Thin Mint Milkshake

I did not have time to go to the grocery store Sunday night after coming home from the race, but I was dying to use my Magic Bullet for the first time.  So I basically opened my fridge/freezer to see what I had that I could use to make something.

And guess what I found in the back of my freezer?  A box of Thin Mints.  Heaven on earth.  Sold!

This milkshake (is not healthy or gluten free) but is delicious.  I took 6 frozen thin mints, a cup or almond/coconut milk and a handful of ice cups.

Ingredients - check!

Threw all the ingredients in the magic bullet and used the pulse method to blend the ice and mints together.  Took a total of maybe 2 minutes.  Seriously.  So easy.

So easy and delicious!

Thin Mint Milkshake
6 Frozen Thin Mints
1 cup of milk of your choice
Handful of ice (use amount that provides the texture you like in your milkshake)

1. Place all ingredients in blender.
2. Blend.
3. Enjoy!

Thin Mint Milkshake (tastes better then it looks)

Two for Tuesday

Happy Tuesday everyone!  My wish for spring was not granted (it was snowing/hailing here last night) but actually Spring starts this week and I'm keeping my fingers and toes crossed it actually comes!

This weekend on the way home from New Bedford, Pam and I stopped at Costco and I picked up the Magic Bullet Deluxe (not sure exactly what makes it deluxe) for only $45.  I've been wanting one for a while and could not pass on this good of a deal!  I've already used it twice and I've only had it two days.

I've been catching up on my DVR and on a recent Big Bang Theory, the girls (I love that they have really explored the girls friendship in recent seasons) went to Disneyland.  Instead of getting drunk and riding the rides (Penny's suggestion), they went and got made up as Princesses (Bernadette's suggestion).  Not sure if they do that in real life at Disneyland (I'm pretty sure at Disney World you have to be under 12), but it was hilarious.

The Little Mermaid

As clearly evident by many posts on this blog, I love Disney.  I even follow some Disney blogs in my Feedly (shocking, I know).  Over the weekend, one of the official Disney blogs posted that the Little Mermaid came out 24 years ago.  Whoa...I seriously feel old now.  Thanks Disney.

I have a memory of going to see it with my friend Erin in the theatre.  No idea if that's a real memory or not (I also have a memory of going to see Snow White in the theatre which my mom says did not happen, so who knows if I actually saw the Little Mermaid in the theatre).

Either way, The Little Mermaid ranks as one of my all time favorite Disney movies.  I totally wanted to be Ariel for the longest time.  The Disney post post includes a great recap of the movie all in gifs.  I am pretty sure I did/thought all of the things mentioned in the same post.

Sometimes I just love the internet.

Check it out here!

Race Recap: Princess Half Marathon

Since the New Bedford Half was yesterday and I'll need to do that race recap soon - I thought it was time to get my recap for the Princess Half Marathon up!

This was the first year I had run the Princess half.  We know I all love my Disney races so I was definitely excited to complete this one.

I went for the weekend with my mom.  She was doing the 5K and I was doing the 5K and the Half.  We headed to FL on Friday and after landing and getting to the hotel (we stayed at Caribbean Beach), we headed to the expo.

Expo

Expo time!

The expo was held at the Coronado Springs convention center - a new location for any expo I had attended.  It was easy to get there via the shuttle bus.

Once there we made our way to pick up our numbers.  The number pickup was pretty easy - I got my 5K first and then my Princess.  Barely any wait to get the numbers.  The area was pretty large and not crowded.

After picking up our numbers we headed into the rest of the expo to get our shirts and do some shopping.  This is were it got crazy.  The space were they held the number pickup was way too large and the rest of the expo was packed in too tightly.  It was insane.

We got our shirts.  A black cotton tee for the 5K and a purple technical short sleeve tee for the Half.  I really like the half shirt (but unfortunately I did not get my wish for a non-Champion shirt - maybe next time).

5K Shirt.  Not bad.

Princess Half Shirt.  Definitely a favorite!

After getting our shirts, we got in line for the official merchandise.  Not kidding.  The area were the merchandise was, was way too small.  They barely had any room and there was pretty significant line to get in.  Once inside - it was a mad house.  There were people everywhere and merchandise was pretty picked over.  Fortunately, they did have my wine glasses!  I picked up a wine glass, water cup and coffee cup (I have a sick obsession with coffee mugs if you didn't know).  My only complaint is everything says '2009-2013'.  I get it's the 5th anniversary, but unless you've done all 5, you probably don't want all the years on it (at least in my opinion).

