For the past few weeks Laurel and I have been snacking on these sweet and spicy cucumber spears. We like to eat them in the hours after we’ve finished working out for the day, but when dinner is still a few hours off. This snack is light enough that it won’t “spoil your dinner” (which has yet to ever happen to me!) and will keep you from going hungry all afternoon. Think of it as an appetizer served a few hours before the meal.

When I'm out in the middle of the woods running or biking, it isn't too unusual to come across something that makes me sprint in the other direction -  a bear, a half naked man sunning himself behind a rock, parts of a gorilla suit costume (not joking!). But a discovery on last Sunday's "off-piste" bike ride might just be the most interesting yet.

Yesterday was my first race of the 2013 season and I am very happy to report I placed 5th at the Columbia Triathlon.  Yes, fifth place would usually leave me very unsatisfied, especially at a race where I have been 3rd-1st-3rd-3rd, but this time it was a big win!