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 nine

Workouts: lunch @ gym (0.5 mile jog + stretch + 5.4 mile bike) and evening @ pool (4,050 SCY)

Coming Clean:

face: Pink Kaolin Clay by Country Heart Gifts

hair: Seanik Solid Shampoo by Lush

body: Java Jolt by Inseine Creations

These soaps and hair products were first reviewed on Coming Clean - Day 1, Day 146 and Day 9, respectively.


Naughty Points: 8 truffles :: oops ::

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 forty five

I'm back! I haven't decided whether to stay with the current format, or to try something else. Thoughts?

Workouts: lunch @ gym (2 mile jog + stretch + 4 x (30 crunches + 50 skips)) + evening @ pool (3,500 SCY)

No A/C! So I took it easy and decided to cut the jog short. I have no problems sweating my butt off outdoors, but indoors, well... that just seems wrong!

Just another pace workout. :: yawn :: Whose idea was it to sign up for a distance meet?!!


Coming Clean:

face: Tea Tree and Charcoal Natural Complexion by Country Heart Gifts

hair: Ultimate Shine Solid Shampoo by Lush

If this wasn't a gift, I might've never tried a shampoo bar. I'm glad I did!

body: Gateau de Citron by Savor


Naughty Points: 2 Big Island Candies brownies

Another gift! :: wink :: To your left, we have the golden mac nut blondie. Also included in the assortment were dark choco mac nut brownies and dark choco coconut brownies. I'd never had a coconut brownie before!

With the return of my 'Coming Clean' posts, I've decided not to buy any more 'naughty points' that can't be consumed at time of purchase. I hope this plan doesn't backfire on me!

coming clean :: day one hundred twenty two

Workouts: lunch @ gym (2 mile jog + stretch) and evening @ pool (3,900 SCY)

Easing back into the running thang. I've been stretching it out, but my left hamstring is still really tight. :: sniff ::

Total space cadet swim session. I forgot to bring my watch, and it took all the energy in the world to remember my splits just from the first set! Looking forward to a shorter sprint workout tomorrow.


Coming Clean:

face: Tea Tree Honey with Lemon Peel by Inseine Creations

body: Vegan Cinnamon Swirl by Boh Bon Soap Company

These soaps were first reviewed on Coming Clean - Day 110 and Day 54, respectively.


Naughty Points: 1 gooey bar from a dessert tray at work + 1 The Dairy Godmother scoop of blackberry merlot sorbet

I was doing such a good job of resisting these things, sitting all pretty in the pantry. This is the last one! :: pinky promise ::

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 sixteen

Workouts: lunch @ gym (0.5 mile jog + stretch + 1.5 miles elliptical) and evening @ pool (3,000 SCY)

My friend shared an IM set with me, insisting that it wasn't that bad. Um, okay, WUTEVER! I ended up having to cut my workout short because I was dead tired.

Coming Clean:

face: Vegan Complexion Zen by Bunny Butt Apothecary

body: Crisp Apple Whipped Parfait Foaming Soap by Sweet and Tranquil

These soaps were first reviewed on Coming Clean - Day 14 and Day 72, respectively.

Naughty Points: ZERO!

coming clean :: day one hundred fourteen

Workouts: lunch @ gym (0.5 mile jog + stretch + 1.13 miles elliptical) and evening @ pool (4,300 SCY)

I didn't realize this was a 4000+ yards workout until I got home and recalculated everything. Oops!


Coming Clean:

face: Tea Tree and Charcoal Natural Complexion by Country Heart Gifts

body: Vegan Wino by Long Winter Farm

You can add this bar to the ever-growing list of Long Winter Farm's beautifully sudsy soaps! Her descriptions are hilarious, too!

"I used Shiraz to activate the lye in this one (I'm not a drinker, so it didn't phase me!), then scented it with berry wine fragrance oil and colored it with mica. I dusted the top with mica too, so it's all shimmery. Great gift for tasters and vineyard hoppers, not so great for your pastor or auntie in AA."


Naughty Points: 2 scoops of Ciao Bella blackberry Cabernet sorbet

Q: What better way to end the evening after bathing in red wine?
A: More red wine!

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 ten

Workouts: lunch @ gym (2.6 miles jog + stretch) and evening @ pool (3,300 SCY)


Coming Clean:

face: Tea Tree Honey with Lemon Peel by Inseine Creations Bath & Candle Company

I've raved about Inseine Creations and their fantastic soaps several times in the past. Here's another glowing review to add to the list! This is the creamiest bar of complexion soap e-v-e-r! Yes, it still smells like tea tree oil, but the lemon peel granules provide a nice distraction. It suds a light, buttercup yellow, but does not stain your sink / bathtub.

