See Mom Sweat

Does Being Skinny Make You Happy?

2012-01-25T20:51:00.000-08:00

I’ve been thin my whole life. It’s not some genetics thing; I was a mover even before my brothers used me for football tackle practice, had me run the bases, and positioned me in goal for hockey drills. Lucky for me I still love moving—both the hardcore sweaty stuff, and the more relaxed play that fills a mom’s day.

Being active has helped spare me excess worry about heart disease, high cholesterol and elevated blood pressure that run in my family. It’s also helped me control anxiety and depression, two of my other little DNA-powered gifts.

I know I’m not alone. In a survey we conducted while writing Hot (Sweaty) Mamas: Five Secrets to Life as a Fit Mom (Andrews McMeel, 2011), almost all of the fit moms who responded realized some mental health benefits from their fitness pursuits. It wasn’t being skinny that made them happier; in fact most of them probably wouldn’t even consider themselves skinny by societal standards. So it must be something else.

And yet we see the message that getting skinny means getting happy, don’t we? I saw it at the gym last weekend. Thirteen flat screen televisions on the wall in front of me and over half of them were playing advertisements (dressed as television shows) showing amazing product-related transformations—women who went from obese and unhappy to skinny and smiling.

If only it were that simple. We all have our struggles, whether it’s depression with a capital “D” or an occasional sadness that leaves us looking for more in life. Exercise is great medicine for mental health; it’s a proven physiological and psychological supplement.

But simply getting skinny doesn’t make you happier. As with most things, it’s all in the process. It’s what you’re doing to get there that’s really helping. It’s setting and reaching goals, developing a new (healthier) identity, connecting with a community of likeminded people, feeling cared about and caring for others as mentee and mentor.

In short:

Being skinny won’t make you happy.

Wearing $100 workout pants won’t make you happy (a post for another day!)

Breathing, sweating, and moving with intention—even just a little bit every day—will.

So, whether you’re on your way to being fit, or been there for a while now… keep your eyes focused on the process. Cause that’s what living a fit lifestyle is: a process, a (for lack of a better, less overused word) journey. It’s okay to enjoy the way your body looks, a nice side effect of the underlying increase in overall health. But if you’re looking for happiness, step away from the mirror. You won’t find it there.

—Laurie

A Mother of Inspiration

2012-01-06T19:11:00.000-08:00

A year and a half ago, Lisa Erickson (a high school classmate of mine) did not consider herself a hot (sweaty) mama. She was tired and she was frustrated. At 220 pounds, Lisa was fatigued just walking up a flight of stairs. She says she spent so much time focusing on her failing marriage and raising her children that she didn't have time to take care of herself.

That's when Lisa joined a gym with a childcare center, which gave her two hours a day for to focus on her health. Lisa made a resolution, a life resolution, to get and stay fit. That decision has completely changed her body, and her life. In less than two years she's lost 85 lbs. and found happiness and self-confidence she never anticipated.

The following is a recent conversation I had with Lisa. She's honest and real and hard not to like... Read on and be inspired!

Laurie: Secret number one in the book Hot (Sweaty) Mamas: Five Secrets to Life as a Fit Mom (Andrews McMeel, 2011) is “You Have to Train Your Brain Before You Can Train Your Body.” In what ways did you prepare yourself mentally for the road in front of you before getting started living a fit lifestyle? Was there one thing that really helped you make the decision to get fit?

Lisa: I recently separated from my husband and put so much energy in trying to repair our marriage and care for our 3 children that I completely lost myself. I was tired of being overweight and unfit so I made the decision to change. I started small and focused on each day.

Laurie: Once you got going, what did you do to keep Mother Guilt away when you were taking time to care for yourself?

Lisa: I joined the gym for the childcare and as a result got in the best shape of my life. I have sole physical custody of my three kids and no time to myself. Those two hours of childcare are the only break I get. If they complain about going (they rarely do) I explain that they need a healthy mom to take care of them. These two hours are about mom and the rest of the day is about them.

Laurie: Let’s talk about excuses. We’ve all used them, right? What are your biggest triggers to forgo fitness? How do you keep yourself in check so that you’re only listening to valid reasons and not lame excuses when you take a day off or back off a bit?

Lisa: My biggest obstacle right now is not taking a break. I have a hard time missing a workout. I do "active recovery" days where I only do yoga or something light, but I rarely miss a day at the gym.

Laurie: In our book we remind readers to “Be As Good To Your Body As You Are To Your Children.” What techniques do you use to protect your overall well-being, not just your fitness pursuits? Do you think these parts of your life training are as important as the sweaty ones?

Lisa: I try to keep my life in balance. I realize that sounds contradictory by going to the gym every day, but I do what I feel is best for my mental and physical well-being as well as my children’s. I try to eat clean, train well and rest when needed.

Laurie: If I remember correctly, you were pretty social in high school. How have your relationships with others helped and hindered your lifestyle changes? Is there any one relationship that stands out as particularly toxic or particularly supportive?

Lisa: The group fitness instructors at my gym have been a huge inspiration to me. They are the ones I credit with my love for fitness—it’s their classes that got me going to the gym everyday. I have developed strong friendships with several of them who are not just instructors but good friends. They continue to motivate me and are strong supporters to both me and to my kids. As far as toxic people, I've changed how I react to others and those I choose to be close to. My home situation is unique in the fact I'm raising my children alone, which isolated me from a lot of my former friends. Getting a divorce forces people to look at their own marriages and it shuts off social circles as a result. I've learned to value true friendships and people for who they are and leave the rest behind. I don't worry about what others think of me. I am doing exactly what I need to be doing for myself and for my kids and I don't feel the need to explain myself or worry about how others perceive me. This realization has been equally instrumental as fitness and nutrition in my healthy lifestyle.

Laurie: The last secret of our book is “Act Like Others Are Watching Because They Are.” How do you think your transformation has impacted other people in your life, particularly your children?

Lisa: I love seeing people working hard to achieve something. When I see someone struggling while exercising it humbles me to see how far I've come. That 220lb lady is gone for good. I have all the tools I need to continue my success with my fitness goals. As a result my children understand the importance of caring for their bodies. Moderation, healthy food choices and moving daily are things we emphasize in our household.

Laurie: What changes did you experience mentally as you gained strength and improved your overall fitness? Are you happier now? If so, why?

Lisa: The feeling of accomplishment makes you a stronger person. My transformation has not only changed my body but my entire life. I'm the happiest I've ever been and the best shape of my life. There are days when I nit pick at little things and then I stop and look at the big picture and everything I've accomplished in the past couple years. It puts it all in perspective. I’m a better friend, mom and person as a result. I feel like there is nothing I can't do.

Laurie: Anything else you want to add that might be inspirational to another mom?

Lisa: Start small and focus on each day. Don't look at how far you have to go, look at how much you have done. The journey is continuous so enjoy each day!

TV Time for Hot (Sweaty) Mamas

2012-01-02T19:10:00.000-08:00

Had such a great time talking about Hot (Sweaty) Mamas: Five Secrets to Life as a Fit Mom with Belinda Jensen on the KARE 11 Saturday show this weekend. If you're looking for some motivation check out the interview, which gives a little taste of each of the secrets!

http://www.kare11.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=953860

The Little Things

2011-12-05T15:55:00.000-08:00

My kids go gaga over Playmobil, and now after finding the set pictured (left), I do too. It's not just the obvious things that draw me in either, like the subtle writing on Mom's shirt or the red jogger I think every mom should have. What tops my list are the smiles on both Mom's and Baby's faces. That and the fact that my kids are fighting over who gets to play with it... Music to my ears!

I snatched up the two remaining figurines and will be giving one away here (my kids insisted on keeping one for themselves). Pretty great stocking stuffer for any kid on your list (the baby is even dressed in gender-neutral green!). Just add a comment below with your best stocking stuffer idea (or a small gift item for those of you who do not celebrate Christmas) and be sure to sign up to be a follower of my blog. I'll randomly select and announce the winner next Monday! Good luck and let's hear those ideas!

Time for a Curveball?

2011-11-28T13:32:00.000-08:00

In Hot (Sweaty) Mamas: Five Secrets to Life as a Fit Mom we talk about the importance of making exercise a habit, especially when you're first finding your fitness mojo. But once you've been at your routine a while, it might be time to change things up. How do you know when you're at the point that you should try something new? If any of the following sound familiar, you might want to consider adding a curveball to your daily dose of fitness:

1. You've hit a plateau with your weight loss goals.

2. You see a decrease in performance gains.

3. You're lacking enthusiasm to just get moving.

4. It's mentally difficult to make it through your workout.

5. You see an increase in aches and pains, or nagging injuries that don't go away.

If you're experiencing one or more of the above, it might be time to experiment with your workouts. Try something new, whether that means attending a new group fitness class, adding strength and flexibility training, or changing how vigorously you work out. Anything that moves your body in a new way (or new intensity) will do. Stick with your new groove until things feel better. And if you happen to fall in love, stick with it indefinitely.

Celebrating Thanksgiving... Hot (Sweaty) Family Style

2011-11-24T17:19:00.000-08:00

Another great year celebrating Thanksgiving Day by movin' it at a local Turkey Trot. So proud of the girls who each hoofed their own best distance--Cady the whole 5K and Maggie two miles!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Much Love,

Laurie

Yoga In Action

2011-11-21T11:18:00.000-08:00

My panties are in a bunch this morning. Nothing too life altering, except a general need to slow the world down a bit. Target is opening its doors for holiday shopping at midnight on Thanksgiving and I woke up to an e-mail that read, "Black Friday Deals Start Now." Feels like the freneticism of the holiday season is creeping into the outer edge of what was once considered an unspoken, yet sacred, lull.

Lucky for me, I went to a candlelight yoga class on Saturday night. Getting there on time was no easy task; it was our first real taste of winter in Minneapolis and the streets were like ice rinks. Despite the white-knuckled anxiety I felt getting there, once inside the studio I felt my body make an intentional, purposeful shift. My mind quickly followed. I found myself able to soften the chaos I knew was just outside the brick wall behind me; I was acutely aware of my ability to block out the unwanted noise in my life. Even if just for that moment.

Mind over matter.

So today I'm going to put my yoga practice to work in everyday life. I'm going to focus on this moment and not worry about the chaos that is most certainly on the way. For me, this will mean making some very deliberate plans for today and, ultimately, our five day weekend. Trips to the science museum, nature center, and the pool will definitely be on the list. Some structure, lots of flexibility.

Thank you, Yoga, my wise and always friend.

Breathe in. Breathe out.

Namaste,

Laurie

What will you do to keep grounded during the holiday season? Start by checking out today's stop on the Hot (Sweaty) Mamas virtual book tour: Kate Hanley's Ms. MindBody. Kate's a yoga instructor, writer, speaker, and mom to two young children. Take a look around and check out her interview of my co-author and me!

Book Tour Stops at Bump Life with Guest Post on Mother Guilt Today

2011-11-17T10:48:00.000-08:00

Today the Hot (Sweaty) Mamas book tour is making a stop at Bump Life. Bump Life is a one stop shop for lots of great information on pre and postnatal fitness. Megan, the site's founder, has solid information that appeals to the I-like-up-to-date-and-accurate-information part of me. Check out her blog post with spot on answers to these top prenatal fitness questions:

4 Top Prenatal Fitness Questions

Can I get my heart rate over 140bpm
Can I do ab work while I am pregnant?
I woke up last night on my back, should I be worried?
My joints feel loosey-goosey, should I avoid working out?

Done making babies? Megan's still got you covered with a great 10 Minute Workout that Really Works for those days when your schedule is tight. And her 10 Steps to Fitness After the Birth of Your Baby provides sound advice on how to successfully and (perhaps more importantly) happily get back at after baby is born. And we all know that Happy Mom = Happy Baby, right?

So, check out Bump Life's review of the book. Later today, I'll be guest posting here on my favorite topic... Mother Guilt. Come join the conversation!

The (Virtual) Trip is Underway!

2011-11-16T19:46:00.000-08:00

Going on tour with Hot (Sweaty) Mamas: Five Secrets to Life as a Fit Mom sounds like a blast. That is until I think about all the stuff I'd miss out on at home, like my kids, my husband and my workouts. So while there are a couple real life trips planned for the near future, the Hot (Sweaty) Mamas book tour is going virtual. My co-author, Kara Thom, and I will spend the next five weeks visiting 23 (and counting) mom bloggers. As the bloggers check out our book, I'm going to do some fun research on my own visiting their blogs and sharing my favorite takeaways from each. Stop back throughout the tour and get to know these bloggers...

Our first stop was right here in Minneapolis with fellow runner, Carly, at Chubby Chicks Run Too. She rode a camel, rode the pole (you'll have to check that post out!), and now wears Dansko clogs... My kind of girl. Carly's doing the work of the Hot (Sweaty) Mama: managing to stay fit while working part-time and caring for her family and home. Love that she's sharing her struggles and successes with other moms...

Day two we hit Chicago to spend time with Stephanie Mansour from Step it Up with Steph.
Stephanie is a premier, private personal trainer and coach for women. She combines yoga, Pilates, personal training, and body image and confidence coaching for a unique approach to wellness. Steph's workbook, 30 Days to Love Your Body and Your Life, is on my gift list this year (cause who couldn't love their body or their life just a little more?).

Today we were up in British Columbia visiting Tamara of Fit Knit Chick. I've never met Tamara in person, but I think I might have a little girl crush on her. Guess she appeals to the student in me... Tamara has a PhD in Ecology and recently moved into the fitness industry. She's a mom to three kids who realized the best way to keep active was to turn that activity into a career. (Good thinking, Tamara!) And, of course, Tamara knits too. That's something I've tried (and failed at) many times...

Love these ladies and I'm excited to keep traveling! Stop back tomorrow to see who we'll be chatting with!

--Laurie

When the going gets tough...

2011-11-07T05:35:00.000-08:00

Kara and I could never have given birth to Hot (Sweaty) Mamas without the help of others. Sure, we did some of our work amidst a hurricane of children, armed with junk food and Barbie, err, educational movies for those moments of desperation. Sometimes, however, we had to leave the kids behind and for me that usually meant my girls would have a play date with my father-in-law, Grandpa Tony.

Grandpa Tony didn’t just facilitate writing time for me, he also helped me practice the very things we were writing about in our book. Prioritizing fitness and taking care of myself were logistically more convenient knowing Grandpa, who lives less than a mile away, was eager to spend time with his granddaughters.

