Post it Tuesday!

To participate follow these simple steps.....

Step 1 - Mark it on your calendar it is Post it Tuesday! What a great concept by "Supah" - author of the FAMOUS Adventures of a Wanna Be Supah Mommy. She has it all outlined here on her blog and then every Tuesday she collects the links to what others are "posting" on their blogs. It is a great way to visit other blogs of interest and check out the virtual neighborhood!

Step 2 - Think of your own post its - inspirational, facts, thoughts - whatever is top of mind right now, today and something worth sharing (or not). :)
Step 3 - Make your own post it here
Step 4 - Post it to your blog

Step 5 - Share your link with Supah - her link is at the bottom of this post --  or me in my comment section.

Leave me a note if you stopped by -- I love to hear your comments!

 


If you look to the right nav bar you will see links to some of the cooleset blogs I have found through these virtual "parties".  I started this fun with PINT found on my ACS friend Angie's new mom blog....  I also LOVE 12 of 12 photo essay, Friday Confessional, Simple Woman's Daybook and my own creation "Winning Wine Wednesday".  SO surf away and play today!  :)

Mary Beth Reddell - A Celebration of Life

I am very sad to inform you that we at the American Cancer Society have lost an incredible national volunteer last weekend - - Mary Beth Reddell of Midland, Texas

Mary Beth Reddell was an incredible volunteer leader for American Airlines since they became a Relay For Life National Team Program company 4 years ago. As a cancer survivor her personal quest to build teams at AA was on the road traveling talking to the hubs and dedicating her own efforts in North Tarrant county at her local Relay. She has been to 3 National Relay Summits filling the group with her Relay spirit! Her cancer treatments slowed her down from direct participation at our national event these past couple years, but her on the ground work with AA teams at an all time high of 112 teams! On our national conference calls her sharing of fundraising at AA was always so animated and with such enthusiasm it made everyone want to implement an "Executive Idol" at their own company.

But it was her strength and positve outlook & spirit from her journal on her Care Page that truly motivated me as an athlete to dedicate my 3 marathons this past year raising money through ACS DetermiNation in her honor. She and her mom have supported my efforts with words of strenght & donations and even now after we have lost her on this earth, she continues to raise money for North Tarrant County on her facebook page and donation page for Relay where her goal of $5000 will be made!.

It is because of Heroes like Mary Beth that fuel me to fight cancer and be proud that every day I work for an organization that puts its best foot forward to make progress against this disease so that we can help more people celebrate more birthdays and continue the fight!

I will be working with Kathy Fairbanks on some additional ways we can honor Mary Beth - but please take a moment, say a prayer, and honor an amazing national volunteer leader,

 

 "God saw you were getting tired

And a cure was not to be.

So He put His arms around you

And whispered 'come to me'

A golden heart stopped beating,

Hard working hands now rest.

God broke our hearts to prove to us

He only takes the best.“

(shared in MB’s service brochure)

 From her Care Page:

My story is very simple. I was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer at age 41. I didn't have the trendy cancer - I had an old people disease! IT was in my colon, abdomen, and liver - they said there was no cure and gave me a "pat" on the head dismissing me - as if they assumed I was going to die. That made me very angry - as I thought God was the only one who knew when the time would come for me to go. That was almost 4-1/2 years ago. I've had six major surgeries. Countless chemos and radiation. I've fought it off 4 times and its back again for another round. This time its in my lung and back in the liver. I'm giving it all I have and with the love of my friends and family - I will win the fight. This fight also gave me the chance to connect with the American Cancer Society and I am a Hero of Hope, a spokesperson for ACS and the Relay for Life. Having cancer changed my life, and through my struggles I have been blessed with all of you.

I share my story because I can, and through the circle of life, we all touch each other.

Woo Hoo! MB busted out of the hospital

Posted May 6, 2010 5:12pm

No more chemo, no more drugs, no more pain! No more ugly, over-sized hospital gowns. She traded it all in for a healthy body and beautiful angel wings.

On Sunday, May 2 surrounded by close family and a few friends, Mary Beth completed her task on earth. The void left by her physical passing will be filled by the beautiful, precious memories that she left with all who were blessed to have known her.

Her faith in God, courage, grace, determination, positive attitude, and undying spirit carried her far beyond the original prognosis.

