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Exercise Can Help You Cope with Grief

Exercise Can Help You Cope with Grief

By Lora Erickson, BlondeRunner.com

Just over thirteen years ago I lost a baby girl.  Her name was Samantha.  She was simply born too early and died only living for five short hours.  That was a difficult time for me and my husband as it was our first pregnancy and we had hopes of raising a family.  As a long time runner, I found that I coped best with the loss and pain by running.  It gave me time to think about my experience and sort out my feelings.  It’s difficult to describe the pain you go through with this sort of loss to someone that has not experienced the grief of a little one and the hopes and the dreams for that child as they disappear never to be fully realized.  Death can be so final and no matter how much we want that little one sometimes we just can’t have them now.  For most the grieving process is a life-long journey of coping and despite what people may say, it’s nothing you “get over,” it simply is something you learn to live with.  For me, I tend to believe we have experience in our lives to teach us something; to help us in some way.  I can tell you that the experience I have when through and the long road I have traveled to bring four other children in this world has taught me a lot.  It has taught me to appreciate those little ones that much more.  It has helped me have sympathy for others who have experienced this grief.  It has helped me appreciate the miraculous gift of life and appreciate my body.  The human body is amazing and I am so thrilled that I have the opportunity to swim, bike, run and be fit everyday.  After my first loss I immediately got pregnant again as soon as I got the go ahead from the doctor.  There was a lot of worry and stress that went along with that pregnancy but the most difficult thing I have ever experienced was the 10 weeks of flat-on-my back bed rest.  Yes, it was more difficult than a marathon or completing an Xterra triathlon.  It was rough for me not to be able to get up and take a shower when I wanted to, or cook for myself.  But the most difficult thing for me was not being able to exercise and run.  Running helped me manage stress and at the time I was experiencing a lot of stress.  So, somehow I learned to cope.  I learned to try to look at the positives of the experience; I was still pregnant.   I could get pregnant.  I was able to experience the joy that every soon-to-be-mother feels when she experiences movement from the life inside of her.  All these years later I am now back to my before-pregnancy-life where I can run and exercise like I would like to.  I love it!  I love to be fit and enjoy taking care of my body and exercise.  I love to be able to cope with everyday stress on a run and feel my mind clear.  I often think of Samantha on my runs.  As I said before when you experience a loss, you never “get over it.” You learn to live with it.  You get to a point where you don’t feel guilty for being happy anymore.  There are still bad days when I cry and change my schedule to just reserve the day to thinking of her and count my blessing, but for the most part I don’t want her to ever be forgotten by others.  When I was holding her in my arms for the final moments of her life carefully placing my index finger over her heart to make sure she was still with me, I made her a promise.  I promised my little Samantha that I would never forget her and I never will.  I want to honor her memory and all those little ones that have passed on too early.  This is why I have created the Race For Grief 10 K run & 2 mile walk event to be held June 30, 2012 at West Bountiful Park.  Registration is available on active.com.  Last year was the first year the event was held and it proved to be a wonderful experience for my family and for many families and friends that want to honor their little one and help others.  Please join us for this charity event raising funds for the Utah SHARE and Caring Connections programs.  To learn more visit www.RaceForGrief10k.com. In loving memory of Samantha.  You touched my life, I will never forget you.  Love Mom.

To learn more about Lora’s story, what to say and incompetent cervix visit http://blonderunner.com/2009/11/coping-with-grief-and-loss/

View a video clip of the 2011 event:  http://youtu.be/qHzBESvMIBI

Register for the event on active.com:  http://www.active.com/running/west-bountiful-ut/race-for-grief-10k-2012

A Seeds of Remembrance: Take Your Grief and Run with It presentation will be held at the University of Utah College of Nursing, Annette Poulson Cumming Building, 10 South 2000 East on the University of Utah Campus, on Tuesday May 15, 2012 at 7 p.m.  Lora Erickson will be one of the featured presenters along with four others who will be sharing their stories.  This event is free and is open to the public.  Refreshments will be served.

Blonde Runner Newsletter Updated Posted May 1, 2012

Blonde Runner Newsletter Update: Marathon Training Tips & Free Triathlon Clinic – http://eepurl.com/lpEpT
Click to read and subscribe for free.

Free Transition Demo & Bike Route Review for Splash n Sprint Triathlon

Date: Friday May 4, 2012 from 6:00 – 8 p.m.

