One Summer

One Summer by David Baldacci

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I believe David Baldacci is known for his vast library of mystery thrillers, but this novel couldnn't be further from his normal reportoire. Not that that is a bad thing. "One Summer" is a book that had me crying within the first 20 pages and captivated through the end to learn how this family would progress.



The novel is based in Cleveland, Ohio, and Channing, South Carolina, where the piecemeal Armstrong family relocates for one summer to discover their identity. The story is not a completely happy one, and there were many times I felt this could not possibly end well, and who knows if it truly did -- I'm not going to give away the ending. I loved the imagery in Channing, which sounds like my perfect beachside town.



I fell in love with the protaganist, Jack Armstrong, from the beginning. He is a complex but completely likeable character. The other characters, with the exception of Jack's sons -- Cory and Jackie (Jack Jr.) -- are also well-developed and likeable. This would make one heck of a summer movie.



"One Summer" is a well-written, entertaining beach read.



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First 10+ Mile Week!

Photo credit: Real Simple

I logged my first 10+ mile week running last week! I had to squeeze in three training runs and a race to do it, but I did it, and it's only up from here! I think the most important thing is that I feel great: no pain, no soreness, no tiredness. My runs were tough, but not unmanageable. I can't believe how far I have come in the past year; a year ago, I could not even run three minutes, and now I'm running two miles at a time on my best days.

How did I do it? Well, I am using Ease Into 10K to prepare for the Tufts Health Plan 10K for Women I am running on October 10th. The plan calls for three interval-type runs a week, but I missed my third run of week 1, so I did it last week.

Monday
EI10K W1D3: 2.2 mi., 13:11 avg. page
This was a 29-minute run with a 5-minute warm-up and cool-down, then alternating running for three minutes and walking for one minute, five times. My pace time includes warm-up and cool-down (Do all of you runners down there include these times in your pace?) I did this run on the treadmill at the gym, and I even used a one percent incline for the second half.

Wednesday
EI10K W2D1: 2.66 mi., 12:47 avg. pace
Week 2 ramps up to 34-minute runs with four-minute running intervals. I also did this run on the treadmill.

Friday
EI10K W2D2: 2.9 mi., 11:44 avg. pace
I love seeing that average pace increase along with my mileage! I know you're only supposed to increase mileage or intensity, but this run was on the road (and I don't have a watch), so it's hard to gauge my pace. This was a tough run because it was hot outside, and I was dehydrated. It was a good lesson for race day on Sunday, but I didn't really pay attention to it.

Saturday
5K race day! 3.1 mi., 10:55 avg. pace
This time does not include warm-up or cool-down, so this is a more accurate reading of my actual running pace. I used the race as day three of my training program because the running time and distance are close enough to what I was supposed to do that day, and I had already registered for the race. I didn't follow the EI10K prompts during the race; looking back, I probably should have. I ran the first 1-1.5 miles straight through, keeping a steady (albeit too fast) pace. The second half, I had to take a ton of walk breaks because I was so hot I felt like my body was shutting down. Tough lesson, I know. I finished with a gun time of 34:08 and a net time of 33:49, which is almost a full minute slower than my last (and first) 5K. Pretty disappointed about that, but running is all about dealing with the conditions thrown at you on that particular day, and the conditions were tough. I really was not happy with my race performance though because I was expecting to do so much better than I did.

This week, I move onto week three of the program, which requires five-minute run intervals with one-minute recoveries in between. I'm really going to push myself to stick with this and run in the allotted times. I would love to finish the 10K in under an hour.

Ok, now I have a question for you: Are you enjoying these run updates of mine? I know I just started really getting into running, so my long-time readers are probably wondering what is going on here. I want to know your thoughts.

Happy Tuesday!

What's Up, Friday?

Hello friends! I have been a little bit here, there and everywhere lately! I'm really branching out on the intrawebs: Facebook, Twitter, Blogger, Google Reader, Goodreads, #30BBM, Yelp, and a little mysterious side project. As a result, I haven't been posting nearly as much as I would like. It's been a challenge balancing it all, but I am having a blast!

