Scavenger Hunt - 2 of my favorite things - Skiing & Mountains

Crossed
Berkshire East hosted the Pioneer Valley Individual Championships.  I shot the boys Slalom run - this is the number 1 seeded boy John Mentor - what amazing form!  In Slalom skiing when you reach across your body to hit the gate is called a "cross block" :)

John Mentor, Longmeadow, Seeded #1

A Glimpse

...of a future Olympian. :)  Schuyler is so jazzed now that he is skiing fast and placing in and near the top 10 of the 70 plus 9-10 year old boys.  He has such great form, the whole thing is finally coming together and he loves it!  So amazing to see him have such confidence in his skiing!  

Schuyler - 2nd run at Stratton, VT

Handwritten

The Stratton Training Center made this banner for their kids at their home race this past weekend.  Each J5 (9-10 year old) signed the banner -- very cool to have the motivation and support of your team mates!

J5 STC banner at Stratton, VT

Bliss

... to see our friend Glen who survived a stroke at the same time I was diagnosed with cancer a year and a half ago.  It was bliss to see him recovering and happy!  Here he is with our other dear friend Richard - they are coaches for the Longmeadow team.

Glenn & Richard

Gray

..skies mean snow is coming! Or so we hope.  It has been a dry winter here in Massachusetts and pretty dry up north in Southern VT too.  Here is the view of Bromley from Stratton Mountain.  We love the mountains in the winter!

Bromley Mountain, VT

Hope you like my photos! Please leave a comment if you stop by! If you are interested in more great photos from some amazing photographers and/or want to play along check out the link to Ashley's blog below! 

The Wonder Woman Runner Streak!

When I think of streakers, I think of crazy people.  Remembering back when I was a ski patroller at Killington one of only 5 woman patrollers, we would get the random call of a "nudity" issue on the slopes - whether it was male, female, topless, bottomless or both! :)  My friend Ned was "famous" for streaking through the Rutland mall parking lot and we continuously would laugh about those days! If you are wondering - the answer is no, I never did ski topless.  :)  I did however ski with tights on and my Louis Garneau bike outfit (see picture below) :)

Me at the Bear Mountain Mogul Challenge circa 1990's

But now streaking has taken on a new meaning to me. Runners World put forth the challenge to get people up and running every day for at least a mile from Thanksgiving to New Years. Since I was currently running consecutive days and loving these motivations to keep on the pavement, I joined in. I was able to talk a few of my dailymile friends to do the same.  It was Sandra and I who braved it out those short winter days to get our runs in and shared  "you are a rockstar" motivations!  At first I thought that maybe my body would get tired, achy, and not want to go out every day.  I usually catch a cold in the or feel under the weather that a day off is always so nice, but knock on wood, I have stayed very healthy through this whole timeframe.  I always have looked forward to my run, but something about this streak thing has me craving running even more and finding new ways to squeak in the miles.

The best running partner ever!

Yes - I get up every day and start my day with a run with Oakley, my beautiful 11 year old yellow lab.  (Check out my last post on running with your Canine Companion) We run 2-3 miles in the "hood" and I miss him when I have to travel or coach on the weekends.  Coaching skiing at Mount Snow is my regular weekend gig.  I really didn't know how it was all going to fit into my winter lifestyle, but honestly it has been AWESOME to run in this mountainous area that I love as my second home.  The hills are challenging, but making me so much stronger!  I have new loops up there that I run every weekend now.  The added bonus is the cheers from my fellow coaches, ski instructors and families as they pass me in their cars.  They think I am nuts, but they are all so encouraging and have become quite a motivator.

Today I have been running every day for 95 days
Yes that is running every day since before Thanksgiving for at least 2 miles of running per day.  Approaching the 100 day mark is really exciting.  I love counting the days!

Me skiing Mt Hood in Oregon - July 2011

When will I stop?  I really don't know yet, I want to prep myself that I may not be able to keep this up and listen to my body - so when that time comes - I will stop.  Promise. :)  First I will hit 100, then 150 and so on, but ultimately I would like to go a full year.  If I can keep this up during ski season when skiing is my prime sport - I KNOW I can do it during the other seasons too!

Why streak?  It becomes a habit.  It is a challenge. It is another goal to pursue. You have an excuse to tell your story, why you run.... and experience running everywhere you go. You have a reason to change it up, otherwise it will get real boring fast! It is something I haven't done before and as a cancer survivor, I celebrate every day, so why not run every day!

