26, 26, 26

on April 11, 2010
in All Posts

Too big for a spatula!

IMG_0091

I used a plate to flip this HUGE oatmeal pancake.  It threatened to crumble on me!

IMG_0094

My oatmeal pancake contained:

 

  • 3/4 cup oatmeal
  • 2 tablespoons almond milk
  • 1 egg
  • 1/4 cup canned pumpkin
  • Cinnamon and nutmeg
  • 2 pinches of baking powder

 

And I topped it with maple butter, strawberries, and blackberries.  So delicious!

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I think the canned pumpkin is what makes the oatmeal pancakes work… I love the flavor it infuses, especially when you generously dump cinnamon into the batter!

 

Push Up Challenge

 

Per my goal to get back into push ups, I banged out 20 push ups (2 sets of 10) this morning.  Wahoo!  Did you do your push ups, today?

 

26 Races Before My 26th Birthday on April 26

 

In my quest to do 26 races before April 26, I recently signed up for:

 

  • GR8 to DON8 8K Race for Organ Donation Awareness (Next Saturday, April 17)
  • Breakaway to Sugarloaf Metric Century Bike Race (Next Sunday, April 18)
  • Melbourne Beach Arts Festival 5K Race (April 24)

 

Next Saturday’s 8K is going to be an easy, just for fun run.  And for the upcoming 5K, I’m running it with my brother-in-law Nick.  It’s his first race!  He was going to do a 10K with me this past fall, but fell down the stairs and sprained his ankle.  I’m excited to race with him.

 

You can read the recaps of my 23 other races on this page.

 

Lots of excitement coming up – but it’s weird because after May, I have NO race plans.  I’m moving to Charlotte and haven’t really figured out the race scene yet.  I don’t even know when their “season” is (ours is in the Fall and Winter).

 

I’m getting pretty nervous about moving and adjusting to a new life, but for now… I’m just going to enjoy the next 2 months in Orlando!

{ 95 comments }

 

  • Deva (Voracious Vorilee) April 11, 2010, 10:13 am

    I think 26 races by 26 is awesome! I’m so excited for you :-). I can totally understand being nervous about moving and adjusting to a whole new locale. We relocated within our home state after college and had to adjust to a whole new area. It took us about a year, but now we love it here.

    • Samantha Angela @ Bikini Birthday April 11, 2010, 11:05 am

      Agreed. It can take a little while to get into the groove of a new city but once you do it can be great. It can also be awful, but we’re going for great here.

  • Michelle April 11, 2010, 10:17 am

    26 races before you turn 26 is great! Good luck in all of them!
    And I get you’re nervous about moving..but I’m sure you’ll adjust fast 🙂

  • Freya @ Brit Chick Runs April 11, 2010, 10:18 am

    Yay, there’ll be so many race recaps coming up! I love them 😀
    Isn’t Charlotte really hot in the summer? I heard it hits like, 40degrees and is really humid :s I sense lots of mega early morning runs…
    LOVE that pancake btw! When I come to the USA in the autumn I’m going to try and pick up some canned pumpkin so I can do stuff like that 😛
    Have a great day!

  • Marisa (Loser for Life) April 11, 2010, 10:21 am

    Whew! That’s a lot of races! But, if anyone can do it, Caitlin, I know it’s you! Keep on keepin on, girlie!!!

  • Jessica @ The Process of Healing April 11, 2010, 10:21 am

    Wow you have a lot of fun stuff coming up!!! I feel for your brother in law!! Injuries that get in the way of your plans really suck. So sweet of you to run with him!
    I live in Spartanburg, SC which is like an hour or so from Charlotte so I should know about the running season but I just got into looking into running races last winter before my injury but I think it’s mainly spring and fall, like FL. It’s SO hot and humid in the summer. But I’m sure it will be nothing compared to FL..

  • Caroline April 11, 2010, 10:22 am

    Hi Caitlin! I’m not from Charlotte, but I did my first tri there (Tri Latta) and it was great!! http://www.setupevents.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=event_detail&eventID=1404. I would recommend this race to anyone — it was very organized and a fun course!

    • caitlin April 11, 2010, 10:26 am

      Oh I wish I could be ready for that but I don’t think I’ll be in swimming shape then. Bah!

  • Kait April 11, 2010, 10:22 am

    Good luck with your upcoming races! You’re a champ with almost having all 26 done! I wish I had a race coming up soon, but my next one isn’t scheduled until July 4th 🙁

  • Nicole @ Making Good Choices April 11, 2010, 10:22 am

    That is a great goal to have, 26 before you’re 26..can’t wait to read more race recaps. I love that oatmeal pancake too, I love including oats when I make pancakes but I’ve never added pumpkin, my store was all out this week so hopefully they’ll have some next week!

