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Happy Friday all!  I’m excited about today’s Fuel Your Fitness post because I’m going to have my first guest post here on eatingRD!  I’d like to introduce you dear readers to Jen who is one amazing gal.  She not only cycles, runs, swims and completes extreme endurance events, she’s also a great person and is a whiz at statistics!

Jen and I met while both going to grad school at UNLV.  At the moment I had recently started cycling and I was so excited that she also was into cycling and fitness.  She’s also soon to be graduating with a Master of Science in Kinesiology!  woo-hoo!  Then she began telling me about all the crazy rides and events she’s done and I pretty much look up to her as my cycling idol!  Ok, now when I can cycle 508 miles in 48 hours it will be the day that pigs fly and I’m just dreamin’.  I’m hoping I can at least make it through the 100 mile century in May!

Well, without further adieu here’s a little hello and introduction from Jen, enjoy!  

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Hello eatingRD readers!  I was super pumped when Kristen asked me to do a guest post.  I couldn’t tell you how I found myself here; what started off as a gradual slope has turned into a double-black diamond. I started (officially) running, cycling, and doing triathlons four years ago.  As I encouraged a fellow gym-buddy who had Ironman goals, I vowed that “I would never do anything like that- I’m not crazy”.  Four months later I found myself about to jump off a 8-ft tall pier into Lake Michigan to start my first half-ironman triathlon (nearly six grueling hours later I finished!).  Although many racers recount a strong emotional experience upon crossing the finish line, I didn’t. Don’t get me wrong; I was ecstatic when I finished!  It just wasn’t the emotional breakdown complete with tears of joy that I read about in numerous triathlon magazines, books, and blogs. Yet, I still somehow keep signing up for events.  There’s just something about it . . .

Within the sporting circles, I don’t know which is talked about more: training or nutrition.  I find food to be much more interesting than swim, bike, run, and repeat. Let me clarify one thing: I made every nutrition mistake possible when I started down this road.  During my first full-distance triathlon I ate s’more poptarts and peanut-butter-chocolate-chip-cookie sandwiches during the bike portion. Needless to say, I didn’t feel so great during the run, eh, shuffle-walk between port-o-potties.  I scarfed down every cookie, pretzel, and sandwich at rest stops on century and double century rides.  I took a gel at every volunteer station during running events (including 5k’s!).  I still make nutrition blunders today, just different ones.

Now, I spend too much on fancy nutrition drinks, powders, gels, and bars.  I shell out my hard-earned dollars for super-infused recovery potions and the latest supplements that do magically reduce fatigue and increase endurance.  Maybe in another four years I’ll fully understand the nutrition part.  Until then, I’ll enjoy the ride (with just a few cookies in my Bento Box). . .

Here are some pictures of my events I’ve completed over the years:

Furnace Creek 508 (Kristen here– yes that’s 508 miles!)

After 1^st half-ironman (Steelhead 70.3)

Independence Pass, CO

Porcupine Rim, Moab, UT

DeSoto Triple-T Triathlon, Portsmouth, OH

Post Race Party

Base of Towne’s Pass, Furnace Creek 508, CA

Top of Independence Pass, CO

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Thanks Jen for taking the time and sharing your story and pictures with us!  I sure hope you guys enjoyed this as much as I did.  We’re also working on a few Q & A’s coming up, so stayed tuned if you want to know more!  I still don’t know how she does it and I am amazed every time I hear what she’s up to.  Next up for her is a 50 mile trail run in May!  Holy Moly. She’s also thinking about starting her own blog which I think would be a great idea and very motivating to say the least.

I had a pretty good workout week.  I’m still trying to focus on weight training and building strength, along with positive thoughts thanks to Jen 🙂  I like hills, I like hills . . .

• Sunday — not the best ride with the wind and killer hill that toasted my legs, but I managed to get about 33 miles in.  I was slooooow as molasses.
• Monday — day of rest
• Tuesday — body pump weight session & I upped my squat weight!
• Wednesday — 30 min hill training before work
• Thursday — quick 45 min ride after work on the River Mountain Trail (avg 15.1mph)  I actually figured out that it helps with speed when your brakes pads aren’t grinding on your wheel, doh!  Don’t know how that happened, but we transport our bikes in the trunk a lot and have to remove the front wheel which can push around the brakes.

The weather was gorgeous and I couldn’t resist!  I felt a lot stronger on this ride (once I figured out the brake issue)

• Friday — Tonight the SwankyRD and I are going to body pump together for some more weights!
• Sunday — weather pending I’m going to try to get another ride in 🙂

Hope you all have a nice weekend!

What’s the most extreme goal you’ve accomplished or are working towards?