coming clean :: day one hundred sixty

Workout: morning @ pilates + afternoon @ trail run (2.88 miles)

My fav Pilates exercise of the day was the advanced corkscrew!

I was supposed to have gone jogging BEFORE Pilates, but it was raining (and, okay, I couldn't get out of bed). I had run parts of the trail during a fun run, but didn't know it extended as far as it did. Turned around at 15:00, but will run the entire way next time. Short river crossing = wet shoes. Saw my first two wild chipmunks!


Coming Clean:

face: Carrot Facial by Body Language Soaps

hair: Seanik Solid Shampoo by Lush and Vegan Original Citrus Blast Intense Hair Conditioner by Gudonya Soap and Spa

body: Vegan Citrus Glaze Sugar Scrub by Body Language Soaps

This was included with my latest order. I'll admit, I almost didn't give it a chance. Body scrubs leave my skin feeling wonderful, but it can also leave a film of oily residue in my tub. I've used some that have left my tub so slippery that I had to sit on the edge and swing my legs over to get out because I was so afraid of falling over and hitting my head! It turns out that this was the perfect day to try it out. My tub was due for a cleaning anyway, and if it did leave any residue, I could just scrub it away.

Well, all I have to say is... BL Soaps has done it again! The sugar scrub was exactly the way it was described in their listing: "I combined two of my favorite scents in this fabulous blend, Sweet Orange and Wild Honey! The result, a decadently rich blend that is sweet and tantalizing! ... After one use, you'll be addicted to how soft your skin feels, and sugar scrubs will become a regular necessity in your beauty routine. We've made our sugar scrubs with special emulsifiers to cut down on the oiliness not only on your skin, but also in your tub. Leaves a lotion like feel when rinsed with water."

It left my skin feeling wonderful and eau de chlorine-less. I didn't even have to moisturize afterwards! And, yes, I did clean my tub afterwards. But only because I had to. I'll definitely be back for more!


Naughty Points:

1 large sweet tea (because I was thirsty after after my trail run)
1 "just pick three!" Vietnamese dessert
3 The Fetching Hound 'blue balls' bitty bites

Needless to say, I was completely satiated by day's end :: wink ::

coming clean :: day one hundred fifty one

Workouts: lunch @ gym (0.5 mile jog + stretch + 1.13 miles ellip) and evening @ pool (3,850 SCY)

Had a different, harder workout planned, but lost all motivation to do it when I got to the pool. Did 5 x 200s in preparation for the 1000 on Saturday, but it didn't work out the way it was intended. It was supposed to be descend 1-3 + hold 4-5 but turned into a descend 1-5. Oops. Winged the rest of the workout and ended up doing an extra 100 for the 10 x 100s because I was in lala-land.


Coming Clean:

face: Tea Tree Honey with Lemon Peel by Inseine Creations

hair: Vegan Original Citrus Blast Salty Dawg Creme Shampoo & Intense Hair Conditioner by Gudonya Soap and Spa

body: Red Velvet Cake by Spotted Cow Soaps

These soaps and hair products were first reviewed on Coming Clean - Day 110, Day 16 and Day 56, respectively.


Naughty Points: ZERO!!

After yesterday's free-for-all, I had no choice but to avoid them! It also helps when get your fill of red velvet cake by doing something as simple as bathing! :: wink ::

coming clean :: day one hundred forty seven

Workout: evening @ pool (3,600 SCM)

They're combating swine flu by over-chlorinating the pool. It felt like my tongue and lips were melting off! :: blech ::


Coming Clean:

face: Carrot Facial by Body Language Soaps

hair: Wild Strawberry Fields Salty Dawg Creme Shampoo & Intense Hair Conditioner by Gudonya Soap and Spa

body: Crisp Ginger Pear by My Birch

These soaps and hair products were first reviewed on Coming Clean - Day 57, Day 15 and Day 50, respectively.


Naughty Points: 1 Larry's Ice Cream red velvet cupcake

I'm such a sucker for cupcakes. As I was walking back to my car (in the rain with my hands full), I still managed to see the "WE HAVE HOMEMADE CUPCAKES!" sign. Okay, it didn't actually say that, but that's what my brain heard. :: wink :: It was totally worth the challenge of carrying them back to my car!

