Waking up in the 5 o’clock hour is okay. But waking up when the first digit on the clock says 4 – well that’s pushing the limits – even for me! But, when Kristin asked me if I wanted to ride down to Columbus with her, to cheer on her best friend who was running the Columbus half marathon – I happily obliged!
In order to get down there in time to see Blair – we needed to be on the road by 5:15 – which put my Sunday morning wake up call at 4:45!!! 
Some of you may recall – I was SUPPOSED to be running my first ever, FULL marathon yesterday:
But because of injury – couldn’t! 
So really – this shirt just cost me $65 …
I digress! Anyhow – I wanted to go with Kristin for a lot of reasons -
- To cheer on her friend, Blair – I think anyone running their first race deserves a LOT of cheerleaders!!!!
- I love Columbus
- To keep Kristin company
- Before I started the blog – I was supposed to run a half marathon but got sick and couldn’t run it – and I ended up attending that race as a spectator instead. So I figure – it’s “tradition” for me to attend the race I had signed up for – and then I can successfully run it a year later!
We made it down just in time to catch Blair at mile 3 and 4 (running sub 10-minute miles!) – then stopped at Block’s Bagels (apparently a Columbus staple?):
I ordered an “Everything” bagel with light veggie cream cheese – and I swear – there is at LEAST a pound of cream cheese on there!
I scrapped off about half of it:
But I must say – it was one DELICIOUS bagel! (that’s two bagels in one week – my eating is still so out of whack!) 
Then we headed for the finish line – the last 0.1 miles were all down hill – it was SO exciting to watch everyone coming in (okay – and a little depressing; deep down, I was really sad I wasn’t out there braving 26.2 for the first time). I cheered my heart out for everyone as they came in:
The looks on some of the runners faces – were – INTENSE!!! Blair ended up finishing in around 2:08 which is AWESOME for her first ever half marathon! WAY TO GO BLAIR!!!!
After we got home from Columbus – I stopped at Target to pick up a few quick items – including a new collar for Lando! I got her a new collar – NOT because her old one was dirty:
But because she got a hold of her old one when we took it off of her Saturday night – and managed to mangle the clasp before I caught her in the act! 
And since we are talking about my lovely, adorable little monster dog – I thought I’d show you what she did in the yard on Saturday:
She hasn’t dug up the backyard it almost a year – but for some reason – Saturday morning – went to TOWN on the corner of the yard, right outside the back porch door. Ahhh the joys of having a monster face sweet puppy…
That crazy cream cheese bagel held me over until about 4pm – when I decided I wanted to make some chili for dinner! The whole time I was cooking – I was chowing down on these:
MMMM pickles! No NUBS! 
Since I don’t usually keep meat in the house – I tried to think what sort of chili I was going to make: veggie chili, quinoa concoction chili, tofu chili (???) – and it hit me – LENTIL CHILI!
I’ve never made Lentil Chili before, but I googled a few recipes, came up with my own interpretation/idea – and went to town!!!!
First - chopped up some peppers and onion – and got them working in the pot:
After 3 or 4 minutes – I added in a can of pinto beans, and a can of dark red kidney beans (both rinsed!):
After all the veggies were in together – I added seasonings! (I used Cayenne, Chili Powder, Paprika, Cumin, Garlic Salt, and Chopped Onion)
Last, but not least – I added 4 cups of liquid (water/chicken broth – whatever combo you want – I had about 2.5 cups of broth left, and used water for the rest), 1 cup of lentils, and 1 small can of tomato paste:
Brought that all up to a boil – and then reduced the heat, covered it, and let it simmer for about 50 minutes!
I portioned out half the pot – and made 3 large servings for myself (you’ll see the 3rd in just a minute):
and added a can of chicken the remaining chili on the stove, to make my carnivore husband happy! 
When I went to put my extras in the fridge – I remember I’d received some awesome samples from the kind people at Pulmuone/WildWood – and decided I would make my own Cincinnati chili! I used these Pasta Slims for the first time:
and topped them off with some lentil chili, cheese, and OF COURSE – Frank’s Hot Sauce!
