Run or Walk. Fast or Slow. It's all Good

Run, Walk, Hop, Skip, Jog, or Crawl

Miles are miles

As long as you enjoyed the journey,

there is no way I will judge how you got there...

and neither should you.

: )

Sunday, May 15th, 2011

I enjoyed a rainy day, cheering on my wonderful man and many others

who were participating in the Pasadena Marathon.

Mister AC smiles while running in the rain during the Pasdena Marathon

(Gotta love the foggy/rainy camera effects)

; )

I especially love to cheer for the walkers who are nearing the finish line

becuase many of them think they don't measure up

to the runners flying past them.

Other than the regular cheering of

good job, you're almost there, and the usual, I also say things like:

"Walkers take it slow cuz it feels good-just ask their girlfriend/boyfriend"

"Walkers get their money's worth by being out there longer"

"Walkers need love too"

Everyone smiles when they hear a cheer for them especially the walkers!

However...

This little tid-bit kinda broke my heart

I was cheering on a group of runners who were speeding by,

when a group of walkers came into view.

I started cheering for them too.

I noticed they were all looking at the runners and didnt look too happy. 

I said "looking good you guys, you're almost there, you should be proud!"

One woman who was wearing a 1/2 marathon bib, shook her head and said "we're just walking."

I said

 "JUST?!?!"

You've just covered 13 miles!

She said

But we just walked. We didn't Run. Runners are better.

I just stood there. Stunned. Sad.

Sad she felt that way. Sad, that instead of being proud of the fact that she just covered 13 miles

(while not being a spring chicken nor being especially fit)

she decided to compare herself to the people running.

Many people I know feel pressured to Run

Thinking that as a walker, they are not "good enough".

To any runner, the following questions may appear to be silly

but to a person who isn't confident with their physical abilities or who have heard too many times things like "running is bad for your body"

(remember, running isn't bad for your body, people are bad to their body)

they are good, solid questions.

When someone comes to me and asks

How do I start running?

I want to learn to run, what should I do?

Do you think I could ever run?

I don't answer right away. First,  I ask

WHY?

Why do you want to run? Is a bear chasing you? You afraid of something?

People have many reasons why they want to start running

And all that matters is that you want to start.

Everyone has different goals.

Whether you're fast, slow, go long or short distances, like roads, treadmills, or trails...as long as you enjoy it, and continue to enjoy it, just keep enjoying it!

The best way to start running

Start Walking!

:)

Put one foot in front of the other, pick up the pace, and keep going!

Never feel pressured to run.

Some people prefer to enjoy the slow pace of walking because it affords a person the time to see, smell, and hear things

that can be missed while one is running.

Some people prefer running because of the speed, the freedom,

and the excitement.

How much, how fast, and how far you run is up to you!

Some people try it for a while and never really get into it.

Others take to it like a duck to water and you just can't stop them.

Some dabble in it whenever it fits into their schedule.

No matter what one's relationship with running turns into, there is enough room and respect on the road for everyone

as long as everyone is respecting themselves.

All that matters is that we put one foot in front of the other and enjoy every step.

:)

-Melissa Adylia Gutierrez

Owner/Personal Trainer

Controlled Burn Fitness

Bar Snacks 12/12/2010

Cute snacks for cute guests

go great with a  BIG bottle of Sake!

Prepared for Erin and Ann

after the Xterra Crystal Cove Ultra

on Sunday, 12/12/2010

 : )

One does not have to slave over a hot stove for hours

to make their guests feel appreciated.

This quick little snack

was put together in as much time that it took for Erin, Ann, and Andrew

 to head to the 99Ranch Market (2 miles away)

to pick up the BIG bottle of Sake.

I figured these little treats would do the job

to hold them till I prepared the

Ghetto Gourmet Ramen for dinner.

Cute little deviled quail eggs

topped with caviar and chives

served with

garlicky/buttery toasts, cold sake, and cold beer.

I love

our  Kitchen "bar" at "Chez Calasanz"

Cheers!

: )

Destinations are Only as Delicious as the Journey. This is the story of our first adventure together and how we returned to the scene of the crime 6 months later.

On February 14th, 2010, Andrew and I woke up at Montana De Oro State Park.

It was to be the first of many adventures together that would include running, water, wine, great people and wonderful food.

We had wanted to get out of town at the last minute and Andrew wanted me to pick the destination.