  • Brittany April 11, 2010, 10:23 am

    Woo-hoo for 26 races before you’re 26th birthday! I can’t wait to hear all about them.

  • Brittany April 11, 2010, 10:24 am

    PS I love your new photo with the Fitbloggin tee!!

  • Kelly April 11, 2010, 10:24 am

    Even though I know you are totally motivated by races I think it’s great for you to have no race plans until you move and get a little settled. Hopefully it will take away some of the stress 🙂

    • caitlin April 11, 2010, 10:27 am

      that’s true, i’m going to have enough on my plate.

  • Heather (Heather's Dish) April 11, 2010, 10:25 am

    you are so hardcore! i love how dedicated you are to racing though – that’s quite the challenge, but you’re going to do great!

  • Julie @ Pickley Pear April 11, 2010, 10:27 am

    I have not heard one bad thing about Charlotte, no doubt you will love it! Way to go on all the races, that’s quite an accomplishment! Love the oatmeal pancake…once again, no pumpkin at the grocery stores in MI.

  • Nicole, RD April 11, 2010, 10:29 am

    26 for your 26th by the 26th!? You rock! And 2 in one weekend?! Awesome!

  • Bernadette April 11, 2010, 10:31 am

    How exciting for you!!! I love the 26 by 26 idea!
    But I’m guessing your next race is probably for Organ donation awareness and not Organic donation awareness though… although I would totally run in an Organic awareness race!!

    Oh, and I love your new avatar pic! The minute you posted those pics I thought that one would make a perfect one!! So cute!!

    • caitlin April 11, 2010, 10:32 am

      hahah whoops. i need coffee!!!

  • Misty April 11, 2010, 10:32 am

    When I saw the title in Google Reader, I thought this had to be a Kath post. Good luck with all your races!

  • Jennifer April 11, 2010, 10:38 am

    I do 2 sets of 10 pushups every night and morning…but the girl ones with my knees on the ground (butt and back straight in line). Can you do the full ones?

    • caitlin April 11, 2010, 10:41 am

      yup 🙂 barely

  • Jessica @ How Sweet It Is April 11, 2010, 10:42 am

    Moving is scary but fun. It will be a great adventure, for sure. 🙂

  • Rachel April 11, 2010, 10:49 am

    26 by 26 is an awesome goal! I am glad that your two races next week mix it up a bit – running one day and biking the next. I think all running would have been a bit much on your legs!
    Way to go on the push-ups this morning. Have a fabulous day Caitlin!

  • Ash Bear April 11, 2010, 10:58 am

    That is such a fun goal! You’ll be great in Charlotte and I can only hope that you’ll love it. There are definitely a few positives such as the location (close to beach, mountains, and my favorite city..Atlanta) and great people. I’ve done the Thunder Road half marathon 4 times and it is gorgeous and well organized. It’s in December which would give you time to train once you move. 🙂

  • bobbie@mymamaruns.com April 11, 2010, 11:03 am

    I’m going to take you up on the push-ups challenge! I hate push-ups with a passion…let’s see if I can change that!
    Can’t wait to read all the recaps of your races..love the recaps.
    I have family that lives close to Charlotte in a little town called Albemarle. They moved there about 20 years ago and love it!

  • Tyler Ramey April 11, 2010, 11:05 am

    omg oatmeal pancake?!?!?! I think this blogger boy just had an anxiety attack. I have to try that beast asap!

  • Emily Eats Clean April 11, 2010, 11:18 am

    Oh your pancake looks delicious!! You’ll love Charlotte….it’s not the beach obviously, BUT it’s a nice place! And I would say that their running season is more spring and summerish, but just a guess.

  • Kelly April 11, 2010, 11:18 am

    Just had to say a little personal “thanks” for doing the GR8 to DON8 race! I wish they had one around me. I’m saying thanks because I was born with a very rare genetic condition (don’t feel bad for me, I’m in pretty good health right now)but there is a good chance that someday down the road that I will need a liver transplant. So, it really means a lot to me that you’re doing this race and I hope you don’t see it as just another race – this is really good cause you’re running for. Anyway, good luck with your upcoming races – 26 by 26 on the 26th is awesome : )

    • caitlin April 11, 2010, 11:28 am

      I am really excited to do this race because I feel strongly about organ donation, too! I have been a OD since I was 16 and think its the most amazing gift you can give. I will be sure to do a blog post about organ donation before the big race! thank you for sharing your story!

