Monument 10k - Welcome to Richmond!

Yesterday was the 13th Annual Monument 10k here in Richmond. I have wanted to do this race for years but it never worked out timing-wise. Since we lived in NC and usually visited Richmond for Easter, it never made sense to come up twice at the same time of year. So, this is our "Welcome to Richmond" 10k! It's an out and back down Monument Avenue which is one of the biggest streets in Richmond. It's such a beautiful street lined with Monuments (duh) and beautiful homes. It was a rainy day and I was running so I didn't get too many shots. However, this race is on the "Must Do" list for all things Richmond.

Here's how it got started:

Night before carb load with spaghetti (been eating this same meal almost every Friday for years ...)

Pre race photo in the Park

Hard to get a serious picture with these two :)

That's better ...

This race was rather large and started in waves. Josh was the first in our group to go so we made him stand with the volunteer of his corral. That's what happens when you go first!

It started raining on us. Good thing I came prepared with my rubber ducky socks.

That's my number. I really like the running belt Josh got me for Christmas. It easily attaches your race bib and has a small pocket for you to hold stuff. My Blackberry fit in the pocket so I could take these great pictures on the run :)

Finally made it to the starting line. The race started at 8:30am but my wave didn't start until 9:21am.

Spiderman ran with us today.

That's a bunch of people running!

Superman is faster than a speeding bullet, right? And I'm right there behind him!

I actually passed a roller coaster. Very cute idea for a group that wants to run together.

That's Sam right there in the blue shirt with gray shorts and no head. I pulled over to take this picture and thought I had it perfect ... but I missed his head .... ugh that makes me mad! However, glad I got a glimpse of him in action!

With all the costumes and people today, this was the WORST thing I saw. This was not part of a costume. She paid a lot of money for the tights ...

Post race picture. So glad to be sitting and on our way to pizza!

Overall, the day was a huge success. Josh, Sam, and I all completed the race injury free. What more can you ask for?

Currently, I am running to store up a bank of calories! We will be celebrating a special little boy's 6th birthday next weekend as Ingrid and Samson visit from Maine. We usually go to all their favorite places to eat since they don't get to do that much in Maine. Next week's food blog will probably be blown out of the water ... but it isn't not every week they come to visit! They are worth every calorie too. 

Samson lost his front two teeth. Ingrid sent us a picture but I can't wait to see the little cutie in person!

Now off to Mom's for Sunday dinner after watching Rhinestone. I love living so close to my family!

Maybe mom jeans aren't so bad?

I have never really liked elastic waisted pants before. NEVER. Even when stirrup pants were "cool" (or as cool as they could be) in the 80s/early 90s, I despised them. I have always been a blue jeans kind of girl. I even remember trying to force my cousin into a pair of my sister's jeans one time cause she was wearing elastic waisted pants and we were going roller skating. Terrible, I know. Just cause I felt that way, why should it mess with her wardrobe? Plus, the skating rink? Like you really need to dress up for that! I see that now, not so much when I'm like 12!

Today, I woke up with the desire to get fit. This has happened several times before but something was different today. I decided for lunch I'd walk the one mile to the local Food Lion, buy a few things, and then hike back with the loot. I put on my workout pants, laced up my shoes, found my running belt to hold my money, and tucked a shopping bag on the side - what a pretty picture! As I started walking I realized the shopping bag needed to move behind me so I'd stop hitting it when I swing my arms. I know people thought I was crazy walking with a reusable shopping bag looking like a tail ... no one honked so I think I did alright. Something changed while I was walking, though. Suddenly, I started liking these elastic waisted pants! I felt slimmer, trimmer, maybe even taller. Plus, they covered my belly instead of siting below it. Maybe there is more to mom jeans after all! Maybe I should embrasce the elastic waist? Just wearing these pants made me feel more fit! Let's hope I continue to enjoy wearing work out gear so my goal of being fit can be reached. It's bad enough that you have to exercise, at least enjoy the clothes you wear. I need to look forward to putting on those stretchy, dri fit pants as summer quickly approaches.

