Since I usually don't post on weekends I thought I would give you all some great reads written by other bloggers. Every Saturday I will pick three posts that stand out in my mind from the week's reads. They can be posts that make me laugh, cry, or just strike a chord with me. Please feel free to visit the links and leave comments.
Thank you and happy reading!
Debbie from Wisteria and Roses with Give Us This Day...
A beautiful post not just about nourishing the body but also the soul.
The Lehners in France with A Big Bag of Poo!
A hilarious story of how language truly can be a barrier.
Roxy Wishum from Transforming with No Country for Old Men
Talk about inspiring! This is an amazing story of endurance, strength, and the human spirit.
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Friday, October 10, 2008
PSF- Tired to Tears
Hosted by Cecily and MamaGeek
The boys had off of school yesterday. We spent the morning waking up slowly and lazing around for a bit. It was kind of nice actually. For a little while, anyway. Then it was pure craziness.
The boys were screaming and wrestling, throwing each other off of furniture, tackling each other, throwing my pillows around nearly knocking over my lamp at least twice, jumping off the stairs, and chasing around the dining room table. Clearly they had energy to spare, and I knew I had to get them out of the house before bones were broken or my house was destroyed in their wake.
We threw on our play clothes and headed out the door to one of our favorite parks. When we got to the park I sensed that a trip to the park would not cut it today. It seemed to me that the boys had so much energy and simple trips down the slide and hanging from the monkey bars was not going to tire them. I looked to my left and remembered all the fun I'd had playing there when I was a kid. It had been there all along, but the boys had never experienced this part of the park.
It is what the locals refer to as "The Bowl". In the winter kids grab their sleds, toboggans, and inner tubes and head out to tackle the hills. In spring the two rival public high schools meet there to drop the rivalry for one day and share the Bowl for a joint graduation ceremony. In summer it is used for kiddie football and soccer games. And in fall it is fun to go to The Bowl just to soak in the scenery.
I called the boys to me and had them follow me over to The Bowl. I showed them the three tiers of hills and told them how fun it is to run and roll all the way down. At first I think they were a little intimidated by the sheer size and steepness of the hills.
And I think Ben wanted to see me go down the hill first before he would give it a try.
So I ran all the way to the bottom and shouted for them to join me. 
It didn't take much coaxing. They were off and running.
They didn't make it very far before falling on their faces at the bottom of the first hill. But they immediately got up and wanted to try it again.
I decided to show them an easier way down the hill and had a bit of fun in the process. Joey took this pic of me demonstrating the roll.
That seemed to be the preferred way to travel once they got the hang of it.
After rolling down the hills another hundred or so times the boys decided to run laps around the bottom of The Bowl.
Look at Tommy go. Can you see that little red dot by the stairs? That's my Tommy! 
After the laps we headed up the opposite side of the hill to take a peak at the lake.
We looked over the cliff at the beautiful water and listened to the gentle waves wash up on the sand. I even let the boys sit and catch their breath for a minute.
It was getting very close to lunch at this point so we decided to head back. But on the way the boys spotted the perfect little collection of trees. "It's a fort, mom!" They quickly busied themselves with collecting pine cones and big sticks. Two of their favorite things.
Alas, it really was time to get going. We all held hands and ran all the way back down The Bowl, only to have to walk across the field and go back up the other side. By this point Ben was tired to tears. His little feet just couldn't take it anymore. I had been carrying him on and off (whew! what a workout!) but at this point he wouldn't even let me put him down anymore.
Once we got back up the hills the boys were allowed one more breather. I am so nice that way.
On the way back to the car we passed the park, so of course we had to stop.
They did some spinning and some climbing.
Even some sliding. But now it really was time to go.
By the time we got home (two and a half hours after we had left) and I'd made their sandwiches all three of my troopers were bawling into their milk. They were sobbing through their entire lunch telling me they just wanted to go to bed and that they weren't hungry. You know my boys are tired when they don't even want to eat. They finished their sandwiches (which is all they could manage the energy for) and slipped into their beds without a word, happy to rest their weary bones.
Oh, the silence in the house was pure bliss. Mission accomplished.
Thursday, October 9, 2008
TT- Running Tips for Beginners
I was so excited by the response from my running post last week, and all of the emails I received asking questions, that I decided I had a bit more to say on the subject. Things that I found to be helpful to me that would maybe help you out on your attempt to love running. And please, if you have any more questions feel free to leave it in the comments or send me an email.
