Races2Remember review and giveaway

I was recently contacted by Races2Remember to review one of their items.  I chose to do one of their small back bibs.  As you can see, it turned out great!  Usually these bibs say "I'm Running for..." and include a picture and a name.  I wanted to do something for my blog, so I went with my usual saying and colors.  The whole process went great.  I was able to customize the bib exactly as I wanted, they sent me a preview picture via email, and they got it to me very quickly.  At first I thought it was printed on regular paper, but I tried to tear it and it is indeed tear proof.  I don't quite have the guts to get it wet because I actually plan to frame it and put it with my medals, but it is supposed to be waterprooof.  Anyways, it was a great experience, start to finish.

And now, you get a chance to try it!  Races2Remember is offering one item to a reader of my blog.  You can choose one of their awesome products.  They have pace bands (I know a lot of you are training for halfs and fulls), name bibs, tattoos...  (The Cheering Signs are not yet available.)

Here's how to enter (Feel free to do as many or as few as you want, but please leave a comment for each):

1. Be a follower here on MCM Mama
2. Go over to Races2Remember and check out their site.  Tell me what you'd get.
3. Like Races2Remember on Facebook
4. Like MCM Mama on Facebook
5. Tweet it, Facebook it, Put it on your blog...

Giveaway ends Sunday, February 6 at midnight.
Disclaimer:  I got my back bib for free and the company is providing a product for a reader.  Opinions are my own.

On the running front, I ran a perfectly awful 8 miles on Saturday.  I was tired and dehydrated and the roads and sidewalks were still slippery.  I'm happy that I finished and finished at my goal pace, but it felt much harder than the speed I was going.  Afterward, my ankle, my knee, and the opposite inner thigh hurt - I'm guessing because I was so tense while running.  Yesterday I ran a decent four miles on the treadmill.  Today I'm actually a little sore thanks to my longest run since the injury followed by running a second day.  Amazing how fast your ability to run a distance decreases!

Training the Pregnant and Postpartum Client

Yesterday I took Annette Lang's "Training the Pregnant and Postpartum Client".  Annette was awesome!  She really knew her topic and shared both studies and personal experiences with training pregnant clients.  I liked that she counseled erring on the side of being too careful.

My day started with a little chaos as I dropped my kids off at a friend's house (school was canceled) and then headed to the metro.  Thankfully, the commute was one I knew well as the training was being held near my pre-kids office.  (I realized after I changed trains that I had done it without even checking to see if I was going the right way.  I was.  Amazing how you can still remember how to do something when it's been 9 years since you last did it!)

The class was an interesting combination of "I already knew that" and "wow, that's cool to learn".  Much of the discussion about what happens to a woman's body and how that affects exercise was a review for me.  Having been pregnant multiple times, plus being a research geek, put me in a good place for understanding the information.  (I was unique in that I was the only mom in the room, plus I was the only one not yet certified as a personal trainer.) 

Most of the new information for me came in the way of exercise modifications.  I had a bit of a learning curve due to not being a personal trainer, but it was great to see suggestions on how to modify exercises to accomodate the growing belly, ACOG's recommmendations, and the various stresses on the body from pregnancy.

One of the most interesting things I learned was that ACOG had thrown out the "don't let your heartrate get above 140" recommendation long before I was pregnant with Jones, yet that's what I was told by my doctor and my trainer when I was pregnant.  Instead, they recommend using RPE or the talk test as the most accurate indicators of exertion for a pregnant woman. 

Of interest to runners, was an article she referenced from Runner's World about Kara Goucher and Paula Radcliffe and their training while pregnant.  Note how much they slowed down many of their workouts, plus they cut their mileage way back (like by 50%).    If the elites are cutting back like that, think about what the rest of us mere mortals should do while pregnant.  It certainly put things in perspective!

All in all, it was a great class.  Annette was awesome.  And I came away with a huge reading list.  My inner geek is going "squeee"!

Friday Freakout!

OK, actually the freakout occurred last night.  I'm taking a class today called "Training the Pregnant and Postnatal Client."    The instructor is Annette Lang, who is one of the best known trainers on this topic.  I've been really looking forward to this class.  It looks awesome.

