Its Marathon Time

Rhonda here, hijacking Cindy's blog. If you live in Houston, you know that there is one Sunday in January where the whole town goes a little crazy over running. Yes, folks, this Sunday, January 30th, the Houston Marathon will be happening! At Cindy Crofford Photography, we feel as though we have a vested interest in the marathon this year due to our photo session and profile on "marathon mama" Jennifer Alpard. Jennifer represents a huge number of Memorial area moms who will be taking part in the race on Sunday. The running boom continues to grow in rapid numbers, especially among moms. As a runner myself, who will also be running Houston this Sunday, I think that in these busy times, we have realized that running is just about the quickest way around to stay fit.

When we had our Girl's Nite/ free Facebook profile night at the studio, groups of women were discussing training for one race or another. Over wine they would ask each other, "When's the next run?" Who's running and what time?" Running truly has become a culture in and of itself. Designers such as Stella McCartney have rushed to design running gear for women. Nike has built its very own marathon around women, and you can bet there is plenty of Nike women's gear for sale at that particular race in San Francisco. Favorite gear includes Nike capri running pants, and the ever present track shorts. Lululemon is also a favorite brand of running attire among women, with shorts that make any girl look good coming AND going.

It is true, the clothing and shoe companies, the gadget companies, etc. are all trying to capitalize upon the women's running boom, but the truth is, to run, all you really need is a good pair of shoes. In fact, when I first started running, I had to make a fast exit out of my houseful of three young children or else I would not get the run in, so I would simply slip on my running shoes and run through the dark in a pair of khaki shorts -- no kidding! Yes, I was THAT lady. But as I got better at running, and wanted to show off more and run in the actual daylight (much safer by the way!) I took the attire up a notch and bought running shorts and singlets. For whatever reason, those new clothes made me run faster...

That said, running is not only a great, fast way to get into shape, but you can also look pretty boss (as my sixteen year old likes to say) while doing it, given the right running gear. So, to recap, running is fast fitness, it is fashion, and did I mention the friends? Some of my best friends I have made by running. There is my uber fast friend Casey who always encourages me to just run one more mile...fast. My friend Jennifer who makes the fun of fundraising while running contagious, and my friends Kristie, Christine, and Nancy, with whom you can share things while running that you would otherwise never share! What gets said on the run STAYS on the run! And how can I forget to mention my dear friends Marion, and Amy, who have gotten me back onto the road after injuries, and burn out. I love all you running girls! Good luck to us all as we take to the streets this Sunday!

You're Never Too Old...

Happy New Year everyone! This is Rhonda, hijacking Cindy's blog again. Have you made your New Year's resolutions? I know I have. I am a sucker for making a good list of resolutions, no matter what. I truly believe in the hope of a new year, a clean slate, and a new attitude. There's a quote I read recently by George Eliot that says, "You're never too old to be the person you always wanted to become." That's right folks, you are never too old for a do-over. For starters, my "do-over" this year is to change my eating habits by chowing down on more fruits and veggies. I knew my diet was getting pretty bad when the drive thru lady at McDonalds and I were on a first name basis. Did you know that the average person includes only about 8% of produce in his/her daily diet? I've always been so busy trying to keep a "balanced" diet that I think I ended up skimping on fruits and veggies. I think I will try eating an unbalanced diet for a while that is overloaded with produce. I was particularly motivated to do this when I learned that former president Bill Clinton has become a vegan. A vegan! This is Bill Clinton, folks. The same Bill Clinton who was parodied on Saturday Night Live stuffing McDonald's fries in his face after his daily jog. Once a self-affirmed junk food addict, Bill Clinton, now in his mid sixties, is embracing a plant based diet, shunning meat and all dairy products. After he conducted his own, personal research into veganism, he discovered that you can naturally unclog your arteries with a plant based diet. I have to figure that if Bill Clinton can eat better in his sixties, then I can too on the eve of my fortieth year.

And as for Cindy, her resolutions are to work out one additional day at the gym. She is already hitting it hard, 3 days a week, so she wants to add a fourth. And this is the one, that I am particularly excited about...she is planning to walk/run a 5K. As a runner, this makes me very happy! We are always trying to recruit new folks :) Cindy is one of the most positive, pro-active people I know. Her enthusiasm is contagious. I know she will meet her goal!

Heather, Cindy's assistant, also has her own New Year's resolutions. She is going to train for a 5K as well. They are going to use the Runner's World Couch to 5K program at www.runnersworld.com. Check it out! Heather's other project is to participate in Project365.com, which is to take a photograph of her life every single day. I'll bet she grows fitter and fitter in each progressive picture.

What are your resolutions? Tell us! We'd love to hear from you. And, incidentally, when you succeed in your resolutions, be it weight loss, a new exercise program, quitting smoking, or spending more time with your kids, Cindy would love to photograph that smile on your face.