the better marathon

Not the “perfect” marathon, I am hoping to run a better marathon. I am running the Marine Corps Marathon on Sunday. It will be my fifth marathon, or my fourth (depending on how you count, since I didn’t finish my second marathon).

I have never finished strong. I think it comes down to a simple problem: I start too fast. I have indeed finished three of the four marathons I have run. But, in two of those, I was reduced to frequent walking breaks for the last 6-8 miles.

In the past, I have been concerned about speed, though my time goals have been realistic while also being challenging. I can finish a 10K in 48 minutes, a half marathon in 1:45. That should mean I can finish a marathon in 3:45 or even less. I did that, once, for my first marathon, my best marathon. New York City. I was 28 years old. I had been running for a mere 1 ½ years. (I am no high school track or cross and field runner. In high school I was smoking and taking soccer juggling to fulfill my physical education requirement. My dad ran, but I had no interest.)

During that first marathon, I did slow down a bit for the last four miles, but I didn’t have to walk (I tried, but when I walked, I felt I would never start running again – so I kept plodding and finished in 3:43).

For my second marathon, I had a time goal – to qualify for Boston. Don’t know why. I don’t really care about running Boston – but it was a goal. Problem was I did not do any speedwork. So, while I covered the proper distances, I started too fast and my legs literally seized up around mile 19. A terrible disappointment. Maybe I could have walked it out, but the time goal loomed so large in my mind, and I knew I would never make it.

After that, I didn’t care about Boston. But I still cared about speed. I trained with a group for the 2002 National Marathon in Washington DC. (The one that went bankrupt the next year, canceling the 2nd annual race. It has been revived under new management with a new course.) I was convinced by my training and the coaches that I was capable of a 3:50 finish. So that’s the pace group I ran with. But the pacer had us going too fast, running 8:20s for the first five miles. I can do that, easy, for five miles, but that is not my marathon pace. I knew I was in trouble by mile 16. I had dropped off the pace group with two friends who were also suffering a little – but less than I was. I took walk breaks and wanted to stop by mile 19 (again – I know, the wall). But my training friend pushed me, talked me into continuing. Eventually, she ran ahead. I finished in 4:15.

I ran no marathons for six years, during which I had two kids and kept running and racing 10Ks, 10 milers and half marathons. In 2008, with my two kids aged 4 and 1, I looked to the Philadelphia Marathon. I was talking running with a new friend in my town, a friend I made because I saw her running in the early AM as I do and we both had 4-year-old sons who became good friends in school. I mentioned Philly, and she said, “Sign up; I’ll do it, too.” That little push did it.

Again, I thought 3:50. I am now dedicated to doing speedwork on a regular basis. My race times for other distances hold steady and strong. But, once again, I started too fast (trying to catch up to the 3:50 pace group, with their bouncing balloons). I knew I was in trouble by mile 10. That’s bad. I walked at each water station, then every mile. At mile 23, the 4-hour pace group balloons bobbed past, and I pulled myself together and suffered for the last 3.2. I finished in 3:59.

So, how to fix the blow outs? I think I just need to have some self-control and trust in the beginning – and avoid pace groups. My time goal is now 4:00. That I can probably do “comfortably.” And maybe I’ll even surprise myself and finish strong.

I want to run a better marathon. Five days to go.

I'm getting an Ironman tattoo!

About a year after my first was born, I ran a marathon despite stopping training the last 6 weeks due to shin splints. I ran with the mantra "I survived a 7 hour labor, I know I can run for at least 7 hours if I have to." My time was 6 hours 45 minutes.

Well, my friends, on Sunday around 2pm, little Graham joined us after 21 hours of natural labor. He is beautiful and healthy and was well worth the challenge. I look forward to sharing tales about our upcoming adventures. Thanks for the encouragement this entire pregnancy.

I will be posting my birth story on my blog in the next few days.

An Introduction!

Hi Mommies!!

My name is Dorothy and I live in good old Northern Virginia. I'm a mom of two wonderful little children, Chloe Raine - 3, and Miles Lincoln, 17 months. I love to run and all things running. I'm currently in tapering mode for marathon #12 - Marine Corps.

I'm excited to be a new contributor to the RunMommyRun blog and look forward to getting to know you all!

Run Happy ~ Dorothy

Racing with a Stroller

I have found that East Coast races pretty uniformly prohibit the use of jogging strollers. When we moved back here from Hawaii, we were so disappointed since we ran with our jogging stroller in half-marathons and 30K races out there. Just to make sure, I checked the Marine Corp Marathon and 10K race, and they don't allow strollers either:
http://www.marinemarathon.com/FAQ.htm#theStart

The race organizers generally cite the liability as the reason why, but I'm not sure who they are worried about - the kids in the strollers or the other racers. While it is certainly easier to run a race without the stroller, sometimes the hassle of finding a sitter makes it look highly desirable.

If it softens the blow at all, though it was fun to run with the stroller in relatively LONG and SMALL races with the stroller, I also brought my stroller for a Race for the Cure 5K and it was a disaster! Shorter races with big fields - and the MCM 10K definitely falls in this category - never spread out enough so that you can comfortably run with the stroller anyway. Either you have to hang out in the back of the pack or CONSTANTLY call out "Passing on your left" and maneuver past other runners. It was not fun.

I got a little jealous when I read about the man who ran some awesome time with his jogging stroller in a marathon because,
1. He practiced with his stroller like two times before the race and I have to push this stroller nearly every time I jog.
2. He probably got special permission to run with the stroller in the race because of the good publicity, but whenever I've asked race organizers, I just get, "No."
3. If I hadn't had a baby every two and a half years, I'd be pretty darn fast too!

Good luck finding a sitter!

Thoughts at 40 weeks 6 days (a.k.a. Why I'm Carbo-Loading)

My due date has come and gone by a week.

I can't help feeling like I've signed up for an Ironman competition without knowing when it will be...I could be mid-meal or in the grocery store or watching Jon Stewart and the Race Director will suddenly shout "And GO!!!" and I'll have to roll into a 3, (or 5, or 8, or 10, or 15, or 40?) hour event. I'll have to find my team, grab my gear (probably in the middle of the night) and start this race without mile markers or warming up; without proper foresight to be well-rested or even fed. (Not to mention my photos will totally look like I'm an amateur competing on the Kona Course.) The anticipation is killing me!

Thoughts at 39 Weeks and 6 Days Pregnant

These last 9 months or so have developed a new pattern in our household: I'm usually awoken in the morning by my 4 1/2 year old climbing into bed with me at 7:15, when he rearranges my pillows and blankets so he can lay down and pretend to sleep for 10 minutes; then he gets really close to my face and whispers "I'm ready for my breakfast now."

He's a natural snooze button: the initial wake up, then 10 minutes until his announcement, then he gets up to get his bowl and fill it with cereal giving me about 10 more minutes before I waddle over to pour the milk.

The other morning, I woke up long before anyone else and enjoyed the stillness and solitude of dawn, like I used to on my early morning runs...only minus the run. My boy kept up his ritual, but whispering to his dad instead when he realized I was missing. Soon enough, he stumbled upon me in the living room, saying sweetly "When I saw you weren't in bed, I thought you were out running."

It was such a lovely reminder that my old routine wouldn't be traumatic to reinstate once the baby is born. I'll adapt to our changing family yet be able to keep the frame of who I am. And it gave me hope that, no, the strains of pregnancy aren't forever - I will become strong and invigorated soon enough. And my family will help me.

Go Daddy!

Passing other runners out pushing jogging strollers is pretty rare around here. Certainly there are more on popular paths than in the woods behind my house where I usually run, but nevertheless, I've recently observed something I found surprising. There are a lot of dads out there pushing strollers!

Now that we are out every* Saturday morning doing the training-for-a-fall-marathon thing, I've noticed that very nearly every jogging stroller we see is pushed by a man! Sometimes Mom is running alongside too, but not always. I feel that I've short-changed all the dads out there pushing along, but I wonder if the stroller manufacturers have too.

My husband and I have had the good fortune to run together more often recently and again the question arises of who should push the stroller? We are both about the same speed so the solution is not obvious. We are both a little competitive, but it is no longer just about "being the man" or that sort of thing. I think that we both really appreciate the benefits that can come from pushing all that extra weight around. Once you've already resigned yourself to a run of some distance, you might as well get the most out of it, right? You wouldn't want to carry all that extra weight on your person because of the possible damage to your joints, but pushing your little kiddies up those big hills can really pay off!

The beauty of a double stroller is that it is SO wide that on the really big hills, we can both fit behind the handlebar to push together.

But I wonder
1. Who pushes the stroller in your house?
2. If or when Dad pushes, is the stroller built to accommodate the typically larger frame of men?

I feel like the handlebar on many brands would be uncomfortably low and that the wheel base is perhaps too far back (relative to the handlebar) such that a runner with really long legs might accidentally kick the rear axle with long strides. Are those problems for anyone out there? Should we march on the stroller companies to fix this?

*Except, of course, the Sat. after I had surgery to remove my appendix. I'm always making excuses...

Signing off

Andrea, I was just going to post a little story about how much I have enjoyed blogging for seeMOMMYrun and about how I'm in such wonderful shape because I form what I will write while I exercise. And then I was going to sign off and invite somebody else to become a blogger for your site so that she might also experience the personal transformation that takes place.

