NoBloPoMo: My last blog post was almost 2 months ago...

I'd like to say I've been busy. I guess in some respects I have been. This time of year work is so crazy that the last thing I want to do on evenings and weekends is look at a computer screen.

To get out of this lack-of-blogging funk I decided late last night to participate in NoBloPoMo. Sure, I'm two days late, but better late than never. Right?!

Here is just a short post to kick it off. I have so much on my mind about the weight gain I've allowed happen, but I just want to kick this off with a bit of positivity.

Yesterday, the fall colors motivated me to take a short 30 minute walk (a victory for me since I haven't been working out)

Then the roommate and I enjoyed the weather walking around downtown and checking out the Grand Opening at the new Hatch Show Print location inside the Country Music Hall of Fame.

Hatch Show Print is one of Nashville's staples. It is one of the oldest letterpress print shops in the US. (They celebrated 133 years last year.)

After walking around downtown some more, we found another staple of the city - a location shoot for the ABC TV show "Nashville".

Featuring fake TV's own country stars Rayna James and Juliette Barnes! Yes, they had a whole "music festival" set up just for filming the TV show. I see them filming around town a lot - it's sort of cool to see them out and about and then catch that episode and see how it turned out.

All in all it was a good fall day with lots of walking - exactly what I need right now!

Nashville Food: Rolf & Daughters

Ever since I was clued into the culinary secret that is Rolf & Daughters, located in the Germantown neighborhood of Nashville, by my friend who works as a chef there, I have been dying to go. Until last night, the closest I'd gotten was a beer at the bar and a taste of the bombolino-Italian doughnuts that are filled with a vanilla cream and served alongside a chocolate dipping sauce - both which left a pleasant first taste and an itch to return. Since then, I'd made it my life's mission to get a dinner seat here.

And last night it happened.

Tucked in a corner of the Germantown neighborhood, where industrial meets residential. The space itself is a converted industrial building and many of the rustic and metal elements of the space are showcased.

Even though the menu isn't large, it's hard to choose what to order!

 Milano Mule - Gin based and made with their homemade ginger syrup - spicy and delicious! Also tried the cucumber sour

(L-R, Clockwise) Chicken liver pate, carrot marmalade, cacao; Crostini, whipped ricotta, beets;
Baby octopus, black garlic, pork belly, celeriac, Sourdough, seaweed butter

(L-R, Clockwise) Turnip greens and polenta; Hanger steak, spring onion, swiss chard, olive, rosemary;
Garganelli verde, heritage pork ragout, parmesano; Heritage chicken preserved lemon, confit garlic

(L-R, Clockwise) Even the coffee creamer presentation is awesome; Olive & Sinclair chocolate torte with sea salt;
Vanilla panna cotta with almond cookies; Bambolino-Italian doughnuts with vanilla cream and chocolate dipping sauce

There wasn't one thing that disappointed any of us at the table. Every bite we took was divine and so well crafted. You can certainly drop some money at this place, but every dollar is worth it for the quality of food they deliver.

I hear their menu is coming up for a change with the seasons, so I know it won't be soon enough before I can get back here!

Country Music Half Marathon Race Recap

Team Super Stove before the race

I've put off writing this recap for a couple days now. I guess I just don't know what to say about the experience other than I went, I ran, I conquered.

Obviously, I couldn't be happier with my performance. If you had told me in February 2011 I'd go from not ever wanting to do a half-marathon again, to doing my 2nd one in 3:35 to finishing this one in under 3 hours, I probably would have rolled my eyes and told you to get out of my face.

KG likes to constantly remind me that not oh so long ago I told her, "Karen, not everyone is made to be a runner!"

But now, I am a runner.

The morning started out with a 3:45 AM wake-up call. Considering my corral didn't leave the gate until 7:43, a 4 hour lead time seems sort of ridiculous looking back. But I heard from a co-worker the interstate was backed up from downtown all the way to the airport by 4:30 AM. Traffic is not your friend on race day. We didn't take the interstate.

We parked at the finish line and took the shuttle to the start line. We basically walked right up and got on the shuttle and we were at Centennial Park by around 5 AM - it was still dark outside.

I should have taken a picture of my breakfast, but I had a whole wheat bagel with peanut butter in the car. I have eaten this (bagel + peanut butter) my last 2 races. It's sort of tradition now. I also had coffee on the way.

Since I knew we had so much time to kill before even starting the race, I brought a banana along with me.

