Half Marathon Training: Week 1

I ran the Richmond Marathon in 2005 at the start of my first grad school year, and it was an incredible experience that I still carry with me. I have many times since then called on the mind-body confidence and inspiration that I felt in meeting that challenge, particularly in preparation for giving birth.

I have run many half marathons, mostly in 2005-2008, and a few shorter races while pregnant and in between pregnancies.

I like the half marathon distance because it requires only a 3 month training commitment and the runs are never over 2 hours.  It offers a good challenge without the hardship that I equate with the longer 6 month marathon training and 3.5+ training runs. 

This year I'm on a SportsBackers training team: the Zebras! So I will probably be sporting a lot of animal print between now and the big race day in November. I love running the long runs in a team environment because it is so convenient to have someone else determine the routes and I really enjoy the SAG stops, which are tailgate style pit-stops with water, gatorade, and gummies of all kinds to refuel every few miles. 

While I have been crossfitting for a couple years now, I don't run that frequently, maybe a couple times a week, and I usually choose runs that are around 3.0 miles.  In the past, I have had a hard time keeping up a training schedule while also maintaining my regular fitness routine.  

My plan for this event is to run the long runs with my Saturday team, and to run the midweek run on my own, filling in the other days with my usual Crossfit mornings. We ran our first group run last Saturday: 2.87 miles, 30:23 min, 10:37 pace. 

This week:

Monday: crossfit

Tuesday: 3.04 miles, 32:45 min, 10:47 pace

Wednesday: weight lifting at Gold's Gym

Thursday: crossfit

Friday: crossfit

Saturday: 2.98 miles, 31:27 min, 10:34 pace

Sunday: rest/active rest

Today's Saturday Run: 3 miles

My average pace seems to be somewhere around 11:00 minutes but I run faster when I'm in a group. I think the pace that I kept this week is a combination of my new Garmin (which continuously displays my pace and motivates me to keep it up) and running sans stroller. I am conditioned to run with the Duallie, often pushing both kids and all of their books/snacks/etc. When I run alone it feels like a relative breeze. 

To stay comfortable and hydrated on my runs I bought the new Camelbak Dart. I used the camelbak's lumbar reservoir system for the 2005 marathon, and while I didn't mind the way it jostled around during my runs, I thought I might avoid the potential chafing issues that I experienced on a few rainy and long runs that year. 

Some will say that this is overkill for short runs of 3 or 4 miles, but I really do feel better when I can drink whenever I want to. I filled it only half way, tightened the straps down, and I almost couldn't tell I was wearing it. I think it's going to work out nicely!  As for music, I always run with my iphone or shuffle with ear pods. While there are some fancy headphones out there, I prefer to run with headband style earphones because they never come out of my ears. I was curious about the yurbuds inspire series but decided to go with what I know, the cheap oldschool-style sony brand. 

I'm looking forward to a day of rest tomorrow! 

If you run, what accessories do you count as essential?

Boring

I'm so bored. Oh so bored. The gym is terribly boring.

The outside temps are in the 20's and I dare not set foot outside, if I have choice in the matter. Even our afternoon walk to the mailbox has been put on hold until further notice. If determined to break a sweat, the gym is my only refuge from frostbite and aching lungs.

There are a few little issues driving my motivation into the ground, however.

I still do not have proper maternity workout attire (I have no excuse for why I have not made the investment after 1 1/2 pregnancies) so I am left to either squeeze into my former gear (which doesn't fit that well, ahem) or to creatively assemble "outfits" from cast away items that I would otherwise never, ever, wear. I don't know about you but I like to feel confident at the gym, or else I don't really have fun, and I want to leave. Lately I've noticed that I've adopted a bad habit of jogging into the gym, swiping my card, running into my class, spinning like a drone for an hour, and then hightailing it out of there as fast as I entered.

While it would make all the sense in the world to take advantage of the fact that I have already done 3/4s of the work by dressing, and transporting myself halfway across town, I leave instead of lifting weights or working out my abs because I'm not up for strutting my "stuff" around the gym.

Then there's the fact that my gym is pretty traditional with a schedule of group exercise classes, most of which take place before 5:30 pm, rather unaccommodating for anyone who works, particularly considering the traffic in the area. Spin is the only class that is even remotely appealing, but I kind of hate it while I'm there. The lights are so bright, and the instructors are so peppy. I like to get in a zone while I exercise, and somehow staring at my own (blurry--since I don't wear my glasses to class, and pale (BRIGHT LIGHTS!)) face in a mirror for an hour while trying my best to block out all the extraneous diversions just isn't inspiring. Do I get my heart rate up? yeah. Do I break a sweat? yeah. Do I enjoy it? not really.

