Guest Blogger: The Grandkids Speak Wisdom

This week’s guest bloggers are ”The Grandkids” and they have some wise words to share. We had a few days together and their sweet spirits and active minds always come up with some awesome phrases. Truth and wisdom truly comes out of the mouths of babes.  Here are just a few of the gems from the past week.

The oldest is the illustrator for my first two children’s books. We spent many hours at work while she was here. She is talented and young enough to be confident in her abilities. She also knows her own mind.

We took her shopping for her birthday. She picked out an outfit in about five minutes. The skirt was the same brand and style as two she already owned. Running her hand across the rack she stated, “I want to collect all of these.” I can relate. I feel the same way about a couple pairs of shoes that I own – one red pair and one black pair. I want a pair in every color!

She is also confident in her artwork. When asked if she could draw a particular item or scene she would think for a moment and then smile and say, “Yes, I can do that.” When asked if she thought the picture needed anything else she would often say, “No, this is good enough.” And it was!

The middle child proved to be my own personal fashion consultant! At four years-old, she appreciates all pretty things. Eyeing and admiring my limited assortment of necklaces, she was pleased when I offered to let her wear one. Still, she continued to comment, “That big jewel necklace is so special.” In other words, “I would so love to wear the big jewel necklace, but I don’t think you will let me.” The big jewel necklace was actually a prism tied to a string hanging alongside my necklaces. Of course I let her play with it. I’m a grandma!

She approved of my red high heels and disapproved when I opted not to wear a necklace. “Why aren’t you going to wear a necklace? What earrings are you going to wear? Why don’t you know!” She’s right, you know. I could put forth a little more effort to accessorize.

The little guy didn’t have much to say – at least not that we could understand. When we stopped to pay attention, we discovered that he was communicating more clearly than we thought. My favorite was when he would point to his oldest sister and say, “Gaggie!” Her name is Maggie.

What did I learn from the Grandkids?

A – Self-doubt is learned behavior.

B – A little effort can produce big results.

C – If we pay attention we may find that others are telling us more than we first thought.

Have a great day and as my grandkids would say, “Believe in your abilities, try a little harder, and pay attention to what others are attempting to communicate.”

Visit my Guest Blogger page to get to know all my blogging friends.

Happy Running!

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Spudman 2016 Registration. Time to commit!

I received a message this morning asking if I was ready to make a commitment.  It’s time to register for the Spudman 2016 Triathlon and my triathlon buddy wanted to know if I was up for the challenge. We are a team. When we commit, we commit for the team. I did a quick calendar review, a brief head to toe assessment and an internal evaluation before saying, “Yes, let’s do the Spudman!” Let me explain.

Calendar Review –

I know of no babies, blessings or burials scheduled for late July. I’ve reached the point in my life where those are the happenings around which I must work my schedule. Everything else is flexible or not so very important. My calendar is clear.

Head to Toe –

I was committed to Spudman 2015, as were my teammates. However, I was nagged with an injury most of the spring and summer that spoiled my training efforts.  In the end, I was unprepared and unable to participate. The other team members were in much the same predicament.

My head to toe assessment indicated that I am currently healthy, my injury (calf tear) of 2015 has healed and I am more educated as to how to prevent a recurrence. (Read this article about running shoe designs) I began a half marathon training program on January 4 and things are going well – thus far.  The physical assessment is positive.

Internal Evaluation –

In other words, is my head in the game? Often the mental commitment required to participate in an endurance test such as the Spudman Triathlon, a half marathon, or the Grand Teton Relay is greater than the physical commitment. This is what I have learned – My body can handle the physical strains if I prepare, and sometimes even if I don’t fully prepare. The preparation, however, first requires a mental commitment.  Am I willing to devote the time necessary to prepare? Do I have a desire to endure the discomfort associated with the preparation? When an obstacle such as an injury or calendar change occurs, do I have the determination to work around it to achieve my goal? My head is currently in the game.

