This one worked!

I like to have a lot of 'fun' in the kitchen... trying new things and mixtures that sometimes work, sometimes don't.  This one worked.  Though as I'm going through these photos... I have to agree it's a pretty odd assortment and I'm not even sure what to call it.  

First, I found this in the fridge

I added mustard for spice and mayo (real mayo) for creaminess

Mixed it with some garlic too. Set Aside.

Separately I sauteed Chicken, until cooked, then added Spinach

... also Grape Tomatoes. 

 I mixed all that in with some white rice, and green olives.

Then 'the sauce'   

It worked beautifully!  I was hesitant at first... but the green olives gave it just enough salt.... balsamic made it smooth, and mayo/mustard gave it that creamy zip.

I ate this all by myself (thank you very much), so that survey of one may not be sufficient for you to try it on your own... but I would easily make it again.

UPDATE: Made this for a couple friends last night and they thought is was yummy as well.    

A new status

In short: there's been a change in my relationship status.  Slightly longer version:  Tony and I had a long talk and came to the less than thrilling conclusion that we really can't see our futures together.  I honestly think we bothed hoped it could be different, but realize that's not always enough.  It's probably the world's most maturist break-up ever, but that hasn't made it perfectly easy either. 

So I'm back to being single. 

... and it's actually pretty good because:

-The sleeping situtation is now more comfortable, and quite frankly involves more cats. 

-Also, the bedding tends to stay where it is supposed to.

-The socks on the floor are all mine. 

-I can go to running events and not feel any guilt about my wandering eyes. 

-I am hoping to have more time for the outdoors and crafts

-I can eat healthy foods without anyone to complain about them

-I have more time and money to pursue my own personal passions and dreams. 

perhaps more...

Obviously, there are benifits to being in a relationship too, and at this point I would be lying if I said that isn't what I someday want.  However, I'm going to try my best to enjoy just being me for a while, and since I'm pretty great - that shouldn't be too hard.  ;)

The elusive 30 min 5K

Currently the only 5K I'm signed up for is the Heartbeat5000 5K, and it was my intention to make that my sub 30 5K.  I'm not exactly where I came up with the idea, but I'm afraid it's one of those foolish "I'm not a legitimate runner unless..." type goals that I really disagree with on principle, but still sort of want to achieve in reality.  I don't accept the method, but I can't always resist the madness.  

The goal "sub 30 5K" continues to seem thoroughly daunting.  My 5Ks thus far have been between 33 and 38 (not counting the one with Tony) and in no particular order.

The races where I got my fastest times were the Liz Logelin 5K, probably around 33:10, and the Jelly Belly 5K "virtual race" 33:24.  Both of these races were really informal and no official race times have been posted.  The first is based on my memory of the race clock.  The second is from my garmin.  

Clearing my previous "not even official" PRs by at least 3 mins would be pretty exceptional, and I'm not even sure it's possible.

What I've got going for me:
-I'm really in the best running shape of my life. This statement can in part be made because there was next to no running for the first 25 years.
-I've hit the necessary 9:40 pace on shorter 1ish mile runs.
-I will do everything I can do sleep right, eat right, drink right the days (and weeks to some extent) before the race.

What's not in my favor.
-Despite some nice fast short runs, I'm still significantly slower on similar distance type runs - around a minute/mile.  
-My training must include long distances (hello marathon!) right now and I can't strictly focus on speed work

All that said, I would still be really happy if I came in under 33 mins - it's an official PR!  How could I not be?

Funding Goal Met! Thanks a $165!

I'm really glad to tell all of you that I have met (and exceeded) my funding goal for the upcoming Heartbeat5000 5K.  I honestly can't believe it.  Raising money is na-ought my forte and I've a really hard time asking for things that resemble help.  SO very special thanks to Alyse S, Lori H, Mom and Dad and Todd T. for giving.  Your generosity is really appreciated.  Also, thanks to Ann F. and Alyse S. for getting the word out on twitter and their blogs.

In case you interested in learning more about the hospitals and clinics served by Children's this youtube playlist does a great job promoting but also explaining the many reasons why the donations are valid.



If any of these videos inspired you and you haven't had a chance to give yet - by all means chip in!  Even though I've reached my goal, the donations aren't closed until the race on June 23rd, 2012.  http://heartbeat5000.kintera.org/rubyleigh

Lessons learned at the water stop

Yesterday, I was at the Minneapolis Marathon, but not running in an event - I was volunteering with TCRE  (Twin Cities Running Experiment) at the water and powerade station.  I went into this thinking it would be cake walk and just a good way to connect with other human beings.  And while it was honestly a lot of fun - I did a learn a few things in the process, that really gave me a new appreciation for volunteers.

