52 Weeks

Exactly one year ago today, my life took an unexpected turn. Actually, I meant to turn, it was the guy who ran the red light and smashed into my van that was unexpected. From that moment until today, I've had more life changing experiences that I can count on one hand. Now, 52 weeks after the death of my car, I've just returned from Puerto Rico's gorgeous rain forest, which is nothing if not life affirming. This year long journey has shown me that the meaning of my life is just to enjoy each little moment as it appears.

So, that said, I think the time is right to rejoin the blogosphere and have a little fun in cyberspace.

See you soon!

Michaelle

Gone Fishin'

Dear Adventurous Women,

Thanks so much for reading Adventurous Women Blog. Since starting this project, I've had the good fortune to "meet" many of you and have made a lot of wonderful new cyber-friends. I've also thoroughly enjoyed seeking out interesting, new or weird activities to share on this space. The possibilities, of course, are endless but recently other parts of my life have filled all my free time and I'm afraid blogging is going to have to take a back seat...for awhile.

Adventurous Women Blog will remain on the Web so I hope you'll continue to use the resources on the right side of the page. There are lots of links and ideas for Adventure Clubs and individuals alike and I'll try to make sure they stay current. Thanks again for clicking in!

Happy trails!
Michaelle



Life is either a great adventure or nothing--Helen Keller

Roz Savage Completes Stage Two of Her Solo Trip Across the Pacific

One of the first posts I ever wrote for AWB was about Roz Savage's effort to row across the Pacific -- solo. I felt a bond with Roz and watched with great interest as she spent day after day on the open ocean. She gave it an excellent effort but that particular trip didn't end the way she had hoped.

Not one to give up, Roz took a break to regroup and set off again. Yesterday, after months of rowing, she completed stage two of her three-part trans-Pacific journey. So far, Roz has rowed from California to Hawaii and from Hawaii to Tarawa. The final leg will take her to Australia.

For more on Roz's landing in Tarawa, read this post on Treehugger.

To read Roz's blog, click here.

To track Roz's every move as she continues her journey, click here.




Photo courtesy of Roz Savage

"Wild Irish" The Life and Times of the Pirate Grace O'Malley

...and one more, here's a selection that my book club read about one of history's truely adventurous women....

Johnny Depp's Jack Sparrow is a great pirate -- I could watch him all day. But honestly, he can't hold a candle to real-life pirate Grace O'Malley.

Born in 1530, Grace sailed the waters between Ireland and Spain first at her father's side and then as captain of her own fleet. Her life, her role as the "mother of the Irish Rebellion," and her relationship with Queen Elizabeth I are captured in Robin Maxwell's book, "Wild Irish."

Maxwell introduces her readers to English life in Elizabeth's court (including courtiers such as Shakespeare and Bacon) as well as to Irish life under Ireland's 1000-year-old Brehon Law. Although the cast of characters can become overwhelming -- the book needs an organization chart -- the motivation of the two women, their families and their confidants is clear. Elizabeth vows to possess the Emerald Isle in her lifetime just as Grace vows to prevent it. Both women are strong, clever and bow to no man.

"Wild Irish" is a great read if you enjoyed novels like "The Other Boleyn Girl," if you are looking for solid female characters, or if you are a fan of engaging historical fiction. I would recommend that you take the time to get a map of Ireland and have pen and paper handy to track the many players and their various names and titles.

Back to School Week: Your Reading List(s)

Yesterday I mentioned that my oldest is starting college. Spending time on her campus really had me wishing that I could go back to school myself. There are so many things to learn! So many subjects to explore! ...and yet, there are all those bills to pay and a job to perform.... What to do? What to do?

The solution: I'm starting a DIY program. I figure this is a great time to fill in the gaps in my literary education. The first step is deciding where to start; what books are considered the "all time greats." To solve that issue, I asked for help from my amazing sister, Abbie -- the woman who can find absolutely anything.

The result is that, today, I am posting a list of book lists. You too will be able to see what you've been missing. Before you start, though, please note that October is National Book Club Month. Why not start a book club and share your reading experiences with your friends?

Here are your reading lists:

Two critics from Time magazine pick their top 100 novels from 1923 to the present. Click here

Newsweek magazine's list of the top 100. They compiled a meta list--a list of the best from lots of other lists. Click here.

The Telegraph (UK) is trying to best everyone by publishing a list of 110 best books (their "perfect library"). Click here.

The Times (UK) created a list of the 100 most influential books since WWII. Click here.

But wait! There's more!

Women's National Book Association: list of Great Group Reads

Random House: 100 Best Novels

Random House: 100 Best Non-Fiction Books

Arrowhead library System: College Bound Reading List

Author Lesley Blume's: Classic List of Must-Read Children's Books

Mark Flanagan's list of: Funny Books

Amazon.com: 30 Greatest Monster Books of All Time

National Geographic Adventure: Extreme Classics: The 100 Greatest Adventure Books of All Time

Young Adult Library Services Association: Best Books for Young Adults

Bibliomania: Books you can read online for free

And if that isn't enough to keep you busy, there is a book called, "1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die." You can find it on Amazon.com. Click here.

Image credit: BOOKS
© Stanko Mravljak | Dreamstime.com

Research credit: Abbie!

Pickleball: Start Something New in Your Neighborhood

I've dropped my oldest at college, high school is back in session, the easy days of summer are over and I'm feeling a little lost, a little out of sync. The cure for that, of course, is to do something completely new. So here's something I stumbled across awhile ago and have been saving for a day just like this.

PICKLEBALL

According the the Pickleball Web site, this sport was invented by U.S. Congressman Joel Pritchard, William Bell, and Barney McCallum as an activity for all ages. It's sort of a mini version of tennis (or a cross between tennis and ping pong) and can be played in the street, parking lot, driveway or any other hard surface. Yes, it has actual rules and, of course, you can buy official gear. The name, Pickleball, comes from a dog (Pickles) who used to steal stray balls and hide during games. I was hoping someone started playing with actual pickles but no such luck.

