Corazonas Rock!!!

I know you have heard from a couple of us about the Corazonas chips but I just had to throw my opinion out there too!
I am in love. In love, in love, in love. So much so that today, as soon as I dropped my son off at preschool, I went on a road trip in search of the one Safeway in Reston, VA that, according to Corazonas website, sells these little pieces of heaven. I finally found it, after hitting multiple strip malls (yes, I should have done the map quest thing but I haven't been thinking clearly since I ran out of Baja Bean Dip chips!!!) and nearly lay down in the chip isle crying when I found that they didn't have that flavor! I did pick up multiple (I refuse to admit how many) bags of the Picante Salsa flavor though! They sell them on Amazon so as soon as I see the Baja Bean Dip there, I will personally purchase them all so don't even get in my way! Wow. I need to settle down.
Anyhow, today I was on Washington Running Report checking out the race calendar and saw this super nice shout out to SeeMommyRun and the incredible Andrea Vincent!!! How cool is that!? I got all warm and fuzzy knowing that I play a tiny little part in such an incredible organization - way to go Andrea!

I've got a little light...

And I'm going to let it shine! I love my son's age. It's that magical time when he starts bouncing to music, clapping and cheering because the mood has suddenly overtaken him, when he smiles so wide that Joy can be seen coming out of his eyes...it's my favorite time. We listen to XM Kids during the day and I don't know who loves the songs more, him or me. But I've got a little light, and I'm going to let it shine. I have a new favorite recording artist, too: Bari Koral Family Rock Band!


Talk about some music for the iPod!

info@chipperjerky.com

OOPS.

got more than a few personal emails congratulating me on my FINALLY getting the CHIPPER to sponsor me (I eat 3 or 4 cannisters a day. it is a FANTASTIC SOURCE OF PORTABLE PROTEIN!!)

alas


no


please feel free to join in my email writing campaign (*wink*).


I figure I get that company *so* much (referral) business they should at least sell me my addiction WHOLESALE, right?


Please to note, CHIPPER PEOPLE as I know youre out there somewhere, that the attached bicep would be so much plumper if you'd allow me to consume without regards to (obsessing about)price!


Love,

Carla

See Mommy Think and Run

Wow- blessings of 50-60 degree weather mean running outside. This week I ran at lunch with one child at gymnastics being cared for by Dad, one child finishing up homeschooling, one sweet baby napping, and one in school. I ran for all I was worth. My stride felt great, the air great, no heavy winter wear. I ran by the Warrior Transition building. It changed me. This is where the wounded from Iraq and Afghanistan come to be made whole again before transitioning to the civlian world or to stay in the Army. They walk by me all the time. I see them coming and going and this day it hit me that I'm blessed my husband is not deployed and we are both physically well. I just want to Praise God for the ability to know this today.

things I wonder:

How channelmarker's birthday was and what her moniker means.

if Ill have enough cake at my toddlers birthday party on saturday and whether I shall regret that cupcake-cake decision as you can cut sheet cake pieces tiny if need be.

if Ill ever succeed in convincing the folks at CHIPPER JERKY to sponsor me when, in answer to their query, Im pressed to admit that I dont really "do" anything requiring sponsorship except my LIFE.


How Crumbs is such a FUNNY writer and if she's equally hilarious in person.

what else is on steph's wish list.

if I can "catch" S. Kimzey Daniels' positive attitude.


if shelley has gotten back her ME TIME yet.


how on earth andrea does it all?!


why clothes makers think if I need petite inseams on my pants I must ALSO long for pleats in front.


what's for dinner.

