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 two

Workout: lunch @ outdoor walk (1.62 miles)

REST DAY! Took advantage of the sunny weather -- FINALLY! -- and went for a leisurely stroll around the neighborhood. Our first stop was froyo, then cupcakes (for tomorrow's swim meet) and lastlybutnotleastly, lunch!

I'll have to say that my not-so-quite-an-hour in the sun was a million times better than being on the dreadmill. And... there are quite a few froyo joints in the vicinity! :: mwahahahaha ::


Coming Clean:

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

hair: Seanik Solid Shampoo by Lush

body: Pear by Bella Bubbles


Naughty Points: 1 Mr. Yogato froyo

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 eight

Workout: lunch @ gym (2 mile jog + stretch + 4 x (30 crunches + 50 skips))


Coming Clean:

face: Carrot Facial by Body Language Soaps

hair: Seanik Solid Shampoo by Lush

body: Spiked Peaches by Sweet and Tranquil

I've been enjoying Sweet and Tranquil's whipped soaps so much that it's taken me a while to pull myself away from them and try one of their bar soaps. I'm happy to report that this was another success. A lovely summery scent with lots of bubbles!

Sweet and Tranquil describes this soap as "[t]he scent of fresh peaches on a summer’s day, fresh and Sweet. The Fragrance is spiked with Ginger which adds a hint of Spice to this luscious Soap. I have added a touch of Gold Mica to add a bit of shimmer to this soap."


Naughty Points: 1 Boylan diet black cherry soda + 8 sugar cookie dough squares = 9

As for the cookie dough squares, I'm cleaning out my freezer, thankyouverymuch!

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 six

Workouts: morning @ pilates + late-afternoon @ outdoor jog

Teaser series was killer! We had it-looks-like-it's-about-to-rain weather all day, so I ran every errand in the book to avoid having to run. As soon as I headed out the door, it started misting --> rain --> RAIN! Of course! Bad tummyache @ 3.5 miles. Not sure if it was the OJ I had right before, the nuun I had during or my fuel belt being a little too tight. Where is that thing supposed to hang, anyway?


Coming Clean:

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

hair: Seanik Solid Shampoo by Lush

I'm diggin' the shampoo bar I received as a gift, so when I was out-and-about, I bought myself another one!

body: Rhubarb Al Fresco by Rachel Rene Bath & Body


Naughty Points: Where to begin?!! I treated myself to a cà phê sũa đá before running errands, had a strawberry cupcake in G-town whilst running errands, then rewarded myself with truffles after my run. Only two from this entire box!

How do y'all eat a box of chocos? If I don't have to share, I finish off my least favorite first.

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 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!!