Practice What You Preach

Dreadmill

2008-05-12T13:58:00.000-07:00

Some women would be offended if their husbands bought them a treadmill for Mother's Day. Not I!! This is something I've been asking to get for . . . well, let's just say a long, long time. So, Mother's Day morning, we headed to the mall and asked a dazed and confused clerk at the large retail store about the treadmill we saw in the sale ad, as it wasn't on display with the others. Hmmm. He scratched his head and asked another clerk. Finally, after a computer search, they said that it was in stock. WooHoo!! That meant that I could have it immediately! That meant that I could run on it that evening!

Whoa, there. Not so fast. Did anyone know that these things didn't come pre-assembled in the box? I didn't! But, after several days, it was finally together. Up and running! We put it in the garage because we just don't have any room for it in the house. We didn't really have any room for it in the garage, either, but that was the easiest place to move things around.

Now I have no excuses. Didn't get a run in this morning because it was raining outside? No problem, hop on the treadmill. Snow, ice, wind? Treadmill. The other girls bail on you? Treadmill. Maybe, just maybe, I won't gain any winter weight again this year.

PS - "Dreadmill" is a term I learned from Elea. Thanks, girl!

Brew To Brew

2008-04-07T11:02:00.000-07:00

I ran my first relay race yesterday. It was the 14th annual "Brew to Brew" 44 mile race. We had 5 people on our relay team and there were 10 legs, so each person was supposed to do 2 legs (just to be fair, right?). Since I was going to be pushing my boys in the jogging stroller, I could only participate in 4 of the legs, deemed stroller-friendly, but set up for wheelchair participants. I chose to do leg 3, which was an easy 3.6 mile leg, and leg 10, which was a moderate 4.7 mile leg. I figured it wouldn't be much of a problem, even though I've only run twice in the past two months. Heck, last fall, my "short runs" were 6 mile runs! What's 3.6 and 4.7. Bah! Child's play!

So, the first two runners did their legs and it was my turn. WooHoo! I was so excited to finally be racing again! I took off with the boys, who were comfortable listening to their tunes and eating their pb&j sandwiches. We got to the .5 mile mark and there was a long train blocking our way! The team "chase vehicles" were being turned around and sent on roads that would take them around the train. The runners, however, were climbing between the train cars! Well, I don't know if you've ever been up close and personal with a train before, but let me tell you that there isn't any way a double jogging stroller can get between the cars unless it's lifted over - something that I can't do! Ugh!

I looked to see if my chase vehicle was still around and was lucky enough to see it getting ready to make the turn to go around the train. I waved to them to stop, explained the situation, and they agreed to take the boys and jogger. So, I proceeded to run my leg without my boys - something I almost never do!

Since I hadn't really done any training, the run was hard for me, even though I only ran an 11m/m pace. But the kicker was the distance. No, the 3.6 miles wasn't an issue. But when I had run 4 miles and realized that the hand-off point wasn't anywhere in sight, I was feeling a bit nervous. At 4.6 miles, the hand-off point still wasn't visible and I was getting really tired. I knew I wasn't lost because there were lots of other runners around me. At the 5 mile mark, I saw what I thought was the hand-off point way up ahead. Well, it WAS a hand-off point, but just for the teams running on the "B" course! MY hand-off point ended up being at the 5.86 mile point!! Yes, that's right - I ran two more miles than originally planned! I was beat. I was worn-down. Needless to say, I wasn't up for running the last leg - mentally and physically. One of my wonderful teammates took my last leg. I'm a bit ashamed that I didn't do it, but I was mainly worried that since I had run almost 6 miles already, I didn't know if it would've been smart to do almost 5 more. My body isn't used to that distance anymore.

But, all in all, it was a great day and I'm looking forward to doing it again next year! And next time, I'll run both of my legs, if not more.

I can't believe he agreed to this...I can't believe I lost!

2008-03-04T07:23:00.000-08:00

Ok my husband is not a runner, he's a football player. He's a tailback, he's fast....heck at 36 he still runs a 4.3 40. So I'm logging all this mileage and running a mile is pretty easy and I got over confident and bet my husband he couldn't beat me in a mile race. I had finally talked him into running with me 2 weekends ago, he ran a mile on the treadmill, then the next day he ran 2 with me and was BEAT. I had thought that he'd get out there and say..."oh that was easy", but he didn't so I thought I was set.

Yeah, not so much....we ran the darn race on Sunday....he beat me by like half a block! He sprinted then walked, sprinted then walked, my only hope was that he would time it wrong and I'd be able to kick it up and pass him in the end. BUT, the cool thing is...we both ran under 7 minute miles AND I wasn't winded that badly. OK I know that is probably some of you ladies normal pace, but for a 9 minute mile girl that's not too shabby! Its also furthered my goal of getting my husband to run a 10k with me in May.....

Racing Team Shirts!