The game is pretty straight forward and given that it takes up so little space, it seems like something that could become a new neighborhood/adventure club/school/office tradition. Since it's unlikely that anyone you know has played this before, you could become an instant expert. For the investment of $120, you could own 4 Pickleball paddles, a net, 56 balls and the game rules. Sounds like fun to me.

Click here to visit Pickleball.com

Click here to visit the USA Pickleball Association

Image courtesy of Pickleball.com

Oprah.com on Finding Your Passion

According to Oprah.com's Cheryl Richardson, there are five steps to finding your passion. All five are worth reading but my favorite step is this one: Take a Risk.

Step Five: Take a Risk.Stop thinking about your passions and start doing something. Take a risk, and step out to try something new. By challenging your fear with action, you'll not only raise your self-esteem, you'll expand your comfort zone. If you're not sure of what to do, ask a trusted friend or partner for ideas. Remember that good luck happens when you're in action. And, if you try something new (even if you're not sure of the outcome), you may discover a passionate interest by accident!

To read Cheryl's complete guide to finding your passion, click here.

Learning to Run in 13 Weeks: Week 13

Congratulations to all of you who have made it the full 13 weeks! Honestly, my group has dwindled. Some found it too challenging, some thought the program was not challenging enough. Many of the kids used our training sessions to stay in shape over the summer but left us once the fall sports resumed. Personally, I loved my 13 weeks. I used to run with a group until an achilles injury sidelined me about a year ago. This program not only got me back on the road, it rekindled an enjoyment of the sport that I thought I had lost.

What's next? Well, it's time to go find a couple of local races and sign up. I can't think of a better way to celebrate this summer's accomplishment than with a few hundred other runners.

As mentioned in earlier posts, we've been following the gradual running program outlined in the The Beginning Runners Handbook: The Proven 13-Week Walk-Run Program *. Here's the schedule for this final week.


Week 13

Day 1: 8-minute warm-up, run 40 minutes. 5-minute cool-down

Day 2: 8-minute warm-up, run 10 minutes, walk 1 minute. Do this 3 times. 5-minute cool-down

Day 3: Congratulations, you've done it!


*A few words about The Beginning Runner's Handbook. The 13-week program doesn't appear until page 151 because the authors (Ian MacNeill and the Sport Medicine Council of British Columbia) thought it was important to start with topics like moderation, choosing good shoes, training mind & body, pregnancy, cross-training, technique, diet, injuries and stretching. It is probably wise to do some reading of your own before you launch into this new exercise program. Please make sure you're healthy and ready for action and then join us!

This Weekend: Satellite in Your Night Sky

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration, NASA, has more than just the Space Shuttle orbiting the Earth. There are satellites out there too. You can have a personal relationship with space this weekend if you take the time to watch for a satellite passing overhead.

The Johnson Space Center provides information (including date, time and location in the sky) for spotting a satellite above your neighborhood. Click here to for detailed data for the US and its territories. Click here for international cities.

Thanks for the tip, Abbie!

Adventurous Site of the Week: Historic Food

Ivan Day is an expert on English food history. He has written extensively on the subject and is known for his re-creations of historic table settings for museums. Ivan also has a working kitchen in England filled with ancient tools for preparing authentic historic dishes in a style appropriate to the period. If you are an adventurous cook (or want to be), Ivan offers small classes where he teaches students the art of preparing delicious old-tyme fare.

Visiting his Web site, Historic Food, you'll find courses on Roasting and Broiling, Late Medieval English Cookery, Tudor and Early Stuart Cookery, Pie Making and Pastry, and oh, so many more. Unfortunately, his classes for the remainder of 2009 are full but if you're planning on being in England in 2010 keep an eye on Historic Food for next year's schedule. If England isn't on your agenda but you're in the mood for more immediate gratification, Ivan has three pages of recipes that will give you just the cooking adventure you've been looking for.

Click here to visit Historic Food

Click here to for Historic Food's recipe pages

To read more about Ivan Day, click here.

Learning to Run in 13 Weeks: Week 12

The Handbook talks about the importance of remaining relaxed while running. This isn't too tough in the beginning but I've noticed that as time wears on, and I'm low on energy, I start to tighten up. My shoulders hunch, my gaze drops to the ground, sometimes I notice that my hands are clenched into fists. To combat the problem, I've started taking a mental inventory of my body as I run. I start with my head, making sure my eyes and jaw are relaxed then I move down through my neck shoulders, elbows, etc. all the way to my feet. It may be my imagination but I think I have more energy if I make sure my body is tension free.

Here's a tip from The Beginning Runner's Handbook that author Ian MacNeill credits to Olympian Lynn Kanuka: Try pressing your thumb and one of your fingers together to remove stress in the shoulders and back. You have to try it to believe that it works.

As mentioned in earlier posts, we're following the gradual running program outlined in the The Beginning Runner's Handbook: The Proven 13-Week Walk-Run Program *. Here's the schedule for this week and next.


Week 12

Day 1: 8-minute warm-up, run 50 minutes, 5-minute cool-down

Day 2: 8-minute warm-up, run 10 minutes, walk 1 minute. Do this 3 times. 5-minute cool-down

Day 3: 8-minute warm-up, run 15 minutes, walk 1 minute, run 15 minutes, walk 1 minute, run 10 minutes. 5-minute cool-down


Week 13

Day 1: 8-minute warm-up, run 40 minutes. 5-minute cool-down

Day 2: 8-minute warm-up, run 10 minutes, walk 1 minute. Do this 3 times. 5-minute cool-down

Day 3: Congratulations, you've done it!


