Strep again... not me....yet. The Supportive Husband was feeling a little off this morning, headed to the doctor, and tested positive for strep. Coincidentally, I had an appointment to get both kids tested for strep today, just in case one of the little darlings was the source of my illnesses. And as it turns out, my dear boy is an asymptomatic carrier. Poor dear, I think he genuinely feels bad about it.
But after schlepping two kids to the doctor, scrambling to find childcare for Typhoid Max, cleaning vomit out of the car after his delayed gag reflex kicked in a mile down the road, running to the pharmacy, making it to work, scrambling to get myself to the doctor to get tested, racing home, making dinner, fetching whatnot for the Sick Husband, putting kids to bed, washing up, making tomorrow's lunches...I look up and it's 9:30pm and I'm preparing for a restless night on the sofabed.
Good lord. Can spring come fast enough?
Monday, February 22, 2010
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Game on!
Okay, I recovered from my non-running hiccup, and got in a fantastic run and workout this weekend, plus lots midweek mileage, woooooo! I even ran to the gym (about 1.5 miles), took a 1 hour "athletic conditioning" class which involved getting my ass kicked by a sadistic little sprite, and ran home. I am feeling it today!
We had temps in the 50's this weekend, which is pretty normal for us this time of year, but seems so balmy, given the cold and snowy winter we've had. It's been nearly a month since we had a high temp that was at or above average! The snow did some serious melting, and I've got more options for running routes and times (ie before dawn). And the days are getting longer, so soon a 6am run won't be in the pitch black. And with the nicer weather, I don't feel guilty about putting one or both kids in the buggy. We've all been jonesing for a little fresh air, and even Max has been an eager passenger this past week.
My weight has stabilized, and I'm no longer losing and this is a good thing! I am at a weight that 1) looks and feels great and 2) I can actually maintain over the long haul. For the VERY FIRST TIME in my whole life, I feel like my weight is simply another measurement in my assessment of my overall health and fitness. I was totally dragging during a treadmill session and workout at the gym the other day. When I was done, I hopped on the scale, and was down almost two pounds. Instead of thinking "awesome, I'm so skinny and therefore a better person," I immediately though, "I bet I'm dehydrated." Sure enough, I struggled sleepily through the rest of the day, downed 32 ounces (or two pounds) of water after dinner, and perked right back up.
We had temps in the 50's this weekend, which is pretty normal for us this time of year, but seems so balmy, given the cold and snowy winter we've had. It's been nearly a month since we had a high temp that was at or above average! The snow did some serious melting, and I've got more options for running routes and times (ie before dawn). And the days are getting longer, so soon a 6am run won't be in the pitch black. And with the nicer weather, I don't feel guilty about putting one or both kids in the buggy. We've all been jonesing for a little fresh air, and even Max has been an eager passenger this past week.
My weight has stabilized, and I'm no longer losing and this is a good thing! I am at a weight that 1) looks and feels great and 2) I can actually maintain over the long haul. For the VERY FIRST TIME in my whole life, I feel like my weight is simply another measurement in my assessment of my overall health and fitness. I was totally dragging during a treadmill session and workout at the gym the other day. When I was done, I hopped on the scale, and was down almost two pounds. Instead of thinking "awesome, I'm so skinny and therefore a better person," I immediately though, "I bet I'm dehydrated." Sure enough, I struggled sleepily through the rest of the day, downed 32 ounces (or two pounds) of water after dinner, and perked right back up.
Sunday, February 07, 2010
Clunk
.....aaaaaand I'm off the wagon again. Just like that.
I was feeling all fly and buff and powerful. Another snowstorm was forecast to give us 6-12 inches. No big deal. I played in the snow and did a lot of shoveling. And then about an hour later, WHAM, just like that, I was hit with the chills and aches, and my temp spiked to 104 (or higher, I just was so sick I couldn't even take my temp any more), and I spent the rest of the afternoon delirious in bed. By the next morning I was in really bad shape, and got to traverse snow covered roads to go to the ER, where two male nurses and a DO with a ponytail got me all fixed up.
I had strep again. Can you believe it? Turns out, I might need to have my tonsils out. Which is funny because I already had them out in 1986. So I've got an appointment with an ENT coming up to discuss my options. Super.
So, I spent most of this past week recovering. And shoveling, as we had a minor snow event in the middle of the week, and ANOTHER Snowpocalypse this weekend. We had somewhere north of a foot of snow, with a fair bit of sleet mixed in the middle. I'm not really sure. There was so much snow still on the ground from last weekend, that we never did get a good measurement. I have shoveled and shoveled and shoveled. And yet, when I heard the gym was going to be open today, I actually went. Did a little speedwork on the treadmill, lifted weights, did abs, and stretched. And spent a long time rolling around on my back on the foam roller. Aaaaaaah.
The roads around here are in good shape, but the sidewalks aren't. And there are tall snowbanks on the side of the road, so running in the early morning (ie in the dark) is a very, very bad idea. I can hit the gym early, I guess. Or try to get back into the lunchtime gym routine. And shoveling (especially with the baby on my back) has turned out to be some awesome cardio. But at some point, I need to get some real road miles in.
Did I mention we've got another snow storm coming on Tuesday?
I was feeling all fly and buff and powerful. Another snowstorm was forecast to give us 6-12 inches. No big deal. I played in the snow and did a lot of shoveling. And then about an hour later, WHAM, just like that, I was hit with the chills and aches, and my temp spiked to 104 (or higher, I just was so sick I couldn't even take my temp any more), and I spent the rest of the afternoon delirious in bed. By the next morning I was in really bad shape, and got to traverse snow covered roads to go to the ER, where two male nurses and a DO with a ponytail got me all fixed up.
I had strep again. Can you believe it? Turns out, I might need to have my tonsils out. Which is funny because I already had them out in 1986. So I've got an appointment with an ENT coming up to discuss my options. Super.
So, I spent most of this past week recovering. And shoveling, as we had a minor snow event in the middle of the week, and ANOTHER Snowpocalypse this weekend. We had somewhere north of a foot of snow, with a fair bit of sleet mixed in the middle. I'm not really sure. There was so much snow still on the ground from last weekend, that we never did get a good measurement. I have shoveled and shoveled and shoveled. And yet, when I heard the gym was going to be open today, I actually went. Did a little speedwork on the treadmill, lifted weights, did abs, and stretched. And spent a long time rolling around on my back on the foam roller. Aaaaaaah.
The roads around here are in good shape, but the sidewalks aren't. And there are tall snowbanks on the side of the road, so running in the early morning (ie in the dark) is a very, very bad idea. I can hit the gym early, I guess. Or try to get back into the lunchtime gym routine. And shoveling (especially with the baby on my back) has turned out to be some awesome cardio. But at some point, I need to get some real road miles in.
Did I mention we've got another snow storm coming on Tuesday?
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Lightening the load
May I celebrate a moment? I am at my goal weight. I have a 5-lb range, actually, and I'm smack in the middle of it. Truthfully, I didn't think this was a weight I could really maintain over the long haul. But since it's been more than two months since the baby weaned, and I've held this weight for four months, I think I can say that yes, this is a realistic weight for me. The last time I saw this weight was before I got pregnant. The first time. Six years ago. Okay, I was at and even below this weight for about 30 seconds my highest-mileage week when I was still nursing Max. And I was miserably hungry.
But this time, I didn't kill myself to get here. I gave up packaged cookies. I started upping my activity level around the time the baby weaned. And that's pretty much it. Mostly, I am just working hard on becoming stronger and faster, and the goal weight is a nice side effect.
I've also realized that it is time for me to give up, or at least put aside, my beloved CamelBak FlashFlo. It's just too much to haul around all the time. With my nursing days behind me now, I don't need 54 oz of water for a 10 mile run (plus all the attendant crap I got used to carrying in the pack). I've downsized to a SPIbelt, and one of those water bottles with a strap for your hand. I did get the double SPIbelt, though, mostly because my energy of choice is ShotBloks, which aren't easily strapped to anything. They need a pocket.
(And sadly, no, neither CamelBak nor SPIbelt are sponsors of this blog in any way, though I love them both dearly.)
So then end result is I'm hauling around a few ounces less than I have been. I don't know if I'll gain any speed out of it, but both my body and mind are happier for it.
