“The best way out is always through.” ― Robert Frost

So I keep on keepin' on.

Today I wanted to see how long it would take me to do 3.1 miles on a walk/jog pace. It took me 48 minutes to reach 3.1 and the total distance I went was 3.18 in 50 minutes. I had a panic attack during the last 5 minutes but I had to keep it together since the gym was not deserted today (boo). Marathon man was there and a new girl I haven't seen before was there. I'll call her marathon girl. Marathon girl was most likely wearing perfume because I could smell it 2 treadmills over. Wearing perfume to the gym is something that makes no sense to me. You can't possibly smell that terrible that you need to be all perfumed up to workout. At first I was annoyed by her fit presence striding along faster than I could ever hope to run. Then I started striding along with her (my strides being MUCH smaller and slower) and it was nice. I was mentally beating myself up the entire time (which is why I prefer a deserted gym, but I seriously need to get over it already), but I need to accept the fact that I am responsible for gaining 50 pounds and getting into the worst shape of my life. Now I need to dig myself out of that hole. And since I had a good 40 pounds on that chick (her legs were the size of my biceps...yeah...) I figure I'm doing good jogging along between a 12-14 minute pace.

I am broken up with running in my mind, but I get on the treadmill and I just won't stop trying. I still jog for 5 minutes at a time with various walk breaks. I think it's just so ingrained, I don't want to stop. I'm terrified about the race at the end of the month, but I'm hoping I come in around 45-48 minutes. If I do better, well then that will be a great surprise. If I do worse, well, I wasn't expecting much anyway. Last year the last person to cross the finish line in that race came in with an 18 minute mile so I'm hopeful I won't be the only slow one. Yay!

Yesterday I made Halupki (Pigs in Blanket) Soup for dinner and it was AMAZING. It tastes exactly like a shredded up halupki (piggies, pigs in a blanket, etc.) in broth. Nomz! I grew up in a Slovak-Irish family so anything with cabbage is comfort food to me. So here's the recipe if you're a lover of halupki like me!

Halupki Soup (Pigs in Blanket Soup)

Ingredients:
1 lb. ground beef
1 cup chopped onions
1 clove garlic finely chopped
2 cans (14.5 oz) of beef broth
1 package (1 lb.) of shredded cole slaw (in the bagged salad area)
1 (28 oz) can diced tomatoes
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/2-3/4 cup uncooked rice (I used 3/4 c. because I like more rice in my halupki)

Directions:
Spray pot with Pam (or use a tablespoon or two of olive oil).

Brown meat, add onions and stir for about 5 minutes. Stir in garlic and heat until fragrant (about 30 sec). Add broth, cole slaw, tomatoes, salt, and lemon juice. Bring mixture to a boil.

After bringing the mixture to a boil, reduce the heat to medium, add rice, and simmer for 45 minutes.

Enjoy!

And I shall leave you with this:

Happy Fish Fingers and Custard Day!
AND
3 years of being a Whovian!