Marathon Mom

What a day!

2012-02-15T15:32:00.001-06:00

Yesterday was filled with many reminders of why I could not be a stay at home mom. Don't get me wrong, I love my days home (okay most of them) but also enjoy my adult time at work. I should have known that when the days starts at 5am with a crabby toddler that there is strong potential to go downhill fast.

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I'm not above bribery!

We have been working on potty training for the past few weeks and all had been good until last week when she just wasn't into it anymore, this is when I got the idea of bribery. We were at Target and I saw a bag on animal crackers and now each successful potty results in one cracker. Until yesterday we had gone 3 days without an accident then she just wasn't happy about it, along with anything else. Time to figure out my next step (or bribe)!

I attempted a conference call for my run job which I had to cut short due to toddler tantrums, so we headed to the gym so I could be part of a promotional run video with some Olympic runners. Sounded so much fun. The child center was the site of our next breakdown, first due to needing to leave shoes on then who knows why. Once I realized I was out of time to change and make it upstairs before the filming started I decided to just call it a day and leave. The walk to the car resulted in broken sunglasses and another screaming fit by a toddler who now wanted to go to the gym. I now have a headache an want to throw a tantrum as well, some days I wonder why parents can't do the same in public. Wouldn't we all just feel better?

Helping mommy cook.

Instead we hit Costco and then headed home hoping for a nap. She attempted to sleep in the car as I sang very loudly and threw toys to keep her awake at stoplights, I knew the 10 minutes in the car would be enough to ruin anything further at home but not enough to fix the crabbiness. I finally got a nap and some quit but only after listening to singing over the monitor for nearly 45 minutes. These are the days I am thankful for a treadmill at home. Yes I am that mother who will let her child go while I workout. I know she needs her nap and that it will eventually happen (usually) so I let it go, the way I figure it if she is happy then she can stay happy alone while mommy runs off some stress and frustration on these days.

Prior to our multiple tantrums I decided we needed some more snacks in the house since we finished the pumpkin bread I had made last week. The one mushy banana wasn't enough for bread so the next best thing was granola. I will be the first to admit that I am addicted to any form of cereal or granola and have been attempting to find the perfect, healthy recipe for a couple years. I think this one may be one of the better attempts I've had.

The finished product: Banana/almond granola

Banana Almond Granola
4 cups rolled oats
1 banana
1/2 cup dates (soaked)
1/4 cup apple juice concentrate
1/2 cup chopped almonds
1 tsp cinnamon
1/4 cup flax
1/4 cup unsweetened coconut
1/4 cup seeds (I used pumpkin seeds)
1/2 cup dried fruit

In food processor puree banana and dates until smooth, add apple juice concentrate and mix. In bowl mix oats, flax, almonds, cinnamon, coconut, seeds. Once mixed add in banana mix and stir until combined. Pour into greased baking dish and bake in preheated 300F oven for 45-60 minutes until dry but not too brown, stir frequently. It will continue to dry as it sits. Once cooled stir in dried fruit.

Outside my normal

2012-02-12T20:58:00.004-06:00

On Monday I got an email from one of the trainers and triathlon coach at the gym where I work as the run coordinator asking if I wanted to join him and few others for 11 miles on Sunday, he was "only inviting fast, serious runners". Wow, what a compliment and truly needed on the day after such a tough long run. I debated with myself all week whether or not to go since I don't normally like to get myself in new situation where I don't really know people. My contact with him had been a short conversation one morning before a run at the gym and a couple emails. As the weekend got closer at Saturday was bitter cold with negative wind chills I decided Sunday would be a better day for the 20 mile run on my schedule, so why not run part of it with others. Sunday morning ended up being colder then forcasted so he pushed the run back until the afternoon and I once again debated going.

Ducks swimming in open water in February!

After a morning of coffee, quick grocery shopping and making lentil enchilada bake to have ready for dinner I decided to head out early to get in some miles before meeting the group. I was hoping to get in 9 first so I could finish with the group, but I of course couldn't get out of the house quick enough. I hate getting dressed for winter running! I was able to get in an easy 6.5 miles on hilly paths alone as a warm up for the anticipated marathon pace 11 miles.

Loving the lack of snow! Usually these paths are completely convered all winter.

I met up with the other five runners and we headed out on a hilly course running 8:00 mile pace with some pick ups thrown in. I was feeling great, I had forgotten how nice it is to run with others who will push you especially when you think the run will be tough. Even better I got to meet five other runners who live close by. They are all mainly triathletes and were making it a point to convince me to sign up for a tri this summer. I've been considering it again, but I must get myself back in the pool first! I finished up one of my best long runs of this training with an easy 2 miles on my own to total 20.5 in 2:52:03, not too bad considering I start out feeling pretty sluggish. I work my compression socks for the first time while running instead of just afterwards and think they helped. My question: they were great in 30F but doesn't it get warm wearing knee high socks running in the summer?

New favorite socks!

I returned home to my little girl waiting for me. She asked if I was chilly and immediately headed over to turn the fireplace on. I enjoyed a very large piece of the leftover tiramisu I made for last night's dinner while relaxing on the couch by the fire. This is my favorite dessert and the one I'm willing to splurge on, I did make it a little healthier although with some of the chemical of sugar free foods that I try to avoid so still only an occasional treat.

Tiramisu: Low fat/Low Sugar
1 box sugar free vanilla pudding
8oz low fat cream cheese or 12 oz plain Greek yogurt
2 cups nondairy milk
2 tsp vanilla
24 or so lady finger cookies (can sub vanilla wafers)
1 cup espresso
1/4-1/2 cup dark rum

Mix pudding, milk, cream cheese/yogurt, vanilla with mixer on high. Depending of desired consistency may need to add more milk or water to thin. Layer half cookies in dish and cover with enough espresso/run mix to moisten but not too soggy. top with half pudding mix. Repeat with second layer. Top with unsweetened cocoa powder. Chill at least 2 hours.

Today during the run we were discussing the foods that you could overdo and you just can't give up. Mine would have to be cereal, tiramisu, and red wine (I know not really food).

Biking, running and cooking, what more do you need?

2012-02-10T16:36:00.000-06:00

What a great day, minus the bitter cold outside. Winter has returned for a couple days to remind me why I hate it so much! Needless to say there was no outside workouts for me.

I love my mornings and always get up early to have time to myself whether this is to read the paper, play on the computer, workout or just drink coffee. This morning I was up at 5am even though I didn't need to leave the house until 8. I got in a nice 45 minute bike ride on the trainer while I finished listening to the course lectures that I started on Sunday. I have a tough time running this early in the morning so this is my time to make myself get on the bike.

After a short meeting and some grocery shopping I was home to stay for the day. I took advantage of naptime to get in an easy 8 mile run and some core work. I don't know what I will do when naps end, since she finally started napping at 10 months I have loved this time on my days home to workout and start preparing dinner. Today I did both.

Today was also a crazy kitchen day, one thing let to another because of leftover ingredients. Tonight's dinner will be stir fry with miso soup so I decided to make some veggie/tofu dumplings. I made a batch of these but still had 3/4 of the wonton wrappers left so I thawed some pumpkin puree to make pumpkin ravioli but when I got done running pumpkin bread sounded good and I knew there would be leftover. So a loaf of bread went in the oven while I worked on the ravioli. And I still have wonton wrappers left, what will be next?! Can you tell I am now addicted to Pinterest? It has saved me from my food rut. I like using it to find ideas and then adapt my own recipes.

I love double workout days! Such a good way to wake up in the morning and start the day and the second workout does wonders for the afternoon slump.

11 Random Things

2012-02-07T20:55:00.000-06:00

I was tagged by Laura at Mommy Run Fast and Laura at Faith, Family, Love, Joy for the 11 random things post. After all my negative posts lately I thought I'd play along and post 11 fun facts and answer the questions posted by Laura (FFLJ).

1. I started dancing when I was 3 years old until college. Many years of recitals, competitions and costumes.

2. I have a huge collection of Little Mermaid stuff. It is now packed away but for years when I lived at home I had everything displayed in my room

3. Until about 10 years ago I hated running! After college I decided to run a charity marathon and was hooked.

4. I had a job in college as a research assistant where I travelled to local tattoo shops and observed. What a fun experience and I got published out of the deal. I since have gotten 2 tattoos and am planning my third this spring.

5. I could live on sweet potatoes, cereal, pumpkin and coffee.

6. I have a terrible sweet tooth, but can't eat chocolate.

7. I hate mushrooms and brussel sprouts! and haven't eaten red meat in probably 20 years (or any meat in 3 years). Early pregnancy made any meat awful so I figured why not just stop and I haven't missed it.

8. My favorite singer is Prince. I knew Boston 2011 was going to be a good race when the first song played on the bus to Hopkinton was "Let's Go Crazy"

9. I hate feet! I always wear socks, even in summer I put socks on as soon as I get home.

10. I was a tomboy/girly girl growing up. I was in a pageant as a child and refused to wear a dress instead wearing sweats and a t-shirt to the interview, I was 6 years old and already not letting anyone tell me what to do.

11. I am a self proclaimed wine snob. We are members of 4 wine clubs and have a collection of wine at home. I could drink red wine nightly (or a white in the summer).

The Questions I was asked by Laura Faith, Family, Love, Joy
Best thing that happened this weekend? Dinner with friends on Saturday, I don't think I have laughed that hard in a long time.

What is the last book you read and would you recommend it? I've basically been in school all my life, honestly I haven't read a fun book in years! The last book I read not for school was for my daughter: Potty Time Elmo

What is something you want to try? Running related: Ultra marathon (looking at a 50K in July). Nonrunning: This summer I was to successfully grow vegetables and also start composting, long term I'd love to write a cookbook.

Are you crafty? No, I've started scrapbooks that are unfinished, can't sew and have no artistic ability.

What is something that annoys you? Is it bad that I am having a tough time narrowing down to just one thing? Right now I think the biggest has to be bad dog owners who think they can let their dog run free and chase after me when I'm out running, Put your dog on a leash on public paths!

What’s for dinner tonight? It was a weird night since I was at the gym recruiting for our run club during dinner so I had raisin bread with sun butter, cutie and root veggie chips

If you are on Pinterest, how do you come up with your board names? {Straight to the point or creative?} I love Pinterest! I use it mainly for food and kid things. All my boards are pretty straight forward.

What is the last movie you watched {home or theater} and would you recommend it? Bridesmaids, sure it was funny.

What is your typical order when you go to a coffee shop? Soy latte

Last song you listened to? The last thing I remember from my drive home was Loser by Beck. There is a new local radio station that plays a mix of 90s alternative and recent alternative a pop, strange combination but I think I like it.

Are you happy at this moment? Sure, right now I am relaxing after a busy day. Overall I am in a good place (working to get where I want to be) and have a great husband and daughter.

Training frustrations

2012-02-05T21:08:00.000-06:00

Once again due to working this weekend I was stuck with an afternoon long run. After last weekend's miserable 18 miler I was hoping for a better 15+ miles today, not the case. I thought I was preparing well, ate an early lunch at work and then got home a quick snack of an English muffin with cashew butter while I read the Sunday paper and relaxed for a little trying to convince myself to run. You know things aren't going to be wonderful when it takes a debate to get moving.

I finally made it out of the house 1/2 hour later then I wanted. Armed with an iPod loaded with 2 weeks worth of primary care lectures I started my run. Let me tell you this was not a great idea when I already lacked motivation. Learning how to diagnose and treat anemia, fatigue and skin disorders is not great running music! Why did I think this was a good idea? Next time I'll stick to Prince and my 90s music.

I considered heading home after 4 miles, my stomach never felt great and the cold I've been fighting the last few days was kicking my butt. Then I started feeling a second (actually first) wind and decided to keep going. Too bad that only last a few miles. I guess I can be happy about the unleashed dog that ran at me, giving me that extra boost to go another mile. No idea what is up, but this is the third time in a week that I have been chased by an off leash dog in the park reserve with the oblivious owner ignoring all the "dogs must be on leash" signs! Ugh! I finally made it home 15.1 miles later and still didn't feel too good.

10 weeks until Boston and my long runs are awful, I know there are ups and downs in training but this is making me happy. Things started so well and I was even considering aiming for a 3:15, now who knows! I know I can blame a lot of this run on being sick, running in the afternoon and being tired. Time to push it behind me and focus on the next and how I can learn from this runt.

Questions for other runners: how do you deal with a bad training streak? how do you get through bad runs and refocus?

I promise I will stop complaining and focus on the fact that in 10 weeks I will be back in Boston celebrating my 10th anniversary with my husband, running my second Boston and being just a few weeks from graduating with a second graduate degree.

Why I hate Winter running

2012-01-29T21:09:00.000-06:00

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 case in winter, the bathrooms are locked, water off and trails not cleared, so once it snows I lose most of my running routes. And the ice, I hate icy paths after my fall last winter resulting in a broken arm. Luckily the snow is pretty packed so I am still able to get decent footing on about half the paths.

Today I debated the treadmill but headed out in 10F with -3 wind chill to run 18 miles. Started out nice and warm but that changed after about 7 miles when my hands/feet weren't too happy. Later in the run I discovered a new annoyance of winter running, frozen water bottles! I'm not a fan of cold water, I always carry around a bottle of room temperature water during the day so drinking cold water outside during a run is not fun. About 10 miles in I grab an electrolyte chew from my pocket (which is half frozen), finally chew that and grab my water bottle only to discover the top has frozen shut. Despite my best efforts at opening and thawing with my mouth I'm out of luck. My hands are too weak from the cold to even attempt to open the top. Now I'm stuck, no water and an electrolyte chew sitting in my stomach undigested. I momentarily consider a handful of snow, but quickly decide against it with all the animals around. I'm at a point where I could turn off and head home which is only 2 miles, but decide against it, the warm house would be too comfortable and I'd probably stay.

I'm okay for awhile, but soon start to feel the lump of undigested gel sitting in my stomach, yuck! This feeling continues until the urge to vomit around mile 16 takes over. The lack of water isn't helped by the fact that I started my run likely dehydrated. 16 hours earlier 4 glasses of wine sounded like a good idea, not any more. This run really sucks, I want summer back complete with heat, clear paths and water in liquid form.

Slower then expected I finally complete 18.5 miles in about 2:43:00. Only a couple more months to complain about this weather and make the dreaded decision of treadmill v snow and cold for a long run.

Happy Birthday

2012-01-28T16:35:00.000-06:00

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). My petite little girl is the eater, everyone comments on the amount and type of foods; every fruit/vegetable, sushi, tofu (which she requests), spicy Indian and Thai foods, lobster and enchiladas with guacamole to her list. No need for a kid's menu here. Yet somehow all the running and climbing she does balances out the eating. She is a nonstop mover (not sure who she gets this from...) and loves to dance, swim, run and jump. She is a true girl loving her dresses, but still wanting to get dirty and play with the boys.

