Table of Contents and Chapter Summaries

Foreword……………………………………….……………………………………. vii

Introduction………………………………….……………………………………… viii

Chapter 1.  Clarifying Your Objectives…………………..………………..................1

How does a marathon runner do it?  She matches her training to her objectives.  Busy moms running the mom marathon can use the same road-tested techniques.  I help you define and clarify your objectives, then introduce you to the “Whole Mom Food Groups” for optimum all-around health.

Chapter 2. Developing a Mom Strategic Plan……………...………………..…........20

Once your goals and objectives are clear, you are ready to develop a plan of action.  Follow my guidelines to create your own, customized strategic plan.  I provide strategies for getting you started as well as some good advice about setting realistic goals, prioritizing goals and finding the time you need.

Chapter 3. Teamwork at Home. ………..………………………………………................33

Marathon runners look solitary in the race, but they benefit from the help and support of a well-organized team. For any mom, teamwork at home is critical. I help you lay a foundation for teamwork at home, where you need it most.  We’ll work on your philosophy of parenting, strategize about divvying up chores and share some great tips for raising team players.

Chapter 4. Building a Personalized Support Network . ………………….…….....56

Once you have a team at home, you can build a network of friends, family and professionals who support you in your goals.  That’s what runners do to enhance their training and their races. I explain how to build a good network from scratch and how to personalize your network.  I also point you to some existing support networks for moms.

Chapter 5. Mom Training Tips and Tools……….……………………..………..............83

You are ready for action and this is the place. You have a plan and know how to set up a support network.  Now I get you going.  I help you to take those first steps, make more time for training, shed negative expectations and keep track of your progress. 

Chapter 6.  Pacing and Endurance for Moms………………...……….……….........108

Marathon runners have to pace themselves.  Here I teach you pacing strategies to keep you progressing toward your goal. I discuss strategies for checking and adjusting your pace and show you ways to fuel up, recover and  keep going.

Chapter 7. Hitting Walls and Bouncing Back….…….………………………….........128

Marathon runners call mile 18 “The Wall.” It’s when a runner’s body is physically exhausted and her energy is gone.  Moms hit the wall on a regular basis.  Based on extensive interviews with moms, I identify the most common walls that moms hit and categorize them.  I help you to examine your own, personal patterns of hitting the wall and coach you on reading the signals, anticipating the wall and training to get past it. 

Chapter 8. Being Hit by a Truck….……………………………………....…….. ............169

In this chapter, I address some of the toughest challenges that mothers face:  accidents, deaths, miscarriage, raising a special needs child, divorce, a long illness.  These things change your life.  I adapt the tools we discussed in Chapter 7 to help you see ways to cope with these events.  You’ll find pointers to experts, resources, and support groups here as well.

Chapter 9. The Good Stuff at the End: Finish Line and Goody Bag ...........187

It’s time to celebrate those daily, weekly and monthly personal victories. Most marathons give all participants a goody bag.  My goody bag to you contains tips on everything from meals to managing multiples to travel.

Acknowledgements ….…………………………………………………………..202

Appendix   .......….…………………………………………………………………203

Research Questionnaire ….…………………………………….…………...204

Index    .....….……………………………………………………………………….205