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Congratulations are in order!

| cheriarmour

Let’s take an itsy bitsy break from a ‘Running for Haiti’ related post, okay? We’ll resume the run chat tomorrow.

I woke up to some wonderful news this morning.

I have been friends with Chelsie Lykens since high school…we actually rode to prom in the same limo, I used to copy her French homework, etc etc.  I was in Chelsie’s wedding a few years ago in West Virginia when she married her handsome hubby, Jimmy.  Well, Chelsie and Jimmy welcomed their first daughter this morning, and I’ve been on cloud nine the whole day looking at pictures.

Chelsie, Jimmy, and baby Evie. How darn cute, right? And how does she continue to look so good despite the fact she had just been pushing for three hours?
Chelsie, Jimmy, and baby Evie. How darn cute, right? And how does she (Chelsie) continue to look so good despite the fact she had just been pushing for three hours?

Well, the arrival of this sweet, gorgeous baby has gotten me thinking. My friends are starting to have babies. Which means, I need to stop eating snacks appropriate for 5-year-olds (fruit snacks, crystal lite, and fake chicken fingers), and start getting serious about a few things.

I’ve been working on budgeting since November.  I’m not particularly skilled at it, but I’m working on it.  So I decided, in order to be accountable for the enormous amount of money I’ve been spending on food, that it was time to announce to the world that  from Wednesday, January 23 to the following payday (that’s two weeks), I’m not going to set foot into Whole Foods, which is so conveniently placed next to my job.  But I can’t go in there, because it’s a total suck on my bank account.

I love Whole Foods.  They are incredibly reasonably priced for the quality of food that they have (their 365 house brand is what’s up).  It smells nice in there, and they make it easy to live as a vegetarian, vegan, or a person suffering with food intolerances. (I’m a vegetarian, btws).  But I have been spending all my hard earned monies on:

Complete cookie (2)Lemon Poppyseed Complete Cookies (cookies with protein!)

and…

KombuchaCosmic Cranberry Kombucha!  Makes my belly so happy!  But it ain’t cheap.

So my plan is to make do without a few of these things for like half a month while I re-learn how to spend money on food.  I’ll let you know how it goes, and it’ll give us a little something to chat about when I wrap up ‘Running for Haiti’ at the end of January.

 

Is working out for White people? (hint:nope)

| cheriarmour

What a lucky week!  We have not one, but two guest bloggers this week!  Let me start by introducing our topic.  ::sips Crystal Lite:: Ahem.

I’m training for a marathon (number 27 of the list of “Stuff White People Like”).  And I get mostly encouragement from my friends and family, but I get the occasional hate from folks, and a whole heck of a lot from other black women.  Saying I’m crazy, saying I work out too much, and that I’m too thin.  But for doing a seemingly good and healthy thing for myself, I’m getting a lot of discouragement.  So the past few weeks on the road, on the treadmill, and in the studio, I’m looking around, and I seem to be in the minority in these places.  And according to stats on obesity, it looks like I’m right, we (black women) are not doing a whole lot of working out.  So I asked Facebook, I asked Huffington Post, and I asked my pretty friend Theresa what the deal is.  Why are we (black women) in the minority at the gym and in races?  Why is the gym so white?  Why don’t black women work out?

Helmer Graduation

T: “I’m not sure how many times I’ve heard/read that black women don’t work out. Countless times I’m sure.  But I’ve never really understood it because for me personally, and all the black ladies I know, this isn’t necessarily a reality.

After reading an article from Huffington Post, (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/08/06/black-women-exercise-hair-bronner-brothers_n_1747535.html),  and seeing a few threads on reddit

(http://www.reddit.com/r/blackgirls/comments/140cp8/workouts_fitness_classeswhat_do_you_recommend/

http://www.reddit.com/r/blackgirls/comments/13hbjk/do_black_girls_work_out/

http://www.reddit.com/r/blackladies/comments/16ndkm/exercise_and_hair_where_do_you_fall_in_this/)

I wanted to say my piece:

