Oh Mr. Race Photographer I’m ready for my close-up

As I sat down to edit this post  I started to smile wondering if this really was a post about how to get a good race photograph or just an excuse to exhibit a rare but good race photo of myself.

A little of both.  As my friend and web designer Sherra said to me ( often) Your blog, Your rules!

Long before digital cameras I was ( am) a photo connoisseur ( sounds better than addict)

Yes I am the  obnoxious dedicated one at the family gatherings with the camera .

When I  started running a mere 5 years ago I was thrilled to find out about “race” photos and anxiously awaited to see my athletic image as I pounded the pavement to my first finish line.

Anticipation led to disappointment.  There was no photographer at this race.  No  images of my  achievement to put on the frig.

Bummer.

Next event was my first sprint tri in Minneapolis.  Yes we live in Virginia and yes we drove all that way for a sprint tri.

This tri  definitely had a photographer .   Guess what I learned?  Only the babes from Baywatch look good running in a swimsuit.

I also think that most race photographers have the uncanny ability to catch me  at the most unflattering and awkward moments.

Yet at this tri I was rewarded with this one photo.    At the end of the run I managed to catch up to my husband and grab his hand as we crossed the finish line.   It was our anniversary and he , once again, was supporting one of my crazy ideas!

At subsequent events the photos were my equivalent to those bad auditions on American Idol in that they were a continuing source of humor for the family..or at least for my husband.

Hey, what can I say.  At least I was out there moving my body.

BUT this summer at the one and only triathlon I could fit in to my crazy schedule  I accidentally   discovered the  secret to a good race photo.

I anticipated, and trained to have my best swim ever.  For many reasons it did not happen and once again I came out of the water at the end of pack, winded, a little discouraged  and frantically racing to find my bike.  Once on the bike  I relaxed, decided to do my best and enjoy.

Did I mention that I later found out the heat index that day was 105?  Not exactly conducive to  a great photo.

Yet as I rounded the trail on the run one of the volunteers clued me in that the photographer was  right around the corner.  So I put on my best race smile and ta da….

Approaching  the finish line I noticed  ( and it was no surprise) that  mmmm, I was one of the last ones in.  So I could be bummed or make the most of it…and give the photographer something to do so I hammed it up.

A little focus would be nice…

I saw him take more than one photo  so I thought well maybe the law of averages is in my favor this time and it was…

He found the focus button!!

I did discover the secret to a good race photo..  or at least this time…is  to be at the end of the pack.

Honestly, as in life, as in “triing” or “trying” you just never know for sure what is going to work.  Sometimes you just get lucky!

Being one of the last had its payoffs…and if your disappointed in my answer think of it this way..  when my grandchildren or great grandchildren are looking at this they will have no idea if I was first or last , only that I was out there having fun.

Go out, have fun, take some good photos, take some that will get you a good laugh and move your body because that’s whats its all about.   Oh and like me…ALWAYS be ready for your close up!!

Say Cheese,

Would you like fries with your latte?

I used to be a proud non-coffee drinker.  Couldn’t stand the stuff. I really wondered what the fuss was all about .

My husband disliked coffee as well so when coffee drinkers came to our house they were out of luck.

When I gave a party if a guest offered to bring something I would ask for coffee…

and filters….

and the coffee maker…

and most important of all…. a person to make the coffee.

And then it happened, gradually but it happened.  I  fell off the non coffee band wagon .

It would be easy to blame Starbucks.  I was feeling a bit left out.

It seemed like everyone was meeting at Starbucks, drinking coffee, connecting in person and via laptops.

It was the “cool” place to be.

It was cool to act like “Sally” from “Harry Met Sally” and order a venti, non fat, whip, light foam, double shot, hazelnut latte.

To order a tea seemed so , mmm, ordinary, uncool.

I spent ALL of my adolescence being  “uncool” with a VERY cool older sister so NO I was not going to be the “uncool” one again.

