Getting Ready to Wind Up

Here we go again, I am running another half. I haven't posted anything about my last one, but here is what I have done this year so far:
The Hip Hop Half in March
The Helvetia Half in June.

And here we go again. September 7th, 2013 I will be doing the Gateway to the Gorge Half. What am I focusing on differently this time? Carb loading. I haven't done that much in the last half's but this time I am.

I have noticed what everyone else eludes to with regards to eating high carbohydrates before running. It's like your a super hero. You feel great, you have excess energy, and the run is amazing. If you don't do that before a run, you roll the dice.

So I have researched and looked for how to do this the 48 hours before I run. I plan to eat pasta for the two dinners. I always get up at 4 am on race day and eat two whole wheat bagels. In general the 48 hours ahead of time, I will look specifically for carbs in my meals. I need to get my percentage of carbs into the 60+% range. That is hard to do!

Bread, pasta, potatoes, legumes, rice, sugar, etc. Yes, they all have carbs. Some are better than others. The temptation is to put a meat with your carb right? Umm....well that hasn't always had a great effect on my body during run time. So it's carbs.

I am excited to think that I will get that kind of super hero boost in the run doing this. I am also well prepared physically. I anticipate this race to have some challenging hills that I am not used to and could push my finish time. But that is fine, that is the challenge of racing.

At the Helvetia Half in June, I worked hard to take minutes off my time. As I was entering the stadium with the finish line in sight.....suddenly race official jumps in front of a group of us and blocks us. Emergency! Ambulance needs to leave the stadium. We need to wait. I am sympathetic to an ambulance and it's occupant but this is a race! Do we really only have one exit/entrance to the stadium? Can we not designate one for emergencies and one for runners? It is nagging me what my true chip time was in that race. And I am a little bitter.

In conclusion. We are looking to shave a few minutes off. We are looking for carb loading to add extra energy. And we are looking to have some fun.

Best-Ever Strawberry Rhubarb Pie

 

Pastry:
2 1/4 c. all-purpose flour
1/4 c. sugar
1/4 t. salt
1/2 c. shortening
1/4 c. cold butter, cut into small cubes
6-7 T. ice cold water
Filling:
2 1/2 T. quick cooking tapioca (or all-purpose flour)
1/4 t. salt
3-4 c. fresh or frozen rhubarb, cut into 1/2″ pieces
3-4 c. fresh sliced strawberries
1 c. sugar

1. For the pastry, in a medium bowl, stir together flour, sugar, and salt. Using a pastry blender or two forks, cut in the shortening and butter until the mixture contains no larger than pea-sized crumbs. Sprinkle the water over the flour mixture until moist. Gather the dough into a ball, using your hands to combine it.
2. Shape the dough into a large log and divide it into two pieces, one with 1/3 of the dough and one with 2/3 of the dough. Shape the smaller into a 5×1 1/2″ log, and the larger into a 7×2″ log. Wrap both with plastic wrap and place in the freezer for at least two hours.
3. For the filling, in a large bowl, stir together the sugar, tapioca or flour, and salt. Add rhubarb and strawberries and toss until evenly coated. Let the rhubarb mixture stand for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally (If you are using frozen rhubarb, let the mixture stand for 45 minutes).
4. Preheat the oven to 375-degrees. Using a sharp knife, cut the 7″ chilled dough log into about 28 thin slices. Place 16 slices around the edge of a 9″pie plate. Place the remaining slices in the bottom of the pie plate. Using your fingers, quickly press the pieces of pastry together to fill the gaps. Shape edges as desired.
5. Stir the fruit mixture before pouring it into the bottom crust in the pie plate. Slice the remaining pastry into 15-18 slices. Arrange the slices on top of the fruit.
6. Place the pie on a foil-lined rimmed baking sheet. Bake for 60 minutes. Cover outer crust with foil if it is getting too dark. Bake for another 15-20 minutes or until the filling is bubbly and the crust is golden. Cool.

Amazing Blog Post on Maria Shriver's Website

I was absolutely shocked and refreshed to read this post.

We are not at war with men. And for once, someone in the mainstream is noticing that the genders need to act in concert and build each other up instead of fight over the differences.

"That every time I stole a man’s power, 

it was because I didn’t know my own."

Classic No Bake Cookies

I made these all the time as a kid. Here's to keeping those fun traditions alive.

