Crappy running week but awesome glass

This week has not been a very good running week for me.  Actually, this entire week was one of those weeks where I just wasn't very hungry.  You know how some weeks you are really hungry and others not?  I know that sounds kind of strange, but the latter was this week for me.  I think my lack of hunger led to a lack of energy running. 

Caitlin and I did an easy three mile run on Wednesday (34:31). That run was alright.  Thursday was busy at work then Chris and I met with a potential wedding photographer.  We had a great time but did not get home until late.  Friday night I ran with Chris.  The first mile I felt like Superwoman.  I honestly thought to myself, "This is easy.  I feel like a runner!"  (I jinxed myself.)  That mile was a 8:53 pace.  I pushed through another half a mile doing a 8:23.  Then we stopped to walk, because I was pretty sure I was going to be sick.  I had felt sick earlier in the day, and I guess it was back.  After the walk, I started the Garmin again and took it very easy going back.  The total time for the three miles was 30:02. 

I needed one more run this week, so I had to run today.  Caitlin is running a 10K on Sunday, and Ryan is running his marathon (GOOD LUCK GUYS!), so I was going to run 6 miles.  After my crappy run yesterday, I wasn't feeling up for it today.  I only ran 3 miles, but I did feel better than yesterday. (27:57, average 9:18 pace... 9:18 = my birthday!  woo-hoo!)

Twice this week I was almost hit by a car while running.  The first was during the run with Caitlin, and the second was tonight.  This is just a note to remind everyone to watch out for cars, because they may not see you!

I bought extra fruits and vegetables this week, so hopefully I will be feeling better and more energetic this week.

Chris was feeling sore from his run in his vibrams, so today we went to our local running store and got him compression sleeves for his calves.  He also got me a super awesome Runner Girl pint glass!  I love it!!  He's the best!

I hope you all  have a fun and safe Halloween! 

Hilarious Video!!!

Make sure you turn your speakers on before watching this video.  Also, there is foul language for those who may have young ears in the same room.

Constructive spammers comic

[source]

Happy Birthday Chris!

First of all, let me begin by saying HAPPY 30TH BIRTHDAY to the love of my life, my amazing fiance, Chris!

Friday night we started the birthday festivities by meeting some friends at a local bar.  It was a great time, although I did not take many pictures.  I did manage to take a picture of Chris with his new Darth Vader teddy bear that Ryan and Caitlin got him (along with some beer).  So cute!  It even plays Star Wars music!  They paired perfectly with one of the gifts I gave Chris.  I got him some books about the science/physics of Superheroes, Supervillains, Star Trek, and Star Wars.

My pear cider

 

Chris with his Darth Vader Teddy Bear

I'm looking forward to reading these too!  We are such dorks!

He goes well with the "life-size" Yoda in our living room.  Oh yeah, we are dorky!

 Saturday morning, I made my first poached eggs, following the wonderful directions of A Healthier Happier Bear.  We both worked on homework, then did some shopping.  I had to get some GUs for my training and some body glide.  As it turns out, my hydration pack rubbed in one tiny spot along my spine during our 15 mile run.  I didn't even realize it until I took a shower and felt some stinging.  I bought some body glide to help prevent that in the future. 

Eggs in the water

 

 

 

Speaking of our epic 15 mile run, my legs are feeling wonderful!  After the run, I took an ice bath, shower, then put on my CEP compression socks.  Then I rotated icing my knees and my feet, since they were both sore.  The next day my muscles all felt fine, but my knees were killing me.  It hurt to walk, so I took the elevator instead of the stairs.  I iced my knees while at work, and by the end of the day my knees were great! 

Saturday night, Chris and I went for a very easy 3 mile run (in 33:19).  I wanted to take it easy and go slow, because I was considering it a recovery run (and my third run for the week).  Chris wore his Vibrams and ran in the grass along side me.  My legs felt good, except for a small twinge of pain in my right knee around 1.5 miles.  We walked for a bit then which seemed to help.  I ended the run without pain.  Then we went out for his birthday dinner, just the two of us.  We went to PF Changs for dinner.  We ended the night with this amazing dessert consisting of banana spring rolls and coconut/pineapple ice cream.  SO DELICOUS!  They also gave him a free mini dessert for his birthday, which I believe was chocolate mousse.  My knees did not appreciate the heals I was wearing, but they are feeling fine today. 

Today we went to celebrate Chris's birthday the way any person should celebrate their 30th birthday... in a room full of trampolines!  We went to Rebounderz and bounced around for an hour.  It was tiring but so much fun! 

