Wednesday, April 11, 2007
German Chocolate Cake.. My Version
I've used three different German Chocolate Cake recipies. This is the best one, I've combined all three, taking what I like best from each of them. This is what I came up with:
One big, tall 9 inch cake, about 16 servings:
For the cake:
2 oz bittersweet or semisweet chocolate, chopped
2 ounces unsweetened chocolate, chopped
6 T water
8 oz unsalted butter, room temperature
1 1/4 C + 1/4 C sugar
4 large eggs, separated
2 C flour
1 t baking powder
1 t baking soda
1/2 t salt
1 C buttermilk, room temperature
1 t vanilla
For the filling:
1 C heavy cream
1 C sugar
3 large egg yolks
3 oz butter, cut into small pieces
1/2 t sald
1 C pecans, toasted and finely chopped
1 1/3 C unsweetened coconut, toasted
For the syrup:
1 C water
3/4 C sugar
2 T dark rum
For the chocolate icing:
8 oz bittersweet or semisweet chocolate, chopped
2 T light corn syrup
1 1/2 oz unsalted butter
1 C heavy cream
1. Butter two 9 inch cake pans, then line the bottoms with rounds of parchment or wax paper. Preheat the oven to 350.
2. Melt both chocolates together with 6 T water. I microwave. Stir unti lsmooth, set aside until room temp.
3. In the bowl of an electric mixer bet the butter rand 1 1/4 C of the sugar until light and fluffy, 5 minutes. Beat the melted chocolate in, then the egg yolks, one at a time.
4. Sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
5. Mix in half of the dry ingredients into the creamed butter mix, then the buttermilk and the vanilla, then the rest of the dry ingredients.
6. In a metal or glass bowl, beat the egg w hites until they hold soft, droopy peaks. Beat in the 1/4 C of the sugar until still.
7. Fold 1/3 of the egg whites into the cake batter to lighten it, then fold in the remaining egg whites just until there is no trace of egg white visible.
8. Divide the batter into the 2 pans, smooth the tops, and bake for 45 minutes.
Cool layers completely.
While the cakes are baking and cooling, make the filling, syrup and icing.
Filling:
1. Mix the cream, sugar and egg yolks in medium saucepan. Put the 3 ounces of butter, salt, toasted coconut and pecan in a large bowl.
2. Heat the cream mixture and cook, stirring constatnly until the mix begins to thicken and coats the spoon. DON'T BOIL. You'll cook the yolks. Not good for cake!!
3. Pour the hot custard immediately into the pecan-cocunut mix and stir until butter is melted. Cool.
Syrup:
1. In a small saucepan, heat the sugar and water until sugar melts. Remove from heat and add rum.
Icing:
1. Place the 8 oz of chopped chocolate in a bowl with the corn syrup and 1 1/2 oz of butter.
2. Heat cream until just barely boiling, remove from heat and pour over chocolate. Let stand 1 minute and stir until smooth. NOTE: One time my icing didn't thicken. I don't know why. I added 2 C of powdered sugar to thicken and it was fine. Strange but true.
To assemble:
Remove cake layers from the pans and cut both layers in half horizonatly (I use dental floss)
Set the first cake layer on a cake plate. Brush will with syrup. Spread 3/4 C of coconut mix over the layer, reaching edges. Set another layer on top and repeat.
Ice the sides with chocolate icing, then pipe decorate with pastry bag and tips - my favorite part - encircle the coconut topping, pipe along sides and bottom of plate.
