Check. Check. Check!

101 UPDATE

1)This month's new recipe:

Garlic-Roasted Chicken Breasts

Yield: 4 servings

Active Time: 15 min.

Total Time: 40 min.

Ingredients:

• 
  
  3 large garlic cloves
• 
  
  1 tsp dried oregano
• 
  
  Scant 1/2 tsp dried hot red-pepper flakes
• 
  
  2 tbs extra-virgin olive oil
• 
  
  4 chicken breast halves (with skin & bone - optional, as noted by myself)

Preparation:

Preheat oven to 500 degrees. Mince and mash garlic to a paste with 1/2 tsp salt, then transfer to bowl. Stir in oregano, red-pepper flakes, oil, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp pepper. Cut a 2-inch-long pocket (about 1 1/2 inches deep) horizontally in side of each breast half and spread 1/2 tsp garlic mixture into each pocket. Coat chicken with remaining mixture. Roast chicken 20-25 minutes until just cooked through.

Here is a picture of my preparation of this dish, pre-roasting. I improvised to some degree. :) I used boneless-skinless chicken breasts (which made cutting the breast more difficult). I also don't own a garlic press, so I just had to chop. Despite these changes, this was an excellent dish, full of flavor. The garlic and red-pepper flakes left my lips tingling, and it was fabulous. It has officially been added to my favorites.

I also tried the following new recipes this month (without pictures, sadly): Quinoa with Black Beans and Cilantro, Caramelized Corn with Onions and Red Bell Peppers, and a Garlic-Lime-Beer marinade for pork loin. All of these recipes have been brought to you by one of the best iPhone Apps ever: Epicurious! It is free, and has thousands of search-able recipes (including a whole category of Gluten Free!). It has been a great addition, helping me have easy recipes on hand.

2) Weekly 101's have been going great. Below, I am dressed for our 4th wedding of the summer. I am loving my hair that evening! It could not have turned out better!

The running has been going well, although it continues to be exceptionally hot here. I am keeping up the 5:30AM runs, which makes me very tired. Luckily, I have afternoons off to nap if needed. :)

3) We went to a Royals game last Tuesday. It was a fabulous evening for a game, and we got to sit in the shade, which made it even more perfect. I had a great time with my friend Mary (back in town from being in Texas for months). The night included: excessive amounts of chicken fingers and fries, lots of doing the wave (and researching the wave: did you know the average audience wave moves at a rate of 22 ft/second and is approximately 15 seats wide at any given time?), catching free hot dogs, and almost winning an Evo (not really, but I like to think so).

4) I finished reading What I Talk About When I Talk About Running, by Haruki Murakami (a birthday gift from Gina). It was really good. It was so incredibly accurate to what runners actually think about, do, and work for. I highly suggest this book to any distance runner. It was inspiring, made me laugh, smile, and was entirely relate-able.

Here are some highlights that illustrate many of the same feelings I have had:

Around mile 23 of a marathon, he states, "I need a drink, but if I stopped here to drink some water I don't think I could get running again. I'm dying of thirst but lack the strength to even drink water anymore."

While running his first marathon, the author was thinking about how great a beer would be. Afterward, he did get that beer and summed it up this way, "It tastes fantastic, but not nearly as great a the beer I'd been imagining as I ran. Nothing in the real world is as beautiful as the illusions of a person about to lose consciousness." Haha!

This line sums up my feelings for running (granted, I am much younger than the author, although I like to think I'll still feel this way in 20 years): "Long-distance running (more or less, for better or worse) has molded me into the person I am today, and I'm hoping it will remain a part of my life for as long as possible. I'll be happy if running and I can grow old together."

5) I am thankful for summers off! Even though I am currently working summer school, I am aware of how lucky I am to have time off (and still get paid). It is great to have relaxing time, travel time, and not have to worry about vacation days during the summer. I am lucky to have a job that allows me all of these great opportunities! I will be rejoicing throughout the summer!

