tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-72299072207000628262024-03-21T08:23:08.726-05:00Becky's ShenanigansI'm a runner, a baker and a vegetarian.
This is my life, it's a work in progress.Becky C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13002625541584297471noreply@blogger.comBlogger505125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7229907220700062826.post-38692712937882050022015-10-26T16:07:00.000-05:002015-10-26T16:07:16.710-05:00St. George Marathon Recap…So it has been three weeks since I traveled to St. George, Utah for the marathon so I figure if I am going to write about it I should probably go ahead and do it.<br />
After taking it easy at the start of the year, my goal was to be in shape and ready to go when training for St. George happened. I had planned on a 12 week plan, but you know what they say about the best laid plans. After straining my quad, a biopsy and minor surgery by the time July 1st rolled around I was wondering if I even wanted to train for St. George.<br />
In the past, I have tended towards just running what everyone else was running when I trained for marathons, and this time I decided that since I was not in shape when I started training and I wanted to find a plan that would work for me I decided on <a href="http://halhigdon.com/training/51231/Marathon-Senior-Training-Program">Hal Higdon’s Senior Marathon Training Program.</a> I decided on this plan because you could modify the 8 week plan, it was only running three days a week, and I have had trouble with overtraining in the past. I printed out the program and taped it to my fridge and decided to give it a shot. Even with the way the plan was written I did hills once a week and never ran more than six miles on my second weekday run, I also found a group that ran a pace I could manage so there wouldn’t be a lot of solo miles like there have been in the past.<br />
<a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vSyRuQL3aHs/Vi6VmIcoBZI/AAAAAAAAI_s/Gi6YuSFKN2Q/s1600-h/003%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="003" border="0" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-GwZHDm-Gk40/Vi6VnVUs5yI/AAAAAAAAI_w/vRDFm-VfrrI/003_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" height="184" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="003" width="244" /></a><br />
These girls saved me this summer. I won’t even say how much work it was to get everyone in the same place, with the selfie stick that morning.<br />
So I ran through July, August and September in the heat and the humidity of our Oklahoma summer, and while I wasn’t thinking this would be a PR kind of race for me I was proud of the fact that, unlike last summer, I had actually run every mile instead of walking. I felt confident that I could run the 26.2 miles even if they weren’t super speedy.<br />
Fast forward to October 1st and we were headed to Utah.<br />
<a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Jsff5RNEafk/Vi6Vn561VMI/AAAAAAAAI_8/K6JjB4U9FMU/s1600-h/195%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="195" border="0" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-socBvaXeyWY/Vi6VoVYqXwI/AAAAAAAAJAA/df5_7kOJMZk/195_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" height="244" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="195" width="184" /></a><br />
Pre flight selfie. We wanted to make sure we got the plane in the background.<br />
So we fly into Vegas, get the rental car and drive to St. George, check into the hotel, get some dinner and then I have the worst night’s sleep ever. After a two mile shake out run on Friday morning where my legs felt completely awful, we headed to the expo to pick up our bibs and grabbed some lunch and decided to drive the course.<br />
I will say that Utah is beautiful, but this course scared the crap out of me. I loved the point to point aspect, but even though it’s billed as a downhill race there were some uphill portions too. <br />
The starting line was pretty cool though.<br />
<a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-GxFvKllnb78/Vi6VpINONJI/AAAAAAAAJAI/Lsa-B8bbfp4/s1600-h/083%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="083" border="0" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ejpmiB4q8GI/Vi6VppWH2ZI/AAAAAAAAJAQ/Dp1KlWTWYYM/083_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" height="244" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="083" width="184" /></a><br />
Action shot:<br />
<a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nyyWbx1Bfaw/Vi6VpyvfzVI/AAAAAAAAJAc/F6kfeEfWd4I/s1600-h/086%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="086" border="0" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-S9WQ_mP4NhE/Vi6Vqn5A1hI/AAAAAAAAJAg/ItzRlg6WsXo/086_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" height="184" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="086" width="244" /></a><br />
They had flags from every state/country that had a participant, how cool is that?<br />
<a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_rc4K5P1d8M/Vi6Vq2m2sXI/AAAAAAAAJAo/l0UUl1vKcNU/s1600-h/082%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="082" border="0" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-l2oI52xDaek/Vi6VrSXDQmI/AAAAAAAAJAw/8u9huQTj0wY/082_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" height="244" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="082" width="184" /></a><br />
First Aid, toilets AND fires? Oh yeah.<br />
<a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YhgAIos3-8U/Vi6Vr2O-PuI/AAAAAAAAJA4/z4PivHzjGEE/s1600-h/087%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="087" border="0" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-RujSys04TbE/Vi6VsfRjwmI/AAAAAAAAJBA/AdGlORcqUJs/087_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" height="244" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="087" width="184" /></a><br />
We headed back to the hotel, Rochelle and I ended up getting some not very good take-out and by 8:30 I was exhausted. That was about the time I realized that my sunglasses had broken in my suitcase. That was a bummer. Luckily Tim and Christie headed out to get some last minute supplies and picked up a pair for me.<br />
I did get some sleep and then was up somewhere in the 3 o’clock hour. Everything was running smoothly and then I got thrown off a bit by a few panic moments before we left the hotel and managed to leave without a bottle of water. We made it to the buses and didn’t have to wait too long before we were on one headed up to the starting line.<br />
<a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DbZeF2R6Pz4/Vi6VszVakvI/AAAAAAAAJBM/hrv5hOanAFM/s1600-h/090%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="090" border="0" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9tPXX3aLqsA/Vi6Vtaf7xWI/AAAAAAAAJBQ/b1_30Gi8g1I/090_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" height="184" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="090" width="244" /></a><br />
It was pretty chilly up there. We got in line for the port-o-potties and then found a spot by one of the fires to relax before the start. I found a spot near the 4:30 pace group and just planned to go out and enjoy the day. Which I did, for 17 miles.<br />
I chatted with some other runners and walked some of the uphill spots (miles 7-9 were no joke), and managed to keep myself either in front of or right around the 4:30 pace group. It really felt like a good day.<br />
At the water stop around mile 17 I walked for a few minutes and was going to take a picture of the view. A guy that was walking by me offered to take my picture.<br />
<a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-HLXIrFj3z2o/Vi6Vt7N1psI/AAAAAAAAJBY/KaKKEUynxic/s1600-h/094%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="094" border="0" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5x6n6eCUjAA/Vi6VuE-JbsI/AAAAAAAAJBg/o89X7SK-Rso/094_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" height="244" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="094" width="244" /></a><br />
This was the last point I felt good for the rest of the race. I turned around and almost immediately I had sharp, shooting pains in my right leg that started above my ankle and would shoot up my leg and down into my foot ever time I stepped on my right foot.<br />
It has been 3.5 years since my tibial stress fracture, but that one started exactly like this. Mid-run, shooting pain that hurt with every step. I knew I was in trouble. In an instant I went from feeling like I was having a great day to feeling like it was the worst day ever.<br />
So what did I do? Well what I should have done was stop. I should have found the next medical tent and called it a day. But that is absolutely not what I did. I walked. I walked for NINE MILES, on what was in fact a tibial stress fracture. A bunch of people told me that I should have stopped, and yes I know that I probably should have, but when you are out there it’s hard to quit.<br />
I walked 9 miles at about a 17 minute pace. It took forever! I cried. I cried a lot. I managed to finish about 8 minutes slower than at Chicago last year, I can’t decide if that is a good thing or a bad thing. I did not get stung by a bee this year, so that’s a good thing, but that happened at mile 17 in Chicago last year. I think next marathon will be all about making it past mile 17 because that mile seems a little unlucky for me. I managed to not be the last person in our group to finish, thanks Tim!<br />
So I finished, got my medal, got back to the hotel for the most frantic post check-out shower ever and then we were on our way back to Vegas. In case you were wondering, Vegas is the absolute worst place in the world to be with a leg injury. Just walking (and I use that term loosely because I was limping) from the valet to the room seemed like miles. I made myself presentable and we headed to <a href="http://mesagrill.com/">Mesa Grill</a> for dinner.<br />
<a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0lN6ie7Kc3g/Vi6VuukFusI/AAAAAAAAJBo/8q7zunL9ScE/s1600-h/097%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="097" border="0" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-fk5M5KVQlCc/Vi6Vu5mTmAI/AAAAAAAAJBw/5hMR7rrkOaM/097_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" height="244" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="097" width="184" /></a><br />
Cremini mushroom quesadilla with fontina and ricotta, topped with a fried egg. I ate ever bit and it was so good.<br />
<a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Jx43SW5Xq4s/Vi6Vvd4jzoI/AAAAAAAAJB8/LtfU0vLNHW0/s1600-h/IMG_7240%252520%2525282%252529%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_7240 (2)" border="0" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xEICRGDP2io/Vi6VwF1dVnI/AAAAAAAAJCA/QXCuEUXHDOM/IMG_7240%252520%2525282%252529_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" height="207" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_7240 (2)" width="244" /></a><br />
Rochelle, Tim, Kristy, me and Christie.<br />
I did have a good time. I have spent the last three weeks wondering what I could have done different to have had a different outcome. I have been incredibly bummed about the whole thing. <br />
I was back in the boot the Thursday after we got back, had an MRI the following Monday, and then told that I needed to be on crutches the next Thursday. After nine days on crutches I am back in the boot and I go back to the doctor on November 5th. If nothing else, after two less than spectacular marathons last year St. George showed me that I am not done with the marathon. I had a great day for 17 miles, I was feeling good and having fun, and I know that there are more races ahead.Becky C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13002625541584297471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7229907220700062826.post-400908205526160162015-08-25T03:28:00.000-05:002015-08-25T03:28:00.140-05:00Go Girl Half Marathon…<p>In March I ran a second half marathon, and it was my first all female race. If there is a <a href="http://ultramaxsports.com/gogirlrun/gogirlrun_landing/gogirlrun_landing.html">Go Girl race</a> in your area, you should definitely do it!</p> <p>I was still running without my Garmin in March, and I was very excited to lace up without any goals other than going out and having fun.</p> <p>Pre race in the dark photo! The race was in downtown OKC and parking near the botanical gardens was a breeze. We even found a real restroom to use before the race. It’s nice when things work out like that.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Uru5qgsG_-8/Vdt--xEPJFI/AAAAAAAAI6I/3Ax1wmsg-AQ/s1600-h/642%25255B20%25255D.jpg"><img title="642" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="642" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3ug0A5c0DAE/Vdt-_8aUUXI/AAAAAAAAI6M/cRZQe_JYkRI/642_thumb%25255B17%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="354" height="279"></a></p> <p>Anne, Carrie, Sarah, me, Rochelle and Britney</p> <p>I ran this race with Carrie my friend who is now approaching the end of her pregnancy, and just like the half marathon a few weeks before, we just went out and had fun. </p> <p>The route for this race was very similar to the OKC Memorial, but I suspect that they had a map and tried to make it not overlap unless it had to. What resulted was a not very scenic trek through OKC. It was hilly at times, there were few spectators, and some of the neighborhoods were a little sketchy. It is definitely not a race you would do for the view, although the same could be said for the OKC Memorial.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-LyqMHir-8DM/Vdt_AQ4ruDI/AAAAAAAAI6U/s1CzUReyfrU/s1600-h/643%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="643" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="643" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nW0WAEPntWg/Vdt_BfGa2uI/AAAAAAAAI6c/B5UsCq-XwHA/643_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="354" height="266"></a></p> <p>This guy was all over the route though, and we just had to get a picture with him. In 13 miles I swear we saw him about 50 times. (Okay, my perspective might be a little off since so much time has past, but you get the idea.) I have worked hard in the past as a race stalker, and I have a lot of respect for others that do it so well.