Half Marathon Mix-up

Imagine my shock and surprise to find out I am signed up for a half marathon on Sunday?!

Well, last night I received a 'confirmation' email from the Toronto Goodlife Marathon, with my bib number for the half marathon this coming Sunday.  "Only a few days left...are you as excited as we are?!" it said.  Huh?  I am quite sure that this is some sort of error on their part, sending me the email, as I am in no shape to run 13 miles this Sunday, and I certainly did not sign up to do so!!

It is nice to know somewhere out in the universe the Race Gods are sending me not-so-subtle messages to remind me I am a runner.  Part of me wonders if it would be wrong to go to the expo and pick up *my* race kit...
ha ha

This week has been a lovely week for runs.  Oliver and I have been out on our own a few times, and on Mother's day, Elliott, Oliver and I took to the 'hood for a few loops to make a nice 7k.  Big brother Elliott was happy to ride along with the baby, that's for sure.

This morning I did my usual 7k, but I decided to add another 1km loop that includes the big hill.  When I run up this big hill, people out walking or even in their cars make comments like, "you go girl" or, "wow, that's quite a climb with a running buggy!" etc.  It makes me feel good to know that I survived the big hill, even if it was with the lightest of my children in-tow!

I hope this weather stays bright and cheery...I have some miles to log before my next race, the Watford 8km road race in less than 2 weeks!

Happy Running :)

Soggy Buggy

This morning started with optimism.  I decided to take my two older boys on a run to "beat the rain" early.  Elliott's bus stop is on my usual running route, so I decided to do the run first, and sort of end up at the stop, with just half a km to run home with just one kid in the double.

By the time we reached the end of the street, the rain began.  Ugh.  "Mama, it feels misty," Elliott said.  Yeah, well, at least your under the canopy.  I did do some advanced planning, and put my iphone in a baggie, and brought along the "bubble".  The Bubble is what we call the plastic rain cover for the BOB.  Half way through the run, it was time to stop and install the Bubble.  At which point, my two year old decided to scream and cry.  He hates the bubble.  I had to compromise, and let him push it back from his side.  Nothing makes me feel like a mom more than having an argument with a two year old at the side of the road at 7:45am...

We survived the run, and I have to admit that the double is a bit heavier with two bigger kids than the single and a newborn!  Add in some rain and wind, and you have yourself a workout!

Here's hoping there are more sunny days to come :)

Happy Running

Snug as a Bug

Oliver and I have been hitting the roads together this week.  I know he is still a teeny little guy, but I have him bundled in to the BOB with a snuggler around his head/neck, as well as his body for support.  I am sticking to the roads that I know are smooth surfaces (and let's not forget my speed isn't much to worry about these days!).

Oliver all snuggled in to the BOB

Being able to take Oliver out for runs really makes it easier for me to squeeze them in when my husband is working, and when the bigger boys aren't home.  Today, the wind made the stroller into a mini-parachute, so I had some extra training along my 7k route.  Olly fell asleep almost immediately as we started out (yay!) so I would take a peek through the canopy window every couple of minutes to make sure he was ok.  Of course, he barely moved a muscle.  At one point, though, when I looked down, to my shock and horror, I saw a spider sitting on his bib.  Yikes!  I am not usually the one around my house to deal with such creepy critters, but there, out on the road with no one to save us, I had to man-up and pick the little spider out of my poor baby's space.  Ew.  But I did it.  Then, as I ran along, a hornet decided to perch on the outside of the stroller, where he rode with us for a few blocks before I found a stick to brush him away.
I guess it is spring.  And with spring weather, bugs come out to enjoy the sunshine too.  I just could do without them preying on my baby (ok, slight exaggeration) and getting in my way.  I have swallowed more than one bug out on the run, and I can't think of a worse way to ruin a good few miles.  Ick.

I plan to run with Milo and Oliver within the next couple of days, so that will be when the real fitness test comes.  Happy Running!

Beautiful day for a Race!

After a week (ok, month) of dreary, windy, rainy weather it was so refreshing to wake up this morning to sunshine and temperatures above 10C.  As an added bonus, it was race day!  My first race since having the baby a month ago, this local 5k race (Avery's Bravery--Second Annual) was a perfect choice.

I had to register this morning, so I got in the car and dashed to the race site on my own (it is less than 5 minutes from home--another bonus) while my husband hung out with the three boys.  I was back in no time flat, to get the boys ready, feed the baby, etc. before we packed up the car and headed out.

Elliott showing off good form in the children's race

The race was held at the local conservation area.  A wonderful location for a race!  This race was totally geared toward children, with face painters, a bouncy castle, cupcake decorating, and a 100m kid's race.  

Not long after all of the kids received their medals, the 5k run/walk started.  My good friend M and I were running together.  She just had a baby about a month ago as well, but she was running with her little one in the BOB, and I wimped out and left Oliver with his papa and siblings!  It made it easier for me to offer to push M's baby for part of the route, which worked well.

The run felt more like a daily run than a *race* but it felt great regardless.  We did manage to pass our fair share of other runners (a good way to pump up our spirits) and it really felt great to just attach that race bib to my shirt!

The best feeling was the approach to the finish, (when is it not the best feeling?!) where my little Milo ran out from the spectators to see me.  Aw.  Mama's boy.  I scooped him up as we crossed the finish.  So great.  Our finish time was 29ish minutes.  I'll take that any day.

It feels great to sit here this evening with a bit of sun burn on my face, and the optimism that I will build on this 5k up to the races that I want to accomplish this year :)

Look at that optimism!

Happy Running!

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 :)