Featured Runner Friday: Meet Tyler!

Sexy Mother Runner is going to be featuring a different runner every Friday! Every runner has a story and we believe that sharing those stories is a great way to share the gift of running while helping to motivate others. Today's featured runner is our first male. I think you will all agree when I say men can absolutely be 'sexy mothers' too!

Tyler's Story

As with many things in life that make us feel good, I developed an early addiction for endurance sports, with running being my gateway. I've always had an ambitious nature to evolve myself and my capabilities. Running was the first portal to help me expand my physical capacity and habituate toward greater health.

However now looking back, I have taken so much more from running than just physical benefits. After all the ups and downs I have faced over my short running career, it has been the things that I've learned along the way that I value most.

The first reason I started to run was to lose weight. As a college student with a new regiment for my sophomore year, running helped ignite my inner-discipline and contributed to many new healthy habits. The new perspective came with further ambition to take my physical endeavors to greater levels.

In late 2010, I completed my first half-Ironman in Las Vegas. Although I successfully crossed the finish line, several weeks later I started experiencing reoccurring injuries, ranging from IT-band issues to lower back pain. Those injuries haunted me for over a year. I was able to pinpoint a combination of over-training and improper form as the primary cause.

I was deprived of running and cycling for the entire 2011 season, which meant no triathlons. Not being able to do the things that I love was depressing. But those down moments were short lived, and I was able to learn a bit about myself.

While on the road to recovery, I found yoga to be a surprisingly intense, yet low-impact alternative. That significantly helped restore my sanity. I also started practicing Somatic exercises to realign myself, which proved to be more effective than any physical therapy I have ever attempted.

Silverman Half Ironman

These new activities enabled me to become more in-tune with my body, and the deprivation from endurance sports was actually a blessing in disguise. I put all things of the past aside: my old running habits, my inner-competitive spirit against my training buddies, and my overall addiction for adrenaline.

Now at the start of 2012, I am finally getting back into the swing of running. I have decided to take a more primitive approach to my running style, focusing on listening to my body, and being as aware as possible throughout the movements.

The emphasis of my 'come-back' centers on the fundamentals of the "Chi Running" method as well as barefoot running. These techniques are proven to help runners avoid injuries by forcing them to run in such a way that minimizes impact and increases speed. Even ultra-marathoners are crossing the finish line wearing minimalist, barefoot running shoes!

Now, the most primary reason I run is for freedom and peace of mind. Running is a primitive activity that promotes a liberated sense of self, free of life's stressors. It's an easy escape that can completely change your mood and your appreciation for living - as long as you can keep doing it.

Have you tried Barefoot Running?

What do you think about it?

We will be posting more information about Barefoot Running in the near future.

If you would like to be one of our featured runners for Featured Runner Friday, send us an email and let us know!

sexymotherrunner@yahoo.com

Bondi Band Review

Things I Love Thursday!

We have talked about Bondi Bands on here before. We even gave one away. Well today I'm going to give you the full scoop on Bondi Bands and why I love them.

Let me start by saying that I have tried tons of different head bands over the years. First for fashion purposes, then for running purposes. No matter what head band I tried, they would never stay put. My biggest issue is that they always, always, start slipping up the back of my head.

When I first heard of Bondi Bands, I was cautiously optimistic. I had bought the 'no slip' bands before only to have them, once again, slip up the back of my head. Bondi Bands however, promised me a stay put band PLUS wicking! Be still my sweaty little heart! Could it really be?

When I run or workout I SWEAT. Not just a nice glowy glistening sheen, oh no, I'm talking sweat dripping from my nose, chin, ears, and always from my forehead right into my eyes. Whether I run 1 mile or 5, I am red-faced and drenched. People usually stare and/or ask if I'm okay. Which is not at all awkward or anything...

I placed an order for 5 Bondi Bands so that I could take advantage of their 'Buy 4 get one free' deal. Like Bob Barker said, the price is right! Only $5 a band when you enter the 'FIVE' coupon code.

