MOVE IT 2011

FINAL 2011 RESULTS - Time

2012-01-02T10:52:00.002-05:00

GRAND TOTAL HOURS: 4640.29

Challengers in time order:

Andy - 360.08
Janna - 357.33
Erik - 285.23
Reanbean - 274.43
Monika - 242.28
Alison - 241.87
Jenii - 241.57
Natalie - 229.23
Angela R - 225.13
Kara - 202.93
Ms Mae - 200.1
Angela C - 190.3
Heather - 187
Laura - 184.62
Megan - 172.08
Joanna - 144.33
Eva - 134.17
Mel - 130.85
Cacey - 126.5
Jaime - 126.42
Rose Marie - 109.25
Natalie M - 109.03
Jen - 98.28
Goddess - 67.27

FINAL 2011 RESULTS - Miles

2012-01-02T10:48:00.002-05:00

Thank you everyone who participated this year!

GRAND TOTAL MILES: 22,643.41

Challengers in mileage order:

Andy - 2187.59
Eric - 1653.25
Natalie - 1150.14
Erik - 1146
Kara - 1002.31
Ms Mae - 1002.23
Lisa - 915.57
Amy - 900.05
Ashlee - 877
Irene - 873.5
KLeigh - 860.4
Angela R - 765.72
Laura - 750.14
Erin S - 707.68
HeatherV - 702.1
Alison - 607
Wendee - 556.56
Jenii - 539.15
Monika - 521.49
Jana - 505.9
Mel - 500.91
Darrah - 464.65
Angela C - 434.47
Hannah - 408.15
Joy - 370.5
Miche - 350
Jen - 348.97
Jody - 341.93
Tara - 303.61
Rose Marie - 253.01
Carrie - 241.83
Christi - 235.6
Steve - 166

Week 51 stats, week 52 stats, FINAL STATS

2011-12-19T15:19:00.002-05:00

Hi all, since the holidays fall on Sundays this year, I will be posting only ONE MORE update this year. I will post one final summary on Tuesday, January 3, 2012.

Please comment here with your FINAL STATS once you are done.

Have a great holiday season!

Week 50 Results - Time

2011-12-19T15:14:00.002-05:00

Big news this week! Mel hit 125 hours! Cacey hit 125 hours!

GRAND TOTAL TIME: 4504.19 hours

Challengers in time order:

Janna - 338.17
Andy - 330.75
Erik - 285.23
Reanbean - 255.93
Monika - 242.28
Jenii - 241.57
Angela R - 225.13
Alison - 224.2
Natalie - 219.08
Kara - 194.35
Ms Mae - 190.22
Heather - 187
Angela C - 183.88
Laura - 176.62
Megan - 172.08
Joanna - 144.33
Eva - 133.17
Mel - 128.15
Cacey - 126.5
Jaime - 126.42
Rose Marie - 109.25
Natalie M - 109.03
Jen - 93.58
Goddess - 67.27

Week 50 Results- Miles

2011-12-19T15:11:00.002-05:00

GRAND TOTAL MILES - 21,948.02

Challengers in mileage order:

Andy - 1995.79
Eric - 1576.25
Erik - 1146
Natalie - 1096.89
Kara - 956.09
Ms Mae - 955.2
Lisa - 915.57
Irene - 860
Amy - 846.01
KLeigh - 833.4
Ashlee - 826
Angela R - 765.72
Laura - 724.14
Erin S - 707.68
Heather - 702.1
Alison - 582
Jenii - 539.15
Wendee - 536.87
Monika - 521.49
Jana - 505.9
Mel - 489.35
Darrah - 464.65
Angela C - 422.92
Hannah - 408.15
Joy - 307.5
Miche - 349.9
Jodi - 341.93
Jen - 332.44
Tara - 294.41
Rose Marie - 253.01
Christi - 235.6
Carrie - 231.51
Steve - 161.4

Week 50 stats

2011-12-16T11:23:00.001-05:00

We're down to the last couple of weeks! Post your week 50 stats here.

Week 49 Results - Time

2011-12-12T10:47:00.001-05:00

GRAND TOTAL HOURS: 4453.45

Challengers in time order:

Janna - 338.17
Andy - 330.75
Erik - 280.9
Reanbean - 255.93
Monika - 242.28
Jenii - 241.57
Angela R - 225.13
Alison - 224.2
Natalie - 211.02
Kara - 189.43
Ms Mae - 185.3
Heather - 183.33
Angela C - 179.88
Laura - 174.03
Megan - 172.08
Joanna - 144.33
Eva - 133.17
Jaime - 126.42
Mel - 122.37
Cacey - 118.5
Rose Marie - 109.25
Natalie M - 140.57
Jen - 93.58
Goddess - 67.27

Week 49 Results - Miles

2011-12-12T10:40:00.002-05:00

Jana hit 500 miles!

GRAND TOTAL MILES: 21,647.41

Challengers in mileage order:

Andy - 1995.79
Eric - 1576.25
Erik - 1126.5
Natalie - 1050.52
Kara - 934.24
Ms Mae- 928.61
Lisa - 915.57
Irene - 830.5
Ashlee - 826
KLeigh - 823.4
Amy - 817.7
Angela R - 765.72
Laura - 713.14
Heather - 684.1
Erin S - 661.76
Alison - 582
Jenii - 529.15
Wendee - 529.97
Monika - 521.49
Jana - 500.33
Mel - 465.25
Darrah - 464.65
Angela C - 415.82
Hannah - 408.15
Joy - 370.5
Miche - 349.9
Jody - 341.93
Jen - 332.44
Tara - 294.41
Rose Marie - 253.01
Christi - 235.6
Carrie - 231.51
Steve - 161.4

Week 49 stats

2011-12-10T14:28:00.001-05:00

Post your week 49 stats here!

Last Races Post for 2011

2011-12-08T19:09:00.002-05:00

Good luck Tara & Joy running the Santa to the Sea Half Marathon this Sunday in Southern California!

This is the last races post for 2011 as we don't have any more races on the schedule. Great job everyone. We did everything this year - 5ks, 10ks, triathlons, half marathons, budget races, warrior dashes, mud runs, relays and full marathons!

2012 challenge

2011-12-08T12:17:00.003-05:00

Hi all,

Now that we are a few weeks from the end of the year, it's time to start talking about plans in 2012.

I am sorry to say I will NOT be maintaining this challenge in 2012. It has been motivating for the last two years but my priorities have changed with working full time and also owning a business. If anyone wants this space to continue the challenge, you are more than welcome to it!

Now get out there and move your butts these last few weeks!

Week 48 Results - Time

2011-12-05T15:58:00.000-05:00

GRAND TOTAL HOURS: 4405.1

Challengers in time order:

Janna - 338.17
Andy - 330.75
Erik - 274.65
Reanbean - 252.18
Monika - 242.28
Jenii - 241.57
Angela R - 225.13
Alison - 220.2
Natalie - 211.02
Kara - 183.32
Ms Mae - 180.83
Heather - 179.58
Megan - 172.08
Laura - 172.03
Angela C - 171.55
Joanna - 144.33
Eva - 130.92
Jaime - 126.42
Cacey - 118.5
Mel - 118.05
Rose Marie - 109.25
Natalie M - 104.57
Jen - 93.58
Goddess - 64.15

Week 48 Results- Miles

2011-12-05T15:55:00.003-05:00

GRAND TOTAL MILES: 21,414.31

Challengers in mileage order:

Andy - 1995.79
Eric - 1576.25
Erik - 1098.25
Natalie - 1050.52
Lisa - 915.57
Ms Mae - 911.5
Kara - 897.44
Irene - 830.5
Ashlee - 826
KLeigh - 800.4
Amy - 782.6
Angela R - 765.72
Laura - 705.14
Heather - 669.1
Erin S - 661.76
Alison - 570
Jenii - 539.15
Monika - 521.49
Wendee - 517.15
Jana - 488.51
Darrah - 464.65
Mel - 448.15
Hannah - 408.15
Angela C - 399.82
Joy - 370.5
Miche - 349.9
Jody - 341.93
Jen - 332.44
Tara - 294.41
Rose Marie - 253.01
Christi - 235.6
Carrie -231.51
Steve - 161.4

December Races

2011-12-02T09:45:00.003-05:00

Good Luck Kara at the Silver Bell Sprint 5K in Dalton, GA today! Good Luck Amy & Erin at the White Rock Half Marathon this Sunday in Dallas!

December Races Coming Up!
11-Dec-11 Tara & Joy, Santa to the Sea Half Marathon

Thanksgiving Weekend Races Recap!

Click here and here to read Kara's race recaps.
Click here to read Liz's race recap.

Week 48 stats

2011-12-02T08:25:00.000-05:00

How is it December already?! Post your week 48 stats here!

Pumpkin multi-grain breakfast muffins

2011-11-30T16:51:00.002-05:00

I may not be posting many recipes lately, but that doesn't mean I'm not developing them left and right. I'm currently baking my way through seven (seven!) jars of roasted pumpkin puree, and seeing as butternut and kabocha squash season is in full swing, there is no immediate end in sight.

The day after Thanksgiving I whipped these up, and after two additional batches I'm finally putting a muffin down long enough to type this recipe out to share.

What makes a muffin a breakfast muffin in my book? This one has cornmeal, steel cut oats, multi-grain flour, molasses and pumpin puree. Downright breakfast-worthy. Never mind the flecks of chocolate -- for the freaky few who don't want chocolate in their breakfast (say what?), you can easily leave it out without sacrificing flavor. Or better yet, sub it out with chopped nuts or dried fruit. The possibilities are truly endless.

Pumpkin multi-grain breakfast muffins
Makes 14-16 muffins
(or, in our house, 12 muffins + 2 heart-shaped Le Cruset ramekins)

{dry ingredients}
2 C all purpose or whole wheat flour
1/3 C steel cut oats or wheat germ
1/2 C polenta or cornmeal (I prefer a coarser grind, so I use polenta)
4 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp fine grain sea salt

{wet ingredients}
1/2 C full fat coconut milk
1/2 C unsweetened almond milk (soy or rice work, too)
1/4 C sunflower oil
1/2 C granulated sugar
1/8 C (2 T) molasses (regular, not blackstrap)
1 C pumpkin purée
1 tsp pure vanilla extract

{optional but oh so worth it!}
1 small dark chocolate bar (1.5-1.75 oz), coarsely chopped
1 tsp orange zest - you'll include this with the wet ingredients

Preparations: Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Prepare muffin trays with liners or a light coating of oil.

Sifting the dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together dry ingredients; set aside.

Mixing the wet ingredients: In a large bowl, combine all remaining ingredients, including orange zest and chocolate.

Final mix: Add the dry ingredients to the wet in two batches, and stir until all of the flour is absorbed. Fold in the chocolate and orange zest.

Bake your muffins: Portion the batter into muffin tray(s), 3/4 of the way full, and bake for 20 minutes, or until the edges are starting to brown and the center springs back when touched. Allow to cool for five minutes before transferring muffins from their tray to a cooling rack.

