Back in Business?

I got 40 miles this week, hooray!  It kind of happened by accident, but that's the best way to get good mileage, as far as I'm concerned.  I've still been rather too tired to run too much during the week, but I just happened to decide last night that I needed to run 15 miles today.  And then I ran 16 miles.  The best part?  It felt GREAT!  That is the best I have felt on a run in awhile.  I started out at a comfortable jog, and then about 7 miles in, when I still felt good, I picked up the pace.  It started raining lightly not too long after that, and that helped me keep up a good pace to (rain always makes me run faster...).  The rain didn't last very long, but it cooled me off a bit, and helped me maintain a good pace.  My route brought me back into town around 13 miles, so I had to add a loop around town, which also involved adding the toughest hills of the run.  But still, I continued to feel great.  I would have kept going for a few more miles, but the shoelaces on one foot were digging into the front of my ankle every time I went downhill.  It started about 5 miles in, and I ended up having to readjust the laces every time I went down a steep hill.  It was very annoying, and very aggravating, considering those stabbing pains were the only thing keeping me from what could have been a 20 mile run.  I'm taking tomorrow off, of course, and then I will probably have to wear a different pair of shoes until the bruising heals.  I have this problem a few times a year, and it's incredibly aggravating, especially as it seems like something that is impossible to fix until it is too late.

This week:

M: 5 / 36:58 / 7:23

T: 2.13 / 18:07 / 8:31 w/FB

W: 8.92 / 1:10 / 7:50

R: 4.7 / 33:47 / 7:11

F: 3.61 / 27:31 / 7:38 

Sa: off

Su: 16.08 / 2:08/51 / 8:00

total : 40.44

On Wednesday, I got out of school a bit early.  It was a gorgeous day out, and the first warm day we'd had in awhile.  I was excited to enjoy the weather with a run, but really didn't feel like dragging myself through another run around town.  Since I had some extra time, I drove out to Anthony, and parked at the river trail there, then ran over the hill/mountain to Blue Bend, turned around, and ran back.  I loathe out and back runs, but it was something different, and it was a gorgeous run, so I tolerated it.  About 2 miles in I was about ready to quit, but of course quitting was not an option, and I did not allow myself to turn around early!

After the run, I had a few minutes to play with my camera before I had to head back home to get cleaned up and go coach Glee Club.  

stretching after the run

Mojitos in Jars

Mojitos are the perfect summery drink.  They are light, refreshing, and delicious.  This year, I have my own mint plant on the kitchen windowsill, and I love being able to just pull a few leaves off to whip up a quick mojito on a hot day.  This evening, I wanted to make mojitos for a bunch of people, but I didn't have a pitcher that was easily transportable.  I did however, have 11 jam jars that I had saved from the jam I put on my pancakes.  So I decided to make individual mojitos.  They were definitely a hit!

Step 1  

Put a scant 1/2 tbsp of brown sugar in each jar.

Step 2  

Chop up a lime and squeeze one slice into each jar. 

(and drop the slice into the jar after you squeeze the juice out of it)

I also poured about a tbsp of lime juice into each jar, but you could use extra fresh lime if you wish.

Step 3  

Add a few mint leaves.

Step 4  

Muddle the contents of the jar.  Use a pestle to bruise the mint leaves, crush the stems, and stir up the sugar/lime juice to dissolve as much of the sugar as possible. 

Step 5

Add 1 shot of vodka or rum to each jar.

Step 6

Add 2-3 shots of club soda.

We didn't have any ice tonight, but ideally you want to add some ice to keep the drink chilled while you sip it.  Either way, it's quite refreshing.  I love mint.

Taking it Easy

I got 5 days of running in this week, but I didn't have much energy for it.  Ran some shorter loops that I usually try not to do anymore, because I figured a short run was better than no run, and better than pushing myself too hard for something my body is just too tired for.  3 more weeks of school, and then hopefully I will get some downtime to regain some energy! On the upside, even though I have been feeling drained, my average pace on each run has been great.  Part of it might just be my desire to get it over with and get back home, but hey..whatever works!  Also, Friday's run involved a monsoon that appeared in the middle of the run, which contributed to an increase in speed.  2 days later, my shoes are still wet.  I should probably go find some newspapers to stuff in them.  It only just occurred to me today to take out the insoles...I bet they'll be dry by tomorrow afternoon.  I've run in rain before, but this monsoon was much more intense than any other rainstorm I've run in.  I could barely see at one point, and not only were my shoes wet, but I could feel puddles inside the shoes.  It was crazy.  But also rather exhilarating.

