Art Basel

Take 200 of the finest art galleries in the world, mix in a little Picasso, Degas, De Kooning, Lichtenstein and add a pinch of Matisse, Mapplethorpe and Rothko and what you have is Art Basel, the sister event of Art Basel in Switzerland. It is an art dealers candy shop showing a mix of works from world renowned artists to upcoming cutting edge newcomers. The event officially opens December 7th and runs through December 10th with numerous venues through out Miami Beach and over on the mainland in Miami. The main attraction will be the Miami Beach Convention Center which is a perfect starting point for those who have never been to Art Basel. Where else can one go and view multi-million dollar works of art while sipping on champagne and nibbling on imported cheeses. Besides the art, there are hourly artist talks, book discussions and signings. Oh...and the art books are works of art themselves. The Taschen booth last year had some of the most magnificent and unusual art books. It is very hard just to look without buying one of their books.

So when you get done with the convention center there are more art events to experience starting with Art Positions located on 21st street on Miami Beach. There you will see 21 galleries displaying cutting edge artists in converted shipping containers. When you get done then hit the various mini art fairs located all through South Beach.If you still want more then drive over (or take the Art Basel shuttle from the convention center) to the mainland. Make sure to visit the various private collections and don't miss Pulse, DesignMiami and NADA.

AND if you still haven't had enough you can keep going with countless smaller events like Art Loves Film, Art Loves Design, Art Goes Bad, Art Bar, Art Flow or anything with the word art in it. Personally my favorite this year is Art Boat. Yes, Art Boat, the same people who brought you the famous duck boat tours of Boston are taking their duck boats and viewing artwork from the bay. Mind you it is only by private charter.If I had known this I would have plotted my own "Water Tour de Art" and offered my boat during Art Basel. Well, there is always next year.

Also there are rules for Art Basel. First of all, wear fashionable walking shoes and remember the word fashionable. Yes, you can wear your Crocs if, and only if, the charms on them are real otherwise leave them in the closet. Second, pretend you really are into the art even if it is some sort of barbed wire wrapped around a chair. Believe me you will see a lot of art on acid like videos of a trash can, neon bulbs with nails glued on them, balloons filled with spit (I made that one up), a yellow pitchfork and it goes on. Third, upon viewing an exceptional bizarro piece like a crucifix in a can of tuna one must do a head nod followed by the word "brilliant". It is really amazing after that third glass of champagne how one feels they are the curator for the Whitney.

After experiencing all that art you can head over to the pedestrian mall of Lincoln Road to refuel after a long day of viewing buckets with twigs and rocks. Don't get me wrong, Art Basel is a fun filled contemporary art fair with the right amount of edge coupled with the energy of South Beach and Miami. It shouldn't be missed.

Don't forget to check out the South Florida restaurant scene at Self-Size.com and my fitness tips.

Ciao,

Angie of the Arts

p.s. The picture this month on the blog is a snapshot of artwork you won't see at Art Basel. It is a 8X6 tapestry I bought on my trip to India in the town of Jaisalmer ( read more on this great sand city) which sits on the edge of the Thar Desert. The textile is a patchwork of old maharaja saris sewn together to make a single new one. The detail and colors are astounding and I am still discovering little parts of the tapestry. It is a keepsake that will always remind me of the great family trip we had to India.

Celebrate Autumn!!

Even though Fall officially started with the autumn equinox on September 23rd you can still be part of the festivals, football and all the fun that makes this time of year special. You can experience it from the glowing aspens in Vail (like those above) to the quintessential fall tree, the maple of New England. I think if one had to place a picture next to the word "autumn" it would be the maple with its fall foliage color of red, yellow and orange.

Ofcourse with the Fall comes all the festivals complete with the usual tempting foods from maple sugar candy, pumpkin pie, caramelized apples to cranberry muffins. Couple that with shorter days and a hectic autumn schedule and it can spell trouble for some of us who are trying to maintain our workout schedule and our balanced nutritional lifestyle. You have no excuses not to workout; you simply take it indoors to the gym or your house. There are
various challenging routines you can do on a treadmill to mirror those of your summer runs. You have a bike but it is not a spinning bike. Well...no whining. Go to your local bike shop and they can set you up with an indoor bike trainer. Basically, it is a piece of equipment that makes it possible for you to ride a bicycle indoors. The trainer consists of a frame of which your bike securely clamps to. Prices run the gamut from $50 (40E) to over a $1,000 (798E). Ofcourse unless you are Tour de France winner Lance Amstrong, an inexpensive trainer will do the trick. Once you get your trainer set up you can watch your favorite program or listen to music while it's snowing outside.

