Running with a Famous Person

I spent yesterday afternoon catching up, making a costume and running with my old college friend Ben Davis. We've known each other for three years now and have a bit of a history.

Ben is now my famous friend.When we met in 2008, Ben was 360 pounds. He was sad and lonely, but then he made a decision to change his situation. Three years later, he is a whole person smaller, a marathon runner, two-time Ironman and inspiration to millions of people who follow his life journey every day on his blog Ben Does Life.

We met at Starbucks to have some coffee and catch up. And as the conversation went along, he said we should run.

Now let's get this straight. Ben runs. I jog. It's very different. And I was instantly nervous when he said we should run together because I knew I wouldn't be able to keep up. See...Ben runs fast. I jog slow.

But we ran. And it was amazing (aside from the fact that my side had a sharp shooting pain under my rib cage the whole time). Four miles at sunset. Perfect weather. It was glorious. And I didn't really keep up, but I tried. And that's all that matters.

And I helped him make an old school ghost costume.

He's so menacing. (We did cut out some eyes...and we basically stole that sheet from Wal-Mart. But let's not get into that.)

Ben: I had fun with you yesterday. When you come back to 'Merica, there will be more coffee, running and friend time. So get ready. See ya at Christmas when you pick up the masterpiece of Sherman.

On a semi-related note: my mom sent me an e-mail this morning.

Yep. It's happening. 13.1 miles. I will get that sticker. And that medal. And that personal accomplishment. And bragging rights. And whatever else comes along with it.

Ashten Does Life

Last night was epic. EPIC.

The roommate, Logan, Lindsay, and I ran our first 5K. The Do Life 5K. My mom ran with us for moral support. She basically yelled encouraging words the entire time. But let's not get too far ahead. Let's start at the beginning.

I was pretty nervous about running with people, which is weird since I run with the above people all the time. I think it was because I knew I would be running with other "runners." Thankfully some people walked. Therefore, it made us feel better about walking.

The little boy in the red was my running buddy in the beginning. He was FAST!!! Too fast for me. But absolutely precious.

Our group did intervals the entire race. We ran 3 minutes and walked 2 minutes the first mile and a half. Then we changed to run 2 minutes walk 3 minutes on the way back.

Lindsay and I crossed the finish line together after a short trot through the grass. Don't ask me...the race track had a part that took you through the grass. I did not make this up. Logan and the roommate crossed the finish line just a few minutes behind us.

IT WAS WONDERFUL. I've never been so happy in my life. We were all so happy and tired. And in love with the run. It was amazing. And it was our first attempt. And we did it. WE. DID. IT. I just keep saying that over and over again.

After the run, the roommate had to show off her sweet tubing bruise that has slowly slid down her arm as the days have passed. It still looks fugly.

Mom had an awesome sweat band round her middle. Sexy...

And I jumped around like an idiot yelling and screaming about how we did it.

Who knew I could jump so high? Must be my sweet shoes mixed with adrenaline and endorphins.

We were tired. We were sweaty. We were happy.

It's an awesome feeling to accomplish something you didn't know you could do. We all just started running a month ago (with the exception of my mom who has been running for 3 years and has completed numerous 5Ks and a half marathon), and it has already changed our lifes and daily routines. I look oh so forward to many more runs with these people.

It was also very cool to run my first 5K with the Do Life Movement. The Do Life Movement, a grassroots movement, was started by Ben Davis, a friend of mine from college. He wanted to change his life, and he did. Along the way, he has changed the lives of some many other people, myself included. To be able to share this experience with him is something I will forever cherish.

Keep doing life, my friend, and people will continue to have the will to change their lives. I'm so proud of you.

For more information about the Do Life Movement and the Official Unofficial Do Life 5K Tour, check out Ben Does Life. I got a t-shirt to help support Ben, his brother and his father as the tour the country running 5Ks.

After I completed my first 5K, I think I need a t-shirt to remember it. #runningnostalgia

Call Me Julia Child

While I have not mastered the art of French cooking, I have mastered the art of baked sweet potato fries. Get. Excited.

I've been obsessed with sweet potato fries for a while. If I have the option of sweet potato fries or regular fries, I always opt of the sweet ones.

My recipe for baked sweet potato fries does NOT include butter, brown sugar and/or cinnamon. So if that is what you are looking for, I hate to disappoint, but I do not have one. I think sweet potato fries should be naturally sweet. They are delicious as is. But I did put my own little twist on these awesome baked goodies.

What you will need:
1 sweet potato (or more depending on the number of people you are serving)
Olive Oil
Sea Salt
Cayenne pepper

Cut the sweet potato into fries. ***Use some elbow grease because sweet potatos are tough to cut up***

Put the fries on a aluminum foil lined sheet pan, and pour some olive oil on top of them. Sprinkle fries with generous amounts of cayenne and sea salt (you know, within reason). Don't over spice them, but don't under spice them either.

Mix the fries, oil and spices around on the pan. Space the fires evenly so they are not touching. This will help them cook up during the baking process.

