Racing

May05
2013 Leave a Comment

Written by Linda

I was putting my bib and photos from my latest race onto my race board and I counted up all of my races – I’ve done 26! My first race was June 2009 and my most recent race was in April 2013. Why do I do these races?

Firstly, it gives me a goal. I would still run if I didn’t have a race to train for, but training for a specific race lets me have a set plan. After my half marathon a few months ago I decided to just run for fun, no plan, no tempo or interval runs, no hill training. I thought it would be so relaxing, but you know what? It’s not very interesting, sometimes I didn’t even go out for my runs. I really need a plan.

The second reason is that I get some good stuff. Usually a nice shirt, some free samples, sometimes a medal. I love my race swag. I’ve gotten throw away gloves, lip balm, water bottles, a bandanna, and a rubber chicken.

I can’t even remember the last time I bought a running shirt since I have so many race shirts. There are actually now too many to fit in the drawer.

I also like the race atmosphere, it is exciting and full of energy. Lots of runners just pulsating with energy, hopping or running in place, doing jumping jacks, stretching, and talking. Lots of talking. I can’t talk before a race, probably because I’m so anxious, and I don’t talk in the morning anyway.

And then, the best part, crossing the finish line. That is always the highlight of the race, no matter the distance.

I’ve done 5k’s, 8k’s, 10k’s, 10 milers and half marathons. I almost broke 30 minutes in a 5k in 2009, and I would have if it hadn’t been such a crowded race. I finished in 30:16, that was the fastest I’ve ever run a race. I would love to break 30 minutes, but I’m not getting any faster at my age. I’ve never broken a one hour 10k either. But at this point I’m not running for time, I just want to get out there and do the best I can.

Why do you race?

Posted in Running - Tagged half marathon, race, racing, running, training

Spring Pasta with Asparagus and Mushrooms

May02
2013 Leave a Comment

Written by Linda

I made this recipe a couple of days ago to try it out for my newsletter and it is really good. Also very easy to make, it took about 10 minutes to get everything ready and then about 15 minutes to cook. I used two cloves of garlic, you may want to adjust depending on your preference for garlicky-ness.

Ingredients:

2/3 cup pine nuts
20 large, fresh basil leaves
1/2 cup fresh parsley, chopped
2 whole, peeled garlic cloves
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
8 ounces of whole wheat pasta, the shape I used is called cavatappi
1 pound asparagus spears, cut into bite-sized pieces
1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil
8 ounces shiitake or white button mushrooms, or a combination, sliced
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Directions:

Combine pine nuts, basil, parsley, garlic and olive oil in a food processor or blender. Process until smooth.
Boil a large pot of water. Add pasta and cook according to package instruction. Five minutes before the end of the cooking time, add the asparagus.
In a saute pan, heat 1 teaspoon olive oil over medium heat. Add mushrooms and cook until tender.
When pasta is cooked, remove 1/2 cup of the cooking water and strain the pasta and asparagagus.
Transfer pasta and asparagus back to the pot with half of the reserved cooking water. Stir in the basil mixture. Mix in the mushrooms. Add in additional reserved pasta cooking water if needed.
Sprinkle with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper.

Check out my health coaching website: www.lindatabach.com

Posted in Recipes - Tagged pasta, vegan, vegetables

Congratulate Me–I’m Not Perfect

Apr28
2013 4 Comments

Written by Linda

I spent a long time trying to be perfect, decades in fact. And the main problem with striving for perfection is that there is only one result – failure. As they say, “No one is perfect.” But knowing that did not stop me from trying.

I suppose it doesn’t really matter how I got that way, but it is not a good way to live one’s life. One failure can be disappointing, a lifetime of failures can really damage one’s psyche. How long can that go on?

Well, I am pleased to announce that I am not perfect. And I do not want to be perfect anymore. It sounds easy, but it really isn’t, I do catch myself slipping back into those old thought patterns, but at least now I recognize it and can stop myself.

And I don’t have to beat myself up and feel guilty because I am not perfect. That was a serious problem when striving for perfection because not only was I failing at the things I was doing, in my mind I was failing as a person. I was just a failure in general.

So I kept trying to do good things and trying to be a good person to make up for the fact that I was a failure, and I couldn’t really enjoy those things because I was so focused on having them “save me”. But they never did. Because my salvation couldn’t come from external behaviors, it had to come from within my soul.

So here I am, an imperfect person. And when I do good things I want to enjoy them for what they are, and when I am being a good person it is because I am a good person. And I’ll screw up and make mistakes, but I’ll still be a good person.

Posted in In My Head - Tagged failure, life, perfect, perfection

Breakfast Quinoa

Apr25
2013 Leave a Comment

Written by Linda

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons chopped almonds
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 cup quinoa, rinsed well
1 cup almond milk
pinch sea salt

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon agave nectar
4 dried pitted dates, finely chopped

Directions:

Toast the almonds in a skillet over medium heat until slightly golden, 3 to 5 minutes; set aside.
Heat the cinnamon, quinoa, almond milk and sea salt together in a saucepan over medium high heat until just about to boil, reduce heat to low, cover and cook for 10 to 15 minutes.
Stir in the vanilla, agave, dates, and almonds.

Makes 2 servings

Posted in Recipes - Tagged breakfast, food, grains, recipes, vegan

Running Update

Apr23
2013 1 Comment

Written by Linda

I am the program director for the Montgomery County MD Galloway program, and we finished our Getting Started program on April 6. After 12 weeks we had our participants run their first 5K and they did great! They had times ranging from 37 to 47 minutes, and lots of fun. My co-director even came in third in her age group!

Third In Her Age Group!

On April 13 we started two new programs – a 5K/10K program and a Marathon program. Last week we had a shoe clinic at one of our local sporting goods stores and 18 of our runners showed up to buy new shoes and other running equipment. It is a great bunch of people, mostly women, but we do have two men. Some are total beginners, some are seasoned runners, some used to run but stopped and are now getting back into it.

I love coaching the running program, it is really rewarding. Most people don’t think they can run, but it is not true. Now some people don’t want to run, and that is fine, everyone has to find an activity they enjoy. But if running looks like fun and you think you can’t do it – forget that! Find a good running club, preferably a Jeff Galloway program, and you will soon find yourself easily running 1, 2 and 3 miles. And maybe more.

The women in the Getting Started program were so proud of themselves, and a few said that the program changed their lives. Well, actually it is running that changed their lives, the program was just a means for them to do the running. Running is a great stress reliever, a perfect way to get outside and be with nature, and of course, good exercise for your heart and muscles.