Finally

You may have noticed that I have not done any running since the marathon on Saturday, June 18.

At first, I was WAY too sore to even walk, so I knew running was out of the question.

Then I flew to Minnesota and have been busy spending time with my family.

I considered running on Saturday, but then I remembered trying to run a week after my first marathon. I distinctly remember that not working out so well—I could barely run a mile—so I just waited until the start of this week.

I was pumped! I was really excited and ready to get back to pounding the pavement this morning!


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I started out running really slowly because I didn’t know how my body would feel. At first I felt out-of-shape, but I took it easy. However, after a mere 5 minutes, I felt a twinge in my right hamstring. I stopped to stretch it and walked a little before running again.

Unfortunately it did not feel better, so I ran/walked a while before turning around and heading back home.

I was really hoping to run 4 miles today, but I guess that will have to wait. :(


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I iced my hamstring after I got back and also took some ibuprofen.

I am really hope this doesn’t last too long because I want to do a lot more running this summer before the racing season ends!

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Breakfast

I know I used to think overnight oats were gross. . . I mean, cold oats, come on!?!? But I have really grown to enjoy them!


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This bowl of overnight oats contained:

- old-fashioned oats

- milk

- Greek yogurt

- chia seeds

- vanilla extract

- dash of salt

Toppings: strawberries (fresh from my mom’s garden), Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal, and peanut butter


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I have actually been waiting for this day since. . . . ummm. . . . .April?!?!

Today I finally got my hair done by my favorite stylist, Bobbi, at Xpressions Salon.

(Yes, I come all the way to Minnesota to have my hair done. I have searched high and low for a hairstylist that I like in Anchorage, but I’m always disappointed (or just not impressed) with the results.)

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I love the cute little house (?) the salon is in!


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I had some fun with the camera while I was waiting.


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I wasn’t very impressed with his looks.


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Before


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After


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Here are just a few photos from yesterday.

My aunt and uncle celebrated their 28th wedding anniversary!

I was about 4 months old when they got married!


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And some more fishing photos:

Northern Pike

It is funny because in Minnesota we refer to them as “northerns,” but in Alaska they call them “pike.”


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My brother, Mike, with a bass. (I don’t remember if it is a large mouth or small mouth bass.)


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My future home:


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Ha! Ha! Just kidding, we were pretty sure this used to be a boat shed that was converted to a guest house. The master house is up the hill, tucked away in the trees!


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Tonight I am going to visit my sister at camp and go to a campfire with her! I can’t wait. I miss having campfires when it is actually dark out! (That is something I never thought about before moving to Alaska!)

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Question

What is something you never considered before moving to your current place of residence (or a previous place you’ve lived)?

Trail Mix Granola Bars

I have made homemade granola bars in the past but have been quite unsuccessful with them actually sticking together.

These Thick Chewy Granola Bars, which I made a while back, definitely fell apart as evident here.

But I have now discovered the secret!


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The secret is that you have to bring the sugars (and a few other ingredients) to a boil and cook off some of the liquid. This concentrates the sugars and allows the ingredients to actually stick together.

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Trail Mix Granola Bars

(Recipe inspired from here.)

Ingredients

1/2 cup honey

1/4 cup sunflower seed butter

1 Tablespoon sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 cup rolled oats

1/4 cup unsweetened shredded coconut

1/4 cup sunflower seeds

2 Tablespoons pumpkin seeds

2 Tablespoons chia seeds

1/2 cup dried fruit (I used cherries and raisins.)

Directions

1. Combine the honey, sunflower seed butter, sugar, vanilla, and salt together in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil on stovetop. Reduce heat, and simmer for 3 minutes; stirring occasionally.

2. In a bowl, combine the oats, coconut, sunflower seeds, pumpking seeds, chia seeds, and dried fruit.

3. Pour honey mixture over oat mixture and stir until full incorporated.

4. Press into a pan and chill in refrigerator for 1 hour.


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These are by far my favorite granola bars I have ever made! They are thick, chewy, and incredibly delicious!

Enjoy!