Monday Motivation

First Time for Everything

This weekend so far, I've had two firsts...

First Snow Fall - As I look at my window this morning it looks like Christmas time.  Everything is white, everywhere.  The snow is covering all the tree branches and it looks like a winter wonderland  - on October 30th.  Yikes....what is the rest of the winter going to look like?  I am a little scared!

First Overall Female - I met up with my sisters for another race this weekend.  It was another small, really small  race - only about 35 walkers and runners.  They were well organized and did give out technical t-shirt instead of cotton t-shirts.  Which is unusual in these neck of the woods.  But the smalls weren't really smalls so I got mine in a size Cowboy could wear.  The girls and I did a quick warmup before the race started and then we were off. 

Many of the regulars weren't there and within just the first half mile of the race I realized that I was first female.  At the turnaround I was able to see my sisters and just 2 other ladies behind me.  I definitely wasn't super speedy, but I did manage to keep a decent 8 minute pace to keep the lead.  I finished in the same time as last week 24:05.  Robyn finished as second female and Manda finished as fourth female.  SB is having some issues with her leg/ankle, so she just walked it.  Needless to say - that girl walks at a jogging pace.  We went back to get her and bring  her in and none of us could walk at her pace.  We all had to break into a jog to keep up. 

Overall it was a good race and if the weather hadn't been so yucky (rainy, cold, dreary and snow looming) I think they might have gotten a few more runners.  This is a busy time for races though - I think there was a least two other races in the area.!

The rest of my day was really nice. I ran some errands and then came home to snuggle with my doggies, drink hot chocolate and watch the snow fall.  Today I have some cleaning to do and then my FAVORITEST little trick-or-treater is coming to visit.  I will be sure to take some pictures of that little cutie!

QOTD:  What is the earliest snowfall you've experienced?

TGIF...and winter weather already..

Another week has flown by and I've been absent from posting on my blog.  Oh well.  I'm sure I haven't been missed by too many.  I've been reading all of your blogs and living vicariously through your adventures and workouts. 

I've still been slacking on the whole working out/running stuff....  I don't know why, I've just been going through quite the slump and really hope I can fight my way out of it soon.  I did get out for a run today with my Sissy.  We met after school and did some zigging and zagging on the roads behind her house.  It is an easy run with lots of houses and trees to block the wind.  It was just enough to get my legs stretched out and ready for another 5k race jog tomorrow.  My baby sis and SIL are running the race too...we've contemplated running in snuggies and snow boots since we are getting some winter weather in OCTOBER! 

The crazy weatherman is forecasting 4-8 inches of the white stuff starting tonight and throughout tomorrow.  I even heard him say "heavy at times."  Ugh!  I didn't even get to enjoy fall.  Here we are skipping right on into winter.  

Oh well. I will survive the weather, but I'm not sure I'll survive the race based on the fuel I fed myself tonight.  I'm a hunter's widow again so just ME to feed and I settled on pizza, cheese filled pretzel bites, glass of green tea and now a glass of blackberry wine.  I should probably have skipped that last part.  Wait....I should have skipped all of it and had a healthy non-processed meal.  Oh well.  Live and Learn right?

I think today's motto is "Oh Well!" 

QOTD:  What have you "oh well-ed" lately?

Race Recap and Saturday Fun

What a nice Saturday being a hunting widow.  Amanda, SB and I had a great day yesterday as they too end up being hunting widows since all of our men spend the next month out in the woods.

We started our adventures by meeting up for the first Monster Dash to benefit a local elementary school.  We got there at the same time and went to pick up our race packets.  For an first time race it was pretty organized as far as race packets and getting started.  The race started on time and we took off following closely behind the leaders since it was a small race.  Right at the start we were suppose to turn right but the leader turned left.  They did not have any volunteers stationed at the corners to help direct the runners.  All they had was little 8 1/2 x 11 posters with a tiny arrow on it.  Luckily SB and I only went a few strides beyond the sign but we still had to fight with other runners and walkers to get back to the front of the pack.  It wasn't long before the leaders caught up and passed us.  Shortly after the first mile there was one other turn that was missed because the volunteer wasn't at the right spot - but that worked out ok. 

I liked the course it was generally flat and went by quickly after the boo-boos. From then on SB and I confirmed with every volunteer were to turn next.  Around mile 1.5, SB and I realized that we were 2nd and 3rd lady so we did our best to keep the spots even though we weren't trying to race. We finished strong and finished together  Amanda was just two minutes behind us for one of her best finished yet!! 

After the race, we came back to my place to get cleaned up and ready for lunch and a movie.  I've been itching to see Footloose so I convinced the girls to join me.  It was really well done I think.  Modernized but at the same time they kept the look and feel of the original Footloose with many of the same outfits.  We also did a little shopping and window browsing.

