Back to School {A Three Things Thursday post}

A photo posted by Kimberly (@foot.notes) on May 20, 2016 at 10:40am PDT

1. My baby starts school on Monday. My teeny-tiny once 5-pounds, 12 ounces stick of dynamite is going to kindergarten. While he went to full-day Pre-K last year, it seems surreal that we have reached this milestone.

He's ready, though. Or, at least as ready as he's going to be. He's charming, kind and curious. He likes to read, to learn, to ask questions. Lots of questions. Just the other night, he asked me what a disciple was ... because that's a logical question after reading "Marvel 5-Minute Stories." I answered him and from there the conversation spiraled toward who wrote the Bible and why and whether Miles could be a Christian because he couldn't write the Bible.

I swear, I need to get every available PhD to be a parent.

2. Miles is a bit nervous about Kindergarten. He says he is shy and is worried about not knowing the other kids. He's also attending a Spanish immersion program, and he frets that he doesn't already know Spanish, We've tried our best to reassure him that all of the other kids are in the same boat but when we went to open house, he was curled up in my lap the whole time.

A photo posted by Kimberly (@foot.notes) on Jul 30, 2016 at 12:41pm PDT

I was a bit taken aback by it all. Miles is always very enthusiastic when it comes to a learning situation. At swim lessons, he's the first to volunteer to try a new skill – even if it means jumping into the deeper water. When he played on a summer soccer league, he jumped at the chance to kick the ball and head into the goal.

3. I realized, though, that as much as I wanted him to be social, I had to be a good example. And, like, willingly talk to other parents. I felt like the meet-and-greet was just as much for me to meet new faces as it was for him.

Here's a tidbit about me: I'm not really good with that sort of thing. I like to slink in a corner, sip on my coffee and wonder when things are over. I am not the outgoing mom who introduces herself to other moms and trades cell numbers and arranges carpool. Unless you want to carpool and then go for a run, that is.

Regardless, this year will be exciting for everyone and I'm looking forward to seeing Miles blossom into a bigger boy.

#tear

Skyline Views {A Three Things Thursday Post}

A new fancy gym all to myself!

1. The YMCA recently opened an annex in a new downtown building/development. The gym was to be part of the corporate perks for employees of the company spearheading the project but it was also opened up to serve downtown office types. While there's a Y branch downtown, the annex has more boutique offerings, awesome new equipment and a functional fitness area. I wanted to be a complete nerd and try it on opening day but alas, that's when Miles was sick.

However, I finally got over there today and it was great. The treadmills have touch screens and you can watch TV, pick a workout or listen to the radio. For this HGTV-loving, non-cable subscribing gal, it was bliss. And on a more fitness-related note, I was impressed that you could have a negative incline ont he treadmill so you could replicate rolling hills.

2. As awesome as the new gym was, my run not so much. I know I'm not even two weeks out from Carmel but I just feel so slow and any faster effort feels like death. I tried to pick it up to half marathon pace for a half-mile, and it felt like the end of a 5K. OK. Maybe it wasn't *that* bad but it's frustrating to feel as if I've lost all the fitness I gained during my Carmel training cycle. Rationally, I know that's not true but it's still challenging.

3. The biggest bummer of the morning, though, was not the run but that I got a parking ticket! I paid for an hour at a meter and the attendant must have been watching it tick because the ticket was stamped at 9:30. Grr! It's only $10 but still. And the funny (ironic?) thing is that I was talking with the Skyline YMCA staff about the parking situation. There is a garage attached to the building but signage made it unclear as to whether I could use it. I can and the rates are about the same as metered parking on the street ($1 an hour). With the garage, we all said, you don't have the risk of a ticket and you don't need cash.

I wish I could say my run and new gym experience was worth $11 (my ticket plus the $1 I put in the meter) but ... yeah. The lesson: Stop being a baby and run in the rain. Or, park at work and run to the Y – which is what I hope to do this summer, taking advantage of the lunch hour classes. Friday PiYo at noon is looking mighty enticing.

Hashtag 250 Steps + More {A Three Things Thursday Post}

A very enthusiastic mall walker.

At best, that's what I look like. At worst? I would describe my movements as those belonging to a deranged extra in a new production of "Snow White and the Seven Dwarves."

1. I recently discovered a new feature on my FitBit app. Underneath the miles for the day and above my active minutes, is a unisex person in tree pose with "X of 9 hours with 250+." The idea is to motivate me to walk at least 250 steps an hour from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. It doesn't matter if I run 6 miles at 5 a.m. or teach back-to-back classes beginning at 5:15 p.m. It matters whether I get my ass off my chair and walk around the office.

And let me tell you, it's easier said than done.

I have a desk job. I sit at a computer, talk on the phone and type on a keyboard. The people with whom I interact most are within 15 feet. Especially now that I'm done pumping (!!!!!!!!!), I have very few reasons to get up and move outside of using the bathroom and getting a diet soda from the cafeteria.

So it's no surprise that last week I did not once make the goal of 250 steps each hour for 9 hours. the best I did was 8 out of 9 (twice) and the worst was 3 out of 9. Seriously, how sad is that?

Now that I see the goal on my app, though, I'm making an effort to get off my rump. I've determined that 250 steps is a walk down the steps, a stop at the cafeteria for water, then up the stairs and back to my desk. I try to go three-quarters past the hour. If I forget, I sometimes walk in place at my desk. Hence, the mall walker reference.

2. More photos from Saturday's race were posted on the Facebook page for the Fort Wayne Running Club.

This photo is about a mile, mile and a half into the race. I am in the backward trucker hat in the pink shirt. It was windy but nice enough as I debated the merits of passing one of the gals who usually beats me at most races.

This photo is between mile 3 and 4. No longer able to keep my Nuun hat on, I took it off and held it – which basically pulled out my side braid-pony combo. Is it not crazy the difference 15 minutes makes?

3. One of the highlights of my week has been gaining access to the private locker room at the downtown YMCA. The facilities are available to members at an additional cost but, as an employee, I get them for free. There's a lounge area with cable TV, hair dryers, flat irons, curling irons, a sauna and hot tub. There's free towels, too, and locker rental available.