YUM
One big, tall 9 inch cake, about 16 servings:
For the cake:
2 oz bittersweet or semisweet chocolate, chopped
2 ounces unsweetened chocolate, chopped
6 T water
8 oz unsalted butter, room temperature
1 1/4 C + 1/4 C sugar
4 large eggs, separated
2 C flour
1 t baking powder
1 t baking soda
1/2 t salt
1 C buttermilk, room temperature
1 t vanilla
For the filling:
1 C heavy cream
1 C sugar
3 large egg yolks
3 oz butter, cut into small pieces
1/2 t sald
1 C pecans, toasted and finely chopped
1 1/3 C unsweetened coconut, toasted
For the syrup:
1 C water
3/4 C sugar
2 T dark rum
For the chocolate icing:
8 oz bittersweet or semisweet chocolate, chopped
2 T light corn syrup
1 1/2 oz unsalted butter
1 C heavy cream
1. Butter two 9 inch cake pans, then line the bottoms with rounds of parchment or wax paper. Preheat the oven to 350.
2. Melt both chocolates together with 6 T water. I microwave. Stir unti lsmooth, set aside until room temp.
3. In the bowl of an electric mixer bet the butter rand 1 1/4 C of the sugar until light and fluffy, 5 minutes. Beat the melted chocolate in, then the egg yolks, one at a time.
4. Sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
5. Mix in half of the dry ingredients into the creamed butter mix, then the buttermilk and the vanilla, then the rest of the dry ingredients.
6. In a metal or glass bowl, beat the egg w hites until they hold soft, droopy peaks. Beat in the 1/4 C of the sugar until still.
7. Fold 1/3 of the egg whites into the cake batter to lighten it, then fold in the remaining egg whites just until there is no trace of egg white visible.
8. Divide the batter into the 2 pans, smooth the tops, and bake for 45 minutes.
Cool layers completely.
While the cakes are baking and cooling, make the filling, syrup and icing.
Filling:
1. Mix the cream, sugar and egg yolks in medium saucepan. Put the 3 ounces of butter, salt, toasted coconut and pecan in a large bowl.
2. Heat the cream mixture and cook, stirring constatnly until the mix begins to thicken and coats the spoon. DON'T BOIL. You'll cook the yolks. Not good for cake!!
3. Pour the hot custard immediately into the pecan-cocunut mix and stir until butter is melted. Cool.
Syrup:
1. In a small saucepan, heat the sugar and water until sugar melts. Remove from heat and add rum.
Icing:
1. Place the 8 oz of chopped chocolate in a bowl with the corn syrup and 1 1/2 oz of butter.
2. Heat cream until just barely boiling, remove from heat and pour over chocolate. Let stand 1 minute and stir until smooth. NOTE: One time my icing didn't thicken. I don't know why. I added 2 C of powdered sugar to thicken and it was fine. Strange but true.
To assemble:
Remove cake layers from the pans and cut both layers in half horizonatly (I use dental floss)
Set the first cake layer on a cake plate. Brush will with syrup. Spread 3/4 C of coconut mix over the layer, reaching edges. Set another layer on top and repeat.
Ice the sides with chocolate icing, then pipe decorate with pastry bag and tips - my favorite part - encircle the coconut topping, pipe along sides and bottom of plate.
YUM
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
Friday, April 06, 2007
Too Cold For Gramma
My Mom and Dad arrived from Texas last night. They spend November to April in Southern Texas each year, returning to Minnesota for the summer months.
They arrived during a cold spell! Last night they pulled into my sister's place, this morning I gave Mom a call to see if she and Laurie, maybe Dad wanted to meet me and Topaz for a run on the trail. They were all for it, they'd meet me out there in twenty minutes or so. I told her I was already at the trail head but would run hill repeats until they arrived.
The hill leaves the trail head, goes up short of 1/2 a mile and there is a view of the lot most of the way down. I ran 10 hills and couldn't figure out why they hadn't arrived. She only lives a few miles away from the trail! I went to my car and saw that 52 minutes had passed. Well something was wrong. I called Laurie's and Dad answered. Mom went outside and it was too cold for her to hit the trail! It was too, it was 15 F with a windchill of -8F. Hello! It's April 6th!
I headed back to the trail and did a 5 mile loop. I figured since I was warmed up I might as well run a bit more, and Topaz was raring to go.
We spent the rest of the day carousing the mall and hanging out like we did the day before they left for TX. It was probably about the same temperature too! Back to long pants, gloves and gators for running. Good grief.
