Fit-Pic: Pro at the Port-A-Potty

Before I even post this picture, I have one thing I absolutely have to write: Matty Reed, I'm sorry. This is definitely not the way I hoped to snap a picture of you at Sunday's Chicago Triathlon, but it seemed to be my only option at the time between my inability to set up my camera as you were jogging toward the swim start and my reluctance to interrupt you with your race just minutes away. In no way is the intention of this photo to be utterly embarrassing, which it probably seems like it is. But of all the pros running down to the swim start who I saw as I walked north to retreive my gear, you were on the only one I recognized. 

So folks, here it is: the photo of Matty Reed that I will probably regret posting later. I guess the heat has a way of messing with my judgment calls. And my memory--I had a great caption planned but forgot Reed's comment about the hot toilet before I had even grabbed my gear. That's where you come in: Get creative, use your imagination, and click the comments section to share your caption creation.

Sorry Matty, I know this isn't the best backdrop for a pre-race photo. So here's one more to make up for it:

Shuffle to the swim start to defend my title.

The Daily Feed: Sites We're Searching 8/27

It's easy for me to say I spent way too much time online reading stories, websites and news feeds. But it's all for good reason...either I'm picking up tips for training, stirring ideas for articles or catching up with the world. And lately I've been finding way too many likable links through Facebook. Yes, it's true. That little page suggestion box does actually provide some good information...as do my friends. Here's what I'm digging today:

• Runners, check out the latest installment on Master the Shift. I'm officially obsessed with Josh Cox's playlist, and know how desperately I need it for some inspiration to update my own.
• With that said, the cycling section is just as awesome this week. Learn how to fix a flat with a little help from Lance Armstrong. Doesn't get any better than Mr. Cycling himself.
• I'm still coming to grips with the ski season being right around the corner--I wish I could get the best of both worlds with perpetual summer and winter when I want it. I'm a sucker for vintage videos, especially skiing ones like this one from Keystone. Rumor has it that some ski areas might see snow this weekend...not enough for skiing but enough to get hopeful for the season ahead.
• Not that you necessarily want to keep tabs on what I'll be doing this weekend, but here's one darn cool event that will keep me busy on Saturday. And it's along Chicago's Lake Michigan shoreline.

Have a link that you'd like to share? Post it in the comments below. I love sharing news!

Update as of Aug. 31: Josh Cox's playlist and Lance's fix a flat from Master the Shift were posted on August 26. If your Facebook acts as oddly as mine does, you'll have to click the above links, then scroll down to read the articles. Be sure to act fast, the content could disappear in the next week or so.

The Baby Band Wagon

Paula Radcliffe and Kara Goucher may be nearing the end of their pregnancies--hard to believe but both are due before September is out--but now it looks like another speedy marathoner is hopping aboard the baby train. If you didn't read the Runner's World exclusive news, can you guess who it is?

• She trains in Mammoth Lakes, Calif., with other running phenoms like Ryan Hall, Josh Cox and Meb Keflezighi.
• She runs in ASICS.
• One of her favorite Chicago restaurants is Bin 36, according to an interview Liz had with her last year. 
• She has an Olympic bronze medal to her name. 
• She shares recipes and training advice in monthly columns in Competitor magazine.

Did you figure it out yet? The answer is Deena Kastor, Mammoth Track Club member, Chicago Marathon (2005) and London Marathon (2006) champion, two-time Olympics qualifier. And earlier today Runner's World had the exclusive news that she'd be pulling out of this year's New York City Marathon--where her and Meb would be the ones to watch--because of her growing baby bump. Well, not quite, because Kastor told RW that she doesn't even look pregnant yet. Kastor is three months along in her pregnancy and already halted her tough workouts. But have no fear...you'll still catch her in the Big Apple race weekend, just not toeing the line.

Question is: boy, girl, surprise? Between Kara, Paula and Deena, you almost have to hope that their newborns are not all boys, and eventual runners. Then there would really be a contest to follow come the 2032 Olympics, give or take.


