Dallas turkey trot.

We spent Thanksgiving in Dallas this year. On Thanksgiving morning, my sister in law and I woke up and headed to the 42nd Annual Turkey Trot with one of her best friends, sister and one of her best friends. It was crazy. I think the last count was 36,000 participants. Many with strollers and dogs. It was a measly 5k, but a lot of fun. I think that I finished in 32 minutes which is really good for me. There were no timing chips so this is a garmin estimate. Hope that you all had a great Turkey day. I don't know about you, but I MUST put in some serious miles to work off the tremendous amount of food that I consumed!

Thankful.

Today I am thankful for running. It is still an ever learning process and something that I am growing in and becoming better at every day. You have provided me with endless therapy, release, calm and enjoyment. For every mile logged, I am infinately better to my loved ones. And for that, I am sure that they are thankful too.

Holiday weight gain.

I get countless "Newsletters" in my inbox. JCrew and Runner's World are really the only two publications that I even open. While I ooooowwww and ahhhhhh over JCrew I read Runner's World.

Like every other woman on the planet, holiday weight gain is something that I do not want to experience. So when this popped up, I was certainly reading for retention. For the most part is is the same ole, same ole....eat less, move more...blah, blah, blah.

A couple of things really stuck out.

Because you are naturally logging fewer miles, work more on strength and flexibility. This is something that I know I tend to slack on. My core is a mess. It could use some serious work and I really think that on those cold, rainy dark mornings/evenings that instead on begrudgingly logging miles or not logging miles at all participating in P90X's Core workout is a better option. In the long run it may even make me a better runner.

The second which is at the crux of the entire Weight Watcher's program is to plan ahead. Seriously, if you fail to plan then plan to fail. I think that there is so much truth in this statement. Just taking the time to plan your workouts (runs, strength, stretch, recovery, etc) around holiday festivities and craziness. As well as your meals. While I am a sucker for a snicker doodle and a sausage ball (oh heck, why not both) if I can go into those situations armed with a snack of almonds and a broth based soup in my stomach taking just one is oh so attainable.

What are your tips as a runner to ward off the holiday weight gain or to continue on the path of weight loss?

Davis turkey trot.

Well, Saturday marked Gia's first "competitive" event. She had a blast. We arrived in a whirlwind (which I think is just part of being the mom of a tot) and grabbed her bib number and t shirt and raced off to the starting line.

This "race" was so well organized I was really in shock. And the number of participants just warmed my heart. The 5k and 10k's had been early in the morning so many of the parents running with their kids had already done their race. It was such fun to see so many parents passing on their love of the pavement to the little tykes.

Gia did have a spill mid race. But like a true champion she picked her self up and just kept going. She kept saying, "See mommy, I just like you." Now, I have not fallen in a race, but I do just keep going. I have to say that certainly was a heart swelling moment.

When she crossed the finish line there were ribbons. Which I was a little bummed about. I thought they were giving "medals". I would have happily paid five dollars more for a plastic medal for Miss Thing. The disappointment quickly left when she realized there was free chocolate milk, Greek yogurt and face painting galore.

Don't you remember the orange slice smile from soccer when you were a kid? I just thought it was too sweet. All in all, it was a great time. She has talked about it non stop. I am keeping my eyes peeled for more family events like this. I think all kids should at least be exposed to the joy of activity and healthy competition.

{Super proud mom and dad}

{At the finish line}

And in case you were wondering, yes we are THOSE parents. Not only was I shooting pictures of her the entire time, RT had the video camera. Oh well, at least her early years are well documented.

Humidity and running.

I live in California. If you are a runner, living in the Bay Area is the single best place to run. The climate is so incredibly moderate that running is always fantastic.

We now live in Roseville, and it gets hot, but the temperatures still dip enough in the morning and at night that running is enjoyable and possible all year long.

Everytime I come to Texas I am amazed at the humidity. Even more so, I am amazed at the number of runners. I am amazed at how much more difficult running is when the weather is not either what I am used to or lets be realistic, just perfect.

So, runners in humid climates....what do you do to make life easier? How do you perform at your best given the conditions that surorund you?

Off and running.

I just registered Gia for her first race. On November 21, 2009 at 11:45am she will be participating in a two hundred yard dash at the Davis Turkey Trot. I can not wait to see how excited she is about her own bib, goody bag, medal and T shirt. She always steals mine.

I will be sure to post all about it when it is said and done.

Who knows, this little monkey may just have the running bug. Lord knows she is better built for it then me!

Reason for running.

I have many reasons for running, but the number one reason on my list turns three today. GIA IS THREE!!!! Can I believe it!?!?! No. Can you....well of course. She is a human being and ages just like the rest of us.

One thing about being a mother is that the minute you hold that child in your arms you suddenly really understand what YOUR mom was talking about. You really did have no idea how much she loved you. Until that moment.

For me, it was 3:49am on 11.18.2006. After hours of labor, no drugs and a just all the way around stressful delivery this precious bundle arrived in my arms. I was in awe. She spent three days with me and then was rushed to the NICU. Long story that you can check out my other blog if you want to know all about our little lovey.

But with this little girl came nearly an extra hundred pounds. I had always run. But as punishment. I started out walking. Step by step. With walking and Weight Watchers the weight came off. S-L-O-W-L-Y. But it did come off. It was always more of a chore.

Then I discovered mile ten and a half. Oh for the LOVE of mile ten and a half. That is when the fog lifts for me and I feel like a million bucks. I never did experiment with drugs, but I really think this is what it must be like. Because mile ten and a half is what I love.

That is how the journey began. Then it became so much more. Gia was the first one to really consider me a runner. She is the one that starting saying, "Mommy, you run?" "Mommy, you wet?" "Mommy you feel good?" And then I realized. I am a better mommy because I put one foot in front of the other and run.

With running, I set a good example for her to be healthy and have internal drive. And like most things, I had no idea I was doing that when I started, but now I know.

So regardless of what Gia wants to do when she gets older I know that my running is something that inspires her to put one foot in front of the other and find the mental part no matter how rough things seem and how impossible it looks.

Happy Birthday Baby Girl! You are my inspiration!