Friday, February 10, 2012

Midlife Athlete: Basic Running Gear

Editor’s Note: Midlife Athlete will publish on the second Friday of every month

By Jennifer McDonald

Last month, I talked about a basic running plan that will help get you started. As a runner, you’re going to need a few very important pieces of gear, so here’s a list to get you started:

• Good sneakers—Don’t cheap out on your footwear and definitely don’t buy shoes just because they’re cute. Go to Ragged Mountain Running Shop (RMRS) or Charlottesville Running Company (CRC) and ask the folks there to help you find the sneakers that are right for you.

• A good running bra—Regardless of your size, your girls need to be properly supported. Locally, RMS and CRC have good ones. For larger sizes, try Title Nine (up to a DD cup), Moving Comfort (up to an E cup), and Her Room (for larger cups). Get bras that are made for high-impact sports because you need as much as you can get. For even more information about running bras, visit my recent blog posting.

• Running socks—You need socks that are made of synthetic fibers, NOT cotton because you will get blisters from cotton socks. I prefer SmartWool socks and have had zero blisters since I started wearing them.

Those are the must-haves. Here are some things that aren’t as vital, but still quite helpful:

• Running clothes—Sure, you could run in your old sweatpants and T-shirts, but I can assure you that you’ll be much more comfortable if you wear athletic clothes made from technical fabric. Cotton is NOT your friend―it chafes horribly, especially when wet from sweat. You can get gear from the running shops, as well as Target, Dick’s and even Old Navy.

• A running watch—I wear a Garmin that measures my time, distance and speed, but those aren’t necessary. You can just as easily track your time on a cheap digital watch or your phone.

• Music—I prefer to run with music, because it helps me stay focused and on pace. I have a little iPod shuffle that’s lightweight and I bought athletic earbuds that wrap around my ears and stay in place.

• BodyGlide—Most runners experience some chafing, so BodyGlide is how you deal with it. The difference is huge and will improve your running experience. Available at local running shops.

When you’re feeling self-conscious about your weight, you might be tempted to wear extra-large workout clothes to hide your body. Don’t. All that fabric will flap around and get in your way. Go for a slightly snugger fit—you’ll be able to move unfettered.

I wear black running leggings with a skirt on top for modesty. My favorites are by Sweet Spot Skirts because the skirts wrap around, so as I’ve lost weight, I’ve simply tightened up the snaps a bit and haven’t had to buy smaller sizes. Plus, not only are they super cute, they’re also reversible, so it’s like you’re getting two skirts in one.

So those are the basics on running gear. Next month, I’ll talk a bit about where to run —treadmills, the track and outside—and about the differences among the three.

If you have any questions for me, feel free to leave a comment here or go to my website to find my contact information.

Disclaimer: I am not employed by any of the companies mentioned, nor was I asked to review their products.

Jennifer McDonald is a freelance writer and running enthusiast. You can find more from Jennifer at her blog Jen On The Edge and Jennifer McDonald writes.

Wednesday, February 08, 2012

Women We Love: Becky Calvert

Launching a business is never easy, but when an employer downsized that’s what Becky Calvert decided to do. She started Dinnaah, her home-based home-cooked meals-to-go business, and has enjoyed watching it take off.

“I like the kitchen. A friend suggested that I make my next job cooking dinner for her family, as well as for other friends,” Calvert said. “It ties together my love of cooking and sourcing local food, with a need to be creative. The meals I serve for others are the same sort of meals I serve my family—seasonal, local, healthy and mostly vegetarian.”

While she stays pretty busy getting this business off the ground, Calvert also writes the blog Chicken Wire and Paper Flowers and a monthly wine column called “Beneath the Cork” with “In The Kitchen” magazine.

“I lead a girl scout troop,” she adds. “I’m currently a member of the PTO board of my daughter’s elementary school. I have a weekly volunteer gig in my daughter’s classroom at school and I also helped organize an event recently with Cville Swaps. I stay busy.”

Calvert says her daughter, Edie, 9, enjoys that her mom can be home when she is. For Calvert the best thing is “being able to do things on my own terms.”

Her biggest business challenge right now is growing her business. “As I am still just starting out, I am currently in the process of looking into commercial space to use. Friends have been supportive and the meals must be OK as orders are increasing simploy by word of mouth,” she says. “I have so many ideas about how I want this business to grow and I want to ensure that I execute them well.”
The secret to living a balanced life is simple to Calvert: “My family comes first, period.”

She takes care of herself by working out and finding time for friends. “Working out, whether it be hitting the gym, taking a long walk or working in my garden,” Calvert says. “I’m a firm believer in ‘digging therapy.’ I also make time for my girlfriends. Working from home means I spend the chunk of my day alone, so getting out and talking to friends is essential.”

