Not so much a shameless plug

or even a begging-for-ideas post (as I really do have a plethora of my own) but a "what would you like to read about?" query.

here's a(n ugly) link to my magazine column---anything youd like to learn more about?

email me!


http://www.goodlifemag.com/archives/2007/12-07/12-07_Fitness.pdf

Bad, bad blogger.

please to know Im giving myself 0387420478 lashes with a wet (low carb) noodle.

may I pathetically state that, even though Ive been UpToHere with work, life and toddlerville, I still have been working out (not that THAT'S pathetic...I mean using it as an excuse :))

this morning I was thisclose to losing my mind at the gym daycare woman when she sauntered in at 910 (the place opens, technically anyway, at 845) and we (the royal. really my daughter) had a class at 925.

I didnt however.

I smiled.

Tossed, errr, handed over my daughter.

and proceeded to lift weights for the eight minutes I had.

whats the point of my post? (besides NOT MUCH) I command all of you to do what I SO RARELY do: dont blow off the work out but use the time youre given.

happy happy FRIDAY!

What to do when your kids see all their Christmas toys??

Crap. This must be one of those 'what comes around, goes around' moments. When I was a kid, I was....um...lets say a wee bit anxious about Christmas and what gifts I may or may not receive. As a result of my....inquisitive....nature, I may, (or may not - my mother might read this!) have seen a gift or 10 before said holiday. I have never seen any problem with this. I've grown up relatively normal and my parents have never looked particularly distraught.

Fast forward to yesterday.

I shopped like a crazy person on Black Friday for my boys. My husband lugged the loot in and after asking me where I thought they'd never look, stashed it all in the closet in his office. Since he is out of town, they were able to play down in the basement, where the office is, yesterday afternoon. My 7-year-old came upstairs and said "I have to tell you about something that happened in the basement." So I figured something broke and said "What'd you guys break?" and he said "Uh, nothing. But, uh, we were looking for the balls for that pool game and, uh, well, uh, we looked in the closet in Daddy's office." So I was clearly (a) only half listening, and (b) had totally forgotten about the stash so I say "Yeah, ok. Were they in there?" and little man's eyes got all wide and he says "No but there are all these bags in there! With toys in them!!" So I freak and say "No! No no no! No bags! What did you see!?? Tell me!!! WHAT? DID? YOU? SEE???" Ok, note to self: if you want your kid to be honest with you, do not freak and act like a total idiot and make it so damn obvious that you are upset. So he totally back peddles and says "Uh, well, nothing. I saw that it was toys so I didn't look. Not at one single thing! I closed the door!" Then my 4-year-old who can't keep anything to himself to save his life comes up and says "There are TOYS in the closet!!!!! TOYS!!!!!" Crap crap crap. Calm down. So I say, a bit more calm this time, "Ok guys. No big deal. Tell Mommy what you saw." So the big one says "Nothing. We closed the door." And gives his brother a look. My 4-year-old, trying to catch on, says "Well...uh...nothing." So I let it drop. Then about 2 or 3 hours later, my sweet baby who I can get anything out of says "Mommy, why are all those toys in the closet?" and I said "What toys did you see?" and he says, "Well, nothing but I'm really glad you bought that space ship because I always wanted that!" His brother groans and says "We didn't see anything! He probably just saw that through the bag!" So I say "What else did you see honey?" And he says "Oh, uh, well, that robot guy and that car...." My 7-year-old cuts him off "Q! He didn't see anything Mommy."
Crap.

Crouching like a Tiger

Twelve years ago, when I followed a young man to his home country of Germany, I believed myself to be the heroine of a wonderful romance. We married, I had a baby and reality quickly set in.
I was a much different person then. Impetuous? Well, yes. Irrational? Almost certainly. Immature? Rash, quick tempered and ignorant? Yes, yes, yes and yes.
German speaking? Um...no. And that's where reality bit me in the butt. Our apartment was in a small village nestled in the vallies of North Rhine Westphalia. I was the only American for miles around.
So many experiences shaped my identity in the eight years that it took me to correct my error of rash judgement. To say it was a struggle would be an understatement and as much as I would like to let the past remain in the past, the fact of the matter is that I thank God everyday for forcing me to recognize my own strength.
I am now fluent in German. My daughter is intelligent and beautiful. I published a novel and then some. I discovered that I can run a mile straight uphill in 20 degree weather. Perhaps most notably, I learned to respect myself enough to walk away from a mentally abusive marriage.
It is who I am, although that kind of strength and determination is no longer required in my everyday. But it's there. Crouching like a tiger.