It’s been almost two weeks since my father-in-law had his knee replaced, and he’ll likely be in a transitional care facility rehabbing his new joint for a while longer. Without Grandpa around, I find myself doing my version of Bible dipping: opening Hot (Sweaty) Mamas to random pages to get some
encouragement for my balancing act.

For the first time in five years, I’m working outside of the home on a regular basis, completing my internship for my master’s in counseling. I’m in school two nights a week. I’m the primary caregiver for my children and the main domestic engineer. I recently started coaching my daughter’s basketball team. We don’t use a cleaning service and rarely hire babysitters (with the very important exception of date night!), so I’m juggling. Lots. Sometimes it feels like things are falling through the cracks, and I’m playing child swap with my neighbor more than I’m used to. But I’m making this new “normal” work. I’m getting out there, staying active, and desperately finding time to exercise.

The point of this post it to offer kudos to every woman out there who is working hard to keep things going. Someone always has is more difficult, but we should be proud to find our way during both calm and rocky waters…

Cheers to each and every one of you for making this work as best you can. When the going gets tough, the hot and sweaty keep going!
-Laurie

Toeing the Line with an Olympian!

2011-10-28T05:37:00.000-07:00

What do you and I have in common with an Olympic runner? Lots. That is, if you've ever been up all night with a screaming infant, exhausted both physically and mentally from the demands of a spirited toddler, or searching for a little "me" time for self care. Motherhood is definitely an equalizer, a shared experience that makes us all each other's training partners no matter how fast or how far we move.

Last week my co-author and I sat down with Olympian Carrie Tollefson to talk about balancing motherhood and fitness. Check out the first of two episodes where we talk about our new book, Hot (Sweaty) Mamas: Five Secrets to Life as a Fit Mom (Andrews McMeel 2011).

Marathon Dates

2011-09-25T06:30:00.000-07:00

My husband and I refer to our first date as our marathon date. It lasted over 12 hours, included a stop at his parents’ house, my first mountain bike purchase, and drinks with his best friend. Nothing like jumping in headfirst. (Ironically, we’ve since run several marathons together, but those are never considered marathon dates!)

It’s been 14 years and two children since that first date and we still make an effort to spend chunks of time together reconnecting as a couple. We’re committed to frequent dates and shoot for an annual getaway doing something active. Just the two of us. Alone.

And so last week, Tony and I returned to the scene of our “best ever date.” We relived the “double crossing” of the Grand Canyon, where we ran from the South Rim to the North Rim, spent the night on the North Rim, and then ran back again. It was an amazing adventure with lots of great memories and nothing but each other’s company to occupy the time.

For two full days it was no kids, no work, no television, no phone. Just us. We met a retired couple who have spent the last six years driving around the country in an RV, met some marathoners from KY, and enjoyed the beauty of the Southwest. When we finished our adventure in the Canyon, we went to the movies, enjoyed good coffee, and watched television in bed (off limits in our home!).

Surprisingly, the time we spend together never includes my typical dose of mother guilt. When we take a multi-day trip away from the kids, we make every effort to ensure that they have good care, and they have a set schedule.

This time around they had the pleasure of spending the weekend with their aunt and cousins. They still had to stick to their routine, but they were rewarded with a couple of impromptu stops at Dairy Queen, and an extra late movie night with pizza. While their routine gives them the boundaries to know they are safe, the extra treats and later bed times keep it fun while Mom and Dad are gone.

Three and a half days away from the kids gave us plenty of time to reconnect doing something we both love. And that makes for a very happy couple. In the long run, happy parents make happy kids and healthy parents make healthy kids.

–Laurie

Bed head, anyone?

2011-09-13T15:38:00.000-07:00

Getting out of bed before the sun comes up means I’m rarely lookin’ fresh for my early morning workouts. I’m a stickler about sweating with clean teeth, but beyond that there isn’t much prep time associated with my pre-dawn fitness. Hair in pony, coffee in cup, grab the nearest (sometimes not-so-clean shirt) and I’m out the door.

I’m pretty sure we all share that routine to some degree (though you may always be confident your shirt is clean). For most of us, the main priority is getting out quietly, not getting out pretty. We don’t dare wake the kids or we’re up early and without our daily dose of fitness.

That said, there is something wonderful about working out with other people when we’re most ourselves, no primping, no prepping and probably no deodorant. What you see is what you get, wrinkles and all. Perhaps that why some of my fondest memories of fitness, some of my best fit-friendships, have grown during those early hours when the light is dim.

For me, getting out of bed in the morning ranks up there with cleaning the bathroom or making school lunches: Not. Much. Fun. But like most of the really great things in life, there is payback in the effort. The friendships hold me accountable, keep me climbing out of bed and lacing up my shoes.

As darkness takes over a little more of the morning, resist the urge to crawl back under the covers. Remember those friendships, those naked truths we love to see in each other, and keep moving! Even if the only face you see is your own reflection in the window, remember there is someone waiting for you and continue to embrace the dawn!

--Laurie

Remembering 9/11

2011-09-11T20:01:00.000-07:00

Ten years ago today, my life changed. Less than two hours after watching a second line appear on a pregnancy test, I witnessed the horrors of 9/11 unfold from the coffee shop at work. I had just told a friend (another high mileage runner) about the faint line; told her we planned to test again the next day “just to be sure.” But I knew. A second line was a second line, no matter how faint.

For the thirty minutes we talked, my main concerns about being pregnant were how far and how fast I could run with a baby on board. Would I be able to run throughout my pregnancy or would I have to settle with walking in the later months?

As I got up from the table with my friend and saw the crowds of people behind us watching the television coverage of the attacks, I remember thinking that running during my pregnancy wasn’t important. I felt silly at having worried; now there were more serious considerations. Like, how could I bring a child into a world where such terrible things were happening?

From the moment I stood up (close to 8 am CST), I was terrified. I remember crying that night as I realized the enormity of the attack. Watching the aftermath on television with my husband, knowing we had a baby on the way, made the event seem even more grievous. It was an attack on everyone, even our unborn child.

We went ahead and took another pregnancy test the following day. We’d deluded ourselves into the “uncertainty” of the test from the day before. Wanted a new, happier day to know for sure. As expected, the faint line had turned into a confident, bold declaration.

As our baby grew I continued to worry about the world, but I also continued to run. After time, I realized that the running really was important. It was something I could control, something that made me feel like I was making a difference in my world. It was a statement, a proclamation of how important health and fitness were to me. It was my way of telling myself, my child, and my community that I wasn’t going to live in fear.

But admittedly, a small amount of fear remains with me today. I hate the thought of anything threatening the safety of my family. So I’ll do what I can each day to keep them safe in the ways I can control. I’ll do what I can to stay healthy and teach them to do the same.

We’ll never forget the tragedies of 9/11. We’ll never forget that first pregnancy test; the day we first learned we were going to become parents. The events will forever be connected, and forever remind us how fragile life really is.

Laurie

Sneaking a Kiss

2011-09-08T06:07:00.000-07:00

A new school year is upon us!

Dropped my youngest off at her kindergarten room today and did something I hadn't done yet during her six day tenure in school. I lingered outside her room, peeked in through the glass to see what she did as her day began.

First, a pause. She leaned over the counter in her classroom as if powering up some internal engine. Then, with a bounce of energy, she planted a big kiss on her palm and danced off out of sight.

If you're into children's literature at all, you're familiar with Audrey Penn's book The Kissing Hand in which Chester Racoon's mom puts a kiss in his hand that stays with him for his first day of school. Understand why my heart turned to mush?

I've been grieving the transition this year, having both girls in school. Watching Maggie this morning took a little of the bitter out of bittersweet. She's a wonderful person; I'm happy I get to share her spirit with others but I still miss her. Miss them both.

After dropping the girls off, I walked out of school with a smile on my face. I climbed into my car, looked at my palm, and gave it a little kiss.

Pretty sure it's gonna get me through the day.

Laurie

Post-Race Blues: How to deal with depression after crossing the finish line

2011-08-21T15:12:00.000-07:00

After more than 15 years of racing, I realize that crossing the finishing line is still not the final step in any athletic event. I have a post-race phase to move through before setting my sights on the next event.

After training and competing comes post-race depression.

For me, post race depression seeps into the downtime I’m supposed to enjoy between events. It’s that feeling of letdown after something big happens—much like returning from a vacation or actually getting a promotion that you worked hard for. It leaves me asking answerless questions like: What did that really mean? Did I do my best? Now what?

And what makes this kind of downer so intense is that we are in recovery mode. When we pull back the reins on exercise, perhaps taking several days off from our primary sport, our bodies miss the endorphin high. In a survey I conducted for Hot (Sweaty) Mamas: Five Secrets to Life as a Fit Mom, I learned that many women (and men too) rely on the antidepressant effects of exercise. Take it away and many of us feel pretty hollow.

So what should you do?
1. For starters, if you know you are apt to feel depressed after a big event, listen to your body and recognize the triggers and patterns in your mood. You will eventually be able to step outside of the feeling and realize that mood doesn’t define you and the sadness will pass.

2. Keep positive energy alive by talking with others about the event and perhaps taking time to journal about your experience and reflect on your accomplishments. Acknowledge the magnitude of your efforts as well as your feelings surrounding them.

3. Eat a healthy and balanced diet. This is especially true if you participated in an endurance event that requires sugary supplements to keep you going. Gut rot may haunt you for a day or two, so be sure to consume healthy, whole foods to keep your spirits from bonking.

4. Get lots of sleep. Extra rest will help bring back your ability and desire to train hard again.

5. If you are feeling the effects of endorphin withdrawal (that is, you simply cannot fathom taking a few days off), commit to cross training in new or enjoyable ways. In order to allow your body time to recover, consider less strenuous exercise, like easy cycling, walking or relaxing laps in the pool.

6. While this may be a bit counterintuitive, do not schedule another big event right away. Learn to enjoy the unstructured time in your life. Your aim is to have longevity in your activity, and going from one big race to another is a prescription for burnout.

Post-race blues are real, but thankfully they last only a short time. Follow these steps and the symptoms of situational depression (that’s the real terminology) won’t prevent you from basking in your post-race bliss!

Laurie Kocanda will complete her Master’s in Counseling Psychology in spring 2012 and is co-author of Hot (Sweaty) Mamas: Five Secrets to Life as a Fit Mom. Despite her predictable post-race blues, she has completed over 40 marathons and ultramarathons.

This post recently appeared in Inside Dirt, an online publication distributed by Trail Runner magazine.

Rites of Passage

2011-08-20T19:00:00.000-07:00

“You run marathons? Wow! Have you ever pooped your pants?” If I had a nickel for every time someone has asked me that… Seems like some people think uncontrolled bodily functions go hand-in-hand with long distance running. (Hint: They don’t! And I’ve never pooped myself on a run!)

I’m not immune to similar ignorance. For years I’ve watched other runners lose toenail after toenail (including my husband, who lost all 10 after running the Western States 100 miler!). Somehow, I saw this loss as a badge of honor, a mark of commitment to the sport. My internal dialogue kept reminding me, “You aren’t a true ultra runner until you lose a toenail.”

Well, after running the Voyageur 50 mile a few weeks ago I’ve had a sudden change of heart. I endured over ten hours of heat, humidity and hills. I had existential moments I thought came only with a Timothy Leary experiment. My husband has a pithy little saying he heard somewhere: “If you make friends with pain you will never be alone.” I suffered. I made friends with pain, and as it turns out, I got my wish granted. I am going to lose a toenail.

Now I would like to unfriend this particular insidious version of pain. It’s there constantly. I rub my toenail on the sheet and it hurts, I stubbed said toe on the dresser and it sent a scream out of my mouth that brought the whole family running into the room. I thought that draining it might reduce the pressure and make it feel better. It turns out that my Dr. Oz moment may have just got it infected. It’s not the glamorous party I thought it would be.

I gave birth to my two kids without drugs. What I wouldn’t do for an epidural right now.
-Laurie

Why Run 50?

2011-08-01T18:14:00.000-07:00

It was mile 25 and my daughter heard my plea: “I’m so tired. I just want to quit.” I was exhausted from four and a half hours of trail running in the Minnesota Northwoods and felt nauseous thinking about running the course again in reverse.

At 9 years old, Cady didn’t quite understand why, when I had just said I wanted to stop, I was about to turn around and head back. “Just stop, Mom.” Simple logic.
My husband, on the other hand, pulled me up out of the chair I’d just crumpled into and got me turned back toward the finish. “We’ll see you at the next aid station!” Somehow he’d tricked me into moving again.

The Minnesota Voyaguer Ultra is a 50-mile foot race on some of the most beautiful and rugged trails I’ve ever run. It’s rocky, rooty, hilly, and muddy with a few stream crossings, scramble-on-your hands-and-knees ascents, and slide-on-your-butt-descents. For the first 25 miles, it’s more fun than anything else. But at the turnaround it becomes a test of wills, an exercise in mental toughness.

So as I started to climb the trail out of the Duluth Zoo, I began thinking about why I was running this distance. What it was that was keeping me going. I came up with a few reasons that, even in my post-race return to sanity, sound pretty compelling:


My kids had fun, but the day was mine.

As a mom, there are few things I do that are JUST for me. This race, this weekend, was all about me. Like it or not, it’s something my kids need to experience. They need to see Mom as an individual, her own person with goals and aspirations. Hopefully it’s something they’ll remember (and replicate in their own way) when they have children of their own.
Self-confidence isn’t always easy to come by for me. Running 50 miles reminds me that I am worthy and capable of much more than I sometimes give myself credit for.
There is a sense of community I feel when running these races that is unmatched anywhere else. It’s not like a quick trip through a water stop during the marathon or 5K. It’s people taking the time to figure out what you need and get you back on your way. Each individual’s finish is really a group effort. I love that.
Trail runs are beautiful. There is a sense of peace when running in the woods that I don’t get anywhere else. Trail runs are the perfect excuse to run through mud, and splash through puddles and streams. I get to “wear” the beauty that surrounds me, and that is pretty cool.
I enjoy the solitude of the run. It’s fun to start out with a group of runners, but I really enjoy the alone time offered in the middle and late portions of a trail run when there isn’t anyone around me. It’s a great time to think, or as is sometimes required, to turn off my mind and just focus on what I’m doing.

