The bigger the number, the easier it is?!

Wondering what this is going to be about? Well, this is my re-re-re-re-committment to myself. To my healthy(ish) eating habits, to finally losing the last 15 pounds. AGAIN. I've reached my goal weight twice now. I would like to reach it for the third and FINAL time. Why is it that when I started counting calories and had a LONG way to go, it was so much easier? I was trying to lose 45 pounds. That should be intimidating. However, I have been struggling for several months to re-lose this 10-15 pounds and for whatever reason, I cannot seem to stay motivated to do it.

On my initial weight loss, I just kept going and eventually lost it all. Maybe my issue now is that I've done it before, I know I can do it, so there's not as much pressure? I don't know.

Talking with my mom yesterday about it really renewed my desire to "get it done". I sent Jeff a couple messages telling him that I needed a contest or challenge. He says "lose 15 lbs by 11/1, and you can get an iphone 5". Tempting, but I'm cheap. As much as I want to upgrade, mine is working just fine. I'll get one...eventually. So I sent him a picture of several different outfits from Pinterest that I would love to have "For my closet" (as my board is called). I said "if I can lose 10 pounds by 11/1, can I get a new outfit?" Of course, my techy husband thinks the iphone5 is much more "practical" than clothes, but I think a new cute outfit will motivate me more.

This is the first time that I have set a goal date and a reward if I reach my goal. I'm wondering if it will make a difference for me? Originally, I didn't want the added pressure of having a deadline, but I'm thinking that may help keep me honest right now! 

I WILL be logging everything into MyFitnessPal. Also, I started a "secret" group on Facebook for friends and family that are also trying to lose weight. I know that when I have the accountability and goals, I do so much better. I am so excited by the response that I've gotten to what I'm calling my "weight loss challenge". Hopefully it helps everyone reach their own personal goals; whether it's losing 10 pounds by 11/1, just getting back on track if they have had some set-backs, or getting started.

Yesterday was my official start day. I did GREAT! Now, we have a busy weekend with my father-in-law visiting, Oktoberfest tonight, and moms' weekend away (i.e. good food & drinks). I will need to be strong to make sure I keep my momentum going. I want to succeed. I KNOW I can do it.  So, I'm posting this as a means to help keep me accountable. The more people who know, the better my chances for success, right? (boy, I hope so!)

Have you lost weight, gained some back and had a really hard time losing it again? How did you get it done? Do you set goal dates with rewards for yourself? 

Every step is still for the children!

Source

It's less than a month away! Yes, you can breathe a sigh of relief that my begging for money will be done soon.

On Sunday, October 21, 2012, I will be running the Nationwide Children's Hospital Columbus Half Marathon. Originally, I was going to run the full 26.2 miles, but as I posted here, life and my situation have changed and I will be running 13.1 miles instead. Every step I take will still be for the kids, I will just be taking half as many steps!

In case you missed my original post on WHY Children's Hospital is so important to me, click here. The support and encouragement I have received after making the announcement of my change of race distance has been phenomenal. I appreciate the support and kind words, and YOU all more than you will ever know.

Just because I am running fewer miles does NOT mean that I need to raise less money as a Children's Champion! I still need donations. The KIDS need more donations. EVERY dollar helps! Thank you to everyone that has donated already. I am deeply touched by the generosity of family, friends and on-line running friends that I have not yet met in person. If you haven't donated yet, there is still time for YOU to give money to be sure that EVERY CHILD gets the care they need.

Here is the link to my personal fundraising page: Anne Pistone's Children's Champion fundraising page

If you would like to choose a mile, I will run that mile "for" you!

Mile 1: Andy Smith
Mile 2: Deanna V.
Mile 3: Natalie, Rebecca, Luke
Mile 4: Melissa Grobler
Mile 5: Mike B.
Mile 6: Allen Frye
Mile 7: Mom & Dad
Mile 8: Jim & Judy
Mile 9: Roz Batson
Mile 10: Jeff 
Mile 11: Dave Parsons
Mile 12: Angel Mile (Watch this video. Enough said) 
Mile 13: Greg Peck
Final .1 Zachary & Jacob (my kids!)

What are you waiting for?! Donate today! Thank you!

happily ever before winners. Are you a winner?

happily ever before website

I love that so many of you were as excited about Happily Ever Before as I was! Also, hearing your favorite genre was lots of fun for me! Below are the winners of the electronic copies of the book. If you were not one of the winners, fear not, it is available here on Amazon and here at Barnes & Noble.

The results below were generated from random.org, in order to fairly distribute the prizes amongst all entrants. As my first giveaway I hope it did everything correctly!

