Time to Start Running!

So my coworker in the office has decided we're going to start running races this year. Since I really would like to get back in to running, I said "Sure!" Now, it seems like I'm more into it than she is! She decided to take the liberty to sign me and another coworker up for the Illinois Marathon (just the 5K, so not bad at all). I'm trying to debate if I want to do the 10K the next day, or if 9 miles of semi-competitive running is going to be killer on my knee. Right now, I'm thinking it's not the greatest idea. Maybe later in the summer I'll try running a 10K.

A few years ago, right after I graduated college and was living on my own, a block away from the gym, I ran 8 miles in 65 minutes. In case math wasn't your strong suit in school, that's 8 8-minute miles. I was soo proud of myself! Even my friend, who was a competitive runner for the U of I was impressed. Since then, I haven't been running as far or as much. I really would like to, especially now that I'm living in town.

Anyway, in my search for area races, I've stumbled across the greatest 5K EVER, the Color Run! It's a super cool race where you basically get tye-dyed as you run. The closest is in Chicago, so relatively close. Apparently each kilometer you get sprayed with a different color so when you cross the finish line, you're multi-colored. Afterwards, they have a huge party where you can get even more colorful. I'm soo going to do this, I just need other people to go with me. I have tons of friends who live up in the city/'burbs, so let's go!

I'm really in to finding area 5 and 10Ks to do; I've even created an Excel sheet dedicated to keeping track of all the details for each race (date, cost, location, website, etc.). Anyone who knows me well knows I'm obsessed with Excel.

Yesterday, after my search for fun races to participate in, I decided to go to my on-site apartment "gym." I have a regular membership at the campus gym, but it's still super busy with all the students returning and being on their "new years resolutions," that I don't like going there at the moment. Anyway, I went to this "gym" thing across the parking lot from me and discovered I don't like treadmills. Maybe it's because I was using a really old machine that didn't seem to have any cool programs or settings other than manual, or maybe it's because I always use the eliptical when I run on a machine. Needless to say, I've decided that I'm headed to the campus gym whenever I want to work out here because next door sure isn't going to cut it. I ended up running in the parking lot last night at 9 at night because I couldn't get the treadmill to stay at a setting I liked.

Stay tuned as I start my regular runs and start training for my first ever 5K. I'm super excited!

Banana Split Cupcakes

Recently I've been on a baking kick. My favorite thing to make is cupcakes! I thought I'd share one of my favorite recipes I've made so far: Banana Split Cupcakes!

This is an adaptation of Paula Deen's recipe (Paula Deen's Banana Split Cupcakes):

Cupcakes (makes 28)
1/2 c unsalted butter, room temp
1 c sugar
2 large eggs
1/2 c strawberry yogurt
1 t baking soda
2 c all-purpose flour
1 c mashed bananas (~2 ripe bananas)
1/2 c macerated strawberries
1 c crushed pineapple*
1/2 c chocolate chips
1/2 c walnuts

Cream together butter and sugar in a large bowl. Mix in eggs, yogurt, flour and baking soda. Stir in mashed bananas, strawberries, pineapple, chocolate chips, and walnuts. Fill cupcake lines 3/4 full. Bake in 350 degree oven for 25 minutes or until the top bounces back when lightly touched.

Whipping Cream Frosting
7/8 c heavy whipping cream*
1/4 c sugar
1 over-ripe banana, mashed
Chocolate syrup
1/8 c pineapple juice (left over from crushed pineapple)*
Maraschino cherries

Whip heavy cream and sugar until light and fluffy (may take a few minutes). Mix in banana and pineapple until just combined. Frost cupcakes. Drizzle with chocolate syrup. Top with cherry and sprinkles to look just like the real thing!

(*Denotes my modifications to the original recipe).

These cupcakes taste EXACTLY like the real thing! Go ahead and try them. Trust me, you'll love them too! Everyone in my office straight up devoured them really fast, so be forewarned, they'll go fast!

Officially Urbana

So I finally set up the internet in my new apartment, which is super fun. I moved 40 minutes closer to work; my commute is now 7 minutes instead of 47 minutes. It is very exciting to be able to go home for work and actually spend time with my puppy instead of only being at home for a few hours before going to bed.

It's strange going from living on a farm in the middle of nowhere with the closest neighbor being about a mile away to living in a building with at least 7 other people.

Wes is adjusting well. He rarely barks at people and knows what "Walk," "Leash," and "Outside" all mean. I'm learning more about what I cannot leave out when he's here alone (napkins, kleenex, and newly discovered- tights). He loves when we go home to "the farm" because he knows he gets to run around outside all the time, but he really is a cuddle dog and would rather curl up next to me than be out chasing bunnies (we're still working on his farm-dog-ness). We went running the other day and he loved it. I forgot how much my pup loves to run and have people go "he's sooo cute!"

I'm working on planning an apartment warming party/birthday party for Wes in mid-February. But first I've got to actually get settled in to the apartment and make it feel "lived in." Whelp,  off to continue decorating and cuddling with the puppy!

Mustang Sally

Over the weekend, my car hit a milestone: 37,000 miles. While it might seem like a random number, what it signifies is anything but. I bought my car, a 2010 Mustang Coupe Premium, brand spanking new (it has 63 miles on it total, 40 of which I put on myself test driving it), 18 months ago.

In the past 18 months, I have moved, moved again, and am getting ready to move once again in a few weeks. I have changed jobs from one I hated to one I love. I've added a new little man to my life (my pup Wesley) and have embraced country life once again. I'm living in my hometown and am moving soon to my one of my favorite towns to be closer to work. I've finally added a part-time job to my list of activities (yay having an employee discount at one of my fav stores) and can't wait to get back in to the habit of working out 5 days a week (living 45 minutes from your gym really stinks!).

All in all, I'm soo excited for what's to come in the future and for the next 37,000 miles (and then some).

Puppy Tail!

So I thought I'd add a few pictures of the cutie I share my house with: my puppy Wesley!

He's a Shorkie, which is a Shih-Tzu/ Yorkie mix. He's uber cute and full of energy and is a great cuddler!

He also loves watching tv, especially movies like 101 Dalmations!

He's just so happy and makes me smile every single day!

Starting Off!

I love sharing the adventures of my life with all my friends and decided what better way than to start a blog! Bear with me as this will surely be an adventure, but know that when someone is Orange and Blue, it's always good and true!