(posted by her mom)




Mary Beth - you are my HERO - I will miss you terribly.  :(

Post it Tuesday!

Step 1 - Mark it on your calendar it is Post it Tuesday! What a great concept by "Supah" - author of the FAMOUS Adventures of a Wanna Be Supah Mommy. She has it all outlined here on her blog and then every Tuesday she collects the links to what others are "posting" on their blogs. It is a great way to visit other blogs of interest and check out the virtual neighborhood!

 

Step 2 - Think of your own post its - inspirational, facts, thoughts - whatever is top of mind right now, today and something worth sharing (or not). :)
Step 3 - Make your own post it here
Step 4 - Post it to your blog

Step 5 - Share your link with Supah - her link is at the bottom of this post --  or me in my comment section.

Leave me a note if you stopped by -- I love to hear your comments!

Here are the rest of my notes for this week's #PINT !  :)

Enjoy!

A Grand Tree Summer?

Looking to the summer and setting my calendar to include hopefully 6 of the below Grand Tree Trail Races....  This is a series promoted by the WMAC (Western MA athletic club) and it is a great motivation for me to follow a plan for racing and training - They have a trail marathon that is something I would like to do in the future, and to "qualify" you need to run a 50 miler or 6 of these races.  The series has already had 5 races and so I need to get it in gear to get this into my schedule.  Originally I was going to work toward being a "Mountain Goat" again, but the trips to NH are very long and I really would love to stay close to home and experience new races as well.  So here is the list
BOLD - are those I am truly interested in.  The Mountain Goat race benefits with the new sponsor look pretty cool though.... so we shall see.
** - Races I have run before

May:
**Northfield Mt., 10.3K, Northfield MA, 9am Saturday May 22, 2010

USATF-New England Trail Championships

 18th Annual Mt Wachusset Mountain Race- Sunday May 29, 2010\, 9:30 AM in Princeton, MA

June
Greylock Trail Races, 13.5 & 3 mi, Adams MA, 10am Sunday June 20, 2010

Cranmore Hill Climb, 12K (2 x 5.8K laps, M&F), North Conway NH, June 27, 2010
USA Mountain Running Championship

July:
People's Forest Trail, 7 mi, Barkhamsted CT, Saturday July 31, 2010

August:
The Dam Trail Race, 11.5mi & 5mi, Oxford MA, 9am Saturday August 7, 2010

Savoy Mountain, 22mi (GT race), 11mi, & 4mi, Florida/Savoy MA, August 15, 2010

**Mt. Toby, 14 mi, Sunderland MA, 9:30am August 22, 2010


Race to the Top of VT - Stowe, VT - 9 AM start - August 29, 2010

September
Wapack, 17.5 mi, New Ipswich NH, 9am September 5, 2010

Curly's Half-Marathon & 5K, Pittsfield MA, 8am September 12, 2010

Pisgah Mountain, 23K or 50K, Chesterfield NH, September 19, 2010

October
Chicago Marathon, Chicago, IL 10am October 10, 2010

Groton Forest, 9.5 mi & 3.4 mi, Groton MA, 12:30pm October 24, 2010

Hairy Gorilla Half Marathon (& Squirrely 6 mi), Albany NY, John Boyd Thacher State Park,  October 31, 2010

Busa Bushwack, 10.0mi & 5.3mi, Framingham MA, 9 am October 31, 2010

Post it Tuesday!

It's Tuesday!  Yippee!  OK - it has been a few weeks since I have posted with the blog carnival, but I am back in the office, not on vacation and not absolutely crazy.  Balancing it all is such a trick!  So here I go again -- with Supah Mommy's Post it Tuesday (she has 1000 followers and this could be due to her creative aspect of social blogging that draws people back week after week). 

Use the post it notes link to create your own and then post them to your blog and link up to the long list of followers on Supah's page.  Please comment below if you can to let me know that you have stopped by!

My Boston Marathon 2010!

My Boston Marathon 2010! by nanskimtn at Garmin Connect - Details

2010 Boston Maratahon results!♥

3:23:17- 7.46 min/mile

5291 overall

712 woman

overall- 41th master!  