This morning, after hitting up the treadmill again (OMG, I am really starting to hate you April showers/torrential rain/ridiculous wind), I was glad that I was in the space alone because, seriously, I looked like a hot mess.

No pretty selfie, here! My hair was half out of the elastic, my head band was barely on and my face was red. And good thing there's not smell-o-reading!

I took a shower, dried my hair and listened to a Vox from my friend like I was at home – except I had more room and no one tore back the curtain asking for dessert or wanting to be held.

I really don't like to rely too much on the treadmill but I could get used to this!

Bonus: I plan to hit up the whirlpool next week before Carmel to help relax the muscles.

Dinners Lately {A Three Things Thursday post}

Chicken tenderloins, red bell peppers, cabbage and cilantro.

What do these things have in common? They are all ingredients for a healthy pad Thai,  and they all currently sit in my fridge ... waiting to be made into pad Thai.

I was hoping to make the recipe for lunch this week or maybe a dinner but, yeah. I just haven't gotten there. Mark has started coaching track again, and my group fitness schedule has been heavy with folks going on vacation. Dinners have been easy, easy, easy – often consisting of a lean protein, starch and vegetable. They lack the inspiration and flavor of the meals I pin on Pinterest, and the ones I'd love to tell people I make.

But they work. So here's a look at what we've been eating lately.

1. Tilapia, couscous and sauteed spinach. If thawed in the fridge, the fish takes 7 or so minutes to cook and the couscous 10. I can cook the spinach in the same pan as I did the fish in the 3 minutes we're waiting on the couscous. Bonus: It's pretty affordable. I bought a family-size bag of fish, and it's lasted us three weeks.

Variation: I did get saucy this week – literally – and put pesto on the fish and baked it for 15 minutes at 425 degrees. It was delicious. I also had some asparagus on the pan, too, which was a nice treat for me. I'm the only one in the house who eats it so I don't often get it.

2. Chicken Broccoli Rice casserole. This dish is one of those I almost hate to admit that I make because it uses OMG canned condensed soup. But it's so easy and the boys devour it. I often prepare this (or tuna casserole) on Tuesdays when I have class.

Variation: In the summer and it's in season, I'll grate zucchini and combine it with the rice. Neither Mark nor Miles will eat zucchini on its own but they don't seem to mind it when I add it to the casserole.

3. Tacos. Who doesn't love Mexican food? Oh, wait. My friend H. Anyway, taco night is an almost weekly occurrence. The filling doesn't take long to make nor does the Spanish rice the boys love, and it's easy for me to lighten up for me. Miles isn't great with eating meat so I can open up a can of black beans and season them lightly, and he's got a good protein (and I have another topping for my salad).

Variation: Just make a dang quesa-dilla! I used to make these all.the.time and serve them with chicken tortilla soup but soup isn't the best with wee ones. Hello, mess! But, they still like quesadillas so if I get the meat made in the morning, I will throw it between a couple tortillas with cheese and pretend I did something awesome.

What are your super easy go-to dinners?

Out in the Briars {A Three Things Thursday Post}

Barkley's right out there on the edge of possibility. Impossibility. 

1. On Saturday, among the long run conversations, two things stuck out: the NCAA tournament and "The Barkley Marathons."

Now, I'll be honest – I don't give two shits about the Sweet 16 or basketball. My eyes completely glazed over while my fellow runners talked about who won, who lost, who stayed up. You know, if my eyes could glaze over more during 15 miles. So it was a welcome distraction when the topic of a documentary on Netflix came up, especially as it was a running-centric film.

From IMDB: In its first 25 years only 10 people have finished The Barkley Marathons. Based on a historic prison escape, this cult like race tempts people from around the world to test their limits of physical and mental endurance in this documentary that contemplates the value of pain.

I'll preface this by saying that Mark and I are Netflix documentary junkies, and we will watch at least 5 minutes of nearly anything in the lineup. But, this one was one of my favorites. From the oddities of the race itself to the pacing of the film, it was great. One of the filmmakers goals was to keep the mystery alive, so I'll leave it up to you to watch and tell me what you think!

And if you have seen the documentary, you should watch "Inside the Documentary" for more insight.

2. Nuun recently reformulated its electrolyte tabs and added a flavor to its Nuun Energy line. I've been needing try the new line and replenish my stash but have put it off for no good reason. Welp, when Miles tried to make Lemon Tea (which has caffeine), I pressed the button and ordered ... 12 tubes. Three Lemon-Lime, 2 Tri-Berry, 2 Fruit Punch, 2 Strawberry Lemonade, 2 Grape and 1 Plus.

A photo posted by Kimberly (@healthystrides) on Mar 22, 2016 at 6:47am PDT

And, if you need a push, Nuun is including a tube of the new Mango Orange Nuun Energy with every order through March 31.

3. I got my eyebrows and lip waxed yesterday, and as I was talking with the JCPenney stylist, she asked me if I was running outside now. I was all, like, "Woman, I have been outside."

Then, this morning, I ran on the treadmill. #irony

The combination of high winds and heavy rain made the outdoors less than appealing so I opted for the 'mill. This week is an easy one on the plan – no intervals or tempo work – so it was almost a challenge. I decided to knock off my negative split workout and add a quarter-mile of tempo at the end of each mile just to keep things fresh.

I didn't think I was working too hard but man, I was drenched after. It was like the humidity from outside made its way inside the Y.  Craziness!

What Fills You Up {A Three Things Thursday post}

I was tired, overwhelmed and emotionally drained.

As I sat in the multipurpose room at a YMCA branch, I knew this training and my subsequent work with cancer survivors would be fulfilling but it would be a project that would require me to be far more emotionally invested in my participants than I have ever been.

Then, as if on cue, the Livestrong trainer acknowledged that the 12-week program could take its toll on instructors. Patients face setbacks, relapse, die. They also fight, win and offer an amazing perspective on the world. To cope, we would have to recognize how we were feeling and know how we could recharge ourselves.

And what better way to do that with a fun group activity? Because every training session, Y or otherwise, needs a worksheet-guided activity.

Now, sarcasm aside, the activity was probably one of the best I've done and I couldn't help but share it here.

We were asked to think of ourselves as an engine, one that operates on fuel.

