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 =)