Another week closer to the Disney Marathon...

Training for the Disney Marathon in January is in full swing.  Last week consisted of a few cross-training days, an easy run, a hills run, and a long run of 14 miles.

Saturday is my designated long run day and I headed out last Saturday to a nice crisp fall morning.  The running was slow going at the beginning, but about 4-5 miles into it I found my pace and was averaging 8:45 to 9:30 minute miles, depending on the hills.  The run felt great.

When I got home I was ready to jump into a nice hot shower and eat some food, but I had to wait since I LOST MY KEY!!!  During the run it had apparently stuck to my ipod as I pulled it out of my pocked and fell out.  I'm still not sure where it ended up, luckily a friend with an extra key to my place was home.  There was a lot of excitement/nerves for a few minutes.

This week's long run is 16 miles.  I'm going to try some new gels during the run to see if I can tune in my nutrition during the long run.  Hopefully it goes well.

Happy halloween everyone!

Loads of excitement this week...

I knew this week was going to be interesting at about 3am on Monday when....our apartment complex caught on fire.  The fire was contained the the stairwell of the opposite side of the building from where we live, but it was a bit startling none the less.

Then, for most of the week I was imparting knowledge to a fellow student.  (Basically she just observed a protocol, but it was interesting being watched.)

Thursday night I tried my first TRX class.  Previously I had played on the suspension cables a bit at the gym, but never taken a class.  I quickly realized that my balance is not too great, but I had a blast.  The class was upbeat and lively for an overcast grey evening.

Today is the Friday before halloween so the cafeteria staff is dressed up, and a coworker has a ridiculously funny mustache today!  Enjoyable.  And by far the best part of the whole week....the full lululemon store (within walking distance from home) opened and I stocked up on a few essentials.

This weekend is going to be just as exciting...we're going to a friend's halloween party!  We get to spend time with friends that we def. don't get to see enough of, and get to wear fun costumes.  We have our costumes all picked out and ready, what about you?

Mustaches and running...

Our team Must-Dash Rides consisting of friends from Lexington and Louisville area took on the Tap n' Run 4K on Saturday.  We donned our matching shirts, staches, and glasses and ran 4K with 4 beer stops throughout the course.  The goal of the race was to take a 3-4 oz. drink of beer every ~1 kilometer or so.

There were teams and individuals competing, most of which were in costume.  One team ran the whole race in a giant box painted as the mystery machine and each member was dressed as a character from scooby doo.

Our team took home 2 awards, best T-shirt concept and one of our members won best belcher!  We are hoping to return next year and take several more awards.  Although there isn't an award for our overall finishing place (4th in our division!!!) we were all really proud of ourselves.

This is the last "fun" race I have until a half in Nov. and the full in January at DISNEY!

p.s.  The mustache did stay on while we ran...if the race was any longer they would have totally sweated off.

Stache stash

I have all the mustaches ready for the tap n run 4k tomorrow. It's going to be a fun time with a fantastic team in ridiculous costumes.

Food label revamp?

Today I ran across this article on MSN, which describes the governments proposal for new food labels.  Since americans are too busy to read nutrition facts and make up their minds on their own, they want to implement a system like energy start for appliance purchasing.  To me it feels like our society is getting close to a point where thinking about food isn't important and you buy/eat what is marketed as "healthy".

I have a better idea.....buy real unprocessed foods!  Take the time to prepare meals in advance.  You won't have to worry about transfat content if you use real unprocessed foods.  Also, I have to advocate for parents teaching healthy eating habits to their kids......it just has to happen.

I will now step down from my soap box.

It's the great pumpkin (patch) charlie brown...

By far my favorite halloween movie is "It's the great pumpkin Charlie Brown"  Since halloween is just around the corner I've been filled with thoughts of candy and pumpkins.

Usually Jonah and I will carve/paint pumpkins, but we've never visited a pumpkin patch together...can you believe it....6 years.

So, this weekend we ventured out of the city and to Shaw farm to pick our pumpkins straight from the patch.  We got an added bonus with all the fun kids activities that the farm had setup, and we got to watch a lot of farm animals.

Pony...the average size horse looked too moody to get have a photo op.

Just a little warning before visiting the animals....it is halloween season after all.

Check out the field of pumpkins!!!

We did not buy the HUGE pumpkin, but Jonah thought it was cool.

Burro!

Fun day on the farm......we got 3 smallish pumpkins and lots of apple butter!

Some laughs for your Friday eve...

