NYD5K09 pic

Mama and her little bandit, just about to enter the chute.

NYD5K09

It was quite the circus getting out of the house with two kids and a husband in tow, but thanks to the Husband's superior navigational skills, we managed to take a shortcut and arrive with plenty of time to spare. Which was not so great, since it wasn't quite 30 degrees when we arrived. I was all layered up, wearing my winter buff and new Nike shell that actually zips up over the girls (thank you, Supportive Husband).

I had three times in mind when I started:
The "just wanna finish" time: 45 minutes
The "I think I could actually do it" time: 40 minutes
The "No way, but it's nice to dream" time: 35 minutes.

And damned if I didn't finish in 36:56 (by my watch - gun time was about 20 sec longer). This included a good long pause at the end to kiss the baby, and have Max run with me into the chute, wearing his froggie rain boots, no less. I know, bad form, but no one was immediately behind us, and I made sure to tell the officials that he had not, in fact, run the whole race and shouldn't be counted.

I'm pretty satisfied with my race. I decided that no matter how good I felt going out that I would run 5 minutes, and walk 1. I kept this up for most of the race, except for about the last half mile where I walked a bunch, and didn't run much at all. I had an 11:53 pace overall, which jives pretty well with my splits. So it was a good lesson in pacing for me.

But most of all, I just feel good about running again, and feeling stronger and stronger every time I go out. Now if those last five pounds would just hurry up and come off...

Freak of nature

I took some of my birthday and Christmas money (thank you, Santa!) to the running store for a new pair of shoes today. After a dalliance with my old flame, Asics, I have realized that my blocky Brooks Addiction really are the ones for me. I went through the rigamarole of getting fitted, since it's been a whole pregnancy and shoe redesign since I last bought a pair.

And it turns out I am possibly the only woman on the planet to go from a regular width shoe to a narrow width shoe after pregnancy. I know, you're so jealous! Of course, it would be much more envy-worthy if the same transformation had happened to my posterior.

The girls strike again

We've had lots of cold, rainy weather lately. I had about 45 minutes in which to squeeze in a run today - not enough time to get to the gym and back with any kind of decent workout, so I decided to brave the cold drizzle for an outdoor run. I got dressed in my cold weather gear, and then pulled out my water resistant shell. When I went to zip it up, I found that it wouldn't. The girls are just too big, even when "double bagged" as Louise put it. So I went to pull on my quilted Brooks jacket. Again, no way were the girls fitting in that (and honestly, the postpartum belly made that one impossible, too). I finally settled on the baggy fleece that I wore through week 32 of my pregnancy. Good grief.

It was late spring after Max was born when I really started running, so I never needed anything heavier than a t-shirt until he was well established on solids and the girls had already started shrinking again. If I'm going to keep this up, I'll have to invest in some cool weather gear that actually fits my postpartum and nursing physique.

In happier news, I'm now running 3:30/walking 1:30. Foul weather really ups my motivation to run fast!

And happy birthing thoughts to Louise, who is either just about to or just has given birth to her new baby!! I must mention that she ran her entire pregnancy, and ran 4 miles as recently as a couple of weeks ago. Hats off to her! So congrats Louise, and welcome, Baby!!!

Three for the road

The first double buggy ride last week - Max was crying because the sun was in his eyes, and Sami was crying because that's what babies do. But we all made it around the block in one piece, though I may have left my sanity somewhere along the way.

Plodding along

The miracle weight loss that occurred after Max was born hasn't occurred this time. Yikes. I am not terribly overweight, but I am about 8 pounds above a comfortable weight, and a good 15 above where I'd *really* like to be. Since the initial 15 pound weight loss, I've been eking out a pound per week, which is healthy, but still very frustrating.

So I am making a conscientious effort to quit eating so much junk, and to exercise each and every day. Not so tough right now, but I wonder how I'm going to keep up the exercise routine once I'm back at work. I'm averaging about 45 minutes per day of some kind of exercise - running, walking, lifting weights/stretching. And that's EVERY day. How on earth can I squeeze that into my lunch hour and eat my lunch, and pump 2-3 times per day, and run errands, and make healthy meals for my family and breastfeed and and and and...

