As a mom I feel like I am always pushing my kids out of their comfort zones. With every new activity, sports game, or social situation it is always unknown and awkward for kids. As parents, we push them and help them through and we know they grow from each situation. It is difficult to push our children through at times but very rewarding to see them over come fears and grow as individuals. My oldest daughter struggles with this the most. She gets very comfortable and has a hard time with the unknown and new situations. But it is my responsibility to help give her the strength and skills to muster through.
Now that I am an adult, it is even easier to stay within my comfort zones. It isn't very often that we are forced out of these areas. We may choose to step out at any time but it is usually our choice. Most times we go with the known and expected.
I wasn't able to go for my long run yesterday so I planned on it today. I have found that I have already gotten into the comfort zone of my training. I have my set schedule, planned runs, and "safe" routes. I always know what to expect and am mentally prepared for my runs. Today I walked out of my house and just decided to run. I wasn't sure where I was going or how far I was going. I just ran. While running, I realized I was leaving my comfort zone and I had let my guard down. It was a very liberating feeling. I didn't bring a watch with me so I had no way of tracking my pace. I wasn't stressing about being faster. While running I felt free.
I realized that signing up for a marathon is very much out of my comfort zone. I am not one to just run for the sake of running a marathon. I want to do well and be pushed to my limits. I have worked harder in the last month working out and running than I have ever done before. I need to remind myself with every run and workout to make sure I am pushed out of my comfort zone- try a new route, add in a new exercise, lift heavier, workout longer, and run faster. With this mentality, my goals will be met.
I encourage everyone to recognize what is within comfort and step out every once in awhile!

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day to all the moms out there. Being a mom is definitely a very challenging and rewarding role. Everything we do as moms has the potential to change our children's lives for good and bad. There is no how to guide to refer to or undo button when we realize we have done something wrong. So many of the rewards that come with this role are intrinsic.
I wanted to be a mom for as long as I can remember. Nine years ago, I had my first daughter and didn't have any idea what I was doing. I learned and grew with every milestone and did it so very different with each child. Everyday is a new challenge and something unexpectedly comes our way. Just when we think we have something figured out and we get in a rhythm it all changes again.
Throughout my time in this role, I have learned to appreciate every single second because you will never get it back. Good or bad it is always a moment that brings us closer, teaches us, or helps us grow. I have learned to be forgiving of myself and of my children. I have learned to depend on others for advise, laughter, a listening ear, company, and an extra hand. I have learned so much about myself as I see characteristics of me in my children. I have learned to make mistakes so we can overcome them and that is ok to not always have all the answers.
Mother's day to me isn't about a card, flowers, or brunch but about the time I have with my kids. It usually turns out to be an ordinary day full of chaos and tantrums but it allows me to reflect on my role and appreciate how lucky I am to have 3 amazing children by my side everyday.

Marathon Monday- Finding the time

When people talk about working out, the biggest complaint seems to be about time. There just isn't enough time in the day for everything and, unfortunately, workouts are usually the first thing cut out. It doesn't have to be that way though. And fitting those workouts in can relieve so much stress and give you some much needed you time to manage all that other stuff.
Over the last month, I have been able to fit an average of 30 miles/week in, lift 4-5 times a week for an hour, do a fitness club with coworkers, teach full time, run a house and family, and have my husband gone on over time and regular work more than he has been home. We also have the activities of three kids to manage and all of that homework and those house/yard spring projects.
It can be done and I don't find myself cutting out anything I truly miss. My days are busy and I don't stop much, but it can be done.
I think an important step is to sign up for a competition. These days, it seems like any race or event you sign up for costs a ton. Having that date on the calendar is really going to push you and motivate you.
Be flexible. Although there is an ideal time to run and work out. When you are balancing everything, you don't always get to do it at the ideal time. Sometimes I run at 5:00am, other times my run doesn't get fit in until after dinner at 7:00pm. My best runs aren't when I have a full stomach. But I still get the miles in and feel better for it!
Think of idle time and figure out how to incorporate workouts in to it. My time was during soccer practice. I am stuck at a park for an hour. I take advantage of that time and run around the park or do circuits. I still get to watch the kids practice but I get my workout in.
Don't have a workout schedule but have goals. My goals are to get 4 listing workouts in a week and have one day for a long run, and run at least three miles on all the other days. Ideally, it would be nice to devote Sundays to my long runs but with my husbands work schedule, I can't commit to that each week. Some weeks it will be on Saturdays and others on Mondays but I will still get that long run in. It would be nice to lift 2 days, take a day off and lift 2 more. But again life gets in the way so sometimes it is 4 days in a row.
Don't stress about it. Know that workouts aren't always going to go according to plan. But don't stress out about it and forgive yourself as long as they eventually balance each other out.
Split workouts up. Sometimes, I will be able squeeze 2 mile sin to one part of my day and another 2 into a later part of my day. It's ok as long as I get one uninterrupted long run in each week.
If the desire and commitment are there, the time is available!

