The Final Countdown!

Greetings! How is everyone doing tonight?

Today was a lovely day, kicked off with a 2(ish) mile run. I have attempted several times in the past to fit in a run before work, and today was the first day this year I have actually done it! Felt great and I can't wait to do it again tomorrow.

The day was a blur of rock show planning and other work-y stuff. Nothing new to report :-)

Side note: I. Love. This. Song. My friends recently had this as their 'Grand March' song at their wedding. Awesome. But seriously, it's stuck in my head as I think about the Pikes Peak Challenge. I am starting to get really excited / anxious as it's just 16 days away (!!!). Literally, it's 'The Final Countdown'.

Since the big hike is getting so close, I am re-vamping my training program to include an emphasis on cardio, strength and stretching exercises in near equal proportions. There are two long-distance hikes, which are exciting to think about, in addition to my favorite form of cross-training: horseback riding!

Obviously I've improved as a rider since last year when this photo was taken. I am also gonna request a horse that's a bit larger next time.

Oh yeah, and there's a Lady Gaga concert and a very special wedding in there too. Gotta love dancing as cardio :-) Especially when it's high-intensity booty shaking like I'll be doing at Gaga!

(image source)

Yoga will also be important in leveling out my anxiety and getting in some much-needed deep stretching. I am not used to running so often, not to mention dancing in stilettos, so yoga should help immensely.

Here's le Grand (training) Plan for the final stretch:

DAY 16

Fri. 8/27 - AM: Run (30 min, 2+ miles) + Squats / lunges / calf raises (50 ea.)

(Point Fish Fry & A Flick - The Big Lebowski at work)

DAY 15

Sat. 8/28 - AM: Hike through Lapham Peak (~7 miles)

PM: Yoga (40 min.)

(Weird Al Yankovic, Trampled by Turtles shows at work)

DAY 14

Sun. 8/29 - AM: Horseback riding (~2.5 hours) + Squats / lunges / calf raises

PM: Rest :-)

DAY 13

Mon. 8/30 - AM: Run (30 min, 2+ miles)

PM: One hour walk / run (5+ miles)

DAY 12

Tues. 8/31 - AM: Run (30 min, 2+ miles) + Squats / lunges / calf raises

PM: 30 minute walk around Downtown MKE + Stairs at Riverside?

(Alice Cooper show at work)

DAY 11

Wed. 9/01 - AM: Run (30 min, 2+ miles) + Squats / lunges / calf raises

PM: One hour walk / run (5+ miles) + Yoga (40 min.)

DAY 10

Thurs. 9/02 - AM: Run (30 min, 2+ miles)

PM: 2+ Hours of DANCING at the Lady Gaga concert!!!

DAY 9

Fri. 9/03 - AM: Rest / Recovery from Gaga :-)

Throughout the day - Squats / lunges / calf raises

PM: Rehearsal Dinner / Jem's + Kevin's wedding

DAY 8

Sat. 9/04 - AM: Run (30 min, 2+ miles) + Squats / lunges / calf raises

PM: An entire evening of dancing and celebrating at Jem + Kevin's wedding

DAY 7

Sun. 9/05 - AM: TBD Wedding activities?

OR ~7 mile hike at Lapham Peak OR Horseback riding (2.5 hours)

PM: Rest / Yoga (40 min)

DAY 6

Mon. 9/06 - AM: ~7 mile hike at Lapham Peak OR Horseback riding (2.5 hours)

PM: Yoga (40 min) OR Squats / lunges / calf raises

DAY 5

Tues. 9/07 - AM: Run (30 min, 2+ miles) + Squats / lunges / calf raises

PM: 30 minute walk around Downtown Milwaukee

(Crowded House concert at work)

DAY 4

Wed. 9/08 - AM: Run (30 min, 2+ miles) + Yoga (40 min)

PM: One hour walk / run (5+ miles)

DAY 3

Thurs. 9/09 - AM: Run (30 min, 2+ miles) + Yoga (40 min)

PM: Squats / lunges / calf raises before hopping on a plane to Colorado Springs!!!

DAY 2

Fri. 9/10 - AM: (Hopefully) 3 Hour Horseback ride through Garden of the Gods!

PM: Pre-Hike Rally at the Olympic Training Center, then REST

DAY 1

Sat. 9/11 - 3AM wakeup call! 4:30AM - Pikes Peak Challenge hike begins!

It's now time for Jersey Shore, so I shall leave you with some food porn. In honor of my work showing The Big Lebowski tomorrow, I give you my signature White Russian Cupcakes.

Until tomorrow, friends!

Food Processor Processing

So I've been thinking it over, and feel that I am ready for a big commitment. A life-changing decision. Time to step up and get serious, no more flirting with the short-term views.  You know what this huge commitment is centered upon? 

Hummus. Yep, the delicious chickpea-based dip. That, and my love of soups. And dips of any kind. And sauces.

Alas, my friends... my big adult commitment is to purchase a food processor. I feel that this is a large step as 1. we have limited kitchen / storage space in my apartment and 2. these appliances cost a chunk of change. However, upon deciding that hummus is one of the most delicious foods known on Earth, this decision will enable me to MAKE MY OWN delicious hummus creations. 

Ange's recipe (Oh She Glows) for pumpkin + black bean hummus seems delectable! Kath @ KERF's recipe for lemony hummus looks delish. 

Aside from hummus - food processors are great for quick vegetable prep. I find chopping veggies to be very relaxing but sometimes can take a little more time than I prefer when famished. I don't wanna get hangry while cooking! 

It will be awesome to make hummus, dips, soups and more in the processor. Also, I have been hearing about this amazing banana soft-serve "ice cream" recipe from Gena at Choosing Raw, and can't wait to try it out. Again, the food processor is a necessary piece of equipment as it incorporates air into the mixture while handling several frozen bananas at once. I think that would kill my blender!

Back to the hardware discussion. I've reviewed several models and haven't yet decided which one to get... this model from Amazon.com, the KitchenAid KFP740CR, is looking pretty good. The cost is about $150 and Amazon ships for free... it's tempting because it is a 9-cup processor but also comes with a 4-cup mini bowl, it's versatile. Most of the cheaper, "mini-processors" have a 3-cup limit and since I usually cook for at least 2 servings, the larger size will be more of my style. 

So the $150 bones is a big investment, but I know that choosing to make my own hummus, dips, etc. from whole foods at home will help me save money over store-bought products in the long run, and will aid in my goal of knowing exactly what foods I am putting in to my body. 

Tonight at work we've got The National, it is a sold-out show and should be incredible. 

Weekend plans include baking a ton of White Russian cupcakes - a post on that tomorrow as I am attempting to make the recipe a little healthier - for an all-day tiki party at the Jacobsens' on Saturday, which is an annual affair that is much anticipated. My friend Janis and her parents are hilarious and hospitable hosts. Her Dad has been known to wear a hula skirt and other tiki accessories, so I have to find an outfit to suit the occasion! Janis, our friend Melissa and I had a fun time at the Tom Jones concert last Friday, and went to Vegas earlier this year. 

On Sunday, we may possibly be cheering on Zak's sister Jem and her boyfriend as they compete in the Door County Triathlon. Gotta love the race's slogan "Can't Bluff the Bluff!" lol. Jem is an incredible athlete and she's ran something like 15+ marathons, and has gotten into tri's over the past couple years. I really enjoy hearing her training stories and hope that someday I will be as gutsy and ripped as her! Good luck Jem and Kevin :-)

Back to work with me... have a great day!