The final product: My Elmo Beach Cake

We spent yesterday baking, another of her favorite activities. Apple cupcakes (some with caramel) from the Baby Cakes Cookbook with a few changes and Banana Cornmeal Cake based on This recipe I used maple syrup, whole wheat flour and no need for xanthan or starch. Both were wonderful and at least I can feel like I am feeding my kid and myself healthy desserts. Per her request we also served "noodles" macaroni n' cheese made extra creamy with acorn squash puree, "broccoli" veggies with hummus, bread and "berries" fruit tray.
After a busy morning/afternoon it's time to relax, find a glass of wine and enjoy the silence that now fills my house (my SIL has 4 young boys who tend to produce some chaos wherever they go). Oh and watch the dreaded cold weather come back just in time for an 18 mile run tomorrow morning.

Birthday Princess

Running makes me hungry

2012-01-23T20:48:00.000-06:00

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 workout and how strange my legs felt after the hill repeats I almost felt like I'd be better keeping with the hills. This run lead to my next kitchen experiment. This morning I did a trial of the gingerbread cupcakes for the 2nd birthday party this weekend and wanted to use some of the pumpkin up so here was the result...

Pumpkin/Date Crispy Bars
1 cup dates (soaked)
1/2 cup pumpkin puree
1/4 cup unsweetened coconut
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
1 tbsp sun butter (or any nut butter)
1/2 cup oats
1 cup puffed rice cereal

Puree dates in food processor, add pumpkin, vanilla, spice and sun butter and continue to puree. Stir in coconut, oats and cereal. Press into pan and sprinkle more coconut on top is desired. Placed in refrigerator or freezer to set. Cut in bars after set (made 10 small).

Love/Hate relationship

2012-01-22T20:18:00.001-06:00

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 with my "running" playlist but today just hit play and was hit with all reunion songs, it's surprising how much Hanging Tough helps speed up the pace! 2:25:14 later I was done with 18.25 miles (7:57 pace).

Now the love side of the relationship. The treadmill has gotten me through many days being at home with an infant and now toddler. Over the past (almost) 2 years I have used my treadmill more then I have in the entire 10 years I've owned it. Without I don't think I'd have been able to train. Nap time is always a perfect time to run and it is just so convenient. And last year after breaking my arm and being told no running on the ice it saved my Boston training. Now that we have a nice snow coating again I think my relationship with the treadmill will be rekindled.

After a week of vacation it's back to training...
Marathon training week 5:
M: 9.1 miles with 2 mile w/u 5 miles at half marathon pace 2 mile c/d
T: morning 45 min bike trainer and evening weights
W: 10.3 mile temp run
T: 1 mile w/u easy run + 1 hour strength with trainer
F: 45 min bike trainer
S: 8.3 miles easy
S: 18.25 miles at marathon pace

The end of an era

2012-01-17T21:38:00.000-06:00

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 thing, right? so why not. These are the things no one really tells you, the tough side of breastfeeding, pain, tears and feelings of inadequacy when you can't give your newborn what they need to survive. I wish I had known all this in the beginning. Something that seems so natural and simple isn't that way for many women. It amazes me how many women have problems breastfeeding but never say anything until someone else talks first. I remember being at a wedding about 1 1/2 years ago and talking with other new moms and the conversation turned to breastfeeding and how some had quit early due to problems, some only pumped and we were all suprised at the "secret" kept from new moms regarding the difficulty with breastfeeding.

These early days I counted down every moment until I would quit and never left the house during feeding times without a bottle in hand, then it all clicked. My supply was great and she just got it :-) I still only planned and expected to make it 1 year at the most, that came and went and I retired the pumping at work. Boy was I ready for that thing to be gone! I knew it would end eventually (never planned on being the woman breastfeeding a 5 year old) and let her take the lead and it just worked. Part of me is happy that she no longer needs this and I have my body completely back but another small part of me is a little sad to see this bonding experience end.

Great start to 2012

2012-01-07T20:18:00.001-06:00

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.

What month is this?

2012-01-06T16:33:00.000-06:00

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 almost tempted to put on sundress, grab a glass of sauvignon blanc and hit the deck, but maybe I'll save that. This year I can handle living here in the Winter, I won't be requesting to move daily.

2011 Recap and looking forward

2011-12-31T20:21:00.001-06:00

What a year: some good, some bad. Overall ran 3 marathons including a PR and a total of 2341 miles

Great vacations to Mexico, Boston, Wine Country and a girls' weekend in college friends
Running stronger and injury free
Loving my fun and spunky almost 2 year old, what a joy in my life
Made an important decision on school, what a stress lifted
Finally figured out my GI issues and wow I feel great most days!
Took a new postion as run coordinator at a local gym meaning my membership is now free
A nasty fall on the ice resulting in a broken arm, luckily this was my only running injury
A rough fall filled with illness and the deaths of my grandmother and Matt's aunt within 24 hours, the beginning of December was rough

2011 Goals-Continue to run injury free Yes, all except the fall last winter resulting in a broken arm
-Keep up with the strength training 2-3x week and XT 2x week, maybe even add in some yoga Working with trainer and doing strength 2-3x week, XT has been hit or miss, but much better at least 1x week biking
-More PRs and run 5Ks/10Ks and PR: I would love sub 3:30 marathon, 1:35 half, sub1:10 10 Mile, 42:00 10K, and sub 20:00 5K Marathon 3:30:32 (so close), Half 1:34:59, Only ran 1 10 mile (while sick) and a couple fun 5Ks
-Be a better mom and wife I think I'm doing better. Really trying to not get frustrated with O and understand the why of her behavior that is typical toddler.
-Decide on my thesis topic by Spring and have a plan for the remainder of my school Project on hold until fall '12 or '13
-Run an ultra (maybe) Nope
-More trail running and races Only ran 1 agian, but had a blast
-Start biking to work once the weather is nicer Nope
-Continue with weekly menu plannning and gluten free eating by adding more foods No longer GF completely now that I know the true issues, but aiming to eat healthy and avoid my trigger foods

2012 Goals
-sub 3:30 marathon (would love sub 3:20) PRs at other distances
-Add in yoga or pilates 1-2x week
-Do an tri again, meaning I need to start swimming
-Strength training 2-3x week and XT 2x week
-Run a 50K
-Graduate!! and pass boards
-Decide on the plan for my project (either start again in fall or wait another year)
-Spend more time with friends, make a point to see people monthly
-Bike to work in better weather
-Plan menus each week with more diversity and develop more recipes

Happy New Years, hope everyone has a safe night and a great 2012!

Thank you mother nature

2011-12-27T20:37:00.000-06:00

Here we go again, yesterday marked the beginning of Boston Marathon training, so 16 weeks and 100s (maybe 1000s) of miles until the big day. This year I decided to try something new and actually train with a coach again. About a month ago I started a new part-time job as running coordinator for a local gym which enabled me to get connected with a coach and group to train with. He has an extensive running history and impressive resume and best of all I love his training philosophy of flexibility and quality over quantity.

The first training run was hills, my favorite, ugh! I don't know why I back away from hills lately since I feel so much stronger afterwards. Suck it up and think of the results! What better motivation to get out there then record high temps of 52F and sun yesterday for the run. I can honestly say that this is the first time I have ever run in less then a winter running jacket and tights in December. I am loving this weather, thank you mother nature. This warmth and snow free paths is wonderful. Today I resisted the urge to run and followed the schedule calling for cross training instead. This morning I got in 40 minutes on the elliptical and did strength/core work. I will follow the schedule and not overtrain...No Injuries!

Now that training is back so is better eating and meal planning. Looks like the blog focus will return to running and food for now. A few weeks ago in attempts to use some leftovers I decided to make this macaroni and cheese and think it will be back on the plan for next week.

Chipotle Mac n Cheese with black beans
1 small onion chopped
2 cloves garlic
1 or 2 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
1 cup corn
1 15oz can black beans rinsed and drained
1 8oz block cream cheese (light is okay)
2 cups skim milk or nondairy milk
2 Tbsp corn starch
3-4 cups cheese (I used cheddar and muenster)
1 16oz package corn pasta cooked al dente
1 cup bread crumbs (I used corn)

Saute onion, garlic until soft, add pepper and adobo sauce. Put mx in food processor and chop, add about 1 oz cream cheese and 1/4 cup milk and puree. In large bowl mix all ingredients except bread crumbs. Pour into 9x13 pan coated with cooking spray, top with bread crumbs. Cook 35-40 min 325F

Merry Christmas

2011-12-26T06:03:00.000-06:00

What a difference a year makes! As an adult you kind of lose the excitement of Christmas but with a toddler in the house that has returned. Actually had a tree (with lights) and watched some Christmas shows on TV this year, I can't wait to see how the exictement continues to grow.

We started the day with a 5K in atypical December weather. Snowfree ground and temperatures in the mid 30s. I finished in 23:20 (3rd woman overall).

Attempting to be festive with the Santa hats and our little reindeer. Gusty wind makes running in a Santa hat difficult.

My parents forgot my mittens, luckily grandma had an extra pair. Only this girl chooses a banana over the table of cookies.

A simple explanation

2011-12-09T14:35:00.000-06:00

I've always said that as much as I enjoy my days home I could never be a stay at home mom and last week I was ready to find a full-time job since my typically happy child was fussing and crying for no reason. One minute she'd be happy and playing and like a switch filled she'd start crying and nothing would fix it until the switch was flipped again and she was once again happy. This has continued now multiple times a day for up to 1 hour at a time. Early this week she was complaining of tummy pain during these fits but had no other symptoms. The turning point came yesterday when she refused to jump on the trampoline at gymnastics. This meant a call to the clinic which was completely pointless. One of my biggest pet peeves is talking to clinic nurses who are clueless. Her answer to everything was juice for constipation which was not in any way a problem! This after she reassured me that it was not appendicitis, thanks I've seen enough of that in my career to know the signs. I requested a call from an actual MD or NP which never happened, just another nurse calling to say she needed to be seen.

We spent the morning in the clinic, just how I wanted to spend my day off work. We focused on any possible GI, intestinal, malabsorption diagnosis and went as far as attempting a urine sample from a 22 month old, not surprising that was a failure. Since this didn't work we reached and decided a strep test was simple, quick and would rule out another possible cause since she did have a low grade fever. Shocking to us both that was the answer. I've seen some weird strep presentations, but never intermittent crying and lower abdominal pain. Now that I think about it all fits, she's been fussy, sleeping more, drinking a lot, drooling and rubbing her mouth. A simple explanation with a simple fix. And I might even have an explanation for why I am still sick after 6 weeks. Probably time to take some antibiotics myself and hope for the best, time to stock up on probiotics and yogurt!

I want my house healthy and this happy girl back quickly!

Thanksgiving- Running and Pumpkin Pie

2011-11-26T07:09:00.001-06:00

What a great day! A high of 60 degrees and sun, perfect weather for running. Started the day with a 5K at the local Turkey Trot. Still managed a decent time despite crowds, walkers, dogs, strollers and plenty of people starting much too further up then they should. Mile 1: 7:00 Mile 2: 6:20 Mile 3: 6:40 Finish 20:40, Nice! And I managed to run this comfortably with a presumed broken toe.

Spent the afternoon eating pumpkin pie and then just had to get in another run with the dog to top off the day. Another 4 miles in perfect weather before coming home to grill for dinner.

I've got to say even when I did eat meat I was never a fan of Thanksgiving dinner, the only part I've ever liked was the pumpkin pie and sometimes the stuffing if it wasn't too salty and mushy. My family often goes away from the traditional and opts for whatever dish we choose for most holidays. This year we were at the in-laws who stick with the traditional, well if you count canned vegetables and Jell-o part of the traditional meal. I'm always bringing a dish I'll eat that is never touched by anyone else (besides Matt) because it "looks too healthy" or they don't know what it is.

Same response this year to my quinoa apple stuffing which was kind of a take on an old recipe we used to make for Stuffed pork chops with a few changes: sub vegetable broth, increase to 4 apples and cook 1 cup of quinoa first. Throw everything in the slow cooker on low and add more broth as needed to keep moist.

Now for the best part...
Pumpkin Pie

Crust:

2 cups almond meal

1/2 cup dates
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
2 Tablespoons water
pinch salt

Blend dates in a strong blender or food processor until smooth. Add the rest of the ingredients and combine until well-mixed. Lightly grease a 9-inch pie pan and press the mixture evenly to the bottom and sides. Bake at 375* for 10 minutes or until browned.

Pumpkin Filling:
2 cups pumpkin puree
1/2 cup dates
1 tsp cinnamon, 1/2 tsp ground ginger, 1/4 tsp cloves, 1/4 tsp nutmeg (or 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice)
2 tbsp cornstarch (can use flax egg or other egg substitute)
6 tbsp water
1 cup almond milk
1/2 tsp stevia (or leave out)

Combine cornstarch and water in small bowl. Chop dates in food processor, then add pumpkin, milk, sweetener (if using), cornstarch mix and spices and beat until combined and smooth. Pour mix into crust and bake, uncovered, at 400* for 10 minutes. Then cover with foil and bake at 350* for 40 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.

Turned out great, but next time I won't burn the crust! Check out other recipes at Wellness Weekend

Where's the "do over" button?

2011-11-22T18:25:00.000-06:00

November has not been a great month, can I have a do over? Please! It all started with some of the worst illness I've had in years, so much that I gave in and hit urgent care and got the dreaded words "just a virus". But was still offered antibiotics "if I wanted". What? No thanks! Especially not after all the GI issues I've encountered since the last antibiotics. The worst part of this illness...we're still not better. Every time I start feeling better it only comes back. And right now Ophelia and I are in the midst of wonderful upper respiratory fun. This needs to end soon.

Then we decided it was time to give away the pacifiers and my big girl left them out for the baby bunnies. At first she was all excited about it, but has wanted to find the baby bunnies many times since. Luckily she was a toddler who only used pacifiers at nap and bedtime. Unfortunately after almost 3 weeks nap time sis still not fun much of the time and bedtime only slightly better some nights.

Then came my 5 days of solo parenting resulted in some of my not so proud parenting moments. It started with a no nap day and a crabby toddler which resulted in a crabby mom and a late bedtime. We survived but I have no idea how single parents do this!

Then came the first snowfall of the season. I'm not a fan of winter, cold and the short darker days. It also means BOB running is out since the paths are poorly cleared.