*A few words about The Beginning Runner's Handbook. The 13-week program doesn't appear until page 151 because the authors (Ian MacNeill and the Sport Medicine Council of British Columbia) thought it was important to start with topics like moderation, choosing good shoes, training mind & body, pregnancy, cross-training, technique, diet, injuries and stretching. It is probably wise to do some reading of your own before you launch into this new exercise program. Please make sure you're healthy and ready for action and then join us!

New TV Show Wants to Make Your Dream a Reality!

If you've ever dreamed of being a reality TV star or if you just have a dream and need funding to make it a reality, have I got an opportunity for you! This casting call for a new TV show called Chance came to me this morning. Here's the scoop from Supervising Casting Producer Alexis Diamond:

New Reality Game Show: Chance
Executive Producer: Ryan Seacrest
Contact: Alexis Diamond, Supervising Casting Producer
Email: adiamond@me.com
Media Outlet: TV - Major Cable Network
Deadline: 12:10pm PACIFIC - 02 October

A Major Cable Network and Executive Producer, RYAN SEACREST are teaming up to bring you... "CHANCE"!

Do you need CA$H to fulfill your dreams? No matter how extraordinary, selfless or off the wall your dream might be, a new reality game show needs you! Whether you're asking for $50.00 or $250,000, if you've got passion and the gift of gab the money could be yours!

You can literally ask for anything! Is there something you've always wanted but could never quite afford? Do you have a lifelong ambition that you are desperate to fulfill? We're looking for people to come up with unique and exciting ideas.

How to Apply:

1. EMAIL: adiamond@me.com

Include your name, age, city you live in, occupation and your story! How much money do you need? What would you use the money for? How important is this to you?

OR

2. ATTEND AN OPEN CALL in LA, NY, Austin, St. Louis or Miami! (Specific locations TBA. Our website will be updated this week) All ages may apply no DREAM is too BIG or too SMALL! If you want to apply for the show, You MUST bring the following items with you to the open call to be considered.

1. Your completed and signed application. (Please download at: www.castingduo.com/chance)

2. Your 2-3 minute pitch on why you NEED the money and what it will buy you.

3. A recent clear photo of yourself or your group (if you're applying as a group).

4. A photocopy of your Driver's License or government issued Photo ID.

5. If you have props, visuals, costumes, etc...Please bring them!

For more information, open call locations and to download the application please visit: www.castingduo.com/chance

10 Adventurous Trips

Catherine Mack has written an article about 10 trips for women who want a more adventurous vacation. Catherine's suggestions range from Coasteering (plummeting from great heights into a body of water) to weaving rugs in Morocco to doing the Cha-Cha in Cuba and cryo-therapy in Slovakia.

From the Irish Times, 10 trips "For Women with a Sense of Adventure."

Adventure Site of the Week: Under the Milky Way

There are adventures for the mind and body and there are adventures for the spirit. Rita at "Under the Milky Way" is training for all three as she prepares to walk a 500-mile long pilgrimage through Spain. I asked Rita to describe her upcoming trip and here's what she had to say:

I am an avid traveler, always looking for my next adventure. This time that adventure is a 500 mile Spiritual Pilgrimage, trekking across northern Spain, along an ancient footpath called the Camino de Santiago, through 3 mountain chains, some of the most beautifully preserved medieval villages, mostly unchanged in over 1,000 years, and some of the most scenic countryside in Europe, to the tomb of the Apostle Saint James. It is the 3rd most important Pilgrimage in the world, topped only by Rome and Jerusalem.

I will walk between 5 to 8 hours each day for more than a month, carrying the bare necessities on my back and staying in a network of places along the way, mostly in hostels, convents and monasteries.

The journey is an amazing experience in simplicity, leaving behind all the luxuries and conveniences of home, along with all the stress, burdens and politics. They say the road offers many lessons to all who walk it, the most profound being the journey of self discovery.

When asked why, at 62, I am taking on such an arduous journey, both physically and mentally challenging, even for someone much younger in years, I cannot give a clear-cut answer. I can only say that I am enjoying training by walking and hiking daily and I am looking forward to what the journey has to offer.

My Pilgrimage begins soon. I leave for Spain on September 6 to start my journey.

You can follow my progress by reading my blog which I will be updating while making my way across Spain.

To follow Rita's adventure, click here to visit, Under the Milky Way

Image courtesy of Rita at Under the Milky Way

Prizes for Photos of Your Summer Adventures

Summer is wrapping up and if you've done something interesting you probably have a picture to prove it. The folks at Tours4Fun are offering prizes for the best summer travel pix--just upload yours before August 31. Everyone gets to vote on their favorite photo during September and then, who knows, maybe you'll win the Grand Canyon airplane tour or the DC Capitol Bus Tour or the Niagra Falls Tour.

Click here for more information about the "Best of Summer Travel" photo contest.

Learning to Run in 13 Weeks: Week 11

My running companions have commented that they are really getting tired of seeing the same old things as we run the neighborhood. Not only does the scenery make the run less interesting but back when we were doing shorter intervals, we were used to stopping near the elementary school and then again near the "big tree" and the "blue house." Now when we pass the tree and the blue house our brains tell our bodies that it's time to stop and that is creating a physical conflict. So, the plan for this week is to seek out new paths. I'd like to find a nice wooded trail, other people know of urban running tracks that they think would be a fun change. I'm looking forward to doing something new.

As mentioned in earlier posts, we're following the gradual running program outlined in the The Beginning Runners Handbook: The Proven 13-Week Walk-Run Program *. Here's the schedule for this week and next.


