Here I Go Again!

I'm back! Finally, after what seems like forever, I'm ready to start really running again.

It turned out that having three babies in four years took it's toll on my body; not terribly surprising! When I started exercising again this past spring I had some very difficult hip pain and muscle imbalances to deal with. So, I tabled the running (mostly) and focused on improving my basic fitness.

I met with a personal trainer to help layout a weight lifting routine to get me back on track and correct the major muscle imbalances. I tried to lift three times a week, swim twice a week, and bike once a week. I didn't always hit these goals, but for the most part I've been very productive the last few months.

Now I am feeling great and I'm finally ready to dive back into running! To give myself a kick in the pants, and to help me stay motivated, I signed up for Run the Edge's 2,015 miles in 2015 challenge.

This is very ambitious for me, and perhaps a bit foolish. I've never run 1,000 miles in a year, let alone 2,015. I am, however, optimistic. Mentally, I'm at a place where I'd really like to focus on my fitness. *Fingers Crossed* that 2015 is the year!

Cleared for Exercise!

Today, 3.5 weeks post-delivery, the midwife cleared me for a return to exercise, yay!

I tried running a few times in the previous weeks, but clearly wasn't ready yet. Hopefully, when I try again tonight, everything well go (more) smoothly =)

Honestly, I find getting back into shape after pregnancy to be a fairly frustrating experience. It's quite depressing to start back at ground zero fitness-wise. This time, especially, I have a lot of ground to make up since I stopped exercising much earlier in pregnancy. At least my weight gain/loss is comparable to my previous pregnancies:

Pregnancy Weight Gain

Of the ~24lbs I gained this time around I still have ~9lbs left to lose. It could be worse. Fortunately, I know from experience that as slow as the process may seem, getting back into shape, even better shape, is possible. My marathon PR happened when my first was 10 months old =)

So, it's time to make a plan and get to work. I really want to sign up for a race (half or full marathon) to help motivate me. I made a pact with myself that I have to get up to at least a few 30+ mile weeks before I can do that, though. So, my first goal will be getting some base fitness back. Let the fun begin!

I had a baby!

Pregnancy is finally over, yay! Oh, and I have a new son to show for it; that's pretty great, too!

Dylan Alexander and big sisters Cora & Noelle

It's hard to believe that just over a week ago I was still pregnant.

Last pregnant selfie and first non-pregnant selfie

I'm so lucky and had a very smooth delivery. So, I'm itching to make my fitness recovery plan and get started!

Checking In

Yeah, running is a big fail this pregnancy. Oh well. I'm walking about 10 miles a week. Add that to taking care of my two girls and I feel like I'm training for a marathon still! I'm officially two months from my due date and I wish  it was closer!

Good Old Bathroom Selfie

Despite the lack of formal exercise, my weight gain has been more or less on track so far.

Marching Up the Curve

Either due to my lower overall fitness or just the fact that this is a third pregnancy, I definitely feel more pregnant this time around. My fingers are crossed that it'll be smooth sailing to the end and that I'll be able to get back to running ASAP. =)

Momentum lost, Pregnancy Week 21 Fail

Tricky thing, momentum. When you've got it, it keeps you going. Once lost, though, it's a terrible pain to get back!

Pregnancy Week 21 Workout Summary: ONE 3 mile walk - that's it! Ugh!

As hard as it is, I just HAVE to go back to my Every.Single.Day plan. I just don't get on the treadmill, otherwise! Starting today - GAME ON.

Pregnancy Weight Gain Check in: This is not my favorite part of pregnancy (is there a favorite part?), but it's necessary and going well:

Week 21 Weight Gain So Far

I'm not nearly as active this pregnancy as I was during my 2nd. I ran half marathons at 4.5 and 6 months that time! More or less, though, I'm right on track for my 'target' weight gain, so things are looking good!

Pregnancy Week 20 Workout Summary

So, I made it to day 21 of my Every.Single.Day challenge. Did a habit form?

No.

In fact, I took the next two days off. The problem? Argh, the return of evil pregnancy back pain. I posted about this in my last pregnancy. It was as awful then as it is now; only then I had one more month before it became an issue. I'm definitely on a negative learning curve with this one!

Week 20 Workout Summary

All of those miles were slow walking on the treadmill and all were uncomfortable. Most days last week I was hobbling just walking around the house.