Chocolate Oatmeal No Bake Cookies
1/2 C Butter
2 C Sugar
1/2 C Milk
4 Tbsp Cocoa
1/2 C Peanut Butter
3 1/2 C Quick cooking Oats
2 tsp. Vanilla
Add the first 4 ingredients in a saucepan. Bring to a rolling boil, and boil for 1 minute. Stir in the next 3 ingredients and drop onto wax/foil paper. Let cool until set.

The Fitness Goal of 2013

I haven't shared it, because I am still wondering if I can do it.

I think I can. The goal is to do a half marathon every quarter.

That may seem like a lot. But since one of my goals is to run consistently three times a week, doing a half every three months is easily supported by the weekly goals.

What I do want to see happen is the halfs become easier. I want to stay away from the dark thoughts I have at about mile 11 that make me want to quit oh so badly.....

There will be some tweaking of the training but for the most part, this is very doable.

So far, I did the "Hip Hop Half" in March. The next ones I am looking at are:
Helvetia Half on 6/8
Guardian Project in September
Potentially the Holiday Half, which I did last year. There are some other holiday themed ones I have my eye on so I haven't made a final decision on those yet.

So, the question is......have I run today?

Can I Help You?

Standing in my workplace just looking at me accomplishes nothing.

Yummy Energy Thingies

The kids will probably like too...

Energy Bites

1 cup (dry) oatmeal (I used old-fashioned oats)
2/3 cup toasted coconut flakes
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/2 cup ground flaxseed or wheat germ (I use ground Chia seeds, it's what I had on hand)
1/2 cup chocolate chips (optional)
1/3 cup honey
1 tsp. vanilla extract


Stir all ingredients together in a medium bowl until thoroughly mixed. Let chill in the refrigerator for half an hour. Once chilled, roll into balls of whatever size you would like. I got 16 when I did this. Store in an airtight container and keep refrigerated for up to 1 week. They freeze well.

In the Books

And my half marathon I was worried about....it's over.

I did it today.

I have to say now that I have done two of these things, I have some thoughts (of course):

1) Between mile 11 and 13, I have some seriously dark conversations with myself. I hear Jillian Michaels in my head, "Unless you're bleeding, puking or dying....don't stop."

2) It is in the last three miles that you find what you're made of. I really thought my last three miles were miserable in the first race because of the horrible weather. Not so much! Today was decent weather and it was still difficult.

3) Different races definitely mean a different mix of people racing and today was no different. Lots of women. About a third of the runners overall from December. I liked the route today, a lot. The mix of racers....had some issues.

4) I definitely do not hurt as much as I did in December and I attribute that to cold weather and better stretching.

5) I did better than I thought after the health stuff I have been fighting for a month. I managed to finish having run the whole thing. No walking, no stopping. 

6) When is the next one?

Giving Thanks

So the week before the half marathon is going well. I am a bit nervous still but the runs this week are going well. They are not the struggle they were last week. Endurance has returned. It will need to be enough. I have one more long run on Friday and will do a short run on Saturday and the half is on Sunday.

As I run the thoughts are all over the place. I have 60+ minutes to sort out a whole lot of life. Today it was thanks. I really am thankful for something that seems so silly. Ready? The calorie counting app I started this whole health focus two years ago on, MyFitnessPal. I am not kidding, it has been a stalwart guide through all of this. So I wanted to pass that on. I got online and sent a simple letter of thanks to the developers.

"MFP:
I have been doing MFP for two plus years now. I had a lot of weight to lose and had some success before with calorie counting. I decided to use MFP at the recommendation of a friend, and put only a few extra restrictions/guidelines on myself.

I have lost 90 lbs and am looking to do my second half marathon this weekend. I have to say, the feature to link MFP with other fitness apps (I use Endomondo for my running) has made my health focus so easy!!

I now have several friends who are doing MFP after watching me, and I am so proud of them.

If you want details, here is a blog post I wrote about the two year journey:

http://candlemom.blogspot.com/2012/09/what-difference-two-years-can-make.html

Here is a blog post I wrote last week about my first half marathon I did in December. That was an amazing goal to reach, and again, I thank you for your amazing, yet simple app for giving me the tools I needed to do it.

http://candlemom.blogspot.com/2013/03/december-16-2012.html

My most heartfelt thank you for a great great product!
AMG"

 I have to be honest, I didn't expect to hear anything back or if I did, maybe a simple "thank you for sharing". After all, this is a very popular weight loss/fitness app that is used by millions of people. My message was one of thousands they received today.

