What I've been doing...

I've been failing to update my blog for quite some time lately. There has been a little bit of training. But mostly - I just lack the time to write anything worthwhile. After a bit of nudging from a friend of mine, here's a brief update of what I'm doing lately.

1. Staying at Jeff's place every night since mid-May. While it is only a 15 minute commute from my apartment in Dupont to my client, it is a 1.5 hour commute to & from Jeff's house to my client in Chinatown. Let this be a testament to how much I enjoy spending time with him.

2. Due to #1, I've been reading a lot. A LOT. In the last 3 days, I've finished 3 books. Taking the bus & train to my client alleviates any stressful driving situations & lets me breeze through my stack of unread books. Also, I picked up a library card.

3. Stacey lives 10 minutes from Jeff. I never got to see enough of Stacey before, & now I get to see her more often. We've also become swimming buddies, which is hugely fun. I admit: I'm jealous of her endurance & want to be able to keep up with her (again).

4. Running. I ran once. Woohoo. A simple 25 minute jog where I explored the backyard trails (into the park) & tested my running legs. All in all, a good run.

5. Planning weekends away with Jeff. We've got 4 weekends of adventure in summer - 4th of July, 2 weddings, & one trip we took last weekend. Also, we will be attending this year's Austin City Limits Festival. Woohoo!!

6. Taking Peter to the vet. Peter has hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, which is basically a genetic heart disease. After we found the issue (late October of last year), Peter's been to the doctor a number of times. First, he was put on a cheap medication, which stopped working after a few months. He stopped eating & being social. Now, we've changed his medication. There is a higher possibility of side effects on these, but they are controlling his arrhythmia, blood pressure, & the progression of his heart disease. Here's hoping. It's hard to deal with bcause Peter is my little buddy. Peter was always my cat, & Charles was more of my ex's. ^&YUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUY&UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhbgvbhjjjjjjjjjjjjjj - Peter says hi by the way.

Charles just puked next to me. I think he sensed that I was typing about Peter & wanted some attention. Ick. Well, at least it's on Jeff's side of the bed. (Just kidding, hon!)

On that note, I'll leave it here & go clean up.

We are sooo close.

Update: I only had "a" flu this time, & I've officially kicked it.

I could run tonight. (TONIGHT!!!!) I'm staying at Jeff's, & I've surreptitiously brought over my running gear in anticipation of unleashing my slow running capability onto the town of Herndon. I could run tonight... (TONIGHT!!!!) If only I hadn't scheduled a delivery of 150 iced sugar cookies & a groom's cake for this Saturday. I'm behind, & I'd like to be away from the kitchen on Wednesday to treat the boyfriend to a movie night.

Damn. The things me & my fat ass do when we don't triathlon...

I haven't gone for a swim in a month even though my swimming gear (i.e. suit, goggles, & cap) is brazenly hanging in Jeff's bathroom. The bike sits forlornly at my place & has a 1/4 inch of dust on it. I may need to fix all of these things soon.

Jeff says that the WOD is right near his place, & I could take it "all the way out to Leesburg", which isn't that far on a bike (about 12 miles). However, I could snag a 50 mile ride if I biked from his place to the end of the W&OD. Upon learning this & reading Athena Diaries, I realized that I do miss riding. As I can't bring my bike over to Jeff's & then say, "Gee! How'd that get here?!" I got permission to bring my bike to his place (not that I need to ask but it's always nice to ask).

Now, all I have to do is start e.x.e.r.c.i.s.i.n.g. And also not wear my cleats in the house.

Finally.

My back is finally healed. As soon as I kick this version of strep (the third this year), I'll be back on my feet again.

I can't wait.

In the meantime...

While my back was healing, I went to Europe with my Mom. Pictures are on Picasa.

:)

Back update.

Just to let you know (for those of you who don't). I've broken three bones in my back. Three of my transverse processes (tongue depressor shaped bones attached to my vertabrae) are broken. The doctor says they are very minor fractures, & that I should not be extremely worried about them.

The doctor advised that I return to my normal level of activity. To which I replied, "So, I can run?" His response, "Urrr... no. Well, maybe you could try on a treadmill very slowly & only for a few minutes. Discomfort is allowed - Pain is not." So, I decided to try swimming with my friend Stacey first.

Swimming with Stacey was a lot of fun. I had mild discomfort & slight pain when I breathed on my right side with my freestyle stroke. Trust me when I say - I took it very easy still. Even my kicking was fairly slow. I drifted to my right on plenty of occasions. I managed to do breast stroke for a while without issues, which made me happy.

This slip down the stairs has forced me into reassessing my goals for the year. I had planned on completing the half Ironman in September, but I may not be able to cycle until June/July.

We shall see.

Tomorrow starts training...

.... except I fell down some stairs yesterday.... while carrying a stack of 8 plates & 8 forks, a glass of wine, & my phone. The only thing that survived that fall-bump-bump was the glass of wine.