And now to the winners!! (Here's a link back to the original post with your comments in case you're not sure if it's you!) The winner's # is based on the order of comment from the original post.

Winners:
7 Danielle @Itsaharleyylife
6 Jenn
4 jennygov
5 Jessica
2 Jenna

If you are one of the winners, please email me at: thisrunningmomslife@yahoo.com We will email you instructions for getting your free copy. In your email, please include what type of reader you have (ex: Nook, Kindle, iBook, etc). If I do not hear from within 48 hours (Wednesday 9/26 at 6:00pm), I will go to the next random.org generated winner. Thank you all!

happily ever before: Book Review & Giveaway

I was contacted by one of my fellow blogger friends, Deanna, author of The Unnatural Mother (someday we WILL meet in person).  She asked if I would be interested in reading a "chick lit" book that her sister co-authored. Um...YES, please! I LOVE to read. Prior to having kids, I read ALL.THE.TIME. Now, I read when I can. The majority of my books are kiddie books, but at least I'm still reading! Please forgive me, this is my first ever book review, so I hope I'm doing it justice!

Happily Ever Before website

Happily Ever Before was written by Aimee Pitta and actress Melissa Peterman. Note from the authors: "What you're about to read is the almost totally true story of two sisters. A modern day tale of love lost, love won, impatience, sacrifice, friendship, sex, loyalty, honesty, and at times, indecision, drunkenness, flatulence, and cookie dough." Sounds like a winner to me!

From the first couple pages, I was hooked. I have read A LOT of "chick lit". When I have time to read, I will typically go for lighter books that are easy to read and enjoy. Happily Ever Before was all that, but also different enough that I had a hard time putting it down.

The story centers around two sisters, Clair and Grace. Clair is the married, successfully employed, trying-to-get-pregnant, has-it-together one.  Grace is single, has a job not a career, and hasn't quite put her life together.

Being the uber-organized woman that she is, Clair pulls out a note that the sisters signed one drunken night many years ago that said if one of them was ever unable to have children, she could "rent her sisters womb". Upon hearing that she cannot bear her own children, Clair decides to cash in on the sisterhood pact.

Several aspects of this book really hit home for me. After going through two pregnancies myself, I loved reading about the obstetrician appointments and the squeamishness of pregnancy and delivery issues. Yes, it really happens to everyone....

Watching Grace gain self-confidence and (for lack of a better phrase) find herself was the highlight of the book for me. She shows what I have learned in my 30s, that you are never too old to make changes in your own life.

While I've never had a sister, the selfless love exhibited by Grace is exactly what I have always imagined as a sister's relationship. Being there through everything, sharing the ups, downs and in-between. I'll never have that, but I do have that family relationship and it's just as special in my opinion.

This book has it all; relationship ups and downs, family problems, career/life issues.

I hate to sound like a cliche, but this book make me laugh...it made me cry. And I REALLY hope they follow-up with another book. I'm dying to know what happens to the Higgins Sisters!

The book is available for purchase on Amazon at a GREAT price. But don't buy it yet; see below!

Now, to the part you've all been waiting for......

GIVEAWAY! Five, yes FIVE luckily winners will get an electronic copy of this great book. All you have to do is leave a comment below telling me your favorite genre of book and random.org will select the winners! Giveaway will be open through Sunday, September 23 with the winners chosen on Monday, September 24, 2012.

The authors provided the reviewer with a free copy of the book for the purposes of this review.

Mom on a Mission

That's right. I am currently a mom with a mission....to get my kids to eat different foods; healthier foods. Until he was about 2 1/2, Zachary was a fantastic eater. He would honestly eat anything we gave him. Vegetables, give me more. A Cheeseburger was his favorite meal. Grilled chicken, no problem. Then he started exerting his own mind and the other day he told me that he would eat "chicken nuggets, hot dogs, pizza". Ummm....NO! He is now 5 1/2 years old and has a very strong will (wonder where he got that from?!). And of course his little brother takes all of his cues from his big brother. If Zachary won't eat it, chances are Jacob won't either. Now, there are other foods that they do eat other than the three, but some days I feel like they won't eat anything not covered in cheese and pizza sauce.

I have learned a lot about cooking and cooking healthier in the past few years. I am not a foodie, I just enjoy cooking and eating. Especially the eating part :) (hence the running and exercise...) Yesterday, I scoured my Pinterest food board for meal ideas that everyone might eat. I got a menu plan that both adults and children would hopefully be happy with.

It will be a long process and not every day will be good. I know that I just cannot give up like I have done in the past. I get frustrated and go back to making a few meals that I know won't be a struggle. Let's face it....we have enough battles in our lives, adding another one at the end of the day just makes me tired!

