Kristy Maute

Soup-er Sunday: Shamrock Soup

Disclaimer: I’m a sucker for a theme. When I typed “shamrock soup” in the search bar on Pinterest, this was the first soup that popped up. It’s up for debate how “shamrocky” it actually is.

Since I have the Shamrock half-marathon on my brain, I thought a shamrock soup would be a fun kick off into the week. I may have been overly excited when I saw the name of this soup on Catholic Cuisine. It’s a milk based soup, something I would not normally cook. As the soup was being prepared, I was skeptical (and wishing Chick-fil-a was open as a back up plan!). To make it more of a meal, I added potatoes and beans to recipe.

Shamrock Soup

Ingredients:

4 TBS butter
1/2 onion, chopped
2 stalks celery, diced
4 TBS flour
2 cups whole milk
4 cups whole milk
3-4 cups chopped broccoli
1 tsp salt
1/8-1/4 black pepper
shredded cheddar cheese (optional)
**2 cups diced potatoes, we used fingerling potatoes
**1 can of kidney beans

Directions:

In a large pot melt butter on medium heat. Sautee onions and celery until tender. Add the flour, whisking until combined. Add the 2 cups of milk and turn the heat to high. Whisk constantly until mixture becomes thick and bubbly. Reduce heat and add the remaining 4 cups of milk. Add the broccoli, potatoes, beans, salt, and pepper. Turn up the heat to medium high/high and bring to a gentle simmer, whisking on occasion so as to not scald the bottom of the pan and to prevent over boiling. Turn to low and let simmer for about 10 minutes or until broccoli is tender.

When the soup was done, it was pretty bland. Christian came to the rescue and added some of our favorite spices from the cabinet. A little cheese on top and some corn bread on the side and dinner was saved. It still wasn’t one of my favorites though and had too much dairy for my liking.

This shamrock soup did not bring good luck to our kitchen. I’d rather save my luck for race day next weekend anyways!

Shamrock Spotlight: Hollie (LOLZ)

We are so excited to be bringing you the “Shamrock Spotlight Series” on our blogs! The Yuengling Shamrock Marathon, 1/2 Marathon, 8k Races bring thousands of runners, of all ages, abilities and locations, to the Virginia Beach oceanfront every year! As J&A Racing Live Love Run Ambassadors, we decided we wanted to celebrate these races, J&A Racing, and our community by doing a series that highlights participants, both local and out of town, on their journey to this years’ races.

We were incredibly fortunate to get the response we did when asking for volunteers to be spotlighted, and are grateful for the opportunity to share their stories with you!

Kristy and Lesleyanne

SHAMROCK SPOTLIGHT SERIES: HOLLIE (LOLZ)

Age: 23

Current City: Pemberton Township, NJ (but I’m always a Hampton Roads Girl!)

Training for the Shamrock Half Marathon

“Let’s see here. My name is Hollie and I’m 23 year old lover of anything and everything running. After moving 4 times in 2013, I can safely say the only thing that has stayed stable is running.

The Shamrock half marathon is my absolute favorite race. First, J&A races puts on the best races I’ve ever been too. They have the best beer (Yuengling!), the best crowd and crowd support and there is no event to top it. Second, the Hampton Roads Running Community (Tidewater Striders!) are some of my closest friends. No running community I’ve ever been a part of can compete in my heart when the friends I have made through running down there.”

Why you are running a Shamrock race in 2014? Shamrock is my favorite race series. I love the course, the excitement and the fact that all of my running friends live in VA Beach. I am making a vacation and coming home to run it.

When did you start running? July 4^th, 2010 would be the first time I considered myself a “real runner” eager for more. I ran off and on from March-July before then but only to cross train for swim team. At a VA Beach 5k on July 4^th, I surprised myself and my dad running a 22 minute 5k. For someone who had failed the mile test in gym class a few years prior, this was shocking. I don’t know if I had extreme runners high but I emailed my college’s cross country coach and signed up for my college team the day after. From then on I have been hooked. I have a much longer version (link here: http://fueledbylolz.com/running-story/)

How many races have you done and what’s your favorite? I’ve done entirely too many races to count. My favorite though is easy and that is Shamrock! I like the half marathon distance the most followed by the collegiate female 6k!

