Thai Pork Satay

Thai Pork Satay

Rated:	Prep Time: 45 Minutes	Ready In: 55 Minutes
	Cook Time: 10 Minutes	Servings: 4

"Cubed pork marinated in a tasty peanut butter sauce is grilled on skewers with water chestnuts, green and red bell pepper slices, and chunks of sweet onion."

INGREDIENTS:

1/4 cup crunchy peanut butter 1/4 cup finely chopped green onions 2 tablespoons soy sauce 2 tablespoons lemon juice 1 1/2 tablespoons brown sugar 2 teaspoons minced garlic 1 teaspoon ground coriander 1/8 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper

1 pound pork tenderloin, cubed 1 (8 ounce) can water chestnuts, drained 1 medium green bell pepper, cut into 2 inch pieces 1 medium red bell pepper, cut into 2 inch pieces 1 small sweet onion, chopped skewers

DIRECTIONS:

1.	In a medium bowl, mix peanut butter, green onions, soy sauce, lemon juice, brown sugar, garlic, coriander, and cayenne pepper; add pork, and stir to coat. Cover, and marinate in the refrigerator at least 30 minutes.
2.	Preheat grill for high heat. Thread marinated pork, water chestnuts, green bell pepper, red bell pepper, and sweet onion alternately onto skewers. Transfer remaining marinade to a small saucepan, bring to a boil, and cook for several minutes.
3.	Lightly oil grate. Cook skewers for 10 minutes, or to desired doneness. Turn skewers while grilling to cook evenly, and brush with boiled marinade during last few minutes. (from Allrecipes.com)

Motivational Quotes for running & life!

"Pain is Temporary, Pride is Forever"


"Life begins at the end of your comfort zone."


Only those who risk going too far can possibly find out how far they can go.


"It is not the critic who counts, not the man who points out where the strong stumbled, or how the doer could have done better. The credit belongs to the one who is in the arena, their face marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs and falls short again and again: There is no effort without error. But he who tries, who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, who spends themself in a worthy cause, at best knows the triumph of achievement, and at worst, fails while daring. Their place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory or defeat." -Teddy Roosevelt


"Eventually you learn that the competition is against the little voice inside you that wants you to quit". - George Sheehan


 It is never too late to be what you might have been ~ George Eliot 


The glass is neither half full nor half empty. It's just a glass of water. Drink it already.

"I will not die an unlived life. I will not live in fear of falling or catching fire. I choose to inhabit my days, to allow my living to open me, to make me less afraid, more accessible, to loosen my heart until it becomes a wing, a torch, a promise. I choose to risk my significance; to live so that which comes to me as seed goes to the next as blossom and that which comes to me as blossom, goes on as fruit." -Dawna Markova


"Running is a big question mark that’s there each and every day. It asks you, 'Are you going to be a wimp or are you going to be strong today?'" Peter Maher


"Get busy living, or get busy dying." from Shawshank Redemption.


"Be the change you wish to see in the world." - Gandhi


'I wish I would've run.' But few have gone to bed thinking 'I wish I wouldn't have run.'


"We will either find a way, or make one."--Hannibal


"To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the gift." Prefontaine #2: 


A lot of people run a race to see who is fastest, I run to see who has the most guts. " Prefontaine #3: 


Pain is temporary, quitting lasts forever." Lance Armstrong

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small doesn't serve the world. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."  - Marianne Williamson in Return to Love.

"Your body hears everything your mind says." - Naomi Judd, 


"Obsessed is just a word the lazy use to describe the dedicated." -Anonymous


 "Anyone can give up, it's the easiest thing in the world to do. But to hold it together when everyone else would understand if you fell apart, that's true strength."