At least someone is having fun in the snow

And yesterday came the peak (at least I hope). In the process of trying to get to a toddler who was climbing on the counter I managed to kick the highchair so hard that I was on the ground. Pretty sure with the amount of swelling, bruising and pain that it is broken. 24 + hours later I still have walking issues. Not happy about this!

Seriously, anything else? All of this in a month packed with writing papers, projects and clinical hours. The month still has a week left, hope it only improves...

I love Fall!

2011-11-13T19:47:00.001-06:00

I love pumpkin so Fall is the perfect time of year. Last weekend I spent hours, roasting and pureeing pumpkins and now freezer is full and ready for my baking adventures. First up was pumpkin bread, it was a hit and Ophelia is requesting more, too bad it only last a couple days. Good thing it is healthy! I've been working on this recipe I've been adapting over the past month and keep forgetting the changes I make. The last batch turned out best so I figured I better write it down, so my main reason for the post is to remember. While posting I figured I'd also share on Wellness Weekend

Pumpkin Spice Bread

2 c whole wheat flour

1/4 c oats
1/2 c dates, packed (soak for a few mins in warm water if dry)
1/2 c non-dairy milk
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp ginger
1/2 tsp ground cloves
1 3/4 c pumpkin puree
1/2 c unsweetened applesauce
1/2 c raisins or chopped dates (nuts, seeds, etc)
Pre-heat oven to 375 F.
Mix dry ingredients (flour, oats, baking powder, baking soda, salt, spices). Sift or stir with a fork to combine.
Puree dates in a high-powered blender. Add remaining wet ingredients (pumpkin, applesauce and non-dairy milk), combine. Add to dry ingredients, stir to combine. Add in raisins or nuts.
Pour into nonstick or sprayed bread pan.
Bake about 45 minutes or until center is firm to your liking.

Such big goals

2011-11-04T07:28:00.000-05:00

The other day I was getting ready for work and having a conversation with my chatty daughter...

O: Daddy?
Me: Daddy's at work.
O: Baby work. (she calls herself baby)
Me: What do you want to be when you are bigger?
O: Mommy.
Me: You want to be a mommy?
O: Yep!
Me: How many babies will you have?
O: 3 (holding up 3 fingers)
Me: Do you want to be anything else too?
O: No, mommy.

Looks like at 21 months we have our first life goal and answer to the ever changing question "what do you want to be when you grow up?" Looks I I can forget about the college fund and instead start a wedding or rich husband search fund!

Happy Halloween

2011-10-31T21:22:00.000-05:00

I'm a banana, ready to go trick or treat!

The pumpkins she helped daddy carve!

Squash!

2011-10-26T19:07:00.000-05:00

Our CSA box has been overwhelming us with squash all season, every kind imaginable! It has taken some creativity to make use of it all and plenty of freezer bags full for future use. We have moved on to Winter squash and thanks to endless web searches and some ingredient changes we've had some great meals lately.

It started with Chipotle Butternut Squash
1 butternut squash cubed
1 onion diced
2 cloves garlic minced
1 chipotle pepper in adobo sauce diced (from can)
1 tbsp adobo sauce
1/2 cup tomato sauce
1 can black beans rinsed and drained

Saute onion and garlic until tender, add squash, pepper and sauces and cook 25-30 min until soft. Add black beans and heat through, about 5 min. Serve topped with cheese, avocado, etc.

Next came Red curry delicata squash with a few changes.
1) I'm lazy and used store bought red curry paste
2) Cauliflower sounded better then broccoli
3) I added in about 1/2- 1 cup of light coconut milk to simmer squash in

Then I combined a few recipes to make Squash Mac 'n Cheese

1 box uncooked pasta
1 small onion diced
2 cloves garlic
1 small squash roasted (1 used ambercup), can use canned pumpkin puree (15 oz can)
2 cups milk
1 cup water or broth
1 tsp cayenne (adjust to taste)
1 tsp oregano
1 tsp basil
1/4 cup Greek yogurt (nonfat plain worked)
2 cups cheddar cheese
Salt/Pepper
About 1 cup bread crumbs

Cook pasta al dente. While cooking saute onions and garlic until soft, add squash and liquid to pan and simmer 15-20 min to reduce. Add seasonings and yogurt. Puree squash mixture in food processor until smooth. Mix with pasta and cheese, add salt/pepper to taste. Pour in prepared baking dish and top with bread crumbs. Bake 20 min 375F.

Finally Southwest Spaghetti Squash

1 spaghetti squash -roasted with oil/salt/cumin
1 onion diced
2 cloves garlic minced
1 can black beans rinsed and drained
1 cup corn kernels
1/2 bag soy crumbles
1 can tomato sauce
1 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp oregano
1/2 tsp cayenne
2 tbsp chipotle sauce

Cut spaghetti squash in half and scoop out seeds, cook about 45min. Saute onion and garlic, add remaining ingredients and simmer. Serve squash topped with black bean mix. Top with avocado, cheese, etc

Now to keep searching for more options to use up squash: next up soup, pumpkin dessert and more uses for delicata and spaghetti squash.

Updates and a couple race reports

2011-10-17T20:32:00.000-05:00

I kind of disappeared for awhile but with work, completing clinical hours for grad school and attempting to figure out a project that will be a approved I hardly have time to sleep. Things are just crazy around here, today was my one and only day home between last Thursday and this Friday (really Sunday since I will be gone all weekend). But this will be a much needed break with some college friends for a girls' weekend complete with wine tasting.

This semester I am doing clinical hours in peds and OB and honestly if I have to do one more pelvic exam I think I will scream! Really, kind of boring, I can't understand why people work OB/Gyn. Peds on the other hand is slightly interesting, although some days I want to rip my hair out over the lack of parenting skills out there. It just amazes me how some people are so oblivious to their children's bad behavior. Some of these kids make mine look like an angel even on her worst days!

Now the grad project is an even worse situation. I should have had a topic approved 3 or 4 months ago, but am on the verge of having my third proposal rejected. It hasn't helped that I went through the work of developing project #1 all Summer only to have advisers switched twice and end up back with the original who denied the topic. Then Project #2 was rejected after 2 months of work and full needs assessment. Now on to Project #3 that I thought seemed promising, but the first response from faculty was "no" so here I am in the process of pleading and arguing. I am already behind and close to dropping which would only mean I have to take a year off and push off graduation until July 2013. I really just want to close this chapter and never think about it again, I am so close (2 classes after this one) and ready to throw it all away.

TCM

I managed to stay healthy for the race and the day was perfect weatherwise: 50s a little breeze and sunny. Unfortunately it can be summed up in 1 sentence as the PR that painfully got away.

I started feeling great, but tried to tell myself to take it easy and run with the 3:30 pacer. By Mile 2 I had caught and soon passed the 3:20 pacer and just kept going. I was feeling great, on pace for a 3:15. Around mile 14 my left hamstring got a little sore, nothing huge, but my mile 18 it was pissed and hurt! This was the point where the 3:20 pacer caught and passed me. Just keep moving and you'll get there, you can still PR. I was doing okay with my slower pace, it hurt but I was moving, until mile 25 when my GI system now failed to the point I strongly considered a port-a-potty stop. Instead convinced my self to keep moving since it was only 1 more mile. There goes the 3:30 pacer and likely my PR. Finally the finish line is in sight and the worst feeling race in a long time is over. 3:30:50 official time. My 2nd fastest so I can't be too upset, but without the hamstring and GI problems I was running a huge PR. Luckily I had a corporate # and had easy access to a massage which greatly helped.

Autumn Woods 10K

Stupidly I thought it would be smart to race a hilly 10K 6 days after a painful marathon, dumb idea! We had a surprisingly warm day that I was thrilled just to be out running in a sports bra in October. I started out good, but at mile 2 the left hamstring pain started and so did the hills one right after another. This race was on the paths I run a lot so I knew what to expect but yikes these hills seemed extra tough that morning. I was aiming to place since it is a slower race, but after the halfway point the women continued to pass and wow was I happy to see that finish line. 46:35 for 6th woman overall. Lesson learned: don't try to race a hilly 10K (or 5K) within a week of a marathon!

Next up: who knows! Figure out a project or if I should just drop this stress from my life, finish one more clinical semester and take boards, get back working with my trainer, maybe a 10 Mile race in a couple weeks and Boston Marathon in April!

WRTC 10 Mile

2011-09-29T07:34:00.000-05:00

Finally a picture of me running!

Last weekend I ran a race despite being sick for the two days prior. I had gone into it hoping to PR and possibly place higher then last year. All this changed when I started coming down with a respiratory virus. The same thing happened last Spring around Boston time and a coworker suggested Super Lysine, I was willing to try anything. So once again I took massive doses for two days and was actually feeling better by Sunday morning.

The race wasn't great, but it wasn't awful. I just didn't do as well as I'd hoped and don't have much to say about it. I wasn't going to write a race report, but figured I always like to compare and look back so here it is short and sweet.

I started out great with a sub 7 pace for a few miles but quickly slowed as my breathing got tougher. By Mile 7 I knew I couldn't push much any more so I just ran comfortable and still had hopes of passing the group of three women in front of me. This goal was soon gone as I lost sight of them by Mile 8. Now comes the fun part...This race is combined with a 5K which starts 30 minutes after the 10 Mile and is an out and back so for about the final 1.5 miles the race involves staying in the middle of the road to get between 5K run/walkers going in both directions complete with strollers, cell phones and coffee. Finally the finish line is in sight and they are directing runners. I see the clock and sure enough 2 minutes slower then where I was hoping to finish. 1:12:26. Oh well I wasn't feeling it. Still managed a 3rd place AG finish and 16th OA. My mom ran her first 5K that morning finishing 40:49, not too bad for a 61 year old who has only been running 3 months!

Next up TCM, hope the weather forcast is accurate and I stay healthy for a the rest of the week.

What should I look like?

2011-09-14T20:31:00.000-05:00

Today I was told by three people that I didn't look like I had a baby. It's been nearly 20 months, what should I look like? I almost asked if they wanted to see my ab muscle separation that is still there, then would I look like a woman who had given birth. Maybe that is my only outward sign, well except the 20lb ball of energy running crazy around me!

What does someone who has given birth look like? Are women expected to retain all the weight gained during pregnancy and have a belly for the rest of their life after giving birth? Trying hard to stay off my soap box here, but I think this is part of the issue with our society. Women/mothers are given the given the okay to give up on healthy habits once they have a child. I don't know how many times I have heard "I was small until I had a baby" and said baby is no longer a baby. Some days it is difficult to fit in a workout or eat healthy when dealing with the chaos of parenthood (grad school and work) but it is just part of my life. I want to shake people who say they can't eat healthy, can't exercise because they have children. What kind of example is this setting?

Food, lots of food

2011-09-04T21:36:00.000-05:00

When I'm stressed I run, cook and eat. All of which happened this weekend in anticipation of the busiest semester of grad school yet that starts Tuesday. The next semesters will be packed with hundreds of clinical hours, completing and preparing a doctorate project for publication and preparing to take another board exam. All of this along with working and being a mom/wife and hopefully keeping my sanity. Once again my work schedule is getting in the way of running so I had to start my taper a week early and decided since I had 4 weeks instead of 3 I'd go for 22 miles on Saturday. This combined with overripe bananas, a refrigerator full of squash and Ophelia asking for "noodles" for dinner resulted in an afternoon of cooking.

Banana Blueberry Bread (Sugar Free/Dairy Free) Adapted from this recipe at Fat Free Vegan
3 large over-ripe bananas
1 cup pitted dates (about 8)
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1/3 cup apple sauce
1/2 cup agave nectar
1 3/4 cups whole wheat flour
1/4 cup regular oats
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 cup blueberries

Preheat oven to 350F. Spray or wipe a 9x5-inch loaf pan with oil.

In a food processor, puree dates and the bananas, then add the lemon juice, applesauce and agave nectar. Combine well. In a separate bowl, combine the flour, oats, baking powder, soda, cinnamon and salt. Add the wet ingredients to the dry mixture, and stir just until it is well-combined. Fold in the blueberries.
Spread the mixture evenly in the prepared pan and bake until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean, about 50-60 minutes. Allow to cool before cutting and serving.

Squash and Arugula Pasta
1 medium yellow squash shredded
1 bunch arugula chopped
1 bunch basil leaves chopped
2 cloves garlic
1 small onion chopped
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1/4 grated Parmesan cheese
salt
pepper
1/2 box pasta - cooked
Heat about 1 tablespoon olive oil in pan. Add onion and garlic until soft, then add arugula and 1/2 basil until wilted. Add squash and heat through. Add remaining olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Season with salt/pepper, add remaining basil and Parmesan cheese. Add cooked pasta and toss together. Serve.

So happy to have found another way to use up the squash that is piling up from our CSA box this summer.

13.1 Minneapolis

2011-08-24T13:54:00.000-05:00

After running this race 2 year sin a row I think I can say this is my favorite course, maybe it has something to do with both years being good races for me, who knows but I guess it means I keep running it. After a Summer of heat and humidity I was thrilled to be racing in perfect weather: 60F at the start, a little overcast and just a slight breeze. The race starts at the same spot as the 4th of July half but follows a much different course, one with smaller hills and much more shade.

I decided this would be the day I raced smart and lined up by the 1:35 pacer telling myself I wouldn't go out too fast. I also decided to take a different fueling strategy and carry 1 gel (Honey Stingers my new favorite) and take a small amount every water stop, I didn't realize there were water stops every mile though. A little overkill so I skipped the first and last but kept with the plan at the rest.

By Mile 2 I was ahead of the 1:35 pacer and decided to stick with it just running what felt good and giving myself a cushion of time in case I lost it later in the course. I was keeping pretty even splits between 6:59 - 7:05 for the first half. The Mile 6 split: 42:50 and on pace to run a 1:33-1:34, doing good now to keep this up. My legs are feeling good and my stomach is tolerating the gel, what more could I want?!

Having fun at the finish whilemommy and daddy run.

I get to the next water stop and as I grab water it spills over my Garmin and the watch is going crazy! This is why I need to remember to lock the bezel. I can't get the screen I want and finally decide I need to just stop messing with the watch and focus on running. Luckily I was still getting my splits but had no idea of my overall time or exact mileage. This would have been really helpful at the end! My splits are continuing 7:05 - 7:15, still good!

Mile 10 and a little hillier, wow my legs are deciding I've pushed enough! Just keep moving and try to keep a 7:30 pace and you'll be fine I keep telling myself. Pace now 7:15- 7:20. I know that after Mile 11 is a wonderful downhill, knowing this will help get me back on a better pace. And the downhill! The next 1.5 miles is an out and back and I start counting women in front of me, having no idea where I am sitting. I count 4, not bad. One is close, now if I can just catch and pass her. Less then 1 mile to go and I can hear the finish line, time to push it and see if I can get a sub 1:35, I know the pacer is close behind. I'm really wishing my watch was showing me my overall time right now. I see the clock at the finish line ticking away and think I have about 5 seconds extra.

