Fueled by Vivác Training Guide

While I continue to whimper in the corner over my hamstring, plenty of you are hitting the road with fabulous races. Instead of sulking, I would like to offer my support with Fueled by Vivác training tips!
The following races were selected because...well because I Googled "top fall marathons" and this list came up. If I missed your favorite, feel free to contact me and I will tailor training to you.

Detroit Free Press/ Talmer Bank Marathon: They claim you cross the Canadian boarder twice and run a mile under water (in a tunnel silly). To prepare for this race, it is essential to drink Vivác Pinot Noir the night before your long runs and our Diavolo for recovery. The Pinot is because Canada produces some incredible Pinots, the Diavolo is because you will be in Detroit...which some refer to as hell.

Nike Women's Marathon: Located in San Fran, this race includes a chocolate stop and Tiffany necklace at the finish. This race will require drinking our dry Rosé of Dolcetto before and after ALL training runs. Why so much of the pink stuff? Because girls supposedly like pink and this is a very girlie race...but they do allow men...if the men like pink.

Marine Corp Marathon: This race is located in Wash. D.C. and while I am sure it is beautiful, what they promote about it is that it is the "race for the people" with no big prizes for top finishers which draws more recreational runners. I don't know why they call it "Marine Corps" (obviously I didn't do much research) but the name makes me think this is going to be hard...like boot camp. So in preparation you will need to drink A LOT of our Divino the night prior to each training run...because you will be praying for your life at this race, and plenty of our Syrah for recovery because it sorta sounds like "Simper fi".

ING New York City Marathon: This marathon is harder to get into than...something really hard to get into! Based on lottery, your admittance to this race really is...well...winning the lotto, until you realize you have to run 26.2 miles (some lotto you just won right?). This race will require our Nebbiolo both pre and post long runs. Why the Nebbiolo you ask? Because we often don't have the Nebbiolo grape due to late freeze so getting your hands on this wine will feel like you won the lotto...again.

Anthem Richmond Marathon: Called the friendliest marathon, this race sounds delightful and offers junk food on the course! You will need to train with copious amounts of our Dolcetto red wine. Dolcetto is an amazing pairing with many junk food combinations and while I don't know what will be offered on the course, Dolcetto will likely be the wine for it. In fact, I recommend that you fill your hydration belt with Dolcetto for the race.

Philadelphia Marathon: A combination of city sights and river paths, this race sounded lovely...until they suggested that at the finish line I should run up and down the steps of the Art Museum like "Rocky". After I run 26.2 miles I am trying to will my sausage legs to the booze tent NOT running up and down stairs. I found that suggestion insulting. So for training I recommend focusing on the historical nature of the city sights and recommend our Cabernet Sauvignon, a classic of wines, for training. Cab should be drank prior to ALL runs and preferably with reading glasses on...to look scholarly. For the "Rocky" fans you should drink our Fire Vineyard blend, it is bold and comes from hearty rootstock.

Some might balk at the amount of wine recommended in our Fueled by Vivác training, but remember that all of the professionals out there say the #1 thing to do is drink plenty of fluids!

-Cheers from the Vivác Winery Family!
www.VivacWinery.com

True Love

When you are really in love, even the mundane stuff is fun. That's how I knew Running and I had slipped into that comfortable spot in our relationship.

I eagerly stepped onto my home treadmill and happily started my run...while facing a wall. Ya, I was going to run on a treadmill facing a blank wall. This is what most people think of as Hell, but I actually didn't mind. I focused on my body and worked on my stride. I felt the muscles work and made adjustments to my body for better form. That's when I felt that prickle up my spine, that feeling that something was off. There was an obvious favoring of my right leg. I could feel my left leg compensating. Why, Running? Why are you acting like this?

Sometimes it is when you are the most comfortable that a relationship can turn on you. I'm not sure why Running wanted to hurt me, it seemed as if it came out of nowhere! I let my shock take over and as if on autopilot, I decided I'd ignore the elephant in the room. That never works by-the-way, it just makes things awkward, and now things were awkward with Running.

Even my favorite running path couldn't cover up the awkwardness in our relationship. Now it wasn't just a matter of looking the other way, hoping Running's bad mood would pass. Now it was turning into an issue. At this point it would have been a good idea to be upfront with Running, find out what was wrong. I did not go that route. I decided to give Running some time off, some alone time. As the days ticked by, I found myself thinking about Running all the time...was Running thinking about me too?

