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

Run for Home

I started running in high school. I decided to join the track team on a whim, and it was the best snap decision I ever made. I didn't like running prior, but I wanted to try something new. My specialty were sprints and hurdles, but we all had to practice by doing long runs. I was never fast. In fact, I was usually breathless at the back of the pack. That wasn't the point. It was about continual self improvement. 

Track is that weird amalgam of both team and individual sports. I competed against others, but I was also competing against myself. 

Fast forward 20+ years...I still run. In fact, one of my goals for 2014 is to run a 5k every month from March-November. One of the biggest challenges for me though, is the fact that we live on the arctic tundra and it's hard to run outside. I'm terrified of falling on ice. Several years ago I did on my way into work, winding up with bruised legs and five stitches in my lip. However, I shouldn't be so wimpy....there are lots of things you can do to make an outdoor, cold weather run more tolerable.

1. Layers. You don't want to bundled up so you look like Nanuk of the North, but you want to be warm. You don't want cotton next to your skin, because it stays wet. So, if you're sweating while running, you want wicking material to keep you dry. 

2. Hat and gloves. You lose most of your body heat from your head & hands, so it's good sense to keep them covered.

3. Sturdy shoes. You don't want a lot of mesh on your sneaks when you run in winter. Some of my running friends wear trail shoes. Others put ice spikes over their shoes for extra grip.

4. Mouth cover. When you're running in cold weather, it helps prevent sucking in cold air & causing breathing issues.

5. Good socks. Wool is better than cotton. 

With events like a polar vortex, it sends me to the treadmill, and gradually move outdoors.

Running is a community, just like it was running track in high school. Wherever you go, whoever you meet, if they are runners, you're part of their group. There's a book & Facebook group called Mother Runners. It's a great source of support and encouragement. Runners also band together in the wake of tragedy. Earlier this week, a fellow mother runner was killed by a drunk driver during a training run for the Boston Marathon. Meg Menzies was a wife, mom, Sunday School teacher, runner and it seems like a great person. The running community came together world wide yesterday with Miles for Meg. It was a simple premise-run, post on the Facebook group your miles. Tens of thousands posted, including my time and 1.5 miles on the treadmill. People as far away as Australia and Siberia ran and posted. Most of us never met Meg, but she's a fellow mother runner and part of our family. May her husband and kids be supported by the community. If any good can come out of this tragedy, it is don't ever drink 

& drive. Ever. Never ever. Call a cab, get a sober ride, whatever. Don't get behind the wheel and drive. It's not worth it. I love to run, but I don't want to have to log miles in memory of someone else due to a drunk driver again. 

Shipping up to Boston

Yesterday the unthinkable happened. Twin bombings went off at the Boston Marathon finish line, killing three and injuring over a hundred (as of this morning). It was a sucker punch to the gut on so many levels.
I went to college in New Hampshire, about an hour north of Boston. Many of my friends were from the Boston area, and as a result I spent a lot of time in the city. This is in addition to vacationing at both Cape Cod and Martha's Vineyard (and some fond foodie memories here http://mommydomchronicles.blogspot.com/2011/10/fishing-in-dark.html) I had my purse stolen in Faneuil Hall when I was a college freshman. St Patrick's Day in that city was always an amazing time. I've seen a lot of great shows there too. One of my favorite radio stations, WFNX, recently ended a multi decade run (see my love letter to them here: http://mommydomchronicles.blogspot.com/2012/07/the-impression-that-i-get.html). I've also been in Boston for marathon Monday in the past, cheering on the runners. It's a party atmosphere, especially since its held on Patriots Day (a holiday commemorating the start of the Revolution).
I'm also a runner. I've been running since high school. It's been a big part if both my life and my exercise routine (http://mommydomchronicles.blogspot.com/2011/10/keep-on-running.html). Over the years, ive run various parts of the boston marathon course, including the notorious heartbreak hill. Runners are a crazy bunch, and we tend to stick together. When you meet a fellow runner, there's an instant bond. No matter what the differences you may have, you have that commonality of running. To think one of the highlights of the running calendar was targeted is heartbreaking. As a 5k participant, one of the greatest joys at a race is hugging your family at the finish line. I was sickened over the senseless death of an 8 year old boy hugging his dad who just finished the race.
I've spent time helping my son understand the tragedy. He's upset over a child dying-rightfully so-and afraid of being hurt himself. I can't force him to feel secure, which I wish I could. Instead, as we watched the horrific coverage, I pointed out the heroes helping others. We talked about the good they were doing in the midst of such tragedy. We talked about what we can do to help those suffering. We came up with a pretty great list-send cards, donate blood, pray. I held him for a long time, just hoping that this doesn't destroy his childlike innocence.
Pray for Boston.

