MORE Christmas Music

Great music to listen to after putting Schuyler to sleep last night - - I was cruising the web and found this gem... just released from Mindy Smith - 10/2/07 called My Holiday. Her voice is a beautiful alto/soprano that I can sing along with - - and I just love it! I bought the album on Itunes for $7.99 and then stumbled on her site - - great voice -- and I really love the acoustics in the background.... I have a feeling I will be buying another CD from her soon!

Christmas Love Playlist

Creating CD's for friends with all my favorites... digging into my music collection and finding some great stuff from Barenaked Ladies and Placido Domingo - - I LOVE CHRISTMAS music... it is the best part of Christmas. We don't have a church here yet to go to, so I hope we can find a great place for Christmas Eve....

Here is the favorites... Playlist that I made for Steve. My friends all got the expanded version! : )

Relay - looking back - Rohert Park, CA

Nancy E Photography travels to Rohnert Park Relay For Life - home of my friend Becky Lunders and family! This was a fun trip! Great people, great weather, great spirit!

Lange World Cup 150 flex!

My new boots have arrived and I LOVE them! Skiing like a ROCK star at Mt. Snow this past weekend they make a HUGE difference. Life on the slopes is very good. Schuyler starts in the Development Program this weekend and I get my group assigned as training center coach. The first couple weekends were interesting, getting used to the new environment and the new people, but this past weekend was great! The snow was fabulous and I met a ton of new people and skied with some good skiers. I even managed to get in a few runs with my new husband and Head Alpine Coach! Looking forward to the winter!

ACS photo favorites!

Sue Ann and I at the Hope Lodge in Tampa


Karen (Wal-Mart), Mark (BAE), Jeanne and at St. Christophers in NYC



From Tom Deal - great picture of the choir at closing!

Race Resume - November 2007

Race Resume
2007 Race Result Highlights
70.3 World Championship, Clearwater, FL 33/63 in age group - 5:18 finish time (11/07)
70.3 Timberman 2nd in age group, Gifford, NH - 5:15 finish time
Chicago Marathon (3:26:13)- 896 overall - 128 female - 15th in age group (10/07)Boston Marathon 7th overall master woman. 1626 overall(4/07)
4th master ING Atlanta, Georgia 1/2 marathon (3/07)
1st overall woman - Swanzey, NH 1/2 marathon (9/07)
4th woman, 1st in age - Greenfield Triathlon USAT Club Championship (8/07)
Ranked 144 USAT for 40-44 female age group (2007)
USTS National Olympic Distance Triathlon Championship (6/07) 191/475 in age)


2006 highlighted results:
Chicago Marathon: (3:14:38) – 2161/38,000 overall – Gender 263 – Division 35
Tufts 10K for women, Boston, MA: (42:23) 88/7000 overall – 14/1348 age group
FIRM MAN ½ Ironman, Narragansett Bay, RI (5:09:51) – 9th woman – 3rd in age – 118/641 finishers
Swanzey NH Covered Bridge ½ marathon – (1:31:01) – 4th woman – 1st in age – 21 / 311 finishers
CIGNA 5K, Manchester NH: (20:04) – 16th woman – 2nd in age - 4260 finishers
Sea to Summit (12 mi kayak, 90 mi bike, 9 mile run up Mt. Washington) – 10:36:24 – 2nd woman
NETS Fairlee, VT: (1:47:12) – 4th in age – 117/ 467 finishers


4 time Iron man competitor
Iron-man Triathlon –swim 2.4 mile, bike 112 miles, run -6.2 miles
PR – 11:52:01
1990 - Sunapee, NH (12:59)
1991- Sunapee, NH (12:36:41)11th female
1994 -Martha’s Vineyard (12:15:42) 9th female
1996 -Sunapee, NH – 11:51 – 2nd place female