But this time, I didn't kill myself to get here. I gave up packaged cookies. I started upping my activity level around the time the baby weaned. And that's pretty much it. Mostly, I am just working hard on becoming stronger and faster, and the goal weight is a nice side effect.
I've also realized that it is time for me to give up, or at least put aside, my beloved CamelBak FlashFlo. It's just too much to haul around all the time. With my nursing days behind me now, I don't need 54 oz of water for a 10 mile run (plus all the attendant crap I got used to carrying in the pack). I've downsized to a SPIbelt, and one of those water bottles with a strap for your hand. I did get the double SPIbelt, though, mostly because my energy of choice is ShotBloks, which aren't easily strapped to anything. They need a pocket.
(And sadly, no, neither CamelBak nor SPIbelt are sponsors of this blog in any way, though I love them both dearly.)
So then end result is I'm hauling around a few ounces less than I have been. I don't know if I'll gain any speed out of it, but both my body and mind are happier for it.
Click
Sometimes it all just clicks into place.
This past week, I was able to train my plan for the first time in years. YEARS. I am not exaggerating. That is what life is when you have a kid or two and a job.
I am healthy. I am uninjured. My kids are reasonably healthy (though the baby did vomit all over me while we were waiting at the pharmacy for antibiotics for her ear infection). It's The Supportive Husband's off season. The kids are sleeping well. There's no more snow on the ground, and the weather, though cold, hasn't been too bad.
I will admit to switching a run for a swim when I got the gym and realized that I didn't have a sports bra in my gym bag. But, that's why I always keep a swimsuit and goggles in my bag.
I squeezed in a run on my lunch hour. I got up in the pitch black darkness. I pushed my run till 10am to fit the schedule of my new running group, but got there early and put in an extra mile or two. I ran to the gym, lifted weights, and ran home. I did the most amazing core workout watching The Biggest Loser. Click, click, click, click. All the pieces just settled right in, and it almost seemed effortless. Almost.
Weeks like these are so rare. It feels awesome to be ahead of the curve training for the 10 Miler. This time last year I was barely training. My hip was in pain every time I took a step, and I was about to come down with walking pneumonia. Oh yeah. and I was nursing a 2 month old.
So I'm writing about this week not for you, the two of you who read my blog (hi Mo and Robine). I'm writing this for me, so I can remember that even if I only get weeks like this once every two years, I DO get weeks like this. They're out there, and there is hope for making a plan and sticking to it.
This past week, I was able to train my plan for the first time in years. YEARS. I am not exaggerating. That is what life is when you have a kid or two and a job.
I am healthy. I am uninjured. My kids are reasonably healthy (though the baby did vomit all over me while we were waiting at the pharmacy for antibiotics for her ear infection). It's The Supportive Husband's off season. The kids are sleeping well. There's no more snow on the ground, and the weather, though cold, hasn't been too bad.
I will admit to switching a run for a swim when I got the gym and realized that I didn't have a sports bra in my gym bag. But, that's why I always keep a swimsuit and goggles in my bag.
I squeezed in a run on my lunch hour. I got up in the pitch black darkness. I pushed my run till 10am to fit the schedule of my new running group, but got there early and put in an extra mile or two. I ran to the gym, lifted weights, and ran home. I did the most amazing core workout watching The Biggest Loser. Click, click, click, click. All the pieces just settled right in, and it almost seemed effortless. Almost.
Weeks like these are so rare. It feels awesome to be ahead of the curve training for the 10 Miler. This time last year I was barely training. My hip was in pain every time I took a step, and I was about to come down with walking pneumonia. Oh yeah. and I was nursing a 2 month old.
So I'm writing about this week not for you, the two of you who read my blog (hi Mo and Robine). I'm writing this for me, so I can remember that even if I only get weeks like this once every two years, I DO get weeks like this. They're out there, and there is hope for making a plan and sticking to it.
Thursday, January 07, 2010
Come ON!
So, I was sick AGAIN. I have been sick - sick enough to not be able to work out at all, let alone run in the cold, for 3 of the last 6 weeks. This is crazy! Stomach bug this time. Nuff said.
Anyway, pounding vitamins C and D, eating my greens, and washing my hands till they crack. And setting my alarm for dark-thirty tomorrow morning. Of course, with snow expected tonight, I'm not sure if I'll actually be able to run or even drive to the gym at that hour. But damned if I'm not going to do SOMETHING tomorrow. Because all this sitting around is exhausting.
Anyway, pounding vitamins C and D, eating my greens, and washing my hands till they crack. And setting my alarm for dark-thirty tomorrow morning. Of course, with snow expected tonight, I'm not sure if I'll actually be able to run or even drive to the gym at that hour. But damned if I'm not going to do SOMETHING tomorrow. Because all this sitting around is exhausting.
Friday, January 01, 2010
non-race report - NYD5K
Because the snow rendered the field used for parking impassable, the New Year's Day 5K was cancelled. I was crushed - it is one of my favorite races! I always look forward to starting the new year right - running in the cold, dreaming of PR's.
So Louise and I did our own 5-ishK this morning instead. At 8:10, five minutes before our scheduled meetup time, I was having serious regrets. The Supportive Husband and I had been out past midnight, communing with our inner gypsy punks at the Gogol Bordello show.
I haven't run outside since I came down with a nasty cold made worse by two days of nonstop snow shoveling. The cold air made my airway feel "itchy." So I've been doing the treadmill at the gym, but since I can only manage about 3/4 mile before I die of boredom, I've been running 1/2 mile, hopping on the bike, running 1/2 mile, lifting weights, running 1/2 mile, doing abs, running 1/2 mile, and stretching. So I was a little apprehensive about how my body would take to running three whole miles all in one stretch.
I shouldn't have been worried. I felt great. Mad props to Louise for poking along at my conversational pace, which I know she can do while reading a book and carrying a baby. My hip tightened up a little at the very end, but otherwise I have no complaints. Airway felt fine.
No complaints - no excuses. Hello, twenty-ten!
So Louise and I did our own 5-ishK this morning instead. At 8:10, five minutes before our scheduled meetup time, I was having serious regrets. The Supportive Husband and I had been out past midnight, communing with our inner gypsy punks at the Gogol Bordello show.
I haven't run outside since I came down with a nasty cold made worse by two days of nonstop snow shoveling. The cold air made my airway feel "itchy." So I've been doing the treadmill at the gym, but since I can only manage about 3/4 mile before I die of boredom, I've been running 1/2 mile, hopping on the bike, running 1/2 mile, lifting weights, running 1/2 mile, doing abs, running 1/2 mile, and stretching. So I was a little apprehensive about how my body would take to running three whole miles all in one stretch.
I shouldn't have been worried. I felt great. Mad props to Louise for poking along at my conversational pace, which I know she can do while reading a book and carrying a baby. My hip tightened up a little at the very end, but otherwise I have no complaints. Airway felt fine.
No complaints - no excuses. Hello, twenty-ten!
Monday, December 21, 2009
NOW can I get my medal?
I'm submitting this photo with my mother of the year nomination form.
Record breaking snowfall in these parts! It was up to my thighs, so no running the past few days, though, as you can see above, I've had plenty of vigorous exercise. And I'm paying for it. My head cold has morphed into some crazy airway thing, but hopefully a little rest and I'll be good as new. Because being snowbound with two kids underfoot is so restful, right?
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Ah, heck
Long run? What's that?
I've been struck by a cold! A mild cold, but I'm so stuffy, I can't sleep well, and breathing is tough. So I've been sticking mostly to the gym this week, which means the dreadmill and the bike. For some reason, I can hardly bear a mile on the treadmill, but can go and go and go on the stationary bike, so I've been putting in lots of bike miles. Today, feeling particularly lousy, I managed to look wearily at the treadmill, but I did 7 miles on the bike. So, there you go. Not necessarily the most hardcore, badass workout I could have done, but it beats sitting on the sofa wallowing in self pity. And for about 4 hours after my workout, I felt a lot better - things drained, I didn't feel freezing cold, and I was breathing easier.
