If you're running on empty as a mom,

... it's time to go out for a run, to get some new fuel.

Wordless Wednesday

Running on Toffifees

They always strike at six o'clock: Snack Attacks! My work for the day is done, the kids are fed and hosed down, and I can sit on the couch with a nice cup of tea.

But as soon as I sit down it attacks: the urge to eat bags of M and Ms', salty nuts, paprika chips, candy bars and big chunks of cheese. I try to drown my desire with lots of tea, because I know: this desire doesn't stem from hunger, but from restlessness.

Usually I win the battle, and at around eight o'clock the desire for something to eat silently disappears. But yesterday, when I wasn't looking, I suddenly ran into the kitchen and started foraging for something 'good to eat'.
'Don't do it, don't do it,' my better self urged me, wringing her hands in despair. But I pushed her roughly out of my way and saw she'd been trying to hide the Toffifees!

There is was: a big box of Toffifees from the Aldi. Bought, because it might come in handy for unexpected guests. I'm not a big fan of Toffifees, which is why I bought them. I felt they would be safe from any snack attacks.

But my desire for something to eat won out, and I said to myself: 'I'll just try one, and then I'll decide what to do next. I never get any visitors anyway!'
'Hm, not bad,' I tasted, and since the box was now open anyway, I felt it would be alright to have another one. And before I knew it, I'd demolished fifteen Toffifees.

With my stomach protruding like I was sixteen weeks pregnant I went to bed and swore: 'Never again!'

And this morning I fueled my run with Toffifees.

But when I got home I remembered: there are still fifteen Toffifees left...

Mommy can't hear you!

Earphones: not just for runners! Moms can use them for some much needed silence!

Wordless Wednesday

Running posture

'Wálk a little straighter daddy,' whined Billy Currington into my ears, as I was running along. 'You're swaying side to side. Your footsteps make me dizzy, daddy.'

I gritted my teeth and cursed the day I put it on my iPod, but in spite of myself I couldn't help but sing along: 'Waaalk a little straighter daddy!'

Then suddenly it hit me, like an unexpected sale at Walmart: 'This song is a message to me!' It's the universe telling me I should do something about my posture. So I straightened up, and ran off into the sunset.

And with new conviction I belted: 'Waaaalk a little straighter Mómmy. You're leading me!'

Wheely bugs: not just for kids!

It doesn't seem fair, does it?! When your kid gets tired, he gets to take a ride on his Wheely bug.

Why do kids get all the good stuff? Why not ride it yourself! From now on I'll do all my grocery shopping and the school run on my Wheely b​ug​.

I can even match it with my mood and clothes! When I feel fierce, I'll ride my tiger Wheely bug, and when I feel friendly and nice, I'll take the Ladybug for a spin.

And the best thing of all: riding your Wheely bug is a great crosstraining opportunity. Your legs get a great work out, without the pounding they have to endure during a run. By turning you Wheely bug backwards, forwards, sideways and round and round, you'll use leg muscles you didn't know you had!

And if you're a sweaty person like me, don't worry: Wheely bug bodies have a padded layer of sponge which is covered with a tough layer of polyurethane leatheroid and can be easily wiped clean.

Wheely bugs: not just for kids any more! Moms and runners deserve one too!

It's raining a cat

Wordless Wednesday