My baby used to be a pretty good sleeper. From 3-5 months, she woke only once during the night for a feed, sometime between 3-5am. She would fall back to sleep again immediately and I could go back to sleep for a few hours. With this type of schedule, I could run after she went to sleep for the night, or early in the morning. Now, at 6 months, she is up several times a night (most likely teething), and it is harder to pick the best time to run. Yes, my DH could attend to her if she wakes up while I am running, but the reality is that my breastfed baby wants her mommy to soothe her. In addition, I find it difficult to enjoy my run if I am worried that she will wake up and need me. Yes, I realize that I have to learn to let it go. It's hard to do as a first-time mommy.
I have only run a few times since my 10k race two weeks ago, and none of the runs have been good. I've been fighting a cold for over a week, and I think it's in my chest now. On a positive note, I am almost back to my pre-pregnancy weight...only 3lbs to go! I registered for the Angus Glen 10k on November 7th. It is good motivation to keep running, but without the added pressure of increasing my distance.
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Toronto Women's 10k - Race Report
This was my first official race since baby anners was born 5 months ago. I've been running about twice a week, with my longest run being 8k. I knew that I wasn't going to break any speed records, but just getting to the finish line would make it a post-partum PB.
I was glad that the race started at 8:00, because it got warm pretty quickly! I left the Garmin at home because I didn't want to put pressure on myself...I just wanted to run. Besides, it was a rare opportunity for baby-free time, so I wasn't in a rush! The race website claims that it is a flat, paved route...HAH! There were definitely hills. The firemen at the water stations made up for it,though! I saw Marlene pass me on her way back (it was an out-and-back course). She looked great, even though she wasn't feeling well! I chatted with her for a minute after the race...nice to finally meet her in person.
Expected result: 1:10
Actual result: 1:05:12
I had a secret goal of beating my first 10k time (5 years ago!), which was 1:04:40. I almost did it! I definitely finished with something left in the tank, though, so if I had worn my Garmin I probably would have pushed a little harder. Meh. I'll just sign up for another race!
Here's my pooch...she was very proud of me :)
I was glad that the race started at 8:00, because it got warm pretty quickly! I left the Garmin at home because I didn't want to put pressure on myself...I just wanted to run. Besides, it was a rare opportunity for baby-free time, so I wasn't in a rush! The race website claims that it is a flat, paved route...HAH! There were definitely hills. The firemen at the water stations made up for it,though! I saw Marlene pass me on her way back (it was an out-and-back course). She looked great, even though she wasn't feeling well! I chatted with her for a minute after the race...nice to finally meet her in person.
Expected result: 1:10
Actual result: 1:05:12
I had a secret goal of beating my first 10k time (5 years ago!), which was 1:04:40. I almost did it! I definitely finished with something left in the tank, though, so if I had worn my Garmin I probably would have pushed a little harder. Meh. I'll just sign up for another race!Here's my pooch...she was very proud of me :)
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
It's hot
I'm not a summer person, especially not a Toronto summer person. I hate the heat, I hate the humidity, I hate feeling sticky all day. Air conditioning is great, but it seems like I either have to freeze or sweat. And yes, I am still whining about it, even though this week is cooler than last week (34C humidex instead of 43C). I ran on the treadmill in my basement the other day, at 10pm, and I could still feel the humidity. I was going to attempt 8k, but I bailed at 5k.
Meh. I guess I will acclimatize. I sure hope that it is not too hot for my race in 6 weeks, though!
We're heading to Vancouver in 2 weeks. I can't wait! Well, aside from being nervous about taking a 4 month-old on the plane, I am looking forward to it. Hopefully there won't be a heat wave like when we were there last year!
Meh. I guess I will acclimatize. I sure hope that it is not too hot for my race in 6 weeks, though!
We're heading to Vancouver in 2 weeks. I can't wait! Well, aside from being nervous about taking a 4 month-old on the plane, I am looking forward to it. Hopefully there won't be a heat wave like when we were there last year!
Friday, July 09, 2010
The post-partum body
I've heard many women say that their body shape is completely different after having a baby...bigger bust, wider hips, stubborn baby pouch, etc. Some of my friends advised me not to try on my pre-pregnancy clothes too early after giving birth, because it would be discouraging. Remember, your body has undergone a tremendous change in order to create life, and it will take some time to get back to "normal." In fact, your definition of "normal" may have to change after having a child(ren). Being cognizant of this, I put most of my pre-pregancy clothes away in a box in the basement about halfway into my pregnancy. A few days ago, still about 8 lbs above my pre-pregnancy weight, I pulled the box out.
