Back On Track

Ready for Training!

2011-04-23T08:32:00.000-07:00

I have not ran since January....time to get back to daily runs! I will start off slow with 3 mile runs. The early mornings or early evening is the perfect time to run in Florida. It gets so hot during the day....I just bought all 3 kids a new bike, so we will also begin to do evening bike rides during the week. I am definitely ready to get back on a schedule. It is so easy to get caught up with life and put time for yourself on the back burner. The truth is that time for yourself should be a priority. A healthy mom is a strong mom and setting a good example for my kids is very important....so, I will be getting back on track!

2011 Disney Half Marathon

2010-09-09T20:43:00.000-07:00

Date
Saturday, January 08, 2011 @ 5:40 AM

Additional Date Information
5:50 a.m.
Address
Walt Disney World® Resort

Fees
$135.00

Brief Description
It's runners to your mark on Saturday morning for the 13.1 mile course of the Walt Disney World® Half Marathon. Taking you to the Magic Kingdom® Park and then to an exhilarating finish in Epcot®, this race is perfect if you are a first timer or a veteran.

http://espnwwos.disney.go.com/events/rundisney/wdw-marathon/

I am registered for the Disney Half Marathon. Alexander will be running the kids race. I am so psyched! I ran the Disney 2010 Half Marathon and had a blast! I jut hope we do not get snow flurries this year...yes snow flurries in Florida. I froze my butt off....This time I will plan on staying 2-3 nights...not just an overnight, so the kids and I can enjoy the parks. This event is incredible!

The Palm Beaches Marathon Festival

2010-09-09T20:31:00.000-07:00

Date
Sunday, December 05, 2010 @ 6:00 AM
Address
West Palm Beach, Florida
S. Flagler Drive and Evernia St.

Brief Description
Join us for the 2010 Palm Beaches Marathon Festival! The Waterfront 5K is scheduled to take place on Friday night, December 3, at 7 PM. The Kids K will take place on Saturday, December 4th with the Marathon, Half Marathon, & Bill Bone Bike Tour taking place on Sunday, December 5th! Register Now for the 2010 Marathon, Half Marathon, Waterfront 5K, Bill Bone Bike Tour, or Kids K!

http://www.pbmarathon.com/events/halfmarathon.aspx

I registered for the Half Marathon and put Alex in the 1k race which I am thinking may be better for Sarah....I think the 5k will be better for Alex...so, I may make a change there. I have friends who have run this event and it is great! There is lots of fun for the family there. This will be my 1st Half Marathon this season.
I hope to recruit my sister and a few friends to join me on this one:)

HDSA Team Hope Twilight 5K Run / Walk

2010-09-09T20:10:00.000-07:00

HDSA Team Hope Twilight 5K Run / Walk
Date
Saturday, September 25, 2010 @ 6:00 PM

Brief Description
Huntington's Disease Society of America's Team Hope Twilight 5K Run - Walk. Come join us for an evening of celebration and awareness. New 5K course at Spanish River Library. Awards top male & female and Top 3 in 10 year age groups. After the race replenish yourself with an amazing spread of food including BBQ, Italian, smoothies, ice cream martinis and beer, included in your race entry. Then we'll have a candlelight commemoration for families who are facing Huntington's Disease
http://www.active.com/running/boca-raton-fl/hdsa-team-hope-twilight-5k-run-walk-2010

Alexander and I will be running the 5k race for a cause that is very close to my heart. My father's mother had Huntington's Disease. I have so many childhood memories of my beautiful grandmother physically and mentally deteriorating. This is an awful disease. My father is not a carrier so my sister's and I will not get this disease. I recently learned that a dear childhood friend of mine was diagnosed with Huntington’s Disease. She is a single mom of 41 years old with two small children. I broke down in tears when I heard of her diagnosis. If you have ever known anyone with this awful genetic disease, you will look at life through different eyes. I feel so Blessed to have my health, a strong mind, and a family that is amazing! If you are not familiar with this disease, take a look at the organizers site and please make a donation in hopes of a cure:
http://www.firstgiving.com/hdsa-sfl
http://www.hdsa.org/

Publix FFW Coconut Creek 5k Run/Walk

2010-07-03T18:54:00.000-07:00

Alexander and I ran the Publix Family Fitness 5k tonight. Alexander placed 2nd in his age group and received his first medal. The weather was bad (rain) and it was very buggy. The people there were a lot of fun. We had a great time! I placed 4th in my age group. We have not been running lately....we have got to get back on a schedule....

