dedication, moving forward, running, Uncategorized

Polar Dash Recap, and more!

Movin' it with Michelle

Today was my first race in over 3 months since I tore my Achilles tendon. Yet when my friends asked if I wanted to sign up for the Polar Dash race series, I was excited to have a race to look forward to again.
We headed out early, despite the challenges of slippery roads, time set backs, and yes, me forgetting my trail shoes and having to run home to get them.
We got to the starting point literally less than 10 minutes before the 14 mile start. I missed meeting up with some amazing women, but did catch Penny from 26.Yikes and SarahJeanne from In Mid Stride.
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Lots of laughter, hugs, and chatting and we were FREEZING, but happy.
We headed to the start corral, and I realized WOW…I am doing this. BRRRR….
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Not a 1/4 mile in, and we were faced with standing water, ice, and detours through snow banks. But we were HAVING FUN. Crazy right? I mean, really, who signs up for any sort of distance in JANUARY, in CHICAGO? Yup…we did.
So we took a lot of pictures. Stopped to walk the icy parts, and the best part? I didn’t look at my Garmin, at all.
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Several comment were made about our attire…and the best being named the “Polar Princess’s” and the “Tutu crew.”
We stayed together.
No runner left behind.
We finished happy.
1-11-14Polar Dash finish
And afterwards we all met up for lunch, and of course the traditional Bloody Mary. Yup. I drank that.
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And in the end, people can question our pace time, our finish time, or how we placed….

But guess what. For THIS race, NO ONE cared. It was about being together as friends, laughing, talking, reconnecting, and just RUNNING to be free.
While eating lunch and shortly there after, I found myself laughing…laughing, and smiling so hard I had tears streaming down my face.
THIS is something I don’t do often enough…

But I did it today. And I’m better for it. I thank all of my friends and family, both near and far, for giving me a reason to smile, laugh, live, and run.

food, goals, moving forward, strength, training

Monday’s Movin’…who’s cookin?

Movin' it with Michelle

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Tonight’s dinner was off the cuff, and I was plainly just trying to be creative.  Was I completely successful?  I’d say no….but the dish turned out regardless; I simply missed the ‘wow’ factor.

Ingredients:

4-6 pork chops, thick cut

3 oranges, to include the zest/juice

3 sprigs of fresh rosemary

¼ cup extra virgin olive oil

2 gloves of garlic, minced

1 tablespoon of organic honey

1 tablespoon of Dijon mustard

Kosher salt, pepper, cayenne pepper (pinch), basil, and parsley

Mix the above ingredients together in a food processor, pulsing until completing incorporated.  Coat your chops, and let marinate for about 30 minutes to an hour.   Save about ½ cup of the mixture to drizzle over the chops for baking.

Preheat your oven to 375 degrees

Seer your chops on high heat in a pan coated with extra virgin olive oil, both sides.  Place on a baking sheet, drizzle with remaining mixture, and finish baking in the oven at 375 for about 25-30 minutes. 

 

Serve with your favorite veggie; I choose zucchini and mushrooms tonight!  Quickly sautéed them in a pan and VOILA!  YUM!  Gogolowcarb!

Tonight’s work out was a great #TDF start…

Day 6 of the AB challenge done:
25 Sit ups
15 crunches
15 leg raises
25 second plank

Added with:
30 second wall sit x3
3 sets of bicep curls
3 sets of tricep extensions…

A great Monday, all around! #keepmovinforward

food

Simply Chicken Soup

Movin' it with Michelle

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I love the fact that most days, I simply take a protein out of the fridge or freezer with NO idea what I am going to prepare. 

With the terrible snow storms and dropping temps here in Chicagoland, I made sure to get my grocery shopping and errands done YESTERDAY so I could at least enjoy the warmth of my home before going back to work on Monday.  Most businesses and schools are officially closed, but hospitals simply can’t ‘close.’  So tomorrow at 3:30 a.m. I will be hitting the roads and getting slapped in the face with -30+ degree winds/temps. 

With that being said, my first thought as I looked at the boneless/skinless chicken thighs was….SOUP.  Who doesn’t love a warm bowl of soup on a cold winter day?