Then I realized that I should probably talk to you about it first, to let you know before the rest of the world. While a blogger for your site, I can honestly say I became a different, improved, healthier person. The process of blogging about one's efforts to be a mother as well as somebody else is transformative.

I am still going to post that little story I mentioned above, I might just post the body of this email. I can't wait to follow the experiences of the next blogger(s).

So, thanks! I hope we are able to meet each other in person some day.

S. Kimzey Daniels

Following the Garden Path

So, this fun story does not directly involve the jogging stroller. My husband and I now hire a sitter to stay with the kids every Sat. morning so we get to work out together (in lieu of "date night"). Anyway, she's like my enabler for doing silly things. Like running 18 miles.

Running 18 miles is not necessarily bad. We are training for the Marine Corp Marathon and I had completed that distance the weekend before with no ill effects. Part of training, however, is also working out a good plan for eating and drinking. Take note: eating half a Power Bar and drinking about 1/4 cup of water over the course of 18 miles is NOT a viable plan.

So, as one might expect, I felt bad afterwards. I pushed it to the end (mental stupidity - oops, I mean mental toughness). Really bad. Like crap with a capital "C". OK, so I figure I am dehydrated. I rehydrate. The next day I still feel terrible. Well, I probably drank too much water = hyponatremia. So I eat some salty pretzels and drink some sports drink. But now we are going on day 3. I still feel terrible, I've barely eaten in 3 days, and I've had one episode of violent shivering. I'm tough, but not dumb, so I go to the doctor. I'm getting worried that I'm going to have a heart attack from messed up electrolytes. Oh yeah, and this nagging pain in my lower right abdomen, but that is the least of my worries, because I've hurt myself there at least three times before.

So, I felt a little old when my daughter's teacher was younger than me, but I felt even older when the doctor was younger than me! Anyway, I think that I ran my big mouth and inadvertently bullied said young doctor into agreeing with me that it could not possibly be my appendix because of the on-set of symptoms, etc.

To make a long story only slightly shorter, by Tuesday afternoon I realize that I need to go to the hospital. Something was not right. I had a high fever at this point and I could barely get off the couch. Several hours and a CT scan later, I have appendicitis! In the nurse's words, "It needs to come out right now."

So, I'm OK now. Apparently after a Laproscopic Appendectomy, you can start running just 7 days afterwards. All that is holding me back now are the side effects of the cold-turkey weaning of baby that went along with this fun adventure. At least it gets my mind off my belly...

Moral of the Story: Don't blame yourself if you have a bad run, you might have a serious illness!

fall running

Hello Running Moms everywhere: Finally temps below 90 degrees and for the first time in 14 years I'm off for a run by myself on a weekday morning. Feels strange. I must stop myself for spending the entire time volunteering at school. It was easy to give up lawyering and stay home with my kids, but giving my running life a back seat made me a little grouchy. No more double running strollers though I still run with a single most days. Hats off to running Moms everywhere!!!

Keepin' Austin Weird (5K)

Oh Blog - What a relationship we have! I think of you often, but never write.

Well, a quick update. I'm 36 weeks pregnant with my 2nd boy and once considered myself a runner - enough so to put a sticker on my car that says "Runner Girl." I love me a good long run. Only, I now define "run" as waddle-waddle-pee break-waddle-waddle-stop. I've gone from 25 miles a week to...uh...well, 2.5 on a good week.

Today, however, my 4 1/2 year old and I trekked out into the pouring rain to get WEIRD! The Keep Austin Weird 5k promised to be "the slowest 5k you'll ever run" and it delivered! I'm a month from giving birth...I felt that qualified as "weird" to see out on the trail.

We started in the back - my boy wanting to run rather than sit in the jogger - and we pretty much stayed there. He splashed through the puddles and I walked slow enough to make sure he didn't follow the rushing water down the street drains. After a mile, he was done and I could start to run. He crawled back into the jogger and we set off of doing 2:1s. While I was far from hitting a PR, we covered the last 2 miles in 27 minutes - nothing fancy, but hey, I'm HUGE and pushing a 48 lb boy in the rain.

Since this was Keep Austin Weird, after all, we switched places the last .1 mile: I sat in the jogging stroller and HE pushed me! I should have thought of that 3 miles ago!!! Overall, it took the two of us (well, 3 of us, technically) 50 minutes to do the 5k and we enjoyed every minute of it!

Now off to take a long, long nap!

Good for Your Health?

A friend of mine recently agreed to get in the pool with me and tell me what I was doing wrong with my stroke. The short answer is, well, everything, but that was not the most interesting part of the whole experience. Kerby observed that when I breathe, I could take a fluid breath on my left, but struggled a bit more and lifted my head higher on the right. I replied, "Right! That's from all the biking. You always look over your left shoulder for passing traffic, but rarely over your right. Look at this! I can actually turn my head much further over my left shoulder than my right."

We talked about extending your stroke straight out ahead of you. This time my right arm was doing a good job of staying straight, but my left arm was going too wide. I shared, "Well, that's from running for years with a jogging stroller that pulls to the side. I didn't even realize that it made me crooked until recently. My right elbow always stays down by my side, but my left elbow sticks out at 90 degrees when I'm pushing the stroller."

So much for all this exercise "improving" my body!

Finally, we talked about extending each arm stroke all the way behind you to give you the maximum pull as well as the maximum window to take a breath. Well, I don't even know if my arms go back that far. That one maybe is from pushing the stroller, or maybe from lifting at the gym, but my money's on my bad posture when nursing the baby. But we already knew that no matter how much you love them, your kids are sure to screw up your body one way or another :)

Back to School

So our routine swung back into place this morning with the noticeable change that my daughter is much more grown up than she was at the same time last year.
We had breakfast first because she likes to talk at breakfast and if we wait to eat until after she's showered, we'll never be on time.
She did her teen thing, with the eyeliner and the fancy doo. I did my mom thing and laced up my running shoes. Ace climbed into his jogger, Susanne hopped on her bike and after sneaking past our dog, who loses her mind when she discovers she's not going with us, we were off.
It was a beautiful morning. No humidity. A soft breeze. Perfect.
Susanne split apart from us at about .5 mile (with shouts of, 'I love you!' and 'Have a great day!') Then we crossed back across to the playground. He was so happy to be back in his routine.
All said, the trip took nearly 90 minutes and I'd actually only ran for 20 of them. What a great morning!
Of course, tomorrow will be chaotic and I'll wonder why I even try, right?

This morning was definitely one for the memory books.

Brain Building Bootcamp for Kids

This is too cool.

Brain Building Games/Activities for you and your children. This week is coins and counting!

http://www.parentsconnect.com/questions/brain-building-boot-camp-cents.jhtml

Now I'll have to go back to find out the workouts prior to this one! Love it!

Get Ready for School With EXERCISE

I have been reading a ton of information about getting kids ready for school. In my case, I am extremely anxious about my oldest starting kindergarten in a few weeks. I go through bouts of anxiety, sadness, worry, and every other emotion. I mean...that's my baby! She's going to school!

At any rate, while reading tons of info on school readiness I came across some helpful info for any moms out there who have kids who act out when they get to school - or those who have ADHD - or those who have sensory disorders - or any sort of behavioral issues that they do not demonstrate at home. It seems the best way to calm kids down so that they pay attention at school is EXERCISE!!! Yep, 10 minutes of physical activity first thing in the morning BEFORE they get to school.

HERE IS WHAT I READ (from Kirk Martin from "Celebrate Calm"):

There is one thing that every child needs before school and in many ways, it is more important than a good breakfast: EXERCISE. I always get pushback from parents on this recommendation, but I cannot tell you how many skeptical parents have written to say, "This works." Exercise before school. This is exactly why we need to re-order our lives so we have more time. We need to carve out an extra 10 minutes each morning to get some kind of exercise, preferably outside in the fresh air. Riding a bike/scooter, jumping on the trampoline or playing catch with Dad are great ways to stimulate the brain, work off anxiety and meet sensory needs. Walk the dog. Stop at a playground or get to school early to play for a few minutes. You will never, ever regret taking this time-it will reduce behavioral issues and improve attention.

Moms Who Rock

edit: link corrected

MOMS WHO ROCK! Pt. II

This week: Mama Sweat (a.k.a. Kara).

In her own words

This blog isn't about weight loss or acquiring the perfect body, it's about the absurdities we moms face when we're trying to be mom, wife, employee (or employer), daughter, sister, friend, and the many other roles we take on; while making fitness fit into our lives. As a former endurance athlete, I'm trying to stay in shape while I raise my three young daughters and infant son. Finding the time and the means to exercise isn't just about me, though. I also want to be a good role model and help my children grow up active and healthy.