It's become too easy to find reasons not to go to class. That means that I need to do something drastic because not going to the gym, especially now, just won't do.

I have nooo answers, but I hope I come up with something soon. Any suggestions? I'll take anything.

10k success

Sunday was race day. To be clear, I did not "race" the 10k. I ran it. Or maybe it was a jog. Either way, I finished strong and I didn't walk. I tend not to put too many expectations on myself during races.

We decided at the last minute to honor Roscoe's nap schedule and so he and Andy stayed home. It's a choice that we've made to ensure that Roscoe's sleep remains a priority and that he naps and sleeps in his own bed, but I was still bummed to have to drive in and run alone. On the upside, it did present a rare opportunity for peace and quiet reflection, just me and Little Sears.

I woke up at 5:30 to make a playlist, dress, and grab breakfast. I left an extra 45 minutes to find parking because in DC there are no guarantees.

I relished the uninhabited state of I-95 at 6:15 on a Sunday morning. In no time I was cresting the interstate overlooking the DC skyline. Parking wasn't as bad as I imagined but it did involve a mile jaunt to the start line.

The energy on race days is what I love best. There were people walking and running from all corners to funnel into the field at West Potomac Park. Music was blaring, the port-a-potties were lined up in parallel rows of twenty and the line of people in wait was continuous. A huge tent filled with bananas, coffee, coconut water and other energizing snacks were mine for the taking, although I had only a few minutes to grab a bag of dried fruit.

I started the race a few minutes late due to the never ending potty lines. None of the staff could guarantee restrooms on the course--and I wasn't about to chance it. At this point in the pregnancy, thirty minutes into any run and I'm usually begging for a pee break.

The weather was chilly, and the skies were clear which made for utterly perfect running conditions. I put on my sunglasses, re-laced my (new) shoes, adjusted my visor, and I was on my way! Since the groups are organized by pace with slower people at the back, one benefit to starting late is that you get to pass a lot of people along the way (which is feel good).

The Potomac river was gorgeous in the early morning sun, and the east coast foliage was in full display for Fall. I brought a Gu* along for the ride, just to give myself something to look forward to at the half-way mark (FYI: they're great for labor too!).

The last two miles I alternated on repeat Gold Lion by the Yeah Yeah Yeah's, and Roscoe by Midlake--I labored to Roscoe and if this body can give birth, this body can run 6.2 miles.

My parents surprised me with a meetup at the finish line, which made my day. Then we beelined it to the food tent where I was greeted by bagels with cream cheese, chocolate chip cookies, and other goodies. Mmm...there are few things more satisfying than a carbohydrate binge after a long run.

I ran a pace of just under 11 minutes, which is about one minute slower than my pre-pregnancy pace (modification!). The last mile was full of braxton hicks contractions, and as mentioned, my hips were so painfully sore last night that I am accepting the fact that long distance running is off the agenda from here on out. Warm up runs? Short runs? Probably ok. But the joy that comes from exercise is sucked right out when you have to take time off to "heal" afterward. And frankly, I think my hips have an important job to do right now, and I don't need to put them under more stress. There are great options for cardio that don't involve repetitive impact.

I'm thankful that I got to share a race with Little Sears and that I met the demands of the run proving to myself that I can be pregnant and still enjoy the things that make me happy.

Oh, how I've missed you so

I went to my boxing gym tonight for the first time in 8 weeks. Maybe you can relate but after the first two weeks had passed, I was feeling too out of shape to show my face in that place. Ah, such a vicious cycle.

Spotting at week 7 also made me a little cautious to be punching and kicking a heavy weight bag, and the high intensity intervals and drills were enough to convince me that perhaps I was out of my element as a newly pregnant lady.

Two months passed, and I really missed my workouts. Two months' dues were withdrawn from my account, and I hated the idea of wasting any more money or mental energy thinking about all the fun I "used to have" at LA Boxing.

Then the clouds parted and the first trimester passed, and I started to feel like my old self. I eased back into an exercise routine that has me feeling confident and strong. And then, over the weekend, after prompting from one of my gym buddies, I worked up my nerve to at least give my gloves and my wraps one more spin before declaring boxing a pregnancy no-no for good.

I drove the 30 minute drive (with my music up so loud that even Little Sears was boogieing) and when I arrived I was greeted by a room full of familiar faces. I have to admit that it felt good to make an appearance, and share the news that I'm expecting. And then, since I'm kind of a show off, I got to impress them with my prenatal exercise abilities!