This whole ‘black women don’t do exercise because of their hair’ is a tired narrative, y’all.  I mean I get it, our hair requires a different kind of maintenance and products than advertised in our society, therefore people think we have the short end of the stick in the appearance and hair department (we don’t, IMO).  I don’t want to go on a hair rant because I’m here to talk about my experience and observation as a black lady who exercises.  I started swimming in the 1st grade and did so competitively until 10th grade.  During this time (3rd grade-10thgrade) I was getting my hair chemically straightened and I would blow dry my hair and straighten it every time I swam.  It’s honestly a wonder I even had a hair on my head with all that chemical damage, but I digress.  After I quit swimming, I took up working out at the gym.  Nothing deterred me because I viewed physical fitness as part of my life and something that everyone in my family was always interested in.

After reading through those reddit posts, it seems that many women are interested in exercising whether it is running, classes, or sports.  The main thread throughout is like I said above, exercising isn’t viewed as a priority.  And until it is, I feel we’ll still be here spinning our wheels and waiting for some different result (that really won’t happen unless there’s some sort of grassroots effort).

My expert opinion? It’s really not all that serious.  People are making all these excuses for black women not exercising like hair and other appearance factors when I personally think it has everything to do with cultural indoctrination that exercising isn’t fun or it’s too hard AND that it would seem that some black women don’t have support systems encouraging health and fitness.  Without someone laying the foundation in the home, how is the idea supposed to diffuse amongst the general population?”

Theresa makes some excellent points.  As a woman who exercises, she doesn’t feel that the hair thing is a good excuse.  I’m honored to have perspective from another woman of color.

Here a few bullets from other ladies that we’ve gleaned from our research.

Black women don’t exercise because:

  • They think exercise is for white people.  Yoga, Pilates, and Zumba are perceived as being for skinny white girls. Not so, but that’s the perception.
  • Like we said before, the hair thing.  They don’t want to spend a ton of money on their hair on Saturday to sweat it out in my Zumba class on Monday. (I hope everyone recognizes that this particular line of reasoning means you’re choosing your hair over wellness)
  • Exercise isn’t viewed as being valuable.  Why go work out when you can go home and take a nap instead.
  • Exercise sucks/hurts (but you feel so good after)!
  • Black culture reveres a more curvy shape. Being thin is not necessarily considered a good thing.  And working out may cause you to lose your shape.  (You can still have a nice shape if you work out).
  • Exercise wasn’t a thing in a lot of our households! I grew up mainly in the suburbs.  But a lot of minorities and a lot of people with lower SES status live in areas without yards, sidewalks, YMCAs, and all the other good stuff that cultivates a good relationship with diet and exercise.

Long story longer, four out of five African-American women are overweight or obese. In 2010, black women were 70 percent more likely to be obese than their white counterparts, according to the US Department of Health.  That’s bad.  That’s really bad. Obesity influences rates of cancer, Type 2 Diabetes, high blood pressure, heart attack, high cholesterol, and hypertension.  All that to avoid sweating for an hour a day?  Not really worth it.

So here’s the deal.  Just…MOVE.  You don’t have to run a marathon to get the bennies and perks of working out.  Walk!  Dance!  If you like to shovel, shovel your way to fitness, I don’t know.  The point is, get moving so we’re not suffering all for the sake of a good perm.

I totally forget that people actually read this thang.

| cheriarmour

I mean, I’m writing it for people to read and follow and be interested in, but it’s still a little surprising when someone is all “Omg that post about the Pop-Tarts?! Genius!”.  Now I may have embellished those words a tad, but you understand what I’m saying.

So anyhoo, I got the coolest email ever a few days ago from a really cool girl who volunteers with Hope for Haiti (http://www.hopeforhaitifoundation.com/) who heard through the grapevine (I believe it was a Tweet that I may have posted from the Fleet Feet Raleigh account) about what I was doing.

Hope Tweet

Fast-forward to today, and me and Tara (the Hope for Haiti volunteer) are sitting and chatting it up about going to Haiti, about possible projects for the future and about where we could take this whole project.  Whoa.