As the day wore on and I got closer to the finish, I grew increasingly excited to see my husband and daughters at the aid stations along the way. My body was tired, but knowing they were waiting for me kept me moving at a steady shuffle. Maintaining that slow jog helped me catch and pass a number of runners, all of who offered enthusiastic words of encouragement.

Coming into an aid station, excited to see my hubby and the girls.

I crossed the finish line with my daughters in 10:27:54 (6^th woman, 1^st masters woman). I’m a little sore, but feel much better than expected. Big thanks to my husband, Tony, who pushed food on me at each aid station (who knew potato chips on PB&J would taste so good!), and kept me going with salt, fluids and his amazing smile.

Crossing the finish line with my girls, who wouldn't hug me because I was too sweaty!

Family Friendly Runs

2011-07-06T11:11:00.000-07:00

Trail runs offer a special kind of freedom to runners, and the kids who come out to cheer them on. My dance with dirt at the Afton 50K Trail Run on Saturday was intense. With over 8,700 feet of ascending and descending, it wasn’t easy. But knowing my kids were out exploring and having fun meant I wasn’t worrying about them being bored or getting into trouble. And best of all, my kids didn’t just get to cross the finish line with me, they were dancing on it when I got there. My oldest even put the medal around my neck. After 6+ hours of running, it was the best finish line I could imagine!

What’s your favorite event for the family? What makes it so special for you or the other members of your clan?
-Laurie

Giveaway: Be happy in the (this) saddle

2011-06-21T13:17:00.000-07:00

Friend or foe?

There is a special freedom found only on a bike. It’s one of those rare thrills we feel at every age and ability. Whether it’s your first wobbly ride off training wheels or your umpteenth century (100 mile) ride of the season, cycling makes us feel independent, strong and happy.

Except when it doesn’t.

For some of us, particularly women, climbing onto the saddle causes more than just a little discomfort “down there.” And until you find a saddle that fits just right (and take off your panties!), biking will never make you feel like a kid again. Instead, it will make you feel like you’ve just had one—right there on the bike.

I have vivid memories of a long ride with my husband back when were first married that resulted in him winning the Heisman Award for a good week. Tears streamed down my cheeks as I pushed through the pain, fleshy one minute and boney the next. Didn’t matter how I sat, I was uncomfortable. Not strong. Not happy.

I went through a few saddles before I fell in love (or should I say, my crotch fell in love) with the Terry Butterfly Ti saddle. It’s lightweight and designed just for “her” by folks who specialize in ladies cycling. The guys like it too since it eliminates the Heisman phenomena–at least as it relates to the bike, anyway. (Come on, riding really shouldn’t be a pre-coital excuse!).

Having saddle issues? Got that “not so fresh feeling”? Just want to try something new? I wanna hear from Hot (Sweaty) Mamas like you about why you like to ride, or about your favorite two-wheeled adventure. I’ll draw one winner from the entrants here and at hotsweatymamas.com and post the winner on Friday. Good luck!
–Laurie

Running in Circles

2011-06-17T14:51:00.000-07:00

My friend Greg once told me he likes to draw an imaginary circle around himself and every person with whom he has a relationship—his wife, kids, friends, co-workers (you get the idea). As often as he remembers, he takes a little inventory of his life to make sure he’s keeping all the right stuff inside each of those circles. He reminded me that everything we do within a given circle has the potential to strengthen the relationship therein. And sometimes when we leave things out of certain circles we ultimately make them weaker.

Thinking about all this made me realize how important health and fitness are to my overall wellbeing, not just my physical health. How they’ve helped me establish and deepen a number of relationships in my life. When my husband and I met, we shared a passion for the outdoors and a passion for running; and each year our marriage grows through some shared physical activity including these things (i.e., running the Grand Canyon, sailing trips, camping).

Many of my closest friends are also running partners, riding buddies or fellow gym rats. Those that don’t share my passion at least appear enthusiastic about my goals and accomplishments. And it’s okay if they’re just faking interest, to share a circle with me means to share my interests no matter what. And I share the things that make them tick, too (even when I don’t find them interesting).

I’ve had a couple of friendships that haven’t fared so well over the years; there have been times I’ve let fitness get in the way of a relationship by simply not sharing it with someone else. Greg got me thinking that maybe I can use my passion for fitness as a means to rekindle those old friendships, repair relationships that might need tending to or strengthen an already strong bond with a loved one. It even works with people who don’t quite “get it,” who don’t understand that it’s fun to work up a good stinky, sweat.

I can keep circles intact by sharing what it feels like to be me, and that doesn’t necessarily mean running a marathon (though it’s always nice to have some company). There are plenty of other options—a short walk with an aging parent, a leisurely bike ride with my kids, a lake swim with a friend who usually hits the beach for a tan. If fitness is a big part of your life, find some way to share it with those people who are most important to you. Let it bring you together instead of tear you apart.

We all know that good relationships can be the best, most challenging endurance events out there. And as a mom, having a good support network is a sanity saver. So when you think the finish line is in sight, loop back and keep going. Sometimes running (or walking, biking, swimming, etc.) in circles can be a very good thing.

An active lifestyle keeps me physically and mentally fit, better able to handle the demands of motherhood. How about you? Does fitness keep you strong in more ways than one?

How Much is Enough?

2011-05-13T10:55:00.000-07:00

Spring cleaning... Which ones do I keep?

In the twelve years my husband and I have owned our home, we’ve toyed with the idea of moving into a bigger house quite a bit. While it would be nice to have a little more space, we’re confident a bigger home would not translate into less clutter. Staying in our current home has required constant examination of what we need versus what we have.

We try to teach our kids that more isn’t better by suggesting they donate the things they are no longer interested in. For the most part it has worked (with the exception of the brothel of Barbies bursting out of the toy bin across the room from me). At five, our youngest doesn’t quite get it yet. But our oldest (who will turn nine next week) seems to understand. She actually agreed to a nice gift from Mom and Dad instead of having presents at her party.

Accumulate less. Donate more.

Over the years I’ve gotten better at eliminating excess, too. I finally got rid of my wedding shoes and I no longer hold on to every piece of artwork my kids create. I’ve recovered from my need to keep every cotton race finisher’s shirt; a problem solved by creating a quilt (who knew I could be crafty?).

I’ve learned to live leaner, except when it comes to my running shirts. There are too many to reasonable wear in any one season. I'll admit to some odd emotional attachment. There's the shirt I wore running the Grand Canyon, the one from the first marathon my parents came to see, my very first long sleeved wicking shirt. I’m not sure why I keep them all; I still pick my favorites when I hit the gym or lace up for a run.

I know someone who makes sure her kids have only enough seasonally appropriate clothes to get them through a week. Kept her laundry to a minimum and the clutter down. Not sure I can go that far, but I’m looking for an ideal number. Enough to cover a weeks worth of runs and workouts? Only my favorites? What do you do?

Off 'N Running (in Chi-Town)

2011-04-01T14:02:00.000-07:00

My co-author Kara Thom and I heading out early tomorrow morning for the first push of our book tour, promoting our new book, Hot (Sweaty) Mamas: Five Secrets to Life as a Fit Mom... We're headed for Chi-Town for a hot (sweaty) weekend that begins at the Empower! Fusion Fitness Celebration at the Donald E. Stevens Convention Center in Rosemount, IL. Our presentation, "What a Mom Wants (at the Gym)," is geared toward fitness professionals who want to learn more about making your experience at the gym better. Comforting to know we're recognized for what we do, isn't it?

If you're in the Chicago area and looking to get your sweat on, check out one of three classes that are open to the public at 5:30 p.m. (promise they'll provide equal parts motivation and energy!):

More than Just Core with Holly Krohn (She's small but mighty and will make you feel like you can do more than you thought possible!)
G-Force Reunion: Ultimate Cardio Party with Patrick Goudreau, Darrin Grove and Rob Glick (Might just be more fun than Zumba!)
Warrior Sculpt with Nick Bez and Katie Haggerty (I've been to this one and it's guaranteed to leave you both smiling and sore!)

Sunday's events include a 9:30 a.m. Mama Spin class at the Schaumberg Life Time Fitness. I've got a great lineup of songs picked especially for the mom-set and some great video for accompaniment.
Lot's of great giveaways, some good grub, and even better girl-talk.

Before heading back to the Twin Cities, Kara and I will stop in at the Barnes and Noble in Oak Brook for a 2-3 p.m. book signing. If you already have a book, stop in and talk with us. If you don't have a book yet, there will be plenty on hand. Either way, we'd love to see you and hear about your life as a Hot (Sweaty) Mama!

We've been working at this project for a long time and are so thankful to all of you for helping us get this book off 'n running! Hugs, kisses and lots of sweaty love to you all!

Mama Sisyphus

2011-03-30T14:30:00.000-07:00

You might know the story in Greek and Roman mythology about Sisyphus, the man who is punished by a king to roll a giant boulder up a hill, only to watch it roll back down, and to repeat the process for all of eternity. While making the beds this morning, I realized how much of my day is filled with those push-the-rock-up-the-hill-and-watch-it-roll-back-down-the-hill moments.

Laundry gets soiled, dishes get dirty, beds get unmade, meals get eaten.

Even fitness can feel daunting if you're not careful to take note of the overall changes that happen along the way. The changes can be physical transformations like tightening and toning, maybe even regaining bladder control after birth. But they can also be mental, like gaining the self-confidence or discipline to make big life changes.

But here's the real evidence that we don't belong in mythology:

Yep, our kids grow up.

Every little thing we do, even if it seems repetitive, makes a big mark on some very important lives. Suddenly rolling those boulders up the hill isn't such a bad thing...

Back from Disney World...

2011-03-29T09:35:00.000-07:00

It’s my first full day back from our family vacation to Walt Disney World and I already feel like I need another vacation. Reality can be a little slap on the backside, can’t it? But before I get too steeped in the present, I wanted to share a few thoughts about our trip to visit Mickey and pals.

Theme parks are not as physically exhausting as you might think. Turns out nine hours of walking around Disney parks isn't quite as tiring as I anticipated, except for Grandpa who at 74 made an impressive show of endurance. Truth is, when you factor in ride time, show time, wait time, eat time, and rest time, nine hours at a park isn’t nearly nine hours of walking. According to my Polar Activity Monitor (which my daughter enthusiastically wore around her ankle to account for those times she didn’t let her arm swing--like pushing the stroller and holding the camera) it’s not much more than a typical day around the house. Our ratio of time spent in the park to time moving was something close to 3:1. That means for every three hours we spent in the park, we spent about one hour walking.
Theme parks are more mentally exhausting than you think. More exhausting than nine hours of walking in the hot sun is the insufferable sales pitch of the Disney marketing monster, unmatched at Sea World or Busch Gardens. Disney has every exit covered, every corner staffed. Looking for something test to your Zen state of mind? Disney is there for you. My suggestion… give your kids an allowance of money they can spend at the parks, then let them decide where the money goes.
Our kids take their pool time as seriously as we do our runs. While the parks are fun, having a pool seemed equally important to my kids. They swam at least once a day, if not twice and registered more activity in the pool than anywhere else. Cady's almost perfected her flip turn and Maggie has a flawless "CANON BALL!” Every early morning after every late night, my kids found a hidden reserve of energy in the pool.
You DO see gators while running in Florida. Let’s just say I felt better running on the road than the sidewalk after witnessing a few beady eyes not far from my path.
You can eat healthy in Disney. After our visit to Disney in 2007, we vowed to bring our own snacks on our next trip; back then we didn’t see much nutrition on the kiosks of ice cream sandwiches, popcorn, and cotton candy. This time around, however, we did see some GoGo Squeez applesauce packets in Epcot and lots of fruit in Animal Kingdom. We didn’t see many healthy options in Magic Kingdom, but luckily we’d packed out own. Turns out there are a few places you can go to get healthy food. At the Princess Dinner in Norway, I had what seemed to be a very healthy serving of salmon (though the kids options were less than friendly—hotdog and pizza). If you’re interested, check out this post on the Disney food blog for some food stops that offer healthy eating alternatives.
Disney is something every kid should get to see at least once. In a perfect world every child feels special and important. In a perfect world every kid gets to smile until it hurts and yell, “I love you, Sleeping Beauty!” at the top of her lungs (yes, my little Maggie is in love). In a perfect world every kid would get at least one visit to Disney.

Share your recent Disney experience or post a question if you’re going soon. I'll be taking notes for next time.

Jungle Gym-Nastics: See Mom Sweat Giveaway

2011-03-17T11:45:00.000-07:00

Every day that we are blessed with warm weather is another day I have to feed a lame excuse to my kids about why we can't head to the park yet. My top reasons so far involve mud and water, which basically means I'm not keen on yet another pile of dirty laundry (and means virtually nothing to my dirt-loving children).

I'm usually pretty hands on at the park, but age has made the swings less enjoyable (renders me dizzy) and anything that spins virtually impossible (vomit-city!). To be honest, once I plunk my butt down on a park bench it isn't long before I start thinking about the things I should be getting done at home. I love to watch my kids play, but the park bench feels like an assault on both my productivity and my sanity. So I'm hopeful that my new deck of Playground Pump cards will make park visits as much fun for me as they are for my kids this year.

A husband and wife team who work extensively in the field of health and fitness, Chris Rauchnot and Nancy Levin, created the cards as a way of "incorporating working out into your life" and to get clients "out of the gym and into the fresh air, sunlight, and sounds of nature." Sounds like a perfect fit for moms, doesn't it?

The deck includes cards that are color coded by type of exercise (warm up, upper body, lower body, abs, and stretching), each using familiar equipment found at most playgrounds--swings, parallel bars, benches, monkey bars, rings.

For those of you who don't visit the park or have kids that nap, these exercises will work great on a backyard play structure, too. Focus on upper or lower body exercises, pick out cards using only certain types of equipment, or do a little of everything for a circuit training workout.

Got any great playground or backyard workouts to share? Maybe it's just your favorite piece of equipment (monkey bars for me!) or a funny experience. To help celebrate the March 29 release of Hot (Sweaty) Mamas: Five Secrets to Life as a Fit Mom (Andrews McMeel 2011), I'll pick a winner from the comments and send off a box of Playground Pump cards next week.