Week 11

Day 1: 8-minute warm-up, run 40 minutes, walk1 minute, run 20 minutes. 5-minute cool-down

Day 2: 8-minute warm-up, run 10 minutes, walk 1 minute. Do this 4 times. 5-minute cool-down

Day 3: 8-minute warm-up, run 20 minutes, walk 1 minute, run 15 minutes, walk 1 minute, run 10 minutes. 5-minute cool-down

Week 12

Day 1: 8-minute warm-up, run 50 minutes, 5-minute cool-down

Day 2: 8-minute warm-up, run 10 minutes, walk 1 minute. Do this 3 times. 5-minute cool-down

Day 3: 8-minute warm-up, run 15 minutes, walk 1 minute, run 15 minutes, walk 1 minute, run 10 minutes. 5-minute cool-down

*A few words about The Beginning Runner's Handbook. The 13-week program doesn't appear until page 151 because the authors (Ian MacNeill and the Sport Medicine Council of British Columbia) thought it was important to start with topics like moderation, choosing good shoes, training mind & body, pregnancy, cross-training, technique, diet, injuries and stretching. It is probably wise to do some reading of your own before you launch into this new exercise program. Please make sure you're healthy and ready for action and then join us!

An Extraordinary Honor for an Extraordinary Woman: Nancy G. Brinker

I received this exciting news from Susan G. Komen for the Cure:

"On July 30, an extraordinary honor was given to our Founding Chair, Ambassador Nancy G. Brinker. She was selected to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor our country bestows, for her work in launching Susan G. Komen for the Cure® and building the organization into the leader of the global breast cancer movement."

If you aren't familiar with Susan G. Komen or her sister, Nancy, here's a bit of background: A number of years ago, Susan was diagnosed with breast cancer. Although her physical body was lost to the disease, her energy has lived on. Susan's battle against the illness, her efforts to make life better for other women and her strong spirit, inspired her sister, Nancy, to continue the fight to "end breast cancer forever." The result of Nancy's commitment to her sister and to women around the globe is the organization Susan G. Komen for the Cure. According to their website, the organization is

...The global leader of the breast cancer movement, having invested more than $1 billion since inception in 1982. As the world’s largest grassroots network of breast cancer survivors and activists, we’re working together to save lives, empower people, ensure quality care for all and energize science to find the cures. Thanks to events like the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure®, and generous contributions from our partners, sponsors and fellow supporters, we have become the largest source of nonprofit funds dedicated to the fight against breast cancer in the world.

Thank you, Nancy, for your tireless effort to improve the lives of many, many women whom you will never even meet.

Inner Tube Water Polo: Oh, Yes You Can!

My friend, Anne, was interviewed recently about her inner tube water polo team. She sent me a link to the TV broadcast and after watching the clip I was so inspired that I contacted my county's recreation office to press for an inner tube water polo league of our own.

What I like most about this goofy sport is that the inner tube is the great equalizer. As one of the the women in the clip states, even if you are an athlete, you aren't an athlete in an inner tube. The second best thing is that teams can compete outside during the summer and move to indoor pools the rest of the year.

Click here to see KECI-TV's story about a sport that may become near and dear to your heart.

Learning to Run in 13 Weeks: Week 10

After last week's longer running intervals, I noticed that my knees were unhappy for a couple of days. I know from past experience that achy knees are a good indication that it's time for new running shoes. I used to think that it was appropriate to keep sneakers until the bottoms wore out or they fell apart but I have discovered through trial and error that when it comes to running, frugality just doesn't pay. I still shop in the overstock and discontinued area of the my athletic shoe store but I try to replace my shoes every six months -- sometimes more often if my knees start giving me the signal.

As mentioned in earlier posts, we're following the gradual running program outlined in the The Beginning Runners Handbook: The Proven 13-Week Walk-Run Program *. Here's the schedule for this week and next.


Week 10

Day 1: 8-minute warm-up, run 30 minutes, walk1 minute, run 30 minutes, 5-minute cool-down

Day 2: 8-minute warm-up, run 10 minutes, walk 1 minute. Do this 4 times. 5-minute cool-down

Day 3: 8-minute warm-up, run 20 minutes, walk 1 minute, run 15 minutes, walk 1 minute, run 10 minutes. 5-minute cool-down


Week 11

Day 1: 8-minute warm-up, run 40 minutes, walk1 minute, run 20 minutes. 5-minute cool-down

Day 2: 8-minute warm-up, run 10 minutes, walk 1 minute. Do this 4 times. 5-minute cool-down

Day 3: 8-minute warm-up, run 20 minutes, walk 1 minute, run 15 minutes, walk 1 minute, run 10 minutes. 5-minute cool-down


*A few words about The Beginning Runner's Handbook. The 13-week program doesn't appear until page 151 because the authors (Ian MacNeill and the Sport Medicine Council of British Columbia) thought it was important to start with topics like moderation, choosing good shoes, training mind & body, pregnancy, cross-training, technique, diet, injuries and stretching. It is probably wise to do some reading of your own before you launch into this new exercise program. Please make sure you're healthy and ready for action and then join us!

Lhasa: Adventures in Tibet

Lhasa is a place I dream about. I've read more books about Tibet than I can count. I've seen loads of films, visited exhibitions and put the Buddhist holy land on my travel "to do" list and yet a part of me hesitates. What worries me is the altitude -- I like my oxygen.

It takes me a good three days to acclimate when I fly from my house (altitude 330 feet) to my parents' house (altitude 8,000 feet). That's three days of gulping water, restless nights and bad dreams. Lhasa, at 12,000 feet above sea level, is half again as high.

Over at Travelbite, Kelly Gilblom has posted a story about her own Tibetan adventure and she doesn't sugar coat a thing. Kelly's trip from Shanghai to Lhasa was, long, dirty, nauseating and more than worth it.

Click here to read "Travel Blog: Seven Days in Tibet."



Image credit: ROAD IN THE MOUNTAINS
© Eprom | Dreamstime.com

Outrigger Canoes

A few days ago, I mentioned that some members of my Adventure Club and I attended a Dragon Boat & Outrigger Canoe clinic on the Anacostia River. Last week, I wrote about Dragon Boats so I thought I'd cover the Outrigger Canoes (OC) today.

