Self Motivation

Training is really starting to pick up and I'm finally starting to feel stronger. Today I ran the bitch hill not only once...but twice!! I remember the days when I had to walk the "thing". I curse in my mind all the way up, telling myself just to walk it. Then good Rachael kicks in and tells bad Rachael to shut up. Oh, how I wish I could transcribe my thoughts while running. I bet I sound pretty bipolar.

I have a nice 6 mile run planned for Saturday. No hills involved. Flat and shady.

A Timeline

So, I stumbled upon my old 2005/2006 date book and I have to say, I am pretty jealous of my younger self. I was just amazed at how much I used to travel and sad that "growing up" means spending more time on the house, the yard, cooking and working. Don't get me wrong, I love my house, but it's fun to get away too.

So here is how I spent my time in Grad School (Iowa State University):

February 2005: Traveled to St. Louis for the grand Mardi Gras festival... little did I know at that time that I would be living in Soulard 4 years later.

March 2005: Spent 1 1/2 weeks in Grand Cayman Island. It was amazing and a bit saddening to see the post Hurricane Ivan destruction. *I also ran my first 5k race in Grand Cayman, on St. Pats Day! After the race, we went straight to the bar for a much needed Screwdriver.

May 2005: Great Lakes Tour. Traveled to Upper Michigan, Toronto, Niagara Falls.

early-July 2005: Drive to St. Louis again to see fireworks under the Arch.

mid-July 2005: Embark on a 2 1/2 week road trip from Iowa to California. Spent time in Denver, Moab, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Palm Desert, Temecula Wine Valley, Escondido, San Diego, Tijuana Mexico, The Grand Canyon...

late-July to August 2005: Fly to England for 3 1/2 weeks...travel around southern England, London, spent 3 nights in Paris France.

November 2005: Camp in Kauai Hawaii with friends for 2 1/2 weeks.

December 2005: Drive up to Michigan for Christmas, fly to New York City for a week. Spent New Years Eve in Times Square (amazing).

January 2006: Leave all my stuff behind and "move" to England, stayed there until late August 2006. Traveled to Scotland, all around southern England and spent many days in London. Profession: Barmaid. One sure thing, I was happy to come home in August.

August/September 2006: Spent time in Iowa working/living at the Bed and Breakfast (I had worked here throughout Grad School). Traveled to Florida for an interview. Trying to finish up school and find a big person job. While staying at the B&B, I woke up to the most gorgeous sunrise...it was truly breathtaking.

October 2006: "Move" to Florida to start job and continue to work on thesis.

November 2006: Decide I don't want to live in Florida and interview for a job in Missouri. Spend time in Florida finishing thesis - - defend thesis in Iowa mid-November. Move to Missouri in late-November. WOW, can I just say how STRESSED I was!

December 2006: Start job in St. Louis Missouri. Graduate from Iowa State!

Grad School was awesome, but woah, what a whirlwind. I'm kind of surprised I made it out!

Looking Forward

What a beautiful morning! The weather was a cool 67 degrees. Run this morning went so-so. I've been questioning my ability to actually run this 1/2 marathon in October, as 3 milers can somewhat be killer. I've been trying to train on the hills, but I find my self walking rather than running. Alas, I will keep on truckin'. If running were easy, then there would be a lot more people doing it.

On to more exciting things...our trip to Italia is BOOKED. I am so excited...and we aren't going for oh, another eight months.

We will be going to Venice:


To Florence:


The Amalfi Coast:


Pompeii:


Roma:


I am so excited I can hardly stand it! Also, I can't wait to share my own pictures so I don't have to borrow others from Flickr!

Buona giornata!

The Blondie Mary

Speaking of the Bloody Mary...I must try this drink, and soon!