A New Kind of Burn

In my effort to get in more cross training, I headed to the gym today, my off-running day, for the cardio machines. I have an elliptical at my house and did that on Tuesday but wanted to try something new. First, I worked the rowing machine for 25 minutes. I really like to row. It's totally different, uses a ton of upper body strength and you can really feel it in your abs as well. After that, I jumped onto the stationary bike. I've always avoided the bike because (a) it looks so boring and, (b) the majority of times that I have seen anyone on the bike, they are leisurely reading a magazine or book while slowly working the peddles and I've always thought "that is so NOT a workout!" I was totally unprepared for what I felt when I went for my first spin today. I'm up to 11 miles in my running and although I'm making an effort to get my cross training in to gain more leg strength, I didn't think I would feel like a weakling on a bike! After 2 minutes, I wanted off. Off now! I was feeling muscles in my legs I didn't even know I had! What in the world is going on here?! How is it that I have never once tried a bike?? So tell me, does biking really use totally different muscles than running or was I doing it wrong? I'd like to assume I wasn't doing it wrong because I didn't fall off, but then, that's probably not the right indicator!

EDITED to add: I hope I didn't offend anyone with my stationary bike talk...I didn't mean it like it's not a super intense workout, just the opposite - I am currently limping around my house!! I'm not worthy!!! I'm not worthy!!

Freebie Alert! Get your Copy of the "What to Expect Guide to a Healthy Home"

Wow this is Freebie Alert I had to share with everyone!

Get your Copy of the "What to Expect Guide to a Healthy Home" written by Heidi Murkoff, the author of the "What to Expect" book just about every pregnant mom in the US has referenced a zillion times in their pregnancies! Heidi donated her time to create this fabulous guide to a healthy home as part of a partnership with the Clorox Company. Clorox donated $1 Million to the What to Expect Foundation to support the Baby Basics Program wich helps families in need expect healthier pregnancies, safer deliveries, and happier babies.

You can download the book and/or order your FREE copy here! This website also has tons of useful tips and seems to be a super resource. Classy Mommy was able to review a copy of this guide and I found it very useful as a reference guide for things I need to frequently remind myself - ie how can we keep foods safe, where are we most likely to pick up germs, what are some good flu fighting tips, and now that I have a newborn baby again - what are the rules on freezing, defrosting, and storing breastmilk!

BIrthday reflection

I am sitting here in relative quiet, which is rare in my household, thinking about how this is the last day of being ?? years old. Tomorrow is my birthday, and although I won't be hitting the next decade, it is now so close that I can feel it's breath on the back of my neck. Twenty, ten or even 5 years ago I would not have pictured my life the way it truly turned out. That's not a bad thing and actually it is better than I could have imagined.
In my teens I just wanted to be in my 20s, in my early 30s I felt like I was in my 20s and now, I just feel pretty content. I always had looked forward to 40s. I had my first two boys when I was too young, but that also meant they'd be grown or close to it when I was 40. I used to be a career ladder climber, knowing I would oh so be the big kahoona by 40. Top of my game, money, time.........but as chance had it, I met the love of my life and re-thought and re-planned. Trust me, I don't take to change all so well and didn't transistion so well in the beginning. Now, here I am; career on hold, stay-at-home mom with two more boys who I have had to unique opportunity to learn from all my previous parenting mistakes in addition to staying at home with them. When I was the "career gal" and my first two were babies, I really thought stay-at-home moms didn't have a real life.....had it soooo easy. Boy, have I learned my lesson by walking (even running now) in those shoes.
What is that old saying? Life is what happens when you are busy planning it. No, I am certainly not where I thought I'd be but, boy have I been pleased with how it all turned out anyways. I am looking forward to all the suprises life throws at me during my last year of this decade. I've even registered for a 1/2 marathon this year when the farthest I've ever run is 7 miles....wish me luck (they do let you walk some don't they?? ;) ).

On the Run

Long Distance Running isn't for everyone.

Your doctor won't tell you, but some people should not run for more than an hour: the guilty (the truly guilty). Or the ashamed. Or the secretive. For there is a seldom discussed aspect of Long Distance Running you should be aware of before venturing out with a group of others; a phenomenon that occurs approximately 1 1/2 hours into a run (although it has been known to occur as soon as 1 hour): your body releases Truth Serum.