Autumn doesn't mean giving up all the fabulous fruits and vegetables from the summer. Autumn has her own fantastic line-up from butternut squash, cranberries, apples, walnuts, leeks to yams, pumpkins and mushrooms. This month the versatile mushroom is the featured autumn food on the nutritional site Self-size.com. Check out their mushroom guide for your fall cooking menu!!

However the one vegetable that really symbolizes this time of year is the pumpkin. No where else is the pumpkin more celebrated than the Pumpkin Festival in Keene, New Hampshire. It holds the official Guinness World Record for the "Most Jack-O'-Lanterns in One Place At One Time." The entire town of Keene is your own front porch for Halloween. All you need is a carved pumpkin, register it at the log-in tent then place your creation on Main Street for everyone to oohhh and aaahhh over. Last year the actual count was 22,157 jack-o'-lanterns. Yes, that's correct, over 20 thousand lit pumpkins along Main Street. It is quite a sight to see. The festival is October 21st and 22nd and has music, hay rides, a craft fair, costume parade and yes, a pumpkin seed spitting contest. It is a New England fall festival at its best.

I will be up in New England for the famous fall leaves and my goddaughter Lena's birthday so it should be one wild time, pumpkins and all. More to come later.

Ciao,
Angie of the Autumn

p.s.- Don't forget to check out all my latest fitness tips on Self-size.com.

SOS

No, that title isn't referring to the marine distress signal but instead "Save Our Stiltsville". It is not an endangered specie more an endangered history, a slowly disappearing history of Florida. Stiltsville is a 70 year old aquatic neighborhood that sits just a mile off Key Biscayne. Basically just like in the picture, they are an odd collection of wooden homes on concrete stilts that sit on the flats in the northern part of Biscayne National Park. It all started back in 1937 with "Crawfish" Eddie Walker who built a shack on stilts to entertain all his buddies. He served his famous chilau which was a local "chowda" made with crawfish. Ofcourse that was accompanied by a 1937 version of Budweiser. If crawfish isn't your favorite and you want a fish recipe that is a little easier on the your aorta there is always room for a great green pepper tuna filet. Add some crushed garlic, a little olive oil, green pepper and lemon juice and you have yourself a perfect Self-size recipe. Visit Self-size com. and learn more about maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

So what happened to Stiltsville, Eddie and his boys. Well..as the movie line goes, "build it and they will come". They did and by 1960 there were 27 homes. It was a colorful community standing on stilts in shallow water and the mud flats. Colorful it was including some clubs that had gambling and other assorted entertainment. However, Mother Nature decided the neighborhood needed some updating so between Hurrincane's Betsy, Donna and the final knockout punch by Andrew the marine campsites were reduced to seven. Most of the final seven sit along the Biscayne Channel. It really is a site to see. The homes seem to float above the water which at low tide recedes to two feet. With all the grass flats and shoals, one sees an abundance of wildlife from pods of dolphins, turtles, egrets, herons and the ever present pelicans and commorants. Plus with the shallows it is a great place to engage in all types of water aerobics from snorkeling to swimming. Somewhat like you own aqua gym similar to what is included in my fitness tips at Self-size.com

However since the expansion of Biscayne National Park in 1980 the submerged lands that the homes sit on now belong to the National Park Service. The H2O habitats are still maintained by their owners but it was the Department of Interior that approved of a 15-member nonprofit trust to manage the properties and how to convert them to public use.

Life magazine in 1941 described Stiltsville as "an extraordinary American community dedicated to sunlight, salt water and the well-being of the human spirit". It still holds true. No matter how many times I boat out to Stiltsville for a day of relaxation I always come back to the dock in a "most excellent" frame of mind.

Just like Las Vegas, what happens there, stays there.

Ciao,
Angie of the Stilts

p.s. Don't forget to check out Self-size for the latest on nutritional and fitness news.

Endless Summer

Summer officially doesn't end until September 23rd so just think of all those great summer activities you can still do from beaching to boating, surfing, swimming or just hanging out with family and friends. And that is exactly what I am doing with my cousin John at the best kept beaching secret in Rhode Island; Gooseberry Beach.

Gooseberry is an impressive stretch of sandy beach with perfect grass-covered sand dunes right off Ocean Drive in Newport. The beach is a cove protected by giant boulders which at low tide you can walk out to and hike from one end to another. The shoreline as with the majority of beaches in the Newport area is ideal for walking and firm enough for running during low tide and even at high tide a good workout is still doable on the beach. If you need a refresher on your posture or form don't forget to check out my fitness tips at Self-size.com.