Today is 51 days till the Boston Marathon.
This will be my 25th marathon (not including my 4 Ironman Triathlons & 50 miler) and my 8th Boston!
I am feeling really strong and I credit this runstreak -- nothing gets in my way to get my run in and actually I am known for 2 runs a day to lessen the impact on my body and to get in those additional miles.  I have been doing fairly low mileage weeks lately because I am so darn busy, but hope to increase in the next few weeks.


Things I have learned from "streaking"
1. Plan ahead - when & where are you going to run?
2."Just do it" - get out there and run!  NO excuses.  Even if it is 1 mile (that can be a rest day)
3. Change the scenery, find new routes - keep it interesting
4. Find friends to run with and talk to, it will keep you going & entertained!
5. Hydration, diet and sleep are KEY to keeping up with any endurance event or goal like streaking!
6. Stretch, yoga, meditation - do what it takes to stay flexible and not get injured
7. Log every day - dailymile is great for posting a note about each day of your streak- tell your story and keep yourself accountable.
8. It's all a balance, time with family, time to cross train and time to run!
8. Celebrate your success and share with others - people are real supportive of this healthy habit/obsession called running.

The Big 4th Springfield MA 2011- Random fun runners everywhere!

Here are some links of interest on Runstreaks that share the fun and many others that streaking right along with me.  I found some other streakers by keyword #runstreak on Twitter too.  How fun! There are people that have been streaking for more than 1500 days -- just incredible stories out there.  I hope that my story of the "Wonder Woman RunStreak" will be just as incredible some day.  Wish me luck and watch me run!

Runners World Holiday Runstreak
Twitter RunStreak Search
Streak Runners International
The Dangers of Streak Running

Scavenger Hunt Sunday - Ski Racing Edition

Strike a Pose,
My winter fun is ski racing photography.  I love to catch these young athletes in action! Check out these little ones Jake & Tess  striking a pose.  (J6 = 7-8 year olds) Tess below won both J6 races -- and for good reason -- look at that form! 

Footwear
Although ski boots are tight and not always fun to get on your feet.  To get the right ones is a real advantage to how well you ski.  Schuyler is in Nordicas and doing a little boot skiing at the top of the race course with friends! 

Hobby
A hobby, a love, a passion -- our family loves to ski and Schuyler has grown up in the ski world with us.  I am so incredibly proud to see him ski the course with such vigor and be so proud of his performance at the finish line.  There's nothing better than that!

Shiny
 After coaching on Sunday I went back to my knoll to shoot some J3 (13-14 year olds) photos for their race (SVC GS) at Mount Snow - these young athletes are amazing!  This is Jean Pierre who I recognize because of his shiny goggles! :)  We had the opportunity to free ski with his dad, Pepe, who is the Amherst High School ski coach & a long time family friend. 

Color Me Green
Here is Harrison Ma - our friends from Clifton Park NY.  They ski out of Willard, NY and Pico VT -- I have photographed him every year and was so happy that I got a few shots of him in his new green GS suit - :)  Last time I photographed him he was in yellow!  Looking good out there cresting the knoll Harrison!

These guys were keeping me in line so I didn't wander too far into the course away from the B net.  They were laughing and posed for this crazy shot.  This is where the coaches and the TD stand where they can see the majority of the course.  (TD = Technical Director) :)  

Ski Racing Albums from this weekend
SVC J3 GS at Mount Snow 




Hope you like my photos! 
Please leave a comment if you stop by!

Scavenger Hunt!

The rules are simple: 

1. Anyone can participate.
2. You're encouraged to take five new photos this week for the challenge. Creativity is also encouraged!
3. If you get stumped, you may use one photo from your archive 
4. Link up on Sunday to Ashley's link above
5. Leave comments for at least five entries around yours
6. Have fun!

Running with Your Canine Companion

What do I love about running?  The list goes on and on... but one thing that comes up on my list over and over again is the fact that it is the time that I get to spend with my canine companion!

