Yummy things

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Yummy things
Random musings on happenings in my kitchen and my life, in Durham, NC


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About me
Hi! I'm Lindsey.

I do public health work at Duke University, like to run at a slow, but steady pace, teach group fitness classes, and do my best to keep up with my family that's spread across the country. In the midst all of that, playing in the kitchen is one of my favorite stress relievers and creative outlets, so this blog chronicles some of my favorite cooking and baking adventures, but in the process it also tells the story of the rest of my life.

Like many people in the Triangle area, I'm a transplant. After spending the first 21 years of my life in the midwest, I've been settled in North Carolina for seven years. One of the things I love most about the area is the diversity of local farms, farmers' markets, and great food, so I follow lots of local food happenings, but I also keep up with my fair share of Midwestern favorites.

If you like what you find here, feel free to drop me a note and email Yummy things. I'd love to hear from all of you out there!
Wed Oct 21

26.2 miles...done!

My name, printed in the Chicago Tribune, along with 30,000+ other finishers

Just one week after the fact, it’s almost hard to believe I did it, but on October 11, I became a Chicago marathon finisher!  It was cold, but it was great.

About 40,000 people ran through the streets of Chicago for the marathon!

At the start, it was a blustery 31 degrees!  In the first mile or two of the race, people were abandoning layers all over the ground.  Luckily, I got some visitors at the start, so I was able wear warm stuff up until about 20 minutes to go, and then throughout the run, an old piece of athletic long underwear from my days of rowing in Rochester kept me comfortable.

Waiting in line for the bathroom, before the race starts, with all old long sleeve t-shirt, a poncho to block the wind, and gloves to stay warm

Here’s everyone all bundled up to spectate, to give you a sense of how chilly it was!

The run itself was awesome. I definitely felt well prepared, and Dan mapped out an amazing spectating plan.  After meeting me at the start, he trekked the whole gang all over the city, on foot, by train and by bus, to see me 8 different times on the course!  Getting their support along the miles was fantastic.



My cheering squad in action!

Some of my other favorite moments included:

  • seeing SO many spectators out to cheer the crowds on as we ran under an overpass in the first mile;
  • running past pretty much every place Dan and I went on vacation in 2007, including the lovely Lincoln Park;
  • cheering in my head when I saw the first green weather alert flag, meaning the temperature had warmed up enough to cause the race organizers to upgrade the weather alert from “less than ideal conditions”to “good conditions”;
  • enjoying the great music, festivities, and Spanish signs in Pilsen and the energy of the crowds in Chinatown;
  • hitting the south end of the course, looking north to see the full Chicago skyline on a beatiful clear day, and knowing the finish line was just 3 miles ahead, straight north;
  • passing the 40k marker - this was a real mental milestone - after this, I knew I had the rest of the race in the bag;
  • smiling and singing to the music all along the course, even at the 25 mile marker;
  • and realizing that the “hill” at mile 26 wasn’t anything more than the slight inclines that creep up on the American Tobacco Trail and that I was ready to sprint to the finish!

You can see all of Dan’s photos from along the course are here: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2042085&id=1192743350&l=91275dfffd.

Equally awesome is the fact I raised $4282 for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society in the process of training for the marathon with LLS’s Team in Training, and I got to run in honor and in memory of so many amazing people.  Even though the race has already passed, you can still see all those that I ran for and even provide you own donation on my fundraising webpage.

THANKS to everyone who supported me along the journey!  My next race is the much shorter, but equally fun Girls on the Run Reindeer Romp 5K on December 5, for any Triangle folks who might want to join us, and then after, that I’m up for suggestions.  Let me know if you’re someone out there looking for a race buddy!