Taper Week

Oy, I just got done with a post-punishment snuggle sesh with Justin. He was punished (put in his room) since he decided to smack me in the face during a diaper change. Diaper changes are NEVER easy with my kid. We even use "slip on" diapers now because they are quicker and take less steps to get on.

I think the hitting thing is a phase. He is two and I think him hitting is the way he feels he can express his frustration the best. Let's hope it passes. Potty training is on the horizon...which deserves a premature "oy".

So my 80's party on Saturday was great!! I had a blast. Danced, sang and partied til (gasp) 1:00am!! Lol. There was not one person that did not dress up. It was great and the birthday girl was so surprised!!

I took a rest day on Sunday as far as running goes. Ran 4 miles at an 8:45 pace on Monday but felt every bit of Saturday night in it. Too much beer and junk food. Today I did weights and the ARC trainer at the gym. I think I will do my last pre-marathon run (another 4) tomorrow then rest Thursday and Friday. Massage on Thursday, woot woot!!! Can't wait for that!!!

Loving taper week!! Very little stress and worry to get a workout in. And a massage too!!

Crimped hair and lace gloves

I woke up today at 7:20...a late start to the morning. Justin let me sleep in a bit which was great because it was a cold morning. I wasn't ready to hit the pavement until it warmed up a bit...around 9:00. I enjoyed a cup of coffee, a mojo bar, some cartoons, Thomas the Train, then set out for 10 miles. Today's run was the last scheduled "long run" on my marathon training plan. It was a good feeling to finish and know that I'm now in my taper period. A week from today I will have two marathons under my belt! Yeah!!

I'm going to a party tonight which was perfectly scheduled. A girl I work with turns 30 tomorrow so her friend is throwing a surprise party for her with an 80's theme. Looking forward to letting loose with no run to worry about tomorrow. Hair is crimped, Debbie Gibson-esque outfit is laid out and Justin is with my dad overnight! Joe's not coming with me but I'm excited to have a night out on my own with people I don't usually hang out with.

Enjoying my day, now on to enjoying my night....

Too easy to sleep in!

So here I sit on the floor playing Thomas the Train with Justin at 7:17 a.m. Still in my jammies, coffee in hand. My alarm was set for 6:20 to get a chilly morning run in (it's 37 degrees) but as soon as I heard the ding of the alarm, so did Justin. He knew what my intentions were and got all snuggly with me. I didn't fight it. Nothing better than snuggling in bed with my two fav guys. Except now I have the guilt of missing a workout...especially because yesterday was an un planned rest day. I already called dibs on an afternoon workout with the hubby. Let's hope however I still have energy after work to follow through.

I beat the rain!

I have a usual 4.1 mile loop I do around my neighborhood. It's fairly hilly, but quick. Today I completed my fastest run time of the route, ever. I averaged an 8:03 mile, finishing the run in 33:02. I felt comfortable at that pace which is exciting, considering two years + ago I was averaging well over 10 minute miles. What's better is I'm still dry! A big storm is about to open up right over our heads and I beat it home.

Every day holds potential for accomplishment. Today I'm pleased with my accomplishment.

Two Years Later...

Wow, just read what I had written two years ago and had a laugh. I had forgotten about this blog honestly until I was accidentally directed to it. Just got up to speed on what my thoughts were as a VERY new mom trying to complete her first marathon. Talk about whiny.... Flash forward two years and I am a whole new person. Thank goodness. Maybe it was hormones back then, lol.

Since November 2009, I've accomplished a lot in my running life. My first full marathon was not the Hyannis as I set out to do per the below posts. I think along the way I decided 26.2 before Justin turned 6 months was too much. I completed my first full in October 2009. My son, in my hubby's arms greeted me at the finish line, age 15 months. I've completed countless half marathons since a few years ago, entered the triathlon community as a sprinter and will be completing my second 26.2 in another 10 or so days. The ING Hartford Marathon again. I've also managed to become a placer in my age group and overall among women in 5K's.

My goal is the same as it was before... to set an example for our youth. Justin is growing up watching his mama succeed in maintaining physical health. He is at almost every finish line with my husband to cheer me on. I believe I'm fostering an environment for him that encourages growth, strength and perseverance. He sees me in pain and in glory after my training runs and just maybe 10 years or so, I will have rubbed off on him enough that he'll be running races with me.

Day 11

Okay, so my last post was one of anger. I'm feeling much better since then. I went to my Orthopedist on Wednesday. He was not concerned at all about my issue. I told him I had a baby in July. I just ran a half marathon and since then I took a break and now I'm having this awful pain!

His answer... "You're using muscles you haven't used in a long time. You were pregnant and ceased hitting the pavement. Now you're out there with a vengeance and your legs are trying to get used to it again." It makes sense. He told me to start off training for this full marathon nice and easy.

This week I began taking Bikram Yoga. He said to keep up with that, do the eliptical then introduce the treadmill (because it is soft) in a few weeks. Go uphill because it's less impact, then graduate to a flat surface. Then in 6ish weeks, I can run outside again if I'm feeling better.

In 6 weeks, I should be running 11 miles as my long run. Hopefully with the eliptical and yoga and soon the treadmill, I will have built up the endurance to do that. In my doctor's opinion, I should have no problem meeting my goal in February. Hmph... hope he's right.

Today I did the eliptical for 40 minutes. I did it also on Monday with yoga on Tuesday and Wednesday. I worked out with my boflex weights Monday, Wednesday and Thursday. Tomorrow is yoga and probably weights. Maybe I can work the gym in there too and work out on the eliptical.

As far as my weight goes, I think I'll run easier once I shed a few more pounds. I've lost 32 of the 50 I gained while pregnant. I'm at 138 now. If I could get back down to 120 that would be great. 115 or 110 would be even better!!

10 year high school reunion is in a few weeks... there's a bit more motivation to get my ass in gear.

Well, it's Friday night. JP is down for the night I hope. He already woke up twice since I put him down originally. The Soup is on soon, then it's lights out. Early morning for me. Yoga isn't until 10, but I have to wake up around 7:00 to pump for Justin while he's at my dad's while I'm at yoga; then eat breakfast (2 hours prior to class or else I'll puke) then I have to get ready, get Justin ready and head to dad's which is 40 minutes away. It's on the way to yoga, so it's no big deal. No task is easy however with a child.

One week since my first post, six days into training

Grrrrr.... I'm mad...and sad...and happy... go figure. I'm mad because I didn't get my 5 miler in today. I'm sad because my legs hurt and I knew they wouldn't bring me more than 10 feet today. I'm happy because my step brother ran the NYC Marathon today and had a great time and pace. I tracked him the whole time and watched the whole event on TV. It was a great motivator... rather would have been if I could have ran.

My last run was on Friday. I did a slow and again stiff three miles. It's now Sunday. Today would have been my first "long" run of my training plan and I didn't do it. I'm beating myself up about it, no doubt. I have to make a doctor's appointment STAT. Tomorrow I will call and get in asap. Get some x-rays or a CT scan or something. I've never felt this pain/sensation before. I fear something is really wrong.

Yesterday I went for a walk in an effort to stretch out and feel better. I did my usual three mile route with Justin in the stroller and came home almost in tears. I kept chanting my two favorite chants the whole time we were out there... "Just one leg in front of the other... over and over and over." and "Just go a little further than what you think you can do." I finished what I set out to do but could barely carry my 13 pound son up the stairs afterward. I had to have my husband carry the stroller up the stairs for me. My legs would have gave out otherwise.

Justin is fussing in the crib. Must go tend to him.... I'll finish complaining later...