Photo grabbed from thomas_sly at flickr.

Let Go My Egg-O

I flip out over food recalls--last time it was peanut butter. This time it's the incredible, edible egg, the protein-packed powerhouse that's a staple in many athletes' diets (not so much my own until recently), wreaking havoc with a breakout of salmonella. At first I wasn't concerned because I'm guilty of buying eggs to then sit past expiration in the fridge, but the FDA warning I read scared me into submission. Not only did the recall affect Midwest states including my own, but my current carton falls on the brand list and in the expiration date range. Uh oh, I hope that's not why I've been feeling funky this week.

The FDA lists the products in danger in this release and states that Wright County Egg of Galt, Iowa, where the contaminated eggs come from are voluntarily recalling its bad eggs. You don't have to worry if you're buying eggs whose carton labels differ from these, or if your eggs don't come from distribution centers in California, Colorado, Illinois, Minnesota, Missouri, Wisconsin, Nebraska and Iowa. Yet, if you're unsure about your egg purchase harming your health, contact eggsafety.org.

So what do you do if the whites, yolks or a combo are your go-to breakfast or mid-day snack? Fortunately there are still other ways to enjoy those eggs and their benefits.

• Phil's Fresh Eggs. Based out of Forreston, Ill., you'll find these cage-free, better-tasting (they claim) eggs on Midwest store shelves.
• Whole Foods and Trader Joe's. Try the cage-free variety available on these stores' shelves in the dairy section.
• Farmers market fresh. I don't know if all local farmers markets have egg vendors but I could have sworn I've seen on at Saturday's Division Street market or the Green City Market. You'll be getting your eggs straight from the source, almost as good as having a hen in your backyard.
• Liquid eggs. Appealing: no shells to crack. Unappealing: pouring concentrated egg from a carton. But if need the protein source, these different brands won't make your omelet taste any different. Or at least my tastebuds haven't noticed.
• Tofu. Not an egg at all, but this protein-packer can embody the consistency of scrambled eggs (thanks Amy's for showing me that trick with your Tofu Scramble). Add some seasoning, maybe some hot sauce or cheese, and some veggies, and you're set.

Thank goodness the egg recall isn't a nation wide epidemic and a few switches to the shopping list can keep them in my meal arsenal. I've just become accustomed to scrambling them with manchego cheese to recover after Yoga Sculpt, or customizing my Trader Joe's veggie fried rice. My body likes it too. Eggs have so many good-for-you benefits: amino acids, choline, healthy fats, protein. And especially at breakfast. Check out this list to read more. Those eggs are pretty incredible all right...as long as they're salmonella free.

Photo grabbed from chelsey.baldock at flickr.

Fit-Q: What do you crave most after a workout?

Workout to eat, eat to workout. No matter how you cut it, look at those two activities like that and you can't help but set yourself up for disaster in one part of the cycle anyway. Splurge on a decadent dinner and you know you'll have to sweat it off later. Bust out a run or ride, and you can't reach for the food fast enough to refuel. The problem, though, is that sometimes it's not the right food to feed the tank--your cravings set in and instead of recovering with a glass of chocolate milk, you're reaching for the chocolate cake.

I know I'm guilty of it. Just look at the burrito I shoved into my mouth after riding 100 miles, or know that my post-ride pit stop is almost always Culvers (Dairy Queen and Kopps have stepped in on occasion). I'll eat all the bananas, watermelon, PB sandwiches and good-for-you snacks at the rest stops, but as the miles wind down, my food cravings kick up. If my body took a poll, ice cream would be crowned king of the cravings and salty taking a close second. Then there are the stragglers that creep into my craving brain--chocolate milk, nachos, Jamba Juice, beef jerky (my friend started that one after we looked like salt sticks after 100 miles), burger and fries. But surely, I'm not the only one yearning for these normally nutritional no-nos. Tell us what you're itching for after your tough training sessions.

poll by twiigs.com