Fitness Challenge: Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon

And guess who is doing it? Mami is...of course!

Yep! Every year she signs up for some sort of fitness challenge. Big or small, it doesn't matter, but something she can work towards. Remember I used to run with her too!

Now that we are no longer living in a city we don't walk AT ALL, and we have to drive everywhere...our legs have been getting cramped because of lack of movement. Mami says the suburbs can "be toxic like that".

Last year at this time she was one of the very fortunate bloggers to join the Nestle Pure Life team along with fellow blogger Mirka from All Baby Advice to train and run the London Marathon.

She took the job very seriously and with the help of papi, who is a runner too, she made sure she was fully prepared to make it to the finish line in one piece.

We are all going to cheer mami and papi on!

And not only did she make it one piece, but in true social media fashion, mami vlogged, tweeted and even posted updates on Facebook along the way. Yep! You can catch mami and Mirka at a few spots along the way... mile 4, mile 22 and the finish.

So this year, she (and papi) have registered to run the Washington DC Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon in March. She says thirteen miles is more realistic than training for a the full 26.2 miles...yeah, that's a looooong way to run.

So for the next two months you will see a few updates here and there on her training. You know how much she loves to talk about running. Let's hope she doesn't sprain an ankle or hurt her knees.

If you are in the area, there is still time to register. And if you do, let us know...mami would love to meet other running mamas.

Anyone else taking up a fitness challenge? Tell us what you are doing!

I'm a runner too!

You know that mami and papi like to run. 

Mami did the London Marathon in April and papi is training for the Marine Corps Marathon in October. 

Let's just say there are A LOT of sweaty clothes and smelly socks in our flat! Phewwwww!

But now I get to run too! Once a week we all get up early, I put on my super fast running trainers and mami, papi and I are out the door. 

For the first part of the run I am in my  running buggy. I am in charge of holding mami's water bottle and encourage her by saying "muy bien mami" as she runs next to me. She needs our support because she likes to complain that she is "tired" but we don't listen to her and papi never lets her walk. 

And of course, papi runs too, but he's pushing the buggy. 

We cross through my favourite park, then along the main road that takes us to the river, we go on a very windy road, up a few hills then we loop back through the park and then it's MY turn!

Yep! I get to run with mami and papi all the way home. I have been waiting for this day for so long!

We start near the gate and papi says "Ready, set go!" and we are off. Mami says not to start too fast because then you get tired too soon, but I don't listen.

Last week I fell on my face running down the hill and it hurt! So today I held papi's hand and we walked down. But as soon as we made it down, we started running again.

Running is lots of fun and I think I am pretty fast. This way we get to spend time together and get some exercise.

What sorts of fun things do you do to keep healthy?

P.S. Do you think I could run the marathon with papi?

London Marathon vlog: Mami at the finish!

Mami after crossing the finish line

26.2 miles done!

Videos

Mami and Mirka at mile 4

Mami at mile 22

Marathon mami!

Mami did it! 

She ran the London marathon along with fellow blogger Mirka for the Nestle Pure Life team and made it in one piece. No blisters or bleeding. Just a smile on her face.

I wasn't there to see her run because papi said it would be too crowded and very hot. Point taken,  I don't do well in the heat. 

"AMAZING!" she shouted when she got home. She could barely move but she looked so happy.  

"I feel like a superstar, I would do it all over again, pain and all!" she said hugging papi. 

"I couldn't have done this without you you know. Thank you for training with me. I love you" 

Then, they kissed. On the mouth. Ewwwwwww!

Anyway, who better than to tell you about it but mami. That's right, she vlogged along the way, so check out her videos!

Re-live the marathon!

Click to watch videos

Mile 4

Mile 22

Finish! 26.2

I hope one day I can run like mami and papi. 

I wonder how long I have to train for?

London Marathon vlog: Mami at mile 22

 Mami at mile 22 - only 4.2 miles to go!

 Videos
Mami and Mirka at mile 4

Mami at the finish

London Marathon vlog: Mami and Mirka at mile 4

Mami and Mirka running the London Marathon at Mile 4. 

They still look happy!

Videos
Mami at mile 22
Mami at the finish

Silent Sunday

 

Fit and fat?

