Fun weekend, horrible workout.

I am so sucking right now. I am hoping I'll feel better on Monday afternoon when I get my next medication dose. It is suppose to be every eight weeks; however, I was due for that two weeks ago, but had to postpone it due to a vaccine I had to get. Every work out seems to be a struggle for me to have the energy. This usually starts to happen two weeks before I'm do for the RX, so now I'm four weeks or more into feeling sluggish all the time. Ugh.  

Saturday: hot with a forecast of hotter. (see this Unsimple Living blog post to see how hot I think the day was) Up at 5:30am for Mike's event, to the small downtown area for his race meeting, and freebies (a packet of coffee beans and a gift card to the restaurant) and they were off at 7am, back to hotel, changed, spent an extra 20 minutes trying to figure out where the parking lot for the trail was. Asked at a gas station, the attendant and person pumping had no idea and were kind  of scary people. Plus, this part of the trail was right next to the paved highway road and it wove in and out of trees and overgrown shrubs. I wasn't sure how safe it was going to be. [I was envisioning lots of creepy weirdos hanging out in the woods].  I finally asked two fifty-something women walking on the path where the parking lot was (another mile down the road!). Thus when I finally found the parking lot, I ran in the other direction. . .which happened to be IN the sun the whole time. I did run with my flashlight/whistle that my mom got for me. It's thick plastic and angled, so I figure I would be able to hurt someone if they tried to hurt me ;-) 

Running at 8am was not smart this day!  I had my waist camelbak of water and about 20oz of cytomax. I was out of cytomax and had already had a GU by the time I entered the city I won't name, on the trail system. I started out running and then went to run/walk. I was ticked off in the city I won't name.  I was tired, cranky, getting dehydrated, and looking for H2O. There was NO place to get water--no gas station or convenient store or CVS or Walgreens or anything that I could see.There are NO gas stations near the bridge, even though there are plenty of hotels there. UGH. I actually contemplated walking into the hotel for the ice machine, but didn't know if I'd get a second look or not.  There I was: walking, walking, walking trying to find something. Finally, I found a gas station that was just reopening and was able to get some cold water and filled up the pack, then started to make the trek back to the car. I was hoping to get 10 miles one way and 10 the other, but by this time my body was not happy and I was trying to get rehydrated, thinking that was why I was cranky. I was only seven miles in by the time I found the oasis with good ol' H2O. 

I got started north, then stopped just about a mile into my return on the trail, with the need to call the animal shelter/humane society, neither were open, so I finally called police about an injured goose in the middle of the bike trail. I couldn't just leave without doing anything. They mate for life and its mate was trying to get it to move. The thing was right in the middle of the trail system. I'm surprised there hadn't been a people accident in this area with the goose  in the path, then I wondered if a recreational cyclist might have done this, on accident of course.  

This photo is after it had managed to move approximately two feet. It was like a seal on land, trying to move, floundering on its belly, trying to paddle it's feet and getting no purchase on anything with them.  There was blood under its right wing and it was such a sad sight to see. I was trying to stay far enough back so as to not stress it out. As its mate never charged at me, I can only assume I was far enough away.  The rest of the flock moved on after a few minutes though; they were not going to wait for the downed goose. I guess they have a code like pirates (a la the Pirates of the Caribbean.). 

As a farm girl I was torn. One one hand, the goose didn't need to be suffering and I wanted the humane society/police to do something for it and its mate. On the other hand, it's food at the basic level, though I have never knowingly ate a goose. 

Got that done, then started slowly running again. My motoactv says my run times were about about a minute to two minutes slower per mile than I wanted to be running, and then my walking times were obviously slower than that. I was thinking that if I got done with this run than I could go back to the hotel, clean up and do some running in the hotel swimming pool (in the cool water and the a/c of the hotel!). However, the weather started getting bad, just as another cycling wife said it might, so I drove to the second checkpoint of Mike's race in case he had to bail. Got to the small town just as the storm was rolling in. I missed him by six miles or so, but with texting found he was safe on a farmer's porch with a yellow lab for company. I was in town in case the storm didn't let up and he needed to bail on the ride/race. As I was in the gas station finding out if the cyclists had even been there yet, the car almost got hit by falling awning sign of the gas station. 

The missing red/white piece was in two sections, each about five feet by two feet. 

The car seriously was missed by about three inches and probably only saved due to the fact the strong wind gusts were from west to east and the car was on the west side of the awning, so it blew down and then slightly to the east.

Sometimes there's a lot of crazy and funny stuff that happens and other times it's like, 'why aren't I running more!". ugh. I am SO disappointed in myself for this run. 

Mike finished about half hour before he thought he would, even with waiting an hour on farmer guy's porch waiting out the rain and lightning (yes, the lightning is what made my hubby get off his bike). He got another gift card for finishing the race and we had a lovely dinner for half the out-of-pocket price!  

