I hate that the show "Rescue Me" was cancelled. I hate it not only because the character development was brilliant and the content/acting utterly amazing, but I hate that it was cancelled because it was a television monument of sorts for moment in history when time stood still: September 11th.
So now one of the ways we remembered that day is gone and so is my view of Dennis Leary....crap.
Two days ago we turned off the T.V and went to bed. Mickey and I had a long bike and run in the morning and if we didn't get up at my usual ungodly hour, we were good as triathlete rotisserie. The ride was hot as Lakeshore Dr can deliver in August, and the run, well.....the edges of the road wavered and the souls of my shoes stuck. Not to mention our own very souls were pretty tired.
All you could hear was the breathing when we ran. We didn't speak. Without words we dually noted how the breeze had stopped and our backs were engulfed in heat. It was inescapable. Unless we kept running. Which we did. And we escaped.
For every tough training and race, I try to think of something strong to pull me through. My son, cancer survivors, a story of triumph, anything. I try to give it a purpose instead of taking it personally. After Mickey and I crawled away from the veritable flames and into our car, we drove by another crazy person running along the road, whom Mickey knew, to see if he needed water. They chatted for a while about how difficult it's been to stay motivated during the end of the season for the long races. Mickey mentioned, "I know it sounds weird, but one of the only things that gets me off the couch to train for World's is the fact that it's on 9/11." Not weird at all, actually.
It then occurred to me that my hot run had it's purpose. It was a moving monument. I will suffer a short, meaningless period to remember the lives/families that DIDN'T escape and honor their courage.
I hope everyone can find their simple monument. Then share it. So we can remember.
Monday, August 22, 2011
Friday, August 19, 2011
How to make fitness stick
The birth and death of the fitness conviction usually goes a little something like this:
-Set the intention. Gym everyday! Lose 20 lbs in a week!
-Day 1. Early rise, gym, feelin' great.
-Day 2. Same. But a half hour later.
-Day 3. "I will change up my schedule and go tomorrow."
-Day 4. Didn't go.
-Day 5. Eat crap. "It's okay cause I'm going to get BACK into my gym routine."
-Day 6. Planning to repeat day 1. "I did after all, pay my trainer!"
The pattern can grip your life, consume your conscience like no other and be utterly paralyzing. Why can't I get fit and keep adding wellness routines to my life? Why can't I wake up in the morning? Why does this seem to be so easy for everyone else and not me?
Few things make me happier than giving the answer to these questions (Simple acts of love and exploit from my 4 year old are the biggest competition). The solution to fit woes is totally simple to understand, but challenging to fully embrace. When most are motivated to change their lifestyle, they immediately associate exercise or good eating routines with something 'extra' in their day. Possibly even a 'frivolous' way to spend time. This couldn't be farther from the truth. When it comes to wellness, all ELSE is frivolous. It's time to categorize exercise and eating right with survival necessities eating/sleeping/shelter/family care. You have time for that!
How do you plan your daily life i.e work, childcare, home responsibilities, etc? How do you plan all the things that make your life continue? Well that's exactly the same manner in which you must schedule your fitness routine. It is not extra. It is not a big deal. It is not something special. It is not something difficult. It is not something easy. It is not something for which you need to be 'mentally and emotionally prepared'. It does not define you. IT IS AN AVERAGE, DAILY ROUTINE TO WHICH YOU MUST STICK JUST LIKE ALL THE OTHER MEDIAL YET UTTERLY IMPORTANT TASKS IN YOUR DAY.
Now.....what's your schedule look like?
-Set the intention. Gym everyday! Lose 20 lbs in a week!
-Day 1. Early rise, gym, feelin' great.
-Day 2. Same. But a half hour later.
-Day 3. "I will change up my schedule and go tomorrow."
-Day 4. Didn't go.
-Day 5. Eat crap. "It's okay cause I'm going to get BACK into my gym routine."
-Day 6. Planning to repeat day 1. "I did after all, pay my trainer!"
The pattern can grip your life, consume your conscience like no other and be utterly paralyzing. Why can't I get fit and keep adding wellness routines to my life? Why can't I wake up in the morning? Why does this seem to be so easy for everyone else and not me?
Few things make me happier than giving the answer to these questions (Simple acts of love and exploit from my 4 year old are the biggest competition). The solution to fit woes is totally simple to understand, but challenging to fully embrace. When most are motivated to change their lifestyle, they immediately associate exercise or good eating routines with something 'extra' in their day. Possibly even a 'frivolous' way to spend time. This couldn't be farther from the truth. When it comes to wellness, all ELSE is frivolous. It's time to categorize exercise and eating right with survival necessities eating/sleeping/shelter/family care. You have time for that!
