Okay, I can't give an exact reason, because honestly I have been doing it for so long now it is just part of my life. I have learned over the years that I feel better the weeks that I exercise then the weeks that I don't.
Maybe I do it because my job requires it, maybe I do it because as a firefighter, if it's my family and my house is on fire, I don't want a fat, out-of-shape firefighter trying to get me out of a burning building because they were more interested in eating pizza and watching TV then staying prepared for their job.
Maybe I do it for this country. I have a standard to uphold to fight for the freedom of this country. Yes this country has its problems and I will NOT discuss politics but I LOVE this country and I would put my life on the line for it in a heartbeat and not even think twice about it....and if there is someone firing a weapon at me or chasing me or doing who knows what, I will NOT falter because during peacetime I was too busy playing video games or too tired to get off my butt and exercise.
I know one thing for sure, I do it for me and me alone. There is no one else that I do it for. So when I don't do it, there is no one I let down besides myself, there is no one I am hurting besides myself. Is this selfish? Maybe so but how often in life do we actually get to do something for ourselves?
What motivates you? Who's next?
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Motivation
What’s your motivation? Losing weight? Being a part of the family-project? Becoming a marathon runner? Fitting into a smaller size? Liking the feel of your body in motion? Having time to yourself? Endorphins?
We are all doing this for different reasons and I wonder what is motivating you?
For me, I have two motivations. First, I’m trying to get healthy because I love sugar. It is my favorite food! I love sugar in all forms, especially ice cream. I want to eat ice cream when I am sixty years old and the only way I can do that is if I eat less ice cream now and get in shape. So I am doing this for ice cream when I’m sixty.
The second reason I am running is to keep my bad habits in check. I spend way too much time frivolously and running helps keep me focused. Bad habits have a way of getting out of hand and taking over my life. On the days I run I feel proud and strong and it is sooooo much easier to make healthy choices when you feel good about yourself. So the second reason I run is to feel proud enough to make good life choices.
Who’s next…
We are all doing this for different reasons and I wonder what is motivating you?
For me, I have two motivations. First, I’m trying to get healthy because I love sugar. It is my favorite food! I love sugar in all forms, especially ice cream. I want to eat ice cream when I am sixty years old and the only way I can do that is if I eat less ice cream now and get in shape. So I am doing this for ice cream when I’m sixty.
The second reason I am running is to keep my bad habits in check. I spend way too much time frivolously and running helps keep me focused. Bad habits have a way of getting out of hand and taking over my life. On the days I run I feel proud and strong and it is sooooo much easier to make healthy choices when you feel good about yourself. So the second reason I run is to feel proud enough to make good life choices.
Who’s next…
Friday, April 18, 2008
Monday, April 14, 2008
Where should we go...
I think we should plan to get everyone to Disney World by January!
Here is what it would take:
*Note - distance is estimated by Mapquest and rounded. The time is in hours:minutes and assumes that someone not Peanut (who's fast) or Valerie (who's slow) is driving. Also, please feel free to edit the places so they are closer to your actual area.
From Athens, Georgia (Sarah) - 461 miles (7:17)
From Bangor, Maine (Diane, Prudie, Valerie, Lois) - 1553 miles (24:42)
From Baton Rouge, Louisianna (Ken, Vickie) - 701 miles (10:27)
From Boston, Massachusetts (Mary, Josh, Claudia, Abby, Peanut, Curtis, TK) - 1322 (21:04)
From Emporia, Kansas (Andria, Chino) - 1352 miles (20:41)
From Norman, Oklahoma (Bobby, Hayley) - 1283 miles (19:48)
From Portland, Oregon (Corina, Alan) - 3088 miles (45:09)
From San Angelo, Texas (Tracie, Kat) - 1399 miles (20:56)
Total (taking one person at a time): 32,034 miles. Total (if folks car-pool): 11,159 miles.
Can we get everyone there by January? That would take about 300 miles a week from now... That sounds like a lot of running/walking... BUT - remember: we did over 100 miles in 3 out of 14 days. What if we start to include some weekday miles? I bet we can make 300 miles a week - that is an average of 2.5 miles per person per day. 2.5 miles is a lot for most of us, but some of us are doing MUCH more than that.
What do you think? Is this too much to reach for? I bet we can do it - especially with some folks doing upcoming marathons.
Here is what it would take:
*Note - distance is estimated by Mapquest and rounded. The time is in hours:minutes and assumes that someone not Peanut (who's fast) or Valerie (who's slow) is driving. Also, please feel free to edit the places so they are closer to your actual area.
