Trail Running

Today Toni and I did the free running clinic offered by the people who do the Backyard Burn trail running series. It was so cold and windy out, and we sat outside and listened to lecture for close to an hour. At least he told us in advance to bring warm layers for that. The coach talked all about stride and running more efficiently. Then we did some drills to work on efficient foot stroke--making sure we're not too bouncy and no heel striking. We also did some strengthening exercises for legs and core. Then he lectured on trail specific running, and we took a short run on the trails. There were a few stream crossings, and I didn't quite make it over one. Man that was cold! We learned how to navigate roots, rocks, and down trees. The clinic was very helpful for both trail and paved running. I decided I'll join Rita doing race 4 in the 5-miler series. If I like it, I'll be as bold as she is and do the whole series next time around.

Okay, I have to say it--Happy Trails!!!

90 Days

Yes, there are 90 days until the pool opens! (My girls had me count yesterday.) So we're trying a healthy 90 days challenge in our house. I'm trying to get them--and me--eating more healthful snacks, more varied meals, and smaller desserts. We'll see how it goes--my 7-year-old already had a major snack tantrum, and my 4-year-old wanted too many Girl Scout cookies after lunch. At least it was nice enough for them to play outside for a little while today. My kids don't eat perfectly, and they watch TV and play video games, but they do get their exercise and they love to read, so I'm happy.

Me--I'm hoping to lose the belly I put on over the winter. It's not bad, but I don't like that I gained weight. I know it's a rough battle as I get older, but I'm going to do all I can to stay as healthy and fit as I can. So I did Pilates or other core work 4 times this week, plus my other workouts. I only ran 2 miles all week, but hey--a break is good. That 10-miler is coming up in 6 weeks, so I need to start those longer runs soon.

Today's Feat of Strength

Yes, I'm lame, but I'm so proud to say that other than the clothes on our backs, every single item of clothing in our house is clean, folded, and put away! It's extremely rare that this happens! So how did this happen? Instead of running Tuesday or today when both kids were in school and I didn't have to work, I stayed home and did housework. I've been trying to find balance in my life for years, but no luck yet. I've worked part-time since October 2000 when my oldest was six weeks old--both laying out a dental journal and teaching aerobics for a while, then just doing two freelance newsletters and teaching now. I'm pretty proud that I've pulled it off without any major goof-ups though!

Happy Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine's Day to all my running friends! This week I organized our elementary school's Hoops For Heart fundraiser. It was chaotic, stressful, and loud, but I'm glad I did it. More than 80 kids spent 3 hours playing basketball games and drills, and we raised nearly $4,000 for the American Heart Association. It was great to see all those kids playing together and all those grown-ups donating to a healthy heart cause.

Back to running, I got to run with all my great team members last weekend either Saturday or Sunday. It really is wonderful to have this team of women to train with. The Cherry Blossom Ten Miler is only about a month and a half away, so I need to start running longer than 5 miles at a time again. I hope the ice goes away and we can hit the trails this weekend!

Thoughts on Accomplishments

Yesterday I was at a baby shower with a bunch of women who are a good deal older than I am. Many of them are grandmothers already, and the shower was for one woman's daughter. All these women take my step aerobics class. Every week they impress me that they're still doing step as they approach their 60s or even 70s, and the class is not easy. I hope I'm like them when and if I become a grandma some day. When talk at the shower turned to strollers, someone pointed out how I run with my jogger (which I don't do much anymore as my youngest is almost 4), and they were so amazed I could do that. I think what they do is far more impressive, but I guess it's all relative.

If you ever want some real motivation by a super fit older woman, Google Morjorie Newlin. Evidently she's done the whole talk show circuit, but if you missed her like I did, she's an 87-year-old bodybuilding champion. She started lifting weights when she was 72 so she could carry home a big bag of kitty litter without help. One of her interviews ends with this quote:

Linda: That’s some accomplishment. I bet people ask you all the time, how do you stay so young?

Morjorie: I can’t do anything to be young, I don’t wanna be young. I’ve been young. I feel good just the way I am.

Morjorie has joined Sister Madonna Buder (she's a nun in her 70s who does Ironman triathlons) as my inspirations. I hope I can keep up their attitudes as I go through life. One more quote, from Pure and Simple Yoga by Eoin Finn:

It's hard, yes, but the future you thanks the present you.

Beautiful Weather, Beautiful Running

First of all, Rita celebrated her birthday this week. Hope you got to enjoy yourself and had a Happy Birthday!

This week has had the most amazing weather we could ask for in January in Northern Virginia. It even hit the 70s early in the week. It's pretty difficult to find a time for five busy moms to get together to run, plus we had a few sick children this week, so we're meeting in smaller groups when we can. When we did, we had some great runs. Tuesday was just perfect weather for a 5-mile run. Thursday was a little cooler and overcast, but still great for January. Then today, Saturday, was just beautiful and sunny again. A little chilly at our early-morning meeting time, but that just gives us even more reason for a trip to Starbucks after.

We're gearing up for our spring racing. Some of us are doing the Cherry Blossom Ten Miler. At least one of us is doing the Backyard Burn trail series (we'll see if she talks the rest of us into doing it!) One is doing a triathlon in May, and some are doing the Zooma half marathon in June. I hope we get to stay outside through the season, but I'm sure we'll get at least one school-closing ice storm over the next two months.

Here's to good health for us and our families and friends, beautiful running weather, great friendships, and fun for all.

New Year and New Goals-

We had a great turnout for the Burke Lake New Year's Day run. Plenty of jogging strollers, husbands and hot mamas in cold weather gear. Toni, Alison and were there from Fox Force Five- I brought along Alex and Garrick for motivation. Following the run, we all gathered around for a New Year's toast complete with the bubbly! Sparkling Cider of course-

One of the group runners is going to send along her training schedule for the Cherry Blossom 10 Miler and I plan on passing this along to the team. Just joined a gym thanks to teammate Rita. This will keep me on the running kick and keep Alex out of the doctor's office. Treadmill here I come!

FYI- running bonus: while at the after Christmas sale at Banana Republic, I realized the pants I was trying on were too big! Yes, that is right, I am back to my old size- it took exactly 8 months, a Bob Jogger and several miles :)