Lunchtime run

I tried to upload a cute video of our chatty little girl. For some reason I can't, but the link is here. And another of her (with a surprise at the end...) is here. (You'll see why the kid wears a bib 24/7.) We had the best weekend. Andra is apparently capable of sleeping 11+ hours straight at night (and going 12 hours without eating) which puts her in a fabulous mood for at least the first half of the day. We need to work on naps still, but...not bad.

I ran today at school, during my free period. Luckily it was over lunch, so I got an extra 25 minutes to pump, change my clothes, and take a super quick shower after. (I still managed to keep sweating, and need to plan for a better outfit to get me through the last 2 periods without looking completely drippy and gross.) I did 3.5 miles - .5 warmup, 1 at 7:30, .5 at 10:00, 1 at 7:00, .5 cooldown. I just put a couple new songs onto my iPod (and managed to remember to bring it) and I loved running to Billy Joel's "Downeaster Alexa." Weird maybe, but I am not known for having any taste in music. It worked though... And, my Achilles was fine. Not perfect, but fine, and I am not limping now. So it's back to "normal."

I have a 3 mile race in 3 weeks (the one where I just missed winning a chocolate bunny last year). A PR is possible...maybe not likely (I remember how awful it felt to run that hard last year and how much I wanted to quit) but definitely possible. I'm going to do a 5k in April also because I know I can PR in one. I guess the bar isn't set that high (same with my 4 miler 2 weeks ago), but I'll take anything I can get now. I do keep thinking though, if my running is pretty good for the shorter distances now despite not doing any long runs, imagine if I hadn't gained 10 pounds since giving birth! Ugh.

Tomorrow = legs after school. I miss my real gym, but the fitness center at school totally gets the job done!

Legs and Heels

I did a fairly intense leg workout at school today last period. I haven't trained my legs is a while...I am anticipating serious soreness tomorrow. Yippee!

I ran 2 miles Tuesday on the paved paths at the beach. My right leg with the sore Achilles felt completely dead...there was NO bounce, spring, anything in my step. It felt like I had a flat tire. So I'm taking a full week off from running and jumping and we'll see how it is next week. I'm keeping up the lifting, and I know I should get my ass on the bike trainer (I have zero excuses other than it's hard to work out in my house during the day because Andra doesn't nap, and after she goes to bed I just don't want to). I am trying to stretch my hamstrings and calves (gently) multiple times a day. I should go see our trainer at school (I actually saw her today but we spent a few minutes catching up and I totally forgot I wanted her advice). I know it's an old Achilles injury, but the thing that hurts is actually the sides of my heel bone (calcaneus). I had this problem in 8th grade (even though I never knew its name) and honestly this feels the same, like I have huge bruises on my heel. It hurts to put shoes on (though it's fine once they're on), I pretty much limp all the time while walking, and no way can I go up on tip toe on my right foot. So yeah, running isn't easy. And I want it to be easy, so I'm willing to wait to see if it will feel better.

My WebMD piece is in the works...I just had to email them some pictures and sign a release, and I know the editors are working on it.

PR

8:18 pace officially (33:16), 8:13 by my watch (32:52). Close, but I did it! 7:56, 8:30 8:22, 8:02 were approximate splits. Felt good! I've run a 10k faster (8:08 pace) but I ain't complaining.

Pickle

Even if the race sucks tomorrow, I win. Check out Pickle!!!

Confidence?

I had last period free today and planned ahead to bring my gym stuff to school. We have a great fitness center (though clearly designed for 300 pound, 18 year old football players) with 3 OK treadmills. I cranked out 4 miles no problem, 3 of them (after a warm up) at 8:19, 8:19 and 7:56. As usual, I could have gone longer if not for the "stomach issues" that seem to plague every PM run lately (another reason I prefer treadmills for now). Seriously, the pace felt easy. I wish I'd been wearing my heart rate monitor, just to know. But if the Achilles is OK and my "stomach" is OK, I wonder if my A goal shouldn't be sub-8 minute miles. I kind of think this is that post-pregnancy thing where my increased blood volume makes me seem more fit than I really am. If I can do sub-8's, it won't be because I earned them. I kind of feel like I'll be on performance enhancing drugs...just pregnancy ones. Of course, let me see if I can even run a decent race before I go shooting it down. And I guess I should remember that I have been doing speedwork, if not long runs, for 2 months.

