There was a time when we thought of health as simply the absence of disease- as long as you were not sick, had low blood pressure, and good cholesterol readings, you were seen as a healthy person. Today we recognize that our health is defined by numerous other factors, such as (but not limited to): what we eat, physical fitness, sleep, levels of stress, emotional well-being, feeling connected to others, and our general outlook on life.
The Race that Wasn’t
It had been four months since I last raced and the itch to commit to something had grown incessant. Following the lead of my running partner, Erin, I signed up for the Santa Cruz Mountains 21K, a trail race from Harvey West, through Pogonip, and deep into Henry Cowell, with two waist-deep river crossings.
Push-ups: for all ages and abilities
The push-up is a fundamental exercise that I routinely use with most of my clients. It works the whole body and can be easily modified for either the 75 year-old woman or the 25 year-old athlete. Push-ups engage numerous muscles including the core (a group of muscles which support and protect the back), chest, shoulders, and triceps (the area on the back of the arm that can get loose and wobbly, causing the “double goodbye” effect when waving).
When can a mom workout?
When I became a mom I knew that my 12-hour per week training plan might not fit in, but I also knew that quitting was not an option. My workouts are my quiet time, my meditation, my antidepressant, my outlet and I could not give that up completely.
Bittersweet Victory
On Saturday, March 26, I ran a 35-kilometer trail race in Woodside, CA. Even though I was the first woman to cross the finish line, you will not see my name in the results.
The morning of the race, I lay in bed listening to the rain pound my roof and waiting for my alarm to go off. As I brewed a hot cup of coffee, my husband asked me if I thought they might cancel the race due to extreme weather conditions. With a knowing smile, I answered, “No way. Trail runners thrive on this stuff. The tougher, the better.”
