Half Marathon Experience: Helsinki City Run

I DID IT! I finally ran my half marathon that I was training for these past couple months!

May 10th I ran in the Helsinki City Run and finished! It's been my goal to run in a half marathon and I'm glad I got to check it of my to-do list.

That's 21km, 13 miles, and my time... 2:07:56. :)

Looking back during my training I got hurt a couple times, sat out 2 weeks and had a slow recovery training before the big day. What helped me through it was the satisfaction I would get once I crossed the finished line.

My savor was Tiger Balm , Ibuprofen and Zip Fizz Energy Drink. ( I wrote about Zip Fizz HERE)

I'm normally a long distance runner, so 21km wasn't bad, but my knees start to hurt around 15km mark, which is painful, but manageable.

My after race dinner at Chicos... mmmmm... so worth it :)

Now I can't wait for the next one, I think I found my new hobby. I normally run alone for exercise, so why not be social and... run alone with people? There is some logic there. :)

Anyway....

Thanks for reading!

May Day Funnel Cake-Tippaleipä

I know I'm a little late posting this, but we are still in the start of May.

May Day! In Finland it is called Vappu, which is a day that is celebrated by going out and having a picnic. Though the weather in Finland seems to be cold, rainy or even snowy during this time... or lucky with some sun . Non the less, we still go out and have a nice time.

2012 Vappu. Helsinki, FI

The eve of May 1st is the drinking day, well mostly for Uni students and the capping of Havis Amanda statue. So fun!

Anyway I wanted to share my Tippaleipä or Funnel Cake recipe that my friends LOVE, and I've made them every year and they go fast.

I can't remember where I found this recipe, but here we go.

Ingredients:
3-4 cups flour
3 eggs
2 cups milk ( I drink almond milk, which works too.)
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt

Optional
1-3 teaspoons of vanilla sugar and cinnamon
( I added these to the recipe because I wanted some tasty flavor and the hint of vanilla and cinnamon is addicting )

powder sugar for dusting
vegetable oil for frying

Directions:

In large bowl, beat eggs, add sugar and milk. Stir.
In a medium bowl sift together flour, salt, baking powder.

Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients until batter is smooth- should not be too thick.

The funnel should have an opening at least 1/2 inch and be able to hold a cup of batter. Put your finger over the bottom and add about a cup of batter. Remove your finger and allow the batter to pour into the center of the oil.

Be careful! the oil may slash!

Gradually swirl the batter outward in a circular motion or criss-cross back and forth to make a cake about 7-8 inch round.

I made mini ones, but you can eyeball how big you want them to be. Have fun with it! 

Turn it over when the bottom becomes golden brown.

*** A piping bag will work to, I use a ziploc and pipe the batter in until the cake is the size I want.

Enjoy!

Any questions? Leave a comment :)

Thanks for reading!