Sunday we went for a lovely stroll along the river. A gorgeous day in temperature and perfect  amount of fluffy cotton ball clouds in the atmosphere. We marveled at the different types of lilies. . . neither of us had any idea there were different varieties of these lovely flowers.  Most of these were the kind with eighteen inch diameter pads and flower stalks that were about two feet out of water. The ones we have near us are much smaller pads and the flowers sit right on the water with very long and slender flower petals.

I'm trying to be better about my food I'm ingesting and if I feel like I might put it on my blog then maybe I'll be a little more careful about what I eat? The Mike took me to The Machine Shed on Sunday for breakfast. I've never been to one of these places, though there are several in the Midwest. I wasn't going to put this picture in the blog, but love how Mike really could not resist the bacon candy on his plate while I was capturing the food. I was disappointed that a place that prides itself of having farm style foods has no way of communicating that the food is 'fried'  in vegetable oil.  It took several attempts for me to discover what they meant by 'fried' and I requested real butter for my food, as the soy oils don't agree with this body. I really wish the dairy board would come back with a REAL SEAL campaign. It is sadly amazing how many people think that 'butter' is a generic term.  'whipped margarine' is not equal in any way to real butter.  

Later we toured a farm implement area and then dined at a nice steakhouse.  I ordered the smaller sirloin and potato, then a side of veggies to be a little more healthy.  We actually didn't eat, and didn't box up, the veggies as they were swimming in whatever type of oil they used (probably olive) 

The last part of our day, before heading home, was spent at the dam site.  It was fun to watch the rail bridge swing open and then close when needed. Just as we were getting ready to leave, a barge was coming into the area, so we did stay to watch it get loaded in the lock.

Since I had no problem eating all my steak on Sunday (such a non-shocker!),  this was my lunch on Monday.  Ham, tomato, spinach, guacamole on toast, and two pieces of cheese.   

Food log

7/23/12 Today was a no run day, but I have decided to journal what I eat today.


8:30am
1 Chobani Black Cherry yogurt, with chopped walnuts on top (enough to cover the top of the container), mixed in.
1 pint chocolate milk 


10:30am
1 banana 


Ongoing throughout the morning, 1 20oz bottle of Throwback Pepsi, with ice to help me drink it slower. I had caffeine this weekend and need to help wean myself off it again so I don't have a migraine going on. 


Lunch:  
A dozen or so baby carrots, dipped in some feta/dill salad dressing (no-soy). 
Left over baked potato from Applebee's with some butter and cheese (yeah, I know, I just made that an uphealthy baked potato!)
A small avocado for some good fats.
Some watermelon. Our store packs cubes of watermelon in small containers that probably would hold four cups of anything that would fill it like milk or sand, and I had half of this container.


I usually try to have protein at lunch, but I didn't want any lunch meat (had enough this weekend) and didn't have anything else readily available at the store, so just the potato, dairy, veggies and fruit.


Afternoon snack (3pm or so) a Tanka Bar-[Buffalo, cranberries, some seasoning]. These things are fabulous!, as well as a banana.


It's an evening at the night job today! (yeah?!)  Snack of Chobani, chocolate milk and then dinner. 


8/3/2012 I realized I never published the above post and, sadly, I have no idea what I ate for dinner when I got home at 8:30 that evening.  I also never realized how much dairy I really ingest.  Hmm, as I was raised a dairy farmer's daughter, I really shouldn't be surprised!


I did the Chicago Rock n Roll half marathon (July 21) as a walk with a friend.  When I got home that evening, the awesome Mike took me to Applebee's. It was sooooo good.  

Last weekend I went to my parents' to help them with some things and spend time with sisters who were home.  The dark photo is of storm clouds. It POURED in some places of the state and others not so much as a drop.  I know we really need rain in the state and most of the country, and while I LOVE seeing storms roll in, I really prefer they be when I'm not driving. . . 10pm at night, all dark and then bright white spears of lightning from the heavens. Oouch , the eyes, the eyes! 

 I went for a walk with a sister and 3 year old nephew we were watching for the day.  These cracks in the trail were about 1/3 of an inch wide. I can only sadly imagine what the earth base of the fertile fields of America looks like.  Below is a photo of some corn in my area.  It's near enough to the river, in 2008 it was four or five feet under water.  This year, it is suffering for a different reason. The first ten rows of corn are knocked over by weight of the stalk, I suppose, by the drought. The  rows in from that at least have tassels on the stalks, but they are so pathetic, the leaves are drawn in  so much they resemble a straw instead of a mighty and gorgeous leafed plant, such as corn. 

One thing I learned with nephews is to put up anything, including camelbaks holding 1.5 liters of water.  For being three, he's quite the engineer.  He flipped the value to 'open' and stuck  the squiggle straw into the opening.  The "saving grace" was that my workout clothes for the next day were on the floor next to this, otherwise, mom, in her wheelchair, may have done an ice skating routine! Not much water on the floor, my sister is relieved.  Note to self: never leave a camelbak near a child of any age!




