<p>Speaking of tutus did anyone hear the “controversy” where SELF mag made fun of a runner wearing a tutu at some race - turned out that a) SELF had solicited the photo from the runner and b) it was a marathon that she was running to raise money for some kind of cancer that she herself was suffering? The tutu comment made me think of it. I don’t get the tutus either, but that’s just me. But MOWC will attest I did wear a big green bow and a Notre Dame t-shirt for my St Patrick’s Day themed 5K a few weeks ago :-)</p>
<p>Apropos of these themed races, there is a bike race out my way called the “Donut Derby”. Yup, just what the name suggests. It’s a 36 mile, age category timed race with 2 check in points and at each checkin, freshly baked Crispy Creme donuts await the racers. Three minutes gets deducted from a racer’s time for each donut eaten and the podium placers in each age category are based on the donut adjusted race time. I’m waiting for the day that there’s a winner whose adjusted time has him or her finishing before they started :).</p>
<p>Pizzagirl- your perception was correct. It wasn’t meant to exclude people- it was just that people didn’t go out and run for fitness. It was because they were runners interested in bettering their times, for the most part. As health and fitness became more of a focus (in large part due to Kenneth Cooper and his emphasis on “jogging” 30 minutes a day several times a week for cardiovascular fitness) it opened up the sport to many more people. Runners were actually regarded as odd and many people thought it was stupid to run without it being part of a field sport.
I know some very serious runners (albeit part of the irritating Marathon Maniacs) who like to do the costume thing a lot. I just don’t get it for myself, but if it motivates people and they think it’s fun, go for it! I’ve done Christmas colors and even reindeer antlers on occasion. Yeah- the Self Magazine thing really blew up the internets. </p>
<p>I think we need to set up a camera outside of MOWC’s house so we can see her exit her door hourly and quick get in 500 steps!!! Even as active as you are, it must be a wake up call to realize how much time we “sit” with our bodies. </p>
<p>When I go to a race and see the crazy outfits it makes me smile. It may not be in my nature to be part of it, but just like I want to look “put together” in terms of my running apparel, I get that that is their nature to want to be loud and proud about their apparel!!! </p>
<p>Thank you Kenneth Cooper - the 30 mins a few times a week works great for me. Makes me happy. Makes me feel good. Makes my clothes feel and look better. Makes me a good example to the people around me! Also allows me to enjoy delicious food - largely healthy but not always - and fully enjoy it!!! </p>
<p>Today at work will be a challenge with the 10000 steps (outside of running- which I haven’t done yet today). It’s raining outside, so I’ll have to do inside strolls in the building. </p>
<p>Today is our 30th wedding anniversary, which is pretty incredible. It has NOT all been smooth sailing, but we’ve made it this far! We went out for Ethiopian food on Saturday night and will plan some sort of trip later in the year when we see how everyone does with Ironman qualifying etc.</p>
<p>MOWC, congrats on hitting 30! An enduring relationship like that is never “easy” but the fact that you and your husband work at it is the real testament, otherwise a number is nothing more than a number. </p>
<p>I remember well the original Kenneth Cooper aerobics book with the charts for all the different aerobic activities and point values. It was my bible in high school. I still have a copy of the first run paperback somewhere in my house.</p>
<p>MOWC, you can brag all year that you’re “30” now!!! Congrats - if anyone said marriage would be easy, they would most of the time be wrong. Working on year 33 here and it can still be HARD!!! </p>
<p>Way to go fd! I hope it is just the beginning. To find a not too competitive race: 5ks are good picks, especially fundraisers. There will be people entered who are just there to support the cause, they won’t care about finishing time. That includes big and small ones btw. Many half marathons are also pretty chill. Again, the ones that are primarily fundraisers may be the best picks. You could always look up a previous year’s finishing times to see what kind of people show up. </p>
<p>I would win any contest involving eating donuts. I would have that negative finishing time. </p>
<p>Today trainer and spin. </p>