I was quite out of breath after the first 5 minutes of jumping rope, but so was everyone else, so that made me feel just fine. I did modify a lot of the exercises. I said "no thanks" to the crab walk and "no way" to burpies. I did The Plank instead of a crazy, bend-in-half ab exercise, and enjoyed every squat, crunch, and push-up I was ordered to deliver. Although, my belly does bump the floor now if I try to go all the way down....

I hit the bag a tad softer than I normally would to limit the jarring motion, but by the end of class I was energized, sweaty, and feeling quite happy.

I no longer plan to freeze my membership, an idea that I've entertained more than a few times over the past months. Instead, I'm going to embrace my new state and continue to do the activities that I love, and modify as necessary.

It's not you, it's me.

Tonight while at the gym, I realized that spandex may no longer be suitable as workout attire, at least until my real baby belly starts to show. While breaking my sweat and feeling strong, I also felt self conscious about the way my quickly disappearing waistline was highlighted by my oh so streeetchy pants and hoodie.

I remember an in-between unpleasant wardrobe development probably a few weeks further along in my last pregnancy. It lasted at least a month, and consisted of a transition period in which I had to make a big decision: wear my pants over or under my belly. Over equated to "muffin top", under equated to ....belly hanging over pants. Lose-lose!

I don't recall what my solution was, but I fear that I have just entered that awkward point in time yet again.

Maybe some maternity workout pants are in order?

Momma's Monday Check-in (7/40)

Note: McFatty Mondays is no longer!! Instead, I will be posting Momma's Monday Check-in. Join me as I eat and exercise my way through the next 33 weeks.

Due Date: April 2011

Total weight gain: 0

Morning Sickness: Still going strong! If only I could lie around all day and watch tv while sipping lemonade.

Cravings: Out of control. If it's not steak, I'll eat it. Sriracha has been a staple all week. Eggs and cheddar cheese follow closely behind.

Sleep: Napping when Roscoe naps saves the day!

I can't live without: I've been pouring over baby name books and websites. Nameberry is my current favorite. We thought we had a girl's name finalized (and leftover from Roscoe's naming event) but now there are new, even more intriguing names to consider. We're more or less at ground zero on both fronts.

I miss: Our pre-parent days of lazing about and sleeping late into the morning.

I am looking forward to: Learning more about what Little Sears is up to. We have an ultrasound scheduled for 1 pm today.

Aha Moment: Even though my norm shifted some with all the spotting I experienced during my first pregnancy, it still sucks the wind from my sails.

Best moment this week: Andy and I went out on a real date to a fancy restaurant. It was refreshing to get dressed up and go out as a couple. I was like a kid in a candy store, picking my meal off the menu. Falling asleep on the way home was a fun way to end the night :)

Workout Recap: I had plans to take a spin class and ride the elliptical machine on Saturday and Sunday, but I wasn't really in the mood after Saturday morning's discovery.

Monday--3.7 mile run

Tuesday--cardio kickboxing class at my other gym

Wednesday--OFF

Thursday--OFF

Friday--3 mile walk

Saturday--OFF

Sunday-- OFF

Diet: I indulged a lot of my cravings this week but things still seem to be on track--luckily I haven't been craving banana splits or cheese fries! With work and Roscoe to manage it feels like I'm going non-stop, and all-day fatigue and general malaise have required what feels like constant refueling. I try to make the most of every meal and snack, but when we're on the run it can be hard to execute. I've found that Starbuck's Vivanno Smoothies (with 6 grams of fiber and 18 grams of protein) make a satisfying snack or an easy lunch.

Goal's for the upcoming week: Hopefully this week will bring less rain (and cooler temps) because I'm ready to get back to our long walks and runs. I'd also like to make up for this past week's relative inactivity--Spin is on my list, and I still have a date with the Elliptical.

Belly Shot:

Movement: none

Gender: unknown

Labor Signs: none

McFatty Monday Week XV: D

For the past 15 weeks I've been chronicling my journey from new momma to ms. hard body. My greatest strength, when it comes to making time for exercise, is knowing the kinds of activities that I enjoy and not wasting my time on anything else. I love activities that engage my entire body and demand endurance. I enjoy them so much that even if the day has been long, or my mind feels like mush, I am motivated to throw on my workout clothes and get myself to the gym. The 30 minute drive also gives me an opportunity to listen to my music, unwind, and regroup--something that all momma's deserve!

