Saturday, January 28, 2012

Running After 50 - My Story

!9#: Running After 50 - My Story

I took up running in my late 40s after looking hard and long at a picture taken in New York City during a family vacation, a picture in which I truly did not like the way I looked.

Out of shape. Tired. Overweight. Neglected. Dark rings under the eyes. No juice. And that big belly which I didn't notice before... hmmm...

Clearly, dieting and exercise was the only way out. But dieting has never been something I was very successful at. So that left me with the only other option available - exercising.

But what kind of an exercise? I felt too old for a lot options and almost for all team sports. I didn't have too much spare time either.

It had to be something that I could start doing right away without much preparation or driving around and would then allow me get back to my daily routine with the same ease.

As I was meditating on the issue, as luck would have it and as it usually happens by divine arrangement in situations like this, my eyes happened to fall on this very elderly gentlemen, easily in his 70s and perhaps even more, RUNNING past my window with a stilted but comfortable gait!

I pressed my nose to the glass to take a second look just to make sure I wasn't hallucinating or anything.

Nope, the white haired gentleman was slowly but surely inching his way up the street where I lived, looking smart in his great looking sweat shirt and pants and matching jogging shoes.

I was embarrassed in a way. If this guy could run in that very advanced age, what excuse did I have for self-pity and inaction?

So that very same evening I did what I always do before embarking on a new project - I hit the bookstore.

While perusing the racks of books and magazines I found what I needed. The latest issue of the Runner's World magazine which had a 10 week startup program for the absolute new beginners. I checked it out while still standing there in front of the magazine rack - it was built around a "walk 2 minutes and then run for 2 minutes for a total 10 minutes" type of idea.

Certain that I could walk and run in 2 minute intervals, I purchased the magazine right there on the spot.

While driving back home I almost ran a red light because in my mind I was already off and running like a cheetah up and down gorgeous hills and mountains and across all over God's green earth. Boy, was I ready for some glory.

The next morning, with my old plastic watch strapped to my right wrist, and wearing my almost brand spanking new running shorts and jogging shoes, I was out in front of my house, feeling really nervous and excited like a little kid about to join a new game.

The first 100 yards I thought I was doing fine until I was stopped in my tracks with an excruciating pain that stabbed me on the side. And that was the end of my first "run." I walked back home holding my side and cussing at myself for failing in my grandiose "becoming a runner" project.

Was this for me really? Was I going to be able to run, ever, for 2 MINUTES straight for god's sake?!

The next morning I did not feel any better when I saw the same old gentleman cruising past my house, this time in an even better-looking jogging outfit.

In ten minutes I was out again, making it past the 100-yards mark and welcoming the familiar side-stab at about 200 yards. But I felt I was doing it. At long last, yes, I was exercising, one killer side-stitch at a time.

Let's fast forward to a year later...

My runs were now always over the 30 minute mark and I was running like 3 or sometimes even 4 times a week. I was feeling great, lost some weight (not a lot though) but in general I was really feeling charged the way someone throws off a switch in a dark room and turns on the lights. The sensation of renewal was really remarkable. The fact that my wife also commented on how better I looked and how she was also inspired herself by my new routine made the rewards even sweeter.

Since then running became truly an addiction for me. I can now run for over an hour at a slow comfortable pace and easily do four or five miles at a stretch. When I feel rested and especially energized, like perhaps once every other week, I also combine some after-run sit ups and bicycle-kick crunches for some extra conditioning.

Within the past few years I've even participated in a 5K and 10K race with mediocre times nothing to write home about (33" and 72", respectively). But I feel peaceful, strong and about 20 pounds lighter. I know I probably have another 20 pounds to go but it is a process. An up and down process that I've learned to manage.

Some days I feel tired and ragged, and I've learned how not to force myself on days like that because, thanks god, my body does not care for my ego.

I've learned to respect my limits and not to injure myself. So I never got injured so far, knock on wood.

On those magical and rare days when I feel this inexplicable energy roaring out of nowhere in the third mile of a 5 mile run, I've learned to let it rip and open up downhill like a child while praying inward that my knees would hold up and not let me down for one more day.

