Race Report 10/23/11

Race: Honored Hero

Distance: 20 Miles

Time: 3:13

Finish: Overall:  , Gender:  , Age Group: 1/  (coming soon...)

Comments:  Small races can be so nice!  I had a really great run and by that I mean I felt good.  I can't say that about all my races.  But I felt good the entire 20 miles.  I'm not sure if it was because I was just running at a pace that felt right (no time goal).  In fact, I was feeling so good around mile 14, I started talking to just about everyone I came along, even if it was just to say "Good job!".  I was also able to speed up for my last 3 miles which was another sign that I was feeling pretty darn good.  Have I mentioned that?  What's kind of funny is that I was actually afraid I wouldn't finish the entire 20 miles.  I was worried I'd stop part way through.  One of the guys I chatted with is getting ready to run his 75th marathon next weekend.  Wow!  You can read about him here.  I met a grandmother who is training for her first marathon.  I met another woman who lost her mom to cancer and had a shirt that I would love to have - the back read "Strong for my mom". 

Lessons Learned:  I found some new spots that will need Body Glide during future long runs and the marathon.  ;)  I think a pit stop has to be part of my marathon plan - somewhere between mile 4 and mile 7.  I am just going to have to stop.  No other option as far as I can tell.  Oh well. 

Here are the girls waiting at the finish line.  Photo taken by ever-supportive husband. 

I tried to quit but . . .

Yes, it's true.  I tried to quit.  Several weeks ago after my 18 mile training run, I tried to quit. 
I haven't been able to get in my long runs on Saturdays which means either super early on Sunday, breaking them up on Sundays or running on Sunday afternoons (because I'm teaching Sunday School, of course).  I am a morning person.  Running after noon = bad.  I don't want to do much of anything after 3pm.  Five in the morning is much, much better than five in the evening. 

So when I did my 18 mile training run a few weeks ago, I wasn't in the greatest of moods to begin with.  It took me 3 hours.  My legs hurt.  They ached.  I was tired.  And I'd spent the majority of a weekend afternoon running.  Alone.  OK, not entirely alone since My Neighbor joined me a for a few miles around Mile 11.  But certainly without my girls or my man.  And weekends - at least for us - are supposed to be about family. 

So after feeling tired, achy and grumpy after my run, I decided it was just plain stupid.  Why am I doing this to myself?  Why am I spending all this time running?  It's never been a life long dream of mine to run a marathon.  I've never kicked myself for not doing it earlier in my life, unlike many other things I wish I'd done.  It's not one of those back-of-my-mind things I've thought about for years.  So why am I doing it?  I don't remember exactly.  I think it had something to do with needing a new goal, something to work toward and strive for. 

When my husband and girls returned home to find me soaking in a very hot bath, I announced that I had decided my training was STUPID and that I'd be changing my registrations to a half if the race organizers allowed that.  Angel Girl quickly responded with Mom, we don't say that word!   (Stupid, of course.)  So I said, OK, this is not smart.   And then to my complete and utter amazement my husband said, No.  You've trained too much for this.  You're too close.  Do it and then you can be done with it. 

And so it goes.  I am still training.  The 20 Miler is on Sunday.  I'm nervous and dreading it and worried about it.  I haven't gotten to do a 20 mile training run yet.  So I guess we'll just have to see how this goes. 

Race Report 9/23/2011

Race:  Get Healthy Texas 5K

Distance:  3.1 Miles

Time: 26:24

Finish:  Overall:  32/159, Gender:  10/93, Age Group:  3/24

Comments:  One of the Stroller Mates Moms used this as her goal race to train for a 5K following the birth of baby boy #3.  It was a fun race - we met there and hung out with until start time.  Wonder Woman was also there with her oldest who's 6.  He kept yelling at her to "Run faster, MOM!" during the race (yeah, that's super-easy when you're pushing a 45 lb kid).  Angel Girl sort of sang/yelled the whole way and chimed in occasionally with the "Run faster, MOM!" and "Go, Mommy, Go!" on hills.  We were quite the sight, I'm sure.  It was a 6pm race, so I was very thankful that Little Miss Spitfire didn't fall asleep during the race (that would've meant a very late bedtime).  Probably the singing/yelling kept her awake.  Angel Girl thinks I won this race because I got a trophy.  I'll just let her think that for now.

