Easter Fun (Run) and Mild Health Insurance Rant

Posted on April 2, 2013 Written by Leave a Comment

Easter weekend was a lot of fun. The kids really enjoyed the beautiful weather for their egg hunt. After the hunt, we had a nice and very yummy Easter lunch.

Immediately after stuffing myself, I decided to run over to the long term care facility where my stepfather is recuperating from a knee surgery. Amazingly, I had no problems after consuming a big meal and two glasses of wine!

nasolacrimal ductI had a nice visit with my stepfather and enjoyed the stunning view from the fourth floor there, and no I’m not joking. For those of you that have been to the fourth floor of Royal Megansett—you know what I mean.

If I ever have to go into long-term care, I would be much happier if the place had views like Royal Megansett. You can look out over the ocean for miles.

On a less fun note, yesterday I had to take my almost three-year old to a pediatric ophthalmology appointment at the Boston Children’s Hospital satellite facility in Weymouth, MA.

Collin has had pink eye about 7 or 8 times, and he’s only 3, so we knew something was up. After the last visit to the pediatrician for pink eye and a sinus infection, she suggested we head up to see the pediatric ophthalmologist.

After and eye exam and some drops to determine if his eyes were draining properly, she concluded that the nasolacrimal (tear) ducts on both eyes were blocked. Sad smile

So, with a trip to the ER last week for my older son and this surgery, we are headed towards maxing out our $5,000 deductible for the year. Yes, the only health insurance offered by my husband’s company is high deductible. Sad smile

My gripe with high deductible health insurance is that it’s fine for people without children (who are relatively healthy). When you have kids, it’s inevitable that they are going to have numerous sick visits, and most likely ER trips (especially with boys!).

I am concerned that there are people out there who have to make the decision about whether or not to take their children to the doctor because of the huge out of pocket costs.

For example, if I take my kids to the doctor for a sick visit, I pay the ENTIRE contracted rate for the visit which is usually about $125. I’m not going to lie, there are times I have questioned whether or not my child is really sick before bringing him in—because of the associated cost.

I wonder, what if it’s just a cold? Will it go away in a few days? What if he has an infection? How long should I wait? I just don’t think you should have to ask those questions in regard to pediatric patients. A healthcare decision shouldn’t have to be delayed due to apprehension about the expense. Vent over!

Filed Under: Family, Health, Training

Bill Rodgers/Melanoma Foundation of New England Interview Part 2

Posted on February 12, 2013 Written by Leave a Comment

The second part of my interview with Bill Rodgers and Deb Girard (Exec Director of the Melanoma Foundation of New England) deals with the importance of protecting your skin while training/racing and how runners, as a community, can help make our sport more sun-safe.

One of the challenges with sun safety and running is races, like the Boston Marathon, that are held when the sun is at its full strength. Deb Girard is advocating for races to be run “early in the morning before the heat of the sun or later in the afternoon.”

RFC LOGONot only is running in the heat of the sun dangerous for your skin, but it’s also extremely uncomfortable!! Just think of last year’s Boston Marathon.

One of the issues with Boston is that it is so steeped in tradition. Race organizers (who likely weren’t runners! Winking smile) set the time of the race at 10:00, with the last wave of participants not crossing the start line until almost 11:00.

Bill states that “we need the leadership…the runners have to write in” to directors to ask for earlier start times. Since Boston was one of the earliest races, “everyone based their races on Boston.”

While the start times of many races have shifted to earlier hours, there are still many like the Falmouth Road Race that start at 10:00 in the thick of the heat and humidity that settles over the Cape in mid-August.

I love running Falmouth, but recent years of running in the heat and humidity have made me question whether I will register for it again. Thankfully our sport has tried to keep up with respect to developing better sun protection for us. There are performance hats and sunglasses that help to protect us.

Since we usually don’t wear as much clothing during the heat of the midday sun, it is crucial that we always wear sunblock. Save your skin! Burning is really  not worth the increased risk of developing skin cancer!

Filed Under: Health

Don’t Forget Your Skin During Fall/Winter Training!

