Every fall as the weather turns cooler and we get busy with sports, school, and work, I bring out the crockpot. I have several cookbooks full of crockpot recipes, but this one apparently is my claim to fame--a crockpot meal my kid actually likes. Combine everything in the crockpot in the morning before work and enjoy when you come home.
Taco Soup
Source: Better Homes and Gardens: Slow Cooker Stews
Prep: 15 min.
Cook: 3 or 6 hours
Makes 8 servings
1 lb. lean ground beef
1 15-oz. can black-eyed peas, undrained
1 15-oz. can black beans, undrained
1 15-oz can chili beans with chili gravy, undrained
1 15-oz. can garbanzo beans, undrained
1 14.5-oz. can Mexican style stewed tomatoes, undrained
1 11-oz. can whole kernel corn with sweet peppers, undrained
1 1 1/4-oz. pkg. taco seasoning mix
Tortilla chips (optional)
1. In large skillet, cook ground beef until brown. Drain off fat. Transfer meat to 3 1/2- to 6-quart slow cooker. Stir in black-eyed peas, black beans, chili beans with chili gravy, garbanzo beans, tomatoes, corn, and taco seasoning mix.
2. Cover and cook on low-heat setting for 6 to 8 hours or on high-heat setting for 3 or 4 hours. If desired, serve with sour cream and tortilla chips.
For more recipes, try "Oh What a Tangled Kitchen" by Hobey, a triathlete and knitter, at http://hobeysrecipes.blogspot.com/ I baked the zuchinni bread for several different office events, and got a lot of compliments on the recipe each time.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Baltimore Half-Marathon 2009
This was my second Baltimore Half Marathon. The race went a lot better than I thought it would. I love the big city marathon and the celebration of running, and I love the fact that I can be there to participate in it. The half marathon is great because the marathoners pass the half marathon going down to Fort McHenry at the 9 mile mark, and we get to see the elites run past. Then, by the time we take off, we get to see the runners coming back up at the 13 mile mark, so there are marathon runners going both ways and the half marathoners just getting started, huge crowds and a band playing. Great!
The weather threatened rain, and I was afraid there would be a shower before we took off, leaving everyone soggy. However, the rain came just as the half-marathoners took off and the event organizers assured us that it would "keep us cool." Yeah, right. However, it wasn't too bad because it was a light drizzle and not a hard, soaking rain.
I started out, just trying to get into my groove with running. Last year, I stuck to a 4 min run/1 min walk ratio, but this year I was stronger and was able to run all of the way. I was anxious to get to Patterson Park, where the half and full marathoners merge. I looked at the backs of the marathoners and noticed that I was near the 4:00 and 4:15 pacing groups. This was a lot better than last year, when I was near the 5:00 pace group. Patterson Park also has a big cheering section and a band playing, so this is a very great, uplifiting point.
Then we head up through the East Side of Baltimore. This highlight here was seeing a section of town the looked like it had been revitalized in the past year, which was nice to see. It's weird running through this section of town because there are very few cars, even on roads that allow parking. This is in sharp contrast to the Patterson Park section of town just a few blocks to the south. That section is completely parked up and lined with cars. I see the boarded up houses and realize that is why there are no cars. Even where there are people living in the houses, there a few cars. Police are on every corner in this section of town, but they are absent along the course in other sections, such as the well-to-do neighborhood around Johns Hopkins University.
Then, I passed the 6 mile mark and looked at my watch 1:10, a minute faster than my 10K time. I'll take it. I felt that I'd been running leisurely, so that was encouraging. I tried to run the hills "mindfully" slowing down and using the same level of effort and then speeding up a bit on the top of the hills. I made my way up to Clifton Park and Lake Montebello, another favorite section of the race. I followed my race plan and tried to run faster around this flat section.
