I am running to raise money for blood cancer research, and most of all, to help prevent cancer from taking more lives.

Monday, May 30, 2011

Old Peeps came to the Big City

Last week I was very fortunate to visit with the old peeps in my life otherwise known as Nana and Grandaddy. They were road tripping to Maryland to visit my cousin for his son's birthday. On their way back, they stopped by my way and we went out to dinner at several places including Gadby's Tavern and the Auld Shebeen and the Cheesecake Factory.







Front door at Gadby's Tavern




On the second evening of the Old Couple being in town, the Mister came down and met up with us for dinner. On the way to dinner, he happen to have a run in with a curb and his tire. The curb won.


The Flat Tire and I

Gotta love the old geezer
It was so nice to see the old couple and enjoy their company for two evenings. I sure miss these folks and I am looking forward to seeing them in July. Cheers to getting older!

Rapture Anyone?

In honor of the rapture on May 21st, the Mister and I decided to head down to Old Towne to capture the moment at Bilbo Baggins. The bar was called the Green Dragon and the bar tender was pretty awesome.




I think he met his transgender counter part.
We survived. Until October 21st.

Thursday, May 26, 2011

First Training=Turn Around Point Anyone?

We had our first training this past Saturday and boy did we have some fun at Road Runners. We are so thankful that they opened their store up to us early for some browsing and an athletic clinic. One of my running partners in crime is Therese. She is one funny gal and makes me laugh like no one's business. I am super pumped to be a mentor with her this season.



Before Practice-Myself and Therese

After the clinic, we headed out to run an easy 3 miler for some on the WO&D trail.So I started off  by running with Rob, Rahul, Mary, Cathy, Karen, Mister at various points in the beginning. I am doing a 2/1 ratio (2 minutes of running to 1 minute of walking) so I would pass people and then they would pass me. This went on for a few minutes. I am also trying to do my absolute best to remember names of participants because gosh darn your name is important and it makes someone feel special that you remembered them. I am trying to run with different people throughout practice.

  We all were suppose to run 3 miles but for a select few we missed the turn around and luckily our fabulous, awesome Coach Kim came to the rescue. Those lucky participants were myself and Rob, a cycling Pro and a newbie to the running world. I know two things for sure: that one Rob will never run with me again and two that I will never miss the turn around spot again. I would rather turn around early then forget to do so. For the record, there was a certain someone (MISTER) standing in front of the turn around sign so that is why I missed it. That is my story and I am sticking to it. Of course, no comment from Mister.

Coach Craig and the Mister

We are ready!


Saturday Morning=Go Time



Annette and Sean (another family joining the craziness of TNT)

Cathy and Mary-The Graves' Team
Team Graves is made of the wonderful Cathy-The Mom, Pat-The Dad (not pictured) and Mary-The Daughter. Cheers to them for making this a family event.


Great run with Rob the cycling PRO and he still has a smile on his face.

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

A quick update

My oh so loving middle sister got a NEW JOB today. She is finally moving down to be with her husband FULL TIME. No more Bumpkinville for her. I am so happy for her and her little family. Cheers to good news.

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Weekend activities part 2: Fredericksburg

This is a follow up to my previous weekend post. This is the second half of Saturday and Sunday's activities. I went down to see several peeps run the Marine Corp Historic Half Marathon. Saturday night was the TNT inspirational dinner where you get to meet other TNTers who are running the same event as yourself and meet some of their supporters. We also get to hear from a Honored Teammate who in this case was Lisa from the VA chapter talking about her daughter Hannah.






 
Brian Brian and Laura H at the TNT inspirational dinner





Darren and myself



Delicious Dinner
 Sunday: Mister told me that Drew Carey was going to be at this race (as soon as I heard that I just knew that I had to meet him). According to sources, Drew was a former Marine and was doing this race to promote fitness. PS Drew is coming back to do the Marine Corp FULL marathon in October. The odds are in my favor to see him again. Maybe he will dress up like Mimi from The Drew Carey Show now that would be hilarious.


The Starting Line



Yes that is a fitter looking Drew Carey people. Yes the price was right with him today.

Darren actually PRed on this race and beat the awesome Drew Carey. He was a total trooper up Hospital Hill.


Mr. Carey caught in the action. He had a great pace going and went on to finish the race just right under two hours. Congrats to him on finishing so well.

Coach Jim Frasier with a participant.
I failed to mention that I was at mile 12. I put myself there because it was at the top of the elevation chart and I knew that I would love to see my peeps coming up that hill. It was definitely worth it because all the peeps told me thank you afterwards for the support. I am glad that I could be there. I think next time I need to get a really loud noise maker-maybe an airhorn or mega phone. What do you guys think? Is that too much?

