Run Like Child

RunLikeChild.blogspot.com Has Moved!

2013-01-31T11:33:00.002-08:00

This ship has sailed!
RunLikeChild.blogspot.com has moved.
The new blog address for Run Like Child is:

RunLikeChild.wordpress.com

Please visit my new blog address and continue to follow. Same posts, different address.

Dreaming About Spring and Summer

2013-01-22T13:16:00.001-08:00

Daydreaming about Lake Nokomis in full color

The current temperature here in partly cloudy Minneapolis is -1°F (-18°C). The windchill is -15°F (-26°C). These last couple of days have been a chilling reminder of how hard it is to live in the extreme North of the U.S. When winter days are frigidly cold like they are now it's so easy to become mildly depressed. There's something hollow and cruel about a -1°F day. The Sun offers no warmth and only 8 hours of light. Exposure to air is cold poison to the skin and lungs. The bleak view from my kitchen window is snow that has hardened into ice and I'm tempted to wrap a scarf around the lifeless leaf-less tree in my front yard. Life outdoors is completely still.

Daydreaming comes in handy on days like today. Although the first day of spring is still 56 days away, even the first signs of spring excite me. Spring and summer in Minneapolis are my two favorite times of year. There is a fresh buzz everywhere. I love how the leaves on the trees clap on warm breezy days. There's also that noticeable mood shift when Minnesotans can relax their shoulders and actually feel the Sun's warmth. When spring and summer hit, I try my hardest not to take a day for granted and look forward to storing memories for winter survival.

Here's what I'm daydreaming about today all of which signify the coming of spring:

1. When the snow melts!
2. Washburn High School Track.
3. The Jeff Galloway Minneapolis Training Group Kickoff.
4. Registering for the Get in Gear 5k and Half Marathons.
5. The very first smell of spring!
6. Wet grass.
7. When the Sun is warm again.
8. The first green sprouts on the trees.
9. Longer daylight.
10. My kids playing in the backyard.
11. Painting my toe nails a dazzling springtime color.
12. Reading outside.
13. Blowing bubbles with my kids on the front steps.
14. Enjoying a day with the windows open.
15. Driving with the windows down.
16. The return of birds and butterflies.
17. Running with one layer of clothing and shorts.
18. The melting and greening of Lake Nokomis.
19. First backyard burger of the grilling season.
20. Enjoying a Leinenkugel Summer Shandy outside.
21. The smell of freshly mowed grass.
22. Saying hello to my neighbors from the backyard.
23. Enjoying a day outside in a summer dress and sandals.

If you're like me daydreaming about warmer days, what are you most looking forward to?

Stress Sparks Brain Growth

2013-01-18T12:13:00.000-08:00

It does us no good to pigeon hole ourselves into a life devoid of intensity, excitement and challenges believing that we're safe from emotional turmoil. Stress is all around us in our day to day lives, in our finances, culture, catastrophic events, grief, and the unknown. Since stress is unavoidable, how do we cope?

I go for the run.

In previous posts, I've explained how running allows me to face my anxiety as well as the connection between running and the mayhem of my life. I'm a mother of four children with normal stress like everyone else. Additionally, my past has included surviving divorce, the death of loved ones, job loss, severe financial strain, and single motherhood. I know stress.

Over the years I've learned to build a coping tool-kit, which includes self-care activities such as meditation, visual prayer journals, self-kindness exercises, crafting, reading, practicing gratitude, and yes, beer. By far, however, the most effective self-care activity that I indulge in is exercise. After a challenging run, a Jillian Michaels dvd, or Zumba I'm much more ready to handle whatever mayhem is thrown at me. When I'm at the height of training for a race when the weekly miles reach into the teens and twenties, I relish in my joyful nature and how easily things roll of my back. Sure, stress is unavoidable, however I'm so much more emotionally prepared to handle it.

How does this work?

I first read the term stress inoculation in the book, Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain by John Ratey, Associate Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, and have been fascinated with the idea ever since. Stress inoculation works similar to receiving a vaccine. Stress is introduced in a limited and controlled manner to promote emotional immunity for future stress.

The article, "How Do Muscles Grow" by Young sub Kwon, M.S. and Len Kravitz, Ph.D. explains the process of muscle growth in biological terms. Simpler put, the brain is a muscle and operates like every other muscle in our bodies. When worked, muscle fibers in the brain as well as the body tear, rebuild and become stronger due to an increase in muscle fiber across the muscle.

When the brain is active it does not distinguish forms of stress. Activity is activity whether it's emotional, traumatic, educational, or exercise. Stress in the brain is registered as activity that causes neurons to kick it in high gear. As neurons are worked, they're damaged. Given the appropriate time to repair, they're hardier than before due to an increase in neurons.

When we feel stress it is the emotional output of brain activity.

What exercise does.

Putting ourselves in limited and controlled situations that are stressful inoculates us against future stress. In addition to the physical demands and awards of exercise, the brain also undergoes an intense workout. Multiple parts of the brain are triggered into action; hormones are released for muscle function and the intensity of the activity is taken into account. After the exercise is completed, information is stored. Muscle memory in the body and brain take place. And muscle fibers in the brain and body tear, rebuild, and become stronger.

I believe that the highly sought after runner's high is the emotional response to the stress and accomplishment of running.