This year, I noticed the Gel station. I've known about it in the past, but was never able to find the gels. It really didn't matter, however, because I just don't like gels, try as I might. Instead, I came up with a great idea this year. I wore my race number on my shirt so that I was visible. Underneath, I wore my race belt with an expandable pouch loosely around my waist, with the pouch in the back. Inside, I was able to put a few necessities: my keys, money, and pain relievers in a plastic bag, in which I could place my cochlear implant processor if there was a hard rain. I also carried a shot block and even though I wasn't hungry or tired, I decided to take two pieces of the shot block around mile 7. This was one of the the best ideas I had all day.
I went onward. There were a few more hills before the final miles of the race when it goes downhill. These hills were the hardest for me because by this point, I was tired of hills. I could feel myself slowing down and I was just trying to stay on pace. I felt myself rally around mile 10, thanks to the great idea of taking some shot blocks. I tried to go a bit faster. Last year, I crashed and burned around mile 10-11, but this time I was a bit stronger toward the end of the race. At mile 10, I looked at my watch and saw 1:59, just under two hours. I wanted a 2:30 PR, but I knew it might not be possible. In the last few miles, I was more aware of my surroundings than I was last year when I turned inward due to fatigue.
I took a handful of gummy bears at the infamous gummy bear station around mile 11. However, this was not the smartest move for me. At this point, I was breathing harder, and it was difficult to chew the gummy bears. I think it would have helped to take just a few gummy bears and to just focus on my running, since I think it takes about a half-hour for energy to kick in from any food intake.
I headed toward the finish. I had several instances of accidental elbowing. It could be that I was still with the 4:00 to 4:15 or even 4:30 marathon finishers, which is a popular finish time, and there were many runners being crowded into one lane of the road. This was mildly irritating.
Finally....I got near the stadium and tried to rally toward the finish line. And it was all over. I managed to PR by 4 minutes after all and came in with a time of 2:34:37 and an average pace of 11:49. Not what I wanted, but not bad. Last year, I averaged a 12:06 minute mile, most likely due to the slow finish.
My husband finished the marathon in 6:28:39.
Post-Race Letdown
I am now experiencing the post-race letdown. I went into the race injured after fully realizing that I had an ITBS injury the first week of the taper. During my longest run, the supported course run, my entire left leg hurt at mile 10 and I hadn't been able to keep running. I went into the race not knowing if I could even finish. The best idea I had was to get an ITBS strap the day before the race. I credit the strap for keeping me in the race. I could feel the soreness, and there were several moments when it really flared up and I had my doubts. But I was able to keep running relatively comfortably the entire race. But the race produced an ITB flareup and I found that when I removed the strap right after the race, the inflammation prevented me from walking, so I put the strap back on.
The weather threatened rain, and I was afraid there would be a shower before we took off, leaving everyone soggy. However, the rain came just as the half-marathoners took off and the event organizers assured us that it would "keep us cool." Yeah, right. However, it wasn't too bad because it was a light drizzle and not a hard, soaking rain.
I started out, just trying to get into my groove with running. Last year, I stuck to a 4 min run/1 min walk ratio, but this year I was stronger and was able to run all of the way. I was anxious to get to Patterson Park, where the half and full marathoners merge. I looked at the backs of the marathoners and noticed that I was near the 4:00 and 4:15 pacing groups. This was a lot better than last year, when I was near the 5:00 pace group. Patterson Park also has a big cheering section and a band playing, so this is a very great, uplifiting point.
Then we head up through the East Side of Baltimore. This highlight here was seeing a section of town the looked like it had been revitalized in the past year, which was nice to see. It's weird running through this section of town because there are very few cars, even on roads that allow parking. This is in sharp contrast to the Patterson Park section of town just a few blocks to the south. That section is completely parked up and lined with cars. I see the boarded up houses and realize that is why there are no cars. Even where there are people living in the houses, there a few cars. Police are on every corner in this section of town, but they are absent along the course in other sections, such as the well-to-do neighborhood around Johns Hopkins University.