<p>11.9 miles today. I only planned on 11, but I got a little mixed up on my trail. I’ll have to pay more attention when I plan these things out, the extra mile was not much fun lol.</p>
<p>Wow, blankmind! You are putting in some good distance! I haven’t run yet- we’ll see if it’s pouring when I get out of work… I’m only up t0 5833 steps, too, despite some 1000 step walking breaks. It’s tough with an office job.</p>
<p>Mmmm! Krispy Kreme donuts. I’d eat one f I could get my hands on one. </p>
<p>For the older folks who hve done Zumba, what effect did it have on your weight loss goals or your health in general?</p>
<p>Just curious, if you’re not an “older folk”, why do you want to know?? Will that affect a younger folks opinion of Zumba??! </p>
<p>I have done Zumba, but my goal is generally not weight loss, just fitness. I have not done it on a very regular basis though. And like other things.you can do Zumba to different degrees - go all out or putzy around.</p>
<p>Because I have a mom…who is older? She’s been looking at things that will help her continue her weight loss and increase mobility. </p>
<p>Anybody else? Or those who have found certain workout that are easy on the joints but increase mobility.</p>
<p>EDIT: Young people do Zumba, too. I’ve done Zumba, except it wasn’t a traditional class (college class)…hence me asking for the experience of older people.</p>
<p>Got 4 miles in after work without getting rained on. It was pretty gloomy. I’m at 8786 steps for the day. Won’t hit my 10000, but I sure got up and moved a lot more than I did before the Vivofit. </p>
<p>To the basement for me! More videos as I try to fix some things from the other day. Really helps to see the exercises!</p>
<p>I’ve never done Zumba, but from what I’ve seen, I would put in in the category with all the class-based cardio/conditiioning workouts. How beneficial it would be would depend on whether or not you need more cardio/conditioning in your exercise program (relative to the other components of a well-rounded fitness program such as mobility, core, power, strength, etc.).</p>
<p>If you are weight lifting three days a week, then doing a Zumba class would probably be a good addition. If you are running, biking, or doing the elliiptical three days a week, then Zumba is probably not going to add as much to the program as some other things.</p>
<p>But, you know what they say… the best exercise program is the one you will actually do. So that’s gotta be a factor. If you like Zumba, why not?</p>
<p>MOfWC, huge congrats on your 30th! Man, this marriage/relationships thing is can be sooo hard at times… 
</p>
<p>“Because I have a mom…who is older? She’s been looking at things that will help her continue her weight loss and increase mobility.”</p>
<p>Zumba is definitely a step in the right direction, but as idad said, adding some weight bearing exercises will help her shed more weight and preserve her muscle mass. We, ladies, can lose as much as 5% of our muscle mass per year after the age of 35 - a scary thing. “Weigh bearing” does not mean that one needs heavy weights or special gym equipment. A simple pair of free weights (8-15 lb dumbbells) and one’s own body will do. Some pushups, some simple bicep curls…</p>
<p>Kudos on the race, fire and rain!
Lol idad re airdyne…you’re the type that takes a dare, eh? The nice music masks the kind of gasping we associate with the airdyne around this house :)</p>
<p>Congrats on your 30th, MomWC! I am not worthy
(Even if you add up my first marriage and my second marriage, not there yet…because I spent a good deal of time not liking marriage…til I figured out it had something to do with the person 
Who knew!</p>
<p>Well, all I have to report is that I’m still down 40 which is getting kind of old…Time to switch things up a bit!</p>
<p>^ah, so happy I did the hill instead of the dreadmill. Ice and snow almost gone now, but I need a troop of scouts to clear all the branches and debris the snow was hiding to get some speed back!</p>
<p>Idad, those microspikes are awesome!</p>
<p>Something like Zumba intimidates me because I feel that I’m not coordinated enough to do it and I’ll trip over my own feet, but then again I love Corepower Yoga, which requires coordination in a different way. I agree that whatever you like and you’ll do, is what counts. If your mother likes Zumba, then that’s all the “reason” she needs. </p>
<p>MOWC, I’m doing more miles because I have a half coming up in 4 weeks. After that, I think I’m going to limit myself to 10ks for a while. It’s hard to fit in all these long runs.</p>