Posted on November 2, 2012 Written by 17 Comments

Just because the temperatures are dropping and the days are getting shorter doesn’t mean you should forget about protecting your skin from the sun! The following are some great tips from Dr. Elizabeth Hale, Clinical Associate Professor of Dermatology at New York University School of Medicine:

  • Shield with shades. UV radiation can damage the eyes and the skin around them, so it is important for runners to wear their sunglasses. To provide the best protection for your eyes, your shades should block out 99 to 100 percent of UVA and UVB rays. Choose wrap-around frames, which stay on better while you train.
  • Replenish yourself. Drinking water can help keep your body and skin hydrated, especially if you are sweating. It is essential for runners to pay attention to how much water they are drinking before, during and after outdoor exercise. “I like to apply Coppertone Sport Pro Series with DuraFlex before stepping outside for training. This lightweight formula sprays on easily and helps keep my skin hydrated,” says Dr. Hale.
  • Protect every inch. Runners and other outdoor athletes tend to forget to apply sunscreen on all areas of their face and body. The most commonly overlooked areas when applying sunscreen are the scalp, ears and backs of hands. Just remember to bring your sunscreen and reapply every two hours.
  • Timing is everything. Schedule your outdoor training when the sun is less intense; avoid exposure between the peak hours of 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. If you do run during that time, choose a route that offers plenty of shade.
  • Go safe with your style. Make sure to protect your skin during your run with the appropriate attire. Try wearing lightweight, sun-protective clothing. Also, stay cool with a baseball hat to help shield your face from the sun.

I got a chance to try out the Coppertone Sport Pro on my outdoor training runs. I loved it! It was lightweight, so I didn’t interfere at all with my ability to sweat which is a big plus for me. I also love the top on the bottle (see picture).

One of the things I have disliked about lotions and sprays in the past is the fact that they can sometimes leak in your gym bag. Coppertone Sport Pro with Duraflex has a rotating top that allows you to easily cover the spray opening.

Love this top that easily twists open or closed!

Enter below to win two bottles of the Coppertone Sport Pro to test out for yourself!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Coppertone provided 30 Something Mother Runner with two bottles of Coppertone Sport Pro with Duraflex for this review and giveaway, in addition to the tips from Dr. Hale. As you know, sun protection is a cause that is very close to my heart! :-)

Filed Under: Health, Reviews Tagged:

Toenail Fungus, Yes Really…

Posted on October 24, 2012 Written by Leave a Comment

Yesterday I had to a pay a visit to the podiatrist for a toenail that hasn’t looked right for a while. Most runners will lose a toenail at some point in their running career. I have been fortunate to lose more than a few in my lifetime! Winking smile

It was almost a year ago that I tried a pair of Brooks Green Silence that caused my second toes such grief that I had to return them. Every since those toenails got effed, the second one on my right foot has never been the same.

I finally went to get it checked out and the podiatrist cut my toenail back and gave me an antifungal to put on twice a day for the next six weeks—I seriously hope I remember to do it twice a day! Apparently they cut off the part of the nail and then send the sample out to be analyzed—eewww!

At least it looks better now, and hopefully it will be gone for good. I will spare you a picture of what the toenail looked like. Suffice it to say, if you have a toenail that looks like it might fall off but doesn’t and this goes on for months, you should probably check it out!

I learned that trauma to your nails (medical term for effed toenail) makes them susceptible to fungal infection. That’s your random fact for the day. Now back to regularly scheduled programming.

Although I am including one speed day a week, this fall and winter is going to be all about base building. I am at about 30 mpw, and if I get to 35-40 mpw over the winter, I will have a great base for half marathon (and maybe marathon!) training.

Filed Under: Health, Training Tagged: , ,

Breast Cancer Awareness and a Giveaway

Posted on October 19, 2012 Written by 42 Comments

I think that one of the things that is hard about October being breast cancer awareness month is that sometimes we forget about those who have late stage breast cancer—those who will not be cured and are facing death from breast cancer.

Don’t get me wrong, I think raising awareness is great. It’s very important for women to get recommended screenings and to do self exams. I had to go for a mammogram last year after my PCP wanted to have something checked out. It was fine, but it definitely had my mind racing in a million different directions!

My desire to highlight women with late stage breast cancer comes from the fact that I have a friend who is currently battling Stage IV breast cancer that has metastasized to her bones and liver (she is 33 and a mother of young twin boys). She once shared a link to a post from another women with Stage IV breast cancer.

The link was to a blog post about sometimes feeling that those battling late stage breast cancer are lost in the shuffle. We see a lot of stories in the media about celebrities and high-profile public figures being diagnosed with breast cancer and being successfully treated. What we don’t often hear are the stories of those whose cancer can’t be kept at bay.

Women with late stage breast cancer face unique challenges such as tolerating experimental cancer drugs, planning for their families’ future when they are gone, trying to enjoy life knowing that it may end in the near future, and many more. Please try to remember women like my friend Jen this month…

In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness, Carpet One generated a series of welcome mats of differing design (but all with a pink ribbon). They are available year-round and 25% of the proceeds from sales of the mats is donated to breast cancer research and awareness.

