"Eye open to the world"

The first of this series of photos is my favorite of "LaKota"- This baby horse is our beautiful neighbor... she is so affectionate now as she is used to us coming down for school everyday at noon for Schuyler to catch the bus. I remember when Gerri was counting the days for the "baby" to arrive... they were expecting this horse from Arizona - Baby LaKota arrived in September and we were so happy to see her after the long trailer ride. She was a little skiddish at first getting used to the surroundings and the new environment, but she soon found her way into our hearts. Schuyler loves them so much, LaKota is not even one years old yet! We look forward to saying hello and petting her every time we pass!

13 weeks to Boston! **TRAINING PLAN**

My friend Lesley called me this morning for some training insight and motivation so it got me thinking about my own "plan"

I have always wanted to follow a plan, and this is the one I usually choose so that I stick to the long runs scheduled. My plan is to use this one for Boston. It will be tough to get the long runs in on the weekends because of ski season, so my rest day will be Saturday and I will try to figure out my long run day if I can't squeeze it in on Sundays. This comes from a girl who tries to "wing" it so wish me luck!

My advice - chose a goal race or ride - if it is a long one, be sure to build up your long miles in a plan. Search on the web for what others are doing, but basically keep steady in your training - maybe 2 days off max if not cross training, and build up the long miles gradually and then leave room to taper for the event ahead of time. If it is multisport be sure to build in around the long days with recovery days so you don't burn yourself out. And no matter how addicted you become, take a day off. Ok, at least keep the run or ride short on rest day. : )

Signed "a true addict"



Here we go! Boston bound!

Marathon Training Schedule: Advanced-I from Hal Higdon's website

Week Mon / Tue / Wed / Thur / Fri / Sat / Sun
1 / 3 m / 7 m / 3 m / 3 x hill / rest / 5 m pace / 10

2 / 3 m / 8 m / 3 m / 30 Tem /rest/ 5 m run / 16

3 / 3 m / 8 m / 4 m/ 4 x 800 / rest / 6 m pace / 17

4 / 3 m /9 m / 4 m / 4 x hill/ rest / 6 m pace/ 12

5 /3 m /9 m/ 4 m / 35 Tem / rest / 7 m / 19

6 / 4 m /10 m/ 5 m / 45 Tem/ rest / 10 m / 20

7 /4 m /6 m / 5 m / 7 x 800/ rest / 6 m pace/ 12

8 / 4 m /10 m / 5 m / 7 x hill/ rest / 10 m pace/ 20

9 / 5 m / 6 m / 5 m / 45 tem / rest/ 6 m / 12

10 / 5 m / 10 m /5 m / 8 x 800 / rest /10 m pace/ 20

11 / 5 m / 8 m / 5 m / 6 x hill / rest / 4 m pace / 12

12 /4 m / 6 m / 4 m / 30 Tem / rest / 4 m / 8

13 /3 m/ 2 m / 3 m/ 4 x 400 / rest/ 2 m / Boston Marathon

Date of the Boston Marathon is Monday, April 21 which is late this year, hopefully will provide more time for fine tune training!

Next: Goals

"Sarah"

Sarah - dear Sarah - we love Sarah. The training center control center is run by Sarah - Vinnie's right hand girl, she keeps it all together and is very good at keeping it together and organized. Being new to the Training Center, Sarah has been a good friend right from the start, helping me to feel at home, sharing the office space with our active family in the morning and being so great to Schuyler. She is from Minnesota and was a ski racer growing up. We met her mom and her boyfriend at the time over the holidays. Her mom was so proud of her, it was so cool to see them together in action running the volunteers at the race that day. When I met her boyfriend I said "Oh no, Schuyler is going to be so jealous, he loves Sarah!". As soon as Sarah is in the room, no one else matters and Schuyler wanders in to talk and share things with Sarah. She is now waiting tables at TC's (family restaurant of Kelly Clark, olympic gold medalist) and we hope to get down there to see her again next Saturday....

Cheers to our friend Sarah!