1- Shoes- Having shoes that fit well and give you proper support is very important. I know there are stores that actually help fit you into the right shoe for running, but being the cheapskate that I am I usually just go to Kohl's when they have huge sales. I got my last pair of Nike's on sale for $40 down from $70. Very exciting. Adidas and Asics also have some great running shoes. If you feel you need outside help from a salesperson that is probably the best way to ensure a proper fit, but I just try on the shoes (both of them) and see how they feel. I walk around the store for a while and make sure my arch (I have a very big arch) is supported, that they are snug but not too snug, and that nothing is rubbing on my toes, ankles or heels. I can always tell when it is time to buy a knew pair of running shoes because my shins and ankles get sore after every run.
2- Clothes- It takes a while to find clothes that you are comfortable running in. When I first started running I went out and bought these running shorts that were made out of a windbreaker type material. I was so excited to try them out and when I did I hated them. As I ran my thighs rubbed together (there! you caught me! my thighs touch. dammit) and the material gathered and inched upward leaving an upside down V at the hem of my shorts in between my legs. I felt like an idiot AND the material chaffed my legs. I kept pulling at them the whole run and it was so distracting. After that I switched to spandex (I know, I know) and there was no slippage. I wore an extra long tee shirt to cover my K-Lo caboose and have been happier ever since. Each person is different and you have to find the clothes that make you comfortable. Even your socks can make a difference as I've found thinner socks work much better than thicker socks for me.
3- Sports Bras- Speaking of clothing, let's talk about sports bras. I've been asked by quite a few people what is recommended for big breasted women who want to try running. Not like I'd know personally (double dammit). I definitely do not have to worry about that. But a few of my friends are very well endowed and when they run they wear two or three sports bras at a time and found it works great. I actually wore two sports bras when I ran while I was still breastfeeding and it truly did help. If that doesn't work, um, try duct tape?
4- Water & Food- Drinking enough water is crucial. If I don't drink enough water I get really itchy legs and sometimes even migraines. On a day you know you will be running try drinking water regularly throughout the day. When you get closer to the run slow down on the water. Every time I try to make up a water deficit right before I run I get a major gut ache.
It is very important to eat well when you are running. Some people want to cut out carbs while they are running but I always find I don't have any energy if I don't have some carbs before a run. Go for the healthy carbs. Whole wheat toast with peanut butter is a good one but the best food for running is a banana. It is said that a banana can sustain you through a one hour workout or run. Try not to eat too close to the time you are going to run. I eat an hour or two before I run.
5- Posture- Try not to lean your upper body over your knees as you run. You want to keep a fairly straight posture. Running up a steep hill is the only time I allow myself to lean a bit. Too much leaning forward not only indicates that you are super tired, but it can give you a backache too. If your nose could cross a finish line before the rest of your body it means you either have a huge nose, like me, or you are leaning way too far forward. Think straight.
Also, when you plant your foot on the ground you want to set it down heel to toe. Heel toe, heel toe. Your foot should not make slapping or stomping noises when you run. It should be fairly quiet. Placing your foot heel to toe puts the least amount of strain on your knees and joints.
6- Clock Watching- We've all heard about the watched pot. And it is true. When I am on the treadmill I always cover up the faceplate with a towel so I am not constantly watching the clock. I learned pretty quickly that watching the clock makes the run feel like forever. Ten seconds feels like a minute. The same is true when I run outside. I wear a watch to time myself but I don't look at it until I get to my mile markers. If I am on the treadmill I have the TV on to pass the time. If I am outside I look at the houses, the cars, the lake, the trees, and the people to distract myself. Much better than watching the clock.
7- Weather- I love running outside. The time seems to pass so much more quickly when I'm outside then when I'm on the treadmill. I used to feel the opposite because when you run outside you are contending with the weather. And here in Wisconsin we get all kinds. Hot, humid, cold, rainy, snow, sun, windy. You name it. Running outside always added another level of difficulty for me but once I really gave it a good try it really was much more enjoyable for me. The one thing that I can't live without when I am running outside is a baseball hat. It not only keeps my hair out of my face and off my neck but it shields my eyes from the sun and rain and soaks up the sweat that otherwise runs into my eyes. I can never keep my sunglasses on when I run and tire of pushing them up my nose every 5 seconds so the baseball hat is a lifesaver.
8- Warm up & Cool downs - Many of you have asked me if I have warm up exercises that I do before I run. I really don't. I was taught to warm up into the run. Meaning, you start out jogging slowly and then work up to a decent paced run. Jogging is a sort of warm up in itself so I have never really stretched much before a run. It may not be what a trainer would recommend, but it works for me.
