Rooting to Rise – Page 8 – home of yoga&you

Learning to love myself just as I am ~ without a label

Posted on September 1, 2015February 15, 2016 by twomomsadmin

Recently my status has changed from married, to …. soon not to be married. I have labeled myself with the title of wife for 13 years.

I am just beginning to realize I have used these labels throughout life to create an identity for myself; it’s almost as if I need these labels to feel like a complete person. “Hi, my name is Maureen; I am a Mom, a wife, a runner and blogger – this is who I am.” But is it really?

I believe I’ve struggled with needing to label myself since my early 20’s. I felt completely lost most of those years searching for who I really was. I looked for my identity through boyfriends I dated, jobs I worked, religious organizations, and friends that would come and go throughout my life. Then at age thirty two I was married and my identity was of wife, at thirty five it became wife and mother and I struggled immensely feeling lost once again. I didn’t understand who I was outside of wife and mother and it took me years to feel comfortable within my own skin. Now I am getting divorced and losing a label and those unsure feelings are back, again. I do think this is somewhat normal, it’s a part of growing and learning who I am and who I want to be in this world.

Good enough labels ~

When labeling myself, I must be the utmost perfection of that label; otherwise it must not be true.

If I am not the best mother, the kind that attends all the sporting events, plans the best parties, joins the PTA- volunteering for everything – am I good enough?
If I am not the best wife, the kind that always has her house clean and in order, dinner made, bills paid, and keeps her husband and child satisfied and happy- am I good enough?
If I am not a great runner, the kind that can run a half marathon fully without walking one step, cross trains five days a week and enters all the local races – am I good enough?
If I am not a consistent blogger/writer, the kind that can write and post on a daily/weekly basis, always has the mindset to create and turn out the best pieces in a snap – am I good enough?

Without these labels and without being the best at each one – am I Maureen and am I good enough? This is what I am working on, figuring out why I need to label myself to feel relevant and good enough.

Am I trying to prove something to someone or myself? What happens if I am not a wife or even someone’s girlfriend anymore? Does this mean I am not good enough to be loved? Did I do something wrong that no one would want to love me? This is obviously a ridiculous question/statement. But somehow along the way I have adopted this line of thinking and it filters down into all the other labels I seek to place on myself.

I will tell you, it is exhausting trying to sustain these labels and to perfection, or what I perceive to be perfection. It is an internal struggle and battle that I wage war with quite often. How freeing it would be to feel I didn’t have to “be” anything. To know who I was without a label. To feel good enough without a label and at its perfection. How do I do this?

I have been on a journey of self-discovery for as long as I can remember and each time I seem to have a grasp on who it is I think I am – **** BAM **** life begins to change and it throws me off. I understand we are always learning and discovering about ourselves and I believe this makes life fun and challenging. It would be a dull and unfulfilled life to remain the same person from a child through adulthood. That being said I don’t want to feel the necessity to label or title myself as something to have an identity.

I want to be a great mom because I love my daughter and she is my world – period

I want my future romantic relationship(s) to enhance my happiness, not be the source of it and using them as my identity.
I want to be a runner free of demands I put on myself for perfection.
I want to be a blogger/writer simply because I love to share my experiences with the world and inspire others.

I want to live my life knowing who I am without a label and feel perfectly ok with it.

“Hi, my name is Maureen.” Period end of sentence

A Beautiful Day at the Bronx Zoo

Posted on August 11, 2015July 12, 2022 by twomomsadmin

I always find myself searching for a little Disney when I’m off visiting new destinations. Disney Parks have left such an impression on me that I try to reconnect with the immense joy it brings me, after all …… it is my Happy Place!

Yesterday I had the pleasure of visiting the Bronx Zoo for the very first time and my thoughts went straight to Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Now, I know Animal Kingdom is “Nahtazu!” (not a zoo), it’s an animal theme park, (and so much more), but as usual I automatically began making my connections between the two.

When buying tickets for the Bronx Zoo it is important to decide what exhibits and attractions you most want to visit. A regular admission ticket will not allow you to enter into their E-ticket experiences. My dear friend of 30 years purchased a Family Premium Membership which allowed us to enjoy all they had to offer along with free parking, and additional discounts within the park.

Here are the highlights to some of our favorite experiences ……..

Out first stop was Butterfly Garden ~

Being in a garden of butterflies I can’t help but to take a deep breath and smile, there is something very enchanting about the experience. There were a few things that made this Butterfly Garden extra special.

There was a large glass window displaying a room of butterfly chrysalises where the girls learned the stages of a butterfly life cycle.

A butterfly discovery map was provided to help identify each butterfly species……

and my favorite part of all were the adorable wooden insect cut outs that displayed interesting facts about how insects pollinate and protect our Earth.

Along our path we encountered Zucker Bug Carousel and decided to take a spin. I never thought I would have the opportunity to ride a cockroach!

Our next journey was through the Congo Gorilla Forest then a quick trip through the African Plains ~

Here we saw Mother Gorillas sleeping with their babies on their chest. There were several of them; a very sweet sight.

