Still Goin'

I've been sticking to the half-marathon training schedule...and ran for a ful 65 minutes on Sunday! Amazing.. I hit the treadmill last night, and was greatful for the 30 minute limit due to people waiting for the machines.

I've found that all this running makes me very very hungry.

Cool Runnin'

Yes, Jamaica has a bobsled team... but now Sacramento has a new runner!

I'm in my third week of training to run a half marathon. There was a 2 mile "hump" for me that I just crossed! As a casual run / walker, I could cover two miles in about 25 minutes and that was good enough for me. I didn't see how my body would be able to run longer distances (without any walking breaks). I've always been a great long distance walker...this half marathon is my first attempt at being a long distance runner.

The training program is working! Monday evening I ran for 58 minutes, NO WALKING!!. Okay, I stopped at the bathroom, but ran all the way to the toilet, stopped the watch, and started it again as soon as I got up and began running again. So, I ran 58 minutes at a 12 min/mile pace consistently...the whole time!! It built confidence that my body can run for longer periods of time.

Thus, tonight, when we do our speed workout, I know I'll survive it. Tonight is 12 min warm-up, 16 min fast running, 12 min cool down. As long as I can keep my feet moving at a fast running motion for the 16 minutes, I'll be doing good. I'm excited for it :)

Think warm and speedy thoughts for me. (My running hat is hiding..maybe because it's too cold outside.)

Happy Birthday Sis!

Happy Birthday to You
Happy Birthday to You
Happy Birthday dear Sister
Happy Birthday to YOU!!!!!!

We celebrated last weekend with a lavish evening in the city: A night at the St. Francis on Union Square, dinner at Cortez, and evening entertainment of Pirates of Penzance at the Yerba Buena Center for Performing Arts.

Every part was fun! P of P is very humorous and kept us on our toes :)

Thanks for having a birthday Sis!

Philosophical Lesson # 717

Whooo arrrrre youuuu?

A famous quote by the caterpillar in Alice in Wonderland. I always liked the way he asked the question, with the smoke rings flowing as his tongue rolled the “r”.

He has a point though. Have you ever tried to answer that question? What does the answer look like? I realize now, (thanks Mom) that I’ve never asked myself this before. Of course, I know my name… and I know what kinds of things I’m good at…. I make friends very easily….but who am I?

How is a person defined? I don’t even know how to format the answer to this question.

Wingnut is pondering….

One motto I try to live by:

"If it's not fun, why do it?"
-Jerry Greenfield of Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream.

Please note, that with this mindset, I make "not fun" things, fun. I find it's a nice way to go through life :)

Restrooms and Parking

Have you ever entered a restroom with what seems like a bazillion stalls? It feels like you're walking down an endless aisle of stalls on either side... How do you choose one?

It's just like parking a car in a massive sea of asphalt painted with stripes.

Target one spot (or stall), position yourself accordingly, and turn on in.

Some people like to stay near the front, others go directly to the back of the lot (or aisle of stalls).

One bathroom in Disneyland surprised us when the aisle of stalls looped right around in a horshoe shape. If you're looking for the end of the aisle, all of a sudden you are back at the front!

Wingnutism # 73

Drama. It's the spice of life.

Be Dramatic!!

How does Starbucks lead to a Baking discussion?

Did you know that Starbuck’s prints a quote on their cups? I’m allowed to frequent the popular coffee shop this year, because my family and friends were kind enough to give me gift cards J

Anyway, my cup (with a non-fat chai latte) says The Way I See It #49

Baking may be regarded as a science, but it’s the chemistry between the ingredients and the cook that gives that gives desserts life. Baking is done out of love, to share with family and friends, to see them smile. – Anna Olson, Chef and hostess of the all-dessert show Sugar on Food Network Canada.

I haven’t noticed any life in the desserts I eat… If there is life, it is very short lived. Especially for the chocolate desserts.

I thought the chemistry was among the ingredients…not between the ingredients and the chef. Maybe that’s where I went wrong in burning a grilled cheese sandwich the other day. I guess, the bread and I weren’t meant for each other. I must say that I did make the grilled cheese with love. It was for A, not me. He smiled, even though it was burnt. Maybe Anna does have a point. (Yes, I do realize that grilled cheese sandwiches don’t count as “baking”. I’m taking a little bit of writer’s liberty with the interpretation.)

My sister did an immense amount of baking this holiday season, to show us how much we are loved. She even kept us on a regulated eating pattern for the cookies to make sure we had plenty for the night that counts the most: Christmas Eve. We didn’t need Santa to help us! We did a great job. Of course my dear friend down from Seattle baked some fabulous sugar cookies to show us her love also.

The way Wingnut sees it: Baking and cooking for other people is enjoyable. They appreciate the gesture (and hopefully the food too), and you are reminded about how good it feels to do something nice for someone else. (This is, of course, assuming that the recipients / eaters do say thank you and express their gratitude.)

Wingnut's Resolutions

Okay, so there area few minor resolutions that I made...but they are not that exciting and creative.

I resolve to cook more. "More" refers to more than once a month, because I think that's how often I cooked last year. I'm stocked up on cookbooks from Santa :)

I also resolve to build muscle to support strong bones. Yes, that's a creative way of saying I'm going to get in shape. This week I begin an eight week training program to run a half-marathon :)

I also hope to continue writing enlightened thoughts to this site on a regular basis throughout the year!

Cheers to a New Year!!!

Can you believe it’s 2006? I know, you’ve heard that question a bazillion times already…. but it still baffles me. It seems like just yesterday I was in Boston celebrating the new millennium. Remember that? Everyone thought the computers were going to crash and the world was going to end.

This year I was in South Lake Tahoe playing Risk with some friends. I’m 28 and this was my first introduction to the game. I loved it!

The topic of the week seems to be New Year’s Resolutions. I can tell that the greater Sacramento population has resolved to go to the gym. Yoga was packed on Tuesday! I just tell people that I’m perfect, why would I make a resolution?

Okay, maybe this line works better for my mom… but I use it anyway. In reality, I’m always trying to improve the person that I am. I’ve found that the best way to be happy, is to be the best person I can be. So, I continue to try.

What creative New Year’s Resolutions did you make (or hear of )? Add a comment :)