Chewtastic

I have discovered what is perhaps the most deeeeeeeelicious snack ever. And it may even be quite healthy (don't touch if you're on Atkins tho!) and work great as pre/post running fuel.

Have you all tried Tropicana FruitWise bars yet? If not, go out and buy one NOW. Believe me, you'll thank me for it.

I just wish I could find someplace that sells them by the box.

And no, I don't work for Tropicana, but I think I should!


And, on another subject entirely, check it out - our very own Hellgater and runner extrordinaire Mike is famous! However temporarily...

Happy Rabbie Burns Day

Blogger has been refusing to publish my posts lately, why me? It doesn't look like any of you out there have been having the same problem.

Anyway, I wanted to wish you all a Happy Burns Day. January 25th is the day Scotland (& its far flung natives) celebrates the birthday of its most famous poet - Robert Burns. You might be most familiar with this piece of his work, which may come in handy soon for any men writing cards in a couple of weeks...

O, my luve is like a red, red rose,
That's newly sprung in June.
O, my luve is like a melodie,
That's sweetly play'd in tune.

As fair art thou, my bonie lass,
So deep in luve am I,
And I will luve thee still, my dear,
Till a' the seas gang dry.

Till a' the seas gang dry, my dear,
And the rocks melt wi the sun!
And I will luve thee still, my dear,
While the sands o life shall run.

And fare thee weel, my only luve!
And fare thee weel, a while!
And I will come again, my luve,
Tho it were ten thousand mile!

Did you know he also wrote Auld Lang Syne? And did you also know New Yorkers can run past his statue on Poet's Walk in Central Park where he sits opposite his fellow national Sir Walter Scott?
____

The Hellgate girls remain ON FIRE, winning yet another first place team award for Sunday's NYRR Frostbite 10-Mile race. This time however, they did it with absolutely no help from me, as I was too busy prepping for our annual Burns Brunch (a variation on the more traditional Burns Supper). Haggis (illegally smuggled), black & white pudding, beans, toast, waffles, fresh fruit etc. etc. I think I need to put in more miles than I've been used to of late, to burn off all those calories! I couldn't move my bloated belly off the couch for 3 hours after that feast...but it was well worth it =)

New Painshire

So I survived what turned out to be baltic conditions up in New Hampshire this weekend. I think I had just gotten used to this new type of cold in NY, the likes of which I had never experienced in my 27 years in Scotland. But New Hampshire was like entering a whole 'nuther dimension. It was -7F with the wind chill at the top of Mount Sunapee on Sunday (that's MINUS 22c in real currency for you Brits). That's so cold that gloves + glove liners + hard warmers + 4 upper layers + ski jacket + leggings + ski pants + 3 pairs of socks + balaclava + ear muffs left me feeling completely nude, particularly when I began the first exposed steep descent of our favorite blue run. I fell over just once, and that was only because a ferocious gust of wind caught me off guard after I dismounted the chair lift at the top of the mountain. Boy did I feel silly.

Fortunately we got there late and only had to endure a half day. I managed not to die - although it was touch and go there while my feet defrosted in the lodge afterwards (I'm not sure I've ever felt physical pain like that in my life.) Don't get my wrong, I'm totally hooked on this skiing lark - and would kill to go again asap - just preferably when it's 15 or 20 degrees warmer.

Managed one run on the first day we were there, but the area around my brother in law's house is so damn hilly, that nearly killed me too!

Saw KT Tunstall at The Mercury Lounge tonight. She's a rockin' Scottish talent who's already made it big in the UK and is shortly to do the same here in the US, I have no doubt. Look out for her.

Inane Ramblings

Yes, my posting is sporadic (sorry Kate). Excuses? Been sick. Been fulfilling duties in my new role of Press Secretary for Hellgate by writing and disseminating our first newsletter of the year. Been putting in my usual 10-12 hour workdays. Been sleeping a lot. Other than that, nothing much going on. Been running very little, which is a shame, because it's soooooooo unseasonably mild right now, it should be a crime not to take advantage. When I do run the occasional 5 miler everything kinda hurts, particularly that interminable source of trouble - my left knee. I'm keeping up with the regular morning mile swims though, and enjoying them more than ever.