A quick bite to eat at the Dancing Crane Café

and then we were off to Asia Plaza for a ride on the Wild Asia Monorail! I saw the word monorail and immediately got excited! This Bronx Zoo monorail reminded me of Animal Kingdom’s Wildlife Express Train with the open air side facing cars. The girls seemed to really love this tour and it gave their tired little feet a rest as well.

The day was coming to an end so we quickly made our way through Himalayan Highlands where the playful Grizzly Bears resided with their not so distant neighbor a GIGANTIC Polar Bear! The most popular and well-loved animal of the day seemed to be the Red Panda, somehow one seemed to make it home with us!

As we searched for the Southern Boulevard parking area we heard a boisterous barking sound and quickly realized we were right next to Astor Court where the Sea Lions “live”. There was one HUGE Sea Lion commanding much attention from the crowd. His/her bark was constant, loud and echoed all around us! He was quiet amusing and I could of stayed there for an indefinite amount of time watching his/her shenanigans.

We had a wonderful day at the Bronx Zoo. The weather was perfect and the animals were all in full view. Rebekah said she had a great time so that to me equals success!

Getting through Difficult Changes ~ Not Settling for Less

Posted on August 5, 2015August 5, 2015 by twomomsadmin

No one marries thinking it will end in divorce … but I think a lot of us marry not fully understanding what true love really is. Maybe we were not taught this, maybe we get impatient waiting for it, maybe we don’t fully, truly love ourselves … and so we settle and say, “I do”, not realizing the full extent and effect and future ramifications.

I said, “I do”, when I should of said, “not yet”. I chose a marriage partner for reasons other than being truly in love. I chose them because they needed me and I needed to feel needed. And so our story started and was a rough and rocky one from the very start; both of carrying heavy baggage that we had not fully unpacked and put away in the proper place. Of course there were rays of hope and sunshine along the way and the most wonderful event of my life, the birth of my daughter. But in the end where true love didn’t exist, there was not a happy ending.

The process of realizing the marriage was ending took some time but looking back we both allowed it to happen. Sure we went through the motions of trying to repair what, not so much was lost, but what never was. We would sit with our joint counselor and talk through things, go home with “homework” that never got done. When you don’t do your homework usually you fail the class. Why didn’t we do our homework? I guess that is where the true love aspect comes into play; we truly did not love one another.

Years passed ……. and we inevitably began living separate lives. We not only lacked true love we lacked a true connection. The only two things I believe that connected us in the very beginning were, (as I mentioned above) him needing to be taken care of paired with my need to feel needed and our initial desire to start a family and just feel needed and loved – not sure if you are picking this up, but there is a definite pattern here.

As we began to live separate lives we grew further apart, neither putting any effort into the marriage and its success. We had nothing in common, besides our daughter, in which the marriage was barely thriving through. If you removed the factor of the child in which we both adored – there was absolutely nothing left.

As we progressively grew further apart there were definite outward signs the marriage was over, though I was not ready to let it go. I believe he was inadvertently trying to tell me he was ready to move on, but for fear of hurting me he didn’t have the guts to say it. He continued on in such a manner hoping I would get so fed up and make the decision for us. You would think the sudden missing wedding ring off his finger and months of lack of intimacy would have been indication enough, but I guess I was dead set on saving something that had been lost almost from the very beginning. I was so confused, again I didn’t get married for it to end in divorce and my true belief was God did not want us to be divorced either. I began spending my early mornings in meditation and prayer asking God for guidance.

Then about 9 months ago we separated; issues arose that I could not look past and ignore any longer. I filed for divorce but was still so very confused. It was not a very amicable situation and I continued to pray. Instead of praying for reconciliation I started praying for us individually. I was still unsure of where God wanted me to be or what he wanted for our marriage. The holidays came around and he and I decided to give it another try. He came home and we put “some” effort in, though I will say it never felt right or natural, we were going through the motions, living out the term, “Fake it till you make it.” Yeah…. not so much – lack of true love, lack of true connection. It wasn’t going to work, though I believe we both really wanted it to, mostly for our most treasured possession.. our daughter. Interestingly enough, I never called the lawyer to stop the divorce proceedings; I kind of just put things on hold. Time moved on, his wedding ring was again missing and there was never a rekindling of our intimate life. We both were very short tempered with one another and honestly angry and bitter, each one feeling the other was keeping them from happiness.

The day came when I knew it had to end and I was going to have to be the one to say it, so I did. It took about two months after our announcement for him to move out; it was sad and liberating.

So here I am, going through the process of a divorce, yes a process. Though I fully know this is the right path and I know in time things will be so much better, right now it is much harder than I ever anticipated. I do things to distract myself from the reality of what is happening and when I am not busying myself I feel a debilitating pain that is very difficult to move through. This is just another part of the journey in my life that I know I will take and use for the greater good. Even though at times I feel it is getting the best of me and robbing me of my once very bright spirit, I know in time it will just make my spirit even brighter.