Marathons – 26.2 miles
Competed in 19 marathons including:
Chicago - (October 2007) -3:26
Boston (April 2007) - 3:05:59
Chicago (October 2006) – 3:14:38
Montreal, Canada (3:35)
Cape Cod, MA (3:45)
Hartford, CT – (3:40)
Disney Marathon, Orlando, FL (3:53)
Portland, ME- 2004 – (3:41)
VT City Marathon – 1993 (3:33), 1994 (3:27:14), 1999 (3:35)
Marine Corps Marathon, Washington DC – (3:50)
Providence, RI (4:05)
Boston Marathon – 1990(3:51), 1993 (4:16), 2002 (4:10) 2007 (3:05)


Personal Record List
Marathon – 3:05:59 – (2007) – Boston, MA
½ Marathon – 1:28:48 (2007) – Alton, NH
Ironman distance triathlon – 11:51 (1996) – Sunapee, NH
½ ironman – 5:09 (2006)– Narragansett Bay, RI
5K – 20:04 – (2006) Cigna 5K, Manchester, NH
10K – 40:44 (1994) – Killington, VT

Other Accomplishments:
Sea to Summit 2nd place woman – 12 mi kayak, 90 mi bike, 9 mile run to Mt. Washington (2006)
USTS National Olympic Distance Triathlon Championship 1990 (Top 50% in age)
3rd place – Sport Women Pedro’s New England Mountain Bike Series (1994)
Raced Category 4 Woman’s class – (1992 & 2000)
3rd place female overall – VT Triathlon Series (1994)
5 time Century ride finisher – Audrey Prouty Memorial Century for NCCC
Top 16 Bear Mountain Mogul Challenge, Killington, VT – (1997)
Woodstock, VT HS Girls Varsity Basketball Coach, JV Girls Lacrosse & Field Hockey (1990-93)

Qualifications
BS Physical Education, Castleton State College (1986)
Professional Ski Instructor of America certified since (2000) current Level 2 certification
Killington Ski Patrol, Killington, VT – (pro) 1987-1997
Keystone Ski Instructor, Keystone, CO (pro)– 1998-2000
Mt. Sunapee Ski Instructor, Newbury, NH (pro) – 2000-2006
American Red Cross – Director of Health & Safety Services – 1991-1994
American Red Cross, past instructor trainer certifications Water Safety, Life guarding, Emergency Response, First Aid and Professional CPR.

(Last updated: November 21, 2007)

Sandhill Cranes in Trinity Florida

These beautiful birds frequent the golf course (Steve's mom lives on the 7th tee) in Trinity. We arrived to see them on the course in the afternoon and my mother in law told us how they mate for life.... they have one or 2 babies, but only have one mate. They were beautiful to watch and as I took their photos they came closer to us to visit - - Here are my favorites:

I searched to find out more and here is a link to the International Crane Foundation website that is an incredible resource.

70.3 World Championships - PHOTOS

Ironman 70.3 World Championships - RESULTS!

Peck-Cook, Nancy BELCHERTOWN MA USA

Overall place: 1113 of 1466 starters and 1650 qualifiers
Overall time: 5:18:17
Age group rank: 33/63 W40-44
Race number: 1200
SWIM:
Rank in age: 49 overallL: 1246 swim time: 38:41 per/100m 2:03
T1: 3:50
BIKE:
age rank: 37 overall rank: 1203 2:43:39 20.5 mph
T2: 2:59
RUN
age rank: 23 overall rank: 946 bike time: 1:49:09 8:20 min/mile

The story:
Flying to Tampa on Thursday I was looking through the race guide (and my friend Stac can start laughing here...) and realized that OMG! the race is on Saturday and not Sunday. All my triathlons to date that I have raced in this year were on Sundays and not quite sure how I messed this one up, but I had the date in my calendar WRONG - - so I called Steve immediately to calm myself and start to prepare (even though it was so tight). Arranging the schedule with Kathy at the Curves conference to leave a little earlier from Orlando was done and now I managed to get to Tampa - - drive to Orlando - - work my shifts and meet some great people from Curves.