Let me tell you what I spent a good proportion of today thinking about, just to demonstrate how little anything of significance is occupying my mind lately. I ate lunch with my hubby at a favorite old diner of ours in my work neighborhood - The Eisenberg Sandwich Shop (which is one of the oldest and coolest eateries around btw.) As I washed my sandwich down with a soda, it struck me! This delicious beverage had slowly but surely knocked my previous, long-term #1 favorite diet soda off its top place billing. The seriousness of this realization prompted me to straighten out my diet soda preferences. Put a little order back in my life. So, immediately upon returning to the office I compiled this ranking:

Yvonne's Superlative Sumptuous Sugar-Free Sodas

1. Dr. Browns Diet Black Cherry
2. Diet Irn Bru (sorry, I hate to let my country down - but Bru, I'm afraid, after all these years - you're #2)
3. Coke Zero (it really does taste like Coke - only better!)
4. Fresca (you gotta love the way it doesn't advertise itself as a diet soda)
5. Seagram's Diet Ginger Ale

Oh my god. So when I was typing up this list here right now, I went to Fresca's website - and looky-see what I discovered! Fresca has a black cherry flavored variety! Methinks #4 may have a chance of knocking the brand new incumbent out of office! Watch this space while I go off in search of this elusive tonic.

I'm off to New Hampshire (Live Free or DIE - haha, cracks me up every time) for the long weekend to get some skiing and horse riding cross-training action going. That is, if there isn't too little/too much snow. Fingers crossed I come home with all my bones in their rightful formations.

Oh, and in case anyone was wondering; I'm still contemplating my 2006 running goals. I'm taking my time. Whatever lies ahead for me this year, I'm positive it's going to be a good one.

The Best (& Worst) of 2005

I haven't run for 9 whole days. I don't know about you, but I get a little terrified this happens - especially when there is absoutely no good reason for the hiatus (ok, I've been sick, but that doesn't seem like a good enough excuse). It's all too easy to imagine never getting back into the habit, and my wonderful hobby being lost forever. Or (almost as bad), I do eventually start running again, but have lost so much fitness it's like starting from scratch. Ok, I've scared myself enough - I'm logging some miles tomorrow, come hell or high water.

On the upside however, all this lazing around as given me plenty time to reflect upon the year that was. It seems a heck of a lot happened in 2005. Here is a summary of my own personal highs and lows:

Total Miles: Approximately 1700, (more than 500 miles over 2004's total)

Running Locations: NY, Hanover NH, DC, New Orleans, Boston, PA, Chicago, Scotland, LA & Dallas.

Best Races:

1. Chicago Marathon - don't need to say much, as it's all well documented in this blog. But I'll say the lasting memories I have of this race my running most of it shoulder-to-shoulder with two of my best team buddies. Also, I recall how comfortable I felt the whole way, and how it has resulted in a very powerful desire to smash that 3:30 some day.
2. Olympic 5K - that 6:43 pace is the fastest this body has ever moved. Part of me wonders if it's the fastest it will ever move. I have no idea where that speed came from. This race was made all the more fun by the presence of many of my club mates, as well as my mum & stepdad.
3. Riverdale Ramble - not tremendously fast - a far cry from a 10K PR, but the memory of this race with its fabulously hilly and pretty route is now permanently engraved in my mind, since I actually managed to win it.
4. Boston Marathon - although I was happy with the race I ran back in April, and I'm very proud to be able to say I've "been there, done that", the experience was marred by a couple of things. The fact my quads started to KILL me about the 18 mile mark, rendering the final 8 miles sheer torture, and that many of my team mates had a terrible race - falling far short of their goals. I'll need a good reason to want to run this one again.
5. Scotland 10K - haha, I'm biased I know, but this race is a lot of fun. It's put on to coincide with NYC's 'Tartan Week.' I placed in my age group both years this event has been held. But most exciting? I feature twice in NYRR's photo gallery! Can you spot me?

Worst Races: too many to choose from. It all went a bit wrong during the summer, as I documented over and over.

Best training runs (mostly the long ones - they're so much more satisfying than the short ones):

1. The beautiful PA countryside 22 miler definitely.
2. I had a number of these types of 3-borough runs. Some alone, others with club mates. All very fun and interesting.
3. How could I ever forget my planned and unplanned runs in New Orleans?

Thanks again to Chelle, whom I have oft mentioned as the gal who got me into blogging. I very much appreciate being linked to this community. I just wish I'd started sooner! Thanks to everyone for reading and commenting. And thanks for your blogs too - they keep me informed, humored and inspired every day.

Happy New Year Y'All :o)