I Can.

Running on base proves to be a little tricky here because I’m not a huge fan of hills.  I avoid them if at all possible.  I much prefer running downhill or on flat ground.  Lately, running proved to be a struggle since I took a week off for Cape Town and then was sick for a while during Family Days.  I’m just now trying to get back into the groove of things.  Though, I’ve been frustrated with my lack of motivation and lack of results.  I hadn’t ran in two days and then started talking with another intern, Allen, about running last night and the upcoming Flatberg race (15k including going up a mountain…).  The conversation gave me the drive to finally get out and complete a “good” run.

I started out this morning determined to get up and go.  I set my alarm and was out the door by 6:05 a.m. with my iPod Nike+ set to a distance of 7k.  About 2k into my run, I got this ridiculous idea that I shouldn’t just run 7k, but, no, I should run a 10k.  Mind you, the farthest I’ve ran in the last week or two has been around 35 minutes.  But, when I decide something that’s that.  So, I kept running and running.  Being bored, I did some run there and then run back along with some circles in the field.  Basically, I did everything possible to not go up hill and still complete a 10k.  All of that to say that I did.  I ran 10.02k in 55:30 min. which translates into a 5:32 min/km pace or a 8:54 min./mile.  This was only 1 minute slower than the 10k I ran in July. Woot!  For being out of practice, I was happy.  Also, I was reminded of the power of determination, persistence, and the need to set my eyes on an achievable goal while not letting my feelings get in the way or let my mind start believing the lies of “I can’t.”

So, what’s been your greatest accomplishment this week?

Daring Bakers…

So maybe I’m just good at baking the things I know…Maybe this was just a little too advanced for me.  Maybe I’m not really cut out to be a “Daring Baker.” For those of you who don’t know what this is…I found a fun little group that all bakes something once a month and then posts what they made.  This was my first month.  I’m really hoping next month will go better or maybe I’ll retire my “Daring Baker” aspirations and stick with Banana Bread (I can make that well at least!).  Without further ado here are my “lovely” pictures of what should have been an Opera Cake.  

😦 No good…

I probably should have spent my time reading out here 🙂

p.s. It might have helped if I had flat and not warped jelly roll pans and if I actually had a candy thermometer 🙂 Such is life!