Friday.

This week was weird.  People got on my nerves repeatedly and I had to bite my tongue more times than I can count.  Good thing I really don’t have to deal with too many people at work.  The amount of people I do have to deal with is plenty… But anyways, here are my random weekly happenings!  I feel like it was a pretty boring week but at least it’s now the weekend (in like 10-12 hours…)

1) I actually have a backyard now!  Having had a weed garden for 3+ years has been fun but I am happy I now don’t have to look the other way when I walk out my back door!

I guess it was greener back then though!

2) I am pretty sure I have decided that being passive aggressive is one of my least favorite personality traits in a person and yet, I am always the one who wins when someone wants to play that game.  At work someone has been pulling that shit for at least the last year and I officially one upped said person on Wednesday.  #score

3) The Olympics have started to bore me… I really liked watching swimming and gymnastics to a certain extent and some track and field but the way they are showing it now has just totally lost my interest.  I feel like every time I tune into NBC, it’s either Track Cycling (stupid), Beach Volleyball (stupider) or Polo (wt?).  And when track and field comes on, it’s like on for 5 seconds and then over because they run so damn fast.

Plus this just pissed me off. Seriously, you messed up and still get silver. Be thankful for that and your team GOLD. Brat.

4) Tomorrow I am planning to run a 5k.  I’m not really sure how well this will go as I’ve run a total of like 20 miles in the last two weeks but at least I’ve gotten in 2 3ish mile runs so I know I can do it.  And I know I won’t be the last because it’s a run/walk!  I’d like to set a new PR but even that may be asking too much for my current condition… although my old PR is like 35 minutes so it’s not super speedy or anything.

5) All I’ve wanted to eat this week is Pancakes.  Breakfast, lunch dinner, that’s always what first jumps into my head.  That or peanut butter + jelly with BBQ potato chips.  Clearly I have a very advanced palate.  I’m not really sure what that means I am short on dietary-wise but I’m thinking it means I have an excuse to carbo-load for a 5k  In all honestly, I will likely have them for breakfast and dinner today because I am too lazy to cook any real food and that’s about the quickest meal option I know!

Carbs are so good!

6) My stupid sciatica issue is acting up again… It was feeling better until acupuncture on Tuesday.  That used to make it feel better but now, not so much.  I guess that’s a sign that I can stop going.  I certainly won’t miss the 35+ min drive each way!  At least now I know that’s what it is so I won’t let it stop me from running because that just makes it worse.

7) I’d wanted to sign up for a bike ride at Road America next weekend but didn’t want to go alone so I tried to talk my sister into it but she was not having it.  Now I find out McDreamy is going to be riding it.  I’m not the hugest fan of Grey’s Anatomy but I still think it would have been cool to bike with him!  And it is a multiple lap type event so he would pass me at least once if nothing else!  Oh well – it will probably be ridiculously crowded now and I am not a fan of crowds so it’s probably for the best!

Oh look, he’s on a bike!

8) I’m bad-habiting again…I have always had an issue with biting/picking at my fingernails and I know it’s gross but I mess them up without even realizing I am doing it!  It’s time to bust out the finger tappies I think… I am mentally 6 years old someday.  Normal people my age get manicures, I just need to get fingernails back

9) I am reading Emily Giffin’s Where We Belong right now and really liking it so far.  It seems quite a bit different from her other books but it’s a good change so far!  I’m interested to see where this story line leads.

10) I am totally addicted to the ABC Family show Beverly Hills Nannies.  As someone who for a few minutes contemplated being a nanny post-college if I didn’t find a job, I think this is even more interesting!  I can see so many parallels to my own babysitting past in some of the stories although on the show they are so much more dramatic than in my real life  Also, one of the nannies is from Wisconsin but has clearly been Beverly Hillized just a little so she sure does not remind me of people ’round these parts!

I can’t even imagine!

That’s all I got this week!  Hope you have a good weekend in store where ever you are!

What do you think of McKayla’s attitude at getting silver?  Understandable or Unbelievable?

Road Trip.

So you already know how the actual race went but how about the rest of the weekend…

On Friday, Sister and I set out bright and early for our road trip down south to Nashville for our half marathon weekend! We left at about 7 am to get into Nashville with enough time to stop for packet pickup. Our drive down was rather uneventful. We packed sandwiches for lunch so didn’t even need to take time for a food stop. Total drive time was about 9:30 which included a few gas/bathroom stops as well.

Friday was a very nice day for a drive!

