Running Therapy

I've been in a bit of a slump recently, generally down and out. Work/life/family stress has been getting to me more then usual and I needed a little pick-me-up. So, this morning I partook of some running therapy - cheaper than actual therapy!

Buttermilk Falls State Park

A mere 1.5 miles from my home is a trail head to the the lovely Buttermilk Falls State Park. This has to be one of my favorite things about our home location! 'Running' these trails (about 5 miles in total) is more like hiking, since they're extremely hilly and a bit treacherous between all of the leaves, rocks and tree roots. It sure felt like a great workout, though!

The best part about this park isn't just the beautiful waterfalls, but the huge variety of wonderful scenery in such a relatively small area. Here are some examples:

At the gorge/waterfall base

Almost a full mile of rolling waterfalls

Carved rock formations along the way

Gorge crossing

Beautiful wooded sections

Completed with a loop around a small lake

After all of this natural therapy, I arrived home a much happier/saner person! I really need to make it a point to 'get out there' and run outside at least a few times a week. The treadmill is great for convenience, but it doesn't have anything on the restorative power of the outdoors. =)

Pregnancy Weight Gain: Here I go again!

I have never been one to stress too much about my weight. In fact, it hasn't been a very good indicator of my overall fitness. When I'm 'in shape' I tend to weigh 5-10 lbs more thanks to increased muscle density. There is something daunting, however, about facing this upcoming curve again:

My pregnancy weight gain

Both of my first two pregnancies fell close to the recommended range (I'm starting at a 'normal' BMI). With the first I was right on track. With the second, I worried that I wasn't gaining enough (I was crazy-busy taking care of a toddler and didn't rest or eat like I did with the first pregnancy). All turned out well, though, with a healthy and even larger baby! Even though I gained less weight the second time, it took just as long before I was back to per-pregnancy weight (4 months).

So, I suppose the moral of the story is that I should just relax and let things take their course. If anything really goes off track I'm sure my Dr./midwife (still debating which way to go this time) will let me know!

Where I've Been

Running definitely fell off of my radar screen this past year. With a cross-country move, new baby, busy toddler and new house to settle into I decided to just relax, enjoy, and not stress about my fitness. It was a wonderful year focused mostly on this:

My silly girls

I still did some wonderful runs around my new home in beautiful upstate NY, I just didn't worry any about pace, total mileage or any race goals. My original goal of running a marathon before baby #2 turned 1 went by the wayside in favor of a new goal:

Baby #3 due April 2014!

The first trimester really leveled me this time around. Between morning sickness, exhaustion, and the normal routine with my 1 and 3 year-old I was toast. My running definitely suffered! Now, that I'm feeling better though, I have some energy to re-focus my fitness and ensure I have a healthy pregnancy and recovery. 

So, I hope to be using this blog again as a motivational tool to help keep me accountable and focused. I certainly won't be going fast or far, but hopefully I'll be enjoying running again in the coming months =)