Month: August 2017

Training for an Ultra Marathon at 57!

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This was such a fun interview with my friend Dorian Meyer.  We sat on  Dorian’s beautiful porch overlooking Sandy Hook and the NYC skyline.   I have been wanting to interview her because she has such amazing energy and spirit!  I’ve known Dorian for a long time through running. She was an exceptional runner in her “day”!

During the interview, we talk about fashion, running. and her latest challenge, ultra marathoning.  At the age of 57, Dorian is training for a 50 mile Ultra Marathon!

Dorian’s last race was the NYC marathon in 2004. She stopped racing because she needed to take care of her Mom and sister who both sadly had cancer. She describes how running saved her during that time. I had the same kind of experience when Thomas, my miracle kid was in the hospital for 13 months. I would get up, run and then drive to the hospital. It saved me too. You just put one foot in front of the other.

Enjoy the interview.
Go see Dorian for new sneakers at her beautiful blue store in Shrewsbury, NJ. Shore Footed.

The view from the porch!

 

It is never too late.

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I hate feeling nervous. It is very uncomfortable.

One of the reasons I stopped running in road races is because I would be so nervous before the race. Even though it would be fabulous after I finished the race, There was a part of me that  thought  why am I doing this?  So, I quit.

In the past ten – twelve years, I have started to push myself to do more. It can be very boring not to challenge yourself. Part of me wants to be a shining star. I still get nervous and don’t like it much, but I know if I want to improve, I must put myself in positions that are uncomfortable.

I do not like public speaking. I do my best to avoid it. A friend told me to join Toastmasters because I said “SO” too many times in my videos. Who knew? She said I would be so much more effective without filler words. It is amazing how I now hear the filler words, “um”, “ah”, “you know” and “so” when others speak.

I joined Toastmasters last year. I would go but avoided doing the work. I would go to meetings and hope I wouldn’t get called on to speak. What is the point of that?

We meet every Monday and every week I want to quit. As with my road racing, after the meeting, I am usually happy that I went. Toastmasters pushes me out of my comfort zone, but it is in a controlled setting. Everyone is supportive, and they clap after you speak, Good or Bad. So, I have committed to step it up and give speeches.

Yesterday, I gave my second speech and it went well.  Of course, I had everyone get up and do a few exercises.

What are you doing to make yourself uncomfortable? Are you pushing yourself to learn and to become more? I am! I have started running again too.

It is never too late!

Love,

Mary

I can’t quite do this exercise yet!

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I have noticed that I am a bit tentative about going down the stairs. I am holding on to the railing. Is it because I am getting older? Maybe, but that doesn’t mean that I can’t do something about it.

I did some research about balance and found the work of Dr. Joan Vernikos. She is a brilliant NASA physician who was in charge of the astronaut’s health. She talks about how the astronauts would often have trouble walking after being in space.  When they returned these healthy fit astronauts many times would walk with a wide gait. The same way many older people walk. It is because their vestibular system, the apparatus of the inner ear that controls  balance would start to atrophy in space.  This could happen in a very short period of time.

Side note… Dr. Vernikos gave John Glenn age 77 the okay to travel in space. She was reluctant because of his age.  There was one astronaut age 35 with John Glenn  that did have difficulty when returning.  Senator Glenn walked off the aircraft just fine. “The man with the Right Stuff.”

We are not astronauts but the science does apply to us. Sitting all day and not moving against the force of gravity our vestibular system begins to atrophy. We start to lose our balance.  According to Dr. Christiane Northrup,”All of us, regardless of age can improve our vestibular system.”

I am working on the exercise that Dr. Northrup recommends so I can zip down the stairs no hands!

 

Give it a try and let me know how you do! Of course I will  include the balance exercise at OutdoorFit ! It is always more fun with friends!

Love,

Mary

Do A Founder

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I spent 16 hours in the car this weekend. My niece got married in Raleigh, North Carolina. We got up very early Saturday morning in NJ to drive to a 3 o’clock wedding that day. We like adventures.

It was a wonderful event!  I actually wore a dress that was given to me by a friend.  I usually don’t wear a dress because I have to figure out what shoes to wear etc. I have great girlfriends that help me out.  It is the perfect  fairy Godmother twirling wedding dress. I managed to find flat teal very comfortable shoes with a New Balance insole.  Thomas’ tie matched the outfit!

My Fairy Godmother Dress!

 

The dress is a fashion side note.

I was thrilled because I made the trip without a low back issue. In the past, my left hamstring,and  IT band would start to cramp about an hour and a half in. Not this time I was perfectly fine! Thanks to a few years of Foundation Training! My back is strong and I am pain free!  Anytime, I got out of the car, I would do a Founder.

Check out the how to video. It is also a great post gardening exercise.

 

I end every OutdoorFit workout with Foundation Training! If it works for me, it will work for the OutdoorFit ladies.  So Good!

Give it a try. Your back will thank you!

Love,

Mary

3-5-7 HIIT

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I have just figured out how to listen to podcasts on my phone and it has opened up a new world! I love listening to it in the car. I have been following  the Bulletproof coffee guy Dave Asprey. His tagline is Power Mind and Body. Who doesn’t want that?

I have gone back to Bulletproof coffee. I add 1TBS of Ghee and 1TBS Bulletproof XCT oil to  my morning cup of French Press organic coffee. I blend it up in the VitaMix. I really like it and it grounds me.

I am  using the  My Fitness app to track calories. I was concerned by the amount of fat I was adding back into my diet. I am working on changing my set point. I was stuck at 145- 146lbs for awhile. Now, I am down to 143 lbs. Slow, but at least it is moving. I know it is just a number but I feel empowered, fit and lighter when that number is down. Embrace the Healthy Fats!

I keep my daily calories around 1500.  I save enough for a glass of wine with dinner because it makes me happy!

I have  been slowly increasing my exercise. Here is a great HIIT workout that you can do in a few minutes.

I have started to run again. I do a lap around the fields at the end of the workout. I feel good. I am loving my New Balance Minimus Shoes!  They make me happy every time I put them on! I am able to run without my orthotics which is thrilling!

The point of all of this, it is possible to get stronger and lighter as we age, without all of the aches and pains. Here is my friend Gail. She survived   OutdoorFit this morning. It included the 3-5-7 HIIT, weight training and Foundation Training for strength, endurance and flexibility.

Gail at 60 something!

Did you workout this morning? Are you local?  Are you feeling Fit and Fabulous? Come try OutdoorFit!

Love,

Mary