Welcome back to another edition of the IRLAG Newsletter. We have more great information to share with you all about training, team support and special events coming up in our community this February. Please take a moment to read through the news so you can stay on top of all the fun. Thank you all so much for being a part of our IRLAG community and supporting women of all ages and abilities in our efforts to empower and motivate all women in endurance sports.
IRaceLikeAGirl Team Member Spotlight
Each month, we will highlight one of our fabulous athletes in this newsletter. This February, we would like you to meet Ellen Messinger-Patton from Reno, Nevada.
How long have you been racing and what distances/discipline do you enjoy the most?
I’ve been a runner for ~7 years, and a triathlete for ~5 years. I like running the best, but have come to enjoy swimming a lot as well. I haven’t settled on a favorite distance yet, I get the itch to do different ones all the time!
What do you consider a highlight of your athletic journey to date?
Crossing the finish line of my first 70.3 was an incredible moment. I didn’t think it was possible for me to achieve something like that, and when I did it was complete and utter unbridled joy.
What does "IRLAG" mean to you? What is your favorite part about this team? *
For me, racing like a girl means being who you are authentically while supporting others who are doing are doing the same. I feel my best when I’m surrounded by strong women, and I love being part of a community.
Share some special aspects of your life with us outside of your athletic endeavors.
In my normal life, I’m a health inspector in Reno NV. I’ve been married to my wonderful husband for about 8 years, and we have two greyhounds. I volunteer coach for Girls On The Run, and have been asked to help coach a local Middle School Cross Country team next year. I use endurance athletics as a stress release, and it is my main hobby. I’m terrible at keeping in contact with people, but am trying to be better so I can make new friends!
It is fantastic to learn a little bit more about you, Ellen!
Feature Articles from IRLAG Teammates and Girls Get Gritty
This Month we are featuring an article on strength training for triathletes from Nathalie de Champlain who is a team mate and owner of Caliloko! She is sharing her top reasons why strength training is vital for endurance athletes and she has a specific training plan for you which she presented to our virtual camp last month. Also, make sure you check out her amazing compression line at https://www.caliloko.com. I love love love my Caliloko items!
“Due to the overwhelming amount of time that a triathlete needs to spend in the pool, on the bike and running on the road or treadmill, many triathletes sacrifice strength training in favor of additional swim, bike or run sessions.
As a consequence, general strength is too often lacking for age group athletes. Combining multi-joint and full-body movements, targeting major muscle groups used for swimming, cycling, and running, is for sure the best way to feel strong during the race season.” Her complete article is linked below. Enjoy!
Top Reasons Why Strength Training For Triathletes Is Key • Caliloko
We also have an inspiring new blog up written by Stephanie Jinright!
You can read all about her “Newbie Triathlete Journey” here on the GirlsGetGritty website! Thank you for sharing, Steph!
“With this series on GirlsGetGritty, I hope to show people what a person can accomplish with a little determination and hard work. I’ll be posting regularly about my experiences as I train and hope to introduce you to some of the key figures in this aspect of my life. I’ll also try to have a focus topic/theme for each week such as fueling, cross training, nutrition, menstruation, support networks, etc. I hope to bring you along on this journey to give you some laughter & some motivation and to encourage you to set your own goals and push through barriers to reach them.”
https://www.girlsgetgritty.com/news-10/detail/370-id.209715307.html
Team Sponsors and Discount Codes
We have a lot of special deals from our sponsors this month. I hope you all will take advantage of these amazing discounts and try out our sponsor products! Thank you Angela for providing us with top of the line goodies and introducing us to terrific support businesses in our sport.
Full Spectrum VID CBD Oil. www.vid-cbd.com I have been using this oil for little over two years for sleep, overall health and wellbeing. If you haven’t used it and/or looking to purchase it for someone I would recommend starting at the 600mg dose (half a dropper twice a day). CBD has many benefits and you can read about it on the website. This is WELL tested and approved to be 0.3% THC. Code Angela20 gives you 20% off plus free shipping! *All options from this company are the same - just different names for different shops/etc.USE CODE: free2021 for a free 600mg CBD oil
Athletic Greens
Receive a free Vitamin D and travel pack with a new subscription!
https://www.athleticgreens.com/angela
Stock Up On Powerbar https://sport.powerbar.co
Powerbar Nutrition - Back in the USA, Powerbar has the best gels, and sports drink available. Limited use but this code gives you 25% off all products!
