A New Post

An actual new post!

This one is about upcoming activties.  Super!

1. Tabby and I signed up for a Barre class at Align Pilates in Mpls.  I will give you a full report of how it goes.  Promise.

2.  Race season has officially begun!

On Monday, it was absolutely gorgeous so I went for a quick run after work.  Just a little over 3 miles.  I haven’t been out running at all really.  Just playing soccer twice a week and some yoga.  This was sort of a kick off for a big goal I have this year.  To run the TC Marathon.  Yikes.  I did THREE half marathons last year so I know I can do this.  Easy peasy.  Here’s my list of races so far for the year:

1. Get Lucky 7k
2. Goldy’s 10-mi
3. Get in Gear 10k
4. Run for the Ribbon 4-mi
5. Grand Old Day On the Go 8k
6. Warrior Dash
7. Red, White, and Boom Half
8. City of Lakes Loppet Trail Run
9. Minnesota Half
10. TC Marathon
11. Monster Dash Half

There you have it!  I may add ONE more in there to make it a dirty dozen.  We shall see.  There’s a 10-mile at the end of May that I have my eye on.  I am excited to get training. 

Busy Winter

Time for another catch-up post.  The end of 2011 was a lot of fun.  I was a lazy bum in regards to running and cross-country skiing isn’t in the cards due to lack of snow.  But I’ve been playing soccer twice a week with the General Strikers and Fireside.

In November, we took our sweet Rally to another class at Canine Coach to help him be the best dog he can be.  Erik did a lot of hunting and I turned 31.  Ew.

In December, we enjoyed more soccer and family events.  One highlight was our New Year’s Eve.  Erik and I went to the British Arrow Awards at the Walker Art Center.  This was our 4th year attending and is officially a December tradition.  One of my faves was the Yeo Valley advert.  Check it out!

Pretty cute.  I also really like this one.

Afterward, Erik and I went to Nick & Eddie for a nice early dinner.  It was very low-key but a lot of fun.

Happy 2012 and here’s to more blogging.  Haha.  Sure.

Awesomeness

Hi.  Been awhile.  Still busy with soccer twice a week and yoga once a week.  I’m registered for the 10k xc ski loppet but we still have no snow here.  Rude!  Anyway, I have a video that I came across and wanted to share.  I love this!

Will write more posts when I have awesome things to write about.  For real!

Anniversary No. 2

Backtracking!  Last month, Erik and I celebrated our 2nd wedding anniversary.  We don’t do gifts, we just set aside time to go out and have a nice meal together.  I had been meaning to dine at Heidi’s for quite some time.  I won a $20 gift certificate on Twitter (@HeidisMpls) so that sealed the deal.  You know it. 

Becca Dilley / Heavy Table

We decided to bring our own bottle of one of the wines we picked up in Paso Robles and then also opted for the tasting menu.  Yay!  We’re going all out for this.  Here’s the tasting menu:

It was 9-courses.  You can only see 7 here for some reason.  But it was all so amazing. 

1. Caviar Sundae–Scrambled egg “ice cream” and local caviar
2. Ceviche–Bay scallop ceviche in muddled rosemary mignonette
3. Tongue–Pickled beef tongue and roasted shiitakes, spicy mustard and soy noodles
4. Foie Stew–Vanilla poached lentils topped with grilled foie gras, pinecone honey, and greens dressed in cherry vinaigrette
5. Lobster Pappardelle–House made pappardelle, black truffle, lobster, in a creamy grana padano sauce
6. To Go Lamb–Served in a to-go box and all I remember was that it was SO good
7. Beef Hot Pot–It had beef and broth, I can’t remember much
8. Ice Cream Table Side–Nitrogen and vanilla cream/custard mixed table-side served with strawberries
9. Cheese–Golden raisins, soft cheese, toasted baguette pieces

Some of the descriptions I was able to get off the website but since they change the menu often, most are no longer there and it was over 6 weeks ago.  Everything was SO good.  The tongue, lamb, and pappardelle were my absolute favorites.  I wanted to bathe in the lentils in the foie dish.  That was one of Erik’s top picks.  I just can’t get over how special and delicious that food was.  Heidi walks around and greets guests.  She had some rad Minnetonka Moccasin boots on.  Then they gave us the copy of the tasting menu with a house-made sucker.  Seriously with this place?  Love.