</p> <p>Medal group photo! Seriously, these were the biggest, heaviest medals I’ve ever received. We joked that it made our necks sore wearing them around after the race. Not lying, they could also be used as a weapon.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-fLyQhdgdotw/Vdt_CSg8YFI/AAAAAAAAI6o/jC-btayVwZQ/s1600-h/640%25255B19%25255D.jpg"><img title="640" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="640" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JzGUIZS9Vps/Vdt_DJPAcCI/AAAAAAAAI6s/EMpW94MmFt8/640_thumb%25255B16%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="358" height="270"></a></p> <p>A few days before the race we received an email asking everyone who could to stick around and wait for the last runner to cross the finish line, so there was plenty of time for more post race photos.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-x4-n4m7YJSM/Vdt_DyB0a0I/AAAAAAAAI60/CFM5ssRBa38/s1600-h/641%25255B101%25255D.jpg"><img title="641" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="641" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-INm91GYwsdI/Vdt_EkEwkgI/AAAAAAAAI68/5TJEkWD1gS4/641_thumb%25255B98%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="279" height="371"></a></p> <p>It was a beautiful day so we sat and cheered all the finishers as they came in, and there was a group that even went out to meet the last runner to finish with her..I got chocked up that day, and even as I recall it now it still makes me a little misty-eyed, thinking about the people that remained to cheer on the last runner.</p> <p>I was a great day, and I definitely look forward to running this one again next year!</p> Becky C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13002625541584297471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7229907220700062826.post-79867169789256958122015-08-24T14:56:00.001-05:002015-08-24T14:56:24.132-05:00It’s Been a While…<p>Do you have those days, or weeks, or months where you remind yourself of something you need to get done, but then the days seem to fly by and you never get to it?</p> <p>Well it’s been that way for about four months here! It’s not that there hasn’t been anything going on worth documenting, it’s just that it seems that there is always something going on, or that it’s so nice when there is nothing going on I just don’t seem to get it all done.</p> <p>So here are the highlights and I plan to start working on all the details. (Can you have a New Year’s Resolution in August?)</p> <ul> <li>I ran a second <a href="http://ultramaxsports.com/gogirlrun/gogirlrun_landing/gogirlrun_landing.html">half marathon</a> in March.</li> <li>I baked a lot after that.</li> <li>My kiddos finished their Freshman year of high school.</li> <li>I went to Mexico.</li> <li>My family went to Orlando.</li> <li>I had a little surgery.</li> <li>I started training for <a href="http://www.stgeorgemarathon.com/">Marathon #5</a>!</li> <li>School has started again and after a slow few months on the baking front things are picking up again.</li></ul> <p>It looks so small when you list it all like that, but it has been a fun, stressful, busy few months.</p> <p>I will start working on the details!</p> Becky C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13002625541584297471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7229907220700062826.post-53032361516607391992015-03-11T17:41:00.000-05:002015-03-11T17:41:00.239-05:00A Little Running Shenanigans…<p>So it’s almost half way through March, so I thought I would update how my return to running has been this year. After the plague, and my almost <a href="http://oubeckyc.blogspot.com/2014/12/not-so-much-running.html">zero month of running in December</a>, I took it easy and slowly worked my way back into a normal workout routine.</p> <p>So far this year, my beloved Garmin has spend the entire time in the junk drawer in my kitchen. All of the 148 miles I have logged in 2015 have been done without concern for my pace, and it has been so nice! I used to think that every run needed to be logged in my Garmin, but now it has been very freeing.</p> <p>I wanted to get back to running because it’s fun, and I think I am getting there.</p> <p>I even ran my first race <a href="http://oubeckyc.blogspot.com/2015/03/strides-of-march-half-marathon.html">without my Garmin</a>.</p> <p>I can’t decide if I am delaying getting it out and dusting it off because I am afraid to or if I just don’t want it to feel like work again. For now, though, I think I will leave it where it is and stick to the running I’ve been doing.</p> <p>Next up is the <a href="http://ultramaxsports.com/gogirlrun/oklahomacity/info.html">Go Girl Half Marathon</a>. I can’t remember the last time I ran two half marathons in one month. I have been wanting to do an all girl race, and I have lots of friends running it, so it should be a really fun race.</p> Becky C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13002625541584297471noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7229907220700062826.post-21888919101130867412015-03-09T17:47:00.000-05:002015-03-09T17:47:00.585-05:00Strides of March Half Marathon…<p>Last year we ran the <a href="http://oubeckyc.blogspot.com/2014/04/strides-of-march-half-marathon.html">Strides of March Half Marathon</a>, it was inexpensive, local and had great volunteers. While I had been pondering the thought of running it again, it wasn’t until Saturday that we got signed up for it.</p> <p>I have had very low expectations when it has come to my running this year. I have been running without my Garmin all year, and just trying to slowly get back into it. It’s amazing how freeing it has been. I haven’t seen double digits since we ran the <a href="http://oubeckyc.blogspot.com/2014/12/another-route-66-half-marathon.html">Route 66 Half in November</a>, before Thanksgiving so I knew that this half was going to be pretty tough.</p> <p>I love that it only takes about 15 minutes to get to this race. Rochelle and I got there, found Kristy, Lauren and Carrie, got to hang out in our cars for a little bit and had time to hit up the port-o-potties and got to the starting line.</p> <p>Carrie and I had been chatting about our race plan. Mine was mostly to not die, and hers was to take it easy. We decided to stick together and just see how it went. We did go out a little fast, but mostly because we were around other runners. We worked on holding back some, stopped at the water stops, and took a short walk break at about mile 4. Before we knew it we saw everyone else heading back and then we were at the half way point.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-QsusKV73u1w/VP3c_6A0lBI/AAAAAAAAI4o/fUqfDJIucnI/s1600-h/IMG_3054%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_3054" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_3054" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-uPppHCK_8To/VP3dApcqYRI/AAAAAAAAI4s/TcQFy93j7_E/IMG_3054_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a></p> <p>I convinced Carrie we needed a half way point selfie with the race volunteer.</p> <p>We headed back and I was definitely feeling the miles, but we chatted away, listened to a little music, chatted with the volunteers and kept at it. The finish has a pretty good sized hill before the downhill to the finish. I made it up the hill and finished just behind Carrie in just over 2:05.</p> <p>Not as fast as last year, but the fastest half since last year. I was very happy to be done.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-skP5s4xiefA/VP3dBlNOE7I/AAAAAAAAI44/1kuaGcizoqU/s1600-h/IMG_3048%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_3048" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_3048" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-9UG4WhDl1M8/VP3dCeITAUI/AAAAAAAAI48/v2M1RJoinH8/IMG_3048_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="244"></a></p> <p>Post race with Carrie, Rochelle, Kristy, Lauren and I. Notice the three in the middle with their age group trophies for top 3 finishes. I didn’t even check on my age group until after I got home. Turns out I should have had one of those trophies too! Second in my age group.</p> <p>Sometimes it’s good to be 40. </p> <p>Today I am incredibly sore. I feel like I have the body of an 80 year old. The memories are worth it though.</p> <p>Next up, the Go Girl Half in two weeks. I can’t believe that I am doing two half this month. Here’s hoping I am getting back in shape and I will be less sore the next time.</p> Becky C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13002625541584297471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7229907220700062826.post-19476323665424021482015-02-28T16:39:00.003-06:002015-02-28T16:39:56.314-06:00Baking Shenanigans 2015...So far, this year has been insanely busy on the baking front. I did have a few weeks in January to recover from the holidays, but I still got to bake up some pretty fun stuff.<br />
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<ol>
<li>First birthday cookies in pink and gold.</li>
<li>6th birthday bowling themed cookies.</li>
<li>Norman North semi formal invite cookies.</li>
<li>Frozen themed birthday cake.</li>
<li>Frozen themed birthday cookies.</li>
<li>Matilda Jane open house cookies.</li>
<li>German chocolate cake for my fabulous father-in-law.</li>
<li>Birthday cookies for two of my favorite kids' mimi.</li>
<li>60th birthday golf themed cookies.</li>
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<ol>
<li>Birthday cupcakes cookies with polka dots.</li>
<li>Personalized valentines cookies.</li>
<li>Thank you cookies for nurses.</li>
<li>Burger cupcakes and love cookies for Josh's cousin Jennifer's wedding shower.</li>
<li>More birthday cupcakes with polka dots.</li>
<li>Elephant baby shower cookies.</li>
<li>Valentine cookies!</li>
<li>Wedding shower cookies.</li>
<li>Grey and yellow chevron birthday cupcake cookies.</li>
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<li style="text-align: left;">Fire truck themed 3rd birthday cookies.</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">50 Shades of Grey birthday sugar cookies.</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Winnie the Pooh birthday sugar cookies.</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">My favorite Frozen sugar cookies so far.</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Ninjago birthday cookies for my nephew Haden, and Japanese cookies that say Paige for my niece's 16th birthday.</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Cookies I donated for a local church.</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Cookies for my friend Kristy who headed to Arizona for a marathon.</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Wedding shower cookies, love the white on white.</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">My biggest order to date, cookies for the OU College of Arts & Science's gala.</li>
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This is not everything that has been happening this year, but it's a lot of it. It hasn't been too easy keeping up with all of it, but it has sure been fun making goodies. I am glad to have a few days to catch my breath and catch up on my DVR and get a little blogging done. I promised my girls that I would make them some chocolate chip cookies this weekend. They have been feeling a little neglected lately.</div>
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I am looking forward to what is coming up for March. </div>
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<br />Becky C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13002625541584297471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7229907220700062826.post-57249736178963144982015-01-12T11:34:00.000-06:002015-01-12T11:34:10.265-06:00How About Some Goals…So I don’t believe in New Year’s Resolutions. I think they are silly and people don’t stick to them. I think if you want to do something you should set goals. Small steps in the right direction are more apt to get you where you want to go than a New Year’s Resolution.<br />
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I have considered my goals for the year, but I thought I would focus more on monthly goals for now.<br />
Here’s what I have come up with so far, they cover a range of shenanigans.<br />
<ul>
<li>On the running front, how about I start running again? My total of 9 whole miles run in December might seem impressive, but I’m ready to start hitting the streets again. So far, so good. I am focusing on running because it’s fun, not because I have to. Two Saturday’s in a row of 5 miles a piece, a hill workout, and even a not so terrible treadmill workout so far. I’d say I’m off to a pretty good start. </li>
<li>Running naked. Yep, for the entire month of January my goal is to run sans Garmin. I do not want to worry about pace AT ALL for at least one month. (I will reassess this goal for February when February gets here.) This is not to say that I am not keeping track of my miles, but I know most of the routes we run so I can keep track of my distance but not care about how fast I get from the start to the finish. </li>
<li>As for meal planning, I plan to do it. December was especially hectic with all the baking, and I feel like we were always scrambling for what we were going to have for dinner. Now we talk about it, or we have for the last two weeks, and we have a list of dinner options on the fridge and the girls get to pick. </li>
<li>January has been much less busy on the baking front, but my goal for this month is marketing, marketing, marketing. I’ve baked up a couple of batches of cookies to take to my favorite salon for passing out. Valentine’s day is right around the corner!</li>
