Big Weekend: NYT Bestseller & 1/2 Marathon!

Wow! What a huge weekend it was. Here's why:

Thanks to your support Your Best Body Now has made it onto the prestigious New York Times Bestseller list in a very short period of time. This is an absolute honor that I am thrilled to share with all of you who made it possible. Here's to inspiring men and women everywhere to live clean lives.

After getting that great news I strapped on my running shoes and competed with the Eat-Clean Diet Team for Team Diabetes in the Goodlife Fitness Toronto 1/2 Marathon. What an experience! I managed to finish in the race in 1:56: 51 & came in 21 out of 192 in my age group. I was so happy to come in under 2 hours!

We had an amazing team yesterday complete with coworkers from Robert Kennedy Publishing and fans of the Eat-Clean Diet. We all rocked the race although it was a struggle!

Thank you to everyone for your support! We did it!

Your Sister in Iron,
Tosca Reno

Eat-Clean Diet Team for Team Diabetes pre-race pump up!


Keeping warm after the race with my daughter Kiersten who finished in an amazing 1:48!


The team (including our awesome 5k participants) after the race with my friends Leslie and Franca who came out to support us! Thanks to everyone else who came to support, too!

Goodlife Toronto 1/2 Marathon Countdown Begins!

We are less than 1 week away from the Goodlife Toronto 1/2 Marathon.

The Eat-Clean Diet Team will be running support of Team Diabetes. We are SOOOOO excited to get this event underway. It's been a long time coming! We've been logging hours on the road prepping for the event and you've supported us by contributing funds or by lacing up your joggers and joining us.

What changes have you noticed since you started your training?

I wanted to share with you that I have noticed some things about myself as a result of increased cardiovascular training in preparation for the half marathon.

Whereas I used to say that a final meal before going to bed was optional and perhaps not even necessary I can't say that anymore as I am constantly hungry at this point. As a result of the longer runs and thus hyped metabolism and increased fuel burning if I go to bed on an empty stomach I can count on being awakened by a fiercely growling stomach. I have now become a Night Raider. I have to get up and eat a banana and some yogurt or there is no going back to sleep. So I must eat before bed and it is usually something like a small bowl of oats, yogurt or kefir and a banana.

Other cool things I have implemented since embarking on a running career:

1. I eat goji berries every day because of their supreme nutritional content but also because they can hydrate cells at a microscopic level more effectively than water alone.

2. I also eat chia seeds every day, about 2 tablespoons, for their nutritional support particularly when it comes to endurance sport. I think running 21 kilometers qualifies!

3. Of course I am also carb loading every day this week in preparation for the big day.

See you on the trails!
Tosca

Last Chance for Team Diabetes!

Team Diabetes was kind enough to extend the date of our donation period until tomorrow!

This is the last chance to help our team! We're running the Goodlife Toronto 1/2 Marathon on October 17th in support of Team Diabetes.

So what will your donation do?

Aside from benefiting research we are very fond of here at the Eat-Clean Diet a donation of $20 will automatically get you a signed photograph and will also enter you in for a chance to win a phone consult with me!

To make a donation to Team Diabetes, please visit Teamdiabetes.ca. Select “pledge” and search for my team under “Tosca Reno.” When you’re finished, email my team at with your name, address and phone number to let us know you’ve made a donation. All pledges must be collected by TOMORROW (Oct. 1, 2010), so please do not delay! Click here for more details.

I am very fond of this cause and very much appreciate your support. Together we can make a huge difference with very little effort.

Love,
Tosca

Tackling Scottsdale Terrain

My alarm clock rang at 5:00 am Sunday morning to get me out the door in time for a big trail run with Giselle and the girls at Scottsdale Farm in Halton Hills. It was chilly enough on the way that I put the heat on in my car! I knew things would heat up pretty quickly once we ladies hit the trail. The plan was to run 13 km or more and still get home in time for breakfast with our families on a shimmering Sunday morning. As I was driving I realized I was in for a fight today. Scottsdale Farm was the place my ex used to run and where I was merely the Sherpa carrying food for him and his pals. The NOBODY who couldn’t run. I had never run these trails before and today was going to be redemption for me as we were going to tackle a hefty distance. I was feeling plenty nervous.