Dad gave me some fresh garden tomatoes (which is good, since my three plants have produced *very* little).  This is my lunch at work this past Monday. I'm working on getting more veggies into my diet. The Mike is helping with this, as he wants more veggie tray veggies on hand in the fridge. 

Sadly, this isn't how I eat all the time. I wish it was. Last night we had home-made nachos with guacamole and fresh tomatoes. Wednesday we had take out from the local Mexican place that is similar to a Qdobo/Chipolte. It's close to Aveda salon and it's fairly good for us.(until you add the cheese and sour cream!).  Mike had the burrito, it weighed in at 1.2 pounds. I'm always amazed they can wrap these things up!  Last weekend he had one when I was out of town. He said it was about 2 pounds! and the woman couldn't get it wrapped up well.  I had the steak salad (lettuce, steak, some cheese, a little rice, and then I added guac and sour cream at home).  

 Wednesday I went for a run.  I went off the regular paved trail and to the mowed path.  Down a ways and then back, since I'm not sure where exactly it goes (I did the snowshoe event in January, but can't recall the exact path). On my return to the paved trail I noticed something that wasn't there before. FOUR deer. Two gorgeous creatures with full antlers and a couple others as well.  Normally these animals scatter before I can even get my cell phone camera out of the pouch. This day, I managed to snag a picture of an aging fawn (still had its spots, but not a baby by any means) and a mile down the path I found these beauties.  

 This morning I went for a bike ride. Oooh, it felt so good to get out and ride!  One of these days I need to take a picture of the river with its rocks showing.  Today I got this picture of backwater of the river. Last fall there were beavers felling trees. This spring there was water and fish and now, just at the beginning of August, we have vegetation growing.  It's amazing how this cycle happens, seemingly every twenty to twenty-five years.

Food, travels, cemeteries and more food!

I think I've been MIA due to the heat the state's experienced. I also try to think of how I ever survived my childhood on the farm. . . during the drought of the late 1980s. I recall those hot summer days, enjoying running around, taking a soak in the freshly filled cattle tank on a hot day, the nice breeze from the south in a house with no a/c. Yes, you read that right, people survived this weather before there was air conditioning! Heck, even my high school had no a/c. . . though teachers were allowed to turn off the heat producing lights, open the windows and run fans for air circulation (and there was always the 'get out early due to heat' excitement). 


Last week I had some chicken breasts I needed to use. We didn't have a lot of groceries in the house, as we'd just been out of town and were going out again, but The Mike realized we had ham and some cheddar cheese, so I made these chicken rolls. I layered the chicken breasts between two pieces of parchment paper (I've read that wax paper is suppose to work, but it usually rips on me) and pounded away with the item on top of the cutting board.  The cats were scared to come in the kitchen for a while.  I placed two pieces of nitrite/nitrate/preservative free ham on each flattened breast, as well as a few slices of cheddar cheese (I'd have used Swiss if I'd really been planning this dish).  Next I folded in the edges and rolled them up, tying each with some kitchen twine/yarn (that stuff is awesome).  


To finish off the dish, I added a can of diced tomatoes and topped with some oregano and basil from the patio herb box. 

As it came out of the oven.  I wrapped in a foil packet, baked for about 45 minutes and then let the roll ups rest on the cutting board for a few minutes. 

Presentation is everything, right?  Sliced and served with fresh basil which was a great way to finish off the dish--each bite of the roll up could have a little bit of the fresh basil. Yummy!  

Last weekend we were near the center of the state. Mike had a gravel road ride to do, I think it was 120 or 140 miles, with some other folks.  I had a 15 mile run to do (but only managed to get 14 in).  I ran through the town and out to the country . . decided to follow the 'short hilled' road instead of the long climb I could see.  Interesting path, as it took me on the edge of the town with country landscape on one side and new houses on the other, including near a new lake.  It was a great place to run, a small breeze managed to come up and I was feeling good jogging along until I had to do the 'heeby jeeby' run/dance step.  A GIANT frog, dead, on the side of the road. Only his hind end was damaged and this thing was larger than my hand, probably larger in size than the bottom of my clothes iron!  Then, of course, the little girl who played in mud went back and had to stare at the frog. I just couldn't believe it was so big. One of the cyclists said it was probably a "bull frog". I had no idea they got so big! I've only seen toads and frogs the size that fit IN my palm. 

Coming back towards the hotel, I ran on a loop road through the industrial park to get some more mileage in.  Back there, between the road and parking lot for the businesses were huge fields of Queen Anne's Lace, clover, and a few different types of yellow flowers.  So very pretty to see. I could imagine a miles and miles of fields looking like this. 