Tonight I'm making a German Chocolate Cake. It's exquisite. Layers of toasted coconut-pecan custard, filling and chocolate icing. She's a beauty. I've taken the best parts of three different recipes and put it all together into one lovely beauty. She's baking now, the custard is finished and tomorrow I'll assemble and ice her. It's steak and cake on the menu for dinner tomorrow. I'll post pictures and directions tomorrow.
In the meantime..damn, it's cold.
They arrived during a cold spell! Last night they pulled into my sister's place, this morning I gave Mom a call to see if she and Laurie, maybe Dad wanted to meet me and Topaz for a run on the trail. They were all for it, they'd meet me out there in twenty minutes or so. I told her I was already at the trail head but would run hill repeats until they arrived.
The hill leaves the trail head, goes up short of 1/2 a mile and there is a view of the lot most of the way down. I ran 10 hills and couldn't figure out why they hadn't arrived. She only lives a few miles away from the trail! I went to my car and saw that 52 minutes had passed. Well something was wrong. I called Laurie's and Dad answered. Mom went outside and it was too cold for her to hit the trail! It was too, it was 15 F with a windchill of -8F. Hello! It's April 6th!
I headed back to the trail and did a 5 mile loop. I figured since I was warmed up I might as well run a bit more, and Topaz was raring to go.
We spent the rest of the day carousing the mall and hanging out like we did the day before they left for TX. It was probably about the same temperature too! Back to long pants, gloves and gators for running. Good grief.
Tonight I'm making a German Chocolate Cake. It's exquisite. Layers of toasted coconut-pecan custard, filling and chocolate icing. She's a beauty. I've taken the best parts of three different recipes and put it all together into one lovely beauty. She's baking now, the custard is finished and tomorrow I'll assemble and ice her. It's steak and cake on the menu for dinner tomorrow. I'll post pictures and directions tomorrow.
In the meantime..damn, it's cold.
Saturday, March 31, 2007
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
Run Club=Fasties
Originally I thought I would bring Topaz out to the trail for the scheduled 1:30 easy 8/2 run today. But, alas, eventually I realized that I needed to pick up Tyler from baseball at 430 AND deliver the boys to youth group at 615.
I realized I could make run club if I could get the boys to youth group earlier than scheduled. Topaz and I took a 5 mile spin around the neighborhood so he could stretch his legs too.
I fandangeled my way into bringing the boys' to friends homes who would bring them to youth group so I could at least join run club and then run a double by myself.
There were about 10 of us tonight. As I pulled into the lot 3 of the runners were finishing a loop, ready to begin miles 6-10. These guys also finished first on their second (our first) loop. They are so fast, crazy fast. You know what, they are in their 50's too, late 50's for a few. Good deal.
Well, I didn't do an easy 1:30 as scheduled. Even with stopping to re-tie both of my shoes, and a bit later, stopping to remove my jacket I still finished in 39:05 for the first 5 miles. Yeah, that is fast for me. No wonder I had a side ache and I was breathing deeply!
After visiting for a few minutes the chill began to set in and runners were heading home. I was ready to begin round 2. This time I did take it a bit easier. I placed my iPod in my pocket and was on my way. The second five miles was finished in 43 minutes.
My 1:30, in reality, was 2:32 with the earlier Topaz run. Oh well, a little extra never hurt anyone!
I realized I could make run club if I could get the boys to youth group earlier than scheduled. Topaz and I took a 5 mile spin around the neighborhood so he could stretch his legs too.
I fandangeled my way into bringing the boys' to friends homes who would bring them to youth group so I could at least join run club and then run a double by myself.
There were about 10 of us tonight. As I pulled into the lot 3 of the runners were finishing a loop, ready to begin miles 6-10. These guys also finished first on their second (our first) loop. They are so fast, crazy fast. You know what, they are in their 50's too, late 50's for a few. Good deal.
Well, I didn't do an easy 1:30 as scheduled. Even with stopping to re-tie both of my shoes, and a bit later, stopping to remove my jacket I still finished in 39:05 for the first 5 miles. Yeah, that is fast for me. No wonder I had a side ache and I was breathing deeply!
