Just Another Manic Monday

It's Monday again and I don't even care because I'm still feeling like a rockstar from our nine mile run. I'm not really sore per se, but I can definitely feel that I ran for a decent amount of time yesterday. I would have run today but after four days of running I'm due for a day off. And I'm putting in some extra hours at work a few days this week because I'm taking Wednesday afternoon off for a special date with Jack.

Operation core strength rehabilitation persisted today with a reformer pilates class. I really enjoyed the class and feel like I got much more out of it today than the first time. The first time I was trying so hard not to snap the pulleys or fall off the machine. There's a "core challenge" reformer class on Thursday afternoon that I think I'll try.

Tomorrow will be a runch day, though. I'm thinking four miles. I really need to be much better about fueling and hydration. Since the increase in running I've seen a drop in my milk supply even though I'm still nursing and pumping often. As much as I'd like to lose these last few pounds, I need to remember to keep the calories up if I still want to make milk. And I do- Adam thinks I'm crazy because my goal is to nurse Alice until she's 18 months. I never thought I'd be that crazy lady who breastfeeds their toddler, but it looks like I'm well on my way.

Runday

When I was sitting on the couch this morning, having coffee, I wasn't exactly thrilled with the idea of bundling up to head out to run. But Melissa and I have been on a Sunday morning running streak and the rain and snow today couldn't stop us. Adam was going to get his haircut (which he actually never ended up doing) so if we were going to run, Jack and Alice would have to come with us. I bundled them up, pulled down the rain shield and we were off. The first couple miles seemed long but once you get used to being wet, it's actually fun to run in the rain. We took turns pushing the double jogger, switching off every mile. Those miles when I wasn't pushing it went by so fast! We covered nine miles, all while not even leaving South Burlington. It was one of those runs where I felt like I could just keep running and running. It was a great run and I feel so blessed to have such an awesome running partner.

Brunch

We headed to Penny Cluse this morning for brunch. Eating out with two kids is definitely a gamble but it turned out great.

I had an awesome five mile run this morning and earned the biscuits, gravy and bacon.

3 and 3

Yesterday was a rest day, but both Tuesday's and today's runs were easy three milers. Nothing exciting, except that today's run was during a mini snowstorm. I always feel sort of bad ass when I'm running while it's snowing. If I can get my butt in gear and get to work early tomorrow morning, I'm going to take a longer run during lunch. It's supposed to be 37 degrees and sunny- perfect running weather.

Operation core strength today was a four minute plank challenge from Fitnessista and it was awesome! Definitely try it- you know you have four minutes to spare.

Pilates Reformer

After my long run on Sunday, I'm feeling confident with my training that I will be able to tackle 13.1 on April 13 but I'm realizing there are some significant gaps in my training that need to be addressed. Cross training. In the fall of 2011, I was the strongest that I've ever been. I hit several PRs that racing season and I know it was due to my diligent cross training. Yoga was at least a once a week occurrence, bodypump and Nike Fit Club were also my dear friends.

Right now I'm running. Running as much as I can to get my endurance and mental capacity up to tackle more significant distances. But now seven months postpartum I'm ready to step it up. I've given my body enough time to heal, specifically my abdominal region. There is healing that needs to be done that only is completed with time but now I'm ready to do some work. My core strength is non-existent so in addition to running during this training cycle I'm going to focus on core strength.

To kick off this new found revelation, I attended a Reformer Pilates class yesterday at work- and it was amazing. I'm just the right amount of sore today and am excited to make this class a part of my regular routine.

Birthday Love

Just getting a little birthday lovin' from my sweet little girl.

Best Day Ever

Today was my birthday and it was pretty much the best day ever. I woke up at 7:15 am completely surprised that I had slept all night- which meant Alice slept all night. Melissa came over and we headed out for eight miles. It was so freaking cold. I looked at the temperature when I got home and with windchill it was -9 F. Yeah, that's cold. But the miles were so awesome! We nailed negative splits, powered up killer hills and only stopped once to wait for the light to cross the street. I'm feeling so ready for April 13. I came home to pancakes, eggs, bacon, sausage and fruit courtesy of Adam and Jack.The afternoon was spent in pajamas, drinking hot chocolate and watching movies with Jack and we finished off the day with flatbread at my Mamet's house. It was a pretty awesome day.

Easy Run

Today's run was an easy four miler with Jack in the jogger. He's really funny to run with because he has so much to say and just chats the whole time. Today he told me that he wants to run, too. "Be a runner just like Mommy." That pretty much made my week.

Yesterday I talked about running for time, and last night I happened upon an article in Runner's World on this very subject. Both types have benefits and I should try to incorporate more of the running-by-time training into my schedule. Running by effort is hard when I have immediate data strapped to my hand. It makes "easy" and "hard" pretty skewed.

Long run on the books tomorrow!

