Week 2, Run 2

I hit the treadmill once again after work today. This run went better then the last few actually and I didn't feel like death afterwards so that's a plus.

Distance: 2.3 miles
Time: 20:30
Time per mile: ~8:55 per mile

I walked an additional .2 miles at the highest incline at a 3.5 speed and then finished off with some weights.

I'm still undecided as to what to do with my training for a run that I won't be able to go to. I will keep up with the training as planned until I decide...

Week 1, Run 3 and more news...

This week I went on my Week 1 Run 3 which was my first long run of 2.5 miles. Ok so this distance isn't particularly longer then what I usually run, but on a treadmill I could feel/was aware of every step I took past mile 2. Once again, I can not wait until it is warm so I can run outside! I don't think I'll be able to do 3 miles on the treadmill for my next long run so I may have to brave the cold.

Distance: 2.5 miles
Time: 22:30
Time per mile: 9 minutes

In other news, I have some bad news regarding my 10K (but good news for my cousin!). I have a family baby shower that got scheduled for the same day as the race! Of course I will be attending the baby shower since that is more important then the run but I'm not sure what I am going to do with my training. I could finish my training plan and just not run the race, perhaps sign up for another race in the same general time, or move on to another exercise goal. Any suggestions?? I really am torn.

Martini Cake

This weekend was my dad's birthday and his favorite drink by far is a martini. We happened to have an over sized martini glass in our closet and I thought it would be fun to incorporate it into a birthday cake.

Since I wanted the base of the martini glass to be cake, I looked for a thinner cake that was still rich and flavorful. I decided on an Italian flourless chocolate cake. It basically tastes like a fudgy brownie. Sooo good!

Flourless chocolate cake with peanut butter cream and a martini glass filled with vodka jello.

Flourless Chocolate Cake Recipe: (From Italian Country Cooking by Loukie Werle)

1 stick unsalted butter

6 oz dark chocolate

1 cup sugar

5 eggs, separated

1 1/4 cup finely ground hazelnuts

1/4 tsp salt

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line 9-10 inch spring form cake pan with parchment paper. Butter the paper and sides of pan.

Combine butter, chocolate and sugar in a heat proof bowl set over simmering water. Heat until butter and chocolate are melted. Stir until mixture is smooth and cool to room temperature.

Beat egg yolks into chocolate mixture, one by one, with wooden spoon until completely mixed. Add ground nuts.

Beat egg whites wtih salt until stiff peaks form. Fold into the chocolate mixture, 1/3 at a time, until no white steaks can be seen. Bake for 40-60 minutes, or until cake starts to shrink away from sides and top is firm. Cool on rack.               

             Mixture going into pan.                       

Cake out of the oven

Peanut Buttercream Icing Recipe:

9 tbs butter, softened

1/4 cup creamy peanut butter

1/2 cup milk

1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

5 1/2 cups powdered sugar

Beat beat butter and peanut butter in bowl until mixed. Add milk and vanilla. After combined, add powder sugar and stir until spreadable.

Vodka Jello Recipe:

2 packages of melon jello

2 cups boiling water

1/2 cup cold water

1 1/2 cups vodka

Add boiling water to jello mix and stir until combined. Add cold water and vodka. Pour into martini glass and chill until firm in fridge (about 2-3 hours). Decoate with "olive" marshmallow. (Coat mashmallow in green food coloring. When dry, add one dot of red food coloring on each side.)

Week 1 Run 2

On Thursday I finished run 2 of week 1. I hit the treadmill and ran 2 miles in 18:13. As for my additional cardio, I stayed on the treadmill for an additional 5 minutes at the highest incline level to cover a .3 distance. I wish I was able to do more of the "additional cardio" but I forgot my ipod and the treadmill was sucking the life out of me. Next time I should opt for the bike or elliptical I guess.

Distance: 2 miles
Time: 18:13
Time per mile: 9:06

I really can not wait until the weather warms up and I can do these runs outside. The treadmill has been really beating me down.