Showing posts with label volunteer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label volunteer. Show all posts

Monday, July 8, 2013

mid-year resolutions? courtesy @themotherrunner

first.........you have 2 days to enter the GIVEAWAY.....so you might want to go do that first.

second.......if you recall I set out to make 2014 the Year of 24 (dun dun dun!). it focused on a little scrapbooking (with less purchasing), a little weight loss, and a little Dolly walking. well, halfway in to the year I am doing pretty well on all accounts. Dolly isn't quite getting the 24 walks a month from ME, but she has put some serious mileage on her paws. funny, it is the scrapbooking that I am lagging the most on. probably because the focus has shifted. but that is okay too. I am still going to track my original goals (cuz I'm no quitter man!) but would like to see about tackling a new set provided buy the fun ladies over at Another Mother Runner.....A Virtual Aid Station.

third......or 13.1 to be exact: 

1. Run naked—no GPS, no music, no watch, no agenda—regularly. Could be once a week or once a quarter: whatever feels possible for you and your level of anal retentiveness. 
(whew! I thought they meant without CLOTHES!) most of the time I am listening to music or a podcast. I am not so super worried about time but like to know my finished distance. however, I can see where this is coming from.
 
2. If you haven’t run on a trail, do so. If you have, up the ante and try a trail race. 
I haven't. isn't Cheree going to be so excited when she gets that text: find me a trail race please! 

3. Find at least one new running route from your house. 
well, really ALL running routes from my house are really NEW ones, but as I have been pretty active in looking for new ways to get the miles in, I am comfy knowing this is continually happening. 
 
4. Promise yourself that if your knee, foot, IT band or other vital body part is feeling the destructive kind of pain on a run—you’re wincing or changing your stride or gutting it out—you won’t just plow forward with your training. You’ll do your best to figure out the cause, then foam roll, strengthen your hips, or do what you need to do until you’re not wincing, changing your stride, or gutting it out. Repeat after us: No running-induced injury ever got better by more running.
I promise! I use my knee brace religiously. and in fact, I bought a foam roller last week, watched and bookmarked that very video and plan to work very hard to prevent injuries!

5. When somebody asks you if you run, simply say yes. No qualifiers. Just this: “Yes, I am a runner.”
yes mom! I am a runner! a Bad Ass Mother Runner! 

6. Volunteer at one race, minimum.
already planning on volunteering at the California International Marathon and volunteered at the Positive Energy Kids Triathlon. made me start thinking how fun a triathlon would be! and of course Thanksgiving wouldn't be complete without volunteering at the Sacramento Food Bank's Run to Feed the Hungry! perhaps this year I can volunteer AND run??

7. Run a race with just one goal: To take it all in. 
I want to say that is how I treated the Bay 2 Breakers. how can you not? and seriously.....you take it ALL in whether you want to or not! but I hadn't gone there thinking I was going to do anything other than start, finish, and enjoy myself in the middle. 

8. Set a numerical goal. Make it slightly ambitious, but still doable considering your schedule and running experience: Run X times weekly or monthly; race X times in 2013; run X miles monthly or yearly. Adding those little numbers is (almost) as fulfilling as a post-run high.
right after Boston, I joined a group whose goal was to do a bunch of 26.2s whether at one time or over the course of a period of time. I gave myself a week and made it even though Dolly and I had to push it on that last night. it was a little farther than the training plan but it felt good. I think that is what they mean here and I plan to keep setting various non-race related goals for myself. keeps things fun!

9. Pick one run a week, cut it short by 15 minutes and spend those 15 minutes strength training.
I'll think about it. currently I take Mondays to do strength training. this will probably tie in nicely to the Nike SF half training program.

10. If you run a marathon, don’t run at all for at least a week post race. After a 13.1, give yourself at least two days of no pounding. And then make your runs easy-peasy, no-more-than-30-minutes for at least three outings. Your legs will thank you—and us.
well.....I was kinda forced to after the American River Parkway half when I flew off for work......except that I managed to get in to the hotel gym twice. I figured between sitting in the conference all day after the plane ride out there I would need to get the blood flowing! maybe after Running with the Bears??

