{book review}

{book review} Gwyneth Paltrow’s cookbook: Good training food for you (and your family)

by Monica on August 16, 2011

I somewhat reluctantly picked up Gwyneth Paltrow’s new cookbook My Father’s Daughter (not your typical cookbook name…not jumping off the shelf for sure) from the library. I thought it might be plagued with privilege from an actress who has Steven Spielberg as a godfather. But I have to admit, I love it. Yes, her kitchen and her children (and she herself) are beautiful, but I am in love with her relationship with food. Fresh ingredients cooked in healthy ways. I tried one of the dishes out on my teenage children and even got an unprompted “good chicken Mom” from my son. The never ending battle known as “dinner” has me always looking for more to offer at the table. Gwyneth uses food to entertain, bond with friends and teach her children. This cookbook is centered on her family both past and present. An idea I embrace. Some of my favorite moments are sitting at the table with my family enjoying a meal and the casual exchange of conversation that accompanies culinary togetherness. She also reminds us that just preparing food can be about family. I think back when my son was home from law school at Thanksgiving — I learned a lot about his life from a session of peeling potatoes. My daughter studies while she bakes (or is it bakes while she studies?). Somehow thoughts of quizzing her from her flashcards comes to mind if the smell of baked chocolate is in the air. Taste, smell and the warmth of connection felt around the kitchen form mental snapshots like these that we carry with us. Gwyneth is trying to do the same for her children.

And for those of us runners who are always looking for miles from our food I must note that she offers some good healthy options here. She also works hard on her body so she can eat a plate of Paella or pancakes. Sound familiar?

And yes, I do get that we don’t all look like Gwyneth, but I think we can learn from this renaissance gal. I have to admit, I am a little jealous of her perfect life…but mostly just in awe.

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{10 Questions} for authors of Run Like a Mother [for a holiday gift]

by Monica on December 9, 2010

There is a running revolution taking hold and it’s wearing a skirt—a running skirt that is. Women are making their way to the starting lines of marathons and halfs in record numbers. They account for almost half (or even more than half) of the field these days. Olympic runners like Paula Radcliffe, Kara Goucher and Deena Kastor are conquering motherhood and running. We are all not only paying attention, we are cheering them on. Running has helped many of us make our way through parenting by offering a dose of endorphins and a long distance friend to hear us out. Women are trading therapy sessions for a pair of Asics and the open road. Running carves out “me” time for the price of a pair of running shoes and a race entry. It has not only become a catalyst for empowering women, but a stress-relieving companion in their quest to do it all. There is no one lining the streets to cheer you on or give you a medal for motherhood, so why not get one for finishing a race.

Mom’s not only like to run alone, they like to run together and in groups. They have formed front porch communities and taken them onto the road. They have conquered personal goals and weathered triumphs, all while running together. It is therefore not surprising that the release of the book Run Like a Mother: How to Get Moving–and Not Lose Your Family, Job, or Sanity has been a huge success. It acts as the manual to the running/motherhood movement and lends a voice to this emerging runner profile. It answers women/mother specific questions and offers advice not found in other running books. It’s authors Dimity McDowell and Sarah Bowen Shea are on to something here. They have become like the Oprahs of the mother runners. Through their blog, Facebook Page, and Twitter (Sarah Tweets, Dimity Tweets), they have started a wonderful conversation. It seems they are listening just as much as they are being heard. Women relate to them. They are both real moms, real runners and real people.

10 Questions for Dimity and Sarah:

1. Running skirt, friend or foe?

Dimity: Friend. Flatters like nothing else.

SBS: BFF. I have a mutually exclusive relationship with my running skirts—I haven’t worn shorts in years.

2. What is your idea of the perfect run (details please…when, where with whom)?

Dimity: Santa Fe Dale Ball Trails. 5ish miles. With my dog Dharma, before she started her annoying habit of just stopping cold on the trail behind me and staring at me like I was crazy.