Mami wants to know, can you be fit (in good shape) and be fat?

She's been thinking a lot about this lately. As some of you know, she has been training for the London marathon and this Sunday is the big day.

Some people are surprised to know she is training because they expect her to be lean and thin. Not gordita, or curvy like she is now. One person even said "I expected you to have lost loads of weight".

Ohhhhhhhh! Not the thing to say to mami. She did handle it well though and laughed it off saying "I'm sure I can out run you any day".

But I know she was very upset. I know that she had high hopes of finally losing a few pounds and getting back in shape when she agreed to be sponsored by Nestle to run the marathon.

She and papi have been training, but I'm sad to report, mami hasn't lost any weight and had to buy jeans a bigger size up. I should know, I was with her and it wasn't a pleasant moment.

So why does this happen? I mean she feels healthy overall. She can run for a long time - just last week she did 4 hours! We walk everywhere and she is constantly on the move.

Do you think it's how you are built? Because I've got the biggest tummy I know but I can out run all of my really skinny friends on the playground.

Papi suggested she needed to do "high intensity" work outs because the body gets smart and running doesn't do it anymore.

"Unbelievable!" She yelled out. "I just can't win!"

So now mami is thinking about what to do next. After the marathon she needs to venture into a few fitness regime that works in order to drop those pounds.

But the question still is, can you be fat and fit?

Tell us what you think! In the meantime I will make sure mami stays active.

Countdown to the marathon!

In exactly two weeks mami will be running around London for the marathon as part of the Nestle Pure Life team.

I know she is nervous, but I can happily report she has been training and making sure she is fully prepared to run all those miles.

Yesterday, mami and papi got up even earlier than usual and papi announced in the kitchen that "this is the most important run before your marathon. If you are in good shape today then you will sail through it"

The watch doesn't lie

Mami looked up at him a little worried and just smiled. When they were in LA they did a little bit of running, but no more than 1.5 hours.

Off they went and I stayed with Sharon my super fun friend and babysitter. Anyway, long story short I now now know why mami was worried - they ran for 4 hours! That's 20 miles! Wow mami.

Now the only problem is that they won't get off the sofa! I want to go outside, but they can't move because as mami says "my legs hurt". 

I don't know if I like this "long run" business anymore, it cuts into my park time.

At least it will all be over on the 17th of April.

Mami's marathon report

Uh oh. Bad week for mami. I didn't see her go run once. Or go to the gym.

As a matter of fact, she came home from work when I was in bed so I guess she had lots to do at her office. She is being sponsored by Nestle Pure Life for the London Marathon and she knows she had better get running or else!

But yesterday despite the cold rain, mami got up and got ready to go for a run. And papi was dressed in his running clothes too! I thought great, we are all going together. After all I have my special running buggy.

But then the doorbell rang and my friend and babysitter Sharon had come over! Yesssssss!

Two hours later, mami and papi came back home, cold, sweaty, and compleley wet! Mami looked miserable. Turns out she couldn't find her hat and gloves before the run so she paid for it big time.

Papi didn't look so bad, he had taken his hat and gloves.

However, even though she didn't train this week, she did complete her two hours. She has been drinking lots of agua, especially with the special delivery we had this week.

Even I'm drinking some of it!

So Karen, I hope you are proud of her!

Tip of the week:

Buy proper running shoes. No point in training if you are hurting your feet and legs in bad shoes.

Mami recently bought herself  pair of Asics Gel 1160. She says they are like running on pillows and have made running more more enjoyable.

Papi and I are on her case. She knows she has to run this week to be ready to go for the Silverstone Half Marathon and we will make sure she gets it done.

After all, a full marathon is 26.2 miles!

Training day and papi day!

Two important things happened yesterday:

1) Mami had her first London marathon training day with the Nestle Pure Life team and Full Potential

2) I got to spend the WHOLE day alone with papi. Yep! Just the two of us and it was great!

Okay, so the first point is very important for mami because she means business. She is dedicating lots of time to training for the marathon and yesterday she realised just how much she loves to run (even though it hurts sometimes) and that she needs to lose weight.

She met up with Emma from Me the Man and the Baby and Mirka from All Baby Advice who are both running with her.