At that time, right then, how full was our gas tank? Were we operating with a full tank, a half-tank, one-quarter? Or, were we on empty?

I don't often think about how I'm feeling until it's too late. I might be tired one day or happy another but I rarely consider my emotional well being. I take on project after project until I can't and then I wonder why I'm screaming at Si for pulling my hair.

What is draining your tank? Work, family, not enough sleep?

My kids. I couldn't even write it down on the sheet – I felt guilty. I'm nearing the breaking point with nursing and pumping, and the competition for attention feels difficult to juggle. There are other things, too. I'm too quick to say yes to subbing classes and taking on commitments because I want to be seen as valuable and a team player. However, doing too much leaves me with not enough time for myself and my family, further exacerbating the displays of neediness from the boys.

What can you do to fill your tank?

Easy answer, right? Running. But the more I thought about it, the more I realized that running cannot be my only outlet. When I'm tired and stressed, I can't always lace up my shoes and go. Heck, sometimes the mental fatigue of an intense training plan can drain my tank as well.

So I've been thinking about other ways that I can pump myself up:

1. Laughing with Mark. I'm not talking giggling about something the boys have done but joking around to the point that I cannot stop the giggles. Thankfully, Mark is easy to laugh at ... I mean with :)

2. A hot bath. I didn't realize how much of a luxury baths were until Miles started insisting on joining me. As a 40-pound toddler, he takes up 3/4 of the bath and his required accessories (sword, rubber duck and monster truck) take up another 1/8, leaving me with a sliver of water to splash up. But, if I wait till after bed, I can draw a hot bath and soak in epsom salts as I page through the Ulta catalog.

3. Spending quality time with the boys. I'll admit it: Sometimes I think that I need to get as far away from my kids as possible to have a moment of me time but I learned a lesson last week. The sun was shining and the air was warming as I picked up Miles from school and Si from daycare. It was the perfect day for the park. And though I had things I could do at home, we turned right instead of straight and found ourselves parking next to the playground.

Miles was so excited that he ran to the swings before I even had Si out of the carseat. I guess we were swinging, I thought. I got Si situated in one and then Miles next to him. I pushed one then the other, Miles pumping his legs to go even higher. Right hand, left hand. Push, push, push. Legs reaching toward the blue skies, hands holding tight. Laughs escaping from their mouths.

I swear we spent 20 minutes just on the swings and in those 20 minutes, I felt like a new person. A better person. A good mom.

How do you refill your tank?

Going Batty and More {Three Things Thursday}

A photo posted by Kimberly (@healthystrides) on Mar 8, 2016 at 10:59am PST

1. Spring has sprung in Fort Wayne, and I was able to soak up its arrival with a lunch run this week. The forecast had the temperature in the mid-60s and overcast (though it was closer to 70) and just ripe for running. I kept it fun, too, by taking a different route from my office through a park on the greenway and to the back entrance where there is this gorgeous, hidden stone entry. There's also some trails near the disc golf course and foot bridges over the creek. It's quite cute! However, the park has a terrible reputation so I don't always go but I'm glad I did.

I mentioned that I'm hoping to do more of these, especially as I wean myself off the pump, but haven't quite fit into the schedule. I'm hoping better weather will be a good motivator!

2. On my runch, I saw one of the weirdest things – a dead bat. It was ridiculously creepy. BUT, I'm glad that I saw it before stepping on it. I would have much rather spotted a deer or cardinal, even though the latter has its own creep factor. {Read here}

Of course, the bat was far less intimidating than the posse of geese next to the river. I've been hissed at far too many times to run past them without abandon. I find the farthest spot on the path from them, run lightly and then book it. There's nothing scary than geese.

3. I'm headed to training this weekend for the YMCA {all day, both days} so I took off Friday to get in my long run. #priorities

My plan calls for 13 miles with a strong finish, and I knew it would be hard to get it in before the training. Think: Up and out the door by 4 a.m. so that I could get in the miles and be home to help with the boys for a bit. And, it would be all by my lonesome at that hour.

I'm still looking at doing most of my run on my own {buddies with jobs ... whatever :) } but Mark offered to run 5 miles with me as there's no school. We haven't run together in a long time so I'm excited to have some time with him.

And, maybe, just maybe, he might take me to lunch after ...

Question: Anyone else take vacation days to fit in long runs?

Call Me Coach and Other Things {Three Things Thursday}

I get to add a new title in front of my name in two weeks.

Coach!

1. I'm going to be working with a school and an amazing (amazing, amazing, amazing) group of women as an assistant coach for Girls on the Run. I know the chairwoman of the board of directors for the northeast Indiana chapter, and she has been after me to get involved for years. However, the locations were never convenient and the time commitment during work hours was too great. This season, though, a school near my office was added to the program and as an assistant, I can volunteer at one practice – about 1.5 hours a week.

About Girls on the Run:

Girls on the Run is a non-profit program for girls in third through eighth grade. Our mission is to inspire girls to be joyful, healthy and confident using a fun, experience-based curriculum which creatively integrates running. The 24-lesson Girls on the Run curriculum combines training for a 5K (3.1 miles) running event with lessons that inspire girls to become independent thinkers, enhance their problem solving skills and make healthy decisions. All of this is accomplished through an active collaboration with girls and their parents, schools, volunteers, staff, and the community.

I had my first volunteer meeting on Sunday, and it was very exciting, overwhelming and humbling. I realized that as much as I'm helping the girls, they will be helping me. I can't wait to start the journey!

2. The one bummer about being a GOTR coach is that the 5K is the same weekend as the Fargo Marathon. "What's the issue?" you ask. A couple of gal pals are planning a road trip to run the North Dakota race, and I was one chocolate-raspberry cake away from convincing Mark to let me go with. The 12-hour drive (each way) and weekend would help fill the void in my running heart left by the Bourbon Chase.*

Now, I'm feeling very itchy to sign up for something epic. Some race that is hours and hours of from Fort Wayne.

3. Also exciting this week, I booked our lodging for summer vacation! We are driving to Florida and making an extended stop in Gatlinburg, Tennessee.

