Sweaty Saturday... and a Hockey update

I don't have much to talk about for sweaty Saturday because I didn't get much running in this week. The week began with me getting locked out, so no running then. I got a run in on Tuesday and then woke up Wednesday morning with some pretty swollen lymph nodes and a bad cough. I have gotten this sickness every single winter ever since having a bout with mononucleosis when I was 16.

When I was in University, this sickness would stay around for a week or more. I was almost always in the middle of track season and there was no way I would let my smokers cough interrupt that! I wouldn't miss a practice, let alone a meet. Just medicate a bunch and all would be well. So it makes perfect sense to me why it always lasted so long. And although I'm training for the marathon now, I don't mind taking some days off to really allow myself to get healthy. It sure worked too, it's been only three days and the cough is almost gone and was able to do a short, easy run today. Yoohoo!

Hockey has been going pretty dang great for Kev's team. They have won 7 of their last 8 games including a big win last night against Berlin. The Freezers are currently sitting in third place in the league with a game tomorrow. A game that you can all watch! I'm not sure if that link will work, if it doesn't: go to the league website, www.del.org. Click on the "Krefeld Penguine-Hamburger Freezers"on the right side of the page under Live Videos. The game will be at 10:45 a.m. for the WI folk and 11:45 a.m. for you Markham people.

From last night's game

I will be with a bunch of the girls tomorrow and their children watching the game and decorating Christmas cookies. Cookies that I must go finish! Tschüss!

Happy Thanksgiving

This is an exchange between myself and the only other American girl on the team today. It definitely doesn't seem like Thanksgiving here in our parts! I don't smell the turkey cooking, there is no NFL on our German TV, and I definitely won't be participating in the Black Friday shopping madness (bring it on, cyber Monday!). It does, however, really bother me that some stores are opening as early as 8 p.m. tonight. It was a fun shopping tradition when the stores opened at midnight or later on Friday, but in typical consumer driven American style, we are now allowing the need to find good deals for material things outweigh the importance of a day to spend with our families.

Although it doesn't feel like thanksgiving, I think I should keep the real reason we have Thanksgiving alive and give thanks. A few things I'm thankful for these days:

My family and friends back home: Those that are back in the states and Canada, you know who you are. I think about you often, miss you, am thankful that you're a part of my life, and look forward to seeing you soon! I'm a big fan of the phrase, "It's not goodbye, It's see ya later."

My hockey family and friends: Although this family can change year to year, I am blessed to meet amazing people and with them, celebrate our traditions and share many of life's ups and downs.

My health: Although I am currently battling a congested head, overall I am extremely lucky to have good health and that's something I don't take for granted. 

The Sun: It sounds silly, but living in a city where overcast days seem to be the norm, I am really grateful every time the sun peeks through. I can't think of a better way to start the day than to wake up to the sun shining through the blinds. 

Running: I am thankful for my ability to run and to have running be a part of my life. Even though it frustrates me many times, I am grateful for the times it also allows me to just think and relax.

Technology: While living abroad, things like skype, Facebook, this blog, and smart-phone apps are what keeps me in the loop and in touch with those I miss back home. I love being able to watch my goddaughter grow up by the photos I see on facebook and to be able to constantly message in a group chat with my hometown girlfriends. 

In the midst of eating turkey, drinking wine, and celebrating together, I hope all of you back home are able to take some time to count your blessings and remember what Thanksgiving is really about!

And then get your butts out into the cold and buy lots of stuff. Tschüss!

Sweaty Saturday

Thanks to a girlfriend, I am lucky to be even getting this post up. Which is because I'm locked out of the apartment this weekend and Kev is away. I'll tell that story in a bit. Not writing today would have been a shame as I missed Sweaty Saturday last week due to our trip to Prague. I know you all would have been heartbroken to miss another one.

I did a fitness test this week in the form of a three mile time trial. This is the second "test" I've done since I started the training plan. The first one was a three kilometer time trial and didn't go so well. I am glad to report this one was better! I completed the time trial in 18:30. Although this was on the high end of the goal pace per mile range, overall, I am happy with the result. I feel as if I mentally stayed strong during the entire "race" (which I technically won, but that tends to happen when one races alone). I was able to reflect during my cool-down and really pinpoint the areas in those three miles where I can improve via form, mentality, etc. I am feeling good about where I currently am in the training and excited to keep getting stronger. I only wish I wasn't locked out and could access my shoes and gear to be able to run this weekend...