Kids in Distress 5k Race

2010-06-19T07:47:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago Alexander and I ran the 5k race for Kid's In Distress. The heat and humidity was awful! The event itself was fantastic! In fact, we plan on running next years race. Every detail was well planned. The cause is close to our hearts! About 1/2 way through the race Alex stopped running and started to walk. His face was red! I knew he was overheating. I guess kids tend to overheat a little faster (he is only 9). He took water at the water stops (there were 2 in the race). I slowed down and tried to tell him run for a minute, then walk for a minute. He said, No way! I can't Mom!". I did not want to leave him in the streets of Fort Lauderdale so I walked with him. He ran the last 3 minutes before the finish line. After the race, we drank water and headed for the area where they had bananas, pancakes, and bagels. Our next run is a 5k on 7/4/10. That will be our last race until the fall. The heat is way too intense!

In the Fall, we will start with 10k races. The cooler weather makes a huge difference!

Sarah's run around the block!

2010-05-16T11:51:00.000-07:00

We usually have Sarah in the running stroller whenever we go for a run. Sarah wants to do EVERYTHING Alex or Nick does.....As we were preparing to go for a run, Sarah refused to get into her stroller. She looked at me and said, "Mom, Baby run....Baby too....come on!" She insisted on going for a run so we took her around the block. I figured she would tire out so I brought the stroller. Well.....this is one determined little girl! She had her Mellon colored Ralph Lauren dress on with plaid sneakers (not the running type). She had one arm going to propel herself forward and ran around the entire block without stopping. I am so proud of her. Our block is pretty big. I will have to measure the distance with my car. It is safe to say she took a pretty significant nap afterwards:)

Race for the Arts 5K

2010-05-16T11:37:00.000-07:00

Alexander and I ran the Race for the Arts 5k last weekend. We had a great time. The weather was very hot and humid! Alex came in 4th in his age group. I came in 17th in my age group. A little after we past the 1/2 mark of the total run, Alex started to feel sick. His face was reddish-purple. He was getting overheated. We slowed down substantially so he could feel better. I stayed with him and did not run ahead because he did not look well. He felt like vomiting. This was all due to the Florida heat. The race started at 7:15 am. This time of year is very hot. I am proud that he did not give up. He was happy to finish the race. Alex wants to train for a 10k. I think the fall will be a better time for him to run a 10k. We can do our early morning runs from time to time. However, longer runs are not for him this time of year. We may do a few more 5k races this summer if the start time is early. When we returned home, I made a huge breakfast (pancakes,fruit salad, fresh orange juice). We spent the remainder of the day at the pool.

He Did It!!!

2010-02-06T11:06:00.000-08:00

Alexander did great on his first race. He placed 8th in his age group! I placed 13th in my age group. We had such a great time this morning at the Race for Faith. The organizers did such a great job. Alexander already wants to do a second race...next weekend on the 13th of February. I have a feeling we have a awesome little runner in our house:) With more training, he hopes to improve his pace by 1 minute....it will take speed work, tempo runs, and dedication. I know he can do it!

Guess Who has the Running Bug?

2010-01-27T08:03:00.000-08:00

My son Alexander has the "Running Bug"! He has been running with me and wants to participate in future races. His first will be a 5k race in February at the Race for Faith! I am so proud of his hard work and focus. His pace is pretty good and will only get better with practice.

Sarasota Half Marathon

2010-01-10T15:33:00.000-08:00

Sarasota Half Marathon
Time: March 14, 2010 07:00 AM
Location: John and Mable Ringling Museum

I just registered for the Sarasota Half Marathon. I have never been to Sarasota. My friend Dawn and her family just moved there so my trip has a dual purpose. I have a few months to train for this event and only one small race between now and the event. Has anyone out there ever run this event? What did you think?

Race For Faith 2010

2010-01-10T11:22:00.000-08:00

My next race will be the Race for Faith on February 6, 2010! I will be running the 10K. The race will be at John Prince Park and begins at 7:30 am. I will be working on speeding my pace before this race. The website for Race for faith is http://www.raceforfaith.com

2010 Disney Half Marathon

2010-01-09T16:16:00.000-08:00

I woke up at 2:45am and was on the Disney Bus that transports runners to the race by 3:15am. Once I got to the race destination, I began to feel the extreme cold. I ran inside a small tent and hung out with about 45 other people squeezed in like sardines. Our intent was to stay out of the wind....it was brutal. The race began at 6am. The race was kicked off with a display of fireworks. Mickey and Minnie were at the start line. Thousands of runners raced forward.