Code ANGELAPOWER25
February Team Challenges are up in CLUB
We have some exciting challenges for you all this month on our IRLAG team club page (team member access only). Everyone who participates will be entered for a drawing to win these sponsor items!
- CALILOKO Recovery and Compression top/bottoms!
- TOPO ATHLETIC SHOES
- Powerbar product grab bags (supply of powerbar products)
- BLUE RUB products giveaway bags
- Zealios Sunscreen Packets
- SIDA INSOLES
- SLATE MILK 12 pack
- JUICE PERFORMER PACK
- RISE COFFEE
- Blue Seventy Goggles!
IRaceLikeAGirl 5K- Women’s Day Virtual 5K on March 7, 2021
Join us for our 5th Annual IRACELIKEGIRL Virtual 5K to help Celebrate Women's Day on March There will be lots of fun giveaways and this race will support our youth team, scholarship, and future events! Be sure to register here: https://runsignup.com/Race/MA/VIRTUAL/iracelikeagirl5k
Recipes to Love and Share
This month’s recipe to Love and to Share is Ginger Chicken Stir Fry and is one featured by our very own IRLAG teammate Kirsten Miller. Kirsten owns Nourish2Flourish here in Denver, Colorado. She is Board Certified in Holistic Nutrition by the National Association of Nutrition Professionals (NANP) and she is also a Certified Sports Nutrition Consultant (CSNC) and Certified Nutrition Therapy Practitioner (CNTP). She believes that finding the right nutritional balance is the key to peak performance in all aspects of your life.
“I love this recipe for a quick meal with some umami! I eat it over greens, but it also works over rice or cauliflower rice.”- K
Ginger Chicken Stir Fry
1/3 cup gluten-free tamari or coconut aminos (soy free
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 tbsp fresh ginger, minced
1 tbsp coconut oil
1 1/2 lb. chicken breast, cubed
1/2 yellow onion, chopped
3 cups broccoli, chopped into florets
1 cup asparagus, chopped
2 cups kale, chopped
Mix together garlic, ginger and tamari in a small mason jar.
Add the coconut oil to a large frying pan (I love my big cast iron skillet!) over medium heat.
Add the onion and chicken.
Saute until chicken is mostly cooked, about 10 minutes.
Add in the broccoli and asparagus.
Saute for another 5 minutes.
Pour the sauce from the jar and stir to combine.
Add the kale and cook until wilted.
Option to change vegetables to anything that sounds good… bell peppers, cauliflowers, snow peas, mushrooms, etc.
IRaceLikeAGirl E-Racing Team on Zwift!
Alright, my friends, I just need to finish this newsletter with a HUGE shout out to our IRLAG E-Racing Team who is currently entering the 4th week of racing in session #2 of the Zwift Racing League. I personally have just joined in the fun as a member of the team and it has been a blast! After three years on Zwift riding my own personal favorite routes and doing some group events, I finally decided to jump on the virtual cycling race circuit with our teammates and it has been fabulous. If you are interested in joining in, please e-mail Angela at iracelikeagirl@gmail.com
The IRACELIKEAGIRL/ SISU E-Racing team is appropriate for riders of all levels, from PROs to beginners. Our supportive community is highly engaged online and participates in multiple race series on Zwift each week. Additionally, team members participate in formal and informal workouts and meetups, while sharing information, strategies and techniques for improving cycling, both in-game and in real life.
You can follow along and check on everyone’s progress by visiting the Facebook page for the E-Racing Team here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1790418584457764.
And, that is a wrap for now!
Please always feel free to reach out to me (Courtney ;)) at courtneyculligan@yahoo.com or Angela at iracelikeagirl@gmail.com if you have something exciting to share with the team which you think would make an interesting addition to our newsletter. I am so inspired by all of you incredible women and I love to learn more about you, your dreams and what makes you “Race Like A Girl!”. Let’s continue to grow our community through love, support, passion and amazing communication!