How does she do it?

In an effort to stay fit, I've started running. Some how all of those warnings about it being bad for your joints, your bladder and that fairytale about premature face sagging, have taken a back seat. I like the way I feel when I roar back into the house with the taste of sweat in my mouth, my shirt sticking to my back, grit on my face and a blue bandana flopping on my head.

Running is addictive and like any addict, you find yourself bending the rules to stay in the game. This is especially true when my kids are out of school or on a break. I have figured out a way to get my running fix without a lot of pre-planning and babysitter procuring. I call it the "sprint and check".

First, put the kids in a hypnotic state: It's time to relax your rules on Wii playing. I can only run for 30-40 minutes straight. This is barely a good run at Mario Galaxy II. The children will still be arguing over who gets to be Luigi by the time you are done.

Now, where to run that's close enough you can still be considered legally responsible for your children. To do this, your children must be old enough to know how to use matches and old enough to know not to use matches. This is the golden age, when things are becoming easier. You can trust them just enough to give yourself a little freedom.

There's really only one choice: Lap your property. You may have a plot of land the size of a checkerboard, but don’t be afraid to branch out slightly and lap your neighbors' yards or your block. Check on the kids every lap. You'll find that you'll be running faster than you ever imagined. If you're lucky to have steps that lead up to your house, you'll get a monster extra calorie burn, too.

Even though I’m not quite brave enough to leave them in the car while I run into the grocery store, I’m brave enough to leave them in the house while I run through the woods on a half-mile track praying that I don't get mowed down by a four-wheeler.

Viva the runner's high!

(Read more from Kandace on her blog, or on Grand Traverse Women)