1/2 Marathon Training Progress Log - Week 7!

I just completed week 6 of my 1/2 marathon training and am full steam ahead into week 7! I think I'm finally used to getting up at 6:30am on Saturday mornings to run. This past Saturday, I completed 8 miles without stopping! From here on out, all distances will be the farthest I've ever run, so that feels like an accomplishment. 13.1 is feeling doable now!

I also had what will hopefully be my last PT appointment yesterday. The doc said everything with my IT band is looking good, just to keep stretching and icing after runs.

Thanks again for all the support!

1/2 Marathon Training Progress Log #5

I am a few weeks into training now! I have discovered a few new running routes around local lakes, and it's finally beginning to warm up a bit here. Big thanks to Under Armour coldgear for getting me through the winter months! This week will be the farthest I've ever run, with a long run of 7 miles. I'll be a little over 1/2 way to 1/2 marathon distance! The people in my running group are great.

I am almost finished with physical therapy for my IT band. As long as I ice it for a little while after runs, it hasn't caused any pain, but it still feels tight. The foam roller is my new best friend.

That's about all for now! I'm glad these progress logs show actual progress!

Sprinkles Cupcakes (finally!)

You may remember a few years back when I posted about driving to Sprinkles in LA only to discover I left my wallet way back in my hotel room. The folks at sprinkles were nice enough to invite me to a free sneak peek of their new store in Georgetown. We were each allowed to pick 2 cupcakes from their Sunday menu. These are some of the best bakery cupcakes I've ever eaten. The girls down the street at Georgetown Cupcakes sure do have some competition now!

The vanilla/vanilla is fantastic, with just the right amount of sweetness. I think it is a hot milk cake.

The others were also great. The peanut butter chip was a little rich, but still very tasty. I liked that the cinnamon sugar didn't have icing, like my Nana's cinnamon cake.

Candace was there, but I didn't get to talk with her. Too many people in the bakery.

Here's some pics!

Boxes


Cupcakes in boxes



Vanilla closeup and cut



Chocolate Marshmallow closeup and cut

1/2 Marathon Training Progress Log

Well, the first week of official training was last week! We began with a 2 mile time trial at a local track on Tuesday and met on Saturday morning at 7:30am for our first long run. Things are going pretty well so far, and the people in the running group seem nice.

The great news of last week is that I've met my fund raising goal for Marlene's Mission! Once my cupcake bake sale total has posted, I will have raised over 2,000 so far! Even though I've made my goal, I am still accepting donations. Thanks to everyone who's contributed thus far!

1/2 Marathon Training Progress Log #4

Well, I am back to running longer distances! I am back to 4 miles, and am ready to start official training on the 15th! It looks like there are about 15 people in my group, and we're all at about the same level (running between 10-12 miles a week, and have finished a bunch of smaller road races). Thanks again to everyone who has donated to Marlene's Mission!

Stay tuned!

Perfect Pancakes

I love a good, simple pancake.I always have a little trouble getting the temperature of the pan correct when I make pancakes. I haven't yet invested in an electric griddle. Last week, during a snowstorm, I managed to get pancakes right on the first try!

Perfect pancakes in pan!

Table setup!

Closeup with syrup!

Just Awesome

I'm a fan of the "real" Office, and this is just fantastic.

1/2 Marthon Training Progress Log #3

This weekend, I ran on the treadmill for the first time in 2 weeks! My PT says everything is looking good and I can keep running indoors, about 2 miles at a time. Formal 1/2 marathon training starts in 2 weeks, and he thinks I'll be ready to start with everyone else.

Very good news!

NYE Food

This year, for NYE, we hosted a little get-together for some friends. As usual, it was a super fun crazy time. Some photos of the event before the mayhem. (Note: I made slow cooked pork tinga tacos from Rick Bayless' Mexican Everyday, but forgot to take pictures)

Flowers from our friend!


Party Hats!


Fridge Before


Drinks


Dips

Christmas Candy Making

I realize I am a bit behind the times with this post, but I wanted to post pictures of my Christmas candy making efforts! Everyone loves my peanut butter balls :) They are a recipe from my good friend, Meri!

Chocolate melting on my fancy double boiler, aka rice cooker


Sprinkles!


Finished


Closeup!

1/2 Marathon Training Progress Log #2

Last week, after running 3.5 miles, I noticed that my IT band (a wonderfully difficult to stretch and maintain length of connective leg tissue) had flared up considerably and decided to rest and go to see a sports medicine doctor. I went on Monday, and he informed me that I did have an IT band flare up in my right leg. I was worried this injury was going to sideline me for a while, but they seem pretty confident that with 2 weeks of rest, and a few weeks of physical therapy, I'll be able to get back my training feet.

So, it looks like I'm still on pace to begin 1/2 marathon training the second week in February! I am really glad to not be sidelined and promise to keep working!

Thanks to everyone who has contributed to my Marlene's Mission page so far.

She Caught the Katy

My Phish show going days are long gone, but it's nice to know there's a song with Katy spelled with a "y".