I ordered some with cute sayings like, 'Suck it up, Buttercup', and 'I thought they said RUM'. I also ordered some with cute designs like bright polka-dots. When they arrived, I was pleased with the way they looked, very cute. But do they really work???

I wore one to my Building Steam training group to test it out. Not only did it actually stay put on my head but it helped keep my hair and sweat out of my eyes! I always have my hair up in a bun or ponytail when I run but sometimes my layers will slip loose and get in my face. The Bondi Band kept all of my hair back and off my face. Because they are also cute, I got a lot of compliments on it.

That was last Spring. I've been wearing Bondi Bands ever since. For cold weather runs I just pull my Bondi Band over my ears instead of having to wear ear muffs. It is just enough for me so that my ears don't get cold.

I've also worn the more fashionable designs as regular head bands with my hair down like in the Sexy Valentine Giveaway video that I posted. The Bondi Band did a pretty good job of staying put even with my hair down. A little slipping in the back but at this point I might have to blame that on an odd shaped cranium or something. My Bondi Band actually stayed put better than any other regular band I've ever worn. And it was comfortable with no digging behind my ears like the hard headbands that I've tried to wear.

I just got another order of Bondi Bands in a couple of weeks ago. They keep coming up with more sayings and more designs that I love.

If you are looking for a great headband that will stay put and look good check out www.BondiBand.com. You can still use the coupon code 'Five'!

Have you tried Bondi Bands yet?

Which one is your favorite?

A Mother of a Valentine AND The Sexy Valentine Giveaway Winner!

My day started out with the usual race to get everyone dressed and out the door. I was irritated and feeling rushed. Both of my little ones were dressed and mostly ready but there were some last minute details that needed to be finished up for my girl's school valentines.

Fred jumped in and got to work with stapling cards to goody bags while I ran around trying to locate the rest of my running clothes. If you're like me and always have a never ending pile of laundry going then you may understand the run to the dryer to pull out items that you need right now. That was me this morning, and well, a lot of mornings, actually.

Finally, out the door, coffee in hand, little ones in tow, and ugh, snow on all the car windows. Luckily, it was soft and didn't require scraping just a little wiper action and rolling both windows down and then back up to clear the snow from them. Which actually takes a little skill because you have to know how to do this without the snow actually falling into the car. What can I say, I'm a master.

I love my daughter's school. Really I do. But sometimes I feel like 'that' mom. Pretty much every mom or dad drops their child off looking photo ready at any given moment. Me, not so much. I'm usually wearing workout clothes, not necessarily fashionable ones either, my hair is in a messy bun (heavy on the messy) and I may or may not have mascara smeared under my eyes. Usually my son is screaming some sort of protest to and from the building. It's awesome. (Song running through my head - One of these things is not like the others...)

Today it was topped off by my epic fail of not stopping Fred from loading the valentines into a (gasp) plastic grocery bag in lieu of either a decorative gift bag or a reusable shopping bag. (Even the dad's are carrying one of these more socially acceptable options) I thought of swapping them out and into the Fresh Market bag that's still in my car after a friend returned it to me a couple weeks ago. But, we are going to be late if I do that so I just go with the plastic bag and let the shame envelop me.

Acceptable Option For Transportation Of Valentine Cards

Not An Acceptable Option For Transporting Valentine Cards

Oh well...

Off to the gym with my little man. Got in a nice workout while regaining some of my sanity. Back to school to pick up my girl and then it's off to get the last minute gift for Fred.

Upon arriving back home, I start to open my door and before it's even open I can smell... cleaning products??? Be still my heart. Fred apparently took Danyelle's valentine post to heart! I don't know who I want to hug more, Fred or Danyelle! My house is clean, looks great, smells great and all of my irritation from the morning just melted away. Best. Valentine. Present. Ever.

There will be no romantic dinner for two. No candlelit night of romance. (Unless one of my sisters are reading this and decide to be awesome by watching the kids for the night. hint hint) No special way to really mark the day that IS love and romance.