Two pictured, but I only had one. :: pinky promise :: I should probably also pinky promise to stop eating these as often as I have been. They're definitely at the top of my doctor's 'no-no list'!

coming clean :: day one hundred nineteen

Workouts: morning @ outdoor road race (10 miles) + afternoon @ pool (3,000 SCY)

Beautiful day! Cherry blossoms galore, but that's about the only positive thing I can say about this race. The course was totally over-crowded! I started in the wrong corral and spent the entire time weaving in and out of people. Hains Point (sans 'The Awakening' :: sniff ::) was a 3 mile-long canopy of cherry blossoms. Wow! Just wish it wasn't such a long and boring park to run around. Lots of tourists / spectators near the finish line. I heard my name! Was that you, Michael?

After the race and post-race brunch, I was feeling good enough to go to my weekly group workout but decided to back off... just in case. Swam 6 x 500s without intervals. I felt like such a rebel!


Coming Clean:

face: Carrot Facial by Body Language Soaps

hair: Wild Strawberry Fields Salty Dawg Creme Shampoo & Intense Hair Conditioner by
Gudonya Soap and Spa

body: Vegan Jasmine Green Tea by Simple Traditions

These soaps and hair products were first reviewed on Coming Clean - Day 57, Day 15 and Day 62, respectively.


Naughty Points: 2

pre-race: 0.5 Baked & Wired strawberry cupcake

post-race: 0.5 Baked & Wired strawberry cupcake + 1 cherry blossom cupcake

Please note that the pre-race naughtiness was purely unintentional. I was so tired from a loooong evening of carbo-loading that I forgot to buy bananas. And then I accidentally left the house without my Clif Bar. Thank goodness I had left my cupcakes in the car! No, seriously, I would've been a mess if I had run ten miles without any food in my stomach! :: excuses, excuses, excuses ::

I'm including a pic of the banana pudding we ordered for dessert. I was so full from brunch, though, that I didn't partake. I know, I couldn't believe it, either.

coming clean :: day one hundred twelve

Workouts: afternoon @ tennis and evening @ pool (3,550 SCM)

Rain stopped just in time for courts to dry. A bit windy, but otherwise a beautiful spring day for Aussie doubles!


Coming Clean:

face: Luxurious Clean Cotton-Scented Charcoal Facial by A Breath of French Air

hair: Vegan Original Citrus Blast Salty Dawg Creme Shampoo & Intense Hair Conditioner by Gudonya Soap and Spa

body: Vegan Revitalizing Rosemary and Lavender by Anderson Soap Company

These soaps and hair products were first reviewed on Coming Clean - Day 7, Day 16 and Day 41, respectively.


Naughty Points: 1 scoop of The Dairy Godmother grapefruit sorbet

To further feed my need of Vitamin C! :: wink ::

coming clean :: day one hundred two

Workouts: lunch @ gym (0.5 miles jog + stretch + 2.25 elliptical) and evening @ pool (3,100 SCY)

Gym was crowded! Can you say MARCH MADNESS?!! Didn't have my regular running shoes with me, so I jumped on the elliptical instead.


Coming Clean:

face: Carrot Facial by Body Language Soaps

hair: Wild Strawberry Fields Salty Dawg Creme Shampoo & Intense Hair Conditioner by Gudonya Soap and Spa

body: Vegan Raspberry Exfoliating with Raspberry Seeds by The Soap Buffet

These soaps were first reviewed on Coming Clean - Day 57, Day 15 and Day 8, respectively. And, how funny, I unintentionally used the same combination on Day 57!


Naughty Points: more (but a few less than yesterday) Betty Mae Bakery spiral cookies

coming clean :: day ninety-five

Workouts: lunch @ gym (0.5 miles jog + stretch + upper-body weights + 120 crunches) and evening @ outdoor jog (2.88 miles)

I was hoping to knock out most of my scheduled 3 miles during lunch, but alas, it wasn't meant to be. I think I need to start making a check-list. (Today I had to go back for my top!) Felt weak lifting and doing crunches. That's what I get for avoiding them for weeks :: guilty ::

I was under-dressed -- long-sleeve, tights, thin gloves -- for my evening jog. It was a little windy, and I sure could've used a hat!


