Cowboy Breakfast Sandwiches

I recently published Andy's post on a thread on the Runners World website about his training and perseverance to complete his first half-marathon.  Now, as a sequel, here is "the other side of the story."  When Andy and I first met, he was quite the runner.  Our social life took an impact on his running schedule, and he soon fell out of his routine.  Once he was talked into training for the Cowtown Half-Marathon by a co-worker, there was no going back.

MY winner of the half-marathon

Andy was soon training on a regular schedule (the details of which are in his entry along with my Lemon Herb Chicken), and he was slowly increasing his running length, while simultaneously decreasing his time.  One morning, he woke up, ran 10 miles, and came to my house- I was still in bed asleep.  Determination had quickly replaced Lysle as Andy's middle name.  After a few short months of training, Andy was ready to go on February 26, 2012. 

Ted Brewer, 90 ran the Cowtown Marathon this year
Photo by Carolyn Poirot

We woke up at 5:30am (which I ONLY do for work days or if I'm leaving for vacation), got dressed, and headed to the race starting line.  I dropped off Andy in the dark and went to find a parking place.  Lucky me, my mom had decided to write an article about the Cowtown Marathon (which includes a fun (1 mi) run, 5k, 10k, half-marathon, marathon, and ultra-marathon).  This meant she had access to the media room, and I was designated both her and the Fort Worth Business Press' unofficial photographer.  We looked for Andy among the hundreds of starters, but we weren't able to find him amongst the many runners.  I had his phone, so there was no contacting him, so I figured I'd wait and greet him at the end.

While we were idling around during the first hour of the race, I overheard the announcer say that 47 of the 50 states were represented at the Cowtown this year.  The male winner of the half-marathon set a Cowtown record of 1:09, and the female winner boasted a time of 1:24.  I took their pictures, but the one picture I wanted the most was Andy crossing the finish line.  Sporting my media badge meant I was able to go inside of the corrals, and straight in front of the finish line for my shot.  I captured some of the wheel chair "runners" as they crossed, some of the crowd, and then I saw Andy- still donning his Texas Rangers hoodie- making his way down the home stretch.  As cheesy as it is, I just got tears in my eyes as I am editing this- I'm still so proud of him!

Brothers Koby and Kolin Styles just after the Cowtown Marathon on Feb. 26
Photo by Carolyn Poirot

I asked the volunteers handing out the medals if I could have Andy's to give him as he crossed.  The lady was hesitant, but then the nice man next to her laughed and said, "Let the lady give her man a medal! Here ya go, baby! Go get 'im!"  In a few short months, Andy had set what seemed to be a far-fetched goal (no offense, Andy, but that was a LOT of training in a very short time!), persevered, and made it.  He had his days of sore muscles, frustration, and tough (cold!) runs, but he had made it across that finish line.  I snapped my pictures, and I threw that medal around his neck like it was a gold medal in the Olympics.  Andy's IT band was killing him, he was out of breath and exhausted, but he had conquered, and surpassed, his goal.  Andy wanted to finish in less than two hours, and he finished in 1:59:43.  17 seconds shorter than his goal time.  He wasn't in the media room with the first and place winners.  His blisters weren't bleeding like those on the feet of the marathon winner, and his arms weren't aching to the degree I'm sure the wheelchair runners' were, but Andy had crossed his finish line and earned his medal with he rest of 'em.  Despite Andy's initial claims that he was "done with half-marathons," I have a feeling this is just the first of many for my runner man- and I will be there, snapping pictures and beaming, at the finish line of every single race.


Runner Boy found a recipe for breakfast sandwiches one morning, and in true KITK fashion, modified it to best fit our tastes.  They were very filling (perfect for re-fueling after a run!) and had a spicy kick to them to get you up and at 'em. 

Cowboy Breakfast Sandwiches
Andy Jennings
Servings: 2

Cowboy Breakfast Sandiwches

• 4 slices Texas toast (or thick cut bread)
• Butter
• 1/4 pound breakfast sausage, cut into 2 patties
• 3 eggs
• 1/8 cup half-and-half
• Salt and ground black pepper
• 1/4 c jarred jalapeno slices
• 2 slices cheese, such as American, Cheddar or Cheddar-Jack

1. Cook Texas toast either on stovetop or toast in the oven (we buy one called Texas Toast Lite that's already buttered but otherwise you'll need to butter it before tosting).  Set aside.
2. Fry the sausage patties in a skillet over medium heat, flattening with the spatula as they cook. Set aside.
3. Mix the eggs, half-and-half and pinch of salt and pepper in a separate bowl. 
4. Pour the eggs onto the griddle in a rectangular shape. Flip to cook on both sides. Cut the rectangle of eggs into 2 squares and set aside on a plate.
5. Increase the heat, then put the jalapeno slices onto the hot griddle. Let them sizzle for a couple of minutes, chopping them with the side of the spatula as they cook. Cook until the jalapenos have some brown and black bits. Remove from the griddle, then set aside.
6. Pile the sandwiches as following:
1. 1 slice Texas toast
2. Sausage patty
3. Eggs 
4. Slice of cheese and some jalapenos
5. 2nd slice of Texas toast

Keep on cookin'!

-Katherine