I joined LA Boxing back in December, and it's been really satisfying to belong to a specialized club focused solely on one sport. Every class is lead by a seasoned professional boxer, so not only are the workouts awesome, but the teachers are passionate and offer constructive criticism to help us become more efficient.

I'm no novice when it comes to personal trainers, so when Tate offered to give me a taste of personal training--boxing style--I was very excited! He paired me up with Jennifer "The Bolivian Queen" Salinas, a professional boxer with a record of 11-1. She is gorgeous and the only female boxer/trainer at my location. She leads a mean class on Saturday mornings.

I like Jennifer for so many reasons, including the fact that she tandem breast fed her two kiddos, and started training for her last fight (a knockout) just months after giving birth to her son.

She's quite a force, so I was a little nervous to train with her for the first time.

I arrived at 5:45, ran for 10 minutes and then stretched while I watched the tail end of a training session with another client--she's booked solid most nights of the week! When it was my turn, I climbed into the ring and pointed to my camera explaining that I wanted to film some of our work. She was into it, so I wrapped my hands, and donned my gloves!

After jumping jacks and a good stretch, we started boxing rounds.

Jennifer called out combinations and corrected my form in real time. In class, I find this face-to-face combat a challenge. I completely lose my concentration when there's a live person looking me in the face yelling combos and demanding "more power!", "more speed!", "faster!", "harder!". Not to mention keeping track of the combination while also coordinating my lower body to move in the right direction and without crossing my feet. During the training session I learned that I aim my punches too low and that I slouch. Oops! There's always room for improvement. And the cardio involved in executing three minute rounds is intense!

Next we were on to squats with weight plates, and leg raises. Then sprints (x 20) with more squats, standing rows, and then....ABS. In boxing, you really rely on your core a lot--so it better be strong. Absorbing impact with your abs is common, so we did an exercise where I contracted my abs and she thwacked me in the belly with her special mitts. I had never done this before so when you watch the video, don't laugh at me!! I think you can tell by the look on my face that I was thinking about my poor stomach, first stretched into oblivion carrying Roscoe, my abs separated during the pregnancy, and now pummeled. Will you cut me some slack? Pretty please?

Ok, then we began planks. On a ball. With a weight on my back. and along came Jennifer to poke at the ball to throw in an extra element of challenge. Round two, she came at me with those mitts again! After that, we did more abs, and then a thorough stretch.

About the time that I finished with sprints (30 minutes into the workout) I was feeling ill. Those one minute breaks just weren't enough!

Here's Jennifer:

Here's a training video I put together to give you a sample of my first session:

I lost .5 this week, which is better than staying the same, and way better than gaining! Training with Jennifer was so much fun. Her story is motivating, and her personality is infectious. I was sore for the three days that followed, which is always nice, and I'm looking forward to our next session!

This week's score: D

Cardio: B

Weight Watchers: C

Strength Training: F

Three cheers for maternity workout gear!

As I've mentioned (a lot!), I exercised right up to the night before Roscoe's birthday. I loved that I was able to keep that part of myself in the face of inevitable weight gain and body morphing.

With that being said, I won't deny that dressing my body for the job was one of my very least favorite and most frustrating tasks--in fact, I recall several public displays of outrage when it became clear that the needs of an entire market (pregnant exercisers!) were going completely unmet--and that even the biggest brands couldn't be relied on to fill the niche.

Maternity workout clothes were impossible to find in store, and the options available online were either lacking style, or designed more for lounging than sweating: read 100% cotton. I did order a few clearance sets of pants and jackets from Born Fit, but quickly realized that not only had I bought the wrong size--a risk inherent to buying clothes online, especially when size changes weekly--but the cut was not intended for short people, like me. Needless to say, the tags never even came off. For the most part, I made due by rolling down the waist band of my pre-preg workout pants, and squeezing myself into my pre-preg hoodies. It worked, but it wasn't ideal.

Feeling good about our pregnant bodies is so important, and I was pretty excited when I came across this functional, flattering, and comfy looking workout line by Fit2BMom. I would live in hoodies and capris if I had my way, and Fit2BMom offers several styles of each.

This blazer-style wrap has also piqued my interest:

Topping my current Maternity wish list: a petite line of workout clothes. Seen one anywhere!?

How did you stay sane dressing for your workouts during pregnancy? Did you have a favorite go-to brand?

Desperate

You know I'm really jonesing for exercise when you find me shoveling snow in 25 degree weather, and 45 mph winds.