Post Race Beer, what else do you need at 9am?

Done! The clock says 1:35:04, I did it maybe? Nope! 1:35:00 Official chip time (7:15 pace), 1 second, if only I'd known! 90th overall, 16th woman and 4th in age group. Last year was a much slower group, this finish would have gotten me an overall place, not this year, guess that's what happens when there is $1000+ prize. Like a friend said, "Placing is about who else shows up, but PRs are all about you!"

I am thrilled with the finish time and the race, but you set these random time goals and when it is so close it's almost worse then being far away. Last year this race started my streak of PRs and again I was able to set a PR (by almost 3 minutes), hopefully this will be the start of another PR streak.

Answers: some good, some bad

2011-08-17T15:56:00.000-05:00

After dealing with almost 2 years of fatigue, abdominal pain, GI symptoms and multiple other issues I have answers! It seems so ironic and irritating that mainstream medicine missed the simplicity of this and insisted on doing expensive and invasive tests (which my insurance gladly paid for). After seeing many specialists I was told by my primary provider that I wasn't getting any further without out a colonoscopy I decided to leave my biased opinion of mainstream medicine behind and see a naturopathic doctor (which my insurance refuses to pay for).

The first visit lasted almost 2 hours where we discussed every issue I've had and possible testing options, the associated costs and next steps. This is one area mainstream medicine is lacking, The focus turned to me as a whole person and not just my GI system and I was given control over my care. The next visit I had answers! And they seemed so obvious. I've always had some sort of GI troubles since childhood, but after giving birth to Ophelia things were so much worse which now makes so much sense. The answer: the antibiotics given during my labor killed all the natural/good bacteria in my GI tract and I basically grew back none of it. The solution: probiotics, digestive enzymes, simple things. After a couple weeks on those I am feeling so much better,not quite normal yet, but on the way.

The bad answers: I also did a full spectrum of food allergy/sensitivity testing which I got back today. I reacted to 21 foods to varying degrees. Some I don't care about like papaya and sage, but others make me want to cry!
Some of my food reactions
Milk (figured this and don't drink milk, but ice cream is a different story)
Yeast (yikes, time to stop making my pizza dough recipe)
Peanuts (a doctor told me this as a kid too and I ignored it since I have an obsession with peanut butter) Eggs (not so tough)
Pineapple, Coconut (I guess no more Pina Coladas)
Almond (I love almond milk)
Wheat, Rye (I might not have celiac, but it looks like still a sensitivity)
Sugar (I've been trying to cut down, but I love dessert)

There are a few more that are mild reactions that might be tough like onion, tomato and zucchini. The recommendation right now is to cut out all the foods I reacted too until I feel better (likely 3 months) and then add back in the foods one at a time starting with mild reactions first. Looks like back on gluten free for me with the addition of some others. I can do this (I hope) but first to rid the house of all the offensive foods again and get through my birthday next week eating whatever I want. The even worse part I recently learned that eggs are used in some red wines and didn't even think about the yeast used to ferment the wine until the doctor mentioned it, I need my wine!

Fit Generation 5K

2011-08-02T06:17:00.000-05:00

Front of the pack

I don't normally run 5Ks but decided that this year I'd run a few to see what I could do. When I saw this race it was perfect, a 5K, a toddler run, and kids activities during the race. This was a small race with just over 100 finishers in the timed 5K and probably another 100 or so in the untimed stroller 5K. As we were lining up the lead cyclist came up and asked me how fast I would be running so she knew what pace she'd have to keep, what? I'm never the lead in these things! A few minutes later the RD approached Matt and I to tell us that the course was marked and to just follow the "girl on the bike". Once again, what?!

We started out running together with a few other men, I was trying to keep a 6:45 pace and was doing fine until the hills came. I had no idea what this course was and I quickly learned that the only flat part was the first 1/2 mile, ugh! The next 2 1/2 miles continued to be hill after hill. I continued to push as best I could, but the hills and humidity were tough. 3 miles and I'm still the lead woman and here's another hill up to the finish. 21:59 (7:05 pace) not a PR and not the sub 20 that I really wanted. I did it I actually won a race and a 5K at that! I guess all the speedy women stayed home. The most interesting part, I looked back and the 10 Mile I ran last Fall was at a 7:04 pace, I truly am not a short distance runner! All slow twitch muscle for me.

After the 5K finished was the kids race. They had failed to include an under 2 category so Ophelia got to run with the older kids. Matt lined up with her and she wasn't so sure of things until everyone else started running. This was when the huge grin came and she took off. Typically for these toddler runs you see a short 40 yard run, not here it just kept going for nearly 1/2 mile! Way to wear them out :-) She got her ribbon for finishing which she decided was her snack.

After the kids race was the awards, for the first time I took my spot on top of the podium! Two plaques (overall and age group) and a signed book later the morning was done. Now to find a flat 5K to see what I can really do.

18 Months

2011-07-31T20:47:00.001-05:00

My little girl is growing up, I think this last month was packed full of new accomplishments and changes. Her language is growing daily, between verbal and signs she can pretty easily communicate what she wants. Over the past few weeks she started saying some unusual words: turtle, towel, bubble along with some more common words: ball, hat, banana. She also started gymnastics last month and loves it, the perfect place for my monkey to safely climb and jump. We will be continuing this in the Fall, what a great way to tire out the girl with endless energy!

I think I'm going to have a girl with two personalities: the tomboy and the girly girl who loves to dress up. She loves getting dirty and playing outside with the neighbor boys but will always pick a dress out to wear! She loves kicking the ball (I hope she doesn't want to play soccer!) and playing in the sand.

We had her 18 month appointment on Friday and still tall and thin: 20lb 1oz (5th percentile) and 32.5" (75th percentile).

Wine, running and friends

2011-07-21T16:35:00.000-05:00

The three words that pretty much sum up my last weekend. For the third year I made the annual trip to Sonoma County to coach a team for the Napa to Sonoma Half Marathon, the biggest difference this year was that I wasn't pregnant or with infant in tow. Ophelia spent her vacation with grandma and grandpa while Matt and I enjoyed 5 days in wine country.

At Paradise Ridge Winery

We arrived Thursday and hit my favorite chain restaurant, Fresh Choice, which is not available at home and then heading out for a little wine tasting before dinner and more wine. We lucked out with a balcony room making for a nice place to enjoy the evening wine. Things soon got interesting when I realized that I was missing pieces for my breast pump and it had been 16 hours since I nursed Ophelia before our flight. I had originally planned to wean her before the trip but it just didn't happen so I was stuck traveling with the pump yet again. Deciding that neither of us were fit to drive Matt offered to walk to Target without any clue how to get there, but luckily decided against since we later found out it was about 3 miles and across a highway.

Needless to say Friday morning started a little too early and lot too uncomfortable. I woke up not knowing whether my head or my breasts would explode first. Why does that last bottle of wine always seem like a good idea at night?! With almost 3 hours until stores opened I decided to solve the problem with a 4mile run, the weather was perfect but all else was not! Oh well it wasted time and after a trip to Target for pump parts and ibuprofen I was soon feeling much better. The potatoes and scrambled eggs at the hotel worked wonders too.

Finally feeling better we met up with some friends for a few tastings and then dinner which involved a long drive over the mountains on a very windy road. Good thing I was feeling much better at this point and we decided against taking the same road back in the dark!

Saturday started with yet another nice run, we couldn't ask for better weather. 60s for a low and 80s for highs were much better then the heat wave at home. 6.5 miles ending with a couple miles with my team and then off to packet pick up where we once again managed to transfer a number to Matt. Then more wine tasting where we found a new place, Inman Family Wines. I am a huge fan of the small places and love when the wine maker is the one pouring. The day ended with the team dinner complete with a speech by Mike McCready of Pearl Jam.

Race morning

Sunday we were up nice and early for race start, yet another perfect day! Who can complain when you get to start the day by running 18 miles in wonderful weather and chatting with friends along the way? My entire team (plus Matt and our friend Cristy) finished the race feeling great. The best part, this year they were serving wine at the Mile 10 water stop. Since I wasn't racing I decided to take advantage of this. The rest of the day continued to just a perfect, wine tasting at a couple places before heading back to the hotel and then spending the afternoon at the pool with part of the team, drinking wine and chatting with rockstars. Things got even more interesting when the team from LA broke out the tequila shots, yikes haven't done that in years!

Sarah finished her 1st Half!

Our weekend concluded with one final run on Monday morning in cooler weather and another stop at Fresh Choice before flying home. At home the pump issues continue when I realize I left the tubing at the hotel, I think someone is trying to tell me something!

Red, White & Boom Half

2011-07-10T20:24:00.000-05:00

Last year we started what is becoming a new tradition of starting the 4th of July off with a half marathon. It has now been almost a week and I have yet to write a race report, it wasn't a bad race, but it wasn't a wonderful race. Maybe that's why, nothing too exciting and nothing to truly complain about. So here it is short and sweet...

Much better weather then last year, well besides the heat but at least no down pours, and I managed to be out of the bathroom line and at the start with time to spare. The gun went off and I off course started too fast at a pace of 7-7:15/ mile. This kept up for the first few miles, but I knew I needed to bank some time with the hills that were coming. I slowed slightly and kept under a 7:20 pace for the first 6 miles and then there was mile 7! The entire mile was uphill, broken into three hills with short flats in between. Somehow managed a 8:15. Nice, now to get back on pace. The next few miles I was running 7:30s and slowly slipping off my PR. The course was changed slightly from last year and the last mile was no longer run on a muddy trail, instead the race finished by running across a bridge and into the park. I give it the last little push and think maybe I can PR, but then I see the clock and I missed it by 8 seconds! Ugh. 1:38:05 (7:30 pace) 6th AG / 28 Woman / 126 Overall.

As is my typical race strategy I went out too fast and couldn't hold it. If only one day I could hold that early pace for the entire race. I can't complain about my time, this course is tough and it was about 25F warmer then when I set the PR 2 months ago.

Thanks to my company I had a team entry and afterwards had access to the team tent with the good food: watermelon and ice cream, yum! The general race had hot dogs along with the typical race food, yuck. I could have gone for a veggie dog but nothing for us nonmeat people. Oh well, I think I had my share of watermelon anyways.

I must be crazy!

2011-07-01T16:11:00.000-05:00

I finally have a day off work so I am determined to get in a decent run, but of course just in time the heat comes. Today I decided to go early to beat the heat, I was wrong! We left the house a little after 8am and about 1/3 mile in passed the bank that read a temperature of 92F, yikes. This with the humidity was crazy hot! Of course I kept going, more worried about Ophelia then myself. I figured she was fine, slathered in sunscreen and sipping her water as we went. This is the one thing she gets from me, constantly carrying a water bottle.

We made are normal stop at the play area, which was pretty empty for a change. I think I got warmer just standing in the sun then I was while running. We soon headed home realizing I hadn't seen any other crazy runners yet, a few bikers but no runners. With a couple miles left I finally saw two other runners although no one else crazy enough to be pushing 40+ pounds of stroller, toddler and supplies while doing these miles. I'm happy to say we made it home intact, soaking wet but feeling good. 8 miles done slower then normal, but done.

Good thing I got out when I did, it is now 100F outside but feels much hotter.

Du @ the Dam

2011-06-28T16:09:00.000-05:00

I'm ready to ride!

The last time I did a multisport race was 2 Summers ago at this exact race when I was pregnant. Since that race I’ve probably been on my bike (off the trainer) twice, this could be interesting! My goal is to beat my times from the race 2 years ago. Saturday morning I was getting packed for the race and realized I forgot how to plan for biking and anything other then running. This is so much more difficult then just running! Luckily the race is close to home so I had extra time to get everything together. I’m now starting to realize that due to the later race start and my 5:30am breakfast I’m going to be starving before the race starts, I grab a Lara Bar for the car ride and we’re off.

We get there with over 1 hour to spare, grab race packets and get bikes in transition with nearly 1 hour until race time. New this year was a Wave start with men starting 3 minutes before women, I make it my goal to catch as many men as I can, including Matt, during the run. Time to line up and a scope out the competition, recognizing a few women and also wondering why some are lined up in the front. One girl clearly didn’t belong in front and even stated this herself but remained in front.

Run 1: Distance 3.2 miles

The course is through a regional park on paved trails and dirt paths both uphill and downhill. I start out hoping to keep a 7min pace and with the lead women. By ½ mile 2 women are long gone, no way I can reach them, oh well. ¾ mile in I catch the first man, nice! By Mile 1 I’m passing the men pretty easily and just before Mile 2 I see Matt right as I had expected. The course was advertised as 3 miles, but I realize there’s more distance left, keep pushing it’s got to be close, maybe it was changed to a 5K. 5K came and went and I finally see the playground next to the transition. 3.2 miles done 22:31 (7min pace) 3rd woman.

I quickly grabbed my helmet, sunglasses and changed shoes and tried to grab a quick drink as I pushed my bike out. 1:00 could be better

Bike: Distance 14 miles

Time to get my confidence on my bike back. In the past the bike course was an out and back on a narrow park path, luckily this year it was changed to be on the roads. I start out slow not wanting to crash but at the same time trying not to be passed by too many people. Soon my confidence was coming back and I was speeding up and decreasing my breaking on curves, I was actually passing people! I look down at my pace and I’m now up to 18.5 mph, nice! I’m expecting Matt to catch me on the bike, on one of the out and back segments I see him about 1 mile behind me. Still feeling good with a few miles left, I look down at my computer and in the process send it flying, quick decision do I stop and try to get it without causing a crash or say forget it and keep going? Since it was cheap and I wanted a new one I went with the second choice. Soon we’re back in the park on paths with a lot of curves and sharp turns, time to slow down especially considering the guy in front of me just ran off the path and crashed into the weeds. Finally the end, I survived my first real bike in 2 years. 14miles 47:32 (17.7mph) 14th woman, yep this needs work.

T2
Off my bike and into transition, I forgot how hard it was to walk after biking! Quick helmet off, hat on and change shoes. Quick drink on the way out and time to run again. 0:57 a little better, but needs work.

