I took out the BOB for the first time today - I wish I had a pic! (This blog is doomed to fail if I don't start remembering to take photos...)
Oden loves being in the BOB - all wrapped up and there is a special cup holder for him and plenty of room for him to bring along a stuffed bear larger than he is, and Polarbear. We have to figure out a good route - but it was a nice short run to the park, half way around, then to the playground. We ran into Andy and Jane the Jack Russell, and did a loop together. My running partner has replaced me with a tiny white puppy...
I can't believe I didn't use a running stroller with Oden. In one sense, I made sure that my runs were hard and focussed, but I can already see how this is going to allow me more freedom and it didn't change my gait at all. If anything, it'll be an extra workout to push it uphill. I really can't imagine doing the bridges with it, but we'll have to see how that goes.
So, all in all, I probably only ran 2 miles today, but it was interesting! Eng San skateboarded along side of us and provided hot apple cider, donuts and entertainment as he rode along jumping in the air and doing some tricks. I can't wait until summer!
Saturday, March 2, 2013
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Last Long Run
Without fail, I pushed through a very slow run yesterday and sadly came to realize that I hit the end. Some runners have been able to sustain longer - but I felt like it was truly time to hang up my sneakers after struggling through the 6 miles at a turtle pace and paying for it the rest of the day.
My runs are not easy - there is traffic, the uphill climb of the bridge, crossing Manhattan, then the breezy west side. It's just under 10k and is honestly the most enjoyable route I've ever run. It never gets boring. Getting onto the bridge is about 1.5 miles, and it's a good struggle. The uphill climb is a challenge, but I never found it that challenging. The descent is awesome. Then, I can either cross the city or take the long way around to make the distance 9 miles. Lately, I take the short cut.
The west side is my favorite portion, being flat, straight and along the water. I can finally zone out and not worry about tripping over potholes, being bumped into by pedestrians or hit by a maniac New York City driver. I have some people along the way that I've become buddies with - the cop who runs the bridge every morning, the awesome female construction worker that crosses me through the intersection, the stars on the WSH, the guy who runs 2 blond labs, the couple that wear really fancy running gear, the 3 women that struggle through what look like 12 minute miles but they're out there every morning, the big guy that cleans up the pier and finally, the security guard at the Google building that raises her eyebrow at me as if to say, "What are you doing running in the cold?".
I'll miss you all very much.
My runs are not easy - there is traffic, the uphill climb of the bridge, crossing Manhattan, then the breezy west side. It's just under 10k and is honestly the most enjoyable route I've ever run. It never gets boring. Getting onto the bridge is about 1.5 miles, and it's a good struggle. The uphill climb is a challenge, but I never found it that challenging. The descent is awesome. Then, I can either cross the city or take the long way around to make the distance 9 miles. Lately, I take the short cut.
The west side is my favorite portion, being flat, straight and along the water. I can finally zone out and not worry about tripping over potholes, being bumped into by pedestrians or hit by a maniac New York City driver. I have some people along the way that I've become buddies with - the cop who runs the bridge every morning, the awesome female construction worker that crosses me through the intersection, the stars on the WSH, the guy who runs 2 blond labs, the couple that wear really fancy running gear, the 3 women that struggle through what look like 12 minute miles but they're out there every morning, the big guy that cleans up the pier and finally, the security guard at the Google building that raises her eyebrow at me as if to say, "What are you doing running in the cold?".
I'll miss you all very much.
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
Best. Run. So. Far.
I don't have the photos to prove it, but today's run was pretty amazing. Even though I was only pulling a 9.46 on straights, it felt like a strong struggle-free run - and that is the first time I can say that in a few months.
