Wanted: Zumba and Yoga Apparel

As part of my cross training for running, I join Zumba and Yoga for added flexibility, stamina, endurance and at least, not get too focused with running and get bored.

my zumba fit and sometimes for yoga too;
from Kreativ Boutique; photo credits: Arnel Joshua Lim

But, with all the running, zumba and yoga at least 2x a week, getting all the right apparel seems scarce and stressful. So, in between my aerobic workout apparel, I use my old running singlets but of course, with drawback.

Wearing the right apparel during a workout can make the routine more comfy and easier. And, as you groove with all the music or stage lighting from musicians friend among others, your apparel shall be the least of your concerns.

So, scout at shopping centers near you, or even check online for the most appropriate attire and just nail the workout fun and nice.

Creative and Stylish Barefot Sandals

with fellow barefoot runners and a minimalist

Chronic foot injury forced me try barefoot running and I was pretty surprised of the result as the usual ankle injury was not at all experienced.

So, except for the foot blisters with my unusual running form, I was perfectly ok with barefoot running. So, far, I had covered only 12km on bare feet. And, since I needed to go farther distance, my husband and I decided to have our own minimalist slippers.

wearing my minimalist footwear for running; handiworks: Arnel Joshua Lim

My running was ok on slippers except  for the lower calf strain that I felt in the first 10km. I assumed it was from the slippers, that, I took them off for the remaining distance. And, the pain vanished.

Now, we have a new design, and I shall put them to test tomorrow. While the society seems surprised seeing barefoot runners, for barefoot advocates, this kind of running is way better than wearing shoes.

For related articles about barefoot running, you may check my other posts:

Running without Shoes
Why Running Barefoot Can Be Good For You

Practical Tips When Moving Out

Moving to a new place can be equally exciting and stressful but once you decide to move to a new home, you just have to plan out the move to make it stress – free for everyone including your kids.

When I decided to leave my home and job for seven (7) years and relocate, it took me several months to straighten things out. Good thing though that having a check list made the relocation much manageable.

photo source: au.reachout.com

Here are my practical tips:

• If you are moving with your children, explain the need for relocation. They shall be equally stressed as they leave their home, school and friends. Give them time to get used to the idea of moving out.  Letting them get used to the new place would mean letting them participate in choosing a new home, designing it, touring around the new area and its neighborhood and other inputs to make them equally own the move.
• With your spouse, kids or family members identify home stuffs that need to be tossed ( or sold for supplemental moving – out resource) or be moved to the new place. Properly label boxes like if they are supposed to be fragile, clothing, toys, and alike for easier identification. A check – list of stuffs to bring can be quite handy. Packing by rooms can be quite smart too for easier reloading.
• Inform companies, friends or relatives  of your supposed to be new address like if there are  communications from credit cards and other bills.
• Settle bills – phone, electricity,  water or  rent / lease before you move out.
• Keep documents like IDs, passports, birth / marriage / employment certificates all intact. You may have a special  box for all of these, so, they wont be misplaced. 
• Plan out how you should transport all your furniture / appliances / clothing to a new place. You may hire a local mover, get aid from friends, rent a van or simply transport them through air / sea fare services. This would include too how and when you and your family shall relocate.
• Be organized when you pack your stuffs. You may color coordinate your boxes like black for kitchen, red for master bedroom and alike. However, care should be noted for stuffs that are fragile. When you pack, place bigger stuffs at the bottom and smaller delicate ones above. This would apply to furniture, glasses, toys and alike. String well your boxes after you taped them, so, they won’t be dislodged.
• Lastly, moving out can be more hassle free if you have plenty of time with you to settle stuffs from your old home to your new place. Hire help if  you must, prepare a check list too and simply enjoy the transition.

References:

10 Tips for Moving with Children
10 Tips for Packing
12 Terrific Moving Tips When You're Moving Your Home

Wheels of Hope Continues to Give Hope

When you are unfortunately stricken by polio,  amputated for unexpected incident or simply can't walk for other reasons, you can't help but feel helpless and disillusioned.

While some may be able to support their physical inadequacy, this is not at all the case for some who are financially constrained.  A standard wheel chair will typically cost around PHP 3000.00 and for  families who cant barely provide meals three times a day, a wheel chair is least of their concerns.  This has been the goal of Mason Dadiangas Lodge No. 225 since the birth of Wheels of Hope Run last year.

The Wheels of Hope Year 1 was swarmed with elite and fun runners

With more than 300 runners who participated in one of the best organized fun runs in General Santos City, the Wheels of Hope or simply the WOH had provided wheel chairs along with other assistance among at least 16 families.

one of the wheelchair recipients of Wheels of Hope Run Year 1

While the number of assistance rendered from the last WOH is overwhelming, this alone would not suffice as   more is needed to address the demand of those who are in dire need for wheel chairs.

promotional poster of WOH Year 2

You too can help as Wheels of Hope Run continues its wheelchair program and it shall unfold on June 9, 2013 with 3km / 5km / 10km race categories at East Asia Royal Hotel parking grounds, General Santos City. Your registration fee of Php  250.00 shall include a race singlet and race kit or you may pay Php 100.00 for race kit alone.  Elementary and high school students may avail of discounted registration.  Medals and cash prizes await top 3 finishers from the male and female categories of 5km and 10km race.

Registration shall start on May 9, 2013 at  New Helen Marketing, National Highway, Almar Marketing, Magsaysay Avenue or at Kreativ Boutique, Upper Level, Gaisano Mall, Gensan City. For more details, you may find them on Facebook  at https://www.facebook.com/WheelsOfHopeRun  or you may contact this number, 0923-131-8784.

Let us make a difference to the ones who need help, let us give HOPE to the ones who see nothing of it. Join Wheels of Hope Run Year 2. See you on the road!

Running Without Shoes

running with barefoot advocates from the South 

It has been two straight weeks that I have been running on bare feet and I could not only complain as I have been having trouble with running in shoes. Blame it though with my wrong running form that I tend not to mind when the distance becomes longer.

So, from having regular blisters, and ankle pains, I decided to forego my running shoes and run bare just, so, I can correct my form.

my longest barefoot run

So, to motivate others to  run barefoot and to invest on running form, I could only ask friends and family to capture every moment possible. Good thing, there is best selection of eneloop ready for our camera.

Barefoot running has its perks  and its lapses too; in fact, experts have various conviction for and against barefoot running. For now, barefoot run works for me. So, you too can try it. Simply walk bare and run no more than 10% of your last week's performance.

Further, society may find it unusual to see runners on bare feet but I guess running feet naked has been the trend and will always be.