Run 2: Distance 3.2 miles
Wow I forgot how hard the second run was! Am I really moving? This is the same course so I know what to expect, keep moving forward and see who I can pass. Mile 1 and passing a woman, nice! I now see someone about 20 feet in front of me but just can’t catch her, finally I get there and pass. I still feel like I’m barely moving, but I see the opening of the trees and know there’s less then 1 mile to go. Keep going, can I pass anyone else? There’s the finishline! 3.2 miles done again 24:25 (7:35 pace yikes need to work on this) 5th woman.
Overall: 1:36:25 1st place age group finish and 9th woman

I head over to look at the results and I guess I haven’t finished yet but Matt has, what? I look again and sure enough listed at my time is my husband. Did we mix up our chips? No I have the right number. Not unexpected for this race, the RD is well organized but the courses are often different distances then advertised and he’ll start late to let people get ready, but they’re cheap and have good post-race food so why not. Matt finishes and we get the results fixed, I was originally told just leave it and we can just know the “real” results, uh no I want my recognition!

Back on the bike

2011-06-24T07:10:00.000-05:00

I am registered for a duathlon on Saturday and the last time I wrote my bike outside was probably this same duathlon 2 years ago. I have a tendency to fall so as my belly grew during my pregnancy I stuck with the safety of the trainer and then last Summer running with an infant was much easier so biking too low priority. This past Winter I finally got consistent on the trainer, but the cold Spring made getting outside easy to push off since I am not a cold weather biker.

Not so sure of this thing on my head!

Ready to go!

Since early May my goal has been to bike to work on the weekends, but rain has kept that from happening. Then the past few weeks I've been telling Matt we needed to get out and once again there was rain. Finally last night I put on my bike pants, yes pants in June, and decided I'd brave the winds and temps of 50. After 3 days in a row on the trainer it would be nice to get outside, but I was still nervous. I really only needed this ride to remind myself how to clip in/out of my pedals since I have a history of falling and breaking things on my bike.

We got Ophelia in her helmet and the Burley ready to go and we were off. Withing minutes my confidence was returning. I successfully rode my bike outside for 45 minutes without crashing. Even better I was accompanied by Matt and giggling toddler, she loved it! Now we can actually get in some biking this Summer.

Separation Anxiety

2011-06-16T07:05:00.001-05:00

Yep, we've hit this developmental stage, yuck! In a way we've lucked out because my mom is the primary babysitter so that transition was easy but no one else has watched Ophelia for extended periods of time which we are now paying for.

This all started last week at the gym, we got to the childcare center and as I tried to leave I had a toddler attached to my legs repeating "mama". I managed to get out and she did fine until the last few minutes when all the babies started crying so she joined the chorus just in time for me to return. Yesterday we had a repeat performance of the drop off scenario at the gym and when I returned I found her sitting on a staff woman's lap with tears. This doesn't make for a nice workout knowing your child is cursing you out in her toddler way when you leave. Today I meet with my trainer so hoping for a better drop off.

Earlier this week I made the mistake of coming home during a work day to grab a change of clothes and head out to help teach bike safety and injury prevention to 10 and 11 year olds. Ophelia was eating lunch when I got home and as soon as she saw me signed "milk". Yes I am still breastfeeding her a few times a day and this is the first thing she wants when she sees me in the morning, after work or when she's fussy. I told her she had to drink the milk in her cup, which she refused. She gave me a hug and had a death grip around my neck. I finally left figuring I was okay since my mom was there. Wrong on that. Nap time was awful, lots of crying and screaming "mama back".

This seems worse on my first day home after working a few in a row,but I have to work and things will only be worse in Fall when I'm working and completing clinical hours. I'm not going to stop using the gym childcare, I need my workouts for stress relief! If we don't figure something out soon this could be a long weekend when I travel to California next month with my team.

Parents out there any advice to get through this and make it easier on everyone?

Minneapolis Marathon

2011-06-05T15:12:00.000-05:00

So far this year I've been wondering if we were ever getting Spring or Summer, with snow and many 40 degree days in May I wasn't so sure. Of course our first 90 degree day came on Friday just in time to run a marathon. As I posted yesterday I was really wondering if I was running a marathon since it just didn't feel like it. This feeling continued race morning.

I went into this race without any expectations, 2 small glasses of wine Saturday night an upset stomach and even more GI issues on Sunday morning all made me wonder why I was even attempting. I lined up near the 3:30 pacer and started with a comfortable pace trying not to pay attention to my watch. From the start I just wasn't feeling it and even considered cutting off at the half marathon turn around.

Some how I was managing to run a pretty even pace around 7:30 miles and by Mile 7 was with the 3:20 pacer who was running 7:20s despite his sign saying 7:38/mile. Oh well take advantage of the cooler start and shad and bank some time for later when the heat kicks in even worse. Around Mile 9 the half marathon split off,my legs were sore and I wasn't racing well so I considered only running the half but the split came and went and I continued on with the 3:20 pacer for another few miles. 13.1 miles done at just under 1:40, keep this up and I'll have a huge PR!

My energy and motivation returned as the course headed into a state park for Miles 14-18. Miles 14-16 were mostly flat with some downhill and shaded! Then came the dirt trail where I nearly ended my race as I hit a stick that rolled under my foot, luckily I caught myself but that could have been bad. Mile18 was awful, I think this is the steepest hill I've even ran during a race! Luckily I got to the top of the hill, turned the corner and there was my cheering section and just past them my team's water stop. I also had someone yelled to me that I was 5th or 6th woman, what?! Okay keep going, I can do this, top10 finish here I come.

Mile 20 and I think someone cranked the heat up, yuck! The shade is gone and there are more hills, why did I decide to run a marathon that's mainly an out and back on my least favorite road to run in the cities? Finally there are sprinklers at the next few water stops, I consider just taking a break and hanging out for awhile, no keep going. Mile 21 and here comes the 3:30 pacer behind me, okay keep him in sight. Mile 22 and now my legs/pelvis aren't happy all I'm thinking about is those unlucky women who end up with pelvic stress fractures, got to love the thoughts that occur during 3+ hours of brutal running. Mile 25 and another nasty hill, come on enough of this. Finally I can hear the finish area, by now I know I can't PR but Top 10 might still be in reach. There it is the wonderful finish line! 3:33:59 (My 3rd best marathon). Even better 2nd place AG finish and 7th woman! I did it Top 10.

I'm happy with the race considering the conditions and course and being 6 weeks from a great race at Boston. Now time to focus a little more on biking for the duathlon in 3 weeks and get back to work with my trainer.

Am I really running a marathon tomorrow?

2011-06-04T15:48:00.000-05:00

I was just asking myself that question earlier today. The answer is yes, but I honestly don't feel like I am. It's not that I don't feel prepared, I just am lacking that pre-marathon feeling that any runner knows. Originally I had this as my goal race since so many things went wrong prior to Boston, but now after a PR at Boston I wonder if I am fully ready to push for a PR tomorrow. Most days my body feels recovered, but others I wonder what I was thinking registering for this race.

This weekend is just busy so I don't have the time to sit around and focus on the race and tonight I even have plans to go a good friend's wine party fundraiser where I can't help but have a glass of wine (or two). I think it also isn't helping that it is almost 4pm and I have yet to pick up my race packet. I tried this morning after running an easy 5 miles with my team but was unsuccessful. I drove around for 20 minutes and couldn't find parking unless I paid $10. Not a problem for a race expo but this is only packet pick up and nothing else, guess I'll be heading back after dinner.

Who knows what the morning will bring, forcasted high of low 80s and a hilly, sunny course. Just planning to have a good race and have fun. The race does a Facebook tracker with status updates, so hopefully I'll be proud of the times at least.

Finally June and Summer

2011-06-03T06:20:00.000-05:00

May just seemed to fly by, of course my month off from school had to be the fastest month, I could have used a little more time before I had to get back to study mode. Along with June came the nicer weather too, now I really lack the motivation to sit inside and study. May brought strange weather, one day outside in jackets and snow and the next shorts and nearly 90, then the weekends full of tornado warnings, hail and rain. We just need some nice sun and warmth. May did bring another taper and once again my inability to taper well.

May Highlights
-Half marathon PR
-Running 213 miles (29hours 44min)
-Biking 2.5 hours (not too good especially when I have a duathlon coming up)
-Weights 2x week
-Back out running with the BOB
-Better at stretching after a run,maybe 75-80% of the time now

May Lows
-Chose sleep over morning workouts, I think I only managed 1 this month
-Still feeling the fatigue and abdominal pain of whatever is going on. Had more testing done and still no answers. I think I'm moving beyond conventional medicine (which is hard for me) to see a naturopath.
-Another semester starting with 2 Summer classes, yikes I haven't had this much for awhile.
-I learned I'm not good a raising fish, it took less then 1 week for 1 of the 3 to die. At least Ophelia is too young to realize there are fewer fish.
-A toddler who has forgotten how to sleep at night. She goes to bed easily but then starts fussing and is awake until 10pm some nights.

June Goals/Plans
-Run a good marathon this weekend, PR if all falls into place
-PR at duathlon
-Bike more at least 2x week and bike to work on weekends
-Strength train 2-3x week, after Mpls I'll be working with my trainer again
-Plan more activities when I am home with Ophelia. She starts gymnastics the end of this month, but she gets bored at home and I get frustrated.
-Figure out my grad project (deadline for proposal is mid July)
-And once again; find an answer to to what is wrong with me since I'm starting to think I'm imagining it all and the next referral I'llget with be to a psychiatrist.

I started a calorie burn challenge through my gym and work last week. The goal is to burn 25,000 calories above BMR over 12 weeks and the top 3 people get iPods, Polar watches, etc. Why not? There are only 50 people in the challenge and as of yesterday I'm in 2nd place, very good considering I've been tapering. The only person ahead of me is a friend training for IM Madison,I have a feeling I'm going to have a hard time catching her.

The long weekend

2011-05-31T19:57:00.000-05:00

Last Thursday all over Facebook people were posting about starting their long weekend and their fun plans, how they had 3 or even 4 days off of work to relax and enjoy. I too had a 4 day weekend ahead of me, but mine was 4 days of work. I guess working in health care this is something to expect. Somehow this holiday weekend was well behaved and didn't involve much trauma, at least that I saw, so my work days weren't bad and I was able to leave early.

Besides work it was a busy weekend and by Monday we were ready to do nothing. Friday night I had a great dinner out with some college friends some who I haven't seen in many years. A few glasses of wine and great conversation resulted in a late night and Saturday morning came way to soon. Much different and calmer then things used to be when we all hung out at the bars in college until close! Now we're all mothers, wow how life changes.

Saturday after work I finally had a long run that felt good. 12 miles at an easy pace in the sun and heat, finally. Such a beautiful day that ended with grilling. This was also Ophelia's 16 month "birthday". Thanks to Matt stepping in to coach for me she got to spend the morning running with daddy and her godmother and enjoying the sights of the lakes.

Sunday I actually had another good, easy run. Finally consistency just in time to finish tapering. Monday, another work day, but not another run. I actually listened to my body and took the day off considering I had an achy left shin. This allowed me plenty of time to finally plant my garden. It was wonderful to sit out in the sun. A couple months ago we signed up for a CSA share for the first time since I'm not the best gardener so I said I wasn't planting much. That wasn't really the case when I got to the greenhouse: bell peppers, hot Thai peppers, hot chili peppers, cucumbers, spinach and tomatoes all in deck pots and a strawberry plant in the ground. Yep, so much for limiting what I plant. Although these are all things I've been successful with in the past.

Today was my "weekend" at least a day off from work, but the start of another semester...reality continues.

Bad race with a suprising finish: Maple Grove Half Marathon

2011-05-16T07:20:00.002-05:00

Saturday was our local half marathon and not a very nice day for a run: cold with temps in the 40s and drizzly with winds. Yuck! Not what I like to run in especially on this hilly course. We get to the race and line up for the first lap around the track before heading out on to the the streets and trails. There is just something wrong with wearing mittens and long sleeves in mid-May. I had 20 miles on my schedule so the plan was to finish by running home afterwards.

As my typical race starts I went out way too fast, Mile 1: 6:50, yikes! This continued Mile 2: 7:03, but at this point I was the lead woman, I'm never in this position and it didn't last. I was soon caught by another woman (she ended up winning for the 3rd year) and we ran together for about 1 mile chatting about Boston since I was wearing my jacket at this point. Mile 3 came and so did the feeling that I was punched in the stomach. I was continuing to slow down to a better pace 7:10s and just kept telling myself to keep the 1st girl in my sight. The next miles came and went and I was falling further back, she was out of my sight by Mile 5. I grabbed water and was about to grab a gel from my pocket when I realized my mom and Ophelia were there. Good I can get rid of my jacket, I dropped my water and pulled the jacket off to only realize 1/2 mile later that I left my gels in the pocket, so here I am nearly 6 miles in and haven't drank anything and have no gels to finish.

Cheering on the runners!

I am now realizing the importance and history of this day and race. Two years ago (May 14th 2009) I got a much anticipated, but very unexpected phone call, after a long time trying I found out I was pregnant. We were actually only having the test done to confirm the negative home test so I could start wonderful fertility drugs. Two days after this wonderful news I ran this exact race, my first pregnant race leading to the start of the pregnancy nausea. That year it was warm and miles 6-8 are near a lake, the combination of heat and fish was now pleasant. This was also one of my first post-partum races last year. This is now my motivation and keeping me going as I am passed by another two women, from first to forth in miles, ugh!

Finally a water stop and I decide to grab some Gatorade since I have nothing else and can tell I need more then water, I hate Gatorade and this was only reinforced. 10K at 44:58. Now here come the hills! I should have remembered these hills and made it a point to save something for them, too late now. Just keep running I'm telling myself. Mile 8 and it is now raining harder, not pouring yet but a steady rain. Mile 9 done, I think I can still PR.

Almost to the finish!

Almost to Mile 10 and here comes girl number four, now I'm in fifth. I guess a top five finish isn't bad, maybe she'll fall back. Now I'm trying to get back to keeping a 7:30 pace but am just not feeling it (I'm going off memory I have yet to look at my Garmin for the mile splits). The last hill is finally here and then flat to the finish! Mile 11 and I have nothing left as I tell myself to keep pushing and maybe I can catch #4 she's still in clear view. Mile 12 and the final water stop, every year I find this an odd place to put a stop. I just want to finish, no stopping now. Finally I am starting to hear the crowd at the finish and I see the school realizing I'm not catching #4. I hit the track for the final lap with a quick glance at my watch and realize I can still PR. I give it all I have, which isn't much at this point and I am finally crossing. Done!

1:37:48 (7:29 pace) 5th woman and 1st place AG finish! 2 minute PR. Wow! How did such a crabby feeling race turn into such a good finish?

My first thought after finishing is crap I have 7 more to run and am I freezing! I grab my pants and jacket and try to warm up waiting for Matt and my dad to finish and soon realize I should wait for the awards too. I grab some coffee to stay warm and eat a little knowing I need something if I plan to finish 20. The 1st woman who I ran with early on finished 1:33, we chatted a little afterwards about the tough course and how you can't call it a race if you don't go out too fast, so true.