I'm feeling better after two days of just resting and stretching (turns out the yoga pigeon pose is good for something!) so fingers crossed that I'll get in some actual runs this week =)

Pregnancy Week 19 Workout Summary

It wasn't exactly a banner week, but at least I got something in each day. Three days were the minimum one mile walking, but it's better than nothing!

Week 19 Summary

I found myself out of town unexpectedly, to attend a family funeral. All went as well as it could have on the family front and it was nice, at least, to have that unplanned time with extended family.

Thankfully, the hotel had a decent fitness center so I didn't have trouble getting in my daily run/walk. I also found a great source if inspiration: staring at my pasty out-of-shape legs while running, ick!

May go blind from the whiteness!

It has been a long time since I ran in front of a mirror. My treadmill at home faces a blank wall; awesome, I know! Watching myself run I came to two conclusions:

1. must do some strength training

2. cut hair! That pony tail is a lethal weapon flying around!

After work travel and family travel I'm looking forward to establishing a routine at home this week!

Unseasonably Warm

Monday was an unseasonably warm 50 degrees in Upstate New York. So, baby girl and I decided to take advantage of the lovely weather while her sister was at preschool.

Hitting one of the local trails

I feel very fortunate that while I live in a relatively small town it has a wonderful variety of paved and semi-paved trails. There are so many great options for off-road running! The trails in Ithaca, NY even have their own Wikipedia page: Ithaca Trails. Now that's something =)

Pregnancy Week 18 Workout Summary

Last week was a rare gift; I traveled for work and had four nights in a hotel room, BY MYSELF. Oh my goodness, I don't remember work travel feeling like vacation, but it certainly does now!

It turned out to be a very good week to start my 'Every.Single.Day' challenge. About half of my miles were walking, instead of running, and I only did the minimum one day, but I still got it in =)

Week 18 Workout Summary*

Hopefully it will get easier, and more habitual, as this pregnancy progresses. There were definitely two days in there that I was forcing myself to do something. 'They' say that it takes 21 days to form a habit. So, perhaps after 2 more weeks it won't feel like such an effort to keep myself moving! =)

*Note, I'm not going to worry about time during my pregnancy workouts. That would just be depressing and bring me down!

Every.Single.Day

I have a little motivation problem. When I'm 'in the mode' exercise seems easy. When I've missed a few days, however, it seems impossible to go back!

This issue is compounded when I am pregnant. If I exercise every day or every other day it doesn't feel so bad. If I take too much time off, though, all of a sudden my changing size/shape is an insurmountable obstacle.

My approach to combat the slippery slope of exercise loss this time will be this:

I will at least walk one mile Every.Single.Day until this little babe makes an appearance.

This is not a huge commitment, of course! I'm hoping, though, that just getting something done each day will make this pregnancy go by smoothly. Also, many days the hardest thing is just getting started. Often, one easy mile turns into five great miles; I just have to get out the door or on the treadmill.

So, here we go. Day 1 and counting! =)

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 =)

BOB Run with the Girls!

My running buddies*

The last few weeks the weather has been warm enough for me to get out and run some with the girls. We're really enjoying our outings!

Pushing the double BOB is no small feat. For my sanity, and the girls', we've only been doing 3ish mile runs. We have a good routine where we play at a park for a little while and then do a short jog before going home. Running is a lot quieter if the toddler has spent her energy (and is ready for a snack!) and the baby is ready for a nap.

I am very glad that I decided on the double SUS model, instead of the Ironman model. When I was using the single Ironman BOB with the toddler we absolutely loved it. At the time we were living in an area where all of our running was on nicely paved surfaces, though. Several of the trails I have been taking the SUS on are packed gravel instead of pavement. Those treads make a huge difference!

* The baby wasn't unhappy until we stopped moving. I think she likes the running almost as much as I do!

Impromptu Half Marathon

Last Sunday I ran the 32nd Annual Skunk Cabbage Classic Half Marathon in Ithaca, NY. This was an impromptu 'race' for me since I only found out about it two weeks ago. Obviously, I need to join the local running club so I'll be 'in the know'!

Since I didn't train for this, and my mileage hasn't really been up there, I didn't have any time expectations. Last weekend's 10-miler was a test to make sure I'd be able to finish. I ended up coming in at 1:56. At least it was 2 minutes faster than the half marathon I did last year at this time when I was 20 weeks pregnant (link). Ha!

