2012 Race Plans

Last year I made some resolutions on this blog, but this year I decided I'm not into that as much and will stick to my 27 for 27 goals/plans.  I did update my original Seven for 2011 post with my progress though for those who are interested.

However, I plan to continue running and now I plan to incorporate triathlon training as well.  So here's my presumed race schedule.  Not quite sure how having three races in August will go, but I'm currently optimistic.

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February

Valentines Day 5K
-This will be the BF's first 5K.  Yay - Go Him! and isn't it cute to celebrate fitness on V-day?

March 

Get Lucky 7K
- Nice shortish race.  I'll get cool stuff and will work well with my training for the Get in Gear Half Marathon

April

Get in Gear Half Marathon
- This year I will not forfeit due to injury like last year.  Or at least I hope!

May

Twin Cities 1 Mile
-Only "1 mile" race that I know of, and I've been meaning to try it.

June

Heartbeat 5000
- Chance to run a less than 30 min 5K.  It's a great course, a cheap run and chip timed!

August 

Women's Tri
- My first Tri

Ragnar Relay
- 200 miles between 12 people - sounds like fun to me!

Maple Grove Triathalon
- My first Olympic Tri


Others
- This year I would like to log 1000 miles total (running, swimming and biking) on DailyMile - there is a widget is on my blog here so you can follow along - or friend me on DailyMile!
- Perhaps a longer race in the fall?

Recapping #RWRunStreak

I got tuned into doing #RWRunStreak by Ann from Twelve-in-Twelve.  I thought it seemed like a good way to get going with running post marathon... and it was... even if I didn't really do it perfectly.

As for the imperfections ... I have my reasons: Crunch time at the end of the semester, "The Holidays", and fear of injury.  Some might say those reasons are weak, and others would say they are perfectly valid.

But those opinions are not what is important here.

Because in 2011 I ran 386 miles which is more than mile/day.  (and I'll add here there was a couple month break due to injury)

29 of those were in December, which is 29 more than I ran in December of 2010.

40 during #RWRunStreak

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In other news at the blog - I've updated some of my links to blogs I follow in the side bar - so come check that out.

Collecting 75 Years

My Papa got me into coin collecting about 16 years ago and started me off with his personal collections of Lincoln Pennies and Jefferson Nickels.  Every year I add to the collection and from 1999 to 2008 I started collecting the State Quarters as well.   

There are some interesting coins in the mix:

1943 Steel Cent - produced during world war II to save copper

My Oldest Nickel (Jefferson Nickels started in 1938)

My Oldest Penny (Lincoln Pennies started in 1909)

Pennies are nearly worthless coins now days - I mean they are worth a cent, but really whens the last time you bought something that was just one.  Some people think we shouldn't have them anymore, because they cost more to mint then they are worth right now - and there is some sound logic to that.  If this happens, which who knows if it will - then I'm not too worried because my collections value would probably just go up.  However, the potential cash value of these though isn't the only reason I do it.  

Papa and me - a number of years ago

What I find interesting is that every year, I add another years set and slowly but surely my collection grows, and at this point I have every consecutive mint of Lincoln Penny from 1970 to 2010, to some people this would be worth $0.80 (there are two mints every year), but I guess they are worth more to me.  Collecting coins is something my Papa got me into - and spending time doing this makes me cherish this person more than I already do.  There is also something about putting this collection together characterizes the passage of time and it's unending march forth - which we often think about at this time of year.

We also use birthdays to mark the passage of time and Today is my Papa's 75th birthday!

I attribute much more to Papa than a coin collection, but sometimes the tangible is nice.

Papa and Grandma 

75 years and counting ...  

At some point, maybe I'll have the chance to pass this on to a grandchild of my own and continue the tradition of marking time in coins - I wonder if pennies will still be around then? 

Soup Project

Over Christmas I spent time with my family in Upper Michigan ... due to road conditions that's about 8 hours from my home here.  Anyway, there were 16 of together in one house resulting in lots of food.  So when things came to a close there was also lots of leftovers, which I was fortunate to get plenty of.  Jackpot!  These were the good kind of leftovers too (not just pasta salad and jello).  Leftover Turkey, Broccoli Sprouts, Tortillas, and Ham Bone, with plenty of meat still attached.  I latched onto that last one, but I honestly haven't cooked it before.  I think I just saw it on a cooking show and new it would be a good idea to grab. It was.

Also, at some point in history I also receive the Firehouse #10 Hot Chili Bean Soup Mix, I am honestly not sure how, but fairly confident I did not purchase it outright.  If you are wondering how that's possible - well you can blame my ADD and the fact that sometimes my roommates leave stuff behind.  Also, a small plug, the Women's Bean Project seems like a great organization to support.

Anyway, this meals was entirely free for me (Thank you Grandparents and Random Ex-Roommate).