Later, for a birthday present,I went for my second massage, and first hot stone massage. The Mike's been trying to get me to do this for about five years (yeah, I know!, what is WRONG with me that it has taken me soo long?).  I could have stayed home this day, since it was my birthday, but I knew if I stayed home I'd never do the massage.  Instead, I went with him to this town, then drove thirty miles to the casino/spa and for a Hot Stone Massage (nothing like stopping on your long run to call the spa for an appointment as soon as they open, HA).  On my drive up I took in 'the road less traveled' and enjoyed a spot of the Lincoln Highway.  If you ever travel coast to coast and want to see real America, and the towns that are and were, drive the Lincoln Highway, or U.S./Federal Highway 30. It's a great road that reminds you there are more important things than getting from point A to B asap.  President Abe also owned two pieces of land in Iowa. He never visited either one, but it's a nice bit of history.  You can check out the information here. 

As I was driving up the roadway, I could see the clouds building north, but figured they'd all go north (then I got excited, thinking that at home we just *might* get some rain finally). However, as I turned onto the highway it was evident the dark clouds weren't the rain producing ones.  Rather, the light colored ones had a large amount of water to let down.   

Thankfully, I had left my rain coat in the car!  I donned that and sprinted into the spa (does that count towards my workout?). I hung up the coat and then went to play the slots a little (up/down, up down, even!) and then headed for the massage. 

Oh MY GOODNESS. What took me so long with getting that hot stone massage?  (probably knowing I'd want one once a month!) 

I had passed two signs for "Prairie Cemetery" on my way north. As I headed south, I stopped at one (the other was through a farmer's pastureland).  I was so saddened by what I saw.  A relatively--for the time--large lot of land being mowed, and only about 1/4 of it had any headstones.  This one had been fixed. 

But others weren't, including the next photo, where the pieces had been stacked atop each other. Some had the name scoured away by time. Others had such amazing detail that is rarely seen today. 

On my way back into town I stopped by the cemetery to take a photo of this headstone I saw on my run.  All sisters buried /to be buried together, with their spouses. I have never seen anything like this and it was large and quite nice with detail.  

I got back to the hotel just after The Mike did.  We decided to head out with a couple of the cycling dudes he was with during the day for the Mexican restaurant up the street. I'd heard fabulous things about them and was quite hungry.  I managed to not eat anything real all day!  I was out of Tanka bars (none in my purse) and I had chocolate milk, white milk, and a protein shake after I finished my run, and  didn't eat in the afternoon.  The cycling guys, meanwhile, had stopped at convenience stores along their route and a sandwich shop for lunch.  All I know about my dinner was that it was "combo 35".  Steak slices, bacon wrapped shrimp, chicken, guacamole, lettuce, tomato, cheese. YUM.  The Mike took over with the rice, as I focused on getting protein in the body. (and why do I never make bacon wrapped shrimp at home--soooo goood!).


Afterwards, we tried to go to the ice cream parlor in town, it was closed, we tried going to Dairy Queen (photo below). .  and it was "closed for the season".  Seriously, that is what the sign in the window says.  

Thus, we wound up at the golden arches next door. They all had various concoctions (cafe drinks for two, a mcflurry for hubby--and the spoon broke through the bottom of two different cups while being mixed); I had a hot fudge sundae with caramel.  Afterwards, I recalled driving past another local ice cream shoppe on the way into town, but the guys didn't want any more ice cream.  Back to the hotel for chatting and then called it a night.  The end to a fabulous day about nothing outside a run, a massage, and food for the body. 

Many thanks to my fabulous hubby who got a wonderful present for me and a fabulous birthday. There's no way I would have relaxed at all on my birthday had I stayed at home. I would have been cleaning, gardening,  doing everything except relaxing, probably.! 

This week the temperatures have gone down slightly.  I still got up early (5am) to run this week:  it was 73º to 75º Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday. I believe Thursday was a chilly 68º. Then, I awoke today, Friday, to DEW on the cars and the phone/weather saying 60º! WOOHOO! It was cool. A great morning for a run around the lake.   I spied a Blue Heron and tried to take a photo. Those things are quite attentive to the complete surroundings. he flew low and to the right as I took the photo, and I don't think any portion of his wings were visible between the water and prairie flowers. 

 Sadly, the water is down about two feet, minimum, due to the drought of the state/country.  Hopefully we'll get some much needed rain in a gentle form before the next few weeks are out. 

Heat waves are unbearable if you're an adult. I think as a kid I was pretty immune to the high temperatures. We could tell if it was in the low 90s from humidity, but at a certain point above 96 or so, heat feels like heat.   [it probably should be noted, I grew up in farming country during the 80s drought, it's not like we had a lot of humidity anyway!].  These last two weeks we've had high 90s, low 100s days. Last weekend I stayed inside most of the time.  I did my long run on Saturday, up at 4:30 and it was foggy/humid and out I went, attempting to knock out 12, but I only got a tad over 10 in.  I was pretty spent, the humidity backed off by around 7, at which time I was already whipped.  Back home I got some Cyotmax in and stretched, then headed to the local Jaycees 5K for the 4th of July fundraiser.. . . That's right, I didn't get my 12 in that was my goal and I was going to do the other 3.1 I had planned for the day (15 was total mileage goal, but many folks say time running is just as important if not more, than distance--if you can't get your total distance in, but your time was on target or over for what you anticipated spending, i..e don't over strain the body).

