Energy Bars

I saw this article on the Cooking Light website, and I was intrigued. They listed their energy bar top picks. It was fun to see what they chose and why. I myself only eat these on occasion--like when I need a recovery after the gym, but know I won't be home in time. I am totally a whole food advocate, and don't think you really need energy bars very often. There is lots of "real" food that is more healthy for your body, and will help you recover from a workout just as quickly. But, convenience is important too and certainly plays a role in what we eat! So, go check out the article and tell me what you think! Here's the "Bottom Line" :

" Bars are good for occasional use, but their convenience comes with a much higher price tag than just as nutritious whole food."

***REWARD CHALLENGE***

Since moving to Arizona my running routes have changed. I thought I would share with everyone. I would love to see where you get your run on. Post where you run by the end of May and receive a reward from yours truly when we meet at WBR.

I think Martha Stewart is going to be calling any day asking if my bedroom nook can be featured in her magazine. The silk taffeta inverted pleat style drapes hung on the estate silver crystal rod paired with the Smooth Fitness 7.35 model treadmill....it's a designer's dream! Am I wrong?

Here is a picture of the gate I jump over everyday to get out for my run. I usually do some sort of mountain climb up the rocked pillar and then side swing the legs over top landing on the other side.

Sometimes I'll jump over this part of the fence in my front yard.

Forgive me for being worldly but I run by this house everyday and it is AMAZING! I want them to be my new best friends--because I'm sure they are humble and nice not because they have money growing out their ears. (notice the camera shot from the car, I didn't want them to arrest me if we were going to be new BFF's)

Here it is Cactus Mountain, okay it's not really called that. It is actually a state park called Thunderbird State Park and it is a half a mile from my house. Here is a view from my balcony of it. Pretty cool.

I realize all these pictures look pretty much the same, don't worry, they do in real life too. Lots of desert, cactus and rolling hills. The picture below had a lot of trails as well and I use to run there until my neighbor told me it was full of rattlesnakes....now I skip those trails.

So what do you think about where I run? Where do you run? Happy Running M.O.M. ladies!

Jen is Awesome!

I just wanted to let you all know how amazing Jen is! Last Saturday she woke up early and headed to the gym where she ran her speed intervals (faster than ever!) Then, later that afternoon, she competed in a 5K race around Boulder Reservoir. She finished 3rd out of the girls!! After that, she took Dan on a trail run in the Boulder foothills (a really hard trail that Jeremy and I mountain bike!) Is she insane or just plain awesome? I think a little bit of both!

Half Marathon

On Saturday I ran the Thanksgiving Point Half Marathon the exotic location of Lehi, UT. I had an awesome run and finished 7 minutes under my target time. I love the surge of energy that's buzzing on a race course. It totally gets me fired up.

It was a beautiful day and a beautiful course beginning on a golf course, snaking through a gorgeous tulip garden, running along side a river and finally winding through a neighborhood to a park where the finish line was located.

Tara asked me to include a pic... I don't have any of me actually running b/c my fan club (husband, son, and parents) arrived after I'd already crossed the finish line, but here's one of me and my friend, Nichole after the race...