Day 01 - Relationship Status

I saw that Simi plans on doing this 30 Day Challenge and I figured I would like to jump on the bandwagon since...you know...I'm such a follower.  It will give you all an opportunity to learn more about me and it will give me an opportunity to explore myself.  Win/Win?  We shall see!

I won't be actually doing one of these a day as I think it would be a bit too post-y.  I don't have a tendency to blog every day anyway and I have some trips coming up and wouldn't be able to maintain it even if I tried.  So, what that means is that I will go down the list and write about a couple of the challenges a week.

Here is the list of challenges:

Day 01-  Your current relationship, if single discuss how single life is.

Current relationship = single/dating
Single life sucks.
and....discuss:

Well, I've been single for quite some time now.  I wish I could say "single and lovin' it", but I'd be lying.  Everyone says to embrace these days - this freedom.  I do.  It's just that the single life for someone who has always wanted to be married and to have children is a lonely existence.  Up until VERY recently, most of my weekends were spent at home A-L-O-N-E, feeling sorry for myself.

source here

A year or so ago, my mom said to me, "Kim, I know you are waiting for Prince Charming to just come knocking on your door, but do you think you could meet him halfway somewhere?"  Ouch.

It's really hard to meet someone these days.  I can't meet anyone at work.  All of my local buddies are coupled up and none of them have any single friends to even try and play the matchmaker game.  I'm no barfly, so this means I've relied mostly on internet dating over the past few years.  EHarmony and I are basically mortal enemies - see here, here, and here for proof.  I'm currently on my second go-around with Match.com.  The first time didn't fare so well - see here for proof.  BUT, alas...this second time around is getting interesting.  ;)  I've tried posting Craig's List ads.  Though I vowed to never go that route again because of the number of married men out there seeking an affair (I'm quite the Nancy Drew, don't ya know?!), I did meet a couple of nice guys who I briefly dated, BUT I also met some total weirdos.  I even tried a dating group to meet guys called Eight Friends Out.  See here for an example of what a disaster that was for me.

source here

Have you ever seen the movie Some Kind of Wonderful?  If you haven't, you should.  It was one of my dad's message movies - that is a movie my dad saw and decided all of us kids needed to see to get the message.  The message, in this case, was that it is better to be alone for the right reasons than with someone for the wrong.  I've applied this a time or two in my day.

Oh and something that really irks me is when people say it will happen when I least expect it.  I got into the whole dating game VERY late in life.  I least expected it for a long, long time is my point and not a whole lot has happened.  Time will tell though, friends.  Time will tell.  I remain hopeful, no worries.

So, your challenge should you choose to accept it is to join me in this 30 Day Challenge.

a celebration of sorts

My dogs are so cutesie.  sometimes.  I came out of the shower and discovered them all cuddly like this on my bed.  Sweet little love muffins.  You probably wonder how I could ever talk bad about them when they look so precious and innocent.  This is how they lure you. 

Delilah & Penelope

Today is Delilah's "Gotcha Day".  It's the day we celebrate me bringing her home to be part of our family.  For 3 years I've tried to convert her from a hood rat to a dog.  We are assuming she is 4.  I feel kind of bad celebrating her Gotcha Day considering I am the worst kind of mother to my one true love, Penelope, and forgot to celebrate her 10th Birthday on February 5th.  Perhaps tonight should be a joint celebration? 

The thing is I can buy Delilah bones and she will devour them.  I can buy Delilah toys and she will destroy them.  I can't buy Penelope anything.  She very rarely chews on a bone.  She very rarely plays with a toy.  She used to be quite the Frisbee enthusiast before she went blind.  Every blue moon she will still grab a rope toy to be thrown which is nine kinds of pathetic cuz...um...how is she going to find it once it reaches its destination?  I hate celebrating with food, but they do lovie themselves some Beneful Prepared Meals, so I will probably buy one for each of them and let them go to town.  Normally I buy one for them to share when I feel guilty about something.  I'm very predictable.

So, one thing I don't do often enough is take my babies for walks.  I know, I know...I'm awful.  Let me explain, though.  First and foremost, I have to take them separately which is kind of obnoxious.  I wish I could say that this is because Penelope is blind and it's easier to navigate her that way, but the truth of the matter is that I had to do it this way before she went blind because they are both unruly and undisciplined during a walk and pull in too many directions.  Secondly, Penelope makes cRaZy noises since she can't see and everything catches her attention, so I find myself making announcements to everyone who stares at us that she is blind as if that makes it all less awkward for any of us.  AND then beyond that, I really don't have any excuses except that I'm just bad.  =/  Tonight, however, both of my monkeys will get walked (and then mama shall run).