Since I preregistered for the event, I showed up about twenty minutes before start time. . .and wondered where the heck everyone was!!! Wow. what a community let-down. ONLY 24 people registered/showed up for this event! There were more people at it three years ago when it was raining!  Considering we often have a few hundred show up for other races in the area, I was shocked. shocked. shocked shocked.

As we gathered at the top of the hill/starting area, another woman came up to peak a look at my age category and then apologized for thinking I was in her age bracket. Ah, funny thing, I have more gray hair than many people, and since it is primarily at my temples I have given up on coloring the gray, it's not like I have some 'here and there' in my hair. I had my hair pulled up in a clip, plus a visor for the sun/sweat and she felt sooooo bad. No worries at all! I've got more gray hair than my siblings combined (and I'm the youngest!).  Since I'd already gone out for my long race and was whipped, I did not expect/anticipate anything happening this day for the 5K. I did a few walking breaks on some of the hills (straight concrete, in the sun, with heat/humidity). I felt like I was being a little lazy out there, but still trying to not overwork my body that had a long run earlier in the day.  I finished in about four minutes slower than my fastest 5K time. I was good with it. It was faster than my out and back 'easy' run time.  Surprisingly, I was the ONLY person in my age group, and so, when I finished fourth from the bottom, I was surprised to see my name line containing 1/1 for age group! [the woman who asked my age at the beginning of the race, she was the only one in her age group too]. What they say is true. I'm faster than those who didn't finish, didn't show up, didn't registered, or stayed home!  I have my first [and probably only] age medal win! LOL.

The Mike, meanwhile, was pedaling crazy in the hot heat of midwest Nebraska at a bike race in the 'sandhills" of Nebraska . . .completely forgot that term that mom would say when I was growing up, until i saw pictures of the race. Oooh, I felt like a bad wife, not being able to mention that term to him before.  He finished third over all, about 16 hours of pedaling and he said it was the toughest ride he's done, even if he's done mileage longer than that before.  The race organizer volunteered a spot for the Mike in an a/c room Saturday night (instead of the KOA camp again). Thanks to the race organizer for being kind (plus, all the other people who bailed on the race and were staying with him had already headed home).


in case you're not aware, this is a new stamp the US Post Office released this year (kid's bike, road/touring bike, road/tour de france bike, and BMX bike--no mountain bike the guy at the USPS didn't think that was funny, but the guy behind me did!)

After my race, I came home and made this not so fabulous looking omelet.  I made another the next day that was fluffy, perfect, but didn't take time to take a picture--this is regularly what it looks like. Organic eggs from . . .the organic store, ham, spinach, a little cheese, basil and oregano from the deck planter garden, and stopped with  just a little cheese (I'm cutting back).


Saturday was a lazying around kind of day, according to the cat who was missing her human. Unable to catch up on my Runner's World due the ten pound paperweight.

I made lasagna for Mike's welcome home meal.  I figured he'd still be hungry from burning all those calories on Saturday --I was right, though envious that he ate at Runza two days in a row. . . no GF options there :-( I miss the fold over Runza sandwiches. Runza is a hamburger joint, but their original sandwich is an all bread enclosed sandwich with ground beef, onion and apparently cabbage, but I don't think one would really know that unless you were told. Anyway, they're not GF and I miss them.

Sunday night was Lasagna. GF noodles with a jar of sauce. I normally make my own sauce, but I wasn't heating up the house with humidity from simmering sauce all day long, and the last of my homemade meatballs I found in the freezer (half sausage, half beef, some GF breadcrumbs, egg, parsley, onion).

Monday we had a fillet of salmon with carrots for a side.  I cooked the salmon in a foil packet with lemon, oregano and some basil.  In a skillet, I browned some about 1/2T of butter, then added some white wine and  lemon juice, along with some dill at the end. This went over both the salmon and the carrots.

(left overs for lunch, then Tuesday night I had GF pizza from Mama Mimi's take n bake. They had a buy one, get one free option --GF was $2 for the "free")
Last night Mike emptied the refrigerator and we made this:

Since we weren't all that hungry on the 4th from snacking on veggies and leftover items, we had the hamburger to cook up.  Hamburger cooked with onion, layered over spinach and mixed greens salad, tomato sliced/diced, Wholly Guacamole, a little rice that was in the fridge, and a small amount of cheese.YUM, with tortilla chips on the side.

Hopefully you all had a safe and fabulous Fourth of July (Unless you were in San Diego and missed out on the fireworks there!).