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-rWADJASepME/VLQE4CxB2SI/AAAAAAAAI2U/uIcnFxqZHUI/s1600-h/IMG_2846%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_2846" border="0" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-V-Y450kAx_s/VLQE4xtaxFI/AAAAAAAAI2c/LS-NXnmmgaQ/IMG_2846_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" height="244" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_2846" width="244" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-JnIzB29ixWw/VLQE5rQPF1I/AAAAAAAAI2k/UjNRTI-E5Kk/s1600-h/IMG_2848%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_2848" border="0" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-bZL_odnLFkA/VLQE6VFDCDI/AAAAAAAAI2s/FjFrqk-TxWA/IMG_2848_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" height="244" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_2848" width="184" /></a><br />
<ul>
<li>I also plan to get more organized with my business. (Set up my LLC, and open a business account.) There I sais it, so I have to do it. I have the forms for the LLC in my in box, just have to do it. </li>
<li>I am so excited that I actually bought a new, to me, fancy camera last week. It’s a Nikon D3000, and my first goal with it is to learn how to use it. I signed up for a photography class, and since I missed the first class last week I am going to night for the make up class. Should be interesting.</li>
<li>Finally, my last goal for January is to get more yoga back in my life. When I PR’d the marathon, almost two years ago, I was practicing yoga pretty regularly. In fact, all I was doing at that time was running and yoga. No strength or anything. After the horrible miles of 2014, I realized that the thing that was missing for almost the entire year was yoga. I am working on getting back to my mat. It’s good for me and I really enjoy it. It’s practically a no brainer.</li>
</ul>
Becky C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13002625541584297471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7229907220700062826.post-22020650935133994402015-01-01T12:42:00.003-06:002015-01-01T12:42:40.426-06:00Running in 2015...After three super busy days at my day job, and not much baking going on, I decided to try out a new recipe last night.<br />
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Dark chocolate shortbread cookies. I have wanted to make shortbread cookies forever and I finally got a chance to. I found a <a href="http://www.twopeasandtheirpod.com/chocolate-shortbread-heart-cookies/">recipe</a> and gave it a try. I was very surprised that the recipe didn't call for eggs. I even googled it to make sure it hadn't been left off the recipe. Nope, no eggs. I baked them, dipped them in semi sweet chocolate and added some sprinkles. Nothing says celebration like sprinkles. </div>
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Josh and I bundled up, packed up some cookies and headed to Jerry and Tiffany's to run in the new year. It's officially a tradition, two years in a row. </div>
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Worst selfie ever, but it was cold and we were out there. No wind though, so that was good. </div>
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We took a shoefie after. We even got dog feet in the shot. Hunter ran in the new year with us. </div>
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If you are going to take a shoefie, you must take a selfie too! Tiffany, Jerry, Patti, me and Josh. It was a great way to end 2014 and start 2015. Looking forward to the miles ahead. </div>
Becky C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13002625541584297471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7229907220700062826.post-37225750226223122622014-12-31T21:42:00.000-06:002014-12-31T21:42:15.556-06:00Baking in 2014...This has been a big year for me when it comes to baking. Back in January I was thinking that I would be done with baking, but then February rolled around and after an order for 100 Valentine sugar cookies it has just taken off from there. We have also learned what happens to Penny when she eats a dozen sugar cookies. She is okay for the first 24 hours, but after that it's gas and discomfort for Crazy Penny.<br />
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There was a little re-branding, with my new name and logo. It was not easy coming up with my new name, Sugar Shenanigans, I really feel like I have grown into my new name. (Plus I LOVE the word shenanigans.)<br />
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We have slowly turned out breakfast nook into my baking area.<br />
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I now own two Kitchen aid mixers.<br />
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I am the proud owner of a bun rack. Really, it makes me laugh every time I say it. I wonder if that will wear off.<br />
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These are just a few the Shenanigans of 2014...<br />
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<ol>
<li>Olaf/Frozen cookies for Avery</li>
<li>Sock Monkey cookies, I am sad I didn't make these for Carson when she was younger.</li>
<li>Love and Dragon Flies for Dan & Judy's anniversary</li>
<li>Ice Cream and Cupcakes</li>
<li>Flowers, and the first cookies I sent in the mail.</li>
<li>Ladybugs, Cows and love.</li>
<li>Pokemon for my girls' birthday.</li>
<li>Dr. Seuss cookies, I can't wait to make more of these.</li>
<li>Peeps! Way better than actual Peeps, in my opinion.</li>
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<ol>
<li>Superhero cookies for a 3-year-old's birthday</li>
<li>More love cookies for an engagement party.</li>
<li>Christmas, Christmas, Christmas!</li>
<li>Angels and gold starts. I really love these angels.</li>
<li>Arkansas cookies, I love the hog cookies. I made OU, OSU and WVU cookies too.</li>
<li>Elf on a Shelf. My kids missed the whole elf on the shelf craze, and I was nervous about these cookies, but they turned out great.</li>
<li>Thanksgiving. Love the turkeys made with flower cookie cutters.</li>
<li>Music theme cookies.</li>
<li>Pigeon cookies, my kids are too old for this character, but I hear the books are very popular. These cookies were a big hit with the kindergarten class.</li>
</ol>
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There have also been a few cakes and cupcakes sprinkled in here and there.</div>
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German chocolate cake for my father-in-law's birthday. Seriously, I think I used up every dish in my kitchen with this one.</div>
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Dark chocolate nutella cake for my mother-in-law's birthday. (I see a theme developing here.)</div>
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I have tried out some new things this year. I aspire to make macaroons. I did make one batch and I think they turned out good.</div>
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I think the theme is chocolate and not in-laws.</div>
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It's been a year full of baking, and I hope that 2015 brings even more.</div>
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<br />Becky C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13002625541584297471noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7229907220700062826.post-1381021487043943922014-12-31T21:07:00.000-06:002014-12-31T21:07:01.057-06:00Goodbye 2014...<div class="blogsyText" style="background-image: url(file:///private/var/mobile/Containers/Bundle/Application/F6CF88BB-53CB-4AA1-8AA9-1D413F70F9F6/Blogsy.app/typing_icon.png); background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; background-size: 10px 25px; font-family: Arial; font-size: 18px; line-height: 23.399999618530273px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 12px;">
There are just a few hours left of 2014, so what better time to be nostalgic about the year that has passed then now? No big plans for the evening, except a few extra teenagers, a little take out, and a midnight run planned for later.<br />
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There has been a lot of baking this year, but how about everything else?</div>
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There has been some running...</div>
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<ol>
<li>Chicago Marathon, definitely a bucket list race, I got stung by a bee, and I'd like to do it again and run stronger.</li>
<li>OKC Marathon, the last time I ever run the full in OKC, it was brutal.</li>
<li>National Running Day, that day that I didn't actually do any running.</li>
<li>Route 66 half marathon, the horrible half that turned into an upper respiratory infection and pneumonia</li>
<li>Sooner State Games trail run, the day I seriously thought I was going to be last.</li>
<li>Strides of March half marathon, my second fasted half ever, and the reason I decided to run the full at OKC. What was I thinking?</li>
<li>Birthday running, I love birthday running with the girls.</li>
<li>Walking the Turkey Day 5k, got Josh out of bed to walk that with me.</li>
<li>Scorcher half marathon, the wettest race I've ever ran, and my last race in the 35-39 age group.</li>
</ol>
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And some other fun stuff...<br />
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<ol>
<li>My 40th birthday, when my aunts and great aunt flew in to surprise us.</li>
<li>Joshs's 41st birthday and one of those times he did a shot of tequila on his birthday.</li>
<li>Rochelle's birthday celebrating at Blu.</li>
<li>The girls' birthday at the Melting Pot in Dallas</li>
<li>Food basket deliveries for the Elks Lodge before Christmas.</li>
<li>The tailgate after the crappy OU game Josh and I went to.</li>
<li>The Daddy Daughter dance, only one year left...</li>
<li>Spring break in Branson, or that time we tried to go to Silver Dollar City and it freaking snowed.</li>
<li>Birthday celebrating for Sarah and Rochelle.</li>
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By the numbers:</div>
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<li style="clear: both; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 2px 0px 6px 5px;">1,047 total miles</li>
<li style="clear: both; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 2px 0px 6px 5px;">7 100+ mile months</li>
<li style="clear: both; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 2px 0px 6px 5px;">2 marathons</li>
<li style="clear: both; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 2px 0px 6px 5px;">3 half marathons</li>
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I think I ran my most miles in a month in October with 147 total miles, and my least amount of miles this December when I logged only 9 miles. That is quite a drastic change. Two marathons in one year is a lot. </div>
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I am looking forward to a fresh start that the new year brings. Time to get back on track, set some new goals and decide what comes next. I can't wait!Becky C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13002625541584297471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7229907220700062826.post-80274201316037916792014-12-17T15:10:00.000-06:002014-12-17T15:10:15.985-06:00Not So Much Running…By the time I got home from the <a href="http://route66marathon.com/">Tulsa</a> half marathon three weeks ago I was completely worn out. I took a nap, which I try to never do on Sundays, and I was still tired. When The Walking Dead was on later that night I had a cough and could barely stay awake long enough to see one of my favorite shows.<br />
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Monday rolled around and I called my doctor and got in to see him Monday afternoon. The diagnosis? Upper respiratory infection. Armed with a z-pak, prednisone and cough medicine with codeine I was on my way. Thinking I would be feeling better in a day or two.<br />
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I knew that I was in no mood for running. I had decided during the half marathon that I was going to take a little break. I was worn out and not having fun and really needed a little break.<br />
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Thanksgiving was a couple of days later, which meant the <a href="http://www.turkeyday5krun.com/">Turkey Day 5k</a>. I had so much fun at this race <a href="http://www.oubeckyc.blogspot.com/2013/12/finally-there-was-turkey-day-5k.html">last year</a>. I was bummed that I was not going to feel up to running, so I talked Josh into signing up and going for a 3 mile walk with me.<br />
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The weather was wonderful! <br />
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-gx20xmDUEqM/VI9P9Uag9KI/AAAAAAAAIyE/Zy70dioojZ4/s1600-h/IMG_2700%25255B1%25255D%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_2700[1]" border="0" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-BQvoPmwyHvc/VI9P-NrZPbI/AAAAAAAAIyI/i7XZxDuEY5g/IMG_2700%25255B1%25255D_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="244" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_2700[1]" width="244" /></a><br />
He’s smiling even though I made him get up early.<br />
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-XinsJrfUR9Q/VI9P-gyh02I/AAAAAAAAIyU/MBOtCTLAWks/s1600-h/IMG_2701%25255B1%25255D%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_2701[1]" border="0" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-8r9fcfCRe2I/VI9P_C4GFRI/AAAAAAAAIyY/m-F_baEfE3k/IMG_2701%25255B1%25255D_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="244" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_2701[1]" width="244" /></a><br />
Rochelle stopped by after her 8+ mile run to walk a few blocks with us.<br />
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There was a Tim sighting at the <a href="http://www.myokrunner.com/">OK Runner</a> water stop!<br />
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It was a great day, I just love seeing friends out at local races. While I was sad to not run that day I still wasn’t really missing running, my motivation was about zero. That’s fine though, with my hacking cough I thought it best to take it easy. <br />
