Mommy Marathon (for free)

First of all--this is not a food post.
Second of all--this is not just for "mommy"s.

So I always thought marathons were for crazy people.  Crazy as in, "who would want to torture themselves by running for that long?" and "what crazy cool people have the endurance to accomplish such a feat?"
Fast forward two summers...I have run two half marathons and I am now training to become a crazy person.  But those two half marathons were not "official".  And neither will this marathon be.  I just CANNOT bring myself to paying so much for a race (mostly because I know I'm not in it for the race...I'm too slow.  But congrats to all of you out there who can actually "race").  Anyways..one evening after talking to my sweet husband about my crazy desire to run he went on a quest in the middle of the night (he can never sleep at night).  And I found this in my email inbox in the morning:

Kayla,

I found a marathon that you can run. It is called the "My mommy ran a MARATHON. That is 26.2 miles! I can walk like 26.2 feet!" Okay the title is still in the development phase, but the date for the marathon is July 4th (or whenever will give you enough time to train, the marathon promoters-Ellie and me-are flexible). The marathon path will be a loop of the Island Line Rail Trail (12.5 miles one way, see description below). Marathon amenities include drink/good tasting energy bar stations on demand, constant support from marathon promoters, matching t-shirt/onesie for you and Ellie if desired (or a cool Nike/Adidas running shirt), and a big kiss at the end (again from the promoters, except one kiss will be replaced with a face-blowing raspberry) . The entry fee is well free of course.

Love,

Colby

How sweet is that???!  Does anyone else have the "crazy" desire to run a marathon (or half marathon...or 5k, etc.), but don't want to pay for it?  If you do then post a comment--what's your goal?  Let's train and set an "unofficial" marathon...August 8th?!--I would set that date in stone, but the weather is totally throwing off my training schedule!!!  I may have to push it a month... 
(Use that race money--or save it--to buy yourself something super awesome after you've accomplished your goal!)  Who's in????

Black beans and Cilantro lime rice

BLACK BEAN AND RICE BURRITOS
This is one of my favorite meals.  You can serve it in a burrito, crisp quesadilla, on a taco salad, as a side, or whatever...
Since the recipe makes A LOT I freeze the leftovers.  Sometimes I will even put them in a burrito with green salsa and wrap it up, then wrap in plastic wrap and freeze.  Makes for an easy meal later.

Black Beans:

2 TB olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced (or 1/4 tsp powder)
2 tsp ground cumin
1 can rinsed and drained (or 2 cups dry) black beans
1 1/3 c tomato sauce
add salt to taste (if using dry beans, about 1 tsp)
1/2 can tomato sauce
about 3/4 c Green Chile enchilada sauce (I use Las Palmas brand)
2 TB fresh chopped cilantro

If using dry beans, don't forget to soak them!  In a  nonstick skillet, cook garlic and cumin in olive oil over medium heat for a minute or so.  Add beans, tomato juice, and sauces.  Continually stir until heated through.  Just before serving stir in the cilantro.

Cilantro-Lime Rice

2 c uncooked rice
2 tsp butter
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 tsp lime zest
4 c chicken broth
2 1/2 TB freshly squeezed lime juice
1 1/2 tsp sugar
about 1/4 c freshly chopped cilantro

In a saucepan combine everything but lime juice, cilantro, and sugar.  Bring to a boil.  Cover and cook 15-20 minutes, until rice is tender.  Remove from heat.  In a small bowl combine lime juice, sugar, and cilantro.  Pour over hot cooked rice. 

*Sorry I don't have photos...I know they make a recipe worth trying most of the time.  I didn't take any pics plus my camera is cheap and takes horrible pictures so they'd probably make you not want to try this yummy meal anyway...