art show at cos cob library -month of June

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I have 28 paintings on view for the month of June at the local library --I was asked by my artist friend Susie if I would share the space with her! At first I was hesitant as I consider my paintings and drawing amateurish, but then I figured it would be motivation to get some of my work finished and framed --and it was fun going through my portfolio and deciding what works to use (from 3 classes I take)--we even had an opening on June 7 in the afternoon and I showed some of my unframed work and pottery pieces. It was such a busy afternoon, no one in my family could make it but Susie's 4 girls and husband came and her mother! I had about 12-13 art friends and some school friends and even Linda Putnam (my local running friend) came --so it was fun. Francoise's daughter Mia is modelling in front of my work.
My parents are coming nex week for high school graduation so they will see it...and I hope my drawing teacher will stop by. Had we had the opening at night and with wine, we would have gotton more than our 50 people -but it was good.

photos from the 'Need for Speed Relay'-June 8

The need for speed relay (52 miles through westchester on June 8) seemed a fun idea --my friend Anthony was on a team and they needed 2 runners so I asked Frank if he'd be interested -mainly because the route goes right by his house! I was assigned leg 5 --5 miles from North white plains train station to scarsdale ---Frank would run leg 6- scarsdale to new rochelle. Well, no one could have predicted the hot and humid temps.
Our teammates ran behind, understandably, by one hour, and the relay was stopped because of heat and thunder as I finished my leg. what a bummer. Frank and Pam, our team captain,did not get to run. We didn't even get to fnish. The photos show Pam and I and Pam with the EMT guys!

NY Mini Marathon --June 7, 2008

quick report of this 10K road race (check out photos on Frank's blog --Frank was the reporter for the morning and will post a race report from my friend Susan Branche. Anyway, I drove in to the East side at 7:30 and miraculously found a parking spot on 72nd and York...so walked over to th park, where I found the Taconic ladies -Lee, Barb Cathy, and Debbie -bummer that I turn 50 next week so could not help them out on the ladies' 50s team. The next team race is July 19 and I will be in VT. In any case, bumped into Bea going to the start -we met her and her fiancee at the Boy scout 5K -they are fellow ultrarunners and are going to Comrades ultra next weekend. It was hot already -70 degrees -and very humid. I had forgotton my inhaler in the car. I almost didn't run this 10K as it is really tough to re-focus your mental energy on running as fast as possible after focusing on running as slow and long as possible!! This spring I have combined ultras with tempo runs and am getting tired of trying to be master of all trades!!! It just doesn't work -This fall my goal is to get my 10K times back down to the 6:50 pr mile range, but for now don't want to get injured. So didn't really care how I did in the mini. The start was fun as Frank came with me and brought my camera and we too some pics at the start --he took photos f the elite start after the race began. After they introduced the elite runners, and we sang the national anthem we were off --the first mile is uphill on th west side. I felt tired but OK and passed thru the first mile in 6:53 -but knew this was way too fast for my fatigue level --then the next miles were sub-7s --also rolling uphill -by then my lungs tightened to the point where I just couldn't breathe and to my embarrassment (Susan and marie went by me)I had to walk ---then struggled in --the last mile I felt better and finished in 44:16 -disappointed as wanted 43 -something, but it was over and I scored first for our team -I got a medal, bagels, and flower and watched some of the thousands of women finish on this miserably humid morning -great job everyone!

mini/art show opening

today I wore 2 hats --ran in the womens' mini marathon (44:16 -7:08 pace -I guess not bad for doing a 50 miler and marathon last 2 weekends) ---the most fun thing about the morning was seeing my running friends and having Frank take pics of the lead women...
then I had a reception for an art show that I am having with a friend of mine -more tomm...but here are some photos of the day (us setting up the reception)

running shoe fetish

well, I have always liked buying running shoes and now trail running shoes. I bought some Brooks Cascadia as Meredith, wayne, anthony and kristen all recommended them. But the toe box hurts me after 4-5 miles and I can't quite figure out why. I do like my Mizuno wave Elixirs...but trail shoes are still a mystery -too many brands...
New Balance models seem flexible and lightweight, as do Merrill Continums..BUT
so many ultra-trail runners love Inov8s -flexible, responsive, long-lasting, and just great-fitting. So I finally took the plunge today while in Threads 'n Treads (my local running store) and got some of the new roclite 308s --can't wait to try them.
I'll just have to resist a few races (and dinners)to make up the $90.
Then ironies of all ironies, got home at 4 p.m. and opened the mail --a curious letter from Trail Monster running ---At Pineland Farms, Maine Running Company had a raffle for some Inov8 shoes --I won a free pair!!! Now, to return the new shoes or not?? Maybe it's best 2 have two pairs:) Thank you, thank you, trail monster!

Waveny runners --last workout -June 3, 2008

here are some photos of my tuesday a.m. running group -the Waveny Park Runners.
I don't attend that much, as if I run a long race on Sunday, on Tuesday a.m. am beat:)
Coached by Jim Gerweck, we meet at New Canaan's waveny park and typically d 3 mile warm-up followed by 3 miles of intervals on the track. It's fun even if I just jog.
The group includes some of the speediest runners like sharon and Erica! but also beginners. Our token men include Paul and Bob. Bob brought champange for after this a.m.'s workout.

Nipmuck trail marathon - June 1, 2008

Thank you, everyone, for your well wishes -- the day was a success except for Rob who had intestinal issues -all 3 of us finished without mishap and to the best of my knowledge, no one on the course got injured! Frank, Rob and I carpooled up to the Nipmuck forest area North of Hartford --while walking to the start, I saw so many friendly faces and it struck me that we have made so many friends through ultras -I bet I knew 20 percent of the field! We had to give our license plate number to get our bibs and the race director gave a big talk over the hazards of the course -first time runners had a sticker on their bbs that said 'high fall risk'!! ince we had all run the course before, we did not get one. Last year, our friend Joe tore his patella tendon and his girlfriend Jill had to stop -this year, she ran the full marathon and Joe ran the half. Anthony was missed as the GAC crew (Chris and Susan) came -they were asking abut him. This was a tough course -not so much ups and downs but sections with rocks and roots and slippery leaves. And mud. I started out in the back, not wanted to be stuck with faster runners in the rocky first-portion of the course...the first 12.4 miles is an out-and-back where you see everyone. Frank was way ahead of me at the first part, and I passed Rob when he stopped to go to the bathroom. I finished in 5:21 (Frank right behind in 5:22 - we finished together)and took 35 minutes off last year's time. Felt so much better than Greenbelt 50K, although the 50 miler did catch up to me, Chris, Frank, susan, and sarah in the end. I started with Lydia, Sarah, Jill and Joe and quickly moved ahead as felt good --it got hot and the trails dried out. The second portion of the course -also out and back was worse, with hills and rocky areas, and long steps to climb up ad down at the turn-around. But we also had a fun section of road to run on! I hooked up with Emma Ricanda from Long island, and jenny and Nathan. Then caught up with rank and another guy I had been running with -the last 3 miles were tough and seemed to go on forever. Finally we popped out of the woods to the sound of cowbells. The finishers' awards are birch-bark tree stumps! Sadly, they ran out of the tree stumps before Rob finished -I should have grabbed one to hold for him. We knew so many people and so the time spent before and after the race socializing was the best -Barbara came down from Albany; Jenny Chow and Nathan came from NJ.
This course is not easy but it is a great confidence-builder for the VT 100!!!!!!!!