I discovered with enough milk, sugar, and flavoring,  a latte was palatable.

My favorite drink rolled off my tongue like I was born at Starbucks and had lattes in my baby bottle.

The caffeine grabbed me and wouldn’t let go.

My husband was starting to think I might need a 12 step anti- coffee anti- caffeine program.

No worries.  After  an amusing incident this summer I am climbing back on the non-coffee wagon.

I discovered McDonalds is serving specialty coffee  as in “would you like fries with your latte?”

So in a “I have no other choice but to get my latte at McDonalds” moment  I  ordered a latte at the Golden Arches.  Twenty minutes and much confusion later I walked out with an iced coffee iced dishwater.

Ding, ding, ding…an “aha” moment for me.   A few nuggets from my noggin to…

McDonalds...stick to what you do best…clogging arteries and contributing to the obesity epidemic.

Starbucks….do NOT start serving burgers.  Do what you do best …draining peoples wallets and pushing caffeine.

As for me ( and possibly some of you) I am going to stick to what I like and do what I do best.

Oh and if you come to visit you may want to bring the coffee….and filters…and ….coffee maker.

I am going back to tea.

Shhh..don’t tell my sister..I hear it’s the next “cool” thing!

So which was it? Trip to the ER or a great idea?

You all might remember that back in January of this year I blogged about my upcoming adventure with my new clipless bike pedals.

If your memory is anything like mine (good but short) you might want to hit the link below and reread the original post.

A great idea or a trip to the ER?

So here is the scoop.  I did not meet my deadline of Feb 1st mainly because of the winter weather.

That’s my story and I’m sticking to it!

Honestly a little good ole procrastination and just plain fear also entered the deal.

Now my middle name lately could be “fearless” as I have swung on the trapeze and  rappelled off a 4 story building  and would love to do a tandem sky dive

SO why did falling off my bike make me shake in my boots?

Lets see..the trapeze had…

• a HUGE safety net
• a guided harness

The rappelling adventure had ..

• a helmet
• a safety harness
• some really cute National Guardsman helping me (always a plus)
• No net!!

The rappelling was a spontaneous adventure and my gray matter had no time to process what I was actually doing.

Somehow, somewhere, someone is going to ask me …

“So if you saw someone jump off a 4 story building, would you do it too???

“Why yes I would and here are the photos to prove it!”

Almost ready to jump

"Jumping off a 4 story building"

Despite all this my fear was a hungry bear and it got busy feasting on:

• Childhood memories of painful scabby knees and lost battles with the sidewalk

• My husbands voice telling me “Your gonna breaka u face” ( thanks Paul)

• All those friends with their wonderful bloody bike pedal disaster stories they delighted in telling!

I  reminded myself of the quote by Helen Keller:

” Life is either a great adventure or nothing”

Pushing the fear aside I started with one pedal, graduated to two…and I DID it without falling.  AND I did it just in time for my Sprint tri in June!

Bike pedal succes

That is not quite the end of the story.  Spurred on by my success and getting a little cocky I fancied myself the master of the bike pedals.

Off I went  a few weeks later exploring a new bike path and down I went when I took a sharp turn and lost my balance.

And the pavement won!

At age 53 I sported a very scabby knee and a slightly bruised ego.

My scabby knee made for some interesting conversations especially since I took great pleasure in wearing Scooby Doo band-aids!

So I didn’t “break a my face” and I LOVE my bike pedals!

I know I have some more learning ahead of me, a few falls and maybe a scabby knee or two.

Still…I am so stinking proud of myself I may have to borrow Ava Grace’s  “I’m Kind of a Big Deal” shirt!

So my friends, face your fears, take a risk, fall down, get up, and do it again the next day…its all about the “trying”

Let me know what you’re up to so I can cheer you on!

Aren’t we all kind of a Big Deal?

