2. More. Days.
I am one workout, a car ride and a spray tan away from the stage.
I’m convinced that part of the last week’s misery prep is to make you so tired and sick of prep is to make you so uncomfortable that nerves are the least of your worries.
Yesterday I ran sprints, worked, did shoulder and glutes, practiced posing, and ate a lot of asparagus. Today I need to run sprints, work, work my chest and bis, practice posing, go to the chiro, get a mani/pedi, and eat still more asparagus.
And I can’t forget to pack my post-competition treats:
Barney Butter, Bacon-Caramel Chocolate, and thick Fig Balsamic. The balsamic won’t come with me, but I’ll be enjoying that when I get home. It will NOT be used on asparagus.
I would also like to eat the recipe Kat is sharing today. So without further delay, I will let her take it over… with another how-did-she-read-my-mind post.
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Facing Fears and Microwave Huevos Rancheros
My theme this week will hopefully resonate with many of you. I feel like we come across people and situations on a daily basis that would be easier to avoid and run from than to face head on.
Lately, I find the people I admire the most are people who live authentically – the people who are not afraid to be themselves, and do or say whatever comes to mind when it comes to mind. The people who speak their mind, regardless of what others might think. the people who take risks even when they doubt themselves. This fear takes away the “Happy.”
All doubt, shame, and other negative emotions stem from fear of some kind – maybe a fear of failure or judgment. Take a second to think about what your fears are, and what you might be able to do to face them. Live fearlessly! (This is one of the reasons I seriously admire Laura – I’m sure she is afraid when she gets on stage to pose but she’s about to do it… she’s fierce and fearless. I’m not even sure that is a fear I could face. She is a badass.) (Editor’s note: YOU are a bad ass. But thank you.)
Tying into running!
I recently read The Summit Seeker, by Vanessa Runs. While her fears and struggles are absolutely different from my own, she is true to herself and faces her fears on a regular basis.
She quit her job and sold all of her belongings and got in an RV with her boyfriend to run. Yes, just to run Ultras and run wherever they wish. She does not take more than she needs, she gives back, she explores, and she lives authentically and fearlessly. I love her.
I also have friends who are inspiring me to be more fearless (Editor’s Note: I think this is so important in life – it’s why I try to surround myself with friend’s like Kat). Fear comes in all forms so being fearless comes in all forms. Without going into further detail, I want to thank my friends Martha and Krista for inspiring me to be more fearless. The two of them are incredibly true to themselves and help me on my journey in life, and in running.
Spending time with them running or at a concert or just at dinner, I feel connected and true to myself. Martha has taught me more about loyalty than any friend I have to date, which helps me to feel secure in my friendship with her.
Facing fears alone is possible, but with friends on your side, everything is a bit more rose-colored and you get some different perspectives. I hope everyone is as lucky as I am.
Fearless friends at the impromptu Jimmy Buffet Concert AND got free tix
Lately, my main fear has been injuries. RUNNING injuries. Many of you are familiar with this running stigma and have dealt with it, maybe over and over. I have finally discovered the root of one of my running injuries, and am able to manage it. It is helping me to run stronger and more fearlessly. When I run fearless, I live life the same way. Try it!
So, my injury! In case you were curious. I was having some foot issues. Yes, just inflammation that would come and go and I could NOT pin point where it came from. It turns out that the IT Band Syndrome many of us have can lead to tightness in the calf. That leads to problems with the Peroneous longus (see image) and brevis tendons, which in turn cause that inflammation in the foot I just told you about. It’s crazy HOW connected the body is. (Editor’s Note: training has taught me this BIG time!)
Solution? My chiropractor, Nate, is a god and he really helps me out with this. (Please check him out if you are in the Atlanta area). But other than that, I ice the foot and roll the IT band once a day. The pain is gone and I am back to fearlessness! I love finding solutions to problems that are so hard to overcome!
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And, thinking about solutions, how about breakfast or midnight snack solutions that we want to take us only 3 minutes to prep, start to finish!?!?
Huevos Rancheros with a perfect runny egg! (Editor’s Note: I cannot WAIT to have a runny egg… maybe that’s where some of my balsamic will go!) Topped with salsa of your choice! Not only is the egg perfect and running, but the tortillas are also perfectly cooked.
Feel free to add avocados and other seasonings! This is just a basic needs recipe that allows for flexibility.
