Thursday, October 23, 2008
Oh mighty food processor!
My birthday is coming up. Usually I buy myself some clothes, but this year I decided to buy something that I could really use. I have wanted a food processor for a long time. I don't really like to cook, but out of necessity I cook nearly everything from scratch and I spend an awful lot of time in the kitchen. I decided to go all out and buy the best one I could afford, one that would be able to do all the things that would really cut down my time in the kitchen. I recieved it about 2 weeks ago, and I can honestly say that I have used it nearly every single day since then. I have sliced potatoes, cucumbers, carrots, shredded cabbage, carrots, onions, cheese, I have made butter, and I have made apple sauce and pie crust. I LOVE this food processor!
The verdict is in
And the mystery green egg layer is....drumroll......Sugar!!
This is really exciting because we expected Sugar to lay brown eggs. Her father was our White Rock roo, and her mother was an Easter Egger. Her mother laid green eggs, but my research last year (NOT scientific by any means) led us to believe that the male determines the egg color of their offspring. So the fact that Sugar lays green eggs blows this theory out of the water. Sugar's eggs are a dark olive green. The darker the egg is, the more brown-eggs layers the hen has in her family tree. So I would say that Sugar is pretty far removed from an Americauna chicken, but she still lays pretty eggs!
Here is a picture of Sugar's egg (in the middle). On the left is Penny's brown egg, she is also a pullet which is why her egg is small. For comparison, I put one of our White Rock's eggs on the right. The pullet eggs will grow in size as the hen matures:
This is really exciting because we expected Sugar to lay brown eggs. Her father was our White Rock roo, and her mother was an Easter Egger. Her mother laid green eggs, but my research last year (NOT scientific by any means) led us to believe that the male determines the egg color of their offspring. So the fact that Sugar lays green eggs blows this theory out of the water. Sugar's eggs are a dark olive green. The darker the egg is, the more brown-eggs layers the hen has in her family tree. So I would say that Sugar is pretty far removed from an Americauna chicken, but she still lays pretty eggs!
Here is a picture of Sugar's egg (in the middle). On the left is Penny's brown egg, she is also a pullet which is why her egg is small. For comparison, I put one of our White Rock's eggs on the right. The pullet eggs will grow in size as the hen matures:
A little time correction
Well, it looks like I didn't break 23:00 after all. I was able to access the official race results a few days ago, and my official time was 23 flat. I started my watch a little late at the start, and I was sure than since I timed myself at 23:00 that I would have at least one second taken off of my final time. No such luck-I'm stuck with 23:00 as my seasonal best.
However, Felix's final time was something else! He ran a 26:16!!!! The time I had for him before was based on my family's recollection, but goodness, were they off. He was a speed racer on Saturday!
I have a 10k (thank goodness no more 5k's for awhile) in two weeks that I am looking for.
Oh, and a little post-script on the orthotics-obviously they did not hinder me in the 5k, I am thinking that they are pretty fantastic right now.
However, Felix's final time was something else! He ran a 26:16!!!! The time I had for him before was based on my family's recollection, but goodness, were they off. He was a speed racer on Saturday!
I have a 10k (thank goodness no more 5k's for awhile) in two weeks that I am looking for.
Oh, and a little post-script on the orthotics-obviously they did not hinder me in the 5k, I am thinking that they are pretty fantastic right now.
Monday, October 20, 2008
All in the Family
Saturday I ran a last-minute 5k. My Mom had a little family reunion of sorts and my anut and uncle from Michigan and my aunt and uncle from Pennsylvania came in to visit. My Uncle Tim (Michigan) is a long time runner and triathlete who inspired me when I was younger(and still does), and we have run lots of races together. He found a local race near my Mom's, and he ran it, along with my other aunt and uncle, me, B., and F.
This was F.'s first 5k ever. He has wanted to run one for awhile, but I didn't really just want to turn him out completely unprepared. He runs with me or B. once in awhile, but he has never run more than a mile and a half at one time. I told him that he should just take it easy and if he felt very tired or worn out he should walk. Well, he shocked all of us. He finished in 26:37-he ran the whole thing, and he beat his dad!!! I had already finished and I was walking down to where my family was standing on the sidelines when I heard "Here comes F.!" I turned just in time to see him booking it in to the finish. My heart almost burst with pride.
