Slightly delayed, but better late than never. Happy Father's Day to all the dads out there. Thank you for your constant love, generosity, protection and support. Whether you're a biological father, adopted father, grandfather, godfather, uncle or other special person in a child's life, your presence is undeniably appreciated and felt.
As some of you may have seen via my message yesterday on Instagram, I'm a pretty lucky girl to have as many father figures in my life as I do...
My awesome stepdad
My amazing grandfather
My hero, lifelong cookie-dough stealing partner...
...and biggest cheerleader, who I am so blessed to call Dad.
...and I hope they realize how very loved and appreciated they are not just on Father's Day, but each and every day.
I am all kinds of set with the rain in Boston this week. It just makes me want to curl up on my couch, watch a movie and nap. Unfortunately, when you have this thing called a job, that's not usually possible. Silly, real world. In other news, it's Thursday, which means tomorrow is Friday, and hey... that's pretty cool.
1. Last Friday my favorite black and gold men swept the Penguins to advance to the Stanley Cup Final. It all still feels a little surreal to me, especially when the series against Toronto seems like forever ago, yet I remember the 2011 playoffs like it was yesterday. I will also admit that I was a total Negative Nancy and NEVER thought we'd sweep Pittsburgh. So, so excited be watching the Bruins play for the Cup again so soon. I will say, however, that with these 8pm starts I'd rather we knock it off with these multiple OT games. Yes, I'm an old woman, I like my sleep.
Celebrating a sweep!
2. Due to said multiple OT games and less than 5 hours of sleep last night, caffeine has been my BFF. Have you guys ever seen a trenta size Starbucks before? Not even on the menu. Hello excessive black tea lemonade heaven.
Minion for size comparison. Love me some Despicable Me.
3. Multiple people have found this blog by searching "and yet I do it anyway because." ...Interesting.
4. After about a month off from running completely and any kind of treatment for my knee, I made the decision earlier this week to try a new PT. Being down and out without running has been hard enough, but once I started to feel the nagging ache during or after things like standing for log periods of time, circuit training or even crossing my legs while sitting, I was all done. It seriously sucks to feel helpless. Thankfully my appointment this week went really well and I'm crossing my fingers (toes, arms...) that they can help fix me. 5. Sometimes I dream about what it will be like when I'm able to run again. I'm fairly sure my imagination vs. reality will resemble something like:
No, but really. Remind me when I'm complaining about being out of running shape how badly I wanted to be able to run again, mmmkay? If you're a blogger, what's the most interesting search term someone's used to find your blog?
The bf had me read an article off of Barstool sports once entitled, "The Definitive List of Weird Sh*t that Chicks Like." Yes, I censored the title. No, the actual article is not censored in any way, shape or form. Don't say I didn't warn you. I could not stop laughing. As much as I hate to admit it, they were totally on par with a number of things, and guacamole most definitely made this list. I've had my fair share of guac in my lifetime and I would most definitely consider myself an avocado fanatic. As the old lady in the Frank's Red Hot Sauce commercials would say, "I put that sh*t on everything." (Side note: I love hot sauce and do, in fact, also put that on almost everything too.) Now, as much as I love guac, I don't always have all of the ingredients to pull together an authentic batch of it. So, I've learned to make the best of what's around and created a simple recipe that still makes me swoon.
Simple Guac Makes about 1 1/4 - 1 1/2 cups 2 Hass avocados 1/4 tsp minced garlic 1/2 lime - juiced 1/3 C salsa salt and pepper to taste ...Mash together and enjoy with tortilla chips, on sandwiches or with a spoon.
Mmmm, guac. P.S. It's tequila Tuesday and I'm posting a recipe for guac. I'm pretty sure that's fate. Go find yourself a lime, some avocado and have a little fiesta.
Be honest - cilantro or no cilantro? Definitely not a cilantro girl. Blah.
You know those family recipes that are just so delicious and unique that you almost don't want to share their secrets with anyone else?
No? I'm the only selfish one? Oh well. Several years ago now my best friend's momma made this appetizer to bring to a holiday gathering. I was a slightly pickier eater at the time than I am now, and turned my nose up when she told me the sauce was "wasabi mayo." Thankfully I'm polite and tried it anyways. My oh my this has become one of my favorite appetizers. It's so simple, yet so ridiculously yummy, and it's different. You'll never have to worry about wearing the same dress to prom bringing the same dish to the party as someone else. Plus, technically the healthy factor of the asparagus cancels out the sauce... right?
I don't know where time has gone this week but I'm having a hard time keeping my days straight. This morning I spent the majority of my time convinced that it was Wednesday only to be brought back to reality that no, Sarah, it's Thursday and tomorrow is Friday. Oops.
1. The first time I heard this song on the radio I couldn't tell if it was a joke, a commercial or what was going on. Now it's totally grown on me and I may or may not have listened to it at least five times today.
2. I'm headed home this weekend to celebrate my Dad's 50th birthday. While he'll probably be working for the majority of the weekend, I'm still looking forward to spending time with him when I can. Love this guy to the moon and back.
3. I made these cupcakes again last night as a playoff hockey treat. Every time I make them I'm amazed at how easy and yummy they are. No eggs (hello, batter), and the coffee piece of the recipe allows you to play with the flavors. I used hazelnut in the original recipe but have tried french vanilla and last night was butter toffee. The joys of a Keurig and making a cup of coffee at a time.
4. My favorite running buddy talked me into doing a circuit workout with her last Friday morning. She's a lot more disciplined about strength training than I am, so I agreed to the torture hoping to dabble in something new. Wet grass and bugs due to location choice aside, this workout definitely worked up a sweat. It was also successful since I was sore and walking funny until Monday afternoon. Clearly I have room for improvement. Tomorrow morning is round 2.