This photo says it all.  Little Miss Ava is a charmer in every way, beautiful blue eyes, a head full of curls and that wonderful toddler attitude that the world revolves around her,and ONLY her.

Put her in this tank top and the package is complete!

I just laughed when I saw her sporting this affirmation of who she is and what she is about.  We all think she is a big deal with or without the t-shirt !!     Wouldn’t it be great if we all had the self confidence to sport a shirt like this???

Why not?  Aren’t we all kind of a big deal??  No “kind of” about it.

When was the last time you gave yourself credit for anything and everything??

I am constantly amazed by the people I know and the people I meet who overcome incredible obstacles, follow their dreams despite all the naysayers, and just keep plugging away!!  They are a BIG DEAL and deserve lots of credit.

BUT so do you!!

We are great at giving ourselves credit for the big things.  What about the little everyday things??

Give yourself credit for taking out the garbage.  Take it from someone who left old shrimp in the kitchen garbage while away for a week-end.   I thought we would never get the smell out of the house!

So your assignment for today is to pretend you are wearing Ava’s tank top!   You ARE a BIG DEAL.  Start making a list of things you do and give yourself credit for them..give yourself an “ata boy or ata girl”  Keep the list going and look at it when the sun isn’t shining in your heart.

I’ll start…I am a BIG DEAL because  … I ate healthy this morning, I vacuumed up the dog hair, I wrote my blog ,  I  laughed, I replaced the toilet paper without yelling at someone and I was patient with myself!!

And lastly copy this quote and put it on your frig to remind yourself  how really wonderful you are!

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.  M. Williamsom

Make it a really BIG DEAL day!!!  Smiles,

Back in the saddle again

Its been awhile since I wrote a new blog post. Have I ever mentioned that I have turned procrastination into an art form?

Actually procrastination is not the right word. There is no right word for this but a phrase “putting what I love to do last on the list”

Turns out I have plenty of company in this unofficial club which consists mostly of women. We have good intentions but our daily to do lists are impossibly long and if the things we truly love to do make the list at all its at the bottom.

Since it is now July, all tried and true procrastinators are now finding time to make their 2010 New Years resolutions and mine is to put what I love to do at the top of the list. So the good news is you’ll be seeing more blog posts. That could also be the bad news but hey there is always the delete button!

Feel free to join me on this adventure of making New Years resolutions in July.  Its fun to break the rules!  Put what you love at the top of the list.  Make an appointment with yourself and KEEP them. Think of yourself as your friend waiting for you to keep the lunch date, movie date or whatever and make it a priority.

In addition to my New Years in July resolution I am embracing a word for each season to keep me aware of the many pleasures the different seasons bring.

My word for the summer is “savor”  Savor the summer and all its delicious offerings.

• Take in the sun
• Eat juicy fresh fruit and vine ripened tomatoes
• Buy outrageous fun flip flops
• Catch fireflies
• Picnic…at a park or in your own backyard
• Teach someone to swim
• Do nothing
• Watch the sunrise and the sunset
• Put yourself at the top of the list and SAVOR your own loves!!!!

And in the words of those famous infomercials “but wait there’s more” There is always something more to savor, take a look around and drink it in, long cool sips of what you love about yourself and this season.

I’ve had quite a few adventures this summer ( some on purpose, some not) so stay tuned!

Keeping it simple

Did you ever wonder what would happen if we yanked the cord on everything?

When did it get all so complicated?

Even reading, one of my favorite pastimes is getting high tech.

I do have a thing for books. I read them all, ..well most of them. I was using the library quite a bit but after supporting the building of a new library wing with the fines I accumulated I decided it was easier to buy than to borrow.

After a year or two the books started to breed in my basement, and closets and when we moved it became evident I had a problem.

So I became a library partron again.

I then got the notion that I could be earth friendly, space friendly and still have all the books I wanted if I got a Kindlle or a Nook e-reader.

I was just about to take the plunge when the I-pad came out and my techy friend said..no wait until this other thing comes out with even newer technology and you’ll be all set.