I have found that the cool down is an absolute must for me. Never finish a run and plop yourself down in the grass to catch your breath. Todd warned me of this many times and told me of the importance of a 5 minute cool down but I didn't listen. I would run for 30-40 minutes and then just walk in the house and sit down. Every time I did that the same night I would feel like I was getting the flu. My muscles ached and I was chilled to the bone. Todd kept telling me that my muscles didn't have a good cool down and that is why I felt so crappy. Finally I decided to listen and after every run I would walk for 5 minutes. I've never had that same cold achy feeling after a run again. I HIGHLY recommend walking at a decent pace for at least 4-5 minutes after each run.
9- Traffic- When you are running outside you have to be very aware of the cars on the road. Some drivers seem to be completely oblivious of runners. You need to watch out for them because they may not be watching out for you. And just because a car has it's turning signal on doesn't mean they will turn. I have almost been hit crossing the street a number of times. If you must run in the road run on the side of the oncoming traffic. That way you will see the cars that are closest to you much sooner than if they were coming from behind you.
10- Dogs- I love dogs. But when I'm running, not so much. It seems that when dogs see someone running their natural instinct is to chase. Even the friendly dogs. But it is a distraction whether the dog is friendly or not. I have been nipped at by three or four small dogs (they seem to be the sassiest) and have learned to cross the street (even though one dog followed me across the street) every time I see a dog to hopefully avoid any kind of interaction. It usually works.
-Quick story. Todd was running down the street (he always runs in the road) one morning when out of the corner of his eye he saw a pit bull come tearing out of a yard and begin chasing him down the middle of the road. Without thinking Todd turned around and began running top speed at the pit bull, growling and barking. Luckily, Todd was scarier than the pit bull and the dog skidded backwards and took off down the road in the opposite direction. I think if it would have been me I would have peed my pants and probably been a goner. A teenager and her mom were coming out of the church across the street and saw the whole thing. The teenager said to Todd, "That was the coolest thing I've ever seen!"
11- Pain- If you are going to be a runner you need to learn to think past the pain. There will be pain. There will be cramps, gut aches, feelings of heaviness, shoulder tightness, and all kinds of pain. Running is a sport of mental toughness. It is all about pushing yourself. I didn't become a runner until I learned that. Instead I would always give up and start walking the minute I felt pain. If I got a gut ache I would stop running and walk. Once I learned to push myself I found out that the gut ache goes away if you run just a few more minutes. If you get a gut ache after 4 minutes of running and always stop running to walk you will ALWAYS get a gut ache 4 minutes into the run because your body has never been pushed further. Try running through the gut ache and next time you may not get it at the 4 minute mark. Maybe you'll get it at 10 minutes. Or maybe not at all. Push, push, push yourself. That is also why it is important to start slowly. You can't go from not running at all to expecting yourself to run 3 miles. That is not only unrealistic, it is dangerous. If you work up to it slowly your body will be able to adjust better and have less recoup time. Be smart about the pain. You know the difference between pushing yourself through manageable pain and pushing yourself through pain that could cause damage (a pulled muscle or something).
12- Music- I honestly can not run as well without music. Listening to music gets me pumped up and gives me so much more energy when I am struggling through the last mile of a run. I have an iPod shuffle that clips on to my waistband and the earplugs actually stay in really well while I run. I am so grateful for that iPod. It is my running lifesaver.
I am very choosy about the music I listen to when I'm running. Nothing slow or relaxing. I listen to fast-paced music that makes me feel excited, angry, or scared. I know that sounds funny but I run really well when I am ticked off or freaked out. I also listen to music that maybe I normally wouldn't listen too. For instance, Beautiful People by Marilyn Manson. That song scares the crap out of me and it makes me run super fast just to get the song over with. It makes me feel like I'm being chased. Or Still of the Night by Whitesnake (although I do actually like Whitesnake). The drum beats and his voice just sound angry to me. It pumps me up. Then there are the songs that I love listening to no matter where I am. Even if I hear them in the car they get me excited and make me feel like running. Stronger by Kayne West, Smooth Criminal by Alien Ant Farm, Intergalactic by Beastie Boys, Loose Control by Missy Elliot, The Way I Are by Timbaland, Survivor by Destiny's Child, Let's Go Crazy by Prince, are all on my iPod in the first 40 minutes. Anything with a good fast drum beat or a quick rhythms really help me run. The only thing I have to worry about is keeping myself from dancing while I'm running. I've been known to throw a few head nods here and there and swing my arms around to a good song. I probably look pretty crazy sometimes. It reminds me of how Phoebe ran through Central Park in that one Friends episode.