Then, I passed the 6 mile mark and looked at my watch 1:10, a minute faster than my 10K time. I'll take it. I felt that I'd been running leisurely, so that was encouraging. I tried to run the hills "mindfully" slowing down and using the same level of effort and then speeding up a bit on the top of the hills. I made my way up to Clifton Park and Lake Montebello, another favorite section of the race. I followed my race plan and tried to run faster around this flat section.
This year, I noticed the Gel station. I've known about it in the past, but was never able to find the gels. It really didn't matter, however, because I just don't like gels, try as I might. Instead, I came up with a great idea this year. I wore my race number on my shirt so that I was visible. Underneath, I wore my race belt with an expandable pouch loosely around my waist, with the pouch in the back. Inside, I was able to put a few necessities: my keys, money, and pain relievers in a plastic bag, in which I could place my cochlear implant processor if there was a hard rain. I also carried a shot block and even though I wasn't hungry or tired, I decided to take two pieces of the shot block around mile 7. This was one of the the best ideas I had all day.
I went onward. There were a few more hills before the final miles of the race when it goes downhill. These hills were the hardest for me because by this point, I was tired of hills. I could feel myself slowing down and I was just trying to stay on pace. I felt myself rally around mile 10, thanks to the great idea of taking some shot blocks. I tried to go a bit faster. Last year, I crashed and burned around mile 10-11, but this time I was a bit stronger toward the end of the race. At mile 10, I looked at my watch and saw 1:59, just under two hours. I wanted a 2:30 PR, but I knew it might not be possible. In the last few miles, I was more aware of my surroundings than I was last year when I turned inward due to fatigue.
I took a handful of gummy bears at the infamous gummy bear station around mile 11. However, this was not the smartest move for me. At this point, I was breathing harder, and it was difficult to chew the gummy bears. I think it would have helped to take just a few gummy bears and to just focus on my running, since I think it takes about a half-hour for energy to kick in from any food intake.
I headed toward the finish. I had several instances of accidental elbowing. It could be that I was still with the 4:00 to 4:15 or even 4:30 marathon finishers, which is a popular finish time, and there were many runners being crowded into one lane of the road. This was mildly irritating.
Finally....I got near the stadium and tried to rally toward the finish line. And it was all over. I managed to PR by 4 minutes after all and came in with a time of 2:34:37 and an average pace of 11:49. Not what I wanted, but not bad. Last year, I averaged a 12:06 minute mile, most likely due to the slow finish.
My husband finished the marathon in 6:28:39.
Post-Race Letdown
I am now experiencing the post-race letdown. I went into the race injured after fully realizing that I had an ITBS injury the first week of the taper. During my longest run, the supported course run, my entire left leg hurt at mile 10 and I hadn't been able to keep running. I went into the race not knowing if I could even finish. The best idea I had was to get an ITBS strap the day before the race. I credit the strap for keeping me in the race. I could feel the soreness, and there were several moments when it really flared up and I had my doubts. But I was able to keep running relatively comfortably the entire race. But the race produced an ITB flareup and I found that when I removed the strap right after the race, the inflammation prevented me from walking, so I put the strap back on.
For right now, I'm hanging up my spurs for a long layoff due to injury. I envision massage, a visit to an orthopod/physiatrist, and a short course of PT in my future. From what I read, ITBS is an injury that lingers.
While I wished my husband well and made the day as special as possible by asking my son to make a poster for his father, I wished I had done the marathon.
As an aside...I'll be happy to take the credit for training my husband for the marathon, even though I've never done one myself. I talked to him about getting his base up when he signed up for a marathon without one. When he neglected to pick a training plan, I picked one out for him. I solved his sweat issue, his wardrobe issue, and his chafing issue. I got him a massage at a critical juncture and massaged him myself other times. I talked to him about his posture. I talked to him about having three plans for race day: Plan A "blessed by the gods," Plan B "most likely reality," and Plan C "doomsday scenario." When he experienced "marathon taper madness," I helped him understand what he was going through. And then, I wished him a great race, and told him I'd be proud, no matter what. Hubby surpassed everyone's expectations. We never thought he'd make it to the starting line...or the finish line. He surprised us all and came home a champion.