I was not prepared for the wet weather (normally I would have brought a rain poncho or garbage bag). I wore 2 shirts, a sweater, a hat, gloves and running pants. A few miles into the race, my sweater was so wet that I had to take it off and throw it to the side of the road. Next, my gloves were soaked so I had to throw those off to the side. So, in 20 degree weather with awful winds (which made it feel cooler), I was freezing my butt off.

I met lots of cool people and had a great run. I did have trouble with both of my knees during the last 3 miles of the race. I ran through the pain because if I stopped, everything would lock and get stiff. Once I passed the finish line, I tried to find my family. There were so many people...I did not have my cell phone.. I was looking for them for 45 minutes in the freezing cold. Finally, I went to the information tent and a kind worker let me use her cell phone to call Jim and the kids. As it turns out, Jim had left and was on the way back to the hotel. Sarah's lips were blue, her eyes glazed, and she was shivering from the cold. The boys wanted to stay even though they were freezing (only wearing sweaters-which was not enough). They were upset that they could not meet me after my finish. The lines for the bus were insane....Two kind guys let me stand in front of them so I was able to board the second bus back to hotel.

When I first saw the boys, they said, "Mom, we are so proud of you! Congratulations!" I just love that I am setting a good example of healthy living. I hope as they get older, they will remember that if you work hard at something, you can make it possible. After a hot cup of coffee and a steaming hot shower, I began to feel human again. Jim decided to take us all out for brunch at the Gaylord Palms Hotel. I love that location...the atrium, waterfalls and foliage are beautiful. In addition, the boys were in heaven as we ate on a pirate ship surrounded by water. They saw many species of fish, turtles, and alligators. All this was inside the atrium within the hotel. Lunch was great! After all the fun, we headed home to be with our dogs and spent the remainder of the day watching movies under the covers.

I am waiting for the pictures from Disney to become available. I plan on buying one or two and will post them to the blog. My family was not able to get pictures because access to the different race mile marks were almost impossible to get to (due to the crowds) and they were not at the finish line due to the cold.

Happy New Year!

2010-01-04T16:21:00.000-08:00

I will start the New Year off with running the Disney 1/2 Marathon this coming weekend! I am so excited! The weather forecast is very cold....lows in the 30's and 51 degree high. This is unusually cold weather for Florida. I bought a hat, scarf, and gloves. I will buy a warm long sleeve running shirt. Stay tuned for pictures:)

Ten Miles!!! Double Digits!!! Yea!!

2009-12-14T09:53:00.000-08:00

I ran 10 miles this past Saturday! I am finally into double digits!!! The most amazing thing is that I was not really sore. I was ready for a short run the next morning...guess I am making progress. I am starting to get excited about the 1/2 Disney Marathon this January! Next Saturday, I run 11 miles. I am anxious to see how I do. I seem to get a little slower at the very end of my runs. I start out really strong and deteriorate towards the very end. Thank God I have almost a month to prepare. I definitely want to increase my pace some more.

Nine Mile Run

2009-11-13T15:56:00.000-08:00

Tomorrow morning I have a 9 mile run with my running group in Boca Raton. I hope I do well....got to get a good nights rest!

I did great, but my muscles everywhere are very sore the day after:) I increased my pace substantially and pushed myself to the limit! I sure am feeling it:)

Road ID

2009-11-07T06:25:00.000-08:00

I recently bought the Road ID. This is an awesome idea! When I am out running, I do not bring ID or my wallet.

From the Road ID website: http://www.roadid.com/Common/default.aspx

"Road ID Interactive allows you to build a fully updateable, secure Emergency Response Profile (ERP) that is available to first responders via telephone and internet. You can also personalize the first 2 lines of text."

If I were to have a medical emergency, all my health history, health insurance info, Doctors, and medication information is on the ERP. I read about a runner that passed away in Boca Raton while running on A1A. He had no ID on him. You never know when an accident can happen even if you are a very healthy person. Visit the website and check it out. It is a great buy!

Eight Mile Run

2009-11-07T06:16:00.000-08:00

I met with my training group in Boca Raton this morning (6am). The weather was so windy. The first leg of the run was so easy because the strong wind was behind me ...almost pushing me along. The second leg of the run was tough. The wind was so strong that it felt like I was going to blow away:) With daylight savings time, the morning has light earlier. I am not a big fan of running in the dark. I will start to run in the mornings as I move forward in my training.

Stressful Week.....

2009-11-04T18:22:00.000-08:00

This week has been beyond stressful. I filed for divorce last week and have been in discussions this week regarding asset division. Needless to say, this has been an emotional week. I could not find the energy to run, but that is exactly what I need. I plan on running tomorrow so I do not fall behind in my training schedule. I will be running 6 miles tomorrow morning. I can not think of a better way to start my day!

