An update on the lost dog, Red.....he was found 5 days later in the same vicinity where he was lost. He was understandably terrified and was in hiding. He is now staying with a foster dad to de-stress, and to gain back a little weight. I'm so glad he is safe.
It is a gorgeous spring day. I volunteered at Freedom Service Dogs and had a great time. They have some real cuties there right now who will make delightful service dogs and companions. There are usually 6-8 volunteers there on any given morning to do training. We each are assigned a dog, and a trainer puts us all through our paces. The newer dogs work on basic obedience training, the more advanced dogs work on Canine Good Citizenship training or on advanced commands. After an hour we all change up to a new dog, and then do that again, so we are able to train a fair number of dogs in one morning, plus the dogs get used to being around a lot of unfamiliar people. Fun stuff.
The rest of the day was boring....running errands, preparing supper, doing a slow jog on the treadmill. Spring is grilling weather. We love grilled veggies and have been having them frequently with dinner. Grilled asparagus and red peppers....mmmmmm. Mushrooms, too.
Looking together in the same direction.
Sea otters hold hands while they sleep so they don't drift apart.
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Monday, April 9, 2012
Eat less sugar. You're sweet enough already.
Sugar has been linked with heart disease, diabetes and cancer. CBS' "60 Minutes" recently covered this topic. Some experts think sugar is toxic, a poison, and should carry warning labels such as cigarettes do.
According to the US News and World Report, we are one sweet nation. In 1967 we ate 114# of sugars and sweeteners per capita. In 2003 that number increased to 142# of sugars and sweeteners per person.
The USDA quoted a number of 153 # per person in the US compared to 66# per person in Japan. That's 31 five pound bags of sugar PER AMERICAN per year, or 2.6 five pound bags per month! These are not good numbers and are quite probably related to America's skyrocketing obesity epidemic.
Whatever your thoughts about sugar being a toxin or a poison, at least remember that it provides empty calories and contributes to chronic illness. These news articles are just a reminder to try to cut down on sugar and sweets, and work towards omitting them entirely.
A CBS news article:
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-18560_162-57407128/is-sugar-toxic/
A New York Times article:
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/17/magazine/mag-17Sugar-t.html?_r=1&pagewanted=all
From Runnersworld.com:
http://news.runnersworld.com/2012/04/03/sugar-linked-to-heart-disease-cancer/
I hope you had a great Easter weekend. We had a visit from our daughter and spoke with our out of town family members. The weather was fantastic. We took a short bike ride on Sunday. I don't cross-train enough, and biking is my Achilles' heel. I can't figure out why it is so hard for me, but will continue to work on it.
P.S. Here is an article about the Run in Remembrance of Micah True, aka Caballo Blanco, which took place Friday afternoon. The article is from Runnersworld.com.
http://trailheads.runnersworld.com/2012/04/running-in-remembrance/
And an article about the newly formed Caballo Blanco Foundation that will continue his work:
http://news.runnersworld.com/2012/04/10/caballa-blanco-foundation-formed/
According to the US News and World Report, we are one sweet nation. In 1967 we ate 114# of sugars and sweeteners per capita. In 2003 that number increased to 142# of sugars and sweeteners per person.
The USDA quoted a number of 153 # per person in the US compared to 66# per person in Japan. That's 31 five pound bags of sugar PER AMERICAN per year, or 2.6 five pound bags per month! These are not good numbers and are quite probably related to America's skyrocketing obesity epidemic.
Whatever your thoughts about sugar being a toxin or a poison, at least remember that it provides empty calories and contributes to chronic illness. These news articles are just a reminder to try to cut down on sugar and sweets, and work towards omitting them entirely.
A CBS news article:
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-18560_162-57407128/is-sugar-toxic/
A New York Times article:
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/17/magazine/mag-17Sugar-t.html?_r=1&pagewanted=all
From Runnersworld.com:
http://news.runnersworld.com/2012/04/03/sugar-linked-to-heart-disease-cancer/
I hope you had a great Easter weekend. We had a visit from our daughter and spoke with our out of town family members. The weather was fantastic. We took a short bike ride on Sunday. I don't cross-train enough, and biking is my Achilles' heel. I can't figure out why it is so hard for me, but will continue to work on it.
