"The Opossum Wins a Hot One....!"

* Round 5 "Over The Hump" Series *

...an evening of fun, friends and good racing!

 

Even though the thermometer may read 98 degrees,

somehow the evenings always end up being

 spectacularly beautiful by race time.

 *

*

...a nice breeze and sections of shade

helped The Opossum add some extra pep

to his pedal strokes...
*

 

*
..enough pep to pedal to a spot
atop the podium!

*

 

*

*

*

Another nice evening....

...looking forward to next week's races! 

"Will The Opossum Be Racing.......?"

 

* Racing Begins Tomorrow Evening *

...cooler temperatures forecasted!

 

 

*

Thank goodness the 100 degree forecast for tomorrow's

racing has been reduced down to a cool 95 degrees!

~

The Opossum has been training very hard over the past few

weeks in preparation for the second half

of the "Over The Hump" Mountain Bike Series.

~

In order to get in optimum opossum shape, there were

many days every week, The Opossum could be seen

cresting the hilltops or dicing through the canyons...

*

The Opossum and his trusty steed.

*

...all of those extra hill climbs sure can

wear you out...

*

 

*

...or is this just clever "opossum-tactics"

disguised to throw off the competition?!

~

May the next four weeks of racing...

* 

*

...be as fun and eventful as the first four!!

 

" A Glorious Day....."

* Start On The Bright Side *

....a drink to a healthier you!

 

 

 

*

Try starting the day off by grinding up a bunch

of fruits and vegetables!

~

This is the basis for my "Morning Mulch" drink.....

 

*

 

*

Curly Leaf Kale, Broccoli Tops, 1/2 Banana,

3 Small Carrots, Fresh Blueberries,

1/4 cup Raw Almonds and Frozen Raspberries.

~

Add to blending device along with Fresh Squeezed

Orange Juice, Cherry Juice, Unfiltered Flax Seed Oil,

Nutritional Yeast Flakes and Nonfat Vanilla Yogurt.

~

Hit the switch and grind away...

*

*

"The Morning Mulch"

Yummy!

~

I don't know the caloric content of my creation,

but I do know it's tasty and good for you!

~

Share some of your healthy blended drink ideas

here!

It would be interesting to hear of all the different

combinations.

*

*

May your Mornings always start

Gloriously!

 



"Straight From The Pot......"



 

* Comfortable and Colorful *

...an ensemble worthy of note.....

~
* Chef's Favorites *

 



 

* DANSKIN NOW *

Performance Collection

 

3/4 Tie Die Capri



Scoop Neck Tank
 

Stretch Woven Skort



*

Walmart has fun things in their athletic clothing 

department.

~

That's where I found and purchased this collection

of exercise/running clothing.

~

I ran in all three articles at one time...scoop neck

tank, 3/4 tights with skort over tights...and

it surprisingly has turned out to be my new

favorite ensemble combination.

~

Light and comfortable with excellent fit on all

pieces. The "look", fit and use of fabric, color

and print are just as nice as 

any of the more expensive brands.

~

Note: The "skort over 3/4 tights" combination

is perfect for runners who prefer to run

with a little more coverage....and in 90 degree

weather, the layering of the two articles

remained cool and comfortable.

~

This ensemble gets

"The Stew Pot Stamp"

of approval!

*

 

"My First Run Back...."

* 6 Miles Of Smiles *

...and a lap around The Loop to boot!

*July 18, 2013*

 

...it's an uplifting feeling to finally get back

to something you've shelved for so many months.

~

The first run back seems almost euphoric...you've

never seen the sky so blue, the people you pass

are friendlier than ever and the worn-out

song list that has played a thousand times

in your ear somehow sounds new again.

~
With a hydration pack on my back and hand weights
in hand, I set out from my front door to complete
my familiar 6 mile loop.
~

Excited to try out a new running ensemble, I knew

that with dormant hip flexors and a weak core,

my patented "Tree" technique for the first few runs

would be perfect. "Pick a tree...run to it...

walk 20 steps...repeat..." 