After visiting for a few minutes the chill began to set in and runners were heading home. I was ready to begin round 2. This time I did take it a bit easier. I placed my iPod in my pocket and was on my way. The second five miles was finished in 43 minutes.
My 1:30, in reality, was 2:32 with the earlier Topaz run. Oh well, a little extra never hurt anyone!
Friday, March 02, 2007
Snow. City.
Today is day 2 of Snow Days. Yup, no school yesterday and no school today. Yippee!! I don't recall the last time we received two snow days in a row. We are enjoying it.
We have received all of our winter snow in a week. Last week it as a storm of 15" and from Wednesday night to today - it's still snowing - we are at about 20". It's crazy.
Yesterday I couldn't get out of the driveway. I ran on the treadmill for 90 minutes at 80% heart rate. I was surprised at the sweat pouring off of me as it wasn't a hard effort. Felt good.
Yesterday I shovelled my decking, sidewalks, etc. and today went out and did it all over again. Steve plowed the driveway with the 4 wheeler last night upon returning from work. Today I decided I'd give it a try. Tyler showed my how (how in the world does he know-he's never plowed the driveway?) and I was on my way. Two hours later I had it cleared. Man, it takes forever and I became cold sitting on the 4 wheeler. I didn't get it as 'neat as a pin' as Steve does, but at least he won't have to work on it for hours upon returning home from work. I was becoming bored outside.
Before shoveling and plowing, Topaz and I took an hour snow shoe run around the neighborhood. The roads weren't plowed yet, a few people had cleared snow in front of their driveways but mostly it was deep deep deep. Lots of fun! Today is a cross training day. I will head over to the gym later this afternoon for an elliptical, step and weight workout. I suppose a few hours of shovelling counts too.
Troy is a leap year baby. We will have his birthday tomorrow when his 11 year old friends arrive for sledding, bon fire and sleep over. Oh joy. I keep telling myself it is only one night a year I can do it! I will need to shovel out the fire pit and uncover some wood as well. We are REALLY snowed in! He want so have hotdogs and smores on the fire. I'll have to shovel a pathway down to the fire pit and up to the deck. Guess I better get started.
We have received all of our winter snow in a week. Last week it as a storm of 15" and from Wednesday night to today - it's still snowing - we are at about 20". It's crazy.
Yesterday I couldn't get out of the driveway. I ran on the treadmill for 90 minutes at 80% heart rate. I was surprised at the sweat pouring off of me as it wasn't a hard effort. Felt good.
Yesterday I shovelled my decking, sidewalks, etc. and today went out and did it all over again. Steve plowed the driveway with the 4 wheeler last night upon returning from work. Today I decided I'd give it a try. Tyler showed my how (how in the world does he know-he's never plowed the driveway?) and I was on my way. Two hours later I had it cleared. Man, it takes forever and I became cold sitting on the 4 wheeler. I didn't get it as 'neat as a pin' as Steve does, but at least he won't have to work on it for hours upon returning home from work. I was becoming bored outside.
Before shoveling and plowing, Topaz and I took an hour snow shoe run around the neighborhood. The roads weren't plowed yet, a few people had cleared snow in front of their driveways but mostly it was deep deep deep. Lots of fun! Today is a cross training day. I will head over to the gym later this afternoon for an elliptical, step and weight workout. I suppose a few hours of shovelling counts too.
Troy is a leap year baby. We will have his birthday tomorrow when his 11 year old friends arrive for sledding, bon fire and sleep over. Oh joy. I keep telling myself it is only one night a year I can do it! I will need to shovel out the fire pit and uncover some wood as well. We are REALLY snowed in! He want so have hotdogs and smores on the fire. I'll have to shovel a pathway down to the fire pit and up to the deck. Guess I better get started.
Sunday, February 25, 2007
Let It Snow..Let It Snow..Let It Snow
Interesting that my last post was all about heat and sun and warm running. Not so today. The forecasters had been talking about a storm for our area all week long. I figured it was all hype and we'd be lucky to get a few inches.
I ran the Monticello hilly asphalt yesterday; luckily the snow was only starting and the roads were fine. The route didn't beat me up quite as much as it normally does. I finished in less than 4 hours and felt OK.
