Mother on the Run

Running with the Pup...a new adventure!

2016-10-11T12:42:00.003-04:00

So, we had taken a short hiatus and I am running again with the kids, but given the darkness already coming in around 7pm and the recent sightings of things less than interesting (coyotes or misbehaving dogs), besides my pepper spray, I wanted some additional reassurance. So, we decided to take the dog!

Cleo is a rescue beagle. We believe that she is about 2 years old now. She was being used as a breeder from her first cycle. We adopted her after her first litter. She had heartworm, so we couldn't exercise with her for quite some time. But, beagles are supposed to be great running companions for shorter rungs (5K distance), which is perfect when I'm running with the kids. So, Cleo had her first run last night!

We did three intervals of 6 minutes each, with a 1-2 minute walk.

First interval, being a puppy and not sure what was going on, I had her on my right side with only about 18" of lead available to her. She was so unaccustomed to the short hold, but it was needed to ensure that she didn't wander and end up tripping us! First interval really caused my right arm to strain a bit, as I felt it first thing this morning. But other than that, she was a trooper. Also, it may have been due to the slightly cooler temps this week, but we were a tad faster than typical!
Second interval, she was great! Good pace, happy dog,
Third interval, she was dragging :) I kept on encouraging her just like I recall doing to the kids early on. My son was even trying to make her happy. She kept up, but was definitely slower.

She ran a total of 1.5 miles (not including walking breaks), Not bad for a dog that typically isn't too active. Wow, did she sleep well last night!

Now, if I can find a headlamp that fits on her collar, that would be perfect!

Future Races

2016-09-06T15:40:00.000-04:00

So, now that the kids have one 5K under their belt...what else could we do? There is a ton of variety and the Canes Classic (which we just did) kicks off racing season down here in Florida!

Options abound...but these seem kid-friendly and local....leading up to the Disney race in April. The Turky Trot, while 5-miles, is too local NOT to try. They can walk it, if needed. Fortunately, there is no cost to this one (just food donation), but there is also no medal.

Color Blast 5K Run REGISTERED10/15/16
Lakewood Ranch Boo Run 5K 10/29/16
Turkey Trot (5 miles) 11/24/16
Frosty 5k 12/17/16
Ringing Bridge Run (4 miles) 1/14/17
Falcon 5K February-ish (date not yet announced)
Robinson Preserve 5k 3/31/17
Disney Dark Side 5K REGISTERED 4/21/17 (I'll be doing the 5K with them and the Half Marathon)

Now, lets master this 5K thing! Goal? No stopping on 10/15!

Crazy Running Kid

2016-09-05T18:21:00.003-04:00

My husband just asked the kids if they were running tonight? My son says..."sure, lets do this!" ....and yes, we did just run a 5K this morning. Maybe he really does have the running bug....or he just forgot that he was moaning about me torturing him DURING the 5K????

Kids First 5k

2016-09-05T10:28:00.001-04:00

Prior to race day, they were both capable of running 27 minutes straight...looking back, I think they did great! I was hoping that the energy of the race will push them that final step to finish the race non-stop, but hopefully running with me will force them to slow down and not run with the pack.

So how did they do at the Canes Classic?

My daughter ended up running with her friend from school, and his dad. They didn't pace well and was far up ahead from the beginning, and then walked quite a lot. She finished in 50 minutes. She apparently complained a LOT during the race, but she was 2nd in her age group (out of two 10-11 year old girls), and received a medal. Once we got home she put it on her "bling holder" and said that this is the medal that she is THE most proud of!

My son and I ran together...kept a consistent pace. We did take a total of 5 1-minute walking breaks and finished in 44 minutes. Note that every 1/4 mile there was some type of complaining such as "why are you torturing me so" and "are we done yet?". But by the end, there was a big smile on his face. He even sprinted the last 100 meters!

It was definitely harder than they expected. 85% humidity and 80 degrees...with sun (this race started at 8am). After they finished, I just kept telling them that every other 5K will be easier than this one. After all, they now have a PR!

We have officially signed up for the color blast run in October, per my daughter's request. Its October 15th, so there may be Florida summer left...its a crap shoot. The humidity typically disappears right around mid-October, so cross your fingers for us!

We are C25K graduates!

2016-09-04T19:10:00.000-04:00

We can all run 30 minutes...nonstop...in the Florida summer....in the high 80s and low 90s..where the
dew point is over 70....where the humidity makes it feel like 100 degrees. Just imagine how strong and capable they will be in a few months when the humidity takes a break! Their body can actually work at running faster, rather than exerting all of this wasted energy on just keeping the body cooled! Just imagine at the end of November when their speed will be about 1-2 minutes/mile faster than it is right now...yes, thats the difference that we can expect! Just imagine that when we sweat, the sweat will actually evaporate...oh its the little things!

