Weekendish recap..

4 days till I leave for New Orleans!

Today was my last long run before New Orleans next weekend! Todays 8 miler was on a treadmill. Even though the weather had warmed up to 35 degrees, the roads had been wicked icy last night and there was flooding everywhere. I came up with a new mind-game to get myself through the boring miles. Since I haven't done an outdoor run in over a month, I figured the random hill setting was a necessary evil. I played with the speeds, picking it up with low inclines, and slowing down on hills. I figured thats what will probably be happening come race day.

We're looking for fun things to do in New Orleans. Any suggestions?

I'm thinking a walking cocktail tour of the city

Yesterday we spent almost 2 hours shoveling. No, we didn't get another snowstorm.... we had the roof shoveled. Thank goodness, because roofs were collapsing all over the place and I was getting nervous. I mean, look at this hot mess.

The roof shovelers left a huge mess in the driveway, so we spent saturday afternoon shoveling, followed by delicious delivery pizza, then dinner at the brewery with take home growlers to boot.

After my kick ass massage today to work out the final kinks before race day, Kevin & I hit the store for some superbowel treats. Now, I'm not a fan of football, could give a crap about the game (obvi I'm writing this post during the game) We made Kielbasa, nacho potatoes,veggies & dip, harry & david dip with Stacy's Pita Chips, and ordered wings. The growlers are definitely cracked open. We have just a couple people over and are having a low key evening.

Lucky me, I won a Contigo water bottle @ Philadelphia Phitness Pharmacy

And make sure to enter to win a Tanita Body Composition Scale @ 26.2 is my cooldown

Ooohh Did I mention how excited I am for the Verizon Iphone? I pre-ordered on thursday, and can't wait for it to come in!

And..... my I'm just waiting for a couple more prizes to trickle in before beginning my fundraising raffle. I can't wait for it to begin so you can all see what great things there are in store!

Time to finish baking and then off to bed!

no snow day for me....

Guess who had to drive to work again in the ridiculous weather?

oh, right... me.

Tuesday I made it to the gym for my run before the snow really hit for my run. While on the treadmill, it went from a few schools closed & a few with early dismissals, to all closed. The weather wasn't bad heading in to work, but the drive home was rough. We were anticipating a disaster wednesday, and were told if we didn't make it in, that we would have to make up the therapy time tomorrow and friday.

So obviously I was planning for a snow day. When the snow quieted down last night, the roomie and I headed to the store for snacks & supplies to make cookies. We hit the game store and bought a copy of Just Dance for Wii. We were planning of a fabulous day of dancing & eating like fools.

Then I woke up. I looked outside. 2, maybe 3 inches. SERIOUSLY? I couldn't avoid at least trying to get to work. So Kevin shoveled the driveway and off I went. I hit one snowbank on the way out of the gas station and almost got in 1 accident, but I made it in. I was hoping to leave early, but only made it out at 4. Most of the storm ended up as a wintry mix, so the roads weren't too terrible coming home.

Hopefully things will be clear for tomorrow morning so I can get my run in! Last night, I registered our free prizes from the time share and day dreamed about tropical locations. I hate winter, get me out!!

8 days until New Orleans!!

Enough already....

Last night I saw this on facebook & thought it was a joke

Of course I am in Springfield, right where the 20-25 band borders the 15-20. 

Whaaaaaat???

I know this is a Boston station, but even the local ones are saying 12-18. 

Every storm we've had this winter has been on the high end or more than predicted. I am beyond sick of this, thankfully I am in countdown mode to New Orleans (10 days)! I think I will be ok to make it to the gym in the morning tomorrow, but wednesday will be a washout. I'll get run #1 of the week in tomorrow.

Today I did skip the gym. I'm sore from that 12 miles yesterday & I got a crappy nights sleep. My goal is to do a little Ab work after I make some dinner. Turkey Chili is the menu for tonight.

I may have forgot to mention, my college roomate who came up with the plan to run the RnR New Orleans Half has a stress fracture in her foot & Isn't running now, boooo! Thank goodness my longrun partner Shelley is coming!

Don't forget my Nathan's hydration belt giveaway HERE ends 2/3!

Stay warm & snow free if you can!

Getting back...

10 inches. of ridiculous snow. My reindeer is officially buried.

 Friday. Saturday. Tuesday. Wednesday. More snow.

Thank god I leave for New Orleans in 2 weeks. 55-70 degrees and no snow sounds like heaven.

I got my confirmation/final instruction email today! So excited for the race!

I haven't run all week, but hopefully will be able to tomorrow, or just get through my long run sunday.

Today was better food wise, and I even managed a 20 min bike trainer ride while dinner was in the oven. Jillian's Quinoa stuffed peppers, YUM!

This weekend is a busy one. Red Sox tickets go on sale saturday, and we have a time share spiel to go to. I have a birthday dinner for a friend that night, and a long run the next morning. I will behave and avoid the margaritas to prepare for my last 12 miler before race day.

Don't forget to enter my Nathan hydration pack giveaway HERE! It ends 2/3

State of emergency!

I AM IN PANIC MODE!

And when I am in panic mode, I eat like crap & miss workouts.

Reason #1? More snow is on the way. We had 4 inches today, and are expecting another 6-10 tomorrow night (although I head a rumor of 2-4 feet). I am thinking I need to get on a plane & get out of here immediately. The snow is messing with my workout plans, messing with my life. I get anxious about driving in it, and it throwing off my schedule. I hate it.