Lessons Learned:  No big lessons here, but I am reminded how much I like small races (when else would I get a trophy?!), how much more fun it is to have friends there, and how nice it is to have one close to home.

What happened to running?

Is this a post about running?  Well, not so much.  But it is a post about my frustration because I'm not running as much as I'd like to be.

Life has gotten a little more hectic and less conducive to running in the last month or so.  About 4 weeks ago while walking home from our neighborhood pool, we passed a home for sale and commented that more space might be nice.  Ten days later our house went on the market and we had an Open House (same day as the Hottest Half).  Three days later we had an offer.  Now we're 'under contract', and I'm stuck at the house waiting for various service techs to show up during a 4 hour window. 

Wednesday morning I actually ran laps around our block while waiting for a plumber.  It's half a mile around our block, so I figured the most anyone would have to wait was 4-5 minutes.  I think I got 2.5 miles in that way, but running laps around your block (a) gets moderately boring and (b) makes the neighbors wonder what you're doing.  Yesterday I managed to squeeze in 3 miles before the girls woke up.  I've been doing 2-3 miles on the dreadmill when I can (but oh how boring that is).  This piecemeal running is not ideal.  I miss getting 4-5 miles in at once.  I'm hopeful that I'll get back into a better routine and soon.  I have only been going to Stroller Mates when I'm teaching which means my overall fitness is suffering - not just running. 

I've also had to apologize to every friend who's moved in the last couple of years - for my own ignorance and lack of sympathy for all the stress it entails.  Wonder Woman moved not that long ago, and I had no idea.  Since Angel Girl was born, the majority of our moves have been from one rental to the next until this home.  Even then it was buying only.  I think what's frying my brain is the selling and the buying all at once. 

Race Report 8/14/2011

Race:  Hottest Half

Distance:  13.1 Miles

Time: 2:07:33

Finish:  Overall:  474/1373, Age Group:  17/102

Comments: This was my slowest time for a half marathon yet.  I had anticipated taking it a little more slowly given the heat and humidity.  I knew I'd actually be walking through water stops.  But even knowing that, I still wanted to finish in under 2 hours.

We got a brief respite from the heat the day before the Hottest Half which meant it wasn't as hot as it had been (39 consecutive days of triple digit weather), but it was very humid.  Much more humid than it had been. 

I dropped my water bottle around mile 9.  I was apologizing profusely as I picked it up, and when I started running again another runner started chatting with me.  He ended up talking to me until we crossed the finish line.  I learned all about his kids (all grown), and he got to hear all about mine.  He was about the same age as my dad, and thankfully, he was funny. 

Lessons Learned:  Don't start at the back.  I know they say that it doesn't matter with chip timing, but it does.  If you're way in the back, you get stuck behind the walkers.  I spent the first mile just trying to get out from behind people.  Then the race bottle-necked on a bridge, and I probably walked 100 yards . . . slowly.  I know not to start at the back, but we'd just come out of the port-o-potties when we heard the gun go off. 

Hottest Half

I'm scheduled to run the Hottest Half this Sunday with My Neighbor.  It may truly be the hottest half.  We've had 40 consecutive days of triple digit heat.  The record is 42 consecutive days. 

We've been under either a Heat Advisory (temps over 105) or had an Excessive Heat Warning (temps over 110) pretty much every day.  The predicted low on Saturday night is 80 and the predicted high on Sunday is 104. 

I've decided to freeze the reservoir in my Hydrapak and wear it during the race.  That will allow me to focus on sports drinks at the water stops and keep water handy for most of the race. 

Anyone else running the Hottest Half this weekend?  Are you traveling or do you live nearby?

Hills

Have I commented on hills much?  Probably just randomly.  I know I read somewhere that a "hill workout" should be part of my regular training.  But like many things that should be part of my training routine, I don't always find them practical with a stroller.  I would include hills in this category of "not practical" although I have an idea or two about how I could include them. 

I have two routes with quite a few hills and I try to run them once a week (ok, maybe every other week - they really kick my rear...and quads...and hams...).  I find even the smallest, inconsequential looking hill to provide plenty of challenge with both girls.  I also find downhill to be a challenge because control is easier said than done. 

I ran at a nearby lake recently and I'd forgotten how hilly it is out there.  Yikes!  My Polar HRM really liked it as far as calories are concerned.  It was a fabulous workout and should probably be a regular route in my training schedule.