Do you celebrate your pets' birthdays or am I just a weirdo not sporting a beardo?





Spaghetti Squash Gratin with Basil

My friend Rachel posted on Facebook a few weeks ago that she was making this deliciousness for dinner for her family.  Well, you know if it has spaghetti squash I am all up on it, so I requested the recipe and Rachel was kind of enough to send it to me.  Here it is in it's original glory.

Yes, of course it's South Beach friendly or else I wouldn't be making it it.  Well...I guess technically the incorporation of the full fat cheeses isn't (Gruyere and Parmesan), but...ah...who's judging?  I could have subbed other cheeses - low fat varieties, but I decided to remain true to this recipe because both are strong flavored cheese that I happen to truly adore.

Here's what you need:
1 large spaghetti squash
1 TBSP olive oil
1 medium onion
garlic
salt
pepper
3 eggs
1/2 cup skim milk (or...um..an alternative - see below)
fresh basil
2 oz (or more) Gruyere cheese
Parmesan cheese

So, first and foremost, I baked my squash.  I bought a big'n since I knew I needed 4 cups for this recipe, by the way.  For a reminder of how I choose to bake my squash, see here.  I did this earlier in the day so it had plenty of time to cool.

Later, I chopped up a medium white onion and added it to a frying pan with one TBSP of olive oil.  I didn't have any fresh garlic cloves on hand, so I just used minced garlic.  I don't have a tendency to measure my minced garlic, so I can't tell you how much I used.  I can tell you that I do like my garlic.  =)  I also added a pinch of salt.

 

While that was sauteing, I went ahead and cut open my spaghetti squash, scooped out the seeds (discarded), and then got my 4 cups of spaghetti strands out. I then chopped up the 4 cups into bite size pieces.  I added this to the frying pan with a bit more salt and some ground black pepper.

Next, I whisked 3 eggs with....wait for it...1/2 cup of vanilla almond milk.  Gross, right?  ha!  I totally forgot I cleaned out my fridge and threw out my this day expired milk because I'm a freak like that didn't have any skim milk on hand and I couldn't possibly fathom leaving the house, so vanilla almond milk (and crossed fingers that it turned out okay) it was!  In my defense, I do only buy the unsweetened almond milk, so that makes it better, right?!  ;)

Then I chopped up fresh basil - a lot cuz...um...I heart fresh basil - and added that to my egg mixture.  2 oz of shredded Gruyere was to be added next, BUT I'm pretty sure I added more than that.  ooops.

I sprayed a glass 2.75 qt. dish with Pam and added my spagetti squash/onion mixture first.  Next, I poured the egg/cheese mixture over the top and sort of stirred it all together.  I then topped it all with some shaved Parmesan and a bit more of the chopped basil and it all went in the oven on 375 degrees.

And then after 45 minutes I took it out of the oven and it looked like this:

mmmmm...

probably not the best plate for picture purposes, but...oh well

preparation + prayer = 9 miles

I have been drinking water all week long like I'm being paid a sponsorship to do so.  The KIMpossible from 2 years ago would not recognize herself today, that is for sure!  As I have mentioned before, I was so THAT girl who could go the entire day without drinking a single beverage.  so true.  so bad.

I wanted to set myself up mentally and physically for a killah 9-miler, so here's what I did on Friday in preparation for Saturday's run:

1)  Carbo loaded - though typically I limit my bread carbs to 2 of my 3 meals, I allowed one with each of my meals.  For breakfast, I had a PB&J sammy on whole wheat bread.  For lunch, I had a hamburger patty (no bun) with a side of homemade BAKED sweet potato fries (the fries are considered a bread carb on South Beach).  For dinner, I bought myself a grilled chicken sandwich from Chick-fil-A.  Of course there were healthy sidekicks (fruits and/or veggies) with all of these meals.

2) I drank plain water all day long with the exception of the last two 16-oz cups which both had the added bonus of Nuun in them.  I figure a little extra electrolytes could only benefit me in the long run.

3)  I foam rolled some areas of contention.  My calves seem to get tight lately on my runs, so those got foamed out first.  My upper back and shoulders are always an issue, so they were foamed out next.  For good measure, I finalized the process with my knees only because my left knee has been suffering from some minor runner's knee as of late and I didn't want my right knee to feel left out.

