Mom Club

One of the many cool things about being a mom is that the moment you become one, you're automatically inducted into what I like to call the "Mom Club." As part of the "Mom Club" you can update your blog after being absent for months without having to apologize over and over or explain yourself. Right? :) We are moved in and are begining to feel settled so now I'm back. Hooray for running! Another cool thing about being in the "Mom Club" is that you can show random pictures of your kids for the sole purpose of pointing out their cuteness. I'm grateful to be a mom and a runner. Let's not let the million degree weather get us down.

That's Just What Muffins Do

A few months ago we gave a strawberry muffin to my toddler. He loved it until the muffin started to fall apart. He broke down crying. I'm not talking about a little whimper; I'm talking a full on toddler cry fest...red face, snot bubbles, the whole nine yards. "Fix it Mommy! Fix IT!!!" I tried not to laugh and explained, "That's just what muffins do." He finally calmed down and ate his muffin...crumbs and all. For the rest of the day, he talked about how muffins crumble. He even explained the process to my husband, "Daddy, that's just what muffins do. It's okay!" From then on when something hasn't gone our way, my husband and I say, "That's just what muffins do."

I've had many muffin crumbling experiences lately. Our computer got a virus so I'm using an old, slow one that doesn't have all my running mom pictures on it. My boys have made it difficult for me to run with them during the day. I'm sure everyone can relate to that. I'm struggling to keep my milk supply up so I have to make sure I get enough sleep which means running in the morning is out for now. I was out of town for a week and had a great time but didn't get any Running Mom Posts written. We're currently in the middle of some major life changes (more to come later...no I'm NOT pregnant) which is another reason I haven't posted lately. Potty training has come to a screeching halt with my two year old.

I know that I'm not alone in experiencing life's little frustrations and I really enjoy my day to day activities...especially hanging out with my little boys. I know that eventually I'll be able to run as much and as hard as I want but for now I need to be happy with what I can get in. I also need to constantly repeat in my mind, "That's just what muffins do. That's just what muffins do."

With that being said, I think my littlest muffin just filled his diaper. Let's all remember to keep our lives in perspective when our muffins crumble.

Oklahoma Running Mom

Last Thursday I broke out with a horrible case of hives. We don't need to go into details...let's just say that a picture of the total coverage would be a little inappropriate. To top it off, my baby had his two month check up (the same day) and he hasn't been gaining enough weight. Because of that, I need to make sure that he can nurse more frequently. Bonus, hives are making my milk supply go down. What?? So, I've been nursing and pumping to keep up. I've also been trying to get more rest because that seems to be the only think that keeps the incessant itching at bay. Because I have to rest, other things haven't been getting the attention they need (i.e. sticky kitchen floor, unfolded clothes, bathroom where potty training is taking place...).

Today was such a beautiful day that I had to get out and enjoy the sun. I packed up both kids to go for a much needed jog. It felt good to close the door on my messy house for a bit. My two month old cried the whole time so I had to cut the run short. When we got home, I fed my baby, fed my toddler, did a little "poopy in the potty dance" to celebrate my little guys' victory, got both kids to bed, did the dishes, scrubbed down the nasty bathroom, took a shower, pumped again while talking with my husband who is gone on business and here we are.

I realize that I sound like I'm complaining and I guess I might be but amongst the craziness of the day, I had an epiphany. I started this blog not just because I love running but because it takes on a whole new face when you become a mom. While it has dropped a few notches on the priority list, it's what keeps me sane. Exercise in general helps me clear my head and better be able to laugh at the little or big curve balls life throws my way. Even when I have my kids with me and I can't get in "the zone," getting out to move my body still helps me clear my mind. Being a "running mom" isn't just about logging in miles or completing a long list of workouts, it's about trying to better balance your life. It's about readjusting when things don't go as planned. Isn't that what we do each day as mothers?

