#runningbeautiful

[my-life--in-a-nutshell]

Questions

Tagged by chopper-two-hopper

Rule one: Always post the rules

Rule two: Answer the questions the person who tagged you asked and write 11 new ones

Rule three: Tag 11 people and link them to the post Rule four: Actually tell them you tagged them

1. What’s your go-to when you have to bring something to someone’s house? I don't have a go-to.  I LOVE to cook, am constantly reading recipes, rarely following them, but always getting new ideas and inspirations that I want to try out.  Needing to bring something to someone's house is the perfect opportunity to try out a new recipe.  This weekend, I made chocolate dipped coconut macaroons for the first time and brought them to dinner at a friend's house.  I also made broccoli and white bean soup that I'll eat for lunch this week.  It was loosely based on this recipe. 

2. Out of all the schools you’ve attended, what has been your favorite mascot? My high school mascot- the owl

3. Which author do you most look forward to having new books come out? This is such a tough question...professionally Leah Mermelstein's work has changed my teaching.  If you are an early elementary teacher, you should definitely check her work out.  My instruction in Writer's Workshop has improved tremendously.  Kids books- We're really enjoying the Who Would Win series in my class this year.  It's written by Jerry Pallotta and Rob Bolster. As for books for pleasure, I'm not sure I have one author that I look forward to reading new books.  It used to be Jodi Piccoult and I still enjoy her books, but after reading so many they seem a bit formulaic.  I also  loved Wild by Cheryl Strayed.  I've downloaded her other book, but have yet to crack it open.

4. Favorite Broadway musical? Annie

5. Best thing to snack on when you get hungry? Almonds or a Honeycrisp apple

6. A hot-button issue that came up recently that I didn’t know could be a hot-button issue: Do you put magnets on your fridge? Yes

7. Least fun adult responsibility that makes you wish you were a child again? Paying bills

8. Someone who always makes you laugh (doesn’t have to be famous)? Melissa McCarthy

9. What is something outside the regular items you always bring with you when you travel? Well something I always forget to bring is a toothbrush,  I've forgotten it so many times, that I just keep toothbrushes at places I regularly visit. 

10. What is something in your house/apartment that makes you happy when you look at it? Pictures of my niece and nephew

11. And finally since I have a lot of it at my disposal, what are the good qualities of snow? SKIING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My Questions:

1. What is your favorite thing about winter?

2. Did you make a New Year's Resolution?  If so, and you feel comfortable sharing it, what is it?

3. On average, how many hours do you sleep a night and is it enough for you?

4. What is your favorite place that you've traveled to?

5. What makes you proud to be you?

6. If funding and time off from work and/or school were not a consideration, where would be the first place you'd plan a trip to?

7. 3 songs from your current exercise playlist?

8. What's one brave thing you did in 2013?

9. Favorite on the go breakfast?

10. What's been your favorite year of your life so far?

11. Peanut butter: crunchy or smooth?

[katehikerun]

runningbeautiful replied to your post: Soooooo. Talked on the phone all day with USAA,...

I used to work for enterprise. they put you in a malibu because they can charge the insurance company more for it. call them and tell them you need a smaller car, they should switch you out.

I think thats all they had left. I told em to go as cheap as possible, but maybe another one closer to me will have something littler.

[kirbydoeslife]

Good luck!

Have great runs Stacey, Jocelyn and Josh!

And Drew!

[thisfearlesslife]

Found her. Let the games begin!

[lou-doesthings]

Trip update:

Currently in Orlando.

The internet lied to me. It's March. It's not supposed to be 80 degrees. I didn't pack for this shit!!

Aside from the weather/clothing issues, holiday is going well. Chicago was AH-mazing. Loved the city, hopefully the interview went well, they said they would let me know by the end of the week. It is now the end of the week - TELLLLL MEEEEE.

Weight gain is happening. It's almost like my body went 'oh looksee, you're in America, I think I'll magically gain 10 kilos now' - GAH. But seriously, food is so different here. Portion sizes, richness, I don't quite know how you guys do it. My face has broken out, I'm bloated and queasy and I have a cold sore the size of Mount Everest. Can't wait to get to NYC when I can shop at Whole Foods and put together my own meals. Disneyworld is not great for good food choices and our hotel room doesn't exactly have the facilities for salad making. GIVE ME LETTUCE OR GIVE ME DEATH... yeah.

On that note, Disney is awesome. Simply awesome. Universal Studios today - Harry Potter Land WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!! We leave here in a couple days to head to NYC where there will be mass shopping occuring. And hangouts. And sightseeing. General shenanigans, you know the type.

Traveling with Mum is... interesting. Sometimes we have fun, sometimes I want to kill her.

