Your guide to everything under the moon, the Amber Moon, for Snowday Jan 21, 2025

How’d you do with our snow here in the Austin area? The chickens were funny. I’ve created a wind free corner in the coop for them – it really is a few degrees warmer – and they were all in it when I awoke this morning. Not on the roosts. Not in the small coop. In the warm corner. They normally come falling out when I open the coop each morning as well. Nope. They’re not fond of the snow. Neither am I. It looks pretty, and then I’m ready for it to be gone. There’s a reason I live in Austin.

It’s only January and I feel we’ve already had our 2 weeks of winter. Normally we have at least 1 in February. What’s it gonna be this year? *sigh* At least it is affording me some quality time on my treadmill and the bike on the trainer. I’m working on my limiters, and feeling stronger already. I’m gonna be ready for next Tri season!

Speaking of snow, this is a great time to remind you that if you have a cold, reschedule. I don’t need those germs, nor do any clients after you. I’m still immuno-compromised, and my last set of labs showed my immune system, even with the infusion, was not working properly. Yes, I know, it might feel good to get a massage while you have a cold. Be kind to your therapist, please.

I did a 10k last Saturday, before all this coldness blew in. It was a fabulous day! I felt awesome, and managed a total of 5 miles of running! I was a bit more strategic with pacing myself & my necessary walk breaks this time, and I was getting faster as the race went on. Took 5 minutes off my previous 10k time, AND recovered more quickly. Definite progress.

As a group, The Quack Pack came away with 5 podiums and 3 rose bushes. That’s pretty good for 6 people! Yay team!

I’ve already finished my first book, The Great Indoors, and started on my 2nd, The Other Talent: The Curiously Complex Role of Mental Health in Athletic Greatness and Why It’s Never Too Late to Harness Your Potential

The first book was nice & light, humorous, about the maturation of Alice, and her dream to hike the Pacific Crest Trail.

The 2nd book, sports psychology, looks at the cream of the crop athletes, the super elites, and what makes them so good. It should be subtitle with a phrase used regularly: “screw loose, shit together”. In order to excel, you gotta have both.

Guinea pig sessions for Visceral Manipulation are now OPEN.

Visceral manipulation is a type of gentle hands-on therapy that assesses and addresses organ mobility. Wait, our organs are supposed to move??? Yes! As strange as it may sound, our organs need to be able to move smoothly within our bodies for a pain-free life.

“VM1”, the course I’m taking next week, emphasizes the liver, gallbladder, stomach, sphincters, jejunoileum and the colon.

Guinea pig sessions may be booked Feb – April 2025 in Taylor only. These session will be primarily working on the “protocol”, and then will address your specific concerns with the remaining time. There is a cost savings right now, and it will be offered at the same price as CST post-guinea pig season.

It pairs well with craniosacral therapy. I may add in a few techniques if you are coming for a massage or CST session, either location.

24h cancellation notice now required. There are still some excuses that I will waive the notice for, otherwise, you’ll still owe for your session.

Mask update. Masks are still required IF you…

• Are around school aged children, school aged grandkids, etc
• Traveled by plane or been on a cruise
• Attended a large gathering of people for any reason, especially indoors
• If you current have allergy symptoms or a cold, as COVID symptoms are similar to both these days

Austin Studio continues to be booked solid. Please reach out if you’re interested in a Monday session, or to get on the Wednesday waitlist. I’ve been actively using it. I do have ONE opening coming up…

• Feb 12, 445, 30 min only

I’d like to tell you I’ve got available several Monday slots for you. March 10 & 17 I should have a slot or 2. I’m still waiting for my final track meet schedule, and then I can let you now any other dates.

Openings:

• Tu, Feb 4, 315p
• Tu, Feb 11, 330p
• Fri, Feb 14, 1215 – 1p start times

Pilates: Live & in person, complete w a variety of small equipment on occasion!

• Friday mornings, 830a, at The Little Collective.
• Please bring your own mat.
• Register here.

Cost:

• Drop in – $18
• 4 sessions – $64 ($16/class) – good for 8 weeks
• 8 sessions – $112 ($14/class) – good for 16 weeks

• Online Pilates & Viniyoga – please register here
• Taylor Track Time – register onsite, $5 per, or 10 for $40. Contact me for specifics, please.

