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52 Weeks: #3 Find the Cars
52 Weeks of Stroller Runner Games: #3 Find the Cars FREE Printable Below Find the Cars was inspired by my 3 year old and his love for Disney Cars. He loves anything pertaining to transportation; he is all boy; planes, trains and automobiles. This game is an easy game to incorporate and extremely fun for any child who loves cars. Find the Cars will only work if you are running on a sidewalk where cars pass by or on a trail that is parallel with the road. If you are running through a park, this probably will not be the Stroller Game you will choose. For this workout, if your child is two years old or older, let your child participate in the squats and lunges portion of the workout. Most 2-4 years old like to get out and exercise and do what mommy and daddy do. Stroller Runner Workout From Jared at Tone and Tighten Warm up- 10 minutes 5 minutes of moderate walk, increase to a faster speed for the five remaining minutes. Cardio- 5 minutes Speed walking- Focus on taking as long of steps as you can- extend each leg as forward as possible. (Jog or run if you can- push yourself to go as hard as you can!) 20 Squat and Rolls Holding onto stroller handle, squat low and push stroller out as you move down. Pull stroller back towards you as you stand up. Cardio- 10 minutes Speed walking- Focus on taking as long of steps as you can- extend each leg as forward as possible. (Jog or run if you can- push yourself to go as hard as you can!) 20 Lunges Holding onto handle of stroller, pushing baby forward. 10 lunges on each side for 20 total. Cardio- 10 minutes Speed walking- Focus on taking as long of steps as you can- extend each leg as forward as possible. (Jog or run if you can- push yourself to go as hard as you can!) Cool down with a moderate walk. Target Age Group: 2-4 years old How to Play: Print the Free Printable Find the Cars game. Laminate it for future use and provide a washable marker. However, if you do not trust your child with a washable marker, print out the Find The Cars game when necessary and provide your child with a crayon. Provide your child with the printable and explain to them that when they find a car or truck similar to the picture on the sheet, then to cross the automobile out. In my house, that generally means drawing a picture on top of the car, but it works and keeps my child occupied longer. You might not find these specific cars, but in our instance, we look for cars that are similar or have the same color and just make up some rules/guidelines as we go. Preparation Time (More Advanced Game): 0-5 minutes time required (depends if you choose to laminate your sheets or not). Materials: Printable Scissors Washable Marker or Crayon Con-Tact Self Adhesive Lamination paper (optional) Cost: FREE w/printable no Laminate Paper With Laminate Paper: $3.59 Con-Tact $3.59 Disclaimer: Before incorporating any of these Stroller Runner Games, please ensure you warm up properly and stretch to avoid any injuries. For more Stroller Runner Games, please see the posts below. Introduction...
read more52 Weeks: #2 I Spy
52 Weeks of Stroller Runner Games: #2 I Spy “I Spy” is a family and stroller friendly game that is mostly played by children and can be enjoyed by anyone. Not only is a great game for the stroller, but for traveling long distances. Also, this game aids young children in becoming familiar with the alphabet, and also with observation. Prior to starting your run or while you are doing your warm-up, explain to your toddler the game you are planning to play and identify who will be player number one. Target Age Group: 2-4 years old How to Play: Identify whether you or your child is player 1. Player 1 looks for something in sight or is visible around them. This can be any object, whether it’s a certain building, toy, or article of clothing. Begin the game with saying, “I spy with my little eye, something that _____”. The blank can be any clue about the object, such as “starts with the letter H”, “is yellow”, or “is round”. With my little one, we try to use road signs, objects we see in nature, cars, etc. Then other player asks questions about the object. If there are more than two players (e.g. you have twins or stroller two toddlers around), have each person ask one question per turn. Some questions can be asked about the color, placement (where it is), size, etc. Make sure that the Player 1 answers with only a “yes” or “no”. Keep guessing until the correct object is picked. Preparation Time: 0 time required Disclaimer: Before incorporating any of these Stroller Runner Games, please ensure you warm up properly and stretch to avoid any injuries. For more Stroller Runner Games, please see the posts below. Introduction to 52 Weeks of Stroller Runner Games Week 1: Red Light Green Light For more Run Stroller Run family and stroller friendly races updates, training woes, pictures and more, check out: Twitter: Run Stroller Run Twitter: Lara Coffee Facebook: Run Stroller Run Pinterest: Run Stroller Run Google+: Run Stroller Run Hashtag...
