Race Day October 8, 2011

I made it to the starting line!  After months of training, a few weeks of losing my focus and falling off the horse (so they say) with my exercise, after the highs and lows of training, today was race day!  My stomach was in knots the entire car ride to the event, so much so that I skipped breakfast (a BIG no no for runners).  My sister-in-law met me there, a few weeks ago she had agreed to run/walk the race with me; I think she could see my motivation start to go out the window when she say things like "how's training going?" and I'd shuffle my feet, avoid eye contact, and reply "oh, you know, not bad."  I was so glad she was there!

Nervously, I approached the tent to get my packet of goodies and race timer.  After some fiddling for 10 minutes (I had neglected to bring pins, which an expert would have known to bring), I was able to attach my number to the front of my shirt.  It didn't look fancy like the other runners, but at least it was on!  The Fit at 5K was being sponsored by our local Channel 6 News team, and while I waited for them to call us to the starting line, I was able to sit back and do a little celeb seeing (sight seeing for local celebrities).  It was fun to see the familiar TV faces, until it dawned on me that the race itself would be aired on TV, meaning there would be a chance for ME to end up on TV too!  At that point, there went the stomach again, tied in knots and I wondered why I had chosen such a public race for my debut!  I thought again how grateful I was that my sister-in-law would be next to me; there always seems to be safety in numbers!

The announcer finally called runners to the starting line and I joined the crowd, a bit unsure of where to stand.  I chose to be in the middle of the pack, reasoning that, just like my students at school, nobody wants to be in the front where you can be noticed (unless you are really serious about this running stuff and really really good).  The adrenaline started to take over and I jogged in place a bit, loosening up, wanting so much to just go!  Kelly LeBreque, from Channel 6 News, made a brief speech that served to pump us up and turned us all into "woo" girls (and guys).  And then, just like that, we were off!

I started out running with virtually everyone, although I was quickly passed by many of the more seasoned athletes.  I didn't care, I wasn't last and I planned on pacing myself so I could finish.  I wasn't in a race with anyone but myself that day!  About 10 minutes into the race, out of sight of the cameras interestingly enough, the majority of the runners stopped and began a brisk power walk.  The runners destined to place well in the race, quickly were out of sight, as the rest of us settled into a beautiful jaunt along the Back Cove of Portland.  My sister-in-law and I were able to keep up a constant conversation, even if a bit breathless, as we admired the fancy houses and the beautiful ocean and city views.  After a brief discussion on how much we thought these houses were worth, we came to our first water station.  A smile crossed my face and I turned to my sister-in-law, "We should run and get the water, like we see in the marathon.  It will give us the full experience!"  We both broke into a slow jog as the volunteers held out a Dixie cup of water to each of us as we passed by.  I realized two things at that moment: trying to drink out of a Dixie cup while running is tough business, and dropping your used Dixie cups on the ground during a race is not considered littering.  I'm sure some amazing volunteer cleaned up after us.  But, still, it felt odd to just drop my cup and go!

The race route wound through some residential sections and volunteers were stationed every so often to tell you which way to go.  They were really wonderful people, offering cheers and words of encouragement and a few jokes along the way.  There were some hilly areas that my sister-in-law and I dutifully walked (I had not trained for running up hill at this point in the program).  We walked a good portion of the race, but I didn't care.  I wasn't going to come in last, the day was beautiful, I had wonderful company and at least I was brave enough to be here!

Towards the end, we rounded the top of a hill that brought us back to the starting/finish line.  We both broke into a run at that point and I was pumped!  I could not stop grinning from ear to ear as I heard my friends and family cheer me home.  My sister-in-law and I gave each other a high five as we crossed under the balloon arbor that marked the end of the race.  I had made it!  Not only that, I wasn't last and I had finished in under an hour!  Setting out, those were my only goals, and I did it!!  The feeling was amazing!!!

So, couch potatoes, it CAN be done!  We CAN set our goals and reach them, with a little sweat and maybe a few tears.  Now the only question I have is, what will my next challenge be and who will join me?  Come on, you know you can make it!  I'll be right there beside you, like my sister-in-law was for me!

  

Beating the Heat August 17, 2011

Running in Maine is definitely an experience, especially when the weather does not cooperate.  The problem is getting your body used to running in specific temperatures.  There are no specific temperatures in Maine.  For instance, yesterday it was rainy with a high of about 50 degrees Fahrenheit.  Today, it is sunny and in the 80s.  That's a difference of 30 degrees in less than 24 hours!  Running in 80 degree weather, after experiencing 50 degree weather, is tough for a beginner.  This summer, I have yet to figure out the best way to adjust my body to the temperatures while still making gains in my program.  Each warm or hot day feels like a setback and it is very frustrating!