 

SIMPLE CHICKEN SOUP

Ingredients

6 skinless/boneless chicken thighs (or breast if you prefer, but I find the flavor of thighs so much richer and they hold up better in soup)

6 cups of organic chicken stock

Noodles of your choice-if desired

2 tablespoons of unsalted butter

Extra virgin olive oil

2 tablespoons of flour (I use semolina flour)

2 cloves of garlic, minced

1 small onion, diced

2-3 stalks of celery, diced

2 carrots, chopped into bite size pieces

6 button mushrooms, chopped

1 tablespoon of parsley and thyme

2-3 pinches of turmeric to taste

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

You will need one deep sauce pan for the soup, and one fry pan for the chicken.

In the deep sauce pan melt the butter, and whisk in the flour until evenly distributed; about 3-4 minutes.  Toss in your minced garlic, and cook for another 2-3 minutes.  Slowly add in your chicken stock, and bring the liquid up to a boil.  Add in your veggies, herbs, and spices and lower the heat to a high simmer.  Cover the pan while it is simmering.

Next, heat your fry pan and coat with extra virgin olive oil.  Season your chicken with salt and pepper, and seer on both sides.  Cook through, and set aside to cool/rest. 

Next, if you desire, cook noodles to the packages instruction, ensuring you salt your water. 

Chop the chicken finely, and add to your soup.  Total simmer time is about 30 minutes. 

Serve with your favorite bread, crackers, or by itself!  This dish will definitely be on my menu!

Enjoy!!

Please feel free to share this recipe with friends and family, and I would love for you to follow my blog!  XOXO

 

Michelle

 

#keepbeingmore #healthyeats #keepmovinforward

food, goals, Uncategorized

Day 3…I got this…

Movin' it with Michelle

I sat at work most of the day in a fog. My head was/is stuffy, and I just wasn’t feeling myself. I know I have a decent job, and will never complain for being gainfully employed. But I have dreams, hopes, and aspirations. And working in a lab just isn’t one of them.
This brings me back, to over 22 years ago when I joined the Air Force under “open general” status. I wanted to be an Air Traffic Controller….something that was on the flight line, in the deeps, trenches, and you name it. ANYTHING but medical I said…

Here I am, 22 years later, almost 23, wishing I had been given another path. Wait. I may work in a lab…BUT…

But our paths in life, lead us to our destinations.

And my goal as a writer and a Chef are just around the corner.

I felt it today, and found myself nearly giddy with ideas.

So in the crazy winds of the Chicagoland weather path, I found myself shopping for photo books, scissors, and accessories to make my vision REAL.

What a perfect way, to spend a cold and ill feeling weekend, than to cut and paste my future into a vision.

I’m ready. me and Graham

food, goals, moving forward

Exciting times!

Movin' it with Michelle

I currently have a terrible head cold. You know, the kind where you feel like you are living on a cloud, but not the fluffy, white, whimsical type of cloud. No…the kind of cloud that is fog laden and makes your head feel like it weighs more than a ton of bricks.

Yup…that kind.

With that said, I still have managed to work nearly the entire holiday ‘break’ despite looking a bit like Rudolph from blowing my nose so many times.
I did manage to get my AB challenge done, and was satisfied with that despite wishing I was outside running in the newly fallen snow.

Regardless, I promised myself I would write more with the New Year, so here I am…aimlessly writing about a whole lot of nothing.

With all that, I pray for quick healing so I can rock the Polar Dash 10K with my friends next weekend. No matter what, we will look cute in our tutus and penguin hats.

My holiday decorations are nearly put away, and my weekend will be that of organizing and cleaning as I ready myself for a new year full of adventures.

My cook book project will start THIS weekend, and I have the hubby on board in researching starting our, wait for it, very own RESTAURANT. Those that know me, know this is my dream. He’s studying the business side, as am I, as well as we plan to research American cuisine paired with regional wines. Just. wait.

My running will continue, but I plan on holding back to the half marathon distance so I can have time for my family, and ME. The last two years of full AND part time work, along with marathon training taught me that I can ONLY DO so much. And although I love the 26.2 distance, I have found it almost silly to try and do with all I have on my plate. I just can’t give it my ALL again a third year in a row, so stay tuned for some rockin’ half marathons.

