Thursday, December 19, 2013

Return of the Chocolate Truffle Recipe

Hello, friends!

I haven't skated in 4 days...like everyone this time of year, I've just been so busy!  I vow to do less and be more organized next year!  I've been busy making chocolate truffles like I do each year.  My friend Veronica mentioned that she loved the Spicy Kahlua Truffles I made a few years ago, so I just started a batch.  To the basic recipe, I added 1/2 teaspoon of cayenne pepper (yes, you read that right!), 1 teaspoon of instant espresso powder, and Kahlua for the liqueur.  They are surprisingly good!

Anyway, since I don't have much to say about skating (except that I can't wait to fit some skating in soon for my mental health!), here is a repeat of my blog from last year about how to make your own chocolate truffles.  The results may not be beautiful on your first go, but I bet they'll be delicious!

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
December 13, 2012

One of the symbols of the Christmas season for me is making and giving chocolate truffles.  I originally saw the recipe in the San Francisco Chronicle in the early '80s and have been making about 400 a year ever since then.

That's one of the reasons I love rollerblading...so I can indulge in sinful treats such as chocolate truffles upon occasion.  I'm partial to the dark chocolate varieties, but I've branched out to make milk chocolate, white chocolate and semisweet ones too.  Here's my recipe for the original dark chocolate ones.  They may not turn our looking picture perfect the first time--or even the 20th time--but they will taste great no matter how they look!

Dark Chocolate Raspberry Truffles

Chocolate Truffles

Centers:                                                                       Yield: 30-36 truffles             
1 c. heavy cream                                                  
6 oz. semi-sweet chocolate morsels                                   
4 oz. unsweetened chocolate                    
3 T. unsalted butter
1/4 c. liqueur (such as Amaretto, Chambord,
Crème de Menthe, or Grand Marnier)
(optional) 1/2 c. finely chopped nuts
(optional) 1 capful flavoring extract such as peppermint or almond
Chop unsweetened chocolate into morsel-sized pieces.  Simmer cream in a saucepan.  When cream comes to a boil, remove pan from heat.  Add both chocolates and butter.  Stir firmly with a wire whisk until chocolate-chip effect goes away and mixture is like pudding.  Pour into a bowl and continue to whisk until chocolate and butter is dissolved.  Stir in liqueur (and optional nuts or flavoring extract).  Cover and refrigerate overnight.
To shape centers, scoop about 1 tablespoon with a spoon; roll in your palms to form a ball.  Place on a baking sheet lined with waxed paper.  Freeze centers overnight.
Coating:   12 oz. semi-sweet chocolate
                   6 oz. unsweetened chocolate
Note:  make sure you do NOT get any water in the melting chocolate.  Even a small amount of water will cause the chocolate to seize up.

Melt chocolate in a double boiler (or a bowl set over a pan of almost simmering water).  Remove chocolate from heat.  Dip frozen centers into chocolate one at a time.  Let extra coating drip off and place coated truffle on waxed paper lined baking sheet.  Refrigerate.  Before serving, allow truffles to warm about 15 minutes at room temperature.  

They keep in the refrigerator for several weeks.

                  White Chocolate Mint


Milk chocolate and white chocolate require a different recipe.  If you don't like dark chocolate, try the recipe above using all semisweet chocolate.  Leave me a note here (or email me) if you would like the challenge of making milk or white chocolate varieties. 

Even after dozens of attempts, my white chocolate mint truffles look a bit lumpy! 






Enjoy your truffles if you make them and happy holidays to you and your family!


Keep skating!

Nancie ♥ 

-----------------------------------------------------------
My last skate:
12/16/13
Skate #16
Iron Horse Trail 3.04 mi
(How many truffles does that earn me?)

Sunday, November 17, 2013

Wheels for Meals Ride: The Conclusion

Hello, friends!