Anyway, it was great to remember that I can run at school before I come home, or even during a free period. My last period classes might just have to get used to me teaching all sweaty and in workout clothes. (Come to think of it, most of them wouldn't even notice. Teenagers.) It will save 20-30 minutes versus driving to the gym, and actually soon enough it should be warm enough that I will be able to run outside. (Umm, today, 43 degrees wasn't warm enough. I have become such a weather wimp.)

Elusive 8

The 8 mile run I planned for Sunday, in the nice warm weather, ended up being a 5 mile run, 2 mile walk in the rain with a tight, sore Achilles and a serious need for a bathroom around mile 4. Oh well.

I'm running a 4 mile race Sunday. I want to PR, despite few long runs. I have been running, and doing probably more speedwork than usual, but definitely lacking in endurance. My only other 4 miler was an 8:21 pace that included some walking in the last mile due to a bad side stitch (because I went out way too fast for what I could handle). So the bar isn't that high and I might be able to do it. B goal is 8:30, C is...well, I don't want to set a C goal too high, so I'll say 8:59! I also plan to run the course again (much slower) with my friend who's doing the half with me. She hasn't been running long either. So assuming my Achilles holds up and everything else falls into place, I'll do 8.

The Achilles injury is from a partial tear while playing soccer 7 years ago. That combined with pointy heels that cause the tendon to rub constantly, and with a lack of stretching and (my theory) post-pregnancy hormone changes makes for a sore heel.

I do find it kind of ironic that with a chronic disease like RA, the thing that's holding me back (physically at least, let's not talk mentally) is an injury.

The WebMD series has started to be put up online. My segment isn't up yet but they are adding a few new ones every week. I will definitely post it when it's up, assuming I don't sound or look too dumb.

I can't believe I haven't posted any pictures of the Pickle lately. We have some great ones that are still on the camera but haven't made their way to the computer yet. Here's a cute one from like 3 weeks ago.

Settling in and eating like crap

First week was a success. The second day was the hardest, as I had major guilt Tuesday night. But it's all been smooth. My mom just adores Andra (and vice versa it seems) and really seems to have the same instincts as I (probably no coincidence there). Andra figured out the bottle, I've been able to pump almost enough for the 2 bottles she takes while I'm gone (and should have enough starting Monday), she seems to be on a schedule of taking a 3 hour nap every late morning, and bedtime is becoming more consistent. I managed quick workouts (core class Tuesday, 3 quicker (2 at 8:00) miles Wednesday, off Thursday, lifting Friday. That's been possible this week because classes ended earlier and I could do that and still get home by 3. Next week the normal schedule will be back, and I'll have to figure that out.

The whole weight thing is bothering me. I weigh now what I did when I was 5 months pregnant. And it's completely because I am not paying any attention to what I eat. Or how much. And it doesn't help that 2 kids brought me homemade cookies last week, and the girl scout cookies were delivered. I don't FEEL fat...most of my clothes fit (except a few pants that barely fit when I was at my thinnest, and some tighter shirts that the boobs don't fit into...guess they ARE a little bigger). I have been doing a lot of lifting and I know I am STRONG right now. I just wish I cared enough about my eating. I keep having these deadlines of sorts...like, I'll eat better when I go back to school (not so far), when my mom leaves, when the weather is warmer and I can be running outside more (I don't like taking Andra out when it's in the 30s) and more consistent in my workouts, when I stop breastfeeding (June maybe? 6 months?). Excuses all of them. I just don't WANT to focus on that, I guess. Which is ok, but I also don't want to go all the way back to where I was 3 years ago when I didn't work out much or eat well. And I'm half way there, so it's a little disconcerting. It takes such a dedication, especially when my husband and I don't like to eat the same way. He just declared that he didn't like chicken any more, and that the way we cook is too bland. He likes lots of olive oil on his vegetables, I like steamed. But if he cooks (and especially these days I just can't be bothered), he cooks his way. And I just eat.

Anyway, it's on my mind but not enough yet to take action. I just hope I do something before the scale goes back over 160. And at 155, it's getting close.

Planning to run 7-8 miles tomorrow...temps in the 50s, and I think I committed to running a half marathon in Central Park with a friend at the end of April. So my 5 mile "long" runs aren't exactly going to cut it! Although I won't be worrying at all about my time since I haven't exactly trained. But I need a swift kick in the ass, so hopefully this will be it.