It was also on my calendar for Saturday, not Friday.  Ack!

I spent most of Thursday afternoon scrambling to find friends to watch my kids.  I came up with a game plan for if we had school and if we didn't have school.  As I was heading into panic mode on the "two hour delay scenario", our county closed schools.  Phew!  Not my first choice, but at least I have an awesome friend who is willing to take BOTH boys for the entire day.

Thankfully, having the class on Friday frees me up to do my 8 mile run on Saturday.  I wanted to do it Thursday, but I spent the entire day with one of those headaches that makes your head throb and makes you nauseous.  Not fun.  I tried to run, but the pounding on the ground made my head hurt even worse, plus it was still pretty icy.  I gave up and just went for a two mile walk.  Ironically, that made the headache go away.

Ok, off to learn!  I'll report back this weekend about the class.

I'm a leader!

At least for the day...

Have you been by Run Like a Mother this morning?  You might recognize the chick in the Vibrams.  (Go ahead - check it out, I'll still be here...)

I'm the "Follow this Mother" recipient today!

When they contacted me last week, I was over the moon.  I gushed all over Beer Geek and showed him the book.  I was so.excited.  Beer Geek got that "deer in the headlights look" and was like "Congrats, I guess."  Men!  They are just so clueless sometimes.

Today is a snow day here and I stayed up way too late last night worrying about the power going out (some people have phobias about bugs, mine's about power outages in the winter...), so I need to get some coffee and then get the boys out in the snow.  I have 8 miles on the schedule today - I'm still hopeful they can be done outside, but only time will tell.

If you are stopping by from RLAM, welcome!  Get yourself a cup of your favorite beverage, pull up a chair, and hang out for a bit.  I promise not all my posts are this scattered.  ;o)  And leave me a comment!  I'd love to have a chance to check out your blog if you have one!

I feel like I ran a marathon...

Notice I said "feel", not that I actually did run a marathon.  In fact, I haven't gone for a run at all today or gone to the gym or swam or biked.  Instead, I galloped and skipped and ice skated and sprinted.

No, I didn't work out. All I did today was substitute teach in the 4 year old classroom at Shoo's preschool.  12 of the cutest kids imaginable.   12 of the most inquisitive little people you could ever meet.  12 kids whose parents must have fed them sugar and caffeine before school.  ;o)

It was a lot of fun, but there was a lot of pent up energy.  I ended up running laps around the indoor playroom with all of them chasing me.

Now?  I need a nap.

Back on my Feet

What does running mean to you?  We all know the physical benefits.  It helps you maintain a healthy weight, it builds a strong cardiovascular system, it works your muscles, yada yada yada.

But what else does running offer?  For me, running offered a light when I was feeling surrounded by darkness.  It offered something that was just for *me* when my life was all about parenting an infant.  It has continued to help me be a better parent as my boys grow.  It gives me the patience I need when dealing with two high energy boys.  It continues to grow my confidence in *me*.  After all, if I can successfully train for and run two marathons, just think of what I can do when I'm not running.

And if running can do all that for someone who has a supportive family, a warm home, and more than enough to eat, just imagine what it can do for someone who has nothing.

That's why I've decided to run the National Half Marathon as a "fundracer" for Back on my Feet, DC.  Like many urban locales, homelessness is a huge challenge in the DC area.    Back on my Feet uses running as a means to help the homeless develop confidence in themselves and the others on their team.  But running isn't all that they do...

Back on My Feet teaches critical work and life skills, such as discipline, leadership, and goal-setting that help lead our members toward a road filled with hope, happiness, opportunity and prosperity. The organization’s comprehensive program includes connections to BOMF’s job training and workforce development partners and offers assistance with education and housing expenses. The member benefits of Back on My Feet are not free – they are earned through the currency of attitude, commitment, teamwork, respect and perseverance.

Want to learn more?  Check out the BOMF blog.

Want to donate?  Hop on over to my donation page.

Lots of other exciting stuff coming up in the next couple of weeks that I can't wait to tell you about, 'cause you know signing up for a half marathon is old news around here.  ;o)

You call that a long run?