The Competitor Within

2011-03-13T21:15:00.000-07:00

Before life got complicated with things like marriage, kids, dogs and a house, I thought I knew exactly what it meant to be a competitor. Being a competitor meant pushing myself to the limit—racing for a personal best, an age group win, or to outkick my nemesis at the finish line. With age, though, comes wisdom.

At first by necessity, then later by choice, my perspective has changed. I gave up weekly races a long time ago; runs don't always hurt. I’m not always racing against the clock and I don’t care as much if someone passes me on the trails. I love running with my dog and stopping to let him make a new friend. I’m still a competitor, though, perhaps even more than I was in my younger years.

I’ve come to realize that being a competitor isn’t so much about physical prowess or building an impressive athletic resume, it’s about character. You are a competitor when you decide you’re not going to let life’s uncontrollables bring you down, or when you pull yourself off the couch and get moving when you’re already depressed. It’s about finding ways to make a visit to the park a workout too. Just enjoying an easy bike ride, resisting that temptation to push hard, can be a significant accomplishment for some of us. It’s all about knowing what you need to do, and then doing it.

There will be times in your life you need or want to race hard and often; at other times it's best to use that energy to attack the mudane. Take a look at where you are right now and then figure out where you want to be, where you really want to be. Start taking steps in that direction—Olympic fast or small baby steps—just get moving. Do that and you are a competitor.

More Ways to Exercise

2011-03-03T09:17:00.000-08:00

As winter drags on, workouts seem to require more mental energy than I have available. True, suited up and out the door I usually escape my motivational black hole, but getting to that point is becoming increasingly difficult as the season wears on. And the degree of difficulty is directly correlated with the temperature outside: the lower the temps, the lower my motivation.

I know I’m not alone in my struggle. One of my close friends, another obsessive runner type, recently took an entire week off running. This wasn’t an intentional, planned vacation for her. No, those are the kind that actually boost our energy levels and return us to mental rock star status. Instead, it was a week filled with disappointment and negativity… exactly the opposite of what she’s used to getting from fitness.

It’s time to remind myself of some important tidbits you’ll find in Hot (Sweaty) Mamas: Five Secrets to Life as a Fit Mom (Andrews McMeel, 2011) when it hits the stores at the end of this month. In the book, my co-author and I devote an entire chapter (Chapter 8: Get Moving: There’s More than One Way to Exercise) to the various types of exercise we can engage in—from the therapeutic kind that helps heal an injury or muscular imbalance to those hard core athletic workouts that leave us wonderfully tired and exhausted. Somewhere in between those two workouts is the secret to my sanity for the next month.

As an endurance athlete, I think I sometimes take my fitness for granted. If I miss a workout, I feel bad in a guilt-ridden sort of way. I think about the impact my missed run or ride will have on my performance, but I usually don’t think about what it’s doing to my body. And that’s where the different kind of workouts fit in.

My goal for the next month is to focus on protective exercise (for me means stretching and strength training) that will get me ready to turn things up a notch in the spring. Lucky for me these are the same kinds activities that help me settle my mind, too. (Read that as lots of hot yoga. I did say hot, right? Hot as in NOT COLD!). I’m going to knowingly dial back a bit on my cardio be happy with whatever time I can collect.

What are you doing to push through this final month of winter (especially if you're in a colder clime like me)? Are you going to put your head down and plow on through, or slow down and watch the snow melt a little more?

Act Like Others Are Watching

2011-02-22T13:36:00.000-08:00

"I want to do my sun salutations, Mommy."

I grabbed the camera to catch her in motion and here's what followed. Guess I don't need to feel guilty about my nights away at yoga... my kids are reaping the benefits, too!

It's time to brag, folks! How has your fitness rubbed off on your children? Speak up... We can all use a reminder that this is good stuff!

Sleep Interruptus

2011-02-14T10:55:00.000-08:00

I know how important it is to get a good night's sleep. It's when we're catching our Zs that our body gets a chance to recover, rebuild and rejuvenate. Problem is, eight hours of uninterrupted sleep is not the same as eight hours of sleep with three or four interruptions from 43 inches of twisting, kicking, hot energy that's crawled into my bed at night.

Our bodies (especially this 40 year old one) need the deeper sleep to benefit from the growth hormone that plays a major role in tissue repair. Not hitting the later stages of sleep means your denying your body of the best natural recovery there is. There's a mental price tag to this sleep-and-wake game, too. The later stages of sleep are where we get REM sleep--that good stuff that keeps us alert, perky and less forgetful.

Maybe it's not kids jumping into your bed at night. Maybe it's the cat or the dog. Perhaps it's your Valentine that keeps you awake with more creative pursuits. Regardless, I bet this sleep interruptus explains the physical and mental fatigue many of us feel, especially the moms out there. Finding a remedy for this has been on my "to-do" list for a long time. Unfortunately, it's likely to remain there for the foreseeable future.

I'll admit to being a sucker when it comes to snuggling up with my girls. I have a hard time turning them away when they crawl into bed with my husband and me during the night, even it it means I get no more than one or two hours of sleep before being sucker punched in the gut or having the covers kicked off. I'll even endure the "bitch hold" from Maggie--where she slides her arm under my neck and falls asleep choking me with her embrace.

Last night we had the entire family in our queen-sized bed: one cover-kicker, one thumb sucker and two parents with limbs hanging over the edge. We've tried carrying and/or walking the kids back to their rooms, just never sticks.

I'm exhausted.

It helps to remember that my kids won't be doing this forever. That some time in the not-so-distant future, I'll wish for a midnight snuggler. Bitch hold and all.

Let's Get Physical

2011-02-03T11:34:00.000-08:00

Still have the patches! Think the middle one (still in the sealed package) is worth big bucks?

Pulled a flier out of my daughter’s backpack last night for the President’s Challenge. Looks like times have changed a bit. What was once an anxiety-provoking program for school-aged kids has been softened a bit (err, melted?) to coax our couch potato kids to put down the Nintendo DS and get moving.

The main event is now the Presidential Active Lifestyle Award (the kids call it PALA), and it has become, like a good PAL, much more approachable. The flier says it is “really quite simple, yet can lead to the improved health of most children and youth.” In order to receive the award, kids must participate in activities that get their bodies moving with an increased heart rate, 5 days a week, 60 minutes per day for 6 weeks. To the fit set (myself included) it probably seems like another program where everybody wins. Sort of is, I guess. Meet the requirements and the kids earn a patch, certificate and an “I’m a Champion” wristband.

Yes. Times have changed.

Back in my day the “Presidential” was a grueling test of athletic ability that set the pecking order of athleticism for the year. I remember holding on to the flexed arm hang until it felt like I might pee my pants. Somehow, it seemed that important.

I still have my Personal Fitness Record log from the 7^th grade. Evidently it was pretty significant cause it ended up in my middle school scrapbook along with those patches (up top) and a few other ribbons I earned at various field days from grade school. I’m guessing most kids today won’t save their medals and ribbons into adulthood. And if they do, they'll have a large collection of “Participant” souvenirs with no memories of where they came from or that they risked wetting themselves to earn them.

I know I'm being a little snarky. I actually love the idea of promoting a healthy way of life that isn't about comparisons, success vs. failure, or besting your classmates. I love that kids who aren't exposed to fitness are learning that it should be a part of everyday life, not just a few days of standardized tests. And I love that my daughter, who participates in sports all year round, gets to see that she doesn't have to be a competitive athlete to be fit and healthy.

That said, schools can still participate in the Physical Fitness Test. And it’s not far removed from the test I remember, except now they’ve replaced the 50-yard dash with the V-sit reach—a measure of flexibility (a school record my little Miss Competitive is out to break this year!).

Do I have you feeling nostalgic for the good old days? Are you still bitter about not getting that fancy blue patch? It's not too late. Register online at http://www.presidentschallenge.org/. (No, I'm not kidding!) Evidently it’s not just for school kids anymore. Adults can register for the PALA program or the Presidential Champion challenge (which is a grown-up version of the physical fitness test for kids where you can enter your data and receive an evaluation online). The adult version includes aerobics, muscular strength and endurance, flexibility, and body composition components.

You can even buy yourself a patch. Go get 'em!

Mind Games

2011-01-29T06:55:00.000-08:00

I'm not averse to the cold temps or even the piles of snow we've had in Minnesota since early December, but lately I'm running low on the mental juice required to get suited up and out the door for my daily run. And other than draining my body of essential vitamin D, I've found hitting the treadmill an attractive alternative. It's not the warmth of an indoor run that keeps me going, though, it's the mind games I play while cruising along on Old Reliable.

I do it outdoors, too, it's just not as precise. Doesn't keep me quite as accountable. Since we can all use a little help at some point, I thought I'd share some of the mental tricks I use to keep me going when workouts are more difficult mentally than they are physically.

Pyramids
Increase the speed and/or incline every half mile until I hit the mid-point of my run. Then I go through the same profile on the way back down. Yesterday's run went something like this:

One mile warm up at 9 min pace, 0% incline
.5 mile at 8.5 min pace, 0% incline
.5 mile at 8.5 min pace, .5% incline
.5 mile at 8 min pace, .5% incline
1 mile at 8 min pace 1% incline
.5 mile at 8 min pace, .5% incline
.5 mile at 8.5 min pace, .5% incline
.5 mile at 8.5 min pace, 0% incline
One mile cool down at 9 min pace, 0% incline

Thought Chunking
This one works well in the pool where I dedicate each lap or length to a year of school, a year of my life, a year of my children's lives, a year of marriage, etc. Sometimes I'll thought chunk a run and give myself 10 or 15 minutes to think about the different projects or problems I'm working on. Makes good use of the countdown timer on my sports watch.

Musical Movement
Listening to music doesn't just motivate me to work harder, it's also a good way to break up my workouts into bearable increments when my head is less than clear. A well planned playlist helps me look forward to "what's next" and keeps me moving so I can hear my all time favs positioned strategically at the end of my workout.

If you have any good strategies that keep you moving, post them here. I think we can all use a few more ideas in our fitness arsenal!

Mommy Meltdown

2011-01-11T11:40:00.000-08:00

Had me a good old fashioned meltdown last night. Felt pretty good. There something about a good cry that exhausts me almost like a workout; leaves me ready to exhale and start over again. Almost creates some sort of newness for me. Truth be told, however, I prefer achieving that state of wonder through sweaty means instead of tearful ones, but sometimes you take what you can get.

When you can't work in a workout, is there anything else that gives you a hint of that sweaty exhaustion? Anything that helps you start over and begin again?

Lessons Learned in 2010

2011-01-01T21:58:00.000-08:00

The year is fresh and hopeful. I'm still busy drafting my official resolutions, but first things first... here's my list of lessons learned in 2010, in no particular order...

1. I've learned from experience that you don't have to travel to the other side of the world to find yourself. If you can't find you at home, you're likely chasing an impostor.

2. Taking a sabbatical from your life as a mom isn't selfish, and it certainly isn't easy. Making the effort for an hour, week, or (gasp!) month away will teach your children the importance of self-care and help them deepen relationships with other caregivers.

3. Never assume to know what anyone else is thinking. If you're not sure, ask. Then repeat what they said back to make sure you got it right.

4. Enjoy the present moment. Don't spend too much time mulling over the past or fretting the future. When you need to feel connected or centered, just stop and listen to your breath.

5. Personal trainers aren't just for the rich and unmotivated. Hearing an encouraging voice directed solely at you, pushing you on, is akin to good psychotherapy.

6. Change isn't so bad... but regret is. You can spend years contemplating change and learn nothing. Give it a try and you'll either recommit to what you had or enjoy the fruits of change.

7. People can and will say and do things that surprise you for the better. Take time to listen to what other people have to say--especially those the closest to you. Sometimes we don't listen to the voices we hear most often.

8. People can and will say and do things that surprise you for the worse. Listen to what others have to say, but be careful not to turn your disappointment in others back on yourself.

9. Usually when people surprise you it's about them, not you. Everyone has baggage that they have no choice but to carry. When someone does or says something that seems out of left field or offensive, remember you can never know exactly what it's like to be them.

10. When pursuing a dream, never give up. Period.

The Sweaty Sisterhood

2010-12-25T18:11:00.000-08:00

A good friend tells it like it is. She'll tell you she liked your hair better long, that you were a little too hard on your kids, and that, yes, you need the breath mint she just offered. Somehow hearing the brutal truth from some friends doesn't sting like it would from others. In fact, it feels good just knowing there is another person with whom you can be 100% yourself.

So I was glad yesterday morning when Cindy, my sister in sweat, got me out of the house and running before I had time to make too many excuses. She was a bit of a hard ass, actually, but I was grateful she called me on my cop out. Without her persistence I would never have made it out the door-- getting ready for Christmas Eve had me busy (and stressed) all day.

The best thing about sisters in sweat isn't just that they can give you a good kick in the rear when you need it, but that they depend on you too. After I thanked Cindy for convincing me to run, she admitted that she needed me too. She knew that without my commitment to meet her at Fat Lorenzo's (the pizza joint half way between our houses), she would never had made it out the door herself.

So I guess this post is really a tribute to all those wonderful girlfriends that have kept me moving over the years, and let me keep them moving, too. Merry Christmas!

Raising Spiritually Fit Kids

2010-12-16T08:43:00.000-08:00

Running has been my church for the past ten years. Alone, with a friend, or with my husband, hoofing out short and long runs most days of the week should have me at clergy status by now.

Unfortunately, it's not that easy. I've logged tens of thousands of miles on my legs and yet sometimes I feel like I am right where I started, spiritually speaking. Leaves me wondering what I can do to make it easier for my kids than it's been for me.

I was raised Roman Catholic--went to church every Sunday and never missed a holy day. My high school was Catholic, I went to a Catholic college, and I attended Catholic graduate school (twice!). I participated in all of the appropriate sacraments and had my children baptized.

Despite my uber Catholic upbringing, I've not pushed religion on my kids like my parents did on me. Guess I figure it hasn't given me any significant spiritual advantage, so I'm looking at other ways of fostering their growth... We go to church, but not every Sunday. We give thanks before meals, but sometimes we don't. Yes, we've given our kids an introduction to a spiritual life, but sometimes I worry that they're missing something, that we should be giving them more in the area of structured religion.

It was a priest who first introduced me to the idea of running as my church, as a form of prayer. I'm quite certain he didn't intend for me to jump ship and start a church of my own, but that's sort of what I've done. And while the Church of Running has a huge congregation, I'm starting to think it's not enough anymore. Not for me, and not for my children.