Cool New Vitamin/Energy supplement found

Just a quickie~~~~~~
I did an impulse buy on the internet for antioxidant/vitamin/energy supplements. It is a 2 week free supply for only shipping ($3.95). I figured, why not? Lance Armstrong supposedly uses it. I wasn't even sure anything would arrive after I submitted my order. I DID get a box about a week later and now am addicted. This stuff is like crack for a busy mom. I'd rather have it than my coffee in the morning. It is an never ending supply of energy with out the caffeine jitters/up-set stomach. Anyways, give it a try for $3.95. Read everything though. If you you don't love it you have to call and cancel any future mailing. I am keeping mine coming but changing the monthly shipment to every other month. And NOOOOOOO they are not paying me for endorsing their product. It just isn't very often I find something that works so well!!!
www.healthyenergy.com

Happy Baby

I downloaded the Happy Baby coupon (fresh frozen organic baby meals, sponsor of seeMOMMYrun) and look forward to trying out the new product. Which grocery stores sell it?

See Mommy at the Reunion

It's been too long since I've written. Last Friday night I had my high school reunion. I will admit that I really worried about how I'd look. I was pretty average in high school and am still pretty average so what was I worried about? I will also admit that I HATE to shop and had to go to the stores 3 times and ended up wearing something out of the closet. I had a baby 11 months ago and had not tried anything on in while. My Mom came through with a suggestion of a red dress she remembered and oh miracle, it fit. I got on a plane in KY at 1pm, got to Boston at 5pm, my sister's house to change at 6:30 pm and before that stopped at TJ Maxx to find one of those slimmer panty deals I've been hearing about. No luck there, but some good control top. Did I mention that I left Boston 20 years ago and it seems most of my classmates did not? I had all the turmoil you might think about seeing people after all these years. My hair felt too blond (I was light brown in high school). It was great to see my sister. She and her roommate made me feel good as I trouced out the door wearing heels I've not worn in 13 years (my husband is my height-- no heels w/him). I navigated my way to the hotel and met my brother in the parking lot. He graduated a year before me and sees these people regularly. My best friend since I was 4 years old (the yoga queen) also met me there and boy, was it strange. I walked in and there were two tables set up. I almost attended another high school's graduation till our event person saw me and called me over. For the first hour I was absolutely dizzy with hugs and old faces at the door. It took me that long to get inside. I graduated with 700. We had a good showing. As the night wore on and I got my eyes full -- so much came to me. First, it was so not about what we looked like now. It was who we were then.

I was a non-gossipy, friendly person in high school with nothing for anyone to ever be jealous about. People were happy to see me and I was happy to see them. As a generality- the ladies looked great and the men were a bit bald/chubby. But that also was pretty irrelevant. I remember thinking you can tell who works out and who has not. There was one guy who is now a police officer who clearly works out, but he was one of just a few. The ladies on the other hand- walked, did yoga, hit the gym..... When I was in high school I walked a lot out of sheer necessity to get where I was going and not for exercise. Also, I made sure to attend the Red Sox game that took place on Patriots Day in April (did you know Patriots Day is only Massachusetts?- I did not until 1990). That same day is the Boston Marathon and I would get with some friends and watch the runners come in. At that time in my life I would have thought I'd be a more likely candidate for the Nobel Peace Prize and never a Marathon finisher.

One of the things that hit me most was what you told people about yourself. I first mentioned my Army husband, my 4 children, my service in the Army and not at all that I am a lawyer and once jumped out of airplanes for a hobby. It is all about being a wife/Mommy for me and it felt so good to really be proud of those things. I really am so happy to be able to love on my family. I think being 43 is so great. I'm so much more comfortable than ever before.

