Different Yet So Similar

Ever since my dad passed away a few weeks ago, I've become very aware.  Aware of the feelings I have, and the motivations that drive me.

Couple that with participating in the #FitBlog Twitter party and I realized something.  First, The #FitBlog party was all about taking your blog to the next level and one of the questions was "what makes your blog unique?"

I tried desperately to come up with something cool and catchy and couldn't.  All day I've been thinking about it and it occurred to me that I'm not different, not really and the thing that hopefully makes you want to read my blog is that we are similar.  We have similar lives, with similar hurdles, challenges, and motivations.  I'm assuming the if you read "Mom's Little Running Buddy" you pretty much figured out what it was about and that's what you might have been looking for. 

I'm not here to talk at you.  I'm here to talk with you, to encourage you and maybe show you some of the things that I do to keep making it all fit (as best as it can).  I won't judge, I will only motivate, and maybe vent every now and then.  So in the essences of full disclosure, if you're new to my little blog, let me tell you a little about myself:

Physical: I'm in my early 30's.  I weigh about 130 pounds and I'm 5'4.  I have an athletic build, brown hair and brown eyes.  I have scars all over from sports (and I'm proud of every one of them).  I have asthma and a bad back from years of college volleyball and softball.

Family: I have a husband that I met at the gym and a crazy toddler who is about 17 months old now.  I wasn't the happiest of pregnant women.  In fact, it took all 9 months and a therapist to come to grips with the reality of it.  Not that I didn't want a child but my career was at the forefront of my mind at the time. Now I can't imagine life without E.

I come from a family of 4 kids (all but one are married with a kid), I'm the second oldest and you could say I have middle child like tendencies I guess. My family is super close. I talk to my mom everyday. She is by far, my best friend. She is brutally honest and sometimes it's good and sometimes it's frustrating.

My family thinks my love of all things fitness is a little crazy but they support me and I love them for it.

Personal: My family also taught me that it's important to give back and it doesn't have to be big.  Donate to charity, volunteer your time, hell, just hold the door open for someone that needs a hand.  Whatever it is you can do, I promise you'll be repaid.  I'm addicted to Pinterest and am a closet crafter. 

Career: I am a project manager by day and probably work about 50 hours a week.  I'm a graduate student attempting to get my MBA although I'm not even a full year in yet.  (BOO!)  But I will NOT give up. I study at night after E goes to bed from about 9:30 to 11:00, which may be the reason I'm not good at working out in the morning (or at least that's what I'm telling myself)

Healthy Lifestyle: Maintaining a healthy lifestyle through diet and exercise was something that I was taught young.  My dad had 2 heart attacks by the time I was 17 so my mom was always trying to get him to eat healthy.  I know how to cook chicken 150 ways because of it.  :)

Life with a toddler presents new challenges and hurdles for staying fit.  I'm learning that sometimes you have to roll with the punches.  It's not always going to go the way you planned it and that's ok.  You're better off, letting it go and moving on.  If it's a workout you missed, get creative and try to fit it in other ways or just do it tomorrow. 

Mantra: Make it worth it .  Life is too short.  If you're going to do something do it as good as you can and then dig a little deeper. Example:  after working so much, I hate being away from E so when I do go to the gym, you can be sure I'm busting my a*# because I've made the choice to do that instead of play with E and I don't want to think for a minute I wasted that time.  I'm a better mother because I stay fit.

Oh and No Regrets.  I'll try almost anything at least once.

My Dream: Would be to one day be some sort of professional motivator/blogger/tv personality/spokesman for an amazing fitness company. Oh and maybe finish a 1/2 Ironman along the way. 

Ok, I'm done talking.  Tell me about you.  What makes us similar?  What makes us different?  Lets talk.

All About E

We now take a quick break from our regularly scheduled fitness/running chatter to bring you an update on the reason this blog exists..."E".  My now 17 month old son.


Can you believe it?  I can't.  It seems like just yesterday he was just learning to smile. 