Brace yourself, the following picture is not flattering at all ... but I hope it helps you see what I was working with today:

Though it isn't flattering, it's better than the last picture I took in my work out wear:

Eating cupcake batter . . . I know, eat to live not live to eat . . .

Currently, I am running/walking/exercising to feel better and be healthy. I'm trying to not think of food, yet, that's all I'm thinking of these days ... so on that note, the Slim Fast Peanut Butter Crunch Time Snack Bar taste like a very slim (and 1/2 the size) Butterfingers candy bar. It was pretty tasty today and well worth the walk to Food Lion. I'm looking forward to tomorrow's snack already! Just the will power to not eat it before bed ...

Also, I think stirrup pants are trying to make a come back. I am kind of scared ...

And Hope, if you are reading this and you remember the stirrup pants/skating incident, I am truly sorry. I was a stupid kid with stupid hang ups. If you are reading this and you don't remember it, then even better! I'm still sorry, I just hope that means it didn't mess with you, your sense of style, or our relationship! Love ya Cuz!

Women's History Month

What's in that box?

 

Rice?

General Tso's?

 

It's a cupcake!

A delicious Grasshopper cupcake from a local bakery!

I didn't even know there was a such thing ... but every March is Women's History Month. So, in celebration, my new friend Damion suggested cupcakes :)

So, now you know what I've running for ... cupcakes from Too Sweet Bakery!

Ready for Spring!

It isn't officially spring yet, but I'm ready! Tonight we'll lose an hour of sleep but that's a small price to pay for the extra hour of sunlight we'll be getting each day.

Check out my new Happy Spring shoes!

I am currently "running" for break and bake cookies. I love them all! I'm really digging the peanut butter with chocolate chips or the sugar cookies. Tonight I tried the oatmeal cranberry walnut cookies - delish! I'm supposed to be training for the Monument 10k at the end of the month. I think these cookies might way me down a bit ...

Catch Up

Time is going by so fast! Here's a quick check up for the last few months:

Removing wallpaper from Mom's new dining room

 Amber cleaning

Super Bowl Sunday with Boston

Katie Cheesin' it up

First snow in our VA Home on 02-12-12

Got Josh to wear purple and it looks good :)

Katie and Elijah hiding from Papa

 Katie didn't think you could hear her if she was wearing the headphones :)

2nd Snow 02-20-12

Josh cooking his first meal for us in the new house - spaghetti (who's surprised?).

Elijah sitting in the bench Papa made

Elijah's new hat

Dinner with Katie and Elijah and Carrie. I think I was under dressed!

Looking forward to Spring!

I think I have found something great to run for ... Nutella Crepes from Baker's Crust! Carrie shared one with me the other day at work and I can't stop thinking about it ... better get to running!

Reunited and it feels so good!

Trophyhus is back! Today was his last day in NC! He is officially home now! We have been apart (except weekends) since August 1st ... just over 7 months. God is so good! I cannot wait to see how this new chapter of our lives will play out! After all, Virginia is for Lovers ... and my lover is home!

I am currently running for butterfingers. Crazy! I know! I never really cared for them before because there wasn't enough chocolate/peanut butter combo. Someone brought the bite size to work and I can't get enough! I've got to stop this though if I am going to keep up with my Trophyhus!

Oh Nutella ...

I have a love/hate relationship with Nutella. I love to eat it but hate the way my body stores it! Usually, I load up a frozen waffle with a smear of Nutella and I'm good for a while. Tonight, I thought - why not see if there is another way to enjoy Nutella - with no bake cookies!

I promise you - it tasted way better than it looks. It mostly taste like chocolate peanut butter no bake cookies but there was a slight hint of Nutella.

So, what am I running for these days? Nutella! I think I need to figure out the combination for the cookies. Then, I can rest.