I've also considered parking the girls at the bottom of a hill while I do a short hill workout as part of a daily run.  I would probably need a few extra snacks and/or toys while they're sitting still.  And I probably wouldn't try it in the heat we've been having lately (unless they're in the shade and there's a breeze).  It could work, right? 

I've worked in some hill repeats on the rare weekend solo run, and I like the variety.  I have a couple of hills nearby that are great for it.  Any advice on hills?  How often?

Podcasts

I've started listening to podcasts on my long runs.  The pro is that I find them very distracting and entertaining.  My favorites are Wait, Wait Don't Tell Me and Car Talk (just FYI, I have no interest in cars but Click and Clack are hysterical!).  The con is that I run slower listening to podcasts than I do with my music.  All my run music is up tempo, dance type music (go figure), and I tend to run with the beat.   But long runs are supposed to be slower, right?

I just saw that Another Mother Runner has some podcasts, so I've downloaded those for my next medium-long run.  When did 8-10 miles become not a long run?  I'm not sure . . .

Do you have suggestions for how to get out of the house without the kids for a long run?  My strategy lately involves getting up very early on Sunday mornings and leaving before anyone else is awake.  The main downside is that I am too tired to fix my hair for church and have been wearing it in a bun (which is actually OK because it's so hot, I don't want to use heat in way, shape or form to fix it) AND I am fidgety during church.  Me and my 4 year old are bouncing in our seats during the service.  But I digress.  I typically leave Hubby a short list that says something like please feed the girls and get them dressed (I have to lay out the clothes, sometimes food suggestions too).  I would like to leave water on the front porch and stop back by the house once or twice, but I'm fearful I will also get at least one girl in a stroller if I do that.  ;)  It's happened before.  I don't mind doing long runs with Little Miss Spitfire, especially if she falls asleep, but I know Angel Girl's max right now is about 45 minutes and then she just wants O-U-T.

Tempo Runs

Lately many of my runs have been a variation of a "tempo run" by default.  As in I don't manage to get out of the house until 6:50am and Hubby needs to leave by 7:30am AND my goal mileage for the day is 5 miles.  You see the issue here since I typically run a pace of 9:30 to 10:30 per mile on daily runs (especially in this heat).  So I've had quite a few mornings where my pace is averaging around 8:30 per mile.  Based on what I've read, I should really be doing a warm-up and cool-down mile at a slower pace, but again, it's not really an option some days. 

(Total side note:  Our A/C went out Thursday afternoon.  Yikes it was hot in here!  Luckily the A/C repair guy was here bright and early on Friday and got it functioning again by 10am.  I don't know about the weather where you are, but we're on our 28th consecutive day of triple digit heat.)

Poor neglected blog . . .

I don't know about your summer, but ours has been packed with activities, lessons, day camps, and trips to various pools and splash pads.  I over planned for the summer to say the least.  Add on weeks of triple digit weather and you get one poor and neglected blog. 

I am an early riser. Yes, one of those people.  I'm normally up no later than 5:30am because that is typically the only time that no one else is awake, and I am able to do things without interruption.  Things like blog posts.  However, with the triple digit streak and lows only dipping into the lower 80's, I've been trying to log some miles before Hubby goes to work and that means getting out to run by 6:00am or as soon as there's enough light.  That in turn means that everyone is awake by the time I get home and thus, no blogging. 

I did manage my longest run to date this past Sunday - 16 miles.  I started at 5:50am and finished at 8:30am.  Yikes, that's a long time to be running!   I seldom plan a route exactly now that I have my Forerunner 610, and this day was no different.  I wore my Camelbak (packed with ice and then filled with water), but I ran out of water at 10.25 miles.  At that point I started texting Hubby (while running) giving him location information and asking him to bring me water.  Unfortunately, he didn't get the texts until I was walking down our street as a cool down.  So now I know I need to stop back by the house at least once on runs longer than 14 miles.  Run and learn.  I wasn't very sore the next day, but I took a hot soak in the tub and then got the water as cold as I could stand it for a while longer.  I don't know why that works for me but it seems to. 

