On the Docket

Here are some of the things I'm working on or have written and need to post:

- At the end of June, I set a goal of visiting one new park (to the boys, anyway) a week.  This means I'm also going to start The Playground Series up again!

- Finally highlight Curly's birthday party and show how all my Pinterest party planning ideas came to fruition.

- A really real look into depression from my perspective.

- Tracking my fitness and weight loss progress as I prepare for my second half marathon.  Accountability, people!

- One of the things I questioned was getting involved in product reviews again.  I decided that I wanted to do book reviews of some of the great children's books we take out at the library (purely for selfish reasons, so that I can remember them!) and other reviews of products I choose that I like, recommend and really use.

- More Curly and Slim fun and funny moments that I want to document. 

My First Marathon - an update!

Source: joggermommarathon.com via Meghan on Pinterest

I shared how I am particpating in the Joggermom Marathon and promised to keep you, dear readers, up to date on my progress.

Here we are, in the middle of the month, and I'm not as close to 26.2 miles as I'd like.  I'm preoccupied with the move and I hurt my ankle enough to rest it for a bit, so I'm only about 9 miles in. 

However, I am committed to completing this, despite the distractions.  One way I've figured out how to do this and get the family involved is to play tag for at least a half mile every day.  Do you know how easy that actually is?  The boys and I ran for .74 miles today.  It took less than ten minutes.  I used the MapMyRun app to keep track of our games of chase, tag, and races to the bridge, the tree, the statue that looks like a dog, and the bench. 

In an email to all the virtual racers, the founders wrote, "Last year we had only a 50% success rate. I am hoping this year the numbers will be much greater! Finish what you start! You will be happy you did."

I know I will. 

Will you join me?  Remember, there's lots of great prizes to be won!  Registration closes today.

My First Marathon!

Source: Uploaded by user via Kelly @ on Pinterest

It's not what you think.  I'm not running 26.2 miles at once.  I don't know if I ever will.  When I'm in ideal running shape, my happy distance is between 7-10 miles.  Completing my first, and so far only, half marathon was challenging.  And because I experienced debilitating calf cramps, I didn't run the whole thing - I finished the last couple miles with a run/walk combo, heavy on the walk.

Joggermom organizes a virtual race, the Joggermom Marathon that I'm doing, starting today.  Participatants run 26.2 miles in the month of May.  That's less than 1 mile per day.  I may not be at goal weight or top fitness level right now, but I can do that!

The prize list isn't limited to the fastest.  That's not what the Joggermom Marathon is about.  All those who complete the 26.2 miles and follow the mileage tracking and photo evidence requirements are eligible to win one of five jogging strollers amongst other goodies from great sponsors.  Winners will be chosen through Random.org.

I will be sure to update with my progress throughout the month!

What Music Gets You Moving?

This November, I will be running The Philadelphia Marathon half.  I'm working on compiling the ultimate running playlist.  I've actually never run with music, but R wants to get me an armband for my iPhone for my birthday.  Taking armband suggestions, please!

"Woody Guthrie, Working Man" - Ellis Paul.  I apologize for the somewhat poor quality of the video.  I first heard this song on SiriusXM's Kids Place Live and I knew I wanted to download it so I could run to it.  It's such a happy beat!

"One Angry Dwarf And 200 Solemn Faces" - Ben Folds Five.  Ben Folds' fast piano playing makes me want to up my workout tempo.

"The Cave" - Mumford & Sons.  "And I'll find strength in pain."  That lyric has been a mantra for me when I want to give up on a run.

"Drunken Lullabies" - Flogging Molly.  You may not be aware, but the best (or my favorite, which is the best) cleaning music is Irish punk.  It is my standard get and up go music and also just as good for use during exercise.

What songs are on your playlist when you workout?

Mirror, Mirror on the Wall

Mary Pickford.  Source: WikiCommons/Taken from the Alfred Cheney Johnston Collection at the U.S. Library of Congress

While at the gym recently, I came to a realization: I have a serious case of body dysmorphia ... in reverse.  I'm not blind to the fact that I'm overweight, but the reflection I see doesn't quite match the me that is captured on film.  I still see the thinner me from a few years ago despite not fitting in those clothes anymore; I still feel like the me who can run for miles and miles even if I haven't even been running much lately.  I was doing lunges and watching my form in the mirror and my focus was on my strong legs when it hit me.  Sure, I know that I'm heavy, but oftentimes the positives that I remember outweigh (ha! pun not intended) the negatives that exist and I feel imbued with confidence.  However, when I see pictures I'm in, I'm smacked with reality. Maybe I wouldn't necessarily call it reverse body dysmorphic disorder.  It's probably more akin to denial.

I'll be the first to admit that as a tired mom, I don't always put the greatest care into my looks anymore.  Between two kids, five animals, and being a virtual single mother during the workweek as R travels from state to state, I seldom get a full night's sleep lately.  Being exhausted means I don't always want to put on makeup or style my hair.  Motherhood doesn't negate beauty, but I feel that being a zombie mom can.  I don't want to lose sight of outward displays of femininity as a factor in who I am/somthing that's important to me.  Worse still, fatigue sometimes means I don't have the desire to exercise.  Which especially stinks, because when I do workout, I don't regret it - I feel better and actually increase my energy! Stupid Catch-22.