I found this blog when searching for ways to cope with pregnancy without giving up running. I instantly fell in love with the following post after the first bulletin point:

Everything I Know About Coping with Pregnancy I Learned from Being a Triathlete

1. Ice is nice. After finishing my third marathon (Big Sur--a must run) I saw kiddie pools filled with ice water available for the runners. Because marathoners' brains are a bit addled after 26.2 miles, sitting in a pool of ice water seemed heavenly. And it was. Even better was the next morning, when I had enough spring in my step to walk the hilly streets of San Francisco. From then on an ice bath became my ritual after any run longer than 18 miles. Fast forward many years later, about midway through my first pregnancy--heavy with twins--it occurred to me one night that I felt like I had run 18 miles. And then I realized that an ice bath might make my aching legs feel better. Getting in the tub of as-cold-as-I could make-it-water wasn't quite as easy that time, but once there, and especially after, the benefits were worth the initial discomfort. So much so that I took an ice-cold bath almost every night until I had those babies. I've never had swollen cankles or circulation problems in my pregnancies. Am I lucky or is it my affinity for a polar plunge?

She had me at Ice Bath.

It goes on to cover eating, resting and preparation in terms I can understand (you know, using words like "workout" "training partner" and "modify").

So, thanks Kara, for the advice. You are definitely a Mom Who Rocks!

Stroller Reviews

I realized the other day that I've been running long enough with a jogging stroller that neither of the models that I own and use are available anymore. The Kelty Joyrider has been replaced by the Speedster and Dreamer Design is simply out of business. Furthermore, while I've found success running with both of my strollers, neither is ideal for shopping, traveling, etc.

There is a new website www.strollerreviews.net that is off to a fabulous start at providing comprehensive reviews of a wide variety of stroller types. The majority of reviews are for casual use strollers at this time, but they are just getting off the ground! You can't purchase strollers from this site, but I think that is better since you know you are getting an honest opinion from someone who actually uses the stroller being reviewed, rather than from someone who is trying to sell it to you. After reading many of the reviews posted to date, I can say that I generally agree with their Pros and Cons for each stroller that I am familiar with. I've added some comments where I felt it to be useful.

It is better in the morning

Hi All:
A confession. I put on running clothes no matter what when I wake up because I am not not not going to miss a run/workout. Sometimes it is 6pm and I'm still in the clothes and unable to admit the window has passed and I'm not getting to work out. When I show up at my children's practices still in the workout clothes I rarely take that time to work out. Not sure why.

Last Sunday my husband and I ran at 7AM before church. I felt great that whole day and showered and street clothes on. I like that feeling better.

Opportunity, Not Liability

Think of your jogging stroller as an opportunity, rather than a liability. Use your stroller as a training tool! Pushing your stroller provides a great chance to improve your strength and endurance faster than running alone. In fact, my husband and I have found success using both strollers even when there are only two (out of three) kids with us. Rather that one person pushing both kids, we split them up, with one child in each stroller to keep us better matched in pace.

Sure, it is easier to run without the stroller, but if I'm going to bother getting out there, I can't say that I mind the benefits that come with pushing the stroller:
1. have a place to put my water.
2. exercising the upper body.
3. burning more calories.
4. impressing the other walkers and joggers that we pass.

So, embrace your stroller! Keep in mind, however, that you will enjoy running with your stroller more if it is a good fit for you! I am happy to give advice and answer questions about choosing the right stroller for you. Please contact me (jen_cortesi@yahoo.com) if you have questions about buying a new stroller or about issues with your current stroller. Happy running (or jogging or slogging or walking)!

Moms Who Rock

In exploring the wide world of the internet, I've stumbled upon some amazing tales: Not just blogs by women who run half-marathons mid-way through pregnancy or enter triathlons just weeks after giving birth; I mean, women who constantly explore their roles as mothers and athletes, who wrestle with balancing healthy bodies & healthy body images. Frankly, there are a lot of moms who rock out there who are pretty inspiring. This is why I'd like to introduce a weekly feature highlighting some of these women: Moms Who Rock.

This week's Mom Who Rocks:

This dreamcrossed twilight tracks the adventures of one woman who doesn't lose her identity as a Runner throughout the many weeks of pregnancy. She's at 35 weeks now and still logs at least 20 miles weekly (including a 10 mile run). This new mother-to-be deals honestly with her fears of loss-of-identity, struggles with body image and the logistics of actually exercising with an ever growing belly.

Baby Boot Camp

Well, if the guy I mentioned in the post below had issues with me, one mother with one jogger, then I'm not sure how he would have handled the group of mothers I joined this last Thursday for Baby Boot Camp.

Blogger is just not working with me today. I had a few more pictures I wanted to post. Hopefully I'll have more luck next week, when Blogger.com is not as busy as I'm sure they are the day after the 4th of July.

Newsflash! Socially Inept Recluse Ventures Out

Awhile back, I confessed that I haven't raced since high school. I have another terrible confession. I am a recluse. I prefer complete and silent solitude. I run alone. I cook alone. I read alone. I lift weights alone. I write alone. (There are a few things I don't do alone and for those things I have had the great fortune of marrying my {roll your eyes now} soulmate.)

For my son's sake, I do make the occasional effort to go where other people will be. This morning it was to the park. There were LOTS of people running and exercising. I nodded my head pleasantly to them as my boy pointed out the numerous ducks. We were venturing down a slope when I became aware of movement behind me. A man was riding his bike and actually had to veer off the walkway into the grass. He informed me, in passing, that I was on the wrong side of the path. That I should stay on the right.

I was taken aback. And my bright and shiny morning was on the verge of being destroyed.

Please help me. Is there a right or wrong side to walk on in a city park? The path is not marked and it is not posted anywhere. I am not afraid to tell people smoking is not allowed in a public park but, then again, I am able to point to the city ordinance which states the law.

Also, I came across a group of mommies with their joggers. A very energetic and extremely fit (her shoulders absolutely dwarfed mine!) young mother informed me that she leads a Baby Boot Camp. She invited me to join the group for a free first class on Thursday and you know what? I'm going to do it! This recluse is stepping out!

Turn on a Dime: How to Turn a Fixed Wheel Stroller

Part 2
Obviously, the stronger you are, the easier it will be, but I've defined 4 key areas that you can work on to make it easier to control your stroller*. Likewise, running with your stroller can strengthen your upper body as well as your legs!

1. Abdominal Muscles. You can't underestimate the importance of a strong core - for anything! This is not just about getting your tummy back into shape after baby #x. Your abdominal muscles support your back and whole torso. In addition to classic crunches and/or sit ups - to borrow from Yoga - plank and side plank are great moves to practice. Plus, it is harder for the kids to climb on top of me when I am not laying on my back!

Plank begins on your hands and feet as though you are at the top of a push up. You could also go down to elbows/feet or hands/knees to make it easier as you begin. Trying to keep your body as straight as possible as you hold this position. Take a break and repeat. Side plank is when you rotate onto just one hand or elbow and the outside of one knee or foot.
2. Deltoid Muscles (Shoulders). Let's start with exercises that don't require any equipment - except maybe for a small child if you happen to have one lying about. These are the muscles that surround your shoulders: front, back and side. You can do push ups. You can lift your child up to chin-level, keeping your elbows high ("upright row"). You can lift your child over your head ("shoulder press"). Side raises and front raises hit the right area too, but you might find that any child old enough to be handled in this manner to be too heavy.

3. Pectorals (Chest). Push ups can help here too. The traditional exercise is a chest press while lying on your back. You can try using your kid for this one too, though results may vary.

4. Triceps. These are the muscles that extend your arms. Dips off the end of a chair or bench are great. Tricep push ups keep your hands and elbows in close such that your arms brush your sides as you move up and down. If too difficult, you can do these standing upright and leaning on a wall. Tricep extensions keep your upper arms/elbows still right next to your ears while you move a weight up and down.

* I am not a personal trainer, these are just exercises that work for me.
Also, all pictures are borrowed from other websites. Please click on a picture to go to the website from which the graphic came. Thanks.

This Evening's Spectacle

This evening's spectacle, down a quiet little neighborhood street:

My 4-year-old boy riding a WAY-TOO-BIG bike recovered from a dumpster whose training wheels screeched like fingernails down a chalkboard; all the while he was growling screaming out car engine sounds and pretending to get blown-out tires.

Next to him: me and my 23 week pregnant belly slogging* along soaked in sweat, chanting "Go Lightning McQueen Go!" or "Peet Stop"** in a really bad Italian accent or "Bring on the confetti!"***

Talk about a circus!

*runningfor3's fabulous term for slow jogging

** Guido anyone?

***Chick...and yes, thanks for asking: We HAVE seen the movie Cars 1084 times.

Summer morning date runs

Hello Running Ladies!
It is 95 degrees-- hotter as the day goes on. My new summer morning routine is to run at 5:30 AM with my husband. Serves two great purposes. I get a workout in early and out of running clothes before 5pm and a date with my husband. It does not get better than that. The first morning was kind of funny. I told him the evening before I'd be joining him. When he got up at 5AM I waited for him to shave and come get me. He never came and got me. I rushed downstairs, grabbed the dog and went running after him. About 3 miles later I ran into him coming back and he had the happiest look he'd had in a long time seeing me out there looking for him. He thought I'd changed my mind about coming and needed to sleep (I'd been nursing for the past two years and sleep was not plentiful). The dog loves it too. Great stuff.

One more funny thing-- I just saw my 2 year old up on tiptoes and there for all the world to see were two little calf muscles bulging like her parents. The whole family has muscular legs-- very funny to see so early.

