Nike 5K for Kids

Just a quickie little post (I know, I know . . . you want your celebrities - it'll happen, I promise . . . but I need more energy to pull it all together. Translation: come back Monday!) to say HOORAY!

 

- I enjoyed a run on Thursday morning before the kids got up (miracle of miracles!) and the GOTR of Puget Sound auction was AMAZINGLY successful for the group. I also got to talk with Sally Bergeson of Oiselle and Deborah Reber (author of the newly released book Chill) what amazing, down-to-earth women they are! The three of us were VIPs to help with the auction. 

 

- I put my running shoes in the middle of my floor Friday morning knowing that eventually I'd be so tired of climbing over them, tripping over them or trying to move them that I'd just put them on my feet and make a run happen. Sure enough, it only took 2 hours (I'm slow on the uptake sometimes) and I did it! The kids were with my friend and I took the opportunity to get off the treadmill and onto the hill to train for that upcoming 10K of mine in June. It gave me the energy and strength I needed to carry me through my day - with a smile, even. :) 

 

- Last night was the Book Launch Party, hosted at a generous friend's amazing home. It was great. Really, really this evening will stick with me for a long, long time. (I just noticed that I'm repeating words a bit too frequently, I'll try to contain myself from here on out - it must be my lack of sleep and the possibility that my "decaf latte" was really a "caf latte". Jittery, jittery, jittery am I! - darn, I did it AGAIN!) 

 

- This morning I was honored to be part of the Seattle Nike 5K for Kids post-run event. They had a Nike table set up for me to showcase and sell my book (how cool is THAT???!!). I was there, signing books (my dad was there to help me greet folks and help with the money stuff - thanks, Dad!) and passing out bookmarks, listening to runners' stories (like the woman who ran her first 5K today with her daughter and is now HOOKED and wants to do more running!) and observing the smiles of countless runners of all sizes, shapes, ages, colors, speeds (and their proud parents/coaches/siblings). What an awesome morning! AND, to top it off, we were right next to the Girls on the Run of Puget Sound booth so I got to visit with some of the great gals I know from GOTR and we sent families to one another's booths to share our passion for running. I'm still shaking from the excitement of it all. Can't you hear the extra rattling sound as my fingers wobble on the keyboard? I'm WAY wound up! 

 

- I signed a book for a woman's daughter who runs track at The University of Georgia (that's where I went to school - Go DAWGS! - what are the chances that we'd meet up in Seattle, of all places??!!!)

 

So . . . now I'm off to spend some time with my hubby before the kids awake from their naps. Even though he was at the party last night, I don't feel like I've seen much of him lately. He's been my rock this week through all of the excitement and chaos. What would we do without our systems of support? I know I couldn't do ANY of this alone.

 

Seriously folks, come back Monday for the final party bits! You'll be glad you did!

In Over My Head!

Hey there, happy readers!

I know you're here lookin' to meet some celebrities . . . but I took a step back to look at my week before crashing into bed last night and realized that I took on WAY too much stuff this week (here's where my family looks at me and says, "You THINK?!"). You will meet them, I promise - just NOT today!

So, like all awesome parties, this one will run a little late, which I think is quite fitting since it got a late start (that part bugged me because I'm always . . . nearly always . . . um, okay since the kids have come along it is more like "usually" on time for things).

So, if you are a local reader, I hope to see you at the in-person launch this evening! Can't make that? Maybe you're up for a run tomorrow morning in Seattle - the Nike 5K for Kids event takes place tomorrow and I'll be somewhere near the finish line (perhaps near the yummy Jamba Juice booth - I could sure use a perk like that after this exhausting week!) to greet the young runners as they feel the release of endorphins that come with the satisfaction of finishing a great run and hopefully even sell a book or two (as an author, that IS what I have to do, afterall).

Happy Friday! And now, if you'll excuse me, I have a list a 10K long (no, Nancy, unfortunately it isn't really a 10K, but I wish it was!) to accomplish before I pick-up my kids at 8 . . . wish me luck!

The folks Behind the Curtain

Welcome back for more Party fun!

Here we go: Family Day (posted on Wednesday night because I had the time!)!

*That's my son on the left, who like his Mama and Dad, LOVES to run as fast and as far as his little legs will carry him!*

I'm honored to introduce you to the wonderful (and crazy, of course!) members of my family who so kindly took time out of their days and nights to visit this little shin dig. I'm sure it had NOTHING to do with repeated emails or subtle hints that if they didn't send photos, I'd gladly find some myself . . .