Where do you prefer to run? In VA but anywhere warm right now will do.

What’s the longest distance you’ve run? NYCM in the fall

What is the one thing you DON’T like about running? Thigh chaffing

Favorite post-run indulgence? Wawa coffee and a crab meat Broken Egg Bistro omelet.

Favorite running shoe? For training Newtons and for racing the Nike Lunar LT

Favorite song to run to? “It’s Going Down” Young Joc

Favorite website to waste time on? Having a blog I think I spend too much time on the internet myself. Not in any particular order but I love anything and everything social media: facebook, blogging, twitter, instagram. I’ll just stop there.

Favorite running moment? This is really difficult for me. I could tell you my favorite running moment was when I met my significant other at a college cross country race. I could tell you it was the 5k on July 4^th that set my running into motion. I could tell you it was when I won the Plattsburgh half marathon in 2011 or when I placed 9^th overall in the Nike half Marathon setting a PR I never dreamed I was capable of. I could tell you it was breaking the tape of a local race for the first time. I could tell you it was last summer when I was accepted to run for Oiselle. In reality my favorite running moment was when I passed the mile in high school gym class by 15 seconds.

If you could pick one celebrity to run with, who would it be? Ryan Hall because my life goal is to woo him. Tyra Banks must have some sort workout plan. I hope its running because I would love to run with her.

Good Luck Hollie!

You can follow Hollie here:

Blog: www.fueledbylolz.com

Facebook: facebook.com/fueledbylolz

Twitter: @fueledbylolz

Instagram: @fueledbylolz

Shamrock Spotlight: Meghan Gorny

We were incredibly fortunate to get the response we did when asking for volunteers to be spotlighted, and are grateful for the opportunity to share their stories with you!

Kristy and Lesleyanne

SHAMROCK SPOTLIGHT SERIES: MEGHAN GORNY

Age 35

CurrentCity: Chesapeake

Why you are running a Shamrock race in 2014? I’ve been hearing about Shamrock for years. They have always sounded like such amazing races so I decided that I’m finally ready to run it and experience it for myself

When did you start running? I started running in April 2013 when my husband was training for the Smithfield Sprint.

How many races have you done and what’s your favorite? I’ve done 12 races since I started running. My favorite race so far was Disney’s Tower of Terror 10 miler.

Where do you prefer to run? I prefer to run at OakGrovePark

What’s the longest distance you’ve run? Half marathon

What is the one thing you DON’T like about running? Hill training!!!!

Favorite post-run indulgence? Cheeseburger and beer

Favorite running shoe? Brooks Adrenaline

Favorite song to run to? Born to Run by Bruce Springsteen

Favorite website to waste time on? Facebook and Instagram

Favorite running moment? At Surf N Santa when I saw that I took 22 minutes off my last 10 mile time.

If you could pick one celebrity to run with, who would it be? Oprah

Good luck Meghan!

You can follow Meghan on Twitter www.twitter.com/beachrunner78 and Instagram: www.instagram.com/beachrunner78

Shamrock Spotlight: Leah Durham

We were incredibly fortunate to get the response we did when asking for volunteers to be spotlighted, and are grateful for the opportunity to share their stories with you!

Kristy and Lesleyanne

SHAMROCK SPOTLIGHT SERIES: LEAH DURHAM

Age: 20

Current City: Lynchburg, VA

Training for the Dolphin Challenge: 8k Saturday and the Half-Marathon on Sunday

“I’m a Junior at Liberty University who just started running last year. I have always been thin, but never in shape, and I wanted to look great for my wedding in May. I love Disney, and dream to run a RunDisney race, but right now they’re too expensive. I picked Shamrock simply because it falls on my Spring Break from school, it was affordable, and offered Challenge races.”

