Tag Archives: friends

Juneathon 2012 – Day 2

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Juneathon dude logoI’ve seen my running group, the Suncoast Striders, more this week than probably over the past year.  I ran with them last Saturday, again on Memorial Day and then joined the group for our Ladies Night Out on Wednesday evening, which was a fabulous meal at Zen Forrest, but more about that in another post.

Today, I joined the Striders once more for another Saturday run and it was a gorgeous morning on the Starkey Park bike trail.  We had a drier, less muggy morning, although the heat came on fast.  I was glad to only be running 6 miles.

6 miles

Time 1:00

Ave Pace 10:08

Max Pace 7:22

My friends have been giving me a hard time about not running with them on the trail, but I prefer running in my neighborhood.  I have some strange satisfaction of just getting up and going.  I just pop out my front door and I’m on my way.  If I run with the Striders, I have to get in my car (or hop in a friend’s car), drive to the trail, run for an hour, and then hang around and talk to everyone.  It becomes a three hour tour for a 6 mile run.  If I run in my hood, I can be done in hour and back home.

So, am I being antisocial or practical if I choose to run in my neighborhood?

Random Tuesday Thoughts about Many Muggy Miles

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Only two days left in May which means the Joggermom Marathon and the Run DMT Superhero Challenge are coming to an end.  Once I added up my miles for the Joggermom Marathon, I realized I actually went over by 2.6 miles.  How funny! Here, I thought with my nasty chest cold I wouldn’t finish in time and I went over.

Now that I finished the Joggermom Marathon, I need to submit my miles and I also need to think about a funny photo to submit.  In order to be eligible for a prize, the photo needs to be original. Last year, winner was a runner collapsed on a treadmill.  Any suggestions for a photo idea for me?

*Image borrowed from Joggermom*

Speaking of funny photos, I ran 4 muggy miles with the Suncoast Striders for the annual Celebrate America Run on Memorial Day. I don’t run with the Striders as often as I like but this run was definitely a fun run because I ran with my friends, Chrissy and Maribel.  We found humor in the humidity thanks to the red, white and blue pinwheels headband I wore.  Every time the wind caught the pinwheels, I sounded like I was going to take flight.  Pppffffftttt!  

4 miles

Time 43:24

Ave Pace 10:51

Max Pace 7:06

This week has been a Strider filled because I also ran 6.5 miles with the Striders on Saturday.  It was my friend, Stacey’s first time joining the Striders at Starkey Park so I paced with her on the trail.

6.5 miles

Time 1:16

Ave Pace 11:44

Max Pace 8:19

Next month, I’ll be pacing along in the Juneathon again.  For the Juneathon, each participant has to run or do some form Juneathon dude logoof exercise every day and blog about it within 24 hours.  Easy peasy, right? We’ll see.  Every June I participate and I always fail.  It’s not the exercising every day, but the blogging every day that’s difficult for me.  In the past, I would get behind in the blogging and end up posting 3 days at once.  Oh well.  Maybe this time will be different. Wish me luck!  There’s still plenty of time to join the Juneathon if you’re interested.  Maybe we can fail together inspire each other to succeed.

The start of June also brings another Run DMT fitness challenge.  This summer, I want to bring sexy legs and six pack abs to the beach.  Therefore for June, we’ll be squatting through summer.  For this challenge, we’re following the 200 squats program (by the founder of the 100 push ups).  On the rest days we’ll do, abs.  The sexy legs summer challenge kicks off this Friday, June 1, so stay tuned.

And now for the Track Tuesday stuff!  Tropical Storm Beryl has been making things pretty unbearable around here.  The humidity has been just awful, but this morning the humidity and wind did a number on me.  By looking at my times, you can tell which sprints were running into the wind.  Thankfully, I pushed through the humidity and the wind because as soon as I finished the storm arrived.

Lap 1 – 1 mile

Time 10:02

 

Lap 2 – 0.25 mile

Time 1:53

Pace 7:27

 

Lap 3 – 0.24 mile

Time 1:54

Pace 7:53

 

Lap 4 – 0.25

Time 1:55

Pace 7:44

 

Lap 5 – 0.25

Time 1:55

Pace 7:42

 

Lap 6 – 1.1 mile

Time 11:14

Ave Pace 10:11

 

How were your sprints this week? Do you let the weather ruin your running plans?