As usual, let's begin with the snacks. As you can tell by the way my daughter bathes herself in her food, my family enjoys some good eats (though we usually show more reserve than my little gal does)!

My mom and her little sister, my Aunt Siobhan, have been recipe swapping their entire adult lives (they used to be the decadent dessert ones, now the healthy breakfast ones, go figure). Here are the dishes they're bringing:

The photo is of Aunt Siobhan and her younger son, David, at the top of Saddle Rock in Wenatchee, WA - she's not a runner like her husband and sons, but she says, "Hiking is something we can do together as a family. It's a great time to enjoy our time together and appreciate the beauty around us. It's a great time to chat and catch up but also time for quiet reflection." She's a former Army Officer and PE teacher and says, "This is a great pre-workout meal and tastes great reheated the next day too."

Apple Cinnamon Steel-Cut Oatmeal
(Serves One Hearty Breakfast Portion, Two smaller portions.)

2 tsp Non-Hydrogenated Vegan Margarine or butter if you are not Vegan
1/2 Cup Steel Cut Oats
1 1/2 Cups Hot water
1/4 tsp Cinnamon
1 Pinch Salt
1/2 Cooking Apple, diced
1/4 Cup Soy, Oat, Nut , or milk
1-2 tsp Brown Sugar (or regular sugar with a small drizzle of molasses)
1 Tiny Pinch Nutmeg, optional
Heat margarine in a small sauce pot that has a tight fitting lid. Add oats and toast them for 1-2 minutes, until fragrant. Add cinnamon and salt, stir well. Stir in hot water and bring to a brisk boil. Cover and turn down heat. After 15 minutes, add apple, milk, and sugar and stir. Cook for another 5 minutes uncovered, stirring occasionally.
If after 5 minutes you'd prefer your oatmeal to be thicker, cover and turn off heat and let sit for an additional 5-10 minutes. This gives the oats a chance to absorb more liquid without running the risk of burning the oatmeal. Also, the oatmeal at this point is approximately the temperature of magma, so you might as well let it cool down a bit before you dig in.
If you feel like dressing up your oatmeal, drizzle it with a small amount of molasses and a pinch of nutmeg, or sprinkle it with additional brown sugar, nuts, or add a fresh apple slice or two to the top.

My mom (that's her in the front of the kayak, with my husband steering in the back - I was pregnant and SICK, so they took a kayaking class together while I slept at home and my dad chased after my son) has this to share about her tasty treat:

"Last year we joined a local organic farm co-op and had a huge basket of fruit and veggies every week from June through October. I learned to grill fennel, and add rainbow chard to salsa for grilled chicken fahitas. My favorites must be the berries: rasberries, strawberries, blueberries and my favorite, the wild blackberries! (They are considered weeds in this area as they have taken over the sides of many roads and fields.) We picked lots of berries last summer, and filled our freezer with them for the rest of the year. In my quest to get 9 servings of fruits and veggies a day, I start my day whipping up the following smoothie in the blender:

1/2 cup low fat or soy yogurt
1 small banana
1 orange (or 1/2 cup of orange juice)
1/4 cup blueberries
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup uncooked oats
ground flax seed

The banana is important, as it keeps my muscles from getting cramps during yoga. I realize it's not a low calorie breakfast, but it's certainly healthy, and keeps me from even thinking about a snack before lunch. Our grandkids love having this the mornings after their sleepovers."

She's right - the kids come home from their sleepovers FULL (it is truly the one time all week I can say that) and singing the praises of "Oma's Smoothies".

My husband is a lover of all things chocolate. He's been known to head straight for the freezer for some frozen dark chocolate kisses as soon as he gets home from work. Here he is:

"In the picture I'm the one in the gray shirt and black visor. This is after the 2007 Duvall Days 10K. You will notice that the picture includes a bonus shot of Brianna (Brianna's comment: I finished the 5K a bit earlier. And, for those of you with a copy of the book, you may recognize the running gear to be the same as what the "coach" is wearing - that's no coincidence!).

As for a favorite recipe I know Brianna isn't surprised. While these are good post-workout, they are great pre-workout (Brianna's comment: also great for breakfast . . . ). Some of my best bike rides have been powered by these cookies (for sake of space, I'll just let you follow the link to them - REALLY, you should follow the link, but be forewarned that they will call to you in the night . . . and in the morning . . . and in the middle of the day!).