The drive really was not bad at all! The only thing that was a problem for me was my stomach, of course. I felt pretty awful the whole day Friday but apparently this just is something that happens to me before races or something!? Poor sister had to put up with my bitching and moaning this whole time.

My complaining reached a whole new level once we got to Nashville and realized the traffic getting to the expo was a complete nightmare! We sat still for what felt like as long as we were on the road today… Then we had he excellent fortune of having to find somewhere to pay to park. Excellent. We ended up finding a place that was only about $3 for the time we needed to be at the expo so that at least was not too bad. And it turned out to be right across the street! Double score!

The expo was another line of lines… We waited about 15 minutes just to get IN the expo… But then got our packets relatively quick and took a look around. We didn’t want to spend much money and they didn’t have any good shirts so we picked up our parking packet and headed for the hotel. Another traffic nightmare ensued.

We stopped at Trader Joes on the way for a few extra snacks and things for the weekend but then checked in to our hotel to make dinner and chill and try to relax before our early wake up call. We packed pancake ingredients and our pancake griddle to cook dinner in our hotel. Yes, we are THAT cool.  While eating dinner, we also watched a few episodes of our newest obsession, Lost, and then went to sleep and actually both managed to sleep well the hours that we could before the race alarms went off…

Day Three: Exhausted in Paradise

So you already know how this morning started… with a scenic 10k run in Koloa.  But the exercise and activity level did not stop there!  So when we got back from our run, we of course were starving so we decided to make some pancakes.  Sister and I had picked up a box of boring Bisquick mix at the grocery store the other day.  The nutrient density of this mix was not up to par for me so we decided to get creative and up the level of protein, healthy fats and fiber in this mix so we added chia seeds, buckwheat groats and toasted millet (purchased from a BULK BIN – my favorite – here in the island).  We then put a wee bit of Sweet Marie’s granola on the back of the pancakes before flipping them over… oh.my.word!  Those simple little additions turned these pancakes into quite possibly the best pancakes I have ever eaten – not just the best gluten free pancakes but the best pancakes.  Period.  We served them with bacon and Passion Fruit Coconut Syrup and they were sooo good.  We will be making these again and soon!

Following this delicious feast, we showered up and got ready to head out for the rest of the day.  Today’s destination was North Kaua’i and once again it was amazing how different the climate was from one side of the island to the other.  It was almost like what I would picture South America would look like and really felt like a rainforest.

Stop number one of the day was really not much of a stop…We tried to find Guava Kai Plantation to pick us some guava’s but it had apparently closed and reopened as some sort of sustainable farm thing… That was a drive that was worthless!  Luckily it was kind of on our way to the next stop…

Stop number two of the day was Kilauea Beach Lighthouse.  Thanks to the Veteran’s they were offering a fee free day so we were able to walk right up to the lighthouse and see some amazing views and some birds.  Shocking!

Stop number three of the day was a bit of a treasure hunt… we were looking for Lappert’s Ice Cream shop and the GPS was telling us 22 miles but I knew one was coming up soon… I saw the mall it was supposed to be in and we drove in there and drove all around and still did not see it.  We decided to park and try to find a map, which we did, and after reading that and seeing the address, we finally found it!  Man, was this place hidden!  I got a two scoop dish – once scoop Lilikoi sherbet and one scoop Caramel Macadamia Nut – YUM!  Of course everyone else decided on sundaes after I’d ordered so their all looked better but next time I will be prepared.

Stop number four of the day was a hike in Hanalai.  The road just ends and from there, the hiking begins.  Mom decided to wear flip flops today so needless to say, she was left behind… And good thing too because this hike was pretty much straight up and all rocks.  We only hiked up about a ½ mile because we really are not hikers nor were we dressed for hiking (what, swimsuits and shorts??) but ½ a mile was really all it took to see some more gorgeous views!  It was really breathtaking and also quite windy.  A bit of photography ensued and we were headed back down to find the Mother.  Going down was so much worse than going up!!!

If I get asked one more time if these are comfortable... I am gonna kick someone...

At the bottom we walked to a little beach, found mom had walked back to the car and then headed that way as well.  There was a cool tunnel cave thing that we stopped at to grab a picture or two on the way.

Stop number five of the day was Hanalai Lookout.  This was another set of breathtaking views!  You could look out and see Taro fields, mountains and lush greens everywhere!  So pretty.  This was a quick stop  – lol!