Streets of Burlington

Running through the streets of Burlington this evening made me so excited for May 26. I headed out at the end of my work day for a quick run. I didn't have my Garmin so I decided to run by time. I headed towards downtown and the waterfront, even conquering Battery Street hill.

And I didn't die. But man, Burlington is hilly.The temperature was perfect- cold enough to wear long sleeves but warm enough to wear capris and no hat or gloves. I'm loving it.

In other news, Adam gave me a box of homemade fudge for Valentine's Day from the Shelburne Country Store. It's so amazing. But, I. must. stop.

This simple run today made me feel really happy. I feel like I'm in a good place right now and have found a good balance between home and work. I'm loving my new job and feel good to be in a supportive work environment where I can feel free to go for a run or take a yoga class in the middle of the day if I want to. Here's to many more runs through the streets of downtown Burlington.

Rest Days

On Monday after Sunday's long run (it's all relative) I woke up extremely sore. Not just my legs, but arms, core... Everything. Even my feet. So at lunch on Monday I hopped on the treadmill at work hoping that an easy shake-out run would help. I made it two miles and couldn't go any further. So I gave myself two rest days and today did cross training on the elliptical. I'm feeling much better today so I'm hoping for a decent run outside tomorrow.

.....

In some exciting news, my mom and I were accepted into VCM's two person relay! 13.1 here we come! With a half and relay on tap before VCM, official training is on.

Ouch

Melissa and I had seven miles on tap this morning, but we woke up to this:

I think it's safe to say we're both willing to run in any sort of weather- there's no bad weather, only bad clothes- but this was just a little bit too cold. So we put on our big girl pants (or booty shorts in Melissa's case) and headed to the gym to use the treadmills. We ran side by side and the time flew by. Our topics of conversations ranged from running, work, the other people at the gym, Oiselle, Lululemon and every thing in between. I may or may not have called her a bitch once (sorry). It was an awesome run and felt great to get the miles in even though it wasn't the way we initially planned.

She's so fast you can't even see her

Thanks to Melissa, we were able to finish the run strong at just over seven miles. I'm definitely feeling it in my legs now. I can't wait to do eight next weekend!

Two More Times

I was able to get two more work-day runs in this week, one at lunch time and another at the end of the day (in lieu of lunch), both three miles. I'm really loving the flexibility to get a workout in during the day, so when I go home I can be 100% with Adam, Jack and Alice. Once the days start getting longer (and warmer) I will resume more evening runs with J and A. Until then, this is really working. Now I just need to get faster so I can get another mile in in the same amount of time.

My feet and legs have been really thankful for my switch to the new Mizunos. They are half a size bigger and they feel a little loose, but I think part of that has to do with the fact that my old pair was way too small. I'm loving the purple color too.

I'm carb loading now (with a Red Hook IPA) for a run with Green Mountain Runner tomorrow. We have seven miles on tap. I can't wait!

Runch Success

Today I completed my first runch- run at lunch. Three miles on the treadmill- nothing super exciting but easy miles that felt good. Definitely a great way to break up the day.

Baby Girl

Just a few pictures of sweet Alice and Jack :)

Running is Fun

Mizuno Wave Elixer 6's of 2012 (and late 2011), bye bye. With 500 miles on the babies, I finally tossed them. I had many good runs in these shoes, my PR half marathon, all my pregnant runs with Alice in my belly, and my tough first postpartum runs this summer.

Hello to Wave Elixer 7's - or 8's?- not sure- they aren't the newest model, I'm behind a season. It's all the store had in my (new, larger) size but that works for me. They were on sale. I had become accustomed to running on worn out shoes and had somewhat gotten used to the feeling I have been having in my feet and legs. My first couple of runs in the new shoes have been amazing. I'm not feeling the slight nagging aches and pains and am loving the support. I'd like to try having two pairs of running shoes to rotate through but I'm not sure I could keep track of what pair I wore last and how many miles they have on them. I can't even remember to take my vitamins.

.....

My run today was with GMR and Sirius. Nearly six miles that went by so quickly. It made me really excited to get into this training cycle and have some long runs with Melissa. Running is fun.

So Far So Good

Five chilly miles with my BFF. The temperature was 13 degrees so Alice stayed at home with Daddy.

Let's Go!

So here we are, the first day of February. I just closed out another lackluster month in terms of running, and I have to say, I'm tired of making excuses. I'm busy. Everyone's busy. But I need to make it a priority again. I am happier (as is everyone else around me) when I run and workout so I really shouldn't have an excuses. If I make it a priority, I will find the time. I started a new job this week where wellness is an integral part of the culture. I'll have access to classes and a full gym everyday while I'm at work so I plan to take advantage of this. I have a half marathon in the books for April 13 so here we go!

I do want to mention my amazing run a couple weeks ago with Melissa. We ran six tough miles and it felt amazing. Buddy running needs to happen much more often.