The outrigger is a canoe that has a floating support on one or both sides that helps to keep the boat stable. The canoe that I tried had a single outrigger on the port (left) side, and six seats for the paddlers. Like a Dragon Boat, OC paddling is a full body workout. Unlike the Dragon Boat, only one person sits in a seat so a paddler will alternate paddling on the port or starboard side of the boat; 15 strokes to the left, switch, 15 to the right, switch. That helps because if you're in an OC, you're going to be paddling for a couple of hours.

If Dragon Boat races are sprints then Outrigger Canoe races are marathons; OC races can range upward of 20 miles in the open ocean. Sometimes, in very long races, team members trade off but if you're serious about Outriggers, you have to be prepared for the long haul.

You may be thinking that you're too old to handle an endurance sport like this but you'd be wrong. All of the women and men who lead our clinic were older than me and a several were retired. Looking at OC websites, it's easy to find competitions for people of all ages including 60+.

OC racing is the state sport of Hawaii and popular around the world. If you're interested in Outrigger Canoes as an alternative to an ordinary workout or for the fun of joining a team, check out these sites:

Australian Outrigger Canoe Racing Association

East Coast Outrigger Racing Association

Northern California Outrigger Canoe Association

OCPaddler

The Perseids are Coming! The Perseids are Coming!

If you've been reading along for a little while you know I'm a fan of meteor showers. They're free, they're entertaining and they let your imagination drift away into the heavens. That said, tonight and tomorrow night, planet Earth will be drifting through a big cosmic dust bunny left by Comet Swift-Tuttle. All those little bits of debris will be entering our atmosphere approximately where the constellation Perseus appears overhead. Don't worry if you don't know your star locations, the best plan of attack is to just lie in a lawn chair or on a blanket and look up. If you're in a region free from light pollution you may see dozens of meteors per hour. That means a lot of wishing!

If you'd like to learn a little more about the Perseid meteor shower, click here for an article from NASA.

Thanks for the reminder, Abbie!



Image credit: Dreamstimefree 2776047: Moon-Star

Julie & Julia: Adding Zest to Life

Over the weekend I saw the new film, Julie & Julia and loved it! The movie is a wonderful blending of two true tales into a single delicious creation. Nora Ephron's screenplay follows the lives of Julie Powell and Julia Child, easily alternating between decades and continents. Julie lives over a pizzeria with her husband and spends her days listening to the troubles of individuals affected by the 9/11 terror attacks. Julia's story begins in 1948, when she and her husband relocate to Paris after he is assigned to a job in the embassy.

Julie and Julia are women of different times, different backgrounds and different mindsets but they have two things in common: both know that their lives aren't fulfilling and both love cooking (in Julia's case it's more about the eating). Julia dedicates her time in France to learning to cook. Julie dedicates a year of her life to cooking everything in Julia's cookbook and blogging about it.

I loved this film not just because Meryl Streep's Julia Child is shockingly spot on. Not just because Amy Adams' Julie feels like someone I know. Not just because Nora Ephron's script is funny and touching. I really loved this film because it's all about women who make their lives better by following a passion. (Note to self: passion=good, obsession=bad) I saw myself in their lives and felt a desire to go out and add more zest to my own existence.

Life can be awfully routine and difficult but filling the holes with passion can add polish to all the dull spots. Finding something to be passionate about seems to be the challenge. I guess that's why I like to try new things, one of these days I'll find the ONE thing that defines me. I hope you do too.

Learning to Run in 13 Weeks: Week 9

Well, today is going to be one of those gross Washington days: 100 degrees and tropical humidity. Just thinking about the run schedule for this evening is making me reach for a glass of water. I may just head off to the nice, cool gym and use their lovely treadmill to put in my time. Yeah, yeah, I'm a wimp.

As mentioned in earlier posts, we're following the gradual running program outlined in the The Beginning Runners Handbook: The Proven 13-Week Walk-Run Program *. Here's the schedule for this week and next.


Week 9

Day 1: 8-minute warm-up, run 10 minutes, walk1 minute, run 20 minutes, walk 1 minute, run 15 minutes, walk 1 minute, run 10 minutes. 5-minute cool-down

Day 2: 8-minute warm-up, run 10 minutes, walk 1 minute. Do this 4 times. 5-minute cool-down

Day 3: 8-minute warm-up, run 15 minutes, walk 1 minutes. Do this 3 times. 5-minute cool-down


Week 10

Day 1: 8-minute warm-up, run 30 minutes, walk1 minute, run 30 minutes, 5-minute cool-down

Day 2: 8-minute warm-up, run 10 minutes, walk 1 minute. Do this 4 times. 5-minute cool-down

Day 3: 8-minute warm-up, run 20 minutes, walk 1 minute, run 15 minutes, walk 1 minute, run 10 minutes. 5-minute cool-down


*A few words about The Beginning Runner's Handbook. The 13-week program doesn't appear until page 151 because the authors (Ian MacNeill and the Sport Medicine Council of British Columbia) thought it was important to start with topics like moderation, choosing good shoes, training mind & body, pregnancy, cross-training, technique, diet, injuries and stretching. It is probably wise to do some reading of your own before you launch into this new exercise program. Please make sure you're healthy and ready for action and then join us!

And The Winner Is....

The winner of the brand-spanking new copy of Thomas Greanias' soon-to-be-released novel, The Atlantis Revelation, is Rita!

Congratulations! Your book will be in the mail shortly.




Image courtesy of ThomasGreanias.com

Fun New Site for Adventurous Women

Beth "Ava Aviatrix" Walz of Roseberg, Oregon, has launched a new site called, Adventure Woman. Ava's outpost let's you meet and nominate real Adventure Women, share stories, get tips, voice an opinion, plan an adventure and, well so much more that you'll really just have to visit and see for yourselves.

Check out Adventure Woman here.

