Shopping for MOM

Children make the best cheerleaders!  Sometimes I think
they are more excited for my races than me.

Big Girl reminded me this morning that Mother's Day is only "six sleeps" away.  She asks, "So Mom, what are you hoping to get for Mother's Day this year?"

I tell her, "I've got everything I need right here."

She laughs.  "No really Mom, I want to buy you something."

So in fear of getting more cupcake and cookie pans, I indulged her with a splattering of ideas for this runner mommy.  Feel free to share this list with your husband if you think he needs a little direction...


RUNNER JEWELRY is always a nice gift for the runner mom.  Even while we're building PB&J sandwiches or coloring with crayons, our next run is in the back of our minds.  One finger-touch to a runner girl necklace is a quick reminder that our time on the road is never far away.

Find these necklace charms at Lift Your Sole.

"Run like a Mother" necklace found at The Silver Maple.

INSPIRATION DECOR reminds us why we run, how much we love it, and what a better person it makes us.  Just one look at a motivational sign can make us tie up the sneakers and sneak out...

Find this oval wooden sign and many other designs at Gone For A Run.

NEW READING MATERIAL is like food for a momma's "sole".  There are so many good running books out right now for women... or how about a new magazine subscription?  Reading before bed makes it one step easier to get up for that early morning run.

A GOOD MASSAGE doesn't have to cost a fortune.  These days, I'd even take one of those "Good for one Massage" coupons.  You know the kind you exchanged with your husband back in the newlywed days.  From our back down to our feet, runner moms could really use a massage this time of year as we finish our spring races.  Of course, this needs to come with one of those "Free Babysitting" coupons too...

SPORTY GEAR is always on a momma runner's wish list.  While you can go the easy route and just pick up a gift card at the local running store, it's a much more personal touch when the new gear is mommy-featured and wrapped up in a pretty bow.

This shirt and others like it can be found at Another Mother Runner's store.

"Marathon Mommy: 26.2 Miles of peace & quiet" shirt found at cafepress.com

HEADBANDS combine fitness and fashion perfectly for the mom who still wants to look like a diva on the run.  Bondi Band has a special "Mom Sale" happening now... check it out for only $5 each!  At that price, every kid can pick one out for mom!

When it comes to a runner mom, the words "I have no idea what to get you"

should never come out of Daddy's mouth... 

Happy early Mother's Day to all you mother runners!

I pulled the trigger!

My heart is RACING right now!!
I finally did it, pulled the trigger, clicked the mouse... 

and registered for my first full Marathon!!

website here

The course drew me in... 

4 cities, 2 states, 1 island, crossing over the Mississippi River 3 times

(Illinois and Iowa border)

The bling is sweet...

They support active MILITARY with a 50% discount. Score for my hubby to run too!

Most importantly, my whole family will be able to be there to cheer me on!

‎"Instead of focusing on all the things I can't control, 

I am enjoying the moments in front of me. 

The marathon is going to be an amazing journey

and I get the chance to write the ending. " 

- Shalane Flanagan 

April Rewind

Oshkosh Half in the rain 4/15

Whew!  What a month April was!  And how quickly it flew by.  Reflecting back always provides me with good perspective.  I'm so thankful for the past 30 days of good health, fun visits with family and friends, and the new running friendships I have made.  Life is good.


MILES OF TRIALS
April miles: 108.75
Longest run:  13.1
Races:  Oshkosh Half-Marathon (recap here)
   April 15 finished in 2:09:02
The Jelly Bean virtual 5K (recap here)  
   April 21 finished in 25:58 (PR!)
Illinois Half-Marathon (recap to come!)
   April 30 finished in 2:03:58 (PR!)


IT'S NOT FAT, IT'S FUEL
Monthly weight loss:  +2.5 lbs  (o'crap!)
YTD weight loss: -17.9 lbs
My Biggest Loser contest ended in March, and I really slacked this month on watching the food intake.  Everything is life suddenly got really busy for me.  Meal planning took a backseat, thus proper nutrition faltered.  Easter, my daughter's birthday, carb-loading and rest days for 2 half-marathons probably didn't help either.  In May, I plan to attack this much harder.  HOLD ME TO IT!