Learning and Discovery: Now at this age it's all about discovery. He's paying attention to the things around him and questioning everything with a super cute...."This?" He loves books although most times I have to paraphrase them to get through it all.  He loves Elmo and all things musical.  His music preferences are very funny.  He love Spa or anything with a piano (Yiruma is one of his favorites).  In the car he likes pop music and you know when he likes it because he will fist pump in rhythm with the beat. 

This past weekend, he noticed a plane for the first time and my sister snapped this great picture. an an awe struck little boy.  

Daily Habits: He's also all about getting ready for the day in phases now. I can get the shirt on no problem, the pants are another story. He'd walk around like this all day if you let him. He thinks this should be the new fashion craze. I had to tell him that Tom Cruise already did it. He has yet to learn how to take his own clothes off.  However when given the chance, he will often decide that diapers are optional and you'll find a naked baby running around. 

Bedtime is split 50:50 with S and I.  E use to rock with me for a little while and then cuddle up and fall asleep on  me and I'd quietly put him to bed.   Now, once we've brushed our teeth, had our vitamins, read a book or two and rocked for a few minutes, he wiggles out of my arms and stands next to the crib.  So I give him a kiss, and his blanket and tuck him in.  He then usually sits up and waves at me and that's my queue to leave.  It's kind of sad.  I miss my cuddle bear.  But I guess it has to happen. 

Toys and Things: In his little world nothing is off limits.  Everything is a toy, unless told otherwise by me.  For example, our dog Zoey's treats.  Turns out they make excellent pick up sticks.  

One of the things we struggle with now is getting him to come inside.  Now that the weather's nice, he LOVES to be outside which I usually have no problem with.  I'll hang out with him all day at the playground if I could.  The problem comes when it's time to eat or sleep.  AND...now he is starting to smell like sweaty little boy.  No more cute baby smell. 

The other day he showed off his artistic abilities with sidewalk chalk. 

I still love capturing the little moments with my iPhone's video camera.  Where would we be without it? 

In this clip, E shows us how to properly groom.  I can tell he's going to be destine for vlogging some day. 

As a side note, people have been asking me what E's eating these days.  Here's his typical menu:

Food and Drink:

Breakfast Foods: Bagels with some (but minimal) butter, Honey Nut Cheerios, String Cheese, Juice (1 part juice to 2 parts water), yogurt, Bananas, those awesome Elle's Kitchen pouches.

Lunch Foods: Turkey from the deli at the grocery store (not the lunch meat, the real turkey breast), Edemame, string cheese, pretzels, peanut butter on a spoon, cucumbers, or apples.

Dinner Foods: pesto pasta with chicken is his favorite, panera bread's mac and cheese (not any I can make at home), Broccoli stems (not the tree tops), Steamed but still crisp green beans with a little garlic,and bread

Mommy, Daddy and Me:

E is still very much a momma's boy which I'm not upset about.  I have to admit, I LOVE seeing him squeal for joy when I come home everyday.  Luckily however, he is getting to an age where he and S are able to bond more.  They play and rough house and E just cackles with joy.  I do love seeing them become best buds. 

Ok, so that's it.  I'm done braggin on my little one for now.  Do you have toddlers, babies or grown babies?  I'd really like to know what their eating.  I'm always looking for new things to introduce him to.

Running..Why Do You Hate Me So?

We had an amazingly busy weekend this past weekend. 

We went to the NCAA regional here in STL on Friday and Sunday and I had Grad School all day Friday and Saturday.  With all that I did manage to get in two good runs but that's where it all went wrong.

My first run on Friday was short and easy.  3 miles just to get the heart pumping.  Not a big deal.  I felt great afterwards. 

On Sunday, I went for a 7 mile run as part of my training for the GO! St. Louis half next month.  The first few miles again were great.  Then at about the 5 mile I could start to feel it..these pricking pains in my lower back (right side to be specific) and I started to get really mad. 

Back story...when I was in college I played volleyball and was a setter (imagine that, at 5'4 a setter? You were probably thinking a middle right?).  As a setter, I found myself twisting and turning to account for bad passes or to make sure the ball went where I needed it go.  All this resulted in bulging discs.  In college I had constant therapy for it and it was manageable.  As I've gotten older, it has really started to wreck my body. 

