My first (non-virtual) race of the year!

It's on! I had originally signed up for the Kentucky Derby Half but plans changed and we aren't flying out until Monday after the race. Can't say I'm not bummed, especially after a 10mi @7:46 pace! Since I'd already done all this training, I thought I may as well run something else, especially since I think (hope) winter is finally over in MN.

This weekend marks the 36th running of the biggest race in MN, Get in Gear. It's kind of like our kick off to the racing season. I did in store registration at Marathon Sports because you could pick up your packet there AND receive an $15 off coupon! (Who can't use an extra pair of Asics?!) I'm officially signed up for my first 10k since last January and first real live race since last September. I've been logging great miles (while on the treadmill, they've been speedy) and the weather is supposed to be 68 and sunny.

I can't wait to see how my body reacts to a race after having a baby! Wish me luck!

LSD, and not the fun kind

It's been said (most recently by my buddy who pr'd at Boston, sub 3, and is training for an IM so I tend to trust him) long slow distance makes a long slow runner. This being said, is it better to run long slow miles or not to run at all?

In light of this weeks events I feel like running a couple miles is the least I can do for the victims in Boston and for the running community. However, I have a 17 wk old who decided, after six weeks of sleeping through the night, she was done and has only slept through the night three times in the last three weeks. On top of that, I think she's teething, on top of THAT, she's already started having separation anxiety. Including dad. On top of THAT, old man winter won't stop f'ing with Minnesota so I've been relegated to running on the treadmill listening to toddler tunes while my darling daughter jumps along with me.

I'm exhausted. But I can keep going and I will keep going because there are three people who don't get to keep going.

So here's my question, today I could barely scrape myself off the sofa (who am I my grandma?!) but I got dressed and jumped on the tread. I didn't go fast, almost 9 minute miles but I went. Was it worth it?

Is it better for a runner to log 5 slow miles than zero and taking a rest?

I'm sure i'll run again tomorrow and probably the next day, but should I? All I know is that now I have to.

#runforboston

Boston

I can't stop thinking about the tragic events that occurred yesterday in Boston. I always joke about runners being superior and good people but deep down I really do think most runners are good people. I hint understand why a peaceful, exciting event like a marathon would be, COULD be a target. The bombs went off at 4:09 into the marathon, my best is a 4:13 and with Boston electricity, that's when I would have been crossing the line. That's me. That's my running family, us middle of the packers, joe-schmo, run because we love it and work hard to fit it into our schedule, runners.

No matter where I go, I bring my running shoes and nobody will ever change that. Each time I run I'll think of all the people touched by this tragedy. The lives and limbs lost, the safety stolen from innocent people and I'll run hard, I'll run furious.

You can't take my steps away from me or my family, goodness will always prevail. You think you scared us? You just made us stronger.

When you lace up today, lace up for Martin, for Boston.

I ran 10 miles

I got on the treadmill even though I didn't want to. Went to Disney with the in-laws last week and I'm still exhausted. I wanted to sit in front of the tv and eat my Costco size bag of dried coconut while the baby snoozed. But. I didn't. I got dressed and thinking the baby would only sleep her usual 40 minutes, took off as fast as I could go thinking I'd eek out 3 miles, 4 if I was lucky. I hit 3, 4, and 5 easy. Baby hadn't moved once. So I figured as long as I went 5, I may as well do a 10k, then I hit 7, and 8 and once I hit 8 I wanted to hit 9 and eventually 10. Baby woke up at 9.37 miles so I put the pedal to the metal and ran a 2:53 last half mile. Longest I've gone since the baby's been here. Maybe I'll do a full. Yeah, probably.

I feel good now, we'll see how I feel tomorrow.

Ps, quit flippin' snowing! I can't do one more run on the treadmill!

Virtual Insanity

I've found the most amazing thing, virtual races. It's virtual insanity!

I first read about them spring 2012 when I ran a world running day 5k but just recently found them again in December. It was a charity race I found on NYC Running Mommas blog, I thought, what the heck! I'm 9 mos, 3 weeks pg and I get to say I ran a 5k!

Since peanut is only 3 mos I'm still trying to figure out a schedule so weekend AM races aren't really in the cards yet. But you know what is? Virtual races!!!! I love the Internet, I love running, and I love medals! Virtual races are my favorite because I can do them while the baby is napping or playing with me in the gym, I can do them while daddy is holding her upstairs or I can do them pushing the stroller. I can do them at 5am or 10pm, the virtual running world is my oyster!