2008-02-19T19:01:00.000-08:00

WooHoo!! I received my Astavita racing team shirt today! Boy - Andrea wasn't kidding about how short they are. I'm not sure about the rest of you, but I'm not in ANY shape to wear it yet. Let me just say that the shirt alone is enough of a motivator to get me to work more on my core and abs. Whew! Of course, it's far too cold here to be wearing anthing like that anyway. Thank goodness. Maybe by the end of summer I'll be feeling better about how I look so I'll be able to wear it. I'll keep you posted. (I know that Jennifer isn't having any body issues when it comes to these team shirts . . . Have you seen her? She's buff . . . she's cut . . . she ROCKS!)

OUCH!!!

2008-02-02T20:30:00.000-08:00

Friction burns hurt! This is my most recent running epiphany discovered after a 6 mile treadmill run. The run itself was painful enough considering it was on a treadmill and I have to mentally force myself to keep going any farther than 2 miles. Ok so it wasn't physically painful, but it was darn painful mentally. Then I hop off, proud of myself that I kept going, and sit down to log my miles and it hits me. The burning, the pain..right on my rib cage area, right where my bra sits.
So here I am 12 hours later trying to figure out how I'm going to cover this burn so I can run tomorrow without being in pain and I realized HEY Elea's right I am a runner.....

Twist My Arm

2008-01-30T17:45:00.001-08:00

...OK OK OK....I'll go buy a new pair of shoes. I'm so intimidated by those darn running stores, with their skinny sales people who look like runners. While I, sigh, admitedly do not look like a runner. I always think that they're thinking "what in the heck is she doing here?". Yes I know I sound crazy or paranoid or self concious...or maybe like a teenager with no self confidence. I am all those things...well, not the teenager and really not all that paranoid... :)

Anyway, I've been inspired by your post. My shoes are old (about a year also), I've developed a blister, my knees have been aching and well, darn it all I want a new pair of shoes. So, I'll squash the guilt of actually spending some money on me and visit the running store. Maybe I'll even get a great new pair of socks ;)

How cold is too cold?

2008-01-19T21:48:00.000-08:00

I found myself contemplating that today when faced with another steady state run on the treadmill. I don't mind intervals and I don't mind doing HIIT on the treadmill, I enjoy those, but lord almighty why does it seem so much harder to just run on the treadmill? When faced with running downstairs on the treadmill or running in 14 degree (F) weather the treadmill won. My feet were heavy going down the stairs and I procrastinated...I think I went to the bathroom 3 times. I tied and retied my shoes, I put my hair up a couple of times, but then I hopped on the darn thing. Off I went, feeling SLOW! As soon as I was running I felt better about it, but I still felt slow. Oh well, I guess the point is that I'm doing it right?! And if I run faster outside then the faster I get inside will mean a faster me outside....right? Well, even if I'm wrong I'm going to just rationalize it that way and maybe, just maybe getting on that treadmill won't seem so hard. Or maybe I'll luck out and it will be 35 out tomorrow....you never know in Michigan!

Either way, have a wonderful rest of the weekend and have a great week ladies!

Saga of the Treadmill

2008-01-13T12:51:00.000-08:00

Well, another day on the treadmill, HOW BORING!! I am hoping to get on the road tomorrow morning. My running partner is better and ready to run.
Good luck this week girls!! Happy Trails!

I can't believe the weather!

2008-01-09T11:56:00.000-08:00

I can't believe how nice the weather has been for January! I've been able to take the boys out for runs with me in the stroller three days in a row...well, I guess should say after I run today it will be three days in a row. It's so much easier for me to stay motivated and keep going when I'm running outside, especially with the boys. The chant of "Faster Mommy! Faster!" makes me feel bad when I slow down. They also help me stay at a good pace, I guage it by how hard or easy it is for me to read all the street signs, garbage can names, addresses and car/truck types. If its too easy I go faster, if I can barely gasp it out I slow down. Rarely is it too hard...I'm a bad self-motivator.

Well, the baby just started crying so I guess I'm off to run!

Confession

2008-01-07T13:29:00.000-08:00

Forgive me, teammates, for I have sinned . . . It's been almost 9 weeks since my last run. Oh, I have all of the right excuses: foot pain, terrible cold, sick children, bad weather. But the guilt is still eating at me.

Today, I dropped the boys off at child care and went to the gym. Wow - it was packed! I guess everyone who had made New Year's resolutions was there because it wasn't even close to being crowded when I went there two weeks ago (at the same time) for my tour. In fact, there were only three people in the whole cardio room and the lady giving me the tour said that this was normal, which is why I chose that time to go. Is it wrong to hope that these people all break their resolutions soon so I won't have to worry if I can get a treadmill every time I go to the gym?

Anyway, I was able to get a treadmill, but hated the fact the the only one available was right up front where everyone else in the gym could see me! I wore my hot pink seeMommyrun technical shirt that I purchased from Run Worldwide several months ago, along with my bright yellow shorts, so it's not like I could just "blend in" and not be noticed. (By the way - I choose to wear those bright colors because I've found that they really motivate me the way that black and navy blue never did.) But the weeks of eating two plates of brownies, two batches of Reese's Peanut Butter Bars, chips, chocolates, snacks, cookies, and all the other stuff that goes with the Thanksgiving/Christmas/New Year's trifecta did a number of my belly and thighs. I'm sure I gave all those behind me quite the show!

