Weekend Recap + Frozen Breakfast Burritos

Another weekend come & gone & the Sunday night blues have set in.

Friday night I got to hang out with my friend's new puppy, a King Charles Cavalier, named Pearl! Pearl is just 10 weeks old & just the cutest. But no "puppy fever" over here. That was fun to do just once.

Saturday I made a trip to the Gift For Teaching warehouse that is offered to Title I teachers in Central Florida. We are allowed to go once a month to stock up on classroom supplies for free. I got a ton of black folders donated by a lawyer's office to make privacy folders for my students.

I saved over $300 this trip! Such a blessing to have this for support.

Saturday was cleaning day & Sunday was crafting day!

I had planned on doing a little decorating for Thanksgiving, I had actually started a craft project using burlap & white pumpkins (I started it a few weeks ago) & haven't had time to finish. I decided just to pack it all up. Project will be waiting for me next year!

After Halloween I usually take down anything holiday specific and leave up the pumpkins and leaves. I am not one of those people to decorate for Christmas early, sorry I'm not sorry, those pilgrims and indians deserve their holiday fair & square. I will though pull out the Christmas decorations next week since I am spending Thanksgiving with my parents in New Symrna Beach & have Monday & Tuesday off from school. 

There may be bags & bags of new decorations in my car waiting to come inside!

Sunday the hubs had to work & I surprisingly woke up semi-early & had the desire to go for a run. Those are few & far between & with my second half marathon just 3 short months away I needed to take advantage of it. It was a absolutely beautiful morning & another reminder of how much I love our neighborhood & living in Central Florida…I believe it was snowing back in Missouri today?

I was able to do 2.6 miles. I ran the first mile at a 10:20 pace, which isn't too bad, & kept a 13 minute mile for the second at a walk/run pace.

I played my Half Marathon playlist while I was running & it was a happy reminder/painful awakening that I was struggling to do 2.6 miles compared to the 13.1 I was doing just 6 months ago.

I worked on two projects on Sunday. I think my run inspired me to finally frame my Nike Women's Half Marathon memorabilia from last spring. It is such a great reminder of all the support I received from everyone while I was raising money for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

The second project is also running involved, but not completed yet. Stay tuned!

And finally the breakfast burritos! 

My coworker & I are determined to get healthy & more gym visits so I made us breakfast burritos that we can keep in the freezer & thaw in the morning at work. I am awful at eating breakfast in the morning, I think it has more to do with how early I have to get up & leave. My stomach just doesn't want to eat food at 6:45am & my body doesn't want to get up early enough to make anything. I ate much better when I was working an office job & didn't have to be there until 9am, & was able to make breakfast & eat at my desk.

Hopefully this will help! Took about 30 minutes of prep, 30 minutes to cook & 30 minutes to package. Makes about 15

I watched Addams Family Values while I cooked. 

(I believe it qualifies as a Thanksgiving film)

I had to make two separate batches because my coworker can't have peppers. Her's had mushrooms, spinach, and tomatoes. Mine had everything.

Ingredients:

2 small containers of Egg Beaters (16 oz)

1 red pepper

1 green pepper

Baby Bell Mushrooms

1 tomato

spinach

Chicken Sausage (I wanted turkey but couldn't find what I wanted)

Skim Milk

Low Fat Cheese

Whole Wheat Tortillas

Dice peppers, mushrooms, and chicken sausage. Cook on a skillet until sausage is cooked and veggies are soft. Mix both containers of Egg Beaters with 1/2 cup of milk. Add egg mix to the skillet, let cook for 20-30 seconds (I let it go too long & got a little burnt. Keep mixing until it looks like scrambled eggs. Put into a bowl & take to the counter. Dish one big spoonful onto a tortilla & wrap. If you are like me & don't know how to wrap the perfect burrito, just google it, very helpful. Wrap in plastic wrap, put them in a gallon bag & place in the freezer! Excited to try them out in the morning.

I'll leave with you with some Monday morning inspiration.

Good night dolls!

Nike Women's Half Marathon Recap Part III

Race day was here!

The group met at 5:15 am and we headed to the starting line on Pennsylvania Ave. It was a balmy 40 degrees. Good thing I packed a throw away fleece sweatshirt, gloves, and a head wrap. I knew if I got cold I would be absolutely miserable and it would affect my running. See my post on my Raynaud's Syndrom {here}

The fleece was going to come off right away, but I wanted to keep the gloves and head wrap on as long as possible. I could feel my fingers turning white just waiting for the start. 

When we registered for the race in February, we had to report our split time. I put I would probably keep an 11-11:30 pace, so I was assigned to the 11:30 corral start. Unfortunately, I ended up being separated from my friends. Even though I knew we would run separately during the race, it wasn't as much fun being by myself. Luckily, the officials combined the corral in front of us and as some dipping and dodging through the crowd I found Megan.