By the looks of it I don't think the workout was hard enough because they are all smiling in the pictures! (that's them with their trainer Karen who is super fit)

Mami, Mirka, Karen and Emma

They learned all about running techniques, stretching (which mami is not very good at) what to eat (she is very good at that) and that it IS possible to train around a busy schedule!

Let's hope she remembers to stretch

They were even interviewed for a video so keep an eye out for that.

She has her running kit thanks to Pure Life and next on the list is to get a proper pair of running shoes.

As for papi and me, we had lots of fun.  I missed mami, but only at the very end.

Shhhh, don't tell her that!

Mami's big run!

That's right. Mami is going to be doing a very long run in April, or the Virgin London Marathon as you might know it as.

I can't fully explain the excitement that this has caused here at our home, but it is all thanks to Nestle Pure Life sponsoring her to run and working with Full Potential to make sure she makes it in one piece.

Papi is jealous because he wants to run it and mami is busy getting into "marathon mode" as she calls it.

"I need to sleep well, eat well, get running and strengthen my knees" she says to herself and makes another "to do" list (she has lots of those!)

She has been taking care of her ankle since spraining it last year running the Adidas 5K Challenge, and is ready to get back to it.

"Remember when I did my first marathon?" She said to papi.

"We weren't even married yet! And you were my coach"

Papi smiled and says "You did so well, I was very proud of you"

See mami did the Marine Corps Marathon (that's 26.2 miles by the way) many years ago in 2004 just one week before she and papi got married.

She said her legs and feet still ached when she walked down the aisle.

Papi was already a runner when they met and he got her into it too. So when she decided to do the marathon, papi would run with her, encourage her and even cycle next to her on those long runs carrying extra water!

Now I carry her water when we go running with my buggy and I even cross train with her at home. Check us out doing weights and bicycle crunches!

This Saturday she has her first training session with Full Potential and nutritionist Anita Bean along with Mirka from All Baby Advice and Emma from Me the Man and Baby who are also running it.

As always, it is my duty to tell you all about mami's busy world, so until the big day I'll bring you her running report and progress.

So far so good, she did 60 minutes on Sunday and today we are off for 30 minutes.

Got to get her to the finish line!

Mami's turkey trot!

Not much to say about Thanksgiving. I've personally never experienced it, but I have heard mami and papi talk about it.

It involves eating lots of food including a turkey, some mashed potatoes, different types of pies, cranberries and the list goes on and on.

Come to think of it, those are some pretty interesting combinations of food! (we really should have Thanksgiving, I will have a word with papi to see if he can make something this weekend).

But the real reason I'm here is because, today, on turkey day, mami went for a run!

I called it "mami's turkey trot" in honour of the Thanksgiving 5K runs she use to do when she still lived in the US.

In fact, today is mami's 7 year running anniversary! On this very day for Thanksgiving 2003 mami did a 5K run for the first time ever. She says she "nearly fainted" but she did it!
So you can see why today was the perfect day to get back to it.

It may be cold outside, but she says it is "perfect running weather."

Tickets to Britain's Next Top Model Live!

Two of mami’s favourites things to do are running and girly stuff. Now imagine combining the two?

Well it is possible and Boutique Sport has done just that! Boutique Sport are launching their calendar of events this month at the Britain’s Next Top Model Live 2010 Show at the ExCel in London’s Docklands 22^nd – 24^th October.

Boutique Sport gives women even more opportunities to combine exercise with a great girls night out. Apparently mami is always saying she needs one of those.

They are looking to go beyond running and have events such as dancing (mami loves this!) and cycling. All sporting events would be followed by a fabulous party including music, champagne drinks, and lots of pampering!

Sounds good doesn’t it? Well, mami and I have a pair of tickets to giveaway to see Britain’s Next Top Model Live 2010 with Boutique Sport.

But wait! There is more. 

While you are at the exhibition you can enter to become the “Face of Boutique Sport” on the BNTM Open Catwalk. Judges will be looking for vibrant and active women. 

The winner of the search will receive a professional photo shoot, the chance to appear in the Boutique Sport 2011 campaign imagery, chance to compete at events and free entry to all Boutique Sport events for life!