Eight Miles!!!! Wow!

2009-10-24T07:23:00.000-07:00

This morning I arrived late for the long run with my training group in Boca Raton. I got there at 6:15am when I should have been there at 6am. I ended up running the long run by myself. I felt great afterwards. The run is on A1A which is by the beach. The only trouble I had was getting over the bridge on the way back to Runner's Edge. I was tired at the end. I have not run this long in 7 years. It has been a while....

3 Mile Run

2009-10-23T18:22:00.000-07:00

Tonight's run almost turned into a tragedy. I had my two sons riding their bikes while I had Sarah in the jogging stroller. We were at an intersection with traffic lights. The signal to walk was on...we looked both ways and all was clear...Alex went to pull out with me right behind him and a black car came speeding and missed him by a hair. I almost fainted. None of us could speak because we were in absolute shock. Thank GOD that He was with us tonight. I am so grateful that I have my kids and that they are safe and healthy. This experience really rocked my world. This particular intersection is an issue and I will be calling the Palm Beach Sheriffs office tomorrow. People are to stop at the red light and THEN make a right turn. Instead, they roll through the red light as if it was green. If a person was to walk or bike upon the walk signal, there is VERY high chance that a car will hit them. Furthermore, drivers speed like it is the Indie 500!

As for my running performance, I did well. The first part of my run was the strongest, but I kept a pretty even pace. I began with some ankle difficulty and some negative thinking (like I did not feel like running). I had to stretch my ankle and ended up running a little funny so that I would not feel pain. I had to overcome my negative thoughts. Once I did, I really enjoyed the run.

Five Mile Run

2009-10-21T17:45:00.000-07:00

Tonight I was scheduled for a 5 mile run. I ran 5.44 miles and felt great! I run with a Nike + iPod that tracks miles, pace, and overall time of the run. I definitely need to buy some new tunes from the itune store. The weather in Florida has been absolutely beautiful....with such a wonderful breeze.

I made a discovery this evening. It is a hell of a lot easier to run with properly inflated tires (on the jogger stroller). I have been pushing that darn stroller with low air pressure. Before I ran tonight, I pumped all three tire with the proper level of air-What a Difference!

Four Mile Run

2009-10-19T17:21:00.000-07:00

Tonight's run was great. The weather was cool and breezy. The sunset was absolutely beautiful! My ankle hurt in the beginning, but felt better once I was into the run. My knee did not bother me at all. I started the day off feeling rather blue. It is amazing what a good run can do for your spirit!

Seven Mile Run

2009-10-18T16:36:00.000-07:00

I attempted a seven mile run today and only completed six:(

Alexander rode his bike next to me and Sarah was in the jogger stroller. Alex wore the earphones to the ipod nano that was attached to my arm....so, we stayed connected during the run. My pace was faster than usual so I am happy with the run. My left knee started to bother me and my right ankle was hurting. Getting older sucks;)My ankle broke in a sleigh riding accident years ago and has never been the same since. I do have a special Wooten support wrap that does help a bit. My knee....I do not know why that knee is bothering me??? This same knee gave me trouble during the full Marathon in 2002. I must have something wrong with it? I am glad I did not push myself to do 7. I will run an extra mile tomorrow to make up for today.

Mosquito Swarm

2009-10-15T17:41:00.000-07:00

I ran tonight while the boys were in karate class. I did 3.8 miles down Lyons Road. I ran at 6:30pm. It was just before dusk and the weather was not humid. Much to my surprise I had major issues with mosquito's. Thank God they did not bother Sarah...but me, I was the main course. It felt like a swarm of mosquito's were around me the entire time I was running. This actually made me bolt. I can not remember the last time I ran that fast:) I was very worried about Sarah. She has no bites and is OK. I got bit on the face, legs. arms, and neck....fun times! I can't wait for the cooler weather! I hope we see temperatures drop in the next few weeks.

Tonights Run/Walk

2009-10-14T16:42:00.000-07:00

Today was to be a day off from running according to our training schedule...but, I ran/walked 3.8 miles. It was a beautiful evening and I needed something to do while the boys were in Karate class. Sarah loves being in the jogger stroller with her drink in hand. She waves to all passersby and is such the social butterfly. I did much better today with getting in a mode where my heart rate and breathing were comfortable while I was keeping a decent pace. I know as I proceed to run 4-5 days a week, I will become faster and will gain better control over my heart rate and breathing. It will just take some time. Tomorrow I am scheduled for 3 miles easy. I will try for 4 miles with 2 tempo. Hopefully the weather is permitting!