Turn on a Dime: How to Turn a Fixed Wheel Stroller

Part I
There are two basic ways to make a fixed-wheel jogging stroller turn where you want to go. Both will feel quite different from turning a swivel-wheel stroller. With a swivel front wheel, one pushes into the front wheel(s) so that it will grip and ground and turn. With the fixed-wheel alternative, you will either
1. lift the front wheel and pivot on the back wheels or
2. torque the stroller to turn without lifting any wheels off the ground.

If you need to make a big turn, such as turning a corner, you will need to push down on the handlebar to lift the front wheel off the ground and pivot on the back wheels. The easiest way to do this is to bring your body in close to the handlebar to take advantage of your core strength and possibly even the weight of your upper body. For big turns or with heavy kids, you may find it helpful to lean with your outside forearm on the handlebar to push it down. Make sure that your kids are leaning all the way back into their seats as well.

For smaller or more gradual turns, it is not always necessary to turn with the front wheel off the ground. I can best describe this option by comparing it to turning a boat by heeling in the opposite direction; heel right to turn left and vice versa. Of course, if you are unfamiliar with sailing, that is not particularly helpful :) This option is more of a lateral push that will torque the front wheel in the direction you want to go. This is ideal if you are making gradual turns along a curvy path or around obstructions that you can see well in advance. Note: This technique will be much more effective when you are running that if you are trying to walk.

If you find this very difficult, there are a few key muscle groups that can help. That's Part II.

"Race" Update

Hello All!

Crumbs here - Back from The Land of Fatigue and Heaving (a.k.a First Trimester) and happily gliding along through Celebration and Energy (well, relatively speaking!).  I'm 22 weeks along in my 2nd pregnancy and have a renewed love of running quickly-paced waddling.

I've never been fast, but My Oh My, just 2 months ago it took me 45 minutes to force myself to go 2.5 miles.  The agony!  All because of this weird addiction that seemed like it was going to promise me relief in my rough months of sickness.  Really - food was intolerable. Advil unadvised. And a Mojito with a floater? Highly frowned upon by the masses.  I knew I was allowed to run, though.  And when I run, I get a Runner's High!  Sweet - Hook Me Up. Only, I couldn't really make it through the first mile so easily without getting dizzy and feeling like a 7 year old was taking drum lessons in my head.  I guess only being able to force down 500 calories a day meant there wasn't much in the bank for added exercise.  This, it seemed, was going to be a very, very long 40 weeks.  Weekly milage went from 25 to...well, 3 (or 10, if you count running to the toilet).

Fast forward to this week.  

I had slowly reintroduced myself to running over the last 8 weeks - first with the treadmill and then out on the street - week by week adding a little more.  I even completed a 5 miler in just 1 minute/per mile slower than pre-pregnancy.  HOPE!  HOPE, I tell you!  

So I signed up for a 5k in my old stomping grounds of South Miami.  (I'm back in town for a little while and what better to meet up with old friends than at a race?!  It's a fun way to let folks know about the little one, too!)  Anyway - I knew I wasn't going to set any records but I couldn't believe that I finished a cool 2 minutes slower than I did last year - right around old running buddies.  Just 2 months ago I had lost hope of ever having my runner's high again.  But there it was:  Baby and Me waddling through at a relaxed pace, waving to familiar faces, enjoying the course, passing the finish line with a smile and energy to spare!

Each day I get bigger. 

I know every run won't be that smooth. 

BUT it's so comforting to know that, even when I hit rough patches (be it morning sickness or injury or burnout), I'll eventually get my groove back.

Happy Running All!

Q&A Dreamer Design

Q: I need some stroller help! I just bought a new Dreamer Design Ditto Deluxe, 2007 model. It's the model with one-hand fold. Is anything on it likely to break? Anything I should know? I am worried since I can't get parts. If I need new wheels, can ANY bike store wheel work, or does it have to be a certain kind (no longer made)? Also, will this stroller turn? It's a fixed wheel, and I jog, but slowly. Actually I am walking now since baby #3 is due in 2 months.


A: I have the 2005 and 2006 Dreamer Design Ditto models, but not 2007 so I can't speak to the folding mechanism, specifically. I have a Kelty single stroller which has one-hand folding and the only problem I've had with that is that the handlebar padding getting a little torn and as it has aged, you have to make sure that it clicks into the locked position with the build-up of dirt, etc.

You probably will need to replace the tires every 1000-2000 miles, but your 16" stroller tires are just the same as a 16" children's bike, so they are easily found at a bicycle shop like Performance Bike or your local shop. Likewise, the innertubes (in case you get a flat) are easily found at a bike shop. With light-to-regular jogging on paved roads, I would not expect you to have a problem with the wheels or spokes themselves. I had to replace one of my wheels for becoming untrued (bent), but a bike mechanic can fix this if it is not too bad plus I take this stroller off-road and stuff so I'm sure that contributed to the problem. I did recently discover, however, that though they appear to be the same, the front tires from different brands are not necessarily interchangeable because of the quick release.

I have also replaced the brake cable and calipers (the parts that squeeze the wheel to make it stop) after about 2000 miles. They just got worn out and gunked up since I don't do a good job of cleaning off dirt, etc. after runs. When DD was in business, you could order the whole thing, but now you'll just have to get the parts at a bike shop. Just the same as a bicycle as well except that the cable is really long.

What IS likely to break on your Dreamer Design is the fabric. With each year, it seems like it becomes flimsier. Just check to make sure that all the nylon straps which support the seats are going around the frame so that the fabric is not supporting all the weight of the child.

This stroller turns GREAT! That is actually the #1 reason that I stuck with Dreamer Design despite the cons (such as going out of business). Because the back wheels are relatively far forward as compared to other strollers I've tried, it turns much easier than other fixed wheel strollers. You'll find it much easier to turn when you aren't pregnant anymore too. Though it can be annoying when you are walking, you would want to lock a swivel wheel into the fixed position for jogging anyway.

Two important cautions:
1. Also because of the back wheels being relatively forward, it is easy to tip over backwards if one of your kids stands up in his seat or if the stroller rolls backwards and hits a bump or even if you lean too hard on the handle while running uphill. Keep the kids buckled just in case.
2. You may experience this with 3 kids - the footrest looks like a really appealing seat for whichever kid doesn't get a real seat, but it will break the frame if you let the kid sit there because it is only welded together.

Good luck with #3...Third's a charm! I love having three.

Running in the rain and other thoughts

Great day in Houston, TX. Went for a run with my husband and dog. It just poured on us. Made me know why I married him in the first place. We were only a mile 1/2 from home and I knew he wanted to just run through it. I was already soaked and agreed to keep going. He just beamed. Our runs are the only real "dates" we have but we've been doing it for 15 years now. I can never seem to get the energy to leave the kids and make plans for a night out, but running is just so effortless and he and the dog always want to go. I know all the books say we need "date night" - they're not wrong, but hard for me to fit in. When our 2 year old is older maybe we'll get more traditional. For now we're so happy to have the time for a run. Happy Memorial Day. God Bless the fallen soldiers, sailors, airmen, marines, and others who gave their lives for our freedom. God Bless the families that must carry on. You're not forgotten.

Nominate a Teen to Carry the Flame!

Coca-Cola is looking for 10 teens who you think live positively to carry the Olympic Flame during the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Torch Relay and they’re asking consumers to help find them. Go online to www.livepositively.comby May 31, 2009 to nominate a teen who you think inspires positive living and would be a great Torchbearer.

The three areas of positive living are:

• Balanced Living: Staying active and physically fit while having fun with family and friends.
• Community: Working to make good things happen for the people who live around you.
• Recycling: Helping the planet by recycling or donating time to a recycling program in your community

Maybe your daughter volunteers to teach swimming lessons; maybe your neighbor started a recycling drive, maybe your nephew helps to clean up local parks; whatever it is they are doing to inspire others - Coke wants to know at www.livepositively.com. Who knows, your teen nominee could carry the Olympic Flame on the Olympic Torch Relay in January!

You can watch a cool video from Apolo Anton Ohno too about it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ka3hS7yVEFI


It is guaranteed to be one the most exciting experiences of a teen's life -- I should know!!!

NO WAY - DANCING WITH THE STARS

Okay, I've admitted on this blog before that I am a Dancing with The Stars crazed fan. Love it! Love dancing! Love watching dancing! Going to figure out a way to get one of my young daughters to become a professional ballroom dancer!!!!

At any rate, for those who did not vote for GILLES to win - ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR MIND?!? He was the absolute best dancer that show has ever had!!! Unbelievable upset. Yes, people, I cried and then got really mad.

First upset was Lil' Kim not making it to the finals.

Now this tragedy! Aaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Okay -- this is not a serious post. But, man, can that "naked guy" dance!!!!!!!!! What fun! This truly was the best season yet. Now what am I going to do with myself? Dance myself perhaps?

Been Out of the Loop_ Wounded Warrior Run

Greetings fellow Moms! I have not been posting because I hadn't been running..... Adjusting to a deployed hubby, sickness plaguing our house and plain old burn out. I was really thinking about hanging up the running shoes. Plus~~ I joined the gym and fell in love..... with the Precore machine. It's a great workout and didn't kill my knees. I'd still do a little on the treadmill but mostly my beloved Precore and weights. However, this weekend there was a Wounded Warrior Run at the local base. I really believe it is a great cause. I hesitated registering because I know I'd have to push the double with a 4 year old and nearly 3 year old......I hemmed and hawed because I'd been sick for over 3 weeks and ran ZERO miles and didn't even go to the gym for two of those weeks. I procrastinated because..... it was a race.....

