The Hardest 20 Miles

For some reason, when I hit 300 miles, I thought ending my goal would be a piece of cake. What’s 65 miles at that point? Like a walk in the park, right?

I was so wrong. I’m 20 miles – COUNT IT – 20 miles from my final goal of hitting 365 miles in 2013. Every time I go to run, I hit a mile and think, “I’ll do two tomorrow.” I take a day off and then go for a run and do two miles. “Tomorrow I’ll do three. Just do a quick 5K.”

It feels like my body is rebelling. It can smell the pumpkin pies for Thanksgiving, knows it’s getting colder and would rather curl up with a hot chocolate coated in a layer of whipped cream, and dreams of warm blankets and afternoons watching movies.

Please tell me this happens to everyone else. I started this year so strong, and I’m having a few moments of weakness. I’m up a few pounds and no matter how hard I tell myself I worked for this, I’m still slacking.

Looking for words of encouragement or advice. If you’ve got some, please share. Thanksgiving and Christmas are around the corner. So much food, so little time.

Apple Picking

I love fall. I love leaves. I love cold weather. I love bundling up in blankets by a fire. AND I love apple picking. So my friend dragged me (totally kicking and screaming… NOT!) to a farm in Lee. I’m sorry to say that he refused to get his face painted. We had enough time waiting for the wagon to bring us to the field, but for some reason that’s apparently not “manly” or “adult” to do.

Maybe next time.

So we picked apples. Lots of apples. And took enough pictures for two families visiting the farm worth. A nod to my grandma, we used film cameras for the majority of our pictures. I remember her lugging around her camera every summer until digital cameras took over the world.

Look what I found: the world’s tiniest apple! Okay, not really, but it was adorable and delicious! Oh yeah, and surprise, my hair is a new reddish, brown, purple color. Did that on a whim the other day.

So we ended up with a lot of apples. . . and a craving for apple pie. Which I must tell you, I’ve never made before without the assistance of my grandmother who used to make the best blueberry pies I’ve ever had. So in honor of her marvelous baking skills, we chopped up those apples, tossed them in cinnamon, nutmeg, and sugar and baked it in a pie crust. Might have taken a shortcut and went with a freezer section pie crust, but that was only because I wanted the pie in a hurry. No patience when I’ve been out in the field for hours.

Gather:
5 large apples, peeled and sliced
3/4 cup of white sugar
2 tablespoons flour
3/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1 Pillsbury refrigerated pie crust, softened as directed on the box

Preheat oven to 425.

Lay one of the pieces of pie crust in the bottom of a 9-inch round pie pan. In a bowl, mix apples and other ingredients. Pour into pie pan. Top with other pie crust, cut off excess crust, and pinch edges together. Cut holes in top of pie crust.

Bake for 20 minutes with edges covered with aluminum foil. Remove foil and bake another 20 to 25 minutes.

Remove from oven and let cool for at least an hour and a half before serving.

Let the Workout Madness Begin

One of my best friends is trying to kill me.

No, not in a serial killer way. She’s just trying to get us to work out more since we’ve both fallen off the workout wagon. Pumpkin donuts, apple cider, and ice cream are way too tempting when the leaves turn colors and the temperature drops. Sweater weather also gives the illusion that you can be frumpy inside your big, baggy tops. I’m making excuses, I know. But I bet you’ve said the same thing.

My friend’s idea to ward off fat is brilliant, but brutal. A monthly workout planner with day-by-day routine. The problem is . . . she wants to do three to five days each day. Kind of an accelerated plan, with a death wish. So, on Day 1, I wouldn’t just do Day 1’s workout. I’d do Day 1, Day 2, Day 3, and maybe Day 4 if I’m ambitious.

So I tested day one.

Crunches. Easy. Done in no time doing day 1, 2, 3, and 4. I even threw in some extra bicycles and mason twists.

Leg Lifts. A bit harder, but totally manageable.

Then came the planks. Usually I’m not a complainer. And I usually do three 1-minute planks in a gym session. But doing a short session, then another session, and yet another short session, got really frustrating quickly.

So, being that I’m thoroughly worn out. I’m hoping I get rock hard abs in a month. Or at least that my pants start fitting again. Here’s hoping. If you’ve got some inspiration on staying motivated, send it my way.

Dinner and a Movie

So it was forced upon me to go to the movies.

 Okay, okay, I wasn’t forced, but to be fair, I haven’t gone to the movies in a few years. I think the last thing I saw was Thor (2011), which I only went because one, I’m a geek, and two, it had Chris Hemsworth in it. Alright, alright, I really love all the Avengers, too. But this time, it only took a mention of Jake Gyllenhaal (obsessed with Donnie Darko….. just a bit) and Hugh Jackman to get me in the car. Oh yeah, and apparently you can have dinner and drink beer (by the pitcher) at the theater. Winning! Smitty’s in Sanford, you’re brilliant.

 So I gave in, and went on the date. I have to say, though, the movie Prisoners was fantastic. So unexpected that I would go to a suspenseful thriller, but despite having to cover my eyes a few times, I couldn’t get enough of it. While Hugh Jackman was searching for his daughter, I was inched on the edge of my seat, whispering what I expected the outcome to be, and blown away when the big reveal came.

Honestly, even for those who get a bit antsy at the thought of blood and horror films, I really think if you like any sort of psychological thrillers, you should go see this movie. Even if you wait until it comes out on Netflix or you have to head to the nearest Redbox, go see it.

 And yay! for beer at the movies! (Oh, and yeah, I totally ignored my diet for the night. That’s a bacon and cheese, onion ring and BBQ sauce covered burger with waffle fries… that happened.)

Love the Cape

I woke up to this view the other morning: 

It was beautiful. I am so grateful for opportunities like this. I was sent to the Cape for a night for work, and I have to say, waking up to a private porch overlooking the ocean is something you can only really appreciate when you’re in that moment. After gawking at the fisherman at the nearby pier, I decided I should probably just head down to the sand. Seriously, when another resort guest  standing in their robe waves to you from their porch, it’s time to hide away.

I spent an hour just soaking in the morning sun from the shore. I mean honestly, how many can honestly say they started their day with sand between their toes before going to work. Those of you who do, I really hope you appreciate it. I lived in a landlocked state for the majority of my life and only now do I live 15 minutes from the shore, and that’s not even the Cape.

I did finally get to go to a fancy little breakfast place hidden atop the Chatham airport office, though. I was expecting bacon, eggs, and toast. Quick bites. I was surprised when they had horseradish-infused sauces for potato and beet hash (a little outside my morning taste bud comfort zone), and banana pancakes that were so fluffy, but with buckwheat (I believe, if I remember correctly). Hanger B is the name, and fancy breakfast and lunch is the game. Totally recommend it if you’re a bit adventurous.

Or you can be like me, and just get the Pilot’s breakfast and be lame.