Stop number six of the day was trying to find Anini Beach.  Um… thanks again GPS for leading us the most complicated way.  We ended up going down this steep, probably .15 mile trail thing and finally coming across the beach.  We sat there for just a few minutes because all of a sudden I was starving and then headed back UP that crazy path to get to the car… let’s just say the way up was much steeper.  I had elbow pit sweat by the time we got to the top… gross and I am sorry…

Stop number seven of the day was finally dinner!  I was soooo starving.  My stomach has been going from fine to past the point of no return with hunger this vacation.  Oops!  We picked the Lemongrass Grill for dinner because a) mom had a coupon and b) because I could smell the food when I just looked and the menu and knew it would be good.  Right away my eyes narrowed in on Guava BBQ Ribs.  I could not even tell you what else was on the menu because I saw these and knew I was decided.  The only thing standing in my way was any hidden wheat in the ingredients.  Lo and behold, when I asked this the waitress right away was super nice about asking if it was an allergy and needed to be made gluten free!  This made me very happy because I hate making a scene about things and normally just order something boring and plain because I know it’s safe.  But I am so glad I decided to ask on this one because it was probably the best meal I have had in my life… They served it to me on rice instead of the potatoes on the menu because those had some wheat and honestly, I think they should always serve it like this!  The BBQ sauce was beyond delicious, the meat was sooo tender and the rice was even fantastic!  I think we’ll be back for this meal again before leaving.  I also forgot to mention that I had a Guava Mai Tai to start.  Cheers to the Guava!!

Time for a drink!!

Our final stop of the day was finally the condo.  We hit up the hot tub for a few minutes and a quick swim around the pool and then I passed out on my bed by 8:30pm.  Party Animal!!  On to another fun day for Day Four!!

Ouch.

Today my muscles hurt.  You could say I have the DOMS (delayed onset muscle soreness).  I pretty much feel like my whole upper body was smashed between two rocks.  Ok, that might be a slight exaggeration but you know, I was just trying to make a point.  Well, really, I was just trying to write a lead in to the third Kinley’s Boot Camp that occurred on Sunday morning and a few other random tidbits… Yes, I devised this little booty kicker for the sister but I decided to join in too.  Who knew a ten mile run could feel easy and painless in comparison with this beast of a workout…

Warm up – Walk .5ish miles to the high school track and then jog 1 lap

Rotation 1 (10 reps of 1-5, repeat rotation 3 times, minimal breaks)

1. Squat Jumps
2. One Legged Squats
3. Side Lunge Jumps
4. Plie Squats
5. Walking Lunges with Side Twists

Cardio Break – Jumping Jacks and Sprinting around the track – 30 seconds of each, 3 repeats, minimal breaks

Walking lap around track for recovery

Rotation 2 – (10 reps of 1-5, repeat rotation 3 times, minimal breaks)

1. 30 seconds of shadow boxing
2. The Wave
3. “Stick Ups”
4. Pushups (your variation)
5. Shoulder Circles

Walking lap around track for recovery

Rotation 3  - for time, repeat 1-5, 3 times

1. Crunches for 30 seconds
2. T-Hold/Side Plank (15 seconds each arm)
3. Plank 30 seconds
4. Knee Crosses (Arms in plank position, twist one knee to the opposite elbow)

Finally for cool down, we walked around the track one more time and then walked home.  Let me tell you, I don’t often “feel” a workout the next day, like pretty much never, but this one made me HURT!  Especially my abs are a burning but that’s a good thing right??

Then it was time to go home a celebrate a special little dog’s 12th birthday!!  (or day before birthday?  apparently he gets a birthday weekend…)

Yes, he even gets dog shaped pancakes on his birthday! Ridiculous I know, but it's our tradition!

In honor of Crosby’s birthday (and just because we like pancakes), I made special breakfast pancakes!  I tried this recipe and was very happy with how they turned out – super tasty!!  I also added some sprinkles to the batter to make funfetti birthday pancakes!  Can you tell he is certainly the most spoiled dog in the world??  I’m thinking not all people get this good of birthday treatment

And the celebrations continued this evening on his real birthday with a special trip to his favorite neighborhood for a walk and then some mashed potato frosted meatloaf cupcakes! (cough*spoiledrottenpuppydog*cough)! Man this weekend went super fast and it’s already the end of Monday!  Time really flies!  But next weekend is a long one so I will not be at work next Monday which will make it even better!!!

Happy Birthday to my best 12 year old PUP Crosby!