A few years back when I decided I wanted to do a full marathon, my back flared up again big time but being the obsessive that I am, I wasn't about to let it get in the way of completing (what I thought was my first) a marathon.  So I trained and finished it but painfully.  So much in fact, I had to spend the entire next year in physical therapy and I haven't been 100% since. 

I'm not trying to give excuses, I think I'm just mad that I have physical limits that I can't seem to control.  I am paying the price today for not letting up yesterday.  I'm on a steady diet of Advil and stretches but it's uncomfortable. 

Here's what's going to happen next..I'll continue to train and complete the half and it won't feel in the least bit good.  I'll complain for a couple weeks after about the pain.  Then start it all over again.  That's the realistic portrayal of what will happen. 

Sometimes I feel like I'm a teenager trying to get the cool boy to notice me.  I keep trying and trying to no avail.  But guess what, I'm going to keep at it because I have to, because I want to and because I love a good challenge.  ;)

Damn you running!  Why do you dislike me so?!

What do you do about pain?  Do you have any injuries that limit you? 

Are you Spartan Material?

This post brought to you by Spartan Race. All opinions are 100% mine.
As you know I'm a runner and occasional triathlete.  I was, at one point in my life, a college athlete and fitness competitor.  All of these activities have required various types of training with various levels of intensity.  I was pretty satisified with myself for having tried all these different events and didn't think there was anything else I wanted to try until I was introduced to the  Spartan Race.  This is some serious business.  Everything about this makes me want to join in the "fun"


What is Spartan Race you ask?
Spartan racing is the new way to work out and push your body to the limits with their world leading obstacle courses. There are many different styles of racing and many different cultures of racers with races ranging from muddy 3+- mile events with 10 or more obstacles up to 40+ mile events.


What if I'm not an extreme athlete?
If you are a beginner, the challenging 5k sprint trail races are a great way to get off your couch and start living. From beginner trail racers and mud run participants to hardcore warriors, tough guys and marathon runners, they all come out to test themselves on the insane obstacle races! 99.9% of all people who try this event will finish, and 100% will have their thirst for mud & trail racing fully satisfied! 


Spartan Race was created with the idea that working out is not always torturous. It can be fun and entertaining, that is if you look at it in the eyes of a Spartan. What's even better is that all ages can enjoy the new muddy way to stay fit as long as they have the determination and self discipline to be part of this new fitness frenzy!
So you must be asking yourself "Why Spartan?"
The clear answer is because the Spartans were tough as nails and in the world we live in today, you gotta be tough! Why race Spartan obstacle course races? Because we all thrive under pressure, survival of the fittest. Spartan Race's goal is simple...
to get you off your couch, throw you in the mud & trails, and feed you one tough endurance event day that will be the adrenalin rush of your life. Spartan Race is also one of the only events offering a kids race and a women’s network with Spartan Chicked- the race is one that promotes family, community, and overcoming obstacles.
Not only does the race itself look amazingly challenging and fun but the community and support structure they provide is awesome.  What other race have you done that gives you a daily workout, a weekly newsletter, and inspiring blogs that will help them get from the couch to the finish line within 45 days.
So for me the closest race is in October in Chicago.  I'm SERIOUSLY considering making this fit into my hectic life but they give you so many ways to prepare and succeed I seriously feel like I can do it and i think you can too.  Find one in your area and sign up.
Have you done a Spartan Race before?  What was your experience like?  Tell me all the fun things you did!  I am feeling super motivated and want to hear from you!
Oh and don't forget.  You will understand what it means to be a Spartan at the finish line... but don't wait to sign up as their races do sell out!

Filling Healthy Easter Baskets for Toddlers

Spring is a great time of year, the weather is getting better, everything is blooming and you get to open the windows.  With Spring also comes Easter.  This year will be the first year we really do something for E so I've been thinking alot about what I should put in his Easter Basket. 

While I love Reese's Easter Eggs and Sweettarts Chickie's, Duckies and Bunnies, I don't necessarily want to give those to my 1 1/2 year old. So I'm going to change it up a little and make it all about being a happy, healthy kid and emphasize all the things he loves.