First day

I survived the first day ok. Didn't have to go in early, so even though I got up and did the routine so I could see if I could get out the door by 7, I stayed and snuggled with Andra until 9. She did fine with my mom, and I was home by 2:45. I pumped at school (this will be what I do at lunchtime now). I was mean to my first class (they were horrendous to the sub and in general are just little twits) and made them scared and sheepish, and then I was nice to my next class because they're good kids. That's really all I did today, teach 2 classes (and before that, figure out what the hell I'll be teaching for the next couple weeks and get copies made, etc.), because the morning was testing for the 10th graders and we only had a few classes in the afternoon. That's the plan through next Tuesday. I only have to be in by 7:30 on Thursday and next Tuesday.

I did go to the core class tonight. I think I'm going to give it up for a while though. It's at 6:30, meaning I don't get home til 7:45. Bedtime lately is around 7:30. Andra tends not to nap during the day, which makes for a cranky baby come 6:30 or so, and in general I feed her more often. So she just cries if I'm not there (and even if I am sometimes). And since I'm the only one who can put her to bed (or, rather, my boobs are), it complicates things. I guess we could give her a bottle at night, but I'm not ready to do that because she will now be getting them during the day and I guess I just want to nurse her as much as possible still. I'm ok with giving up the class (until she's a little older), but the thing with a class is I'm more likely to get there. If I do have to go on my own, I'm more likely to bail because I'll feel bad spending more time away from her. And yes, I know the whole thing about how I need my own time and to keep working out because it is for me, etc. But that doesn't make it easier. So the next few weeks are going to be tough. I'll be away from Andra for 8 hours (7-3) most days, 9 if I go to the gym right after school. I'm thinking that I'm going to try to get her to bed at 7 (so asleep by 7:30) and just go then, twice a week. I'll take one day off, and maybe once it warms up I can run with her twice. And the bike trainer? I used it twice the week I got it and not since.

Argh. Trying to figure out how to fit workouts in without taking more time away from her (which is impossible) is very stressful.

Snow day!

Never have I wanted a snow day as much as today. Not even when I was a kid. I was waking up every hour and 15 minutes on the dot last night. I'd get up and check Andra and then lie awake for a little bit worrying that it wasn't snowing enough. At 5am my phone rang with the message that in fact there WAS enough snow! Nice. So I spent the day sort of showing my mom the ropes. I decided to have her try the bottle for the 2 feedings I'll be gone for. The first was weird...I wanted to give her 2 ounces of formula, then burp, then 2 ounces of breastmilk. Well, the formula was fine, she chugged it, but once she had time to think about it, I think she was confused and mad about the breastmilk in a bottle. That didn't work, she cried and then went to sleep for a little bit. (She and I seem to share the personality trait where we get overstimulated easily and the best defense from that is sleep.) I nursed her about an hour later. Then a few hours after that we tried the bottle again, I think it was 2 ounces of formula mixed with an ounce of breastmilk, no breaks! It worked fine, she chugged it all at once and then passed out. My mom is good with her (though slightly annoying when I'm around too, but...) and took my suggestions for what to do when she starts fussing, versus real crying. Except for the fact that I just don't want to go, I feel fine about going in to work tomorrow. Luckily it's state testing week so our schedule is all weird. I have to proctor the tests for 4 out of the next 6 days, and I managed to make tomorrow one of the days I don't -meaning, there is no hurry to get into school since the tests don't end til 11 and my first class (out of just 2 per day this week!) isn't til 11:25. So I think I'll get up as if I had to go, feed Andra earlier than I have been, and see how long I think it'll take me to get out of the house. But I won't actually leave til 9:30 or so, so I can feed her again before I leave. I'll be home by 3, so it's max 6 hours I'll be gone. I've left her for 3 hours before, no problems, I just think LEAVING is going to be hard!

Didn't work out today. Will try to keep up my Tuesday core class even though it will mean another hour away. But...I know I need to.

Pit in my stomach

If we don't have a snow day tomorrow I really will cry. If we do, I'll put off the crying til Tuesday. My mom flew in today. I know Andra will be fine. I was out for 3 hours today (tutoring and the gym) and I was fine (she slept) but how on earth will I concentrate on a JOB? And deal with little whining dumbasses (sorry) all day? I am going to be so mean, they'll WISH they had their substitute back.

Today at least Andra decided a schedule will suit her just fine. She ate at 7:30 when she woke up, 10:30 before I left to tutor, slept the whole 3 hours I was gone (my husband apparently can make her nap...I can't), ate at 2, 5, and 7:30 when I put her to bed (fell asleep around 8:15). She was a little fussier and cried a bit more when I put her down...everyone tells me she won't sleep through the night tonight, that she'll sense that something's up. That's fine, I doubt I will sleep either. At least not til 5am when I get the phone call telling me NO SCHOOL. (Please.)

