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Archives For January 31, 2012

If you’re into running, read on…

February 19, 2012

Notice I didn’t say, “If you like to run…” because I don’t know too many people who admit to loving the act of running itself. No, it’s the post-workout high, the release of stress, and the feeling that you are in total control that keeps many runners coming back for more.

I was never a distance runner growing up. In fact, my workouts rarely included running in the first 33 years of my life. While I cannot recall a day of my childhood when I wasn’t on a sporting team and thriving on competition, my level of focus and ability to train independently had never been tested. Then came the summer of 2010 and the Omaha Triathlon, when I knew my husband and I were done having children and I yearned to reclaim part of my pre-baby self. I decided to compete in my first-ever endurance race.

I could barely run a mile without getting seriously winded when I started my conditioning. I was not in bad shape. Both my weight and Body Mass Index were in normal range for my height. I just did not have the lung capacity or proper frame of mind for endurance running. Chalk that up as an excuse that repeatedly ran through my mind: I will just never be able to run long distances. My body isn’t made for that kind of exercise.

Now I have a couple of years under my belt and can confidently claim that I can complete a five-mile run rather easily. Do I enjoy the act of running any more today than I did when I started to build up my endurance? Well, I can definitely claim to enjoy the time I make for myself to run and to clear my head. Every mom needs that mental escape.

I’m registered to complete my second half marathon on May 6 in Lincoln. For anyone else out there who also plans to run a half-marathon this summer, here’s a little guide to help you get in your proper training miles. (thanks to marathonrookie.com)

10-Week Half Marathon Training Schedule
Week Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Total
1 3 Rest 3 3 Rest 4 Rest 13
2 3 Rest 4 3 Rest 5 Rest 15
3 3 Rest 4 3 Rest 6 Rest 16
4 3 Rest 5 3 Rest 8 Rest 19
5 3 Rest 5 3 Rest 10 Rest 21
6 4 Rest 5 4 Rest 11 Rest 24
7 4 Rest 6 4 Rest 12 Rest 26
8 4 Rest 5 4 Rest 9 Rest 22
9 3 Rest 4 3 Rest 8 Rest 18
10 3 Rest 3 Walk 2 Rest 13.1 Rest 21.1

Printable Schedule (PDF)

In Fitness , , , , ,
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It’s about time I visited your sacred space

February 19, 2012

What started out as a fun hobby between best friends has grown into a passion that now seems impossible for me to repress. Melissa and I’s first co-blog debuted in April 2009, branded with a name that no one could remember (marketing 101)… http://tsibananas.blogspot.com. We boasted 15 devout followers and were overwhelmed by fan mail.

In December 2009, we were chosen to be part of a team of mom bloggers for the Omaha World-Herald’s momaha.com, a social networking site “where moms connect.” We submitted our applications jointly and asked the editor to either take us both on or reject us as a pair. Fortunately, she chose the former and we’ve been blogging for the site ever since.

A radio deal followed in January 2011 that gave us the opportunity to chat every Thursday morning on the Pat&JT Show on Q98.5 FM. Later that year, I got paired up with a local dance professional and competed in “Dance for a Chance,” representing momaha.com and raising money for Youth Emergency Services. It was on the night of the actual dance competition when a light clicked on in my brain. The social media channels I was part of (namely blogging and Facebook at the time) allowed me to raise awareness and a crazy amount of money for charity.

I realized then and there that social media involves more than sharing status updates and laughs. It is about building a community. A community of people who share your same interests and take your word for it if you say something is worth backing.

I just returned from the 5th annual social media for PR and communications conference last week in Vegas and my head is still buzzing. It was there when I heard one of the speakers say that, when it comes to social media, content is no longer king; context is. Yes, we have to continue to write well. But we must be extra mindful of how we are delivering our message because we are tapping into our reader’s already limited space. And if we aren’t relevant, there is a whole slew of competing messages that can snatch up our spot.

It is my goal with this site to be relevant in that sacred space of time I have with the reader.

Maternal Media is a phrase I’ve coined to describe the power and influence of moms in the social media landscape. You need not be a mom to participate in this blog.

In Awareness, Background, Beginning, Passion
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