Wind, Wind, Wind

I have always wondered how Chicago got the name the windy city. Growing up in Oklahoma I always thought Oklahoma deserved the name the Windy State. Sunday for my weekly run and ride day with my mom I found out just how windy Oklahoma can be.

When I’m running into the wind it is hard, during the 2009 Oklahoma City Marathon the wind coming off the lake was so brutal I thought I would never make it to the end of the race. Growing up in Oklahoma as a runner I have experienced some intense winds that made me think I was running in place.

Cycling into the wind was a whole new experience. My shoes are clip ins so I am essentially attached to my bike. If it falls I fall and if I fall the bike falls, being new to cycling this is a unique experience. Sunday my mom and I headed out to Lake Hefner with the hopes of making a few laps around the lake. Upon our arrival white caps covered the lake and we saw a couple off their bikes walking them around the lake. Immediately the thoughts of this is going to be horrible ensue. We start riding the lake on the dam side and make it about two miles before I stop and wait for my mom to tell her of my decision to turn around.

The decision was not an easy one to make but on the two miles I did complete I was shaky and kept thinking the wind was going to sweep me and my bike down the plain. The two miles back were just as wobbly. There was about half a mile into the wind which was fine, I don’t mind fighting the wind in my face but having it at my side was a new experience.

We then went to Mitch Park in Edmond where it was much less windy to finish the ride. The ride at Mitch Park was much more hilly and much less windy with all the tree lines.

As Spring and the wind come in Oklahoma I am looking forward to gaining the strength to fight the Oklahoma wind form any direction.

 

Motivation and Mom

Today, I had none. Motivation that is.

Two weeks from yesterday (Sunday) I will be running in my first marathon of 2011. I have set some lofty goals for myself this year, in terms of the number of events I have decided to complete. My goals, which can be read in my last post, were set when my motivation was high.

Today I lagged. Got off work, immediately ate dinner and then sat down on the couch to end my night doing nothing but watching television. Then I thought man I need to go to the gym. I quickly gave the sleeping dog on the couch a pat on the head and decided to follow her lead for the night. Not to long after that, I posted on facebook that I needed the motivation to go to the gym. Quickly responses came. And so did a phone call from my mom. By the end of our conversation I was dressed for the gym and in the car.

My motivation for running usually comes from within. People who study behavior and people call it intrinsic motivation. I more times than not run because I enjoy it. The feeling I get when I slide on my shoes and tie the laces in knots is unexplainable.

Today, my motivation was extrinsic, it was my mom. She is my running buddy and the only person I ever want to beat in a race. And today she was all I needed to get off the couch and to the gym.

If you keep up with my blog you know my mom is one of my best friends and an amazing inspiration. Not only in life but also as an athlete. She is a wonderful person with a huge heart, she’s a great mom, a successful career woman, a great athlete and today the exact motivation I needed.

So here’s to you mom, for getting my lazy butt off the couch. Thank you!

Goals for 2011

This year, 2011, is bring many new athletic challenges my way. I am going to take up cycling with my mom and mark. Mark has already been cycling for about 8 months, so my mom and I have some catching up to do. I am also going to push my running game harder, taking on new racing challenges.

Recently Mark started a blog, www.markwcunningham.wordpress.com, in one of his first posts he talked about his goals for 2011. I thought it was a good idea, and then this morning I got a text message from him, and he asked me to write down some of my goal. So here they are.

I am going to write my goals down for each event that I plan on doing in 2011.

Feb. 6 – Little Rock Marathon – goal: finish in under five hours.

April 9 – Red Bud 50 mile cycle event – goal: finish

April 10 – Red Bud 5k running event – Goal: beat mom, my mom is a better athlete then me in many distances but I usually take the win in a 5k and I don’t want that to change this year

May 1 – Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon – This will be my third running of the OKC Memorial Marathon Goal: set a PR for my marathon time. This will take some doing, but I believe that cycling will help bring down my marathon time and this goal is achievable.

August 27 – Hotter N Hell Hundred, Wichita Falls, Texas – Goal: Finish. Just seven months after taking up cycling I will attempt my first century ride. My step dad did this last year with less time to train so I am hoping that with the right training this is something I can do.