To my surprise, within an hour, I received this email:

"Hi AMG,

First let us say, Wow! Wow! Wow! Congratulations on your beyond tremendous success of 90 pounds! That is so amazing! Not only do you look like a completely new woman, according to your blogs, you feel like one too! We also have to thank you, thank you so much for sharing your amazing journey with us. I just finished reading your blogs, and still have chills! It is for members like you that make our jobs rewarding each and every day.

I was also absolutely taken away by your blogs, and truly enjoy the way you kept encouraging yourself. Yes, our program is a great tool, and it does help, but only for those who are determined to make a change. It is our members, their challenges, and inspirations that are the true success! We do hope you continue to enjoy using the program, and we wish you nothing but a lifetime of being able to say "I did it"!

All the best to you and your family!

N"

And that is a little reminder, it is worth it saying "thank you" even when you don't think it will hit it's mark. 

March 24th, 2013

So, I am kind of addicted to running now. All the things you hear people say they love about running that I have always blown off as "weird".....I love now.

Here is my list:

• I love the quiet time it gives me. It is just me and my brain. No phone, family, voice mail, email, etc.

• I love that it truly keeps me skinny. While I still watch what I eat, if I am running regularly, it truly is a metabolism miracle. I don't have to worry about every little morsel I eat. 

• Running is a stress shredder and I love it, and cherish it. I was working a very stressful temporary job last summer, and most of the time, I found myself wanting to run to relieve the stress rather than for the physical health of it. 

• I love being outdoors.

• I love that even on a day that feels like a "bad run", it's better than no run at all. It's a good run no matter what.

• I love running with my trusty dog. She loves to run with me. We are a great partnership, and I love having her with me.

• I love the amazing muscle tone I have. I am shocked that I have muscles places I never thought running put muscles. Abs and arms? I asked a physical therapist friend how in the world does that work?  I have always had flabby arms and a genetically given "tummy" to the point where I never ever wear clothes tucked in. Ever.

         She asked what I did with my arms while running. Of course I answered,
         swing them in control, and yes, flexing them as I go. What are my abs
         doing? she asks. I  answer they are flexed, staying in control as I twist while
         running and slightly sucked in as I control my breathing. All for about 60
         minutes straight while breathing hard. Surprise! Muscle tone! All over
         muscle tone.

• I love how I feel when I am done.

• I love when I am done I have energy instead of lacking it. 

My next half marathon is set for March 24th, and I am very nervous. I have really been battling health issues this month before the half. I have had a week of chest cold sickness, followed by a week of nasty food poisoning followed by another week of chest cold sickness. It has been impossible to do the ramp up runs one should do before a half marathon.

I went on a five mile run yesterday and it was a struggle. I need to be able to do six to seven miles effortlessly to do this like I did in December. Before the sickies, I was doing six miles, effortlessly, each run, and not even thinking about what the body was doing from moment to moment because it was doing very well. If I could say one thing I dislike about running, it doesn't take much to lose efforts gained, but it also doesn't take much to gain them back. I need to remember, even bad running days are good running days just for the fact I am running and physically fit.

I have had to have some moments of reality as I look at this coming in less than two weeks.
*I am not going to be as physically prepared.
*I will go running every other day until then to get as prepared as possible.
*After my final training run on 3/22, I will have a conversation with myself to see if I have "permission" to walk sections of the race if needed.
*I will not withdraw from the half.
*Any organized races I do....I need to realize they may not all be great. Again, at least I am out there doing it, and running!
*This half marathon will be better if only for one reason.....I won't be pelted with freezing rain.

December 16, 2012

I haven't had a chance to really sit down and get the words out of me. If you know me, you know I set a goal back in about March or April 2012 to run a half marathon before the end of the year. I set the goal to do it around August or September, based upon what I was able to run in April.

Well life got interesting and hectic. August and September both came and went. At about mid-October, I realized while I might be physically ready for it, I may have lost my opportunity to actually do it since fall and winter were fast approaching. Luckily a friend told me about one in December that would truly be one of the last one's of the year to do.

I signed up to do Portland's "Holiday Half". Just a fun, holiday themed run through the city. Not a super competitive, hard core race. Just fun. Perfect. I signed up.