When it comes to future stress that we all know is unavoidable, assemble a self-care tool-kit with exercise as the most essential stress vaccine. Consider running as armor to the fight or flight human instinct.

It's time to consider something different other than the widespread belief that exercise is only meant for people who need to lose weight. Exercise has evolved out of our human bodies' necessity to move in order to survive.

I'll end with a few quotes Born to Run: A Hidden Tribe, Superathletes, and the Greatest Race the World Has Never Seen by Christopher McDougall, a book worth reading with a handle on running as the human response to the fight or flight instinct..

“Perhaps all our troubles - all the violence, obesity, illness, depression, and greed we can't overcome - began when we stopped living as Running People. Deny your nature, and it will erupt in some other, uglier way.”

“Suffering is humbling. It pays to know how to get your butt kicked.”

“We've got a motto here-you're tougher than you think you are, and you can do more than you think you can.”

References

McDougall, Christopher. Born to Run: A Hidden Tribe, Superathletes, and the Best Race the World Has Never Seen. ISBN 978-0-307-279187. http://www.goodreads.com/work/quotes/6473602-born-to-run-a-hidden-tribe-superathletes-and-the-greatest-race-the-wo. Retrieved January 18, 2013.

Meichenbaum, Donald. “Stress Inoculation Training: A Preventative And Treatment Approach.” http://www.brown.uk.com/anxiety/stress-inoculation.pdf. Retrieved January 14, 2013.

Meichenbaum, Donald. “Stress Inoculation Training for Coping with Stressors.” http://www.apa.org/divisions/div12/rev_est/sit_stress.html. Retrieved January 14, 2013.

Ratey, John. Spark: The Revolutionary new Science of Exercise and the Brain. Hachette Book Group. ISBN 978-0-316-02835.

Rizzo, Albert. ” Stress Inoculation.” (video.production). PBS. http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/digitalnation/waging-war/immersion-training/stress-inoculation.html. Retrieved January 14, 2013

Young sub Kwon and Len Kravitz. “How do muscles grow?” http://www.unm.edu/~lkravitz/Article%20folder/musclesgrowLK.html. Retrieved January 17, 2013.

Happy Birthday!

2013-01-17T08:40:00.001-08:00

http://imagespublicdomain.wordpress.com/2011/01/16/dr-martin-luther-king-jr/

Goal Setting

2013-01-14T19:01:00.000-08:00

Last summer, I started a series called Why I Run with the intent to offer encouragement for remembering and honoring the seed of want when we do the things that drive us the most. Well, I run to accomplish goals. Goal setting helps me to face and barrel through the anxiety of self worth and ensures my life is value-filled.
Whether I'm:

running parenting writing cooking paying bills reorganizing praying self caring marketing

Trying to be a better nicer honest person

I set goals.

Here are my goal setting steps:

Reward self for every accomplished goal.

Divide large goals into accomplish-able steps.

Make space and time for improvement.

Create a mantra out of the goal.

Visualize the goal.

Make the goal a challenge worth accomplishing.

Set a realistic goal.

In other words...

I will set a goal that I know with hard work I can accomplish.

The goal is within my means and does not go beyond into the world of fantasy and fairy tale.

The goal will take me on a journey that I will grow from and into.

I will pray and meditate about this goal.

I will speak positive thoughts within myself.

If I mess up, I won't beat myself up. Instead, I will re-group, realign and keep moving forward.

I will concentrate on making one step at a time and not be overwhelmed about the journey ahead.

When I reach my goal, I will congratulate myself and indulge in a job well done.

The Victory Is in the Finish Line!

2013-01-10T10:48:00.001-08:00

Image courtesy of 10incheslab at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Jeff Galloway Training Group Minneapolis & St. Paul

2013-01-09T12:05:00.000-08:00

If you desire to begin running, are a beginner runner, or a seasoned runner, Jeff Galloway has something for you.

I'm so pleased and can barely contain my excitement to announce the kickoff of the Jeff Galloway Training Program in the Twin Cities! We're set to have fun, keep it moving, and run injury free with Jeff Galloway's philosophy.

Please visit the Active.com website in order to register:

http://www.active.com/framed/event_detail.cfm?CHECKSSO=0&EVENT_ID=2070065

Who is Jeff Galloway?

A former Olympian carrying more than 40 years of experience in the sport of running as a runner, coach and consultant. He has developed the proven Run-Walk-Run™ method.

The Method:

Improves Time.
Reduces Fatigue.
Conserves Muscles.
Prevents Overuse and Over-training.

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Make Crossing a Finish Line Your New Year Resolution in 2013!

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The Minneapolis and St. Paul - Twin Cities - Kickoff is set for March 6, 2013 at 6:00 pm at the Washburn High School lunchroom located at:

201 W 49th St
Minneapolis, MN 55419

You'll receive a packet of information along with a training and Magic Mile schedule.

We’re training for two exciting races!

Get in Gear 5k Training Session begins on Saturday, March 9, 2013 at 8:00am. This is an 8 week Getting Started Program aimed at crossing the finish line of the Get in Gear 5k on April 27, 2013 at Minnehaha Park.
Red, White, and Boom Half Marathon Training Session begins on Saturday, March 16, 2013 at 8:00am. This is a 16 week Half Marathon Program aimed at crossing the finish line of the Red, White, and Boom HalfMarathon on July 4, 2013. Celebrate Independence Day with a spirit of success!

