A Triathlon and Some Cookies

The month of December brings all kinds of excitement....

Eggnog, peppermint, everything CHRISTMAS......

And in MY world:

Run.....

Bike......

Swim......

TINSEL TRIATHLON!


I totally love doing triathlons!

Yes, I LOVE paying money to have my ass kicked!!!

I look forward to "triathlon" season (well, tri season in my world) every year.

December brings the local Tinsel Triathlon. The Tinsel Tri is a reverse triathlon that starts with a 5k, followed by a 12 mile bike ride, and you finish with an easy 150 meter swim in a heated pool!

It is fun and festive and anyone can do it....even an 84 year old man races every year!

Sunday marked my second year of doing this Christmas-y triathlon. Of course it was a lot of fun! I have been looking forward to it all year.

The morning of the race I got up, got ready, and made myself an amazing breakfast

A peanut butter and banana sandwich with honey drizzle. I don't ever eat this delicious sandwich, but thought I deserved it this morning!!!

I added a container of apple cinnamon oatmeal baby food (yes, I eat baby food....don't knock it until you try it.....), and a bottle of water.

My sole supporter, Davey, and I then headed out to Hemet, about 20 miles away. Once there we unloaded my bike, I got my race packet, and headed to the transition area.

I was number 101 for this race. Can you see my pink bike off on the side!?!?! :D

I set everything up by my bike and then met Davey on the "other side". We walked around to kill time before the race started.

I was very excited to be there!!! :D

At the starting line they have a fire truck raise it's ladder and hang the American flag from it while everyone sings the National Anthem!

The hubby walked with me to the starting line and then I had to leave him.....

He snapped a couple pictures of me as I was saying bye! <3

The gun was fired and off we went. It was a very chilly morning and took awhile for the body to warm up. Once we got going all was good and I got into my little groove. Davey was waiting for me near the end of the run to cheer me on!

He caught me in mid-air run.....LOL! Can you see how anxious I was to get to the end??? ;)

It was then time for the bike ride. I had to get ready in the transition area first.

Make sure to wear your helmet! :)

Obviously Davey couldn't get pictures of me during the ride, but he got a few of me at the end of the ride! :D

The lone biker....

Bike dismount area

I brought my bike back to the transition area and then headed off to the pool!

Don't mind the man in the Speedo.....just look for me with the black pants on! ;)

The swim was quick, I crossed the finish line, and got my medal! :D

Yay for another medal! <3

We then headed back to the truck to head home. My super awesome supporter even helped take my bike back to the truck!

Isn't he awesome!?!?! Walking with my pink bike! <3


Once home I showered and decided to make some yummy cookies to celebrate all my hard work! I had a bag of Andes Mints chunks and decided to make these bad boys!!!!

After all, I DID say December was the month for peppermint!!!!!! :D



Dark Chocolate Mint Cookies

INGREDIENTS:

1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups sugar
2/3 cup unsweetened dark cocoa powder
3/4 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
2 large eggs
2 TBSP + 1 tsp milk
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp instant espresso powder
1 bag Andes mint chunks


DIRECTIONS:

-Preheat oven to 350 degrees

-Stir together flour, sugar, cocoa, espresso powder, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl

-In a stand mixer, cream together the milk, butter, eggs, and vanilla

It will look clumpy like this.....it is ok!!! :)

-Slowly add in the dry ingredients, mixing well between additions

-Mix until all dry ingredients are incorporated

-Stir in Andes mints until they are evenly distributed in the dough

Yum! I couldn't help myself from stealing a few bites of the Andes! <3

-Line cookie sheet with parchment paper or Silpat baking mat

-Using a cookie scoop or spoon, drop dough onto prepared cookie sheet

My crappy oven......and yes, I bought the wrong size Silpat.....but it still does the job! ;)

-Bake for 9-11 minutes (I had best luck at 10 minutes) being careful to not over bake. They will seem "not done", but they are, I promise!

-Remove cookies from oven and let cool on cookie sheet for 10 minutes, then transfer to cooling rack

These cookies tasted just like a Thin Mint cookie!!! So yum!

I took them to work and they were a HUGE hit!!!

Enjoy! <3


Hope everyone is having a wonderful week. I am a little under the weather and it has been killing me that I haven't been well enough to work out! Can't wait until I feel better and can get back into my normal routine.

Next week I will have a special post for you all.....

So until then!

Much love to you all!
<3 Amy