How do you plan your daily life i.e work, childcare, home responsibilities, etc? How do you plan all the things that make your life continue? Well that's exactly the same manner in which you must schedule your fitness routine. It is not extra. It is not a big deal. It is not something special. It is not something difficult. It is not something easy. It is not something for which you need to be 'mentally and emotionally prepared'. It does not define you. IT IS AN AVERAGE, DAILY ROUTINE TO WHICH YOU MUST STICK JUST LIKE ALL THE OTHER MEDIAL YET UTTERLY IMPORTANT TASKS IN YOUR DAY.
Now.....what's your schedule look like?
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Hey it's ok to have more than a handful of THESE chips!
When it comes to veggies, Kale is king. A veritable superfood, Kale handles business in our bodies. The problem- not everyone's palate appreciates the flavor or especially the texture.
But this recipe really uses that paper plate like texture and fascilitates the ability to ingest the healthiest snack wherever, whenever. Kale chips! Not only healthy and delicious, but SUPER CHEAP!
Ingredients: Kale ripped up into chip size. Olive oil. Seasonings such as garlic, pepper, anything salt free such as Mrs. Dash, chili powder, or any flavors you desire. You can even do sweet combinations like cinnamon and Stevia if you're looking to get your kids to snack on something healthy!
Process: place kale pieces and olive oil plus desired seasonings into large mixing bowl. Make sure all pieces are evenly covered with oil and seasonings. Place on baking sheet and bake at 400+ degrees for 10 min max. Depending on your oven's heat, you may just broil them for 5 min or so. They should be super crispy. WATCH THEM CLOSELY BECAUSE ITS SUPER EASY TO BURN THEM! I burn a batch every time it seems so hopefully you will do better than me.
Leave them out for half a day before bagging to ensure they're dried and crispy. Then take them on the road and please.....enjoy more than one!
Love Nancy
But this recipe really uses that paper plate like texture and fascilitates the ability to ingest the healthiest snack wherever, whenever. Kale chips! Not only healthy and delicious, but SUPER CHEAP!
Ingredients: Kale ripped up into chip size. Olive oil. Seasonings such as garlic, pepper, anything salt free such as Mrs. Dash, chili powder, or any flavors you desire. You can even do sweet combinations like cinnamon and Stevia if you're looking to get your kids to snack on something healthy!
Process: place kale pieces and olive oil plus desired seasonings into large mixing bowl. Make sure all pieces are evenly covered with oil and seasonings. Place on baking sheet and bake at 400+ degrees for 10 min max. Depending on your oven's heat, you may just broil them for 5 min or so. They should be super crispy. WATCH THEM CLOSELY BECAUSE ITS SUPER EASY TO BURN THEM! I burn a batch every time it seems so hopefully you will do better than me.
Leave them out for half a day before bagging to ensure they're dried and crispy. Then take them on the road and please.....enjoy more than one!
Love Nancy
Published with Blogger-droid v1.7.4
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
childhood wisdom
This morning at 430 my beautiful 4yr old son looked at the storm lit sky and said 'Mama, let's go chase the lightning and catch the stars'.
I think we should all start the day with such aspirations....and I will certainly take him up on his brilliant idea.
I think we should all start the day with such aspirations....and I will certainly take him up on his brilliant idea.
Published with Blogger-droid v1.7.2
Monday, June 20, 2011
Summer watermelon dressed to impress
Hey everyone!
Hope your dog days of Summer have started off beautifully! I know my Summer has; and it's no secret that my seasons go round happily due to all YOUR endless hard work. I wake daily with joy and gratitude that I'm in your life! Thank you!
Let's celebrate your hard work with an addictive Summer salad. The combination of flavors in this super easy dish will remind you why you've sprinted down the path toward FRESH FOOD since making the healthy eating conviction. I'm going to get you hooked, if you will, on watermelon dressed to impress. Get your bathing suits, pool, and this salad ready for your lazy June afternoon......
WATERMELON DRESSED TO IMPRESS
You will need: Huge seedless watermelon, fresh basil, goat cheese, sliced almonds, balsamic, yellow cherry tomatoes.
