Millions of Peaches...Peaches For Me

July marks the 7th month of the Run for the Bling Challenge.  It’s hard to believe that we are 5 months away from end of 2011.

In June at the Sunrise 8K, I was starting to feel like races were losing their luster.  I think it was a culmination of things.  Being at an event that wasn’t very organized, the weather was very steamy for 6AM and I really didn’t feel like running for time…I just wanted to get a long run in. 

I can’t imagine doing 2-3 races per month as I have seen from other bloggers participating in the run for the bling challenge. 

July’s race was much different than June.  I chose the SC Peach Festival Road Race in Gaffney, SC.  I signed up for the 5K.  It was my 1^st 5K since January. 

 It was a simple, yet challenging out and back.  The hills proved to be worthy. (Thankful that we do hill repeats during our weekly runs).  The last stretch of the race was great.  It was a downhill slope and I had my eyes on passing the two ladies that had been in front of me during the race.  A couple of people along the street were great motivators cheering “almost there”…”keep pushing”.  I took off into a full sprint for about a minute to cross the finish line.  I left it all right there crossing the line and it felt great.

Moments after the finish, while I was trying to get the time chip off my shoe, one of my running partners came across the finish line.  We were both elated at our performance and worked our way over to the post race snack for some water and of course….peaches!!!

Overall, I’m glad that I did this race.  It gave me the rejuvenation that I needed!!

Happy Trails,

TD

Three Things Thursday

I’m trying to be a little creative with my blogging so here are three things that are on my mind today  (CDs, Clothes and Food)

1.       Three CD’s that never get old to me ( I can't just pick one):

1.   Counting Crow’s – August and Everything After.    This CD not only reminds me of my freshman yr of college but also a road trips to and from Jefferson, Georgia in the front seat of the “Dream” (the name given to one of my besties KK’s car)

2.    Sugarland – Enjoy The Ride & Twice the Speed of Life (Girls Weekend – Garden City with Mags and Betty)  Sitting on the beach from Sun-Up til Sundown with this CD on Repeat. 

3.    Keith Urban - I've been following KU since he first arrived in Nashville back in the late 90's.  I've gone from seeing him at the House of Blues to sold out arenas and his concerts never dispoint.  His music gets better with each CD he releases.  Love, Pain and the Whole Crazy Thing is one of my favorites by Keith.  All of the songs are filled with emotion...even the fast ones!  He's an amazing guitarist and sings from the heart!!  One of his songs is in our wedding video.

2.    I love workout clothes….My latest find is the Kirkland’s brand (Costco)  Yoga Tank Tops.  These are wicking material and very comfortable….and the price is only 12.99.  Really not bad when it comes to tank tops.  Though I started wearing "Skirt Sport Running Skirts" back in the Winter, I’m still totally addicted to them and have been a little afraid to try running in other skirts or shorts.  (The Pic is a Funky One that I wore during the Cooper River Bridge Run.

3.   Peanut Butter Granola.

I love granola.  Plain, Bars, In Yogurt.  You name it I love it.  It’s actually a nickname that some of the attorneys in my office call me (Granola Girl) because for a while I was having a granola bar once a day….

I recently found a recipe for homemade Peanut Butter Granola.  I’ve made this many times now…The first time I made it I followed the recipe to a T.  It was a big hit w/ my running group so the next batch I added raisins, walnuts, chocolate chips, and cranberries.  Another Success!!! 

Recipe for Granola

(I always double it)

           

2 tbsp. creamy peanut butter
2 tbsp. honey
1/4 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. vanilla extract
1 c. oats

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
Spray cookie sheet with non-stick cooking spray and set aside.  Combine peanut butter and honey in a bowl and microwave until peanut butter melts (approximately 20 seconds). Stir.
Stir cinnamon and vanilla into peanut butter and honey mixture. Add oats and stir until oats are completely covered in peanut butter mixture.  Spread out oat mixture onto prepared cookie sheet and bake for 7 – 8 minutes until granola is slightly browned.  Let cool until granola is crunchy.

I hope that everyone is having a great Thursday.   I will most likely update the blog again this weekend to recap my race from last weekend at the SC Peach Festival.

Until Then,

TD