So what are you waiting for? Enter to win 2 tickets to BNTM Live 2010 with Boutique Sport!

Just answer this question:

What is the name of the half marathon mami was suppose to run but had to drop out due to injury?

(Answer is in the blog)

Please follow mami on Twitter 
Add us to your RSS feed/follow on Google Connect
Follow me on Facebook

*Closes Tuesday 19th October*

Good luck!

Sitting this one out

Bad news from mami headquarters in London.

Mami, or Runner 13196 as she would have been known will not be running the Royal Parks Half Marathon as planned on the 10th of October. I repeat, mami will not be running the half marathon in October due to an ankle injury.

At this time I ask that you be very kind to mami and let her sulk and cry alone. Daddy and I have stood back and let her be. But I hope that she does hurry up and get over it. I can't take much more of her whining!

Bottom line: She is NOT happy!

I think she has been in denial for a few weeks now. Ever since she took that big fall at the 4K mark at Adidas Women's 5K Challenge at Hyde Park and sprained her ankle, she has been hoping to be able to heal in time.

 Mami won't be needing these

"Maybe I can still run it. Its only 3 weeks away, I can run 10 miles then I'll be okay" she said a few weeks ago.

Daddy just looked at her and said "That's not such a good idea. You could cause permanent damage"

Mami just looked away biting her nails.

"Arrrrgggggg, I REALLY REALLY want to run this race! I have been waiting for so long! Can't believe I fell!"

Daddy and I just sit back and let her get it all out.

"And I've put on weight! I need to get out there" She told us this weekend.

Poor mami. She is frustrated and yes, she is getting a bit chunkier. Just the other day I saw her trying to wrestle her way into her jeans. They fit, but won't button.

She will start running again, but won't be racing anytime soon. However, she has plans to do a half marathon in the Spring and she is looking for company.

How many of you are up for a major challenge?

Let us know! 

Count down to 5K

In less than one week mami and all the other mamas who agreed to take part in the Adidas Women's 5K Challenge will be making their way to the start line and then taking off running! Mami as you know is running for Arthritis Research UK.

This week has been really "stressful" (I don't know what that means) and tiring for mami, and she hasn't really been able to go out for a run. But yesterday she went for a quick jog and today, me, daddy and mami all headed out and we did 7 miles!

Mami was really sweaty again, but we were proud of her for getting out there. I also heard her telling daddy she had put on weight, so she was determined to get moving.

She strapped her Swiggies to her wrists. Remember I told you about these? They are these cool little water bottles that strap on to your wrists so that you don't have to hold your water bottle. Mami has been running with them, and I have to say, I like them too!

Running with her red Swiggies

Sometimes mami fills one up for me and I wear it around the house. Anyway, getting back to the point, mami says they are essential for running and recommends them to anyone who is training.

It is best not to drink too much water on a run because it can cause cramps, so sipping little bits at a time helps not be thirsty, or stay "hydrated" as mami and daddy say and lets you get on with your running.

Here is a picture of mami running with her Swiggies and then taking a sip. I asked her to take these pictures so that I could show you.

So about the 5K, mami is not running it along. I wanted to introduce you to two of them, and tell you a little about them and why they like to run. Daddy and I will be there cheering them on along the way, so I will report back after the race.

Hannah from Climbing Tikes

She says she applied for the challenge and started the training straight away.

"It has given me a complete new lease of life. The whole family is now involved with my hubby cycling (with the kids in a trailer) while I am running, we are eating healthy too. I decided to run for children with Leukaemia because they do such fab work, they are the UK's leading charity dedicated to fighting Britain's biggest childhood cancer. Although our lives haven't been directly affected by Leukaemia my husband had testicular cancer at the age of 13 so I know how important these charities are".

Check out Han with her Swiggies too! Can't wait to see her in action!

Mirka from All Baby Advice

Mirka has been away on holiday with her family and has been running a lot lately.

She told me that she has always loved running and power walking.

"When I lived in Sydney used to go power walking every afternoon after work (ESL teacher), it is very popular there. After returning to London and after having Isabelle I needed to get back into shape, lose 20 kg gained in pregnancy and also wanted to be fit again, so I started running again. In the last 6 months I have become much fitter thanks to doing some kind of exercise almost every day. A few weeks ago I also started Fitness Tuesday on my blog to encourage other mums to get fitter, do some exercises, do it all together and then talk about it, read other mums' posts and comments". Don't forget to join in!

