Summer Beginnings

Wow.  It's been over a month since my last post and gosh...a ton happened.  School ended and summer began within that period of time, as well as a race, a trip to upstate New York to peruse the wineries on the Finger Lakes, and the beginning of the many items on my very long to-do list.

I'll begin with running:

Freedom to Liberty 4 Miler

Workouts have been good, however, they are often tough to get through due to the humidity and heat.  I still try to complete one long run and one {two, if I'm lucky} workouts per week sandwiched between easy distance days and yoga.  I did run a small race at the beginning of June on a steamy Saturday morning.  This particular race ran from one high school in my town to the other covering a distance of four miles.  The weather {as noted} was really tough to take and my plan was to treat the race as a workout/tempo run, but I ended up running better than expected -- 26:04 {6:31 pace}. 

Long runs are anywhere from 9 - 11 miles and workouts consist of intervals, hills and occasionally sessions on the track.  I'm also hoping to begin swimming workouts.

Finger Lakes, NY:

A trip to upstate New York is worth it's price in gold if you like wine.  Known particularly for their whites, Lakes Seneca, Cayuga and Keuka have a lop to offer anyone with even the smallest interest in vino.  We have been making it up there on an annual basis, sometimes bi-annually as a reconnaissance mission, and we come home with a wide selection of beautiful wine...all varieties and colors.  My favorite vineyards: Hermann J. Weimer and Keuka Lake Vineyard

A few photos posted recently on Facebook:

Food:  

In recent months I've been experimenting in the kitchen in an attempt to create delicious and wholesome vegetarian and vegan meals.  And you know what???  My family isn't complaining about it one bit.  I have found that meals made primarily with grains, vegetables and beans can be equally satisfying and just as yummy as those made with meat, and it's been fun trying to come up with new ways to prove it.  

Examples:

• Quinoa with Veggies, Feta and Lemon Vinaigrette
• Lime Quinoa Pasta with Black Beans and Corn
• Edamame Salad with Corn and Tomatoes
• Last night's Roasted Parsnip and Pear soup {not my recipe}

It is my hope to get some of these recipes up on the blog ASAP.  

VIA Marathon promo shoot:

If you remember from last year, I participated in a shoot to film a short PSA with 6abc in Philadelphia to promote the Lehigh Valley Health Network Marathon for Via, which will be held on Saturday and Sunday, September 7 & 8, 2013.  The event will feature a 5k run/walk and kids' run on Saturday and a Boston-qualifing marathon, a half marathon and a 5-person relay on Sunday.  The commercial features their chief meteorologist and accomplished runner, Cecily Tynan, and a few other runners from the Lehigh Valley.  I'll be sure to post the link as soon as it is finished in production!

To complete this post, I thought I would share a few things I've been loving lately:

• Any song by Phillip Phillips
• Justin's Chocolate Almond Butter - it's like eating frosting from a can {sort of}
• Not having to get up at 5:50 am to run...7 am is more like it
• Rich and Skinny denim shorts - a recent score from Marshall's
• And finally, drinks {poolside} anytime of day....

  

Polar Bear Plunge & Via Marathon

TGIF, everyone!  In lieu of my usual Friday Loving Lately  post, I thought I would share a little bit about what I am doing this weekend with a few colleagues from work.  At approximately 1:00 pm, you can think of me while I plunge into the icy, cold waters of the Delaware River for a quip dip, or more likely, a very fast run in and back out into the warmth of my Uggs.  

Why, do you ask?  I am one of many {like over 3,000 many} to take the Polar Bear Plunge to support the benefits of Special Olympics.  This “Plunge” is a fundraising opportunity for people in the community to raise money and gather donations for Special Olympics of  Pennsylvania, the state’s largest year-round organization devoted to sports training and competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities.

Special Olympics benefits thousands of adults and children by helping them improve physical fitness and motor skills.  The organization also helps their members gain confidence and obtain a more positive self-image through their year-round trainings and competitions.  All of this is at no cost to them or their families.