I don’t marvel often enough about the power of social media, but DANG I am impressed!  The absolutely coolest part of the whole conversation (besides the obvious fact that we’re going to be saving the entire world here), is the fact that she said the bass player from Delta Rae was the one who directed her to my project.  How cool!  Anyways, that said, let’s make a concerted effort not to use any embarrassing language since evidently Channing Tatum could be reading this.

How do you track your distance/mileage as you’re running for Haiti, Cherisse?

| cheriarmour

At this point, you’re probably watching my distance ratchet up, and you’re all “Omg I’m gonna have to pay Cheri so much money for Haiti!” Yeah, sorry not sorry.  It’s for a good cause!  But are you wondering how I’m so accurately keeping tabs on my distance and mileage, to the tenth of the mile?  Yep, probably.

So when I first started running, I was tracking my distance and mileage with http://www.mapmyrun.com/my_home/  This is a decent tool, but unless you’re running all the tangents, it can totally skew your mileage.  It’s still an awesome, awesome tool, especially if you’re trying to map out a specific distance with no route in mind.  If you know, for example, you have a 14-miler coming up (hello, Sunday morning!), it’s good to figure out how you’re going to make 14 miles happen.

Here’s the real deal way I keep track of my mileage.

Garmin 610

Behold, ladies and gentlemen, the Garmin 610.  Garmin is the same company that does the GPS in your car, so they harnessed the power of the GPS, and stuck it in a more accessible form, a watch, for runners, swimmers, and triathletes to use.  Pretty smart, huh? I was given this watch as a gift for my 25th birthday.  I actually cried when I got it.  It would have been a little bit of a hardship for me to buy it for myself, and it was so thoughtful to get this as a gift.

Whether you’re just starting out, or running your 88th ultra marathon, you can benefit from a Garmin, whether it’s the FR10, the 210, or the 610 (my personal favs that we carry).  Up on the top, 610 in particular will display total distance, followed by total time, and then followed by pace, all pretty important tools when you’re training for any race, and the 10 and 210 will do the same, even though the displays are a little different.  They run between like $130 and $400, so you have to decide what you can make work for your budget.  But remember, it’s a pretty significant piece of machinery.  Even if you go with the super fancy one, it’s not something that you’re planning on replacing every other month – these babies will last a while.  So if you’re training for a 5k, 10k, or maybe even a full, and you’re tired of deciphering a mapping tool, or bringing your iPhone on every run, consider a pretty small investment on a very powerful piece of machinery.

I’m no fun today.

| cheriarmour

The weather sucked here in Raleigh, I woke up with a headache, and I was in something of a poopy mood today.  And when you’re in a poopy mood, it’s kind of hard to get motivated to do what you’re supposed to.

So I decided to play a little game with myself.  The game is called, “What are you Grateful For”?  And even if you’re grateful for some of the most stupid things in the world (like nail polish, Spotify, and the Real Housewives of [Blank]), you’ll feel a little more fortunate, a little more hopeful, and you’ll do what you’re supposed to (clean out your closet, go for a run, send emails, or whatever it is) without too much complaint.  So here goes!  On this crappy weather day, what am I grateful for?

1.  My job.  I’m almost coming up on one year with Fleet Feet Raleigh, and I have to toot our horn for a few reasons.  We’re the best running store in Raleigh because we’re committed to a good experience for the customer, we know what we’re talking about, and we’re all at different fitness levels, so we all bring something different to our customers.

I also work with some of the most fantastic people with the most colorful personalities in the world.  Truthfully, between the owners, the management, and the other specialists there, I don’t know what I would do without these people.  I’ve found new friends, new running partners, and new motivation to keep doing what I’m doing.  Enough gushing about them though, I would hate for them to think that I actually enjoy working with them 😉

2. Fat camp. Let me explain.  Maybe 6 or 7 years ago, I was watching MTV with my gorgeous native American friend, Morgan.  MTV was airing this documentary, called Fat Camp.  And thus, my fascination with camp, fitness, and wellness was born.  So I went on the wild hunt to find out what this camp was.  I found it, I applied a few times, and finally, in the summer of 2010, I was hired to work there.  And it ROCKS.  The camp is a little slice of heaven where I get to spend time each summer, and I’m so annoyed that I didn’t attend as a child.  It’s fine though.  I’m there now, and I get to go to Shabbat services on Fridays.  I miss it!

