Obviously, I am not sane....

I am obviously impressionable, and possible quite affected by the Dumbening of Motherhood, when I agreed to one of the most challenging things I think I will ever do besides raising my children: Tough Mudder 2012.

If you have never heard of this, Tough Mudder is a 10 mile course with 28 military style obstacles interspersed throughout the course complete with mud, cold water, and even electrical shock.

You also have to understand I am not the most athletic person.  I haven't run since the summer.  I have been quite lazy.  I suppose I needed inspiration and motivation.  And I suppose at least 3 hours of total mind and body $%$%  would do just that.

So tonight, I started my training and put on my running shoes, kyle's running tights, a sweatshirt, body armor shirt, hat, glove, Road ID and blue flashing blinker and went on my first run in god knows how long.  And it felt good! Even at 39 degrees and dark.  I was actually relieved that after so many many many weeks of not doing that I would have lost all I had worked towards with the Couch 2 5K program.  But my body went right back into it.

But jogging 2 or so miles is not quite gonna cut it.  I have to get this sorry butt into shape so I can finish.  As ridiculously fun I think it will be, I am not just doing it for me.  I am hoping to raise some funds for the playground my school desperately needs.  

So with my little many little angels in my mind, I will try my damnedest to complete what I set out to do.

Road ID, My Family's Peace of Mind

It started when Kyle began running about a year ago. He had little choice but to run in dark.  Durty Feets told me about his Road ID so I looked into the company. Road ID is well known among runners for their basic concept of an identification bracelet for the just-in-cases of the world.  You know, get hit by a car, have an asthma attack, pass out from heat exhaustion, whatever.

At Christmas time, I purchased the Wrist ID Sport (above), the Firefly Supernova in blue (below), Firelfy laces and some Speede and Aireator socks. Like I said he was running at night, I wanted him to make it home. He could have caused a seizure to drivers with the Supernova on blink mode, but he could be seen.  And that's what I wanted.

But now fast forward to current day.  I have been running for a few months, completed one 5K, and had done so using my husband's identification.  Kinda funny since my cell is on his bracelet so that wouldnt do me any good; luckily it has room for 2 contacts.  Finally the other day, I purchased my own Road ID Slim, which is basically a silicone wrist band with the metal identification piece attached.

I've worn it running, and I am also wearing it when I am out with the kids for the same reasons.  My oldest knows our home telephone number, but in case of emergency the Road ID has my two contacts.  God forbid anything happens during a nature walk or a bike ride, at least someone can get in touch with my family.  I am actually considering getting the two boys their own IDs as well.  It is also a good alternative to the medical ID bracelet and because it comes in different colors and styles, children with special needs can wear it without feeling funny, especially if they have the Shoe or the Ankle ID.  And now, Road ID has come out with a pooch friendly Scout ID that doesn't jingle, like the one our dog Maggie uses.

There are tons of reason to check out Road ID, but the main one is for peace of mind, which is why it was created.

The Running Skort, or WTH did you get me???

Hun, I think you might kill me for what I got for you...


Unsure of his purchase, Kyle took out something from the Marshall's bag.  It was white and small, and I first I thought it was a new running shirt. But no, I was thinking about the wrong half of my body.  It was a running skirt.  Really, Ky, when was the last time you saw me in a skirt?  


I am used to wearing jeans, tee shirt and flip flops, not a fru fru skirt.  But this is a new thing, well fairly new.  Slowly over the past few years, I have seen more and more women sport these skorts, for lack of a better term, instead of the running short.  They seem to be a little more forgiving on the post baby body than then average pair of track shorts.  But it is still a skirt.  Reluctantly, I put it on and tried it out.  And I was pleasantly surprised.  Besides being white which offset my pasty legs nicely, the fabric was not too tight and fairly breatheable.  A few times, the inner short did ride up, but nothing too deep into crevasses that I couldn't fix subtly.   This Avia skort uses a moisture wicking material to help me stay cool, though I think the shade and breeze had more to do with it.


Depending on your need and style, you can find almost anything, keeping in mind 3 things:
Length: Ranges from the "I have not had a kid" bikini-cut bottoms to a more modest inseam
Fabric: Heavier-weight knits, with a wide, flat waistband, are good for (5 yr) post baby belly coverage, while lightweight wovens are ideal for hot summer days. 
Pockets: Size varies from just big enough for a key or Chapstick to generous enough for an a can of mace. 


Though I am not convinced I00% that I like the running skort, I will give it another try since it was pretty airy and comfortable during my run.  I think it is that I am more self conscious about my blinding legs and low knees.  .


For more styles check out Skirt Sports, home of the Skirt Chaser 5K http://www.skirtsports.com/ or go to your local Marshalls, that's where Kyle found mine...

"The meaning of life is to live life”- Jon Blais

I don't think jogging, especially morning jogging, is healthy. I mean if morning joggers knew how tempting they looked to morning motorists, they would have just stayed home and done sit ups. ~Rita Rudner

So today I ran my first 5k in Seekonk, Massachusetts for the Blazeman Foundation's People with ALS.  ALS is also known as Lou Gherig's diseases and as the disease that inspired the book Tuesdays with Morrie. But as my first race, it was very inspiring and appropriate on this Memorial Day Weekend.  The Blazeman Foundation for ALS focuses on two main causes: awareness and research fundraising to one day find a cure for ALS...So Others May Live.  Jon Blais was a teacher, a tri-athelete, and a good friend to many.  In 2003, Jon Blais was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis.  And as strong willed as he was, advocating strongly and becoming a voice for those with the disease, he passed away in 2007.  