MIND OVER MILES
Books I'm reading... I've started the following two books.  Unfortunately, my reading time has been cut this past month.  As soon as I finish them, I'll write a full review for you.  So far, they are both great motivating reads!!
"Run Like A Girl" by Mina Samuels
"Hot (Sweaty) Mommas" by Kara Douglass Thom & Laurie Lethert Kocanda 

ROCK ON!!
Song downloads this month...
Not much new on the ipod this month... only two downloads!

MONTHLY CONFESSION
I stole ALL the chocolate from my kids' Easter baskets.  And ate it.  Hmmm, I just wonder where those extra pounds came from?!?! 

QUOTE OF THE MONTH

"A goal should scare you a little, and excite you a lot."  ~Joe Vitale, author

This is exactly how I feel about the 26.2 monster.  In April, I've researched a lot of different choices for my first marathon in the fall.  (I decided St. Louis is too hilly and probably stupid for my first full.)

THE MISSION FOR MAY

• Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure 5K (May 7) - finish the hilly course in under 27:00.

• Monthly miles goal: 100

• Weight loss goal: -9 lbs

• Marathon #1: Make the commitment, pick a race and REGISTER already!!  My goal is to check this off by the end of today. Damn, I'm nervous...

• 31 Days Hard Core: I'm initiating a vigorous core challenge for myself in May... 31 straight days of core exercises, an assortment of workouts from P90X to TurboFire to The Shred.  No excuses!

• I want to relax my running this month before I start my next training program in June.  Forget the times and pace... and just enjoy the run!  I find little "breaks" like this help to refresh my soul, legs and passion.

Thanks to all of you who follow my running rambles here.  

Your support and encouragement really mean a lot!  

xoxo

Friday Race Salute!

Welcome to all my new followers.  So many of you joined in for the Jelly Bean race, and I hope I stay interesting enough for you to keep reading!   I've been a bad blogger friend, but I will get around to visit your blogs as soon as I can.

I leave for Champaign in a few short hours and still haven't even decided on a race outfit.  Somehow the royal wedding took precedent this morning?!  The weather is looking good for the Illinois Marathon, but I'm not counting my eggs yet.  We'll have comfortable temps, escape the rain, but will have to fight through some spring wind.  I'll take it.

Every run this week, I have envisioned the Finish Line... the loop around the stadium, the final climb to the entrance, and the dash across the football field to cross at the 50-yard line.  That part I've got down... it's the rest of the race I'm unsure about!  

• RACE SALUTE •

It's the last weekend in April and there are a lot of races this weekend!  Good Luck to each and every one of you!  This is my Race Salute to you!!!  You've trained for this... now go kick some asphalt!!  I can't wait to hear of new PR's and read your race recaps next week.

Kim @ (Just) Trying is for Little Girls - Eugene Half Marathon

girafy @ 365 Days of Awesome - PCRF Cinco de Mayo Half Marathon

Kim @ Book Worm Runs - 10K

Toni @ Running Loving Living - Long Island Half Marathon

Missy @ Southern Girl Running - CPCC Skyline 5K

Holly @ I Hate the Treadmill - Park to Park Half Marathon

Kim Hebert - Nashville Half Marathon 

and all my fellow comrades at the Illinois Marathon in Champaign, IL

Elizabeth @ New Mercies - Illinois Marathon

Barbara @ Running Strong for Hope - Illinois Half

Courtney @ Run Courtney Run - Illinois Half

Angie Cordio - Illinois Half

Marcie & Brian Linne - Illinois Half

Leslie Poppenhouse - Illinois Half

Jennifer Young - Illinois Half

Twix @ Lost and Found - Illinois 5K

If you're racing this weekend (or next), leave a comment and let us know!

GOOD LUCK EVERYONE!!

