Feels Like Friday

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DadHTP is back in town!  So I took him to Cowfish for dinner.  It felt like a Friday night out, actually.  That place is always bumping.

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I finally ventured out to something besides sushi – and I was glad I did.  I ordered the Eggplant Done Right – with cheese and tomato, surrounded by spinach.  I asked them to go light on the cheese, and this was just right.

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I could only eat half of this filling vegetarian entree because I was already kind of stuffed from the world’s thickest, greasiest, most awesomesauce coconut-encrusted onion rings.

 

I had two.  The Husband had two, too, and he remarked that he has a love-hate relationship with these rings.  They are super filling.

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Let’s see…

 

Mid-afternoon snack was a bowl of cereal.

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Oh, so…

 

Remember Elaine, the 70-year old who also did Sunday’s Half Marathon

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She has run over 110 marathons.  During the race, I asked her for advice and she said “Pick out what you want to do with life, and goddamnit, just do it!” She has a website!

 

Fun facts about Elaine:

 

  • When she was 57, she married Jerry Dunn during the Disney World Marathon (and then they finished the race).
  • At age 61, she became Mrs. South Dakota, and participated at the national level for Mrs. America.  She was 30 years older than the other contestants!
  • When she was 66, she completed the Mount Rushmore International Marathon for the 25th consecutive year.

 

HHere are other fun facts about Elaine.  Home girl rules.

{ 76 comments }

 

  • Holly @ The Runny Egg April 6, 2011, 9:35 pm

    Ok I’m checking out Elaine’s site now — what an amazing woman!!! And I just loved her advice to you. So true!

  • Kacy April 6, 2011, 9:35 pm

    Um, Elaine is my hero!!

  • Moll April 6, 2011, 9:40 pm

    Say what? This lady makes me feel like a dead beat.

  • Mary April 6, 2011, 9:41 pm

    Man…when I grow up I wanna be like Elaine!

    • Christine April 6, 2011, 10:23 pm

      I just told my husband that! And he was like, “Who the heck is Edna?”

      • Caitlin April 7, 2011, 9:37 am

        I wanna be like Elaine, too!

        • Christine April 7, 2011, 1:46 pm

          Edna- darn auto complete! Elaine! That’s what I meant!

  • Jess@atasteofconfidence April 6, 2011, 9:41 pm

    Wow, that is a lot of marathons geez!

  • Stacy @ Every Little Thing April 6, 2011, 9:42 pm

    holy crap, Elaine looks fabulous!

  • Katie @ Nourishing Flourishing April 6, 2011, 9:42 pm

    Elaine = yes.

  • Baking 'n' Books April 6, 2011, 9:43 pm

    Wait – did you write 70???!!!

    Holy crapola – she looks at least 20 years younger!!

  • Megan @ Oatmeal With Sprinkles April 6, 2011, 9:43 pm

    I’ve decided that I’m going to be her when I grow up. 😀

  • chelsey @ clean eating chelsey April 6, 2011, 9:43 pm

    Hey to HTP Dad! Those onion rings look amazing. I love onion rings.

  • Gabriela @ Une Vie Saine April 6, 2011, 9:43 pm

    Um, not gonna lie, I now feel super honored to have met Elaine. Awesomesauce doesn’t even begin to cover it.

  • Amy April 6, 2011, 9:44 pm

    Seriously, what I would give to try those onion rings. They look, if you don’t mind, ah EPIC.
    And holy sh*t snacks, thats a lot of marathons!

  • Janessa April 6, 2011, 9:47 pm

    Goodness! Elaine is such an inspiration! And a hotty! Did you guys see the picture of her in that black dress?! Hubba hubba!

  • Sarra April 6, 2011, 9:52 pm

    she is BAD-ASS! i wanna be her

  • heidi April 6, 2011, 9:53 pm

    what an inspiration!! Thanks so much for sharing her info – her website is awesome! I hope i’m that accomplished in my 60’s! 🙂

  • Amara@GirlinaWhirl April 6, 2011, 9:55 pm

    Just caught up on the last few posts. I got pregnant forthe first time in graduate school, when my day started at 6 and I finished studying at 10. Not the best time maybe, but I’m so glad I took the leap. Most parents I know did something similar –kind of like marriage it’s a leap of faith. There are 9 months to prep for the change, and that helps a lot –of course some peoples’ pregnancies are really hard to deal with too, and mine haven’t been too bad. Little nausea is all. Good luck with your decision making whatever you do!

    • Caitlin April 7, 2011, 9:38 am

      Thanks for sharing your experiences 🙂 And congrats on your children!