Soak Beans overnight

Combine Ingredients in Crock Pot - Ham bone, Beans, Green Bell Pepper Diced, Can of Tomatoes, Spice Packet, 2 Tbsp Garlic (or in my case more)

It's hard to tell in this photo, but the meat will basically fall off the bone.  It's not a bad idea to help it along though.

Serve

The verdict: the soup is delicious.  Also, I'm generally not a huge fan of Ham, but in this soup it tasted like

Y-U-M.  

The sticker price of $5.75 for the soup mix seems really pricey to me (Beans and Spices aren't that much), but it goes to a good cause, so in the name of charity I could see purchasing this once and a while.  Also, meat would be an unnecessary addition as beans have plenty of protein.

Christmas Cookies

When it comes to Christmas Cookies, I can be a little bit perfection orientated.  I like to make those additional calories count.  But don't worry - I'll share a couple tried and true recipes I've found over the years.

First recipe is so simple, but tastes like you worked all day. 

Oreo Cookie Truffles.  

Crush 1 standard package of Oreos - whichever method you choose is fine, but I like to use my food processor because it really grinds the cookies into teeny tiny bits.  Then blend cookie bits with one 8oz package of softened cream cheese.  Roll the cookie material into balls.  Place them on parchment paper and chill.  

  

Once chilled coat in milk chocolate (or any kind of chocolate you like)

Chill to harden the chocolate coating and then serve.  

The other cookies on this tray are called Peanut Butter Cup Cookies - also delicious and I've linked the recipe.  

Things to behold

I've been going through some major purging around here and managed to get rid of several unwanted, unused or unusable things around the house.  It's been a positive process and I would recommend the procedure for anyone.  Most interestingly, I offloaded 2 garbage size bags of clothes from my closets.  It's positively crazy that I had that much in there to begin with.  I honestly don't think that I shop that much.

Anyway, I attempted to write this nice post about how all of us Americans have too much stuff and we don't need it.  It was going to be very intellectual and introspective, but somewhere along the line I feel like it lost any energy and I wasn't exactly sure where I was going with it even if I support the initial sentiments.

So the other, perhaps the more cretin idea I've had in this process is that some things are nice to have.  Some things I will hold onto for quite some time.  The either make my life easier or simpler or just appeal to my sensibilities.

So here are my "Things"

This printer is really awesome, it's color, it's laser, it sync via the wifi network... Oh and yes the Cat owns it (but usually let me use it).

Matryoshka Doll - have been fascinated by these for quite sometime and found this set at a thrift store. (SCORE!) This one also happens to have blond hair and blue eyes just like me. Good ol' ethnocentric-ism.

This years Christmas gift was "The Complete Far Side" by Gary Larson.  My bf got it for me, because he said I deserved something non-practical.  I thought that was sweet and I loved the gift. 

I found this hutch on Craigslist, and it's totally cool and art deco-ey!   The middle shelf has an antique China set I got from my Grandma - it's also a favorite thing.  For those of you who might ask "yes, that is a roomba hiding under the hutch and yes, I paid $35 for it on Craigslist"

My last hair dryer was of the uber-cheap variety.  It died.  This one was is an "ionic wave", and it was originally $40, but I paid $14.  It's a dream in comparison to the old one and I didn't even pay that much more.

Well as is probably obvious, this is not the complete list of things I will keep.  For good or for bad, I could probably have a whole list devoted to Kitchen items.  While I love the idea of simplicity, I think I will be okay to accept the idea of only relative simplicity where I have things like ionic wave hair dryers.

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Also note, my contribution to the blog Divorced before 30 is now up for your reading pleasure.      

Weekend Highlights

Friday night I celebrated the end of the Lego League season with my teams.  Yes, there were two.  Lego League is an organization that teaches kids to program and build robots using the Lego Mindstorms platform.  I've been coaching Lego League for the last three years and it's been a pretty rewarding experience.  

Here's the team competing

After that, I had a nice date with the boyfriend, and we went to see The Muppets movie.  It was terrific.  Really great feel good flick with just enough social commentary to not feel flimsy.

Saturday morning I got together with some friends and we shared brunch - I brought Mimosas, there was a great egg bake, monkey bread, and fruit.  It was also really good conversation and fun.  

This (sunday) morning, I met up with some friends to run.  As I was leaving for the run, I had a headache and wasn't really "feeling" it, so I'm pretty sure I wouldn't have gone if I didn't have people weren't waiting for me (so... good thing they were).  I was worried about being cold, but it was super nice (20 degrees is super nice in MN) out and I totally didn't need to dress as warm as I did.  So far - winter running hasn't been too heinous, and I've been a bit confused as to why I was such a wimp last year.  

Also, I've been keeping up with #RWRunStreak for the most part.  I consciously missed one day due to concerns about shin pain and a difficult schedule.  So, even if I haven't been doing it "100% perfect"  I found it to be a really good challenge and a way to give me something to do without a "race" to train for. I even put in a total of 14 miles this week.