I write and share these feelings and experiences because it helps me to release the pain and I hope in doing so I can also touch those that read this and they too can feel a sense of solace knowing that life may go down paths we never intended. But we have choices how to walk down those paths. Sometimes it may be a crawl, other times a skip, maybe there are days where we drop down and just refuse to move at all. But the important thing is we continue on learning and growing and sharing with one another – Press on for happiness, don’t settle because you are afraid of change or the pain you might have to endure. Do your homework and get that well deserved “A” ………

~ Maureen xo

The First Ten Things I Learned about Running …. and how they make me a better runner

Posted on June 8, 2015July 12, 2022 by twomomsadmin

When I started training to fulfill my obsession to run in the 2015 Princess Marathon Weekend in Walt Disney World, I had no idea this one obsession would turn into a much larger one. Running is addicting – period end of sentence. Be prepared when you decide to take your first dash out the door, it will probably be a life changing experience!

*** Check out our video montage from the 2015 Princess Marathon Weeknd Video Montage ***

In light of my new obsession I have learned quite a bit of information which has helped me to run stronger, quicker and safer. Here are the top ten principles of running that I have learned in my first year of becoming a runner.

First things First –

The right running shoes can make or break your run, I think I changed mine 3 times before I settled into a pair. How do you know you have the right pair, by how your body feels overall after a run. Not wearing the proper running shoes for your feet will result in pain and lead to future injuries. Here is a guide to help better understand how to choose the best shoe for your best run. Learn Your Running Show Lingo

Not only is the shoe important, so is the sock choice –

Going out for a quick 3- mile run may not require the most top notch, high tech pair of socks, but when you start running longer distances what you slip your feet into can mean the difference between gliding or limping across the finish line. Look for socks with the least amount of cotton; cotton holds all the moisture in and this will result in blisters amongst other complications. As you invest time in your run – you will need to invest more money into your socks. 9 Best Running Socks of 2014-2015

Now let’s talk about running stronger. Being a fairly new runner, I wasn’t concerned or even knowledgeable enough to be concerned about being a stronger runner. By pure accident I found the key to my stronger running success.

Cross Training-

To be a stronger runner in endurance and speed and to help prevent injury it is important to find other forms of exercise outside of running. I have found using plyometrics has been an excellent method for me. During this past frigid New York winter, I searched for some form of indoor exercise since I was not able to tolerate the northern chill. I dialed into a plyometrics DVD and when spring sprung and I was ready to hit the pavement once again I felt explosive! My endurance and speed had increased! I ran faster, stronger and with more ease. I now make this part of my weekly routine, not only to strengthen my whole body and hopefully prevent any future injuries but to also help me be at the “top of my game” during races and long runs.

Stretching –

“It’s a no brainer, of course I need to stretch before I take off into a sprint or a jog.”

Not so, I learned static stretching is not recommended prior to any kind of workout; it actually decreases your strength and endurance. It is better to warm up dynamically with jumping jacks, high kicks or stationary jogging with high knees. In some instances static stretching may be in order. If you have a reoccurring issue of tightness in a particular area of your body, such as, ham strings, calf muscles or like me, an iliotibial band, by all means stretch if this helps to prevent injury or pain during your run.

“The mind rules the body.” My mother has quoted this on several occasions for many different situations and I will say it reigns true with running.

Running is certainly a sport of strength and stamina –

Where you place your thoughts will most certainly determine to what degree your strength and stamina will carry you through. Keep your mind focused on positive thoughts of success, a can do attitude. I have learned I am way more capable of achieving longer mileage and even faster mileage when I run with a clear mind and positive and uplifting thoughts – Heavy thoughts make for heavy legs.

Set your mileage –

When you’re lacing up, set the mileage you want to accomplish that day in your head. Your mind will be focused on that goal and this will help you push through those more difficult miles and to keep on keeping on!

Never say Never –

As I mentioned above, I have learned in my first year as a runner that I can achieve more than I thought possible. My initial goal was to run in the 2015 Princess Marathon Weekend with my friends and wear a tutu. Once I met that goal I realized I wanted more, my journey was not complete and it became ever changing and evolving. I will be running my first Half Marathon this weekend and in January 2016 I will be running in the WDW Marathon! Don’t set limitations on your journey, let it bring you to places that you never say never to. I promise it will be life changing!

Find yourself a Running Buddy or Buddies –

When I first started running I was more than happy to tackle those miles alone. I welcomed the solitude and silence of being a solo runner. Once I hit 10 miles and more I needed the encouragement and comradery of another runner alongside of me. Even if we didn’t finish together as long as we started out together, it helped mentally and psychologically to get through those higher mileage goals. Nicole encouraged me to reach out on social media sites to find other runners. This was something I was not comfortable with so it took some additional encouragement from her before I followed thorough with that. But in doing so I have met and ran with some wonderful people! I encourage you to do the same. **Read here about the Power of the Group by Jeff Galloway – runner/author/coach

So much information and so many opinions – my head is spinning! –

Everyone loves to share their opinions about sneakers, gear, fuel, run schedules; it can get a little overwhelming and confusing. In the beginning I kind of shut down to it all and just did whatever I felt like doing; this worked until about my 6 mile marker. There comes a time when it is important to start paying attention to the articles you read and other runners you talk to. Not all advice will be the best advice for you, figure out what works with the mileage your running what makes your body feel optimum during and after a run.

Enjoy Yourself ~ #runfun

Running is hard work, from your very first run to the endless miles and races to come. Challenge yourself, push your limits, but don’t forget to have fun while doing it. Find a way to have fun with your run. Wear fun run clothing, find beautiful places to run, meet up with a group of people, register for races locally or places you have always wanted to visit ……. enjoy this journey of self-discovery you are on!