As for me, I ran a pretty good race. I started out fast, my first mile was about 7:30, so I knew that if I wanted to break 23:00 I would have to keep up the pace and even pick it up a little. It was hard for me because I didn't have anyone around me to pace off of, but I managed to finish in 22:59. I FINALLY broke 23-my goal for the season. The funny thing is, I should be ecstatic, but really, I am just relieved that I don't have that goal hanging over me all winter long. I did manage to win first overall woman, and I got a $50 gift certificate to a running store near my Mom's. That is really cool, especially since I am in desperate need of some new tights.
Here are some of us after the race, F., my uncle Tim, me, and B.
This was F.'s first 5k ever. He has wanted to run one for awhile, but I didn't really just want to turn him out completely unprepared. He runs with me or B. once in awhile, but he has never run more than a mile and a half at one time. I told him that he should just take it easy and if he felt very tired or worn out he should walk. Well, he shocked all of us. He finished in 26:37-he ran the whole thing, and he beat his dad!!! I had already finished and I was walking down to where my family was standing on the sidelines when I heard "Here comes F.!" I turned just in time to see him booking it in to the finish. My heart almost burst with pride.
As for me, I ran a pretty good race. I started out fast, my first mile was about 7:30, so I knew that if I wanted to break 23:00 I would have to keep up the pace and even pick it up a little. It was hard for me because I didn't have anyone around me to pace off of, but I managed to finish in 22:59. I FINALLY broke 23-my goal for the season. The funny thing is, I should be ecstatic, but really, I am just relieved that I don't have that goal hanging over me all winter long. I did manage to win first overall woman, and I got a $50 gift certificate to a running store near my Mom's. That is really cool, especially since I am in desperate need of some new tights.
Here are some of us after the race, F., my uncle Tim, me, and B.
Friday, October 17, 2008
At 23 weeks we have another layer!
Another one of our pullets began to lay yesterday. We had some friends over, and C. and her friend came to tell me that they discovered a green egg in one of the nestboxes. I ran outside, and sure enough, there was an olive-green egg nestled in the straw!
This is really exciting because it could be the egg of our new easter-egger (who is supposed to lay blue or green eggs), OR it could be the egg of the white rock/easter-egger mix we hatched out ourselves this spring. If it is her(Sugar), she will prove wrong our theory that egg-color is a trait carried by the male. Our rooster was a white rock, which is a brown egg layer breed. So according to our theory, Sugar should lay brown eggs. This olive green was so dark, that I could tell that whichever pullet laid it had a lot of brown egg layers in her family tree. I am going to be stalking the nest box the next couple of days, because I really have a good feeling that this is Sugar's egg!
This is really exciting because it could be the egg of our new easter-egger (who is supposed to lay blue or green eggs), OR it could be the egg of the white rock/easter-egger mix we hatched out ourselves this spring. If it is her(Sugar), she will prove wrong our theory that egg-color is a trait carried by the male. Our rooster was a white rock, which is a brown egg layer breed. So according to our theory, Sugar should lay brown eggs. This olive green was so dark, that I could tell that whichever pullet laid it had a lot of brown egg layers in her family tree. I am going to be stalking the nest box the next couple of days, because I really have a good feeling that this is Sugar's egg!
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Orthotics update part 2
Well, after a week with the orthotics, I must say that so far I am very pleased with them. I have not had any notable soreness or pain in my ankles, knees, back, or any of the areas that my chiropractor alerted me to. Yesterday I wore my running shoes all day running errands and the like, and I realized that I hadn't thought about the orthotics all day! So that must mean that I am used to them :) After a 4 mile run today they felt fine, so I am thinking that the breaking in period is about over. The real test will come in how they perform over time and once I start really increasing my mileage. If my feet can handle it I will be ecstatic! I do still have a little mental hang up about them being "heavy". I know that I will get over this once I stop thinking about them being in my shoes during my runs, but right now I am so acutely aware of them that I almost feel them slowing me down.
