Jessi Stensland - Adventures in Endurance Performance

Gluten-Free Goddess's GF Blueberry Oat Muffins

I've loved every recipe I've tried from Gluten Free Goddess over the past couple of years. The first time I made these was for MovementU Stanford in January and they've been a hit ever since.  They can be made GF or Vegan.  Either way they are delicious.   I add a few extra blueberries to the mix as well as one on the top of each muffin (face-up) after pouring them.  I also sprinkle some raw oats over the top of each just before putting them in the oven. True, muffins aren't for every day, but they're a fun treat! For the recipe click HERE and enjoy!

This year's "A few of my favorite things" in fotos...

My adventures were plenty this year, due in no small part to gear that inspires GO.  A glimpse of yours truly in action, ads, or artwork with them all this year...

Under Armour Everything

The True North Outdoor Support Vehicle

Surftech Stand Up Paddle Board

TRX Suspension Trainer

TP Performance GRID

SportQuest Nutrition

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The True North OSV + all the gear it holds, inside and out...

     

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SportQuest - See me?? and XTERRA Wetsuits - in good company.

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TP Performance SMRT-CORE GRID. Total body.

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Surftech inspired Stand Up Paddle.  Like walking on water.

GO BE GREAT!!  HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!

A master in the art of living...

...draws no sharp distinction between his work and his play; his labor and his leisure; his mind and his body; his education and his recreation. He hardly knows which is which. He simply pursues his vision of excellence through whatever he is doing, and leaves others to determine whether he is working or playing. To himself, he always appears to be doing both.

- Francois Auguste Rene' Chateaubriand

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Thanks to Sean Watkins of Wattie Ink for the introduction to the quote.

It struck me and lead me to find out more about its beating heart, Chateaubriand.  Amazing the relevance from centuries ago.  Early 1800s to be exact.

I may never read his works, but Wiki serves up a great glimpse:

Considered the father of French Romanticism, he was the first to define the vague des passions, wave of passion.

"We are convinced that the great writers have told their own story in their works", wrote Chateaubriand.  "One only truly describes one's own heart by attributing it to another, and the greater part of genius is composed of memories."

The young Victor Hugo scribbled in a notebook, "To be Chateaubriand or nothing." [If this has any reference to the quote mentioned at the top of the post...seems spot on.]

I'm quite sure mastering the art of living is something a lifetime may not even be enough time for, but life is certainly too short not to integrate work and play, mind and body, education and recreation...seamlessly.

Not coincidentally, the father of modern Olympism, Pierre de Coubertin, had similar vision a century later: "to promote the balanced development of people."

The Olympic Charter, less commonly quoted than the Olympic Motto or Creed, begins with the Fundamentals of Olympism, of which the first one reads:

"Olympism is a philosophy of life, exalting and combining in a balanced whole the qualities of body, will and mind. Blending sport with culture and education, Olympism seeks to create a way of life based on the joy of effort, the educational value of good example and respect for universal fundamental ethical principles."

I experienced and benefited from that first hand in my Olympic journey and have only later realized its full application to life.  Thankful.

Let's live. work. play. with passion.

Smile on!

Stand Up Paddleboarding = Serenity + Strength

I'd heard about it years ago...but now I've got my own!  Have you stand up paddleboarded yet? 

For the record, I'm not a surfer and have never done any paddling.  I have always been a swimmer - sans equipment - in the water. I lived 12 years by the ocean in San Diego and the most I did was bodysurf for my triathlon training a few times. I will say I do love bodysurfing.

Stand up paddling caught my attention immediately when I first heard about it. It seems that from the moment it was born it was cool.  Over the years I've hopped on a board once or twice but in April I got my own. The Surftech Laird 11'6" as you can see to the left. 

There have been times when I've SUP'd in the ocean, fought the waves, had to fight for my balance - and then settle in and enjoy being surrounded by the entire ocean while just standing there.  Paddling hard for a few strokes, easy a for few strokes. Watching the stingrays and sand sharks underneath me.  Getting to cruise over, and appreciate, the beautiful flowing kelp beds, without having to swim through them.  All while the sun's setting...

There have been other times when we had a few boards and did short little impromptu races between two of us at a time around a nearby bouy. THAT was fun.  Competitive little buggers we all are.  

In June at the Teva Mountain Games I was AMAZED to see people on their SUPs in the raging river, making it look easy to balance, just cruising along.  There they held a surf cross competition 2 on 2, like the snowboard cross in the Olympic Games.  Wild!  That is something I can imagine doing - once I get my skillz down.

I've seen Greg Welch surfing waves with it.  And I've seen people using the unstable surface to challenge their stability and strength by doing overhead squats, planks, among other things,  including yoga! What a view for a core workout.