Scoop big chunks of watermelon into a big bowl. Put in yellow cherry tomatoes whole and as many as you please. Rip up just enough basil to fill in the cracks, but not too much to overpower the goat cheese. Mix in goat cheese to the point that there's a VERY LIGHT layer over the watermelon. Barely squirt balsamic (the watermelon juice is already a natural dressing and you don't want it to get soupy). Sprinkle the almonds over it all.
The sweetness of the watermelon and saltiness of the goat cheese together handles ANY craving. Is this especially carb or calorie conscious? No, but it handles our deepest desires for desert or comfort food in the freshest manner.
Serve with some of your favorite freshly made sun tea and add some of the basil or mint to your ice cold glass. Also invite me over to test it....
I'm so proud of all of you for your hard work in the gym, with your family, and with all of your endeavors.
Much love to you!
Nancy
Hope your dog days of Summer have started off beautifully! I know my Summer has; and it's no secret that my seasons go round happily due to all YOUR endless hard work. I wake daily with joy and gratitude that I'm in your life! Thank you!
Let's celebrate your hard work with an addictive Summer salad. The combination of flavors in this super easy dish will remind you why you've sprinted down the path toward FRESH FOOD since making the healthy eating conviction. I'm going to get you hooked, if you will, on watermelon dressed to impress. Get your bathing suits, pool, and this salad ready for your lazy June afternoon......
WATERMELON DRESSED TO IMPRESS
You will need: Huge seedless watermelon, fresh basil, goat cheese, sliced almonds, balsamic, yellow cherry tomatoes.
Scoop big chunks of watermelon into a big bowl. Put in yellow cherry tomatoes whole and as many as you please. Rip up just enough basil to fill in the cracks, but not too much to overpower the goat cheese. Mix in goat cheese to the point that there's a VERY LIGHT layer over the watermelon. Barely squirt balsamic (the watermelon juice is already a natural dressing and you don't want it to get soupy). Sprinkle the almonds over it all.
The sweetness of the watermelon and saltiness of the goat cheese together handles ANY craving. Is this especially carb or calorie conscious? No, but it handles our deepest desires for desert or comfort food in the freshest manner.
Serve with some of your favorite freshly made sun tea and add some of the basil or mint to your ice cold glass. Also invite me over to test it....
I'm so proud of all of you for your hard work in the gym, with your family, and with all of your endeavors.
Much love to you!
Nancy
Sunday, June 12, 2011
mango and cuke salad...yum
This sounds so delicious and perfect for Summer!! Make your unique version and bring some to the gym for me asap.
Serves 6
3 mangos peeled and diced into 1 inch pieces (about 3 cups)
1 seedless cucumber umpeeled and sliced very thin
1 small red onion cut in half and then into very thin slices
1 tbsp finely chopped serrano chile pepper (optional for u heat sissies)
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
2 tbsp lemon flavored olive oil
1/2 tsp black pepper
In a serving bowl combine all ingredients. Chill for an hour and enjoy!!
Serves 6
3 mangos peeled and diced into 1 inch pieces (about 3 cups)
1 seedless cucumber umpeeled and sliced very thin
1 small red onion cut in half and then into very thin slices
1 tbsp finely chopped serrano chile pepper (optional for u heat sissies)
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
2 tbsp lemon flavored olive oil
1/2 tsp black pepper
In a serving bowl combine all ingredients. Chill for an hour and enjoy!!
Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.8
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Strength to race from YOU
Hey everyone
Humbled, hurting, and happy; I want to give you a re-cap on this past weekend's race experience. I feel good about sharing this without any self-obsessed or narcissistic moments because most of my strengths and gains had much to do with YOU. Not me.
Saturday I did the Show Low AZ Half distance triathlon (1.5 mi swim, 56 mi bike, and 13 mi run) and Sunday I relayed the Xterra triathlon race doing the 5 mi trail run portion. The trail run on dead legs was epic as I had zero expectations for myself and the most gorgeous mountain run background for which you could ever hope to cool the blow of 2 day hell. The day prior, the day for which I trained, the day for which my watts and protein/carbs per workout were perfectly calculated, the day I ran over and over in my mind....tested everything.
Usual pre swim jitters. But I'm a good swimmer. I got this. I get in front for the start. I'm fresh and have my 'old faithful' goggles I ALWAYS race. They are used and ugly but I'm stubborn and cheap, so. We start and ol faithfuls fog in the first 100 yrds. I come up to rub my thumbs over them and SNAP! Ol faithful strap snapped. No goggles and 1.5 mi of water ahead of me. I wanted to cry. I think I did.