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Microwave Huevos Rancheros (minus the beans)
- 2 corn tortillas
- 1 organic, cage free egg
- ¼ avocado, sliced
- 2 T salsa
- 1 oz gouda (or cheddar cheese), cut into small pieces
- Sprinkle of salt
Place one corn tortilla and in a small, microwave-safe bowl (about the size of the tortilla).
Crack the eggs directly into it, so the tortilla cradles it. Next, take your cheese and put it directly on top of the raw egg, and the avocado directly on the cheese.
Lastly, place the other corn tortilla on top and microwave for 1.5-1.75 minutes.
Enjoy!
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I already requested Waffle House Sunday morning. Chocolate chip waffle topped with a runny egg. Don’t judge. #strangebutgood
What running injuries are you afraid of? What other injuries? (Editor’s Note: Falling off my plastic heels on stage)
What fears are you facing? And how is that going? (See above comment)
Bacon is always something to celebrate with! I can’t believe your competition is sooooo close! 🙂
Right?! I hope it’s good. 🙂
Just two more days! So close Laura!
Only 48 more hours to do this thing, and you’ll be able to enjoy all your hard work!
So excited for you!
Thank you!!! xoxo
You know what I am craving right now? Asparagus. lol
Haha! I have been eating it at least every other day, in honor of Laura
You guys are too kind. 😉
Great post, Kat!! Facing your fears is an absolute MUST in life! Funny you chose that topic, since the basis of my post today is basically to finally STOP hiding from fears/emotions and start doing something about them! 🙂
Love the micro-eggs! I’ve been egg-obsessed lately and I’m ALL about some meals in a quickness! Never have understood the microwave haters out there! They be crazy! Lol
And seriously Laura, you just made me drool! Last time I went to Waffle House I was last fall and I got their pumpkin waffle with a runny egg! I don’t care what they say, they make some DAMN good waffles!
Waffle House has pumpkin waffles!?!? UGH – gluten free sometimes… Now I have to go check out your post! 🙂 I seem to channel the “right things” at the “right time” .. if there is such a thing. Glad you connected and liked the recipe!
Thos epumpking waffles were SO GOOD. Why didn’t I think of the egg thing then?! It was good on the chocolate chip though.
And Kat, you should have a waffle recipe next week – GF! I’ll taste test. 😉
Great post Laura!
So close yeeeeeeee!!!! Love the fig idea! Yum! I may bring dates. I love dates.
When it comes to running, I fear getting the same injury I did a year ago where I couldn’t run for 4 months. They weren’t exactly able to pin point what it was but what I can tell you is, it hurt. It hurt a lot.
Kierston, 4 months is a long time! I hope you are back out there! 🙂
Mmmmm… what about date caramel? *Drool*
I yearn to live more fearlessly. I injured my knee last year and always have the nagging ‘what if’ looming in the the back of my head.
I want to check out that book. Sounds awesome! And so does the huevos rancheros!
Thanks Angela! 🙂 The book is only like $5 on Amazon. Those what ifs are so scary…. the other part of facing fears is also honoring your body and holding back. That is often difficult for me.
i’m all about eggs so these look amazing!!
yay! Try it! Delish!
So close!! I always get crazy nervous before doing something like a race. When I danced, I rarely got nervous about performing though. Weird? As for injuries, I am so done with them. My biggest fear is totally tearing my plantar fascia.
That is definitely one that pops up out of no where and stops you in your tracks. Compression sleeves (and compression pants that cover your feet) really help with that, believe it or not, because of how connected your body is.
LOVE this post! I feel like I live everyday of my life facing fears. It used to make me anxious and overwhelmed, now, I kind of look forward to it as an adventure. I do believe that surrounding yourself with positive people that are there for you through the good and bad really does help though. I guess that’s why I’m not as scared to face my fears now.
Great post Kat and Laura, you are gonna do great! You are doing such a great job working towards this goal! I love that you’ve shared this journey your on!
Oh and quick egg dishes are always a win here! This looks perfect!
Thank you for sharing! It is refreshing to think of life as an ongoing adventure!
Darn those IT Bands! haha Though I’m usually fairly laid back, there are certain topics that really turn me into such a worry wart. I guess we all have our trouble zones, eh?
I guess recognizing our “trouble zones,” so to speak is part of the growth. 🙂 Worrying is okay, so long as you don’t let it take over your life, and face your worries affirmatively.
Oh, and only if we could get rid of the pesky IT problems!
