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Wait, this IS a running blog too…

Movin' it with Michelle

Running Blogger Survey

I got this survey from my newfound friend, Kelly from www.kellytheculinarian.com and it sounded like fun!   

Best Run Ever

I have had a few good races over the last year, since becoming more serious about my running…I’d say the Fox Valley 20 miler last year, or the Trailbreaker half marathon I did just last weekend were my best to date. 
Always need to have fun! 
I couldn’t be more blessed to have my sister’s support! 
 

 

Three Words that Describe My Running:

Freeing, therapeutic, required
Some awesome running friends who keep me sane
 

Egg Shell Shuffle with great friends
 

Trained all summer with this amazing woman!

My Go-To Running Outfit

Depends on weather for sure…summer is tank/skirt, while winter time I wear running tights and LAYERS.  Keeping my ears and hands warm are most important. 
Winter
 
My fav summer outfit
 

 

Quirky Habit While Running

2 Tablespoons of organic peanut butter dipped in chia seeds…I have this before nearly every run, and for sure before EVERY race
 

 

Morning, Mid-day, or Evening

Yes, yes, and yes…I love running in the evenings while watching the sunset, but if I have friends to run with I will get up early. 
Running at sunset, LOVE
 

 

I Won’t Run Outside When It’s:

TOO windy, or icy. 
Had to turn around, too darn icy…
 

Cold, but a great run with awesome friends!
 

Worst Injury – And How I Got Over It

My knee which is ongoing, and has been for over 20 years now…but I deal with it, take care of it, let it rest, and keep pressing forward.  I rest when needed, whether I like it or not.  I haven’t ran in a week now, but know it’s necessary. 

 

I Felt Most Like a Badass Runner When

I PR’d just last weekend.  Also, finishing the Chicago Marathon with my sis!  I’ve never won an AG medal, and am learning to be ok with not “placing.”  I run my own race.  J 
Last weekend…
 

I can’t look at this pic without chocking up.  Yup…crying.  I have the best sister ever for doing this with me! 
 

 

Potential Running Goal for 2013

Sub 2 hour ½ marathon is my current goal. 

 

 

Next Race Is

Great Western ½ marathon, right here in St. Charles on May 5th. 
 
This was a total blast…hope my running friends “link up” and post their answers!
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Sorry, no wordless Wednesday here

Movin' it with Michelle

Running:

None…But I did some strength training tonight.  Just some bicep curls, triceps, squats, and crunches.  Nothing major, but giving myself a much needed break while I digest this life change that is about to happen.
still on cloud nine.  yup. 
 

Recipes:

I came home from work, and found that my husband made homemade spaghetti with whole wheat pasta, and even had a bottle of red wine chilled.  YUM.
totally NOT our dinner, but spaghetti none the less LOL
 
Real Life Adventures:

I am a planner.  I have only been without work ONCE since the age of about 15…and that was when I retired in 2011 from the Air Force.  I planned for that lapse in work though, by saving money, leave time, and paying off as many bills as possible.  When I retired in May of 2011 I had almost 4 months of leave saved, so I was in essence still getting a pay check.  My family has never been blessed to survive on only one income, so I did what was needed, and took the job I currently have which is supervising a lab in an outlying hospital that is about an hour from my home. 

This job, I knew from the near beginning wasn’t a good fit for me.  I will leave it at that…But I continued to work, commute, and do my best to take care of my family.  But my family unit started to struggle mostly in part due to my unhappiness, so I started looking for something “else” almost a year ago. 

There were days, where I would pull up to the parking garage and shudder…panic…and sometimes cry.  But I pulled it together and smiled and gave it my all every single day.  Sadly my all, was never going to be enough, and that made me very unhappy. 

Do you ever notice when you are unhappy, that the people that matter most to you suffer the most?  Yup…this was me. 

So thankfully I found a new job, only SIX miles from my house, where I will be a make shift supervisor, yet more so bench tech where my hard work will be what matters.  I will be doing primarily Pathology/Histology work, and will get the opportunity to do the gross descriptions of specimens which is something I love.  What is “grossing” you ask?  From Wikipedia:

“Gross examination or “grossing” is the process by which pathology specimens are inspected with the bare eye to obtain diagnostic information, while being processed for further microscopic examination.