If you have a body, you are an athlete
- Bill Bowerman (co-founder of Nike)


 To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the gift. Steve Prefontaine


We must embrace pain and burn it as fuel for our journey."
-Kenji Miyazawa


“To fail is a natural consequence of trying, To succeed takes time and prolonged effort in the face of unfriendly odds. To think it will be any other way, no matter what you do, is to invite yourself to be hurt and to limit your enthusiasm for trying” ~David Viscott


 It is never too late to be what you might have been ~ George Eliot 


Mary R. Wittenberg, president, New York Road Runners Club:
"A marathoner is a marathoner regardless of time. Virtually everyone who tries the marathon has put in training over months, and it is that exercise and that commitment, physical and mental, that gives meaning to the medal, not just the day’s effort, be it fast or slow. It's all in conquering the challenge."


 "I thought of that while riding my bike."
Albert Einstein on the theory of relativity.


"Life is about not knowing, having to change, taking the moment and making the best of it, without knowing what's going to happen next. Delicious ambiguity." Gilda Radner


""The best pace is a suicide pace, and today is a good day to die." -Steve Prefontaine" 


 "Steyu" - Cherokee Indian
This translates as "Be Strong". It is good for Cross Country teams because a) only your teammates will know what it means, thus reenforcing the secret society you are a part of; and b) because this is as long a sentence as you can string together in support of your teammate when you are racing like there is no tomorrow.


 "For everyone who thought I couldn’t do it. For everyone who thought I shouldn’t do it. For everyone who said, ‘It’s impossible.’ See you at the finish line." - Christopher Reeves


"If you are going through hell, keep going." Theodore Roosevelt.


‎"For everyone who thought I couldn’t do it. For everyone who thought I shouldn’t do it. For everyone who said, ‘It’s impossible.’ See you at the finish line." - Christopher Reeves


Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.  Isaiah 40:30-31,

“You don’t have to get it right; you just have to get it going.” – Mike Litman


 "Everybody wants to know what I'm on. I'm on my bike busting my ass six hours a day. What are you on?" -Lance Armstrong


"The most important thing I have learned about life to this point is --it goes on." -Robert Frost


"In the depth of winter, I finally learned that within me there lay an invincible summer." ~Albert Camus


 "Make voyages. Attempt them. There is nothing else." Tennessee Williams


"Do, or do not. There is no 'try.' " by Jedi Master Yoda


When Your Legs Are Tired, Run With Your Heart.


"Nothing worse then knowing that it's in you and never letting it out"


"We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, therefore, is not an act but a habit." 


"Run when you can, walk if you have to, crawl if you must; just never give up. " — Dean Karnazes


If everything seems under control, you're just not going fast enough. Mario Andretti


"Feel the fear and do it anyway."

"The most important thing in the Olympic Games is not to win but to take part, just as the most important thing in life is not the triumph but the struggle. The essential thing is not to have conquered but to have fought well." -Pierre de Coubertin 


"Nothing will work unless you do." Maya Angelou 


"If I continue to do what I've always done, then I am going to get what I've always got." Anonymous.


Courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, "I will try again tomorrow." - Mary Anne Radmacher.


Unless you test yourself, you stagnate. Unless you try to go way beyond what you've been able to do before, you won't develop and grow. When you go for it 100%, when you don't have the fear of "what if I fail," that's when you learn. That's when you're really living. - Mark Allen


"Energy and persistence conquer all things." ~Benjamin Franklin

"But everytime we think we've reached our capacity for greatness we look up and we're reminded that that capacity may well be limitless." ~ Aaron Sorkin (from The West Wing "20 Hours in America")


 It's supposed to be hard. If it wasn't hard, everyone would do it. The hard... is what makes it great. (Jimmy Dugan)


‎"There are clubs you can't belong to, neighborhoods you can't live in, schools you can't get into, but the roads are always open." - Nike

The Daily Mission - Sharing experiences, stories for success in running - Sharing the love!

What is daily mile?

Dailymile.com has been an incredible community of runners and athletes that I am so happy that I discovered.  It is a place you can post your workouts and keep track of your mileage and efforts, and gear and more!  But more importantly it is a place where you can have "virtual" friends with your same interests, your drive and support you toward your athletic goals and races.  I have truly enjoyed meeting people here online, not knowing if I would ever meet them in person, but getting and giving advice and karma and sharing my love for the sport of running. I love the groups I have joined and the karma I receive from the other athletes out there.  I check in every morning before heading out on the roads for all the added inspiration!