13- Inspiration- There will always be times when you don't feel like running. Whether it is while your are running or when you are trying to get up the gumption to get out and go for your run that day. It can be tough to keep going sometimes. You need inspiration. It can be anything that makes you feel strong enough to get up and go instead of taking a nap on the couch. I have many different things I think about to motivate me. Yesterday during my run on the treadmill I was just so bored and so not into it but I thought about my dad. I thought about what a great runner he was and how much he loved sports and being active. He would give anything to be able to run again. It was enough to push me through the rest of the run and I went much farther than I thought could.
Todd remembers being inspired during a marathon when around mile 18 he looked over to the side of the street where people were standing cheering the runners on. He saw a little boy with severe disabilities sitting in a wheelchair smiling and clapping for the runners. He was so choked up but it gave him the extra boost to finish the marathon with gusto.
Or how about this story? This is so amazing and inspiring it takes my breath away. It makes me think that if someone can do something like that then I certainly can finish up a measly little 4 mile run.
But I'll admit sometimes my thoughts are much shallower than that. Sometimes picturing me looking good (or even acceptable) in a swimsuit for an upcoming vacation is enough to make me continue on during a painful run. Shallow? Yes. But, hey, sometimes it works.
Whatever your inspiration you need to use it to help you push through those difficult times. The times when you just want to skip running for the day. Use that inspiration to push yourself to the next level.
(So there you have it. Again, these are all very basic things that have helped me. I am by no means a professional runner, or a nutritionist, or a trainer. I am just a regular person who used to hate running and who now loves it and uses it for stress relief, exercise, and my overall health. This may not work for everyone, but it has helped me. Of course you should always check with your doctor before you begin a new workout routine.)
1- Shoes- Having shoes that fit well and give you proper support is very important. I know there are stores that actually help fit you into the right shoe for running, but being the cheapskate that I am I usually just go to Kohl's when they have huge sales. I got my last pair of Nike's on sale for $40 down from $70. Very exciting. Adidas and Asics also have some great running shoes. If you feel you need outside help from a salesperson that is probably the best way to ensure a proper fit, but I just try on the shoes (both of them) and see how they feel. I walk around the store for a while and make sure my arch (I have a very big arch) is supported, that they are snug but not too snug, and that nothing is rubbing on my toes, ankles or heels. I can always tell when it is time to buy a knew pair of running shoes because my shins and ankles get sore after every run.
2- Clothes- It takes a while to find clothes that you are comfortable running in. When I first started running I went out and bought these running shorts that were made out of a windbreaker type material. I was so excited to try them out and when I did I hated them. As I ran my thighs rubbed together (there! you caught me! my thighs touch. dammit) and the material gathered and inched upward leaving an upside down V at the hem of my shorts in between my legs. I felt like an idiot AND the material chaffed my legs. I kept pulling at them the whole run and it was so distracting. After that I switched to spandex (I know, I know) and there was no slippage. I wore an extra long tee shirt to cover my K-Lo caboose and have been happier ever since. Each person is different and you have to find the clothes that make you comfortable. Even your socks can make a difference as I've found thinner socks work much better than thicker socks for me.
3- Sports Bras- Speaking of clothing, let's talk about sports bras. I've been asked by quite a few people what is recommended for big breasted women who want to try running. Not like I'd know personally (double dammit). I definitely do not have to worry about that. But a few of my friends are very well endowed and when they run they wear two or three sports bras at a time and found it works great. I actually wore two sports bras when I ran while I was still breastfeeding and it truly did help. If that doesn't work, um, try duct tape?
4- Water & Food- Drinking enough water is crucial. If I don't drink enough water I get really itchy legs and sometimes even migraines. On a day you know you will be running try drinking water regularly throughout the day. When you get closer to the run slow down on the water. Every time I try to make up a water deficit right before I run I get a major gut ache.
It is very important to eat well when you are running. Some people want to cut out carbs while they are running but I always find I don't have any energy if I don't have some carbs before a run. Go for the healthy carbs. Whole wheat toast with peanut butter is a good one but the best food for running is a banana. It is said that a banana can sustain you through a one hour workout or run. Try not to eat too close to the time you are going to run. I eat an hour or two before I run.
5- Posture- Try not to lean your upper body over your knees as you run. You want to keep a fairly straight posture. Running up a steep hill is the only time I allow myself to lean a bit. Too much leaning forward not only indicates that you are super tired, but it can give you a backache too. If your nose could cross a finish line before the rest of your body it means you either have a huge nose, like me, or you are leaning way too far forward. Think straight.