Although, during the last stint of rainy weather, as I was on the couch watching TV, I came across a program on Maine PBS.  Did you know that there are actual people who run races out in Death Valley?   I had no idea that there were people that, let's say, unique.  The races are usually run in February, during the "cold" season (about 70 or 80 degrees), but these diehards were running it in the summer where the temperature was a crazy 130 degrees!  I still can't tell whether I am impressed with their bravery, or dismayed at their "throw caution to the wind" mentality.  But, I will say one thing for them, they are definitely dedicated runners!  I can respect them!  And, in the words of my friend Sarah (who said it best), "I have respect for anyone who wants to run anywhere!"   

I guess that is one of the biggest differences between myself and these hardcore runners.  They seem to get pleasure out of their running WHILE they are running.  I have realized that, for the most part, I don't.  I can appreciate my accomplishment after I finish, but during the actual running I find it far from pleasurable.  I know, in the end, it is good for me and it will help me lead a healthier and happier life.  But, at times like today, when my motivation is out the window, I have to reflect on the words of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, who encourages us to ask ourselves "Will it make you happy?"  And, while running may not be pleasurable everyday, in the long run it can help make us happy!  So, keep running and remember, you could always be running in 130 degree weather in Death Valley.  There is always a bright side to everything!

June 29, 2011 My Spiritual Moment in Zion

Now, I know the Grand Canyon is supposed to be the most impressive place in the lower 48.  I know people flock there from all over the world to wonder at how vast it is.  I admit, I went and I was impressed, but it was not my most favorite place to see when I went out West.  That honor has to belong to, none other, than Zion National Park.

I am not a particularly religious person, although I can appreciate the sense of community and the comfort that an organized religion can give someone.  I tend to lean towards my own brand of spirituality, taking the best of what I have learned from others and attempting to apply it towards my own life.  That is why, I was a bit skeptical that a place called Zion would be of huge interest to me.  I was wrong!  I have been to many beautiful places, but this is the first time I could feel what it might mean to have a "religious experience." 

Great Basin Desert

The day before, on our way to the Grand Canyon, my friends and I had traveled through The Great Basin Desert.  It was a land both beautiful and desolate.  Huge mesas lined one side of the highway, while the other side was scrub land as far as the eye could see.  Much of the land that we saw had been given to the Paiute Tribe of American Indians by our own government many years ago.  As we drove through this area, we kept commenting on how difficult it must be to earn a living here, how this land did not seem to have much usefulness.  It was a barren wasteland that could support very little life.



Zion National Park





   Which is why, I did not expect that, 20 minutes from this arid land, would be a place so majestic and bountiful.  The day after seeing the Grand Canyon, we drove into Zion National Park and could not believe what we were witnessing.  A cold, meandering river; green trees; and green grass stuck, seemingly, in the middle of nowhere.  A hidden canyon full of lush vegetation and animal life!  Never, in my life, have I been somewhere that was in such stark contrast to it's surroundings.  I could picture early pioneers, many of them Mormon farmers from Salt Lake, crossing the Great Basin desert, feeling thirsty and tired and maybe a bit disheartened.  As they traveled, they would slowly begin to see trees and grass and know that hope might be nearby.  What did they feel when their eyes first took in Zion?  I think it must have been a spiritual experience for them.  I think they may have felt that God had given them this place as a reward for crossing the treacherous desert.  In fact, the Mormons named Zion Kolob, which roughly translated,  means the heavenly place nearest the residence of God.  I can see why, after toiling through deserts and rough terrain, the Mormons would have stopped here and found their promised land.

Court of Patriarchs Zion

My friends and I took the shuttle bus through the canyon, stopping at each stop to get out and wander around.  I loved how interactive Zion was, you could touch the rocks, swim in the cool river, and wander the trails to your hearts content.  One day was certainly not enough to get the full experience.  Next time I will spend more, and maybe even attempt some of the hikes around the river and the canyon.  For now, I will be glad that I was able to see a place this unexpected and beautiful!

Happy travels and I hope you can find a place in your life that can make you feel "nearer to God."

August 6, 2011 Baldpate Mt

Today I just couldn't get motivated to run.  Now that I have officially signed up for an actual road race, bragged about it to all of my friends, and invited my family to come watch (as if this was my college graduation all over again), I've started to panic.  Sure, it's easy to go jogging when you have nobody to please but yourself.  But, now that I've committed to this race, I'm feeling the pressure.  Especially when it seems like everyone I know is a racer or starting to race.  Gosh, they make it look so easy!

So, to give myself a break, I decided to take Bella and head up into the woods for a hike.  There is something peaceful about hiking that has always held the ability to calm me down.  The trailhead begins not far from 5 Field Farms in Bridgton and there are several different trails or loops to choose from.  You can hike the entire trail system (about 14K I'm told) or just some.  Each trail segment is about 1/2 to 1 mile depending on what you choose.  The terrain is gradual and much of it is spent in the woods.  These are great beginner trails for anyone wanting to get out into the fresh air. 