On "DM" (dailymile) they have a mission question every day.  Now and then I participate and share my stories and advice.  This is a collection of my notes and favorite answers to the mission question --- a sort of interview with myself...  :) So here it is!

How do you get yourself out of bed on the days that you don't want to the most? 
1. The dog - my 10 year old "puppy" yellow lab Oakley
2. The scale - it hasn't gone down lately - THANKS to Christmas cookies!
3. Mileage total on DM for the week = OH YA!
4. Goals = I have a TON of them

If you could tell a younger version of yourself something you know now what would it be (running/biking/training related:)

I would tell myself that all things are possible, don't get discouraged with not being in the top 10 - keep training hard - and set goals for YOU - not someone else, or someone's ideal of who you should be. You never know when your day may come and your goals realized beyond belief. Dream your own dreams, play your own game, thank others along the way and take advantage of every coach that offers you advice (whether you take their advice to heart or not). Be gracious and celebrate every victory in racing and training!

 Five years ago, were you a runner/cyclist/triathlete? If not, what do you think THAT person would have thought of this person?

Five years ago I was a runner/cyclist/triathlete and competing obsessively every weekend and year round.... I was in "therapy" with my running and it was my escape. I hit the roads hard and never was good enough for myself. I would never thought that I could give up any of the 3 disciplines of triathlon because it defined me. Who I am today is incredibly healthy, smart and balanced, in life and sports of all kinds. Although I am still pretty obsessed with running and trails, it is with a balance and positive attitude and for me, not an escape from reality. My cancer experience has taught me a lot about what running and athletics does for my psyche and well being and health as a whole and it isn't just my competitiveness that keeps me driven to do my best.

What is the first race you ever ran? What details do you remember most?

First race I truly remember was my first triathlon when I was a junior in college (1985). I cycled with my friend Glen and he put together a team. I was the only one he knew that was a good swimmer, but biking was truly my strength back then. On race day I swam my leg in the pool at Green Mountain College. It was a small race with only about 25 teams and some individuals. Glen went out on the bike and our runner "Warren Duty" (I have no idea where he is now) ---- didn't show. He was too hung over and I was making calls all over to find out he was still in bed. SO I ran! We fared well and all I could think was that I swam and ran and my fave is the bike! The next year I did the triathlon as an individual and won! 1st woman! There may have only been 5 woman, but still it made a lasting impression and I got some cool schwag! :) It's all history after that --- I was obsessed with triathlons, all three sports and LOVE to win! Just recently I reconnected with my friend Glen on facebook and he is as active as ever! I need to thank him again for getting me into racing! I love it.

What is the biggest sporting adventure you have ever undertaken?

That is tough remembering the 4 Ironmans that I competed in the 90's (my PR is a 11:51 - and I still remember floating and running a 3:51 marathon truly amazed at myself) :)). Then the CycloCross challenge --- riding a mountain bike in thick mud, running up hills with the bike on my shoulder and hurdling through the courses in Colorado were just amazing too. My new challenge - mountain running is truly my favorite and I can't wait to do my ultra in the fall...
BUT - the biggest adventure would have to be the "Sea to Summit" race I did about 5 years ago - Kayak 11 miles in the channel (watch out the current doesn't flip you over!) -- Bike 90 (ok it was 80 but I got lost --- rogue race -- markers were hard to read and I took a wrong turn---UGH) and then run 9 miles up the side trails, rocks, boulders to the top of Mt Washington where it was (I swear) 80 mph winds and sleet! I was on the brink of hypothermia, fighting with my ex-husband and lost my "support" person because she couldn't keep up with me on the ascent through the rocks. We finally found her (she wasn't too happy with me).

AND I was 2nd woman! 10 hours 36 min 24 sec (took me a while to find that flag at the top!)

Yay! Tough in so many aspects, but a true victory and incredible adventure in my books!