One thing that we have started doing is having Zachary help us plan the menu for the week. We tell him what meals we are making and then ask him for one or two suggestions that I try to add into the menu.

Thanks Dori at Riches to Rags!

Last night I made a Grilled Balsamic Bruchetta Chicken. It was delicious! The kids both said it was good...covered in cheese, how could it not be?! But, they each ate a few bites and declared themselves finished. I've always been told that you have to offer a child something 15 times (or is it 30? please tell me it's NOT 30!) in order for it to work. I know they have been offered chicken (not breaded!) more than 15 times so this is the strong willed aspect just coming out...

I'm excited to see what they think of a couple of the meals that I have planned for the week, but I'm also trying to not get my hopes up too high. I know we we be working on this for quite a while.

Hiding different veggies in their foods, yep, I do that. Add white beans to a cheese tortilla, put spinach in a smoothie, black beans in "cake", Zucchini cookies. Yes, I have made all of those. Need to get the healthy stuff in them somehow!

The struggle to eat different foods is not unique to my family. I have had conversations with many parents on what we've tried, what works, what doesn't, etc. My goal is to have family meal times be an enjoyable time for all of us, not something that we dread.

What tips or tricks do you have for getting your kids to eat different foods and not have meal time a constant battle? 

10 Running-Related Personal Questions

When I saw this post by Sarah on Another Mother Runner (authors of one of my favorite running books, Run Like a Mother), it looked like fun and I decided to take them up on the challenge of answering the questions.  See Sarah's original post here and link back your responses. I would love to see your answers too!

1. Best Run Ever: I don't know the exact date (and I'm feeling too lazy to look it up right now), but it was November of 2009, about a week before Thanksgiving. I was in my third month of running consistently and I ran my first ever 4 consecutive miles WITHOUT STOPPING. I remember where I ran and the incredible feeling of accomplishment when I finished. Never had I imagined that I would be able to run four miles without stopping. That was the start of something big!

2. Three words that describe my running: fun, stress-relieving, necessary

3. My go-to running outfit: My Lululemon capris is cooler weather or my Lululemon shorts for warm weather. Nike "long bra top" (otherwise know as a tank) for hot weather or a Brooks Running t-shirt for under 70*F.

4. Quirky habit while running: I cannot stop running if my watch doesn't have an even number for the mileage. Example: today I was done but I was at 3.18, had to go until it reached 3.2miles. I'm getting better, but for whatever reason, seeing those uneven numbers bugs me!

5. Morning, midday, evening: MORNING!!!! But, I'll take my runs whenever I can fit them in with the least amount of disruption to our everyday lives or to my sleeping needs.

6. I won't run outside when it's: Lightning. I will run in ANYTHING except lightning. I've run in hail storms, -15*F windchill, 30+mph winds. But, I see a flash of lightning in the sky and I head for home!

7. Worst injury--and how I got over it: I sprained my ankle on a technical trail run. Resting was the only way to get over it.

8. I felt most like a badass Mother Runner when: I finished my first marathon (USAF Marathon Recap)! In my wildest dreams I never imagined running a marathon, let alone finishing one. Crossing the finish line (in tears) and getting my medal, I knew I could do anything I set my mind to!

9. Next race is: Nationwide Children's Hospital Columbus Half Marathon (10/21). I'm running as  Children's Champion, raising money for Children's Hospital and all the kids that need it!

10. Potential running goal for 2013:  Keep the fun in running, take the pressure off myself. Running is supposed to relieve stress, not add to it.

 So there's my answers.....I'd love to read yours!

Happy 'Run'iversary to me!

Source

Happy 'Run'iversary to me! Another year has gone by and I have been running consistently for THREE years! Woah. That's a long time for someone who used to hate exercise, let alone running. Sorry, let me correct that. I knew that I needed to exercise. I knew it was good for me. But I had a hard time sticking with anything longer than two or three months. I got bored. Luckily, I found running. Or did running find me?

So how did I celebrate my 'Run'iversary? By running 3 miles with my family!! We were lucky enough to receive a new (to us) jogging stroller (for free!) from my wonderful sister-in-law, so even though we don't have a double jogger, we now have two single joggers for when we can all run together. I could not have asked for a better "present" for this important milestone than running with my husband and kids.

In the past three years, I have logged 3,189 miles, 538:46 hours:mins. 1,432 miles in the past 365 days. (I love the Garmin data to remind me of how far I've come!)

I have come a long way since my first post-baby #2 run on 9/4/09. That first run was 1.48 miles in 22:49 for an average pace of 15:23/mi. On 9/3/12, I ran 4 miles in 33:49 for an average pace of 8:28/mi. With hard work and dedication, anything is possible!