Positive Parenting

A few years ago, when I started teaching at the school I currently teach at, a parent commented on how the teachers at our school do a great job saying positive things to the students instead of constantly harping on them. Instead of don't run in the halls, we say let's remember to walk. Instead of saying no talking, we may remind to use a whisper or working voice. This still holds true at school. I have always found that students respond better when talked to in a positive way or when given an alternative instead of a reprimand.
Recently, I felt like I was constantly telling my kids no and don't. It would always turn into an argument and we would all get frustrated. It suddenly dawned on me that I should try being positive with my responses instead of constantly telling them no. Boundaries and structure are huge to me. My kids have always had boundaries and rules which they stay within pretty well. I knew while becoming more positive, I still had to have clearly defined boundaries.  I was a little worried but thought it was worth a try.
It started last Saturday at the girls' soccer games. Tate and Ella wanted to play at the park. Instead of saying no and being asked why and going into the whole conversation of how we have to watch Maya, I said right now we need to cheer for Maya. The conversation just ended there. Later Ella asked for more pizza. Instead of saying no, I said you already had some, now you can have fruit.
Just by eliminating the word no, arguments and defiance have decreased in our household. I find that I feel better as a mom because I am not always saying no and defending my reasons. I really haven't changed what I say but I just get rid of the negative words.

Activity and Recipe- Park workout and apple sandwiches

My kids love to go to the park! It is interesting to watch what other parents do at the park. Some hover over their kids ready to catch every fall, others sit on the bench and are completely engrossed in their phones, some hang out with other parents, and others play with their kids. I have done all of the above.
As my kids got older and were able to play with each other and more independently, I found my involvement to be less and less at the park. It's not that my kids don't want me to play with them, they just don't need me to anymore.
Now that it is spring and we are spending more and more time at the park, I have decided to join in their play time again or use the playground equipment to get a bonus workout in.
Some days we just simply play tag or groundies together. Running around, sneaking past, and climbing all over the play ground can be a simple workout in itself. Other days, I actually do a full body work out using the equipment. I can do inverted push ups, pull ups, side steps, ladder squats, handstand push ups, monkey bars, box jumps, dips, hanging leg lifts, lunges and push ups on the swings and of course cardio. It's a great way to get fresh air and make everyone in the family happy!

Next time you go to the park with your kids, play just like a kid. Have fun and get an extra work out it. Play tag or complete an obstacle course on the play equipment. Children of all ages will have fun!


Apple Sandwich snack for after the park

Core an apple
Slice apples into 1-2 inch slices.
spread peanut butter or almond butter on apple slices
top with raisins, chocolate chips, nuts, honey or sprinkles. 
1 apple can usually be shared between 2 or us

We like to eat our as "open faced sandwiches" but you can top with another apple.

Marathon Monday- Why Do I Run?