I was catching up on some blog reading today and laughed when I came to Beyond Fatigue, Pain & ACTN3's recent post.  He writes, "If you're like me, you probably plan your vacation destinations based upon the quality of nearby trail running spots. " 


People laugh at the Mike and me, okay, they chuckle, because we'll do exercise/training/racing on our vacations.  We've gone to Leadville, CO several years for vacation for the 100mile bike race for The Mike. We even picked which island to see in the fine state of Hawai'i based upon which one had a 5k or 10k for me to do.  This winter, we're heading to California for a  trail race for me, my first as of now, and I'm worried for the mountain/hills/climbing. . .and I won the entry from this man's blog. Yup, we're planning a vacation around a $70 race entry ;-)     Just look at his blog's photo and tell me that doesn't inspire you to at least try!

Travels, trails and exploration

The Mike had an endurance ride in central Iowa the other weekend.  Part of the course was for them to ride their bikes through the Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge .  Who even knew this existed just 25 miles south of I-80/Colfax friends of the center link here --seriously, there are NO signs along I-80 for this wonderful area!)

We toured part of the center first, complete with full size elk and bison models inside the education center (did you know the fluffy foreleg hair of the bison are called 'pantaloons'?).  They have a short video on how the prairie has changed since settlers arrived and how they are changing it back again. 

Goofing off with the bison head.

Elk in the  bison bison free range area.  We think there were a few deer in there too. However, I did not get to spy any bison bison.  The Mike, however, did while during the race.---> He thought this sign was fun. ."stay in your car and on the road". I said that staying on one's bike is the same thing as staying in one's car; however, one just isn't protected as well.  I doubt I'd ever see a bicyclist honking and hollering at a bison trying to get its attention, as we saw in South Dakota near a couple years ago.


Last weekend I went to my parents'.  While there I went on my long run for the week (13 miles) and took a "breather" in there with a shaded stretch with no wind blowing and I admit, I did consume a few berries.  I also managed to scare up a deer, which took off away from me down the former railroad trail--it ran for a good three-fourths of a mile, if not more.  Another time I rounded a curve and spied a deer up ahead crossing the slightly wooded area (read: this is why I refuse to run in the country in the dark. ..deer, opossums, badgers, and the ever favorable skunk).

When I got back home, dad had already prepared lunch for him and mom-- a fabulous sirloin steak with mushrooms and some pan fried potatoes.  That man does know how to take care of himself in the kitchen. [sorry, no photos, too hungry!] 

I got the privilege of cleaning up ;-)

Saturday evening, after church, we went to town to get some things at the grocery store.  Mom has an electric wheelchair now and she just GOES about the store. Thank goodness it was not busy at all (less for us to worry about).   When we got home, the pot roast dad had put in the crockpot was smelling so wonderful.  Redwine and some water, spices, veggies and hmmm, hmmm hmmm GREAT.  Plus, only one pan to clean. However, the leftovers became fixings for soup on Sunday, along with some peppers and tomatoes.  

Sunday morning I was to run, per the coach, "an easy three miles".   I had happened to be on the Omaha Running Club's page in fabulous Facebook-land Friday and heard about The Road To Omaha Run 5k with benefits going to help Omaha parks and schools.  What could be more fun than running along the river front area (part of which had been under water just last year from the horrendous flood) and then running the warmup track area at the TD Ameritrade Park?   I got up early and drove up to get registered and then run, agreeing to meet mom and dad at the 11Worth restaurant for breakfast afterwards, YUM!

The sculpture along the Missouri River (Bob Kerry Pedestrian Bridge in back).  The flood waters were up to the sculpture men's necks/raised arms. It's a sculpture to those who helped build/shape this great city. 

I got registered and was able to get a shirt too (SaWeet). Waiting around, I got ready --sunscreen!--did some stretching, yoga, and people watching (as well as watching the newscasters who were there, KETV link to race story here --I am in the video, just not my front side, so I won't be sharing where I was, what I was wearing!).   Then I lined up with about 500 of my closest friends on Sunday morning and we were off on the four foot wide trail/sidewalk.  One youngster almost bit the dust in front of me by tripping on her own feet (eek!) and then the powerful folks who didn't get lined up early.   It was really cool as we came into the stadium, even for this non-sports follower.  Running on the track, seeing the stands from a position few see, was great. . . We were suppose  to be able to see ourselves on the big screen, via a video camera feed set up on the ground as we were rounding third base. However about twenty of us missed that opportunity due to some young woman standing right.in.front. of the camera while setting up her cell phone camera to take a picture of herself on the big screen. I was disappointed in not being able to see myself up there, but I was more disappointed for the dad and his six or seven year old son in front of me who were trying to get in position to see themselves on the screen and the disappointing voice of the child who only got to see a pink shirted young woman on the big screen. (classy?  yeah, I said something.   I can see being oblivious in a 26.2 race, I can't see being oblivious in a 3.1 mile race!)