5. I've been feeling more and more tension and discomfort in my neck and shoulders over the past few months, but especially within the last few weeks. I've always been told that I carry my tension in my shoulders, but never really knew what to do about it. I don't think I'm overly stressed - at least not more than usual - but it doesn't seem to be going away. I've never actually gotten a professional massage, and think it may be time to force myself to do so. Yes, I know, poor Sarah forcing herself to get a massage. I'm nervous that it'll hurt - is that weird?
In other news, the Bruins managed to pull out their 3rd win of the series against Pittsburgh in double OT last night and kept me up way past my bedtime. Thank goodness they won otherwise I would've been grumpy AND tired this morning. Game 4 tomorrow night - go Bs!
Are you a cake or frosting person?
Cake all the way. Frosting is too sweet for me to have more than just a little.
Have you ever gotten a professional massage?Thoughts?
I haven't written much of anything about running since my Thoughts of an Injured Runner rant a few weeks ago. Primarily because, duh, I haven't been able to run. I assure you it has remained on my mind and with all the buzz on Twitter today I feel like it would be wrong not to acknowledge the wonderful holiday that is National Running Day. Since I still can't run, I thought it would be appropriate to share 5 things I love about the sport.
1. The Challenge I am not a natural runner. Yes, I played sports as a kid and through high school. That didn't exactly translate into being "good" at running.
Running takes discipline - mental and physical. It takes dragging yourself out the door for that 6 miler after a long day at work and pushing through even though you were ready to be done after half a mile. It takes not freaking out when you look at that 16 week marathon training schedule and choosing to take it a day at a time. It takes accepting your bad runs and still lacing up for your next run, ready to try again. It takes staying out of your own head and recognizing that when you set goals for yourself, hard work comes with the territory of accomplishing them.
I'm not the fastest runner, nor am I the strongest or smartest, but I love challenging myself to be better, setting goals and achieving them.
Wallis Sands, NH Half Marathon #3 - May 2012
Thanks to the nice lady in front of me for the thumbs up!
2. The Emotions The inevitable frustration aside, I feel my best when I'm running. Never have I ever felt more confident in myself since I started running. The sense of accomplishment that comes from completing a hard training run or crossing a finish line is something everyone should experience.
3. The Adventure I am a naturally risk-averse and introverted person. Roller coasters? Umm, no. Sky diving? Are you out of your mind?Networking event or conference? Cringe. Yeah... you get the idea.
Running has pushed me to try new things, to put myself out there and to be confident in myself and my decisions. I love that I've been able to run a handful of different races in places I hadn't been before. I love that running has led me to relationships with new people, companies, and products. In a way, running even pushed me to start this blog. 4. Perspective One of my favorite quotes about running interestingly enough came from the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants movie - "It's like you're just in this place where nothing bad can happen, you know.
Like if you just push a bit further, if you keep moving, nothing can touch you." ...Cheesy, I know, but true.
Running has always allowed me some semblance of a grasp on my life, even when I felt like I had no control over anything else. It's given me a place to escape things, even if just for a little bit. The high I feel after a run, especially a long or hard one, is almost always replaced with a sense of calm. I've battled out and mulled over any number of problems during runs - from what to cook for dinner to wrapping my mind around losing a family member. Running has always left me feeling better than I did when I walked out the door.
Portland, ME Half Marathon #2 - October 2011
1st half for two of my friends. It also downpoured.
5. Community I'm often reminded, whether through observation, social media or conversations, just how massive the running community is. Not just massive, but strong. Bart Yasso said it beautifully in one of his tweets today, "The acceptance of all abilities is what differentiates running from every other sport." How true is that?
I can honestly say that I have never met a runner who judged another by their speed or capability. In fact, most of those I have encountered have been nothing but sincerely nice, supportive and extremely helpful - genuinely happy to share their love of the sport and see others succeed. Look around you next time you run or spectate a race. I guarantee you that you'll see, and probably feel, the huge amount love, support and acceptance that comes from this community.
Philadelphia, PA Marathon #1 - November, 2012
Not being able to run for the past couple of months has been extremely difficult, frustrating and disheartening. It has also forced me to appreciate all of these things that much more. Cheers to continuing to recover, getting stronger, and many, many more miles.
Hey guys, it's June. When did that happen?! I always feel like spring sneaks up on me, even though it seems like you wait forever for it. Now all of a sudden we're battling 90 degree heat waves and I'm a puddle of oh-my-god-I'm-melting worthlessness. Not entirely, but you get the idea. In case you haven't figured it out yet, I'm a huge country music fan, especially when summer comes around. There's something so fabulous (and slightly cliche) about driving around with the windows rolled down, a little Eric Church blasting and jammin' out.
I also happen to believe that country concerts are the best kinds of concerts and am lucky enough to go to them. A lot of them. It's kind of awesome. Last night marked the first concert of the season, which always seems to feel like the official start to summer. Hello, Florida Georgia Line and Luke Bryan.
Let me set the scene for you: big parking lots filled with lots and lots of trucks, solo cups, cornhole, girls in daisy dukes (even if they shouldn't be), guys in cut off plaid, lengthy port-a-potty lines and oodles of cowboy boots and flip flops. Toss in a couple of confederate flags and a sprinkling of cops on bikes pretending to supervise and you're set.
Did I mention the tailgating? I guess it's kind of implied when you meddle all of those things together. I heart tailgating. It's half the fun of going to a country concert. Hot dogs, hamburgers, pasta salad, chips, cookies... Oh wait, nope. Not for our crew. We got creative in support of one of our guests and whipped up an entirely gluten-free smorgasbord of delicious, tailgating-worthy treats.