We have inched our way from 1 minute running intervals (with 2 minutes walking) to 30 minutes nonstop. This is quite the accomplishment! I am so proud of these kids! I really assumed that this was be torturous to get them up to this level, and I swear I thought that I would have to bribe them or kick myself along the way. But, they were agreeable! While not always thrilled...this has definitely become a nice routine for us. We get to do something together, which has been great. And, I get their ear. They can't avoid me for those uncomfortable talks. We talk about everything...and since there is no eye contact, we avoid the uncomfortable face, especially when talking about puberty or friends issues or school problems. Mom is not intruding on a subject, but rather we are equals when we are together pounding the pavement.

So, whats the next goal? Of course, we need to complete the 5k tomorrow. While I do have a "45 minute" goal in my head (after all, we have never run 3 miles straight together), I just hope that they are proud to FINISH the race! While most will be ahead of them, I don't think they will come in last. There is ALWAYS someone who finishes in an hour :) And while this race caters to the local running community and high school track runners, there are always a few novices out there, so the kids won't be alone.

So, there is a 1-mile race next month...but there is also a 5k color run next month (same day)...and there is a 5k in November nearby as well, that will be a smaller race like the one tomorrow. Once race a month would be great though Florida's race season...let's see if we can keep that up!

Running with Kids...Week 8

2016-08-29T15:53:00.000-04:00

T-7 Days until our first 5k.

We nailed 20 minutes the prior week...and our challenge this week was to run for 27 minutes straight. We started with 20+5, then 25, then 27.

The 20+5 was tough. The first run was at 7 with my son..man, I just was NOT into it at all. The second run was with my daughter at 8 (my son was on his bike for this one as neither I or he wanted to be left at home alone), but it was so easier. Its amazing what an hour can make in Florida's sun! The difference was almost refreshing!

Then, the 25....tough.

Then, the 27...tougher. But, we did it!

Our protocol for this last week starts with this run:
Run 28 minutes

Then:
Run 29 minutes

Then:
Run 30 minutes

...and then then race! We are all getting nervous now!

Running with Kids...Week 7

2016-08-22T15:52:00.000-04:00

T-14 Days until our first 5k.

Its getting close! I think I've finally figured out how to give me a rest, and how to ensure that the kids stick to their training without bickering. Fortunately, I'm stronger now and can run farther, just like them...and the running almost every day with one of them has benefitted me. This last week, I ran with my son, rested for 10 minutes, then ran with my daughter. This ensured that I get a rest day between runs....and ensured that they both stayed with the plan...and ensured that I had more miles, which I want to do.

Every week, we are also running to the ice cream parlor. One night, me and my son ran there, we had a little ice cream and then me and my daughter ran back. Its an easy way for me to run/walk 4 miles (definitely more running than walking now!), but still not overburden them. My son ran an entire mile without stopping, and my daughter hit 11 minutes....on the way back, we warmed up for 5 minutes, ran 11 minutes, walked for 4 minutes, then ran again for 10 minutes. Nice!

Now, my daughter is definitely slower than my son, but given that she weighs 100 pounds and here is a scrawny 75 pounds, this shouldn't surprise me. Time will benefit both of them. Maybe she will even drop a few pounds, but she really doesn't NEED to, but dropping a few will benefit her speed and her self esteem. But, I know if I dropped 50 pounds, I probably could keep up with my son, as I'm sure in time that he will simply get faster!

Our final run this week was to attempt the 20-minute run...straight through, no stopping, with no concern with how slow or fast we were running. I first ran with my daughter...she was slow, as expected, but she did great! I rested for 5 minutes while my son was changing, and then we ran 20 minutes non-stop. Ugh...he chatted the ENTIRE time about greek mythology and his breathing was still very easy, but man, I was being challenged. I never recall looking at the watch this much! But, this week is now in the books!

Our protocol for this week starts with this run:

Run 20 minutes
Walk 3 minutes
Run 5 minutes

Then:
Run 25 minutes

Then:
Run 27 minutes

Jealous of My Kids' Lung Power!

2016-08-20T09:02:00.000-04:00

So, I'm running a LOT more than them...and every time I run with one of them, I'm simply just jealous of the fact that my breathing is so much harder than theirs. So not fair! My son can now talk constantly running for an entire mile while educating me on greek mythology (he absolutely loves the subject) while I'm huffing and puffing over here. Oh, the joys of youth!

Running with Kids...Week 6

2016-08-15T15:50:00.000-04:00

T-21 Days until our first 5k.

Last week went well! In fact, the last run with my daughter was supposed to be 7-5-7. First interval was 7 minutes, the second ended up being closer to 8, and then she said "why don't we run to the ice cream parlor and have daddy meet us there." We ended up running the last interval for 10 minutes. Very very pleased and now she KNOWS that she can do this. With warm up and cool down, we did 2.4 miles in 37 minutes. With very little effort NOW, we should be able to do a 5k in less than 45 minutes...which was subconsciously my minimum goal for them, although I would love to see them do it in under 40.