P.S. Here is an article about the Run in Remembrance of Micah True, aka Caballo Blanco, which took place Friday afternoon. The article is from Runnersworld.com.
http://trailheads.runnersworld.com/2012/04/running-in-remembrance/
And an article about the newly formed Caballo Blanco Foundation that will continue his work:
http://news.runnersworld.com/2012/04/10/caballa-blanco-foundation-formed/
Sunday, April 8, 2012
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Thursday, April 5, 2012
It's a hill. Get over it. (Seen on the back of a runner's T-shirt)
Last night Dean had his second work softball game (this time they lost). I went to a running group at our Local Running Store, Boulder Running Company-Littleton.
A nice guy named Brian ran the 1.4 mile warm-up loop with me. He slowed his pace for me a lot, I'm sure, but I ran much faster than I should have to not slow him down too much. I was really short of breath when...ta-da,,,they started a time-trial! I ran that with my friend Ellen, but did more walking than running since I had done the first loop way too fast. We finished the 1.4 mile time trial in 18min.30sec., which wasn't actually that bad considering how much we walked. It works out to 13.2 min/mile including all the walking. Next time I'll be smarter and do better. This really motivates me because I am so slow. I have inherited endurance genes rather than speed genes and need to work on this.
Additionally, I won a pair of New Balance Minimus Zero road shoes in the drawing before hand. Thank you to New Balance. The store had sold out in my size, but I should be able to pick them up soon. Can't wait.
After the run there were two wonderful endurance runners who spoke to us and answered questions: Anton (Tony) Krupicka who incidentally hails from Nebraska, and Brandy Erholtz, a Minnesotan.
Tony is a long distance mountain runner. He has won the Leadville 100 mile race twice, and came in second in the Western States 100, although he beat the course record. He hasn't competed this past year due to a broken leg, but is starting again now. He will compete in the Hardrock 100 in July which takes place at an average elevation of 11,186 feet, and has 68000 feet of elevation change.
Brandy is on the US Mountain Running Team. Who knew we even had one? She has won the Pikes Peak Ascent half marathon and also the Mount Washington Road Race.
They did answer questions for the crowd. Anton once trained 200-225 miles/week. He now trains a more seasoned 150-180 miles a week. Brandy, since she currently runs shorter distances, trains 100 miles/week.
Brandy is a vegetarian for compassion-for-animals reasons. Anton eats very little meat because he doesn't like it. Both try to eat as many fruits and vegetables as possible to counter all the carbs (sports drinks and gels) they take in during training.
Both commented on the popularity of mountain racing in Europe compared with here. It is much loved, is televised, and is well supported financially. The races there actually offer financial prizes for winners and treat their athletes like celebrities.
Neither has time to do cross-training.
Both were down-to-earth, very friendly people.
Here is a picture from the Boulder Running company Facebook page. We are doing a "Where's Anton?" That's me front row, right.
Another Facebook photo. That's me, 3rd from the left, front row.
If you are interested in learning more, there is a movie documentary out called "Unbreakable: The Western States 100" which we really enjoyed. Also there is an older movie called "Indulgence:1000 miles under the Colorado Sky." Both are about Anton. Here is the trailer for "Indulgence".
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZ6PkBA8z9U
Here is a Running Times Magazine interview with Anton.
http://runningtimes.com/Article.aspx?ArticleID=12455&PageNum=1
Here is a Running Times Magazine interview with Brandy Erholtz.
http://runningtimes.com/Article.aspx?ArticleID=16375
Today I volunteered at Freedom Service Dogs. Instead of doing training, 9 of us, employees plus volunteers, each with a service dog in tow, went to Parker, CO to search for a lost dog. One of the Freedom Service Dogs that didn't make the cut and was adopted out, got away from his brand new owners, still wearing his harness and leash. He bolted across a 4 lane highway and disappeared. This was on Tuesday. Someone sighted him Wed. eve so we all spread out from where he was last sighted to search. I was assigned one side of a river, and my assigned dog and I bushwhacked our way through brambles, bushes, and cacti for a few hours. None of us saw hide nor hair of the beautiful golden/lab mix named Red. We all were exhausted on the ride back, and I've got a great sunburn. Poor little Red must be terrified, being out in that strange area all alone. I hope someone finds him soon, and that he is able to elude highway and interstate traffic.
One more topic for the day and then I'll close. Our local running store (LRS) is the Boulder Running Company--Littleton. It has remade itself into a one stop health shop. Besides selling all sorts of running and sports gear, they offer value-added events such as boot camp class several times a week, a yoga class, a walking group, a Saturday morning running group, a Wednesday eve speed training group, a Thursday eve trail-running group, and they sponsor a racing team. They bring in great speakers such as we heard last night, and the staff is amazingly helpful, as well. I give them two thumbs up. They've earned our loyalty. We won't buy our running gear anywhere else.