Another good deal-- my husband got my 11 month old to sleep through the night (I was only gone for 13 hrs) and now she is doing it each night. It is a good thing I did not teach him how to nurse before I left. Now I'm sleeping through the night too! Did I mention that I came in at 2AM to my Dad's house and felt like a naught teenager. I flew back home at 0530 and in my families arms by noon. Ahhh, what a great time.

Rain Smain!

I have the most supportive husband ever: he is 100% behind me in my 1/2 marathon dream and will give me an enthusiastic "Go for it!" whenever I ask for a spare hour or so to go for a run. He works from our home and when not on the road, is always willing to hang with our 4-year-old during his lunch hour so I can get a short run in. Today was such a day. I was trying to talk myself into the idea of getting out there because (a) it's my day to run! and (b) it was 58 out and I know these kind of days are soon to be a thing of the past. However, I spent the morning cleaning after having house guests and feeling that overall post-holiday sluggishness (sluggishness?) feelings so I was willing to skip the run and was even preparing excuses when my perfect man came up the basement stairs and said "I'm going make lunch for me and Q so you can go for a run if you want." Seriously? How am I supposed to be a sloth and make some lame excuse after that perfect husbandness?? I quickly geared up and out I went.

My plan was to get in at least my normal 4 mile run but I really think I need to start bumping up my short runs in addition to my long runs. I went out with the feeling of 'go for 4, but 4.5 or 5 would be even better'. I went a totally different route as a last minute decision as well. I got about a half mile from my house when the rain started. It was just a light drizzle and it wasn't cold out so it actually felt kind of good. I stuffed my iPod up my sleeve to keep it dry (I can't seem to find a holder that I like) and kept moving. It stopped as quickly as it started but then 5 minutes later, started back up. This starting/stopping went on and on every 5 minutes or so for a bit but then on the back part of my route, I got to the base of the 'big stupid I hate you bastard never ending hill' hill and it really started to come down. It was one of those moments when I was feeling really into it, having a great run but the combination of the hill and the hard falling rain could have sent me either way. This is one of those times when I realize just how much of running is psychological. I had a little inner chat about how this was no big deal and it worked. Off I went, up that damn hill and I felt great. I ended up running 5.5 miles today which I think is good for me right now, for a 'short run' day. Shows me that even on days when I don't think I can do it, I can. Thanks to my inner chat and my super supportive fantastic and easy on the eyes husband!

Another Health Tip

26 weeks pregnant now and hatin' it! Especially the heartburn! Someone told me sparkling water helps, and the $11 spent on a case of Pellegrino at Costco was a steal!
I am all for herbal remedies, but I like to pop my pills too (yeah, Nyquil!). Obviously I can't do too much of that these days, so I am considering every old wives tale that comes my way. Sparkling water works better than Zantac (Zyrtec...what was I taking???). And I am still swearing by Vicks Vapor Rub on your feet for a cold.

Oh my beloved Spanx

How do I love thee my beloved new Spanx? I love the fact that even though I must jump off the top of my house to get into you, that I look smooth and lean once you are on. I love that you hide those yummy holiday goodies in which I have already indulged.

Ah, yes, if I could write poetry (nope - can't) I would write one heck of a love sonnet to you.

And - I'm definitely not getting any sort of kickback for this endorcement, but - let me tell you - if ANY Spanx products showed up on my doorstep I would definitely NOT complain (wink, wink - nudge, nudge). C'mon little Spanx elves - give a girl some love...

Classy Mommy Giveaway for 2 Kaboost Portable Chair Boosters

Win it! Thanks to Kaboost for offering 2 lucky winners the chance to get a free Kaboost Portable Chair Booster. These were reviewed earlier this year on Classy Mommy and have received many accolades from all kind so of product review websites and major publications like the NY Times.

Read how to enter here!

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What's on YOUR iPod?

I need to rebuild!
WHat get's you pumped up?

Two standbys for me:
Scotland the Brave on pipes (I used to wake up to this played on a recorder every day during an Outward Bound trip)
Eye of the Tiger... I can run sprints to that, no matter what!

