Springtime
It has a nice ring to it.
Daisy, Daisy give me your answer do.
I’m half crazy all for the love of you.
It won’t be a stylish marriage,
I can’t afford a carriage.
But you’ll look sweet,
Upon the seat,
Of a bicycle made for two.
Iron Girl was a huge disappointment beginning with my race shirt. I requested a size small, but it fit more like a youth large, which should have been my first clue that this race would have its challenges.
Our race packet instructed us to arrive at the Iron Girl remote parking lots where a shuttle service would bring us to the start line with the last trolley running at 6:15. The morning of the race, my friends (Chrissy, Kathleen and I) arrived at the parking lot at 5:45 but we waited over an hour for a trolley. While waiting in line, we snapped a few photos to kill the time and that’s when I realized I had forgotten the memory card for my camera. Although I was sad about my dilemma, I knew Jackie would be pleased that I would actually be running and not stopping for Kodak moments. (Just for the record, Jackie…I take photos while I run. So there!)
When my friends and I finally arrived at the beach, we were told, “Two minutes until the start”. Upon hearing that, Kathleen and I sprinted to the start line. Although I desperately needed to pee, I just wanted to get to the race. By the time we reached the start line, it was nearly 5 minutes into the race and I never got the chance to take my potty break.
When we reached the start line, the 5K runners were already lining up at the start. Kathleen and I shoved our way through the 5K ladies to get to the chipped start. Once we reached the start, an Iron Girl volunteer tried to stop us, but I yelled “We’re half runners!” We didn’t wait for his approval and kept going. Kathleen and I quickly caught up with the half marathon walkers and dodged our way through that frustrating obstacle course. With all our weaving in and out, I eventually lost sight of Kathleen but I spotted the 3:00 pace group.
“Aw hell-to-the-no!” I grunted to myself. “I am NOT getting stuck behind the three hour pace group!” I kept darting through the crowd and soon I reached the Clearwater Memorial Causeway. Although I knew I should have slowed my pace to climb the steep hill, I just wanted to get past the walkers and get ahead of the crowd.
A gorgeous sunrise glowed as I came over the Clearwater Memorial Causeway and I wished I hadn’t forgotten my memory stick. Once over the bridge, I spotted the 2:30 pace group and let out a sigh of relief. I had caught up with peers close to my pace. Feeling like I had finally made up for lost time, I now attempted to keep ahead of the2:30 pace group but I still needed to pee.
The night before, I studied the race course and knew there were water stations approximately every two miles with port-o-potties through the course. What I didn’t take into account that this was a woman’s race and how there’s always a line to the ladies restroom except now I couldn’t sneak a squat in the men’s room. There were plenty of trees along the race route but I have performance anxiety when it comes to peeing in public. Prior to the race, I had joked with Chrissy about relieving myself while running and cleansing myself in the Gulf after the race, but that seemed less of a joke now. So, I held it mile after mile until mile 7 when I couldn’t hold it any more. At this particular potty, there were only two women waiting in line for a pair of port-o-lets and it was now or never. When I exited the port-o-let, I saw the 2:30 pace group pass by. I quickly gulped down two cups of water and chased after the pace group.
Again, I made up for lost time but it wasn’t easy for all the “hills” along the race route. I had hoped for a more flat scenic view along the beach. Instead we ran through a residential area with lots of hills and huge beautiful homes with waterfront views. With each incline, I cussed myself out for not being more prepared and I should have anticipated “hills” from previous races through Clearwater, like the Turkey Trot.
Soon after mile 7, the Belleair Causeway came into sight and I called out, “Make it burn, ladies!” No one was amused. I decided to walk this hill out and have a Cliff Shot snack break when the 2:30 pace group passed me again. Between the pace group passing and the sight of the enormous causeway, I felt defeated. Once over the hill, I tried to get my groove back and catch up with the 2:30 pace group, but they only appeared further and further away with each step, like I was moving in slow motion or even backwards. For the remainder of the race, the pace group sign became a mirage.
When we reached Gulf Blvd, I was exhausted and overheated and it was difficult to appreciate the flat course portion of the race. However, as in any race, I did appreciate the volunteers (like the Girl Scouts) who handed us water and the spectators who cheered for us (like the blonde girls in yellow, the gentleman on a bike, the Coast Guard and the Firefighters). One nice volunteer even offered to pour water on me to cool me down. I really must have been a sad sight.
Around mile 10, I had one more hill to conquer: the Sand Key Bridge into Clearwater Beach. I didn’t even try to run it and my legs and glutes showed their gratitude by not giving out before reaching the finish line.
When I reached the bottom of the bridge, I only had two miles remaining. In a race, I typically conserve my energy for the end so I can pick up the pace to cross the finish line. But this time, I didn’t have it in me and I just tried to finish with a smile.
Once I crossed the finish line, I heard the announcer shout, “Welcome home, Denise!” Even though I didn’t make it under 2:30, it felt good to be home and to finish 39.3 miles before my 40th birthday.
