Running Shoes...

In 2012 I made the decision to begin running, or shall I say jogging.  I was looking for an exercise routine that I could do at home, that wouldn't cost me an arm and a leg but most importantly-one that I would stick with!  Way back in the days of old (early 1990's) I really enjoyed jogging so I thought that was as good a place as any to start.  So I did.

I found a run/walk plan that I felt I could follow, which began slow, gradually building upon each week, resulting in the completion of 3.2 miles, a 5K.

Over the last 4 years, I have completed multiple 5K races, a few Mud Runs/Obstacle Course races and even a 10K.  I love the feeling of accomplishment after each and every race, not to mention the t-shirts!

But over the last 9 months I have struggled with finding the motivation to "keep it up".  It seemed it was easier to find excuses:

"It's too cold"

"It's raining"

"My knee hurts"

"I don't have time"

"I'm tired"

And most recently:

"It's too hot!"

For those that know me, you know that I am all about some competition.  I am extremely competitive so when Connect Run Club presented me with the Summer Running Challenge, it was the kick in the butt that I needed.

http://www.connectrunclub.com/blog/summerchallenge

It is a simple challenge...run/jog, swim, bike for 20 minutes/ 3 times a week for 4 weeks straight beginning July 11-August 8.  All for a chance to win a new pair of running shoes ($150 value)!

Heck yeah...I can do that!

So that is just what I have been doing.

Week 1/Workout 1


It has been tough, basically starting over again with a consistent workout program.  I have been sloowww, jogging the first mile and alternately jogging/walking for the second.






BUT guess what friends...I have started to see improvement!!!  Just after 2 weeks in I shaved a minute off of my 1st mile, added distance all while completing my workout in less time with a faster pace.  That is why I LOVE running...seeing improvement in what my body can do for me.

Week 3/Workout 1


Have I seen results on the scale-not yet,
Have I seen results in my wardrobe-not yet,
but I know from previous experience that those results will follow soon enough.

Have I found my motivation?
I must say that I do believe that I have!

I already have my eye on a 5K in October:

Spooktacular Sprint 5K
October 22, 2016 Windmill Sports Complex
Fun Run 7:30pm / 5K 8:00pm

About This Activity

Come out to Homer, GA for the Glow In The DarK, Halloween Themed, fun filled Spooktacular Sprint 5K and Fun Run!  The course will be run on paved road and the fitness path within the Windmill Sports Complex.

Register Online Here

More Info Here

Anyone care to run with me?

Until Next Time,

Heather

10 on 10...Hartwell Dam Edition

10 Photos on the 10th of the Month

July 2016

Wrapping up our weekend at Lake Hartwell with 10 pictures for July 10th.

Sunday began alot like Saturday, enjoying this view...

Decided to try something new and brought the waffle iron with us...breakfast anyone?

Leftover waffles made great food for our visitors...

No humans were harmed in the making of this photo!

Check out time wasn't until 2:00 so we drove over to the Hartwell Dam for some site seeing.  We parked at Big Oaks Recreation Area and from there you can walk to the dam, round trip is 2.75 miles.  This is one of my favorite places!

Great for her and bike riding...it is paved, flat and wide enough to allow passerby's without the fear of a collision.

At the dam looking out into the lake.

At the dam with the Savannah River in the background.

Sooo, every time we go by to the dam I always get the hankering to run the paved route but have never actually taken myself up on it...well today I did.  I ran some of the way back the parking lot and it was super HOT!

They actually have a 5K/10K here in the spring and I'm thinking that is a definite goal to complete for 2017.

After making our way back to the truck we drove down by the Savannah River in order to see the dam from a different angle.

I would love to see the dam in action!

So sad but it was time to pack up and head home.  The remainder of my Sunday was spent doing laundry while Z did some firefighting; there was a grass fire that needed tending to.

Well that wraps up my 10 on 10 and our weekend at the lake.

Until Next Time, 

Heather

Weekend @ Watsadler

This past weekend we packed up and headed to Lake Hartwell.  When we arrived we were very excited to see that the site that we had chosen was lake front with our very on "beach".

We didn't have a lot of daylight remaining once all was unpacked but we did manage a quick stroll around the campground as dusk.  As soon as we returned to our site, it began to storm so we just called it a night.

Saturday morning we awoke to blue skies.  I mean I could get used to my morning cup o' joe by the water...so nice and calm!

While I relaxed, they did a little fishing.  Unfortunately there was no catching involved but they had fun anyway.

The afternoon was spent

"On the pontoon..."

"...making waves and catching rays..."

Friends came up to test out their boat and we came along for the ride.

Then there was this...

Homemade strawberry ice cream...It was sooo good!!!  I ate so much it made me sick.  Luckily after a few hours of taking it easy I was feeling up to supper...

Chicken Wings!

After supper Z built a fire but we were so dang HOT from our daily activities that we couldn't even bare to sit around it.  I even had a new s'more recipe that I wanted to try but it'll have to wait until next time.