With that, I bid you all a wonderful evening. May your hearts be full, the wind at your back, and wonderful food on your plate.
#keepmovinforward3-10souschef

dedication, goals

A new year….

Movin' it with Michelle

I don’t like to look back, too much…yet sometimes I find it soothing to look back on where I once was, and find where I now am is pretty darn incredible.

Today is the first day of 2014, and sadly I woke up to a completely stuffed up nose, and foggy head. I could say it was due to too many drinks last night, but I partied “smart” drinking water in between each of my four cocktails.
But sometimes, working too hard and sleeping too little tends to catch up with the body and eventually that strong body, breaks down. I missed my group run this morning, even after waking up on time as I knew I needed some extra rest.
But the missed run won’t take away from my goals this year.
I don’t ‘do’ resolutions, more so I focus on goals.
So for this year…my goals are as follows.

I will WRITE, daily, if not weekly as time permits.

I will run, 3 times per week, regardless of snow, rain, or inclement weather.

I will start my half marathon training, THIS WEEKEND, and not look back.

I will run for FUN, with friends, and as often as possible.

I will focus on what I HAVE, not what I want…

I will learn more about photography and cooking, which are my two ‘other’ passions besides running.

I will sleep more. Drink more water. Smile more. And eat better.

I will lose 10 lbs, come hell or high water.

I will work on my e-book. Will it be a cook book, motivational book, or inspirational story? I’m not sure yet. But I won’t put it off another year.

Bring on 2014…I have big plans, to build my page, my passions, and my happiness. All of which will benefit my family.

And I’ll stick to this Ab challenge, DAILY!
#keepmovinforward

Uncategorized

My first post….

Movin' it with Michelle

Sitting near my fire, nestled quietly in my ‘corner’ (yes, they do put baby in the corner from time to time, but guess what, she may like being in her corner sometimes) I find myself looking back on 2013 with a great peaceful feeling. 

I have attacked my love for running full force, and despite injury at the end of the year I can still say I tackled my goals and gave it my all. 

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I have re-discovered my love for cooking, and plan on continuing to learn, grow, and flourish as a ‘home cook’ Chef. 

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Lastly, I have learned that not everyone will understand, or support our goals and dreams.  And that’s ok…For our number one fan must always be US first. 

With that, I say…find your passion…your ‘thing’…your ‘people’ and focus on what matters most. 

Family…fitness…and forward motion. 

Uncategorized

2013 year in review!

Movin' it with Michelle

I’m looking back on the year 2013 with smiles, nostalgia, and remembrance of so many great moments. 

In 2013 I ran eight official races, and one virtual half marathon. 

I ran/biked/walked 766 miles, which is just a couple hundred miles shy of my goal of 1000 miles for 2013.  Injury kicked my tail from October on, but I managed to keep moving.  I am still over 100 miles further than I moved in 2012, so I am pleased to say the least. 

My eating and habits weren’t stellar this year, and I plan on next year focusing more on less wine, and more veggies.  I seemed to go in waves of eating great, yet I have still not found a happy balance in caloric intake/workouts to maximize weight loss/lean building. 

Let the research begin. 

With that, I have to recognize all I DID accomplish in 2013.

I PR’d my half marathon at the Trailbreaker half with a time of 2:02. 
 

I placed second in my age group for the Dewey Dash 5K with a time of 27:24.  My first, and only age placing medal!
 

I PR’d my FULL marathon at the happiest place EVER for me at the Fox Valley marathon with a 4:25, finishing 49th in my age group!
 

I started a new career/step down in career as the Histology Coordinator at St. Joe’s Hospital in Elgin, IL.  But more time with my family was needed, so the step down, was really a step up.  I’m still trying to find that job, that doesn’t feel like a job.  Lol

I made more time to cook, write, and take pictures because it’s what I LOVE to do. 

Goals for 2014 are….

Run and Bike…MORE. 

Cross train…MORE.

Weight train…MORE.

Lost 10 lbs.

Take more pictures…write more….work on my e-book…sleep more…drink less wine…smile more…laugh more…pray more…focus on the positive….MORE. 

#keepbeingmore
Uncategorized

The Stand alone Chef

Movin' it with Michelle

As a girl, growing up in a busy household with two working parents, I used to wonder about a few things.

