tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16067475137733872162024-03-13T06:03:17.719-07:00Vegan...with CurvesCurvyVeganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11329040009097721542noreply@blogger.comBlogger54125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1606747513773387216.post-5332156209801509422013-12-30T07:35:00.001-08:002013-12-30T07:35:10.219-08:00New Year, new things afootThe blog will be getting a much needed makeover and a slight shift in focus in the coming weeks...I am looking forward to running more, writing more and just generally being more. CurvyVeganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11329040009097721542noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1606747513773387216.post-36423273411222777902013-08-19T17:22:00.001-07:002013-08-19T17:22:42.048-07:00Hi...I'm back I know, I know, I haven't posted in ages (over a year or nearly that, I think) but I' m still here and ready to share my thoughts with you. ;) Since I last posted all sorts of fantastic, crazy, wonderful things have happened including me becoming an INKnBURN Ambassador...squee! Expect product reviews and an awesome deal on INKnBURN gear coming soon! Until then, hang out.<div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-_S9AurCCIWw/UhK20PgFIFI/AAAAAAAAAXw/FrfwVItt96I/s640/blogger-image-344922726.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-_S9AurCCIWw/UhK20PgFIFI/AAAAAAAAAXw/FrfwVItt96I/s640/blogger-image-344922726.jpg"></a></div><br></div>CurvyVeganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11329040009097721542noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1606747513773387216.post-10001546051148844412011-09-01T13:09:00.000-07:002011-09-01T13:09:30.388-07:00Big shoes to fill, 50 milers and other (mis) adventuresI am rehabbing the same pesky knee issue that forced me to run all of TNFEC 50K with a KiniseoTaped right knee. After two weeks of VERY light running it is better, but I'm finding that if I step in slightly the wrong way I seem to re-injure it. *sigh* This is not making it any easier for me to decide whether I want to start training for <a href="http://www.vhtrc.org/brr/index.htm">BRR50</a> and if I actually want to run it, I need to start training like nowish. Clearly I just need to be patient with my knee, to continue working with the capacity I have available and to decide further down the road, but patience has never been my strongest trait. Like right now I am anxiously awaiting the arrival of my (new to me--last year's model) Hoka One One Mafates from <a href="http://www.theclymb.com/">The Clymb.</a> I've been curious about them for ages and at 60% off I could hardly pass them up. So I'll be switching back and forth between barefoot, minimal and super cushioned. A recipe for disaster? I hope not. CurvyVeganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11329040009097721542noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1606747513773387216.post-30474599499112464982011-07-24T16:51:00.000-07:002011-07-24T16:51:51.930-07:00A tiny bit of progressWith the help of a little pre-cut pink and blue Kinesio Tape I managed to wake up free of that pesky plantar pain, to run 5 miles outdoors, and to complete a Lotte Berk-style warm up and stretch routine all before the temperatures really began to rise at 9 AM. I feel accomplished and tired, but I also feel like I need to do more. Trails next week. I'm putting it in writing so I can't back out. Until then I continue to work on my championship couchsitting/arch icing skills.CurvyVeganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11329040009097721542noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1606747513773387216.post-21928680728774310752011-07-21T13:29:00.000-07:002011-07-23T19:21:09.443-07:00On Running and not runningA friend of mine just told me she loves my blog so I was shamed into coming back to post something.<br />
I had these beautiful and lofty plans to stay the running course post-50K and mostly I've stuck to the plan. However...my left foot and that pesky plantar fascia are trying to sabotage my good works. *sigh* (I do that a lot lately). I didn't run yesterday--instead I hooped in my living room and went to a fantastically strenuous Barre Body class at night. I feel good. I feel sore in new places. I feel like I'm being proactive about my fitness, but I don't feel the same way I feel after a run: accomplished, exhausted and like my legs can carry me anywhere.<br />
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Aaaaaand I won't be running today either. (Hello, Left Arch. Yes, I know you are still there--you keep reminding me in a not so gentle, throbby kind of way.) So I'm taking a bit of a run break while I re-group and plan for my upcoming relay in August, my rematch with the women's trail half marathon (you may have broken my foot last year, BRO Trail, but you have not broken me yet!) and Tough Mudder in October. I have a lot of planning and crosstraining and running to do in the coming months and I am so looking forward to the point where all my body parts are willing participants in that process.CurvyVeganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11329040009097721542noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1606747513773387216.post-51902987055697825542011-06-01T17:20:00.000-07:002011-06-01T17:24:48.318-07:00Fresh fare<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">So...initially I came here to report that pre-50K (Saturday), I am yet again slightly mangled, but I'm surviving. I ran 2 on Tuesday (and did AbRipperX after) and 3 today. The next two days are planned rest days so I'm going to keep my jumping about and running around to a minimum, BUT I am going to pick up our CSA share tomorrow and I'm super excited about some of the offerings:</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Kohlrabi, Turnips, Broccoli, Beets, Fennel, Snow Peas, Garlic Scapes, Oregano, Free-Range Eggs and Raspberries. (I think I did a little OMGraspberries happy dance when I read the produce list)</span></span></div><tt><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br />