4)  I took an Epsom salt bath.  That Pink Girl does this before her really long runs.  Though 9 may not be considered "really long" by some, for THIS girl at THIS point in the game, it is.

5)  I lotioned up my legs and shoulders with this product I remembered I had bought soooo many years ago from Origins for tired legs.  Why I could have possibly thought I needed such a product years ago when I lead a relatively inactive lifestyle is beyond me, but I'm thankful I still had the product in my possession and that it still appeared to have its original potency.  It had that subtle spa-menthol smell and a definite cooling effect.  I figured it was a preventive measure.

6)  I had a nice long talk with my monsters (read:  my dogs) about how I desperately needed 7 to 8 hours of sleep.  I told them how proud I was of them for allowing me the courtesy of 7 straight hours without interruption the night before (Thursday night) and how grateful I would be if they allowed me this privilege once again.   I then made sure I did my part by getting my booty to bed at a decent time.

Of course, the best laid plans seem to always be ruined...the dogs woke me up at a ridiculous hour to go potty.  So much for our heart-to-heart.  I noticed when I put them out that it was drizzling and humid out.  great, just great.  I wondered if I should postpone my run until Sunday.  I decided just to go back to bed.  We slept for another hour and then they were STARVING.  Poor things...you should really feel sorry for them since we all know how mistreated they are.  So, they ate and I decided to go ahead and take my thyroid pill.  Then we resumed sleeping.  When we woke up again au natural, I made myself a nice breakfast of oatmeal - 1/2 cup of oats, 1 cup of water, 1 TBSP Splenda brown sugar, and an unmeasured amount of cinnamon.  Delish!  I added a banana and it was the perfect breakfast!  I don't like to eat and run, so I hopped onto FB for a while, before gearing up, sayin' my prayers, and heading out.

It was much much cooler than I realized (apparently a cool front came through in between my interrupted sleep), so I felt a bit chilled in my tank and capris, but I knew I would warm up turbo fast.  I swung by the ol' mailbox at 2.5 miles for a drink and then resumed my run.  I swung by the ol' mailbox at 5 miles for a drink and some Clif's Shot Bloks and then resumed my run.  I swung by the ol' mailbox at 6.5 miles for a final drink before heading out to complete my run.  I did need to stop and stretch at 7.5 miles because the wind was killing me at this point.  It was so gusty that it was making it so hard to run.  I then continued on my jaunt to complete my 9 miles.  Did you notice I never once mentioned intervals?  That's because I didn't do them.  My body hates them, I'm sure of it.  I decided to forgo them and to just run the mileage and my body responded so much better to this technique.

I expected to be sore and uncomfortable like I was last week when I ran my miserable 8, but I wasn't.  I actually feel great.  I chalk this up to preparation and prayer, honestly.  I'm also proud to announce that 4 out of my 9 miles were completed at a sub-13 pace.  This is such an improvement for me.  I also managed to take over a minute off of my average pace from last week's 8 miles.  How crazy is that?!  There is definite improvement in the air, my friends, and that makes this girl VERY happy.

After my run, I showered QUICKLY to get to family lunch.  I once again used that tired legs lotion - you know, just in case my legs decided to give me trouble later.

Yay for BJ's Brewhouse and their delicious turkey burger (subbed veggies for the fries, of course)!  I also added a side of their chili because I was starving having burnt 1228 calories during my run.

In other HAPPY news, I had to go to an INCONVENIENT Academy to pick-up my race packet for the Bayou City Classic 10K which is on 3/12.  Traffic was horrific trying to get there for some reason and I was in a truly foul mood by the time I arrived.  I decided to peruse the Clearance Section whilst there and low and behold I found ONE Nike Dri-Fit Tank in my size for $9.88 (normal retail price $36.99).  Um..SCORE!  That practically made my day.

So...a good weekend and counting!  I'm wishing the same for all of you!  =)

ABCs of KIMpossible

source here

 Everybody else seems to be filling this out...and since I'm quite the follower these days I decided why not?!

(A) Age: 33  (for just a couple more weeks...eeek!)

