Month: March 2013

Running to the Park(s)


 
Today’s run ended up being a delightful run.
But things didn’t start well.
My next race is scheduled a few weeks from now. The race is a 10K plus 2 miler (about 8 miles or so). I signed up for both races in one day because I needed a distance challenge. In addition I will get another fancy medal to add to my collection (I need to catch up to my husband!!!).
This weekend had my longest run on the schedule (10 miles). Unfortunately I did as little preparation as possible for today’s run. My nutrition has been poor this weekend (some wine may have been involved) and I got very little sleep last night due to staying late at a friend’s house.
I almost bailed out of today’s run.  I forced on my running gear and made it out the door before I could change my mind. I started the course I mapped out in advance. Thoughts of defeat still stirred in my head. About a mile into the run I decided to change the scope of the run. I allowed myself to take all the time I needed to complete the 10 miles.  I came up with the idea to make a photo journal of all the parks that I pass by on my run. This made the run have more of a purpose than  “just a run”. I was able to complete all ten miles and I wasn’t ashamed of my time.
Below is journey through the parks I stopped at this morning.

The run begins through the tree shaded path by Fleet Peoples Park. I apologize that I have no photos of this park but picture if you will the sound of dogs running freely in the background as you are running along the tree lined trail.

After a couple of miles, it is time for a bathroom break and water stop at Phelps Park.

Phelps also has one of these handy book exchanges like the one in Baldwin Park.

The path continues through a neighborhood with tree lined streets and very expensive houses that are very interesting architecture wise. Kraft Azalea Gardens lies along a lake across the street from some of these houses.

Soon after Azaela Gardens I get to run by one of my favorite homes Casa Feliz. I sometimes fantasize about living in this home or some other James Gamble Rogers creation.

Next stop on the run is central Florida’s famous Park Avenue and Central Park. It looks like there will be a Orlando Philharmonic performance later in the day.

I cross a busy Fairbanks Avenue to continue my run through the prestigious Rollins College.


In the distance you will see tennis courts and a volleyball court (or what some of us volleyball players might refer to as a kitty litter court – nasty sand that looks like a litterbox).

After running through Rollins I follow Lake Virginia around into a neighborhood that takes me to Pennsylvania Avenue. On Pennsylvania Avenue is a hidden back entrance to the lovely and free Mead Gardens.

Running once again through residential Winter Park leads me to Blue Jacket Park. Every weekend you can see any sport you can think of being played here.

Finally I reached my 10 mile goal. I take a short walk and end up relaxing to a cool breeze in Harbor Park located in Baldwin Park.

Note: Many of these running routes I discovered from running with my running group last year. The group was great to help with motivation and to meet some cool people. I ended up sort of “dropping out” of the group after my last half-marathon because my body disagreed with the 4:00 am and earlier wake up times.

Zucchini Frittata

I made a very low carb breakfast the other morning. The zucchini frittata recipe that I used was adapted from the Complete Candida Yeast Guidebook. This book was the basis that my husband used when he went on a candida cleanse a couple of years ago. Consequently he was cured of many of his allergies.

4 large eggs beaten until foamy
1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley (from garden)
1 tsp finely chopped dill weed  (from garden)
1/4 tsp paprika
1/4 tsp dried oregano
1/8 tsp sea salt
couple dashes cayenne
2 cups grated zucchini (slightly drained of juice)
1/3 cup chopped fresh chives (from garden)
1 tsp oil (olive oil) or butter 

Pre-heat broiler in oven. Melt butter or oil in cast iron skillet (or high heat pan) on burner on medium heat. Mix all ingredients in bowl.  Pour egg mixture in pan.  Tilt the pan to distribute the eggs and filling evenly over the surface. Shake the pan gently, tilting it slightly with one hand while lifting up the edges of the frittata with the spatula in your other hand, to let the eggs run underneath during the first few minutes of cooking. When it is browned underneath place the pan in the oven on broil and let cook for 2-5 minutes or until fully cooked or dry and firm on top.

I served it with homemade yogurt topping. 
1 cup plain yogurt  (used fat-free but low-fat is recommended as well)
1 tbsp chopped dill
1/2 tsp garlic powder

It was a nice protein filled breakfast.

  

Tetanus?

I ran across this article today which I though was of interest to gardeners.

I have been backyard gardening for many years (past few years more seriously) and never thought about tetanus.
I am the type of person who gets vaccinations only if it is absolutely necessary.
I don’t get flu shots. The only year I got a flu shot was the year I got a terrible nasty flu (Yes I know research says that the shot does not cause an infection). I had to get hepatitis and some other vaccinations because I really wanted to travel to Brazil and they were required. I had a tetanus shot about 13 years ago but only because I almost chopped my thumb off with a knife.
It never occurred to me that digging in my own back yard would require such a thing.

“almost one-third of reported tetanus cases come from gardening or farming injuries”

http://www.vna.org/myh_tetanus_gardening.aspx

Even the CDC recommends it.

 I will consider getting the shot it I start another large project but for now I will just go on relying on my luck.

The right thing

   

Most days I struggle with regret that I said the wrong thing. Sometimes this can be referred to as foot in mouth syndrome; speaking before you think; wrong thing at the wrong time.
Most of my life, and especially the last few years, I make an effort to be the best me. I tend to be good at seeing my own faults and working towards fixing them. One fault, the fault of saying the wrong thing and then regretting it later, is something that repeats itself over and over again in my life. I am about at my wits end.
I have taken leadership classes. I have taken courses on emotional intelligence. I took a 12 week Dale Carnegie “How to win Friends and Influence People”. Yet I am still unable to filter my words.
I know people who lack the filter as well. Do they consistently regret what they say? It does not appear so. Am I making a too big of deal of it in my mind? Am I more sensitive to what I say than others are? I have destroyed a relationship or two over my words. Perhaps people who really love me and know my heart tend to overlook this fault? Even if I can still maintain relationships on a personal level, it is still something that is needed for my professional life. I have seen people getting to the top by walking all over people and their feelings and I do not have the stomach for that. I am too sensitive. I wish I had a magic formula to know the right thing to say. Until then I try again……