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<tt><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">No, I don't eat eggs--I AM vegan after all, but KJ does so he gets a rare treat (for him). I am already planning a beet and fennel salad or perhaps a saute of garlic scapes and beets? Not sure yet--there are lots of options, but I have no idea what to do with the kohlrabi. This will be a first foray into kohlrabi prep for me. This could go so badly. Better start researching recipes...</span></span></span></tt><br />
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<tt><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">I am also picking up my race packet tomorrow so I'll be making a quick trip to The North Face store to get my race bag and <strike>fondle</strike> check out all the new gear . <strike> </strike>*sigh* This stay at home dog mommy career choice has its down side. </span></span></span></tt><br />
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</span></span></span></tt>CurvyVeganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11329040009097721542noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1606747513773387216.post-73854426182844557562011-03-20T20:29:00.000-07:002011-03-20T20:30:30.746-07:00Sleep, eat, run or practice?These are my choices these days. Do I eat breakfast first and run later? Quick smoothie and quicker run? Hills or speed? Choices choices. <br />
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This weekend I didn't bother choosing --I just did a little of everything. Yesterday, I was already tired from the very little sleep I manage on a good day, but I still picked up a friend, did a 70 minute silks class, went home to pick up the dogs and then hit Fountainhead for 10 miles on the trail. By this morning I felt like hell and I couldn't decide which trail to run or whether to go back to sleep. PHT is generally my go-to trail for 6 milers, but last weekend more than half of the trail was washed out by the Potomac and I didn't want to chance it. So I compromised (going back to sleep wasn't ever really an option), strapped on the Kinvaras and started my run at my front door. It was a bit of a cheat since I'm meant to do trails on weekends, but I still covered my mileage and was able to get to dance class on time. <br />
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My delts are pleasantly sore from <a href="http://www.trxtraining.com/">TRXing</a> on Friday and from aerial silks practice Saturday...AND my <a href="http://www.esperonto.com/">House dance</a> practice is still a little klutzy but I feel better about my progress every week. Everything worked out this weekend (sort of), but I really need to find balance if I want to be able to continue.CurvyVeganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11329040009097721542noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1606747513773387216.post-92101035113011537942010-12-19T19:43:00.000-08:002010-12-19T19:43:17.033-08:00Best of both worlds?I'm finally back on my feet (again) running short distances and working up to getting back out on the trails. Currently running roads in the Saucony Kinvara ViziPro and loving them, but ever since my trail incident I've been wondering if I need to change my shoes again. Is it possible to be minimalist on the roads and ultra-cushioned on the trails? <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://runningtimes.com/rt/images/Shoes_HokaMafete_Saucony_Keen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://runningtimes.com/rt/images/Shoes_HokaMafete_Saucony_Keen.jpg" /></a></div><br />
I've been reading reviews of the Hoka One One Mafate for the past several weeks and being the lover of crazy shoes that I am, I'm really interested in trying them, but at $170 I'm wondering if they live up to the hype?CurvyVeganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11329040009097721542noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1606747513773387216.post-13601092333481557752010-11-15T21:38:00.000-08:002010-12-21T14:50:00.837-08:00Off the map and into the cosmosWelly welly well, my little droogs, it would appear as though I stepped into the Korova Milkbar for a quick shot and spent the next 60 days on a soya milk bender...But that story would be far more interesting than the truth. The truth, my friends, is that my fall in that race two months ago was a bit more damaging than I originally thought and I've spent the last eight plus weeks doing as little as possible on my feet, limping about and losing all the mileage I gained over months of training. So now I'm tired from a few VERY short runs and I'm working hard to get my head in the right space and to get my body back.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>So, while I plot modest upcoming race goals, and continue conditioning my body for longer runs and low flying aerial dance (my latest aerial interest)...feel free to enjoy a brief video. Be kind, please, as this was my first official public performance. <br />