read more52 Weeks: #1 Red Light, Green Light
52 Weeks of Stroller Runner Games: #1 Red Light, Green Light FREE Printable Below Stroller Runner Workout: 20 Minute Tempo workouts by using 10 x 20 seconds -1 (20 seconds – 1 minute on/20 seconds – 1 minute off). Of course, this may vary depending on how excited your child gets; it might be more like 20 seconds on/20 seconds off. 20 Seconds – 1 Minute on = Tempo run (Zone 4), a continuous runs at lactate threshold, near your one-hour race pace, which is a hard run. You most likely will be out of breath when you finish your 20 seconds to a minute on. 20 seconds -1 Minute off = Easy jog (Zone 2) Here is how to calculate your Lactate Threshold Heart Rate Training. The workout came from Greg McMillian, RunningTimes.com. When you run a this tempo workout, it’s important to remember that the “off” minute isn’t a slow jog but is run at your normal easy run pace. If you run too slowly on the “off” minute, you’ll end up running too fast on the “on” minute and change the session from a stamina workout to a speed workout. Over time, you’ll notice the pace stays pretty fast throughout with less variation between “on” and “off” minutes. That’s when you know you have it dialed in. Game Target Age Group: 2-4 years old How to Play (Basic): After a proper warm up, have your little one shout out “green light” to go. Run 1 minute on Tempo run with the stroller when he/she says “green light”. Teach your child early about “yellow light” – slow down. When you child yells, “yellow light”, do your 1 minute off (slow down the jog). This will make it easier on your body to slow down gradually instead of a hard stop every time. When your little one yells “red light” stop as quickly as possible and walk if your child will let you. How to Play (Advanced): Incorporate the use of red, yellow and green signs made with construction paper or the FREE Printable. Have them hold up the signs when they shout out the commands of “red light”, “green light” or “yellow light”. Advanced Requirements: Your child must know his/her colors in order to be able to hold up the coordinating colored signs with the commands he/she is shouting. Preparation Time (More Advanced Game): 20 minutes If you are time pressed, use the Free Printable; however, if you are not and want your kids to be more involved in preparing their lights, follow the instructions below. Materials: 3 Sheets of Construction Paper (Red, Green & Yellow) Scissors Pencil and/or marker Con-Tact Self Adhesive Lamination paper (optional) Popsicle Sticks (optional) Glue or Glue Stick (optional) Making Instructions: Draw a circle 6” diameter circle on each piece of colored paper. Make sure the circle is large enough so you can see it when your child holds it up. If you have lamination paper, use the adhesive back and apply to both sides of each sheet. Write “Go” or “green” in the green circle Write “Slow” or “yellow” in the yellow circle Write “Stop” or “red” in the red circle. Cut out each circle. Paste a Popsicle Stick on to each circle. Cost: Basic Game: FREE Advanced: FREE w/printable...
read moreTop 25 Sports Movies
Due to the cold winter months, you might be forced to exercise inside. Your motivation might be lacking while spinning on your bike, running on the treadmill or trekking on the elliptical. Here is our list of the Top 25 Sports Movies that will not only get you moving, but inspire you as well. Thank you to my husband, and my Google+ and Twitter followers for helping me compile this awesome list. Scroll past the slide show to view a description of each movie and to find out you where you can instantly view the movies. 1. Miracle This is my all time favorite. I own this movie and watch it at least once a quarter if not more. I generally watch this when I am preparing for a big race. Miracle was released in 2004, starring Kurt Russell, Miracle is an American biographical sports movie based on the story of a men’s hockey team in the United States led by Herb Brooks. It featured the events that had taken place before the team bagged the Winter Olympics gold medal in 1980. Available on: Netflix and Amazon Instant Video 2. Remember the Titans Not only do I love this movie, but this is a tribute to a former co-worker who passed in September 2012; he was one of the Original Titans’ Class of ’72. Remember the Titans was directed by Boaz Yakin and produced by Jerry Bruckheimer, it is an American sports movie that was released in 2000 and was inspired from a screenplay written by Gregory Allen Howard. The film was a retelling of the story of African American coach Herman Boone, who struggled to unite the racially divided team of T.C. Williams High School in Alexandria, Virginia. Available on: Netflix and Amazon Instant Video 3. Breaking Away My husband is an avid cyclist and got me into cycling and since then, I have watched several cycling movies and my share of bike races. Breaking Away was released in 1979; about a small-town teen obsessed with the Italian cycling team vies for the affections of a college girl. According to one reviewer from IDMB, “In short, this film explores many strands: the aimlessness of youth colliding with the responsibilities of adulthood; the often heartbreaking romantic fantasies of people who wish they could be something else; lying and cheating and the false nature of gains made through them; the importance of strong family relations and friendships; and life in small-town America – and it does all this with extraordinary craft, honesty and sensitivity.” Available on: Netflix or Amazon Instant Video 4. We Are Marshall We Are Marshall was released in 2006, starring Matthew McConaughey as head coach Jack Lengyel, with Matthew Fox as assistant coach William “Red” Dawson. The movie depicts the aftermath of the 1970 plane crash that killed 37 football players on the Marshall University Thundering Herd football team as well as five coaches, two athletic trainers, the athletic director, 25 boosters, and a crew of five. It also addresses the rebuilding of the program and the healing that the community undergoes. Available on: Netflix and Amazon Instant Video 5. The Blind Side Released in 2009, The Blind Side starring Sandra Bullock and Quinton Aaron was based on the true story of Leigh Anne and Sean Tuohy...
