Shamrock Shuffle!

Craig and I on Race Day

 

This past Sunday I competed in my first race/fun run ever! The Shamrock Shuffle is a 2K/5K/10K race took place in downtown Madison on St. Patrick's Day to benefit The Boys and Girls Club of Dane County.  I decided as apart of my training/ working toward my Half-Ironman in July, I would participate the 10K. 

 

Arriving downtown, I was a bit nervous because I didn't know what to expect.  I had walked in 5K's in the past, but never ran or had been timed.  Once my partner and I got going, I was really enjoying myself.  The hills were tough, but surprisingly not too bad.  I realized that while these races are a personal goal, there is a community of runners who were supportive of others. 

 

I have been pleased with my progress thus far, and hope to continue improving.  I will beginning my official training plan in 12 days.  I am getting more and more excited for the next few months. 

 

Stay tuned for more information on my progress, workouts, and fun!

April
Mad City Relay

May
Madison Glow Run
Madison Half Marathon

June
Lake Mills Sprint Tri
Verona Olympic Tri

July
Door County Half-Iron!

I am really beginning to feel that I am changing my life for the better, to simply be a happier and healthier verison of myself!

Cheers,

Samantha

Kiss Me, I'm Irish!

Since moving to Madison, I have been baking more and more.  Surprisingly, the word of my cupcakes has gotten around to friends and co-workers and they have really enjoyed them. 

One of my co-workers had a brithday party, and his wife requested my cupcakes!  I couldn't believe it.  So, in honor of St. Patrick's Day, I baked an Andes Mint Cupcake. 

Enjoy!

Cupcake:
Preheat oven to 425 degrees

Add dry ingredients to a bowl:
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon of baking powder
1/2 tablespoon of salt

Add these ingredients to your mixer:

2/3 cup softened butter
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 eggs
1/2 cup Andes mints (melted in a double boil)  

*if batter is too dry or thick, you can add 1-2 tablespoons of milk. 
Mix Well

Gradually add dry ingredients into your mixer

When mixed well, pour into cupcake tins (about 2/3 full) and bake for 20-25 minutes

Buttercream Icing:

A few drops of green food coloring
Mix until fluffy
1/2 cup softened butter
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
4 cups powdered sugar
2 tablespoons milk

Remove cupcakes and move them to a drying rake to cool. After cooled, pipe icing and decorate to your liking!  I recommend adding chocolate shavings (as pictured) as a garnish. 

Cheers,

Samantha

Swim, Bike, Run!

 

As I am continuing on my quest toward the Door County Half Ironman this July, each week I am noticing small but significant changes in my body. This past weekend was my biggest training weekend yet. 

 

Swim- Let’s be honest, I have never been a swimmer.  In fact, when I first got into the pool after signing up for Door County, I didn’t even know how to turn my head to breathe.  Over the past two months, I have been watching YouTube videos, doing drills, and spending 2-3 days a week doing pool workouts.  Two months ago, I couldn’t swim 50 meters without getting winded.  This past weekend, I swam 1,200 meters!  I am finding my time in the pool to be a stress reliever.  I am amazed by the amount of improvement I have made in such a short period of time.  I am actually very excited for summer’s open water swims!

Bike- Since training began; I have been riding my bike on the wind trainer at home and attending weekly spinning classes.  This weekend, my gym held a fundraiser for Gilda’s Club, a cancer support community here in Madison.  This fundraiser was a 2-hour spinning class that included hills, intervals, speed work, and flat road.  This was my longest ride to date, and I estimate I went about 30 miles.  It felt great!

Run- Each day that I put on my running shoes I feel like I am making progress.  I notice an increase in my endurance and speed.  This weekend, I ran 7 miles for the first time.  Not only was my pace almost 2 full minutes faster per mile than when I first started, but I felt like I could keep going! The idea that a workout in one discipline assists you in another is fascinating to me. 

This time last year if you would have told me that I would be where I am today, I would have laughed at you.  The beauty in this is that I’ve only just begun.  I love the physical, mental, and emotional changes that are happening! I’m looking forward to sharing more of this journey with you.

Cheers,

Samantha