Week 47 Results - Time

2011-11-28T15:19:00.002-05:00

GRAND TOTAL HOURS: 4436.19

Challengers in mileage order:

Andy - 330.75
Janna - 324.67
Erik - 269.23
Reanbean - 245.18
Monika - 242.28
Jenii - 241.57
Alison - 217.2
Angela R - 216.59
Natalie - 207.22
Kara - 180.22
Ms Mae - 176.52
Heather - 174.33
Megan - 172.08
Laura - 169.03
Angela C - 167.88
Joanna - 144.33
Eva - 129.33
Jaime - 126.42
Cacey - 115.5
Mel - 112.08
Rose Marie - 109.25
Natalie - 104.57
Jen - 93.58
Goddess - 62.55
Holli - 57.08
Melissa - 46.75

Week 47 Results - Miles

2011-11-28T15:14:00.002-05:00

News this week:

Natalie hit 1000 miles!
Wendee, probably the most upbeat and positive commenter every week, hit 500 miles!

GRAND TOTAL MILES: 22,125.95

Challengers in mileage order:

Andy - 1995.79
Eric - 1532.75
Erik - 1073.94
Natalie - 1029.26
Lisa - 915.57
Ms Mae - 885.29
Kara - 877.34
Ashlee - 826
Irene - 814
KLeigh - 800.4
Amy - 782.6
Angela R - 737.72
Laura - 693.14
Erin S - 661.76
Heather - 648.1
Alison - 570
Jenii - 539.15
Monika - 521.49
Wendee - 506.7
Jana - 480.24
Darrah - 451.85
Mel - 426.57
Hannah - 408.15
Angela C - 395.32
Joy - 370.5
Miche - 349.9
Jody - 341.93
Jen - 332.44
Tara - 276.8
Brooke - 253.45
Rose Marie - 253.01
Christi - 235.6
Carrie - 231.51
Alli - 225.5
Brad - 169.32
Steve - 161.4
Amy - 152.96
Kristi - 149.6
Melissa - 48.9

Week 47 stats

2011-11-25T09:46:00.000-05:00

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
Post your week 47 stats here.

Enjoy your turkey & run fast!

2011-11-24T01:19:00.001-05:00

Good Luck Darrah at your Thanksgiving Day 5k, Liz running the Feaster Five in Andover, MA on Thanksgiving and Kara, running the Sports Barn Turkey Trot 8K on Thanksgiving!

On Saturday Kleigh is running the Pinehurst Half Marathon! Good Luck!

And if you're playing football Thanksgiving weekend, instead of running, enjoy this hilarious article from the Wall Street Journal about family touch football games.

Week 46 Results - Time

2011-11-21T09:43:00.000-05:00

GRAND TOTAL HOURS: 4331.94

Challengers in time order:

Andy - 318.67
Janna - 309.5
Erik - 262.82
Monika - 242.28
Jenii - 241.57
Reanbean - 231.43
Angela R - 208.33
Alison - 206.22
natalie - 203.08
Kara - 174.6
Megan - 172.08
Ms Mae - 170.53
Heather - 170.33
Laura - 168.2
Angela C - 166.21
Joanna - 144.33
Eva - 127.08
Jaime - 126.42
Cacey - 115.5
Mel - 112.08
Rose Marie - 109.25
Natalie M - 101.9
Jen - 91.26
Holli - 57.08
Goddess - 54.43
Melissa - 46.75

Week 46 Results - Miles

2011-11-21T09:39:00.002-05:00

News this week:

Natalie hit 1000 miles!
Rose Marie started back up exercising as soon as her doctor cleared her after having a baby. GO GIRL!
A few people so so so close to 500 miles!

GRAND TOTAL MILES: 21,721.03

Challengers in mileage order:

Andy 1910.71
Eric - 1476.5
Erik - 1058.47
Natalie - 1008.87
Lisa - 915.57
Ms Mae - 851.62
Kara - 843.94
Ashlee - 799
Irene - 794
KLeigh - 789.4
Amy - 764.19
Angela R - 724.72
Laura - 689.64
Erin S- 661.76
Heather - 637.1
Alison - 550
Jenii - 539.15
Monika - 521.49
Wendee - 491.05
Jana - 472.24
Darrah - 451.85
Mel - 426.57
Hannah - 408.15
Angela C - 391.82
Joy - 370.5
Miche - 349.9
Jody - 341.93
Jen - 323.04
Tara - 276.8
Brooke - 253.45
Rose Marie - 253.01
Christi - 235.6
Carrie - 231.51
Alli - 225.5
Brad - 169.32
Steve - 161.4
Amy - 152.96
Kristi - 149.6
Melissa - 48.9

Week 46 stats

2011-11-18T08:22:00.003-05:00

Post your week 46 stats here!

Thanksgiving Races

2011-11-16T17:50:00.002-05:00

Good Luck Kleigh running the Pinehurst Half Marathon on Saturday, Liz running the Feaster Five in Andover, MA on Thanksgiving and Kara, running the Sports Barn Turkey Trot 8K on Thanksgiving!

December Races Coming Up -
4-Dec-11 Amy, White Rock Half Marathon, Dallas
4-Dec-11 Erin, White Rock Half Marathon, Dallas
11-Dec-11 Tara & Joy, Santa to the Sea Half Marathon

Week 45 Results - Time

2011-11-14T11:25:00.002-05:00

Eva made it to 125 hours this week!

GRAND TOTAL HOURS: 4593.71

Challengers in time order:

Andy - 318.67
Janna - 309.5
Erik - 255.48
Monika - 242.28
Jenii - 241.57
Reanbean - 231.43
Alison - 206.2
Angela R - 205.33
Natalie - 198.22
Kara - 173.35
Megan - 172.08
Ms Mae - 170.53
Laura - 166.7
Angela C - 166.21
Heather - 165.5
Joanna - 144.33
Jaime - 126.42
Eva - 125.58
Chrissie - 121.5
Brooke - 121.01
Cacey - 111.5
Mel - 109.33
Rose Marie - 106.62
Natalie M - 97.43
Jen - 81.43
Adeline - 67.23
Holli - 57.08
Goddess - 54.43
Melissa - 46.75

Week 45 Results - Miles

2011-11-14T11:20:00.002-05:00

GRAND TOTAL MILES: 22,557.81

Challengers in mileage order:

Andy - 1910.71
Eric - 1476.5
Erik - 1037.87
Natalie - 983.42
Lisa - 915.57
Ms Mae- 851.62
Kara - 838.94
Ashlee - 799
Irene - 779
KLeigh -769.3
Amy - 739.24
Angela R - 709.72
Laura - 682.64
Erin S - 661.76
Heather - 616.1
Alison - 550
Jenii - 539.15
Monika - 521.49
Wendee - 476.74
Jana - 457.39
Darrah - 441.35
Mel - 414.07
Hannah - 408.15
Angela C- 391.82
Joy - 370.5
Miche - 349.9
Jody - 338.93
Chrissie - 315
Jen - 291
Ange - 288.48
Tara - 276.8
Brooke - 253.45
Rose Marie - 246.64
Christi - 235.6
Carrie - 231.51
Alli - 225.5
Megan -177.27
Brad - 169.32
Lizzy - 169
Steve - 161.4
AmyY - 152.96
Kristi - 149.6
Werth Weekly - 134.5
Melissa - 48.9

Week 45 stats

2011-11-11T17:56:00.001-05:00

I can't believe we are already at week 45!
Post your stats here.

Veteran's Day Weekend Races

2011-11-11T01:17:00.001-05:00

Good Luck Kara at the Purple Stride 5K, Irene at the Thunder Road Half Marathon in Charlotte, Angela R & Erin at the San Antonio Rock N Roll Half Marathon! eta - And good luck Miche who is running a "bonus" half this weekend!

November Races Coming Up -
19-Nov-11 Kleigh, Pinehurst Half Marathon
24-Nov-11 Liz, Feaster Five in Andover, MA
24-Nov-11 Kara, Sports Barn Turkey Trot 8K

December Races Coming Up -
4-Dec-11 Amy, White Rock Half Marathon (also in Dallas?)
4-Dec-11 Erin, White Rock Half Marathon, Dallas
11-Dec-11 Tara & Joy, Santa to the Sea Half Marathon

Pumpkin recipe roundup

2011-11-09T11:15:00.005-05:00

I have a pretty big cache of pumpkins - the ones that didn't go under the knife for Hallowe'en, the ones that looked really pretty on my front porch before evening temps got frosty, the ones that may or may not become pies.

I also have an ever-growing stack of pumpkin/winter squash recipes I intend to try. Since I haven't actually tried any of them yet, though, I thought I'd share links to the recipes at the top of my list.

Whole grain pumpkin pancakes from Honey & Jam

Pumpkin hazelnut bread from So Good and Tasty

Butternut squash and white bean soup from Rachel Eats
(pumpkin could easily be subbed for the butternut squash)

Chocolate-topped pumpkin bread from Slow Like Honey

Crusted butternut squash from Sprouted Kitchen
(again, pumpkin could easily be subbed)

And a How To video from Food 52 thrown in for good measure:
How to roast any winter squash

Week 44 Results - Time

2011-11-07T10:51:00.003-05:00

GRAND TOTAL HOURS: 4531.01

Challengers in time order:

Andy - 318.67
Janna - 304.5
Erik - 255.48
Monika - 242.28
Jenii - 241.57
Reanbean - 215.85
Angela R - 201.54
Alison - 199.37
Natalie - 195.25
Megan - 172.08
Ms mae - 167.95
Kara - 166.6
Heather - 165.5
Laura - 163.73
Angela C - 163.21
Joanna - 144.33
Jaime - 126.42
Eva - 122.92
Chrissie - 121.5
Brooke - 121.01
Cacey - 108.33
Rose Marie - 106.62
Mel - 106.23
Natalie M - 97.43
Hen - 81.43
Adeline - 67.23
Holli - 57.08
Goddess - 50.13
Melissa - 46.75

Week 44 Results - Miles

2011-11-07T10:47:00.002-05:00

Good news this week!

Miche hit a PR at the Savannah Half (which Natalie also ran)!
Darrah had her first sub-30 minute 5K!

GRAND TOTAL MILES: 22,189.05

Challengers in mileage order:

Andy - 1910.71
Eric - 1441.5
Erik - 1037.87
Natalie - 967.22
Lisa - 915.57
Ms Mae - 834.98
Kara - 799.39
Ashlee - 794
KLeigh - 756.3
Irene - 747
Amy - 722.84
Angela R - 694.62
Laura - 671.08
Erin S - 619.58
Heather - 616.1
Jenii - 539.15
Alison - 530
Monika - 521.49
Wendee - 462.69
Jana - 447.35
Darrah - 433.35
Hannah - 408.15
Mel - 400.68
Angela C - 387.57
Joy - 355.5
Miche - 336.8
Jody -332.93
Chrissie - 315
JenFen - 291
Ange - 288.48
Tara - 260.5
Brooke - 253.45
Rose Marie - 246.64
Christi - 235.6
Carrie77 - 231.51
Alli - 225.5
Megan - 177.27
Brad - 169.32
LizzyG - 169
Steve - 155.4
AmyY - 152.96
Kristi A - 149.6
Werth Weekly - 134.5
Melissa - 48.9

Week 44 stats

2011-11-05T13:43:00.001-04:00

Happy fall everyone!
Post your week 44 stats here!!