Race Report 7/4/2011

Race:  Firecracker 5000

Distance:  5K

Time: 26:36

Finish:  Overall:  90/361, Age Group:  8/26

Comments:  After our last 5K, I knew we needed to hold back and not start off too fast.  I kept us around an 8:45 minute mile for the first 2 miles.  Hubby kept trying to take off, but hovered around us at the same time.  The first 2 miles felt good.  I wasn't tired or winded and could chat with Angel Girl.  I would tell you what we were chatting about if only I could remember.  After mile 2, I told Hubby to "just go" and that we would try to keep up.  I slowly watched the distance between us lengthen.  He's pretty quick considering a good week for him is running 3 times for 20 minutes.  If that were my running schedule, I doubt I could finish a 5K without walking.  His actual time was 26:10.  It must be partially due to each his natural athleticism and competitiveness.  At least that's what I'm going to tell myself. 

This was my first race with the Garmin and without using the Nike+.  Because I am usually using the Nike+, I typically have my headphones with me so I get to listen to my iPod as well.  This time I forgot the headphones because I wasn't worried about the Nike+.  I also forgot my arm band to hold my iPhone.  I like my music!  I ended up turning down the volume and letting my iPhone play via speaker in the stroller pocket, so we could enjoy some tunes but hopefully not disturb others on the course. 

Apparently, I overemphasized the need to not lose her water bottle, because Angel Girl was holding onto her water bottle in its cup holder in every race photo.  She's so funny!  Little Miss Spitfire - you guessed it - slept through most of the race.  She even missed the post-race bananas that she loves so much.  I used the Phil & Ted's which - as I've stated before - is great for 5K races because it's tandem, but not so great it how tough it can be to push, especially uphill.  On a side note, I added up the weight for the strollers and the girls and both the Bob Duallie and the Phil & Teds plus the girls come in around 90 lbs. 

Once again, I like my Garmin!  It was so nice to see our pace in order to pace us.  Ha!  I promise I will stop reporting my laps when the newness wears off, but until then I'm afraid they'll be listed in practically every post. 

Lap 1 - 8:46
Lap 2 - 8:31
Lap 3 - 8:14
Lap 4 - 1:14

The race itself was very organized and well put together.  The announcer was on top of things, and the course was easy to follow and didn't have any curbs.  You know how I feel about those curbs during races.  We've run one or two other 5K races in the park where it was held, and they are generally good there - lots of sidewalks, roads, and trails to run on.  I can't say I'm a fan of the hill during the last half mile, but who would be and what kind of 5K would it be without it. 

Lesson(s) Learned:  Starting off slow is a good idea.  We finished slightly faster than our last 5K, and we both felt good.   We did not feel good after the previous one, so this was a welcome change.  Going to the zoo right after may not have been the best choice though.  We were both hot and a little tired, but overall it was a very fun 4th of July. 

Have I mentioned how much I detest photos of myself running?  I mean, I just look like I'm in pain.  I feel the need to apologize to all my neighbors for having to see me run on a regular basis.  Actually, I seldom like photos of myself in general, so photos of myself running are just the epitomy of dislike for me.  I got the dreaded "your race photos are online" email which I can never just delete.  It's my own train wreck if you will.  I can't not look.  But I was pleasantly surprised to find that they didn't have any photos linked to my name or bib number because the stroller was blocking my number.  I think I'll use that strategy in all future races.

Forerunner 610

I finally got my new Garmin Forerunner 610 this past weekend, but it took me until yesterday to try it out.  It's very, very, very cool. 

I left the house about 6:45am just hoping to run a mile or so with my new Garmin to see how it works.  I knew it would be easier if I wasn't distracted by the girls.  (Mistake #1 - leaving the house without water because I didn't think I'd be gone very long)  I asked my husband to turn the porch light on if Little Miss Spitfire woke up.  That would be my cue to stop running, cool down and go home. 

As it turns out, there is a half mile loop right in front of my house.  I didn't know that until the Garmin told me.  So I basically ran "laps" while I fiddled with the Garmin.  I was also using my Nike+ for comparison and my HR monitor.  Gadgets galore.  No water. 

The porch light never came on, so after 4.1 miles I stopped.  I think I might have been fine without water except that (a) I hadn't really had any water yet and (b) I was having so much fun watching my pace and picking up my speed that I averaged and 8:31 mile and got faster with each mile. 