Today I went on my longest run since my injury (and honestly my longest "long run" since the Army 10 miler in October.) It was cold. It was windy. I had chili for lunch...

But I now have 7.3 miles in my mileage bank as I begin my preparation for likely participation in the National Half Marathon. I was aiming for a 10:30 pace (I'm trying hard to follow the high mileage, low speed RRCA philosophy) and I hit it pretty close with an average pace of 10:24. Now I just need to sit down and actually create my training plan.

In non-running related news, yesterday, Jones competed in his cub scout pack's Pinewood Derby. He rocked it with a second place win in his den. (Call me a bad mom, but I was thrilled he got second place - it was awesome for his ego, but we don't move on to regionals.) He also won for best craftmanship on his car. Considering this was his first year, I'm a pretty darn proud mama.

Afraid of commitment?

So far this year, I've registered for a 5k, a 4 miler, and a half marathon that I may have to miss (and why would I miss it, you ask? Because Savor is that weekend and my beer drinking comes way before my running. Even if the race does involve vineyards.)

I also haven't bought tickets for spring break and only bought tickets to St.Maarten because I was pretty sure Beer Geek was going to go without me if I didn't take care of it. We are starting to get camp information in the mail and in early February we'll have to start signing up for camps, which means I also need to think more about races in Montana or Utah or one of those big states out to the west.

And yet, (unlike previous years), my race calendar is not even pencilled in.

There are about 1000 spots left in the National Half Marathon this spring. I still have time to train for it. I know I'm available that morning. Could someone please tell me why I can't seem to hit the "register" button?

Updated to add something totally unrelated: Today is Squirrel Appreciation Day. I'd really appreciate it if this squirrel would leave my house. ;o)

Three Things Thursday

1. I'm heading to the gym today. I've successfully gotten back to four days of running per week (including a smidgen of barefoot running). I'd like to add a fifth, but I think I'm going to wait a couple more weeks. In the meantime, I'm back up to a 6.5 mile long run, so I feel comfortable looking for a half marathon this spring.

2. I'm currently reading The Long Run by Matt Long.  I'd read the article about him in RW, but this is so much more in depth.  It's awe inspiring and a really good read too.


3. We have been trying to get rid of a flying squirrel that has taken up residence in our house for almost two months now.   Every time we think we've figured out it's pattern and set traps, it changes. I'm not enjoying being outsmarted by a rodent.  When the saga first began, I was all zen and "let's just get it out of the house".   I think I've reached the point now where I'd happily dispose of it with my bare hands if.I.could.catch.the.damn.thing.

In theory, both of my boys are going to school today.  I could really use all of your collective good vibes that they stay there.  I have work to do.  ;o)

Linky up if you did a 3 Things Thursday post...

Deliberate eating + Wild Kratts

Generally speaking, I don't have weight problems.  Meaning, I've stayed within a 5 pound range for more than 3 years at this point and it's an ok range for me.  I'll admit to preferring the bottom end of the range ;o) and currently I'm at the top end, but even now, I'm comfortable with where I am (just don't ask me to put on a bikini, o.k.?)

What I'm not happy with is my eating habits.  Judging by my relatively stable weight, I'm doing a decent job of balancing calories in and calories expended, but I'm doing a horrible job with the actual eating.  Last fall, my schedule got so overwhelming that I was constantly eating on the run.   Add to that my natural tendency to be a snacker and I've ended up with a lot of mindless eating. 

I don't know about you, but for me, mindless eating translates into a lot of extra calories that I don't notice.  As in, if I snack from mid-morning until mid-afternoon, I'll still be "hungry" because I never sat down and focused on a meal.  I don't need anything more to eat (from a physical standpoint), but my mind feels gyped because I didn't eat lunch.  And let's not talk about all the random crusts and kid leftovers I eat without even thinking about it.

So, for the next 3 weeks, I'm going to practice deliberate eating.  I'm not planning (at this point) to necessarily change *what* I eat.  I just want to eat designated meals and designated snacks and quit the constant grazing.  Why?  Because I'm afraid at some point all this unplanned eating is going to catch up with me and I'd rather nip it in the bud before it causes weight issues.

Am I the only one like this?  Or do find yourself eating a lot throughout the day and then still eating meals?

