Saturday, October 31, 2009

Almost Halfway There...

I'm not going to lie that last week's long run turned into a bad experience and I won't provide details. It made me a little nervous since it was only 1/3 of the marathon distance. After a week of research and some adjustments, I prepped myself for today. There was an inaugural Halloween race at the beach, Wicked 10k. Meghan and I were the only ones that signed up in time before it sold out. So, she and I met up at the race so I could get my first 6 miles in. Karen wasn't able to sign up, so she met me there to run my additional 5 after the race. I was a little cautious during the race a bit nervous about completing that distance and then going back out to run further. Nonetheless, we finished in a respectable time and ran the additional distance better than I had anticipated. I have learned that caffienated GU sure does make a difference in my head and in my body. Sort of gives me that spring in my step needed. So, I finished 11 miles today feeling better than I have felt in a while. Thank the Lord! I'm almost halfway there...

Friday, October 23, 2009

It's Not Fine Dining

Today I had a little break at work and found my way to the local newspaper's "Best of..." list. I was reading through to find out how credible it was and discovered the voters and myself do not agree on many of the winners. One category that I disagreed with was the Best of Fine Dining. The 2nd place winner was a local Mexican eatery. REALLY? FINE DINING? I couldn't believe it. My confusion launched into a vent session with a friend. What began as first thoughts and reasons this Mexican restaurant couldn't be considered fine dining quickly became our version of a Jeff Foxworthy sketch.

If you get free chips and salsa, it is not fine dining.
If you get paper napkins, it is not fine dining.
If your cup is plastic and could have the "Coca-Cola" trademark on it, it isn't fine dining.
If you can seat yourself, it is not fine dining.
If you can walk to the register and have your entire bill split and pay for each item seperately, then it is not fine dining.
If your eating utensils are a faded gray and could be bent with your bare hands, it is not fine dining.
If there are no tablecloths or they are made of paper and you get crayons, then it is not fine dining.
If shorts and flip flops are considered appropriate attire, it is not fine dining.
If there is a sign that states "No Shirt, No Shoes, No Service," chances are it is not fine dining.
If there are smokers milling about the dumpster in the back, it is not fine dining.

Care to chime in?

Monday, October 19, 2009

Cold Today, Hot Tamale

I'm not going to lie, I have waited my entire life to use that line. As kids, we would pass the numerous billboards for South of the Border on our way to Myrtle Beach, and that one was my favorite.

Speaking of tamales...a friend of mine at work spent the last week with her folks. They were visiting from TX and brought all the right ingredients for authentic, homemade tamales. I had never had one before, and since I don't dine on swine, my wonderful co-worker made me veggie versions. Can you believe it? I steamed some up for dinner and might I say they were awesome. S.B., teach me how!!!

Saturday, October 17, 2009

"That" Runner

I've been racing since I moved to Virginia Beach. For the first few years, each race was a distance I didn't run often. Now that I'm doing long distances, I rarely do 5ks. (In fact, the only 5k I do each year is Race for the Cure. It was this race that started me on the running wagon, so it's a given I will participate.) Anyways, I can remember going to some races and seeing participants running a few miles prior to the start. I always rolled my eyes and thought it was obnoxious. Well, this morning I ran a 5k. According to the training plan, I was suppose to run 9 miles. That's longer than 3.12. In order to make up the difference, my running partner and I agreed to arrive early, run 2 before the race and then finish the last 4 after the race. During the run I realized, I've become "that" runner.

Friday, October 9, 2009

For Mixson

It's funny how you can have something like this blog and most of the time you think you are the only one reading it aside from the regular 3 people that comment. That's truly why I don't write more often. I mean, there are only 3 people that care. Well, you can add another one to the list. I found out my bestest buddy from high school reads this! So, C.W. Mixson, I'm tickled pink you read!

Mixson is my complete opposite although we have been very close friends for pushing 20 years. I'm an evangelical Christian, he's an athiest. I'm extremely conservative, he's all the way on the left. I think animals taste great, he's a vegetarian. The great thing about Mixson is I feel like no matter what I believe, I can always bounce things off of him to get a different perspective. He always respects my opinion and I know that when I ask him a question he will give me an intelligent answer. We are sort of the Yin Yang combo. And even though we won't speak for months, and in some cases years, I will always consider him near and dear to my heart.

After learning the news of the most recent Nobel Peace Prize winner, I had to talk to a liberal to find out what they think about it all. I mean, I will celebrate success when it is earned. I just have a hard time accepting an award for effort rather than results. I mean, I'm training for a marathon. Should they send me a first place medal for my effort? NO WAY! Of course, those folks in Oslo lost my respect in 94 when Arafat won. I came to the conclusion that it was a game of semantics: what does peace really mean? For obvious reasons, we don't define it the same. Nonetheless, Mixson and I had a very productive conversation about it all and that's when he informed me that he reads my blog. So, I decided to dedicate this post to him.

Mixson, I miss you dude! Did you ever think when we would go running down Ocoee Street during your summers home from college that I would still be running and training for a marathon today? You and Andy were the reasons I started running! Thanks, man!

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Crock Pot Culinary

I made an incredible crock pot stew yesterday that sent my olfactories a dancin'! Since I have been extremely SLACK on my food blog, I posted it there. Check it out!