Here's what the Garmin summary read:
Lap 1: 8:41
Lap 2: 8:38
Lap 3: 8:26
Lap 4: 8:22
Lap 5: 0:53

This brings us to Mistake #2:  Running too fast for me.  I usually run somewhere between a 9 and 10 minute mile on general runs.  I'm very comfortable at that pace. 

As for the comparison between my Nike+ and the Garmin, the Nike+ (which often tells me that it has a weak GPS signal) was off by 0.05 miles (less) on every mile.  If you do the math, then it was off by about 0.2 miles by the time I finished.  And that means . . . I may have been running farther than I thought.

I felt awful when I got home.  I blamed it on the run, but then I began to wonder if I was coming down with something.  As it turns out, yes, I am.  Mastitis.  Fun stuff.  Not really.  I'm somewhat astonished that after 50 consecutive months of breastfeeding I'm just now getting mastitis?!  But I'm digressing...

I went for another run today but I (a) took my small 10oz hand held water bottle and (b) averaged 9:36 per mile.  I also ran different routes that kept taking me back by my house since I had the same arrangement about the porch light this morning.  You'd think he could just text me but we're old school or something. 

Today's summary:
Lap 1:  9:45
Lap 2:  9:22
Lap 3:  9:51
Lap 4:  9:31
Lap 5:  0:55

I felt much better after this run despite the infection still bugging me.  I don't know everything that my new Garmin will do.  I'm hoping to figure out how to do some speed drills with it.  You know, with all that spare time I have to figure things out.  So maybe by the end of summer.

Drills

I didn't have time for a long run this morning, so I tried out some of Jeff Galloway's drills.  I think I rather enjoyed them.  I did his Cadence Drill, Acceleration Gliders and a few Hill Repeats.  Actually I did 4 of each.  My Polar HRM seemed to like them too . . . as in, I burned quite a few calories.  I'll definitely be doing them again.

Running with the Famous

Yesterday morning, Todd from Running Mate joined us for our cardio class.  Though it's not a huge stretch to have him there (I mean, his wife is my partner in crime at our stroller classes), it is a treat to have him join us and chat about all things running while we run.  The Running Mate app is almost ready, and I don't know about you, but I'm anxious for it to be available.  It was also fun to hear about all the Running Mate Fans on Facebook and how people are really getting into and succeeding with the training programs. 

If you haven't tried out any of Running Mate's podcasts, you definitely should!  They're available on iTunes.  Even if you can already run a 5K or 10K (there are training programs for both), then at least try one of his interval podcasts.  They're a great addition to your training.

The Long Run

I finally logged a Long Run on Memorial Day. 

Before I left for the run, I gathered up everything that would be necessary to take Little Miss Spitfire with me if she woke up before I left.  (She didn't.)  I also left a detailed note for Hubby about what he should put in the stroller if he wanted me to take her with me. Then I placed an insulated bag on the front porch with water and Gatorade and set out to run 3x 4-mile loops, stopping by the house after each one for water and in case I needed to pick up LMS. 

The first loop, I kept thinking that it felt like I was flying.  Not because I was going fast.  I was not.  But because I was stroller free.  I could run up and down curbs, cut corners, and use both arms. Fabulous. 

My first loop ended up being 4.4 miles because I took an extra quarter mile around a pond and then took a detour around some free roaming dogs.  I shouldn't have been surprised that my insulated bag was not on the front porch when I returned.  I continued up the driveway to see the stroller sitting out which was actually good because I needed a potty break.  While I went inside, Hubby got LMS situated.

Rather than continuing doing loops, LMS and I ran the last 7.6 miles down our main street, around our Town Square and then back through our neighborhood.  My only complaint about the route was that I ran by Panera Bread, The Corner Bakery and Starbucks.  Yummy aromas all around.  I was already hungry.  That didn't help. 

But at least that 12 Miles is out of the way.

Getting the Miles Logged

A while back my friend, Wonder Woman, gave me some simple advice:  get the miles in when and where you can.  I've really taken this to heart. 

As I mentioned before, I bought a treadmill back in February and it's proven to be very convenient.  Not only does it give me the opportunity to run on days when it's raining or just too cold to put the girls in the stroller, but it often also gives me the chance to log a mile or two or three before my girls wake up.  I also know I can add a mile or two during my younger daughter's afternoon nap if I really need (want?) to. 

