Marriage Milestones

My husband flies in today for a whirlwind weekend. We’ll be discussing baby names, visiting the doctor for an ultrasound & check-up and shopping for awesome baby gear when we finally register for items we’ll need when the baby arrives. Oh, and we’ll also spending quality family time with my son. And tonight, just the two of us, we’ll be celebrating our one month wedding anniversary.

As obnoxious as it may sound, I think celebrating our anniversary monthly is a great way to ensure that our relationship remains strong and stable. After all, we celebrate our baby’s milestones by the month and pregnancy by the week. We honor half-birthdays and even when dating, couples often acknowledge their six month anniversary as they journey toward a long-term commitment.

If you’re not setting aside a special Date Night with your partner at least once a month, I highly recommend that you get out your calendars now and start scheduling them. It might not sound romantic to make an appointment with your significant other, but you know as well as I do that when that day or night comes, it’ll make all the difference in the world. My husband and I have the luxury of planning our next weekends together. The time apart is torture but having that date on the calendar to look forward to is quite exciting!

Marriage, these days, is like a marathon. We train in many ways and we have a goal in mind before we even make that commitment although some of us won’t, don’t, or shouldn’t make it across that finish line.

Which is why each mile we pass should be celebrated and with every month that my husband and I can set aside time for each other – just the two of us – there will be yet another reminder that we each have a supportive coach on the sidelines, running  or walking right with us and cheering us on the entire way.

Happy Healthy Hip Parenting
Peace Begins in the Home

Run Like a Mother

The author tour for Run Like a Mother wouldn’t be complete without an accompanying race, which means if these writers are coming to your neighborhood, you’d better start training so you can try to keep up!

Dimity McDowell and Sarah Bowen Shea, co-authors of Run Like A Mother: How To Get Moving – And Not Lose Your Family, Job, or Sanity kicked off their book tour at Bookpeople in Austin, Texas Friday evening, followed by their running a half-marathon race the following day through the Texas countryside.

Over the next four months, the Dimity and Sarah will both (together and separately) travel around the country, reading or signing at bookstores in 15 cities, with more events added as summer approaches. Each bookstore reading will be followed by a 5K “fun run” through that city, with winners receiving small prizes, such as t-shirts.

Next week, they’ll be in Oregon, Washington, and New Mexico before heading East. Check out the full tour dates so you don’t miss them as they run by or through your city!

Run Like a Mother was written by and for busy women who strive to balance running with their career and family life.

Happy Healthy Hip Parenting
Peace Begins in the Home

How my iPhone is helping me get in shape

I started running when my ex-husband and I first separated. I needed to get out of the house and clear my head, so one morning, I picked up my iPod and put my walking shoes on.

My intention was to simply walk around the lake that’s near our condo. Once I started walking, the music took over and I suddenly had the urge to start running.

It’s been three years now and although I get out of the habit every now and again, I’ve got the urge to run once again and am even thinking about training for the Carlsbad 1/2 marathon that takes place at the end of January.

A few days ago, I asked my followers on Twitter to suggest some iPhone apps to track my run. After I researched several apps, I chose the one that everyone kept saying was the best – Run Keeper.

I used Run Keeper for the first time yesterday morning and I am already understanding why it’s everyone’s favorite. During my run, I was able to look down at the screen to see how far I had traveled, my average speed and how long I had been running.

Once I finished the run, the app automatically submits it to the site where I am able to go back and see the map (powered by Google) of my route and the app calculated how many calories I burned, the number of feet I climbed and my average pace.

Besides this app, I also use the Lose It! app which tracks the number of calories I take in versus the number of calories burned each day. This allows me to set goals (I hope to lose 2 pounds a week while I’m training) and chart my progress.

I have less than 100 days until the Carlsbad 1/2 marathon. I’ll be tracking my runs and my calories to make sure that I’ll be able to reach my goals.

Wish me luck!

Happy Healthy Hip Parenting
Peace Begins in the Home