A break from the norm. That's what I needed something fierce. Weeks of doctor appointments, grieving and trying to find a way to normal resulted in me wondering if I was even prepared to run my second half-marathon. The first one was good but rough. Could I do it again with less training? Could I relax and feel like myself again? Absolutely! … [Read more...]
Sunday morning dawned early with a soft knock at my front door. It was six a.m. and my good friend was there to go on my longest and last training run for the Hershey Half-Marathon. Ten miles stretched out before us in all manner of hills, paths, gravel roads and winding streets. The air had a slight chill to it, the stars still visible and our way was illuminated by only a street lamp or passing car. … [Read more...]
Twice last week I stepped out of my comfort zone when it came to running. Since most of my days are highly structured due to the schedules of the four other people living in my house, my runs and other workouts have to happen at specific times and days. Ballet class at 10 in the morning? No gym running. School is only half a morning? Going to miss ME. That's this week and it rankles me. Last week I made it the exception and had two of the better runs I've had in a very long time. Not only did I need to complete those miles for training, I needed them mentally to get my head back in the training game. By stepping out of my comfy, albeit rigid area of schedules for training with this half-marathon, if I don't do it this way the training simply will not happen. Race day will come … [Read more...]
Oh honey, you are not alone! I don't know how many girls nights I have spent talking about this very topic. Women with kids especially have this issue. The emails I have received alone made me respond to this pitched post idea. So what can you do? Try reading this for one. The Nine Natural Ways to Get Out of Libido Limbo by Laurie Steelsmith ND I wanted to know the most common question she gets asked. "Many women confide in me that they have negative or anxious feelings, at the deepest level, about their sexuality. The number one question I get is, "Why do I have so little desire?" In several recent studies, roughly 1 in 3 women reported low or no sexual desire. Other studies have found even higher percentages of low libido among women, particularly women over … [Read more...]
I have a confession to make. I haven't run a single mile since June. Early June. After Zooma, when I injured my knee, I needed to take a few steps back and really let it heal. I worked on strength in my legs, core and whole body versus adding miles. I worked on flexibility and stretching too. … [Read more...]
As I stood looking at a Blogher booth display of lace thong style wick-away underpants this weekend I said aloud, "Wow. These would be great for my half-marathon training!" Another blogger next to me exclaimed, "Oh! I'm training for my first half! Which one are you doing?" It's done. It's settled. I'm doing the Hershey Half Marathon on Oct. 21, 2012. I said it before when I finished my first half-marathon in May that I would do another one. Then my knee got the best of me, I didn't run for months and I sort of hoped that no one would remember that I ever said those words. Except that I remembered and I do love a challenge. Plus, it is Hershey! It is the "Sweetest Place on Earth!" There are chocolate aid stations! You know, to keep us all motivated and energized and such. … [Read more...]
This week there hasn't been a lot of time to spend at the gym or out running. Let's face it, nothing deters me from an outdoor run more than humidity and we have had plenty of it here. … [Read more...]
I didn't set out to be a fit parent. I just wanted to lose the baby weight. The 40 pounds that had accumulated on my 5'6" small-boned frame didn't sit well with me or my jeans. I joined Weight Watchers and went back to the gym. A year later I was in the best shape of my life. Take that no muscle-tone, size 5 and 25 year-old self! In the beginning I just wanted to fit in my old clothes and get back to doing what I did before I had TD. I did the Avon Walk twice before her and after too. I hit the gym regularly, enjoying the child-free time and clarity that only sweating or yoga can give me. … [Read more...]
I am one of those freaks who gets into something and then I just cannot stop. A sample of potato chips, pfft! Bring on the bag! I'll eat the whole bunny and not just the ears. I will go back for the second piece of cake. I will over-extend myself with work and home life. I don't know when to quit. When I started training for my half-marathon and the Zooma 10k I was the same way. It was all running, all the time. … [Read more...]
There are only four more days until the Zooma 10k Race* in Annapolis. I'm not scared! Nope. … [Read more...]