~
I've always wondered what the passing motorist
is thinking as they go by me and see my arms punching
and flying in all directions with my hand weights....
maybe they don't see the weights and think I'm being
harrassed by bees....!(?)
~
All in all, the run felt really good. It was nice to see how
much the mountain biking helped keep my fitness intact.
~ 

Through past experience, as I graduate back into

"running shape", I will no longer look to the "trees"

as training devices.

*

"I Count Lizards to Pass The Time While Running"

 

*

Sunbathing lizards and footsteps between

sidewalk lines will soon take their place.

~

I've found that counting random obscurities really

helps pass the time while putting in those long

and lonely training miles.

~

And so with a nice morning of running

under the belt, why not top it off and finish

the day out with a lap around The Loop!

*

 

Almost to the top...

 

"!"

 

 

"Happy Running....................

.............and Mountain Biking!!"

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

"Back In The Dirt......"

* Out And Back *

Another Mountain Bike Ride

...the same ride as the other day, but only

one lap around the loop this time. The days

are getting a little shorter and riding in

the evenings only allow for so much time

out on the trails.





"Out and Back"   Original Acrylic wash/collage on  paper.
Copyright "Runner's Stew" 2013

*

....a hot, sunny and crystal clear evening with

warm winds blowing across the mountain tops...it's easy

to spend as much time taking in the view from the top as

it is to be riding!

 

* 

The Loop, riding my old bike in the Spring of 2013.
(There's green grass!)

 *

...although I am not running at this time, these

smaller rides of 8 miles will help keep my fitness

at a decent level.

~

Hopefully this next approaching heat wave won't be too severe

for my first runs back! There's nothing worse than being

out of shape and running in the heat with a bright pink

face that's ready to pop...I always

start back with the run/walk technique 

the first few times out in order to get my hips and knees

re-introduced back into the movements of running.

~

I'm excited to get back running...I miss the

strength it gives to my mountain biking

and I miss the wonderful feeling that being

in shape gives to me.

 

*

  

(Just a Little Food For Thought...Stirred Up From The Bottom Of The Stew Pot!)

  

*

"Happy Running!"

 

 



"Hit The Dirt and Head For The Hills!"

* Mountain Biking *

....it's good for running!

 

 

......it gets you off your feet, it gives your joints

the rest they need between training runs and it is an

excellent way to increase both

cardiovascular and over-all leg muscle strength.

*

"The Road To Buckeye" original oil painting on canvas applied to board
copyright "Runner's Stew" 2013

*
Taking 9 months off from running, like I've done, 

isn't the smartest thing to do....but having 

mountain biked fairly consistently over those months, 

falling back into place shouldn't be too difficult.

~

Yesterday's workout was a ride twice around

a fireroad and single track loop totaling

15 miles.....hot and dusty with no greenery on
any of the bushes....a lack of rain has turned
everything brown and brittle.....the skies
were crystal blue with just enough high cloud
coverage to make a 90+ degree day pleasant.
~
....decent mileage, a good ride

and just a really beautiful day!

*

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

  

"And So The Journey Begins.....!"

* To The Moon and Back *

Training For The Ultra-Marathon

It's been a while since any substantial miles have been

logged into a running journal and just as long since

a race has been run. Shamefully, it's been 9 months!  

~

Motivation comes and goes like the tide these days...it

has become habit chosing the morning cup of coffee and

a dig in the garden, over a nice run around the faithful

training loop.

~

So how does someone get re-inspired and re-kindle the

running spark back into their life? They write a blog

and announce to the world that they will be training for

and racing a series of trail runs. By documenting their

training routine and all the events that go into the process

of preparing for a race exceeding the marathon distance 

of 26.2 miles.

~

So with stew pot in tow, this will be a run to the moon

and back in pursuit of the ultra-marathon.

"A Few Favorite Things......."

 * Straight From The Pot *

Chef's Favorites

 

When you've been running a few years, through trial and error,

you stumble upon some really great staple items you depend upon

and rely on.

~

You keep your fingers crossed that these items will always be in

production, will never be discontinued and will remain available

for many years to come.

~

Check back here often, as for many wonderful favorites will be

served up and posted here periodically!   

*