Time flies and then it is spring!

Where has the time gone?   First it was freezing, then snowing, and now it's spring and the thunderstorm is rolling in.

A 5k finished off March and brought in my 2014 race year.  35 minutes by my watch, which is pretty good, in my opinion, for not having had a good 2013 race/fitness year.  Last year I gained weight, clothing size because I was cold and tired all the time (since August of 2011, but it really caught up to me last year).  My muscles felt like I had run 10 miles after running 3 miles.

My friend Carla and I ran this March 5k last year too. It is a fabulous one just north of Iowa City, great atmosphere and course. This year, the course was moved west a little bit and was mostly flat. I don't remember the chip timing aspect of the race last year, but we selected to run the 5k, instead of just walk, and we had chips, but everyone was a 'gun start'.  I am so glad I started my watch when I crossed and finished. It was 35 min exactly.  Pretty fun.

April brought with it the Fools 5k, which is a fun local race where costumes are appreciated.  My friend Stacia came over for the event. She's just starting on the 5k path.  She did one last year "with me" wherein I ran a half and she walked the 5k that was held (hilly 5k too).  This year we walked the 5k together with her 5 year old.  We came in a few minutes under an hour. Considering it was 29degrees at the start and got up to about 40 for the event, it was a perfect day!

Today I was suppose to do a 5k with my sister, but due to immature party folks the events for the whole week were canceled.  I still don't understand how people work together in a mob---how do ten drunk guys decide to topple a car?  Does one drunk guy lean against a car, start it rocking and then say, "uh, hey, we uh, we uh, we should flip this over, like a cow!"   It doesn't make sense to me, nor why one would consider it fun when drunk or sober, and I believe no one does something drunk that they'd never do when sober. Drinking releases inhibitions, it doesn't make a person change.

Instead, I spent today working in the yard by trimming and cutting out some bushes on the property. Pretty sure my glutes and hamstrings are going to scream at me tomorrow when I do my long run!  

First "race" 2014!

Last weekend the Mike and I went to the Triple D snow bike/run event in eastern Iowa. Folks came from afar to enter this fantastic event. It was my third year, and worst physical conditioning,  to enter the I didn't want to wear a short sleeve race shirt as I figured thalf marathon division which takes place entirely on a former railroad bed. The Mike entered the 62 mile snow bike which is held on snowmobile and the railroad bed. There is also a half marathon ski, full marathon run & ski and then the ultra marathon and ski/sled.

Saturday on the drive we encountered the fabulous drifting snow. It was the first year I would actually experience snow on the route. Four or so inches of fresh powder fell on Saturday.  (Last year we had some icy trails and the year before was almost dry as a bone trail run). The Mike registered for this a few months ago and went ahead and registered me as well...Normally I'd have been excited but my energy levels have plummeted this past year so I wasn't as excited as I could have been.

Saturday evening was packet pick up,  chatted with other cyclists and runners, had dinner with some and went to our rooms at 9pm....we all were reminded as to how exhausting driving in wicked weather can be.

Sunday morning was the race meeting for runners and then we loaded the shuttle busses to our respective start lines. There is no support along the eay. It is an all self sufficient race. The weather Saturday was cold, windy, snowy and the weather Sunday was suppose to be in the low 30s for a heat wave, though quite a breeze was blowing at the hotel making us all worry about what we wore. 

Gear: I had on Nike fuzzy winter tights with Nike winter pants over them, my Mizuno breathe thermal shirt and, looking quite quirky, my moving comfort shirt sleeve v neck shirt over..then my cold weather jacket. I didn't want to wear a short sleeve race shirt over as I figured the cold breeze would get between the layers and get me cold.  yaktrack and short gaiters. 

We all prepped our watches and at 10:05 we were off. Most took off quite faster than myself and i was fine with that. After about .7 mile into it, my left food landed wrong on the snow and I started a walk break....off and on run for the next 3 miles there in I was NOT happy with being out there! Then the snow got either more packed or run down with snowmobiles that I was doing better running. 