Even though it was VERY cold, there was a lot of energy to keep us warm.

One of the coolest things was when they played the National Anthem, we could see the capital in the background. It was so powerful and moving. I mean seriously, who else gets to sing the National Anthem with 15,000 other people in our Nations Capital. Come on, it was AMAZING!

Photo Credit: Nike.com Google Search

They sent one corral out at a time. We were in the 3rd or 4th heat, so it took about 15 minutes after 7 am for our group to take off.

I originally set a goal based off time. I thought I would want to finish in 2:30, but it being my first I decided not to run for time and run for milage instead. The longest I had run consistently was 6 miles. I made it my goal to run to 7.

The night before Meg and I studied the race map and planned out what we would be seeing, where it would be easy, and where it would suck.

 

Miles 1-4 would be full on monuments to see. 

It really is crazy to run by the Washington Monument.

Photo credit: Nike Google.com

For me personally, the first two miles are my hardest. It seems to take FOREVER to reach the first mile and even LONGER to get the second. But once I hit mile three, I was feeling great and full of energy.

Every two miles there was a Water and Nuun stop--Nuun is an Optimal Hydration that you add to water {here} My plan was to walk through every water stop. 

Mile 4-7 was the best motivating and high energy miles.  

Mile 4-5.5 we ran over the Arlington Bridge, made a U-Turn at the end and ran back. We were running one direction, while everyone else was running the other. I chose to run down the middle of the street and high five anyone that would high five me back. Women were cheering each other on and I heard "Go Team" after "Go Team!" It felt awesome!

At this point I took off my gloves. My fingers were finally feeling back to normal, and I used the gloves as a tissue for the next few miles. I took my head wrap off around Mile 7. 

Do you know how amazing it is to not run in humidity? I barely broke a sweat.

Photo Credit: Nike Google.com

After the bridge, we ran under the Kennedy Center and Watergate. There it was another point when we got to run next to everyone else. And before I knew it I was at Mile 7 and I felt great! From there it was making it mile to mile.

I knew after mile 7, we were going to hit the boring part of the whole race. We got to run by the Lincoln Monument one last time.

Mile 7-11 were a straight run along the Potomac River. No monuments, no turns, just a straight run.

We would be hitting the halfway point of the run and energy may be fading. I knew this part would suck, but it honestly wasn't too bad.

I run with music, but I hardly realize it's there as long as my mind can stay occupied.

I chose to focus on my rocking playlist during the next few miles.

Photo Credit: Nike Google.com

Photo Credit: Nike Google.com

Photo Credit: Google.com

Mile 9-10 was a curve around the peninsula and right at the curve, there was the College Cheer Squad. Tons of Alpha Chi's, bands, and a DJ were there cheering us on. It was awesome, and reminded me of during high school when our track & field team would cheer during the final 4X4. We called it Blood Alley.

Photo Credit: Nike Google.com

At this point I was getting tired, but I was so close to double digits I couldn't just stop!

After mile 10, I really wanted to stop, I could feel EVERYTHING! I swear my hair started feeling sore. I could literally feel it moving on my head.

You know the scene in Knocked Up when Allison starts screaming...

Yep, that's the one.

My new goal, was make it to Mile 11, take it easy on to Mile 12, and rock it through the finish from there.

I could start to see the monuments again so I knew I was getting close.

I started to slow down and made my first change to a walk. 

I decided not to run with my Nike+ app so I wouldn't feel anxious about the time, so I had no idea what time I was running, and frankly I did not care.

6 months ago I could BARELY run a mile and today, April 27th, I ran ELEVEN! That's ELEVEN miles!

That was enough satisfaction for me.

Once I hit 12, baby it was on. We were back downtown and all the spectators that had slept in where cheering us on now.

I could see the Capital Building, my final turn, and MILE 13 in the distance.

I saw that green finish line and I was full of energy and excitement!

For the last .5 miles I was started to brainstorm if I should do something fun as I cross the finish line. Should I do a dance, cartwheel (ha!), shimmy?

Instead I just started sprinting!

I don't know where the extra energy came from but I'm glad it did. I pass 6 people in front of me, put my arms up and crossed that finish line!

Thanks Nike for the free race photo!

Photo Credit: Nike Google.com

This was right after I finished. We were immediately rushed into a line to get food and water. I would have to say this was one of their only downfalls. It wasn't quite the reception I was hoping for after completing 13.1 miles. Especially, but I had to stop moving when I was standing in line.

But I wasn't too interested in the food, I wanted this….

 FINALLY, after the food line, it was time to get my Little Blue Box. So I got in yet, another line, and was handed my treasure!

After that, I got into ANOTHER line, and got my photo op!

