Calum Neff

This Wednesday, Houston runners/athletes/social do-gooders get a chance to train with the best – Calum Neff, a local Houston based distance runner.  Cal competed and won the 2014 Wings for Life World Run in California (the inaugural run), being the last man standing at all 5 North American races. He competed in the Turkey race last year extending his time 19 minutes covering 39.95 miles (I need Gatorade just reading everything he’s done!).

The training session will be at Memorial Park from 6-7:30p – you can check out the FB event here.

I will be there, who wants to join?

Here’s more info on Cal’s training session this Wednesday:

The next Wings for Life World Run takes place worldwide on May 8th, 2016 and anyone, anywhere can run in the event (be sure to join THE BLONDE SIDE’S TEAM). Even if you can’t make one of the actual race locations you can run for those who can’t and raise money to cure spinal cord injuries by using the World Run Selfie App.

We will meet near the benches in front of the Tennis Center on the Memorial Park Running Loop at 6PM before heading out on a training run where world record holder Calum Neff and his daughter in the stroller will simulate the World Run by giving you a head start and chasing you down! Don’t worry, this is all for fun and ALL paces are welcome, we will run one 3 mile loop (but feel free to do more).

*I’ll be doing an article/interview with Cal to get some expert running tips for summertime weather (especially for us Houston folks). If you have any questions you want me to ask him, leave a comment below and I’ll try to include it! 

I got this press release and so wish I was in Washington to help Muckleshoot Casino aim for this record.

Check out the release below, and if you’re in the area, go in my place! This casino was named a “local favorite” by Thrillist.

MUCKLESHOOT CASINO AIMS FOR OFFICIAL GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS® ATTEMPT AT LARGEST SLOT TOURNAMENT ON APRIL 30, 2016

Event at Muckleshoot Casino’s 21^st Anniversary Celebration Features Top Prize of $21,000 and Chance at $1 million in Everi’s TournEvent of Champions

AUBURN, WA (April 5, 2016) – Muckleshoot Casino in Auburn, Washington will mark its 21^st anniversary with a celebration destined to be one for the record books. On April 30, the casino known as the “Biggest and Best in the Northwest” will kick-off of Everi’s 2016 TournEvent of Champions® as it seeks the distinction of hosting the world’s largest slot tournament.

“Muckleshoot Casino has a history of being an industry leader so attempting the GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS title for the largest slot tournament is a natural fit,” said Conrad Granito, General Manager of Muckleshoot Casino. “As the first gaming facility in Washington to offer machine play, cashless technology, and interactive in-game bonuses, we now aim to be the state’s first casino to secure a world record as certified by an official GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS judge.”

The exciting record attempt will take place at Muckleshoot Casino on Saturday, April 30, beginning at 8 a.m. and continuing until history is made. To claim the designation, more than 3,001 participants must take part. An official GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS representative will be on-site to validate the achievement.

Participation is free to everyone 21 years of age and older*. More than $100,000 in cash and prizes will be awarded to participants who are each guaranteed to win at least $21 in Free Play. The top finisher at Muckleshoot Casino’s April 30 event will receive $21,000 in cash and a four-night trip to Las Vegas to compete for a chance to win $1 million in Everi’s national TournEvent of Champions® championship event on September 28, 2016.

“While our TournEvent of Champions slot tournaments always bring fun and excitement to casinos nationwide, Muckleshoot Casino has taken its event to an entirely new level by attempting to break the record for world’s largest slot tournament,” added Linda Trinh, Everi Vice President, Marketing & Promotions. “We’re thrilled to partner with such a distinguished property like Muckleshoot Casino and look forward to making this TournEvent of Champions event one for the record books.”

The official GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS attempt at the Largest Slot Tournament will mark the culmination of Muckleshoot Casino’s landmark 21^st anniversary celebration. From its humble start in a tent in 1995, Muckleshoot Casino now proudly serves as the largest gaming establishment in the Pacific Northwest.

*Muckleshoot Casino Players Club card must be presented to participate. Membership is free to guests 21 years of age and older with a valid photo ID. On-site registration will be available.

The brunch game is strong here

Probably one of the strongest brunch games here in Houston has to go to PESKA. I’ll admit – brunch here is a little pricey. Until you realize everything you’re getting and the quality.

I’m typically a french toast and bacon kind of brunch gal, but every so often it’s a good thing to step out of your culinary comfort zone and that’s what brunch at PESKA was. For starters, it’s ALL YOU CAN EAT. Yes, all you can eat. Challenge accepted.

Brunch at PESKA is set up very uniquely with different stations, but in my opinion, this is not a buffet. Yes, all you can eat it great, but all of the food is prepared right in front of you and you can get it made exactly how you want it. There are at least four different kinds of ceviche, and if one of them has one tiny ingredient you don’t like, just ask nicely and the staff will make you a special one.

They have a raw bar (fresh market oysters for days!), jumbo shrimp, crab, french toast, pancakes, eggs benedict and so much more. Probably one of the best things about my previous experiences at PESKA is how incredibly knowledgable the staff is. When it comes to seafood and certain fish, sometimes I don’t know the difference, but they are always so quick to explain and give wine pairing recommendations, etc.

Plus, bottomless mimosas and sangria are only $6, so go ahead and splurge. You deserve it.

EAT ME – I’M FRESH

Oh, and they have a dessert table with about 20 different homemade desserts to choose from. This Sunday Funday was well worth every single calorie I put into my body and I can’t wait to do it again!

Brunch is only on Sundays from 11a – 3:30p and I recommend you get there early and stay as long as you can. Seriously, the seats are cushioned, so kick back and relax and get up 20 times for refills. The staff won’t judge you – I already tested out this theory, trust me! 

Click here for their full menu and scroll down to Brunch Menu.

PESKA is also a fantastic spot for a dinner date in Houston.

If you are interested in attending an Omarkase dinner or a private event, Dante Laugier, the event manager, will take great care of you. Call him 832.215.8736 or email him dante@peska.us.

Set yourself a bedtime alarm (Photo: babble)

Here are the five things I’m going to aim for this month – who’s in to join me?

1. Set a bedtime during the week and stick with it. Try this for the entire month. Even if you don’t fall asleep at that time (which will be annoying, I’ll admit), turn off your phone and your TV and just plan to unwind and keep your fingers crossed.
2. Change up your workout routine, or at least do something this month if you’ve found yourself really stagnant. Keep it simple – try a  new class you’ve never done before (I’ve never done barre, so I’ll probably try that), or run a new trail or download a new app.
3. Organize that junk drawer in your house or at your desk. (Or ladies, if you prefer, organize your makeup bag.) Give everything a place, throw out all the old things, and find out what the hell has been in there for all these months you’ve spent looking for it.
4. Bleach Towel DIY is my next little project (I’m assuming it’s not possible to mess this up,
   

   Bleach Towel DIY from LSpace

   right?). I love reading the L*Space blog (my favorite bikinis) and I saw them post this little DIY tutorial, so it’s on my list. Plus, who doesn’t love a beach towel that makes your own personal statement?

5. Schedule that thing you’ve been putting off. Is it a dentist appointment, a check-up at your doctor, scheduling a meeting with your CPA (yay for tax season!) or even just a long overdue dinner invitation to an old friend. Go do it. Sync up your calendars and make it happen.