Running Blogger Exchange?!

I was over on Run with Jess' blog today (yep, you caught me... I was reading blogs at work) when something caught my eye.  She had mentioned she plans to participate in the 2nd Annual Holiday Blogger Gift Exchange over to Run with Jill's blog.  I did a little investigating and became more intrigued by this concept.  I'm new to the blogging world, but I love to run!  I always feel guilty buying running gear for myself because I know the money could be spent on my children.... but participating in this gift exchange takes some of that guilt away!

So if you are interested in participating in Jill's Gift Exchange, head on over to her blog, leave her a comment (or send her an email) to let her know you want to participate (and include your email address as well).

Another awesome thing I read about today is Adam's 1000th post over at his blog The Boring Runner.  He's one of my favorite bloggers... he's funny and talks about pooping just as much as me!  He's even more awesome because he is giving away two pairs of Brooks running shoes... love me some Brooks!

So excited... I can't wait!

Sunday Long Run Day

This was my longest run since my last 1/2 marathon on July 31st.   I originally mapped out a route, but decided to venture off the beaten path.  I was busting out 9:xx min/miles for the first couple of miles.  I knew I was going too fast, but that's what felt comfortable.  Around 3.5 miles, I got tired of carrying my water bottle so I ditched it.  Around mile 6, I started to feel tired.  The thought of stopping and calling it a day crossed my mind, but I knew I would be disappointed if I quit... so I just kept truckin' along.  I had to take several walk breaks (which I'm not proud of), but I felt revitalized afterwards.  It started to get chilly around mile 8 and I was thankful of the fake arm sleeves I made out of old tube socks : )  By this time, I kept thinking, "just a few more miles and you'll be done."  Miles 10-12 were REALLY slow, but my body was REALLY tired.  I ran past SO MANY houses that had horses in this area.  At the end, I saw a coyote in the farm that I ran past.  Many people do not realize that Las Vegas actually has communities with houses and stuff (I've actually had people ask me if I live by the strip and didn't understand that there were houses outside the strip area).

I would have to say this was an okay run because it wasn't at the speed that I had hoped, but it also was a good run because I didn't have to stop and poop in bushes : )

When I got home, I took the world's longest shower.  I have always been notorious for taking long showers and using up all the hot water.  I love sitting in the tub while the water flows all over me. 

Two weeks until the big Rock n' Roll Vegas Half Marathon.  I'm ready... are YOU?

Am I ready for Ragnar?

I’ve had many non-running friends say to me, ‘What the heck is Ragnar?’  I explain that “It’s an {almost} 200 mile relay you complete with 11 other buddies.  You pretty much live out of a vehicle with others for about 36+ hours.  Sounds awesome, right?”  Then they look at me like I have three heads.  They don’t get it… but that’s alright. 

I’ve been really nervous about Ragnar for the past couple of months… pretty much since I was injured back on July 31^st at the San Francisco Half Marathon.  Will my leg be healed enough to run?  I took 4-6 weeks off of running… which by the way, totally sucks!  When I finally was able to run again, I managed to get sick for two weeks with the flu and a sinus infection.  I am starting to feel more like myself… except a REALLY tired version [of myself].  I managed to gain 10 lbs… apparently I thought I could still eat like I was running 25+ miles each week.  On a side note, my husband tore his Achilles Tendon in August during a tennis tournament.  He has managed to LOSE 10 lbs while being injured.  How the heck does that happen?  I’m totally a jelly belly [that’s what the Kardashians call ‘being jealous’].  Anyways…

Last night, I met up with my fellow Ragnar teammates to decorate the truck and discuss details about Friday.  After I left, my feelings of nervousness were gone and I became excited to doing something so adventurous.  I have great people in my van and I am so glad to be a part of their team.  My leg has been feeling great.  Luckily, my team captain assigned one of the easiest “legs” to me knowing that I am coming off of an injury. 

So to answer the title of this post… I think I’m ready to embark on my first Ragnar experience.  I’m really looking forward to it!  