THEN, I got out of MYSELF and knew the right thing to do was go for those wounded warriors, so I registered the afternoon before the race.

I am so glad I did. I had a great time once I took the "burden" of a RACE off the picture. I honestly don't even know what my time was, I didn't even bother to look. I met up with many friends to include other wives of deployed Marines and Sailors and fellow Nurse Corp Reserve and Active Duty Nurses. We ran, we walked, they took turns pushing my boys, we talked, we stopped to help a heat causualty ( the nurse thing....). I had my 12 year old son go too. I thought it important for him to honor the wounded . He ended up running it ....... way faster than me. Evidently he was bored and didn't want to take the chance of having to push his brothers again. I was super proud of him. We plan on doing many more this summer.

There may be some true runners who wouldn't agree but I say go out and do those races. Not for your "time" or place but for you and the cause.

P.S. The T's were to unite us, the wives of RCT-8

Training and Life: How to Find Balance?

Did you watch Biggest Loser last night? I really don't want to give away any details in case you recorded it but let's just say that Jillian, the queen of quotes, had her best one of the season last night: "Wanna know how to train for a marathon? You run. And after that, you run some more. And after that, you run more." Said while pushing the speed up, up, up on a treadmill. How true is that?!

Speaking of running then running more and more, etc, etc, etc....do you ever feel like the rest of your hobbies have been shoved way to the very back of the back burner? After I ran the Shamrock Marathon, I went on and on to everyone who would listen about how now I was finally going to get back to things I had neglected during my marathon training. Like maybe I'd finally fix these:



Those are the drapes in my bedroom. I bought them at Ikea over 3 years ago. See the cut edges...the strings hanging down all willy-nilly? Apparently, French doors are way taller in Sweden then they are here in America (I wonder if they even call them French doors?? I bet they are Swedish doors! Totally explains the fact that they were approximately 4 feet too long...). I am not a type who sews. I've been a 'tom-boy' my entire life and most likely couldn't thread a needle so the idea of sewing a curtain to the proper length literally makes me itch and kind of freak out. So what did I do? I cut them. Yeah. Smart, right? The idea was that I'd cut them and then use that super simple iron mending tape stuff and just like that, a perfect hem! Fast forward three years and I'm still looking at what you see above. After the marathon, the plan was to jazz them up with the perfect cute yet sophisticated trim/fabric and hot glue it on and finally be done with it. So after Shamrock, when I was feeling all full of myself and homemakerish, I went to Jo-Ann's and within 5 minutes, nearly had a nervous breakdown and ran out of there.

The other thing I've completely neglected is my love of reading. I've been a big reader for as long as I can remember. Nothing makes me happier then curling up with a really good book and a glass of wine. Before I started running, I'd read a book a week at least. There were a lot of times when I'd be reading two books at once - one for 'the kids are at school and I'm on the couch with tea' reading and one for 'the kids are asleep and I have wine and a fluffy pillow and not a care in the world' reading. During marathon training, by the time I'd get into bed, I'd crack a book, read three sentences and promptly fall asleep. As you can imagine, it takes me approximately 4 months to read a half of a book. That didn't stop me from buying books though and so this is what my side of the bed looks like:




I felt no need to panic or feel guilty because as soon as Shamrock was done, I was going to read! I was going to hot glue drapes and read!! But then I signed up for the Pacer's Running Festival Half Marathon taking place on Mother's Day and so I'm still reading what I was reading when I ran the Shamrock Marathon. And I really want to be done with it because honestly, I'm kind of tired of it.

I also had big plans to cook all kinds of fabulous foods. I have a semi-abnormal love of cooking sites and blogs and read them daily. I bookmark and print out recipes sometimes I even go so far as to purchase necessary ingredients but then I'd be so drained from training, I'd resort to some old standby meal.

Anyway, the point is, I kind of miss all that stuff and really, really, really mean it this time when I say that after this weekend's half marathon, I'm going to take a much needed break from training. I'll keep running but I'm going to force myself not to sign up for any major runs before my busy October (Army 10-Miler and Marine Corps Marathon). Think I can do it? How does a person addicted to training find balance?

Perspective on the Mommy only gym

Howdy Running Moms: I've been going to the mommy only gym for about a month now. My daughter no longer likes the child care and it is much too crowded for my liking. We're back to looking for a good gym that includes Dads and Sons. The thing I did notice was that there is a lot more eye contact and smiling going on with all women. There were also all shapes, sizes, and ages there. They also try to sell a lot of stuff at the front of the store and really push it. Men do not shop at the gym I'm sure. The price was amazing though-- $10.00 a month after only a $50.00 sign up fee. The gym we're looking at now is $70.00 a month and you pay for child care. The paid child care place is immaculate and not crowded. There were a few comments on my last email so I'll clarify here. Our whole family works out all the time. We love to exercise and it is a mainstay of who we are as a family. My 13 year old has figured out that she is much happier after exercise and it boosts her mental acumen to do homework. My 10 year old plays two sports and lives in the pool the rest of the time. Our 6 year old is an avid biker and on the swim team as well as just plain busy being 6. Our 2 year old is well on her way to a lifetime of fitness too. I guess for me this whole issue of women's only fitness is mine. My husband needs a place to do swim laps too so we'll be shopping for a gym. No free military gyms for us anymore, we've joined the civilian ranks and paying to work out.

George Washington Parkway Classic 10 Miler: O, the Heat

Many of us are already running in temperatures above 75 degrees Fahrenheit. But two days before this race, on my early morning run, I was wearing long sleeves in 40 degrees. Then I saw the race-day forecast: 90+ degrees and sunny on race day. What? Where are my running shorts? Tank tops? Okay, I knew where they were, but they were dusty.

I have now run this race three times. I knew what to expect. Shuttle buses take runners from the finish in Old Town Alexandria, VA to the start 10 miles south at Mount Vernon. It is super easy to find parking, though this year a generous parking lot was offered up for the runners’ use. At 6:20 am, I parked on the street (behind the coffee shop – so I could get a cup after I was done – easy!) and walked the four short blocks to the lines of runners and buses.

The bus ride seems long, and covers most of the course, which follows (duh) the George Washington Parkway. I was at the start by 7am. Start time was 8am. I wandered down to the port-o-potties and went through the lines at least three times. (What else did I have to do? I did do a brief warm up between waits.) The organizers seem to have added some johns this year because the lines were short(ish) and moved quickly. Excellent.

More than 4,000 runners participated this year. And, a side note, the majority (around 2,100) were women. Hell, yeah!

By 8am, it was almost 80 degrees, and the sun was way up. I admit, it psyched me out a bit. I do not like running in the heat, which is why I try to run at 6am or earlier in the summer months. The Washington DC area is nasty hot. But this race day had, as they say, a “dry heat,” not really a summer-like day for DC, which would be, oh, 80 or 90 percent humidity.

The course is hilly. Non-runners say, “Oh, you’re starting on a hill, so it is all downhill, right?” Nope, nope, nope. Don’t believe them. Sure, the first mile is almost all downhill. But then the rolling starts. No hill is steep, and fast times are possible, but it is not an easy, flat course.

I was drenched in sweat after mile 1. I sweat a lot as it is (thanks, Dad), but my body was also not ready for running in 80 degrees.

Last year, runners were spread across the four lanes of the parkway. This year, we snaked through the shade, when there was shade. Now and then, when the road was closer to the Potomac River, a cool breeze came up. That was nice.

And I was fine, until mile 6, when I had to talk myself out of stopping. Early on in my running “career,” during every race, I’d have a conversation with myself (not out loud, don’t worry, I’m not that wacky, at least not in company):

“I could stop right now,” I shrug.

“Nah, don’t stop. You can do this,” without much enthusiasm.

“But why? I don’t have to,” I reply.

And I always kept going. (With one exception in the late 1990s, when the Central Park course of a 10-miler was covered in ice, I bailed after the first 5-mile loop.)

This conversation came up for the first time in years. But I kept going.

And I still felt fine, if a bit tired (and soaked). All of the runners around me looked hot and tired. No one looked perky. I kept looking for exceptions and found none. Those faring the worst were men taller than average and more than 160 pounds. They looked close to miserable. And we were “the front of the middle of the pack” (around 7:30-8:00 miles). Maybe the front runners looked perky. But we all seemed to be keeping an even and decent pace.

At mile 8.5, a police officer said, “A runner is down in the road ahead. Watch out.”

I thought, “Oh, someone fell. Sprained ankle?”

We passed a man, who looked to be in his mid 40s, with two EMS providers attending to him. He was talking loudly. Rather, he was trying to talk. His speech was slurred, and he was floppy, slumped to one side. I assume his collapse was caused by the heat. Scary.

I said to the runner next to me, “That does not sound good.” And he agreed. (I hope the downed runner is okay. I’ve looked for race news and found no mention of a seriously injured or ill runner.)

I did not want that to happen to me. At the 9-mile mark, I saw I’d run my slowest mile of the race. (But then my last mile was my fastest, 7:28, go figure.)