But now I'm all stuffed up again, and my nose is chapped. But, I don't feel too awful, so I'm hoping to get back in the swing of things soon. I had a really awesome morning run in the dark the other day that made me feel like a million bucks. I couldn't find my headlamp, so it was particularly dark. There were lots of Christmas lights and porch lights on, though, and I used my cellphone for a little extra illumination when I needed it. But all that dark took me out of my body a little bit, in a good way. Rather than running the same scripts in my head, I had something else to ponder. I felt light and swift, and by the time I had put in just under 3 miles, I felt I could do anything.
I was glad to have had that run just before coming down with this cold. It really inspired me to go back to getting up early to run, even if it's dark. I had no other responsibilities. For the first time in a long time, it was just me and road. Looking back on my blog posts from marathon training, it seems they're all about how I didn't do the workout I planned, or how I was battling back from the latest daycare sickness. I had all that going on - and I was nursing!! - and I still managed to run a marathon. I can certainly find room in my life for 13.2. I'm a better mom, a better wife, and a better person when I inhabit a strong, fit body. It's worth going to the gym when I'm sick, it's worth waking up so early that my whole run is in the pitch black. Even more than being worth it, it's a gift.
I've been struck by a cold! A mild cold, but I'm so stuffy, I can't sleep well, and breathing is tough. So I've been sticking mostly to the gym this week, which means the dreadmill and the bike. For some reason, I can hardly bear a mile on the treadmill, but can go and go and go on the stationary bike, so I've been putting in lots of bike miles. Today, feeling particularly lousy, I managed to look wearily at the treadmill, but I did 7 miles on the bike. So, there you go. Not necessarily the most hardcore, badass workout I could have done, but it beats sitting on the sofa wallowing in self pity. And for about 4 hours after my workout, I felt a lot better - things drained, I didn't feel freezing cold, and I was breathing easier.
But now I'm all stuffed up again, and my nose is chapped. But, I don't feel too awful, so I'm hoping to get back in the swing of things soon. I had a really awesome morning run in the dark the other day that made me feel like a million bucks. I couldn't find my headlamp, so it was particularly dark. There were lots of Christmas lights and porch lights on, though, and I used my cellphone for a little extra illumination when I needed it. But all that dark took me out of my body a little bit, in a good way. Rather than running the same scripts in my head, I had something else to ponder. I felt light and swift, and by the time I had put in just under 3 miles, I felt I could do anything.
I was glad to have had that run just before coming down with this cold. It really inspired me to go back to getting up early to run, even if it's dark. I had no other responsibilities. For the first time in a long time, it was just me and road. Looking back on my blog posts from marathon training, it seems they're all about how I didn't do the workout I planned, or how I was battling back from the latest daycare sickness. I had all that going on - and I was nursing!! - and I still managed to run a marathon. I can certainly find room in my life for 13.2. I'm a better mom, a better wife, and a better person when I inhabit a strong, fit body. It's worth going to the gym when I'm sick, it's worth waking up so early that my whole run is in the pitch black. Even more than being worth it, it's a gift.
Sunday, December 06, 2009
beat
I'm beat. The day after my fun Turkey Trot, I started feeling not so hot. I figured it was just a little cold. I was wrong. I ended up with some strep-like infection with a side of mastitis that resulted in a fever topping out at 105 and that bought me 10 days worth of strong penicillin. My tummy is not handling it very well, and even though I'm pretty well over whatever infection I had, my electrolytes are still out of whack, and where last week I was pushing the buggy through some of the most extreme hills and feeling happy about it, this week even a walk around the block requires forethought and contingency plans. I'm continuing to improve, and am planning on at least hitting the bike at the gym on Tuesday, with the goal of doing a "long" run of at least four miles this weekend.
So yeah, another setback. But, the 10 miler is four months away so I have at least a little while to get my shit together. The Supportive Husband is on notice that I need some Saturday mornings free and clear for long runs. And my body is on notice as well! The girls have been very cooperative and have settled right down since weaning - I'm FREEEEEEEEEEEEEEE! I can throw away the industrial strength running bras and go back to my comfy Target cheapies. And so far my weight is holding steady, so I'm hopeful the 10 pounds extra I lost will stay lost. It feels good to be at my fighting weight and I *know* it helps my running.
So yeah, another setback. But, the 10 miler is four months away so I have at least a little while to get my shit together. The Supportive Husband is on notice that I need some Saturday mornings free and clear for long runs. And my body is on notice as well! The girls have been very cooperative and have settled right down since weaning - I'm FREEEEEEEEEEEEEEE! I can throw away the industrial strength running bras and go back to my comfy Target cheapies. And so far my weight is holding steady, so I'm hopeful the 10 pounds extra I lost will stay lost. It feels good to be at my fighting weight and I *know* it helps my running.
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Happy Turkey Trot Day!
I've been laying low, running-wise, knowing that weaning Sami would signal the start of training for spring races. This morning I ran the Turkey Trot. I had zero expectations - I was pushing Sami in the buggy, and have been doing precious little running. A couple of miles on the treadmill at lunch every now and again. No training to speak of, and no pushing kids in the buggy! And most importantly - I didn't have my pre-race nightmare. I did have a real-life nightmare, when I realized I had missed packet pickup, but it turns out that packet pickup continued through Wednesday, even though it was only schedule for Monday and Tuesday.
For whatever reason, my body loves this crazy, insanely hilly course. And I set a PR!! Not a "real" PR - I am truly light years away from that right now. But I set my buggy-pushing 5K PR - I beat my time from two years ago by 10 seconds!! Really, I was hardly exerting myself at all. I spent the first .75 mi caught up in the throng of non-runners, unable to maneuver through with the buggy. I stopped a few times to chat with friends. I took lots of walk breaks. My first mile was just shy of 16 min. I hit mile 2 at 29:30, and crossed the finish at 42:29. Hello, negative splits!! Am I really running faster by going slower? It appears to be so!
It was very encouraging to unexpectedly post this time. I know, 13 min miles are nothing to crow about. But I felt great, and I know now I've still got some legs on me.
I desperately need new shoes, and a new watch. I lost my cheap, plastic, 10 year old watch a few months ago, and not knowing what my pace is at any given time is a little frustrating, even at a fun run. And my shoes are nearly a year old (sinful!!), and really don't fit right. I got sweet talked in to buying narrows, and they're too narrow. I'm sorely tempted to try the new Nikes that are for overpronaters, but don't have the traditional bulkiness of stability/motion control shoes.
No black Friday shopping for me - it's Buy Nothing day, after all, but I'll be down at the shop sooner or later. I have a pocket full of coupons and I'm not afraid to use them.
For whatever reason, my body loves this crazy, insanely hilly course. And I set a PR!! Not a "real" PR - I am truly light years away from that right now. But I set my buggy-pushing 5K PR - I beat my time from two years ago by 10 seconds!! Really, I was hardly exerting myself at all. I spent the first .75 mi caught up in the throng of non-runners, unable to maneuver through with the buggy. I stopped a few times to chat with friends. I took lots of walk breaks. My first mile was just shy of 16 min. I hit mile 2 at 29:30, and crossed the finish at 42:29. Hello, negative splits!! Am I really running faster by going slower? It appears to be so!
It was very encouraging to unexpectedly post this time. I know, 13 min miles are nothing to crow about. But I felt great, and I know now I've still got some legs on me.
I desperately need new shoes, and a new watch. I lost my cheap, plastic, 10 year old watch a few months ago, and not knowing what my pace is at any given time is a little frustrating, even at a fun run. And my shoes are nearly a year old (sinful!!), and really don't fit right. I got sweet talked in to buying narrows, and they're too narrow. I'm sorely tempted to try the new Nikes that are for overpronaters, but don't have the traditional bulkiness of stability/motion control shoes.
No black Friday shopping for me - it's Buy Nothing day, after all, but I'll be down at the shop sooner or later. I have a pocket full of coupons and I'm not afraid to use them.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
catch as catch can
Is it any wonder that all my blog posts for the past year have been about how I don't have time to blog or exercise?
The baby is almost a year old - I can hardly believe it. The first year of her life has seemed to go by in an instant, except when she was crying in the middle of the night and then it seemed to drag on forever. Knock on wood, Ferber got her sleep all straightened out, though she's finally cutting teeth and that has thrown a wrench in the works. But enough sleep means that I finally crave exercise more than I crave sleep. In a little more than a week, the baby will be weaned - goodbye nursing boobs, and good riddance. Once the girls have settled down, then I'll come up with a training plan for spring races. But until then, I'm just being diligent about increasing my overall fitness level.
