Plan B - Better than the First!

Miles Run Today: 2

My original plan was good. A marathon, a century ride and a 5k swim by the end of next summer. But the reality is, I'm still not logging the miles or the work outs that I need to be in order to not a) get injured or b) hate myself while training. I don't really see myself doing too many marathons in my life (this will double the number I've done so far!), so I would prefer to enjoy the journey. The fact that I'm already starting to worry about failure or self-destruction is a very clear indication that I am just not ready.

As of tonight, I'm okay with that. I made the goal, I can change it! And so I shall.

The new goal still incorporates the same distances, but I've pushed out my timeline. The bonus is that I've come up with some races on the calendar that I'm really excited about so this will help me get out the door. I was really only so so about my spring marathon options. While browsing, I discovered there is a brand new marathon and half marathon in Savannah, Georgia. One of my very dear friends lives there. This way I would not only get to spend time with her, but I'd also get to do a marathon somewhere neither Tom nor I have raced before. An additional bonus is that Savannah is a beautiful and flat city which should make it a great race for me. The race is part of the Rock and Roll series of races which are (in my opinion) overpriced, but otherwise this is the PERFECT race for me.

The race falls on November 3rd next year. This means my marathon will be the culmination of a year of training my way back from childbirth, instead of at the start of the warm racing season. In hindsight, this makes a lot more sense to me. I'll have more time to train, obviously. Instead of full marathon training, I'm now planning to sign up for the April Martian Half Marathon here in Michigan and follow that with the May Indianapolis Mini Marathon. The Mini was my first half marathon- my mother and I trained for it together in 2001. We have done it many times. It is a fun, fun race and I haven't done it in years. After completing those two races, I'll focus on biking and swimming and hopefully get in a few triathlons. Then I can start ramping up for the marathon. Mara will be done nursing (or shall we say I will be done nursing Mara) sometime before next July (I hope) so that will make getting out for those long, long runs much easier. As will the extra hours of sunlight.

I'm very happy and excited about this plan. It seems so much more rational and more importantly, POSSIBLE. I just got back from a lovely, "the kids are down, GO!" two mile run in the fluffy snowflakes and I'm feeling very optimistic. Hooray. Merry Christmas to me!

PS. Ha ha on me... a half hour later I realized my parents will not be home in Indianapolis the weekend of the Mini Marathon. So much for easy trip with built in babysitters. Mega bummer! Well, Plan B is still a work in progress, it seems. I'm considering the Flying Pig Marathon in Cincinnati, instead. I've always wanted to do this race, Tom has family & friends there so it will still be a fun family weekend. Just checked and they also have kids events for both Oren AND Mara. Cool!

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!

Race Week!

Oh boy, time flies when you're following around two kiddos!  We have had an extremely busy month, I think (should I say it out loud?) that I just might be getting the hang of this two kid thing.  It still crushes me when I'm unprepared, but I've definitely figured out that a) we have to keep our schedules full of outings & events and b) how to get us to those outings & events (for the most part).  Getting the dogs walked (we have an extra this month) and the kids fed, dressed, clean & in and out of the car feels like a workout every day.

Amazingly (to me), I still have not missed a single one of my three-times-a-week runs.  Pat on back!  At times I've had to squeeze them in when I wasn't in the mood or would have preferred to do something else (usually nap), but I'm practicing a level of dedication that is mostly new to me.  I still carry the load of guilt my high school band director inspired from begging me to pick something (he recommended practicing my french horn) and do it often and well instead of doing a bunch of things half assed (my words, not his).  I struggle with that to this day.  I've mostly made peace with this part of my nature (I chose well with a liberal arts education).  However, I still find it challenging to focus on just one or two hobbies which leaves me with piles of unfinished projects and goals.  The fact that I've made every single run since mid-August makes me very, very proud.