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<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IAMz0ak9cPw">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IAMz0ak9cPw</a>CurvyVeganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11329040009097721542noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1606747513773387216.post-17733728179998730022010-09-12T17:36:00.000-07:002010-09-12T17:36:59.305-07:00Trail Runners don't cry......but the moment after I had my inexplicably painful fall on Saturday and tried to walk-run a few steps I really really wanted to. I looked at the two women who had been using me as their pacer as they disappeared further up the trail ahead of me, I saw the early finishers coming toward me and I thought for a crazy moment that I might be able to hobble my way through the remaining 5 miles. I tried to put pressure on my right forefoot and I knew for sure that I was done. For the first time in my relatively brief running career (10 years is brief compared to some, right?), I pulled myself out of a race. The official photographer at the water crossing marveled at the gnarliness of my injury and insisted on taking a photo. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dr7LxAL0xaE/TI1t-wYPv6I/AAAAAAAAAFI/zgOfvNRESDA/s1600/Bloody+Knee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dr7LxAL0xaE/TI1t-wYPv6I/AAAAAAAAAFI/zgOfvNRESDA/s320/Bloody+Knee.jpg" /></a></div><br />
So I gamely posed for the photo and then limped my way back up the switchbacks toward the finish. Every time a runner on the outbound congratulated me on being so near the finish or asked me if I was okay, I could feel the hot prickle behind my eyes and I repeated one of several phrases I'd mastered without a quaver in my voice. "I'm okay." "Doing fine." "I'm good..", and then I kept moving. I exited out of the trees into an area just above the finish chute because a quick limp through the finish would be accompanied by a name announcement and there was no way in hell that I felt like so publicly quitting. Ugh, it was just so frustrating and disappointing and I constantly felt the need to re-explain to people I encountered that if I'd only scraped my knee I would have continued running, but between the swelling in my knee and my battered foot it just wasn't on. I've done this race for the past two years and will likely go for it again next year, but right now I just feel really conflicted about the experience.<br />
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Part two of my half marathon weekend was equally bizarre (woke up early but still arrived after the start of the race, it rained the whole time, I had to run hard to catch up with my pace group after a bathroom break, and without a cell phone I couldn't find my boyfriend post race), but I finished AND I finished my first half in my VFFs. And I got a cool hat as well.CurvyVeganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11329040009097721542noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1606747513773387216.post-69334512460993658352010-09-08T19:38:00.000-07:002010-09-08T19:38:17.966-07:00Back to life...I have a double half marathon/aerial silks sandwich planned for the weekend. What's on your menu?CurvyVeganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11329040009097721542noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1606747513773387216.post-5359045912644312412010-07-26T11:29:00.000-07:002010-07-26T11:34:42.141-07:00Planning and running and inverting......that's what I've been doing since I last posted. I'm planning a double half marathon weekend in September because I couldn't find a Fall marathon that I wanted to commit to and I have an aerial show the weekend after so my life consists of (very little) sleep, aerial, lifting, running and doing it all over again often. I'm not complaining at all because my time could be full of far worse things. I'd like to have more time to write though, but that's more of a resolve/time management issue than anything else. Sporadic updates when I have silks breakthroughs or a particularly good run--I think that's all I can promise myself for now.CurvyVeganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11329040009097721542noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1606747513773387216.post-56938176898409742412010-06-02T14:30:00.000-07:002010-06-02T14:30:20.087-07:00Hanging aroundIt was a hot day in the tent and foot locks were particularly challenging, but it was nice to have such a small class and be able to rotate between silks so often. <br /><object style="background-image:url(http://i3.ytimg.com/vi/BDICokK4NC0/hqdefault.jpg)" width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/BDICokK4NC0&hl=en_US&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/BDICokK4NC0&hl=en_US&fs=1" width="425" height="344" allowScriptAccess="never" allowFullScreen="true" wmode="transparent" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object>CurvyVeganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11329040009097721542noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1606747513773387216.post-78319321777192188162010-06-01T07:03:00.000-07:002010-06-01T07:36:04.663-07:00Running