The Jelly Bean Report... WINNERS!!

All because of my addiction to these...

I got a whole boatload of people to run during Easter week.

Not just run, but RACE their bunny tails off!  

With exactly 199 registered for The Jelly Bean, over 78% finished the race.  I sure hope you splurged on some jelly beans to celebrate!  I know I did.  Thank you so much for playing along with my fun and running the virtual Jelly Bean 5k/10k with me!

• BEST COSTUME •

I love to have fun, and that's what this virtual race was all about.   It was hard to pick just one winner with so many cute pictures sent my way.  These three are deserving of an Honorable Mention...

Skinny Mary-Michael

Michael

Richelle

and the winner of a "Run with Jess" prize pack for the BEST COSTUME is...

Katie Stemp, with her mom and sister, put some fun thought into their costumes.  They dressed in yellow to be matching PEEPS... (from left-right)  Peeping Tom, Peep Show, and Little Bo Peep.  I love good creativity!  Nice work ladies!

Your pictures inspired more fun honorable mentions

(no prizes, but a mention on my blog is prize enough, right?!)

• BEST SWEAT •

Have no doubt about it, a lot of sweat went down last week,  but Toni takes the cake!

• WORST WEATHER •

Coming back from surgery, Beth Ann ventured out in the white stuff to run the Jelly Bean!

• BEST SCENIC PHOTOS •

Kesha ran along the beautiful Hudson River in NY/NJ.  This photo is AWEsome!

This photo of Rachel belongs in a magazine, don't you think?

• GOOFY ENTHUSIASM •

Katey shows her muscles!

Kim rocks her finishing pose!

I think Melissa is having fun on her run!  I love it!

• GREATNESS IN GROUPS •

Cassie got her local running group to join her in The Jelly Bean race.

The Towpath Turtles in Ohio made the JB into a fun group event.  Photo submitted by their coach Sheila.

A group from the Illinois Air Force Guard sport bunny ears for their JB run. 

 • ASPIRE TO INSPIRE •

I love to see running involve the whole family!

This little guy was our youngest runner, finishing his 5K is 31 minutes!

Kim and her daughter enjoy the run together.

Pam even made her daughter a Jelly Bean race bib to wear for the ride!

• PRIZE RAFFLE •

With 155 finishers + 92 bonus entries for photo submissions, there were 247 names in the Jelly Bean prize raffle.  Congratulations to the winners (randomly chosen by random.org).  Winners, please e-mail me at runwithjess@comcast.net with your shipping address. 

RYDERS EYEWEAR - runner's sunglasses

Heather Bean

Amy Long

Carson Cook

LUCY ACTIVEWEAR - shirt & headband ensemble

Sara T.

Missy Pruitt

MILESTONES JEWELRY - runner girl necklace

Clare Early

BONDI BAND - fashion/fitness headbands

Katey K.

Pam Miller

ROAD ID - ID item of choice

Jessica Hill

GU ENERGY - assorted sample pack

Michelle S.

Jess A. (Blonde Ponytail)

Michael Weatherly

RACES 2 REMEMBER - pack of 3 pace bands for an upcoming race

Richelle M.

"RUN LIKE A GIRL" - the book by Mina Samuels

Kim Reed

"SWEATY (HOT) MAMAS" - the book by Kara Douglass Thom & Laurie Lethert Kocanda

Cindy Gabriel

VOTE: Help me design a shirt!

Back in January, I dedicated two races towards the fight against breast cancer, specifically the Susan G. Komen for the Cure here in Peoria, Illinois (Susan G. Komen's hometown).  Over the past several months, I have orchestrated a little fundraiser called Cupcakes4Cure, raising over $1000 to fight breast cancer.  Now it's time to run the races!

Illinios Half Marathon - April 30 - Champaign, IL

Race for the Cure - May 7 - Peoria, IL

Help me design my race shirt! 

Shirt Back:  I will feature names of survivors, fighters and remembrances.  For a $10 donation to my Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure fund, you may add an honorary name to my shirt.  Click HERE to make a donation; and send the honorary name to runwithjess@comcast.net.  Thank You!