3. My family.  My mom reads this blog and she gets mad if I say unflattering things.  So I will say I am grateful for them and I will not mention how we sometimes watch Jerry Springer together for a nice laugh on the holidays.

4. The fact that my car is still running.  It is a ’99 Taurus, and from time to time, things are a tad touch and go.  But as long as I change the oil and vacuum it, it seems to treat me well.  So let’s send that car some good vibes.  Mama Cheri can’t afford a car payment right now, and my legs aren’t muscular enough for me to be pushing my car everywhere instead of driving it.

5.  The physical ability I have to be able to run and write this blog.  I recognize it takes some discipline to do what I’m doing.  But I am so darn grateful for the fact that I’m physically capable to put one foot in front of the other for 12,13, 15+ miles.  I’m not confined to my bed.  I’m not sick.  The worst affliction I have is a mean sweet tooth with a side of laziness.  I hope and I pray that this ability lasts forever.

6. Austin Samples. I don’t want to embarrass him, but he’s so so so wonderful and I don’t know what I’d do without him or my stepchild of a cat I inherited when he came into my life.  Meow!

7.     Last, but certainly not least, I am forever grateful for my wonderful friends. You know who you are.  I have friends from San Fran to South Africa.  Friends who are pregnant.  Friends who are married, and those who are single.  Friends who came into my life with the most special of  singing groups ever.  Friends who voted for Obama, and friends who aren’t fans.  Friends who are a little older, and those just a little younger.  Friends who take a crappy day, and turn it into a dancefest complete with high kicks and splits.

In short, I’m grateful for all you folks that bring a smile to my face or a laugh every so often.  You can turn the most gloomy of days into a total laugh fest!

So if you find yourself in a crappy mood ever, boil yourself a cup of mint tea, take a shower, and begin to make a list of the people and places you’re grateful for.  I guarantee, there’s no problem a little nail polish, physical activity, and a laugh with some good frands won’t cure.

My sense of humor

| cheriarmour

I don’t care that Education Connection is a total scam.

I don’t care that the song is terrible.

All I care is that every single time I see this commercial I laugh out loud.

And if you want me to continue to fundraise as well as I’ve been doing, allow to to have this moment where I’m hysterically laughing over this ridiculous excuse for a commercial. Enjoy! (And try not to dance along with her as she sings about how she wasn’t a shining star in high school). Genius.

(Also I did some poking around on our commercial’s Mariah. Her name is Andreanna Veith and she was in ‘Showgirls’. Try not to cry laughing as you recount how impossibly terrible that movie was.)

Guest Blogger! Vinny Marchionni!

| cheriarmour

I am so pleased to introduce to you our third guest blogger!  You guys remember yoga Kerri?  Well Vinny is yoga Kerri’s husband.  We usually see him around the store about once a week or so, and he’s a pleasure to have around.  They win the favorite couple award!  Anyhoo, enough intros – here’s Vinny!

Vinny

“I consider myself a runner.  Since the Nike Pegasus made its debut in the 80’s, I’ve been logging miles three to five times a week.  I am currently training for a marathon and my runs are getting longer.  I’ve been thinking about long runs and I have a theory that I’d like to share.  The key to enjoying long runs is extending the portion of the run that you feel the best, for me this is the middle.

The middle is the sweet spot during your run where you feel the best.  Your breathing is settled, calm and smooth.  You feel nothing in your feet and legs.  Your mind slips comfortably from thought to thought, conscious of the world around you while working in the background on a subject that you enjoy.  I tend to plan meals, deconstructing fine dining and working on recipes.  Other runners I’ve spoken to work on complex math problems, plan yoga classes, or map their next vacation.  The bottom line is if you can extend this portion of your long run you will be able to add distance and have a better time doing it.  So I am always looking for ways to extend the middle.  One way to extend the middle is to shorten the beginning.

