St. Lukes Half Marathon

Last year I registered for the St. Lukes Half Marathon and my training consisted of a three mile run the day before the big race... epic fail.  This year was a different story.  This year I ended the half with a smile and I was actually able to walk to the car afterwards.  I finished in 1:37.25, 211/3205 people, and got first for my age group : ) Needless to say I've been on a high all day!  So here are my top ten tips and half secrets!

1. Train Train Train, even if you don't want to, just get out there and run, because going out for a run is one thing you will never regret [not to mention being in pain while your running a race is no fun, trust me, I would know]

2. Get dressed up and carbo load the night before by eating tons of salad and pizza with good friends

3. Wake up early so you can eat half a bagel with peanut butter & drink some coffee to get you movin' [I also had a banana, but lets just say I will never eat one before a race again ...you get the idea]

4. Make sure you double knot your shoes and have ample pins for your bib

5. Enjoy every mile and listen to all the stories you hear around you.  If you don't run with your music you get to hear some pretty amazing stories and meet incredible people... [ie: I ran with Amby Burfoot for the first ten miles and got to hear his old running tales and advice <-- He won the Boston Marathon in 1968! I was so excited and am definately going to get his books to read over the summer]

6. Give your friends tons of sweaty hugs afterwards

7. Braid your hair because it makes you run faster

6. Wear awesome bright lime green cheetah shorts

7. Thank your family for supporting and cheering for you the whole time, even though they only get to see you for the point 5 seconds you run past them

8. Thank your feet for not failing you, and give your legs a well deserved massage

9. Fuel up afterwards with a juicy burger and chips

10. Relish in your success

<3 i did it! yay me

sum sum summertime

summertime girls got it going on

shake and wiggle to a hip hop song

summertime girls are the kind i like

i steal your honey like i stole your bike

i'm pretty much the happiest girl in the world! why? because it is officially summer for me!!! Good bye sophomore year of college!  Hellloooo summer! Here is what i am excited for and why i love summer:
Toes in the Sand

Prank Wars

Cruising

Hiking

 Baseball Games

 Swinging

 Smores

Jet Skiing

Sunsets

 Destin <3

only three more days until my half!!
what are your summer plans?!

Home is where your family is

This past weekend was spent with my family who came to visit from Illinois and Atlanta.  I came home with the intentions of eating home cooked meals, spending some quality time with family as well as my quantitative methods book for my final this Wednesday...at least the first two parts were met! This weekend we went to this amazing Mexican Restaurant where we ordered pretty much the entire menu:

 Rollos Acapulco

 Carnitas

 My sister says that I  "never take pictures of her food" so this one is for Ava

 Then came dessert, and yes we did order three out of the four desserts on the menu

 

 

He knows whats up

Home is where your family is, &

Life is certainly good.

Needless to say I'm back at Pitt and the countdown begins:

1 day until my last final

2 days until I am home for good

4 days until I load up on carbs [pizza]

5 days until my half marathon

6 days until I do absolutely NOTHING : )

I need to start making a list of my summer plans, but this year, I am going to do them! What are your summer plans?  I am thinking, running obviously, going to the Ring Dance, experiementing in the kitchen more and posting recipes more often, going to the beach for the weekend, CAMPING because I have never been, NYC trip, mountain biking,  etcetcetc still thinking....

Have a lovely Tuesday

easter sunday

happy easter everyone <3

pancakes = heaven

i dont know about you

but i can eat breakfast anytime of the day

especially when its pancakes

blueberry, chocolate chip, banana, or pumpkin

here is hands down the best recipe ever:

Whole Wheat Pancakes

1/3 cup whole wheat flour

1/3 cup all purpose flour

1/3 cup of oatmeal (regular rolled oats)

2 T oat bran

2 T flax meal

2 T sugar

1 T baking powder

1 T baking soda

1/4 t salt

1 egg

2 T oil

1 cup butter milk

2 T water (more or less)

butter or spray for skillet

*blueberries, semi sweet chocolate chips, bananas

Mix dry ingredients in a bowl. Mix the first three wet ingredients, skip the water for now, in a different bowl.  Heat skillet to medium.  Add dry ingredients into the wet bowl and mix just until barely blended.  Fold in bananas if you want (I'm practically a monkey so bananas go into all my breakfast foods).  Add around 2 T of water if needed.  Spoon batter onto skillet, cook for 3-5 minutes, flip and cook for another couple of minutes.  Serve with all your favorite toppings!

 

 Pair it with a cup of hot coffee and some bacon and your good to go : )

 

What's your favorite breakfast food?

Are you a banana freak like me? ie: not only are bananas in my recipe but they are also on top of the pancakes!!! Hey I am a runner girl!

Have a great easter!! I hope the Easter bunny brings you lots of dark chocolate ; )