Hellllo, you fine people! How was your weekend? Or, if it’s still your weekend, I hope you’re enjoying this extra day.
We knocked some things out over here and also had some fun too.
On Friday, we went to Science on the Rocks, a really neat event at Charlotte’s Discovery Place museum. Basically, it’s like an adult exhibit amusement park. The theme was “speakeasy,” so there were talks about how to make moonshine, brew beer, a cocktail making contest, as well as the opportunity to check out their normal science exhibits. It was such a cool thing and we had a lot of fun!
By the way, if you’re curious about what 5 pounds of fat looks like..
Then, we were up bright and early Saturday morning so I could give a sports nutrition talk to a running group at a local running store. There were about 25-30 runners there, and I put together a little handout about pre and post-endurance nutition, as well as how to fuel during your runs. They were a great group and had lots of good questions at the end too. I expanded on things from this post, but also talked about the options of fuel for during long runs and why those carbohydrates are so so important for your working muscles.
I love doing educational sessions, so this was great practice and a good confidence building session for the future! It also inspired me to get out and join them for a long run after in the early, chilly morning hours.
By the way, that crazy husband of mine randomly decided (on Friday night) that he would run a trail Half Marathon on Saturday morning. So, after my nutrition talk, he jumped right on into the half marathon and he won it. He’s a baller, so I have to give him a shoutout! That is why he is my personal running coach.
Speaking of running and workouts, I did pretty well at sticking to some of my fitness goals and switching up my workouts this week. Here’s what the workouts looked like:
Sunday – hot yoga
Monday – 6 miles
Tuesday – 4 miles + hot yoga
Wednesday – off
Thursday – 7 miles
Friday – kettlebell workout
Saturday – 16 miles
Sunday – off
I plan to write about my long run (16 miles) this week, but I am loving the variety in my workouts and I think I’m falling in love with kettlebells. I feel so strong after, and I like using my muscles in new ways. Girl power!
The best thing I ate this weekend were these black bean brownies (so fudgey!), which were a great accompaniment to the large feast we made on Saturday night.
And, that’s my weekly wrap! Also linking with Inspired to Be Fit for some weekly motivation!
Have you used kettlebells before?
Black bean brownies – yay or nay? Yay for me!
Oh my gosh. I was watching Biggest Loser last night (DVR) and they showed what 200+ pounds of fat looked like poured into a glass container. It was enough to make you sick. It definitely shocked the contestants. I have not used kettle bells before. I’m admittedly not motivated when it comes to workout routines. or strength training even though I know it would help me in my other endeavors. Black bean brownies is a first but I like both items, so what the heck. Congratulations to your husband on his win. Thanks for linking with us Sarah. Have a wonderful week!
Thanks for having the link up! When I didn’t have a workout plan, it was so easy for me to always resort to running but mixing it up is helping me avoid running overuse.
Wow, that’s so cool that you gave a talk to runners. I bet that was great practice. Those black bean brownies look so good
Great workouts! I’m ignoring those brownies …. My husband is usually still asleep when I get back from my runs!
Haha it’s usually the opposite for us; I’m a later morning person.
Congrats on the running talk you were asked to give. I have no doubts it was plenty informative and motivating for those who attended. “Science on the Rocks” sounds awesome!! I’m a huge sucker for any kind of science centre/activities, so I would have been like a 4 year old running around and touching all the things. Huge props on your fitness regimen – such great variety – and keeping those muscles limber with yoga 🙂
That’s basically what we were doing. Science nerds join together! Yoga is really helping keep me present.
Congrats to your husband on decided one day to run a trail race and the next day winning it. That’s a cool story to tell your children one day! The brownies look really good, but honestly, I am partial to the Ghiradelli brownie mix, sinful and tasty.
It’s tough to compete with Ghiradelli anything..
Isn’t presenting fun?! I’m sure they especially appreciate advice from a runner herself.
That museum sounds awesome! Another fun thing to do in the future. The black bean brownie recipe looks like a good one- I’m glad you had success!
Some black bean brownie recipes just don’t work, but I was happy this one did!
I’ve never tried black bean brownies, but they sound/look yummy! I love strength training in general, either with free weights or kettle bells. I feel like such a badass afterwards!
I totally agree. I feel good after a run but after lifting, it’s a way different high.
Those brownies look so good!! I am huge kettlebell fan (my workout features kettlebells today even)! So fun that your hubs won the race! My husband would totally do something similar and win too – how come boys are just so good at that kind of thing!?
Their spontaneity is unfair sometimes! I’ll have to check out your kettlebell workout 🙂
Your sports nutrition talk sounds interesting! Your brownies look great! I have made black bean brownies that ended up tasting really good- definitely a nice option when looking for a healthy dessert!
I’ve never seen 5lbs of fat before- SO crazy! I love how varied your workouts are. I’m in a fitness rut right now and love the idea of scheduling workouts. Usually I just write “workout” but I think i’ll try writing “yoga class” or “weights” instead 🙂
That’s a good idea! I’m such a list person so perhaps having something more specific will help hone in on your focus, whereas “workout” can pull you in too many directions.
Overall GREAT post! Black Bean brownies sounds pretty wild.
Let me know if you give them a try !
Very cool about giving your Sports Nutrition talk, I’m going to head on over to check out your other post about it too! The black bean brownies look amazing! Thankfully my trainer mixes things up for me. I do like it when she has me do exercises with the kettlebells. Yes Girl power all the way! Wow congratulations to your “personal running coach” aka husband. That is amazing!!!
I’ve never tried black bean brownies! Interesting!
They are actually pretty fudgey. No bean taste at all!
Yay for the black bean brownies! I have yet to try some or make them myself 🙂 Great week of training!
Thanks Amy!
So neat that you did a nutrition/sports presentation. I’m a special education teacher (Grades K-4) and I gotta admit I’m much more comfortable speaking to the students. I get so nervous when I have to present in front of the faculty. That’s cool that your husband signed up for a half spur of the moment and won! I’ve never had black bean brownies, but yours look yummy!
I think it’s one of those things.. Practice makes perfect! If you ever get the craving for a healthier brownie, you should make these 😉
Congrats to your hubby on winning his race! That’s amazing, especially considering the spur-of-the-moment decision! Your Saturday night feast looks awesome. I’ve never tired black bean brownies and have to admit I’m skeptical but would definitely try them if someone else made them! I’m just afraid to waste ingredients on them just in case somehow no one wanted to eat them!
I hate waste of any kind too, I’m with you there. I hope someone else makes them for you, in that case! 🙂
I have never tried kettle bells, They are not a big thing here in France. You are lucky to have such a great running coach who can go out and win a race like that ! Amazing ! Have a great week
What kind of cross training do you like, Karen? I am lucky, hopefully some of his talent will rub off. Ha!
Black bean brownies are a yay! I’ve tried kettlebells several times but I just can’t seem to get into them.
Thanks for sharing with ITBF.
Thanks for hosting the link up, Jill!
Oh that is so awesome – wish I could have heard your talk!! And AS IF about your husband haha – congrats to him! So cool that you two share your passion for running 🙂
He’s so nonchalant but I brag about him!
Kettlebells make me feel so strong, too! I love it!!
Also that five pounds of fat looks terrifying…
If I could bottle that post kettle bell feeling, I’d use it whenever I needed super powers 🙂