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!