The trip is all about family – we're visiting Mark's extended relatives in the St. Petersburg area and my brother and sister-in-law will accompany us to the Smoky Mountains. But, you all know me, and I plan to get in as much running as I can. I've started looking at where I can run in Gatlinburg. The mountain roads aren't the best (narrow, steep and windy) but it looks like I can run an 11-mile loop at Cades Cove and there are some trails.

I love running in Colorado so much and I know it won't be the same but I can't wait to be in the mountains again.

*My team was not selected to run the 2016 overnight relay in October. I have run the race the past two years.

To The Core {Three Things Thursday}

It was embarrassing.

I was in the front of the aerobics room, a dozen students watching me. I positioned my elbows underneath my shoulders and placed my palms on the floor. I lifted into a plank, making sure to keep a neutral spine and straight back. I pushed through the back of my heels and breathed.

1, 2, 3, 4.

My trunk muscles began to shake. I could feel my low back collapsing and my shoulders rounding.

5, 6, 7, 8.

I wanted the class to hold the abdominal exercise for 30 seconds and, 10 seconds in, I didn't think I could make it. I brought my knees to the floor, improvising to show everyone the different levels – tabletop, on tops of the thighs and on the toes. I encouraged everyone to find their own challenge.

I've come a long way from those first few classes after Silas. Plank for 30 seconds can still be a challenge but only because of my class load and general fatigue. The muscular endurance, though, is there. I give credit to a focus on incorporating foundation exercises for the trunk into my classes as they are good for everyone and mixing it up with Pilates-style moves.

Lately, I've found that these exercises make it into nearly every class.

Dead bug. I love this exercise because it is beginner friendly, and it takes the pressure of the low back. It also helps to teach the hips and shoulders to work independently. There are variations to increase the challenge but I often use this one as a warm-up to more challenging core moves.

Single leg stretch. When I came back to group exercise after Silas, we put Piloxing on my schedule for the first time in nearly two years. I found myself borrowing from the format and adding Pilates-inspired moves to many of my classes. I like this one because it works the lower and upper abs while increasing hamstring and upper back flexibility. If you have low back troubles, though, do not do this.

Reverse crunch with straight legs. This exercise targets the lower abs and takes the strain off the neck. (I instruct students to keep their heads on the floor.) This one is all about control, though, and you must lower the legs with intention.

And a note on the pike. I recently acquainted myself with "High Intensity Interval Training for Women" by Sean Bartram who trains the Indianapolis Colts cheerleaders. and love this challenging variation. At the top of the movement open the legs. Close the legs and lower them. Open as hips allow and close. Bring the legs up and repeat.

By the 12th rep, even on the first set, your muscles will be talking to you.

In October, I'm challenging my students to really work on their core, and we'll be trying to advance our planks and increase muscular endurance. I'm excited to see how the foundation we've created will help us during the challenge.

Disclaimer: I am an ACE certified personal trainer and have several group fitness certifications. However, I am not your trainer. If you choose to perform these exercises, you do so at your own risk.

Sweet nothings {A Three Things Thursday Post}

It had been three weeks since I treated myself to dessert. Three weeks since I had tasted chocolate. Three weeks since I had hit up the office candy drawer.

A long, long three weeks.

But on Wednesday, the sugar detox that my friend and I have been doing was put on hold so that I could participate in a fundraising dinner. I was there in an official/work capacity and I had a legitimate duty to taste the food.

All of it. The pork belly and the veal chop. Brisket and tenderloin. Black bean soup and caprese skewers. Wines, red and white.

Oh, and the dessert. All of it chocolate.

It was heaven, on a plate. Four plates actually.

Now, I didn't each in dessert in its entirety but I tried them all, and they tasted as good as you would expect after three weeks of cleaner eats.

But here's a few other things I discovered.

1. All the sugar equals none of the sleep. Maybe it was the excitement of the night or the wine but I was wired until 11, 11:30 p.m. Not so great when I'm still getting up with Silas every few hours. (BTW, we have not recovered from the 4-month sleep regression. Still.)

2. All the sugar equals all of those uncomfortable feelings. I felt seriously off this morning and all I wanted was a big plate of eggs. I needed something, anything, to balance out the sugar.

3. Why on earth do I eat such crappy desserts when there are foods like this out there? So many times we try to cut calories or be "good" but do it on a more frequent basis. I'm thinking it might be well worth it to skip the weekly trip to the ice cream shop if once a month I had a chef-made dessert and glass of wine with my husband.

So tell me ... are you a "save and splurge" type when it comes to dessert or do you take more frequent, but smaller, bites?

Back In The Gym {A Three Things Thursday Post}

The key to the aerobics room. The key to the stereo. The muscles in my inner thighs.

I forgot a lot of things in the seven weeks or so I was away from the YMCA but they came back to me slowly as I made my (not so) grand return to teaching on Monday.

1. My first class was barbell but while I was away, the sub was teaching boot camp. As it turns out, the members really prefer boot camp to barbell. Like, a lot. One of the participants asked during the warmup if the whole class was going to be "like this" and was going to leave. Apparently, barbell is boring. So, I dropped my ego and told everyone to grab dumbbells.

I was rather amazed at my ability to throw together a workout on the fly but I did. We worked for 45 seconds intervals and each round had four exercises: a basic leg, cardio, isometric leg and cardio. It worked and everyone was shaking at the end.

2. Tuesday was boot camp* as scheduled but I was really thrown off by a participant who asked what kind of boot camp I taught. She liked how the sub had been teaching and lamented that others just fill the classes with a lot of squats. I think she was on the verge of leaving when I promised that there would be more than squats. And there was but there were also squats because ... obviously, squats are awesome.

I spent the whole class worried about whether the workout was good enough, varied enough, hard enough. I kept wondering whether she liked it. And when I had two spots of confusion, I freaked that she was not going to come back or complain. Because I'm crazy and self conscious.

Thank goodness I included burpees because burpees = boot camp well done.

A plea: I know, from experience, that one can get attached to a particular instructor and enjoy one person's class over another. Everyone has different personalities and styles, and so much of group fitness is about finding a good match. But, please, give a new person

3. To shake up the schedule, my director is trying out Piloxing on Wednesdays instead of barbell when I was rambling off my certifications. It's been more than a year since I taught the class and ... yeah. I had to do some cramming, mostly in the form of binge watching choreo DVDs and YouTube instructor applications.