I still treated this as a fun run excursion rather than a race. I was enjoying the beautiful scenery. By mile 7 my knees were not happy in addition to my left ankle. I picked up some litter amd ran woth it for a few miles to where i knew there was a trashcan. I encountered snowmobilers who slowed down for me and some who were hanging out at an intersection. By mile 10 my feet were wet and sliding around in the shoes slightly, but still warm. Mile 11 it was warming up and the snow was sticking....getting built up into a "rock at my arch, caught under the gaiter strap where it was with my yaktrack. I'd also been passed by two marathon runners,  but I could see a guy in all black that was walking and whom I was getting closer. 

Mile 12.5 I caught up to the guy. He was doing his first ever 13.1! He said last year he did a 5k, 8k, and 100 so he decided to do a half....we chatted, walked, ran, and pretty much enjoyed seeing the last former rail bridge as we came into Durango. I was happy to be at the finishline/bar. First things first of sugar replacement.  I ordered a tequila sunrise so I could have sugar and a little bit of alcohol. I haven't had a soda since December so I didn't want to pick  Jack/coke. Then I ordered  the burger and chips.....All covered under the alloted money (from race entries)  the race director put at the various finish lines for refinish food! 

The salad with avocado picture is the dinner I had at the hotel restaurant after The Mike finished  his 62 miles of snow bike. The salad was HUGE compared to what I was expecting: lettuce, bacon, egg, blue cheese, tomatoes,  and avocado. The Mike had a bowl of cheesy soup and a huge sandwich (and I was jealous  that he was eating bread)

Prizes and awards were given at 10pm. No awards for us, but I won a door prize!  I selected/picked an insulated water bottle cage container for a the Mike.    Someone present at the race has started making these and he gave a couple away.

Monday we were awake at 5:30 am, went for breakfast at the hotel and returned to the room to nap until 9:30. Hahaha.  We decided to head over to Galena Illinois as it wasn't too far away, about 30 minutes. The first stop was at the visitors' center and then we headed to Viney Vanucci's for Italian.  The Find Me Gluten Free ap reviews were mixed and I was ready for a surprise.  There were several choices on the GF menu and I chose the chicken artichoke pasta. Mike chose the glutinous gnocchi in , what he said, was an amazing sauce. As we left, I saw a small note on a pillar with photos that said Galena was used as the setting of the Minnesota town in Field of Dreams.  I'd never heard that before, but could believe it. 

The last two photos are of main street and near main street of the town. We did some browsing,  some shopping (an amazing popcorn store with hundreds of real sugar soda!), a yarn store, and inquired of Bernina machines at the quilting store. 

We decided to head home and skins a a few flurries in the air...As we headed on down the road home the flurries continued to build and we were thankful to be home by 4:30 in the daylight. The roads were quite slippery. 

Tuesday the body wasn't happy, but up u got for yoga and the body was glad for it afterwards.  

Breakfast tacos

This morning we were in a conundrum.  No milk for baking some GF donuts (of which the mix has been in the pantry for a few months, but the donut pan was just purchased). Yesterday after leaving work my focus was on getting home in the 32 degree weather with spitting rain (read: icy roads). I now know why so many people make a run on the grocery store...they can't remember what they have at home!

Last night I used the last of the milk for the Bisquick GF pancake mix.  This morning there is some ice on the car, driveway and roads and having milk doesn't seem that necessary!  I do have hemp milk for my smoothies, but I'm not adventurous to use that in breads for a first time recipe. 

Instead, this morning we had breakfast tacos with our new taco holders.

Scrambled eggs, Jimmy Dean sausage (the beige package which is MSG and preservative free) and then built upon heated corn shells which was accomplished using the nonstick skillet with a quick swipe of olive oil.

Order of the build:

Corn shells with a bit of cheese to make the sausage stick.
Cooked sausage
Scrambled eggs
Cheese
Diced scallions/green onions
Chopped cilantro
Sliced cherry tomatoes

Then the hubby put mustard top of his and I thought that sounded good, so I did the same.

Wow. So great. Nice to eat soft shell tacos in the house at the table and not the kitchen counter! The tacos stayed warm and didn't get cold, which was a worry of mine on the metal taco holders.
The mustard was a flavorful compliment.

Definitely a meal to repeat.

Dinner will be something other than eggs.  I'm looking at a beef stew in the crockpot!

Chicken Soup

The Mike had asked if we had any soup in the cupboard and I hadn't bought any in sometime. I did head to the store on Sunday and bought some gluten free/organic soups that we can heat up (with ingredient lists that  are not scary).