Isabelle is so lucky to run with her mami. I can't wait until I am old enough to do that too!

This is going to be a very fun day. I will have pictures from the race and a full report for you next week!

In the meantime, let us know how you are getting on with your fitness and running. Mami is going to try to do 1 or 2 more runs then the big race!

bye bye,

 
 
 

Mami's very VERY long run

The long run

Mami always manages to get herself into trouble, and last Sunday daddy and I thought she had gotten lost on her group run! He kept going up to look out the window and was very close to putting me in the buggy to go and find her.

Early that morning, she had filled her new Swiggies, or Swigglets as daddy called them (they are water bottles that go on your wrists, so cool!) and she was gone.

Picture: ARUK

In the meantime Daddy and I went to the park. We played, had a snack, I had a nap and even after all that, mami was still not back. She was gone for a very VERY long time! And that’s why daddy and I were worried.

Eventually she came home and her face was really red, her hair was wet and she didn't smell very good.  Daddy helped her over to the sofa and she just fell over.

“How was the run?” daddy asked a bit scared.

Mami looked at him, and said “I ran with the group for exactly 10 minutes! Their definition of slow is not the same as mine! And it was much more than 6 miles!"

But I was proud of mami. Remember she is running the Adidas Women’s 5K Challenge on behalf of Arthritis Research UK, so she can’t give up now. But daddy said this was the first time she was running more than 5 miles, so it was harder for her.

Her motivation for running: Arthritis Research UK


This week, mami and I learned about how juvenile idiopathic arthritis is diagnosed. Mami read that juvenile idiopathic arthritis is actually difficult to detect and there's no single test that can confirm the diagnosis.

Doctors base their diagnosis on what mamas and daddies tell them, what they find by examining little ones, and on tests they carry out to rule out other possible illnesses.

Usually they do blood test and even eye tests. Children with JIA have a higher chance of having inflammation to their eyes, and if a doctor doesn't help you, can lead to blindness. That means you can't see. We don't want that to happen to anyone.

So, mami had better keep running and raising funds.You can visit her Just Giving page to donate too!

Doing it all over again!

In other news, we are all going for a family run today. After mami’s long run by herself, she would rather go slow but in good company. Can’t wait because I love zooming down the hills!

Mami and I are going to do another post about the best running gear, including the Swiggies so come back for that!

Happy running!

Running Mamas

 
Calling all Running Mamas!

Running? Training for a big race? Just getting started? Need inspiration?

Then join in!

Here is what you have to do:

• Say to yourself "I will run"
• Then get out there!
• Get someone to take a picture of you running - This is a must!

Then email mami the picture, and tell us: 

• Why you are running? (it can be anything you want)
• What you like about running (you can think of one good thing to say!)
• Any other funny story about your running and fitness

I will feature two stories each week. First two entries need to be with me by Friday the 13th of August. 

Can't wait to see you!

bye bye, 

Why mami runs

Mummy to 5K

Okay, some of you many know that mami is training for the Adidas Women's 5K Challenge to raise awareness and funds for Arthritis Research UK and also running the Royal Parks Half Marathon in October.

Today mami and daddy put me in the running buggy and we all went for a 5 mile run.  She didn't look well, and had a hard time breathing, but she made it!

After we got back I had my milk and pulled up my chair next to mami and she answered a few questions. So here it goes!

 Weeeeeeeeee!

Mami, how did you feel during the run today? Your face was really red and you were breathing very loud.

Well Little M, mami had to run slower because I'm not very fit! I've been very busy having fun with you and I have been too tired to run. Also mami has gained weight and I haven't run that far in a long time. But you and daddy were very patient with me and helped keep me going.

Oh yeah. You do eat a lot of cookies! But you also did a lot of walking, I thought you had to run the whole way?
Hmm? Yes I did walk, but its good to have a little break every once in a while. If I push myself too hard this soon I could hurt myself and not be able to run later.