At the gym, I ran another 5. 3.5 at just under a 9 min pace, which felt easy except my legs do start to feel heavy. Then I had to take a quick bathroom break and came back to run 1 7:30 mile and then a slow .5 to end it. It felt great, really. Despite weighing in at 156 this morning (halfway between pre-preg and heaviest pregnancy weight) I feel the same. I have more of a tummy pooch than I did even 8 weeks ago, and I need to find my body glide (ouch, chafing...), but I feel strong and not too slow. Slower than pre-preg, but defintely nothing to get upset about. I'm planning to do a 4 mile race in 2 weeks, which will be a good gauge. And maybe a half marathon at the end of April, just as an incentive to get my long runs...well, to get them to actually be long.

Ok. Off to think snow. And not school. If I think school too much I will puke. Really.

Five...

5 miles on the treadmill at the gym today. Mixed up the speeds a little but average was around 9:20 pace. Easy cardio-wise, but my legs and weird near-uterus muscles start feeling it around 3 miles. Plan to hop on the trainer tomorrow morning for 30-40 minutes and take the core class at night. Getting anxious about going back to work, still don't know how I'll get out the door by 7am. Thank god my mom comes Sunday.

Oh yeah, MUSCLES.

Not going to stress out about not running "enough" these days.

I work out in some fashion just about every day. I just got a trainer for the bike this week so now I can do cardio at home for those days the gym or a run outside won't happen. (I would prefer a treadmill but this fit the budget a lot better.) And I really like lifting weights. A strong upper body matters to me more now than setting PRs this year, even though my ego wants to be able to say I got faster after pregnancy. I'll settle for being stronger.

Just trying to give myself permission to change my goals. I'm not abandoning all goals, just going for one that is more attainable. I'm just not finding time to do long runs, at least in this weather, with the BOB, and once I go back to work I think I just won't want to go out for 1.5-2 hours to run. I'll still run, just more for fun, or shorter distances (I still want to do speed work). And if I bike more or lift more than I run, I want to feel good about that and not lament the fact that I'm not running. Lifting makes me feel...strong.

Um, geez, this shouldn't surprise me. Consider the title of my blog!

Definition

The coveted vein in my biceps is back. Which surprises me. I have been lifting more and I have been sure to do more biceps than usual. But my body fat is up too. Maybe it's lower body though, hips and stomach, and my upper body has escaped it.

When I was lifting today, my friend was training a client (older guy) and when he went to get water she told me that he had commented on my being a "strong woman." Is it too early to take Andra to the weight room and expose her to this good body image stuff???

Sunny day run

Ran 5.5 miles today, a cold, bright, sunny, perfect day for running. I pushed Andra for one 1.5 mile loop, Fred pushed her for the second, and then I did a 2.5 mile loop to finish. I was in such a good mood, just being out there, running sometimes with friends and sometimes by myself. When I got back to the parking lot and Fred said Andra was "going nuts" crying, I surprised myself by just going with the flow and not getting annoyed or frustrated (with one or both of them!). I realized then how important running is, and will be, to my sanity.

The first 4 miles felt great, the last 1.5 a little harder (I pushed from 3-4 miles). I still feel muscles/ligaments/something around my uterus/groin that I didn't used to feel pre-pregnancy, so things are good but not totally normal still. Fine for where I want to be now, slowly building up my long run. I hope to do 6 next week and soon be doing 8 at least twice a month. My next half isn't until the end of June, so I don't really feel the need to push the distance yet. I should still be focusing on weights. I have 2 more weeks til I go back to work, so I should take advantage of that because it could take me a couple weeks to get into a new routine in March.

Playgroup

So it's something every mom should do at least once...go to a playgroup. Through our YWCA, I found one for moms (face it, these things are not designed for the babies) of babies around Andra's age. 5 of us ended up on the emails, and we met today. It was just over a mile from my house, but - and this is so important to understand - in a different town. I live in the "city," playgroup was in the "suburb." The rich suburb. So I was doubly skeptical, but as my husband kindly pointed out to me that I was going in determined to hate it, I tried not to roll my eyes as I walked in and met these women. (They were all there before me, I walked over with the BOB since it was relatively nice out and I wasn't thinking I was motivated enough to go to the gym today - though I did lift weights some at home this morning).