3 days later and no word from Running (what a jerk right?), I still had this unresolved issue that Running left me with, it was starting to take over everything I did, and Running couldn't care less! At this point I was getting mad, and I don't behave very well when I am hurt and mad. So the next time I passed by the treadmill...I flipped it off. Yep, I seriously know how to get under the skin of inanimate objects.

Then I felt bad. You know how you feel after being lame to your partner when you are fighting and then you give in and apologize even though it was clearly their fault in the 1st place? You know a 'guilt apology'. Well after flipping off the treadmill, I decided to grow up and take the initiative with Running.

I decided another treadmill-facing-a-blank-wall date was in order, an easy date that I could duck out of easily if Running was still mad at me. I started to unfold the treadmill and it pinched my finger badly! Evidently it had not appreciated my clever finger salute. While this was a clear sign I was venturing down a scary path, I ignored the signs and proceeded.

A short date later, it was clear...Running and I had some issues. I decided to come clean and be direct. Ask the questions that scared me the most. What I found out was revolutionary. Running wasn't mad at me, in fact we were in love more than before, but my baggage had come between us again.

We have decided to get a professional involved, couples therapy, someone who can help me stop self sabotaging with heavy heel strikes or upper body twisting. Some relationships are worth fighting for and for me, Running might be True Love.

*Today's blog is brought to you by Vivác's Cabernet Sauvignon, because as with great relationships, this wine always comes through for you.

-Cheers from the Vivác Winery Family!
www.VivacWinery.com

Suspicions

Yep, being in love is tricky.

Running and I had fallen into a comfortable routine when out of nowhere I started having suspicions. This is a tricky time in a relationship, you have determined that you are in love, but is it reciprocated? If you start thinking about it, you start questioning, if you start questioning you start having suspicions and suspicions are never good.

I was traveling to an area that was hot & humid, not my typical running climate, but like I said, my relationship with Running is different this time (see blogs "Back From a Break-up" & "Are You Jealous?"). So I saddled up and went on a date with Running as soon as I arrived.

Out on the open road amongst the lush green forests, I felt good, solid in our relationship and even giddy with how well it was going. Running and I really had started over with a clean slate. The rolling hills and blooming flowers only confirmed how wonderful our relationship was and my iPod shuffled to Sade.

The following day I couldn't make my date with Running and had to cancel, it hurt me to do so, but I had family responsibilities. While my family supports my relationship with Running, they can sometimes feel neglected due to the amount of time Running takes up.  The only problem is I had to cancel our date the day after that too.

Running always seems fine when you cancel, takes it in stride. But by the 3rd day, I knew I had pushed it. My date on that 3rd day after 2 days off made aches and pains I hadn't felt in a long time resurface. It wasn't bad, but it was a definite sign...Running was pissed at me. I tried to reason away the missed dates, but Running stays silent, waiting till you are vulnerable to kick you in the knee...or hip...or foot. Even the bunny rabbits that played so cutely on the side of the road, stopped and came toward me, poised as if to attack, little rabid bunnies who obviously took Running's side. I yelled "You don't know everything! Don't judge me you little bunny rabbits!", I could see my relationship with Running was reaching that tricky love stage. I started to have suspicions. I started to wonder if in a blink of an eye, we would be back to that place that drove us to break-up before. I could see I looked totally nuts yelling at animals.

Suspicions are what drive a wedge deep into a relationship, they require you to believe your thoughts rather than facts. Running showed me at that moment, the moment where I almost kicked a little bunny rabbit, that this suspicion was an old thought from the way we use to be. The fact was, this was a great run and the aches subsided. I realized my fear about our relationship and the ideas about how I thought it should, would or could go were going to cause damage to our new found love.

I felt a huge shift as I realized that letting go of the suspicions and allowing myself to enjoy what this is now is the only way to be in a relationship.

Now the problem is, I don't think Running likes my best friend Wine as much as I do.

*Today's blog is brought to you by our Rosé of Dolcetto, because you have to have a great chilled wine to suffer in great heat and humidity.

-Cheers from the Vivác Winery Family!
www.vivacwinery.com

Back From a Break-up

Returning to running after a long break, no matter what the reason, is like bumping into your ex unexpectedly. At first there is a flush of excitement, a bit of confusion in your body. You try to process all the information your body and brain are fighting to tell you. Your brain says 'hey we can handle this' while your body says 'oh hell no!'.