Other fun facts

57 minutes behind the winning female!   (2:26)

Record number of women at Bostono 2010 = 11,000 plus

Fun Facts about the Boston Marathon 2010

My 25th marathon (including the 4 Ironman triathlons)

My 5th Boston ('93, '01, '07, '08, and '10)

My 3rd marathon in one year! 

My 3rd ACS DetermiNation marathon campaign in one year!

Total raised for ACS $1340, $1100 and $1560 = $4000 for the year!

Boston Marathon DetermiNation

20 donors

Top donor  = Free Conference (via Ken Ford)

Links to Boston bits and bites!

DP Turtles Against Cancer

Ryan Hall

Ryan and Sarah Hall

Sarah Stanley

Local athletes run Boston!

 

Bib Name Age M/F City State Country Ctz   *   7536 Cook, Nancy E. 45 F Belchertown MA USA     Checkpoints 5k 10k 15k 20k Half 25k 30k 35k 40k 0:21:39 0:43:50 1:06:20 1:30:01 1:35:06 1:54:01 2:19:19 2:45:26 3:11:37 Finish Pace Projected Time Official Time Overall Gender Division 0:07:46 3:23:17 5291 712 41

ACS DetermiNation = $1560 raised (Boston)

$4000 raised for the year with ACS DetermiNation

 My shoes - Nike Voomero!

My set up for the morning - ready to go!

The sweetest man on earth & my number one fan!

The back of the shirt says it all for ACS DetermiNation

 The friends I made.....  Cara & Cara's Crew from Atlanta

DP_Turtle (a Twitter connection) and his family from Chicago

And me at the Marriott with my dozen roses for this spectacular finish!

Marking the Miles to Boston - 3 days to go!

Through my efforts to raise money in the fight against cancer through ACS DetermiNation I have reached $1400!  As I prepare for the race these last days, I want to thank all my donors to all 3 of my marathons this year including Marine Corps Marathon in November and VT City last May.  I have raised more than $4000 this year and am so proud and thankful for all the support of my friends and family and colleagues that have generously donated to my efforts.

The course to Boston is posted in the images and this link will take you to this cool site I found where you can get the detail on each mile. 

I am running each mile in memory or in honor of someone designated by my supporters and as I run it is through the strength and spirit of those people that will carry me to the finish line.  I will update this as I get responses

Mile 1 - In honor - Mary Beth Redell from American Airlines

Mile 2 - In honor - Crissy  (Sasha's "Sister")

Mile 3 - Agnes Fisk - (our neighbor in Jericho & good friend of my mom)

Mile 4 - In memory of Sharon (Louise & Robin's sister)

Mile 5 - In memory - Vickie Williams (sister of Toni Williams)

Mile 6 - In memory - Patrick

Mile 7 - In memory - Diana Love (the most amazing Sullivan Cty NH volunteer)

Mile 8 - In memory of Marie & Stub

Mile 9 - In memory of Virginia Nonnenmacher (my stepfather's sister)

Mile 10 - In memory - Michelle Courchesne (Mike & Adam's sister)

Mile 11 - In memory - Tia Lydia & Naunie (Starkey Family)

Mile 12 -In memory - Tara Tamasi (friend of Sharon Raymond)

Mile 13 - In honor - Dick & Phylecia Wilson

Mile 14 - In honor - Kevin Brunk - GO TEAM 25K!

Mile 15 - In honor - Carina Thorrsen (Gray Ghost Inn)

Mile 16 - In honor - Nathan McCusker

Mile 17 - In honor - Jan Fischer (Judy's sister in law fighting breast, liver & bone cancer)

Mile 18 - In honor - Susan Silodor (my dear friend who now lives in Portland OR)

Mile 19 - In memory - Sr. Bernadette Whitney (Frank Whitney's sister)

Mile 20 - In memory - Bob Pemberton (Joyce's husband)

Mile 21 - In honor - Bev Gross (WY Relay friend / staff / volunteer!)

Mile 22 - In honor - Don Distasio (EA CEO) ACS leadership!

Mile 23 - In memory - Angelo Maresca (Sue Ann's dad)

Mile 24 - In memory - Kenneth P. Cook Sr. (Steve's dad)

Mile 25 - In memory - John Tung (Betty's dad)

Mile 26 - In memory - My dad - Louis Augustus Peck

.2 --- ME!  Let the strength & love carry me to the finish!

Post it Tuesday!