I drove to Clearwater after the night at the Rosen Shingle Creek resort (Which was truly an amazing golf resort) and after having put my bike together with my incredible mechanic husband - - drove at 8 AM to Clearwater. I arrived to the Expo area at the Harborview Convention Center. The race was so well organized, there were no long lines and lots of volunteers. They had you wait until there was one of the 12 volunteers sitting at the table to walk you through all the instructions and race numbers. Then to get weighed in case of dehydration they had a record. Not so much fun on the scale. : ) Check my timing chip and get my tshirt and time to shop! I got a sweatshirt that I absolutely love.... soft, fleecy, white Ironman style and a tech tshirt with the IM info on it.

Next to deal with my bike. My front tire was all worn out so I went to the bike place (tent) to have the guys put on my tire and straighten, tighten and adjust anything so that I could ride with a sound mind in the morning. LOVE my new tire, but I was looking around with "bike envy" at the thousands of dollars in bikes and wheels riding by and hanging on the rack. Although I am truly in love with my Italian road race bike - my Ciocci - - white and royal blue accents - - I have had since 1999. Crazy the money that is spent on these new bikes... some day. : )
My "sleeper" bars (as Steve calls them) were tightened and the guy laughed at the "jimmy rig" that I had for the bars after losing a screw. : )

Now off to place all my stuff in transition that was going to close at 5 pm. I packed my bags - blue for bike and red for run. They don't let you in the transition area after racking your bags - - Again I FINALLY found a parking space, met my personal volunteer guide (the volunteers were INCREDIBLE). It was carpeted all around where the bikes were held and she walked me through every step so I would be prepared (where were these volunteers all those times I got lost!).

Once I had all my stuff in place, knowing that I could get back in to my bike the next day to add my water bottles with fuel I was all set! Steve arrived that night - letting me sleep until he arrived around 1:30 am and then I awoke to find that they lost his luggage with the things I forgot (watch, water bottles for fuel and goggles). His mom was so great to pick him up and they went to Wal-Mart to get me goggles that worked great!

The race:
Woke up at 4 am - ate a bagel / egg and made my fuel for the ride. Got to Pier 60 and found a great parking space. We walked to the bike transition - - realized I forgot my timing chip and my bathing cap disappeared - - so I needed a new one. Steve went back got my chip and I found someone for a cap. WE went to the beach - prepped and I stared out to the ocean (dreading the swim as always). The swim felt very crowed and I was hit a few times. I felt straight at least and not too tired, but know that I struggle for time there with lack of (or no training to be honest, besides the races that I do) -- so on to the bike (which also had lack of training, but is my strength from the past - - sorry to sound like I am making excuses, but I am SO competative inside myself.). The bike was fun - I felt fast because I passed all those fast swimmers that can't bike as well. Although I did find some girls my pace in their late 30"s amd early 40's. One from Mexico, one from Victoria Canada and one from Italy. It was fun -- tight in spots that made me nervous because of drafting, but there really wasn't a choice and I kept far back as I could. The roads were flat and fast, just a few little inclines and a LOT of head wind. The last stretch was tough. There were 2 bottle drops and I pushed the liquids.

Once on the run - I was hungry and tired. : ) It was noon and I was ready for lunch. Oh well. GU for lunch. Hmmm, well they had bannanas and oranges - - so I fueled a bit and climbed the bridge over the water out onto the main area - around the housing development and back - 2 loops. I had to go the bathroom (woman stuff, belly issues) .... My second loop felt faster, but I really just maintained. I pushed to the finish and sprinted (Steve likes the effort put out at the end - - so I did my best) My time was 5:18 which I felt pretty good about - considering such a tough ocean swim and well - late season racing.... Yippee! It was about qualifying and being there. I was really happy with my results and wasn't sore like Chicago - so I was happy. Happy to be done.

We walked the pier area, saw the girl Kim that beat me in Big Lake at the half and also won her qualifying spot at Timberman. She was injured, but happy with her results. Nice girl, good to connect with her.