Friday, October 9, 2009
To Baltimore, Reluctantly
I'm going to try to write a paper today, so I'm try to briefly journal before getting to my main project.
The story of my life this fall is about how the best-laid plans fall apart. I entered graduate school--a goal I've had for 19 years--and am taking 6 credits of grad classes, more than I've ever taken on before. I applied to three programs (2 MBA programs, one master's in management) and was accepted into all three. I decided to enter the master's in management program because it would mean less time to degree, but the opportunity cost was the logistical difficulties of commuting to class. In contrast, the MBA programs offered a great deal of logistical convenience, but the opportunity cost was a 4-5 year time to degree (assuming summers off for triathlon and some R&R). In the end, however, I was reluctant to sign on to a 4-5 year project.
Although I never said anything on my graduate admissions essay, I read the program's brochures and the web site and envisioned myself specializing in marketing, as marketing and communications are related disciplines. Imagine my surprise when, 30 days later, the graduate catalog was revised and the marketing specialization disappeared. When I asked about it, I was told that it was being phased out and I would be unable to specialize in marketing. What a bitter disappointment.
Should I try to talk with someone to see if an exception can be made? Are any of the other specializations even relevant? Or, should I just live with in and do an "individualized specialization" or the eclectic approach? Should I reapply to my second-choice MBA program, knowing that my classes would likely not transfer? What about math demands of the program, given my tenuous relationship with X and Y? Should I apply to an online school and enjoy the greater convenience, with a less prestigious degree? These are just a few of the questions going through my mind. For right now, I'm trying to get through the semester and then think about the best option.
The half marathon is another case of great plans falling apart. I had a wonderful tri season last summer and felt stronger than before and invincible. But when I did the final Baltimore marathon supported course run, I could barely run 10 miles. In the final mile or so, my left leg started hurting and I found it difficult to keep running. What's with that? Did the hills sap my strength? It was only after I went into the taper and my left leg hurt after 7 miles that it dawned on me: ITB friction syndrome. And only then did I remember all of those 9, 10, and 11 mile runs without any problem.
So, I'm not ready to run the race I planned to run. In fact, the only reason that I'm going to Baltimore at all is because my husband is going to run the marathon. My husband, who scolded me before my first triathlon that I was "overly worried" is now extremely preoccupied with his marathon.
The one good thing is that I suddenly found my favorite running book under my nightstand right before the race, John Bingham's "Marathoning for Mortals." Bingham encourages us to set our own goals, strategies, and objectives (although I find these somewhat confusing).
My goal now is simply to complete the race.
Plan A--The "blessed by the gods" strategy is to PR in the race. This was my original goal.
Plan B--To run the entire race without stopping.
Plan C--To run 10 miles and then to adopt and walk/run ratio that will get me to the finish line.
Ideally, I'll start out slow and keep a good, but steady pace. My strategy on the hills will be as Coach Jenny explains is to run them mindfully, using the same effort level as I go up the hill, even though it may mean a slower pace. I want to run faster around Lake Montebello, which is two miles of flat land, to make up for the slowness on the hills. After that, my strategy will be to keep running to the finish line.
Later today, I'll go get a ITB strap, which might help reduce some of the friction. I'll pin my race number to my shirt and then wear my race belt. This way, I can take a few tylenol and also some snack bags for my implant processor in the event that it gets really wet. I'll also get some trash bags, as there is a 50% chance of showers when the marathoners take off. I'm planning to wear my "dress up" :) shorts, and last year's race shirt. I'll also wear my yellow bike jacket (or maybe another windbreaker) just to keep the rain off a little bit. It will be fairly warm, and the chance of showers decreases as the morning goes on. I'll bring some of my textbooks to read while Tim finishes the marathon, and I can take shelter in Pickles Pub and maybe figure out a few other nearby haunts.