As you start your 1st run back on the track (or road, or sidewalk or treadmill) there is a surge of that old familiar feeling, a feeling your body recognizes without hesitation just like when you see an ex that you loved, you sense that familiarity. Your brain seizes the opportunity to tell you fast quipped lies 'Look a fresh start! We can be friends! Things are different!'. But the truth is, you can never really be friends with running...or an ex.

A few minutes into this new found "friendship", you are sucker punched with memories. Memories of why you had to break-up. Those old wounds suddenly feel fresh as your knee squeals and your hamstring sears red hot with a cramp. Ya, you know what I'm talking about, same with an ex that fills the awkward silence with backhanded compliments and inappropriate innuendo. You suddenly realize...running...running is a jerk.

It's ok though. Things ARE different, you are different, and you will be every single damn time you take a break and start over. This seems to surprise me every time. Why can't it be 'running with benefits', an easy going, no strings attached, just having fun kind of a relationship that can be picked up or forgotten about any time one wants?

I have to admit, I don't know who I will be in this new relationship with running. Will I cower to its demands as I have in the past, letting it bully me? Or will I be strong and take control? I am currently being seduced and you really can't tell anything about where a relationship will end up when you are in the thrills of seduction.

*This post is brought to you by our red wine blend Diavolo, because all break-ups feel like the devil.

-Cheers from the Vivác Winery family!
www.VivacWinery.com

Died and Gone to Heaven

"Fueled by Vivác" became a very literal term as we took 16 wine enthusiasts on a float trip down the Rio Chama. Combine Vivác Winery, Lambert's Taos and New Mexico River Adventures for a trip of a life time. To call this trip "incredible" is an understatement that you will only be able to fully comprehend after you experience it yourself.

This 3 day trip was the epitome of Gucci Camping. We had the expertise of the New Mexico River Adventures' guides waiting on us hand and foot. They shared history of the area, pointed out wild life and navigated the waters all while being charming entertainers. Chef Ky of Lambert's Taos fame made exquisite 3 course meals nightly featuring local greens, herbs and meats. Each dish paired breathtakingly well with all of our wines; the duck in a chipotle apricot glaze with the Divino red wine blend was a particular stand out. These intimate dinners set on the banks of the Rio Chama with stunning views featured wine maker talks, chef tidbits and more fun than you can imagine... cue the "Fueled by Vivác" reference. The white table cloths glowed in the candle light as magnificent course after course was served.

The Rio Chama is accessible by river only making it a jewel to behold, somehow still untouched by the outside world. Dramatic cliff walls dropped down to the water's edge and teamed with life. Unfortunately there were several snake encounters which rocked me to the depth of my core. Even considering the skin crawling experience of almost peeing on a snake, I'm hard pressed to come up with a negative for this trip.

New Mexico River Adventures asked us to join them on this brilliant gourmet raft trip a few years ago and it has since become a highly sought after experience, selling out and garnering a waiting list. People come from all over the country to this river in New Mexico to feed their love of the outdoors and their craving for exceptional food and wine. We are honored to be a part of this annual trip and to host the wine maker dinners each evening.

I have to say, I personally love doing wine maker dinners because it is one of the few times we pull the wine makers out of the winery and vineyard, dust them off and let them be adored. I love that people appreciate all the passion and hard work Jesse and Chris put into making each of their wines. I love seeing people truly understand the artistry in each glass as they listen to the wine makers describe a wine much the way they would describe a child, in loving detail. Our wine makers are a bit shy about all this attention however, which is why this trip offers the perfect setting. Wine enthusiasts get to spend 3 days rafting, camping, eating and laughing with the wine makers, it moves past the theoretical into honest friendship. Each evening, our new friends are treated to the secrets that are behind the beautiful wines Jesse and Chris make and the charming personalities of the men themselves. They truly are talented and I'm not just saying that because I'm married to one of them.

This annual trip with Vivác Winery is the Saturday/ Sunday/ Monday of the Memorial Day weekend. Please contact New Mexico River Adventures to make your reservations. www.newmexicoriveradventures.com/ 

oh and no...I didn't run at all while on this trip.

-Cheers from the Vivác Winery Family!
www.vivacwinery.com

Panic

The tingles race up and down my legs as the weight of them seems to drag me down.

Sweat springs to attention on my forehead and my head begins to pound. My heartbeat thumps loudly in my chest.

