Here we are again, round three of answering questions about my Ironman Journey.  The question of the day, Aren’t you afraid you are going to miss a lot of your daughter’s firsts? If you just started following me on this journey, check out: Ironman Journey Q & A Part 1: Do you have children and if so, how old are you kids? And when did you decide to do an Ironman? Ironman Journey Q & A Part 2:  Are you crazy?  Why now? Why Not Before Kids? If you would like me to answer any questions, the “submit your questions” button is on the bottom of the page. Aren’t you afraid you are going to miss a lot of your daughter’s firsts? When I told my family last Thanksgiving (November 2012) that I signed up for my Ironman, I got the question from one of my brothers about missing my daughter’s firsts.  My daughter at the time was only 2.5 months old.  I thought it was an interesting question and over the course of this past year, this question kept entering my consciousness, especially on my long training weekends. Yes, I am of course concerned about missing my daughter’s first, no different than I was fearful of missing my sons firsts. Not because of training, but because I am a full-time working mom who has left the care of my children for 45 – 50 hours a week in someone else’s hands.   For 5 days a week, I only see my kids awake for 3-5 hours at the most. During those 8-9 hours a day, my son and daughter have had a lot of firsts that I’ve missed.  I am sad I have not seen all the milestones in person, but I am lucky....

Ironman Journey Q & A Part 2, where I answer the three  following questions: Are you crazy? Why now?  Why not before kids?  If you want to find out about whether I have kids and when did I start my Ironman Journey, read Ironman Journey Q & A Part 1. If you would like me to answer any questions, the “submit your questions” button is on the bottom of the page. Are you crazy? I decided to answer this question now because I seem to get this answer a lot.  The short and long answer to this question might just be “yes”.  I have always thrived when I have more to do on my plate. In college, I always got my best grades during soccer season.  I only had a limited amount of time to dedicate to one task; therefore, when I did study it was more focused.  When I was in graduate school both times (10 years apart), ironic as it might seem, I found my roots back to triathlon. So when it was “my” year for Ironman, I knew I could manage training, in conjunction with work and family life.  Plus, honestly there is a definite finish line and I know the training is not going to last forever. Don’t get me wrong this has been extremely difficult, especially in the beginning. I was a sleep deprived mom of a 2.5 year old and an infant and I was barely making through the days. I miss seeing my family during my long training weekends, and I look forward to having an unstructured weekend hanging out having coffee with my husband in the morning and making funny face pancakes for my kids.    But, I am sure it will only take a few...

As my last post stated Do you know how far an Ironman is?!?!, I am planning on answer all the questions people have asked and continue to ask about my Ironman Journey.   If you would like me to answer any questions, the “submit your questions” button is on the bottom of the page. Do you have children and if so, how old are you kids? Yes, my hubby and I have two wonderful, mischievous, outgoing children, a 3 year old son and a 13 month old daughter. When did you decide to do an Ironman? My Ironman journey started nearly three years ago. My hubby signed up for his first Ironman in Cozumel for November 2011. Throughout the 11 months I was a Sherpa, I witnessed his dedication, his devotion and his transformation into an Ironman.  While he trained, my duty as his wife and Sherpa was to be the primary care giver of our 11 months old son and keeper of our house. Being a triathlete myself, I was a bit envious of the training and transformation; I wanted to do so as well. However, a deal my hubby and I made when our 2011 season started was that only one of us at a time could race an Ironman or ½ Ironman while we had young kids. Plus, we were trying to get pregnant and it made no sense for me to be the one to do an Ironman in 2011. We did end up getting pregnant in May 2011 with our second child, but unfortunately God had a different plan for our angel and we said goodbye in August 2011. Over the course of our healing process, my hubby was a rock. He was there for me and our family, but...

Do you know how far an Ironman is?!?! Many people that have followed my Ironman journey or just started following me on this crazy ride have asked me a plethora of questions – especially since I started training when my daughter was 3 months old and my son was not even 3 years old. So, since I received the same questions from several different people – at a minimum – I will answer one a day until all the questions are answered.  If you have any questions you would like me to answer, please feel free to submit them. Submit Your Questions Here are some of the questions I have received in the past 10 months that I will answer. Why now? Why not before kids? Are you crazy? Aren’t you afraid you are going to miss a lot of your daughter’s firsts? How are doing this? What is your training schedule? Aren’t you exhausted? Does your husband do these too? Do you know how far an Ironman is?!?! Have you done anything like this before? Do you work? And if so, how do you manage to work, train, be a wife and mother? Do you train alone or with a team? If a team, what team? How do you stay motivated? What made you want to do an Ironman? Have you ever done a triathlon? Do you plan on doing anything after this? Keep the questions coming. 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...

With winter just around the corner, here is a must have for us stroller runners, rain and wind cover/protector.  Just because it is getting colder outside, does not mean you need to stop walking and/or running with your kids.  Depending on what part of the country you live in, yes, you might get some looks, but in the end it is good for you and your kids to get some fresh air. Jogging stroller rain and wind covers offer the protection your baby needs in unexpected rains. They are generally made of heavy duty clear vinyl with side air holes that allow good ventilation. According to several reviews I have read, one criteria reviewers judged whether a stroller rain and wind cover is good is if the cover can fold into a compact size. For some this might be important, but to me this does not even factor into my buying decision.  I cannot remember ever trying to fold my rain and wind cover and I have one for each of my jog strollers. Regardless of your brand of stroller, most companies sell a rain and wind cover. When shopping for a proper stroller rain and wind cover, here is some guidance. Ensure it is made of heavy duty clear material that will last. Rain covers are used quite regular by active families who keep up with their exercise regime even in cold and wet seasons. I like the stroller rain and wind covers that do not leave permanent wrinkles on the material because I believe it indicates heavy materials.  If you choose to fold your rain and wind cover, you will notice it more. However, as I mentioned above mine stays on all season.  If it is nice above 60 degrees and not...