Shirts? No way in heck I could wear those. Not while I am still nursing, anyway. Pants and shorts that were on the big side before? Yes, I can wear those. Woohoo. Well, woohoo except for the muffin top. Gah. Pant that *just* fit or were a little on the small side before? I can't believe that I used to wear them. It's not just the baby pouch that is the problem, the expanded hips and butt appear to be in the way. Guess I will have to work a little harder on those areas. Mommy and Baby Fitness Classes have been helpful in that department, but I guess I should be doing the butt and abs work more than once a week. I've never been good with doing strength work on my own, though. Perhaps I should dust off the Wii Fit.
Running has been going well. It has been crazy hot this week, with the humidex over 40C. I managed a 7k run last weekend (early in the morning), which was my longest post-partum run to date. I also ran 4k on the treadmill late Wednesday night, with no walk breaks. Yay for continuous running! If I am feeling good, I might go for 8k this weekend.
Shirts? No way in heck I could wear those. Not while I am still nursing, anyway. Pants and shorts that were on the big side before? Yes, I can wear those. Woohoo. Well, woohoo except for the muffin top. Gah. Pant that *just* fit or were a little on the small side before? I can't believe that I used to wear them. It's not just the baby pouch that is the problem, the expanded hips and butt appear to be in the way. Guess I will have to work a little harder on those areas. Mommy and Baby Fitness Classes have been helpful in that department, but I guess I should be doing the butt and abs work more than once a week. I've never been good with doing strength work on my own, though. Perhaps I should dust off the Wii Fit.
Running has been going well. It has been crazy hot this week, with the humidex over 40C. I managed a 7k run last weekend (early in the morning), which was my longest post-partum run to date. I also ran 4k on the treadmill late Wednesday night, with no walk breaks. Yay for continuous running! If I am feeling good, I might go for 8k this weekend.
Friday, June 25, 2010
I hit 5k!
So, I've been doing these little 2-4k runs, trying to ease my way back into running. It hasn't been easy. In the beginning, I hurt a lot afterward. Sometimes it would be a week before I attempted to run again. My pre-pregnancy easy pace of 7min/km seemed so far away as I struggled to run 8-8:30min/km. It is gradually getting better. My pace is still slow, but I have to remind myself that pace does not matter at this point. All that matters is that I get out there, preferably 3 times a week.
This week, my goal was to run 5k. Although I tried to tell myself that time didn't matter, I was hoping to run it in under 40 min. I set out to run 3k tonight, and was planning to go for 5k on Sunday. I put the baby to bed, handed the monitor to DH, and headed out. It was a great summer night to run...cool and not humid. I felt so good that early in my run, I thought, "hm, maybe I can run 5k now." Then I told myself not to think such ambitious thoughts less than 1k into a run. But, guess what...I did it. I took a few walk breaks in the interest of taking it easy (not so much because I needed them), and completed 5k in 38:36. A far cry from the 26 min 5k I raced a year ago, but I'll take it! This is a milestone, and a great confidence booster.
I recently registered for theToronto Women's 10k, which is at the end of August. I am looking forward to it!
This week, my goal was to run 5k. Although I tried to tell myself that time didn't matter, I was hoping to run it in under 40 min. I set out to run 3k tonight, and was planning to go for 5k on Sunday. I put the baby to bed, handed the monitor to DH, and headed out. It was a great summer night to run...cool and not humid. I felt so good that early in my run, I thought, "hm, maybe I can run 5k now." Then I told myself not to think such ambitious thoughts less than 1k into a run. But, guess what...I did it. I took a few walk breaks in the interest of taking it easy (not so much because I needed them), and completed 5k in 38:36. A far cry from the 26 min 5k I raced a year ago, but I'll take it! This is a milestone, and a great confidence booster.
I recently registered for theToronto Women's 10k, which is at the end of August. I am looking forward to it!
Friday, June 04, 2010
From slow to sloooooooow...
Hi there! I can't believe that it's been 9 months since my last post!