First Weekend in November Races!

2011-11-04T01:00:00.000-04:00

Good Luck Natalie & Miche at the Savannah Rock N Roll Half Marathon and Amy at the Bass Pro Marathon Relay!

November Races Coming Up -
12-Nov-11 Kara, Purple Stride 5K
12-Nov-11 Irene, Thunder Road Half Marathon, Charlotte
13-Nov-11 Angela R, San Antonio Rock N Roll Half Marathon
13-Nov-11 Erin, San Antonio Rock N Roll Half Marathon
19-Nov-11 Kleigh, Pinehurst Half Marathon
24-Nov-11 Liz, Feaster Five in Andover, MA
24-Nov-11 Kara, Sports Barn Turkey Trot 8K

December Races Coming Up -
4-Dec-11 Amy, White Rock Half Marathon (also in Dallas?)
4-Dec-11 Erin, White Rock Half Marathon, Dallas
11-Dec-11 Tara & Joy, Santa to the Sea Half Marathon

avocado banana chocolate chunk muffins

2011-11-02T10:50:00.003-04:00

I have this problem of almost never buying avocados, and then when I do, of buying way too many of them. It usually takes forever and a day for them to ripen, and then all of a sudden - quick! Use those avocados up before they turn black and mushy inside!

Which leads to guacamole overload, and so much time passes before I want to even look at an avocado again that by the time I do, I buy too many of them. Again.

This morning, a very overpriced, organic, perfectly ripe avocado from Whole Foods was sitting next to a bunch of somewhat overpriced, organic, very ripe Peruvian bananas from Whole Foods. And all I could think was "I am not making guacamole for breakfast. And too bad I don't have enough bananas to make muffins . . . "

And then it hit me - sub the avocado for the missing bananas!

It may sound weird, but trust me - these muffins are good. Add a chopped up dark chocolate bar and you're in muffin heaven.

Avocado Banana Chocolate Chunk Muffins

makes approximately 18 regular or 48 mini muffins

1 3/4 cups spelt flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp sea salt
2 medium ripe bananas
1 medium or large ripe avocado
2/3 cup maple syrup
1/3 cup softened coconut oil, or sunflower or olive oil (plus extra if using to coat pan)
1 small dark chocolate bar (1.5-1.75 oz), coarsely chopped

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Prepare muffin tray(s) with paper liners or a light coating of oil.

In a medium bowl, whisk together dry ingredients. In a large bowl, mash up bananas + avocado (a potato masher works awesome for this), syrup, and oil. Add dry ingredients and stir just until all flour is absorbed. Fold in chocolate.

Portion the batter into muffin tray(s), about 1/2 to 3/4 of the way full, and bake – 25 minutes for regular sized, 15 minutes for minis, until the tops are domed and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Week 43 Results - Time

2011-10-31T13:24:00.002-04:00

GRAND TOTAL HOURS: 4467.84

Challengers in time order:

Andy - 318.67
Janna - 295.5
Erik - 250.15
Monika - 242.28
Jenii - 241.57
Reanbean - 215.85
Alison - 193.37
Angela R - 192.46
Natalie - 191.77
Megan - 172.08
Kara - 166.6
Ms Mae - 163.12
Laura - 161.82
Heather - 160.5
Angela C - 158.8
Joanna - 144.33
Jaime - 126.42
Chrissie - 121.5
Brooke - 121.01
Eva - 119.75
Rose Marie - 106.62
Cacey - 104
Mel - 103.23
Natalie - 97.43
Jen - 81.43
Adeline - 67.23
Holli - 57.08
Melissa - 46.75
Goddess - 46.53

Week 43 Results - Miles

2011-10-31T13:20:00.002-04:00

Erik H hit 1000 miles!
Alison hit 500 miles!

GRAND TOTAL MILES: 21,889.86

Challengers in mileage order:

Andy - 1910.71
Eric - 1415
Erik - 1017.37
Natalie - 945.52
Lisa - 915.57
Ms Mae - 805.75
Kara - 799.39
Ashlee - 780
Irene - 747
KLeigh - 741.3
Amy - 708.54
Angela R - 666.62
Laura - 663.29
Erin S - 619.58
HeatherV - 595.1
Jenii - 539.15
Monika - 521.49
Alison - 510
Wendee - 447.99
Jana - 444.65
Darrah - 424.55
Hannah - 408.15
Mel - 387.34
Angela C - 375.32
Joy - 347.5
Jody - 332.93
Miche - 323.7
Chrissie - 315
Jen - 291
Ange - 288.48
Brooke - 253.45
Tara - 252.22
Rose Marie - 246.64
Christi - 235.6
Carrie - 231.51
Alli - 225.5
Megan - 177.27
Brad - 169.32
LizzyG - 169
Steve - 155.4
AmyY - 152.96
Kristi - 149.6
Werth Weekly - 134.5
Melissa - 48.9

Week 43 stats

2011-10-28T13:33:00.000-04:00

Can you believe we only have 9 weeks left in the year?!
Post your week 43 stats here.

Halloween Weekend Race

2011-10-27T13:58:00.002-04:00

Good Luck Miche at Anna's Angels 10 Miler in Durham on Sunday!

And Congratulations Darrah on finishing your half marathon in 2:25:15, a new PR!

November Races Coming Up -
5-Nov-11 Natalie, Miche, Savannah Rock N Roll Half Marathon
6-Nov-11 Amy, Bass Pro Marathon Relay
12-Nov-11 Irene, Thunder Road Half Marathon, Charlotte
13-Nov-11 Angela R, San Antonio Rock N Roll Half Marathon
13-Nov-11 Erin, San Antonio Rock N Roll Half Marathon
19-Nov-11 Kleigh, Pinehurst Half Marathon
24-Nov-11 Liz, Feaster Five in Andover, MA

December Races Coming Up -
4-Dec-11 Amy, White Rock Half Marathon (also in Dallas?)
4-Dec-11 Erin, White Rock Half Marathon, Dallas

Week 42 Results - Time

2011-10-24T20:36:00.002-04:00

GRAND TOTAL HOURS: 4388.84

Challengers in time order:

Andy - 304.95
Janna - 287.33
Monika - 242.28
Jenii - 241.57
Erik - 239.4
Reanbean - 215.85
Angela R - 192.46
Alison - 188.37
Natalie - 187.5
Megan - 172.08
Ms Mae - 163.12
Laura - 161.82
Heather - 160.5
Kara - 158
Angela C - 157.23
Joanna - 135.83
Jaime - 126.42
Chrissie - 121.5
Brooke - 121.01
Eva - 118.25
Rose Marie - 106.62
Mel - 100.13
London - 99.5
Natalie - 90.77
Jen - 81.43
Adeline - 67.23
Holli - 57.08
Melissa - 46.75
Goddess - 43.87

Week 42 Results - Miles

2011-10-24T20:32:00.002-04:00

WOO HOO to Darrah for setting a PR in her half marathon this weekend.

GRAND TOTAL MILES: 21,582.85

Challengers in mileage order:

Andy - 1833.77
Eric - 1385.75
Erik - 984.65
Natalie - 927.62
Lisa - 915.57
Ms Mae - 805.75
Ashlee - 780
Kara - 772.39
KLeigh - 732.2
Irene - 729
Amy - 688.08
Angela R - 666.62
Laura - 663.29
Erin S - 599.41
Heather - 595.1
Jenii - 539.15
Monika - 521.49
Alison - 495 SO CLOSE!
Wendee - 444.85
Jana - 444.65
Darrah - 424.55
Hannah - 408.15
Mel - 375.96
Angela C - 370.77
Joy - 332.5
Jody - 329.93
Miche - 323.7
Chrissie - 315
Jen - 291
Ange - 288.48
Brooke - 253.45
Tara - 248.72
Rose Marie - 246.64
Christie - 235.6
Carrie - 231.51
Alli - 225.5
Megan - 177.27
Brad - 169.32
Lizzy - 169
Steve - 155.4
Amy - 152.96
Kristi - 149.6
Werth Weekly - 134.5
Melissa - 48.9

Week 42 stats

2011-10-23T08:16:00.001-04:00

Sorry this is late! Post your week 42 stats here.

Week 41 Results - Time

2011-10-17T11:00:00.001-04:00

Jamie hit 125 hours this week!

GRAND TOTAL TIME: 4337.69 hours

Challengers in time order:

Andy - 304.95
Janna - 278.25
Monika - 242.28
Jenii - 241.57
Erik - 239.4
Reanbean - 208.35
Angela R - 191.46
Natalie - 183.86
Alison - 181.53
Megan - 172.08
Ms Mae - 163.12
Laura - 161.82
Heather - 156.75
Kara - 155.72
Angela C - 153.68
Joanna - 135.83
Jaime - 126.42
Chrissie - 121.5
Brooke - 121.01
Eva - 116
Rose Marie - 106.62
Mel - 100.13
Cacey - 97.5
Natalie M - 90.77
Jen - 78.21
Adeline - 67.23
Holli - 57.08
Melissa - 44.25
Goddess - 40.5

Week 41 Results - Miles

2011-10-17T10:54:00.002-04:00

GRAND TOTAL MILES: 21,277.96

Challengers in mileage order:

Andy - 1833.77
Eric - 1353.25
Erik - 984.65
Lisa - 915.57
Natalie - 907.05
Ms Mae - 805.75
Ashlee - 763
Kara - 761.14
KLeigh - 714.3
Irene - 712.5
Amy - 668.08
Angela R- 666.62
Laura - 663.29
HeatherV - 581.1
Erin S - 573.68
Jenii - 539.15
Monika - 521.49
Alison - 475
Jana - 435.86
Wendee - 435.85
Hannah - 408.15
Darrah - 403.05
Mel - 375.96
Angela C - 358.92
Jody - 323.43
Joy - 317.5
Chrissie - 315
Miche - 311.7
Ange - 288.48
Jen - 284.3
Brooke - 253.45
Rose Marie - 246.64
Christi - 235.6
Tara - 232.54
Carrie - 231.51
Alli - 225.5
Megan - 177.27
Brad - 169.32
LizzyG - 169
Steve - 155.4
AmyY - 152.96
Kristi A - 149.6
Werth Weekly - 134.5
Melissa - 46.9

Week 41 stats

2011-10-14T14:12:00.000-04:00

Hope everyone is enjoying some cooler temperatures! Post your week 41 stats here.