Our protocol for this week starts with this run:
Run 8 minutes
Walk 3 minutes
Run 8 minutes

Then:
Run 10 minutes
Walk 3 minutes
Run 10 minutes

Then:
Run 20 minutes

Wish us luck!

Half Marathon...too fast, too much?

2016-08-12T22:33:00.001-04:00

So, there is an inaugural half marathon in 10 weeks. Is it insane that I'm considering this? Yes, it's crazy. I know its too much too soon....and yet, that is not stopping me.

Is this too much for a long run every week?

Week 1 - 8/8/16 - 3 miles long run
Week 2 - 8/15/16 - 4 mile long runWeek 3 - 8/22/16 - 5 mile long runWeek 4 - 8/29/16 - 6 mile long runWeek 5 - 9/5/16 - 7 mile long runWeek 6 - 9/12/16 - 8 mile long runWeek 7 - 9/19/16 - 9 mile long runWeek 8 - 9/26/16 - 10 mile long runWeek 9 - 10/3/16 - 11 mile long runWeek 10 - 10/10/16Week 11 - Race Day

I really love the idea of participating in this local half marathon...it has strong roots in the organization. It has strong support of the local government, and the route looks to be absolutely amazing...most of it water views.

And I heard that the bling is amazing.

Running with Kids...Week 5

2016-08-08T15:47:00.001-04:00

T-27 Days until our first 5k.

So, we are getting closer...and fortunately stronger. And, while my intentions last week was to run alone with each of the kids (most of the time), we did run once together...and no bickering! Whats most surprising is that my daughter was the stronger runner and my son lagged behind...which is a first. I'm not sure if she stepped up because he was tired, but its nice to see her comfortable with the intervals...at least once. The run prior with her alone, I swear I saw teardrops on her face. She doesn't want to stop....I think she's scared that she can't do it....or maybe her side-stitch really was as painful as she indicated (which was the reason she told me that she was tearing). I don't think she's afraid of letting me down. Maybe she was just over-tired and therefore over-sensitive? At least it didn't affect her the following run. While I know she was pushing herself, she seemed very capable.

For the most part, our runs this last week averaged 15-16 minutes in 3 intervals. The long interval averaged 6 minutes. Some days it was closer to 5 and some days it was 6.5 (they forgot to ask "how much longer mom" every 20 seconds, so I kept running longer). I have to say, while the week started hard, it ended on a high note!

I do think that our "walking" intervals are too long, however. My son keeps pushing for 3 minute walking breaks, but I think that has more to do with Pokemon Go than the actual need for rest. Yes, I carry my phone with me while we run, and he carries it while we walk. After all, we do have 3 pokestops in our own little neighborhood on our 2-mile route!

Our protocol for this week starts with this run:

Run 5 minutes
Walk 2 minutes
Run 4 minutes
Walk 2 minutes
...repeat twice

Run 6 minutes Walk 1 minute
Run 4 minutes
Walk 1 minute
Run 6 minutes

Then this run:

Run 7 minutes

Walk 2 minutes

Run 5 minutes

Walk 2 minutes

Run 7 minutes

I admit that I'm a little worried about this week. The first one, while its 4 intervals and they have been doing three, will be hard...but I'll sell it to them since there is no 6-minute interval. And, if I break down the second run, its doable, since they have already done 4-6-4, so its not that different...and the first run should be easier since they are fresher...the last one is the one I'm worried about. And that last day...7-5-7....no idea how I'm selling that one. If I think of any ways to spin it, I'll have to take notes so I don't forget!

Running with Kids...Week 5

2016-08-08T15:47:00.000-04:00

Our protocol for this week starts with this run:

Run 5 minutes
Walk 2 minutes
Run 4 minutes
Walk 2 minutes
...repeat twice

Run 6 minutes Walk 1 minute
Run 4 minutes
Walk 1 minute
Run 6 minutes

Then this run:

Run 7 minutes

Walk 2 minutes

Run 5 minutes

Walk 2 minutes

Run 7 minutes

Too Much, Too Soon?

2016-08-07T18:14:00.000-04:00

So, there is an inaugural half marathon in October....the only one that has ever been in my city. I want to do it, but just not sure if I can get where I need to be. This one, unlike all of the others that I have ever been in (back in the day) will be attended by other people I know. Nobody, except my immediate family, even knows that we are running as a family now. Scared to be embarrassed....but how many times does the chance come around? I also hear that the bling is amazing!

I have been running for 5 weeks now....I have been running at the kids' pace. I may have to run with them, and then drop them off at the house and continue on to see how strong I feel. That honestly, is not a bad plan....2 miles with them and tack on another 1+ alone. Only then will I know if I have a chance of getting up to 10 miles before 10/15. If I can get to 10 miles (even at a 12:00 pace), I will do the half marathon. Doable goal? That still makes me incredible slow....but not insanely slow.

Honk Honk...Yes, we know you are there, honking...at my 10-year old child!