To join our Track Tuesday linky party, do your speed work (at least 4 quarter mile sprints) on Tuesday or any day you that works best for you, blog about your times and remember to add our cool Track Tuesday button to your post.  Then, link up your post at either Ricole Runs or Run DMT to share Track Tuesday Speed Work Sessions.  To show support for our other virtual running partners on the Track Tuesday Team, be sure to visit the other blogs listed in the linky party.  Give them a virtual high-five and leave some comment love too.


*Also linking up at*

Stacy

Denise Mestanza-Taylor+

5 Miles for Moffitt 2012

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Although my 5 Miles for Moffitt race was over two weeks ago, I’ve been struggling with this recap as well as a chest cold.

Against my better judgment, I decided to run the race with a hacking, nagging cough.  My chest was tight and I could barely breathe, but it was important for me to run this race in my Aunt June’s memory.  Aunt June spent the last two years of her life barely breathing through rounds of chemotherapy, therefore, I could easily suck it up and run with a little cough.

Friends advised me to take the race easy and not push myself, which was my plan.  “Listen to your body, don’t push it!” @forrestgump49er tweeted me.  I was just there to do something good in the ‘hood and support a cause that is bigger than all of us.

Much like last year, the course led us through the campus of my Alma Mater.  For the most part, it’s a flat course through the USF with lots of shady trees and the occasional hill.

We ran the past The American Cancer Society and Moffitt as subtle scenic symbols to remind us why what brought us here.

Past the hospitals, we began a gradual incline.  I remembered this being quite challenging last year, but this year it didn’t seem so bad despite feeling poorly due to my cold.  I guess all those fitness challenges paid off!

Around the bend, we ran towards the Sun Dome and then the course looped back with more “hills” on the horizon.

Once over the final incline, the 5 milers joined up with the 5K runners and surprisingly, it wasn’t congested where the two races met.

As we headed toward the finish, I caught a whiff of the jasmine hedge along the street.  I couldn’t help but sing, “Summer breeze races make me fine. Blowing through the jasmine in my mind.”  I’m not sure if anyone appreciated my humor or singing as we finished up our five miles.

At least I enjoyed it and my time too.  Even with a cold, I finished almost a minute faster than last year.

Gun Time 51:08.4 

Chip Time 50:45.3 

Ave Pace 10:10

Division Place 34/68

Overall Place 515/886

After the race, I hacked a lung from coughing and then I visited the Moffitt Mole Patrol for a free skin screening.  Since I constantly slather myself in sun block, I felt pretty confident in the results.  Boy, was I in for shock!  Apparently, I have some sun damage on my chest.  What?!  How is that possible? 

I determined it’s from all the unintentional exposure like walking through a parking lot or spontaneous play dates at the park.  Needless to say, this mama will make sun block part of her daily routine from now on!  I ain’t getting old lady neck or chest just yet!

When I put my racing top back on after my screening, I noticed my “in memory” sign was missing.  Somehow the sign had slipped out of the plastic sleeve during the race.  “I’ve lost my aunt!” I exclaimed to the doctor, but he looked very confused.  I’m sure he thought the sun was damaging my brain as well as my skin.

PhotoStory Fridaythe hollie rogue Look whooooo’s snapping Unknown Mami

Denise Mestanza-Taylor+

Progressive Picnic: Thai Basil Chicken Lettuce Wraps

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Roll out the picnic blankets and bring an appetite for the blogosphere’s first ever Progressive Picnic Blog Hop!

For this virtual picnic, each foodie blogger listed below is offering a different menu item.  Click on the links and be prepared to lick your lips as your eyes feast on an assortment of delicious dishes.

Camille from Growing Up Gabel is offering an appetizer, Bacon Wrapped Stuffed Dates.

Courtney from Peace, Love, Recipes is bringing the beverage, Red, White and Blue Sangria.

Ruthie from What’s Cooking With Ruthie is supplying the side dish, Picnic Perfect Potato Salad.

Heather of Hezzi-D’s Cooks and Books is dishing out the dessert, White Chocolate Brownies.