away to join the circusYes, I got willingly kidnapped by some <a href="http://www.artisanathletics.com/">circus folks</a> and I'm completely unharmed, but not unaffected. Aerial arts have captured my imagination and I want to try a little of everything! I haven't braved the trapeze yet as I'm still working on my getting over my fear of scaling that shaky ladder, but I just attended my second lyra class at <a href="http://washingtondc.trapezeschool.com/">TSNY</a> yesterday and I can see myself loving that too. My lyra instructor, a young college student who grew up studying circus arts, caught my attention yesterday with a simple phrase that she probably didn't even realize was important. She said, essentially that aerial arts were a pivotal growth tool for her because one might be awkward on the ground, but one need not be awkward in the air. I totally get that and it resonates with me on so many levels (Hi, remember me? I'm the lady who steps in cheese and trips on her own shadow ;). Silks can be frustrating and challenging, but I keep returning because its beautiful and the process is teaching that I know such a small amount about the universe and I'm okay with that as long as I remain open to learning and evolving.<br /><br />I may be occasionally awkward in the air right now, but I'm enjoying defying gravity.<br /><object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/XGjuFqDcQ5o&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/XGjuFqDcQ5o&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>CurvyVeganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11329040009097721542noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1606747513773387216.post-60676829501773749982010-03-09T13:22:00.000-08:002010-06-01T07:03:29.363-07:00I stepped in cheese.Yes, I have been gone for a long time, but no that is not a euphemism. On Sunday I stepped in cheese. Real, full dairy, animal fatty, melty and sweating on a black topped parking lot in the sun cheese. I think it was pepper jack. If I'd allowed them to lick my shoes as they kept trying to do, my dogs might be able to confirm this, but I'll get to that in a second.<br /><br />Before the assault by dairy, KJ and I made a plan to enjoy a rare sunny and warm March day. I busted out a short sleeved t-shirt, post-Goth cargo pants (seriously, they have a lace waistband and flared legs. I bought them at Hot Topic and yes, I fully appreciate the irony) and put on my favorite pair of Onitsuka Tigers. KJ and I walked around Old Town, enjoyed a <a href="http://www.lepainquotidien.com/">Belgian breakfast</a> and then spent the afternoon hooping in the park. We smiled at dogs, visited a candy store and strolled around town commenting on gardens and architectural elements. *sigh* It was bliss. And then that damned piece of cheese ruined my day, but I'm getting ahead of myself.<br /><br />Before heading home we stopped at a grocery store to pick up cold meds for KJ (despite the weather, it is still Winter)and a few other items we needed around the house. As we walked back to the car we laughed about the kooky Girl Scouts squealing and hawking calories outside the store and KJ referenced a Chris Kattan joke from some really bad Lorne Michaels feature film (something about CK dressed in a Scout uniform and offering COOK-AYS!). Goofballs on the loose...we almost made a clean getaway, but as I approached the back door of the car to place our purchases on the back seat I felt a squish. Initially I thought it was a wet paper towel dampened by the piles of still melting snow, but when I tried to shake it off, it wouldn't go away. "Must be gum," I thought. Gross, but fairly easy to remove with an ice cube. But the texture was wrong. It squished not so much like wet paper or gum, but more like...dog poop. I lifted my foot and there, caught between the rubbery blue and lime green spikes of my retro climbing shoes were the remains of a partially melted and fully rubberized piece of white cheese. <br /><br />*Hurk* <br /><br />Seriously. The older I get, the more certain things (the smell of seafood, paper litter on a running trail, melted cheese on my shoe) activate my gag reflex. <br /><br />I wiped my shoe on the pavement but the offending dairy product continued to cling to my kicks and further embed itself amongst the treads. <br /><br />"Wipe it off on the ice over there," KJ thoughtfully suggested in between stiffled guffaws. It *was* funny--hell, I was laughing too if only at the sheer ridiculous grossness of stepping in someone's discarded cheese but it really was so so disgusting. Nope, icing it didn't help.AT.ALL. <br /><br />So I drove us home, careful not to touch anything in my car with the cheese shoe. I could only imagine the way rotting bits of cheese might smell hidden amongst the floor mats on a 90 plus degree Summer day. *shudder*<br /><br />Safely at home I kicked off my shoe on the front porch, limped around in my one cheeseless shoe, greeting the dogs and gathering supplies to clean my footwear. <br /><br />Outside all three of the girls were jockeying for space to sniff and get close enough to taste the amazingness that was the cheese shoe. KJ thought it hilarious to allow them to get close enough to attempt a lick and