Look at that spicy goodness!
Verdict: BEST. IDEA. EVER!!!!!! I am a huge fan of the shirataki noodles they sell at Whole Foods – but these Pasta Slims are EVEN BETTER! Thanks Pulmuone!!! And the Lentil Chili – was a hit with both me AND MIKE! Yeah – I added chicken to his – but I THINK I ACTUALLY GOT HIM TO ENJOY A LENTIL DISH! Wooohooo!
After the salty pickles and the spicy chili – I was craving something sweet – and when I found these in the fridge – I was super excited!
I don’t know why – but I LOVE keeping dried apricots in the fridge – they make such a nice cool treat!
I ended up having what you see below – times 3! 
Shortly thereafter – I was in bed (I’m pretty sure it was still in the 8 o’clock hour!) – I was pooped from such a long day, and I didn’t even do anything really!!!
Here’s to running my first marathon in 2010!!!! Whose with me?!?!
Attention all FOODIES!!!!!
I’ll be out of town twice in the month of November (crazy – I hardly go on trips, and I have 2 in one month!!!) and need some guest bloggers/posters. You do not need to have a blog – all you need is: the inclination to take lots of pictures, and the desire to talk about the things in those pictures! If you are interested – PLEASE e-mail me at greendogwine@hotmail.com! Thanks!!!
28 Comments so far
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so glad you went and cheered your friend on
and CANT WAIT FOR THE NOVEMBER TRIP! its coming SO SOON 
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By Ashley on 10.19.09 1:56 pm | Permalink
That’s so awesome that you went to cheer for other people even if you couldn’t run.
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By Diana on 10.19.09 1:56 pm | Permalink
Sorry you couldn’t run it
But I think its wonderful that you went and provided support! The bagel looks super delicious. Its def chili time! Yours looks like it turned out fantastic
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By Erica on 10.19.09 1:59 pm | Permalink
Waking up at the 4 o-clock hour is tough! That was great of you to show your support!
Your chili looks so good! The noodles is a clever idea!
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By Estela @ Weekly Bite on 10.19.09 2:05 pm | Permalink
Good for you getting out there and cheering and supporting the runners! That’s really admirable. (I, by contrast, would probably throw several temper tantrums and whine a lot…and dig up the yard.)
Aww, Lando just chews her collar to show how much her love for you cannot be constrained by such things as plastic clasps!
And I love lentils, and I love chili, so that sounds a-okay to me.
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By Mica on 10.19.09 2:07 pm | Permalink
Ummm, hellooooo- Andrea of Off Her Cork and I are here in Cbus. Next time we need to meet up!!
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By Fattie Fatterton on 10.19.09 2:09 pm | Permalink
I would love to do a guest post for you! Let me know! Also, I am sooo bummed I didn’t see you in Columbus! Maybe we can plan to do it next year?!
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By The Healthy Hostess on 10.19.09 2:25 pm | Permalink
OF COURSE you are going to run that marathon next year. AND KICK IT’S BUTT.
I love the Lando stories. Presh.
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By Whit on 10.19.09 2:33 pm | Permalink
Marathons are totally overrated. At least you can walk today
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By Mama Pea on 10.19.09 2:34 pm | Permalink
mama pea makes me laugh.
also – thank you for coming with me – you are the bestest ever. and i know blair really appreciated it as well.
cant wait to cheer you on in cleveland 2010!!! i know all the best cheering spots from last year!
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By kristin on 10.19.09 4:12 pm | Permalink
You’re a great friend for getting up that early. Blair did an awesome job! And I love the sound of that chili. One thing I’ve never understood is lentil soup; it takes soooo much water to cook them, I couldn’t imagine how much liquid it takes to cook them and keep a broth going.
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By Evan Thomas on 10.19.09 4:20 pm | Permalink
I agree! I’m even fine with 5:00 am. But 4:59??? no way
Sorry you weren’t able to run the marathon
I feel for you on the injury front. If my hip doesn’t heal soon, there’s a whole slew of fun races I won’t get to do 
That’s great you went and supported Blair, though! The chili looks really yummy, too 
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By Anne K. on 10.19.09 4:40 pm | Permalink
I think you are very generous to go and cheer on those in the race even though you were out for it this year. You will appreciate those people at the end cheering you on next year when you DO run it!!
