Run for Kids 10k

Out of all of the races I participate in, this one means the most to me.  The proceeds of this race benefit Citizens for Safe Schools, a local mentoring program for at-risk youth.  You spend one hour a week for at least a year with a child ranging from 4th to 8th grade.  I participated in this program a couple of years ago and it changed my life.  

2011 Run for Kids 5k

In the past, the two options for this event were a 5k and a 1/2 marathon. Let me tell you - the 1/2 marathon is hardcore. Altitude, heat, and hills all work against you.  Um, no thank you.  I think I'll pass and take the 5k please.  This year they added a 10k to the mix, so I decided to switch it up and go for the "happy" medium. WARNING! Always look at the course before signing up for a race. I assumed you would run the 5k course twice and call it good but that was not the case.

The races started at 8:15am in the morning and by that point it was already hot.  

Photo courtesy of Cody Ames Photography.

The first mile was mostly uphill (not how I'd prefer to start a race), but at least it was gradual.  Once it thinned out, I ended up on my own and occasionally played the back and forth game with another runner.  I'd pass her, she'd pass me.  After making it to the top of what I mistakenly thought was the only hill I grabbed some water at the aid station and kept going.  I started to get my second wind and was excited to be headed downhill.  As I got further down I noticed some runners hanging a right toward a neighborhood with more hills.  "Must be some 1/2 marathoners already, damn, sucks to be them!" I thought.  I soon realized those were 10k runners and I would be running uphill again.  Noooo!  

Remember how I said the 1/2 marathon sucked because of elevation, heat, and hills?  My easy 10k was turning out to be just as hideous as the 1/2 marathon, minus the distance.  There was little shade and I was sweating profusely.  The second hill was practically vertical and I walked most of it.  At the top was another aid station and I took the opportunity to take a sip of water.  I was feeling defeated, but the volunteers assured me I was doing a great job.  The one and only benefit of going up a hill is eventually you will go down.  

What goes up must come down!  Photo courtesy of Cody Ames Photography.

I finally made it to the 5k course I was familiar with!  No extreme hills but I swear it felt like 100 degrees. Nicky + running in heat = miserable.  This run was kicking my ass.  I just wanted it to be OVER and as I looked at my Garmin for the 12th time I realized I was almost there.  Thank God!  But wait?!  My Garmin was showing I had run 6.2 miles, but I was still running. You've got to be kidding me...I'd even started my watch late.  More walking ensued until I could see the finish line in the distance.  I didn't run hard because I was worried about dry heaving like I did in prior years.  When I got to the final stretch I sprinted as fast as I could and really hoped I didn't trip and fall in front of everyone.  There's nothing more motivating and flattering than hearing your friends and peers cheer you on as you're about to cross the finish line.  And just like that, I was done.  Time: 1:17:30  Distance: 6.67 miles  Pace: 11:37  Fastest Mile: 9:12

I didn't run the 1/2 marathon, I wasn't the fastest runner, I walked parts of the course, but I got out there and did it!  After the race, I swore I'd skip the 10k next year and go back to the 5k, but now I'm not so sure.  To me, the hardest part of running isn't actually running, it's how you feel mentally, how you talk to yourself, and how you push through that mental barrier.  It can be done, but it isn't always easy.

{Taste Test Tuesday} Spicy Italian Zucchini Boats

I recently discovered Pinterest and have been testing recipes I've found on it.  I saw this recipe floating around and made the assumption there was Italian sausage in it, but that's not the case.  It's a veggie loaded with other veggies...perfect if you're a vegetarian.  Okay, so it's not the end of the world there's no meat in them, but I definitely needed some protein to go with this dish.  I grilled up some chicken and had these on the side.  They do have a kick to them, so if you don't like spicy food you'll want to cut back the red pepper flakes.

Serves 2-4

Ingredients

• 2 medium zucchini
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 medium tomato, seeded and finely chopped
• 1/2 cup fresh mushrooms, finely chopped
• 3 teaspoons fresh basil, chopped, divided
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 3/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese, divided
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Directions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Cut zucchini in half lengthwise.  Scoop out pulp and seeds, leaving 1/4-inch shell (use a small spoon for this).  Reserve the pulp from two zucchini slices and chop.  Combine zucchini pulp, garlic, tomato, mushrooms, 1 teaspoon basil, oregano, crushed red pepper flakes, salt, pepper, olive oil, and 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese in a medium bowl.  Divide mixture among zucchini shells.

