I'm Gonna Be on YouTube

 

 This is my daughter.  She seems innocent enough, right?  Well, I let her borrow my MP3 player for performing arts at school.  All is fine.  She returns it.  No big deal.  Then today I get the bright idea to run to a local park, allow LBM to play for a while and then run back.  Not the ideal long run but a nice way to keep both of us happy and get some extra movement in. 

 

What?  Do you think I get to sit and talk to grown ups at the park? 

Not on your life.  My park job is pushing LBM in the swing until my arms fall off. 

 

But back to the point.  We were going to be running a longer route and the noise of the increased traffic here is driving me crazy so I decided to bust out my MP3 player since S'ghetti Girl reminded me I actually had one.

 

I don't think S'ghetti has seen the video but none of my flights were ever like that. 

 

My play list does consist of quite a few kids songs which can be peppy and help quicken the turnover well that or you just wanna get done faster so you don't have to listen to a talking tomato or singing cucumber anymore.   But as I scrolled through the songs I found one of the ones S'ghetti Girl had added. 

How do you do you do. 

 



 

I must have listened to it 16 times.  It was so peppy.  So my daughter.  I am sure I had a smile plastered to my lip syncing face.  Yeah, the words are not really that hard to catch on to.  And I discovered that I can skip at an 8:30 minute mile.   There is little doubt that I will end up on YouTube soon from the reaction of the passing drivers.  But hey they were in the air conditioned cars driving I was out there in the heat.  A girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do, right?  The miles flew by and I had a blast putting in one of the fastest jogging stroller runs I have had in a while.

 

LBM, however was mortified.

 

So what's on your play list that you'd rather not admit to?

What everyone is talking about

If there were a water cooler it would be the hot topic; the heat.  Every one's talking about it.  I go to the store and the chit chat is not about the politics, not the weather, it's only about the heat.  How hot it was yesterday.  How hot it is today.  That it hasn't been this hot since...  You get the idea. 

They are right.   It's hot.  It gets hot early and it stays hot until late.  Since our treadmill adventure turned out to be a bust via Freecycle and no decision made about the options at Play It Again Sports, I am sans running options.  It's outside all the time everyday or night.  

Like many of you I am not at the mercy of the weather and elements.  While I know that I will get somewhat "used" to the higher temps here in Virginia, I know that I will rarely be able to simply walk out the door and run for an hour like I do in PA.  Now running takes a little more planning.  And sunscreen.  And hydration options.  And cell phones.  And usually jogging strollers.  Okay that last one isn't exactly new but pushing it in 100 degree weather is. 

Now I remember those new things before heading out the door.

How long will I be out?  If anything happens will I have enough fluids?

Suncreen? Even if I'm on the trails.

Cellphone?  If anything happens I can call for a ride back.

Leave a note? Or Tell someone where I'll be.

Listen to my body?  Know when enough is enough on those really tough days.

I could join the whiners and simply say it's just too hot.  Instead I have been looking at my run as if it were race day.  I've shown up and ran on race day in all kinds of weather!  Of course several times it did cross my mind to not race but I always toed the line.  That is my strategy with my daily running now; it's race day.  Just do it!

Do you have summer weather running tips?

Stay safe while you are staying active.

Jogging Stroller Entertainment aka Distraction Techniques

 Life as a running mom offers many opportunities to be creative, especially since I have been doing that married-single-parenting thing for the past how many years.  Thanks to my situation I have spent more than my share of hours behind a jogging stroller and over the years I've developed what might be a few original distraction techniques aka how to get the run done.

Biking Sherpa wearing LBM hat mid-run

As your kids get older it helps to be creative.  Like bringing along someone else to help amuse your jogging stroller passengers.  Biking Sherpa often has more energy during our runs to amuse LBM.  She chatters with him even I might not be able to keep up with his nonstop conversations, points out interesting things to occupy his attention and helps retrieve thrown toys.

She is willing to do whatever it takes to help keep our little passenger happy.  Even if it is slightly embarrassing.

Mommy I think I can squeeze some juice out of this one

Another handy amusement is chucking produce.  When you buy the mega-quantity of clementines at Sam's Club and half of them go bad, you can feed the local wildlife and entertain your running companion by allowing them to chuck them into the woods along the road.  