Freckles - Natasha Bedingfield

On my long run this morning (first long run of the year), about 12 miles... I ran with Oakley the first 6-7 and then dropped him off and decided to try running with my little red nano. Not being one to listen to one while running, afraid it would be too distracting and I wouldn't get my "mind" time of thinking through my day, I never took the time to even try. Back when I had a running partner (Tina - i miss you!) I didn't want to miss out on our morning conversations.. but now... this long run... I was afraid the ear things wouldn't stay in, but after a while they did (maybe it was the sweat in my ear). I need to get my Nike plus in action again - but need a holder for the NB and Asic sneaks. Because I LOVED it! I listened intently to the words and the music beat helped me keep a pace, a strong pace. I ran my second 6 just as fast as I would if I ran it fresh! Negative splits is what we all work for right? Well, there was no Oakley to stop for his pit stops too... but still at the same pace felt great considering it is my first long run!

So I was listening to my new album I bought off Itunes... Natasha Bedingfield "Pocket full of sunshine" and just truly got into every word and the beat was so perfect! My new fave music. This song "Freckles" reminded me of me... kind of... but also was thinking about my neice and god child Becca - she would like this one and I need to share it with her. I thought you all would enjoy it and internalize it like I did this morning - great for all us "girls" where ever we are in life - finding ourselves, becoming stronger...


Natasha Bedingfield - Freckles lyrics

Lyrics: Natasha Bedingfield - Freckles lyrics
Album: Unknown

(hum, hum, hum...hum, hum)
I used to care so much about what others think about,
I almost didnt have a thought of my own.
The slightest remark would make me embark on the journey
Of self-doubt, but that was a while ago .
This girl has got stronger - and if I knew then what I know now,
I would've told myself don't worry any longer - it's ok...

(refrain):
Cuz a face without freckles is like the sky without the stars.
Why waste a second, not loving who you are?
Those little imperfections make you beautiful, loveable, valuable -
They show your personality - inside your heart,
Reflecting who you are (whispers: who you are 3xs)
[ Freckles lyrics found on http://www.completealbumlyrics.com ]
Whoa ooh whoa ooh whoa
I wondered if I could trade my body with somebody else in magazines - with the whole world full at my feet
I felt unworthy and would blame my failures on the ugliness
I could see, when the mirror looked at me
(sometimes I feel) sometimes I still feel like that little girl who doesn't belong in her own world .... I reminded myself that -

(refrain:)
A face without freckles is like the sky without the stars.
Why waste a second, not loving who you are?
Those little imperfections make you beautiful, loveable, valuable -
They show your personality - inside your heart,
Reflecting who you are

"Rao's Coffee"

Simple pleasures - Coffee. Is it a vice or a necessity in life? I say the latter.... for the pleasure it brings. I love the smell of coffee, the taste... black, hot, steaming GOOD coffee -

I consider myself a coffee snob, I love it black.. another thing that Steve & I had in common, right away (feeling CONNECTED) - and as hot as possible. And a cup of good freshly roasted coffee is pure pleasure. I used to drink Peets - home delivered, which is just fabulous, but here in Amherst, Steve has turned me (and us) on to a regular delivery of RAO's coffee. The best coffee around, and it truly rivals Peets. Locally roasted beans, this buzz of a coffee shop has wooden floors, little cafe tables, inside and on the curb outside in the summer. The college kids play music, cook fresh baked goods for the case in the front, and everything is so tasty. It is located on Kellog Street - one of those side street short cuts, but it is right down the alley off the main drag where the Cook Brothers run the family Optical Shoppe (Tom & Jim).

Come to Amherst, busy college town, quaint New England village and enjoy some RAO's coffee sometime soon!

About the photo - I love the alley shot of Rao's sign, the trash can, parking meter and the post with all the flyers publishing the local events going on in town - so college town-like it gives a true feeling of being here, in the little busy town, home of 5 colleges in the area. Waiting for the snow to melts when the outside will soon bustle with tables and people for the spring!