Ofcourse unlike South Florida where a healthy beach food hut is almost non-existent, it appears people in New England take their beach buffets seriously. I would call it balanced (somewhat) and most certainly fresh. Yes, there is the standard fried oysters and clams but there is always an offering of a seafood or fruit salad. And there is always lobsta...just leave out all that Mayo or melted butter and you still can stay on track. Gooseberry comes with their version of a beach bites bungalow. The little beach cottage offers a great menu from the typical fare of mouth watering hamburgers to tasty salads. And you can't forget the homemade lemonade and brownies. You can even reserve a beach table complete with fresh flowers and candles for a dusk dinner. The menu for the early evening is different from the carte du jour and offers more of a sophisticated fare. You really don't know what you are being served until you speak with the chef herself. If you stray off your Self-size lifestyle (like I did) you can always get back on track with Self-size's nutritional counseling.

Besides Newport, there are equally beautiful beaches throughout New England. Just across Narragansett Bay is the Beavertail Lighthouse which has gorgeous, small secret beaches. The only trick is that you must be part billy goat to access them. Others areas that are just as beautiful is the coast of Maine, the islands of Martha's Vineyard, Nantucket and Block Island plus the Cape. One of my favorite stretches of sand on the Cape runs from Chatham to Provincetown which is part of the National Seashore. The dunes are spectacular looming golden waves and if that is not enough there is always the surf. The waves are nature's version of a reality show and couple that with surfers and you have a great display of bravery (I think) mixed with alot of insanity.

You have it all in New England...long, dramatic wide beaches, secluded coves and lagoons, vertigo sea cliffs and cold...very cold water. Yes...I got in the water this summer and I didn't even wear my wetsuit. Not because I was so brave...basically I would have been the only one in the entire tri-state area wearing a wetsuit in the surf plus after two minutes your body goes completely numb anyway.

More to come later....and don't forget to visit the experts at Self-size.com for the way to a healthy lifestyle!!!

Ciao,

Angie of the Endless Summer

Keys Tropical Highway

What has 42 bridges, connects more than 100 islands together and includes three National Historic Sites? The Overseas Highway or Highway 1 is the closet version to a tropical country road that you can drive easily in a day.This sole road linking the Florida Keys to the mainland stretches over 126 miles and provides access to great snorkeling, swimming, fishing and ofcourse dining. Matter of fact, this month the nutritional website Self-size profiles not only dining establishments in South Florida but also the Florida Keys. The restaurants generally are big in local color and are wonderfully unique. They vary from the established Marker 88 and Morada Bay Cafe to the the wild and crazy partylike eateries like Alabama Jack's and Lorelei's.

If you are a fish eater then the Keys is your "all you can eat seafood buffet". There isn't a menu in the Keys that doesn't have grouper, lobster (that's Florida lobster), conch and dolphin (not Flipper) on it. And conch is king here eventhough it is actually a queen conch. I have sampled it all from conch burgers, conch balls, conch salad to conch pizza and conch chowder. Personally, conch on pizza just didn't do it for me but sometimes one must eat like a native. Don't forget a small slice of Key Lime or Mango Pie is a must. And I said small.. You don't want all that hard work you have done with Self-Size to be in vain.

After feasting at one of the many great restaurants you can always find a way to work it off. The Overseas Highway is your gateway to some of the best snorkeling in the US starting with John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park in Key Largo. Pennekamp is the first underwater state park in the US. You can take snorkeling, diving or glass bottomed boats out to the coral reefs which are truly spectacular.

Down the road and just south in Marathon is the Seven Mile Bridge. It is one of the world's longest bridges and offers wondrous views of the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico. Once a year, the bridge is closed to traffic for the famous Seven Mile Bridge Run. The only way get in the race is by luck of the draw. Fortunately, my sister and I have run many a race over that bridge. And it is not a race for those who haven't trained....Matter of fact, any race requires training so check out my fitness tips on Self-Size.com to get the inside track.

Immediately after you cross over the Seven Mile Bridge is Bahia Honda State Park. It has been rated as one of the most beautiful beaches in the United States. It is the Keys best public beach with plenty of white sand plus it has kayak rentals, snorkel trips to Looe Key and the Old Bahia Honda Bridge which is pictured above. Make sure you check out the view from the top of the bridge. Sometimes you can see huge hammerhead sharks swim through the cut from the Atlantic side over to the Gulf of Mexico looking for an afternoon snack.

As the drive south continues, you cross one tropical key after another including Big Pine Key. Big Pine is the only place in the world where the endangered Key deer live. And watch the speed limit...it is strictly enforced by the police.

Soon after Big Pine you will be in Key West which has been referred to as the Capital of the Conch Republic or Margaritaville. It is a cross of Caribbean, American and anything else the local "Conch's" feel like throwing in. There is a variety of activities and attractions for anyone. Fishing, snorkeling, dining, shopping and the bars from Sloppy Joes to the Bull & Bear will keep you busy. Make sure you visit the Blue Heaven restaurant which is a Self-Size pick.