Of course there's always the long slow distance you can put on it too.  Friends of mine go out for hours at a time.  

STRENGTH + SERENITY

It's a perfect piece of equipment that combines the best of a both worlds.  For one its a total body workout that challenges body awareness, balance, coordination, stability and strength all of which come into play big time in swim, bike and run power production.  Great power transfer from the paddle to the pedal...in more ways than one.

For another, being out on the water, away from cars, computers and all the other craziness, simply feeds the soul.  It's peaceful, relaxing, social if you want it to be, serene and re-energizing.

Choose your own adventure.

Yesterday I took the board out with a couple of friends, Ryann Fraser and my roommate Morgan.  It was Morgan's first time on an SUP. She was a champ!  Take a peek inside our evening at the Boulder Reservoir during sunset in the video below.  LOVIN' IT - THANKS SURFTECH SUP for inspiring new adventures!

Recap to Remember 2009

Before I race off into 2010 I wanted to make sure to reflect on all that went down in 2009...

It's hard to say what I am most stoked about.  Every bit of it was rad, whether it was hard or easy.  It was nutz at times, but it was self-imposed.  [Well that's not exactly true.  I'm driven by something much greater than myself, and I feel like I'm just here following out a bigger plan, watching my own movie.]   I created and enjoyed every minute of it.  The year confirmed a lot and I learned a lot.  The more I learn, the more I know there is to learn.  About myself, my sports, my field, the world, etc.

WHAT STANDS OUT // The thing that stands out most is just how MUCH I did this year.  All my years used to be like this one, until about three years ago when I found myself wanting to do a whole lot of nothing - learn how to relax and chill out for once.  It served it's purpose, but now I'm back at it, and I'm glad.  I prefer to have my journal busting at the seams with stuff, daily.  Life's too short.

THE OUTDOORS // I'm stoked on my new found appreciation for the outdoors and all that comes with it: the feelings (mental and physical,) the people and the places.  Sure I've always trained outdoors, but this year was different.  Adventuring on and really seeing and exploring the trails, the mountains, and all the fun that comes with them was special.  They haven't changed, but I have...and I'm so glad they're still there for us all to enjoy.

THE MAKING OF MOVEMENTU // I've had any number of 'ideas' in my life...a few came to fruition and the rest taught me something about myself or the world and snowballed into other ideas.  The Olympic journey was my first transcendent commitment as an adult.  Interestingly enough, even since before my Olympic journey ended I've been curious as to what my next "THING" would be.  During my break from triathlon I was very aware that I had no THING and for about three years committed simply to living in the moment, knowing that at some point my heart and soul would be driven once again toward something big and defining.  The mission of MovementU was born during a walk on the beach at the end of July this year.  The idea was crafted into words in August during hours and hours in coffee shops in Boulder, CO.   I launched the website in the second week of September during a video shoot at Saris Cycling Group in Madison, WI.  After many more race weekends and travels including Ironman Hawaii with Active.com, the first ever MovementU was held on October 24th, with the help of my family, near my home town in central New Jersey.  I couldn't have asked for more.

This year was a great learning experience.  Thanks to the sound business advice from so many of my awesomely successful family and friends as well as feedback I've received from participants, I know I'm on the right path and will continue to evolve it, staying true to its mission:  to enhance the understanding of the body and its true performance potential.  One of the goals is to eliminate chronic  pain and injury (possible!!) with motivation through education.

Here's my snapshot of 2009...

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2009 By The Numbers

25,000 miles on the Prius / 86 Blog Posts / 72 Videos Created / 44 Flights

33 Appearances / 24 Races / 15 States / 14 Interviews / 10 Stitches / 2 Countries

1 New Mountain Bike / 1 New Business / 1 Day of Skiing

1 Fractured Orbital Bone / 1 Torn Supraspinatus

Zero Chronic Injuries

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Teammates + Family + Friends

Thank you so so much...

UNDER ARMOUR

Active.com / Fitness Anywhere / Core Performance / ITP Foundation

B + L Bikes / Intense Cycles / CycleOps / SportQuest

Xterra Wetsuits  / TP Therapy / Kinesys Sunscreen

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There was SUPERBOWL NFLX and launch of Under Armour RUN Shoes!

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Adventuring + Training

Moab, UT + Big Bear, CA + Girona, Spain + Boulder, CO

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The TRX for Multisport Strength DVD was released...

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Rad Races // On + Off-Road

• ITPMan Triathlon // 1st // Photos
• Sweet & Twisted Du // 1st // Report
• Renegade Off-Road Tri // 1st // Report
• TCSD Aquathlon // 1st // Report
• California Multisport Off-Road Du // 1st // Report
• Carlsbad Triathlon // 2nd // Report
• Mission Bay Triathlon // 2nd

Plus...