I made the decision to not wear my camelbak for hydration. I thought I'd be fine with the hydration provided on the course, but I regretted this decision by mile 2. I trained every week with my camelbak. I should have just worn it. I carried my phone, ID, and honey stingers in a SpiBelt instead.

After the mandatory port-a-potty visit, we meandered around towards the start line. By this time, the first gun was well past. It was probably about 7:20 when I went into the corral. Just so we're clear, the corrals were a clusterf*ck. I was originally assigned to 32, but I got moved up at the expo to corral 28. I was doubting my abilities so I thought I might go in more at 29, but the back corrals were missing for some reason and when I went back a little farther in the line, I found the end of it. Knowing I was way faster than where the walkers would be at the end of the line, I went back up to find corral 28. There was 27 and 29, but no 28. I ended up getting in just behind the 2:45 pacer. Sure, that was a pipe dream, but I figured it was better than having to run around people.

Well, I still had to. I'm not sure what the heck happened in the back corrals, but even though I started up early enough to be with a 2:45 pacer I had to consistently weave in and out of people who were walking the first few miles and pretty much the whole race. It kind of pissed me off. Don't get me wrong, I am all for people walking these races. Hell, I walked my first one and it took me over 4 hours to do it. But, I also was courteous enough to know to start in the back corrals and not with a 2:45 pacer. Corrals is where Disney has it right. They have volunteers checking your bib before you can enter a particular corral. Why have corrals if no one is going to hold people to them?

This with the fact that because there was no corral 28; twice the amount of people began during my start. Apparently this happened at least one other time during the start as my co-worker who was closer up in corral 17 also had two corrals go at the same time and experienced the same over crowding.

I know I took this part too seriously for what my pace actual is. I mean, I am no where near more "serious" runners, but I was dead set on killing this race and with every person I had to weave around or slow down for, I expended energy.

Energy that couldn't afford to be expended since it was HOT. I can't believe it's taken me this long to complain about the heat. I guess I expected it, but it was as sunny as can be and in the 70s, which feels like 90 when you are running. Since I didn't start until 7:45, I was hot before we even started. This is where I complain that they don't have enough water stops on the course and complain that most of the water stops were running out of water by time I got there. I mean what did the walkers do? If you are hell-bent on having a race in Nashville at the end of April, please have enough water. This complaint has come withe me all the way from CMM 2009. That's all I'll say about that since I know it's beating a dead horse. So note if you plan on ever doing this race: carry your own water.

Now that my two major complaints are out of the way, I'll say the first 6 miles were pretty much great as far as how I felt. I felt strong and pretty much kept to my intervals. At the 10K mark, you turn to go back towards downtown. The next 2 miles of the course are shitty. There's no other way to put it. there are about 5 BIG rolling hills along this stretch and it was by far the part of the race I was most angry about. All I wanted to do is get back to the Music Row area of the course. That stretch was a nice relief until I hit kind of a wall at mile 9. The one thing I will give this race is the amount of spectators. I never felt bored because it was fun to people watch the sidelines and every mile or so there was something at least interesting to look at even though I know the city like the back of my hand. Mile 10 I got a little bit of a 2nd wind because in my head I thought, "oh there is only 5K left. 5K is nothing, I'm basically done." Of course you forget the last 3 miles are certainly the worst.

I was unfamiliar with the course at the 10/11 mile mark. They've changed it since 2009, which is fine but when I kept thinking we were going to go straight there would be another turn. Then the stupidest part of the race happened. You come out of the Nashville Farmer's Market/Bicentennial Mall area and get back on what I think is James Robertson Parkway. You turn left to go away from downtown (the finish is just across the river from downtown at Titan's stadium). So you turn right and you have to go up what is probably only a few hundred feet just to turn around a median to go the right way towards the finish. S-T-U-P-I-D. This is at about mile 12, so I am pretty much done at this point anyway, but really they couldn't find somewhere else to make up this couple hundred feet?

Between mile 12 and the finish you wind back through downtown a little and I swear there are like 5 or 6 turns. Not the best mentally when you know you just have to make it over a bridge and the finish will be RIGHT. THERE.

The last two miles I really had to talk myself into finishing strong. I knew I had to average a 13:40 pace to finish in 2:59. My Garmin was at about 13:25 with 2 miles to go. I knew I couldn't slow down and in fact needed to speed up a little to not miss my ultimate goal. I made myself stick to running the last two miles of preset intervals of half-mile run, quarter-mile speed walk.