I just need to remind myself that I trained for a marathon with a nursing infant, I can definitely maintain a basic level of fitness. It's just going to take a whole new kind of commitment this time around. To seal that commitment, I've already signed myself up for the New Year's Day 5K (13 days away!), the Martha Jefferson 8K in March, and the 10 Miler in April. The jury's still out on the C'ville Half on April 18, but as long as I'm in 10 miler shape two weeks before, I might as well do the half, right? I'll find some way to make more hours in the day.

I did it!!

I actually ran!! I took advantage of the balmy weather while Max was at school and Sami was chillin' with the Supportive Husband. I ran 3 min, walked 2 min for 20 min. I know, nothing spectacular, but hey, I JUST gave birth less than four weeks ago, and I haven't run since I was 20 weeks pregnant. It wasn't quite the euphoric experience I've been having in my dreams, but I'm on a high anyway. I did it!

I managed to squeeze the girls into one of the sports bras I used when I was nursing Max, but since I didn't start running until he was a good 6 weeks older, I'm spilling out, and it really isn't enough support. I had to hold my posture strangely erect to keep things comfortable; I felt like the prow of a ship. My core muscles are conspicuously absent. And I definitely need new shoes (helloooooo Santa!!). But I did it! I'm back!!

On the road again

I ran all of about a half a block today. The nursing boobs were NOT happy - I definitely need new running bras. Yes, Mama is back in fine form and talking about her boobs again. And the running did not feel like the running I've been doing in my dreams. I felt heavy and slow. And large chested.

I did manage to get both kids in the stroller for the first time today! Max happily climbed in and kept up his usual commentary - "Hey, that's a big truck. Mom, why aren't we on the sidewalk? Look at the Christmas!" - while Sami wailed the entire time. Naturally, she settled in and fell asleep just as we pulled up in front of our house.

In fine form

And the wagon has come to a screeching halt. I've got a sinus-y head cold that is exacerbated by the lack of sleep that comes with a newborn. Plus it is raining. So there will be no run today.

I started having running dreams again, like I did during my pregnancy with Sami. In them I'm running, I'm fast and light and euphoric. And then the baby cries and I wake up all tired and heavy and sick and lactating and it's some ridiculous hour of the night, and making that dream come true is just out of my reach.

Game on!

I could never believe those women who were at the gym days after giving birth, until now. I had the world's easiest birth, left the hospital the next day, and felt completely recovered almost immediately. Boy oh boy did I luck out! Even after Max's relatively easy birth it was more than a week before I wanted to walk farther than the distance from the nursing chair to the bassinet.

I've been taking long walks daily since Sami was 2 or 3 days old, and today finally found time to hit the gym! Nothing hardcore - I walked there and back from my parents' place, which is maybe a mile total, and then lifted some weights and stretched. It felt great to be able to move and twist and bend again, though I'll admit that the emotional anguish of squeezing my postpartum belly into my workout gear more than made up for any lack of physical pain. I feel good, but I am definitely still recovering - I still have the feeling like my pelvis isn't connected all the way around, and I can practically feel my ligaments trying to knit themselves back together. Add in the ten extra pounds I'm still carrying, and general loss of muscle tone and I still have a really long way to go. But I am on track for the New Year's Day 5K, even though I'll probably walk all or most of it. I love having a goal again!

Baby Sister is here!

She's here!

Sami was born Thursday, after a very short labor - if I could run a marathon that fast, I'd be a Boston qualifier. I feel great, and am looking forward to the New Year's Day 5K in several weeks.

Vote!!

Taking a break from my blogging break to remind you to VOTE tomorrow!!! Don't you want to be able to complain for the next four years?