(B) Bed Size: Queen (but dreaming of a King-size someday)

(C) Chore You Hate: putting laundry away, clearly (if you saw my laundry room, you wouldn't disagree)

(D) Dogs? two - my blind 10 year old Beagle Penelope and my almost 4 year old Whatchamacallit hood rat Delilah

(E) Essential Start Your Day Item:  um...I don't know...I'm not really a coffee drinker, so I won't go that route.  I don't always go for the same breakfast.  how sad and pathetic to say my thyroid pill, huh?!

(F) Favorite Color: Green

(G) Gold or Silver? White Gold

(H) Height: 5 ft 5 1/2 in (never stood a chance with a mother who is under 5' tall)

(I) Instruments You Play: failed attempt at the clarinet many moons ago - you can't imagine how many reeds I ruined.

(J) Job Title: General Manager (glorified babysitter to a bunch of grown men)

(K) Kids: still holding onto the dream of having them someday, but in the meanwhile, see (D)

(L) Live:  NW Houston

(M) Mom's Name: Frances, but she goes by Nutzie (long story)

(N) Nicknames: Kimby, Kim-Kim, Kimpossible, Kimska

(O) Overnight Hospital Stays? One - the summer in between my Junior and Senior year in high school, I had my first of two ACL surgeries.  Because I was so young (read: a minor), they kept me overnight. 

(P) Pet Peeve: when people don't do the "thank you" wave when you let them in your lane in traffic.  rude.

(Q) Quote from a Movie: "Have you ever danced with the devil in the pale moon light?  I ask that of all my prey." - The Joker (Batman)

source here

(R) Right or Left Handed?  Right

(S) Siblings: 2 sisters, 1 brother, and an Oliver (I'm just sure my parents would be disappointed if I didn't claim their favorite child)

(T) Time You Wake Up? 4:30-6:00 am (depending on whether or not I'm running in the morning)

(U) Underwear: yes

(V) Vegetable You Dislike: peas, beets, and cooked peppers - blech

(W) What Makes You Run Late: A.D.D.

(X) X-Rays You've Had Done:  (besides teeth) left knee twice, right knee once, left pelvis twice, right hip once, right wrist once...I think that's it.

(Y) Yummy Food You Make: I think my Chicken Tetrazzini (pictured) and Beef Bourguignon are the best.

(Z) Zoo, Favorite Animal: I think Tigers are so majestic.

And there you have it!  A little bit more that you never cared to know about yours truly!  =)

best Run EVER

after 4.5 - looking a bit winded...

Saturday I knew that no matter what, come rain or shine, however I tried to spin it, I HAD TO hit 8 miles.  Hal Higdon said so, after all,  Who am I to argue?!  =D  Seriously, though, with my half marathon one month away, if I didn't hit 8, I knew I was in BAD shape.

I planned out a route in my head and got down to business doing 5/1 intervals.  The first 2 miles seemed effortless.  The third mile breezed by.  At this point, I started getting cocky.  I seriously considered tacking on an extra mile for a grand total of 9.  I was, after all, feeling ON TOP OF THE WORLDISH.  Mile 4 and still going strong and then eventually I hit the 5.25 mile point and I took a nose dive.  This wasn't really all that surprising considering I hadn't run all week AT ALL and that the most I had hit prior to this run in any one jaunt was 6 miles.  It took everything in me to finish all 8 and I have to say that the last mile was particularly pathetic.  I actually walked most of it as I got a blister on my left heel since my sock had slid down AND I had pain the ball of my left foot (courtesy of wearing heels the night before, I'm thinking) AND then, of course, I had an attack of the charlie horses (my b.f.f.s).

I took off Sunday.

Monday, I got a MUCH needed massage.  I have a monthly membership at Massage Envy, but for some reason I forgot to go in January and February...that is, until I couldn't bear it any longer.  My friend, and massage therapist, Sarah, worked her best torture techniques on me, but some of those knots are going to require another session, so I booked another appointment for next week.  I did feel better, though, leaving than I did going in, so that is progress!

I woke up this morning SO SORE from the release of all the knots in my neck, shoulders, left leg, and upper back.  I had hoped to run this morning, but it just wasn't going to happen.  I took an Epsom Salt bath instead and then I hydrated with the ol' H2O all day long like it was my job.  I'm talking a bajillion gallons, at least.

After a way overdue dinner with my friend Amy, I headed home for that run.  In my head I wanted to do 4.5, but I never tweeted or blogged a specific number because had I done that...well...we all know I would have been required to follow through on it. ;)  I knew that I wanted to run the mileage outright - no walking and no stopping and I knew that I wanted to feel good about the run.

