Rants, Recipes, and Running

We only have about 6 months left in Tucson, so I am really trying to "soak it up" before we say goodbye. With that, I decided to participate in one of the biggest events in Tucson this year: The "El Tour" On November 22, I did the El Tour de Tucson with my friend Amanda. We were actually sponsored by her uncle's bike shipping coming - ShipBike  . We got our full race entry paid for AND jerseys! And I will say -- it is a really cool company. For cyclists/triathletes who travel around the country, they have a specially engineered box that will ship the bike to your race destination. Since we were "Team Shipbike", our motto during the race went along with the company. " Let's get our goods from start to finish undamaged and in 1 piece " ;). This is one of the biggest cycling races in the country -- as Tucson has amazing climate, and it's one of the biggest cycling destinations in the US. The race was beautiful - mountain views the ...

One of the most exciting parts for me on this move is discovering new running and biking trails. And I've decided that this hobby is one that really makes a person get out there and see the sites! Typically the popular biking and running trails are through beautiful parks and scenic areas. So it really gives you a taste of the area you are in. I don't begin my travel nursing contract until Monday - so I had this week to get settled in. Now that the week is ending, I am finding extra downtime. So have been putting my research to practice (I did my research on the best running and biking trails in SA -- as there are tons ) My first attempt was the Gruene River Trail. Gruene, Texas is a historic town outside of SA (northeast). If you are ever in the area, and you want a break from city -- this is the place! From the first glace, it has the image of "Ole Texas small town" with "Honky Tonk" dance halls etc. But the streets are cobble-stoned, and they have th...

When someone mentions Las Vegas to you...what comes to mind? Usually one gets images of bright lights, the Bellagio fountains, extravagantly decorated hotels, high end shopping, scantily dressed women, gambling, excessive spending, and hangovers. Well I'm here's to prove that belief wrong. :) I am currently in Vegas accompanying my husband. He is at a 2 week course for the Air Force, and I happened to have Wednesday-Sunday off from work (I had taken PTO many months ago as we were planning a vacation during this time). So I packed up the car, set off for a road trip to Vegas. The one thing I had to do was figure out how to entertain myself during the day while Ryan is at school. My initial thought was, " I know! I'll buy myself a pack of Marlbarols, drink Manhattans, and spend the afternoon with my ass planted at a slot machine so I can waste thousands of dollars!!!!" Oh wait, no. I wouldn't do that . Ever . In a million years . In fact, I loathe casino...

I learned how to ride a bike long ago. I remember my Dad taking the training wheels off that bike on the 1st nice spring day (usually occuring in April back when the Midwest actually got springtime). He held on to my bike, told me he wouldn't let go, and after a few seconds -- he let go and I was on my own! I remember that invigorating feeling of, "Holy crap, I'm doing this on my own! I'm really doing this!" and then that stark realization of, "Oh crap, how do I stop?!?!". Well, over a decade later, I went through this process again last night. My new bike came in the mail -- and a friend of mine has a cousin who happens to be quite the "bicycle guru". He graciously assembled my new bike for me, adjusted it, and had me test ride it up and down the street so we could adjust the handle bars and seat properly. Except there's one small problem..... my bike doesn't have pedals . It had these "clipless" little stubs you instal...

When I was in high school, which is usually the normal time for people to play an organized sport.....I did nothing. I was THE MOST unathletic kid on the block. I almost always was last picked on teams during gym class. No one wanted me on their team...I couldn't catch the ball, kick the ball, hit the ball In fact, any ball I saw flying even remotely in my direction made me duck and hide for dear life. I just don't like flying objects. Then...I discovered running. Running had no balls. Just legs. Roads. Fresh air. Speed. No balls. No teammates to tell you, "You suck!" Now my husband is a different character than myself. He loves contact sports. He was a jock. This man is very agile. Sometimes...I think he's part monkey or something..... Our idea of a "day at the park" differs. I want to go for a run. He wants to throw a football around. We now compromise with a frisbee.... Last time we threw a football around? Near-Marcia-Brady In...

This weekend my favorite time of the year has arrived! It's not May Day, either. No, it's not Cinco de Mayo. It's not the Tucson Folk Festival, either! ............. *Cue the trumpets.....* The Kentucky Derby kicks off tonight - official races are tomorrow!!!! Some of you may not be aware of my obsession with the Kentucky Derby. If you ask my husband, Ryan -- you would hear roars of laughter from him. For he thinks this is just hilarious and odd. Why? Because I'm so not a sports fan . And beyond that - I really, really don't like animals . So why would I enjoy a " sporting event " involving animals ? Beats me!? But I have made Ryan promise me that if we're every disgustingly rich, and just can't think of what to do with "allll" of our money (this won't ever happen...but I can dream!) -- we must take a trip to Louisville, attend the Derby. Now, we could settle for the infield and just enjoy the atmosphere. But I would pre...