I've learned to appreciate the beauty of running and all runners young and old, fast and slow. I've learned the proper form to run efficiently and how not to be arrogant when I saw fellow runners with bad-form, and how not to be upset when those same runners with bad-forms easily left me reeling in their dust.

I know what a privilege and blessing it is to be able to run. I cherish it with an almost religious reverence. I'm truly grateful. I remember all those who cannot run even if they wanted to for one reason or another and I send them all my heartfelt silent prayers. I hope they are accepted.

If you are already a runner, I'm sure you're already familiar with my experience. And if you are not, first of all let me slip in the obligatory caution that I'm not a doctor and I strongly recommend you see your doctor before undertaking any exercise program, including running.

But having said that, I heartily recommend running for everyone, within their own limits and capacity. Take it very easy at first. Walk a minute, and then "run" for 30 seconds, if you need to. There's nothing wrong with that. Who said you need to run like Alberto Salazar as soon as your New Balances hit the ground?

It's all about circulation and sweating out the toxins. I think running is unique in revving up our circulation to its maximum and that's why it's got so many health and psychological benefits. But that deserves another article of its own.

Do it and you'll like it. And the more you like it, the more you end up doing it, no matter how old you are. That's how this positive addiction grows on you and becomes a new friend.

Oh, by the way, I later happened to learn the name of the same white-haired gentleman that unknowingly became my inspiration and silent mentor because I ran in a 5K with him. For the first 4K he was ahead of me. It was only within the last klick that I pulled even and passed him.

If I did not pass him in that 5K race I might seriously consider quitting running altogether because I also learned his age from another fellow runner that knew him pretty well.

He was 84 years old and he is till running up and down my street. God bless him.


Running After 50 - My Story

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Saturday, January 21, 2012

Trend Alert: Leopard!

I have collected a bunch of leopard/cheetah print things recently. Animal prints can be so chic when its played down with all black or neutrals. I think this trend is going to blowup! These are just a couple options of things that can fit into the leopard trend.. Featured: -Stuart Witzman flats -Ear warmers -JCew headband -Scarf -Welly socks -H&M beach bag -Marc Jacobs computer case -Forever 21 jacket -Nail stickers All FTC information is stated on my homepage. Dailybooth: dailybooth.com Twitter: twitter.com

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Friday, January 13, 2012

How to Make Christmas Ornaments With Styrofoam Balls and Fabric

!9#: How to Make Christmas Ornaments With Styrofoam Balls and Fabric

A few years ago I discovered a very simple and fun technique for making beautiful and unique Christmas ornaments. These can be made for presents or for your own tree. You can make them in one afternoon with your kids or friends.

Materials:
Styrofoam Balls: assortment of sizes, but no bigger than a baseball.
Fabric Squares: assortment of sizes and various types of fabric, try glitzy and velvets.
Bits and Pieces: of ribbon, beads, sequins, buttons, rickrack, costume jewelry, ribbon roses or and anything else you would like to embellish your ornament with.
Hot Glue Gun and Scissors: to cut and glue all of your bits and pieces.
Thread: for tying and tightening
Small Pins and Tacks: to apply ribbon and beads.

Basic Techniques:

Step 1:
Choose a gorgeous square piece of fabric. Place a Styrofoam ball in the center of the square.

Step 2:
Take all four corners and gather them towards the center of the Styrofoam ball (this is also how you can decide which size square works for which size ball).Take your piece of precut thread and tightly wrap it around the gathered area , dab it with a little bit of hot glue so it doesn't unravel.

Step 3:
Now you can decide if you should cut the gathered area of the fabric or leave it. It totally depends on how it looks. If the fabric seems too bulky in that area then you can shear it flat. If you do decide to cut the top portion off then you must cover that area with a ribbon rose or beads.

Step 4:
You must make a loop with ribbon, or beads on a wire, and attach it in the center of the Styrofoam ball with a pin or tack and again a little bit of glue; in the same area where you gathered and cut the fabric. This loop is how you will hang the ornament on the tree.

Step 5:
Now the real fun begins. Start attaching ribbon or beads or buttons; any of the embellishments that you have chosen. You can use little sequin pins or tacks and stick things in through the fabric and into the ball. Always use a small dab of glue; you don't want anything falling off!