I've seen people who run like each one of these awkward runners.  I'm hoping I look a little bit more graceful, but let's get real....I'm sure I still look awkward.  This video gave me a giggle for the day.

The solitude of running...

Most of the time I run alone, and I rather enjoy it.  Heading out early before the sun and most of the city is up and buzzing is a quiet time between me, the cement, and my run.  Don't get me wrong, I love running with friends and catching up, but I consider those times a little treat.

During a run my mind can process nearly everything with more clarity.  When I was taking classes I used to work through possible exam questions in my head, sometimes I think of unanswerable questions I've encountered in the lab, contemplate ways to make myself a better all around person, or just sort through things I'm generally frustrated about.

As a child I attended therapy sessions to aid in the healing process of my parents divorce.  The one thing that stuck with me for all these years is to do something physical to exert the frustrated energy, and as I've aged running has been the outlet of choice.

I relish the alone time and the mental quietness.

Weekend adventures across the midwest....

Since I did my long run on Friday, I started the weekend with a pure barre class.  This class totally kicked my butt (literally).  It was challenging in a whole different fashion than running.  Needless to say, it was fun and I plan on taking a few more classes, especially since the studio is SO close.

fall foliage

After a great workout we headed to Delphi, IN for a chili cook-off!  During our drive we were able to admire the amazing colors of the fall foliage.  19 Chilis ranging from sweet to spicy entered the competition and 4 won prizes.  We also got to munch on hot dogs for the chili, fried biscuits with apple butter, and pie.  Tasty homecooked fattiness!  It was a great indulgence with the family.  

It's always nice to go home a

Up close view of lucky trying to eat my phone

nd see the family.  There are TONS of changes going on in our family right now.  Literally every one of my siblings is either expecting a baby or just had a baby.  Pretty soon our holiday get togethers will be filled with the sounds of child laughter.   

Fall is a season of transition, and it looks like our family is in a season of transition as well.  Oh, and Philip was once again picked on by my parent's cat, Lucky (which I like to call devil-cat since he attacks the feet of everyone!)

Disney marathon training plan....

Instead of a Friday favorite, this week I'm going to give an update on marathon training...

This week concludes the third week of the 16 week marathon training plan I'm following in preparation for the Disney marathon in January.  As I've previously mentioned, I'm following an intermediate plan from marathon training academy.  This plan, designed by Angie and Trevor at marathon training academy, focuses on three quality runs a week and a couple days of cross-training.  This plan looks like it will help me training well and reach the finish line healthy.

Training for this third week consisted of two 6 mile runs and a long run of 10 miles.  I completed the 10 miles this morning while the temp was still nice and cool.  I took my hydration belt with me with only one bottle.  While I don't really need too much water on a 10 mile run, I really need to get used to wearing the hydration belt again.  When I get hot and sweaty from running the last thing I want is something clinging around my midsection, but alas I must get used to it so I can stay properly hydrated.

So far, training has been going well.  I'm looking forward to doing my longest runs during the holidays, which will give me a reason to eat-up at work/social parties!

Next week calls for a 7 mile easy, 6 mile hilly, and an 8 mile long run.

Fall Fashion...

In addition to the wonderful pumpkin and cinnamon flavored EVER THING during the fall season, I also LOVE the fall fashion.

The clothes are cozy, comfy, and stylish.  I've chosen a few of my fave fall looks and items to display above.

By far I wear the most scarves in the fall/winter.  Our lab area is generally freezing cold, even in summer, so I get to wear a lot of layers year round, but during the fall I break out the coordinating scarves.

In the midwest this week we have a little warm-up in the temperature so it's the last hoorah for all summer-ish clothes before getting packed away until late spring.  Seasonal wardrobe changing is like getting new clothes a few times a year without spending money!  It's time to unpack and rediscover all the fun fall fashion.

Adventures in baking....something simple

Ingredients for Chocopumpkin muffincakes

This weekend I took on a new baking challenge.  Since the summer was so stinking hot and humid in Cincy, my baking adventures have become less frequent.  Someone who works at Children's told me about a muffin recipe that one of his coworkers had made, so I wanted to give it a try.  

The ingredients are simple: 

1 box chocolate cake mix (I chose devil's food)

1 can pumpkin

pumpkin pie spice to taste (I used 2 tablespoons)

1 cup water

Put mixture into cute paper cupcake holders and bake about 20-30 minutes 

These muffin-cakes are tasty and will satisfy any need for fall themed chocolate baked goods.  

final product.....mmmmmm