So Fresca & So Clean Clean

Though Agua Fresca directly translates to “fresh water” it’s much more than just water! It is a delicious Mexican treat traditionally made with fresh fruit, water, ice and sugar. Options include: watermelon (my favorite!), jicama (a sweet root vegetable that’s also great on salads), pineapple, cantaloupe and of course, lemon. I have had a hankering for this sweet summertime drink but wanted to ease up on the calories from all of the added sugar.

Agua Fresca de Sandia

Ingredients:

2 Cups of Watermelon  
1 Cup of Water
4-5 Sprigs of Fresh Mint
1 Tbsp Honey – Optional, Use if you prefer a sweeter drink or if your fruit is a little under ripe

Directions:

In a blender, combine fruit, water, mint and honey (if using).

Mix It Up!

 

I used the “liquefy” button on my machine to help reduce too much pulp. If you’re not into pulp at all, cover a bowl with cheesecloth and pour the liquid over it, discard the pulp and save your bowl of juice. Pour over a glass of ice and enjoy! This is so refreshing and a great way to sneak in a few servings of fruit!  

Anybody Thirsty??

 

Feeling a little sassy? Add a splash of vodka to this beverage!

Random piece of knowledge? If you haven’t already guessed “sandia” translates to “watermelon”. The mountain range in east Albuquerque are called the Sandia Mountains because on clear days, as the sun sets the mountains look pink – like a watermelon! 

Harbor to the Bay

Fear not, I'm alive. I'm sure there was a lot of concern...but I'm just busy as usual. I took a new position at work which basically means more responsibility, and it should be good once I've gotten through the weird transition period, but it's been keeping me working even longer hours. Such is life I guess.

Luckily, I've gotten into the habit of going to spin early in the morning. Several days a week, there are 6am classes somewhere in the city (the perks of overpaying for a gym chain), so for the past month I've been doing at least 2 classes a week. It's been great and it's easier and easier to get up at 5am. I feel so great when I'm done and I don't need to worry about working too late and not having time for a workout at the end of the day. I still need to work on cleaning up my diet, but for the most part, things are heading in the right direction.

Why so much spin? Well, I'm getting ready for a big bike ride! As I mentioned, I'm signed up to ride in a 68 mile ride for Fenway Health. It's called the Harbor to the Bay and I'll ride from the Sagamore Bridge to Provincetown on September 21st to raise money for the AIDS/HIV research Fenway Health does. 

Fenway Health is one of my favorite organizations, and I'm proud to be a part of the Fenway team riding (this is the same organization for which I help on the black tie planning committee, and it's near and dear to my heart (read: I'm a cheeseball)). Two years ago, I did a tri. Last year, I did a half and a tri. This year, I wanted to do something that would challenge me again, but would also keep me involved in an organization I love AND give back to the community in which I live. I was at a meeting wrapping up the black tie for this year, and they mentioned the ride. It sat in my mind for while, but a friend of mine had participated in the ride the last couple years and when I talked to him about it, I knew I was sold. It's not a race. I'm not trying to do anything for time, I just want to finish. I'm riding with other people who care about the same things I do and I'm raising money for Fenway Health. 

I have to raise $1000 minimum to participate, but I'm sure I can do that. I have a great network of friends and family who support me through my crazy stunts, and I'm sure this one will be no different. I even have my very own fundraising page: https://harbortothebay.org/personal.asp?rider=216.

I have a training plan laid out, but due to my insane job and the insane weather (it's either 95 degrees or pouring rain these days) I have had to stick mostly to spin and few rides out on the road (my new bike is still glorious). But the weather is looking better and I'M ON VACATION (woooooo!) for the next few days, so hopefully I'll get some good rides in, and I'll have some good posts for ya!

Race Recap?!

You know it has been way too long since an update when you have a race recap but you realize you didn’t even get a chance to mention training on the blog!

I have completed by very first duathlon! It’s so incredible what the mind and body can do when you’re determined to reach your goals. As I’ve mentioned before, I had such a fear of my bike. Recently, I started with a few small trail rides and once I was comfortable, I started riding much longer trails. Before each ride, I still get so nervous but once I’m out there on a trail (I’m still not ready to ride along traffic) I am simply focused on getting up the next big hill, making it past the next stretch, etc.  I am finally realizing that biking, much like swimming gives me another option to get my heart rate up, travel far distances and have fun without relying entirely on running. Having a set of ready for shorts/skirts legs, also doesn’t hurt!

The race started with a 5k run, transitioned into a 20k bike ride and then another 5k run. I was so nervous for the transitions – both in making sure I grabbed my correct gear and that my legs could switch sports fast. Thankfully, I have a dad and husband who are very experienced in these types of things, so they gave me some great pointers. I am writing this sans internet so I can’t share my exact times but roughly I ran the first 5k in 28 minutes, biked the 20k in 52 minutes and finished up the last 5k in 31 minutes for a grand total of 1:51. I am thrilled with my performance. Initially, I was aiming for a 2 hour race time and as training progressed I began to think that at 2:15 would be much more attainable, so pulling in well under my initial goal time feels great! I am already looking for another race and can’t wait!!

 

We can achieve all that we want.