I love these mats (I have 2) because they are water and stain resistant, so they can be used inside or outside AND they are machine washable! Take a look at the prints and follow the instructions in the Rafflecopter widget below.

I would like to use this post to remind you to think about women who aren’t going to survive breast cancer.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Carpet One provided 30 Something Mother Runner with a welcome mat for review. 

Filed Under: Giveaways, Health

Some Help From the Podiatrist?

Posted on July 26, 2012 Written by 4 Comments

I am contemplating scheduling a visit to the podiatrist. I have long suspected that I may have some gait issues, and I am curious to see what a gait analysis might determine.

I made the mistake of looking down at my feet the past few days while I was running. No—I did not trip and fall on my face—but I did discover that my left foot does this weird thing when I run. It swings inward. Not really sure what that’s all about, but I wonder how it affects the biomechanics of my stride and the efficiency of my running.

This year as been a continuous exploration of how to be a more efficient and less injury prone runner. I wonder if a podiatrist might help me on this journey.

There are two things holding me back from scheduling that first appointment: 1) cost (if they suggest orthotics, I know those can be obscenely expensive) and 2) I want to see if I can correct the underlying problem rather than just putting a Band-Aid on it. Know what I mean?

I would love to know about any experience you guys have with the podiatrist. Please share!

Today we enjoyed a beautiful day at Roger Williams Zoo—three hours of running around with mommy’s friends and the boy’s friends. Everyone had a great time. We hit up the YMCA later for more play time and some run time for me. I just did a short three-miler in my Merrell Pace gloves. I love the feel of running in the Pace gloves!

I switch up my shoes a lot (to keep my foot and leg muscles guessing) and the Pace Gloves are great for the barefoot feel and making sure you are striking mid-foot. There is something liberating about wearing them, especially on the trails!

Filed Under: Health, Injury Tagged: ,

Running in the Sun

Posted on July 10, 2012 Written by 4 Comments

Most of us probably experienced running in the sweltering sun this past weekend, and for some parts of the country, for more than a week! Because melanoma has personally affected my life, I am now very careful about running in the sun.

I am in no way saying not to run in the sun, rather I would like everyone to run “safely” in the sun. Smile So how DO you running safely in the sun? Here are a few tips:

    • Cover up when possible. I know this is hard in the summer months, but if you can wear a light weight t-shirt or tank made of a performance fabric, it is a lot easier to keep the skin protected.
    • Wear sunscreen! I know many runners are hesitant to wear sunscreen for fear of it running into your eyes and burning. Trust me, I feel your pain. I had this happen to me in a race and it was very annoying and painful. There are a number of sunscreens now that are sweat proof and do work. You can also try wearing a visor or hat to prevent some of the sweat from dripping down into your eyes.
    • Run in the early morning or evening hours when the UV index is lower. Although you can still get sun exposure, the sun’s rays are not as strong as these times.
    • Don’t forget your ears and lips! It is not uncommon to get skin cancer on your ear lobes or lips, as many people forget these areas of the body! Make sure you use sunscreen on your ears and a good lip product for your lips. I was recently sent some Aquaphor Lip Repair and Protect to try out. I love that it has an SPF of 30—it’s so hard to find lip products that have a higher SPF! It also stays on well and keeps your lips nice and hydrated! Winking smile During the day, I usually just wear sheer lip gloss, and I am more than happy to replace it with this and keep my lips sun safe at the same time!
    • Don’t forget the sunglasses! Your eyes can be damaged by too much sun too—don’t forget to wear glasses that have UV protection and are polarized if possible. If you don’t wear sun glasses or a visor, you will end up squinting. When you squint, you can develop tension in your upper back. Stay sun safe and comfortable and wear sun glasses. You don’t have to wear special running sun glasses, though I do find them to be much more comfortable and lightweight.

 

What are your favorite products to stay safe in the sun?

30 Something Mother Runner was provided with a complimentary tube of Aquaphor Lip Repair and Protect and a gift card in exchange for providing my unbiased opinion on the product. Please be assured that all opinions and writing are my own unless indicated (by quotation marks).

Filed Under: Health, Reviews Tagged: ,

Time to Pump Some Iron

Posted on July 5, 2012 Written by 5 Comments

I didn’t get to post yesterday, since I spent most of the day up at the hospital with my Grandma. On Monday, my Grandma missed a step and fell and broke her pelvis in two places! Sad smile

My Grandma is such an AMAZING woman, it would take many posts to elaborate on that. She is also a tremendously strong person with an unbelievable pain threshold. She NEVER complains about anything. In fact, she didn’t even cry after the fall. I can’t even comprehend how painful it must have been.