Gross examination of surgical specimens is typically performed by a pathologist, or by a pathologists’ assistant working within a pathology practice. Individuals trained in these fields are often able to gather diagnostically critical information in this stage of processing, including the stage and margin status of surgically removed tumors.

The initial step in any examination of a clinical specimen is confirmation of the identity of the patient and the anatomical site from which the specimen was obtained. Sufficient clinical data should be communicated by the clinical team to the pathology team in order to guide the appropriate diagnostic examination and interpretation of the specimen – if such information is not provided, it must be obtained by the examiner prior to processing the specimen.

There are usually two end products of the gross examination of a surgical specimen. The first is the gross description, a document which serves as the written record of the examiner’s findings, and is included in the final pathology report. The second product is a set of tissue blocks, typically postage stamp-sized portions of tissue sealed in plastic cassettes, which will be processed into slides for microscopic examination. Since only a minority of the tissue from a large specimen can reasonably be subject to microscopic examination, the success of the final histological diagnosis is highly dependent on the skill of the professional performing the gross examination. The gross examiner may sample portions of the specimen for other types of ancillary tests as diagnostically indicated; these include microbiological culture, flow cytometry, cytogenetics, or electron microscopy.”
A pic of a skin tumor….this is my job. 
 

Yup…this is what I do…what I used to love so much, but lost over the years of supervising and doing paperwork.  I am already studying, ordering books, and yes, SOOOO excited. 

I have another half marathon scheduled the first week of May, and pray my aching knee pulls its head out of its ass and lets me train.  I am hopeful that I just needed a few days off.  I plan on working on strength training and speed training so I can break my sub 2!!!!

Thanks all, for listening, commenting, and your unending support. 
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If you could pick two things, this Tuesday…

Movin' it with Michelle

What are your two top THINGS in life…not sure I can narrow it down…

I used to think my “things” were family, and career. 

I have come to a cross road in life, where career means less, and my family and friends mean MORE.  I didn’t run tonight due to knee pain, and guess what?  I was ok with it…Instead I came home, made some amazing tacos for dinner, and spent time with my family instead of hiding on my recliner behind closed eye lids. 
 

I laughed with my oldest, mocking her “it was like, um, like, yeah” terminology and just hearing her laugh made my day. 
My oldest, and my dog…how can you not love this pic?
 

I bathed my youngest, and spent an extra 20 minutes with her singing while drying her beautiful locks.  She told me her new “law” is you can’t leave her room without hugs and kisses…I’ll gladly abide by this law. 
 

I had a great phone conversation with my Mom about my new job, life, and my race recap.  We don’t get to talk nearly as often as I’d like, so it was awesome to catch up.   

I talked in lengths with my husband about our upcoming budget and how we would BE OK, because we’ve done our best to be smart over the years.   There will be give and take, but we will never go without. 

I spent over an hour replying and posting on all the amazing blogs I follow.  Check out this link for an amazing blog and giveaway http://www.ilaxstudio.com/blog/2013/04/09/myo-release-ball-giveaway/

I spent 30 minutes on strength training, doing core and weights while letting my knee rest. 

I texted with my friend Janel, who I was blessed to share my PR and last weekend with…
 

Life, is good. 
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Playlists, and races…yup.

Movin' it with Michelle

Music has been my passion for years.  And now, as a full-fledged runner (am I really?), my play list has done wonders not only for my races, but for my soul…

I will back up my running list for my PR run this past Saturday…From Finish line, to start…

Linkin Park-Runaway

Third Day-I’ve always loved you

Fall out boy-Don’t you know who I think I am?