INGREDIENTS:

12 medium golden tomatoes

3 tablespoons white Worcestershire sauce

3 tablespoons green Tabasco sauce

4 teaspoons fine sea salt

2 tablespoons lime juice

2 tablespoons lemon juice

1 serrano or jalapeno chile, seeded

1 1/2 tablespoons freshly chopped dill (optional)

12 ounces vodka, or to taste

Lemon cucumber, sliced

6-8 pickled wax beans (see Note)

INSTRUCTIONS:

For the base: Blanch tomatoes in boiling water and then remove the skins. Puree the tomatoes in a blender. (This should yield about 7-8 cups. If not, add more blanched, skinless tomatoes.) Add Worcestershire, Tabasco, salt, lime and lemon juices, chile and dill (if using), and puree until smooth. Strain the mixture into a bowl and set aside.

For the drink: Mix about 8-10 ounces of the tomato puree base with 1 1/2 ounces of vodka. Serve straight up in a tall glass garnished with a pickled yellow wax bean and a slice of lemon cucumber on the side.

Yields 6-8 drinks

Note: Pickled yellow wax beans are available at gourmet markets.

- - Donna Scala, chef-owner of Napa's Bistro Don Giovanni and creator of the Blondie Mary

It's August...and still HOT.

Training continues...

I only have to run two miles today, but I don't think I'll be running outdoors.


I googled 'running in the heat precautions' and ohhhh yah, I definitely have #9 covered! I knew Bloody Marys were good for something, ha. J/K.

PRECAUTIONS FOR RUNNING IN THE HEAT

1) It takes approximately two weeks of consistent running in the heat and humidity to acclimate to warmer conditions.

2) Remember that thirst is not an indicator of dehydration. Once you are thirsty, you are already low on fluids. Indications of dehydration are an elevated heart rate during and after your run and dark, golden-colored urine. After your run, keep drinking fluids until your urine is clear.

3) During your run, drink about 4 to 8 ounces of water and/or sports drink every 15 to 20 minutes.

4) Weigh yourself before and after your run. Drink 16 ounces of fluid for every pound of weight lost. *Important note here... do not use this as a method of weight loss!

5) Apply a sunscreen of at least SPF #15. Make sure that it is a non-drip formula that won't drip into your eyes.

6) Wear sunglasses that filter UVA and UVB rays and/or wear a cap with a visor.

7) Wear light-colored micro-fiber clothing.

8) Run when your shadow is taller than you are, and when the sun is not high in the sky. If you run in the morning, you'll avoid the heat, but may encounter a higher humidity. The air quality is also better in the morning, since ozone levels increase soon after dawn, peak at midday, and then again in the early evening. Times to avoid running are noon till 3pm.

9) Eat salty foods and drinks such as pretzels and tomato juice.

10) Check the Heat Index Chart for apparent temperature. This is the number that calculates the air temperature with the relative humidity to determine what the temperature feels like and if there is a risk of a heat-related illness.

One day...

I'll have a colorful front door.



And how awesome would it be to have the address: 1234 Street Name.

Race for the Cure...over a month later

I should have blogged about this race awhile ago...but from what I remember, it sucked. I HATE running straight routes, through wide streets, with TONS of people. Plus, it was hot and there were two looooooong hills that really sucked. I ran this race with my husband. This is basically how it went...I was trying to keep up with Josh, Josh was trying to keep up with me - and in the end, we wore each other out. Around the 2nd mile, we passed a man who was laying on the street, convulsing. SCARY. I hope the poor man was alright in the end. Anyways, we finished at 33:46. Here we are pre-race!

After this race, I started training on hills. I learned my lesson. Also...I've been committed to running outdoors, which means I have to get outside between 5.30-7 am to beat the heat. This July weather has been hellish, like c/mon St. Louis, hell wants their weather back!! I can't stop dreaming about the cooler weather.

Anyways, I officially started training for the half-marathon this week, although I have been running consistently. I am also signed up for two other races:

Warrior Dash 5k, October 15
Halloween 10k, October 16

Otherwise, these little dudes have been keeping me plenty busy. Their new hobby: chewing the wood work in our house. :o/