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The following Thursday, I met Rochelle and Patti for a nice easy 4.5 mile run from my house. I was fine when we were moving but whenever we stopped I would again start hacking. It had been a week and a half since I had been to the doctor and I still had a cough, felt tired, and just didn’t feel like myself. I stuck to other non-running workouts and lots of baking until last Tuesday. <br />
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I called my doctor and told him I still wasn’t feeling better. He called in another antibiotic for me, which was filled by my pharmacy about the exact time Josh got home from work and swinging by Target to pick up more cough drops and Mucinex. Nothing better than a husband that will turn right around and drive across town again to pick up your meds.<br />
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The antibiotic was one I had never heard of and I could tell after just a few minutes that it wasn’t going to work for me. My tongue, ears and face started getting very itchy and while I tried to convince myself that maybe I was imagining it after a little bit of it not going away I had to take two Benadryl and turn myself into a walking zombie for the rest of the evening. <br />
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I again called my doctor and went to see him last Wednesday. Turns out my upper respiratory infection had turned into Bronchial Pneumonia. No wonder I felt like I couldn’t breathe. I left armed with another antibiotic and an inhaler. I even took a sick day last Thursday. I spend the day catching up with The Newsroom on HBO just in time to see the last episode of the series air last night.<br />
It’s been three weeks since I started to not feel well, and how do I feel now? Not fabulous. I have gone through more tissues than I can count. (I actually ran out at work today.) I am completely sick of coughing until I feel like I might throw up, I am tired of feeling like I can’t take a deep breath, and <br />
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I am so tired of feeling tired.<br />
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And I am starting to be bummed about my lack of running. After three weeks off I am going to have to get back into shape before I can run with any of my group. It’s so frustrating. Becky C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13002625541584297471noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7229907220700062826.post-37552083758155094522014-12-15T14:41:00.001-06:002014-12-15T14:42:31.481-06:00Another Route 66 Half Marathon…It has been crazy busy the last three weeks! That paired with the fact that I feel like I have had the plague the entire time it has been hard to keep up with everything.<br />
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I ran the half marathon in <a href="http://route66marathon.com/">Tulsa</a> again this year. I love this race, it’s the fifth time for me to run it, and even though I was didn’t feel prepared to run a strong half this year I still registered for it. I have been less trained in the past and it’s been fine. Spoiler alert! It was a very hard day for me. Probably the hardest of all the previous years.<br />
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We got lucky and it was not 19 degrees this time, there was no ice storm two days before the race, and it was not raining. My luck pretty much ran out.<br />
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There were pictures before the race, but they seem to have happened on someone else’s camera and I have not managed to get them. <br />
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My goal was the same as last year, just run by how I feel and go with it. No goal times or pace. I’m really not sure what happened but it was just so hard to keep running. There were many walk breaks and there was a side stitch that nagged me in the second half. I just felt tired. I had done an almost 11 mile run the week before the race and felt fine, not great, but almost good, so I had been confident I could go run 13.1.<br />
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I was again plagued by guilt at knowing everyone else was waiting for me at the finish line. I really need to get over that, but it’s hard when you feel like your forward progress is slower than a snail’s pace. I did keep moving forward, and if there is one positive from the day it is that I didn’t quit.<br />
They changed the route AGAIN this year. This is one of my favorite races, but seriously they need to pick a route and stick with it. I enjoy the six miles of hills at the start of the race, but in the past you always know that it’s going to level out when you get by the river. Not this year. It was like they wanted to have as many hills as possible, and they managed to get in a lot. <br />
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I must say that the little out and back on the bridge once after running by the river before you headed into downtown was probably my least favorite part of the whole race. It seemed so pointless and stupid and I am not a big fan of turning completely around like that in the middle of a race unless it’s an out and back and you know it’s half way and you get to go back the same way you came. Might just be me, but it’s hard on my legs/knees/feet. <br />
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Anyway, the finish was the same place it was last year, and while I like that you don’t have to worry about taking a bus back to the start to get in your car, I kind of miss the finish in Veteran’s Park. It just seems so crowded when we finish downtown. <br />
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I finished up, running my slowest half marathon to date and found my super speedy friends for finish line pictures.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-n5nHE2hfek4/VI8EtcniNeI/AAAAAAAAIxM/KWWqfIyCzww/s1600-h/IMG_2683%25255B1%25255D%25255B5%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_2683[1]" border="0" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ozWCIuF6Zh4/VI8Euqe_mYI/AAAAAAAAIxQ/riFOWlRSy5c/IMG_2683%25255B1%25255D_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="244" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_2683[1]" width="244" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tiffany, me Sarah, Lauren, Rochelle, Lauren and Kara.</td></tr>
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Aside from the actual running it was a great weekend. We got to hang out with the in-laws and celebrate Josh’s birthday with Mexican food on Friday night.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-HN60OHCau9U/VI8Euwi46jI/AAAAAAAAIxc/jqtlqJnnQ2s/s1600-h/IMG_2671%25255B1%25255D%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_2671[1]" border="0" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-MKS3GLT6znY/VI8EvlTnqDI/AAAAAAAAIxg/1KIjeQ6DyAI/IMG_2671%25255B1%25255D_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" height="244" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_2671[1]" width="244" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some of the best fish tacos I’ve ever eaten, and the guacamole was amazing.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-CJsbUuHxbGM/VI8EwXY_d8I/AAAAAAAAIxs/wIaA7Cza3BI/s1600-h/IMG_2673%25255B1%25255D%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_2673[1]" border="0" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-RdhSJgm86SY/VI8Ew16g2WI/AAAAAAAAIxw/Jnoddx-EG2s/IMG_2673%25255B1%25255D_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" height="244" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_2673[1]" width="244" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And they gave Josh a shot of tequila for his birthday.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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We drove home after the race and by Sunday evening I knew that I was getting sick, I just didn’t know that I would still be sick three weeks later. But more on that later.Becky C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13002625541584297471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7229907220700062826.post-27695046783934166972014-11-13T10:41:00.003-06:002014-11-13T10:41:58.994-06:00More Birthday Running…I think that almost everyone I know has a birthday in November! There is no better way to celebrate a birthday, in my opinion, than to wake up early and meet your friends for a run.<br />
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Last Thursday was Sarah’s birthday.<br />
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-iTTWX71Df5w/VGTNx8I4ytI/AAAAAAAAIvw/lBih3bGy46A/s1600-h/IMG_2587%25255B1%25255D%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_2587[1]" border="0" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-5VP5yj_sE78/VGTNzbwfAQI/AAAAAAAAIv4/V0uY8DXALe4/IMG_2587%25255B1%25255D_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" height="244" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_2587[1]" width="244" /></a><br />
Me, Ro, Cornelia, Anne, Britney, Lauren and Sarah.<br />
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Today it is Rochelle’s birthday.<br />
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-DUNozw13Bvc/VGTN0q6VYUI/AAAAAAAAIwA/wF1dW65y_Qg/s1600-h/IMG_2625%25255B1%25255D%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_2625[1]" border="0" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-L1IJZBavMpI/VGTN128cP5I/AAAAAAAAIwI/mbBcTYEA4sg/IMG_2625%25255B1%25255D_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="244" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_2625[1]" width="244" /></a><br />
Again with my mad photography skills! Me, Anne, Rochelle and Britney! We had a hard time finding enough for this group selfie, we parked in a spot that has very little light at the crack of dawn.<br />
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It was a bit chilly.<br />
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-9UqQOlTrDP8/VGTN2sk7PHI/AAAAAAAAIwQ/7ZAH_ZHDmWo/s1600-h/IMG_2622%25255B1%25255D%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_2622[1]" border="0" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-BwoH8oKU5jM/VGTN3elwAhI/AAAAAAAAIwY/JSA23pStQ1I/IMG_2622%25255B1%25255D_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" height="244" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_2622[1]" width="244" /></a><br />
The air temperature was 7 or 8 degrees colder than Tuesday, but the winds were only about 13 mph instead of 25 mph. It felt colder today. It was not an easy run. My legs felt cold and heavy. It was nice to not feel like a wind gust was going to blow us off the I-35 overpass though.<br />
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We ran, what I assume will be, our cold weather route. Only run east and west, that’s how we beat the cold weather her in Oklahoma.<br />
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How about a little #tbt? <br />
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-EsfBZ50GkTU/VGTN4dWy3KI/AAAAAAAAIwg/FdnDG6jkhMs/s1600-h/IMG_2630%25255B1%25255D%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_2630[1]" border="0" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-yV-isa3zCzE/VGTN5IneFxI/AAAAAAAAIwo/1WiLKzcn3N0/IMG_2630%25255B1%25255D_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" height="244" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_2630[1]" width="244" /></a><br />
Rochelle and I ran on her birthday last year. I don’t think it was quite as chilly last year!<br />
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Happy Birthday, Rochelle!Becky C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13002625541584297471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7229907220700062826.post-63897992966903179172014-11-12T11:05:00.000-06:002014-11-12T11:06:43.181-06:00WIAW Two Weeks In A Row…I am managing to do a <a href="http://peasandcrayons.com/wiaw">WIAW</a> post two weeks in a row this time! AND I actually have some food that I ate, and I thought I would throw out a soup recipe that I am loving because it is Freaking Freezing here today! Seriously, it was almost 80 degrees on Monday and it was 22 degrees when I got to work this morning. It’s like Mother Nature is bipolar!<br />
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A couple of weeks ago, I decided I wanted to learn how to make macaroons. I made up a batch of dark chocolate ones with chocolate ganache filling and realized I had NO IDEA what they were supposed to taste like. Don’t get me wrong, I think they tasted fabulous, but I also think that chocolate ganache would make cardboard edible.<br />
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After a little research I found <a href="http://www.danasbakery.com/db/">Dana’s Bakery</a> and ordered a dozen macaroons for taste testing.<br />
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-VN3mCcz0F3g/VGOHCJkkUwI/AAAAAAAAIuU/DlIL5w4_MmY/s1600-h/IMG_2580%25255B2%25255D%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_2580[2]" border="0" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-u1iOrKEI28M/VGOHCnbPF5I/AAAAAAAAIuY/0eG60qlWDqU/IMG_2580%25255B2%25255D_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" height="244" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_2580[2]" width="184" /></a><br />
These were good, but I wasn’t a big fan of the sweet potato. (Crazy, I know!) I can’t wait to do a little more experimenting with macaroons.<br />
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On the advice of my sister, Josh and I started reading a book called <a href="http://thefastdiet.co.uk/">The Fast Diet</a>. If you aren’t familiar with it, you fast two days a week, and on the fast days you consume 500 calories (600 for men). While I am not done reading the book, I am fascinated with the science and the benefits to things like cholesterol. I inherited high cholesterol and I am willing to work hard to lower my bad cholesterol if it means I don’t have to be on medication the rest of my life.<br />