Of course, the fact that my runs are still relatively short makes it a lot easier.  It is much simpler to get out the door when I remind myself that I'll be back in less than a half hour than it is when I know it will be more than an hour.  The prep for such a short run is a lot faster, too.  For my longer runs I'll need to eat appropriately beforehand, gather food for during and after my run, make sure my garmin & mp3 player are charged, pack a towel and a change of clothing, go drive somewhere and then drive all the way home after.  That takes a much larger part of my day so it will be difficult to impossible to be spontaneous in my use of "oh hey, two kids asleep.... Mommy time!" time.  But I'm not going to worry about that yet (ah, really... nope, no I'm not).

So I've stayed on track and I have race number two this coming weekend!  I feel ready for it.  I'm running a Halloween 5k and will not only be running in costume, but also pushing my two year old (also in costume!).  I have completed several two mile runs pushing him in the last few weeks.  It has definitely gotten easier, though that is qualified by the weather (windy = TOUGH).  I'm praying for a flat race course!

The last two weekends I've also increased my longest run to four miles.  I enjoyed both four mile runs immensely.  My route takes me from my house over a mile of dirt road with some beautiful fall foliage and rolling hills.  With a four mile run I get to finally start feeling like A Runner, and not just a casual jogger.  That is a personal distinction for me, I'm sure it is different for everyone.  Maybe there's no difference for you- but once I get to do my four mile route I feel that I'm out there for more than just exercise.  Once I hit that mile of dirt road in the middle of the run I feel more relaxed, more focused, and more comfortable with my movement.  I'm not working as hard but probably running faster (without noticing or pushing).  It is my form of Zen.  It is when I get some of my best thinking done or when I'm able to really listen and not think at all.  This is why I run!  I don't get to this place with shorter runs, so I'm thrilled to be just scratching the surface of my Happy Place.

I will be celebrating another milestone as I cross the finish line on Sunday.  One more month of training done and I am a stronger woman and a better mother for it.  Thanks for cheering!

Iron Mommy (& Daddy) Tag Team: A One Act Play

Miles Run Today: 2 (with Toddler)


This is how it went here this afternoon:

I woke Oren from a super iron toddler nap and avoided the post-nap crankies (his not mine) with the incentive of "eating rabbits" (Amy's brand bunny graham crackers) in the jogger while going running with mommy, and then coming home to do our "exercises".  He quickly (relatively) allowed me to change his diaper and get him and I our respective drinks.  He obediently let me put him into the jogger and proceeded to eat his bunnies as we took off.

I ran two miles from our house down the street, around the corner ("That a big truck, Mommy?" "Yep (breathe), it is (breathe) Oren!", past the high school ("There's (breathe) the band (breathe) Oren!" "Those the drums, Mommy?" "Yep! (breathe)", up a very slight (but tough!) hill "That a flower store, Mommy?" "Yep (huff!)!", and back through our neighborhood ("More rabbits, Mommy..."). No teasing from my little man this time.

Jogged up the driveway and stretched a bit.

Saw my husband standing in the back door with baby girl.  "Oren, do you want to run with Daddy?" "Yeah...".  Stretched more while husband went to change.

"Tag" as husband emerged and took over the jogging stroller and toddler conversation.

Went back inside and found baby daughter lying on her back on our bed sucking on both fists, totally content.  Got closer and quickly discovered husband had left me a baby with a full poopy diaper.  Gasped as I realized there's a poopy infant lying on top of our one week old almost three hundred dollar white down comforter that isn't in its cover yet and then breathe as I see she didn't leak.  Lucky, lucky husband.

Change baby.

Baby is still happy so run downstairs to grab bouncy seat to bring upstairs into bathroom.  SHOWER while thanking my lucky stars that Number Two (baby girl) is now mellow enough to finally oblige me this time saving move (one which Number One was cool with from the start...).  Dry self, nurse baby girl, wait for guys to come home.  Entertain toddler while Daddy showers.

Take off with baby girl and dog for a walk.

The important part?  Two very little, unpredictable people.  Two adults who like to run.  Two adults got to run in same afternoon.  Priceless.