Also, when you plant your foot on the ground you want to set it down heel to toe. Heel toe, heel toe. Your foot should not make slapping or stomping noises when you run. It should be fairly quiet. Placing your foot heel to toe puts the least amount of strain on your knees and joints.
6- Clock Watching- We've all heard about the watched pot. And it is true. When I am on the treadmill I always cover up the faceplate with a towel so I am not constantly watching the clock. I learned pretty quickly that watching the clock makes the run feel like forever. Ten seconds feels like a minute. The same is true when I run outside. I wear a watch to time myself but I don't look at it until I get to my mile markers. If I am on the treadmill I have the TV on to pass the time. If I am outside I look at the houses, the cars, the lake, the trees, and the people to distract myself. Much better than watching the clock.
7- Weather- I love running outside. The time seems to pass so much more quickly when I'm outside then when I'm on the treadmill. I used to feel the opposite because when you run outside you are contending with the weather. And here in Wisconsin we get all kinds. Hot, humid, cold, rainy, snow, sun, windy. You name it. Running outside always added another level of difficulty for me but once I really gave it a good try it really was much more enjoyable for me. The one thing that I can't live without when I am running outside is a baseball hat. It not only keeps my hair out of my face and off my neck but it shields my eyes from the sun and rain and soaks up the sweat that otherwise runs into my eyes. I can never keep my sunglasses on when I run and tire of pushing them up my nose every 5 seconds so the baseball hat is a lifesaver.
8- Warm up & Cool downs - Many of you have asked me if I have warm up exercises that I do before I run. I really don't. I was taught to warm up into the run. Meaning, you start out jogging slowly and then work up to a decent paced run. Jogging is a sort of warm up in itself so I have never really stretched much before a run. It may not be what a trainer would recommend, but it works for me.
I have found that the cool down is an absolute must for me. Never finish a run and plop yourself down in the grass to catch your breath. Todd warned me of this many times and told me of the importance of a 5 minute cool down but I didn't listen. I would run for 30-40 minutes and then just walk in the house and sit down. Every time I did that the same night I would feel like I was getting the flu. My muscles ached and I was chilled to the bone. Todd kept telling me that my muscles didn't have a good cool down and that is why I felt so crappy. Finally I decided to listen and after every run I would walk for 5 minutes. I've never had that same cold achy feeling after a run again. I HIGHLY recommend walking at a decent pace for at least 4-5 minutes after each run.
9- Traffic- When you are running outside you have to be very aware of the cars on the road. Some drivers seem to be completely oblivious of runners. You need to watch out for them because they may not be watching out for you. And just because a car has it's turning signal on doesn't mean they will turn. I have almost been hit crossing the street a number of times. If you must run in the road run on the side of the oncoming traffic. That way you will see the cars that are closest to you much sooner than if they were coming from behind you.
10- Dogs- I love dogs. But when I'm running, not so much. It seems that when dogs see someone running their natural instinct is to chase. Even the friendly dogs. But it is a distraction whether the dog is friendly or not. I have been nipped at by three or four small dogs (they seem to be the sassiest) and have learned to cross the street (even though one dog followed me across the street) every time I see a dog to hopefully avoid any kind of interaction. It usually works.
-Quick story. Todd was running down the street (he always runs in the road) one morning when out of the corner of his eye he saw a pit bull come tearing out of a yard and begin chasing him down the middle of the road. Without thinking Todd turned around and began running top speed at the pit bull, growling and barking. Luckily, Todd was scarier than the pit bull and the dog skidded backwards and took off down the road in the opposite direction. I think if it would have been me I would have peed my pants and probably been a goner. A teenager and her mom were coming out of the church across the street and saw the whole thing. The teenager said to Todd, "That was the coolest thing I've ever seen!"
11- Pain- If you are going to be a runner you need to learn to think past the pain. There will be pain. There will be cramps, gut aches, feelings of heaviness, shoulder tightness, and all kinds of pain. Running is a sport of mental toughness. It is all about pushing yourself. I didn't become a runner until I learned that. Instead I would always give up and start walking the minute I felt pain. If I got a gut ache I would stop running and walk. Once I learned to push myself I found out that the gut ache goes away if you run just a few more minutes. If you get a gut ache after 4 minutes of running and always stop running to walk you will ALWAYS get a gut ache 4 minutes into the run because your body has never been pushed further. Try running through the gut ache and next time you may not get it at the 4 minute mark. Maybe you'll get it at 10 minutes. Or maybe not at all. Push, push, push yourself. That is also why it is important to start slowly. You can't go from not running at all to expecting yourself to run 3 miles. That is not only unrealistic, it is dangerous. If you work up to it slowly your body will be able to adjust better and have less recoup time. Be smart about the pain. You know the difference between pushing yourself through manageable pain and pushing yourself through pain that could cause damage (a pulled muscle or something).