I was happy with my time considering a) it was hot, we didn't start until 9am; b) it was suppose to be an "easy" run; and c) there were a few small hills in there----I am considering it an eye opener for the Omaha Marathon I'm doing in September--glass medals, handed out by Marines in uniform!!! 

Trying to cool off afterwards was laughable.  I did finally stop glistening, got cleaned up and changed at the public restrooms there  and managed to pull into the restaurant parking lot at the same time as my parents--how is that for timing?

The sculpture along the Missouri River (Bob Kerry Pedestrian Bridge in back).  The flood waters were up to the sculpture men's necks/raised arms. It's a sculpture to those who helped build/shape this great city.

Ham and Cheese omelet with hash browns at 11Worth on, Leavenworth, on Omaha.   I couldn't eat all the omelet, though I was pretty close. Mom and dad shared the full size (four eggs) philly steak omelet, I got the junior size (which is two or three eggs).  

Afterward we got home and some things around the house, I packaged up some of the soup dad had made for eating along my route and got ready for my five hour car ride home.  Thankfully the drive was uneventful (something a cousin's hubby didn't have that morning. Thank goodness they are okay!).

Monday night we had left over GF pizza (chicken, tomatoes, mushrooms and black olives) which I picked up Sunday on my way back into town,  along with a "deconstructed" spinach salad: spinach, sliced apple, cherry tomatoes, carrots and some cheese curds (not a lot, since we had cheese on the pizza). 

Highs and Lows, or: The unnamed blog post.

Flag Day, a day to honor the adoption of the national flag on June 14, 1777.  For how to properly honor the flag, fold it, etc, check out USFlag.org .     I'm a pretty patriotic person...I think most people are.  Last Saturday I drove to a meeting and back again and saw two separate conveys. The little kid in me came out and I had to wave to them all as they went about their training. 

As I headed back into town I stopped at Target for some quick buys with a stop at the ladies room first. Good thing I wasn't having any Celiac contaminated moments. Only ONE bathroom was "in order". No rush, but I found that odd. . . then I wondered if this is the new 'we're short staffed so we don't have time to clean". I thought it was rather interesting to have 3/4 of the facilities out of order.

Yesterday I spied this gorgeous (restored?) vehicle. The license plate said it was a 1937, meaning it was created and sold at a time when the country and world were working their way out of a great depression. . . I wonder if any cars or trucks manufactured today will ever be considered classics (we have such a  society of  that loves to use disposable items. Are any vehicles today marketed/built to last more than ten of twenty  years?

Tuesday I went for the morning run. Had a set thing to do, with a total of six miles, so I ran a loop I haven't done for a while.  I'm totally enjoying my new gadget/training tool-- the MotoActv all in one mp3 player, heart rate, gps, etc. It's AWESOME.  We picked it up at the Hospital Hill Expo. The Mike's been looking at it, reading reviews, etc. The sales woman started talking about it and I was in LOVE! All these tools in one gadget? Sign me up!  I ran with it in the race, though only for the MP3 part, not for a training tool of any sort. Every thirty minutes the computer would come on and remind me to drink, or to make sure I was upright, tell me the mileage, how far into my goal (plugged in 13.1 for the race) I was, etc.  The computer came on and said the mileage, which was under 2 miles to the finish, and I was pumped from that and knowing I was sooo close to being finished.  Can you tell I love this thing?  Tuesday I was out with it and it was saying something to the effect of, 'if you keep up this pace, you'll run your fastest mile to date'.  'remember to keep your pace steady' and things of that nature.

I didn't stop for any photos until the last mile. I came around the corner and started up the incline when I spied two deer in the distance. I pulled out the phone for the camera, but by the time that was accomplished the doe and her fawn were gone.  I grabbed a great ray of sunshine in this daisy though:

Yesterday as I came home from yoga I spied two more deer, different road, different deer (since these were both adults) and managed to power down before they got spooked (T intersection, it would have been bad if they were spooked into traffic).

Last night I thought turkey sounded  pretty good, so I baked up a turkey breast in a foil packet with some sage and thyme and put in a small butternut squash as well. . .

It was good, but I realized I didn't have any cranberries on hand, nor did I have any chicken or turkey broth. Mike put some BBQ sauce on his turkey. I put a little mustard on mine.  I also boiled up some Yukon Gold potatoes and mashed them with a little butter and milk.

Not the most enthusiastic or fabulous dinner, but it was good and nutritious :)

The Mike was craving some sugar, so I made up some of the all time best brownies: Gluten Free Pantry --even non-Celiacs LOVE these brownies. Great brownies. .. not the best thing to have before bed with a morning run.  I was sluggish this morning, partially from being a little dehydrated and partially from sugar before bed. . . but then I look at the daisy photo above and everything is rays of sunshine :)

The true Hospital Hill race recap

HA. I realized this morning that I did not actually do much of a race recap in my last post!  I must have been more tired than I had thought.  Unfortunately, I'm still tired.  One of the cats decided I should be awake at 3:58am and give him attention. My alarm went off at 5 for yoga and at 5:10 a strange cat (beautiful butterscotch tom cat) showed up on the deck and the same cat of ours is very territorial and was going into "defending his territory" mode complete with huffs and puffs like a bull and pounding on the glass door. I ended up putting the cat in the bathroom with the pocket door open a few inches so he could calm down and know he wasn't locked in completely--but not before the beautiful fur-ball pictured below snagged onto my wrist and chomped down (luckily, only scratches, no puncture). The Mike said the cat ended up getting out and was later hopping up/down on the bed and then charging the patio door some more. . . oh, the life of cat caregivers.