Word of Caution:  make sure your little understands and will obey when you tell them not to chuck them at cars, bikes or other passers by. 

You +1'd this publicly. Undo

Watch out squirrel!

Of course THE best way to ensure a happy running trip for everyone is to do it regularly and end with a reward to your well behaved running companion.  Extra time outside playing, getting to ride bikes or blowing bubbles after the run are all things that my kids enjoyed as simple rewards for being great passengers. 

Everyone happy = successful jogging stroller run

Teaching your children at a young age that being active is a part of your daily life will go a long way in how they integrate health and fitness into their own lives. 

What techniques have you found helpful in keeping your little one happy while on the run?

The Woolly Worm Relocation Program

I have had a few years of keeping kiddos entertained during runs.  What works best varies, with each of my children it has been different.  Currently with LBM aka little bug man, not surprisingly noticing "wildlife" on the small scale has been very useful.

Take last night's run.  I had planned to run on the treadmill to "baby" my legs after the trail run on Sunday but it was simply too nice to be inside so LBM and I braved the hills and went out for 6.5 miles.  Not long into our run is where we met him.

The innocent victim.

Full Disclosure:  This is not the actual woolly worm.  It's not a woolly worm at all.

This poor guy was simply around for the photo op.  He's the good looking stand in.

Like any experienced jogging stroller mom, I have everything and the kitchen sink in that little basket under the jogger including items to gather miniature wildlife for closer examination.  After multiple stops to reposition the woolly worm on LBM's hand or stroller tray, LBM decided that he needed to help the woolly worm escape a life of supression living in fear of spider thugs and crows mafia-types aka relocate him to our yard.  A baggie ensured safety for the woolly worm remainder of the run. 

LBM was trying to convince me that the woolly worm needed to be forced lovingly placed on that branch.  Once home and after much discussion it was decided that woolly worm did not need the protection of the inside of our home and he was placed on our mock pear tree to establish is new life.

Today is Day # 492

You just never know how or who you might help as a runner. 

Are You Afraid of Getting Dirty?

You may remember that I told you I got a new pair of Sauconys.

They are purple and nicely still resting in their box.

This lovely sea green pair have been waiting patiently in my closet for a way long time.  With the pace crushing thigh pain, I finally decided to switch out my running shoes. 

These beauties are so light and comfy and wonderfully white that I wore them Tuesday but when we were blessed with rain on Wednesday I decided I just couldn't get them dirty!  I wore the old completely worn out pair. 

Yes my thigh noticed.

I was happy when Thursday came and I could take these lovelys out for another run.  Since my sitter is on vacation this week and I have had to make other arrangements

I couldn't get anyone to spend the day with the kids despite having all my family live so close to me

I got to enjoy a day with the kids at work with me.

Webster Update:  Definition of Enjoy

enjoy, v to survive or otherwise struggle through a period of time under extreme stress

Having the kids at work with me meant we got home a little early.  However, I should have know something was at work when I still somehow didn't get out of the door until the usual time.  Which lead to me still being on my run with my fabulous sea green bright white ultra light weight super comfy Sauconys when the

DOWNPOUR

started.

As with any down pour, it gave me little warning as I was running up a steep hill it just chose to start.  Once already drenched at the top of the hill I struggled with the half heat fused together weather shield to get LBM and the stroller covered before it soaked up 10 pounds of rain water.  FAIL

All while my fabulous sea green bright white ultra light weight super comfy Sauconys got drenched and quickly became my fabulous sea green dull white not so light weight super squishy Sauconys.

I just can't stand getting new shoes dirty. 

But by the time we got around the loop they had lost that I'm-new look and weighed a ton. 

They will dry out and I'm sure they will still be super comfy compared to my old trashed ones but the honeymoon is already over. 

Two runs and we are an old married couple no longer worried about our appearances. 

How do you get over that I don't want to dirty my beautiful new running shoes feeling?

WIWTW

What I Wore This Week

In a effort to change my habit of wearing the same thing day after day

and not washing it nearly enough

I bring you WIWTW to help keep me accountable.

Unlike T HERE who is being nationally accountable for her running wear!

