Goofy Race and a Half Challenge

I decided to start this year of blogging off on a selfish note and write a post all about myself.

MuahaHahaha!

*The shirt that Stefanie bought for me.*
 

This is going to be a lengthy, wordy post.  If you read it all, more power to you!  Mostly, it is for me so I can remember details.  I am not a running expert but I do LOVE to talk about running. 

*All of our shoes.  One pair for each race.*

At the beginning of January my mom and grandmother came to California to watch my kids (because Luke has been working 12-14 hour days and basically comes home only to sleep) so that I could travel to Florida with my sister in-laws, mother in-law and her mother. 

We went all the way to Florida so that my sister in-laws and I could run in two races at Disney World.  On Saturday, January 12th we ran a half marathon, 13.1 miles, and the very next day we ran a full marathon, 26.2 miles. Those 39.3 miles comprises the Goofy Race in a Half Challenge.

 *Sam joined us for the half marathon. This was before the race.*

 

*This was after.  We're showing off our new running skirts that my mother in-law bought for us.  Shortly after this picture was taken, Sam's boyfriend Brian proposed. She said yes!*

 

When we checked into our races, we noticed signs everywhere saying that there was a heat advisory for the next couple of days and that racers shouldn't expect a personal best time.  There were quite a few people puking their guts out along the course and I think it was mostly because people were pushing themselves too hard in the heat. 

 

Also, I have never seen so many people pee in the bushes in public in my life - men and women!  They weren't peeing in the theme parks of course, but along the roads when we weren't in a park.  There were lots of port-a-potties along the route, but I guess when you gotta go, you gotta go.  Barbie and I always waited until we were running though a park so we could have flush toilets. 

 



*My name on the wall of all the people running in the races of the Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend.*

 



I'm not going to lie, running a marathon is HARD and running the Goofy is REALLY HARD. Barbie and Stefanie vowed never to run a marathon again and never ever to run the Goofy Challenge again. 

I say, LET'S DO IT AGAIN!

  

*Waiting in our corral to start the full marathon.  Everyone had to be in their corrals at 5 A.M.*

 

*We ran under this entrance during both races.*

 

I think it would be fun for Luke and I to go to Florida in 2015 so Luke can run the half with me and cheer me on during the full.  Now is the time for everyone to help me try to talk him into it.

I took the half marathon slow - 3:00:49.  Since it was my first full marathon, and I had done a half the day before, my personal goal was to finish in 6:15:00.  I figured that it would be a good, achievable time. Stef, Barbie and I started off with the 6:30:00 pacer.

Our pacer was a chatty, funny, race official who had a run-walk system that was guaranteed to have him and all the people who were following him, to cross the finish line at 6:30:00 (give or take a minute or two).

 

*With our THREE medals - Donald Duck Half Marathon, Mickey Mouse Marathon, and Goofy Challenge.*

Around mile nine, I left the pacer.  I was in my own focused, quiet, groove then and was ready to take off.  I took it easy until mile 13 and then picked it up.  I wanted to run the marathon in a negative split (to run the second half of the race faster than the first). I was still running until mile twenty-two. Then I started to speed walk.  I would highly recommend speed walking!  I was going at a good enough clip that I was passing runners (because let's face it, by mile 20 almost everyone just want to crash so people aren't moving all that fast). I started running again when there was about a mile left to go.  I crossed the finish line sweaty and happy at  6:11:51. 

*All my sweating caused my bright purple sports bra to bleed through my new Alice in Wonderland shirt.  Luckily the purple came out.*

I am so glad that I was able to have the racing experience.  I am even more glad that I got to share it with Barbie and Stefanie. I love them bunches!

I have a new goal to race for my in next marathon. Goals keep me going; they push me to be better! It is fun to see what I am capable of! I am so thankful to have been blessed with a healthy body that can run and change.

6/7/11- Homemade Fajita Seasoning

1 T. cornstarch
2 t. chili powder
1 t. salt
1 t. paprika
1 t. sugar
3/4 t. chicken bullion

1/2 t. onion powder

1/4 t. garlic powder

1/4 t. cayenne pepper

1/4 t. cumin

a couple shakes of red pepper flakes

I made about 12oz. of chicken, 1/2 c. of sliced onion and 1 1/2 c. sliced bell peppers. I didn't use all of the seasoning this recipe makes - just a little over half. Luke said I could have added more of the seasoning, but I thought it was just right.

I won't be buying prepackaged fajita seasoning anymore!

4/15/11 - A Silly Girl

Yesterday while driving to Palm Springs Aslynn says, "Mom! I need to go to the doctor!"

I asked her why.

She responded, "Because the baby is kicking me!"

4/6/11 - Favorite Recipes

A little birdie keeps asking for the recipes I use for dinner on "Old Favorite" night. Here is a small snippet of what we like to eat!