I gave up cookies after dinner, and lo and behold I lost five pounds immediately. I'm not only at my prepregnancy weight, but at my fightin' weight. Hallelujah! Downside: all my pants look like Hammer pants on me now. I'm doing my best to squeeze in workouts here and there. It's better to do a little than to do nothing. More days than not, I'm able to get to the gym, or go for a run or walk. And it's a great feeling. I even found the time to go to a group exercise class at the gym! Which kicked my sorry ass, by the way. I had charley horses in both calves for four days afterward. I've started doing real swim workouts, even if it's only 800 or 1000 on my lunch break. No more lazy laps - if my triceps aren't ON FIRE by the time I'm done, then I didn't do it hard enough. I did treat myself to a very lazy session on the exercise bike today - the new InStyle came, and I wanted to read it while I rode. But then I did a killer ab workout to make up for it.
Slowly but surely, I'm reclaiming my inner athlete.
The baby is almost a year old - I can hardly believe it. The first year of her life has seemed to go by in an instant, except when she was crying in the middle of the night and then it seemed to drag on forever. Knock on wood, Ferber got her sleep all straightened out, though she's finally cutting teeth and that has thrown a wrench in the works. But enough sleep means that I finally crave exercise more than I crave sleep. In a little more than a week, the baby will be weaned - goodbye nursing boobs, and good riddance. Once the girls have settled down, then I'll come up with a training plan for spring races. But until then, I'm just being diligent about increasing my overall fitness level.
I gave up cookies after dinner, and lo and behold I lost five pounds immediately. I'm not only at my prepregnancy weight, but at my fightin' weight. Hallelujah! Downside: all my pants look like Hammer pants on me now. I'm doing my best to squeeze in workouts here and there. It's better to do a little than to do nothing. More days than not, I'm able to get to the gym, or go for a run or walk. And it's a great feeling. I even found the time to go to a group exercise class at the gym! Which kicked my sorry ass, by the way. I had charley horses in both calves for four days afterward. I've started doing real swim workouts, even if it's only 800 or 1000 on my lunch break. No more lazy laps - if my triceps aren't ON FIRE by the time I'm done, then I didn't do it hard enough. I did treat myself to a very lazy session on the exercise bike today - the new InStyle came, and I wanted to read it while I rode. But then I did a killer ab workout to make up for it.
Slowly but surely, I'm reclaiming my inner athlete.
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Race Report - Real Girls 6K
Hoooo boy, it's been a long time since I had one of these.
6K is a new distance for me, so I knew going in that I'd set a PR. I really had no goals for the race, other than to actually make it to the start, and hopefully also make it to the finish, preferably not last. Getting to the start, as always, is the hardest part of any race. Sami's streak of wonderful sleep came to a screeching halt last night, and The Supportive Husband and I were trading baby-soothing duties until goodness knows when. I think I got about 4 hours sleep, total. To add insult to injury, I had to pump pre-race. Oh, THAT'S why I've been holding off training till she weans. What a freakin' PITA.
I arrived pretty early, and sat in my car rockin' out to my iPod. It was quite peaceful, actually. I so rarely just sit and listen to music these days. When I finally got going, I spent some time stretching, especially my hips, which are still a little tight-feeling, even if I'm pain-free. I saw a few familiar faces, rolled my eyes at the "rah-rah" group photo (but participated anyway), and I was off.
The first good bit was all downhill to the river. Even though there weren't very many racers, maybe 150-200, the course was narrow, which penned me in a bit. This was actually a good thing, as it kept a lid on my speed for the first half-mile or so. The air by the river was cool and damp, but after the turnaround about 1.5 miles in, I headed back up the hill, with a balmy breeze in my face. My car thermometer read 74 when I arrived, which was a lot warmer than you'd expect around here for this time of year. Rain had been predicted, but it held off till after the race. I was secretly disappointed. I like running in the rain. It takes me out of my head a little bit.
At the water stop, I took a few sips of gatorade and a few sips of water to get the gatorade taste out of my mouth. This started a long portion of running on grass. Bumpy, uneven grass. The uphills actually felt really good. All that pushing 2 kids around in the buggy is really paying off. The downhills were just scary. I slowed to a walk on some of them to keep my footing.
And then, the chute! I didn't push to a full-on sprint, but I did pick it up a bit in the chute, and ended up crossing the finish at (I think) almost exactly 43 minutes. I had forgotten my watch, so until official results are posted, that's as close as I can get. At a pace of 11:32, that sounds about right. I was at a pretty comfortable pace the whole time, with a few walk breaks.
I honestly don't remember the last time I ran more than a mile or two without pushing the buggy, so it was a nice change of pace. I felt great afterward, and it reminded me why I put up with the 5:30am wakeups to do this thing. I'm really committed to training for the 10 miler, and then for the half a couple of weeks later. It's really daunting to think about right now, but I'm giving myself permission not to think about it until Sami is weaned.
6K is a new distance for me, so I knew going in that I'd set a PR. I really had no goals for the race, other than to actually make it to the start, and hopefully also make it to the finish, preferably not last. Getting to the start, as always, is the hardest part of any race. Sami's streak of wonderful sleep came to a screeching halt last night, and The Supportive Husband and I were trading baby-soothing duties until goodness knows when. I think I got about 4 hours sleep, total. To add insult to injury, I had to pump pre-race. Oh, THAT'S why I've been holding off training till she weans. What a freakin' PITA.
I arrived pretty early, and sat in my car rockin' out to my iPod. It was quite peaceful, actually. I so rarely just sit and listen to music these days. When I finally got going, I spent some time stretching, especially my hips, which are still a little tight-feeling, even if I'm pain-free. I saw a few familiar faces, rolled my eyes at the "rah-rah" group photo (but participated anyway), and I was off.
The first good bit was all downhill to the river. Even though there weren't very many racers, maybe 150-200, the course was narrow, which penned me in a bit. This was actually a good thing, as it kept a lid on my speed for the first half-mile or so. The air by the river was cool and damp, but after the turnaround about 1.5 miles in, I headed back up the hill, with a balmy breeze in my face. My car thermometer read 74 when I arrived, which was a lot warmer than you'd expect around here for this time of year. Rain had been predicted, but it held off till after the race. I was secretly disappointed. I like running in the rain. It takes me out of my head a little bit.
At the water stop, I took a few sips of gatorade and a few sips of water to get the gatorade taste out of my mouth. This started a long portion of running on grass. Bumpy, uneven grass. The uphills actually felt really good. All that pushing 2 kids around in the buggy is really paying off. The downhills were just scary. I slowed to a walk on some of them to keep my footing.
And then, the chute! I didn't push to a full-on sprint, but I did pick it up a bit in the chute, and ended up crossing the finish at (I think) almost exactly 43 minutes. I had forgotten my watch, so until official results are posted, that's as close as I can get. At a pace of 11:32, that sounds about right. I was at a pretty comfortable pace the whole time, with a few walk breaks.
I honestly don't remember the last time I ran more than a mile or two without pushing the buggy, so it was a nice change of pace. I felt great afterward, and it reminded me why I put up with the 5:30am wakeups to do this thing. I'm really committed to training for the 10 miler, and then for the half a couple of weeks later. It's really daunting to think about right now, but I'm giving myself permission not to think about it until Sami is weaned.
Sunday, October 04, 2009
I placed!!!
My standard spiel about running is that I intend to keep doing it until I place in my age group. Well, I placed yesterday! Sadly, not in running. In pie-baking, of all things. I won the "nut/other" category in the Cville Pie Fest with my "Cheap Drunk Nut Pie." I can't believe it! Unfortunately, I was too sick to attend the event - my third illness in as many weeks. So there's been a lot more baking than running going on at my house.
Well, next weekend I am racing again. I think. I signed up a couple months ago, but realized that I've never gotten any kind of confirmation whatsoever that I am, in fact, registered for the Real Girls Run 6K next Saturday. Maybe I'll look in to that. With all the non-training I've been doing lately, even starting the race, let alone finishing it, is going to be a bigger challenge than I bargained for. I'm feeling much better, and would love to go for a run this afternoon, but I'm stuck at home with napping kids while The Husband is at work. Sigh.