From Athens, Georgia (Sarah) - 461 miles (7:17)
From Bangor, Maine (Diane, Prudie, Valerie, Lois) - 1553 miles (24:42)
From Baton Rouge, Louisianna (Ken, Vickie) - 701 miles (10:27)
From Boston, Massachusetts (Mary, Josh, Claudia, Abby, Peanut, Curtis, TK) - 1322 (21:04)
From Emporia, Kansas (Andria, Chino) - 1352 miles (20:41)
From Norman, Oklahoma (Bobby, Hayley) - 1283 miles (19:48)
From Portland, Oregon (Corina, Alan) - 3088 miles (45:09)
From San Angelo, Texas (Tracie, Kat) - 1399 miles (20:56)
Total (taking one person at a time): 32,034 miles. Total (if folks car-pool): 11,159 miles.
Can we get everyone there by January? That would take about 300 miles a week from now... That sounds like a lot of running/walking... BUT - remember: we did over 100 miles in 3 out of 14 days. What if we start to include some weekday miles? I bet we can make 300 miles a week - that is an average of 2.5 miles per person per day. 2.5 miles is a lot for most of us, but some of us are doing MUCH more than that.
What do you think? Is this too much to reach for? I bet we can do it - especially with some folks doing upcoming marathons.
T-shirt Ideas
I've been thinking of ideas too for the shirts. I love the idea of Motivator or Runner on the front. Even those that don't make it to the marathon, but want to get a shirt should get a motivator shirt I think...
I was thinking it could say something about - Multi-state Family Relay - all in one place (or all in one day...) It kind of depends on keeping up the multi-state relay, but this is playing a big part in keeping me motivated so early on that I'd like to recognize it somehow. Or we can put an "all together now" somewhere...
With that said though, I dont' want a huge long slogan, because I want a lightweight shirt to run in. It is going to be a HOT day. :-)
I was thinking it could say something about - Multi-state Family Relay - all in one place (or all in one day...) It kind of depends on keeping up the multi-state relay, but this is playing a big part in keeping me motivated so early on that I'd like to recognize it somehow. Or we can put an "all together now" somewhere...
With that said though, I dont' want a huge long slogan, because I want a lightweight shirt to run in. It is going to be a HOT day. :-)
Where Do You Want To Go?
Good morning everyone! I hope everyone is rested up from their weekend of fitness fun. In week 1 we only counted the miles accumulated on Saturday. In week 2, we made an adjustment and are counting all miles from both Saturday and Sunday. It was evident that not everyone could make it out on Saturdays and the important thing here is that we do get out and get moving. So, whether you went Saturday or Sunday, or even both, the distances count. Plus, in the coming weeks, some of us will be taking part in some longer races and will not be running on Saturday to allow for fresh legs for the Sunday races.
Here are the numbers for Week 2, as of Monday morning:
6 states, 18 participants
Kansas (Andria (x2) & Chino): 9.79 in 1:54:34
Maine (Diane, Prudie, Lois, Valerie, Wayne): 5.6 in 2:08:00
Massachusetts (Peanut (x2), Curtis, TK, Mary, Josh, Claudia): 20.29 in 5:45:00
Oklahoma (Bobby (x2) & Hayley (x2)): 20.15 in 5:40:52
Oregon (Alan & Corina): 10 in 1:00:00
Texas (Kat): 1.5 in 24:00
Weekend Total: 68.33 Miles in approx 16:52:26
2 Week Total: 114.51 Miles
In all, we have had 23 different people take part since the beginning of our weekly family fitness outings. I was very impressed to see this week we had 6 new contributors. EXCELLENT!!! Last week we fell just short of a 50-miler. This week we smashed the goal of a double-marathon (52.4). In just three days of fitness over two weekends we, as a FAMILY, have now covered the distance of more than 4 marathons. That is amazing, is it not? And you all have had a hand in it, or rather two feet in it.
Please remember that all distances count, whether you are running, walking, biking, swimming, roller-blading, ice skating or what ever else. Unfortunately, as we found out in the rain delay this weekend at the Red Sox/Yankees game Saturday, letting "your fingers do the walking" does not count. Bummer! Hey, if you lift weights, or even are still shoveling snow, let's hear about. Get your kids and spouses to join you on those walks and runs, it can be quality bonding time and their miles count too. Remember, if you take your dog out for a walk, the dog's miles do not count, but yours DO.