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-U7ArXAiRJBg/VGOHDA2EI-I/AAAAAAAAIuk/oKP6ofKwUYM/s1600-h/IMG_2589%25255B1%25255D%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_2589[1]" border="0" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-zzeutC5sFXI/VGOHD947OEI/AAAAAAAAIuo/CWMPwVzSk6A/IMG_2589%25255B1%25255D_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" height="244" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_2589[1]" width="184" /></a><br />
This is one of my 500-ish calorie meals, veggie soup with a grilled cheese. This happens to be one of my favorite meals of all time. Soup and grilled cheese.<br />
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-fguNtmL2H2U/VGOHEYj5F5I/AAAAAAAAIuw/IwLFsbgbuU0/s1600-h/IMG_2582%25255B1%25255D%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_2582[1]" border="0" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-pJReToGHd1Q/VGOHExHz9tI/AAAAAAAAIu4/eiMr_9-O8tY/IMG_2582%25255B1%25255D_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" height="244" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_2582[1]" width="184" /></a><br />
I was in the mood for sliders the other day, so I whipped up a batch of sweet potato/quinoa/navy bean burgers. Perfect with a little pickle and tomato.<br />
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One of my favorite things right now is being able to just grab homemade soup, or beans, or orzo pasta right out of the freezer and throwing it in my lunch in the morning. <br />
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ecpX6vuD8qM/VGOHFUdMo_I/AAAAAAAAIvA/l-kl9xS9I08/s1600-h/IMG_2611%25255B1%25255D%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_2611[1]" border="0" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-xqZpmAQhBP0/VGOHF8fX5-I/AAAAAAAAIvI/GxgfOoJW_Lc/IMG_2611%25255B1%25255D_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" height="244" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_2611[1]" width="184" /></a><br />
This is my favorite soup right now, and I am about due to make another pot to throw in the freezer. It’s so easy and so tasty.<br />
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Sweet Potato, Barley and Roasted Cauliflower Soup<br />
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Sauté onion, carrot, celery, red pepper in a little olive oil. Add some garlic and chopped sweet potatoes. Sauté a few minutes more and then throw in veggie stock (I usually do two 4 cup boxes). Bring to a boil and simmer until the sweet potatoes are nice and soft. Add either navy beans or chick peas (I usually do a couple of cans.) and then blend until smooth. Simmer a little longer and then add a cup or so of barley. Once the barley is cooked, add some roasted cauliflower. <br />
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I like to simmer it a while longer, because who doesn’t love the smell of homemade soup simmering on the stove? I divide it between individual sized Tupperware containers and throw them in the freezer. I either pop one in the fridge the night before I want it, or just throw it in with my lunch in the morning and microwave it when I’m ready. Couldn’t be simpler! <br />
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So there you have it, I’ve had some good eats this week! I thought I would leave you with Rocky, looks like he was laying down when he was eating his dinner the other day.<br />
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-IWhj5sAt9kI/VGOHGXpge4I/AAAAAAAAIvU/LV0XaaI0R_c/s1600-h/IMG_2617%25255B1%25255D%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_2617[1]" border="0" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-qev6GcJu7BY/VGOHG8lqZDI/AAAAAAAAIvY/FfBKpaFuCz4/IMG_2617%25255B1%25255D_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" height="244" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_2617[1]" width="184" /></a><br />
It’s a rough life!Becky C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13002625541584297471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7229907220700062826.post-75455098626396149652014-11-10T12:12:00.001-06:002014-11-10T12:14:33.380-06:00A Whole Lot of Not Running…I can’t believe it is Monday again. It feels like the weekend just flew by! I don’t feel like I sat down at all this weekend. Well, sat down in my own house. We were on the go the entire time!<br />
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Friday night’s trip to the grocery store, followed by dinner at Chuy’s with the family left me not feeling so well on Saturday morning. I actually crawled back into bed rather than head out to the east side hills for my Saturday morning run. Crazy, right? It’s like I don’t even know who I am anymore. <br />
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It was nice to just not run though. I might regret the decision in two weeks when I am on the hills in <a href="http://route66marathon.com/">Tulsa</a>, but oh well. You only live once, and it’s less fun if you feel like you have to do it. <br />
That brought my weekly mileage to 6. I don’t know when the last time I ran six miles in an entire week was. I might want to get back on the ball this week. I know I am not racing Tulsa, or planning on any kind of a spectacular PR, but I still am going to log the 13.1. <br />
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Josh and I headed to my first OU home game in a couple of years. I can’t even remember when the last time I sat down in Memorial Stadium was. <br />
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-EdQftSdUVBQ/VGD_-VroorI/AAAAAAAAIs0/HSaw_MiRSUM/s1600-h/hr_0499_315_845__0499315845015%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="hr_0499_315_845__0499315845015" border="0" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-M1SkWU8LMcY/VGD_-495QRI/AAAAAAAAIs4/nsqLWd3TpCE/hr_0499_315_845__0499315845015_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" height="244" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="hr_0499_315_845__0499315845015" width="184" /></a><br />
We were hoping to see a good game, but what we saw was a lot of disappointment. I hate to leave early, but in the third quarter when we had had enough we headed over to meet some friends that were tailgating. Best. Decision. Ever.<br />
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-1jngRG-q3U4/VGD__stmMPI/AAAAAAAAItE/SJ0BnwxX9uY/s1600-h/hr_0499_315_838__0499315838015%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="hr_0499_315_838__0499315838015" border="0" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ukegHJv68uY/VGEAADyl9qI/AAAAAAAAItM/phe6XrG7BJE/hr_0499_315_838__0499315838015_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" height="244" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="hr_0499_315_838__0499315838015" width="184" /></a><br />
Rochelle’s sister Shaundra was in town for the weekend, she got to tailgate and she gets to head back to Arizona before it gets crazy cold around here tomorrow.<br />
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-1PNiGgQeHKk/VGEAA1f66XI/AAAAAAAAItU/yGroY8O7uno/s1600-h/hr_0499_315_849__0499315849015%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="hr_0499_315_849__0499315849015" border="0" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-47G4pFfuv0I/VGEABW7enzI/AAAAAAAAItY/-Gv645mA3ik/hr_0499_315_849__0499315849015_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" height="244" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="hr_0499_315_849__0499315849015" width="184" /></a><br />
The cold wasn’t bothering Avery at all on Saturday. I don’t know how kids can run around in no coat and no shoes when I am bundled up in a coat, scarf and boots!<br />
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-2WgUmj4FGRU/VGEABy-lPJI/AAAAAAAAItg/dDDvhm7sL7k/s1600-h/hr_0499_315_831__0499315831015%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="hr_0499_315_831__0499315831015" border="0" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-OWB7I3HpIO0/VGEACRsBA_I/AAAAAAAAIto/dCc36kiOBzM/hr_0499_315_831__0499315831015_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" height="244" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="hr_0499_315_831__0499315831015" width="184" /></a><br />
11 am kick-off makes for a very early bed time for me. I was up and ready for some baking at 7 am yesterday. On the menu, a birthday cake. Sarah said she loves all things sugar related and said I could experiment with her birthday cake, so I made her a funfetti cake. The whipped frosting was amazing! And who doesn’t love sprinkles?<br />
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Nuje0EJQIPE/VGEAC5Ah01I/AAAAAAAAIt0/rkQU0H1c-oE/s1600-h/hr_0499_315_829__0499315829015%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="hr_0499_315_829__0499315829015" border="0" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-r7CCOS426QQ/VGEADoNlR_I/AAAAAAAAIt4/sdWmqPVboOY/hr_0499_315_829__0499315829015_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" height="244" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="hr_0499_315_829__0499315829015" width="184" /></a><br />
Rochelle’s birthday is on Thursday so there will be more birthday celebrating coming up this weekend. How is it that everyone I know seems to have been born in November?Becky C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13002625541584297471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7229907220700062826.post-2109019853629015142014-11-08T05:02:00.000-06:002014-11-08T06:31:25.703-06:00End Of The Year Plan…This year of running has been much different that 2013, some good, some bad. If you had asked me in January if I would be running two marathons in 2014 I probably would have laughed at you. But now the year is starting to wind down, and my family is getting very irritated by the Target Christmas commercials that are ALREADY on tv.<br />
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So with the holidays just around the corner, I thought I would take a minute and see what’s next. Because as a runner, there is always a next, right?<br />
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Well, first of all, what is NOT next is another marathon. It will be a while before I jump into another 26.2, and I have let all my friends know that if they pick another marathon PLEASE let it have a half marathon. I don’t want to even consider a 3 hour training run for a long time. <br />
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So what is happening next is <a href="http://route66marathon.com/">Route 66 Marathon in Tulsa</a>, where I will be running the half. I am mostly running this for nostalgia, this will be my <a href="http://www.oubeckyc.blogspot.com/2010/11/first-half.html">fifth</a> <a href="http://www.oubeckyc.blogspot.com/2011/12/route-66-half-marathon-recap.html">year</a> <a href="http://www.oubeckyc.blogspot.com/2012/11/route-66-half-marathon-recap.html">in</a> <a href="http://www.oubeckyc.blogspot.com/2013/12/route-66-marathon.html">a row</a>. It was my first half, and while it hasn’t always been a great race (read: it was below freezing last year), I love this race. <br />
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We go up, hang out with the in-laws, and I go run a little with my friends and then we go home and get ready for Thanksgiving. Sounds like a great weekend to me. <br />
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What kind of expectations do I have? None. Last year I was coming off injuries, surgeries and accidents. This year I am coming off about six months of pretty horrible running. I am in search of my love of running so I will lace up, hopefully not have to bundle up too much, and go run for the fun of it. Plus the medals this year do this little spinny thing like my first medal in 2010. I do have a couple of friends that are running the marathon, so there might be some marathon stalking after I cross the finish line.<br />
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After that there will be the <a href="http://www.turkeyday5krun.com/">Turkey Day 5k.</a> The inaugural race was last year and it was so much fun. <br />
Plus I didn’t have to drive All The Way to OKC, it was practically in my front yard. Need I mention that they gave us long sleeved cotton race shirts, and Christmas ornaments? <br />
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Then there is talk of some of my friends running a marathon in December. If that happens I would definitely up for going with them to run the half, but we will see how that turns out.<br />
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Running for the fun of it, seems like such a novel ideal. I am hoping to get my head on straight so I can set some goals for 2015.<br />
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One of my favorite things about running is birthday runs! I love that my friends love to get up on their birthdays and log some miles as the start of their special day! We celebrated one yesterday, in fact. <br />
My friend Sarah turned one year better. (Not older!) We had to take pictures!<br />
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-7jt5_1DS8sI/VF0XXELUDVI/AAAAAAAAIr8/vqLbHEmRrZ0/s1600-h/IMG_2585%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_2585" border="0" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Ng40U_HfP80/VF0XYHaLY7I/AAAAAAAAIsA/H6nQgRD8fDU/IMG_2585_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="184" style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_2585" width="244" /></a><br />
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When I posted this on Instagram, I managed to cut most of my fact off.<br />
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-CF4WeF9eH8g/VF0XYyJKctI/AAAAAAAAIsM/RJnKgTfH-5o/s1600-h/IMG_2587%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_2587" border="0" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-71xewCz77rA/VF0XZopwaoI/AAAAAAAAIsQ/YO61rhjq9MU/IMG_2587_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" height="244" style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_2587" width="244" /></a><br />