So, in the meantime, here's my recipe for AWARD WINNINGTM Cheap Drunk Nut Pie.
Crust (This recipe is pretty much cribbed from the Better Homes and Gardens cookbook - nothing fancy here. Though I do add a little salt where they don't, since I'm making a super-sweet pie.):
Ingredients:
1 1/4 cups flour, sifted
1/4 tsp salt
1/3 cup shortening
4 Tbsp ice water
Directions:
Pulse flour, salt, and shortening in food processor until it looks like coarse crumbs. Scrape sides occasionally if necessary. Add ice water all at once and process until dough forms into a ball. Again, scrape sides if necessary. Pat dough ball into a disk, wrap in waxed paper, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
Preheat oven to 450.
Roll out crust and place into pie plate. Flute the edge, or do whatever decorative treatment you'd like. Prick liberally with a fork, especially where the sides of the plate meet the bottom. Line with parchment paper and fill with weights - dried beans or rice work well for this. Press into corners to prevent crust from lifting up during baking. Bake at 450 for about 8 minutes.
Optional: Just before adding filling to crust, use a pastry brush to brush an egg wash (1 beaten yolk with a splash of milk) on the edges and sides of crust. This will give the crust a nice golden color once baked.
Filling (this recipe is the result of lots of research and testing, and passed the ultimate taste test - my 3 year old like it!):
Ingredients:
4-5 eggs (I get mine from the farmer's market, and am not always there at the crack of dawn, so I sometimes end up with medium eggs instead of large)
1 cup dark brown sugar
1 cup dark corn syrup
6 Tbsp unsalted butter, melted
1 Tbsp cheap vodka* OR bourbon OR lemon juice
1 tsp apple cider vinegar
1 cup raw, unsalted pecan halves
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350. Spread pecan halves on a cookie sheet in a single layer. Bake for approx 5 minutes, stir, and bake for 5 more minutes. Watch nuts carefully and be sure they don't scorch.
Once the nuts cool, grind half of them in a food processor to form a meal**, and set aside.
Preheat oven to 375.
In a large bowl, beat eggs with the brown sugar till combined. Add corn syrup, melted butter, vodka, and vinegar and mix well. Add ground pecans and stir till combined. Pour mixture into baked crust, reserving about 1-2 Tbsp in the bowl.
Put the remaining pecan halves into the bowl with the reserved filling and toss to coat. Arrange pecan halves on top of pie.
Bake at 375 for 45-50 minutes, or until filling is set. To prevent overbrowning of the crust, tent the edges with aluminum foil for all but the last 10 minutes of baking. Cool on a wire rack. Serve plain, or with Cool Whip or vanilla ice cream.
*A note about the cheap vodka: I heard that you can also use a little vanilla extract for part of this ingredient. Long story short, I happened to end up with a large quantity of vanilla beans, and have been making my own vanilla extract by soaking the beans in cheap vodka. This process takes months, and my extract is still mostly vodka. Really, really cheap vodka. So, having neither bourbon, nor vanilla extract, and discovering that the only lemon in my fridge was a dessiccated fossil, I used my not-quite-extracted vanilla vodka. You might even find that commercially available vanilla vodka works for you, but I've never tried it, as it is not the cheapest vodka at the liquor store.
**A note about the pecan meal - I find it makes the filling really nice and firm, and not as slimy/gooey as pecan pies usually are. It also cuts the sweetness a bit. But with a cup of corn syrup and a cup of brown sugar, who am I kidding. You can go with chopped pecans, rather than ground, but the chopped ones tend to float to the surface while baking, so they don't end up binding with the filling like the ground ones do.
Edit: Ummm, eeek! I accidentally double the amount of nuts, because I had made *two* pies for the pie fest. I'm sure it wouldn't suck w/2 cups of nuts, but it really only requires 1. I fixed it in the recipe above.
Well, next weekend I am racing again. I think. I signed up a couple months ago, but realized that I've never gotten any kind of confirmation whatsoever that I am, in fact, registered for the Real Girls Run 6K next Saturday. Maybe I'll look in to that. With all the non-training I've been doing lately, even starting the race, let alone finishing it, is going to be a bigger challenge than I bargained for. I'm feeling much better, and would love to go for a run this afternoon, but I'm stuck at home with napping kids while The Husband is at work. Sigh.
So, in the meantime, here's my recipe for AWARD WINNINGTM Cheap Drunk Nut Pie.
Crust (This recipe is pretty much cribbed from the Better Homes and Gardens cookbook - nothing fancy here. Though I do add a little salt where they don't, since I'm making a super-sweet pie.):
Ingredients:
1 1/4 cups flour, sifted
1/4 tsp salt
1/3 cup shortening
4 Tbsp ice water
Directions:
Pulse flour, salt, and shortening in food processor until it looks like coarse crumbs. Scrape sides occasionally if necessary. Add ice water all at once and process until dough forms into a ball. Again, scrape sides if necessary. Pat dough ball into a disk, wrap in waxed paper, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
Preheat oven to 450.
Roll out crust and place into pie plate. Flute the edge, or do whatever decorative treatment you'd like. Prick liberally with a fork, especially where the sides of the plate meet the bottom. Line with parchment paper and fill with weights - dried beans or rice work well for this. Press into corners to prevent crust from lifting up during baking. Bake at 450 for about 8 minutes.
Optional: Just before adding filling to crust, use a pastry brush to brush an egg wash (1 beaten yolk with a splash of milk) on the edges and sides of crust. This will give the crust a nice golden color once baked.
Filling (this recipe is the result of lots of research and testing, and passed the ultimate taste test - my 3 year old like it!):
Ingredients:
4-5 eggs (I get mine from the farmer's market, and am not always there at the crack of dawn, so I sometimes end up with medium eggs instead of large)
1 cup dark brown sugar
1 cup dark corn syrup
6 Tbsp unsalted butter, melted
1 Tbsp cheap vodka* OR bourbon OR lemon juice
1 tsp apple cider vinegar
1 cup raw, unsalted pecan halves
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350. Spread pecan halves on a cookie sheet in a single layer. Bake for approx 5 minutes, stir, and bake for 5 more minutes. Watch nuts carefully and be sure they don't scorch.
Once the nuts cool, grind half of them in a food processor to form a meal**, and set aside.
Preheat oven to 375.
In a large bowl, beat eggs with the brown sugar till combined. Add corn syrup, melted butter, vodka, and vinegar and mix well. Add ground pecans and stir till combined. Pour mixture into baked crust, reserving about 1-2 Tbsp in the bowl.
Put the remaining pecan halves into the bowl with the reserved filling and toss to coat. Arrange pecan halves on top of pie.
Bake at 375 for 45-50 minutes, or until filling is set. To prevent overbrowning of the crust, tent the edges with aluminum foil for all but the last 10 minutes of baking. Cool on a wire rack. Serve plain, or with Cool Whip or vanilla ice cream.
*A note about the cheap vodka: I heard that you can also use a little vanilla extract for part of this ingredient. Long story short, I happened to end up with a large quantity of vanilla beans, and have been making my own vanilla extract by soaking the beans in cheap vodka. This process takes months, and my extract is still mostly vodka. Really, really cheap vodka. So, having neither bourbon, nor vanilla extract, and discovering that the only lemon in my fridge was a dessiccated fossil, I used my not-quite-extracted vanilla vodka. You might even find that commercially available vanilla vodka works for you, but I've never tried it, as it is not the cheapest vodka at the liquor store.
**A note about the pecan meal - I find it makes the filling really nice and firm, and not as slimy/gooey as pecan pies usually are. It also cuts the sweetness a bit. But with a cup of corn syrup and a cup of brown sugar, who am I kidding. You can go with chopped pecans, rather than ground, but the chopped ones tend to float to the surface while baking, so they don't end up binding with the filling like the ground ones do.
Edit: Ummm, eeek! I accidentally double the amount of nuts, because I had made *two* pies for the pie fest. I'm sure it wouldn't suck w/2 cups of nuts, but it really only requires 1. I fixed it in the recipe above.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
feed the blog, or, why isn't mama running?