 

The List - - one week until the Boston Marathon!

I remember Pre-Race Boston 2007 running into these 2 women from Kentucky & hanging out in the tent in the rain before the marathon in Hopkinton.  It was a crazy year for me --- I borrowed her phone and called Steve to let him know I was ok and thinking about him.... the one that stuck with me was the "stuff" that they packed to be ready!  So I thought I would make my list prior and be ready!  :)

Lay it all out - have it all ready - be prepared!
Day before list:
Layout clothes (shorts, shirt, jog bra, socks)
Nike Voomero Sneakers (powder)
Race chip for timing attach to sneakers
Body Glide
GU and Performance
Pin number to jersey
Jacket
Warm up pants
Hat?
Advil

Day of list:
Vaseline
Banana
GU & powerbar
Garbage bag - rain gear
Body Glide
Advil
Recovery drink
Bengay
Xtra socks
Nike sneakers
Warm up clothes packed!




Links to building my performance:
Training Peaks - the daily email kept me on TRACK -- even though I took every Saturday and Sunday off all winter! 
Hal Higdon - The man behind those emails.  His tips and training advice and program is the best for a marathon.  This is the 5th marathon I have run under his guise.  My virtual coach!
Itunes!  and if it is free its me!  I find amazing music on Itunes and love all my playlists.... :)

My husband / coach / partner / cheerleader / #1 fan  ---- LOVE HIM!  :)

US at the Marine Corps Marathon 2009!

Articles of motivation:
Boston State of Ready
Jon Gordon - Feed the Positive Dog

And more.....  
Twitter !   #bostonmarathon #ACSDetermiNation   --- Yay!  Follow me @nanskimtn

One week to go and the anticipation is building as you hear from people everywhere getting ready, last training runs, hating the taper, eating up a storm, loving their vita mix, all just like me!  So excited!


Here's a glimpse of my race resume to share, although it is in need of updating (Sept 2009) to inclue my first in age finish at the Marine Corps Marathon --- >>- it gives me confidence -- YES - - another Boston!  Ready to go!

10 days.... to Boston.... Glamazon Friday Confessional

OK - this is the Friday confessional blog carnival and I have wandered to my blog to post something for my 10 day countdown to Boston.  I am not sure how this game goes except you must confess something and then link away with Mr Linky on the above link to Glamazon ( a fellow blogger I connected to in virtual world).

I confess:

1. I hate the "taper"!
It is time to taper, meaning cut your runs down in distance and intensity. The Boston Marathon is 10 days away and I am getting very anxious.  Excited. Uptight?  Just not liking the TAPER!

I feel like I am finally in shape and especially this year without training on Sat and Sun - (oh boy - that is another confession - YES - I took off every Sat and Sunday all winter to ski coach).... I feel especially GUILTY not to run and not to run fast!  But I am going to try it anyway.  Hal Higdon (my virtual coach - isn't that funny, everything is pretty virtual these days..) on Training Peaks says "Don't worry if you gain a pound or two".  Well yuck!  I am thinking the suit I am wearing needs to look just perfect for me, and for my husband and for the camera lens of all those photos I love to take when I am doing these marathons!  But oh well, one must try and meet the diet needs to maintain the weight and do my BEST!

2. I hate the scale.  I have "big bones", muscular thighs and the scale is not usually so nice to me.  I look fantastic at 145 and frail at 140.  But when it hits 150 I just want to scream.


3. My computer addiction level is high.
My work computer died and I am limping along with this very cool set up that Steve did for me on the Mac.  I really need to get off the computer and do a little cross training during the day and even at night to get back to that Triathlon shape of the old days.   :)
But sometimes it just draws me and I can't seem to stop.  Gotta get off this thing!

4. This is my first confessional post and I promise to do better next time.  After reading some of the blogs that are posted and linked for this carnival, I realize that there is so much more....  :)

TGIF
I love Fridays --- especially after 5 PM!

World's Most Mentally Sexy Dad

 From "Dad Blogs"
(I discovered them through T3T)

 Since the dawn of time--or perhaps longer, it has been thought that in order for male to become more desireable it was all about our  or to become sexier in the eyes of their significant others a long series of workouts with an ab cruncher were in order. But, as we have come to discover, women find their  husbands sexy when they step up and pitch in. That could mean scrubbing the toilets, mopping the floors or changing the catbox. Other turn ons for moms include being a good dad and a complimentary mate.

