Go Red For Women

When I had my “episode” a few weeks ago and ended up in the ER with a battery of tests being run what the doctors never said was… “We think this could have been a stroke.” But the truth is when you understand the symptoms for women that’s exactly why they were running EKG’s doing CAT scans for blood clots.

Now if that isn’t a scary thing! Unfortunately for many women who go in they don’t even consider heart disease and therefore it is missed…save your life and others by understanding this silent disease.

It’s wonderful that we all wear Pink and spend a lot of time thinking of ways to cure breast cancer, but heart disease is the unsexy killer of women. Go Red for Women is a great opportunity to learn more about this disease..it can present with very basic symptoms so you need to know your body to understand something is wrong.

SYMPTOMS
It may not look like what you see in the movies where a man grabs his arm…women react differently which is why we often don’t get help quick enough.

• Chest pressure, tightness, and heaviness (usually in lower chest so it can be mistaken for stomach pain)
• Pain in shoulders, neck, jaw, or arms
• Lightheadedness
• Fainting
• Paleness
• Sweating
• Nausea
• Shortness of breath with or without chest pain

Just like with Komen there are a ton of great products out there that will send money back to this cause! You can find alot on the GoRed site.

HEART DISEASE STATS

• Over 250,000 women die each year from a heart attack.
• More than half of those who died suddenly from a heart attack experienced no previous symptoms.
• Women more often present atypical signs of a heart attack, such as abdominal pain or shortness of breath, without the classic chest pain that many recognize as the symptom of a heart attack.
• One study suggests that women under the age of 55 who are experiencing a heart attack are nearly seven times more likely to be misdiagnosed than men of the same age.
  -- From AARP

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Gratitude Journal
Feb 3
I am grateful for doctors to who listen
I am grateful for advocates
I am grateful for researchers
I am grateful for charities
I am grateful for companies that care

44 Things You Were Dying To Know

Honestly I don’t usually do these things because I can’t imagine you want to know more about me than I have already shared…but I’ve now been tagged three times (michelle, Tasha and raul) and the pressure was mounting. You all have to be tired of these so let me at least say it took me forever to find anything interesting to share, so you better read!

The rules are:

1. Post these rules
2. You must post 11 random things about yourself
3. Answer the questions set for you in their post
4. Create 11 new questions for the people you tag to answer
5. Go to their blog and tell them you've tagged them
6. No stuff in the tagging section about you are tagged if you are reading this. You legitimately have to tag 11 people!

Random 11
1. I’m a Leo and have always been fascinated by this
2. I can’t float. I sink like a rock every time. Maybe this is why i loved swimming underwater as a kid
3. I took jazz lessons…but quit in favor of softball
4. I was excited to have braces. I thought they looked very cool or at least grown up.
5. I wake up every day without an alarm clock
6. I love having a fan on at night, specifically a box fan. They remind me of the attic fan when I was little and it’s comforting…I also get really hot so ya know.
7. I still look at my wedding ring everyday and think how much I love it (and him)
8. I am horrible with remembering people. Not sure if it is literally because I am constantly in new places with new faces or because I am just not paying attention.
9. If I could create a race it would be 17 miles; that is my favorite distance to run.
10. Two different psychics told me I would have at least 2 children…nope they clearly had not met me
11. My parents owned a video store when I was little which meant I got to see everything before anyone else and I thought this was one of the coolest things ever.

Raul’s Questions:
1. Favorite obscure movie? (And why..) Oh this is awful…I’m not sure I remember what I watched on tv last night.
2. Favorite kitchen appliance? (And why..) My electric kettle
3. Favorite Olympic sport? Have watched women’s gymnastics forever, but fallen in love with swimming and oh yeah that marathon thing.
4. What method(s) do you use to make time for yourself? Learning to say no, creating a schedule and the whole no kids yet thing
5. Favorite alcoholic beverage (if beer, be specific. :) ) – don’t drink
6. Why do you blog? It brings me a lot of joy to have an outlet for my passions about running, health and writing
7. What is one place you've always wanted to travel to, but haven't made it there yet? Australia
8. What's your take on reality TV? So good for a laugh
9. Favorite band? Doh I’m not sure who sings anything…maybe Rascal Flatts I’ve seen them 5 times in concert
10. Mac or PC? Use both, love both
11. Favorite season to work out in? Love to workout year round, running is best in the winter in Miami