Check out our awesome shoes!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tired at the end of the day.

On a side note, due to some recent spam on my blog, so I changed the comments on my blog so that I have to approve them.  All in all, we had a wonderful weekend!  I hope you all had just as great of a weekend. 

Two left feet and a 15 mile run!

This week I have run twice so far, since I have been really busy.  Caitlin and I planned to run after work on Wednesday.  We both brought running clothes to work, and the idea was that right after work we would run, then I would hit the gym to shower and head to where I needed to be that evening.  She had an experiment than over a few minutes, so I was already changed and waiting by the time she was going to change.  She got her gym clothes on then realized she packed two left shoes.  It was pretty funny.  So, I ended up running 3 miles on the treadmill at the gym (31 minutes; 10:20 pace). 

Then last night we set out for our 15 mile run.  We split a GU before we started, split another at 5 miles, and split a third at 10 miles.  Starting at 5 miles, I had a dull side stitch.  It didn't go away at all, but I could run through it up until the last 2 miles.  The last two miles hurt.  My knees ached and I had to keep stopping due to the debilitating side stitch.  Boo!  But we did it!  15 miles!  Our time was 3 hours and 7 minutes.  I have never run that distance or for that long in my life, so I PR'd in two areas.  My knees and feet were sore.  I took an ice bath when I got back, showered, then put on my compression socks.  I ate dinner while icing my knees.  This morning they still hurt really bad, and I iced them while at work.  I also used the elevator instead of the stairs.  I am happy to say that my knees are feeling much better! 

Today I registered for the OUC half marathon.  It is on December 4, 2010.  The day after my candidacy defense.  Eek!  OUC was my first half marathon, back in 2007, and I ran it in 2:06:56!  I was not expecting that pace at all!  Since we have been training for a longer distance and at a slower speed, I do not expect to PR at OUC, but hopefully I will have fun and enjoy the race.

On a side note, I recommend these cinnamon almonds.  Such a delicious snack! 

 

 And check out this crazy gum my co-worker had.  I tried it.  It was interesting.  Kind of fun.

 

 I am about to head out to start the Chris's birthday weekend celebration.  He is turning 30 on Sunday!  

I hope you all have a great weekend!

Love Letter To The World (borrowed from Kind Over Matter)

I just saw this at Kind Over Matter, and it really spoke to me, so I wanted to share.  It was originally written by Kate, who deserves to be applauded. 

Text:

In the face of complaints, look that person in the eye and imagine what it might have been like to be raised to see only what is wrong.
In the face of selfishness, wonder what it might be like to walk the world with a feeling of lack, of depletion.
In the face of insults, consider where this person first learned that it’s okay to abuse others.
In the face of disconnection, think about what causes it, and ask if your response will widen the river between the two of you.
In the face of laziness, recognize the fear of living big dreams.
In the face of extremism or fundamentalism, see the clinging, as well as the terror-filled silence that would arise for that person if they risked letting go.
In the face of controlling behavior, understand the chaos that must have bred it.
In the face of “always needing to be right,” see how often this person was once made wrong.
In the face of arrogance or bravado, hold gently that still, small piece that says “I’m not enough.”
In the face of drama or attention-seeking, see the person who wishes so much to be seen.
In the face of accusation, imagine what it might be like to live life with suspicion.
In the face of judgement or comparisons, step into the opportunity the world has just provided you for practicing love and acceptance.
In the face of passive-aggressiveness, recognize the child that wasn’t taught a safe way to express their truth.
In the face of anger, see the pain of isolation from others.
Most importantly: In the face of ferocious hatred, believe in the possibility that there exists the potential for equally as big, intense, lovely and fiery ferocious love.

Continuing the 30 Days of Self Love Reflections

Time for some more 30 days of self love reflections created by Tina at Faith, Fitness, Fun.  After this I am half-way through the 30 days.  I will be sad when they end.

Outward Beauty (Tina's original post may be found here, and as always, I recommend checking it out!)

Tina posed the thoughts and question, "We must not forget that outward appearance does not define our worth as a whole. However, me must also feel free to declare our beauty on the outside. We all desire it…and we all have it. What physical characteristic makes you beautiful?"

My hair.  My crazy curly hair makes me uniquely me.  When I was very young, my hair was so blonde that it was almost white.  My mom used to brush it (a no-no for curly hair), and I ended up with an afro.  My dad called me Q-tip, because I was always thin (I was born premature.) and had this crazy fluff of hair on my hair.  As a kid, I remember many women coming up to my mom and asking if my hair was natural.  Yes.  Followed with, "People pay a lot of money for hair like that."  Remember the perm phase?  Even in my undergraduate college days, the intoxicated guys would be mesmerized by "boing-ing" my hair... gently pulling on the curls and watching them bounce.  Sure there are days when I wish I had straight hair, but I definitely love my curly hair!