Daddy mentioned that you sign up for a lot of races and then don't do them. Are you really going to do the 5K and half marathon?
He said that? Oh, well, yes! I am definitely going to do the 5K and the half marathon. I am very excited but nervous about doing them, I just have to keep at it!

A lot of mamas are doing the 5K with you. What advice can you give them?
Oh! I am no expert, but if I can run anyone can run! Drink lots of water, get a good sports bra, and good trainers. Otherwise it could be very uncomfortable! Start out slow and work your way up.

That's what daddy told you! And you are running for ARUK - do you know what causes ju-ve-ni-le ar-th-ri-tis?
Good job! You said it right! But I don't really know Little M. And that's why I am running for them, so they can do more research. We don't want kids to hurt anymore.

So how can someone get it?
Well, that's just it. It is difficult to understand, even for us adults. There is no proof that it can be passed on by mamas and daddies, however, they do know that a child's genetic make-up is a factor. It's possible that some illnesses act as a trigger, and that there is an interaction between genetic and other trigger factors.
Don't worry if you don't understand - what is important is to let others know about it and learn as we go along.

Oh, okay. I don't really know what that means, but maybe others reading this might. So why do you run if it's hard for you?
Lots of reasons. For one, it doesn't cost any money. I also like to feel the wind in my face and it is the best way to keep fit and healthy. Also because daddy likes it and we can share some time together. He started me running you know!

I can run too!
I know you can! I'm usually right behind you. But when you are bigger you can go out running with daddy and I. For now you have to stay in the buggy.

I do like it when you go fast and the buggy bounces up and down. Can you go faster next week?
Ha ha! I will sure try mi amor. But mami has to make sure she doesn't get too tired!

And that's it! In mami's own words. Oh, and please visit mami's JustGiving page to make a donation and help ARUK - we both appreciate it very very much!

Any running questions? Ask me!

bye bye

Mami runs. Part two

My mami is running. And not just after me!

Let me explain. First she is going to run a 5k (or 3.2 miles) in Hyde Park in September and then a half marathon (13 miles) in October.

If memory serves me right, I have seen her run before...but that was back in my baby days. I’m a big boy now!

The excuses

“Shouldn’t you be training for the Royal Parks Half Marathon?” daddy asked mami as she was a about to eat another chocolate reindeer she had in the fridge.

“Arrrrg, yes! I know, but I can’t run now, I’m tired!”

“Well, you have to start soon, otherwise it will be painful”

“Ok! OK! I’ll start this week, I’m just not motivated” and ate the chocolate.

The miracle

Then on Sunday, it happened. Mami went for a run. And not just her, but daddy and I too! I cheered her on from the buggy and held her water bottle. When she needed some I would hand it over to her.

The challenge

What pushed mami out the door? A very nice lady from Arthritis Research UK had contacted mami and me that week and said she had seen my blog. She asked if mami would run the Adidas Women’s 5K Challenge on their behalf to let other people know more about juvenile ar-thri-tis.

I really don’t know what that means, and it was really difficult to spell (I cut and paste it!). But after listening mami talk to daddy, I can tell you a little more about it.

Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis or JIA is a group of illnesses that share similar symptoms. Idiopathic arthritis is arthritis with no known cause and, just as in adult arthritis; it causes inflammation, pain and swelling in the joints. Ouch!

It is very sad because 1 in 1,000 children in the UK hurt from this and can begin at any age and is more common in girls. But the good news is that JIA doesn't turn into the adult kind of arthritis. There is more information, but I didn’t understand it all.

I will try to blog about her training each week and let you know more information on juvenile arthritis as I learn more along the way.

Mummy to 5K

Oh, and its not just mami running! She was able to get some of my blogging friends out and running too! They started the “Mummy to 5K” hash tag on twitter and Rachael @karamina made a pretty badge for everyone to put on their blogs. I put one up for mami. See it on the side?

Each day other mamas are joining in on the challenge. So far, I see that: @cafebebe @karamina @kahanka @climbingtikes @jennypaulin @ngowers and mami @verybusymama are all set to run! If you want to join in, just click on the Adidas Women’s 5K Challenge Link and register and leave your link below!

And daddy (who is a runner too) says don’t forget to get a good pair of trainers – otherwise it will hurt!

Happy running!

Bye bye!