And yours truly is serving up the main dish, Thai Basil Chicken Lettuce Wraps.

Thai Basil Chicken Lettuce Wraps

Ingredients

2 Tbsp canola oil

1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast cut into thin strips

½ tsp Kosher salt

¼ tsp ground black pepper

2-inch piece of fresh ginger, peeled and minced

4 garlic cloves, minced

¼ tsp crushed red pepper flakes

1 large yellow or white onion cut Asian style

1 red bell pepper cored and cut into thin strips

¼ cup tamari or low sodium soy sauce

3 Tbsp honey

¼ cup fresh basil, chopped

1 cup cooked Jasmine rice

Leafy green lettuce (Romaine or Bibb)

Directions

Heat the canola oil in a large skillet on a medium high heat.  Add chicken strips and season with salt and pepper.  Stir-fry for a few minutes to sear the meat at the edges.  Then, add ginger, garlic and red pepper flakes and cook for two minutes more.  Add the red bell pepper and cook until softened.  Add onions and stir fry for few minutes.  Once onions are soft, add tamari and honey.  Together, they should form a caramel colored sauce as they deglaze the pan.  Stir to coat chicken with the sauce.  Remove from heat and stir in basil.  The heat from the pan will cook and wilt the basil.

Using the leafy part of the lettuce, drop a Tbsp on cooked Jasmine rice in the center of the lettuce.  Then, add spoonful of the Thai Basil Chicken and gently drizzle some sauce from the skillet over the mixture.  Roll lettuce to form wrap and place on a serving platter. Continue with remaining stir-fry and serve.  If any sauce is remaining in skillet, pour it into a ramekin to use as a dipping sauce.

Denise Mestanza-Taylor+

Random Thoughts about Sweets, Sweats, Burpees and Track Tuesday

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For my New Year’s resolution, I swore off sugar and was doing really good with it.  I survived Valentine’s Day without going overboard.  I even made some delicious brownies for St. Patrick’s Day without falling too badly off the wagon.

Then, Easter came and all the stores were stockpiled with scrumptious Easter candy like Peeps and chocolate covered Peeps and Robin Eggs and Cadbury eggs and not-so-great- generic store-brand jellybeans and oh-so-delicious Starbust jellybeans.

I’d like to say I ate all of the above in moderation, but I didn’t.  In fact, I fell so hard off the no-sugar wagon that I got a headache from the volumes of sugar I ate.  Man, I was jonesing BAD, like a crack addict.

I seriously had no idea that sugar and sweets could affect me like that.  I was a mess.  I had successfully eliminated sweets from my diet and in a matter of days, I couldn’t get enough of it.  I would eat one Peep after another followed a fistful of jellybeans, followed by countless numbers of Cadbury’s mini-eggs.  It was CRAZY how fast I was ingesting it all!

So, guess what I did with all that candy?

No, I didn’t throw it out.  There are children starving in this country, for heaven’s sake!  I hid it, so the temptation is no longer in my line of sight when I open the pantry.  It’s a mind-over-matter thing for me, you see or don’t see.  Whatever.  The point is this works for me.

I’ve also been making Easter trail mix with pretzels and the leftover jelly beans for my kids’ lunches.  Don’t judge.  I know it’s not the healthiest lunchtime snack, but I’d like to believe their sharing it with their friends at school like good little sugar pushers.

But then guess what I did?  I found Cadbury mini-eggs 50% off at Target the other day, so I simply had to buy two bags.  Don’t you worry!  I hid them in pantry, too.  As long as the bag stays sealed, I’ll be all right.  Truth be told, I think I’m going to bake some Candy Bar Shortbread Bars with the mini-milk chocolate candy coated eggs for a brunch I’m going to this Saturday.  I pinkie-promise to only test them one.

The burpee challenge is going well.  What I mean is it’s getting tougher but I can definitely feel myself getting stronger.  At the end of the challenge, I’d like to perform another push-up exhaustion test, but with real push-ups not alternate push-ups to see how many real ones I can do.  At this point, I can do 17 push-ups as part of a burpee, then I should be able to do at least than many or more.

