Follow-Up

Today I went out for my second run...and it felt just as great.  Actually, better.  It was nice to know that the other night was not just a fluke, and that 3k was a good comfortable place for me to be, yet again.  I couldn't help but daydream as I ran, thinking about all of the races I will enter, the tempo runs, the long runs, etc. that I will be able to enjoy again soon.  Running is part of me.  A fairly big part of me, and I have missed lacing up my running shoes and heading out.

This weekend is supposed to bring with it some crappy rainy weather.  Blah.  I am confident that I can fit in some runs over the next few days despite the weather, as I want to stay on a roll and (finger's crossed) feel comfortable with runs closer to 5km by the end of next week.

We'll see.

On the Road Again!

ready to head out!

Last night was my first time out.  I was so excited to get going.  The weather was fantastic.  I figured my enthusiasm for the run would make up for my new lack of physical ability.  I decided to make my route a modest 3km run, as I didn't want to get hurt (my pride more than anything!).

My husband was glad to have a little time with the baby--sans Mama!

I set out at dusk, and it was such a lovely evening that there were birds chirping in the trees and lots of people out walking their dogs enjoying the neighbourhood.  I couldn't believe how great it felt to run along, without being 'front heavy'.  I knew Oliver was safe at home, hanging out with his Papa.

I feel so lucky to be out running again, 2 weeks after having the baby.  The spring weather has helped with motivation big time.  My other two boys were born in the snowy winter, so I really had to dig deep to force myself out there in the ice and wind for those dreaded first runs back into it.  It is also race season, so I have my eye on some finish lines within the next couple of months!

I am going to take it easy over the next few weeks...leaving the Garmin at home, taking rest time between runs, and keeping the length of my runs shortish.  It was so tempting to keep running last night, but I thought better of it, and decided that longer runs will come with time.

I can't wait to get out there again...perhaps not today, but tomorrow for sure.  It won't be long before I can head out with my new little guy in tow.  Here's hoping he likes the BOB as much as the other two!

Happy Running :)

So we had another baby!

Here it is, only 10 days after the fact.  The post about my newest little runner.  He came into the world after a few hours of labour, at 8lbs, 7oz.  Little Oliver is a welcome addition to our happy family.  His two older brothers have kissed hundreds of kisses on to his tiny bald head, and they have each already declared him as a "best friend."

Oliver...12 hours after being born

Nine months is not a long time in the grand scheme of things, but the past nine months seemed to take a bit longer to pass, while we waited in anticipation for the arrival of this sweetheart.  As for running in the last nine months...
I was in the midst of marathon training when I found out we were expecting him, so I had to decide whether to scale back, or plug on forward with my runs.  I had run through my other two pregnancies, and decided that I would take it easy, not make any huge time goals, and go ahead with the race plans I had made.

I ran an awesome half-marathon on labour day, and knew I was ready to take this baby along for the run of his life in the marathon at the end of September.  It was a fantastic race.  I was very proud to run past my friends and family as they cheered me to the finish line.  I plan to put my bib and medal on display in Oliver's room...

I can't wait to get out there running again.  I assume I will last until the end of this week before I start out with some sort of run/walk plan to get started, but I really can't wait.  Oliver will probably sit (or more ideally, sleep) out for the first few weeks of running, but my other two boys may wish to join me.  There is a local 5km run coming up in about a month, and some other races I would like to do throughout the spring/summer.  I am hoping for a strong half marathon in the fall.

I am going to take this opportunity to thank my wonderful husband in advanced for all of the support he gives me to fit my running into our lives.  Whether it is him rushing home after a long night's shift at work so I can head out to an early am race, or holding down the fort while I meet up with a group for a tempo run.  I love you, sweetheart.  You really are the best.

happy running...can't wait to get out there myself :)

Race Day (I mean, Due Day) is coming!

Second Born...little Milo in 2008

Every time I sign up for a race, I have an eager, excited feeling about how it will all play out.  I picture the starting line, the weather (be it fear of too much heat, or too much cold) and, if it is a race I have run before, I reflect on how I did last time I ran it.  Well, having a baby is so much the same.  Except I rarely EVER sign up for a race nine months before I am going to run it.  And I never sign up for a race not really knowing exactly which day it will happen :)

Due date 2006: Eager to meet my first born!

So, my next "race" is coming up...soonish.  I would love to have an exact date (what can I say, teachers are the planning-type) but because babies are really good at following their own schedules, I will just have to wait and see.  I have been reflecting on the births of my other two beautiful children, and each birth was so different.  My first was very overdue, but a quick, straightforward birth, and my second was on time, but a breech c-section at the last minute.  Go figure.  How do you prepare for a future race, when the last two where run so differently, but ended in their own little PB's?

I can't wait to meet this little one...