A nice guy named Brian ran the 1.4 mile warm-up loop with me. He slowed his pace for me a lot, I'm sure, but I ran much faster than I should have to not slow him down too much. I was really short of breath when...ta-da,,,they started a time-trial! I ran that with my friend Ellen, but did more walking than running since I had done the first loop way too fast. We finished the 1.4 mile time trial in 18min.30sec., which wasn't actually that bad considering how much we walked. It works out to 13.2 min/mile including all the walking. Next time I'll be smarter and do better. This really motivates me because I am so slow. I have inherited endurance genes rather than speed genes and need to work on this.
Additionally, I won a pair of New Balance Minimus Zero road shoes in the drawing before hand. Thank you to New Balance. The store had sold out in my size, but I should be able to pick them up soon. Can't wait.
After the run there were two wonderful endurance runners who spoke to us and answered questions: Anton (Tony) Krupicka who incidentally hails from Nebraska, and Brandy Erholtz, a Minnesotan.
Tony is a long distance mountain runner. He has won the Leadville 100 mile race twice, and came in second in the Western States 100, although he beat the course record. He hasn't competed this past year due to a broken leg, but is starting again now. He will compete in the Hardrock 100 in July which takes place at an average elevation of 11,186 feet, and has 68000 feet of elevation change.
Brandy is on the US Mountain Running Team. Who knew we even had one? She has won the Pikes Peak Ascent half marathon and also the Mount Washington Road Race.
They did answer questions for the crowd. Anton once trained 200-225 miles/week. He now trains a more seasoned 150-180 miles a week. Brandy, since she currently runs shorter distances, trains 100 miles/week.
Brandy is a vegetarian for compassion-for-animals reasons. Anton eats very little meat because he doesn't like it. Both try to eat as many fruits and vegetables as possible to counter all the carbs (sports drinks and gels) they take in during training.
Both commented on the popularity of mountain racing in Europe compared with here. It is much loved, is televised, and is well supported financially. The races there actually offer financial prizes for winners and treat their athletes like celebrities.
Neither has time to do cross-training.
Both were down-to-earth, very friendly people.
Here is a picture from the Boulder Running company Facebook page. We are doing a "Where's Anton?" That's me front row, right.
Another Facebook photo. That's me, 3rd from the left, front row.
If you are interested in learning more, there is a movie documentary out called "Unbreakable: The Western States 100" which we really enjoyed. Also there is an older movie called "Indulgence:1000 miles under the Colorado Sky." Both are about Anton. Here is the trailer for "Indulgence".
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZ6PkBA8z9U
Here is a Running Times Magazine interview with Anton.
http://runningtimes.com/Article.aspx?ArticleID=12455&PageNum=1
Here is a Running Times Magazine interview with Brandy Erholtz.
http://runningtimes.com/Article.aspx?ArticleID=16375
Today I volunteered at Freedom Service Dogs. Instead of doing training, 9 of us, employees plus volunteers, each with a service dog in tow, went to Parker, CO to search for a lost dog. One of the Freedom Service Dogs that didn't make the cut and was adopted out, got away from his brand new owners, still wearing his harness and leash. He bolted across a 4 lane highway and disappeared. This was on Tuesday. Someone sighted him Wed. eve so we all spread out from where he was last sighted to search. I was assigned one side of a river, and my assigned dog and I bushwhacked our way through brambles, bushes, and cacti for a few hours. None of us saw hide nor hair of the beautiful golden/lab mix named Red. We all were exhausted on the ride back, and I've got a great sunburn. Poor little Red must be terrified, being out in that strange area all alone. I hope someone finds him soon, and that he is able to elude highway and interstate traffic.
One more topic for the day and then I'll close. Our local running store (LRS) is the Boulder Running Company--Littleton. It has remade itself into a one stop health shop. Besides selling all sorts of running and sports gear, they offer value-added events such as boot camp class several times a week, a yoga class, a walking group, a Saturday morning running group, a Wednesday eve speed training group, a Thursday eve trail-running group, and they sponsor a racing team. They bring in great speakers such as we heard last night, and the staff is amazingly helpful, as well. I give them two thumbs up. They've earned our loyalty. We won't buy our running gear anywhere else.
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Dear beautiful Spring weather, I miss you. Was it something I said? (Skipper Kim Corbin)
This should finally put out that nearby wildfire! It also shows why our ornamental pear tree blooms never last more than a day. We always get April snows.