Sugarland-All I want to do

Phillip Phillips-Gone, Gone, Gone

Mumford & Sons-The Cave

P!nk-Please don’t leave me

Flo Rida-Whistle

Maroon 5-If I never see your face again

Demi Lovato-All night long

The Goo Goo Dolls-Nothing is real

Graham Colton-Best days

Sugarland-Something more

Group 1 Crew-Live it up

Demi Lovato-Hold up

Mumford & Sons-Roll away your stone

Eminem-Love the way you love me

The Goo Goo Dolls-Home

Keith Urban-Put you in a song

Keith Urban-For you

Linkin Park-No more sorrow

Mumford & Sons-I will wait

Britney Spears-Til the world ends

Rascal Flatts-Banjo

The Script-For the first time

Needtobreathe-These hard times

Phillip Phillps-Get up Get down

Gotye-Easy way out

Journey-Don’t stop believin’

Eminem-Love yourself

Usher-Scream

Ne-Yo-Closer

Gwen Sefani-4 in the morning

Sia-Breathe Me-my starting song (this was the song that came on for my first half, and found it fitting it came on for my PR).

Some don’t believe in running with music.  But these songs, as well as my mindset, got me to the finish line.  I know I will never be an elite runner that can run with no fuel, music, or aids. 

So this, was my aid on Saturday.  I and I’ll take it, proudly…these songs fueled me…



Determination-yes
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Trailbreaker Half Marathon race report

Movin' it with Michelle

Life lessons…

I’ve learned that not everyone will GET what we runners are talking about when we speak of the “runner’s high,” or UNDERSTAND why we train so hard. 

Our own spouses, or people closest to us, very well may not GET it… and that may hurt sometimes when they aren’t there at the end of a race, cheering you on as you cross the line. 

But that is ok…push those feelings aside, and hang on to what running teaches us, for those that DO get it.

Running friends are a special breed.  They’ll hop in the car and trek 90+ miles with you just to help support you with a goal. 

They will carb load with you like mad women, and then have desert to boot…

They will understand your apprehension, and know its ok not to run an entire race together.

They will share your tears of joy, and pain.
Me in front of Lake Geneva on our trip up north
pre-carb loading, with of course a yummy wheat ale
 

My recap goes a little like this…Trailbreaker half marathon, Waukesha WI-6 April 2013

We went to bed last night after a great night of carb loading.  We were welcomed by local Italian eatery owners to indulge, and well, we did…LOL
Lobster filled raviolli…YUM
 
Desert, was amazing!
 

We were tired, and just as my head hit the pillow, I bolted straight up on the bed-wide awake.  Why?  I forgot my knee brace.  GAHHH!  We searched for the nearest Walgreens so we could stop by in the morning to find something that would suffice, but in turn I didn’t sleep…maybe an hour tops…Yikes. 

But the running Gods were upon us, and the weather we were dreading held up AND we were able to find a brace to get me by for today’s race. 

We picked up our packets with no issues, and waited inside for the 0930 hrs start.  They not only had 2 bathrooms inside, there were porta potties outside for people to use.  
We didn’t even plan it, but our race outfits were nearly identical! 
 

Race time was here, and a beautiful rendition of the National Anthem was sung.  I was already impressed with this race. 
 

It was around 37 degrees, and windy, but we settled in quickly.  First mile was at 9:50, and I knew I needed to not go out too fast this time.  Second mile I clocked at 9:27, and Janel sped ahead of me.  This was ok at first because I could still see her…mile 3 clocked at 9:25, but as I lost her in my sight I found myself losing mojo because it started to rain…mile 4 clocked at 9:38.  Ok Michelle, pull it together, it’s just a few sprinkles.   (Aid station mishap report at the end, LOL)

I took a deep breath, and settled in.  Mile 5 and 6 clocked at 9:15 and 9:26 respectively.  At mile 5 I already started seeing runners loop back, and I could feel myself gaining my beloved mojo back…My knee started to hurt, so at the turn around at mile 7 I was able to grab some water at the aid station and take some Tylenol.  I decided against the porta pottie and took back off at the turn around.   Mile 7 I clocked at 9:39, mile 8-9:42….mile 9, WHO DO I SEE?  Yup, I caught up to my friend Janel, and I felt my spirits lift…9:00 minutes for mile 9. 

And then my competitive spirit, the running Gods, and the ITunes fairy all came together, and I took off…My last 3 miles were 8:43, 8:59, 8:55 and 7:37 for the last .16.