Most importantly don't forget to do "Sunset" at Mallory Square. Locals and tourists gather to experience a spectacular Keys sunset while being entertained (if you want to call it that) by some very interesting, home grown carnival acts. It is a sight to see and a great way to end your day and start your evening in the southernmost city in the US.

And remember the motto of the local conch's - Save the Keys...Blow the Bridges.

Ciao,

Angie of the Overseas Highway

p.s. Don't forget to get the latest nutritional and fitness news at Self-Size.com

Swimsuit Season is Here!!

Does this picture ring a bell with you? Those extra love handles, the feeling of laziness, the ability to float because you have turned into your own personal flotation device? Maybe the idea of getting into a swimsuit sends you off the edge? If you have answered yes to all the above then just skip the rest of my blog and go directly to the nutritional lifestyle site Self-size.com. If those seals can learn fabulous tricks then most certainly you can learn the Self-size way to a healthy and fun life. Self-size.com can get you in that yellow pokka dot bikini surfing a perfectly tubed 10 foot wave. Well...the surfing part might take a little work.

Even though summer officially doesn't start until June 21st, now is the time to start getting in shape. The theme this summer is the outdoors especially the water. That is, in the water, on the water everything about water. I will be writing a whole summer series on water exercise plus challenging beach workouts for the athlete in all of us.

Self-size and I will be covering all the latest H2O fun from the beaches of Barcelona, Florida, Cape Cod, Maine, Rhode Island and Italy, to the lakes and hot springs out west in Colorado and Utah. Learn the up and coming water aerobic routines that include Pilates, stretching, tubes and water weights.There are all sorts of "water toys" to be had these days and I will share them all with you. Aquatics is great fitness fun without all the sweat and there's less stress on the joints.

And there will be no excuses about the water being too cold or not having access to the beach. There is always a community pool and a wet suit. Wet suits can be purchased at any surf or dive shop but I would suggest starting at a surf shop. Styles at a surf shop are definitely cooler and more stylish. Most certainly you want the coolest looking wet suit to wear. Wet suits aren't the most flattering swimwear and you really don't want to end up looking like one of the seals pictured above.

Some great looking wet suits are made by BodyGlove, O'Neill and Jet Pilot. Make sure you buy the correct thickness which is always designated in millimeters and body warmth. Also decide what style you want. A shorty is a suit with cut-off arms and legs. A full suit covers your arms and legs and a farmer john has full legs and no arms. By all means don't cheap out, spend the money on a good wet suit. Believe me, it makes a world of difference between being nice and toasty or chilled to the bone.

Don't forget to scope out my fitness tips on Self-size.com and stay tuned for my "Worldwide Water Aerobics".

Ciao,
Angela

Swim with Flipper

Well you really can't swim with Flipper because in his own special way he is swimming with the fishes. For those of you who don't know who Flipper was, he was the divo of dolphins back in the 60's. He had his own prime time TV show that was shot on location all over Miami. It centered around Flipper and his adventures with two young boys. The episodes I remember were thought provoking and extremely well written; Flipper saves a drowning girl, Flipper learns to speak, Flipper goes to the fish prom, Flipper goes to camp at the Fowley Rocks lighthouse.

Matter of fact that is a picture of Fowley Rocks lighthouse which sits about five miles east off Key Biscayne.The lighthouse has rocked thru all the hurricanes since the 1800's. Even Hurricane Andrew couldn't budge her with winds gusting up to 170mph. It is perfect spot for snorkeling with a depth of around 10-20 feet. If you time it just right it can be your own personal aquarium with no one around but you and all the sealife. The sealife runs the gamut from snapper, angel fish, sergeant majors, basslets, groupers, wrasses then throw in some barracudas, an occasional shark and some huge Florida lobsters. And without fail on the way out to Fowley we always see dolphins swimming in huge pods. It makes for one memorable day!!

A day of swimming and snorkeling can be incredibly fun but if you aren't in shape you can find yourself with leg cramps. Oh and that snorkel can feel like a straw if you're aerobically challenged (a nice way of saying you're not in shape). Nothing is more humbling then swimming against a very strong current and going no where. So before you go bouncing off that dive platform make sure you're in shape. Start simple with fitness walking in your target heart range or if you have access to a pool then jump in and do some laps or water aerobics. Wear your fins in the pool so your legs learn the correct kicking motion while you build up endurance. You can find more of my fitness tips at Self-size.com which is a great nutritional and dieting website.