Spent the afternoon at the movies and relaxed the evening away, watching the snow accumulate.
Today as I stepped out the front door I couldn't see our front steps. We received 15" of snow. Yippee! No, I don't really care for winter, but it is near the end of the season and a good old fashioned snow storm is just fun.
I had to wait for Steve to plow the drive before I took off to the trail. I grabbed my snowshoes and headed out. It was a bumpy ride but well worth it. Topaz and I ran 10 miles in deep deep snow. No one had broke the trail, I was wading through the snow with my snowshoes. Topaz had to jump-run and consumed copious amounts of water as I offered it to him. Normally he doesn't want any water while winter running. Today was hard work! After arriving home I jumped on the treadmill for another 10..and promptly felt exhausted! I reached my weekly mileage though..snowstorm and all.
This afternoon I became one of my children. We went outside to play, following Topaz' tracks on our hands and knees, through the woods and brush. It was crazy fun! I held my tongue and didn't complain about my cold knees.
McNaughton 100 is only 7 weeks out. I need to get in a 50 mile training run-probably in two weeks.
I am not able to get June 1 off (the last day of school) for Kettle 100 so I will be running FANS again this summer. This year I am not afraid of the race though, that is a nice change!
Now I think I will take a cat-nap.
I ran the Monticello hilly asphalt yesterday; luckily the snow was only starting and the roads were fine. The route didn't beat me up quite as much as it normally does. I finished in less than 4 hours and felt OK.
Spent the afternoon at the movies and relaxed the evening away, watching the snow accumulate.
Today as I stepped out the front door I couldn't see our front steps. We received 15" of snow. Yippee! No, I don't really care for winter, but it is near the end of the season and a good old fashioned snow storm is just fun.
I had to wait for Steve to plow the drive before I took off to the trail. I grabbed my snowshoes and headed out. It was a bumpy ride but well worth it. Topaz and I ran 10 miles in deep deep snow. No one had broke the trail, I was wading through the snow with my snowshoes. Topaz had to jump-run and consumed copious amounts of water as I offered it to him. Normally he doesn't want any water while winter running. Today was hard work! After arriving home I jumped on the treadmill for another 10..and promptly felt exhausted! I reached my weekly mileage though..snowstorm and all.
This afternoon I became one of my children. We went outside to play, following Topaz' tracks on our hands and knees, through the woods and brush. It was crazy fun! I held my tongue and didn't complain about my cold knees.
McNaughton 100 is only 7 weeks out. I need to get in a 50 mile training run-probably in two weeks.
I am not able to get June 1 off (the last day of school) for Kettle 100 so I will be running FANS again this summer. This year I am not afraid of the race though, that is a nice change!
Now I think I will take a cat-nap.
Saturday, February 17, 2007
50K Minneapolis Lakes Run
When I registered for the Physco Wyco 50K in Kansas I thought 'yippee, I won't need to do a 50K AND a 50 Mile around the Minneapolis Lakes in preparation for McNaughton 100' Well, that didn't hold out, as I wasn't able to take part in the PW.
I'm ok running about 20 miles on the Blue Hill Trail this time of the year. It is snow covered and icy; very uneven. Over 20 miles and I am just wore out from trying to navigate the trail. It is slow going and takes forever. For my Bday I did 42 miles out there and it took forever. I can't get any leg turnover on the snow and ice.
So this morning I headed off to the Minneapolis Lakes for a 50K training run. Maria offered to join me for 10 miles, so we met up at the Lake Harriet Bandshell at 8 AM. Luckily I left home in plenty of time, as I wasn't paying attention and ended up in Eden Prairie on a frontage road next to the Minnesota Vikings training center. Good grief.
The wind was whipping. On the way to Harriet I heard on the radio that it was 13F with a -4 wind chill. I was thankful I brought around my Turtle Fur neck gaiter that stretches to my hair line and wondering if one pair of pants was going to be enough. Thankfully, one pair was fine.