Country Runner Girl Photo Journal

Celebrate your Successes – “TREAT YOURSELF!”

A celebration is in order when a goal is achieved or crossing a finish line in a race! Pop a bottle of champagne and make a toast to your successes! Buy that sparkle running skirt or that motivate wrap that you have been eying. As Nicole said it best with this video clip below ……

“TREAT YOURSELF!”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OP3xf6BFEIo

Do you have a passion for running? Share with me something that you have learned either as a novice or an expert ~

Maureen~

****FIVE WAYS TO GET FASTER****
by Olympian Jeff Galloway

Longer Long Runs

Increasing the length of the longest long run has produced the greatest amount of improvement that I’ve seen among my coaching clients. Several surveys have shown more than 13 minutes of time improvement when runners increase their longest long run from 20 miles to 26 miles before a marathon. Comparable time improvements are experienced in 10K runners and half marathoners when they increase their long runs above race distance as noted in my YEAR ROUND PLAN book that covers all the distances. Long runs must be at least 2 min/mi slower than current ability, with liberal walk breaks. The slower the pace, the quicker the recovery. I suggest doing the long runs every 2-3 weeks.

Speed Repetitions—increasing the number

My runners have improved by an average of over 6 minutes in a marathon (3+ minutes in a half marathon) by increasing the number of speed repetitions to 14 x 1 mile for the marathon, and 14 x 800 meter for the half marathon. I recommend that each of these be run 30 sec/mi faster than goal pace. The recovery interval is a 5 min walk between miles and a 3 minute walk between 800’s. These workouts prepare one to maintain or pick up pace at the end of the goal race, instead of slowing down. See GALLOWAY TRAINING PROGRAMS & HALF MARATHON books for details (www.RunInjuryFree.com).

Improve Running Form

Most runners I’ve monitored have improved several minutes in a marathon by fine-tuning their running form. As the mechanics become smoother and within one’s limits, there is a significant reduction in aches, pains and injuries. The two best ways to improve form are water running and cadence drills.
• water running uses the same basic motion as when running on land, using a flotation device so that the feet don’t touch the bottom of the pool. When done for at least 15 minutes, once a week, the legs find a more efficient path through the water—eliminating extraneous motion.
• The cadence drill is done for 30 seconds, counting the number of times the foot touches the ground. This drill is detailed in most of my books. I’ve found the key to improving speed on the mechanical side is quicker turnover.

Race in Shorter Events

Dropping down a standard distance or two can improve your mechanics for running faster and your ability to handle a higher level of oxygen debt. On non-long-run weekends, during a half marathon program, try some 5K or 10K races. When training for a marathon, race at the 10K or half marathon distance. At first, the faster pace of the shorter distance may seem awkward. But after several short races, you will adapt—especially if you do some speed training for the shorter/faster event. These performance improvements can translate into faster times in the longer distances. My book 5K/10K details the training and the racing strategies for these events.

Hill Training

The only way I’ve found to build strength for running is to run hill repeats. On a moderate grade hill, start at a jog and pick up the turnover rate of the feet and legs as you go up the hill, shortening your stride. Walk down the hill for recovery. Don’t sprint, and follow the other hill training guidelines in my books and at www.RunInjuryFree.com. The strength from hill training will allow you to perform better in speed sessions which will help you improve in your goal race. You’ll also run faster on hilly courses, during your races.

Why would Memorial Day Be Important to Walt Disney~

Posted on May 25, 2015May 24, 2016 by twomomsadmin

Memorial Day is an important holiday to America; it’s a day we set aside to honor the men and woman who have given their lives to protect our country and its freedom’s. It is one of the ways we show our gratitude to them and express our patriotism for our country.

Walt Disney was in no way short of American pride and patriotism. America was important to Walt; he believed in this country, its people and its future.

It was evident at a young age that he had a desire to serve his country in any way he could. While Walt never actually served in the armed services, he was a strong supporter of Americans in uniform, even as a teenager. World War I took place when Walt attended high school; he drew patriotic comics for his school newspaper. Those illustrations displayed his fervent support for the troops. He used his comics to suggest how to help sustain our country, like buying saving stamps or eating less so more food could be sent overseas for the troops.

At age 16, (too young to join the armed forces), Walt joined The American Red Cross Ambulance Service. Here is a short video, narrated by Walt himself explaining how this journey took place.Walt Disney in World War I

His passion for America continued into his adulthood, not just in his personal life, but his professional one as well. During World War II, Walt created and produced nearly 68 hours of training, propaganda and documentary films for the US armed forces. “He and the studio went on to produce live-action films which also told classic American stories, such as”Johnny Tremain” and”Westward Ho! The Wagons.” On TV, he celebrated the American folk hero with stories of Davy Crockett and Daniel Boone.” – found on (http://www.wdwradio.com/2012/07/top-10-walt-disney-quotes-on-america/)

I will leave you with two of Walt’s quotes, showing his love and belief in his country.

“Actually, if you could see close in my eyes, the American flag is waving in both of them and up my spine is glowing this red, white, and blue stripe.”

