Stef and her grandmother. Grandma is 95 years old, lives on her own, walks her dog Picasso a few times a day, and never misses her morning coffee at the landing in Coronado.Saturday, May 30, 2009
The Fiercest Chick of All...Grandma
Stef and her grandmother. Grandma is 95 years old, lives on her own, walks her dog Picasso a few times a day, and never misses her morning coffee at the landing in Coronado.
Friday, May 29, 2009
Manolo to Mizuno
I am wearing sneakers and I have another pair packed in my carry-on just to make sure they get safely to my destination. In my suitcase are 3 pairs of sandals, all with heels that measure less than an inch and a half.
What has happened to me?
Six months ago, when I was merely a casual exerciser, I would never have sacrificed height for foot preservation. Now that’s all I think about.
Since I was old enough to shop, I bought shoes for a number of reasons: they caught my eye, I liked the color or they were on sale. I never bought shoes because I needed them. I loved telling people about my shoes. My mother can confirm that from a very young age I started asking other people where they got their shoes.
Now, the thrill is gone.
It’s sneakers that catch my eye. Goodbye Manolo. Hello Mizuno. I’ve owned 3 pairs. I try to get others to buy them. Instead of sending people to Steve Madden, I send them to Olympic Orthotics. Yes, orthotics. I shop at running stores with sales people who talk me out of buying sneakers because they think it is the wrong time to make a change.
I haven’t divorced my shoes entirely. We just needed a break. When I get back from CA and open my closet door, my 5 inch black wedges will be waiting faithfully for me and I will wear them with pride at an event that requires little to no walking.
**Author’s note: I do not actually own Manolos. It just sounds better than Nine West.
What has happened to me?
Six months ago, when I was merely a casual exerciser, I would never have sacrificed height for foot preservation. Now that’s all I think about.
Since I was old enough to shop, I bought shoes for a number of reasons: they caught my eye, I liked the color or they were on sale. I never bought shoes because I needed them. I loved telling people about my shoes. My mother can confirm that from a very young age I started asking other people where they got their shoes.
Now, the thrill is gone.
It’s sneakers that catch my eye. Goodbye Manolo. Hello Mizuno. I’ve owned 3 pairs. I try to get others to buy them. Instead of sending people to Steve Madden, I send them to Olympic Orthotics. Yes, orthotics. I shop at running stores with sales people who talk me out of buying sneakers because they think it is the wrong time to make a change.
I haven’t divorced my shoes entirely. We just needed a break. When I get back from CA and open my closet door, my 5 inch black wedges will be waiting faithfully for me and I will wear them with pride at an event that requires little to no walking.
**Author’s note: I do not actually own Manolos. It just sounds better than Nine West.
We're learning!
San Diego, WE HAVE ARRIVED!!!! 5 months of training, a plane trip to San Diego, great new friends…and now begins the final preparations for this 26.2 mile excursion.
I have to admit, while Shannon and I have been known to get together and converse over a few cocktails, typically resulting in conversations that fully amp us up to conquer this world, I can’t say that I honestly thought our banter one December evening about running a marathon would culminate to this! Yes, yes…this all began for me with standard girl talk, the desire for a challenge, and yep, you guessed it…WINE!
Goodness, we had no idea what we were in for! The motto of our training has been “we’re learning”. In fact, we have both learned so much training for our first marathon that we joke this knowledge should be published and shared with every rookie runner. Here’s a quick glimpse:
1. Consider seasons
Training for a marathon is challenging. Training for a marathon in New England in the DEAD OF WINTER is just down-right preposterous! Hurdling snow banks is NOT a necessary requirement for training. We’re learning…
2. Attire
When the forecast calls for freezing rain, don’t throw your jacket on the side of the road at mile 2 of a 16 mile run. Yep, as if the rain isn’t bad enough when it starts at mile 8, you now must endure another 42,240 feet wet, cold and contemplating what rational you used when you left that jacket on that stump. Hmmm. We’re learning…
3. Timing of runs
Believe it or not, New England is blessed with nice weather. You may only get a few days of it, so enjoy them while you’ve got them. That being said, when you have a 3 hour run on a forecasted 90 degree day, some of the pleasure may be lost when you don’t start your run until 10AM. Um, dehydration anyone? Oh, and what’s this SPF stuff people are talking about…OUCH! Definitely still learning…
4. Route the course
Routing the course should not only include mapping the run, but also driving the course pre-run. Yes, there is nothing like being incredibly lost on a run, especially when it is that lovely, freezing-rain filled 16 mile run mentioned above. Nothing screams novice runner like scuttling along the side of some highway with semis whizzing by, dousing you and your t-shirt with sleet. Ok, now seriously…we are intelligent women. Have we lost all practicality and rational here? WE ARE learning (or goodness I hope so!)…
5. Girl friends are the greatest gift
There is no way I could have done this without the support of all the women I have been so fortunate to train with. From initiation of this endeavor, to countless Saturday morning runs together, to the trip to San Diego; being blessed with such a great group of women has made this journey not only possible to accomplish, but also an utterly remarkable experience! Lesson well learned!
