I have a huge favor to ask, will you visit the Seki Japanese Restaurant page on Facebook and “Like” some photos for us? Just go to their “Photos” page and look for the photos that I posted!
The first place winner of the photo contest wins $50 to Seki! We did a post about a date night visit to Seki here- Date Night at Seki! Seki is Lexington’s BEST Sushi Restaurant, be sure to check them out if you have the chance!
The Diamond Dash is a Scavenger (SCVNGR) hunt that runs all around downtown Lexington. The prize? A $19,000 diamond ring. Cha-ching! Daniel and I had a blast last year, so we decided to run again this year!
Throwback Picture from 2010!
This year was QUITE a bit colder than last year. I believe the high on Saturday was in the 40’s. Brr. I had to sport my Denison University XC gloves (DUXC!)
Pre-race! We huddled inside the Courthouse for some needed warmth!
Daniel, studying the map (I am extremely directionally challenged…)
Game Faces:
Creeper picture of a guy with the same jacket as Daniel
We raced all around downtown for about two hours! The SCVNGR system sent us a text message with a location, for example (this is an example, not a real question) “Visit the Lexington Public Library, your next clue will arrive shortly!” And then a second text came with the clue “Find the historic plaque out front, what was the profession of Mr. John Smith?” And then you would text back “Historian” or whatever the answer was. Then your next clue came! We were dying for a cup of hot coffee at the end of the race, and fortunately, the lovely ladies at Shelia Bayes Fine Jewelers had some for us!
We didn’t win, but a couple did, and they got engaged! How cute! I’ll try to remember to post any pictures that show up from the professional photographer that was there!
The race was at 8:30 pm, and since we live a mere 1.5 miles from Downtown, I decided to run down to the race as a warm-up! Daniel met me downtown on his bike and held onto my race t-shirt as he watched the race! I don’t know if I’ve mentioned it before, but Daniel’s knees don’t like running. It’s not runners knee or any other condition that I’ve ever heard of, they just give him SO much pain when he tries to run
Anyways- I am so thankful to have a supportive husband that tells me “YOU CAN DO IT!” I headed down to the race around 8pm, and got a bib and t-shirt. I waited around for Daniel in front of PNC bank and gave him my phone and t-shirt. Vine St. was absolutely overflowing with runners, walkers, strollers and even a few canines. Here’s a map of the 5k course:
Everyone started moving towards the start line around 8:10, and we were packed in like sardines at 8:20. I wanted to make sure I started on the road, I didn’t want to chance stepping off of the sidewalk into a sea of forward-moving people, so I smashed myself in between complete strangers. That’s one of the things I love about running- there’s this instant community that happens. You know that everyone else has the same excitement, and it’s just a neat bond that runners have.
Anyways- the gun went off and I don’t think my section moved for about 30 seconds. I crossed the start pads about a minute after the gun went off. The first mile was rough- there were SO many people to dodge! I wove in and out of the crowds and finally found a good spot right around mile 1. When I passed the mile 1 marker, I glanced at my watch and it said 7:25 “Oops… I went out WAY too fast. Oh well, I’ll just slow down a bit and see what happens.”
I kept trucking along, passing people and wishing I had started closer to the start line. Dodging people is fun and all, but when you’re half way through the race and you’re still trying to weave between people, it’s not as cool. I passed mile 2 at 14:50. “Nice pace, but I’m really starting to feel it. Goal for the last mile: slow down a bit and finish strong”
One of the great things about the course was that it went right by the Fifth Third Pavilion on Main Street, where live music was playing during the race! I don’t run with headphones (I guess it goes back to not being allowed to wear headphones at practice/races during high school and college), but I do like when there is music being played! Anyways- mile 2-3 was hard. It was hot, about 83 degrees, and I was tired from going out too fast. I drenched myself with a cup of water at one of the water stations and told myself to keep going.
I almost wanted to stop to walk, but I didn’t want to have to tell Daniel that I walked, so I kept my feet moving. I crossed the finish line at 23:37! Daniel managed to snap the following picture just a few seconds after finishing:
I was pretty happy with my time, considering I haven’t really been doing a whole lot of running lately (read: less than 15 miles per week, this week, this was my ONLY run!) And, I was happy to see that my overall pace was 7:36!