In honor of his strength and commitment, the foundation was born and today, I became a small part in it. Jon Blais' father started with a ceremony scattering his son's ashes on the field on which he enjoyed playing sports. It was incredibly touching and invigorating.  So off I went with music on and determination that I would run (ok slowly jog) an entire 5K.  And dammit I did. 43 minutes and 30 seconds later, hot, sweaty and red faced, but smiling,  I crossed the finish line.  

I was incredibly proud of myself for doing what I set out to do.  Granted, we will see what the next two days will bring me, but is fine.  Bring it. Because I know I will do another one, when it is not humid and 80, and beat my time :)  Happy Memorial Day.

The Blazeman Foundation: http://www.waronals.com

Mini Marathonners

Running Shoes: Check
Running Shirt: Check
Running Hat: Check
Running Socks: Check

Yes, we had to make sure we had all of our special running things on, because this was serious business.  They were running in a race, just like Daddy.  By 8 am, we were ready and raring to go.  Both Booger and Mudget "raced" in the 5 and Under category at the Cox Rhodes Race Kids Marathon.  Accompanied by at least another 60 kids, they ran their little hears and feet out.  Surprisingly, Mudget even passed some of the older kids and never stopped to walk.  Like little Energizer Bunnies, he and Boog kept going and going.  In fact, Uncle Durty Feet and Uncle Snicklefritz accompanied them on a second run, just because they wanted to go again.  And Mudget refused a piggy back ride, only to give the thumbs up when asked if he were ok.

It was really a site to see all of the little ones so excited to do a race.  Like ours, I think many of them have parents in the Rhodes Race marathon tomorrow.  In fact, it inspired me to make sure I sign up for a 5K soon, because I don't want to be the only one without a number in my family....

Put on your "Super Fast" Shoes...

Looking for something to do this weekend with the kids? Sign them up for the kids marathon for the Cox Rhodes Race at Roger Williams Park on Saturday April 30. 


Cox Rhode Races has teamed up with Munroe Dairy, Shape Up RI and Roger Williams Park Zoo in an effort to get kids to exercise and live a healthy lifestyle through the Kids Marathon. 


After the scheduled 8:45 A.M. start for the run/walk, kids will have an opportunity to complete the “marathon” by taking part in a scavenger hunt at Roger Williams Park Zoo. The 25-point scavenger hunt will promote healthy lifestyles, proper nutrition, exercise and more.  There will be smaller races of varying distances for younger children as well. The race will start and finish in lot B at the Zoo.  Cool bonus for the kids is of course, their own racing tee shirt, a pass to the zoo and after race refreshments.  Booger, Mudget and I will be there bright and early with our "super fast" running shoes.  Booger has already stated that he "isn't worried about coming in last, because there will be plenty of kids smaller than [him]."  Good to know...


Dora and Diego will be there, too. I am just so excited! Can you sense the sarcasm? I know my kids are going to be way more thrilled than me to see the Nickelodeon gruesome two-some.  But regardless, this new event is part of the 2011 Cox Providence Rhode Races weekend, in which Kyle is racing. It helps promote health and well being for our kids.  Not only that, it promotes sleep that my kids will hopefully do Saturday night.

Check out http://www.rhoderaces.com/kids.html for more details and to register online

Run Jane, Run...

See Dick run. Run, Dick run.
See Spot run. Run, Spot, run.
See Jane sit on her ass.  Run, Jane, run.

I was never a runner.  Didn't like it.  Used to avoid.  Hated it when it came to the running part in gym class.

So why I have decided to pick it up now is a mystery.  Well, not really.

Almost a year ago, my almost 40 y.o. husband decided to run to stay in shape.  Now that he has been doing it legitimately for a quite some time and doing his first half marathon on Sunday, I felt obligated to try it, too.  So with the help of Running Daddy, I found an app called Couch to 5K.  For $2.99, it provides me with a no-think approach for getting my out of shape 31 year old body into a 5K-er in about 9 weeks.  It tells you when to warm up, walk, and jog, like Curves circuit training.  And I have to say, I actually enjoy it.  Minus the investment into new running shoes, which I totally recommend after getting the worst shin splints and hip pain after my first run in my 10 y.o. Sketchers, I have found it cheaper than joining a gym.  

My doctor told me after Mudget, that I would most likely be a diabetic within 10 years because I was an insulin gestational diabetic with both children.  So not only do I have benefit of being at my pre-preganancy weight and my jeans fitting better, but I have the added benefit of hopefully to veering off any chances of becoming a "Dia-becca" again...  Because I really did not enjoying stabbing myself everyday, two times daily.

So, if you are thinking about exercising and losing the muffin top, try running. And check out Rhode Runner in Providence if you are going to buy running shoes.  The staff was incredibly patient, helpful and knowledgable about picking the right shoes for me. http://www.rhoderunner.net/