11. Whether they’re on foot or bike, have your kiddos join you on a run. They set the pace and distance, of course. 
okay, this one is FUNNY!!! I realize they view "kiddos" as those cute adorable little rascals that can sit on your lap and still finger paint. both my "kiddos" are taller than me. one doesn't do ANYTHING at a pace quicker than a "too cool for school" boy and the other I have decided is going to be my biking coach for next year's triathlon. HE had to slow down for ME last week! but......he did set the distance. (however, I will state here that I am currently beating them both at the 30 Ab Challenge. gotta get SOME props!)

12. Ask a friend to run. If she’s a newbie, pace her nice and slow—a run/walk combo is a great call—and go a little longer than she thinks she can. Before you part ways, set up specifics (time, date, place) for your next run together.
yeah! totally done this! remember me convincing Lori to do the Spirit of Benny 10K? that was her first race. she was working up to a 5K at the time! she also did the Parkway Half and will be doing the Davis Moonlight Half. and poor Jenn got suckered into the Bay to Breakers and Davis Moonlight too. I am wondering when she is going to start ignoring my texts!

13. On those days when you’re hit with the there’s.just.no.way.I.have.the.energy.to.run blahs, head out for half of a mile; if you’re still not feeling it, you can turn around, and you still got in one mile.
this has already happened several times. there are days (usually every 4 weeks on the dot......) that I wanna just curl up under the quilt. THOSE are the days that this one comes in to play! and yes, a couple times I have gone out for just a mile. it's okay.

.1. Tell a friend about the another mother runner tribe. 
okay....I'm telling you! I've told a couple others already.....one isn't even a mother! lol! but who can resist a great group of supportive women?

so......not bad overall, right? probably helpful that I am new to all this. I think that trail run is going to be the most "off the beaten path" item for me. I am not a dirt girl. wonder if that Merrell Down & Dirty Mud Run Cheree made me sign up for would count as a trail run?? still shocked I signed up for that!

2. If you haven’t run on a trail, do so. If you have, up the ante and try a trail race. The vibe is so different than a road run or race, you owe it to yourself to give it a whirl.
3. Find at least one new running route from your house. (If your options are limited, at least run your regular route backwards.)
4. Promise yourself that if your knee, foot, IT band or other vital body part is feeling the destructive kind of pain on a run—you’re wincing or changing your stride or gutting it out—you won’t just plow forward with your training.You’ll do your best to figure out the cause, then foam roll, strengthen your hips, or do what you need to do until you’re not wincing, changing your stride, or gutting it out. Repeat after us: No running-induced injury ever got better by more running.
5. When somebody asks you if you run, simply say yes. No qualifiers—I’m so slow, I just started, I only do 5K’s—allowed. None. Just this: “Yes, I am a runner.”
6. Volunteer at one race, minimum.
7. Run a race with just one goal: To take it all in. Leave all thoughts of numbers behind and high-five every spectator you can; chat up your fellow runners; check out the scenery; don’t curse the lines at the Port-a-Potties; see if you can snag an excellent finish line pic. (And if that’s your usual M.O., for one race focus more on the clock and yourself: What are you capable of?)
8. Set a numerical goal. Make it slightly ambitious, but still doable considering your schedule and running experience: Run X times weekly or monthly; race X times in 2013; run X miles monthly or yearly. Adding those little numbers is (almost) as fulfilling as a post-run high.
9. Pick one run a week, cut it short by 15 minutes and spend those 15 minutes strength training: Lunge, squat, push-up, plank, crunch, triceps dip…you know the drill. Better yet: if the weather is cooperating, stop your run 5 minutes from the end, get in some strength at a park or quiet street, then finish up the run. (Promise, nobody cares if you’re lunging down the sidewalk.) If you want something more challenging, check out Sarah in Get Ripped Like a Mother.