I was happy to be finished. I even got to see the wonderful Ashley during the race and at the finish! Hope you found your husband afterwards, Ashley and great job to you both! I also saw my old team mate and friend, Julie at the race. Hi Julie!
The racing bug has bitten, I’m keeping my eyes peeled for another race. I am so thankful that God has blessed me with the ability to run. I had a moment while running down Main Street where I just thanked God for giving me legs that work, for giving me lungs that breathe, and for giving me the enjoyment I find in running.
Anyways, here are the rest of the stats:
Time: 23:37
Pace: 7:36/mile
Overall Place: 487/3738
Age Group Place: 18/262
I changed my shirt and hopped onto a garbage truck (it was super clean!) for one final picture of the night! I really wanted a picture because I looked like Christmas, and if you know me, you know how much I love Christmas!
To round out the graduations this season, Silas graduated from Obedience school on Tuesday!
We attended a 7 week course sponsored by the Lexington Dog Training Club, “A Social and Educational Organization Dedicated to Responsible Dog Ownership”. We had the opportunity to work alongise one another, under the supervision of an instructor, to get to know Silas better. With easy-to-follow exercises and homework assignments, we really learned how Silas operates. We had a great time, and we can proudly say that Silas does MUCH better in almost all areas of “obedience” (listening, focus, following direction, etc.)
Anyways, for what we got out of this course, we would highly recommend it to anyone! It was fun to be around other caring dog owners for 7 weeks, and it was great to watch their dogs succeed as well!
"Mom, really? Another picture?"
We had a wonderful time, and Silas even earned a new bandanna for graduating! Hooray!
Hello friends! I hope you all had a wonderfully relaxing Memorial Day weekend! We had our share of relaxation and food over the weekend in Louisville. On Friday night, we got to see two of our very good friends, Courtney and Jeremy, tie the knot!
We also hung out with some of my family, and took some fun family photos!
I took some fun photos of my lovely sisters. Did you know that my sister, Maggie (far left), has a BLOG?
She’s getting ready to head out to California this summer for an internship at Russ Reid (the company my dad works for!) She’s a pretty cool girl- I should also add that she earned a 4.0GPA during her first year of college. Go Maggie!
We had a great time with Daniel’s family too! I always forget to whip my camera out when we’re hanging out with them, probably because we’re laughing too much! Daniel and I also got in a couple of SWEATY workouts in this weekend, try the BodyRock.tv 600 Rep Fat Burner Challenge- we could only do 300 reps as we decided to do the workout out on the deck… in 90 degree weather. It was hard! Now we’re back home in Lexington, getting ready for the week ahead.
Shower curtains drying in the sun
Pots and Pans hanging in place
Pictures repositioned on the mantle and bookshelves organized
Did I forget to mention that Saturday, May 28th was Silas’ first birthday? Our 1st anniversary was obviously the more meaningful celebration, but Silas’ 1 year birthday is pretty important too. Here are a couple of flashback photos of our little pup.
Silas will be attending his 3rd week of his 6 week long Obedience course tonight. I’m cheap and I won’t spend money on things I can make myself, so I whipped up a new batch of training treats for our pup.
Silas isn’t a fan of the heat!
Crunchy Peanut Butter Dog Crackers
Ingredients
1.5 c. whole wheat flour
1/2 c. all purpose flour
1 c. rolled oats (use instant or quick cooking)
1/4 c. peanut butter (smooth or chunky)
2 TBSP flax seed
1 c. water
Directions
Preheat oven to 350*
Mix dry ingredients together ( I used a stand mixer, beaters would work as well. Hand mixing would be a great workout!)
Add in peanut butter and water.
Mix until dough ball forms and dough pulls away from side of bowl.
Lightly flour your working surface, roll out dough into a thin sheet (without dough breaking)
Transfer sheet of dough to an oiled cookie sheet.
Cut tiny squares with a pizza cutter.
Bake for approximately 15-20 minutes, or until the treats are lightly browned.
Turn off the oven and allow the treats to cool inside the oven (this will make them crispy!)
Break apart the treats, and use as rewards for good doggy behavior!
Store excess treats in the freezer!
Just for perspective, this makes two entire containers of doggie crackers!