As to why he is a runner/cyclist/etc. . . . and why he managed to make a lover of running out of me (except he's much more analytical and number-oriented than I am):

"Running, biking, kayaking etc are great because they me break out of the slog and challenge myself in new (or old ways). I can focus on my pace, or not focus at all. I can watch my time or escape from deadlines. I can keep my heart rate in the proper range for my goals, or I can pedal until I'm spinning out and catching cars."

My cousins are BOYS who love to run. They took some time out of their finals studying to visit. Here they are:

Kevin and David have been running for as long as they could keep up with their dad, Al (Siobhan's hubby!). At first they rode his bike along side Uncle Al on his runs, but before we all knew it, they were running for their schools. That's Kevin on the left, getting his cleats ready to go.

Kevin's little brother, David (that's him, running his heart out!), says, "Running is gives you the chance to make your mind perfectly clear, to feel strong, to create your own independence, and it shows you exactly the person you are."

I couldn't agree more!

You know what . . . this party is getting BIGGER than I realized. You've probably had enough mingling for tonight. Go get yourself a drink, go for a run, do some stretching . . . and wander your way back again tomorrow for some more snacks and faces.

REMEMBER: Tomorrow is Celebrity Day . . . and you'll get to meet a few more of my family members, if you can handle it.

The Party's Nearly in Full Swing!

I hope you brought your appetite to the party today! Get ready to dig in to some good stuff!

My dear friend Jen (fellow art history enthusiast and my Maid of Honor 8 years ago) from Atlanta sent along this good lookin' snack recipe. I'm excited to report that Jen got fitted for her FIRST real pair of running shoes earlier this year and is giving running a go!


"I tried a recipe from my new favorite cookbook, Elie Kreiger's The Food You Crave. It's a perfect pre or post run snack! And it actually gave me something to do with the jar of wheat germ that's been sitting on my shelf for a couple of months.

Here's the recipe:

Energy Bars
Cooking Spray (I used PAM organic spray with canola oil)
1 cup quick cooking rolled oats
1/2 cup shelled unsalted raw sunflower seeds
1/2 cup toasted wheat germ (I toasted mine in a dry frying pan on the stove for a few minutes)
1/4 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 cup dried apricots
1/2 cup raw almonds
1/2 cup raisins
1/2 cup pitted dried dates
1/2 cup nonfat dry milk (you can find this on the baking aisle in the same place where the condensed milk is)
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 cup pure maple syrup
2 large eggs

Preheat oven to 350.
Coat a 9x13 inch baking pan with cooking spray.
Place all ingredients, except syrup and eggs, in a food processor and pulse until everything is finely chopped. Add the syrup and eggs and pulse until the mixture is well combined. It will resemble a course paste.
Transfer to the baking pan and spread evenly to cover the bottom (you will want to do this with your hands, I tried a spoon and it just kept breaking up, also, the layer of mixture will be very thin when you are done spreading it out, maybe 1/4 inch thick). Bake until lightlly browned, about 20 minutes. Allow to cool for 15 minutes, then cut into 24 individual bars. Store in an airtight container at room temp up to 3 days, or wrap individually and freeze for up to 3 months.

Yummy and filling!"


Be sure to give it a try, folks. You can bet it is on my list of new recipes to try!


And Carrie, mother of three (who is diving head-first into her own workout groove - go Carrie!), sent along this super easy breakfast concauction that any mom-on-the-go can squeeze into the morning. And, seeing as she lives in the town of Carnation (really, named after the Carnation dairy farms that were there!) she writes:


"I’m not a runner, more of a “speed walker” and I just started a more formal exercise program. My personal trainer told me to drink or eat a protein snack in the afternoon when I’m hungry, and it is not quite dinner time, but I need energy to keep up with my three small children. I love Carnation Instant Breakfast and found this simple recipe on their website for a smoothie. I’ll bet my kids would like this as well.

Ingredients:
1 cup fat free milk 1 cup ice cubes 1 packet Rich Milk Chocolate Flavor NESTLÉ CARNATION INSTANT BREAKFAST Complete Nutritional Drink 1/2 banana

Directions:
PLACE milk, ice, Carnation Instant Breakfast and banana in blender; cover. Blend until smooth.
Serving Size: 1"
*logo image credit: www.carnationinstantbreakfast.com

Now that we're all feelin' good with full bellies, we're set to meet another party-goer!