She is doing better now and will probably be in the hospital for another day before she goes to a facility for rehab. I am so grateful she didn’t break her hip, which would have resulted in surgery. She’s in great shape (she probably does more activity than a lot of people half her age!), and I think she will have a great recovery.

Yesterday, I decided to have my iron levels checked on a hunch that they were probably on the low side. Since I don’t eat meat and my mileage is creeping up, I wanted to be proactive on the iron front. As my suspicions confirmed, my iron levels were on the low end of normal and my ferritin was only 9 (ideally it should be above 20).

My doctor has told me to take an iron supplement once a day—I am doing the liquid supplement, since it can be better absorbed. I also decided to add on a B-complex, to make sure I am getting enough B12 (if you don’t eat meat, you can sometimes  be deficient in B12). My coach said that it will take about 5-7 weeks to notice a difference in my performance. My running should feel much better at that time and hopefully my performance will be better too!

It’s race day, and I will be running this evening. I haven’t run since last Friday because of the wedding and my Grandma being in the hospital, so I am hoping that my legs are nice and fresh!

Filed Under: Health, Nutrition, Training Tagged:

Planet Zak Review and Giveaway–an Eco-Chic Way to Carry Your Lunch!

Posted on June 12, 2012 Written by 57 Comments

I saw the Planet Zak lunch products on a blog a month ago and fell in love with them. They are super cute and BPA-free! Planet Zak sent me a lunch kit (water bottle, reusable container, and insulated lunch bag) to review and share with one lucky reader.

First off, I think the products are very attractive and functional at the same time. The lunch bag is insulated and wipes clean inside. It has a draw string on the top to allow for extra storage– no more tall items falling out of the lunch bag!

The plastic (BPA free) food storage container has a patented twist top to ensure that it’s leak proof when closed (see picture). I love this feature! The container is dishwasher safe, although hand washing is recommended for longer life.

The water bottle is stainless steel and 24 oz. It is double-lined to keep warm liquids warm and cold liquids cool. It has a straw and a tight latching lid to keep the bottle from leaking (see pic). I like that it’s skinny enough to fit easily in a cup colder and side pocket of a bag.

All in all, I love the Planet Zak products—they are hip and environmentally friendly at the same time. One lucky reader is going to receive a set in the collection of his/her choice! Visit the Planet Zak website HERE and check them out on Facebook and Twitter. Planet Zak offers FREE shipping on all orders!

To enter the giveaway, follow the instructions in the Rafflecopter widget below!

Planet Zak  provided 30 Something Mother Runner with a complimentary lunch kit for this product review. I did not receive any payment for writing this review, and all writing and opinions reflected in this review are my own.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Filed Under: Giveaways, Health

How to Beat the Heat When Running

Posted on May 25, 2012 Written by 5 Comments

Running in the heat takes A LOT out of your body—quite literally if we are talking about fluids. Often times, runners fail to take into account how much heat and humidity can affect running performance. This year’s Boston Marathon was a perfect example of how much heat can impact running and racing performance.

Last summer my coach provided us with a really cool calculator of just how much running in the heat affect’s your race pace. Consider this: if you typically run a 30:00 minute 5k at 60 degrees, simply by raising the temperature to 80 degrees, you are going to add almost a minute onto your finishing time!

What can you do to help yourself beat the heat!

  • Stay hydrated! Make sure you are taking in enough fluids throughout the day, not just during exercise. Don’t wait until you are thirsty to start sipping! When you run for longer periods of time, make sure you are replacing electrolytes by drinking a sports drink like Gatorade, Nuun, or GU Brew.
  • Run in the early morning hours or in the evening. Early morning is actually the best. Over the course of the day, road surfaces heat up and maintain that heat through the evening hours.
  • Wear light colored clothing that is made of synthetic, wicking fabrics.
  • If it’s an option, choose a route that it is shaded or partially shaded.
  • Bring extra water to dump on your head or splash yourself with–I do this every time I run the Falmouth Road Race!
  • If there is a heat advisory, or if the heat is just too unbearable for you, run inside on the treadmill in the air conditioning (I do this a lot in the summer here).
  • Always make sure you are listening to your body. If you start to feel dizzy, nauseous, or lightheaded, STOP immediately.
Filed Under: Health, Racing, Training Tagged:
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