Tag Archives: running

Going Strong Challenge Update: I Found my First Race, Have You?

05/23/2014 R.C. Liley 5 Comments

Hey there, how’s it going?

Doing well here and happy to have my trusty partner in parenting, Going Mom, home since she took off today. Avery is having her 6 month checkup and a couple more vaccinations. Remember her 5 month shots?

Yeah, oh joy…..

I’ll let you know how everything goes, but now I just want to talk about the Going Strong Challenge I posted several days ago; run a 5k with your kids.

So, have you found a race yet? Not trying to be pushy, just thought I’d check in. I know I don’t have thousands of readers or anything, but if just one of you accepts and finishes the challenge, I’d be satisfied.

Really, just getting out and being active with your kids is the main message here. I still need to pick a race to run or walk (run if in stroller, walk if I’m wearing her) with Avery, but I am signed up and ready to run my last 10k before I’m 30!

The race is called the Unforgotten Heroes Memorial Day Run and is a 5k or 10k. This is the 1st annual run and will be held at the Texas Rangers Ballpark in Arlington on Memorial Day. That’s Monday, May 26th, if you needed to know.

If you’re in the area, come join the fun and support a great cause! Are you already running on Memorial Day? What race do you have lined up?

Most of my “training” has been with Avery in the B.O.B. and our Golden, Abby, on a leash. Needless to say, I’m not expecting to PR by any means, just to run my best and enjoy the last race of my twenties. Eeeesh!

Since this run will be solo with Kelley and Avery there to support me, I still need to step up to my own challenge and run a 5k with Avery. There are plenty of races this summer so don’t worry, it won’t be long before I find one.

Hope you’re having a great Friday and getting ready for a fun and relaxing Memorial Day weekend!

Are you or aren’t you running a race this weekend?

If yes, is it with your kid(s) or solo like me?

Any special Memorial Day plans?

Challenge, Going Strong

A Going Strong Challenge for Parents: Run a 5k with Your Kids

05/05/2014 R.C. Liley 5 Comments

Hi there!

Summer is fast approaching and for those of you with kids in school, that means they’re about to have some extra time. Unless you have a full schedule lined up for them already, but still, work with me here.

For the parents with kids not at school age yet, like Going Mom and myself, summer just means warmer weather with basically the same daily routine you’ve been doing.

Well, I want to challenge all parents to do something healthy and active with their kids this summer; run a 5k! Yes, find one in your area with a date set out long enough for you to prepare and sign up now.

Signing up will help work as motivation to train for your race and deter you from slacking. If your kids are of proper running age, make it a great time to train and run together. If, like me, your kid is a baby who is just now learning to sit up on their own, run with them (safely) in a stroller.

Or, I’d even suggest wearing your child in something like the Onya Baby or Ergobaby Carrier and train to walk a 5k with them. Most days of the week I usually walk about 4.5 miles while wearing Avery, so a 5k wouldn’t be too taxing for either parent or child if you properly prepare yourself.

If you’re already a trained runner, go ahead and sign up for the next race available if your kid is willing and able to go along.

And don’t think I’m only posing this challenge to my readers, it’s a challenge to myself too. I haven’t entered a race with Avery yet but have been wanting to for a while now.

That said, the next race I enter will be a solo run. Next month, I will no longer be in my twenties *gasp* and want to run a least one more race in that age group. It might be a local 5k or even up to a half marathon if I can find one and it doesn’t cost too much.

I’ll make sure to post which one I decide and let you know how it goes. Same for a race with Avery, I will take this challenge and sign us up to finish one together. If it’s a stroller friendly race, I’ll run with her in the B.O.B., but if not, I’ll walk the 5k as fast as I can while keeping it safe!

I want to hear from everyone that is willing to step up to the challenge and let me know what race and when. The deadline is to complete a race by August, but feel free to do more than just one.

Too many kids and parents alike are living a sedentary life which is unhealthy and not fun. So make it a point to get out with your kids and be a great role model by doing something healthy and active together!

Are you a novice runner and not sure how to get started? The website, CoolRunning.com, has a great Couch-to-5k plan that you can even download as an app on your phone. Check it out and stop making excuses!

If you’re a seasoned runner, this challenge should be a ~~walk~~ run in the park; just get out and go!

So, will you accept the challenge?

Please share with your friends and family and see if they will get on board too!

Life, Parenting

How I Plan on Wearing My Baby in the Heat

04/28/2014 R.C. Liley 2 Comments

Do you live where there’s hardly a transition from Winter to Summer? Sure, there’s the season we call Spring, but here in Texas, it seems likes it’s either cold and miserable or just plain hot.

Yes, I’m exaggerating a little, there are some nice days, but Texas heat turns on rather quickly around here. It doesn’t help when humidity is thrown into the mix; ugh.

But I am a lover of the heat and will take drenching my clothes in sweat over shivering in layers of clothes any day. Go for a run early in the morning? Not me, I prefer early afternoon with the sun beaming down on me.

I know my performance would be better in cooler weather, but I love the drained feeling after a hot workout. That said, I need to be more mindful now that I have a baby to bring along wherever I go.

Lately, I have been running with Avery in our B.O.B. stroller and using a weather shield because I thought she’d get too much dirt blown in her face. Well, Going Mom set me straight and told me how you shouldn’t use the weather shield in great than 65 degree weather; it’s only for precipitation anyway.

Admitting mistakes is not my strong point, but I’m admitting it now, I’m a doofus for subjecting our beautiful girl to the shield. Next run, I’m make sure it’s open to the fresh air! Sorry, Avery, and thank you, Kelley, for showing me the light!

Good job, Daddy, way to admit your stupidity! I love you!

Since I’ll also be wearing Avery when we are outside, I need to have a plan to keep her cool and comfortable. Thankfully, Onya Baby has a very simple solution to keep your baby cool when wearing them in hot weather.

All you need is a baby carrier with front pockets (such as, say….the Onya Outback!) and a freezer/ice pack. I’m sure you know what’s next, just put the ice pack in the front pocket of your carrier and now you’ll have a one cool baby!

I did this when wearing Avery in the Onya while reel mowing with our Fiskars mower on a hot day and she kept cool and calm the whole time. Actually, she took a nap like she has before!

So, it’s that easy, use one or two cold packs when wearing your baby under the scorching sun and keep them safe! Onya Baby wrote a post on their blog about using the ice pack and included these additional tips:

– Dress yourself and your baby in loose, lightweight, natural fiber clothing
– Carry an umbrella to provide portable shade for both yourself and your baby

– Place a lightweight cloth or flat diaper between yourself and your baby
– Remove your baby periodically from your carrier to allow both of you to cool off
– Check your baby often by touch and sight to be sure he’s not overheating.

Click here for Onya’s original post.

I’ve used an umbrella several times and it works great, but if it’s windy outside, it can be a hassle. That’s when I recommend and giant brimmed hat with a neck strap!

Overall, be mindful of the weather when bringing your baby outside. I admit to being slightly stubborn/ignorant of this and have my lovely wife to thank for snapping me out of it. Again, thank you, Kelley!

Do you have to deal with heat where you live?

Any tips of you own on keeping baby safe in the sun?