Side note: I am a Starbucks addict... new question of the month .... what is your favorite coffee at Starbucks... see above right nav. We have a great partnership with Starbucks with NCTP and I love to support them too! : )

See Carla's page for one of my fave Starbucks coffee shots!

Hawaiian Dancers at Celebration 2006 by Nancy E Photography

These images were so colorful and vibrant, I had a hard time chosing my favorites, so I think they deserve a show of their own.... don't you agree? : )

Celebration on the Hill 2006 Entertainers by Nancy E Photography

As one of the "official photographers at the American Cancer Society Celebration On the Hil 2006 in Washington DC on September 19 and 20. I had the honor to hang out like a groupie and photo these incredible muscians that donated their time for the limelight on stage that glorious day - September 2006. Celebration was such an emotional event with the survivors walking the reflecting pool in front of the capital and the luminaria ceremony to close the celebration that evening.

Here is a photo of me, with my gear around my neck wandering the grounds as "Joe Photo" for the event - my time with Rick Lubrant, the official ACS photographer was amazing - - I learned a lot from this great pro photographer and came home to buy my 80/200 VR lens for the Nikon D50. My photography during that time rose to a new level. I have more photos to share, but these were my faves from the entertainers.... I will have to do some research to get the names to update this slide show, but I thought you all would enjoy the images!

A new name to my photo business "Nancy E" is making its mark! : )Now I need to work with Shelley on my logo, now that life is calming down...

Brand Awareness

Loved this quiz and thought I would share - - click here to take the quiz. I got 10 out of 15 - see if you can beat that! Great corporate factoids in here too!

CLICK HER TO TAKE THE QUIZ!

"Carol"

My friend Carol from Cincinati, Ohio (photo taken in Dallas at the National Relay Summit last August) - - I saw this photo and needing a photo of the day - this smile made me smile, so I thought I should post and write a little bit about Carol. Funny thing about Carol was that the day we met she blew me off. Yes sir! Forgot all about me - stranded awaiting her warm car at the airport when I flew in to present at the Ohio Summit and meet with her that day. I waundered, waiting, and finally called her - left a message and then caught a cab to the hotel.

Well - she was horrified - a brand new staffer to the Ohio division she felt REALLY bad. It really was no big deal (nobody ever picks me up anyway... I always take cabs). She met me at the restaurant with this big group of "Relayers" that I knew from years past... it was a fun night with that group and Carol was able to join us - again - feeling so bad. I still (jokingly) give her a hard time for blowing me off at the airport! : )

We spent the next day meeting and preparing and "hanging" out - our friendship was immediate, we were a lot alike (she worked 10 years with the Red Cross - where I had spent 2 years) and she had such great energy and enthusiasm for her new position with the ACS - I love people like that! It was a great weekend, working on stuff together. The beginning of a good friendship. She has been so supportive to me this year with all the corporations and trainings, always the first to volunteer and lend a hand. I truly value her as a colleague too! Definitely a top ten and a keeper for a friend! One of those "girlfriends" you can tell anything. Cheers to my friend Carol!

Chicken Chili from Kyla

If not tonight sometime soon I plan to enjoy this tasty recipe from my friend/ colleague in Chattanooga, Tennesee - -

The Triathlon Song

Wandering on You Tube I found this really funny video and cool song about triathlon training / racing. Pretty cool - had to share! I am thinking about training.... my trainer should be here tomorrow!

The Spirit of the Marathon

A great movie clip that my friend Stacy in Atlanta sent to me. A good one to watch and understand the mindset of the marathon runner - those in all categories. Nice for me to see and get psyched for Boston!

Spirit of the Marathon is the first ever non-fiction feature film to capture the drama and essence of the famed 26.2 mile running event. Filmed on four continents, the movie brings together a diverse cast of amateur athletes and marathon luminaries.

As six unique stories unfold, each runner prepares for and ultimately faces the challenge of the Chicago Marathon. More than a sports movie, Spirit of the Marathon is an inspirational journey of perseverance and personal triumph; a spectacle that will be embraced by runners and non-runners alike.