HELP

My desire to be “green” and make the techno leap vanished. I found a favorite book and leafed through the pages wistfully.

I yearned for simplicity. So I decided to go for a run. This should be easy and simple. I wish…this is how it played out..

Put on running clothes and shoes. Walk outside, check the weather, back inside. Oh wait need my phone for safety, need my running pouch ( spi belt..love it) Garmin running watch for time, speed, distance. Need to turn it on so it can find the satellite. Water, do I need water? Music..where’s my IPOD. Uh oh, Garmin is set for biking, need to set it for running. Looking for my ear phones, bathroom break. Find hat and sunglasses….40 minutes later I go running.

Sigh..so much for simplicity

My techy friend read this and claimed the “simple” solution was to get an I-phone.

ARGHHHHH

Think I will just go put on my PF Flyers so I can run faster and jump higher..maybe I can jump back in time?

Anyone with me??

More than just a daily walk

Long before I started running I was a walker.

5:15 every week-day morning found me rolling out my bed and out the door.

In the winter I appreciated the dark mornings that camouflaged my ratty, “grab what is warm” attire.  In the summer I appreciated sunglasses and hats to hide tracings of yesterdays mascara and my wild woman hair.

Most of all I appreciated what got me out of bed and moving my body, my walking partner Francy.

Just knowing she was waiting was enough to get me up and going.  We walked , griped, rejoiced and laughed for 2 miles every morning for over  10 years.

We agreed that what was “said on the walk stayed on the walk ” so no subject was taboo and there was a sense of trust and freedom with what we shared with each other.

Francy was walking long before I joined her. I initially started walking with her as a way to fit in some physical activity in my way too busy life, however those two miles became much more than exercise.

It was an incredible way to start the day sharing, laughing, griping. We celebrated family milestones and even became grandparents for the first time in the same year. Later 2 of our grandchildren would be born on the same day!

People who routinely drove past us on their way to work either thought we were crazy or admired our dedication.

It really became a morning ritual that filled me in every way. I think it did for Francy as well

When I moved I have to say that this was one of things I missed most. It will remain one of those special times in my life that always makes me smile.

I hope you have a daily ritual or habit  that fills you in every way.

I found this photo I had taken early one morning and put this quote with it as a gift to Francy ( made one for myself as well) I think it sums up our walks pretty well.

Bless yourself with a walk this week..and take a friend along. Great things will come your way!

“An early morning walk is a blessing for the whole day”  Thoreau

Tasty Tuesday..an apple and a carrot a day….

Many of you probably thought I got lost in a snow drift here in Virginia.  It was a possibility considering we got almost 5 years worth of snow in Jan and Feb.  Guess that means we won’t get any for the next 4 years.  Not likely..makes me long the days we lived in Hawaii.

Nevertheless I am back.  And every Tuesday will feature a recipe that not only I have tried but so has my family and more importantly lived to tell about it.

When it comes to new recipes, especially those that involve the words healthy my family would like it if I hired a food taster or at least find that kid, Mikey, from the old Life Cereal commercials..

“Let Mikey try it, he hates everything”

MMM..that kid is probably in his thirties by now.  Wonder if he is for hire.

Since a big part of staying in shape and being healthy involves food it came to me that I should share some of these recipes.

Perhaps you should know that I DID  NOT inherit the family cooking gene.

That gene went disproportinately to my two sisters and sister in law .  Okay she is only related by marriage but she somehow got the gene as well.  arghhhh

This is actually good news for all of you.  The recipes I will be sharing are simple, yummy and good for you.  If your family shudders at the words “good for you” or equates that phrase with castor oil or brussel sprouts just leave it out and DO NOT share the ingredients until they already love it.

Also one other word of comfort from those familiar with my original cooking.  These are recipes from real cooks..all credit is given to the cook….

