In My (under)Estimation

Here’s the thing: I underestimate life. A lot. When I was pregnant, I was sure I’d be running again at 3 weeks postpartum, do another 9-week C25k, and be running 5k again by the time I went back to work.

I did not count on being so tired and sore after childbirth. I quickly saw that this goal was lofty.

So, I slated my return to running to coincide with my return to work. I did not count on being so worn out and having days that stretched from 5:30 a.m. until well after 10 and that I’d count myself lucky to get anything over 6 hours of very broken sleep. I quickly realized that I would have to get up at 5:00 a.m. to fit running in.

I already know how much lack of sleep sabotages my running efforts, how much it works against me. It always has in the past and sleep is a precious precious commodity around these parts. Something I’ll not give up easily.

Still, as the weather warms, I’m seeing more and more runners out and about. Which makes me crave running! Lack of sleep aside, I worry whether resuming running will affect breastfeeding. I read several confusing articles on the subject; in short, it might, but maybe not.

So, for sleep’s sake, I’ve decided to wait until the baby is sleeping through the night. I’ve decided to wait until my schedule is a little more smooth so that getting up at 5 a.m. doesn’t feel like torture.

I’ve decided to wait until my body levels out, so that I don’t risk illness, injury,
or “drying up”. Besides, I’m still gradually dropping weight, but my tailbone and pelvic bones are still sore.

With the recent unpredictably rainy weather, I’ve also decided to wait until it’s reliably nice out.

I’m so anxious to get out there! I just can’t force it. I know my body – and too little sleep and more stress will only work against me. Stress and lack of sleep make me gain weight and take their hideous toll on everything else in my life.

Hopefully all this waiting won’t amount to more than a few months’ time. Right now, my goal is to be running 5k regularly by Labor Day, and to work myself up to 10k (or more) by November.

Looooooooong (LONG) Break

Well, that was a long break.

For a lot of reasons.

Foremost among them: I didn't want running to mess with ovulation, especially after having had a miscarriage already.

Then, came the morning sickness of my 3rd pregnancy. And that's pretty much 2009 for you.

Now, it's 2010.

I'm 9 weeks postpartum and ready to do another Couch to 5k.

Right now, I'm sticking with walking before I go back to work in a few weeks.

Come Feb 1, I'll be C25k'ing it for the next 9 weeks.

(Wish me luck!)

P.S. Got a new iPod. . . once it arrives and is loaded with my new songs, I'll be set!

Turkey Run

I did, in fact, go for a run yesterday. With the hub and the dogs. I'm pretty convinced now, if I wasn't before, that I'm a loner runner. Running with hub isn't so bad. Running with dogs takes too much energy and effort! So much so that at 1.5 miles, I got a huge, spasming stitch on my right side - right under the ribs down into my stomach.

I had to stop and hand the leash of the dog I was running with over to M. Once it calmed down, I made up some of the rest of my run, which I figure was just under 2 miles total.

It was much nicer to be out running than to be at home cooking! Regardless, I'm still slow. I'd like to blame the track pants again, but I really do think it's just me. That and my iPod keeps dying on me. Time for either a new battery or a new iPod. . .

I've got to search out my previous training schedule. I know it's around here somewhere. Starting Monday December 1st, I'll be running 4-5 times per week. I'd really like to get my mileage back up to 5 or 6 and get my weight back down to 145-150. My gift to myself for the holidays, I suppose.

What happened!?

A) I've gotten to bed late (any time after 10:00) too many nights in a row. Hub is under threat of pain of death to get to bed by ten so he can stop "messing up my running"!

B) I've had a mental block about running 2 days in a row. Kinda dumb since I used to run 5 days a week, since I used to run 2 and 3 days in a row when I was "in training".

C) I'm plotting a big pre-Thanksgiving run tomorrow. By "big" I really mean more than my most recent 2-miler.

D) I'm gearing up for a rather serious self-lecture, in which I put myself back on at least a 4-day per week running program starting December 1.

E) All of the above.

Give it all you got

I was up and at 'em yesterday - the only exerciser out on the streets, even though it wasn't that early.

The weather was FANtastic!

My head is still stuffy and I forgot to blow my nose. So, when I wasn't sniffing and snuffing, I was hocking and spitting. I spit a lot. The breathing was not so easy.

It was S-L-O-. . . W going! I blamed the switch from running shorts to track/sweat pants. Really, it was the month-long break.

Again, it wasn't really that early, but my slow plodding woke up slumbering dogs, who slurred their barks in my direction. I thought "C'mon dumb dogs! Give me all you've got!" Then I realized I wasn't really taking my own advice. But in my estimation, lingering head cold + recovering from recent health issues + 2 miles without stopping - my iPod (which died 10 minutes in) = pretty freakin' good.

2 miles took me 23:45. Nearly 1 minute slower per mile than normal. I'm wanting to get back out there more regularly. It's going to take some time getting back up to speed, as manifested by my sore obliques and quads, which consistently attest that the break did not do me good!

I'm hoping for a morning run tomorrow so I get 2 in this week.

Oh, how I've missed it!

I haven't run in a month. . .

Every time I see a runner, I lament my loss! In fact, just yesterday, we were traveling on the freeway and I saw a runner running over the overpass. I said to my hub "Look! She's running! Awwww!"

I've been traveling and am now having some health issues, but should be ready to get back out there by Tuesday or Wednesday (I hope!).

It will be colder, but I have a beautiful new track suit that's just calling my name! Can't wait!

Tricky Eyes

"No excuses" huh? "No excuses"!? Sha right!

Monday was a bust. The ominous headaches have returned. Whatever. Even though I woke up at around 4 a.m. today and couldn't go back to sleep (you all know how much I love that, right?), I went out for a run. I was SO excited to go.

I ran just over a 5k in 35 minutes. Without a knee strap, without chapstick, without water, and without stopping. Oh, and without an iPod. Sort of. It died in the middle of my run. Running without it makes it seem agonizingly slow.

But, hey, I'm just impressed I can still run that distance in pretty good time and health after the lengthy breaks I've been taking. I changed up my route on the 3rd mile and was glad I did.

I don't know if it was the lack of mental abstraction from the no-music-thing, but my eyes were playing tricks on me today. Dead palm husks looked like rattlesnake skin. Pumpkin scarecrows looked like real people.

Oh, and then there was Peter Cottontail. Or his cousin. That bunny just hopped across the street and we had a right old staring match. He eyed me warily and I watched him intently, each of us anxious for the other's next move. He won. I looked away first on account of my running in the opposite direction and all.

The weather was freakin' awesome! I could have probably run another mile or two - if I had the time. But alas, the chicken in my fridge was calling me to marinate it so it could be my dinner. . .