Also being on the boat for the day doesn't mean you leave your nutritional common sense back on the dock. Make sure you have enough drinks and I don't necessarily mean the Buds or Coronas, pack water and Gatorade. You will be surprised how quickly you get dehydrated swimming in the saltwater and baking in the sun. Leave the cookies and chips and have fresh fruit instead and fruit is certainly more refreshing on a hot day. You can learn more about proper nutrition by visiting Self-size.com and really see how easy it is to get on track to a new you and new lifestyle. Most importantly, just think how you will look in your new snorkeling fins.

Ciao,
Angela

p.s. Don't forget to pack the sunscreen, a wide-brimmed hat and polarized sunglasses for your day out in the sun!!!

Renaissance Rendezvous

So what Italian city is known for its monuments to the Renaissance, has the Ponte Vecchio bridge (that's it above), was once ruled by the Medici family and is birthplace to Dante and Michelangelo's David? Still need another hint? How about the home to the designer Salvatore Ferragamo? If you still don't know then there is no hope for you.

Just north of Rome is her little sister, Florence, smaller in size but not in artistic or cultural monuments. It is a beautiful city that is steeped in the Renaissance. Paintings and sculptures are eye candy throughout this medieval city on the Arno River. Throw in the magnificent churches such as Santa Maria del Fiore, Santa Croce and the Santa Maria Novella which each are home to fabulous frescoes, ornate chapels and the Bapistry with its famous bronze doors.

And when you get done with all that then there is more!! The Galleria dell' Accademia which is home to one of the Renaissance's most magnificent works; Michelangelo's David. It is a huge nude marble statue of the hero from the Bible that killed the giant Goliath. David recently underwent a major cleaning and he is whiter and brighter than ever before. You can see the veins rope down his hands, the bulging biceps and the ripped abs. It's the type of body that I think most people would be very happy to have. I know if David had followed a weight loss program back in the Renaissance it would have been with Self-Size. Or maybe he would have followed my fitness tips.

In addition to David, there is the Uffizi which is one of Italy's leading art museums or in my opinion (and I am unanimous in that) of the world. Plus across the historic Arno River is the Pitti Palace and the beautiful Boboli Gardens. Then there is the shopping. Everything from the fabulous Florentine leather to the big bling, bling on the Ponte Vecchio to the fun touristy straw market.

I had a memorable time in Florence. If you haven't been, then you must go and experience this enchanting city of Tuscany. If you've been, then relish the time you spent back in the Renaissance.

Stay tuned for more travel stories and fitness tips. Summer is fast approaching so that means getting your body in beach, boating shape.

Ciao,
Angela

Coming Soon: My new line of greeting cards

Medals All Around

Yes, I am finally back to my blog. I received many emails asking me about the marathon and the trip to Rome. Things were a little hectic in Rome and the internet wasn't as prevalent as it was with our previous trip to India. Anyway I am back on track but not necessarily the marathon track. At least not for now even though New York or the London marathon might be calling me in the future.

So what about Rome? Well I think those the smiling faces tell it all. Forget about the rest of the body. Notice the finish line and the Coliseum behind us and those great Rome marathon medals hanging around our necks. Yes, my sister Carolina and I are very happy girls in the picture. Carolina finished 1 and a half hours ahead of her projected time coming in at 6:45 and I finished at 5:17. Our friend Rosemary wasn't far behind finishing at 6:57.

It was a great day for the marathon with fabulously blue skies with the starting temps in the high 40's and the finish in the high 60's. That's where the fabulous stuff ends, kinda, sort of, maybe. The course does pass some of the most magnificent monuments in Rome let alone the world but someone forget the part about the cobblestones. Those cobblestones aren't at the end of the marathon they are bascially throughout the whole course. And if you aren't in the main pack of the marathoners such as we weren't then don't plan on any water, sponges or support near the end of the marathon. I certainly felt for people who finished after us because the course was already being dismantled even though the race officials promised the finish line would remain open for eight hours.

Besides all that it was a magnificent experience for all of us. We all felt great after the race even though I experienced the typical electrolyte meltdown following the race. It is a feeling of nausea, lightheadedness and just down right fatigue. How did I handle that? Like anyone in Rome would, with a nice, toasted panini filled with provolone and parma ham. My sister on the other hand had a HUGE gelato but after 26.2 miles you can eat whatever you want.

Now that we are all done with the marathon training, I will be posting more frequently than once a week especially living in South Florida it just feels fitness 24 hours a day. So besides sharing our trip to Rome and our day trip to beautiful Florence I will be posting the fun side of fitness and whatever else moves me. And don't forget to visit my fitness tips.

Also I would like to thank our sponsor, Self-size for all the great marathon attire. I swear it really made us faster and people loved the bracelets and shirts. For those of you who are new to my blog, Self-size is a great website offering nutritional counseling and weight loss programs. Check it out!

If anyone wants a Rome marathon bracelet please let me know and we will put one in the mail to you. You can visit my previous blogs to see a photo of the bracelet.