Then I trained, and had actually not really stopped all spring, summer and fall. At about Thanksgiving I was fighting my body trying to keep it well.  I declared myself ready about two weeks before. However, I had never actually run 13.2 miles, I had come comfortably close.

Race day. It was cold that morning, and there was no parking and I knew that. But it became a factor. My husband dropped me off super early. We had made arrangements to meet along the route and then at the end of the race.

As you can see by the picture, not only did the day start out cold, it continued. By the last three miles, the rain was coming down fairly briskly and it was cold. Like little razor blades on my face, and it sucked the energy right out of me. The picture below is at about mile ten or eleven, and I am struggling. My legs are tight and I am just plain cold. Lungs were doing well, it was my leg muscles that were dying.


As I crossed the finish line, I was proud of several things. I did it! I absolutely did it! I didn't stop and I didn't walk once during the race. I felt great emotionally! I teared up a bit and it surprised me. This was a huge accomplishment for me and it all rushed to me what I had done.

I started looking around....no husband....no kids.....didn't see them on the route. And I was cold. Very cold. My clothes are soaked and I am shaking uncontrollably.....that kind of cold. There is no shelter. I had my cell phone with me to track the race, and I had about 2% charge left on it. I know enough about hypothermia, I knew I needed help out of there. Fast.

Call the husband. He didn't expect me to finish that soon. He's way back on the route. Nice compliment! Doesn't help the immediate need right now. I needed warmth, now. I got on a race-provided shuttle bus and took a ride to an overflow parking lot and told the husband to meet me there. That got us away from the crowd so we could find each other easier. More importantly, it got me on a slightly warm bus. I got off the bus, phone dies, husband pulls up, I get in, kids hand me a protein drink. and home we go.

I did it!!

The pics with the kids were at home. What you can't see....I am still shivering uncontrollably. It was a long shower, a long nap, and three blankets that finally took the chill out.

Found This! I See Bacon!

Loaded Potato and Buffalo Chicken Casserole:

2 pounds boneless chicken breasts, cubed (1")
8-10 medium potatoes, cut in 1/2" cubes
1/3 cup olive oil
1&1/2 tsp salt
1 Tbsp. black pepper
1 Tbsp. paprika
2 Tbsp. garlic powder
6 Tbsp. hot sauce

Topping:
2 cups fiesta blend cheese
1 cup crumbled bacon
1 cup diced green onion

Preheat oven to 500 degrees. Spray a 9X13" baking dish with cooking spray. In a large bowl mix together the olive oil, salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder and hot sauce. Add the cubed potatoes and stir to coat. Carefully scoop the potatoes into the prepared baking dish, leaving behind as much of the olive oil/hot sauce mixture as possible. Bake the potatoes for 45-50 minutes, stirring every 10-15 minutes, until cooked through and crispy and browned on the outside. While the potatoes are cooking, add the cubed chicken to the bowl with the left over olive oil/hot sauce mixture and stir to coat. Once the potatoes are fully cooked, remove from the oven and lower the oven temperature to 400 degrees. Top the cooked potatoes with the raw marinated chicken. In a bowl ix together the cheese, bacon and green onion and top the raw chicken with the cheese mixture. Return the casserole to the oven and bake for 15 minutes or until chicken is cooked through and the topping is bubbly delicious.
Serve with extra hot sauce and/or ranch dressing.

Reflective Thought

I had a poopy day today. Bottom line.

I won't talk about that, because it's over and the less thought I put into it the faster it will become a fleeting memory.

As I have been working so hard to keep this old carcass of mine in shape and healthy, I find myself thinking less and less what it looks like and more and more how it's functioning. People around me remind me what it looks like.

I had the thought yesterday, and it put it all in perspective for me, I think I want to hang onto it a little bit more than other thoughts so I will post it here for reference. Here it is:

If you take care of it.....it will be beautiful.

Here is Our Pooch's Latest Favorite

Much cheaper than purchasing treats from the store, and much healthier for the doggie.

2 1/2 cups flour
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon beef bouillon granules
1/2 cup bacon or other meat grease
1 egg
1/2 cup cold water

Preheat oven to 350 degrees In a medium bowl, stir together dry ingredients. Add bacon grease, egg and water. On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough out to 1/2 inch thickness and cut with cookie cutters. Place biscuits onto an ungreased baking sheet. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes until firm.