Triathlon HOOOOOOOOOO Triathlon HEEEYY!!

We didn’t quite make it to the gym, but we did make it for a romantic walk around the monuments to calm our nerves before the big Tri. Shmelly is a little under the weather, but is going to be hardcore as she paddles through the dark waters of Lake Michigan. Also, we made it to Cumberland Pool (meeemmoorriiesssss) and enjoyed a little adult lap swim time.

Side note: We hope this does not happen to either of us (Brenna is making me post this):http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VArOPqllcQg&p=1CA116A70842E23F&playnext=1&index=75

ughhhh…

Tomorrow is D-Day..wish us luck!

Shtinky& Shmelly

It’s crunch time

Sooooooo Shtinky and I woke up this morning (both in our nations capital) and realized that we are going to be participating in a triathlon this Sunday.   In the words of the immortal Chris Farley “holy schnikes!”  We can’t believe that our moment to shine is almost upon us! Due to complete and utter collapse (of our blog that is) we will be blogging nonstop around the clock until the event. We have also decided to punish/reward ourselves by rising with the roosters at 5am and taking a little trip to the gym both tomorrow and Thursday morning; and will be volunteering together after the event, no later than a month after the triathlon, for both of our charities. Just like that sentence was a run on we will be getting our run on tomorrow morning!  Get ready for some glamour shots of us in the a.m.!

I have officially joined Brenna in signing up for Ontri

What is Ontri you ask?? Ontri is a wonderful site that links you with other fitness peeps doing triathlons, marathons, and what not. It allows a member (free to join) to log their workouts/nutrition, connect with trainers, network with other fitness freaks. It also has healthy recipes, links for upcoming races in your area, and more. This is DEFINITELY going to help. I actually just updated my profile and logged my first workout (well, the first that Ontri will see anyhow.) Which of course, was not one of my best (due to a siting of a turkey-no lie, the tiring of the Bruts, and the extreme sunshine, which I need to become more acquainted with.)

For all of you who have not heard or may be thinking..where is Shtinky? Well, Brenna has flown off to Guam for a month to do some “work.” So I am not too worried about her health progress. I assume she will be eating yummy protein (seafood) and will be getting her swim on in the tropical waters. As for me. Bike is DEF getting fixed tomorrow.

Next week I am planning on conquering Martin Luther King Drive (and documenting it with plenty of pics.) Also, I will hopefully head out to the beach to get some free  swim time.

Also, I am sad to announce that pictures from awhile back (ice skating with proud supporters of our blog aka awesome friends of mine, neti pot ones, special k, and more..were deleted by accident while on vaca in the Outer banks the other week:(

Thank you for reading!!!! Awesome pics and swag (awesome tee shirts made by the finest tee shirt company in town (“The Cleveland Print Shop”) will be arriving soon.

-Shmelly

So it is June 9th???

Alright, so I just viewed this blog..April 9th was the last time we blogged?!!!! :0 NOT OKAY. So here is the deal..Brenna and I have a LOT to do. We have the remainder of this month, July, and almot all of August to jazz it up and do some random/healthy/fun and entertaining activities, which we will then proceed to blog about. Hence, the purpose of this blog.

A Quick update: Brenna has been involved in Weight Watchers (an awesome program) and has been sweating it up doing all kinds of yoga, hitting up the gym, and plenty of other exercise related things in DC. I have been running..and NEED to go swimming/biking. I am in the process of getting my bike fixed up..and am about to get a pool pass. So all will be in order. As far as my running…I have the fun Nike Ipod chip that lets me know my distance, my mile per minute, how many calories I burn, etc. TIGER WOODS came on and congratulated me for running my fastest distance…Around 8/9 minutes per mile! And then Joan something or other (no disrespect Joan) came on just the other day and told me I ran my longest distance thus far -3 miles…AND I could have kept going. I feel like once I reached my 2/3 mile mark I can just keep going and coast along. Distance running may be my calling..plus the endorphins aren’t too shabby either:)  It makes me really happy to know how far I have come. During the first month of Americorps (October 2008? or 2007..ehh I can’t remember..anywho) when we had physical training I think I was in the second to last group for the slowest runners..I ran around 15 minutes per mile!! I could also barely do the mile and a half that we were required to complete.

