Burke Lake Park and South Run Recreation Center team up again to host the…
4th Annual Halloween 1-Mile Fun Run
(*Must be in costume to participate*)
When: Saturday October 30, 2010
Check-in begins at 8:15 am
Race begins at 9:15 am SHARP!
Where: Burke Lake Park - Shelter A (near the large playground)
Cost: $10 per child 12 and under
Parents are encouraged to accompany young children for no additional
charge.
Refreshments, face painting, and arts and crafts will
be available following the race. Everybody wins a
goody bag!
Other outdoor family fun:
Enjoy the Ghost Train Ride* (10am-5:15pm) provided by Northern Virginia Community College in Annandale, spooky music, the parade of costumes, a playground, arts and crafts and face painting. *Ghost Train Ride: $4.50/person; pay this fee at Burke Lake upon riding the train
Reservations required. For more information and registration contact South Run Recreation Center 703.866.0566. (Laurie Strickland- Event Director)
Monday, October 18, 2010
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Oops I Did It Again*
I broke another Dreamer Design Double jogging stroller. While it is still unfortunate that they went out of business (can't redeem the lifetime warranty on the frame) it is not so unexpected. Apparently not the highest quality product? In their defense, I've run this stroller into the ground. At the time of death, there was about 80 pounds of child running 30 miles/week on mixed roads and trails. It was on its second set of tires, but the stroller was only used for a year and a half. More importantly - NO ONE ever sat on the foot rest this time around and the welding still came apart at the same spot next to the front wheel. This is a big vote for strollers with a solid frame or, like our Kelty, bolted together at the joints.
I was really hoping to squeak the rest of October out of this stroller since I still have several weeks until my fall marathon, but alas. My husband and I brainstormed the possible options for holding the stroller together (duct tape, drill and bolt a metal tube, etc.). While I hate the waste from an environmental point of view, fixing the welding isn't practical. We would have to remove the already torn fabric (i.e. flammable parts) which is riveted to the frame and then re-attach it afterwards. Plus, do you happen to have the ability to weld in your garage? Not unheard of, but also not common. We do not.
So, like tearing off a band-aid. It is done. My double-stroller days are over. Sniff. Sniff. No, really. Most people are like, "Oh! Are you so happy..." I actually start to cry a little when I think about it. If you've been in a position with multiple small children, you'll know what I mean: that stroller was like my life-line for 5 years. That red stroller gave me freedom to get out of the house and to work out and get/stay in shape and even just to walk to the store or the park.
Now it is just me and Francesca cruising in the ol' purple single jogger while the older kids are at school. We've even gone to the gym (agast!) when it was pouring rain...you know, like a normal person...
* Thanks Brittany Spears
I was really hoping to squeak the rest of October out of this stroller since I still have several weeks until my fall marathon, but alas. My husband and I brainstormed the possible options for holding the stroller together (duct tape, drill and bolt a metal tube, etc.). While I hate the waste from an environmental point of view, fixing the welding isn't practical. We would have to remove the already torn fabric (i.e. flammable parts) which is riveted to the frame and then re-attach it afterwards. Plus, do you happen to have the ability to weld in your garage? Not unheard of, but also not common. We do not.
So, like tearing off a band-aid. It is done. My double-stroller days are over. Sniff. Sniff. No, really. Most people are like, "Oh! Are you so happy..." I actually start to cry a little when I think about it. If you've been in a position with multiple small children, you'll know what I mean: that stroller was like my life-line for 5 years. That red stroller gave me freedom to get out of the house and to work out and get/stay in shape and even just to walk to the store or the park.
Now it is just me and Francesca cruising in the ol' purple single jogger while the older kids are at school. We've even gone to the gym (agast!) when it was pouring rain...you know, like a normal person...
* Thanks Brittany Spears
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Triple Strollers
I managed to get my oldest in school right after my third child was born, so I have never had the privilege of running with a triple stroller, but if you, like some of my friends, have three kids under the age of 3, you might need one! Here are three styles that I have seen out and about that are all running-possible.
1. Baby Jogger
2. Valco
Double plus a "jump" seat
3. In-line strollers
There is often more than one brand offering each of these configurations, but this is a start.
Good luck!
1. Baby Jogger
2. Valco
Double plus a "jump" seat
3. In-line strollers
There is often more than one brand offering each of these configurations, but this is a start.
Good luck!
Sunday, September 19, 2010
"Getting Chicked"
According to Runner's World Magazine, "Getting Chicked" is trail-running lingo for
"Being outrun by a woman. This can only happen to men. It's best when it happens to macho men. It's even better when the woman is wearing a skirt. Tough trail women wear skirts. And look hot. And beat men."
I will one-up that. I like to pass men while wearing a skirt, looking hot, AND pushing my stroller! It happens! Often!
"Being outrun by a woman. This can only happen to men. It's best when it happens to macho men. It's even better when the woman is wearing a skirt. Tough trail women wear skirts. And look hot. And beat men."
I will one-up that. I like to pass men while wearing a skirt, looking hot, AND pushing my stroller! It happens! Often!