And for your viewing pleasure, you may remember that Jones and Shoo had the opportunity to join PBSkids for a taping of promotional videos for Wild Kratts.  Below is the video that Jones was in.  He pops into view a few times at the edge of the screen in a blue shirt.  I told him next time he needs to stand closer to the stars LOL.

I'm so Stylish!

Or not LOL.  Thanks to Linda at MomRunningFromCancer for the award.

Here's how the award works:

• Post and link back to the person who gave you the award
• Share 7 things about yourself
• Award 15 recently discovered great bloggers so we can share the love
• Contact these bloggers and tell them they've won

1.  I ALWAYS wear a watch.  My current watch is a digital armitron with a black band.  I wouldn't call it stylish, but it's nowhere near as big as the athletic Timex I used to wear.  Anyways, it's waterproof and NEVER leaves my wrist.  I sleep in it, shower in it, swim in it, etc.  In fact, I keep it on even when I'm wearing my Garmin.

2. I drink about two large cups of coffee each day,  It takes me most of the morning to finish, so I find myself reheating the same cup multiple times.  Sometimes I heat it up, forget it in the microwave, and then heat it up again without actually drinking any.  I know my coffee snob friends are cringing at that.  ;o)

3.  Shoo was born at home.  Intentionally.  The two best responses I've heard to that were the taxi driver asking my mom if it was legal to do that and another mom who said to me "but you seem so normal."  I still enjoy seeing the looks on people's faces when Shoo informs his friends that he was born upstairs in his mommy's bed.

4.  One of the reasons I chose the university I did was their Russian studies program.  Unfortunately I discovered languages are not my strong suit when I got a D+ in Russian my second semester.   Russian Studies isn't a particularly useful degree if you can't speak the language.

5.  I went to a job interview after college and when I walked in, the interviewer started speaking to me in Russian.  Apparently he saw the language on my transcript, but didn't notice the D+.

6.  I love shoes.  If I had the room and the money, I'd have a pair of shoes for every outfit.  One of the hardest things about being a stay at home mom is having no reason to wear heels.  There's a reason Beer Geek calls me his "little Imelda" LOL.

7. I think better on paper than on a computer.  Even through grad school, I used to have to write my outline and often my rough draft on paper before I could write it on the computer.  I still often print things out so I can edit them by hand.  Somehow I seem to process things differently with a pen or pencil in hand than I do with a keyboard and a screen.  (Can I just tell you how happy I am I took the SATs and GREs before they became computerized? And yes, I did jot notes about this post on a scrap of paper first.)

I'm not going to be able to come up with 15 people, so here are just a few of my favorite blogs...

• AJH at Age Groups Rock
• Marci at Ramblings of a Running Addict
• Jamie at Running and Some Sauce on Top

I'd love to link more, but just don't have the time to go see who has and hasn't been tagged.  If I've commented on your blog in the last week or so, consider yourself tagged.  ;o)

Lululemon Wonder Under Pant Review

When I got my RRCA coaching certification, I decided to buy myself a nice pair of running tights.  I figured I'll be outside running with clients a lot and I should stop looking like I got all my clothes off of the clearance rack (even if that is mostly the case LOL).  I stopped in at Lululemon and checked out what they had.

I tried one of their tights that is specifically for running, but it had slightly shiny material and a design on it and the combination was like having a spotlight on the imperfections in my thighs.  Umm, no.  So, instead I purchased the Lululemon Wonder Under pants.  I'm not sure why they chose that name as they are actually a quite thick tight made out of their luon material that is perfect on its own for running, even though the name implies they should be an under layer.

The pluses:

• surprisingly warm - they are my only layer on the bottom down to a "feels like" in the low 20s
• super comfy
• matte material so they don't emphasize flaws
• lower rise, but they don't slide down at all
• free hemming, so they are exactly the length I want (and they'd work for tall people too)
• small pocket in the waistband for a key or a gel or id
• wide, flattering waistband that does not create a muffin top

The negatives:

• the cost.  That's it.  