Really the biggest "disadvantage" to the treadmill is that it's easier than running behind the stroller.  I see a significant difference in the calories burned, max and average heart rates.  But then again, easier running is better than no running.  Some running is better than none.  At least it is in my life.  I've also found intervals on the treadmill to be beneficial - both for cardio conditioning and to fight boredom but that's probably a post for another day.  Getting back to the topic at hand...

That advice also gave me the permission I needed to break up my runs rather than feeling like I had to do all the miles at once or they didn't count.  Now on busy days, I sometimes run to and from classes, storytimes, and anything else that's under 2 miles from the house and doesn't require make-up or something nicer than workout clothes.  It doesn't actually take that much longer and if the weather is nice enough, it's quite enjoyable. 

Don't get me wrong here.  I'd actually like to get all my miles in at once and be done with it for the day.  But that simply isn't always the best or most realistic option for me. 

How do you log your miles?

Dragging the Hubby Along

I only managed to log 1 mile on the treadmill on Saturday before Little Miss Spitfire woke up.  The morning was a blur of toddler gymnastics, brunch at a new local favorite, and a hair appointment for me.  At some point while my stylist was getting my hair ready for summer, I decided that we (hubby, the girls and me) could all run together once I returned home.  Never mind that I didn't call or text my husband with this fabulous idea.  Why would I?  He only started running in February when I - out of complete desperation due to freakishly cold snowy and icy weather - bought a treadmill.  Since then he's been running about 20 minutes a day, 2-3 times a week.    

It never ever occurred to me that he might, on a Saturday afternoon when he's watching both girls by himself, decide to run.  You can imagine my astonishment (and disappointment) when I arrived home and found him all sweaty having just completed his usual 20 minutes.  Big frown from me.  He agreed to run with me anyway and actually didn't seem too upset about the extra run because it would be "family time". 

It was warm, bordering on hot, so we took off toward some shadier sidewalks and green space.  About 20 minutes into the run he started asking me how far we were going.  Truthfully, I had no idea.  I don't map runs ahead of time.  I let my GPS update me, and I work with it.  He pointed out my error here when he said "You can run as far as you decide to.  I run for 20 minutes a few days a week."  (Umm, I must say that up to this point, the farthest I've 'decided' to run has been 14 miles.  I'm not a marathoner.  Yet.)  Yes, my mistake.  I was having fun.  We were talking and both girls were napping contently in the Bob Duallie.  I was pointing out bat houses and commenting on the nice trail through one of the neighborhoods.  He, on the other hand, was not having quite as much fun.

We ran just over 3 miles and then walked the remaining mile or so home.  Overall, I thought it was nice.  We should run together every Saturday.  But next time, I'll map out a route ahead of time and give him plenty of warning.

Do you have a running partner?  Run with a training group?

Keeping the Kids Happy

I recently saw a question about how to keep the kids happy while you run. Here are my tips (some are based on age). As a reference, right now Angel Girl is almost 4 and Little Miss Spitfire is almost 1.

Littler Ones
* Naps: If your child still takes a morning nap, try running during naptime. My younger daughter regularly sleeps in the stroller. So much so that I have been known to rush my other daughter out the door because her sister needs a nap and won't take one until we get moving. (Please do not tell the sleep training people this. I pretty much break all their rules anyway.) There are a lot of head support options (like this) out there for smaller ones.

* Entertainment: Toys for little ones, like teethers, can keep them occupied. Just be sure your tether them in some fashion so you're not stopping to pick them up. I use sippy cup straps (something like this) for anything and everything.

* Pacifier: If you baby takes a binky, then by all means, take it with you. My older daughter was angered by binkies so I never even tried one with the 2nd child, but from what I hear, if they like 'em, they love 'em.

* Drink: Sippy cup with water (also tethered to the stroller). This is especially important in warmer weather. We do ice water when it's really hot.

* Snacks: Little Miss Spitfire just started "eating" Cheerios. By "eating" I mean that maybe 1 out of 10 makes it to her mouth and gets consumed. The squirrels and birds must really like us these days.

* Music: My playlist has some kids songs and some of "my" songs. I also have a kids' songs only playlist. I don't like running to it quite as much, but I'll use it if I need to. The girls seem to enjoy their music and if you sing along, you'll get an even better cardio workout. Plus, they can learn some classic kids songs. I'm tone deaf, so my girls need to hear someone else singing.