If you missed part 1 of my story about skating in a Meals on Wheels fundraiser click here.  Or, just jump right into the middle of the story--I'll recap it below:

To recap: 

- Last month I signed up to skate in a Meals on Wheels Alameda County fundraiser (click here), which started off in Shadow Cliffs Park in Pleasanton.
- It was a bicycling event, but one of the organizers, Jessica Albonico, told me that skaters were welcome.
- I decided to skate the shortest distance which was 15 miles, longer than I had ever skated

My husband Marty accompanied me in case I needed to bail partway though the event.  I really doubted that I could finish, but I was determined to give it my best shot.  

As I mentioned in my last blog, it was a beautiful, sunny fall day--cool in the morning but with a promise of warmer temperatures as the day wore on.  I left the park and headed out on a bike path that was the beginning of the course, realizing after about a mile or so that I had left my wrist guards in my car.  This realization made me feel a bit more tentative, a bit more cautious, but also added to my excitement.  

The dozens of bicyclists that passed me were all encouraging and supportive.  "How far are you going to skate?" many of them asked.  To each one I answered, "My goal is the entire 15 miles.  I'm going to see how it goes!"  

There is something so exciting about being part of a mass exercise event.  I discovered it for the first time over the summer when I skated a 1/2 marathon in Napa Valley, and again when I "ran" in the Moraga Fun Run on the Fourth of July.  Now I know why all of my running friends participate in races and other events.  The energy of the crowd combined with, in this case, supporting a worthy cause, just got me all pumped up. 

The course was smooth and well marked.  Despite this, what would be considered a smooth surface to bike, walk, or run on, would not be considered so smooth for my tiny inline wheels.  Nevertheless, it was as smooth as I expect skating on roads, bumpy curb cut-outs, and bike paths  to be.  That is, the bumps are challenging, but in a way that I like--it makes me work to stay relaxed and balanced.  That is part of what I like about skating...that it provides challenges that will I will never totally overcome.

Around mile 3, I was hitting my stride...warmed up, starting to feel some endorphins, pumped up by the crowds of bikers passing by me, and encouraged by the volunteers manning the course and directing the riders.  The course veered off the bike path and through residential neighborhoods.  

Fortunately, the course was well marked, because about mile 4 I realized that I had lost my course map!  At that point there were enough riders that I could just follow the crowd.  Around mile 5, there was a rest stop with water, fruit, and other snacks.  I was well provisioned with my Camelbak of water and my Gu energy gel, but I stopped at the rest stop anyway to catch my breath and regroup.  I was glad I stopped because I so enjoyed talking to the volunteers and participants.  One young man that I talked to was marveling that I expected to skate the entire 15 miles.  He said to me, "Wow, you must be almost 50 years old!"  Well, I'm a few years beyond that milestone, and I have to admit, it gave me a charge thinking that some of the younger folks were extra impressed that an "old lady" would tackle (and hopefully master) this challenge.

Another woman was telling me of a "enormous hill" coming up ahead.  "Will you be able to handle it?" she wondered.  I replied that I actually like to skate hills quite a bit, downhill more than uphill, but inside I reflected upon my missing wrist guards and wondered just how "enormous" this "enormous hill" was!  

Around mile 6, I was skating down a slight downhill when I noticed some volunteers motioning to me about a left turn.  I thought it was for one of the longer distances (the days event also had 2 longer bicycling options: 35 and 70 miles) and I skated past the turn.  To tell you the truth, I was coasting nicely downhill and didn't want to lose my momentum stopping to ask, so I continued straight ahead.

After a bit more than 1/2 mile, I realized that there were no longer any bicycles passing me, and I was beginning to realize I had made a mistake by not making the turn, so I called my husband, who had a copy of the course map.  He confirmed that I had missed my turn.  Reluctantly, I did an about face and skated back uphill towards my missed turn.  

My error cost me an additional 1.5 miles, so the 15 mile skate that I was unsure of being able to finish now had become a 16.5 mile skate!  I felt like a bit of a dope but plodded on.  In the back of my mind I kept telling myself, "Just do your best.  Keep skating as long as you can.  Just take 1 mile at a time."