I really like these tights and they are warmer than my other running tights, but I'm not sure I'd spend that much money again.  They were a lot more expensive than the pair of Tek Gear tights I got at Kohl's.  They are better, but I'm not sure they are *that* much better.  I guess time will tell though.  I'm wearing them at least once a week right now, sometimes twice, so they are going through the washer pretty regularly.  I hang them to dry, so that should extend their life, but if they stay in good shape, then they may be worth it. (And just so you know, I find I have to go up a size in their clothes to accomodate my hips and thighs.)

In running news, Friday I managed to knock out 6.5 miles of running, which left my ankle just a bit sore.  Nothing major, but I decided I should take a rest day yesterday.  I took that a bit to the extreme and pretty much sat on my butt all day.  Bleh.  Today I will run.  I only need to run 2.1 miles to hit 20 miles for the first time since my injury.  Woot!  ( I don't count the miles I do with my run/walk clients.  They are exercise and I consider them part of my overall fitness plan, but I really don't feel like I'm running when I do them. I do count the miles that I run with clients when there is little to no walking involved.)

Disclaimer:  I bought these tights because I wanted them.  I was not asked to review them.

They've drunk the koolaid

This morning, after a 30 minute run/walk with one client, I headed out for a run with two others.  Their longest run before meeting with me was 30 minutes.  Last week, we got up to 3 miles. 

Today, not only did they finish 3.5 miles, they finished 15 seconds faster per mile than that first run.  I make them talk the whole time, so they are definitely going a comfortable speed and both commented that they thought they could go farther today (we didn't, I don't want to break them).

As we were stretching, we got talking about doing the four miler in March.  They both swear up and down that they won't ever run a marathon, but suddenly they were talking about doing a Disney half marathon next winter.  I told them that we'd train for a 10K this spring, maintain over the summer, and start training for a half in the fall.

One turned to the other and said "Oh my gosh, we're RUNNERS!"

I love my job!

Three Things Thursday

1.  I have been running with a small group of women a few times now.  I'm coaching them to a strong finish in a local 5k.  I've discovered that I absolutely love running with new runners.  For most of my running friends, finishing a three mile run is no big deal and a lot of times we finish it thinking we could have run faster.  Seeing how proud these women are of just finishing reminds me of what running is all about.  It has strengthened my desire to make coaching "newbies" my new career.

2.  I am no longer writing the Metro DC Mom blog.  For a various reasons, the project has been canceled.  While I did enjoy the experience, I'm actually kind of relieved.  It was getting difficult to maintain two blogs and actually participate in the blog world.  I missed having time to actually read everyone's blogs on a regular basis.  I'm also looking forward to having more free time as I begin my pursuit of NASM certification.

3.  Sometimes it amuses me that the most "career applicable" thing that I did in the past was to be manager of my high school track team.  I didn't run, I just liked hanging out with all the runners.  I never would have guessed that someday I'd not only be running, but also coaching runners.  Only took me a little over 20 years (since high school) to figure out what I want to be when I grow up.

Like some others in the blogosphere, I got the chance to design a bumper sticker over at Build a Sign.  Life has been crazy busy and I'm not at all artistic, so Megan was even nice enough to design it for me.  She's offered me 50 to share with you all, so email me at mom2shoo at gmail.com if you want one.  (I know SUAR has all the cool spots already...)

Wordless Wednesday: Is there a 12 step program for that?

The "empties" on my windowsill

Anger makes me faster

Yesterday sucked.  There's really no other word for it.  Nothing horrible or life shattering, just annoying and inconvenient.  I should have run in the afternoon, but was too deep in self pity to get my butt out there (or on the treadmill for that matter.)  Instead, I medicated with chocolate.

This morning, after a rough night with Jones, I arrived at the meeting place 10 minutes early.  I decided I was wearing too many layers, but was too cold to take one off, so I ran a warm up mile.  In 8:17.  Without puking!

Then I ran 3.2 miles with my clients.  In the last mile, I got a call to pick up Jones from school, so we might have pushed the last mile just a little.

After picking up the kid, I ran 3.1 miles in 28:30 on the treadmill.  I basically ran a fartlek.  As soon as I got my breathing under control each time, I kicked the speed back up.