Coming Clean:

face: Luxurious Clean Cotton-Scented Charcoal Facial by aBreathofFrenchAir

hair: Vegan Original Citrus Blast Salty Dawg Creme Shampoo & Intense Hair Conditioner by Gudonya Soap and Spa

body: Apple Mint by My Birch

These soaps and hair products were first reviewed on Coming Clean - Day 7, Day 16 and Day 3, respectively.


Naughty Points: ZERO!

The cookie dough squares go unscathed for yet another day! :: yah ::

coming clean :: day eighty-nine

Workouts: lunch @ outdoor jog (1.25 miles) + evening @ pool (2,825 SCY)

This is the pathetic result of my attempt to run outside during my lunch break for the first time ever. I had to go back to work TWICE because I kept forgetting things! I'll be better-prepared next week.

Sprint workout -- woot! I swam with a watch again, but it was soooo distracting. How do y'all do it? I might invest in an underwater slate so I can at least remember my splits.


Coming Clean:

face: Luxurious Clean Cotton-Scented Charcoal Facial by A Breath of French Air

hair: Wild Strawberry Fields Salty Dawg Creme Shampoo & Intense Hair Conditioner by Gudonya Soap and Spa

body: "Ugly Duckling" by Anita's Sweet Treat Your Body

These soaps and hair products were first reviewed on Coming Clean - Day 7, Day 15 and Day 60, respectively.


Naughty Points: six

It was a little warm for chai, but someone had to eat those cardamon marshmallows!

coming clean :: day eighty-four

Workouts: almost-all-day @ swim meet (~3000 SCY) + evening @ outdoor jog (4 miles)

Total pool yardage is approximate, and includes warm-up, 5 events, warm-down. The meet was at a 6-lane pool, and they didn't keep any open during the meet for warm-up / warm-down. Swimming in gutter lanes = not fun! I jumped in every time they had 5 min. breaks, but not being able to get in right before/after an event starts taking a toll after a few events. The pool was also dimly-lit, so I ended up swimming with my lighter-hued practice googles instead of my snazzy meet googles.

Otherwise, a fun, well-run away meet with awesome refreshments. The homemade brownies were ooey-gooey walnuty delicious!

It had started to snow about half an hour before we got back to DC, but there wasn't much accumulation so I decided to go out for a jog. A few steps into my jog, I stepped in my first big puddle. It wasn't pretty, nor was it the 5 miles I was supposed to do, but I like having 10 toes, thankyouverymuch!


Coming Clean:

face: Carrot Facial by Body Language Soaps

hair: Vegan Original Citrus Blast Salty Dawg Creme Shampoo & Intense Hair Conditioner by GudonyaToo

body: Lavender Citrus with Goat's Milk by Faerie Made Soaps

I've recently become a greater fan of lavender. This soap has a very nice, natural balance of citrus and lavender. What impressed me most was how much grime it got out. I think handmade soaps fare much better than commercial ones in this respect, but this one just blew me away!


Naughty Points: 2 homemade brownies (see 'Workouts') + 4 Whimsy & Spice honey lavender shortbread cookies

It was a lavender kind of day! Although subtle, you could definitely taste the main ingredients that makes a good honey lavender shortbread cookie a good honey lavender shortbread cookie. Oh, and if you open your mouth big enough, these 2 inch cookies become "bite-size". Those count less than regular-sized ones, right? :: wink ::

coming clean :: day seventy-six

Workouts: morning @ outdoor jog + indoor track sprint work (2 miles) & plyo & outdoor jog (2 miles)


Coming Clean:

face: Carrot Facial by Body Language Soaps

hair: Vegan Wild Strawberry Fields Salty Dawg Creme Shampoo & Intense Hair Conditioner by GudonyaToo

body: Tropicalia by Long Winter Farm

These soaps and hair products were first reviewed on Coming Clean - Day 57, Day 15 and Day 5, respectively.