The class didn't go perfectly but I had a decent turnout and I remembered most of what I was doing. Today, I remember how much that class can hurt. Like in the triceps and inner thighs. It's especially fantastic since I was still sore from Monday.

I also rediscovered just how much fun it is to throw some punches and jump around.

An aside: Piloxing has a couple of new formats that I'm dying to try/get certified in. I'm not sure they would be a good fit for my Y nor in line with my goals to specialize in special populations but they look fun. Barre is, well, barre and Knockout looks intense. The master trainer in our area posted a video of pike jumps that looked insane. I think part of the draw is that if I could do the certification, that I'd be in rad shape.

*Here are my thoughts on programming boot camp classes.

Three for Three {A Three Things Thursday post}

I have to say that if you could grade maternity leave, I am totally acing it. ACING IT.

1. In addition to the diapers, wipes and mesh undies, I think hospitals need to give out Kindles. Seriously. I did not have one when I was home with Miles, and I am not sure how I did it. It's easy to use while nursing and it keeps me awake during middle of the night feedings – this is clutch since I have a serious problem nodding off with Si at the boob.

So far, I have read:

• "The Girl on the Train"
• "The Husband's Secret"
• "The Light Between Oceans" (10 percent finished)

It's really nice to actually read – not listen to an audiobook but read. It's been a long time, and it makes me feel in the loop (now I get the hype about "Girl on the Train") and feel like my brain actually works.

2. But as much as I've been reading, I am still planted on the couch and Netflix is my BFF. I'm making headway on a goal to watch the entire series of "Parenthood" (watching episode 9 of season 2 as I type this) and Jess got me hooked on "Bloodline."* I throw in some "Diners, Dive-Ins and Drives" for levity now that I watched all the "Pioneer Woman" that streaming has to offer.

*Does anyone else remember Kyle Chandler from "Early Edition"? I had a mad crush on him when I was in high school.

3. I'm really trying to work on my diet now that I'm settling into life with two kids. I know it took nine months to put on the weight, it takes time to take off ... blah, blah, blah. But I do not feel like myself and I need every sliver of her I can get. Like pants. I can't even wear real pants yet and I like real pants.

Anyway, improving my diet makes me feel better. The focus is eating vegetables – all of them  – and cutting out the sugar. Here are some of the things I'm eating.

• Bagged salad mix with salsa, sour cream or plain yogurt and guacamole. If I close my eyes, it's like eating nachos.
• Mixed nuts with dark chocolate chips. OK, so they are sugar but a few chips are not super high in calories and they're good for heart health. Right? Right. Also, they pair really well with coffee. 
• Lasagna with sliced zucchini instead of pasta noodles. A friend brought over a huge pan to help with meals but Mark isn't so into the vegetable substitution. Rather than serve it for dinner, I froze it in portions and have been eating it for lunch. It's not just tasty but easy to prepare, even if I'm cuddling a baby. Throw the dish in the microwave, press a few buttons and voila! A veggie-dense lunch in minutes.

What have you been rocking lately?

Bits + Pieces {A Three Things Thursday Post}

Eff you, Justin Timberlake. Eff you.

1. When Mark and I were looking at names for baby boy, we had a few criteria. The name could not be too trendy, too weird or the name of any problem students that Mark has had as a teacher. We also liked that Miles is an older name, and we were hoping to find a classic name to complement our first born. The last consideration was that Mark appreciated names that had Biblical roots.

We were originally set on Elias, the Greek version of Elijah, but Eli is a popular moniker – often in the top 10. I suggested that we give pause and revisit some other contenders, among which was Silas. We both thought Silas had a ring to it, and Mark found Silas' role in the development of the early church to be admirable.

So Silas it was.

When we made the change, I double checked the popularity. Though it has grown, the name still remained outside the top 100 according to the Social Security Administration. Perfect.

And then Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel ruined it. The day after our Silas was born, the birth of their son – Silas Randall – was announced.

The name is now getting all kinds of attention and is now in the top 10 on Nameberry. #wompwomp

2. In a sleep deprivation-induced torture session, I calculated that, at minimum, I spend 5 hours a day nursing Silas. Five hours during which my behind is firmly planted on the couch. I'm spending those hours, for the most part, watching Netflix. The current rotation includes "Parenthood," "Buying and Selling" and "The Pioneer Woman." I think I need to cut the last one out because all it does is make me hungry and mentally write decadent meal plans and plan extravagant parties.

My favorites (so far) have been Strawberry Sparkle Cake, Fancy Mac and Cheese, Rib Eye Steak with Onion Blue Cheese Sauce and Orange Sweet Rolls.

If anyone would like to come cuddle a baby so I can get in the kitchen, let me know!

3. A few months back, I received some awesome Pure Bliss Lemon+Sage body butter from my friends at Kohl's.

I'm kicking off this Friday with a little pampering. While the toddler watches a movie, I am soaking in a warm tub with my new favorite @bliss_spa products from @kohls and the latest issue of @womenshealthmag. #yes2you #blissme #ad

A photo posted by Kimberly (@healthystrides) on Mar 13, 2015 at 3:56am PDT

As things go in my house, I lost it within a month. I looked everywhere for it – random gym bags, my desk at work, in the couch, in Miles' toy chest, under the kitchen sink. I thought maybe it had got thrown out by accident and had given up finding it. I was bummed because it's a nearly $20 lotion, and I don't usually splurge like that on myself.

Well, this morning, Miles was cuddling with me as I nursed Silas and all of the sudden says, "Look what I found!" In his hand was my lotion. Out of nowhere. He says he found it under the couch but I looked in and under, over and through the couch at the time it went missing so I'm pretty sure he used his ninja skills – all toddlers have them – to procure it out of thin air.

I didn't even question him. I grabbed it and put it in the bathroom where it belongs.

Thoughts {A Three Things Thursday post}

1. I taught my last class of pregnancy on Wednesday. Barbell – my favorite. And, to make sure we went out with a bang, I picked some of the hardest tracks. There was a squat/lunge track that had lots of pulsing lunges. We did a chest workout with uneven push-ups using plates. And there were the little tweaks I made to abs with dipping planks.