Quick update on me - I am still hitting the pool a few times per week, though the ratio of actual swimming to stretching in the warm water pool is getting smaller and smaller. I can't wait to welcome the new baby soon! Having to really slow down over the past few weeks has been very tough, physically and mentally, and I am looking forward to not being pregnant any more. I am hoping the new baby enjoys her time in the jogger as much as Max has, and the BOB double is assembled in the garage and ready to roll as soon as I'm feeling up to it. (Fear not all you safety minded folks, I will follow all pediatrician and manufacturer recommendations about minimum age prior to running with Baby Sister in the stroller.) My goal is to, at the very least, walk the New Year's Day 5K. That gives me exactly 6 weeks, so cross your fingers and send all the easy birthing vibes you can manage.

One final note, fellow marathoning mama (and actual fast runner) The Marathon Mama is putting out a call for participants in her new book on her blog. If you're a mom who runs, head on over for all the deets.

Hiatus

Well, dear readers, I am going on hiatus for the remainder of my pregnancy. I've had precious little to blog about in the way of fitness lately. My current routine consists of a few good walks per week, cleaning the house (since we got rid of the cleaning lady to save a little money), nesting, and a couple of swims per week that involve 20-30 min of my getting lapped by every little old lady in the pool, and then 20 min of stretching and soaking in the warm water pool. Heaven.

Anyway, I'm due in about 7 weeks, so I'm going to assuage my conscience and bid you all farewell until after the (still-unnamed) baby girl arrives. Please send easy labor vibes my way - I had it so good with Max that I am terrified of having a difficult labor and birth this time. I would LOVE to at least walk the New Year's Day 5K this year, but as it's only 6 weeks after when I expect to deliver, a C-section or complicated delivery would pretty much rule it out.

I'll be sure to post when Baby Sister arrives, and after the first of next year, I'll start my journey to becoming Mama Marathon x2.

Good luck to you all in your fall races!

Swimmin'

I'm getting all those fun 3rd trimester aches and pains. The sciatica has mercifully abated somewhat, but my joints, especially my hips, and my back and shoulders hurt. I've only gained 15 lbs, but I feel like I've doubled my body weight. And yesterday I woke up lightheaded and lethargic.

The Supportive Husband was off yesterday, so I took the opportunity to go to the gym while Max was napping. After a big bowl of cereal and a LOT of water, I no longer felt lightheaded, but I didn't want to push it. I intended to just float around in the pool for a little while, but once I got in I felt so good that I swam laps for about 30 min. I even did 25 of butterfly, just to prove to myself that I still can. Of course, it took me two tries to hoist myself out of the pool afterward, but otherwise I felt like a million bucks. I spent another 20-30 min stretching in the warm water pool which was positively delightful.

Race Report: Four Miles

The Four Miler has come and gone again. I walked my way through the race at a respectable (I think, for being 27+ weeks pregnant) 16:09/mi. My target was about 16:00, so I'm pretty happy. As usual, the course was crowded with amateurs walking three and four abreast, making passing difficult. And yes, gentle readers, this Mama was indeed passing people the entire race, despite having lined up in the 14:00 pace group.

Nearly every mile was exactly 16:09, and I'm pretty impressed w/myself for keeping such a steady pace despite the heat and the hills. I saw no less than 5 ambulances dispatched out onto the course to pick up runners who had succumbed to one or the other.

I saw several other preggos walking and running the race. Hats off to you, running pregnant people! I even saw one very brave woman carrying her newborn in a sling. Some of the spectators had apparently never heard of pregnant people staying fit and not only did I hear several comments of "Look at that pregnant lady," but one random woman even asked to take my picture. Specifically, a side view of my belly. Ummmmm, okay, thank you ever so much for making me feel like the bearded lady at a carnival.

Feeling like the bearded lady is actually quite a bit better than feeling like Violet Beauregard post-chewing gum and pre-squeezing, which is how I felt after bolting from the four miler to go roast in the heat as our home team got trounced in football. I had quite the waddle going by bedtime last night. A warm bath and a good night's sleep has mostly cured it, though today's physical state is best described as "creaky."

