'Tis the Season!

I am one lucky girl living in the Nation's Capital during the holiday season. Everywhere I look there is something festive sparkling! This year my holiday started Thanksgiving when I got to spend it down on my Uncle's farm in Southern Virginia.  It was quite the experience, not really being a farm girl myself. I got to hang out with a calf, who was sad because they took his mom off to be bred. He kept moo-ing all day. I didn't realize that cows require courtships, but they do. It takes about 4-6 weeks for a cow to be properly courted. Anyways, Thanksgiving dinner was great. My apple pie was a hit! A real American apple pie. De-lish!  

This season I've really been in the Christmas spirit. I went and got a real Christmas tree. Well, it's a teensy little one, about 2 feet tall and sits on my table. But, it's a tree and it's so pretty. I'm really proud of my little tree! I even remember to water it. I wish I had gifts to put underneath, maybe next year. 

My tree. :)

This year, I was lucky enough to get tickets to the National Christmas Tree Lighting. I've always wanted to be a part of such a historic event and am so happy this year I was able to go. We bundled up and braved the bitter cold. We found our spots, and patiently waited for the First Family to flick the switch and watch the most famous Christmas tree light up! It was so great. I hope I get to go again one day, this time maybe have seats that are a little closer :).

I can't wait to enjoy the rest of the Holiday Season and see what Santa has in store for me :) I've been quite the good girl this year. I have a great feeling about 2011, it's going to be a wonderful year! I hope to be able to give back this year as well and extend what I can to those in need.

Happy Holidays!!!

the gym.

I love working out. It's what I look forward to after a tough day at work, it's where I can go and get in my zone. There is no better feeling than finishing a bad ass spin class and walking out, sweating more than the pro-arena football players that frequent my gym, although I still haven't quite figured out what their workouts entail. They tend to socilaize and let their eyes roam. That could be very well why the NFL hasn't exactly been calling. Like I said, I get in my zone and go, but however I do notice some funny little quirks that don't so much bother me, but make me chuckle. Let's review:

1. Girls, this is not happy hour. I don't quite understand the social draw of the gym. I don't go there to buy a hot guy next to me a shot of whiskey. I'm there so that next time I'm at the bar, he's buying me the shot of whiskey. SO there is nothing more annoying than giggling 25 year old girls walking around trying to look cute, I think I did that when I was 12.

2. The strange collection of workout gear. I get it, I love a cute running outfit as much as the next girl. But I don't match my hair ties, shoes, water bottle and socks. I also don't wear leotards, with matching skirts. The other night, I also saw this chick who was (not kidding you) walking on the treadmill in jeggings. For those of you that don't know, jeggings are the newest little gem in fashion. Leggings, made out of denim. However, they aren't mean for sweating it out on the treadmill. That in no way can be comfortable. And jeggings are not friendly to sweat. gross.

3. There is nothing more intrusive to my workout, than a guy on the treadmill next to me constantly looking over at what my speed is, then increasing his, by 8. He's then holding on for dear life, pretty much not touching the treadmill with his toes. Now I just know you are an idiot, you are risking falling and hurting yourself. I don't think I'd care enough to help you up. I'd probably laugh, then get someone to help you up. 

4. My last gym pet peeve, cell phones. I came to the gym to get away from work and life's stresses. I didn't come to listen to why that offer on the house didn't go through. If I have my headphones in, and I can still hear you...that's an issue. I don't care that it's a competitive market and you were SURE you'd get your dream home...

So why am I writing this post of complaints? Well, a good friend of mine belongs to this gym that has what is called a LUNK ALARM. At first, I wasn't a believer. But then when I found out what it did, I was hooked. I think every gym should have a LUNK ALARM, and if you are there, being a douche bag...you should getting lunked. I love a good work out, and I may grunt a little on a tough ass hill in spin class or that last extra squat, but by no means do I do this: 

For your enjoyment, the LUNK:

Backpacking around the US of A

I've been doing a lot of online reading about backcountry and some longer hikes. I found this information and think it's by far the best I've read. 


Backpacking 101

Lemon and Garlic Roast Chicken

Every girl needs to know how to roast a chicken. It's just a staple in life. I decided tonight, I was going to learn. I went straight to the expert, Ina Garten. She roasts a chicken for her husband every Friday night, I find that to be romantic. It's familiar, it's home. After work today, I raced to the store, picked the best looking bird I could find and gathered the few other simple ingredients I needed:

The Ingredients: Chicken, Lemon, Garlic, Thyme and Onion (and some bacon)

So here we go. I removed the insides, pat it dry and generously seasoned it with salt and pepper. I chopped up the lemon,garlic and onions then stuffed it with the thyme. I scattered the remainder of ingredients around the bird. Then, the best part...I layered bacon strips on top. As soon as I put this masterpiece into the oven, I could hear the sizzle of the bacon and just knew there was no way I could mess this up.