Pregnant Running
The worlds of pregnant running and stroller running often collide. (Not for me right now which is a good thing, but I digress...) I've been reading a blog by a pregnant runner on See Mommy Run, I've been seeing several different pregnant runners around Burke Lake, AND there was just a whole article about two pregnant pro-runners (Paula Radcliffe and Kara Goucher) in Runner's World magazine this month. It's cool since I don't think that I EVER saw another pregnant lady running all the times I was out there with my big belly over various years. Though maybe you couldn't see the belly behind the giant double stroller!
Anyway, if you are already a runner, being able to keep it up is great physically as well as psychologically. Of course, to what extent one can keep running varies greatly from one person to another. The Runner's World article did a good job of showing that it can be done safely and healthfully, but to run to the extent that these ladies do while pregnant is a special case given their pre-pregnancy fitness and the amount of professional coaching that they receive.
Being pregnant does slow you down for a time, though. We'll see how things go as I begin my first two-years post-partum and not pregnant. Will I continue to improve or does the 2 1/2 year cycle of pregnancy and recovery reach the same plateau?
Anyway, if you are already a runner, being able to keep it up is great physically as well as psychologically. Of course, to what extent one can keep running varies greatly from one person to another. The Runner's World article did a good job of showing that it can be done safely and healthfully, but to run to the extent that these ladies do while pregnant is a special case given their pre-pregnancy fitness and the amount of professional coaching that they receive.
Being pregnant does slow you down for a time, though. We'll see how things go as I begin my first two-years post-partum and not pregnant. Will I continue to improve or does the 2 1/2 year cycle of pregnancy and recovery reach the same plateau?
Saturday, August 14, 2010
My Review of Womens Saucony ProGrid Ride 2 Running Shoe
Originally submitted at Road Runner Sports
Women's Saucony® ProGrid™ Ride 2 :: Get the smoothest ride of your life in this flexible, cushioned, everyday trainer. The women's Saucony® ProGrid™ sets you up with a new, wider base for better balance, an upgraded insole for plush comfort, and softer crash pad for cu...
Don't size up
By runningfor3 from Springfield, VA on 8/14/2010
Sizing: Feels true to size
Width: Feels true to width
Arch Type: High Arch
Pros: Comfortable
Best Uses: Road Running
Describe Yourself: Avid Athlete
I haven't run in them yet because they were huge! It says to size up 1/2 a size which I always do in Mizunos, Asics or Nikes, but don't size up in these- especially if your feel are relatively narrow as mine out. Felt cushy and comfortable though and I am looking forward to actually running in my smaller pair. They are in the mail.
(legalese)
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Summers Off
I've had the opportunity to run without my jogging stroller (agast!) this August as I did last August. Due in part to my accommodating husband and in part to waking up before dawn, I've some lovely experiences with solitude and summer sunrises. The hard lesson I learned last September, however, after enjoying this luxury all summer, was that kids keep growing all summer! I can remember how hard that first day back with the jogging stroller was last September.
So, we packed up the family for a family run the other morning. It's good to get the husband out with a stroller from time to time too (empathy). My response was that it was good to keep the stroller pushing muscles fresh and perhaps more importantly, keep the kids in the habit of riding. My husband's response was, "These kids need to learn how to ride their bikes!" Also true.
So, a couple tips as you re-enter your fall schedule (or start running with your stroller for the first time):
1. Destination running (to the park, pool, store, etc.) is a good step to get the kids psyched up again and keep each trip shorter.
2. It is still hot. Bring everyone their own water or somehow you'll end up with none.
3. Start with relatively flat, straight routes. Add the hills as you regain comfort. If the kids are indeed heavier than when you left off in the spring, downhills are just as much a change and the uphills. Be careful.
4. Hide secret snacks/toys that the kids only get on the way home/second half.
5. Try running longer routes more frequently (i.e. 6 miles every-other day rather than 3 miles everyday). It is easier to keep going once everyone is already packed up and the kids won't drag their feet about the stroller so much if it is not EVERY day.
6. Check tire pressure. Air leaks out when you don't use the stroller for a while. Like a car uses more gas when your tires are under-inflated, pushing the stroller with flat tires makes it much harder.
Good luck.
So, we packed up the family for a family run the other morning. It's good to get the husband out with a stroller from time to time too (empathy). My response was that it was good to keep the stroller pushing muscles fresh and perhaps more importantly, keep the kids in the habit of riding. My husband's response was, "These kids need to learn how to ride their bikes!" Also true.
So, a couple tips as you re-enter your fall schedule (or start running with your stroller for the first time):
1. Destination running (to the park, pool, store, etc.) is a good step to get the kids psyched up again and keep each trip shorter.
2. It is still hot. Bring everyone their own water or somehow you'll end up with none.
3. Start with relatively flat, straight routes. Add the hills as you regain comfort. If the kids are indeed heavier than when you left off in the spring, downhills are just as much a change and the uphills. Be careful.
4. Hide secret snacks/toys that the kids only get on the way home/second half.
5. Try running longer routes more frequently (i.e. 6 miles every-other day rather than 3 miles everyday). It is easier to keep going once everyone is already packed up and the kids won't drag their feet about the stroller so much if it is not EVERY day.
6. Check tire pressure. Air leaks out when you don't use the stroller for a while. Like a car uses more gas when your tires are under-inflated, pushing the stroller with flat tires makes it much harder.
Good luck.
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