Category Archives: Life

Recap of the PHX10K and Half Marathon Event

The Phoenix 10K and Half Marathon took place on Sunday November 4, 2012 in downtown Phoenix. I was drawn to this event because of the Cause. Funds raised go to the Mollen Foundation, a non-profit who works to empower, encourage and motivate children to live active and healthier lifestyles. Great cause that I highly support.   The event was awesome. My favorite thus far.

The Phoenix 10K was consisted of several activities; 10K Run, 5K Run/Walk, Half Marathon, 5K Team Challenge, Wheelchair 10K, Kids 50 Yard Dash, 1 Mile Run for Kids and much more.

So…. at the last minute I changed my mind and rather than doing the 10K as planned, I did the 5K.  This has taught me a few things and actually extends further into my life and outside of running. I need to challenge myself more. I end up taking familiar routes out of fear of not excelling. That’s a separate topic,  BUT I’ve recognized this and I’m working towards breaking down this barrier.

My dad, his wife Rosa and my niece Cianna were coming along. My dad and Cianna were thinking about doing the walk, and Rosa was doing the 5K with me.  I so loved the fact they were coming, and that my niece was attending her first race event.

The morning of the race, I had pumpkin steel cut oats for breakfast and some coffee (along with water). I felt satisfied but not full.

In addition to being Cianna and my Dads’ first race, it was also their first Light Rail experience.   I told them we had to take a shoe shot. lol. Check out my dad’s  suede Hush Puppies.

The event wasn’t too packed. There were tons of people, but everything was pretty spread out. My niece got her face painted, then she and my dad went straight to the pizza vendor while Rosa and I got warmed up.  

I was hoping my niece would want to do the the kids’ race, but I think she was being shy. She said she’d come next year and try it out.

As we wait at the Starting Line, listening to speakers and doing warm-ups, I notice someone get right in front and me and say, “Michelle ?”. It took me about 10 seconds to realize it was an old friend that I hadn’t seen in 14 years! Wow. We hugged, exchanged phone numbers, wished each other luck. Then the race started.


I started at a pretty moderate pace. It was still nice and crisp outside and the sun was warm but refreshing. A perfect late 60′s temperature. Right away, Rosa and I lose each other. It was each woman for her own. :)  This pic is northbound on Central Ave just as we go over the bridge.


As I hit the half way mark my right shoe unties. Darnit! I stopped to tie the lace and was speed walking for about 30 seconds. After that I kept a steady pace, but knew I could kick it up a notch so I did, trying to catch up to the all the people who passed me while I was tying my shoe. When I turned the last corner and was about a quarter mile from the Finish Line is when I really picked up the speed.  That last quarter mile tends to be pretty magical. You see  & hear the crowds, the music, photographers snapping pics and your hoping your family is there see you cross that line. Is it just me?

Here’s my finish line pic as captured by the event photographers.
I was scoping the crowds looking for my dad.

I finished the race at 26:26. Heck Yes! My best race time yet.    
I caught up with my Dad and he was there to see me cross the finish line. Cianna gave me a high-five we watched for Rosa to cross.   She came in just over 32 minutes, her best race time as well.

After our Gatorade fix, we enjoyed the entertainment, freebies and photo booths. Radio Disney was there airing and playing games with the kids. They got Cianna’s attention, and she jumped right in to play and WON the Musical Squares dance game.  It was cool to watch her interact and get involved.

Here she goes playing the Musical Squares game, then a group pic of all the kids who played. So funny, that she was the one kid not registered for either kids’ race, but she got the lime light. haha.

Check her out (blue shirt), all Happy-Go-Lucky, just about to win the Musical Squares games


The Grim Nancies were rocking the stage with cover songs, old and new. They were good! Check’m out.  I liked many things about this event/race.  First and foremost, the fact that I was there with my family was very cool. Everyone enjoyed themselves is making plans to do the race next year.

My favorite race day freebie was…..the photo booths!

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Back to Business

Wow, a one week break from working out went to a whole month off from the blog! No bueno. Well I took the time off, and my knee did heal, thank goodness.I tried a rumble roller which hurts like hell and caused major bruising but I definitely felt the benefits.  Check out the pic.

The rumble roller and the foam roller gives you that feel-good hurt. From what I’ve read online, the rolling technique is helpful to people (especially runners) who have tight, fatigued muscles. By  rolling your legs it massages out the tightness by breaking down the “knots” and increases the flexibility. I only got bruising this bad the first time I used it.

In addition, I’ve  been trying some new dishes and recipes that I can’t wait to share with you.   Recipes and workouts coming soon.  Running a 5K this weekend too!

Scrambled Eggs with Kale

Simple Scrambled Eggs with Kale and Blue Cheese

Scrambled eggs and kale with blue cheese, onion and garlic

Ingredients
1/2 cup of chopped kale
2 eggs, scrambled
1 small garlic clove, diced
1/2 TBS of extra virgin olive oil
1 TBS of chopped onion
1 TBS of crumbled Blue cheese
If you don’t have blue cheese, try a different cheese or skip it all together. Your breakfast, your choice. :)  

This recipe serves 1 person. Multiply the recipe per how many people you are serving.

1. Heat the olive oil in a skillet.  Add the diced garlic and chopped onion. Stir and let cook for about 30 seconds, then add the kale. Stirring and allowing to cooking for another 30 seconds to a minute.

Be sure to not over-cook the kale.

Add your eggs and cook to your liking. Just before they are done, sprinkle the blue cheese and stir.