One of the best pieces of advice she’s ever received came from her husband, Pat: “Just be Becky.” Her friend Martha Stafford also told her: “Just start cooking.” Those are two pieces of advice she’s taken to heart.

If she were to offer advice to someone thinking of starting out on a similar career path, she’d say, “Do what you love. And do your home work.”

8 Things You Might Not Know About Becky Calvert…

1.  Who is your favorite author and why? I can’t say I have a favorite author or one favorite book, although my husband likes to point out that in all the years he’s known me, “Franny and Zooey” by J.D. Salinger has left my bedside table only a few times. I am in a constant state of re-reading it.

2.  Favorite thing about Charlottesville? It seems to attract kindred spirits.

3.  What is your favorite hobby/pastime? Cooking and gardening. Both relax me.  I also seem to be drawn to pickling things—I recently pickled radishes, just to see what they were like. I’m not a fan of pickles per se, but I am fascinated by the process of pickling. I also have been known to sew and knit.

4.  What is one of your hidden talents/skills? I am a master improviser. I work beautifully just under deadline.

5.  What is your guilty pleasure? Fresh, warm cotton candy. I love how it melts when it hits your tongue.

6.  What is your favorite movie and why? While I quote “Steel Magnolias” quite liberally on an almost daily basis, “Goodfellas” is probably my favorite movie. I’ve been known to cancel dinner reservations because it was on and I got sucked into it, yet again. The story, the style, the soundtrack … it’s just a flawless movie. I also love “The Godfather.” I have a fondness for mob movies.

7.  Where did you grow up? Most of my childhood was spent in Pennsylvania, with a good bit of my summers at my grandparents in Baltimore and the mountains of North Carolina.

8.  What is the greatest invention of your lifetime and why? The iPod. It’s revolutionized music.

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Women We Love: Dana Holler

She’s got style! Cville Fashion blogger—and Charlottesville Woman magazine writer—Dana Holler has fashion style in spades. In her professional life, Holler has Cville Fashion, but is also an IT Project Manager for a company in Ruckersville. She recently got engaged and has started to plan for her wedding and honeymoon—which we’re sure will be stylerific!

“I sort of fell into Information Technology,” Holler says. “In college I had a difficult time figuring out what I wanted to major in, so my dad suggested business, as there is so much you can do with a business degree. I found out I could focus my business education on information systems and went from there.”

That’s also how she fell into fashion blogging.

“I’ve always felt drawn to fashion magazines. Reading ‘In Style’ one day, I saw an advertisement that featured different fashion bloggers from all over the country and thought ‘that might be fun to do,’” Holler says. “I love putting outfits together and figuring out what looks good on different shapes and complexions. I find myself more into the logistics of the outfit rather than trying to make it artsy or quirky. It’s a great creative outlet for me.”

Add to her professional life Zumba, as she’s just become a licensed Zumba instructor. “I work the typical eight-hour day at my office job and if I’m lucky, I might find a couple hours to work on blogging at night. It’s been a challenge lately as I just also became a licensed Zumba instructor, so much of my evenings are spent coming up with material to be able to teach a class. It seems like I never stop going!”

So, how does Holler find some balance?

“My life doesn’t always feel balanced and one could argue that I overextend myself. However, I do feel like there is some harmony coming into my life now. For years, I’ve had an office job that’s provided great stability to my life, but when I left college I really didn’t have any hobbies I could focus on. So, there was a great imbalance there.” And with all the work she noticed she really needed to start focusing on her health more.

“I believe the body is one of the most precious things you have (you only get one!), so I decided to start paying extra attention to my health,” she says. “So, to sum things up, I think my secrets to living a balanced life are stability, a focus on my personal health and a way to express myself creatively.”

Holler’s favorite quote sits on her desk—and it came from a fortune cookie. “Doing what you love is freedom. Loving what you do is happiness.”

What advice would Holler offer for women thinking of entering the IT field? “Not enough women are venturing into technology, and I think it’s unfortunate because they have a wealth of skills and knowledge to offer,” she says. “If you’re considering the IT field, don’t let yourself become intimidated and don’t feel like you’re in the wrong place. Often in college, I was the only female in my class, or one out of maybe two. Don’t let that deter you—we need you!”

8 Things You Might Not Know About Dana Holler…

1.  Who is your favorite author and why?  I don’t have a favorite author, but I do love the book Ishmael by Daniel Quinn.

2.  Favorite thing about Charlottesville? There’s so much to do all the time!  I’m never bored.

3.  What is your favorite hobby/pastime? In addition to blogging and dance, I like to sew.  I’m still a beginner but always finding ways to improve.

4.  What is one of your hidden talents/skills? I can bake amazing banana bread!

5.  What is your guilty pleasure? Definitely chocolate. Lately, I’ve been pairing Chocolate Norton sauce from Keswick Vineyards on vanilla ice cream. Divine!

