My New Obsession

While exploring at Appalachian Outfitters over the weekend, I came across my new obsession - a Haiku purse. I had never heard of this brand, but instantly fell in love with it's beautiful design and practical style. It's ideal for traveling - having two spaces for water bottles or, in my case nowadays, sippy cup. I purchased the Haiku To-Go bag in Bamboo Green "Branch" design. Love love love it. I've been wearing it for 3 days now and have zero complaints. It's lightweight, holds everything, feels incredibly stylish and, best of all, it's not another unimaginative Coach purse.

Hello Legs, It's Me, Robin

This morning was my scheduled 18-miler. I woke up at the same ridiculously early time of 6:30 am and out the door at 6:50. Although I am not an early morning runner, I do enjoy watching the sky go from dark to light. But this morning, I felt I was in slo-mo compliments of Thursday's P90X session. My glutes and quads were not at all interested in my ambitious morning agenda! Even during moments I could hear the P90x guy screaming Banana! Superman! Banana! And Superman! I know if I can stick with at least 2 sessions each week, my running will improve. Unfortunately, this also means walking John Wayne right before a gunfight. My one product endorsement would be for Theraballs. I have an orange one and Megan works MAGIC with it. Ten minutes of Theraball working out the knots and kinks and I am off and moving with less hobble.

A couple hours later, we hit up RIPE at the Botanical Garden and I scored myself a jar of habanero pickles from Fire. I've already eaten one and loved the all-over mouth burning sensation!

We even checked out Ingenuity Fest. Very interesting to say the least.

Good luck to Akron marathoners today. You had a beautiful day weather-wise!

Our Halloween Race in New Mexico - 200th Post!

Bridget and I have decided we will dress like the characters from her favorite book, Ladybug Girl and Bumblebee Boy, for our Halloween race in Albuquerque next month. So this weekend, I'll be putting together my costume. She already has her ladybug costume, thank goodness. For mine, I've decided I will pick up a yellow running shirt and sew bold black stripes across it. I'll wear my tri shorts underneath and stitch together a yellow tutu of tulle fabric with a black ribbon stitched in. I'll need to pick up a headband with antennae to complete the look! Stay tuned for pics of the final product this weekend.

Also on our agenda is an introduction to orienteering this weekend for Greg and I. I'm physically fit to bike and trek, but paddling requires a level of coordination that will be interesting at best. Especially when one of us has to stand up in the canoe to punch our control card at a checkpoint! No matter, we will have fun, probably get wet (I better pack everything in ziploc baggies!), and have some great stories I'm sure. And it's just 2 quick weeks away!

Daytripping to the Zoo

Beauty of an Early Morning Long Run

At the beginning of my 15-mile long run I was greeted by this:


I had to stop just to capture the beauty. So often long runs are exhausting and, well, long. Seeing the sun rise kind of reminds me of how lucky I am to spend a little time enjoying allnthat mother nature has to share. This morning, I enjoyed seeing chipmunks zig-zagging in front of me, a raccoon that I swear was smiling at me, a gorgeous doe listening to me talk to her, and a crane in the middle of the river sitting on a rock just filling the units.

And all of this occurred before 9:30 am leaving me time to catch the last few minutes of Pablo Honey's dance class.

Best Potato Soup Recipe Ever!

This recipe first appeared in the October 2002 Cooking Light magazine. Greg and I were dating and I fixed this for him and his roommate. Not only did they both love it, but it became one of Megan's most requested dinners. With rain and fall-like temps, my baked potato soup had to make an appearance. And she loved it :)

Ingredients:
4-6 Idaho baking potatoes (normal size)
2/3 cup all purpose flour
6 cups skim or 2% milk
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
salt & pepper as desired
1 cup reduced fat sour cream
3/4 cup chopped onion
4-6 bacon slices

Here's the easy part and takes less than 30 minutes:
1. Wash potatoes, prick with fork, wrap in paper towel and bake in microwave. When soft, scoop out of shell and mash in bowl.
2. Boil milk and flour till it starts getting thick and bubbly.
3. Add mashed up potatoes and cheese. Cook and stir for 8-10 minutes.
4. Add salt, pepper, and sour cream.
5. Top with chopped onion, more shredded cheese and bacon or as desired.

Serve with grilled cheese or just with simple, crusty bread. Great as leftovers, too!

Bon appetit!

A Preliminary Calculation

So far, I've run more than 700 miles. If my estimates are correct, I will reach 1,000 miles around Thanksgiving! Damn...that's all I got to say! Knowing I'll make this milestone makes up for the crappy day at work where I listened to people bitch and moan about who has violated the dress code...