Your guide to everything under the moon, the Amber Moon, for Jan 1, 2025

How I see 2025 going

Word of the year: Intentional. I picked this word before I ever received Stacy’s email.

Intention of the year: Smile to my eyes, not that half smile. Try it… big smile… I feel it all the way up, do you?

And that line “Live from the place of witnessing your life.” Yeah, I’m gonna work on that!

Books: I finished 13 in 2024. I admit, books fell off during cross country season. The busier I get, the more silence I enjoy, evidently. For 2025, I want to finish 15. I’m already got 4 in the queue for Blueberry & me to enjoy.

Athletic Events (running & multisport): In 2024 I finished 2 aquabikes, a 5k (1st in age group), and a 10k (3rd in age group). I’d say that’s pretty darn good! For 2025, I’ve already got 2 10ks on the spring calendar, and 2 triathlons, and that same fall 5k, plus at least 1 more 10k. I like 10ks. My knee surgeon said it was ok. I’m sure some other things will come along. My athletes have accomplished way more.

New programs: In addition to the existing track program out in Taylor, I started a run program for my middle school athletes when we’re not in season, meeting along the Brushy Creek trail. I held a masters swim at Taylor’s outdoor pool last summer. Stephanie & I founded The Quack Pack fitness & racing. I’ve already requested a stroke clinic in addition to masters swim when our new Taylor pool opens (TBA). All this lets me be active and outside.

Vacations: I’ve managed 3 trips in 2024 – Raleigh twice (once as vacation, then once to pack up mom’s condo & drive home w a carload), and Albuquerque. Hoping 2025 holds 4 trips – I’d like to get back to once a quarter.

Back to learning: I started being a teaching assistant for craniosacral therapy in 2024, took 6 Pilates workshops, finished an Ayurvedic Nutrition online course, 8 hours of triathlon coaching webinars, and sat (virtually) through another session of SIBT: The Mind.

For 2025 I’ve already signed up for a visceral manipulation workshop at the end of January. Note: Guinea pigs will be needed… more info below! I’m ready to be learning again! Deepening what I already know, and expanding upon it. I’ll also have my CSCS recertification come due end of next year, so I’m gonna go find me some strength & conditioning workshops. And maybe some youth run/tri programming too.

24h cancellation notice now required. There are still some excuses that I will waive the notice for, otherwise, you’ll still owe for your session.

Mask update. Masks are still required IF you;;;

• Are around school aged children, school aged grandkids, etc
• Traveled by plane or been on a cruise
• Attended a large gathering of people for any reason, especially indoors
• If you current have allergy symptoms or a cold, as COVID symptoms are similar to both these days

Austin Studio has been running full these days. Please reach out if you’re interested in a Monday session, or to get on the Wednesday waitlist. I’ve been actively using it.

Mondays: I’m still tweaking this schedule a little. I do better & feel better about office time if only see clients days I’m in Austin in the morning and limit it to 1-2 sessions now that those Wednesday holidays are past. That’s enough with all else I need to accomplish. Monday mornings will become a bit more sparse thru track season, and then likely increase again in the summer.

Mindful Muse Yoga has closed, and I’m taking my in-person Pilates class to a new site!

• Still Friday mornings, 830a, at The Little Collective, starting Jan 3.
• Please bring your own mat.
• Please register here.

Cost:

• Drop in – $18
• 4 sessions – $64 ($16/class) – good for 8 weeks
• 8 sessions – $112 ($14/class) – good for 16 weeks

Adding this as my studio class has shifted pricing & length of packages a little.

Visceral manipulation is a type of gentle hands-on therapy that assesses and addresses organ mobility. Wait, our organs are supposed to move??? Yes! As strange as it may sound, our organs need to be able to move smoothly within our bodies for a pain-free life.

The VM1, the January 2025 course I’m taking, emphasizes the liver, gallbladder, stomach, sphincters, jejunoileum and the colon.

Guinea pig sessions may be booked Feb – April 2025 in Taylor only. These session will be primarily working on the “protocol”, and then will address your specific concerns.

