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This past weekend NF Endurance staff, team captains and runners met in Vermont for the second annual Team Captains Summit. In addition to brainstorming and planning for future events, the group fielded two teams in the Green Mountain Relay. Below Murray McCartan reflects on what made this weekend special for him (Be sure to read through No. 1).
Murray’s Top 10 Reasons Why the Green Mountain Relay Rocked
10) Scenic Leg Three with Todd - discussing marriage, fatherhood, and college football. Boys being boys.
9) Saturday night’s quirky dinner at the “90 Degree Cafe” – Steve’s Whale joke, the sock hook, and Christmas in Vermont. Negotiating an Oreo cookie off my forehead, past my left nostril and into my mouth. Small victories count, too.
7) Witnessing Chaun become a real runner, especially at night. Yes, you CAN!
6) Ben & Jerry’s and the NF Endurance Team – what an awesome flavor!
5) After being asked how he was doing during each run, hearing Steve answer, “Isn’t this great!” Yes, Steve, it truly IS great.
4) Watching Cathie and Angela, arm in arm, mother and daughter, finish a leg together.
3) The Scavenger Hunt in Jeffersonville – When else in my life will I ask a complete stranger if they have a Yo-Yo?
2) Team 2 Van 1, my home away from home: Lori Legs’ (“thanks for the Very Hard ones, guys!,” music trivia, ”anyone seen that Peanut Butter knife?”)
1) My highest moment of fragile magic this weekend: At dusk, running alone on Highway 100, a vermillion sunset behind the Green Mountains, fire flies flickering for each thought of my son, of all of our loved ones, of all of my newly-met friends along this journey with NF, and the overwhelming gratitude I felt for the opportunity to be at this given place and time.
TEAM BUILDING
Many of our team captains arrived in Vermont on Thursday for a weekend packed with team building and planning. Two teams of NFE Runners will complete the 200 mile Green Mountain Relay on Saturday. You can follow their adventures on Twitter (@NFEXTREME). Also on the NFE schedule this weekend is the Mayor’s Marathon in Alaska, where Denise Ogle and her crew will be participating. Denise has raised $2,600, and she runs for her son, Leo, who has NF. Read more about Team Leo and Denise’s efforts to find a cure here.
FREE WIFI
Starbucks will now offer free Internet starting July 1.
Check out this New York Times article for all the details: http://nyti.ms/91NUlV
DAD’S DAY
Need last minute Father’s Day ideas for your active dad? Check out these favorites from our team:
- Road ID (Jon Clinch) – Check out Road ID for a piece of gear that will help athletes convey personal information in case of an emergency. Road ID comes in multiple styles, including ankle and foot (Starting at $19.99).
- Road Bike (James Lee)
- “A wife that runs so he can be ‘off’” (Laura Perfetti)
- “A big box of mini Ritz crackers with peanut butter” (Barbara Smith)
- Gift of time (Suzanne Hickman) Leave the phones in the laundry room, turn the computers off and relax for a priceless gift of spending time together.
- The Stick (Florence McCarthy) This device, which looks like a stick, rolls out muscles to improve strength and flexibility after a long run. Sticks vary in size and firmness. (www.thestick.com; $27.50 and up)
Page of the Week Denise Ogle Why we love it: Denise uses a creative fundraising request — anyone who donates $250 receives a heart shaped rock found by Leo. Help spread the love by donating to Team Leo.
Video of the Week
Dr. Vic Ricardi speaks on neurofibromatosis at the NF Conference in Baltimore. The Foundation will be posting several videos on ctf.org to highlight advancements in research.
Try this easy chicken recipe from team captain Trisha Budlong. Trisha, who is mom to Drew and Ashleigh, is always looking for quick, healthy and kid friendly recipes that will help fuel her busy schedule, which includes training for the Rock ‘n’ Roll Philadelphia Half Marathon (See Dashing for Drew). “I just sort of threw it together one time and everyone liked it — so it’s a keeper, without a name,” said Trisha. You can get more of her home cooked specialities if you join NFE at the Green Mountain Relay where Trisha will serve as the team chef.
Team Captain and Team Chef, Trisha Budlong
Trisha’s Chicken Pasta
Prep to Table: 30 minutes
Serves: 6-8
1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
1 pound boneless chicken breasts
1 can diced tomatoes Italian style
1 box of whole wheat pasta (any shape will do but Trisha recommends trying fun shapes such as bowtie)
1 clove of garlic, minced
Dried herbs 1/2 teaspoon each of oregano, marjoram, thyme (reduce by half if using fresh spices)
White pepper, salt to taste
Fresh parsley for garnish
Heat water for pasta. Cut chicken into one inch pieces. Heat olive oil in large pan over medium high heat. Add chicken and saute turning frequently for five minutes. Add the can of diced tomatoes, including liquid, in the pan. After two minutes reduce heat to medium. Stir occasionally until chicken is completely cooked. When the water comes to a boil, add the full box of whole wheat pasta. Cook for 9-14 minutes depending on texture preference. When chicken is done, add minced garlic, herbs/spices, salt, pepper. Reduce heat to low and cook 3-5 minutes. If chicken is finished before pasta, you can keep warm either on low flame or on a very low heat oven, covered. Drain pasta, place in large serving bowl. Toss with chicken and tomatoes. Garnish with fresh parsley.
Serve with hearty multi grain or whole wheat rolls and fresh garden salad.
Negotiating an Oreo cookie off my forehead, past my left nostril and into my mouth. Small victories count, too.
TEAM BUILDING