Brancott Wines

With my love of cocktails, I thought I'd share something fun I came across...

Brancott Estate, a winery based out of New Zealand, just created and launched their free "World's Most Curious Bottle" app and are putting QR codes on all of their wine bottles. You can use the app to scan the code printed on the label with your phone's camera to get food pairing suggestions and more information on things like the aroma, which is great when you're on the go and don't have time to research what wine you want to have with dinner. There are 14 unique experience ranging from taking a tour of Brancott Estate Winery to making music on your phone. 

Imagine running late home for dinner, hit the local package store and scan a bottle to see if it pairs up with whats on the menu for the night. Or learn more about where the wine comes from, and how its made, or how to do a proper tasting.

Download the App for Android  HERE

Download the Iphone App  HERE

Happy wine drinking!

Three Things Thursday!

1. This week has been not very good with workouts, after getting in a killer ride on the trainer while watching the Bachelor Pad season finale tuesday, I have not worked out since. Food either, seeing the junk I ate tonight, YUCK! Back on track tomorrow! Marathon training starts monday & I am excited/nervous! I toasted myself with with a tiny glass, 2 huge glasses of red wine in my Disney Half Marathon 2010 wine glass. Man I love how big that thing is!

2. I need some help picking out new goggles! As you read in my race report HERE, I lost my goggles coming out of T1, so I need a new pair! Any recommendations of your favorites?

3. They are building us a brand new Hospital at my work!!! I am so excited that in a little over 2 years, we will have a beautiful, brand new place to work, with new equipment, electronic documentation, and space to treat my patients. We've been begging for one for so long, we can't believe the day is coming that it will actually happen.

Bed time, hopefully with a run tomorrow morning!

The good & the bad.....

Today I crashed & burned. I had a 15 miler scheduled, solo at the gym because Shelley & I still weren't feeling the snow. However, having a wild work holiday party, eating some junk, drinking a bottle of wine, and going to bed around 1am is reallly poor long run preparation. I know better than that. I tried to sleep in, but Kevin woke me up around 7:30, I made breakfast, downed Aleeve & gatorade all morning, and hit the gym around 12:30. I was doing ok, but right after 5 miles, my stomach began cramping, and I was practically doubled over. I've had this problem before after a bad night of eating/drinking, so like I said, I knew better. I clocked in a total of 6.5 miles before stopping, and stopped at starbucks for a peppermint steamer to calm my tummy on the way home.

On the way home, I started thinking about how the foods (and drinks) you consume prior to a training run can really impact your performance. I hate that heavy, can barely move feeling. I came home and started googling the best foods for fueling your runs, to help me remember why I need to eat healthy (and maybe not drink all that wine).

Best & Worst Pre-Run Foods from about.com

Worst

1. High FIber foods

2. High fat foods

3. Caffeine

Best

1. Refined Carbs

2. Low fiber fruits & veggies

3. Safe Dairy

Then I found a great article on preparing for your long run. I liked it because it broke preparations into several categories besides just nutrition.

some of my favorites?

1. Rest, sleep at least 8 hours prior to your long run (major fail here today)

2. Begin hydrating the day before (fail as well, I was dehydrating with booze)

3. Avoid foods with excessive protien/fat saturday

4. Drink lots of fluids while running (I did manage this today)

5. Refuel within 15 minutes after running

Check out the entire article HERE

The party? Well, that was wicked fun...

girls at the pre-party at my house!

If you recall I posted pics ~4 months ago at her baby shower. Doesn't she look fab?

my mini team at work!

cocktails & Ke$a = wild dancing

Bad stuff? My nana passed away last night, which is sad, but at the same time I am happy for her. She has been wanting to pass for awhile. She couldn't see, hear or remember anything. She held on waiting for my aunt, uncle & mom to visit her all together before going. Now she can join my pop-pop and uncle, and I'm sure she's much happier. I love you Nana!

Good stuff? Despite the crappy run, I'm feeling cleansed and motivated for a good week. Bring it on!

Don't forget my Sweaty Bands giveaway HERE, it ends 1/18!