I gave him two choices:

Joshua Tree or Morro Bay.

I was thrilled that he chose Morro Bay!

There is no better place for a quick getaway that has the best of both worlds for each of us.

I crave the ocean, he craves trails, and Montana De Oro has it all!

Not to mention, just a 20 minute drive to Paso Wine Country!

Since we were still a new couple and I love to sleep under the stars, I slept outside and he slept in the car.

I couldn't wait till the morning so I could show Andrew the beautiful coastal trail.

A few moments after the above photo was taken we spotted the first of many runners wearing racing bibs.

Huh? I was totally confused. It turns out, it was the Montaña de Oro Ultra Marathon.

Now I really knew for sure that we had picked the perfect place to be.

We even tried to see if we could do a last minute registration but it was too late.

The race director was great, she told us about all the trail markings and said

 "...feel free to run it, and be sure to register for the next one in August..."

We ran part of the coastal trail before heading to Paso Robles for some Wine Tasting at Lone Madrone.

We decided that we'd definitely be back in August to run the Ultra!

Breakfast of Champions?

Quiche, Oatmeal Bars with Calvados Soaked Cherries, Brownies, Hard Cider, and Pork Rinds!

What more could a weekend ask for when you've got the water, trails, and wine?

How about a little bit of tap dancing?

I guess you can call teaching some basic tap dancing steps to some fellow trail hikers while holding a full glass

a great example of

"Disciplined Indulgence"

***********************************

Fast forward 6 months

***********************************

Saturday August 14th, 2010 

We set off on our 2nd Morro Bay and Montana De Oro Adventure.

We got the Truck packed with all the necessities, even a foam roller! : )

And Perrier!

After several hours of scenic driving it was time for lunch! 

Just before stopping for lunch,  I made a call to Silverlake Wine and asked George if he had any suggestions for places we had to visit while in Paso. 

He suggested Hug Cellars.

George couldn't have picked a better place to send us!

Hanging with my Ham, Cheese, and Chive Quiche; Quinoa Salad; and Raw Shredded Carrots and Beets; and a wonderful Hug Cellar Red.

Notice my cute top?

Andrew bought it for me in June at the Grandma's Marathon Expo.

Andrew enjoying his lunch and wine. 

We shared some of our lunch over great conversation with the "Hostess with the Most-est",  Raquel Hug, one of the dynamic duo behind these wonderful wines.

The wines that we tasted at Hug Cellars were all beautifully balanced, amazing "Food Wines" that were obviously crafted with love.

We cannot wait to visit again.

Check out their website, visit their tasting room, and hook up with them on Facebook.

Our Paso Trips always include a visit to Lone Madrone to sip some more amazing "food wines" and to pick up some more of their delicious Hard Cider.

 One this day, the charming Art Kishiyama, of Olio Nuevo, was sampling his delicious artisan crafted extra virgin olive oils and balsamics.

I had to get a bottle of the "Premium Aged Balsamic of Modena"

Estate Blended in Paso Robles.

My salads are loving it!

 Mister Andrew Calasanz, giving the grapes some love before we headed off to get some sleep.

Good Morning! Ready for the Ultra!

One last pic in the Spooner Cove parking lot, ready to head to the start.

 Would one of my adventures be complete without one of these poses?

Let's go!

 Since I only did the 8k (with all that elevation, if felt like the LA Marathon all over again), I had time to kill while Andrew finished his 25k. What better way to celebrate an early morning trail run then with some Lone Madrone Hard Cider with a yellow jacket chaser?

Poor little fella was loaded by the time I got him out of the glass.

The neatest thing about Ultras is that they have TREATS at the aid stations.

I had to take a picture of the "PUDDING" for my friend Gavril

  It was interesting to see what each runner chose to eat for "re-fuel-ing."

Golly, those trails sure got me dirty!

: )

 Andrew was even dirtier!

Big thanks to our friend Kristine!

 She let us crash at her beautiful home that was only 4 miles from the starting line. 

We're hoping she'll want to run it with us in February.

On Sunday, August 15th, 6 months to the day of our first adventure, we returned to Morro Bay, Spooner Cove, and Montana De Oro, and this visit was just as wonderful as our first.

On our first visit, I already knew that Mister Andrew Calasanz was "THE Man".
The only man.
I look forward to all the adventures our future together holds.
Thank you for sharing in our journey.
: )