***“Tomorrow will be better as long as* America *keeps alive the ideals of freedom and a better life.”***

Walt Disney ~

Happy Memorial Day

~ Maureen

From Head to Toe ~ Dressing with Disney Pride in Comfort

Posted on May 11, 2015May 1, 2016 by twomomsadmin

Welcome to this month’s Magical Blogorail Green loop. Today we are sharing ideas on what to wear at the Disney Parks.

Showing your disneyside when visiting Disney parks is a right of passage for all true Disney fans and is part of the great fun of every Disney lover alike.

What you wear can be a simple nod to Disney or full on Disney flair, but hours of walking in the sun or the rain can leave one a little tuckered and cranky so the more comfortable you can be the better off you’ll make it for yourself and all that are joining you!

Let’s start from the head and work our way down to the toes –

Ear ~ Ears ~ Ears – Don’t Leave Home without Them-

Whether it’s your 1^st visit or your umpteenth, wearing a pair of mouse ears is an important part of one’s park attire. They come in all shapes, sizes, colors, and styles – and if mouse ears don’t fit the bill, you can rock it out with a Goofy, Donald or Buzz hat – choose your favorite Disney character. Maybe just a simple princess tiara reflects your perfect disneyside.

If hats are not really your thing, there is an array of hair clips, elastics, and bows that will help to express your Disney pride. Check out this article from Kim and Carrie, ‘Disney Hair Accessories for Girls and Women’.

Protect those eyes in style- DisStyle-

Sunny or Cloudy it’s bright out there! Let Mickey help you protect your eyes with a pair blinged out with Mickey Heads – how much fun! Get in the spirit!

Tops to Talk about-

Picking out the best shirt to express your inner Disney can sometimes be a difficult task. I have found a great selection of tank tops and tee shirts at Walmart, Target, Hot Topic and my favorite place to shop, the disneystore online. It is important to keep in mind the season you are in because a rain poncho or jacket may be in order. No matter what the weather ALWAYS remember to apply sunscreen and pack it in your bag to reapply throughout the day.

Shorts – Skirts – Dresses, Oh My! –

Comfort is key, just as important as rockin out that Disney Pride, so grab what suits you best. It could be a cool cotton summer dress, a flowy skirt or a pair of shorts that you can wear all day long. Remember many attractions you have to step down into and then step up out of, so nothing too short or confining is best. Also it is important to consider some attractions may have water features and YOU MAY GET WET!

Happy Feet Make a much Happier You-

Choosing what to wear on your feet when visiting a Disney park is definitely different than choosing what to wear on your feet when going to the mall or the local playground at home. You will be “on your toes” all day! Support is key and just a simple pair of flip flops probably is not the best choice. Choose a shoe, sneaker, sandal, or summer shoe that is supportive to your foot. Feet can get hot and swollen or blistery and Happy Feet Make a Much Happier You!

It’s not only what’s in the Bag that Counts –

There undoubtedly will be must have items that you will want to bring to the park and depending on how many of them you have will depend on the type of bag you will want to carry. Choose a bag that is light weight and a style that can be worn most comfortably for an extended period of time. Think about using a bag that has sections that you can organize your items and is easy to get in and out of. My favorite bag to use for the parks is LeSport which come in many different Disney collections and patterns; Nicole’s favorite bag is from the Vera Bradley Disney Collection. If your favorite park bag isn’t one from a Disney Collection, bling it out with a polka dotted scarf or Disney buttons from a previous trip or maybe your favorite Disney pins.

Dressing for Disney Parks takes some thought to make sure you are cool and comfortable throughout the day but it’s tons of fun and part of what makes my visits there so much fun! Show that disneyside and disneypride!

Here is the map of our Magical Blogorail Green | What to Wear at Disney Loop:

1st Stop – Heidi’s Head | We are THAT (Matchy-Matchy) Family
2nd Stop – Saving up for Disney | Comfortable (But Still Cute) Clothes to Wear at Disney
3rd Stop – Two Moms and a Mouse | From Head to Toe ~ Dressing for Disney Parks
4th Stop – Superheroes and Teacups | From Baseball Caps to Mickey Ears: What to Wear on Your Head at the Disney Parks
5th Stop – Mommy to All Girls | Dressing for Disney

Where to Stay ~ Animal Kingdom Lodge – Jambo House

Posted on April 30, 2015May 1, 2016 by twomomsadmin

There is something very magical about Disney resorts. When I plan my Disney vacation a huge part of the excitement lies within the Disney resort I am residing in. It becomes my home away from home and I can’t wait to get back to it at the end of a long park day. Each one has a special theme that brings you to a whole other country or maybe just across the states to visit a place you always dreamed of. Exploration is key while staying in a Disney resort, there is much to see and do without even leaving!

I have had the absolute pleasure of calling some of these resorts home over the years and it has become very difficult to say which one is my favorite.

Today I want to share some photographs from my stay at the Animal Kingdom Lodge, Jambo House ~

(photo credit to disneyworld.disney.go.com)

What Disney resorts have you called your Home away from Home and do you have a favorite?

“Why We Need a Blowdown” with ~ Faith in the Magic Kingdom

Posted on April 26, 2015May 1, 2016 by twomomsadmin

Today with Faith and the Magic Kingdom by Randy Crane, I am reading about, ‘Why We Need a Blowdown’ ~ and I couldn’t agree more!