Slightly Older Ones
* Breakfast or Snacks: Because we often run as early as possible in the summer, my older daughter usually gets breakfast on the go. We are especially fond of organic cereal bars and PB sandwiches for breakfast. During the winter, we often don't go until the afternoon, and in that case, I take a small snack. I'm always looking for healthy options, so feel free to tell me what you take for your kids.

* Water Bottle: Angel Girl has been taking her own water bottle, just like Mommy's, for quite some time. She knows it's important to stay hydrated, and she will tell you as much.

* Motivation: When time & weather permits, we frequently end our run at a playground or in the greenspace that's about a quarter of a mile from home, but Angel Girl must be well behaved to get this "treat". Actually, I usually plan to do one or the other because I want her to get some physical activity, too, but she doesn't have to know that. I have also been known to offer her fruit snacks as a reward when I'm desperate. She loves fruit snacks, but they are a "treat" in our house.

* Entertainment: I have a few small toys that I leave in the stroller as special "stroller toys". Sometimes we take books. Angel Girl loves books. I know some moms strap DVD players in the stroller as well. I don't have a working portable DVD player but if I did, I might use that too. Movies on an iPhone or iPad would work, too, but I'm generally using the Nike+ on my iPhone.

Speed Drills/Intervals

I try to incorporate speed drills in my training about once per week. I also tend to use them on the treadmill to prevent boredom, so rainy/icy/snowy weeks see more of them. I don't like to have to concentrate too much during a run (errr, when is that even a possibility?), and because I think Running Mate is awesome, I generally use one of his speed drill (interval) podcasts (available on iTunes, in case you're wondering). I also had the good fortune to be one of his test subjects (I was going to say guinea pig, but ewww) for his Fastest 5K program which consists of several speed drills, and I incorporate those regularly as well. (BTW, best 5K time so far - and thanks to Mr. Todd - is 27:24 with a stroller).

From what I've read and heard, it seems like speed drills are necessary not only to help you gain speed, but simply to improve your running and keep you from becoming stagnant in your training. I find them much easier to do uniformly on the treadmill because I have the ability to set the speed and change easily back and forth, however, I find them much, much more challenging with the stroller (of course) and therefore love the cardio workout benefit with the stroller. Changing the momentum of the stroller enough to speed up really gets my heart rate on the up swing and I'm not sure if it's just my bad luck, but the "speed" intervals almost always seem to begin as I'm headed uphill or into the wind. My Polar HRM definitely shows a difference between my workout on the treadmill vs an outdoor workout with the stroller (and that's obviously true even when it comes to an "easy run" day).

Just Getting Ready to Run is a Challenge

If I am going to run by myself (a rare occasion indeed because it must be a Saturday and it must be over 7 miles otherwise hubby assumes I will take at least one child with me), here's what I have to do to get ready to walk out the door:

1. Dress self
2. Grab iPhone, water belt (for long runs), maybe my keys
3. Put on shoes and leave house

If I am going to run with both of my girls, here's what I have to do to get ready to walk out the door:

1. Dress self
2. Change Little Miss Spitfire's diaper
3. Dress Angel Girl, dress Little Miss Spitfire
4. Get a water bottle for myself and one for Angel Girl, sippy cup for Little Miss Spitfire
5. Prep breakfast or snack for Angel Girl, snack trap full of cheerios for Little Miss Spitfire
6. Ask Angel Girl if she needs to go potty
7. Convince Angel Girl that going for a run will be fun, motivate her further by promising to end either (a) at a park or (b) in the greenspace so she can walk the last quarter mile. . . if she's agreeable for the duration of the run
8. Realize Little Miss Spitfire has a dirty diaper, change diaper and redress
9. Realize it's been half an hour since we started our attempt to leave and take another potty break myself
10. Put on shoes
11. Load iPhone, keys, water and snacks into stroller while holding baby
12. Make sure there's a spare diaper, spare pull-up, wipes, and the hooter hider in the stroller (because you just never know)
13. Also check that tires are aired up and that the small pump is in the bottom of the stroller (because I don't want to carry anyone home if it can be avoided)
14. Buckle Little Miss Spitfire in and attach her cup and snack trap cup
15. Buckle Angel Girl in and give her a water bottle and breakfast/snack
16. Finally leave house