Dragon Boats

A couple of years ago my adventure group was on a bike trip when we stumbled across the DC Dragon Boat Festival. The large canoe-like boats decorated with scales and dragon heads were crewed by teams of 20 paddlers, a drummer and someone to navigate. The festival drew teams from around the region, and a few international participants, to compete in races on the Potomac river.

This past weekend, five of us had a last-minute opportunity to participate in a Dragon Boat/Outrigger Canoe clinic sponsored by Washington Women Outdoors and the National Capital Area Women's Paddling Association (NCAWPA). I'll write about the Outriggers later and focus on the Dragon Boats today. I didn't manage to get any pictures of the festival or the clinic so click here to see NCAWPA's photo gallery.

History of Dragon Boats

According to the American Dragon Boat Association, the history of Dragon Boats begins with The legend of Chu Yuan:

Over 2000 years ago Chu Yuan, poet, warrior and loyal aide to the emperor, fell victim to plots and deception and found himself out of favor at court. When the old emperor died, Chu Yuan was unjustly banished and wandered the countryside composing poems he hoped would be heard and heeded by the new emperor. His inconsolable desolation grew until one day he threw himself into the Mi Lo River. His devoted followers, learning of his death, rushed to search for his body. Fearing the fish might devour the body; they beat their paddles on the water and banged drums and gongs to frighten the fish. Today, athletes from around the world meet to commemorate Yuan's sacrifice for honor and justice in the form of Dragon Boat Racing.

It's a full body workout

A Dragon Boat race is essentially a sprint. The courses tend to be shorter than those for Outrigger Canoe races and the key to the speed of the boat is for each member of the team to paddle in unison. The more perfect the synchronization the better. The goal: a team that acts like a strong well-oiled machine.

Before climbing into the boat, we practiced our paddling technique on dry land. The boat has 10 double seats to accommodate the 20 paddlers, so we stood in two lines to simulate the boat. Each person dedicated her paddling to only one side. Paddling itself isn't a test of arm strength. It's a full body workout.

I was on the left side of the boat so I started by grasping the top of my paddle with my right hand; the left was positioned just above the blade. To begin the stroke, I raised my right arm until my elbow was next to my right ear. The left arm was extended straight in front. To get the most out of a stroke, I was told to rotate my torso slightly toward the inside of the boat, extend the paddle forward, bend at the hip, put the blade into the water so that is was completely submerged, then counter rotate-- turning my torso toward the outside of the boat while sitting up, pulling the blade back and pushing off with my legs to get added power. Raise the blade and repeat. Yep, a full body workout.

We had a wonderful time at the clinic and agreed that our Adventure Club will be entering a team in the DC Dragon Boat Festival next May. Festival teams only have three practices before the big weekend so it's fun without being a huge time commitment. I enjoyed the clinic so much, I may sign on for a longer stint.

If Dragon Boats sound interesting to you, check out a festival in your area. There are organizations and events all around the globe. Here are some links to get you started:

American Dragon Boat Association

Boston

Denver

International Dragon Boat Federation, List of international affiliates

NCAWPA

Nova Scotia

Philadelphia

San Francisco

USA Dragon Boating




Photo credit: Abbie Mulvihill

Free! Win a Copy of "The Atlantis Revelation"

I'm giving away a copy of Thomas Greanias' newest (not yet in bookstores) novel, The Atlantis Revelation. If you'd like a shot at being the first person you know to read this fun summer thriller, leave a comment on the July 31 contest announcement post (click here). The winner will be selected in a random drawing on Friday.

Thanks Simon and Schuster!


Image courtesy of ThomasGreanias.com

Learning to Run in 13 Weeks: Week 8

A couple of people in my group have been fighting those nasty side stitches; that pain that grabs you in the waist and makes you pray for the walk break. So, I turned to my trusty handbook and here's what it had to say about avoiding the stitch: alter your breathing pattern, exhale forcefully (grunt on exhalation), belly breath (breathe mainly with the diaphragm), increase your abdominal strength through exercises.

It makes sense to me that breathing is related to side stitches because I've noticed that they seem to strike the people who talk the least. For example, when other kids join us and Liz is chatting while running, she does well. When she's stuck with a bunch of boring adults and doesn't join the conversation, the side stitch attacks. So I'm going to add one more thing to the list of ways to avoid the stitch: talk! It seems to help regulate your breathing by forcing you to breath out adequately (which also keeps you from feeling like you can't catch your breath). I told Liz to start singing while she runs, she thought it was dumb until it started helping.

As mentioned in earlier posts, we're following the gradual running program outlined in the The Beginning Runners Handbook: The Proven 13-Week Walk-Run Program *. Here's the schedule for this week and next.


Week 8 (easy recovery week)

Day 1: 8-minute warm-up, run 10 minutes, walk1 minute. Do this 4 times. 5-minute cool-down

Day 2: 8-minute warm-up, run 3 minutes, walk 1 minute. Do this 8 times. 5-minute cool-down

Day 3: 8-minute warm-up, run 5 minutes, walk 1 minutes. Do this 7 times. 5-minute cool-down


Week 9

Day 1: 8-minute warm-up, run 10 minutes, walk1 minute, run 20 minutes, walk 1 minute, run 15 minutes, walk 1 minute, run 10 minutes. 5-minute cool-down

Day 2: 8-minute warm-up, run 10 minutes, walk 1 minute. Do this 4 times. 5-minute cool-down

Day 3: 8-minute warm-up, run 15 minutes, walk 1 minutes. Do this 3 times. 5-minute cool-down


*A few words about The Beginning Runner's Handbook. The 13-week program doesn't appear until page 151 because the authors (Ian MacNeill and the Sport Medicine Council of British Columbia) thought it was important to start with topics like moderation, choosing good shoes, training mind & body, pregnancy, cross-training, technique, diet, injuries and stretching. It is probably wise to do some reading of your own before you launch into this new exercise program. Please make sure you're healthy and ready for action and then join us!