We made it to the top of the hill!
Mile 8 found me back on a bike path and climbing a fairly steep and long hill.  I had to pause a few times on the way up to catch my breath, but I felt heartened by the number of bikers who had to dismount and walk their bikes up the hill.  At the top of the hill I was rewarded by a spectacular view of Pleasanton and the surrounding areas.  The downhill wound through vineyards and a llama farm.  So exhilarating!  Yee-haaaa!  A little nerve wracking when I reached the street at the bottom of the hill and had to keep myself from falling.  Again, I kept flashing on my missing wrist guards!

Sweaty me at the top of thill
By the time I reached mile 10, I was beginning to feel my confidence grow.  I had already gone more than half the distance, including the biggest hill on the course.  I passed by the second rest stop without stopping, feeling eager to finish the course and well fueled with my Camelbak for water and my Gu energy gel.  

The last 5 miles or so were mostly along city streets, some a bit busier than I would prefer, but nothing too challenging.  As I made the last turn back towards the park, I texted my husband to let him know I was almost finished.  He met me at the end of the course and cheered me on as I finished.  What a great feeling!  I had finished the course!

My Nike + Running app clocked my time and distance at 16.5 miles in 2 hours 12 minutes.  It was the longest time and distance I have ever skated. 

Cleaned up and resting on my laurels



As I changed out of my sweaty skating clothes and skates, I was filled with an overwhelming feeling of accomplishment.  I said to my husband, "I feel like a beast for having done that!"  He replied, "You ARE a beast!"  I was on a high for days afterwards! 


What I liked about this event:

There are not too many organized skates, so I was happy to be able to participate in this event.  The money raised went to a great cause, Meals on Wheels Alameda County (link), and made me feel like I was part of something greater than just my own experience that day.  Being part of an organized sporting event is a thrill that I hadn't known until this year.  

I also liked the opportunity to push myself beyond my preconceived limits. Before this event, I didn't know how far I could skate, especially without the training I thought I needed.   I'm reminded over and over that accomplishing something big is sometimes just a matter of starting down a path and not stopping when things get a bit tough.  When a challenge presents itself--no wrist guards, going off course, having an equipment malfunction, feeling tired and discouraged--giving up is one choice but not the only choice.  Better still is to realize that you always have an alternative choice--you can choose instead to continue on anyway despite the obstacles.  

Would I do it again next year?

Yes, in a heartbeat.  This event was very well organized and attended.  The course was well marked and staffed.  Everyone was friendly.  It was a great location.  As I mentioned earlier, there are not too many events that I can do as a skater, so I appreciate being welcome to join in on the Wheels for Meals Ride 2013.  

Count me in for Wheels for Meals Ride 2014!  Maybe some of you would like to join me...on a bike or on skates!

Next time I'll have my wrist guards!

A shout out to the following people:

- Jessica Albonico for organizing a great event and welcoming me to participate as a skater
- Karen Kelly, Jessica's mom, who was so encouraging to me
- Marty Giedlin, my husband and biggest supporter
- Cathy Behm for advising me to start at my own pace and to just skate my own event
- Tricia Vaughan for moral support, advice, and for giving me my first tube of Gu energy gel
- my Aunt Marie Piacine for being a faithful supporter of my blog
- my skating buddies Cynthia McLoughlin, Kristine Hubner, Irline Van Ardenne, & Cheryl Ogren (aka Jayne Clobber)

Keep skating (or whatever you do)!

Hugs,
Nancie 


This skate:

10/19/13
Skate #143 of 200
16.5 miles
Pleasanton, CA

My last skate:
11/15/13
Skate #156 of 200
4.56 miles
UC Davis campus
Davis, CA

Nancie Zimmerman
NamiZuni Jewelry Design
Expressing Your Inner Goddess
925-890-9221

Tuesday, November 12, 2013

Wheels for Meals Got Me Rolling Again!