Today I hiked up an easy trail to the summit and skipped the loops; I will save those for another day.  The majority of the hike is spent in the woods and now and then you come to a spot with a nice view.  The views look out over the surrounding Western Maine foothills and ponds, namely Holt and Peabody Pond.  At the summit, there is a flat rocky area, surrounded by pine trees, that is perfect for a picnic. 

Bella enjoyed the day immensley, crashing through the woods, chasing squirrels, and sniffing anything that was worth sniffing.  She is not much of a water dog, but get her into the woods and she is in her element.  Although I am not a hunter, I think she would have made a great hunting dog.  Or, perhaps, a search and rescue dog as her nose seldom leaves the ground when she's hiking.  I have also noticed that she, having 4 legs to my 2, can go much faster than I can, but will stop several feet up ahead to wait for me.  On the way back down, she will tend to lie down to wait for me, which I find a bit insulting; I am not that slow of a hiker and she certainly will not have time for a quick nap while she waits for me.  

 

Overall, a lovely day and a great place to clear one's head!  I'm sure tomorrow I will hear the Couch to 5K training plan calling my name.  But, until then, it is time for some much needed couch potato time!

"Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. The winds will blow their own freshness into you and the storms their energy, while cares will drop away from you like the leaves of autumn." - Muir

June 30, 2011 or why Hippies make great hostel guests

Today found me about as far away from home as I have been in awhile.  After a 6 hour plane ride and an 8 hour drive, I had arrived in Moab, UT.  If you have never had the chance to see the Western half of the United States, I highly recommend it, especially if you are from the East.  It can really put an entirely new perspective on things. 

Moab is an interesting little town stuck, literally, in the middle of the desert.  As my friends and I made our way East, on I70, we came to a sign that was a little concerning.  The sign dutifully informed us that this was the last exit with gas, food or real bathrooms for the next 200 miles.  Gas and food I figured we'd be ok.  Our "Lil Mule" (aka: the little Ford Fiesta that could) had very good gas mileage.  No, the lack of bathrooms was what I was the most concerned about.

What the sign did not tell us was that, this was going to be the very last building we would see for the next 200 miles.  As we continued, the desert stretched out before us, flat and colorful and uninhabited.  Giant rock formations, cliffs and mesas surrounded us in a broken, but amazingly beautiful landscape.  It was what, I imagined, driving on Mars might be like.

We arrived in Moab late in the day, thankful that we had made it safely and no longer had to be cramped in the car.  The thing about Utah, on the map the distance didn't seem so great, but in reality things were very far apart.  Moab seemed such an odd place, just a decent sized town stuck in the middle of nowhere.  Out on the highway, we did see cars, but it was not exactly rush hour traffic.  In Moab, the streets were packed and there were people everywhere.  Where did they come from?  How did they get here?  It is really the strangest, most random little town I have ever seen. 

At first we couldn't find the Lazy Lizard Hostel, that would be our home for the night.  We passed by some fancier hotels, noting with envy, the pools and air conditioned rooms.  Then we spotted an A1 Storage Building, the kind of place where you rent out units to store your belongings in when you have accumulated too much clutter for your home.  The directions said it was behind the A1 Storage Building, but we didn't realize how accurate that was.  When we pulled in, we were immediately greeted by 2 men, wearing tie dye shirts, who tried to invite us into a game of frisbee.  They looked like the sort of young men who spend their days roaming from town to town looking for adventures in the outdoors.  How they fund their adventures is beyond me.  We were shown to our cabin, which on first glanced looked ok.  Once inside, the 3 of us began laughing hysterically when we were introduced to the wooden bunk beds, a duct taped plastic window, and an air conditioner that had been jerry rigged to move the warm air around.

   

But, hey, what did we expect for $12 per night.  We knew there would have to be some concessions.  We unpacked, settled in, and took a trip down to the communal bathhouse (which reminded me so much of my camp counselor days).  When we returned, an RV had parked right next to our cabin and had rigged up a plastic sheet tacked onto a corner of our building and a corner of their RV.  Not exactly sure why, we immediately went inside and locked the doors, laughing some more at our fancy accommodations.  A few hours later, as we were getting to sleep, we realized why there was a need for the plastic sheet as a strange, funky, 60's era odor started creeping through the holes of our cabin.  A few moments later, we began to hear the drum of bongos, as the hippie party got underway.  This elicited more hysterical laughter from us as we discussed how much we missed the Super 8 we had stayed at a few days prior.  Who knew the Super 8 would feel like the Hilton after this experience!

So, if you are ever in Moab, I recommend visiting Arches National Park and the shops in town.  But, unless you wear tie dye on a daily basis, I'd skip the Lazy Lizard Hostel.    

May 25, 2011 Ahh...HERE is the sun!