So, running in the heat? How does a body adjust? The advice I’ve found includes cutting down the distance and/or pace as temperatures climb to let the body adjust. Then you can build back up. For me, the shift seems to happen naturally through May and June. Sunday’s dry 80 degrees will not seem so bad in July.

But what do you do when a race is suddenly much, much hotter than what your body is prepared for? Well, you slow down and hydrate. I didn’t necessarily heed that advice. My finish time was within my usual range. And I had little control over the hydration; as in any race, organizers set up only the water stations they set up. They don’t seem to add them when the day is unexpectedly hot (probably a volunteer issue).

So be it. I survived just fine. And I’ll run it again next year. But I will hope for the drizzle and mist of 2008’s race.

Muddy Buddy 09

I haven't raced since high school. It feels good to say that, what I imagine giving your identity at an AA meeting feels like. I don't know, sometimes it just feels like I don't have the fire anymore. I used to run and race because I didn't like the circumstances which constituted my life. I love my life now and I've finally found the race to display that joy. The 2009 Muddy Buddy. Crumbs, the Austin race is filled...next year, though, I imagine you'll be more than ready to get down and dirty.

I am really looking forward to this. I have my Muddy Buddy and we are going to have so much fun!

Boston Marathon Race Report!

(photos below were taken from my cell phone while running)

If you've ever dreamed of running the Boston Marathon you've most likely read plenty of course descriptions and commentary about the race. I know I personally read a lot about the race during the months leading up to the race. But nothing quite captured the essence of the race that I experienced yesterday.

I woke up at 5:50am. Sounds late, right?!? Most races in a large city you have to wake up at 4:30 or 5am to make it to the start with plenty of time to stand in line at the port-o-johns. Nope, not Boston. Buses for the 2nd wave started loading at 6:45am. I met up with an awesome mommy runner Dorothy who I met online and her posse (including her mom who was also running Boston) and we loaded the bus. I believe Dorothy and I were the only runners of the 8-runner group from Northern Virginia who had never run Boston.

It was a 1-hour drive to the race start in Hopkinton. The winds were between 10-20mph and cold. Upon arrival it was quite a sight to see the tens of thousands of runners with their mini "campsites" set up. You could tell who was experienced and who was novice by how much equipment they had. After all, we had 2 and a half hours before we lined up at the start. Evidently, you were supposed to be prepared for anything -- terrential downpours, freezing cold temps, heatwave...anything could happen. There were sleeping bags, plastic tarps, crazy looking warm hooded jumpsuits, food and more food. All that was missing was a bonfire and some marshmallows. I was unprepared in the food department so I bummed some pretzels. As with all races, everyone lined up for the bathrooms several times and before you knew it -- time to head to the start.

We dropped our bags at the buses and began a 1/4 mile walk to the start. I took my phone and listened to all the "good luck" messages from the night before and race morning. An incredibly sweet message from my big bro brought me to tears. He is not a runner - but somehow he knew that this was pretty big and he was completely proud. Suddenly we heard "3 minutes until start...1 minute"...Dorothy and I still hadn't made it up to the first corral...we jumped a fence and started running just after the gun went off.

From the absolute beginning of the race there were thousands of spectators. I thought for sure the crowds would die down quickly. Nope! To my surprise the crowds continued through every town. Each town bigger and better. Around mile 3 I bid Dorothy farewell and we ran our own separate races.

I started the morning full of self-doubt. I had not logged many long runs prior to the race and did not stick to my training plan for the most part. So I was worried this would be a really painful day. I had also pulled my hamstring 2 weeks prior - it was super tight the first few miles.

First landmark was the biker bar with harleys lined up and bikers cheering. Wellesley College and the famous "Wellesley Girls" were just as loud and incredible as they say. Coeds offering kisses with bright red lipstick. It sounded as if The Beatles must have been running among us.

Every step along the way people were high five-ing us, handing out orange wedges, twizzlers, drinks, wet clothes, kleenex...you name it. I could not believe the numbers of people who looked me straight in the eye, offered a smile and yelled my name as loudly as they could. It was as if they somehow knew me.

For about 10 miles I ran next to legend Bill Rodgers. He is a Boston winner from the 70's and a famous runner, coach, author. Very cool to run alongside him and his entourage.

Boston College was also a real trip. This is where my father-in-law attended college and was an athlete. Soon my brother-in-law would enroll there as well. What a beautiful campus - it looked more like an old cathedral. I swear the entire college population came out to cheer. Nothing like cute college boys cheering for you!!

We even passed a nursing home who had wheeled many residents out to the curb to cheer. They offered high fives and encouragement as best they could. Later I found out this was where my awesome husband and kids were watching for me. I MISSED THEM!

Each town was electric. Each runner looked strong and determined. To my surprise no one really wanted to chat along the way. So it was a little hard for people like me who can't keep quiet.

I was thrilled to realize that my legs were holding strong. I was feeling no pain. if my quads started burning I shifted my efforts to my hams. If my hams were too tight I shifted my efforts to my knees/quads. I concentrated on form to get me through. I concentrated on form and keeping my shoulders relaxed. I thought about all the things I teach my running students. The miles passed so quickly that I even "lost" a few miles in the process - always a pleasant surprise to jump from mile 16 to 20 without realizing it! I felt so good I was taking pictures with my camera phone as I ran!!!

The entire route was a series of ups and downs. It was a really tough course - toughest I've ever run. But the real test came mid-race when you hit the REAL series of hills. 2 grueling steady climbs then the steep and dreaded "heartbreak hill" then another steady climb. People had written messages in chalk on the streets to help you dig deep and make it up the hills. Spectators picked you out of the crowd and coached you just when you needed it most.

Luckily, one of the most incredible running buddies in the world text messaged me positive affirmations every mile!!! She rocks! Heather virtually coached me all the way from VA!

At this point in the race your legs are definitely feeling it. But amazingly my legs still felt strong!! I never hit "the wall." I never wanted to quit (which had been my experience in before). I never doubted my abilities. I don't have a ton of experience with marathons - this being my third. But I was amazed that the wall never came. I simply thought about all of the amazing runners running alongside me and all the runners throughout the 113 years before me and tried to imagine their stories and their strength. I thought about all the amazing women I now call friends who I've met through seeMOMMYrun.

The final 4 miles of Boston were amazing. Crowds and crowds and more crowds. Energy like you've never felt. The wind picked up and was cold - but no one cared! I pulled out my cell phone and called my husband to tell him I had only a couple of miles to go. Tears welled up in my eyes when I heard his comforting voice. I was feeling no pain. I felt like a champion and so did everyone finishing around me.

Things I think I did RIGHT (for those training for marathons):

1. I did TONS of core and leg strengthening drills during my training (thanks to coaching my fabulous EZ8 runners and Coach Al!)

2. I continued my strength training for upper AND lower body with heavy weights (previous marathons I lightened my lower body weights thinking I would feel heavy).

3. I ate a ton during the race. Luna sports chews, GU, oranges, candy offered along the course.

4. I hydrated well - mostly gatorade at every water stop - even if it was just a tiny sip to wet my mouth.

5. I wore Oiselle running shorts and bra - no chafing and felt as if I was running in nothing!

6. I trained smart but did not overtrain (very important) and I ran only 1 race in the 3 months leading up to Boston.

7. I stuck to a high protein diet with enough carbs to power my workouts but not weigh me down.

8. I asked my friends to encourage me throughout training. When life was busy and I fell off my training plan - I asked friends to kick me back into it. I didn't wait for people to offer to run with me. I asked and asked and never felt bad about asking again for help.

That is my Boston story. I won't even get into dragging my poor 2 and 4 year olds in the car to Boston (9 hours) with me and them falling apart the day before the race. You're a mom. You know how that can go and the most inconvenient times. We all survived.

Train hard. Run Boston if you ever get the chance. Enjoy it.

~Andrea Vincent, founder of seeMOMMYrun

Mommy only fitness

Today I joined a women's only fitness club. Mostly because it was a great price and my 2 year old likes the child care. I got a 30 day pass first and tried it out. I've been going to a gym of some sort for over 20 years and thoroughly enjoy working out with my husband. I think I've always liked the challenge of competing with men too. Goes back to 6th grade when the boy I had a crush on was chasing me for a football and I realized I was faster than him. I wonderered for a second if I should let him catch me and decided against it. My husband is much faster than me, but does not choose to run more than 6 miles (he says he likes his knees). He thoroughly supports any working out regimen I choose to include 20 mile runs on Saturdays while he takes care of 4 children. He's a gem. I'm not sure how long this gym will work for me because my husband is not welcome. I may have to pay more and go back to a gym that takes men.

The Next Big Thing

Arm warmers! I'm convinced that the next fashion fad in running is arm warmers (after the summer, that is). Leg warmers made a comeback, right? So, you heard it here first!

I [also] ran the Cherry Blossom 10-miler this past weekend. I missed having my stroller along - just an itty-bitty bit - because if I wanted to wear any extra clothes to start out, I wouldn't have anywhere to put them! It was a beautiful day, but a little chilly (50 deg F, +/-) when you weren't actually running. I had to wear shorts and short sleeves to run as fast as I could, so arm warmers were the answer! They are standard wear for bicyclists - which I am also trying to become - so it was great! When I got hot, I just tore them off and stuck them in my waistband. I didn't even need to slow down.

