Girls Night Out and Monday Mini-Goals

I had a pretty busy weekend and had to work both Saturday and Sunday. Since I moved my long run to Friday, I took a rest day on Saturday and was able to squeeze in a 1 hour bike ride (18.5 miles) Sunday afternoon. After work on Sunday, I had a girl's night out at California Pizza Kitchen. It's kind...

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Foodie Pen Pals September Reveal

It's Foodie Pen Pals Reveal Day! Don't know what Foodie Pen Pals is? Each month, you sign up and get paired with another foodie. You get to know them a little and what they like. Then you put together a little package filled with yummy treats for them! (Spending limit of $15). The best part is, you...

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Training Log 9/22- 9/28

This week was crazy high volume with both running and biking. On Sunday, I biked a personal distance record of 100 miles on my first century ride. Those were some hilly, beautiful, and fast miles! Seriously, I thought the day went by way too fast. On Friday, I decided to go for my peak mileage with my long run, and ran 20 miles. It's less than a month now until the Marine Corps Marathon, and I'm about...

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Whole Grain Pumpkin Pancakes

Let's start the weekend off with some pumpkin pancakes, shall we? I can't think of a more perfect breakfast on a cool autumn morning :) ...

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Why I'm Riding 4400 miles Across the US

Cancer is a loaded word. It has touched everyone in some way or another. Maybe you have felt the tremors when you heard that a friend of a friend was recently diagnosed. Or maybe it has violently shaken your life and turned it upside down, whether you are battling it yourself or are fighting for someone...

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Peaking with Marathon Training

The Marine Corps Marathon is exactly 30 days away! I decided to go on a long run this morning. At about mile 10, I decided to make my long run into a 20-miler. My personal distance record, and the peak mileage that I am planning on doing. I hit the 20 mile mark mainly for the confidence boost. From...

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Every Mile Matters: My Next Big Goal

My goal for this fall is to complete my first full marathon. I've been thinking about what I want to accomplish after that. A spring marathon? PR in another distance? Or even try a triathlon? I've been thinking about triathlons lately... Reflecting on this past year, I have gone from a non-runner to...

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Getting Back into Marathon Training

It's little more than four weeks before the Marine Corps Marathon! Yikes, my mileage has been pitiful lately, and if you haven't noticed, I haven't posted my weekly training log for the past two weeks. I do have two excuses: 1) I took it easy the week before the Philly Half Marathon on 9/15 2) I had a week to recover after the Philly Half for my century ride (100 mile bike ride) on 9/22 So I haven't...

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Weekend Eats: Free BBQ and Apple Picking

On Saturday, I went to the farm again with my brother to go apple picking. I also needed some squash in my life, so I picked up a pumpkin and a butternut squash. I picked some Jonagolds, Fuji, and Cameo apples. I also sampled a lot, and I think I ate at least two whole apples while picking.&...

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First 100 Miles- Back Roads Century Ride

Today, I finished my first century ride! The ride was so scenic, the weather was absolutely perfect, the support from the volunteers was never lacking, and everything went smoothly (no drop chains, mechanical failures, bonking). I would say this was the best ride of my life (so far)! A view of...

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Testing Testing, 1, 2, 3

My bike is tuned up, tire pressure is topped off, finally got a water bottle cage and installed it, printed out my cue sheets and maps, and I am almost ready for the Back Roads Century tomorrow. Just need to pack a few more important items, and hopefully I don't forget anything! Here's an overview...

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Life Updates and Travel Plans

As you may or may not know, I am applying to dental schools this year. The application process starts in June, and interviews start around September/October, and goes until the spring. I have 4 interviews scheduled in October so far, so I'll be travelling around a lot! The schools that I applied to are all over the country, so I am flying to SoCal, Kentucky, and Utah. My first interview is at my...

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Grilled Cheese with Figs and Honey

I love figs, but don't buy them often. They are pretty pricey, so I usually get them if they are on sale, or to splurge. This past weekend in Philly, I went to Reading Terminal and walked past a grilled cheese stand. It smelled AMAZING and I really wanted to try it, but unfortunately, I passed up the...