Gloomy weather has not helped me in my Couch to 5K challenge.  In fact, it has not helped me in any area of life.  It is hard to stay motivated when the sun is hiding away, taking any bit of warmth with it.  I've already told you about my issues with the treadmill, it is no substitute for jogging in the sun along the lake. 

Although, 1 plus about exercising within the privacy of your own home is that nobody sees you.  This means you can be as silly as you want to be, which can be very helpful.  I stepped it up a notch to try the Week 4 excercise (technically I have been doing this for 6 weeks).  This consists of 3 minutes of jogging, 2 minutes of walking, 5 minutes of jogging, 3 minutes of walking...and repeat!  When I first printed out this routine, oh so many weeks ago, and noticed all the jogging, I began to panic, "I can't do this.  Who can do this?  Only crazy people jog for 16 minutes total!"  And, friends, I will say that this part of the workout did  hurt just a little bit.  In fact, the day after I first tried it I was at school and had to bend down to pick up a pencil, I had a moment I wasn't sure I was going to get back up again.  My hamstrings were screaming at me and asking, "Why on Earth did you do this to us!  Here we were, content to just lounge on the couch watching Oprah's last season!  Why, why, why, why...." 

This is a perfect example of my body, my brain and my heart not exactly being on the same page.  But, I did it anyway, despite the protest of my hammies and managed to get through it.  Now, this was accomplished in the confines of my home on the treadmill, which meant I could talk to myself and say things like, "Go, your almost there, don't give up, booya, woohoo, you rock, yeeha!"  Had I done this outside in public I would have more than likely ended up checked into the local hospital for an evaluation.  But, inside, I found giving myself affirmations a great way to get through that LAST little bit that your just not sure you can do.  So, my advice for you, hoot and holler all you want and celebrate the time you are off the couch!  It can make a big difference in how you feel after!  Oh, and NEVER be afraid to boast a little bit to friends, family and social networking sites, you've worked hard and you've earned it! 

Why I Love and Hate Running

May 2, 2011

I have a love/hate relationship with running.  I hate that I get shin splints.  I hate that I sweat and get really red in the face so that I look like a raddish.  Believe you me, I don't think that running is going to make me particularly attractive to the opposite sex (at least, not while I'm running).  I have yet to buy those cute running outfits that all the fitness magazines show on their front covers.  Nope, give me sweats and a t-shirt, put my hair up into a pony tail and I'm pretty much good to go.


What I Hope Is My Before Picture

What I LOVE about running is that it gets you out into the community.  My town is small and picturesque, the quaint New England vacation town.  It pretty much closes up in the Winter time, but around April you begin to see the first people emerge from their hibernation states.  It's small at first, one or two people taking pictures down by the lake.  By May, there are people everywhere: window shopping downtown, having a picnic in the park, or doing their own run/walk routine.  And most people are very friendly!  Today was no exception when, my dog being the social animal she is, we met another woman with her dog.  Actually, I had no immediate plans to stop, I had hit the "zone" in my running routine.  My dog had other ideas and stubbornly sat down until I let her go and sniff her new friend.  Dogs apparently do not care about time or laps or exercise reps.  Friendly dog and human greetings were exchanged (both in ENTIRELY different ways) and we left with the feeling we'd probably bump into each other again.  I think this shouldn't be too hard in a town with only 700 people (if not less) in it.

 We also met a little Corgi that had broken loose from it's line and came charging at us full tilt.  This was a slightly less exciting event because I wasn't sure how my pup would react.  One of the things I love about Bella is that she is a very friendly, passive dog.  She won't start any trouble with other dogs.  BUT, she is also not afraid to "throw down" if another dog starts trouble.  Luckily, the Corgi seemed to be friendly enough and I left, breathing a sigh of relief (after notifying the owner that their dog was loose of course).  

Running is also a great way to multi-task.  For example, today I ran into my car mechanic, which was convienent because I needed to give him a call anyway.  It's nice when you can accomplish 2 things at once!  And, at the rate my car is going, I may need to rely more on my running muscles than ever before.  It is one thing to "go green" voluntarily, but an enitrely different matter when your forced to.  Ah well, if it is good for me and the environment then so be it! 

So, to all of you out there reading my blog, enjoy your running and I hope you accomplish a lot of things as you multi-task your workout.  Also, watch out for Corgis and mud puddles (a story for another time).  Cheers! 

Woman's Best Friend April 22, 2011

Hello cyber friends!  Just a writer's note, akin to reading the fine print, but I will not be updating my blog on a daily basis.  I think I'll be doing well with once per week, otherwise it may get boring listening to my ramblings (and I can ramble, believe you me). 