The latest virtual race I've signed up for is actually a series called 'Get out and Run' put on by US Road Running. For $13.99 ($19.99 if you want a tech shirt) you sign up for a 5/10k or a half and then complete it within the month you sign up. After you complete it you post your results on a message board. Since runners are notoriously moral, honest, good people, your results are by runners honor. Why lie? You're not competing with anyone so the only person you're lying to is yourself and that feels ishy. Did I mention you get a medal? I love swag and this monthly series comes with a personalized medal! I ran a 49 minute 10k for March and I can't wait to get my first medal. Maybe a half for April?!

I also just completed a 5k called The Virtual Bacon Challenge, an awesome group of online running friends who love bacon and running!

And last, but not least, I signed up for the Digital Running 'interstate challenge'. I need to run either a half or a full in two states to earn a medal. Swag!

So, there it is, with a three month old baby (who just rolled over for the first time today!) I'm already out racing again and it feels amazing! I love running.

US Road Running Virtual 10k

Virtual Bacon 5k

NYC Running Mama virtual 5k fundraiser (3 days before baby!)

I'm just about to roll over for mommy!http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4JkIs37a2JE

Two, or three, a days

As I mentioned earlier, I don't always have time to run more than two miles at a time so I've been breaking runs into segments of however far I get to go until those segments equal 4,5,6 miles.

But is it even good for me? I'm logging miles but at only a couple miles a pop, am I getting the same cardiovascular advantages? I'm running faster but shorter. I'm pretty sure a race director won't let me run 13 miles in a couple mile segments throughout an entire day.

I ran two-a-days in college and know elite runners often go long in the AM and speed in the afternoon but they are finely tuned athletes. I, unfortunately, am not. And I'm running 2 miles, then 1.47, then 2.2 not, 18, then 10x800 at 5k pace. Am I doing more harm than good?

I feel like I'm perpetually doing speed work and I'm having a hard time keeping up. My legs get tired by the third leg (pun intended) and then I just feel like they're junk miles.

Does anyone have any answers or thoughts for me?

I'm watching man vs food as I write this and all I want to do is eat a 7 ingredient, 7lb breakfast burrito instead of running 7 miles...

Toenails are trophies

As much as I'm clearly freaking out about the scale, I kinda don't mind my body.

My stomach isn't as toned as it used to be but now all the extra skin makes it look tan. It's a start on my lifelong quest to be golden brown.

My butt and thighs make squeezing into my pants almost uncomfortable but I have hips! It sounds weird but I've always wanted hips and now I have them!

And boobs?! Don't even get me started! I'm usually a 'B' at best, now (or at least ever 2.5-3 hrs) I'm a full 'C'. I finally have some shape and I feel kinda hot.

Do the new dimples in my butt and angel wings make me self-conscious? Hell yeah. But the way I look at it, after I run a marathon I usually lose at least one toenail, which is disgusting, but doesn't bother me because I'm a badass and just ran 26.2 miles and I didn't get last place (at least not yet).

I think that is how I need to embrace my body. Does it kinda gross me out? Yep but I'm a badass, I just birthed a human being and I'm keeping her alive with nothing more than my huge jugs. She could be the President, win a Nobel Peace Prize, or be an Olympic marathoner and I spent 9 months growing her. In my body! That's amazing! I think going up a size in jeans is a small price to pay for creating life.

I need to wear my new body with pride. Dimples are the new missing toenails for this stage in my life and I couldn't be more proud.

Gooooooooooaaaaaaaaaaaaallllllllllllll!!!!!!!! (Read like an Italian soccer announcer)

No, I haven't started playing futbol but I do have a couple goals bouncing around in the net which is my head.

I know hitting 1000 miles for a year isn't anything amazing but I was still proud because I accomplished it while pregnant. It was something I could strive for, a constant while everything around me was changing.

This year is the same but different, more difficult but not. I'm physically in a better position to log miles, run races, and get a PR. However, I now have another human life to support. That includes sacrificing sleep and time. I can barely find time to shower before husby gets home let alone run, and if I can run its 4 miles, 5 max or in 2 mile increments. That's no way to train for anything. (We'll find out for sure April 27 at the Derby Mini Marathon, anyway!) I just started participating in 'Run this year' to keep me on track. I probably won't hit 2013 miles or kilometers but each month is a new challenge to look forward to!

