A Big Fat Greek Salad

I love salads.

Especially crunchy, feta-filled ones. :)

I found this one on Women's Health.com and pretty much make it all the time. I switch up the beans and us cannellini beans too.... They're just buttery!! Yum-o! You also can't skimp on the olives. Buy GOOD olives.

You might catch yourself trying to lick the bowl when you're done too.

.... or is that just me?

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano, crumbled
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 2 large red tomatoes (1 pound), cut into chunks
• 1 can (15 ounces) chickpeas, rinsed and drained
• 2 cups hothouse cucumber chunks
• 1/2 cup thinly sliced red onion
• 1/2 cup coarsely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
• 8 kalamata olives, pitted and sliced
• 4 cups torn mixed dark-hued greens, such as escarole and romaine lettuce, or use all romaine
• 4 ounces feta cheese, chopped

Directions

1.

In a large salad bowl, mix the oil, lemon juice, vinegar, oregano, and pepper with a fork.

2.

Add the tomatoes, chickpeas, cucumber, red onion, parsley, and olives. Toss to mix well. If you have time, let marinate for 15 minutes.

3.

Add the greens and feta and toss again.

My Stand [UP] 2 CANCER

Tonight is the big, annual, television domination for the Stand Up To Cancer, celebrity endorsed tele-thon on all the major networks.


It's amazing.

Really. I think it's incredible what they are able to accomplish for this cause. (plus, it sure as heck bets all the politickin' on tv these days!)

But, it really makes me a bit jealous too. I mean, why didn't I get invited?!?! Don't they know I'm raising money for the cause too? Plus, I'm a sassy southern girl with red-hair..... won't that attract SOME DONATIONS!?

;) geez!

You may recall back in March when I informed everyone that I was running the Marine Corps Marathon. (Well, in case you missed that... catch up here.) Not only am I running this marathon, I'm running it to BEAT THE HECK OUT OF CANCER!!!!!

Yes, that means I'm raising money.
Yes, that means I'm going to ask you to donate.
Yes, it means a lot to me.
Yes, you should.

I could give you all the reasons you should support me, but I'll just show them to you instead. I'm a visual person and pictures mean more than words sometimes.

Katie Ball - Angio Sarcoma

My best friend from the first week of college. Katie was a vibrant, extroverted personality that instantly meshed with mine. We simply were "Red and Ched" throughout our time at UNCG. People knew us, knew our friendship, and probably were a bit jealous of it. ;) haha Just teasin'... We really were sisters. We grew up on completely opposite ends of the great state of North Carolina... and met in the middle. (Over make-up too!!!) After our initial introductions, we only were separated by miles. After we graduated, Katie went to ECU to work on her master's. I went to work. For months, she wasn't "feeling right" and it seemed almost a constant battle with her health, pain and problems. Then it came. I'll never forget the call. I was in the Pittsburgh airport returning home from my work week when Katie called. All I heard were tears. Then... "They think I have cancer!" came screaming through. I said nothing. The tears and fear followed. Not much was said after that. I said I'd be there tomorrow morning and as we hung up, the lady sitting next to me in the waiting area, put her hand on my back and just sat with me. I never even said a word to her, but she knew. She knew the fear that I felt. The fear that I had for my best friend who was now, starting the hardest fight of her life. 

For 5 months, the battle was constant. With her and her family, we saw this shining spirit that we all loved so dearly, being destroyed by this cancer. No matter how hard she worked, her doctors and nurses worked, or how much the rest of us prayed... Katie was loosing this war. On December 14, 2007, we lost Katie to cancer. 

Since then, my life has changed. I've been motivated by her in ways a lot of people don't even know. I'm a nurse because of her. Every challenge presented to me, I push through because I know she had it worse and was still smiling. :) Now, I've ran a marathon and am running my second FOR HER! 

These are the other's I know, love and run for. (and yes, their names will be on my jersey too!)

Lee J. Ball (Katie's half-brother) - Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma

My Aunt, Karen  & Ms. Betty - Breast Cancer

Melanie Ketner - Colo-rectal Cancer

My maternal Grandmother - Hodgkin's Lymphoma

 

There are many patients who have also touched my life who have fought, are fighting, or have lost their battles with cancer. Each of them have also earned a special place on this journey to fight cancer. Together, each mile of my 26.2 mile journey will be dedicated to my friends, family and the loved ones of those who support me on this challenge. 

Currently, I have 6 donors and I have 52% of my fundraising goal. That means I need sponsors for the first 20 miles!! :) Come on... You know you want to!! 

Go on. It's easy: Donate NOW! You won't regret it. 

And tonight while you're watching S[UP]2C on your TV, you'll know you helped someone you know doing good for the cause. 

Thank you all for your support. You're amazing! 

-A.

Happy Anniversary to US!