That being said, I HAD to mention an experience today on my run/walk, and I HAVE to introduce you to my dog Bella.  She will be one of my companions on my adventures outdoors, and she is also a huge couch potato (which is where she currently is as I'm writing this).  I got her from a rescue organization called Lucky Pup Rescue, which my Aunt Missy and Uncle Bob do volunteer work for.  I had been hemming and hawing about getting a dog for a long time; one the one hand, I was really jonesing for a pup of my own, on the other I was concerned about taking care of it.  Out of the blue, Missy called me up and said that she had a dog for me.  I agreed to go and "see" what it was all about, but made it clear I had not agreed or signed anything.  So, one sunny day 2 years ago, I went down to their farm and met Bella (she was called Queenie back then, a name that did not suit her in the least).  If I could have chosen a dog out of a catalogue that fit all my needs and lifestyle, Bella was it!  She's a yellow lab with an unknown mix of dog in her (ok, ok, so she's a mutt).  She was the right size (50 lbs), the right temperment (not too energetic but willing to get off the couch once in awhile), and very sweet.  I knew, when I saw her, she'd be coming home with me that day.  I haven't regretted it since! 

Not only that, I am learning that my running skills are on par with her behavior on the leash.  Namely, we are both beginners in this venture.  That was made very apparent to me today as we set out on our challenge.  A woman jogged by us, definately an expert at this exercise, with her dog.  Now, I don't mean to sound rude, but this lady didn't exactly exude friendliness.  She seemed more annoyed by the behavior of my dog than happy to be meeting another runner along the way.  Of course, her dog was running impressively at her side, head up and tail wagging, like he was posing for the front cover of Fitness Magazine.  MY dog was lunging at her head collar, completely unfocused on what she was supposed to be doing, trying to make friends with the runner and her dog.  My cheeks flared as I imagined Victoria Stillwell (from It's Me or the Dog) shaking her head and giving me one of her hard, judging stares.  No matter how hard I try, I cannot convince Bella that not everybody that she meets wants to be her friend.  She is an incredibly social animal, entirely confident in her ability to elicit love from people, that is never occurs to her that someone might actually NOT like her.  Gosh, what would it be like to have that kind of confidence?  Blogging friends, we certainly can learn a lot from our dogs!

Until next time....


 

The Couch to 5K Challenge April 20, 2011

So, today was a raining and thundering kind of morning. The perfect opportunity to sleep in, do a little reading, and have a lazy time of it. So, what was I doing putting on my sweatpants and lacing up my new sneakers? I was getting ready to set out on the 2^nd day of my new walk/run program. I had a small window of opportunity, once the thunder and rain stopped, to get outside before the next storm passed through (according to the Doppler radar on News Center 6). My brain and body said no, but my heart said go for it; so I did.

At this point, I should give you some background information. The sport of running seems to be gaining popularity in the New England area. Maybe it has always been popular and they just have a better PR person, I don‘t really know. Sometime last fall, I began to notice tons of ads on TV and in the newspaper for different races and walks, some for charity and some just for the heck of it. All the people in the ads, clad in their cute running attire and stylish running shoes, were smiling and happy as they crossed the finish line. The more I came across such ads the more a tiny seed of an idea started to bloom in my head; I would become a runner!

I had images of myself, smiling and waving my arms like Rocky Balboa, crossing the finish line. I could envision my family and friends on the side of the road, hooting and hollering me home. In some of my more egotistic daydreams, I even saw the New Center 6 news reporter running up to me with a microphone wanting me to tell the world (well, at least Maine) “how I did it!” Ok, yes, I admit it, my imagination did start to get the better of me, and maybe my intentions were not exactly for the pure love of the sport.

So, I started out in September of 2010 on my own running plan, and things started out pretty well. In week 1 the goal was to walk for 5 minutes, run for 1 and repeat 4 times. Each week, I would increase the time that I ran and lower the amount I walked. I ended up getting to a point where I was running for 4 and only walking for 2 and I was feeling pretty darn proud of myself. I also realized an interesting side effect to all this exercise (no, not just weight loss), I started to feel calmer and more “zen” like. Sure, some days I hated it and was so not motivated to go, but I noticed while I was walking/running I didn’t have time to think about anything else. It was a nice mental break (some may say meditation) from all the worries of my daily life (what will I make for dinner? Did I remember to lock the laptop cabinet at school? And what the heck IS that new noise my car is making?) It was also a nice bonding experience for my pooch, Bella, and made her a much calmer dog at home.

Around November the reality of what I was attempting hit home and I hit a wall. This happened for a couple of reasons: daylight savings time, a cute looking callus on my left big toe, and realizing the race I had wanted to try to run was not the 4K I had thought, it was actually 4 miles! Combine that with the weather cooling down and the amount of daylight decreasing, it seemed to be the end of my running days. I’m enough of a couch potato to not be too excited to run or walk in the darkness, no matter how many cool little blinking lights you can get to signal to drivers that, not running you over, would make your day! Suffice it to say, my motivation waned and I retreated to my old friend, the couch.