then call them off. Yep. Ha ha <heavy on the eye rolling sarcasm>. Three bowls of soapy water, one old sponge and five paper towels later my shoe was clean enough to bring into the house. I tried lining it up in the shoe tray by the door to dry but there must have been tiny cheese molecules left in my shoe tread because the girls continued to try to nose my shoe upside down in order to claim their prize (really, what self-respecting dog wouldn't enjoy a little shoe with cheese topping?). Cleaning FAIL. Right now the shoe is drying in the hall closet away from canine noses--drying just enough so I can throw it into the wash and hopefully forget this ever happened.CurvyVeganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11329040009097721542noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1606747513773387216.post-48343107012295053182009-10-31T08:31:00.000-07:002009-10-31T08:36:23.047-07:00Ch-ch-ch-ch-changesSooooo....I am <a href="http://www.nanowrimo.org/">writing a novel</a>. Yep, its one of those life list things that I never really wrote down but always wanted to do. No plot yet, no title, nothing, but I have at least one more day before I need to start putting words to paper so that's good. <br /><br />We shall see...at least I now have the push I need to start writing again and it will help me shift my focus from all physical training all the time to a bit of mental training.<br /><br />Three more weeksish until JFK. My finish time in Nike was good--on target with where I want to finish JFK this year so go me!CurvyVeganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11329040009097721542noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1606747513773387216.post-14904678718308487982009-09-16T08:31:00.000-07:002009-09-16T08:31:52.667-07:00Just hanging around<a href='http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dr7LxAL0xaE/SrEE5l2Rr6I/AAAAAAAAAE4/ZsFANStKCo8/s1600-h/InvertedDesc.jpg'><img src='http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dr7LxAL0xaE/SrEE5l2Rr6I/AAAAAAAAAE4/ZsFANStKCo8/s320/InvertedDesc.jpg' border='0' alt=''style='clear:both;float:left; margin:0px 10px 10px 0;' /></a> <br /><br />...waiting for the afternoon to pass so I can get my mileage in and catch up on my reading (for school and for pleasure). I miss aerial already even though I've only missed a week, but with a broken finger I am likely to miss several more.<div style='clear:both; text-align:LEFT'><a href='http://picasa.google.com/blogger/' target='ext'><img src='http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif' alt='Posted by Picasa' style='border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial;' align='middle' border='0' /></a></div>CurvyVeganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11329040009097721542noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1606747513773387216.post-33925615612300328712009-09-12T14:56:00.000-07:002009-09-15T16:35:04.971-07:00This is not a test......in fact, the gurgling you may have heard (if you'd been running ahead or behind me in this morning's trail half), was my intestines. Too much liquid, not enough solids. No port-o-potties and just my sheer will (and an aid station a few miles away) to keep it in check. Other than my intestinal roiling early on, I felt great so I made a vow to myself to eat something (a PB&J bite and some Pringles) at the next aid station. I settled for a cup of water, a few chips and a bite of the PB&J bite --crust and part of the bread followed the empty water cup into the trash bin--and then I was off. There's something about that aid station that makes me run a little more purposefully. For the second year in a row, one of the volunteers has commented on how strong I looked as I re-entered the woods.<div>
<br /></div><div>A few minutes into the woods and I'd already picked off my first runner and began progressing along the trail. I felt confident in my technical skills and that made up for my lack of speed. A few miles in I began a conversation with the woman ahead of me--I needed to remind myself that this was just a training run and I needed to save a little for my run tomorrow. So we chatted about last year's race, about JFK50, about trail fashion (I was wearing both a new shirt and new Inov-8s--that's a no no, right? It all worked out, thank goodness--no new blisters, no chafe). Chatting helped keep my pace steady/slow. At the last aid station I gambled on a cup of Mountain Dew. Can't stand the stuff in every day life, but there's something about that neon yellow liquid that gives me the extra push to finish well. And I did--finish well, that is. </div><div>
<br /></div><div>As we entered the final 200 m I could see the historical cemetary ahead and to my right and I could hear the strains of some classic rock song. Crazily, it felt like the final scene in <i>The Warriors</i>--hearing that jangly music and seeing the Wonder Wheel and knowing I was home. It felt like that until I broke out of the tree line and saw the crowd in a small knot at the finish line. I was not on Coney Island, but in my temporary home further down the East Coast and I was done--at least for today. I ran through the finish chute and just stopped short and into a walk. My toes hurt a little (a combination of klutziness and new shoes, I suspect), but really I could have gone another 13. I feel good and closer to being ready to slay bigger dragons.
