PR...

So for this race they recorded our split time (the time at the 5K distance) and I beat my last 5K time by 22 seconds! So a PR for me :). Makes me feel better that I completed one of my goals for this race!

You can also see me cross the finish line (red shorts, orange bandana, ASU shirt) at the following link:

http://w3.conocophillips.com/RodeoRunResult/media.aspx?rn=2087

10K: Mission Accomplished!

We did it! Lisa and I ran in the Houston Rodeo Run 10K this morning! 6.2 miles- whew! And it was the most humid-hottest weather I have ever run in. The race didn't start until 9:45am, so it was already pretty warm by then. And there were hills!! Seriously, why plan a course that makes you run up an overpass...twice? I had to walk at some points because I was afraid my face was going to explode...my final time was 1hr 10min 4sec. So I didn't make my goal of 1hr 6 min, but I finished. I came in 203 place in my age group (no idea how many there were) and 2659/8000 runners. So it really was a decent time. I can't wait to run another one! That's a good sign, isn't it? :)

I did learn a lot about where to focus on my training (hills, heat) so good thing the weather will be getting warmer...now to find some hills....

6.2 miles later...

Busy Weekend

I had a busy weekend:

On Friday night, I had dinner at the Smythe's and Heather and the kiddos joined us (Eric had to work late- silly tax season).

This is Morris the Bear. Sarah and Katherine helped me build him a couple of years ago at Build-A-Bear and he always goes with me to visit them so he can play with his "friends"- a flamingo named Lilly and a dog named Amber :)

Katherine's favorite animal is the flamingo and I think she does a pretty good impression...

Katherine and Mikaela

Sorry Sarah, the pictures of you and I didn't come out...we'll try again next time!

Then on Saturday Lisa and I went for a run- 4.5 miles in 47ish minutes- a 10:20 pace! Whoohoo! Followed by standard weekend errands...

Later that evening, Adrienne and I went to see the musical, "The Scarlet Pimpernel". We had both recently read the book and LOVED it! It's a fantastic story, whose main character inspired Zorro...

The musical was done by The Masquerade Theater Company at Zilkha Hall and I was very impressed by both the acting and vocal talent. The score/lyrics are just incredible (I recommend the song "Madame Guillotine). The first act was outstanding. The second act, well, they really changed the ending from the book and I didn't really care for it. I would still recommend the musical, but definitely read the book. There is a lot of subtle intrigue that is difficult to capture on the stage. All in all, a good show.

On Sunday, the McFerran gals (Sara, Stacy, Stephanie, and Shelly) and Pam hosted a birthday picnic for me at Challenger Park. Yummy food and cake and picnic-perfect weather! I got to break in my fabulous bright ORANGE Crocs (thanks Mom and Dad!). You girls rock!

Birthday Picnic 2008

And then I finished it off by heading over to Lisa's for scrapbooking (although I worked on some invitations instead)

I think I need another weekend...

Birthday Surprise!

For my birthday, my friends Sara, Stacy, Stephanie, Shelly, Sandi, Sophie, and Samantha "broke into" (they have a key :) ) my apartment and decorated it with balloons and streamers and flowers and beautiful gifts. It was the best part of my day. Thanks girls! I am blessed to have you as friends and pray that God will continue to grow our friendship :)

Pseudo Piroshki

I attempted to make piroshki (a little pastry stuffed with yummy stuff) for the first time. This included making the pastry dough from scratch...I've never even made bread from scratch. I was very relieved when the dough did rise!

I stuffed the piroshki with a mixture of cabbage, potato, onion, and turkey sausage. I also made a couple stuffed with an apple cinnamon mixture, and another with sausage and apples.

They came out okay...I think the dough needs to be a little sweeter (at least that's how I remember it from the ones I've had in Russia). I did half white flour/half wheat flour. And they were a little hard on the outside...maybe I didn't let the dough rise long enough?

Of course, I had too much filling, so I over-stuffed them, which caused them to split a bit when they baked.

Oh well, it's fun to try new things...

5 miles

We ran 5 miles this morning...in 55 minutes...10K is two weeks away!

5 Places

I've been tagged by Desiree:

Five places I want to see (I will limit myself to only 5...a hard thing to do):

1. India (specifically Bangalore and the Frazier family :) )

2. Istanbul, Turkey

3. Morocco

4. South Africa for the World Cup 2010!!!!

5. Krakow, Poland


Five places I want to see again:

1. Hawaii

2. Prague, Czech Republic

3. Washington D.C

4. Los Angeles (I love Disneyland!)

5. Arizona, I just love that whole state :)

I now tag Lauren, Erin, and Lisa!