Jeff Galloway Training Groups meet once a week on Saturday mornings at the Lake Harriett Bandshell in Minneapolis. All training groups are led by Pace Group Leaders and every pace is taken into account. Training groups offer support, encouragement, and accountability. We cheer you on from Week 1 to the finish line.

If you have any questions or need more information, please contact me by leaving a comment or send an e-mail at: Gallowaymsp@gmail.com.

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We’re also looking for enthusiastic people to join the training group as a Pace Group Leader. All we require is a desire to encourage others. Registration with the Jeff Galloway Training Program is FREE and training is included. Please contact me if you’re interested at: Gallowaymsp@gmail.com.

If you're outside of the Twin Cities, there are other training groups throughout the United States. Please visit Jeff Galloway's Training Groups Page.

Running in Cold Weather

2013-01-05T20:14:00.000-08:00

Nokomis Beach in January is a skating rink. With the blue sky and snow everywhere, I'm glad I had sunglasses.

Upon leaving for my first run of 2013, a quick glance at the weather report stated the outside temperature in Minneapolis this afternoon was 25°F with a wind chill of 11°F. When it's this cold it's time to pull out all of the winter running gear. A year ago when I began winter running in earnest, I quickly collected essential items. In order to run in below freezing weather, there are some key items to note.

1. The Lungs Work Properly.
According to the article "Is Cold Running Bad For You," your lungs won't freeze due to cold weather running. While running in warm and/or humid weather produces concerns such hydration, cramps, and illness, colder weather is fine to run in and the lungs usually adjust without much discomfort.

2. The Body Adapts.
In fact, the body's interior systems will self regulate it's core temperature. Additionally, exercise generates heat thus the reason why the body produces sweat in order to keep the skin cool and prevent overheating. In order to maintain the self-regulating core temperature take precautions to keep the body's exterior warm.

3. Wick Moisture Away from Skin.
It's important during cold weather running to wear an interior layer that is made of material that pulls or absorbs sweat away from the skin. As the wicking material pulls sweat, the skin is able to stay dry and warm. It's not necessary to spend a lot of money on a wicking shirt. My favorite wicking shirt is a Champion brand that I purchased from Target for less than $25. You know when your shirt works after a cold weather run when your shirt is soaked yet your skin is dry.

4. Keep Your Extremities Warm.
Wearing tights (or other thermal leg covering), hat, and gloves are also essential cold weather running items. Not just the head, but exposing any exterior part of the body causes the body to lose heat and it's important to preserve needed energy. The body not only has to work hard using energy to get through the cold weather run, but it's necessary to keep blood flowing through muscles to prevent strain and injury. If skin is exposed, the body has to send blood and energy to that area to keep it warm.

5. Protect Your Skin and Eyes.
Just because it's cold doesn't mean the sun won't be harsh. Sunscreen, sunglasses, and lip balm are three cold weather must haves!

6. Review Precautions.
At the start of the cold weather running season, it's a good idea to review safety tips.

My Winter Gear Must Haves:
Under Armour Extreme ColdGear Gloves
Saucony Drylete Tights
Champion Long Sleeve Compression Top
Mondetta Jacket
Washburn Millers Ski Hat

If you're looking for a local (Minnesota) and Made in the USA company that manufactures and sells quality winter weather gear, try WSI.

Happy Pre-Run Pose

References

Burfoot, Amby. "Is Cold-Weather Running Bad For You?" Runner's World. Retrieved 2013-1-5.
"Cold Weather Running Tips." Road Runners Club of America. Retrieved 2013-1-5.
"Cold Weather Running Tips." Runners Rescue. Retrieved 2013-1-5.
"Running in Extreme Temperatures." Run the Planet. Retrieved 2013-1-5.
"The Truth About Heat Loss Through Your Head." Wintercampers.com. Retrieved 2013-1-5.

#1 Image of the Week - 2013 Goals

2013-01-03T08:13:00.001-08:00

Finally Figured out how to spell "perseverance."

Stick-to-itiveness=Dogged Perseverance=2013!

2013-01-01T15:17:00.000-08:00

Hello 2013!
Skip the boring details of 2012! Let's jump right to 2013!

Major 2013 Goals

1. Kicking off my new role as the Program Director for the Jeff Galloway Galloway Running Program Minneapolis.

Kickoff is March 2013. Location and date details forthcoming. In the meantime, please click on this link and read all about the Jeff Galloway philosophy: http://www.jeffgalloway.com/.

Target Goal for 2013

2 - Getting Started 5k Programs each 8 weeks long;
Red, White, and Boom July 4th Half Marathon
Twin Cities 10k and 10 Mile in October

2. Continue Blogging

Shift focus from writing on blog to communicating to:

Runners with getting started and crossing finish line goals
Runners in search of joy and fullfillment; stress, depression, and anxiety management
Runners focused on self care
Runners who are super busy and/or parents

3 posts each week including

Article of the week
Image of the week
Expertise of the week

3. Join the Minnesota Distance Running Association (MDRA)

http://www.runmdra.org/

4. Run 550 miles!

Who's with me in 2013!

If There Was a Such Thing as Motherhood Olympics

2012-07-29T18:23:00.004-07:00

Here's the sports I'd consider competing in on a good day.