Gun Time 2:34:57
Chip Time 2:31:27
Ave Pace 11:27
Max Pace
Div Place 206/331
Overall 933/1634
As for my friends, Jackie placed second in her division for the 5K (22:41 – a new PR for her) and received an Iron Girl pendant for her achievement. Kathleen finished the half in 1:56:16 and Chrissy finished the 5K in 34:09. All great accomplishments!
Three days later after Iron Girl, I’m still sore. Climbing the stairs hurts. My pelvic muscles are killing me and my ass…well some things are just better off not said. Let’s just say that I’ve become good pals with a tube of Preparation H and Preparation wipes and I’ve been popping ibuprofen to reduce some of the pain. After almost four years of running, this the first time I’ve ever had to take pain reliever after any race or had to deal with any ass issues. I’m not sure if it had something to do with the “hills” or my postpartum out of shape body. But then, I guess they don’t call it Iron Girl for nothing!
Proudly submitted to Stacy Uncorked, because when I blog about my races, it’s usually pretty random.
Yesterday, I ran my third half marathon of the year and I met my goal of 40 miles (39.3 to be exact) before my 40th birthday.
As I ran the last couple miles of Iron Girl, I flipped through my MP3 player to find a song to carry me through to the finish line. I decided Unwritten seemed fitting song, because although I met my 40 miles goal, I still have more races and so many more miles to go.
Rather than play the original video starring Natasha Bedingfield for Music Monday, I’d like to share a video I created 2 years ago after I finished Disney’s Goofy Challenge. The lyrics still hold true for me with each step I take.
Reaching for something in the distance
So close you can almost taste it
Visit Amanda, Xmas Dolly and Hairbows & Guitar Picks for more Music Monday fun.
After picking up my Iron Girl race packet at Fit2Run at International Plaza, I stopped by The Pub for a pint. I was pretty bummed that my race shirt was too small, so I drowned my sorrows in a Breckenridge Vanilla Porter or two. I gave my race shirt to my 9 year old and I quickly got over it.
That’s right. You heard me. Chicken and Waffles. This strange sweet and savory pair has been getting a lot of attention on the television lately despite being served at Stumps Supper Club with a side of mashed potatoes for years.
And as of late, this ambiguously strange duo has been getting a lot of attention on Twitter too, which prompted a drool-inducing idea of driving around the Tampa Bay area tasting each one and calling it my “Chicken and Waffle Tampa Tour”, but then my butt cheeks would look like chicken and waffles. Not to mention, my car and my cholesterol probably couldn’t take it either.
So, then Kirsten of Gone Bananas couldn’t even stomach the thought of eating all that greasy, fried food even when I suggested splitting a meal had the BRILLIANT suggestion of making our own healthy version. How hard could it be, right? Abso-freaking-lutely!
First, we had to find an unfried chicken recipe, but everything required at least a stick of butter and that simply could not do! Therefore, we concocted our own healthy baked chicken tenders using flour, an egg wash in place of butter and crushed Corn Flakes. We even demonstrated our mad chicken strip skills in a few how-to vlogs for your viewing pleasure.
Next we made the accompaniment: the waffles. Sorry. No how-to vlogs for our first-time-ever-from-scratch waffles, but we were quite impressed with ourselves for achieving such wonderful waffles!
Seriously, this dish was easy enough to replicate in a healthy way. But more than that, it was tasty. I was truly surprised by how well waffles drenched in syrup complimented the savory chicken strips and how nicely the crunchy Corn Flake breading soaked up some of the syrup too.
But did this dish pass the Iron Chef Allan taste test? Would our kids even touch it?
Y’all, this unfried, “healthy” Southern combo classic was a hit with the whole family. And my cholesterol and my thighs were thankful too.
Run DMT’s Unfried Chicken Fingers
Ingredients
1 lb. chicken tenders
2 cups crushed Corn Flakes
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp salt
1 tsp black ground pepper
¼ tsp cayenne pepper
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
2 eggs
Directions
Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
In a large bowl, combine flour, salt, pepper, garlic, cayenne pepper, garlic and onion powder. Rinse chicken tenders in a colander and then drench the wet tenders in the flour mixture.
Whisk eggs in a bowl. Then, drench the flour battered chicken tenders in the egg wash. Next, in another large bowl, coat the egg washed chicken tenders in the crushed Corn Flakes. Lay about an inch apart on a cookie sheet greased with cooking spray. Bake for 20 minutes.
Better for Your Waistline Waffles
Ingredients
1 ¾ white wheat flour
1 Tbsp baking powder
1 Tbsp sugar
½ tsp salt
½ tsp baking soda
2 eggs
1 stick melted butter or 1/2 cup Canola oil
1 cup milk
½ cup reduced fat sour cream
Maple syrup
Directions
Preheat waffle iron to a medium heat.
In a large bowl, whisk dry ingredients. Then mix all wet ingredients in another bowl. Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour in wet ingredients. Combine ingredients with a few swift strokes to avoid breaking down the gluten. Batter should be lumpy.
Using a small ladle, pour the batter onto the waffle iron. Close lid and bake for approximately 4 minutes. Set finished waffles on a cooling rack.
When ready to serve, generously pour maple syrup on top with a side of Unfried Chicken Fingers.