Panorama Ski Trip - coming up in March!

Thinking about our trip coming up in March to British Columbia - - I have never been to BC skiing - Steve has gone with Samantha & Stephen to Whistler, but has not been to Panorama. Steve will be leading some clinics with Mark who booked him after skiing with him at Mt. Hood last summer. We are going through ski.com for the package and staying at the Pine Inn in the mountain village. Here is a video I found on You Tube that although it is a home movie, shows the trail and the mountain pretty well.

We are definitely bringing the camera and the video!

"Hokey Pokey"

The girls from the Development Program are so much fun to ski with on the weekend- my co-coach Meg and I gather them at the sign and then the day begins! We start the day at 8:45 with a dash to the high speed quad to the top (as all the groups do this at 8:45 it is an overwhelming feeling at the quad - what a rally!) and normally we head to the North Face after a quick stretch at the top of the mountain. I noticed the last weekend others were stretching at the top - pretty funny all these groups in their circles... so we made a game of it - "Hokey Pokey". "you put your left foot in, you put your left foot out, you put your left foot in and you shake it all about...." and so on.... we marched around in a circle in place "you do the Hokey pokey and you turn yourself around"... that's what its all about! People would see us dancing in place and smile - we laughed a big laugh at the end and skied away!

We work on our skiing, mogul clinic most of the morning on Bear Trap and a few drills here and there to focus and improve our skills and then over and over 7 times in a row on Bear Trap - with the music blaring from the towers - girls were playing air guitar with their poles.... it was a really fun day!

Here is a photo from Kat's house - I love the weathervane with the bicycle! We had such a great time last week, having snack with her family and going over our race results from the morning. Looking forward to the rest of the season with such a great group!

Side note:
I bought my bike trainer this week (a CycleOps Fluid Trainer) and hope to start my regime and bike mileage to get the base I need for Boston - - stay tuned!

"Snow Running"

Training in the winter time is a challenge. The darkness, getting out a warm bed to a cold outside, dressing with SO many layers, covering your face and hands if it is really cold... and the fact that they don't plow the roads very wide to give a shoulder to run on. I have been almost hit a couple times and had to dive into a snow bank. Now I just try to pick the quieter roads as much as possible and I have found the back way through the woods trails to get to the house through our property. It is an amazing workout to run in the snow. Tougher than sand I definitely think so, and the unlevel surface makes it more of a challenge. The ups and downs in the woods, partially on snowmobile trails and the rest in the snow that is semi breakable granular about up to the tops of my ankles. Oakley LOVES running in the woods and it is much better for him to go off leash to have fun!

This is the last HILL up to our house - such a happy sight with home just yards away!

"Kimmy"

My neice - my younger brother Chris' youngest and only girl. She is about 14 years old, lives in Georgia, VT where I grew up on the farm, just down the street from mom and Laura ... she has 2 brothers, Chris and Chester, who are very smart and creative (Chester is the academic and musician in the family). She has always been such a crazy one.... not sure where she gets it from (or maybe i do?), but she is out of the box (like me) for a Peck. : ) Adventurous, contemplative and always with a plan. Kimmy has had her challenges in life, but seems to be toughing it out! You can see it in her eyes..... She is on face book, which has given me the privilege to get to know her just a little more. I am glad that we are "connected". My niece "Kimmy"..... more on this story later... but you can see the resemblance..... family, love em!

"Walking in the woods"

The inspiration of my day - to wake up, see the forest outside our window - it is finally getting lighter earlier in the morning and I hope to be running, but we took the time this morning to try out the "new shoes" and to walk in the woods. We live on 42 acres and it feels like we are in the middle of no-where. Oakley LOVES the woods to shoe, to ski, to run in the sprinig, summer and fall. It was great to get outside this morning with my love. And his gorgeous feet!