At 8:00 we headed into the wind. Brrr! There weren't many other runners out today, there were a good number of couples, walking hand in hand around the lake. Maria and I chatted around the first loop of Harriet-Calhoun-Isles, quite quickly, before I knew it we were back at Harriet. Luckily for me, Maria felt amazingly well, only a week after PW and decided to run Harriet with me again. Yeah! After the loop we parted way. Maria headed for home, I headed for my car for a refill of Heed and my iPod. I had only consumed 12 oz for the 2.5 hours we were out there, not nearly enough. I am just not thirsty in cold weather. I know that I should be drinking more, but I do not. I wasn't hungry at all either. I had ONE gel the whole damn 50K.
For the second loop of the three lakes I became bored. Mentally. I struggled. I knew part of it was because I wasn't fueling as I should be, I wasn't drinking as I should be. I was watching people in love holding hands and talking and smiling..and I was all alone. God, I felt lonely! How odd that I was thinking this way. Finally I switched on my iPod and quit grumbling to myself. You know, a big part of ultra running is mental. Really. My body wasn't tired, wasn't in pain, but my mind wanted negative thoughts. At one point, at Lake of the Isles, I was watching two Border Collies run as fast as they could in front of their human, who was skiing across the lake. I cried. I missed Topaz. See, crazy..and low fuel will bring on sadness. Finally I quit crying and laughed at myself.
I let Ozzie Osbourne and Black Sabbath occupy my head. I sang along and cruised back to Harriet, ready to begin loop three. I ducked into the biffy for a few minutes, out of the wind, sucked back a gel and was thankful that I didn't head back to my car and drive away. I had actually entertained the thought, back on loop two. I told myself that I was here to run a 50K, that training for an ultra at this point is more mental than physical and how great I would feel when I was finished. Did I want to run well at McNaughton or did I want to pack it in now. The choice was mine.
I bucked up, smiled and laughed at myself and off I went, around Harriet, around Calhoun and up to Isle. I like Lake of the Isles best. There is a dog park, a skating rink and a ski path across the lake. The scenery is very pretty and the homes, my gosh, who lives in those mega million dollar homes? I can't imagine.
I was feeling good. Mentally I was back in, glad the bad patch was over. As I came back up to Calhoun I could smile again. In order to make it a 50K I ran two more Harriets and called it a day.
Only 60 oz of Heed today, my biceps are a bit tender to the touch, as they are whenever I am dehydrated. My jacket had a layer of ice in it and my face was numb. But I was happy! I did what I had planned to do. I'm a bit closer to my goal.
If the trail doesn't clear in a few weeks I'll be doing a 50 mile around the lakes. I hope the trail clears!
I was back at my sister's in Zimmerman by 4:00, in time to pick up Troy. Then he let me know he wanted to spend the night. Oh well. We had a nice visit.
Tomorrow Topaz will get in his run.
I'm ok running about 20 miles on the Blue Hill Trail this time of the year. It is snow covered and icy; very uneven. Over 20 miles and I am just wore out from trying to navigate the trail. It is slow going and takes forever. For my Bday I did 42 miles out there and it took forever. I can't get any leg turnover on the snow and ice.
So this morning I headed off to the Minneapolis Lakes for a 50K training run. Maria offered to join me for 10 miles, so we met up at the Lake Harriet Bandshell at 8 AM. Luckily I left home in plenty of time, as I wasn't paying attention and ended up in Eden Prairie on a frontage road next to the Minnesota Vikings training center. Good grief.
The wind was whipping. On the way to Harriet I heard on the radio that it was 13F with a -4 wind chill. I was thankful I brought around my Turtle Fur neck gaiter that stretches to my hair line and wondering if one pair of pants was going to be enough. Thankfully, one pair was fine.
At 8:00 we headed into the wind. Brrr! There weren't many other runners out today, there were a good number of couples, walking hand in hand around the lake. Maria and I chatted around the first loop of Harriet-Calhoun-Isles, quite quickly, before I knew it we were back at Harriet. Luckily for me, Maria felt amazingly well, only a week after PW and decided to run Harriet with me again. Yeah! After the loop we parted way. Maria headed for home, I headed for my car for a refill of Heed and my iPod. I had only consumed 12 oz for the 2.5 hours we were out there, not nearly enough. I am just not thirsty in cold weather. I know that I should be drinking more, but I do not. I wasn't hungry at all either. I had ONE gel the whole damn 50K.