It is subtle at first. You'll begin with a story about how you told your children that all of the Snicker's bars in their Halloween stash were tainted & unsafe so that you could eat them all, but then you'll find deeper secrets bubbling to the surface. You'll then tell your running partners how you once stood buck naked outside your crappy college house with another female roommate to see if any of the cars driving by would notice - and how they didn't. Then you'll get mushier...or darker...or weepier...or more conceited. No one reacts the same to the endorphins, but EVERYONE opens up. So if you've got a deep, dark secret (like how you're running from the law), I'd stick to 10K's if I were you.

Unless you need to take a load off your shoulders.

ABC, easy as 123......

While running today, I got alot of looks and giggles.......................
For Christmas Santa brought me a "stroll a tune" from www.joggermom.com, conveniently located on www.seemommyrun.com!! If you aren't aware, it is a small speaker system that connects to your IPOD and onto the handlebar of the stroller. The first time I used it was listening to my music which was pretty nice. Today, I took out my double, with my double trouble two boys (18 & 36 months), who usually love to fight the entire time. Instead of "my" music, I down-loaded a "babies run" play list from educational toddler songs, oh yeah, and a little classic Michael Jackson ( they really like his music??). Anyways, it made the run so much more fun for them and so much more enjoyable for me since they behaved the whole time. The B-I-N-G-O and A-B-Cs, didn't do much for motivating me (Except when Michael sang ABC....Easy as 123....) but I didn't have fighting boys encouraging me to head home either. The people I passed along the way got a good snicker out of hearing us jam to those tunes too!!

Im in love.

I oft tell my husband that, if I could, Id marry various items in my life.

For example I purchased a fan for the room where I do the stationary bike and it FREAKIN CHANGED MY LIFE. Ceiling fan? WHATEVER. FanRightUpCloseToMySweatyBod? Adore.

I informed my hubby that if I could Id marry it. He could still be hubby number one (my ARCHOS 404 is husband number two. GOOGLE IT. It's amazatastic. number 3? a secret (*wink*))

Husband number four? These things:




Blahblahblah heart-healthy, yes.

But they are TASTY as well and Im not normally a chip fan (Im sugar. Lots of sugar).

Check out the flavors here: http://www.corazonas.com/products/mmm-mmm_chips.html

my personal favorite? margarita lime.

my toddler's? baja bean dip (weird. I know.)

my husband was just OVER THE MOON that free chips appeared on our doorstep.

THANKS ANDREA & CORAZONAS!

disclaimer: Im blogging about stuff other than runningexercising...

but Im still doing it.

really.

I just know you MIGHT not wanna hear all about how warm it is here in Austin TX and how fantastic it is to don SHORTS in January.

(see? I told you...although as I type that I do ponder the notion that not everyone loves the heat as I.)

so I give you a site which is new but makes me LAUGH:

http://www.stuperb.com/


read.

laugh.

submit.

:)

R.S.V.P.

Shelley gave me a great idea about how to amend my Wish List. You see, in addition to the beautiful home on 10+ acres in the countryside, I now wish to add that the house should be equipped with a gourmet kitchen and spacious living area so that when you all come over for dinner or the weekend (because you'll want to ride the horses, of course, and your husbands will want to play golf on my husband's private course), we will all be comfortable and able to enjoy ourselves.
So, this is my R.S.V.P. to my own invitation to the life I have been working so hard to live.

(Naturally, I also plan to provide all of the children with activities, as well.)

See you then!
Steph

Should I Stay Or Should I Go Now?