2016-08-06T17:38:00.001-04:00

So, I ran with my daughter this morning. Now, I know that we didn't know who was in that car. I also know that I'm so out of shape and overweight that the honk was not for my attention. Sadly, I have to assume its for my daughter.

She is 4'11" now (she gets her height from dad, because its certainly not from me!). She was wearing running shorts...ones that she wears at softball and basketball all the time. She had a pony tail for her long blonde locks. She wore a running singlet with a colorful sports bra underneath it (although she barely needs anything up there, so its more of a fashion statement!). If she was a teen or adult, she would be considered thin, but actually for her age, she is right where she needs to be....not skinny by any means, but also not chunky by any means.

Of course she is unaware that the honk is for her. But man, just because she is tall does not mean that she isn't 10! Her first harassment, and I don't even know if I should tell her anything about it.

Running with Kids...Week 4

2016-08-01T15:27:00.000-04:00

T-34 Days until our first 5k.

Our planned protocol for this last week:
Run 4 minutes
Walk 2 minutes
Run 6 minutes
Walk 3 minutes
Run 4 minutes

We did not do that well. Unfortunately, our travel plans dictated other things. We did manage to push ourselves walking a LOT in the hot humid New Orleans sun while out of town! Doesn't that count for something? We do have some catching up to do, for sure. Our first run in New Orleans was a ton of running, compared to walking...but not like the planned protocol. Our second run was when we returned home...we did 3 minutes running, 2.5 minutes walking...total 5 running intervals. So, we did several intervals, but they were simply not the distance needed.

We will play a little catch up this coming week. Hopefully run at least every other day.

Now, I do give us a pass. No new runner should ever have to run in New Orleans heat and humidity. Only when Fall arrives will the kids understand that they have strengthened their lungs sufficiently...right now, they are running on faith that they believe me and that I won't kill them in the process!

Regardless, have their hearts improved? Yes! Do you they see that? Yes! Is the weather awfully hot? Yes!

How do I know this? We got back Friday night and my daughter had a basketball game Saturday morning. I recall that she was near death the first full-length game where she had to play all 4 quarters. She was wincing, she was near crying....she never said it, but you could tell just looking at her. Today? Full-length, 4 quarters....she did pretty good! No look of death on her face :)

So, to reflect a bit...lungs are definitely getting stronger. I can see it in both of them. Now, lets get those leg and core muscles strengthening! And, lets increase the run:walk ratio!

Why Should Kids Run?

2016-07-31T21:36:00.003-04:00

A few scientific findings to ponder...

Bone Strength develops the most in pre-teen and early teen years, and the benefits will stay with them for the rest of their life, compared to their not-so-active peers. Check this article out here.
Kids exercise is positively correlated to future income. Check this article out here.
Kids exercise encourages better study habits. Check this article out here.
Memory and focus are better in active children. Check this article out here.

So, if you are a runner, why are you not running with your child?

Running with Kids...Week 3 Recap

2016-07-25T15:23:00.000-04:00

T-41 Days until our first 5k.

Our protocol for this last week:
Run 3 minutes
Walk 2 minutes
Run 90 seconds
Walk 2 minutes
Run 3 minutes
Walk 2 minutes
....and repeat.

Excluding our warm up and cool down walks, we are finally running more than walking:

15 minutes of running
10 minutes of walking

You would have thought that I was abusing them...between their bickering and their whimpering and their hurt feelings because they were not encouraging each other on the first day of this week....let's just say that I was glad that tomorrow was a rest day!

The first time with this schedule went pretty well, even given the above. We had a minor mishap on the first 3-minute interval...my son looked back to tell my daughter something and he ended up with a minor knee and hand scrape. Of course, it was all her fault....that's how the run started and ended. But, we will survive and learn not to compare ourselves to the other and I swear these two are going to learn how to SUPPORT each other, even given their differing strengths!

While hard, their lungs should have started to see improvements. I keep on telling them:

It takes 2 weeks for your heart to start strengthening

It takes 4 weeks for your muscles to start strengthening

It takes 6 months for your bones to start strengthening

And you know what...I think at least my daughter sees that her heart is stronger after two weeks of running!

Puberty Sucks for the Girl Athlete

2016-07-19T19:34:00.000-04:00

There are a lot of young female athletes....they love playing the "jock" role. They love the camaraderie of the team. They love feeling capable. Unfortunately, once puberty rears its ugly head....it never favors the girls.

Boys, on the other hand, grow stronger, taller and gain muscle mass. Girls, on the other hand, gain a significant amount of weight pretty fast, their hips start to spread, their balance and coordination falters, they slow down (because of the weight gain and lack of coordination) and they simply do not feel capable any longer.

So, what happens? Girls quit. They feel lackluster that younger and smaller girls are faster than them. They remember when they were the hitting stars on their softball team, and they know that they are simply treading water now, hoping not to be the worst. Its even more awful when you are the first in your age to start developing hips! So, what to do?