First, Laura – I so get where you are. I competed in bodybuilding 2 years in a row – 1 comp a year & that was enough! 😉 So hard to not only train for it but then comes the dieting & learning a routine – I had to & so much more than just what people think – that all you have to do is work out & diet – so much more behind the scenes! I will be thinking of you!
Kat, your post is great!! Fear of failure or success or a myriad of other things! I did the bodybuilding in my late 30s. I was scared shitless when I got on stage both years I did it! I have faced other fears too but some still nag at me.
Great post & glad you are getting better & know the root of your injury – a very common one by the way – that friggin IT band! 😉
Thanks Jody! Always love your comments and the way you relate to me! 🙂
You are right… there is SO much more to it than I could have ever imagined! I’m loving the ride though. 🙂
1) good luck on your spray tan, er on your competition! i can’t wait to see how you do.
2) that bacon chocolate isn’t as good as it looks, but since you’ve not had any dessert for a while, you will surely enjoy it.
3) your friend nailed my injuries. IT bands … check. tight calves … check. plantar fasciitis from calf tightness? check. getting all that shiz worked out.
Calee!!!!!
Seriously, #3?!? Dooooodddddd… ice the foot, roll the IT, massage/roll the calf. You will feel SO much better. Also – COMPRESSION on those calves. delish!
already on it! I’ve been doing allllll that stuff for the past few months. Had a 90-min massage last night. I need to look into compression sleeves. not something I ever thought I’d need b/c i thought those were for shin splints. thanks for the rec!
Yeah! Compression is just good for circulation.. so it can help with a number of things.. healing blood flowing to the right areas!
well, not JUST good for circulation… there is more to it, but it will definitely help with recovery.
Side note: I want you two to meet. You would be instant BFFs.
Good luck at the competition!
I’m afraid of ruining my knees running… I’m also afraid I’ve already ruined them.
Holly – good luck with your knees. Remember how amazing your body is. It has the capability to heal itself. Through food, massage, chiropractic care and lots of love, your knees may still have a chance. Sending positive thoughts, and wishes for a happy, healthy lifestyle your way!
Thank you!!!
I thought I’d ruined mine, but I swear building leg muscle has helped. I probably will never be able to run a marathon, but I can crank out 8-10 miles withouht pain (it was so bad I could’nt even do 2).
luckily being twins we can face our fears together, knowing we have each other for support and a little push 😉
That is definitely a gift!
Runny eggs in the microwave. Why have I not done this? [Maybe because I JUST started eating eggs again? ;)] Without the cheese, I can totally do this. In fact, I am totally GOING to do this. 🙂
[Laura, you are going to rock this!!!!]
I know! I JUST started to eat SOME eggs again too… I can only do it in small doses, and only organic/cage free goodness. 🙂
We need to have an egg party. I miss eggs. Incredible, edible eggs…
GOOD LUCK this weekend, I can’t wait to hear all about it! I’m curious, what sprints do you do everyday? Do you do them on the treadmill or just outside? I’m trying to incorporate more springs into my workout and I’m always curious about how other do them.
You wouldn’t do what I do… it’s just the week leading up to competition, not for running improvement. I do them outside if it’s nice. 🙂
holy crap girl you are so close. that bacon chocolate better be demolished after, kind of like the competition. No doubt in my mind.
Thank you, Alex!!! I’d share with you if you were here. 😉
Wow, so close, good luck, you’ll rock it! And celebrating with chocolate is the way to go! I’ve been on an egg kick lately myself, for breakfast & dinner, so versatile 🙂
Thank you!!! I’m about to be on a egg kick too. 🙂
Mmmmm Chocolate. Eggs are definitely awesome. Only wish I could have more of them!
Loved this post Kat. As always, you’re so insightful.
Thanks, Carol! 🙂 Hope you have a wonderful weekend!
Great post Kat. Fear is an interesting thing and I’ve found that I’ve learned so much in the past year or two through facing my fears. Maybe not necessarily conquering them but at least looking at them eye to eye instead of bolting away. And Laura! You’re almost there!!!
🙂 so happy to hear that. Thank you for the compliment. I don’t think all fears need to be conquered, but faced, and respected …. that can be a great start, because that in and of itself is conquering them because you’re not running, yeah? 😉
GOOD LUCK my friend, there is no doubt in mind you will be brilliant 😀
And love your beautiful microwave rancheros!
Cheers
CCU
Thank you!! 🙂
Good luck! Can’t wait to see your comp recap!
Thank you, Cassie!!!