Timed Trials of Wagon-rama.
Circling a patch of un-mowed grass numerous times while pulling a wagon of 3 children.

Memorizing the lines of 10 Disney movies.

Fix a meal 4 children will love.

Successfully say "no" to an adolescent for the entire trip inside a store of infinitely desired things.

Have 7 consecutive days of no children in mom's bed.

Get through a 24-hour period without tantrums.

Complete pedicures on kiddy toes in world record time.

Go for a run with all kids happy on the way out the door and upon returning.

World record time potty training.

Get through a 24-hour period with all toddler #1 and #2 making it into the toilet.

Filly sippy cup with water before toddler says "wa-wa" 5 times.

Now, it's your turn. Please add a comment about what motherhood, work, or other made-up sport you'd consider competing in on a good day.

# 6: I Run to Test My Best

2012-07-29T18:10:00.000-07:00

Four weeks before the beginning of the 30th Olympics my sister, Yolanda, and I in a fit of Olympic angst decided to embark on a month-long I wanna be an Olympian plan. We officially titled it "Train Like an Olympian."

Well, I quickly realized that all of my responsibilities were not going to graciously sit by and watch any wild training sessions. No sponsors came knocking down my door with money and gear. In fact, the last four weeks have been more of a reminding force that I am already on a journey of Olympic proportions requiring fierce determination, clear focus like a laser cut diamond, and tear-inspiring sacrifice. For the last 859 days my regiment has been eat, sleep, motherhood. At any moment, mother-moments become synonymous with an Olympic sport. The last 28 days have felt like upward killer hills of a cycling road race. With three under 3 and an adolescent daughter, I'm thrown into daily competitions of self-centeredness. I also feel like the under-dog country up against the power-house team.

Where and how does running fit into all of this? Honestly, I've had a hard time fitting any run into an exhausting day, let alone a run worthy of any Olympic heart. For the first half of July things went well with a few solo runs between the majority of runs with my husband. Then husband went on a six-day work week spree. Between a hectic schedule, exhaustion, and heat, running took a week of rest.

Additionally, I was registered for the July 28 Run for Blood quarter marathon. If I was going to beat my officially timed 10k of 1:07:53, I had to get my legs out of the door before the morning of the 28th. That meant that Olympic-mom had to sit down six days before the race so I could remember what 6 miles felt like. Better said than done. I managed eight hard fought miles within the week before race day.

The night before the Run for Blood all I could think of was how ready I was for the peace and quiet of a race. I couldn't wait to talk to myself for an entire hour about any and everything outside of motherhood.

Despite "Train Like an Olympian" being more like "Live Like a Mom-lympian," I still reached a personal best at the Run for Blood. I shaved more than 7 minutes from my time blasting past the shadow of my 1:07:53. That means the month-long journey of "Mom-lympics" still pushed me to beat my best for this race.

As a mom, I still have a space to put my best to the test. Sometimes the space is significant like training for a half marathon. Other times, the space is small where I'm barely able to squeeze in a run. With motherhood at the forefront, I'm hugely grateful for the space, no matter what size to run and test the limits of what I perceive as my best. It's worth noting for future tests of any undertaking that the intensity, dedication, and labor of love that motherhood is greatly impacts other areas of my potential bests.

Entry 5: I Run to Fulfill a Legacy

2012-07-06T21:56:00.000-07:00

My father, Richard Marion Wallace, passed away almost 7 years ago. I like to believe that anyone who had the opportunity to meet my father was lucky especially on a day when he was smiling joyously. His smile was a blessing as was his spirit and giving. The last sermon I heard him preach, which has stayed with me, was about flight. I have grieved and am ready to fly with his legacy as my tail wind. I search for my purpose, raise my children, and run along the way considering the ways I can practice kindness, love and service in reverence to my father's legacy.

One of my fondest memories of time that my father and I spent together was at the track across the street from Luther Seminary where we lived. That was more than twenty years ago when he gave me my first running lesson. I remember his skinny legs in high shorts and white knee-length socks with a wide blue stripe around the calf. Daddy was smarter than anyone I knew except my mom, so the lesson was purely technical. I still hear his voice booming into my ears during runs. "Pump your arms! Lift your knees!"

My father was a Lutheran minister and professor. A lot of his sermons are still etched in my heart, particularly the last one I heard. As his daughter, I was so blessed by his light. He was a light-worker and his greatest tools were kindness, love, and service. In addition to his running lessons and sermons, I recall how much he spread himself out. He always had a story about people in need of prayer. He made visits no matter the ailment, the situation, time of day, or the place. Personally, I am grateful for the people in my life to whom he has offered love and forgiveness. Daddy's acts of service were in service to Christ.

One way my father served for many years was to give blood. Countless times Daddy would come home with a bandage in the crook of his arm visiting the Red Cross that day. I even recall that he had a less common blood type making his blood more sought after. When the Red Cross needed my father, he was there. If that isn't responding to who God calls us to be, I don't know what is.

In my own search for purpose including a purpose for running, I have decided to run a quarter marathon (6.55 miles) on July 28. It's called the Run for Blood. My personal donation is $35, however, I am asking anyone who reads this to donate to the Red Cross for the sake of continuing in my father's steps. Please give. Although my father is no longer here, his spirit of kindness, love, and service are alive and thriving. If you click on this link, Support Erica and the Red Cross, it will take you to my personal page where you can donate to the Red Cross.