I got very emotional, I will admit.  I worked my tail off for this race…and it was amazing to put all my worries aside, and JUST RUN. 
Yup, those are tears welling in my eyes…
Nearly 4 more minutes shaved off my time, in ONE week. 
 

The race was beautifully mapped out, and the police support for traffic was amazing.  They also had plenty of aid stations.  My ONLY complaint was simple…I don’t drink the Gatorade at aid stations.  It’s too sugary, and literally makes me sick.  At the mile 4 aid station I clearly asked “Water?” to which the volunteer said “Yes,” so I grabbed the cup and chugged.  I don’t stop for aid stations, so I don’t take the time to look at what they hand me…YUP, you guessed it…it was NOT water, it was Gatorade, and I nearly had to stop and walk as my stomach cramped up…my time was steady around a 9:20 pace until this nasty mile where I slowed to 9:38. 

But the good, definitely outweighed anything else, so I will definitely do this race again next year.  Great community, great race, great volunteers, and all around a wonderful time. 

I honestly went in to this race with only the expectation of finishing…but there is nothing better than finding that extra UMPH in your heart and mind to get you across the finish line STRONG. 

I now am a Half Fanatic, and couldn’t be more proud.  Thanks for all the support!  J
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Worldless Wednesday

Movin' it with Michelle
Me and Erin, rocking the 1/2 Marathon last weekend

My Angel, my sister…who rocked me through the last 2 miles

MY RINGS…yes, I found my ring holder that fell behind a drawer.  Thank goodness!

My much needed run tonight…simple, quick, 3 miler.

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Egg Shell Shuffle Race recap!

Movin' it with Michelle

Race recap

The day started out early, as most race days do.  I was worried, as I hadn’t ran in nearly 2 weeks minus a mile or two here or there. I’ve gained a few lbs. and am bloated to hell and back. My nose was still running, but I refused to not run.

Erin picked me up at 7:15, and we made it to the race at around 7:45.  We had to park nearly a mile away, but we were able to meet up with the Chicago running bloggers and it was great meeting new people and seeing faces I have only seen on blogs/fb. 

Erin and I decided we would start out together, and if one of us wanted to move on we would without worry.  At around the three mile mark I felt my legs wanting to stretch out, so I took off swiftly, and really was thinking a PR was in my future.  But around mile 7, we were in open fields, and the wind decided to pick up and make my runny nose, well, RUN.  I couldn’t get it together and kept wiping my nose and struggling with my fuel belt.  But I kept running…I tried so hard to not lose the previous miles due to unforeseen crap!  I saw Erin as after the turn around, and it was great high fiving as we passed one another.  Mile nine came, and while wiping my nose I nearly took a NOSE dive into the grass.  Ugh…I had to stop, pick up my “snot rag” off the ground, and take a deep breath…
GOGO!
Love the smile I have in this shot
Awesome running friends, Erin and Carina
 

So I kept running…I had to pee…my nose was raw…and the wind started to cause my lungs to hurt.  Mile 10 came, and I kept telling myself, “You only have a 5K left…”  But it hurt, and my IT band was screaming.  I felt myself getting discouraged, and then an Angel came out of nowhere at mile 11…MY SISTER.  I nearly cried when I saw her running towards me, and her encouragement and just having her by my side got me through the last 2 miles.  I hadn’t seen a friendly face in miles, and she filled my heart and soul with just what I needed to finish, and finish strong.  I knew a sub 2 was out of the question, but I was determined to get a PR.  AND I DID!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  2:06 FOR 13.1 MILES.  YAHOOOOOO!  I knocked 5 minutes nearly off my PR time!  This isn’t speedy for some, but for me it was just amazing.  I got choked up at the end, as I do for nearly every race, and can’t explain how happy I am to have finished this strong. 
Proud PR finish
My family, who may think I am nuts, yet came out to support me anyhow!
 

I will use next weekend’s half as a simply training run, and try not to push it too hard.  (Yes, I said this for this race too, but I don’t want to injure myself so pray I can hold back).   
Medal!
 