This week:

M: off

T: 3.78 / 33:28 / 8:51 w/FB

W: 6.3 / 45:08 / 7:09

R: 2.76 / 20:54 / 7:34

F: 4.7 / 32:38 / 6:56

Sa: 5.06 / 36:48 / 7:16

Su: off

total : 22.6

Just didn't feel like running today.  Plus, it was cold and windy, and I'm kind of over running in the cold after an abnormally long winter.  I rode my horse for a little bit instead.  

Pony Heaven

It would be really nice if we could have a drought-free summer this year so that she can actually enjoy this grass for more than a few weeks!

 love

Spring has finally arrived to this gorgeous place I call home.

How many frogs can you find in this picture?

And how about some food pictures, I haven't posted any on here in awhile!

Tomato-Basil soup made with tomatoes that a coworker needed to get rid of.

Mashed Parsnips with Basil

Minty-Fresh Guacamole

it was...interesting.

Parsnip-Basil Mash

Chop 1 large parsnip and steam it in a covered skillet with olive oil, 1/4 c water, garlic powder, and a pinch of salt. While the parsnips are cooking, chop 5-6 leaves of fresh basil and throw them in a food processor for a few pulses.  When the parsnips are soft, add them to the food processor and pulse until smooth. 

(or as smooth as it will get...mine came out a little bit chunky, but mostly smooth)

This made a nice little healthy snack while I waited for my sloppy joe & mac n cheese comfort food to finish cooking last night.  

Getting back to normal

It's been awhile since I actually ran 6 days in one week!  Glad to be getting back into a normal routine though.  I'm not quite ready for a 40 mile week yet, but I'm getting there.  I'm not going to rush it, after the last few weeks.  I'm coming back as slow as I need to, but as quickly as I am able.

This week:

M: 5.56 / 40:42 / 7:19

T: 2.3 / 20:18 / 8:49 with FB*

W: 6.75 / 53:00 / 7:51 

R: 4.7 / 32:36 / 6:56 

F: 6.3 / 46:36 / 7:23 with Josh

Sa: off

Su: 5.84 / 45:05 / 7:43

total : 31.45

* This was the 3rd week in a row that I jogged with one of my 5th grade girls on Tuesday.  This was the first week that it was just the two of us.  I didn't have as much free time after school as usual, so I decided we would skip the trail and just run around town.  It was her first run with hills.  I avoided the steeper/longer hills, but there's no way to avoid hills entirely in this town!  She did great, the hills didn't bother her at all.  I'm looking forward to running with her every week, and looking forward to watching her get stronger and faster.  She did the Greenbrier River Race as part of a family team last weekend, and she completed the run in 26 minutes! After I finished I jogged back until I found her and ran next to her for the final stretch.  

I was super proud of her finish!

I caught this reflection in my water glass last night.  

It's my three railroad spike trophies from the past 3 years at the Blue Ridge 1/2.  

Coolest trophies ever.

Broccoli Salad

1 1/2 heads of broccoli 

(steamed and chopped)

3 slices bacon

1 inch ginger root

3 cloves garlic

(chopped and cooked together in a skillet)

1 large spoonful of mayonnaise

soy sauce

ginger powder

mustard powder

(blended together)

small handful of chives

(finely chopped)

mix everything together

Springtime

I'm so unbelievably glad that spring has finally arrived!  Spring was in full glory in Roanoke when I was there for the Blue Ridge 1/2 two weeks, ago, but as soon as I drove over the border back into West Virginia, everything was brown.  Many trees are still struggling to burst into green, but by now, there are flowers in bloom everywhere, and the weather has been warm, sunny, and beautiful.

These yellow flowers in the field by the barn are so bright and pretty.

And pony has been shedding like crazy!  I was going to clip her this year like I did last year, but she has shedded out so fast I don't need to!

She's the best.  And she's being super-sweet this year!  Usually, any time there is grass in her field, she runs away from me and I can't catch her without help.  This year, she is actually choosing to walk up to me, rather than run the other direction.  It's awesome, after years of frustration with her running away.  

The only downside to spring this year?  Allergies.  I was allergy-free for my first 3 years in WV, but last year my allergies were terrible, and this year they are again.  Thankfully, Zyrtec is some kind of a miracle drug, and as long as I take it in the morning, I'm fine for the rest of the day.  The first couple days of allergies before I realized I needed to go buy some Zyrtec were no fun. It was very disappointing when I realized I was allergic to brushing my horse!  Thank goodness I don't have to worry about that anymore.  Maybe next spring I will remember to start taking the allergy meds before I end up sick...