Michelle’s Questions

1. Favorite quote or saying (not from a movie)? “It’s never too late to be what you might have been.”
2. Favorite movie quote? Dang another movie question…”Fat guy in a little coat”
3. 3 dinner guests -who would they be? (Can be dead or alive) David (hubby), Oprah, Bart Yasso
4. Favorite indulgence? Cookies
5. Favorite Cocktail (or beer or wine)? don’t drink
6. Favorite book from childhood? Matilda
7. Have you traveled abroad? Where? Yup…Italy, Germany, Switzerland and down to Costa Rica, Jamaica
8. Beyond running, what's your favorite hobby? Reading
9. What 3 things do you have to have in the morning? Write in my journal, pray, eat
10. What 3 things do you have to have when you head to bed? Brush my teeth, kiss david, read
11. What's your biggest pet peeve? People who complain without taking action to make things change

Tasha’s Questions
1. What is your favorite recovery drink? Vega Sport in a green smoothie
2. Love the treadmill or hate it? Love it
3. Name your favorite cross training exercise/routine. Yoga
4. Favorite book read within the last year? Unbroken
5. What type of dessert do you like to indulge yourself in? Cookie
6. What motivates you to get through a tough workout? Feeling strong and proud (and occasionally that cookie)
7. Favorite race ran? 13.1 Fort Lauderdale…both years it just went well, has great views and is well run
8. If you had to eat fast food, which would you prefer? Panera
9. Favorite childhood memory?
10. Runner’s World or Running Times or both? Runner’s World

TAGGING
Last 11 folks to comment
Lisa of Chasin Bunnies (in recovery from an injury, you go girl!)
Mallory of Sit for your Job Run for your Life
Lisa of Yo Mamma Runs
Emily of Out and About
Denise (who will never do this because she is so busy)
Natalie of This Momma Can Run
Marlene of Mission to Another Marathon
Fancy Nancy
Carolyn of Healthier Girl
Vanessa of Gourmet Runner
Natasha of Cautiously Audacious

Questions
1. Favorite distance to run?
2. Most embarrassing running moment?
3. Ice bath or epsom salt bath?
4. Taper: Love it or hate it?
5. How many magazines are you subscribed to?
6. How often do you buy new running gear?
7. What’s the most you are willing to spend on race registration?
8. Have you ever raced for charity?
9. Dogs or cats?
10. Biggest Loser: yeah or nah?
11. Blogger meet ups: awesome or terrifying?

Treadmill Enforced

When I first started running, I spent about 80% of my time on the treadmill because it felt easier. I can’t really explain why, but I think it probably has to do with pacing. This habit might be why now when I settle in to a pace after a few miles of warming up I can then hold that pace for the next couple hours.

After moving to Florida I wanted to constantly be outside, so suddenly 95% of my running was outside and the few miles I put in on the treadmill were generally not a lot of fun. I blame this on two things…the treadmills in our building face another building and that view just doesn’t compete with the ocean.

However, I have found with this foot issue that treadmill running feels a-ok while hitting the pavement is still painful. I’m sure this is probably due to the slight give in a treadmill. Hey if I had access to a water treadmill or a pool deep enough for water running I’d go for it, but our pool is only about 4 ft deep.

The treadmill sentence is actually looking like a good thing and here is why…I made a mental deal with myself that post marathon it was time to pick up the pace. On outdoor runs, I find myself slowing down to take in the scenery, but on the treadmill well it’s hard to slow down when you keep increasing the belt speed.

I can’t wait for us to move so I can get my own treadmill back from storage (aka my parent’s basement) and place it squarely in front of a tv. There is nothing as fun for me as doing long intervals while watching Biggest Loser!

Do you find yourself running faster or slower on the treadmill?
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Gratitude Journal
Feb 2
I am grateful for anti-stink clothing
I am grateful for good detergent
I am grateful for a place to hang copious clothes to dry
I am grateful for socks all having a mate
I am grateful for fun research

Appreciation Challenge: Kickoff

Could you appreciate yourself for 30 days? When I announced the Appreciation Challenge it was first about remembering to say thank you to others, but truly that only works if we have first found an appreciation for ourselves. How often do you take the time to simply remind yourself of the great things you do rather than dwelling on the last 5 lbs, the over due assignment, the house you haven’t cleaned…for February can you be kind to yourself?