I had to take the day off from work. I needed assistance to complete my abbreviated bedtime ritual. Sometimes, it hurts to walk. Running tomorrow is completely out of the question. I am having the worst luck. But at least I have a good boyfriend who will sit & care for me while he was supposed to be entertaining guests.

Silver linings!

M.C. Bakes-a-Lot.

I have news. First, I wrote out my triathlon schedule for the Half Ironman in September. I haven't heard back from the doctor yet, but I feel very healthy. So, we'll see.

Second, remember my first paid baking gig (i.e. the baby shower onesie)? Well, I have 2 more paid baking gigs approaching.

The earliest one happens in a few weeks. I will be making gluten-free dairy-free cupcakes for a friend's engagement party. Flavors haven't been decided upon yet. The couple is going to let me know what they want.

The next paid baking gig is A) larger & B) more stressful. I'll be making a groom's cake for a friend's wedding. I'll also be making the wedding favors.

The groom's cake is going to be a lot of fun. My 30th birthday is approaching, & I had planned an evening or two of cake decorating as a present to myself. Now, those evenings will serve as practice for the groom's cake. Fondant, artistic decorations, etc. I'm so excited!!

The wedding favors are a little more tricky. You see - I only make cookies one time per year, & I rarely make sugar cookies. & I rarely decorate any of my cookies with icing. It'll be good practice (which I've already started). The best part? My boyfriend has offered his HUGE kitchen as my baking playground. My kitchen has one 16"x20" counter where I can work. His has .... maybe 5 times that.

So, here goes nothing (now with elbow room).

How doctors should be.

First, let me say - I dislike going to the doctor. I normally walk in the office, wait with a bunch of sick people, see the doctor for 10 minutes, get his/her advice, & then get a prescription for whatever s/he thinks is the problem (which may not be the actual problem).

Lame.

Now, I've luckily found a doctor that A) I like & B) is excellent. Here's how it goes down:

1. I walk into the office, talk to the receptionist, & pay my deductible.
2. I am given a pee cup, which I take care of.
3. I wait for 5 minutes in the waiting room.
4. The phlebotomist calls me, & I take care of filling a few vials of blood samples.
5. I wait in the waiting room again.
6. I get interviewed by the nurse, who takes my blood pressure, weight, & temperature.
7. I wait for a little longer.
8. I finally see the doctor, who has all the results of my bloodwork & urine. She knows what's wrong & we figure out a plan of attack.

Wouldn't you prefer the doctor's office to work that way?


***************************

Training may start again in April. I'm hoping for the first or second week. Woohoo!!

Update.

I've been sick - as you know. It seems that the infection is finally gone (*crosses-fingers*), but time will tell. I've felt better since day 2 of the 2nd round of antibiotics.

My plan is to start running in 2 weeks or so. I've got to ensure that my infection is gone for good. It sucks having an internal organ be sick.

Since I can't run/bike/swim, I've been cooking & spending a lot of time with the new boyfriend, who thinks my foodstuffs walk on water. (I've decided to keep him.) This weekend, I made a trial burger recipe that will be entered into a cookoff when I finish it, tacos, & a meatloaf. I had plans for a strawberry rhubarb "something", but I ran out of time.

The good doctor says that I lost 6 pounds during the month of sickness. As you can see from above, I'm trying to regain that 6 pounds in a weekend of eating.

The boyfriend is also worried about his impending weight gain due to my voracious cooking & baking habits. (He's also decided to keep me.) As my number 1 taste tester, the boyfriend says that we need a plan to keep him from gaining weight from all my quality kitchen time. My answer was "running." His answer was "no."

Well, a girl can dream, can't she?

Yer out.

What a bummer.

I've been decommissioned from the Cherry Blossom 10-miler. Apparently, my strep infection never went away - even though I was antibiotics for 10 days. This time, I'm to refill the antibiotics if I continue feeling icky.

No running. Therefore, no racing.

It's time for this infection to go. SERIOUSLY!!

Homemade popcorn.

My apologies for the lack of postings. I've been sick. AGAIN. With a fever. AGAIN. I thought fevers were so 1980s?

This weekend, I only had a chance to run about 1.8 miles until I had no energy, wondered what was going on, & then ... BOOM! sick!

Just before I got sick this last time (AGAIN!), I made a really fun flavored popcorn at home. Today, I saw a Chile Lime Tequila Popcorn recipe at 101 Cookbooks, & it reminded me to post this.

Smoky Sweet Popcorn

small dash of chipolte chili pepper
a few good shakes of smoked paprika
about 3 teaspoons (or more) of sea salt
a good drizzle of honey
1/2 cup of unpopped popcorn
enough oil to coat the bottom of a good pot
(& every good pot needs a lid)

So, I don't have a microwave. I do this the stove top way - which is to throw the oil into a big pot (with a good lid) & turn stove up to high/medium high. Drop 3 kernels of unpopped popcorn into the pot & close pot with lid.