It was onto the TNT tent, consume two bags of chips, realize it's going to be very difficult to walk in the next few hours and hit up a big brunch with my mom. Complete with Mimosas.

 As far as half marathon's go, it's going to really hard to top this one.

Unbelievable energy, no humidity, 15,000 strong running mates, National Monuments, and a Tiffanys & Co® Necklace.

It was unbelievable and I'm so incredibly glad I did it. 

I hope I can do it again next year. 

Nike Women's Half Marathon Recap Part II

I have not been to Washington DC since I was one years old. It was time to play tourist. Here's a few highlights of our Nation's Capital. Since nobody wants to hear this boring stuff:

1. Lincoln Memorial. So weird to see something in person that you've only seen in pictures for 20 years.

2. Vietnam Memorial

2. WWII Memorial. This was amazing to see and so fortunate to be there this day. My grandfather served in WWII, but passed away in the early 90s. Since it opened in 2004, a program was created to fly in veterans to see the memorial, called Honor Flight. My mom and I were blown away by seeing so many veterans and I got a little choked up thinking about the grandfather I never really knew and how one of these men could have known him.

 3. Washington Monument

 4. Selfies in front of Mr. President's House in our matching shades.

It was tough to fit in all the sight seeing I wanted to do between the TNT events, weather interruptions, and race day, but it was fun to do a little bit of it. It would be nice to come back to enjoy the full experiences and take a few scheduled tours, oh well, DC I'll be back!

Saturday afternoon we had our Team In Training Inspiration Pasta Dinner. This event happens at every National TNT event. Chapters from all over the country come to celebrate their accomplishments, training, fundraising, and be reminded of what we did it all for: the mission of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. 

The only beneficiary for the NWM is LLS and since it's start in 2004, it was raised almost $150 million!

My chapter of NCFL raised almost $35,000 for LLS

 It was great to hear all the success stories and fundraising goals of the chapters. Because there were so many TNT participants they had to break up the Inspiration Dinner into two times. Which was sort of a disappointment because ours was at 3:30, which cut into our sight seeing, plus it meant I would need to eat again to ensure my "carb load" before the race.

Getting our last minute race info. Don't we all look so excited?!?

Laying out my race day outfit. I was ready! 

See previous post for specific info on my race day attire!

 And now a personal shout out to every single individual who helped me get to DC and had my back from mile 1 to mile 13.1 and beyond.

ROCKSTARS $200+

Paula Hamlin $1,000

Stephanie Paul $300

Susie Hamlin $225

Cancer Warriors $100-$199

Claire Theobald

Karen Hadley

Leslie West-Balestrieri

Cancer Crusaders $50-$99

Jason & Christina Evans          Tim & Nellie Hadley

Donna Davis                     Bill Alexander

Meg & Greg Pearsall          Megan Haeffele

Greg Heinz                       Brett Hamlin

FUN-Raisers $25-$49

Marcia Skupeika          Jessica Levine

Miriam Zavagnin           Sarah Eilbracht

         Nicki Mulvey            Tessa Goldsworthy

Janet Koenig           Danny Black

     Erin Smith                  Jessica Camacho

Angela Vincent            Susan Bryant

Marie & Jordan Muzik        Logan Hoffman

Natalie Gragnani               Kyle Plassmeyer

Ashley Schmitz             Cyndi Stephenson

Caitlin Forness           Lindsey Johnson

Alyssa Spurling        Sarah Gouttierre

Chris Roper                Amanda & Josh

Terri Hall            Kathy Hull

Lindsey Early         Nikki VandeVen

Diane Stockman         Sara Noftsinger

SUPERIOR SUPPORTERS <$24

Ashlee Dukes           Keisha Woodall

Paige Colletta       Emma Halterman

Kathlynn James       Aubrie Beysselance

Lauren Schweiss           Kelly Wahl

Kris & Sam Kanatzar        Jason Polsgrove

Anna Lowerre       Beth Kirby

Katie Abramczyk         Jessica Kretz

Tara Ziegler           Hanna Allen

Melissa Fate               Amanda Reynolds

Emily Shaikewitz         Carlee Brown

Greg Walters         Kimi Hines

Brooke McKee           Maggie Favhan

Amanda Kenny        Hannah Peterson

Cassie Western          Megan Bender

Tom & Amanda Ruffin       Megan Grothman

Danielle Tetrault        Ashli Pollard

Valerie Skupeika                Kelley Albers

Morgan Moravec              Brynn Hoffman

Tracy Adams            Jen Schulz

I seriously can't say enough thanks to everyone who showed support through donations, messages, and cheers. If you don't mind a little cheese, you all really were the wind beneath my wings.

Stay tuned for Part III tomorrow as I take you mile by mile as I showed the government how to run the capital!

