August Beans and Beaches and Microbeads

I suppose the dog days of summer are upon us.  This means marathon training is in full swing as I prepare to run 26.2 miles to raise money and awareness for Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, the eco-warriors putting their lives on the line to save our oceans!  seashepherd.org  Stay tuned, as my fundraising page will be up and running very soon. 

This is also the season of long, long sweaty runs and blackened toenails.  It is the week of the 18 mile run, completed this morning while there was a wisp of fall in the air and shadows that are already changing.  I ran into old friends and stopped to try to figure out why there are taxidermy wolves on a wharf near the cruise ship terminal.  Turns out to be a cool art installation about man versus nature.  Definitely worth a trip to Ocean Gateway.
http://kindlingfund.org/projects/project/unpack/

Recovery consisted of an amazing lunch of Beyond Meat's Beast Burger, a veggie burger loaded with protein and omega 3's, and an epsom salt bath with a Lush 'big blue' bath bomb (imagine a bathtub full of seaweed and sea salt- ocean blue).

Now it was time to march onward in my ocean-saving efforts.  Thankfully, I am far from alone in this quest and was happy to have some good people join me for Beans and Beaches, a monthly beach cleaning endeavor that meets at Arabica Coffee (the Commercial Street location) and picks up trash along the path and beach at East End Beach.  Debbie and Leigh were there, a couple of my regulars.  Today we also had two Portland Park Rangers join us, Zach and Krista.  It was great to have their knowledge of nature and this great city. We picked up trash and discussed a bit of everything. 

At one point, the discussion led to microbeads.  Microbeads are tiny tiny bits of plastic (sand-sized) found most commonly in personal care products such as exfoliant scrubs and toothpaste.  They get through the sewage system and into the oceans and sea creatures literally become full of them, often causing starvation.  I found a great organization called Beat the Microbead.  This page has a lot of good information on the problem with microbeads and what we can do.  First off, check out any of your beauty and healthcare products for these microbeads and properly discard of any you have.  There are many amazing biodegradable scrubby options.  Check out the aforementioned Lush for some eco friendly smelly goodies.  They are truly the bomb:  they not only label vegan products, use less packaging, use earth friendly and fair trade ingredients; they also lead awareness campaigns and donate proceeds to some really rad non-profits.  Recently, they partnered with 5 Gyres, another non-profit targeting microbeads.  They have partnered with Sea Shepherd in the past.  Beauty and brains!

How can you help me, you ask?  I know you just must be asking yourself that.  Follow my facebook page, For the Oceans.  Come to the Beans and Beaches meetups.  Support my marathon by donating or coming to the actual race and holding a Sea Shepherd sign (or both).  I am also looking for any contacts that might be able to help me involve young people in this quest- such as Scout groups or environmental groups.  So, if you have ideas or know anyone, please let me know. I am also looking to educate myself as much as possible to that I can be a better advocate in every aspect of this so if you hear of marine biology events, environmental or ocean conservancy events, please drop my a line.  Spread the word to friends and family, stop using so much plastic, and think about that vast body of water and how your actions might impact it. 

Beans and Beaches and the Problem with Fireworks

I have begun a group here in Portland to try to keep trash out of the ocean right here beside us.  So far, 'Beans to Beaches' has been very successful and well attended.  It really says something about a person when they are willing to give up precious weekend hours to walk in the heat and bend over repeatedly to pick up grimy trash left by god-knows-who and containing who-knows-what! 

We have had 2 sessions so far, the most recent being a post July 4th clean- up.  We have found plastic bags, which sea creatures often mistake for jellyfish and digest.  We have found plastic 6-pack rings, a huge hazard for sea-life entanglement.  We have found tiny plastic pieces and thousands of cigarette filters; both easily ingested by our underwater friends.  All of these things, along with microscopic plastics such as microbeads from exfoliant scrubs, are items that fill the bellies of wildlife, often filling to the point that the animals starve as they are not able to get nutrition. 

Single use plastics- I could go on all day!  Yesterday we saw 4 folks walking, plastic water bottle and iced coffee cup in hand.  Each of them had 2 beverages in single use plastic.  That means, after 30 minutes or so of use, 8 plastic items are being added to the waste stream and these never go away.  Even if they are responsible and throw it away, or even put it in recycling, shit happens and they can still end up in the ocean.  I want to shout it from the rooftops- use a reusable water bottle at least.  Don't buy water from Fiji.  Think about that plastic fork you use for 2 seconds. 

As for fireworks, well....I have blissfully watched many times and I think that it is a fun way to celebrate.  After seeing the aftermath, I fear I will never feel that joy again.  Wood, plastic, foil, rope all scattered all over the path right next to the harbor.   And I am certain that most of it must have ended up in the harbor.  Let alone the renegade boat I saw that night, launching them right off board as it traveled forth along the shoreline.  Straight into the water.  Straight into their home that we have used as a free dumping ground for years upon years.  Out of sight, out of mind.  Now that I am seeing it, it is the only thing in my mind.  The shit we let fly into their- our- environment is inexcusable.  Gross. 