Then I was pissed. 'F' those goggles and 'F' this swim. I planned on swimming it faster then if I were able to see. I went for it and lasted 100 more yrds, was blind beyond blind, and I think cried again. Rest of the longest swim of my life was dedicated to squinting and telling myself 'just one stroke closer to finishing'. I enlisted thoughts of my clients figuring out the magic formula for getting away from me (sometimes): Going faster equals over faster....not bitching or crying equals quitting. Made it out of the water. Eyes so so swollen nearly shut. Sigh...that's racing. I remind myself that I CHOSE to give all but my second born child to this mayhem. So deal with it in other words, Nancy.
The bike was then my best friend. Which is ridiculous as my bike didn't comfort me and buy me a drink. It just hurt my ass so bad. Neverthless the windiest course in the world, luckily for me gave me a gift; a huge hill. I'm not a great flat rider, but I can mosy up a hill boy. 18 mi uphill with 25 mph headwind the whole time, just destroyed everyone and gave me a shot at pulling past many of my competitors swimming by me with dry protected eyes. Those sissy la-la's haven't raced til they try THAT.
Anyway excuse my arrogance. Its over with the bike leg. While the run is normally my strength and I just love to chase me down some tired peeps on foot, it was the run leg which made me question it ALL. What did I do wrong in my training? Do I not deserve this? Does the universe feel I was meant to be a sedentary housewife and at a nail appt instead today? What happened to my lungs all of a sudden?
....The flippin altitude happened. 9500 literally has the ability to turn someone inside out. My innards were exposed a lot. The worst thing is, is that I totally knew about altitude affects. I live in Boulder City though and spend a fortune as it is on gas so was NOT going to schlep my ass after work sacrificing precious time with my son to Mt Charleston. I planned on just hydrating more than humanly possible as my best defense. It was that I think that made it so I even made it to the god awful run in the first place. (And it was also that very fluid that covered the front of my jersey and legs 15 min after the celebratory finish, when the hypoxic high wore off).
Altitude attacks muscles, lungs, heart, and stomach. I had it all. I'm used to getting off the bike for a half and averaging 7:15 or 7:30 pace for the 13 mi run. That was a long gone fantasy (I looked at last year's splits and thought only slower peeps did this race. Stupid me). There was not enough oxygen in the world and my 115 lb frame turned to 215... 230 with every step of the mostly hell trail half marathon.
I can't remember if people were passing me. I had to let go of the idea of winning. Let go of any expectations and go back to the grounded days of 'just finishing'. I'm very spoiled and always place well in races. This day I just wanted to be placed at the finish line. Alive. Barf cleaned off of me. Not since the natural, home birth of my son had I been challenged physically like this. I wanted to curl up into a ball and hide. I wanted to walk. I wanted air and a non-redlined heart rate.
I tried every mental game to get my mind out of hell. I sang, counted steps, pretended like I was on any ol' morning run, and even planned out the menu of grease I was to inhale upon finishing. But there was no escaping this. And if I did I would be shamed by my own words to my clients who work so hard with me. 'This is nothing of which you can't handle'. Suddenly I didn't want to escape. I wanted to be in hell and get through it. I wanted to be like all my courageous clients who want nothing more than to disappear from my workout yet keep pushing on. Til its over. And they're my heroes. And they're their own heroes.
Upon having much better morale, a chain reaction of positive thought flows through an absolute wrecked body and mind. If I can get through this in life, I can get through anything. Muscle group by muscle group I thanked my body. My mantra included, "Thank you clients for keeping me true to my words. Thank you Luke for never letting me know what it's like to relax. Thank you family for understanding that I'm crazy...." and so on.
.....How I won my age group Saturday for the Half Ironman distance triathlon or how our relay team won the Xterra on Sunday, I have no idea. Except the possibility of the strongest people in the world not necessarily on this race course, but on this life course, pulling me through. Thank you!
Your biggest fan,
Nancy
Humbled, hurting, and happy; I want to give you a re-cap on this past weekend's race experience. I feel good about sharing this without any self-obsessed or narcissistic moments because most of my strengths and gains had much to do with YOU. Not me.
Saturday I did the Show Low AZ Half distance triathlon (1.5 mi swim, 56 mi bike, and 13 mi run) and Sunday I relayed the Xterra triathlon race doing the 5 mi trail run portion. The trail run on dead legs was epic as I had zero expectations for myself and the most gorgeous mountain run background for which you could ever hope to cool the blow of 2 day hell. The day prior, the day for which I trained, the day for which my watts and protein/carbs per workout were perfectly calculated, the day I ran over and over in my mind....tested everything.