Found my overall results today after missing our flight out home this morning because of the offsite rental car location - - here one more night before heading home.

HAPPY - - just about 50% in my age group. Not too shabby - - 20 mph on the bike (cool) and my run wasn't so bad afterall. : )I love being Steve's "rock star" - - we played golf the next afternoon - - guess what? I can play golf too!

Next year - I will be better trained next year. : )

70.3 World Championship

Staying with my mother in law and Ray in Florida getting ready for the World Championships. The drive was a little crazy, but I got my bike looked at and then everything checked in and racked!

Here are some pics of the transition area - - red for run bag and blue for the blue bag... They have a tent for changing - - I don't need much for changing, but it was cool to see how organized they are here in Clearwater.

Steve flies out tonight and will be here in the morning to watch me race with his mom.... wish me luck!

Words of advice

1. Give people more than they expect and do it cheerfully.
2. Marry a man/woman you love to talk to. As you get older, their conversational skills will be as important as any other.
3. Don't believe all you hear, spend all you have or sleep all you want.
4. When you say, "I love you," mean it.
5. When you say, "I'm sorry," look the person in the eye.
6. Be engaged at least six months before you get married.
7. Believe in love at first sight.
8. Never laugh at anyone's dream. People who don't have dreams don't have much.
9. Love deeply and passionately. You might get hurt but it's the only way to live life completely.
10. .In disagreements fight fairly. No name calling.
11. Don't judge people by their relatives.
12. Talk slowly but think quickly.
13. .When someone asks you a question you don't want to answer, smile and ask, "Why do you want to know?"
14. Remember that great love and great achievements involve great risk..
15. Say "bless you" when you hear someone sneeze.
16. When you lose, don't lose the lesson
17. Remember the three R's: Respect for self; Respect for others; and responsibility for all your actions.
18. Don't let a little dispute injure a great friendship.
19. When you realize you've made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it.
20. Smile when picking up the phone. The caller will hear it in your voice.
21. Spend some time alone.

Chicago Marathon official results - posted today!

Official results posted today!

Nancy Peck | Bib # 1439 | Belchertown, MA | Age 43 | F
START 5K 10K 15K 20K
0:00:26 0:20:47 0:42:49 1:05:14 1:28:41
HALF 25K 30K 35K 40K
1:33:59 1:52:41 2:19:11 2:46:33 3:14:19

FINISH = 3:26:13

TIME Chip Time: 3:26:13 Clock: 3:26:39 Pace: 7:51
Placement Overall: 890 Gender: 128 Division: 15

Message from Executive Race Director Carey Pinkowski

Runners,

For 17 years I have been honored to serve as Executive Race Director of The LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon, a race steeped in a 30-year tradition of providing the ultimate marathon experience for runners.

The record high temperatures and humidity at Sunday’s race made for a challenging day for marathoners. The conditions on Sunday presented me with the single most difficult decision I have ever made as race director. While that was a frustration to many, I stand behind the decision to end the race early– it was a necessary safety measure. However, I also recognize that because of the conditions and my decision, many of our runners did not have the experience they trained for and expected.

As an organization dedicated to providing the very best experience in the industry, the results have left us disappointed as well. Our team has spent the last several days reviewing the details and we are listening to runners, staff and volunteers. Rest assured that we take the day’s events - and your comments - seriously.

We are reviewing all details and feedback as we plan to continue the tradition of our race in 2008 and beyond. Offering the best experience possible to runners always has been our priority and it remains a commitment of the highest importance.

My personal gratitude goes to each of you, as well as to staff and volunteers, for participating in the race this year. I share in your disappointment, if you did not have the experience you expected.

I certainly hope to be able to greet you at our finish line in the years ahead, in the grand fashion that has characterized The LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon for so many years.

Sincerely,

Carey Pinkowski
Executive Race Director

For additional information, please visit the Chicago Marathon website.

