Race Shirt Turned Tote Bag

At every runDisney race, you get a tech/athletic shirt with a design indicating the race and year. Unfortunately the shirts are uni-sex, but really they're just mens. Even going with a small, the shirt is ill-fitting- the neck is too tight and everything else is way too baggy. Still, I keep the shirts to commemorate the race. 
I considered collecting enough to make a quilt out of them, but what would I do with the quilt? I already made a quilt for our bed and I don't think a mish-mash of tech shirts would look good on our living room couch. 
I wanted something functional that I could use. A duffel bag for traveling crossed my mind, but I finally settled on a tote bag of some sort. It could be used day-to-day, but would be especially fun to bring to the expo at this year's half marathon. 

I used a bright white to contrast the dark navy of the shirt. I used the main image as the front and relocated the "runDisney" from the sleeve to the other side of the bag. Pretty cute, huh? 

Recent Sewing Fun

I bought a new sewing machine a few months ago and it's amazing what a difference it makes. I think patience is coming with age (eek!) and it's crucial for my sewing. ;) 

A nautical baby quilt for my co-worker. 

A small sack for our produce shopping.

A make up bag with an outside pocket for brushes/pencils. 

A runner for next to our bed. Coordinates nicely with the quilt I made a few months ago. 

 A check book cover. I seem to be addicted to this chevron pattern. 

Double the Trouble

Unfortunately I have not found a long lost twin. Though that would be pretty exciting. Maybe I could get her to go to work for me...? 

The double refers to the Dumbo Double Dare taking place over Labor Day weekend this fall. RunDisney has added a new 10k race (that's half of a half marathon) to the weekend line up and even put an added spin on things. If you run both the 10k and half marathon, it's called the Dumbo Double Dare and you get a special medal. On top of the medals for the 10k and half. Aside from the fantastic time I have during the race, the added health benefits of training throughout the year, and the fun of racing with Dearest, I really really really love the shiny medals. So when the opportunity arose to earn not one, but three of them?! Heck yes! I may or may not have had to force coerce gently nudge Dearest into running both. 

Another great thing about runDisney events is that many of the runners dress in costumes. Tons of Princesses, lots of Minnies and a random assortment of other Disney characters. Dearest and I know that in order to run both, we won't be running all out for the 10k, which means we can dress up! Dearest is all for it (how did I get so lucky?) and I'm already brainstorming ideas. My first thought was to be the Slinky dog from Toy Story, until I realized how hard it would be to make and run with. Plus I think we'd become more of a road hazard than anything else. I'm considering the Little Green Men. But I'm leaning towards a Princess/Prince combo of some sort- Snow White & Prince Charming, Rapunzel & Flynn, Jasmine & Aladdin. I really just want to wear a tutu. :) 

Anyway, registration for the races officially open up tomorrow, but I kick started my training today. I haven't gone on a real run since my last half in September, so I know I've got a ways to make up. On another note, I've decided to keep a tally of how many miles I run in 2013. It'll be interesting to see the total at the end of the year. 

Stay tuned for more race training updates. 

2012 Recap & 2013 Preview

Once again, another year is coming to a fast close. With Dearest out from school (a.k.a. busy catching up on all the video games he missed out on during the semester), it's given me some "me time" to reflect on this past year and the upcoming one. 

Let's look back to last year's resolutions:

In true New Years fashion, I'll throw out some resolutions for 2012.
~I will be more healthy and exercise to make it to my ideal body. Setting a specific weight goal never works.
~I will dedicate more time to my hobbies, like photography.
~I will be a more adventurous cook.

I'm really happy with how 2012 went. 

~ I may not always be satisfied with the number on my scale, but I'm happy with how I feel and look. Staying fit has become an essential part of life and I actually enjoy it! Dearest and I ran our second 1/2 marathon (set a personal record) and we're just about to sign up for our third. 

~ I bit the bullet and purchased photo editing software. Now to find the time to take the pictures. I got a new sewing machine as well and I've been busting out projects left and right. 

~ Cooking- I think this resolution may have been meant for Dearest. He's really come a long way. Some of his highlights: asparagus pesto risotto and braised beef.  Mmmm.

Looking to next year, I can honestly say that 2013 will be the best year of my life (so far). Bold statement, but I'm sure you'll agree. Here's why:

~ Dearest will be done with school. FINALLY! After 5.5 years, he will graduate in December. But starting in the summer, he'll have a full time internship (i.e. extra income). 

~ Work is going really well. My manager keeps reminding me I should go for a promotion, but I'm on the fence about it. 

~ I'm starting off the year in great shape. No weight loss resolution here. I just want to continue with the running and beat last years 1/2 marathon time. 

As for resolutions, I don't really have any. I just want to keep going in the same direction. 

Something nice about 2013 is that things seem pretty straight forward. I'll still be at the same job. Dearest will be in school and have an internship. We'll be in the same apartment (which we are out-growing rather quickly). Nothing major planned. 

Looking even further into 2014, I know that everything will be up in the air. Dearest will be getting a real job. We will probably move. Depending on the previous two, I may have to leave my job. Craziness. I'm sure in 12 months time, I'll be freaking out. 