read more52 Weeks of Stroller Runner Games
Happy New Year! In 2014, Run Stroller Run is rolling out 52 weeks of Stroller Runner Games. Fun games that will keep your kids occupied while in the stroller. Some of the games might require your participation, but nothing that you won’t be able to handle while running. These Stroller Runner Games will be fun, educational but also will help the time pass quicker for both you and your kids. The games will be for children 0-5 years old, with a focus on 2- 4 year olds. In my opinion, 2- 4 year olds are the hardest to keep occupied while in a stroller. They are busy creatures and in my personal experience rarely nap in the stroller anymore. If you found Run Stroller Run and are not a stroller runner, these Stroller Runner Games can also be used for road trips or long airport waits. Every Friday I will put up a 52 weeks of Stroller Runner Games post where we can talk in the comments anything stroller running related. If you have suggestions for Stroller Runner Games, please comment below or send an email to lara@runstrollerrun.com. For more Run Stroller Run family and stroller friendly races updates, training woes, pictures and more, check out: Twitter: Run Stroller Run Twitter: Lara Coffee Facebook: Run Stroller Run Pinterest: Run Stroller Run Google+: Run Stroller Run Hashtag...
read moreYear End Review: Racing with a Stroller – Race Day Checklist
Racing in the winter is always more challenging, more clothes, more items, etc. But, racing with a stroller in the winter is even more challenging. Check out our Race Day checklist to make life easier for you. Packing for a race is always challenging. You never want to leave home without your favorite socks, or your watch or your lucky shorts. As a parent, I have found it increasing difficult to pack for a race, especially when I am running with my jog stroller and kids. I find that I am more concerned about their needs and then inevitably I forget the essential race gear I need to race. In order to avoid forgetting crucial race gear and my kid’s necessary items, I created a Racing with a Stroller – Race Day Checklist. Now, you can pack for a stroller friendly race and feel confident you have all the essential race and children gear needed with the Racing with a Stroller – Race Day Checklist. For more Run Stroller Run family and stroller friendly races updates, training woes, pictures and more, check out: Twitter: Run Stroller Run Twitter: Lara Coffee Facebook: Run Stroller Run Pinterest: Run Stroller Run Google+: Run Stroller Run Hashtag #strollerrunner...
read moreYear End Review: DIY Thank You Cards
Since the holidays just ended, it is time to thank those who generously gave to us. Another year end review is this popular post, Thank you Cards. Thank you! These two little words mean so much. I was taught early on when you receive a gift, you send a hand written thank you card. As a kid, I thought this was a major pain in the rear, especially when you rather play with your toys instead of writing hand written thank you notes. But, we did it because it was required. As an adult, I have tried to maintain this practice and instill the importance behind writing thank you cards in my kids. Yes, sometimes life gets in the way and I do not always get hand written thank you cards out, but I try. Even though my kids are 3 years old and now 15 mos. old (originally 12 months old when the post was written), they have been required to participate in creating their own thank you cards. My son has colored on each card that goes out since he has been 15 months old – putting his own touches on it. For my daughter, she painted her own thank you cards for her first birthday. Here is how we did it and how you can recreate them for your own family. Supplies Needed 1 Roll of Painter’s tape 1 Box of plain cards and/or paper (card stock) 1 paint brush or the kids can use their fingers 1 washable paint (colors of your choice) 1 paper plate for the paints Directions Get out your blank cards out. If you are using card stock paper, cut the paper down the middle; leaving two pieces of paper. Then fold each paper in half making two cards. Make your child’s first initial of their name with Painter’s tape on the front of the card. Have your child paint the front of the card over the tape. Depending on the age of your child, you might need Let the card dry. When the card is dry, pull of the Painter’s tape carefully, and your card will proudly display their art work with their initial on it. Voila! You have hand made thank you cards. For more Run Stroller Run family and stroller friendly races updates, training woes, pictures and more, check out: Twitter: Lara Coffee or Run Stroller Run Facebook: Run Stroller Run Pinterest: Lara Coffee or Run Stroller Run Google+: Run Stroller Run Hashtag #strollerrunner...
