My Newest Addiction: Garmin

I know! I am so late to the party! I must be that kid that always got the new shoes half-way through the school year! For my birthday (yes, in February), my family presented me with a lovely package to open - the Garmin 305. I finally took the time yesterday during my lunch hour to read the instructions. I know...you're wavering between "she's so inconsiderate not to appreciate a gift RIGHT AWAY" while at the same time thinking, "Yeah, I get that. I'm super swamped, too. Who has time for reading directions?!" Now, whoever designed the instruction package for Garmin must have been someone who already had an understanding of parts and widgets and whatnot. Remembering that I had stumbled across this blog, and remembering that he had done product reviews, I immediately pulled him up on my trusty little computer (the one thing I actually know how to operate). Complete with pictures and idiot-proof instructions, the DC Rainmaker walked me through my Garmin 305. Today, with the weather absolutely beautiful at 50+ degrees, sunshine and little to no wind, I set off to locate those satellites. My gosh, I'm addicted. I was a running fool out there, I tell ya! I kept looking to see what my pace was and I actually got pissed when it registered a number I didn't like. This is exactly what I needed to take my running to the next level - you know the level - the one where you finish in the MIDDLE THIRD of the pack! Who knows, with Garmy by my side, I might just finish in the top 25 (of my age group, at a small race)!

Today's guilty pleasure: driving with my sunroof open! Who knew that would turn out to be so pleasurable. That's what living in northern Ohio with 6 months of winter will do to you - make you grateful to use that one car option!

If you have any inside information, tips or tricks that you love about your Garmin, fire them off to me. I'm looking forward to being able to do more than just "pace" myself!

Race Report - Yes, A Race Report!

I can't believe it, but I spontaneously committed to a 5k race. At the request of a coworker, I registered Thursday night and then ran the Run to the Beach 5k at Portage Lakes this morning. What a fun race and great way to knock out 3.1 miles on a Saturday morning. The race was a nice split between road and trail, both single track and a bridle trail size. I wasn't sure how I would fare or what to expect since I haven't tackled a race since rehabbing the knee, but I was happy with this morning's results! I finished in 30:42 (a 9:54 pace) with no knee pain!

The course was outstanding with wonderful views of the lake. Finish line was amazingly well stocked with goodies. The race shirt is the brightest "highlighter yellow" shade I've ever known, but cool nonetheless. Temps were a bit chilly, with rainy drizzle all morning, but I'll take that over snow and extreme heat. Overall, great morning and a nice way to kick off racing season!

Today's guilty pleasure: Coming home to see Bridget playing with her Barbies and Ken. All of five of them were either in plank position or downward dog. Hysterical! She told me that even boys do yoga. Hear that, Nitmos? That's my little yogi.

Even though I consider the Cleveland Metroparks simply wonderful, I have to say I enjoyed Portage Lakes. Do you have a favorite park that you enjoy running - trails or multipurpose path?

Gorgeous Core: DVD Review

First of all, I'm not good about fitness DVDs. Don't get me wrong, I have quite a collection, but I'm terrible about watching them. This one is different. It arrived yesterday in that wonderful little brown box with the "To Robin. Love Amazon" label. I tore it open and prepared myself for the first session: long, lean and strong. Each session is only 12 minutes (my attention span exactly, give or take a few minutes) and packs quite a wallop in those short 12 minutes. Tomorrow is Classic Abwork and I'm not dreading it. Isn't that what a fitness DVD should do - 1) fit easily in your already-crammed schedule; and 2) be challenging, but not discouraging. I can say this DVD is both!

Do you have a go-to fitness DVD?

Today's guilty pleasure: fresh crunchy gala apple. It was my snack today and it was perfect!

Runner's Recipe for Refueling: Shrimp Ceviche

Great way to add protein for muscle repair as well as a light and refreshing way to refuel after a long run (or medium or short run!).

1 pound small shrimp, peeled and deveined
1 small cucumber, quartered and sliced
1/4 cup sliced red onion
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
2 TBSP minced picked jalepeno chiles
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/4 cup fresh lime juice
2 BSP olive oil
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp cracked pepper

Cook the shrimp in a pot of boiling water 3 minutes or until done; rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process. Combine shrimp with remaining ingredients in a large nonaluminum bowl. Cover and chill for several hours to combine flavors.

Use leftover lime for the Corona! Enjoy!

Today's guilty pleasure: those damn peeps. It's Easter time and they're everywhere, including on my countertop!

How do you fuel on those long runs? Do you have an easy recipe for quick and yummy fuel?

Can Coffee Really Be That Good?

The answer is yes! Every time my husband visits Philadelphia on business, he knows that to regain entry back into the house, he must cough up one bag of La Colombe coffee...preferably the Corsica blend. This last trip, he outdid himself by producing TWO bags - Corsica and Monaco. If you are in the Philly area, definitely go to their Rittenhouse Square location. It's magic to your mouth!

Today's guilty pleasure: when the barista makes a little design in your latte. I mean, seriously, does this bring a smile quickly to your face as well?

These Times They Are a Changin'

While at Ohio University on Saturday, we made a quick trip to Meg's old Elementary school. She loved this place and I credit it for making her an open-minded individual. For two weeks during Kindergarten, they studied about diversity. To learn the alphabet, they had a different food each day starting with the day's letter. She ate hummus, turnips, and kimbop (korean). Amazing school. At my insistence and her excitement, we took a picture of her in the same spot as her first day of kindergarten. Wow - time is flying way too fast!

Today's guilty pleasure: Party of Five. Neve Campbell is on the cover of Health magazine and it reminded me how much I loved that depressing, brooding show. Even after Matthew Fox was on Lost, I still called him Charlie (drove my husband nuts). And because Jennifer Love Hewitt (Sarah) was such a bitch to Bailey, I cannot stand watching her on TV to this day. I loved Claudia in Mean Girls. But whatever happened to Owen?

Did you have a favorite 90s show that was your guilty pleasure?

I Do at OU

While talking to a very dear friend on Thursday, she mentioned that Ohio University (our alma mater) was having a Spring Reunion featuring I Do at OU at Galbraith Chapel for married couples who either met at Ohio University or got married at OU. As luck would have it, we had a free weekend. And since we both graduated from OU and met at OU, it was a must-do on my weekend list. On a whim, I signed us up and off we went on Saturday.

We arrived early enough to do all the cheesy back-to-college-campus stuff. Drove past our old houses (slum cottages to some), checked out some of the old bars (I still need to replenish my "I Get High at the CI" plastic cups), drove the three main streets in Athens - Court, State and West Union. We also stopped by Meg's old elementary school for some playground time (all of us) and visited a new place - Fluff - for some yummy goodness. Of course, Meg and I stopped to get the to-go coffee at Donkey (favorite coffeehouse maybe ever).


Then all four of us walked to Galbraith Chapel. Not sure of what to expect, we were pleasantly surprised. I met my friend, Anne, and her husband, who were also doing the same cheesy thing. We said our "I do's" at 18:04 (year college was founded) and toasted champagne in OU-engraved flutes while snacking on mini-cupcakes. It was a nice touch that the minister asked all the couples to introduce themselves and how they met. We were married the least amount of time, my friend will be celebrating her 20th anniversary this year (and she even wore her bridal veil), and another couple were celebrating their 36th! Heard some classic OU-kind of stories. Greenery, anyone?


Bridget enjoyed taking camera pics everywhere we went - especially this one of Megan and Greg on the College Green. It was just a quick down-and-back day trip and was the perfect length!

Today's guilty pleasure: Donkey Coffee, Burrito Buggy, DP Dough's, and the CI. Good stuff!