Click: 2010

Friday, December 31, 2010

Miles run in 2010 - final count

What a year! I can't believe I ran 2764.6 miles this year. This is probably my best year since high school. I didn't run that many miles in high school, but I weighed about the same as I do now. Everything good that has happened to me running wise is because of my weight loss. I lost 80 pounds in 2010. Dropping the weight has helped me run more miles and lower all of my PR times in the 5K, 10K and half marathon. A couple of weeks ago I ran a timed mile with the Ann Arbor Track Club in 7:35. Just shy of my best high school time. I thought I would never run that time ever again.

My running goals for 2011 is to continue running strong. I want to keep running 80 mile weeks, do more speed work, keep running 6 or 7 days a week and keep improving on my times. I am confident I can do it.

Total miles run for the year:
2004: 318.6
2005: 350.8
2006: 470
2007: 573.7
2008: 960.2
2009: 1257.9
2010: 2764.6

Thursday, December 30, 2010

Random things

My work week is coming to an end, as is 2010. I'm working a double shift again today. I already worked my five hour morning shift and will be heading back into the office tonight. I'm not a big fan of the double shift, but if it let's me have the next day off, I'm all for it.

I will post my final mileage for the year Friday. It is high this year. With Monday's 17 mile run, I passed 2700 miles run for the year. That is awesome! My final count for 2009 was 1257.9. At the time, I thought that was a lot. Looking back at that now, it was a lot for me then. I was still overweight and didn't run 70-80 mile weeks.

My New Year Eve plans are set with my husband. We aren't doing anything too special, but it will still be fun. Our plans are to go to the Westfield Franklin Park Mall down in Toledo, Ohio. I received a bunch of gift cards for Christmas and I want to use them. After I shop, we will be going to a see a movie at the mall. My husband and I won't be seeing the same movie. I will be seeing Black Swan, while he watches Tron. Then after the movie, we will be having dinner at Famous Dave's BBQ. I could eat there everyday because it is so good. I love their cornbread.

I know our plans don't involve a wild party, but that is OK. It will be a nice and quiet evening, just how we like it.

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Nike Cross Nationals III

Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Books read in 2010

My sister bought me a bunch of vampire books back in November. She bought me books by J.D. Ward about the Black Dagger Brotherhood. The BDB is about a group of vampires brothers and warriors who live together and defend their race against the people who threaten them. My sister also bought me books written by Laurell K. Hamilton. The books I received are part of the Anita Blake series, which Blake is a vampire hunter and has relationships with vampires and wereanimals. I'm just getting around to them. I bought a bunch of vampire books also. They are in a pile waiting to be read. I received a bunch more books for Christmas, they are not vampire related. Which I think is good. I may get tired of the subject if I read about them over and over.

Bobby and Jackie: A Love Story, C. David Heymann

Fletch, Too, Gregory Mcdonald

American Legacy: The Story of John and Caroline Kennedy, C. David Heymann

Tis Herself: An Autobiography, Maureen O'Hara and John Nicoletti

A Woman Named Jackie: An Intimate Biography of Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis, C. David Heymann

John F. Kennedy, President, Hugh Sidey

Oswald's Tale: An American Mystery, Norman Mailer

First Ladies: The Saga of the Presidents Wives and Their Power 1789-1961, Carl Sferrazza Anthony

The Saga of the Presidents Wives and Their Power 1961-1990, Carl Sferrazza Anthony

Real Life at the White House: 200 years of daily life at America's famous residence, John Whitcomb

Amelia Earhart, Tanya Lee Stone

The Thirty-Nine Steps, John Buchan

Hungry, Crystal Reen with Marjorie Ingall

Harry S. Truman, Robert Dallek

The Murder of King Tut: The Plot to Kill the Child King, James Patterson

Shutter Island, Dennis Lehane

Duchess of Death: The Unauthorized Biography of Agatha Christie, Richard Hack

Alice: Alice Roosevelt Longworth, from White House Princess to Washington Power Broker, Stacy A. Cordery

Murder on the Orient Express, Agatha Christie

From Love Field: Our Final Hours with President John F. Kennedy, Nellie Connally & Mickey Herskowitz