Do not let any girl specialize in a sport BEFORE puberty! She will only see herself dwindle in skills, which lays a sad foundation for self worth and athleticism in the future. Now, of course, there will be differences of opinion here....but I read this and its so clear to me that this is a good practical solution to minimizing a girl's self esteem issues as a result of puberty.

Now, the weight gain is a completely different issue...you start a new athletic endeavor the focuses on building lung capacity, strength and endurance, which simultaneously rids her of the extra few pounds. You can't stop puberty...you can't stop the weight gain that is needed for puberty....but you can surely try to temper it as best you can. Unfortunately, sports aside, girls can be cruel, and the more fit and confident they are, the less of an impact their puberty will have on their social environment.

So, for all intents and purposes, running fits the bill for my daughter right now. It will rid her of those few extra pounds, create the endurance and strength that she needs to feel capable, and help her adjust her body's new balance in this new body...a body that she will be in the rest of her life, so the sooner she gets accustomed to it, the better. All I need to do is keep her engaged, and while I don't expect her to be happy about it all the time, I also hope that she will be happy about it some of the time!

Running with Kids...Week 2 Recap

2016-07-18T15:05:00.000-04:00

T-48 days til our first 5K.

Both my daughter and my son are capable of running 90 seconds, then walking 90 seconds now (not without complaining like their limbs are going to fall off, of course)...repeating for 10 intervals. I get it, trust me! I find myself focusing on them, so ignoring my own negative thoughts is easier...but they are still there. I know my son will eventually outrun me in a mere 2-3 months. Now, throw in 90 degrees which feels like 100 degrees, and you have an easy reason to feel sluggish!

Now, what have I learned in this last week? My son can run a bit faster than my daughter. He walked the dog with my husband and then joined us mid-run at a local park. The problem? He was full of energy and I could feel that my daughter was trying to keep up with him. She wasn't listening to her own body's pace. I think forward 8 weeks, and I know that the urge to run faster than you should when you are surrounded by better athletes is going to impact them. Unfortunately, they have different paces, and I need to acknowledge that and deal with it. He runs about 1 mile/minute faster than she does. He should, of course, since he weighs 30 pounds less than her! But, this means that I need to run with them separately (which is what I was reluctantly expecting).

I know I have to balance their complaints with part motherly support and part "suck it up kid" attitude. Just like when they complain about homework, they need to just focus and get it done so they can realize that they are capable of doing it! But, also like homework, they need encouragement and a little guidance so they can address the problem in front of them without me...they need to be capable AND they need to know that they are capable!

MY SHORT-TERM PARENT-COACH GOALS

Keep them motivated through the awful 6-week period, which is the hardest part of the training.
Get them to run non-stop at the 5k over Labor Day weekend....even if they are slow as turtles!
Keep them committed until mid-October when the humidity just magically disappears, then I just need to maintain their training since they will be running so much more easily. The humidity just kills you down here, but if you can start training in the summer, once the weather turns, you know you can accomplish anything!

Running with Kids...Week 1 Recap

2016-07-11T14:54:00.000-04:00

This post series is going to be a bit different than any other post that I've done. Why? Because we are on a new endeavor in our family! My son has some OT issues that we are working on, as well as some specific learning disabilities. I want to make him stronger and feel confident about himself. My daughter is going through puberty and has put on at least 20 pounds in the last year...she is feeling sluggish, and while she wants to be active and be "joke" like, she simply does not have the energy or endurance to succeed. So, we are venturing on this path together. 5K bound in less than 10 weeks!

Now, do I expect us to walk at all in this race? Rather, I anticipate it....but getting them out and doing this together is really going to help change our family dynamics for the better. They weren't even bad at all, but this is going to be a great bonding experience.

Pros

Time with the kids alone

Time to encourage them when they cannot tune me out

Forces me to be the encourager, rather than focus on my own physical shortcomings

Love seeing them do better each week, which will make them trust me more when they realize it themselves!

Cons

They may need different training speeds, which means that I have to run more (this could be considered a pro, of course, if I need to encourage myself to run more...or it could mean that I could risk injury more)

Time commitment

Training in summer...Florida summer

Timing runs to meet their personal restrictions

They each have run three times thus far. We are basically following the "Ease into 5K" training method.

My son is 9 and is full of energy, but I ramped it up a bit more this last time, and he was hitting a mental block even though he was doing fine. He is about 4'8" and 70 pounds...as thin as a rail. He has a crazy gait, but I'm sure that his body will find the more efficient means to run by itself in time. He has a lot of energy and seems to enjoy seeing that he has more energy than everyone else!

My daughter is 10, and she is slow and sluggish, but definitely has a decent gait. She has always been athletic...and I know that this puberty thing is the cause of it (she can't possibly be as energetic when she is weighed down with the new weight!). If she feels that she can handle a 5k running non-stop, I know that she will feel more confident in everything. She has participated in ice skating for a few years, softball for a few years, basketball, etc. Almost always does more than one sport at a time. I've been telling her that the first 5-6 weeks is the hardest....but that I was just like her and I know that she can do this! She trusts me, so she is going for it, especially if she has some cute outfits to wear :).