So ladies….let’s ROCK N’ ROLL!!!
I have to admit, while Shannon and I have been known to get together and converse over a few cocktails, typically resulting in conversations that fully amp us up to conquer this world, I can’t say that I honestly thought our banter one December evening about running a marathon would culminate to this! Yes, yes…this all began for me with standard girl talk, the desire for a challenge, and yep, you guessed it…WINE!
Goodness, we had no idea what we were in for! The motto of our training has been “we’re learning”. In fact, we have both learned so much training for our first marathon that we joke this knowledge should be published and shared with every rookie runner. Here’s a quick glimpse:
1. Consider seasons
Training for a marathon is challenging. Training for a marathon in New England in the DEAD OF WINTER is just down-right preposterous! Hurdling snow banks is NOT a necessary requirement for training. We’re learning…
2. Attire
When the forecast calls for freezing rain, don’t throw your jacket on the side of the road at mile 2 of a 16 mile run. Yep, as if the rain isn’t bad enough when it starts at mile 8, you now must endure another 42,240 feet wet, cold and contemplating what rational you used when you left that jacket on that stump. Hmmm. We’re learning…
3. Timing of runs
Believe it or not, New England is blessed with nice weather. You may only get a few days of it, so enjoy them while you’ve got them. That being said, when you have a 3 hour run on a forecasted 90 degree day, some of the pleasure may be lost when you don’t start your run until 10AM. Um, dehydration anyone? Oh, and what’s this SPF stuff people are talking about…OUCH! Definitely still learning…
4. Route the course
Routing the course should not only include mapping the run, but also driving the course pre-run. Yes, there is nothing like being incredibly lost on a run, especially when it is that lovely, freezing-rain filled 16 mile run mentioned above. Nothing screams novice runner like scuttling along the side of some highway with semis whizzing by, dousing you and your t-shirt with sleet. Ok, now seriously…we are intelligent women. Have we lost all practicality and rational here? WE ARE learning (or goodness I hope so!)…
5. Girl friends are the greatest gift
There is no way I could have done this without the support of all the women I have been so fortunate to train with. From initiation of this endeavor, to countless Saturday morning runs together, to the trip to San Diego; being blessed with such a great group of women has made this journey not only possible to accomplish, but also an utterly remarkable experience! Lesson well learned!
So ladies….let’s ROCK N’ ROLL!!!
Thursday, May 28, 2009
26 Things We Learned While Training for 26 Miles
1. Applying vaseline in the Museum of Science parking lot before a run might look creepy to an outsider.
2. Sometimes four beers the night before a long run is the perfect way to hydrate and carbo-load.
3. Two words: swamp ass.
4. Dark nail polish can cover any nasty toenail problem, or at least make the nail fall off faster.
5. There is no wicking fabric that can protect you from a 20 mile run from Maine to Massachusetts in pelting rain.
6. The two best tools in our dresser drawers: the stick and body glide – yeah baby.
7. A marathon is 26.2 miles, right?
8. If you need headquarters for your marathon training program, call Cheryl at 617-555-5555. Shower and faulty electricity included. Complimentary before and after photos.
9. Training strategy that you will not find in any book: it’s easiest to calculate your split when running a 10 minute mile so why run faster?
10. Cliff Shots are not as much fun as Jello shots.
11. What cause are we running for? The Ben and Jerry Fund.
12. Users of the Minuteman Bike Trail are a lot nicer to you when you run on the wrong side of the road. After 9am they are even nicer.
13. Want to aggravate your running partners? Freeze your fuel belt liquids the night before a long run and listen to the ice shake for 15 VERY LONG miles.
14. Peter is not a polygamist and chooses to only be married to Michelle. Good thing we have replacement Sherpas on the way.
15. Screw the ocean. Only run marathons in cities with large military bases nearby. The scenery is great!
16. People question your sanity when your car ride to get to a run is shorter than the run itself. They also question your sanity if you drive ANYWHERE to run, really.
17. After running on a treadmill for 18 miles, you feel the need to pee in a bed of woodchips and drink from upside down water bottles. Weird.