Disclaimer: I am not a low-fat kind of girl.

Baked Creamy Chicken Taquitos - I use flour tortillas.

Stuffed Pizza Rolls

Pepperoni Pizza Puffs

Cheesy Apple Pancakes

Simple Hearty White Chili - a Dutch oven or an enameled cast iron pot is a MUST for this recipe.

Cajun Chicken Pasta

Spaghetti with Zesty Bolognese

Johnny Carino's Bowtie Festival - I always double the sauce

Cheesecake Factory Chipotle Pasta - If you don't like A LOT of heat, do NOT add more than 3/4 tablespoon of the peppers in adobo sauce. Also, you need to add asparagus, and red pepper strips when you are sauteing the onions and garlic. Mix in frozen peas right before you serve the pasta. Top with crispy tortilla strips. I LOVE this pasta but I never make it because Luke doesn't like spicy things.

Creamy Mexican Chicken Pasta - I use a couple of boxes of Thick and Creamy Mac n' Cheese. I also use ground beef instead of chicken.

Ham and Cheddar in a Loaf - We also make this into a pizza version with sauce, cheese and pizza toppings.

Spring Risotto - Luke's favorite. I add chopped sliced deli ham.

Southwest Chicken Salad Panini - My favorite. I add chili sauce to make it spicier.

Creamy Broccoli Soup - I have tired a lot of recipes for this kind of soup. This one is my favorite.

Zuppa Tuscona Soup

Cream Cheese Chicken and Vegetable Soup - I use Lil' Smokies instead of chicken.

Creamy Corn and Turkey Soup - I use chicken.

White Chicken Enchiladas - I use flour tortillas.

3/1/11 - Cheese and Crackers

I've been eating this delightful snack a lot lately.

Want the recipe? Brace yourself; it is super complicated.

Ingredients:
Wheat Thins
Havarti cheese

Stack a couple of thin, tiny slices of cheese on a cracker. Devour.

Hint: add more cheese for a cheesier flavor. - I like it best this way.

2/17/11 - Darn Good Fish

Try this recipe. You won't regret it!

We made it with Mahi Mahi because it is one of the two kinds of fish that Luke has tried/likes.

We also added some salt,pepper and garlic powder to the flour.

2/12/11 - Parents and Technology

This website cracks me up!

WARNING: Some of the posts are inappropriate.

2/6/11 - Baby Animals

Every day in her cutest Aslynn-voice, Z asks, "Look at animals?"

And we do.

Here.

1/31/11 - Raspberry Freezer Jam

...on homemade rolls, or my dad's fry-bread.

It's the food of the Gods. There is nothing better. These are facts of life.

10/8/10 - Everything Cookies

I have decided that these are my favorite cookies of all time. I love them with all my heart. I wanted to share them with you.

*The cookies are usually flatter and more lace-like. But today they were more mound-ish. Still AMAZINGLY good!*

Everything Cookies

1 1/2 c. butter, softened

1 c. sugar

1/2 c. pure cane washed raw sugar

2 c. brown sugar

4 eggs

2 tsp. vanilla

4 1/4 c. flour

4 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. salt

1 1/2 c. quick oats

4 c. Quaker Granola (Oats and Honey in the yellow box)

1/2 c. butterscotch chips

1/2 c. cinnamon chips

1 1/2 c. craisins

1 1/2 c. dried apricots, finely chopped

Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Cream butter and sugars until light and fluffy. Add eggs and vanilla beat until well combined. Add flour, baking soda, and salt; mix well. (I did all these steps in my Kitchen Aid then transferred the mixture into a much bigger bowl. Trust me; you are going to need it.) Add in oatmeal, granola, butterscotch chips, cinnamon chips, craisins, and apricots; mix until well combined.

Using a cookie scoop to drop cookies onto ungreased cookie sheet. Bake for 10 -12 minutes.

*Warning: this recipe requires the baker to share because it makes, NO JOKE, over 8 dozen cookies. So make sure you have friends who don't mind eating lots of cookies!*

You will NOT be sorry you made these!

My recipe was adapted from this one.

8/30/10 - Pictures That Make Me Giggle

I found them on the sidebar of this food blog.

8/13/10 - Prophets Who Tell You Like It Is

"Anyone who imagines that bliss is normal is going to waste a lot of time running around shouting that he has been robbed. The fact is that most putts don't drop, most beef is tough, most children just grow up to be people, most successful marriages require a high degree of mutual toleration, and most jobs are more dull than otherwise. Life is just like an old time rail journey-delays, sidetracks, smoke, dust, cinders, and jolts interspersed only occasionally by beautiful vistas and thrilling bursts of speed. The trick is to thank the Lord for letting you have a ride."