I chuckle a little since there are so many problems with trying to transition from jogging with a stroller to racing without one. But if I can figure out the wardrobe, at least that is a start. I used to subtract 1 min per mile from my stroller pace to approximate my non-stroller pace, but I think that the stroller must be getting heavier because I pulled 7:22 min/mi, on average, in the race and I am definitely not running 8:30s or better with the stroller these days.

"Settle": The Cherry Blossom 10-Miler

"Settle" was my mantra, my reminder. Right off, I must write that I had a good time and enjoyed the race. It is a favorite of mine (and thousands of others).

But...

I started out too fast (at sub 7:45s) and drank too much water in the 30 minutes before the start (but I wanted it!). As a result, by mile 3, I developed a side stitch. I tried to breathe easy -- belly breaths through my nose as in yoga -- and slow to 8-minute miles. I thought, "Settle," and let my shoulder's relax and ran a little straighter. But then a fast song came on my iPod (yes, I run with music, always) -- Green Day's "Minority" -- and I picked up the pace again. "Just for this song," I thought.

I swear, I didn't really care about being faster than ever before. I just wanted to enjoy the cherry blossoms and the 10 miles.

When the song ended, I reminded myself, "Settle." I was past mile 5 (and made a port-o-loo stop -- people sure make a mess in those on-course -- icky).

I had the brutal Hains Point bit of the course remaining. Sure, it is flat and has a ton of lush cherry blossom trees. But it is a straight shot south for almost 2 miles. This part is mentally, not physically, brutal. But maybe it has that effect only on me.

"Settle." But then someone passed me. I felt myself speed up, a reaction controlled by some baser instinct. "Settle." What am I, a skittish colt? There are 14,000 people all around me. Some are going to pass me; I am going to pass some. Who cares?

The side stitch was still there, but bearable, though it did now seem to be on both sides of my abdomen. Fabulous. "Settle, settle, settle." The unintended mantra actually seemed to help. Who knew?

Once I made the turn at the point, where The Awakening statue should be but isn't anymore, I felt (almost) fine. The side stitch was a ghost. I passed mile 8 and finished the last two miles in 7:45s. Done and done in 1:18:34.

Free Stuff!

Recently I wrote about a great high-impact nursing bra. If you would like to try this bra for FREE, email me (jen_cortesi@yahoo.com). I'll randomly choose a winner on 4/14/09 and contact you if you are the winner. At that time, you can send me your address, etc. Expressiva Nursingwear will send you one for FREE!

That's a good customer service rep!

Registration is Open for the Army Ten-Miler

Yesterday I signed up for the Army Ten-Miler being held in Washington, D.C. on October 4th. Are there any fellow SeeMommyRun members running it?

Need some Advice

Hello!  I need some help from all the running moms!

I'm am 11 weeks pregnant and have celebrated my "First 2 Days Without Being Sick in a Public Place" by signing up for a 10k fun run this weekend.  (I'm Crazy!)

I'll be pushing my 4 year old in the stroller so my goal is to finish!  Thankfully, there is a costume contest, so if I turn green I could win a prize!

Anyhow - My question is this: what, if anything, do you consume on your runs?  Is there anything that I can not have?  I love to drink NUUN, but it has sorbitol which I'm pretty sure is off-limits.

I also love Gookinaid, but am not sure if it's okay.  What about Gu?  

Cliff Blocks seem like there okay because, well, they say organic and I'm a sucker for advertising (love their new shot block packaging BTW!). 

I never really drink Gatorade well, I don't know why. Ironically, it always seemed like just corn syrup-water to me...although, I kind of know sugar-water is kind of what ALL of the things are.

I know "Ask Your Doctor" is the best advice, but I go to midwifes who aren't necessarily athletic.  I really trust moms who've been there first.  So, any advice?

UPDATE:

Vitalyte (a.k.a Gookinaid) answered my question as to whether or not it was safe during pregnancy (very promptly, I might add!) with the following:

Dear Crumbs,

Thank you for contacting Vitalyte.

Yes, Gookinaid Hydralyte and Vitalyte are safe products for you and your baby.

In fact, Vitalyte has many benefits for mother and baby. Many women find that Vitalyte helps prevent and manage morning sickness. The balance of electrolytes in Vitalyte can help prevent some of the potential complications of pregnancy.

So, yes, please enjoy Hydralyte and Vitalyte as your baby develops.

For more information about Vitalyte during pregnancy, you may wish to consult one of the science articles on our website. From the home page, go to Hydration 101, then Science Articles, then Dehydration in Pregnancy and Morning Sickness.

Best Wishes to you and Baby.

Dr. Bloch

UPDATE #2

Gu Energy is NOT suitable for pregnant women according to THIS WEBSITE

Shamrock Marathon Race Report!

So I need to write an official race report....I don't even know where to begin! What a day! (photo: me at mile 19.)

Thank you for your kind words, good luck emails and post-marathon cheers...I appreciate you guys so much! Someone suggested that I go for a Boston qualifying time next time and since he mentioned it, I'll go ahead and tell you guys what my original pre-marathon plan was. I'll turn 40 a few weeks before Boston 2010 which would mean I'd need a 3:50 to qualify. My original plan (that I totally got talked into because I never would have thought of it on my own) was to run with the 3:50 pacer and see if I could get it. That was the plan until Friday before the race. I started to think real hard about it and I was really concerned that the pace would be too fast for me to sustain for that long so at the last minute, I chose to run with the 4 hour pacer. The morning of the race, my friends were telling me that I should stick with the 4 hour guy until about mile 6 then take off and I could make up the time and still get a 3:50. That sounded like way too early to leave the comforts of a pacer so I decided against that as well. I really wanted this to be a good experience and I didn't want to have any regrets and if I had run with a 3:50 pacer and thus hit a wall, I would have really been upset with myself.

The 4:00 pacer was fantastic. He was really fun and hilarious and kept us dead on a 9:09 every single mile. There were a few times that I felt strong enough that I could go but I kept thinking it was too soon. He said several times that if we felt strong enough, that we should go but to wait until mile 20 or, if we were first timers, even wait until mile 22. I took his advice and at mile 22, left him behind.

At that point, I still felt really, really great. Too good almost. I had a ton left in the tank so I just ran. When I realized that I could make a 3:55, I really turned on the gas. I got water at the 24.5 mark and I think that's where I lost that 30 seconds. I was a little bummed that I missed it by that little but then again, I was just so happy at how great I felt and how strong I finished.

Things that I did that I think really helped:

Pacer. I would recommend a pacer to anyone. It was so helpful. Like I said before, there were times I felt I could have taken off but I stuck with him and he made me glad I did. Having said that, there were times I was thinking about letting up a bit but I was terrified of losing him so I just kept listening to his voice - his corny jokes and crazy songs and before you know it, I felt great again. Pacers are the best people in the world.

Sport Beans: I ate a package of sport beans about 20 minutes before the race then every hour, regardless of if I felt like I needed them or not, ate another package. I really think they helped. I had so much energy, it was incredible.

Water: I made a point to get something at almost every stop. Even if it was just a splash of water to rinse out my mouth.

Pre-race Fuel: I learned my lesson after my first half (Historic Marine Corps in Fredericksburg last year) where the night before, I only had a tiny piece of plain chicken and a small amount of potatoes. I ate a pretty good sized dinner the night before then the morning of, I had two eggs, two plain pancakes, a couple of bites of a bagel and a banana. Oh, and lots of water. Food, food, food.

I'd like to say there was something I did wrong, but I really wouldn't change a thing. I'm happy that I stayed with the pacer for as long as I did because I think it helped me stay so calm - not to mention filled with so much energy. Could I have left him earlier? Yeah, probably, but there is no way I could have known that. I had so many people telling me that the 20-mile mark was "the worst" and that "everyone hits the wall at mile 20!" that I had this huge fear of that point of the race. Note to self: don't listen to other people's horror stories (kinda like child birth)! But I'm glad I stuck with him. I had a really good time, finished strong, finished happy and most important, with no regrets.

On Monday, I had some pain in my left knee. My left IT Band started hurting early on...around mile 6 which had me a bit nervous...and I think it's just left over from that. I also have a very strange pain in the bottom of my left foot that I've never, ever felt before. That pain has me a little nervous but I'm hoping it will be much better by the end of the week. I'm thinking that it was caused by my orthotic because there have been a few times since getting them that the left one felt a bit funky in that arch area. Other than that, I'm good to go! Oh, and a funny thing - my shirt collar must have been rubbing on my neck because I have all these awful chafing marks on my neck right smack dab in the front. Pretty.

So I guess that's about it. Nothing too crazy to report - didn't seen any crazy outfits or anything. It was just a really, really fantastic day and just about the best feeling of my life. And a pretty good after party too! (photo: my husband and I at the after-party!)

I have to give a huge shout out to my husband who drove my friend Amy and I down to the race and drove all over the race course taking photos like my own little paparazzi and my friend Nancy who planted the seed in my brain and even drove down to VA Beach to cheer Amy and I on. You guys are the best!!

Great Nursing Jog Bra

I am now in my 39th nonconsecutive month of breastfeeding a baby and only now have I finally found a nursing bra for high-impact activities, such as running!