Should I have run like that at this point in my recovery?  Probably not.
Would I ever tell a client to run like that?  Absolutely not.
Was any other kind of run an option after the last two days?  No.

Freeze Your Thorns Off 5k (non) race report

Adam over at The Boring Runner hosted a virtual 5k this weekend.  Since I'm not signed up to run any real races in January, I thought I'd make it my "comeback race.  Unfortunately, I think the title kind of says it all. I planned to see how fast I could run a 5k, but I discovered quickly I didn't have a race in me.

Short Story: 5k in 30:30 (which is actually the fastest I've run since I was injured.)

Long Story: It was cold and windy (at least the weather got into the spirit of the race) and I thought about jumping on the treadmill. Instead, I bundled up in my new favorite piece of running gear and headed out the door.

I also work a hat, but I look goofy in it, so I'm not sharing that look. ;o)

I headed out my front door and nearly had my storm door ripped out of my hands by the wind.  Not a good sign.  I started slow, but picked it up and got up to a nice 9 minute pace.  Then I turned the corner and was basically stopped in my tracks as I tried to head up a hill into the wind.   Mile 1: 10:03

I figured I could pick up the pace and still do a sub 30 minute 5k, but the wind kept coming and my foot went numb, either from the new shoes or the wind.   Mile 2:  10:03 (at least I was consistent.)

I tried to really push it on the third mile, but I was struggling. My injured achilles felt fine, but my new shoes were causing issues with my OTHER achilles.  Ugh.  Mile 3: 9:27 (but it felt like I was working a whole lot harder).  Finally finished in 30:30 and then ran another mile "cool down" in the freezing cold.

Not a pretty race, but at least it was a pain-free run!  Gotta be happy about the small stuff.

Thanks for hosting, Adam!

Sugoi Firewall Jacket review

Some of you will remember that I won the Sugoi Firewall jacket from my local running store back in early December.  Between my ankle and the kids, I didn't do much running after I won it, so I didn't get to use it much.

This week, I've run in it four times.  I love it!  It rocks!

The description indicates that there are three front zip pockets and one back pocket.   As far as I can tell, there are just two front zip pockets.  In all honesty, that's plenty.  I put my ID, my keys, and my cell phone in one and use the other if I need to shove in my gloves.  Because there is some stretch to the material, my items are held close to my body and I can't feel them and I never hear my keys.

I've been wearing it in 25 to 30 degree weather with a warm half zip and a tank top under it.  I was a little warm when I was running mile and a half repeats the other night, but not horribly so.  On runs with my clients where I'm not running at my speed, it's been really helpful for keeping me warm, especially as we've had a lot of wind. 

I haven't actually washed it yet as I've not sweated enough in the cold for it to get nasty, but it's supposedly machine washable (a huge plus in my eyes.)  I won a size medium and it works great for me.  I generally wear smalls on top, but this fits pretty snugly with a top under it and I think a small would fit wrong around my hips (I just checked their sizing chart and my measurements say medium, so use that if you are planning to get one).  While I personally can't imagine spending close to $200 on a running jacket (I'm cheap), I do think it's an awesome jacket and if you ever find one on sale, snap it up!

*Disclaimer:  I won this.  No one asked me to review it.  I'm pretty sure Sugoi doesn't even know I exist.*

On the running front, I ran/walked for 30 minutes with one client, ran 3 slow miles with three other clients, and then ran two miles at my long run pace with a friend today.  I felt AMAZING when I got done and my achilles is doing fine.  I think I might hit 20 miles this week without even counting the running mileage that happens when I run/walk with someone.  Yay!

Happy weekend, my friends!

Three Things Thursday: The crazy busy edition

1.  I started my coaching business last week and have four clients and a couple of potentials at this point.  I ran with one client Tuesday (and then ran my own miles), ran with another client Wednesday morning, and then ran with a small group at the track with my coaching mentor.   I learned a few things from this:

• When I get really busy, I forget to eat.  I also skimp on sleeping.  Not a good combination.
• Mile and a half repeats are hard, even if you are running at a slower runner's pace.
• Taking 6 weeks off for healing didn't destroy my endurance, but it killed what little speed I had before.
• My achilles seems to be handling all this time on my feet.  Probably helps that I'm not running any truly fast miles.
• I have a LOT to learn.