SBS: The Presidio & Golden Gate Bridge. Ninety minutes on a weekday morning. By myself—with my fond memories of living in San Francisco for eight years. I never stop marveling at the Bay Area’s natural beauty.

3. Were you a runner or a writer first? How has running changed for you since writing RLAM? How has writing changed?

Dimity: Writer. Comes much more naturally me than running ever will. I think a lot more about my running while I’m running now. My mind used to wander; now it’s all about form.

SBS: I started running in college before graduating to become a professional writer (and editor). Since writing RLAM, I’ve become an even more avid runner—I used to cross-train a lot more, but now I usually run six days/week. Writing still remains my bread-and-butter profession.

4. Describe your present state of (running/training) mind and your goals/races for 2011?

Dimity: Starting over (again). Focus will be on triathlons (Olympic, probably) and trail runs. No specific races yet.

SBS: After three marathons in two years, I’m halving the distance—dropping down to half-marathons this coming year. I like being able to shower and eat brunch after a race—and not limp when I leave the restaurant. I’d like to dust a few seconds off my personal best and drop my time to 1:45.

5. What one training tools/items/gear can you not live without?
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{book review} Orange is the New Black — Piper Kerman (running for her life)

by Monica on May 31, 2010

When Piper Kerman was incarcerated for a year on a ten year-old drug charge, she ran everyday around the track to keep from losing her mind. The kindness of fellow inmates in this stripped-down world provided her comfort. This book reminded me of the redemptive qualities of running. And although this story is not about running, it plays an intimate part in the outcome. Running sometimes saves us from ourselves. It can provide peace to a troubled mind or solace to a busy soul. It can act as a catalyst to knowing that we are capable of coming back from pain. If life is like a race, we keep running, even when it really hurts.

The unexpected friendships that developed for Piper within the walls of the prison camp brought to mind threads of running friendships. Although not even comparable to prison life, a shared experience of long training hours and personal triumphs (reduced to the toughness and the kindness within us) can bring forth some of the most unlikely bonds. True colors are shown and respect is earned. Humor and connection trump competition and rivalry.

Orange is the New Black – My Year in A Women’s Prison is a really good read that opens your eyes to the injustices within the walls of our prisons. So much of it made me cringe. Piper is one tough cookie. I could not put this one down and was left wanting more.

If you’re looking for more about this book and Piper Kerman, see these videos and interviews:
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{10 questions} for Chris McDougall author of Born to Run

by Jamie on March 24, 2010

courtesy of www.chrismcdougall.com/blog

Christopher McDougall’s Born to Run has ignited a raucous, ongoing debate in the running (and larger) community about the benefits of barefoot running and the integrity of the running shoe industry. The book’s influence has extended to our feet; both Monica and I have switched to the lighter Newton’s and I am not automatically replacing mine after 300 miles.

But Born to Run is more than a book about barefoot running. Christopher McDougall is a storyteller extraordinaire. The book is a page turner, replete with an adroit portrayal of the Tarahumara of Mexico and incisive characterizations of singular people, such as the awesome Ann Trason and Jenn Shelton. He brings to life the colorful and robust world of ultra runners, the exhilaration of the Leadville Trail 100 race and the history, lore and physiology of endurance running.

I recently re-read Born to Run via CD. My husband (a non-runner) and 13 year-old daughter (not particularly interested in adult pursuits) were captivated by the stories. The Tarahumara and ultra races became dinner table fare. High praise!

What’s more, after reading a few chapters and I felt the urge to get out there—and run long…

10 Questions for Chris McDougall:

1. The Jon Stewart appearance, interviews with major newspapers, the NY Times Best Sellers list, that Jeopardy question…..describe a memorable moment on the best selling author circuit.

Jon Stewart telling me the bottom of my foot felt like a dog’s paw was definitely one for the scrapbooks. but the wildest had to be when I met Caballo’s old girlfriend after a book signing in seattle. she gave me a picture of him from 25 years ago that showed him holding a scruffy dog and leaning against an old pickup … and he was doing EXACTLY the same thing last time I saw him.