The best part on the planks? I got to watch.

Turnout can be hit or miss on Wednesdays but it was a hit this week. As a farewell for now, it was quite satisfying to get a good group of people to drip with sweat – and keep up with them at 39 weeks.

2. That said, I haven't worked out beyond teaching my classes. I've been torn on getting making the most of my last days and relaxing before chaos becomes me. Mother nature decided for me, though, as we've had rain all week. Seriously. I had walking shoes packed for today but it went from drizzle to light rain to storms between getting Miles in the car seat to go to daycare and giving him a hug goodbye. So, I went to Walgreen's and bought some hair ties.

A note on hair ties: Where do they go? Now that my hair is long enough to pull up, I can never find a hair tie. The ones I do manage to put in the proper spot seem to get stretched out within five uses. I need to take out stock in scuni, I swear.

3. Even though I managed a run a few weeks ago, I haven't felt the itch to head out since. Those 3 sweaty miles on the treadmill were what I needed. It was like the perfect three bites of a rich dessert after a good meal. You box the rest it up and take it home for later.

And, let me tell you: I can't wait to dive into that piece – in 4 to 6 weeks.

I may or may not have gone a bit of a shopping binge this week just to make sure I'm ready.

From the ACTIVE GearUp shop, I nabbed a last season Oiselle tank. (Disclosure: I did receive a credit to the shop through my relationship with Active.com to use at my discretion.) A new tank meant that I had to have matching socks and, you know, the Pro Compression socks of the month (note the plural) bot have orange. I was going to go with the Aqua Swirl and be good ... but ... yeah. I saw the Orange Boom in the side panel. I tried to decide and I couldn't.

So I got both.

Had I been smart, I might have placed the order earlier so I could put them in my hospital bag. The Pro socks are 1 million times cuter than the ones the hospital will give me post-C-section and though I have some with my things, there's nothing like a new pair.

Note: You can use the code BOLD to save 40 percent on the socks of the month and Pro Compression's Boston sock.

And while I'm on the ambassador train, Nuun has free shipping through Sunday. What better reason to stock up?

Share some random thoughts. Please. I'll appreciate them when I'm bored and nursing.

From Good to Bad in 3.9 Miles {A Three Things Thursday Post}

Wednesday started out like any other Wednesday.

I got the boys fed and Miles ready for daycare. I reviewed my music for barbell class and found the only pair of capris that were both clean and belly compatible. I took out Denali ... and took him out again. I got Miles fed ... again. And, at 8:20, we set off for daycare.

But the day was going to be better than just an ordinary Wednesday. I knew it. After all, I had taken off the day just because. It was a me day.

1. Barbell class was great. I felt strong and on it, and there were a couple new faces. The demographics of my Y can make it challenging at times as English isn't always a first language but the new gals did great. They just brought a new life to the class, and I left feeling sweaty and rejuvenated.

2. After a quick trip home to shower and watch an episode of "Property Brothers," I was off to lunch with my running friends. It was Shannon's birthday so we decided to do something incredibly novel and see each other in real clothes. I have to say that I have some really good looking friends.

The bonus: The restaurant we went to is known for its epic grilled cheese sandwiches, and I didn't go wrong with the pesto version that features cheddar, swiss, provolone and muenster cheeses, tomatoes, artichoke hearts and pesto sauce on grilled sourdough. I paired it with the house salad (veggies!) as the restaurant has the best peppercorn dressing.

3. What better way to enjoy a day off than to go for a solo run? The weather was somewhat tempting at 37 degrees though it was dreary and there was a light rain. I knew I would brighten it up with my Pro Compression heart socks and a Fila Hoodie from Kohl's that I found at a post-lunch shopping trip. I had been eyeing it for months, and I found it on clearance for 70 percent off plus I had a 20 percent off coupon.

Things went from good to meh to bad once I hit the trail and no matter how cute the clothes, the run could not be saved.

I've been used to some aches and pains running – round ligament pain, the widening of the hips, low back – but I experienced something new. I felt a pain in my ass. Literally. It started out as a dull ache, one I thought that I would run through and work out. I stopped to stretch half way, and I felt like the run was never the same. It was as if the entire glute just seized up. I tried more stretches and it didn't work. I had to get home so I just gutted it out.

Once I got home, I stretched, foam rolled and used a softball to do myofascial release. I was sure that was all I needed to take care of the pain in my butt.

But I was wrong. It seemed to make it all worse. My right side was tight and now immobile. I was barely able to walk across the room, and it was not without wincing. It got progressively worse as the night went on and even going to the bathroom was a struggle.

The worst part was that I knew trips up and down the steps to help with bedtime was not going to happen. I had to have Mark bring Miles downstairs so I could read to him on the couch. And when Miles got fiesty, I couldn't comfort him.

Or myself.

When I woke up this morning, I couldn't help but cry. Big fat tantrum tears as Mark handed me a cup of coffee. My right side was still tight, and moving was a challenge. I had Mark bring up crutches from the basement and I lumbered around.

At this point, I can barely walk – much less run. I just said Wednesday morning that running isn't important for me physically, though it is. I need it mentally. I need it to feel good about myself, to feel strong, to feel like me, to stay sane. I don't know what I'll do if I'll have to stop, especially now. If I have to take off weeks to rest (and I will if needed), I know I am done running for this pregnancy. I won't be able to just restart at 35 weeks.

I'm trying to be hopeful. I am. Baby boy could be sitting on my sciatic nerve and maybe a good roll will take off the pressure. I could have some luck with a more gentle approach to stretching and foam rolling, along with heat and ice.

If anyone has experience with piriformis pain, please send me your tips. And I'll take any good thought I can get, too!

Let The Good Times Roll {A Three Things Thursday Post}

"Do you want the good news or the bad news?" Cap'n asked.

The news. I want the news – no games, I replied. It's mean to play games with me.

And so, he gave me the news.

1. We won the lottery! Well, the lottery for the 2015 Bourbon Chase. Most of my team, the Pirates of the Bourbon Trail, is reuniting to take on the 200-mile course that winds through the Kentucky countryside and bourbon distilleries. I had such a blast last year that I'm excited to get to do it all over again – even if the hills made me curse like none other.