This run was probably the hardest ½ I’ve done…more so mentally as I somehow needed that PR.  But guess what, hard work pays off…go get it if you want it!
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Geneva Running Outfitters St. Patty’s Savenger hunt recap, and then some

Movin' it with Michelle

 

I haven’t blogged in a while.  I suppose sometimes life gets the best of us, and as a result we end up’ under the weather’, finding ourselves at a loss and needing rest. 

I ran Saturday with friends as the “Fox River girls” for a run on St. Patty’s day weekend.  The weather, COLD, the conditions were left with freezing rain and snow as we neared the end…but we did it…we ended up running part of the course twice due to my friend misplacing her ID.  I resulted in running 4.44 miles in 44 minutes.  Coincidence?  I hope not…we had such a blast regardless of the crazy circumstances!
 

Sunday’s long run was foregone as I was sick as a darn dog.  3 runs in terrible weather, along with my crazy schedule resulted in total physical breakdown and I didn’t move from my recliner more than twice on Sunday. 

I gathered myself up enough to go to work today, despite chastising “why did you come in, etc.”…I simply don’t have time to be sick, and the only thing I can set aside is my running.  Tomorrow I will hit the treadmill vs. going out in the cold, and give myself at least that “bit” of rest. 

Lastly, I will say I have come full circle in many aspects of my life.  I have found that people reach out to you when they need, but the key is, are they there for you when you reach out? 

Hmmm….that list has gotten smaller.  But quality trumps quantity any day. 

You can say life is busy or hard…or you can embrace the awesome moments we are given. 

I choose the now.  How about you?
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No wordless Wednesday’s here…

Movin' it with Michelle

Never a wordless Wednesday

The last few days have been a world wind of Murphy’s Law at work.  If it could go wrong, it DID…But my victory is that I didn’t let it ruin my day/week!  YAHOO!  GO ME! 

Tested the Mizuno’s!  COOL!
Speedy?  Nope…but miles under my feet, YOU BETCHA!
I went on my first group run with the Dick Pond runners in St. Charles last night, and was pleasantly surprised by the turn out despite the crazy snow and wind.  After the day I had at work I honestly wanted to come home and take a hot shower, followed by the couch…but I didn’t…I laced up, and ran a great 5.5 slippery miles.  And I got to run them in a test pair of Mizuno Inspires!  TOO COOL!  I liked them, but my Ravenna’s are still my go-to, as well as my Cadence 2’s.  I am shoe junky.  Yeah…I admit it…and am slightly proud my closet has more running shoes than high heels.  LOL.
Group pic…great runners!
 
 

Today, Murphy came to work with me again…I could have let it ruin my day.  But NOPE, I am refusing to let stress get the best of me.  I instead came home, ate a nice flat bread wrap from Quizno’s for dinner, and hunkered down for my nightly “stuff.”  Yes, nail paining ensued…let’s see if I can make it a day without picking it off, LOL.  I booked a hotel for the Trailbreaker ½ marathon on the 6thof April, (staying overnight on the 5th to avoid cramping/stiffness in my knee), and am pretty darn excited my 13 year old will be joining me!  She and I have been butting heads lately, so this will be a nice mini get away for us.  I’ll work that Friday, come home, load up, and we’ll head to Waukesha, WI.  I got us an extra nice room, well, for no other reason than the fact I want to bond with my daughter.  The room is at the Clarke hotel, just a few blocks from the start line, and it should all in all be AWESOME-sauce.  I just pray my legs hold out after running the Egg Shuffle the weekend before this race!  My new mantra is to run my races to the best of my ability, but to always remember to have fun!  This trailbreaker ½ will fulfill my ½ fanatic goal, and I am totally stoked.  I’ve found the ½ to my new favorite distance. 

I also have been searching for new career paths…more to follow on that one…

I’ve learned some valuable lessons this week that I think I have always known honestly.  But something, some THINGS have been really reaching out to me lately.

We all have goals, dreams, life, relationships, careers, you name it…but if you truly want to be a part of any of the above said things…well…you have to WORK at it…we aren’t all GOOD at everything…it all takes work.  So darn it, pick up the phone, add in the extra hour of work that is needed, or most importantly, LACE UP YOUR DARN SHOES.   This last sentence speaks volumes for life. 

