Thursday Afternoon Football...like on Thanksgiving!

I do realize there has been a 2 week bye with my Monday Night Football posts, so I decided to do a Thursday afternoon post.  Afterall, there is always football on Thanksgiving Day in the afternoon.

Bye Week #1 came as a result of surviving running the Cleveland Marathon the day before.

Face of victory or survival...you decide.

Yes it was hot and my goal quickly became just finish.  I did not want be that person dehydrated on the side of the road.  I will take a slower time from running smart over a DNF any day!  Still, I enjoyed running 26.2 miles through Cleveland and I already am working on my training plan to PR in Detroit this October.

Bye Week #2 was Memorial Day and I was at the corner of Carnegie and Ontario cheering on the #firstplacetribe (yes, we will be back on top the AL Central very very soon)

Root root root for the Indians!

However, I am getting more and more excited since the big game is only weeks away!  I am ready to return to practice tonight and see all of the progress #TeamBrunette has made over the past few weeks.  Also, set your alarms, or DVRs, since BVB will be featured tomorrow morning on Kickin' it with Kenny during the Fox 8 morning show.  I'm going to be on TV!!  

There is still time to help me achieve my fundraising goal.  Remember, $20 will get you a ticket to the game on June 16th.  Also, our final Happy Hour will be next Friday, June 8th at the Barley House on West 6th.  20% of your bill goes directly to BvBCLE.    

Until next time...follow your heart, fulfill your hunger!

**Disclaimer:  I was asked to blog about my experiences as a player for the inaugural Blondes vs. Brunettes Powderpuff football game.  I am required to attend at least 4 practices and fund raise $250 for the Cleveland Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association.  All opinions are 100% my own.  Go #TeamBrunette!**

Ice Cream Truck Memories

Today I am feeling a bit nostalgic.  It's no secret I love ice cream.  It is also no secret my favorite is Honey Hut and that Cleveland has many other delicious local ice cream shops.  However, I am not about to write about my favorite places and frozen treats around CLE.  

Memories

Memorial Day Weekend for many is the unofficial start to summer.  One of my favorite childhood summer memories would have to be the ice cream truck.  It's familiar jingle coming up my grandparents' street on a hot summer day would have me running (or rollerblading) to the curb, money in hand, ready for a cool refreshing treat.  Would I go with my old standby, The Bubble Play?  Or was I more in a Choco-Taco mood?  Maybe I just wanted a Firecracker Popsicle and spend the rest of the day with a purplish-blue mouth.  Those were the types of decisions I faced during my childhood summers.

Perhaps this is where my love of food trucks began.  I thank my grandpa, Papa, for my love of ice cream.  You can be sure that if I am driving around somewhere this summer and see an ice cream truck, I just may pull over and buy myself a bit of frozen nostalgia.

What was your favorite ice cream truck treat?

Until next time...follow your heart, fulfill your hunger.

We are all runners!

To everyone running the 5K, 10K, half marathon and marathon...

GOOD LUCK!!  

We have all trained hard to get to race day, no matter the distance.  

To all volunteers...

THANK YOU!!

Your time and talents are greatly appreciated on race day and if I could, I would high-five each of you along the course.

It's race weekend...
LET'S GET READY TO RUN CLEVELAND!!!!  



Until next time...follow your heart, fulfill your hunger!

Ready...set...EAT!

As many of you know by now, I will be running the Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon on Sunday.  My excitement builds more and more with each passing day as I prepare to run all over the city I love.  It is now time to begin prepping my body for race day through carb loading and hydration, especially with the warmer predicted temps for Sunday.  As wonderful as it may sound, I will not be gorging myself on every carb in site.  Carb loading involves balance and of course an excuse to enjoy some of my favorite foods.  Remember, your body still needs protein and other nutrients for performance and recovery.  Here are some of my prerace favorites!

• Pad Thai.  You have carbs from the noodles, protein from the eggs and peanuts (and if you choose to have chicken or tofu), and veggies.  My favorites include Tea House Noodles and Umami Moto

Instagramed Umami Moto pad thai

• Sushi.  The fish provides protein and omega 3s.  I also love to have edamame as an appetizer which will give me carbs, protein, vitamins, and a little salt to build up electrolytes.  As if I ever need an excuse to visit Pacific East too.
• Pasta.  This is the classic which most people automatically think of.  I would not recommend anything with a heavy cream sauce though.  Head on down to Little Italy and stop in your favorite restaurant.



My Easter cupcakes from Main Street Cupcakes

• Cupcakes.  Just because I love them.  Pre race.  Post race.  Just not during the race.

Hydration is simple...water, Gatorade/Powerade, and coconut water.  I also am allowing myself one beer a day.  Considering my bib number is 312, it is a sign I must have one of these

Goose Island 312

Until next time...follow your heart, fulfill your hunger!

Monday Night Football Week 7: Namaste

Are you one of those people who always wanted to try yoga but never found that little push to do so?  Maybe you are similar to me and practice every once in a while and want to become more consistent with your practice.  Perhaps you are a dedicated yogi whose practice is ever growing.  No matter which category you possibly fall into, Force Fitness has offered BvBCLE three donation based classes to help us reach out fundraising goal.  All levels are welcomed.  Classes will be held on the following days:

• Wednesday, May 16 at Force Fitness Rocky River 5:45-6:45 p.m.
• Sunday, May 20 at Force Fitness Rocky River 9:45-10:45 a.m.
• Sunday, June 10, Force Fitness East 9:45-10:45 a.m.

Hope to see you there!

Get your downward dog on!

Until next time...follow your heart, fulfill your hunger!

**Disclaimer:  I have been asked to blog about my experience as a player in the inaugural Blondes vs. Brunettes Powderpuff Football game on June 16th.  I am required to attend at least 4 team practices and reach my fundraising goal of $250.  All opinions are my own.  Go #TeamBrunette!!**

Monday Night Football Week 6: May Happy Hour

Another successful practice for Team Brunette is in the books.  While we may have not had our full team together this past Sunday, we will for sure be ready to take on Team Blonde on game day.  If you are wondering where I may be playing on the field, all I am going to say is I better start channeling my inner Montario Hardesty and Emmitt Smith!

Montario

Emmitt

If you may recall,  #BvBCLE held a very successful (and fun!) happy hour a few weeks ago.  This week, we are doing it again!  Come on out to The Boneyard in Broadview Heights for After Hours Happy Hour!  This time, we will be offering $25 all you can eat and drink.  There will be a 50/50 raffle, pool tables, and another chance to meet the BvBCLE players and coaches.  If you cannot make it out and still want to help, a $20 donation will get you a ticket to the big game on June 16th.  Remember, there is still no cure or permanent treatment for Alzheimer's.  

Until next time...follow your heart, fulfill your hunger!

**Disclaimer:  I was asked to blog about my experiences as a player for the inaugural #BvBCLE football game.  I am required to attend at least 4 practices and reach a fundraising goal of $250.  All opinions are 100% my own.  Go #TeamBrunette!**