2017 Run Down

Streak:
Running streak remains intact.  I celebrated with Mom, Dad, and friends of the family.  5K for 5 years.

Races:
Flying Pig 3 Way Challenge: Beat my A goal for time.  Also the first year I wasn't so sore I wanted to die after the race.  That made a nice change.
Loony Challenge: Beat my A goal for time.  I guess next year I need a more aggressive goal?
Feet in the Street 5K: I think this was my favorite race of the year.  I was certainly in the best fitness of the year.  It was an emotional day because of the streak anniversary.  And it was a great running performance.

Workouts:
In addition to running, I tried to lift 3 times/week.  Sundays is single arm/single leg days.  Tuesday and Thursday are following the 5X5 plan (so just one A day and one B day/week).  I threw some other stuff in there from time to time with plyos and other exercises.  Weight lifting has been the most consistent. 

Surprises:
I'm surprised by the real lack of Zumba most months.  Every time I go I think "this is such a great workout for my hips".  But timing wise it's not always convenient. 

3 Good Things 8

1. That Minnesota seasons poster I just got, happy they have June as Pride month
2. Agents of SHIELD is back on for what I think is their final season (but it's back on)
3. A sweet visit to end the work week!

3 Good Things 7

1. I slept in.  Sorry.
2. Running steak is alive and well.  That was a nice run actually, even though it was only a mile.
3. It was a pretty day to be doing so much driving.

Bonus: I find myself thinking of more and more things as I go through this.  My other one was 'that bathroom at Walgreens was a nice stop'

3 Good Things 6

1. I felt awesome on my run.  Amazing.
2. Wound up being able to come home in the middle of my day for that part of my lunch that I forgot to pack.  That was unexpected. 
3. The Qat Lady bought me dinner.  She and my Pooky Bear are just the best!

3 Good Things 5

1. Nice walk with the Dungeon Master during the day
2. Did I tell you how the high was 57* today?  After Thanksgiving?
3. Janice on The Voice killing it with an awesome rendition of Collective Soul's Shine.

Also, my dishes are done.

This was hard because it was a quiet day and I kept thinking, 'not enough good things happened to write about today' but when I started it was easy.

3 Good Things 4

1. That parking spot outside the gym
2. Mushrooms and veggies for lunch.  Mmm.
3. That hotel's 5am breakfast.  The six sausages I had kept me going most of the day.

3 good things 3

1. A few minutes talking to Kris before leaving.
2. Hanging out with Mom and Dad. And Dad actually shopping at Costco.
3. Even though traffic was horrendous, seeing downtown Chicago

3 good things 2

1. That fast run today.
2. Free headband from Kris. Thanks to whomever left it at the pool house
3. Playing tennis with Dad.

3 good things 1

1.  Running in the morning in a beautiful and safe space
2. Hanging out with Mom and Dad and my awesome family
3. Pushing Lu in the stroller on the evening walk

Christmas Eve Supper - remember for next year

Christmas Eve Supper was a super hit this year.  So much so that I feel a lot of pressure to recreate the drama next year.  So I'm writing this mostly for myself. 

Appetizers:

• Olives for Uncle Spaghetti.  Mom picks these out.  This year they came from Jungle Jims which was even better.   
• Manchego Cheese.  Dad needed the instruction to get this kind of cheese.  All that we put out was gone.
• Goat cheese, pears, crackers, nuts just all around the room in different places. For next year, Dad needs more instruction on the Crackers.  I should tell him to get Sea Salt Nut Thins.  He got all these flavored things that didn't go well with the cheeses or pears.
• Plated crackers+goat cheese+sliced pears.  Those were all gone too.  Apparently Mom didn't even get to have any.

Main Dish

• Kale Salad.  Mom insisted and made the salad.  Apparently it comes from a book called 'The Omni Diet' and they are okay with meat.
• This Flank Steak.  Chef Cousin says I shouldn't have washed the meat. I should've added the salt to the rub and let it sit longer.  Dad got two steaks.  We did one 4 mins/side, and one 6mins/side. For next year I need to remember to line the broiler pan and rack in foil.  Because, wow, dishes.
• Sweet potato 'fries' cooked in Ghee.
• Roasted Garlic Puree for either the toast or the potatoes.  (Or the chicken Mom and Aunt Barb ate.)
• Store bought Garlic Aoili also for the potatoes or the chicken for Mom and Aunt Barb
• Homemade Cinammon, sugar, and ghee for the potatoes.  That stuff is legit and I've been spreading it on left over bread all day. 

Dessert 

• Apple cobbler Dad cooked (also from Omni Diet I think?)
• Graters Ice Cream.  I just had the ice cream.  Sorry.