Make excuses, or Make the TIME…your choice…

Lace up folks.  It’s the hardest, yet most important step to KEEP MOVIN’ FORWARD. 
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Weekend wrap up time!!

Movin' it with Michelle

Weekend wrap up
Friday Night

Friday night…oh how I love thee…I was able to have my first girl’s night out in quite some time.   Did we party?  Go dancing/clubbing until the early hours of the next morning?  Nope…my girlfriend and I met at one of our favorite local eateries, and enjoyed TWO whole glasses of wine and an awesome dinner/conversation/laughs.  I was home and in my sweat pants by 9 pm.  And guess what, it was just an awesome evening that I hope to get to do again soon! 
 

Saturday Morning

I went to bed the night before at 10 in preparation for Saturday morning’s 10 mile run.  This run was nearly canceled due to freezing rain…nearly…but I met up with a couple of my running friends and we made it through the chilly morning and the last 3 miles of freezing rain pelting us in the face.  Pure awesomeness. 
like my will run for chocolate headband?  And wow, I looked terrible, HAHA!
 

Saturday Afternoon

We went took the girls to lunch, and then picked up my oldest daughter’s friend to go see the new Oz movie.  We even got to meet a munchkin!  Pretty cool!!! 
 

Sunday

Epic failed on setting the clocks ahead last night, and sadly woke up too late to make it to church.  We instead went for breakfast, and ran all of our errands and did our food shopping for the week.  And this is where I got my inspiration for tonight’s dinner…when I looked over at the peppers in the produce section they just CALLED out to me…they were HUGE, and so fresh looking. 
Nothing better than cooking with your kids. 
 

Stuffed Peppers and chopped Salad Recipe:

Ingredients for Stuffed peppers

½ lb of lean organic ground beef, and ½ lb of lean organic ground pork

4-6 cloves of fresh garlic, minced

1 white onion, chopped

I package of garden vegetable flavored quinoa

1 can of tomato puree (or your favorite marinara sauce will do)

Basil, marjoram, parsley, kosher salt, pepper, roasted red pepper flakes (pinch of each to taste)

Pat of unsalted butter

 

Time to cook!

-Melt a pat of unsalted butter in a small pot, and add a teaspoon of extra virgin olive oil to the pot.  Lightly sauté 2 cloves of garlic and roasted red pepper flakes for 2-3 minutes.  Add your package of quinoa, and cook according to the package instructions.  (Normally add one cup of water, bring to a boil, and simmer for 15 minutes). 

While your quinoa is simmering, pre-heat your oven to 350 degrees.  Sauté the remaining garlic and chopped onion in extra virgin olive oil until the onions are translucent.  Add in your meat, salt, pepper, and cook until lightly browned. 

While your meat is cooking, you can ‘gut’ your peppers, drizzle with extra virgin olive oil, salt and pepper. 

Drain all drippings from the meat, and incorporate your quinoa.  Set this aside. 

Pour a can of tomato puree in a bowl, and season with Basil, marjoram, parsley, kosher salt, pepper, roasted red pepper flakes (pinch of each to taste).

Scoop your mixture into the peppers, and then cover with the tomato puree.  Bake for about 35-45 minutes, or the pepper becomes slightly soft. 
 

The chopped salad:

 -is whatever you desire/have in your fridge.  J

Tonight we had romaine hearts, red cabbage, cherry tomatoes, seedless cucumbers, red onion and my homemade vinaigrette. 

The vinaigrette is made by putting two tablespoons of Dijon mustard into a bowl, add the juice of one large lemon or two small lemons as well as a pinch of the zest.  Grate on a micro plain one clove of garlic, and add to the bowl.  Dash of white wine vinegar, and salt and pepper to taste.  Drizzle in extra virgin olive oil and whisk until mixed entirely through. 

Serve, and enjoy!  We paired the stuffed peppers with one of our favorite Pinot Noir wines by Duckhorn. 
 

DELISH.