So I've done some shopping around... I think I've found a good community for my family. A place that will help them grow spiritually, not just religiously. But I know they need to find their own personal churches, too. Might not be the same as mine; but it would be wonderful if they are.

I'm not looking for any conversion conversation, but what are your thoughts on raising spiritually fit kids? What is spiritual fitness? Does it include structure and individuality, or just one of these? Does age matter? Are you beliefs a reaction to or in support of your own upbringing? And what about the idea of workouts bringing you closer to your higher power?

Make the Decision

2010-12-08T13:43:00.000-08:00

Kids are notorious for turning the ordinary into something extraordinary.

The past couple of weeks have been pretty hectic. It's not so much the holiday preparations that have me feeling a little under the gun, but a long string of colds, sinus infections, kid activities, and a husband traveling for work. Nothing terrible, but getting everything done has resulted in me becoming a frazzled mama.

And with all this multi-tasking, I've noticed something... when I'm busy juggling too many balls, multi-tasking DOESN'T translate into efficiency--it usually just means something is going to drop. I felt it happening earlier this week... I was so preoccupied with finding time to squeeze in a run that it never did happen. At the end of day two I was left feeling bad about not running AND about how much time I'd wasted just stressing over it.

The answer to this blogger's time crunch!

So, I made the decision to let go of something before the choice was no longer mine and I unwillingly HAD to let it go. I'm on day four of not running and I'm doing okay. I'm not trying to think about where that sliver of time is--I even kept with my choice when the opportunity to run did present itself.

Of course I have to do something to get sweaty... I need my outlet. So, I've been riding my Spinner bike downstairs. It's not quite the same heart thump I get from a run, but at least it warms me up.

And I've taken the lead from my daughter; I've discovered another new use for the laundry basket. I've actually been able to do a little work on here (guess where I am now?). Just another good reason to make the choice to pull back when you have to... helps you look at life from a new perspective, see things you may have missed before. Not running this week helped me find what might just be the best desk I've ever owned! Now I am comfortably multi-tasking again... freeing up more time that I can actively enjoy my family!

Easy Meals are a Big CROCK

2010-12-02T09:20:00.000-08:00

I'm not a cook. Too me, making dinner is like organizing one of those races where everyone starts at different intervals in hopes most people will finish around the same time. I just can't ever get it to work out like it is supposed to. I don't like to estimate, substitute or pinch. I'm not sure how to tell if a hard boiled egg is done and I never trust the meat thermometer. College chemistry was easier and much less stressful.

Because of this it's quite easy for me to fall back on the same old meals: tacos, spaghetti and pizza. (I'm not proud, just honest.) So on Tuesday night when I thought our dinner of spaghetti leftovers was a go, I decided to put together a bench for our entryway before getting our oldest fed and ready for basketball practice. When I was finished, I realized there was no spaghetti. Thank goodness I have a husband who is very creative in the kitchen--he whipped something up in no time at all.

While on my run this morning, I realized something needs to change. If I'm going to have time to do more of the fun things I want to do (like putting together that bench or going for an evening run/walk), I'm gonna have to face my ~~fear~~ ~~ignorance~~ disdain for cooking. Because while I'm not spending hours slaving away in the kitchen, I am spending lots of time and energy worrying about it. Worrying about what meals to plan, worrying that my husband might get resentful of my kitchen anxiety, and worrying that I don't provide the best meals I can for my family.

So, I've decided to put some serious effort into become a great crock pot cook. It just might be a fit mom's most powerful time saving weapon. Throw in a bunch of food and it's off to the races. Everything is done at the same time and it stays heated until YOU'RE ready to eat! I knew this life-changing appliance was great, but forgot about it during the warm summer months. I feel like I've been born again.

I've done the basics... a pot roast and maybe some chili... but I'm ready to step it up a bit. Anyone have any great (easy) recipes that work well in the crock pot? Extra credit if you think my finicky kids will eat it!

A Mom with Balls

2010-11-17T19:29:00.000-08:00

Ever since my oldest daughter starting playing organized sports, I've noticed that it's usually the dads, not the moms, who volunteer to coach. I can count on one hand (not even using all five fingers) how many whistle-clad women I've seen on the courts and fields over the past three years. And while I've helped coach soccer with my husband, it wasn't until I was running warm-up laps with Cady's basketball team last night that it really hit me: I was the only mom coaching, and the only coach running.

Might sound like a little toot of my own horn, but it's really not. You see, I was just a substitute coach for the night. The real coach, a dad coach, was out of town so I volunteered to fill in. The girls were excited. "I think they really liked you," Cady told me on the drive home. It was an unspoken connection; I felt it too. The same kind of connection I had with my favorite (and only female) high school coach. The kind of connection I hope my girls feel a lot in the future.

There's an easy explanation for daddy-dominated coaching: smells like quality family time. But the paradox is that in addition to having positive relationships with our daughters, we also want them to have strong female role models. Turns out that dads who participate in traditionally feminine activities like baking and cooking with their daughters do a lot to promote more egalitarian values in their daughters. (That, by the way, goes for sons, too). Makes sense to assume that moms who participate in non-traditional roles do the same. It's more than that, though, isn't it? Mom's who get and/or stay fit with their daughters also set an example of lifelong fitness for girls and women.

So, is a dad's time spent coaching his daughter's basketball or soccer (or insert any sport here) team more meaningful than a mom's? Definitely not. Every girl needs a mom with balls.

See CINDY Sweat: Sick kids don't sideline this mama

2010-11-09T11:00:00.000-08:00

Since fall is an easy time to let the ups and downs of motherhood make fitness a low priority, I've decided to use this post to honor a friend of mine who works hard to keep moving. Cindy is the mother of three young children ages 8, 6, and 3; her regular routine was rocked last week when two of her three kids got sick. Here's how she managed to get hot and sweaty through a week of poop and puke.

See Mom Sweat: Your house has been a Petri dish of germs this week. When you weren't scrubbing the vomit off your couch, how did manage to get your workouts in?

Cindy: I wasn't just scrubbing vomit off the couch (and rug!), I was also scheduling doctor appointments, preparing for my substitute teacher, attending an evening work meeting, and picking kids up from school and day care. How did I manage to get my workouts in? How could I make it through my week WITHOUT them? On Monday I ran out the door as soon as my husband got home from work and made it back just in time for family dinner and homework. On Tuesday I got in a quick four mile run on the treadmill after the kids went to bed. (I used to think four miles was not worth getting sweaty over, but I've had a change of heart this week.) Wednesday was another treadmill run during the day when I was home with a sick child. I had to take Thursday off, but ran outside on Friday with my sick three-year-old. Thank goodness for the jogging stroller and our winter guard to keep the elements out. He actually had a GREAT nap in the stroller!

See Mom Sweat: You were parenting solo this weekend, weren't you? How did you run with no husband and three kids to wrangle?

Cindy: Since Alan was out of town, I ran on the treadmill on Saturday morning. I watched a movie while running and it made seven miles go by super fast. My eight-year-old daughter is a great help while I am on the treadmill by making sure my three-year-old doesn't destroy the house!

See Mom Sweat: On the day you weren't able to fit fitness into your day, did you feel any sort of resentment or disappointment?

Cindy: I know I have to put my family first, but I still feel a bit of disappointment when my plans don't go as expected--especially when I know I won't be able to get a workout in the next day. To increase my odds of getting in a run, I plan out the next day, carving out an hour for "me time." I know that I am a much better mom and wife if I can run during the week. If I can't fit the workout in because of something unexpected (or expected), I try to take a few minutes in the evening before bed to lift a few weights and/or do some sit ups and stretches. It gives me a short amount to time to do something good for my body and reflect on my day.

See Mom Sweat: Now that the kids are coming back around and feeling better, have you learned anything that you'll apply to your fitness regimen (mentally or physically)?

Cindy: I hope we are on the tail end of the sickness in our house! Reflecting on the week I can count my blessings: A great treadmill and TV, a jogging stroller with winter guard (and a three-year-old who loves to ride in it), a supportive husband who encourages me to run, and three children who have a mom that knows she is happiest when she gets her workout in. Getting daily exercise can be a juggling act, but it's definitely worth it for me.

Note: As of Sunday Cindy's kids were all on the mend. Last night, on our evening run, I learned two of them are back down... but she vows to keep moving.

A Halloweeny Kind of Family Fitness

2010-11-02T14:31:00.000-07:00

Halloween was no small affair when I was a kid. It's not that we got tons of candy--it was pretty much the opposite actually. But we lived in a relatively rural area so we had to cover a couple of miles to hit the less than ten houses in our neighborhood. Calorically speaking, we earned our candy.

This year, while out with my girls on Halloween night, a young Cinderella joined us for part of trick or treating. She was just a year older than Cady (who is now in third grade), and asked if she could walk with us while her mom followed along in their car on the street. I saw other families doing the same thing, so I'm guessing this might not be as odd a practice as I'd like to think. Fitness is probably not on the top of the priority list at home. They likely don't realize that by not walking with their kids they are making a very clear statement about what is not important in life. As we parted ways and her mom said thanks, I thought about the mommy-daughter time she was missing out on, hoped she was hiding a broken ankle in the darkness of her car.

The girls and I managed to hoof it six blocks (three out and three back). Not a bad distance to cover for a four-year-old, probably a pretty good jaunt for an eight-year-old at the tail end of a busy weekend, too. Sure, I ended up carrying Maggie the last block and a half, but it was time well-spent--outside, together, and getting a little exercise. The candy hasn't turned out to be all that important to the girls; they keep talking about the houses, the costumes, and the long walk in the dark. And of course, they're already talking about next year, too. What should I be? Will you dress up next year? and, Will you come with us again? Not so sure on dressing up, but I will definitely be out there. I'll join them for as long as they'll let me.

Hidden Agenda

2010-10-20T07:28:00.000-07:00

They've figured out how to bring fun and fitness together for kids (check out a story from the Minneapolis Star Tribune here). Groveland Elementary School in Minnetonka, Minn., has a playground that is literally kid-powered. While energy is generated from kids riding a stationary bike, other children use that power to track their progress in a number of games that time their progress running laps or jumping vertically. Seems like the perfect marriage of fun and fitness and it's on my list of places to visit with the kids this weekend. Truth be told, I'm excited to give it a try myself.

While the sporto in me thinks the playground is a great idea because it involves physical fitness, the mama in me thinks it's great that the kids get to do their kid "job" while they get fit. And to me a kid's job is to PLAY. Makes me wonder if there is a way to get fit while doing my mama tasks, particularly the ones I'm not so fond of (laundry and dishes). Here's my quick list that I'm am going to work on today:

Physio Ball Laundry Folding
Stair Stepping, Speedy Delivery Laundry
Calf Raising Dishwasher Drills
Quad- and Glut-Busting-While-Dusting Squats

Got any other ideas to turn housework into a workout? My guess is, if we slow down and think a little, we'll find a number of great opportunities we never knew existed!

There is no such thing as Supermom

2010-10-12T15:15:00.000-07:00

Women talk about being Supermom like it's something good, but an article in today's Minneapolis Star Tribune has me momentarily thankful for the apparent mess that is my life.

"Being Supermom isn't always easy:

That's why you should follow these four steps

so that others never see the wrinkles in your cape."

Wrinkles in my cape? Wrinkles are the least of my worries-- my youngest still wipes her nose on my clothes if I let my guard down (and yes, I do appreciate being alerted to said booger if you happen to see one dangling from my shirt.)!

Anyway, while I really want to give the article (and the book it referenced) a break, I have to admit that it left me feeling a little uneasy. I'm the last person to consider myself Supermom, but after reading this story, I'm compelled to share my own supermommy tactics (note the lower case "s"-- we're all supermommies in some way!).

1.) Look sharp. "Put on some lipstick to distract from the bags under your eyes,"  Oshirak adds. "And above all, invest in some really good concealer." 

1.) Look good to feel good. Sometimes looking good is a quick fix to feeling good. For some, it's an everyday thing that bolsters confidence. For others (particularly us stay-at-home types), a quick primp can put a little spring into a step that's gone flat. Sure, looking good makes most of us feel more self confident, but it also works as a last resort maneuver.

) Talk the talk. Supermoms speak a distinct language, which relies largely on playing loose with the facts.

) Talk, talk, talk. Love organic farming? Enjoy hoofing it around the lake on an early morning run?  Whatever your passion, find other women, other moms, who share your enthusiasm and connect. Be honest. Don't, as the author suggests, tell people your kids don't watch television, when it's actually your only hour of sanity during the day. Nothing like feeling phony and making your friends feel like crap at the same time. Not the kind of twofer I'm after!

3.) Remain calm. "The calmer you stay, the more it looks like you've got your act  together," says Kristin van Ogtrop, author of "Just Let Me Lie Down." 

3.) Stay in the moment. It's good to remain calm, but not just so you look like you have your act together. Remaining calm helps us make good decisions, helps us stay focused on the present moment. Most of us spend too much time stuck in the past, and even more time springing into the future-- both places that create excess anxiety in our lives. Try sitting with "now" and see how it feels. Ever wondered what makes dogs so happy? They have this one down, for sure.

4.) Smile. "Happy, to me, makes a Supermom," Van Ogtrop says. "Because even when  things go wrong, which they always do, they just seem like little speed  bumps, not stop signs." 

4.) Smile. Okay, I'll keep this last tactic, but the details behind it are gonna have to change. Don't smile because you feel like you should be happy, don't smile because it makes you look approachable or like less of a sourpuss. Smile, because the simple act of smiling releases endorphins that actually make you feel better, too. You've probably heard the saying, "fake it 'til you make it." Same applies here.

To me, being a supermom means being faithful to yourself and your family. It means taking care of yourself body and soul. It means accepting your truth and making the best out of it. It means leaning on friends and letting them lean on you in return. It means wearing a wrinkled cape and being proud of whatever you did to make it that way.

(Wo)Mandatory Disclosure?

2010-10-04T13:25:00.000-07:00

Ran my first marathon with one of these babies pinned to my back yesterday. And, much like having a child with red hair, I suddenly noticed how many other runners around me were "of a certain age." Once you experience something firsthand, it becomes much more noticeable around you. Such was the case with my "elder number."

While pinning the number to my singlet, I remembered the year before when a friend refused to i.d. herself by tacking her new age division on her back. It somehow seemed like an extension of finger-pointing... "Look at me! I'll soon be perimenopausal! Isn't that fantastic?"