Thanksgiving Diet Tip Number 1925610924670912874

Subtitle: while Im not headed out of town (thank you lord) Im hosting this year so I wont be around much for a few days.

My biggest diet tip?

Skip the dessert? NO.
Eat before the party so youre not hungry for the tantalizing delights offered? NO!!!
Exercise more? NOPE. This is a great time to, if you feel like it, TAKE A BREAK.

what do I give up between now and January second? Eating stuff I dont like just to be nice.

Im such a picky eater. It's immediately evident and, once you get to know me, IMMEDIATELY evident that it isnt a health thing (read: I cant stand green peppers, red peppers or mushrooms).

As a result I spend ERRR SPENT a lot of time eating stuff I really couldnt stand (see above veggies and add MAYO and onions to the list) just to be nice.

So as not to hurt people's feelings.


that's my one tip and suggestion for you: dont be nice. smile and say no thank you if it isnt something you REALLY want.

otherwise: ENJOY. INDULGE. There's plenty of time to give a care about caloric content later.



that's just my .02


HAPPY THANKSGIVING.

Thanksgiving 5k Run

Today was the Freeze Your Gizzard Cross Country 5k. It was a great morning for it, cold at 36 degrees but virtually no wind which was a real treat. After running in very gusty conditions yesterday, I was a bit worried about what today would bring.

The route was pretty hilly today. The "cross country" part was no joke. I ran the entire thing looking down at my feet worried about twisting an ankle. I like the cross country races though, the terrain takes your mind off of how far you've been and how far you still have to go!
Early on, I'd say about 1.5 miles in, I found myself directly behind two boys that couldn't have been a day over 15. They were all arms and legs. Long thin limbs flying around. They had creaky voices and were talking non-stop about video games. As much as I'd love to hear about the newest advances in X-Box, I decided to pass. There were a lot of runners and the course was pretty tight so it was hard to get by people but everyone was laughing and having a great time.

As I was nearing the finish line, I looked up ahead of me, I'd say about 100 yards, and spotted to young kids. I'm talking 7 or 8 years old. Just trotting along having a great time and here I was, behind them, breathing pretty heavy by now and thinking to myself 'I signed up for a half marathon (something I'm still kind of freaking about having signed up for!) and 2 8-year-olds are kicking my butt in a 5k?!' So I dug deep and found some more gas and managed to pass them just before the finish line. It wasn't until after the race that I found out there was a 1-mile 'Fun Run' for the kids and they were running in that one! Kind of a relief, I have to admit.

It was a good time and I'm happy I attended.

Can't think of a title

Me and my posse are headed out of town for the week of Thanksgiving. Don't worry, the neighbor's going to feed the dog but I do need to cancel the paper. Don't let me forget. Oh, and diapers, baby food...should we take the stroller? Pack sandwiches, napkins...the camera. Ummm, I know I'm forgetting something...socks, underwear, nursing pads...oh, yeah, and my sanity.
Have a great Thanksgiving, SMR crew!

if you can look past the weight loss focus...

this site has some really good recipes:

http://www.shapefit.com/weight-loss-recipes.html



Im seriously considering making my own pretzels now.

No reason.

Just the fact I now have a recipe.

Why - oh why - didn't I take Auto Mechanics in school...

I hate vehicles! With as much fiery passion as I hate a not-to-be-named-evil-mega-store-starting-with-a-"W" (different post for a different day) I hate my minivan. Let me tell you it is definitely not the "minivan that drives like a sports car" right now (true sales pitch for the Mazda MPV Minivan when we bought the sucker about 6 years ago). More like a "minivan that moves like an old biddy with a walker" on the highway.

Last week I had the emissions test done on the minivan. This is something you have to do in Tennessee before paying the annual registration fee. I think it is all a farce and is a way for the state to embezzle $9 per vehicle - genius!

Anyway - all was fine til I started to get on the interstate. I was pressing the gas, the engine was "revving", but the speed was not increasing - lovely! I was able to get to about 50 miles per hour and had about 3 semis coming up behind me - again, lovely. Thankfully, my exit was the next one down so I was able to make it without too many people honking their horns at me (I've got your license plate numbers suckers - not sure what I'll do with them, but I'll figure something out).