I have three favorite photographers, Jana (of course, because she shot the wedding and did such a FAB job!), Shelly (from Washington, met her when she was Relay chair with Brian out in Tacoma - she started me on this blogging thing and it SO CREATIVE! and FUN! with her photos!) and Carla (friend of Jeremy and Sue Ann - who did some photos of Julie & Sue that were part of a show of women she had at the Hartford Public library). Well yesterday on Carla's blog she had this great video slide show of her feet photos.... so cool! You must check it out. She is an inspiration to me with my photography, and she really doesn't know me... but I know her, and she is TRULY an AMAZING PHOTOGRAPHER!

Airline Humor

Just in case you need a laugh: Remember it takes a college degree to fly a
plane, but only a high school diploma to fix one. This is great reassurance
for those who fly routinely in our jobs.

After every flight, UPS pilots fill out a form, called a "gripe sheet,"
which tells mechanics about problems with the aircraft. The mechanics
correct the problems, document their repairs on the form, and then pilots
review the gripe sheets before the next flight. Never let it be said that
ground crews lack a sense of humor. Here are some actual maintenance
complaints submitted by UPS pilots (marked with a P) and the solutions
recorded (marked with an S) by maintenance engineers.

By the way, UPS is the only major airline that has never, ever, had an
accident.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
P: Left inside main tire almost needs replacement.
S: Almost replaced left inside main tire.

P: Test flight OK, except auto-land very rough.
S: Auto-land not installed on this aircraft.

P: Something loose in cockpit
S: Something tightened in cockpit

P: Dead bugs on windshield.
S: Live bugs on back-order.

P: Autopilot in altitude-hold mode produces a 200 feet per minute
descent
S: Cannot reproduce problem on ground.

P: Evidence of leak on right main landing gear.
S: Evidence removed.

P: DME volume unbelievably loud.
S: DME volume set to more believable level.

P: Friction locks cause throttle levers to stick.
S: That's what friction locks are for.

P: IFF inoperative in OFF mode.
S: IFF always inoperative in OFF mode.

P: Suspected crack in windshield.
S: Suspect you're right.

P: Number 3 engine missing.
S: Engine found on right wing after brief search.

P: Aircraft handles funny. (I love this one!)
S: Aircraft warned to: straighten up, fly right, and be serious.

P: Target radar hums.
S: Reprogrammed target radar with lyrics.

P: Mouse in cockpit.
S: Cat installed.

And the best one for last.................
P: Noise coming from under instrument panel. Sounds like a midget
pounding on something with a hammer.
S: Took hammer away from midget.

"A Cut Above"

My lucky day - I "won" the silent auction to benefit Schuyler's pre-K in Wilmot (about 3 years ago now...) with certificates to Amber's salon. A pedicure and a haircut - Jessica was able to use the haircut and then I visited for the pedicure. Amber has branched out on her own in her mid twenties with a beautiful shop - separate from her home with all the acoutemants that you would need in a salon and spa. I loved my pedicure - BEST EVER! My haircut? Well the testimonial is that I have so much respect for her skill as a stylist and her ability to chose the right cut for me (and anyone for that matter...) that I cannot go to anyone else (even though from where I am in Western MA it takes 2 1/2 hours to get there) - I waited almost 8 months for this last cut, and it is worth the drive and the time to spend and have the cut to make me feel really good! She has recently been a guest stylist at a salon in Boston (I will find out where) and is doing hair shows for her line of products that she reps and teaches about. She is a little on the shy side, so this is all a great endeavor for her and I must say as a friend, I am very proud of her! But bottom line - I love how she styles my hair, takes the time to curl, gel and make it just right! Take a look!

"Worship the sky"

A beautiful image - the United Methodist Church in New London. On my way home from getting my haircut from my absolute favorite hairdresser of all time - "AMBER". She rocks! More on her in another post - she deserves one of her own, but here is the image for today of the church - what a great blue sky and the white, and the steeple reaching so very high - can you feel it? All of God's glory - I remember a Christmas season singing in the all denomination choir - friendly folks, beautiful music - I can hear the Christmas music and feel that community every time I pass.