October 22-23 – 24 the hard way, 24-hour run – This event is put on by a friend of my parents, it is an amazing event where participants can choose to run 6, 12 or 24 hours. I am doing the road version but there is also a trail version. There is a lap course and the participant who has completed the most laps, therefore the most miles, wins. Goal: my goal at this event is not to win. My goal is 80 miles. If you break it down it ends up being a little more than three miles an hour for 24 hours. I have never competed continuously for more than six hours at a time so this will be a big event for me physically and emotionally. I am hoping to do 50 miles in the first 12 hours and leave the final 30 for the last 12 hours.

Nov. 5 – GCF Half-Marathon in Washington D.C. This event is happening two weeks after my 24-hour race. Goal: Finish. I am not worried about time at this event. I am doing it to honor my mom who is a cancer survivor. If you followed the link to Mark’s blog you will have seen that he is also planning on doing this race.

I would like to try to pick up another marathon in June or July but I am just not sure how that will fit in with my training for Hotter N Hell so I will just have to wait and see.

Duke City Marathon

For me this was marathon number four. And, it was a big deal in many ways. First off this was the fist marathon that I would be traveling to and competing in alone. Usually, I run marathons with my mom.

But for this one I was at it alone. I left Saturday afternoon and flew into Albuquerque. From there I went to the convention center which was conveniently connected to the hotel I was staying in, the Double Tree. I picked up my packet and grabbed some GU at their small expo and then headed back to my room.

I then put out out my running clothes for Sunday morning and pinned by bib to my shirt. After that I looked around for somewhere to eat and headed over to the Hyatt to have dinner at their restaurant.

At dinner I sat alone but about 30 minutes after I had been sat another man was sat close to me also alone. He struck up a conversation with me about what I was eating and we discussed about how we were both doing the marathon. I eventually joined him at his table. His name was Chris and he had done every Duke City marathon since they started having them, 27 years ago. I got some good tips from him and he really inspired me to want to keep running!

Sunday morning I woke up early, around 4:30 a.m to eat some breakfast bars from a local bakery in Seminole, Piece of Cake. The breakfast bars were good and I washed them down with a bottle of water. Around 6 a.m. I headed downstairs to line up for the race and when I got outside there was hardly anyone there that wasn’t a marathon worker. So I headed back up to my room for a few minutes and tried again at like 6:20 a.m., this time there were more people.

I met a man a the start line that had done the Duke City Marathon before and he said this year there were less than 500 participants in the marathon, up from around 250+ last year. The small race explained why there was not any people out at 6 a.m., there was no need to line up early, because there was not that may people.

At my other marathons you had to line up early and then there was a sort of wave start and after the gun went off it could be 7-15 minutes before I would cross the starting line. At this race it was not even two minutes.

The temperature was great around 50 at the start then it dropped a little as the sun was rising and the day had about 75 as a high. I did not even start to notice the heat until about mile 20 which was about 4 hours into the race for me.

I finished in 5 hours and 17 minutes. Not my best marathon time, but I had fun and enjoyed the experience of being on my own running in a town I had never been to.

Sunday night I ate in my hotel and then on Monday I got up to fly home. The trip home seemed long and my legs were sore but I made it.

I returned to work on Tuesday and am now getting ready to participate in a six-hour race on Saturday. The Oklahoma Utlramarathon Championship hosts a 24-hour, 12-hour and 6-hour race. I am going to do the 6-hour race and my mom is doing the 12-hour. I am excited that I will get to be there for my mom’s last six hours as I run my race.

The website on the race is here: 24thehardway.com. This race is different from you typical race. Here you have a set amount of time to run and the person who runs the farthest wins, instead of at a typical race you have a set distance and the person who runs the fastest wins.

That is all for now, four marathons down. I am thinking I want to complete a marathon in each state. In which case I am three states down now, Oklahoma, Texas and New Mexico. Only 47 to go…

Only in Utah

Only in Utah…well I am sure most of you have heard by now that a Utah inventor has come up with a new time-saving food. It is a sandwich in a can, rightfully named Candwich. Currently there are three flavors available, peanut butter and strawberry jam, peanut butter and grape jam and BBQ Chicken. From the reports I have read they are currently being offered in vending machines in Utah. YUM!