Any "sports" bra I've tried from Motherhood (maternity store) has been woefully nonathletic with one exception that appears to have been discontinued and I think that one only really works because it is a size too small.

I've tried the regular sports bras with a zipper on the front for "easy access", but it also leads to easy chafing.

I've even tried the one nursing bra offered by Title 9 Sports, but its stated use is for low-impact activities and they are right.

But it turns out that La Leche makes bras and they are great. I don't know whether it had been there all along and I just found it or if it is a relatively new item, but I highly recommend it. I wore it for the second time today on an 11 mile run with a break at the playground in the middle which included nursing the baby before heading home. It was very comfortable and there wasn't any chafing. It is available elsewhere, but was least expensive at Expressiva Nursingwear.

I considered including a picture - of the model, not me - but thought that might be a little weird.

Marathon Brain

A week from Sunday, I will be running my first full marathon. The Shamrock Marathon in Virginia Beach. Gulp. One week. I'm breaking out in a cold sweat just thinking about it. Remember right after having kids, you would forget stuff and felt like you were in a cloud 99.9% of the time and people would refer to it as "mommy brain"? Well, I have what I can only assume is "marathon brain". I'm seriously floating around in a different world. Every other day, I have to slap my forehead and remind myself of all the day to day things that still need attending to.

My youngest son is turning 6 next Friday. I'm having his party Friday evening, the day before I leave for VA Beach for the marathon. And oh yeah, might want to send out invitations, order a cake and get goodie bags put together. My marathon mush brain is in full effect. I had totally forgotten all the stuff I needed to do! So yesterday, I got all the invitations together, addressed, stamped and mailed. After I mailed them, I realized I didn't put the return address on any of them...whatever, no biggie right? Yeah. No biggie until I realized that I put .39 stamps on them. When the hell was the last time I mailed something?? Marathon brain. So my husband says, "Don't worry about it, they'll get returned by tomorrow or Friday and you can just resend them." Um, yeah honey, that would be true and great and all if I had put the freaking return address on them!!! So. This morning, I am redoing birthday invitations.

Speaking of the birthday boy, he got off the bus with a low grade fever yesterday. He konked out on the couch for 2 hours and woke up with a temp of 101. Obviously no one likes to see their kid sick but right now, I have to admit, this has me way more freaked out than normal because I'm terrified that I'm going to get his bug. He is coughing up a storm, laying on the couch and generally looks miserable. I am a week away from a marathon! Ack! Aside from putting him in a bubble, or me for that matter, I just don't know how I can prevent getting it. Especially since I'm a wee bit stressed out right now which I know opens me up to the bug.

Anyway, last evening, I wrote a quick email to the school letting them know he'd be home today. In my address book, 'absentee' comes right after 'Andrea' so guess where marathon brain clicked? Yup. Andrea. As in Andrea Vincent the fantastic woman behind SeeMommyRun and who I most want to be when I grow up. I'm sure she feels bad for me that my kid is sick, but I'm also sure I didn't need to send her an email letting her know that he'd be out of school today. Helllooo marathon brain.

And here is one more example that marathon brain should be in all medical dictionaries. Wednesday was supposed to be a rest day but since it was so nice out, I decided to run the 6 that, according to the schedule I am following, is on tap for today. I got out there on the path and was a little over a mile out when I realized that I didn't lock the truck. My gym bag with wallet, phone and house keys were in there. Marathon brain. So at 1.5, I turned and literally sprinted back to the car 100% sure that my stuff would be gone. Thankfully it was still there. So much for my 6 miles.

I only hope that my family can survive one more week of MWMB - Mommy With Marathon Brain. It's a wonder they have been fed.

The Psychosomatic Response to Poorly Mixed Energy Drinks

There are some energy drinks (gels, bars, etc.) that are only really palatable when you really need it in the midst of a workout. And then there is that same energy drink mixed with the incorrect powder to water ratio. I'm sure you've encountered it at random water stops along a race course. You might grimace a little, but it is that or nothing, so you gag it down. But now let's say that you were really hurting at that point in the race - totally overexerting yourself - maybe you even yack it up at the finish (sorry), but my point is, every time you drink it in the future, that is the moment you remember, right? And it just never tastes good again.

So, flash ahead to the day my third child was born. My loving and supportive husband (who, by the way, hates anything and everything to do with food preparation) was tasked with bringing stuff to drink because I was busy BEING IN LABOR. Anyway, he mixed it wrong. You know that overly dilute bitter taste. Yeah.

So now that I'm back on my B game, we came home from a ride and mixed up some Accelerade but, as it turns out, he still doesn't measure anything. Wow. Total recall of being in labor. Still tastes bad, but at least the baby is really cute.

I am not Edward R. Murrow

I didn't actually get tagged with this meme on Facebook, but I liked it so much, I had to interview my daughter:

1. What is something mom always says to you? I love you.

2. What makes mom happy? When you kiss her.

3. What makes mom sad? This one’s hard...when you call her a bad name.

4. How does your mom make you laugh? When she tells me a joke or smiles or something.

5. What did your mom like to do as a child? Live in her house and go in her backyard.

6. How old is your mom? 23 (I love this child.)

7. How tall is your mom? 1 foot tall (OK, not THAT short)

8. What is her favorite thing to watch on TV? Baseball games and other games with daddy. (I thought she was going to say The Amazing Race.)

9. What does your mom do when you're not around? I’ve never seen you do anything when I’m not around. (Good point!)

10. If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for? Love.

11. What is your mom really good at? Coloring.

12. What is your mom not very good at? Work. (I beg to differ.)

13. What does your mom do for her job? Make websites.

14. What is your mom's favorite food? The meatballs she just made. (And they were gooooood!)

15. What makes you proud of your mom? When she wins a contest or something. (Which is...well, never.)

16. If your mom were a cartoon character, who would she be? Kim Possible. (Woo hoo! Super spy!)

17. What do you and your mom do together? Play with my connect thing. (She means this marble Rube Goldberg set we have.)

18. How are you and your mom the same? We’re both girls. (Observant!)

19. How are you and your mom different? We both have different eyes. (She's blue, I'm brown.)

20. How do you know mom loves you? Because she tells me so.

21. What does your mom like most about your dad? He’s very sweet and great. (Yes, he is.)

22. Where is your mom's favorite place to go? Los Angeles (I would say St. John, but a trip back home isn't bad every once in a while.)

No wonder I'm so tired...

I'm a the Human Cybertron*.  When I run, I LOVE gadgets.  I love knowing my heart rate and pace and speed and calories burned, etc, etc.

So, now that I'm nearly 9 weeks pregnant (and surprise, surprise: exhausted), I couldn't help but notice that my heart has been beating harder and faster, even when at rest.   I went from a resting heart rate of 42 beats per minute to nearly 60. 

Just for kicks, I strapped on my Polar Heart Rate Monitor yesterday and watched my rate as I went through my normal day.  Man, this whole pregnancy thing is great exercise! ;)  

Here is a sample of how hard my heart was working:

• Transferring wet clothes from the washer to the dryer: 75 beats per minute
  
• Making my son's peanut butter and jelly sandwich while he painstakingly described in detail his dream robot car: 85
  
• Walking our OLD dog around the block: 100
• Getting up to go to the bathroom...again: 70
• Taking dishes from the dining room table to the sink: 95
• Folding laundry: 95

Granted, none of these reached into Aerobic workouts, but dang, just doing everyday things at a slow pace is getting my blood pumping.  I'm glad docs have discounted the whole "pregnant women should stay below 140 beats per minute" otherwise, I'd never be able to shower!

*What are you?

New Feet

Greetings on this fine Tuesday in early March. Today I went to pick up the running shoes I called the local running store to have shipped in for me. I usually buy online after I love my shoes. Last year I got caught in Memphis with no shoes and went into a store and bought per their recommendations and the shoes were ok, but not great. Today I learned new things. Despite my very flat feet-- I do not overpronate. I always thought I did and made a big deal about buying running shoes for motion control and stability. These tend to be stiff. I do need cushion because of all the pavement running. It was great. The gal at the store was a runner and knew what she was talking about. Since I have a neuroma, flat big feet -I'm kind of sensitive about running shoes. I have not been evaluated since 1997-- did not realize feet could change. Of course 3 kids later and yes, my feet got bigger with each pregnancy and despite the fallen arches I can use neutral shoes. Lots of rambling, but bottom line is it is good to go in and get on the treadmill with maybe more than one pro and really spend some time there. Blue skies!

40 push-ups

Okay, I'll throw in the towel, too. Channelmarker, you're off the hook ;-) I'm quite pleased with 40 consecutive push-ups. That's a heck of a lot more than the measly 10 I started out with. I'm looking forward to doing the sit-up challenge next and a modified tricep challenge. The backs of my arms drive me insane!

Mommy needs new shoes

Hello Running Mommies!
It is Monday in Houston and temps in the 40s- low for this time of year. I'm headed out to buy two new pair of running shoes to hopefully get in gear for a late April half-marathon I've yet to start training for. I'm thinking maybe a few marathons, losts of 10 milers under my belt will get me through. My winter funk is my first time ever feeling so out of it. My longest runs are 5 miles. I'm hoping for mercy.