Anyways, rambling aside. Here is what is going to go down. More fun activities………….Some of which will include:

1) running in the sand (barefoot running)-Did you know they now sell shoes that are practically rubber socks? Apparently it is better for your feet to go barefoot..more on this later…

2) Running/biking on bridges……is a great way to view your cities skyline…take in some scenic views (ie. Lake Erie) Also, some great pics could be snapped during these times

3) completing health fitness trails..I know they have TONS in DC and I would like to complete ones by the lake, as well.

4) perhaps something camping related….hiking

5)Which, leads me on to this one…exploring different hiking paths in different metroparks

6) Salsa dancing?

These are just a few….and we still need more suggestions………….!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Lastly, The DC RED CROSS and the CLEVELAND FREE CLINIC need some love..so we will figure out how to do just that. More to come!! So please read..and help us make this a last few great months!!

Thanks!

Shmelly!

EARTH DAY RUN/WALK IN SCENIC FOREST HILLS

YES! That’s right….in SCENIC FOREST HILLS! I don’t know about all of you Clevelanders out there, but I LOVE Forest Hills…I really do..so when I saw this poster hanging up at the Rec Center I practically jumped in the air with glee…Here are some of the details:

Earth Day Run/Walk
The Second Annual Earth Day 5K Run and Walk is a fundraiser for the Cleveland Heights Youth Recreation Scholarship Fund. It will take place rain or shine on April 21 at 6:45 pm in Forest Hill Park. The entry fee for those who pre-register is $14; day of the race entry fee is $18 (cash and checks only). Pre-registration deadline is April 19 with checks made out to HMA Promotions and mailed to: City of Cleveland Heights Earth Day Run, 40 Severance Circle, Cleveland Heights, Ohio 44118. Those interested may also register at http://www.hmapromotions.net.

First 200 to register get a nifty new shirt! Other perks include: one water stop..(haha), refreshments following the run, and AWARDS!

Do something good for Earth Day……Also………while we are at it…I have been trying (and by trying I mean wanting to, but haven’t yet) to organize a trash pick up, at none other than the beautiful, scenic Forest Hills…(Really, I was-before I even knew this event was taking place.) I love Forest Hills…I live right next to it so I can go running with Brutus whenever I want..and I always meet really nice people walking there dogs…and there really are some pretty spots…Such as…the waterfall, the bench overlooking the grand East side of Cleveland…the duck pond…and apparently..Forest Hills gets wild Turkeys running around in it from time to time. It may not be a national park, but it is a national and local treasure (in my eyes) so hopefully I will scramble together flyers and info…plus, a trash pick up would be fun 🙂

HAHAHA I found this when I googled Forest Hills Park…no lie!!! HAHAHA

Did you ever get curious as to what you could do every 56 days?

Or did you ever get bored…on that 56th day..of every 56 days…is this making any sense??? Anways…..Every 56 days..according to the American Red Cross handbook (I got it for free when I donated last time) you can donate every 56 days…..with all of our world disasters…we really can’t afford to be greedy with our blood, which,..sadly,…it never really fully registered in my head that it does indeed replenish itself…for some reason I knew this, but it still fascinated me to learn that..yes, our blood does come back…and we can donate endless bags of it…Kind of weird to think about..I Know..But, I am digressing….

Anyways..this handbook is very useful….From April 2nd to April 9th there are a series of “critical dates-periods when blood collections decrease dramatically.” -(American Red Cross Handbook-Getting Involved 2010)

So help out a great non-profit/charity, which just happens to be Shtinky/Brenna’s charity as well…Who is up for the challenge?

Sorry this is so last notice

But, there is a walk for MS this Saturday at the Brown’s Stadium in Downtown Cleveland…if you wish to do it..contact me (Maggie/”Sthinky”-just go with it..) at (216)337-2339…you have 2 days to raise money…so raise some money..and come on down and walk for a good cause!