I have found that each Candwich contains 300 calories and has a long long shelf life, great for people who don’t clean out their fridge cabinet often. That brings up something else, they don’t have to be refrigerated, ever! Man this is making me hungry. Hey Sarah, I’ll send you some money for a Candwich, and you send me the goods, I’m craving peanut butter and grape jelly please. I’ve heard the Candwich is being marked to busy people, “soccer moms” and college students. Personally as an adult, who used to be a college student with a healthy appetite if I ate a sandwich that could fit in a can it would prob not fill me up, so to the makers of Candwich I am requesting a king sized version or at least some side items in a can to go along with my Candwich.

Right now my sense of curiosity is wanting to try one just to see…

Any who, google the Candwich and check it out.

And now, for some good things that have come out of Utah…the world’s first department store, the electric traffic light, television, video games and the artificial heart created by Robert K. Jarvis (first transplant done at the University of Utah). And if I’m not mistaken, Jamba Juice and Franklin Covey (the best planner store ever) although those could have both been not been created in Utah, I just don’t know.

Newbie in the Kitchen

So I have been trying to cook at home more and more. Sometimes I fail but this week I set out determined to do well. Last night I went grocery shopping and came home to make Crescent Chicken Squares. I got the recipe from Tasty Kitchen. Here is a link: http://thepioneerwoman.com/tasty-kitchen/recipes/main-courses/crescent-chicken-squares

Let me tell you these were delicious. I followed the recipe almost exactly, I used a half rotisserie chicken instead of cooking my own. Next time I think I will add some vegetables.

I discovered Tasty Kitchen after visiting The Pioneer Woman’s website and Tasty Kitchen has a slew of recipes, usually I find recipes to try by searing the easy/simple tab on the right but they have all sorts of recipes from people all over the country and world. So, this is my shout out to The Pioneer Woman and her spin-off of Tasty Kitchen, I love reading your blog and getting recipes from Tasty Kitchen. And, if you are reading this you should check them both out!

Tonight, I am using the other half of the Chicken to make Chicken Salad. The Chicken Salad recipe is from my mom, she made me some last week and gave me some. This week she is traveling so I am on my own, we shall see. Update to come on Chicken Salad.

Another Note on things to come, while my friend Sarah was visiting Oklahoma last week she let me have free rein on her recipe box. I copied about 30 recipes, updates on those cooking adventures are to come also.

Black Dog Syndrome

It is no secret to most that I am an avid animal lover and dogs top the list, with cats making a close second. In May 2009, I got MY first dog. Her name is Trek and she is a black lab/german shepherd mix. She is all black, her coat shines in the sunlight and she weighs a whopping 90 pounds. She is spoiled beyond measure and I love having her around.

The other night when I was reading about shelter dogs, I came across something called Black Dog Syndrome. There is a whole website devoted to the syndrome. Basically it is the concept that black dogs are less likely to be adopted from shelters and that they are euthanized more often than dogs that are not black.

When I read this I was shocked, I think that Trek is the most beautiful dog. She has hazel eyes that are even more beautiful because of  her all black coat and when she is clean and brushed her coat shines bright and when she is not clean it helps hide the dirt…

The website Blackpearldogs.com states that there are many reasons why black dogs are chosen less than dogs of a different color, here they are:

1) Harmful Superstitions
2) Negative Labels
3) Fear
4) Just too ordinary
5) Over heat quicker in outdoor sport competitions

And the following are the top 10 reason to adopt a big black dog

10) We cannot clash with your furniture or clothing (and some of you actually worry about that).
9) We cannot clash with any collar  you might choose either!  Ditto for the bandannas.
Accessorize us!
8) Ease of vacuuming!  You can quickly spot the areas of most urgent need.
7)We hide the dirt well (doesn’t mean we don’t need that bath after a messy play but your                     guests won’t be able to see it so quickly).
6) We make an excellent “backdrop” for a second lighter colored dog (if you choose to have one).
5) Availability!!!  We are available now at every shelter or rescue you can imagine, in every age                             bracket with no long waiting lists or difficult search.
4) No annoying queries of “exactly what kind of dog is that anyhow?”  People are content with “big black dog” and don’t ask anymore questions.
3) EXCELLENT night walk protection.  The “bad guy” won’t see us till it’s too late!
2) Status symbol potential.  Black pearls are the most costly you know……
1) WE NEED YOU!

So now that you are educated on black dogs. Feel free to adopt one, and take it from me, they are the best.

Three Jewells

Cynthia Jewell, Dempsey Jewell and Auntie Jewell

So one of the biggest honors ever bestowed upon me was something that happened before I can even remember. I was named after my Auntie Jewell.

