I’m always learning. 

What I’ve learned recently is that when it’s middle school track season, it also needs to be off season for my own run/triathlon training. Those long Monday & Wednesday nights just leave me needing more recovery the following morning. I need more time to decompress when I get home (830-9p), before going to bed. My fabulous Garmin data shows me I sleep poorly on those nights – at least at the moment.

Armed with information, I shall do something about it!

So I’m giving myself some grace for the rest of the season, and what training I get in, I get in. I do have a triathlon in May, and I know I’ll be able to finish it. It’s also my first Triathlon since….2018! I looked it up!

My goal is to finish happy. 

I’ve already made a note in Training Peaks for next year that my off-season is March & April. 

I’m also wondering how my new eating habits are affecting my energy levels. I admit I’m running low on calories on occasion, and then to make up & catch up, it may not be FODMAP/Sharon-friendly (SF). That said, over these past few weeks of this, I think I’m doing better. See the Amber Eats section below for my latest recipe. 

Studio updates

In addition to FODMAP/SF & training shifts, I’ve also had my first 2 Tuesdays in Austin. I’ll get this smoothed out over time, and then shift into the June/July schedule. I’ve even got a few practice Pilates classes in the Austin office before it opens up for 2 people to join me!

Good news – I updated my scheduler thru end of July for the Tuesday location shift, time away, etc. You can schedule your Austin appointments directly online!

Am I ready to go back to a crack-of-ridiculous morning schedule, and a big shift on regular work hours? We’re gonna find out! 

I find I actually enjoy the schedule shifts every few months. Keeps life interesting. Lots of work required on the scheduler though. Surely they can come up with some AI to do that for me, right?

The fall cross country schedule is starting to take shape, and it looks like we’ll be coaching 630-730a on Tues/Thurs, so Tuesdays will alternate between Taylor & Austin when August rolls around. More details to come as this solidifies.

I just renewed the lease for another 2 years. I’ve already been in this space for about 3 (as of May 31). Thanks for continuing to support the dual-work space situation. I admit, I never wanted to have a separate studio, so I’m grateful for you coming. I couldn’t just drop all you that are my Austin people after all this time.

Upcoming openings:

• Wed, 4/9, 445p (30 min only)
• Wed, 4/23, 445p (30 min only)
• Tues, May 13, 12n
• Wed, May 14, 1p (30 or 45 min only)
• Tues, May 27, 12n
• June – July will be regular Tuesdays in Austin

With the Tuesday shift, I’d like to note that virtual sessions are available on Austin days too. Just depends on who schedules first. 

Upcoming openings:

• Thurs, 4/10, 1215 & 3p
• Tues, 4/15, 12n & 3p
• Thurs, 4/17, 1215 (30 min only) & 415p

Up to Speed has been completed! Did you know that women’s running shoes were, until very recently, built on the last (foot pattern/design) that was designed for men? Only just now are we getting women’s specific shoe lasts. And for other sports, women are mostly only able to use small men’s or youth shoes? It IS changing, but progress is slow. Even women’s specific athletic clothing, not just ‘smaller men’, is evolving in the last decade or so.

My current book is The Hidden Life of Trees: What They Feel, How They Communicate – Discoveries from a Secret World. Fascinating. WIth their own little ecosystems, it’s truly amazing what trees are capable of doing. And makes me realize I want to take better care of mine! Just a small sampling of the things I’ve learned: 

• Single trees don’t thrive like forest trees do. They do better in community with others of their kind. 
• They communicate with scent, the fungi network, and can learn. Their “brain” is at the root tips. 
• Same species trees can help each other survive by transferring needed items thru their fungal network/roots.
• The LOTR Ents had it right – they live on a totally different time scale than we do. 
• There is a “Tree etiquette manual” and those that follow it survive longer than those that don’t. 

This book also has shorter chapters, so it’s nice to get thru a chapter on an Austin drive.

As I embark on this FODMAP/Sharon friendly eating journey, I’ve been trying to find quick bites that are easy, travel well, and that really work. Premade “certified FODMAP” snack bars, well, let’s just say ‘only if I have to’ cuz we know it also *also* needs to be Sharon-friendly. Haven’t found one yet that satisfies all my issues.

Since snack bars are persona non-grata, and after trying the HEB fruit & veggie one (bottom in picture), and a Starbucks protein pack (I much prefer my own eggs) I’ve done 2 things:

I bought a sturdy bento snack box (top of picture) to pack and tote with me on Austin days. I’m finding its working quite well, and as I continue to do this, my energy level has improved, I’m less calorie deprived, and get to feel more like myself. Pictured is what I started with before FODMAP entered… it’s changed, but equally as delectable.

Secondly, I turned to my own cupboard for more food options. I made a roasted quinoa 100% dark chocolate cookie that was pretty tasty a few weekends ago. In playing with that recipe, I ended up looking at Quinoa Morning Glory muffins. My low FODMAP/SF version is currently in the oven. Batter tasted yummy. I hope the end product is equally delicious. I think I shall call them …

Sunshine Muffins

Mix together in large bowl until all the little items equally spread out:

• ¼ c. chopped carrots (chop, then measure)
• ¼ c. dried cranberries/blueberries
• ¼ c. chopped pear (or 1 pear snack cup, drained)
• ¼ c. macadamia nuts, chopped
• 1 c. cooked quinoa (cook, then measure), made according to the package (I use almond milk to cook)

Thoroughly mix in 

• 2 eggs

Add in & mix well: 

• ½ c. cassava flour
• 2 tsp. baking powder
• ½ tsp. xanthan gum

My thoughts on a sweetener… don’t add any to the batter. The fruit in here adds enough in my opinion. Use honey/agave/maple syrup, if you are able/choose, when you go to eat the muffin.

Spoon into muffin cups. I used a 3T measure, making 9 muffins.

Bake at 350F for 18-20 min. 

Oh, yeah, they turned out perfect. 

In the Nutrition facts, % Daily Value is based on a 2000 calorie diet, as is used as an example only.

Want more? I posted Muffin Thief Quinoa Pancake recipe over on Facebook/IG.

I appreciate you reading down this far. Please let me know if you try the recipe. I’ve only made it with the ingredients as listed, so if you use more mainstream ingredients, I’d love to hear how it goes.