We All Have Our Moments

As proof that I have moments when my motivation is in the ditch, I bring you this screen shot (my comments are in blue). If you think you're the only one who struggles to get your butt up and out the door, rest assured, you are not.

More about finding motivation is on my website www.lifeasafitmom.com.

5K Training Tips

Me with my first borns at the 5K start.

The 5K for our girls fitness program is in the books. Everyone in this 3rd-5th grade program to empower girls to be strong inside and out (with the exception of two who had strep throat) finished a 5K. Some had run a 5K before, but most had not. For a young girl, 3.1 miles is a long way to go, especially so when it's cold and blustery out. But they were ready and finished with big smiles. Here's a page from our 5K training playbook:

1) Make sure you can walk 3.1 miles first. One of the first workouts we did was a nature hike. We brought along a list of 20 things we needed to find. We had so much fun looking for the items and were thrilled about what we saw: the snowy egret, the frogs, snakes, turtles, that it wasn't until mile two that they started asking, "Hey, how far are we going?" When we made it back to school and I announced they had just finished 3.1 miles they were surprised and convinced they could also finish their race.

2) Find support and be supportive. I have witnessed some special interactions watching these girls extend themselves to help each other. On our very first training run, the girls--without any prompting from the adult coaches--made a tunnel out of their arms as they finished and cheered for the girls who finished after them. At the end of our class sessions the girls had the opportunity to write something they needed to let go or something they wanted to share with the group. Most of these slips of paper included pats on the back and positive shout-outs for their fellow team members. Some people say that women don't support each other enough, especially in a professional environment. I hope these girls take this camaraderie with them into adulthood.

3) Work your way up. Most of the girls had already run a mile in gym class so we knew that was our base. We set out to cover one mile, then a mile-and-a-half. We did a mile-and-a-half again, then two miles. We did two miles again, then two-and-a-half miles. We did two-and-a-half miles again, then 3.1 miles. As Dori says: Just keep swimmin' (or running, in this case).

4) Shake it up (because girls ages 8-11 love that song). In between those running workouts we explored other routes to fitness: a yoga class, hula hoop class and sessions with the high school dance, softball and basketball teams. Even if you love running, your body benefits from moving in new and different ways. I love running, but I don't love only running all the time.

5) Challenge yourself. One of our favorite workouts was a game called Train. We had groups of 4-5 girls run in a line around the soccer field. When we blew the whistle, the girl in back would run to the front of the line and set the pace. Someone from each group wore a pedometer and the group that took the most steps was the winner (of bragging rights). This was one of our most challenging workouts, but also a lot of fun; a speed workout dressed up as a game (and one that would be fun for the family too, hint hint).

6) Write down your goal and share it. Before the race everyone wrote down their goal on a piece of poster board. The girls made their goals public, which has the effect of making them come to life. Plus, when your support system knows what you want to accomplish, they can help you get there or remind you of what you want if it becomes less important to you (say when you don't feel like training or when you feel too tired to go for it).

7) Race. That's all. This part is easy. Just show up at the starting line. Do your thing and then own your finish.

This particular 5K was far from my fastest, but will be memorable and gratifying for different reasons, namely that I helped usher girls across a finish line that really is so much more than a 5K. It was a doorway into world where they believe in their aspirations, hard work, and capable bodies.

Want more information about 5K training? You'll find a six-step training guide in the Ways to Get Moving section on my website, www.lifeasafitmom.com.

Golden Girl Fitness Mentor

A while ago I went to one of my favorite yoga classes and found there would be a substitute teacher. As usually happens when I walk into a class with a sub, I start wondering if this teacher will give me what I need or at least what I have come to expect from the usual teacher.

We always get what we need, don't we?

As she made introductions and we sat for the invocation I felt the presence of a great woman. I was charmed by her Texas accent (go figure), her silver pixie haircut, and especially her complete lack of attempt to appear younger. She was a "senior citizen," and she owned it.

Add to that she was a competent yoga instructor with a capable, athletic body. She was mesmerizing, I tell you. I left that class fulfilled by her teaching and getting something I didn't expect: another fitness mentor.

With each passing year I find I'm looking out for the those women who are pursuing active lives when their contemporaries are choosing to move less, not more. (One happens to be my own mother.)

Becoming a certified yoga instructor has been on my bucket list for some time, but I never seem to get around to it.  With this yoga teacher's inspiration I know that life goal can remain on my list for as long as it needs to be.

Have you got a "Golden Girl" fitness mentor? If you need some inspiration, check out this movie trailer about Mary Stroebe, who competed in the Life Time Fitness Triathlon in her 90s. And read more about finding fitness in the chaos of motherhood on my website, www.lifeasafitmom.com.


Mary and Bill Trailer from Andrew Napier on Vimeo.