This event was small-ish (~600 finishers) and pretty well-run. It was soooo convenient for me; starting and ending on Cornell's campus. DH hung out with the girls at his office on campus while I ran and I just met them back there when I was done.

Mommy done running?

My little welcoming committee was happy to have me back =) The baby (almost 8 months old) was unimpressed, but the toddler thought the medal was neat.

One of the best part of any race is the carbo-reload. I like to support the local brewery =)

First post-second pregnancy race reward!

Run in the Woods

I ran 10 miles today! Outside! 50% on trails!

So glad to be out there =)

This is, of course, not really a news-worthy event (like everything else on here!). There are a few reasons, though, why this run made me extra happy:

1. With my recent cross-county move and two little kiddos distracting me, my return to running has been much slower after this last pregnancy then I would have liked.*

2. Per the kiddos, again, and my husband's busy travel schedule, almost all of my running the last few months has been on the treadmill (which I am loving, however, blah)

3. It is just so darn beautiful outside!

The last time I ran on this particular trail was last June when we were out house-hunting. I couldn't exactly 'run' since I was 7.5 months pregnant and it's a pretty hilly route (link). That made this morning's run, on Ithaca's South Hill Recreation Way, even more enjoyable - I could actually run the whole thing!

Beautiful Trail

Wonderful views of the forest

Icing on the cake was that today I did the run from our home! I'm now living in this beautiful, non-crowded, relatively affordable place that I love! Hopefully many more runs will be following soon!

* Happily, I've been running ~20 miles a week for the last 6 weeks or so. I feel a training plan just around the corner!

Immune System, come back!

Soon after my last post I came down with another virus. This time it was a stomach virus. Awesome. I'll be back to blogging/running when my immune system returns from vacation.

Time to train!

I'm currently nursing my second upper respiratory infection of the month, both viral; this one is a bonus with an ear infection. It seems I got hit with either the cold or flu first and now, when my immune system was down for the count, RSV. Both kids also had it last week, while their dad was out of town. Awesome.

This is by no means tragic; I'm just so sorry to see my long-awaited treadmill sitting mostly idle. I'm going to try a walk tonight and see how that goes. Hopefully running will re-commence soon.

I may be back to pre-pregnancy weight (took 4.5 months, just like with the first one) but I'm no where near pre-pregnancy shape =). I'm giving myself the next 3 weeks, give or take, to get up to 20-30 miles per week. Then it will be time to look at an actually training plan. I don't think I'll be very accountable until I pick a plan to follow!

I'm saved!

Where have I been? Nowhere... nowhere running, that is. With the holidays, a 3000 mile move, two tiny kids, cold weather (which I love but which keeps me from taking the kiddos on BOB runs) and a husband who travels a lot I have been stuck.at.home. The last time I went running was early November. That is ridiculous

Soooo - drum roll - I am very pleased to introduce you to my solution:

My new Precor 9.23 treadmill!

I definitely treated myself with this. It's the most basic model from a very good treadmill maker. I can't wait to start logging miles. Just this afternoon, I sneaked 3 miles during nap time and feel much better. Indeed, so much better that I don't even mind that I have to cut this post short because a baby just started crying. It's okay, I can run again =)

Happy birthday to me =)

A few weeks ago my birthday came and went. My family, not ones to forget marking the occasion, was gracious enough to gift me some $. So, what to do with my new windfall? Why running-related things, of course!

First, I selected some motivational items from roadrunnersports.com. I love shopping there; they have decent selection and it's cheaper then my local running store.

My loot

I scored some new Nike shorts (in my pre-pregnancy size, yay!), a new sweatshirt (okay, not really running related, but I'm living in sweats during these early baby months), and a package of Clif shot bloks, to help motivate me to do some long(er) runs!

Finally, I had some $ left and I knew just where to put it: babysitting. After my (semi) recent revelation that running sans kids is needed to maintain my sanity it was a full 10 days before I got out there alone again. My husband's work schedule and the baby's eating schedule are conspiring against me. 

Now, with my husband out of town for two+ weeks, a couple of hours of babysitting are exactly what I needed. I got in a 9 mile run (since when did 10 min/mile pace feel hard? Oy, out of shape!), a shower and a grocery run. What a luxury three hours alone was!