I will get to see how these things work during a race this weekend. My mom called me today and asked me if I wanted to run a 5k with some family this weekend. I said sure, but honestly, I am not thrilled about running another 5k. I am so sick of them-I really would prefer not to even think about 5k's for a good long time. But, it's for family, so what the heck. Maybe I can rustle up a little excitement :)
I will get to see how these things work during a race this weekend. My mom called me today and asked me if I wanted to run a 5k with some family this weekend. I said sure, but honestly, I am not thrilled about running another 5k. I am so sick of them-I really would prefer not to even think about 5k's for a good long time. But, it's for family, so what the heck. Maybe I can rustle up a little excitement :)
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Breaking in the orthotics
This is day 3. Sunday after my race I walked around in them a bit. They were stiff but not majorly uncomfortable.
Monday I ran 1 mile. Yes, you read that right, 1 mile. I walked in the orthotics a bit before and then headed out. At first they were a bit annoying, it felt like I had rocks under my arches. I stopped to stretch out my calves (the hamstring stretch also stretches the achilles and helps with PF)and on the way home the orthotics felt just fine.
Today I did 2 miles. I had a bit of soreness in the knees today, but since I am completely changing my gait and the way my body is held that is expected. The orthotics themselves feel okay.
I actually thought I would have some real muscle and joint pain while adjusting to these things, so I am pleased that so far my body seems to be adapting well. Tomorrow I am planning on wearing them for most of the day. I can't run on Thursdays because of schedule issues, but on Friday I will head out for a 5k and see how I do. I have a month to break these things in before my next race, and I want to do it the right way.
Monday I ran 1 mile. Yes, you read that right, 1 mile. I walked in the orthotics a bit before and then headed out. At first they were a bit annoying, it felt like I had rocks under my arches. I stopped to stretch out my calves (the hamstring stretch also stretches the achilles and helps with PF)and on the way home the orthotics felt just fine.
Today I did 2 miles. I had a bit of soreness in the knees today, but since I am completely changing my gait and the way my body is held that is expected. The orthotics themselves feel okay.
I actually thought I would have some real muscle and joint pain while adjusting to these things, so I am pleased that so far my body seems to be adapting well. Tomorrow I am planning on wearing them for most of the day. I can't run on Thursdays because of schedule issues, but on Friday I will head out for a 5k and see how I do. I have a month to break these things in before my next race, and I want to do it the right way.
The best race EVER!!!
Sunday's 10k has to be one of the best races I have ever run. Everything was perfect: the weather, the setting, the race conditions. Running in a state park in the fall is one of the best ways to overload your senses in a good way!
My goal was to maintain an 8 minute mile throughout the race, and I actually did that. I have to say, my adreneline was pumping so much that it was ALMOST easy. I can't say it was physically easy because the course was tough. It was hilly, and we had to run over a dam on the grass cross-country style. Luckily it has been dry and there was no mud to deal with or slippery spots. There was also a massive set of 35-40 stairs leading up the side of the dam that we had to run up in the 4th mile. When I saw those steps I looked at them in disbelief. We had to run up those??? I could see people walking up the steps at the top and I tackled them head on by bounding up them two at a time. By the time I reached the top I was also walking! It probably took me a good half mile to get my breathing back to normal after those things, they were rough. Mentally the race was a piece of cake. I had several runners to chase and to pace off of, and I was just so happy to NOT be running another 5k and the beauty around me was so overwhelming that I was in runner's heaven.
By the time I was heading into the 6th mile I was ecstatic. I knew I was going to beat my goal time. I finished in 49:41. I placed first in my age group and 5th overall for the women.
This race reminded me of why I am a distance runner. It has been so long since I have felt that great rush during a race where everything falls into place both physically and mentally and I feel like I can run forever. The only way for me to get that reward is to get the miles under my belt and compete. I have struggled getting back into the groove these past two years after giving birth to M., but all of that struggle is so WORTH IT.