Chilli Peppers & Mud Racing

2011-10-14T05:00:00.001-04:00

Good luck Amy at the Chilli Pepper 10K, Carrie at the Halloween Go! 10K and Darrah at the Waddell & Reed Kansas City Half Marathon!

October Races Coming Up -
30-Oct-11 Miche, Anna's Angels 10 Miler in Durham

November Races Coming Up -
5-Nov-11 Natalie, Miche, Savannah Rock N Roll Half Marathon
6-Nov-11 Amy, Bass Pro Marathon Relay
12-Nov-11 Irene, Thunder Road Half Marathon, Charlotte
13-Nov-11 Angela R, San Antonio Rock N Roll Half Marathon
13-Nov-11 Erin, San Antonio Rock N Roll Half Marathon
19-Nov-11 Kleigh, Pinehurst Half Marathon
24-Nov-11 Liz, Feaster Five in Andover, MA

December Races Coming Up -
4-Dec-11 Amy, White Rock Half Marathon (also in Dallas?)
4-Dec-11 Erin, White Rock Half Marathon, Dallas

Week 40 Results - Time

2011-10-10T09:26:00.002-04:00

GRAND TOTAL TIME- 4247.09 Hours

Challengers in time order:

1	Andy	304.95
2	Janna	267.75
3	Monika	242.28
4	Jenii	241.57
5	Erik H	233.73
6	Reanbean	201.85
7	Angela R	181.11
8	Natalie	178.15
9	Alison	175.53
10	Megan	172.08
11	Ms Mae	157.32
12	Laura	155.82
13	HeatherV	154.00
14	Kara	153.30
15	Angela C	150.23
16	Joanna	135.83
17	Chrissie	121.50
18	Jaime	121.42
19	Brooke	121.01
20	Eva	113.25
21	Rose Marie	106.62
22	Mel	97.73
23	London	91.33
24	Natalie M	88.68
25	JenFen	74.63
26	Adeline	67.23
27	Holli	56.00
28	Melissa	44.25
29	Goddess	37.93

Week 40 Results - Miles

2011-10-10T09:16:00.007-04:00

GRAND TOTAL MILES - 20811.78

Challengers in mile order:

1	Andy	1833.77
2	Eric Holm	1294.25
3	Erik H	966.88
4	Lisa	915.57
5	Natalie	885.72
6	Ms Mae	776.24
7	Kara	750.14
8	Ashlee M	746.00
9	K.Leigh	701.30
10	Irene	693.00
11	Amy	647.28
12	Laura	636.29
13	Angela R	624.12
14	HeatherV	570.10
15	Jenii	539.15
16	Erin S	534.98
17	Monika	521.49
18	Alison	455.00
19	Jana	431.58
20	Wendee	427.83
21	Hannah	408.15
22	Darrah	403.05
23	Mel	366.51
24	Angela C	348.17
25	Jody	323.43
26	Chrissie	315.00
27	Joy	301.50
28	Miche	290.20
29	Ange	288.48
30	JenFen	271.74
31	Brooke	253.45
32	Rose Marie	246.64
33	Christi	235.60
34	Alli	225.50
35	Carrie77	220.31
36	Tara	217.41
37	Megan	177.27
38	Brad	169.32
39	LizzyG	169.00
40	AmyY	152.96
41	Kristi A	149.60
42	Steve L	146.40
43	Werth Weekly	134.50
44	Melissa	46.90

"This challenge made me a runner"

2011-10-07T17:18:00.003-04:00

No races this weekend, but wanted to report on last weekend's two races. Liz completed a 5K, her first race since giving birth to her third baby! Liz said, "It wasn't pretty, but I finished the race. My first 5K post-Ellie, and I didn't walk." AWESOME LIZ! Click here for the blog post about Kara's Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon!

And I just love the comment Kara left - "I know I have said it before but I love this challenge. This challenge made me a runner."

Week 40 stats

2011-10-06T08:56:00.003-04:00

Can you believe it is already week 40 in our challenge? Only 12 more weeks after this week!

I will be in Chicago for work next week so Joanna will be posting results on Monday. Be kind!

Week 39 Results - Time

2011-10-03T15:18:00.002-04:00

Congrats to Joanna for passing the 125 hour mark!

GRAND TOTAL HOURS: 4189.13

Challengers in time order:

Andy - 298.9
Janna - 267.75
Monika - 242.28
Jenii - 241.57
Erik - 230.23
Reanbean - 190.27
Angela R - 181.11
Natalie - 174.43
Megan - 172.08
Alison - 171.53
Ms Mae - 157.32
Laura - 155.82
Heather - 149.92
Angela C - 148.73
Kara - 147.72
Joanna - 131.83
Chrissie - 121.5
Jaime - 121.42
Brooke - 121.01
Eva - 110.58
Rose Marie - 106.62
Mel - 94.72
Cacey - 91.33
Natalie M - 88.68
Jen - 70.16
Adeline - 67.23
Holli - 56
Melissa - 44.25
Goddess - 34.13

Week 39 Results - Miles

2011-10-03T15:13:00.002-04:00

Angela R got 43 miles this week! Huge week!

GRAND TOTAL MILES: 20,526.24

Challengers in mileage order:

Andy -1795.5
Eric - 1294.25
Erik - 956.88
Lisa - 915.57
Natalie - 865.52
Ms Mae - 776.24
Ashlee - 746
Kara - 721.64
KLeigh - 680.3
Irene - 676.5
Laura - 636.29
Amy - 627.28
Angela R - 624.12
Heather - 555.1
Jenii - 539.15
Erin S - 534.98
Monika - 521.49
Alison - 440
Jana - 431.58
Wendee - 427.83
Hannah - 408.15
Darrah - 389.35
Mel - 355.01
Angela C - 343.9
Jody - 317.43
Chrissie - 315
Miche - 290.2
Ange - 288.48
Joy - 287.5
Jen - 256.92
Brooke - 253.45
Rose Marie - 246.64
Christi - 235.6
Alli - 225.5
Carrie - 220.31
Tara - 203.93
Megan - 177.27
Brad - 169.32
Lizzy - 169
AmyY - 152.96
Steve - 146.4
Werth Weekly - 134.5
Kristi - 126.1
Melissa - 46.9

First Weekend in October Races!

2011-09-30T10:55:00.004-04:00

Good luck Kara at the Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon and Liz at the YMCA 5K Classic on Saturday!

October Races Coming Up -
15-Oct-11 Amy, Chilli Pepper 10K
15-Oct-11 Carrie, Warrior Dash, Old Monroe, MO
15-Oct-11 Darrah, Waddell & Reed Kansas City Half Marathon
16-Oct-11 Carrie, Halloween Go! 10K, St. Louis, MO
30-Oct-11 Miche, Anna's Angels 10 Miler in Durham

November Races Coming Up -
5-Nov-11 Natalie, Miche, Savannah Rock N Roll Half Marathon
6-Nov-11 Amy, Bass Pro Marathon Relay
12-Nov-11 Irene, Thunder Road Half Marathon, Charlotte
13-Nov-11 Angela R, San Antonio Rock N Roll Half Marathon
13-Nov-11 Erin, San Antonio Rock N Roll Half Marathon
19-Nov-11 Kleigh, Pinehurst Half Marathon

December Races Coming Up -
4-Dec-11 Amy, White Rock Half Marathon (also in Dallas?)
4-Dec-11 Erin, White Rock Half Marathon, Dallas

Click here for Kara's Susan G Komen Race for the Cure recap!

Week 39 Stats

2011-09-30T06:41:00.000-04:00

Hope everyone is starting to enjoy some fall weather!
Post your week 39 stats here.

Week 38 Results - Time

2011-09-26T14:16:00.002-04:00

Joanna hit 125 hours!

GRAND TOTAL HOURS: 4118.23

Challengers in time order:

Andy - 287.22
Janna - 260.5
Jenii - 241.57
Monika - 238.7
Erik - 226.48
Reanbean - 190.27
Angela R - 174.44
Megan - 172.08
Natalie - 169.1
Alison - 169.03
Ms Mae - 157.32
Laura - 149.82
Heather - 147.92
Kara - 147.72
Angela C - 145.86
Joanna - 128.83
Chrissie - 121.5
Brooke - 121.01
Jaime - 115.42
Eva - 107.92
Rose Marie - 106.62
Mel - 93.78
Natalie M - 88.68
Cacey - 87.83
Jen - 70.16
Adeline - 67.23
Holli - 56
Melissa - 44.25
Goddess - 30.97

Week 38 Results - Miles

2011-09-26T14:12:00.003-04:00

Biggest news this week is that Rose had a baby girl, Vivian. CONGRATS!

And Erin S hit 500 miles, not too shabby in a year that she had a baby! And by not too shabby, I mean AWESOME.

GRAND TOTAL MILES: 20,095.84

Challengers in mileage order:

Andy - 1710.78
Eric - 1255.75
Erik - 940.88
Lisa - 915.57
Natalie - 843.72
Ms Mae - 776.24
Ashlee - 734
Kara - 721.64
KLeigh - 664.3
Irene - 652.5
Laura - 614.29
Amy - 608.68
Angela R - 581.12
Heather - 545.1
Jenii - 539.15
Monika - 511.49
Erin S - 504.5
Alison - 433
Jana - 426.61
Wendee - 418.9
Hannah - 403.15
Darrah - 389.35
Mel - 351.12
Angela C - 335.53
Jody - 317.43
Chrissie - 315
Ange - 288.48
Miche - 276.2
Joy - 273.5
Jen - 256.92
Brooke - 253.45
Rose Marie -246.64
Christi - 235.6
Alli - 225.5
Carrie - 220.31
Tara - 189.99
Megan - 177.27
Brad - 169.32
Lizzy - 169
Amy - 152.96
Steve - 143
Werth Weekly - 134.5
Kristi - 126.1
Melissa - 46.9

Week 38 stats

2011-09-23T13:09:00.001-04:00

Happy fall everyone! Post your week 38 stats here!

Happy Fall Racing!

2011-09-23T04:50:00.004-04:00

Good luck Kara at the Komen Chattanooga Race for a Cure 5K on Sunday!

October Races Coming Up -
1-Oct-11 Kara, Disney Wine and Dine Half Marathon
1-Oct-11 Liz, YMCA 5K Classic
15-Oct-11 Carrie, Warrior Dash, Old Monroe, MO
16-Oct-11 Carrie, Halloween Go! 10K, St. Louis, MO

November Races Coming Up -
5-Nov-11 Natalie, Miche, Savannah Rock N Roll Half Marathon
13-Nov-11 Angela R, San Antonio Rock N Roll Half Marathon
13-Nov-11 Erin, San Antonio Rock N Roll Half Marathon
19-Nov-11 Kleigh, Pinehurst Half Marathon

December Races Coming Up -
4-Dec-11 Erin, White Rock Half Marathon, Dallas

Click here for Kara's Warrior Dash recap!