I've been doing pilates 3 or 4 times a week, and it seems to be helping immensely. My legs were like bricks for the first mile this morning - so I figured I had done some good mat work. With the huge belly attached to my front, and a full backpack on my back - I'm like a sherpa running and dodging the streets of New York. It was especially busy downtown today and Chambers left me at a near standstill - but the west side was perfect as always. The bridge was insanely hard for the first time in several years. I'm hoping to get another run in this week while the weather is getting better and I'm still fitting into my shirts. At what point do I have to stop?
I finally figured out how to reset my Nike account - so my runs can be tracked again. I was happy to see that my time didn't really suffer in the 1.5 weeks that I couldn't track my runs. The biggest fear I have is tripping and wiping out - which I'm known to do quite regularly. Wish me luck!
I've been doing pilates 3 or 4 times a week, and it seems to be helping immensely. My legs were like bricks for the first mile this morning - so I figured I had done some good mat work. With the huge belly attached to my front, and a full backpack on my back - I'm like a sherpa running and dodging the streets of New York. It was especially busy downtown today and Chambers left me at a near standstill - but the west side was perfect as always. The bridge was insanely hard for the first time in several years. I'm hoping to get another run in this week while the weather is getting better and I'm still fitting into my shirts. At what point do I have to stop?
I finally figured out how to reset my Nike account - so my runs can be tracked again. I was happy to see that my time didn't really suffer in the 1.5 weeks that I couldn't track my runs. The biggest fear I have is tripping and wiping out - which I'm known to do quite regularly. Wish me luck!
Sunday, February 17, 2013
Excuses Excuses
"You may be feeling tired these days, especially if you're having trouble sleeping. You might also feel clumsier than normal, which is perfectly understandable. Not only are you heavier, but the concentration of weight in your pregnant belly causes a shift in your center of gravity. Plus, thanks to hormonal changes, your ligaments are more lax. So your joints are looser, which may also contribute to your balance being off.
Remember those mood swings you had earlier in pregnancy? The combination of uncomfortable symptoms and hormonal changes can result in a return of those emotional ups and downs."
So, aside from being tired and clumsy - I'm still planning to run twice this week. I've really cut it back, but added pilates to the mix. Obviously, I'm happy that the baby is getting bigger - but it's really a challenge to deal with blubbering out!
Today I crawled through tunnels and pitched myself into a pit of pillows and stuffed animals - chased around Oden a little at the Children's Museum and now it's 9pm and can't keep my eyes open. I've always been pretty stubborn (determined) to push physical limits - but in the 8 or 9 weeks before little #2 shows up, there is a good chance I'll try to relax!
That said - there's a race coming up in March for kids that I think I'll enter O into. It looks like a ton of fun and he can run anywhere from 25 yards to a 1/2 mile. I think he can pull a 1/2 mile to be honest. He has the stamina! Coogan's Salsa, Blues and Shamrocks - Join us!
Remember those mood swings you had earlier in pregnancy? The combination of uncomfortable symptoms and hormonal changes can result in a return of those emotional ups and downs."
So, aside from being tired and clumsy - I'm still planning to run twice this week. I've really cut it back, but added pilates to the mix. Obviously, I'm happy that the baby is getting bigger - but it's really a challenge to deal with blubbering out!
Today I crawled through tunnels and pitched myself into a pit of pillows and stuffed animals - chased around Oden a little at the Children's Museum and now it's 9pm and can't keep my eyes open. I've always been pretty stubborn (determined) to push physical limits - but in the 8 or 9 weeks before little #2 shows up, there is a good chance I'll try to relax!
That said - there's a race coming up in March for kids that I think I'll enter O into. It looks like a ton of fun and he can run anywhere from 25 yards to a 1/2 mile. I think he can pull a 1/2 mile to be honest. He has the stamina! Coogan's Salsa, Blues and Shamrocks - Join us!
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
30 Weeks and Kickin'
This morning was a gorgeous morning - after days of snowfall and slush, I finally got to hit the streets!
 |
| 30 week bump |
I'm finding it harder to restore energy after a run, and even with the awesome support belt, I had twinges of ligament pain - but overall, I can still pull this off.