Hello, friends!


My Kangoo Jumps are fun, don't get me wrong (check out my previous blog here), but skating is still the exercise I'm most passionate about.  It's just fun, fun, fun.  Even when I don't feel like exercising, once I strap on my skates, my helmet, and my wrist guards (yeah, still no knee pads...I've got to get a pair!), pick a playlist on my phone, and start my Nike + Running app to track my mileage, I'm off and running and it's pure magic.  Skating is the closet thing I get to losing the constraints of my body and almost feel like I'm flying.  It's dancing and exercise and thrills and happiness all rolled up in one.

A couple of weeks ago, I had the occasion to participate in a fundraiser for Meals on Wheels Alameda County (Check them out here).  One of the organizers, Jessica Albonico, is a friend of mine.  The event was a bike event, but several roller derby women were going to skate the shortest distance, 15 miles.  Once Jessica told me about it, I thought, "What the heck, I'll give it a go!"  

Me with my event number attached to my Camelbak
Over the summer when I did my 1/2 marathon skating race in Napa Valley, I spread the news wide and far prior to the race.  Some equipment challenges coupled with it being my first race meant that the race was far harder than I thought it would be.  Nonetheless, it was big fun.

This time, I kept the event mostly to myself.  For one thing, this event was longer (the 1/2 marathon was 13.1 miles, this was 15 miles).  For another thing, I wasn't sure how skate-friendly the course was going to be.  And, probably most importantly, I doubted my ability to complete the 15 miles, so I didn't want to broadcast it too much ahead of time only to have to admit later that I hadn't been able to conquer it.   Just an ego thing, I guess.

Then on top of all those issues, I had a nasty case of bronchitis two weeks before the event, so I hadn't been training like I wanted (or needed).

Nevertheless, the morning of October 19 dawned bright, early, and sunny.  My faithful husband, Marty, accompanied me to the event, which started at Shadow Cliffs Park in Pleasanton.  Marty is one of my biggest champions, so it was great to have him along.  He planned on walking/running on some of the hiking trails around the park while I skated.  He was also available to come pick me up should I decide along the 15 miles that I was ready to pack it in and couldn't finish!

My friend Cathy, an avid cyclist, had advised me before my 1/2 marathon to start out slow, find my own pace.  Sadly, despite my best intentions, I didn't take her advice for my 1/2 marathon and it cost me in terms of my stamina halfway through that event.  This time I was determined to listen to her wisdom, start out slow, go at my own pace, find my own rhythm.  

Because the Wheels for Meals event wasn't timed, there wasn't a mass start.  Once I registered, I was free to start at my leisure within a one-hour window.  This meant that I wouldn't get caught in a frenzy of bicycles that would be zooming past me--I was free to start off at my own pace.

Usually when I skate, I have several pieces of key equipment, which I put on in the same specific order every time so that I don't forget anything:

- my headphones
- my helmet
- my socks
- my skates (of course!)
- my wrist guards
- my iPhone (for tunes and to keep track of my mileage)

(I know, I know, I really need to add kneepads to the list!)

For this event I added a Camelbak which contained water and several tubes of Gu (an energy gel for long workouts...Thanks, Tricia!  Click here for info about Gu).  I guess these two equipment additions combined with the excitement of the event threw me off my regular routine and I forgot to put on my wrist guards, a fact that I only realized about 2 miles into the event!  I didn't want to turn around, which would have added 4 miles to the skate, and Marty was off on his run/walk, so I just kept skating on without them.

In the back of my mind, however, I kept flashing back to my bad fall in my 1/2 marathon race over the summer and to my training fall just a week before this event.  A fall without my wrist guards could easily result in a broken bone.  I was quite anxious skating without this key piece of equipment, and this strangely just added to my excitement.  As my son points out, fear and excitement produce the same exact chemical response in ones body, so I try to enjoy the excitement that that scary/anxious feeling produces.  It doesn't always work, but that is definitely one of the aspects I like about skating...feeling slightly on the edge and almost--but not quite--out of control. 