But what about an indoor treadmill you say? I have one, although I think it recently broke. I’ve just never seen the point of a treadmill, running in 1 place while staring at a blank wall just didn’t get my get up going. I’ve tried reading while running on a treadmill, but it never worked out and I ended up with motion sickness. No, I took the path of lease resistance and gave up.

Fast forward a few months, the weather is warmer and the snow is gone, and I feel ready to give it another try. I realized last week that it was time to pick myself up by the shoe laces and get out there! THIS time around I am a little more realistic, I know what to expect and what I need to do. THIS time I am not running for glory or fame, in fact, I don’t even have a particular race in mind. THIS time I am running because I know my body can do it. I’ve spent a lot of time as a teen and young adult thinking not having much faith in my body’s ability to do things. One thing I am learning through my adventures is that, yes my body can if I let it! It’s a pretty empowering feeling. So, happy running couch potatoes, even if it is vicariously through the TV or through using the Wii Fit! Hey, there is no shame, you have to start somewhere!!

For more information on some great beginning walking/running programs, check out
　
　
　www.coolrunning.com. I am working on the Couch to 5K as referenced in the online article by Josh Clark.

Pineland Farms skiing (or icing the boob)

February 1, 2011
  It’s winter and it’s my birthday. Past birthdays included heading out on the town with my best girlfriends (ala Sex and the City), getting an embarrassingly huge drink at Margaritas, and then trying to find someplace to stash my birthday sombrero (yes, I do actually own one) while we get our groove thing going out on the dance floor. However, this birthday found me in my Blazer, with skis in tow, heading to Pineland Farms in New Gloucester, Maine. This would be my 2^nd ski adventure with Jeff this season, and this time we were on his home turf.
  Pineland has a unique and interesting history of any cross country skiing place out there (in my humble opinion). Technically, cross country skiing is just a small part of what Pineland Farms is really all about. In 1908, the campus was opened to serve as a school for the mentally handicapped of Maine. It closed in 1996 and it’s 1600 plus acres was purchased by the Libra Foundation in Maine. Now, the incredibly maintained, sprawling campus includes: an equestrian center, a YMCA, a non-profit, self-sustaining farm, and other various businesses and ventures.
  If Sunday River or Sugarloaf are the crème de la crème downhill ski resorts in Maine, I have to think that Pineland is the crème de la crème for cross country. The campus is absolutely beautiful and incredibly well groomed. Standing on one of the easier trails, breathing in the fresh air and basking in the sunshine, it is hard to believe this place ever had had such a different, perhaps even misguided, purpose. It is hard to think that the sterile, hard word “institution” could have ever been applied to this beautiful land. What must it have been like for the people who lived in these buildings? Did they get to enjoy it, as we do now?
  I met Jeff at the entrance, and immediately he wanted to head up a rather large hill that was the official starting point for the trail system. I was fine with that, I chose the no less honorable route of taking off my skis, walking on the side of the trail up the hill, until I found the flattest spot to put my skis back on. A woman nearby, who was skiing with her son, and who looked to have a similar view as I did on avoiding unnecessary risks, smiled at me and said, “there’s no shame! I do the same thing when he (nodding to her son) wants to act more extreme.”
  With skis back on, I began to get back into the glide and slide rhythm that is cross country skiing. I was huffing and puffing, but I was doing much better than last time. I think I was able to fool a few people into thinking I knew what I was doing. That is, until I noticed the people with skate skis, flying by me with their graceful movements that I can only describe as dancing. These were the experts, clad in their spandex thermal tops and lightweight bottoms that left little to the imagination. I should invest in some of this wear, I found myself thinking, then wondered if they sold those in plus sizes.
  We took a trail that went into the woods called Oak Hill Trail. It boasted a total of 4.8 kilometers with the option of connecting to some intermediate and expert trails (which was not something I planned on doing today). The nice thing about Pineland is that the trails are groomed with 2 sets of grooves that, if your attempting classic cross country, will keep your skis on the straight and narrow during your experience. The middle track is reserved for skate skis or those brave enough to not need the grooves (or who think they are brave enough, I find with skiing bravery and stupidity can sometimes run hand in hand).
  The first hill we came to was considerable, and was made more alarming because it curved to the left at the bottom. My downhill instincts told me I should slalom back and forth, Jeff told me that I better not try that. The best thing to do, he said, was stick my skis in the grooves, balance and fall down on purpose if I felt out of control. I told him that I doubted my fall would be on purpose, that gravity has a way of making you do things you don’t want to do. But, I followed his lead, bent my knees, pushed off and hope for the best. ½ way down I felt exhilarated with the thoughts, “I’m doing it, I’m doing it, I’m really doing it. I CAN do it” running through my head. I almost made it to the bottom when, woosh, I fell forward, like a sack of potatoes, right onto my left breast! Ladies, if you have not experienced this, you are lucky, because it hurt! It also made me roll around on the snow in fits of laughter because all I could think was, “ow, I just landed on my boob!” Jeff, of course being a guy, just stood there watching me with a confused expression, and reminded me I should get up out of the snow before I got run over by another skier.
  The rest of the trail was better, with fewer hills; but, as Jeff reminded me about ½ way through, if you go down you must go up (notice I say ½ way, in other words, way too late for me to turn back). I dragged myself up the hills and across the rest of the trail, and collapsed at the wooden bench that someone had so thoughtfully put at the end of the trail. I bet, whoever made that bench, had skied this trail before! Maybe they were even a couch potato, it seems like something we would do. I think, my only criticism of this bench is that it did not come with a built in back massager or foot soak; but maybe that is a note I can put in the suggestion box for next year.
  For now, this is the couch potato, retreating to her chair with an ice pack for her boob (yes, it has left a bruise) and watching the episode of Glee that I recorded. Until next time….

