Monday, February 25, 2013

Running all Fifty: Virginia Beach, VA!

Friends, I have been slacking horribly on my "Running All Fifty" writing. I think it is time I catch up! I thought I would start today with my running review of beach running in Virginia Beach, Virginia!


When I visited Virginia Beach in July of 2011 (has it really been that long ago?!) it was breathtaking and a pleasant surprise! After living in Sarasota, Florida for 5 years I became a "Gulf Coast/Panhandle Ocean Snob".  If you visit the West Coast or Panhandle you know exactly what I mean. The Gulf Coast and Panhandle boast white sugar quartz sands that are cool on your feet and calm waves, however Virginia Beach was a breath of fresh air. Yes, the waves were bigger and the sand more course but the environment made up for that in a second. I loved the hustle and bustle of this little beach! There were people running on the sand and boardwalk. There were people biking and blading, too! There was live music, military aircraft flying overhead, free smells and much eye candy to distract a runner enough to find that you forgot you were running! Before I knew it my run was complete and it was time to enjoy a yummy breakfast and coffee overlooking the ocean.

Virginia Beach, Virginia gets an A+ from me and I can't wait to visit again!

Happy Running!

~Danyelle


Do you have a favorite beach to run on?




Saturday, February 23, 2013

My Registration High!



Do you ever feel a "Registration High" after you register for a race? I do! In fact, if money wasn't an issue I would probably register for every race I have an interest in and live off adrenaline!

On Thursday I registered for my first race this year. It was just what the doctor ordered to get me out of "Running Hibernation" mode. I registered for the Color Blaze! This race was suggested to me by one of my good friends, Leslie. She knew I had been interested in completing a Color Run and this race is an exact mock of that race, except it has a few nice perks that sold me instantly! First, it is $27 vs the Color Run's typical $50! Second, kids can participate for free with a paid adult. (My kids are stoked!) Third, it is close to home! Fourth, it is with my lifelong buddy and her family! Lastly, I mentioned it to some of my other good friends and they are all "in", too! It is going to be such a fun day!

What is a Color Blaze?
"Color Blaze 5K is the most unique 5K race that you will ever do!  Our main focus is fun, family, and entertainment. This 5K does not get caught up in the times and strengths of the participants but rather involving the whole family and friends in a relaxed non-competitive event.  All participants are required to wear as much white as possible because during the event; you will get Blazed with waves of color transforming you into a tie-dye work of art. The great thing about this 5K is that everyone can get involved from seniors down to the finger painters.  Get your Blaze on!"

What’s going to happen?
"Here’s where the fun begins! Everyone is required to wear as much white as possible. Feel free to dress up, tutus’, vial’s, whatever as long as it’s FUN and mostly White! Next we are going to blaze you in color; Blaze Zones are located at every one mile throughout the marathon. That’s right we are going to turn you into a tye-dyed mess work of art!"
What are you blazing me with?
"Well that’s top secret! But I will tell you that it is 100% edible and biodegradable, so no worries. You could eat the stuff if you would like, although I don’t recommend it."
This seems a little crazy, is it?
"Yep! I don’t know how to better explain myself. This is the most fun you will have without breaking the law. If only Woodstock had this stuff!"
Is it harmful to me or this sexy earth?
"NO, No, & No, now I don’t recommend eating, or cooking with the remnants of this stuff but it is 1000% biodegradable and would make phenomenal compost, or makeup (ladies)."
Does this benefit a charity?
"Indeed, and that’s the best part. A portion of every registration goes to a local charity or cause. (Give us your recommendation)… If we can have a blast (of color) and help some cool peeps or pets, tell me why not?!"  I noticed when I registered for the Springfield, Illinois race that they had already chosen a local charity and you could fund raise or donate more if you chose to.
Is the race timed?
"Not this one? The only time you need to worry about is having the TIME of your LIFE. Although going fast is fun, all skill levels are encouraged! You can run, jog, walk, trot, skip, or hop, just have fun and enjoy the Blaze!"
Are kids welcome?
"Yepperoni!!! What kind of parent would you be if you let them miss all this action? Besides they’ll sleep well. All children must have a waiver signed by a parent or guardian. Children 12 and under are Free with the company of a registered adult."
As you can tell it is Saturday and I am still on a "Registration High"! Tomorrow I am off for my first run outside in a long time. I am calling it my "Out of Hibernation Run". Gotta go, Off to Sled with the kids! Have a great weekend!
Happy Running!
~Danyelle
Do you get a "Registration High" 
after you register for a race?

Have you considered or completed a "Color Blaze"?





