The evolution of a runner.

Since moving to New York, running has reached a whole new level for me.  Let me give you some background first in case you don't know me outside of blogland...

I began running for weight loss purposes in March of 2011.  When I started, I could not run a half mile without stopping to walk.  I set a goal for myself to be able to run for 30 minutes without stopping.  In a few weeks, I was running for 30 minutes without stopping ~3 times per week. 

Shortly after I achieved that goal I decided to train for a marathon...I know...this girl is crazy and obviously doesn't have any concept of gradual short-term goal setting.  I decided that the first step in marathon training would be to pick a marathon and then tell everyone I knew that I was training for it.  So...I picked the Disney Marathon and then proceeded to tell my entire family.  They were very supportive, but I could tell by the tone in their voices that none of them actually thought that I would do it.  I DID do it.  And, along the way, I ran two half marathons on two consecutive weekends.

So, January of this year marked my marathon completion date.  I ran it with my step-mom-in-law, Marcia.  She was incredibly encouraging the entire time I was training and is one of the many reasons I was able to make it through.  After the marathon was over, I went through a major slump.  It took me a long time to recover from the marathon and by the time I actually felt like running again, I had gained a few pounds and felt like I was starting over from scratch again.

Since moving to New York, I joined a running club that has been so supportive, encouraging, and challenging.  I've regained my fitness and am starting to hone my sport.  I've become faster, leaner, and I feel more in shape now than when I left Georgia (still not where I was at the end of marathon training, but getting there.)

After breakfast this morning, Andrew and I were discussing fitness and nutrition (a common morning conversation for us...I don't know why) and I realized that my running has gone through many stages and I realized that all runners evolve in some way over time.

For me, I started running as a weight loss effort.  I then transitioned to marathon training.  After training, I was running more for leisure than anything else, and now I've evolved into running more as an athletic endeavor.  When I started, I never thought of doing speed workouts or hill repeats, but now I do these things at least once per week in addition to my regular running. 

Running with other people has been very beneficial for me.  Have you ever heard of "Cat Runners" and "Dog Runners?"  Well, cat runners are runners who like to run by themselves, in their own head, with no noise around them.  Dog runners like to run with other people around.  I used to think I was a cat runner, but since moving to NY I realized that I am definitely a dog runner.  Having the encouragement of others will keep you running when you REALLY want to stop.  It will also make you run faster to keep up with people who know where they're going so you don't get lost in the city you just moved to.  :)

Anyway, I know this was just a rambling post.  I hope it encouraged someone to go out for a run today...I promise you won't regret it!

~Angela

I'm Back!

Wow!  I know it's been a long time since I've posted, but my life has been crazy!  Since the last time I posted, Andrew and I have packed up our life in Georgia and moved 947 miles north to upstate New York.  We've lived here for about 20 days now and we love it!  The weather is great (for now), and there are a ton of outdoor activities to do.  We've made a few friends from the running club, bought Andrew's books, and visited his campus.  We are in the process of making a video of our life in Albany so all of you can see where we live, but for now I thought I'd just update you on how we're doing.  Right now, Andrew is just gearing up for the start of his classes and research job next week.  I've been working on getting a job for this year.  I have secured my name on 19 different substitute lists, so I'm sure I'll have no shortage of work!  Also, I'm busy training for a half marathon that I am running in October.  We've purchased plane tickets to visit Georgia in December for the holidays.  The funny thing is, we only bought one way tickets because the particular day we wanted to fly to Atlanta was on sale, but the day we wanted to return was not.  We're waiting for the departing day to go on sale to buy the other tickets.  Anyway, I'll have a post coming up about DIY Mercury Glass.  Stay tuned!

~Angela

Book Review: Eat & Run

For a long while now, I have been looking for a good book about runner nutrition.  Nutrition is very important to me, and it is also a very difficult road to navigate.  I stumbled upon this book by the famous Scott Jurek last week.  While it didn't really teach me anything I didn't already know about nutrition, it did inspire me as a runner on a different level than any other running book I've read in the past. 

