"Hair of the Dog" Art Show

On May 1st the The Essex Art Center (Lawrence, MA) will host "Hair of the Dog" art exhibit and wine tasting event—with live music!

This fundraiser benefits the MSPCA at Nevins Farm. Tickets are $25 at the door. 100% of the ticket sales help the animals and programs of Nevins Farm, as do 10% of all art and liquor sales.

I'll be one of the participating artists and will exhibit pieces from my new mixed-media drawing series.

"Strange Cases: Jackals & Hydes," a pun on the novella of a similar title, explores themes around split personalities, character and identity—in animals. Inspired by the original novella, The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by R.L. Stevenson, and its related psychological connections, I discovered both its humorous and horrific coupling with animals and ink blots.

The black and white compositions technically and symbolically mirror duplicitous divisions. I hope to release animals trapped in their blots.

In a quasi "exquisite corpse"—or perhaps a case of genetic roulette—I visually alter and combine the heads and bodies of different manimals to form new ones. These Franken-creatures take on new personalities and attributes, and draw attention to those lost; some are surely doomed toward extinction, others freed from their previous confines.

Oh I must not forget, "Walter, The Shy Brother of Curious George."

He wanted me to tell you that he hopes to see you there.

XTERRA Muddy Moose Trail Race (Steamin' Moose Mud)

At 8 a.m. it was nearly 80 degrees in Wolfeboro, NH for the 10th annual Muddy Moose Trail Races.

This crazy trail run is a test of one's endurance and patience for muddy hills, muddy rocks and sticks, muddy feet and muddy mud. Even though the course was drier due to the HOT weather, it was still muddy generous. Only one draw back: no moose. Our squishing, slotching and splashing probably scared 'em away.

I'd sewn some pink Gator-Bait Gaiters specifically for this trail run because I like the idea of the color pink being soiled with mud. Heh heh heh. I also wanted to test out a new design and fabric so I purposefully passed through later "muddles," (mud + puddle = muddle). (See above inset.)

Photo of post-race, machine-washed gaiters:
licked clean of moose mud.

Two years ago I ran here but today the course seemed different, probably because it sort of was. I was blown away (no pun intended) by the July 2008 tornado's destructive path. The massive upheaval of vast forest lay testimony to the tornado's natural power and beauty. What a sight: Lakes Region Aerials.

Despite the heat and humidity, I managed to feel pretty good throughout the race and power hiked a lot of the early uphills. I didn't want to get too winded nor bonk and planned on having some mucking fun out there today! Success. By the second half of the race, I'd either "warmed up," acclimatized OR the temperature dropped because I was coasting into the final three miles.

It was an "uphell" finish for about the last mile so I was happy to share Dave R's company. By this point my camel back was sucked dry and my Scooby snacks devoured. I'd put two nuun pills into my water bladder, taken three Endurolytes during the run and drowned some Sharkies. My hydration and nutrition plan worked out well.

While a lot of other folks mud wrestled, my goof ball wipe out was on a flat—quite runnable and early—section. My feet got caught up with a feisty branch and I face planted into mushy muddy grass complete with the stick up my skirt. naughty naughty. This must have been a humorous site, especially because no one (nor stick) was hurt in the process. I hope there are no photos of this incident.

Well, even though I ate all of my treats, little did I know there was a feeding frenzy on my exposed back. At about mile 10, I felt something sucking on my lower back and swiped away the attached critter (wasp, bee, Amazon mosquito?). Apparently I'd interrupted a little picnic party! What a bad hostess. Unfortunately, these welts are bigger than they appear in the photo! The bites are red, not my beauty spots which are taupe. Trail Pixie is no worse for the wear.

All-in-all it was a good run for me in very hot and humid weather, which is not my strength. My time was 30 minutes slower than when I ran two years ago at the 2006 Moose when it was 40 degrees, wet and cold. I enjoyed meeting up with Trailgrrl, Randy W, Nipmuck Dave, Tom P, Jen S, Barry P and Paul, and a few Monsters from Maine! XTERRA 2009 Muddy Moose Results: here.

Doctor's Orders: Pump Iron & Run

"Keep up the long-distance running and start lifting weights," my doctor recommends, "because studies show than running [alone] doesn't guard against loss of bone density."

Of course, I'll heed the advice but investigated this directive and found some interesting results from a recent study (2/09) at the University of Missouri, on men ages 19-45:

"The results of the study confirm that both resistance training and high-impact endurance activities increase bone mineral density. However, high-impact sports, like running, appear to have a greater beneficial effect,” said Pam Hinton, associate professor in the Department of Nutrition and Exercise Physiology.

Hinton's study on Low BMI and Bone Loss in Young Women (5/08) showed that "bone mass in women peaks at age 30 and is stable until age 50 when a rapid loss begins to occur. Men stay relatively steady over time and do not experience a significant bone loss until age 70."

She also found that "the skeleton responds to impact or weight-bearing activity such as running, soccer, volleyball, group exercise classes, and resistance training. Swimming, walking and cycling will not help build or maintain bone mass."

Hello, old friend

With the advice to start pumping iron, coupled with the above research, I'll attempt to augment my fitness plan. Adding another element to will prove a balancing act—especially of time. In the past I've mixed things up (various combos of running, cycling, spinning, lifting, yoga, etc.) but found that at eventually there were too many activities in the ring before one got knocked out. Still, it's worth another round.

Some benefits will be work-out variety, guarding against particular over-use injuries and, of course, keeping up my BMD. I love to cycle—about as much as running—so the bike stays in the picture.

After months and months of running as my major bread and butter, when I road for the first time this season I was pleasantly surprised at how many miles can be traveled in so little time. How many bike miles equal one mile of running?

My first longer, windy, farm land ride of the season.
(imagine the scent of cow manure.)

This is going to be fun!