• Mt Baldy Run To The Top // 3rd
• Mountain States Cup XC MTB // 2nd - Cat 2 // Fruta, CO
• King of the Rockies Series XC MTB // 2nd - Sport // Winterpark, CO
• Encinitas Triathlon // Report
• XTERRA Boney Mountain 21km // 4th // Report
• XTERRA Black Mountain 15km // 4th // Report
• XTERRA Lake Las Vegas Triathlon // Report
• SkirtChaser 5k Denver
• 12 Hours of Temecula MTB - Temecula, CA // Report
• Muddy Buddy - Boulder, CO // Report

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There was video production...

• Ironman Hawaii // Active.com's Ironblog
• Amgen Tour of California // Day in the Life / Jelly Belly Pro Cycling
• LUNA Chix Summit // Highlight Video + more
• Interbike // Saris Cycling Group for the launch of SOLO
• Jasmine Commerce // Singer/Songwriter // EPK
• Highlighting the brand new, gamechanging ElliptiGO!

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and appearances all over the place...

• Under Armour Headquarters for Armour Days
• Core Performance Center
• Triathlon Club of San Diego
• LA Tri Club
• Triathlon Lab
• Tri La Vie
  
• Orange County Tri Club
• Inland Inferno Tri Club
• Active.com Headquarters for ActiveX
  
• Purchase College Women's Swimming + Masters Swimming/Triathlon
• PepsiCo World Headquarters
• Ohio University Women's Field Hockey / Soccer / Volleyball
• Cal State Fullerton Women's Soccer
• Wounded Warrior Project Soldier Ride

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Then MovementU launched!  The Fall Tour was a blast.

MovementU traveled to:

New Jersey // Sports University
Connecticut // Blue Streak Sports Training
San Diego // Athletes Edge
Orange County // Cutting Edge Athletics
Phoenix // Athletes' Performance
Dallas // Athletes' Performance
Austin // Competitive Training Center

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PLUS...

• Managed to see my niece about every 8 weeks of her life so far
• Family vacation in Boulder, CO + family visit to South Carolina
• Couchsurfing! // Most impromptu/memorable = Ophir, CO // Thank you:

• Mom + Dad, Kelly + JoeB, Brett + Kristen, Craig, Brandyn + Trevor, Jayne + Randy, Paul + Karen, Peter, Marie, Erwin, Kirk, Neil, Michael + Maja, Jun + June, Joe + Sarah, Danny, Jim, Dave + Christine, Paul + Sylvia, Georgette, Dean, Leilani + Erin @ Red Licorice, Dirk + Alicia, and my Prius :) ...who am I missing?

• Many miles, many coffee shops and many meaningful conversations with many meaningful people in my life on multiple roadtrips thru NV, UT, CO, NM, AZ, CA, TX
• The rest is captured somewhere on Twitter, Facebook and my own journal.

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All that, and I'm ready to do it all over again - only better.   See you on the road somewhere as the adventures in endurance performance continue!

2010 - HERE WE GO!!!

Holiday Gift Guide #1 // NEW Performance Products!

It was not hard to put together a holiday gift guide this year.  Want your best performance next year?  Grab and gift em while their HOT!!  My Under Armour shopping list will be coming next.  Until then here's Under Armour's own gift guide.

I've been waiting to be able to announce this one since I heard Mark talking about it months ago!  Mark Verstegen's new book, Core Performance Women, is ready to order.  Same fundamental principles of performance perfectly packaged for WOMEN.  Co-author Pete Williams writes,  "If you or a woman in your life is looking for a simple, integrated lifestyle program that includes Mindset, Movement, Nutrition and Recovery, this is it."

 

The SMRT-CORE GRID is a great new addition to the Trigger Point Therapy family.  It's a great tool for both recovery and functional training efforts.  In conjunction with the launch of the GRID this year, they have also released training DVDs instructing athletes on "SMRT-CORE self myofascial release therapy and core stability work all at the same time." Check out the SMRT-CORE GRID in action HERE.

I've had an advance copy of this new redesigned TRX Suspension Trainer and the difference is awesome.  The PRO pack comes with a ton of additional exercise content including Basic Training, an Endurance Circuit, Metabolic Blast routine AND completely recyclable packaging.  

