Applesauce

If you know me at all, you know that I hate spending more than 15 minutes at a time in the kitchen 'cooking'. So...when my sister sent me this recipe for home made applesauce, I was very excited. Not only is it extremely easy and healthy, it's also delicious. I made two batches last week. Enjoy!

Quick Update: still running, eating = much better*

*Let's see if I can resists the Veterans Day cupcakes and cookies that I know my students will bring to school this week.

Food Journal

Many, many months ago I started a food journal because my food intake was getting out of control. I still eat junk, but overall [until recently] I have noticed a slight improvement. I hate to write down 'Dinner: salsa, triscuits, half a can of whip cream'.

Unfortunately my journal is almost full and recently it hasn't been helping AT ALL. I ate pure junk for dinner last night and again for lunch today. I just ran a marathon and if I didn't tell you that, you would never know. I know I am definitely not fat or even close to it, but I feel like I should look and feel more like a 'runner'.

I know I can only blame myself, but in my defense I have to say that being an elementary school teacher does not help my problem. At least once a week I have a student or former student bring me a birthday cupcake, there are always goodies in the teacher's room, and my class celebrates all the holidays (even Groundhog Day). How can I say 'no' to parents that love to bake? And, since I can only use the bathroom twice a day I have to be careful how much water I drink.

It feels like I am the only one that struggles with food issues. It seems so 'natural' for everyone else to eat healthy. I don't know what else to do. I need a new strategy, a new plan, a new me.

Any ideas?

The student that made this for me said, "I stuffed your medal with tissues to make it 3D."
I didn't dare ask if the tissues were used! :) I love 3rd grade!

Newport Marathon 2009

I woke up to the sound of pouring rain. That is never a good way to start a day, especially on race day. Despite the weather, the day ended with one happy running chick searching the web for her next marathon and smiling about her PR. I have no idea how it happened because I didn't do a step of speed work and I trained at a much slower pace for this marathon.

The course was absolutely beautiful. Runners ran right along the beach and past amazing mansions. I only wish I could have appreciated the views a little more. I was looking down a lot of the time, trying to save my face and eyes from being pelted by the rain.

Miles 1 - 13 (mostly flat) went by quickly. A lot of people were doing the half marathon, so the course was crowded and full of positive energy. I had one very quick bathroom stop at mile 3 (I think it was nerves) and I hit the half way point around 2 hours 4 minutes. I was actually worried I went out too fast and would suffer during the last 13 miles.

Mile 13
I ate my first granola bar, turned on my music, and took 2 Advil because I had a strange pain right at the crease where my hip joins my upper leg (I'm not sure what muscle that is called or even if it is a muscle). Thankfully, the pain quickly went away.

Miles 13 - 21
I was in the 'zone'. At one point I remember thinking, "I could run like this forever." There were a few decent rolling hills during the last half, but I did my best to remember some running 'techniques'.

Mile 21
I had my second and last granola bar. I remembered to drink 3 slips of gatorade or water at every water station along the course.

Miles 21 - 26
I felt good. I was still cold and it was still raining, but the wind was calmer (until the last half mile). I actually think my body was probably in pain, but the terrible weather had me distracted. At the start of the race, I put on a garbage bag and 'throw away' shirt to keep me dry and warm. I fully intended to take both off as soon as I warmed up, but guess what I wore the entire race? You got it: my trash bag. How embarrassing, but it was worth it!

I will admit that I was bummed that I didn't meet any race day friends along the away (particularly no single, young, church going guys). Normally I meet a few people, but this race was very different. NO ONE was talking. I think everyone was too miserable and just wanted to finish.


Post Race
The food was excellent, hot pizza and soup. I actually had a craving for pizza when I was running, so I was very happy to see all the pizza boxes. I took 2 more Advil because the second I stopped running the weird pain I had at mile 13 reappeared. This time it was very intense. Thankfully it went away within an hour or two. Later on in the day, I felt pretty good. The next day, I woke up sore but not sore enough to call in a sick day (although I will admit, I took my class the long way to the playground because I didn't want to walk up/down 2 flights of stairs).

My 2 cent product endorsement goes out to: Clean Definition Telescopic L'Oreal mascara. My mascara stayed on the entire race. :)

4:07:13
Life is Good!

It's a good thing I am running a marathon next weekend because I think I gained 5 pounds this past weekend. I went to Pennsylvania to visit my sister and brother-in-law and we did the Lititiz Chocolate Walk as described here. It was wonderful! [Jon you have to go some year!]

A few of my favorites:

chocolate covered pretzels

chicken wings with a chocolate sauce

grilled chocolate sandwich

chocolate whoopie pie

Wedding #4, the last one of the season was unique in every sense of the word; from the deer shaped wedding cake to the one of a kind center pieces at the reception. Unfortunately my pictures did not come out very good.

As for running 'news'.....I registered for a marathon for 'fun'. It's in Newport, Rhode Island on October 18th. My only goal is to finish. I have been serious about keeping up with the training distances, but I have not done an ounce of speed work and I have been training around a 10 min./mile pace, so I have no intention of hitting my 4 hour goal. I'll save that for another race. I haven't raced since February so I'm looking forward to 'race day majic' again.

The course description sounds exiting: The Amica Marathon covers a rolling course on the scenic Newport and Middletown roads. Starting by the water in downtown Newport, the course runs through some of the most scenic spots on Aquidneck Island, past the famous Bellevue Avenue Mansions, by beautiful ocean views and through quiet back country roads.

I hope everyone is enjoying the fall season and running strong. I always remember Mark's quote at this time of the year, "For me, running in the fall is like eating chocolate for breakfast, lunch and dinner."