So, another looooong blogging hiatus.
What have I been up to?
Sick kids, sick mama, the busiest work season of The Supportive Husband's year. Nursing, pumping, working. Knitting!
Not a lot of running.
Max went on a bit of a buggy strike for a while. Gaaah, $400 bucks for the double BOB down the drain! Happily, a coffee shop has opened on my regular running route, and now Max will gladly ride in the stroller knowing that there is a smoothie waiting for him halfway through the buggy ride. I'm back to running Saturday mornings as well - Max has started soccer, and it is the Supportive Husband's job to take him, so Sami and I have an hour to ourselves. So, I get a chance to go for a run pushing the single buggy. Pushing an 18 lb baby plus a 25 lb stroller is like pushing a feather after pushing 90 lbs of kids and stroller. And running with no kids - well, it happens so seldom these days that it feels a bit awkward. I'm not sure what to do with my hands, and I don't have anyone to talk to.
I've also been hitting the gym a bit more these days - I have finally gotten back in the pool, and it feels amazing. And yes, I'm amazed at how my swimming muscles have atrophied over the past 10 months.
I'm doing a 6K in a couple of weeks, and I'm excited to get out there, but at this point, doing a spring half, or even the ten miler, seems really daunting. Max was the age Sami is now when I ran the marathon, and frankly I can't even wrap my brain around that kind of distance right now. Having two children now means that those tiny holes in my day - 10 minutes here, 30 minutes there - have disappeared entirely. Just now, Max has called me into his bedroom multiple times - to turn his music on, take him to the potty, get him a drink of water - and now it's 9:30 and I'm not sure he's asleep, and I haven't had a minute to myself. Let alone found the time to go for a long run.
But in a few weeks, the Supportive Husband's work season will be winding down, and with any luck, the shorter days means the kids will get to bed earlier. And maybe, just maybe I can steal a few moments here and there, and stitch them together until I've got a regular running schedule back.
What have I been up to?
Sick kids, sick mama, the busiest work season of The Supportive Husband's year. Nursing, pumping, working. Knitting!
Not a lot of running.
Max went on a bit of a buggy strike for a while. Gaaah, $400 bucks for the double BOB down the drain! Happily, a coffee shop has opened on my regular running route, and now Max will gladly ride in the stroller knowing that there is a smoothie waiting for him halfway through the buggy ride. I'm back to running Saturday mornings as well - Max has started soccer, and it is the Supportive Husband's job to take him, so Sami and I have an hour to ourselves. So, I get a chance to go for a run pushing the single buggy. Pushing an 18 lb baby plus a 25 lb stroller is like pushing a feather after pushing 90 lbs of kids and stroller. And running with no kids - well, it happens so seldom these days that it feels a bit awkward. I'm not sure what to do with my hands, and I don't have anyone to talk to.
I've also been hitting the gym a bit more these days - I have finally gotten back in the pool, and it feels amazing. And yes, I'm amazed at how my swimming muscles have atrophied over the past 10 months.
I'm doing a 6K in a couple of weeks, and I'm excited to get out there, but at this point, doing a spring half, or even the ten miler, seems really daunting. Max was the age Sami is now when I ran the marathon, and frankly I can't even wrap my brain around that kind of distance right now. Having two children now means that those tiny holes in my day - 10 minutes here, 30 minutes there - have disappeared entirely. Just now, Max has called me into his bedroom multiple times - to turn his music on, take him to the potty, get him a drink of water - and now it's 9:30 and I'm not sure he's asleep, and I haven't had a minute to myself. Let alone found the time to go for a long run.
But in a few weeks, the Supportive Husband's work season will be winding down, and with any luck, the shorter days means the kids will get to bed earlier. And maybe, just maybe I can steal a few moments here and there, and stitch them together until I've got a regular running schedule back.
Sunday, August 30, 2009
4 miles and 60 pounds of kids
I pushed almost 60 pounds of kids and 30 pounds of stroller up and down the Monticello Trail this morning. I was feeling pretty badass about it until a guy pushing THREE kids in a triple stroller smoked past me.
But, both kids were angels during the ride. Max happily rode all the way up, keeping watch for any bears that might be on our path. Ever since I told him the story about the time I saw a bear while running, he's been pretty keen to see a bear. Especially since I've informed him that the bears around here are nice bears and mostly just want to eat blackberries and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. We had neither, so the bears stayed a safe distance away.
We did stop at the snack bar at the top of the hill. Monticello has entirely redone their visitor center, and there's now a proper cafe at the top of the trail, instead of just the hot dog stand. It was a nice break, having a snack and some chocolate milk in the courtyard by the fountain. When we started back down, Max decided to walk for a while. And then he decided to run. And I ran after him, and he ran past me, and we had a blast running and laughing and leapfrogging. Fartlek/speed play, indeed! He got back in the buggy after a quarter mile or so, and I ran the rest of the way down to the car.
For my cool down, I changed Sami's diaper in the back of the wagon, wrestled the double buggy back into the car, and helped Max climb a tree.
I'm finally getting in to the groove of including the kids in whatever fitness undertaking I'm pursuing. I simply can't do it any other way. The time available to me to run or do anything without at least one kid in tow is practically nil. But between last week's awesome family hike and this week's run up the hill, that's not a bad thing.
But, both kids were angels during the ride. Max happily rode all the way up, keeping watch for any bears that might be on our path. Ever since I told him the story about the time I saw a bear while running, he's been pretty keen to see a bear. Especially since I've informed him that the bears around here are nice bears and mostly just want to eat blackberries and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. We had neither, so the bears stayed a safe distance away.
We did stop at the snack bar at the top of the hill. Monticello has entirely redone their visitor center, and there's now a proper cafe at the top of the trail, instead of just the hot dog stand. It was a nice break, having a snack and some chocolate milk in the courtyard by the fountain. When we started back down, Max decided to walk for a while. And then he decided to run. And I ran after him, and he ran past me, and we had a blast running and laughing and leapfrogging. Fartlek/speed play, indeed! He got back in the buggy after a quarter mile or so, and I ran the rest of the way down to the car.
For my cool down, I changed Sami's diaper in the back of the wagon, wrestled the double buggy back into the car, and helped Max climb a tree.
I'm finally getting in to the groove of including the kids in whatever fitness undertaking I'm pursuing. I simply can't do it any other way. The time available to me to run or do anything without at least one kid in tow is practically nil. But between last week's awesome family hike and this week's run up the hill, that's not a bad thing.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Life and other interruptions
So, where was I? The hip is basically healed - almost exactly 9 months to the day since I gave birth. Funny how that works. I'm nearly 10 pounds lighter than before I got pregnant, but I was shocked, shocked! at how flabby I look in pictures. Running 3 miles/week and never going to the gym will do that to a girl. Strangely enough, I'm okay with it. Not okay with flabby as a permanent state, but okay with knowing there's a journey ahead. I don't have delusions of ever regaining my pre-baby body, but I do want to get to a level of fitness that is comfortable for me. Somewhere between "harried, nursing, WOTH* mother of two" and "marathon-ready."
So where is that happy medium for me? It's clear that my life, in which I am The Supportive Wife to The Supportive Husband, can't really sustain year after year of intense summer training programs. The Supportive Husband works late on Saturdays, so out of respect to him, I'd like to not have those really early Saturday wakeups during his busy season (May thru Oct). And honestly, have you ever been to Virginia in the summer? As they say, it's not the heat, it's the humidity. Or maybe it is the heat.
So I'm planning on the Charlottesville Half Marathon in April. That gives me plenty of time to get Sami weaned before I ramp up for a winter of training. I'm kicking off the season with the Real Girls Run 6K in October. 6K is a weird distance, but it's an automatic PR for me since I've never raced it, so score one on that front!
I also want to explore more trail running. The whole family went for a hike on Sunday, and it all came flooding back, how much I love being out on the trail. Oh, how I have missed it, these early years of parenthood. And it was a pretty good workout to hike with Max leading the way and the baby on my back. But I'd also love to have some solitude on the trail, even if that solitude comes in the form of running ahead of the rest of my crew, and running back to meet them.