And let’s not forget the running!  Last Wednesday, I wanted to run 6 miles but my legs hurt so bad from Amy Dixon’s ass Kickin’ Strength work-out that I could only manage 5 miles.

5 miles

Time 52:56

Ave Pace 10:36

Max Pace 8:33

My legs were still sore on Friday when I tried to run 3 miles, but I ran with my stroller for what I like to call resistance training.  Running with a stroller is like running up a hill…both ways.

3 .1 miles

Time 33:30

Ave Pace 10:49

Max Pace 8:25

All that soreness and a stroller may have slowed me down a bit, but I made up the time on Sunday when I finally did run 6 miles.  I inserted a lap at mile five just because I was curious if my time had improved from Wednesday.

6.2 miles

Time 1:02:13

Lap 1 – mile 5 – 50:05

Ave Pace 10:03

Max Pace 7:42

Today, I decided to do some speed work instead of subjecting myself to another Amy ass kicking and then I ran a couple of easy miles with my kids’ running club.

1 mile

Time 9:46

Ave Pace 9:47

Max Pace 5:53

Lap 1 – 0.25 miles – 1:49, Ave Pace 7:12

Lap 2 – 0.25 miles – 1:52, Ave Pace 7:30

Lap 3 – 0.25 miles – 1:47, Ave Pace 7:11

Lap 4 – 0.25 mile – 1:54, Ave Pace 7:37

1.1 miles

Time 10:55

Ave Pace 9:56

Max Pace 7:47

Speaking of speed work…Starting next week, Ricole Runs and I will be hosting a running linky party called Track Tuesday and we are so super stoked about it.  Well, not about the sprints, but we’re definitely excited about what we believe to be the first speed work blog hop ever!


Calling all runners!

Every Tuesday, Ricole and I will perform some sprints and we’d like you to join our torturous Track Tuesday efforts.  To join our Track Tuesday Team, do your speed work (at least 4 quarter mile sprints) on Tuesday or any day you that works best for you, blog about your times and remember to add our cool Track Tuesday button to your post.  Then, link up your post at either Ricole Runs or Run DMT to share Track Tuesday Speed Work Sessions.  To show support for our other virtual running partners on the Track Tuesday Team, be sure to visit the other blogs listed in the linky party.  Give them a virtual high-five and leave some comment love too.

So, I hope to see you back here next Tuesday to join our new runner’s linky party, Track Tuesday!

*Proudly submitted to Stacy Uncorked, because when I blog about my training, it’s usually pretty random.*

Stacy

Denise Mestanza-Taylor+

Spring into April with a 30 Day Burpee Challenge

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When I proposed burpees for our April challenge, my Twitter challenge crew was not happy.  There was a lot of resistance to a burpee challenge.  Yes, burpees suck and they hurt and they’re exhausting, but they make you strong, lean and tone and they are totally worth the effort, especially with swimsuit season sneaking right around the corner.  So, let’s do some burpees for those bikinis! (Or burpees for beer, if you prefer.)

*Photo borrowed from alive.com*

We’re springing into April with burpees for our next fitness challenge.  For the next 30 days, start at your burpee ability level (beginner, intermediate or advanced) and slowly build up by adding one burpee on each day after that.

For a beginner (or someone like myself who doesn’t do burpees daily), start with one and add one burpee each day after that.  So, on Day 1, perform one burpee.  On Day 2, perform two burpees and three on Day 3 and so on.  By April 30, you should be able to do 30 burpees.

Now, if you can pull off 3-5 burpees successfully, you are at an intermediate level and you should start with 5 burpees on Day 1 and add one on each day after that, like the beginner level.  For Day 1, you perform 5 burpees.  On Day 2, you perform 6 burpees and so on.  By Day 30, you should be at 35 burpees.

For an advanced challenge, start at 15 burpees on Day 1 and add one on each day just like the beginner and intermediate levels.  On Day 30, you should finish with 45 burpees.

Depending on your fitness level and ability, you can choose to perform the burpees consecutively or you can perform a set and then take a break and perform another set.  For example on day 20, if you can only do 10 burpees without falling over, then take a walking break for a minute or two and perform another set after a rest period.  Or do 10 burpees in the morning and ten burpees at night.