Runaway

Back in my high school days, I was a runner. I loved hitting the pavement and it encouraged me to go farther and faster than I ever thought. As I got older, I got slower. I stopped running as the crowd I hung around with changed.
I spent more time at the bar and diner and less on the track. It wasn't until I was nearly 40 I seriously started running again, competing in my first 5k in almost 20 years a few years ago. Unfortunately, with time off for a couple of surgeries, I'm back in training.
Since I'm all about the gadgets, I am using two apps to keep me motivated. One is for the couch to 5k app, which is my favorite training program. The basic premise is you can go from being a couch potato to running a 5k in the matter of weeks.
http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml
Believe me it works!
The other app im using is map my run (http://www.mapmyrun.com/?skip_mobile=True). For me, it's a big motivator. I like seeing my progress, and it helps keep me running.
I've got 8 weeks to go, and while I may not be the fastest out there, I'm still lapping everyone on the couch!

Scissor Runner

I have once again signed up to run in the Race Against Breast Cancer 5k, which is happening on May 12. The race is about 10 weeks away, which is more than enough time to complete the Couch to 5k training program (http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml). I've used it before, and it's really successful.
What would be even better would be if I continued to run between 5k training sessions each year, but that's trivial.
Or is it?
I've been doing a lot of thinking lately about how I dishonor my body a lot, despite my best intentions. I have abused it through poor eating, not getting enough rest or exercise and just not being my best. In 1 Corinthians 6, Paul wrote:
Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.
How am I honoring my body by eating healthy and exercising and resting?
I have to admit that I've hit a bit of a wall in the last year. I was doing great post op, which coming off that surgery was no minuscule task. I had a 19 inch incision, I lost a ton of weight, I worked out like a mad woman and really focused on my health. Then, as the stress piled on, I lost it. I began to backslide and let poor, bad habits take hold. It's easier to hit the drive through than plan meals.
I was not treating my body as a temple.
Fast forward a year later. All the progress I made I lost, and then some.
I have 9-10 weeks to get up off the couch, onto the treadmill and start training. I have less than 3 months to get ready for this race.
I need to become deviant (in a good way) in order to be as successful as I like to be. It involves me eating healthy food that will fuel my (& my families) body; it involves me getting my butt on the treadmill 3 times a week (and off Pinterest) to run. It involves me "lifting weights" to build muscle. It involves me doing Pilates to develop core strength that was lost through 2 abdominal surgeries. It involves adding activity back into my life versus sitting on the couch.
It involves me treating my body like a temple.
Like Nike's slogan, I need to just do it.

Can't Get You Out of My Head

It's just a few days before I start teaching my yoga class. I wore shoes yesterday that have left me virtually crippled. Those two unrelated things are now intertwined.
It hurts to stand, and it certainly hurts to walk, move or down dog it.
So no mat time today. Boo hiss.
This actually brought to mind something important: yoga when it's not yoga practice.
For me, yoga is more than time on the mat. It's also the time spent meditating. It's time spent eating healthy. It's time spent practicing pranayama. It's about being hydrated. It's about rest. There are other ways to move and groove.
It's important to remember that any discipline be it running, weight lifting or yoga, most of your practice happens outside your practice. Many other factors influence it, including what you eat and your mindset. I can't be promoting love and peace in class if I'm not promoting it elsewhere.
Yoga is about your mind as much as it is about your body. Running is very similar. I have friends who are marathoners who speak of the mind body connection-if you're not feeling it you're not running it.
I will admit I've been out of my head lately. Juggling all the balls I currently have up in the air has caused me to drop a few. There's quite a bit of negativity around me, and I find myself trying to conquer it. Honestly, I know that I will never live up to some people's standards, despite how hard I try.
Sure, it would be great if you liked me for me. However no matter what kind of force of nature I am, not everyone appreciates that. I've expanded so much energy on it lately, it's left me with little energy to go to the mat.
This little respite caused by a bad pair of shoes will end. Tonight I will soak them in Epsom salt and they will be fine. The respite has also given me a chance to re-evaluate and recharge, to get it out of my head.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IFx3WX4DES0&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Keep on running