Why you are running a Shamrock race in 2014? Even though I have lived in Virginia my entire life, I have never been to Virginia Beach. What better place to go during Spring Break? I also am a member of several running groups on Facebook, and they spoke very highly of J&A Racing’s races.

When did you start running? January 2013

How many races have you done and what’s your favorite? I’ve done about 10 5Ks, a 10K, a ten miler, and a half marathon. My favorites are tied between the Virginia Ten Miler and the Outer Banks Half Marathon

Where do you prefer to run? I prefer trails, but find myself on roads more often. The campus of Liberty is a great place to run! I’m actually taking a running class this semester so I’ll be on campus most often.

What’s the longest distance you’ve run? My Half Marathon

What is the one thing you DON’T like about running? I hate how everything leaks when you’re running in the cold. My eyes and nose are always streaming. It’s gross.

Favorite post-run indulgence? Chocolate! Especially Reese’s

Favorite running shoe? Asics GT-2000. I have two pairs now!

Favorite song to run to? It changes almost all the time, but right now it’s “Dark Horse” by Katy Perry

Favorite website to waste time on? Tumblr

Favorite running moment? When I finished the Ten Miler this September! I was so proud of myself and wore my medal all day

If you could pick one celebrity to run with, who would it be? Jennifer Lawrence

GOOD LUCK LEAH!

You can follow Leah’s journey to Shamrock on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @leahpunzel . You can also follow Leah on her blog, See Leah Run.

Shamrock Spotlight: Katy Lee

We were incredibly fortunate to get the response we did when asking for volunteers to be spotlighted, and are grateful for the opportunity to share their stories with you!

Kristy and Lesleyanne

SHAMROCK SPOTLIGHT SERIES: KATY LEE

Age: 29

Current City: Virginia Beach, VA

Training for the Shamrock Full

I’m a Navy wife and work-from-home mother of two (Carter, almost 3, and Sadie, a year and a half) living with our dog and cat in a Virginia Beach brick ranch version of the American Dream. I have a motorcycle license I haven’t used in three years and a thorough knowledge of the lyrics of “Ice, Ice Baby” which I use every eight months or so at karaoke. I am absolutely obsessed with the Stroller Strides and Moms Gotta Run programs in Virginia Beach and you would be hard pressed to have a conversation with me in which I don’t mention that I’ve run four marathons or that I love Stroller Strides. It just can’t be helped.

Why you are running a Shamrock race in 2014? I’m a big fan of J&A race events; and the after-parties in particular. Last year I had to skip out as soon as I crossed the finish line of the half marathon and I promised myself I’d be back the next year to have a post-race beer on the beach for St. Patty’s Day. I think at this point I have a hard time celebrating any holiday without running and drinking, particularly the ones that don’t require time at church or breaking bread with extended family. Does this qualify me for a support group? I hope so. Either way, I decided on the Marathon because I think that entitles me to double the beer tickets. Right? Right?!

When did you start running? Hmm. An interesting question. I was active in sports throughout high school, but I don’t think I really “started running” until I was in my early 20s. I had finally shed my Freshmen 30 (40?!) thanks to Weight Watchers and Curves (yes THAT Curves, the one your grandma goes to. By the way — she kicks BUTT and is super motivating to work out next to, so maybe you should tag along sometime). Anyway, I was looking for the next hurdle to jump, so to speak, to keep me motivated. My husband was a cross country athlete and runner and he encouraged me to try a 5k. I ran six 5ks in a row that summer (2006) and finished my first half marathon (The Mohawk/Hudson River in Albany, NY) that October.

How many races have you done and what’s your favorite? I think I’ve run about 40 at this point. I go through spurts where I’m doing an event every month, and then I have to take 9 months off to have a kid. At least four marathons and 7 half marathons, though. Those ones I do keep track of; if only to make sure everyone on Facebook knows about them.