Quotes:

 Beauty in things lies in the mind which contemplates them. ~David Hume

You don't love a woman because she is beautiful, she is beautiful because you love her. ~Author Unknown  

Q-tip

 

 

 

Cruise with straight hair.  I don't look like me!

Cruise with curly hair... much better!

Finding Joy (Tina's original post is here, you should check it out!)

Tina asked, "What will bring you joy?  It's yours for the taking...so take."

Helping others brings me joy.  I may get frustrated with my job, but the challenge makes me happy and brings me joy.  Being with family and friends brings me joy.  Planning my wedding to the man I love brings me joy.  My beautiful niece, Joy, brings me joy.  Taking care of babies (kitties) brings me joy.  Running brings me joy.    To sum it up, being around people that I love and care about, doing what I love, and helping others brings me joy. 

Quotes:

“Enjoy life. This is not a dress rehearsal.”


 “Who is the happiest of men? He who values the merits of others, and in their pleasure takes joy, even as though t'were his own.”~ Johann Wolfgang von Goethe 

“Joy is the feeling of grinning inside.”~ Melba Colgrove

“Joy lies in the fight, in the attempt, in the suffering involved, not in the victory itself” ~Mahatma Gandhi 

Speaking of Joy... Could my niece, Joy, be any cuter??

Perserverance (Tina's original post may be found here.)

Tina presented the questions, "What ways have you seen the benefits of perseverance in your life?  If you don’t want to get too personal, what are some small acts people can do to keep on keeping on?"

I'm going to opt for the second question, since I'm too tired to write much more.  My suggestion for keeping on is making a list of short term goals to keep you focused.  When times are tough, it is important to focus on taking care of yourself and leaning on family and friends... they want to be there for you.  This goes for personal problems as well as less serious issues.  Take running for example.  When I feel tired or burned out, I tell myself "just one more mile" (short term goal).  I give myself a rest day or two, maybe a massage, and make sure I am eating properly (taking care of myself).  Finally, I consult friends, including fellow bloggers, to get tips and motivation (leaning on friends).

Quotes:

"The difference between perseverance and obstinacy is that one comes from a strong will, and the other from a strong won't."  ~Henry Ward Beecher

"Perseverance is the hard work you do after you get tired of doing the hard work you already did."  ~Newt Gingrich

Spaghetti squash spaghetti

I was an odd child growing up.  I preferred steamed vegetables over cake and candy.  I cried when it was pizza night but cheered when we were having brussel sprouts or squash.  Like I said, I was odd.  My dad was the cook in the family, and he loved vegetables.  I remember him making spaghetti, butternut, and acorn squash.  This morning I was reading the latest issue of Runners World Magazine, and I stumbled across instructions for cooking spaghetti squash.  Then I recalled that my mom told me she recently tried spaghetti made with the squash instead of pasta.  I decided I'd do that myself.  I actually had never tried spaghetti squash in spaghetti, so I was excited.  I captured the process in photos.

November 2010 issue

 

My squash.  After removing the sticker, I put several holes in it then baked at 400C for an hour.

Since my meatballs do not come close to Chris's mom's meatballs, I opted to buy the delicious Publix meatballs.  They come on a bed of spinach, which I tossed in the pan as well.  These really are delicious!  They do tend to run a little on the greasy side, so I cook them then pat them on paper towels.  I added mushrooms too after the picture.

Sauce.  These were on sale, buy-one-get-one-free at Publix.  Being on a budget, I love a good sale.

I wasn't sure how much of the squash would be edible, and Chris seemed hesitant to try the squash, so I decided to cook some pasta as well.  This tri-colored fettuccine has a whole serving of vegetables, and it was also on sale. 

 

While the meatballs and pasta were cooking, I let the squash cool before cutting it.

 

The cooked squash.

I scooped out all of the seeds.

Scraping out the deliciousness.

It looks like spaghetti!

 

 

I added some salt and pepper.  Delicious by itself!

I used a few noodles, but mostly the squash.  Then I topped with sauce (including meatballs and mushrooms) and some Parmesan/Ramona (?) cheese.

After mixing it all together.

DELICIOUS!!!!  The squash added a bit of a crunch which I enjoyed.  Chris even enjoyed it and had seconds (including squash!).  I will definitely make this meal again.  I also intend to cook butternut and acorn squash while they are in season.