One 5K a month? Why not four?

 April was a busy month!  For some reason I signed up for not just one, but four 5Ks.

The first one I did was the Fools 5K.  Trekman Racing is a local company who puts on quality race events.  They also sponsor our roller derby team!  I really liked this race.  The course was in one of the state parks.  Very pretty, but it was freezing that day!

I liked this race because they line participants up by their average mile time.  So slower ones like me, started in the back.  I normally do anyway, but there are a lot of people who start where they shouldn't.  My goal was to finish under 40 minutes, and I finished in 39:21.

 The next race I did was the Stomp Out Sexual Assult 5K.  This race raised money for a local domestic abuse agency.  The course was on a golf course, and with huge hills and frost, this was not so fun.  I don't remember my time exactly, but I believe it was 45ish minutes.

 My next 5K was the Powder Run, put on by our local community college.  I walked with one of my roller derby teammates and one of her friends.  In the picture with me is Abby Long-Legs.  Her and I started derby together.  Sweet girl she is!  It was on a Tuesday night, which is a little strange.  It was very cold, and a lot of the race was in an open field.

There were three color stations, and dirt and worms to eat at the end.

 The last run I did was the March of Dimes.  This was a 4.5 mile walk.  The Push-Up Brawlers were asked to be involved.  We had a team put together to raise money and walk the race.  Thanks to my awesome family and friends, I was able to raise over $600!  It felt really good to do something like that. 

Pictured with me is Abby Long-Legs, Desmo, Little Desmo, and Occupational Hazard.  The weather was lovely that day.











It may be a little excessive to do four 5Ks in one month, but if they are for a good cause, I figured I could spare a couple hours out of my day. 

St. Patrick's Day 5K!



Kiss me, I'm Iowish.



I'm Irish and my family has always made a huge deal about St. Patrick's Day.  I go to my sister's every year because there is a huge parade (the only bi-state parade in America) and you can drink green beer right on the street.  My sister and nephew ran the family 1 mile run, and I did the 5K on my own.  It was pretty chilli out for being mid March.  The course was a nice flat run downtown.  The atmosphere was awesome with the crowd, Irish music, and seeing orange, white, and green flags flown everywhere. 

I finished in just over 38 minutes....10 minutes faster than my January run.










The next day we soaked up the soreness and booze with some tasty corned beef and cabbage.
 

Favorite.



February 4 Miler!

So yes, I suck at keeping my blog updated.  I take a lot of pictures for it and have things to say, but I just never take time do it.  So my apologies!

Remember I had a goal at the beginning of the year to do one 5K a month?  So far I am on track!

We had a very mild winter in Iowa, so the run in Febrary wasn't as bad as one would think.  Down in the Quad Cities they have an annual Chili Chase, which consists of a four mile run and at the end they have some awesome chili to chow on.  My sister and I did it together.  It was nice to be outside and not freeze our asses off.  We finished in just over an hour.  When my sister and I do races together we typically walk so we can talk and catch up, with out sounding like we're dying or having sex.

Oh yeah...another perk is beer at the end. 

Coors Light is more tasty than a medal.

10,000 calorie challenge: January

Well I didn't make it.  Close, but not quite.  I was super miffed because my phone flew out of my lunch bag and broke, so I lost my HRM pictures from practice on 1/2 and 1/7.  I didn't count them as I can't remember them, plus its my punishment for not keeping up on my food/work out journal.

Roller derby practice 1/9

Insanity fit test

Roller derby practice 1/14

Insanity

Roller derby practice 1/16

Frostbite 5K 1/18

Roller Derby practice 1/21

Roller derby practice 1/23

Roller Derby practice 1/28

I went roller skating the weekend of the 25th, but I didn't wear my HRM.

Total burned:             6247
Calories from goal:    3753  (So with the missing practices and roller skating I may have made it!)

Maybe next month!

Crockpot Cilantro Lime Chicken Tacos

I love salsa chicken.  Its such a go-to for some tacos that wont kill your diet.  I found a recipe on Pinterest for a new twist on chicken tacos.  They turned out awesome and they made good leftovers the next day.

What you'll need:
1 pound of boneless skinless chicken breasts
Juice from 2 limes
1/2 c. of cilantro
1 packet of taco seasoning
1 tsp of dried onions
1/2 c. of water

What you'll do:
Put it all in the crockpot.
Cook all day.
Shred when done.

Mr. Whoa rating:
√√√√

When I make this again, I wont use as much lime.  I think you could get away with 1 1/2, if not 1 lime.

Cheeseburger Pasta

This was basically glorified Hamburger Helper.  It wasn't bad...just a little dry.  I would make it again, but it wouldn't be my first choice.

What you'll need:
1 pound of hamburger
1 pound of penne pasta-cooked
3/4 c. of milk
1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder
2 c. of shredded cheese
1 teaspoon of pepper
1/2 teaspoon of salt
1/4 c of parmesan cheese

What you'll do:
1.  Brown ground beef, add salt and pepper.  Drain fat.
2.  Put on medium-low heat, add milk and cheese.  Mix until cheese is melted.  Add parmesan cheese.
3.  Add cheese sauce to beef and mix.
4.  Add pasta to beef and cheese mix.

Buying a box of Hamburger Helper would have been easier, but we had all of the ingredients in the cupboards.

Mr. Whoa rating:
√√√

Crockpot Italian Onion Chicken Sammies

This recipe was not even photo worthy.

Most chicken I put in the crockpot is bomb, but this one was terrible.  It smelled good, but it was super dry and way too salty.  Perhaps I needed to add more liquid?  I even bought yummy sweet hawaiian buns to put them on, but those were even more help.

What you'll need:
3-4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
1/4 c. of water
1/4 c. of Italian dressing
1 envelope of dry onion soup mix
garlic powder-per taste preference

What you'll do:
1.  Add chicken to the crockpot.
2.  Mix water, dressing, soup mix and garlic.
3.  Pour over chicken.
4.  Cook on low for 8 hours or high for 4.
5.  Shred...serve on buns.

Hopefully you will have better luck than I did!