It's crazy to think that 4 years ago today, Todd and I got married!! In a small chapel in Linville, NC, 21 days after our "official engagement", with only our very immediate family (parents, siblings, nephews and grand-parents) present, we made our commitment to each other "for better or for worse". We also knew in 2 weeks Todd would be deploying to Iraq. I will forever be grateful for our friends, Natalie and Dan Watson, who were able to be there to capture this day for us always.

I know in the grand scheme of things, 4 years isn't all that much (I look forward to 10, 20, 30+!), but I can't help think about how quickly they've gone by!! What an amazing relationship and friendship I have with Todd. He truly is my joy. He just gets me. Without even having to say a word, Todd can just put a hand on me and instantly everything feels better.

God has given me so much to be thankful for in Todd. I love the life we have together and look forward to the future God has in store for us too. Yes, one day, I hope to become a parent with him. We're hopefully going to own our first home together very soon! And we're convinced retirement is going to be awesome!

You Are My Joy by Snow Patrol became one of our favorites right as he was deploying. To this day it remains one of those emotional favorites between the two of us. It just seems to say it all so easily.... I even had "You are my joy" engraved on the inside of his wedding band. :) Here's the cute video you can watch while you're at work today. I'll just go about my day taking care of patients knowing that I have the world's most patient, kind and honest man as my husband. I also know that I am loved just as much in return....

And my cup runneth over. I love you Todd. You are my Joy -- Happy Anniversary!  :) xoxo

Full Steam Ahead.... Choo! Choo!!

Okay - So, even at work people have been sort of harassing me about my blog. Er, well... the lack there of. I'm not going to name names, *cough* AMY *cough*... but I'm going to try to do better. Today, I'm sitting down working on several postings.

Maybe this will make some of you happy! Geez! ;) Tough crowd.


Training for this marathon in October has been uber taxing. I'm not sure exactly why, but I am feeling especially drained today. I'm quite convinced that if given two seconds to close my eyes, I'd be out for a few hours. Marathon training is tough. It's time consuming and hard. It's constant.

I try to plan my work schedule to allow me certain days off a week to get to the track once a week for interval and/or tempo workouts with my team, to give me a few days off to get in some mileage and at some point, I'm running my long runs. The rest of the time I'm eating and sleeping. Well, almost.

August was hard on me because as luck would have it, my schedule gave me only ONE weekend off between the two hospitals. Well, then I messed up my back the first weekend I was supposed to work and had to call out (Which I HATE to do!! It's horrible to be the ones at work without all of your teammates and you're one of the few having to help pick up where the absence is felt. So, I don't ever do it unless I'm practically dying or immobile. Both of which I was, or thought I was, at some point.). Then we got a crazy hair and bought a house!

YIKES! Holy cow. We really might be going mad! :)

Okay, well excitingly so. But it's down right NERVE WRACKING! But, now we're under contract and just awaiting our final loan approval and dotting all the "I's" and crossing all the "T's".

AHHHHH! I just want to KNOW already!? I mean, they pre-approved us and all... so that's good enough right? :) 

So, in my head, I'm planning every fine detail of my future home that I can. (And that's exhausting in it's self!! Please, someone, make this brain turn off!!) Thank goodness my sister will be down soon to stay with us for a few weeks to help! :) YAY!

Maybe not working this weekend and having an extra long weekend with my sweetie to rest and be lazy (when we aren't out running) is what I need.                                Or maybe a massage?


Best part of this crazy month so far:
FINDING OUT MY SISTER & ROAN ARE HAVING A BABY GIRL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



She has appropriately been named "Lady Ellis" until Meg & Roan decide they can let the world know her name. But who knows, "Lady Ellis" is quite awesome and as far as I'm concerned, it might stick!

 :) More soon Lovies,
-a.

Training Plans

What's yours? 

Training for a marathon is very different than training for weight loss or health.

I lost a cup size in my bra training for my last marathon (and my boobs have NEVER shrunk for any reason until now!!), my periods kept getting farther and farther apart, my feet have never looked so rough and don't even get me started on the acne I had due to the heat/friction from my sports bra and my visor. 

Training is fun, but lots of hard work. Lots of preparation and planning. Eating, drinking and sleeping became HUGE aspects of my focus this Spring.... Some might even tell you I was (almost) crazy. Thankfully though, Todd gets it. He's ran his own races before too. He was a MAJOR help making sure I had food, fuel, water (he knew when I got home from work that the first thing I always wanted, was my jumbo Hardee's cup filled to the brim with ice-cold-aqua!) and a plan. He also understood when I fell asleep on his lap/shoulder/arm/leg/etc on the couch every night for several weeks. 

This marathon I know a little more. I know what worked well and what didn't. I know what was hard for me to do and where I struggled. I've got great running partners. I'm adding more speed work and tempo runs in to my weekly plans.... and I've got a new goal:

BOSTON. (for me: 3hours: 35minutes)

Wednesday Workout: Rolling

Rolling. 

Not rolling in the hay or rolling down the road...... Foam Rolling! 

