The 2,982 Mile Challenge

When we initially started discussing a blog, the year was 2013. It was Ragnar weekend and we were on a running high.  We excitedly talked about our new blog with organized editorial calendars of who, when, and what each one of us would post about.  And maybe one day, if we got lucky, we'd even find ourselves with a sponsor or two!  Giveaways, pictures, training tips, and various other ideas pass through our minds.  Since then, we have come to a very true realization:  there are plenty of other blogs, with much more knowledgeable athletes and trainers, who are already doing this exact thing. So what would we have to offer that would be any different? 

After a year of good intentions and fun thoughts (yet no actual creation of a blog), we decided that maybe, while we may not have much more to offer than your typical run of the mill fitness blog, that we could share a blog for us, by us.  A blog in which we just share between the four of us how we are doing with our goals and accomplishments.  Staying motivated, overcoming mental and physical obstacles that we would encounter, along with anything else we wanted to share.  No editorial calendar, no quota of how many posts per week, or who was going to write them.  Just a natural and very real blog that captured our life through running (think Wild by Cheryl Strayed). And with that, came the idea to set a goal to complete the journey of running 2,892 miles as a team; the driving distance which separates us across the country. We are Ragnar runners, after all. Team efforts are our specialty!

Our challenge to run 2,982 miles will begin on September 1. Each week, the four of us will combine the mileage we have run, and update the map tracking our progress between locations. We hope to make it from Edwards, CA to Fayetteville, GA in one year or less. Here is the route we will be tracking as we make our way across the country.

We will be starting at Ami's location, which is Edwards Air Force Base in California, going to Linsey's in Cottonwood Heights, Utah, then to Kristen's in Porter, Texas, and finishing at Lacy's in Fayetteville, Georgia. It's a lot of miles to cover, but as a team, we will conquer!

If you happen upon this blog of our journey as four friends, feel free to stick around and offer support.  Check out our cross country map that we will be continually updating on our journey throughout the next year.  We're glad you are here, and we are excited for this challenge!

Grilled Chicken with Tomato and Avocado Salad

The other day, I got an email from MyFitnessPal with some low calorie recipes in it. Last night, I decided to try one out, and picked this gem. There are quite a few spices in the sauce, but otherwise it is pretty simple and comes together quickly. As long as my husband is willing to man the grill before the weather gets too bad, we will be having this frequently - it was that good! I also used tomatoes fresh from our garden, which made it even that much better. So without further ado, here you go. Enjoy!

Grilled Chicken with Tomato Avocado Salad

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup Low-Fat Buttermilk
• 3 tablespoons Mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoons minced Fresh Flat-Leaf Parsley
• 1 tablespoon minced Shallots
• 1 teaspoon minced Fresh Thyme
• 1 teaspoon Cider Vinegar
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly Ground Black Pepper
• 1/8 teaspoon Kosher Salt
• 1 Garlic Clove, minced
• 4 (6-ounce) Skinless, Boneless Chicken Breast Halves
• Cooking spray
• 1 1/2 tablespoons Olive Oil
• 1 teaspoon Onion Powder
• 3/4 teaspoon Ground Cumin
• 3/4 teaspoon Kosher Salt, divided
• 1/4 teaspoon Chipotle Chile Powder
• 2 ears Yellow Corn, shucked
• 1 small Red Onion, cut into 1/2-inch slices
• 2 Yellow Tomatoes, each cut into 4 slices
• 2 Red Tomatoes, each cut into 4 slices
• 1 cup Cherry Tomatoes, halved
• 1 sliced peeled Ripe Avocado (150 g)

Directions

Preheat grill to high heat.

Combine first 9 ingredients in a small bowl; stir with a whisk. Chill buttermilk mixture until ready to serve.

Lightly coat chicken with cooking spray. Combine oil, onion powder, cumin, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and chipotle; rub evenly over chicken.

Coat corn and onion with cooking spray. Arrange chicken, corn, and onion on grill rack; grill 8 minutes or until done, turning chicken and onion once and corn occasionally.

Remove from grill; let stand 5 minutes. Cut corn kernels from cobs. Slice chicken.

Arrange 1 breast on each of 4 plates. Arrange 2 yellow and 2 red tomato slices on each plate. Top each serving with 1/4 cup cherry tomatoes. Divide corn, onion, and avocado evenly among plates. Sprinkle 1/4 teaspoon salt over salads. Drizzle about 1 1/2 tablespoons dressing over each salad.

Nutrition Information

Serves: 4 | Serving Size: 1 breast and 1/4 of salad recipe

Per serving: Calories: 448; Total Fat: 24g; Saturated Fat: 4g; Monounsaturated Fat: 14g; Cholesterol: 98mg; Sodium: 618mg; Total Carbohydrate: 21g; Dietary Fiber: 6g; Sugars: 8g; Protein: 39g

Nutrition Bonus: Potassium: 1242mg; Vitamin A: 27%; Vitamin C: 62%; Calcium 7%; Iron: 13%

URL to article: http://blog.myfitnesspal.com/2014/08/grilled-chicken-with-tomato-avocado-salad/

Introducing Ami

My name is Ami, and I was born and raised in Salt Lake City, Utah. I married into the Air Force almost 4 years ago and we are currently stationed in Edwards, California. Being that we live in the middle of nowhere we felt it was a good time to have a baby, so 17 months ago our sweet and sassy Tess was born and I am a stay-at-home mom.