I want to go back.  Like, right now.

Katie Cannon / Heavy Table

Early Birthday

Since Erik is hunting over my birthday weekend, we celebrated it a week early. 

On Saturday, we went to Masu Sushi & Robata in NE Mpls.  But before we left the house, Erik gave me some gifts!

1. A Pirates of the Caribbean card with a lovely message written inside.

2. A bag of Rolos.  Holla.

3. A bottle of potato vodka.  Here’s why: I’m obsesssssed with the show New Scandinavian Cooking.  Last Christmas, Erik totally surprised me with the Andreas Viestad cookbook.  In the book, there’s a recipe for mock Aquaviet.  We’ve had the spices ready to go for a couple of months but just needed the last piece–potato vodka.  So we made it together.  Share!

4. Michael Kors gold watch.  Uh, yes!  Too generous.  I love it.

Dinner at Masu was really good.  To drink I had a Godzillita which was a spicy plum and ginger margarita and Erik had a Soporro.  And then we both had uni shooters (sake, uni, quail egg).  To start, some duck gyoza. For sushi, salmon and char nigiri and the Firecracker roll.  For robata, bacon wrapped quail eggs and the short ribs.  Then we shared a big bowl of ramen.  Everything tasted good and we were stuffed.  Verdict?  Well, if I want noodles, I’ll go to Quang.  And if we want sushi, we’re going to go to Yumi’s or Fuji-Ya.  That is all.

Photo: Becca Dilley / Heavy Table

Champions!

General Strikers first place Minneapolis Park & Rec co-ed CHAMPS!

Back: Guber, Alan, Ryan, Kieren, Amanda, Farah, Troy
Middle: Jess, Krista, Alex, Anne, Grace, Kristen, Michael, Oscar, Erik
Front: Sarah, Marlon, Nestor, Jeff, Me
Posing: Vick

I Did the Dash, I Did the Monster Dash

On Saturday, October 29th, I ran the Monster Dash Half Marathon.  What a great race!  The route went from the St. Paul Cathedral along Summit Ave toward the Mississippi River, then down Mississippi River Blvd, and back up Shepard to Downtown St. Paul.  Right in my neighborhood. 

The day started off brisk and frosty but sunny and clear.  Erik dropped me off as close as I could get to the start, and I made my way into the fray.  So many costumes!  People went all out.  I couldn’t believe people were going to run 10 or 13.1 miles wearing some of these outfits.  I am such a freak when it comes to wearing comfortable clothes.  There was even a guy dressed like that gold box head robot from the LMFAO video.  Awesome! 

He’s Sexy and He Knows It

The race was great.  Summit Ave flew by and suddenly I was on River Road where I run ALL the time.  It went so quickly.  Next thing I was at Itasca and spotted Erik and Rally!  I swooped in to give Rally a kiss and continued on.  It was so gorgeous out and there were tons of spectators. 

Huh?  Camera?

Run run run.  Suddenly it seemed like people started running faster.  Doy, we were getting close to the 10 mile finish line.  Cheaters.  I kept up my pace.  Simps.

My attempt to not have a duh doy face.  Then that guy next to me TOTALLY ran into me.  Idiot.  Also, trying to get my thumbs up in time!

Anyway.  This race was for sure a PR for a Half Marathon but I think my pace even beat a lot of shorter race paces.  Wow!  Cold weather is my best friend. 

Oh heck yes!

I felt great crossing the finish and then quickly called Erik to meet me at The Liffey for some post race beers!  He was proud of my fast time and we had fun chatting and people watching.

And that pretty much concludes my running season.  I hope to get outside if the weather holds out otherwise I have soccer 2-3 times a week and will try to get yoga in there somehow.