I've had a foam roller for a while now and I'll admit... it has done more to get in the way than to be of use to me in the past. After running my first marathon I learned a little more from my muscles and my body. I'm not a beginner runner so I have to work for injuries. In other words, I'm past shin splints and knee issues... it's all down to stress build up on these mighty muscles! 

Over time and as my distances have gotten longer, my time and commitment to stretching properly has been cut so short that I'm barely doing anything at all. [slacker] Seriously - it's a major issue I have to address pronto or I'm going to be paying for it with a nasty injury that I might not be able to bounce back from. 

I know, I know! ---- I'm working on it! 

Foam Rolling is part of this big correction. I've found that my legs hurt a lot when I roll. Seriously... I'm so tender in many of these tiny muscles I've almost brought tears to my eyes. I've also discovered how amazing it feels on my back and shoulders after one crazy weekend at work! :) Sooooo.... I'm moving the foam roller off of my back and to my glutes, hammies and hips. 

AND SO SHOULD YOU! :) 

If I'm going to tough it out, I want company. "No pain, no gain!" I use this mantra sparingly, but when it comes to rolling, I'm afraid it's more truth than theory. 

Here are a video you can use to get started. Roll what feels good (or hurts). There are TONS of options when it comes to rolling. Be smart and a bit creative if you must! 

There's not a real science to using a foam roller. Some say use before exercise, others say after. Some say just do 10 rolls per area, some say you should roll until it's pain free. Regardless.... I just roll. A lot of these moves require odd positioning and upper body support so I'll go until my arms are too tired to hold much longer. This is often when I roll on to my back for a bit of a reward. :) 

All hard work deserves a reward. Save the best for last... trust me, your back will love it! 

Roll On my friends! :) 

-a. 

The Blog-Wagon

Considering it's been almost four months since my last blog post.... I think it's completely reasonable to say I have completely fallen OFF the Blog-Wagon.

SORRY!! I have had so many people ask, email and comment to see where I've been in the blogging world and my excuses weren't very good. I just had to give it up for a while. Training, working and managing life just were taking my time and my blog was becoming a "chore"..... Not what I ever intended my world wide expression (and mission) to become!! Now, I miss it.

To quickly catch-up:

- Girls on the Run finished the same day as my marathon. What an amazing season!! We had a blast every week running and growing together. I'm sure we even learned a few things from each other along our journey.

Done - Cramping and way over heated

At the 13.1 mile marker

- My marathon was amazing. Seeing my long time friend Katie Wade was so much fun! I miss her sweet smile so much and spending a weekend with her made me realize it even more!! Certainly finishing my race was the MAJOR highlight. It was my first marathon, 87 degrees, I nearly pooped my pants and I still finished under 4 hours!! (YES, you read that correct. If you know anything about how the combination of electrolytes, sugar and an unexpected heat wave... you'll understand!) I've started training for my next two races already - a half marathon this September and Marine Corps Marathon in October... all with the hopes of running in Boston next April. We're also thinking about going crazy and running (or trotting/walking depending on if I BQ) Big Sur two weeks after Boston.... but that's to be determined.

My running partners - Don Smythe (Katie's Kick Ass Dad), Katie and Meghan (Katie's college roomie)

- Work is wonderful. CRAZY, but good. It's insane at how hard we've had to work in the ICU lately. Seriously, I'm amazed at how much we're able to accomplish each day. I wouldn't say we do our best work every day.... but we certainly do our best with what we're handed. Being short staff, having crazy sick patients and insane demands are wearing us out, but thankfully I work with amazing women (and a few men!) who motivate me to come to work everyday ready, prepared and willing to be better everyday. I'm closing in on my one year date at Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center and I'm proud of how I've grown professionally.... but remain a bit intimidated at how much I STILL have to learn!! Hence the constant desire to go back to school... yikes!

- My mom, step-dad and little sisters are slowly getting things together to make their BIG move to VA this Fall. Todd is loving his job. They've got a place to live come August. Molly's ready for High School and to start marching band. And Allyssa is ready to come see us in DC! All we need is a job for my mom.... then all things would be GLORIOUS! :)

If you know are or know anyone in the Fairfax Co. School System - please send me a message!! My mom is top-notch (and I'm not saying that because she's my mom... She's really just that great at what she does!). 

- My sister, Megan, and her husband are with CHILD! :) I'm going to be an Auntie this January! YAY! We don't know yet what gender this little bundle is.... but I'm thinking it's a boy. Meg hopes for a girl.... and I'll be honest, I do too.... but either way, this baby is bound to be gorgeous, have incredible eyes, brains galore and probably enough attitude to keep my sister in line for the rest of her life! ;) It will all come honestly:

See - Aren't they gorgeous?!

See... Not that much has changed. :) BUT, I will work on keeping my blog up to snuff. There are too many people in my life working hard on themselves to not add some extra fuel to their fire. 


Now, to talk my dad and brother in to running the 1/2 marathon with us this September! 


Have a GREAT week friends! I hope you've been doing well. 
-a.