Someone once told me they don’t take vacations because the worst feeling in the world is when they end.  True.  And at the end of every vacation I’ve had since the age of 17, I’ve thought of that statement.  To pull myself through it, I think of Dr. Suess who once said, “Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened.”  

This past week Jayson and I traveled to Orlando so I could run the Disney Princess Half Marathon and see my sister of course.  After the Wine & Dine in November I eagerly signed up for this race, determined to continue my running streak and rapidly-improving pace.  Our second trip to Disney together, Jayson and I splurged for The Caribbean Beach resort, a step up from the all-star resorts.  We thoroughly enjoyed this upgrade and would have a hard time going back.  

Unfortunately, Laura (my sister) was sick and our time with her limited.  Still, I got to see and speak face to face with my sister six days in a row, which is a blessing in itself.

Training for this half was more difficult that anticipated.  Despite a diverse Pandora rotation of stations, training on a treadmill is just boring and difficult.  I did the best I could given conditions.  My pace was encouraging during these training sessions and the first thing I wanted to do after checking in was run outdoors.

That first run outdoors felt amazing, I took off at a faster than normal pace and started to think my training served its purpose.  Then the heat started to occupy my body with objection after objection.  It’s too hot, I didn’t stretch enough, did I put on socks (no because I forgot them) and so forth.

The expo did not help matters.  First of all, transportation was a disaster, it  took us here, there, everywhere and we had a bus driver that took a wrong turn and so forth.  Expo lines were a joke.  There were lines for everything that appeared and disappeared, remolding into confusion every 30 seconds.  I started to question my motivation for this race.

The day before the race I took one last run around the resort.  This one felt better, but still hot…so hot.  I was unraveling quickly.  Luckily, I have a steady rock in my life named Jayson who can always be counted upon for an extra kick of support.  I’m glad he was there with me.

Did I forget to mention that I had to be on the bus to the start line no later than 4 a.m.?  That’s all I want to say about that.  

The scene at the race start was absolute madness.  Tutus everywhere.  No real sense of where to go and just the trust that you’re following the right crowd.  Ok, ok…it wasn’t that bad.  There were some cool princess-themed back drops to take pictures and marathon photo was standing by to help those of us who refuse to run with more than what’s necessary.  And let’s see, the Fairy God Mother was there to wish us on our way.  

Still, despite all this magic and positive energy, every other word out of my fellow racers mouth was a complaint.  Makes sense as the majority of runners were female and our gender is known to complain.  ”They need more port-a-potties” or “that girl’s outfit looks better” and things like that.  

After crossing the start line and running immediately into a wall of walkers, I quickly realized this race would not be the personal best I had hoped for. Running faster wasn’t even an option.  I had no where to go.  It was packed…and I was in corral D.  

So, I relaxed and tried to enjoy the run, realizing that I could still try and push myself a little.  The first stretch of the race was the hardest as there’s really not much to look at.  There are characters staged along the way and many stop for photos.  Are you starting to see the picture clearly?  Around mile four I started to think I was running far but not really getting anywhere.  I stopped for the bathroom, which after comparing the time on my watch and my race time, took seven minutes.  Ouch.  

My 8K time rocked and I used that momentum to carry me into the Magic Kingdom.  Running down Main Street and through Cinderella’s Castle will forever be one of my fondest memories.  

Then came the hardest part of the race (mile 7/8) which for whatever reason always is a struggle for me.  It was a long and boring stretch and miles 9 + 10 were filled with hills and sloping corners.  At one hill I had to walk.  It’s the first time I’ve ever walked in a race.  The heat had once again seeped in and I was drained.  I knew if I didn’t walk then, I might not make it.  

The race map indicated the last leg would take me around Epcot’s world showcase, one of my absolute favorite places in the world.  That kept me going.  Still, as I watched my milage I quickly realized that a lap around the  world would exceed 13.1 miles.  My calculations were quickly confirmed and we did not lap the showcase.  Disappointment again.