6.  What is your favorite movie and why? An old Audrey Hepburn movie called “Two for the Road.” It was ahead of its time for the 1960s. The way they transition between the couple’s memories throughout the movie was so clever and artistic in a way. The fashion is great, too.

7.  Where did you grow up? Right outside of Charlotte in Belmont, N.C.

8.  What is the greatest invention of your lifetime and why? I guess it would be my blog! I’m very pleased with the way it’s turned out and the fact that it’s introduced me to great people and experiences.

Monday, January 23, 2012

Charlottesville Crafter: Book Thong

By Karen May-Free

Nothing can help you through the winter months stuck inside the house quite like books. If you’re planning on reading yourself warm this winter, you’ll need something to keep your place. Why use old receipts and post it notes to tag a page when you could make yourself a stylish book thong? A book thong is essentially a string bookmark with embellishment. Here’s one I made a while back with small seashells and some beads in action:

To get started, you’ll need some beads or pendants and something to string them up with. What to use? I’m using waxed linen cord for my project, but you can also use leather cord, thin ribbon, twine, yarn or embroidery floss for a pop of color. As for beads, you can recycle an old necklace or find ones you like for this specific project.

Take your string and measure along a book that’s the size you normally use. I’m going with a standard hardback size. If you read mostly small paperbacks, yours will probably be shorter. You’ll want your cord to be about 6 inches longer than the book itself, and then fold it and cut so you have a double length.

String your pendant onto the cord, and hold the cord together so that the pendant slides to the midpoint of the cord. Make a knot in the cord above the pendant to hold it in place. Then hold the cord ends together and slide your beads down to the knot. You don’t want too many on there, just enough to be about an inch long. When the beads are on and look the way you want them to, tie another knot above them to keep them in place.

Put your thong in the book, letting the beads dangle out one end. At the other end, tie a knot where the cord emerges from the end of the pages.

Add more beads onto the cord above the new knot. Tie another knot to secure them. At this point, you can trim the excess and be finished, or you can add smaller beads onto the individual ends of the cord and then tie knots at the ends. Trim the excess cord and you’re ready to mark your place!

Happy winter reading!

Karen is a blogger and crafter who has lived in Charlottesville for 6 years after transplanting from the Shenandoah Valley. While not working or attending classes at PVCC, she blogs about her life at Precision Indecision and about crafts at CraftyKix.

Friday, January 13, 2012

Midlife Athlete: Get Moving

Editor’s Note: Midlife Athlete will publish on the second Friday of every month

By Jennifer McDonald

In the December issue of CW, I introduced myself and told you a little about how I got into running. For this first web column, I thought I’d tell you more about the training program I used to go from walking to running. When I started thinking about running, I did a lot of reading and I figured out what would work for me.

Luckily, I already had a solid exercise base as a walker and I had recently taken up cycling again, so I started running with a foundation of exercise under my belt. During walks, I’d add in short bursts of running—usually just a block or two. I’d do that a few times during the course of 3-4 miles. It wasn’t long before I started extending my distances—instead of running one block, I’d run two. Once I got used to that distance, I’d run three blocks. Within a couple of months, I was able to run a half mile, walk a short distance, run another half mile, walk again, and so on. (This is a variation of the Couch to 5K program, which a number of my friends have successfully done.) Five months after I started, I ran the Charlottesville Women’s 4-Miler.

If you have any sort of pain when you run, ease up and don’t push too hard. If the pain doesn’t go away after a day or two, don’t push so hard on your next run. If the pain still doesn’t go away after that, talk to your doctor.

I do not run every day because it is just too hard on my body. I am a big fan of cross-training—walking and cycling, for example—which gives my body a chance to rest and recover in between runs. I’m considering trying yoga and Pilates this year, and I know that swimming would be great for my overall fitness. I’ll talk more about cross training in a future column.

There are two terrific running shops right in Charlottesville where you can ask questions and get advice—Ragged Mountain Running Shop and Charlottesville Running Company. I used to feel sheepish about going in, figuring that the shops were only for “real runners” but I have only had positive experiences at both running shops. The folks at both are incredibly supportive of everyone, whether you’re a novice runner or a seasoned one.

I acknowledge that running isn’t for everyone, but don’t rule it out just because you think your size or age precludes it. You’d be surprised by what you can do. As I said in my article last month, when I started running, I weighed more than 200 pounds and certainly didn’t resemble the “typical runner.” In fact, I still don’t. But I am a runner, make no mistake about it, and just last week I did an 8-miler and had a great time.

Next month, I’ll talk a bit about running gear, from the absolute necessities (good sneakers and running bras) to slightly more frivolous stuff (GPS watches).

If you have any questions for me, feel free to leave a comment here or go to my website (below) to find my contact information.

Jennifer McDonald is a freelance writer and running enthusiast. You can find more from Jennifer at her blog Jen On The Edge and Jennifer McDonald writes.

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