MOMS ON THE RUN

Look up the word ‘perseverance’ in the dictionary and you may find Tammy Kuehne’s name in the definition. Tammy was selected at our August Celebration Dinner in Minneapolis as Moms on the Run's 2017 Most Inspirational Member.

Becky Collins of Shoreview/White Bear Lake Moms on the Run lost 20 pounds in 18 weeks, making her our “Biggest Loser” of the 2017 summer running season in the Twin Cities. How did she do it? She attributes her weight loss to her triple weekly runs with Moms on the Run, biking, walking, hiking and participating in the new MOTRwell nutrition program.

Becky began her journey with Moms on the Run in 2010. She joined after receiving a flyer in her mailbox the year her daughter graduated from high school. Seven years later, she says Moms on the Run has become her social life and her stress relief.
 
“I have developed amazing friendships through this group,” notes Becky, who works full time as V.P. of marketing for a parking equipment and technology company. “It’s my one time of the day when nobody wants or needs anything from me.”
 
Becky has long struggled with her weight. At one point in her life, she weighed 100 pounds heavier than what she weighs today — a proud 139.
 
She admits her weight was like a rollercoaster — up and down depending on what diet she decided to try next. But it was not sustainable; she felt hungry all the time, which gets old, hard and frustrating.
 
Enter MOTRwell, a nutrition program piloted by Moms on the Run this summer.
 
“The MOTRwell program offered me exactly what I needed: different ideas, taking things to the next level, really learning how to eat better in a healthy way, but most important the ‘why’ — why things work together they way they do,” she explained.
 
Somewhat leery of starting yet another diet, she decided to give it 30 days. A month later, she was hooked. She had a ton of energy and had never felt better. And the bonus? She wasn’t hungry, either.
 
“I feel like now, I eat more than ever and I’m not craving the stuff I did before," added Becky. "Yet, I'm not depriving myself of things either. At my son's wedding last week, I ate a piece of cake. I don’t call this a diet; I call this a lifestyle change.”
 
Becky’s running also has benefited from her increased energy and health. She set out on a 12-mile run this summer, but ended up running 15 — her longest run ever — because she felt so great. She is registered to run the TC 10 Mile and the Monster Dash 10 Mile this fall. And for the first time ever, she bought herself running shorts.  
 
“Will I continue to lose weight?” asks Becky. ”I don’t know. I’m ecstatic where I am. I’m going to keep doing what I’m doing. I have never felt better. If I lose more, that’s just a bonus.”

For her efforts, Becky received a $150 prize package from Run N Fun at the annual Celebration Banquet on Aug. 25.

With temps getting cooler outside, it can be easy to forget about the need to stay hydrated. Getting enough water is key to running well and has been proven to impact racing performance. Learning what your body needs for water intake and timing is best practiced in advance though, not left to chance on race day.

In addition to regularly consuming enough water every day (your body weight divided by two in ounces), work up to adding 8-12 ounces for every 15 minutes of exercise, depending on the intensity.

When should you drink water before a run? Before exercise, a general rule of thumb is 8-16 ounces 1-2 hours before. But if you forget, it's better to have a little bit of water right before your run than to go without.  And do you need more than "just water" to get through your run?  Typically you do not if the workout is under an hour. For longer runs it is worth considering electrolyte replacement beverages.  Trying them out and experimenting with the amount of fluids and timing before race day will help you determine what works best for you when it really counts. Happy hydrating! 

Today's Training Tip is brought to you in partnership with Women Run the Cities.  Don't miss one of our favorite annual events in the Twin Cities, THIS WEEKEND!  Sign up to join us at Minneahaha Falls this Sunday September 24th.  WRTC offers a distance for every season of your running journey. 

We're fortunate in the Twin Cities. We live in a fitness-minded culture that is supported by local, state and grassroots efforts throughout the seven-county area and beyond. We know cold, crisp winters, but we also know how to build community and support everyone’s ability to achieve a healthy lifestyle. In 2017, Minneapolis-St. Paul was even ranked the "fittest city in America" by the American College of Sports Medicine.

This fall, Minneapolis and St. Paul host one of the nation’s top 10 marathons, the Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon, in additional to a full weekend of fun for spectators, racers and families. This community celebration is the culmination of pride for our “fit” cities, and the opportunity for all individuals and families to celebrate their active lifestyle.

Starting Saturday, Sept. 30, our smallest friends show their inner athlete as they toddle, crawl or dash to the finish line. What a perfect way to share your values with the children and loved ones in your life. As moms, aunts and influencers of the little people in our lives, we have the opportunity to share our passion for running, community and good health. Here are a few conversation starters you can use to talk to children about their race-day experience:

• When you’re being active or even in a race, you don’t need to worry about how you compare to others. The important part is to try your best. Did you do your best today?
• Sometimes you’re going to feel strong when you run, and other times it’s going to be more difficult. And that’s okay. The important part is to keep trying.
• Always support and cheer for other racers who are doing their best. It’s fun to cheer loud!
• When you participate in the Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon weekend, you help support other children live a healthy lifestyle, too. How do you feel when you help others?

To learn more about the events, food, music and activities taking place the weekend of Sept. 30 and Oct. 1, visit www.tcmevents.org.
 
Twin Cities in Motion (TCM) has been the region’s premier running event company since 1982. Its mission is simple – ignite everyone’s inner athlete. TCM is a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit that organizes 27 races throughout the year, including the Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon, a Top 10 U.S. marathon, to provide opportunities for people of all ages, abilities and experiences to live an active, healthy lifestyle.