My Mom worked, cooked meals, and maintained a household with little help from us.  My sister and I had our chores of course, and my Dad was an amazing supporter/fixer upper as well.  But Mom did most of the meals minus times when she worked late, and we were left to fend for ourselves. 

But dinner time was 95% of the time spent with my sister, Dad, and me sitting at the dinner table while Mom ate off to the side, or scarfed down her food and starting cleaning up while we still enjoyed our meal. 

We would often recount our days, or simply quietly eat.  I don’t truly recall specific details of dinner time other than we were always well fed, and more times than not we had some sort of desert that consisted commonly of pudding in pretty little custard dishes. 

Why did my Mother rarely sit with us?  I simply did not understand. 

Yet tonight, after cooking a pretty amazing meal that I put my heart and soul into-as I usually do, I finally ‘got it.’

I caveat this post with the fact that I always serve my youngest first (she’s 7 years old, and well, gets distracted easily so takes a few more minutes to finish her dinner), my oldest second, and my husband thirdly before making my plate.  It isn’t uncommon for them to start eating without me, and I am ok with that fact. 

But tonight, my husband texted me saying he was running late, so I went ahead and served dinner to the three of us girls and had his plate on standby in the microwave. 

I sat down to eat, and instead of being welcomed and possibly thanked for a nice meal, I was instead given 14 year old attitude and open disdain with true to form eye rolling and head shaking. 

Did she not know I just spend an hour caramelizing onions to serve atop our carne asada seasoned steak?  Really?  Was my freshly prepared guacamole not enough to cut the chip on her shoulder off at least a touch? 

Apparently not…

So with the last head shake, I picked up my plate as calmly as possible and placed it near the sink so I could start cleaning up.  I knit picked at my plate while cleaning, trying to choke back the tears. 

I work so hard at WORK…after which I spend time getting my youngest from the bus, and helping her with homework to turn around and start dinner. 

Yet tonight, I felt as if I was slapped in the face, and wanted to be anywhere but at the dinner table. 

So I ate quietly…alone, at the counter.  Just as my Mom did, for so many years.   And I have to wonder…was this what she felt?  Did I cause her this heartache more times than she could count? 

I am guessing the answer to this question is YES.  And I can’t help but to have a nagging ache in my chest for the pain I caused her…a woman who has worked her tail off for her entire life.  And I bet my eye rolls and head shakes hurt her just as much as they hurt me. 

With that, I say…appreciate those that put time and effort into making your life a little better.  Be it with a meal, a phone call, a text, or a simple gesture. 

Keep Movin’ forward…xoxo
Uncategorized

My spectating Naperville marathon recap!

Movin' it with Michelle

I haven’t been blogging as much lately…why?  Well, I suppose because I primarily write about running, and I haven’t BEEN running so…yeah.   

Well, this past weekend was a bit different.  I had been feeling low, suffering from terrible PMD (post marathon depression), especially without being able to actually ‘run it off.’

So instead of continuing my month long pity party, I hung up my sloppy party dress which consisted of worn out jammies and fuzzy slippers that have seen better days. 

Instead, I spent this past Saturday evening with my running friends, where we celebrated one of our very own, Pam, which qualified for BOSTON!  WOW!  She is a rock star, and such an awesome person.   We gathered, ate, had a few drinks (some more than others, lol), and I called it an early night knowing I had an early wake up on Sunday. 
 

Early wake up you ask?  Why, on a Sunday?  I’m not racing?  Nope…but I had SOOO many friends running the inaugural Naperville Marathon and I was NOT going to miss it.  Would it be hard to see my friends running while I stood on the sidelines?  I thought so, briefly…

But it wasn’t hard at all. 

I set my running clothes out before going to bed.  Just in case someone might need me…you never know!  My awesome sign was made, bags were packed, and thanks to Carolyn I had a map in hand.  I could navigate this on my own, right?  This coming from the most directionally challenged person I know….yup…ME. 
 

I woke up on Sunday just before 5, dressed, washed, and packed up to drive the hour to Naperville.  This drive brought back memories of my once LONG commute-yet now I am at peace with the year and a half I worked at Edward Hospital.  Stepping stones, right?