That wraps up our Saturday.  Sunday was July 10 and I'll have my 10 on 10 post tomorrow to document the end of our lake stay.

I hope that your weekend was as great as ours!

**Sidenote---to any of my local readers/friends that are pondering a stay at Watsadler Campground, take ant spray and take a lot of it.  We came home with much more than we left with...ANTS!  We had been warned of the ant infestation and went prepared with two different kinds of spray to combat the problem but the ants just laughed at us.

Until Next Time,

Heather

BBQ Cupcakes

As previously promised, here is my take on how to recreate the BBQ Cupcake.

Once again, the idea is not my own...I came across it some time back while wasting time on Pinterest.  It was "advertised" as a great cupcake for Father's Day, which it would be; but I also think that it would be great for any summertime BBQ.

Original Photo:

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/32440059792964369/

http://www.trendhunter.com/slideshow/dessert-recipes-for-dad

For the cake, I just used a boxed mix and prepared according to the package directions.  This happened to be Duncan Hines/Devil's Food.

For the liners, I chose a plain tan color (as it is all I could find) but I think a cute checked pattern or a solid color would look cute as well.  My local Wally World didn't have a lot to choose from...surprise, surprise!

Filled and ready to bake...

Approximately 18 minutes later...

While the cakes cooled, I began working on the icing.

I chose a Chocolate Buttercream.

Wilton's recipe to follow:

INGREDIENTS

PRODUCTS

1/2 cup solid vegetable shortening

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter or margarine, (softened)

3/4 cup cocoa (or three 1 oz. unsweetened chocolate squares, melted)

1 teaspoon clear vanilla extract

4 cups sifted confectioners' sugar ((approximately 1 lb.))

3-4 tablespoons milk

Step 1

Stiff Consistency: In large bowl, cream shortening and butter with electric mixer. Add cocoa and vanilla. Gradually add sugar, one cup at a time, beating well on medium speed. Scrape sides and bottom of bowl often. When all sugar has been mixed in, icing will appear dry. Add milk and beat at medium speed until light and fluffy. Keep bowl covered with a damp cloth until ready to use. For best results, keep icing bowl in refrigerator when not in use. Refrigerated in an airtight container, this icing can be stored 2 weeks. Rewhip before using.

NOTE: Changes in Wilton's traditional recipes have been made due to Trans Fat Free Shortening replacing Hydrogenated Shortening.

http://www.wilton.com/chocolate-buttercream-icing/WLRECIP-42.html

My advice on the icing:

• I use regular vanilla...it isn't necessary to use "clear" as indicated above
• This particular batch of icing took 5 tbsp of milk before it whipped into a consistency for spreading

I find that when icing without using a bag and tip it is best to use an offset spatula.  It seems to work better than a butter knife.

Now onto the "decor"...

This is where I cheated a bit (no shame), I didn't want to make an entire batch of buttercream icing for just "striping" so I bought canned icing (gasp).  To the 'fake' icing, as it is known around my home, I added some black icing color.

I then piped it on each cupcake to create the grill...

Now for the hotdogs...

I used the same 'fake' icing to pipe grill marks on the tamales, I mean hotdogs.

And there you have it...my BBQ Cupcakes!

Until Next Time,

Heather

Celebrating the 4th with Fireworks

Sorry peeps!  

Its been a minute since my last post but no worries, I'm back today.

We began celebrating our Nation's birthday a weekend early as Mountain Lakes had their annual fireworks display on the 25th.  We camped all weekend and once again enjoyed the Resort's pool for some much needed fun in the sun.

Saturday night everyone hopped aboard their golf carts and we made our way to the lake for the fireworks display.

It did not disappoint...15 minutes of beautiful fireworks lighting up the night sky.

On Sunday we did more of this...

It was a bit overcast but still HOT, HOT, HOT!  Check out the view...breathtaking to say the least.

After working all week, we spent Independence Day Eve by the pool with some great friends.  If you follow me on Snapchat (hal1974) then you know that Anna Blake pushed all of her fears aside and decided it was a great day to swim in the deep water.  So proud of her! 

Taking a coke break after all of that jumping and swimming...

Monday morning brought about some baking...

I saw the idea for these cupcakes on Pinterest and thought that they'd be the perfect dessert to share with our friends later in the day.  I have plans to share my "how to" in a future post.

The afternoon was once again spent by the pool.  As you can probably see, the only attire that we wore this holiday weekend was a bathing suit!

Check out my new found fish jumping off the diving board!

After eating way to much, we all decided it was time to head out to our local high school to watch our men paint the sky red, white and blue.

Our fellas getting last minute instruction before lighting them up.

As always, they did a phenomenal job!

Thanks to the Homer Fire Department for the awesome fireworks display!

A little behind the scenes action shot of the guys.

Annnddd that's a wrap!

Until Next Time,

Heather