I've always thought race officials wanted that info in case there was a medical emergency, but was happy to hear my husband explain it otherwise. Turns out, the numbers are there for something quite different than identifying a weakness or medical vulnerability. We're asked to wear these numbers as a competitive courtesy so we all know who our master's competition is during the race. Maybe help you pick it up a bit when the going gets tough.

So, if you were one of the many people I saw running without your master's division on your back (yep, we know who you are!), reconsider wearing it during your next race. Think it doesn't matter? Wrong! It's time to acknowledge yourself for the athlete you are. Putting in the time and training to participate in that marathon is a big accomplishment. Doing that while raising a family? That makes you a rock star!

It's Only Natural

2010-09-17T07:38:00.000-07:00

A tourist snapped these pictures of a female grizzly bear performing her morning stretches at the Ahtari Zoo in Finland. She makes it look so easy, doesn't she? Poised. Confident. Meditative. Evidently it was a fifteen minute routine done with the skill of an experienced yogi.

The thought of engaging in either of these poses right now is daunting, likely impossible. Since the more I run the less I tend to stretch (bad combo, I know), marathon training has me feeling brittle right now. My right hamstring is almost painfully tight and tender (that's the Boo Boo part of this Yogi equation).

However, seeing these pictures reminds me of how instinctual stretching is--as is being limber and connected to our bodies. And suddenly that makes it just as provocative as running, which feels like the most natural form of exercise to me. It's a part of fitness I'm falling short on right now, but one I could easily squeeze in while watching television or reading a book. Heck, it's something I could even do with my kids or turn into a game using our deck of Yoga Pretzels cards.

So, as soon as I'm done posting this, I'm going downstairs to print off the pictures of Ms. Yogi Bear. They are going up on the fridge for the whole family to see. I'm counting on nature again-- the natural enthusiasm of my daughters' youth-- to get me on the floor and limber. I can "bearly" wait.

Training for Real Life

2010-09-07T13:00:00.000-07:00

I haven't posted in the past couple of weeks because, quiet frankly, I've been a bit of a wreck. My oldest daughter started third grade at a new school. After three years at the neighborhood Catholic grade school, we decided to give the public school a try. It's a public Montessori school and she's now starting her second week. Begrudgingly. She's tired of getting up an hour earlier to climb on the bus, misses her old friends, and isn't so happy about the change in general. As if going back to school after a summer off with Mom and Little Sister isn't hard enough. Once she's off and running, though, things seem just fine. But she keeps asking about going back to her old school (which, by the way, I'm missing terribly too!).

As a mom I'm inclined to scoop her up my arms and start home schooling (she actually thinks it's a great idea! ACK!). Get rid of all that discomfort and reassure her every chance I get.

As an athlete, however, I want to tell her something like Suck it up, Hon! or Keep going! You'll be glad you did it! There is a whole slew of rants that go through my mind as I try to press on during a painful training run or race; seems like a lot of them could apply here.

Truth is, as parents we don't always know what is best for our kids. It's not natural for us to encourage pain on our children, no matter how insignificant that pain may seem in the larger playing field of life. It's true, no one said life would be easy but as a parent it's hard not to try making life easier for our kids.

So, I'll take a lesson from my marathon training. I'll try to picture my daughter a few miles (er, months, years) down the road. And I'll use that as a compass for my husband and I while determining the best path for her. If she runs some hard miles now, what will the payoff be later? Or maybe she's put in the hard work and now it's time for some rest and recovery. I guess only time will tell.

I like to think fitness provides an excellent framework for parenting and for life. Priorities, hard work and sometimes even kindness to self. How has fitness helped you make decisions off-court?

Best,
Laurie

Lessons From Sisterly Love

2010-08-17T19:09:00.000-07:00

This morning, my eight-year-year begged me to let her make breakfast for her younger sister. Not a problem at all, I am all for nurturing independence, especially when it gives me a few extra moments with my coffee and the daily crossword puzzle. Despite the marginal nutritional value of her artistic medium, this toaster-ready pancake reassured me that my children understand our constant nagging about good nutrition. In this "portrait" of her sister, Cady felt comforted by the banana hair and multivitamin nose. She figured it made up for the marshmallow eyes and M&M mouth. It's not spinach or green beans, but it's a start, right? At the very least, it has inspired me for tomorrow night's dinner. I'm thinking some kind of chicken monster with green bean hair. Got any sneaky ways of getting your kids to eat green? I'd love to hear 'em!

This Week: technology, penises and coaches, OH MY!

2010-08-04T10:53:00.000-07:00

Much like my brain, this post will be scattered. Lots going on in my mind right now, but somehow they are all connected... they're all part of the fit mama crazies I have going on this week. (The photo below makes me wonder if the kids are feeling it, too!)

For starters, I'm officially on my way to becoming a technology geek. Got an iPhone yesterday and, yes, I'll admit it's very cool. With my book coming out, it's time I get tweeted. If you're interested, I've set up a twitter account, (http://twitter.com/Laurie_Kocanda). Just getting started, so humor me!

What's next? Oh yes, penises... There aren't many in my house and I've never parented one so yesterday's child swap was pretty humorous. Took my friend's little guy to the potty and he insisted on standing... pointed that little sucker all over the bathroom, but luckily got it down before he started going. Really didn't know they required such monitoring. I had to remind him to focus the whole time... Really, who know that appendage could be so terrifying! Like a loaded gun!

Last up: coaches. Met up with my friend Chris Lundstrom (elite runner who recently made the national trail running team--yeah, Chris!) to get my fall marathon plan started. "Tell me what to do and I'll do it." Feels like a treat to not have to think about this... though I'll have to wait and see how hard he works me! It's a little late for this, but I'm sure he'll whip me into shape!

Home now and back to reality, which today begs the question, "How will I get my run in?" Right now, the plan is this: Bring the girls to the pool, meet up with a friend who says she'll watch them, and hit the road for an hour. Keeping my fingers crossed!

Oops, I did it again...

2010-08-02T19:15:00.000-07:00

Wasn't planning to run any more races this year. Decided I kinda liked my low mileage, low intensity, low stress summer. Smack in the middle of really liking my "Summer of Sloth," that dreadful alter ego stepped into the picture and got me signed up for the Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon.

It's my favorite marathon, so I guess it's no wonder that "other me" decided I needed to get on board. But now I'm faced with the decision of running another average marathon or kicking it up a gear to run a little faster. Sad thing is, the difference between the two isn't much anymore. So, I've decided to meet with someone to come up with a training plan and see what I can do in the little time I have. Could use a little ego booster about now. Either way, I know it's about the journey and not the destination. I've been avoiding the hard stuff for a while... I'm excited to see if it brings me more joy along the way, knowing I've worked hard.

My daughter looked at my driver's license this morning and asked me what they do when you gain weight and weigh more than it says on the card. "Why, do you think my number would be higher?" (Never ask this kind of question of a kid, they are WAY TOO HONEST!) "Ahhhh, yep," was all she had to say. Wonderful. Guess this venture might be a "two-fur": a little something mental and a little something physical.

Nothing like the honesty of kids to reinforce a decision.

Just Move It!

2010-07-27T07:12:00.000-07:00

I have a lot of friends who lament their busy schedules, finding it hard to make time for themselves when they are busy carting kids around from one commitment another. Truth is, if we spent a little less time worrying about our kids' league play, we might find life becomes simpler, more pleasant, and in many ways leaner than before.

“Don’t fall into the trap of thinking more activities necessarily means more physical activity,” advises Dr. Todd Smith, a family practice physician in Cottage Grove, MN. Scheduling too many events for you child can mean more time in the car, a greater tendency toward eating fast food, and an increased stress level. “It’s easy for parents to have a false sense that their kids are active.” Sometimes, Smith says, you just need to “turn off the play station or television and send the kids outside.”

Or inside as it was with Maggie yesterday... Check out her 28 seconds of rock star play--it's got more jumping and movement than you see from a number of kids at her Wednesday night Introduction to Soccer class!

It's this kind of play that gets kids excited to keep moving (especially when you videotape it and let her watch it on your computer over and over again!). If you're in need of a little activity yourself, think about joining in (I'll save that video for another post!). I promise some family moments you'll never forget.

Heck, schedule time as a family to participate in fun and energetic activities on a weekly basis. It's about togetherness. By spending family time together in an active setting, you are showing children the importance of family togetherness as well as health and fitness.

Here are 10 suggestions for keeping the fitness fire alive and kicking in your family:

1. Let the kids help develop a list of potential activities. Think about creating a list for each season of activities the whole family can enjoy together. Let the kids take turns choosing from the list each week.

2. Invest in family gear. It doesn't have to be expensive--Frisbees, bats and balls, even a water sprinkler can get the family out and running. Just make sure the kids have options and the activities focus on getting them up and moving.

3. Be patient. Use activity and fitness time to get your children excited about moving. If anyone has problems keeping up or catching on, make sure he or she doesn't feel left out or awkward.

4. Be creative. Simple tasks like washing the car, raking the yard, gardening and snow shoveling can be fun family activities. More traditional activities like walking the dog and ice-skating are fun too, but remember to keep the emphasis on time spent together being active.

5. Read books that stress healthy living. Look for books and other everyday items that include people making activity a regular part of their day.

6. Plan outdoor activities whenever possible. Get the kids out of the house. Think about setting limits for the amount of time your kids can spend in front of the television and computer.

7. Visit your local park, recreation center, or nature center. Just bringing your children to the playground on a regular basis encourages them to use their large motor skills and burn off some energy. Look for nature paths or paved park trails so kids can walk, run, or Rollerblade with you in sight.

8. Invest in the kid essentials. Buy toys and equipment that promote physical activity. Make sure your child's bike seat is at the correct height at the beginning of each summer. Seats should be just high enough to cause a slightly bent knee. Encourage and model the use of helmets for bike riding and rollerblading.

9. Emphasize fun! In order to build long-lasting behaviors, make sure kids are enjoying their physical activity. It is, after all, about building life-long habits and behaviors for the entire family!

(Saved for last because, yes, I do think organized sports are FUN! Just don't overdo it!)

10. Let your child investigate sports alternatives in organized league play. Most recreation centers offer community leagues for soccer, basketball, and more. Call your local center to get a seasonal list of athletic offerings.

Now it's your turn... What are your favorite ways you see your kids whoop it up and keep active? Are you joining in or getting a piece of the action? Post your experience here and share the fun!

Have a safe, crazy and wild week!

Laurie (the family drummer)

Lost, Then Found

2010-07-18T18:47:00.000-07:00

I almost tackled a little girl riding around Lake Nokomis the other day. She looked nice enough, but the bike she was riding was the same kind we recently had stolen from our yard.

Sadly, Cady learned about theft firsthand last week when we realized her new Trek mountain bike was stolen from our front yard (ya, I don't wanna hear it!) overnight. I spent an hour or so the next day combing the alleys in our neighborhood, with no good clues. Nothin'.

Eventually, we'd given up any hope of finding the bike. But about two days later, Tony and I went for a run along Minnehaha Creek and we stumbled upon the missing merchandise about 3 miles west of our house. The initial prognosis wasn't good. There were some severe life-threatening injuries, but there was hope we could save it.

The bike shop we bought the bike at told us the bike's injuries were terminal and there was no fixing it, that we should say our goodbyes and prepare for the worst. When I asked if they could swing us a deal since we'd just bought the bike new only a couple of months back we were offered the deal of a life time: $30 off. It felt like a joke.

It was time for a second opinion. Lots of running around, but I'm happy to say the bike will be good as new in under a week. Of course, I'm glad that the whole thing turned out pretty okay... Cady likes to tell people about what the tire on her bike looked like, that we just happened to find it while out on a run together (while skipping church nonetheless!). We'll spend less than $100 to fix the bike, which would have cost three times that to replace.

I'm still annoyed. Suddenly, my little girl has learned one more thing about life that I wasn't ready for: that we're all vulnerable to each other, which can sometimes be a scary thing. The sex talk seems much more natural to me... at least that one made her (and me) laugh a little.

Be well,
Laurie

Plan B

2010-07-17T07:13:00.000-07:00

Sometimes everything just clicks. Friend calls and wants to take child #2 when you already have plans for child #1 to be at camp. The resulting 2 hour window of free time is exactly what I needed this week to get in a much-needed trail run at a park not too far from my house. It would take precise timing, however, to get there and back before golf camp was over.

Feeling quite super-mommy like, I jumped into my car (read: minivan) waved goodbye to both kids and hit the road right on time. It would be close, but what better impetus to push my workout a little. Was right on schedule until I hit road construction traffic on my way to the trail. After letting my favorite explicative fly (feels so freeing when the kids aren't around!), I made my move. Quickly, I exited the highway and realized I was right by the Honda dealer... Overdue for an oil change I called to see if they had time to squeeze me in. "If you can be here in 2 minutes we can take you." I could be there in 1. As I dropped the car off, I realized I had no way to pay... Then, another stroke of genius. Perhaps an act of God. I suddenly knew the destination of my run: home. I retrieved my credit card and made my way back to the dealer in just under an hour, even got the guy to apply the on-line coupons for me.

SUCCESS. I'd made it. Somehow, I'm pretty sure executing Plan B brought me more pride than Plan A would have. Just so happened I had a little bit of the one thing all fit mamas need: perseverance. I've co-authored a book that will be in stores in April, 2011. Hot (Sweaty) Mamas: Five Secrets to Life as a Fit Mom is filled with different tactics for moms on the move. Nothing better than living according to our values; making it work even when it seems impossible.

Would love to hear any similar stories you have...

Here's to you and your perseverance!

Potty Talk

2010-06-02T12:38:00.000-07:00

Earlier today I was enjoying a little alone time in the bathroom. It seemed like the perfect opportunity to take in a few pages of my latest read. I didn't get very far before the door knob turned.

Evidently Maggie (now 4) thought it was a good time for a little check-in with Mom. "Mommy's going to the bathroom and wants her privacy." She got it; turned around and walked out--even closed the door behind her.

Exhale, smile, return to book.

Less than a minute later, I hear screaming from the hallway. The big white fitness ball wasn't doing what she wanted and I guess it seemed logical that I'd want to jump off the throne to help her out. "Isn't Daddy out there?"

Silence.