Location: South Davis Recreation Center, 550 North 200 West

Look for us behind the building (southeast) by the Bowery

If you are new to triathlons or would like to preview the bike route for the Splash n Sprint Triathlon then you are invited to participate in this clinic to be held at the South Davis Recreation Center. Come ride the approx 12 mile bike route and see a transition demonstration presented by Coach Lora Erickson aka “Blonde Runner”. She will help you know how to set up your transition area and review a race day check list along with answer your questions about triathlons and race day preparations and race day nutrition. Bring your bikes and set-up your practice transition just southeast of the South Davis Recreation Center (just behind the rec center) by 6:00 p.m. This clinic is free for those signed up for the Splash n’ Sprint triathlon to take place Sat. May 12, 2012. Please RSVP by emailing lora@blonderunner.com. For more information visit www.BlondeRunner.com or visit the Facebook event page http://www.facebook.com/events/276751245748711/

Volunteers Needed!

If you are unable to race but would like to be part of it, we’d love to have your help as a volunteer. If you’d like to help please message lora@blonderunner.com with your name, contact information and shirt size.

Interested in being coached?  Join Team Blonde Runner (TBR).  Click here to learn more

Water with Lemon

When I go to a restaurant with my family, I usually order water with lemon. There are several reasons why I do this. The #1 reason I order water is because it’s the healthiest choice. The lemon gives me a little ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) which is a great antioxidant (needed even more for runners). The best fluid to drink to rehydrate your body is water (sometimes I add some drops of pure elete electrolytes- no sugar – www.eletewater.com). On occasion I may order a milk or strawberry lemonade, but for the most part I don’t like to drink my calories and most drinks are empty calories with little nutritional value. Sure you can get 100% juices, and milk provides good nutrients but it’s still a lot of calories and not worth the money to me. It seems crazy to me to pay $1-4 for a drink I could buy at the store for less and get more. (Don’t we all work hard enough for our cash?) And even if they offer free refills (like most restaurants do with soda pop ‘cause it’s cheap) this would just cause me to drink more empty calories than I really need anyway because it tastes good. Working in the weight-loss field for so long I have noticed huge health gains and weight loss for those people that are willing to cut out all soda pop and excessive empty-calorie liquid consumption. It’s sad to see small children that consume excessive amounts of soda pop and caffeinated beverages. We as parents need to be better health advocates for ourselves and our children. So the next time you go out to eat, choose a healthy low-calorie meal and order water with lemon.

Live Well & Stay Healthy,

Coach Lora

“Blonde Runner”

www.BlondeRunner.com

Coach Lora Erickson is a competitive runner and nationally ranked triathlete with over 26 years of athletic experience. As one of Colorado’s top distance runners, she was recruited to Utah State University where she ran on scholarship and was honored as an all-conference runner graduating with a degree in Health Education with dual minors in Nutrition & Chemistry. She is the owner of Blonde Runner Health LLC in Bountiful, Utah where she currently resides with her husband and four children. Lora has a true passion for health promotion, her enthusiasm is contagious. Coach Lora works with individuals as well as offering group/team training programs and various community classes. To learn more visit www.BlondeRunner.com or contact her directly at lora@blondedrunner.com.

Free Presentation: Take Your Grief and Run With It

Seeds of Remembrance:

Take Your Grief and Run With It

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

7 p.m.

Refreshments will be served

Location:  University of Utah College of Nursing

Annette Poulson Cumming Building, Second Floor

10 South 2000 East

Talking about the critical link between healthy grief and physical self-care.  I will be one of the featured speakers for this event.  Come join me for this free lecture that is open to the public.  Share it with a friend.  Download a pass along flier

Please get involved with the Race For Infant & Pregnancy Loss Event on June 30, 2012.  There is a 2 mile walk or 10K run option.  To learn more visit www.RaceForGrief10k.com

Triathlon Class with Blonde Runner

Triathlon Class with Blonde Runner
Thursday April 12, 2012

6:30 – 8 p.m.

Location: Davis County, Utah

Class fee: $25

( limited spots, reserve your spot early)

Would you like to get started in triathlons? or take your training to a new level? Come learn what you should be doing for training and how to improve and get faster? This unique lecture-style class will cover all aspects of triathlon including swimming, cycling, transitions, running and racing. A portion of this class will be hands-on demonstration.  Learn about the best gear, training essentials, running form & technique, FAQ’s, injury prevention, and sports nutrition. Come get training tips and advice from an experienced national ranked triathlete and USATF certified running coach with over 26 years of athletic experience. Get the information you need to help you improve whether you are a beginner or intermediate athlete or triathlete-wanna-be.  Triathlons are a blast!
HOW TO REGISTER:
To get registered for the class message Coach Lora “Blonde Runner” at lora@blonderunner.com indicating you are interested in reserving a spot for the Triathlon Class and provide your contact information (include your phone number). You will be contacted with details. Pre-payment is required to reserve your spot, spots are limited. The class fee is $25 per person. This is a popular class and fills quickly.
–The teacher, Lora Erickson aka Blonde Runner is a sponsored triathlete and runner with over 26 years of experience. She graduated from Utah State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Health Education with dual minors in Chemistry and Nutrition. Lora has a true passion for health promotion and loves to share her enthusiasm for health. www.BlondeRunner.com