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<br />CurvyVeganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11329040009097721542noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1606747513773387216.post-79397251705446204412009-07-20T07:09:00.000-07:002009-07-20T07:26:26.106-07:00Still. Here.I'm running. Slowly and in need of new trail and road shoes, but I am happy to report that I am officially training for JFK50. The race essentially filled in two or three days so it has been a worrisome two weeks of waiting to find out whether my application made the cut. Today its official. So I'm pleased. <br /><br />And I had a fantastic weekend so I'm glowing (and its Monday morning so imagine that!)<br /><br />As part of my training/life plan I'm also doing <a href="http://www.dynamicplateautraining.com">this</a> (thanks Ben. Things are going well ;). If you wonder how I look so good (tee hee hee) check it out! <br /><br />And as part of my sanity maintenance regimen I took an <a href="http://washingtondc.trapezeschool.com/">aerial silks class </a>at the Trapeze School-NY on Saturday. It was ridiculously fun and challenging. My shoulders, my forearms and pecs are sore, but in the best possible way. I had such a good time I'm going back next weekend.<br /><br />Oh and I also checked out a <a href="http://www.dnr.state.md.us/publiclands/southern/rosaryville.html">new trail</a> . And somewhere in there was dancing and drinkies and a few too many late nights, but I feel good and had a much needed enjoyable weekend.CurvyVeganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11329040009097721542noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1606747513773387216.post-13732466478315404602009-06-11T11:04:00.000-07:002009-07-20T07:27:44.650-07:00Trail inspiration<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dr7LxAL0xaE/SjFHjdMETwI/AAAAAAAAAEo/Ggf4IYs3D5k/s1600-h/OffRoadHalf_finish.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dr7LxAL0xaE/SjFHjdMETwI/AAAAAAAAAEo/Ggf4IYs3D5k/s200/OffRoadHalf_finish.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346132907121725186" border="0" /></a><br />Yay pix (or at least a single picture)! I'm working on getting a new camera (why are there so many options?!?) and on finding my inspiration these days. The weather is bumming me out, as is the parade of semi-flaky running partners. *sigh*CurvyVeganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11329040009097721542noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1606747513773387216.post-33903230372265212172009-05-19T08:25:00.000-07:002009-05-19T08:32:00.501-07:00Sunday Fun Run (ha ha ha)Sunday's trail half really was mostly fun. A little chilly, a little rainy and VERY muddy, but overall really beautiful and enjoyable. Oddly I hated the technical hills a lot less than the flat, long, boring fire roads. I'm not sure what that says about me other than that I prefer a rocky, rooty run in the woods to wide flat roads stretching interminably ahead. NO pix yet because my camera is broken and official photos have yet to be posted.<br /><br />This was my first race with this adventure racing company and so far they get two thumbs up from me. Great course, well marked, enthusiastic volunteers and racers. I have nothing else planned until September at this point (of course I'll run--that's just what I do) and am envying those people who live in places where there's either an organized trail race or an FA almost any weekend.CurvyVeganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11329040009097721542noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1606747513773387216.post-44486404552527785722009-05-04T07:38:00.000-07:002009-05-04T08:01:38.542-07:00Mmm...foodOther than trail food I don't talk food much, but those who know me well know that I love to eat. Let me qualify that, I love to eat when the food is high quality and the company is as well. Yesterday I wanted coffee but given a variety of minor health issues, caffeine is a really bad choice right now so instead of spending $4.00 on a random hot drink I went shopping for red <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">chai</span> and almond milk and returned home with nearly $70 in groceries. Go me! I'm single <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">handedly</span> working on saving the economy. <br /><br />On a whim I purchased a few new (and expensive!) products to try: <a href="http://www.teesecheese.com/">Teese </a>Mozzarella Vegan cheese and <a href="http://www.honest-foods.com/our-foods/">Honest Granola Planks</a>.