  • Jen April 11, 2010, 11:22 am

    Hi Caitlin. I just started following your blog about a month ago and had to comment on this post. My husband and I moved to Charlotte last June (he grew up here but had been away at college and grad school). I love it here! There is definitely a big outdoors/active scene and tons of bikers. There is even something called the Booty Loop that tons of bikers meet up and ride. It’s the race course for the Armstrong Foundation’s 24 Hours of Booty: http://www.24hoursofbooty.org. Also, lots of road races and tri’s in the area.

    I don’t bike but am a runner. Would love to meet up for a run once you move and get settled. Let me know if you have any questions about Charlotte!

    • caitlin April 11, 2010, 11:30 am

      i will add you to my list of Charlotte friends!!! 🙂

  • Sean (Learn Fitness) April 11, 2010, 11:24 am

    The pancakes look awesome. So I assume you just mix it all minus the berries and pour? I’m a cooking idiot so sorry for the dumb question.

    The 26 x 26 on 4/26 is so cool. Makes me want to do a 40 x 40 and my first race isn’t until the fall when I’ll be 36. Not a bad goal of 13~ races a year. Good luck, keep us posted.

    • caitlin April 11, 2010, 11:30 am

      hehe it might get expensive! but that would be an awesome blog… 40 by 40. just a thought!

  • John April 11, 2010, 11:26 am

    Your breakfast looks great. Are the 26 races one calendar year or career?

    • caitlin April 11, 2010, 11:30 am

      career 🙂

  • Kristin (whimsyville) April 11, 2010, 11:27 am

    I’m moving to a brand new place with a brand new racing scene this summer too. It’s kind of weird to not know what my plans are after my big race this spring!

    Can’t wait to read the upcoming race reports!

  • Lisa April 11, 2010, 11:31 am

    My husband is running the Melbourne 5k, he was trying to convince me to run it too, but I am too scared of the bridge!

    • caitlin April 11, 2010, 11:31 am

      shhh i didnt tell nick about the bridge!

  • Ellen Collis April 11, 2010, 11:39 am

    Ahhh, no I DIDN’T do my pushups today! I went to yoga and did a good treadmill run and I totally forgot! If I don’t do my pushups before I really sweat it out, it just ain’t happenin’. I aim to do my pushup sets about 3x a week, but I guess I should aim for more if I want to continue to improve!

    PS. The oatmeal pancake looks SO yummy. Why do you call it a pancake and not a cookie? It looks more like a cookie…

    http://www.firednfabulous.blogspot.com/

    • caitlin April 11, 2010, 11:42 am

      its hot and i cooked it on the griddle! LOL

      good workout today!

  • Jen April 11, 2010, 11:41 am

    Yay for 26 by 26! You can add another 26 to that, you did your first full the year you turned 26 🙂

    When exactly are you moving to Charlotte? I’m just south of Charlotte and some of my possible races this summer are below if you’re interested in joining me:
    June 12- Lake Wylie Splash Dash 10k http://www.sportoften.com/events/eventDetails.cfm?pEventId=5619
    July 17- River Bound trail 15k or 1/2 marathon http://www.riverboundrace.com/race-info/

    I’ve only lived here for a few months but as far as I can tell there aren’t really racing seasons. There seems to be a race every weekend within an hour’s drive.

    • Caitlin April 11, 2010, 11:43 am

      I won’t be able to do either of those. 🙁 Wahhh. Maybe we can race together soon though!

  • Midgetkeeper April 11, 2010, 11:41 am

    That’s such an awesome thing to accomplish by your 26th birthday, so very motivating.

    I started my push up challenge about 3 months ago. I could barely even do any girl push ups. I am up to 15 real push ups at a time. I tend to bust them out randomly throughout the day to get 100 in. It feels awesome.

  • Amber K @ sparkpeople April 11, 2010, 11:43 am

    I haven’t done my push ups yet! But I am going to do some today. I have the perfect push-ups, so it really should inspire me to do it, but I always put it off. My wrists like to give me grief.

    26 by 26 is such a cool goal. I’ll be 27 next month and I haven’t done a single race. Unless you count the jog-a-thons we had in elementary school! =)

  • Jolene (www.everydayfoodie.ca) April 11, 2010, 11:53 am

    That is a great goal! I just told my hubby about it and he wants to do 30 races before his 30th 🙂 Unfortunately we don’t have very many races near our home.

