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September 22, 2014

Birthday Weekend Adventures

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Hi friends – thank you so much for all the sweet birthday wishes on Instagram and Twitter yesterday! I had a wonderful weekend – after so much traveling lately it was so nice to be home and to spend a lot of time with Matt. 🙂

On Friday night, Matt and I had a fun date night!

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I wore my obnoxiously bright red pants for the occasion – they are from Stitch Fix (<—affiliate link – if you haven’t tried Stitch Fix yet, DO IT) and are my new faves. Fun, right? 🙂

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Matt and I were treated to a complimentary press sneak preview dinner at True Food Kitchen, which is opening tomorrow in the Mosaic District in Fairfax. I’ve proclaimed my love for True Food Kitchen here on the blog before (I’ve been to the LA location a few times), and am THRILLED they have arrived in the DC area. Great healthy food and amazing philosophy, too. If you go, try the appetizer kale salad – it’s to die for. My entrée was delish, too!

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On Saturday, I started my day with CrossFit! My CrossFit gym (CrossFit Arlington) has started doing running WODs occasionally on Saturdays, which is fun. It ended up just being me and the coach – apparently everyone else was sleeping in! – but we did a great 1.5 miles of speedwork at the track before heading to the normal morning class.

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Speedwork + a CrossFit class double header = oof! Our class WOD was a partner workout combination of pull ups, squats, and box jumps. I was totally wiped by the end!

Matt and I spent the rest of Saturday running around doing errands, cleaning, and getting ready to host 30+ of our friends for a little BBQ at our place that evening! It was so much fun that I neglected to take a single photo. Oh well!

Sunday was my birthday! We started with a tradition – whoever’s birthday it is gets served breakfast in bed. 🙂

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For my birthday, I told Matt I wanted a fun adventure day out and about just the two of us. We started with a morning walk to Starbucks so I could get my free birthday drink! Nice morning for a stroll.

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After lunch and a little birthday shopping, we headed out for our main adventure of the day: mountain biking!

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I had actually never been mountain biking before! I consider myself at least a moderate daredevil (I have gone bungee jumping once, sky diving twice, and done all sorts of adventure water sports – scuba diving, white water rafting, white water sledging, surfing, wakeboarding, water skiing, etc.), but for some reason the thought of mountain biking always made me a little nervous! But in the theme of doing things that challenge/scare you, I decided it was time to give it a shot, especially since Matt loves it.

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Well what do you know – it was fun! It took me a few minutes to get used to the feeling of the wheels moving around under me/skidding a bit, but once I got into it I really enjoyed it. We went to Meadowood in Lorton, VA, which is a good spot for beginners (apparently nearby Fountainhead is where the more experienced peeps go).

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We accidentally ended up biking on the horse trails and didn’t realize it until we were almost done (luckily there were no horses out there), so next time we go back we’ll do the actual mountain biking trails. Oops!

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Spending the afternoon in the great outdoors with Matt = perfect birthday treat. 🙂

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We capped off my birthday with dinner out with family. All dolled up!

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And now, it’s back to the grind. Lots to do! I hope you all have a wonderful day. It’s absolutely gorgeous here in the DC area – definitely going to take an afternoon walk break to enjoy it!

Have you ever been mountain biking before?

What have you done lately that challenged you?