1/2 Marathon finish relaxing with Chester in Colorado 1999

Exploring the mountains with Chester in 1999

Chester & I in Keystone, CO 1999

 I remember running with my first yellow labrador, "Birchfield's Chester Valentine" in the 1990's & it was early in my marathon training that I realized that the dog motivation to run was like none other.  He would be wagging his tail and literally jumping around the room waiting for me every morning! The time that I spend on the road and the trails training was NOT alone because I have the companionship of my amazing dog. I called him the Wonder Puppy! My loyal, loving dog that LOVES to run almost as much as I do! The thing about running in Vermont with Chester was always to find the streams and the lakes where he could take a dip and drink from the streams. He loved to pull sticks and LARGE logs out of the woods... bringing a smile to my face. I have such amazing memories of running with Chester -- I cherish every single one! One race in the Stratton Mountain Vermont area I actually ran a road race with him & another dog by my side for more than 6 miles! He climbed mountains, swam in the lakes & went on snowshoe trips with me too! Chester & I packed all we owned in the back of my GMC Sonoma and moved west to Colorado for 2 years in 1997. He experienced Colorado life in the mountains with me at Estes Park, Keystone (sleeping in the back of the truck when we went skiing) & more! The sad day came when I had to put Chester down when they found cancer had taken over his entire body. I light a luminaria in his name every year at the Relay For Life in my community & look forward to participating in our nearby Bark For Life to remember and celebrate his life. I still have this sad feeling in my heart & love & remember the wonderful times with him all the time.  Even though I thought he could never be replaced, Chester's legacy continued with my next yellow lab "Toryfield Master Oakley".

  Oakley literally claws me out of bed in the morning relentlessly until I drag my weary self to the floor, to the coffee pot, to the door and on the road! Oakley is an amazing running partner & doesn't let me off easy -- he has been running with me since he was 6 months old.  He didn't go to obedience school -- running with me was school!  :)  Oakley just turned 11 and has so much energy and "umpf" for a dog of his years!   I truly think the years of running has increased his lifespan, strengthened his heart and the experience of running shows his love for life!  Just like a human, the more you get out there, experience the world and enjoy life, the more life will give back to you tenfold! Oakley would run all my runs with me until the past year and now runs 2 to 5 miles a day.  He loves to run the trails and in our woods out back we have a trail named "Oakley Trail Loop" that is our favorite place to run!



Tips for running with your dog: 

Oakley & me - running all 4 seasons!

1. Hydration is key- remember that a dog can't sweat - they get hot and pant once it is to a point that they need to show it.  Keep them hydrated and cool.  It is best to run near streams and water so you don't get "stuck" when they really need water.  Run in the shade and trees as much as possible to keep them cool.

2. Running with your dog on a leash is a skill in itself.  Expandable leashes are great when you have the room to let them extend and explore, especially as a puppy.  When they are better trained you can go to a shorter leash and it will be easier to be able to control them, keeping them close and tight to your body.

3. Realize when your dog is tired and give them a break.  A dog will lag back and you can figure out the mileage that your dog can cover and limit it to that without pushing them. If your dog is lame, or limping - no better how much they drive you crazy to run with you -- they honestly need to rest.  :)

4. Manage the distractions - realize ahead of time when you see another dog, a squirrel, chipmunk, rabbit and other humans along the way that you are going to get pulled in that direction.  Be ready, brace yourself and eventually train your dog that they need to just keep running by.  This is the upper body workout in running when you have your dog & can be a challenge but manageable at the same time!  :)

5. Be safe & stay safe - Know when you can go off leash & when you need to have your dog on the leash.  Obey all signs in this regard.  Nothing worse than nuisance dogs off leash irritating your dog to the limit.  Dog fights are NO fun - so avoid them at all costs.  Know when there is a dog friendly dog and when to STAY away!

6. Know your doggie neighborhood & the leash laws.  It is nice to know where the dogs are in the neighborhood to manage distractions, but also to be aware and ready in case they happen to be "off leash" in their own property. I have been bit by dogs and my dogs have been bit by dogs.  It is no fun to have to get a tetanus shot and treated for infection after a dog bite.  It is even more horrible to watch your puppy or dog get attacked by another dog and you are doing all your might to pull them away.   Just ask me. :(
 Carry "poop" bags and be respectful of others property. Obviously if you aren't deep in the woods, you are responsible for "it". :)

7. Share the love!  It is so great to run with your dog!  I love dogs & the dog "friends" in the neighborhood.  I was so fortunate when I lived in New Hampshire to have a running buddy that also had a chocolate lab "Nutmeg".  Lucky Oakley had a running friend too!   Sharing our annual story through our Christmas letter every year is written by Oakley!  He does a fine job for a canine with paws on the keyboard.  HA!  He can write a pretty good fundraising letter too!  :) Check out a local Bark For Life to meet other dog lovers!  Great way to meet others that love to exercise with their dogs!  As a dog lover, photos of my Oakley are something I am very proud of- check out the gallery below!  Enjoy every minute -- a canine life is too short not to be lived to the fullest each and every day!


More great canine running info I have found very interesting and helpful below!

Happy times running with Oakley the best running partner ever!  

How running with your dog can enhance canine and human training at the same time!  

Great post from the NY Times online that links to great resources on running with your dog! 


Nancy E Photography SmugMug Oakley Gallery

Do you have a great dog running companion?
Please comment below! Thanks!