Shirt Front:  Below are 5 choices for the front... Please help me decide and VOTE below.  (You can vote for two choices.)  The design will be printed onto a black tank top.  Thanks for your input!

Weekend of Ups and Downs

THE JELLY BEAN

Just a reminder to all who signed up for The Jelly Bean, get your race times/photos in today before 12noon CST.  I have not been able to respond individually to everyone, but please know that I have thoroughly enjoyed your photos and neat messages.  So many runners set new PR's in this virtual race... so congratulations to you!!  I've done my best this weekend keeping up with all the emails and entering in your times, but I did notice this morning some data was deleted/missing... so if you have a moment, please check the spreadsheet HERE to make sure your data is correct.  It's already sorted by first name, so just scroll down to your name.  If something's not right, just post a comment here please.  Thank you to all for participating and making it a fun event!

LESSONS LEARNED
On Saturday, my hubby raced in a 4mile trail race.  So I spent the morning with the kids cheering him on.  Sometimes it's nice to be a spectator, yes?!  Afterward, we did the kid-swap and I headed out for my long run.  It was rather disappointing, and I'm still trying to decipher why.  I did 8 miles that felt like 14.  By mile two, my quads were talking and my legs were just tired.  It's been a messed up training week since I took a couple days to recover from the Oshkosh Half and then raced a 5K.  But after much thought, here's  couple valuable lessons I learned...

• Take rest days seriously.  No matter how great you think you are, don't run 6 miles on the rest day.  And then expect your long run the next day to feel good.


• After a month of no chaffing problems, don't pick the first warm day to forget protective SportShield.  OMG, I got the worst chafe on both underarms!  It was the main reason I quit at 8 instead of the planned 10 miles. It's really hard to run without moving your arms...


• Friday night fish fry, followed by ice cream, is not proper nutrition the night before a long run.  I was up all night dealing with tummy reaction to the overload of grease and dairy.


These are all things I know... I was just very unfocused this week.

Forgetting about my crappy long run on Saturday, we had a wonderful Easter Sunday.

Do you even recognize me without the sweaty ponytail?

Followed by a joyous birthday party for Little Girl on Monday.

Look at me... I'm THREE!

Check out the cake I made for my daughter!

Now it's time to sharpen my focus on the task in 4 days...

 Illinois Half Marathon.

Bring it.

Lookin' Good on the Run

Yesterday morning I headed out on an early morning run.  Unplanned.  A rest day no-no before a long run.  But hubby was home.  Kids were sleeping.  The rain had taken a slight break.  And I hadn't run outside all week... Sometimes the stars just align.

I slipped into my new lucy training tee.  Even more comfortable than my pajamas!  The fabric is sooooo incredibly soft!  The moisture wicking lucy tech material is both breathable and absorbing to pull sweat away from your body.  I especially like the top because it runs longer in length to cover my mommy tummy!  Did I mention how incredibly soft the fabric is?  I can't get over how it feels like a second skin.

If you haven't tried out lucy yet, go over to their website and give their cute activewear a look.  Don't forget to like lucy on Facebook HERE. Here's some items on my wish list...

Wanna look cute and stylin' on the run?!

Here is your chance!   lucy is one of the sponsors of The Jelly Bean 5K/10K virtual race that ends tomorrow!  They have provided these neat shirt/headband ensembles (pictured below) for two lucky race finishers.  So sign up for The Jelly Bean today!  For details and registration, click HERE.

Win this t-shirt/headband ensemble from lucy in The Jelly Bean!

Win this lucy tank/headband ensemble!

There are two more sponsors of The Jelly Bean that I have yet to review... two very cool books.  It's been a unusually busy and chaotic week for me, so I haven't been able to finish them yet.  So book reviews to come in the future... but you can still win a copy of these great running books in The Jelly Bean virtual race.  Don't forget... The Jelly Bean virtual race ends Easter Sunday!