Oatmeal Creme Pie Cupcakes

One of our very good friends, Phil, from California flew in this morning for a quick trip (leaves tomorrow morning).  The husband and Phil are going on a man date tonight to see the Champion Series Across America tennis match featuring Andre Agassi, Pete Sampras, Jim Courier, and John McEnroe.  I told them they must take lots of pictures that make them look like they are a gay couple.  Should be good times!  : )

Phil's birthday was a couple of weeks ago so I knew I wanted to make him cupcakes when he got into town.  I originally tried making angel food pineapple cupcakes, but that didn't turned out so pretty.... so it was on to the next recipe.  I went through my many saved blog posts in my google reader and found Oatmeal Creme Pie Cupcakes from Inside BruCrew Life.  They were super simple to make!  I chose not to use the buttercream recipe that went with the recipe.  I googled "cinnamon buttercream" because I thought it would complement the cupcakes better.  I found this recipe and decided to give it a try (it got great reviews).  I decided to make half the batch with the oatmeal creme pies in the middle and half plain (just in case the other cupcakes did not turn out).  Here are the pictures:

[Yes, I made them do the thumbs up--LOL!]

Happy Belated Birthday Phil!  Hope you enjoy your cupcakes and the date with the husband!

Help! Suggestions needed!

I posted on Facebook a few days ago that someone wants to hire me to bake cupcakes for their party.  I was shocked!  I've been baking for a long time now... just for fun.  I think it's time I start setting up a website with descriptions and pictures.  Before I can do that, I need to think of a name to call this company... or bakery... or whatever it's supposed to be called!

Every time I think of a good name it's already taken.  Ugh.  This is where YOU come into play... I need help coming up with a name.  Leave me a suggestion in the comment section below.  Share a link to my blog post on Twitter, FB, and/or your own blog (if you are a blogger) to help a girl out!

Thanks a bunch!

National Take Your Daughter Running Day

As I have said before, I follow a ton of blogs.... one specifically is the Chronic Runner.  Earlier this week, she declared October 1st National Take Your Daughter Running Day.  Of course, I thought this was a fantastic idea.

I never told Keira I wanted to go running with her today.  Funny thing... she woke up this morning asking to go [running].  I'm not a fan of running in the morning, so I told we'd go later.  Several hours later, I decided it was time to hit the pavement.  I got ready and Keira got ready.  We went outside and started stretching:

After stretching, we began our run.  I was really impressed with her ability to run as much as she did (being that she is only 3 years old).  Our results:

.50 miles/9:43

When we arrive back at the house, I dropped her off and asked Roman if he wanted to ride his bike while I went for a run.  He politely declined by saying he was waiting for his best friend (who lives two doors down) to come over.  [He ended up not playing with his friend and I made sure to make him feel really guilty.  What kind of Mom would I be if I didn't make him feel guilty?!  LOL!]  He promised he'd ride his bike with me next time I went for a run. I went off on my own which was fine.  

I felt really good throughout the entire run.  I had minimal pain (which was tolerable).  I never stopped to walk.  This is the longest run in well over a month.  

3.25 miles/35:00

I do have to say running is starting to feel a little easier each time... thank goodness!  Time to ice my leg and call it a night.

Apple Cupcakes with a Caramel Cream Cheese Frosting

Whoa... has it really been 6 months since my last blog post?!?!  Holy smokes!  My friends, Andrea and Lana will be happy to see I'm FINALLY back to blogging.  I'm going to make an honest effort to blog more frequently... if I have anything important to share.  Moving on...

Anyone who knows me knows how much I love to bake cupcakes and run.  I'm not going to even discuss running right now because we're (running and I) are not getting along.  Ugh.  ANYWAYS... I follow a ton of bloggers.  They vary from educationally based to baking/cooking to running.  Yep, that's pretty much it.  I saw a blog post written by Hoosier Homemade a little over a week ago for apple cupcakes with a caramel cream cheese frosting.  I made sure to bookmark it because I definitely wanted to try them out.  As much as I wanted to make them right away, I didn't.  Most of the time, I wait for something to bake... I don't just bake to bake much anymore.  I used to do that... but it got expensive, you know?  Luckily, we're having a work get together tomorrow night.  This was the perfect opportunity to try out the new recipe.

As soon as I got home from work today, I got started in my baking adventure.  It didn't take me as I thought to make these apple cupcakes.  I mean, I had to peel, core, and chop four apples... something I've never done before.  But no worries... it was super easy!

Apple Cupcakes with a Caramel Cream Cheese Frosting

I'm going to toot my own horn and say how AMAZING the pictures I took turned out.  It helps that I have a much better camera on my fancy, new iPhone.

Hudson says "Mama, I love your cupcakes!"

Now that I'm done baking, it's time to relax and get ready for some Jersey Shore!