I have mad photography skills. Anne’s son Pace said “I can see Becky’s eye!” <br />
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Finally, I posted that I didn’t have a copy of the pictures we took after we finished Chicago. Almost immediately my friend Lauren texted me the pictures. <br />
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-tsprlHqP-E8/VF0XaOBa-fI/AAAAAAAAIsY/lq0WIBssZiQ/s1600-h/IMG_2588%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_2588" border="0" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-yYHC8OltpGI/VF0Xal4X4vI/AAAAAAAAIsg/1_FugwGTSWs/IMG_2588_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" height="244" style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_2588" width="184" /></a><br />
What a great shot of Chicago in the background! Notice that they all have on their comfy clothes and look well rested, while I look horrific. Oh well!<br />
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<br />Becky C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13002625541584297471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7229907220700062826.post-39622070263814439792014-11-07T05:27:00.000-06:002014-11-07T05:27:00.665-06:00Royal Icing Transfers…<p>I was recently making sugar cookies for a friend’s daughter’s birthday party. The party was at <a href="http://www.heyuhayrides.com/">Hey U Hayrides</a>, so the western theme called for horseshoe cookies.</p> <p>I don’t own a horseshoe cookie cutter, and I had some ideas for the cookies that didn’t really call for one. I decided to make my own royal icing transfers. I had made some previously to use as cupcake toppers.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-GECKb7Iv1lg/VFuhgSukADI/AAAAAAAAIqk/AqsFK1JCsK0/s1600-h/IMG_2518%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2518" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_2518" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-tSOrjkEK96I/VFuhharurgI/AAAAAAAAIqs/qdWi_a9icHs/IMG_2518_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a></p> <p>I thought they worked well with the sports theme I had been using.</p> <p>So now horseshoes. I will first say that even though I was really happy with how these turned out, I really should have made them the day before. </p> <p>First I found a horseshoe design that I liked (thank you Google). I was going for simple. I placed the design under a piece of wax paper and with my brown royal icing I piped out the boarders.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-DRRoze1AwDM/VFuhiJszIXI/AAAAAAAAIq0/98d5zxAmcu4/s1600-h/IMG_2523%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2523" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_2523" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-an-utlWLAso/VFuhjJPPLdI/AAAAAAAAIq8/OrFZI0zoDZ8/IMG_2523_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a></p> <p>After the boarders set for a while, I filled them in with thinned royal icing.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Z7KbfR1tuUg/VFuhj_JHIdI/AAAAAAAAIrE/54dP7TvsV4w/s1600-h/IMG_2524%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2524" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_2524" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-FT8CUK1FzOQ/VFuhkr-_R3I/AAAAAAAAIrM/9aeJdAQIsLQ/IMG_2524_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a></p> <p>Then I waited for as long as I possibly could stand it. I knew if they weren’t completely dry I would be in trouble when I tried taking them off the wax paper. So I waited, and I even got my heater out to help them along a little bit.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-pucA82GiZxc/VFuhlawfMeI/AAAAAAAAIrU/ltK0xtbr7rI/s1600-h/IMG_2526%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2526" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_2526" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-P9NFQDWXbzA/VFuhmBji-QI/AAAAAAAAIrc/izFJmUr8HI0/IMG_2526_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a></p> <p>After they were dry I got out my gold glitter and a tiny paint brush to doll them up a little bit. After rolling them off the wax paper, and letting out a huge sigh of relief, I piped and flooded my square scalloped edge cookies. I let the icing sit for a few minutes and then I just popped the horseshoes down on them and let them dry overnight.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-6zAiXXsTFCw/VFuhnWAiVvI/AAAAAAAAIrk/4n92EasJ0Mc/s1600-h/IMG_2532%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2532" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_2532" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-fOMLx1IjZ1k/VFuhoa3VEvI/AAAAAAAAIrs/TftzZICIVXc/IMG_2532_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="244"></a></p> <p>I was quite impressed with myself. Not bad for someone as un-crafty as myself. It’s amazing what you can learn on the internet. I like that if I need something like this again I can plan in advance to have the hard part done. What a time saver! </p> <p>I wonder what I will do next.</p> Becky C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13002625541584297471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7229907220700062826.post-75616058945604728252014-11-06T05:47:00.000-06:002014-11-06T05:47:00.446-06:00The Non-Running Part of Chicago…<p> <p> <p>Even though the <a href="http://oubeckyc.blogspot.com/2014/11/chicago-marathon-recap_4.html">running part</a> of Chicago wasn’t fabulous, it was a really good weekend. I have said it before, but I love Chicago. It really is my favorite city. I did like that it was much warmer this time than it was for Christmas last year.</p> <p>We flew out early on Friday morning, so we got to Chicago pretty early.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-BWjCjGVcOm8/VFpVPrTeWeI/AAAAAAAAInc/YFcA_tPmLeE/s1600-h/IMG_2437%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2437" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_2437" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-xB6XWUqSC8I/VFpVQKms0sI/AAAAAAAAIng/6Tydl9DhcnM/IMG_2437_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a></p> <p>We dropped our bags off at our hotel, headed out for lunch and then hit up the race expo.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-OSe3u2Qs1tE/VFpVQZz-jlI/AAAAAAAAIno/aAWbZCianko/s1600-h/IMG_2441%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2441" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_2441" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-q9Xlf2JdVVQ/VFpVRCzFiYI/AAAAAAAAIn0/3yz5spavvjQ/IMG_2441_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a></p> <p>The expo was huge! Very efficient packet pick up and we shopped around a little bit. </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-QopECD7OtsA/VFpVRjhPyhI/AAAAAAAAIn8/Rtqw_ycVxvI/s1600-h/IMG_2455%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2455" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_2455" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-uM0Rz6-72u4/VFpVSUfwQkI/AAAAAAAAIoE/5TXhpy7o2ls/IMG_2455_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="244"></a></p> <p>And had our picture taken in front of a giant pink bra.</p> <p>On Saturday morning we headed out for a shake out run right by the home of Josh’s favorite football team.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-IXQJsZliWiQ/VFpVS5-VPyI/AAAAAAAAIoM/n9xAmquvaFg/s1600-h/IMG_2460%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2460" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_2460" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ObuPR38W3GU/VFpVTR9mhWI/AAAAAAAAIoQ/Vcr3CGU6OoQ/IMG_2460_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p>I hate the the stadium looks like a space ship landed on top of it. </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-0UmM1sFtGLU/VFpVT3JVOPI/AAAAAAAAIoc/-amqZvINGxQ/s1600-h/IMG_2464%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2464" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_2464" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-AK-M3bFJ66M/VFpVUVlTupI/AAAAAAAAIog/GKmXnQOTj7I/IMG_2464_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p>We got to meet Bart Yasso…</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-CM6vUvUl2g8/VFpVU4TuqeI/AAAAAAAAIos/MosVOj-kC8o/s1600-h/IMG_2466%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2466" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_2466" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-V3_xs_TtytQ/VFpVVf0vytI/AAAAAAAAIow/zh5m7C9fd0s/IMG_2466_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p>And Deena Kastor. How cool is that? We ran an easy two miles and headed back to the hotel to relax.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-pC7EDPfEb6g/VFpVVz2pMbI/AAAAAAAAIo8/CR6kbl62ycQ/s1600-h/IMG_2468%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2468" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_2468" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-RGycUY4Ism8/VFpVWTIIyUI/AAAAAAAAIpA/YJIBpJtcVO4/IMG_2468_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a></p> <p>We did wander the city a little bit. Rochelle and I headed to the Navy Pier. I had to take a picture of the Ferris wheel from Divergent! I sent that one to the teenagers and got no response. I guess they weren’t impressed.</p> <p>We opted for take out and dinner in our hotel room and called it an early night.</p> <p>After the race on Sunday we headed back to our hotel to rest up a little before we ventured out for food. We headed to Giordano’s for deep dish pizza. It was right by the Sears (Willis) tower. </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-CI1qZUZy7Qw/VFpVW6TYd2I/AAAAAAAAIpM/bMIuEAHjmQQ/s1600-h/IMG_2476%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2476" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_2476" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-_vSDdXxdO7k/VFpVXfAgjFI/AAAAAAAAIpQ/3Hw2KQ2S0bU/IMG_2476_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-FMwrd8UDkIA/VFpVYCXQH1I/AAAAAAAAIpc/ZerKM3wqJm0/s1600-h/IMG_2477%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2477" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_2477" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-1vteGHntPXo/VFpVYhrPccI/AAAAAAAAIpg/VQvyVwrsOWY/IMG_2477_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="244"></a></p> <p>I was so glad that Jordan came and hung out with the crazy runners. </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-NXjazBDJos4/VFpVZNF7q7I/AAAAAAAAIpo/ROtwb74dbGs/s1600-h/IMG_2482%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2482" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_2482" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-N-E2TCJYBt0/VFpVZWRR3wI/AAAAAAAAIpw/aswaJoP0rJc/IMG_2482_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a></p> <p>We ended the evening with drinks at the top of the John Hancock building. The drink was fabulous and the view was amazing!</p> <p>We had a later flight on Monday so we got up, grabbed breakfast and headed to the bean, or as it’s formerly known Cloud Gate. I am surprised I’ve never been there before.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-pUjenIYzVIs/VFpVZ5cKh0I/AAAAAAAAIp8/sojYlbwfyL8/s1600-h/IMG_2484%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2484" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_2484" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-rCST4AcvYn4/VFpVauQctZI/AAAAAAAAIqA/4BWn_vj-hsM/IMG_2484_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p>After we hit up Lululemon, got rained on and road the train again we headed to the Art Institute. With our race bibs/medals/registration info we got in for free.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-oQdfBiDWCAk/VFpVa5E7DqI/AAAAAAAAIqM/ldpN0e6Q67w/s1600-h/IMG_2490%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2490" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_2490" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-tVkOELbZ9cw/VFpVbWT6aiI/AAAAAAAAIqQ/PErDEPNVSl8/IMG_2490_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> </p> <p>We saw some beautiful art, and a whole lot of runners hobbling up and down the stairs. I’d like to go back when my legs aren’t killing me because there was plenty we didn’t get to see.</p> <p>It really was a great trip, and I can’t wait to go back to Chicago. </p> Becky C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13002625541584297471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7229907220700062826.post-63944845622195631132014-11-05T11:47:00.000-06:002014-11-05T11:47:00.355-06:00WIAW, Doesn’t Look Like Much…<p> <div id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:d474dbeb-8e75-4b4c-aac5-d096513fec47" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" style="float: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/WIAW" rel="tag">WIAW</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Chicago" rel="tag">Chicago</a></div>I haven’t done a <a href="http://peasandcrayons.com/wiaw">WIAW</a> post in ages, so I thought I would see what I have been taking pictures of lately. </p> <p>This might be a sad post. </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-F9E493vieYQ/VFpGym6OjVI/AAAAAAAAIl0/4oxoiTwxiFw/s1600-h/IMG_2203%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2203" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_2203" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-bZ4MzYjOVYQ/VFpGzH3-H4I/AAAAAAAAIl4/SUy3bQF4o2s/IMG_2203_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a></p> <p>My new favorite thing is having plenty of rice/beans/soup in the freezer for fast healthy meals! I went crazy a few weeks ago and made this vegetable orzo. I love being able to grab one out of my freezer and popping it in my lunch.