One thing I find I am really missing about running back home is the general comradery between runners. It doesn't matter where in North America I am, if I come along another runner (or walker), there is usually some sort of interaction, whether that be a smile and nod, or a smile and greeting of some sort. I come across many other runners here in Germany, but unless I initiate some type of exchange, I am just passing another frown-faced runner. I know running isn't always fun, but come on, let's pretend we are somewhat enjoying ourselves. It is only in rare cases that I receive a smile, a "Guten Morgen" or "Hallo" from a fellow runner. These running experiences don't help to dissolve the stereotype that German people are unfriendly. Luckily, I have spent enough time in this country and come across plenty of friendly Germans to know the stereotype isn't completely true. 

Now, I know you are all wondering: Autumn, you dunce you, how did you manage to get locked out? Well, the boys had to take the train today to Mannheim for their game tomorrow. My girlfriend and I were going to head downtown for the day so we went with them to the local train station, to which Kev drove. Since he was driving the vehicle, he had the car/apartment key set and the spare set (so he could get back into the apartment upon return from Mannheim). We got to the train station, I rushed over to buy us tickets since we were cutting it close on time, boarded the train, said goodbye to the boys when we reached their stop, and continued downtown. After a bit of shopping and sitting down for lunch, I realized I never got the car/apartment set back from him. Scheiße!!! So here I am, carless, apartmentless, embarrassed, and glad Kev is not one a 4-day road trip!

I hope your weekend was less stressful and I hope you were able to sweat a little bit today! Tschüss!

Eat Panera at home! Broccoli-Cheddar Soup

Winter is in the air! We are sitting at -1 degrees and although there is no snow on the ground, (thank goodness!) I am enjoying just thinking about getting this apartment ready for Christmas and cozying up on the couch with a blanket, hot chocolate, and a movie! Normally, I refuse to even think Christmas until after American Thanksgiving. However, seeing as I will be working the evening of Thanksgiving, and the Christmas markets start here next week, I feel ready to just get into the Christmas spirit. Don't feel sorry for me, I got to partake in Canadian Thanksgiving in October and we will be having our turkey dinner again this year with the Scherenberg's and Horst and Gale the first week of December.

For most people, this is perfect soup season. I didn't used to be a big soup fan, I never liked the way the veggies got so soggy and always thought the only liquids that I was supposed to consume warm were beverages. When we had tomato soup and grilled cheese growing up, I used to put about an inch of soup in my bowl, just enough to dip the grilled cheese into.

That's all changing as I am finding soups, thanks to Pinterest, usually, that make my taste buds excite. A while ago, I stumbled upon Budget Savvy Diva's copycat Panera Bread's broccoli cheddar soup. Now, I can't say I have ever even ordered soup at Panera Bread, but I've never heard bad things about the soup, or any of their food for that matter.

This soup was absolutely delicious! We dipped some garlic bread into it for added yumminess. Give it a try yourself when you need to heat up on a cold day. You can find the original recipe here, as I tweaked some things in ours. I doubled the recipe when I made it, it's always nice to have some to freeze! Kev actually preferred it frozen and reheated.

Broccoli-Cheddar Soup (serves 4)

Ingredients:

1/2 medium onion, chopped
1/4 c. butter
1/4 c. flour
2 c. whole milk
2 c. chicken broth
1 head fresh broccoli (florets only, chopped small)
1 c. thickly grated carrots
1/8 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. nutmeg
1/4 tsp. pepper
1 1/2 c. grated cheddar cheese

Directions:

1. Saute onions in a bit of butter, set aside.
2. Melt butter in pot, add flour, stir and cook for 3 min.
3. Add milk and chicken broth, slowly, stirring the whole time.
4. Bring to a boil, stirring, then simmer on low for 20 minutes.
5. Add broccoli, carrots, and onions, simmer for 25.
6. Mix in salt, pepper, and nutmeg.
7. Heat soup over low and mix in cheese until melted.
8. Serve! Add a little cheese on top for good looks and extra cheesiness. :)

If you haven't noticed, there is a new page tab at the top of the blog. It's a quick view of all the places this hockey lifestyle has taken us so far. Happy Friday! Tschüss!

Cursed on the November break...