So for now, here's to 2013! *cheers*

The Adventures of Dearest's Wedding Ring

Some of you may know that the wedding ring Dearest wears is not his first one. Not even the second one. In fact, it's ring # 3. Third time's a charm, right?

His original ring we were married with lives on a beach in Maui, taking up residence there just four days after our wedding. I like to think that we left a bit of our love there. But really, Dearest took it off to put on sunscreen and we lost it in the sand. I'm sure there are many other rings on that same beach.
A second ring (exactly the same as the first) was purchased in Maui. Could have been a nice reminder of our honeymoon. Unfortunately it wasn't the correct size and was exchanged within a month. 
Dearest's third ring, now the proper size, has been with him for over 2 years now. But not to be outdone by its predecessors, it has taken us on some interesting adventures. 

Less than a month shy of our 2 year Anniversary, the ring goes missing and we tear apart the apartment looking for it. This is where it's found:

Yes... That is a door. And yes. Dearest put it there.

6 Months Later.... Ring again goes missing. Apartment is again searched. (I did check all the doors.) This time we suspect it's fallen down the shower drain. After pulling apart the drain, it's definitely not there. Another thorough search of the apartment is done and just when we're about the give up, his ring is discovered. Can you find it? 

In Dearest's defense, he was cleaning the kitchen and didn't want it to roll away or get swept into the trash. 

 I've learned two very important things so far... 1. Dearest LOVES to put his ring on the most random things that stick out. 2. His ring tries to run away. Seriously. 

Disneyland 1/2 Marathon 2012 Recap

I'll just start off by saying that yes, Dearest was right... It's not often I have to say that! I kid, I kid. ;) During our last couple months of training for our second go at the half marathon at Disneyland, Dearest was convinced that we'd run the 13.1 miles in less than 2.5 hours, cutting 18 minutes off our original time. I didn't think it was possible- our current runs were barely cutting it and we never ran the full distance. 

Race day I was still convinced we'd never make the 2.5 hrs and even worried that I'd have a worse time than last year. I decided to play at Disneyland the week prior to the race, instead of taking it easy, and managed to hurt my knee. Nothing like nursing a hurting knee knowing that you've got 13 miles or running ahead of you. 

We started in Corral D this year (up from last in G). A bonus was that the 2.5 hour pace runner was at the start of Corral D. If we kept up with him, we'd make our time goal. Only problem was when we funneled into our corral, we ended up at the back, behind tons of people and probably closer to the 2hr45min pace guy. 

For the first few miles of the course, we ran through Disneyland and California Adventure (and the newly opened Cars Land). Pardon the poor photos. ;) Disney really does a great job of making the course fun- the World of Color fountains and lights were on, there were characters out and random staff cheering us on. [Side note: I had the recent "opportunity" to be part of SC's Big Kahuna triathlon- our normal, and very public, running path was part of the course. The poor guys had to dodge people, bikes, dogs and other things all while trying to race each other. You think they would have at least blocked the path off...] 

Anyway, back to Disney's awesome race. We spent the first 6 miles or so looking for the 2.5 hr pace guy. To make him stand out, he runs with a bunch of balloons on a stick. On top of the already increased speed, we also had at least 5 minutes to make up. So many times I'd turn to Dearest and say "I still can't find those stupid balloons!" 

And then we saw them... It was just after the halfway point, coming around a large corner, we saw the pace guy carrying his balloons and the promise of a time under 2.5 hrs. We caught up (and passed!) the pace guy outside of the Angel's baseball stadium. 

At this point, my knee was really starting to get to me. There was a lot of breaks and walking and although Dearest could go on, he stuck with me. What an excellent partner to have in this (and in life as well!) My main fear was having the pace guy catch up and then pass us, so whenever he'd come in sight, it meant running again. 

Last year, I slapped Mickey's hand crossing the finish line and Dearest really wanted a picture of it, but... last year I was also really tired and just wanted it to be over, so I didn't bother pulling the camera out for him. This year, we were prepared. But Mickey was no where to be seen! I had to settle for a chipmunk instead. :) 



The best reward was meeting our time goal- by a lot! We finished in 2 hrs 23 minutes, shaving 25 minutes off our first time. I was more surprised that we averaged under 11 minutes/mile, something we rarely did when training. 

After- victory lunch at our favorite place in Disneyland. 

And next year, we're shooting for 2 hrs 15 minutes. And I actually think we can do it. 

Back to Basics

For a long time, I used to think that good tasting food = labor intensive meal with lots of special ingredients. Now I know the truth: let the ingredients speak for themselves and you'll have an amazing meal. 

Minestrone

A simple blend of all the basics with bacon and kale, this soup comes together to create something delicious. Topped with parmesan, it's perfect comfort food, even on a summer evening. 

Contact me for the recipe and I promise this will be your go-to minestrone. 

Bruschetta 

Sliced bread topped with tomatoes, feta, a little salt and fresh cracked pepper, drizzled with olive oil, make the perfect snack. 

Fish Tacos

Panko Crusted Fish Tacos on a bed of lettuce, topped with a simple mix of avocados, tomatoes, jalapeños and onions. Super easy to make, yet so tasty.