Thursday night we had some ice and the weather turned cold (and frightful). . .
After the snow came on Saturday evening/Sunday morning we had about 4 inches of (delightful) fresh powder.  The Mike went out snow-biking (wide tire bike) and I baked away in the kitchen (banana bread, cookies, rice krispie treats--the box now says "gluten free made in dedicated facility!)

Three hours later The Mike came home from his bike ride, cold, but not frozen, and I whipped up some fresh Hershey hot chocolate to warm his body.  Then we had some of the soup I bought at the store with UDIs bread grilled cheese sandwiches.

Later, when the cookies were done baking, I made this chicken soup for Sunday evening.

Chicken cheese soup

I modified a recipe I had printed off the internet for Chicken Tortilla Soup and sadly, the page I had printed out didn't have the webpage/owner on it, so I cannot give credit. However, since I modified the recipe, I can say this one is my own.

I used three Just BARE Chicken breasts (14oz package), cooked those in the stockpot. When they were done, I removed them and --when cool--cut into small cube

To the hot pan I then added:
1 diced onion
 and heated until translucent.

Then I added:
1 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp coriander
2Tgarlic

When these were all in the pot and had been stirred/heated to let the flavors of the spices come out, I added a can of diced tomatoes, two small cans of diced green chiles. I added in the cut up chicken.  

I let that heat up/simmer while I made the 'roux'/thickening agent.  The recipe calls for 1 cup room temp milk, so I just microwaved it for 30 seconds or so and got it up to room temperature. [If you're doing a paleo version, you could use other milk, or just chicken broth at this point]

In a small pan, I melted 2T butter [or ghee, or coconut oil], added 2 T of tapioca flour, mixed that together until it thickened, then poured in and started whisking the milk into the flour mixture.  I added in a cup of shredded cheese at this point and whisked that until smooth. [you could leave out the cheese]

Then I poured all of this into the mixture of the chicken/tomatoes/onion and stirred well.  At this point I added in about 16 oz of chicken broth and then brought all of the soup up to a small boil and then simmered for about ten minutes.

I served with sliced avocado, crushed corn crackers ( Food Should Taste Good® is what we had on hand).

You can finish off with sour cream, shredded cheese, diced fresh tomatoes, diced cilantro, guacamole or whatever interests you!

I'd say it took about 40 minutes from start to finish, but I wasn't really watching the clock.

The soup would be fine without the cheese if you're doing a paleo recipe

Colorful chicken soup for the holiday season

 Ingredients/shopping list:

Chicken ( I used 14oz, you can use more or less)
1 diced onion ( I used white onion since it was a chicken dish)
1 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp coriander
2Tgarlic
1 can of diced tomatoes
2 small cans of diced green chiles

1 cup room temp milk [other milk or extra chicken broth]
2T butter [ghee, or coconut oil]
2T of tapioca flour
1-2 cups shredded cheese (I used cheddar)  [this could be omitted]
16 oz of chicken broth

Toppings:
sliced avocado
crushed corn crackers
sour cream
shredded cheese
diced fresh tomatoes
diced cilantro
guacamole

or whatever interests you!

Best Marathon I've run with my worst marathon time

Early this year I signed up for my "A" race of the year, the Detroit Free Press Marathon.  It was a bit of a long process on the computer, as one has to input the passport information. I've wanted to do this race since I've heard of it and decided to add a new state with a portion in another country, would be excellent.   The race, if you are unaware, starts in Detroit and runs a few miles to where runners cross the bridge to Canada, continues to run along the river street in Windsor, and then comes back to Detroit via the tunnel for many more miles in the US.  FUN!

Then the year progressed and my energy levels still weren't up to where they were in the spring of 2012.  Last fall my doc said I was "over training" and then mom died in December and then earlier this year my doc said my she couldn't find anything wrong and that I was just depressed over mom's passing. . . be that as it may, it doesn't explain why I had this last year before she passed, nor does it explain why I'm ccccold all the time (being cold is not a symptom of depression), as well as my legs/muscles feel like I've run ten miles after having just run three. 