My favorite race was the Outerbanks Marathon this past year. It was really well done; from the expo to the shuttles and the start/finish lines. It also had about three miles of trail running (which I really enjoyed), and the weather was perfect. It doesn’t hurt that I had a PR. Or that they had an unlimited amount of beer at the finish line. Those are about the only two conditions I need to really fall in love with a race, anyhow.

Where do you prefer to run? I am not picky; I just like whatever is most convenient to me that day. I’ve done 16 miles on the treadmill at the Y, I’ve done 16 miles at First Landing, and I’ve done 16 miles running up and down Independence and Virginia Beach Boulevard. I’m a pretty “in my head” kind of runner — meaning I do a lot of thinking and daydreaming, and I don’t focus on my surroundings very much. I’m usually being interviewed by Oprah or coming up with the perfect comeback for an argument that happened three years ago.

What’s the longest distance you’ve run? 26.3 miles. I was on such a high after seeing my PR on the clock at the Outerbanks Marathon that I sorta ran/skipped the short distance to the medal/water/banana tables. Which totally counts, by the way.

What is the one thing you DON’T like about running? Hmm. I think I really embrace all of it. I love the little wrinkles I’m getting around my eyes. I know a lot of female runners worry about those; they’re sort of inevitable unless you’re very diligent about sunscreen and lotion. But I kind of love them. I also take extreme liberties with training in order to avoid burning out on too much running — I remember that from my very first marathon. Instead, I substitute a lot of cross-training and really only commit to my long runs. OH!!! I know!!! The portapotties. I don’t like the portapotties.

Favorite post-run indulgence? McDonald’s. Always McDonald’s. No particular meal or sandwich, just McDonald’s in general.

Favorite running shoe? My husband got me turned onto minimalist shoes a year or so ago, and I’m in LOVE with the New Balance W110. I took pictures of my feet post-marathon. I looked like I came out of the spa. No blisters, no peeling skin, no damaged toenails. They were gorgeous. Plus, I’ve ordered my last two pair for under $40 from Amazon.com. You just can’t be picky about your color. That’ll shoot you right up to $80 again.

Favorite song to run to? Oh, it’s wildly dependent on my mood. I did listen to “Halo” by Beyonce for 10 miles straight during the San Diego Rock N’ Roll Marathon. I was actually afraid if I stopped the song I would lose the beat, and with it all motivation to finish. I heard it in the car the other day and my quads immediately felt tight and my knee started to twitch. But I also caught myself in a spontaneous fist pump…

Favorite website to waste time on? I’m awful about Facebook. It’s such a time suck, but I just. can’t. close. it.

Favorite running moment? My husband met me at mile 24 of the Outerbanks Marathon and ran alongside with me for about a mile with our kiddos strapped in the stroller and the family dog trailing behind. It was absolute euphoria. It was just as you get onto Manteo, so the crowds had started to fill in the sidewalks and all the spectators were so cheerful. Everyone was waving and smiling at the kids. It was my best paced mile for the entire marathon — just under a 9:00. And it came right at that moment where you’re just a little broken, you don’t even care about finishing. You start to wonder why the heck anyone would want to run a marathon. And then, BOOM. My husband’s there. My little boy and my little girl. And I just felt like I had the whole world in my pocket; there’s nothing I can’t do. It was absolute heaven on earth. Of course, our dog went up ahead and sniffed another runner’s butt. She wasn’t too pleased, so my husband and kids hit the sidewalks pretty quick. But honestly, that worked out, too, because I had another mile to sort of look into myself again and really enjoy the singular aspects of the accomplishment.

If you could pick one celebrity to run with, who would it be? I feel like Matt Damon would not only be a great conversationalist, I also think he might be my pace. Barring his availability, I’ve always had a bit of a girl crush on Angelina Jolie.

GOOD LUCK KATY!