White Sangria--Mixed Results

My White Sangria-First Experiment

Sunday seemed like a great day to try making Sangria.  I decided on White Sangria, just because I liked the idea.  After perusing recipes online, I realized it pretty much doesn't matter how you make it, since you can put in any fruit you want, any white wine you want, and, if you want, other booze.

So I stuck with white wine, and looked in my fridge for available fruit.  I cut up strawberries, an orange, lemon, and lime, squeezing some of the juice into the wine.  I also had some frozen blueberries, so I dumped a few of them in there, too.  I also added some simple syrup to the mix.  It sat in my fridge all day, until Bud came over for supper.  I was very excited to get his reaction to the sangria.  I poured two glasses, and topped them off with some club soda.

It wasn't what I hoped for.  He didn't care too much for the sangria, saying it was "flat".  Neither one of us could tell what was missing, so I added more simple syrup to my glass, and it tasted better.  I think what was missing was more booze!  Next time, I will try again and add some brandy, which seems to be the overwhelming choice for most recipes.  Bud did insist on drinking his glass, and actually asked for another during our meal; maybe the taste improved with food.  I just know we drank the equivalent of two bottles of wine, and wow, didn't even pay attention to that!  Usually, we can manage one bottle of wine, but two?  The fruit fooled us.

I did discover that I will have to purchase a new glass pitcher for Sangria.  The pitcher I have isn't big enough.  Geez, what a cook must do to maintain standards in her kitchen.  Anyway, that's two recipes off my cooking bucket list.  I think homemade pizza on the grill is up next.  The turkey will have to wait for cooler weather.

First Speed Work Run Recap

Yesterday was my first official "speed work" run of 4 miles.  What speed work entails is this:  you run at your regular pace, then pick it up and run much faster for a short time or distance, then slow down again to your normal pace, then do it again.  My goal was to do it twice per mile.

I started out later than usual, so it was warm outside, although the humidity was waaaay better than Saturday.  Can I just say that speed work is really hard?!  I started out running slowly, then picked up the pace for about 1/10th of a mile, running from one post to the next as fast as I could without hacking up a lung and passing out.  I had to stop and walk afterwards, until I could start slowly running again.  I had never really tried speed work before in a concentrated effort, and I can say it wiped me out!

Now this morning, I can definitely feel it in my legs.  They feel pretty wobbly and slightly sore.  Speed work is only supposed to be done once a week, and my training program alternates it with hill work every week.  After talking with my fellow co-worker, M, who is also training for the same half marathon (his first!), he explained why you should only do it once a week.  It's killer on your legs!  Hill work is also speed work in disguise, so that's why it alternates with regular speed work.  You run up a hill as fast as you can, then either trot or walk down, then do it again.  It makes the "fast twitch" muscles in your legs break down, so when your body rebuilds them, they are stronger.  This helps you run longer and faster eventually.

Today is my one day off from my training program.  Tomorrow morning, it's an early morning for my 8 mile run.  I have to mix up my training each week, since my job is not a regular 9-5 M-F work week.  I will not want to run 8 miles after work later this week, so it must be done tomorrow!  For now, it's mowing the yard, finishing a book, then going to work this afternoon.

Running Recap for This Week--Mother Nature Packs a Wallop!

My sad smiley face

Well, my goal total mileage this week was 19 miles.  I failed to reach my goal.  I am disappointed, since I did so well last week!  


The weather has definitely been a factor.  I still have a difficult time running in high humidity.  It just does not make running a feel good experience.  But, I made myself run twice today, to make up for my lack of running on Friday--I should have run 4 miles yesterday, but between storms and the high humidity, it just wasn't in the cards.  Going down to the gym is equally unpleasant, since the humidity level in there (created by all the sweaty people) makes it gross.  I will probably try running there for the speed runs I have to do, since it's easier to do them on a treadmill--you increase your speed, and it's run or fall off the treadmill!  And no holding on--that doesn't count.


I did manage to do my two days of cross-training; one day was weights, another was bike riding.  This next week my mileage increases to 21 miles with a speed day and a hill day, along with a long run of 8 miles.  
So I'm closing the book on this week, and looking ahead to more running delights next week.  I've discovered I really crave honey roasted peanuts after a long run, and while flavored water ( I tried Propel powder in my water bottle) helps me drink more and tastes better during a run, it still doesn't sit very well afterwards.  The search continues for something that hydrates and gives me energy without giving me a queasy stomach.