Bake them in a 400 degree oven for 20 minutes. Take fries out and flip them over. Return to the 400 degree oven for an additional 15 minutes. The outside of the fries should be lightly crispy, and the inside should be fork tender. ***NOTE: Cook times may vary depending on your oven. Be aware you can burn them. Trust me because I did it the first time***

Remove from oven. Let them cool off a bit if you can stand the sweet potato aroma filling your kitchen and thoughts. Eat with Ketchup or simply plain. Both ways are completely sinful.

In other news, my mom, the roommate, Logan and I will be attending the Do Life 5K this evening at Murray Park in Little Rock at 6:15 P.M. This 5K is part of the Do Life Tour dreamed up by Ben Davis from Ben Does Life, his father and his brother.

If you are looking for something fun and active to do with other active people, COME ON OUT!!! It's going to be a good time. Run, walk, jog, bike, rollerblade, or whatever. Meet a bunch of other active people from the Little Rock area. You may find yourself an active buddy.

I'm pretty excited and nervous all at the same time about to tonight's event. I'm excited to meet other runners and active people in my area, but I'm a little nervous about running with a group of "runners." I've never really considered myself a runner. So to be surrounded with other "runners" is a bit overwhelming. But thankfully I will have my favorites running with me. My mom, the roommate, Logan and Lindsay (maybe...not sure if Lindsay can come tonight).

Also, check out the MYOB Summer Camp blog that I helped 4th and 5th graders in my office's summer camp start. They are writing up blog posts and taking their own pictures. Become a follower and/or leave some comments for them. They love comments and followers.

It's been really awesome interacting with young kids and teaching them about blogging. I love blogging, and I think they are starting to see the endless possibilities that a blog can have. Take some time to check it out, and read what they have to say about summer camp.

Which would you rather have: Regular french fries or sweet potato fries?
~~~Sweet potato fries all the way.

How have you been active today?

Nosh Night = Success

The first Nosh Night was a complete success. It is a tradition that I feel will really catch hold.

I had an epic fail when it came to taking pictures of dinner last night. I always get too excited, and then I don't take the pictures.

On the menu last night:

Caribbean jerk grilled chicken, quinoa stuffed mini peppers c/o Fit Foodie Finds' Lee, garlic bread, and better than sex cake. All of the food was amazing.

We also exchanged gifts, part of the Nosh Night tradition. And each of us got some kick-ace items.

The gift I gave the roommate.

Body Glide, two Luna Bars (my new obsession), Chomps and a Stinger waffle.

The gift I gave Logan.

Fredericksburg Farms Raspberry Peach Chipotle Glaze, two Luna Bars, Sports Beans and a Stinger waffle.

They got me...

A really cool dish towel, a fancy oven mitt, ladybug measuring spoons, and a R coffee mug (because the roommate nicknamed me Robin).

It was an awesome night with food, presents, and cd making. Logan needed some new tunage so we made her a compilation of different things, the new Kings of Leon, a Needtobreathe compilation and Mumford & Sons.

Aside from the Nosh Night pleasantries, I've got some awesome news.

I'm helping some 4th graders start a blog about the summer camp affliated with my office. So exciting. I can't wait to see what they write and how their creative juices flow. It's going to be really cool to interact with the kids as they learn about something I love so much.

Once the blog gets populated with some of their posts, I will link to it so you guys can have a look-see.

One more thing before I sign off for the day:  The Do Life Tour is coming to Little Rock July 6 at 6:30 p.m. in Murray Park. For more information about this Official Unofficial 5K Tour, check out Ben Does Life.

I will be there, as will my Mom and four of her running buddies. And I am trying my best to get the roommate, Logan and Lindsay to come out, as well.

The 5K is not race. According to Ben's blog, people can run, walk, jog, ride bikes, roller blade, etc. It's just about being active with other people who want to be active. And it's totally FREE. No sign-up fee. But you can buy a t-shirt or something like that. And there will be a "party cookout thing." So you get to eat, too.

You should totally come. It's going to be awesome. Hopefully, I will see each one of you there. Bring some people. The more, the merrier.

The Story of JM and Ben

Everyone knows I have a big love for John Mayer and his music. While I haven't ranted about it much on the blog, it is a true statement. I have all the CDs. I know all the words of all the songs. It's called being a true fan.

I got to see him in Memphis last year during Spring Break. Best. Concert. Of. My. Life. Period. He is an amazing performer and musician. But poor guy has a tough time with the ladies, and apparently fellow blogger Ben Davis at Ben Does Life. You should check out what he's doing.

As I was reading my daily blogs, I was drawn into a particular story of Ben's. He claims to have conversed with John Mayer via e-mail/text/Tumblr. When I started reading Ben's post, I was like "No way...This is too crazy to be true."

As I kept reading, it started making sense. The pieces were falling together as Ben was putting them together. He and JM had become fast friends and were planning a meet up. But the story ends like most JM stories. I will let you read it and decide for yourself. Check it out at Ben Does Life.

Do I believe Ben talked to JM? Yes. Am I a little jealous? Definitely. Am I surprise at the ending of Ben and John's story? Not really. JM has a history of doing that.

I hate that JM did that to you, Ben. Cool celeb story. Maybe one day when I see him in concert again, he will be wearing your Do Life shirt.