Run with Purpose!

Entry 4: I Run Away from the Mayhem

2012-06-27T21:49:00.000-07:00

Yes, I have an escape route. From my front door, it's a 3.5 mile loop around Lake Nokomis. Yes, my escape route is a loop, therefore, I do end up back at my front door. There's almost always mayhem when I leave and undoubtedly mayhem when I return.

The mayhem is a blessed package of four children including an eleven-year-old daughter, two-year-old twin sons, and a 14-month-old daughter. Of course, the mayhem does not always start and stop with the twins, however, for now they are the center of mayhem in my family. I believe they secretly plot each morning before I open their bedroom door which show it's going to be, the circus or the zoo. So, that makes me either the ringmaster or the zoo keeper. Being mom is saved for 3:30 am nights when twin 2 can't sleep and just wants to kiss me for 2 hours.

There are days like today when I need to take the show on the road. I just can't contain the combustible energy within my home. Today included a trip to Target and a trip through the city. We're on day 5 of Operation No Pacifier also meaning day 5 without regular two-year-old naps. Mayhem has reached epic proportions. By the way, Operation No Pacifier resulted from a pacifier throwing fit of anger in the woods along the Mississippi River exactly 5 days ago.

In Target today, a woman who looked to be in her 50's stopped upon my spectacle of a zoo, gasped and said, "Oh my God! Twins? Boys? Good luck with that if you can survive." I've heard that way too many times for it to be clever. It's also not the most "Minnesota Nice" thing I've ever heard. Obviously, she wasn't a twin nor was she a mother, aunt, or grandmother of twins. Who knows where she received her expertise. Her comment made me feel like the zoo keeper trying to get control of the screaming monkey exhibit.

On days like this, there is a voice laced with kindness and grace within begging me not to check out. This mental voice speaks softly with a gentle countdown of hours, minutes, and seconds left until I get to hand-off the mayhem to my husband like a baton. Folks may believe I'm incredibly calm, but I promise it's really the voice of grace keeping me from becoming mother monkey.

As the mayhem grows with the day and the countdown shrinks, I'm obsessed with craving a mayhem vacuum. I absolutely must have that run where all mayhem subsides and is suspended like it's frozen just for my sake. Running doesn't mean that the mayhem goes away. In fact, when I return to it, it's livelier than ever. It's just that I get to push the pause button on myself. It's even more than the simpleness of relaxing since there are countless other things that are relaxing activities. Running is my mayhem escape.

Entry 3: I Run for the Love of It

2012-06-26T21:14:00.001-07:00

I have to chuckle because not even one minute into the first quietness of the day at 10:41pm and already my blog fog is lifting. I know what I want to articulate.

In order to bypass the hype and self-imposed pressure that comes along with my endeavors, I must purpose to endeavor for the love of it.

I run for the love of it.

I write for the love of it.

I blog for the love of it.

With my first post-half marathon run more than a week ago, I've been patiently sitting on this post. I've ran a few runs over the last ten days including a perfect birthday run as well as a 10k guided tour run of St. Paul. I've also been able to enjoy watching my daughter in her first year of track in the evenings. Honestly, watching her long legs go got me laced up quicker than I thought.

It took more than two weeks to lace up after the half marathon and I'm so glad I patiently waited for the desire to run instead of forcing any running. My first post run was probably the best run I have ever had. I enjoyed every moment of movement. I felt light on my legs; almost graceful like I was dancing instead of running. The in and out rhythm of my breathing was music to my ears instead of labor. No piriformis or calf pain. Even the sweat on my shoulders felt less sticky. I was running because it's something I love to do.

Running on my birthday last week was even better. My sister visiting from Atlanta joined me. It was a perfect and blessed early morning run. Though hard work, running is still such a gift to myself. Every single run comes with an award be it mental, physical, emotional, away time, medal, or t-shirt. Being able to do something for myself that I love was the best birthday gift.

My visiting sister gave me another gift. On Saturday, we completed a guided 10k tour of St. Paul. It was an ideal laid back 10k since she's gearing up for the July 4 Peachtree Road Race 10k and I'm in laid back mode. The tour was given by City Running Tours http://www.cityrunningtours.com/. I couldn't ask for a cooler 10k. There was no need for music because the guide spoke the entire time we ran. A portion of the run was on the Twin Cities Marathon route. We passed the governor's mansion, St. Paul Cathedral, State Capitol, through downtown, and historic Summit and Grand Avenues. The tour was amazing! St. Paul is a beautiful city! The tour included a final power-push toward the end at mile 5 when we trekked up the Ramsey Street, an incredibly steep hill by anyone's standards in a neighborhood full of Victorian's and rich history.

My sister and me on our guided tour.

I love being able to do the things I love to do!

2012-06-11T11:08:00.001-07:00

My Children Keep Growing!

2012-06-08T11:35:00.000-07:00

With each new milestone my children reach, I gain more appreciation for my parents. It's so hard yet the biggest blessing ever raising children knowing that I'm giving them tools to one day leave home. I want my children to always need me and I don't want my children to always need me. Honoring the parent role with reverence and respect comes by so easily especially experiencing the passing moments of my own children's growth. If I sleep in or even blink, they're doing some new big thing.