One small worry was the passport. We renewed our passports last fall in preparation for The Mike's Tour Divide bike trip.  However, I just got the book, not the card.  When I started to register for this race, The Mike laughed and laughed, and said, "Guess you need the passport card after all". Right. Because I didn't want to run with my passport booklet in a ziploc baggie 'just in case' I had to show it at the border!   The local office said the photo from last year would work just fine, so I sent in my passport only to get it back about six weeks later saying the photo was too old and I needed to get redo the photo and send it back in.  Thankful that I was doing this early enough that there was time still to get the passport sent to me, and that it happened before the gov't shutdown!   

~~~TRAVEL~~~

So here I am with my training so-so and my desire to still run this race and The Mike and I set off after work and get as far as we can stay awake and find a hotel, or rather, try to find a hotel. We completely forgot about those leaf peepers when planning this trip!  

Peeping the leaves

  We had just crossed the time zone line and had to stop.  The third hotel at the interstate offramp had a few room vacancies and we were happy to score one--even one that served breakfast in the morning!   The next morning we were on our way through the sprinkles and rain; I was so thankful the race wasn't that day!  

It seemed like quite a long drive to Detroit due to the almost constant road construction.  As we neared Detroit, we saw these large 'creatures' in the distance. It was only as we got closer we realized it was a  set of bridges. In the meantime, we entertained ourselves with thinking they were creatures from War of the Worlds. This side view at the off ramp doesn't really do it justice. 

Interestate bridge on the way into Detroit. From the distance, 
when all you can see is a round top
and "legs", the bridges look a bit like the space creatures from War of the Worlds

Once into Detroit we had the scenic "ooh, this is nice" mixed with the eye sores.  We arrived at the hotel via navigation in the car. . . I'm sure there was a 'shorter' way to get there, but the navigation system likes to keep us on the interstate for as long as possible. 

Slight view of the Detroit Tigers baseball field from the hotel room
None of us in the group are sports people and didn't realize until that night's 
news that the Detroit Tigers were in the playoffs to make it to the World Series
(They lost to Boston) 

After heading to the Expo to pick up our packets and do some shopping.  I got a race glass and a new pair of CEP sleeves for the calves. . .and a reminder to always take cash to the expo. I saved $5 by paying cash instead of credit.  The sister got some new socks and GU.

Next, we headed back to the hotel, picked up The Mike and using Find Me Gluten Free app, we found Passport Pizza. It's a small place, corner store front with two tables, a couple actual pop machines and then the counter to order your pizzas. We were overwhelmed with toppings to put on the pizza and The Mike had a ton of selections for type of pizza as well.  The gluten free pizza was cooked/served on tins, ensuring it was GF, and the hubby's (gluten) Detroit pizza on thick crust.  Their webpage here.   

Passport Pizza on Woodward Avenue

As we left the pizza place, I realized the street looked slightly familiar. No, it wasn't from being on the street an hour before!  In reading up on Detroit on Wikipedia, I recognized the street/buildings from a photo. It's the last street in Detroit to lose its streetcars(1956). 

Beautiful old theater building on Woodward Avenue. 

Dinner the night before was from the hotel, as we didn't want to venture out with no specific destination.  Salmon with a cream sauce of cream, garlic and spinach.  Hubby had some left over pizza, so he just got dessert of pie and ice cream.

Prepping for the race the evening before,  I had my clothing laid out and  was spazzing about the temperatures. It was going to be colder than I had read when I packed. . .don't let the photo fool you--I had a long sleeve shirt and gloves as well. I decided to wear my new calf sleeves to help against the cold. 

I had packed my skort, tank, bra, long sleeve shirt, shoes, socks, mittens and visor. . .

I neglected to pack:  earband/headband, running knickers, common sense. 

As an inventive measure, I pulled the wide elastic band of my Road ID visor down over my ears to protect them from the chilly wind and ran with "loose hair" until later in the race when the sun and sweat was making it heavy and hot; then I pulled it into the ponytail.

~~~~RACE START~~~~

One of the things that surprised about Detroit was how many old buildings are just left in ruin.. . and a moment to remember the urban flight that afflicted so many large cities.  One of the first large buildings you see in downtown from the airport is an abandoned grand building 10, 11 stories tall, the abandoned Amtrak building.

Start of the race. So dark, so cold. brrr. 

38º at the start of the race!  Race Course Map  There wasn't much wind which was nice, but I had been reading weather reports of 45º for the start.  Sigh.  I didn't want to buy anything the day before at the expo to wear for 26.2 miles for the first time either.  