This week might look a bit like a fail on the success chart for switching up my running wardrobe but I was reviewing the two tops and only running singles most of this week so I couldn't really keep from having the tops on for the photos.  I did however test out the top's perma-stink resistance by wearing them so much.

Both tops scored wonderfully.  No stink.  Great washability.

Sunday run in VA ~ 7.5 miles

after driving through the night back from TN

Monday p.m. run back in PA ~ 7 miles

Tuesday p.m. run ~ 7 miles

Wednesday p.m. run ~ 7 miles with the crew

Biking Sherpa's return to Insanity!

Thursday p.m. run ~ 6.5 miles

Friday a.m. run ~ 3.5 miles

I followed my evening runs with Beachbody's Insanity.  I really dislike the lower weekly mileage but I am loving the results of serious cross training.  I'm sure I'll have EMZ abs in no time.

yeah right!

Let's see it.  What did you wear this week?

What better reason (for a Giveaway!)

Yesterday was a great day.

At the start I had my doubts though.  With the time change and the loss of daylight in the morning I overslept and we had to move it to get ready for the school bus.  But like a champ S'ghetti Girl hustled and we made it with time to spare. 

After getting S'ghetti Girl on the bus I did what any obsessed runner would do with a flexible 20ish minutes I hopped on the treadmill and ran 3 miles.  I justified this by telling myself that I never know what the day might have in store for me but this way I did at least a little something good for me.

Fast forward through the drudgery of the work day and we are back home.  I can't interest LBM into getting into the jogging stroller even though it is really nice outside.  Not wanting to waste much time in the effort I relent and get on the treadmill for 5 miles while the kids play. 

I stop knowing the 8 miles is more than enough with my next race, the Hat Run Trail 50k on Saturday.  When I get upstairs and see that we still have a bit of daylight remaining I tell the kids we are going to walk to my sister's house and pump up the tires on the jogging stroller.  This will not only make sure the tires are ready for when I can get LBM to go for a run but will also give the kids a little more exercise outside.   Surprisingly LBM climbs into the jogger asking for a snack on his little tray.  He hadn't forgotten all the little stay-in-the-stroller tricks after all.  I grab a little pack of gummies and S'ghetti Girl grabs her scooter and we run down to my sisters to pump the tires.

Task accomplished we jog back up the hill to our house but when I try to get LBM out of the jogger he tell me he wants to keep going.  Well, who am I to deny the child what he wants?!  I grab my Garmin and we are off.  I keep offering to turn around but LBM encourages me to go farther finally agreeing that we should turn around near my one mile marker of course I finished out my mile before turning, runner first.

And that jogging stroller mommies is how you get your little back in the jogger after being stuck on the treadmill all winter.  So what better reason to have a Giveaway?!

The great folks at CSN Stores have a $55 gift card for one lucky follower.

Since I am running the Hat Run on Saturday and I want to keep this nice and simple here's what you need to do (can complete in ONE Comment):

1.  Be a follower or your comment won't count.

Then you can choose to do both or just one of the following:

2.  Give me your best "How I got my little one back in the jogger" story.

3.  Guess my finish time for The Hat Run Trail 50k. 

Hints:  You can use anything helpful from the Hat Run's site.  My last 50k on trails was my PR setting 6:06 which was March 5th (less than 2 weeks ago, think tired legs might be a factor)  however my last trail 50k on a more technical course in the rain was 7:06 at the Skyline Challenge.

You have until Friday night March 18th at midnight to leave your comment.

Winner will be the person who guess my exact race time to the minute if that does not happen the winner will be selected by random drawing.

Good Luck!

It Makes Me Wanna Shout!

Some days I worry that I am not getting enough cross training done but I tell myself I just can't fit anything else into my days.  However this morning I realized I have hit on the next big cross training craze!

It's Running Shake Weights!

Come on.  You'd do it!

It only takes a couple steps.

1.  Place one very active, fighting-nap-time, 2 year old in a jogging stroller.

2.  Add music.  For an extra tough workout, I recommend Veggie Tales Backyard Party, Shout!

3.  After lacing up your favorite running shoes, place both hands firmly on the jogging stroller and run.

Within mintues your arms will begin to feel the burn as your lively 2 year old wiggles and does whole body motions to the music.  After only a few session not only will you see new definition in your arms and core, you will also be able to sing along to those wonderfully repetitive songs that stay in your head ALL day long!