If you've been bugged with yourself because things aren't running (in every sense of the word) the way you originally had planned, realize that there's always room to readjust and change the plan. I've been discouraged at how little running I've been able to do this year but today as I was laughing at the red splotches all over my body, trying to calm my upset baby and cleaning up "accidents," I realized that this is just part of the learning process that comes with motherhood.

On that note, I'm going to sign out and get some sleep.

This is how I feel lately.

(FYI: This isn't an actual picture of me.)

I put on a pair of pants yesterday and they were still post baby tight. Arg! I LOVE my baby but not my baby fat. Today I've been thinking a little about why I still have the notorious post baby muffin top. My answer: excuses. I'll list a few I've made over the past few months:

1. I'm pregnant, I deserve to eat what I want.

2. I just had a baby I deserve to eat what I want.

3. It's Christmas.

4. It's New Years.

5. We are having friends over.

6. I'm too tired to exercise.

7. It's too cold to exercise.

8. It's snowing, let's make hot chocolate.

9. I'm potty training my toddler; I need a treat.

(I think every mom who's done this will agree that this one is legitimate.)

10. Family is in town.

11. It's the Super Bowl. Pass the nachos.

Holidays, birthdays, bad weather, good weather...do I need to go on? There will always be an excuse to eat junk and an excuse to sit around when you could be active. Today I'm recommitting to making healthy choices and giving up my excuses. One of the things I love about signing up for races is that it forces me to follow through on my goals. I have to run so that I'm ready for the race. With that being said, the Sweetheart Run is rescheduled for a week from this Saturday because of snow, so you still have time to prepare. I hope to see you there.

Em

Active

My amazing sister in law has been in town this past week. One of the things I love about her is that she actively plays with her kids...and my kids. For example, she doesn't sit in a lawn chair and watch her daughter jump on the trampoline, she gets up there and bounces too. As a result, she's healthy and so are her kids. More importantly, her kids know that she enjoys being around them. Don't you love how an active lifestyle can build healthy relationships?

Freedom

I had my six week post baby check up yesterday and I'm officially free to exercise. HOORAY! I celebrated by a late night run yesterday and tonight (by late night I mean 8:30 which is pretty late for me these days). As I was running in the freezing cold, I glanced up at the sky full of stars and thought of one of my favorite poems.

When I heard the learn'd astronomer;

When the proofs, the figures, were ranged in columns before me;

When I was shown the charts and the diagrams, to add, divide, and measure them;

When I, sitting, heard the astronomer, where he lectured with much applause in the lecture-room,

How soon, unaccountable, I became tired and sick;

Till rising and gliding out, I wander'd off by myself,

In the mystical moist night-air, and from time to time,

Look'd up in perfect silence at the stars.

-Walt Whitman

Ah...it's great to be back!

He's Here!

Our baby finally decided to come last night at 8:16pm. He weighs 7lbs and is 20 1/2 inches long. Everyone is doing really well and we're all happy about the new addition. As I've been thinking about yesterday's experience, I have to say that labor is harder than any race you'll ever run. Remember that when you think you can't do it. We all can do a lot more than we think.

Getting Close

My due date is tomorrow! I was out walking this morning, enjoying the beautiful weather (can you believe it's fall??) and thinking about how crazy things will be over the next few weeks.
Because I love exercise, I always questions how I'll be able to fit it in. Yesterday I was reading Runner's World Magazine and it talked about how even a 20 minute workout makes a difference. Even though the next few weeks (and months) will be busy, I know that there will be chances to get little workouts in here and there. Don't let this busy time of year give you an excuse to stop being active. Get out and do something...even if something means parking at the very back of the parking lot to get in a few extra steps. Believe me, you'll be shocked at how much of a difference it makes when you're ready to kick it up again in the new year.

Have a great day and get out and enjoy this beautiful weather before winter hits!