Note: This class is not for advanced athletes, it is for beginner to intermediate athletes.  If you are interested in a more advanced classes or coaching, contact the coach direct at lora@blonderunner.com.  Group team training is available.  To learn how you can become a team member visit www.TBRtriathlon.com

Join the team!

Science of Endurance Nutrition Class

SCIENCE OF ENDURANCE NUTRITION CLASS

with “Blonde Runner”

Thursday March 29, 2012

6:30 – 8 p.m.

Location: Davis County, Utah

Class fee: $25

Proper nutrition is a huge performance enhancer. If you want to do well in endurance sports you need to know how to fuel your body properly before, during and after your event. Learn how to eat to lean your body, avoid “bonking,” and review the best foods and supplements that can help you achieve your fitness goals and maximize endurance performance. Outlast your competition and perform better and stronger. Sports nutrition specific to long distance running events (5K, 10K, half marathon, marathons) and triathlon (sprint, Olympic, half Ironman & Ironman) distances will be covered extensively. This lecture style one-time 90 minute class will be held on Tuesday March 29, 2012 from 6:30 – 8 p.m. in the Davis County area.

HOW TO REGISTER:

To get registered for the class message Lora “Blonde Runner” and lora@blonderunner.com indicating you are interested in reserving a spot for the Science of Endurance Nutrition Class to be held on March 29 and provide your contact information (include your phone number). You will be contacted with details. Pre-payment is required to reserve a spot, class numbers are limited. The class fee is $25 per person. Pre-registration is required, spots are limited.

Running Class for Beginners with Blonde Runner

Running Class for Beginners with Blonde Runner
Thursday February 16, 2012

6:30 – 7:30 p.m.

Location:  Davis County, Utah

Class fee: $15

(this class usually fills quickly, reserve your spot early)

Just getting started in running and not sure if you are doing it right? Do you have unanswered training questions or are not sure what you should be doing to improve and get faster? Or do you find yourself injured over and over again? If so, this is the class for you. This unique class will cover essential aspects of training including proper shoes & gear, training essentials, running form & technique, FAQ’s, injury prevention, helpful stretches and nutrition. Learn how to train properly for running to avoid and prevent injuries. Come get training tips and advice from an experienced national ranked triathlete and USATF certified running coach with over 26 years of athletic experience. Get the information you need to help you improve your running whether you are a beginner or intermediate runner.
HOW TO REGISTER:
To get registered for the class message Coach Lora “Blonde Runner” at lora@blonderunner.com indicating you are interested in reserving a spot for the Beginning Running Class to be held on February 16 and provide your contact information (include your phone number). You will be contacted with details. Pre-payment is required to reserve your spot, spots are limited. The class fee is $15 per person. This is a popular class and fills quickly.
–The teacher, Lora Erickson aka Blonde Runner is a sponsored triathlete and runner with over 26 years of experience. She graduated from Utah State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Health Education with dual minors in Chemistry and Nutrition. Lora has a true passion for health promotion and loves to share her enthusiasm for health. www.BlondeRunner.com

Note: This class is not for advanced athletes. If you are interested in a more advanced class take the Advanced Running Class that will be taught in spring 2012. This class will cover speed work and performance training. If you or a friend would like to reserve your spot early (highly recommended) message Coach Lora directly at lora@blonderunner.com.

Nutrition tips: bag your tomotoes

Nutrition Tip: It’s important to consume fresh produce daily but store-bought tomatoes just don’t match the taste and quality of home grown produce! During the winter in Utah I miss those wonderful home grown tomatoes that I could just pluck out of the garden as needed. (Oh, so yummy and still warm from the sun – perfect to slice up for a tomato sandwich or eat as-is). I have found if I put the store-bought ones in a brown paper lunch sack and let them ripen – they are much better.

~ Coach Lora Erickson “Blonde Runner”

To get more nutrition tips take the upcoming nutrition class.  Learn more…

(two of my kids pictured by our summer garden)

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