:

Quickie workouts for moms {or anybody pressed for time}

Struggling with exercise? Look her for some great fitness inspiration.

Do anything fun this weekend? Any good links to share?

Monday Mentions: Wedding Weekend Ed. is a post from: with a Side of Sneakers

We’ve talked a lot about imitation fruit-on-your-doorstep type delivery services lately. But what about actual fruit on your doorstep? Lots of it. $100 worth.

Today’s your chance.

I’m cohosting a giveaway with All About Gifts & Baskets. You can enter to win a fruit basket or box worth up to $100. You can choose from over 30 different fruit basket designs. Think fresh apples & pears, kiwis, mandarin oranges, and more. Or even chocolate covered fruit, gourmet cheese, nuts, cider, or gourmet chocolates.

It’s a lot easier to snack healthy when you have an abundance of fresh fruit on your counter, right?

The contest runs through April 28th. Rules: Must be 18 & live in the continental U.S. Complete any or all of the tasks listed in Rafflecopter below to enter. {If you’re in Reader you’ll probably have to click over.}

a Rafflecopter giveaway

What’s your favorite tropical fruit?

Fruitastic Friday {GIVEAWAY} is a post from: with a Side of Sneakers