- anne
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37 comments
  • Sarah @ Making Thyme for Health
    September 22, 2014 · 11:16AM:
    Happy belated birthday! Breakfast in bed sounds like a great tradition to start! :) And I love your red pants. I only tried Stitch Fix once and I was so mortified by the things they sent me that I gave up immediately. But I should try it again- maybe they just need a chance to get to know what I like/don't like.
    Reply
    • Anne
      September 22, 2014 · 2:42PM:
      It definitely improves if you give a lot of feedback!
      Reply
  • Lauren @ The Bikini Experiment
    September 22, 2014 · 11:18AM:
    I love those red pants! So fun. Is the skirt from Stichfix too? Looks like you had a great birthday weekend. I just signed up for Precision Nutrition to receive my nutritional coaching certification so that is my next challenge!
    Reply
    • Anne
      September 22, 2014 · 2:41PM:
      No, the skirt isn't! I can't remember where it's from... Nordstrom Rack maybe?
      Reply
  • Kelly @ Kelly Runs For Food
    September 22, 2014 · 11:37AM:
    Happy belated birthday! Looks like it was a gorgeous and fun one. I've been mountain biking once, and I wiped out so hard trying to jump over a log I landed face-first in a giant puddle of mud. I haven't been back since, haha.
    Reply
  • Dana @ fresh simple five
    September 22, 2014 · 11:40AM:
    Sounds like a fabulous birthday weekend! I love those red pants! I know you said they are from StitchFix, but do you know what the brand is? I've been searching for some red pants for football season (my college's colors are red/white). :) Never been mountain biking, but it looks like a blast!
    Reply
    • Anne
      September 22, 2014 · 3:27PM:
      Yes, the brand is Kensie!
      Reply
      • Dana @ fresh simple five
        September 23, 2014 · 9:19AM:
        Yeah - thanks!
        Reply
  • Lea J. September 22, 2014 · 12:09PM:
    Happy belated Birthday! It looks like such a fun weekend and the weather definitely was cooperative! For my challenge, I ran my second marathon this weekend (Air Force Marathon in Dayton). It was a TOUGH course.
    Reply
    • Anne
      September 22, 2014 · 12:39PM:
      Wow, that's amazing! Congratulations! :)
      Reply
  • Hillary | Nutrition Nut on the Run
    September 22, 2014 · 12:28PM:
    Happy Belated Birthday, Anne!! :)
    Reply
  • Amanda @ Slimplify Life
    September 22, 2014 · 12:39PM:
    I've been counting down the days until True Food Kitchen opens in Mosaic. I've been to the one in Santa Monica and San Diego so I am SO excited to get one here =).
    Reply
  • Alex @ Get Big, Go To Work
    September 22, 2014 · 12:44PM:
    Your birthday weekend looks like a fun one. It's always nice when you get spend it with the ones you love. I've never been mountain biking before, but it looks like a lot of fun. I would love to start riding paved trails first. I've been talking about it for a while now; just need to make it happen. Maybe I can find a pink bike like yours!
    Reply
  • Dietitian Jess
    September 22, 2014 · 1:00PM:
    Happy Belated! Looks like a new year is off to a great start. Love those red pants :)
    Reply
  • Sandra F. September 22, 2014 · 1:08PM:
    Happy Belated Birthday!!! :) LOVE the red pants! ;)
    Reply
  • Mia
    September 22, 2014 · 1:15PM:
    Happy belated birthday! I love your pictures of mountain biking, they're beautiful. I haven't been mountain biking. I'd love to try it but there aren't any trails like that around where I live—you'd be surprised how limited the fitness options are in central Florida. However, you've inspired me to do something that challenges me. I'll just have to get creative. Maybe find some interesting fitness classes? :)
    Reply
  • Fiona September 22, 2014 · 1:18PM:
    Oh gosh we went mountain biking ONE time and it was soo scary. Of course I didn't have a mountain bike or a helmet (FAIL FAIL FAIL) and people were racing by us like in FULL BMX gear. Needless to say there were a few tears but it was a GREAT feeling when we finished...I've yet to be back..but one day maybe, and maybe on a more 'beginner' track!
    Reply
    • Anne
      September 22, 2014 · 1:56PM:
      Yes, definitely try a beginner track!
      Reply
  • Catherine @ Chocolate & Vegetables
    September 22, 2014 · 1:41PM:
    I have always been to scared to do mountain biking after a cousin had a really bad accident doing it (broken femur). But then, he is kind of crazy :) Looks like it would be a lot of fun on a gentle trail. I have been pushing myself a fair bit with running lately, but now you have me thinking I should try something a little more extreme!
    Reply
    • Anne
      September 22, 2014 · 1:56PM:
      We were definitely on a very gentle trail. :)
      Reply
  • Tina Muir
    September 22, 2014 · 2:27PM:
    Happy belated birthday! Glad you enjoyed your day, lots of happy smiles here! You need to stop encouraging stitch fix, I don't have the money to afford it, but I am getting soooooo tempted. Love your outfit! I am gonna cave soon, which is baaaaaaddd! A challenge for me lately is to stay away from looking at my garmin, and starting to obsess over what time I am going to run in Chicago. I just have to accept it could be anywhere from 2:38 to 2:48, and I need to be happy with anywhere in that range. It is a challenge for me, as I am such a visualization person that i usually need to focus on an exact number, but I know it doesn't work like that for marathons!
    Reply
  • Leslie @ Life Begins at 30?
    September 22, 2014 · 3:13PM:
    Happy belated birthday! It looks like a great weekend! I love those red pants. So adorable!! I actually dropped off my mountain bike for a tune up this weekend. I should get it back on Wednesday and it will be as good as new. I'm definitely planning to take it for a spin. :)
    Reply
  • Fiona @ Get Fit Fiona
    September 22, 2014 · 3:15PM:
    Happy birthday! Looks like you had a great couple of days.
    Reply
  • Heather Christopher
    September 22, 2014 · 3:51PM:
    Happy (belated) Birthday Anne! I hiked fountainhead a few years ago, DEAR LORD, hardest hike of my life (okay, so I haven't done a ton of hiking!) but we used it as a training walk for the Susan Komen 60 Miler and I have several videos of us just dying out there - it's intense ;)
    Reply
  • Kaci @ Running the Next Step
    September 22, 2014 · 4:03PM:
    I should probably learn to ride a bike before I try mountain biking…it's on my to-do list! I've challenged myself by starting a blog! I wanted to for a long time and I finally did it not too long ago. Now I'm trying to figure out what's going on!
    Reply
    • Anne
      September 22, 2014 · 4:25PM:
      Nice, welcome to the blog world! :)
      Reply
  • Shel@PeachyPalate
    September 22, 2014 · 4:22PM:
    Love the dinner outfit! So pretty! Happy Belated Birthday!!! xx
    Reply
  • Nessa @ Ness Runs
    September 22, 2014 · 6:00PM:
    Happy belated birthday! Always wanted to do mountain biking! Looks like it would be a killer workout!
    Reply
    • Anne
      September 22, 2014 · 6:05PM:
      It was - uphill was so hard!
      Reply
  • Gina
    September 22, 2014 · 7:59PM:
    Belated Happy Birthday! I just went to True Food here in San Diego and LOVED it--the edamame dumplings were amazing. You always have the best outfits. :-)
    Reply
  • Holley @ lungesandlashes.com
    September 22, 2014 · 9:01PM:
    Your pants are not obnoxious at all! I can't wait to try stichfix, one of these days I am going to do it! An adventure to celebrate a birthday sounds perfect to me, glad you had a good time!
    Reply
  • Robyn @thereallife_RD
    September 22, 2014 · 9:39PM:
    Happy Birthday pretty lady!!! Where is your blue and cream dress from? so cute!
    Reply
    • Anne
      September 22, 2014 · 10:30PM:
      Thank you! It's actually a skirt and tank top - I think the skirt was from Nordstrom rack?
      Reply
  • Roadrunner September 23, 2014 · 2:04AM:
    Happy birthday! Sounds like a great weekend. And challenging endeavor? Did a 30-mile bike ride at 8,000-foot altitude with a 1500-foot climb... Oxygen debt!
    Reply
  • Chelsea @ Chelsea Eats Treats
    September 23, 2014 · 12:51PM:
    Aw man I got invited to that event at True Food Kitchen too, but since I was in NY for the entire weekend it didn't work out :( I think they officially open today, so I'll have to stop by soon!! So glad you had a fun birthday!!
    Reply
  • Brigid September 25, 2014 · 12:37PM:
    Happy Belated Birthday Anne!! Looks like a fun birthday weekend! I am supper excited about the True Foods opening in the Mosaic District, cause that's right by my house!! Love it over there. We are going to check it out tomorrow night.
    Reply
    • Anne
      September 25, 2014 · 1:13PM:
      Enjoy it! :)
      Reply
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anne mauney fannetastic food
Hi, I’m Anne! I'm a Washington D.C. based Registered Dietitian, mother, runner, and lover of travel, adventure, and the great outdoors. I've been blogging since 2009, sharing a mix of lifestyle content, recipes, and fitness tips. Come for the recipes – stay for the fun!
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anne mauney

I’m Anne, a Registered Dietitian and mother. I've been blogging since 2009 and love showing others that eating nutritious foods and staying active can actually be fun rather than overwhelming!

When I’m not writing or cooking for fannetastic food, you can find me running, coaching nutrition clients, or on an adventure with my family. Feel free to reach out - I'd love to hear from you!

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