Ms. Mae successfully completed her first MARATHON last weekend!

Miche had a PR at her 10K last weekend!

Roasted Tomatoes Two Ways

2011-09-21T15:41:00.005-04:00

I pulled my tomato plants last weekend, and there were just enough still clinging to the vines to make a couple of simple dishes. With autumn right around the corner and temperatures finally dropping out of the 80s, I decided to roast them up.

Both of these recipes start with roasting the tomatoes, which takes about 20 minutes. After that, you can pull one of the other recipes together in less than 10 minutes. If you’re a fan of roasted tomatoes, though, you can also just toss them as-is with spaghetti and basil, make a caprese salad, plate them up with some olives and marinated artichoke hearts . . . you get the idea!

Roasted Tomatoes

This is a very informal recipe, the perfect way to use up a few handfuls of smaller tomatoes, or three or four big ones. You’ll need enough tomatoes so that when they’re halved or quartered, they fit snugly in a single layer on the bottom of a Dutch oven or large soup pot. The tomatoes I used were golf ball-sized, and once halved I only needed 25 of them for this recipe.

Move one of your racks to the center position and preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

Drizzle a few drops of sunflower oil (or something with a comparably high smoking point) in the bottom of your pan and start arranging your tomatoes, cut sides up. Sprinkle about a tablespoon of brown sugar over them – this will help them caramelize while they roast. Throw in a few peeled cloves of garlic if you’re into that sort of thing, maybe a quartered sweet onion, and pop the whole thing into the oven.

Check in on your pot after 25 minutes – the juices will have darkened on the bottom of the pot and your tomatoes will look a bit shriveled.

If you’re going to use the roasted tomatoes straight from the pan, be sure to scrape up the caramelized juices with a spatula, and season with salt and pepper to taste. If you’re going to use the tomatoes in one of the following recipes, move the pan from the oven straight to a burner.

Roasted Tomato Soup

Move your pan of roasted tomatoes from the oven to a burner over low heat. Add enough water or broth to cover by two inches. Using a silicone or wooden spatula, carefully scrape the caramelized juices from the bottom of the pan and stir to incorporate. Bring to a gentle simmer for five minutes, then turn off the heat. Use an immersion blender to puree right in the pot, or puree in batches in a standard blender until nice and creamy. If you use an immersion blender, there will be little flecks of tomato skin in your soup. If this bothers you, then either strain them out with a mesh sieve, or use a standard blender.

Return to the pot and season to taste with salt, pepper, a pinch of smoked paprika, perhaps another pinch of brown sugar. Thin the soup to your liking with additional water or broth.

Ridiculously Healthy Sauce That (almost) Every Kid Loves

While your tomatoes are roasting, very thinly slice some vegetables for the sauce. I use the following:

1 medium sweet potato or 3 carrots
2 stalks celery
½ sweet yellow onion
1 large handful cremini or white button mushrooms
1 sweet bell pepper

You'll also need:

Pasta in your child’s (or picky-eating spouse’s) favorite shape
Any add-ins that they may like (my daughter insists on adding frozen peas and vegan meatballs to everything these days)
1 ½ cups cooked (or 1 can) lentils
Whatever else you like to season your red sauce with: balsamic vinegar, a bit of brown sugar, herbs, salt and white pepper

Move your pan of roasted tomatoes from the oven to a burner over low heat. Add the sliced vegetables and sauté over medium heat until the sliced vegetables are softened, about 7-10 minutes. Stir frequently to scrape the caramelized tomato juice off the bottom of the pan and to keep everything else from sticking. Add your cooked lentils and enough water so that you can blend the sauce – it will be thick and creamy; thin to desired consistency with water or broth and season to taste.

Turn off the heat, cover the pot and allow the flavors to meld while you boil your pasta. As soon as your pasta is finished cooking, plate it up in your kid’s favorite bowl, toss with just enough sauce to coat thoroughly – but not be too saucy! – and serve.

If I had a Million Dollars

2011-09-20T09:17:00.003-04:00

Remember the Barenaked Ladies Song "If I Had A Million Dollars?" Yeah, serious 90s flashback. :-)

I was thinking this morning about all of the running and running paraphanelia I would do/own if money weren't an issue. Between October and March, we have 4 half marathons in our county alone, plus the Ragner Relay. I could spend some serious dough if it were available to spend (a Ragner entry will run you about $170ish with the support fees)

And here, folks, is a my quicky if-money-weren't-an-issue wish list.

A road bike (much to my husband's absolute horror--he's a mountain biker to the core. Which is hilarious since we live in a state that is flatter than a pancake.

Some SUAR goodies. If you don't read SUAR, you really should!! Shut up and run = LOVE!

Some SINS goodies too. SINS = Strong Is the New Skinny. As a big girl my whole life, I love the message on these shirts. In addition to the namesake slogan, there is one that says "I am smart, beautiful, and I can kick your a$$" Another LOVE for me.

I would also own pretty much everything in the SkirtSports store. Half my running stuff is from them, and I LOVE LOVE LOVE every single piece.

So share, what's on your wish list??

Week 37 Results - Time

2011-09-19T11:04:00.002-04:00

GRAND TOTAL HOURS: 4097.58

Challengers in time order:

Andy - 287.22
Janna - 256.83
Jenii - 241.57
Erik - 221.57
Monika - 236.37
Reanbean - 181.52
Megan - 172.08
Alison - 167.03
Angela R - 164.41
Natalie - 164.4
Ms Mae - 157.32
Laura - 146.82
Kara - 144.05
Heather - 144
Angela C - 141.86
Chrissie - 121.5
Brooke - 121.01
Joanna - 120.83
Jaime - 115.42
Rose Marie - 106.62
Eva - 104.83
Mel - 91.33
London - 87.83
Natalie M - 85.77
Adeline - 67.23
Jen - 66.85
Holli - 56
Melissa - 44.25
Ginger - 33
Goddess - 30.97
Allison - 20.41

Week 37 Results - Miles

2011-09-19T10:59:00.003-04:00

Lots of M news this week!

Ms. Mae completed her first MARATHON! Awesome.
Miche had a PR at her 10K t his weekend.
Monika hit 500 miles.
Rose Marie's baby is due this week!

GRAND TOTAL MILES: 20,133.51

Challengers in mileage order:

Andy - 1710.78
Eric - 1213.75
Erik - 922.88
Lisa - 871.57
Natalie - 819.22
Ms Mae - 776.24
Ashlee - 734
Kara - 704.14
KLeigh - 654.3
Irene - 616.5
Laura - 602.29
Amy - 588.68
Angela R- 547.12
Jenii - 539.15
Heather - 528.1
Monika - 505.49
Erin S - 489.81
Alison - 423
Jana - 411.7
Wendee - 407.01
Hannah - 378.15
Darrah - 370.75
Mel - 339.82
Angela C - 325.93
Chrissie - 315
Jody -296.43
Ange - 288.48
Miche - 268.2
Bill - 262.56
Joy - 261.5
Brooke - 253.45
Jen - 250.33
Rose Marie - 246.64
Alli - 225.5
Carrie - 212.31
Christi - 210.6
Tara - 179.53
Megan - 177.27
Brad - 169.32
Lizzy - 169
Ginger - 162
Amy - 152.96
Steve - 139.4
Werth Weekly - 134.5
Kristi - 126.1
Kelly - 105.15
Melissa - 46.9

Week 37 stats

2011-09-16T07:56:00.002-04:00

Fall has SUDDENLY hit Raleigh. Yesterday it was 90 and today it will only be 60! Crazy crazy weather.

It will get back up to 85 in a couple of days so I will be hitting the trails for some perfect running temperatures while it lasts.

Post your week 37 stats here.

September Marathon, Warrior Dash & 10K

2011-09-16T04:54:00.003-04:00

Good luck Ms. Mae at the Bismarck Marathon, Kara at Warrior Dash Tennessee and Miche at the Miles for Matthew 10k in Greensboro; all this Sunday!

October Races Coming Up -
1-Oct-11 Kara, Disney Wine and Dine Half Marathon
1-Oct-11 Liz, YMCA 5K Classic
15-Oct-11 Carrie, Warrior Dash, Old Monroe, MO
16-Oct-11 Carrie, Halloween Go! 10K, St. Louis, MO

November Races Coming Up -
5-Nov-11 Natalie, Miche, Savannah Rock N Roll Half Marathon
13-Nov-11 Angela R, San Antonio Rock N Roll Half Marathon
19-Nov-11 Kleigh, Pinehurst Half Marathon

Be sure to let me know if I've left your race off the list. Also, let me know if you blog about your race or just leave a comment letting us know how it went!

Week 36 Results - Time

2011-09-12T13:03:00.002-04:00

GRAND TOTAL HOURS: 4016.52

Challengers in mileage order:

Andy - 287.22
Janna - 254.33
Jenii - 241.57
Erik - 215.4
Monika - 213.68
Reanbean - 181.52
Megan - 172.08
Alison - 165.53
Angela R - 160.38
Natalie - 159.87
Ms Mae - 148.33
Laura - 143.82
Kara - 142.3
Heather - 142.25
Angela C - 133.48
Chrissie - 121.5
Brooke - 121.01
Joanna - 120.83
Jaime - 111.92
Rose Marie - 106.62
Eva - 101.5
Mel - 89.63
Natalie M - 85.77
London - 83.83
Adeline - 67.23
JenFen - 62.93
Holli - 56
Melissa - 44.25
Ginger - 33
Goddess - 28.33
Allison - 20.41

Week 36 Results- Miles

2011-09-12T12:57:00.002-04:00

Jenii, Angela R, and Heather all made it to 500 miles. AWESOME!

GRAND TOTAL MILES: 19,362.78

Challengers in mileage order:

Andy - 1710.78
Eric - 1155.25
Erik - 895.15
Natalie - 796.37
Ms Mae - 731.75
Ashlee - 719
Kara - 695.14
Lisa- 661.98
KLeigh - 636.3
Irene - 616.5
Laura - 589.29
Amy - 569.18
Jenii - 539.15
Angela R - 523.12
Heather - 519.1
Monika - 474.32
Erin S - 465.95
Alison - 420
Jana - 411.7
Wendee - 395.82
Darrah - 349.65
Mel - 331.73
Chrissie - 315
Angela C - 304.63
Jody - 296.43
Ange - 288.48
Hannah - 279.15
Bill - 262.56
Niche - 255.2
Brooke - 253.45
Rose Marie - 246.64
Jen - 241.77
Joy - 234.5
Alli - 225.5
Christi - 210.6
Carrie - 198.31
Megan - 177.27
Brad - 169.32
Lizzy - 169
Tara - 165.73
Ginger - 162
AmyY - 152.96
Werth Weekly - 134.5
Steve - 134.4
Kristi - 126.1
Kelly - 105.15
Melissa - 46.9

Week 36 stats

2011-09-09T16:55:00.000-04:00

Still at the beach! Post your week 36 stats here.