Must go--the couch is calling me!

What Does 80% Humidity Feel Like? I Know!

So can I just join the chorus of whiners around the United States and say, "What is up, Mr. Sun and Ms. Humidity?!"


Can you give us a break?  Please!  Our veggie plants are wilting and browning, our flowers don't know what to do, and I'm not alone in running my air conditioning for three weeks straight.  


I'd like to go outside and not break into an ugly sweat before I get into my car.  I'd like to sit on my porch and read a good book, but it's so wet and muggy outside everything sticks--including the chair to my behind!   I think the skin on the backs of my legs is slowly regenerating and healing.


And exercise?  Well, even getting up at 4:45 AM to run is not possible.  This morning, I stepped outside to check the weather, and my glasses promptly fogged up.  I stepped back inside, reset my alarm, and went to sleep for another hour.  No running today!  By some miracle I thought a cool front was moving through this afternoon, but I left work and stepped outside into the same goopy air  I thought I left in the parking lot at 7:30 this morning.  


What about supper?  Nothing sounds good.  Who wants to grill out, or even go to a restaurant in this weather?  Is your temper on a short fuse?  Mine's ok, but geez, some people have become decidedly unfriendly.  


One bonus, though.  I can now easily identify the weeds that are the only thing flourishing outside.  They are much taller and fuller than my flowers, and don't wilt at all in this weather.  And, I am getting my reading done every week.  


I am *Gasp* starting to longingly look forward to October, colored leaves, and pumpkin bread.  


Have a cool and comfy weekend!

Yes, I was Right

I was right yesterday.  I did do enough exercises at the gym that I was painfully sore this morning, so much that I couldn't get out of bed to run before work.  So, like a good woman in training, I ran after work.  You know how you can run and kick your butt at the same time?  Haven't tried it?  You should.  I did this afternoon.  I kicked myself in the butt for 3 miles, sweating and muttering "Why didn't I run this morning? You idiot!"  It was rather HOT outside!


But, I was happy with my run.  I just went slow, and managed to squeeze in 3 instead of 4 miles before I stopped.  Now tomorrow morning, I will definitely get up early (hopefully no showers!) and run before work.  I know I will be much happier at 4:30, when I can leave work, go home, and relax!


Off to bathe, get the stink off, and make some bruschetta for supper.  


Hope you have a great evening!

Bud and I Produced! He He Ha Ha

I picked a ton of green beans and our first two peppers!  More peppers are just about ready; we have chocolate, red, yellow, and green.  I picked enough green beans to share with Bud's parents, and another supper for us sometime this week.  Tonight we're having the green beans with some marinated grilled chicken, hobo potatoes, and lemon drops!  At least, this is what I'm making--and Bud will eat it because he probably hasn't eaten all day.


Alas, our babies won't be long for this world--just a few more hours, then "Get In My Belly!"


I think the heat has finally penetrated my noggin.  :)  It was very satisfying to rip out weeds that have grown taller than the actual veggie plants.  At least, I'm pretty sure most of them were weeds...


And yes, I am still training... today was a cross- training day.  I went to the gym and did all sorts of exercises guaranteed to hurt me later.  Tomorrow--4 mile run.

Hill Work--Enjoyable or Soul Sucking Exercise? Discuss

I went out and ran this morning after posting my last blog.  It was windy, and the sun was not yet peaking out from the clouds.  It was quite peaceful and, while sticky, not overly so.


That is, until I started my "hill work".  In running, it's recommended that you run up and down hills to not only build strength in your legs, but it also helps your body run farther, since it's used to working hard to get up and down hills.  I usually never run on hills, since I have a few running spots and they're mostly flat.  


So today was 4 miles of hills.  I gulped some water, then started at a sloooow trot near my sister's house.  She lives on a hill, and the streets around her all gradually build up to a hill which is pretty steep.  I had no idea how far my run actually was, so I guessed with my time.  Running up and down streets, enjoying the John Tesh show on my Ipod, and looking to see who was up early on a Sunday morning.  Not too many were up early.  


It quickly got very warm and sticky, and I alternated between short  walk breaks and running up hills.  I have lots of room for improvement, and while it was hard, I'm really excited to know that I will see improvement every week as I run hills.  And, I've found lots of new streets to run on through some  pretty neighborhoods that are quiet and all paved with sidewalks!


Now the sun is out, it's getting steamier, and I'm glad to be done!  I think my legs will be feeling the hills later on today.