Ciao,
Angie of Trevi (Yes, I did throw a coin in the Trevi Fountain)

From Rome with Cobblestones

This is the sign that is at the Rome Marathon finish line. Not really, you won't need a sign to tell you to take off your shoes. That's if after 26.2 miles you can actually remove your shoes and what is left of your socks.

I spoke with a friend of mine who has run over 50 marathons around the world including the Rome Marathon. She mentioned the race is a lot of fun and the sites along the course are right out of the travel magazines. Some of the famous views you get to soak in on the course is the Coliseum, the Vatican, Piazza Navona, the Trevi Fountain plus a book more of famous locations. And the most famous part of the marathon is not those fabulous locations but the COBBLESTONES. Yes, the COBBLESTONES that line the course for the final six miles. There is nothing you can do but stick it out to the finish. As some of us who have participated in marathons know once you get to the final push nothing will stop you from crossing that finish line and getting your medal.

She also mentioned the start is very crowded and chaotic. So stay together with your group and take your time getting across the start. If you are slower runner position yourself on the left or right side of the corral so you don't get run over. With close to 25,000 entrants in the marathon, you can easily get pushed or stepped on from people around you.

As I mentioned before have a plan for the race. Pick out certain mileage markers to meet up with your support group and take your cell phone. Your cell will come in handy if you have adjusted your pace and need to notify your family members.

Remember, pack your race clothes, shoes and all the marathon documentation in your carry-on. Do not take the chance and pack them in your checked luggage. The last stress you need besides missing luggage is all your race paraphernalia also gone MIA.

Do pack some large plastic trash bags. You can wear them on the course for all types of weather and once you warm up it is a simple peel and toss.

Just think, one week from tonight we will all be done and celebrating at one of many fabulous restaurants in the Eternal City.

Good luck to everyone and bring home a medal!!

Don't forget to check out my fitness tips at Self-size.com. And I will be blogging until I get on the plane and throughout my time in Rome. So definitely come back and be part of roman history with all of us.

Arrivederci,
Angie of Trevi

ROME WEATHER: Monday thru Thursday, rain with the high in the hi 50's and the lows in the mid-40's.

Race Day: High 64, Low 45. 10% Precip

See Rome and Live!

So what is this a picture of? Well...these are people who didn't properly train for the Rome Marathon subsequently their finish line wasn't at the Coliseum. Or maybe they took my fitness tips to the extreme. Who knows? Either way I hope you all take this as a warning and are getting the proper sleep and nutrition. Remember, the marathon is only one week from Sunday!

Now about those former marathoners in the picture. Well, they really aren't marathoners. It is the crypt of the Capuchin Fathers. The crypt is located at the Church of the Immaculate Conception on the Via Veneto and contains the skeletons of 4,000 monks. It is a combination of Halloween, Six Feet Under and Hannibal Lector all rolled up into one. The monks were buried in a six room crypt between 1500-1870. There are all sorts of designs ranging from circles to triangles and there is even a child size Grim Reaper. It is arranged with all different bones including thigh bones, some femurs, a humerus here and there plus craniums which seem to be quite popular in the crypt.

If you have time do make it a point to go. I have visited the crypt on my previous trips to the Eternal City. It is quite interesting and is located in a great section of Rome right on the Via Veneto and near the Piazzi Barberini. There are wonderful shops in the area and delicious dining but that can really apply to almost anywhere in Rome.

About the crypt, there is no fee to get in but you are expected to make a donation to the Capuchin monk who sits at the entrance. Oh, by the way, he is very much alive.

I will be blogging right up to when the flight attendant threatens to take away my laptop and hand me over to the TSA agent. Besides my fitness tips, get the lowdown on how to lose weight sensibly with Self-size.com, monks excluded.

Ciao,
Angie of Trevi

ROME WEATHER: Today lo in the 40's with the hi in the mid 50's. The weather forecasted through next Tuesday is not so benne. Lots of rain and the temps still low. Maybe our friendly monks can put a good word in for us regarding the weather.

All Roads Lead to Rome

All roads do lead to Rome eventually even if it's via Maroon Bells in Aspen. I hope the weather in Rome is as clear as it was this day in Aspen. Today's forecast for Rome was the high of 50 and the low of 33. That's fine with me as long as it doesn't rain.

The Rome Marathon website has been updated so do check it out. Also don't worry if your name isn't confirmed on the site. As long as you have all your documentation with you to pick up your race packet at the expo you will be fine. The marathon is only two weeks from today so I KNOW everyone is tapering and have completed their long training sessions.

My sister and I did our session on Saturday but our pace was off and we both were fatigued. Was it overtraining? No...more like lack of sleep. A big no-no in the training world.