Week 35 Results - Time

2011-09-06T09:52:00.002-04:00

Grand total hours: 4010.8

Challengers in time order.

Andy	273.87
Janna Holm	254.33
Jenii	241.57
Monika Caruso	213.68
Erik H	211.48
Reanbean	175.93
Megan	170.17
Alison	162.53
Natalie	154.73
Angela R	152.79
Ms Mae	148.33
HeatherV	139.25
Kara	137.03
Laura	136.82
Angela C	133.48
Chrissie	121.50
Brooke	121.01
Joanna	115.92
Jaime	107.42
Rose Marie	103.28
Eva	99.58
Mel	87.35
London	83.83
Natalie M (Mondo)	82.27
Adeline	67.23
Susan	61.78
JenFen	59.16
Holli (Great Askini)	56.00
Melissa	43.25
Ginger	33.00
Goddess	28.33
Allison C	20.41
Aubs	12.75

Week 35 Results - Miles

2011-09-06T09:48:00.003-04:00

Grand total miles: 19229.33

Challengers in mileage order.

Andy	1632.68
Eric Holm	1155.25
Erik H	881.35
Natalie	771.97
Ms Mae	731.75
Ashlee M (update by Miche)	675.00
Kara	667.32
Lisa	661.98
K.Leigh	620.30
Irene	577.50
Amy (Aidan and Zachary)	569.18
Laura	561.29
Jenii	539.15
HeatherV	504.10
Angela R (Longhorn Academy)	491.12
Monika Caruso	474.32
Erin S	420.38
Alison	414.00
Jana	411.70
Wendee	389.86
Darrah - Mom in Motion	349.65
Mel	321.77
Chrissie	315.00
Angela C	304.63
Ange	288.48
Jody (PRProwess)	283.43
Hannah	279.15
Bill V	262.56
Brooke	253.45
Miche	242.20
Rose Marie	238.68
Joy	234.50
JenFen	233.44
Alli (Fambros)	225.50
Erin K (erinlaughs)	220.30
Christi	210.60
Carrie77	183.31
Megan	175.27
Brad	169.32
LizzyG	169.00
Ginger	162.00
Tara	153.31
Werth Weekly	134.50
AmyY	134.46
Steve L	134.40
Kristi A (kmjba8)	126.10
Kelly	105.15
Susan	90.47
Melissa	46.90
Aubs	31.60

Week 35 stats

2011-09-02T15:54:00.001-04:00

Hey everyone, I'm headed to the North Carolina coast with my family for a week. Joanna will be doing the Results posts on Tuesday after Labor Day. Everyone have a great Labor Day weekend!

Post your week 35 stats here.

Labor Day Weekend Races

2011-09-02T04:33:00.006-04:00

Good luck Amy at the Run for a Child 10K!

September Races Coming Up -
17-Sep-11 Ms. Mae, Bismarck Marathon
17-Sep-11 Kara, Warrior Dash Tennessee
17-Sep-11 Miche, Miles for Matthew 10k in Greensboro

October Races Coming Up -
1-Oct-11 Kara, Disney Wine and Dine Half Marathon
1-Oct-11 Liz, YMCA 5K Classic
15-Oct-11 Carrie, Warrior Dash, Old Monroe, MO
16-Oct-11 Carrie, Halloween Go! 10K, St. Louis, MO
22-Oct-11 Eric, Run Like Hell Half Marathon, Portland, Oregon

November Races Coming Up -
5-Nov-11 Natalie, Miche, Savannah Rock N Roll Half Marathon
13-Nov-11 Angela R, San Antonio Rock N Roll Half Marathon
19-Nov-11 Kleigh, Pinehurst Half Marathon

*RACE REVIEWS*
Kara's Warrior Dash blog post, click here.
Laura's Warrior Dash blog post, click here.
Kara's Mud Run blog post, click here.

Back-to-school mini-challenge anyone?

2011-09-01T13:19:00.003-04:00

This post could also be titled "Why summer vacation took a toll." You may have noticed the lack of motivational posts over the summer from me. For some reason this summer (or perhaps this year?) has been characterized for me by a sense of holding onto my sanity by a thread. I tend to be a happy person, so this feeling of barely keeping my head above the water just didn't sit well. I've been formulating this post in my head for over a month, but am just NOW finally getting it down on paper.

I didn't do much in the mileage department over the summer. We joined the Y and I regularly went to classes. It was just to fracking hot and humid to run outside, AND I lacked both motivation and time. Work was insane. Both kids were home, and Garrett, while too big for the jogging stroller, found the heat too darn oppressive to ride his bike for more than a mile or so with me running behind him. Add in the additional fun stuff, like potty training, my husband's insane meeting schedule, travel for work and family emergencies, wanting to put the kids first and not make everything revolve around my workout schedule, etc. etc. etc.

But, when it all comes down to it, those are just excuses. Or justifications. Whatever. The bottom line is I didn't do a single thing this summer in the fitness department that I wanted to. No races, hardly any mileage. I could have done it if I would have really pushed myself, but darn it, the motivation just wasn't there. And I KNOW I'm not the only one.

So now that the kids are back in school and the new routines are hopefully setting in, its time to get back to it folks. Let's do a back to school challenge that runs the month of September. Pick something you want to work on. Nutrition, fitness, whatever--just make sure you pick an obtainable, measurable goal. Decide how you will reward yourself for achieving that goal.

So, if you've been struggling, its time to recenter, refocus, and get back to it.

"Certain struggles never end" ~Tatum O'Neal

Sound off on your struggles and goals for the next 30 days!!

Week 34 Results - Time

2011-08-29T10:46:00.002-04:00

GRAND TOTAL HOURS: 3924.53

Challengers in time order:

Andy - 273.87
Janna - 248.58
Jenii - 230.57
Erik - 208.98
Monika - 207.65
Reanbean - 170.6
Megan - 170.17
Alison - 158.53
Natalie - 150.63
Ms Mae - 148.33
Angela R - 147.54
Heather - 139.25
Laura - 136.82
Angela C - 133.48
Kara - 133.28
Chrissie - 121.5
Brooke - 121.01
Joanna - 107.92
Rose Marie - 103.28
Jaime - 98.42
Eva - 95.92
Mel - 85.5
Natalie M - 80.6
London - 80.33
Adeline - 67.23
Susan - 61.78
Holli - 56
Jen - 53.66
Melissa - 43.25
Ginger - 33
Goddess - 23.5
Allison - 20.41
Aubs - 12.75

Week 34 Results- Miles

2011-08-29T10:41:00.002-04:00

Warrior Dash was awesome!!

News this week:

Angela R had her biggest week ever, 33 miles!
Heather hit 500 miles at Warrior Dash. Style points.
Jenii hit 500 miles.

GRAND TOTAL MILES: 18,947.25

Challengers in mileage order:

Andy - 1632.68
Eric - 1119.25
Erik H - 876.35
Natalie - 750.17
Ms Mae - 731.75
Ashlee - 675
Lisa - 661.98
Kara- 645.67
KLeigh - 603.3
Irene - 577.5
Laura - 561.29
Amy - 553.93
Heather - 504.1
Jenii - 503.15
Angela R- 476.12
Monika - 466.77
Erin S - 420.38
Jana - 411.7
Alison - 409
Wendee - 384.18
Darrah - 338.85
Chrissie - 315
Mel - 312.88
Angela C - 304.63
Ange - 288.48
Hannah - 279.15
Jody - 271.43
Bill - 262.56
Brooke - 253.45
Miche - 242.2
Rose Marie - 238.68
Joy - 228.5
Alli - 225.5
Erin K - 220.3
Jen - 214.08
Christi - 192.6
Megan - 175.27
Brad - 169.32
Carrie - 169.31
LizzyG - 169
Ginger - 162
Tara - 146.21
Werth Weekly - 134.5
AmyY - 134.46
Steve - 134.4
Kristi A - 126.1
Kelly - 105.1
Susan - 90.47
Melissa - 46.9
Aubs - 31.6

Week 34 stats

2011-08-26T08:55:00.003-04:00

Hey everyone, PLEASE stay safe in the hurricane this weekend! Lots of challengers on the east coast. Fortunately Charlotte is outside the hit zone so Warrior Dash is still on!

Post your week 34 stats here.

Warrior Dash Carolinas!

2011-08-26T04:48:00.002-04:00

Good luck HeatherV, Irene, Kara, LauraC and Monika at the Warrior Dash Carolinas this weekend!

September Races Coming Up -
5-Sep-11 Amy, Run for a Child 10K
17-Sep-11 Ms. Mae, Bismarck Marathon
17-Sep-11 Kara, Warrior Dash Tennessee
17-Sep-11 Miche, Miles for Matthew 10k in Greensboro

October Races Coming Up -
1-Oct-11 Kara, Disney Wine and Dine Half Marathon
1-Oct-11 Liz, YMCA 5K Classic
15-Oct-11 Carrie, Warrior Dash, Old Monroe, MO
16-Oct-11 Carrie, Halloween Go! 10K, St. Louis, MO
22-Oct-11 Eric, Run Like Hell Half Marathon, Portland, Oregon

November Races Coming Up -
5-Nov-11 Natalie, Miche, Savannah Rock N Roll Half Marathon
13-Nov-11 Angela R, San Antonio Rock N Roll Half Marathon

Don't forget - If you post about your races, please leave a link to the post in the comments so I can post it the following Friday. Or just leave a comment here letting us know how your race went.

Breakfast of {Warrior Dash} Champions!

2011-08-25T09:19:00.004-04:00

If you read our weekly race updates, you know that I'll be doing the Warrior Dash this weekend with Laura, Heather, Kara and Irene. I also talked a gaggle of women friends from my department at UNC into doing it, and we're also camping out the night before. There are three things we've all agreed we need to have for our campsite meals: Pan Bagnat and kebabs for the night-before dinner, s'mores for dessert, and this cherry, coconut and cocoa granola for our pre-race snack.

Cocoa-Kissed Granola

scant 1/4 cup coconut oil
1/2 cup maple syrup
…………….
4 cups rolled oats
1 1/2 cups chopped nuts
1 cup unsweetened coconut flakes
2 tablespoons cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon fine grain sea salt
……………..
1/2 cup dried fruit (chopped to raisin-sized pieces if necessary)
1/4 cup turbinado sugar

Adjust two oven racks to the top third and bottom third positions and preheat your oven to 300 degrees. Line two large rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.

Combine coconut oil and maple syrup over low heat until just melted. Stir well and set aside to cool.

In a large bowl, combine oats, nuts, coconut, cocoa and salt and stir well to blend. Pour in the coconut oil-maple syrup mixture and stir again to combine. Add the dried fruit and turbinado sugar, and stir once more.

Spread the granola mixture out evenly in the rimmed baking sheets; it will be at least a couple of inches thick. Bake for 20-25minutes, or until golden, stirring once after 10 minutes to ensure it cooks evenly.