5 Field Farms Skiing Winter 2011

January 15, 2011
  It’s winter in Maine and it’s cold. For a couch potato, it is the perfect time of year. Cold and snow mean not having to feel guilty for lounging on the couch, a cup of hot cocoa steaming on the coffee table, watching reruns of your favorite HBO shows via Netflix. I know for some die hard outdoor enthusiasts, snow and cold only add to the excitement of their outdoor adventures. Their vision of the perfect winter day is stashing their skis in whatever SUV they drove at the time, heading to Mt. Washington, ignoring the avalanche warnings, and hiking up to Tuckerman’s to catch some powder. There is certainly nothing wrong with that. I can only say that my vision of the perfect winter morning usually does not include me pushing and pulling myself into ski pants and a ski jacket that left me feeling a bit like the state puff marshmallow man. It did not include me staring warily down a large hill, conscience that “downhill” was not an adjective that could be applied to my skis, and knowing that my companion was waiting impatiently at the bottom for me to catch up.
  Yet, that is just what I was doing today at 5 Field Farms in Bridgton, Maine when the temperature was a balmy 15 degrees. For cross country enthusiasts, 5 Field is a wonderful place to spend the day. In the Fall, it is actually an operating apple orchard that abuts property preserved by the Loon Echo Land Trust. This wonderful organization has helped to save 3,750 acres of land in the Sebago Lake region that would have otherwise been given over to land developers and other projects. One of their greatest achievements was to create the Bald Pate Mountain Preserve, which maintains a network of 6.7 miles of trail that leads to the scenic views on top of Bald Pate Mountain. It is actually one of the perfect places for novice outdoors people, like yours truly, to gain some needed experience.
  I was not here alone, my friend Jeff had called me up to invite me to ski with him. When I first met Jeff, we had a conversation that went something like this:

Jeff: Do you cross country ski?
Me: Sure, of course I do, I grew up in Maine didn’t I? (never mind I had only been 1 time with my older brother, and that didn’t happen until I was well into my 20s)
Jeff: Great! (taking out a brochure for his favorite skiing spot and handing it over) This place has some great trails, I do the 5 mile loop every weekend.
Me: Great (feigning a smile as I anxiously look over the map showing very few beginner trails and a boat load of black diamond ones). No problem. I’m up for it! Uh…just…well…are they all black diamonds? (pointing to the map) Where are the rest of the little green circles?

  Don’t get me wrong, I didn’t exactly lie to Jeff as much as I underestimated how different cross country skiing was from downhill. I may be a couch potato now, but I wasn’t always so; namely in the years between 5-10, when I had more energy than a long distance runner. I can boast that I, literally, grew up at Shawnee Peak Skiing Area. I was one of those cute little 5 year olds in ski school, with her hands on her knees, hot pink skis pointed into a perfect v shape, skiing in a snaking line behind her instructor. I was pretty good, actually, so why wouldn’t I be good at cross country?
  Well, cross country skis do not have edges for one; so if you find yourself getting into trouble on the way down a small hill and try to cut in, you will find yourself toppled over into a snow bank. It is also incredibly hard to make the darling little v shape wedge that my downhill instructor used to tell me, was my saving grace. “If nothing else, make the wedge and you’ll be ok,” she used to say. Well, on cross country skis, a wedge does NOT mean you’ll necessarily be ok. I found that cross country skiing was more of a balancing act on one hand, and a huge cardiovascular work out, on the other. The principles of downhill are fairly simple, point your skis down and let gravity do all the work as you go along for a “free ride.” In cross country, you don’t move unless you make yourself move, and it is more about gliding than riding. One thing about cross country, because it is such a workout, it warms your body up to a point where you don’t notice the freezing temperatures.
  So, Jeff and I spent the day alternating between gliding (he slightly more gracefully) along flat trails and trying to navigate some moderately steep hills. The sky was blue, the sun was out, and it turned out to be a lot of fun once I got used to it. Towards the end, we had the option to get back into our car and drive to a different location that afforded us with more trails to choose from. To my surprise, even Jeff agreed that a burger and fries at Ricky’s Diner sounded like a better plan and we’d save the other trails for a different day. The way this winter was going, we didn’t think we’d have to worry about snow being in short supply anytime soon!