Yes, this is a challenge, but by just taking that first initial leap into burpees, you’re already ahead of the game.  Therefore make no excuses, but make the challenge fit into your lifestyle.  If you allow it to frustrate you, you won’t finish the challenge.

As with any exercise, proper form is important to avoid injury.  If you’re not familiar with this exercise, here’s a video to demonstrate how to do proper a burpee.

 

So, are you ready to spring into April with burpees?

If you want to join the Run DMT 30 Day Burpee Challenge, add your blog url or Twitter ID to the linky, which will stay open until April 30.

Blog and tweet about it to get others to join the Run DMT 30 Day Burpee Challenge.

Visit other participants blog’s to show support and offer encouragement.

Follow #30burpees on Twitter give and receive additional support from the challenge crew.

Today is April 1, which means we start TODAY! Now, spring onto your feet and give me one burpee (or five or fifteen)!



Denise Mestanza-Taylor+

Pushing Our Luck: Week 4 Recap

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If you’re just hearing about March’s Pushing Our Luck Challenge for the first time, it’s not too late to join in the fun.  Basically, we’re following the One Hundred Pushups Program and tweeting about our achievements: #pushingit.  Then, each Thursday, I host a linky party for you to link up and share your recap post or add your Twitter handle.

Week 4 was pathetic.  With my dog dying, adopting a new dog, organizing a Tampa Bay Blogger meetup and baking for Purple Day, I didn’t know which way was up!  I was a complete slacker last week.

With all of that, I never completed the last two sets for Week 5/Day3/Level 3 and although I pinkie swore to do my exhaustion test on Sunday, I didn’t actually get around to doing until Tuesday.  See, I was a total slacker, who could barely push out 50 pathetic girlie push-ups for my exhaustion test.

However, my slacker behavior had some benefits once I realized new my placement after the exhaustion test: Week 6/Day1/Level1.

Postponing my exhaustion test means that I’m now behind and I won’t finish the final day of the Pushing Our Luck Challenge until Monday, April 2 with a final test on Wednesday, April 4.  Did I mention my girls have spring break next week?  Lord only knows how I’ll pull all this off!  Oh the pressure I put on myself!

How are you doing?  Are you in better shape than me?  Do you plan to finish the last week of the Pushing Our Luck Challenge strong?

Psst… My #pushingit posse (@ForrestGump49er ,@acraftychick ,@runningmom2boys , @amanda_mowry, @RunningRealtor1 , @runmama2girls, @SeeKateRun1 ) and I are planning a new challenge for April: “Spring into Spring with Burpees”!  Details to be announced on April 1!  Stay tuned!



Denise Mestanza-Taylor+

Pinning Down Tampa Bay Bloggers

Posted on by Run DMT
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What do you get when you combine tasty Square 1 Burgers with even more flavorful personalities? The Tampa Bay Blogger meetup, of course!

Last Saturday evening, seven of us met to discuss ways to take over the blogosphere.  I was joined by Brian of Digital Running, Kirsten of Gone Bananas, Caroline of Morningside Mom, Rachel of Runner’s Tales, Clarisa of TBO.com and Marisa of Fit Kids Playground.

Although most of us find our voices with keystrokes, the conversation proved once again entertaining and enlightening.  The last time we met, Google+ dominated the conversation.  This time, all focus was pinned on Pinterest and how to use Pinterest for self-promoting our blogs and brands with great photographs, visual aids and informational graphics.  Basically, bloggers and companies alike have to rethink all aspects of social media in order to stay relevant and prevalent in today’s social media-driven world.

We all agreed that Google+ is missing something besides friends in our circles.  Although we’re all on Google+, we’re not using it to its full capacity.  Considering that “Google is THE verb”, it’s disappointing that Google+ leaves us searching for more answers.

Pinterest, on the other hand, is the sleeper social media hit of the summer.  Although Pinterest seems to appeal mostly to women bloggers, we helped Brian discover ways to pin some manly boards before the end of the evening, like running tips and BBQ.

We also discussed Twitter as our number one resource for information.  Admittedly, I often check Twitter before Facebook, but I understand why I should be posting discussions and conversations starters on my Run DMT wall.  It’s all about staying present in the blogosphere.  At that point, the conversation halted as everyone checked-in on Facebook and tweeted #TBBlogger.

