Q: For most cacti of desert origin, a good general soil mixture consists of two parts garden soil, two parts coarse sand, and one part peat. This mixture is meant to drain well, and not harden when it is dry. Use a clay pot as well--their heaviness helps keep bulkier cacti from tipping over; they also allow the soil to breathe, preventing the roots from rotting. Test the moisture level by pressing your finger into the top inch of the soil. If it is completely dry, water the cactus fully, allowing excess water to drain out the hole in the bottom of the pot Cacti need different amounts of water depending on whether they’re growing or dormant. During the growing season of March to September, water them, on average, once a month. During the dormant season of October to February, water only once per month at the most.  Watering too much during the dormant season is the main cause of complications with cacti. Most cacti need lots of sun. In the summer, keep the cactus outdoors, being careful not to let it get too much rain. Start it in a shady area at first, gradually moving it into sunnier areas to avoid sunburn. In the winter, place the pot in a southern- or western- facing window, which have the best sun exposure. Cacti like cooler temperatures during their dormant period in the winter. But be careful to keep them out of the way of drafts--away from leaky windows and off the floor near doors. A healthy temperature range at night in the winter is 45 - 60 degrees Fahrenheit (7 - 16 degrees Celsius), so a basement or a room that gets less heat would be suitable storage areas during this period. Unless you have a cold-hardy cactus, be careful not to let the room temperature drop below freezing, since most cacti can’t tolerate frost. You’ll know it’s time to transplant your cactus to a larger pot when either it becomes too top-heavy for the pot to support it, or when it grows within one inch of the edge of the pot. Use a standard potting mixture consisting of two parts garden soil, two parts coarse sand, and one part peat. Replant the cactus at the same level in the soil as it was in the original pot. A common result of over-watering is root rot, which happens when roots sit for too long in poorly-drained, moist soil. Before repotting, gently brush away the soil from the roots after removing the old soil ball from the original pot. Inspect the root system, and cut away any soft black roots, or any dried-up roots that appear dead. Cut just up to the part of the root that is still living. You can avoid root rot by making sure the your pot has a hole in the bottom for drainage, and that it never sits in excess water that collects in a saucer underneath the pot. If the roots are damaged when you remove the cactus from its original pot, or if you needed to cut away dead roots, let the cactus sit for about ten days out of its soil. This will allow it time to form calluses around the damaged or cut areas. Place it on a piece of paper, out of the sun but away from cool temperatures.  Cacti do best after repotting if you transplant them during the growing season (March to September). Most cacti should generally be repotted every one-to-two years. Most fertilizers are given a number rating that indicates how much nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium they contain (in the form: N-Ph.-Po.) An example of a low-nitrogen fertilizer appropriate for cacti is 10-30-20, where the Nitrogen content is rated at 10.  Too much nitrogen gives the cactus a flabby texture that impedes its growth.  Never fertilize a cactus during the dormant season (October to February). If the skin of your cactus is dusty or dirty, it may not be able to photosynthesize properly. Wash off this residue with a rag or sponge and a solution of with one drop of dish soap. Then rinse the plant under a faucet or with a soaked sponge.
A: Use an appropriate soil mixture. Water only when the soil is dry. Adjust watering according to the seasons. Provide enough sunlight. Monitor the room temperature. Repot your cactus according to its growth. Cut away dead roots. Don’t immediately repot damaged roots. Use a fertilizer low in nitrogen. Wash away dust and dirt.

Q: Pick a certain phrase that motivates you and repeat this in your head before, during, and even after each run. Keep it short and positive in tone. You might say, “I can do this,” or “Keep it going.” Once you establish a breathing pattern, you can say this phrase in between breaths to keep the pattern going. Dig back into your memory and recall the last time you felt like stopping during a run. Then, recall what happened when you kept going. You can also think about general moments in life that you are proud of, such as when you graduated from college. Everyone hits the pavement for a unique set of reasons. Instead of focusing on the negatives, like leg soreness, think about what you get out of running. Maybe hitting the track makes you healthier and more able to play with your children. Perhaps marathons let you express your competitive instincts. Most of us have a particular type of music or a certain artist that gets us pumped up and excited. Create a playlist on your iPod or other device that includes songs to motivate you to pick up the pace. You could also include songs or genres that are inspirational, such as gospel. Keep adjusting your playlist until it fits your needs and refresh it regularly as well. If you are running a longer distance, like a marathon, you may want to test out podcasts or even audio books as well. Just make sure to keep up the pace as you listen. Focus on a nice, cool bottle of Gatorade waiting for you after the run. Or, perhaps picture yourself enjoying a soothing bath. The reward itself should be enticing enough to catch and hold your interest. It should also be attainable. Many social runners often envision the gathering awaiting them post-run. Some runners actually build a reward in to their route. For example, they purposefully end their run in a beautiful park, near a public fountain, or in an area with a view. This way, they can take a moment to enjoy their surroundings at the end of their run. If you are in a relationship, see if your partner is interested in joining you on runs. Or, ask a friend or acquaintance. Go to a gym and find another runner who is looking for a partner. You don’t have to run at exactly the same pace to benefit from running with one another. In fact, they can even just start off with you and then separate. Or, if they are faster, they may push you to excel. Contact your local gyms or rec centers to see if they have an active running group in place. Or, hit your local running store and ask if they know of any running clubs that are currently active. Participating in a group will keep you accountable and it will also provide an outlet for any questions that you may have. You can also join digital running groups that allow you to enter your run information online and talk with others. These can be a good option if you don’t feel like starting up your own face-to-face club.
A:
Repeat positive mantras to yourself. Remind yourself of your strength and accomplishments. Focus on your reasons for running. Sing or hum a favorite song. Envision an end-of-run reward. Get a running partner. Join a running club.