Category Archives: Uncategorized

Jun 21 2013
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Cycling, Fundraiser, Inspiration, Ironman, Running, Triathlon, Uncategorized

Words of Encouragement

I have received some pretty incredible emails and notes of encouragement from family and friends throughout training. So I decided today that I’m going to start collecting these notes to print out and put in my special needs bag for Ironman Lake Placid when I need that extra push.

I received the following message from a dear family friend last week:

It served as a clear reminder of how much courage we need to live an examined life which is, after all, the only kind of life worth living and yet so few people take the time.

See? Every little bit counts. You guys have no idea how much everything means to me and helps me keep on trucking! Or riding. Or running. And yes, I’m a total cornball and am not afraid to admit that I love this stuff.

Click here to donate to help me raise funds for research for NF.

PS. Do you know what else will be going in my special needs bag? CROISSANTS.

Thank you to Steph Miller for sharing this quote!

Thank you to Steph Miller for sharing this quote!

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May 11 2013
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Food, Food & Wine, Health & Wellness, Uncategorized, Yoga

Summer Saturdays! Pop Up Yoga NYC comes to CT

Screen Shot 2013-05-06 at 3.55.32 PMIt’s entirely possible that I love wine just as much as I love yoga so it goes without saying that I’m quite excited about this upcoming series of yoga classes & wine tastings that I will be leading next month in CT. Click the image to read more about it or click here for the Eventbrite page where you can also order tickets. Classes start the first Saturday in June at 4:30pm at Bottlerocket Wine & Spirit in Westport, CT.

It should also be noted that dogs are welcome!

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Mar 10 2013
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Events, Fundraiser, Inspiration, Ironman, Triathlon, Uncategorized

My Road to Ironman

There are many reasons I am doing Ironman Lake Placid this year, this is one of them:


Click here to learn more about my fundraising efforts for Children’s Tumor Foundation.

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Feb 22 2013
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Food, Health & Wellness, Recipe, Uncategorized

Warm Me Up Chia Rice Cereal

I find it very hard to motivate to swim not only in winter but especially on a cold winter morning. Of course it helps to have a friend waiting for you at the pool, but it doubly helps to know you have this to come home to for breakfast!

warmmeupcereal

Warm Me Up Chia Rice Cereal (makes 1 serving)

1/2 cup brown rice (already cooked)
2 tbsp chia seeds
1/2 cup milk (I like coconut milk)
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 tbsp agave or honey
1/4 apple chopped
1/4 cup raisins
(You can substitute with any fruit of choice!)

Combine all ingredients in a 1 quart pot on the stove. Bring to a boil and let simmer for about 5 minutes. Let cool for 1-2 minutes and serve. You can also double (or quadruple!) the recipe and then just reheat it through the week, adding some liquid (preferably your milk of choice) each time.

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Jan 26 2013
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Cycling, Health & Wellness, Triathlon, Uncategorized

Show Your Teeth!

Today was my 2nd indoor ride at Asphalt Green: a 75 min Strength and Cadence ride with Coach Neil. And I just have to say that despite the aching quads and beads of sweat dripping down my face, I loved every second of it.

A few reasons why today’s workout rocked my socks:

  • Coach Neil presented each and every one of us with a detailed print out of the workout. I thought this was absolutely adorable. (The poor guy sitting next to me forgot to pick up a towel so by the end of the workout, his sheet was a sweaty mess.)
  • Coach Neil never stopped smiling. Not once. And through the entire workout kept reminding us to “Show your teeth!” – or, smile!
  • After about 4 indoor riding/spinning sessions, I feel like I’m quickly getting back into cycling shape and am even more looking forward to the day when I can get on Nancy (my bike) and ride outside!
Gear

preparing the essentials

IndoorRide

Show Your Teeth!

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Dec 14 2012
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Uncategorized

Yoga & Chia Power Event – to benefit Sandy relief in Staten Island

On Tuesday, December 18 I will be teaming up with Pop Up Yoga NYC, Chia Star, Pushcart Coffee (Peter’s Field loc.), SandyBaggers, and fellow health coach Steph Miller (www.hecticandhealthy.com) to provide an evening of yoga, wellness, and fundraising to support a local business in Staten Island – Not Just Bagels.

I will lead a 40 minute calming vinyasa flow class which will be followed by an informal discussion and Q&A of our featured product – Chia Star. Steph and I will explain why we love chia and it’s amazing health benefits! Chia seeds have been dubbed “the running food”, “a miracle”, and “the ultimate super food” by athletes and advocates alike.

In keeping with the grassroots culture of SandyBaggers, we are donating the proceeds from the event to a small, independent fundraiser.  “Not Just Bagels” in Staten Island was one of many family-owned businesses obliterated by the storm;  in addition to having their homes ruined, their only source of income was wiped out too. Many people cut their losses and abandoned the properties, but this family is rebuilding because they have no other option. The government and FEMA have not been helpful. A few SandyBaggers met them on-site last month, helped them clear the debris, and now it’s time to rebuild. The fundraiser link is here, to learn more about their story: http://www.indiegogo.com/NotJustBagels

SandyBaggers at Not Just Bagels

SandyBaggers at Not Just Bagels

Details:

Dec. 18,  8:30-10:00pm
Pushcart Coffee @ Peter’s Field – 301 East 21st Street New York, NY 10010

Cost: $15 admission or $5 admission + donated item (all proceeds go toward Not Just Bagels fundraiser)

Suggested donated items: Bottled water, blankets, Non-perishable food, Contractor garbage bags, Cleaning supplies (Sponges, Laundry soap, Dish soap, vinegar, hydrogen peroxide, Mold-X), Tyvek worksuits, Rubber work gloves, P100 particle respirator masks.

Email me (maggieconverse@me.com) with questions or to RSVP. You can also RSVP by clicking here.

We hope to see you on the 18th!

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Dec 10 2012
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Uncategorized

New favorite post-long run yoga pose…

Pincha mayurasana. Also known as, forearm stand or forearm balance.

Pincha Mayurasana

Demoing pincha mayurasana after a long run with running coach, Milly, at Sherpa in CT.

Ever since I started doing triathlons in 2010, I’ve been fairly consistent in following my long runs (and rides) with a short 10-20 minute yoga practice. These practices typically involve basic poses that get into the psoas, hamstrings, quads, hips, IT band … the usual.

It wasn’t until I was with the Sherpa group out in CT this weekend when I was inspired by the contagious energy of one of the Sherpa run coaches, Milly, to demo and teach forearm stand (she wanted an inversion, but one that did not put pressure on the top of her head like in headstand.)

We first tried L-pose (handstand modification) and then, pincha mayurasana. Milly is a rock star runner and a wonderful yogini because she was willing to jump right in and try the pose. AND, with attention to her form and a little assistance on my part, she got right into it. I wish I could remember exactly what Milly said once she got up, but I can assure you that a) it made me laugh out loud and b) it was a major “Ah-ha” moment.

So, time willing, I will start doing some post-long run pincha – with Milly’s fearlessness in mind!

Why pincha mayurasana?

It’s fun! There is something to be said about a pose that makes you feel like a kid again. Pincha definitely forces me to focus but it also makes me smile, laugh, and feel powerful. Not only do your legs get a break, but you reverse the flow of blood so the heart gets a “rest.”

Click here to read more about pincha (including modifications and prep steps.)

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