Marathon Cupcakes - Sweet Pea

I recently started watching Cupcake Wars, a reality baking show on the Food Network. As I comfied (I'm an English Major; I get to make up words) myself on my futon and began streaming the latest episode of my new television addiction, I was thrilled to find that the show's theme was the L.A. Marathon.

Honestly, the best part of the sweat and the stink and the pain is the FOOD that I can eat without gaining a pound. I pretend to wonder why I'm not losing any weight while doing all of this constant exercise, but I know exactly why I'm not; I'm a glutton. It doesn't help that after a cardio session the human body craves sugar (I'm not making that up; my doctor said so) and I have a ridiculous sweet tooth. Enter marathon-themed cupcakes!

Pea Cupcake with Goat Cheese Frosting

Cupcake:
3 eggs
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
2 tbsp lemon juice
2 cups peas, pureed
2 1/2 cups self-rising flour
1 tsp baking powder
pinch of salt
Blend eggs and sugar until well mixed. Add oil, vanilla, lemon juice, and peas. Mix. Add flour, baking powder, and salt. Mix. Bake at 375 F for 14-16 minutes or until a cake tester (you could use a toothpick) comes out clean. Set aside to cool. 


Frosting:
2 cups (15 ounces) fresh goat cheese
3/4 cup (6 ounces) cream cheese
1 1/2 cup powdered sugar
Blend cheeses well first and then add sugar. 


Peas are one of the most nutritious leguminous vegetables rich in phyto-nutrients, minerals, vitamins, and anti-oxidants.

Don't knock 'em until you try 'em!

Running Playlist - Just Run

If you are like me, you can't run without good music to keep you going. After spending countless hours searching for and adding songs to to my running playlists I've decided it's high time that I share them. I'd like to thank Julie at Peanut Butter Fingers (absolutely love the name of her site, by the way) for the inspiration not only to write this series of blog posts, but also for some really great tune suggestions to add to my lists!

I have a bunch of specialised lists to share with you folks, but I'll start off with something quite generic that contains songs that most people are likely to recognise. For fun's sake and because every list needs some kind of title, I'm calling this playlist, Just Run.

• M.I.A. - Paper Planes
• Night Like This - Shawn Desman
• Boom Boom Boom - Venga Boys
• Empire State of Mind - Jay-Z ft. Alicia Keys
• Give Me Everything - Pitbull
• Firework - Katy Perry 
• All of the Lights - Kanye West
• Grace Kelly - Mika
• My Body - Young the Giant
• Jump - Flo Rida
• Tightrope - Janelle Monae
• Raise Your Glass - Pink
• She's the Blade - Sugarcult
• Freaky Girl - Shaggy
• Some Nights - Fun. 
• Bad Romance - Lady Gaga
• You're a Superstar - Love Inc.
• Pump It - Black Eyed Peas 
• Omobolasire - Prozzak
• Ohio (Come Back to Texas) - Bowling for Soup

And there we have it - 20 songs at approximately 3.5 minutes each for a total of about 70 minutes - not enough time to run a half marathon, but enough time to get a good run in none-the-less.

My top pick from this list would have to be "My Body" by Young the Giant. The first time I actually made it to 5K was thanks in large part to fact that this song came on when I thought I was finished. The lyrics, "my body tells me no, but I won't quit cause I want more," gave me the motivation I needed to push myself to that 5K mark.

Another point of interest attached to this list involves "Night Like This" by Shawn Desman. I saw him live at a local club. When he performed this song, he grabbed my hand, stared into my eyes, and had me sing along with him! I haven't washed my hand since. I joke. I kid. But really now, the man is f-i-n-e. If he was waiting for me at the end of the half marathon, perhaps my time would increase a tad! A girl can dream, right?!

Speaking of dreams, if you like this playlist how about a donation to make some realistic dreams come true for students in refugee camps.

Is there a song on this list that is connected to a memory for you? I'd love to hear about it!

Monkeys Don't Wear Shoes; Stupid Humans!

If you've been reading my blog you know that I am planning to run the half marathon in my Vibrams. I decided to write a blog post about the benefits of FiveFinger running because EVERY time I wear my Vibrams in a public place, I get the most ridiculous comments from people who have no idea what the purpose of the shoes is.