In non-101 related to news: this weekend we enjoyed two motorcycle rides (one in which we got caught in the rain/thunderstorm) totaling well over 100 miles, we now have functioning carports to park in, and we have a new track light in the kitchen. I suppose it's been a rather productive month!

The season of weddings and sweat.

Progress on 101 in 1001: (Note: due to some demanding readers and technical problems, I do not have as many photos as originally planned.)

1) I beat Gina in Words with Friends

2) Had a girl's night for Judith's bachelorette party. It was a great night that consisted of dinner at a seafood restaurant (which involved chicken for me :)), drinks at one of our favorite destinations, and topped off with some good dancing time! Judith enjoyed a surprise visit from her mom, and I met her niece Lillie for the first time (who is adorable). It was a great time all around!

3) Up to this point in the summer, we have attended three weddings, making it easy to stick to the dress/week item. We have three weddings remaining this summer, June, July and September.

Other updates:

Looking at the calendar, we have only 3 weekends in Kansas City the rest of the summer (by summer I mean until I start work again, August 2nd). That is crazy, we have a busy summer, but with lots of exciting events planned.

I recently booked our Bed & Breakfast in Key West for the end of July. This trip will cross many items off my list! :) I am looking forward to something so exciting.

Not much news in the running world. I'm still doing it, but feel like I have lost a lot of ground. As of now, I'm just trying to maintain, which is difficult due to the fact that the 90 degree days make me run at 5:30 AM, or not at all. :( For now, I'm sticking with 5:30AM.

Half Marathon PR

This weekend I ran the Runnning with the Cows Half Marathon in rural Bucyrus, KS. Lauren ran with me. Naturally, it was cold-ish and rainy the morning of. We had plans to leave around 6:15 AM. I awoke in a panic at 6:26 and immediately called Lauren. I got ready very quickly, but did not have time for a sufficient oatmeal breakfast as planned. Our official race taxi driver and supporter, Travis, drove us rapidly all the way out to 223rd street. (Props to Travis for coming out to support after a bachelor party, and only 4 hours of sleep.) Our arrival time was actually just perfect. We had time for a quick trip to the restroom, and not too much time to stand in the rain before the start.

It rained. And we ran, and ran. We saw running cows, cheering high schoolers, heard cow bells, had really annoying people running near us (whom we later passed in amazing victor), and saw people going to the bathroom in the wide open. Lauren and I split at about mile 8 and I kept her in my very close sights the rest of the way. The second half we really kicked it on and were passing people the whole way (which felt really amazing!). In the last 1.5 miles, Lauren passed our nemesis "man lady," and I rejoiced for her! About a half mile later, I passed man lady! We both beat man lady! And, I ran a personal record by almost 5 minutes. 5 minutes! Not only that, but Lauren and I both placed first in our age group! First! Overall, it was a huge celebration, here are the results. We celebrated our victory over man lady with a trip to the only Dunkin' Donuts within at least 100 miles, where we order 25 little munchkins and devoured them.

Oh, did I mention the finishers medal is a cow bell! Here we are post race, in the rain.

From here I proceeded to shower and re-warm myself, eat, and nap. Later in the day Judith and I went for a shopping spree (which was really that, a spree of about 6 hours of shopping). It was really great to have some girl time and buy some well fitting clothes. And we topped it off with a fabulous girl's night out, full of dancing and fun until the wee hours of the morning. It was a true slumber party weekend since Judith was staying at our place.

Lauren wants me to run another half with her in June, and I am considering. I'll keep you updated. This weekend we are off to MI yet again, for a family wedding this time. I am really looking forward to seeing so many fun people!

101 in 1001

So my great friend Gina made this list of 101 things she would like to accomplish in the next 1001 days. At first I thought it was another one of those silly "I'm bored, let me make a list" things that sometimes occur. But as she has been blogging monthly and crossing items off her list, it has started me thinking. What better way to actually accomplish those things you've been putting off or are too busy to do, than to make yourself accountable? So that is just what I'm going to do. I'm going to take my life in my own hands, and make my 101 in 1001 list. I will update on the list monthly. Here it goes....