A word to any of you that think you might like to try skating:
If you don't like the excitement that comes 
from being a bit off kilter in your body, 
you probably will NOT like skating!

How did my event go?  To be continued... Click here for the conclusion
Here's a teaser...
I at least made it to the top of this hill!
Here's a "selfie" of me at the top of the hill



















Keep skating (or whatever you do)!

Hugs,
Nancie 



My last skate:
11/12/13
Skate #153 of 200
5.19 miles
Iron Horse Trail
Alamo, CA

My last time on my Kangoo Jumps:
10/17/13
Kangoo Jump #3 of ?
1.51 miles
Iron Horse Trail
Alamo, CA


Nancie Zimmerman
NamiZuni Jewelry Design
Expressing Your Inner Goddess
925-890-9221





Tuesday, October 15, 2013

Mixing it Up: Kangoo Jumps

Hello, friends!

So I've written that I have not had the same drive to get out there and skate as I had earlier in the year.  I'm okay with the plus/minuses of my attitude, but I feel like I need a bit of a boost to get really excited about skating again.

One idea many friends suggested to me was to try a different activity.  I had seen a woman on the Lafayette Moraga trail almost a year ago using these crazy rebound running shoes called Kangoo Jumps:



Here's a video of them in action:


I've been thinking about them ever since I first saw them, and last week I finally broke down and bought a pair on line from the manufacturer:


They are supposed to arrive tomorrow and I can't wait to try them out. We used to have a trampoline in our yard, which was so much fun and such great exercise.  I'm hoping these Kangoo Jumps have all the fun and great exercise of my skating and jumping on a trampoline.

Meanwhile, I was laid up sick for most of the last week and still have a nasty, lingering cough, so my skating has been nonexistent for over a week now.  Between my frustration at not being able to do everything I think I should be doing and lack of exercise, my mood is a bit glum.  Even though it feels like I'm pushing it a little, I think I need to at least get out for a short skate today.  At least until my Kangoo Jumps arrive!



On the plus side, the last few days I've started feeling good enough to make jewelry, if not to exercise.  Accordingly, I've been beading up a storm.  I procured some beautiful lampwork focal beads from Unicorne Beads and from Grace Lampwork Beads.   Here is a selection of them:









Each bead is a miniature work of art in itself, so I have been making simple pendants from them and stringing them on a black velveteen cord.  Here are a couple examples:






Stay tuned...

Keep skating!

Warmly,
Nancie



Update: my Kangoo Jumps arrived!  They are so fun, even if I do feel a bit dorky using them in public.  Here's a video my daughter took of me playing with them inside.  

Here I am demonstrating my new Kangoo Jumps

They have buckles that adjust the fit from women's size 7 - 9, so if any of you live nearby and want to try them, give me a holler!  My daughter said she couldn't decide if they were cool or dorky...I think they're both!



My last skate:
10/14/13
Skate #140 of 200
2.40 miles
Iron Horse Trail
Alamo, CA

My last time on my Kangoo Jumps:
10/12/13
Kangoo Jump #2 of ?
1.0 miles
my neighborhood
Moraga, CA



Nancie Zimmerman
NamiZuni Jewelry Design
Expressing Your Inner Goddess
925-890-9221

Friday, August 30, 2013

Feeling Blah About Skating


Hello, friends!

Ever since last month when I skated my 1/2 marathon event in Napa Valley, I've been kind of blase about skating.  I've still managed to skate 16 times in the last 6 weeks, but my passion has not really been there.  I still love it when I do skate, but I'm not as jazzed as often as I had been about fitting in a skate.  

This leaves me in a quandary--I've tried to just listen to what my body is telling me about exercise, what I eat, my jewelry business--I've really tried to just listen to my body's "inner wisdom" and right now something inside of me is telling me to cool it a bit where it comes to skating--either not exercising or doing something else like walking or going to the club to work out.  