-Gordon B. Hinckley

8/11/10 - Pretty Toes

My friend, Heather, and I went and got pedicures. I had never had one before. It was grand! I will be getting another one (or six) in the future.

My big toes are the best part.

This is what my toes look like when I stretch them out. :o)

7/27/10 - Reading

I read a lot. I prefer reading to any other entertainment activity...except maybe one ;o) but unless you are married, you should have no idea what I am talking about, so forget I said anything.

Luke and I read books together.

After I read this book:

and it's sequel:

I knew Luke would love the story at much as I do.

We finished the first book last night. It took us only a little over a week. He's obsessed. We'll start the second one tonight.

I can't wait for the third one to come out in less than a month.

If you haven't read these books; you are missing out!

7/6/10 - Little Moments of Win

Are you having a bad day?

Go here.

I promise that it will make your day a little bit better.

4/13/10 - 101 Small Pleasures

Luke found this article online and I thought that it was GRAND! The ones I especially like are BIG.

101 small pleasures you can enjoy every day

1. coloring
2. crisp cotton sheets
3. soft skin
4. old family recipes
5. the first daffodils of spring
6. sleeping in
7. an exercise endorphin high
8. window boxes
9. a perfect cup of coffee
10. a genuine compliment (giving or receiving)
11. the way babies smell
12. a handwritten letter
13. waking up in a good mood...for no real reason
14. singing in the shower
15. finding a couple forgotten dollars in your pocket
16. doing something nice for your neighbor
17. a home cooked meal
18. laughing
19. movie theater popcorn
20. playing hookey
21. a bubble bath
22. swimming
23. an afternoon nap
24. street musicians
25. your favorite song
26. saying thank you
27. helping someone in need
28. old fashioned photo booths
29. fresh whipped cream
30. inspiring blogs
31. a glass of wine
32. rainy afternoons
33. the funny things kids say
34. a novel you can get lost in
35. finding the perfect piece of clothing...on sale
36. clean laundry
37. the wind in your hair
38. treating the person behind you at the drive-thru
39. sharing an umbrella
40. the smell of lavender
41. a long walk that clears your head
42. a bear hug
43. The Beatles
44. smiling at a stranger
45. eating with chopsticks (Chinese food optional)
46. butterflies
47. staying in your pj's all day
48. singing along to the radio and knowing all the words
49. fresh herbs
50. ordering in pizza
51. happy endings...even if they're fictional
52. flying a kite
53. puppies
54. root beer floats
55. holding open the door...
56. ...or having someone hold the door for you
57. fountain soda
58. white, fluffy towels
59. sunshine
60. spending an afternoon at a museum
61. really great advice
62. green lights all the way home
63. the sound of rain hitting the windows
64. sitting in a booth
65. holding hands
66. a great hair day with no effort
67. building a fort with your kids
68. when someone falls asleep with their head on your shoulder
69. fireflies
70. the perfect taco
71. geraniums on a windowsill
72. slow dancing
73. the smell of fresh-baked bread
74. cheesy, uplifting musicals
75. great stories
76. the smell of gasoline
77. the cold side of the pillow
78. love letters
79. old friends...
80. ...new friends
81. a pull-through parking space
82. a baguette -- crisp on the outside, airy on the inside
83. when a dog licks your hand
84. sitting at the counter at an old-fashioned diner
85. using your favorite dishes
86. reading your child a bedtime story
87. Girl Scout Cookies
88. flossing
89. kissing someone you love
90. the smell of onions and garlic cooking
91. hot chocolate
92. jumping in puddles
93. old photographs
94. birds hopping on the sidewalk
95. Ella Fitzgerald
96. a spoonful of peanut butter straight from the jar
97. your softest t-shirt
98. a new magazine in the mail
99. fireplaces
100. having exact change
101. bacon and pancakes cooking on Saturday morning

What numbers are your favorite?

3/24/10 - Stuffed Jalapenos & SW Chicken Wraps

This was last night's dinner. Excuse my plate presentation (I've been out of practice. Don't tell Brother Hamblin; he would be ashamed of me) and my iffy photo (iffy camera).

Sometimes I am shocked at the wonderfulness of cream cheese. Seriously! It can be used in oodles of recipes – ranging from dessert to appetizers to main course meals – to give the dish the perfect amount of creaminess. I will probably be posting more about cream cheese in the future because I use it all the time. (Confession: I always have at least four packages of the stuff in my fridge.)

I love anything in a tortilla. This tortilla is stuffed with tasty chicken and then grilled - like a grilled cheese sandwich. I made sure that I made enough to have leftovers for days.

BBQ Jalapeno Poppers

Modified from Pioneer Woman Cooks by Ree Drummond
18 fresh jalapenos
8 oz. cream cheese
1 cup finely grated sharp cheddar cheese
½ tsp. garlic powder
1 whole green onion, sliced thin
18 thin slices of bacon, cut in half
Bottled BBQ sauce


Preheat oven to 275o.