I'm not a good treadmill running and haven't run on one since my days of living in Korea in 2001-2002. I was a bit intimidated, to say the least. Once I found a good pace, though, I settled in fairly quickly. I decided to start with a slow pace to get my body back in the swing of running. I'd hate to shock it so much that it failed on me and I'd have to take time off! I ended up running a 12m/m pace for 6 miles. Pretty impressive, to me, since I was so slack for 9 weeks. I felt great!

Prior to going to the gym, I had been debating what to put on my iPod for these treadmill workouts. Since I was finally alone, I could listen to anything I wanted and had lots of options: a "running" mix of my favorite tunes, a free podcast of running music from PodRunner, a free podcast of Jeff Galloway talking while I ran to my music from PodFitness (thanks for the info, Elea), or podcasts of my favorite NPR shows that I miss because I can't listen to them and the boys at the same time. Hmmmm. Well, I chose the NPR shows - just to see if I could run while listening to spoken word. It worked! I actually was able to zone out to "This American Life" and it made my workout seem so much shorter. I think I will continue to listen to my NPR podcasts!

Feeling Great in 2008!

2008-01-02T08:48:00.000-08:00

Well, I am with both of you, I don't make resolutions. I never have anyway and I don't think I will probably start now. But I would like to run more than I have for the past couple of months. That isn't a resolution, it is a decision that life has gotten in the way of my "me" time. I too use my running as me time, but it seems that more and more there are friends who want to start running that want to run with me. Which is fine for a while, but sometimes you just want to run by yourself for the time away from other people!
As for my vital statistics, I am a 32 year old mother of one son who is 9. I am a full time firefighter/paramedic for Winfield Fire Department. I also work part time as the health educator for the Health Department here in Winfield and I work PRN for the EMS service in nearby Wichita.
In what spare time I have left...I love to run and lift weights with my husband. We also own a Martial Arts School here in Winfield and we teach classes three times a week.
I am excited to be in this group to gain support and especially the recipes!!!!
Talk to you girls later

"THE" Resolution . . . From the Woman Who Doesn't Make Resolutions

2008-01-01T18:41:00.000-08:00

As the new year was approaching, I had been trying to decide if I should make a resolution this year. I'm not the "resolution" type of person and have never made a resolution before, but thought maybe this was the year that I needed one. Which one to choose, though?? There are so many that I would love to make (keep the house neater, play more with the kids, have more "me" time, run more), but I think I need to choose just one. What I've decided is that I need to be a better mother to my boys.

In order to do that, I actually have to follow through with the other resolutions! The house needs to be kept neater so things won't keep getting lost (toys, shoes, etc.), which makes me crazy. I definitely need to play more with the kids, getting down on their level. I need to give myself permission to be a kid again. And, I need to have more "me" time, which I will do by running more.

Up until now, I've been thinking as my running time as my "me" time. However, I've realized that it wasn't really time for me because my boys were always along for the ride. That's right - every run I've done for the past three years, no matter what the distance or weather, was done pushing a jogging stroller (and a double jogging stroller for the past 21 months). I had to deal with the crying, the fighting, and the Wiggle's tunes! Well, that stops now. I will be taking the boys to child care for a couple of hours several times a week, which will give me the opportunity to either hit the treadmills at the gym or head out on a trail run. This will give me a chance to catch up on all of those podcasts that I've downloaded. Plus, I'll get to run, which will help me to de-stress. Ultimately, this will lead me on the path of being a better mother to my boys.

The running saga continues...

2007-12-26T16:50:00.000-08:00

Well, I didn't get to run on Christmas Eve, yeah the sidewalk was shoveled off--in spots--in other spots it was slicker than snot, so never the less, no running on that day. Then the next day was Christmas day so I didn't do much more than cook and clean, even eating was rushed and little. I had WAY too many people over, I would have loved to escape and run on the semi thawed streets, but with 10 visitor, that is not going to happen.
So...that brings me to today, I am back in the routine, since I didn't have a running partner and it was COLD this morning, I ran on the boring treadmill at work. I only went two miles but it made me feel better about myself. I hardly worked very hard but I start training a new client on Friday and that always makes me work harder in the gym. I will run harder, longer and faster tomorrow!
How is everyone else doing?

Snow and Ice

2007-12-24T09:17:00.000-08:00

I am not sure what we are supposed to do here, but I guess I will start it. First off Merry Christmas to you all! I am at work today at the firehouse and will run in the park this afternoon, the sidewalks are shoveled off over there and the sun is out even though it is 30 degrees it will be nice to run outside!!!! Haven't done much of that since the snow fell on Saturday, and the girl I usually run with has been having some issues with her wisdom teeth extraction and has been out of running for a couple of weeks, there went my motivation!!!! YIKES!
well, I hope this is what we are supposed to do, hope you all have a wonderful Christmas and Happy New Year!