Marathon Mom

Every winter I complain about the weather, despite living in the midwest my entire life I hate snow, cold, ice, wind, anything to do with winter. I was loving the unseasonable warmth and lack of snow but now mother nature has brought winter with a vengeance. I never know what to wear and the entire process of getting running tights, turtlenecks and every other piece of required clothing on (and off) is a long process. I'm always worried that I'll be too warm or not warm enough. It seems the older I get the more sensitive I am to the cold, especially my hands and feet. Despite Smart Wool socks (sometimes 2 pairs) and mittens rated to -15F I always end up with cold, weak, painful numb hands/feet to the point that I have self-diagnosed Raynauds. I live between two park reserves with a combined 30+ miles of paved trails and regional trails leading to even more. Most of the year this is wonderful for training complete with hills, water and bathrooms. This isn't the ca...

2 years ago I started this crazy adventure called motherhood. I should have known that based on my own personality and the comment from our fertility doctor at the 6 week ultrasound "this is a stubborn one" that life would be interesting, never a dull moment with her around. At 41 weeks and 1 day with a little help Ophelia finally decided to enter the world, I don't blame her 2010 was a cold and nasty January, who really wanted to go out in that anyways? Wanting to know what is happening from the first minute, guess I know why she doesn't nap. Looking back over the last year the changes have been tremendous. I am amazed at what an inquisitive and compassionate little girl she has turned into. She is the first to offer a hug or kiss to make someone feel better or a back rub if your sore. The words just flow from her mouth, so days I'm amazed at the things she says while still continuing to sign (I still say this was one of the best parenting decisions we made)...

I knew today's workout would be tough after along run yesterday, but this was the best way I could fit things into my schedule. After years of running and coaching it took a new coach to tell me something I already knew to make me rethink my training. A few weeks ago he told me that I needed to take advantage of the easy days/days off so I could push harder on the speed/hill/long run days. Duh, I know this, but it finally clicked that yes rest days are important not only for recovery but for the other run days. Thinking about this I wasn't sure how back to back tough runs would turn out. Today's was a hill workout and my best option was to hit the treadmill at nap time. Typically I run "hills" on the treadmill at 3% incline, not today, this workout called for 10% incline, yikes! I kind of had fun... 3 mile warm up 12 hill repeats at marathon pace (7:55): 30 sec hill with 30-60 sec easy in between 3 mile cool down Total 9.1 miles 1:10:00 What a great workou...

I have a love hate relationship with my treadmill and today that relationship was as far to the hate end as it could be. After a few days of below zero temperatures I had big plans to get in my long run today (instead of Saturday) but by the time I left work I had the choice of running outside in freezing rain with likely icy sidewalks or staying safe and dry on the treadmill. I reluctantly chose the second option. Armed with my iPod, Reality Bites on DVD, water and gels I headed downstairs to my treadmill. Typically my treadmill runs start out tough and get easier after a few minutes, but not today I think I fought through the mental toughness for nearly half the run. Finally things clicked after about 11 miles, then the movie was done! I switch to my iPod and ended up with a string of 80s/90s music including NKOTB and Beck. Last year was my 15 year reunion being part of the planning committee I had compiled the music from our school years onto my iPod for that night. I typically run...

23 months and 2 weeks, wow! That is how long I breastfed, over the past week of vacation all the excitement of the days and exhausted toddler at night most nights meant she didn't even think about asking for her nightly milk. I am surprised and thrilled that we made it this long especially considering all the issues I had in the beginning and the number of times I nearly gave up. After the low milk supply, newborn with 15% weight loss in the first 3 days of life and concerns for her health and considerations of hospitalization. We made it, I still look back on the sleepless nights, my countless hours attached to a breast pump, supplementing, course of Reglan and gallons of fenugreek tea and stress. I knew at the time I was making every attempt to do what I felt was best for my daughter. Despite taking a breastfeeding class during my pregnancy I went into it completely naive, expecting that everything just worked out. It is a natural th...

Finally getting myself back into morning workouts and eating better after the holiday food is gone. It is amazing what better eating does for one's body. The fatigue and headaches of the past couple weeks are gone. I hope this is an indication of what's coming this year. Week 2 of Boston training shaped up to be a good one. Only 99 more days until race day... Sunday: 6 miles easy + strength/core Monday: 9 miles (3 mile w/u 6 x 2min at 5K pace 3 mile c/d) Tuesday: morning 45 min bike / evening strength + core Wednesday: morning 45 min bike / evening 8.5 miles (2 mile w/u 2 x 2 mile at half marathon pace 2.5 mile c/d) Thursday: morning 45 min bike / afternoon 1.5 mile run + 1 hour strength/core with trainer Friday: 9 miles easy run Saturday: 16.5 miles LSD run This weather has helped greatly with training too, now to remind myself that I still need to bring water on long runs in the Winter and determine my best race fueling plan.

January is the midwest usually means snow, wind and below freezing temperatures. Not this year, it is truly Spring like outside. All this week (and part of December) we've experienced record highs of 50s, minimal snow (which is now mostly gone) and lots of sunshine. It feels more like Spring then Winter. Open water! I normally dread this time of year, suffer fatigue, sluggishness, and just blahs from lack of sun and time outside. This year has been great, my attitude I so much better. I walked out of work yesterday to sun and 50F, didn't need a jacket and felt such a happiness. It is amazing what this weather does for one's attitude and mood. Running outside is perfect, trails are clear and no risk of falling on the ice. I think I have only needed my tights once so far. I'm loving this, well minus the fact that the city has decided that between the months of November and March no one needs to use a restroom while they are out on the running/walking trails. I am alm...