This is the same tree later in the day as seen from our kitchen window. Just a few of our friendly neighborhood deer are grazing away.
CSU climatologists say that 98% of Colorado is in a drought, so we'll take what moisture we can get whenever we can get it.
http://www.denverpost.com/breakingnews/ci_20311924/98-colorado-drought-say-csu-climatologists?IADID=Search-www.denverpost.com-www.denverpost.com
CSU climatologists say that 98% of Colorado is in a drought, so we'll take what moisture we can get whenever we can get it.
http://www.denverpost.com/breakingnews/ci_20311924/98-colorado-drought-say-csu-climatologists?IADID=Search-www.denverpost.com-www.denverpost.com
Monday, April 2, 2012
RIP Micah True
Here is Micah True's obituary from Runners World Magazine. He was quite the person....true to himself.
http://news.runnersworld.com/2012/04/02/rip-micah-true-run-free-man/
Another Runners World article about Micah True.
http://rwdaily.runnersworld.com/2012/04/a-lesson-from-micah-true.html
And another.
http://running.competitor.com/2012/04/news/white-horse-leads-micah-true-from-the-wilderness_50249
http://www.runnersworld.com/cda/microsite/article/0,8029,s6-238-511-0-14280-0,00.html
http://news.runnersworld.com/2012/04/03/micah-true-memorial-run-to-be-held-friday/
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-17600061
Every day is a gift.
http://news.runnersworld.com/2012/04/02/rip-micah-true-run-free-man/
Another Runners World article about Micah True.
http://rwdaily.runnersworld.com/2012/04/a-lesson-from-micah-true.html
And another.
http://running.competitor.com/2012/04/news/white-horse-leads-micah-true-from-the-wilderness_50249
http://www.runnersworld.com/cda/microsite/article/0,8029,s6-238-511-0-14280-0,00.html
http://news.runnersworld.com/2012/04/03/micah-true-memorial-run-to-be-held-friday/
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-17600061
Every day is a gift.
Sunday, April 1, 2012
There aren't enough days in the weekend.
It is a beautiful weekend. Yesterday we got in a short run/walk with our running group and visited with a lot of people. This morning we took a bike ride around the neighborhood.....another sign of spring.....Real Estate For Sale signs are popping up everywhere! Later today, company is coming that we rarely get to see....a cousin of Dean's and his wife.
Last week I showed a picture of our Grandson playing tennis. Here is a picture of our Granddaughter from yesterday. They are growing up much too fast.
edit1.jpg)
Update time.
The Lower North Fork fire near us is 90-100% contained. The body of a missing woman was found in her burned home, bringing the death total to three. Those evacuated can return home.
The body of missing Ultrarunner Micah True, aka Caballo Blanco, was found last night in the Gila Wilderness area in New Mexico. Cause of death is not yet known. There were no obvious signs of trauma. Micah was a running humanitarian who dedicated his life to helping the Raramuri (Tarahumara) Indians living in Copper Canyons, Mexico, who are now enduring the worst drought in Mexican history. I will update as I learn more.
http://news.runnersworld.com/2012/04/01/micah-true-found-dead-in-new-mexico/
Saucony suggests that you can honor Micah's life by donating to http://www.norawas.org/ which is a U.S. based non-profit (Friends of the Running People).
Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life. Don't be trapped by dogma--which is living with the results of other people's thinking. Don't let the noise of others' opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.
--Steve Jobs
Last week I showed a picture of our Grandson playing tennis. Here is a picture of our Granddaughter from yesterday. They are growing up much too fast.
edit1.jpg)
Update time.
The Lower North Fork fire near us is 90-100% contained. The body of a missing woman was found in her burned home, bringing the death total to three. Those evacuated can return home.
The body of missing Ultrarunner Micah True, aka Caballo Blanco, was found last night in the Gila Wilderness area in New Mexico. Cause of death is not yet known. There were no obvious signs of trauma. Micah was a running humanitarian who dedicated his life to helping the Raramuri (Tarahumara) Indians living in Copper Canyons, Mexico, who are now enduring the worst drought in Mexican history. I will update as I learn more.
http://news.runnersworld.com/2012/04/01/micah-true-found-dead-in-new-mexico/
Saucony suggests that you can honor Micah's life by donating to http://www.norawas.org/ which is a U.S. based non-profit (Friends of the Running People).
Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life. Don't be trapped by dogma--which is living with the results of other people's thinking. Don't let the noise of others' opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.
--Steve Jobs
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