I'm not sure from where Diana hails, but I'm honored to introduce you to her! This woman has PASSION and a true love and dedication to her family. Diana says,

"For me, running has always been a way to exercise and stay somewhat in shape both physically and mentally. It calms me down, gives me confidence and it has taught me mental toughness. As I began to increase mileage, running took on more meaning. Running no longer is just about me. I run for all those who are unable to run, those who are afraid to lace up their shoes, and for those who will never get the chance. I run for my nephew who never got the opportunity to buy a pair of sneakers, never felt the wind in his hair and who during his 11 weeks of life never got the chance to see the sun. I run because it is when I am out there lost in my thoughts that I know he is still with me, with us. That is why I run."

Isn't amazing how running takes us out of our own little world to connect us with something so much bigger? I know many of you dedicate yoursleves to running for others, whether it is running in memory of a lost loved one or celebration for the renewed heath of a friend. We all have internal drives that keep us going and it is powerful when we can share that love for life with others. Thanks for sharing your story, Diana.

Have a story, recipe or photo you'd like to share? There's still time to join the party! Just send me an email with your entry (girlsrunning@hotmail.com) and I'll include it in one of the remaining Virtual Book Launch Party Blogs this week. BONUS: I'll enter you in a drawing to WIN a COPY of We Are Girls Who Love to Run (the reason for the festivities!).

Thursday you're in for an EXTRA special treat: It's Family Day! Stop by to meet the people who make my life colorful and fun and who have helped mold me into the person I am.

Friday is CELEBRITY day! I won't tell you any more than that!

Saturday wraps up the festivities with the official announcement of the winners of the drawing and postings from the party-goers who were fashionably late, but still treasured!

Let's Get This Party Started!

Hello, hello! Come on in! I'm so glad you could join me in celebrating the launch of We Are Girls Who Love to Run.

Make yourself at home, meet some fellow runners/readers/walkers/life lovers, have a snack, enjoy! Like any good party, we'll start low-key and by the end of the week it will be in FULL gear. It's okay to be fashionably late for your own party, right? Thanks for being understanding as I navigate this unusually full week - from here on out, you can expect to meet some great folks each day this week.

So, to kick-off the party, be sure to try these great (and I do mean GREAT, we've tried them and my kids give them their FULL approval!) healthy cookies sent by Cecilia (as a Reflexologist, she knows ALL about helping people take care of their bodies . . . and the feet that carry them on their journey to many a finish line!):

I'm sending a recipe that is sure to please all the health-conscious Moms (and anyone) who is looking for a quick, yummy snack treat. Enjoy!

Healthy Banana Cookies: No eggs, flour or dairy
3 ripe bananas, mashed
2 cups oatmeal (I use course cut)
1 cup raisins
1/3 cup oil (vegetable oil or try extra virgin coconut oil, melted)
1 teaspoon vanilla.

Mix all ingredients. Let set 15 minutes. Drop by rounded teaspoon on parchment lined or ungreased cookie sheet. Bake at 350 for 15 to 18 minutes. Cool on rack. Recipe makes about 3 dozen. Since they freeze great and make a super quick breakfast on the road, I always make a double batch!
Some suggestions: use any dried fruit you like or a combination (raisins & cranberries, gogi berries). Be sure bananas are ripe and that they are medium to large. If you have small bananas, use 4. Chopped nuts can be added. Reduce the dried fruit by the amount of nuts used. The finished cookies are not brown on top, so check the bottoms for doneness.

Yum, yum, yum! Dig IN!

*bloop* (that's the Virtual door bell - couldn't you tell?)

The guests must be sensing that I've put out some snacks, because they're starting to arrive!

I'm honored to introduce you to two inspirational runners: Suzy and Lisa (you bloggers may know Suzy from her blog "The Runs" and Lisa better by her blog name Java-Mom - can you believe she even got her kids to call her that on her birthday for a little bit of monetary incentive!)

Suzy reports that she would have sent a photo along with her story, but she's been running for so long that her husband and kids don't turn out at races to take pictures. Don't feel bad for her, though, because the time her husband spends watching the kids so she can run is FAR more precious to her than any photo! And now . . . Suzy's inspirational story:

"I have a husband who is recovering from knee surgery, three very active children (one of which has a broken arm), 2 dogs (one of which is in heat and is wearing diapers) who follow me around the house under my feet, 2 cats that holler for food and litter changing, and a bearded dragon lizard who demands his greens and crickets. I'm needed by all at every given moment of the day, getting the energy squeezed and sucked out of me until tears come and go. It is so rewarding, and so exhausting."