**photo credit to www.mikerails.com

*photo credit www.startedbyamouse

In this segment the author Randy compares the blowdown of a #Disneyland train to the importance of a blowdown for us as people. What is a blowdown? Sludge from the sediment of minerals in the water used to fill and refill the steam train engine, along with other chemicals that build up inside the boiler of the train, can create an explosion if a blowdown is not down regularly throughout the day. When the train operator is doing a blowdown you will see a large amount of white steam coming from the trains engine along with a loud hissing noise – the train is blowingdown .. and out all the sediment, getting rid of the built up impurities.

Randy describes how we need a ‘blowdown’ as well – he says, “Think about the pressure in our lives. We are always under pressure. From work. From home. From friends. From other organizations we may be a part of. Even from ourselves. When that happens, we may want to just push through and keep going. We don’t have time to stop and do anything else.”

BUT- as the daily pressures of life build within us, so does the “sediment in our hearts”. If we don’t “blowdown” we can become, “passive-aggressive, resentful – avoid church and other believers…… risk an explosion!”

How do we prevent this and use this blowdown method? By taking some time away from these stresses. Randy tells us that, “Scripture repeatedly reminds us of the dangers of not taking time to “blow down” the boiler of our hearts and clean out the sediment.” He quotes, Hebrews 10:25, which tells us the importance of continually meeting with other Christians. This gives us encouragement, strength, and help with the littlest and the biggest pressures in life. He also uses the example of Jesus taking the apostles to a quiet place away from everyone for a much needed rest in Mark 6:31-32. We may not be able to run off to our happy place of rest, #WaltDisneyWorld or Disneyland every time we need to “blow down”, but maybe a quiet hour in the morning before everyone awakes, or a walk around the neighborhood or even meeting with a friend for a cup of coffee and a bit of laughter. Take that time to “blow down” the “impurities” that build up daily from day to day living. Set aside some quiet moments with our Lord and ask him to help “blow down” and blow out all the sediment settling in your heart ~ Psalm 23:3 “He restores my soul” ~ Matthew 11:28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”

Ten + 3 Reasons Why I Keep Running and how Jeff Galloway’s tips help me

Posted on April 12, 2015July 12, 2022 by twomomsadmin

As this New York winter subsides and the spring air tries to push its way back in, I and other runners begin to introduce ourselves back into the outside world. A lot of my friends have asked me why I like to run or why I continue running.

Running has inspired and impacted my life in numerous ways ~ on that note here are Ten + 3 Reasons why I Keep Running, (in no particular order).

Run Wear – a runner’s wardrobe has endless possibilities! It gives me a green light to wear sparkly, glittery, and loud skirts, shirts, and sneakers. TuTu’s are absolutely acceptable and if you are running a themed race, the sky is the limit! It’s really not appropriate to wear a sequenced skirt and rainbow knee socks to work or even the grocery store (Walmart included!) – But to run in, the more vibrant the better!

Race-cations – the first time I heard this term was when I booked a stay at Walt Disney World for the 2015 Princess Marathon Weekend with my friends. My “Soul Sister” Nicole referred to it as a race-cation, a term she picked up along the way. What is a race-cation you ask? It’s a period of time you set aside away from daily activities for the recreation of RACE-RUN-FUN! Yes, a runner’s idea of relaxation and fun includes …… running in a race!

Camaraderie – there is a community of runners who are full of positive energy, goodwill, and knowledge and are willing to share it with their fellow running companions. I had a recent conversation about running at a doctor’s office and instantly connected with the other person I was speaking with. By the end of the conversation we were making plans to meet up and run!

Race Bling – have you heard of the saying, “a diamond is a girl’s best friend”? Well race bling is a runner’s best friend and makes the hard work of crossing the finish line even sweeter. Sure the collection of t-shits most races dole out are great, but the collection of shiny colorful medals dangling from a lanyard is what we are really looking for!

Breaking Barriers – Each runner has their own reason for why they run. For me it is about testing myself, pushing my limits. It’s about setting a goal, meeting it, surpassing it and then creating a new one. Which brings me to the next reason……..

The Feeling of Strength and Accomplishment – when I set goals – meet them – and surpass them, I attain an amazing feeling of mental and physical strength. My self-confidence shoots through the roof and I believe this confidence leads to other successes in my life.

Running is a Diversion from Negative Body Image – My whole life I have tried to maintain a level of fitness, mostly to remain a certain weight or clothing size. Running changes my definition of fitness and helps to remove the stigma of negative body image. My goals have morphed from, “I must have the perfect body”, to, “I want to be strong, run strong and strive for my personal best run.” My thoughts are more focused on my set goal in miles and my reward is the positive feeling of accomplishment when it is met.

Endorphins – I am sure you have all heard of a runner’s high? A high can be experienced from any form of exercise, though I will tell you I have experienced it more solely when running or from the completion of a run. For me endorphins coupled with my above listed reasons of, ‘Breaking Barriers’ and ‘Feeling of Strength and Accomplishment’, create the ultimate runner’s high. When I have finished a run or a race I entered, I feel like I am on top of the world for the rest of the day; it is truly a wonderful feeling and is what keeps me coming back for more!