Speed Work 5 Miles....and acid reflux?

2009-10-13T16:58:00.000-07:00

I ran 5 miles this evening and worked on my speed. It was a great run and the weather was perfect! I dropped the boys off to Karate and had my jogging stroller in the trunk. Sarah and I ran down Lyons Road. There were very few mosquitos and the breeze was incredible. I ate a baked potato for a late lunch. This was several hours prior to running. As I was working on speed this evening I had trouble with acid reflux...I know...gross! At least I did not vomit. At one point I thought that was going to happen. I got my heart rate up rather high. Next time I will wear a heart monitor.

Running in the Florida Heat

2009-10-12T07:00:00.000-07:00

I took Sarah for a run in the jogger stroller today. We left the house about 8:30am. It was already blazing hot! I need to get out earlier. My only concern is the lack of lighting on Lyons Road. There are a few runners in my neighborhood. I will be asking around to see if anyone is interested in running at 5:30am. That is the perfect time...before the hotter than hell sun rises:) Sarah passed out in her stroller and got a great nap in...speaking of strollers...I am not to thrilled with mine.

I own the 2002 Safari TT. I am not really crazy about it's maneuverability. The stroller actually shakes when I reach a certain pace. It is also rather heavy compared to more updated strollers. I have my eye on the Bob Ironman stroller. I actually put a bid on one that is pre-owned and for sale on ebay. Sarah is already 2. I can't see spending almost $400 on a new one. If I do not win the auction, then I will continue to keep my eye out for another pre-owned opportunity.

Safari TT Stroller Product Description

Product Features
Single jogging stroller with 12-inch swiveling front wheel
Large 16-inch rear wheels handle almost any terrain
Plush cabin includes removable seat pad and child tray
Under-seat storage basket for groceries and toys
Measures 42 x 58 x 26 inches (W x H x D); weighs 29 pounds

Bob Ironman Product Description

Features:
Fixed front wheel for superior on-road running performance
Fast, two step folding for compact storage and easy travel
Suspension system, capable of 3" of travel, provides for an exceptionally smooth ride
Stiffer suspension maximizes maneuverability and response when running
Padded reclining seat for child's comfort
Rear wheel foot-activated parking brake is easy to operate and locks out both rear wheels
Hand-activated front wheel brake acts as a slowing mechanism
Lightest, least rolling resistance
16" aluminum rims and hubs with stainless steel spokes
1.5" high-pressure slick tires (road bike)
Tough, welded frame
Durable fabric
Specifications:
Weight: 21lbs/10kg
Capacity: 70lbs/32kg
Wheels/Tires: 16" x 1.5" (slick)

Sore Muscles

2009-10-11T17:07:00.000-07:00

I have very sore legs from my run on Saturday. I tried to run at a faster pace and I am feeling it this weekend. I took off today and will run 4 miles tomorrow. I think I need to stretch better before running. Here is a great article about stretching : http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_1/126.shtml

I did not know that warm muscles stretch more easily and that it is important to stretch 5-10 minutes into a run. There are pictures of different stretches in this article that help illustrate proper form. Check it out and remember to stretch or you may be hurting like me:)

Speed Work,Tempo, and Interval Running

2009-10-10T18:30:00.000-07:00

Speed Work- great resource

http://www.sportslog.com/running-log/running-speed-work.htm

Tempo- great resource

http://erunningtips.com/tempo-running.htm

Interval Running- great resource

http://erunningtips.com/interval-running.htm

I am trying to read up on different training techniques as I have much improvement to work towards. So far, these sites seem pretty good. Any suggestions on resources?

New Sneakers Nike Vomero +4

2009-10-10T09:56:00.000-07:00

Nike Zoom Vomero + 4 Running Shoes

I owned a older version of this shoe. I LOVE these sneakers. I used these for my run this morning...great cushion! I have issues with my right ankle (from a old fracture). These sneakers really reduce the feeling of pounding. I wore them right out of the box and it was as if I have had them for a while...super comfortable!

Disney Half Marathon Training

2009-10-10T09:05:00.000-07:00

Today was my first day of training for the 2010 Disney 1/2 Marathon. I met the trainer and running group in Boca Raton at 5:30am. The group was already on week 3 of training. We had to run 6 miles this morning. It felt so good afterwards. I received my running schedule and plan on getting 4 runs in a week. My next run will be Monday morning (6 miles). Next Saturday will be a 7 mile run. I really want to pick up my pace. Tuesday is a day for speed work with a 5 mile run. Any suggestions on exercises to increase speed? We get together every Saturday at 5:30am. The remainder of the week I will be running solo:)

My New Running Partner!!!