This is directly from the site:

Walk MS is our rallying point, a time and a place for us to stand together and to be together — to help raise critical funds that support cutting edge research, drive change through advocacy, facilitate professional education and provide programs and services to help people with MS move their lives forward. Join the Walk MS Movement. Register Today. Be there. Because every movement you make and every dollar you raise supports the mission to create a world free of MS. you can learn how to donate money by going to the website: http://www.nationalmssociety.org/walkMapRegion.aspx Thanks! -Shmelly

To Legit to quit!

Yup. It’s that time again.  Shtinky and I have decided in order to get the ball rolling another challenge is in order. A SPECIAL K CHALLENGE.

The Special K Challenge is a two week intensive program that involves eating special k products up the wazoo. Brenna has invested in Special K granola bars, cereal, protein shakes, and waffles. I (being cheap/economical) am going with the strawberry Special K cereal. Although I’m not usually a fan of freeze dried, astronaut food (minus the ice cream sandwiches) I decided why not. The challenge lasts for two weeks and goes a little something like this:

1)Breakfast-enjoy a bowl of any Special K cereal with 2/3’s cup skim milk (you can also substitute the Special K cereal of your choice with waffles or granola.) Accompany with some fruit and some juice or coffee for a delectable treat.

2)Lunch-Enjoy ANOTHER bowl of any Special K cereal (or product)

3) Dinner-eat regularly

Do this for two weeks..and watch 6 lbs melt off your body!

I looked on the back of the box and found Gluten, high fructose corn syrup, and sugar, but…..not to  be a complete Debby Downer..I did notice some corn/wheat/and vitamins as well…and I’m sure with the decrease in calorie intake as well as fat…that this challenge really could work. So this Tuesday Brenna and I will ring in the beginning of our REAL TRAINING (since..we are now OFFICIALLY signed up for the 2010 CHICAGO TRIATHLON) with a challenge that we can actually stick to. So stick  that in your pipe and smoke it!

It’s time for the neti pot

This week Shmelly and I are going to attempt to clean our nasal passages and clear our sinus with the wonderful neti pot.  Even though the Big O has spoken about this, it’s my kleenex toting bff Colleen that suggested Shmelly and try it out (and for doing so will get some awesome swag!).

(According Web MD: http://www.webmd.com/allergies/sinus-pain-pressure-9/neti-pots)

Ear, nose, and throat surgeons recommend nasal irrigation with a Neti pot or other method for their patients who’ve undergone sinus surgery, to clear away crusting in the nasal passages.   Many patients with chronic sinus symptoms from bacterial infections, allergies, and environmental irritants also have begun to regularly use the Neti pot or other nasal irrigation devices, claiming that these devices alleviate congestion, facial pain and pressure, and reduce the need for antibiotics and nasal sprays. Research backs up these claims, finding that nasal irrigation can be an effective way to relieve sinus symptoms when used along with standard sinus treatments.

The basic explanation of how the Neti pot works is that it thins mucus to help flush it out of the nasal passages, according to David Rabago, MD, assistant professor in the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health and a leading researcher on nasal irrigation.

A more biological explanation for how the Neti pot works has to do with tiny, hair-like structures called cilia that line the inside of the nasal and sinus cavities.  These cilia wave back and forth to push mucus either to the back of the throat where it can be swallowed, or to the nose to be blown out.  “Chronic sinus problems cause the cilia to beat in a slow and uncoordinated way,” Rabago explains.  Saline solution can help increase the speed and improve coordination of the cilia so that they may more effectively remove the bacteria, allergens, and other irritants that cause sinus problems, he says.

Very curious to see if this helps out my sinus situation.  So bottom’s up or through the nose!

Just a little beach soccer….

Thanks to my motivated travel companions I was able to play a little game of beach soccer.  For a country that loves this sport I didn’t see anyone kicking a ball around, which was probably a good thing because Erin and I really looked like we had some serious skills!