I have been running since I was in high school. I used to love the solitude of it, but as I got older and more creaky, it hurts a lot more than it used to. Add to it the fact that I am much bigger than I was in high school, and its hard to move let alone run. My husband’s cousin Dana runs marathons, and when I am training for my little 5k, I think of her running 26.2 miles like its nothing.
I actually have a love hate relationship with running. When I'm in shape, I love it, especially this time of year. I used to particularly enjoy running in Princeton with a few friends at lunch, when it was a little bit cold but you could still inhale without it hurting your lungs. I loved the oranges and reds and vibrancy. I liked running past ETS (home of the SAT) on Rosedale Rd. I enjoyed the bit of competitiveness of running with a group but I also enjoy running alone.
I stopped running a lot when I got married. It's not the big Man's fault, it's a choice I made. Back then, he worked crazy hours and whatever time we had together was precious. I chose to spend my time with him rather than running.
I don't get a lot of alone time anymore, since my family continues to expand. My sanity is getting up early, going on the treadmill and right now, walking. Because of the new hernia and where it's located, it hurts to run.
The new hernia showed up sometime in June, about 6 months post op. Right now, I look like I swallowed a basketball. I'm not pleased. Imagine being 9 months pregnant. That is how I feel and look. It's even hard to do yoga, which is breaking my heart entirely.
One day, when I am hernia free, I can seriously start running again. Id love to have the kids join me, and make it a sort of family affair. I'd love to run more 5ks & 10ks. I know I can do it, I've got the drive & determination. Eventually I can work my way up and be like Dana, running the NYC marathon. (she's the gal in the pictures)



One day…

That's Life

My favorite time of day to run is early morning, just after dawn, especially this time of year, when the air is cool and crisp when it hits your lungs. Once upon a time, I was a dedicated runner with my favorite routes to run.
I used to love to run along Carnegie Lake in Princeton and pretend I was in a race with the crew teams practicing on the lake. I'd run along One Mile Road, which I lived off of in Cranbury. It was a bit of yawn to run it, because it was a flat, boring run which was exactly 1 mile from 571 till it ended on Old Trenton Rd. In other words, it was dull.
Running was my sanity when I was a caregiver to my grandmother. It was my escape and kept the stress away. I knew the end game was after my grandmother died, I would have to go back to the real world. I was taking ministry classes, not sure what I wanted to do or where to go in life.
I was lost, confused and not sure what I wanted to do in life.
I knew that more than anything else I wanted to be a wife and mother. I wanted a kitchen to create magic in. Definitely a cat, maybe a dog too.
Possibly driving a Volvo station wagon, because that was the princetonian equivalent to a mini van.
I wanted to decorate a house that would be worthy of home & garden.
I'd grow flowers and vegetables and have a glorious garden.
All of these dreams were formulated on these runs.
Sometimes dreams come true. Sometimes it's be careful what you wish for. Sometimes it's a little bit of both. But that's life.

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.

(I would walk)500 miles

About 15 or so years ago there was a johnny depp movie called benny & joon which, as their theme, featured that song by the proclaimers. I dare you to not get it stuck in your head.

Go on, I dare you.


In less than 2 months I will be running in a 5k. This is no big shakes, I've been a runner.for years. Ive done this race before, and last year I posted my best time ever for a 5k. I'm not fast, but I have a great follow through.

So, I am training for this race, and I'm getting a little nervous. I had surgery about 3 months ago, and honestly, I'm still healing

..

It's a struggle to balance exercise, eating healthy & life with working full time + & being a wife and mother. There's dinner to cook, homework to do, a house to clean & all sorts of sundry things that go into being a grown-up.

I watch heavy on a&e and of course these folks lose weight. They are isolated from the real world. They don't have meetings or boo boo's to kiss or toilets to scrub. It's not reality. It does make for compelling tv though.

I find myself not really rooting for these folks because I honestly think that their main motivation is being on tv. The show doesn't really address the reason why these people are huge. Why do they eat 10, 12 hot dogs or cheeseburgers in one setting? I know how ridiculously high my grocery bill is for 3, I can imagine what theirs is!

I'm not being harsh or judgemental, but for once id love to see one of these shows work with someone at their home, in their lives. Address the root cause of their eating. Why they don't exercise. Why they make the choices they do.

I know my eating was related to unprocessed grief. I had a lot.of sadness about the life I wanted vs what reality has brought me. The battle with infertility took its toll. I gained about 40 lbs trying to get pregnant between hormones, and medication and emotional eating.

I couldn't.have a baby so I was going to eat myself into oblivion.

Don't get me wrong, I love my little man more than life itself, but there was a lot of pain there that got shoved deep inside by eating.

I had a lot of other things I needed to mourn before I could move on. I had to mourn ex pectations that would never be reality. I had to accept things as they were. And move on.

I dreamed of a family of 4, a husband a boy and girl

So I walk. I am walking away pain.  Bitterness. Grief. Anger. Disappointments. Negative feelings. Unhappiness. The raw nerve.

I had always thought I would have a boy & girl, and that we would live happily ever after

I may not walk 500 miles, but I can do 3.1.