I hear a huge sigh of relief from those who have experienced my original recipes first hand .

This recipe comes from a great book  ” Eat for Health” by Dr. Joel Fuhrman.    It doesn’t last long in my house and my husband has NEVER noticed that I didn’t use mayonaise.

Okay now he knows!

Who can not like something called Sunshine Slaw ??  Try it , you’ll like it!

Sunshine Slaw ( from Eat for Health by SDr. Joel Fuhrman)

4 carrots grated

1 1/2 apples, peeled and chopped ( I use 2 or eat the other half

1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice

1/3 cup slivered or sliced almonds

1/3 cup low salt mayo or Vegenaise ( found in organic aisle) its great!

Directions:  Toss carrots and apples with lemon juice, Add raisins and almonds, Mix in low salt mayo or Veganaise.

ENJOY!

I tried to include a photo but come to find out grated carrots and apple pieces , raisins and almonds are camera shy.

Stayed tuned tomorrow for “Whatever Wednesday”

Active Life Fitness promotes community spirit

I rolled out of bed on Saturday morning wishing it was a little warmer and grateful that the training team I joined for the Ukrops Monument 10 k was meeting at 8:30 rather than 8am.

I have no idea why 30 minutes makes a difference but it does. Maybe because its a Sat. morning.

Nancy Burnett is the head coach this year and the owner and founder of  the new fitness center ( Active Life Fitness) under construction in New Kent County.

I arrived to find a large group of runners and walkers ready to start training for the 10k on March 27th.

What I witnessed was communtiy spirit at its best.

The fitness center is barely under construction however we were able to warm up and fill out forms in a building nearby that is almost completed, generously opened up for this occasion.

A day care center ( Stay and Play)was available for those with little ones  AND we were encouraged to use the bathrooms at the Village Market and Deli because they were  expecting  welcoming us and it was so nice to go there after the run for a warm cup of coffee.

The run was great but what I thought about during the run was how everyone worked together and how the training team was already part of the community.

While the building for Active Life Fitness is just beginning, the spirit and what it will add to the communtiy is already evident.

Hats off to Nancy Burnett, Stay and Play,and the Village  Market and Deli for really being  a village of support for one another.

I will readily jump out of bed next Sat.,not only for the run but also for the community spirit.

Its not too late to join in the fun if you are local.  Registration info available at http://activelifefitnesscenter.com/

. 

A great idea or a trip to the ER?

I have had one thing on my gift list for awhile and my husband kept ignoring it.

He was against it.

He told me he was never going to get it for me because in his best italian/ mafia imitation he said

“Ya gonna break a your face”

So when he handed me the small rectangular box for my birthday with the words “I am totally against this”  I was thrilled because I knew what was inside!

Bike pedals, specifically clipless bike pedals.

Those of you who already have them or have been telling me to get them are sighing and thinking “Well, its about time”

For those of you who don’t bike, clipless bike pedals fit into a special bike shoe and “locks” your foot onto the pedal.   You can easily unlock your foot or so I am told.

This is the part where I actually could “breaka my face” if I can’t get “unlocked”

And lets not forget it makes you look like a cool biker dude.

Also according to my sources, reliable and otherwise it will “optimize” the energy I use because it will allow me to

“pedal in complete circles” /”spin”
be more energy efficient
have faster, longer, more enjoyable rides

Want to know a secret??

I ‘m a little afraid that I may “break my face” or some other part of my body that I would like to stay in one piece.

This is why I have waited and not bought them for myself.  A little excuse to camouflage to my apprehension.

I am not the most coordinated person in the world and I have NO rhythm, so this will be a challenge.

Its been a relief that January has been really busy and more importantly cold, snowy and wet so outside biking has been out.

Feb 1st is my date with the bike shop to get my bike outfitted with all my new stuff.

Hold me accountable, photos are promised.

In the meantime  I ‘m wondering if the county would consider padding all the curbs??  Stay tuned!