As my children grow, our relationships evolve. I'm so glad to be completely out of the bonding/need stage called nursing! I am, however, in love with the sound of my toddlers calling me "Mama." I also am grateful to be in the watchful seat as my oldest daughter transitions into her teens. Of course it ain't easy! She's so poised, however. And she glows so radiantly. I don't want to stop her flow.

Erin graduated from elementary school this week. I'm so proud of the person she's blossoming into. She cares about family immensely. She's emphatic. Her heart is stunning. Erin is creative and imaginative. She's pure and intelligent. Erin is beautiful!!!

I know she's going to keep growing up and will one day leave home and do great and awesome things. For now, however, I'm perfectly content staring at these pictures remembering these exact moments.

Erin ready for school at 18-months old

Erin graduating from pre-school

Erin's last day of kindergarten

Erin and Taco in 1st grade

Erin in 2nd grade

Erin's 3rd grade school concert

Erin in 4th grade

Erin graduating from elementary school

Fifty Shades of Grey Discussion Questions

2012-06-07T12:18:00.000-07:00

Book Club was so much fun last Saturday! I was very pleased with the discussion and conversation over Fifty Shades of Grey. Here are the questions we discussed.

1. As narrator of the story, how believable is Anastasia's character?

2. Is fan fiction a legitimate genre of literature?

3. Why is this book so wildly popular among its demographic audience?

4. What does this book say about the psyche of pop-culture?

5. Since women are the principle readers and targeted audience of Fifty Shades of Grey, what conclusions can we made about freedom in America. What would other audiences in other countries conclude about the book and its targeted audience?

6. What are the book's themes and conflicts?

7. How often do women sacrifice their dignity, principles, time, money, sex, happiness, healthy, wombs. religion, etc. to make men feel okay about their issues?

8. Is BDSM healthy or is abuse-based?

9. Why are the characters so appealing and/or appalling?

10. Why is there a rise in popularity in female erotica fiction?

Entry 2: I Run to Face My Anxiety

2012-06-07T12:03:00.000-07:00

A quote applicable to this entry arrived in my e-mail inbox from the daily meditative quotes I receive from the Meditation Society of Australia (http://meditation.org.au/index.asp?mobilecheck=true). For the Thursday, June 7, 2012 e-mail post, a portion of the quote by Mahatma Gandhi reads, "there is nothing that wastes the body like worry." From experience I know how true that statement is. I'd categorize myself as one of those people who worry just because there's nothing at all to worry about. Worrying about all of the things in which I have no control over is not only exhausting, but is headache, stomachache, and all-over-body-ache causing. I believe there are pockets throughout my body that receive direct deposits of worry.

Anxiety has played a heavy hand in my living, especially within the last eight years. I know the physical symptoms, negative thinking, self-victimizing, perfectionism, and unrealistic expectations that arise suddenly and unwelcome at the onset of anxiety. I remember times when I have felt the paralyzing effects of anxiety. Yuck!

Additionally, I know the determination and hard work it takes to defeat anxiety. Acknowledging, breathing, self-kindness and self-love are key strategies to survive and thrive through the most anxiety causing situations. When anxiety hits, I know it's time to become my own best friend.

Writing realistically, running does not cure my anxiety. In fact, I experience anxiety every time I run. I've even had a panic attack or two while running. Fear pulses through me and adrenaline leaps before I even turn the front door knob to head out. After 6 months of consistently running more than 10 miles a week, I've become accustomed to the anxiety. I've also learned that this run anxiety is healthy for me in the big picture.

Channeling my fear, worry, and anxiety into running pretty much clears the muck from every other thing I do or have going on. Running is the most physically and mentally exertive thing I do. After a run, all the other expectations I put on myself become either realistic and attainable or they're unrealistic and unworthy of beating myself up over. Imagine reaching whatever mileage goal at whatever pace. Also imagine an incredibly tough run when legs turn into slugs, the air is thick, and it feels like running in place. Everything else afterward becomes important enough or not important at all. Furthermore, breathing through a run guarantees I'll breathe the remainder of the day.

Running is for me. I do it for me. Running is the way I give into fear and is also my fight for joy. Running has become my secret place. My sanctuary.

If anxiety holds anyone back from enjoying life, I strongly recommend looking up Lucinda Bassett's anxiety and depression books and programs, http://www.midwestcenter.com/. Someone loaned one of Bassett's programs to me a few years ago and although there aren't recommendations to run, the program gave me tremendous value as well as immediate anxiety-fighting strategies.

Lastly, just know and remember that happiness, joy, faith, and relaxation are things that must be fought for. Surely, these things are not handed over easily and are worth the fight. Everyday, fight for happiness!

2012-06-01T11:32:00.000-07:00

Entry 1:
I Run In Search of My Beauty

Understanding the definition of one thing sometimes requires the knowledge of that thing's opposite. For instance, I know a lot of times (ok, most) what I want based on the opposite: what I don't want. I know without a doubt what happiness is because I fully know its opposite, unhappiness. I know what joy is because I've felt sorrow.

There are days when the only way I know I am moving in the direction of searching for my beauty is because I know I'm not running from it. There is a special solace just in knowing that I'm not running away.