Beads of perspiration well up and cry down the center of my back.

There is nothing else in my mind. I am clear, focused on the pain and determined to get through it. This determination got me across the finish line of my Marathon when I couldn't manage another step...I know I can do this.

Then, my eyes start to tear. I bite my lip to stop the emotion welling up deep inside.

"Get a grip" I yell ferociously at myself. I shake my head, willing my body to push forward.

Suddenly, my husband, my coach, my best friend, seizes me out of the black hole I am sinking into. He lovingly, soothingly helps me.

Like a fountain in a desert, the relief and elation of liquid gold splashing into my empty wine glass fills me with great love, a oneness with the world, with humanity.

My wine maker husband saved the day yet again.

What, you haven't had the new vintage of Vivác Sauvignon Blanc? Believe me you will feel that way too when your glass is empty.


-Cheers from the Vivác Winery Family!
www.vivacwinery.com

So This is The End

(...continued from "To Wine or not to...ya right" )

You never notice the towels in a hotel room until you are dripping wet and realize there are none. After finding our wa with recycling the plastic cups for our wine habit, I found myself stunned by the trickery of the maid and our towels. Some days we had none, others 3. I could see I needed to step up my game.

I digress. I last left you with my mother-in-law, Jane, heading out into the night to pick up her husband, Dick, from the airport in Aguascalientes, Mexico. Yes their names really are "Dick and Jane". After becoming lost and disoriented, she managed to find her way to my sister-in-law's house who saved the day and took care of them. Luckily there was no "see Dick and Jane run" experiences to attach to this event. We breathed a sigh of relief as we ended the informational call, knowing they were in good hands and we finished our wine. That was close, we almost had to set the wine down and do something!

The rest of our trip was uneventful as far as thrills and chills, but full of fun and adventure. We did tours of Day of the Dead museums, a soccer game and a night at the famous Feria (a huge fair that people come from all over Mexico to party at) where myself, my wine maker husband, Jesse, his wine making partner and brother, Chris, along with his wife, Liliana, learned that we could polish off 2 giant bottles of tequila like it was wine. 

We also, in true wine obsessed fashion, visited a local winery. A beautiful place that left visions of a new and improved winery of our own dancing in our heads. The winery itself was impressive, the wines were not. I have had wines that I was impressed by from Mexico on other occasions, but this tasted more like snake pee. Not that I have tasted snake pee, but I stole that description from my 6 year old son who decided the frozen yogurt in Mexico tasted that way.

We visited the neighboring town of Guanajuato. A town that is so magical, it makes you want to leave everything behind and move there; buy a little stone cottage on the hillside. Maybe plant some vines and make a little wine. Wait, we already have that here in Dixon, New Mexico...which most people think is part of Mexico.

Our trip drew to a close and we reluctantly headed back home. We all piled into the car and in utter darkness started the the long drive back to the USA. It is important to point out that while the media had us convinced that driving through Mexico was a death sentence, it isn't. Mexico is just like the USA with it's problem areas and issues, but not a reason to axe the entire country. In fact, it is while we were in Mexico that we received news about the Boston Marathon bombing.

The shock of the Boston bombing reverberated around the room as I read aloud the news feed from my phone. Being that we are marathon runners and Jesse and Chris want to run the elite Boston Marathon, this attack seemed to really hit home. The stories of loved ones at the finish line, horribly wounded or lost, was deeply painful. I thought of my own son's beaming face as I ran across the finish line of my 1st marathon. I ached as I thought of the countless races my family has supported us in and how devastating it would be if anything happened to them. The senselessness of this attack was bombarding our country and we were sitting in the sun drinking margaritas. It didn't seem right.

In tribute to those runners in Boston, we didn't run while in Mexico. OK that isn't true, I didn't run because I was busy drinking wine and tequila all day, but I did THINK about some kind of a tribute being a cool thing to do.

I think it is important that in a time of senselessness, that we do not clutch onto fear, but remember to live our lives to the fullest, not tomorrow, but starting today, starting this minute. Fear can cripple you, keep you from true freedom. It certainly added a lot of needless stress to our journey through Mexico. I had to ask myself, "who would I be if I didn't fear the fact that I may not get a towel from the maid today? Is there any way to know for a fact that I will NOT get a towel from the maid today?" The answer is no, I don't know...that is why I started hiding mine in my suitcase.


-Cheers from the Vivác Winery Family!
www.vivacwinery.com