The rain returned and I chose the lesser of the two bad options and hit the gym treadmill to finish my last 7 miles since I was still cold.

Lessons learned: don't go out too fast (actually I've learned this many times before), hydrate during a race/long run, think before you get rid of jackets/clothing there might be something you need in the pocket.

One question for the women runners: Am I the only one who hates V-neck shirts? Why whenever they have women's shirts at a race are they V-necks? Yuck!

Afternoon long runs, yuck!

2011-05-10T16:53:00.000-05:00

With working some weekends I often need to change around long runs to fit them in, in the past (pre-baby) I would just run these a different day usually Monday. Now I have two not so wonderful choices: run after work on the weekend or run in the morning a different day either with the BOB or on the treadmill during nap time. None of these options is ideal so I tend to go for the late day post-work run.

This weekend that meant 16-18 miles on Saturday. That wasn't fun! I have a hard enough time getting the eating right for a morning run, but add into that another meal and multiple snacks and it's a disaster. That combined with the fatigue of a day at work resulted in a sluggish 16.5 miles. my belly was not happy resulting in multiple pains where I'm sure I was making a lovely face as the sudden pain came on and slowly subsided. This allowed me to take maybe 1/2 a Gu in the entire 2 hours and 15 minutes I was running which also didn't help to sluggish feeling.

My final complaint is my fuel belt, every time I run with it I fell like my back is bruised afterwards. I hate the feeling of it moving and can't stand anything around my waist so I wear it low and kind of tight. I think Saturday was the worst, maybe from my pager and cell phone being in the pouch on the back, it's padded shouldn't that be enough?! In attempts to adjust the contents I managed to lose my ID resulting in back tracking almost 1 mile to find it and forgetting to re-start my Garmin during this search mission.

Alright enough complaining, today Spring has finally arrived and I actually ran in shorts and a sports bra! Huge contrast from the jackets and pants of last week, gotta love midwest weather.

Happy Mother's Day

2011-05-08T19:43:00.000-05:00

Happy Mother's Day to all the moms and moms to be out there. I spent my day working, but had a nice visitor today bearing flowers. Just before lunch I heard a knock on my office door and there was my cute little girl holding a single pink daisy for me while Matt had the rest of the bouquet.

On the way home I stopped to pick up something for my mom and found the most interesting plant. As I was looking at flowers I smelled limes and looked up and there was a plant called "Cerveza n lime". Perfect, I grabbed two! Then home for a quick 4.25 miles in the rain before dinner. What a great day and the rain stopped just in time to grill for dinner: halibut with pesto, squash, garlic potatoes with a nice Cabernet and lime pistachio bars for dessert.

Looking back and what's ahead

2011-05-03T06:46:00.000-05:00

April was another long cold month that didn't bring Spring, still snow and cold here. I'm wondering if Spring will ever come and if it is safe to pack away the Winter running clothes. Ophelia is now 15 months and still my little peanut: 18lbs 12oz (5th percentile) and 30.5" (50th percentile) and that girl eats like crazy and like her mom never stops moving. She is signing so much, I think this is the best thing ever for babies, such a great way to communicate and prevent my little drama queen from having a break down trying to get her point across.

April Highlights
PR at Boston: 3:30:27 !!
Running another 200+ month: 204 miles (27:47:03)
Biking 6:10:00 (still all on the trainer)
Acceptance into my grad program
Back to weight training 2-3 days a week

April Lows
The weather, temps in the 30s, snow, rain, wind!
Still no answers, but more theories on what is wrong with me. I seem to be getting worse with the gluten and am having symptoms that I had forgotten about.
The family illness that lasted almost the entire month

Looking to May
Get back to morning workouts
Maple Grove Half Marathon (hoping to PR)
Get outside to bike, bought a Burley now to find a toddler helmet
The end of another semester! Only 4 to go, even with the addition of a new specialization I can see the end.
Get the BOB back out
Add more stretching to my routine, maybe pilates?

My screaming quads! Boston Marathon 2011

2011-04-22T17:18:00.000-05:00

I’ve been trying to figure out how to start this and have erased many times hoping to do the race justice with my report. This training started out with good intentions and a plan in place, but that quickly fell apart due to a snowy Winter, broken arm, and probably 75% of my training being done on a treadmill. Not at all ideal training and meant I changed my goals for the race, after TCM I wanted to break 3:30 but during training changed my goals to have fun and run a good race under 3:45 just using this as a training run for Minneapolis in 6 weeks. Add to this getting sick the week before and I broke all my marathon rules: drank wine with dinner Saturday and Sunday, ate different then I ever have race morning and even ate Thai curry for dinner before the race, this could be bad.

The logistics of race morning were not ideal: up at 4am to catch a cab that per the hotel would take 30-35 minutes to get me to my team bus, crazy driver took 10 minutes, meaning I could have slept an extra ½ hour. Got up at 4am, ate toast and coffee and packed my bag to get to the bus. So happy I was on the nice team coach bus that blasted Prince to start the day. Anyone who knows me, knows how much I love Prince and this always gets me in a great mood, I knew this was my first sign the day would go well! Got to Hopkinton about 7:30, but had a nice warm place to wait for 2 1/2 hours. Ate a banana and a Lara bar, used the bathroom and tried to relax. Headed out to Athlete’s Village around 9:30 to find more water and attempt to meet up with a friend who I ran with a few years ago, but never met up with her even though she was pretty much standing next to me. I then made to trek to the start corrals and found a spot and started talking to Jessica who I had so much in commom with: moms to 1 year girls, BQ'd last Fall, grad students. We both secretly would love to run a 3:30 but wanted to just run comfortable. It is a perfect day to run, 50s and sunny with a nice tail wind.

The lead men

I have never run a marathon with anyone so this was a new experience, before I knew it we were miles in to the race and feeling good. The crowds, both runners and spectators were crazy but very motivational. The miles were flying by, I couldn’t believe it. I’d hit a miles marker and look down at my Garmin to see another sub 8:00 mile and think uh, oh you went out too fast. Then I’d think, but this feels good and I’m having fun. Before I knew it there was the 5K mark (24:29). Then the 10K (48:40) only 20 miles to go! Jessica looks at me and says “only a training run left”. I couldn’t believe all the water stops, they seemed to be almost every mile and seemed to sneak up on you. The crowds made it tough to get to the side for water, so I ended up hitting every other one for awhile. 15K mark: 1:12:43, still on pace and loving the hills, 20K 1:37:14, hoping I wouldn’t regret this pace since I’d been warned not to go out too fast and save some for the hills.

Mile 17 and feeling good!

Soon we hit the half mark (1:42:24) and I looked at Jessica and said that we had a good cushion to run a 3:30. Knowing that the hills were ahead I was happy with this. I’d been warned about Wellesley and wow that was crazy loud. I loved reading all the "kiss me" signs. Now the crowds just grew, kids were everywhere high fiving runners. We kept running and passed the third woman running with a shirt announcing “baby on board” and then the spiderman wrestler in full mask and all, wow that would be warm! 25K (2:01:24) and still on pace, Matt is getting the text updates and all I can think is he must be thinking “I thought she was running an easy race?” I knew I’d be seeing my cheering section soon and there they were, Ophelia was holding “Good job mama” sign. Racing has changed since she was born, I pay so much more attention to the kids along the course and look forward to her smiling face along the course.

30K (2:26:41) slowing a little but still with a 4 min cushion as Mile 17 and 18 bring the first hill and miles of 8:10s, but I’m able to get back to the pace of sub 8 until Heartbreak Hill which bring a 9:00 mile, yep I didn’t save my legs for this. I think the best sight along the course was the sign saying “The heartbreak is over,” yes it was tough, but I almost think it wasn’t as bad as Summit hill of TCM and I was able to get back to 7:40s pace so I must have something left.

35K (2:52:31) oh my gosh my quads hate me! Now my cough is returning and wow does it hurt to cough while running, never thought coughing would hurt in my pelvis. Just keep moving and you can do this. 40K (3:18:41) so much for the possible 3:25, but if I push I can get that 3:30. This wasn’t pretty, but I just kept pushing forward and then I turned onto Boylston and there is the finish line, the guy running next to me starts cheering and once again the emotions hit me, I’m doing this. I’m running Boston and I’m going to PR! I’ve become and emotional runner since becoming a mother, what happened to my hardcore self?

There it is, I look ahead and aim for the finish 3:30:27 I just ran a PR at Boston! I am thrilled and quickly push the thought of if only I could have pushed a little more out of my head. I make my way through the finish area and see Jessica again (lost her around Mile 22, she also PR'd at 3:31:xx), we grab our bags, find a spot on the sidewalk and sit knowing we may never get back up. My family finally finds me and there is Ophelia with her bright smile and Matt with my well earned Boston jacket.

Family pic after 5K

Overall it was a great weekend, great food, relaxing for the most part and a great race. Matt and my dad ran the 5K on Sunday and had fun. Ophelia had a blast swimming at the hotel and is such a great traveler and such a social butterfly when we’re out. This Boston trip was much different then the one I took 10 years ago as a girls’ weekend, but I still love the city, wonder if I can convince Matt to move?

Now as I look back on the race and forward to my next I am so happy with how far my running has come, but I want to get to the next level (whatever that is!). Maybe find a coach, look at nutrition, more speedwork and hills, who knows. The problem is I kind of like my "make it up as you go" training, it seems to be working for me. But then the thought creeps in, "what could I do if I trained better?" I still think my body is liking the lower mileage, but now to make it better mileage.

Will 1 week be enough time?

2011-04-11T17:08:00.001-05:00

The last few days have not been nice to me, but I guess my body is telling me that I need to take it easy while tapering. Matt and I are now sick with whatever crap has been lingering in our house the past few weeks. Here I sit 1 week out from Boston and I can't stop coughing. It got so bad that yesterday I ended up cutting my 12 miler short, only making it about 7 miles before I knew my body was done. The run itself didn't feel bad, but was slow. I just couldn't breath and was constantly coughing, luckily there was no one running near me since I was perfecting my spitting while running technique.

Now is the time I must listen to the advice I give my runners: You won't gain anything during taper!

On top of this my GI system is not happy lately and just seems to be getting worse. About 3 weeks ago I reintroduced gluten into my diet at the recommendation of the gastroenterologist who is adamant that I do not have gluten issues since I only felt near 100% for a month or so after going gluten free. Well I think my personal experiment is proving otherwise! I am now back to more intense pain then I've had in months :-( I am enjoying the freedom to eat whatever, but I don't think my GI tract is. I originally agreed to this with the intention of having a colonoscopy done later this month. As much as I wasn't looking forward to that I wanted answers, but now I am starting to rethink this plan and wonder if my experiment of n=1 is enough evidence to give us the answer. Now to decide what to do and how to continue eating with Boston so near, do I continue to eat whatever making travel much easier (finding gluten free vegetarian options is tough) or do I cut gluten back out in hopes of feeling better?

Will 1 week be enough time to get my body happy and healthy again?

Back to the treadmill and thinking about food

2011-04-06T12:46:00.000-05:00

The weather is finally great and I was so excited to be out running in shorts yesterday. This morning I was back inside on the treadmill taking advantage of nap time to get in an easy 9 miles. As I ran this morning I was of course watching cooking shows and realized I had some pineapple juice I needed to use up. Of course I immediately figured out a dessert, although I can easily argue that this is one of the healthiest desserts I've ever made.

Yes that is a Gerber bowl!

Coconut/Pineapple Quinoa Pudding

1/4 cup dry quinoa

1/4 cup unsweetened pineapple juice

1/4 cup coconut milk (I used So Delicious unsweetened)

Mango (I used 2 big chunks of Trader Joe's frozen mango)

Shredded coconut- unsweetened

Bring quinoa, pineapple juice and coconut milk to boil, reduce heat and simmer covered 15 min. Add in mango and coconut and eat! This only made enough for one, next time I'll have to make more.

Perfecting the art of procrastination

2011-04-02T13:21:00.000-05:00

We all have to have talents and strive to improve on these, right?! I have always been a good procrastinator, but would have thought that as an adult I'd get better about this, not the case in fact I think grad school has only helped me improve this skill. I have a case review to write by tonight pertaining to a patient with paranoid schizophrenia and substance abuse issues (at least this is my not so expert diagnosis). Why don't I just write it? Instead I'm finding anything else to do...

Run 16 miles
Shower
Make coffee
Eat lunch (twice)
Play on Facebook to catch up on status updates since this morning
Email a friend
Think about dinner
Call my mom
And now write a blog about it

Here I sit, coffee and books on the table, laptop on and a word document open and I just can't seem to get started....maybe I'll go get the mail now.

March Madness

2011-04-01T11:53:00.000-05:00

Nothing to do with basketball here since I was out of that a long time ago when Pitt lost. March started with training madness which turned into taper madness. I think the weather didn't help, but March seemed extra long this year.

March Highlights
Running 254.7 miles (33 hours 10 min)
Biking 7 hours 15 min (most of which was early morning before work)
A lot of core work thanks to a broken arm
5K PR
12 times to the gym so I get my insurance discount
My college roommate started running and joined the half marathon team I coach

March Lows
The weather! Too much snow and cold
A sick toddler with her first ear infection
Still continuing to not feel so great without any answers

So what's ahead
Focus on quality miles and biking during taper instead of eating
Boston Marathon!
Continue with morning biking workouts at least twice a week
Add back in weight training now that my lifting restriction is done
Enjoy all the foods I had cut out while on a gluten free diet. Per last week's GI appointment I will have further testing done in a few weeks (after Boston) so in the mean time I should eat whatever so the testing can be accurate.
Hopefully acceptance into my grad program (still waiting on the notification letter)
Spring, I hope!

Wine Vine 5K

2011-03-27T20:25:00.000-05:00

I know I have said it before but I don't run 5Ks or 10Ks for that matter, but this one is put on by the organization I coach for so I feel obligated to run it twice a year (and it is cheap). The downside is it always falls the day after a long run, yesterday I ran my final Boston long run of 20ish miles.

Inside before the race

The course is tough, very hilly and the snow/ice covered sections of path didn't help. Also racing in cold isn't a fin idea either, today was a little warmer then yesterday, low 20s and sunny during the race. I took off with the lead guys and they soon lost me but I kept pushing up the hill and finally hit the turn around. Luckily much of the way back was downhill until the final 0.1 mile which was again uphill. I was the 1st woman to cross and I thin 4th or 5th overall, like I said last time this is the perk of small races!

I'd never be able to win a 5K in 21:40. Somehow this is actually a PR for me, nice! I can't believe I was able to run a PR after 21 miles the day before. I've decided I am going to find a 5K and 10K to actually race this Summer and ones that are flatter to see what I can actually do, I'd love to run a sub 20:00 5K.