World’s Most Mentally Sexy Dad

After the Australian and American Most Mentally Sexy Dads have been crowned, the top five from each country will be given two weeks to submit a second round entry. These second round entries will be sent to all American and Australian judges.

The judges will give each entry a score from 0 – 10, for a total out of fifty, based on the five following criteria:

Judging Criteria:

Sincerity – Does the entrant seem sincere in his effort to be Mentally Sexy?

Engineered Originality – How original is the entry? How hard did this guy try to be Mentally Sexy?

X Factor – Is there something special about this entry that sets it apart from the crowd? Something extra Mentally Sexy?

Sustainability – From the information provided does it seem the entrant will be able to maintain Mental Sexiness long-term? Or is this a flash in the pan attempt at glory?

So rather than nominate my amazing husband, I thought I would just highlight him here on my blog.  Knowing that he is a shoe in for this award, but not wanting the national fame, I think I will just crown him now and tell you all why.  

So here it is ..... My interview with my husband --- 

Why is he the World's Most Mentally Sexy Dad?  (and physically too - be only for me!)

 (His answer in my words)
I coach my kids in skiing, in soccer & all other sports and of course in life.  I support my wife along the way with her running endeavors and photography.  I teach all that to show passion in what you do is the most important thing.   My children are all so successful in their lives, happy and strong, fit and beautiful because of the love and support that we give them as a family, and especially from me --- the "Dad".  :)
I have been coaching skiing since the 70's, coaching my own kids since they were 3-4 years old and now my older children are now 24 and 22.   Schuyler is 8 and I value this time with him in J5's so much that I have dedicated my teaching to these kids and Schuyler to show how focused coaching can really make a difference in their performance.  It is a joy to watch them ALL improve and grow.

Engineered?
I am an engineer!  :)  I am who I am, the originality speaks for itself.  There is no one like me.

Xtra Mentally Sexy?
(again - his answer in my words)
I do not consider anything I do to be an attempt at "fame" but just to be the best I can be in all aspects of life, especially as a father.  I lost my father at a young age and realize what it means to have that love and support.  My mom did such a great job with our family of 9 boys and one girl, filling in as "dad", and I really love the values and love that she shared with all of us.

***********
He is a winner, the winner in my life!  I love my husband so much!

Top Three Thursday - Birthdays!

This blog carnival is truly as easy as it sounds...

Each week, The (Un)Experienced Mom (who is on vacation, and not posting today!) and "Confessions from a Working Mom" will pick a category, then ask you to share your Top 3 thoughts on it. We hope you'll play along with us!

This week, in honor of "Confessions from a Working Mom's" Blog Birthday Bash asks
What are your Top 3 favorite ages?
(Or, your Top 3 favorite ages for your kids?)


1. Third grade - Age 9 - I remember times with family, with church, Rock Point, Jericho, Vermont, adventures on the river at The Old Red Mill.  I remember our happy family unit when Dad worked at IBM and Mom started her hobby farm with goats, maple syrup & even took a shot at grapes and making Cold Duck (yuck).  :)  She made wheat bread, whole wheat chocolate chip cookies and taking time fighting over what show to watch on our tiny TV set.  Riding bikes on Mill Street, rolling down into a pile of leaves at the bottom of the hill and sledding in all different areas of town.  This will be a time in my memory forever.  It has been interesting on facebook reconnecting with friends from back in these days.... spurring on these memories.  I am thankful.  I miss my dad when I remember these times even more than ever.


2. Junior Year in High School (BFA Fairfax) - Age 17.  I remember the State Class M Championships playing ball with the girls - Laurie Jucket (point guard) - Diana Gates (power forward) and Carolyn Stewart.  It was a time of teamwork, realizing your strengths, your weaknesses.  I was so active in everything, student council, honor society, band, and all the sports.  I still have my letter jacket!  I loved my friends and all the great times.  Suzy, Amy & Cindy are three friends I have reconnected with on facebook, and it is amazing after so many years, how we have picked up our friendships once again.