When I got home I enjoyed some time with my little doggies outside and eventually made my way back inside to clean and work on schoolwork.  I ended the night by cuddling up on the couch to enjoy yet another sappy hallmark movie.  They are silly and predictable but I enjoy them.  

Now it is time to start another gorgeous fall day here in the Northeast.  Since schoolwork is done I have the day to enjoy before the husband gets home from his hunting adventures.  Hummmm.....what will I get into today.

QOTD:  Have you ever made a wrong run in a race or gotten "lost"?

Monster Dash

Another busy week flew by for me.   But life is good!!  I had a good week at school and even got in two nice runs with my family.  We did just a a 3 miler on Tuesday and a quick 2 miler today but both runs got my legs all stretched out for tomorrow's Monster Dash.  This is the first race I've done since my half marathon in September and the first of two before Halloween.  A lot of people are dressing up in costume to run, but I think I will just go as a runner.  I'm not too creative this year.

Hunting season has started in my neck of the woods so I will have some more ME Time in the next few weeks which I am really looking forward to.  I use this time to get things done that I want to do, spend some time shopping, get my haircut, have some girl time with my sisters and spend some much needed time curled up on the couch with good movies and good books.

So tonight is my first night and I am off to a great start.  A cup of hot chocolate, a fuzzy blanket and playing catch up on a few tv shows.  Tomorrow the race, lunch-n-movies with the sisters and some time at home cleaning things up.

QOTD:  Do you have any fun Halloween races coming up?

Much Needed Cowboy Time

I just spent a wonderful day with my husband.  It was a much needed day date!  We took a road trip and went to the world famous Cabela's store.  That place is HUGE!  We go every now and then when Cowboy needs to stock up on some hunting stuff.  I, of course, found a few things too...new boots, a fleece jacket, warm underarmor type clothing, and comfy slippers.  We stopped and got lunch and then came home to get some things done around here on our neverending list. 

It is so nice to spend the day together not worrying about things and just enjoying our time together.  We don't do it often enough but when we do I am so thankful and grateful of the time together with my best friend.

This week was a busy one.  I never felt like I had my act together...it was just a rush here, rush there and hurry to get things done.  I haven't been doing so hot on my month goals, so I am going to focus on those this week and try to get back on track.  Still haven't done much running...but in my defense it has been raining alot again.  I had a Family Fun Run planned but it was raining pretty hard yesterday when I got out of school and it was that no fun, chilly cold rain so we decided to skip the run.

Tomorrow will be busy too but I hope to take the time to relax and maybe get some yoga or a run in.  My in-laws are coming to visit so I will be straightening up the house and getting some lunch ready for us.  I've been hungry for chicken corn soup so that is on the menu for tomorrow.  Sometime in there I need to work on some lesson plans too.  Before I call it a night I am going to work on touching up some of my pictures that I took of my beautiful niece and my sister and brother-in-law.  They didn't turn out too bad, but the lightening should have been much better so I have some tweaking to do.

The most delicious chicken

I have to apologize....this is a blog about alot of things, and when I originally started it, it focused on running.  I'm sorry I haven't been blogging much about running.  I've been in a little bit of a running rut lately.  I just haven't had the motivation.  Other things bounce in front of running.  School is keeping me busy and exhausted and by the time it is done, I'm ready to crash. I will come back to running...I always do...please bear with me while I gather some motivation and get my butt back into gear.

I like to keep things focused on not only running and excerise here on the blog but also like to talk about a ways to keep healthy.  I've really been taking a look lately at what I eat and the food I prepare not only for me but for my Cowboy too.  I get frustrated with cooking healthy, good-for-you-meals, because they take too long however, I am finding many ways to still do that but shorten the time.

My in-laws got me the Wolfgang Puck 5-Quart Electronic Pressure Cooker last christmas and I have used it quite a bit.  Not as much as I can or should...I'm getting there.  One of the best thing about this cooker is that it cooks things fast and they taste so good!

This gadget combines steam, heat, and pressure--while retaining all the nutrients and flavor of food.  It cuts cooking time down by 70%.  Today I cooked two split chicken breasts (bone in) for 15 minutes in my pressure cooker with cream of chicken soup and it was so tender, moist and DELICIOUS.   Just melt in your mouth delicious.  You can toss all kinds of things in this cooker...you can even delay the start up to 9 hours for those away from the kitchen during the day.  I haven't had anything turn out bad and am always amazed at how quick and delicious the end result is.  I've even put in a frozen pot roast and had it done and on the table in an hour.  It's great for vegetables and soups too.

Just thought I'd share today, one tool that helps me cook those good and healthy meals quickly.  I served the chicken tonight with steamed carrots and rice and it was a hit with Cowboy - plus we have leftover chicken to make chicken sandwiches tomorrow for lunch!  Win-win!

QOTD:  What kitchen tool makes your time in the kitchen easier?