I know good things are around the corner - my gym is opening a branch just over a mile from my house, which makes me giddy. I can finally dash out for a workout after the kids are in bed, or before they get up! I can put the baby, who does not mind gym day care, in the jogger and take her with me.
Summer hours at work will soon be over, meaning I have to work regular hours on Fridays, but in exchange I get my lunch hours back. So my lunchtime workouts can resume.
And Sami will be weaned in a few short months, so yet another layer of logistics drops away from my being able to run or work out. And I won't have to deal with the girls!! I can go back to my cheapo sports bras instead of the industrial strength.
But, all that is in the future. For now, patience, Grasshopper.
*WOTH=Work outside the home
So where is that happy medium for me? It's clear that my life, in which I am The Supportive Wife to The Supportive Husband, can't really sustain year after year of intense summer training programs. The Supportive Husband works late on Saturdays, so out of respect to him, I'd like to not have those really early Saturday wakeups during his busy season (May thru Oct). And honestly, have you ever been to Virginia in the summer? As they say, it's not the heat, it's the humidity. Or maybe it is the heat.
So I'm planning on the Charlottesville Half Marathon in April. That gives me plenty of time to get Sami weaned before I ramp up for a winter of training. I'm kicking off the season with the Real Girls Run 6K in October. 6K is a weird distance, but it's an automatic PR for me since I've never raced it, so score one on that front!
I also want to explore more trail running. The whole family went for a hike on Sunday, and it all came flooding back, how much I love being out on the trail. Oh, how I have missed it, these early years of parenthood. And it was a pretty good workout to hike with Max leading the way and the baby on my back. But I'd also love to have some solitude on the trail, even if that solitude comes in the form of running ahead of the rest of my crew, and running back to meet them.
I know good things are around the corner - my gym is opening a branch just over a mile from my house, which makes me giddy. I can finally dash out for a workout after the kids are in bed, or before they get up! I can put the baby, who does not mind gym day care, in the jogger and take her with me.
Summer hours at work will soon be over, meaning I have to work regular hours on Fridays, but in exchange I get my lunch hours back. So my lunchtime workouts can resume.
And Sami will be weaned in a few short months, so yet another layer of logistics drops away from my being able to run or work out. And I won't have to deal with the girls!! I can go back to my cheapo sports bras instead of the industrial strength.
But, all that is in the future. For now, patience, Grasshopper.
*WOTH=Work outside the home
Monday, July 20, 2009
Sleeping and waking
The Princess has decided to sleep! I don't want to jinx anything (and I am sure tonight will be very rough, no doubt), but Sami has not only been sleeping 12 hours at night, but napping (napping!!!!) during the day as well (knock wood, send anti-jinx vibes pls). Whenever she wakes I tell her how much cuter she looks after her beauty sleep.
Between a nice stretch of sleep-ful nights, Sami's increasing intake of solids and corresponding decrease in nursing, and generally emerging from those difficult days of early babyhood, I feel like I am waking up.
The lack of running had really been getting me down. But my hip is better, and I can start working back up to some real distances. I have my sights set on a spring half, and am already perusing the online sales for cold weather running gear to get me through the winter. I am more optimistic about my running, knowing that the half or the full or the ultra will all be there waiting for me when I am ready. I know that my baby won't be a baby forever. In a few short months, she'll be weaned, and I'll be able to run early in the morning without pumping, or hit the gym after work without worrying about the next feed, and, most importantly, be able to run any time without having to accommodate "the girls."
Not only am I making plans about running, I'm also consciously embracing other non-mom hobbies and interests. Knowing that Sami is our last, there is an end-date to this gig of full time motherhood.* Not that I'll have to turn in my company ID, training manuals, and restroom key when she turns 18. But yes, at some point, she'll have friends of her own, and hobbies of her own, and she won't want me to carry her in the sling to prom. Weaning is just one milestone in the long process of separation that is parenting. So I'm getting fair warning that I will someday have to fill the hours that are now consumed with bottom-wiping, burping, tooth-brushing, dicing of food, carseat buckling, and a hundred other insignificant tasks that weave together to form Max and Sami's childhoods.
I'm back in the knitting swing of things - I've started my first non-baby blanket project since before Max was born. I renewed my flight instructor's certification (not that I plan to use it, but if you let it lapse, it is really tough to get it back) for another two years, and have started reading flight instruction blogs. Last time I actively sought information about teaching flying there were no such thing as blogs! I am becoming more involved with the Supportive Husband's business, and learning about his craft so that I can be an asset to his (our) business, and pitch in a little more as the kids get older.
I feel like I am waking up from the long sleep of my childbearing years, and I have a long day stretching out ahead of me.
*Astute readers may note that I also work outside the home full time. But I am, first and foremost, a full time mom, who just happens to have a day job, too.
Between a nice stretch of sleep-ful nights, Sami's increasing intake of solids and corresponding decrease in nursing, and generally emerging from those difficult days of early babyhood, I feel like I am waking up.
The lack of running had really been getting me down. But my hip is better, and I can start working back up to some real distances. I have my sights set on a spring half, and am already perusing the online sales for cold weather running gear to get me through the winter. I am more optimistic about my running, knowing that the half or the full or the ultra will all be there waiting for me when I am ready. I know that my baby won't be a baby forever. In a few short months, she'll be weaned, and I'll be able to run early in the morning without pumping, or hit the gym after work without worrying about the next feed, and, most importantly, be able to run any time without having to accommodate "the girls."
Not only am I making plans about running, I'm also consciously embracing other non-mom hobbies and interests. Knowing that Sami is our last, there is an end-date to this gig of full time motherhood.* Not that I'll have to turn in my company ID, training manuals, and restroom key when she turns 18. But yes, at some point, she'll have friends of her own, and hobbies of her own, and she won't want me to carry her in the sling to prom. Weaning is just one milestone in the long process of separation that is parenting. So I'm getting fair warning that I will someday have to fill the hours that are now consumed with bottom-wiping, burping, tooth-brushing, dicing of food, carseat buckling, and a hundred other insignificant tasks that weave together to form Max and Sami's childhoods.
I'm back in the knitting swing of things - I've started my first non-baby blanket project since before Max was born. I renewed my flight instructor's certification (not that I plan to use it, but if you let it lapse, it is really tough to get it back) for another two years, and have started reading flight instruction blogs. Last time I actively sought information about teaching flying there were no such thing as blogs! I am becoming more involved with the Supportive Husband's business, and learning about his craft so that I can be an asset to his (our) business, and pitch in a little more as the kids get older.
I feel like I am waking up from the long sleep of my childbearing years, and I have a long day stretching out ahead of me.
*Astute readers may note that I also work outside the home full time. But I am, first and foremost, a full time mom, who just happens to have a day job, too.
Saturday, June 27, 2009
9 months up
There's a saying about pregnancy weight - nine months up, nine months down. I am lucky (um, and I work my ass off, literally) that I've always lost my pregnancy weight quickly, but I have to constantly remind myself of this maxim. Your body really takes a beating during pregnancy (mine does, anyway) and even though I am at my goal weight, things are still easing back to where they used to be. And let's face it, I'll be happy if some things end up in the general vicinity of where they used to be.
The problems I have been having with my hip are slowly resolving on their own, which is great, since I still have not managed to find the time to actually schedule a physical therapy appointment. But my running hiatus continues. Partly because of the hip, but mostly because I haven't quite figured out how to be a running mom of two.
The double BOB mostly sits folded in the garage, as Max will only ride in it for limited amounts of time. The Supportive Husband, while still supportive, has registered his strong objection to my 5:30 am Saturday wakeups, and that objection has been duly noted. The nature of his work means that he is often working until 11pm or later on Saturday nights, so having been rousted at 5am by my alarm, and then again at whatever ungodly hour one or both kids decide to wake up is pretty tough on him. And to be quite honest, the last thing I want to do on a Saturday morning is get up at 5:30 to pump. I burned out on pumping when Max was about 8 months old, and it did not regain its luster the second time around. And truth be told, Sami is not the sleeper he was. Most nights, I am up with her at 3am for a quick snack and cuddle. 5:30 comes awfully fast.
So where does that leave me? Squeezing in a run/walk after work in the blazing heat. Squeezing in 20 minutes on the treadmill during my lunch hour. Basically, trying to maintain a bare minimum fitness level so that once Sami is weaned, I can consider doing a spring race.