****FYI: Running when you're really cold and your body is trying to keep you warm and expel energy for your race is not good!**** 

just in case you needed the obvious stated!  

There we were at the start line with thousands of our closest running friends. We could see runners still arriving via the "People Mover" system.  The race information said that once the last corral of people left, no one else would be allowed to start late.  The environment started really PUMPING for us and the crew put on Eminem's song Lose Yourself!   Really got the blood pumping.  There was a count down "clock" for each corral as well. . .by clock I mean a large screen that would be at home in a movie theater, with digital count down for each specific corral.  

Then we were OFF and moving down the course.   I was feeling good and didn't start run/walking until the aid station in Canada to refill my bottles.  

As we neared the start of the border crossing we had to run in a bit of a circle up the roadway to the  checkpoint windows and then wind our way on the long bridge approach. As we passed through the checkpoint windows/gates that looked like individual toll booth stations there, leaning against one, was SANTA CLAUS!  He smiled, chuckled and waved when I yelled, "HI SANTA" while other people looked at me like I was nuts. . . later, when I mentioned this to my sister, she said, 'He DID look just like Santa and if he didn't want people to compare him, he shouldn't have been wearing a RED suit'.   The race course entertainment, Santa did have a long sleeve red shirt, I don't recall his pants color.   

Climbing the on ramp to the Ambassador Bridge, mile 2

Getting closer to the border crossing. There were scores of US border patrol at this point watching all racers and using the car speakers to inform us our race numbers had to be exposed, or else we would be pulled aside and searched. . .  

The bridge, the posts on either end say 'Ambassador Bridge'.

The bridge was still open for traffic. Semi drivers were honking at us (okay, many of us were doing the standard "arm honk" to encourage them). While we ran on one half of the bridge, there were"two lanes" open on the other side; however, only one lane was actually used by traffic with the second lane as a buffer between cars and racers. Felt bad for traffic, as the tunnel was closed until 10am and the bridge was one way traffic for them, but it was VERY safe running.

As we came down into Canada, the Border patrol there was a 180º from the US patrol, they were on their loud speaker welcoming us to Canada, high five-ing runners and mentioning that we got beer and donuts on the course because , 'hey, it's Canada' and "if you twist your ankle, no worries, you'll be covered under Canada healthcare, you'll just miss the race sitting in the medical office all day".  The sister heard a different message, but agreed, they were a HOOT, eh!

By the time we reached Canada, we were at mile 4.  We ran under the bridge approach and past an old cemetery where we turned to run along the river.   

Along the riverfront in Canada

Feeling good along the way, not much wind at this section, the riverside, miles 5/6.  

Heading into the  'underwater mile' zone  

Mile 7 to 8 I was a bit freaked out here and did a bit more 'turbo running' than I should have so early in the marathon.  As I was approaching the passport clearance area for us, there was a runner with a basic walking jacket on in beige and he had his hands clasped behind his back as if he was out for a stroll. I peaked behind me as I ran and he did have a number partially showing. I thought the border agent who was there might stop him. I was glancing between her and this runner guy and back and forth. I don't know if they did or not, but can say, "that's not normal runner behavior".  

As we entered the tunnel I was amazed at how HOT it was! I stripped off the long-sleeve shirt so it wouldn't get soaked and I concentrated on busting on through the underwater mile area.  I didn't even stop at the border crossing area, I had my cell phone out and just snapped a picture as I walked past.  I was still freaked out by the runner guy I saw on the Canada side.  My underwater mile was my fastest mile in a LONG time.  Seriously, even though it's downhill for the first part, I went through the tunnel at about 81/2 minutes/mile pace, something I rarely can accomplish!  I just wanted out of there and to be away from that creepy guy.  

Last actual race photo. . . the dividing line in the middle of the tunnel

Coming up out of the tunnel is hard mentally because you just keep climbing slowly and then you are turning and still cannot see any daylight.  I have no recollection of seeing a photographer there, but the photos on the website show there was one. 