Delicious, I know.

I roasted the sucker for an hour, at 475. Then I removed the bacon, and roasted for another 30 minutes. I checked it, and the juices ran clear. Success. Next time, I'll be fancy and have the thermometer probe to achieve perfection. 

Now for the finale:

Crispy skin..mmm

So good. It was all I could do to wait the 10-15 minutes required rest time (I don't go against Ina's word). Immediately I cut myself a slice and it was so juicy, I couldn't get enough...I had a second piece. This recipe is just so fresh, so simple, and so CHICKEN. There was nothing in the way of the true flavor, everything was just enhanced. If I wasn't by myself, I would have had a big basket of hot biscuits and some mashed potatoes.  Heavenly.

Now, that I am an obvious expert of roasting chickens, I'll happily be experimenting with different flavors. Stay tuned. Below, I've attached the recipe I used. Only thing I did was add some onion. I didn't make the gravy, as I wasn't serving this for a dinner. I hope your first roast turns out as great as mine!

Lemon and Garlic Roast Chicken

• 1 (5 to 6-pound) roasting chicken
• Kosher salt
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 1 large bunch fresh thyme
• 4 lemons
• 3 heads garlic, cut in 1/2 crosswise
• 2 tablespoons butter, melted
• 1/2 pound sliced bacon
• 1 cup white wine
• 1/2 cup chicken stock

Directions

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.

Remove the chicken giblets. Rinse the chicken inside and out. Remove any excess fat and leftover pinfeathers and pat the outside dry. Place the chicken in a large roasting pan. Liberally salt and pepper the inside of the chicken. Stuff the cavity with the thyme, reserving enough thyme to garnish the chicken dish, 1 lemon, halved, and 2 halves of the garlic. Brush the outside of the chicken with the butter and sprinkle again with salt and pepper. Tie the legs together with kitchen string and tuck the wing tips under the body of the chicken. Cut 2 of the lemons in quarters and scatter the quarters and remaining garlic around the chicken. Lay the bacon slices over the chicken to cover.

Roast the chicken for 1 hour. Remove the bacon slices from the top of the chicken and set aside. Continue roasting the chicken for an additional 1/2 hour, or until the juices run clear when you cut between a leg and thigh. Remove to a platter and cover with aluminum foil while you prepare the gravy.

Remove all but 2 tablespoons of the fat from the bottom of the pan. Add the wine and chicken stockand bring it to a boil. Reduce the heat, and simmer for 5 minutes, or until reduced by half.

Slice the chicken on a platter. Garnish the chicken platter with the bacon slices, roasted garlic, reserved thyme and 1 lemon, sliced. Serve with the gravy.
And I leave you with one more to dream of:

35th Annual Marine Corps Marathon

OOORA!! I have finished my first marathon, that's right 26.2 miles. I'm sitting here moving at the pace of an 85 year old lady, but loving it at the same time. There has been such anticipation up to this race, it's such a high that I've finally did it! No matter how much my body might hate me right now, I am already contemplating my next race.  Pretty sure it'll be the OBX Flying Pirate Half Marathon, April 10th 2011...want to join me? Aaarrggh!

Ok first thing is first, was I physically ready for this race? Answer: YES. I won't lie, my legs were burning, my back was hurting, my poor feet were suffering from major blisters and my ankles felt like at any moment they might roll over...but that's what happens during a marathon, you hurt. I had to walk every now and then, and the last 5 miles were basically a run/walk combination..that's OK though I didn't set out to run the whole thing, or qualify for the Boston Marathon, I just wanted finish. I actually have to say that I'd rather of just ran, it hurt too much to walk.  

Was I mentally ready for this race? Answer: No, and yes. I honestly had no clue what was coming. I had run 20 miles before this race, but it did not compare to the marathon, at all. As much as you want to hold yourself back and pace yourself, you also want to get to that finish line. I knew it was going to be tough, by far the hardest thing I would ever attempt, but just had no clue HOW tough. You'd be surprised what your body will do if you put your mind to it. It also helped so much having all the spectators cheering for the runners, sometimes when all you wanted to do was walk, it helped seeing a cute little kid up ahead with her hand out waiting for a high five, and we all know how I feel about high fives.