People say things like: "Those look like monkey shoes." - O, really?! That is definitely the look I was going for. I am so glad you noticed...or not - monkey's don't even wear shoes, idiot! What is even worse is that when you type "monkey shoes" into Google, the first images that come up are of Vibrams. I also commonly get laughed at and not in a nice, those-are-so-cool way. No, typically, it's in a those-are-completely-ridiculous way. Once again, thanks are in order because, you know, I wear them to make a fashion statement, not because of the natural movement benefits or anything like that.

Now to the point of this rambling, WHY I WEAR VIBRAMS a.k.a. Your Barefoot Education:

In short, Vibram FiveFingers fit and assist the natural form and function of the foot. The benefits of running barefoot are supported by scientific research (even Harvard says so) and there is significant evidence that training shoeless allows for faster and farther running with fewer injuries. Of course, it's ridiculous to just toss out the running shoes we've been using forever and take to the streets bare foot - BUT - Vibrams provide the protection our feet need while also providing the closest sensation to the natural act of being bare foot. I bet that's exactly why monkey's don't wear shoes; they've had it right all along. Stupid humans! Vibrams allow us to land on our forefoot rather than our heel, resulting in optimum balance and less impact. Trust me, you'll definitely notice the muscle strengthening they provide in your feet and lower legs.

To get more specific, the Vibram FiveFingers I run in are called Bikila's; they are designed to provide the most natural running experience of all the Vibram brands. I actually just realised this fun fact recently which led me to the further realisation that it's no wonder my transition from bulky, unnatural running shoes to Vibrams was so slow and painful at times. Perhaps I should have done a tad more research and started with a brand that allowed for a slightly lesser "learning curve" for my body. No sense in dwelling on the past...forward ho! I actually need a new pair (which is how I found out what brand I'm actually wearing) so soon to be charged to my credit card are these fine specimens:

I can't wait to break them in! 

Now that you have your Vibram education, you should consider trying out a pair. Also, rather than considering it, you should just go ahead and make a donation towards the 21K that I will be running with my Vibrams! 

Inspirational Runners - Fauja Singh Edition

In keeping with my weekly Tuesday blog post featuring inspirational runners I am going to talk about Fauja Singh - the world's oldest marathon runner. Singh is currently 101 years old and recently ran his last full marathon.


Are you kidding me?! Dude's been alive for a century and he's still running marathons?! I would kiss this man's feet; even if they stink as bad as mine do after a run, I would still kiss this man's feet.


Singh is originally from India and currently resides in Ilford, East London. He ran his last full marathon, the Virgin London Marathon, in 7 hours 49 minutes and 21 seconds. In his gender category, Singh finished 36,687th out of approximately 37,500 runners. Singh is now retired from full marathon running, but plans to continue participating in shorter runs from 5km to half marathons. 


Seriously?! If a 101 year-old man can run a half marathon without dying, surely I can...right?!


In 2011, Singh set the Guinness Record for oldest man to complete a marathon in the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon. In 2012, he broke his own record. Sadly, the Guinness Book of Records will not recognise his achievement because age-related events need to be verified with a birth certificate which Singh does not have. Admittedly, however, Singh had no idea that the Guinness Records even existed until he was told about them. He is quoted as saying: "My job is to run and I will continue to do that. Recognition by any book or agency will not affect my spirit towards running" (Daily News and Analysis, India).

Singh's biography is entitled Turbaned Tornado and it attempts to capture the centenarian's marathon spirit. Singh began running at age 80 after the death of his wife (if he can start at 80, I think I can start at 28) and trains every day, running at least 10 miles. Singh was a torch bearer in the 2004 Athens Olympics and hopes to once again bear the Olympic torch in the upcoming London Games. 


Wise words from Fauja Singh: "Be grateful for everything you have, stay away from people who are negative, stay smiling, and keep running." ... and donate to Brandy's cause to keep her running! (Ok, maybe I made that part up, but I'm sure Fauja would approve of you supporting me.)

Inspirational Runners - Kim Slater Edition

On July 8th, Kim Slater began her trek to run the equivalent of 29 marathons over 45 days; personally, I think she's insane! To raise awareness about the controversial expansion of the Alberta oil sands and society's dependence on fossil fuels, Slater is running the proposed route for the Enbridge Northern Gateway pipeline which is set to start near Jasper, Alberta and finish near Kitimat, British Columbia. That's 1,170 kilometres. Uh...I thought 21K was a lot! 