Nike Women's Half Marathon Recap Part I

For my first ever Half Marathon and first event with Team In Training, the Nike Women's Half Marathon in DC was a no-brainer. If I was going to do the fundraising, suffer through months of training, and 13.1 miles of nothing but pavement, I was going BIG or not going at all.

Plus, look at this little blue box. How sweet is that after all that running.

Alright, I'm getting a head of myself. Let's jump back to Thursday night.

My race day necessities:

Team In Training Singlet

KT Tape for my jumpers knee that never seemed to fully heal

iPhone running case and headphones

Nike 2" Luxe Angular Tempo Women's Running Shorts {here}

These were great. I read a lot of blogs and looked at pictures of people running races and saw that most of them wore shorts. I tested out these and another pair that had spandex shorts underneath. These had the attached underwear that reminded me of what I wore in HS track and the shorts itself were really breathable and light.

ASICS GT 2000 V2 purchased at a local running store in Orlando-Track Shack They give a discount to Team In Training participants and host many events all year round. You can also find them {here}

Black Adjustable-Strap Sports Bra {here} 

I've worn a lot of sports bras over the last 15 years and these are my favorite. Due to God's sense of humor, when I hit puberty, I stayed that way and these are similar to a training bra. They are really comfortable for those that need less support.

Balega Lady Endura 4 No Show {here}

I was told to buy a pair of good socks by a TNT alum who has done a marathon and half marathon. These felt great! It's a good investment to get a pair.

Cliff Shot Blocks

Headband from Old Navy. Got to keep that crazy hair in check

And for this race only, a satin white hair bow, my Tiffany&Co touch.

My running playlist: I like to mix it up. I make sure to include rap, hip hop, classics, soft rock, pop and county…on shuffle of course.

Beautiful Day- Back Home

Beware of the Boys - Panjabi MC

Blurred Lines - Robin Thicke

Come on Eileen - Dexy's Midnight Runners

Dangerous (feat. Akon) - Kardinal Offishall

Dangerous - Ying Yang Twins

End of Time - Beyoncé

Everybody (Backstreet's Back) - Backstreet Boys

Get Buck in Here - DJ Felli Fel

It's Time - Imagine Dragons

Larger Than Life - Backstreet Boys

Let Her Go - Passenger

On Top of the World - Imagine Dragons

Party All the Time - Eddie Murphy

Right Round - Flo Rida

Run Run - The Rival

Run the World (Girls) - Beyoncé

SexyBack (feat. Timbaland) - Justin Timberlake

Separate Ways (Worlds Apart) - Journey

Some Nights - Fun.

Story of My Life - One Direction

Swing - Savage

Thrift Shop - Macklemore & Ryan Lewis

Turn Down for What - Dj Snake & Lil Jon

We Run the Night - Havana Brown

BMOC 2008 Opening Music- you bet I brought this awesome mix along

Life is a Highway - Tom Cochrane

Toy Soldier - Brittney Spears

Have you had Enough - Hinder

The Jackson 5 Medley (Immortal Tour) - The Jackson 5

Summer Love - Justin Timberlake

Super Massive Black Hole - Muse

I Belong to You - Muse

Errtime - Nelly

Decode - Paramore

Spice Up Your Life - Spice Girls

Ready to Run - Dixie Chicks

My flight was leaving at 6:15 in the morning on Friday. That required a very early wake up call to drop my car at a park and fly. 

The flights were fast and easy. The first one I was able to sleep. We had a very quick layover in Atlanta, which was unfortunate for my plans to eat breakfast, get a coffee and a magazine because NONE of those happened. I have the worst iPhone 5 in the history of iPhones. I turned it off during the first flight at 77% and when I turned it back on, it was at 38%..yay. It died soon after that, so I spent the next 1.5 hours on the second plane ride reading Skymall twice, Spirit Magazine, and picking my split ends.

I was better prepared the flights back and I'm about to throw my iPhone out my car window.

I was able to fly with three of my TNT running mates which also made it more enjoyable and exciting. 

The main transportation in DC is the metro. It's fun to be in a place with public transportation and much cheaper. Was only $4 to get from the airport to our hotel. And we saw some pretty inspiring displays in the lobbies.

After dropping off our bags we hit up the Nike Expotique to pick up our race packet and do some damage at Nike Georgetown.

The Expotique was awesome! Talk about making a girl feel special, personal touches every where.

 

It wasn't too hard to find my name, I just had to do a lot of walking along the first row, and as coincidence would have it, my dog's name is directly below mine!

 I surprisingly had self control during my trip to Nike Georgetown. I only got a hat, training tank, and a 13.1 shirt.

Next up, the sights and sounds of DC, TNT Inspiration Dinner, and prepping for the big day!