La Leche League Run & Hormonal Insomnia

I really love being a mom to Calvin. I hoped so much that I would get bored with maternity leave and that I'd be one of those women who just can't wait to get back to work. Wish not granted. The thought of trading our days together for the fluorescent lights of a depressing office makes me want to cry just as hard as he does at 8:30 every night. If only we could live off of Jeremy's paycheck.

The most annoying thing about motherhood is dealing with "help". I spend all day with my son getting to know his routine and moods. If he's upset after all the normal upset-baby troubleshooting (diaper, hungry, gas, tired) someone else says "oh, give him to me sounds like you need a break", it's insulting. I usually give in so that they can feel like they're helping but I'm just fuming on the inside, ready to punch the next person who makes me feel like an inadequate mother.

I'm laying out in the living room listening to the creak of his swing, pleased that he is getting the sleep he needs. I know in just a few hours I'll be awake for his 2:00 feeding but just being here with him is more important to me than sleep right now.

Anyhoo, this is a blog about running. Our next run is on Saturday morning, with a bunch of other moms. The run benefits our local La Leche League chapter, an organization that gives free support to breastfeeding moms. I'd like to say I'm trotting the 5k, but being only 5 weeks post c-section, I have been talked into just walking the mile.

I want to do more and I need to do more if I'm going to lose this last 20-ish pounds of baby blubber. But maybe doing these little bits will help me fit into my first trimester clothes before I have to go back to work.

Warm Muscles!

Tonight was the first time in weeks that I really miss running. Lately I've been crashing immediately after work, letting Jeremy take Bridget out on her walk. Tonight, I took her. And it felt good. I felt my leg muscles move and get warm again and I want to feel more! I'm still a little scared to run - I don't want the bouncing to stress Baby out too much, but I think I'm ready for longer walks outside.

I'm very proud of Jeremy for signing up for the half marathon and even though part of me is bummed about not being able to run this year (yes, I'm aware that it can be done but that's really not for me), I'm looking forward to being a healthy mommy rocking a jogging stroller next summer.

If you know of any really great jogging strollers that won't break the bank (or any bad ones to avoid), please comment!

Thanks NPR!

This week has been incredibly long because I was dreading today. But I woke up this morning and Philippians 4:13 popped into my head. After that, I was good. Even looking forward to running. Funny how that works sometimes.

Last week, towards the end of the 10k, all I could hear was my own shallow breathing and that only made me pay attention to everything that hurt. My head was in a negative place and I hated myself for putting myself in that situation.

So this week I brought my iPod to keep my thoughts away from myself and it worked incredibly well! Last night I made a special music playlist for today, but I once again proved to myself that music just isn't a good running buddy. It's good to start off with something upbeat and happy, but 5 minutes into it I had to switch. So I flipped over to my podcasts and listened to NPR's Wait Wait Don't Tell Me, then Car Talk. Both programs drip with positive energy and that's exactly what I needed. That and the ibuprofen I took when I passed mile 7. Oh yes, I carried it with me in my running belt.

I'm a little disappointed that the only people who finished behind me were 2 ladies walked most of the first half. They walked till I caught up with them, then started trotting so I couldn't pass them. I didn't get ahead of them until around mile 5. I'm proud of myself for running the whole race, even though my pace is terrible.

The awesome thing about the half marathon will be that even though I'll be one of the last to finish, I'll be finishing along with the people who ran the full marathon. So they won't be taking the equipment down when I finally finish. That will be nice.

Run to Overcome 10k

Yesterday I ran my first 10k. I'm happy that I ran the whole thing without stopping, but my finish time leaves much room for improvement.

For breakfast, I had a bowl of oatmeal with a chopped up apple, brown sugar, and apple pie spices. It was a delicious start to my day and I was far from hungry at the start of the race, but I almost made a deposit on the side of the road at mile 4. So no oatmeal next Sunday before the Governor's Cup. I'm thinking waffles. Hot, tasty waffles.

I'd love to post all the photos from the race but my Picasa album is full and I can't remember the password to my Flickr account. So until I delete all my wedding pictures from Picasa to free up some space or remember my stupid Flickr password, just check them out on Facebook.

If you're in the Lincoln are and you're not running in the Governor's Cup next Sunday, I hear they need volunteers. If you can help at packet pickup or as a course monitor please call the race director, Karen Bestial, at 402-476-1776.

Back to Back Madness

Tonight was an easy finish to my Time 2 Train class and now that it's over, it's time to get ready for this month's races. We have the 10k on Sunday, then the 15k Governor's Cup the next Sunday. I'm nervous.

Tips?

Ready for Adam's Race!

This morning I had the pleasure of pretending to be a stay-at-home housewife while waiting for the carpet cleaning man to arrive (he's actually here right now). So after I put the small furniture out on the porch and in the bathrooms, I went for a run.

I mapped my route on Google Maps and I'm delighted to have run 6.63 miles without stopping! A new record for me!

My breathing didn't get out of control, I didn't get side stitch, I didn't get hot, and the weather was perfect. I got home after 90 minutes, only because the carpet man was going to be here any minute, and I was afraid that the new blister on the arch of my left foot would break if I went any further (it is only about the size of a dime).

This makes me ready for my upcoming 10k and also gave me the courage to sign up for the 15k Governor's Cup. Am I a crazy person?

9/11/11: Buffalo Run

Today we ran the Buffalo Run, 5 miles in Pioneers Park. For those of you who have been to Pioneers, you know how hilly that is.

I was at an advantage because my first 5k was at Pioneers, so I knew what to expect. But there's a big difference between 5 kilometers and 5 miles.

My goal was to get it done in less than an hour:

Out of 587 people, I was 535th to finish. It doesn't sound that impressive at all! But I ran the whole thing - I didn't stop or walk once! Just shuffled along at my 11:18 pace. But hey, I finished it and since I couldn't run half a mile without walking 4 months ago, I'm feeling pretty good.