Zaggora...first impressions

2013-08-03T19:58:00.000-04:00

I rarely click on those facebook ads that annoying pop-up in the middle of your feed, or the side bar ads. That doesn't mean that one occassionally doesn't catch my attention though. I've been seeing the Zaggora ad for quite some time, and over that time, I've come to like the style of their products. So, when Zaggora asked me to give their hotpants a go, I quickly agreed! These are the ones that arrived at my house a few days ago:

First of all, I suppose I should have clicked on those ads. I was actually quite surprised about the material. But after scrolling through their website, I don't think I would have been any wiser.

The appearance? The material is similar to a wetsuit. Remember those body glove bikinis of long ago. Honestly, I really wanted one of those. I loved the neon and black. I loved the fabric, how secure it felt and instantly smoothing of oh so not smooth skin. My initial impression: instant recall to that body glove swimsuit. Just for kicks, I searched for the swimsuit that I loved for so many years ago, but dare not wear:

or this...

I suppose retro is cool again. So, Zaggora is well timed for the market. Ok, I think I've covered my initial impressions about the neoprene, so lets move on. The logo sits on the side of the knee, and the inside is lined with the same color neoprene as the logo, so more of a light neon green. Its fun.

The fit? I'm between sized, but since I plan on getting back to a svelt small/medium, I thought I would request a medium. Its tight on me, but that was expected. Regardless, the neoprene is quite forgiving. Throughout the rump and thighs, I felt I wasn't about to tear it in the least! It did sit a tad lower than expected, but again, if I wasn't carrying around these extra 20 or so pounds, I think it would be perfect. That being said, there still was no "muffin top" even though it did sit low and its a tad small. I was very very pleased with this! The neoprene does stretch nicely :)

The look? I mentioned the appearance before, but how do IIIII look in it? Well, I tell ya, it covers well and makes my skin look oh so smooth. No bumps. No see through lycra. Nadda.

The feel? When I run, there is no jiggle. Honest! None. Yes, I love the way I think I look when I run in these.

The heat? I felt it. I dripped more sweat AFTER I ran than I ever recall doing before. Seriously, I got home after a 3 mile run/walk and even afterwards, sweat was dropping down my leg. I never recall leg sweat before. I didn't even know my legs could sweat this much! Now, could I have used a similar article of clothing on my torso? I don't think so, at least not near my neck. Sweat zones favor the torso. I think it would bother me more, and I personally like more cold air near my face. Now, below my waist, it wasn't bothersome at all. Now, the "full body blzer" could be interpreted as a walking sauna suit. It could serve an interesting purpose if you want a major detox. And a detox will allow you to drop water weight quite fast...and it looks quite posh:

So, first impressions? I'm not sure it does everything its promoted to do, but so far, it is promising. Does it raise my temperature enough to truly cause a SIGNIFICANT increase in calorie burn? Maybe so, maybe no. But, it obviously raises it enough to sweat more, and as a result will release toxins out of your body faster. Thats always a good thing. Releasing toxins will surely help one drop unneeded water weight.

Kids & Sports

2013-07-26T10:22:00.001-04:00

Growing up, sports were not very important in my family. Academics and music took precedence. In my husband's family, sports were very important, academics slightly important and music non-existent. Given our backgrounds, it stands to reason that we needed to discuss what to emphasize with our kids. Strangely, my husband has always wanted to play an instrument, and I always wanted to be more athletic. I think all of the above are important, so it really comes down to balancing priorities and how to squeeze everything in, without overscheduling the kids.

I suppose we've always known that it all has to fit somehow. Early on, we talked and made it known to the kids that they always 1) have to be involved in a sport, any sport and 2) have to be involved with music, any instrument. So, with the new semester coming up, things have slowly solidified.

Both of the kids have been taking ice skating lessons since January. Granted, the primary reason we started was because of my son's need for physical therapy. He had bilateral coordination issues which are absolutely critical for using both sides of your body in different ways....writing, running, etc. The driving reason was his issue with writing, but it also plays a huge part in sports. He also had a balance issue. We also had speech therapy to contend with, so while we were able to find a speech therapist willing to come to his school, the physical therapy options were mid-day and not convenient. It would interfere with work and school way too much. So, our only other options (after thinking creatively) was to encourage his participation in either gymnastics or skating. Both are fabulous options for kids with balance and bilateral issues. Of course, we also purchased the trampoline, which is a given for any family dealing with physical therapy as well.

Skating was an easier choice for us, somehow. I suppose I looked back and always had fond memories of it. We did try roller skating, but honestly, it just always felt like a poor substitute to "real" skating. Call me pretentious, but roller skating simply feels like the red-headed stepchild to ice skating. We have a great facility nearby....tons of Olympians practice and teach there, so why not give it a go!

