Duh Duh Duuuhhhhhh!

“Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting. So... get on your way.” - Dr. Suess

SourceHello Capitol Butte...AKA Thunder Mountain. When Amy told she was taking us on a trail that would lead us to the highest point in Sedona someone could hike to we were excited for the challenge.  Loren wore pink "helloo girl power color" and I had my new big girl hiking shoes on.  Lets just say I had to put on my big girl panties a few times during this hike too.   Hike Arizona describes this hike as a "4" difficulty and its a good thing I didn't read the description before we left! This was no joke!  But we made it!! After scrambling and pulling ourselves up over sandstone rock we signed our name on the registry at the top to make it official! I thought the Dr. Seuss quote was fitting to sum up our day and how you just can do things you didn't think were possible.  Climb those Mountains...Sign those registries to prove you were there!!! xo Cheers to more adventures. 



Good Form Running Clinic

Our SoleMates running coach Ashley@ SheRunsStong recently attended the Good Form Running (GFR) Clinic at Runner's Den.  I loved reading her write up on her blog so I decided to go myself and see what GFR was all about and if the technique would help me.

This was the most informative 90 minute class and I'm not just saying that because I love Runners Den.  I went expecting to be bored...running isn't the most interesting topic...but it was interactive from the moment it started. We were video taped running first with shoes on and then barefoot to later analyze our current form. 
The instructor then went right into drills on the 4 points of GFR. Posture, Midfoot, Cadence, Lean. I won't go into every point (Go to the clinic!) :)  but the one that helped me the most (along with midfoot striking) was cadence. 

I always feel like I ddrrraaaggg when I run...I'm totally a "stop to smell the roses" kind of runner.  Well - GFR taught me by doing so I might be injuring myself. See...for the longest time I thought in order to be faster you have to take longer strides...not true...when you take longer strides you automatically do a severe heel strike that leads to aches, pains and injury.  The cadence point clicked for me and through the techniques I am working to get up to 180.

I did my first run on Sunday a 2 mile route that is really familiar to me.  I didn't get tired and felt faster, I actually did go faster!  I was excited to see improvement my first run! I am going to continue to use the GFR principals on every run!

Summer 5k PR here I come. 

Race Recap: Pats Run 2011

Yay for Pat's Run 2011!

Time: 43:36  Pace 10:22

Yay for improving my time by 6 minutes from 2009!  

Mud Pie.

Well. I have never made a mud pie but I just might try one after this weekend! The picture below is of my weekend. It was full of mud...all over B's truck. We went on a little camping trip during one of the only rainy (snowy!) weekends in Arizona! :)   Camping is fun when you go with people who know how to camp! Carne asada for dinner/breakfast burros/good beer - count me in!

Contest Submission - My running story and struggles

Recently I entered a contest for free training at She Runs Strong..instructions were to write your running story, your struggles and goals.  I didn't win the prize but want to stay accountable for my 2011 running goals so I want to share my submission on my little blog.   I also added my DailyMile log  on the right side of the page so you can follow my workouts. :)

She Runs Stong Contest Submission

That’s me in that picture. I look like a runner, right?!  I have running shoes, running shorts, running socks and in that picture I am “running” in the Chicago Marathon - I am a runner.

Inside though I have doubts about that statement. At the start line of every race I am not confident – I panic (OMG, I am going to be the last person to finish, OMG, I didn’t train enough, OMG, what am I doing here amongst all these runners!!) My inner dialogue kills me even before I start the race!

Truthfully my running track record isn’t fantastic…of course it’s an accomplishment to just FINISH a race but I’ve always been disappointed with my performances…a direct result of my lack of training and commitment.

For every race I sign up to run I make a training plan, I set goals, I see myself conquering the distance but with running I don’t follow through and because of it – I don’t improve.

I ran my first race in 2007 as a running buddy in the Girls on the Run Diva Dash. This was the race where I fell in love with running and the organization Girls on the Run!  For my first race a 34 minute 5k was pretty darn good…3 years later my 5k is 33.49.  Boo. I know I am not racing and training to my full potential and why I am entering the She Runs Strong contest!

My goal is to commit, improve my self dialogue and transform into a consistent 9:00 mile runner.  I would LOVE to finish the Women’s ½ Marathon in November under 2 hours. I am also going to RUN each ARR Summer Series! (I’ve signed up 2 years in a row and failed to run each one!!!!)

Las Enchiladas Gatos

I did it. I fed 10 people. It was easy. It wasn't stressful and no one got sick (a major accomplishment!).
I like to toot my own horn and TOOT TOOT I make good enchiladas. I named this Las Enchiladas Gatos is because B and I had a gathering to watch the Arizona Wildcats kick some major basketball booty...keep it going Cats! (Don't worry these are Chicken Enchiladas...not gatos!)

I used the recipe for Juan-Carlos Cruz Chicken Enchilada Verde and adapted it to fit my skill and time level (there is nooo way I am going to make my own tomatillo sauce!) I doubled this recipe to make two pans and used a Chipolte Salsa for the second batch and I am sure I used more cheese than this recipe calls for!

Las Enchiladas Gatos

FOR THE SAUCE:

1 Jar of Tomatillo Salsa (I bought mine from Sunflower Market)

FOR THE FILLING:
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 Pre-Cooked Whole Chicken

1 medium red onion, chopped

1 Jalapeno, chopped
3 cloves garlic, crushed
2 (4.5-ounce) cans chopped green chilies
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
3/4 cup Mexican beer
6 (6-inch) flour tortillas
3/4 cup shredded reduced-fat sharp Cheddar
1/2 cup reduced-fat shredded Monterey Jack
Sour cream, for garnish

Pull and Shred the Chicken - Set aside

Fixin' the Filling:
Heat olive oil in a large non-stick skillet. Add onions, jalapeno and saute, then add garlic and saute for 1 minute or so.

Add chicken, chilies, cumin, mix it all up and saute for 2 minutes.

Add beer and bring to a simmer; cook until most of the liquid has evaporated. Set aside.

Roll 1/2 cup of the filling into each tortilla and place in a casserole dish.
Repeat for remaining tortillas and filling.

Pour sauce over rolled tortillas and bake for 20 minutes. Remove from oven and top with shredded cheeses. Return to oven for 10 minutes or until cheese is melted. Remove from heat, top each serving with 1 teaspoon sour cream, and serve.

Servings: 6