Boston, Schmoston?

Although I know it is the thing that everyone is talking about...I feel like I do need to discuss my take on the whole Boston Marathon thing.  I have never been one to enjoy participating in things because 'everyone else is doing it,' but for some reason, Boston is one of those races that runners (especially marathon runners) seem to feel like they have to do.  It might be the fact that non-runners know of this famous race, and assume that it is something that "any runner that is a real runner" has run.

The changes to the registration process mean that the qualifying time for each age/gender will be lowered inadvertently, as the lower your time, the sooner you can register.  Perhaps they should just silk screen each runner's qualifying time on their bib, so we know just which runner is most deserving of a spot at the starting line on race day?

And so it is.  A million years ago, when I worked at the Running Room, we had a little sign in the store that posted Boston Marathon Qualifying times.  I remember looking at it, thinking the race would be one that I would qualify for someday if I tried.  I also remember feeling really lucky that I was female, as the male qualifying times seemed waaay harder to attain.  When I ran my second marathon while working there, one of the other runners in my training group qualified.  She had run at least 5 marathons, and was so very proud of herself, and it was then that I thought more about making it a goal for myself in future races.  Then, for one reason or another, (perhaps getting a 'real job' and not spending my days living the student life) I got out of marathon running.  I had no real interest in that kind of training.  I was content to run 5-10kms.

I keep thinking perhaps I missed that Boston boat.  Now everyone wants to run it.  Do I care enough?  I think in my next marathon, I would like to push myself under that qualifying time, to know I can do it, (to be able to say I can do it) but I don't know if I want to join in on the crazy race to get a spot at the starting line.

There are so many other races out there that I would like to run.  I haven't done many destination races, but I do know I want to do more.  Boston is lovely, I hear.  But so are many other places!

Happy Running...and qualifying.

Is it too early to wish for spring?

For Valentine's day my husband bought me a couple of running magazines.  He is so romantic, and he really does know what kinds of things make me happy.  Waay better than chocolate!  As I read the magazines, (it takes a bit of time even to read magazines in this crazy busy household) I am getting more and more eager to get out there and run this spring :)  I feel lucky that my closest running friend (who's baby is due in less than a week!!) will also be eager to get out on the road, so it will be nice to have a companion that is feeling the burn out there.

But enough about the spring...perhaps I am just excited, as we have had some temperatures above the freezing mark these days, and seeing all of the ice on the roads turning to puddles glistening in the sun makes me feel like it is time to get out there!

In other news...Our two-year-old is embarking on a milestone very soon...moving to a "big boy" bed.  I have heard all sorts of miracle stories about children that are placed into that big bed the first night, and never even think about venturing out.  Not my kids.  Oh, how I wish they would stay in bed.  Because little Milo takes it upon himself to escaping the crib from time to time, we expect him to follow his big brother's footsteps, which will have him (and us) up more than a few times throughout the evening/night.  He has been asking for his big bed, so tomorrow night might just be the first night of my little squirt looking so teeny in that big bed.  We'll see how it goes!

Happy Running :)

Where have I been?!

I know, I can't believe it either.  A new post!  It has been a while, I know.  Thank goodness I didn't make updating my blog regularly a New Year's resolution.

As Valentine's day approaches, I am longing for one of my great loves...so I thought I had better write about it.  I have ended things with running for a little while, but it is just a "break," not a "break-up".  It was time to give up trying to look like a normal runner in the neighbourhood with my big belly, ill-fitting clothing, and plain fear of slipping on this icy, snowy terrain we enjoy in these parts.  I will enjoy building a new relationship with running in the spring,  but until then, I will have to be satisfied with the dreams I have at night, in which I am plugging away in good form down the street, in a race or on trails.  If only those dreams of running burned as many calories as the real deal ;)

Belly-wise, baby is growing and using my insides as a treadmill, which I see as a good sign that this little one will someday soon understand my need to get out and get some activity with them in tow.  I have finished work now, so, although my plan was to sit around and eat bon-bons and catch up on my soaps, I am too preoccupied by all of the things on my to-do list.  I don't remember having such a need to clean and nest through my other pregnancies, but my husband assures me that I was just as (irrational) obsessed.  I think my boys enjoy having me around a bit more too, which is such a relief.  My two year old has decided that he is going to be a big man and use that potty all the time now, which makes me one proud mama.  Not having to wash loads of diapers is a nice break before the new baby comes and I have to begin the entire process of diapers on a little one again :)

We (and by 'we' I really mean my husband) are also up to our eyeballs in basement renovations these days.  I desperately would love to have it all done before the new little one joins us, but I am cool with "mostly done" too.  Stay tuned for updates...I promise not to show any signs of insanity :)

Happy Running...it is a great time of year to get early bird sign up prices for races later in the year ;)