So, yes, we are doing Spudman 2016. We are committed and we have time to prepare. Call me a crazy old lady, but it’s one of the highlights of my year. 

Read about our previous Spudman races.

Spudman 2012

Spudman 2013

Happy Running!

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Tuesday's Training Tip: Make Small Changes

Here is your first training tip of 2016. This one is easy - make some small changes. Why small changes? They are easier to stay with and they add up over time, just like the extra calories you consumed a few at a time added up over the holidays! Let's look at some ways to make small changes that have potential for big impact.

Are you sedentary? You don't have to commit to running a marathon in September. Find a way to move a little more. Chobani has compiled this list of easy ways to burn 100 calories. Some of them may surprise you.

Are you moderately active? If you workout three times a week, consider adding a fourth workout or extending your current workout an additional 10-20 minutes. Walkers can add a half mile to their stroll. It's only a few more minutes. Let it pay off!

Did you stop? Guilty! November and December wreaked havoc on my fitness routine! I recommitted by finding a half marathon for which to prepare. Finding and committing to a race doesn't require any physical exertion, but it will make a big impact on your commitment to running. It's a mental trick and it works! I began training yesterday. It felt good! I resolved to run a race and other resolutions - get back into shape, lose a few pounds, get more done in my day - will fall into place as I pursue the half marathon goal.

Are you fit and never struggle with setbacks? If so, please share your training tips! Do you have a tip for making small changes with big impact? I would love to hear about it. Please comment below.

What small changes will you be making in 2016?

Next week we will be talking about ways to cut 100 calories. Remember, small changes can add up!

Tune in every Tuesday for more training tips and visit my Training Tips page to find all the tips you may have missed.

Question: Do you have a training tip you would like to share? Post it in the comments below.

Happy Running!

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It’s May! How did the time pass so quickly?

 

I am surprised how quickly the first third of 2015 has passed!  It’s already May.  “May Day!” Perhaps that distress call was coined because those in peril felt sudden panic similar to the surprise that the rest of us feel when we realize the month of May is suddenly upon us. Where did the time go? Where did April go? My attention must have been directed to uncommon things.  Here are a few of them.

We’ve had a life altering experience in that my husband changed jobs this spring.  It has been both challenging and rewarding. We are growing through the experience while both of us learn to adjust to new skills (I’ve been packing him a lunch every day!) and schedules.

I’ve taken on new business opportunities like this one and I am learning to “put myself out there” a little more. I’m also venturing into the realm of book coaching and that is another learning experience.



Some of my favorite people



My illustrator, Margaret.

I had a visit from some of my favorite people throughout April and my focus was on spending time with them.  I didn’t neglect all of my work!  In fact, my favorite little illustrator and I published my first children’s book. What fun we had! Stay tuned to learn more!

Now it is May.  My company is gone.  I harvested new spinach from my garden yesterday. I’ve committed myself and some friends to the Grand Teton Relay in August for which I must prepare! It’s time to mow lawns and market books and continue to learn new things. It will soon be autumn!

This sudden arrival of May leaves me thinking …

Does time pass while we are living life or do we let life pass while we are watching the time?

Please share your thoughts in the comments below.

 

HAPPY RUNNING!

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It's about time to de-junk

I have previously shared my compulsive behavior.  It's not a secret. I am a hoarder! I wouldn't say I have a problem that is particularly unhealthy (what hoarder would?) I just need to find a better way to tackle all the stuff that finds it's way into my home. This is what I am doing ...

 

 

Did I mention I get sidetracked easily?  Or that I have trouble staying on task when the task is boring?  Well, it's true!  So ... I am setting myself a de-junking timer every day to allow 15 minutes of devoted attention to de-junking.  It's working!  My desk hasn't been this clean in years and I am moving into other areas of the house. 

 

It's only one little change, but it's working for me!  Here's proof!