<br /><br />I love that there are more and more vegan cheese options every day: Sheese, Chreese, Teese, Follow Your Heart, VeganRella, Tofutti...and I wanted to love Teese as an alternative to Follow Your Heart, BUT I don't love the consistency. Teese melts, but then it develops watery pools so you have to wait a little while for it to re-solidify so it doesn't slide off your dish. Once it resolidifies it has an unappetizingly rubbery consistency. The flavor? Its a little sweet--which I didn't mind, but its disarming. It also tastes, sadly, rather like processed "cheese food." All this being said, I think it might work really well in recipes (other than pizza) where cheese is not the focal point. <br /><br />The Honest Granola Planks were fantastic! A little high in cals and fat but what granola isn't? Great flavor, good mouth feel and texture (soft and chewy, but held up well in coconut milk yogurt) and conveniently packaged for breakfast on the run, post-gym snack or out on the trails. Two paws up on the granola front for sure! <br /><br />So, to recap: skip the <a href="http://www.teesecheese.com/">Teese</a> for pizzas but give it a try on sandwiches if you have the room in your grocery budget (retails for approx $5/tube) and want something different. And if you enjoy granola or chewy and grainy snack bars you will dig the <a href="http://www.honest-foods.com/our-foods/">Honest Granola Planks</a>CurvyVeganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11329040009097721542noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1606747513773387216.post-12881034198247171292009-05-03T18:41:00.000-07:002009-05-03T18:48:26.836-07:00Still crosstrainingThe rain is killing my workouts, I can't bring the dogs out in a downpour because they refuse to walk too far when its wet out and I can't leave them alone inside on a rainy day because they are totally stir crazy. *sigh* Yep, excuses--I have many. <div><br /></div><div>I did a brief trail run yesterday once the rain stopped and cross trained on the TRX today. We are in for a rainy week so I'm planning for many lunchtime run/crosstraining workouts. This will all hopefully help me feel more prepared for the half in two weeks.</div><div><br /></div><div>I'm having a few issues with my current road shoes and am hoping to address them in a few weeks. </div><div><br /></div>CurvyVeganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11329040009097721542noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1606747513773387216.post-49312028488983613072009-04-21T09:38:00.000-07:002009-04-21T09:42:04.860-07:00Hitting the trails/rocking the roadsIn three weeks I run my first trail race of the year and then my schedule is all over the place: Komen 5K, another trail half, a trail 50K, the Nike Women's Marathon, and possibly JFK if my budget supports it. So I'm splitting my weekends into one day of trail running and one day of road/light trail running. I have no plan in mind yet other than to run and think, to drink and eat and run, and to run more. My work/school life are scheduled enough that I'm not sure I want my running life to be the same. We'll see how that goes. Just another few strides in the grand experiment. <br /><br />Happy Trails.CurvyVeganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11329040009097721542noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1606747513773387216.post-44776768315977748222009-03-17T07:43:00.000-07:002009-03-17T07:48:24.172-07:00I dream of running<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dr7LxAL0xaE/Sb-4JyET3EI/AAAAAAAAAEg/ikW-RBb9up8/s1600-h/JFK50AfterMile30ish.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dr7LxAL0xaE/Sb-4JyET3EI/AAAAAAAAAEg/ikW-RBb9up8/s200/JFK50AfterMile30ish.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314168563518659650" border="0" /></a><br />Last night I had the craziest dream involving an ultrarunner houseguest, my father (who passed away nearly 10 years ago) and the idea of running, but I never ran more than a few feet in the dream. On one hand I want it to have this weighty symbolism, but I'm sure it was just a brain dump. I've been thinking about running so much lately and doing very little of it (other than the rainy trail miles on Sunday) that this was probably my mind's gentle reminder. Time to hit the trails for sure. Time to do, not just dream.<br /><br />I'm so ready.CurvyVeganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11329040009097721542noreply@blogger.com0