It pairs well with craniosacral therapy. I may add in a few techniques if you are coming for a massage or CST session.

Openings: Please check the scheduler first. I can tell you Tues/Thur 3-5p or so is more likely to have openings than other times.

• Pilates & Viniyoga – please register here
• Taylor Track Time – register onsite, $5 per, or 10 for $40. Contact me for specifics.

I’m grateful you are here, reading this. I’m grateful for your continued support, some of you well over a decade, some of you just a session or 2. You are greatly appreciated.

About this time of year, I start thinking of the words I want to describe my next year. And reflect on the ones I picked for this past year: mindful, healing & preparing.

These manifested more than I could have imagined. I’ve been more mindful of the choices I’ve made, of the progression of my triathlon training, of the direction of the studio. I’ve been healing – my knees, my soul, my spirit. And preparing for all these shifts that have happened these past few months – with the studio, with my fitness, with home stuff.

I started swimming again. I did my last summer event July 28th, and had fallen on my bike a few weeks prior. The shoulder has been in physical therapy since, and this is my last week of it. I’ve been swimming thrice this month. It feels good to be back. YAY.

I joined Clay Madsen Rec Center, in Round Rock. It’s about a 3h “workout” if I’m driving in just for that. Until track starts, I’ve got off season middle school running on Mondays, so I’m pairing those 2. Then I realized on the Mondays I’m coaching at 8a, the pool isn’t open until 1030a. Being mindful of my time, I added a few clients in today. It worked.

So a new shift with the Austin Studio with the addition of some Monday sessions. Balancing that out, I’ll be taking some office time on Tuesday or Thursday, since I still have office stuff that needs doing. Monday sessions will vary weekly, at least until track starts (2/10).

It’s been… ages?… pre-COVID?… since I had clients sessions on Monday. I really think this year was preparing me for this. I feel like I’m in a really good place right now, and am excited to see what else manifests.

I know you all want me to swim. So thank you in advance for helping me make it an efficient use of my time!

Holiday schedule, studio closings

I will be closed on Christmas Day only.

I’ve also decided I’m perfectly fine working January 1. I’m a morning person, after all. I’ve already got 4 clients that day, but I can waitlist you if you want.

January 30-31 I will be at a visceral manipulation workshop (more of this CST stuff). The following Monday, 2/3, no Austin Sessions.

Austin studio updates

Yeah, so Wednesdays are book thru…March 19. The 26th is my first known opening. Henceforth, Mondays. What happened to Fridays? All that shifting, preparing, happened. That’s a Taylor day now. If you’ve got a Friday session booked already, don’t worry. I’ll still honor it.

Since Mondays are gonna be a bit all over the place, please contact me directly to schedule. It’s mornings, lunch, late afternoon. It’s all over the place, so I’m not putting it in the scheduler. Yet.

There is a waitlist for Austin last minute cancellations. Please contact me to get on it. I’ve gone 3 deep to get it filled recently.

Taylor & Virtual updates

This studio has been getting busier too. On the Monday’s I’m working in Austin, as mentioned, Tuesday or Thursday late afternoon will become office time. I’ll do my best to alternate them.

Classes over the holidays are pending.

That’s it for this one.

So if you reflect on 2024, what words would describe it? And what do you want to manifest in 2025?

Nov 4, 2024 – Feb 7, 2025, The Quack Pack in Austin

Welcome & thank you for your interest!

Similar to cross country, our 2 days of running per week will be our “quality” runs – speed, hills, long speed… all those technical terms. It’s strongly suggested that you do 1-3 days of easy running on your own. We’ll talk during practice about what “easy” means & how to tell if you’re doing it.

Location: Champion Park.

Program fees

This is a 3 month program spanning holidays. I’ve broken down as best as I think should work, considering there are ~26 total sessions, which may be adjust as we go for a variety of reasons – weather, vacations, holidays, actual start of track season, etc. I’ve based dates on when track started last year. Do what works best for you. Packages are per individual, and may not be crossed over to other family members; it’s the way my online tracking system is set up.