Instead, I have a clean house and two little ones jacked up on candy. I'm good with that.

How are you celebrating Valentine's Day?

What's the best gift you've ever gotten for Valentine's Day?

Sexy Valentine Giveaway!!!

The winner is... The Blayneys!!!

When I read the suggested place to wear the boa, "I think you should wear it to the gym, while lifting weight near one of those guys who grunt while lifting, hahaha! And you need to grunt too!", I seriously spit my drink. This cracked me up! I can't wait to see Danyelle grunting alongside some big beefcake while wearing the boa!!! Okay, so I'm probably going to have do it too. It will be so worth it though, hilarious! Be sure to check back for video/picture proof!

Tell `em what you really want for Valentine’s Day!

Tell `em what you really want for Valentine’s Day!

I want chocolate! No chocolate. A sweet card? Nope. Flowers? Guess again!

No what I really want for Valentine’s Day is to come home from a long run and see this:

Or this...

It is amazing how much you start to look like this:

And this:

When you put one of these in your hands!

You may get the "Scooby Doo Ending" you have always dreamed about!

If you don't have time to do any of this, I would settle for this!

and this:

or even this:

 Happy Valentine's Day everyone! I hope I made you giggle today!

To my wonderful husband, I hope you laugh as much when

reading this as I did when creating it!

Happy Valentine's Day, honey! 

Love~ 

Danyelle

Virtual Run For Sherry Arnold

Yesterday morning I got up and put on my running clothes with a heavy heart. My mind was filled with thoughts about Sherry Arnold and her family. Sherry went out for a run one morning in January and never returned home. She was a wife, a mother, a teacher, and a runner. Two men have since been arrested and one of them has confessed to murder. Sherry's body has yet to be recovered.

Sherry's cousin who has the blog, Shut Up + Run, put together a virtual run in honor of Sherry. Now people from all over the world have heard Sherry's story. Hundreds, if not thousands, came together to honor her yesterday by participating in the run. Something beautiful and human from something tragic and monstrous.

Several of my Sole Sisters ran in honor of Sherry yesterday. Some of them ran solo and some met to run as a group. Danyelle and I opted to run inside on our treadmills to avoid temps in the 9 to 12 degree range.

While I ran I thought about Sherry, her family, and her cousin who started this amazing event to honor her. Then I thought about all the people in her hometown in Montana and across the globe who were contributing positive energy, thoughts, and prayers. Beauty and goodness won yesterday.

When I finished my run, I knelt down to say another prayer for Sherry Arnold and her family. I prayed for peace and justice.

Rest in peace, Sherry Arnold.

To everyone, peace, love, and happiness,

~Bekah

The Importance of Teamwork!

The Importance of Teamwork

and

Team Sexy Mother Runner’s Week #5 Weigh-in Results
for the Select 55 Challenge 

As I write this Blog post today I feel so much gratitude towards my Select 55 Challenge Team. I feel gratitude for their friendship, gratitude for their encouragement, and gratitude for their commitment. Honestly, I know that I would not be where I am in this weight loss challenge without them by my side.

Friday we learned that Team Sexy Mother Runner was one of the Top 5 Teams out of 81 total teams who has lost the highest percentage of weight in the Select 55 Challenge! That was a huge boost for us! None of us thought when we started this challenge that we would actually win or even place, but what we did know was we needed to get healthy, exercise, and lose weight.

I love the names of the teams!!

Every one of my team members has been working very hard towards a new lifestyle. We have changed our eating and exercise habits. For all of us, this is about a permanent lifestyle change. A few members of our team have health and health history concerns that they were aware of that they wanted to address and for the rest of us on the team we are trying to be pro-active. Because lets face it, none of us know what health concerns may lie ahead of us.