I ended up running the last 0.7 mile to the finish line at a strong 12:30 minute pace. As I came over the bridge to the finish, I felt chilled and slightly fuzzy. I knew I was about to take a turn for the worst if I didn't get some hydration soon. As soon as I crossed the finish, I grabbed 2 bottles of water, a Gatorade and a bag of pretzels (along with the cold wet towels they were giving out - great idea!) and found a place with no crowd to contend with and recovered.

I was done and I knew I conquered it.

Although I had a victorious race with a strong finish, I have no desire to do the Country Music race again. I'm not sure if it is an issue with Competitor (we'll see in Seattle, I suppose) or if the Nashville stop has just gotten too big for them to handle without extra logistics planned for. The course is painfully hilly, and the timing of the race (late April) is way too hot for Nashville standards. I didn't enjoy the process of this race as much as I did at Mercedes and Disney (but of course, how do you beat Disney).

Post race meal was Sonic, followed by dinner and margarita's that night with the whole Super Stove crew. Of course my post-race eating habits bled over to Sunday as well. :)

There is no shortage of fitness related goals here, but first I am planning on taking this week off from at the very least running. My ankle has been a bit sore since the race and although it's already improving I'm concerned there may be an issue with it from overuse since I've been training for half-marathons for 8 months straight.

I still love races, so as mentioned, I am planning on doing the Seattle Rock n Roll half-marathon while I'm there for a conference in June and I was already planning to do St. Jude in Memphis since I love a good winter race. St. Louis Rock n Roll and Disney Princess 2013 are on my radar too. Amongst all this, I am also planning on doing my first sprint triathlon in July. I will start training for that next week while I also try to keep up my endurance for Seattle.

Whew...

Bike Adventures

Saturday I went for my second bike ride on my new-to-me bike! I've stuck to paved greenways, but so far I am loving to ride.

Saturday I rode a little over 8 miles on a flat trail. I was only out for about an hour, but because I'm still getting used to riding that's about all I can ride at once before the bike seat makes riding less than comfortable. I need to look into a better gel seat or some bike shorts with the gel inserts.

I also should look into a helmet. Yes, I've been riding without one. Eventually, I'll want to bike from my house to the greenway (about 1/2 a mile or so), so a helmet will be required.

Here are a few pictures from my ride yesterday.

Hey, it's hard to take a pic of yourself on a bike!
Car windows doubled as mirrors can work.

Overall, I am loving my bike and riding it. It's something you can do when it is hot out (yesterday was 90+), but it doesn't feel that miserable because of the natural breeze of zooming down the pathway. I know there are runners out there that won't admit it, but biking is so much more fun than running. Except when hills are involved. :)

But man, just like running, this is an EXPENSIVE hobby. As I mentioned, I still need a helmet and I'd like to get a gel seat. Also, I need a bike rack for easier transportation. Until the money Gods shine down on me, I'm left with lifting my bike in and out of the back of my Element.

I can't wait to have more bike adventures and build up my riding endurance.

Diary of an overweight runner - My First 5K

For the last 11 weeks I've been following the 5Kin100days training program. Although we still have 3 more weeks of the program, I did the Tomato 5K Saturday.

I went in with no expectations. I was simply going to run the intervals that I was scheduled to run for the program (four 8 minute running/1 minute walking).

Me and Miss Lynn at the start!

Overall, I kept a reasonable pace even though I have a competitive tenancy when faced with other racers around me. I started at the back of the pack and I definitely could have probably started up closer since I ended up passing quite a few people.

After my first two 8 minute intervals, I walked for about 4 minutes (up a hill) and continued with another 8 minute interval. The course miles weren't marked (I later found out the water stops served as mile markers), but I knew after my third interval, I had to be at least half way there.

After walking for several more minutes, I did my final 8 minute interval. I could feel my body tiring and with the sun bearing down, it was hot. I decided to walk until I knew the finish line was coming up. That only ended up being about 2 minutes and then I did the last .10 or so jogging.

I crossed the finish line at 44:29!

Although I had no expectations, of course in the back of my mind I had my "secret-never-to-be-said-out-loud-unless-accomplished" goal of doing the race in 45 minutes or less. Doesn't everyone make these unsaid goals? ;)

And I did!

This is only my second 5K ever. Technically it is a 14 minute PR; however, I wouldn't consider my first 5K as an accurate base for comparison because I walked it at someone else's pace. I am doing that race again in October so I'm really interested to see what I do it in.

I can't say enough good things about Brad Gansberg and 5Kin100days. The program gave me the ability to get over my mental fear of running caused by an earlier injury AND it gave me the physical base to continue training for my half marathon in January.