6 miles with Andy this morning - the usual route, and it was a pretty glorious day! I hope to get in a few more before we get hit with any more snow.
My headphones finally showed up today - reports on that to come!
Saturday, February 9, 2013
Support
After a week off, my 6 mile run yesterday was pretty awesome. I've moved into a slow 10m/m average, but I'm telling myself that this time includes waiting at traffic lights and stops for water...not so bad, in a race I think I'd still be able to pull off 9.30. However, it doesn't look like I'm going to find out! The 10-miler next weekend would be awesome, but I feel like it might take a few days to recover, and there is no guarantee that my ligaments can comfortably handle 10miles.
I finally picked up the Medela support band - and it worked wonders yesterday. I wish I had used it earlier - I was too stubborn. I definitely feel the extra weight, and it's difficult to think of running lightly when I'm starting to feel waddly.
My run started out to be a struggle through to the bridge, but after hitting the top of the bridge it was easy sailing for the last 4 miles. I've finally managed to stop being competitve - with myself - about how fast I need to go and how many miles I'm trying to log in a week. I'm just really happy to be able to continue to commute to work on my feet whenever the weather and my body allows. I wasn't sure that it would still be an option 11 weeks away from delivery.
I read a lot of stories by women who have run up to their delivery, and then pick it back up a week later. It's inspiring, but I also can't believe how long they've persevered. I don't know how long I will bound over the Brooklyn Bridge and hit the West Side - I hope at least 6 more weeks, but I highly doubt that I will be picking it back up the week after the baby shows up.
On another note - how great are 1/2 caff lattes??
I finally picked up the Medela support band - and it worked wonders yesterday. I wish I had used it earlier - I was too stubborn. I definitely feel the extra weight, and it's difficult to think of running lightly when I'm starting to feel waddly.
My run started out to be a struggle through to the bridge, but after hitting the top of the bridge it was easy sailing for the last 4 miles. I've finally managed to stop being competitve - with myself - about how fast I need to go and how many miles I'm trying to log in a week. I'm just really happy to be able to continue to commute to work on my feet whenever the weather and my body allows. I wasn't sure that it would still be an option 11 weeks away from delivery.
I read a lot of stories by women who have run up to their delivery, and then pick it back up a week later. It's inspiring, but I also can't believe how long they've persevered. I don't know how long I will bound over the Brooklyn Bridge and hit the West Side - I hope at least 6 more weeks, but I highly doubt that I will be picking it back up the week after the baby shows up.
On another note - how great are 1/2 caff lattes??
Monday, February 4, 2013
Discipline
I've been thinking a lot about discipline lately. It takes a lot of discipline to be a runner. Lately, it takes even more to be a runner with a 3 year old, a demanding full time job and a growing bump. Sometimes, I'm just tired.
However, being tired has never really stopped me from throwing down a few miles. Neither has pain, quite frankly. Last summer, I ran through plantar's fasciitis, then an IT band injury had me hobbling through training runs and I took very little time off. I've been known to over-do it. It's difficult to over-do when I have 14 pounds of baby bouncing around my belly!
I'm nearing the end of my week off of running, and feeling that it is going to take just as much discipline to "slow down" for a while. Missing the adrenaline highs and freedom that running offers, is tough. I'm looking forward to trying out the support band, and the new Bluebirds if they ever get here!
However, being tired has never really stopped me from throwing down a few miles. Neither has pain, quite frankly. Last summer, I ran through plantar's fasciitis, then an IT band injury had me hobbling through training runs and I took very little time off. I've been known to over-do it. It's difficult to over-do when I have 14 pounds of baby bouncing around my belly!
I'm nearing the end of my week off of running, and feeling that it is going to take just as much discipline to "slow down" for a while. Missing the adrenaline highs and freedom that running offers, is tough. I'm looking forward to trying out the support band, and the new Bluebirds if they ever get here!
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