Aviation Pioneers Are Recognized: WASPs get Congressional Gold Medal

The San Francisco Chronicle has a nice story this morning about Margaret Phelan Taylor who, as a too-short youth, stretched her way into history as a WASP -- a member of the Women Airforce Service Pilots.

Margaret and the other WASPs were aviation pioneers who dedicated themselves to the war effort in a time when the US needed pilots. Although a number of them lost their lives, the WASPs contribution wasn't appropriately appreciated: when the war ended, they were just sent home. Women weren't supposed to do that sort of thing in those days. Happily (though belatedly) the surviving WASPs are now receiving the Congressional Gold Medal--the highest and most distinguished award Congress can award to a civilian.

Even before President Obama made the Gold Medal official, Margaret's activities didn't go unnoticed. Her exploits during WWII inspired her niece, Sandra, to pursue her own flying career. Sandra credits her aunt's riveting stories for her current profession as a pilot and captain with United Airlines.

Naturally, I love Margaret's final quote in the SFC article, "... I have to say, I did this for the adventure and it was quite an adventure."

To read the full article, click here.

To read more about the Women Airforce Service Pilots, click here.

Book Giveaway: "The Atlantis Revelation"

Thanks to Simon and Schuster, I have a preview copy of Thomas Greanias' The Atlantis Revelation to give away. Whether you're interested in the film contest or not, if you want to be the first on your block to get your hands on Greanias' latest novel, you'll want to enter this book giveaway.

Greanias is a NY Times bestselling author and The Atlantis Revelation is the fourth in his Atlantis series. I'm about halfway through Revelation and I'll describe it as National Treasure meets classic James Bond (not the Daniel Craig variety). It's a fast-paced, adventure thriller, with lots of international intrigue, jet setting and high stakes.

The Atlantis Revelation doesn't go on sale until August 11, so this book is fresh off the press. If you'd like to have it for your very own, just leave a comment on this post and I'll draw a name out of a hat and announce the winner next Friday.

BTW, you can download a free copy of Greanias' first Atlantis novel and have a chance to win an iPod Touch at the Thomas Greanias website. Click here.


Image credit: ThomasGreanias.com

Film Makers Wanted: Contest to promote new book

Thomas Greanias has written the fourth book in his Atlantis action adventure series and he's got some great promotional ideas that could spell adventure for YOU. The Atlantis Revelation won't be available until August 11, but Greanias isn't waiting for the launch date, he's looking for film makers or would-be film makers to create a "movie trailer" right now. This is where you come in.

This contest was officially unveiled at Comic-Con on Saturday. While, *sigh*, I missed that shindig again this year, Simon and Schuster were nice enough to give me some early warning AND a free preview copy of Atlantis Revelation for one of you wonderful readers (see the next post).

Here are the details of the Movie Trailer Mashup Contest:

First, the contest officially begins August 11, 2009.

Second, visit Greanias' Web site for complete rules and downloadable elements. Click here.

Third, you're required to include a live video shot of the hardcover book and a shot of the cover art. You can get these from Greanias's site or get your own copy of the book from ME! (See the next post.)

Prize: The winner will receive a FlipVideo HD camera and a Hollywood critique by producer Ed Newmeyer (Robocop, Starship Troopers) and video game Creator Flint Dille (Fantastic Four, Transformers).

The winning trailer will be revealed when it airs on CBS.com

GOOD LUCK!!



Image credit: ThomasGreanias.com

Wanted: Adventurous Australian Bloggers

ActionAid Australia is looking for an Australian blogger who wants to travel to and blog from a poverty-stricken area. Using a variety of social media -- blogging, Twitter, etc.-- ActionAid hopes to increase awareness of what life is like for many of our fellow humans. If you're interested in learning more about ActionAid Australia or this opportunity, click here.

Learning to Run in 13 Weeks: Week 7

Well, it's week 7 and this is the week that I have been a little worried about. It's the week that we suddenly have to run for 10 minutes straight -- twice as long as any other week.

My little gang and I have just come in from our Sunday night run and, honestly, it went pretty well! We've been lucky that our summer weather -- including tonight -- has been unusually pleasant. Running in the cooler evening temperatures has helped as well. But the 10-minute run was still surprisingly do-able. I hope you have the same experience.

As mentioned in earlier posts, we're following the gradual running program outlined in the The Beginning Runners Handbook: The Proven 13-Week Walk-Run Program *. Here's the schedule for this week and next.


Week 7

Day 1: 8-minute warm-up, run 10 minutes, walk1 minute. Do this 5 times. 5-minute cool-down

Day 2: 8-minute warm-up, run 3 minutes, walk 1 minute. Do this 10 times. 5-minute cool-down

Day 3: 8-minute warm-up, run 5 minutes, walk 1 minutes. Do this 8 times. 5-minute cool-down



Week 8 (easy recovery week)

Day 1: 8-minute warm-up, run 10 minutes, walk1 minute. Do this 4 times. 5-minute cool-down

Day 2: 8-minute warm-up, run 3 minutes, walk 1 minute. Do this 8 times. 5-minute cool-down

Day 3: 8-minute warm-up, run 5 minutes, walk 1 minutes. Do this 7 times. 5-minute cool-down


*A few words about The Beginning Runner's Handbook. The 13-week program doesn't appear until page 151 because the authors (Ian MacNeill and the Sport Medicine Council of British Columbia) thought it was important to start with topics like moderation, choosing good shoes, training mind & body, pregnancy, cross-training, technique, diet, injuries and stretching. It is probably wise to do some reading of your own before you launch into this new exercise program. Please make sure you're healthy and ready for action and then join us!

Cross-Country Adventure: women re-enact historic road trip

Finishing off this road trip-themed week, here's an interesting bit about women who have re-enacted Alice Ramsey's historic cross-country road trip of 100 years ago. Alice, a bold 22-year-old, was the first woman to drive coast-to-coast in a day when driving was a physical activity. Alice had some friends along for the big ride and the women recreating her feat are no different.