Chicago Marathon photos!

I survived the Chicago Marathon! TODAY!!

I started off strong, seeded in the A coral was a bonus and although arriving late and stressing to find my way, made friends with a bunch of people from France... tried to use my high school french with little success... but they were friendly to me at any rate. : ) Steve and I had dinner with John Klika and family (one of my fave collegues from the Midwest Division - and although from a distance, a real encouragement to me in training). After dinner his daughter Lauren was so excited that I was considering a costume.... again... and we searched and seached for a Wonder Woman outfit, only to find this very sexy velour and satin thing... (NOT). So I opted for the tiger ears, bow tie and tail. : ) What a great time in the costume aisle with this sweet 8 year old!

My first half was strong - still on my goal pace of a 3-3:05, thinking back that is probably when I started to feel tired and just worn -- trying to drink more, feeling dehydrated in the 90 degrees with 100% humidity of a day (who knew ... early October in Chicago!). Steve met me in 4 different sections of the course helping me focus and push.... stop that negative talk and kick it in... then at the 21 I was done, really wanted to walk... not feeling well, I had stopped twice to go the bathroom with no luck - just whoozy and then got back on the course, walking at a few water stops... knowing my pace was slowing waiting to be passed by the 3:15 and 3:20 pacers (but never did, so ... i knew EVERYONE was a little off). Thinking of all the excuses why I was so slow... lack of sleep, lack of training...etc. etc. I staggered up the hill and didn't walk the last 5 miles... it hurt! I made it to the corner toward the finish - STARING at that sign I swung my arms and felt like I was sprinting (but wasn't)... and crossed the line at 3;26:13. I staggered through the medal people, the chip people, picked up some warm water and sipped some warm gatorade (nothing was cold in this heat... EXCEPT the BEER! I couldn't help myself, it was the coldest thing there! Yum! I finished half a glass and then through the food area, to the picture people, skipped the thermal blanket and then to the end. Looking for Steve, I met him and we sat in the park for a while - it was tough getting up, down, then walking shopping on Michigan, up and down stairs... pain.. oh well (WAH! I whined a little too much, but feel much better now)> : )

Judy called and gave me my stats! I was so happy to hear - - I was 896 overall (45000 starters), 131 woman, 16 in my division. What a great finish afterall (I can stop whining now and be happy!). Very cool.

We met this other runner on the subway - - everyone's race was off (they said to add 1 min for each mile because of the heat - which was perfect for me with my time by the way...) - and he chatted with us while we waited for the train.

See below from the Washington Post:
Scorching Chicago Marathon Leaves 1 Dead
Sunday, October 7, 2007; 8:22 PM


CHICAGO -- In a race run in scorching heat that left one man dead, Kenya's Patrick Ivuti won the Chicago Marathon by a fraction of a second Sunday. At least 49 runners were taken to hospitals and another 250 were treated at the site.

About 10,000 of the 45,000 registered runners chose to not race in the heat despite more mist stations, cooling buses and water-soaked sponges, while another 10,934 started but didn't finish, officials said.

On a high point the third place woman was Kate O'Neil from Massachusetts was third woman. It was a tough race, definitely the hottest marathon I have ever run! They say that never before has a major marathon been cancelled. Pretty sad for those that couldn't finish after all the training (first time marathoners and others!)

FYI Last year's stats vs. this year's stats (VERY cool! Feeling pretty good afterall!)

TIME
Chip Time: 2006: 3:14:38
2007: 3:26:13

Clock: 2006: 3:21:14
2007: 3:26:13

Pace: 2006: 7:25
2007: 7:51


Placement
Overall: 2006: 2161
2007: 890

Gender: 2006: 263
2007: 128

Division: 2006: 35
2007: 15

FYI: I am truly amazed! AND very sore!

Check out my "Friends" Slide Show

Happy times in Belchertown - pics from the photo booth on the new MAC!