My week is already starting to feel tame . . . I wouldn't even know where to begin with a bearded dragon lizard! I think we're starting to see why you need to run, Suzy . . . tell us more:

*photo credit: Wikipedia*

"I need to refuel properly, and I do that several ways. One of them, and one of the most important ways for me to do that is by running. It is so liberating for me to run out the door and 'away from home.' I work out all the kinks, frustrations, anger and stress by literally pounding them out of my body through my feet into the pavement with each step. Sometimes it takes seconds for me to feel liberated from all of that, and sometimes it takes the entire run. I run away from home, and when I feel like I have ran out all the negativity, I turn around and run back home!

I can honestly say that I don't primarily run for the physical health benefits of weight control and cardio health. Those things are bonuses for me. For me, I actually tend to lose a bit of weight when I stop running, and gain it back when I start. (Muscle gain mixed with increased appetite maybe) I run for my mental health and also to bring myself closer to God who is my primary stronghold. This, combined with the stress-relieving physiological benefits of exercise is why I run, and I will do it for as long as I am able."

I wish you MANY happy years of running, Suzy. Thanks for stopping by the party to celebrate with me!

While Suzy helps herself to some snacks and fills out the slip for the Virtal Book Launch Party Drawing to possibly WIN a copy of We Are Girls Who Love to Run (read about how YOU can join today's guests and win a copy here), we'll chat with Lisa for a few:

Lisa sent along not one, but TWO fabulous running celebration photos. I think you'll agree that she definitely has a grasp on the JOY of running. Just "meeting" her will make you want to get out and RUN (I'll give you three guesses as to which runner is Lisa, and the first two don't count!)!

"This picture captures what running means to me...it is pure joy. It is a celebration of my new fitness and health." You can read about Lisa's personal fitness journey (she's taking life to a whole new level by doing triathlons now!) at her blog.

What else, Lis?

"I love running because of all of the wonderful friendships I have made. Who knew that you could start a simple running blog and then end up at a dinner (PFChang's pre-race dinner) with all of these blogger friends?!?"

Hey, Lisa, is that Marcy sitting beside you? Hi, Marcy! Happy running to ALL of you!

Be sure to stop by the party for more yummy treats and to meet some other great folks who love to run/walk/swim/bike/smile. I might even be able to convince my husband to drop by . . . you just never can tell what the week will bring!

The calm before the storm

I'm gearing-up for a big week of running celebrations (Girls on the Run of Puget Sound auction and the Launch Par-tay for my book!) and supporting youth (the auction, my son's first music concert), so I spent the weekend enjoying life with my family because I'll be away just about every evening this coming week.

Other than fitting in my third run of the week (hooray!), Saturday was rather unmemorable and tiring (I don't remember specifics because I've tried to push them out of my mind, but I believe the day was heavy with children whining and eating - they're both going through growth spurts and didn't sleep well the night before . . . come to think of it, the adults may have been whining, too, by the end of the day).


(Yes, these adorable kids who were engrossed in the sandbox for nearly an hour were the same two who were unbearable yesterday - I find it hard to believe sometimes, myself!)


But TODAY, the glorious day that it was, was SO good that I brought out the camera to document it (well, part of it, anyhow)!

(My daughter ready for the day with a hat to shade her eyes from the bright sun that we haven't seen much of in MONTHS!)

- the run for the day was gifted to our dog, Albus, who spent about an hour frolicking around the dog park while we enjoyed watching and following him around. Today was a good day to be a dog!

- a trip to REI for some new yoga pants for me and bike lock-related stuff for my husband (who is now riding his bike to catch the bus to work!) had us smiling . . . the kids were thrilled that we finally made the switch over to SIGG bottles because they are now the proud new owners of some neat-o new water bottles (my son's has gorillas, my daughter is getting my old purple one and I got a sweet new red one, which she proudly carried for me).

- The day was TOO nice to pass-up a picnic at the park, so we swung past Whole Foods to get the best picnic lunch I've ever had - custom sandwiches for all (that translates into a tomato/mozzerella/basil one for me!), potato salad for the grown-ups, fruit salad for all . . . yum!

- We capped off our excursion with the picnic at a park we'd never visited - which turns out to have a mini farm where we enjoyed seeing goats, a VERY pregnant pig, horses, bunnies, young chicks . . . we'll definitely return!

- The afternoon was spent fully engaged in PLAY - play in the backyard, our daughter's first time in the sandbox, wagon rides galore, and we pulled out the play tunnel after dinner for one last dose of giggles and fun.

(The day was so nice, our son just couldn't keep his shirt on and my husband and I took turns pulling them around and around and around the back yard in the wagon)

(There's nothing like being chased through a tunnel by your big brother while the static attacks your hair!)