After escaping from the official merchandise section, we headed over to the runDisney booth.  Registration for Wine and Dine was open, so I registered both Pam and myself for it.  We had such a fun time at it this year, I am so excited to go back.  After doing that, we tried to walk around a little bit, but it was so crowded it really wasn't possible.  I did get a pink sparkle headband to wear on race day and then we were out.

Mickey and Minnie's Royal 5K

Saturday morning was the 5K.  Weather was pretty nice - slightly humid but it didn't bother me (I was walking with my mom, so it was pretty low key).  The bus to the race was pretty easy - didn't have to wait long and we were able to get seats.

After we got to the race, we used the bathroom and headed to the start.  It was a loop around Epcot.  We got to walk through some of the backstage areas as well as around the countries.  It was pretty fun - we didn't wait for any pictures as the lines were long, but it was still fun.

At the finish we got a nice finisher medallion and a some snacks to munch on as we headed back to the hotel.

5K Finisher Medallion

Princess Half Marathon

So Sunday was the big one - the Princess Half Marathon!  Got up nice and early (haha, like 3:30am) and after getting dressed headed to the start.  I was wearing my 'Forget the glass slippers, this Princess wears running shoes' tank, lululemon shorts and a tiara!  Yes, I ended up wearing a tiara for the race (still can't believe it).  Upon walking outside, I immediately was shocked by how humid it was.  Knew it was going to be a heat one!  Again, the bus was super easy and got to the start in plenty of time.

While at the pre-race area, met up with my friend Abby.  She was dressed as Flounder from the Little Mermaid!  It was a great costume.  After hanging with her, I used the bathroom one last time and said bye to my mom (she was going straight to Magic Kingdom to see me on Main Street).  Then headed to the start.  Got to the start and got settled.

The Fairy Godmother even sent us off - it was great!  I started running and immediately started sweating.  Wasn't too worried though, I knew I was planning on taking pictures and was not concerned with my time.

The had some great characters on the course - the Princes, the evil Queens, Gaston, Prince Mickey and Minnie, the Genie, Captain Jack, the raccoon from Pocahontas.  I decided not to run with my phone so will probably end up buying the race photo's (again).  They all turned out really cute - what can I say!

I was definitely dying a little by the end, but finished strong.  Got my tiara finishers medal (love it!) and made my way through the finishers section.  Given the heat, they had lots of medical people and were making everyone drink before leaving the zone (good idea!).  Took my official finishers photo, got my food box and headed off to meet my mom.

After meeting up with her, waited in line to take photo's with Snow White and Ariel.  Once that was done, headed back to the hotel to shower and get one with the day.

Princess Half Marathon Finishers Medal

Results

Race time: 13.1 miles, 2:24:57 total, 11:30 pace
Garmin: 13.43 miles, 2:24:55 total, 10:47 pace

Overall

As usual - Disney put on a good race!  There were definitely some things about the expo that needed fixing (someone needs to organize it better!) but over all I was happy with the race.  I had a great time and awesome weekend in Disney.

My only one complaint would be about the race size.  I know the races are becoming more popular (the Disneyland Half closed in like 2 hours this year) and they want to let as many people do it as possible, but it's becoming too much.  The course is packed and the water stations are overrun.  They need to start capping them sooner in my opinion.  I know it's hard because so many people want to do it, but it has to be done.  That's just my 2 cents, if it's worth anything.

Overall, great race and wonderful weekend!   Registration for 2014 opens in June and my mom and I have already decided to do it again!

Anyone else run the Princess Half Marathon this year?  How'd you like it? 

Note:  My race photo's are also up!  Check em out here

Training recap - week of 3/11

Middle of March and it's still been chilly here - I am most definitely ready for Spring.  This was a busy week for me, but I was able to get (almost) all my workouts in.  I am exhausted from my half this morning (New Bedford Half Marathon - race recap coming later this week) so I am keeping this one short and sweet.

Without further ado - this week's training schedule.

Monday - 30 minutes cardio + 10 minutes stretching

Tuesday - Refine class (not as sore after this one so that is good!)

Wednesday - Speedwork.  First speed workout in a long time.  Felt good to do it, but definitely didn't go insane.
    - 1 mile warmup
    - 8 x 200m, with 200m recovery
    - 0.5 mile cooldown

Thursday - Kickboxing

Friday - Rest day

Saturday - Unintentional rest day.  I had all plans to get up and run Saturday morning, but could not get out of bed.  Since I was racing on Sunday, I figured the sleep was good.