We are floating the idea of trying to qualify, for lack of a better term, as a charity team so that we can spread the joy we have on the experience to one of three organizations – Alzheimer's Association, CASA and Leukemia Lymphoma Society – that partner with the race. We haven't settled on this road nor an organization but Alzheimer's is a cause particularly close to my heart.

It would be a large undertaking, requiring us to raise $7,000 as a team but one that would be worth it. I did the math one night, and it would break down to less than $600 a person or each of us netting 24 donations of $25. It seems feasible when I look at it like this.

If anyone has any tips for fundraising, let me know so I can share it with the team!

2. You're in! I recently found out that I was again selected as an ambassador for Pro Compression. (I also continue my role as a Nuun ambassador.) The program was new last year, and the company is really looking toward making it gang busters for 2015. I was completely uncertain as to whether I'd get selected (I had to reapply) but I'm honored to be a part of the group.

And, in case you haven't seen it, I thought I'd share the February sock of the month – Pink Hearts. I think they are adorable! I bought a pair the day they came out. Yes, they are great for Valentine's but I think they will look be cute for races that raise awareness for breast cancer. Use code HEART to save 40 percent on all pink socks and sleeves.

3. It's back!

The mid-season premiere of "The Walking Dead" is Sunday night, and I'm so excited to have some good TV to watch. Mark and I have been settling on episodes of "Mountain Men" and "The Incredible Dr. Pol" on Netflix for weeknight entertainment. It will be nice to have something to watch besides prolapsed uteri and cow-killing wolves.

I also heard that the third season of "House of Cards" will be released this month (Feb. 27) on Netflix. It should be just enough to get me through till maternity leave, when I plan to re-watch/catch up on "Parenthood."

Anything good happening in your neighborhood?

Ready for the Weekend {A Three Things Thursday post}

There was a moment this morning when I realized today was Thursday – not Wednesday. What a relief! Just one more day of work and then it's onto the weekend.

And what a weekend it will be! Here's what I'm excited about:

1. On Saturday, I'll make the two-hour drive down to Indianapolis to attend two Silver Sneakers workshops (Classic and Circuit). Silver Sneakers is a fitness program that focuses on older adults, providing a chance to exercise in an environment that's fun and encouraging. My primary motivation in attending is to earn much needed continuing education credits to maintain my personal training certification. Though there are tons of options, many of which don't involve additional program certifications, I have subbed older adult classes and very much enjoy the atmosphere and attitude of the clientele. Sure, barre or cycling would be sexier sexier and closer to how I work out but moving forward with my fitness work, I want to focus on what's rewarding and beneficial to me.

2. Lauren Fleshman is speaking at the track club banquet on Sunday. {cue fan girl screaming} I had heard rumors for nearly a year that this was in the works, and I am so excited personally and for the community to have her here in Fort Wayne. I had the chance to interview her for work, and she was just like I thought she would be – honest, funny and totally rad.

I am going to go full geek for the banquet and wear a Fleshman Flyer shirt that I picked up at the local running store. I think it will look appropriate with a maxi skirt and belted cardigan, don't you?

Bonus: Kim and Tami are coming in to Fort Wayne on the weekend just to see me see her. Well, see Lauren with me. Whatever.

3. Running in new shoes! While I was at the running store to get my flyer shirt, I made an unplanned walk down the clearance shoe aisle. I wasn't in the market for shoes, per se, as my Skechers GORun only have 100 miles on them. I had blown out the sides of my Saucony Fastwitch, though, and they are looking rougher by the mile. But anyway. Three Rivers had a pair of Brooks Ravenna 5, what I was wearing before I switched to Skechers based on cost, in my size. Marked down to $77. And I had a $25 reward/credit. Fifty-two dollars for a new pair of shoes? Don't mind if I do. They are so pretty and clean, and I can't wait to get some runs in them.

What has you excited?

A few housekeeping items:

• Nuun has free shipping through today. So if you are running low, now is the time to order! We are down to caffeinated flavors so I've got a few things in the basket to get us through our winter fitness endeavors.
• It's time to break out with PRO Compression's latest sock of the month. The black-and-white stripes are reminiscent of old jail uniforms but 1,000 times cooler. Use the code JAN for 40 percent off the socks. Or, BLG14 might still be good for 40% an entire order. Free shipping for those orders $25 and more.

Things you didn't want to know {A Three Things Thursday post}

1. One of the side effects, symptoms, happy rewards of pregnancy is that the belly isn't the only thing that grows. The blobs of fat that sit atop the pectoralis major muscles do as well. I have gone from a barely there A cup to a full C. And though it's not particularly bothersome, it has created a new set of challenges.

I was running with BRF Tami on Wednesday morning in a sports bra that had served its purpose just fine during previous runs. It's comfortable and easy to slip on from overhead, which is exactly why I had selected it the night before. We had gotten no farther than a half-mile when I declared that this run would be the bra's farewell. I am fairly surprised that everything stayed as it should - contained - and I was thankful for the dark skies of the early morning so no motorists could see the atrocity of the bouncing.

Other sports bras, while able to keep movement to a minimum, have been just as problematic as they are tight and uncomfortable. Some so much so that I can find it hard to find a good breathing pattern in the early minutes of a run.

Foundation garments for workouts should be replaced every six months, according to my local running store expert, so it seems that I need to get a new set for the duration of Baby X's gestation. Any recommendations for supportive and easy to put on garments are greatly appreciated.

2. I'm fairly certain that I have a toe nail preparing to say its goodbyes. The second toe on my right foot, per the usual. I noticed that it was feeling awful tender this weekend, and I'm blaming the hills of Kentucky. I should also blame myself for wearing my Saucony Fastwitch on said downhills as they offer less support. I am hoping to coerce the Boss into sending me to the salon for a pedicure to see what happens with some TLC and trimming.

3. I got my hair today, with my stylist lopping off my mullet. As I do my best to grow out last year's pixie experiment, I've found that the worst part is the little rat tail that seems to appear just 10 days before my appointment. Though I often feel nostalgic for the 1980s and my childhood, I'm not that nostalgic and would be more fulfilled to find a small curling iron and do my bangs.

