Running Any Day Of The Month

Posted on July 17, 2012 by Coco

This is not a sponsored post, but it should be. At least then you might understand why I am writing about feminine hygiene products. 😉

Since I am a pre-menopausal woman and a runner, I sometimes run at an inconvenient time of the month. I am lucky that I don’t get cramps that keep me sidelined–and my family is lucky that I can get a dose of endorphins to counteract those moody hormones! Although that time of the month makes running more complicated, I have found two products that help keep me running any day of the month, even when Aunt Flo is visiting.

The first product is the Tampax® Compak line. As described on the website, they are full-sized (with a full-sized plastic applicator), but packaged in about half the size. They are small enough so that I can fit several in my fuel belt pocket, and I even can tuck one in that little pocket that is built into most of my running shorts.

The second product is Always Feminine Wipes in the individually wrapped packaging. These are useful anytime of the month, and especially good to have on hand if you have to brave the port-a-pottys before a race. They also are small enough to fit in a fuel belt pocket and I probably could squeeze one into that small shorts pocket.

Does your period interfere with your fitness routine?

What euphemism do you use to refer to TTOM?

Posted in Fitness, Product Reviews | Tagged , | 8 Comments

Six At Six

Posted on July 16, 2012 by Coco

When my physical therapsit cleared me for 6 mile runs, I hoped my friend would be able to join me for a Saturday morning run. We had been running together almost every Saturday until my ITB/glute/pirifiromis issue demanded more attention–and less running–and I have missed that girlfriend time.

(A good friend will pose with you even when
you are wearing an ugly sweater to donate at the start line!)

We agreed to meet at 6:00 am for a 6 mile run, so I set my “weekend” alarm for 5:00 am.

(Ugh!)

When I got up it was pouring, so we debated what to do.

(It was my friend who went back to bed. I tried to walk the dog, but she wasn’t interested.)

The Weather Channel App was right–it did stop raining by about 5:30–so we met at 6:15. Since our usual routes are 7 or 8 miles, we had to improvize a 6-ish mile loop, and ended up going a bit too far. It was cloudy and felt remarkably nice–a breeze kept the humidity at bay and the sun didn’t come out until much later. After our run, we got coffee at Starbucks and sipped those while streteching and chatting.

After all that, I still got home at 8:00! That left me plenty of time to walk the dog, do my core exercises, and make my husband some banana bread–all before he got out of bed!

Garmin Data
Total Distance: 6. 5 mile
Total Time: 1:02
Avg Pace: 9:32 min/mile

Do you set your alarm on the weekends?

Posted in Fitness | Tagged , , , , | 9 Comments

Did God Make Death?

Posted on July 15, 2012 by Coco

The power outage might have kept me from church a few week ago, but since we were staying at my Mom’s and she lives only a few minutes from my church, it actually was easier for me to get to church on time than usual. Plus, church had electricity and air conditioning!

I volunteered to be a reader, and was asked to read this passage from the Book of Wisdom:

God did not make death,
And he does not delight in the death of the living.
For he created all things that they might exist;
The generative forces of the world are wholesome,
And there is no destructive poison in them,
and the dominion of Hades is not on earth.
For righteousness is immortal. ….

As I looked over the reading, my first reaction was one of disagreement.

Death is an essential part of life–at least, it is an essential part of our mortal life. The circle of life depends on death. At a very basic level, cancer happens when cells don’t die.

If our life on earth lasted forever, would we ever appreciate it?

While the untimely death of a child or loved one is painful, the death of someone older or sicker can be welcomed as a blessing, especially for those who believe in an after-life.

Our Gospel reading was from Mark 5: 21-43, and told the story of Jesus resurrecting the young daughter of Jairus, a leader of the temple. Reading these together, I think the Gospel story shows that God has power over death, and compassion for the pain that death can cause us, but I still don’t agree that “God did not make death.”

Posted in My Faith | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Three Things Thursday (The Summer Movie Edition)

Posted on July 12, 2012 by Coco

I usually am way behind on the movies, but between our sweltering weather and our lacrosse-free summer schedule, I’ve actually seen three movies in the past two weekends.

1. During our power outage, my husband and I sought shelter at the movies. We had seen an ad for Moonrise Kingdom the night before, and were glad that it was not sold out when we got to the very crowded movie theater.

 

Storyline from IMDB:

Set on an island off the coast of New England in the 1960s, as a young boy and girl fall in love they are moved to run away together. Various factions of the town mobilize to search for them and the town is turned upside down — which might not be such a bad thing.

My review: It was quirky, campy and cute.

2.  I was interested in seeing the Katy Perry movie from the first time I saw a preview, but I wasn’t sure I would be brave enough to go without a tween girl to escort me. Faced with another weekend of temperatures in the 100s, it wasn’t hard to convince my husband to go with me.

 

Storyline from IMDB:

A documentary that chronicles Katy Perry’s life on and off-stage.

(That’s a boring synopsis! The movie follows Katy’s first world tour and weaves in the story of how she became a singer/songwriter and her struggles before her first hit album)

My review: As cute as Katy! I have a total girl crush on her, love her music (all of her upbeat songs are on my running playlists) and this movie only made me appreciate her more. (I’m sure it’s polished and sanitized, but still!)

3.  The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel was not on my list of movies to see, but one of my friends wanted to see it and I’d heard good things about it, so I was willing to go. 

 Storyline from IMDB:

A group of British retirees decide to “outsource” their retirement to less expensive and seemingly exotic India. Enticed by advertisements for the newly restored Marigold Hotel, they arrive to find the palace a shell of its former self.

My review: It is hard to describe this movie. There were plenty of parts that made you laugh, but it wasn’t a comedy. The overall mood was more bittersweet, but it has a happy ending.

Next up: Beasts of the Southern Wild.  I heard an interview with the director on NPR and am in love with little Quvenzhané Wallis already.

Have you seen any of these movies?

What’s the best movie you’ve seen this year?

Posted in Life | Tagged , , | 7 Comments

Mom’s Garden

Posted on July 11, 2012 by Coco

I didn’t inherit my Mom’s green thumb, but luckily she lives close enough so I can see her garden and share its bounty!

20120710-205919.jpg

Do you have a green thumb?

Are you growing any vegetables this summer?

Posted in Life | Tagged , , | 7 Comments