2.  I also started working for a friend to help him figure out some invoicing software.  Can I just tell you how much I love this?  It totally uses the skills I developed once upon a time when I had a "real"job and I love having to analyze and trouble shoot things again.  Right now I'm getting paid to run and to think.  Could a girl ask for more?

3.  I'm still trying to figure out which certification to get, but I've decided to start getting some smaller classes in.  I just signed up for a "Training the Pregnant and Postnatal Client" class with Annette Lang.  I'm really looking forward to learning more.  After I got my masters degree, I said I'd never go back to school.  Now I'm actually looking forward to the learning opportunities ahead of me!

3a.  ;o)  I have a post up about "green" fitness over at the Metro DC Mom blog.  I'd love it if you'd stop by there and give me any thoughts you have on the topic.  Also, we have our first giveaway going on!

2011 Goals

I'm more than a little bit overwhelmed by my life at the moment. Most of it in a good way, but I keep wondering when the balls I'm juggling will start falling on my head. ;o) Because of that, my goals this year are a bit more "how to not have my head pop off from stress" and a bit less "I want to finish a marathon in a specific time."

So here they are in all their glory!

Running

1. Run injury free in 2011.  
2. Get back to normal distances and speed and THEN consider training for a half marathon or longer.  (Note the lack of specific mileage and speed goals for the year.  Just not going there right now.)
3. Run races in at least 3 states - I have Kansas, Missouri, Kentucky and one of the big
   Western states penciled in.

Fitness/Physical Health

1. Exercise 6 days a week, move it all 7 days - This year,  I plan to mix it up with running, Bikram yoga, and the gym.  While I do plan to RACE at least one longer distance race this year, I plan to mix in some other stuff.   For my "rest" day, there will be walking, biking, soccer, Wii, etc. with the boys.
2. Get the kids moving with me.  See above.
3. Cut back on sugar in my diet.  My goal is to avoid refined sugar completely at home and to really watch it when we are out.
4. Eat differently when we go out to dinner.  We eat out once a week, usually on Fridays.  In years past, I've tried to not go out every week, but we really enjoy it, so that never worked.  Instead, this year, I'm going to designate some Fridays as "splurge" days, but the rest of the time I'll be perusing the menu for the healthier choices.

Business

1. Admit that I'm a work at home mom and make it a part of my life instead of constantly shoehorning work in when I should be sleeping or cleaning or playing with the kids.
2. Decide on a personal training certification and pursue it.
3. Continue to grow the mom-oriented running business I've started.
4. Continue to grow my relationship with my local running store, as a volunteer and a coach.

Personal

1. Find something to do for fun that doesn't involve exercise or the computer.
2. Go out with Beer Geek without the kids at least once every two weeks.
3. Take a trip with Beer Geek.

I know you all were thinking I'd be announcing another marathon in my future.  I haven't written it off for 2011, but I'm barely back to runing three days a week, so I'm not going to be pressuring myself to get ready for something big anytime soon.  In fact, instead of running the National Half, I'm pretty sure I'll be out there cheering like crazy for Tonia, G, Rene' and all my other friends running the full.

Apparently 2011 did not get the memo

You know, the one where we told 2010 that we were done with sick kids, dead dryers, rodents, and other aggravations. We ended the year with all of us mostly healthy (some lingering coughs and an occasional twinge in my ankle), a new dryer, and a plan for 2011.

Guess we should have told 2011 our plan. Jones woke up this morning with pink eye. Really?!? The kid's been out of school for 1.5 weeks and now might not get to go back tomorrow because of his eye? Crap!

On the bright side, I did a four mile run outside today. I was slow (for me), but I used my garmin to make myself stay that way and I found if I got going a little too fast, my achilles let me know too. So, looks like the plan for now is slow running. Hopefully I'll continue to be able to run more miles as long as I take it slow.

I've been working on my 2011 goals, but have been to busy actually doing them to sit down and write them. A little preview - I'm writing my first paid! training plan, I'm getting my kids moving, and I haven't had ANY added sugar today.

Hope 2011 is being nicer to you so far!