Share: What are your "who cares" tidbits?

***

Deal alert: October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and Pro Compression is taking note. With your purchase of any products featured on this page, including any color Women's Leggings, we will donate a portion of each sale to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

 Save 40 percent when you enter coupon code PINK at checkout. Free shipping is available for your purchase over $20 (after discount), shipped to your US address. The leggings are an especially rad deal as they are already on sale for $50. I have a pair and love them for workouts. They don't have compression, making them comfortable and easy to wear. They fit true to size - I purchased a 6, which is what I also get from lululemon.

Race Day Quandaries {A Three Things Thursday Post}

T-minus two days. Actually less than that. It's more like 41 hours.

Forty-one hours till the big race.

And though I have some things figured out, I am facing a few dilemmas.

1. For the race, I'm wearing an orange tank, Oiselle Flyte shorts and a pair of ProCompression socks. I just wish I could decide which socks to wear. I had planned, a long time ago, to wear the splash in royal blue ... but that was before I picked out my shirt. Ridiculous. Yes, I know. I could still wear he splash or go with an orange pair. Hi! Race photogs! Look. At. Me. I could also go with a pair of Nuun dotted sock and just be all repped out.

Note: I could just wear some low trainers and not worry about coordinating, too.

2. A concern with a bit more substance: Hydration. I've been training with my Nathan Sports Intensity vest and have loved it. As I'm going for time, though, the extra weight could affect me. Walking through water stops could be just as detrimental, though. Other options include a small handheld or wearing my speed belt with two bottles. The bonus with the belt (and vest) is I could have my phone with me. With the handleld, I could toss it in my in-law's yard around mile 11 if I'm tired of it.

3. "I'm going to be your annoying little shadow," Mark told me one night this week in the kitchen. While I had anticipated I'd get annoyed with him during his 13.1-mile pacing effort, I didn't think he'd be my shadow. I thought he'd be next to me, matching me stride for stride. He thinks it will be more motivation for him to be behind me. And he could be right, depending on that whole annoying thing.

Note: I do love my husband. Sometimes, I even like him. However, I know myself and I know I can get grumpy at the end of the race. Being that I love Mark, I know it will be easy to blame him, call him annoying and take it out on him.

It's my day, and it is about me - he's made it clear - so I'm wondering whether to be specific about how he runs with me.

Help! I'd love any insight.

Roll With It: Myofascial Release {A Three Things Thursday Post}

Bump. Buh-bump. Buh-bump, buh-bump, BUH-BUMP.

My muscles seemed to ripple over the blue foam roller as I not so gracefully glided over it. It was no surprise to me - I've been feeling tightness in my right quad for at least a week and telling running partner Tami that I was going to roll for two. And it was three weeks ago that I got some pro tips from a strength and conditioning coach while "on assignment" for work.

It was three weeks of telling myself that, this time, I was going to be diligent about it. Three weeks of thinking and not doing, for which I was paying for it. The evidence? The tears rolling down my face.

For the uninitiated, foam rolling is a form of myofascial release. The fascia is a web-like covering surrounding the muscles, tissue and bones. Exercise can cause the fascia to become tight and lose its pliability, which can cause pain and affect flexibility and stability. Applying external pressure to the fascia (read: release) can smooth it out, reduce pain and restore range of motion.

Through work and personal experience, I've learned a few things about MFR that I wanted to share.

Source

It's not foam rolling! Foam rolling is such a popular term but when you think about it, may forms of MFR don't involve foam at all. I have three tools - a blue foam roller, an Enso roller and a Tiger Tail. I can only use one to truly foam roll.

Am I being nit-picky? Yes but I find it limiting because there are other things you can use. A lacrosse ball, for one. It's popular in the CrossFit crowd. A more conservative option is a softball and then a tennis ball. A softball is bigger, allowing the pressure to be distributed over a greater space. It's great to use in small spots such as the back.

Don't know which to pick? Go for a grid roller. It's not as aggressive as a trigger point or Enso but its dense core makes it sturdier and more likely to stand up to repeated use.

Perfect 10. Once upon a time, I had two methods of rolling. No. 1: Go over the targeted muscle a few times until I felt the sting and then stop before the tears started. No. 2: Roll until I had no more tears left.

In case you were wondering, neither way was good. A good rule of thumb is to give each section of muscle 10 good rolls. If a spot is particularly sensitive, maintain pressure for about 30 seconds and release.

The fascia, in a way is like a knotted up rubber band. MFR undoes the knots and gives it a stretch. If you continue to roll, you continue to stretch the band. Eventually, it will lose elasticity. For athletes, this means a loss of power and force.

Planes of motion. It's easy to think of rolling the front of the leg and the back of the leg. However, the fascia continues around the side so it's important to hit all areas of the muscle group.

Example: You are rolling your calves. Up and down, up and down. The muscle flattens out against the roller, and you hit about 50 percent of it. Take a few rolls to rotate to each side and hit the outer and inner calves. If it's uncomfortable, position-wise, this target area is great for the Tiger tail. Hit the back of the leg, the side and even the front a bit - but gently.

Rotating as you roll also applies to the hips and the glute medius (side of your butt). Runners often target the IT band but make sure to go to the top of the hip and rotate in to target the flexors.

Bonus: Reader feedback. I asked for tips and questions on Facebook, and Kristy asked how to roll without the wee ones and dog thinking it's a game.

Let me tell you this: Rolling your IT band on the Enso while your 3-year-old sits on your hip ... not fun. And, sadly, my Tiger Tail has had more use as a sword than an MFR tool. That said, my advice is to give the kids their own "foam roller" and distract the dog. There are all kinds of foam shapes at the craft store, and they are very inexpensive. Pick up a few and let them decorate with markers. When you roll, you get your (unattractive, more expensive) roller and they have theirs. As for the dog, Denali mostly ignores me now but a Kong with peanut butter does wonders.

Robyn offered this tip: It's an early injury-detection (and prevention) system. FR picks up tight spots before you notice them running. I'm often surprised by what's tight or painful on the FR, and those spots occasionally develop into a running injury if I don't pay attention to them.