I was underdressed. How does one underdress for playgroup? Well, for starters, I didn't have my 12 carat engagement ring on. Or my 6 carat diamond earrings. And silly me, I forgot to tell my housekeeper to pick up my $350 jeans from the dry cleaners. Andra looks cute, but is also not wearing designer clothes (not at the rate she's been spitting up lately!). One of the first topics of conversation is about furniture and things their designers have picked out (most of these women are fairly new to the area). Only one woman was remotely chubby (she was the nicest one). Obviously none of them buy baby things used on Craigslist (I will admit I did wonder if it would've been worth it to buy a new swing, the used one I got is older and not nearly as nice as the one I saw today). Even the mom who was a personal trainer seemed fake (she was, of course, the only one who worked).

At any rate, once Andra started to smell (major poop confirmed a little later at home), and after she raspberried some of her spit-up all over the fancy coffee table, we made our exit. Clearly she was as unimpressed as I.

We won't be going back...

On other notes, I ran 4 miles on the treadmill yesterday after some weights. This is the first time I've passed 3.5 miles on the damn thing since...well, probably October. I've run farther outside, but not in.

Funny faces

I took these pictures 2 weeks ago. Such a little pickle!







The last picture show how much her hemangioma has changed in 2 months. Barely visible on day 1.

Doctors

We went into the city today to have Andra's hemangioma evaluated by a dermatologist our pediatrician recommended. We had the consult, then were told that the office had mis-informed us about his accepting our insurance. Everyone else in his practice took it, but not him. Ok, well, he was very clinical and not so personal anyway, so we then went to see another (female) doc whom we liked much better! Both recommended laser treatments to speed the involution of the birthmark. It could take up to 10 years on its own, less than 5 with laser, and probably better results. Given its size and prominent location on her little forehead, we went ahead. I wasn't expecting the treatment to begin that day, but since they could fit us in and we were there, we did. It took all of about 15 seconds, during which they basically zapped it with a pen-sized laser. A little scary, but we'd known what to expect. I've had a wart on my hand similarly zapped, so I know what it feels like - it hurts, but only during the 15 seconds. Still..my poor baby. She, of course, was napping, and did NOT like being woken up that way! Sounds like we'll have those treatments every other week, for at least 10 treatments. Yippee. Did I mention also that I hate driving into the city, and I'll have to take her by myself for most of them given my more flexible work schedule?

She was good today though...we definitely changed up her schedule on her, so she was more cranky than usual tonight, but during the day she was a gem. Before her appointment, I had my WedMD interview. We had to go to this studio, and it was a little intimidating. Very professional, like, OK, this is real? Guess I was expecting it to be a little bit low-tech. But they sent me to make-up and the host doctor guy had cue cards all made up with my name and stuff. They were interviewing different people with RA all day. I think the deal is that WebMD will have a bunch of these short clips on the website soon highlighting how people are living with RA. There was a "yoga" girl, a mom with RA, a mom whose little girl has JRA, and, according to the printed schedule, I was the "exceptional fitness example!" Ha! Although if I think of myself as someone with a crippling disease, I guess I do fit that title. I just tend not to think of myself that way. At any rate, Andra slept right up until we should have been done with the inteview...if everything had gone according to schedule. As it was, she woke up hungry (understandably, it had been 4 hours which is unheard of in the morning for her) and squawked right in the middle! So we had to retake part of it after Fred hustled her out for a quick walk in the 60 degree NYC weather. But she let us eat lunch in a deli and walk back to her appointment, remained on the verge of a breakdown until we got out of the waiting room into the exam room, and slept in the car on the way home.

My reward for this was a massage tonight by my friend who's in massage therapy school. She has amazing hands. I'm the type who likes to FEEL my massage - if it doesn't hurt a little bit, it's not worth it. More often than not I've left massages feeling frustrated, not relaxed! Luz's are NOT that way. Plus she always asks about the pressure, more, less? So she doesn't leave it to me to speak up, which can be awkward. She's taking a pathology class this semester and has to do a "project" on someone with a disease: ME! Lucky me! Lots of massages, and focusing on my arms. Who'd have though you could get a half-hour massage on just one arm and still not feel like you wanted it to end??? Since my wrists don't bend (I think I have about a 40-degree range of motion...I don't even know what normal is anymore, but I'm guessing close to 180 - if you comment, can you leave me a degree estimate of your own?), the tendons and muscles in my forearms never get stretched out. Imagine running and never stretching your calves - eventually, ouch, right? I hadn't even really noticed, but now - I notice. It was absolute heaven.