Today, I thought I would participate with Lauren on Fill in the Blank Friday.

Photo credit: Caroline of Coeur de la Photography

1. My go to outfit for a dress-up occasion like a wedding is       a short, black, cocktail dress. I found it at White House/Black Market, and it has been a worthy LBD for many years now  .

2. This week has been    challenging. I haven't been feeling well. I've really tried to commit to #30BBM. Work has been busy. I haven't felt like running. Really trying to get back on track this weekend .

3. When it's dinnertime and I'm feeling lazy I'll usually eat     pasta. It is my go-to meal. Pasta, sauce or EVOO, maybe some meatballs or veggies thrown in. Easy peasy  .

4.  My favorite pair of shoes are   my running sneakers! They are so comfortable and supportive (man, do I sound like an old lady or what?), and they're pretty! I'm also still a big fan of my flip-flops in summer and my equestrian-inspired boots in winter .

5. A random item that I own that is completely unnecessary, but that I could never part with is   my stuffed animals. Completely useless, but I just can't bring myself to throw them away  .

6. My favorite person is      my BFF. I admire and love her so much. I owe her everything  .

7. If I were going to write my own blank it would say       You can carry only one thing with you for the next five years. What would it be?  

Have a wonderful, fun, refreshing weekend!

Exposed to "Exposure"

Exposure: A Novel by Therese Fowler

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Here's the lowdown: I enjoyed this book, but it wasn't mind-blowing. Therese Fowler crafts a beautiful and bittersweet story of two young high-schoolers in love -- a love that will overcome anything, or so they think. Their world is shattered when Amelia's father discovers indecent photos of a young man, Amelia's secret boyfriend, on her laptop. The plot spirals out of everyone's control as Fowler delves to the depths of these characters of her imagination. The emotion and relationships are raw, real and powerful, which makes sense after discovering Fowler was inspired by a real and very personal event.

The end was ruined just a tad for me by participating in a #SITSBooks club discussion with Ms. Fowler herself before I finished the book. Resist temptation to read the epilogue or author's notes at the end of the book before you finish reading. Just trust me.

Perhaps the most brilliant part of this novel is its title and the heavy meaning it takes on as the story progresses.

P.S. Thank you to Andrea of Great Thoughts for sending me a copy of this book and leading the discussion with Therese Fowler!



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First 5K in the Books!

Photo credit: Real Simple

I haven't posted this week's run update because I have been busy working and recovering from my very active, but fun, weekend. I ran my first 5K Saturday morning: Run, Walk or Crawl -- We Won't Lay Down to Cancer 5K. It was a great race, so well organized!

But it rained. A lot. I arrived about an hour before the scheduled start to rolls of thunder and bolts of lightning. We all huddled under tents or the roof overhang of the high school we were at. When the storm passed, we emerged to stretch and line up at the start. Just before the gun went off, it started pouring again. Thankfully the thunderstorm had passed, but the rain stuck around for the entire race. I was drenched, and my carefully planned white outfit (I thought it would be cooler in the predicted oppressive heat!) became unexpectedly see-through. I thought my iPhone and iPod were goners, but they miraculously survived even though I had to run without music.

I finished respectably: 32:57.1 -- well within my goal of 34 minutes. I think I could have shaved those 57 seconds off if it weren't for the puddles, but there's always the next one! While I didn't win a prize for high placement, I did win a $150 spa gift certificate in the raffle! My next 5K is toward the end of August, and I hope to simply beat my time from last weekend.

As if running 3.1 miles wasn't enough for the weekend, I hiked 4.5 miles Sunday with my aunt and sister. It was my first time hiking since I was a kid, and I admit I enjoyed it. It was a great workout! I don't think I'll be doing any crazy multi-day hikes anytime soon, but I would be willing to do another moderate hike again.