2. At what moment after the publication of Born to Run did you realize that the book had taken on a life of its own? Do you think that the book’s release date, in the midst of the economic crisis, contributed to runners’ willingness to embrace the debate about barefoot running?

barefoot running is really just a fraction of what the book is all about. the heart of the story is the message that running can be a total blast, and not just a punishment for pizza. and if people are responding
to the less-is-best revelations about running shoes, that’s probably because we’ve hit critical mass when it comes to injuries and frustration. for decades, we’ve been told that fancy shoes will make running better,
and now it’s clear that we’ve been fooled by a bunch of marketing blather.

3. We both wear Newton’s. What do you think of them? Are your daughters wearing running shoes? If so, which type?

i’ve never tried newtons. personally, i feel more comfortable wearing nothing (interpret that any way you like). my kids are just yung’uns, so they crash around in whatever cheapos we can find. during their school’s race for education, we were the only one running barefoot — for about 10 minutes. as soon as the other kids realized they didn’t have to wear shoes, they started chucking them. soon, there was a mountain of discarded sneakers and an army of grinning kids whizzing around the soccer field.

4. Born to Run is about so much more than barefoot running. What other transferable skills should we take away from the Tarahumara?

my apologies if this sounds unhelpful, but i’d like to avoid trying to distill their culture into self-help tips. Caballo has been down there for 15 years and he’s still getting his arms around things.

5. How has the success of Born to Run shaped your approach to your current project? Any hint on the subject? Have you learned anything more about a Born to Run movie?

it’s been a wild week. yesterday, i closed a deal for the next book, and today (literally, four hours ago) i signed the movie contract. i have no clue what happens next with the movie, if anything. as for the book,
believe me — if i tried to describe it, you’d yawn. i still haven’t figured out how to pithily summarize born to run without it sounding weird and nerdy.

6. We are fascinated that women are racing and beating men at the Ultra level. Are men running these distances slower or are women running them faster? Does the 100 miler finally level the playing field? Can you talk about this a little…or write a book about it?
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Field Trips to Picasso, Lululemon and Philadelphia Runner store

March 12, 2010

Yesterday was a carpe diem day. There is something euphoric about checking off items from a “things I want to try out/do” list. There are so many that somehow never happen. Yesterday was a day of accomplishment to temper the more frequent sentiment of a ”I didn’t get enough done ” type day. I was up at 4:30am to get dressed, stretch and [...]

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{book review} A “Healing Night” Sleep — the Runner’s Holy Grail

March 3, 2010

It’s amazing when you get to a certain age, and you talk about sleep in the same way you spoke about getting inebriated… I got eight hours last night. It was fantastic! Johnny Depp Often, on running mornings, the first thing we talk about is our state of sleep. “I got to bed too late.” [...]

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{book report} Training By The Book – Back For MORE

February 25, 2010

It’s been over a year since I last raced and I decided it was time. Jamie and I and a few other LDFs signed up for the all women MORE/Fitness Magazine Half Marathon in Central Park on April 25th. This girl-power infused race around Central Park is a great energy boost. And although this is not the ideal course (as Liz [...]

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{10 questions} for Liz Robbins author of “A Race Like No Other”

February 13, 2010

Before you run the New York Marathon, read Liz Robbin’s A Race Like No Other– 26.2 Miles through the streets of New York. Actually, I think the book should be tucked into every swag bag with the t-shirt and race number. Runners could fight pre-race jitters in bed the night before engrossed in these captivating stories. Moreover, they could throw it in with their water and power bars [...]

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The Ugh![ly] Truth…checking into holiday/running rehab

December 27, 2009

Maybe it’s the snow on the ground…or the high caloric intake…or even the general exhaustion from the late nights and last minute preparations. Maybe it’s just all that being nice. But holidays are not good for my running. Went out for a 7 miler this morning and felt like I was crawling. The moments of denial that found me saying “as [...]

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{10 questions} for Rachel Toor author of “A Personal Record: A Love Affair With Running”

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, [...]

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