Since it's already March, I think it's time for me to set some goals or at least get them down on 'paper'.

-I'd love to run 26.2. I've been craving one but not in a position to sign up for one at this point. Not until I see how the munchkin does in the BOB. Three months to go!
-reference the movie Mighty Ducks at least once a week (believe it or not I'm 10/12 on the year)
-lose the last 10 baby lbs I keep telling myself are in my boobs but I know are in my butt and not in a hot J.Lo way.
-quit eating mega stuff Oreos. This is a more immediate goal BC I am making myself sick.
-repeat of last year but, WO more days than not. At least it keeps me active.
-one WO a week has to be something other than running.
-get out of the house more. Seems ridiculous but with a baby, everything is a production and I talk myself out of it. I'm sure part of that is MN winter...
-let myself nap. I'm horrible at this, I'm exhausted right now but as soon as the baby sleeps I bet I hit the treadmill and not the pillow
-be better at managing the time I have, I'm sure this will be easier once we have a routine established.
-be a better wife. I love my husband so much and want to make sure he knows it. I feel like I'm so wrapped up in keeping the baby wrapped up I don't pay enough attention to my husby.

All in all, I want these goals to push and motivate me to be a better mother, wife, runner, person.

What you get by achieving your goals is as important as what you become by achieving your goals. - Henry David Thoreau

Ps, just finished season 5 of Gossip Girl on netflix and I'm dying for season 6! Guilty pleasure...

I run for these two!

Where there's a will, there's a way!

I'm nervous I've bit off more than I can chew (and if you read my previous blog, you know that's quite a bit) by signing up for the Derby Mini-Marathon April 27. I ran all the way through my pregnancy, I "ran" a 5k three days before I delivered and ran 1000 miles in 2012 with 30 coming after the munchkin got here. My love for running combined with lack of sleep and typical postpartum haze led to an overconfident lapse in judgement and I signed up for the half.

Ever since husby and I started spending time in KY I've wanted to run this race (actually 26.2 but knew that was a long shot 5 mos after a baby, for my ability level anyway) so I pulled the trigger on this race as my comeback race thinking it would motivate me to get back into shape.

That was before I realized babies eat every 2.5-3 hours and feedings can take up to an hour. I'm not great at math but I'm pretty sure that leaves me 1.5-2 hours to go to the bathroom, eat, shower, brush my teeth, do laundry, clean, sleep, change diapers, change diapers, change diapers, wash dishes, pump. All of this one handed because as soon as I set a sleeping baby down, she wakes up and we start ALL over again.

You might ask where dad is? He's here but up until a week ago Munchkie screamed bloody murder while in his arms so it was just easier to do it all. Thank God she's turned a corner and is daddy's girl to the core.

Where there's a will there's a way. Somehow I've managed to eek out several runs a week and even scored a 7 mile during an unusually long nap. Daddy has been a big help as well as bebe sleeping through the night (fingers crossed, three nights and counting!).

I have 57 days to get in gear and I can't wait. Ok, gotta go, babe is napping!








5k three days before baby!

Baby's first race!

My first 5k win, 6 months pg!

Daddy's girl

I love this face!

I'm Fat, Relatively Speaking

I know I'm not fat, not by any standards but I don't feel very good about myself. After having a baby 11 weeks ago I need to stress less about what I look like but after last night I know I need to make a change.

Since I live in Minnesnowta and have a little babe to take care of, it's not as easy to lace up and get out the door. In preparation for post-partum I purchased a treadmill so I could sneak off while baby napped. Unfortunately that's exactly what it is, downstairs for a quick mile, maybe two until the green light on the monitor turns orange and you need to run back upstairs to scoop up your bundle of joy.

Since I came home from the hospital I've only had 12 lbs to go and that's where I've stayed. I heard nursing moms lose weight like a champ but I'm so hungry I can't stop eating! I eat all day long and then when I wake up in the middle of the night I'm starving so not only am I stuffing my face during the day, I'm doing it at all hours of the night. And the worst part is, I cannot stop. I was actually gaining weight. I was burning 500-1000 calories a day and gaining weight.

It all came to a head last night in the treadmill. I was running in a sports bra and at 1.4 miles all of a sudden my workout ended. My belly is so big that it bumped the stop button on my treadmill. I get the hint, I need to do a sit-up.

Any moms out there have a tip for me? I'm close to clicking on those Internet ads asking if I'd like to shrink belly fat....