Getting Back on Track

I can't believe I've been such a "running mom slacker" as of late. I wish I had a good excuse for not posting but I don't. My due date is quickly approaching (November 23) and I've been busy getting everything ready for baby #2 and for Christmas. I actually love the right before part of pregnancy...aka nesting...because after months of being exhausted, I feel really productive. Anyway...besides being consumed in baby prep, I also spent last week with my family. They were in town for the entire week. We celebrated Thanksgiving early (Thank you Mom and Dad) and hung out as a family. My absolute favorite thing was spending time with my niece and two nephews. Seriously, being and aunt is the best thing ever. Here is my son and nephew running around in our yard. Wouldn't it be amazing if we had the energy and stamina of a two year old? We'd be winning races every weekend.



Because I'm confessing to being such a slacker with my blog posts, I'm also going to confess to overindulging on my holiday meals and treats. Today I found a great article on Runner'sWorld.Com about how to get back on track after a holiday derailment. What I like about the article is that it doesn't say to avoid holiday food feasts, it gives strategies to counteract their negative consequences. Check it out and go into Thanksgiving weekend prepared.

The Runner's Holiday Weight-Loss Plan

by Sally Wadyka

Exercise for the Future

When I was in college I got a minor in Gerontology which included several classes on aging and required an internship. I realize this is a totally random minor or even interest to have, but I have to say, I fell in love with the old people I was around. They were so inspiring and I found myself wanting to be like them. I went to several gerontology conferences and volunteered at the Huntsman World Senior Games in St. George. There are some incredible senior athletes out there. One of them (who doesn't compete) is my and Em's Grandma. She is 81 years old and exercises nearly everyday and is fit as a fiddle. She was in town visiting this last week and came over yesterday to play with my babies while I cleaned. She took my oldest, who isn't even 2, outside and when I looked out the window they were both sitting on the trampoline. What 81 year old gets on a trampoline??? After they were up there for an hour (she wasn't jumping the whole time...) I went to get them for lunch and was holding both my kids when I realized Grandma might need help down. Nope. She hopped off and rolled on the ground and got up, brushing the leaves off. No big deal.



WAIT- that is a big deal. I walked in telling Ellie how lucky she was to have a great-grandma who gets on the trampoline with her, and Grandma said, "I feel so lucky to be able to play with my great-grandkids".



To sum this story up, people may age, but they don't just wake up one day not able to get out of their chairs. If you're active while you're young, you can age and stay active and still enjoy all the beautiful things life has to offer. There's a saying one of my teachers always said about muscles, "You use them or lose them." Start now living healthily and being active and building your muscles so that you can do the things you love when you're old. Being active now, at whatever age you are, is an investment that will undoubtedly pay off in innumerable ways.



Bek

Running for Two

I found this article in the October Issue of Runner's World Magazine and loved it. Paula Radcliff and Kara Goucher are two elite women runners. The article talks about how their pregnancies have affected their running. One of the things I most liked about the article was when one of them said that they would be tired or sick and then feel better after being out for five minutes. I almost always find that to be true. Today I hesitated as I got ready for exercise but by the time I got back, I felt a million times better. Click below to find your own pearls of wisdom.

Great Expectations

Paula Radcliffe and Kara Goucher are cruising through their pregnancies. Learn how they stay fit before, during, and after the most exciting time of their lives.

By Katie McDonald Neitz

High Expectations. Low Excuses

I realize that I've been a little MIA with the blog posts lately. To be perfectly honest, I'm really tired. I feel like pregnancy has finally caught up with me. I have to give a shout out to all those that have difficult pregnancies because mine has been "easy" and I still feel kinda like a train wreck.


Last week I was at a mid-week church meeting with the women in my congregation. We were learning about preparing and helping our children with school. One of the presenters, my friend Molly, said something that I've been thinking about a lot since. She said that one of her school's motto's is "High Expectations. Low Excuses." Don't you love that? Even though we were talking about school, I think it pertains to most everything in life. With that being said, despite the fact that I'm starting to waddle more than run I'm going to continue having high expectations for myself (not unrealistic but high). I realize I won't be setting a PR anytime soon but that doesn't mean I can't still get out there and waddle my way along with everyone else.


