by Monica on October 21, 2010
My 17 year old daughter and I are making a conscious effort to eat better. It’s not that our diet is poor…challenged is more accurate. Her life as a high school junior is filled with a challenging academic schedule, tennis team, studying for the SAT, college considerations, and most importantly, fun with friends. My concerns are more about my training, nutrition for my children, increased energy and offsetting my aging body in any way possible. We therefore decided to go see the bestselling “How to Cook Everything” author Mark Bittman speak about his newest addition The Food Matters Cook Book at the Free Library of Philadelphia. This new book offers recipes that are both good for you AND the environment. As a widely admired columnist for the NY Times (with great instructional videos, named after his food column “The Minimalist”, like this one making Apricot No-bake Granola bars–yum), he is committed to eating healthy and good tasting food. He preaches “less meat and more plants” in our diets. It’s a familiar message that we took away from the compelling documentary Food, INC. There were some political overtones in his talk (an effort to address child obesity and lobby for a soda tax that might deter its mass consumption by young people), but he is mostly about how fresh ingredients equals good healthy food. It all makes so much sense. And if you are like me and not sure how to translate this into delicious meals, this book (or any one of his cookbooks) is a great resource. Mark Bittman is a runner and now a blogger for Runners World where he recently reported on running the Mohawk Hudson River Marathon. Last year he partnered with Marathoner Deena Kastor to talk about eating on the run:
by Monica on September 24, 2010
The Philadelphia Distance Run gave way to the Competitor franchise’s more flashy ING “Rock ‘n’ Roll” version on Sunday. It was a sold out race complete with what seemed to be every type of runner. An impressive elite field was on hand to round out the specticle promised by the steep $90 entrance fee. I love the organized potty and bag check efficiency–never waited more than a few minutes. The course change was a welcome surprise for those of us who frequent that route for our long runs. There were no hills until you got to the end and there were plently of spectators to distract you from the grade to the finish. It never felt too crowded where I was and water was readily available along with Cytomax. But it still didn’t feel like the Philly Distance Run I have come to love every year I’ve run a marathon. Perhaps it was the finisher’s medal with the glittered (I am usually all for glitter) Liberty Bell with the guitar in the middle (…and it was so friging heavy). I could have done without the Sylvester Stallone impersonator and the mediore bands along the way, but that wasn’t it. We were discussing this on the track this week as we cooled down our legs with a few easy miles. It felt a little like marathoning at it’s commercial best. It had the great benefits of organization and an increased draw for elite runner’s over its predecessor, but lacked the heart and gracious tradition of a much respected race. Perhaps it was purely a financial maneuver for the city of Philadelphia, but I hate to see a race sell it’s soul.
It was fitting that this race had me off my game. I committed the ultimate rookie mistake when I grabbed an old Accelerade gu out of my running cubby and took a bite at mile 9. I had an instant stomach reaction (this has never happened to me!) and was casing the porta potty scene when it subsided. I decided to chance it and made it to the finish (and to the potty shortly thereafter). I have not trained nearly as much as I have in the past for races so I am not sure what exactly caused my GI issue. Chicago is in a few weeks and I know I will have to back off a little and go for a slower mile if I want to finish with a smile on my face. The most amazing thing is that I am content with that and only hope to get over that finish line with a time that will get me to Boston in April so I can join my long distance friends.
Happy Fall Marathoning to all!
by Monica on November 14, 2009
The Boston Marathon closed today. I am sitting on a deferred (last year) guaranteed entry and have until the December 11 deadline to get it to them. I am coming off an injury that has sidelined me for many months this year. I am finally back on the road again and so happy just to be out there. It is definitely still sore, yet seems to get incrementally better as the days go by…but Boston in 5 months? I would love to run it this year…but I have a fear of commitment. There is so much info out there on coming back after an injury it’s hard to decipher if it’s possible. What’s a girl to do? I say “Get engaged”! I found this article from Running and FitNews (from the American Running Association) that actually puts percentages (something I can understand) to mileage build up after an injury. I decided engaging myself in a plan and taking it one week/run at at time is the best therapy for my injury issues.
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by Jamie on September 28, 2009
Running in Philadelphia is great fun; eating there, even better. A perennial favorite, The Philadelphia Distance Run, took place on Sunday, 9/20. Next year, the race will be “rebranded” as the ING Rock ‘n’ Roll Philadelphia Half Marathon. Even road races are beginning to resemble suburban malls……
The Race Expo takes place at the Philadelphia Convention Center. We listen to a panel of marathon winners (they muse over the concept of luck in racing). I have my picture taken with Catherine (the Great) Ndereba, currently the 7 time winner of the Distance race, an Olympic medalist! The lovely Ms. Ndereba radiates serenity and benevolence.
Kismet! Monica wins a pair of Sir Isaac Newton sneakers (the next, big thing in running). Newton’s are engineered to mimic the advantages of barefoot running. We try the sneakers on and my feet are immediately transformed. I rue my 2 newly purchased pairs of Asics. We find KT Tape in the goodie bag. I try it out and experience immediate relief from a nagging sore knee. Crazy!
We have lunch across the street at the Reading Terminal Market. The market is the heart and soul of Philadelphia; gritty, urbane and comfy with a European flair. So many choices: Amish roast chicken and soft pretzels, Thai salmon, Italian Market cheeses, remarkable breads and hearty turkey sandwiches. We enjoy our Pakistani kabobs while catching up on the world, big and small.
On Sunday morning, Kerry, Kim, Ann and Jill are poised to run their first half marathon. They are at once apprehensive, bubbly, confident and ready. Last minute decisions abound: we mull over iPods, sore knees (I decide to wear my magic tape and feel good throughout the race-and afterwards!) and throw-away clothes.
What is it with the pre-race porta-potty scene? We arrive at the start 45 minutes early and line up. The line is eternal. The wheelchair racers start off. We inch forward. Kerry remains optimistic; line anxiety takes our mind off of pre-race panic. Goal finally accomplished, we enter our corral with seconds to spare.
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