Baby anners arrived right on her due date, March 17. She is a wonderful baby and is already showing her personality: strong and stubborn, just like her momma!
I had a normal delivery and have recovered well. I was sore for about the first 3 weeks and was limited to short walks. On April 25, we walked the Legacy 5k together as a family. I attempted my first run at 6.5 weeks post-partum. It was slow, somewhat painful, lethargic, and...wonderful. There is something about running that makes me feel free, no matter how slow I am. I ran/walked for 20 minutes, covering only 2km. The next day, I was really, really sore. That was a good warning from my body that I should take things very slowly. Now, 5 weeks later, I am still only running 2-3km, although I am running continuously now and my pace is somewhat better (still much slower than my pre-baby days, though).
I am finding it challenging finding the time and energy to run with a newborn. Since she is too young for the jogging stroller, I have to run early in the morning or in the evening when DH is home. The early morning runs are so not happening when I am up a couple of times a night to feed. Evenings are for eating dinner and spending a little family time together. If a run happens, it happens at 10pm on the treadmill. While I would like to register for a race to give myself a goal, I can't really pressure myself into training with my limited schedule. I am sure that there are supermoms out there who can do it, but I am just not ready.
Having said that, I am hoping to get out to Ottawa in the fall to participate in Ottawa Fall Colours...most likely the 10km.
Baby anners arrived right on her due date, March 17. She is a wonderful baby and is already showing her personality: strong and stubborn, just like her momma!
I had a normal delivery and have recovered well. I was sore for about the first 3 weeks and was limited to short walks. On April 25, we walked the Legacy 5k together as a family. I attempted my first run at 6.5 weeks post-partum. It was slow, somewhat painful, lethargic, and...wonderful. There is something about running that makes me feel free, no matter how slow I am. I ran/walked for 20 minutes, covering only 2km. The next day, I was really, really sore. That was a good warning from my body that I should take things very slowly. Now, 5 weeks later, I am still only running 2-3km, although I am running continuously now and my pace is somewhat better (still much slower than my pre-baby days, though).
I am finding it challenging finding the time and energy to run with a newborn. Since she is too young for the jogging stroller, I have to run early in the morning or in the evening when DH is home. The early morning runs are so not happening when I am up a couple of times a night to feed. Evenings are for eating dinner and spending a little family time together. If a run happens, it happens at 10pm on the treadmill. While I would like to register for a race to give myself a goal, I can't really pressure myself into training with my limited schedule. I am sure that there are supermoms out there who can do it, but I am just not ready.
Having said that, I am hoping to get out to Ottawa in the fall to participate in Ottawa Fall Colours...most likely the 10km.
Sunday, September 06, 2009
It's been awhile!
It has been quite awhile since I last updated. The day after I ran the Wolfe Island 5k, I discovered that a new family member would be joining us in about 8 months. Baby anners is due on March 17, 2010.
I was okay about keeping up my running at first. I ran 5k about 3 times a week. Gradually, I am noticing that I become short of breath more quickly and my legs get tired with (relatively) little exertion. To put it simply, I am slow slow slow. Now I am running 3-4k twice a week and trying to supplement with bike trainer rides and dog walks. Walking still counts, right? :)
I'm hoping that I can keep up with my running (shuffling) for another couple of months, but we'll see how it goes. I will be doing the Run for the Cure on Oct 4, but most likely will walk it with DH and puppy Lily (who is one year old already! Can you believe it??). I am quite excited to participate in this event again, especially with my growing family! (By the way, if you are interested in supporting me, let me know! I haven't been soliciting for pledges at all. I should really get on that...)
I was okay about keeping up my running at first. I ran 5k about 3 times a week. Gradually, I am noticing that I become short of breath more quickly and my legs get tired with (relatively) little exertion. To put it simply, I am slow slow slow. Now I am running 3-4k twice a week and trying to supplement with bike trainer rides and dog walks. Walking still counts, right? :)
I'm hoping that I can keep up with my running (shuffling) for another couple of months, but we'll see how it goes. I will be doing the Run for the Cure on Oct 4, but most likely will walk it with DH and puppy Lily (who is one year old already! Can you believe it??). I am quite excited to participate in this event again, especially with my growing family! (By the way, if you are interested in supporting me, let me know! I haven't been soliciting for pledges at all. I should really get on that...)
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