What race, anywhere in the world do you hope to complete one day?
Hawaii Ironman -- I came so close to qualifying in my twenties and have completed 4 ironmans, but still have this "crazing" to do Hawaii. Maybe someday.


If you could invite 1 person in the world on a run - who would that be and why? 
Ellen, Oprah, Regis, Jay Leno just for entertainment factor! : ) Or how about Paula Radcliffe, Joan Benoit, Deena Kastor, to get some real running tips and hear their experiences? :) OR Jeremy Camp, Taylor Swift, Rihanna, and Usher -- just because they come along every other day any way?! :)


How far do you drive to get to the starting point of most of your runs/swims/rides? 
Most all runs are out my door or where I am staying / visiting. I love discovering new territory but also love my familiar runs. I do drive to group runs (1-3 times a year) - but would ride my bike if possible. I have run to group runs, but then it gets to be a bit much! :) Depends on how desperate I am to get together with the group -- which is pretty desperate these days, since I don't have a regular running partner. Need to recruit my neighbors! :)


What is the most awkward thing you've done during a race?
Funny trying to think of awkward things that I have done during a race.... So here are the top ones. 
1. Flagged down a French Canadian couple on a motorcycle and begged them to borrow their phone so I could call some one - get directions and get back on course. 
2. Running into a store to buy a couple bananas and a chocolate bar because I was so darn hungry!  The people inside the store stepped aside and let me right up to the register.  I ran in place the whole time, so not to feel like I was taking a break! :)
3. Dying to go the bathroom as a woman is tough when there are not many port o potties - and searching for anything to hide behind in the city.... finally found a dumpster!  Whew!  :)

What do you say when people tell you your knees are going to give out one day from all the running/cycling/etc?

Do you tell a scholar that their brain will give out from thinking too much? :) I had ACL knee surgery in 2005 and 2 yrs later ran my PR marathon (3:05), 1/2 marathon (1:28) and was faster than ever in my forties. I tell them that the more you exercise your legs the stronger they are.... this coming from a avid, expert alpine skier & ski coach too. Life it too short to stay on the couch! :)

A lot of athletes tend to travel quite a bit. How many states (or countries) have you run, biked, or swam in?

I lived in Colorado for a while and love to travel to ski as well as every time I travel for work I run & swim... so that covers all states EXCEPT North Dakota, Montana, South Dakota, Michigan, Hawaii, Alaska, Mississippi, Alabama & Kentucky. 9 out of the 50 -- not so bad to have that on my bucket list... especially Hawaii! :)  The furthest away I have been is Washington state - and although I didn't race there, it was an amazing place to run!

What's your weakness? Shoes? Shirts? Gadgets? All of the above? 
Jackets (LOVE marathon jackets!) I know they give you a tech shirt, but the jacket really is such a statement. I am glad they are really cool looking too! I don't think I will ever do a marathon again without buying a jacket, even though after 27 marathons - I own 10 jackets and don't NEED another one. :) It it truly a point of pride that I love to wear - even for my own internal motivation.

Weakness #2 is gadgets - which is my friend Judy's fault when she introduced me to the Nike Plus, which I upgraded to the Garmin 405 - which I CAN'T live without and wear everyday. His name is Coach Gary. :) I love my GPS in the car too - her name is "Sarah" after the talking house in Eureka. :)

Shoes are a weakness too - but more out of necessity (I need shoes!) :) I hate to call these things weaknesses as they really give me strength! I love all my tech shirts for motivation too -- seems as though presto chango I am wonder woman and racing that race all over again. Sounds silly but it's true! 

 What is your limit on race entry fees? 

I would think this would vary depending on how many "big" races one does in a given year. I remember when I was doing a race every weekend and spending a TON of money.... especially on triathlon entry fees... which were all nearing $100 per race. I would do series that offered the "deal" for multiple entries (VT Sun) and loved that deal and the NETS as well. Marathon entry fees are crazy right now - nearing $200 per race and glad I have only 2-3 / year. I think that $200 a race is a LOT, but because it is a monumental life experience (marathon, World Championships for 1/2 ironman, Ironman etc.) Each of those "ultra" races are truly worth it in the end.