After the Funeral, Agatha Christie

The Mysterious Affair at Styles, Agatha Christie

Best Evidence, David S. Lifton

The Secret of the Old Clock, Carolyn Keene

The Hidden Staircase, Carolyn Keene

The Bungalow Mystery, Carolyn Keene

The Mystery at Lilac Inn, Carolyn Keene

The Secret of Red Gate Farm, Carolyn Keene

The Message in The Hollow Oak, Carolyn Keene

The Whispering Statue, Carolyn Keene

The Haunted Bridge, Carolyn Keene

The Mystery of the Brass Bound Trunk, Carolyn Keene

The Secret in the Old Attic, Carolyn Keene

The Clue in The Crumbling Wall, Carolyn Keene

The Clue of the Leaning Chimney, Carolyn Keene

The Secret of the Wooden Lady, Carolyn Keene

Mystery at the Ski Jump, Carolyn Keene

Clue of the Velvet Mask, Carolyn Keene

The Witch Tree Symbol, Carolyn Keene

The Hidden Window Mystery, Carolyn Keene

The Haunted Showboat, Carolyn Keene

The Secret of the Golden Pavilion, Carolyn Keene

The Clue in the Old Stagecoach, Carolyn Keene

The Moonstone Castle Mystery, Carolyn Keene

The Mystery of the 99 Steps, Carolyn Keene

The Invisible Intruder, Carolyn Keene

The Secret of Mirror Bay, Carolyn Keene

Mystery of the Glowing Eye, Carolyn Keene

The Secret of the Forgotten City, Carolyn Keene

The Strange Message in the Parchment, Carolyn Keene

The Mystery of Crocodile Island, Carolyn Keene

Dead Until Dark, Charlaine Harris

Living Dead in Dallas, Charlaine Harris

Club Dead, Charlaine Harris

Dead to the World, Charlaine Harris

Dead as a Doornail, Charlaine Harris

Definitely Dead, Charlaine Harris

All Together Dead, Charlaine Harris

From Dead to Worse, Charlaine Harris

Dead and Gone, Charlaine Harris

Dead in the Family, Charlaine Harris

In The Valley of the Kings: Howard Carter and the Mystery of King Tutankhamen's Tomb, Daniel Heyerson

Mystery of the Fire Dragon, Carolyn Keene

The Thirteenth Pearl, Carolyn Keene

The Triple Hoax, Carolyn Keene

The Flying Saucer Mystery, Carolyn Keene

Dark Lover: Black Dagger Brotherhood, J. R. Ward

Boardwalk Empire: The Birth, High Times and Corruption of Atlantic City, Nelson Johnson

Puppetmaster: The Secret Life of J. Edgar Hoover, Richard Hack

Get Capone, Jonathan Eig

Lady Bird, Jan Jarboe Russell

In the President's Secret Service: Behind the Scenes with Agents in the Line of Fire and the Presidents they Protect, Ronald Kessler

The Kids Are All Right: A Memoir, Diana Welch, Liz Welch, Amanda Welch & Dan Welch

The Kennedy Imprisonment, Garry Wills

The Corrections, Jonathan Franzen

Fifth Avenue, 5 A.M.: Audrey Hepburn, Breakfast at Tiffany's, and the Dawn of the Modern Woman, Sam Wasson

Speak, Laurie Halse Anderson

Dirty Sexy Politics, Meghan McCain

Wintergirls, Laurie Halse Anderson

Nothing But a Smile, Steve Amick

If I Stay, Gayle Forman

Listen, Rene Gutteridge

Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter, Seth Grahame-Smith

13 1/2, Nevada Barr

Shanghai Girls, Lisa See

Breach of Trust, DiAnn Mills

A Million Little Pieces, James Frey

Absolute Power, David Baldacci

Drowning Ruth, Christina Schwarz

Lady Killer, Lisa Scottoline

Daddy's Girl, Lisa Scottoline

Sworn to Protect, DiAnn Mills

Devil's Corner, Lisa Scottoline

Look Again, Lisa Scottoline

Moment of Truth, Lisa Scottoline

Courting Trouble, Lisa Scottoline

Decision Points, George W. Bush

Pursuit of Justice, DiAnn Mills

True Blue, David Baldacci

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, Steig Larsson

The Girl Who Played With Fire, Steig Larsson

Lover External:Black Dagger Brotherhood, J.R. Ward

Lover Awakened: Black Dagger Brotherhood, J.R. Ward

Lover Revealed: Black Dagger Brotherhood, J.R. Ward

Currently Reading: Lover Revealed, J.R. Ward

Up Next: Guilty Pleasures, Laurell K. Hamilton

Monday, December 27, 2010

End of the year questions

1. What did you do in 2010 that you’d never done before?
Went to Oregon.

2. Did you keep your New Year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
Yes. I kept three out of four resolutions. I ran way over 1500 miles, read more then 40 books and I lost weight. I lost 80 pounds in 2010. The only one I didn't keep is shooting more personal photos. I will make resolutions for 2011 and shooting more personal photos will be on the list again.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
No.