The last critical piece of your marathon training is the most important and that is sleep. Without proper sleep your marathon experience could turn into a nightmare of a time through the streets of Rome. Couple that with jet lag plus daylight savings change the night before the marathon and it can really reek havoc with your body.

So what can you do to make sure your body is ready? Well..start tonight by getting to bed early. Sleep deprivation can definitely hamper your performance. Your body has been thru a tremendous stress while training so it requires enough quality sleep and proper nutrition needed to repair and rejuvenate the body.

Look at your pre-sleep behavior. Are you letting your body wind down or is it more like channel surfing to the wee hours? And by all means don't train or eat right before you go to bed. Allow at least three to four hours after eating and training before bedding down for the night. If not, the body is too busy digesting food and will interfere with your sleep pattern. You all know that scenario...a big dinner then promptly crashing in bed only to wake up the following morning groggy and feeling a little dull. Groggy and dull are not allowed at the start line in Rome so get to bed early and sleep your way to the finish line.

If anyone would like a "Rome Marathon 2006" bracelet please let me know. They are free and definitely unique. Our bracelets are sponsored by Self-size.com. which is a great site specializing in weight loss and nutritional counseling.

So get to bed and don't forget to check out my fitness tips at Self-size.com

Sweet dreams,

Angie of Trevi

Eating Your Way Around Rome

We all know I am not going to Rome just to run the marathon with 12,000 other people (another projected 40,000 are doing the smaller fun run). Going to Rome is about shopping, food, museums, food, magnificent churches, food and more food. Where do you go for great food? Basically anywhere in Rome you are guaranteed a fresh, delicious meal. In all my previous trips to the Eternal City I have never had a bad meal. It is a good thing I am running the marathon to offset all those fabulous Roman dishes and ofcourse the gelato.
Eating is a serious thing in Italy. It is a time to socialize with family and friends over a wonderfully prepared meal with a bottle or sometimes bottles from a local vineyard. And how can you have a meal in Rome without one of those locally grown wines? Well...you can't. Of all the locally bottled whites wines, Frascati is the best known. For those of you who want to experience the "other" white wine there is the lovely town of Orvieto which just a quick ride outside of Rome.
Roman food is known for their highly seasoned dishes of onions, garlic, rosemary, sage and bay leaves. So enjoy the food, it doesn't have to be all or nothing. You can still enjoy Roman dining at its finest and still stay on your weight loss program. Self-size.com has partnered with various Roman dining establishments that offer the Self-size program on their menu.
My mission on this trip besides finishing the marathon is to rediscover that great gelato shop near the Piazza Navona. It is located on a side passage way to the piazza and it has the best gelato I have had in Italy (excluding the little stand in Capri). So if anyone remembers exactly where it is let me know.
So after I eat my way all through Rome plus her smaller sister to the north, Florence, then it will be time to get refocused and re-sized at Self-size.com. My own fitness tips will come in quite handy.

Check back during the week for more Roman updates!!


A Piu Tardi,
Angela of Trevi

Roman Pit Stops

Well it is subject that we have all talked about during our training sessions and it is a real concern when participating in a marathon. My previous experiences in road races has given me the inside track (sorry for the pun) about that ever so personal subject. So, what do you do when nature calls and how do you prepare yourself for race day?

A lot of it is common sense and listening to your body. Here are some of my hints to enjoy your race.

• Know where the race course porta-johns are and don't hesitate to use them. Don't ever think you can wait for the next set of bathrooms.
• Bring along tissue and/or antibacterial wipes because with thousands of runners it will be your luck to get that one porta-john that has empty dispensers.
• Use the onsite facilities just before entering the corral for the marathon. Your bladder will thank you for it.
• No matter how tempting don't drink any coffee before the marathon, it works as a diuretic.
• Think twice before relieving yourself on yourself. No joke, many people I ran with in the New York marathon did just that. Remember you are wearing those clothes especially the socks for 26.2 miles and it can get very uncomfortable for you and the unfortunate people around you.
• Most public establishments will let you use their facilities during the marathon. Don't forget a thank you as you race out the door.

And by all means don't eat anything exotic or spicy the night before the marathon. Besides possibly interrupting your sleep pattern the last thing you need during those 26.2 miles are upset bowels. So eat smart!!

The marathon is only two weeks from Sunday so I hope you all are in your tapering stage. Do visit the Rome marathon website because they are constantly updating it with news regarding the expo and course. I did find out that Gatorade will be offered starting mid-race to the finish but no PowerGels. So make sure you pack your gels in your carryon along with your race outfit and info.

Also up to the time I leave with my family (March 20th) I will start posting various shopping hints and haunts of Rome. Plus a friend of mine who has previously run the Rome marathon will share her insights about the race, expo and the course.