Courtney
Adventures in Tri-ing
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By Courtney on 10.19.09 4:41 pm | Permalink
seriously stinks to have a paid a race fee and not get to go…that was me last weekend. Way to go on being an awesome…seriously early morning spectator!!
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By RunToTheFinish on 10.19.09 5:30 pm | Permalink
Thanks so much for coming to Columbus! You were one heck of a cheerleader! It really was soooo nice of you! It totally helped me through the race! By the way. . will you come back to Columbus to make me that amazing meal? Looks delish! Thanks again!
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By Blair on 10.19.09 5:53 pm | Permalink
I have never seen those Pasta Slims. Do they taste like the Shirataki noodles? I like those.
Props to you for going out and supporting your friend. 2010 will be your year!
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By Lee on 10.19.09 6:41 pm | Permalink
I’m sorry you couldn’t run 26.2 yesterday but you will someday!! What a great friend you are for supporting
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By Tay on 10.19.09 7:01 pm | Permalink
way to be a cheerleader! you’ll totally be the one getting cheered on next year.
great idea with the chili! I used to make some lentil sloppy joes now and then; may have to dust off that recipe now that we are getting some fall-ish weather …not that the weather has anything to do with eating lentils, but. you know
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By Emily on 10.19.09 7:37 pm | Permalink
GO BLAIR!
That is such a cute collar!!
Your chili looks amaze.
HAPPY TUESDAY BEAUTIFUL!!!
Oh and I have to do this (read my last post to know why):
Biodiversity includes: genetic diversity, functional diversity, ecological diversity, species diversity!
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By glidingcalm on 10.19.09 10:00 pm | Permalink
I’ll have to email you a guest post!!!
Diggings pups are never fun!
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By Amanda (Two Boos Who Eat) on 10.19.09 11:00 pm | Permalink
I’m with you on running a marathon in 2010. Here’s to staying injury free!!
I’m so impressed you got up that early to support your friend.
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By Runningwriter on 10.20.09 8:28 am | Permalink
So sorry you weren’t able to run- but it’s so cool that you still went! And the number 4 should never start the time on your alarm!
I love that our pups wear the same collars! Dixie hasn’t gotten a hold of her collar yet, but she did chew up her Gentle Leader (she hates that thing!).
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By healthy ashley on 10.20.09 9:38 am | Permalink
That’s awesome that you were up so early to cheer on your friend! I’m sure your friends will be there to cheer you on next year when you run, woo hoo!!
That chili looks so yummy….I have a bunch of leftover tomatoes and beans in my fridge, so I might have to make a batch!
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By Menden @ Skinny Menny on 10.20.09 2:31 pm | Permalink
Bummer about the marathon =( But just think about how you’ll be crossing the finish line next year!
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By Allison (Balance in Bites) on 10.20.09 2:39 pm | Permalink
you are SUCH a great friend to go to a race that you were supposed to run to be a cheerleader. thats amazing. i can definitely say running a race with cheering on the sidelines makes ALL the difference in the world. this past weekend was crazy fun and its all because of people like you.
heres to 2010!
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By elise on 10.20.09 3:56 pm | Permalink
Hi, thanks for the comment!
I usually add lentils to my chili as a thickener (for meat chili) They’re pretty yummy!
I can probably help you out with a guest post if you get stuck
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By Errign on 10.20.09 4:13 pm | Permalink
that crazy lando!! little rascal
HOORAY ONE OF THOSE TRIPS IS WITH MEEE!
sorry about the injury.. and the pricey shirt!
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By janetha on 10.20.09 9:06 pm | Permalink
[...] up with the rest of my leftover Lentil Chili – served Cincinnati style [...]
By Green Dog Wine » Blog Archive » Give it to me straight, Doc on 10.22.09 4:53 pm | Permalink
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