I think she's gone and start reading again. Then, through the door comes the book Calliou at the Market. "Mom, you know Calliou has a bulb head (that's bald head in case you didn't know)." Then, "Read this to me, Mom."

This time I lose hope. "Okay, Maggie, just shut the door and I'll be right out." Expecting a quick exit, I'm a confused when she turns around so I change my voice to let her know I really want her out.

"I'll wipe you."

My heart warms. She really must love me since she usually refuses to wipe her own ass, much less someone else's. But, I let her off the hook and tell her I'll meet her on the couch.

Changing Things Up

2010-05-30T06:45:00.000-07:00

My friend Kara recently posted something on her blog about her arms. Guess she's had lots of people comment on them lately... myself included. Truth be told, I'm a bit green about her bod right now. My recent bought with the dark side certainly hasn't done anything great for my now 40-year-old body.

So, I took her suggestion and gave my local Crossfit a visit on Saturday morning. The fact that I can still feel the aftermath of the abuse three days later tells me something about my fitness. Interestingly enough, I hurt more and longer than I did after running the Eau Claire marathon a couple of weeks ago on what amounts to no training.

Run for three hours and 45 min. and feel nothing. Try something new for less than 30 min. and feel like I've been run over by a mac truck. Speaks to adaptation. It's the same reason you can find aerobics instructors who teach classes all day long, but don't look like it. Eventually you get diminishing returns when you do the same thing day after day.

My oldest is interested in rock climbing, something I haven't done much of since having kids. (Funny how something once really important can quickly diminish in significance upon the birth of our children!) So I'm hoping to put that back into my lineup, too.

Working on my summer schedule now and I plan to make it full of different activities. Because just like my kids, my body evidently gets bored and stubborn doing the same thing day after day. Guess it's time to look at camps and such now too... Any ideas for something totally unique?

No More "Just in Case"

2010-05-28T15:20:00.000-07:00

It’s been a full year since I last updated this blog. I’m not sure I recognize the kids sleeping in the jogger up above. In fact, I sold the jogger about a month ago to a couple that came into the running store with their kids. I pimped my phone number on them and felt like I was in high school again when they called back (I was sure they thought I was a cool kid). Actually getting rid of our double, however, was semi-traumatic. Even though it had been a long time since I’d had the courage to run behind it, I felt some sort of comfort knowing it was out in the garage… just in case.

The treadmill in our basement is like that too. I can count on two hands how many times its been used in the past year… but it’s still there, just in case.

The false-dreams I perpetuate by keeping things like these are probably pretty commonplace. But, really, how likely is my eight-year-old to stuff herself into a jogger when she can be out on her bike alongside me instead? Do I really want her in there anyway? Isn’t my four-year-old more likely to figure out the workings of our treadmill than I am to run on it?

Truth be told, just in case, has been my motto for the past year. And it’s not been a good place. Living for the just in case has meant not living in the present. Instead, it’s meant worrying about the future, fretting over the past. It’s meant doing whatever I can to numb out those (normal) feelings of present-moment frustration I get as a mom and as a person. Living for the just in case translated into taking more naps than I needed, drinking more wine than I should have, and making more trips to the store than necessary. It’s meant me being someone who I don’t really identify with anymore.

I’ve been reading a couple of great books lately (Buddhist-based) that are getting me back on track. They’re lifting my just in case mentality and replacing it with a better understanding of self (When Things Fall Apart by Pema Chodron and Wherever You Go, There You Are by Jon Kabat-Zinn). Really, something we all can use.

I’ve kept up my fitness, but somehow forgotten to let it keep me in the present—the best place to parent. There are some wonderful things on the horizon. Each day, I’m trying to let go of that just in case attitude a little bit more because there is no question about this moment we’re living. It’s here.

I Wanna Get Me Some of That (Again)

2009-05-22T19:09:00.000-07:00

Two years ago my husband and I spent Memorial Day weekend in the Grand Canyon. We did a run that not too many folks get a chance to do: the Rim-to-Rim-to-Rim. Technically, I guess we did a Rim-to-Rim run one day and another Rim-to-Rim run the next. We ran 20 miles the first day, starting off on South Kaibab Trail and ending up on the North Rim of the Canyon. I remember being terrified; not really knowing what to expect of the trails. But we made it to the other side through some of the most beautiful scenery I've ever set eyes on. From the top I felt tiny, but bold to be running the route we'd planned. Tony and I were both Canyon Virgins and it was great to go through the experience together as "newbies." Here's a little of what we saw:

When we surfaced on the other side we were wonderfully tired, walked a mile in our flip flops for beer, which we drank while heading back to our little cabin. We took a nap to the sweet sounds of a woodpecker just outside our window and had dinner at the restaurant that overlooks the canyon. We hit the hay almost too tired to sleep.

As we started out early the next day on our return run I remember thinking, "There is NO WAY I will be able to make it." But I did. We ran 24 miles back (up Bright Angel Trail), singing "Don't Go Breakin' My Heart" and TV theme songs from our childhood. The trip was harder than a marathon, harder than an Ironman and yet it was, hands down, the best trip we've ever taken. Here's us after we finished. Exhausted, but not empty.

So here I am, two years later drinking a beer and toasting my husband who is back at the Canyon with three buddies, sharing our great experience. Well, they actually "one-upped" our trip by doing the entire run in one day... a real Rim-to-Rim-to-Rim experience. At first I was jealous. GREEN. Wished I had some girlfriends who might be up for such an adventure. But, this beer has got me thinking. When Tony and I got married, we told the priest that we wanted our marriage to make other people happy too. That we hoped our union would be good for the world and not just us. And really, we still think that way.

As Tony and his buddies toast their adventure with burgers and fries, I'm at home thankful. Thankful for our experience two years ago and thankful that Tony got out there again to try something new, to tackle another challenge. I feel so lucky to have him in my life, as my husband and the father of my girls. And I'm happy we get to share him with others.

You have any special experiences with a spouse or friend that made you realize how lucky you are to have him or her in your life? That made you excited to see them with others? I'd love to hear!

Sneaking One In (A Workout, That is...)

2009-05-17T17:49:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was my oldest daughter's 7th birthday. As part of our celebration as a family, we headed over to Minnehaha Falls Park in Minneapolis to rent the circus you see to the left. Technically, it's a "specialty bike" called the Deuce Coupe.

Let's just say the Coupe is a far cry from the Madone hanging in my garage. It's heavy, difficult to steer, and the seats have a tendency to slide you right off of the front. Oh, and it should require a WIDE LOAD sign on the back. Maybe some flashing lights, too.

It was a crazy ride, but the girls had a great time singing songs and saying hello to everyone we passed. Yes, I said "passed." We were sweaty and sore by the time we completed the 6+ mile loop across the Lake Street bridge and back via the St. Paul side of the Mississippi. Ten miles per hour isn't fast on a regular bike, I know, but on this thing it was smokin'. We completed the course in under an hour, perhaps record time on the Deuce Coupe. The girls laughed, cheered us up the hills, and screamed in delight down the hills. Tony and I laughed too, mostly at how ridiculous we must have looked but also because it was such a simple pleasure for the whole family.

Looking forward to summer and more crazy outdoor family adventures like this!

They Just Shouldn't Let Some Folks Drive

2009-05-15T18:16:00.000-07:00

I almost let the car roll into the intersection today with my soon-to-be 7 year old inside of it. Forgot to put it in park as I got out to open the door for the neighbor girl. I was almost to the other side of the vehicle when I saw the car moving; thank God I made it back in time to stop the car just yards from the intersection.

On Tuesday I left the keys in the car (in the ignition to be more specific) for an hour and a half while the kids were getting their teeth cleaned. When we got back into the car I turned the key and was shocked to hear the scream. I'd not only left the keys in the car, I'd left it running too.

No doubt I'm getting older. With my 39th birthday just a week or so away, I am profoundly aware of what parts of me are changing--both in body and mind. I'm tired. I'm sore. I'm bloated. And now evidently, I'm an airhead too.

I was thinking about this tonight as I was finishing up my run. I was about a mile from home when a car came within inches of hitting me. A young twenty-something ran a red light, looked me in the eye and said something sarcastic and dim-whitted. I, of course, had something very profound to say back. It was accompanied by a certain gesture that I executed perfectly. Moments later it occurred to me that maybe I'm not getting old. Maybe I'm not really losing my edge. Perhaps it's not my age, but something else. Heck if that young guy can be so absent minded (am I giving him too much credit?), it might not be an age thing. Maybe I'm just getting into a pattern (ok, a rutt) in life and letting it lull me to sleep a little bit.

So my new goal is to wake up and here's how I intend to do it... run new routes, get back on my bike, crosstrain, stretch. I'm going to write more fun stuff, journal, blog. I'll try to sit for a few minutes each day. Any other ideas? I'm all ears...

The Sins of Our Fathers

2009-05-14T06:09:00.001-07:00

Every parent has some seemingly brilliant, tragically misguided idea that haunts their children's memories into adulthood. One such memory for me involves a large bag of powdered milk stationed just inside our kitchen doorway. With four kids to feed, my dad thought it was pure genius--save money on milk, clear out more room in the refrigerator, and spare my mom more frequent trips to the grocery store.

And while my dad made every effort to convince us that powdered milk tasted just the same as or, get this, even better than regular milk, we knew better. His speeches were too rehearsed, too well thought out. He was obviously trying to convince himself too. It was understood that our mom found the stuff equally disgusting as us kids--I don't think I ever saw her take so much as a sip of milk when I was younger. But she made no efforts to stop the insanity. Yep, she stood by and watched the torment. We begged, we whined, we cried, we even tried to destroy the powder by dropping rubbish into the large garbage can in which it was stored. But still, we drank the froth at every meal.

In a perfect world, we would learn from our experiences. But this, unfortunately, is not a perfect world.

After successfully avoiding every one of my household duties for the past week, the milk supply ran dry this morning. And while looking in the cupboard for cereal, I noticed a box of powdered milk left over from my husband's week-long John Muir Trail trek last summer. "She'll never notice," I thought, feeling a little bit guilty. I was right. Worked great on cereal, slipped it right past her. Then, the real test. She wanted straight milk. I stood in the corner of the room trying not to laugh as she eyed up the froth. Knowing something was off, she took a cautious sip. Her eyebrows furrowed, the expression on her mouth changed. "This milk tastes funny," she said. My experiment was complete. Yes, I am now a hypocrite. But the kid in me is tremendously happy. And, now I know another "sports supplement" that works for kids in pinch. Just don't drink it straight.

Back Into the Swing...

2009-01-04T20:04:00.001-08:00

It's the last day of winter break. Tomorrow my husband and oldest daughter head back to work and school. After two weeks of family togetherness, I'm gonna miss them. I'll miss having my husband as my partner in crime during the day-- someone with whom to laugh at the lunacies of parenting and smile at our children's tender exchanges. I'll miss my older daughter playing mommy to her sister, snuggling until late in the morning. I'll miss being able to run or hit the gym whenever I want (yes, my husband TOTALLY gets it and never balks at my workouts).

Lots of change over break. Maggie pees on the toilet now. She refuses to wear pull-ups, though, which makes it slightly less convenient than it could be. Still pretty cool, though. She's as proud as can be. Out of her crib, too... as of today. Out of the crib and into a toddler bed. Not too excited about that one, though, which might explain why it's 10:30 p.m. and she's just now fallen asleep. Of course I'm grieving over the crib being taken down-- first time in 7 years there is no crib in this house.

Cady has become a social butterfly. Has really bonded with her good friend Clara and wants to be with her all the time. I thought that wouldn't happen until Middle School at least! Nope, guess we no longer cut the mustard. She also asked about sex today. In the car she asks, "Do you guys have sex?" After composing ourselves (because, yes, for some juvenile reason we found the question absolutely hysterical!), we learned that sex is "when you get naked and show your private parts to each other." Says she figured that one out on Friday when I took her to see "Marly and Me." Guess it's time to go shopping for "the book." Any suggestions?

Tony frostbit his nose on the morning of New Year's Eve. Finished the year with an ultra (50K) at 5 a.m.on Wednesday. It was -3 when he started--not counting the windchill. His nose is just now peeling. He's having a difficult time staying awake at night-- in fact he's asleep at this very moment.

Me? I finally feel well rested. Been sleeping in. Recharging mentally. Fallen madly in love with my girls and husband again. Again and again.

Welcome, Old Man Winter!

2008-12-09T18:27:00.000-08:00

I'll admit it. I'm still in recovery. But every day it gets a little bit easier. After more than 10 years of running with a watch on my arm and driving my routes to get the exact mileage of every run, it's not easy to let go. Sure there are times when I need to focus on that stuff, like when I'm training for a marathon or ultra distance, but early winter isn't one of those times.

Watch or no watch, my motivation usually falters a bit this time of year--winter, before the snow falls. The darkness outside invades me. I want to sleep, not run, and I desperately need my running buddy to get me out the door. Last week she came over for two evening runs after our kids were in bed. It got me through those first snowless winter runs.

But I've turned a corner. Last night we went for a wonderful late night run in several inches of newly fallen snow. No watch. No GPS. Nothing. Not even a log book entry when I got home. The city was silent as few cars ventured out onto the streets. The running trails were not yet plowed, so we hit the streets where the snow, ironically, felt like sand beneath our feet. The run was a celebration of the changing season.

There are times when I think we should pack up and move to Colorado, Utah, or another state with slightly milder temps. Nights like last night, runs like last night's, remind me to be thankful I'm here. Thankful for the snow, thankful for the cold, and thankful for my running buddy. A fellow fit mama. My sister on the run.

Just Like Daddy

2008-11-21T18:49:00.000-08:00

This morning, our first grade daughter decided she wanted to bike to school. Normally, we'd be psyched by her initiative. Not today. The outside thermometer read 18 degrees; 10 degrees with the windchill. My husband knew about the cold weather firsthand--he was out the door for a trail run at 6 a.m. So, when Cady asked to ride her bike to school he was certain his sarcastic response would be disregarded: "Check outside. If it's not too cold you can wear a face mask." A few minutes later she came into my room asking me to find her face mask. The image of her riding into school with her backpack, food donation and a birthday present kept me laughing all day. I didn't like the meltdown that followed my telling her she was actually not allowed to bike to school, but I like the way she's thinking. In ten years I'll encourage her to head out. Just like Daddy.

Just Another Reason I Hate Treadmills...