On the other hand, I set the intention of skating 200 times during 2013 and right now I'm 12 skates off my pace for the year.  I need to skate 17 times a month to keep on track (about 4 times a week...totally do-able usually).  

So here I am returning from a week away with family and friends and I'm just feeling kind of blah.  I didn't take my skates with me--too heavy to cart along if I don't actually use them--and there are only 2 days left in the month.  I also certainly enjoyed myself eating and drinking while away--also not conducive to feeling too "raring to go."

This whole regular exercise thing for me is still somewhat in its infancy.  I've exercised in the past, but never in such a committed and consistent way as I have the last two years.  If I cool it for a bit will I pick it back up in a few weeks or slide back into lethargy?  

I need some advice from some of you that have a longer track record of being in shape.  Do I relax and wait till my inner voice sparks my excitement again?  Or do I push myself to get out there and just skate even if I don't feel like it on a particular day?  Or do I need a different exercise for a bit?  Help!

I know at least part of my problem the last two months has been that I've also not been regular in my mediation and yoga practice.  So maybe that's my answer: commit myself just for this week to meditate at least once a day and practice yoga two times.  Then I'll wait to see what happens and trust that my answer will come.  It's like the following quote:

"Your mind will answer most questions if you learn 
to relax and wait for the answer."  - William S. Burrroughs

So maybe what I need to do is relax and not worry about it so much.  After all, the part that I've liked so much about skating has been that it hasn't felt like exercise--it has just felt fun.  So if I try to force it, maybe I'll squeeze the fun out of it.


On a jewelry-related note, I've gone to two bead shows in the last few weeks...one in Concord, California with my jewelry buddy Karen Kelly (one of her pieces that I love is shown to the right--check out her new Etsy shop: Karen's online shop).





The second bead show I went to was Bead Fest ouside Philadelphia with my good buddy Gail.  Both Karen and Gail were so fun to shop with as they give me design ideas that I wouldn't have thought of on my own.  I expected it from Karen as she is a very talented artist.  I didn't expect it from Gail, because she doesn't make jewelry, but she has a fantastic artistic eye nonetheless and stimulated some wonderful creativity in me.  



I made a quick necklace by stringing an engraved shell from LillyPilly Designs on a silk ribbon from Saki Silver.  My cousin Suzi's barn provided the perfect backdrop to photograph my new necklace:




I'm super stoked to get back into my studio and create some fresh new pieces with my new beads!  I also have a ton of new pieces already completed and photographed and ready to list in my Etsy shop.  Here's a set I particularly like:


Check out my online shop:  Click here to visit my shop

Hopefully by my next blog, the skating bug will have re-bitten me!  Until then, if there are any of you out there that would like to write a guest blog for me, dash me an email!  I'd love to include some other voices here.  Maybe you're training for an event, or just started exercise, or have some other passion you would like to share.  Come on, it'll be fun!

Keep skating (or whatever you do)!

Hugs,
Nancie ♥  


My last skate:
8/29/13
Skate #121 of 200
4.69 miles
Iron Horse Trail
Alamo, CA

---------------

Update 8/30/13, 10 PM:  I went for a great short skate tonight.  It really got my endorphins going...just what I needed to improve my mood and to help me get back into skating.  I got some good advice from a few friends today that also helped.  A selection of the advice:

"Mix it up, try a different exercise for a bit...trampolining, working out at the club, swimming."

"Fall is the perfect time to rededicate yourself to your fitness and eating routines.  Everyone thinks summer is the time to be more active, but summer schedules can be challenging.  There's so much to do."  (from a Weight Watcher leader friend)

Also fall related: "Wait till the cooler days of September."  

"Concentrate on organizing a Triton reunion." (from a former coworker at Triton Biosciences, where my husband Marty and I met.
  