2009-05-11T07:21:00.000-07:00

Sidon is a 3 yr old male Golden Retriever we adopted from South Florida Golden Retriever Rescue this weekend. He is awesome and our newest family member! He loves to take a run or long walk. We will be getting out early before it gets too hot!

Turning 40!

2009-04-17T07:38:00.001-07:00

Turning 40 yesterday was a huge milestone....I am more determined than ever to live a healthy lifestyle.

Vegetarian Cooking

2009-04-15T13:57:00.000-07:00

I have been a Vegetarian since 4 years of age. I always eat the same things. So, I am on a search for great Vegetarian cookbooks. Any suggestions? My sons are Kazakh, so I am staring off with this book. There should be some great ethnic dishes in this book.

Dancing Queen!

2009-04-15T07:04:00.000-07:00

The following is a video of my little dancing queen! Her favorite is the Wiggles. We own one Wiggles Christmas video. It is time to run out and get her more Wiggles DVD's. She loves to dance to this every morning. Sarah certainly lights up my heart!

Back to Blogging...

2009-04-13T07:03:00.000-07:00

After a long recovery from surgery, I can finally get back to posting about exercise! I am officially getting back to running today. I finally have clearance from the doctor and will be starting off slow.....I plan on running this evening when the temperature cools down. I have been doing bike rides with the kids, but I do not elevate my heart rate enough during those rides. I can't wait to get out for a run by myself today....

Shoes

2008-08-11T17:49:00.000-07:00

Has anyone heard of "fit flops"? I keep seeing them in all of my magazines and I was curious if anyone else has heard of them or bought them. They are supposed to tone your legs while you walk. They are supposed to have awesome support too. Normally I would just buy them and hope for the best but I figured this was the perfect forum to bring it up.

Jeanine

Here are the specs on them:
FitFlop "WalkStar" Leather Sandal
A workout in a shoe! The FitFlop sandal tones your calves, thighs and glutes with a specially designed midsole that functions like a mini wobbleboard to engage your muscles as you walk.

Textile and leather upper
Rubber flex sole
Whole sizes only; half sizes order down
Imported

Overall Rating
4.6 out of 5
Product Experience:
Runs Small

Arch Support
24 of 26 (92%) customers would recommend this product to a friend.

Me & My Girl

2008-08-07T10:02:00.000-07:00

This is Sarah and I before our run yesterday. We did 3 1/2 miles in the hot summer sun- 12 noon! I was obsessed with getting a run in because it was my Mom's Birthday and much of the day was already planned. We will head out tonight (maybe with Aunt Kerri who is also training for the 1/2 marathon and who will kick my butt) after 5pm. From now on, I will make a better effort to get the run in first thing in the morning or early in the evening. The heat makes a huge difference and my endurance was poor. I felt like throwing up on the way home and was quite overheated. Sarah had a cool bottle and a cover on the jogger stroller. She was hot but not overheated at all.

1/2 Marathon Gasparilla Distance Classic March 1, 2009

2008-08-06T06:01:00.000-07:00

http://www.tampabayrun.com/home_page.htm

Gasparilla Distance Classic

I am beyond excited to be running the 1/2 Marathon in Tampa. This is a great event and a fun weekend! Our Aunt Michelle & Uncle Rich live in Tampa and so does Jims brother Kevin and his wife Cathy. This will be a great time to visit family and celebrate Gasparilla!

5K Race For Faith February 9, 2009

2008-08-06T05:54:00.000-07:00

Register at http://www.raceforfaith.com/store.shtml

February 9, 2009 5K Run

"And let us run with endurance the race that God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, on whom our faith depends from start to finish." (Hebrews 12:1b-2a, NLT)

This is a great race promoting fellowship and raising money for First Priority!

I signed up and am so excited to run this race of faith. The race is close to home and will give me a great opportunity to connect with other runners in the area.

Bike Riding

2008-07-30T16:38:00.001-07:00

This evening, we went bike riding. I finally went to the bike shop for Sarah's seat. It cost about $120 and is the entrance model for this brand. Worked great for us. It was very easy to install. It was Sarah's first bike ride. She did not like having her feet strapped in and hated the helmet($30 GIRO brand and is adjustable to her head). Otherwise, I think she liked the ride. The boys came along and were racing around the neighborhood. The sprinklers were on and directed at the sidewalks. So, of course, my boys had to ride through the water until they looked like drowned rats! Bike riding is something we enjoy as a family. Finally, Sarah will be part of our cycling fun.