4 miles and a lot of heavy lifting

As much as I enjoy walking with the new friends I've made at the w4mtp, I am delighted that there is only one week of training left before the race. All that loud music is making me crazy. I almost left this morning, because the marathon/half-marathon training group was at the track this morning when we arrived. I can't tell you how jealous I was of them as they finished their speedwork on the track. Running is seriously impossible for me right now, let alone running hard. Even if I don't plan on doing a marathon next year (not terribly likely - I already know exactly how hard it is to do with a nursing infant!), I will probably still sign up for the program, just so I can go and pound out a quick 8 on Ridge with the group, or show up for speedwork. I just miss it so much, especially when the weather is cool and clear and perfect.

After the walk, I came home to discover Max in nothing but his Mater underpants, still picking at breakfast, and playing the harmonica. Boys will be boys! The whole fam headed to the pool and we all wore ourselves out. Max of course wanted to jump off the side of the pool about eleventy thousand times, and I obliged and mentally crossed off the need to go lift for the next couple of days. And after watching Curious George do it, he decided he likes to "float" on his back. The water on his head makes him laugh, and he'll kick his feet like he's really swimming. A backstroker, maybe?

Women's marathon is on the Olympics tonight - w00t!

Oh, and if you want to donate money to the UVA Cancer Center Breast Care program to show your support for the cause, for me, and for all the women who have worked so hard to make it to the race this year, please visit https://www.dominiondigital.com/Womens4Miler/donate_step1.asp . If you know me, feel free to sponsor me - just click the appropriate radio button, and then find my name in the list. If you don't actually know me IRL, you can still donate!! No pressure, it's not like we're trying to raise $300,000 or anything. And it's not like I'll be in my third trimester doing the whole four miles on race day while you're at home surfing the web. ;)

Crabby injured pregnant lady

I've reached that point where suddenly my *whole* body is pregnant.

I missed Saturday's training (waaaaaaah) because of sciatica (also waaaaaaaah). Sciatica is when you are walking normally, striding confidently, and then suddenly a fierce shooting pain rips from buttock to foot and you have no choice but to stop in your tracks and grab on to something while blinking back tears. I had this when I was pregnant with Max, and was hoping it would hold off a little longer.

I took the day off Saturday, as much as one can take the day off when a 2.5 year old is involved. I did get to spend some time in the pool on Sunday; between that and scrubbing cat poo off the floor of the basement, my sciatica seems to be much improved this week.

I was just getting over my cat poo and sciatica-induced meltdown when I injured myself again. It is an actual true fact that women's brains shrink during pregnancy. Also true is that your joints loosen up, and your center of gravity changes. Combine all those with the nesting instinct and it is a recipe for disaster.

Last week I suddenly felt the need to clean the HVAC return located above our coat closet. In the process of moving the stepstool so that I could reach it, I stumbled, dropped the stool, and rammed my gluteus into the sharp corner of the kitchen counter. And tonight after work I decided to whip up a pork tenderloin with peach glaze. When it was done, I pulled it out of the oven with my left hand (wearing an oven mitt) and then pulled the meat thermometer out of it with my right hand (not wearing an oven mitt). Yeeeeowch! I am now sporting Star Wars bandaids on my index and middle fingers. The pork was delicious, by the way.

Anyway, what does all this have to do with fitness? Honestly, I can't say. Other than that as my whole self becomes pregnant, I know that staying motivated is more of a struggle. So is staying safe. Wish me luck, Interwebs!

eating, drinking, and exercising for two

The past couple of weeks have been scorching hot. Yesterday morning I volunteered to stay behind on the track, as I had to leave a little bit early. I walked about 2 miles, instead of the 3 on the program, knowing that I had a hot and active day ahead.

I raced home so that the Supportive Husband, Max, and I could go to the County Fair. Max is actually the kid on the cover of the program, so despite the heat, we felt pretty obligated to go. For a little while after we arrived, it was quite pleasant - a little overcast, and hot, but not blazing hot, like it usually is. But then the clouds broke, and suddenly it was like being underneath a french fry light.