My look alike - neice Paige

My sister Laura sent me these great photos from the fair - Paige showing cows. I like the one in the barn with the girls hangin' out with the girls! Amanda is in that one too! Beautiful photos! Gotta love the quilted cow tie.

Please pray for Hillary

One of my very best friends, Shawn Coltharp's 20 something year old daughter Hillary was in a bad car accident is in critical condition in Vanderbuilt Med Center in Nashville. Pictures from our trip to NYC back in fall of 2005 below. Hilary is Max's mommy (Shawn's grandson who was born the same month as Schuyler and is going to be 6). She is the pictured with the straight hair, the older of the 2 girls and the middle girl of 3. This is a horrible tragedy and every parents nightmare.

This is the HILLARY blog the family is keeping showing her progress. It is amazing the love and support - we are all hoping for a miracle.

Please send your strength and prayers.

1st OVERALL woman! Swanzey Covered Bridges Half Marathon!

Whoo Hoo!
Number ONE GIRL!

I am very very happy - - more later.... exhausted, need to eat and sleep now....


Swanzey Covered Bridges Half Marathon
Sponsored by ENDURANCE MultiSport
Sept. 2, 2007 Half Marathon Swanzey, NH
ChampionChip Timing By: Granite State Race Services bill@gsrs.com
================================================================================

Place Div/Tot Div Time Pace Name Ag S Race# City/state
===== ======== ===== ======= ===== ====================== == = ===== =======================
1 1/37 M3039 1:09:08 5:17 Scott Rowe 33 M 609 Dover NH
New record. Old record 1:09:50 by Mark Miller of Keene in 2005
2 2/37 M3039 1:14:41 5:42 George Adams 37 M 619 Gilsum NH
3 3/37 M3039 1:15:46 5:47 Jason Porter 37 M 584 Bedford NH
4 1/59 M4049 1:16:28 5:50 Randy MacNeill 46 M 459 Epping NH
5 1/17 M2029 1:16:36 5:51 Justin Fyffe 27 M 618 East Dummerston VT
6 4/37 M3039 1:17:43 5:56 Chris Poulos 36 M 515 Wakefield RI
7 2/17 M2029 1:17:47 5:56 Kevin Gravina 28 M 398 Cambridge MA
8 5/37 M3039 1:19:07 6:03 Gilbert Ondusko 38 M 608 Andover NH
9 2/59 M4049 1:19:34 6:05 Chris Lang 42 M 647 White River Junction VT
10 3/17 M2029 1:21:26 6:13 Max Mueller 27 M 614 Somerville MA
11 6/37 M3039 1:21:59 6:16 Patrick Guerrero 37 M 404 Worcester MA
12 3/59 M4049 1:25:02 6:30 Paul Guilmette 43 M 405 Rutland VT
13 4/59 M4049 1:26:34 6:37 Mike Ward 47 M 568 Nashua NH
14 7/37 M3039 1:27:21 6:40 Ehrin Armstrong 30 M 307 Brighton MA
15 8/37 M3039 1:27:33 6:41 Clint Joslyn 34 M 603 Swanzey NH
16 5/59 M4049 1:28:58 6:48 Bob Hearn 41 M 643 Hanover NH
17 1/44 F4049 1:29:04 6:48 Nancy Peck 43 F 635 Belchertown MA

TOP TEN WOMEN OVERALL
**********************************************************

Place Div Div Time Pace Name Age Sex Race# City/state
===== === ===== ======= ===== ======================== === === ===== =======================
1 1 F4049 1:29:04 6:48 Nancy Peck 43 F 635 Belchertown MA
2 1 F2029 1:31:30 6:59 Bonnie Kingslay 28 F 616 Vineyard Haven MA
3 1 F3039 1:31:55 7:01 Alison Wade 32 F 611 Amherst MA
4 2 F4049 1:36:48 7:24 Tamara Webber 45 F 592 Stoddard NH
5 3 F4049 1:39:10 7:34 Maggie Ramos 46 F 626 Peterborough NH