Remember this is all about cultivating a mindset of saying “thank you” and sharing the kind thoughts you have about others but often keep to yourself. Some folks were concerned about taking the time to reach out to a friend everyday…hey we’re all busy!

Appreciation comes in many forms: You appreciate your husband for cleaning the dishes, the kids for folding their clothes without asking, the cashier for not squishing your bread under the eggs…the goal is to remember to acknowledge all of these little things along with the big one’s like “thank you for giving me the courage to explore my dreams.”

For those who find it easier when you have something to track the image below is linked to a worksheet to help get you started and planning!
If you haven’t signed up, please join us today or encourage your friends to do so!
Current Participant List

{lifeasa}RunningMom	http://lifeasarunningmom.blogspot.com
ali lopez	http://www.ali-lopez.com
Ally Garner	http://CopaceticInCarolina.blogspot.com/
Amber
Chelsea Rae
Chicken	http://chix20chix.blogspot.com
Christy	http://Thebuhrs.blogspot.com
Debby H	http://debsdailylife.blogspot.com/
Elle	http://eatrunsail.blgospot.com
Ellen	http://suckingair.blogspot.com/
Erica Gordon	twitter.com/erica_g
Fancy Nancy	http://littlefancynancy.blogspot.com
heather	http://jeepgirl17.blogspot.com
Hikermom	http://livinthefitlife.blogspot.com
Julie
Karin
Katie D
Kyria	http://travelspot06.blogspot.com
Lauren Burns	http://www.laurenruns.com
Mary Tessler
Megan B.	http://meganeberry.wordpress.com
Noel B
Ruth K.	http://www.imakemyself.com
Sabrina K.
Sam	http://breakingmyrunnersin.blogspot.com
Teri	http://bluebirddown.wordpress.com/
Toni	http://mylifenrunning.blogspot.com
tracey
Trecena
Yahu P

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Gratitude Journal
Feb 1
I am grateful for hootsuite
I am grateful for funny tweets
I am grateful for Craigslist
I am grateful for clean dishes
I am grateful for natural cleaning supplies

Fitness words with a bad rap

Seems like certain words have simply gotten a bad rap lately…I know everything in fitness seems to come in waves, but unfortunately for those trying to get healthy it sends mixed messages.DIET
I think we can all agree that eating only grapefruit or cabbage is a fad and probably not a great way to achieve lasting weight loss. But a DIET is a way of eating, not just a method of cutting calories, carbs, etc.  Very excited for the upcoming challenges to see how people about going Vegan and to get feedback from those who eat Paleo, Mediterranean…whatever!!

SUPPLEMENTS
Supplements can refer to your daily mutli-vitamin, krill oil, herbs, protein powder, creatine, pills, liquids and more…It really means anything you use to either round out your nutrition or to boost some kind of performance. Supplements are just that, something to add to your diet not something to replace whole foods.

What’s interesting is when I ask people about supplements they always shy away and so “oh no I don’t use any”. But in reality most everyone eats energy bars, protein powders or takes a daily multi.

In the US I know of lots of great places to find these things, but for my international readers I just came across a place with sports supplements that actually work like Glucosamin Chondrotin, Clif Bars, vegan protein powders and other supplements from Predator Nutrition.

WORKING OUT
I know their is a fun new book out with the title “Working Out Sucks”, but I just can’t get behind these kinds of slogans.  I understand that forcing yourself to do activities you don’t like is not fun…so don’t. But personally I like to workout because I understand that as defined it means “Physical or mental effort or activity directed toward the production or accomplishment of something”.

STEADY STATE CARDIO
Intervals, tabata, HIIT…these have definitely become the major buzz words lately. They are fantastic workouts, but what seems to be happening is that every magazine is now saying anything moderate and long is a waste of precious time…but it’s not. Maybe it doesn’t have the biggest bang for your buck, but I know that a long easy mid-week does more for my sanity than just about anything else.

What else are you seeing turned in to a negative?
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Gratitude Journal
Jan 31
I am grateful for time to write
I am grateful for my fun new iPad
I am grateful for goji berries
I am grateful for quick calls home
I am grateful for love

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