Week 33 Results - Time

2011-08-22T10:36:00.002-04:00

GRAND TOTAL HOURS: 3767.66

Challengers in time order:

Andy - 258.93
Janna - 237.25
Monika - 198.3
Erik - 194.57
Jenii - 185.38
Megan - 170.17
Reanbean - 166.6
Alison - 152.37
Natalie - 146.62
Ms Mae - 142.52
Angela R - 140.11
Heather - 135.25
Laura - 133.48
Kara - 130.03
Angela C - 128.06
Chrissie - 121.5
Brooke - 121.01
Joanna - 107.92
Rose Marie - 98.68
Jaime - 98.42
Eva - 93.5
Mel - 83.22
London - 78
Natalie M - 76.7
Adeline - 67.23
Susan - 61.78
Holli - 56
JenFen - 53.66
Melissa- 40.75
Ginger - 33
Goddess - 23.5
Allison C - 20.41
Aubs - 12.75

Week 33 Results- Miles

2011-08-22T10:32:00.003-04:00

Sorry, no time to report news this week! Busy busy week!

GRAND TOTAL: 18,272.92

Challengers in mileage order:

Andy - 1541.06
Eric - 1058.25
Erik - 831.44
Natalie - 730.87
Ms Mae - 694.36
Ashlee - 675
Lisa - 661.98
Kara - 628.92
KLeigh - 588.3
Irene - 564.5
Laura - 547.89
Amy - 536.43
Heather - 484.85
Monika - 448
Angela R - 443.12
Alison - 399
Jenii - 398.15
Jana - 384.79
Erin S - 382.24
Wendee - 372.17
Darrah - 328.85
Chrissie - 315
Mel - 302.18
Angela C - 298.53
Ange - 288.48
Hannah - 279.15
Bill - 262.56
Jody - 262.43
Brooke - 253.45
Miche - 242.2
Rose Marie - 231.28
Alli - 225.5
Erin K - 220.3
Joy - 216.5
JenFen - 214.08
Christi - 192.6
Megan - 175.27
Brad - 169.32
LizzyG - 169
Ginger - 162
Carrie - 157.31
Tara - 138.29
Werth Weekly- 134.5
AmyY - 134.46
Steve - 134.4
Kristi - 120.1
Kelly - 105.15
Susan - 90.47
Melissa - 46.9
Aubs - 31.6

Week 33 stats

2011-08-19T08:02:00.002-04:00

Looks like most people are starting to head back to school! Post your week 33 stats here!

Running, biking and mud!

2011-08-19T04:42:00.007-04:00

Good Luck Kara at the Chattanooga Mud Run 5K this Sunday!

Good Luck Irene at the Kannapolis Rotary Duathlon!

August Races Coming Up -
27-Aug-11 HeatherV, Irene, Kara, LauraC, Monika, Warrior Dash Carolinas

September Races Coming Up -
5-Sep-11 Amy, Run for a Child 10K
17-Sep-11 Ms. Mae, Bismarck Marathon
17-Sep-11 Kara, Warrior Dash Tennessee
17-Sep-11 Miche, Miles for Matthew 10k in Greensboro

October Races Coming Up -
1-Oct-11 Kara, Disney Wine and Dine Half Marathon
15-Oct-11 Carrie, Warrior Dash, Old Monroe, MO
16-Oct-11 Carrie, Halloween Go! 10K, St. Louis, MO
22-Oct-11 Eric, Run Like Hell Half Marathon, Portland, Oregon

November Races Coming Up -
5-Nov-11 Natalie, Miche, Savannah Rock N Roll Half Marathon
13-Nov-11 Angela R, San Antonio Rock N Roll Half Marathon

Don't forget - If you post about your races, please leave a link to the post in the comments so I can post it the following Friday. Or just leave a comment here letting us know how your race went.

Icebox Peanut Butter Cream Pie

2011-08-17T15:27:00.003-04:00

Easy to make, and no baking required!

This pie is in three stages so that it each layer has time to set up, but it’s really quite easy to make. I used coconut oil in the crust, which does give the pie a noticeable coconut flavor. If you like this sort of thing, it isn’t overwhelming and complements the peanut butter and chocolate well. If you aren’t a coconut fan, you could just as easily use melted shortening or butter. I used banana in both the peanut butter and chocolate layers, with very little noticeable taste. If you wanted to sub half of an avocado in place of the banana in the chocolate layer, that should be fine. I’m not too sure how that would work in the peanut butter layer, though. And of course, if you have nut allergies and cannot use almond meal in the crust or peanut butter in the filling, there are myriad flour and seed butter options available.

Crust:
1 ¾ Cups almond meal
¼ Cup melted coconut oil
2 Tablespoons agave nectar

Peanut Butter Filling:
½ Cup peanut butter (smooth or chunky, your preference)
¼ Cup alt milk (coconut cream works well, if you don’t mind the additional coconut flavor)
1 small banana
Large pinch of salt
(optional) sweeten with agave to taste

Chocolate Top Layer:
1 small banana or ½ of an avocado
½ Cup non-dairy milk (if you use dairy milk, go with at least 2% or it will be too thin)
6 Tablespoons cacao powder
Small pinch of salt
(optional) sweeten with agave to taste

Mix the crust ingredients together, they should have the texture of wet sand. Press into a nine-inch pie tart and chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes while you prepare the peanut butter filling.

Blend or whip together the ingredients for the peanut butter filling. Pour into crust, and return to the refrigerator or freezer for an hour to set up before adding the top layer.

Blend all of the ingredients for the chocolate layer together until smooth. Pour over the peanut butter layer, and return to the freezer until the pie is set, another hour or so.

Grab some forks and share with your loved ones, preferably straight out of the pan before it melts.

Week 32 Results - Time

2011-08-15T16:49:00.003-04:00

Angela C and Kara hit 125 hours this week!

GRAND TOTAL HOURS: 3693.26

Challengers in time order:

Andy - 258.93
Janna - 237.25
Monika - 198.3
Erik - 194.57
Jenii - 185.38
Megan - 170.17
Reanbean - 163.52
Alison - 146.12
Natalie - 142.33
Angela R - 137.38
Laura - 133.48
Ms Mae - 130.95
Heather - 130.67
Angela - 128.06
Kara - 125.35
Chrissie - 121.5
Brooke - 121.01
Joanna - 104.83
Rose Marie - 98.68
Jaime - 92.42
Eva - 89.58
Mel - 77.9
Natalie M -76.7
London - 73.25
Adeline - 67.23
Susan - 61.78
Holli - 54.75
Jen - 49.9
Melissa - 34.92
Ginger - 33
Allison C - 20.41
Goddess - 20.2
Aubs - 12.75

Week 32 Results - Miles

2011-08-15T16:43:00.002-04:00

GRAND TOTAL 17,966.99 miles

Challengers in mileage order:

Andy - 1541.06
Eric - 1058.25
Erik H - 831.44
Natalie - 708.75
Lisa - 661.98
Ashlee - 649
Ms Mae - 647.36
Kara - 602.7
KLeigh - 571.3
Laura - 547.89
Irene - 547
Amy - 514.97
Heather - 467.6
Monika - 448
Angela R - 437.12
Jenii - 398.15
Jana - 384.79
Alison - 384
Erin S - 382.24
Wendee - 358.83
Chrissie - 315
Angela C - 298.53
Darrah - 298.35
Ange - 288.48
Mel - 280.22
Hannah - 279.15
Bill - 262.56
Brooke - 253.45
Rose Marie - 231.38
Jody - 230.43
Miche - 230.1
Alli - 225.5
Erin K - 220.3
Joy - 206.5
Jen - 201.3
Christi - 192.6
Megan - 175.27
Brad - 169.32
LizzyG - 169
Ginger - 162
Carrie - 141.31
AmyY - 134.46
Steve - 128.4
Tara - 126.87
Kristi A - 116.1
Kelly - 105.1
Werth Weekly -94.5
Susan - 90.47
Melissa - 41.9
Aubs - 31.6

Week 32 stats - back to school cleaning!

2011-08-12T11:27:00.000-04:00

Hey everyone, I'm going to do another clean out of the participant list this week. It takes a lot of time for me to maintain stats for people who are not participating. In Monday's results posts, I'll be highlighting people I plan to remove - people who have not posted at least 10 weeks.

Post your week 32 stats here!

Week 32 stats

2011-08-12T09:22:00.001-04:00

20 more weeks left in the year? OY.
We are finally getting a break from the heat in North Carolina. I have never been so happy to see "high of 87" for today. And very little humidity. YAY.

Post your week 32 stats here.

Sprint triathlon & a 5K this hot August weekend.

2011-08-12T05:25:00.006-04:00

Good luck Darrah at the Minneapolis YWCA Women's Sprint Triathlon this Sunday!

eta - Good luck Amy at the Run for the Grapes 5K on Saturday!

August Races Coming Up -
20-Aug-11 Kara, Chattanooga Mud Run 5K
20-Aug-11 Irene, Kannapolis Rotary Duathlon
27-Aug-11 HeatherV, Irene, Kara, LauraC, Monika, Warrior Dash Carolinas

September Races Coming Up -
5-Sep-11 Amy, Run for a Child 10K,
17-Sep-11 Ms. Mae, Bismarck Marathon
17-Sep-11 Kara, Warrior Dash Tennessee
17-Sep-11 Miche, Miles for Matthew 10k in Greensboro

October Races Coming Up -
1-Oct-11 Kara, Disney Wine and Dine Half Marathon
22-Oct-11 Eric, Run Like Hell Half Marathon, Portland, Oregon

November Races Coming Up -
5-Nov-11 Natalie, Miche, Savannah Rock N Roll Half Marathon
13-Nov-11 Angela R, San Antonio Rock N Roll Half Marathon

These are the rest of the races for 2011. Please leave a comment if I missed a race.

Making your own seed and nut butters, revisited

2011-08-10T15:04:00.003-04:00

A few weeks ago, Angela wrote a great post on making your own peanut butter. I make a lot of homemade seed and nut butters all the time, but I hadn't ever made pistachio butter before last weekend. It's the most beautiful shade of green, and my daughter and I had a lot of fun using her cookie cutters to make bread shapes and then decorated the buttered pieces with strawberries.

If you're making a small batch or plan on using your seed or nut butter up within a couple of weeks, you can use non-dairy milk instead of oil to thin it out. Also, don't be afraid to jazz things up with a touch of vanilla extract or some citrus zest, especially if the spread is going to be used as a filling.

You can also make your own tahini by blending up sesame seeds - much cheaper than buying it at the store!

Bonus post: motivation

2011-08-10T09:27:00.003-04:00

August is historically my LEAST motivated month for exercising.

It's freaking HOT and HUMID in August. Hottest month of the year.
I've already spent way too much time on the treadmill to avoid the heat.
Swimsuit season is already here so it's too late to wrong any rights.
And new added bonus: back to school time = crazy time.
LOATHE TREADMILL RUNNING.