What was your first marathon & what did you wish you knew before running it?

 Montreal 1989 was my "first" - it's kind of like a first love or a first baby.... :) Very monumental for me. It was so incredible, I remember feeling so great for the first 18 miles and then hitting the wall, but not too bad. I ran a 3;35 and remember in the first 5 miles I was running so fast and smiling and talking to everyone! This guy told me I was crazy and I should slow down. The finish line food was vibrant! Fresh fruit piled high and cases and cases of Labatts Beer. : ) I was INCREDIBLY sore the next day, after dancing and going out to this bar drinking 100 proof Schnapps and watching this German Band play on a rotating bandstand. I remember it all like it was yesterday! :) Especially the fact that I could barely walk the next day (with a tad bit of a headache too - truly a lightweight!) :) I was so proud of my results for a first time marathon and qualifying for Boston! I was a rockstar in my book! What did I wish I knew.... to pace myself early as hard as it may be with all the excitement, a slower pace earlier helps to maintain the pace throughout. (still trying to learn that lesson to date.... LOL

Do you have a post-workout routine? 
My post work out routine varies a little, but I always walk to cool down, stretch (even if a quick stretch - I love the stretch after a run when my muscles are warmed up). I have some water and scope the fridge for what may be looking tasty at the time.... post workout shake of OJ, protein, Shaklee Performance, banana and strawberries (YUM!) --- and then post my workout on #dailymile, quickly check Twitter, Facebook and Farmville and then back to work! :)

What is your most favorite way to celebrate finishing a race? 

First of all A HUGE hug from my sweetie! Also a fabulous finisher photo as my husband mans the camera and gets some amazing shots to capture the moment. Rest & recoup & celebrate success!

 What was your most memorable moment of 2010? 

 My most memorable moment was the Chicago Marathon 10-10-10! Training through my cancer treatment and running a marathon 2/3 of the way through chemo was truly amazing (even for me!) :) I relish the memory and tell everyone who will listen about my trials, my challenge and then race day! Running in the Wonder Woman costume my sister made, alongside my new best friend Cara (in BatGirl costume also made by sis) -- running through CNS issues, cramping, and just sickness throughout to finish in a 3:57 was a true victory! :) My husband's support and love that day and always kept me strong and my focus never wavered from the goal to FINISH that marathon. The ACS DetermiNation support and colleagues, the Dream Team and just so much more that my blog "The Toughest Marathon of my Life" outlines gives the whole story. ( Looking back now - I feel it was such a high that the lows and lack of motivation, and tiredness are well deserved. :)

Being a runner - Do you have any secret ailment or handicap that no one would ever guess you have? Hmmm - not sure these are secret handicaps, but I had ACL reconstruction in 2005, but have come back stronger (I think because I didn't want it to be a handicap!) and recently I was diagnosed with cancer in July -- and although I pushed harder than ever with the Chicago marathon to beat those odds, it can be tough when your health is not 100%. But on the flip side, these things have made me push harder and run stronger in the end... and we shall see what this year has in store -- hope to meet all my goals in health & running!

What are your 2011 goals for running & racing?
(full list to follow next week - this is deserving of a blog post, but I am inspired)
1. Run 10 mi plus once a week - preferably a 1/2 marathon once a week!
2. Run my first Ultra (VT 50 Here I COME!)
3. Win my age group in a road race- anywhere, any distance - Random! :)
4. Do a triathlon (it has been a while - - not sure what distance)
5. Ride my bike more (once a week after the snow melts)
6. PR - any distance? This one will be TOUGH as my times in the past have been pretty fast (maybe the 10K, maybe 1/2 marathon?)
7. Complete trail races that I haven't competed in before (Seven Sisters)
8. Boston marathon! Goal: 3:15
9. NYC marathon! Goal: 3:15
10. 1500 miles for the year! A lot easier to track with DM! Yay!
11. 120 miles per month! Ditto (fell so short this month - it was a great push to have that goal!)
12. Run a race with my son Schuyler :)
13. Ride a century with my husband Steve. :)
14. Build in strength & core workouts to my routine
15. STRETCH & Yoga!