Dates: May 18, 2010 through February 12, 2013

BODY
1. Run at least two marathons (completed 3/17/13)
2. Run at least four half marathons
3. Begin consistently using 12 pound weights at the gym
4. Drop a dress size
5. Stop eating food in the teacher's lounge
6. Buy gluten free flour and use it
7. Learn to like salads
8. Be better about actually eating Gluten Free
9. Split meals (or bring half home) when eating out
10. Wear sunscreen
11. Find a reliable healthy breakfast option
12. No soda for at least one month
13. Place in another half marathon
14. Get shorts for spinning (not spinning anymore)
15. Buy new running shoes every 300-500 miles

MIND
16. Have further insight into my future career path (PhD?)
17. Stay involved in church opportunities
18. Work only two jobs for at least six months (August 2010-present)
19. Run at least once a week
20. Read a book every quarter (10/12)
21. Beat Gina in Words With Friends
22. Have a girls day/night at least once/quarter (5/12)
23. Camp in at least one more National Park
24. Have at least one counseling group each school year
25. Have a picnic
26. Read at least one news article/day (not going well, changing to one/week)
27. Start running with Travis
28. Give up facebook for a month

ADVENTURE
29. Know where we want to live next and/or be living there
30. Travel overseas
31. Go para sailing
32. Go snorkeling
33. Continue applying annually for The Amazing Race
34. Go to a MLB game each summer
35. Go to a Wizards/KC Sporting game
36. Travel to Chicago
37. Travel to Minneapolis
38. Visit Jamin in Madison
39. Travel to Austin
40. Go skiing in Colorado
41. Visit Dave & Julie in Normal
42. Visit Dave & Gina's new house in Sarasota
43. Travel to California (Completed 3/16/13)
44. Go to the Shatto Farm
45. Milk a cow
46. Visit the wineries in Weston (visited wineries in Hermann, calling complete)
47. NP once/month (34/34)
48. Travel to Key West
49. See at least one musical/year (3/4) - by 4/2013
50. Travel by train
51. Stay at a bed & breakfast
52. Night swimming
53. Swim in Lake Michigan
54. Watch a sunset on Lake Michigan
55. Go to a drive-in theater
56. SC
57. Go to a corn maze (haunted or otherwise)
58. Go to the ballet
59. Go to a high school football game
60. Go to an NCAA basketball game
61. SH once/month (34/34)
62. Try at least new recipe each month (34/34)
63. Attend a Parade of Homes or Urban Living Tour
64. Take more pictures (thank you instagram!)

PERSONAL
65. Take an anniversary trip every year (3/3)
66. Get a full body massage
67. Find a way to live closer to family (Phillip lives here now, so I'm calling that done!)
68. Wear a skirt or dress at least once/week
69. File all the papers in the guest room
70. Clean out the filing cabinet
71. Get rid of the desk in the guest room
72. Get a tattoo
73. Get my haircut every 4 months (12/12)
74. Get to MS+60 on the pay scale
75. Have at least one planned meal per week
76. Give blood (success, nearly passed out twice)
77. Get wedding dress cleaned (possibly preserved)
78. Return books to the library on time
79. Learn how to pick out a ripe pineapple
80. Host an annual party at our house (Earth Day)
81. Blog about each item I complete
82. Buy closet organizers
83. Clean all the baseboards
84. Get rid of clothes/shoes that a) I don't wear, b) don't fit, or c) are falling apart
85. Start changing my home style to eclectic (a la Anthropologie - only hopefully less expensive)
86. Send a secret to PostSecret
87. Don't complain about anything for a week
88. Call people by their name whenever possible
89. Send holiday cards each year (2/3) - fail Christmas 2011
90. Write my time on all of my running medals
91. Go a month with no unnecessary purchases (no eating out, no clothes, etc.)
92. Make an effort to send cards and gifts before birthdays
93. Have Avery able to stay out in the house any time we leave
94. Become an auntie
95. Keep a journal for one month
96. Send a “just because” gift
97. BW
98. Call people back within one day
99. Get my clothes that don't fit altered
100. Stay in touch with friends that move
101. Find something to be thankful for each day, and rejoice!