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In-Between Week Training

This week is in between two endurance events, the Philly Rock N Roll half marathon last weekend, and the Back Roads Century Ride this Sunday. Obviously, this week is not the week to pick up the intensity for marathon training. I need to recover smartly from my half marathon, and prepare myself for the 100 mile bike ride. So far, I've been taking it relatively easy: Monday- rest (2.5 mile walk) Tuesday-...

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Philly Trip in Pictures

Here are some pictures from my weekend trip to Philly for the Rock N Roll Philly Half Marathon. We spent Saturday afternoon just walking around the city and seeing the sights. The Comcast Center is a really cool building. I liked how reflective it is, like it's almost blending into the s...

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Rock N Roll Philly Race Recap

I had a great weekend in Philly and an awesome race! I was aiming for at least a 5 minute PR, and I got it! More on that later.  On Saturday morning, my brother and I left for Philly around 9:30. The drive took about 2.5 hours, so not too long at all. I didn't drive, so I just listened to music...

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Homemade Pumpkin Pie Pop Tarts!

Pumpkin Pie Pop Tarts! Earlier this week, I went on a pumpkin baking rampage and made three different pumpkin treats using one can of pumpkin: pumpkin granola, muffins and pop tarts. This was the first time I've made homemade pop tarts. Why haven't I made these sooner? They are pretty easy to...

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More Pumpkin! Pumpkin Spice Granola

And the pumpkin craze continues! Today I will share my recipe for Pumpkin Spice Granola, with pumpkin, delicious spices, and pumpkin seeds for an added crunch. Just warning you, this stuff is really addictive! This recipe is vegan, and you can also make this recipe gluten-free by using gluten-free...

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Pumpkin Recipes Galore! Pumpkin Spice Muffins

Today, I was baking stuff for my Foodie Pen Pal. Since it's fall and fall means pumpkin season, I decided to make it pumpkin themed (duh). I was a baking maniac, and couldn't decide on one thing to make, so I ended up making three different kinds of pumpkin-flavored treats! I am going to eventually...

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Training Log 9/1-9/7 and Weekend Eats

Training This week was pretty chill, running-wise. I was feeling a bit burned out from running, so I ran a grand total of twice. Monday's planned, but failed, long run was a bit disheartening. It was relatively hot and muggy, and I just felt plain tired that day. I turned around sooner than planned, and actually started walking about a mile from home. That's rare for me. Monday- 7.6 mi run....

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Apple Pie with Coconut Oil Crust

This first week of September really feels like fall! And that means fall flavors, like apple pie, cinnamon, pumpkin, and other warm spices. On Friday, a particularly cool morning, I decided that it was the perfect weather for baking an apple pie. After buying a huge jar of coconut oil, I wanted...

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Friday Long Ride

Happy Friday :) The weather today is amazing, and I decided that it is perfect apple pie-baking weather. The high today is only 75 :D It's not even noon yet, and I am pooped. This morning, I decided to go on a long bike ride instead of doing it on Saturday, since I have to work a lot this weekend....

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Feels Like Fall

Ahh, it finally feels like fall! It was in the 50's early this morning, and I had a great 8 mile run. Compared to my last run on Monday, today's was less of a struggle-fest. 57 degrees feels way better than a humid 70 degrees! I felt so tired and out of it on Monday. I was planning to run at least 10 miles, but I ended up turning back sooner than planned, and even started walking before I got home!...

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Labor Day Fun and Eats

I had a great Labor Day :) My family and I was out all day having fun. There is a huge entertainment center and shopping outlet near Baltimore called Arundel Mills, and we decided to spend the day there. There is a Live! Casino, which I was excited to go to since I could finally gamble! I haven't gone...

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Training Log: 8/25-8/31

Happy Labor Day! I hope you are enjoying the long weekend :) This is my one day off this weekend. I started the day with a 7.6 mile run, and then I'm going shopping with the fam. We are going to check out Arundel Mills, where there's fun places like a casino, Dave & Busters, restaurants, outlets, and a cinema. I've driven by the place, but never actually been. This week, training-wise, was less...

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Pick-Your-Own Apples

It's the first day of September, and the start of apple picking season! Every year, it's a tradition to go to the farm and pick apples. I eat a ton when I'm picking them (gotta sample them, right?), and then buy a lot to bring home to make into pies, cakes, or just eat as a snack. When the apple season...

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