I will continue to calculate the miles each and every weekend, so please either text or email me your results when you get the chance. It will be pretty cool to see what distances we have covered at the end of the month, and the end of the year for that matter. Let us see how far we can travel. By year's end will we have covered enough distance to have walked our way to Grandma's House? Disney? The Caribbean? Middle-Earth? Around the world? Tell me, where do you want to go?
Here are the numbers for Week 2, as of Monday morning:
6 states, 18 participants
Kansas (Andria (x2) & Chino): 9.79 in 1:54:34
Maine (Diane, Prudie, Lois, Valerie, Wayne): 5.6 in 2:08:00
Massachusetts (Peanut (x2), Curtis, TK, Mary, Josh, Claudia): 20.29 in 5:45:00
Oklahoma (Bobby (x2) & Hayley (x2)): 20.15 in 5:40:52
Oregon (Alan & Corina): 10 in 1:00:00
Texas (Kat): 1.5 in 24:00
Weekend Total: 68.33 Miles in approx 16:52:26
2 Week Total: 114.51 Miles
In all, we have had 23 different people take part since the beginning of our weekly family fitness outings. I was very impressed to see this week we had 6 new contributors. EXCELLENT!!! Last week we fell just short of a 50-miler. This week we smashed the goal of a double-marathon (52.4). In just three days of fitness over two weekends we, as a FAMILY, have now covered the distance of more than 4 marathons. That is amazing, is it not? And you all have had a hand in it, or rather two feet in it.
Please remember that all distances count, whether you are running, walking, biking, swimming, roller-blading, ice skating or what ever else. Unfortunately, as we found out in the rain delay this weekend at the Red Sox/Yankees game Saturday, letting "your fingers do the walking" does not count. Bummer! Hey, if you lift weights, or even are still shoveling snow, let's hear about. Get your kids and spouses to join you on those walks and runs, it can be quality bonding time and their miles count too. Remember, if you take your dog out for a walk, the dog's miles do not count, but yours DO.
I will continue to calculate the miles each and every weekend, so please either text or email me your results when you get the chance. It will be pretty cool to see what distances we have covered at the end of the month, and the end of the year for that matter. Let us see how far we can travel. By year's end will we have covered enough distance to have walked our way to Grandma's House? Disney? The Caribbean? Middle-Earth? Around the world? Tell me, where do you want to go?
Disney T-shirt Ideas
I've been thinking about our t-shirt design for Disney and the feedback people have given so far. I know we have plenty of time to come up with something great, but it's been in the back of my mind anyway. Then, last night at my university's Relay for Life, I heard a speech that put an idea in my head. The man who was speaking was a cancer survivor who said he could never have gotten through everything without the support of his family. He quoted a scientist (I'm completely blanking on his name) who said that we stand on the shoulders of giants. If it were not for the people before us, we wouldn't get nearly as far in life. This made me think of our family and the wonderful support network we've created for each other. So tell me what you all think of something like this as a saying on the back of the shirt:
And then the front of the shirt would say something like this for the runners participating in the races:
Let me know what you guys think! :)
Hayley
"Running on the Shoulders of Family: One big family motivating each other to get fit!"
We could also make it a little funnier and more lighthearted by quoting the words of Prudie:
"Running on the Shoulders of Family: One big family motivating each other to Move Our Rears!"
And then the front of the shirt would say something like this for the runners participating in the races:
Disney Marathon Weekend 2009
RUNNER
For the motivators:
Disney Marathon Weekend 2009
MOTIVATOR
Let me know what you guys think! :)
Hayley
Saturday, April 12, 2008
Happiness Overcomes
This is just a general post because I really want to re-iterate to EVERYONE that although I know many of us contributing to this blog have MAJOR goals in mind - such as a Goofy or a Marathon or a Half Marathon, that exercise is about the greatest thing for your body, mind and soul. You should be doing it because it makes you feel good or you enjoy your clothes getting a little bigger (Peanut and Bobby). You should do it because it makes you happy not because you have to. I have learned over my years in the USMC that I have to do things to make it enjoyable because I don't always enjoy running my miles. I vary it up with the elliptical or speed walking or sprints or a bicycle or finding someone to exercise with. Sometimes I sign up for a 5K run to help me get motivated. But I also know that even on days when I don't feel like doing it, I know that if I can just drag my butt off the couch then once I get moving, I am completely refreshed. It is a way of life and whether you are walking 1 mile in an hour or running 5 miles in an hour. You are making your heart and body healthier and you are doing something for yourself. In today's society with work and kids and sports and spouses and life in general, it's real easy to forget to make time for yourself - this is a way you can get that time back for you and only you. You are adding days to your life and days OUT of the hospital every time you exercise. Who wants to live on machines in a hospital? Not me!! I challenge you to this - think of yourself 4 months ago and think of yourself now - are you better or worse? The time you have taken to exercise - was it lost time in your life? Are you better or worse for spending that time exercising? I just see a lot of emails from everyone who sound as though they are not proud of their distance or time they have exercised and I say this - If you are out there doing it, you are ahead of half of the people in the United States. Everyone is doing SUPERBLY and should hold their head high. I dont' know how else to say it - if you are out there doing it - you're doing AWESOME!!
