Goal met!

My goal has been pretty selfish and mostly focused on improving my own personal fitness level and health. What I didn't account for were the folks that would message or email me or catch me at church to tell me how inspired they are.

How fantastic to see others get movin' or take up healthier habits!

What you don't see are the 5:30 a.m. wake-up calls, the groggy husband who got up with the early-rising 2 yr old after a late night hockey game so I could get my hour-plus run in, the seven children at home who get wide-eyed hearing about the beauty of the country lane I just ran along....

What you don't see are the blisters, the sweat, the snot-rockets, the chaff (chub rub), the sunburn, the muscle aches and foam rolling out those aches, the sitting like a dude because it hurts too much to sit like a lady, or the post run picnic because I just burned 900+ calories (I can smash a protein salad the size of my largest mixing bowl...um, actually I do use my largest mixing bowl)....

Just keepin' it real here folks!
     

Building August's Goals

July was a great month for me. I met my goal of running 30 miles for the month, after averaging 20 miles per month for the previous 6 months, and upped my goal to 40 and finished with 39 miles for the month of July. Yes, I am sure I could have squeaked another mile in there somewhere but it wouldn't have added quality mileage and I really treat my rest days with respect. As an injury prone person I have learned to embrace those days of rest.

August's goal will focus on continuing the consistency that I have built this month. It will include quality runs with no "junk miles". Each run will have a purpose and will continually build in length with my first 10K scheduled for the end of the month.  The Hastings Summerfest 10K for those that have been asking. Wanna join me?

Overall, I am hoping for a total of 50-60 miles of running and 20 miles of cycling. 

What are your August fitness goals? 

  

 

Runniversary

One year ago I ran my first 5K with my son by my side. It was just the beginning of the journey toward inner healing for both of us. This last year has continued to bring more healing and has shown me the potential locked inside both of us. 

Sunshine has always wanted to be involved in a sport of some kind, however, competitive sports are disastrous for children with RAD (Reactive Attachment) and Anxiety. But he found a great fit in running. 

Sunshine's Running Lessons:

• His only competition is with himself
• Its good for his health
• It makes his body stronger
• It builds his endurance 
• He runs for fun!

 While the numbers are not important I tend to be a tech geek and like to crunch the numbers....so skip this part if you feel the urge to (or feel the urge to laugh at my slowness). 

Cookie 5K 2014

Distance: 2.91 miles (short course!)

Time: 43:50

Ave Pace: 15:04

Sweaty and Proud 2014

50lbs of this fluff is gone!

Cookie 5K 2015

Distance: 3.1 miles (perfect!)

Time: 40:17

Ave Pace: 13:39

2015!

(I actually ran a total of 4.5 miles in 1:01; next weeks long run is 5 miles)

Mom's Running Lessons:

• My only competition is with myself
• I run for my health
• I run for fun!
• I run because I love it
• Its a lot easier 50lbs lighter!

See you at the next race

Hastings Summerfest 10K

Puritan's Pride

I’m so stoked to fuel my #1MillionMinutes goals with Puritan’s Pride! All summer I plan to run my way to a healthier, fitter me, and I’ll need help staying hydrated and fueled during all my running adventures!

I will make sure I stay on track and will rely on my protein shakes to keep me well fueled before, during and after workouts, and my crazy water thirst to keep me hydrated!

 

I’m most excited to try Pre-Workout Intensifier and the Daily Nutrition Chocolate Shake from Puritan’s Pride because they look awesomesauce!

One supplement I’ve never tried but am curious about is the BCAA Complex. I think it might make me extra energetic.

Bring it, #1MillionMinutes! I’m ready to go!

Summer Goals

To date the longest run I have completed included a large bridge that traverses over two expansive lakes and totaled 5 miles. My summer calendar needs another challenge! Looking ahead to the rest of the summer I am excited to share my plans. 

July 25th- Cookie 5K 

Aug. 29th- Hastings Summerfest 10K

That's it? 

Yup....

I might throw in another 5K in August but, honestly, I want to focus on logging miles and building a stronger base. I am already eying a few Autumn races but that's something I'll figure out closer to fall. 

What's on your racing calendar this summer?

How far in advance do you plan out your races? 