This year I've decided to attack August by planning a fall half marathon with training starting next week. I need something to get my mojo back and generally having a goal helps me through the sluggish part of summer when all I want to do is drink cocktails and eat ice cream.

What about everyone else? When do you lose motivation and what do you do to bring it back?

Week 31 Results - Time

2011-08-08T11:24:00.003-04:00

Ms Mae and Heather hit 125 hours this year!

GRAND TOTAL HOURS: 3780.74

Challengers in time order:

Andy - 245.67
Janna - 232.75
Erik - 189.57
Monika - 185.52
Jenii - 185.38
Megan - 170.17
Reanbean - 156.93
Natalie - 137.45
Alison - 134.12
Angela R - 132.97
Ms Mae - 130.95
Laura - 130.82
Heather - 126.17
Angela C - 123.93
Chrissie - 121.5
Kara - 121.07
Brooke - 121.01
Rose Marie - 98.68
Jaime - 92.42
Joanna - 90.5
Eva - 86.25
Robin - 79.18
Mel - 77.9
Natalie M - 75.7
London - 73.25
Adeline - 67.23
Susan - 61.78
Holli - 54.75
Jen - 49.9
Cathy - 39.72
Cruz - 36.5
Melissa - 33.08
Ginger - 33
Monica - 31.58
Allison C - 20.41
Goddess - 20.2
Aubs - 12.75

Week 31 Results - Miles

2011-08-08T11:17:00.002-04:00

News this week:

Amy hit 500 miles!
Angela R ran more miles in a week than she has ever run - 29. Sweet!

GRAND TOTAL MILES: 18,475.4

Challengers in mileage order:

Andy - 1445.78
Eric - 1024.25
Erik - 817.58
Natalie - 682.9
Lisa- 661.98
Ms Mae - 647.36
Ashlee - 583
Kara - 576.34
KLeigh - 556.3
Laura - 537.39
Irene - 531
Amy - 500.97
HeatherV - 454.1
Monika - 418.87
Angela R- 417.12
Jenii - 398.15
Jana - 384.79
Alison - 364
Erin S - 354.24
Wendee - 339.73
Chrissie - 315
Darrah - 298.35
Angela C - 293.23
Jasmyne - 291.79
Ange - 288.48
Mel - 280.22
Hannah - 279.15
Bill V - 262.56
Brooke - 253.45
Desi - 232.5
Rose Marie - 231.38
Jody - 230.43
Alli - 225.5
Erin K - 220.3
Miche - 217.8
Jen - 201.3
Joy - 194.5
Megan - 175.27
Brad - 169.32
Christi - 162.6
Ginger - 162
LizzyG - 157
Julie - 139
AmyY - 134.46
Steve - 128.4
Carrie - 128.31
Shelley - 124.36
Tara - 119.25
Kristi - 116.1
Katie - 105.75
Kelly - 105.15
Werth Weekly - 94.5
Robin - 93.7
Susan - 90.47
Cruz - 70
Cathy - 66.58
David - 50.89
Melissa - 38.9
Aubs - 31.6

Week 31 stats

2011-08-06T08:03:00.001-04:00

Post your week 31 stats here!

First Weekend in August - No Races!

2011-08-05T04:39:00.006-04:00

Last weekend, LizzyG and Janna (me) completed her first and my second sprint triathlon. We had perfect weather for a race (70 degrees & gray skies) and we both finished. I beat my time from last year by 1 minute, 30 seconds, so I'll consider it a success!

To read about Alison's Warrior Dash, click here!

August Races Coming Up -

14-Aug-11 Darrah, Minneapolis YWCA Women's Sprint Tri
20-Aug-11 Kara, Chattanooga Mud Run 5K
20-Aug-11 Irene, Kannapolis Rotary Duathlon
27-Aug-11 HeatherV, Irene, Kara, LauraC, Monika, Warrior Dash Carolinas

September Races Coming Up -
17-Sep-11 Ms. Mae, Bismarck Marathon
17-Sep-11 Kara, Warrior Dash Tennessee

Homemade Black Forest Lärabar-esque Bites

2011-08-03T15:15:00.002-04:00

Whether you’re running, swimming, chasing your kids around the park or doing heavy gardening, it’s important to have a recovery snack within 30 minutes of any calorie-draining activity if you want to bounce back and avoid unnecessary mental or muscle fatigue. In an effort to avoid messy snacks, I’ve fallen victim to hastily buying a case of Lärabars in the past - and it was an expensive lesson! But they pack the best carb and protein recovery punch of just about any highly unprocessed food out there, and let’s face it - when I’m at the park or pool with my kiddo in 90 degree heat, the last thing I want to do is mess with spreading peanut butter on a bagel or pack yogurt in a mini-cooler to keep it from spoiling. So I started making my own homemade Lärabars, and now I just throw a couple of them into my bag as we head out the door.

Homemade Black Forest Lärabar-esque Bites

(makes 12-15 bite-sized treats)

1 cup pitted dates

½ cup dried cherries

½ cup raw chopped cashews or slivered almonds

1 tsp cocoa powder

Pinch of salt

Line a plate with parchment paper or plastic wrap and set aside. You will also need another piece of plastic wrap to cover the plate with.

Place the dates and dried cherries into a food processor and pulse until they are almost – but not quite – a paste consistency. Transfer to a mixing bowl and set aside. Add nuts to the food processor and pulse until very finely chopped. Transfer nuts to the mixing bowl, along with the cocoa powder and salt. Mix with your hands until well combined. Roll into walnut-sized balls and place on the lined plate. Cover the plate tightly with plastic wrap and transfer to the refrigerator to set up for at least an hour. Will keep in the refrigerator for at least a week.

Alternatively, you can double the batch and press into a parchment-lined 8x8 pan, then cut into whatever sized squares you desire after they have set up. Be sure that when you cover the pan with plastic wrap, you press it down onto the bars.

Week 30 Results - Time

2011-08-01T13:57:00.003-04:00

Both Laura (me!) and Angela R hit 125 hours this week!

GRAND TOTAL HOURS: 3705.28

Challengers in mileage order:

Andy - 245.67
Janna - 224.92
Monika - 185.52
Jenii - 185.38
Erik - 184.9
Megan - 170.17
Reanbean - 150.43
Alison - 134.12
Natalie - 133.27
Laura - 128.98
Angela R - 126.31
Ms Mae - 123.15
Angela C - 121.6
Chrissie - 121.5
Brooke - 121.01
Heather - 120
Kara - 111.65
Rose Marie - 98.68
Joanna - 90.5
Jaime - 87.92
Eva - 83.58
Robin - 79.18
Mel - 76.77
Natalie M - 71.45
London - 69.75
Adeline - 67.23
Susan - 61.78
Holli - 54.78
Jen - 47.88
Cathy - 39.72
Cruz - 36.5
Melissa - 33.08
Ginger - 33
Monica - 31.58
Allison - 20.41
Goddess - 20.2
Aubs - 12.75

Week 30 Results - Miles

2011-08-01T13:42:00.004-04:00

News this week:

Irene hit 500 miles!
Jody is pregnant and still running!
Rose Marie is still chugging along exercising at 31 weeks pregnant.

This week I am posting what your average mileage needs to be to hit a certain target by the end of the challenge. Hopefully this will be motivating to you!

GRAND TOTAL MILES: 18,089.58

Challengers in mileage order:

Andy - 1445.78 (25.2 miles per week to hit 2000)
Eric - 984.25 (23.4 miles per week to hit 1500)
Erik - 801.75 (31.7 miles per week to hit 1500)
Lisa - 661.98 (15.4 miles per week to hit 1000)
Natalie - 660.49 (15.4 miles per week to hit 1000)
Ms Mae - 611.08 (17.7 miles per week to hit 1000)
Ashlee - 583 (19.0 miles per week to hit 1000)
KLeigh -534.3 (21.2 miles per week to hit 1000)
Kara - 529.8 (21.4 miles per week to hit 1000)
Laura - 529.39 (21.4 miles per week to hit 1000)
Irene - 501 (22.7 miles per week to hit 1000)
Amy - 486.97 (23.3 miles per week to hit 1000)
HeatherV - 434.85 (25.7 miles per week to hit 1000)
Monika - 418.87 (26.4 miles per week to hit 1000)
Jenii - 398.15 (16.0 miles per week to hit 750)
Angela R - 388.12 (16.4 miles per week to hit 750)
Alison - 364 (17.5 miles per week to hit 750)
Jana - 339.97 (18.6 miles per week to hit 750)
Wendee - 339.73 (18.6 miles per week to hit 750)
Erin S - 326.61 (19.2 miles per week to hit 750)
Chrissie - 315 (8.4 to hit 500)
Darrah - 298.35 (9.2)
Jasmyne - 291.79 (9.5)
Angela C - 291.4 (9.5)
Ange - 288.48 (9.6)
Hannah - 279.15 (10)
Mel - 275.11 (10.2)
Bill - 262.56 (10.8)
Brooke - 253.45 (11.2)
Desi - 232.5 (12.2)
Rose Marie - 231.38 (12.2)
Jody - 230.43 (12.3)
Alli - 225.5 (12.5)
Erin K - 220.3 (12.7)
Miche - 217.8 (12.8)
Jen - 194.68 (13.9)
Joy - 194.5 (13.9)
Megan - 175.27 (14.8)
Brad - 169.32 (15)
Christi - 162.6 (15.3)
Ginger - 162 (15.4)
LizzyG - 157 (15.6)
Julie - 139 (16.4)
AmyY - 134.46 (16.6)
Steve - 128.4 (16.9)
Shelley - 124.36 (17.1)
Kristi - 116.1 (17.5)
Tara - 115.75 (17.5)
Carrie - 115.31 (17.5)
Katie - 105.75 (17.9)
Kelly - 105.15 (17.9)
Werth Weekly - 94.5 (18.4)
Robin - 93.7
Susan - 90.47
Cruz - 70
Cathy - 66.58
David - 50.89
Melissa - 38.9
Aubs - 31.6

Week 30 stats!

2011-07-29T08:08:00.000-04:00

30 weeks through the year! This week I'm going to help calculate how many miles per week you need to hit 500 for the year. Post your week 30 stats here.

Last Weekend in July Triathlon

2011-07-29T04:00:00.001-04:00

Good Luck LizzyG & Janna tomorrow at the All Women's Sprint Triathlon at Blue Lake!

Races Coming Up -

14-Aug-11 Darrah, Minneapolis YWCA Women's Sprint Tri
14-Aug-11 Angela, Key Biscayne Triathlon Trilogy #2 Relay
20-Aug-11 Kara, Chattanooga Mud Run 5K
27-Aug-11 HeatherV, Kara, LauraC, Monika, Warrior Dash Carolinas

17-Sep-11 Ms. Mae, Bismarck Marathon
17-Sep-11 Kara, Warrior Dash Tennessee
18-Sep-11 Angela, Key Biscayne Triathlon Trilogy International