Ashley – never tried Chinese medicine, other than dong quai, perhaps? (Can’t recall if I used that specific herb.) My best wishes go to you, though. I know how tough it can be.

Adrith – the tri bug bit you, too?1 It’s taking everybody!

Welcome, Debra. Do you blog, too?

Hannah, Survivor requires coordination, not just endurance, and I…well…

I’d love to do kickboxing, Melissa. Something that just screams, “Don’t mess with me!”

Susan, I have a few lights, though nothing as strong as that one, probably. I do like the flashlight for the way I have control over the aim and can use it to avoid stumbling, too, as well as make absolutely sure that the driver sees me!

Joanne – Weights, a combination of machines and free weights. Mainly, I stick to the “back corner” of the gym, where the “tough guys” who look like they know what they’re doing stay. I also do crunches and some other isometric stuff.

Carrie,
Ive been meaning to ask you – what strength training do you do?

I’m a cyclist, not a runner and this is designed to go on a bicycle helmet, but it is BRIGHT. There is no way a car will miss seeing you with this on. I’m sure you could rig up something to attach it to a hat. One of the things I like best about it is that it flashes white in the front and red in the back so an observer can even tell which direction you’re traveling!

Have you given though to polar bear clubs, or triathlons? Or auditioning for Survivor. . .

I’ve been lurking for about a month. Ever since I had heard of your blog on Phedip. It was the redhead part that made me check it out, being a redhead (and a runner) myself. Then finding out you have two boys, I have three, right around your sons ages. AND the Suziki lessons, which my two older boys, 7 and 6, do at school, well needless to say I have been checking in everyday ever since. Anywas crosstraining wise I do yoga, aqua jogging (although I don’t know if this would be crosstraining or just considered more running), using the eliptical in the reverse-so I’m going backwards, and weight training. I live in central NY so snow and cold (and wind) are an issue here in winter also. A friend of mine, who is training for her first 100 miler in April, has on occassion used snowshoes for her long run. Once a week they start at midnight (to get their bodies used to running at night) on the trails and run for 6 hours. If the trails are bad then they use the snowshoes. It’s quite a workout. If I remember I think she said it’s a good core workout too.

Love your blog.

OH and redheads can wear red lipstick. It’s just finding an orange/warm based colored one and not a blue based (use to sell cosmetics so I had plenty of opportunity to play with colors). Unfortuantely I’ve sometimes had to pay a fortune for one lipstick because I really needed to go to a cosmetic department to test them.

Try and stay warm,
Debra

Joe has been making noise about getting me a trainer for my bike. I have to admit, it’s an idea that’s becoming increasingly more appealing now that I have a triathlon on my mental schedule of races this year.

I need to do some swimming, too. Generally I can get into the water and swim a half mile without any sort of practice beforehand, but it would be nice to be trained for it.

I am considering Chinese medicine in my attempt to conceive a 2nd child. I know you are not a doctor, nor do you replace my physician (disclaimer out of the way), but have you any advice? Do you know anyone who has ever done this?
As I told hubby tonight, since IVF is out of the cards (due to religious precepts), I wanted to explore Chinese medicine/herbs, etc. That way, if Sean IS an only child, that’s fine. But I don’t want to be 60 wondering “what would of happened if I…”

2. Swimming. I’m lucky to have access to a pool, so if the weather or my legs are uncooperative, it’s no-impact, high lung capacity, endurance swimming for me.

3. Biking. Buy a trainer and use the bike you have, rather than torturing yourself with the spin bike or the gym’s exercycles.

4. Rest. Can’t say it enough. Well placed rest = increased performance.