by Monica on November 22, 2009
Six degrees of separation is at play in the running world… Jamie and I run and blog (and read).(1) Maven Jamie (a Malcolm Gladwell’s Tipping Point kind of Maven–always an ear to the ground) lends me a book called Personal Record: A Love Affair with Running and we both are intrigued by the author’s sharp, sardonic wit and approach to running and racing. We also have teenagers so we move on to her Admissions Confidential. We love her refreshing look at the daunting process of college admissions and she talks about running.(2) Jamie thinks that Rachel is a hoot on Facebook and in her Running Times’ articles so I friend her because she cracks me up.(3) I think she will appreciate my humor so I send her a Remanents tee and she sends me an idea for one (I love it).(4) I see on Facebook that she is going to the expo for the NY Marathon. I mention to my LDF Jane (who herself is an avid reader–and running the NY Marathon with her medical school buddy Denise) that if she happens to see the Moeben booth, she can get free arm sleeves if she buys Rachel’s book.(5) Jane meets Rachel and they share a fun “expo moment”–worlds collide! Here they are together, an admired author and a treasured friend.(6) Rachel was kind enough to be the first to answer our A Bold Pace running adaption of the Proust(ish) Questionnaire and we are thrilled.
Rachel Toor and LDF Dr. Jane Ierardi
10 Running Questions for Rachel:
1. Running skirt: friend or foe? BFF
2. If you could run with any 3 people (they don’t have to be runners or alive) who would it be? Too overwhelming to answer; too many good people alive and dead to choose from.
3. What traits do you most value in your running friends? Most of all, good conversation not about running; people who can teach stuff and push me to run harder; those who are willing to listen to me whine about being cold.
4. The one running item (gear/sustenance/song) you cannot live without? Running bra. Seriously big ta-tas.
5. Describe your present state of (running) mind? After years of leading marathon pace groups, I’ve rediscovered how much fun it is to do a marathon and not give a hoot about your time. If I want to stop and get Ben and Jerry’s at mile 18, I can. If I want to negative split, I can. If I find someone really interesting to talk with, I’ll run at her pace. I’m in it for the fun and companionship these days.
6. What running superstition do you always heed? A good pre-race poop always helps.
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by Jamie on November 20, 2009
Thanksgiving–what’s not to love? A weekday off revolving around family, friends and comfort food. No presents to fixate on, minimal decorating is required and oh, those leftovers. What’s more, the feasting takes place during prime running season; often culminating here in the Philadelphia Marathon. Is there any better excuse to enjoy every morsel of Thanksgiving dinner?
Our menu, which varies little over the years, could be described as traditional with an edge. Turkey (cooked in a 1950’s style black, speckled (covered) roasting pan), Laurie Colwin’s cornbread stuffing, sweet potatoes with bourbon and pecans, brussel sprouts with pancetta and balsamic vinegar, white potatoes with sage and cheddar cheese and pumpkin pie with a dash of black pepper and bourbon (sensing a theme here?)
The cranberry sauce is from Bobby Flay. Bursting with apricots, ginger and curry; it is sweet, spicy and just the ticket for those leftover turkey sandwiches. Runner friendly, the cranberry sauce is replete with antioxidants, Vitamin C and Vitamin A.
We often begin our meal with the dearly departed Shelia Lukins’ (of The Silver Palate fame) recipe for Roasted Winter Vegetable soup. It too is sweet, velvety and the most divine color (the essence of autumn.) It provides antioxidants, Vitamins A, D and potassium. Both recipes can be made well ahead of time and frozen.
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by Monica on November 18, 2009
http://www.vimeo.com/2469308
Filmmaker Stefani Weiss (who is sponsored by the artist supporting non-profit organization Fractured Atlas–donations are therefore tax deductable) began a twitter (@wincatherine) and Facebook campaign to secure funds to complete the film. Jamie and I were lucky enough to hear Catherine speak and get her autograph (and a hug) at the Philadelphia Distance Run Expo. She spoke eloquently about her marathon triumphs. What an amazing, gracious lady. Here is the (9 min) trailer that will inspire! There are also photographs of Weiss and company making the film on the website. They include Catherine’s win this year at the Distance Run and a blog to follow the progress. I hope they are successful in their fundraising efforts because I would love to see Catherine’s entire story.
From the filmmaker :
This is the fundraising trailer for Wincatherine: The Story of Wincatherine Nyambura Ndereba (working title) the inspirational story of a Kenyan woman who despite being born into extreme poverty, facing gender biases and other obstacles, put her faith in God and followed her dream of becoming a world champion runner, lifting her family out of poverty and finally shedding her childhood nickname of Crazy Catherine as the world has come to know her as Catherine the Great.
by Monica on November 17, 2009
A new running craze is taking hold–arm warmers! You don’t have to be an elite athlete anymore to wear them. They keep your arms protected from not only the chill, but the UV rays. They double as a snot rag (sorry…lack of a better term..tissue seems too demure) and can be easily moved up and down as the air flow requires (acting as a temperature regulator). Here are some of my favorites…
What kind of arm warmer –wearer are you?
For the rocker runner: The Tatu arm warmer from Sugoi (pictured above-they look like art!). Sugoi also has nice looking non-rocker Mid-Zero and Sub-Zero arm warmers in red and black.
For the happy runner: Moeben’s butterfly fleece sleeve or Defeet’s Daisys
For the funky types: Moeben has a few fun patterns including camo and a zebra stripe that offer UV protection.
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