• drop in single session: $15
• 5 sessions: $65 ($13 per)
• 10 sessions: $115 ($11.50 per)
• 15 sessions: $150 ($10 per)
• unlimited sessions: $200 ($66/mo)
• Club fee (required): $20/ individual, $30/ family). This gives us liability insurance during our runs. If you joined me for summer, you will need to renew as of January 1. If you’re joining now, you’re covered thru Dec 2025. Please complete for each child, and yourself if helping out.

Have more than 1 kid running? I can do a payment plan for the unlimited sessions package if needed.

Parents: running & biking

I will need your help. If you’re willing to bike alongside various groups of kids, please come join. If you’re willing to run with the kids like we did for Saturdays during cross country, please come join. No charge, since you are helping me out. You will need to join the club – do the family membership.

If you prefer to actually RUN and do the actual training without focusing on helping with the kids, please buy a package. Different mindset, and then I plan for you in the run as well.

Current schedule

During school, Mondays & Fridays at 4p. Please note there are some Fridays I get done w clients in Taylor at 315p. I will be squeaking in to be there by 4, more likely 415. I’ll ask for parent help with the warm up on these dates.

You can see the full schedule by looking at my scheduler.

In lieu of Thanksgiving Friday run, please come join me for my Amber Moon Studio Turkey 10 (any distance you want, pie & coffee afterward). Please follow this on facebook for more details.

Over the holidays, and there’s no school, I’ve shifted to Monday & Saturday mornings (Dec 23-Jan 6).

On MLK Day, I moved it to 8a as well since no school. I’m flexible if afternoon works better for the majority.

Yeah, it’s been a little crazy busy, and when I’ve not had clients, I’ve needed to do nothing. This happened last year at the end of cross country season too, so it was expected. Oct 19, and everything shifts again. And then again in Feb, when track starts.

I thought I’d gotten away from living on a school schedule. Evidently not.

This is short & sweet. It’s been 3 weeks since the last Hello Sunshine. Just the main points.

And it might be that long until the next one….

Austin sessions

October is running full.

November

• Friday the 8th has openings – 1215 & 130p. Please contact me to schedule. I don’t know if its in the scheduler.
• Wednesday the 27th, before Thanksgiving, has openings. These ARE on the schedule. 145p for sure. I can flex some clients around to get other sessions in.

December

closed on Christmas Day. Openings the week prior:

• Wed, 12/18, 1p
• Fri 12/20, 130p – check w me to schedule,please.

January

I’ve decided I’m not opposed to working on New Year’s Day, so book now. Please.

Taylor/Virtual sessions

With cross country coming to a close, I’ll have afternoon times available again on Tues/Thurs. I’ve slid all my regular clients together, so my schedule is more efficient for me. Last session should be done by 5p, so I can feed critters before heading out to coach Taylor Track again.

This is IT – our final week! How are you doing?

Ok, so Taper. Backing off on VOLUME and INTENSITY to varying degrees so you are rested & do your best at your event. Recovery week dropped down some, this week drops down a little more.

Remember your goal is to be chomping at the bit for Saturday morning’s 5k. If you’re tired, take it easy. If you’re bouncing off the walls, adding just a little intensity. You really have to hold back, and keep with what is written. Feel free to reach out if you have questions.

Day 1

10-15 min walk/easy jog as warm up

Main Set: objective is to get faster as your time running gets shorter. Think of the 3 min set as your “goal pace” and allow yourself to get faster on the shorter ones. If you prefer, you can also go hard/harder/hardest. But mind, we are working on race specifics this week.

• 3 min run, 1 min recovery
• 2 min run, 1 min recovery
• 1 min run, 2 min recovery

Then check in: How do you feel? Was that enough? Sometimes it is this week. You DO have the option of doing a 2nd set if you feel up for it. Keep this workout 30-40 min total, please.

Day 2

Today is a little variable…if tired, keep it at a walk, 30-45 min. If you’re bouncing off the walls, 10 min walk, 2×10 min Zone 2, 3 min walk in between, then walk to finish time (40-45 min).

Race day

If you’re doing the GoodLife 5k, we’ll be doing a group warm up at 7:40a (race at 8), please come join us at the start of the Bull Branch Lake boardwalk at that time. Stephanie & I will be there, as will our Taylor Track Time people. (Look for an Amber Moon Studio jersey or 2). Remember – do YOUR warm up… nothing new there either. I’ve had you doing 10-15 min of walking… so please do your best to get that in before the race starts.