For me, the beginning is the hardest part of any long run. This is the two to three miles at the outset that test my dedication and resolve.  During these first miles I’m reintroduced to all my past pains and injuries.  Like a roll call of old enemies, Tendinitis, Fasciitis, and I.T. Band syndrome stand to be recognized.  Things hurt, breathing is labored and I’m wondering why I’m doing this.  I’ve learned that a proper warm up can help.  Double tying your running shoes or stomping around waiting for your Garmin to locate satellites does not constitute a warm up.  A local running coach suggested I try Dynamic Stretching.   I’ll save you the Google search.  Dynamic Stretching is the series of exercises you’ve seen fast guys doing before a competitive 5 or 10K.  With names like ankle pops, high knees, but kicks and glute walk they are probably best left to the shirtless front of the pack guys.  I’ve been doing some basic squats and lunges to warm up the big muscles and it helps.  I can get into the middle sooner and feel fresher during the run.

At the other end of the middle there’s a point in your long runs when your body starts telling you it’s had enough.  Hopefully you are close to your goal distance when you reach this point, but I often find myself a couple miles short when I get into the end of the run. During the last few miles the repetitive pounding takes its toll on my legs and hips.  The result is an ache that is punctuated with every step.  There isn’t much you can do physically to get through the end of your run.  I try to save a few ounces of water and an emergency gel in case I really hit the wall, but for me the end is a mental exercise.  To extend the middle I try to delay the start of the end.  I use all the usual tricks, crank up the power songs and break the last few miles into smaller segments.  I promise to stop at the next quarter mile mark and repeatedly break the promise.  When I’m really hurting I go deep, remembering why I run and how lucky I am.   In the last few hundred yards I try to visualize the finish of my next race and the feeling of satisfaction that comes with reaching a goal.  I guess the very end of the end is actually pretty good.”

Dang!  Couldn’t have said it better myself.  Snaps for Vinny!  Do your next long run, and tell me this mantra doesn’t run through your head!

A few things…

| cheriarmour

1. First off, congratulations are in order! I overshot my goal of 100 miles in this period by three miles today on my long run!  Yay!  I’m proud of myself!

2. Second, I bandited part of my first race today. I’m not proud of this by any means – it was a total accident.

For those of you who don’t know, to bandit a race means to run it without registering and paying for it.  Not cool by any stretch of the imagination.  Not only are you stealing from the race and race organizer, it’s not safe.  Had I fallen and, worst case, died, I would have made some significant trouble for that poor race organizer.

Let me explain myself.  I was finishing up the last leg of my long run today (12 miles, phew!) and I sort of noticed a cop standing in the middle of the traffic circle on Hillsborough (the main drag through North Carolina State University’s campus).  I thought nothing of it until I realized I was caught up in the middle of a large group of folks wearing race bibs.  So I tagged along for about a mile until I could safely dash across the course toward my home.  Totally an accident.  And not something I’ll make a practice of.

3.  The term, ‘chub rub’ is rude and a complete misnomer.  You don’t have to be overweight, or even chubby, to suffer with this serious condition.

For those of you unaware, ‘chub rub’ is the colloquial term that applies to the awful chafing that happens between your thighs when you combine moisture (like sweat), and repetitive movement.  Contrary to what this term may suggest, you do not have to be chubby in the least bit to experience the awful pain and swelling that ‘chub rub’ brings.  (Can we all agree to call it chafing from now on?)  My first half marathon, I wore my favorite Norts (Nike + shorts = the chosen uniform of college girls = Norts) and couldn’t walk or shower without some significant pain once the adrenaline of finishing wore off.

So how to combat this earth-shattering condition?  The answer isn’t to stop running, it’s Aquaphor or  something called Body Glide!  Slather either one of those babies between your thighs or anywhere where you’re prone to chafing (under the band of your sports bra, near your watch, on the back of your heel), and you should eliminate the issue.  Aquaphor gets my vote, because you don’t have to reapply as often, and it doubles as a sweet lip gloss.

Chub Rub

 

PS, isn’t running darn glamorous?  This is photo evidence of me (not very chubby) having to apply Aquaphor before my Sunday morning run date.  Beauty fades, but my class is forever!