12- Music- I honestly can not run as well without music. Listening to music gets me pumped up and gives me so much more energy when I am struggling through the last mile of a run. I have an iPod shuffle that clips on to my waistband and the earplugs actually stay in really well while I run. I am so grateful for that iPod. It is my running lifesaver.
I am very choosy about the music I listen to when I'm running. Nothing slow or relaxing. I listen to fast-paced music that makes me feel excited, angry, or scared. I know that sounds funny but I run really well when I am ticked off or freaked out. I also listen to music that maybe I normally wouldn't listen too. For instance, Beautiful People by Marilyn Manson. That song scares the crap out of me and it makes me run super fast just to get the song over with. It makes me feel like I'm being chased. Or Still of the Night by Whitesnake (although I do actually like Whitesnake). The drum beats and his voice just sound angry to me. It pumps me up. Then there are the songs that I love listening to no matter where I am. Even if I hear them in the car they get me excited and make me feel like running. Stronger by Kayne West, Smooth Criminal by Alien Ant Farm, Intergalactic by Beastie Boys, Loose Control by Missy Elliot, The Way I Are by Timbaland, Survivor by Destiny's Child, Let's Go Crazy by Prince, are all on my iPod in the first 40 minutes. Anything with a good fast drum beat or a quick rhythms really help me run. The only thing I have to worry about is keeping myself from dancing while I'm running. I've been known to throw a few head nods here and there and swing my arms around to a good song. I probably look pretty crazy sometimes. It reminds me of how Phoebe ran through Central Park in that one Friends episode.
13- Inspiration- There will always be times when you don't feel like running. Whether it is while your are running or when you are trying to get up the gumption to get out and go for your run that day. It can be tough to keep going sometimes. You need inspiration. It can be anything that makes you feel strong enough to get up and go instead of taking a nap on the couch. I have many different things I think about to motivate me. Yesterday during my run on the treadmill I was just so bored and so not into it but I thought about my dad. I thought about what a great runner he was and how much he loved sports and being active. He would give anything to be able to run again. It was enough to push me through the rest of the run and I went much farther than I thought could.
Todd remembers being inspired during a marathon when around mile 18 he looked over to the side of the street where people were standing cheering the runners on. He saw a little boy with severe disabilities sitting in a wheelchair smiling and clapping for the runners. He was so choked up but it gave him the extra boost to finish the marathon with gusto.
Or how about this story? This is so amazing and inspiring it takes my breath away. It makes me think that if someone can do something like that then I certainly can finish up a measly little 4 mile run.
But I'll admit sometimes my thoughts are much shallower than that. Sometimes picturing me looking good (or even acceptable) in a swimsuit for an upcoming vacation is enough to make me continue on during a painful run. Shallow? Yes. But, hey, sometimes it works.
Whatever your inspiration you need to use it to help you push through those difficult times. The times when you just want to skip running for the day. Use that inspiration to push yourself to the next level.
(So there you have it. Again, these are all very basic things that have helped me. I am by no means a professional runner, or a nutritionist, or a trainer. I am just a regular person who used to hate running and who now loves it and uses it for stress relief, exercise, and my overall health. This may not work for everyone, but it has helped me. Of course you should always check with your doctor before you begin a new workout routine.)
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
WW- From Baby To Boy
Ben's hair has really been getting long. It has gone from adorable, curly hair to a sort of Albert Einstein look. Sure, I can sometimes get it to settle down enough to look cute for a while, but then we step outside, the wind catches his hair, and he is looking like a mad scientist all over again. Todd has been pestering me for a few months to cut it short but I wanted to put it off for as long as possible. I know that with the first haircut those beautiful golden curls will most likely be gone for good and my baby will not look so baby anymore.
But yesterday as I was cutting Joey and Tommy's hair Ben kept grabbing at his own hair and pointing to my clippers. Clearly he wanted to be part of the haircut club too. I walked over to him and fake cut his hair but he just wasn't satisfied. I trimmed his bangs a bit and that didn't satisfy him either. The little stinker really did want his hair cut.
When Todd came home from work I was just finishing up the haircuts. Ben was still insisting I cut his hair and when Todd saw that he gave me the last nudge I needed. He'd told me it was a sign. Time to cut the hair. And, I finally gave in. "Fine. Let's go take him to get his haircut right now before I change my mind." I said. Immediately after I'd made the verbal agreement I felt a little sick to my stomach. Oh dear.