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


Naughty Points: 0.5 Baby Cakes BooHoo Baby (Lemon) Cupcake

I've been on this mysterious citrus kick lately. My body must be telling me that I need more Vitamin C, so I'll feed it more Vitamin C :: wink ::

coming clean :: day one hundred seven

Workouts: lunch @ gym (jog + stretch + 240 crunches) and evening @ pool (4,000 SCY)

As soon as I got home from work, I scarfed down a cupcake and crawled into bed for a power nap... half-hoping I would win against Coach Sujekebe. Obviously, I didn't. :: weak ::

For my main set, I did the ladder set from the Chlorine Addicted bi-weekly 1000. :: phew ::


Coming Clean:

face: Buttermilk Baby by Oliba

body: Erica by Jadewicks Home Goodness

These soaps were first reviewed on Coming Clean - Day 22 and Day 77, respectively.


Naughty Points: 1 Best Buns Bread Company lemon cupcake

I was really excited to try Best Buns' cupcakes. I'm a huge fan of their carrot mini bundt cakes and breads, but their lemon cupcake -- at least the one I had -- was a bit of a disappointment. The edge of the cupcake top was so hard that the entire rim had all but separated itself from the rest of the cake. Which, ironically, made it very easy to break off and throw away. Because the cupcake had been over-baked, the paper was also a challenge to get off. There's nothing more frustrating than that :: wink :: The cake itself was okay. A tad on the clumpy side, but the taste wasn't bad enough to dismiss the cupcake altogether.

Nevertheless, I ♥ Best Buns and their friendly employees! But call ahead. Selection can be quite limited if you walk in minutes before closing!

coming clean :: day one hundred five

Workouts: afternoon @ outdoor jog (5.73 miles) + evening @ pool (3,450 SCM)

Perfect weather for my first jog in a week! I felt great (probably because my body was in 'induced taper' mode) and my shins weren't bothering me, but I held back on pace and distance. I think I'm ready to start running again!

I had about an hour of down-time between my run and swim practice and *barely* made it through the workout. :: phew ::


Coming Clean:

face: Carrot Facial by Body Language Soaps

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

body: Vegan 'The Garden' by Kelle's Kitchen

From the moment I got my soaps in the mail, I knew we were off to a good start. There were cute little shamrocks drawn on the fragrant parcel, and my order came was a lovely, hand-written note. The soap itself -- in its beautiful packaging -- smells wonderful. It is definitely a blend of sweet and fruity!

What drew me to Kelle's Kitchen is the obvious love she has for her soap-making business. Each soap in her shop comes with a little story:

"The Story of The Garden: When brainstorming soap ideas I wanted to create something for my dad, and the first thing that came to mind was his awesome vegetable garden in our backyard. He grew a little bit of everything from corn and rhubarb to tomatoes and pumpkins. Enough to keep our family full of vegetables through the summer and fall! This bar is made in honor of that wonderful garden, which is still producing wonderful vegetables to this day :)"


Naughty Points: 1 The Dairy Godmother lemon marshmallow

It was the size of a bar of soap, but hey, it was *just* one! :: snicker ::

coming clean :: day one hundred four

Workout: afternoon @ swim meet (~2500 SCM)

Total distance is approximate, and includes warm-up, 3 events, warm-down.


Coming Clean:

face: Tea Tree and Charcoal Natural Complexion by Country Heart Gifts

body: Java Jolt by Inseine Creations

These soaps were first reviewed on Coming Clean - Day 51 and Day 9, respectively.


Naughty Points: 0.5 Busboys & Poets banana bread pudding with coconut ice cream

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 one hundred

Workouts: lunch @ gym (0.5 mile jog + stretch + upper-body weights + stretch + 210 crunches + mini-Pilates session + stretch) and evening @ pool (3,975 SCY)

Legs felt loads better after all of that stretching! I think I'll be ready to start running again tomorrow.


Coming Clean:

face: Buttermilk Baby by Oliba

body: Crisp Apple Whipped Parfait Foaming Soap by Sweet and Tranquil

These soaps were first reviewed on Coming Clean - Day 22 and Day 72, respectively.


Naughty Points: ZERO!

coming clean :: day ninety-eight

Workouts: morning @ outdoor road races (8k) + 2.1 miles jog and evening @ pool (3,225 SCM)

Hal Higdon requested that I run 7 miles today. I had 2 miles left to do after the fun run. But I started going delirious -- legs were moving but head was in lala-land -- so walked very slowly up one of the hills. I was able to finish the rest of the 2 miles and eased on a 0.5 mile walk home.