Naughty Points: 7

In addition to the red velvet cookie sandwiches I started in on yesterday, I also ordered some homemade vanilla cinnamon sugar marshmallows from Cupcakes in Jars. (Yes, they also sell their namesake, cupcakes in jars. I just haven't gotten that far... yet!)

I might be wrong, but the cinnamon seems a smidgen coarser than regular store-bought cinnamon sugar. You know what this means -- more cinnamon-flavored goodness!

Cupcakes in Jars also offers vanilla, chocolate-covered vanilla and chocolate marshmallows!

coming clean :: day sixty-five

Workout: evening @ pool (3,800 SCY)

I ran into an old teammate at the pool. This guy is a distance swimmer through-and-through, and when you swim with him, you will never miss an interval. I told him I was gonna have an easy night, but somehow got talked into doing an entire workout with him!


Coming Clean:

face: Carrot Facial by Body Language Soaps

hair: Vegan Original Citrus Blast Salty Dawg Creme Shampoo & Intense Hair Conditioner by GudonyaToo

body: Citrus and Coriander Whipped Parfait Foaming Scrub by Sweet and Tranquil

Last night was a "veggie kind of night". Tonight was a "citrus kind of night"!

Sweet and Tranquil suggests "[j]ust a little bit of Whipped Parfait is all you need for lot of creamy bubbles." I used less than a marble-sized amount, and it bubbled up as soon as I started working it into my scrubbie. So much so that I didn't have to re-lather! The crushed apricot shells work as a gentle exfoliant, but the scrub leaves your body smooth and completely moisturized. This stuff is n-i-c-e! I felt citrusized as I emerged from the shower!


Naughty Points: an unmentionable amount of Babycakes handmade vanilla orange marshmallows

These things are too good to give up!

coming clean :: day fifty-seven

Workout: lunch @ gym (1.5 mile jog + stretch)

I was trying to jump ahead and do tomorrow's workout (3 mile run) today. But my shins started hurting as soon as I jumped on the treadmill. My owwie shoulders also meant not being able to completely do today's workout (stretch & strengthen), so I did my best and busted out a few Pilates moves that I hadn't done in a looong time. Can you say "ouch"?


Coming Clean:

face: Carrot Facial by Body Language Soaps

hair: Wild Strawberry Fields Salty Dawg Creme Shampoo & Intense Hair Conditioner by GudonyaToo

body: Vegan Raspberry Exfoliating with Raspberry Seeds by The Soap Buffet

Did you know that carrots are "[r]ich in vitamins A, B-6, C and K, as well as Potassium and Thiamine... [they] are wonderful for your skin!"? You learn something new every day!

I'll admit that I was kinda skeptical about this bar. I love baby carrots, but that's as far as I'll go. Make that went. This bar has only very mild hints of carrot! And leaves your face squeaky clean.

Oh, and Body Language Soaps' eye-catching listings and packaging should not go unnoticed. Two thumbs up!


Naughty Points: 1 tempura ice cream

Belated b-day boy took one bite. I had to finish it before all of the ice cream melted!

coming clean :: day fifty-six

Workouts: afternoon @ outdoor jog (2 miles) and gym (0.5 mile warm-up + 1,130 meters erg + 1.44 miles elliptical)

The sun was shining and enough ice had melted for me to venture outside for a quick jog with my new shoes. As the afternoon rolled on, I decided to nurse my owwie shoulders and stay away from the pool.


Coming Clean:

face: AHA Facial Cleansing Cream by butterbyessentials

hair: Vegan Original Citrus Blast Salty Dawg Creme Shampoo & Intense Hair Conditioner by GudonyaToo

body: Red Velvet Cake by Spotted Cow Soaps

Red velvet cake... soap?!! I wonder how much r&d went into this bar of soap. :: wink :: It smells just like the real thing! It lathers beautifully, too. We have a winner!


Naughty Points: 3 (1 Whole Foods slice of cherry pie + 2 Godiva truffles)

I feel a sinus infection coming on, so no Super Bowl partay for me tonight. Which means the cherry pie I started in on last night is mine. All mine!

coming clean :: day fifty-four

Workouts: lunch @ gym (weights + 3.6 miles bike) and evening @ gym (1000m erg)

I'm all caught up with the training program! From hereon out, I've decided that I'm going to (a) switch the weekend workouts and (b) update / post my progress every Monday with my weekly weigh-in.

