In the chaos that is life,

I forgot to tell you --

I'm pregnant with baby #2!

Oh, and HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Does this explain the 7 month break in posts? I hope so. I'm due in mid-late April and super excited, but also super itching for a run. All this mild weather is perfect. I didn't even get to do any early pregnancy short runs because I was on doctor's orders to keep my heart rate below 120. So, I feel very out of shape, my butt has gotten bigger due to more sitting and less activity, but otherwise, I feel great. I just really wanna run. I told myself before that I wanted to do a 5K race during my next pregnancy provided time and my health allowed it, but I'll just have to wait until the next one!

So far though, I decided back in the fall that I'd stick to long distance training after I get the green light from my doctor after I give birth to our second baby. I have been too much of a train-for-the-next-race runner, and I just want to be a long distance runner, period. It'll take some serious dedication and time management with two kids, but my husband is on-board to help, as I'm also helping him achieve his running goals. I plan to attack my next marathon in May of 2013 (to celebrate my 31st birthday) with a few half-marathons, 10Ks, and whatever else in between.

The challenging part will be starting from scratch. Having been out of the running scene for so long, I'm going to be starting like a new runner. But, I want to be a better runner this time. So I'd really like to work on muscle building, especially my glutes and quads since I have weak knees (blame my husband hahahahaha, I'm so corny). I think doing some lunges with the new babe will be in order! I want to really minimize injuries, so I'm going to remember not to do too much, too fast, and of course, listen to my body.

In the meantime, I'm working on my current health project, our baby, and cheering on my running friends who are tackling their own running goals this year. All the best to them!

Enter: the mid-day office run

I have been struggling with getting a daily run in. Even a run in every other day. I'm really sad about that. My body doesn't feel as strong as it did when I was running regularly and I feel sluggish and sleepy all day. And I'm starting to grow a pouch that doesn't feel like fat, but like extra Mommy skin starting to sag. Yuck. I guess this is what happens when life gets too busy.

But, things have started to slow down, which is nice. And, the spring weather will, hopefully, begin its takeover in the coming weeks. Oh, and most importantly -- we have a shower in our building just upstairs. I just found out this week. I checked it out this morning and it's one stall, private...I'm gonna have to take advantage of that. I just hope it isn't in use by someone else who needs it on a daily basis during their lunch hour.

YAY!!

2011 - not a race year

It's May and I haven't run a single race yet. I've signed up for one, a 5K.

This is not like me.

The reason is that really, I haven't had the time. Not just the time to train, but the time to actually run a race. As usual, there are so many I've wanted to do, it's just that the timing hasn't been the best.

With so many weddings and wedding festivities, special occasions, parties, and other commitments, signing up for a race on an early Saturday or Sunday morning just hasn't been in the cards for me. I can't run a race if I was up until 3AM the night before. I could try, but who wants to waste that registration money and energy running a crappy race? (I admit, though, I am curious to see how I'd do on very little sleep and possibly a hangover. I've done it while training before...)

So, I think for now, I'll stick with whatever races I can (I'm eyeing a few this summer), likely shorter ones (goodbye 2011 marathon...), before it gets too cold (darn, the Scotiabank Waterfront is in the fall).

Running Mom

I think the only time I can get a run into my daily routine is at 5AM. As it is, I get up at 5:15-5:30ish to make it to work for 8AM. I don't necessarily have to get up that early, but there's something nice about being up early in the morning, not rushing to get ready, and being able to relax with a glass of milk and/or a cup of tea (I eat my breakfast at my desk later).

There are many issues I have with this though.
1. Who wants to get up at 5AM anyway?
2. The sun isn't really up that early, and I'm not good with running in the dark. It's better than running at night though.
3. This would mean my early morning runs would become early early morning runs.
4. I wouldn't be able to run more than 5-6K because I'd need to get home to get ready for work for 5:30ish

And of course, with the cons come the pros...
1. Morning runs are the best. The world is still (mostly) asleep and it's like you have it all to yourself. It's yours to pound.
2. It's a nice energy boost in the morning
3. I'd have more time later in the day to spend with my family
4. I wouldn't have to worry about "tagging" my husband when he gets home so there's someone to watch the little guy. (Yes, we're a tag team.)
5. I still have weekend long runs, so I can extend my distance then.

Really, here's the equation:
Running + husband + child = scheduling conflict
How do I get a run in if there's no one to watch my child unless my husband is home? How do I make time to run every day if that time could be spent with my family? How do I maintain my sanity without a run or at least some time to myself?

The truth of the matter is, this time to myself, running on my own, would make me a better mother, a better wife, and I think a much more balanced person in general. I need my run.

And what helps is that sometimes we can go on runs as a family. Running Momma, Running Poppa and baby boy in a BOB.


Here, read a bit about how this is not just my own isolated problem!

Gotta Run

Sorry, I'm horrible with keeping up with this blog!

This winter has been a wrench, thrown into the plans for implementing a run somewhere in my daily routine. With going back to work, juggling the tasks of motherhood and having a 13 month old (who has no interest in learning to run himself!), it's been hard enough as it is to find time for a run. But I make do with what I have. It's rare and short, but I find time.

One of the best ways I get a run in is by having a running partner or group. Nothing better than peer pressure to get you doing stuff, right? Just kidding. But really, when you have someone motivating you and relying on you to help motivate them, you don't want to let them down. And so, when you have someone to run with, it's much easier to get out there and give the ground a good beating with your kicks.

I started a running group last year, composed mainly of various family members and friends and it continues to grow. It's really exciting. We've chosen our first race, the Toronto Pearson Runway Race, where  you get to run on the tarmac! How crazy is that? It's gonna be a lot of fun!

I think we may continue running together through the summer, so if you're interested, come join us! We run every Sunday morning in various areas in the GTA.