Of course, even though I snuck out of the house thinking Andra was asleep, I'm pretty sure she woke up right after and cried the whole time. Fred won't tell me (smart) but...well, I know. I tell myself they both just need practice together, and that will only happen if I go out, but it's hard.

Long post. Andra hasn't woken up again, poor thing, so I'm taking that as a safe cue to go to bed.

Feel like a slacker

I'm feeling like I'm not getting into the swing of this baby thing. I do try to get out once a day, but even then I try to time it for when Andra's sleeping (which is not predictable, am I supposed to be trying to get her on a schedule or something??) to avoid the possibility of a crying baby in public. Even though she's so good, I don't want to deal with that.

Last Thursday I went to a lactation thing at the pediatrician's. I got some questions answered about going back to work (and then ordered an electric double breast pump...oh boy) and met a couple other new moms (Andra was the big kid at 8 weeks). Friday 2 of those moms and I went to another new mom thing at the hospital, and then out to lunch. It was actually nice being out with other people in the same place in life...and with potentially loud babies. They all slept though (or at least were quiet). Less stressful somehow?

Yesterday (50 degrees here) I had planned to test out the BOB on my favorite short run with some friends, including one of the new moms who has run marathons, but hasn't run since getting pregnant (IVF, didn't want to take chances). So I was SUPER excited. Woke up feeling hung-over though. Not that I had had anything to drink, but it sure felt like it. Ended up puking more than I think I ever have, slept most of the day on the couch, felt guilty for not playing with Andra more, and felt really badly that I canceled on this new possible friend.

So after not eating pretty much at all yesterday, probably being pretty dehydrated (I lost 5 pounds between Sunday morning and today...you think?), I feel mostly fine today and think I should go work out. I won't, we just went for a half-hour walk to test the BOB. But I feel like a slacker. I still haven't run more than 5 miles (which would be fine with me actually, for February, if it hadn't been just one time). I am lifting and actually working out at least 5-6 times a week so I know I'm NOT a slacker. But I am not exactly getting used to worrying about when I can go. I even feel bad leaving her with my husband, as he's not really sure yet how to deal with her when she cries (which makes me feel bad for both of them). It'll get easier as she gets older, right?? Of course as I am typing this, she's been a happy angel in her bouncy, talking to herself, smiling...I couldn't ask for more. Yet being home is easier than being out and NOT KNOWING what could happen.

I realize this is a ramble.

On a totally different topic, we are going into the city Wednesday for a dermatologist appointment for Andra's hemangioma, and also WebMD is doing a series on RA and they are interviewing me for it! I'll be sure to post the link when it's up.

Cranky baby

Despite logging 9 hours (10:30pm-7:30am) of uninterrupted sleep last night, Andra's morning good mood only lasted an hour or so and then she got really cranky. Almost fell asleep a couple times but didn't. I was getting equally cranky...so off to the gym we went. She fell asleep, I got in a decent workout (back and biceps, then 2.5 miles at a 9:00 pace and some stretching), and she even slept long enough for me to go to the library for some books and Runner's Worlds, and to get a shower when I got home. Now she's cranky again, but I'm hoping more food does the trick.

Last night I gave her a pacifier after a marathon boob-chewing session. She had taken one before, then stopped, but last night it worked again. I'm trying limited use of it, although the pediatrician said not to worry til 6 months or so when they start forming habits and losing the need to suck so much. Still, when it works, it seems too good to be true.

Last Friday I had lunch with my "coach" Kathy, my former student's Ironmom who helped me with a training plan for my marathon last year. It's obviously running focused (leading up to a half at the end of June), and doesn't officially start til March, so I have 4 weeks to keep focusing on weights. My plan is to do both a few days, and then just one or the other once a week. But when I do both, weights come first! That is opposite what I usually do but will hopefully lead to better results. Then come March, everything changes.My mom comes for a month, I go back to work, and I have to take the running plan seriously. Kathy was not very sympathetic about how I am going to fit workouts in; she told me twice a week I will do them before school (because I don't have a 1st period class), and twice before I go home (guess I will have to figure out the pumping thing after all), and then weekends supposedly it will be easier because my husband is home. I need this kick in the butt, it's a little scary, but today showed me that I NEED to workout, to have that time that is just for me. So I will do it.

"Long" run

I ran outside today for the first time since Thanksgiving. 5.4 miles, no watch, really NICE. I'm pleasantly sore today. And the run kept me from eating much during the Superbowl (not that I could even tell you who played). Felt good to do a "long" run again.