Does shoveling for 75 minutes make up for 2 slices of cake with pink frosting and heart shaped sprinkles?

No, you say?

Darn it.

1, 2, 1

I went to my first boxing class Saturday afternoon and it was fantastic!

Roscoe, Andy, and I arrived to the gym 10 minutes before the class started. I signed a waiver, then excused myself to give Roscoe a last minute top-off. I made it quick, and had just enough time to wrap my hands and grab my gloves.

The workout began with jumping rope for 5 minutes, followed by a variety of ab exercises that my poor post-baby body found to be quite a challenge. Next, a series of three minute "rounds" of various combinations of punching, interspersed with opportunities to freestyle on the heavy bag that hung from the ceiling. Push-ups, squats, jumping jacks, lunges, and more abs were thrown into the mix, and a cool down with stretching finished off the hour.

I was SOLD and signed up for a membership on the spot. I haven't been that sweaty, happy, or energized in a long time!

Update: my triceps are so sore and tight that I can't bring my hands to my shoulders. Payoff! :)

The last to know.

Kickboxing has been my sport of choice for years. I took my first kickboxing class in highschool, but I really fell in love with the power and the sweat during undergrad. In the world of fitness there are few things I like more than weightlifting, plyometrics, and kickboxing. Oh, and rowing. And running, but only races...seriously though, my heart remains with boxing.

I recently learned that there is an LA Boxing gym in my area. It's tucked in a place where no one would find it, and in fact, when I looked for boxing gyms a few months ago I completely missed it.

Now that I know it exists, I can't stop thinking about it, and I've suddenly found something worth leaving Roscoe for.

Back to the Pump!!

I haven't even attempted to pump in the last three or four months. It was so much work for such little milk, and I found ways to workout closer to home so there really was no need. Still, I figured that something might have changed in the last few months and when I pulled out the pump two nights ago, I had visions of pumping a half bottle with ease....but instead I pumped an ounce. TOTAL. I guess that's what I get for having a baby that nurses every hour, 24 hours a day.

So I turned to the Internet to help me troubleshoot, and I know there are so many variables involved in this equation, but I believe that I definitely have the wrong breastshield size. This article helped, but why is the importance of proper breastshield size not common knowledge? This is a pretty important piece of the pump (there are only three parts!)!

I had to order the shield online because apparently no one in the DC area needs a small breastshield. It's shipping from Hawaii so I have to wait until the 20th to get it. Which is a big fat bummer.

Morning "stroll"

I was invited to walk this morning with a group of women in my neighborhood. I just tracked the distance and it totaled 6.40 miles!

I kept pace with those speedy non-postpartum ladies, and I can definitely feel it. Unfortunately it doesn't feel that good.

I don't think I'll be joining them next Saturday--my body just isn't yet conditioned for that kind of endurance.

I went to the gym on Sunday!

Here are the highlights:
Andy hung out with Roscoe
One of my neighbors (also a new mom) went with me
My workout lasted for an hour
I felt strong and surprisingly fit!
I was away from the house for an hour and 40 minutes
We timed it perfectly and Roscoe didn't even need to be fed!

I LOVE THE GYM!!!

My workout plan:
2 x a week I walk for 3 to 4 miles and do my ab routine
3 x a week I run and lift weights, or go to the gym

I LOVE TO WORKOUT! (can't say it enough!!!)
Oh yeah, and I have 10.5 lbs left to lose!

Independence Day*

I just returned from my first post pregnancy run!!!

It felt so good to get out on my own and back to the thing that means so much to me!

Only 12 baby pounds left!

*This post was made possible by The Swing.

25 down!

In an effort to jump start my pregnancy weight loss, I joined Weight Watchers 6 days postpartum. Halfway through the first week, it was clear that the pounds were going to come off regardless of how closely I stuck to my points allowance. So, while I kept track of my intake, I modified neither the type of food that I ate, nor the quantity.

After 3.5 weeks of free-for-all eating, I think I'm ready to get serious.

Part of me doubts my ability to truly focus on the nutrition piece until I'm back in a routine at the gym. For me, the two have always gone hand in hand. At earliest, I'm probably looking at next week since my ability to leave the house to work out is contingent on my and Roscoe's ability to master breastfeeding in order to introduce a bottle without compromising his latch. There is such a thing as "nipple confusion", and I want to avoid it! This is tricky stuff!

My fingers are crossed that we'll be well situated in the next week or two.

So, in the name of accountability, I'm posting that I have 15 pounds left to lose, and that tomorrow is start day!