Run Indoors or Out?

This morning, I'm pacing around the house trying to decide what to do about my run. It's cold outside but the snow has stopped and so has that rain/sleet crap that we had yesterday. From my window, it looks like the sidewalks are all clear but I have no idea what some of the paths look like. I desperately want to run outside and not on the treadmill. I've been trying to get along with that thing, but seriously, it is hard to run indoors! Anyway, back to my problem: it's really cold which I can deal with but I have this crazy fear that is taking over about slipping and taking a bad fall that could mess with my half-marathon training and I just can't get past it. So I'm weighing that fear with the fact that if I run inside today, no way will I be able to get a 'long run' in which I really need to do.

How boring am I? Who spends their Saturday morning obsessing about things like this? Maybe I should just have another cup of coffee and look out the window later. Please tell me some of you have some treadmill tips for me! How, how, how do you do it?!

starting with me

I started that blog. All the names I wanted were taken. Out of desperation I came of with mojojavajo.blogspot.com. I'm hoping that keeping an online journal will keep me motivated!

Road Trip!

Ah - the glory of the open road - yeah, right! The girls, my father and I took an 8 hour road trip to Mississippi this past week. What is it about a road trip that gets us all excited? I mean, it is hours and hours of time in an enclosed space - hmmm...might be a great idea for a reality show. Nope - Mtv's Road Rules already has that covered, but that is with all scantily clad 20-somethings. I could DEFINITELY put on a new twist...30-somethings with children and attitude...yep - I'm going to the networks with this idea!

Road trips in college meant great times listening to "mixed tapes" (I'm dating myself), eating fast food and telling your life story to your traveling buddies (typically a bunch of girlfriends). Now road trips take on a whole new meaning. Shoot - it takes more time for me to plan a road trip with my twins than to actually complete the road trip. My, my...these times they are a-changin'.

And speaking of roads...I'm just about ready to start the 12-week Hal Higdon 1/2 marathon training program that I have been staring at on the inside of my kitchen cabinet. Starting the first week of January it will be exactly 12 weeks til the Music City Marathon. Yeehaw!

Lunge Mommy Lunge

Subtitle: this post is so trite--but since Ive only just experienced it please to indulge me.

Im not great about making myself do things that I dont like to do.

In the exercise/diet realm anyway. Im fully aware (*sigh*) that as an adult my life shall be crammed with doing stuff I dont r-e-a-l-l-y want to do, however, I shall spareth you THAT rant.

I definitely cling to the notion of consistency with my workouts (as in if I do it 6 days a week for YEARS then it mightcould be ok that I am not good about mixing it up).

In a really obvious way.

Im certain that the people who are at the gym the same time I am in the mornings could tell you precisely which machines Im going to do in what order once they know the body part Im lifting/if Im there to do cardio.

today? I MIXED IT UP AND BIT AND MAN DID IT FEEL FANTASTIC.

It was leg day (extensions, inner/outer, seated ham, prone ham and DONE) and something possessed me at the end to throw in a few sets of lunges.

The exercise of champions and one which I detest.

You know what? it felt really really good.

I may do nothing else today to challenge myself but as of 8 am I already had.

what did you do today that challenged the way you think or work out?
That scared you just a little bit but you did it anyway?

APROPOS!

This morning as I was doing my usual penance of exercising the dog (she's fine once she gets her exercise, but gosh does she tug that leash until I let her run free) two young XCountry runners whizzed by me, their coach trailing behind on his bike. They looked so strong and determined. And they were FAST. I'm guessing they were the top runners.
I got to get this bod back and between the workout regimens in Men's Health Ultimate Dumbbell workout and my Complete Book of Running and Fitness, I should be able to do it.
I'm going to follow our little world's lead and blog about my training. As soon as I come up with a catchy little name.
Those young men inspired me. Thanks to the universe for sending me that message.

The Body I was Given

It's not a fact that I am necessarily proud of, but here it is: I have flat feet. Wait. The disappointing news doesn't end there. My right leg kicks out behind me, something my Xcountry coach brought to my attention in high school. (Man, I would love to still be on a Xcountry team...with a kick-ass triathlete coach and his running gear sponsored sidekick...I used to be one mean and lean little mama.) He didn't know how to fix it, so we just kind of let it be. Now, some twenty years later, the back of my right leg is crawling with spider veins. And sometimes the leg, I don't know, just goes weird on me and I can feel myself limping. When that happens then the front of my right foot joins in on the fun and starts aching, too.


And you all thought I was perfect :)

Mommy lost that loving feeling.

I'm at the gym getting ready to take my own advice and run/walk and get some speed back. Well the gym has all these TVs lined up, but I need an FM tuner to hear them. I thought ok, I'll join this century and get an MP3 player/FM tuner. I tried Napster, Itunes, etc.. and could not get any songs I liked and gave up. Then I ran for 40 minutes and it was awful. I was fiddling with the damn player and almost fell several times. I probably should have thrown the thing away, but I was determined not to be beaten by technology. It was ok and I finished the workout. I'm going to beat this. My kids are getting Ipod nanos for Christmas-- how wll I ever get them loaded up? Have I mentioned what a great bunch of people contribute to this blog? I've never written one never mind read one and this just makes my day.

On SEP 11, 2001 I was at the gym and the TVs played the tragedy over and over. I had earphones then and unfortunately could not stop listening/watching. I think I'm feeling pressure not to miss thew news. Since then I've read the entire 9-11 Congressional report and just about every book written on the subject. I still cannot believe it happened.

Im in love.

please not to tell my husband.

with these: http://tufortee.com

and not for my daughter.

You might not know this about me unless you roll with me in real life but I ADORE SKULLS.

Any kind and no Im not sure why.

From the Pirates of the Caribbean vergingonscary ones to the silly, girly pinkbowed kind.

Love.

It's going to be a struggle but Im going to TRY and not request a woman-sized version of their black skully thermal top.


Maybe.


Regardless there are a few little ones in my life who are DEFINITELY getting these for Hanukkah.

if youre still shopping definitely check them out and, by means of disclosure, Im definitely not getting paid for my love.

:)

Classy Mommy Giveaway: Box Set of Barney DVD's

2 lucky readers will win the recently released DVD box set titled, Barney: The Imagination Collection. This is a super collection! Thanks to Hit Entertainment and Fox for sponsoring this giveaway! Value of $30. On sale at Amazon right now!

know my daughter adores Barney. I have to admit as a parent, I find many characters are not always as amusing and as a household rule we are strict about limiting TV time to a minimum. However, I adore how my daughter sings the Barney song again and again and sweetly says, "I love you, You love me, We're a happy family". So, Barney is a winner in our house!

Click here for contest entry details.