The Life of Pizza John

After messing around with this recipe a lot, I have finally figured out how I like it.  This makes a big portion and feeds probably about 6 people (or lots of leftovers).  I like the end result to be smooth(ish), so that is how I make it. (whole process takes about 120-150 minutes) First, marinade the protein for at least a couple hours or overnight. Mix the following together, then add protein. 1 tsp turmeric 1 tsp cayenne pepper 1 tsp salt 3 TBS olive oil --24oz Paneer OR 6 Chicken Breasts (cut into bite size pieces) In a food processor, blend the following until it is a semi smooth mixture, then set aside: 2 white onions 2 serrano chilies with only the stems chopped off (about 6 inches long) 3 inches ginger, peeled 4 TBS garlic Then in the food processor (I don't bother cleaning it in between), blend 30oz chopped spinach with 1 C water and blend until smooth. In a small cup, make the following spice mix: 10 tsp coriander 10 tsp garam masala 5 tsp cumin ...

I like doing this race every year for a couple reasons. First, it is early in the year so it forces me to train through the winter. Second, it gives me a base line of improvement from the year before.  This year I killed my previous times by a huge margin and had a huge PR for the Half distance.  I finished in 4:21:01 and was 14th overall.  I'm slowly working my way to the top of the age groupers and once I have my run dialed in a little more I think I will be able to crack the overall podium. Swim: (31:40) I felt great from the start of the swim.  I felt like I was moving along pretty quickly, but when I got out of the water, I noticed I was slower than the year before. I thought this was strange, but at the time I just pushed it off as possibly a longer course or not swimming in straight lines.  Once I looked at my Garmin later, I realized that I swam straight and the distance was right on so I must have just been going slow! Bike: (2:15:36) I had the...

After a winters worth of hard work, I've had the chance to race a couple times and I've been pleasantly surprised by the results. First race of the year was the Gate River Run (15k).  I don't do many running races (if any), so this was a great test of my stand alone running.  I finished in 57:31 and had pretty even splits so I was excited about that.  The second race of the year was the Great Clermont Triathlon.  I had a good race including the best bike split overall and ended in 4th place overall (1st in age group).  It had rained earlier in the day so it was wet and humid which made for a challenging bike.  A few familiar faces were there and I have loved watching my name rise above theirs in the results over the years.  Splits were:  Swim: 24:02 Bike: 1:00:42 Run: 40:31 Total: 2:07:51 Off to a good start to the year and I have Florida 70.3 in a few days so that should be fun. Following that will be St Anthony's, then onto ...

Occasionally I look back at the pictures I have taken and am reminded of all the good times I have had. I don't know many people who get to experience as much of life as I do.  I'm very grateful for the life I have created for myself.  I was running on the beach a couple days ago and I was the only person in sight for miles.  It was sunny and beautiful out and I had this wonderful beach all to myself.  Where else does this happen?  How have I gotten so lucky?  While I have had my challenges lately, life has never been better.  Life is goood.