I now feel fully rejuvinated and ready to tackle the week!

I hope YOU feel ready to hit "send" to pass along your favorite snack or post-run recipe, a photo of yourself running or a lovely little blurb about what makes you passionate about running . . . because I'm looking forward to sharing it with my readers this week for the Virtal Book Launch that kicks off TOMORROW!! Email your entries to: girlsrunning@hotmail.com with the title Virtual Book Launch Entry so I know it isn't junk!

And WHY should you feel inclinded to participate?

I'm so glad you asked! By participating in the party you'll be entered to win one of 3 FREE copies of We Are Girls Who Love to Run! If you already own a copy, this will be a copy you can pass along to your favorite gal (whether or not she runs!) or to your local school library. See - you have NOTHING to lose and a fun new book to GAIN! :)

See you at the party, folks . . . it starts tomorrow and goes ALL week! Now, how's THAT for a party?!

Refusing to Miss a Run Pays Off

Sometimes life throws a wrench in your plans . . . or even two. BUT, with a little creativity and some determination, you can still make Plan A work (note: this is not ALWAYS possible, but I'm happy to report I was able to work it this morning!).

Before you read on . . . be sure to send your entries for next week's Virtaul Book Launch Party! You could WIN a SIGNED copy of my book We Are Girls Who Love to Run just by entering! I'll be compiling the photos, stories and recipes this weekend to share with you over the course of next week - don't miss out on the fun!

And now, kind reader . . . back to your regularly scheduled blog entry:

Last night was supposed to be treasured Date Night. It started well, but took a bit of a turn.

- When I dropped off the kids, they were both smiling. So were my parents. The sun was even shining!
- I went to yoga without my husband, as he's testing out the new bus system in our efforts to help save the earth (and money) and couldn't make it back in time.
- My hubby called in our take out order . . . I picked it up on my way home after yoga
- We were about to take our dinner downstairs to watch some TV while eating (*gasp* - NOT romatic for Date Night, but a rare treat that we just couldn't resist) when the phone rang . . .
- My poor mom was sick, so we needed to pick up the kids
- We inhaled dinner through 10 minutes of My Name is Earl and then I went to get the kids
- Our regular night time routines ensued, but then . . . at 2AM, Little Sister decided she was cold and the only possible way she could relax and go back to sleep was to sleep in our bed . . . horizontally . . . with her feet in my face . . .
- my clothes were set out so I could get up at 5:45 with my husband (who is now getting up at this unimaginable hour to take the bus - my hero!) to run before cleaning the house and fetching the kids . . . and having 2 kids come over for the morning
- with Little Sister in bed, there was no way to safely do that, so I "slept" until 7ish, when Mr. Music (her nearly 4 year old brother) came singing and dancing into the room proclaiming that we should all be awake since he was. And, so we were.

I could have ignored my neatly piled running attire for another day, but I knew that I set a goal on Monday at Go Workout Mom to get in 3 runs this week and if I didn't run this morning that my goal would be dead in the water. SO, I cleaned like a mad woman for an hour (while feeding the children and doing a little Mary Poppins-like maneuver to make cleaning seem fun to get them to help) and then decided to try something new . . . something daring . . . something that I'm sure thousands of moms across the country do on a daily basis, but I've been too scared to try . . .

Are you ready? Take a deep breath . . .

I let my kids play while I ran on the treadmill.

Is that ALL, you ask? Yup. That's all, folks. BUT, for me . . . it was a big breakthrough. I'd done it regularly when I could plop Little Sister in the play pen or the exersaucer, but she's WAY too mobile and big for those lifesavers anymore, so it really has been about 4 months since I've been able to run while the kids are awake and not being entertained by another able body. And, for the most part, it was great!

I DID have to stop the treadmill twice to redirect my stubborn son from leaving the room (with the door open to the stairs - NOT good for Little Sister) and from exploring some of his Dad's tools. I also had to stop once to keep my daughter from riding our poor dog like a horse (despite my attempts while running to get the dog to move BEFORE she swung her leg around . . . you'd think he would have seen that coming!). But, for the first go at this, I'll take it. It was just the jump start I needed for my day and the step I needed to get toward my goal. It also gives me hope that as I really get my running back on track (I couldn't help the pun, sorry) that I have this option available to me for the days that an outside run just doesn't happen.

I am a runner. I am strong. I can DO this! Duvall Days 10K, I'll be ready for you!

What tips do YOU have to entertain your troops so you can run? How do you carve out time in your day for YOU and your goals?