I found parking easily, and met up with Andrea who was waiting inside as it was CHILLY out.  I can’t remember the temp…COLD.  LOL. 
 

I was able to see the other 2 of my 3 musketeers, Janel and Melissa, and there were a lot of hugs, and tears. 
 
 

Off to their corrals they went, and I was able to catch up with my sister who was also there spectating!  I only saw her briefly, but was great to get a quick hug, and cheer all the runners on together as they took off. 

I ran to my Jeep, knowing I needed to navigate to the 4 mile marker.  I did so with ease despite the traffic and road closures, and got to see so many of my friends pass by!  I was holding my sign like a crazy woman, and having a blast. 

The 9 mile marker was a bit more strategic as SOOOO many roads were blocked off.  Yet I made it, talked to a wonderful neighborhood gentleman who offered me hot tea (really, who does that anymore?  I was so touched!) and saw Jim first, then Kim and Char, as well as Andrea!  Time to head to the next stop! 

CRAP my gas light came on, and I had to pee…so I quickly gassed up, and peed and picked up coffee and a candy bar.  Breakfast of champions?  Heck yeah…I was on a mission.  This next stop was the 14.5 mile mark, where the runners were headed into a pretty desolate part of the forest preserve so I didn’t want to miss them.  I had to park nearly a mile away, but thankfully I had my running shoes on so I quickly (relatively speaking with a torn Achilles) arrived with my sign in hand.  I saw JJ at this point, as well as all my friends except Andrea.  My heart sank…I had missed her.  She texted saying she had already hit 15, so I knew it was time to move on. 

I will say, that the high fives, thanks from the crowd, and excitement for my sign made my heart sing.  I have truly fallen in love with spectating marathons. 

Off to the 20 mile or so marker I went…thankfully one of Andrea’s friends was already there, and helped me navigate my way there.  I parked, walked over to a good spot, and met up with Greg who kept me company for the next hour.  We started to worry after having seen all of our other runners…but where was Andrea?  Was she ok? 

She was ok…but she was hurting.  I told Greg he’d more than likely have to hold my sign, because I wasn’t going to let her to the last leg alone.  I knew she needed her friends.  So as I saw her come up the incline, I pitched my sign, and we took off running.  We ran/walked the last 6 miles…

The first few miles, Derek was with us on his bike, after just pacing a friend, and running his own race.  Tom met up with us around mile 22, and we settled in.  There were several bouts of cussing, back talk, jokes, and ‘that’s what she said” banter. 

I may, or may have not busted out in song, singing, “I like big butts and I cannot lie” after hearing Andrea’s complaints of butt pain. 
 

We kept moving, the entire time, and I even offered to massage her foot…who does that?  Massaging a sweaty, just ran a marathon foot?  Yeah… I offered.  I love this girl.  She rode her bike, with an ice pack on her foot during my marathon this year…mile 22?  She was there…telling me how damn strong I looked, when I felt otherwise.  I was NOT going to leave her struggling.  Ever. 

Mile 24 put us back in the trails near her home, where it was just so darn gorgeous I couldn’t even put words to it…beautiful homes, trees, paths.  I was so elated to just be running with my friends at this point, despite seeing her struggle.  We ran…we walked…and then we ran some more.  Mile 25 was headed back into downtown, and I knew it was hard….hell it was hard for me and I only ran 6 miles.  But she kept going…SHE didn’t quit. 

The last .2, Tom and I held back, and let her GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO….we pushed up the final hill together, and then let her finish HER race strong.  I had to stop and capture THIS moment…this moment that I know she will never forget. 
 

This woman has told me more times than I can count over the last year that she is a “broken runner.”  She didn’t believe in herself…yet I didn’t quit encouraging her….just like she did for me. 

I swore I wouldn’t finish my marathon this summer.  I was “broken” with knee/ITB issues.  Yet she continued to believe in me. 

And I.  In her. 

This DO EPIC SHIT lady, with her exterior of steel, yet a heart of gold, has moved me in more ways that I can express. 
finish line hugs.  the best. 
 

And tonight, when she called to play the song, “I like big butts,” I couldn’t help but to laugh out loud. 

In the end, I am so proud of all my friends, for setting their goals high, and never quitting. 

I am truly blessed.