Queen of the Mountain

You know I can't resist a chance to flex my muscles while wearing a sweaty tank top.

Yesterday I tackled Mt Si (yes, the big one) with a local summer hiking group.  It was 4 miles of steep switchbacks.  We jumped over streams, trekked over stumps and roots, and then when we were finally at the top, there was a rock scramble to what we thought was the tippy top.  Turns out there was another slightly higher tippy top right behind it.

So we scrambled up to the higher point.  And celebrated.

Then I did this:

because I was too short to do this:

...which is what I had initially envisioned for my top o' the mountain photo shoot.

The hike, round trip, was 8 miles total.  It took about 4 hours.  When we got down to the bottom of the mountain, we all felt like rockstars.

Next outdoor adventure?  Kayaking!  Fo' sho'

Currently on My Workout Mix - White Snake

Food on the Run

This morning I made myself a grilled ham and cheese sandwich to have for lunch today because I could not bring myself to eat vegetarian chili one more time this week (note to self: pack a variety of food for the week's lunches).  I also wore a jacket with small pockets that do not zip, so even though I drove and left my car near my friends' place this morning, I still had the pleasure of running down Dexter today at 7am with a foil-wrapped sandwich in my hand.  Yep, that's how I roll.

[Also of note this morning:  While running down Dexter (sandwich in hand), I passed a motorcycle cop who had stopped a helmetless bicyclist who had been violating traffic rules all the way up Dexter.  That's what you get for being a douche, buddy; put a damn helmet on and stop running through red lights.]

I've logged 27 miles so far this week, and planning to get another 5.5 in today.  Wish me luck!

Weekly Update - Breakthrough!

Well looky here!  This morning I showed a great number on the scale and I couldn't be more excited.  I am officially below 150!!!  I had a feeling I'd get some good news this morning because I've been doing some serious running and when I went thrift shopping with my ladies over the weekend (and purchased what the girls were calling a "trophy wife shirt) I was fitting into size 6 pretty consistently.  Remember, I'm only 5'6" so no, I'm not too skinny - I still have a badonk-a-donk booty, thankyouverymuch.  Not to toot my own horn here, but (toot! toot!) I look and feel great. 

People ask me if I'm doing this for my upcoming wedding... sure - I need to fit into my dress, of course, but this is about more than looking good in pictures for one day of my life.  When I hit 30, I will be in the best shape of my life.  That is a goal worth celebrating.

Monday Night Dinner: Sauteed Whole Wheat Rotini with Veggies

This dish was something inspired by my father, who had made a sauteed pasta with chicken and vegetables and spent a good 15 minutes describing the recipe to me as though it had been an adventure of culinary discovery.  I was intrigued, and it sounded delicious.  The version I made was much simpler, intended to go next to grilled halibut, so I opted to select flavors that didn't over-shine the fish.  I think, though, that it is a good jumping-off point for a versatile dish and you could add different herbs, meats, and vegetables to take it in a variety of directions.

Sauteed Whole Wheat Rotini with Veggies

Ingredients

• 2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1/2 medium sweet onion, chopped
• 12 oz 100% whole wheat rotini
• 1 tsp sea salt
• 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
• 4 cups stock (chicken or mushroom)
• 2 medium zucchini, quartered and sliced
• 1/4 cup white wine
• juice from 1/2 lemon
• 1/3 cup cherry tomatoes, halved

Directions

Heat olive oil in a large pan.
Add onion and garlic and saute.
Add uncooked pasta and saute until slightly browned.
Gradually add in chicken or mushroom stock and white wine, stirring every couple minutes.
Salt and pepper as you go to taste.
Squeeze in the lemon juice.
Meanwhile, in a separate pan saute zucchini in a touch of olive oil until slightly browned. set aside.
When pasta has nearly completely absorbed liquid, add zucchini and cherry tomatoes to pasta and toss to combine.

Sprinkle each serving with a little Parmesan if desired.

Serves 6

Currently On My Workout Mix - Zappacosta

Running Successes

Just checking in on this.  I know some of you think I'm crazy, but my first half week running to work was great!  I think this is going to be a good summer.  Plus, the money I save by not having to pay for parking and the gas to get to and from work every day could finance a very comfortable vacation each year.  Double bonus!

Here's the rundown on what kind of mileage I actually did:

Wed: 6 miles in, 4 miles back for a total of 10 miles
Thurs: 1.5 miles in, 4 miles at lunch, drove back for a total of 5.5 miles
Fri: 4 miles in, lifted weights at lunch, 6 miles back for a total of 10 miles
Sat: ran around Lake Union for a total of 6.5 miles

Week's total: 32 miles

Not bad.  Sunday will be a Jillian Michaels day for sure.  Gotta have at least one day off from running since my average weekly total will be between 40 and 55 miles.  I'll be in bikini shape in no time!