Mother Runner

MI started running in high school. I was a sprinter on the track team in addition to playing field hockey and lacrosse. I continued into college.

I ran off and on in adulthood, but wasn't really consistent.

Now I'm in my 40's, and I realized how much I miss running. 

I need to work on cardio endurance, and running is a great way to do it. Since I haven't been running consistently, I'm starting over from scratch. I love the couch to 5 k program for training. It's simple, easy to use ( it even has an app you can download!) and it works. 

It's a 10 week program, so you need to plan ahead for your race. For example, for the Sioux Glow in August, i started training in May. You train 3 days a week, starting off mostly walking, building up to running for 25 minutes. 

When you run a 5k, there are a lot of things to remember for race day. I always make sure I have a spot for my car key. (Valet key, in my iPod arm band). A decent breakfast. Anti chaffing gel on my feet and thighs ( trust me on this one). Bib and pins. Energy gel ( it's made it easier to finish) 

And my favorite? My recovery drink.

It's a supercharged smoothie. 

Chocolate protein powder

Milk ( I like almond)

2 tbsp peanut butter (I like all natural, fresh ground)

Berries

Kale or spinach

I blend everything together & put in an insulated mug to chug after the race.

Miss Independent

 

I made a tulle skirt for March for Babies a few years ago, and that started an obsession for me. I now need them (no really NEED) for the 5k’s I participate in. I run, very slowly, and am not going to break any records. I go out there and have fun. Hence, the skirt, which adds to the fun for me.

There is a free 5k every year on the 4^th of July in downtown Sioux Falls, which kicks off the festivities. I had to make a patriotic skirt for this one, since I now have a growing collection (purple & white for march for babies, pink & white for the race against breast cancer & the race for the cure, plain white for the color run & color vibe, glow in the dark for the electric glow run…you get the picture).

I wear the skirt over my running pants, and depending on the weather and race course, compression socks.

For a patriotic contribution to my collection, I needed:

 

1 spool white glitter tulle

1 spool red tulle

1 spool blue tulle

Thin ribbon to go around my waist and tie

You can rock one of these even if you're not a toddler 

 

Measure waist.  Add 6 inches to tie it. Mark off the tie areas. (I use a paper clip)

Cut ribbon.

Measure the length you want the skirt to be. I like mine right about the knees. Add 2 inches for the knot

Cut tulle strips. I use the whole roll for each. The more tulle strips, the fuller the skirt.

Knot tulle strips to the ribbon.

Wear your skirt and run your race

This Is Why We Fight

I recently discovered the Decemberists, thanks to WXPN (http://www.xpn.org/). Its public radio out of Philly, which I miss desperately. For all the great stuff in South Dakota, radio is not one of those things. I like less than mainstream music, so...I listen to streaming audio either on line or with the radio app on my phone.
So, late last year, the Decemberists began to get a lot of airplay for Down by the River. But it was the follow up song, This is Why We Fight that totally hooked me.

Earlier this week, the accordianist/keyboardist Jenny Conlee announced she had breast cancer and was dropping out of the tour to receive treatment.
Cancer sucks, to put it bluntly.
Breast cancer really sucks.
I've had friends (and clients) die from it.
My mother in law beat it.

L-r my mother in law, me and the Big Man
July 2005

I had a cancer scare myself. When I had my first mammogram at 36, I had bad finding. There was a "spot". So I had to have another mammogram.
There was that spot again.
So, then I had to have a biopsy. Two days before Christmas.
It was negative. I was relieved, but...I felt guilty.

There are a lot of women who don't share my sense of relief.
Jenny Conlee just joined that sisterhood.

My team for last year's race. Even though it was Mother's Day weekend, at race time the temperature was 30.

On Saturday, I will be running in a 5k to raise money for breast cancer patients in South Dakota. Many people I know have been helped by the funds that the race generates.
http://www.kintera.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=450022&lis=0&kntae450022=209CF77E78494F60AF6A5CB8D1EED4BC&supId=323262260

If you are ever curious about what life is like while undergoing treatment, check out http://lisabadams.com/blog/. It is alternating and uplifting at the same time. In a comment on her blog, I wrote

In my day job, I manage medical bills for people with chronic illnesses. Many have cancer, many more are young and have young families. My heart aches, even though I see such a small part of their journey. Ive seen many, many miracles. I have also seen a lot of pain.



I am grateful my mother in law beat breast cancer. I’m equally heartbroken that colon cancer took my dad before he could walk Mr me down the aisle & meet his grandson. My father in law also died from colon cancer, he saw us get married but he wasn’t there to.meet my little guy.


This Sat I will run to raise $ for breast cancer. I run because I can. I run because not everyone has a traveling scarf to wear. I run to restore dignity to patients. I run because I’m grateful I dodged the bullet twice with cancer scares. I run for those who can’t.

And on Saturday, I will run with the wind on my back and an awesome playlist on my ipod.

This is why I run, and this is why we fight.