The not running hasn't been so bad, but it has been difficult to not have a "thing." A thing where I don't have to be someone's mom. A thing that has a goal that isn't work related. A thing that is mine - my dreams, my achievements, my time. I am still figuring out this dance of being a mom of two, but as my bones shift back to where they used to be, I hope my thing will start to take shape again. I need my thing back. And I think it's going to take at least nine months to get it.
The problems I have been having with my hip are slowly resolving on their own, which is great, since I still have not managed to find the time to actually schedule a physical therapy appointment. But my running hiatus continues. Partly because of the hip, but mostly because I haven't quite figured out how to be a running mom of two.
The double BOB mostly sits folded in the garage, as Max will only ride in it for limited amounts of time. The Supportive Husband, while still supportive, has registered his strong objection to my 5:30 am Saturday wakeups, and that objection has been duly noted. The nature of his work means that he is often working until 11pm or later on Saturday nights, so having been rousted at 5am by my alarm, and then again at whatever ungodly hour one or both kids decide to wake up is pretty tough on him. And to be quite honest, the last thing I want to do on a Saturday morning is get up at 5:30 to pump. I burned out on pumping when Max was about 8 months old, and it did not regain its luster the second time around. And truth be told, Sami is not the sleeper he was. Most nights, I am up with her at 3am for a quick snack and cuddle. 5:30 comes awfully fast.
So where does that leave me? Squeezing in a run/walk after work in the blazing heat. Squeezing in 20 minutes on the treadmill during my lunch hour. Basically, trying to maintain a bare minimum fitness level so that once Sami is weaned, I can consider doing a spring race.
The not running hasn't been so bad, but it has been difficult to not have a "thing." A thing where I don't have to be someone's mom. A thing that has a goal that isn't work related. A thing that is mine - my dreams, my achievements, my time. I am still figuring out this dance of being a mom of two, but as my bones shift back to where they used to be, I hope my thing will start to take shape again. I need my thing back. And I think it's going to take at least nine months to get it.
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Where's Waldo?
Or really, Where's Mama?
I have been so absent from my blog! I didn't think my non-running was worth blogging about on my running blog. But I supposed I owe my fan (hi Robine) an update.
The hip/groin pain I've been having since mid-pregnancy is still around, despite having laid off the running big time for the past 7 weeks or so. It actually feels worse since I stopped running, and I think that increasing my physical activity in whatever form is probably good for it. Next stop, physical therapy. I just have to figure out when...
Life with two kids is great but there is not a minute of the day where somebody doesn't need me. Anytime I do anything, I should be doing something else. When I am at work, I should be easing Max through his rediscovered separation anxiety. When I'm with Max, I should be helping Sami learn to sit up. When I'm goofing around with Sami, I should be helping the Supportive Husband with the family business. When I'm helping with the business, I should be working out. When I'm working out, I should be folding the laundry. And so on. Everything I do comes at the expense of something else. Everything.
But this morning the stars aligned and I actually got in a bit of a run, with Sami in the BOB while Max slept in. It was the most perfect morning imaginable. A sweet whisper of a breeze, bright sun, warm but not hot, no humidity. I couldn't not run. Truth be told it was a walk-run with more walk than run. It's been 3.5 months since I had walking pneumonia, and I still cough and wheeze a bit when I run. And my hip - ow. I really need to not neglect that, because my opposite knee has started to hurt because my gait is all wonky and sideways to compensate. But I had a great time, and Sami quietly watched the morning slide by, still in her footie jammies. By the time we got home, Max was awake, and had got wind of the fact that Sami had gone on a buggy ride. So I traded kids with the Supportive Husband, and took Max for a bit of a stroll.
I had worried that scaling back my running would cause the pregnancy pounds to pile back on. But no, I am less than a pound away from the weight I was the day after the 10-miler. Go nursing!! After Max was born, I was nursing and training so much that I got down to a crazy skinny weight. At times during that period, I would have had to eat 3,500 calories/day just to maintain my weight. Impossible! After Max weaned, which was not long after I ran the marathon, I put on several pounds pretty rapidly - I think my body had gone into starvation mode. Since I've decided not to really train while Sami is still nursing, I am hopeful that I won't gain much (if any) weight after she weans. Even though I'm quite a few pounds less than my prepregnancy weight, I could stand to lose a few more.
However, after reading all the recent "body after baby" drek in the celebrity mags, I have decided I'd rather be a little flabby and five pounds too heavy than waste my life away by having a protein shake for breakfast, whole wheat turkey wrap for lunch, and poached fish for dinner. And oh, if I get cravings, I could l just have a stick of gum. Gum!!! Seriously, that is one celeb's diet strategy - gum to stave off cravings. As if I'm going to walk past the cupcake shop, pop in a stick of Dentyne and just keep strolling by, while a single tear slides down my cheek.
Let's face it, even if I lost five or ten pounds, my thrice-pregnant tummy will most likely never again be bikini ready without some serious Thermage. And I don't think People magazine is going to be knocking on my door looking for cheesecake shots either. I'm fit and healthy, and as long as that is the case, I'll never pass up a cupcake.
I have been so absent from my blog! I didn't think my non-running was worth blogging about on my running blog. But I supposed I owe my fan (hi Robine) an update.
The hip/groin pain I've been having since mid-pregnancy is still around, despite having laid off the running big time for the past 7 weeks or so. It actually feels worse since I stopped running, and I think that increasing my physical activity in whatever form is probably good for it. Next stop, physical therapy. I just have to figure out when...
Life with two kids is great but there is not a minute of the day where somebody doesn't need me. Anytime I do anything, I should be doing something else. When I am at work, I should be easing Max through his rediscovered separation anxiety. When I'm with Max, I should be helping Sami learn to sit up. When I'm goofing around with Sami, I should be helping the Supportive Husband with the family business. When I'm helping with the business, I should be working out. When I'm working out, I should be folding the laundry. And so on. Everything I do comes at the expense of something else. Everything.
But this morning the stars aligned and I actually got in a bit of a run, with Sami in the BOB while Max slept in. It was the most perfect morning imaginable. A sweet whisper of a breeze, bright sun, warm but not hot, no humidity. I couldn't not run. Truth be told it was a walk-run with more walk than run. It's been 3.5 months since I had walking pneumonia, and I still cough and wheeze a bit when I run. And my hip - ow. I really need to not neglect that, because my opposite knee has started to hurt because my gait is all wonky and sideways to compensate. But I had a great time, and Sami quietly watched the morning slide by, still in her footie jammies. By the time we got home, Max was awake, and had got wind of the fact that Sami had gone on a buggy ride. So I traded kids with the Supportive Husband, and took Max for a bit of a stroll.
I had worried that scaling back my running would cause the pregnancy pounds to pile back on. But no, I am less than a pound away from the weight I was the day after the 10-miler. Go nursing!! After Max was born, I was nursing and training so much that I got down to a crazy skinny weight. At times during that period, I would have had to eat 3,500 calories/day just to maintain my weight. Impossible! After Max weaned, which was not long after I ran the marathon, I put on several pounds pretty rapidly - I think my body had gone into starvation mode. Since I've decided not to really train while Sami is still nursing, I am hopeful that I won't gain much (if any) weight after she weans. Even though I'm quite a few pounds less than my prepregnancy weight, I could stand to lose a few more.
However, after reading all the recent "body after baby" drek in the celebrity mags, I have decided I'd rather be a little flabby and five pounds too heavy than waste my life away by having a protein shake for breakfast, whole wheat turkey wrap for lunch, and poached fish for dinner. And oh, if I get cravings, I could l just have a stick of gum. Gum!!! Seriously, that is one celeb's diet strategy - gum to stave off cravings. As if I'm going to walk past the cupcake shop, pop in a stick of Dentyne and just keep strolling by, while a single tear slides down my cheek.
Let's face it, even if I lost five or ten pounds, my thrice-pregnant tummy will most likely never again be bikini ready without some serious Thermage. And I don't think People magazine is going to be knocking on my door looking for cheesecake shots either. I'm fit and healthy, and as long as that is the case, I'll never pass up a cupcake.
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