Once the five of us met at the farm with big plans to tear up the morning trails: Marie, Pepe, Michelle, Giselle and I, it wasn’t long before we were off. Carrying no food, only water and determination it turned out I ran 16 km with Giselle rather than the aforementioned 13. We were pestered by clouds of deer flies who loved our hair, missed trail markers, plenty of ups and downs and rock, a few pit stops and a couple of nearly lost water bottles but we got the job done. I am a big believer in sticking together though I sorely wanted to put on some speed near the end. I decided to test myself. When I realized we were within 800 meters of the parking lot I was overcome by a desire to run as fast as I could – in a way to outrun the demons of my past and to prove that I could do this. Faster and faster I went enjoying the feeling of flying and knowing I had done something formerly unimaginable and impossible. It was incredible for me. When I reached the cars I had a good cry and celebrated in the breakthrough I had experienced.

You Ask, I Answer

Today's question of the week comes from blog follower Tami. She asks:

Hey Tosca!
I have been following your blog and attempting eating clean for a long time. Doing really well at it now, although it's taken me a long time to get here for some reason! What I'm wondering about is your workout routine? I read in an article where you said you train your glutes 3 times a week? I'd love to hear what your training program looks like right now. :) Thanks so much!

Hi Tami,

You must be referring to the latest Oxygen Glutes Special which hit stands this week. I do train my glutes 3 times each week. Lately, when doing glutes I have been thinking more about what muscles I will need for the uphill portions of my runs. It really helps me get my mind into the muscle. As for the rest of my body, currently I train 2 body parts every time I go in the gym.

Day 1: Biceps & Triceps
Day 2: Shoulders & Calves
Day 3: Back & Chest
Day 4: Legs
Day 5: Abs & Glutes
**I add more glutes on 2 of the other days just for an added hit.

I complete 2 different exercises for each body part, and 6 sets of each exercise. I have been increasing my reps lately

As for my cardio, my 1/2 marathon training is underway. I'm using a 3-day 1/2 marathon training program, which includes 2 shorter runs & 1 longer one (p.s. look for a 1/2 marathon plan in an upcoming newsletter). This weekend my long run will be the Scotchdale 20km with my friend Giselle. I also throw in the occasional lengths swim in the pool especially since it's been so hot!

-Tosca

13K On A Gorgeous Sunday

This past Sunday I ran 13km with my friend Giselle through the Rattlesnake Point conservation area. There was lots of terrain, beautiful scenery & lots of heat. We hydrated as much as possible before, after & during. I am really getting excited about this new regime of long-distance training I am taking on in order to get prepared for the 1/2 marathon in October. Here are a few snaps from Sunday's adventures!

Iron Goddess!!

Competing in a sprint-distance triathlon is my lastest & greatest goal. I'm preparing for the big event... the Iron Goddess Triathlon in Michigan. Here's my training plan so far:

Cycling: I have my road bike on blocks and a trainer so I can ride indoors until the weather gets better. I try to ride at least twice and sometimes three times per week for now going a minimum of 12 miles. But I am throwing in some harder training to build my strength.

Running: as much as possible wherever possible – indoors and out!

Bricks: I do bricks most of the time. This means I am cycling 12 miles and then jumping right into my running shoes for 4, 5 or 6 miles. I try to do at least one long run each week. That means I am running more than 6 miles and obviously will build up my endurance so I can run longer as time goes on.

Swimming: I swim in my own little indoor pool which is lousy for lengths but I swim the perimeter for now so I can build up my lungs. As soon as the snow and ice melt I plan to get into a wetsuit and swim in local water holes so I get used to the dark, muddy conditions. They freak me out so I have to push past that. I am a bit claustrophobic.

I have a long way to go but I try to work on breaking through barriers at least once a week.

Cheers,
Tosca