Born to Run

My cousin, and fellow runner, told me about this book called "Born to Run" by Christopher McDougall. She encouraged me to read it... said it gave you a new perspective on running and especially on the idea of barefoot running and the commericalization of running shoes. I was intrigued enough by the idea to request the book from the library and wait the many weeks that it took to make it's way to my local library for pick up.

I can't say that it was a quick read and I still can't decide if I even liked it, but I am glad that I read it. It was the story of reporter for an exercise magazine that wanted to learn how the true UltraRunners can do what they do... run 50-100 miles on a regular basis. He researched a tribe in Mexico that does that much running on almost a daily basis and yet, suffers very little injury. He explored the idea that sneakers, particularly expensive sneakers are made to hurt us and thus make us think we need even better sneakers or that we need to replace them more often. He talked to ultrarunners who believe that through evolution, the human body is truly designed to run and that our own feet are only what we need to do that.

Can't say that I believe truly either high priced sneakers or the idea of barefoot running... but it makes me question the $120 asics that I was recently "fitted" for at the elite running store. They had some great quote in the book that I don't want to forget, so no better way to leave those with me... than to blog about them.

"If it feels like work, you're working too hard."

"Hills are like speedwork in disguise."

"Think Easy, Light, Smooth, and Fast...."

"Beyond the very extreme of fatigue and distress, we may found amounts of ease and power that we never dreamed of ourselves to own; sources of strength never taxed at all because we never push through the obstruction."

"Don't fight the trail. Take what it gives you."

Go Jets Go!

Football (and really most sports) aren't really my thing. Being the mom of two girls, I have found that most of the events, activities and outings that the girls part-take in, I am usually the one tagging along with Nick home at the house doing the "man" stuff.

I don't mind having the TV on for what seems like ALL day on Sundays with football game after football game, but I have to say that I have found more joy in the football experience this year since the kids have become more involved and it has become something that they feel like they are "doing" with Daddy. It isn't as if they all curl up on the couch together - in fact, I don't think any of the kids actually watch more than five minutes of any game... but they get excited about it, want to talk to Nick about it and even seem to look forward to the big game!

With the Jets making it almost all the way... we have had lots of fun football afternoons at our house and have tried to turn it into a family event whenever possible. (I wonder if Nick is liking that idea or missing the time when we all use to vacate the house when football was on?)

I am loving the idea of the kids having something special that they do with Dad - I have a feeling that Colin will be a huge sports guy and that many 'a football afternoons will be spent in our house. I never, EVER, would have thought I would say this - but I think I kinda like the idea of football. (Can't say that I like the game yet, but maybe that will come...)

2 weeks later...

the update on the New Year's resolutions....

• resume blog - good progress.
• less facebook/ computer time - not so good.
• eating healthy - could be better, could be worse.
• biting my nails - good (I have even inspired Natalie to work on this!)
• marathon or exercise - all's good on that.

New Adventures means New Excitment!

Winter in the northeast is long. The last couple winters have seemed extra long as the kids are cooped up in the house and we all dream about warm vacation spots that we can't seem to figure out how to afford. Sure, the kids will go outside and play in the yard, build a snowman, sled down the hill, then come inside and demand their "well earned" hot chocolate... but it always seems like a lot of work, for not that much pay-off of fun. Well, this year, we are exploring a new winter adventure. Living literally less than 2 miles down the road from West Mountain, a local (but pretty nice) ski mountain, we figured that we best give it a go....

I learned to downhill ski in high school and really liked it, but I wouldn't say that I was an avid skier or did it on any regular basis, and have done extremely little of it in the last 10 years (If going 1x in 10 years even counts!) Nick never got the chance as a kid to try out downhill skiing and now doesn't really have the desire to learn, but we still felt like it could be a good thing to break up the long, cold winter season and create a fun, active thing to do with the kids. Last winter, Natalie did one lesson at West to see if she would like it and I couldn't believe how fast she picked it up! I think that kids have less fear, are closer to the ground and just seem to go with it. She did great! This year, she has signed up for weekly ski lessons through school and I have gotten a ski pass to be able to ski with her at least once a week! Last night was the first lesson and my turn back on skis and it was a great success!

Here is Natalie after her lessons heading down the mountain. West Mtn has all their trails lit so we can ski in the dark. Natalie was a little more hesitant in her first couple times down the mountain - even more so than she was last year, but as the night went on and her confidence went up, she did better. I expect each week, we will see a better, more confident skier!
Our self portrait as we headed up the ski lift together. I am loving that this is something that we will be able to do (and enjoy) together!

4:44am

Is what time I woke up to my alarm this morning. The end of vacation, back to the reality of work, school, and the chaos of fun that I call my life. Why do I feel better setting the alarm at a random time? Is waking up at 4:44 easier than waking up at 4:45?

It's a New Year... resolutions time!

2011! That seems like such a giant number, but I am sure in just a few weeks it will roll off the tongue and we will be moving forward in this new year, as just as another day.

I am one who does like to make New Years resolutions. Nick has remained consistent for as long as I have known him with the same resolution, "never to make a New Years resolution," but I always like thinking of the "new" start that comes with the start of a new year and new beginnings. I even talk to my students at school about it and this year, got Natalie thinking about resolutions and what we can purposefully try to do to improve our lives with the start of a new year.

This year, I have several new years resolutions... with the first being what brings me to this blog at 8:30pm (a time that I am usually shut down and headed to bed). I have totally abandoned this blog and I miss it! I have loved writing in this blog (even when I have no idea who reads it or even if anyone does) and posting pictures. I love being able to look back at blog entries of the passt and seewhat we were doing or what the kids were up to and remember the funny stories that were important enough to write about at that time. As many would agree, life seems to just fly by with such chaos and I get caught up in the routine of the days and stresses of the moment, that blogging allows (and forces) me to take a minute to self check and live in the moment of the event that I am writing about. I haven't written since last May or June - mostly because of the time commitment and how long it takes to upload pictures (and I LOVE to take pictures, so I like to share them!). Also, with me using facebook so much now, it allows me to "mini" blog in my status updates, but it doesn't do it justice... so this year, as part of my 2011 New Years Resolution, I want to blog on a regular basis. I am not going to set myself up for failure and say that I will write a certain amount of times - i.e. "1xwk" but I will write!

Other resolutions include... running a marathon (??... not sure what that means either - maybe just a really cool race or continuing to enjoy long distance running), using the computer less (there is no need for me to check my gmail or facebook as often as I do), and to finally stop biting my nails. If you are reading this, share with me your New Years resolutions.... who knows, maybe we can keep each other on track!

Happy New Year!