  • Angela @ Eat Spin Run Repeat April 6, 2011, 9:56 pm

    Wow, that is a lot of races!! I love your outfit in the first photo with your dad Caitlin. Gorgeous!

  • Rachel @ EatMoreMeatLess April 6, 2011, 9:57 pm

    Those onion rings look SO amazing!!

  • Abby April 6, 2011, 9:59 pm

    Looks like a fabulous dinner! Elaine is a bombshell!! 🙂 What an inspiration!

  • Erin @ Big Girl Feats April 6, 2011, 10:04 pm

    Dude, Elaine is smokin! I want to look like that at 70! And your Dad looks great too – you two are so cute.

  • Angela (Oh She Glows) April 6, 2011, 10:07 pm

    I’m pretty much in love with Elaine!! So fun she has a website. 🙂 Going to creep her blog now. haha

  • Nancy~The Wife of a Dairyman April 6, 2011, 10:12 pm

    Oh those onion rings! I want one….or three!

  • Caitlyn (The Spoonful of Life) April 6, 2011, 10:12 pm

    Wow! 110 Marathons! That is awesome.

  • Heather @ Health, Happiness, and Hope April 6, 2011, 10:15 pm

    What a fun night out with your dad! And WOW, that’s incredible about Elaine!!! What an amazing inspiration. 🙂

  • Maddie April 6, 2011, 10:17 pm

    Whoawhoawhoa. That awesome lady is a fellow South Dakotan? That is so exciting! Now she is DEFINITELY my hero (as if she didn’t already have it in the bag with the whole 110 marathons thing).

  • Jen April 6, 2011, 10:25 pm

    Holy moses…Elaine is an inspiration! What a FIERCE woman!

  • Sarah @ The Pajama Chef April 6, 2011, 10:26 pm

    elaine seems so fun! 🙂

  • Courtney @ The Granola Chronicles April 6, 2011, 10:44 pm

    Wow! She is inspiring!!

  • Caitlin @ TPL April 6, 2011, 10:56 pm

    Wow she is amazing… how can I be just like her? =)

  • Fit Chick Britt April 6, 2011, 10:57 pm

    I hope to be as cool as her one day! P.S. I’m digging your outfit. That jacket is cute!

  • Averie (LoveVeggiesAndYoga) April 6, 2011, 11:10 pm

    I went to the dentist today too. I go every 4 mos for a cleaning, my own OCD thing 🙂 But ive never had a cavity so if it aint broke, dont fix it is my motto.

    I am so sorry you had SIX! Oh hon, that sucks. ((HUGS))

  • Allison @ Happy Tales April 6, 2011, 11:10 pm

    went to cowfish for the first time ever last week -LOOOOVED IT! And Elaine is pretty much the most inspiring woman ever!! Totally checking out her site right now…

  • Annette @ EnjoyYourHealthyLife April 6, 2011, 11:40 pm

    cool!! love your dinner 🙂

  • Joanna April 6, 2011, 11:54 pm

    Wow! Elaine is pretty incredible! The phrase “phenomenal woman” comes to mind. I wonder if she would let you do a Q&A with her? I would love to hear more words of wisdom and advice from her; it’s clear she has a great perspective on things. I am always looking to learn from strong female mentors. 🙂

    • Caitlin April 7, 2011, 9:40 am

      I’m trying to get her to do an interview – if she does, I will make sure I ask readers for Q’s beforehand!

  • khushboo April 7, 2011, 12:28 am

    How ‘awesomesauce’ that you were able to meet Elaine…ha ha the word’s catching on 🙂

  • Jamie@everydaydolce April 7, 2011, 12:39 am

    Wow…those onion rings look too good to be true. I am a huge onion ring fan.
    What and inspiring woman, I love what she said to you!

  • Lili April 7, 2011, 12:39 am

    Wow. When you posted Elaine’s picture on NYC marathon day I couldn’t believe it! Now, by reading her website, my jaw just dropped. What an inspiration and determined she is! Thanks for sharing this 🙂

  • Laughter-Loving Stacy April 7, 2011, 1:35 am

    WHAT! That is CRAZY! I knew Elaine was cool from what you said- but SHE HELLA COOL!

  • natalie @ http://healthybalancingact.blogspot.com/ April 7, 2011, 5:40 am

    what an amazing lady she inspires me so much

  • Lauren April 7, 2011, 7:02 am

    Wow Elaine is one amazing woman!!!! It sounds like you were destined to meet her. Have you thought about incorporating some of her stories into your new book?

    • Caitlin April 7, 2011, 9:40 am

      I think you have a good idea!