I passed through a car path corral area as I exited the tunnel area. . .as I did, I notice the US Border agents talking to someone and (sorry, but she was) a blond woman trying to take a camera shot. The US Border kept saying NO, NO, NO. and the lady kept trying to take the picture until one agent started walking towards her and then she took off running.  Interesting race!     As I came up out of the tunnel area and into the street there were corrals holding back spectators from the runners and I heard my name announced. That was really AWESOME!  Hubby said he missed me here and I said I was scanning the gates for him, but never saw him either.

Next up was "Mexicantown" and it was sweet and nice to run through here. The wind seemed to be picking up some, but there were actually people out in their front yards cheering us on, as well as "no parking, Marathon Sunday" signs in both English and Spanish. There was a gorgeous old church there with multiple out buildings and it looked a bit in disrepair, but still gorgeous bones in the building.

About Mile 11 I stopped for the loo, which I haven't done since my second race, but I had to stop this time. Only three people ahead of me for the one portajohn and this guy comes up behind me and asks how long I've been waiting, because he doesn't want to lose much time in the race, but he has waited four minutes before. All I can think is, "really, cause I don't care how long I have to wait, I am not going on until I can use it".   I am FREEZING at this point and the skin exposed on the thighs is not happy with me, not pins/needles sensation, but just the realization that they are wicked cold, and realize that standing still, stretching is NOT helping me in the 'keep the body well' category.

We run along the course, make some turns and come to Corktown, which apparently is one of the oldest neighborhoods in Detroit and named for the Irish from County Cork (which I assumed when I was running past, but did confirm with that fabulous Wikipedia!) .  Lots of great signs along the course/bridge overpass area here, including the first of several "Smile if you're not wearing underwear" posters I saw in the race.  Obviously made by a spectator 'cause we all know the term is 'commando', right?  Then we had a long open /straight path for a few miles where the roadway opened up from being a two lane neighborhood street to a boulevard like course. Along this straight away from mile 14 to 16 or so we passed an amazing high school band/flag corps out there wearing mostly black uniforms and doing some "get down" moves while sounding their trumpets and trombones. Quite impressive and the dance/flag folks were great too. Really helped pep me up!   

Just before the turn past mile 16 was suppose to be a GU station. . .but, alas, as usual, all the GU was gone. I was really wanting it, as one of my GUs dropped from my waist band and I had repacked the band at the hotel and forgotten to put in the Cytomax gels.  The track runners did have bananas, so I took one of those for in a bit. 

We turned onto an awesome road that reminded me of the movie Home Alone and American Beauty scenes of the streets with wide streets, large old and tasteful/elegant homes.  It was interesting and sad to note that there would be four or ten fabulous houses with the next one being something that looked like it hadn't been touched in twenty or more years, and it was repeated.  This was the "Indian Village" neighborhood of Detroit. I didn't know what it was before running there, but afterwards found out it is one of the older neighborhoods and had homes owned by Ford, etc. 'back in the day'.  My running was still going so so here and I was run/walking and feeling good. The citizens came out with beer and polka music. An elderly man sat on a whimsically painted straight back chair cheering us on. Another man was out there with a squeaker horn? I'm not sure what they horn in his hand is called, but I said, 'You look like a Marx Brother' and he honked at me :-)   A few houses down a resident pointed to me and said, "you look like a beer person, come on over" and I said, "Gluten free" to which she replied, "we have Whiskey!"  oooh, I was sooo tempted, but didn't want to chance it with ten miles to go!  

Turning the corner and running into mile 18 we passed more gorgeous homes, There was one I wished knew the address of, it would have taken up a whole block in my city with the fence, distance to the garden shed, large house, etc.  Beautiful architecture here. . . As I ran down the street more residents were out, one had Jelly Beans and pretzels, another had (thankfully) M & Ms which I had to run back for (they're GF) and enjoyed with my banana for fuel treat.  

Up to this point my time was pretty decent for me.  Sadly, I started to drain here. Mile 19 and I was losing energy and pep. I didn't know how I was going to finish, but, by golly, I was going to do so!   We crossed MacArthur Bridge and headed onto the Belle Isle in the Detroit River. Gorgeous place, but my mind was trying to figure out how far we had to run on the island (it's only two miles, but one thing I should NOT do when running is try to do math!).

