Brown Socks

8 Weeks PP

Piper is now 2 months old! I can't beleive it has flown by so quickly. I originally was going back to work at 10 weeks PP, but there was an immediate opening at a daycare that I couldn't pass up...therefore I had to enroll her early.  She started back on Monday and I am using the time to ease back into work right now.

I've been running ab0ut 3 1/2 weeks. I have yet to run an entire 3 miles, but have been covering that distance with walking breaks. It seems that my legs are getting stronger, but my cardio is still lacking. Cooler evenings are better than warm days, . I feel like I'm running with 2 bricks on the front of me as well (!) since I am nursing Piper the majority of the time still. It's still taking some getting used to, but I'm out there doing it!

BOB

The BOB Ironman running stroller with infant seat attachment has arrived.  No more excuses.

Running after having a baby

So, tomorrow I will be 6 weeks postpartum. Time has flown- My baby is cooing and smiling already!

I was given the "OK" to resume all activities 2 weeks ago and have run about 4 times since then (it took me a few days to get coordinated to do so).  When I had Marcel, I wasn't a runner at all, the only exercise I got after his birth was carrying around his infant seat (which does require some arm muscles) and the exercise I  got at work as a on-your-feet-all-the-time restaurant manager. So, this is a very different experience for me this time around.

So how does it feel to get back out on the roads after not running since I found out I was pregnant in January?  (I chose not to run during my pregnancy because of my morning sickness and my asthma) I can't tell you how many times I saw runners on the street and really longed to be out there too. I'm finally back out there! Getting back in the swing of things is difficult physically, but also very wonderful. I'm about 20 pounds heavier, so my knees are taking a beating...I've lost my cardio fitness so I'm gasping for air...and because I'm breastfeeding it can get pretty uncomfortable and I have to time things accordingly...

So, Mar and I have been going around the neighborhood- him on his bike and me on foot (running after him, gasping). We have a greenbelt area in our neighborhood- nothing fancy, but it has a few little hills and lots of rocks- my favorite terrain to run on. Running on our little greenbelt has really motivated me to get back out on the trails. I was pretty burned out on trail running for a while before my pregnancy, but I'm ready to get back out there once my ankles are stronger. I miss the wonderful greenbelt smells, the people, the rocks and mud...I'll hopefully be out there doing Hill of Life repeats in the coming months (hiking of course, not running yet).

I ordered a BOB stroller and infant seat attachment last week and it should be coming any day now- I'm anxious to be able to get out with Piper and not have to wait for Zack to get home to watch her while I go out. Also, I'm looking at some framed backpack baby carriers for when she reaches the weight requirement so we can go hiking at Bastrop and the big Greenbelt.   

So, my goals for the next 6 months or so are: Get up to 6 miles on the road by Capitol 10K in March, get back out on the trails in the next few months!

Haven't run since January...

And this is why-

Born 9-16

Piper Bell

I just saw a bunch of comments on my last post months ago- all of the notifications were going to spam so I never saw them. Apparently I got a bunch of crap spam comments as well and I finally got a notification the other day...there were all sorts of wacky make-no-sense  jibberish comments that I had to erase.

Air Running

Air Running
Originally uploaded by chili powder

Marcel at the pool....

Still Running...

It's been a while since I posted...I wasn't feeling blogging at all for a long time. Not sure if I am now...but I thought I would post to my sad, lonely blog.

I'm still running- but in moderation.  In the past year I found out I had asthma, dealt with the unpleasant Ischemia (and the subsequent yucky tests) last October, and had a miscarriage in March... A bit much for me.  I'm not sure if I was burned out, overwhelmed, bummed...but it has taken a while for me to get back in the swing of things.  I've run a race here and there and run around the neighborhood and at the greenbelt, but it seemed after all  of my health issues that I needed to examine my priorities and spend more time with my family.  Instead of getting up at the crack of dawn every day on the weekend,  I have been sleeping in and taking runs around the neighborhood in the late morning, and luckily this summer has been a mild one in comparison. I haven't touch the Camelbak in months and haven't run far enough to carry gels.  It's been all good, but I'm ready for a change.

It feels like I am now ready to get back "into" running.  Not that I have stopped, because I haven't- I run 3-4 times a week.  But I run without a goal, many times without a watch, and that is the difference... I am ready to get back into running with a goal. No big goals- no marathon or ultra this year as I am still wanting to have another baby and hopefully at some point soon- but a goal to focus on.  Zack ran a relay race on Friday night and I really missed being a part of that, and sitting there cheering for the runners I realized that it was time for me to get back into it again.  Nothing big- a 10K, a 10 miler...I just need to keep working to find a way to balance it all!

On the life side of things- busy, busy, busy- but who's not?  School's back in session for Mar, I'm  about to do some more traveling, I've got classes to take, ACL fest, jewelery orders to fill, a trip home for the wedding of a childhood friend, and running---trying to schedule in the running, of course.

No running to report

Taking it easy at the gym- running here and there but nothing over 3 miles at the gym. The funny thing is- I've down almost 2 sizes since I'm not eating to "fuel" anymore.

Surprisingly, I don't miss running. At least not right now. Probably when Spring comes along and the days are longer- I'll miss running at the Greenbelt. I guess it is just one of those phases that I'm in right now though.  I'm enjoying the extra time with Zack, Marcel, and friends and haven't woken up early to run in months. Ahhh....this is a nice break.

To fill up my time I've started to make jewelry, totes, and stuffed plush monsters.  I'm hoping to "open" up an etsy shop once I gather a collection of things.

Also, I've joined the modern world and joined myspace. Check me out there since I probably wont be posting much here for a while...

Keep in touch y'all!

Jennifer

Changes

Normally I get behind on posting to the blog because I've been running too much... This time that is not the case. I'm actually not running right now.

Where to begin...?

So I did a 20 miler a few weeks ago on a Saturday, followed by a 10 miler on Sunday. I was feeling great during both runs. I took a day off on Monday, ran 4 miles on Tuesday, took a day off on Wednesday because my parents came into town,  and then headed out for a 6-7 mile run on Thursday afternoon. Got about 4 miles into the run when I experienced a terrible pain in my lower abdomen- a pain so sharp that I couldn't stand up straight. I had been experienced a milder abdominal pain on and off during runs in previous weeks, but nothing as painful as that.  I had to make my way back to the house, walking and jogging when I could. By the time I got back to the house I could barely think.  The pain stayed for the next week or so- not as bad as it was initially- but dull and persistent every day. I went to my doctor, who then sent me to a specialist. They believe I have Ischemia, a result of lowered blood supply to my "gut" while running. It appears to occur with long distance runners, and usually repairs itself. Mine seems to be taking longer to heal. Yeah, not pleasant.  We won't know for sure until we do more tests, but they have pretty much ruled out anything serious.

So plans change, and I haven't been able to run at all. Though the pain is mostly gone, running brings it back.

Instead,   I have been spending time with my family- wonderful time that I miss when I am running half of the day on a Saturday and Sunday. Though I am disappointed that I had put so much time already training for Sunmart, the alternative is great. I have a lot more time to dedicate to reading with Marcel, making time for myself, and baking(!) lots of yummy holiday treats.

I'm looking forward to getting back on the trails, but for now my exercise will be at the gym or around the block with the dogs.  I doubt I will be keeping up this blog, at least not for now. Instead I have been posting a "Photo of the Day" on the other blog. 

Take care y'all!

Big Bend

Big Bend
Originally uploaded by chili powder.

We got to hike a little bit in Big Bend, the day before the race. It was beautiful and surreal...

Happy (and tired) Marathon Finsher

Marathon Finish
Originally uploaded by chili powder.