Cursed might be a strong word, but our bad luck with sickness and the November DEL break is 2/2. Our trip to Prague was plagued by a bit of a stomach flu. Not nearly as bad as Paris last year and I felt perfectly fine, but Kev wasn't doing so great and we definitely spent more time in the hotel than we would have liked! No wild nights out in Prague for us.

Nevertheless, we did get out to see the city and I have determined that it is my favorite place I have travelled to thus far. If you would have asked me before coming to Europe what I think European cities would look like, I believe I would have described Prague. The architecture is old, delicate, and beautiful on what seems like every single building, there are many cathedrals and synagogues, a castle, statues with meaning everywhere, and not to mention the beautiful Charles Bridge. We had breakfast at a cafe Albert Einstein was a regular at by morning and snacked on Czech pastries in the lit up Old Town square by night. We went back in history and toured around in a beautiful red car from 1928.

Sadly, I feel like I did not walk away with much more knowledge of the history or current events of Prague as I came in with. We had intended to do a half-day walking tour Friday, but we cancelled that not knowing how Kev was going to be feeling. I did find out that the Prague castle was founded in 870 is able to boast the largest castle area in the world (with 18 acres total in courtyards and buildings). The city is amazing and has so much history, I would love to go back again!

Astronomical Clock

Old Town Square

Charles Bridge

Kev's favorite part of the trip I think!

View from "Powder Tower"

Charles Bridge

View from Old Town Hall/Astronomical Clock Tower

Kev has been feeling better since we got back and he was able to just rest and sleep yesterday. He will be ready to go for Friday's game. The break was nice to have, but I'm sure Kev is hungry to get back on the ice for some games. The boys went into the break on a five-game win streak, so hopefully they will be able to carry that forward! 

Happy Monday, Tschüss!

A little late but...

HAPPY HALLOWEEN FROM STEVE IRWIN AND HIS CROCODILE!!

Sweaty Saturday

My training week in review:

Sunday: 14.25 miles, average pace: 8:24 per mile. Currently my longest run ever, but I suppose I will be having my "longest run ever" a lot leading up to April!

Monday: 2.73 miles, avg. pace: 9:09. I felt Bruh-uhtal on this run. I didn't do a very good job refueling and rehydrating after Sunday's run and it really took an effect on my body today. Had a fever and lots of aches Monday night. Lesson learned: Wine is not a proper source of energy post-long run!

Tuesday: 4.46 miles, avg. pace: 8:38. Had a bit of speed tacked onto the end.

Wednesday: SPEED 4x1000 meters with 90 seconds recovery. You will quickly learn that I one thing I do love to do is intervals!! I'm a miler at heart so I love me some speed.

Thursday: Didn't have time for a run between work and class so I settled on a quick ab workout thanks to my Nike Training i-Phone app.

Friday: Run #1: 6 miles, avg. pace: 8:12. Felt great and was really enjoying a new route!
            Run #2: 2.83 miles, avg. pace: 8:28 with some quick strides in there. Strength training.

Saturday: 3 x 1 mile repeats with two minutes recovery.

Weekly mileage: ~42 miles

I continue to learn how much of training is mental. I used to dread distance runs, thinking "45 minutes?! Ugh, that is so long!" Don't even get me started on the long runs! But now that I have done a couple runs just short of two hours, I'll see those 50 minute runs on the schedule and think, "oh really, that's all?" Such a large part of my journey towards a marathon will be training my head to really push the limits and change my view on running in general. Although I never truly looked forward to long runs, I always enjoyed the time spent conversing and bonding with my teammates, many of whom are and will always be my best friends. Now that most of my training is done alone, I am able to adjust my viewpoint and see my longer runs as an amazing way to explore Hamburg and see parts of the city that I may not have otherwise.

Like that cool playground above in the middle of a forest of trails. Not that I have kids of my own to bring to it, but I never would have found this without my running! I've been running with my phone lately to use nike's GPS app, so I'll try to snap any other cool things along the way.

Speaking of kids, Ida may be my favorite girl baby in the entire world. Now I didn't want my only little nephew, Cole, to get jealous so I made sure to clarify. I said girl, Cole, you are by far my favorite little man and I miss you! Ida is just at such a fun age right now (18 months) and I can't get enough of her. She loves animals and although she can't speak much yet, she knows how to oink and moo with the best of them.

Don't you just want to squeeze her?? More German lessons for you all as well!

Now that I have already digressed from the running theme of Sweaty Saturday, I'll let you all go. Enjoy your weekend! Tschüss!