Reason #2? Nuggets. Which is what I call babies. My friend Barbie, the one I did my first triathlon with. One of my girlfriends I am supposed to be running the Disney Princess Half with, just told me she is preggers. WTF?! Now she can't run, and she is missing a whole racing season. I really didn't think she was at the point in her life for nuggets, I guess I misjudged. I feel so far from it. I may be 28, but birthing a nugget seems ridiculous to me at this moment. I want to get married, continue training & racing. Getting knocked up is the last thing on my mind. Then I find out another girlfriend is preggers. Both are younger than me, and it is making me anxious. Like, should I be wanting a nugget right now, because I don't. Does that make me a bad person? I know many of you are mommies & love every minute of it, but it just doesn't feel right to me yet.

I was close to a panic attack at work today. Thinking about this snow & nuggets. I wish New Orleans was closer, because I have to avoid all of this. I wish I could say I used that negative/anxious energy to get my workout in, but instead I ate a bag of stacy's pita chips & 3 popsicles for dinner.

My long run partner Shelley & I have decided to go anti Glouster, MA & make a pact to not get pregnant. Now if only I could do something about this snow.....

Wish me luck getting a workout in tomorrow

2 feet of fun? I think not....

Yesterday was an awesome run day. My speedwork day, I did 10x 400m @ 6.5mph. fast for me. I even amped up the recovery pace from 3.8mph to 4.0 & 5.0.  I made it through the whole thing, and felt awesome afterwards. 

Now about that snow....

shoveling at 6:30am

We ended the day at 23 inches. Kevin & I woke up early to shovel the driveway since hospitals don't close and I had to be at work. The snow plow still hadn't come down the street & I drive a little honda civic that handles like crap in the snow. It was literally up to my knees, I took a break to get my camera and asked Kevin to take a picture, he told me to get back to work ::sigh:: When 7:45 hit, with no snow plow in sight, I called out of work, there was no way I could get out of my driveway to work. Just as I was settling in on the couch for a cozy snow day, my boss calls to tell me someone in an SUV is on their way to pick me & another girl up. seriously?? I'm pretty sure my patients wouldn't have died without their physical therapy today, but in I went to treat them & help cover for the 3 other therapists that no one bothered to try picking up, grrrrr.

My frosty scarf after shoveling

Kevin is out shoveling the bottom of the driveway now that the plow trucks filled up. Every school around was closed today, and many are still closed tomorrow. Lucky me, of course, will be on my way to work in the morning. Hopefully the gym, I guess I'll call to make sure they're open in the morning.

No gym tonight, pizza delivery for dinner after we called 4 places to find one that would deliver. Tasty. Bedtime soon for an early wakeup!

Snow, snow, stay away!

My Sunday long run? non-existant this week. We got another few inches of snow. Shelley & I bundled up, and headed out. The roads were poorly cleared. We headed out, and Garmin said we were at a 14:00min/mile pace. The roads were filled with ice, snow & slush, and we were nervous. We decided rather than risk an injury by going for our 10 miles, we would go for a short walk, then hit starbucks. We clocked a mile before getting our latte, no breakfast sandwich since we really didn't exert any energy. So disappointing.

On the other hand, I was wicked proud of us! Last year, I would have NEVER attempted to head out with snow on the ground. Any sign of inclement weather kept me inside, probably eating & watching TV. I came home, played the Wii fit for a half hour before getting ready for the rest of my day.

That afternoon I headed to the HUGE bridal show that was being held at the Big E fairgrounds with one of my bridesmaids. Lucky for me, she got married last year and knew exactly what questions to ask. We pretty much were only on the lookout for photographers & limos, since I already have my venu & DJ picked out. We got a bunch of free goodies, entered a ton of raffles, and even won a free cruise to bahamas & key west on Royal Caribbean (our fav)! We only have to pay for cruise port taxes & gratuities! Even though the wedding is about a year & a half away, its exciting to think about the possibilities!

liked this bridesmaid dress too!

Tonight I made a delicious dinner from Self Magazine in Feb 2010

Butternut Squash & Fried Sage Pasta

What you need

8 oz whole wheat penne

1 TBSP olive oil

8-10 sage leaves

1 medium red onion, thinly sliced

2 garlic cloves, finely chopped

1 medium butternut squash (about 2#), peeled, seeded & cut into 1 inch cubes

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 tsp black pepper

1/4 cup parmesan cheese

How you make it

Cook penne as directed on package

Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Fry sage, turning once until crisp on both sides, about 1 min per side. Transfer to a paper towel.

Add onion and garlic to skillet. Cook, stirring frequently, until soft & golden, about 3 minutes. Add squash, 3/4 cup water, salt & pepper. Cover & simmer, stirring occasionally, until squash softens, 5-7 min.

Drain pasta, reserving 1 cup cooking water. Return pasta to pot & add squash mixture. Stir over low heat, adding water if necessary until pasta is coated. Mix in sage & cheese. enjoy!

We're supposed to get another round of snow tomorrow night. I am crossing my fingers that it won't be much, but I'm sure that it will be. I did skip the gym this morning in favor of some extra sleep, but will definitely hit it up for my run tomorrow. 5 weeks until race day!