Now link up and see what If I Could Escape and Gone Bananas are serving for this week’s Friday Food Fight.
*Also submitted at*
Suncoast Running hosted an informative Tri Night on Tuesday evening for anyone considering competing in a triathlon this season. All levels of triahtletes were welcomed, so I dragged my clumsy ass self to the workshop. That night, I took away some yummy Mix1 and great tips from Geoff of Suncoast Trailside Bicycles.
1. Position
2. Training
After competing in a few sprint triathlons, these tips may seem like common sense. For me, I need to hear it out loud to drill it into in my head. After the workshop, I made a commitment to get over my fear of falling off my bike, get back on my bike and really, truly train for another sprint triathlon. Now, I just need to register for one.
I want to be this woman again.
I want to get over my fear of crashing or falling off my bike and get back on it again this year.
I want to compete in at least one triathlon this summer.
Chaotic Coteeman 2008
But most importantly, I want to be this fit again. I want these abs back.
Babes and Bums 2009
I keep getting this weird hot sensation in my upper right leg. It feels like a sat in something hot. Hubbie thought it was a blood clot, but I did some research and learned it could be a Vitamin B12 deficiency. Weird. I eat so well balanced. In college (in my early twenties), I used to get this horrible pain in my right hand near my thumb which would shoot up my arm. My doctor told me then that was a result of a Vitamin B deficiency. It’s so crazy how these “deficiencies” manifest themselves in me.
One place I am not deficient is my cholesterol. Despite all my efforts to lower it (running more and eating more vegetarian, refraining from eating cheese, drinking less beer, etc.), it went up. That’s right. You heard me correctly. MY CHOLESTEROL WENT UP! How freaking crazy is that? I’m blaming it on all the Easter chocolate I keep eating, especially the Peeps. Listen honey, my body is craving the sugar carbs it normally gets from mass consumption of beer, but I’m not making excuses for my gluttony or my cholesterol. I busted my ass in an attempt to bring it down. So, when my doctor said my LDL levels increased, I thought she was trying to pull an April Fool’s joke on me. Not so much.
In 3 months, I’ll revisit the doctor to see if my cholesterol has dropped. My doctor feels confident that it will drop given my weight loss and exercise regimen. It had better. I can’t let a thing like cholesterol or a heart attack stand in the way of my 40th birthday bash this July.
Like I mentioned in yesterday’s Music Monday post, I’ve been having all this Catholic guilt because I didn’t give up anything for Lent or add anything to my life to enrich it. Despite converting to Methodism last summer, I find myself still hanging onto some silly Catholic habits. You can take the girl out of the Catholic Church but you can’t take the Catholic out of the girl. After talking to my sister, I feel less guilty about my lacking Lenten obligation though.
My sister gave up wine for Lent, which is a really big deal. Simone has four food groups: fish, vegetables, condiments and wine. Therefore, by giving up wine for Lent, she would have to find another means to get her daily fruit and carb intake. I admired her commitment and conviction, until she explained a little lesser-known Lenten Loophole to me. Apparently, you are “released” from your Lenten obligation on Sundays, therefore, Simone drinks a really big ass glass of wine on Sundays. See, this is exactly why I’m not Catholic anymore, because of all these stupid rules and loony loopholes. Give up something for Lent but you can still do it on Sundays, but just don’t eat meat on Fridays because then you’ll go to hell unless you confess, of course. As you can imagine, I felt a lot less guilty after my conversation with Simone.
However, I can’t shake the guilt I have for my lack of running lately. Between Allan’s surgery, days of torrential thunderstorms and tornadoes, a sick baby, and then me feeling poorly, I’ve really been slacking in the running department. This morning was the first time I ran since last Tuesday, thanks to all the fabulous factors previously listed.
3.1 miles
Time 37:46
Ave Pace 12:11
Max Pace 8:53
This Sunday, I will run in my third half-marathon of the year: Iron Girl in Clearwater. I wanted to buy a new hot pink running outfit for this girlie race and I also wanted to shave 10 minutes off my Gasparilla time. At this point, the likelihood of either of these happening doesn’t look good. Due to factors that account for my lack of running since the Pasco Challenge (see above list), it’s quite possible that I may add an additional 10 minutes to my finish time. And given my lack of running and the present state of my legs, I don’t think a short running skirt will be the most appropriate attire just yet. Finishing close to 2:45 with these jelly legs in a short running would not look hot good in more ways than one.
Proudly submitted to Stacy Uncorked, because when I blog about my runs, it’s usually pretty random.
I’ve been having a lot of God guilt lately with the biggest guilty feeling being that I have been to church in months. Not to mention that I’ve had all sorts of Catholic guilt because I didn’t give anything up for Lent.
I’m not making excuses for my lack of spiritual commitment lately, but sometimes I feel like I’m treading water in a sea of chaos which is my life of raising three kids. I know if I called onto God and reached out my hand to Him, He will lift me up.
Maybe I should send up a flare via prayer? Perhaps then He’ll toss me a life preserver and pull me back into church.
Visit Amanda, Xmas Dolly and Hairbows & Guitar Picks for more Music Monday fun.