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Running Shoes and Happy Feet
I'm at a Quilting Expo today and need someone to tell me it's okay to wear my running shoes when I'm not running. I know they should be special and precious and only worn when I go running every other day. The problem is... they are special and precious and make my feet feel great so I want to wear them all the time!
They are the only good quality shoes I have so when I am not wearing them my feet say "Hey! Where are those fancy shoes we like soooooo much?"
When the budget gets better in a month, I'll get another pair of shoes that make my feet feel great. For now, I just need someone to say, go put on your shoes and browse (and enjoy the quilts).
(Posted by Mary)
They are the only good quality shoes I have so when I am not wearing them my feet say "Hey! Where are those fancy shoes we like soooooo much?"
When the budget gets better in a month, I'll get another pair of shoes that make my feet feel great. For now, I just need someone to say, go put on your shoes and browse (and enjoy the quilts).
(Posted by Mary)
Saturday, April 5, 2008
7 States, 15 Participants, 46.18 Miles, 1 Big Day (Family)
Here is the breakdown of today's multi-state family relay fun run. It began in Florida at 5:30 am ET and spanned a seven state total, finishing up shortly after 4 pm ET. It included 14 known participants accumulating 43.68 miles. The time it took to cover all that is approximated to be about 10.5 hours. Ironically, although numerous family members were taking part at the exact same time, it is not that far off from the actual time from when the run began and when it finished. States contributing miles this week were:
Florida - 1 member at 8 miles
Louisiana - 1 member at 4.03, 1 at 4
Kansas - 1 member at 4.23 miles
Maine - 2 members at 1 mile each, 1 at .5
Massachusetts - 2 members at 3 miles, 1 at 3.44
Oregon - 1 member at 6.4, 1 at 1.5
Texas - 1 member at 2.2
UNBELIEVABLE!!!
Something that is even more INCREDIBLE? While typing this up, another report was just received from Massachusetts bringing in another 2.5 miles in about 45 minutes. WOW!!!
I had a lot of fun with this today. By the involvement by everyone else I gather you did too. Shall we put on our gear again next Saturday? It is not required that you run at the exact same time as everyone else considering we will be spanning all four contiguous time zones next weekend, as I will be going from ET to MT, but it is cool when it is possible. What do you say about 50 miles? Or rather a double marathon (52.4)?
Florida - 1 member at 8 miles
Louisiana - 1 member at 4.03, 1 at 4
Kansas - 1 member at 4.23 miles
Maine - 2 members at 1 mile each, 1 at .5
Massachusetts - 2 members at 3 miles, 1 at 3.44
Oregon - 1 member at 6.4, 1 at 1.5
Texas - 1 member at 2.2
UNBELIEVABLE!!!
Something that is even more INCREDIBLE? While typing this up, another report was just received from Massachusetts bringing in another 2.5 miles in about 45 minutes. WOW!!!
I had a lot of fun with this today. By the involvement by everyone else I gather you did too. Shall we put on our gear again next Saturday? It is not required that you run at the exact same time as everyone else considering we will be spanning all four contiguous time zones next weekend, as I will be going from ET to MT, but it is cool when it is possible. What do you say about 50 miles? Or rather a double marathon (52.4)?
Few and Far Between
So I just wanted to introduce myself to the group. 33 year old female who has been in the US Marine Corps for 15 years. I will NOT be running a marathon - that absolutely does NOT interest me. I run for a living and believe that paying to run is nuts. I will support all of my cousins, brothers, nieces, whoever in their goal of running a marathon while I stand on the sideline and show support as a motivator. I can motivate VERY WELL and can yell loud.
I am extremely proud of everyone for making a goal and getting to it. I run about 5 days a week and I never run more then 4 or 5 miles. I stay to the short runs and although sometimes it's speed work and sometimes it's on a treadmill, it's always less then 5 miles.