Today I found a blog post for all of you who are thinking about participating in a 5K. Too often we sell ourselves short and fail to accomplish goals that are within reach. If you're one of those who wants to do a 5K but is a little nervous that you won't measure up, click on the link below and discover that accomplishing your goal is very much within your reach.

The Secret to Learning to Run

I Did It!

My toddler is quickly learning that he can do things by himself that we have done for him in the past. Every time he does something independently he yells, "I DID IT!!" I realize I'm biased but it's the cutest things you've ever seen.

The other day I was thinking about how my exercise has changed over the years. I've always been active but I began exercising more consistently in college after I gained the freshman 10, then the sophomore...well we don't need to go into all of that. When I first started ramping up my exercise routine, it wasn't that successful. I could tell that I was building endurance but I didn't have a lot of fun while doing it. It wasn't until I decided to start training for races that I really appreciated and benefited from working out. I remember my first 5K was The Rex Lee Run, sponsored by the University. I felt so awesome as I crossed the finish line. I couldn't believe I had just run 3.1 miles. Over the next few years I graduated, started teaching middle school and ran more 5Ks. During my first year of teaching I ran the Moab Half Marathon. Once again I felt an awesome sense of accomplishment. I also started appreciating what my body could do rather than what it looked like. I was less concern about being a specific size and more concerned about pushing myself to get better and better. Since then I've run three marathons and a handful of other races. I've discovered that, for me, confidence comes not from what my body looks like but what it can do. When I ran my first post baby 5k, I felt like exclaiming, "I did it!" just like my toddler.

Yesterday I read a Runner's World article by Kristin Armstrong called,

Circle of Life:

Making peace with the aging process is easier when you're in motion.

My favorite line was, "It is the runner in me who will age gracefully. It is the runner in me who understands that the beauty of my body is in the things it can do, not the way it looks doing them."

I hope you take the time to read her article today and decide to feel good about yourself because of all the amazing things you can do.

Running Therapy

Our almost two year old has been having a really hard time sleeping lately. He's not sick and from what I can see, he doesn't have any new teeth coming. I think a combination of travel and stubbornness is to blame. Last night was, to say the least, really rough for both of us. I'll spare you the details but I think I got about four hours of sleep. This morning I was cranky, tired and not in the mood to exercise. I decided to do an easy walk/run to the park so he could play. After being outside for just a few minutes (and calling my mom to whine), I felt a million times better. By the end of my exercise, I felt confident in being able to face the rest of the day. It's amazing how just a little physical exercise (and time outside) can change your perspective and build confidence. Even though I was still exhausted from the night before, I had a better outlook and was prepared for a day of mommy hood. Don't you love running therapy?!

Being Active with Mom

I love this picture of my friend Andrea with her youngest boy. Andrea is the perfect example of a mom who helps her kids live a healthy and active life. This last year she coached all three of her boys in soccer. They also want to do 5Ks and triathlons just like her. Recently I heard a quote that said something like, "What you're doing speaks so loudly that I can't hear what you say." I'm impressed by the way that Andrea leads by example.

What do you do to help your kids lead an active lifestyle?

Rewards

When I was at the Obesity Conference , one of the speakers said something that I've been thinking about a lot lately. He said that food should be used primarily for nourishment. It shouldn't be used as a reward, a way to show love, a punishment, etc. I thought it was interesting because it's so easy to use food as a reward (i.e. I've run four days this week, I deserve a huge chocolate shake. If you finish your homework, we can go out for pizza.). While I don't think rewarding yourself or your kids with food is always a bad thing, I do think it can quickly become a bad habit. For the past few weeks, I've been thinking about ways other than food to reward myself. I came up with a few (downloading a song from itunes, watching a favorite show without multitasking during it, a pedicure...). What do you think about rewards? What are some ways you reward yourself and/or your children? I'd love to hear your ideas.