Crossing the finish line!

In follow up to my last post I think I have found the motivation, the last few days have been great. I enjoyed my long run yesterday and today's race and am once again looking forward to running. 3 weeks to go and we'll see what happens at Boston.

Where's my motivation?

2011-03-25T08:27:00.000-05:00

I can't seem to find it and I want it back! I think it is part the weather, part the way I feel, and part who knows probably the length of training in the Winter. After finally being able to get in a long run outside again and thinking Spring weather was actually here it snowed again and now we sit here looking at a foot of snow on the ground and temperatures in the 30s, come on I've had enough!

I look forward to my workouts, running especially but then it comes time for the actual run and I'd rather do a million other things! For example last Friday I was so excited about my long run on Saturday but then Saturday came and I had other feelings on it and took awhile convincing myself to get out there. Most of the time the end result is good and I'm glad I got the workout in. I think I am just sick of knowing I have yet another 1-2 hours on the treadmill or trainer. Last week I updated my iPod play list thinking new music would help and have been doing more gym workouts for a change in scenery. Next up buying new running clothes to motivate!

Here I am a little over 3 weeks out from the race I have been looking forward to for years and the start of another coaching season and I am rethinking my desire to run. What is going on? How do I get this motivation back?

Food for running and beyond

2011-03-19T14:48:00.000-05:00

A comment on my last post got me thinking about fueling pre-race and what I normally eat and how that changed since going gluten free. As far as night before a race/long run I have done it all, some good and some not so good: the typical pasta, gnocchi, rice dishes, black bean tacos- not so smart, Indian food- sometimes good, sometimes not, sushi- actually good, veggie burgers and sweet potatoes. Traveling for Boston on a GF diet will be interesting, worst thing I grab a couple sweet potatoes and throw them in the microwave at the hotel. Race morning used to always be a whole grain bagel with PB and a banana, then I traded the bagel for 2 pieces of whole grain toast, then for some reason switched to cereal and a banana which is what I am doing currently. I have also done yogurt with granola and oatmeal. The other part of race fuel is during the race and this I am still looking for the answer to. I've done it all: Gu, Clif Blox, Power Bar Chews, Hammer Gels, Sport Beans, you name it and most often have the same GI issues before the run is over. Who knows what my answer is for that one.

Then today I was about 17 miles into my run and going past some restaurants, the smell was wonderful! I can't believe how good a burger smells at that point and how tempted I am to actually stop and grab one along with a greasy basket of fries. I kept running and didn't stop, first I had no money and second I'm not quite sure how my body would react after almost 20 years of not eating burgers. Instead I opted from a wrap with spicy chipotle hummus, spinach, cheddar cheese and avocado.

It actually still looks kind of good!

This and reading other blogs about food and diet restrictions has got me thinking. Since going gluten free I have focused a lot more on what I eat and how it effects me. I have always been a pretty healthy eater, but have a bad sweet tooth and am a carb addict. I could live on cereal!

What is truly the best way to eat? Vegan, cutting out refined sugar, organic foods, Paleo diet, low carb or one of the many diet trends out there or should we just eat what we want and not worry. I think having a child also changes the way I think about food, I am not only looking at what is healthy for me, but also trying to set a good example for her and feed her healthy. I would love to be able to grow my own fruits/veggies at least in the Summer, but my lack of a green thumb always takes over when I try. Right now I guess I'll stick with being a carb addicted gluten free vegetarian (who eats still eats sushi) and try to limit refined sugar.

Enough food talk, now I'm more hungry and need to find more food to replace the 2000 calories I burned running 20 miles this morning!

1 month, yikes!

2011-03-18T07:45:00.000-05:00

I just looked at the calendar and realized that Boston is only 1 month away and as all the runners know this means only one more big training week then the dreaded taper. The timing for this is not ideal, we are finally getting good weather and I am antsy to get in more miles outside and enjoy it. It will be interesting to see how much tough it is running with BOB now that Ophelia has grown and I haven't been running with her since last Fall.

Looking back, my training has been interesting. I started with a great plan in place and was going to actually follow a "real" training plan this time instead of my "make it up as you go" training plan. That all changed when the weather stayed nasty, cold and snowy and a lot of my miles were ending up on the treadmill to accommodate Ophelia's naps. And then them broken arm and time off didn't help the situation any. Oh well, like I said before I've accepted that Boston is not a goal race and I'm just going to enjoy the atmosphere and have fun. If great things happen I'll take it, but if not that's fine. My goal race will come 6 weeks later at Minneapolis and then again in October at TCM.

Now to focus on the fun stuff and start planning the weekend in Boston: where should I eat? what should we see? I've been there before but it has been 11 years.

Stress, really?!

2011-03-15T07:39:00.000-05:00

I went back to the doctor yesterday to get the results of all my bloodwork from last week, she was looking at pituitary, thyroid, adrenal and general hormone function. Found out a few interesting things: 1) While my TSH is currently okay and T4 borderline low normal while taking levothyroxine, my T3 is very low meaning my body is not converting T4 to T3. No wonder why I still have hypothyroid symptoms despite normal TSH levels. Why hasn't this been checked in the past? Frustrating! So now I start on Cytomel for this and to hopefully combat some of the fatigue, weakness and other hypothyroid symptoms I am having. It was interesting because in my post-appointment research I came across European studies stating this combination therapy is better then the traditional levothyroxine which is typically used in the U.S. 2) A few other hormones are decreased which is also causing me sleep issues, I was prescribed progesterone, but this I am still debating since I'm not sure how I feel about taking hormones. 3) My cortisol level is elevated, this was also the case in January, but at that time the MD said no big deal we only care if it's low. Yesterday she w
as a little more concerned since it is showing that my body is in a constant state of stress. I guess I can see this, but I truly don't feel stressed. I decided to take a look at my life and stressors v. stress relief...
My life stress

A wonderful almost 14 month old daughter
Grad school
Work (although only part-time)
Coaching (another part-time job)
Marathon training
Trying to figure out my plans with school and waiting to hear on program acceptance
Mystery illness worsening over the past year without answers and learning how to adapt

Stress relievers

Running
Cooking/baking
Drinking wine
Reading when I can (not much lately)
Spending time with friends (coffee, lunch) another one I don't do much lately

Looking at the list it is a good thing I run since the rest tend to involve food in some way! Yesterday it was suggested that I find more ways to relieve stress and she recommended: walking (I think I'll stick to running), go on vacation (would love to but that can't happen as often as I'd like), massage (once again would love to get a regular massage but can't seem to make it happen). Maybe I truly do need to start yoga not only for the flexibility but for the stress relief. I'll have to find a good class since in the past the calm, slow pace of the class has made me more stressed as I felt like I was wasting time. Can you see what type of person I am?! I do need to find more time with friends. It's one thing to communicate through facebook, email, texting etc, but what happened to face to face conversation?

Now I sit here looking at these lists and rethink things. I had thought I was pretty laid back even though I tend to not relax well, I need be moving and doing, I don't think I let things get to me, but maybe I'm wrong. One more month of this semester and then a short break which will help. Spring is on the way with warmer weather and sunshine, also a great stress relief. I am trying to get better about getting together with friends and Matt and I have a date night planned for Saturday. This week is Spring Break so my plans are to focus a little more on me: coffee/playdate with friend and her kids today to start it off.

Fitness Assessment

2011-03-09T17:00:00.001-06:00

My work and health insurance offer a wellness program where you can get gift cards and decreased insurance rates for completing a list of requirements. Okay fine, so each year I do these just for the money. The first part is a wellness assessment which I completed in January and was told I lost too much weight in the past year, I hope so since in 2010 I was 9 months pregnant when I filled it out and decided for the first time to not get the follow up about being underweight so I entered my current pregnant weight. Oh and the other thing I always get is that my typical 2 glasses of wine per week is too much and should cut back, nope not doing that either.

Yesterday I completed a health assessment at my gym which will get me $10 off my monthly dues and a $200 gift card, pretty good deal. The test consisted of flexibility, strength, cardio, lab values and body composition.
How did I do:
First I refused to fast for the blood draw, sorry but I'm starving when I get up and wasn't going to make it 3 hours without food everything was normal anyways even my glucose at 72.
My flexibility sucks, which I already know and is pretty sad since I spent 18 years dancing and maintaining but as a runner have seen my flexibility go away quickly.
Strength consisted of a bicep curl and surprisingly I came out average, pretty sad considering I lack arm strength especially after 4 weeks of not weight lifting and doing the test with only 1 good arm.
Cardio, now this was the true surprise. I did this test with my trainer on a treadmill and was off the chart excellent, but this time it was a VO2 max on the bike. Being I haven't trained much on my bike for the past 2 years I was only average.
Body composition, no surprises here low BMI (17.4) although they say they don't even look at this and low body fat of 14% (which is actually up from the 9.2% when I did this with my trainer in November). I should say the methods were very different skin calipers v. a scale type analyzer, so I'm guessing I'm somewhere in the middle of the range.
Overall I came up with an average ranking and a body age of 31 (I am 32). What did I learn? Get my butt back on the bike/spin class regularly and add yoga/pilates back to my routine. This starts tomorrow when I WILL get up early to get on the bike.

The final part of this assessment is a health coaching session consisting of 2 phone calls, the first of which was today and she was 20 minutes late calling (nice professionalism). She asked the typical questions: how is your overall fitness, health, diet and what can she help me with to improve? Well unless she is going to come drag my butt out of bed to get on the bike or chase me up hills to improve my running speed, then not much. These programs are great, but I always find it odd that someone over the phone (or through email as the follow up will be) can improve my health. I have all the information to improve my wellness, I know what to eat and how to train, sometimes I just don't listen to my own advice (don't tell my runners this!). Now I'm thinking maybe I need to get back to working with my own coach.

Wow, I just went back and read my post and sorry if it comes off negative that is not my intention. I love that my company is trying to help their employees improve their health and offers these incentives. I just don't think that these programs are aimed at people who already routinely work out and feel happy with their current wellness. I feel like sometimes I am jumping through hoops just to get the benefits. Last year I completed a 10,000 steps program for my $200 and actually felt a little odd tracking these on long run days figuring they thought I was just making up my numbers.

Pesto Risotto

2011-03-09T16:29:00.000-06:00

Last week I got ambitious and decided to make homemade gnocchi and the pesto sauce below, the result and great pesto but a messy kitchen and sticky gnocchi (better keep trying on that one). There was leftover pesto so I decided to make a risotto with red peppers and the rest of the pesto. I think this had to be the best risotto I've made, the pesto added extra creaminess and flavor. I'm always happy to make risotto since it requires white wine meaning I can't let the rest of the bottle go to waste :-)

Spinach/Pistachio Pesto

1/2 cup unsalted shelled pistachios

2 cups spinach leaves

1 cup basil leaves

½ cup Parmesan cheese, grated

2 gloves garlic

juice of 1 lemon

¼ teaspoon black pepper
¼ cup olive oil
Put the pistachios in the bowl of a food processor with a steel blade. Process until the nuts are coarsely ground. Add remaining ingredients. If pesto is too thick add a little more olive oil.
To make the risotto saute 1 diced onion, 2 cloves minced garlic in olive oil then add risotto, white wine and broth (I used homemade broth) according to package directions. While the risotto is cooking, saute red peppers in a little oil and set aside. Once risotto is done add in red peppers, pesto, Parmesan cheese, and pepper to taste. The pesto added a nice creaminess to the risotto, definitely making this again.

5 weeks to go

2011-03-07T12:14:00.000-06:00

The marathon I have aimed for since I started running in 2001 is almost here! I can tell I am in the height of my training because I am a bottomless pit, eating constantly! Another good week of running and even a day on the bike, finally adding some cross-training back in. I am now 4 weeks out from breaking my arm and have been cleared to start lifting more then 1lb, it is still quite achy but healing well and my range of motion is almost back to normal again. My only restriction is to not fall on my arm again for 4more weeks, meaning No running on the ice! The good side of this has been the increased core work, thanks to a broken arm and inability to lift weights my abs are getting a much needed workout!
Week in Review
Monday: SDO
Tuesday: 9.25 miles with intervals + core
Wednesday: 10.5 miles tempo run + core
Thursday: 11.5 miles easy + core
Friday: 1:05 on the trainer + core
Saturday: 8.6 miles hills
Sunday: 16.3 LSD

Now the question I am pondering: I have 2 not so perfect options for my final 20+ miler for Boston and neither is ideal. Trying to decide which sounds better...
1)Do the last long run 4 weeks before marathon and have a longer taper. This would be one continuous run. This is 2 weeks away, so not sure the paths around here will be fully cleared and I may end up on the Treadmill yet again.
2)Do my last long run 3 weeks out, but I start coaching that weekend and my only run option is the day my team runs. I would get in as many miles as I could prior to the team running, then run with team, and finish out afterwards all in an area I'm not too familiar with but would be able to easily map out a route, breaking up the run with 2 15-30min breaks.
Right now I am opting for #2 since I don't know if I can handle another LSD on the treadmill and then a 4 week taper, yikes the insanity may kill us all! But #2 will take half my day with the driving and team meeting after the run, what to do?

I need sleep!

2011-03-04T17:14:00.000-06:00

I feel like this is a post I've already written! Sure enough I looked back and I had this past Fall when we were having multiple night time wake ups after months of great sleep. That issue is since resolved and this time the sleep issues are all mine (for the most part). My child is a great sleeper, me on the other hand needs a lesson in sleeping through the night.

Off and on for as long as I remember I've had nights where I just can't sleep, this seemed to get better once I had a routine work schedule and wasn't having to be up all night. Lately it has gotten consistently worse, right along with all the other issues I've had. I go in phases where I can sleep great and then times when I don't, well this time it has been going on for a couple weeks and I'm not having fun! I go to bed completely exhausted and within 1-2 hours of falling asleep I'm wide awake, I'll fall back asleep only to wake back up in another hour and this just continues until morning. I've gotten in the habit of setting my alarm early to get up and work out, but change my alarm once I realize I'll need that extra hour of sleep. To make this even worse, Ophelia has gotten in the habit of waking up between 5-6am (much closer to 5am) lately where she used to sleep until 6:30 or 7am. So needless to say I am dragging lately, lacking energy and just overall feeling yuck (if that's a description). I still make myself run, this tends to be the only time I feel somewhat awake and I'm trying to limit coffee after lunch time to not add to the issues. This needs to stop I just want to sleep!

Today I decided I've had enough of this, I need sleep! The glass of wine last night didn't do the trick so now I'm bringing out the big guns tonight and turning to Unisom, which I had on hand to combat the nausea during my pregnancy, but was always too afraid to take (sticking to the B6 instead) and now have a nearly full box in my drawer. Any other sleep remedies to try? I'm willing to do anything at this point.