I am a single mom of two kids (boy 11, girl 8) and chase after them often. I am a firefighter so that helps me stay in shape also. My life revolves around the kids and the Marine Corps - there isn't much time for anything else. I keep up with the family via their blogs and love to see how much progress they have made. This weekend our multi-state exercise session was AWESOME. It should be a weekly thing. Technology is GREAT!!
I am extremely proud of everyone for making a goal and getting to it. I run about 5 days a week and I never run more then 4 or 5 miles. I stay to the short runs and although sometimes it's speed work and sometimes it's on a treadmill, it's always less then 5 miles.
I am a single mom of two kids (boy 11, girl 8) and chase after them often. I am a firefighter so that helps me stay in shape also. My life revolves around the kids and the Marine Corps - there isn't much time for anything else. I keep up with the family via their blogs and love to see how much progress they have made. This weekend our multi-state exercise session was AWESOME. It should be a weekly thing. Technology is GREAT!!
Who are we?
Well hello and welcome to our blog! We are a big ole group of siblings, cousins, parents, in-laws, aunt and uncles who are trying to get and stay fit. Some of us are runners, walkers, hockey players, water polo players, yoga or pilates fans, or parents who have kids to chase down. We just want to be more active and live a healthier, longer life.
Last weekend two sisters and I, in three different states all went out for a run together. We figured this was a great way to keep us all motivated. Afterwards we figured out that two other siblings were running within an hour of our run. This weekend it exploded and we had runners from Maine, Massachusetts, Florida, Louisiana, Kansas, Oregon, Texas and a few more states yet to add their totals.
Some of us have our own training blogs, but we decided to start one for the whole group. Sometimes you just want to add a random comment and don't want to write a big long post, or sometimes you don't want to have your own blog, but don't mind posting every now and then. So that's the idea here. There's a big group of us who will be contributing.
So let me introduce you to the first poster, me. I'm a 32 year old girl living in Kansas who has always been a runner at heart despite long breaks in my running. Even though I don't have the lean, mean running machine look, I can hold my own. Last year at my brother's wedding, my cousin K, his wife V and I all ran a 5 mile race at Peaks Island. It was amazing but it kicked my butt. I had done some running prior to the race, but now I know I should have run a lot more. Either way, talking with K, we decided to sign up for the Walt Disney World marathon in January 08. K got injured along the way, but I ended up running and had a huge support team. Now K has signed up for the 09 Disney marathon and, the support team, or what we prefer to call the motivators, have committed to either being motivators next year or to run the marathon as well. Some of us will be doing the Marathon, some the Half-Marathon, and some will be doing the Goofy Challenge (doing both the half and whole mary during marathon weekend at Disney).
My favorite post-race snack is a banana with peanut butter. I love running, the Boston Red Sox, knitting, tae-bo, ice cream, coffee and doing multi-state runs with my family!
Last weekend two sisters and I, in three different states all went out for a run together. We figured this was a great way to keep us all motivated. Afterwards we figured out that two other siblings were running within an hour of our run. This weekend it exploded and we had runners from Maine, Massachusetts, Florida, Louisiana, Kansas, Oregon, Texas and a few more states yet to add their totals.
Some of us have our own training blogs, but we decided to start one for the whole group. Sometimes you just want to add a random comment and don't want to write a big long post, or sometimes you don't want to have your own blog, but don't mind posting every now and then. So that's the idea here. There's a big group of us who will be contributing.
So let me introduce you to the first poster, me. I'm a 32 year old girl living in Kansas who has always been a runner at heart despite long breaks in my running. Even though I don't have the lean, mean running machine look, I can hold my own. Last year at my brother's wedding, my cousin K, his wife V and I all ran a 5 mile race at Peaks Island. It was amazing but it kicked my butt. I had done some running prior to the race, but now I know I should have run a lot more. Either way, talking with K, we decided to sign up for the Walt Disney World marathon in January 08. K got injured along the way, but I ended up running and had a huge support team. Now K has signed up for the 09 Disney marathon and, the support team, or what we prefer to call the motivators, have committed to either being motivators next year or to run the marathon as well. Some of us will be doing the Marathon, some the Half-Marathon, and some will be doing the Goofy Challenge (doing both the half and whole mary during marathon weekend at Disney).
My favorite post-race snack is a banana with peanut butter. I love running, the Boston Red Sox, knitting, tae-bo, ice cream, coffee and doing multi-state runs with my family!
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