So - after an hour long visit to the dealership the very nice head of the service department (not being a smart a** here, he really is nice - must be some sort of mutated dealership employee) told me the bad news. Vanessa (the girls' nickname for the minivan) needed a boob job and a tummy tuck - ok - not really - but that would be what I would consider the equivalent of a new transmission.

As the cost of this overhaul almost knocked me over, I thought I would be a bit more creative in retelling that part of the story. Here goes:

A new transmission for Vanessa equals:

1. 7 pairs of brand new Jimmy Choo shoes
2. 700 boxes of Starbuck's Refresh Tazo tea bags
3. 10 Kate Spade Tarrytown Samson purses
4. 40 American Girl dolls
5. 1 lower level 2008 Super Bowl ticket
6. 35 one-hour-long messages
7. 9 iPhones
8. 5 Wii Customer Choice Bundles

Happy Birthday, Happy Thanksgiving, Merry Christmas, Happy New Year's, Happy Valentine's Day, Happy St. Patrick's Day, Happy Easter, Happy Mother's Day and Happy 4th of July 2007, 2008, 2009 & 2010 to me!

Why, oh why - didn't I go to a vocational school and learn the amazing skill of auto mechanics. I just HAD to have that Public Relations & Psychology degree! Dang it!

Health Tip

A colleague clued me in yesterday: To prevent coughing at night, put Vick's Vapor Rub on your feet, with a pair of socks over it. I tried it yesterday and I swear it works! Let me know if you have heard of it, or if you try it and get results.

Winter in Virginia Part II

Thanks for all the great comments I got on my Winter has arrived in Virginia post. You guys had some great tips! As a result, I'm happy to report that you all successfully got me off my wimpy butt and out on the path and I had a great 6 mile run that morning! The cold was only a factor for the first few minutes but I started off slow, dressed for the weather and had a great run. I'm hoping to keep up this trend and become a fan of running in the cold like Kimberly because I am not looking forward to being banished in doors already. And another thing Kimberly, you are so right, it isn't that cold and I totally agree, I'm sure there are a lot of people out there laughing at my wimpyness over the weather! : )
This weekend, I am participating in a Thanksgiving run - the Freeze Your Gizzard 5k - at Ida Lee Park. I'm sure it's going to be quite chilly on Saturday morning but I'll be ready for it!

Win 1 of over 60 Prizes at the Classy Mommy Cyber Baby Shower!

Hi See Mommy Run Gang - We're having a "Cyber Baby Shower" at Classy Mommy right now to benefit the Project Peanut Butter charity - and in honor of my future arrival that is waiting to come into the world any day now! We've raised $685 for Project Peanut Butter and there are over 60 prizes for Readers. Check it out to see the gift items I reviewed, what prizes are available for you to win, and to play fun baby shower games too!

All you have to do to enter is leave a comment on the Cyber Shower Blog Post on Classy Mommy to enter by Tuesday Nov 13th at 10 PM CST. Prizes will be awarded randomly from the comments..

Try to remember to include you email address and prize preferences too so we can contact you easily if you win a prize! Visit the Cyber Shower here.

time change lament.

For some reason after a day or so my daughter easily adapted to the falling back.

She's an up at 5 down at 6 (am and pm respectively. her day isnt only an hour long) kid of gurl and after 2 mornings of up at FOUR even she had enough.

Me? for some reason *I* am up at four...have been up at four since the time change I mean.

there's nothing better than having this quiet hour or so to work and nothing WORSE than the brutal realization that I'll be tired around 7 when the toddler tornado is just getting going.

that's about it from this None Too Motivational Mama this morning.

Oooh, except the fact that I WILL be working out in 3 or 4 hours (is that motivating or tiring sounding? I cant tell.) AND Im working on a new project which will involve workout demos (nongym. with your toddler in tow :)), free and a blog.

Good times.

Needed--Songs to motivate!