Sunday - New Bedford Half Marathon.  Full recap coming this week, but I felt good.  Got to check MA off my list of states!

Hope you all had good weekends!

Goodbye Google Reader

Does anyone else use google reader to follow blogs?  Did anyone else have a minor panic attack when they saw they were discontinuing it?  I know I did!  I've been using google reader for a long time to follow the blogs I read (way more then I'd like to admit) so I was annoyed (no other word for it).

But fortunately for me (and you!) one of the blogs I read has already made some suggestions for what to use instead.  Right now I am trying out feedly   It was super easy to set up and linked directly to my google reader account so I did not have to redo everything (they kind of made it idiot proof, which is awesome).  I only just started using it, but I have to admit I already like it better!  I figure I have some time before they officially discontinue it on July 1, so I can test out some different ones if I don't like feedly.

For simple step by step instructions on how to transfer to feedly, click here.

I'm sure there are a bunch of different you could use, so tell me - which one do you use?  Is there another besides feedly I should try?

Training recap - week of 3/4

So as I mentioned - I am finally feeling back into the swing of things!  I don't know if it's because I know spring is coming or I am finally rebounding from being burnt out, but who cares!  I ain't going to fight it!

This week was a nice week to get back into it.  Lots of runs mixed in with some cross training and core work.  Starting some speedwork this week!  Plus, I have the New Bedford Half Marathon on Sunday (checking Massachusetts off the list!).  Since the race is on St. Patty's Day, I am going to be wearing my green shirt from when we ran Dublin (it has a shamrock on the front and says New York runs on Guinness on the back - we had them specially made for us for the race!).  Looking forward to getting back out there!

Monday - 3 miles easy; Took it nice and easy at a 10:40 pace (in fact I walked the first 5 minutes to warm up)

Tuesday - Strength training; did one of the Nike Training Club strength workouts

Wednesday - 3 miles easy; got up early and did my first AM run in a looooong time.  Felt great - 3 miles, 9:51 pace

Thursday - 45 minutes cross training; 40 minutes on the arc trainer (which I am liking more then the elliptical lately, 5 minutes on the stationary bike plus core

Friday - Rest day

Saturday - 9 mile long run; Pace lead with the 10:30 group today as there we no non-NYC half 10:00 minute pacers.  Felt good the whole run; 9.17 mile, 10:45 pace

Sunday - 3 miles easy, beautiful day out and felt awesome the whole time!  3 miles, 10:00 pace

Book Club Friday: Witches of East and and Serpent's Kiss

It has been so long since I've linked up with Book Club Friday!  That doesn't mean I haven't been reading a ton though!

This week I am reviewing the first 2 books in the Beauchamp Family series by Melissa de la Cruz - The Witches of East End and Serpent's Kiss.  Since it had been so long I figured I'd do two!  

Book #1, Witches of East End synopsis (from Barnes and Noble):

The three Beauchamp women—Joanna and her daughters Freya and Ingrid—live in North Hampton, out on the tip of Long Island. Their beautiful, mist-shrouded town seems almost stuck in time, and all three women lead seemingly quiet, uneventful existences. But they are harboring a mighty secret—they are powerful witches banned from using their magic. Joanna can resurrect people from the dead and heal the most serious of injuries. Ingrid, her bookish daughter, has the ability to predict the future and weave knots that can solve anything from infertility to infidelity. And finally, there’s Freya, the wild child, who has a charm or a potion that can cure most any heartache.

For centuries, all three women have been forced to suppress their abilities. But then Freya, who is about to get married to the wealthy and mysterious Bran Gardiner, finds that her increasingly complicated romantic life makes it more difficult than ever to hide her secret. Soon Ingrid and Joanna confront similar dilemmas, and the Beauchamp women realize they can no longer conceal their true selves. They unearth their wands from the attic, dust off their broomsticks, and begin casting spells on the townspeople. It all seems like a bit of good-natured, innocent magic, but then mysterious, violent attacks begin to plague the town. When a young girl disappears over the Fourth of July weekend, they realize it’s time to uncover who and what dark forces are working against them.

FYI - Book 2 descriptions contains SPOILERS from Book 1 - READ AT OWN RISK!!!

Book 2, Serpent's Kiss synopsis (from Barnes and Noble):

The intriguing Beauchamp family, introduced in the New York Times bestselling Witches of East End, returns in Serpent's Kiss, with dizzying plot twists and spellbinding magic.