Friday night text messages were going back and forth from team members about our Saturday morning weigh-in. Of course I started the first text message to everyone stating, “Are you ready to kick some A$$ tomorrow team?!” Next message, was “You Betcha”, followed by “Hell yes we are!”, followed by “Fred is doing P90x right now and I am doing P90x with him right now and it is BLANKIN’ HARD!” and lastly, “Hell yeah, P90x plyocide tonight…ouch!”

Saturday morning messages started flying in with the first two weigh-in results from Brandon and Kristen.  Kristen lost -5.2 lbs and Brandon lost -3.6 lbs. They rocked it! I was so excited now! It is going to be a good week! I started gathering my kids together with coffee in hand to get on the scale at Landmark. I was so excited to get my results! After a quick, extremely painful stop at the post office to mail my bf Megan’s birthday gift to Florida I was on my way. All you Mom’s know what I am talking about when I say “painful trip to the post office”. Anyone who brings two kids on a Saturday morning to the post office clearly has lost their mind or has no other choice. For me it was the latter.

Finally, I arrived at the Landmark. I started dragging my kids across the parking lot in breezy 21 degree temps. Lets just say it is a bit chilly here in Illinois right now. However, I could not be more excited to jump on that scale. As soon as I walk in I am greeted by this guy:

His smile is contagious!

This is Tyler. I have seen his smiling face every Saturday since we started the challenge. He is a Personal Trainer at Landmark Health Club. Honestly, I think the first time he saw us he thought our team might be crazy. I am not sure why? Kristen, only did the splits in his office during our first weigh-in. What can I say? The girl has talent and has to share it! At this point, I think Tyler has grown to love us. He smiles when he sees us and I think he is very proud of the commitment we have made to weight loss and health. Thanks, Tyler!

As I started to wait in line to get on the scale here comes Bekah up the stairs of Landmark to weigh-in. I am so happy we get to weigh-in together! Let me just tell you that Bekah looks freakin’ amazing! Plus, the smile on her face could light up a room right now!

So we jump in the room to weigh-in. I jump on the scale and Tyler says I lost -2.9 lbs! Yippee Ti Yi Yay! I am thrilled! I have been working my tail off this week and it paid off. Bekah, now jumped on the scale and she lost -2.7 lbs!! We hugged and jumped all around the room! We are doing it!! We are losing! My kids said congrats and off Bekah went to grab her husband Fred for his turn on the scale. I waited for Fred in the lobby to hear his results. Fred lost -5.2 lbs! Many high fives and congrats were exchanged!!!


Our team had a great week! I am on a high! Our hard work paid off! I think there is no saying more true than this saying:

Team Sexy

Plus, a team like ours is like family to me. Through it all, you stick it out.

Mother





Runner!



To date we have lost a total of 104.4 lbs in 5 weeks!

Brandon has lost -27.9 lbs!

Fred has lost -25.6 lbs!

Kristen has lost -18.4 lbs!

Bekah has lost -16.3 lbs!

Danyelle has lost -16.2 lbs!

Thanks Team SMR and to all of the teams in the Select 55 Challenge we are so proud of you and wish you continued success! This is what a weight loss challenge is all about. Camaraderie, support, and encouragement! Keep up the great work!

Have a wonderful weekend everyone!

~Danyelle

Are you on a weight loss team and want to share your experience?

 We would love to hear about it!

Leave us a comment below.

Sexy Mother Runner Featured Runner Friday ~ Meet Leslie

~Sexy Mother Runner

Featured Runner Friday~

  

Sexy Mother Runner is going to be featuring a different runner every Friday! Every runner has a story and we believe that sharing those stories is a great way to share the gift of running while helping to motivate others. Today's featured runner is our friend, Leslie.

 I could write a book about Leslie, but let me tell you six

very important words that describe her and her character.

Loyal, honest, trust worthy, hard-working, loving and commited.

She is a wonderful friend, mother, teacher, and runner!

This is Leslie's story... 