As I headed down the last stretch on the island there was a poor sole sitting on the side waiting for the medics to come, not sure what happened but I had reason to be thankful that wasn't me and I realized that the ankle/calf I hurt a few weeks prior to the race stumbling on a tree root wasn't hurting me. (maybe the compression sleeves were helping in that regard?).  This gave me a bit more pep in my stride, as did the family giving out Jolly Ranchers as I neared the bridge to exit the island.  

At mile 23 those around me and I realized they were starting to scale back the course. They had us running on the sidewalk for a bit, but I ran on the street unless cars were coming.  Mile 23 1/2 we ran along the river front and I was freezing as the wind came whipping across the waters and hitting my bare arms. I had tossed the long sleeve shirt at mile 14 as it was wet and I didn't want it tied around my waist, flapping and annoying me.  At this point I was screaming at myself for being a dummy and getting rid of it.  Ah well, someone can find the shirt and aim to do the Des Moines Red Flannel Run :-)   Even a course worker remarked "aren't you cold?"  

Knowing we only had 2.2 miles left helped some and I continued my run/walk method to get me to the finish line.  As we closed in on mile 25 I had to stop at a light. Just disgusted with myself that I was still out on the course at this point, but I didn't lose much more than maybe thirty seconds waiting for the light. Ohh, wait, I should say I lost a few minutes there, wink, wink.  

Then the last bit came on. I came upon mile 26, had to turn the corner and run to the finish line. As I came up the hill near just before the turn the spectators were inching out farther and farther into the roadway. I looked a guy right in the face and said, "I'm NOT moving over" and he scooted the three feet back to the curb.  

My Super Girl (with cape) finish photo for the family.

Runner finish area: OMG this was the BEST finish area/goodie line I've ever seen (Sorry Trekman!)  The sack I'm holding above has goods in it. I got a couple of chocolate milk (Yes, they had chocolate milk at this late in the race/finish area), a HUGE container of Hummus, as well as a couple smaller containers, a couple bags of "Food Should Taste Good"  chips, individual bags of carrots and sliced apples, mini Larabars and a few other things as well. This bag was seriously YUM for a gluten free runner!  

FINISHED:  Time, not happy with it, but since my body was off this year,  I was cold, running on a bad ankle/calf, and my knee just started hurting a bit towards the end, I was satisfied to take the time and getting out there and doing it!   It was my slowest time for my fourth marathon.  However, I felt the race itself was AWESOME. The other three marathons I've done were all Rock n Roll ones and this one had such a different vibe and was great. 

I loved the course, the spectators, the city, the architecture, the views, and even the spectator dude at the end who I had to tell to get out of my way on the course. Memories of the race! 

The old Detroit Free Press building.  

Alice in Wonderland chairs we spied as we walked back to the hotel.
In the background , to the right and behind of the pink chair,
one can barely spy the tops of giant cheese board pieces, about a foot tall each.

Special room key

The glory

Phew, that's a LOT of steps! 

After cleaning up, stretching some and snacking on those apples and chips, I decide I'm hungry and wanted food. The Mike said, 'Be sure to get something before 4pm" and Sis and I were like, 'why'.  Oh, right, the football game at the stadium nearby a few short blocks away!  We got the directions for Five Guys burgers in Greektown, and we managed to get inside just before the neighborhood is swarmed.  With our food in hand we head back to the hotel feeling like salmon swimming up stream for our lives. Lion fans are walking on the sidewalks so we take to walking on the street, after all, it's not like the cars are going to be able to go anywhere with all those pedestrians!  

The fabulous dinner/snack.

I laughed at the thought we were going to Five Guys.  I had never been there until Sis was coming back through North Dakota with me this June (from dropping The Mike off in Banff for his bike ride/race).  Then I had it at the airport in June in DC, and then again here.  So wonderful to have a burger and fries!  The fries are the only fried thing in the restaurant and they use peanut oil as well.  

Red race entry shirt, it has the course outline on the back. The shirt is very cozy and soft as well. It is now one of my favorite shirts (behind the Park to Park shirts--which, if you're interested from reading about that even in Runners World, in 2014 it will be a half marathon only).  The blue is my finisher shirt, the first "finisher" shirt I have managed to buy. Most events they're sold out by the time I finish. . . Strangely, in my mind, people were buying this shirt at the expo.  My glass is near the ribbon of the medal. The medal itself I thought was nicely done, it's heavy, and the ribbon is USA flag/maple leaf design.  

