Random Musings...

Don't you love getting mail? There's something special about good old fashioned snail mail, especially packages. I got two things tonight; it was like Christmas morning! I skipped this box to open the second package. 

Usually shoes always come first, but I had a feeling what was in the second box... 

My Team #runDisney shirt came! Please excuse the messy couch and weird self-portrait. 

If you haven't already, check out the Team #runDisney Facebook group. Great group of fellow runDisney fans. :) 

Tink Tuesday

Something I have learned in the past few weeks- when one of my normal routines falls apart, everything falls apart. Exercise, cooking, blogging, house work... Ugh. 

I did manage to make some Mickey related food!

I'm slowly getting back to my running (ran a mile on Friday and 2 on Sunday). On Sunday, I finally came up with a rough training schedule. From what I can tell, my running hasn't suffered too much from my 2+ week hiatus, so in my training plan for Tink, I'm going to focus on adding some cross training to my schedule. I know I've said it before, but I'm really hoping this time around it sticks. :) 

Monday: Strength
Tuesday: Running
Wednesday: Strength
Thursday: Running
Friday: Break
Saturday: Strength
Sunday: Running

So far, strength days consist of sets of push ups, sit ups on a stability ball, and dips. I'll add weights in a week. Running will probably be 2-3 miles on the weekdays and my long run on Sunday. 

Definitely feel like this about my running. :) 

Home life is still just as chaotic as ever. Dearest is hardly ever home between school and work and now interviews. I've resigned to just trying to hang on for the ride. ;) Sunday marked the first day of fall and we had a some decent rain here. Can't wait to bring out the boots and scarves! :) 


I also got this in the mail! During my trip to Disneyland for the half marathon, I signed up for an annual pass again. :) This will last me through my trip for Tinker Bell weekend and hopefully one or two other weekend getaways next through out the next year. I'm also hoping that early registration will be offered for some of the race events next year. :) 

Magnet and welcome packet!

Are you ready for fall? Have any exciting plans for the next couple months?

Tink Tuesday

Confession... Today, over 2 weeks later, was my first post-Disneyland run. I was quickly crossing the line between a small break after Dumbo and letting the laziness set in. The run wasn't bad, but it certainly wasn't good. It was nice to get back outside and I got to enjoy this beautiful sunrise!

The official training plan for the Tinker Bell Half is already on week 2 of the experienced runner's plan. I started my Dumbo training plan at 20 weeks out, but I was already running for a couple months before. I'm hoping that I didn't lose too much momentum and can jump right back in. :)

As a little motivation, I got my medals up on their display. (Half are Dearest's medals.)

I was meaning to get back to a workout schedule last week, but I seem to still be catching up on... life, I guess. There are a lot of big changes: aside from coming back from a week vacation and catching up at work, Dearest and I are gearing up for his graduation, which means lots of resume reviews and job applications. Ugh. Lots of life changes. 

Something I got a good giggle out of on NPR last week. Both Dearest and I have majors listed on this chart. His in the top portion, mine on the bottom. Lol.

Random internet memes have been a big stress reliever lately. :)

I've also been addicted to pinning Christmas things on Pinterest. I did break out some fall decor. Really it's just an excuse to display a couple of my antenna balls. :) 

Have you started decorating for Fall? What do you look forward to most towards the end of the year?

Fresh Fruit Galette (Peach & Blackberry Pie)

I've seen galettes at the bakery before, but I never knew exactly what they were. Turns out they're just pie, but in a different form. They look pretty and are SO much easier to make than a pie. 

I wanted something light and summery, so I went with a peach and blackberry filling. 

Peach & Blackberry Galette

Ingredients

2-3 ripe yellow peaches

3/4  of a 6oz container of blackberries

3 tbsp sugar

1 tbsp flour

1 tsp quick cooking/instant tapioca

pinch of nutmeg

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1 1/2 cups flour

1/2 cup vegetable shortening, like Crisco

1/2 tsp salt

1 tbsp sugar

1/2 cup cold water

large granule sugar, like "Sugar in the Raw"

Directions

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.

Peel and thinly slice the peaches.

Cut the blackberries in half and add to the peaches.

Add in the sugar, flour, tapioca, nutmeg and cinnamon. Mix well.