Scott Jurek runs distances that I don't even dream of running.  I can't imagine running more than the 26.2 miles I ran at the beginning of this year, but Scott Jurek races in ultramarathons (any race of more than 26.2 miles).  In the book, he details his experiences training for these outrageous distances (some 135 miles) as well as racing (and many times winning) these ultramarathons.  He doesn't only write about running.  This book is largely about life.

If you're looking for an inspiring book and have a love of running, this book is for you!

 

Angela_Gibson's photostream

Angela_Gibson's photostream on Flickr.

Weekend

 Even though is was hotter than Hades (108 F to be exact), Andrew and I decided to take a trip to North Campus for some photos.  Here are two of my favorites.

Pantry Planning

Andrew's mom and stepdad were in town from Texas so this week has been a bit hectic.  We traveled to the mountains and had some quality time, but now it's back to packing and getting ready for our new life in New York!

In addition to packing, I have been obsessing about some design/organization projects for the new place.  My biggest project is the pantry.

We had an AMAZING pantry in our first apartment.  When we moved to Athens, we moved into a townhouse with almost double the square footage from our apartment, but it has very little storage space.  The thing I have missed most is having a pantry.  In our new place, there is a hall closet right outside of the kitchen that I plan on transforming into a pantry.  I've loved so many of the designs I've seen and I can't wait to get started!

Here is what my pantry will look like when we're all finished.  This seemed to be the design that utilized space most efficiently.

I love love love the over the door shelves!

~Angela

What's Happening in the Gibson Kitchen This Week

First off, sorry this post is so late.  Andrew and I were at the cabin until Sunday afternoon and I spent all day yesterday getting ready for the arrival of my other in-laws from Texas (Andrew's mom and step-dad).  Our house is full of boxes and basically looks like a storage unit so I spent yesterday trying to organize the boxes and make things less claustrophobic-feeling (is that even a word?)

Meal #1: Rotisserie Chicken
We picked up a rotisserie chicken from the supermarket on the way home from the cabin on Sunday.  I paired it with some simple sides (mac and cheese and steamed veggies) and that was all she wrote!

Meal #2: Pan Sauteed Porkchops
Another easy-peasy one, two, threesy recipe.  All I did was sprinkle both sides of a porkchop with salt and pepper.  I melted a few tablespoons of butter in with some olive oil in a large skillet.  I also threw in a few whole cloves of garlic for some extra flavor.  Place the porkchops in the skillet and allow to cook for a few minutes on each side (time will vary depending on the thickness of the chop).  I served it up with some smashed potatoes and whole okra.

Meal #3: Pita Pizzas
Have you discovered this yet?  I used to make them religiously once per week.  I hadn't made them in awhile and then we had them at the cabin this weekend.  I was quickly reminded how quick, yummy, easy, and inexpensive they were so I decided to make them on Tuesday.  We topped ours with turkey pepperoni, basil from the garden, and a leftover orange bell pepper from one of those 3-packs.  If you've never tried these here are the steps:

1. Brush pita with a little bit of olive oil

2. Bake at 375 for about 5 minutes (until pita is flat)

3. Top with sauce and toppings

4. Put back in oven and bake for another 10 minutes or so (until cheese is melted)

Meal #4: Tacos! (no explanation needed although about a year ago I quit buying the seasoning packet and started using my own blend in an effort to cut MSG out of our diet--my stomach can't handle it)

Meal #5: Pasta (ya know, boil the noodles and mix with any sauce ya like)

Meal #6: Pioneer Woman's Lasagna

Ree is my fall back gal.  I.love.her.  Have I ever told you that?  The in-laws are arriving on Friday afternoon and I will be making this for dinner.  

Meal #7: Family cookout

On Saturday we will be spending the day poolside and then grilling some hamburgers.  I plan on serving them with my mom's spaghetti salad (it's like a light, summery, pasta salad), baked beans, and some grilled corn on the cob.  

Happy Cooking!

~Angela