Greek Chicken Gyro

I made this because I had both yogurt, chicken and balsamic vinaigrette dressing on hand.  It's not much more interesting than that.

I used the recipe Chicken Souvlaki Gyro Style from allrecipes.com with a few additions and subtractions, which I'll mention.

The marinade:

Somewhere mid-mixing

I followed the marinade instructions almost exactly, except for omitting greek seasoning (simply because I missed that on the grocery list).  I love how this chicken turned out regardless, so it wasn't exactly missed, but I'm not familiar with ingredient so I guess I wouldn't really know.

I pan-fried the chicken as opposed to grilling it, which obviously changes things too, but I think it's just a preference thing.  

Tzatziki Sauce

Other than not seeding the cucumbers for the Tzatziki Sauce, I followed these instructions closely.  It turned out heavenly... we really are in culinary debt to the Greeks on this one as there is no American substitute I can think of.      

Other Toppings

The other toppings were other Romaine, Feta, Tomatoes, and Black Olives (instead of Kalamata as the recipe suggests) and we took a pass on the red onions (thanks, but no thanks).

Final Product

 I served these on Tortillas, instead of Pita bread.  The decision was made because they don't have Pita bread at Aldi's and I didn't want to make another trip.  That being said, despite expressed hesitations by the dining party (ie Tony), it tasted pretty good this way too.   

Conclusion: given the few rounding errors and missed ingredients due to cost, simplicity or other wise this was lick your lips good!  (not to mention fairly light and healthy)

Luna Chix Mini-Tri

Have you heard of a mini-tri?  I hadn't either.  I literally heard about this event about 3 days before I signed up.  It was only $20 ( a donation to Breast Cancer Research) and it was a perfect opportunity for me to practice all things tri.  The goody bag which included a water bottle and some Luna bars as well as the opportunity to open swim and have someone to watch your stuff while you swim ... made up most of the cost on this event, plus I'm happy to donate to this non-profit.  Also, they made if very clear that the donation was optional, so I could have done this for free had the expense been an issue.  All that to say that while the event was incredibly low key, the Luna chix did a great job throwing this together and I would sign up again no questions asked.    

Me at the start!

Swim (400yd): I decided to try swimming in my sports bra and swimsuit bottoms... worked fine and makes for an easier transition going forward. They taught us some tips to get into the water quickly, how to lift your legs so you can run farther, and then dolphin jump until you can no longer reach bottom.  I'm sure this approach really sped me up and I did the swim in 7:59

T1:  I tried to go as quickly as possible as I threw on a shirt, Squeezed into bike shorts and attempted to remove the sand from my feet.  (ProTip: Bring a spray bottle for that pesky sand.)  Fast as I went (or didn't) those seconds chip away fast.  This took 2:44

Bike (8 miles): Smooth sailing.  I'm loving my new road bike and I even pushed hard and passed people as I went (I got passed too).  I did the 8 miles in 27:51, which is my fastest pace yet.  

T2: Hung the bike back on the rack, apparently this takes 29 secs.

Run (2 miles):  My legs felt super heavy during the run, but I dared not walk.  I was honestly concerned I wouldn't be able to get started again.  Did this in 20:20.

Total time 1 hour 5 secs.

Now truth be told, this was in no way a regulation course, and I'm sure that some of the distances were a little exaggerated - not significantly, but enough that my paces are probably a little quicker than they 'really' were.  I didn't have my garmin with though, so I'm currently non the wiser and I can't say I mind at least sounding faster.

Hula Hooping!

Hula hooping is sort of one of those goofy things that people do.  I think it's fun and the people at Studio Booya! think so too.  They rallied a bunch of folks together to hula hoop in the part with live music.  I was one of them.  

Double Decker Hula

My new hula hoop - $5! 

My Hula Hooping pal! (Jen)

My hula hoopin' skillz!

I have some work to do on video uploading, but this girl was a pretty rockin' hula hooper!

Just a little slice of life from what I've been up to lately, perhaps I'll put up a 'real' post soon.  