-------------------------
Nancie Zimmerman

NamiZuni Jewelry Design
Expressing Your Inner Goddess
NamiZuniJewelry.etsy.com




Monday, July 22, 2013

How I Survived a 1/2 Marathon Skating Race

Hello Friends!
  
The Silverado Trail is a wide 2-lane road that runs most of the length of the eastern edge of the Napa Valley in California.  On either side of the road there are miles and miles of vineyards and wineries.  It is so beautiful and peaceful there in the early morning: 


A week ago Sunday bright and early I joined a few hundred skaters of all types and skills--speed skaters, derby girls, and fitness enthusiasts--on a half marathon/full marathon race.  My friend and roller derby participant, Cheryl (aka "Jayne Clobber"), met me at the start of the race.  

I did the half marathon...13.1 miles.  It was both more difficult and more fun than I had expected.  Here's a summary:

- I finished but it wasn't pretty!  I had some issues with my skates, a took a wicked tumble at about mile 9, and for the last 3 miles I doubted my ability to finish.

-  In the end, I did finish--second to last of all the 1/2 marathoners that finished, but also ahead of the 7 people who failed to finish, and according to my friend Tricia, WAY ahead of all the people that stayed home that morning.   (Sometimes your friends know just what to say!)

I loved interacting with all the people.  Those of you that have participated in races know what I'm talking about.  Everyone was friendly and supportive:
    Nancie & "Jayne Clobber" (Cheryl)

    • my friend Cheryl who was the one who first told me about the race
    • the derby girls that I met through Cheryl
    • the high-caliber skaters who finished the FULL marathon in less time than I did the HALF
    • the fellow Moraga mom, Brenda, with whom I skated the first couple of miles
    • the spectators cheering us on
    •  one of the race support guys who skated from mile 11.5 to 12 with me, giving me a pep talk
    •  and my faithful husband Marty, who woke up with me at 3:30 AM, drove me up to the event, and was my most ardent supporter


    - I am not as good of a skater as I thought I was but I am still out there getting it done.  And I know I can beat this year's time of 1 hour, 55 minutes.

    - the "taper" that I did the last 2 weeks of my training did not help and probably hurt a bit.  I need to do more research about training for a skating 1/2 marathon.  It's clearly different training for skating a 1/2 marathon than a running 1/2 marathon.

    - Chocolate Gu is delicious and just the pick me up I needed at mile 8.  Thanks to Tricia for sharing a packet with me.  Not only did the flavor and calories give me a boost, but thinking about my friends that run this distance encouraged me as well.  It was as if Tricia and Eileen were mentally there cheering me on!

    - I should have listened to my friend Cathy's advice about not going out to fast in the beginning.  I got caught up in the race excitement and in trying to keep up with a couple friends and ran out of juice halfway through the race.

    An inspiring group of women to hang out with!
    - I am totally doing this race again next year!

    My friend, Cynthia, who trained "with" me in Connecticut and skated the race distance on her own that same day, wants to do the race with me next year, but she wants to do the full marathon.  I need to think about that a bit!


    In the end I realized that finishing something is sometimes a matter of deciding to not stop--to just keep putting one skate in front of the other until little by little the task is done. 

    Keep skating...I know I plan to!

    Hugs,
    Nancie ♥  

    Nancie Zimmerman
    NamiZuni Jewelry Design
    Expressing Your Inner Goddess
    NamiZuniJewelry.etsy.com

    My 1/2 marathon skate:
    7/14/13
    Skate #106 of 200
    13.1 miles
    1:55:15
    Silverado Trail
    Napa Valley, CA


    Scroll down if you want to see what my leg looked like after my fall.  I really think I need to break down and start wearing knee pads!  It's healing up nicely.

    (DON'T SCROLL down if you don't like seeing "road rash"...okay that's my warning!)

     |
     |
     |
     |
     |
     |
     |
     |
     |
     |
     |
     |
     |
     |
    V