  • Hillary [Nutrition Nut on the Run] April 11, 2010, 12:09 pm

    I think that’ll be good for you to take a little break from racing in the summer. Moving to a new area will keep you occupied enough…but we all know you’ll find races to do when you’re ready : )

  • Michelle @ Give Me the Almond Butter April 11, 2010, 12:09 pm

    I love your goal of 26 before the 26th. I’m at, uh 1 race. But I’m doing one next weekend and I’m hoping to do quite a few during the summer 🙂

  • Rachel April 11, 2010, 12:23 pm

    I grew up in Charlotte, and you just cannot beat the Carolinas for beauty, interesting places to visit, gorgeous weather, delicious food and great people. I live in California now, and I miss home at least a little bit every day. You’ll love it.

  • Michelle @ H.E.R. April 11, 2010, 12:25 pm

    These pancakes look amazing!! I am going to have to link to them from my site eventually.

  • Cynthia (It All Changes) April 11, 2010, 12:46 pm

    I can’t believe you are moving so soon. You’ll figure out the race seen pretty quickly.

  • Alison April 11, 2010, 12:48 pm

    That’s a really cute goal!

    I have a similar goal, well, only with respect to tying in my birthday dates to a race. This year, my birthday falls on 10/10/10, so I’m celebrating it by training and running my first full marathon. The Chicago Marathon just so happened to be scheduled for 10/10/10 so I decided it was more than just a coincidence and signed up before I could talk myself out of it! 😉

  • Christina April 11, 2010, 1:04 pm

    You’re awesome! I can’t believe you’ve done 26 races. I’m 22 and have maybe done 3, I better get a move on!

  • Jessica @ WHY DONTCHA RUN April 11, 2010, 1:43 pm

    I love your goal to do 26 races by the time you’re 26! 😀 You’re going to rock these final 3 for sure, just as you’ve done at the past 23.

  • Katie April 11, 2010, 1:51 pm

    You totally inspired me to do some push ups this AM! Love your blog!

  • Morgan @ Life After Bagels April 11, 2010, 2:01 pm

    I’m definitely going to do push ups today. My knee is bothering me so I’m going to be all about my beefy arms and shoulders at the gym today.

  • Katherine April 11, 2010, 2:03 pm

    I’m glad you’re sticking with a goal! I can’t wait until you have 100 pushups down pat.
    Have a great day!

  • Carolyn @ lovinlosing.com April 11, 2010, 2:04 pm

    Hmmm…I don’t think I can do 25 more race before my birthday in August. 😉 Maybe 10 races by August 20th, which is my 30th birthday. LOL

  • Megan April 11, 2010, 2:09 pm

    Charlotte is a fun city. I live in Wilmington (but went to college in Asheville), and have tons of friends in Charlotte so we go up there quite a bit. If I had to relocate away from the beach, the only town in NC that I would want to move to would be Charlotte. You should check out the US National Whitewater Center up there (www.usnwc.org) – we took a road trip there last year and had a blast!

  • diana@mymarblerye April 11, 2010, 2:26 pm

    first of all, AMAZING looking oatmeal pancake. Where is this recipe?! second of all you are VERY blessed. You are moving from such a sunny/fun city to another gorgeous city! Plus you already have a good social group there!

  • Lauren April 11, 2010, 2:28 pm

    Hey Caitlin! There’s lots of great spots to run in Charlotte – I live there at home for the summers (I’m a college student in Greensboro, about 110 miles away) and looooove going on the paved trails that are around.
    Running isn’t too bad during the summer, I generally go just after 5 or 6. I’m not sure when our “season” is, I’ve noticed races year-round, pretty evenly spaced out.
    As for finding races, sportoften.com has a whole list of races in Charlotte – just click ‘region’ and select it from there. Plus, there’s always a lot more. There’s a running store called Run For Your Life that sponsors a lot of races in town.
    Hope to bump into you on a trail!! 🙂
    -Lauren

    • Caitlin April 11, 2010, 2:31 pm

      thank you for this link!!!!!!

  • ida April 11, 2010, 2:49 pm

    So fun that you’ll be able to get in 26 races before you turn 26. Orlando probably has a better running scene, but I’m sure you’ll find good races in NC.
    how could you not want to do these:
    http://krispykremechallenge.com/
    http://www.doughman.org/
    🙂

  • Taylor April 11, 2010, 2:58 pm

    Out of all the races you have done, which has been your favorite??

    • Caitlin April 11, 2010, 3:10 pm

      Prob the Marine Corps Half in Jax. It was my first long distance and my mom and dad came to watch me 🙂

  • Effie April 11, 2010, 3:26 pm

    Caitlin, I’m from North Carolina and let me just say welcome to the Tarheel State. NC’s race season usually is in the spring and fall, there are a few races in the summer but like others have said it’s hot and humid. Charlotte has a big marathon in the Fall/winter called Thunder Road which is supposed to be a great one. Also being so close to SC as well, you can easily drive down to the beaches and do some there as well. Also definitely check out Ida’s link for the Krispykreme Challenge. It’s in Raleigh at the first of Feburary. You run two miles to the KK store polish off a dozen doughnuts and then run two miles back. Fortunately Charlotte is close enough to so many other big cities in NC and SC and you can easily make races anytime you wish. Have fun in Charlotte, I’m sure you’ll LOVE the Tarheel state.