When I was a child I did not understand what a big deal this was but as I have grown up and got to know my Auntie Jewell I have realised what a big deal it is. My Auntie Jewell is one of the best people I know. Going to her house at the farm is one of the most consistent things in my life. No matter what goes on I can expect at least one summer trip to the farm. And I can rest assured that it will smell, look and feel the same every time I visit. And each time I arrive at the farm I can count on a huge hug from Auntie Jewell.

Auntie Jewell always has a smile on her face and love in her heart for everyone she meets. She is not only Auntie Jewell to my family but she is Auntie Jewell to everyone, her fellow church goers, people in town and even her doctors know her as Auntie Jewell. She is some what of an institution in her small town in Kansas.

Recently,  my cousin Joe and his wife Danica had a daughter, Dempsey Jewell, she was granted the same honor to be named after such a wonderful woman.

Homemade

Last night I had my first attempt at making something that I usually buy boxed. Last night I made mac and cheese from scratch. The final product was not the same as the Velveeta Shells and Cheese I normally buy, I don’t know how to compare it. The final product was creamy but a little bland and the recipe I used made enough to feed four. I stored the leftovers and I am going to see how it reheats. Next time I think I will search for a different recipe, or maybe just tweak this one to my liking.

Homemade Mac and Cheese

The recipe I used was simple, all I needed was butter, flour, salt, milk and shredded cheese. All things which I already had in my cabinet and refrigerator.

All I did was cook the macaroni to the specifications on the box.

For the sauce I melted 1/4 butter in a pan on the stove.

Then I mixed 1/4 cup of flour and 1 teaspoon salt and poured it into the butter and stirred until it was smooth. Then I added 2 cups of milk and let the mixture thicken. After thick I added two cups shredded cheddar and let that melt. Once the cheese melted I poured it over my pasta.

Not the best meal I have ever eaten, and it could be spiced up with some broccoli or vegetables but overall it was as satisfying, if not more, than the stuff in the box.

Where did it come from?

You can ask this question about any product in your life. Your food, transportation, housing, clothing and every gadget we use to get us through the everyday came from somewhere. But, do you know where.

Well, I can tell you, most things I own I honestly have no clue where they came from, I can tell you what store I purchased them from but not where they originated prior to that or in some cases what they are made of. In past summer months I liked going to farmers markets and picking up local produce here and there but I have never tired to eat a majority of local food. With that being said, I am trying to eat local food a majority of the time, and know where my food came from. This will be a hard task, and I will not be successful immediately but I am trying and I’m telling my self, that’s what counts. I recently signed up for the Oklahoma Food Cooperative. I talked about it in my last post.

I figured I would take this opportunity to tell you more about the Oklahoma Co-op. First off their website is www.oklahomafood.coop. The co-op is a place where Oklahoma producers can sell food and non-food products to other consumers. Most co-ops operate with members paying a one time fee and then they pick (each month in this case) what they want from different farms that are members of the co-op.  The Oklahoma Co-op cost $51.75 and that money buys you one “share” in the co-op.

Each month you have from the first day of the month until the second Thursday to place your order. Then producers gather orders and on the third Thursday you pick up your food at your scheduled pick up site. There are tons of pickup site near the city and a good deal in out lying areas. I have a pick up location just right down the street from my house. To get the food to my location the producers fill their orders and drive them to Oklahoma City where they then are sorted and given to the delivery person to deliver. All the sorting is done by volunteers to keep the cost down.  My delivery person is a co-op producer also.

I read in this article http://www.triplepundit.com/2010/05/can-small-local-businesses-compete-in-a-globalized-market-balle/ that the co-op has lowered the cost of distribution to 18 cents on the dollars which is well below the national average of 73 cents. The article was published on Monday, May 24, 2010.

The Oklahoma co-op web site states that they have over 2600+ products available each month. I will admit that since I am trying to order my food just once a month from the co-op that I am running out of freezer space fast and I am considering getting a deep freeze. As I stated previously this will be a tough adjustment for me but I am trying.

Last night I had my first meal cooked with Co-op food, I mean I have had their food before but this entire meal, minus the potatoes was prepared with all food that I had ordered from the Co-op. I had a NY Strip from G-J All Natural Beef, with asparagus and a salad from Country to Town Market with a tomato that I picked up from the farmer’s market. It was delicious.