read moreYear End Review: Top 10 Apps for Au Pairs
Because I am spending some well needed quality time with my family during the last two weeks of December, I am running some of the most popular posts of the year. Another post that many people tended to gravitate towards was the Top 10 Apps for Au Pairs. Like any young woman between the ages of 18-26 years old, Au Pairs are attached to technology. Most Au Pairs have smart phones or devices, whether the host family provides it or they purchased their own. To make their transition go more smoothly and help them feel more acclimated, here are top 10 Apps for Au Pairs. Alarm Clock Free Alarm Clock Free turns your mobile device into a beautiful digital clock and alarm clock for free! It even displays live, local weather conditions and temperature that makes you know about the weather immediately when you wake up. Cost: Free Platform: iPhone and Android Gas Buddies Find the cheapest gas (petrol) around you. GasBuddy uses gas price information provided by our users to bring drivers together to support the common goal of saving money on gas. Gas prices only for USA and Canada. Cost: Free Platform: iPhone, Android, and Blackberry Circle of 6 Circle of 6 lets you choose six trusted friends to add to your circle. If you get into an uncomfortable or risky situation, use Circle of 6 to automatically send your circle a pre-programmed SMS alert message, with your exact location. It’s quick. It’s discreet. Two taps on your phone is all it takes. Cost: Free Platform: iPhone and Android Wi-Fi Finder Over 650,000 locations in 144 countries worldwide! Quickly and easily find FREE or paid Wi-Fi when you travel with the JiWire Wi-Fi Finder. Cost: Free Platform: iPhone and Android Clothing Size Conversion While shopping abroad, travelers often run into the dilemma of figuring out foreign sizes. Whether you’re shopping for shoes, pants, a shirt, or even a bra, the app converts sizes for a number of different countries (Britain, Japan, Korea, France, for to name a few). It’s a simple app that performs a simple task, and best of all it’s free. Cost: $0.99 Platform: iPhone and Android Skype Skype you can do free face-to-face video chat, make free Skype to Skype voice calls and send instant messages on the move Cost: Free Platform: iPhone, iPad, Blackberry, Android, and Windows Xe Currency Xe Currency app is the app to go for if you are not a fan of clumsy currency conversion. Cost: Free Platform: iPhone, iPad, Blackberry, Android, and Windows Whats App Messenger WhatsApp Messenger lets you chat for free with anyone else who owns the app and offers a few extra useful features to make text messaging more fun. With this chat app installed on your smartphone, you’ll save a little money on text charges through your carrier and across platforms. The only catch is that you’ll have to persuade your most frequent texting buddies to download the app, too, but once they see WhatsApp’s advantages, they’ll probably give it a try. Cost: $0.99 Platform: iPhone, Blackberry, Nokia S40, Symbian, and Windows Temperature Convert Temperature Convert is a powerful yet simple tool for converting temperatures from Fahrenheit to Celsius or Celsius to Fahrenheit. It also has support...
read moreYear End Review: Who Did Your Au Pair Bring Home?