  Mike with another participant

Sean at the very end of the hill.

Laura H was actually right behind Drew Carey. She had a great race that day.

Mike C had  a wonderful race as well. He is too funny and gave me a great runner's pose.

And Mister shows up at Mile 12.

Picture is courtesy of myself on behalf of Jeremy and Marc for evidence in case Mister didn't make the end.  I am happy to report that the casket order was canceled. Mister does it again.

Elliott from VA Chapter-this was his last event with Team in Training. We wish you the very best in your next chapter. And yes he is wearing PURPLE tights.

 Beer and a Krispy Kreme doughnut-What more does a man need after 13.1 miles?

I am one awesome cheerleader-I bring treats.

 
Beer at the Awesome Capital Ale House.
The Capital Ale House was in downtown Fredericksburg. It had to be one of the  coolest place that we went to. The beer selection was crazy awesome and the bartenders definitely knew their stuff about beer i.e where it came from and which beer goes best with their food selection. Two thumbs up for the Capital Ale House. I definitely want to return to this place in the near future. Here's to more adventures with Team in Training.

Monday, May 16, 2011

Saturday Morning: Kickoff-Breakfast for Champions

This weekend was jammed packed so let me start from the start. I woke up at o'dark thirty to go to the TNT Fall Kickoff. We decorated the place with crazy decorations and had a wonderful time cheering on the season.

George and myself (I am excited to see George. He will be participating in the Metro South team).

Coach Craig and Participant Cindy loving that margarita glass 

 We missed Coach Kim at Kick Off but she was packing up and heading to Fredericksburg for the Marine Corp Historic Half Marathon.Up above is one my awesome mentee Cindy. She brought her mom, Janet, to kick off. Not pictured were Karen, Jasti and Geet. Karen I actually met at a TNT info session so it was pretty cool to see her at kick off and realize that we had already met before. Karen is doing the Marine Corp Full Marathon for a milestone birthday this year. I am totally pumped for her. I will update you guys on my other mentees later on.


Mister and others  modeling posing

Gina and myself


Myself and Therese loving that Palm Tree

 I am so excited that Therese and I are on the same team this season. She is just a joy to be around and I love her energy. I also love that she accepts my "running pace" with a wonderful attitude and has already offered to team up with me for this Saturday's morning training. I love this chica already.


My Kick Off Table (you don't see the coconut bra but its there).

As you can see I had to have a two foot palm tree on my table (it was essential) along with leis and margarita glasses full of chocolate. So I know you may be thinking "Hey are you suppose to be raising money for cancer research"and I would say to you "Duh but who said we couldn't have a little fun too." Saturday Morning Kick Off Breakfast for Champions was awesome.

Monday, May 9, 2011

Bringing my "A" Game

"Oh my goodness" in the words of my niece Jayden Lynn, I can't believe that the Fall TNT season is about to begin. The Kick Off Celebration is this Saturday and my mind is now to starting to comprehend what I got myself into (Thanks Mister for the heads up). Trainings will begin at 7AM yes let me repeat myself 7 in the MORNING on a SATURDAY. I don't get up super duper early to go to work much less to run. While I am excited to not run in the nasty sweaty heat, I am beginning to realize that my sleeping in days are over (Please someone hand me a Kleenex). Now you may ask yourself, what the heck LH don't take the plunge...run far far far away from here but then this past weekend.................................. when I hear the stories of people losing their mom/dad at an early age to the Big "C" or a young kiddo being diagnosed at the ripe ole age of 4 it reminds of me why I get up and run or go to PT.  Here's to 7AM practices, hot, sweaty runs, lots of Popsicles in my near future and an ice cold beer at the finish line.

Bringing my "A" Game on Saturday mornings...with no complaints. I will try to take pictures with my teammates at Kick Off and post some for you guys.

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Recipe Alert: Awesome Delicious Goodness in One Bite

Here goes:

What you need:
1 bag of Cinnamon chips
16 oz can of pumpkin
1/2 cup of water
1 box of spiced cake mix 
1 teaspoon of Vanilla

Mix ingredients together in a big bowl. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Because there is no fat added to the recipe you must either use a liner for your cupcakes or use some Pam or they will be a hot mess. If you make mini cupcakes, allow them to cook for 11-14 minutes. If you make normal cupcakes, allow them to cook 18-25 minutes depending on your oven. They are true to size and don't rise very much. I am telling you these are the best things since slice bread and addicting too.

Thanks Mister for the recipe. Eat up my friends.