Now on to some pro's and con's of the race. I kept some mental notes for the blog, as well as to keep me somewhat distracted during the 6 hours of running. We'll start with the con's, I like ending on a positive:

Con's:

• People taking calls. Really? GET OFF THE COURSE. You wouldn't believe people were actually talking on their cell phones. I get it, if you want to tell your family where you are..but I'm pretty sure these were just casual conversations. That goes for the serial texters too. I got cut off by a girl who was just  walking along texting...really? I mean, you are NOT athletic if you are texting during a marathon. GET OFF THE COURSE.
• The stickiness after running through a water station. This isn't a big deal, I mean by no means am I complaining about the water stations, but for about a mile afterwards, your shoes were just so sticky from all the Powerade, but thank God for the Powerade.
• The windiness when crossing the bridge. That sucked, my body was so feeble as I was walking over the bridge, I was not trying to stand strong against the wind, I just let it carry me. Still sucked.

Pro's:

• The course. I mean, how lucky am I to have completed my first marathon in the Nation's Capital. I saw all the monuments, the beautiful water, got to run over the 14th St. Bridge, and finish at Iwo Jima. Absolutely beautiful weather, sunny, clear, cool.
• The spectators. Wow, what a great presence! They were so supportive and really helped when you needed that motivation. There were some great posters. My favorites are below. :)
• The finish line. Not only are you done with the race, but you are ushered down a corral, get a medal put around your neck, given a space blanket (looks like a giant piece of tin foil, but keeps all your body heat in) and given a bag of food(BEST EVER). You also got your picture taken in front of the Iwo Jima monument with your medal, I MIGHT be purchasing :)

So, after the gallons of Powerade and water I downed, the 4 carb gels, 2 packets of sports beans, 2 orange slices, and the many gummy bears I ate, would I do this again? HELL YES! I am planning on signing up for it again next year and beating my time. There will also be various races in between. Below, I've listed my top favorite posters from the race, they sure gave me some laughs!!!

• " Are you DTF after 26.2" (then had his phone number)
• I love your costume, are you going as awesome?
• Running puts the F.U. in FUN
• You have great stamina, call me! (then the phone number)
• FREE BEER at the end!
• Don't walk, people are watching!
• Your feet are only hurting because you are kicking so much ASS!

Now it's time for an ice bath, eeekk! Wish me luck!

  also, please feed my fish. they are hungry.

20 days, until the B-I-G 25.

I honestly still think that I am about to turn 12, I mean I'd much rather wake up on a Saturday to go play capture the flag than go get a freakin' tire rotation. But this year, it's hitting me... I'm no longer a little kid. I'm turning 25. Yea, yea I know..it's not old by any means. But it's for sure a milestone. And, it's making me nervous.

So, instead of being nervous...25 is going to be a start of new adventures. No holding back. I'm going to get into the things I've always SAID I was going to do.. Photography? Boom, done. Finish a triathlon? No big deal. I've already planned my first ski lesson. I'm pretty sure I'll be getting over my fear of flying, well I sure hope I do it's really silly how scared I get. And I'd really like to see what the Pacific Ocean feels like.  And who knows, maybe I'll start that Science degree I've been pining after for so long. I think 25 will be a good year. Cheers!

::An inordinate passion for pleasure is the secret of remaining young:: Oscar Wilde.



it's time. 26.2 is here!

Ok, so I can NOT believe race weekend is here. It's pretty much the only thing that has been on my mind the past 8 months. I have such race jitters it is driving me nuts! I haven't slept well all week, been late to work, and only been able to concentrate about 10 minutes at a time..before I start thinking about what to expect on the course. errghh I mean, planning my survival method. I've heard the first marathon is the easiest, because you have no expectations. So, I'm keeping all mine to a minimum...

I'm confident that I'll be fine, I haven't slacked TOO much on my training. I mean those long runs sucked, but I'd like to quote a famous marathon coach, Bill Squires: "The long run puts the tiger in the cat".

 So, meow bitch ..it's time.

Race day construction has been going on all week, finish line bleachers are up, tents are up...now it just needs to be 8:00 AM Sunday. Tomorrow I am going to the Health/Fitness Expo to pick up my packet..that will solidify everything...that I am actually running a MARATHON folks!!! Don't think I will forget my 26.2 sticker..I mean that's why people run these things right?! I'll be checking back in Monday to update everyone of my race. I'm sure I'll have either texted, skyped, facebooked, g-chatted, or mobile uploaded some sort of crazy story but... Monday I'll give the play by play action.  If I happen to cross your mind this Sunday, please wish me luck and give me a big kick in the rear..I'll need it! I hope everyone has a Happy Halloween!!

one day...

I'm bringing the high five back.

The other day I was out running and I was at the point of exhaustion. I'd had enough, it was quitting time. I looked down, and saw I still had a little less than 2 more miles to go on my handy dandy iPod tracker. Really? I needed to dig down deep and find some motivation. As I was passing another runner, I got the urge to high five him. I'm not sure why, but I thought hey, this guy might be tired too and need a high five. I really wish I had, and next time I just might, because you never know when someone may need a little of that motivation. As for my run? I killed it.