After being accepted to the NY Marathon, participants can make a badge which states why they run. There are pre-made ones or you can make your own. This was a great time to reflect for me as well as think ahead and start making goals for myself through this marathon training process.
I chose a pre-made badge for myself that simply stated, "I run because I can." This is such a simple message but pretty deep at the same time.
Sundays are my long run days. While I am not truly training yet, I am aware of what is to come and am trying to get my body and mind ready for it. My Sunday run was a 6 mile loop in the wind. While I was running, I started out enjoying the beauty of the sunrise and the chill in the air. I took in all of my surroundings and really enjoyed the quietness and stillness that set over the rolling hills. My mind was pretty clear through the first half of my run.
As I turned a corner the wind picked up and I really had to push and run my hardest to move at all against the wind. At this point, I realized why I run. I run because it is something I do for myself. There are no other pressures or standards but my own. I am only competitive with myself and I am only running against the elements of the weather and the terrain. I can use the weather and the terrain as symbols for my challenges in my life and can physically confront them and push through them.
This week I enjoyed every step of every run every day. I enjoyed my short runs, fast runs, my hill runs, and my long run. While asking myself why do I run, it's because I can.
I didn't grow up playing sports. I wanted to be a part of a team so in high school I became a runner. Why did I join the cross country team? Because I could. I could put one step in front of the other and move. I remember my cross country coach telling me as long as only one foot is on the ground at a time, you are running. I wasn't a great runner. I never one or race or placed but I ran and enjoyed it.
 My father was a runner. I felt that running would  bring us closer. It could be a shared accomplishment.
After high school, I stopped running. I never really missed it. It was always work. When I met my husband, he pushed me to pick it back up. I signed up for a few races and ran them. I was never a competitive runner though. I ran because it was something I could do.  After every baby, I ran a big race before I could get pregnant with the next. This was just a goal and challenge for myself. I ran to finish and to run the entire race. This was enough for me.
After having Tate, I lost running for awhile. I wanted something different so I started lifting. I lifted because it gave me a sense of accomplishment and I could see the results and work in my body.
Three years later, I find myself back here to running. I wake up and love to start my days with runs. I also love to end long hard days with runs. Sometimes I even do both. Why am I doing it? Because I can.
As I look ahead to the marathon in November, I will run because I can. My goal will be to enjoy every step of the race, to truly take it all in, and do the best that my body and mind are able to do.

Spring Family To Do List

Spring is a favorite time of year for me. There are so many things to do. Spring seems to bring extra energy with it too.
1. Go to a baseball Game
You can go to a major league game or even cheer on the local high school team.
2. Go to the zoo
It is so much more enjoyable to go to the zoo in the spring before it is blazing hot out and there are usually always babies to be seen in the spring.
3. Plant a Fairy Garden
This seems to be trendy right now. Most garden stores have specialty items to create your fairy garden.  We are making ours as an extension of our playhouse. I let the kids pick out their own plants and flowers. We found great fairies and creatures at the craft store for a fraction of the price of the garden store. This can even be made in pots on a deck or in the house
4. Go to the Farmers Market
Try new things and enjoy the fresh local produce. It always seems to taste better. Our kids love the samples! 
5. Plant a garden
If you have the space, you can plant more than you will ever need. If you don't have the space, you can plant in pots. My kids always eat so much more of the veggies we grow because they love the reward that they get from taking care of them.  When we have a surplus of veggies, we always experiment with ways to eat them too.
6. Plant a tree
This is a nice yearly tradition. Each one can represent the year. 
7. Pick up trash in your neighborhood or local park
As everything starts to turn green and it warms up, we are outside a lot.  After the hibernation of winter, there always seems to be litter and trash around. It is nice to take ownership for your neighborhood or local part and help clean it up.
8. Take a family hike
Spring is the perfect time to hike. The kids don't whine because of the heat and there is a lot to look at. We go on scavenger hunts for signs of spring to keep them busy. 
9. Go fishing
We love to dig the worms out of our yard and walk down to the neighborhood pond. Fishing calls for patience and allows us to have some great conversations and family time while waiting for that bite!
10. Spring clean and donate
We all love to spring clean. This is a great time to involve your kids and have them donate toys and clothes that they don't need any more. 
11. Have a garage sale
Instead of donating, you can always try to sell it first. We let our kids keep the money that they make from selling their own things. 
12. Start a family book club
With school ending for summer break soon, this is a great way to keep kids motivated to continue to read through the summer. Parents can read to younger kids and older kids can read independently. Do fun activities that have to do with the book or watch the movies that go with the book.
 13. Play in the rain
April Showers bring May Flowers. Playing in the rain brings out the kid in all of us. It's fun to splash around and let it go for a little while. 
14. Have a picnic
Pack a picnic and enjoy the outdoors. 
15. Play at the park
Instead of just taking your kids to the park, get on the play equipment and join them in their fun. It can actually be a great workout as well!