4. Did anyone close to you die?
No.

5. What countries did you visit?
The United States.

6. What would you like to have in 2011 that you lacked in 2010?
Always more money.

7. What dates from 2010 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
October 17. I completed my third half marathon and beat my 2009 time by 45 minutes. And December 2-5, I won a trip to Portland, OR to watch the Nike Cross Nationals.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year? Running over 2600 miles.

9. What was your biggest failure?
Not shooting more personal photos as always.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
No. This year I was injury free. I will be knocking on wood to keep injury away.

11. What was the best thing you bought?
A new iPod Nano.

12. Where did most of your money go?
Student loan, gas and house payments.

13. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Going to Oregon to watch the Nike Cross Nationals.

14. What song will always remind you of 2010?
Ke$ha - Tik Tok

15. Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) happier or sadder? Happier.
b) thinner or fatter? Thinner.
c) richer or poorer? About the same.

16. What do you wish you’d done more of? Shoot photos for myself.

17. What do you wish you’d done less of? Complain.

18. How did you spend Christmas?
I opened presents with my husband first, then went to my mom's house for lunch, and lastly to my husband's parents house. It was a long day.

19. Did you fall in love in 2010?
No, still in love with my husband.

20. What was your favorite TV programs?
Community, Modern Family, Dexter, Blue Blood, Detroit 187, The Good Guys, Mad Men & The Vampire Diaries.

21. What was the best book you read?
The Lisbeth Salander series by Steig Larsson. (The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo and the Girl Who Played With Fire) Haven't read The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest, but I own it.

22. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Ke$ha and Katy Perry

23. What did you want and get?
More running clothes.

24. What did you want and not get? Books and CDs from my gift list.

25. What was your favorite films of this year?
Wall Street 2: Money Never Sleeps. I'm still hoping to see Black Swan before the year ends.

26. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I turned 31 and ate dinner at my favorite restaurant.

27. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
If I lost the 88 pounds I planned to lose. Will try to lose it in 2011.

28. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2010?
Aeropostale and American Eagle. Since I lost weight Hollister and Abercromie and Fitch have now joined the group.

29. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Lisa Koll and Shalane Flanagan - awesome runners.

31. Who do you miss?
My dad and friends that have moved away.

32. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2010. Losing weight can change your outlook on life.

33. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year. Something has changed within me/
Something is not the same/I'm through with playing by the rules/Of someone else's game - Defying Gravity (Wicked)

Saturday, December 25, 2010

12/25

Friday, December 24, 2010

Cheddar biscuits

I have been talking about these biscuits for a while. I thought I would share the recipe that I found online for Red Lobster's Cheddar Biscuits.

Ingredients:

2 ½ cups Bisquick baking mix
¾ cup cold whole milk
4 tablespoons cold butter (1/2 stick)

¼ teaspoon garlic powder
1 heaping cup grated cheddar cheese
Bush on Top
2 tablespoons butter, melted
¼ teaspoon dried parsley flakes
½ teaspoon garlic powder
pinch salt
Directions:
1. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees.
2. Combine Bisquick with cold butter in a medium bowl using a pastry cutter or a large fork. You don't want to mix too thoroughly. There should be small chunks of butter in there that are about the size of peas. Add cheddar cheese, milk, and ¼ teaspoon garlic. Mix by hand until combined, but don't over mix.

3. Drop approximately ¼-cup portions of the dough onto an ungreased cookie sheet using an ice cream scoop.
4. Bake for 15 to 17 minutes or until the tops of the biscuits begin to turn light brown.

5. When you take the biscuits out of the oven, melt 2 tablespoons butter is a small bowl in your microwave. Stir in ½ teaspoon garlic powder and the dried parsley flakes. Use a brush to spread this garlic butter over the tops of all the biscuits. Use up all of the butter. Makes one dozen biscuits.
Recipe courtesy of Todd Wilbur, "Top Secret Restaurant Recipes 2," Plume Books.

Thursday, December 23, 2010

Double shift

I'm looking forward to another four day weekend, but I have to get through today before I can enjoy it. Today will be a long day of work. My co-workers and myself have to work a double shift.

I don't mind working a double shift if it means I have the next day off. I do find it is harder for me to stay awake later at night. The days when I have to work double shifts, I try to take a nap. I don't know if I will be taking one today because I want to clean my house. I could try and do it Friday, but I have many things yet still to do. Besides running in the morning, I have to bake two pies, make cheddar biscuits and get the house ready for the dinner that my husband and I are hosting.

I will not complain about the long hours I will be working today. I will take everything in stride and know I have a nice, long weekend waiting for me.

Wednesday, December 22, 2010