We definitely want you to come say hi!

Other stuff

Get a good night’s sleep on THURSDAY. Sometimes, the night before an event, you’re a little ancy. So good sleep 2 nights before is essential.

Nutrition/hydration: nothing new this week. Keep it the same on race day as you’ve been practicing.

What’s your plan?

• If you are planning to come to track on Tuesday only, please do Day 2 on your own.
• If you are planning to come to track on Thursday only, please do Day 1 on your own.

Recap & race report

We’ve spent the last 11 weeks getting you ready for this. We worked you through your initial phase of conditioning, and they started working to improve performance.

How’d you do? Do you feel like you can complete a 5k, now? Complete it better if you were running before this program?

What would you have changed about this program?

How’d your race go? What worked, what didn’t? What did you learn? What were your take away points? Write/type your answers and store them… in your training log, in your e-calendar on race date. Of course, you’re welcome to share with me, as it helps me know what I can do better next time.

I’m hoping this is not a 1 and done for you, but rather you’ve been given the tools to keep going.

What’s next?

If you want to keep going, but not on your own, I’ve got this Tu/Th Taylor Track program you’ve been hearing about. I also do private coaching for a fee – it depends on what you need from your program, in your program, and how much. Running, triathlon are both within my scope. Please schedule a meet & greet, and we can figure out what is best for you.

2 weeks to go… our last week of work, then taper…. it’s about to get real!

Day 1: “speed”

10-15 min walk/easy jog as warm up

Main Set: objective is to get faster as your time running gets shorter. This time we’ve got a shorter break in between, mimicking our event a little more.

• 5 min run, 1 min recovery
• 4 min run, 1 min recovery
• 3 min run, 1 min recovery
• 2 min run, 1 min recovery
• 1 min run, 1 min recovery

3-5 min cool down easy jog/walk

This is a great one to build as a workout in Garmin, so your splits stay exact. Helps keep you on target too.

Day 2: Longer intervals

• 10-15 min walk/easy jog as warm up
• Main Set: 3x 12 min at a little bit slower than “natural” pace (ie Zone 2), 1 min recovery walk in between.
• 3-5 min cool down
• Stretch afterwards

Day 3: Endurance day

1 hour of movement, somewhere in between leisure & Z2. Please include 3 passes on Dellinger. 

If you were running before the start of this program, warm up 10-15 minutes, then run 30 min Z2, then power walk the rest.

Taper begins! Monday, 10/9

The purpose of taper week is to (1) get you recovered, and (2) keep some race specific speed/intensity. We’re not taking time off, we are just cutting volume down, while keeping just a touch of intensity. If you find you’re totally wiped, just keep it easy. By Thursday or Friday, I want you chomping at the bit to do more. Mind you – save it for Saturday!

There is a strategy here, a balance, and normally I’m touching base daily w my athletes as they are in this phase. You are welcome to reach out the day before your run/walks & check in, LMK how you’re feeling, and we can tweak it as needed. Walkers – taper is not as big of an issue for you, but we definitely still need to cut volume a bit.

Also, during this week – nothing new. No new activities, foods, pattern changes. Nothing.

Week 11, Day 1

10-15 min walk/easy jog as warm up

Main Set: objective is to get faster as your time running gets shorter. Think of the 3 min set as your “goal pace” and allow yourself to get faster on the shorter ones. If you prefer, you can also go hard/harder/hardest. But mind, we are working on race specifics this week.

• 3 min run, 1 min recovery
• 2 min run, 1 min recovery
• 1 min run, 2 min recovery

IF you are feeling good, you have the option of a 2nd set. Doesn’t need to be a lot this week.

3-5 min cool down easy jog/walk.

What’s your plan?

• If you are planning to come to track on Tuesday only, please do Day 1 on your own.
• If you are planning to come to track on Thursday only, please do Day 1 on your own.
• If you’re coming to both days of track. please do Day 3 on your own.
• If you’re coming to neither track days, please do the whole thing, or as we’ve discussed.

Remember, running = power walking for some of you.