Makes me Feel Alive! – Running makes my inner-self shine brighter! I was told that when I speak about running I beam, what an awesome compliment! When I am running in the open air, that “on top of the world” feeling I mentioned above, comes from feelings of strength, empowerment, and peace. When something enhances my total being in such a positive manner of course I want to continue doing it!

Happiness – running truly makes me a happier more fulfilled person. It has become part of who I am, “I am a runner.” I love the way that sounds and feels. The definition of happiness is, “a state of well-being and contentment: joy, b: a pleasurable or satisfying experience”. That pretty much sums it up for me! Running may not be for you, it might not make you feel as happy as it does me, but I encourage you to find some sort of physical activity that makes you feel happy- go ahead – get out there and find your happy!

The Only Time my Mind is Clear – All day my mind is going at high speeds with things I need to do now, later and much later. When I set my feet on the pavement and begin traveling, it puts my brain to rest. It is like a form of meditation. I become focused on the sound of my heart beat, my breathing, and the beauty of the outside world that is surrounding me.

Inspiration – I was inspired to run almost exactly one year ago and now I see others inspired to run from watching my experiences. My daughter has seen me set goals and stick to them which motivated her to join our local Girls on the Run program. It is a wonderful feeling to inspire others to begin their own run journey!

Supporting my Community and other Causes – runDisney events are awesome! I had the pleasure of running in the 2015 Princess Marathon Weekend in Walt Disney World and I look forward to running in endless runDisney events. That being said, there is something equally as wonderful running races in and around your own community. Many of these races I have run were to support causes near and dear to either my heart or the hearts of friends and family members. Who knows, maybe you can inspire a friend or family member to run with you!

There you have it! My Ten + 3 reasons why I keep running; honestly I could come up with another ten!

In closing I want to say a word about inspiration. To be inspired or to find inspiration within something can be life changing. But I have learned something important I want to add to that ~

To not idly wait for inspiration, but to already be engaged in what ever I am doing in life, so when it does find me I am amidst ingenuity and already in motion toward a new journey of success~

To continue on my journey of Why I Keep Running, I follow –

Jeff Galloway Blogger Tips

Training and Motivation Tips

by Olympian Jeff Galloway
www.runinjuryfree.com

Why do we get injured?

1. Be aware of irritation of weak links.

The Key Weak Links are body parts where my runners tend to experience injuries are these: Knees – Feet -Calf – Achilles -Hip – Glute/piriformis/sciaticia

But the body parts that YOU need to be aware of are the sites where you are injured or suffer more aches and pains.

So if you’re sensitive to the first indication of irritation in these areas and take immediate action it’s possible to avoid injury.

2. Stress buildup due to the way we train.

Training schedule is too intense-not enough rest between stress.
Adverse Training Components-speed is too fast or has too much, too soon.
Running form-too long a stride, forward lean, bouncing too high off the ground.

So staying focused on the way one runs and following these guidelines, can often allow runners to maintain a manageable increase without injury

__________________________________________________

Top 5 ways to avoid stress buildup-and avoid injuries

1. Take walk breaks more frequently, and run shorter run segments

2. Form: shorter stride, feet low to the ground

3. Slower long runs, with more walk breaks

4. Avoid Stretching

5. Be careful when running speed sessions

First Stop! runDisney Health and Fitness Expo ~ and more Jeff Galloway Tips

Posted on March 20, 2015May 1, 2016 by twomomsadmin

I have so much to share from my 2015 Princess Marathon Weekend. It was more than four princesses running three races. It became a time of enlightenment, new beginnings, many firsts, and new friendships.

In the upcoming articles I will talk about my journey as well as the journey of my fellow princess teammates. Our love and joy for not only runDisney, tiaras, and tutus but for new seasons in life, new achievements and new goals we made after this amazing and successful trip.

The anticipated runDisney weekend quickly became captioned, “Our Race-cation” and would be the primary focus for the coming months ahead. I was clueless to what awaited me, the phrase “Girl Power” comes to mind but does not quite encompass the sentiment wholly.

Fast forward from July 2014 registration to February 2015 – I left for this anticipated weekend at 5am on a frigid New York morning with excitement, a little nervousness, and a luminous spirit.

Packed in one suitcase were the usual essentials for a Disney vacation, but in my carry on were things I have never brought to Disney or anywhere for that matter. A huge red tutu, a hairband embellished with little birds, Jaq – Cinderella’s mouse friend, and a pair of running sneakers that have become a significant part of my life.

Nicole and two of her friends that I had never met were meeting me at the Orlando airport. As I walked off the plane and made my way to baggage claim, I felt as if I should pinch myself. I was really here, in my beloved Florida, going to my Happy Place – Walt Disney World, meeting my dearest friend for a runDisney event. Life has certainly changed since last July when I stepped out of my door for my very first run – a new season of life for me.

With luggage in hand I headed for the passenger pick-up area. The doors opened and I stepped out into the lovely warm Florida sunshine – WAIT! Where was the warm Florida sunshine? Nicole warned me about it being chilly, but come on, I’m a New Yorker! I know what cold is, I have been living in it for the last five months. Sadly she was right, it was chilly and my jacket remained on for much of the race-cation. Little did I realize I would have a frozen tutu the next morning.

