Back At It!

November just killed me.  I was having so much trouble even finding time to think about running that I considered throwing in the towel on this entire project.  More than once.

Exhale.

We got back from our family reunion in Las Vegas (with two sets of running outfits, totally unused) and had beautiful weather and three grandparents in the house.  Tom literally shoved me out the door last Friday.  I was happy to be moving but totally feel like I'm starting over again (because I am.... ugh).   I ran in the rain on Sunday and felt much more positive.

And then, tonight I somehow found the motivation to go to the Y after dinner even after a full day of kid entertaining and baby bouncing, even after the rain changed to S-N-O-W, even in the dark, even after my husband changed directly into his flannel pants and my mother in law reached for the ice cream.  STILL MADE IT OUT.  Sometimes, I impress myself.

I'm going to call it a do over.  I don't know if I'm still going to make it to ten miles by the end of the year without killing myself but I have to keep going.  Thinking positive!  December, bring it!

Get Moving!

This time of year kills my mojo.  I really want to want to run, really, I do.  But by the time I have the time it is dark and cold and so very unattractive outside.  Theoretically, I could go in the morning.  (Insert sarcastic laughter).  Oh, it is just so hard to find the time and the interest simultaneously!

Ironically, I dislike (very much) running in hot weather so I actually appreciate cold runs (very much).  The problem is only in the getting out there part of the run.  Once I am Out There dressed the part and moving away from home and worries then I am instantly great.  The key is to focus on this fact hard enough to get body changed and Out The Door.

Haven't found the key to that step yet.  And as such, I only ran three times (total!) in the last two weeks.  Sigh.  I know!  I know!  After such a positive post about my fabulous consistency!  I know.

And once you start missing it is so hard to find a place to begin again.  You feel stuck in "I'm behind/I missed workouts/I'm out of shape/HowDoesThisGoAgain?!" place.  Not a fun place.

So.  Easier said than done but back on track I will be.

Step #1:
Longest run of the week will be done at the Y during the week instead of trying to find time on the weekend.  Weekend will be a short run that could be done with dog or kid, weather depending.

Step #2:
Keep fueling!  Halloween candy doesn't count!

Step #3
To bed, already!  Takes way more energy to motivate an exhausted mama than a well slept (minus middle of the night nursing sessions) mama.  Noted.

Will report back next week.  Peace, out.

Another Goal Met!

Dalmation Iron Mommy pushing the little fireman.

Miles Run Today: 3

On Sunday morning, Oren and I completed our first 5k together.  It was my slowest 5k since my first over a decade ago, but it was one of my favorites.  I have to speak for myself and not for him, but it was really fun.  A majority of the runners were dressed up in Halloween costumes, there was a stage where a dance company was performing "Thriller" before the start, and the weather was great for an early morning in late October.  We even managed to get the four of us up and out together before the race so we had Tom and Mara waiting for us at the finish line.

I was not "racing" this race, which was a good thing- it was tough pushing the kiddo!  I did get my wish for a flat course, but forgot to pray for a straight course, too!  There were lots and lots of turns!  Thankfully my little navigator kept me feeling cheerful about them by faithfully pointing out each corner that we were about to go around.  Also, since I'd started out behind most of the runners so as not to get in any serious athlete's way (serious athletes at a Halloween run?  I hope not, but still...) we spent most of the race catching and passing other runners (mostly without strollers), so that was a boost.  Most of all, I just enjoyed having Oren along for the ride (literally) and did my best to keep up my side of the conversation.  He seemed to get a real kick out of all the people and costume watching ("There's a MOOSE!" he said, identifying a woman with a viking hat) and catching the falling leaves in his lap.  He even got to toss a water cup, so he got the real race experience.  I would love to do another race with him, though I think that our time running together is probably pretty much done until spring.  And by then I'll have my choice of running partners as Mara will be old enough to sit in the running stroller!  Now that's some fun to look forward to through the winter!

Finish line (33:05)

Speaking of looking forward- this mommy needs some new goals!  The upcoming holiday season is always a blur.  We're traveling to Las Vegas for a week before Thanksgiving and when we will get back it will be full on holiday madness.  I'm going to combine November and December to give myself a bit more room within which to accomplish my next steps.  Which will be... (drumroll, please) 1. to increase my long run to ten miles (by December 31st) and 2. do hip/leg strengthening exercises two times a week.  These are totally do-able goals but I really need to do them together and really make the exercises part of my routine without fail.  If I can't strengthen up these joints than I'm going to start doing damage and it will totally derail my big goals for next year.  To fit them in I'm going to have to go back to making the YMCA dates with Mara part of our schedule.  We'd gotten out of the habit of going when she started taking more reliable morning naps.  But now that I've kind of figured her out (God, "Ha ha ha ha ha..."), I think I can just wake her up earlier and get that nap in and then go to the Y after she wakes up.  That's what we did today and it seemed to work all right (I say as I start to hear gurgling from upstairs, better type fast!).

I'm also going to have to start preparing better.  Getting the two of us to the Y is still literally a balancing act with our bags (diaper bag for her, workout bag for me) and her in her car seat.  I really need to be better about bringing a drink and a snack, though.  Today I could have done my exercises post-run, but I was so hungry that I had to leave (and drive through Wendy's on the way home... how's that for ironic and self-defeating?) instead.  I'd eaten a substantial breakfast (Cream of Wheat with a spoonful each of peanut butter and strawberry jelly mixed in) and ate a granola bar (Kashi) on the way there, but still ran out of gas.  Working out combined with nursing cranks up the food burning for sure and there is no way to work out through an empty tummy (at least not for me).  I will get some good snacks and start pre-packing my bag so that there is food along regardless of what I ate in the car on the way to my workout.

Little girl is calling so I'm off!  Keep reading & commenting, it really does keep me going!  Thanks, cheerleaders!