Don't forget to register for our 
"Sexy Mother Runner Magnet Giveaway" on Facebook!




Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Sexy Mother Runner Lips Magnet Giveaway!*

Did you say you wanted a lips magnet? Who wouldn't! How can you enter for a chance to win one?



First, go to our Facebook page by clicking here. Then share the blog post link at the top of our page on your own wall, on your friend's wall or anywhere! Share as many times as you like until February 27, 2013! The more times you share the better chance you will have to win one! We will announce the winner on February 28, 2013!

Good luck to you!

~Danyelle



*Winner must provide mailing address via email in order to receive prize.

Chicago Marathon Registration Opens Today!


So, there is this little thing called the Bank of America Chicago Marathon that opens registration today at 12 p.m. CST! I remember last year waiting by the computer at 12 noon precisely securing my spot! Yes, it is a little bit more expensive than other races, but completely worth it! It was one of the most amazing experiences of my life! If you are considering registering, but have wanted to know what completing the Chicago Marathon is like read my race recap click here!

Have an awesome day!

~Danyelle



Are you taking the marathon plunge today? 



Monday, February 11, 2013

What's Your Problem?



Twice in one day I have heard/read about women being mean to other women at the gym. My first thought, "Are you serious? Is this for real?" These aren't teenage girls or even young 20 somethings who are still growing and learning as individuals that being mean is just a sad way of dealing with one's own insecurities. Oh, no, these are grown ass women, some closer to 40 than 30. This of course begs the question, Whiskey Tango Foxtrot???

Some incidences involve name calling, some involve making fun of the less fit people working out, in some cases the women went out of their way to be mean going as far as making comments on Facebook while using a FAKE FACEBOOK ACCOUNT. (Who does this?!?!? Aren't they embarrassed???) One mention even involved a group of women wearing matching t-shirts with a less than nice phrase on them,  like some sort of 'gym gang'... how sad is that? It's really sad. Really... really... really sad.

Being mean to others isn't cool, or funny, it's bullying. And at the very least, it should be reserved for people who are still in their teens and don't know better yet. You know, like in the movie Mean Girls... which took place in high school...

Some of these women are parents. What message are they sending to their children with this behavior? Bullying is okay if you're a grown up??? It's okay to pick on who you think are fat/ugly/poor/crippled people??? It's okay to be mean to her because she looks too pretty/fit/healthy/skinny/muscular??? Pick one.

The last time I personally dealt with this type of behavior was when my oldest daughter was in junior high and one girl turned a group of girls against her. Whispering, laughing, pointing, and just plain being mean. The 'ringleader' was acting out of jealousy and insecurity. Junior high is a tough age and her behavior was definitely a product of crazy puberty hormones and a lack of self esteem.

The other time I personally dealt with this type of behavior was when I myself was in junior high. I'm now appalled to admit that I was on both ends of this type of behavior at different times. I'm ashamed at some of the things that I said to/about other girls because of my own insecurities. I also remember the days that I came home from school crying because of the way I was treated by girls who just two weeks earlier were my friends. It sucked. I learned some valuable lessons about how to treat people though.

Key words here: IN JUNIOR HIGH

People who are mean to others are trying to compensate for something that is missing from their own life. This is their problem, not yours. You can't fix it for them. And although sometimes you can sit down and talk to them about it and work it out... sometimes, well, sometimes you just can't. Again, that is their issue, not yours.

These women need to figure out what their own problem is and deal with it... or not. That's up to them.  Hopefully in the meantime they will stop the bad behavior. I will guarantee you that the real problem here is not the person or people that they are being mean to.

With all of the anti-bullying campaigns going on I am still shocked that this is happening with adult women. I just can't quite get over it or wrap my head around it. How can we expect kids to stop bullying one another if this is how some adults are behaving. Really people? Really???


Life is not a competition to be won against other women in the gym or anywhere else for that matter. If you think it is then you've already lost. 


Ladies, we should be holding one another up. We should be encouraging others in their fitness journey no matter if they are just starting out or at their goal. We should NOT belittle anyone for trying to better themselves or their health. If you are outgoing and comfortable doing so, then next time you are at the gym give some encouragement to a stranger. If you aren't that outgoing or don't feel comfortable saying anything then just smile at them. Just be kind. It might make someone's whole day... it might make your day.

Encourage. Promote. Motivate. Inspire. 


Peace, Love, Happiness!
~Bekah

Have you dealt with bullying from other adults at the gym? 

Friday, February 8, 2013

SMR Featured Runner Friday: Meet Mike!