That is a Free added bonus!

Join the craze today.

Day # 128 ~ 3.5 wiggly miles with LBM

I think I drank too much coffee yesterday!

...You know it makes me wanna SHOUT!

The funny things that buy me time

Day # 107 ~ 6.5

LBM is pulling my shorts off wanting to go for his run.

Last evening I was struggling with the new routine for school and my disappointment in myself for missing my morning run so getting out that evening should have been easy instead it was a reminder of how easy it is to just "skip it."

Knowing that all my faithful followers would be so disappointed in me if I sat on my tush, I hit the road.  I don't think my delay in getting started helped me because within less than two miles LBM had me stop twice.  He was a constant babble of less than coherent sounds although I do recongize Twinkle Twinkle Little Star everytime he breaks out in song which is an improvement over the Mommy Goed Mommy Pooed song.

After offering him everything under the sun, except for shortening the run I figured out he was wanting his

"Weed Flickers'!

Foxtails aka Weed Flickers

Oh you haven't employed foxtails or as LBM calls them weed flickers as a tool in your jogger entertainment arsenal?

You simply must try them.

LBM rarely makes it through a run without getting one or two of them.

They are good for so many things.

They make great pinwheels to spin around as we cruise down long hills.

They are great at trying to hit every other weed along the side of the road.

They are excellent at threatening the local livestock with. 

Also great at torrmenting insects with.

They are wonderful to disect while in the jogger.

They make nice "let's irritate mom" devices.

They are perfect fishing poles.

The come in really long lengths so you can try and hit cars as they pass.

(don't worry, we are not close enough to the cars to actually touch them but he doesn't know that!)

And they are wonderful for throwing out of the stroller to get mom to stop again.

I know his arms are out.  Don't worry we weren't running anymore.

A good weed flicker can get you a good mile of uninterrupted running!

After the challenge of getting out there last night, I started my day right this morning with a quick run.

I didn't need an weed flickers to make it through.

Day # 108 ~ a.m. Run 3.5 / 28:46

Yes, I washed this outfit before wearing it again this morning.

Gee I look tired.

What's the most innovative thing you have used to entertain your kids so you could run?

Did you enter my giveaways?  Jump back and enter now!

What I did on my Stay-cation

Xterra Xduro

I have been a bad blogger for the past week.  But I did have a good reason.

FAMILY

We had planned to go to our family reunion in Florida however with the new home purchase followed shortly but Hubbs lack of employment we choose to vacation at the VA house.

Our time started with a trip to Hershey Park which I already spoke about briefly and will post about when I have more time.  It was as always a great day!

The kids and I packed up and headed south.

First was the Xterra.  It was a great course but a HUGE dissapointment when they cut the course short.

The best part of the day was meeting Tonia and her family.

Disappointed but still smiling.

While Hubbs did some Reserve duty, the kids and I spent some time getting familiar with the area.  I ran an expanding route each day to find safe places to run with LBM in the jogger.

As I was running I made a few observations about VA.  I am eager to share them with you in a later post.

Did I mention it is HOT in VA!

After one of many afternoon runs.  What was I thinking? 

Stay-cation time gets my body clock all messed up.

Finally no more air mattress!

We made a trip to Sams Club for a new bed!  Finally a night of sleep in comfort.  It was wonderful AND the first night LBM slept through the night in VA!  He must have known mom and dad wanted to enjoy their new bed.

One of the nice side roads I ran on

It was so hot and hazy and some routes didn't provide much shade but it was pretty scenery everywhere.

LBM ready to roll

Most runs LBM napped while I explored the area.  We discovered 4 dogs on the route but only one that was eager to come out at us.  On following days, that dog was not outside. 

I was able

Run from your cubicle

Hubbs had a "company" picnic and signed us up for a 5k.  That was a nice suprise!  It was also a suprise to find out that it was a cross country/trail run.  Oh and of course it was HOT! 

Hubbs did great.  It is really only the third time he has ran since his knee surguries.