Usual pre swim jitters. But I'm a good swimmer. I got this. I get in front for the start. I'm fresh and have my 'old faithful' goggles I ALWAYS race. They are used and ugly but I'm stubborn and cheap, so. We start and ol faithfuls fog in the first 100 yrds. I come up to rub my thumbs over them and SNAP! Ol faithful strap snapped. No goggles and 1.5 mi of water ahead of me. I wanted to cry. I think I did.
Then I was pissed. 'F' those goggles and 'F' this swim. I planned on swimming it faster then if I were able to see. I went for it and lasted 100 more yrds, was blind beyond blind, and I think cried again. Rest of the longest swim of my life was dedicated to squinting and telling myself 'just one stroke closer to finishing'. I enlisted thoughts of my clients figuring out the magic formula for getting away from me (sometimes): Going faster equals over faster....not bitching or crying equals quitting. Made it out of the water. Eyes so so swollen nearly shut. Sigh...that's racing. I remind myself that I CHOSE to give all but my second born child to this mayhem. So deal with it in other words, Nancy.
The bike was then my best friend. Which is ridiculous as my bike didn't comfort me and buy me a drink. It just hurt my ass so bad. Neverthless the windiest course in the world, luckily for me gave me a gift; a huge hill. I'm not a great flat rider, but I can mosy up a hill boy. 18 mi uphill with 25 mph headwind the whole time, just destroyed everyone and gave me a shot at pulling past many of my competitors swimming by me with dry protected eyes. Those sissy la-la's haven't raced til they try THAT.
Anyway excuse my arrogance. Its over with the bike leg. While the run is normally my strength and I just love to chase me down some tired peeps on foot, it was the run leg which made me question it ALL. What did I do wrong in my training? Do I not deserve this? Does the universe feel I was meant to be a sedentary housewife and at a nail appt instead today? What happened to my lungs all of a sudden?
....The flippin altitude happened. 9500 literally has the ability to turn someone inside out. My innards were exposed a lot. The worst thing is, is that I totally knew about altitude affects. I live in Boulder City though and spend a fortune as it is on gas so was NOT going to schlep my ass after work sacrificing precious time with my son to Mt Charleston. I planned on just hydrating more than humanly possible as my best defense. It was that I think that made it so I even made it to the god awful run in the first place. (And it was also that very fluid that covered the front of my jersey and legs 15 min after the celebratory finish, when the hypoxic high wore off).
Altitude attacks muscles, lungs, heart, and stomach. I had it all. I'm used to getting off the bike for a half and averaging 7:15 or 7:30 pace for the 13 mi run. That was a long gone fantasy (I looked at last year's splits and thought only slower peeps did this race. Stupid me). There was not enough oxygen in the world and my 115 lb frame turned to 215... 230 with every step of the mostly hell trail half marathon.
I can't remember if people were passing me. I had to let go of the idea of winning. Let go of any expectations and go back to the grounded days of 'just finishing'. I'm very spoiled and always place well in races. This day I just wanted to be placed at the finish line. Alive. Barf cleaned off of me. Not since the natural, home birth of my son had I been challenged physically like this. I wanted to curl up into a ball and hide. I wanted to walk. I wanted air and a non-redlined heart rate.
I tried every mental game to get my mind out of hell. I sang, counted steps, pretended like I was on any ol' morning run, and even planned out the menu of grease I was to inhale upon finishing. But there was no escaping this. And if I did I would be shamed by my own words to my clients who work so hard with me. 'This is nothing of which you can't handle'. Suddenly I didn't want to escape. I wanted to be in hell and get through it. I wanted to be like all my courageous clients who want nothing more than to disappear from my workout yet keep pushing on. Til its over. And they're my heroes. And they're their own heroes.
Upon having much better morale, a chain reaction of positive thought flows through an absolute wrecked body and mind. If I can get through this in life, I can get through anything. Muscle group by muscle group I thanked my body. My mantra included, "Thank you clients for keeping me true to my words. Thank you Luke for never letting me know what it's like to relax. Thank you family for understanding that I'm crazy...." and so on.
.....How I won my age group Saturday for the Half Ironman distance triathlon or how our relay team won the Xterra on Sunday, I have no idea. Except the possibility of the strongest people in the world not necessarily on this race course, but on this life course, pulling me through. Thank you!
Your biggest fan,
Nancy
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