OK - that is it! I think that is enough - at least for now! 

Cheers for a great 2011!!  I are truly on the "road" to success! It is that positive attitude and daily strength that keeps me going?  How about you?  What keeps you going?

Thanks for stopping by -- please leave a comment - I love comments!

Boston Marathon 2011 - The Interview

A recent media opportunity had me writing about my upcoming Boston marathon -- #7 Boston for me!   Thought I would share this with all of you!  Photos I shared are photos that I have shared on both blogs, so here is the text.  


Name:  Nancy E. Cook

Hometown:  Belchertown, MA (current) originally from Georgia, VT

Age: 46

How many times you've run Boston:  This will be my 7th Boston and my 26th marathon.  Highlights: 2001 (six months post partum), 2007 (placed 7th in the master category with a 3:05:59) - times / dates below:

Boston Marathon – 1990(3:51), 1993 (4:16), 2002 (4:10) 2007 (3:05:59) 2008 (3:14:35) 2010 (3:23:17)

(2) How you qualified for the race?
 I qualified last year with my time at Boston (3:23) and again in Chicago with a 3:57 (2/3 of the way through chemotherapy after being diagnosed in July with lymphoma)


(3) Why you want/like to run Boston?
 Boston to me is the dream for marathoners world wide, the grand daddy of all marathons, the "Olympics for marathon mortals".  All the history of the Boston marathon surrounds you as you run from Hopkinton to Boston.  I strive each year to qualify for Boston and then to train as a New England based runner in the snow and ice and cold is pretty tough, so the time at the Boston means even that much more when you complete those 26.2 miles. To me this year means even more after completing chemotherapy in November I can run cancer free as an ACS DetermiNation athlete, I am determined as a cancer survivor to show that cancer can't beat me and I will continue to run and be the strong athlete I once was and hope to be model for others that may be faced with this disease.   Below is a link to the full story of my cancer journey this past 6 months.

http://nancycancerjourney.blogspot.com/

(4) How you are training for the race?  In the snow, on the trails, up the hills throughout the winter cold weather in New England, I will put all my miles in following the Hal Higdon plan through Training Peaks.  This program is offered as a benefit to ACS DetermiNation athletes and truly works for me to stay on track and meet my goals.  I post my training on dailymile.com and love the support and motivation online from all the runners out there to keep me going strong! I coach alpine skiing at Mount Snow in Vermont through the weekends and snowshoe & cross country ski for cross training, but mostly I love all the seasons of New England and run through all the crazy weather that we get here!  


And just a little more to share: 


Why are you running with ACS DetermiNation? 
Because I am determined as a cancer survivor that cancer won't get me down, hopefully won't slow me down and that I can and will make a differenced in fighting this disease.  It gives me great pride and I beam and am so truly thankful when someone makes a donation to the cause I work so hard for!  This will be my 5th marathon having an ACS DetermiNation campaign for support.  DNation also gives you the opportunity to meet other runners, through trainings or online and at the event of course.  I met the "Dream Team" last year in Boston and it has been so incredible to have these relationships with this incredible group of runners.  All 4 of us are going back to Boston and are dedicating our runs through ACS DetermiNation and we have 2 new recruits!  Jill from Montana and Matt from Atlanta.  Such an amazing TEAM!


Being a runner - Do you have any secret ailment or handicap that no one would ever guess you have? 
Hmmm - not sure these are secret handicaps, but I had ACL reconstruction in 2005, but have come back stronger (I think because I didn't want it to be a handicap!) and recently I was diagnosed with cancer in July -- and although I pushed harder than ever with the Chicago marathon to beat those odds, it can be tough when your health is not 100%. But on the flip side, these things have made me push harder and run stronger in the end... and we shall see what this year has in store -- hope to meet all my goals in health & running!