Coming Clean:

face: Luxurious Clean Cotton-Scented Charcoal Facial by aBreathofFrenchAir

hair: Vegan Original Citrus Blast Salty Dawg Creme Shampoo & Intense Hair Conditioner by GudonyaToo

body: Vegan Cinnamon Swirl by Boh Bon Soap Company

All of Boh Bon's soaps come gift-ready with fun and colorful soap labels. And they go the extra mile to wow you with their packaging! I'm sorry I didn't get a picture of it; I was too busy tearing it open!

This soap lathers lots of bubbles and smells dreamy. It contains "cinnamon essential oil and a swirl of freshly ground cinnamon ... to make this soap twice as nice"! I had been thinking about sneaking in a late-nite 'naughty point' or two, but I think this did the trick!


Naughty Points: ZERO!!

coming clean :: day forty-six

Workout: afternoon @ outdoor jog (3 miles)

As I was flying back to DC, I braced myself for sub-zero temps. Instead, it was a sunny 40 degrees! That, however, is not warm enough to run without a jacket. I learned the hard way...


Coming Clean:

face: Buttermilk Baby by Oliba

hair: Vegan Wild Strawberry Fields Salty Dawg Creme Shampoo & Intense Hair Conditioner by GudonyaToo

body: Vegan Mineral Salt Spa Soap by FlameWorks


Naughty Points: ZERO!!

coming clean :: day thirty

Workout: evening @ pool (2,500 SCY)

After having another sinful dinner of cupcakes and marshmallows, I was planning on completing the evening by calling it a Netflix nite-in. Sadly, I lost the 90 minute battle with Coach Sujekebe* (AKA my guilty conscience) and braved the cold, pouring rain for a last-minute swim. The pool was closing, so I cranked out as much yardage as I could in 40 mins. I'm not a distance swimmer, so the main set (4 x 500s) was tough... especially with all of those 'naughty points' in my tummy. I swam the last 500 with right toe and foot cramps. :: owwie ::

* First two letters of all of the swim coaches I had growing up. They still haunt me after all of these years!


Coming Clean:

face: Vegan 'Complexion Zen' Soap by Bunny Butt Apothecary

hair: Wild Strawberry Fields Salty Dawg Creme Shampoo & Intense Hair Conditioner by GudonyaToo

body: Vegan Raspberry Exfoliating with Raspberry Seeds by The Soap Buffet

Naughty Points:

1 cupcake + 3 marshmallows = 4

Red Velvet is one of my fav cupcake flavors, so I saved this one for last. Supposedly, each BabyCakes cupcake has "[e]nough for 2 servings if you can stop yourself". The plan was to eat half, then eat the rest after working out, but alas... I am a glutton and proud of it! :: smirk ::

For those of you who don't an Etsy account, BabyCakes has a new online bakery!

coming clean :: day twenty-seven :: two

Workout: afternoon @ gym (10 miles bike + 1000 m erg)

I felt like I had to burn off the cupcake calories I accumulated earlier in the day. My shins were still bothering me, so I stayed away from the dreadmill. No, that isn't a typo. Finished with a quick 1000m on the erg. Hadn't been on it in ages, and wanted to give it a whirl.


Coming Clean:

face: Vegan 'Complexion Zen' by Bunny Butt Apothecary

hair: Vegan Original Citrus Blast Salty Dawg Creme Shampoo & Intense Hair Conditioner by GudonyaToo

body: Goat's Milk Gardener's Soap with Cranberry and Strawberry Seeds by KBShimmer

coming clean :: day twenty-seven :: one

Workout: morning @ plyo

First plyo class of the year! :: yippee :: As part of my new year's resolutions, I'm adding another hour of plyo to the weekly mix. I love the class, but Wednesdays @ 6a is going to be tough :P


Coming Clean:

face: Vegan 'Complexion Zen' by Bunny Butt Apothecary

hair: Vegan Original Citrus Blast Salty Dawg Creme Shampoo & Intense Hair Conditioner by GudonyaToo

body: Winter Grapefruit by RachelRene

Winter Grapefruit is very similar in scent to the shampoo and conditioner I've been using. RachelRene says, "A perfect winter scent! A combination of Juniper, Fresh Grapefruit, and Italian Lemon. This is a refreshing and innovative spa type fragrance that is sure to get you going in the shower!" and I agree!