Sunday night, post-hike, I went to see Tim McGraw. I really didn't think anything could beat his concert last year, but he topped it... with a broken foot! He started the show about 20 feet away from my seats in the middle of the venue! He sang a bunch of my favorite songs, including Red Rag Top, and he did a duet with opener Luke Bryan on Back When. So fun. However, I didn't get home until around 1:00 a.m., and I had to get up at 6:00 Monday morning because...

I took the day off, and my parents were going to Martha's Vineyard! They picked me up at the ungodly hour of 7:00 a.m. Ugh... I am not a happy camper on five hours of sleep, and by the end of the day I was feeling sick. I had never been to M.V. before, though, and it was a nice day. I'd love to go back when I'm not so tired and rent a bike to ride around the island.

So, the run rundown from last week...

Total Miles = 7.3
Tuesday = 2.23 miles @ 9:37 avg.
Wednesday = 1 mile @ 10:11
Friday = 1 mile @ 10:39 (it was over 90 degrees and humid, which made me slower)
Saturday = 3.1 miles (5K race) @ 10:38 avg.

I'm being lazy and taking this week off unless I really feel the urge to do an easy run, but I'm back at it next week!
Tuesday: 2.23 miles
Thursday: 2.23 miles
Weekend: 3.57 miles
Total Mileage = 8.03 miles

Running Update: This Week's Plan and Race!

Photo credit: Real Simple

I have been reading  a lot of runners'/running blogs lately, and I realized it has been a while since I've done a running update. Yes, I have been running regularly, two-three times a week, at my own pace, at my own low mileage.

While I am not "in training" for my upcoming 5K races, I am trying to steadily increase my mileage by 10% a week while really focusing on running those miles -- not walking -- and improve my breathing and stamina. This is what my plan looks like for this week:

Total mileage: 7.3 miles
Monday = 2.2 miles @ 12-minute pace
Wednesday = 1 mile @ 10:20 pace
Friday = 1 mile @ 10:20 pace
Saturday = Run, Walk or Crawl for Cancer 5K! 


I hope to finish the 5K in under 35 minutes. I think I can do it if I stay mentally positive and focus on breathing well. Wish me luck!

There are a few other 5K's in the book over the next few months:

• Butterfly 5K on August 21st
• Ocean's Run 5K on September 25th
• Amica 5K on October 15th

These are really just motivators to keep me on the road and pushing for improvement. I hope to be able to whizz through the 5K by October. After that, I will start training over the winter for my first 10K and half marathon, which will be next spring/summer. After THAT... well, I'm not ready to say what comes after that yet. :)

Any of you pounding the pavement this summer? What races are you doing? If you don't run (which I don't blame you in the least for!), what are you doing to stay active this summer?

Want Another Quick and Easy Chicken Recipe?

Well I have one for you! I found this quick chicken and wine recipe via Allrecipes.com app when I was looking for a chicken recipe that took less than 45 minutes. I was a bit skeptical cooking it that it was going to turn out right, but it ended up being perfect. The wine adds a different sweet yet savory flavor that is absolutely yummy. I used regular white cooking wine from the supermarket shelf, but I'm sure it will be better with your favorite inexpensive bottle of white. I served it with whole wheat rotini mixed with shelled edamame (my new favorite food), EVOO, a pinch of kosher salt and some dried basil. The entire dish took me about 40 minutes start to finish.

Ingredients

• 4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves - cut into strips (tenders work perfectly)
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
• 1 pinch salt
• 1 pinch ground black pepper
• 1/2 cup white wine
• 4 tablespoons butter

Directions

1. Season chicken with salt and pepper to taste. In a shallow plate, spread Parmesan cheese. Divide chicken into three parts and dip seasoned chicken in eggs, then coat well with Parmesan cheese. Repeat until all of the chicken pieces are well coated (if you run short on egg and Parmesan, add one more egg and more Parmesan as needed).
2. In a skillet, melt butter or margarine over medium high heat. Cook chicken, stirring frequently, until golden brown.
3. Reduce heat and add wine. Cover and simmer over low heat for 20 minutes.

Recipe via Allrecipes.com