I crossed the finish line with my hands held high and high-fived Mickey.  I maintained my time from the previous race but did not improve.  All things considered I should be proud.  So why do I feel less than satisfied?  I want to run the wine and dine again, but I don’t think I would run the princess unless I had some girls alongside me who were just looking for a fun race.  Still $175 is a lot for just a fun race.

I read a lot of comments on facebook and was almost relieved to see similar experiences to mine.  At least I was not alone in my observations.  I hope Disney will take those comments seriously and work to improve their race experience.  I’m by no means the fastest runner on the course and appreciate anyone who is out there trying, but half marathons are expected to have a bit more seriousness than a 5K or 10K.  Disney has definitely nailed the fun part, perhaps it needs to work on the etiquette part.  I read that one runner crossed the finish line with a time over four hours.  That exceeds the minimum pace requirement of 16 min/miles by quite a bit.  

So, there you are.  The best part was creating a Belle-themed outfit complete with a tutu that I made myself.  Little girls grow up idolizing princesses and believing in happily ever after.  My princess wanted adventure and something out of the ordinary.  She followed her heart and allowed herself to look beyond the surface.  It may have just been a cartoon that my mom turned on one afternoon when I was in first grade, but it shaped my outlook on life and continues to do so to this day.  Without her, I might not even have been out there at all.  

What I woke up to this morning (sorry Chicago)!

My interpretation of a lox poutine with fried capers & onions, cream cheese and poached eggs. (It was delicious!)

He didn’t have to, but he did…

Restaurant Week is Over and I am Sad…

Tuesday, February, 2th, 2013

Another Restaurant Week has come and gone and I am sad…or am I??  This year, I ate out four times during Restaurant Week but only ordered off of two restaurant week menus.  Here’s what happened:

• Devon for Lunch- $22, Lobster Bisque, Pretzel-Crusted Trout, Creme 
• Wildfire for Dinner- ordered a Ribeye 
• Frontier for Dinner- $33, Oysters, Boar Chop, Smore
• Union BBQ & Sushi for Dinner- ordered Happy Hour

I would try Devon again, but I’m not itching to go back.  The food was good, but this place is simply too corporate for me.  I need something with a more local feel.

Wildfire is always delicious.  I almost opted for the $44 Restaurant Week Dinner option, but was more than satisfied with the server’s personal recommendation of aged, bone-in, something, something uber-delicious cut of meat.  

Frontier, you sadly disappointed me!  The service was so incredibly slow and the portions…not so great.  By service I do not mean the wait staff, but rather the time between courses.  I don’t think it should take two hours for an entire meal that was what it was.  Still…I might try it again.  They’d probably have to entice me with an offer I couldn’t refuse.

Union BBQ & Sushi was probably the biggest disappointment out of my Restaurant Week culinary adventures.  First of all, they advertised a $22 RW menu and we received a $33 menu.  The $33 menu did not look deserving of that much money, so we ordered happy hour items and the rest al a carte.  I adore Kale, so when I saw Tempura Kale, I got really excited.  Let’s just say it was damn near impossible to eat.  Both Jayson and I detested the specialty crab roll, but the server happily let us substitute the fried calamari roll.  This was edible only after removing the cilantro (who puts cilantro in sushi?) and the outer wrap.  I’m not really pining to go back, but if I did, I would stick strictly to the happy hour items (which were the best part of the meal).

All in all, it was a delicious week.  But still, I wonder if RW has reached its peak?  When I read over the participating restaurants I recognized many establishments that I didn’t think belonged.  Kerryman for example- great after-work bar, but certainly not my first choice for dropping $33.  And I can’t recall exactly, but I’m quite certain I saw Rain Forest Cafe…really?  I think my point is proving itself.  A lot of the top notch restaurants that got this thing off the ground are falling off the map.

Or…am I just rising up the foodie ladder and expecting more?  Where was Publican or Big Jones or The Southern last week?  I would have gladly paid double the RW price to try your high-quality items.  When it comes to food, quality always comes before quantity.  