Here is the darling cat on a better day, when he didn't want to get off the bed as the blankets were being arranged. 

Race day, June 2, 2012, Hospital Hill Run was a fabulous day.  Up at 3 or so, on my way by 3:30am to Kansas City for the race. I found the same entrance to the parking garage I used last year was blocked by barricades, but some very nice men moved two aside for me so I could get in. I was fine with being "stuck" in the garage for hours since I was going to be running and hanging out for a bit afterwards.  Found plenty of space in the same parking area as last year, right near the garage exit and right out to the festivities and right next to the real bathroom in the parking garage (we all know how important quick access is on race day, right?).

I got there around 5am, and the volunteers were already setting up the food line for afterwards and all other tents. It's quite magical and reminded me of working at THE best state fair. .the one and only Iowa STATE FAIR, and watching the small town come to life each morning.

Last year I had looked at the layout of the race, but really couldn't compute that in my head to anything reasonable. and I kept hearing about THE hill and  that there were three main hills. . . guess what, there are many, many more than that and the little ones wipe you out.  This year, I got a little smarter, and I printed out the elevation display, taped it, and then punched small holes in the side for safety pins which I then used to pin to my left thigh and my race number on my right thigh. That way, when I would stop for stretching the calves, I could look at the elevation and where we were at on the course.

It really worked  well in knowing where the complete downhills were where I could run much faster and pass others. I didn't care (too much) if they'd pass me on the way up a hill if I could pass them again on the downside. The main two places to do this were after the middle --that was pretty much a straight down hill with a bit of a flat spot at the end and then at the very end, the map isn't quite right since the end/start are only about a block apart in distance and not a lot in elevation. 

The course had plenty of hydration via aid stations, several neighbors along the street made us feel like we were in a parade as they sipped coffee on their doorstep and watched us, and then there were the ones who set up their garden hose for a sprinkler. I learned my lesson last year. I will NOT run through a hose again. If it's humid the water won't evaporate and all it does is cool you for 2.5 seconds and then you're running in wetter clothes. 

BEST fan/volunteer award goes to the two 80 year old women who were traffic volunteers and had their pan lids out there for noise makers for us. They were definitely enjoying themselves, and their spirit was contagious!

The BEST aid station award goes to. . . the trainers near the top of Broadway Hill at some monument (which I wish I knew what it was, but wasn't stopping in the race to peruse the monument. They had not only ICE which I used to file my water bottle to help cool down my body temperature in the race as the sun was coming out and shining down on hot asphalt, but they also had fla-vor-ice. . .and these really hit the spot. I was pretty sure they're GF too, but I wasn't too concerned at that point, I needed to cool down my core so I could finish strong.  

Fla-vor-ice

photo source

I got to the top of the hill, where the road evened out, there was another aid/water station at the end there, and then it was down hill for a block, up hill for the "trinity hill" which is the third major hill the race talks about. Last year I didn't have a problem with it, this year I walked for about ten yards on it, then I had a woman I had passed cheering me on to get going, jogged up to the top, took a deep cleansing breath and then sprinted as much as I could downhill for about three, four blocks (though it's one long one as there is a Fed. bldg there) and then around a monument, down a curving street, down for another few blocks worth and then. . .and then. . . and then I had to stop and walk for about 10 yards again and then I carried on.  As I came under the walkway/bridge I did get passed by three people I had just run past, but I didn't care. I cared that I missed my goal by 24 seconds.  Yup. My finish time was 24 seconds over the even time that I wanted. :-(    Maybe if I hadn't stopped to fill the water bottle with ice? nah, I needed that to hold in my hand and cool down, maybe if I hadn't walked a bit on Broadway, nah, my legs were killing me, I needed that.

Eh, what really counts is, the temps were awesome this year, the cheerleaders on the course (okay, the ones at aid stations and street corners, not the spectators who had racers in the race) were great,  and inspiring (as was the old man who was bent over like my kindergarten teacher, but he was still competing).  The training on more hills and doing yoga for my core work paid off and I knocked 15 minutes and some seconds off my time from last year. I attribute at least 8 of those minutes from the extreme heat and humidity of 2011. I recall the start was 85º and they said about 80% humidity at 7am and then it went up from there.  Thus, I am sticking with, "I cut 7 minutes off my time" in real numbers!