Prepare the crust: In a large bowl, combine the flour, salt and sugar. Using a pastry cutter, blend in the shortening until it resembles coarse corn meal.

Add the cold water a little at a time until the dough forms a ball. It will be sticky. 

Roll out the dough until it is ~ 1/8 inch thick.

Before adding the filling, place the rolled out dough onto a piece of parchment paper or directly onto a baking sheet. 

Spoon out the filling into the middle of the dough.

Fold the dough up towards the center and move around the edges. Take care to not rip or tear the crust. 

Once the you've folded up all the sides, brush the crust with an egg wash (egg whites) or milk. This will help the raw sugar to stick. 

Sprinkle the crust edges with the raw sugar.

Bake in the preheated oven for 17-20 minutes or until the crust is golden. 

Bon Appetit! 

Tink Tuesday

Now that the Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend and training for the Dumbo Double Dare has passed, it's time for a break from running. Or not... As I sat down to look at my calendar, I realized that my next race, the Tinker Bell Half Marathon, isn't quite as far away as I thought it was. It's only a little over 18 Weeks away! Eeek! As my training switches from the Disneyland Half over to the Tinker Bell Half, I thought my "Training Tuesdays" should as well. Introducing, Tink Tuesdays!

This past week I was in recovery mode, a.k.a. be lazy and do nothing mode break mode. I am getting a little antsy to get out and run, but between settling back into life and getting back to work, I've much preferred to sleep in. Next week it's back to work!

Word on the interwebs is that the Pumpkin Spice Latte has returned to Starbucks, which in many peoples' minds, means the start of fall! When I think of fall, I immediately think of Thanksgiving... and then Christmas. I confess I have already started listening to Christmas music. Lucky for Dearest, I only listen to it in the car when he's not with me. ;) 

I've been addicted to Pinterest looking at ideas for holiday decorating and baking. This Christmas is going to be a special one for us- Dearest will have just graduated! (This is a big deal for us- from the start of us getting together, one of us has always been in school. Moving into uncharted territory here.) Yay!

Every year, we throw a big holiday dinner for our friends. Think Thanksgiving dinner- turkey, stuffing, yams, mashed potatoes, and pie, along with Christmas dinner- ham, tons of desserts, etc. The first year, I made everything myself, but since then we've opted for more of a potluck (my poor kitchen couldn't handle the dinner for 20!). This year, I want to take it on again myself and with some strategy, I think I can do it. I'm definitely looking forward to that. :)

Do you take a break after a big race? What do you look forward to most in Fall/Winter?

Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend: Trip Recap

What better way to recap our 4 day trip to Disneyland for the Half Marathon Weekend than through photos. :) 

If you're looking for race recaps, here are my recaps for the Inaugural Disneyland 10k, Disneyland Half Marathon 2013, and my thoughts on the Dumbo Double Dare.

We flew down to Orange County on Friday morning.

We went to California Adventure first to hang out with my cousin's kids while they rode Radiator Springs Racers.

A little afternoon snack. Beer not recommended before a race, but hey, it's Disneyland! :)

Toy Story Midway Mania. I beat Dearest every time. ;)

I got my fried green tomato sandwich w/ sweet potato fries at the Hungry Bear Restaurant! So yummy!

 One last photo in the Court of Angels at Disneyland. We took a very similar picture on our first visit to Disneyland together. The court is such a peaceful and quiet place away from the hustle and bustle of the park. It's super romantic, I'm sure tons of people have gotten engaged here. Sadly it's going to close as the area will become part of the private Club 33 when it expands. I'll definitely miss coming here.

 Some of the souvenirs I brought back!

Magical Fireworks

My 2013 Grad!

Dearest was so great with our little cousins. I just know someday he's going to be a great dad. :) 

Mickey and the Magical Map. Fun show with great music, but not quite as good as previous shows or the Aladdin Musical in California Adventure.