Blueberry Ledge Trail September 2010

   To begin with, I think it is only fair to introduce myself to you, I am a couch potato. I prefer movies and books and the comforts of my couch to carrying a 50 pound backpack and taking off into the backcountry for 2 or 3 days. I once knew someone who hiked the Appalachian Trail, an impressive feat no doubt, but one that I have absolutely NO desire to experience for myself.
   But, I do not hate nature by any means. I appreciate the changing of the seasons, I know the thrill of diving feet first into an icy cold mountain stream, and I have experienced that feeling of breathlessness one can get when they have hiked up a mountain to take in amazing views. I just don’t always like the effort I have to expend to get to these places. Which is why I decided to start an outdoors column; but not one for the avid outdoors man or woman, it is one for the rest of us. The ones, sitting on our couches on a beautiful sunny day, who feel we should get outside and do something but are stumped to figure out exactly what.
Throughout this column, I hope you will join me as I huff, puff and sweat up mountains and down them so that I can give you a candid, honest summary of some of the trails, peaks, and other random outdoor experiences that are accessible for the rest of us.


Blue Berry Mountain:
  Don’t let the name fool you, this wasn’t the cute little jaunt through a fairytale meadow that I thought it would be. Sure, it starts out slow and flat, luring you into a false sense of confidence. Then, once you’re an 1/8^th of a mile or so in, too far to turn back without hurting your pride, the mountain suddenly turns on you so you end up scrambling up rocks and zig zagging across open ledges.
  Ok, I might exaggerate just a bit. Call it writer’s flare if you’d like. But this mountain, possibly one of the smallest in the Evan’s Notch area, is not as easy as it looks. But the views and the chance to swim in Rattlesnake Pool are definitely worth the sweat and tears.
  There are several ways to get to the Blueberry Ledges. For those non-couch potatoes, you can try the Bickford Brook Trail, that takes you up Ames Mountain, and find the Blueberry Ridge Trail from there. Bickford Brook Trail begins at the Brickett Place just off of 113 near the Cold River Campground.
I chose to start my journey from the White Cairn Trail located down a dirt road, also off of 113. You drive in to a small parking area by a green gate. From there, it is an easy stroll down a dirt road that ends at a Stone House. The Stone House is private property, but worth a peek or two from the road as it is in a beautiful location. Before the stone house, there are 2 trails to choose, both form a loop. Most people climb up the White Cairn Trail and climb down the Stone House Trail. The mountain river and swimming pool is located on the Stone House Trail.
  Once turning onto the White Cairn Trail, you start out on a nice walk in the woods. You are lulled into thinking, “Hey, this isn’t so bad. Maybe I could do Katahdin after all. Knife Edge here I come!” Sure, there are small hills to climb, but nothing that a couch potato couldn’t handle. After about 0.8 miles your legs start to realize, possibly for the first time, that they are no longer sitting stationary in a chair watching reruns of Desperate Housewives. The trail has started to get steeper and, my legs for one, began to feel the burn. Several times you may feel the need to stop, catch your breath, and stare uneasily at the terrain in front of you as it rises steeply from the Earth. Fellow couch potatoes, feel no shame if, in the course of your hike, you feel the need to climb on all fours to scramble over some of the rocks that you may just not be tall enough to step over.
  Eventually, if your persistent enough, you come out onto open ledges that do take your breath away. The views are North to West, and are quite spectacular on a sunny day (of course, a couch potato usually does not hike on rainy ones). Once you reach the views, it is a great time to stop for lunch, take some pictures, and let your legs relax from their climb. When your body tells you your ready (or when you notice your climbing companions getting restless or when your dog starts wandering off with a different group of humans that you met on the way up, take your pick), just continue to follow the ledges around until you reach the Stone House Trail.
  From there, the climb down is much easier if you don’t mind using a completely different set of muscles. If you are clumsy, like me, you may need to take it slow so you don’t accidentally fall down. The closer you get to the end of the trail you will see Rattlesnake Brook. A marked trail on the left will lead you to Rattlesnake Pool, where I highly recommend torturing your body with a dip in the frigid water. It may be cold, but it is the most refreshing swim I have ever taken. Continue further down the trail and you will see a bridge overlooking Rattlesnake Gorge; another great spot for picture taking and resting.
  At this point, with weary legs and a feeling of triumph on your face, you spill back out onto the dirt road that will take you back to the parking lot. Once sitting safely behind the wheel of your car, with the AC on if it is a hot day, you can begin to dream of the ice cream cone that should be the reward for any couch potato hiker in the Maine woods. And, hey, go ahead and splurge for the large, you’ve certainly worked for it today!
Until next time…….