Weight Watchers

2008-07-30T07:06:00.000-07:00

http://www.weightwatchers.com/index.aspx

My Mom and I are joining Weight Watchers. I am looking forward to learning more about portion control and nutrition. I am really glad to be doing this with my Mom. I have been loosing weight and exercising. But, I think it is important to educate myself on proper eating habits. I have always been an emotional eater. So, when I am totally stressed out, I eat. Some people can't eat when they are stressed. I wish that was me....My Mom is great. She is not obese and neither am I. But,over the years, she has put on a few pounds. I feel by doing this together, we will motivate and help each other. The crazy part is figuring out how to get to the meetings with 3 kids....Hopefully, I will be able to carve out a little time to sneak away without them. Or, I will be dragging them to a WW Meeting. Whatever it takes! We are heading over to the meeting today to sign up! I hear Weight Watchers is about changing lifestyle. The education provided is incredible and has proven very successful for long term change. I have tried Nutrisystem- as a vegetarian I got bored with the limited choices. I tried Jenny Craig and felt the Vegetarian meal choices were limited. Weight Watchers uses real food and variety is possible. I have tried Alli (the diet pill) and that made me very sick. My stomach got out of control and I would not recommend that route to anyone. So, here I go...off to a healthy way of loosing weight!

Girls Inc Half Marathon October 18, 2008

2008-07-26T18:59:00.000-07:00

Girls Incorporated Half Marathon @ Pier Park

http://girlsinc.org/?gclid=CLG2maal-ZQCFQ4hnAodjXNgqw

Saturday, October 18, 2008, 08:00 AM
Pier Park
Pier Park Shopping Plaza
Panama City Beach, FL 32407
My Sisters and I will run the 1/2 Marathon together. Kerri is 2 years younger than me and Katie is 12 years younger than me...Should be a blast! My brother in law will run too! I love the fact that my family will be running together. My kids can't wait! My sister lives in Panama City, Florida. We will have such fun visiting and celebrating after the race!
To register the link is: http://www.active.com/page/Event_Details.htm?event_id=1598093&assetId=4abc5700-8333-47e0-84df-84c76504ea89

To prepare I will increase my miles by 10% per week and do some weight training for my legs (especially my quadriceps). This race will be the motivation to be a bit more serious about my running schedule!

Train for a Cause!

2008-07-05T10:52:00.001-07:00

Team In Training

American Stroke Association- Marathons & Triathlons!

Back in 2001/2002, I trained with the American Stroke Association for the full Disney Marathon. It was one of the most amazing experiences. I finished the race! It was a spiritual and physical challenge. My Aunt Celine (in her early 50's) died of a stroke in the early 1990's. She was one of the most amazing women and died too young. Awareness is crucial in fighting Stroke! I raised money and taught others key points about Strokes. During the race, I felt her with me..I felt her presence pushing me towards that finish line. I hope to run another marathon in the future with proper training. I would definitely run with a Charity in hopes of making a difference.
www.teamintraining.org
www.runtoendstroke.org

My Old Stroller...

2008-07-05T08:20:00.000-07:00

OK- So, this is my old stroller I bought from Sports Authority back in year 2002. I did not do research back then and I was on a tight budget. This stroller is now in use for baby #2 and is still great. IF I were buying a stroller today, I would chooses a Bob stroller. See www.joggingstroller.com for great reviews and resources.
When choosing a stroller, think about:
Use
Price
Wheel Size: 20', 16', or 12'
Swivel vs. Fixed Wheels
Alloy vs Steel Wheels
Reclining Seats
Do you need shocks or suspension????
ASTM Certified??
Color

And most importantly, Be sure to read customer reviews.

Running Shoes...

2008-06-25T07:05:00.001-07:00

I finally bought a new pair of sneakers! I love them!!!! What a difference. The support and cushion is incredible. My run is so much easier on my body...What a difference. I will be purchasing the nike plus arm band that tracks milage and progress. You attach a chip to your shoe and download the info onto the nkie site. Charts, graphs and analysis help track running progress. Sounds like fun...I hope to have the arm band this week.

Hood to Coast

2008-06-06T20:23:00.000-07:00

Something to train for...
The Hood to Coast is a run in Oregon from Mt. Hood to the Coast. I posted some pics to entice all to run the run. Usually the teams have 12 runners, we run from Mt. Hood to Seaside (197 miles). Each person runs 3, 6mile legs (approximately). The race is the weekend before labor day weekend, so it's a long way off but if we are interested in putting together a team we have to get our application into the lottery by October to see if we get in. The entry fee for each team is some where around $1200 so it's about $100 per runner Here is the website for the event: www.hoodtocoast.com. They have race and registration info, course maps, etc. for you to get all the details.