I never dreamed that I would stick with running, I had no confidence in myself. I never dreamed I would run a half marathon; now I've run three half marathon races and currently training for my fourth. I NEVER dreamed I would run a marathon; now I've completed two! I have lost weight, gained confidence and found a lot of good friends on this journey. I never dreamed I would convince Jeff to start running, but he has successfully completed several races, including a 10K! (Jeff's journey)

In my third running year, I have set THREE PRs (personal records); Half Marathon, 5K and 4 mile. Maybe this will translate to four PRs in my fourth year?! :) Hey, I'm aiming high! In this third year, I also learned so much more about myself! I've learned that just because I CAN run a marathon, it doesn't mean that I should. (For more on that, see this post) I have put the FUN back into running and I couldn't be happier right now. I can still encourage and inspire others to get started or continue on their journey, and probably do a better job since I'm happier with myself!

I'm looking forward to another fun year filled with many different adventures (some more crazy than others; Ragnar Relay for example!).

Do you celebrate your 'Run'iversary? How do you celebrate? How long have you been running?

Run 4 the Health of It, 4 Mile PR Race Recap

Toward the end of July, someone from our running group posted the details about this 4 mile race, and if we registered by the end of July, it was $10. $10?!?!!? The biggest catch for me was that it was on Labor Day. I checked the calendar and cleared it with Jeff that we had nothing planned, and signed up. How could I pass up a $10 race?! I put it on the calendar and pretty much forgot about the race. I haven't raced anything shorter than a Half Marathon (other than the 5 mi trail race in June) since April 2011. WOW! That's a long time. The fact that I wasn't worried at all about the race, I really had no plan, I even forgot about packet pick-up. OOPS! Luckily, someone posted about it on the RunDMC site and mentioned that we could pick up before the race started. Whew!

This past week, I looked up my previous 4 miler time to see if there would be any hopes of a PR. Well, after looking at the forecast with 90% humidity, I didn't think there was any way that I would pull it off.   My plan was to give it my all without over-doing it in the humidity.

We had our RunDMC photo op (wow, there were a lot of us today!) and then headed over to the start. It was so much fun to see so many familiar faces today. And, FINALLY, I got to meet Dave. We have been trying to meet in person for close to two years! So nice to talk to him in person!

I saw Greg and asked him what he was looking to do today. He had no goals so I asked him if he could try to get me to a PR. His 5K PR time is about a minute faster than mine, so I figured his 4 mile race time would be just a touch faster, too. The race started and we went TOO FAST (of course). It honestly felt good, but I knew I would never be able to keep it up for 3 more miles. There were several times I looked down and saw a 7:xx on my watch. (Maybe the lesson here is to not take my watch the next time?!) Greg started pulling ahead and I was happy to see him go on and I just did the best I could. It was BRUTAL today. Usually, I don't take my own water for a race under Half Marathon distance, but knew with the weather today, I would need it. I was VERY glad to have it!

The course was very flat and was only on the bike trails. It was pretty through the park with a lot of trees, too. A couple times during the race, I was ready to just give in to the heat, but somehow convinced myself to keep going. I was reminded why I started going for distance instead of speed about two years ago....short races hurt! Greg hadn't pulled too far ahead of me, so I had the delusion of catching him. Yeah, that never happened, but I didn't let him get too far ahead. (I'm pretending that he was going all out even though I'm sure he could have raced faster!)

Rounding the corner for the finish.

Finally, almost to the finish line. I knew I wasn't going to get a PR, but I was darn close to one. My last 4 mile race in December 2010 was 34:23 and my average pace today was above that. I saw my family about 50 feet in front of the finish line and at that point, I was running as fast as I could make myself go. The clock read 33:xx and I wasn't sure how that could be. When I stopped my watch, it read 3.91 mi. I have NEVER run short....I always run long. After three years, I still can't figure out the tangents! However, I must have done something right today as it was a USATF certified course! I know I should take the official time over my own, but for some reason it feels wrong since my Garmin measured it short. I just need to ignore that and go with the race time! It's a PR! :)

The post race food was amazing for such a small race! There was fruit, pizza, water, fruit leather, Dairy Queen blizzards, Rita's Ice, Oxy Water, and a few other things. The parking was close by (and free!), easy to get to, easy packet pick-up and I even got to pick what shirt I wanted. We were given the choice between a cotton T-shirt and a tech t-shirt. I went for the cotton...I have TONS of tech t-shirts that I don't wear from races, so I thought I'd like to be able to wear one around. If we are in town on Labor Day next year, I will definitely be running it again!

Finishing strong!

Official Results:
Time 33:49
Average Pace: 8:28
Overall Place: 128/441
Age Group: 9/42