I do, however, relish, cherish, and hang onto the moments when I am fully engaged in the search for my beauty. The definition of beauty taken from www.dictionary.com is "the quality present in a thing or person that gives intense pleasure or deep satisfaction to the mind, whether arising from sensory manifestations (as shape, color, sound, etc.), a meaningful design or pattern, or something else (as a personality in which high spiritual qualities are manifest). I define my beauty as connecting to the spirit in which God has created me. Not necessarily doing, but being the God-created spiritual body. The moments I'm 100% connected to the universe. The atoms within the cells of my body connecting to the atoms outside of my body. Sometimes thinking of myself in terms of a body and spirit made of atoms helps me to easily feel connected without forcing myself to extrovert.

The search for my beauty is instantly successful when I run. My beauty is ferocious when I'm laced up, moving my legs, breathing from my diaphragm. The beauty is right there like a firefly in flight. My kids aren't with me, nor my husband or friends, yet I am not alone. I'm connected to whom God has created me to be, a body and spirit in motion. I am a moving light. The feminine energy moving through me is beauty.

I admit when I am running I think, "Gosh, I look good doing this." I smile easier when I run. I glow after a run. I believe all of my cells are pointing right at God like flowers tilt toward the sun. Additionally, everything around me during a run is beautiful. The lake. The trees. The color green. The ducks. The sky. The sun. Other people. Everything is pure.

One of my favorite quotes from one of my favorite books Wild At Heart by John Eldredge is "every woman is searching for or running from her beauty." At the time I first came upon the statement, I didn't need any contemplation time to know that I was running from my beauty. The book along with the quote was for me like God cupped his hands and blew me a breeze making me take notice of my position. It was time to move in a different direction. My mind and body began moving in a way similar to the movement moments after an explosion. My senses perceived the destruction. I gathered what belongings I could hold in 3 suitcases and I moved on. Soon after, my daughter and I arrived in Minnesota, home.

I began a journey of rest and recovery with a desire to reconnect with whatever beauty I could muster inside of me. I missed God. I'd go on solitary walks in the afternoon around Lake Nokomis and out of nowhere, I'd get the urge to run. Remembering that time, I believe that God was talking to me. He heard my desire.

Today, three years later...I'm still running and in full search for my beauty. My truth has become that the search for my beauty is listening and responding to God's gentle and not-so-gentle urges.

2012-05-30T10:49:00.000-07:00

June 1 kicks off the 12-entry series I'm titling Reasons Why I Run. I don't want to be that pushy runner telling everyone they should run. In fact, I detest the word should. Instead my purpose is to offer encouragement for remembering and honoring the seed of want when we do the things that drive us the most. Running has universal application to even the most seemingly mundane and/or not so glamorous endeavors.

Reason 1: I run in search of my beauty...coming soon.

Half Marathon Calf Cramp

2012-05-28T19:19:00.000-07:00

My one-word resolution for 2012 is finish. Completing tasks and projects has been an all too common issue for me for the longest time. Since the beginning of the year, my primary focus has been to finish whatever I start no matter how small or large the project is. I've been able to check off items one by one and yesterday's Med City Marathon was one heck of a finish.

My sister and I ran the Med City Half Marathon and even drove the course the day before in anticipation of the reported first 8 miles of rolling country hills. Now, I'm a city a girl. The tiny hill on Minnehaha Creek that goes up Lyndale Avenue in Minneapolis was the biggest hill I encountered throughout the entire 12 weeks of training. I'm now giggling at my silly huffs and puffs up that Lyndale hill.

Anyway, we arrived to the race 15 minutes before the start time, enough time to hit the port-a-potties and 2 minutes worth of stretching. Waking up at 3:45am to dress ourselves, pack snacks, dress 6 children ages 13-months to 10-years, and get ourselves on the road by 5:40 for a 7:00 am start in Rochester was quite the enterprise. Our pre-race adventure also included a police pull over for speeding. God Bless the officer for letting my mother go and wishing us luck.

The starting line energy was awesome! I love the rush of pre-race chatter, the great force of hope that comes from 2,500 + bodies waiting to be in motion, and the stories waiting to unfold.

Here's my story. We started off great. Without my beloved Nike+ GPS watch, I had no idea how fast we were running and therefore no mental whisper telling me to slow down. My sister did tell me when it no longer mattered that our beginning pace was 9'17. Those hills hit at mile 2 and we were running strong with a 9'30 pace going uphill. With my ipod for distraction and a few of Jeff Galloway's mental tricks, I was good. At every uphill, I imagined that the person's legs in front of me were pulling me along.

Things got hairy though soon after the 4 mile mark. My sister lost her her ipod while taking her GU from her Spibelt. We stopped so she could turn around and look for it with no luck. I wasn't too worried because she's so competent. I even thought if it gets bad, I could sing to her. God was in total command though because it had to be no more than a mile later when my ipod completely shut off and would not come back on. My thinking was Sugar Honey Iced Tea! With 2 miles left, how in the world would I mentally make it? Anxiety took hold of me. My left calf began to twitch and all I wanted to do was walk.