My daughter is a natural with any sport (definitely inherited the gene from her dad), but my son just LOVES skating. He could easily be out there for 2-3 hours and simply be content skating around with no purpose. We started him on hockey skates, and while there was some concern (hockey skates are much harder to balance on since the blade is curved more and there is no extension in the back, which makes it easier to fall backwards and hit your head). But, he loved them and because of them wanted to get on the ice as much as possible.

So, after 7 months of skating, he is now ready to start hockey! Its actually cross hockey for the 5-8 year olds, which means more pick time and more skate time...different format but effective at developing their skills and keeping them interested. Its no contact until they are 9 (or on the traveling team), so I hope he loves it for a few years, and then decides to have nothing to do with it when he is around 8 or 9 :)

My daughter, on the other hand, wants to try softball again. She is a power hitter, without a doubt! Amazing eye-hand coordination and has a great hitting average...since Dad still pitches baseball (not softball), its something that they can bond over. She "thinks" she is a decent thrower, so we need to work on that...but she really can't catch well. Definitely some things to work on with Dad!

I'm a bit saddened that she is taking a break from skating (as she likes the competitions and dressing up in the skating outfits), but on the other hand, switching it around is good. I do hope she picks it up again after the Fall softball season. Softball in Florida is competitive, and its often year-round. The Fall season is more instructional, while the Spring season is more competitive. Given that, we really would prefer her to just do the Fall season. I will just miss the Christmas skating show....she even has a little santa outfit she could wear.

So, we will see how everything progresses. Sports is important for both of them. The teamwork, the comraderie. I want them to enjoy this part of sports, as its everlasting. Let's just hope our schedules don't go crazy as a result!

How much Sleep do you need?

2013-07-12T12:13:00.000-04:00

Good question...and surprisingly, there really isn't a "right" answer! We've always been told that we need 8 hours to feel rested, but would you be surprised to hear that this may be bad for you? Getting less than 8 hours may actually be ideal! The CDC prescribes the following:

But honestly, I find this a water-downed version of the truth. 7 to 9 hours is a HUGE range for adults! And sleep is highly correlated to health. You sleep too little, you have health issues. You sleep too much, you have health issues. If nothing else, remember that a bad sleep cycle affects more than just your energy level the following day!

Let's see....whats wrong with sleeping too little?

Your level of leptin (appetite-regulating hormone) falls, thereby encouraging an increased appetite
Require more food to keep awake! Its a fine line....if you are tired, you will crave anything that will give you extra energy. That soda? Down it. That carb-laden snack? Consume it. You need the instant energy, because without that pick-me-up, you will fall asleep.
Correlation between little sleep and high blood pressure and cardiovasular problems (typically correlated with those that sleep 5 hours or less)
Correlation with obesity, diabetes, depression, alcoholism and auto accidents.
Sleep deprivation directly affects the parts of your brain that control mood and concentration.

What's wrong with sleeping too much?

Spending excess time in bed can be a sign of depression or chronic fatique syndrome. And these two conditions have a correlation to obesity.

As you can see, the risk of not sleeping enough tends to be more than sleeping too much. Maybe this is why the CDC errs on the high side?

So, if sleeping too much and sleeping too little is bad for you? How much sleep should you get? Its so personal, and you need to devote some time in trying to understand your own ideal sleep/wake cycle. You can google various studies, but it appears that most indicate that sleeping 6.5-7.5 hours/night live the longest, while people who sleep less than 6.5 or more than 8 do not live as long. So, for an average night, try to get out of bed before 8 hours and try to stay in bed for at least 6. Diabetes also tends to be the lowest for those sleeping around 7 hours/night.

That being said, there is no one "right" answer, and nobody knows how to perfectly determine that, as it may simply change over time (you may have needed 6 hours when you were 30, but now need 7 hours when you are 50, or vice versa). But, the importance of keeping an eye on your sleep remains an important, and quite simple, exercise. If nothing else, understand what sleep is!

The "normal" human sleep cycle averages 90 minutes, in 5 stages:

Stage 1 - drowsy and light dreams (normal is 5% of total sleep time)
Stage 2 - light sleep (normal is 50% of total sleep time)
Stage 3/4 - delta/deep sleep (normal is 20% of total sleep time)
Stage 5 - REM or deep dream sleep (normal is 25% of total sleep time)

Now, unless you brain gets hooked up by a medical specialist, you will likely never know exactly what type of sleep you are getting. Its been said time and time before though that a human cannot live without REM sleep. Sure, its stated, but why can't we? Sleep is uncharted territory in the medical profession, so take everything with a grain of salt.

So, what can you do? Assuming you do not have an actigraphy device, track your time in bed and rate your sleep, as well as the following day's mood. Do this for a few weeks and see if you can see a trend. This may be all it takes to determine your personal sleep/wake cycle. If you think you have a sleeping disorder (insomniac), you may simply be asking your body to rest longer than it needs....wouldn't that be a nice problem to have.

