Dinner Party, Solo Run, Easter and Sox!

Saturday night I had my friends Gretchen and Carissa over along with their significant others for a Dinner Party.  We split up a lot of the menu and came up with a pretty amazing meal.  Here is the Menu:

Appetizers:

Baked Brie with Apricot Jam (me)

 Guacamole and Chips (me) not pictured

Bruscetta (Carissa)

Scallops Wrapped in Bacon (Carissa)

Dinner:

Braised Short Ribs with Sauteed Swiss Chard and Pearl Onions (Gretchen)

This the from Smitten Kitchen

Maple Salmon (me) from Closet Kitchen

 Roasted Maple Carrots and Parsnips (me) not pictured

Greens with Pears, Grapefruit and Parm Salad (Carissa)

Swiss Chard Sweet Potato Casserole (me)

Desserts:

Maple Cheesecake (me) inspired by here and here
Also my first time making Cheesecake!!!

 Dulce De Leche Cookies (me) from Annie-Eats

Nutella Cake (me)

While the girls cooked...

the boys did a lot of this:

And then it was dinner time!!

The short ribs were clearly the star of the night and absolutely amazing.  I can't wait to make these myself.  All in all, it was a really fun night with tons of great food.


Sunday morning I woke up knowing I had to complete a long run... alone.  I don't do well running alone, but I may be alone for the marathon so I knew I had to get used to it.  I set out at 8:30am and ran for 14 miles at 9:12 pace.  I stopped at mile 6.5 to buy a water and again at mile 12 to refill the water.  It was a gorgeous day out in the run wasn't that bad.  Here are the mile breakdowns:

14 Miles in 2:08:41 9:12 avg pace Fastest Pace: 6:39 pace

Mile 1: 8:51

Mile 2: 8:56

Mile 3: 9:00

Mile 4: 8:57

Mile 5: 9:30

Mile 6: 8:57

Mile 7: 8:52

Mile 8: 9:12

Mile 9: 9:32

Mile 10: 9:18

Mile 11: 9:07

Mile 12: 10:09 (stopped here to get water)

Mile 13: 9:29

Mile 14: 8:53 (wahoo!!)

6 of these 14 miles were under 9 minute pace.  Barely under 9 minute pace but under!

After the run, we headed up to Dave's parents house for Easter.  We passed through Boston and it was such a perfect Boston day I couldn't help but take a picture.  This is why I LOVE THIS CITY!!

Dave's mom made an amazing Easter meal and it was a blast hanging out with both our families. Check out all the food!

We have Ham with Mustard Pineapple Sauce, Salad, Cheesy Potatoes, Squash, and Asparagus. And for desserts, we have Lemon Lush, Angel Food Cake and Strawberries.  And maybe a bite or two of Nutella Cake.

 Around 5 we left and I got dropped off at Fenway Park for Opening Night!  The game was amazing and we came away with a win! I went with a bunch of friends from work.  Down below is Carissa and I and then the picture below is Carissa, me, Gretchen and Remi!

 Okay on to last weeks Weekly Workouts:

Monday- off (worked late)

Tuesday- off (sore)

Wednesday- 6 miles

Thursday- 9 miles

Friday- off

Saturday- off

Sunday- 14 Miles

Weekly Miles: 29 

Not the greatest week obviously so this week better be better!!

 And dinner menu for this week:

Monday: Shrimp & Mushroom Mac N Cheese & Kale Chips

Tuesday: Spinach and Cheese Strata

Wednesday: Brocollini & Baked Cod

Thursday: Quinoa Taco Salad

Friday: Root Vegetable Grain

Planned Workouts for the Week:

Monday- off

Tuesday- 3Miles

Wednesday- Physical Therapy

Thursday- 8 Miles

Friday- 3 Miles

Saturday- 20-22 Miles

Sunday-off

Total Mileage: 38-42

Edited to Add: I ran this morning and had a lot of achilles pain.  I stopped into Physical Therapy and they basically told me the same thing- overuse, need to take care of my achilles by coming in more, etc. etc.  I'm going to go back to PT tomorrow and hope for the best.  I am officially signed up for the Providence Marathon so there is no backing out now! No injury will stop me.  Now you have it in writing.