18. You’re not pregnant, your body fat is just really low.
19. The fat you lose in your chest will go directly to your ass once you stop training.
20. Why pay $350 for a Garmin when you can get ‘Dre for free.
21. There is nothing a little Justin Timberlake and Lady Ga Ga can’t get you through.
22. If it’s a marathon and not a sprint, then why do speed workouts?
23. Soccer: the best way to sabotage your training.
24. Compression socks, anti-blister socks, Tek socks. Remember when socks were just socks?
25. Running: a great way to make new friends and get free therapy.
26. When 6 people are traveling for 5 nights, need 4 different lodging arrangements and 3 different planes leaving from 2 different states, they just need 1 pink shirt to bring them together.
26.2 THANK YOU! We couldn’t have done this without the support of all our friends and family who kept us motivated.
2. Sometimes four beers the night before a long run is the perfect way to hydrate and carbo-load.
3. Two words: swamp ass.
4. Dark nail polish can cover any nasty toenail problem, or at least make the nail fall off faster.
5. There is no wicking fabric that can protect you from a 20 mile run from Maine to Massachusetts in pelting rain.
6. The two best tools in our dresser drawers: the stick and body glide – yeah baby.
7. A marathon is 26.2 miles, right?
8. If you need headquarters for your marathon training program, call Cheryl at 617-555-5555. Shower and faulty electricity included. Complimentary before and after photos.
9. Training strategy that you will not find in any book: it’s easiest to calculate your split when running a 10 minute mile so why run faster?
10. Cliff Shots are not as much fun as Jello shots.
11. What cause are we running for? The Ben and Jerry Fund.
12. Users of the Minuteman Bike Trail are a lot nicer to you when you run on the wrong side of the road. After 9am they are even nicer.
13. Want to aggravate your running partners? Freeze your fuel belt liquids the night before a long run and listen to the ice shake for 15 VERY LONG miles.
14. Peter is not a polygamist and chooses to only be married to Michelle. Good thing we have replacement Sherpas on the way.
15. Screw the ocean. Only run marathons in cities with large military bases nearby. The scenery is great!
16. People question your sanity when your car ride to get to a run is shorter than the run itself. They also question your sanity if you drive ANYWHERE to run, really.
17. After running on a treadmill for 18 miles, you feel the need to pee in a bed of woodchips and drink from upside down water bottles. Weird.
18. You’re not pregnant, your body fat is just really low.
19. The fat you lose in your chest will go directly to your ass once you stop training.
20. Why pay $350 for a Garmin when you can get ‘Dre for free.
21. There is nothing a little Justin Timberlake and Lady Ga Ga can’t get you through.
22. If it’s a marathon and not a sprint, then why do speed workouts?
23. Soccer: the best way to sabotage your training.
24. Compression socks, anti-blister socks, Tek socks. Remember when socks were just socks?
25. Running: a great way to make new friends and get free therapy.
26. When 6 people are traveling for 5 nights, need 4 different lodging arrangements and 3 different planes leaving from 2 different states, they just need 1 pink shirt to bring them together.
26.2 THANK YOU! We couldn’t have done this without the support of all our friends and family who kept us motivated.
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Four days to go...San Diego Rock N Roll Marathon Sunday 5/31/09
With only four more days to go, the question is...are we ready? Well all I can think at this point is that we have all trained hard and we will do the best we can do!! Along the way we have learned some important lessons...A few..
Sometimes sleep, carbo loading and hydration are over rated when you have a long run the next day...
Rolfing massage therapy hurts like hell while its being done, but it does wonders in the long run..some may say the same for the massage stick...
4:15am wake up calls from the birds chirping at my window are not what I would describe as fun..but seeing nature at its best at 5:30am (turkeys, deer and a foggy lake with a loon flying above)...priceless...
I'm sure the other Chix will have some comments to add to mine...
Sometimes sleep, carbo loading and hydration are over rated when you have a long run the next day...
Rolfing massage therapy hurts like hell while its being done, but it does wonders in the long run..some may say the same for the massage stick...
4:15am wake up calls from the birds chirping at my window are not what I would describe as fun..but seeing nature at its best at 5:30am (turkeys, deer and a foggy lake with a loon flying above)...priceless...
I'm sure the other Chix will have some comments to add to mine...
The first Chick has arrived...
Today I arrived in San Diego with a range of mixed emotions..excitement and nervousness...but then I saw my 95 yr old gram, and she calmed my nerves right down with her wonderful outlook on life :-) I was also very excited to see the signs up on the side of the roads regarding the marathon..I guess we are really doing this??
I'm looking forward to the other chicks arriving tomorrow, should be a good time!!
I'm looking forward to the other chicks arriving tomorrow, should be a good time!!
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Friday, May 22, 2009
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