Just a reminder, I hope everyone is submitting their fav songs to run with to SMR. I am in serious need of new tunes....To make a long story short: A group from my running group was out for a girl's night out to wish one of our fellow runners good-bye ( Her family was relocating clear across the country and that made us all so very sad). Since we are a bunch of mid-late 30 year old moms who don't bar hop too often now, we didn't know where to go.....somehow we ended up at a hard core dance club/ most certainly drug infested local establishment (picture the frisking, pat downs, and electric wands upon entering to detect weapons....). Once there we were pretty much stuck since my 17 year old son was the Designated driver and just dropped us off......back to the music..........one of my favorite running songs, which happens to be an older rap song, came on....I exclaimed how much I love to run with this tune. To my shock and dismay, my friends exclaimed how such a song would certainly slow them down while running......hmmm.....I am the self proclaimed slowest runner "ever"..........but then I thought.......(this is my mind excusing my slowness)......It must be my music that has made me slow!!! Not MY fault.......Right?!! Soooooo----Help me speed up by giving me what songs motivate YOU!!! I mean submit them to SMR. Thanks! My slowness is now in your hands!

Write Stephanie Write

Just wanted to let you know that I am in the THRILLING final draft(s) of my children's book! No time for anything...barely time to cook. But when it's done, it will be DONE! And I will be able to sort through the guest room, dust the furniture, clean the cabinets, buy new clothes, have my hair done, get that root canal, call my mom, train for a marathon, pry my hinter region from this chair...

Burrrr! Winter Has Arrived in Virginia!

It's 27 degrees out this morning. 27!! Yesterday I attempted to run and ended up coming home for two reasons (1) I don't think I had on enough layers, and (2) I just couldn't breath!
This is my first experience with running in the cold. How do you people do it?! I simply cannot catch my breath when it's super cold outside. Do you slow down and run much slower than you do when the weather is warm? Walk for a long time first? Or simply run for a treadmill which I'm quite tempted to do at this point. I was hoping to make it through November before heading inside for the simple fact that I get so bored on a treadmill and if I go in now, it's going to make for a very long winter!

Ouch this hurts

Hello Running Mommies. I've been quiet this past week because someone stole my yahoo account, got into my inbox, address book, and messed with my life. I felt so incredibly vulnerable. They know my full name, address,kid's names, password. They wrote to merchants I'd dealt with including ebay and paypal and tried to get more information and more passwords. My invite to blog was there too and it left me feeling like my identity was raped and do I really want to put myself out there. I'm back and feel stronger after this whole yuck fiasco. I think I was phished by signing onto a fake yahoo sign in page where they grabbed my password. Yahoo took a week to get me my account back. They emailed my address book asking for money too. Knowing they know about this blog too just left me feeling so vulnerable. Then I stood up, brushed off the dirt, and went for a long run. I'm still out there and am not going to be bullied off the web or anywhere else. What else but feeling physically strong could do that? Keep running, keep going for good health and Run Mommy Run.

What do WE think?

the royal we I mean.

Check this out:

http://www.weightview.com/portal/

Now, at first I thought it was pretty cool!

Lots of us are trying to lose weight and what better motivator than slapping a photo up of YOUR OWN DANG SELF on the fridge (or Heidi Klum now that we've established that she works at staying fit & all)?

and then I thought.


for a while.


and did a 180.


I mean, unlike a HAIR CUT where there's no going back (& it's a gift to be able to check out what youd look like with Reece Witherspoon bangs BEFORE snatching the scissors) most of us are aware we'll look pretty fab after we shed the pounds.


I "get" the notion of motivation but am now stuck on wondering whether it doesnt emphasize the wrong thing.


me? as I edge toward 40 Im less obsessed with the LOOKS of it all and more obsessed with seeing my daughter walk down the aisle/meeting my grandkids/the HEALTH of it all.


YOU?

WOW!!!!

I don't even know where to begin describing how utterly and totally impressed and amazed I am that Paula Radcliffe of Britain won the NYC marathon NINE MONTHS after having a baby!! Wow. I mean, really, wow.

$180 Birth'a Bag Giveaway for all you Pregnant Moms!

Since I'm ready to deliver any day now, I've been scoping out a selection of "pre-packed" delivery bags that are alerady set for you to bring to the hospital with you. The Birth'a Bag is a wonderful option! Check out our latest review and giveaway at Classy Mommy to enter and win this Labor and Delivery pre-packed Bag - that doubles as a diaper bag and is pre-packed with many natural and organic goodies and beauty products. Run on over and enter here!