Saluting SEALs: LT Dan Cnossen + LT Mike McGreevy

LT Dan Cnossen lost his legs last month, but certainly not his spirit:

"I've been thinking about all the things I'm going to do when I get my new legs. I've decided I'm just going to mess with people. I'm going to wear pants and shoes so nobody can tell that I've got prosthetics...and then I'm going to get them in all different lengths. One day, I'm gonna be 7 feet tall. The next day, I'm gonna show up and be 5'2". I'm trying to decide how tall I want to be, and I think 5 foot would be best because I'll have a lower center of gravity and will be way faster than anybody else. But then other days I'll want to be gigantic."

Thanks for making me laugh out loud Dan!  Looking forward to seeing you back in San Diego, whatever height you happen to be that day!!

Dan received a Purple Heart and Bronze Star for Valor.

His friends and family are rallying around him and we all got to feel the effects yesterday!  What an amazing time at an aquathlon held in support of Dan.  Hundreds of people flocked to La Jolla Shores for a 500m swim, a 5km run along the beach, lots of inspiration, smiles and shout outs to one amazing guy. 

Dan's hanging out at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, MD these days, but he was ever-present at the event yesterday.  It was all a testament to who he is and what he stands for and where he'll be going next.  It may not be the same, but in my experience, those who decide life can be great no matter what the challenge, make it happen.  And I'm sure Dan will!  Read more on his website HERE.

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And then there is TEAM GROOVE, going strong.  Another amazing example of our soldiers never being forgotten and continuing to inspire others.  TEAM GROOVE was created from the inspiration of Lt Mike McGreevy, a Navy SEAL, father and husband of a close family friend of mine.

A little about Mike and the Mike McGreevy Memorial Fund:

Mike was killed in action on June 28, 2005 in Afghanistan while he and seven other SEALS were attempting to rescue four fellow teammates under enemy fire on the ground. This fund is established to ensure that Mike and the traits that he stood for are remembered and honored in future generations. Mike McGreevy made a remarkable, positive impact on the world and the creators of this fund wish to assist individuals in living their lives with the same integrity that he did.

The purpose of the Mike McGreevy Memorial Scholarship Fund is to award an annual merit-based scholarship to two eligible recipients who exemplify Mike’s positive spirit and dedication to serving others.

About TEAM GROOVE:  "For those of you who don’t know, ‘Groove’ was Mike’s nickname in college because of his reputation for tearing up the dance floor on occasion! He was also a gifted runner and all-around athlete. Team Groove was formed as a way to honor Mike by bringing people together to do something positive for themselves and others."  

The next TEAM GROOVE event is the

Wicked 10K in Virginia Beach on Oct 31st! 

Read more about it HERE.

Love being surrounded by greatness!  Let's carry it on!

RACE RECAP // Muddy Buddy Boulder!

Been on a bit of a family vacation in Boulder, CO this week.  One of the highlights has been the battle of the Stensland Family at Muddy Buddy Boulder last weekend! If you don't yet know what Muddy Buddy is all about check out the website or view this video from last year's race.  It's an awesome event for everyone and anyone because either you want to get a great workout with friends/family, get M-U-D-D-Y and take a few hilarious photos OR you want to watch your loved ones do it.

My sister Kelly and I teamed up against my Dad and brother.  The guys got us by three minutes in the end and, of course, won't let us live it down.  Shall I mention that in the style of Lance's Leadville win this past weekend, Kelly and I rode a flat in the last couple miles of the bike.   We both admitted we went off the trail a bit to pass by people on the course and I bet that's where we picked up the thorn. Not sure it mattered much since it could still ride as fast as we could run...but...I'm just sayin'!  There's always next year. 

Couple things I learned in Muddy Buddy strategy. 

• Wear a costume!  Or funky socks or matching Mickey Mouse ears.  Or a frog suit!  Something to boost the smiles on the trail and fun in the photos.

• Use flat pedals without cages.  It was harder to try to get feet in the pedals every transition, than dealing with a little less power on the bike course (it wasn't about power anyway!)

• Bring gear to change a flat (if you are competent at it.) Not necessarily for the performance, but for the fun.  I know I'd have been able to change the flat in a couple minutes and still catch back up to Kelly while she was running that next leg. It wasn't much fun to worry about riding the flat while wanting to enjoy the sights/sounds!

 

VIDEO // CYCLING // Chamois Cream: Yes or No?

"proper MAINTAINTANANCE of the perineal area."  NOTE:  If you haven't see DZ's DZ Nuts videos and want a laugh...click HERE.

VIDEO // CYCLING // The Morning Routine

I had a blast hanging with and filming the Jelly Belly Pro Cycling Team during the 2009 Tour of California.  This was one of my favorite videos.  It gives a great (and entertaining) behind-the-scenes insight into the morning routine of professional cyclists.  Although slightly unique to each team...there is still the basics of eating, packing up and not missing the bus.  For more of the same click HERE.