For the second loop of the three lakes I became bored. Mentally. I struggled. I knew part of it was because I wasn't fueling as I should be, I wasn't drinking as I should be. I was watching people in love holding hands and talking and smiling..and I was all alone. God, I felt lonely! How odd that I was thinking this way. Finally I switched on my iPod and quit grumbling to myself. You know, a big part of ultra running is mental. Really. My body wasn't tired, wasn't in pain, but my mind wanted negative thoughts. At one point, at Lake of the Isles, I was watching two Border Collies run as fast as they could in front of their human, who was skiing across the lake. I cried. I missed Topaz. See, crazy..and low fuel will bring on sadness. Finally I quit crying and laughed at myself.
I let Ozzie Osbourne and Black Sabbath occupy my head. I sang along and cruised back to Harriet, ready to begin loop three. I ducked into the biffy for a few minutes, out of the wind, sucked back a gel and was thankful that I didn't head back to my car and drive away. I had actually entertained the thought, back on loop two. I told myself that I was here to run a 50K, that training for an ultra at this point is more mental than physical and how great I would feel when I was finished. Did I want to run well at McNaughton or did I want to pack it in now. The choice was mine.
I bucked up, smiled and laughed at myself and off I went, around Harriet, around Calhoun and up to Isle. I like Lake of the Isles best. There is a dog park, a skating rink and a ski path across the lake. The scenery is very pretty and the homes, my gosh, who lives in those mega million dollar homes? I can't imagine.
I was feeling good. Mentally I was back in, glad the bad patch was over. As I came back up to Calhoun I could smile again. In order to make it a 50K I ran two more Harriets and called it a day.
Only 60 oz of Heed today, my biceps are a bit tender to the touch, as they are whenever I am dehydrated. My jacket had a layer of ice in it and my face was numb. But I was happy! I did what I had planned to do. I'm a bit closer to my goal.
If the trail doesn't clear in a few weeks I'll be doing a 50 mile around the lakes. I hope the trail clears!
I was back at my sister's in Zimmerman by 4:00, in time to pick up Troy. Then he let me know he wanted to spend the night. Oh well. We had a nice visit.
Tomorrow Topaz will get in his run.
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
I LOVE Valentine's Day!
Happy Valentine's Day!
I love red, I love chocolate, I love cake...all of it. It's not just receiving these items..it's about giving them, too.
The boys woke up to heart shaped pancakes .. yes, I'm silly .. with whipping creme and chocolate shavings. They only snickered, but I know they like it. I've created Valentine breakfasts for them since they could chew.
Then it was chocolate for breakfast dessert, and the cake will wait until after school.
Last night we created Valentine bags for all of Troy's classmates. It will be the last class Valentine party, as he moves onto Middle School next year.
Topaz received a heart shaped milk bone biscuit and Toffee received his smelly salmon breakfast shaped as a heart. I'm a geek, but a romantic one!
Steve left me a gift certificate for a full body massage at Aveda, I think I'll schedule that appointment soon!
Enjoy Valentine's Day today.
I love red, I love chocolate, I love cake...all of it. It's not just receiving these items..it's about giving them, too.
The boys woke up to heart shaped pancakes .. yes, I'm silly .. with whipping creme and chocolate shavings. They only snickered, but I know they like it. I've created Valentine breakfasts for them since they could chew.
Then it was chocolate for breakfast dessert, and the cake will wait until after school.
Last night we created Valentine bags for all of Troy's classmates. It will be the last class Valentine party, as he moves onto Middle School next year.
Topaz received a heart shaped milk bone biscuit and Toffee received his smelly salmon breakfast shaped as a heart. I'm a geek, but a romantic one!
Steve left me a gift certificate for a full body massage at Aveda, I think I'll schedule that appointment soon!
Enjoy Valentine's Day today.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)