Emily Anderson and Christie Catania spent a chunk of their summer in a rebuilt 1909 Maxwell DA, speeding across the country at a crazy 35 miles per hour. The two followed in Alice's wheel ruts and made a documentary about their experience.

To read an article about their efforts, click here.

To visit Emily and Christie's site, click here.

To read more about their film, click here.

The Sky Ledge: A Glass Balcony -- 103 Stories High

I touched on this in my list of things to do in Chicago but, honestly, it deserves a little more attention. The Sears (OK the WILLIS) Tower has just installed new balconies with glass floors that they are calling "Sky Ledges." The big selling point here is that the Sky Ledges are 103 stories up. Click here to read a story from the Associated Press and to see some impressive pictures. Click here to visit the home of the Sky Ledge. The top picture on the Sky Ledge page gives me vertigo and I'm sitting in a chair 800 miles away.

Celebrate the Quirky, the Unusual and the Really Weird

I've said it before but it's worth repeating. If you're driving across the USA and you want to celebrate the weirdness that is America plan your next road trip with the help of RoadsideAmerica.com. They'll help you find the world's largest sausage, the pyramid of modern mummification, mystery spots galore, endless giant fiberglass animals, six foot tall ears of corn, castles, roadside "creatures," and of course the world's largest ball of twine. Roadside America lets you search for attractions by type, town or state. They'll even help you plan your trip: Jolly Green Giant, meteor crater, world's largest burger, armory museum, gravity hill, giant rooster....


Image credit: Roadside America

My Favorite Road Trip: DC to Yellowstone

A couple of weeks ago someone asked me to describe my favorite road trip. I had to think a bit because I LOVE road trips and every couple of years I mark out a section of the country, load "Stella," my car, with maps and books on tape and family members and hit the interstate. We've covered a lot of territory over the years but here's one of my all time favorites.

Starting Point: Washington, DC
Ending Point: Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming

First stop: Chicago, Illinois
I grew up in this town and, though I may be biased, it tops my list of best cities in the US. I think it's the combination of architectural interest, gorgeous lake, abundant cultural happenings and very friendly residents. These are a few of my family's favorite spots:
Sears Tower (yeah, yeah, they changed the name but I'm still calling it Sears. Check out the Sky Deck 103 stories high, and the brand new glass-bottom Sky Ledge),
Millennium Park (beautiful fountains, the Cloud Gate--aka "bean" sculpture, outdoor concerts), Buckingham Fountain (regular water displays & nightly light shows),
Magnificent Mile (walk this vibrant stretch of Michigan Avenue),
Tribune Tower (the base of this building features stones from around the world: the Great Pyramid, the Great Wall of China, the Parthenon...),
State Street (Chicago's traditional retail shopping district), Water Tower Place (upscale high-rise shopping with fun fountains on Michigan Ave),
Navy Pier ( great city view from huge Ferris wheel, events & food),
Museum of Science and Industry (all kinds of cool stuff!),
Wrigley Field (once a Cub's fan, always a Cub's fan),
Garrett's Popcorn (when I was a kid they only had one location and my friend, Pam, and I spent a lot of time in the line outside that store).

Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin
Imagine combining a town, an amusement park and a carnival and you have the Dells. Lots of fun, water and fudge. A great stop on your way to...

the Spam Museum, Austin, Minnesota
You don't have to be a fan of potted meat products to enjoy this kitchy place. Interactive exhibits, goofy games, a solid sense of humor and the occasional sample mean that you'll spend more time in this museum than you thought possible.

Corn Palace, Mitchell, South Dakota
More than a century ago, someone in Mitchell thought creating a mural from the local harvest would be a good idea. It was such a hit that the citizens have kept the tradition ever since -- designing and assembling brand new images each year. The artists use 13 different shades of corn give the enormous work of art it's distinctive appearance. I can tell you that the Corn Palace is worth a look.

The Bad Lands, near Wall, South Dakota
If you have never been to the Bad Lands then you will have a hard time imagining this exotic landscape. Shaped by erosion, the region is a great sweep of hills and valleys, subtle hues and bursts of color. It is seemingly barren but surprisingly full of life (we had an interesting encounter with a rattle snake). Since there's no way I can describe the Bad lands, I'll send you to blogger Seabrooke Leckie who has some nice images in her post about the region. Click here to see her pictures.

Wall Drug, Wall, South Dakota
One of the craziest tourist traps you'll ever see, Wall Drug with its famous ice water and ice cream is perfectly positioned just off the road through the Bad Lands. There's no way you can miss it because you'll have seen at least one of their hundreds of signs before you come within 50 miles of the place. I saw a Wall Drug sign in Amsterdam the last time I was in that city.

Custer State Park in South Dakota's Black Hills
I love this park! Herds of buffalo and plenty of other wild life are just part of the attraction. The cabins are comfortable and quaint and give you access to hiking, biking, and fishing. There are a number of caves in the area if you're a spelunker and of course it's right next to...

Mt. Rushmore, Black Hills, South Dakota
Amazingly, it looks just like every picture you've ever seen.

Devil's Tower, Devils Tower, Wyoming
Be sure to watch Close Encounters of the Third Kind before you visit. President Teddy Roosevelt made Devils Tower the first national monument in 1906.

Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
You could spend the entire summer in Yellowstone and only see a tiny bit of this stunning wilderness area. There are so many geothermal phenomena in this one park that it's hard to know where to start. Old Faithful is popular but I enjoyed the little mud pots and hot springs even more. Of course there's also the wild life; Yellowstone is know for it's wolves, bears, moose and bison. The waterfalls and lakes worth the hike/drive. Yellowstone is one of those places that you MUST visit at least once in your lifetime.



Image credit: PATAGONIAN ROAD
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