Running Tips 4

Exercise 1

Exercise 2

Exercise 3

Exercise 4

Toe Curls--toss a wash cloth onto the floor. Use your toes to pull it toward you and bunch it up. This strengthens your foot muscles.

We did a 10-miler yesterday and lived to tell about it! Three more miles on top of that? No problem! Five more weeks to race day.

Expelled

Papa Runner & I saw the movie Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed tonight. It was a bit quirky but very good in the presentation of facts. Definitely worth seeing.

Heaven in the Eyes of Smartie

Smartie--Mommy, someday Jesus is going to come get us and take us to Heaven.
Me--That's right. What do you think Heaven will be like?
Smartie--There will be lots of yummy food there. Like popcorn! I'll get to eat popcorn all the time!
Me--Sounds yummy.
Smartie--And I'll get to play with stickers, and there will be a big tree house in the back yard, and it'll be SO COOL!
Me--That sounds like fun!
Smartie--And the best part is we won't have to pretend, because it's all REAL!

Oh, to have a child's faith!



And now, an update on the ear situation. We saw Dr. R today, and you'll never guess what we found out. Her tube is in place and completely fine! A month ago, it appeared (to me) to be protruding and sideways, but apparently this type of tube is flexible and can move a bit without causing any harm. I don't know why the Prompt Care doctor didn't realize it was still in place, and I wonder if she even really had an ear infection last week. So no surgery! YAY!

Running Tips 3

Exercise 1

Exercise 2

Exercise 3
While seated, lift your leg straight out and flex your ankle, pointing your toes back toward you. Hold for as long as you can, then switch legs. This strenghtens the muscles that stabilize your knee.

Six more weeks until race day!

Some interesting stats

Well, interesting to me, anyway.

I average around 35 visitors per day. Several stay for more than an hour. I've only been found through Google twice.

Some of the visitors to my blog include people from Middletown, NY; Mt Laurel, NJ; Greenville, SC; Dixon, IL; Gainsville, FL; Canton, MI; Hartford, CT; Towanda, PA; Rochester, MN; Washington, DC; Dehra Dun Uttaranchal, India; Dallas, TX; Sulpher, OK; Chicago, IL; Glenview, IL; Rantoul, IL; Hollywood, FL; Owosso, MI; Schaumberg, IL; and Zurich, Switzerland.

I know or suspect who a few of these are, but most of them I haven't the slightest idea who they could be. Some of them are one-time visitors, some visit several times a day. And yet I hardly ever get comments! So, take a moment to introduce yourself. I'd love to find out how you found my blog.

Running Tips 2

Exercise one

Exercise two:
While seated, rest one ankle on the other knee and "write" the alphabet with your foot. Repeat with other foot. This strengthens the calf which in turn stabilizes the ankle and knee.

First Potty Learning Attempt

Sweetie has been obsessed with pretending to go potty for the last two weeks. She tells me she has to go, which usually means she has just gone, and she sits on her potty chair for a few minutes before getting a clean diaper. After walking into the bathroom the other day and finding this:



I thought it might be time to make a training attempt. Sweetie spent Friday morning naked in the bathroom with her cup-cup, pretzels, a stack of books, and the potty chair. After three pees on the floor, I caught her starting to poop. I put her on the chair, and she did her business. Success, I thought. Then she stood up and saw what she had made. She completely freaked out, right away asking for her diaper. I don't intend to push her, so it's back to diapers for us.

Then tonight as we were getting ready for bath, she told me she had to go potty. She sat for 5 minutes and all attempts to get her into the tub were met with an emphatic no. And then...she made tinkles! We may get this done yet!

So frustrated!

Smartie has ear infection #13! She had her second set of ear tubes, heavy-duty ones designed to last 2-4 years, in December. At the end of February, she fell and hit her right ear hard. The tube popped right out. Her surgeon acted like it wasn't a big deal, didn't even want to see her. Now that ear is infected. And it's Friday afternoon with no chance of getting in with him. I took her to Prompt Care for another round of antibiotics. Monday morning, I'm DEMANDING to be seen by the surgeon. Looks like we may be facing a third surgery. GRR.

Bubbles are Fun!

Running Tips

Papa Runner & I have completed 9 weeks of training. So many people have encouraged us with this. But the most common comment is, "I could never do that!" You may not believe us, but we would have said the same thing before this. Papa & I have both had knee injuries that required physical therapy. And yet here we are!

We have a fantastic coach with 20 years' experience. He's had about every injury you could have and is still running. He's given us a whole list of "no sweat" exercises that strengthen the legs. These are the kind you could do anywhere at any time. I've decided to share them with you over the next few weeks. Who knows, maybe you'll be joining us on the trail someday soon!

Exercise 1:
Stand on one foot. No, really! Stand unsupported on one foot for as long as you can, then switch to the other. All the dynamic muscles of the foot and ankle get strengthened as you use them to stabalize yourself. You can do this exercise as you wait in line, while doing the dishes, even while fellowshipping at church! In fact, you'll probably see me doing this quite often at church. When just standing gets too easy, you can bounce a ball or close your eyes to make it more difficult.

Happy trails!

Hot Chocolate

Some of you may recall that Smartie liked playing in the snow because she got hot chocolate afterward. Yesterday, we played outside for a while in the nice spring weather. This is the conversation we had on coming in:

Smartie : Mommy, I'm really cold. Can I have some hot chocolate?
M: No, I'm not making hot chocolate today. But I'll get a snack ready.
(a few minutes go by)
Smartie : Mommy, I'm still really cold. Could I please have some hot chocolate?
M: No, I just gave you a snack. Finish your crackers.
(a few more minutes go by)
Smartie : *gasp* Hey, Mommy, I see something!
M: What? Where?
Smartie : It's in the cupboard!
M: Really, what is it?
Smartie : Well, it's hot, and it's brown, and it's called HOT CHOCOLATE!!!

When I finally stopped laughing and picked myself up off the floor, I made a batch of hot chocolate. You gotta admire her persistence and creativity.

Admit it, who's a fan?

NKOTB!

Good News!

We have reached our minimum fundraising goal! As you know, Papa Runner & I have been training for a half marathon with Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's Team In Training. In order to run the San Diego Rock N Roll Marathon, we had to commit to raise $3900 each. As of today, we have $8137.44! Of course, there is no maximum goal. The cause of cancer research will always go on. We can accept donations into our account at our website, by mail, or in person until June 30.

Training is going really well, too. I didn't expect to enjoy it as much as I do. You just feel better after a run. We're already talking about doing a full marathon (not with TNT) in the fall, and fundraising for another next spring!

In other news, Sweetie did the cutest thing yesterday! At bedtime, I read her a Bible story, then told her it's time to pray. She closed her eyes, folded her hands, and said, "*babble-babble-babble* MMMMMMMMM-men!" It's amazing how fast they learn. It really is never too early to start good habits of prayer and reading. And memorization, too. (Pardon me while I brag on my kids) For the last month or so, Smartie has been memorizing Psalm 121. She can now say 5 of the 8 verses. She really enjoys it, especially when we make up hand motions to help her remember.