Cold Weather – Part 1

It is cold out, but is it TOO cold out? It is personal decision with lots of conflicting opinions out there but here are the factors I consider:

How to decide what is too cold:

1. What is the temperature outside? I use 30-32° F as an approximate minimum temperature for jogging with the kids in the stroller. Older kids can handle colder temperatures and will be able to verbalize that they are too cold if that becomes a problem. When my son, a November baby, was a newborn, my minimum temperature was closer to 40° F.
2. Is it windy? In winter sailing (aka frostbiting), there is an unofficial guideline called the “20-20 rule”. If it is colder than 20° F and windier than 20 knots, they cancel. Some wind is inevitable, but you may want to find a more sheltered route. For example, try a route through a neighborhood or among lots of trees rather than a path along a river or over bridges. You probably want a headwind first to get it done while you still have more energy.
3. Is there precipitation or an imminent threat of precipitation? Snow is actually very fun to run in. (Sing “Jingle Bells,” “Let It Snow,” and “Winter Wonderland” as you run.) Sleet or excessively slippery conditions should be avoided. Strollers come with a runaway strap: USE IT!
4. Do you have weather-appropriate equipment? A rain shield is invaluable! There is one to fit nearly every model of jogger at www.joggingstrollers.com and surely elsewhere. It is a great windshield and keeps the temperature inside the stroller very pleasant – we’re talking greenhouse here.
5. How badly do you need to get out? That “cabin fever” will keep everyone a little warmer.
6. Keep a log. Record what the weather conditions are each time you go out and how comfortable everyone was so that you can check back later to determine your own guidelines. A good one on-line is at http://athleticlog.org/.

Up next: How to prep the kids.

Because nothing says IT'S GONNA BE A GREAT WEEK

like an awkward self-portrait in running shorts.

(2 things. 1. it's entirely hidden when aforementioned shorts arent hiked up. just fyi :) and B. yes there is meaning behind it I didnt just leap on the Day of the Dead popularity train)






anyone else wanna share?

Finally some yummy healthy tortilla chips!

I also received the yummy Tortilla chips. I cannot tell you how long I've waited for something this good as an alterative to the saturated/trans fat crowd of snacks. My famiiy also loved them and I do not have a favorite, but am absolutely going to buy these.

My husband was there when they arrived and after all the Christmas packages (I hate to shop and do a lot online)- he was thrilled to partake and gave them high reviews. My kids will eat anything in a zip lock bag :)

Thanks so much.

No Doubt

Fifteen weeks ago, I held up my hand in a meeting hall filled with hundreds of people as Coach called out "Where's the 11:30 pace group?" Around 25 people made their way towards me and my partner while the rest filtered towards faster or slower pace groups. On that first morning of Half Marathon Training, I stood before a throng of strangers who all had hopes of completing 13.1 miles a few months down the line. To some in the running world, completing a Half Marathon doesn't seem so extraordinary. But there are some of us who remember a sleepless night before our first FIVE mile run. This was going to be a first for the majority of this new group, but all were optimistic (even if they looked nervous). Among our new pack, there were mothers of all ages and sizes, some college guys, a few fathers, folks decked out in the latest gear and others in cotton Ts. I could sense them looking at each other, wondering if this was a good decision or not....and I feared they might be disappointed to realize I've only been running for a few years.

Some shifted to other pace groups early on, some others vanished from the program completely, and one runner was injured skiing, but each Saturday, as our miles have slowly increased, our core group has come together as a team. Not only have we exchanged running advice, we've learned hysterical things about each other's kids; we've confessed our fears to each other; we've admitted to embarrassing events. I think I've even made a few lifelong friends.

Yesterday morning, in weather 30 degrees colder than usual, I stood before nearly every member of our group. Three weeks before our Race Day, we headed out into the dark and cold rain (impressive for a group accustomed to running only in 85 degree weather). A couple hours later, our team finished our longest scheduled run: 14 miles. It was a moment that will make the cut when my life (edited for time) flashes before my eyes. Soaking wet hugs, cheers stoked by a 2nd wind, and so much pride in the air, you could smell it (or was that sweat?). There was no crowd, no band, no table of bagels & bananas, no medals. It was just a group of friends inspiring each other to go farther than they had before. There was no doubt that they had made the right decision to join. No doubt they can complete the 13.1 miles on Race Day. And I think they'll have even less doubts about other things in their lives, too.