Coming Clean:

face: Carrot Facial by Body Language Soaps

body: Vegan Fresh Mango Sea Salt by Magic Hands Workshop

Magic Hands Workshop is right; "Salt bars are a wonderful change from ordinary soap". The light scent teeters a bit on the girly-girl side -- more floral with hints of mango -- but it smells wonderful. This soap was the perfect moisturizing reward for my tired body! I ended up using it again after my dip in the pool because I loved the way it made my skin feel.


Naughty Points: 7 Betty Mae Bakery spiral cookies

Having sampled all three flavors -- strawberry, raspberry and Oregon marionberry -- a few times through, I'll have to say that the marionberry cookies are my fav. You will definitely be seeing these 'naughty points' again!

In addition to the spiral cookies, Betty Mae Bakery offers maple cinnamon cookies with almonds and ice cream sandwich cookies. Take advantage of the deeply-discounted sale that ends on the 21st!

coming clean :: day ninety-six

Workouts: lunch @ gym (1.5 miles jog) and evening @ pool (2,250 SCY)

Gawd awful sprint workout that ended by getting kicked out of the pool for a tour group. :: grrr ::


Coming Clean:

face: Pink Kaolin Clay by Country Heart Gifts

body: Earthquake by bodygoodies

These soaps were first reviewed on Coming Clean - Day 1 and Day 20, respectively.


Naughty Points: 4 Betty Mae Bakery spiral cookies

These cookies arrived just in time for the weekend! I tried one of each flavor -- strawberry, raspberry and Oregon marionberry -- and had a second strawberry one because she included a few extras. All of them were soft, just as I like them. The reusable container was a very nice touch!

In addition to the spiral cookies, Betty Mae Bakery offers maple cinnamon cookies with almonds and ice cream sandwich cookies. Take advantage of the deeply-discounted sale that ends on the 21st!

coming clean :: day ninety-four

Workouts: lunch @ gym (0.5 mile jog + stretch + 7.2 mile bike) and evening @ pool (4,350 SCY)

My shins and right knee are still wobbly from Monday, so I hopped on the bike during lunch.

When I got to the pool, I realized I had forgotten my iPod and watch. I was quickly distracted by the age-groupers swimming right next to me. Poor things were doing a fly workout and in the middle of a round of 200 fly kick with hands at their sides. :: eek ::

My left big toe was bothering me during my stroke drills, so I decided to bag the IM sets I had planned on doing and did more free instead. I ended up doing the Chlorine Addicted bi-weekly set twice through, then used my expanded lungs to do some controlled sprint work. Meaning, instead of intentionally sprinting (which I was too tired to do at this point), I swam them using the same relaxed stroke as I was for the hypoxic set. I ended up swimming a few secs faster than usual!

I haven't swum this long and fast ever. Three cheers for hypoxic breathing! :: tired but happy dance ::


Coming Clean:

face: Tea Tree and Charcoal Natural Complexion by Country Heart Gifts

body: Calm Me Lavender Bath Soak by Soap Rehab

I'm not a huge fan of baths, because (a) I can't stand being in hot water for more than a few minutes at a time, (b) I can't figure out whether I'm supposed to shower first, hop out and wait until the tub fills up or soak and then shower, and (c) I feel guilty using up all of that hot water. Which means it's a rare occasion that I buy and use bath products. But I guess Coach Sujekebe knew I needed it! :: wink ::

Soap Rehab's bath soak is "fizzy like a bath bomb, has dead sea salts like bath salts, and is moisturizing like bath oils. It's 3 products in one!" I sprinkled about one-fourth of the 4 oz. container into my tub and walked away for a brief moment, so I missed out on the fizzies. But I noticed almost immediately how moisturizing this product was. Very nice!

"Bring on the calm, block out the noise, and give your body a moment to recoup."

Listen to the wise words of Soap Rehab! Do not turn up your TV on American Idol and watch the elimination round with your eyes closed!


Naughty Points: ZERO!

But I'm pretty sure that this'll be the last day those cookie dough squares go uneaten!

coming clean :: day ninety-one

Workout: evening @ pool (3,400 SCM)

I was on fire! Missed part of warm-up because I had to run a quick errand @ REI. Didn't realize until afterwards that those PowerBar gummy thingys I chomped on whilst driving to the pool might've been the reason why I ended up leading the lane :P


Coming Clean:

face: Carrot Facial by Body Language Soaps

body: Vegan Mineral Salt Spa by FlameWorks

These soaps were first reviewed on Coming Clean - Day 57 and Day 18, respectively.


Naughty Points: eer... um...

Let's just say that I finished up the rest of the honey lavender cookies and cardamon marshmallows... Then, decided that wasn't enough, and had a scoop of Strawberry Balsamico sorbet! :: guilty ::

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!