My team plans to arrive early to register with lots of hot beverages and food in tow.  Shawn {another 4^th grade teacher} will have a table for the refreshments that are being donated by a few families from our school.  Parents and students alike will be in attendance to watch and join in the festivities of this Plunge…all for a good cause. 

I am a bit nervous for the cold water, but I plan on having lots of extra clothing and hot coffee.  Rumor has it that a person only has to dip their feet in the water for it to count as plunging so that makes me feel a little better.  Fred is having a hard time believing that I will actually touch the water, yet alone go in because it has to be seriously hot for me to get into my own pool during the summer months.  We shall see…only time will tell. 

If you are interested in checking out my personal donation page, you can find it here and see why I’ll be “freezin’ for a reason” on Saturday afternoon.  

On another note, if you remember back in September I posted about my affiliation with Via, an organization that helps children and adults with disabilities develop social connections and gain employment in the community.  I serve on the Via race committee that plans/coordinates their yearly marathon, half-marathon and relay held on the second Sunday in September.  

Via's Boston certified course was designed by Runner’s World’s Bart Yasso.  It has a net descent and runners can choose to run a full marathon, a half-marathon or compete on a 5-person relay team.  This year's date is set for Sunday, September 8, 2013 and it’s a great community-wide event that runs from Allentown to Easton.  Check it out and register today!  

Here are a few of the posts about last year’s Via event:

LVHN Marathon for Via Recap Part One 

LVHN Marathon for Via Recap Part Two 

Via and Special Olympics have a similar mission and I feel really good to be a part of both fundraising events.  I will be sure to capture Saturday's plunge on film because it will be the first, and quite possibly the last time I will wade in a river in the middle of January.   

Have a great weekend!

VIA Community Spotlight and Charity Event

Hello Guys!

How is everyone today on this {gloomy} Friday?   Here in Bethlehem it is rainy and 64 degrees, but I am kind of digging this weather as a change of pace from the heat.

This morning, I did an easy three and then hit Laurel's yoga core class for 75 minutes.  It felt so good!  

Let's get on to the fun stuff...yesterday was crazy!  In the afternoon, I had the chance to do a taping for RCN's Community Spotlight, a local TV show that focuses on events and organizations in the Lehigh Valley area.  For this show in particular, Via and the LVHN Marathon for Via was featured.  Here I am getting ready for the show and reviewing my script.

It was very relaxed and casual and the host, Dan Mowdy, was great with asking questions and prompting us on what to talk about next.  

Getting microphoned....

As you can see, it was like sitting and chatting in a living room.  It was a neat experience all for a good cause!


Later that night, I was one of four hosts for a Celebrity Bartender event for Via at The Apollo Grille.  For this, I served as a guest bartender and was able to chat with people about Via, what they do, and especially I was able to promote the race.  In case you missed yesterday's post, you can catch it here.  

Here I am in full bartending action!

My parents came...always the amazing supporters...

My husband, Fred!
 

Longtime friend and Moravian College Athletic Director, Scot Dapp...
 

Mark Will-Weber, my college coach...he's a legend!

I was so happy that my friends Sue and Heather showed up.  They were my room mom cohorts this past school year!

Local elite runner, Kathleen Jobes, and her adorable daughter.  We have known each other a long time!

Our good friends, Jim Wills and Ina, also stopped by to show their support for Via. 

I had such a wonderful evening and I think everyone else did too.  It warms my heart to think that those who showed up at the event, came to support Via and all of the amazing programs and services they provide for children and adults with disabilities.  I don't have a lot of free time in my life, but volunteering for Via has really made me appreciate what they do for my community.  

Again, for more information about Via, please click here.

For information about the LVHN Marathon, Half Marathon, or 5-person relay event on Sunday, September 9th, please click here.  Registration closes on August 17th at midnight.  

I hope you have a wonderful day!

Tracy