3 months out.

Today is exactly 3 months away from the Twin Cities Marathon and my second marathon, and that means it's as good as time as any to formally set a goal.

I've been tossing around various ideas in my head and I believe I've come to a "realistic but enough to make me wince" goal, but first me allow me to share a little history here. 

Last year when I decided to train for the marathon I wasn't quite prepared for what I was getting into.  I made a huge effort and I finished the race in one piece, so in that way I'm proud.  However, I will say that eight-ish weeks of no-running, leading to only 13 ish weeks of training (instead of the standard 18) was not quite ideal.  

Now, I'm in my 5th week of training and just finished my first 12 mile run - let's compare and contrast to last years progression.  It's not a perfect comparison, as I was not on any sort of plan last year, but it does give you an idea of how far I've come.  

*It's worth noting that these are not just runs of the exact same mileage but they were run on the exact same path.

Mileage	2011 Training Runs	2012 Training Runs	Improvement
7 miles	3/19 - 1:28	6/9 - 1:20	8 mins
8.8 miles	7/24 - 1:53	6/15 - 1:48	5 mins
12.4 miles	8/14 - 2:39	7/7 - 2:23	16 mins

 Basically what this table says is that I'm in a pretty good place right now.

I really don't know what I'm capable of and to that end setting a goal in some ways feels arbitrary.  I think if I train hard and well, I'll be happy with the results regardless.  However, I'm throwing out a time to seek after anyway:  Ready for it?

5:12:22  

That's exactly 30 mins off my time last years time.  It's a pretty aggressive shave, but also very doable.  It's also feels like just enough push to keep me motivated throughout the rest of this plan.  

What are you training for? 


How do you decide what your race goals are?  

Spectatering!

On the 4th of July - I woke up at 5:30am, which is pretty weird.  Weird because I'm not exactly an early riser and it was a holiday.  

So why was I up?  I had plans to go and spectate at the Red White and Boom!  It was originally going to be a half-marathon, but due to the heat advisory the race organizers decided to scrap that and convert the race to a 5 miler.  The choice was met with some resistance, as some people felt their training efforts and been wasted, but I'll let others sort that out.  I will say that I personally wouldn't have wanted to run a half marathon on that hot and humid day. 

Despite my sleepy expression here, I'm was actually awake and happy to be there. 

I ran into a few others who had some fun signs.  Kat with "Hotter than Kenya" (and I believe it actually was that day), Jen with "Pirates wave Black Flags" and Ann with "If you saw a heat wave, would you wave back?".  I also met Brady and Erica while I was there.  

Sara, a 5 mile finisher!

My sign was for Sara, my awesome winter running buddy, who got me out in the cold way more times than I would've alone.  This is the first race sign I made, and coincidentally first race at the same time Sara had a sign with her name on it!  New to the sign making, I will be looking for a thicker marker next time, but I think the message is still mostly visible.

With the heat going on Wednesday and the cold back in February at the Valentine's Day 5K Sara now has the unique distinction of having raced in a 100 degree differential. All within the same state too.  That's pretty hardcore!

I spent the rest of day at my parent's cabin (now lake house) trying to stay cool.  I didn't do any formal workouts, but we jumped off the pontoon for a while and swam around, which gave me a taste for the open water swim that I'll do during the tri.  Also, just had a generally good time with family and friends.  Didn't attend any major fire work shows this year, but did see a few in the distance from my house, so I guess I can say I checked that box.

43 things

I love these silly questions things, so I stole this from some place on the internet. Feel free to use for your own - and leave a comment with your blog so I can learn about you too.  Or just answer the questions in the comments if you want.  Pick and choose, if you don't want to respond to all 43.     