Honestly, crossing that finish line was nearly as satisfying as the half marathon I did in February. It was a new accomplishment. I am no longer walking races. I am running them!

Why I'm singin'

It's the weekend! It's the weekend! (C'mon sing it with me)

The short week brought Friday to us a little sooner and here are two reasons why I'm singing today:

#1 - My Fitbit arrived yesterday! If you weren't paying attention, I won the giveaway Skinny Emmie hosted last week! I set it up last night and I am wearing it today! I'd take a pic, but since it's secretly placed on my bra (right smack between the goods), you all will have to wait till I wear it in a less risque spot. I have to remember I have co-workers and to not randomly stick my hand down my shirt to check my stats.

#2 - Tomorrow is the official Fitbloggin' meetup in Nashville! Several awesome people are driving in for it from up to 4 hours away and I can't wait to hang with all my fitness and health conscious peeps tomorrow! I hope I don't drown in sweat during the run/walk tomorrow morning and scare everyone off with my ability to fill a child's swimming pool with my ability to sweat. Anyway, it should be fun. And if you are in the area and haven't decided to come yet, then WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR!?

What a weight loss blogger should not eat: Hot Chicken Edition

I'm a foodie at heart. I love seeking out culinary adventures and more often then not these are not adventures of the healthful kind. Enter "What a weight loss blogger should not eat" and how I celebrated our country's Independence.

When I knew I'd be in Nashville over 4th of July, I knew one thing - I'd be attending the city's Hot Chicken Festival.

If you've never heard of Hot Chicken, then you probably aren't alone. I'm not sure anyone outside of the South (or Nashville?) does chicken quite as the likes of Prince's or Bolton's does. If you've never heard of it, I suggest you take a moment to watch this.

Basically what Hot Chicken comes down to is breaded and fried chicken doused in a blend of fiery, hot spices served over a piece of white bread (and there better be pickles on the side in my book).

The weather was hot and steamy, but seeing as it was under 100 degrees out I knew I could handle a few hours in the high-noon sun to try this Nashville culinary tradition. Touting half a dozen chicken vendors, there was a little something for everyone including hot drumsticks, whole chicken pieces, fried fish and breaded chicken tenders. Little did I know I'd spend an hour in line to get my hands on this culinary delight.

Starting at the back of the line. Target - the white tent ahead.

We arrived right at lunch time - seems like most people had this idea as every. single. vendor. had a line rivaled by those at a Disney theme park. We actually lapped the park in the car wondering if we could just head over to one of the vendor's storefronts to get our Hot Chicken fix. Our deciding factor to wait out the crowds? A prime parking spot.

After a lap around the front of each vendor's line to survey the offerings, we decided on Pepperfire Hot Chicken. Their offering was simple; breaded chicken tenders doused in sauce with a side of white bread and pickles. No extras, no frills. Points on the boneless option (for KG) and a shorter line than some of the name brand vendors.

Finally to the front of the line.

I chose "Xtra Hot". When in Rome, right?

Once we had our chicken in hand we found a shady space to sit and enjoy. I have to admit, I wasn't sure what to expect. I love hot wings and spicy food in general, but this is a whole new game. Hot wings are not even in the same realm as Hot Chicken. As we stood in line, you could taste the hot pepper seasonings in the air.

Let the games begin.

The first bite was delicious. The quality of chicken from Pepperfire's was outstanding - juicy white meat chicken and the breading on the outside was perfectly crisp and salty. The first kick of spice was a pleasant surprise.

The insides. Spicy goodness all the way through.

But was it good you ask? I give a wholehearted YES! But with a disclaimer, it BURNS your insides. By time I finished my first piece everything was burning. My lips, tongue, mouth, throat and stomach. But it wasn't as if I couldn't TASTE the food. I just had to take my time between bites to let the burning subside. Halfway through my meal I had to go out for reinforcements - our water supply was low and carbonated beverages were needed. I recommend eating Hot Chicken with a Diet Mtn Dew.

I wasn't sure if KG was going to make it, but she pulled through like a champ. One of the best parts is the spice soaked white bread left at the end.

Delicious!

Adventure accomplished.

At the end of it all we had burning lungs, fiery guts and we decided ice cream was in order. I recommend pairing your next piece of Hot Chicken with ice cream. It's quite the delectable and classy combination.

I hear several of the places were out of chicken by 1pm (just two hours after the event begun). So ultimately I'm glad we went early. Next year we'll have to get there 2 hours before it starts to beat the crowds. If you're ever in Nashville, I dare you to try Hot Chicken for yourself!