When you think your ornament is complete twirl it around and make sure it looks wonderful from all angles. Make sure to cover or hide anything that doesn't look attractive. You can make all different sizes of ornaments. They are quite light and easy to hang.


How to Make Christmas Ornaments With Styrofoam Balls and Fabric

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Thursday, December 29, 2011

A Noahs Ark Birthday Party is the Perfect Choice For a Swimmingly Good Time

!9#: A Noahs Ark Birthday Party is the Perfect Choice For a Swimmingly Good Time

Sail on over for a Noahs Ark Birthday party. We're flooded with ideas to help make your bash a fabulous splash. This theme also works great for a baby shower, especially if twins are expected.

NOAHS ARK BIRTHDAY IDEAS FOR INVITATIONS

Get the excitement flowing with some fun Noah's Ark invites. Here's a couple of ideas to help get your creative juices movin' and groovin'.

Animal Crackers Invite - Print out all of your party details onto a Noah's Ark scrapbook theme paper. Hole punch the upper left-hand corner, run a colorful ribbon through the hole, and tie it to a box of Animal Crackers. Hand-deliver your invites.

Animal Invites - Follow the instructions above, except you will attach your invites to small stuffed animals and hand-deliver.

Suggested Wording:

Sail On Over For A Noahs Ark Birthday Party
It's sure to be a splash and guaranteed to be quite the bash!
Add all of your party details.

NOAHS ARK BIRTHDAY IDEAS FOR DECORATIONS

Make "Animal Crossing" signs out of bright yellow poster board and attach them to wood yard stakes and place in your front yard. Draw animal footprints onto your sidewalk and driveway in sets of two, leading up to your front door. Create a ramp by laying a piece of plywood on a stepping-stone or two, to slightly raise the top. This will create the entrance to your front door, aka the ark. Cover your front door and the front of your house with brown butcher paper to give it the look of an ark. Turn the ceiling in your party room into a colorful rainbow by making strings of various pale colored balloons (green, yellow, purple, pink, blue) and hanging them from end to end on the ceiling until it is completely covered. Hang posters of Noah's Ark, animals (two by two), and rainbows on the party room walls to give them a festive Noah's Ark look. Hang a banner on the wall that says, "Welcome to (birthday child's name's) Noah's Ark Birthday Party. Decorate it with large stickers of animals or download some pictures of animals. Hang inflatable jungle animals throughout the party room. Have mom and dad dress up like Noah and his wife. Make a Happy Birthday banner by stringing together various pictures of animals, two by two of course.

NOAHS ARK BIRTHDAY IDEAS FOR FOOD

Serve all your party food on rainbow placemats, which can be made from various colored constructions papers, cut in ark shapes and glued together. Turn them into a party favor by laminating them. After lunch or snacks, wipe off, and they're ready to hand out.

Here's some food ideas to help get you started. When possible, opt for animal-related foods:

Pigs in a blanket (mini hotdogs) Chicken nuggets Pizza with tiger stripes or cheetah print. Alternate white, yellow and orange cheese. Rainbow colored Pepperidge Farm fish crackers Rainbow sherbet Animal Crackers

NOAHS ARK BIRTHDAY IDEAS FOR CAKES

Noah's Ark Cake - Make a 10" round cake and frost it blue. This will be your water and serve as the base of the cake. Make "waves" using a spoon. Whipping it upward to get the frosting to form little peaks.

Make two oval 5"x7" cakes. These cakes will form the bottom part of your ark. Stack them, frost them brown, and place them on top of the blue water cake. Make it look like wood by running a form around the sides.

Make one mini loaf cake, frost it with chocolate frosting, and place it on top of the two oval cakes. This will serve as the "house" part of the ark. Create the ark's roof using two graham crackers frosted with chocolate icing.

Accent with animals made from fondant, pre-made sugar animal decorations, or place small plastic animals on the ark.

Noah's Ark Cupcakes - Make or buy cupcakes and frost them white. Top them off with either a fondant animal or a pre-made sugar animal decoration.


A Noahs Ark Birthday Party is the Perfect Choice For a Swimmingly Good Time

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Thursday, December 22, 2011

Cheetah prints highlights

I want it to get something really unique and my boss decide it to do this prints.....

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