Don't forget to check out my fitness tips at the nutritional website Self-
Size com. It is a great site and recently updated with information of Roman restaurants to visit during your stay in the Eternal City.

So stay tuned!!

Angela of Trevi

Roma Marathon Checklist

No, that's not the Coliseum behind me more like Arches National Park in Utah but the Coliseum is not that far away. We have just four weeks until our little 26.2 walk around the
Eternal City. Hopefully, your long runs went well this past weekend and now you will begin the tapering process for Rome.

My sister Carolina and I did not finish our 22 miles on Sunday due to the torrential downpour on South Beach. Subsequently, we came up about a mile short but our times were great and even managed to shave off some minutes from the previous week. I do have one question and maybe someone out there has the answer. On both long training sessions, I broke out in hives on my ankles and shoulders. In all my years of training I have never experienced such a reaction and my sister did also. I am using the PowerGels and Bars on the training sessions as well as Gatorade. I have done nothing different nor has Carolina. My doctor today was equally clueless. If you all have any ideas what it could be please let me know.

Now back to our checklist for Rome. First things first. Whatever you are wearing in the race by all means pack it in your overnight bag not your checked luggage. In the event your luggage is delayed or lost you won't have the added pressure of trying to find shoes and clothes to wear in the marathon. Next check the weather before leaving town so you pack the appropriate gear.

Now about that checklist, some items you will carry yourself in a small fanny pack or better yet have family members carry for you and meet you on the route at an assigned mile marker.

• Socks - (at least 3 pairs) one to start the race, one during and one for after the race
• Sunglasses
• ID and money
• Watch
• Hat for the sun or cold
• Sunscreen
• Gloves - plan on throwaways, don't buy anything expensive to wear
• Toilet Paper/Kleenex - it takes up very little space and you will be very happy you brought it
• Vaseline
• Band-aids
• Your own water bottle
• Energy bars and gels
• Disposable camera
• Cell phone - it will come in handy in the event you need to get in touch with your support group during the race
• Wear a t-shirt with you name written on it with a magic marker. It is a great motivator during the race as spectators call out your name to cheer you on.

Don't forget to read more of my fit tips at the Self-size website. It is a dynamic nutritional site specializing in the Mediterranean Diet Method. It is a method that teaches you a whole new way of healthy eating to lose weight and keep it off.

Rome You Go

Hello Fellow Marathoners- 2/12/06

I hope your weekend long run went well. Only two more weekends of long training sessions then you will start to taper in anticipation of Rome. The finish line is only 6 Sundays away so hopefully you are have bought those new shoes and socks and stuck to your regime. In the last weeks I have covered many aspects of marathon training from hydration, clothing, stretching to blisters and tapering. Today I would like to cover something very critical to your success in the marathon but often overlooked; drinking on the run.

Something so simple if not done correctly can make your day not so memorable plus you can add precious seconds to your time while attempting to maneuver yourself a spot at the water station. How many times have you spilled fluids all over yourself or even hyperventilated after drinking? Many of the world's top marathoners have a particular strategy when approaching a volunteer at the water stations and say learning how to drink during a marathon was the hardest thing about moving up in the race.

Boston Marathon race director Dave McGillivray shares his tips and how to get in and out of the water station and get that fluid in your mouth and not on your shirt. I also included some of my own tips with Dave.

Good Luck this week with your training.

1. Single Out-

As you approach the water station, pick out a volunteer who is ready to hand off a cup. Keep an eye on other runners who might cut infront of you. Don't stop at the first table because that will probably be backed up with other participants. Pick a table in the middle and by all means don't wait for that last table. You might miss the table or the hand-off. Be careful of your footing too, there is water and cups everywhere which could lead to an unfortunate fall.

2. Call Out-

Call out to the volunteer naming what your what, be it a sports drink or water. If need be, point to the volunteer so they know what you want.

3. Reach Out-

Get that arm out early! Don't wait until you are on top of the volunteer to grab the cup. The sooner you get that arm out the better avoiding a spill. And most importantly, always say "Thank You".

4. Squeeze-

Curl your wrist towards you then squeeze the top half of the cup to make a funnel out of it. Always try to throw the cup well off to your left or right so it's not on the race course. And ofcourse look before throwing your cup so as not to drench a fellow racer.

5. Quaff-

Once you complete an inhale, the quickly quaff or guzzle the fluid in one clean gulp. Then exhale with your next few breaths to help your breathing "catch up".

Don't forget to read more of my fit tips at the website Self-size.It is a great nutritional site that shows you the way to a better and healthier lifestyle with the Mediterranean Diet. So you might not be ready to run the Rome Marathon but you are only a step away to successful weight loss.