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-dhwd8itikgU/VFpGzR2NrII/AAAAAAAAImA/D_cyZxSGldc/s1600-h/IMG_2426%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2426" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_2426" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-FvvOpqaKQNU/VFpGz1ZJRYI/AAAAAAAAImI/u2xDdqUeMU4/IMG_2426_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="244"></a></p> <p>I have been baking so many sugar cookies lately that I haven’t been baking much for my family. Clearly my daughters are a little tired of sugar cookies, I am going to have to start feeding my extras to others. So we have had Oreos around the house on occasion. Feels a bit like child abuse to me, but until there are more hours in the day sometimes we have to make sacrifices! Cookies and wine? Sounds like a winning combination to me.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/--2DbyBQS6Sc/VFpG0S5nnrI/AAAAAAAAImU/RZf3wCez3xk/s1600-h/IMG_2439%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2439" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_2439" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-gCD0qmbQSq4/VFpG09zRhXI/AAAAAAAAImY/gCVJ7vohyNw/IMG_2439_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a></p> <p>This is the one picture of food I ate in Chicago. We ate at Rick Bayless’ restaurant <a href="http://www.rickbayless.com/restaurants/frontera-grill/">Frontera Grill</a> for lunch on Friday. I cannot tell you how happy I was that Lauren thought far enough in advance to get us a reservation. I had wild mushroom quesadilla with black beans and a salad. It was pretty amazing. I would definitely go back.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-64eRV3M6jAQ/VFpG1Qas81I/AAAAAAAAImk/gvuM3zOPKaM/s1600-h/IMG_2457%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2457" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_2457" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/--0d7nVmNieo/VFpG17CXm4I/AAAAAAAAImo/vEah7RwoouU/IMG_2457_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a></p> <p>This technically is a food picture, because Rochelle is eating part of the pizza we had for dinner Friday night in Chicago. We discovered <a href="http://us.vapiano.com/en/home/">Vapiano</a> on the same block as our hotel and we ended up eating there on Friday night at got take out on Saturday night. I ate pizza three times while we were in Chicago. On Sunday night we ate at <a href="http://giordanos.com/">Giordano’s</a>, so I got Chicago deep dish after two nights of thin crust. The deep dish was amazing, but I was too tired to take a picture of it.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-eedNnSbIe3Y/VFpG2aefHuI/AAAAAAAAIm0/9QHDIPt997M/s1600-h/IMG_2480%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2480" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_2480" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-8yxqyzoeNZM/VFpG2_fC-vI/AAAAAAAAIm4/LiCbwMyY9K8/IMG_2480_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a></p> <p>After dinner at Giordano’s we went to the John Hancock building. We knew the observation deck was closed, but for about the same price we could head up to the bar for a drink and see the sights. A martini with chocolate? Yes please. It was the perfect dessert after a very long day.</p> <p>Plus there was the view. Amazing!</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-gvuA4Q_GRQA/VFpG3eC2yHI/AAAAAAAAInA/r4UjzS9YqME/s1600-h/IMG_2482%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2482" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_2482" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-zQnBUWDXs6Y/VFpG3wX13kI/AAAAAAAAInI/lKYjL9L_oxI/IMG_2482_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a></p> Becky C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13002625541584297471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7229907220700062826.post-54469472629031336332014-11-04T15:19:00.000-06:002014-11-04T15:38:12.451-06:00Chicago Marathon Recap…It’s been a few weeks, so I need to get my recap of the actual race done. More on the trip to Chicago (later this week, I hope!) because the weekend was FANTASTIC!<br />
<br />
The racing, not so much.<br />
<br />
I haven’t talked a whole lot about my training this summer, but in a word it was awful. I was really run down after <a href="http://www.oubeckyc.blogspot.com/2014/06/another-memorial-marathon.html">OKC</a>, and I don’t think I had enough time to recover from that before I jumped into (trying to) training for Chicago. You really should not sign up for your next marathon BEFORE you run the one you are training for. Lesson learned.<br />
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You might think that I am saying I wish I hadn’t gone to Chicago, but I am not saying that at all. I don’t regret a single mile, no matter how horrible they might have been. After last years injury (<a href="http://www.oubeckyc.blogspot.com/2013/03/morning-run-sprained-ankle-and-wiaw.html">sprained ankle</a>), accident (<a href="http://www.oubeckyc.blogspot.com/2013/08/adventures-in-bicycling.html">bike</a>), surgery (<a href="http://www.oubeckyc.blogspot.com/2013/09/ever-wonder-what-your-appendix-looks.html">appendix</a>), I am so happy that I have been able to make it through the miles I have. You regret the miles you don’t run, not the miles you do.<br />
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So I headed into 26.2 #4 with very low expectations. I think I might have been a little delusional, really. It is not possible to slog through your training miles and expect to show up on race day and be able to run.<br />
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We were all in separate corrals for the race so it was pretty lonely at the start. It was probably over an hour between the time I left my friends and the race actually started. I took one horrible picture by the fountain though.<br />
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-DEoWmBQoRVo/VFlCtPbmazI/AAAAAAAAIlA/sGfT-Wlq5qs/s1600-h/IMG_2469%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_2469" border="0" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-0HRXINPRp8E/VFlCttOSOUI/AAAAAAAAIlE/FKgMSTwWeqs/IMG_2469_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" height="244" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_2469" width="184" /></a><br />
Pretty awful, right? I had just dropped off my gear bag and was heading over to my corral. This race is so big, you can’t even see the people that are starting before you, it was just a huge mass of runners.<br />
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After an eternity we were off. I love Chicago, really, I think the city was fantastic, and this was a great way to see it all. I was fine for about the first 12 miles or so. My walk breaks in the water stops started getting a little bit longer but I still felt like I was doing ok. The crowds were amazing, I think that has to be what it feels like to be an elite runner, there were some parts of the course that had so many people it was just a wall of sound.<br />
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Somewhere between miles 13 and 15 it all just fell apart for me. I can’t even point to one specific thing that happened, it was not like I hit a wall it was like the wall fell on top of me. It just got harder and harder to keep running. Around mile 17 I got stung by a bee on my left shoulder. That was painful, but I think the fact that my whole body hurt so bad by that point it didn’t hurt as bad as it could have. For the rest of the race whenever I was walking and I would try to stand up straight and put my shoulders back I had a very sharp pain in my left shoulder. Turns out the stinger was still in there and I didn’t realize it until I got home and Josh removed it for me on Monday.<br />
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I kept trying to tell myself that my family didn’t care how long it took me to finish, but then I would think that my friends were all going to be waiting for me at the finish line and I felt awful that it was taking me so long. It is a long time to be inside your head when it all feels impossible. The last six miles were probably the hardest six miles of my life. I would run a little and then I would walk and I would cry and then I would run a little more. I drank a beer. This seems to be something I am doing a lot during my marathoning in 2014. <br />
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I did make it to the finish line, they gave me my medal and another beer. Almost immediately after crossing the finish line my wonderful MIL texted me and told me that I was amazing and they were all proud of me. (More tears.) I managed to make it to the gear tent and hobble to where Carrie, Lauren and Rochelle were waiting for me. (More tears.) <br />
Since we didn’t get any pre-race pictures we got a post race shot, but apparently it was not taken with my phone. That’s okay, they are all changed and had massages while they were waiting for me and I looked absolutely awful.<br />
I set a PR for my worst marathon performance to date, but I am so glad I went. I love Chicago and I am hoping to be back there one day at the starting line feeling much stronger than I was this time.Becky C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13002625541584297471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7229907220700062826.post-8636171498247973092014-11-03T11:26:00.000-06:002014-11-03T11:26:05.289-06:00A Little Shenanigans...I feel like I have been baking non-stop lately! That is not complaining at all, but I have been super busy. I thought I would take a break from running and show off some of the cookies I have been baking up...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZwlN5shjQb41JvApuOQewJ4ac1Weo3ys4epGDIkSaUeerQHSd2XqbKZzreebK6lqC1EHuyMzrDFFA4AJ5fIuWf416gQ8BRIv9dBXKu0bKx5QRrZYUSd_aY2ybBuau0Eba0S3TICpV2os/s1600/IMG_2415.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZwlN5shjQb41JvApuOQewJ4ac1Weo3ys4epGDIkSaUeerQHSd2XqbKZzreebK6lqC1EHuyMzrDFFA4AJ5fIuWf416gQ8BRIv9dBXKu0bKx5QRrZYUSd_aY2ybBuau0Eba0S3TICpV2os/s1600/IMG_2415.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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There have been lots of football cookies, including OSU (gasp!), WVU and Arkansas. I will be sad to see football season go.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8flAhe6VbCNFrI1ep1Gx0_cOATy0_p7fxumz8L50u1AwsRAmSNYF4AosQu4qx4SP9dVipe7DWyS6Szsx1n-V0ThtZS3yq79OiasHgA9Y6_VcmnTND6JBbKWtrmciJkzUx7pWqpm4y9lY/s1600/IMG_2418.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8flAhe6VbCNFrI1ep1Gx0_cOATy0_p7fxumz8L50u1AwsRAmSNYF4AosQu4qx4SP9dVipe7DWyS6Szsx1n-V0ThtZS3yq79OiasHgA9Y6_VcmnTND6JBbKWtrmciJkzUx7pWqpm4y9lY/s1600/IMG_2418.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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I love cupcakes, and I especially love cupcake sugar cookies!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJp4PSnbVEXbC8a8Ul77G2sM-2SfImayRjdFz50qBFM99fPgZI84M_rvArdQMKjKLwwiTJo0HYk6Xb2YR5exd7SFN-Rped6ugLUfYHzMcmBuFxIZcWYNEvhkclAn94DjrjOeGSMBzUXlQ/s1600/IMG_2503.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJp4PSnbVEXbC8a8Ul77G2sM-2SfImayRjdFz50qBFM99fPgZI84M_rvArdQMKjKLwwiTJo0HYk6Xb2YR5exd7SFN-Rped6ugLUfYHzMcmBuFxIZcWYNEvhkclAn94DjrjOeGSMBzUXlQ/s1600/IMG_2503.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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Sometimes the design I have in my head doesn't actually translate in reality, and the cookies I made before these roses are definitely in that category. Multiple cookie cutters to get the shape I wanted made these not the easiest cookies I have made, but they sure turned out cute.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRb4ikCuQlfsuvX1XHyVXFa_OrSVma0moxpDQ3aBP7oGpqUasvM1olKmZW3brGGlPTteyUHeikJr4WLSFZsxNLfciwZKEt3g7Ia5pzdKnWptbJD3yPrakg_x3A2Td8CenDK4ArLKipGlc/s1600/IMG_2519.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRb4ikCuQlfsuvX1XHyVXFa_OrSVma0moxpDQ3aBP7oGpqUasvM1olKmZW3brGGlPTteyUHeikJr4WLSFZsxNLfciwZKEt3g7Ia5pzdKnWptbJD3yPrakg_x3A2Td8CenDK4ArLKipGlc/s1600/IMG_2519.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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Custom cookies for a shower. I was so happy with how these turned out. I always say I am not very artistic, but I was amazed that I could take an invitation and get parts of it to translate into a cookie. Not the easiest to make, but the end product was one I was very happy with.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpkKu8UYnwl1tl-x07ldzmRFFQMfOGx2o0dBMtDmwKMnvc4vzCCzDSHiKY6BScZdMEtBCMD_eL6U2GfhmIVPmVnBT4JSdZdXIt0y3hg4KbVyi1sfP0X9M8iG9QaDPz48oEdh8kwh0ifr0/s1600/IMG_2532.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpkKu8UYnwl1tl-x07ldzmRFFQMfOGx2o0dBMtDmwKMnvc4vzCCzDSHiKY6BScZdMEtBCMD_eL6U2GfhmIVPmVnBT4JSdZdXIt0y3hg4KbVyi1sfP0X9M8iG9QaDPz48oEdh8kwh0ifr0/s1600/IMG_2532.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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The horse shoes on these cookies were royal icing transfers that I made myself. Another pat myself on the back moment. I had to make them a little shimmery with gold edible dust, they were for a little girl's birthday party after all.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglw5aOTUcz2BefLtUc9_7E3hgmClbStygucPv7W376Td1xz0uf7iwe1EfUEYh5gQ0BaUOLrhXNDKX2kvaf1GXIKZoeRpYfo3z_uyU8-Q7KTV6XOQ8omTt2NNBwFp0yNnhR7Vi4XlZni8U/s1600/IMG_2538.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglw5aOTUcz2BefLtUc9_7E3hgmClbStygucPv7W376Td1xz0uf7iwe1EfUEYh5gQ0BaUOLrhXNDKX2kvaf1GXIKZoeRpYfo3z_uyU8-Q7KTV6XOQ8omTt2NNBwFp0yNnhR7Vi4XlZni8U/s1600/IMG_2538.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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October is breast cancer awareness month, and I was super excited when my older sister asked me to make cookies to go along with her Halloween costume. Here theme was "Fight Like a Girl" and she gave out these individually wrapped goodies.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjex-fnOCm_4IKy8I8igie6F52rohbDYYILRFkojXz6AKzeFlpVQH-ogPu7FmqhTzKyXPA2w82A1mcs3eX3tXBm60sNsFGwFo_n1Fh_obCqw-WewtCEzZvWA6gxchY5H6ZwtDo7sfPlUFg/s1600/IMG_2541.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjex-fnOCm_4IKy8I8igie6F52rohbDYYILRFkojXz6AKzeFlpVQH-ogPu7FmqhTzKyXPA2w82A1mcs3eX3tXBm60sNsFGwFo_n1Fh_obCqw-WewtCEzZvWA6gxchY5H6ZwtDo7sfPlUFg/s1600/IMG_2541.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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Lastly, for today, it is always someone's birthday, right? These were last minute cookies done for a birthday. I am a big fan of sugar cookies to celebrate birthdays. Okay, to celebrate any day, really.</div>
