Racing to races

So most of you know that I've been participating in the zoo run every year since back when I actually ran the thing by accident. They have since changed the 5k run/walk to a 5k walk and now it's not even a 5k, but that's not going to stop us!

I still believe it is the best way to see the animals at the zoo. It's early morning so they're all up and active, far more so than during normal zoo times. AND it's less crowded. And the swag can't be beat.

Last year the whole Thatfamily participated. And although Thatmom didn't seem to enjoy it much, she'd been talking about how much she wanted to do it again for months.

So earlier this month she came down to us so we could all see the animals!

We totally overslept, so it was a race to the race. Never a good way to start things out.

We got to visit with many of our old friends:

Although I was sad that some of my usual suspects, like the grey wolf didn't make an appearance this year. Afterwards we got our goodie bag. Of all the races I annually participate in, this one really does have the best swag - AND the bag it comes in is always great. Last year it was a sling style backpack, this year it was more of a tote bag.

Thatbrother and UDubb didn't join us this year, because UDubb had her own race to prepare for.

This was a hard race for UDubb, not because she wasn't ready. She was. That girl ran a half marathon by accident this year. But the weeks leading up to the race she was sick (which is why she didn't take part in the zoo walk).

Then the morning of the race, she got all the way to the race and realized she left her bib at home and had to go back and get it. The race started at 7am. UDubb got there at 7:30 and made it just in time to participate.

And yet, even though she got a late start and was sick, UDubb STILL managed to finish before all her friends who started the race on time.

Because we all know UDubb is a rock star.

In honor of our "races" I thought I'd share with you a fabulous pre-race fuel meal. It's loaded with pasta for carb energy, and meat to burn those carbs with. And of course, mushrooms - Thatbrother's favorite food group. We've been having awfully strange weather lately, vacillating between cold and rainy and hot and sunny. This is the perfect dinner for one of those cold pre-winter nights.

Beef and Mushroom Lasagna
1 Tbsp butter
8 oz mushrooms, sliced
16 oz fresh ricotta
1/4 cup milk
1 lb ground beef
2 cups marinara sauce
9 cooked lasagna noodles
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

1. Preheat oven to 400. Melt butter in small saucepan. Saute mushrooms until they are soft and tender.
2. Mix mushrooms, ricotta, and milk in a small bowl.
3. Cook beef in skillet until well browned. Pour off fat.
4. Stir beef into marinara sauce.
5. Layer 1/2 beef mixture, 3 noodles and 1 cup of ricotta mixture in shallow baking dish.
6. Top with 3 more noodles, remaining beef mixture, remaining noodles and remaining ricotta.
7. Sprinkle mozzarella over top. Cover and bake 30 minutes.
8. Uncover baking dish and broil lasagna 2 minutes until cheese is browned.