10% of 2011...

... and have I achieved 10% of what I set out to do this year?

I have shaved 8 pounds off - so of the 50 that would be ideal, I've over achieved.  Some of the other things I want to get back to - like my novel and having more get-togethers with friends at my place, well those are still in the works. 

I have locked in on a training program for the Dahlonega 5k on March 5th. It's just 4 weeks away, so a 4 week training plan has been found!


4 Week 5k Training Plan from the Salt Lake Running Co.

This plan is designed for anyone who would like to finish a 5K and who is not concerned about any time goals. Due to the limited timeframe of this training plan, participants should not expect to perform at their top ability. Runners should be prepared for beginner's level running before beginning this program.


XT stands for Cross Training, which includes activities like elliptical, swimming, cycling, spinning, aerobics, fast walking, etc. XT days should be aerobic by nature, but low impact on the body.


Run days may be a combination of running and walking. It is recommended that runners spend a minimum 5 to 10 minutes stretching after the run is completed on the "Run" days.

WK, Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday
1 Rest/Stretch, Run 20 min, Stretch/XT, Run 20 min, Stretch/XT, Rest/Stretch, Run 2 miles
2 Rest/Stretch, Run 25 min, Stretch/XT, Run 20 min, Stretch/XT, Rest/Stretch, Run 2.5 miles
3 Rest/Stretch, Run 30 min, Stretch/XT, Run 20 min, Stretch/XT, Rest/Stretch, Run 3 miles
4 Rest/Stretch, Run 20 min, Stretch/XT, Run 25 min, Stretch/XT, Run 15 min, 5k!


Part of the challenge here is that I will be on a cruise during week 2.  First, I am probabaly going to be eating like a beast, and second, who wants to go running on a cruise?!?!  I am going to try to work it out.  It is only a total of an hour or two out of my time, so I think I can make it.  St. Maarten, St. Thomas and Nassau.  Some time in the sun.





I will keep in mind that the Dahlonega 5k is being held to support Prevent Child Abuse America.  That should keep up the motivation. 

I'm back on my way

The past few months, I have been very very bad. After I broke my arm, I lost a little bit of motivation. I compelted the Green Mountain Marathon in October, and the Disney in January, but both completely by sheer willpower - I was very, very slow and barely made Disney (although I did answer a call from my Mom at mile 23 telling me my sister was pregnant again!)


Anyway, I am looking forward to getting back in the swing. I will be working with Sean, my co-worker, to determine what events we want to complete running wise, and I will be attempting the Seismic Challenge in October.


I got some money from Christmas to buy a bike. That's a goal that I need to lock in on.. I am way behind that schedule.

Students Run Oakland

Students Run Oakland

This seems like an awesome program that I would like to get involved with. I'll see what the schedule is and see what marathon is being completed.

I'd love to see some kids get the same feeling I did when I finished my first.

What are some of SRO’s proof points -- evidence of the program’s success and proof that we are executing on our mission?

- Over 90% of SRO’s students graduate from high school compared to Oakland Unified School District’s rate of 60.8%.

- Approximately 80% of SRO’s graduating seniors go directly to a college or four-year university.

- The cumulative Los Angeles marathon completion average is 98% -

- and, the last two years 100% of the students completed the marathon.

Amazing.

AIDS Marathon Training Gang

12 Miles of Success!

Wine Tasting a Great Success! (So, *I* say...)

I had a great time last night with a great group of friends, and we managed to raise a good amount of money for the AIDS Marathon Training program - approaching $750 for the night!

My small apartment was filled to the brim with so many people: Chuck and Rosalie, Bruce, Sean, Mike, Richard, Hugh, Ben, Lu, Sudhir, and Mark - and I think everyone left with smiles!

We started off with the 2006 Vichon Chardonnay (which I mistakenly told everyone was from Napa, not France... Napa is the other France, right?) After letting them get a taste, I served up the Braised Pork with Pearl Onions and Grapes, which I think came out so tender and moist, and I heard many comments on the sauce.

Hugh helped me pass out the note cards, and people started to guess at the price. I let them know that their was one white over $20, and one was under. Guesses started...

We then moved on to the 2006 Gato Negro Chardonnay from Chile. Rosalie helped me with the Coconut Shrimp with a Orange Marmalade Mustard and Horseradish sauce (Mike liked the sauce, but we agreed the beer batter should have had a bit more beer!) Oh, and frying them was a bit slow, but they were quite yummy.

I then let everyone see the bottles for the two whites. Did that change their minds on price? Not too much, from what I could tell; most people went from taste.

About this time, Mark arrived - bringing with him a bottle of port! What a great addition to the evening, now we just had to get through the rest of the courses.

On to the reds: first, a 2003 Robert Pecota Cabernet, which we served up with Leg of Lamb Stuffed with Lamb and Walnut Kofte.

Many people commented on the stuffing.. the full ingredients for it are listed in the link.

This was the "high end" bottle - but no one knew for sure, yet.

So, on to bottle #4, a 2003 Stonehaven Cabernet. Now, this one had a screw top, so I tried to leverage that as a ploy - was it because it was cheap, or a cheap trick. I didn't let them know, yet. Paired this with a Marinated Tri-Tip Roast with Mushrooms and Garlic.

And the guessing commenced. I reminded everyone that the four bottles totalled $87 - and some needed to make some "adjustments." I then added a bit more mathematically complexity; the most expensive bottle was 6 times the least expensive. And more "adjustments."

The answers: #1 - $20, #2 - $7, #3 - $43, #4 - $17

Overall the results were mixed and varied. Some guessed the highest was a low end. Some guessed the lowest was the best. Richard commented that is was hard to believe that someone would pay twice as much for one Cabernet over the other - then promptly and gladly finished the less expensive bottle!

We moved on to the 2006 Jackson Triggs Vidal Ice. I love ice wines and this one paired nicely with the Gingered Papaya Mousse on a Pastry Cookie (the recipe was only slightly modified)

Then, Mark's addition of the 2003 Montona Zinfandel Andretti Reserve Port . So good, and brought back the memories of the trip to Napa the work team took earlier this year.

We started winding down, and Sean was nice enough to help clean up. We took some time out on the balcony - first time it was used! - and enjoyed the ramp down.

I want to thank everyone for their time, and generosity. I truly enjoyed having them over, and filling my home with warmth. I hope to do it again soon.

If you were there, let me know what you thought!

"Are You Being Fooled?" Wine Tasting Party

So, I have to raise $1,800 for the San Francisco AIDS Foundation, so came up with the idea of a "Are You Being Fooled" wine tasting party.

Here's the deal: 2 Cabernets, 2 Chardonnays. Half are over $20, half are less. Can you tell which is which after a blind tasting – or have they got you fooled? There will be prizes for the person guessing closest to the wines' real prices, and other fun things throughout the night.

Hors d'oeuvre sized food pairings will be served with each wine:

• Vegetable Crudite
• Braised Pork with Pearl Onions and Grapes
• Coconut Shrimp with Orange Mustard Horseradish Marmalade
• Leg of Lamb Stuffed with Lamb & Walnut Kofte
• Marinated Tri-Tip Roast with Mushrooms and Garlic
• Mini Baked Potato Bar
  

And, we'll finish the night with an Ice Vidal and Gingered Papaya Mousse with Caramel Fruit Sauce.

Suggested donation for the event is $50.

I'm excited - this should be fun!