We did it!

This last week has been an amazing, overwhelming, whirlwind experience. I think this post needs chapters, a la Jess.

I. DEPARTURE & PRE-MARATHON
Friday was a crazy day in which we both worked until almost 5, took Avery away to her play place resort, and were on the road to the airport by 5:30. We had a direct flight to Boston (which was the best idea ever), in which things went exactly as planned, even arriving a little early.

Friday night we stayed with Matt & Jess and slept on an air mattress (blah). I woke up with a slightly sore neck. Saturday consisted of our last pre-marathon run - in the rain of course!

Then we trekked down to Hynes Convention Center with many others of the BPE team, to pick up our bib numbers and check out the finish line (that we would be crossing in just over 48 hours!).

Picking up #23011

Laurelin 23011, Jess 23018

Finish line pre-marathon craziness

Sunday consisted of getting our nails done (to match the crazy colors of our marathon jackets we would be wearing Monday night), and an early dinner of pre-marathon carbo loading.

Meanwhile, our amazing fans were hard at work poster-making. :)

II. MARATHON DAY

I woke up at 5:30 AM. Had some oatmeal, and Travis drove me to the commons for the buses to Hopkinton. Of course the drive to the commons was not without drama. Travis almost got a $150 ticket for stopping to let me out, but alas, we made it, ticket free. We then proceeded to walk about .75 miles in a huge circle to find a line to get on the bus. A nice lady pointed us to the fountain, where there were six lines, all of which were about 100 yards from where we began out little jaunt. Once in the correct line it was only a matter of minutes before we boarded the bus to Hopkinton.

The bus ride seemed ridiculously long, and was less than pleasant for someone who tends toward car sickness (myself). But when we got out, we were greeted by great lengthy lines for the porta-potties.

From there we made our way into Athlete's Village which was full of more porta-potties and lots, and lots of people. We found our way to the Boston Partners banner and made our way to a near-by porta-potty line. :)

Photo courtesy of Meghan Malloy.

Photo courtesy of Meghan Malloy.

Information from Coach Rick indicated we bring comfortable things to sit on, music to listen to, etc., for while we wait to begin the race. As it turned out we had minimal time in Athlete's Village, and most of the time consisted of waiting for a bathroom. Here is one group photo, snapped before walking the .7 miles to the start line.

From here we walked our way to the start and made it into the 23000 bib corral. If this gives you any indication of the number of runners, it took us 13 minutes to cross the start from there, and this was the second of two start waves.

Photo courtesy of Meghan Malloy.

Just before the start line, Jess and I hugged, and the first tears of the day were shed (happy tears!). And we started out on the best trek of my life. It was amazing. Jess made the decision to run with me that morning, and having a companion could not have been better. The miles just seemed to melt away and before we knew it was time for gel number one, then we made a quick stop at a porta-potty (with no lines!) around mile 10. My friend, fellow Boston Marathoner (two times), and former BPE co-worker, Meghan described the towns run through best:

Thank you Hopkinton for your hospitality, Ashland for the multiple people blasting Sweet Caroline, Framingham for being ugly and making me run faster, Natick for your ice pops, Wellesley for your screams, Newton for your kick ass hills, Brookline for your BC Superfans and Boston for being maybe not the biggest but certainly the best.

While I did not partake in ice pops or hear all the Sweet Caroline blasting, I thought this was a very fitting description. Jess and I split right after our first very own superfans around mile 17. From there we encountered those very same superfans at mile 21, and even more at mile 23. I cannot describe how amazing it is to see people you know cheering for you on the course. Just the pick up needed, especially at mile 23. Throughout the course, there were people cheering everywhere. People had set up their own water stations, were handing out orange slices, tissues, jelly beans, allowing people into their home to use the bathroom! The generosity and encouragement of the spectators was amazing. Between miles 22-23 I began really feeling the run. I had conquered Heartbreak Hill, and had the mindset I was almost there. That was the longest, hardest three miles of my entire life. In fact, running those three miles is the hardest thing I have done my entire life. This picture was probably taken about then.