We threw shoes and jackets on the boys and flew out the door before I had a chance to reconsider. Joey and Tommy both had their first haircuts from a barber (to make it extra special) and we thought Ben should as well. We hussled over to Todd's barber only to find that it had closed just 10 minutes earlier. We drove around from barber shop to barber shop. All of them closed. Why do barbers close so early? Finally a little salon caught my eye and I hurried in to see if they cut little kids' hair, what they charged, and if they had an opening. Yes, $10.00, and yes. I ran back out to the car and told everyone to unload.
In a short period of time Ben went from being my curly headed little baby to my clean cut little man.
This is the before shot. Todd is giving Ben the pre-haircut pep talk. "Are you gonna be a good boy? Can you sit really still? Are you gonna have a big boy haircut?"
Okay. Now he is ready. Let's get this show on the road, people!
Here he is being a major ham and saying, "teeze!"
Here he is trying to be still. He was so good and didn't complain at all. The hairstylist was amazed. And probably pretty thankful.
And here he is looking like a new man.
Just chillin' in a big boy chair looking cool as can be.
Playing with the toys while mommy and daddy pay for the beautiful haircut. She did such a great job. See? There are still some little curls left! Whew! I didn't know it was possible but I think he looks even cuter now.
Daddy giving Ben the post-haircut pep talk. "You did so well! You are such a good boy! You look so handsome!"
This is Ben eating with his new short haircut.
Here is Ben drinking with his new short haircut. 
And here he is in his jammies sitting next to the pumpkins with his new short haircut.
All in all, a very good and successful first haircut. With no fussing (from Ben) and minimal tears (from me) Ben took yet another giant step away from babyhood. *sniff, sniff*
(And by the way, WW now stand for Wordy Wednesday.)
But yesterday as I was cutting Joey and Tommy's hair Ben kept grabbing at his own hair and pointing to my clippers. Clearly he wanted to be part of the haircut club too. I walked over to him and fake cut his hair but he just wasn't satisfied. I trimmed his bangs a bit and that didn't satisfy him either. The little stinker really did want his hair cut.
When Todd came home from work I was just finishing up the haircuts. Ben was still insisting I cut his hair and when Todd saw that he gave me the last nudge I needed. He'd told me it was a sign. Time to cut the hair. And, I finally gave in. "Fine. Let's go take him to get his haircut right now before I change my mind." I said. Immediately after I'd made the verbal agreement I felt a little sick to my stomach. Oh dear.
We threw shoes and jackets on the boys and flew out the door before I had a chance to reconsider. Joey and Tommy both had their first haircuts from a barber (to make it extra special) and we thought Ben should as well. We hussled over to Todd's barber only to find that it had closed just 10 minutes earlier. We drove around from barber shop to barber shop. All of them closed. Why do barbers close so early? Finally a little salon caught my eye and I hurried in to see if they cut little kids' hair, what they charged, and if they had an opening. Yes, $10.00, and yes. I ran back out to the car and told everyone to unload.
In a short period of time Ben went from being my curly headed little baby to my clean cut little man.
This is the before shot. Todd is giving Ben the pre-haircut pep talk. "Are you gonna be a good boy? Can you sit really still? Are you gonna have a big boy haircut?"
Okay. Now he is ready. Let's get this show on the road, people!
Here he is being a major ham and saying, "teeze!"
Here he is trying to be still. He was so good and didn't complain at all. The hairstylist was amazed. And probably pretty thankful.
And here he is looking like a new man.
Just chillin' in a big boy chair looking cool as can be.
Playing with the toys while mommy and daddy pay for the beautiful haircut. She did such a great job. See? There are still some little curls left! Whew! I didn't know it was possible but I think he looks even cuter now.
Daddy giving Ben the post-haircut pep talk. "You did so well! You are such a good boy! You look so handsome!"This is Ben eating with his new short haircut.
Here is Ben drinking with his new short haircut. 
And here he is in his jammies sitting next to the pumpkins with his new short haircut.
All in all, a very good and successful first haircut. With no fussing (from Ben) and minimal tears (from me) Ben took yet another giant step away from babyhood. *sniff, sniff*
(And by the way, WW now stand for Wordy Wednesday.)
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Am I A Party Pooper?
Joey was just invited to a birthday party. The fourth one this school year, actually. Man. For a small class of just 16 kids they sure do know how to party. It seems that someone is having a birthday party every week. And while Joey has not been able to make it to all the birthday parties he has been invited to he certainly wants to go to all of them. He always has a blast.