My Detroit goods.

We took sis to the airport to grab her flight, headed back to the hotel to pack up and relax before heading out early the next morning. 

We stopped for lunch in Battle Creek because I told hubby I was starving and going to take the next town exit, but he found a place for us in Battle Creek, MI.  

The entrance sign you see, once you've driven the few miles off the
interstate on Sojourner Truth roadway

It was so very nice to be able to order at a restaurant and have someone there understand Celiac/gluten free and have experience with it.Arcadia Ale Brew Pub in Battle Creek, MI. Menu  Our waitress hadn't worked there long and wasn't sure of all the things on the menu, but her child is celiac and so she understood the requirements!  She got the bartender, who was able to help me with the menu as her boyfriend is Celiac!  Great attention and we got there just before the lunch crowd, so perfect timing for additional attention from the staff.  

Gluten free tomato stew
Very tasty 

The Mike had a chili type soup that sounded fabulous, but they put some of the ale in the recipe. 

Brisket with mashed potatoes and broccoli.  (Gluten Free)

The Mike's "Cuban" sandwich, not gluten free.

While waiting for the food to be served we had a nice time watching the bottling/capping process in the brewery through the windows separating restaurant from processing rooms. 

Great adventure in Michigan, but afterwards on the loooong drive home, I had to question why I didn't just fly into Detroit!

Weekend of water, duck, and apples--apple crisp that is

Saturday we headed to a race for The Mike.  I had a long race to do and planned to run while he was racing. I am not very good about doing well on a  run when it's not my regular run time. The race started at 11, so I headed out shortly thereafter for my race. I normally run at 5 or 6am, so the late delay threw me off. I headed out to do two turns around the lake and ended up getting in just  one lap there, and then I took to the road for a couple more miles. I didn't get the mileage in.  

Near the end of my first lap around the lake, I landed on a tree root with scar tissue and wobbled, falling and twisting the ankle.  My running on the smooth asphalt wasn't so good, my ankle was hurting--but not swelling--so I just rested it. 

Nice southern view of the lake

The knobby tree root that I landed on, causing me to biff it in the trail. Thankfully the trees were the only things that saw me fly.

Beautiful wooded trail

Later, we  headed out to a restaurant in the cap city called Djangos, recommended by my boss. Our anniversary is this week and so we splurged on a evening.  Enjoyable atmosphere at the restaurant. We dined at the bar, as the wait for a table was over an hour and a half.   

I had the Moulard Duck Confit, which we've seen created on the cooking shows quite often in the past weeks. It was served with oven roasted potato wedges, and braised red cabbage with carrots.  I have never had this before and while it was quite good, I'd probably not order it again due to the heaviness of the meal--duck is quite fatty. 

 The Mike had Chicken Prosciutto and said it was quite tasty, filling, and satisfying--especially after his four hours of cycling. 

After dinner we headed to the Fleur Drive Cinema & Cafe.  A fabulous surprise for a movie theater! Small, old school, complete with a coffee shop to order from and retro lounge chairs.  It was a first for us watching a 3D movie, as well as having hot chocolate and Chai Latte while watching the movie!  (We saw Gravity; amazing movie, great details, and great cinematography!)  

Staying up until midnight when  one gets up at 6am is hard work!  We had a relaxing day and then headed home--to laundry and chores!  

After dicing up the ingredients for the Potato Soup Sunday evening I decided to make apple crisp.  The last several years (since we moved into the house), the apple tree has not produced much, and the apples were *tiny*.  We thought this year we'd cut down the tree. . . and then there was a BOOM crop on the tree!  Turns out, this year is THE year for apples:  wet spring followed by a dry summer.  The top branches of the tree are bent over and that is where the larger apples are located.  I gathered six, peeled, cut and spiced for baking: 

Cut apples with cinnamon, nutmeg, and some regular sugar.
I added in zest from one lemon, juice from half that lemon , and
1 T of orange juice. To help thicken the juices, I added some
crushed tapioca pearls. 

Topped with a mixture of 2 Tablespoons melted butter
with 1/2 cup brown sugar, 1/4 cup quinoa flakes,
cinnamon and brown sugar mixed together 

Baked at 350ºF for a n hour 

Side view of the 8x8 pan with the sugars all warm and bubbling

Finished apple crisp