During the course of the evening, I realized the importance of revamping my Linkedin profile.  If I’m a going to tout myself a “social media enthusiast” than I should really be using each avenue to its fullest.

I also learned more WP plugins, Pinterest plugins and why I should be geocaching with my kids, which I am so excited to start this summer.

Even though there were only a few of us, there was tons of information to absorb, which is why I truly love these blogger meetups.  I learn so much every time and I look forward to learning tons more at our next meeting in August.

I wonder what THE next big social media will be by then.

 *I would like to thank all the sponsors who contributed items to our wonderful Tampa Bay Blogger swag bags.*

Square 1 Burgers

Pain Relief Centers

Suncoast Running

Painting With a Twist

My Stylist Dean

All Smiles Tampa Bay

Vology Data Systems

Denise Mestanza-Taylor+

Pushing Our Luck: Week 3 Recap

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If you’re just hearing about March’s Pushing Our Luck Challenge for the first time, it’s not too late to join in the fun.  Basically, we’re following the One Hundred Pushups Program and tweeting about our achievements: #pushingit.  Then, each Thursday, I’ll host a linky party for you to link up and share your recap post or add your Twitter handle.

Before I could begin Week Five (my week three), I had to perform an exhaustion test.  Just like it sounds, I had to do as many push-ups as my little girlie arms could do. And yes, I am still doing alternate push-ups. Don’t judge.

I finished 46 push-ups.  Anymore and I may have landed face first onto my yoga mat. As @jellisfl1 would tell you, I’ve been known to kiss a gym floor with my forehead and I rather not do it again.  I love fitness and all but my forehead doesn’t need to feel the love.

Based on my good form pushups (46 total), I would begin Week 5/Level 3.  Truth be told, I wasn’t happy about making Level 3.  I wanted an easier, less vigorous, fewer reps placement.  Oh well.  There ain’t no rest for the wicked and I’m going to have some wicked arms in a week.  BOOYAH!

Due to a busy St. Patirck’s Day, I didn’t perform the exhaustion test until Sunday and then I had to rest for 2 days before I could begin Week 5.  On Tuesday, after finishing Week 5/Level 3/Day 1, I had such Jell-o arms.  Holy gelatin mold, Batman! But the next day, I had no pain, so I guess Level 3 was a good fit.

This morning, I finished Week 5/Day 2.  Even though I been through this program before, I don’t remember the increased number of sets.  I was worried, but I like more sets with fewer reps.  I pushed out those bad boys and showed them who’s boss honey badger.

Since I started the week a little late due to late start on my exhaustion test, I’ll do Day 3 on Saturday. Pinkie swear.  Then, it will be time for another exhaustion test (and another vlog, of course).  After that, I should be able to start Week 6 on Monday and have two days done for next week’s linky party.

So far, I’m excited about my progress!  On Saturday evening, my friend, Tara, complimented me on my back muscles and asked me what I was doing.  How freaking awesome is that?!  Of course, I told her all about the Pushing Our Luck Challenge and the Hundred Pushups program.  I think she’s going to give it a try.  Why not?  It doesn’t cost anything but a commitment to a better you.

What about you?  How are you doing?  Did you have to repeat a week or are you pushing forward?

Link up and share your pushup progress.  Also, remember to tweet #pushingit to share your reps and progress.



Denise Mestanza-Taylor+

Green is the Colour

Posted on by Run DMT
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Green was the colour that I wore from morning to night on St. Patrick’s Day.  For the Spring 5K, I ran in my green tutu and a little leprechaun hat to match.  It’s important to accessorize.

*Photo provided by Suncoast Running.*

For the nighttime festivities, I wore green hair to coordinate with my green top and eye shadow.  The secret is you have to coordinate.  Most people don’t coordinate.  You got to coordinate.

Honestly, it was fun to make a spectacle of myself and quite easy to be green for a day. Funny though, even after several pints of cider, I didn’t feel at all green the next morning and that’s a good thing.


Visit Xmas Dolly , Hairbows & Guitar Picks and Royalegacy for more Music Monday fun.

Denise Mestanza-Taylor+