Debbie, my Fit Mama Friday today, is kind of amazing. You might know her from her fitness blog, Deb Runs… She’s also a Personal Trainer and Running Coach with more than 25 years experience (and a BS in Health and Physical Education from Virginia Tech). Debbie and her husband Bill of 32 years have two sons, Joseph, aged 26, and Daniel , aged 24. Debbie is also soon to become a mother-in-law to Joseph’s fiancee Julie, when they marry this August. As a mother to adult sons, Debbie has some interesting insight into what impact being fit can have on your kids as they grow up.

 

Debbie, have you always been fit? Have you always been a runner? 

Yes, I’ve always been very fit and active.  Growing up on a dairy farm, I was taught that hard work was one of the best attributes to being a successful adult. When I wasn’t doing farm chores, I enjoyed playing with my dolls, reading books, and riding my bicycle many times per day back-and-forth to see my granddad (he lived about a half mile away).  My brother, who was four years older, saw to it that I could throw a perfect football spiral and run the baseball bases like a pro.  He constantly challenged me to races and always won, but I never gave up trying to beat him.  He talked my parents into letting me join the high school track team before he headed off to college – that’s how I became a runner.

And running was always part of your life after that?

Yes! During college I continued to run and workout, just not as consistently as I had in high school.  I put on the freshman fifteen and ran to help control my weight.  I preferred to add running back into my schedule than give up the dining hall desserts!  I participated in intramural sports, but never really thought of myself as an athlete.

Clearly now, there’s no denying you’re an athlete. You’ve run one ultra marathon, 40 (!!) marathons, and countless other races. When did you get into racing?

I ran some races in my 20’s, but didn’t write anything down and can’t even remember the distances or names of the races.  We got married and moved out west for grad school and I continued running, but didn’t race again until a few races in the late 80’s.  It wasn’t until the late 90’s that the marathon bug bit me – just before I turned 40 I decided to treat myself by running my first marathon!   Soon after I started running marathons, my husband joined me for his first marathon.

What did you do during your pregnancies? I know doctors now want their pregnant patients to continue working out, was that the same advice you got?

I worked out during both of my pregnancies.  With Joseph, my oldest son, I walked daily and continued with my weight training routine.  I lifted weights the morning before he was born.  During my second pregnancy (with Daniel), I ran during the first four months and then switched over to walking.  I continued to lift, and lifted just a few days before he was born.  After both babies were born, I started working out again as soon as I got the go-ahead from my doctor.  I started out walking before resuming my running both times.

My doctor was supportive of my exercise as long as I felt fine.  He told me to use common sense.  I do remember that he wanted me to monitor my heart rate and not get it above some standard set number (I think it was 120 or 140).

So many kids are involved in sports and activity when they’re young, but it doesn’t always ‘stick’. Your boys are still very active in their 20’s, post college. What part do you think your fit mama example had in encouraging that love for exercise?

Our sons are definitely still very active. Currently Joseph (our eldest) is back into lifting weights, plays tennis with Daniel (our younger son), golfs occasionally, and volunteers as an assistant wrestling coach to elementary through high school students two days per week. Daniel  volunteers with Joseph as a wrestling assistant, plays golf, and plays in the USTA tennis league. Last summer Joseph wanted to run an ultra marathon, but there were none around at the time he wanted to run one so I created one for him and he ran it!

Joseph and Daniel both learned that fitness is fun and is a lifestyle choice.  Bill and I were always consistent with our fitness routine, and didn’t stop and start over again and again.  To Joseph and Daniel, Mom and Dad waking up super early to go on a run was the norm.  They were always very aware of what we were training for, what our training schedule looked like, etc. (Bill has run 25 marathons and many other distances). Our sons were in early elementary school and at a very impressionable age when I first trained for and ran a marathon. They were so excited to hear about my longer training runs, and their teachers said they talked abut my marathon running at school.  At the time, I had no idea what a positive impact my running was having on them.

Not only were Bill and I active in our own fitness routines, but we were very active in the boys’ sports.  We attended almost all of their cross-country meets.  In addition to running cross-country, they were both four-year varsity wrestlers and Bill and I were extremely active in the wrestling program.  Joseph and Daniel saw the importance we placed on fitness and staying healthy by making time to enjoy their sports accomplishments.  I think that because we were runners and worked out regularly, that they were more likely to complement their sports training with cardio conditioning and strength training.

That’s awesome. I LOVE that you created an ultra marathon for your son!! As a personal trainer, I’m sure you do a lot of strength training as well. How important is strength training for your running? What’s your general workout routine like?

I’m a strong believer in strength training and stretching to complement my running.  Because I love lifting so much, I am very consistent with it and lift in some form three days a week.  I do a combination of traditional lifting, TRX suspension training, kettlebells, and compound movements focusing on my core.

I run three to five days a week, but sometimes I substitute riding my spin bike for a run.  I love yoga and stretching, but unfortunately those are the first to go when I’m in a rush (but they shouldn’t be).  This year I have one race per month (except January), comprising of halves, a ten-miler, 5K’s, and a Ragnar Relay.  I’m most excited about running my first Ragnar.

What are your goals for this year? You mentioned you had a race every month scheduled, as well as the Ragnar. Any time goals?

In January I set up my running goals for 2014.  One of them was to run a sub-two hour half marathon again, and I met that goal by running a 1:54:34 two weeks ago.  One of my other goals is to run a sub 24:00 5K this year.

Congrats! What’s your main motivation for staying fit? Or is it just part of your lifestyle now?

Even though my sons are young adults, my energy level is a huge part of me wanting to stay fit.  I feel good and I want to stay that way.  I don’t want to be too tired to do stuff with my family.  As I get older, I feel that living a healthy lifestyle will help me in warding off illnesses, and help me age more easily.  Also a fit mama is more likely to run well, and place in her age group!  I’m still very competitive!

Obviously, I love living healthy, but I also like to practice what I preach. Since I spend my days telling people how to live a healthier lifestyle, I would be a hypocrite if I didn’t live healthily.   I also like the way I feel when I’m eating right and in my routine.  When I’m not making healthy food choices I feel miserable.  Don’t get me wrong, I love eating sweets and treats as much as the next mama, but I know that I have to eat healthy to feel healthy.

And I’d be lying if I didn’t admit that I like the way I feel in jeans when I’m making good choices!

Feeling and looking good in jeans is a big motivation for all of us, I think! 😉 Thank you so much for being on Fit Mama Friday, Deb! It’s wonderful that you have impacted your sons so positively. You really are an inspirational fit mama! 

You can connect with Debbie on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, as well as reading her blog, Deb Runs… (her blog is great, you should start following it now).

 

Fit Mama Friday – Fit Dad Friday

Every Friday on Fine Fit Day I feature a Fit Mama or a Fit Dad story of how and why a fit and healthy mama or dad ensures fitness is a priority in her or his life. You’ll read about all kinds of parents and their fitness stories. Some are stay-at-home parents, some are single parents, some juggle more than one job on top of parenthood, but they are all committed to a fit and healthy lifestyle. As you’re getting ready for your weekend, I hope you’re inspired to be active after reading about these kick-ass mamas and dads on Fit Mama Friday – Fit Dad Friday!

 

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