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Tag Archives: wine

Run the Vineyards 5k (20:30)

October 15, 2015 By in Running, Training Tags: , , , , 7 Comments

The day after running the Panther Prowl I decided to run an XC course. Last month I raced the Run the Vineyards Grapes and Peaches 10k.  The race was well put together and one of my favorite races so far this year.  I knew that eventually I would want to do another Run the Vineyards Race.  I haven’t been fond of doing long runs on Sundays lately, so I decided to do the Run the Vineyards 5k instead.

I arrived at the race around 8:20. It was further than anticipated, but I was able to sign up, warm up and then make it to the race start. At the starting line, I noticed a younger kid with a GoPro attached to his head. He looked pretty serious, and I assumed he would win (Spoiler: he did).

The race went off with no issue.  I immediately found myself as the second person overall. After .1, I stayed at that position the entire time. I could always see the GoPro kid in front of me, but I didn’t have the energy or speed to catch him. Immediately into the race, we made a hard turn into the Vineyard. It was grassy, muddy and wet. It was the typical cross country terrain. The first mile weaved in and out of Vineyards and through a wide open field. I found the open field to be the muddiest. We crossed over some soft sand, and my watch beeped a 6:20 first mile.  That was actually faster than I anticipated.

The second mile went through more of the field and passed over a road into another Vineyard. During the crossing I noticed there were wild turkeys ahead. Thankfully one of the volunteers began chasing them away because I was terrified. During the second mile, my legs started to feel the effect of the course. I haven’t run on trails or grass in a while, let alone mud or flooded terrain. I felt myself drastically slowing, but I wasn’t surprised. I ran the second mile in 6:36.

The third mile went back towards the start. It was an out and back course, so we ran by people running the opposite direction. I was slowly becoming more tired, and my legs were fatigued. I felt like I was running through quicksand! The third mile of any 5k is frequently boring and uneventful. I focused on finishing. We did a giant loop through 2 Vineyard trails and all of a sudden I could see the finish line. I ran the last mile in 6:56 and finished in 20:30.

Awkward photo of the day goes to me...

Awkward photo of the day goes to me…

Thoughts:

It’s impossible to compare cross country times to road race times. I had a great race, and I have missed running on open fields. I plan to look for several more cross country style races before Winter.  This time is closer to my previous road 5k times from earlier in the summer.  That shows a huge improvement because this course was much more difficult.

I had a great time and had no regrets.  I even won a bottle of wine. I enjoy the Run the Vineyards races, so I am hoping to do the last couple before next season. I recommend them to anyone in the NJ/PA area.

Questions for you:

What is your favorite type of wine?

Do you like cross country races?

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Grapes and Peaches 10k (40:55)

September 15, 2015 By in Running, Training Tags: , , , 26 Comments

On Sunday I ran the Run the Vineyards 10k.  It was a cross-country style course that went through both grape and peach vineyards.  After working a local cross-country race the day before, I was really excited to run my own, I miss cross country races!

My husband and I got to the race around 8 am. We warmed up and got to the race start at 8:55.  The weather was beautiful and definitely the best weather we have had in a while.  I met up with personal friends Angela and Brittany at the start too.

Once the race started Angela, Brittany and I found ourselves running together.  The first mile was definitely the hardest terrain wise. There was a lot of sand, dirt and small rolling hills. There were also a lot of twists and turns. We ran the first mile in 6:48.

run the vineyards

After the first mile I found my grove.  I felt strong.  I focused on avoiding the potholes and running the tangents well.  There were a lot of course turns.  By the second mile, Angela and I were alone running side by side.  We ran the second mile in 6:30.

My goal of the third mile was just to get through it.  In any race I feel much more motivated after the halfway point. I continued to power through mile 3.  There was a bit of sand and dirt but luckily I avoided them.  I ran the third mile in 6:37.

run the vineyards 5

During the fourth mile, I found myself as first women overall.  It was short lived and Angela accompanied by a cyclist powered by me like I was standing still.  There was no way I could keep up with them!  I focused on myself and trying to stay motivated.  I watched as they both got further and further away.  Being dropped is never fun but I ran the fourth mile in 6:34.

run the vineyards 2

During mile 5 we headed directly back into the Vineyards! I loved running near and around the peaches.  The cyclist turned off the course and we headed deep into the Vineyard.  I saw the race director, Ken, and he signaled only one final straightaway.  I hit mile 6 in 6:37.

run the vineyards 1

The finish went through a straight orchard and it was by far the coolest finish I’ve had in a while.  I finished in 40:55 and 2nd women overall.  Angela finished first and Brittany finished third.  It’s always cool to go 1-3 with people you know!

run the vineyards 3

run the vineyards 6

Ignore my eyes are awkwardly closed

Thoughts: 

This was a really good race for me.  To be honest, this would have been a great time for me if it was all roads but on a cross-country course I can’t be happier with it. I ran a 45:40 at the Flag Day trail 10k course earlier in the summer so I’m making progress!  I’m happy to see small improvements in my running and can’t wait to keep racing.

I also want to make note that this was one of the best and most well organized races I’ve ever participated in. Run the Vineyards also includes free race photos. The course was extremely well marked (there was paint on the ground with arrows throughout the entire way).  It’s a series of races through NJ/PA so if you like wine or cross country style races….I would recommend it.  I plan to do more as well.

Questions for you:
Do you like cross country and trail races?
What is your favorite type of wine?
Personally I like dry red wine.

 

Wineocakes

June 3, 2013 By in Breakfast, Food, Recipe Tags: , , , , , , 19 Comments

Okay don’t get your panties in a bunch.  After last week’s Guinness Pancakes those who did not like Guinness (weird) asked if there were any alternatives.  Did you ask that at college ragers too?  Of course there are alternatives to beer.  I’ll probably spend the next couple of weeks experimenting with my inner alchi.  (YAY for being 21). 

Why not make a winocake (winowaffle?).

winepancakes2

To be quite honest, I enjoy wine but I don’t drink a lot of it.  I still would rather have a bottle of beer but if someone is offering wine at a nice get together I usually won’t turn it down.  That is why this week is for all you wine lovers a nice delectable wine pancake.  I’m guessing you might want to make this for a brunch or a nice breakfast with the girls but you never know. 

2/3 cup flour

¼ cup dark cocoa powder (I used hershey’s dark cocoa)

1 egg

1 cup red wine

1 tsp baking powder

¼ cup sweetener (I used stevia)

1 tsp vanilla extract

For the glaze:

1/4 cup red wine

1 tablespoon melted butter

1/4 cup sweetener (less if you like bitter…more if you don’t)

1 tsp vanilla extra

Mix and pour over

Here is the thing.  The wine will not fully cook out.  You won’t get tipsy but as always I don’t recommend using this as a 6am breakfast…unless you really want too.  It would be great with the girls for a brunch and I fully plan on it…just next time I actually have friends over ha.

I tried to get the foodie design just perfect.

I tried to get the foodie design just perfect.

I almost forgot to tell you, that I had some friends over for a wino pancake breakfast party who quite enjoyed them.  I really enjoyed these a lot more than I thought I would, although I like wine (still not as much as Guinness LOL).

Questions for you: Are you a wineo? 

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