10. If you run a marathon, don’t run at all for at least a week post race. After a 13.1, give yourself at least two days of no pounding. And then make your runs easy-peasy, no-more-than-30-minutes for at least three outings. Your legs will thank you—and us.
11. Whether they’re on foot or bike, have your kiddos join you on a run. They set the pace and distance, of course. And you make it fun: can you get to that stop sign? Can you sing and run at the same time? Can you run for 30 seconds then skip for 30 seconds? Can you beat me? (If you have to hold yourself back to let your kid win, soak it up, mother runner. Guessing it, like most beauties of childhood, doesn’t last long enough.)
12. Ask a friend to run. If she’s a newbie, pace her nice and slow—a run/walk combo is a great call—and go a little longer than she thinks she can. Before you part ways, set up specifics (time, date, place) for your next run together.
13. On those days when you’re hit with the there’s.just.no.way.I.have.the.energy.to.run blahs, head out for half of a mile; if you’re still not feeling it, you can turn around, and you still got in one mile.
.1. Tell a friend about the another mother runner tribe. 
- See more at: http://anothermotherrunner.com/2013/07/04/running-resolutions-running-goals/#sthash.Cx0IqNQK.dpuf

Monday, June 18, 2012

Calories for charity shouldn't count!

as you may or may not know, I have been trying to be very good about the whole diet & exercise thing. having an energetic Dolly at home has certainly helped. she doesn't care if it is raining (or 108 apparently), she wants her walks!

overall I have done well. I have realized that my metabolism isn't what it used to be and I need more exercise to achieve what took less effort when I was younger, but most days I am okay with that. and I needed to focus on what I was eating. I thought I was doing okay. but upon reflections I figured out I had more treat days than not......and often multiple treat meals!

so now I am moving in the right direction with the exception of a few foodie lunches a week (which I do manage to work in to my overall day's strategy) and fundraisers. admittedly, it is my choice to go to things like the Sacramento Zoo's King of Feasts and the Ronald McDonald House Charity's Red Shoe Crawl. they are both awesome causes and the amazing diversity of food bites being offered can't be beat! and it was great attending the Sactown Dining Collective dinner for St John's Shelter. (look! they are doing a dinner almost every month at Plates! how can I resist??) again, wonderful food and totally worth every single darn calorie! but all this eating for a good cause makes it super tough to stay on track!

both the King of Feasts and Red Shoe Crawl are this weekend (I think tickets are still available for both if you want to join me). so if you see me this week don't offer me a treat kind of lunch. I'm saving my calories for charity!

Friday, April 6, 2012

March of Dimes......if you would actually like to sponsor me!

Guess I made a mess of the link in my previous post.....that you should really read!

But anyway, if you would like to sponsor my SIX MILE walk to support babies, you can by clicking on the link to the left of this post......or right here:

http://tinyurl.com/SusanMarches2012


The babies, my marriage and I thank you!

Monday, April 2, 2012

The oddest March of Dimes story you will ever hear!

when you talk to people and find out they support the March of Dimes, you are apt to hear stories of saved babies, women getting necessary prenatal care, wonderful support during pregnancy, etc. those are all wonderful things and I love hearing them all! but this isn't a personal story anything like that.

back in 1989 (or was it 1990) I answered an ad looking for volunteers for a March of Dimes benefit. in those days, they held a Bid for Bachelors auction. single men would put together "date" packages and women would bid on them. the highest bidder got the date. when I called, I thought I would be one of the lowly schmucks that would say "thanks for coming, here is your program," put tablecloths out or whatever. I had no clue that I would end up on the committee for the event. I didn't have a clue about a lot of things at that point.

so, plans made, event organized. I am proud to say that I came up with the theme "Knight in Shining Armor" and even found some knights to come guard the door to the event and do a little sword fighting for entertainment. the night before the event there was a rehearsal. there I chatted up one of the bachelors. totally not my type, he was blond with blue eyes and extremely cocky. I won't go into the rest of the sordid details. you either know them already or can ask the next time we chat. needless to say it is definitely a "he said / she said" story and I did NOT buy Jeff.

anyway, we will have been married 19 years in a couple weeks......all thanks to the March of Dimes! so, when I walk on the 28th, I won't just be walking for those adorable sweet babies, I'll also be walking for an adorable former blond with blue eyes and 19 years of marriage! so please consider skipping your morning cafe mocha and support my walk? it is for love......young and old! lol!

Susan's March of Dimes page

told you it was the oddest March of Dimes support story you would ever hear!