1. Hi my name is...Erin! (yep, I use a pseudonym on the internet, but it's not a big secret)
2. Never in my life have I... had a threesome! (Clearly, I'm running low on the "nevers" in my life)
3. The one person who can drive me nuts is...Do I have to pick just one? 
4. High school...was NOT the best 4 years of my life.
5. When I'm nervous...I act frantic. 
6. The last time I cried was...in this race. They were 'happy' tears.
7. If I were to get married right now my wedding party would be...sweet and simple... and cheap - but still meaningful.  In other news - I have no interest in getting married 'right now'.
8. My hair is...long, blonde and I love it. 
9. When I was 5...I thought I was brilliant.  
10. Last Christmas...was a bit taxing - to be honest.  
11. I should be...just fine.  
12. When I look down I see...my painted toes.. beginning to chip.
13. The craziest recent event was....a bridal shower with friends, dancing and bit too much to drink.  
14. If I were a character on 'Friends' I'd be...whomever is nerdiest.  (I guess that might be Ross, but he's a guy)
15. By this time next year...I'll be out of consumer debt... I hope. 
16. My current gripe is...ignorance 
17. I have a hard time understanding...feelings
18. There's this girl I know who...doesn't realize how good she has it. 
19. You know I like you when... seek out quality time.  
20. If I won an award, the first person I would tell would be...probably my Dad, because he would think it's cool.
21. Take my advice...you will never please yourself, if you are busy pleasing others.  
22. My most wanted item is...an iPhone again! (lol, but I don't really need anything)
23. If you visited the place I was born...(a hospital) you would hopefully be there to welcome new life and not say goodbye to old.
24. I plan to visit...Germany again.
25. If you spend the night at my house...you'd better not be allergic to cats.  .
26. I'd stop my wedding if.....I could go back in time.  
27. The world could do without...poverty, hunger and disease. 
29. Most recent thing I've bought myself...A (used) road bike (Fuji Province)
30. Most recent thing someone else bought me...HeroClix 
31. My favorite blonde is... My sister
32. My favorite brunette is....Natalie Portman
33. My favorite redhead is...Becca from Stout.
34. My middle name is...Leigh (yes this is the 'Leigh' of Ruby Leigh)
35. This morning I...ran, like many mornings. 
36. The animals I would like to see flying besides birds are... perhaps cats for the hilarity of it.  
37. Once, at a bar...I danced on the top.  
38. Last night I was...eating at Red Lobster to celebrate a friend's book being published.  
39. There's this guy I know who...recently became a good friend.  
40. I don't know...how to relate to some people.  
41. A better name for me would be...Ruby (hah! and for the record I actually really like the name Erin)
42. Tomorrow I am... going to exercise some more.  
43. My birthday is...Sept 11th 1984

Better than ever

Two years ago a friend told me I should run a 5K ... so I did.


Here I am at the finish

June 25th 2010

I'm not sure what I thought would happen then, but it's safe to say this was the beginning of something big. 


Running has made me feel strong physically, and that has given me a confidence about life that I honestly haven't known elsewhere.  Part of why it works for me is because of how hard I've had to work for it.  I've always been more swift to 'hit the books' than to 'hit the pavement'.  The former always came easy, the latter has always been nearly non-existent.


I might of started running on a whim, but perhaps more interesting is that I kept doing it.  I've taken breaks, and had bad days, and I've been really really slow, and I've been only marginally slow, but I'm still here trying.  One thing that keeps me going is the sense of accomplishment, because no one can run for you.       


So, I knew I could PR this 5K... I wasn't sure about the sub 30, but I didn't want to rule it out.  


I mentally focused on going fast, and I 'actually' passed people along the way which really doesn't happen normally.  I also ran my first water stop.    

I crossed the finish line at 31:33, which is a PR by by a minute and a half (1:37), and I am super pleased with it.  

I clocked the second mile at 9:50 my fastest mile that I've had off treadmill.

While I was running, I realized that it was not a sub 30 day yet... but also that I didn't really care that much, what mattered is that I was running the fastest I ever had, that I was having great time doing it, that I was feeling strong and that my new normal was better than ever.    

    

June 23rd 2012

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Thanks to all the supporters in my life, especially those who made a contribution to Children's MN Hospitals and Clinics - this was wonderful cause to support and event to be a part of and you helped make that happen.