  • Carly @ carlysharec.com April 11, 2010, 4:02 pm

    Girl, I am with you on the moving. I’m moving next week – it’s technically only five hours away, but still. I’m having panic attacks just thinking about it. We’ll both be fine, right?!??

  • Candice April 11, 2010, 4:25 pm

    Hey Caitlin! Those pancakes look so good! I may have to try out some substitution for the egg so I can give those a whirl.

    I’ve never had to move far away from home, except when I moved for college, but that seems different somehow. I’m sure you’ll love it, and at least you’ve got the husband to be right alongside you. I’ve always wanted to live on the east coast!

  • beth April 11, 2010, 4:28 pm

    Way to be a goal setter! Sometimes it is so much more fun to race with people who remind us of why we started in the 1st place..it is FUN! Sometimes i forget that when i am always trying to PR! You will LOVE NC….I used to live in Asheville and the 4 seasons are great, but still warm enough for your FL lovin’ self 😀

  • Amanda (The Beautiful Army) April 11, 2010, 4:34 pm

    Yay 26 26 26!I’m so excited. Did you hear about the water crisis race? (I think it’s DOW or something..) There was a site but I forgot. Just got back from swimming. There was a slide!

  • Kath April 11, 2010, 4:52 pm

    BEAUTIFUL title!! Love it. Too bad my 26th is already past 🙁 Sniff.

    Charlotte doesn’t really have a race season. We have them year round and there are only 2-3 that are really hyped: Thunder Road, Turkey Trot and Race Fest.

  • Caroline April 11, 2010, 5:32 pm

    I’m new to North Carolina, having moved last fall to the Durham/Raleigh area. It’s been quite a change from Ohio! I hope you enjoy the next few months in Orlando and get in LOTS of time with family & friends!

    The Amica Sprint Triathlon Series has a race in Charlotte in early August, (http://www.amicatriseries.com). I decided just a couple weeks ago to enter – it will be my first sprint! I didn’t begin running until I moved to NC and am new to racing. There are several events each weekend, so I’m sure you’ll have no trouble with whatever your next racing goal will be!

  • Lisa (bakebikeblog) April 11, 2010, 6:08 pm

    Love the 26 by 26! I am always on the lookout for races! Can be expensive though 🙁

  • Heather (runningwithsass.com) April 11, 2010, 6:23 pm

    yum that fruit looks so good. that’s a lot of races, good luck!

  • Susan April 11, 2010, 6:47 pm

    Ahhh, I’m moving in exactly 7 weeks!!! From my small city of 60,000 in Atlantic Canada to Toronto – 14 hours away and 2 million people!!! I’m already wondering what kind of running/cycling routes and culture there will be, and have picked out a race for the fall.

    26 26 26 is an AWESOME idea 😀

  • Gabriela April 11, 2010, 6:48 pm

    YAY for oatmeal pancake 😀

  • maria April 11, 2010, 7:25 pm

    That’s awesome that you’ve done so many races! 🙂 It’s so stressful moving, so you are right… enjoy the time you have left in Fla.

  • Lauren April 11, 2010, 9:50 pm

    Did i miss the post explaining why you’re moving? It’s so much fun getting to know a new city!

    • Caitlin April 11, 2010, 10:06 pm

      I never really explained it but it’s been planned for About 1 year now. We’re moving so the husband can launch his practice in a better market!

  • Whit April 11, 2010, 11:08 pm

    The race scene here is more spring/fall with a few races in the winter. [like the thunder road marathon] we have lots of HILLS though.

    You already have so many friends here, don’t worry. We are a friendly bunch. Just stick to the south side/central area of town. That’s where everyone is! 😉

  • Shellybean April 12, 2010, 10:27 am

    I did 16 in a row on Sat.!

  • Franziska (justalittlechocolate.com) April 12, 2010, 12:59 pm

    the oatmeal pancake sounds wonderful! I love pancakes but do not eat them all that often because it is hard to find a healthy recipe – will try this one soon 🙂

  • Kathrin April 12, 2010, 1:18 pm

    http://obsruntheoden.blogspot.com/

    This blog is a good source for the Charlotte running scene: upcoming races, runner profiles, running groups etc.

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