My teammates arrived and there was no guessing where this vehicle was heading! It was decorated with phrases that I had become accustomed to reading on social media for months. The girls jumped out and greeted me with hugs (I tear up now as I remember our initial greeting). Nicole introduced me to her best friend Julia and Julia’s sister Christy and from that moment on any lingering nerves I had …. disappeared. Off to the Expo!

I could not wait to get to the Expo! I remember seeing Nicole’s photos from her first Expo experience and I was pumped! Here is where I would receive my 5K and 10K race bibs and see my new favorite vendors and run wear. We parked the car and jumped out to get prepared. This was our runDisney Princess Weekend so we must all dress accordingly. Nicole had made us matching T-shirts and surprised us with embroidered draw string bags. Last but not least, on went the tiaras.

This was actually my first visit to ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex and this may sound funny, but I was a bit starry eyed as we approached the WWOS globe. The red carpet was rolled out to “welcome all who have come to this happy place” and helped to make our tiaras sit just a bit taller atop our heads.

As we approached the Expo doors at the Jostens Center, I was tickled princess pink to be greeted by Cinderella’s very own footmen, might there be a pumpkin carriage just ahead?

WOW it was a runDisney dream! There was so much to take in for a newcomer like me; I was so glad to have Nicole leading the way. The energy was electric and I felt an immediate pull drawing me down those stairs and into the mix.

We made a beeline toward the back because Nicole and Julia were running the half marathon and were in search of particular items. We moseyed around the expo checking out what was new, what was cool, and what we thought we couldn’t live without. I even got a glimpse of Jeff Galloway! I was too shy to take a picture with him, but next time I won’t pass up that opportunity!

My purchases of the day were a green sparkle skirt from Sparkle Athletics, some really cute sneaker charms from BeeCause Charms, and a buddy pouch from Running Buddy.

It was time to get those running bibs! Packet pick up was held in the HP Field House, so we crossed over the walkway……. to finally become official. Each small step starting with registration day to actually running this race felt as if they were milestones, and picking up my runDisney race packet was no exception. We found our appropriate booth by alphabetic order of last name and signed away.

Along with our race bibs we were handed a clear drawstring bag that would hold the contents of a race shirt, 2 Luna Bars, a 2015 Princess ½ Marathon guide and any purchased merchandise along the way. This bag was for Gear Check at the race if any additional items were to be brought in.

After Nicole and Julia received their half marathon packets they were instructed to get their photos taken so there would not be an issue of mistaken/stolen identity with their half marathon bib# and it’s owner.

Hunger and fatigue was beginning to settle in from the early morning wake-up and all the days excitement. We all decided it was time to end our expo excursion, but not before capturing a few more photos!

I loved the expo! It was vibrant, not just in color but in energy. It was filled with ladies (and some gentlemen) of all ages, and all stages of their run journeys . As I passed fellow runDisney princesses, I wondered if this was their first or fifth Princess Marathon Weekend, how long they’ve been running and why they continued on their journey. Yes, journey – best described in a quote I recently read,

“So often we can get caught up in the rankings, times, personal bests, and competitions that we forget about the true joy and life changing experiences that our sport provides. Running is about a journey, a journey that engages an entire community and culture, yet inwardly transforms the mind, spirit, and body.” found on flotrack.org

It was time to move on and check into our resort …….. which one you ask? Port Orleans Riverside, the Princess Room of course! We were on our way to our next royal experience!

Do you have dreams of entering in a runDisney event but are afraid running will injure your body? Everyone can experience the awesome thrill of this sport with Jeff’s principles and methods. Read below and start your run journey today!

Most injuries experienced by my runners are due to:

1) pacing long runs too fast,

2) increasing the weekly mileage too quickly,

3)lengthening stride and

4) stretching.

The principle in staying injury free is to balance gentle stress with the right recovery periods-allowing for rebuilding. (for more information, see my book RUNNING INJURIES)

Finding the right Run Walk Run strategy from the beginning of a run has been the best way I’ve found to stay injury free, come back from an injury and in some cases, continue to run while the injury heals. (See my book RUN WALK RUN)

As long as you stay below the threshold of irritation you can often continue to run while the injury heals.

Are you concerned that running will damage joints, and other body parts ? I was told this regularly, from my first week of running over 50 years ago but the research shows the opposite result: Runners have healthier joints, etc. than non runners as the decades go by.
While researching for my book RUNNING UNTIL YOU’RE 100, I reviewed dozens of studies and could not find one showing that running harms legs, feet, joints, etc.It may surprise you to know that many studies show that runners have fewer orthopedic issues compared with non-runners as the years go by.
It may surprise you to know that many studies show that runners have fewer orthopedic issues compared with non-runners as the years go by.
A respected and large population study out of Stanford following thousands of runners over 50 who had run for more than 20 years concluded that runners had less than 25% of orthopedic issues compared with non runners of the same age.

Align with... Wonderfully, Beautifully YOU

“Tomorrow will be better as long as America keeps alive the ideals of freedom and a better life.”

Walt Disney ~

***“Tomorrow will be better as long as* America *keeps alive the ideals of freedom and a better life.”***