Mix together the cream cheese, cheddar cheese, green onion and garlic powder.

WEARING RUBBER GLOVES (as you should always do when working with hot peppers) cut the jalapenos in half – leave the stems intact if you can. Scrape out the seeds and most of the membranes of the jalapeno halves – if you like things really spicy then leave some of the membranes in there.

Stuff each hollowed out jalapeno half with the cheese mixture – don’t be afraid to put in enough that the cheese mixture heaps up a little.

Wrap a half slice of bacon around each jalapeno half – don’t wrap it too tight because if you do all your cheese will squish out as the bacon cooks!

Brush the surface of the bacon with BBQ sauce – I get lazy by this point and just use my fingers to do this.

If you’re concerned that your bacon needs to be secured with a toothpick so that it doesn’t unwind, feel free to secure ‘til your heart’s content. I usually just make sure that my bacon ends are underneath the jalapeno so that the pepper will hold the bacon down and in place.

Bake for one hour or until the bacon is sizzling!

I actually like these better the next day. I can eat them cold or pop ‘em in the microwave for about 19 seconds until they are just heated up enough to keep me from eating them too fast for fear of burning my tongue.

Crispy Southwest Chicken Wraps

Modified from My Kitchen Cafe

1 ½ cups cooked rice
1 ½ cups cooked, shredded chicken
1 can black beans, rinsed and drained
2 whole green onions, finely shredded
1 red bell pepper, sliced
1/3 cup cilantro, chopped
1 ½ tbs. lime juice
Almost 1 tbs. chili powder
1 ½ tsp. ground cumin
Almost 1 tsp. garlic salt
2 ½ shredded cheese
Sour cream
Burrito-sized tortillas

Sauté the red peppers in a wee bit of olive oil until they are "bendy" as I like to call it, but don't let them get "mushy" because that's just gross! Don't be afraid to blacken some of the peppers' edges, it tastes better that way.
Mix everything but the cheese, sour cream and tortillas together until well combined.

Sprinkle some cheese on the tortilla leaving a bit of a border around the edges. Layer on some of the rice and chicken mixture (I used a little less than ¾ of a cup). Drop dollops of sour cream down the center of the mixture. Roll up the tortilla like a nifty burrito – you don’t want the good stuff leaking out while you crispy up the tortilla.

Spray the tortilla all over with cooking spray. Then cook it like you would a grilled cheese until crispy and toasty. We used out waffle maker which moonlights as a sandwich maker when you switch out the waffle plates to the flat sandwich ones.


I also made this super tasty cilantro mayo to dip my wrap in – later I used it in the wrap.

Cilantro Mayo
Modified from Blog Chef

1 cup mayonnaise
1 tbs. lime juice
1 tbs. honey
1 tbs. Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp. garlic powder
3 tbs. cilantro
1 jalapeno, minced
Pinch of salt and pepper

Mix it all together!

3/22/10 - Popcorn Popping...

...but not on an apricot tree. Still, we sing the song whenever we drive by.

3/20/10 - Hungarian Mushroom Soup

I have a thing for mushrooms, quite possibly an obsession. I love them. I love their texture. I love the sound they make when you eat them. Me and this soup, we're love-ahs...forever.

I found the recipe on eat me, delicious.

This is my adaptation.

3 tablespoon salted butter
2 cups chopped onions
1 1/4 pound fresh mushrooms, sliced
1 1/2 teaspoon dried dill weed
1 tablespoon paprika
1 tablespoon soy sauce
2 cups vegetable broth
1/2 cup chicken broth
1 cup milk
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
ground black pepper to taste
2 teaspoons lemon juice
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
1/2 cup sour cream

1. Melt the butter in a large pot over medium heat. Saute the onions in the butter for 5 minutes. Add the mushrooms and saute for 10 more minutes. Stir in the dill, paprika, soy sauce and broth. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes.

2. In a separate small bowl, whisk the milk and flour together. Pour this into the soup and stir well to blend. Cover and simmer for 15 more minutes, stirring occasionally.

3. Finally, stir in the salt, ground black pepper, lemon juice, parsley and sour cream. Mix together and allow to heat through over

3/17/2010 - Aslynn in her Oompa-Loompa Outfit...

...eating jellybeans with her round, little belly poochin' out.
 

 

It looks even funnier when her shirt is a different color than the overalls.

It's ALIVE!

Okay, so last year wasn't the best for blogging.  One of my goals for this year is to be better about writing blog posts on a regular basis. 

All of today's posts are from my HAPPINESS IS... blog. I am deleting it, but I wanted to save some of the posts. I am transferring them over to this blog.

Check back often for more posts.