2008-10-31T06:58:00.001-07:00

I've never been a huge fan of treadmills. Even in the dark, cold months of winter... I'd much rather be running outside accumulating ice on my eyelashes and frost between my buns than running those endless miles to nowhere.

And yet we have a treadmill in our basement. We didn't buy it and we rarely use it--guess that was Grandpa's reason for giving it to us a couple of years ago. It has, however, come in handy on a few occasions so we keep it.

With two young girls in the house, we always keep the key to the treadmill on top of our refrigerator. Without the key, the treadmill will not work. Period. Unless... Unless you forget.

This post is about what happens when you do forget. It's my reminder to you to NEVER forget to put the treadmill key out of reach of your children. Last weekend, my oldest daughter decided it was a good idea to try running a 6-minute mile. What followed were burns on the tops of her feet that kept her up the entire night. (Imagine a superman pose, hands on the front rail and feet dragging behind on the belt.) Not pretty. Here's a shot of her feet close to one week later.

When I think of how painful a small "kitchen burn" is, I cringe to think of how bad these must have felt. At the very least, I thought, there would be a good lesson learned. But when I asked her, I got this: "Yes, I learned not to put the treadmill on 10 MPH." Huh? How about, "I learned not to mess with the treadmill." You can be sure we had a refresher course on why we don't play on the treadmill at all...

Anyway, the wounds on my girl's feet are just another reason for me to hate the treadmill. And to never, ever, forgot to keep the key in hiding.

I Have a Llama

2008-10-19T15:33:00.000-07:00

She spits. Maggie, my youngest daughter who will turn three in December, has recently developed her own expression of anger. When "provoked," she will walk around the house leaving trails of bubbly saliva on anything in sight. This (and every other seemingly dysfunctional habits my kids have) has left me wondering what I did to cause the behavior. I don't spit at people when I'm mad, or drizzle a string of goober along the floor in front of them. In general, I keep my anger clean.

So, where did she learn to spit? Having spent a fair amount of time in the jogger, the only way I can place some blame on myself (which of course I absolutely MUST do) is to assume she sees the spit flying on the run. Yep, I'm one of those girls. I spit innumerable times during my runs, have mastered the farmer blow and have been known to use my shirt as a kleenex in a pinch. Not too much girl-girl in me, I guess. At least not when I'm running.

Looks like it's time for me watch myself when I'm running with Maggie in the jogger these days. The front end and tail end of two are very different--on the cusp of three years kids pick up so many behaviors. Which means I have to give up my other favorite "skill" for a while or my daughter will never get potty trained. A good friend once taught me to pee standing up (just pull the running shorts to the side, girls!); I'm sure it would totally confuse her little mind. I can only imagine what she's thinking... "Mommy goes potty when she needs to, too. I don't really need a bathroom if she doesn't!" Lucky for me it's an art form that can't be done with tights on, so I guess pretty soon I'll be forced to stop anyway. For now, when I duck into the bushes, I'll turn the jogger the other way so she's none the wiser.

Back to my llama girl... I know it could be worse. The dogs help me out by licking up any spit they find that might contain a food crumb. And my girl is expressing her feelings, right? While part of me prefers the thought of a teenage girl spitting over a teenage girl screaming and crying, I know it's not going to happen. She'll get through this phase and soon find a new way to express her little emotions. Let's just hope she doesn't pull her diaper to the side and leave her mark in other ways!

Touched by Feet

2008-10-07T18:12:00.000-07:00

About a month ago, I started working very part time at a local running store. As if I didn't have enough on my plate already (caring for our two young girls, editing a local sports magazine, co-authoring a book, teaching group cycling classes, personal training, volunteering at my church and running), I decided to use the free time afforded by preschool punching the time clock at my favorite local running store, TC Running Company.

I haven't worked retail in close to 15 years, but the idea of hanging out with other runners and spreading good running karma really appealed to me. And of course it's nice to get a great discount on gear (although I've yet to make any purchases!). Not in a million years did I think it would be challenging or life changing in any way. Until today.

You see, it's not uncommon for me to see butts (and I'm talking butt-holes here, not just cute pudgy buns) in my line of work as a mom, to wipe those butts and noses and change poopie diapers. I check to see if clothes are dirty or not with the smell test (NOT a good idea with undies, mind you!) and oftentimes forgo a shower so that my kids can get here and there on time. Yep, I do a lot of stuff I wouldn't have imagined doing in my younger years, but I don't think twice about it. And I certainly don't think of it as service.

Today I came to realize I need to adjust my thinking a bit. An older woman came into the store looking for a pair of shoes to walk in. She'd been walking in shoes with no support and was suffering the consequences. I watched her walk, looked at her shoes and brought out a few pairs for her to try on. Having recently turned 81, she typically uses a shoe horn to help get her shoes on and off. Since I couldn't find one (I didn't look very hard), I sat down on the floor to help her put on and take off several pairs of shoes. I usually shy away from touching other people's feet, but there was something wonderful about helping her try on shoes. Holding her feet and tying her shoes was truly a religious experience for me. I gently tightened the laces and adjusted the tongue on each pair and I felt like for the first time in a long time I was truly serving another person. I genuinely cared about this woman, she could have been my mom. I wanted to make sure she found a shoe that fit. Perfectly.

When she left the store I realized that we have opportunities to be extra kind and extra gentle every day. We just have to look for them. And this applies, perhaps most importantly, to how we treat our kids. We can wipe poop off butt cheeks gently and with humility. We can clean faces, comb hair and brush teeth the same.

Tomorrow morning, when the whining starts (and I know it will!), I will struggle to remember this... Remind me if you see me!

My Phone, the Marathon and the Sweaty Sisterhood

2008-10-05T13:30:00.000-07:00

I've been looking for the phone for a few minutes. We don't have a big house, so really this should be a simple task. I didn't go downstairs; have only been in three rooms, but that phone is G.O.N.E. gone. I'll admit I even looked in the refrigerator cause I did get lemonade (and I've left the phone in there before). Oh well, I guess I'll find it the next time someone calls and consider it a blessing... Now I'll have time to post a quick update on the marathon.

Ran the Twin Cities Marathon this morning. It's my hometown marathon and my favorite to run so far. I didn't set a PR (personal record), but it was probably one of my best marathons yet. Felt great the whole time despite pouring rain, chilly temps and soggy shoes. Saw all those great faces along the course, including my husband and two daughters. They were a great cheering squad--even brought me dry socks, mittens and a jacket to the finish. Delicious!

The rain made the run eventful and my sister-in-sweat Cindy was a great partner for the duration. Really didn't think I'd like running with anyone during the race, but it was great to help each other along during our individual struggles. We'd done almost all of our training runs together so crossing the finishing line hand in hand was a perfect way to celebrate. We stopped to kiss our kids along the way and passed the time as we usually do on our runs... chatty. (Though the chatter wasn't quite as juicy as usual!) Finished together with a chip time of 3:24:18 and actually feeling GREAT! Thanks, Cindy, for a great run today!

Now, on to find that phone so I can check in with all my girlfriends who ran today... I'll let you know where I find it!

p.s. Edited to let you know that the phone was on the hook. Who'da thunk it?

Marathon Goodness

2008-10-02T18:36:00.000-07:00

This Sunday is the Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon and I'll be toeing the line with thousands of other runners, making my way from the Dome in downtown Minneapolis to the Capitol building in St. Paul. I know the course well and feel at home on the route. I'll see lots of familiar faces along the way, including friends and family. I love their support and have come to expect it in some ways. After 30 or so marathons, though, I still get teary-eyed at the crowd of people who line the streets to cheer for not just family and friends, but strangers too. I love watching my kids support people they don't know, being part of pure goodness. Watch for me out there. I'll be wearing a white singlet, black shorts and a big smile.

I'm a Walrus

2008-09-23T19:37:00.001-07:00

If you've seen the movie The Breakfast Club, you probably remember the scene when Brian Johnson (Anthony Michael Hall) is thinking about how he'll answer the essay question that's been posed to the crew at Saturday detention (something along the lines of, "Who are you?"). He's got his pen stuck between his mouth and his nose. With one end of his pen kinda picking his nose a bit, Brian mutters to himself, "Who am I? Who am I? I'm a walrus."

Whenever I'm feeling a little lost in life, when I feel my own version of what William Young calls "The Great Sadness" in his novel The Shack, I think to myself... "I'm a walrus." To me, the "walri" of the world just never seem completely at ease. Perhaps it's the fact that they have no arms and always appear to be tipping over or something. I dunno. The walrus is just one of those creatures that seems to not quite "fit" for some reason or another.

So, this week, I am a walrus. I'm "sort of." Sort of a stay-at-home mom. Sort of a writer/editor. Sort of a spiritual person. Sort of a runner. Sort of a friend. Sort of a daughter. Sort of a wife. I'm toe-deep in more than a few pools of water right now--but sometimes I feel like I'm drowning in them. My shrink thinks it's good to have so many things in my life. So many things to love. I guess she's right. So many wonderful things to pick from... Guess it's time to just be happy with that. I am where I am. Lots to do, lots to be thankful for. I don't have to be just one thing. I don't have to do it all. And I don't have to be perfect at any one thing.

So, who am? I think the members of the "breakfast club" put it well:

Dear Mr. Vernon:

We accept the fact that we had to sacrifice a whole Saturday in detention for whatever it was we did wrong. But, we think you're crazy to make us write an essay telling you who we think we are. You see us as you want to see us: in the simplest terms, in the most convenient definitions. But, what we found out is that each one of us is: a brain... and an athlete... and a basket case... a princess... and a criminal... Does that answer your question?

Sincerely yours,

The Breakfast Club

Enough said.

Simultaneous Meltdown

2008-09-08T09:08:00.000-07:00

This is how I felt at the end of my long run yesterday. I've been just plain exhausted lately as I anxiously anticipate the taper for my October 5 marathon. I can't tell you how many miles I've been running during the week--not quite sure what my long runs have been, either, but I'm pretty certain I've neared (even surpassed) the marathon distance more than a few times.

Yesterday, I met my friend Cindy (a person and friendship I absolutely cherish) at 5:41 a.m. We've calibrated our watches and leave our respective houses at exactly 5:30 a.m. Every weekend. Almost every long run. Running towards each other we meet at the lake in just under 12 minutes. Clockwork. Literally.

In a crazy fit of obsessive behavior, we circled the 3-mile perimeter of the lake four times. Seemed the only way I could keep myself going. "Just once around the lake," I'd tell myself (lie) as I pushed for that next lap, about ready to cry at any moment. I wasn't sore. I wasn't hurt. I'm not out of shape. I'm exhausted. I've run over 30 marathons so you'd think I'd know the fatigue is coming. Always does.

In the same way, you'd think I'd anticipate when my kids are nearing exhaustion, too. The equation is simple:

FIRST WEEK OF SCHOOL
+ FIRST WEEK OF SWIMMING LESSONS
+ FIRST WEEK OF SOCCER
+ FOUR HOUR BIRTHDAY PARTY
=
WHINING, CRYING CHILDREN WHO WON'T EAT THEIR DINNER BUT THINK THEY SHOULD HAVE DESSERT AND WATCH T.V. AND DO ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING THAT'S OFF LIMITS JUST BEFORE BED

Now that Cady can tell time, we contemplated turning all the clocks ahead one hour. Evil, yes, but would hopefully spare us another meltdown that would most certainly be contagious (little sister assumes most of big sisters emotions and attitudes!). Alas, the meltdown happened anyway and both kids were in bed by 7:30 p.m.

Exhale.

This week, they've got the same lineup. Hopefully a little extra rest again tonight and they'll be good as new. Me too. I just need to make it through two more long runs and it's taper time. Bring it on!

The Taste of Independence

2008-09-05T06:26:00.000-07:00

This is what independence looks like when you're in first grade. It's a beautiful sight to me, actually, because it means my husband and I got to spend an extra half hour in bed this morning. Yep, our oldest daughter, Cady, decided that since she's in first grade, it's time to get up and start her day instead of being coaxed back into bed by sleepy parents. And while I admit it's a little sad that she doesn't want that half hour of cuddle time, it's nice to know my little girl is learning what it means to "do her own thing," so to speak. No matter that she destroyed the Oat Squares box... it actually takes up less room in the cupboard when the bag is removed from the box. Perhaps she knew. After all, she is a "grader" now.

Cady thinks having her own desk at school is pretty cool. It's a big step up from the shared tables in kindergarten. She likes having a place of her very own. Like mother like daughter, I guess. That's not to say I have any privacy anymore--motherhood snatched that away long ago. The kids have found their way into my dresser drawers and tried on my bras, they've jumped into bed at the most inopportune times, they've even disrupted that cherished "alone time" we all deserve in the bathroom everyday.

Nope, I don't feel independent because of anything I have. My sense of independence is gained from the only thing I can really call my own... my time spent getting sweaty on runs, bike rides, and other fitness endeavors. I've come to realize that sweat is the one thing I have that is mine. All mine. Mine alone. And when I'm working up that sweat it's just me. No doubt I carry my family and friends along with me, but during the time I spend working out I'm free.

Cady has only been in school for one week now, but I really think she gets it a little better now. Gets me better. Running is to me like that desk is to her... it gives me a sense of independence. And someday when she joins me on my runs, it won't take any of that away. Somehow, it will just add to it.

Here's to my independent little first grader. Way to go, Cady!

No Sweat Today!

2008-08-25T12:04:00.001-07:00

It's fitting that my first post on this blog gets written on a day that my kids will not see mom sweat. Nope, looks like today will be a day off for this mama. I'm okay with that because so far it's been a great day, mostly made possible by the fact that I didn't squeeze in my workout.

We're back from a week long trip out west and everyone is still catching up on sleep, so that extra hour of snuggle time made me a much more patient mom than I might have otherwise been. My youngest daughter (2 years old) had a friend over early this morning, then we hit the park until lunchtime. Now my older daughter (6 years old) has a friend over and I'm kickin' ass on the day's chores. Could have called Super Grandpa (a.k.a. the on-call babysitter) for a quick workout, but today is best served with me here, making this house our home again (laundry, dishes, purging of toys).

Might seem odd that I'm praising my choice to not workout on this blog. After all, this is a fit mom blog, right? It's not that crazy... Part of being a fit mom is knowing when to wear running shoes and when to wear sandals. Today is a sandal day. Tomorrow, I will get out there.