Naughty Points: 1 Grounded carrot cupcake

I went back and forth on this, but ended up getting it. My friend and I knew that if I didn't, I'd think about it constantly until I did. Save myself those extra brain cells, ya know? :: smirk ::

coming clean :: day twenty-four

Happy New Year! I'll return this post back to its chronological home when I travel back to my geographical home next week.

Workout: evening @ outdoor road races (1 miler + 4 miler = 5 miles)

This was just an evening of C-R-A-Z-Y! Who does something exercise-related on NYE... IN SUB-ZERO TEMPS?!!

In case Fahrenheit isn't your thang, here's the Celsius conversion:

28 degrees Fahrenheit = -2.22222222 degrees Celsius

It wasn't just running 5 miles, either. You have to include the 'standing around and waiting for the race(s) to start' time + 'standing around and waiting for your finisher's sweatshirt' time + 'standing around and eating your complimentary scoop of gelato' time!

I still suck at running, but was quite pleased with my results. "No pain, no gain" pretty much sums things up. Remember how I whined about the five mile jog I did on C'mas Day? Well, they re-routed the 4 miler course into four laps of less-frightning ups-and-downs. It was a new sensation to feel strong throughout and pick up speed as the race went along. Negative-splitting probably isn't the best way to go, and it really wasn't my intention, but it was kinda cool feeling my legs crankin' it out without having to tell them "You can do it! One more lap!".

A special thank you to all of the volunteers, especially the ones who braved the cold to keep things under control and cheer us on!

BTW, elite runners, what are you trying to prove by racing in summer attire in the dead of winter? I was bundled up and still thought I could've used another layer!


Coming Clean:

face: Vegan 'Complexion Zen' Soap by Bunny Butt Apothecary

hair: Vegan Wild Strawberry Fields Salty Dawg Creme Shampoo & Intense Hair Conditioner by GudonyaToo

body: Mayan Gold with Polka Dots by BeautifulSoaps

My order from BeautifulSoaps had just arrived, and I was able to tear through the box before heading out for my evening of 'fun'. I chose this particular soap because no matter the outcome, I deserved a gold medal for my valiant efforts.

Mayan Gold isn't just a pretty bar of soap. The polka dots are scented with jasmine essential oil, patchouli essential oil and vanilla musk fragrance oil. All of those scents + Mayan Gold essential oil blend into a sensual motley of "ooooohs".


Naughty Points: 1 scoop of Piccomolo gelato

One of the race packets included complimentary treats from various local merchants. I skipped the more logical choices of hot chocolate / antipasti / glühwein / wings, and went straight for the gelato. Scroll back up to see the empty container from my last 'naughty point' of 2008!

coming clean :: day twenty-two

Workout: evening @ pool (3,300 SCY)

I miscalculated and should've swum another 200 SCY. Oh well...


Coming Clean:

face: Vegan 'Complexion Zen' Soap by Bunny Butt Apothecary

hair: Protein Concentrate Shampoo by Kiehl's & Vegan Citrus Blast Intense Hair Conditioner by GudonyaToo

body: Buttermilk Baby by Oliba

Because I've gotten accustomed to my new 'quick rinse at the pool + proper shower at home' routine, I completely forgot to bring my shower kit with me! Ended up going straight from the pool to dinner, and by the time I got home, was a winter itchies mess! I figured that 'Buttermilk Baby' would be a gentle yet nourishing solution, and I was right!

Oliba offers Buttermilk Baby as a bar soap and gentle milk bath.

Now that I'm all nice and itchy-less, will someone please sing me a lullaby?


Naughty Points: ZERO!!

Do you know how hard it is to go out for pho and refrain from getting a cà phê sữa đá?!! At some point, I should probably downgrade from a large bowl to a regular-sized one, no?