 



 

 

What tricks do you have to help you stay organized throughout the year?  I would love to hear about them!

 

Happy Running!

Tuesday's Training Tip: Time to Commit

So, you’ve conquered your pride, your fear, and your worries over what to wear.  Maybe you found a buddy to run with you or you put together an awesome playlist.  You’ve logged a few miles, but the weather keeps you indoors some days, or your busy schedule prevents a run on others.  You might even be a little sore from time to time. How are you going to stay committed to this new adventure we call running?

Register for a race!  “Oh, but I’ve just begun and I am not fast enough to run a race.  I don’t think I can run 3.1 miles.” I’ve got some news for you …

·         Nobody cares if you are not fast. They are just glad you are participating.  Runners are cool like that – they want everyone to share in the fun.

·         (Secret) Most races are “Fun Runs.”  You can walk if you need!

·         Paid registration will keep you committed and keep you running on a regular basis.

·         That little worry you have about not being fast enough? It will motivate you to push yourself.

So commit to a fun run or other fitness challenge like a triathlon and run on!  You are going to be glad you did.

Learn about some of my Favorite Races.

Visit this page every Tuesday for more training tips! I would love to hear from you. Comment below or message me on Facebook.

Running Granny Green encourages women, especially grandmothers, to gain greater fitness by providing tips and inspiration to insure long years of joyful grand-parenting. The cookie recipes are a bonus!

Happy Running!

Carol - aka Running Granny Green

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Guest Blogger: Sierra writes about starting over

Hello friends and followers of Granny Green. I am Sierra De Burgh, Certified Health and Fitness Specialist. My amazing husband and I are the parents of two crazy kiddos and have a very punctually challenged baby on the way. I earned my degree in exercise science from Brigham Young University after spending one of the greatest years of my life as a freshman at Utah State with Granny Green’s favorite daughter, Marie. Feel free to read up on my favorite fitness soapbox issues, answers to nutrition and exercise questions, or send me your own at sierradeburgh.com.

 

 

 

What to do when you find you are out of shape!

I know I've been there before. It's that fateful day when you walk by a full length mirror for the first time in a looong time. Or your teenage nieces and nephews invite you to play a sport with them. It stings a little - going from what you thought you were to what you really are in mere seconds. The question is, what do you do when you discover that you are not as fit as you'd like to be?   

Photo Credit: takomabibelot via Compfight cc

1. Start where you are: Without belittling yourself determine where you really are now. This is the objective phase of your journey. Often the past plays too much into how we see ourselves now. Some fail to see progress made from a former phase of life. Some still see themselves as the highly fit selves they were years ago and are a bit surprised when they truly evaluate where their health and fitness levels are now, what they truly eat on an average day, etc. I know it's embarrassing and discouraging to be the chubby red-faced girl in the back of the cardio class or the one struggling to finish a set with ten pound weights next to She-Ra and Hulk at the gym. I also know that avoiding these situations will only make the problem live to haunt you another day. Accept where you are, take a moment to gather lessons from the past and then face forward determinedly. You are where you are. Start there.

2. Determine exactly where you want to go: What do you want each day of your life to look like. This is not the " I need to lose 50 pounds" phase. That comes later. This is the "I want to have the energy to play with my kids and the confidence to smile at strangers" phase. What do you want your talents to be, your hobbies? How do you want to feel? How do you really want to eat for the rest of your life? What do you really want to do on your day off? Specific performance goals, body image goals, wellness goals, life goals, etc. go here. This is not yet a comparison to where you are now, but rather a vision of what your best self would be.

3. Bridge the gap between your current and ideal self: Determine what it takes to change and do it. For this you will need knowledge, well-made goals, and immense self control. Seek accurate and trusted sources to help you gain these things. I love the idea of living life intentionally. Being out of shape (physically, mentally, spiritually) is the result of life happening to you. It is time now to happen to life.

You can follow Sierra on Facebook at Sierra De Burgh Fitness or visit her website sierradeburgh.com.