Our flight out of Orange County was delayed for 3 hours, so we passed the time with beer, wings and fries. I just ran a 10k and half marathon, so I need to replenish, right? :) 

Orange County has a city noise ordinance stating that planes cannot take off past 10pm. We boarded the plane around 9:45 and all the flight attendants were quick to tell us that if we were not "wheels up" by 10pm, we would be staying the night. There was one passenger that kept fiddling with his bag in the over head compartment and I'm surprised no one jumped up and forced him to sit down. As we taxied out on the tarmac at 9:55p, we had to wait for four, yes FOUR, planes to land. Time was ticking by and everyone was getting antsy. Finally, the engines roared and we began our take off, even though it was past 10pm. Thank you, Southwest! :)

My hubby surprised me with this ornament! He was acting all weird, saying he was looking for something in a store, but wouldn't tell me what it was. After running around Disneyland, he finally found it and surprised me with it. He was going to wait until Christmas (we add a new ornament to the tree every year), but he couldn't wait. We are both terrible at holding back surprises. ;)

My favorite ride is Big Thunder Mountain Railroad- so perfect!

Hope you enjoyed the recap! :)

Dumbo Double Dare: Post Race Thoughts

When I registered for the Dumbo Double Dare way back in January, I didn't think too much about the difficulty of the back-to-back races. I knew I could complete the half and the 10k would be a breeze. 

What I didn't factor in was all the other walking from playing at Disneyland. According to my brother's Fit Bit, we added on another 4 miles per day from just walking around. My legs definitely felt the mileage. I also didn't keep up with my back-to-back training runs. The furthest I got was a 4 mile/8 mile weekend.

I'd say I'll never do another back-to-back challenge again, but I'm actually already registered for one... In January, I'm doing the Tinker Bell 10k and half. AND 5k (though I am told there will be absolutely no running). Only difference is there isn't an official challenge, so I won't be getting a special 3rd medal. I know, more running and less bling? Yes, I am crazy. I'll take my lessons learned from this weekend- train more, and in warmer weather. ;) Which reminds me... I have less than 20 weeks until Tinker Bell weekend! Eeek!!!

Disneyland Half Marathon 2013: Race Recap!

I've been planning for the Disneyland Half Marathon pretty much since last year's race. This year was a bit different from the previous two times we've run since we were participating in the Dumbo Double Dare- running both the 10k and half marathon on back-to-back days to earn a special 3rd Dumbo medal. And yes, I was feeling like a dumbo afterwards for doing both races, mainly because I was dehydrated and exhausted.

The weather was very similar to the previous day when we ran the Disneyland 10k. Temps were already in the high 70s and hit the low 80s by the time we finished. Humidity still through the roof. The nice difference was that there was some cloud cover as the sun was rising! 

A before picture! My husband, 3 cousins, and one of my cousin's friends ran the half. 

Joining the masses in the back of Corral C.

Blurry start line

They kept the World of Color lights and fountains on! 

Tower of Terror in the distance.

Running down Route 66 towards the mountain range (the opposite direction than the 10k). 

Super blurry photo from running down Main Street in Disneyland. I have to admit, this is pretty much what life looks like without my contacts or glasses. Lol :)

Through the castle! 

Out onto the streets of Anaheim. On a clear day, this is when the rising sun blinds you. We were lucky to have some cloud cover.

Around Mile 5, the clouds disappeared and the sun kicked my butt. I was really struggling. It was a a battle between my stomach hurting from drinking so much water, yet still feeling super parched.

Mile 9 heading into the Angel's Stadium. Seeing 2 hrs on the clock (we crossed the start line ~15-20 mins in), I knew I wasn't going to make my time goal. I'd be lucky to come close to last year's time.

This year we ran under the big A. Pretty cool!

After Angel's Stadium I was starting to not feel well. My fingers and face were starting to get tingly and I knew I was super dehydrated. We took a lot of walk breaks and my goal was to just finish as still be okay to enjoy the parks for the next two days.

The finish line! Finally! I don't think I have ever been happier to cross that finish line.

Post race group photo! :)

Now for the race stats... No, I did not PR. I didn't even come close to what I was hoping for (2:10), but I'm still pleased with my time. I finished in 2:27, about 4 minutes slower than last year's time. The heat and humidity really took a toll. I've heard from locals that the humidity we experienced wasn't normal for Disneyland, but was typical for Disney World... Definitely makes me nervous about running in Florida. :/ 

All in all, I still had a fantastic time! I love that this race brings my family together and more and more of us are running. Next year we might even get more of the family to do the 5k fun run. :) 

The Disneyland Half will always hold a special place in my heart since it was my first half/first race/first runDisney race. :)