3. Now!  45?  :)  OK yes, I am 45 and this birthday and the ones I have had recently have to be the BEST.  Just because I appreciate life so much more now than ever.  I love my family, my friends, my husband (the most amazing man EVER).  This is it.  I will celebrate these birthdays more and more each year, because I cherish each moment with the ones that I love so much.  Celebrate life.  Celebrate your birthday.  It is YOU they celebrate and YOU deserve the best.  I love birthdays, mine and everyone elses that I care about - and plan on celebrating them all as much as possible.  We have ice cream cake for every birthday, even Stephen who hates cake.... Schuyler's party is the big event each year, with tons of kids, lots of photos, costume party & just the most fun ever!  Samantha's birthday is a family treat with her friends and margaritas, Stephen's is just something small but special & Steve's is an intimate affair (with me!).     I love birthdays!!

11 days until Boston! - Hydration Tips & Boston.com

Boston.com Post ---->  I found this promotion while on Twitter and decided to take a chance and share my picture and a quick story / promo on DetermiNationa and why I run!  Very cool that it was chosen.  Here is the post (in case they delete it) :)

 Washington DC marathon - my second of 3 marathons for the American Cancer Society DetermiNation. I run because I am strong, I run for all to celebrate life, so more people can celebrate more birthdays & my son may some day see a cancer free world. Boston here I come! My 25th marathon... as a top master runner in New England.... counting down... 14 days.

******************************************************************************
Then we get these weekly emails from BAA ---- today's email was quite informative, and worthy of a post!  I have issues with hydration after my ER visit in 2007 --- so I will definitely head this advice.
Hydration Tips for a Successful Race

To help runners stay properly hydrated leading up to and throughout race day, Gatorade will provide Gatorade Endurance Formula™ on-course to athletes participating in this year's race.

G Series Pro Gatorade Endurance Formula is designed and used by elite athletes for endurance sports. It is a specialized sports drink with nearly twice the sodium (200 mg) of Gatorade® Thirst Quencher to help meet the needs of athletes during long-distance training and competitions.

To help runners stay properly hydrated leading up to and through race day, the Gatorade Sports Science Institute recommends utilizing the R.A.C.E. formula for hydration:

Replace Fluid Losses.
It's important for athletes to minimize dehydration (weight loss during exercise). Marathon runners should try to prevent a loss of more than 1% to 2% of their body weight (e.g., a 150-lb athlete should not lose more than 1.5 to 3 lbs. per race). By weighing yourself before and after training runs under various environmental conditions, you can develop a good sense of your fluid replacement needs on race day and make adjustments based on the weather that day.

Avoid Over-Drinking. 
Over-drinking (weight gain during exercise) can increase the risk of hyponatremia, a rare but dangerous condition that has been associated with excessive fluid intake and to some extend the loss of sodium in the sweat. While the sodium in Gatorade can reduce the risk of hyponatremia during the marathon, the risk still exists if too much of any fluid is consumed. Replace fluids based on weight loss, not guessing.

Check Your Urine. 
If it's light yellow (like lemonade) that's usually a sign of good hydration.  Crystal-clear urine often indicates over-hydration and the need to cut back.  Dark urine (like the color of apple juice) may signal dehydration and the need to drink more.

Eat a Salty Diet.
If you are a heavy sweater or if you finish workouts with your skin and clothes caked with white residue, your diet should contain enough salt to replace those losses. Salting your food to taste is encouraged; during training runs and on race day, favor salty carbohydrate snacks and sports drinks over water to help replace the sodium lost in sweat.


This message is endorsed by the B.A.A.'s medical directors:

Pierre d'Hemecourt, MD (Co-Medical Director)
Sophia Dyer, MD (Co-Medical Director)
***********************************************************

From Training Peaks:

You do not need to patronize Italian restaurants to ensure an adequate supply of complex carbohydrates. I sometimes choose a Chinese restaurant, because rice is also high in carbohydrates. Nancy Clark, R.D., director of nutrition services for SportsMedicine Brookline in Boston, and author of Nancy Clark's Sports Nutrition Guidebook (among the best books on the subject) points out that you can get plenty of carbs in most American restaurants. If you eat soup (such as minestrone, bean, rice, or noodle), potatoes, breads, and vegetables along with your main dish, and maybe grab a piece of apple cobbler off the dessert tray, you can end up eating more carbohydrates than fats or protein.
For more nutritional advice, go to: nancyclarkrd.com.