I started running in May of 2010 because,  I just couldn't get rid of those pregnancy pounds after having my daughter. I heard breast feeding would work. Well, it didn't work for me. I initially entered the biggest loser at my work and lost 10 pounds and won. That said, I still had 8 pounds to get back to pre preggo weight. Maybe this was wishful thinking. One of my bff's from junior high kept telling me about her running. I saw how great she looked after she started and thought ok if she can do this, so can I. Are you wondering who this bff is? Well it is the one and only Sexy Mother Runner, Danyelle. Yes we have been friends since we were 12.

My inspiration definitely came from Sexy Mother Runner, Danyelle. She has inspired me to run. Run and if I fall off the wagon jump back on. Falling off the wagon happens. Talking about falling off the wagon that is so easy for me to do. Life gets busy and family and work gets in the way. I find it easy to let running go first. I know that isn't the right thing, but that is just me. I do jump back on and start putting one foot in front of the other.

Races Completed--I find it easy to keep me focused if I sign up for a race. I know I can't fall off the wagon if I have a race coming up. That said, my first race was the Susan G. Komen in Peoria. My husband and I completed this together. My second race was the State Fair Parade 2 mile race in the heat of 111 degrees. Oh my was it hot. This race was terrible because of the heat. The heat exploding off the blacktop was nuts. I poured a bottle over my head while running. When I finished my darling husband and even cuter daughter were waiting for me. Thank heavens they had water and more water for me. I then ate the calories I had burned eating the famous corn dog and fries. :) Next race was the Wounded Soldier 5k. This race was the most difficult. This race had hills and it was chilly. The race was in the country. Another race was the Race for Victims Rights. This was fun. I was so happy to run for women and their rights. I was also excited to run this with SMR Danyelle!

Leslie & Danyelle

The next race, was the Half marathon in Champaign. The race was difficult, but when I finished I was so excited I had tears in my eyes. This was a huge accomplishment for me. I am glad my running buddy Kathy was able to help me train, run Saturday's with me and then run next to me in the race. She has been my support for over a year. When I don't feel like running she is there to say,"What time are we running?"  

Kathy & Leslie

My last race of the year was the Rock and Roll Half Marathon in ST. Louis. It was very hard!  The hills were killer. I did have to walk up most of the hills. With this said, my time was the same as Champaign. I think that is an improvement considering the hills. The last few miles were tough. My dh and daughter were waiting for me near the end. I was so excited to see them and gave them each a high five. I love that they can see me enjoy something that is healthy. When I finished I was so happy!  After the race we went to the zoo. Yikes! After running 13.1 miles the zoo was a hard walk!  But, my little one came and watched me for over two hours, so I could go to the zoo for her.

My favorite place to run is definitely outdoors in the bike trails here in Springfield. We are fortunate to have so many trails with shade. They typically aren't busy and the outdoors is a refreshing place to be. The fall is beautiful on these trails. One morning we even saw a deer. Look down the path in the picture and you can see him. So neat.

 

If the weather or schedule doesn't allow the treadmill takes second place. But I have to have my favorite songs playing loud. I love anything upbeat. I have to run to good fun music. I love the new stuff. I am also always looking for good music. So, if you have a good tune you run to, please send it to me or add to the blog. 

My Favorite saying came from a hard run one morning. Kathy and I were running a 7 or 8 miler. My family and I had camped out in the back yard the night before and cooked out hot dogs and smores. I knew better then to eat a hot dog, but took one for the family. Oh did I pay for it the next morning. During this run, I was hoping for a port a potty on the trail. Then I wanted the woods. Then I just wanted to get to the car and nearest bathroom. If you know what I mean. So my favorite saying is: "Run like you have to poop!!" When I saw this at a race I knew I wasn't alone.

I spend my days as a wife, mother, and teaching my wonderful kindergarten class. I also love to sell Thirty one as much as possible.

All of these things and running bring me joy in my life!

~Leslie

Want to be one of our SMR Friday Featured Runner's?

Have a question? Comment?

Email us at sexymotherrunner@yahoo.com.

We would love to hear from you!

 ~ Danyelle and Bekah