Growing up I was a ‘spurt sport’ kind of gal, playing volleyball, basketball and dance. It wasn’t until after high school that my big sister sparked my interest in running. I tagged along a few times on her runs when we went on vacation to the beach and then I was hooked. Running was a way for me to stay fit and to recharge mentally. I did a couple 5k’s and several Ragnar relay races but I never really had the desire to run longer distance races until recently. I believe this shift in running goals is a result of becoming a mother and stay-at-home mom. Running used to help keep me sane so I could work towards other goals like grad school and my career. Now, a space has opened and the appeal to set more challenging running goals has crept in.

Running has helped strengthen bonds and built new friendships in ways I never would have imagined. I had to beg my best friend Linsey to run a relay race with me, now the tables have turned and she’s the one who is begging me to run a half marathon with her! My husband has become a runner and the encouragement we provide each other daily keeps us motivated and connected physically. I have also met amazing men and women, such as Kristen and Lacy, through running adventures and the resulting ties that are made are both large and small.

I continue to run because it makes me feel accomplished, it motivates me to be better and healthier, it cultivates new and current friendships, and because it is a part of my very being. I may not be a marathon junkie (yet) or have a ton of medals hanging on my wall, but “I am a runner!” 

Introducing Linsey

My name is Linsey, and I am the brunette Sweat Sister. I was born and raised in Salt Lake City, and have never really wanted to live anywhere else. I just love it here! I have been married to my best friend, Kevin, for 5 years, and we have 3 adorable fur-kids. We love to travel whenever and wherever we can, and we are both huge Green Bay Packers fans. 

I have been active my whole life, and love being outside. I have been running (by choice) for a little over 5 years now. My best friend from college, and fellow Sweat Sister, Ami, got me into mountain biking and running, and I haven't looked back since. One of my favorite, and most rewarding things about running, is the friendships that have come from it, and been made even stronger by it. Without running, I wouldn't have met Lacy, whom I met through Kristen at Wasatch Back 2011. As a side note, Kristen and I met when we were randomly paired together for an internship in San Antonio, Texas in the summer of 2003. It was a tough summer for many reasons, but meeting Kristen and becoming lifelong friends with her made the whole summer worth it.  Not only has running strengthened relationships I have with others, it has also strengthened the relationship I have with myself, and my self-confidence. Setting and meeting goals when it comes to running is hard, and it can only be done by you. No one else can do the work for you. I have learned so much about myself over the years and miles, and have gained a new acceptance of myself as a result. 

I love encouraging others to be healthy and active, and hope that through this blog, we will be able to inspire others to do the same. If I inspire even one person to make healthy changes in their life, then it's all worth it to me! 

Introducing Lacy

My name is Lacy, and I was born in Macon, GA. Both my parents were in the Marine Corps, so my early childhood was spent moving around, and then finally settling in Fayetteville, Georgia. I’m now married to a wonderful man who I can happily claim as my best friend and soul mate and we are expecting our first child in October.

As long as I can remember my family has encouraged my love for sports through softball, soccer and tennis. I have been running for my entire life, but never to the extreme of what I do now until about 2004.  Life took me to England, and finding the best way to familiarize myself with the area was to go out and explore.  So I did this through running. One major benefit was how wonderful I felt.  Coming back to Georgia didn’t stop my running; it only fueled it when I met more and more people who shared this love of being free.  

Running has enriched my life in so many ways.  I met Kristen in middle school and she introduced me to Linsey in 2011.  Funny story, Kristen asked me to run a Ragnar with Linsey (who I didn’t know) and unfortunately, Kristen could not attend this race. Before I even ventured out to Utah for my first Ragnar, I signed up for a second. Wasatch Back here I come!  New state, new people, new experience! It was one of my greatest and most remembered adventures.  Linsey, Ami and I became fast friends and the rest is history.

Running is the base of me.  It equalizes me. It has taught me patience, and it has provided me with friendships that will outlast running. Most of all it has shown me that I have the determination and the desire to overcome any obstacle set in front of me, and that I am stronger than I think I am.

This lifestyle may not be for everyone, but I love to encourage, help people, and watch them succeed.  If you have a goal and we’ve just met, I’ll be your biggest cheerleader. I love this healthy active life that I’ve been given, and I want to show people through my actions that you’re just one step away from being the same way.

Welcome to Our Blog!

Life is a journey that will take us from the glory of our triumphs to the frustrating heartbreaks of our weaknesses; from the gratification of finishing that last mile to the frustration of life's obstacles that stand between us and the fulfillment we feel at the end of a work out.  Sweat Sisters is a declaration to ourselves that every effort we put into bettering ourselves through running will in turn better our families, our friends, our world.

So join us as we embark on the journey and goal that ties us together as friends, women, and kindred souls.  We're glad your here with us.

-Ami, Kristen, Lacy, and Linsey