Capitol Peak 50 Miler 2010 in Story and Pictures

MY FIRST...
Capitol Peak was my first 50 mile race.  I am new to ultra running as of this year, and to try a 50 miler so soon, well, I must love it!  I figured that if I enjoy 50K why not 50 miles?  It only means I get to be on the trails longer doing what I love!  Although I knew it might be a little (not a lot, mind you!) crazy, I was willing to give it a go. I was lucky to have my friend and fellow Down Sound Racing partner, Challis, running with me.   

Challis keeps me warm at the start line

EARLY START
Race started at 6 AM, it was just getting light.

The scenery was incredible, with lots of open areas.  I like to break out of the trees every so often and see the views and this race had a lot of those breaks.  In the early miles there were a lot of clear cuts that we traversed and they had their own unique  beauty: small alders reaching for the sky amidst uprooted sculpture-like tree stumps.  Fog filled some of the empty hillsides and in the distance, trees grew for miles. (Click on "read more" for the full race report)

WIWS Mayfaire Celebration

 

Sort of Barefoot for the Capitol Peak 50 Mile Ultra Marathon

 click on the map for a closer look

50 miles coming right up!

This Sunday April 25th I'll be doing the Capitol Peak 50 miler. It will be my first 50 mile race; I am so excited!  Provided the weather is somewhat dry, I will be wearing my Vibram Fivefinger Barefooting shoes.  They are a pleasure to run in.

Visit the Capitol Peak Ultra website at:
http://www.capitolpeakultras.com/CP50mile.htm
Race information:
http://www.capitolpeakultras.com/50milerace_info.htm
The course:
http://www.capitolpeakultras.com/course.htm
50 mile course map:
http://www.capitolpeakultras.com/course.htm

I'll be wearing these shoes, provided it is not raining

I'll be wearing this backpack to carry my water and foodstuff.

Slow Cooked Chives and Rosemary Chicken in Red Wine

(Scroll down for Liver Sauteed in Olive Oil with Bay Leaves and Garlic Recipe)
There is something especially lovely about the smell of wine cooking.  I planned to use a white wine for this recipe, but due to my general laziness and a need to get the chicken in the oven before it was too late in the afternoon I opted for a nice red wine I had in the house.  Cooking a whole chicken in a clay pot takes at least 2 hours.  Depending on its size it can take 2-4 hours.  I usually like to give it 2.5 to 3 hours.  To get back to the wine, I was very pleasantly surprised by the results of the red wine and chicken in the clay pot.  It was wonderful!  This may be my favorite chicken-in-a-clay-pot recipe yet. The recipe is easy and has a minimum of ingredients (which I am very fond of) and uses in season  chives.

Breakfast in Photos

Green Egg Salad, my favorite breakfast, above.  Pictured are fresh farm eggs on this spring's lettuce from Bur Oak Acres (located on Andreason Road off of Bayview Road, Langley).  I make my own salad dressing with olive oil, seasoned rice vinegar, and honey. I use equal amounts of olive oil and rice vinegar then add a dash of honey, to my taste preference.  The eggs were soft boiled.  in order to leave the yellows  soft like jelly.  Look at the orange color!  They are full of good stuff!  I bring a pot of water to a boil then add the eggs.  Start the timer right after you add the eggs and cook for 7-8 minutes depending on the size of the eggs.  If they are bigger cook them for closer to 8 minutes.  Peel soon after taking taking them out of the water to avoid overcooking them..   

Purple Pancakes: I used Trader Joe's gluten free pancake mix with frozen blackberries we picked from last year, canola oil, and water.  My little Stella helped stir the mix, which made for very well stirred berry pancakes.  Hence the lovely purple pancake mix.

The Wind in the Trees

Just as the trees in the forest

are part of the soil,

the soil of the Earth,

the Earth of the solar system-

The wind partners with the forest,

building stronger and louder

embracing the trees.

The wind is rubbing and pushing the trees.

They are dancing together:

the wind singing Whoooo oooooh!

And the trees twisting and bending

Sending pine cones

searching for the earth

returning rotten alders

to the insects.

A small pine cone finds its way

onto a downed alder,

The wind falls silent

as the trees

whisper

quietly.

Cornish Game Hens in Tomato Bay Leaf Sauce

Two Cornish game hens fit easily in my clay pot.  I served them with purple potatoes, salad and fragrant quinoa cooked with mint leaves.  The tomato sauce was made with canned whole tomatoes crushed by hand with whole garlic cloves, bay leaves, and white wine.  Be sure to pour yourself a glass or two while you cook.  The sauce, pre-chicken is pictured below.  The hens are also great served with baked polenta.

After you have washed and dried the hens place them in the sauce covering them with the tomatoes and bay leaves, as pictured below.

I then placed the potatoes on the top, covered the clay pot and cooked the hens for about 2 hours. 

Above, hens pictured after cooking. 

Buffalo and Rice Stir Fry with Fresh Artichokes

This is my favorite food.  Favorite food of all time.  Artichokes.  I usually cook them by boiling them for 30-45 minutes.  Use a fork to poke into stem to check if they are finished cooking.  They should feel soft, but firm.  I serve them with a white sauce that my mother always used: mix a high quality mayo with soy sauce to your liking, dip artichoke hearts in sauce and enjoy.  You can also make an olive oil-lemon-honey sauce that is lovely.

Mayo sauce: mayo + soy sauce.  Is great paired with salmon and rice as well.

Buffalo and rice stir fry.  I made it with ground buffalo.  Use a tablespoon of butter in preheated cast iron pan on medium heat, add buffalo and stir, breaking up the meat. Cover with lid and let cook for several minutes.  Stir and when the meat is almost done add cooked rice (I had rice as a leftover).  Stir thoroughly and cover with lid for several minutes or until well heated.  Serve with artichokes.  

Earlier in the day the girls had a "face-painting session" without my help

Or should I say body painting session? 

Anticipation

Anticipation

in red and purple
stiff petals reaching
for stormy skies

Frogs choruses
grow louder
as night comes later

until morning
when the birds take over
singing of Spring

Happy Spring!

Welcoming a New Baby

(pictured is the recipe below, doubled for 2 families)

Our friends just had a beautiful little girl and I cooked this dinner to feed the family during their babymoon.  The month after a baby is born is a busy, sensitive and magical time while the family gets used to a new routine.  The new mom is recovering from the birth and taking care of a new baby, a more than full-time job!  Now add in a four year old and a new family has their hands full.  During this time it is a wonderful gift to receive food from your family, friends and community.  I know it was a blessing when I had my second child!  Here is the recipe I made yesterday.  Clay pot chicken is great for this kind of thing because you can easily cook enough for 2 families.  

  

Coconut, Ginger and Fennel Chicken Thighs in a Clay Pot 
with Cauliflower
Serves 4-6, or a small family for 2 dinners 
Cooking time: about 1.5 to 2 hours

Full Menu: with a side of baked Polenta and Asparagus, side salad and dessert of Strawberry and Blackberry Crumble.  For recipes, scroll down.