I don’t have very many decent photos to share with you, because once again I was uninspired.  So, I’ll leave you a picture of my favorite item I ate last week…Devon’s Creme Brulee.  Stay hungry my friends.  

I’ve had the picture of Albert Einstein’s desk the day he died as my work desktop background for ages.  Today I decided to change it and this is what I chose.  

Hope?

Friday, January, 5th, 2013

Aries Jan 18 2013 A certain struggle you have faced or a heartache you endured or a situation that seemed to offer you nothing but unending disappointment has left you wondering “what was the point?” You have reached a place where you believe that none of it had meaning… that none of it happened for a reason. But the events of the first few months of this year will begin to show you the reason for all of it. You will begin to truly see for perhaps the first time your reason for being here, and you will realize that every single lesson and every single experience helped you to become who you are, and you will see that it was all worth it. — Copyright © DailyHoroscope. Download it now — http://bit.ly/DHmobile

Culinary Adventures: New Year’s Edition

Food nation, it’s been a while since my last culinary adventures post, but I’m excited about today’s!  It’s only January 9, but 2013 has already had my culinary senses in a whirl.  First, let me tell you about Kitsch’n.  When Jayson and I first started dating we bonded over brunch, so for our first Christmas together I got him an assortment of brunch certificates- one being Kitsch’n.  We never got around to going until this year even though I had heard so many good things about this place.  It’s always in the best brunch articles and they rave about their New Year’s Hangover Brunch.  

Our experience did not equate to the elevated culinary experience expressed in said reviews.  (Don’t believe everything you read!)  I don’t really want to drag on and on about a poor experience, this isn’t Yelp after all- so I’ll just say this.  My food was ok, Jayson’s looked like it was the fry guy’s first day on the job, and the service was less than adequate.  Also, they sat us in the patio where we shivered next to the one space heater.  If you want to give it a shot, go ahead.  But don’t say I didn’t warn you.

Now, let’s talk about a real breakfast place, Little Goat.  I have to give all the credit who Jayson, who brought it to my attention that the diner had at long last opened.  ”Do you want to go to Little Goat on Sunday?” he asked.  ”Yes! Yes! A thousand times yes!”  That really was the easiest question someone ever asked me.

We arrived shortly after 7 a.m. on Sunday.  That’s right 7 a.m.  If you know me but at all, you’ll know I’m not a morning person, but we wanted to avoid any crowds.  So there you go mom, that’s how you can get me out of bed in the morning (that or talking about the government, but that’s usually more negative).  The decor is absolutely splendid.  Talk about a restaurant that knows what it’s all about.  I increased my confidence simply by walking in the door, that’s how much this diner knows what it is.  The menu is diverse and hits all the classic breakfasts with a Stephanie Izard twist.  

Jayson chose Biscuits and Gravy and I, Oatmeal.  We also shared sides of hasbrowns, smoked fries and bacon.  If you’d like to read the description of each, you should check out their super fun web site here.  My favorite was all of it.  That’s right, all of it.  Each dish was fun and delicious in it’s own way.  I became more fun just by eating there.  And the service, oh yea… that’s what you want from service.  Friendly, clean, not too overbearing…makes you feel at home.  

And don’t worry about the prices, they’re right in line with what you’d expect to pay at any other “brunch” place in town.  Except that this one is the best and I want to go back and so does Jayson.  Oh my, I almost forgot to say that they are open until 2 a.m. and a serve dinner, no, no, I’m sorry…super.  This is a diner after all!  

By the way, she was there, Steph that is.  She was at Girl & the Goat when I went in September too.  I like this girl, everything I read about her is inspiring.  Both times I visited her restaurants on Sundays.  Sundays for crying out loud, the one day that everyone bitches about having to work.  Maybe we should all take a page out of her book and the world would be a little different.  

So check out Little Goat, and stay away from Kitsch’n (notice how I didn’t include a link to their web site?) and stay hungry my friends.  

I have a new favorite notebook that represents one of the best things to ever happen to me.