1/2 Marathon Training Progress Log #1

Here starts my first training progress entries! While I have not started the official Charm City Run training for the Maryland 1/2 Marathon on May 15, 2011, I have been running. With my trusty Under Armour Coldgear, I ventured outside this week and ran 3.5 miles.

I have been averaging about 8-12 miles a week since I started running last year (with a few weeks hiatus after a car accident). Charm City run wants you to be up to about 15 miles per week and able to run 4 miles at a time before starting training. I feel pretty confident this will be doable for me.

So, right now, I'm alternating between running outside when it's more than 26 degrees and inside on the treadmill when it is too cold.

I start formal training in February with Charm City Run. This means that I'll be staying in lots of Friday nights as the Saturday morning runs start at 8am.

Thanks for all the support and the donations for Marlene's Mission so far!

Running and Raising

Hello fellow blog readers,

I have decided to kick it up a notch in 2011 and run a 1/2 marathon. I lost a friend to leukemia last year, and thought it would be good to give beyond the normal race entry fee and raise money for Marlene's Mission. All of the proceeds to go the University of Maryland Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Cancer Center. I have a pretty lofty goal of $1,500.00, so please contribute if you can. Any amount is appreciated!

Here's a link to my fundraising page.

Thanks so much.

Scenes from a Cookie Swap

I attended my first ever cookie swap a few weeks ago. The rosemary butter cookies I made won best rookie cookie! Here's some pictures.

Welcome Sign!


The Entries!


My winning cookies!

Favorite Albums of 2010

It's that time of year again! Time for the favorite albums of 2010. All in no particular order, except for #1.

Black Keys - Brothers

Another solid release from the Black Keys. I keep coming back to this album. It is fun, soulful, and good for beer drinking. People seem to like this band, but I feel like they don't quite get the props they deserve.

Kanye West - My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy

This isn't the album cover, because I'm afraid it will offend those who read this blog for cupcake pictures. I want to dislike Kanye West. I really do. But, this album is filled with some really brilliant music. So, I gave in and I love it.

Deerhunter - Halcyon Digest

When we first bought this album, we could not stop listening to it. It's beautiful and dreamy and just plain fabulous.

Grinderman - Grinderman 2

I have a crush on Nick Cave now.

Charlotte Gainsbourg - IRM

This was my first favorite album of 2010. I have bought it for numerous friends. She produced it with Beck, and it shows, but it's a lovely way to spend a nice summer afternoon.

Danger Mouse and Sparklehorse (and various artists) - Dark Night of the Soul

This collaboration is overlooked on alot of best of lists. I don't know if it's because it technically came out last year, or if people just haven't heard it. The Suzanne Vega and Julian Casablancas songs are especially nice.

Walkmen - Lisbon

Another solid release from Walkmen. I felt their last album was a little lacking, but this one is great the entire way through! Love the spanish influenced horns.

AND NOW.....#1!

LCD Soundsystem - This is Happening

Dance, punk, David Bowie...love it all. I was lucky enough to see them in concert this summer and it made my year.

The Quest for the Perfect Bacon Cupcake

In the fall, a few friends hosted a sausage fest and asked me to bring cupcakes. I thought it would be appropriate to make bacon cupcakes to fit the theme. This proved a little more difficult than I imagined.

I started with a recipe for french toast cupcakes, where you baked the bacon in the batter. This resulted in a very dry, sad, cloying maple cupcake with bacon scattered throughout. I decided then that bacon in the batter is always a bad idea. (My guess is the salt just destroys any moisture in the cake itself).

I decided to abandon maple flavoring for caramel. These turned out wonderfully! They were still sweet, but received rave reviews. Pictures below!

Highlight of 2010 Summer at 4:32

Birthday Present

Last week was my birthday, and one of my presents was this super cool filled pancake pan (also known as Ebelskivers)from Williams-Sonoma. I had been eyeing it for a while, and was excited to try it out!

The first attempt at flipping them while trying to keep the filling intact was a little difficult to do using chopsticks. Later in the weekend, I used wooden skewers, and found them to be much easier to use.

If you're into hosting brunch for people, I would recommend investing in this pan. I got the cookbook also, and it offers some great recipe variations. The batter is light and fluffy, and tastes fantastic!

First attempt at filled pancakes, below.

Pan on stove!


Batter!


Ingredients!


First batter is poured!


First Flip!


Some worked out, some did not


Mmmm...powdered sugar

What I Made for Dinner 08/27/10

Friday is typically pizza night at our house. I've been experimenting with different pizza dough recipes, and really love this one for wheat dough. Sometimes, I just don't have the time to wait for it to be ready, and cheat with the super cheap and awesome freshly made dough from Trader Joe's. I'll admit, I did cheat this Friday night.

I still had plenty of fresh basil and tomatoes from a weeknight trip to my parents' garden, so I opted for a fresh mozzerella pizza this night. It was phenomenal. I could have eaten three.

Before oven!


After oven!