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So that's just a bit of what has been happening in my kitchen lately. I am hoping to find more time to blog about all the shenanigans. (I really love the word Shenanigans!)</div>
Becky C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13002625541584297471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7229907220700062826.post-5172804662652963412014-09-23T13:46:00.000-05:002014-09-23T13:46:38.476-05:00Protein Powder Review...I was recently selected to review a new protein powder for <a href="http://manitobaharvest.com/">Manitoba Harvest</a>.<br />
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Who doesn't love free stuff? And to be able to talk about it, well even better.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-fzpuU7BN97S_0Ph53MIJd5fNHkSh5z97P_Svyp9mVgdtDQcfAlVghLoCgcjBVfARZofD45KcGD2e8RCd5RiS2Cmr_LMknUKBQHdR1ZhEVXB816R4JTyu-0bgTCpCJsPZAxfgIP4EdU8/s1600/013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-fzpuU7BN97S_0Ph53MIJd5fNHkSh5z97P_Svyp9mVgdtDQcfAlVghLoCgcjBVfARZofD45KcGD2e8RCd5RiS2Cmr_LMknUKBQHdR1ZhEVXB816R4JTyu-0bgTCpCJsPZAxfgIP4EdU8/s1600/013.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
I received a sample of the chocolate and vanilla <a href="http://manitobaharvest.com/category/16/Hemp-Protein-Powder.html">Hemp Pro 70 protein powder</a>.<br />
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Sadly, I was not blown away by the product. <br />
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I drink protein shakes after my workouts most days, it's easy to throw it all in the blender and take it along as I commute to work. My first complaint was that each of the sample packets were not a full serving, each one was a half serving with 7g of protein in the sample.<br />
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I mixed them up on rest days, and was not impressed with the consistency. The recipe says to mix in a shaker cup, but I blended mine with my hand mixer like I usually do. It didn't seem to dissolve completely and I had a cup full of gritty protein shake to drink for breakfast. I hate that. The chocolate sample was not near as chocolaty as I had wanted it to be, but that might have been the small sample size. Maybe I should have mixed it up with only half the amount of almond milk.<br />
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I am a vegetarian, and I was really excited about the prospect of a plant based protein powder. It was quite a bummer (yes, bummer) for me that it wasn't as fabulous as I wanted it to be.<br />
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If you'd like to try it out, you can get 20% off the chocolate and vanilla flavors by using discount code <span style="color: #ff00cc; line-height: 20.79px;"><strong>sweatpinkpro70.</strong></span><br />
Becky C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13002625541584297471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7229907220700062826.post-42717392330459905502014-09-02T15:25:00.000-05:002014-09-02T15:25:37.841-05:00Another Brookhaven 5K...I have a love/hate relationship with the <a href="http://www.brookhavenrun.com/">Brookhaven 5k</a>. I ran my first race there back in 2009, and somehow have managed to not miss one since then. Even after my bike crash last year, I was back and laced up for a 26:40, and 6th place in my age group.<br />
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I picked up Rochelle and we met up with the group at about 7. Even during the warm-up it was hot, but I slogged through two easy miles.<br />
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We had one good photo op during the warm-up.<br />
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We made it back to the start, got in a few strides, and had time for some pre-race selfies. You should always carry your camera, and time management is important when you want starting line pics.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kristy, me and Rochelle</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lauren, Kristy, Rochelle, me and Tiffany</td></tr>
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It has been a few years since I actually felt ready to run Brookhaven. In years past I always managed to kill myself in the first mile, and I resolved to not to that this time. My plan was to settle into a comfortably hard pace for the first mile, hang on for the second, and hopefully kick it in on the last.<br />
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My watch clicked out a 7:47 on mile one, and I kinda felt like I was in trouble. If you unfamiliar with this race, it's sort of a big loop, but after the first mile you make a right hand turn and head straight into the sun before turning right again. Just when you think you are about done, you head back into the neighborhood and wind to the finish line.<br />
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My right hand turn into the sun about killed me. It was a perfectly clear day, and it was hot and humid. After all, this is Oklahoma. By the time I turned right again, my stomach started to not feel so well, I think the Advil I took when I got up was not agreeing with me. Mile two clicked off at 8:10, and I was ready to be done. <br />
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I had no kick for the last mile, I felt empty. Mile three was 8:15 and I was so glad to be almost done. I finished with at 25:23, and fourth place in my new age group. I was happy with how I did, and even happier to see all my super sweaty friends at the finish.<br />
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More pictures!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rochelle and I.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me, Kristy, Lauren and Ro</td></tr>
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I do love this race! I always see lots of friends, and it's put on by my favorite running store. I sure wish it was put on in weather that is more agreeable to running. There's always next year.<br />
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Becky C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13002625541584297471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7229907220700062826.post-29206211504835220602014-08-29T00:30:00.000-05:002014-08-29T00:30:01.000-05:00Foodie Pen Pals...It has been a while since my last Foodie Pen Pal post, and I'm not sure why I decided to join in again, but I got on the list for August and was looking forward to seeing who I would get paired up with.<br />
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Basically I send someone a package and that person sends me a package, you can get more details <a href="http://www.theleangreenbean.com/foodie-penpals/">here</a>. It is fun to see what someone you've never met before picks out to send you.<br />
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I got paired up with Melissa over at <a href="http://www.apearlandherpilot.com/">A Pearl and Her Pilot</a>, and after some missed communication we emailed and found out a little bit about each other and then it was off to shop.<br />
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My box came last week, and seriously, who doesn't love to get packages in the mail?<br />
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Looks like a box full of yumminess, if you ask me.</div>
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The fig bars are fabulous. I have very limited experience with figs, aside from the fig newtons I have eaten during marathon training in the past, and figs on the Skinny pizza at <a href="http://www.coolgreens.com/menu">Cool Greens</a>, this would be the first time I have ever had something fig-like in my house. I am having a hard time NOT eating them all at once.</div>
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The <a href="http://sahalesnacks.com/products/">Sahale</a> granola is pretty tasty too. Although, I must admit the cranberries make me think of raisins, which I kinda hate. Anyone else think raisins are just humiliated grapes? (Name that movie!)<br />
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I have not had a chance to crack into the honey, but this was a great pick for me as well. I love peanut butter and banana sandwiches drizzled with honey. I might have to make that my pre long run breakfast this weekend. It is possible that I am the only person in the world that doesn't know the difference between raw honey and what I buy at the store, but I do love that my pen pal shopped local for me.<br />
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I will admit, I was a little skeptical about the green chile and white bean soup by <a href="https://www.spicehunter.com/">The Spice Hunter</a>. Mostly because I am a soup snob, but I love having soup in my lunch so I gave it a shot, and you know what? It was really good. Makes me want to throw some green chilies in my next pot of soup.<br />
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Anyone else loving Kind bars? I stumbled on the dark chocolate with sea salt recently and I have been buying it exclusively. I love the chocolate with the saltiness. This has been my pre long run breakfast as of late. Yum.<br />
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Finally, almond butter. It's funny that Josh and I were just having a conversation about almond butter at the grocery store the other day. What better way to try something out, that tens to be a little more pricey than peanut butter, than in individual size packets? (I love individual sized things.) I threw the plain one in my smoothie this morning and it was pretty tasty.<br />
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So there you have it, all the goodies that someone I have never met before decided I needed to have in my life. It was a good box, and I can't wait to see what happens next month!<br />
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<br />Becky C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13002625541584297471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7229907220700062826.post-89468385996459078932014-08-27T15:36:00.000-05:002014-08-27T15:36:10.954-05:00Marathon Training...It has been a month since my last <a href="http://oubeckyc.blogspot.com/2014/07/why-am-i-doing-this.html">super whiny marathon training post</a>. So I thought I would check back in and see how it's going.<br />
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A few weeks ago, I am not going to lie, I had a "Holy crap, what was I thinking, I never want to run again" run. It was 14 miles, and my fabulous friend Sarah stuck with my slow self the entire time, and by slow I mean, how about we walk about three of these 14 miles? It was awful. It was so freaking hot outside and so humid that I could squeeze the sweat out of my socks and my shoes were soaked. It was not raining, that was a couple of shoes full of my sweaty, not so fabulous, self.<br />
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I even considered, and said, more than once, that I was doubting my decision to even be training for this race. Yes, I have said it a few times since then, but less this week than in previous weeks.<br />
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The Saturday after that horribleness, I ran 16 miles that turned out to be a tad less horrible. It has been so hot, and humid here. It is crazy. I feel bad when I need to take walk breaks when I am running with others, but I can't run without them. My last seven miles were all on my own, and with my headphones on I managed to have the best five mile run in a while. I ran and walked when I needed to. No pressure to keep up, or to not walk.<br />
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Last week was better, although the fact that it didn't feel as humid as it had been probably was a big factor in this. I ran some of it by myself, and then ran some with a friend that is training for a half ironman and said that she would be walking during the half portion of her race so it was okay to have some walk breaks with me.<br />
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When we got back I looked like I had jumped into a swimming pool. NO joke. <br />
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You should thank me for not including my super sweaty self in this picture, although it's kind of rude of me to block out half of Anne's face with my visor. The second after I snapped the picture Ro stuck her tongue out, so it's a pretty big group selfie fail.<br />
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Oh well.<br />
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So this run was much better for me mentally. It felt manageable, even if it was painfully slow. This weekend I am planning for 18, although I think we are running on Monday, which sounds awful. We are running the <a href="http://www.brookhavenrun.com/registration---fees.html">Brookhaven 5k</a> on Saturday, oh if I didn't love our local running store so much I would not do it. I guess we will see if my track workouts are paying off, but I did skip the track party yesterday in order to get an hour more sleep, so that might not have helped much.<br />
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Running is an adventure, and it's supposed to be fun. It is getting to be more fun, but I sure can't wait until Fall.<br />
Becky C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13002625541584297471noreply@blogger.com0