I'm so mad at myself still, even with all the perspective that 24 hours gives. At the 6 mile mark or somewhere before or after, the first charlie horse seized my calf and I had to stop and stretch. All of our pace dreams ran past us. From that point, I was stopping to stretch every 2 minutes. I had a similar calf cramp experience 5 weeks prior with my first 10 mile long run and knew I had to keep stretching out the muscle. I encountered one final charlie horse that laid me out completely on the side of the road, sand all over my back, with my sister standing over me pushing against my foot and massaging the extreme cramp away. She had to call my husband. A medic was also called and soon after, a truck with sirens rushed to us and skidded to a screeching halt avoiding other runners. I was so embarrassed! Needless to say, I was soon able to stand up and walk.

That had to have been the worst calf cramp of my life. Enough to scream out God's name. No way could I handle another one. And no way did I want another cramp that would prevent me from finishing my first half marathon. We made the decision to walk the rest of the race. We crossed the finish line together.

Time: 3'09

That's the story.

I knew as soon as I begin walking the rest of the way, that I had something to prove. First, I had to finish the race. Secondly, I knew there would be another half marathon in my very near future. It's so gosh darn wonderful to have today's drive and determination to start and finish another half marathon. I feel the drive and determination pumping through me so much harder than it did 48 hours ago.

Of course, 3'09 is not the half marathon finish I hoped for. I definitely feel, however, that my 12 weeks of training prepared me to finish a race. I am so grateful for the 2012 Med City Marathon.

What's immediately next? I'm going to finish crocheting my 13-month old daughter's blanket, and I'm going to prepare for this weekend's first book club meeting.

Oh yeah...I can't wait to run again.

Stunning

2012-05-13T19:46:00.000-07:00

If asked how my weekend was, my one-word answer is stunning. It began on Saturday morning by pressing snooze multiple times on my Blackberry alarm thereby dismissing my scheduled 6:00 am 12 mile run. Track season and my husband's work schedule has taken a toll on both of us and I was longing to share our bed space. We slept until 8:00 am when it was time for my husband to run - as is his usual mode of operation - out the door to a track meet. At noon my oldest daughter skipped off to a friend's birthday party and I put the three little ones down for naps. Count my oh so lucky stars, they slept for three and a half hours! The house was completely still. I finished a book and dozed off myself.

At approximately 4:30, I was hydrated, fed, dressed, and ready to blaze through 12 miles. I did it in two hours and 3 minutes with a mile pace of 10"17. I was so proud of the accomplishment, running the entire way, and feeling strong from start to finish. I immersed myself in a tub of ice cold water soon after returning home. With beer in hand to ease my mind from the chill, I was able to catch a sobering thought...

The world is a lot more doable after running 12 miles.

I thought about all of my goals and all of the things I haven't done yet and really badly want to do. The things that make me happy in life and all that makes me sad. I contemplated my faith walk. Gosh, it can be so overwhelming sometimes. In the midst of completing a 12 mile run and knowing around mile 2 that I totally had the remaining 10 miles in the bag, I wasn't overwhelmed. My legs ran and I ebbed and flowed with each mile and each hill.

That right there was the extent of my clarity. I showered, ate dinner, then enjoyed watching Bridesmaids.

Then came Sunday, Mother's Day, which has been a most delightful and buoyant day. The morning began with Happy Mother's Day text messages followed by gifts from my family. We dressed and ate breakfast at Baker's Square where the wait was five minutes. I received a free slice of pie! Afterwards, we delivered Mother's Day gifts. Came home, put the little kids to nap while the oldest cleaned the kitchen for a substantial amount of money. Me and the husband set out on an easy 3 mile run/walk running for 1.5 miles and walking 1.5 miles. It was rare and glorious time spent together. Then it was family time out together again picking up our fruit for the week with a stop for dinner. Dinner included yet another free desert, but the icing on the day was an anonymous customer paying a portion of our dinner bill for Mother's Day.

Overall, this has been such a blessed weekend. Life for me is sweet resting, running, and spending uninhibited time with my husband and four children.

Happy Mother's Day.

When God Sends Angels

2012-05-02T20:05:00.000-07:00

I'd like to take the time to share my thankfulness for today's run. Point blank, I was not feeling the heat. I was ragged at 2 miles and walking in the direction of home. A mile away, a man named David stopped and asked me the mileage of Lake Nokomis' foot path and how many calories I usually burn running once around. He even complimented my "runners legs." Of course I smiled at which point he asked if he could run with me. Instantly, I knew he was a God-send and I said yes. I needed a partner today. We chatted for a mile and a half before I headed home drenched in sweat and exhausted.

Although I am spent this week, I still love running and this is one of the reasons why. My legs are dragging, I feel like quitting, and God shows up in the moment. It was the strangest thing walking and dragging solo one minute and the next having the encouragement that comes from company. Running is my reminder to stay, stay, stay in the moment.

Come race day, I will think about David and oh yes, my "runners legs."

The Big Leagues

2012-04-30T06:31:00.000-07:00

Today is a rest day and I will rest. After which I will hopefully have gained enough perspective to articulate my thoughts and feelings about yesterday's 10 mile run. My legs hurt all over from the charlie horses and constant cramping I experienced beginning at the 6.5-ish mark. My brain can only pin-point the two ducks I saw on the creek's running path as what I enjoyed about the run. I am fried.

To follow the grueling 10 miles with a hysterically teething baby through the night definitely means that today I will rest.

Cheers to happier Mondays!