Breakfast is ready dah’lin!

Scrambled eggs and kale with blue cheese, onion and garlic

Eat with a slice of whole-grain toast and some fruit.

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Create a Vision Board

A Vision Board is a collage of images, words and ideas that represent what we want. It’s been said that when we visualize what we want it gets the process going to actualizing those thoughts/ideas/goals.

I’ve been wanting to make a Vision Board for quite some time but never got around to it. Finally I sent an email over to a few friends and invited them over for a Vision Boarding party.  The gathering was  a success. It’s always fun to be around friends, but to do something together that involves goal-setting creates a different dynamic and it was awesome!

Have a Vision Board party of your own. Decide on a date and about 7-10 days out, send a short invite to a few friends. Ask them each to bring a stack of old magazines, a pair of scissors and drink/snack to share.

I provided poster boards and glue sticks. ($6 total)  Food and drink is always good, so I asked everyone to bring a snack or drink to share. I prepared a fun salad bar with various toppings and dressing.   Fun was had by all!

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Do Two More

Two more minutes reading, two more sheets to fold, two more reps at the gym, two more minutes on the phone with an old  friend, two more minutes on yourself.

Apply this wherever you see fit. I started at the gym.  Just two more squats, two more minutes running, two more push-ups. It kind of revs you up a bit, because you really want to finish strong and make it worth it. You eventually see and feel results; physically and mentally. Where do you think can you apply Two More?

 

Top 10 Christmas Songs

I love Christmas time.
Here are my Top 10 Christmas Songs
1. Please Come Home For Christmas - The Eagles
2. Santa Claus is Coming to Town – Bruce Springsteen
2.Happy Christmas – John Lennon & Yoko Ono
3. Feliz Navidad – Jose Feliciano
5. I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus – The Jackson 5
6. Jingle Bell Rock – Bobby Helms
7. Rockin Around the Christmas Tree – Brenda Lee
8. Rudolf the Red-nosed Reindeer – Gene Autry
9. Hoola Hoop – Alvin & The Chipmunks
10. Merry Christmas Baby – Otis Redding

There are so many other Christmas songs I like but these are just the ones that really stick out and give me that feel-good holiday spirit.

Clear it Out

Last week I began clearing out my spare bedroom, which has pretty much become a storage room for anything and everything. It’s the holding cell for all the items I need to put up or away, unfinished projects, house stuff, family pics, old paperwork (with varying degrees of importance). etc. For instance, when I’m cleaning up any other room in the house I put everything in the spare room. It’s quick and easy, and I can always shut the door. Out of sight out of mind.  Maybe.

So the clearing out of the room has lead to an overhaul of my whole house, which means I even organized my pantry.  No lie. I’d post a pic, but I don’t want you to think I’m crazy.  The room still isn’t done done, but I have made headway.  I hung up some paintings that were just lying around, bought a mirror and a lamp and just did a little bit of this and a little bit of that. I have my Goodwill pile,  and the recycle and trash items are already in their proper bins. I feel absolutely great.

Clearing out that room did so much for me.  It’s been on on my to-do for quite some time so I really feel like “did” something. In addition to that I feel lighter – body and mind. I  unknowingly was feeling all cluttered in my body and in my mind. Sounds funny, but I realized it after the fact. I had photos of family and friends, vacation pics, old magazine subscriptions …just a bunch of stuff.  Seeing all the items and having to decide what to do with it allowed me to process my thoughts or feelings on the thing, idea or person.  Ninety-nine point nine percent of the time those thoughts were positive – it gave me new ideas, encouraged me to pursue interests, confirmed what I was no longer interested in,  reminded me of things I loved. It was pretty darn cool.

I hope this post encourages you to find your plastic bins of things or finally move stuff out of your garage or extra bedroom.  It did a lot for me, maybe it’ll work for you.

Stress Free Weekends

On the weekends I do my best to relax, enjoy leisure activities, hang with family & friends and cook.   Monday comes around and I begin creating my To-Do list for things around the house.

I don’t necessarily think that is a bad thing though. I’d much rather spend my weekend doing things that make me happy, than spending a whole day just doing house chores.   I found that I am able to do my house chores (cleaning, laundry, organizing, etc) more effectively on weekdays. Not sure if it’s because it a business day and I’m in work mode, or if its because I’m pressed for time.  Either way the work gets done, and quicker. It’s so easy to let your To-Do List linger and drag on over the weekend.

Here’s what I do so that I can enjoy my weekends without the stress of my To-Do list.

  • Clean the house really good on Thursdays, so Friday -Sunday I can just enjoy being in my home, as well as enjoy being away from my home knowing it’s already clean.
  • Laundry on Sunday evening as I’m winding down.   Also pick-up the bedroom and bathroom on Sundays too.
  • Touch-ups on Monday night. Cleaning my weekend mess or finishing any house stuff I didn’t get to.
  • Don’t make such a big deal about that stuff. It’s there and has to get done. Cleaning the tub, or wiping down the mirrors are kind of a pain in the ass, but whatever.
These are the changes I’ve implemented a few months ago. So far, so good. I’m a lot happier knowing I’m taking my weekend and enjoying it.  The enjoyment comes in many forms. Sometimes it’s lounging in front of the TV watching reruns. Other times it’s experimenting in the kitchen or having family over. 

It’s your weekend.  Do things that make you happy and you’ll be happier.  Make slight changes to do the busy work during the week when your mind is already in that mode.