I pulled a rookie mistake and forgot to retie my shoes before the race and they both came untied while I was running.  Duh!

Run from your cubicle - first female

I was able to get them both quickly tied and finish in

23:58 good enough that morning for first female. 

It was even hot for the race supporters

After the race we cleaned up and head off to the picnicing.  They had music, activities for the kids; face paining, sand art, snow cones (longest line!), bounce houses, bull riding...

LBM loved the bounce house

We went to Winchester to meet up with a friend of Hubbs from AFG.  She was on her way to Spokane to be with her husband who is ill.  We had a wonderful meal in the downtown walking mall. 

View of the walking mall

Even the kids enjoyed getting out in the evening air for a walk while Hubbs caught up with his friend for some grown up talk. 

S'ghetti girl wearer dad's shades at night

So now I am back in PA.  We came home early since VA was being hit with such hot weather.  We spent our first day home running errands, swimming and well, running.

16 Days Later

I have ran for 16 days straight. 

Go ahead let the scolding begin.

Let me just say I didn't intend to not take a break, it just kind of happened.

At first I thought I should run since Hubbs was home to watch the kids a little more.  Then I thought I had a terrible day at work, I really need to pound out some stress.  That led to thinking things like, the weather will be really bad tomorrow I should run today.

In my defense I have taken what I consider to be breaks.  That is any time period beyond 12 hours in which I do not run.  Example; May 21st I ran in the early morning then I didn't run again until the 22nd in the evening.  That was practically like taking an entire day off.

Okay.  I am a runaholic. 

The upside is I am trying to slow down.  Maybe I slowed a little too much on this mornings run which was evident in how ackward and challenging the entire run felt.  I was working way too hard for that pace. 

BUT.

I do think I need to slow down my runs and stop beating up my body.  The goal for me longer term - and my biggest running goal - is to be running when I am 80 years old.  With that in mind, I have to remember that when I am not training for a "speed" event I do not have to be running so fast all the time.

Since focusing on trail events the race day pressure for pace just isn't there and I am so happy for that.  Sure I'd like to see a sub 3:30 marathon but it's really not in the fore front of my mind this year.

My goals now are to work towards the potential 50 mile trail race this October.  I have a 21k Xduro challenge in June and another 50k Trail race in July.

I know some of you believe in the running slower to run faster theory, any one care to offer their opinion or advice?

My body will thank you! 

After 3.5 miles in 32:54, soaking wet, looking spent and feeling like my body was in knots from my screwy stride.

Maybe too much of a change too quickly for me?

Free advice accepted graciously. 

Mel @ Tall Mom on the Run is hosting a CEP Compression Sock Giveaway.  After my disaster of a morning run attempting to go slow to go fast I could REALLY use these socks.  I know you all want to win them so get over to Mel's and tell her I sent you.

Monday RunDay

So who was there with me watching Survivor last night?
Great show!  Always makes me want to go do an adventure race and get muddy!
The reason I bring Survivor up is not to increase the hits my blog will get from people googling the word Survivor althought it actually will bring loads of people who think they are going to read something cool about Survivor only to find my sometimes interesting often routine daily musing about running through my life but to ask if anyone else noticed something in the preview of next season?
It looked like one of the female contestants was wearing a running skirt!
no super cute knee high socks though
How cool is that? 

Feeling all Survivor-ish I didn't let a little or a lot of rain stop me this morning.  So with weather shield in place LBM and I hit the road to a pre-rinse while we ran.

3.5 miles/29:11

I was suprised to see Morton the Muskrat while running along the creek.  So suprised that I missed getting s picture of him.  In fact he is probably right behind my head in this shot.  When I turned around to look at the creek there he was swimming along.  Darn new Palm!  I wasn't able to get the picture fast enough.  Under the water he went.  Maybe tonight he'll make a repeat visit.

I am off to the big girl job and sending my official registration for the XTERRA Xduro in VA June 19th.

It's going to be a GREAT day!  Enjoy yours.

Jamie @ Running Diva Mom is hosting a giveaway. 

Some very creative custom pendants!  You have got to check it out.

(so you'll know what I'll be wearing after I win.  ;-)