I mapped out the course in my head and I got down to business.

Here are my stats:
Mile 1: 13:34
Mile 2:  13:10
Mile 3:  12:47
Mile 4:  13:15
Mile 4.5:  13:15/avg

Did you check out Mile 3???  Wowsers (uh...for me...it's all relative, after all)!

Bottom line, my little lamp chops - I felt AMAZING and STRONG - for all 4.5 miles.  Well, okay...a bit tired the last mile, but this indicates to me that I should run the Bayou City Classic 10K on March 12th without intervals! This makes me happy. 

Oh...I almost forgot to mention that I did run past a house that must have been a "coffee shop" if you catch my drift in the way that Amsterdam has "coffee shops".  Oh wow - the wretched pungent smell of "coffee" temporarily filled my lungs as I ran past said house.  So, my disclaimer is that I personally did not use any kind of enhancement ... um ... "coffee" for my run (though I'm pretty sure that kind of "coffee" would not be considered a stimulant anyway).  Ugh.

I have never had a week day run feel this good, not to mention this is the most I have ever run in a weekday (4.25 miles was my previous best).  A run like this restores confidence.  A run like this rocks my world!

What do I think lead to this accomplishment?  I freed my mind of all things cluttering it.  I released my body of all tension.  I was properly hydrated (for once).  I told myself, "you've got this!"

So, let's hope Thursday's run is just as dandy and that these two runs shall lead me to a FANTASTIC 9 miler on Saturday!

May you, too, have your best Run EVER or the equivalent in whatever area of life you've been struggling with!

Happy March to you!

source here

It's March, y'all!  Spring is in the air...well I suppose it's been in the air since we've been dealing with some HUMID conditions and some upper 70 to mid 80 weather for a couple of weeks now.  Today is a beautiful day, though, so I choose to focus on that!

March brings 2 races:

Bayou City Classic 10K on 3/12
Rock 'n' Roll Dallas 1/2 on 3/27

Now the really cool thing is that I did the Bayou City Classic race last year, so how fun to have an opportunity to PR on the exact same race!  This will be the first of only two races I will be repeating this year.  I make no guarantees on the PR, though, as my running has been questionable at best coming off this injury.  I've had only a handful of decent runs, but...I'm not giving up!

I signed up for the Rock 'n' Roll Dallas Half on October 10th (while in Scottsdale, AZ for my cousin's wedding) since I had a coupon code for saving $20.  Note - this was before The Houston Half hurt me, so I don't have any great expectations for this race either - JUST TO FINISH.  It would be really great to finish with a better time than my Rock 'n' Roll Chicago Half, though....just sayin'.  It's doable, but I'm trying not to set myself up for disappointment if it doesn't happen because...well...it's been a rough road getting back in the game.  It's especially awesome knowing I will be running the course with two of my friends - Melissa and Rachel!  I'm also excited to drive up to Dallas - I'm staying with a friend of mine I haven't seen in over 2 years, Julie.  I will get to meet her 1 year old, too!  I have some other friends in Dallas I would love to see while I'm out there (if you want to meet up - let me know)!  And of course, there is That Pink Girl (recent Ultra marathon finisher ---- so proud of her!) - don't you just love how you can make real life friends out of blog buddies?!  Can't wait to see her! 

March = March Madness!  The last few years I've been INCREDIBLY lucky at work and made some money having no background on any of the teams at all!  So fun!  All of my employees and fellow co-workers get so jealous of my mad skillz.  awesome.

March means St. Patrick's Day!  The funny thing is I never really do anything to celebrate, but I like to claim my 1/8 Irish Heritege, so there you go!

March also brings my birthday!  I'm trying to piece together my wish list.  I know I definitely want a good (read: expensive) set of earphones for my iPod.  I've had this big struggle lately.  When I put the cord behind me, my sweat makes it stick to the back of my neck which pulls on the cord driving me nuts.  When I put the cord in front of me, sometimes I don't pin it right with my shuffle and there are issues.  I don't need these kind of distractions.  This is the set I'm currently eyeing - Sennheiser Adidas PMX 680i Sports Headset.  Does anyone have them?  Thoughts?  I also know I want a renewal of my Runner's World subscription - love that magazine! 

I've yet to hit my monthly mileage goals, so hopefully March will be the month!  The plan is 50 and it starts TODAY! 

I wish you all a happy and healthy March!  =)