New PR! 5K 22:58

If the GPS is true, I earned a new 5K PR today. Granted, it wasn't in an official race, but I definitely am going to give myself a trophy for this one! Running, with my dog (an adventure all on its own), I ran a 5K in 22:58, which is 7:24 pace. I know it's not exactly record shattering, but it's a minute less than my last 5K pr, and besides last week, I haven't run really since January (a few random runs here and there, but nothing consistent.) So take that and rewind it back! Yahoooooooooo! Feels so good :-D At least, it does now, sitting on the couch! While running, the cold air was making me pant like a freight train, and it hurt so bad all down my windpipe as well as in my left calf (which has completely tightened up, ugh). But, yes, now it feels good :-D

Art of Manliness and Brussel Sprouts. The Perfect Combination

No running today: Feel good, but figure I should let myself recover from my 7 miler yesterday considering I haven't run more than 5 since January. I may feel good, but that doesn't mean my body wants to push it to the limit!

Instead, BC vs. ND tonight! Yes, BC is probably going to get killed, but as they say in Little Giants, "One time!"

Also, Brad is perfecting the art of manliness tonight. He fixed our roof last weekend and chain sawed a few trees that fell during the hurricane, but this project is way cooler. I will explain more once the project is complete... so far, it looks amazing ;) I am so so so excited about it!

I am making brussel sprouts. This is one of my all time favorite recipes!

Here is the recipe for those who love vegetables as much as I do!

Serves 4

2 tablespoons olive oil, plus more for drizzling
20 ounces brussels sprouts, trimmed, outside leaves removed and quartered (about 5 cups)
1 teaspoon coarse salt
Pinch freshly ground pepper
2 small shallots, peeled and sliced
1/2 cup water
2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice (about a half lemon)
Zest of half a lemon

Directions

Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a large nonstick skillet pan over high heat. Add Brussels sprouts to skillet. Cook, stirring occasionally, until dark golden brown in places, about 4 minutes. Add salt, pepper, and shallots, and cook for 30 seconds more. Add water, and cover. Reduce heat to medium-high, and cook until tender, about 4 minutes. Remove lid.
Add lemon juice, and drizzle with oil. Stir to combine well. Transfer to a serving platter, and garnish with lemon zest.

Oceanport 7 Miler

It was a beautiful day for running. Ironic, but beautiful. See, the weather was perfect. Blue skies, sunshine, perfect temperature for running capris and a T-SHIRT. Yes, a t-shirt. It was glorious! I threw on my trusty hat, grabbed some old school massive headphones of Brad's, placed a funky pair of sunglasses on my head just in case, and headed out.

And as I was running, this is what I saw. More and more sad damage. People still pumping out their homes. Entire contents of people's homes on the street ready for some mechanical mouthed garbage truck to devour them. Trees through houses. Power lines down. But still I ran. People gave me some pretty weird looks, and I felt pretty silly for running during a time like this, but sometimes you just need those endorphins. I ran from my house to the Long Branch beach, and noticed that Monmouth Beach is now open to the public. I briefly hesitated, considering running down that strip of the barrier islands, but decided I couldn't handle much more destruction, so I made a right instead, headed over to 7 Presidents' Park, and then looped home. I was blasting Bob Marley, pretending it was summer, and pretending the Hurricane never happened. It almost worked, if not for the shards of glass, random fence pieces, and sand everywhere that created an obstacle course for me.

All in all, I ran about 6.5-7 miles. I'm not sure which, but it is definitely the longest I've run since January when we ran the Charleston Marathon. A small penny in the bucket in comparison, but I am declaring myself in full marathon training mode. Here is the t-shirt design I think we are going to go with; if anyone is interested in purchasing one, let me know :-D Pricey, but you'll be advertising for a good cause! Stay safe out there, and I know a lot of people have lost power again. I lost power twice today. So good luck!

Long Branch

Since Long Brand is 2 miles from our house, and Pier Village officially reopened today after Hurricane Sandy, I would like to post some happy, pre-Sandy pictures :-D

Feeling Glum: Seaside Heights 1/2 Marathon: Our First

October 2011, Brad and I ran our very first half marathon, in Seaside Heights. In fact, a picture from that day has been the image for this blog since then! (Up top!) I'd like to share some of those photos, because they bring back HAPPY memories.

Again, please donate. Let's make Seaside and all our other shore towns look like this again! It's located on the right side of this website: crowdrise.com/shorecorps

Snow and Rollercoasters in the Sea Don't Mix

Nor'easter brought plenty of slushy snow. I'm praying the branches stay on the trees and the power and heat stay on. I'm also feeling terrible for those who don't have power and heat. Usually, the first snow storm of the season makes me feel warm and cozy inside. Snowboarding, Lake Placid, Sweatpants, Hoodies, Starbucks Christmas cups, Thanksgiving Turkeys, Football... all the winter things I love. Now, I just feel sad, and wish I could do more to help. Again, please consider donating at http://crowdrise.com/shorecorps

XoXo, stay warm out there people!

Team Shore Corps: www.crowdrise.com/shorecorps

So, Brad, Laura, and I are planning to run the NJ Marathon for the American Red Cross. I have set up a website where you can donate: crowdrise.com/shorecorps

Please, donate to this cause. I actually saw the trucks driving around bringing hot meals and warm clothing to people, and as much as the news tries to make it seem like they are invisible, they are out there, but there's so much more they could do if they had the resources!

If you can't donate, join us! We are looking for more members to join Team Shore Corps. If you've always wanted to run a marathon (or half! same day!), now's the time, and do it for a great cause. Help people rebuild their homes! And, I can't wait to go to the amusement parks again, jog on the boardwalk, and soak up the sun on the beautiful beaches!

We will run 26.2 miles around the beautiful Jersey Shore next May. It will happen.