 

 

Four Ways To Encourage Kids to be Active

When my oldest child turned 13 this past spring I was reminded that this was the age that I had stopped being physically active. I enjoyed running track in middle school as a sprinter and participating in relays, however, once I reached high school my fear of failure was greater than my desire to be active. So, outside of two years of swimming in high school, which at the time seemed a much better choice than one year of gym,  I never ran track again. In the end choosing swimming over gym did keep me relatively active for an average of five hours a week for two years.

Fear of failure for teens is incredibly high and it can steal their confidence and sense of value. In the midst of confusing messages given off by the media, peers, adults and the negative voice in their head, teens still need direction and guidance. 

How do you guide an inactive child toward an active lifestyle without rebellion kicking in?

1) Practice What You Preach:

Kids are far more likely to be active if they have a good example to follow. Parents who frequent the out-of-doors, participate in a sport, or are simply active as a natural by-product of their chosen activity, such as bike riding, rollerblading, swimming, skiing or snowshoeing in the winter, etc. all set a great example for children to follow. 

Kids are very smart and super quick to point out hypocrisy when they see it. If we are sitting on the sofa popping bon-bons, screen surfing or tablet tapping they are inclined to copy us.   
 

2) Disguise It As Family Fun

When the heat of the day begins to wane and the breeze is picking up is an ideal time to set up an obstacle course on the lawn, start a family soccer game or have a jump-rope contest. 

If you are an established athlete following a training plan consider creating a "plan" for your children, as well. A chart with 15 minute increments of time to be filled in with a goal of a few hours of age appropriate activity per week is a great motivator.  

3) Group or Club Activities:

 Many families have had great success with locating group workouts or activities for their children. This could be a running club that trains for a fun run or 5K, swim lessons to brush up or refine their skills, orienteering, or geocaching.

Participating in a sport or playing on a sports team is not exactly the goal, which is simply encouraging movement through a group or shared activity. 
     

4) Finding Their Own Motivation:

This past spring my thirteen year old ended her activity drought and began exploring in order to discover what she might enjoy or be adept at. I quietly encouraged her efforts; fearing that an all out parade might shut down her progress.

As I was writing this post I asked her what had changed to cause her to decide to join the local Roadrunners kids running club training for a 5K in August or her recent interest in playing volleyball this coming autumn. 

She gave two reasons: The main character in the book she is writing is very active and writing the words repeatedly began to sound intriguing to her. The second reason being that she desired a sport that was affordable and that she could do anytime without having to wait for a season. She could just pick it up and do it. Also, working on her relationship with one of her younger siblings became a priority to her; that relationship is still an ongoing effort but she's working on it and having a shared interest has been key to opening up communication between them. 

Do you have any children that prefer inactivity over movement? What have learned about parenting a child who is uninterested in exertion? 

I Came, I Conquered, I Didn't Quit!

The short story is that I finished the Mackinaw Memorial Bridge Run in 68 minutes...

The long story: 

I was told we weren't leaving until 6 or 6:15 a.m. so imagine my surprise when everyone was loaded in the van waiting on me at like 5:30 a.m or so...

The morning was cool and bright with no noticeable breeze as we stepped off the school bus at a park north of the Mackinaw Bridge. A young friend decided to hang with me during this run and it was a blessing to me in the long run. 

Because the morning air was so cold I struggled with my breathing for a good two miles before finally figuring out a good rhythm. Figuring out how to run without triggering my Reactive Airway Disorder is difficult. I have a sports mask I can wear but I felt like I was suffocating...turns out it was upside down... >hee hee< 

I used the walk/run method the entire race and spent so much time figuring out my breathing that I never got to *enjoy* the view. I felt awful for the young lady running with me....I sounded like I was dying and she would not go on without me...She is capable of a much better time! 

The five middle/highschoolers and two bible study friends that ran the race with us were done within 45-50 minutes. I was so conflicted because I was beyond proud of myself, yet kept comparing myself to the others and their times.

 Negative self-talk can destroy a persons self-confidence  eventually, so exercise caution when you notice it happening and learn to turn it around by encouraging yourself and naming off traits about yourself that you are proud of!

I want to do this run one more time with the hope of enjoying myself and improving my time. My focus for the rest of this summer and fall will be to continue to build my base, improve my breathing when triggers are present (future post on this), and run without the walk intervals.

 My fabulously imaginative mother thought of the perfect birthday gift for me and it goes with the wonderful birthday gift my husband gave me!

Hubster's gift to me

Love this! Its so cute!

Do you battle a breathing issue or a nagging injury?

What's the best running or sports related gift you've ever received?