But as I made a "right on Hereford, left on Boylston" I had a the first glimpse of the finish line! And a slight burst of energy. I made my way down the stretch and across the finish line, with a time of 4:25:23!

I ran the Boston Marathon! The following steps were barely existent, and the wheelchairs across the finish looked oh so tempting. But I kept walking, received some water, my Mylar blanket, and my medal!

I had run the Boston Marathon! My emotions were overwhelming: pain, excitement, celebration, exhaustion, hunger, pain, thanks, etc. I made my way to the Westin, in what seemed like the longest walk ever. There I met some of my very own superfans and celebrated my finish. Jess came in about 23 minutes behind me, with a time of 4:48:27.

Celebratory dinner

For your viewing pleasure, you can see my official time and splits, or the professional photos. This was one of my best days ever.

III. THANK YOUS

I have some final individual thank yous to:

Aunt Shelley

Carrie Brueck

Abby Gaghen

Melissa St. Clair

Rob & Judith (again!)

Laura Lintz

David & Gina (again!)

Thank you to everyone for your support over the past 6 months. This has been one big journey. Not only did I complete the marathon, but we also raised $4,000 to benefit students through Boston Partners in Education. The entire BPE marathon team has raised over $73,000 in support of the organization. I could not have done the fundraising or the running without your support. Whether you have asked about my runs, run with me, sent me emails, posted on my facebook, "liked" my status or link, donated, listened to me talk about running, read this blog, commented on this blog, or tracked me on race day, I have appreciated it all. Thank you for being the best support group ever. Sincerely, thank you!

Special thank yous to my superfans who traveled hundreds of miles to support me: Travis, Mom & Dad Barkel, Mom, Dad & Barb. Thanks to my Boston-based superfans who came out to support me: Matt, Nikki, & Rachel. Special thanks to Jess for doing this all with me, and listening to my non-stop running banter, worries, accomplishments, and fears. Thanks for being the most amazing person ever. And great thanks to Lauren for being my KC running partner. I really could not have done all of this running without you! Thank you for agreeing to run with me, and thanks to your parents for their running advice through you. Training with someone who has marathon experience has been extremely helpful. Thank you to everyone! Your support and generosity has been overwhelming. Thank you!

IV. POST MARATHON

I will likely continue blogging, although probably not as frequently. I will definitely continue running. I have a half marathon on May 15, and Jess and I have already discussed some possible marathon plans for next year (it's an addiction!). This whole experience has inspired me to do more, be more, help more, and do my part to inspire others. We are all capable of so much more than we believe. You never know what might happen from here! If you are inspired to help Boston Partners, you can check out their website or sign up to volunteer. Thank you for being a faithful reader.

I am a runner. I'm a runner.

WARNING: This is a very emotionally charged post for me. Read with caution.

As I am nearing Marathon Monday, I am becoming emotional, feeling several feelings. Some being excitement, some anxiousness, some amazement, and some just overwhelming. I am hoping that blogging will bring me some peace....

Leading up to this marathon, I have never considered myself "a runner." I have felt as though that was a title reserved for only the most committed athletes, who truly run for the joy. About two weeks ago, as I was running with a parent during the Tomahawk Trailblazin' Runners club, she asked me the question which I have answered many times before, "Are you a runner?" Now usually I answer this question with something along the lines of, "Oh, not really but I try." Well, this time, something struck a cord, as I answered, "Yes, I am training for my first marathon." I think I have officially become "a runner." I suppose that running a marathon might qualify you as such.