To break out of the situation I've become ensnared in, I'm setting some goals so that I can fit my mental picture of myself.  I want to be dedicated towards improving my health and living my definition of beauty.  And here's some of the ways I'm going to do that:

- Participate in the Heartland 39.3 Series next Spring.  Training for three half-marathons that occur in the space of one month will be good for my body and for some meditative time to myself.
- Go to the beauty counter and buy new makeup.  I honestly cannot remember when I last bought cosmetics.  I think updating my style and getting out of this beauty rut will do wonders for my perception of my appearance.
- Find a motto that works.  Right now, it's "Go Forward!"  It was taken from an article that I read about Alison Sweeney in a fitness magazine this past Summer.  I don't recall which magazine it was (but this online article tells me it was SELF).  Don't say, "‘I want my body back!’ ... ‘Why go back? Go forward! Be the best you that you can be today. That might be thinner and more toned than ever.’!”
- Only eat what I love AND eat only when I'm hungry.  As one of my favorite bloggers, Tricia of Endurance Isn't Only Physical, says, "It's pretty easy to splurge on junk simply because it's in front of you."   Do I love cake?  No, not really.  Pie is much better.  Holding out for the food that I truly enjoy and paying attention to my body's hunger signs establishes better eating habits.  It also means I can stop finishing the boys' leftovers just because they're there. 

What beauty, fitness, and/or weight loss goals have you set?  What's worked and what hasn't?

I Run So I Don't Run Away

I wish I could take credit for the title, but it's a paraphrase of one of the shirts in the Run Like a Mother - the book store.  By the way, if you're ever inclined to get me a present, I'd happily accept any of the shirts from that store.  Or a running skirt.  Or the Bondi Band that sums up my relationship with running that reads, "I love running. I hate running.  I love running.  I hate running."

Running gives me a little bit of alone time, so I can better appreciate the time I do spend with my kids.  The endorphins from the runner's high help me coast through the day as a happier, more patient mom.  It's my sanity saver!

The next race I want to do is the Monadnock 5k while I'm in NH this summer.  I'm also considering having Slim participate in the fun run.  Both boys love to run and I want to do everything to encourage them along that path.

Here's the email response from one of the race directors.  I think it's pretty kickass!  A thoughtful and great race director makes for a fun race in my experience!

Awesome!  I am not sure if you have ever been here before, but it is a beautiful area to run a race.
At this point we plan on starting the 5K at the same time as the Half (9am).  This way we are done
before the hotter part of the day....although I know that is a relative term coming from Florida!
(It's 47 as I type this) 

We have people coming from 3 different time zones so it will be a good
sized, but fun race.  We really try to make it an overall great experience starting from the health
expo the night before, cheer stations during the race and a great finish line "party".  The medals and
t-shirts will be something you'll be proud to wear.

We haven't solidified the Fun Run time yet, but it wont be during the 5K.  We are thinking 8:30.  The
distance is still yet undetermined as well....but let me put it to you this way.  My co-director and I
are also parents (6  kids between the 2 families), ages 3-11.  They have all (except my youngest) have
participated in 5K's and fun runs of all types. SO, with that we will make sure that it is the proper
distance....and includes the proper Fun Factor.  (our wives wont let us make anything too long or
something that isn't fun)

I hope this helps and we look forward to seeing everyone here in Aug.  If you "friend" our race page
on Facebook, you can get some updates and inside info that we will not be releasing anywhere else.
Sincerely,
Chris Bernier

Already liked!  Now my friend, her sister-in-law and I just need to sign up. 

I'm also planning my next half marathon.  Any suggestions for ones I should check out?

And, in case you weren't aware, today is National Running Day, so get out there.  I'll be on the treadmill since I'm a temporary single mom the next several weeks, but I'll be running!

These Are a Few of My Favorite Things (Blog Edition)

I'll label these fitness blogs, but it's mostly running
in no particular order

Someday, I'll have an attractive picture of me running!

52 Beginnings - running 52 marathons in one year for charity

Running Diva Mom - a runner mommy who loves Bondi Bands just like me!

Journey to the Middle - running and weight loss

Endurance Isn't Only Physical - running and weight loss also. She used to live in FL, now lives in TX

Tall Mom on the Run - inspiring runner and running coach

Skinny Runner - funny writer, celebrity pictures, guest posts, great stuff

Another Mother Runner - the blog for Run Like a Mother, the book

Racing with Babes - awesome runner mommy getting her three girls to love running too!

The Shredheads - it all started with Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred ...

Gabby Reece Honeyline - fantastic circuit workouts

Mommies are people too and their blogs can be political, cute, both or neither

My babywearing days are behind me :(

The Artful Parent - creative and beautiful craft ideas for kids and the kid in you

The Crazy Baby Mama - found her on Kveller, which leads me to:

Kveller - a Jewish twist on parenting

Code Name: Mama - a non-judgemental natural parenting resource

The Feminist Breeder - being a mom doesn't mean you can't also be a feminist

Sustainable Mothering - a Philadelphia area lawyer looks at laws and policies that affect women

Cooking With My Kid - get the kids involved in cooking and they'll be more likely to eat their creations

Science at Home - science for the littles

Fiscally sensible blogs



What?  It's not like I have pictures of me spending money!



Southern Savers - savings ideas and deals for stores found in the South

I Heart Publix - matchups to where I do most of my shopping, saves me time and money!

Couponing to Disney - my favorite part is the 5 a Day, check it out!

If you have a blog you'd like to share or think there's one I ought to be following, please link it in the comments!