Another popular post from the year, Who Did Your Au Pair Bring Home? This is so pertinent because so many Au Pairs travel during the holiday season that they need to pay attention to who is sleeping in their beds with them. Does your Au Pair travel? Does your Au Pair stay in cheap hotels/motels or hostels? Most likely the answer to these questions are yes. Has your Au Pair heard of bed bugs? The most likely answer to this question is no and if they have heard of bed bugs it is because the commonly used phrased by parents worldwide when tucking their children into bed. “Sleep tight; don’t let the bed bugs bite.” This is no longer just a phrase. This past August our Au Pair had friends visit that frequented several hostels while traveling the United States East Coast. Not only did her friends stay at our home, but they left some uninvited guests – bed bugs. According to Orkin Pest Control, they have seen a 33% rise in bed bugs since 2011. As of 2012, New York (ranked 10th in the country) and Washington, DC (ranked 7th in the county), of course two of the places my Au Pair’s and their friends frequented. Every morning for about a week, our Au Pair would wake up with bug bites all over her legs, neck and back. We thought at first that they were mosquito bites and then perhaps spider bites finally my husband – who lived in New York – said that we might have bed bugs. Of course I was mortified and automatically started itching. I knew nothing about bed bugs, so immediately I did research, but my husband did. You can’t get rid of bed bugs with RAID and normal spray…it does nothing; over the years bed bugs have become more resistant to pesticides. First, we found a reputable bed bug exterminator and one that used canines to detect if we had these little mites. Low and behold, the dog detected our Au Pair’s bed housed two or three bed bugs. The inspector was surprised we caught them so early. Usually it takes a couple of months for a person to detect they have bed bugs, but lucky for us our Au Pair was highly allergic to them. If not, by three months we could have had more than 270 bed bugs. The female bed bug lays approximately 3 to 4 eggs a day. The exterminator said the majority of his clients that have bed bugs get them from their Au Pair’s. The Au Pairs are traveling to New York, Chicago, Washington, DC or other major cities and staying and in hostels and cheap hotels in order to save money. Unfortunately, bed bugs are prevalent in these accommodations. Getting rid of bed bugs is not cheap. It will range anywhere from $2,000 (Pesticides, special poisons now that DDT is banned in the USA) to $10,000 (heat treatment) to eliminate the bed bug problem and unfortunately, there is no guarantee the pesticides will kill them all. In addition, to ensure the bed bugs are gone, you will either need to throw your box spring, mattress, bedding and pillows away and replace them or encase them in $50-$80 covers, which can be purchased on Amazon.com, Target,...
read moreYear End Review: 15 Tips For Flying with Lap Infants and more…
During the next two weeks, I will be spending some well needed time with my family and will not be writing as much, so I’ll be running some of my most read posts, starting with…15 Tips For Flying with Lap Infants. Don’t worry though Stroller Runners, I will continue to update the stroller friendly race calendar on a daily basis. Flying with kids of any age can be very stressful, but flying with kids under the age of two seems like you are embarking on an epic journey. It does not have to be that way. I am no expert in baby/toddler travel, but I have driven several thousands of miles with my son and flown more than 8 times with a “fly free” or lap infant in the past 20 months, so I feel I might be able to provide some useful guidance and tips on traveling with a toddler. With the holiday season coming up and families are considering traveling to see friends and relatives; I thought this would be an appropriate topic to broach. Here are my top 15 Tips For Flying with Lap Infants for parents with lap infant or “fly free” kids (children under the age of 2 years old) to make you and your baby have a more relaxing trip. 1. Fly when your child seems to be the most relaxed. This might require trial and error. Some parents say flying the red eye is best, or flying during nap times. I have flown during my toddlers nap time; did not work because he was too excited. I have flown a red eye (night time, think that would work); nope he was up the entire flight. The best time we found to make it the most pleasant flight for everyone was the earliest flight in the morning. Of course this was a bit harder on my husband and I (especially since he sat on my lap), but it seemed to be the best for our toddler. 2. Check airlines regulations for lap infants. Yes, most airlines allow lap infants to fly free under the age of 2, but some require physical boarding passes for the infants and some do not. For instance, if you fly United Airlines, they require a physical boarding pass for an infant; whereas Frontier Airlines does not. This is essential if you are trying to check in prior to arriving at the airport. Also, I recently discovered that on American Airlines, you can’t book an infant lap ticket online; you have to call their reservation line. Every time we have flown with our toddler on United Airlines, we physically have to go to the counter with assistance because they have to print a boarding pass for us. The machines will not print the boarding pass for the infant because the infant did not have a paid seat. Also note, United Airlines is no longer allowing you to preboard with children. Major Domestic US Carriers Lap Infants Requirements AirTran Airlines American Airlines Delta Airlines Frontier Airlines JetBlue Airlines Southwest Airlines United Airlines US Airways Virgin America 3. Try to reserve a window seat if possible. Other might disagree, but I think the window seat for you flying with a lap child is the best. My son likes to look outside and...
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