As she goes along, Slater plans to stop and talk to the people living in the communities located along the proposed pipeline route. She hopes to raise questions in addition to awareness and get educated on all aspects of the issue. The pipeline would carry an average of 525,000 barrels of petroleum per day through the heart of the Great Bear Rainforest. In the long run (pun intended), Slater is hoping to pressure Canadian federal leaders to create a national energy strategy. 


Slater has raised $15,000 to cover the costs of her endeavour - a support vehicle, waste vegetable oil for fuel, and food. So, I thought $5000 and 21km was pretty impressive, but I have nothing on the Marathon Slayer. 


You can follow her incredible journey on Band Together BC: Hold Hands Not Tar Sands. 


Like Kim, I am running for social change - advocating for a cause very near and dear to my heart. Education WILL change the world - one student at a time and I will tell people how important their support is - one kilometer at a time! Wise words from Kim Slater: "Running is the simplest way forward..."

21 Weeks to 21K

In 21 short weeks, I'll be in Las Vegas, Nevada running 21km. It's going to be great - maybe - and maybe I won't die. I've been reading The Nonrunner's Marathon Guide for Women: Get Off Your Butt and On with Your Training by Dawn Dias. In fact, I'm following her training guide because she had never run a day in her life (well maybe as a child) before she decided to run a marathon (a full one I might add). It's slow and steady, but not easy by any means. The basic structure is Sunday: short run, Monday: rest, Tuesday: short run, Wednesday: a bit longer run, Thursday: 45mins - 1hour Cross Training (which means something that is low-impact like biking, weights, core - pretty much anything that does not require incessantly pounding the pavement and having my shins scream out in protest), Friday: rest, Saturday: long run (a.k.a. Hell Day). That is repeated every week until week 19 at which point I do short runs Monday and Tuesday and rest every day after that until the marathon on Sunday.  

So that's the running part...

...now for the fundraising part.

A few days ago I needed $150 to hit the $1000 mark. I promised that I would post an embarrassing photo of myself post-workout once I reached that landmark. I launched my second fundraising idea - Pennies for Progress - and asked people to help me collect enough pennies to cover each kilometer of Africa's continental border. That's 30,557 pennies! When you ask for pennies, you're pretty much guaranteed to get other coins as well. A friend of mine pulled this jar of coins from the back of her closet and delivered it to my desk. There was over $200 in that jar which put me over the $1000 mark. With online and personal donations in addition to honey sales and coins collected so far I've raised $1080 dollars! You can see the financial breakdown associated with each aspect of my fundraising efforts here. You can also add to my fundraising efforts there. 

Alright, I am done digressing. Here is the pre- vs post-workout photo. Hopefully you get some idea of the sweat and stink emanating from me in the second photo! 

Inspirational Runners - Kathrine Switzer Edition

I've decided to start some "Special Edition" posts in 21K for Change and Inspirational Runners is one of them. This first post is dedicated to Kathrine Switzer. My friend, Barbara, posted that photo on my facebook wall and this idea to showcase phenomenal runners stemmed from there. 


Kathrine Switzer is the first woman to run the previously male-only Boston Marathon. In 1967, as she run down the marathon course, Switzer was physically attacked by the race director for wearing official bib numbers in the race. In 1972, after 5 years of advocating by women to be eligible to run the race along side the men, the Boston Athletic Association officially allowed women to enter the race. Jock Semple, the man who had attacked Switzer just 5 years earlier, was allowing women to run the Boston Marathon, but only if they could meet the men's qualifying time of 3 hours 30 minutes. Seven women ran the Boston Marathon in 1972 and the rest is history. In 2012, more than 10,000 women ran the Boston Marathon. 


Switzer was the women's winner of the New York Marathon in 1974 and achieved her personal best time of 2:51:37 in the Boston Marathon of 1975. (Seriously?! A full marathon - 42K in 2:51:37?! I hope to finish 21K in that amount of time!) 


At the age of 63, after a three-decade rest from long distance running, Switzer ran the Motatapu Icebreaker, an off-road marathon in New Zealand in 2010. 

Switzer works as a television broadcaster and has covered all of the major marathons in North America as well as the Olympic and Commonwealth Games. She won her first of several Emmy awards in 1997. Switzer is also a best-selling author and renowned public speaker. Her memoir, Marathon Woman won the 2008 Billie Award for journalism. 


I'm going to leave you lovely readers with words of wisdom from Katherine Switzer, words that I plan to add to my list of things to remember while running when I feel like I am going to die: "It's about women who can endure the distance with belief and bravery, and every day are empowered by their efforts."