1. Setting up water cups for 3000+ people is actually a pretty time consuming activity.  Who knew?

2. The volunteers have a long day too.  I got to my station at 6am and left around 12:30pm... granted I was one of the first to arrive and last to leave.  Other came and went at different times.  Staying as long as I did was partially my choice to be able to give some of the last runners a chance to get water too.  Having someone say "thanks for being here" after the sag wagon had passed was really it's own reward.

 3. Go to the second water table if you can.  The first water table always gets bombarded - and starts to bottle neck.  The second table will have more water and you won't have to wait.

4. Volunteering is a lot of fun.  I met other runners, got to "talk running", got some sun and all-in-all had a pretty good time.

UPDATE: One other cool thing about volunteering was seeing people I knew in the race!  Really makes the experience less dull - and I honestly haven't done enough spectating - so it was fun to jump on that bandwagon.

Special kudos to Kelly, Corryn, Amanda and Meredith who ran the relay.

Let the training begin!

This week begins the "real deal" triathlon training, which will then shortly overlap with marathon training and oh my, my whole life is starting to look like training.

Technically, I should of started things off last week, but I was doing this:

Can you blame me?

Of course, there really is no pre-written sprint tri + marathon plan already created, or at least I never found it.  I also opted out of just throwing one on top of the other, which didn't look promising either.  So I was left to my own devices, which is kind of how I like (for better or for worse).

I did however read a lot of plans, training strategies, workout ideas and the like and feel quite content with what I've determined are the necessary bricks and mortar of my plan going forth.  I also gave a lot of thought to how the rest of my life will coincide as having a job and social life won't just happen on their own.  And the more seamlessly I can incorporate those two items the easier everything else seems to be.

First I came up with a list of "essential" workouts/week.  

2 x short runs
1 x speed work
1 x long run
2 x swim
2 x bike
1 - 2 brick work outs (Combining two sports)

Now here's what my week should/could look like:

Sunday	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday
Bike + Swim	Rest	Run	Speed + Swim	Run	Bike	Long Run

This is what I came up with given all the variables that are still in flex.  In reality, my primary goal will be to fit all workouts in, so consider this subject to modifications.  The Rest day could be Monday or Friday, and swimming is somewhat subject to weather and pool hours.  I'm a little worried about how "speed work" might increase my chances for injury and may choose to taper that if I'm feeling any strife.  Also, I don't have stretching and foam rollering on there, but I should note it is an important element to the overall success here.  

I'm only biking and swimming two days per week, which might seem low, but remember this is a sprint tri (short distances), so I should be fine.  The should be fine part was confirmed by the guy I talked to on the airplane, so I figure that's confirmation enough.  Also, post triathlon (August 12th), I may choose to up play the running and down play other CT -we'll see.

My long run schedule will follow the concept of 2 step up weeks, 1 step back week.  I'm currently going to mimic what Hal Higdon suggests for long runs in his Intermediate plan, but feel free to drop down to a Novice plan if need be.  

Did I miss anything?  Probably!  Follow me on DailyMile.com to see how things progress. (link in the side bar)

Southwestern Style Quinoa

Something that's been on my to do list is to make Quinoa (pronounced Keen-wa), and no, I don't know how you get one from the other.  At any rate, I've eaten it a few times before and had positive sentiments, but have yet to make it myself.  Quinoa is somewhat like rice, but also a source of protein.  I bought a box from Trader's Joe's and it said, and I paraphrase, I could just whoop it up in my rice maker.  So I did.   

Done!

Ok, well I guess that's it, but how to eat?  I came up with this concoction.  Loosely based off something I saw on Pinterest, but in no way the same either.  (I'm assuming that made sense.)

Sauteed Spinach and Garlic in Olive Oil... or the way to start any meal

Frying shrimp with a heavy hand of taco seasoning.  If you don't cook shrimp regularly, be sure to cook until pink and puffy, but not much longer.

Add Quinoa to Saute pan 

Now the other players

My southwestern additives are: Avocado, Corn, Tomatoes, Black Beans, Spinach, and Parsley

Then topped with Cheese, Sour Cream and Shrimp.

I think I found the most indulgent way to eat Quinoa short of coating it in chocolate, but I must say twas' scrumptious, if a cook can compliment herself.  Also, I skipped the shrimp on the second leftover round and it was hardly missed.
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Do you eat Quinoa? What do you mix it with?