Place stuffed zucchini in a 13x9 baking dish; cover with foil.  Bake for 25 minutes or until zucchini is tender.  Sprinkle with remaining 1/4 cup cheese. Bake uncovered for 5 minutes more or until cheese is melted. Top with fresh basil.

Adapted from The Comfort of Cooking website

I did like these very much as a side dish and they turned out so pretty. (Except for the bottoms - the skin kind of burnt)  The fresh basil and meaty mushrooms were tasty, but the real winner was the Parmesan cheese!  Mmm...cheese.  These do not make good leftovers, I REPEAT, these do not make good leftovers!  They turn into floppy, soggy...things. 

I'd give these ☆☆☆☆ out of 5 stars.  What's your favorite vegetarian recipe?

Insanity Week 1 & 2 Review

My Insanity challenge group kicked off on July 8th and my challengers are already seeing some great results!

Week 1:  We all did our Fit Test on day one to gauge our progress over the next 60 days.  Personally, I couldn't do the push-up jacks, so I did modified push-ups instead.

We were all pretty sore the first several days, but it went away by the end of the week.  My husband and I started drinking Results and Recovery formula toward the end of the first week which really seemed to help.  It helps you refuel, re-energize, and most importantly, it helps reduce soreness.  Hallelujah!  

My challengers totally ROCKED it the first week and lost a total of 26 pounds!  How amazing is that?!  I couldn't be more proud of them!

Week 2:  After a week of workouts most of us agreed that Pure Cardio is our favorite.  You go from one exercise to another with no rest breaks in between whereas on the other workouts you do circuit training, so you get a thirty second break between sets.  Some of us had a hard time adjusting our schedules, especially me.  I was getting up about an hour and half earlier to do my workout, but was going to bed at my normal time.  Bad idea.  I was averaging 5-1/2 to 6 hours of sleep a night last week which isn't nearly enough for me. 

Some of us are working through minor setbacks (my jacked up toe being one of them), but we keep pushing play and motivating each other.  I love the positivity this group brings and can't wait to see our 60 day results!

Asian Chicken Salad

I can be a pretty indecisive person.  Ask me what my favorite movie is or what my favorite song is and you won't get a solid answer from me.  There are tons of songs and movies I like, so it's too hard to pick my favorite.  The same goes for food.  There are so many tasty recipes it's hard to pick a favorite.  This salad is so dang good it deserves to be a favorite, but my favorite dish of all time???  I can't make that kind of commitment, so I'm putting it under the "Salad" category instead of the "Best Dish Ever" category.

Without further ado...this is my favorite salad recipe!  Yep, you heard me right.  FAV-OR-ITE.  It's light, healthy, colorful, and simple to make. Not to mention it's perfect on a hot summer day. It can be a main dish or a side dish, a red fish or a blue fish.  Um wait...I got carried away.  Moving on...I haven't met a single person who didn't like it, and if I did, I'm not sure we could friends anymore.  That's how good it is - hand over heart.  

 Serves 6

Ingredients

Salad: 

• 1 large carrot
• 3 cups shredded Napa cabbage, from 1 small cabbage
• 3 cups shredded romaine lettuce, from 1 small head of lettuce
• 1 small red bell pepper, seeded and deveined, thinly sliced
• 2 tablespoons fresh Thai basil leaves or fresh mint leaves, chopped
• 1-2 scallions, chopped
• 2 cups thinly sliced or shredded rotisserie chicken (about 2 small chicken breasts)
• 1/2 cup silvered or sliced almonds, toasted
• 1 tablespoon toasted white or black sesame seeds

Dressing: 

• 1/4 cup canola oil
• 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
• 1/2 teaspoon granulated sugar
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, optional

Directions

For the salad: Using a vegetable peeler, shave the carrot and add to a large salad bowl.  Stir in the cabbage, lettuce, pepper, Thai basil, chicken, scallions, almonds, and sesame seeds.

For the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the oil, soy sauce, vinegar, and sugar until smooth.  Season with salt and pepper, to taste.

Pour the dressing over the salad and toss well.  

Adapted from the Food Network website.

Seriously, what are you waiting for?  Make this tonight!  I promise you won't be disappointed.

I'd love to know what your favorite salad recipe is!