Twilight Fans... Your deepest question is answered!

Now Bella is safe even when Aunt Flo is visiting!

Twilight Cycles from Brandon Routh

Youghiogheny River Trail

I do most of my outdoor runs on the YRT and I've been dying to do a race on it.  After much research and contacting the trail council, however, I have learned that they do not condone organized races on the trail.  That led to a few more emails in which the consensus was finally reached that an organized running CLUB would be okay with the trail council!  I'm hoping that I can get enough runners to make the trail council change their mind on organized races in the future.  At the very least it would be great to have some other dedicated runners to motivate eachother to get out there all winter!  If anyone is interested please email me at sabuyny@hotmail.com . 

Pictures of the YRT if that helps pique your interest:

I was thinking we could meet on Sundays (time to be determined by majority).  Please let me know if you are interested or if another day might work better for you!  Thanks in advance!

First Run with my Puppy!

I took my Aussie pup for his first run today and he absolutely loved it!  Having him there to drag me along (at a much faster pace than normal!) really helped me to relax and enjoy it!  The weather was beautfiul (I'm guessing about 50*F) and the trail was busy with other people and dogs!  We ended up doing 6 miles in just over an hour and it felt great!  Just one more thing I am blessed for this holiday season!

On another note, I've been trying to figure out gift ideas for our Secret Santa on Runners World.  I don't have any wonderful ideas yet but I did find something that would make most runners' Christmas' merry! 

Without further ado, The 12 Days of Christmas for Runners!

On the 12th day of Christmas, my running buddy gave to me:




12 Packs of Energy Gels

11 Massage Sessions (Consult your local sports-massage therapists)

10 Race Entries

9 Inspiring Cards

8 Pairs of Socks

7 Nutritional Supplements

6 Running DVDs

5 Golden Medals (These can't be bought of course, but motivation and support will help)

4 Books on Running

3 Pairs of Running Shoes

2 Hand-Warming Gloves

... and a trip to a far-away marathon.



If only Santa would leave all that in MY stocking!

Fur-Babies

Nothing means more to me than my family.  My boyfriend, my daughter, my ever-patient mother, my loyal-to-the-death sister...  I'm surrounded by so much love it's hard to imagine life without sharing that love.  My chance to give back some of what I've been given came over the summer when I found a fuzzy bundle of love on the side of the road.  He quickly became known as Patch for his funny pirate-like eye patch.  This Australian Shepherd puppy has been the highlight of my day many times.  Never ending antics, a fierce loyalty and an intelligence that seems to rival that of my four year old make him more like a child than a pet.  I can't wait until he is fully grown so that I can make him my running partner as well!

Patch, dozing on his bed:

"Mom, I don't wanna go to school":

The best face to see after a rough day:

A few years ago my dear boyfriend rescued a stray from the local pound.  She came to be named Scoops (after the chips) and she's been his little buddy ever since.  She's the most laid back dog ever.  A soft place to sleep and a belly rub are all she needs out of life, kind of like my boyfriend in that way! 

Commandering the couch:

She always takes DBF's spot, not mine:

Life wouldn't be complete without fur-babies and I'm so blessed that mine have such lovely characters!

Thanksgiving Decorating

What's Thanksgiving without planning, preparation and a little perspiration?  Staying up late trying to put all the last minute details into place is pretty much the best followed tradition in my family!  Luckily, with a 4 year old daughter the decorations are easy to come by.  All I have to do is try not to screw up the food!   Easier said than done but at least the baked goods are in order for today!

Red velvet cupcakes with buttercream filling and icing:

Red velvet cake (I need to work on my cake writing!):

Some of DD's artwork:

One of our favorite Thanksgiving decorations:

Even our Build-A-Bears get in on the action:

Have a Happy Thanksgiving everyone!  Catch you again on Black Friday!

Thanksgiving Eve

My family happens to run a horse farm a few hours north of me.  Recently we've added a few other creatures to the menagerie as well.  Our turkeys, sadly, have reached the end of the line this month.  However, they did turn out quite delicious!  In preparation for the Thanksgiving gluttony, I offered up a taste of our wonderful turkey as turkey burgers.  It's a simple recipe and turned out much better than I expected!  So here's the how-to:

1 lb ground turkey

1 Tbsp. bread crumbs

1 Tbsp. finely diced onion

1 egg white, lightly beaten

1 Tbsp. fresh parsley, chopped

1/3 clove garlic, peeled and minced

Dash of salt

Dash of ground black pepper

Combine in a large bowl.

Form into patties.

Cook over medium heat in a skillet, turning once.

ENJOY!

And cooling now for our enjoyment tomorrow....  red velvet cupcakes!  These were even easier than the turkey burgers.  I just followed the instructions on the box!  And my daughter and I will be icing them in the morning with ready-made icing!  So simple and yet so yummy!

The Evolution of the Home Gym

I've always been one to enjoy exploring but since I moved in with DBF I just haven't had the wanderlust I once had. It's not such a bad thing to enjoy being close to home more often but my running was suffering as a consequence. After a lot of talking and planning, Shane and I finally decided to put together a home gym in the corner of our basement. It was a big undertaking but so worth it! I've used it everyday except today and that's because I'm too sore from all the workouts I've been doing!

Before:
Primer:
Paint:

TV Shelf and treadmill and mats:

Finished product:



I'll have to take some more pictures because we added another layer of mats around the edge plus some mirrors and posters. I <3 my home gym (and my wonderful boyfriend for being so handy)!

Run to Eat, Eat to Run

I'm not the most domesticated woman runner ever, that's for sure. In an effort not to starve my poor boyfriend I've embarked on a journey into, dare I say it? Cooking!

Cooking has always been one of those things that I figured I would do someday. Someday as in when I was old, boring, or at least ready to 'settle down'. Cooking was something every woman but me seemed born with the ability (and the inclination) to do. I figured I just wasn't that lucky.

Well along came dear boyfriend and I've found that he is a wonderful cook but very limited in his menu. As a runner I yearn for healthier fare and a little variety. My adventures into the land of domesticity started with macaroni and cheese and hamburger helper. I slowly expanded into scrambled eggs and a few 'harder' meals, like soup.

Now that I have a (little, very little) confidence in my cooking, I'm expanding into full meals. Tonights menu will consist of lemon chicken, deviled eggs and a pasta side (the little packet kind). I'm thrilled with the possibilities and terrified of the outcome. I guess if this blog continues then I haven't poisoned us all! Yet....