Inspiration Everywhere

My daughter Mara has been a better night time sleeper than my son was at this age, but that disappeared this weekend.  We're not sure if it was her cold or the fact that she's starting to roll or that she has almost figured out how to suck on a finger or thumb (yet to be determined which one) and is instead poking herself in the eyes and nose.  Maybe it was all of that or perhaps she was just bored.  Who knows what the problem was but she was waking up much more often and by yesterday afternoon I was completely exhausted.  When my chance to run came I was totally uninterested.  I hadn't showered in three days and desperately wanted another chance at a nap.  Add to that the fact that it was the run I was supposed to practice pushing Oren and it was very windy outside- not a good time to be pushing anything much less a jogging stroller that acts as a giant wind scoop.  But after only minimal nudging from my encouraging husband I sucked it up and changed clothing.  It was beautiful outside so at least I had that incentive.

But then- my training buddy bailed on me!  I tried to get him upstairs to put shoes and a jacket on so we could go but NO dice.  Let's go running!  Running with Mommy?  Please?  NO!  How demoralizing that after two years of not showing the kid any TV, yesterday I lost out to Thomas the Train Engine.  Granted, he was watching from his daddy's lap and it is still a new treat but still.  Talk about Wind Out Of Sails.

Sigh.

It took me a long time to get into the run- as previously pointed out I was tired but now I was also a touch bitter at Thomas (the train, not my husband who happens to share the name).  As I headed out into the wind I was feeling very discouraged.  It was the first time in this cycle of training that I felt those nasty seeds of doubt begin to grow in the back of my mind.  Several friends of mine were out running marathons and half marathons yesterday.  How could I really get back there if heading out for a few miles was taking this much work?  How am I going to find time for those really, really long runs next spring?  Do I really think my knees are going to hold up for a full marathon and what is the point of trying if they won't?

I was only going to run a mile or so with my son but since I was on my own I decided to run three miles.  Thankfully, it was really, really beautiful outside despite the gusty wind.  By the time I got a mile into the run I pushed myself to do the hilly (but even prettier) route instead of the flatter (but relatively boring) route.  Luckily the wind was blowing at my back on the way home and by the time I rounded the corner on the homestretch I realized that I was a) setting a nice pace b) not thinking about running and c) happy.

And then my dear girl fought going to bed but slept like a rock and I finally felt recharged this morning.  We had a very fun morning getting her photo taken.  When I came home there was a fantastic surprise- a gift from a dear friend of a "Full of Awesome" T-shirt!  (see several posts below if that phrase doesn't ring a bell).  How Cool!  Ms. D, you have no idea how well you timed that.  I can't wait to wear my new shirt to bed and wake up to nurse my daughter with "FULL OF AWESOME" across my chest.  And to think that though we haven't spoken in months or seen each other in (choke) years, she knew exactly what would make me smile.  Not only that, but the sweet card enclosed with the gift noted that she found ME inspiring!  Melting.... and with that, my heart soared and Mara and I zoomed around the neighborhood with the dog thinking and being inspired...

... by my great-grandmother (Mary) and grandmother (Marion) who bowled regularly into their eighties (I'm sure my Grandma could still kick my butt on the lanes, too!).

... by my mom (Linda Marie) who started running at fifty something and at almost sixty something is still grooving and a triathlete!  (Mara is named after these three inspiring women, so she enjoyed hearing about that).

... by my neighbor who takes off running with her two girls and when I cheered her on simply shrugged and said, "How else am I going to get it in?".

... by my rockstar friend Kelly who just finished yet another marathon in memory of her mom.

... by my friend Jaclyn who is running mega miles in spite of having seriously screwed up feet and ankles (and two little boys).

... by my sister in law who is caring for two little ones under 18 months old (a 3 month old and a 16 month old, yikes!) while my brother is out to sea as a U.S. Coast Guard Officer for three months (he left when my nephew was only three weeks old)!

and most of all by the thought of my little boy and girl growing up with a healthy, active, athletic mommy who can set high, scary goals for herself and manage to set aside time and find spare energy to work on them.

I've got to keep going!