Let me start first with a reminder.  Toddlers put everything in their mouth.  EVERYTHING.  So be very careful with what you use to stuff the basket.  My mom always used that plastic grass which is fine as long as you take it away from them as soon as they've pulled the basket apart.  The last thing you want is to find them ingesting that.

Ok, now on to the fun stuff. 

Candy Alternatives:

  1. Individual packs of Craisins.  E LOVES these things.  They are every bit as sweet as Sweettarts but with a little added punch of the good stuff (antioxidants).

  2. Animal Crackers. Another favorite without adding too much sugar.

3. Individual Peanut Butter Packs.  E's big thing right now (and I assume any toddler) is dipping.  Everything gets dipped in something.  These little packs are easy to give to him with some crackers.  It keeps him busy for quiet a while and I know he's getting something good. 

4. Goldfish Crackers - Again, a hands down favorite.  I love the whole grain ones. 

5. Ella's Kitchen Food Pouches - E's not a baby but we still struggle with getting good veggies in him.  This company makes food pouches that combine fruits and veggies.  They are great.  My sister in law introduced them to me and we've been loving them ever since.  I'll probably add a few of these to his basket as well.

Toys and other things:

1. E's a HUGE fan of Elmo.  These DVD's are affordable and educational.  He doesn't watch a ton of TV but when he does, I want to make sure it's beneficial and entertaining. 

2. Tball set.  I know, it won't fit in the Easter Basket but how much fun is this?  It is scary to give a child a bat but he loves to be outside and this works on his hand/eye coordination.

3. New Shoes.  Spring is a great time to get new shoes.  For E, we love New Balance Shoes.  He has wide feet and they fit him very well.  This will be his third pair so far. 

  4. New Crib Cloud Blanket.  E never did pacifiers but he loves a good blanket.  He sleeps with three of them.  I'm starting to realize that he favors this one we got as a gift and I'm afraid if I have to replace it later I won't be able to find it so I'll probably order one now and get it monogrammed for him. 

5. Books.  E loves Eric Carle books, especially the popup ones.  I'm sure some of these will find their way into his basket. 

6.  Coins.  I want E to learn the value of saving.  My grandparents did this with me and it was always so much fun.  Instead of filling these plastic eggs with candy, I think I'll fill them with coins.  After we've had the fun of looking for them, we'll show E how to put the money in his piggy bank. 

Those are some of my preliminary plans for E's basket.  What do you do for your toddlers?  What other healthy alternatives do you rely on?

St. Patty's Day and The Problem Solver

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After some very emotionally draining weeks recently, it was good to just relax with family and friends and squeeze in some running too.

Friday E spent the day with Nana and Molly the dog.

Saturday started with a St. Patty's Day 5 Mile run in downtown St. Louis.  I couldn't believe how warm it's been.  When the race started at 9:00 a.m it was almost 65.  It was almost hot but never the less I was looking forward to the race.  I was excited when I crossed the finish line at 47 minutes.  That has by far been my fastest St. Patty's Day run. 

After the run, we got all cleaned up and headed down to the parade.  The weather held out just long enough for E and M to enjoy the fun. (That's my brother by the way.)

 He had so much fun and got so hot, we had to cool him down for the walk home.  I know, not exactly a classy look but sometimes it's not about looks.  :)

Sunday was all about getting back into a routine.  We started the day getting ready for church.  As you can see, it takes us a little while to get ready in the morning but we end up getting it right.



After church E took the longest nap he's ever taken then  we ran some errands. 

Our first stop was Target.  While we were there, I picked up the typical necessities, some toilet paper (because the stuff my husband bought last week was terrible), some milk and yogurt.  While I was shopping for clothes for E, I looked over to find my little "problem solver" developing his own way to eat yogurt.  I like to call it the beaver method.  He uses his teeth to create a little hole just big enough to suck the yogurt out.  I actually think it's genius.  Well there you have it.  Our weekend in a mismash of pictures.  How was your weekend? 