Carrie, Jocelyn and Moxy (yes that is your name to me) - please let me get drunk when we catch up. All I want to do is go to a bar, hang out with cool people and drink awesomely cheap drinks. Please and thankyou. Can't wait to see ya'll etc etc so on and so forth.

[notovernight]

Dear NY Tumblrs

Learn 2 Lock YO PHONES!

And really Rob, iPhone? I thought you were an HTC man like Chris!

Or don't, it is amusing

[yogawarriornyc]

Brooklyn Half Recap

I was super excited about the Brooklyn Half ever since registration opened months earlier. But then as it came closer I was getting pretty anxious. I lost a month of training due to illness and travel and I wasn't feeling as prepared as I was for RnR DC. Originally my plan was to try and PR which would mean finishing in 2:28 or under. But then I decided time be damned, just go have a good race.

We started near the back of the corrals and our gun time was around 7:45am. I remember as I passed the Mile 1 marker and seeing it read 59 minutes that the leaders were going to be finishing any minute now (turns out the winner finished in 1:06:03). The first few miles went alright. Between miles 1-2 we saw our friends Amanda and Betsy cheering their hearts out. I got some high 5's and a huge smile on my face!

Mile 3.5 is when we entered Prospect Park. It was 72% humidity and inside the park felt more like 95% humidity. GROSS. I took my second Gu (I took one about 45 minutes prior to the race) around mile 4.5 and also took some Gatorade. The dreaded hill was coming up. Once we got up the hill it was flat, and then a nice downhill where I made up some time. We exited the park at mile 7 and then it was another 6 miles straight down Ocean Parkway. Can you say B-O-R-I-N-G??

I lost Jocelyn around mile 8.5 and picked up Ellen just before the fluid station at mile 9. We ran together for a brief spell and then I was on my own for the rest of the race. I took my last Gu at mile 9 and hoped it wouldn't be a mistake. I'd never had 3 Gu's in one day before, but I also didn't want to find out later I should have taken one.

I really started to fatigue around mile 11. I realized I had 2.1 miles to go and 20 minutes to do it in if I wanted to finish in 2:30 and that wasn't going to happen so I gave myself permission to walk. But then hearing and seeing runners passing me in droves was really affecting me mentally so I started running again. Not fast, by any means. My 11 mile split was 12:14 and my 12 mile split was 13:15. By mile 13 I really wanted to be done so I forced myself to pick up the pace. I finished mile 13 in 11:35. I saw Betsy and Janelle just as I made the turn to head up (yes UP...there was a RAMP at the 13-mile marker! So cruel...) to the Boardwalk. Actually Betsy was the one who saw me and shouted my name! I so needed that!

When I came up the ramp onto the Boardwalk and could see the finish line, I just took off. I felt like I was flying and this picture shows I definitely was!

I'm still hoping there's a good finishing photo of me. Or at least a finishing photo period. I haven't seen any photos up yet where I actually saw a camera and smiled at it. But I'll wait!

I ended up finishing in 2:33:25 which was better than the 2:40 I allowed myself. I am pretty happy with my time considering how underprepared I felt.

My watch was 10 seconds slower because after I crossed the finish line I stood there staring at it, having lost the mental capacity to figure out how to stop it. Sad, but true.

I went back to the finish line to see if I could catch Jocelyn and I did!

I also ran into my friend Carolann as we made our way out. I envied her jacket as by this time it had started raining and I was freezing!

I saw some Brooklyn Dodgers on our way to the train <3

Afterwards, Betsy, Carrie and I went back to Carrie's place and got ready for brunch. All showered and clean!

Later we met up with Drew, Janelle, Johnna, Ellen and Caroline. Foods was had! And beers. But not by me. I opted for eggs, potatoes, and chocolate bread with sea salt & butter. NOMS!

How we didn't get a group picture with our medals is beyond me. Clearly we all had other things on our minds like food and beer. But at least I did get one with Janelle!

While it was a tough race, it was still a super fun day. I'm already looking forward to next year!

[yogawarriornyc]

Morning Conversations with the Roomie

Roomie: Totally new guy.

Me: So that's why it took him an hour?

Roomie: He *ran* up the stairs.

Me: I meant an hour to get here.

Roomie: No it didn't, I called at like 10 after.

Me: It's 9:00.

Roomie: It's already 9?! What have I been doing for the last 20 minutes?

Me: It's 9:03.

Roomie: Oh my God I am the worst at leaving the house.

[yogawarriornyc]

runningwithpump replied to your photo: 1) I have to run 4 miles tomorrow 2) I have a...

Did you get my hug?

I don't think your hug traveled well. Or maybe the airline lost it! Or most likely the traveler carrying it forgot it :P

[yogawarriornyc]

runningbeautiful replied to your photo: This was my March running calendar. Other than...

dude, you kicked ass!!! i need to be more like you.

Awww thanks, roomie!!