When all 3 have popped, the pot is ready! Throw the popcorn into the pot & close with the lid. Lower heat. Shake back & forth periodically until popping has stopped/mostly stopped. Kill the heat. Throw in the seasonings (except the honey & remember - you can always add more but you can't add LESS), put the lid on the pot, & shake to cover all the popcorn.

Taste. Add more whatevs if you need. The popcorn should be smoky flavored & a little spicy. Drizzle with honey to complete the flavor & enjoy!!

********************

See? I told you I could do low-cal. :)

Vanilla bean cupcakes with Nutella frosting.

This month's IronCupcake challenge was coffee. I never submitted a recipe, but I did create a cupcake & icing combo that worked really well. I'd say these are my best cupcakes to date.

Vanilla bean cupcakes with Nutella frosting!!

Here are the recipes:

Vanilla Bean Cupcakes

* 1 vanilla bean
* 1 cup white sugar
* 1/2 cup butter
* 2 eggs
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (good quality)
* 1 & 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
* 1 & 3/4 teaspoons baking powder
* 3/4 cup milk

Preparation

0. Two days prior to making cupcakes, slice the vanilla bean open & scrape out all of the seeds. Keep the seeds in an airtight container, & place the bean in the 1 cup of sugar in another airtight container.

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line a muffin pan with paper liners.
2. In a medium bowl, cream together the sugar and butter and vanilla seeds. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, then stir in the vanilla. Combine flour and baking powder, add to the creamed mixture and mix well. Finally stir in the milk until batter is smooth. Pour or spoon batter into the prepared pan.
3. Bake 30 minutes - Makes 12 cupcakes.

Adapted from:
http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Simple-White-Cake/Detail.aspx


Nutella frosting

* 1 cup confectioners sugar
* 1 cup Nutella
* 5 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature
* 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
* 1/4 cup heavy cream
* <1/4 cup brewed coffee

Place the confectioners sugar, Nutella, butter, and vanilla in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. Mix on medium-low speed until creamy, scraping down the bowl with a rubber spatula as you work. Put cream into a 1/3 cup measuring cup & add enough coffee to fill the cup. Add the cream mixture and beat on high speed until the mixture is light and smooth.

Adapted from:
http://www.unrepentantcarbivore.com/2009/02/chocolate-cupcakes-with-nutella.html

Don't let hurricanes hold you back.

Oh, Triathlon. You are like the girlfriend that I just can't quit.

Here I am.
At work.
Reading all about DC Tri Club.

Looking at their race calendars.
Ogling their pool options.
Dreaming about their NW chapter.

It's official. I'm swooning for Triathlon. All I want to do is swim, bike, run.

So, maybe I'll hit DC Tri Club? Sign up for the Patriots Half? After all, I do have all of the paperwork filled out.

Bossman was right - I'm not really quitting.

Speaking of which, time to get back to work.

Marathon relay.

Edit: I didn't run for 3 weeks prior to this race due to illness. I should note that I was pleased that I even finished.
*******************
On Sunday, I relayed a marathon with my friend Stacey & her friend Paul.

Initially, I was to race with Marlene & possibly Jen. Then, Marlene & I were looking for a 3rd. Stacey joined the team. Then, Marlene injured herself. Finally, we found Paul 3 days before the race.

Thankfully.

Race morning, I tried to stop for a red light. We were cruising downhill so fast that we ended up in the middle of the intersection. "Oh, well," I said. & we continued through the red light. Nice.

When we arrived at the race, we decided that our name should be "The Red Light Runners". We registered, estimated our times for each other, & then Stacey was OFF!

Stacey did the 9.7 mile run. When she finished her portion & arrived at the relay corral (at her time estimate), she looked exuberant & like she pushed herself pretty hard. I gave her a quick hug, took the relay sash, & was OFF!

I did the 7.3 mile run. About 5 miles into the race, I wanted to start walking. The course was ALL HILLS. When I realized that I was almost to the relay corral, I was absolutely ecstatic. NO MORE HILLS!! I was tuckered by my finish, but I still did well. (Very close to my time goal.)

I handed off my sash to Paul, & he was OFF! Stacey & I drove to the race finish - hooting & cheering to the runners along the way. Some runners gave us "the marathon stare of death", which we ignored. We changed & ate Clif bars & used The Stick to roll out our muscles & waited for Paul. Right on schedule, Paul showed up to cross the finish line. Hugs for everyone!! We headed back to the race start, grabbed some greasy chili & foodstuffs, & proceeded to want naps very badly.

Later that evening, Stacey, Paul, & I hit Adams Morgan for beers & dancing. It was a whole heckuva lot of fun. My legs surely didn't want to dance, but I made them anyways. Go figure - the next day, my legs were *almost* fine.

So, that's the story, Morning Glory. Paul's got a picture of The Red Light Runners, but I have to get a hold of him to get it. I'll post when I get it.

woah!

i got promoted today! woop-woop!