Influenster Love VoxBox Preview

If you haven't seen it, I was lucky enough to get one of the Influenster Love VoxBoxes this year.  It was full of awesome brands and products that I'm sure you will want to try.

Check out my videohaul!

If you aren't familiar with Influenster it is a community of trendsetters invited to share their lifestyles and show their influence to qualify for personalized product shipments, special rewards and exclusive deals from the brands they love. Members love testing the latest products, giving insightful feedback, and spreading the word on their favorite finds!

You can apply or be nominated today!

March: The Month Of New Beginnings

I'm officially designating March as the month of new beginnings.  It's time to reset life a little.  Take a look at what you're doing, what you intended to do and what you're going to do.

Are you following your plan?  Are you living everyday the way you intended? 

Sometimes it feels like the drudgery of day to day life can get us so worked up we forget to step back and reassess the big picture. 

How's your health?  How's your family?  Are there things you could be doing better?  Are there things you're not doing that you'd like to? 

Given the events of last week, I've found myself in this cycle of re-assessment.  I'm finding that there are things about my life I WISH I could change.  Have I done anything to make that happen? Somewhat but not that satisfies me. 

My Dad always seemed to be pushing.  He was always looking to grab the brass ring he didn't have or achieve the next level of success.  He was an EXTREMELY motivated man but on top of that he was a do-er.  He knew how to make it happen or at least wasn't afraid of trying. 

If there's one thing that I've come to realize recently is that I inherited his motivation but not his risk taking skills but I'm finding that I'm not completely satisified with what I've achieved and that part of it is that I'm not doing things that, while are considered risky, also produce great reward. 

I'm still in discovery mode so as I figure out what to do about this revelation and it may take time but it's a necessary step.  I need to find my way for me and for my family.  

The Quiet Room

I've been debating for the past week whether or not I write about what's happened but I decided that, for me, I needed to get it off my chest. 

I lost my Dad suddenly last Sunday.  (There I said it, but I don't feel any better yet). 

He had a history of heart disease and had been trying to make smarter, healthier choices to exercise and eat right.  He and my mom had come to St. Louis for the weekend to be with us.  They loved St. Louis.  We had spent pretty much all day with them on Saturday just running around town.  Saturday night they had watched E for us so S and I could go to a party. 

Sunday, he had gone down to the workout room to walk on the treadmill and collapsed.  Someone finally found him and called 911.  By the time I got to the hospital about an hour later, I was escorted into a "Quiet Room" where my mom and sister sat.  It was then, in that "Quiet Room" that my life changed.  My Dad had died. 

I'll spare you the remaining details but it was a whirlwind of activities last week.  I spent the week at home with my family and am back to work this week.  (Which doesn't seem like enough time). 

I have been trying to figure out what exactly to say here.  I could tell you about my dad.  He was an amazing father to us when we became adults. 

He was a father.  He wasn't so good with the younger years (that's where my Rockstar mom stepped in and was so influential).  But as we've grown up, he's the one that has given us career advice and has been there to help us navigate the waters. 

He was a business man through and through and was always impressing upon us key business skills.  Even at an early age, he was trying to teach us things like Finance Terms, which at 6 doesn't make a lot of sense but that's what he knew. 

He was a "Pawpaw" He.loved his grand kids.  Before E was born, he was ALWAYS hounding me for a grandbaby.  When I got pregnant, almost 2 years ago to the day that he died, I wasn't exactly happy.  I hadn't intended to have a baby yet and spent most of the 9 months dealing with my new reality.  I'm a big believer in the theory that there's a reason for everything.  Well, I think I can see now that I was supposed to have E for him.  Dad loved him and E loved Pawpaw.  They were inseparable. 

There are so many things that are now going to look and feel different.  So many phone calls I would've made to him.   

The one thing I can say is that he was always pushing us to do better.  He always wanted us to make sure that whatever we were doing we were doing it well. That saying I have on my GoSportID just became so much more than a Mantra I made up.  It's the way I will make sure I'm living my life because that's the way he would've wanted it. 

I love you Dad and will miss you so much!  I promise I will continue to "Make it worth it"