The Human Factor in the Benefits of Running

I was excited to see my Runners World Magazine September issue in my mailbox yesterday.  I read it cover to cover - I love the training tips, recipes, and inspirational articles.

Runner's World has a regular article called HumanRace which includes "news, trends, and regular runners doing amazing things."  In this issue the article "A Fresh Start" is featured.  It is about an all women's prison running club Running Free at Topeka Correctional Facility in Kansas. The club began in 2007 after a lot of convincing and held their first 5K race in May of 2007.  The club has held 17 races and has 80 members while none of the costs of this club comes from taxes payers and has actually raised $35,000 for charities!Running Free held its first marathon this past May.  Eight prisoners ran the matathon on the .8 mile loop!  That is 32.75 laps!  Amazing!

Co Founder Carol Hill is quoted saying, "I think of running as a metaphor for change."  And change has happened - none of the core members have had any disciplinary sanctions in the past year.

Also in the HumanRace section:

• Chris Heiert partnered with Cincinnati's City Gospel Mission to train addicts to use running as part of their recovery.
• Girl Scouts in Massachusetts created a patch girls can earn through running projects.
• Girls with Sole hosted a 5K for girls in the Cleveland area who have experienced abuse.
• Fit Girls is a club for 4th and 5th graders that combine running, reading, and kind acts.

Everyone knows the typical benefits of running: healthy heart and lungs, helps lower weight and cholesterol, reduces stress, etc.  It is great to see that running can do so much more - teach important lessons of strength and determination, how to cope with adversity, build self esteem through accomplishing goals, building relationships, and so much more.

Thank you to all of the creative and caring people who have started groups like the ones mentioned and for Runner's World for publishing such great stories!

Click below to go to the Runner's World site to check it out all the running info and to subscribe to the magazine!

Embarking on a 15K Adventure

Today is Day 1 of Hal Higdon's 15K Training Plan.  I have 10 weeks to get ready for  the Iron Horse 15K (part of the Locomotive Race Series) on September 18th.  It sounds like a great race plus it is local with the the start/finish line at Town Center Mall.  Oh, and don't forget the after race party!  The race is family friendly, strollers are welcome.  Mark Vescio started the Locomotive series as well as other races in Kennesaw. 

For me the hardest part about starting to train for this race is starting.  Jadon started taking a 2 - 3 hour nap in the swing, so I figured that I could get my cross training and strength training done at that time.  The only problem is that I couldn't run while he slept.  My husband Josh suggested that I start getting up a 6AM and train at that time since Jadon had been sleeping till 7:30AM.  Yuck!  I hate getting up that early, but right now it is my only option.

Another obstacle for me is knowing how hard to train.  My brain still thinks I am a college athlete, but my body is no where near that kind of shape.  I did an "easy" workout and my legs were incredibly sore for days.  That is so frustrating for me and I get down because of it,  It is hard to stay motivated when I feel that way.  I have to keep saying to myself that losing weight and getting back into shape is going to take some time.  Make small goals and celebrate them!

Another race that has caught my eye is the Anything is Possible 5K.  The race is on 11/6/11 at 1:50 AM.  That is a strange time to start a 5K - the twist is that the race starts just before we are supposed to turn our clocks back 1 hour.  You will finish the race before you started!  Some proceeds from this race will go to the Hope for the Warriors .

Happy Training!

Starting Over - A New Blog

I started my first blog 5 months before I had my son Jadon - that is now 6 months ago.  I hardly posted on it at all. So being true to myself, instead of just posting more, I wanted a brand new blog.  Whenever I make a new resolve to do something, I have to start over from the beginning.  Like if I start a journal and fail to write in it consistently, I won't just pick up where I left off, I have to get a whole new journal for a fresh start! 

Title of my blog says it all - Mothering, Coaching, Running - my life in a nutshell.



My Plans:

1. Research vaccinations and decide what Josh and I feel is best for Jadon. (The Vaccine Book by Dr. Sears)
2. Run the Iron Horse 15K on September 18th. 5KTraining , 15K Training
3. Join an Adult Volleyball Team in the Fall.
4. Read the Bible in a year - currently using You Version, Life Journal Reading Plan on my iPhone.  I am on day 5.
5. Read Clive Cussler's the NUMA Files series.
6. Project 365 - take a picture everyday on my iPhone.
7. Follow my favorite blogs.
8. Blog -  weekly topics. 

• Monday ~ Mommy Monday
• Tuesday ~ Thoughtful Coaching
• Wednesday ~ Whimsy Wednesday (Anything Goes!)
• Thursday ~ Thankful Thursday (not sure who started this, but it is an awesome idea)
• Friday ~ Fit Friday (Running Updates)
 

This seems like a lot for a mother of a 6 week old, but when you nurse every 2 - 3 hours during the day, you have a lot of down time for reading and blogging.  I need to keep myself occupied so I don't go crazy!  For some reason the idea of sleep when your baby sleeps doesn't apply to me - I guess a 4  hour nap and a 3 hour nap during the night is all I need!