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My next fitness goal is to run the Capital City River Run 1/2 Marathon this September. Just like when I was training for my triathlon, I'm being enticed by new slick gadgets, clothing, and shoes that are pretty convincing that if used, they will help me run faster and look better doing it, too.
Continue reading "If the Shoe Fits...Find a Coupon First!" »
Now that my triathlon is finished, I have added a few more fitness goals to my summer's To-Do List. I was worried that after I completed the first race, I'd be bored or lose motivation without having the structure of an official training plan, so I signed up for a 1-mile swim in Lake Michigan and the Capital City River Run 1/2 Marathon. What the hell was I thinking?!?
I'm having a hell of a time finding a local, naturally-grown or organic U-pick strawberry farm. It seems that no one within a 50-mile-radius grows berries without toxic sprays, and although the bright berries at the farmer's markets have seemed attractive to me, I just can't give in to conventional farming practices when it comes to fruit eaten out-of-hand.
Strawberries rank in the top 5 most-sprayed types of produce along with other berries, stone-fruits like peaches and cherries, and lettuce and celery. Last year I missed strawberries, as their season was cut short by extremely dry and hot weather early in June, and I have been determined to find some that I deem safe to fill my freezer this time around. But so far, I am still berry-less.
As my search continues, the season for my favorite summer fruit is growing nearer to its end. I'm starting to panic a little, worrying that I'll have to fill my strawberry-void with raspberries and blueberries like last year- which all in all, isn't so bad, but still...It would be awesome to locate some strawberries that haven't been inundated with chemicals and legal poisons. Know of a place? Drop me a line and I'll hook you up with some of my home-made freezer jam.
This weekend I had the opportunity to visit World Day at Hunter Park on Lansing's East Side. I've heard about this event over the years, but never made a point to go until now...and WOW was I glad I did! Not only did I get a chance to eat great food, browse beautiful hand-made crafts and experience traditional music performances, I also got to try a fascinating fusion of martial arts and dance, taught by Lansing's own resident troupe of the discipline.
Sunday June 5 was a bit of a blur. Yes, I crossed the Finish Line of my first triathlon, and that was pretty exciting. But the race itself was merely an afterthought in comparison to the transformation I have experienced over the last 4 months while training for the big day.
When I was working in commercial kitchens and someone would say about a server: "They're in the weeds," it usually meant that person was in trouble. Yesterday I rode my triathlon-ready, tricked-out bike up to Hawk Island Park for the pre-race open swim in the lake. I pulled on my wetsuit, cap, and goggles, and felt a little like a badass standing at the water's edge...then I put my face in to start swimming and I knew that I was in trouble, too.