  • Maryea {Happy Healthy Mama} April 7, 2011, 7:50 am

    I don’t even love eggplant but that dish looks so good!

    Elaine is truly an inspiration! Thanks for sharing her story.

  • Whitney April 7, 2011, 7:57 am

    Elaine has just become my role model. What an amazing women.

    By the way that eggplant looks to die for.

  • Cyndi @ Weightless Life April 7, 2011, 8:12 am

    I hope I have that much spunk when I’m her age. What an inspiration.

  • Allie April 7, 2011, 8:22 am

    Wow Elaine sounds really inspiring! Crazy!
    I really want to visit CowFish… 🙂

  • Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin April 7, 2011, 8:29 am

    I cannot believe that she is 70! She looks like she could be 50!

  • Errign April 7, 2011, 8:38 am

    Yeah, when I grow up, my goal is be like Elaine 🙂

  • Lana April 7, 2011, 9:12 am

    Elaine is gorgeous! and my new hero. Thanks for sharing!

  • Lucy @ The Sweet Touch April 7, 2011, 9:16 am

    Whatta woman!

    And those onion rings looks amaze! I may just have to *try* to recreate them at home:D

  • Crystal April 7, 2011, 9:17 am

    Elaine rocks : )
    I think she has become the new role model of everyone who reads your blog!
    Her quote, “Pick out what you want to do and GD just do it” is stuck in my head because I’ve been really indecisive about a lot of things lately.
    Your new book sounds fantastic!

  • Sara @ OurDogBuffy April 7, 2011, 9:22 am

    I wondered where my onion ring craving was coming from … 🙂 Elaine is awesomesauce for sure.

  • Tricia April 7, 2011, 9:42 am

    Wow Elaine is amazing!

    ps
    There is a man at my gym that could be your dad’s twin!
    Crazy look alike.

  • Amber K April 7, 2011, 10:50 am

    I think Elaine is my new hero!!

  • Ash @ Good Taste Healthy Me April 7, 2011, 11:45 am

    Wow, she is a rockin old lady!! Those onion rings looks delish but typically I’m not a huge fan.

  • Shannon April 7, 2011, 12:09 pm

    Elaine is so cool! I love hearing about older people who are so awesome!

  • Joy - HTP Mom April 7, 2011, 12:24 pm

    Elaine’s “can do” attitude is her biggest assess. WOW. I’m not just sitting still, I’m sliding backwards. Very inspiring to believe you can …and do it!

  • Sarah April 7, 2011, 12:26 pm

    I love that she is from South Dakota, my home state! What a gem.

  • Erin April 7, 2011, 12:42 pm

    How tall is your dad? He makes you look so tiny!

    • Caitlin April 7, 2011, 3:58 pm

      He is 6 ft 4 and I am 5 ft 3!!

  • Jamie Hower April 7, 2011, 12:45 pm

    Elaine runs/coordinates the Leading Ladies Marathon in Spearfish, SD which is only about 40 minutes from me. I’ve run the half portion of it and am doing the full this summer. She is great and a great inspiration. You should plan a trip to the Black Hills for it, it is one of the most beautiful courses!

  • Katherine: Unemployed April 7, 2011, 1:20 pm

    Friday like Rebecca Black right?

  • Jo @ Jo In the Kitchen April 7, 2011, 1:34 pm

    I want to be that awesome when I’m her age!

  • Kristen April 7, 2011, 1:39 pm

    wow! what a lady!

  • kate April 7, 2011, 2:09 pm

    As the mom of three little girls, when you find inspirational women, you run with it! No pun intended-can’t wait to share her site with them! And thank YOU for sharing with US:D

  • Kristy@RunTheLongRoad April 7, 2011, 2:48 pm

    Elaine is 70?!?! Get out! Wow – she looks AMAZING!

  • Lauren @ChiGalLauren April 7, 2011, 6:21 pm

    Those onion rings look amazeballs!!! I’ve never had coconut crusted onion rings, why aren’t those more popular, they sound (and look), as I said amazing!

  • Brittany @ Pretty Fit, Pretty Healthy, Pretty Happy April 7, 2011, 6:37 pm

    Elaine sounds amazing! So inspiring… and she looks UNBELIEVABLE.

  • Erin April 12, 2011, 6:04 am

    Hey! Great to read all these comments about Elaine! She is, in fact, my mother, and the coolest person I know! She is actually going to be 74 soon, raised 7 children, and is an amazing counselor! Check out her race! Leading Ladies Marathon in August in the Black Hills. Beautiful course!

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