Aw, gee shucks it really happened

I'm not sure if I mentioned among my many roles that I'm also a homeschool Mom to a 6th grade gal. The 3d grader is in school, the preschooler goes if he feels like it, and the 10 month old likes to go anywhere.

The 6th grader just finished her soccer season and since we homeschool it is important to us as a family that she get excercise every day. My husband suggested she run with me and I was sort of intrigued about how good of a run I would get in. We went during lunch on Friday and I lifted weights earlier just to ensure that I was getting a workout regardless of how the run went. We took off and I was so happy to tell her about warming up with a walk/gentle jog first. Show her my route and how I run across a railroad trestle that she should not. I chatted about form and not clenching your fists and keeping your shoulders back and down. She's a sweet girl and listened and smiled at me nicely. I told her about walk breaks that will keep you out there and enable you to make it entirely running after a while. In the middle of the run I explained what a fartlek is and what a great training tool it is. She suggested we run to a pole and we did. She seemed a bit faster than I expected, but I wasn't thinking too much of it. My husband and I always sprint the last straight away of every run and I told her we'd be doing this. We get to the end and the girl beat me fair and square. She is really faster than me. I've always been fast- sort of smugly so now that I think of it and my 11 almost 12 year old sprinted and I could not keep up. Wow, what a day. Love it. She is empowered too. This little one has been to way too many races watching Mommy run. She's come of age. Gosh, do you think periods could be next?

Adding Miles and Time: Tips Needed!

In my on-going quest to pace myself so that I can add mileage to my runs, I've decided to do two things: (1) add distance slowly to the middle of my runs, and (2) concentrate on time run rather than worrying so much about miles covered.
I decided to add a bit to the middle of my run because every time I would try to add to the end, I just couldn't do it. Psychologically, I couldn't make my brain agree with my legs and keep running past my house in order to get more time/mileage and physically, I was beat. My front door and the couch that I know sat just beyond it were just too tempting. Today, in the middle of my typical out and back route, I kept going at my usual turn around. This helped quite a bit. I wasn't totally fatigued like at the end of my run but I also wasn't gung-ho sprinter girl like at the beginning of my run so I was smart about how much distance I added. As for my second plan, adding time, by focusing on the minutes rather than miles, I have found that I am able to slow down. I have added time in small, 5 minute increments every other run so it's not that noticeable at the time, but is really adding up. I'm curious to hear if you guys have any tips for those of us trying to add distance to our runs.

ok. This has been everywhere already so

feel free to imagine me as that LAST PERSON climbing on to the bandwagon BUT it simply makes me laugh and I now think of it each time I wet a tissue via my MOUTH and use that to wipe the wriggling one's face.

(which Im sure was their plan)

anyone try it yet?

Im too cheap, err, frugal.

www.momspit.com

Inner Vixen

We all have her. She's how we really feel. To visit mine, visit The Dallas Morning News at the linking dots above.

Curse to All the Halloween Candy in this House

Holy cow! Who allowed these children to go trick-or-treating!?! Oh crap, that would be me.

Thing 2 (I have twin 4 year old girls) pooped out on us pretty early, but Thing 1 was like an Energizer bunny (dressed up like a Bengals football player - my dainty flower) and there was NO WAY she was going to stop. She made THREE - yes, 3 - trips to areas around our subdivision (properly supervised) for candy and now has a large pumpkin FULL of goodies. Nothing like a large orange ball full of temptation placed right smack in the middle of your kitchen table to make someone like me go nuts. I'm about to go all Michael Myers on that candy engorged pumpkin and take an ax to every last piece.

hmmm...that's a bit violent...but I am on steroids for bronchitis so I'll blame these emotional outbursts on the 'roids! Think I can use that excuse to get myself an hour or so of free time when the hubby gets home? Yep - gonna try it.

I just hope I'm over this soon so I can start running again and burn off that bloomin' (I'm from the South y'all) mini-Snickers (or two) I crammed in my mouth a few minutes ago.