Seriously, what can you loose? Personally, I seem to need 7-7.5 hours of sleep, while my husband requires about 6-6.5. I would love to have that extra hour every day, but I know my body simply needs more time to rest. I'm ok with that, and he is as well...as he knows I am not a pleasant person to be around if I am tired.

WiThings Body Media Scale

2013-07-10T10:00:00.000-04:00

It arrived almost 2 weeks ago, and so far, I LOVE it! When anyone in the family steps on the scale, it takes your weight, body fat weight and heartrate.

You can also purchase a similar device for blood pressure, which would be helpful for some to have everything in one place, but for us, this is not an issue at all. I would be interested to see if WiThings eventually comes out with an integrated blood glucose monitoring system. They do exist, but having the history stored in one place would be something I could easily justify purchasing for my husband. Sometimes, you simply cannot escape genetics. My husband is 6'3", under 200 pounds, pitches baseball (not softball) weekly and is on the elliptical several times a week, eats healthier than anyone I know...and yes, he is still diabetic. It sucks.

Back to the WiThings scale...based on the most recent weight, your first three initials is indicated in the upper left corner of the scale. This is the "account" that the stats will be transferred to. So, lets say I was 120 pounds last week (sure, I'm dreaming) and I get onto the scale and I'm 115-125, its going to assume that the person on the scale is me. Likewise, my daughter was 66.4 last week and if she steps on the scale, and she is around that same weight, its going to assume its her. If its wrong or it simply can't identify a user (e.g. houseguest), the data is sent to the device as an "unknown user" so you can manually move it to the right classification. Of course, this would be intrusive to know your houseguests' weight, albeit this would prove interesting and still be completely unintentional!

The data is transferred seamlessly to your iPhone app. See below for the main screen. Its quite easy to switch between users as well, but all of the users are available on the iPhone (except if you specifically hide a user). This can be quite helpful if you want to keep your personal weight a mystery to your spouse...silly women we are, but it is what it is.

The first section scrolls to data on:

weight
fat mass
BMI
height

The second section scrolls to:

heart rate
blood pressure, if you utilize this additional device (both SYS and DIA are on their own graph)

The "air quality" section scrolls to historical graphs on:

temperature (min and max)
CO2 level (which basically tells you when you should open the windows and air out the house)

I love the fact that the house temperature is available. True, we have the NEST, which I also love, but its a nice little extra to see the temperature in the other side of the house. I may change the home temperature on the NEST for when we are away, but thats really from the main monitor near the A/C unit. Since this is the bedroom, far away, it gives a better sense on how comfortable our dog is when the A/C is turned off. So, I suppose the WiThings scale also helps me monitor my dog's safety :)

Now, the data is also provided in a web interface. The standard view is seen below. The auto log-out is quite quick though (maybe 5 minutes) so be expected to sign in again....while this could be annoying, I prefer that the data is not perused accidentally by others on the computer!

The left pane (not seen below) shows all of the family member accounts, so its easy to switch around from one user to the other. While the data is pretty basic, it does a nice job of showing trends and seeing where you need to increase (eg muscle tone) and reduce (fat mass) to have an appropriate amount of body fat.

Of course, the more data points, the more interesting and relevant the data is. I think whats also nice is that you tend to look at the trends, more so than just the current day's data. If I was up 2 pounds over yesterday, of course, I would know its a blip and that it will eventually go down....because I see "the one step back and two steps forward" throughout the graph. It simply doesn't make you worry or get irratable enough. Most diets instruct you not to get on the scale more than once a week for this very reason. With the WiThings scale, you just don't need to be scared of the scale!

All in all, I do like it. Its simple to set up. The interface is well designed. It syncs with my UP account and my MyFitnessPal account. What more could I ask for? I'm simply pleased.

C25K...Week 4

2013-07-09T13:17:00.000-04:00

So, it has begun. I'm on week 4 now, which basically consists of:

Run 4 minutes

Walk 2 minutes

Run 6 minutes

Walk 3 minutes

Run 4 minutes

Walk 2 minutes

It went well last night, until my garmin died on me. I swear I had it charging all night, but apparently, it was not at all. So, 10-11 minutes into the run, I couldn't track the time. I went at least another minute of running, turned around and walked for a bit, and then ran again. I *think* that I ran 4/6/6 minute intervals. So, technically, I did do better than "week 4" and am pleased!

I suppose the two days running in Pennsylvania (on vacation) was helpful, even though the hills killed me. I swear that even the first steps of running, I could seriously feel the pain in my shins!

But all is well. I felt a bit of discomfort on my inner right knee and upper shin, but it wasn't severe by any means. I am taking it slow and not pushing myself, as its simply not worth an injury of any kind. Sure, I want to get to a solid 5k distance prior to Labor Day, and I'm sure it will happen...but if it doesn't, no big deal. I just want to be injury-free and be fit. It's not too much to ask if I train properly!