Please consider joining us for this beach clean-up next time around.  We meet at Arabica on Commercial Street and walk from there, cleaning the path on our way to the beach.  It is always fun and meaningful conversation as we do something to help the oceans and one another. 

Stay tuned for more fireworks statistics and information on what you can do everyday to help. 

Follow my group on facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/fortheoceans

And it Begins

 I began my official training schedule yesterday; in the pouring rain mind you.  I have been working hard, putting in hours to prepare for my table at the VegFest and now it is time to find a balance between the mental and the physical tasks I need to bring this race home. 

Nutrition becomes more and more important.  As I try to run earlier, it becomes harder to find calories that don't give tummy grumbles.   I found this Vega article helpful for some ideas that I will try the next 18 weeks:
http://vegasport.com/vega-life/vega-blog/what-to-eat-before-running/

I am hoping to break 4 hours (4:02 is my current PR).  My running life has evolved over the years.  I enjoy having muscle tone and that has come to mean more to me than being fast.  I would rather be strong than speedy.  This may mean letting go of my dream to run Boston.  I will see how this marathon goes and go from there.

My long-term goal has always been to see if I am tough enough for an ultra (anything over marathon distance).  I am hoping next year will be the year.  Close to my birthplace is a mountain bike/ running trail race that looks amazing.  This will be a whole different ball game from a road race.
http://www.nordictrailfestival.com/

I will be more consistent in the coming days with this blog.  I hope you will follow me as I plod forward.  I hope you will be inspired to take on some sort of challenge in your own life!

What is Ahead

I am now about 5 months from the big race.  That means it is truly time to buckle down, keep my feet moving forward, and really get the message out there.  I will run this race for the oceans of our planet and the beings that call those oceans home.  I will run for Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, so that, through donations, I can help them with all of their wonderful campaigns.  I will run 26.2 miles as a testament to the amazing things that people can do with motivation, dedication, and (most of all) a strong support system to be there along the way!

In the meantime, I have a couple of great events coming up.   I will be giving a presentation about Sea Shepherd and the simple things anyone can do to save our oceans at the V-Learning Community.  If you are interested (and I know you are) sign up here:
http://www.meetup.com/Meatless-Mainers/events/222093505/?a=ea1_grp&rv=ea1&_af_eid=222093505&_af=event

The event will feature a talk, some share time and activities, and 'sea' themed snacks.  Sophie's Kitchen has been kind enough to donate to the event!  Spaces are limited to please sign up soon if you are interested.

Next up, on June 6 from 11:00 to 3:00, is the Annual Vegetarian Food Festival, put on by the wonderful Maine Animal Coalition.  I will have a Sea Shepherd table at this event.  There will be lots of snacks, a screening of Cowspiracy, and talks and overall veg amazingness.  Check out the details on their VegFest page!

I am working on some pretty great raffle bags so you want to come check this event out and put your name in! Also, I will be handing out body care samples courtesy of Seaweed Bath Co. And, once again, some goodies from Sophie's Kitchen.

 This date also coincides with a worldwide event called Empty the Tanks, which seeks to get cetaceans out of captivity.  I am happy that I will be able to talk about that movement on the day that amazing people are organizing all over the world.  I feel so fortunate that I am finding a whole new community of people who are part of this important movement.

I will add more in between but the big event is the Maine Marathon.  I am hoping I can get a huge support system of folks willing to cheer me on holding Sea Shepherd themed signs!  We could get this message out to all of those runners!!!  So, drop me a line if you are in!!!

Lastly, I am hoping all of this will spark enough interest for me to begin a Maine Sea Shepherd chapter.  Once again, contact me and we can talk if you feel as compelled as I do to save these magnificent creatures and the waters where they dwell.

(p.s.- A Vegan Variety You Tube series just may be in the works!  Big thanks to the amazing Deb Muhlberg and her nurse knowledge.  More to come)

A Movie Review- COWSPIRACY: The Sustainability Secret

COWSPIRACY: The Sustainability Secret



I finally saw the movie that all the people in my vegan circle have been talking about.  Cowspiracy was an amazing documentary about the environment and the impact of animal agriculture.  I have always wanted to question those who claim to be environmentalists while scarfing down burgers.  Now I have a reference to give those burger-eating, tree-huggers.



Cowspiracy was wonderfully filmed and a great combination of visual power backed with scientific information.  What struck me more than the people who avoided the film-makers' calls were the people who were interviewed who dedicate themselves to saving animals and the environment.  They were beautiful, lovely, intelligent people who have figured it out and who are trying to help in some very real way.



Going into it as a longish-term vegan, I had an attitude that I probably already knew all of the information that would be given.  I was so wrong.  I learned a whole slew of new information that was often shocking even in the context of those horrors I do know.  It was so much information that I will need another viewing at some point.



The film was disturbing in many respects but it managed to be inspirational as well.  Do you care about your environment?   I challenge you to watch.  If it doesn't spark you into action, I don't know what will.