Whoa! When did this happen? Was it the day I decided to run a half marathon (after never running more than 3 consecutive miles in my life)? Was it the day I completed my first half marathon in 50 degree rain (running weather that I now enjoy)? Was it in October when I ran my best half marathon to date? Was it when I decided to train for a marathon? Was it one of the many mornings when I awoke during training, and proceeded to push myself to run double digit mileage in either 4 degree weather, 6 inches of snow, or after having worked 6 days in a row? I don't really know when this happened, all I know is, I am a runner. I'm a runner.

There was another word in that response that struck me, "first." As of Monday, I am not only a runner, but a marathon runner. A marathon runner. This whole thing is surreal, I never thought I could be this, I never thought I could do this much. My teammate and former co-worker Laura Lintz, has this great blogpost this week about being your "best self." And I really believe this is a "best self" moment for me. And it brings me to tears. I am so amazed at what I can (and will) accomplish with help of so many supporters. And yes, as that response mentions, I plan to do this again.

VIEW THE MARATHON COURSE
For those not familiar with Boston or the marathon course; please take a look at this video.


It is a 4:30 minute fast-forward ride down the marathon course, set to, aptly chosen, "Born to Run." This is what I will be running in 6 days.

TRACK ME ON RACE DAY
One more reminder, if you will not be around on Marathon Monday, and would like to follow my progress you may do so here, with text or email updates. Simply input my bib number (23011) or search for me by last name to sign up.

THANK YOUS
Thank you so much for all the support from so many of you. I am $138.90 from my goal of $4,000 for Boston Partners in Education. If you haven't had a chance to donate yet, now is the time! And I would be so appreciative!

Let's close out with another round of thank yous:
Melissa St. Clair
Katie Wieringa
Steve & Kelli Salisbury
Brian & Evelyn Sommariva
Diana Petruzzi
Abby Gaghen
Kelly Strauch - fellow BPE marathoner
Lora McDonald
Karen Tefft

Ten!

Ten days to go!

I am in taper, which has meant significantly less miles. Apparently a common occurence during taper is odd pains and strange dreams. I have already experienced the latter. A week ago I had this dream:
I was running the marathon, which apparently became a multi-day event which included sleeping in an inner-tube in the ocean. And someone was teaching me how to feed the sharks, which surrounded me, without dying. Needless to say, it was a traumatic marathon dream. However, I am quite confident that Marathon Monday cannot get worse than that!

I am starting to excited/anxious for marathon day, but need to keep my emotions in check. I am starting the countdown. I have already stopped drinking soda until after the marathon. I am also trying to be very concious of being gluten free. We have post-marathon dinner reservations made, and we are conference calling Matt & Jess this week to talk final details regarding clothes, times, etc. for the day of the race. The 10 day forecast for race day comes out tomorrow, and my two biggest hopes are for no heat and no wind from the East! We leave on Friday!

In other news, our spring Trailblazin' Runners running club has started at Tomahawk! The students ran one mile yesterday, and are working their way up to our culminating 5K! I love seeing children excited about being active and running. It's so great!
So many thanks to go out this week! Thank you to:
The Henson Family - Lauren Henson - world's best training partner, we've decided we need to train again, and actually do the marathon together next time :) and Mr. & Mrs. Henson - they donated after having met me only once!
Anonymous - your ambiguity is intriguing :)
Tomahawk people - Lindsay Blanchard, Teresa Aley, and Staci Miller
Terry Metzger - Big Cheese Reader extraordinaire
Zeeland people - Gary Feenstra, Todd & Nancy Kamstra, and Garry & Beth Nykamp
School psychology people - Bruce Milford, Peggy Hess, and Carissa Ekholm
Lauren King - neighborly support
Meghan Malloy - fellow Boston Marathoner, running for Team Ally charity
Sharon Warner - encouraging words and donations!
My mama - for giving me life, and so much more!

I am now $430 from my fundraising target! I would be thrilled to reach that within the next 10 days! Help out here!

I plan to update the blog one last time before the race, so be sure to check back in for final thoughts! I would appreciate prayers and thoughts in the coming weeks for: safe travels, comfortable running weather, endurance, and the ability to manage my emotions! Thank you!