My goal was to maintain an 8 minute mile throughout the race, and I actually did that. I have to say, my adreneline was pumping so much that it was ALMOST easy. I can't say it was physically easy because the course was tough. It was hilly, and we had to run over a dam on the grass cross-country style. Luckily it has been dry and there was no mud to deal with or slippery spots. There was also a massive set of 35-40 stairs leading up the side of the dam that we had to run up in the 4th mile. When I saw those steps I looked at them in disbelief. We had to run up those??? I could see people walking up the steps at the top and I tackled them head on by bounding up them two at a time. By the time I reached the top I was also walking! It probably took me a good half mile to get my breathing back to normal after those things, they were rough. Mentally the race was a piece of cake. I had several runners to chase and to pace off of, and I was just so happy to NOT be running another 5k and the beauty around me was so overwhelming that I was in runner's heaven.
By the time I was heading into the 6th mile I was ecstatic. I knew I was going to beat my goal time. I finished in 49:41. I placed first in my age group and 5th overall for the women.
This race reminded me of why I am a distance runner. It has been so long since I have felt that great rush during a race where everything falls into place both physically and mentally and I feel like I can run forever. The only way for me to get that reward is to get the miles under my belt and compete. I have struggled getting back into the groove these past two years after giving birth to M., but all of that struggle is so WORTH IT.
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Orthotics
I have been living with plantar fasciitis for 10 years. In reality it has probably been longer than that, as I do remember having pain even in high school, but I was "officially" diagnosed 10 years ago. It was after my third marathon, and I was in so much pain in the days afterwards that I could not walk. I was lucky to be an OSU student at the time and I was able to take advantage of the Sports Medicine facility. They fixed me up, taught me how to stretch and exercise my feet correctly, and then told me the horrible news, "This will never heal, but with proper care it can be magaged".
So since then I have stretched, massaged, iced, rested, and done my best to deal with it. It has always been managable, but this year I did have some issues when I began to add on some more miles, and I am always in pain after I really push myself during a race. Because my child bearing days are behind me and I have lofty distance goals on the horizon, I knew it was time to invest in some good orthotics.
I decided on a brand that my chiropractor recommends, mostly because I am not to keen on going to a podiatrist just yet (I am willing to down the road, but I have a feeling they will recommend some things I am not comfortable with yet), and I trust my chiropractor's opinion. I stood on a scanner while my feet were scanned, and of course my arches were a mess. They have fallen up near the ball of my foot as well as near the heel. The scan was sent to a lab where they made custom orthotics for me. I got them yesterday and they sure are heavy duty. I was hoping to wear them for my race on Sunday, but there is no way they will be broken in enough for that yet. I wore them around a little bit yesterday, and my feet didn't hurt, but last night my legs started to ache. I was told that because the orthotics are changing the way I stand, the pressure on my joints and such will take some time to adjust to and I may have some achiness.
I have high hopes for these orthotics. If I can run a race foot-pain free I will rejoice! I'll start breaking them in again next week after my race~
So since then I have stretched, massaged, iced, rested, and done my best to deal with it. It has always been managable, but this year I did have some issues when I began to add on some more miles, and I am always in pain after I really push myself during a race. Because my child bearing days are behind me and I have lofty distance goals on the horizon, I knew it was time to invest in some good orthotics.
I decided on a brand that my chiropractor recommends, mostly because I am not to keen on going to a podiatrist just yet (I am willing to down the road, but I have a feeling they will recommend some things I am not comfortable with yet), and I trust my chiropractor's opinion. I stood on a scanner while my feet were scanned, and of course my arches were a mess. They have fallen up near the ball of my foot as well as near the heel. The scan was sent to a lab where they made custom orthotics for me. I got them yesterday and they sure are heavy duty. I was hoping to wear them for my race on Sunday, but there is no way they will be broken in enough for that yet. I wore them around a little bit yesterday, and my feet didn't hurt, but last night my legs started to ache. I was told that because the orthotics are changing the way I stand, the pressure on my joints and such will take some time to adjust to and I may have some achiness.
I have high hopes for these orthotics. If I can run a race foot-pain free I will rejoice! I'll start breaking them in again next week after my race~
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