Visit my Guest Blogger Page to get to know all my blogging friends!

 

Happy Running! 

Tuesday's Training Tip: Time to Trot!

 

Oh, it’s Thanksgiving week!  Can you almost smell it?  Turkey and stuffing roasting in the oven, pumpkin pies cooling on the counter, and cranberries, rolls, and …

You can find all kinds of tips on how to survive the holidays and stay on your diet, such as, use a smaller plate, eat a snack before you go to the social event, wire your jaws shut, etc.  Let’s be honest.  Do you really want to diet during the holidays?  If you can do that, you are awesome!  The rest of us just need to do the best we can to maintain and not gain.

Thanksgiving Day is filled with opportunities to intake calories and we all know it’s going to be a challenge, but there is something you can do that will offset some of that caloric intake. Forgo the Thanksgiving Day Parade and go for a little trot while the bird is roasting.  If you‘ve seen one Thanksgiving Day Parade, you’ve seen them all. Consider the benefits of this trade.

1.       You will be moving and burning calories instead of lounging and conserving calories.

2.       While you are trotting (or strolling) you will not be snacking.

3.       The fresh air may ward off a holiday cold or flu.

4.       You will assuage some of the guilt associated with Thanksgiving dinner.

5.       If you invite friends to join you, they will also enjoy the benefits of a trot.

6.       It’s fun!

 

If you need a little motivation to commit, do as I did and create a Facebook event.  Your friends will be counting on you!

Visit this page every Tuesday for more training tips! I would love to hear from you. Comment below or message me on Facebook.

Happy Thanksgiving and …

Happy Running!

The goal is so close and yet so far



Will's Hill.  Halfway point on one of our runs.

I’ve hit that point in my half marathon training when I just want it to be over. I’m enjoying my training partner, and I always feel good after the workout, but the anticipation of the long runs and speed work days is starting to get to me.  My legs are tired. We have just over two weeks until race day.  Only two more long runs and two more speed workouts loom before we reach the goal.  I know I can make it.  I just need to get my head in the game – recommit if you will. 

Training for a road race, especially a half marathon (I wouldn’t know about marathon training and I doubt I ever will) is much like any other path towards a goal.  How often do we get so close and yet the end is far enough away that we consider aborting the mission?  We begin to doubt our ability to achieve the goal that once seemed so worthy, so attainable. How can we recommit?

Sometimes it helps me to look from whence I came.  For instance, before the training began I was logging about ten miles per week – often fewer.  I wasn’t timing any workouts so I didn’t know how fast or slow I was running.  After a ten-miler on Saturday I will have logged 26 miles this week.  That does not include walking miles to warm up and cool down.  I have also cut 30-40 seconds off my average per mile pace over a three-mile run.  I have made a new friend in Kelli who has enriched my life.

I made some commitments this summer for which this training will help me prepare.  First is the Fitfor Life Half Marathon.  I ran it last year and I am hoping to beat my time.  We runners call that a PR (Personal Record).  After this race I can cut my mileage back just a bit, but not too much as I am doing the Burley Spudman Triathlon two weeks later with my good buddy, Paulee. My run leg is a 10K (6.2 miles) so I should be well prepared for the distance.  Again, I am hoping to beat my time from last year. Lastly, and probably craziest of all is the Grand Teton Relay two weeks after the Spudman.  My training has prepared me for the distance, but the elevation could be my nemesis! You can expect a full report sometime after I have recovered.

I’m feeling better already!  This quick evaluation of my progress towards my goals has changed my perspective. I can get through the next seven timed workouts.  I can do the long runs and the speed work.  They will help prepare me for the race.

I encourage you to evaluate your progress towards a goal.  Maybe it is possible, after all, to write your novel, kick that bad habit, or reduce your debt load.  Take a look at from whence you have come.  You may be farther down the path than you thought!

Happy Running!