Being pregnant has completely negated my ability to cope with the heat, so I quickly scurried for shade and cold water while Max and his dad checked out the tractors and got a plastic firefighter's hat. We literally had to drag Max back to the car kicking and screaming.

Despite my active morning, I felt okay. Kind of. Then I took a nap, and did NOT feel okay anymore. I thought it was hard to stay hydrated when I was running and nursing, but being pregnant in August is a whole other ballgame!

I woke up this morning shaky and still dehydrated. I wolfed down a big bowl of cereal, some peanut butter, and a couple of glasses of water. I ate the rest of Max's breakfast. Feeling a little more human, we all headed out to Target and the grocery store. I got the shakes baaaaaad in the grocery store, and inhaled a candy bar. Finally after lunch and another several glasses of water, I started feeling better.

We found some steaks on sale at the grocery store, and after a dinner of steak, potatoes, sweet corn, and salad, I am finally feeling human again. And for my workout tomorrow, I am planning on a lazy swim in the indoor pool. Baby girl needs rest, central ac, and red meat!

more than halfway

I'm more than halfway done with this pregnancy, and the W4MTP is more than halfway done as well!

W4MTP update:
As much as I am trying to just go with the zaniness and rah-rah of being a Pink Lady, I still haaaaaaaate hearing the loud music blasting when I step out of my car. Part of what I love about running is getting up early and being surrounded by quiet. No traffic, no people noise, just the birds and the trees, and the sound of feet.

Luckily, Saturday was the first day for the walkers and novices to get off the track and head out onto the road. A call for Pink Ladies to volunteer to stay behind at the track was put out, and I flagrantly shirked answering it. No WAY was I going to spend one more day getting my eardrums blasted while walking in circles. Not that it was so quiet out on the road - it was already 8:15am, plus there are how many hundred women doing this program, but at least the noise was a little more ambient and a little less amplified.

I ended up having the best walk, with a great new buddy. She's a former marathoner/triathlete who is in need of a knee replacement, and had second thoughts about whether or not to even come on Saturday since it meant walking. We had the best conversations, and the 2.5 miles flew by.

And if that weren't enough, who should stop by on her way back to Durham but, (drumroll please) IRONMO!!! Woot! We had a great time catching up, and Max showed off all his trucks.

Preggo update:
I ran as a young crazy person, but didn't really get bitten by it until I started marathon training. I always joked that I never liked it, I was just addicted. But the funny thing is that now that I've stopped running (I am losing sight of my feet, my joints are all loosey goosey, I'm klutzier than usual, and hauling around 10 extra pounds), I really miss it! I have dreams at night about running, and for just a moment when I wake up I'm calm and happy, and then I remember that my last run was over a week ago, and I was heavy, slow, and winded the whole time. For my lunchtime workout today, I elected to go swimming.

What I did on my summer vacation...

That mythical second trimester burst of energy has kicked into high gear. I never really had it with my other two pregnancies, so it's been quite a pleasant surprise. And good timing, too!

So many delicious local fruits are in full season, that it has seemed a shame to waste a Saturday morning by going to sweat it out at the track. So instead, I've been hitting the City Market and my neighbors, Chiles Peach Orchard, for the best of what the season has to offer. Today I pitted a quart of the season's last (and sweetest!) cherries, and combined them with peaches to make a cobbler. I bought a whole peck of peaches and made not only the cobbler, but also a boatload of freezer preserves. About 40 oz. each of peach/blueberry (looks so gross, tastes so good), peach/strawberry, and just plain peach. Add that to my dwindling stash of strawberry freezer jam, and we might actually make it through fall without having to resort to the brownish slop that is store-bought jam.

Oh, and staying fit? Well, I've taken the past two Saturdays off from being a Pink Lady (last Saturday was actually cancelled due to thunderstorms). But I haven't been just sitting around eating jam. There's been lots of swimming, fishing, zoo-going, and parade-watching. Not to mention our usual walks around the neighborhood. Oh, and several hours on my feet this afternoon making jam, cobbler, and meatloaf.

Getting up early on a Saturday and going to the track may be good for the body, but making comfort food is good for the soul.