Joanna and her daughters, bookish Ingrid and wild-child Freya, are just settling into the newfound peace that has been cast over their small, off-the map town of North Hampton. With the centuries-old restriction against practicing magic lifted, casting spells, mixing potions, and curing troubled souls has never felt so good for the three witches. That is, until everything gets turned upside down—from Joanna's organized kitchen to Ingrid's previously nonexistent love life to Freya's once unshakeable faith in her sexy soul mate, Killian Gardiner.

When Freya's twin brother, Freddie, suddenly returns, escaped from Limbo and professing innocence on a long-ago crime, Freya should be ecstatic. The golden boy can do no wrong. Or can he? Freddie blames no other than her fiancee Killian for his downfall, and enlists Freya's help to prove it. Now Freya doesn't know who to believe or trust.

And for the first time in—well, forever, really—Ingrid is also busy in love. Matt Noble, the handsome and charming police detective, has won her heart. But can romance work between a virgin witch and a mortal who doesn't believe in magic? Things get even more complicated when it appears Ingrid is harboring the prime suspects in Matt's police investigation.

To add to the chaos, a dead spirit is attempting to make contact with Joanna—but does it mean to bring harm or help? Joanna asks her sort-of ex-husband Norman to help figure it out, only to accidentally invite him to a Thanksgiving dinner with a dapper gentleman she's recently begun dating.

As the witches pull together to discover the serpent within their midst and the culprit behind Freddie's imprisonment, everything is thrown into peril. Will the discovery come too late to save those they love most?

My review

I really enjoyed both of these books.  They were light easy reads that I got through pretty quickly.  It's a pretty intriguing storyline weaving not only witchcraft but basically all the different stories of the gods together (if anyone has seen the movie Thor you'd see overlaps).  Personally, I really enjoy those types of stories, but not everyone does.  I like that there are a couple of different plot lines going on the background which roll-up to the main one, but there are not too many to make it confusing or annoying.  Book 3 is scheduled to come out this summer and I can't wait to read it.

Has anyone read either book?  What did you think?

See what I am reading!  Be my friend on Goodreads!

What would you do?

Another blog I read shared the below video.

It definitely made me stop and think.  I don't think it's something easily answered (at least for most people). I've definitely entertained myself on long runs with "what would I do if I won the lottery?"  which I think is a different answer.

So while I think it over, you tell me.  What would you do?

Is it Spring yet?

Happy Wednesday everyone!  Depending on where you live, you may already have gotten or will be getting soon some kind of massive snow storm (basically the entire East Coast).  It hasn't started snowing in New York yet, but I know it will.  Is it spring yet?  I am so ready for spring.  Any who...

I'm back from another successful Disney trip!  I had such a great time at the Princess Half Marathon weekend and a great trip with my mom.  A full race report will be coming soon, I promise.  I've been back a week and am getting back into the swing of things.

While I had a great time at the race, it was by no means a PR for me.  Yes, I did stop and take pictures everywhere which affected my time, but even if I hadn't, I was no where in PR shape.  I knew I had been half-a**ing my workouts for a while now, but this race really hit home for me that I am not in the best of running shape.

So this week, I am stepping up my running workouts.  Going to start doing speedwork again and really focusing on cross training.  On the cross training side, I took a Refine class this weekend.  I'm not really sure how to explain a Refine class.  It's kind of like TRX.  You use a pulley system attached to a wall and kettle bells and other items for an hour of interval training.  Think lots of squats and lunges and the like.  It might not be everyone's cup of tea, but I have to say I really enjoyed it.  So much I am going to try and go once a week (I'd like to go more, but it's not that cheap and I am not made of money).  I was definitely sore on Monday!

And in terms of running, I am going to start adding speedwork (starting slowly since it's been so long since I have done it) with a 'B' goal race of Flying Pigs in May and then continue to build on the base I have been building with some more intense speedwork with a 'A' race sometime in the fall (not sure what that will be).  I am using a race plan for Flying Pigs I found through Nike and am doing some research for a race plan for the  all.

It's not going to be easy, my speed is definitely off.  But for the first time in a long time, I am excited to run again.  Might be because it is starting to get warmer or because I didn't do speedwork for a while that I am excited, but I am glad I am.  I even got up this morning for an easy run before work.  I haven't done that in so long (in all honestly, I actually can't remember the last time I got up and ran before work).  It felt awesome and I am excited to get back into the habit.

Tell me, how do you get motivated to run?