The birthday party that he was just invited to is a swim party. Does that raise your eyebrows as it did mine? Because I definitely have concerns. You see, Joey is 5 years old. And at 5 years old, while he is comfortable in the water, he does not swim well yet. The party is at the YMCA, and while I'm sure there will be a lifeguard there, and the birthday boy's parents as well, I'm still not very comfortable with it. With 10-15 boys to watch it makes me pretty uncomfortable to even think about. The boys in Joey's class (there are 12 boys and 4 girls- ack!) are WILD to say the least.
And what about when the swimming is over? While Joey is perfectly capable of dressing himself I can't really picture him showering, undressing, drying off, dressing, packing a swim bag up, and remembering everything he brought with him all by himself. It just isn't going to happen. Are the parents going to be helping all the boys? And if so, I don't even really know these parents very well. It just seems like it could so easily get out of hand. All of it.
Am I completely out of line here? Am I being a stick in the mud? Too overprotective? What do you think? Would you send your 5 year old to a swim party?
The birthday party that he was just invited to is a swim party. Does that raise your eyebrows as it did mine? Because I definitely have concerns. You see, Joey is 5 years old. And at 5 years old, while he is comfortable in the water, he does not swim well yet. The party is at the YMCA, and while I'm sure there will be a lifeguard there, and the birthday boy's parents as well, I'm still not very comfortable with it. With 10-15 boys to watch it makes me pretty uncomfortable to even think about. The boys in Joey's class (there are 12 boys and 4 girls- ack!) are WILD to say the least.
And what about when the swimming is over? While Joey is perfectly capable of dressing himself I can't really picture him showering, undressing, drying off, dressing, packing a swim bag up, and remembering everything he brought with him all by himself. It just isn't going to happen. Are the parents going to be helping all the boys? And if so, I don't even really know these parents very well. It just seems like it could so easily get out of hand. All of it.
Am I completely out of line here? Am I being a stick in the mud? Too overprotective? What do you think? Would you send your 5 year old to a swim party?
Monday, October 6, 2008
I'm Faster Than Matt Damon!
(photo courtesy of people.com) I just read that Matt Damon ran the 10K in a relay triathlon this past weekend at the urging of his brother. He ran it in 59 minutes and 54 seconds. Um. The last time I ran a 10K (last Thanksgiving) I ran it in 58 minutes and 32 seconds. Ha-HA! I beat Matt Damon! Can you stand it???? Of course, he didn't really know he was going to be competing, and I had been running for a while, but still! I beat Jason Bourne, dude!
(photo courtesy of allmegastar.com)
But if you want to hear something even cooler than that, go and visit Nap Warden. She is one badass chic. She just ran in a marathon this past weekend in freezing ran and blasting winds and finished DESPITE getting hypothermia. I'm. Not. Kidding.
Now go. Congratulate her!
Saturday, October 4, 2008
Saturday Suggestions Part 2
I am trying something new. Since I usually don't post on weekends I thought I would give you all some great reads written by other bloggers. Every Saturday I will pick three posts that stand out in my mind that I have read in the past week. They can be posts that make me laugh, cry, or just strike a chord with me. Please feel free to visit the links and leave comments.
And the three picks are...(drumroll)
MamaGeek with I Miss This
This woman is such a genius with a camera and she makes me laugh too.
Caffeine Court with The Reckless Worshipper
This post made me want to stand up and applaud. I wish I had the balls to do this.
Imbeingheldhostage with The 3 R's: Reading, Riting, and (Belated) Recognition
I know she was one of my picks last week but the freaking woman did it again! She makes me bawl!
I had a very tough time narrowing the picks down to just three this week. There were so many good posts! I hope you click over and visit these blogs, read 'em, and comment.
Thanks!
(P.S.- Does anyone know why my links have suddenly decided not to open in a seperate window?)
And the three picks are...(drumroll)
MamaGeek with I Miss This
This woman is such a genius with a camera and she makes me laugh too.
Caffeine Court with The Reckless Worshipper
This post made me want to stand up and applaud. I wish I had the balls to do this.
Imbeingheldhostage with The 3 R's: Reading, Riting, and (Belated) Recognition
I know she was one of my picks last week but the freaking woman did it again! She makes me bawl!
I had a very tough time narrowing the picks down to just three this week. There were so many good posts! I hope you click over and visit these blogs, read 'em, and comment.
Thanks!
(P.S.- Does anyone know why my links have suddenly decided not to open in a seperate window?)
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