Every runner has a story...

At Sexy Mother Runner we believe that sharing those stories is a great way to share the gift of running while helping to motivate others!
 
Meet Mike:
 
 


Hi, I'm Mike.  I got into running May 2011 because I wasn't happy with myself.  I had let myself get to 235 lbs and looked terrible.  I started running to get into shape so the journey began.  I started running and eliminated pop from my diet completely.  That was the only thing I changed.  Took out the pop, and added running of course.  In less than a year I dropped 60 lbs and am in better shape now than I ever was in High School. From 235 lbs to 175 lbs. I completed my first half marathon in Chicago at the Chicago Rock n Roll Half marathon in 2011 and I was hooked on running from there.  In 2012 I finished 8 half marathons and had a PR of 1:33, finished my first marathon in April and then was hooked on the longer distance races and ran 5 full marathons with a PR of 3:39 and 3 Ultra Marathons in 2012 as well, including a 55.5 mile Ultra.  I finished my first marathon of 2013 this last weekend and am training for my first 100 mile Ultra in April at the Indiana Trail 100. I also have a running streak where I haven't missed a day of running since November 23, 2011.  At least 1 mile, all outside, every day with no treadmills.  I love running and it has surely changed my life and helped me meet some amazing friends.  Here's my blog  www.runnerdsrock.blogspot.com  I'm Mike and I'm a Run Nerd!!  :-)


Would you like to be a SMR Featured Friday Runner?
If so, send us your story to sexymotherrunner@yahoo.com
and inspire someone to give running a try today!
 

Thursday, February 7, 2013

Run Healthy, Know When To Rest

I have been fighting a chest cold for a week now. It has been a serious pain. I took Thursday and Friday off from running last week and it sucked. Especially since Danyelle had just entered me into the 30 Day Run Streak Challenge. Saturday morning I was jonesing for a run, all twitchy, a little paranoid... you know, like any addict who needs their fix. I was also coughing quite a bit. I laced up anyway and went to meet some friends for a beautiful trail run through the woods and snow.

While we were running I felt great. It was a gorgeous morning and the scenery was beautiful. Even got to see a couple of deer. We ran about 4.5 miles before getting back into our cars and heading off to start the rest of the day.

Once I was in back in my car the coughing started up again. And it kept going. I coughed all the way home, showered, dressed, coughed some more. By Saturday night I felt pretty awful. Sunday and Monday both had me in bed most of the day with a migraine and more coughing. Coughing is bad enough, coughing when you have a migraine is torture.

Fred kept bringing me fresh veggie/fruit juice and raw garlic to swallow. He's awesome at taking care of me. Of course there is a method to his madness as he was taking on double duty with the kids and his work while I was down. My being healthy is definitely in his best interest. By Tuesday, my headache was gone and I felt human again. The cough is still lingering but it's manageable now.

So many people have been posting about this same type of chest/head cold. It's really making it's around. I've also noticed a lot of friends asking about running with a cough or cold. I know now that I should not have gone on that Saturday morning run. I knew it then too but wasn't willing to miss out. Had I skipped the run I know I would have been an irritable mess but I also probably wouldn't have lost two more days to being sick. This article from CNNhealth.com was sent to me by a friend. It states that if all of your ailments are above your neck then it's likely a head cold and you are fine to work out but if it's in your chest, like mine, then you should rest because it could be something more serious like bronchitis.

So, listen to your body. Take it easy when you know you should wether you want to or not. Otherwise you might set yourself back even more. I'm giving it a couple more days before running again. Plus, I think Fred would declare war if I tried to go for a run while I'm still coughing like a 3 pack a day smoker. Stay healthy, friends!

Peace, Love, Happiness!

~Bekah


If you are trying to decide wether or not you should be working out or running, here's some good guidelines to follow:




Tuesday, February 5, 2013

Transformation Tuesday: Meet Jana!

We are so happy for Jana! She has lost 75 pounds!
Read below how she did it!



In 2012 I started Zumba, C25K and Crossfit. Plus, I started Clean eating. I went from 245 lbs., size 22 and now I'm 175 lbs. size 16. I ran my first 5K in September as well as the Muddy Patriot course and a turkey trot 5K with my husband and 6 year old daughter. I'm healthier and happier, but I  am still working on a positive body image.

Jana


Leave Jana a message and tell her how awesome she is doing! We all struggle with positive self-image. The media feeds us an unrealistice ideal body type constantly. It is time to be positive and happy for what our body can achieve and not an ideal image! So proud of you, Jana! Keep up the healthy lifestyle!