Mantra

I always thought mantras were hippy bullshit.  And then I found mine.  As I stood by the Portland Harbor one day, I looked out over the still water and the endorphins were surging.  I am going to blame my 'hippy bullshit' moment on dopamine overdose.  This is the view I looked out on when a phrase came to my head. "Strong in body, strong in mind, strong in spirit".

This has stayed with me for about a year now.  I stop every time I run, looking out at nature, and repeat that phrase in my head.  I might even whisper it out load if I am extra adrenaline loopy.  And I may have even growled/ grunted it loudly and unconvincingly at my last marathon. 

"Strong in body, strong in mind, strong in spirit".  And then it got even worse as it became a philosophical quest to see if I was truly trying to find a balance between these 3 parts of myself.  This is how hippy bullshit is created. 

I've been working on my body pretty consistently. I run most days.  I am taking strength training more seriously.  I try to stretch and foam roll....okay, so I don't stretch much.  Who has time for that?!  Overall, I am proud of how I treat my body.

My mind.  Some might disagree, but I am pretty bright for a dingbat.  I have moments of being what one would call 'dull' but I read the New Yorker and even get the cartoons quite often.  I can hold my own in most conversations and appreciate people who get my head whirling with new ideas.  So the mind is doing okay most days.  If you count determination as a mental quality, I am as smart as they come.  I am determined to a fault.  Stubborn?

My spirit.  Here comes HBS again (for the purposes of this blog, hippy bullshit will now be HBS); but I have felt an emptiness lately.  End of winter blues, too near mid-life blues, lack of a spiritual community?  I am not sure the cause but I feel it and I feel it hard some days.  I realized recently that I do not feel strong is spirit.  So unless I want my mantra to be changed to, "Strong in body, strong in mind, so-so in spirit", I realized I have to do something about it.  I reached deep into my heart and gut, which is where all HBS stems from, and came up with the solution.  Do more that is selfless, that is for others who do not have a voice.  And anyone who knows me knows my 'others who do not have a voice' are nature and animals- in particular the ocean and those who dwell in it.

This spring and summer I will volunteer for Sea Shepherd Conservation Society.  May 16, I will do a talk about Sea Shepherd at the V-Learning Community, a wonderful meetup group here in town.  On June 6, I will table for Sea Shepherd at the Portland Vegetarian Food Festival .  In October, I will run 26.2 to raise money for Sea Shepherd. I am just getting started and already, as I try to support this organization who dedicates themselves to the oceans and the animals, I feel stronger in spirit.  I will soon join VegME! again.  They are a lovely Portland group who works to promote veganism and animal welfare.  I feel like I am doing more for a world larger than myself.  I feel my spirit growing stronger.  I might even start a meditation practice to reflect on the issues of nature and animals!  How is that for HBS!!!

Please come to my events if you can and keep reading (all 3 of you) as I keep trying to be "Strong in Body, Strong in Mind, and Strong in Spirit"!

Spring (Winter) Blues

I have never begun training for the Maine Marathon this early in the season.  I am excited about the longer plan, a more gradual lead up to the currently inconceivable 26 miles.  I also like that it includes a couple of long runs that are further than the end goal, as the psychological aspect of hitting that point that is 'the furthest I've ever run this year' really messes with me.  Everything about it is good- it will help me to trim a few pounds (courtesy of Bissell Brothers Substance Ale and vegan donuts from The Holy Donut) before it is time for the hardest work. 

But the problem with all of this is that it has me running long distances in March.  More precisely, it has me running long distances this ridiculous March!  I ran through ridiculous conditions, slapping my yack tracks to the bottom of my sneakers and chalking it up to being a bad ass that didn't care that it was sleeting.  I wore ridiculous amounts of clothing.  In previous years, my cut off temperature was 20 degrees.  This year I ran as long as it was 5 degrees with wind chill factored in.  I even bought

a pair of running snow shoes to try to channel the childlike wonder of being in the middle of a winter storm.  All of this worked for a while...

But now I am done!  I want sun.  I want to be able to expose my skin without fear of frostbite.  I want the path to give under me feet- for mud to squish out everywhere.  I want to think about sunscreen instead of layers and I want to see something other than snow and ice.  I want to put my yak tracks and snowshoes into the very back of the closet where they will sit until I need sanity next winter.  Please, Mother Nature, show a girl some mercy!

The Beginning

This marks the beginning of marathon preparation. It is time to shake off the winter's excesses and go forward acting like a runner, eating like an athlete, and living like an activist.
I will run the marathon in October to raise money and awareness for Sea Shepherd Conservation Society. If I had no ties, I would be out on a ship as I write, but I do have ties. And they are my lovely boyfriend, family and friends who support me in all of this craziness that is life. Since I cannot be out at sea, I will do my best here on land to motivate people to change the world. We are killing our oceans...which means we are slowly killing ourselves.
Follow my blog as I try my damnedest to do it right (and probably get some laughs when I do it wrong). There will be posts about running woes. There will be posts about my vegan fuel. And there will be rants about changing the world.
Stay tuned and thanks for checking it out!