And this run is a GREAT excuse to come to beautiful green and lush Oregon.

MT. HOOD from our neighborhood:

MT HOOD from Timberline Lodge area:

THE COAST:Just DO IT!

Sneakers??? How To Choose....

2008-06-05T11:10:00.000-07:00

Here is a cool site to help choose running shoes:

http://www.howtochooserunningshoes.com

This week I will buy new running shoes. I will use this site as a guide. Also, Runners Edge in Boca Raton, Fl is awesome! If you bring in your old running shoes, they examine the use and help determine which shoe is best. My old sneakers are a few years old. It is so important to have good shoes for prevention of injury. Sarah and I did another 2.5 miles today. This time my heart rate was between 142-147 for most of the speed walk. It is very hot out again so we took a shorter route. Tonight, I will bike ride with the boys. Tomorrow is their last day of school! We have a whole summer of fun to look forward to:) The first 4-5 weeks will be summer camp for them. Then, they will be all mine to hit the beach, roller blade, bike ride, surf etc...We will mix it up this summer. I will be signing them up for tennis lessons this summer. Who knows, maybe I will join them????

Good Stuff To Have!

2008-06-03T07:50:00.000-07:00

I dug out some of my old running stuff. I found my pedometer and my heart monitor. I went out for a speed walk with Jim and Sarah this morning measured our walk and my heart rate. We walked 4406 steps and my heart rate was about 131-139 throughout the walk. 1 mile= 2000 to 2500 steps. So, we did about 2.2 miles. It was really hot out this morning between 9am and 10am. Next time we will try to get out earlier. It will be fun to track my progress.
Does anyone know the equation for target heart rate??? I will look into this today...

Ok. I added a link for BMI, Body Fat, and Target Heart Rate Calculation. It is a great tool and I will recalculate as I drop weight and make progress:)

Medical Check-Up

2008-06-03T06:18:00.000-07:00

I figured that since I will be diving into fitness, it is a good idea to get a physical. I have an appointment today. Generally, I get checked each year. I have the worst sun burn from this past weekend. I failed to wear SPF and got fried! My legs are the worst. In fact, I have swelling from my knees down to my ankles that is pretty signifigant. The burn happened on Saturday and the swelling is still present. It actully hurts to walk when I first get up. I am sure this too shall pass! I will have the doc check it out....It is always a good idea to get checked by a doctor first if you have not been exercising. Better safe than sorry:)

Overheated!!!

2008-05-30T11:03:00.000-07:00

Today, Sarah and I went on a 5 mile run/walk. It is so hot out! What was I thinking??? It is about 90 degrees with intense sun... I was fine on the first 2.5 miles, then on the last leg, I was very overheated. Sarah was in a jogger stroller with a covering. She was napping and had red cheeks. When we got home, she got a nice cool bottle. I gulped down a Gatorade one big gulp! We headed out around noon: mistake #1. In the future, I will run/walk in the morning. I did not bring any water: mistake #2.

During the week, I have been speed walking with Jim. We have been doing about 2.5 miles a day. Sometimes, he Rollerblades while I walk like a speed demon:)Sarah always comes and loves her stroller rides.

2008-05-22T11:52:00.000-07:00

This is my new motto! I am the queen of excuses when it comes to exercise. When I told my sons that I am getting back into running, they said "Thank God, Mom!" The consensus is that I need to get in shape. Got to love their honesty....The truth of the matter is that they are right. I want to get back into my size 6 stuff. I am now size 8 or 10 (depends on the line). Lack of sleep, stress and overload are all contributors to a slower metabolism. I just turned 39...throw age into the mix...and poor food choices. I am a vegetarian and have been since age 4. I am a carb freak and love sweets. Coffee has been my crutch for years (4-5 cups a day-yikes!).

So, many changes need to be put into place. I am sure I will be cranky when I start taking away the sugar and caffeine. But, overall, I think I will ultimately feel better and have more energy.

I am open to any diet suggestions geared toward vegetarians. I am thinking less carbs, more protein, more H20, less sugar, with calories about 1800 per day.

Also, any running tips would be awesome!

As for running, I will start off slow with a mile run per day for the first week. I will note time and heart rate to track improvement....should be interesting.

The biggest challenge is to stop making excuses! Exercise should be a priority. Sarah will be in the jogger stroller. She is such a peanut....she is almost to small for the straps:) I will be sure to post pics this week- before running and after (hahaha- this will be a sight!)