The story of my life this fall is about how the best-laid plans fall apart. I entered graduate school--a goal I've had for 19 years--and am taking 6 credits of grad classes, more than I've ever taken on before. I applied to three programs (2 MBA programs, one master's in management) and was accepted into all three. I decided to enter the master's in management program because it would mean less time to degree, but the opportunity cost was the logistical difficulties of commuting to class. In contrast, the MBA programs offered a great deal of logistical convenience, but the opportunity cost was a 4-5 year time to degree (assuming summers off for triathlon and some R&R). In the end, however, I was reluctant to sign on to a 4-5 year project.
Although I never said anything on my graduate admissions essay, I read the program's brochures and the web site and envisioned myself specializing in marketing, as marketing and communications are related disciplines. Imagine my surprise when, 30 days later, the graduate catalog was revised and the marketing specialization disappeared. When I asked about it, I was told that it was being phased out and I would be unable to specialize in marketing. What a bitter disappointment.
Should I try to talk with someone to see if an exception can be made? Are any of the other specializations even relevant? Or, should I just live with in and do an "individualized specialization" or the eclectic approach? Should I reapply to my second-choice MBA program, knowing that my classes would likely not transfer? What about math demands of the program, given my tenuous relationship with X and Y? Should I apply to an online school and enjoy the greater convenience, with a less prestigious degree? These are just a few of the questions going through my mind. For right now, I'm trying to get through the semester and then think about the best option.
The half marathon is another case of great plans falling apart. I had a wonderful tri season last summer and felt stronger than before and invincible. But when I did the final Baltimore marathon supported course run, I could barely run 10 miles. In the final mile or so, my left leg started hurting and I found it difficult to keep running. What's with that? Did the hills sap my strength? It was only after I went into the taper and my left leg hurt after 7 miles that it dawned on me: ITB friction syndrome. And only then did I remember all of those 9, 10, and 11 mile runs without any problem.
So, I'm not ready to run the race I planned to run. In fact, the only reason that I'm going to Baltimore at all is because my husband is going to run the marathon. My husband, who scolded me before my first triathlon that I was "overly worried" is now extremely preoccupied with his marathon.
The one good thing is that I suddenly found my favorite running book under my nightstand right before the race, John Bingham's "Marathoning for Mortals." Bingham encourages us to set our own goals, strategies, and objectives (although I find these somewhat confusing).
My goal now is simply to complete the race.
Plan A--The "blessed by the gods" strategy is to PR in the race. This was my original goal.
Plan B--To run the entire race without stopping.
Plan C--To run 10 miles and then to adopt and walk/run ratio that will get me to the finish line.
Ideally, I'll start out slow and keep a good, but steady pace. My strategy on the hills will be as Coach Jenny explains is to run them mindfully, using the same effort level as I go up the hill, even though it may mean a slower pace. I want to run faster around Lake Montebello, which is two miles of flat land, to make up for the slowness on the hills. After that, my strategy will be to keep running to the finish line.
Later today, I'll go get a ITB strap, which might help reduce some of the friction. I'll pin my race number to my shirt and then wear my race belt. This way, I can take a few tylenol and also some snack bags for my implant processor in the event that it gets really wet. I'll also get some trash bags, as there is a 50% chance of showers when the marathoners take off. I'm planning to wear my "dress up" :) shorts, and last year's race shirt. I'll also wear my yellow bike jacket (or maybe another windbreaker) just to keep the rain off a little bit. It will be fairly warm, and the chance of showers decreases as the morning goes on. I'll bring some of my textbooks to read while Tim finishes the marathon, and I can take shelter in Pickles Pub and maybe figure out a few other nearby haunts.
Monday, October 5, 2009
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