Finally a 60+ mile week

2011-02-27T20:27:00.000-06:00

Okay 62.5 miles to be exact. I can't remember the last time I broke 60 mpw, I know it's been since before I was pregnant. It has helped that Ophelia has been taking great morning naps allowing me plenty of time to run, this combined with a long 5 day weekend off work helped me to get the miles in. The even better thing was I felt great all week during my runs, the bad thing is I've spent too much time running on the treadmill lately. Today I had planned to do my long run outside but the fresh coat of snow from Saturday on the paths scared me. The last thing I need is to fall again on an already broken arm. Even with this great week I've decided that I'm running Boston easy and just as a training run for Minneapolis where I hope to run a sub3:30.

Week in review
Monday: Temp Run 8.6 in 1:05:00
Tuesday: SDO
Wednesday: Interval 10.6 in 1:20:00
Thursday: Hills 9.25 in 1:10:00
Friday: Easy 10 in 1:15:30
Saturday: Easy 5.75 in 45:20
Sunday: Long Run 18.25 in 2:21:30
Total 62.5 miles

Looking at the week makes me realize I am doing all my runs at a pace faster then I should be, where is the easy pace, where is the LSD pace? This is the problem with treadmill runs, I just want to get done so I speed up knowing it will end quicker. I have been better at adding incline and mixing up speed during my runs. Please send Spring my way so I can get outside! And what happened to only running 4 or 5 days a week and crosstraining? I feel good and am taking advantage of it, but don't want to overdo things.

More thinking on the treadmill

2011-02-24T15:32:00.000-06:00

Since the majority of my running lately has been on the treadmill to accomodate naps I've gotten in the routine of watching cooking shows and letting my mind wander to pass the time. Lucky for me Ophelia's naps coincide nicely with the 2 hour time window that our local public television channel has cooking on. Today I was watching Simply Ming whose show is wonderful; I can't wait to go to Blue Ginger when we're in Boston. I lost interest when he moved from the tempeh to roasted chicken stew and started thinking about the left over pumpkin puree I had sitting in the fridge. Bars, I can make pumpkin date bars like the Banana Bars I made last week. 9.25 miles and 1 hour 10 minutes later I had it all figured out. Now if only my treadmill thinking would solve real issues like figuring out a thesis topic!

Pumpkin Date Bars

1 cup plain almonds

1 cup pitted dates
1 cup pumpkin puree
2 Tbsp agave nectar or honey

1/4 cup molasses (about that, I just emptied the jar)

1 cup GF flour (I used 1/4 cup oat made from ground GF oats, 1/2 cup rice and 1/4 cup tapioca)

1 tsp each cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, allspice

3 Tbsps flax meal

6 Tbsps water

Preheat oven to 350F. Mix flax meal and water and set aside. Grind almonds until fine in food processor and pour into bowl, add flours and spices. Process dates in food processor until smooth, add pumpkin, molasses, agave nectar. Add date mix and flax mix to dry ingredients and combine.

Line pan with parchment paper and spread mix in (I used 9x13, could use 8x8 for thicker bars). Bake 15-20 minutes.

The search for gluten free pizza

2011-02-22T21:05:00.000-06:00

I love pizza, especially homemade pizza but since eating GF I haven't found much for decent pizza crust. Today I saw this post from Gluten Free Goddess for pizza crust that I will need to try next time. Until then I have tonight's leftovers to deal with. They will get eaten, but I might do a little complaining while it happens.

Tonight was the 2nd attempt with Bob's Red Mill and it still isn't impressive. This dough was leftover dough that I had frozen from last time when I swore I'd never touch it again. The dough was so sticky and gooey, even after adding an extra cup of rice flour. I think I lost half the dough stuck to my hands, ridiculous! No cooking should be this difficult. I even contacted the company and their response "the dough will be sticky and hard to deal with. Unfortunately that is a part of gluten free baking. The dough can be smoothes out for use fairly easy by using wet hands. It the dough is still sticking to your hands, then use even wetter hands." Okay, but I can't add anymore water to my hands, thanks for the wonderful advice! Tonight I found the solution: place the dough on a greased pan and cover with plastic wrap which doesn't stick to the dough and now spread it. Not sure if it also helped that the dough was cold too but my pizza looked like a pizza tonight and no a pile of goo.

A much harder to find GF mix, but well worth the search was Chebe. This mix was awesome and didn't even taste GF. It was super easy to work with and even reheated well with the typical gooey GF texture. I loved the flavor, a hint of oregano and garlic, yum! This would even make great breadsticks. I'm even considering ordering in bulk from their website and keeping stocked up. Now to try some of their other products.

The search is still on, but I have options to continue with my pizza obsession! Pizza used to be my post-long run dinner loaded with pineapple, olives and tomatoes. I know weird combination, but it tastes great, just the right combination of sweet and salty and all the carbs, fat and calories needed to recover from marathon training. Oh and paris well with just about any wine!

1 pound

2011-02-19T16:41:00.000-06:00

No, I am not needing to lose 1 pound, this is the answer I received from the orthopedist on Thursday. A 1 pound lifting restriction with my right arm. Yikes, what actually weighs 1 pound? Honestly not much! Maybe a can of soda or soup, but how do you actually function with this limitation. Don't get me wrong I am happy that the splint is off and I am only needing to use the sling when I will be up moving a lot for comfort. He actually encouraged range of motion in my elbow, but no lifting "anything more then a pen" then he changed to 1 pound. This will be the case for another 2 weeks until my follow up when I'll have more films to make sure it is healing well. I guess for a fracture I can't complain: 10 days in a splint and another 2 weeks in a sling as needed with very limited lifted. When I mentioned my 12 month daughter he just hung his head and replied "things just get more interesting with you." I don't think he will ever forget the girl with the broken arm who was anxious to be running and had a toddler at home.

On the plus side I did manage to get in my long run today: 20 miles on the treadmill while watching a lot of cooking shows. I did learn the secret of perfect pan seared scallops which we had planned for tonight's dinner. I decided to stay inside on the treadmill in case my arm got too sore (who am I kidding I don't stop running doe to arm or any pain for that matter) and to avoid another fall on the ice that had formed back on the sidewalks after last week's warm up.

Happy Valentine's Day: and a restaurant review

2011-02-16T08:14:00.000-06:00

Okay so I'm a little late, but we didn't actually celebrate on Monday I mean who really needs Hallmark to tell you what day to celebrate when you've been together as long as we have?! We celebrated with a great dinner at home on Sunday and a dinner out on Tuesday. Personally I celebrated Valentine's Day by returning to running and getting in a nice 9 miles after a week off.

Sunday night we had steamed lobster tails, asparagus, and garlic mashed potatoes. I'm so glad I found a use for the food steamer I insisted on getting when I was pregnant to use for making baby food. Up until 2 months ago it hadn't even been out of the box when we decided to give steamed lobster a try with great success. Yes, I still made all the baby food it just seemed much easier to use the old fashioned steamer basket in a pot and now that I have the hang of the steamer we are way beyond anything that resembles baby food.

Tuesday night we took advantage of the 1/2 price wine special at Biaggi's and I was able to give their gluten free menu a try. I was impressed! As soon as the waiter saw I had the GF menu he had the kitchen prepare a plate of GF bread which was pretty good although I still missed their great focaccia. He also brought Ophelia a plate of orange slices and crackers to keep her busy. The GF menu was pretty complete: pasta, pizza, and the typical salads and meats. We had a Cesar salad and Matt was able to get croutons on the side. I ordered the Mediterranean pizza: peppers, olives, tomatoes, and mushrooms and yes it had the GF taste to the crust but overall good. And Ophelia was thrilled with her plate of mushrooms, not sure where she gets this since both Matt and I hate them! So nice to find an Italian restaurant with a GF menu giving us more options for eating out.

In other news I now have my arm back, at least somewhat. The splint is off and I am now in a sling. Already after only 10 days I can see the loss of muscle in that arm, not happy about this after all my hard work over the past few months, but on the plus side this is making me focus on core work.

What a week!

2011-02-14T08:23:00.000-06:00

Breaking your arm is never a fun thing, but I've learned it is really a bad idea when you have a 12 month old at home. Then to make things even harder my mom, who is our daily babysitter has been sick. First she found out on Tuesday that she had strep and an ear infection, then became dehydrated due to vomiting from the antibiotics and dizziness the ear was causing. Thursday she ended up in urgent care on IV fluids and a new round of antibiotics. This meant I was home all day both Thursday and Friday with a toddler who decided naps weren't fun! Mom wasn't having fun either! The worst part of this all for me was that running is what helps me through these stressful days and I wasn't even able to do that. I did make sure to have a couple glasses of Zin that evening :-) Oh and top this all off I have a paper due tomorrow, typing has been a slow painful process. It has been amazing the things that have become so difficult: eating (planned meals that are simple to eat), putting in contacts, make-up, breastfeeding a squirmy toddler, shaving (I think I'm just going to give up and get my underarms waxed), cooking. I have yet to attempt going anywhere with Ophelia, but plan to hit the gym and store later so it might be interesting.

Precor Crossramp, my new love!

The only good that has come from this past week is that I have done a lot of cross training and been back in the gym, might even qualify for my insurance's frequent fitness discount. I spent a lot of time on my bike and even got in a few doubles : biking in the morning and my new found love the Crossramp at the gym in the afternoon. The Crossramp is the most similar to running that I have found and I actually didn't get too bored. Yesterday it was 47F here, a heat wave after the negative temperatures we've had and the gym was packed. Seriously? Why was everyone inside? I was kind of stuck there, but everyone else get out and enjoy this. I spent my workout thinking about how much I wanted to be running in shorts, getting muddy legs and just soaking up the sun. I love these mid-Winter warm ups. Maybe tomorrow, the splint comes off today and then my 1 week of no running will be over.

We were able to get outside and enjoy the weather a little yesterday, Ophelia got her first real taste of playing in the snow. Her oversized, highly immobile snowsuit kept her from doing too much. The other positive from this week is that she has avoided getting sick, one more thing I credit breastfeeding for! I figured a toddler with strep would be the only way to make the week even more interesting! Although she did manage to wipe out on the hardwood floors and cut/bruise her lip. Together we looked like a great pair.

Injured!

2011-02-07T20:49:00.000-06:00

I never dreamed of a running injury like this, but as I mentioned in my last posted I took a fall on the ice yesterday during a 5 mile run, luckily with only 1/2 mile to go. I was in pain immediately but figured that was just the initial trauma and things would be fine. I spent the next 24 hours denying that swelling, pain, and inability to move my right arm at the elbow didn't exist and would go away.

After being told by coworkers that it didn't look good I decided to run over to the walk-in ortho clinic at lunch. I've got to say this is a great concept and speedy care. I was in and out and back to work in under 1 hour splint in place. I can honestly say I never thought I'd have a broken arm from running! I have a radial head fracture in my right arm, yes I am right handed, and splinted from hand to nearly my shoulder. It is looking non-surgical, but a CT was done to get a better look at displacement.

The bad news: no running for 1 week and this was a compromise. I'm pretty sure he is now going to think of me as "that crazy runner" when I see him at work. At least this was a cutback week and I work 6 of the next 7 days so mileage would have been lower anyways.
The good news: if the displacement is minimal, like expected, then this splint is off in a week or two and then I'll just have a sling. Now to adjust to being left handed.

I'm a Winter Weather Wimp

2011-02-06T20:49:00.000-06:00

A couple years ago Matt and I routinely ran long runs outside most weekends and I survived, but this year I think I have forgotten how to run int he Winter. In 2007 I ran RnR Arizona and it was 28F at the start, that day I wore shorts, a long sleeved shirt, light jacket and throw away gloves and was comfortable. So far this Winter I have ran three times outside and each time looked like an overdressed child waiting at the bus stop. My Winter running outfit now includes tights, wind pants, short sleeved base layer, mock turtle neck, heavy running jacket, hat, and mittens. Last weekend I even had hand warmers in my gloves and it was in the low 20s. I know my body needs to adapt again, but this is ridiculous, it takes forever to get dressed! And on top of all this frozen energy chews (this weekend Power Bar Chews) are hard to eat. Where is Spring and the sun for that matter?!

This weekend's 17 miler was much better then last weekend's 17 miles. I have spent way to much time on the treadmill that I think my training is suffering. I instability of running on ice and snow last weekend resulted in very sore legs. At least I finally slowed to a LSD pace instead of doing a long run at half marathon pace just to get finished with another treadmill run. Don't get me wrong I am very thankful for my treadmill and being able to easily fit in runs, but I'm starting to get a little tired of this routine. After the wipe out I took on the ice at the end to today's 5 miles I think I might be better off sticking to the treadmill until everything is melted.

Chili and Corn Muffins: Perfect Superbowl Weekend Meal

2011-02-06T20:36:00.000-06:00

In honor of Superbowl Sunday and Winter we decided that slow cooker chili and corn muffins were a perfect meal. After many failed attempts at GF corn muffins I think I have finally succeeded, everyone was impressed and the muffins lacked the density that my previous failed attempts had.

4 Bean Slow cooker Chili
1 can each: black beans, dark/light kidney beans, white beans
4 cans tomato sauce (equal amount to beans)
1 onion diced
4 cloves minced garlic
1 Roasted red pepper diced
4 Tbsp chili powder
2 tsp cayenne pepper
2 tsp cumin
1 package soy chorizo
Directions:
Saute onions, garlic, pepper until soft. Add all ingredients to slow cooker and cook on high 4 hours. Adjust seasonings as needed. Serve topped with cheese.
This recipe is easily changed, we’ve done various beans, soy crumbles, chicken for non-vegetarian, different peppers, and added veggies such as corn or tomatoes.

Corn Muffins adapted from The Daily Dietribe Corn Muffin Recipe
2/3 cup sorghum flour
1/3 cup corn starch
1 Tbsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup cornmeal
7 Tbsp butter, melted
1 egg
1/4 cup apple juice concentrate + 1/4 cup water
1/3 cup fat-free plain yogurt
1/2 cup corn
1/4 cup honey
Directions:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Grease or line muffin tins.
Mix flour, starch, baking powder, and salt. Stir in cornmeal.
In a separate bowl mix egg, juice, yogurt, and butter.
Stir liquid mix into dry.
Fill greased muffin tins to top and bake for 15 minutes.
Eat warm or reheat leftover muffins.

Party food hangover

2011-01-31T20:21:00.000-06:00

Not so sure about this...

I think I'm getting the hang of this present thing

Yesterday was Ophelia's 1st birthday party and I went a little overboard with the desserts, regular food not so much. There are local grocery stores who give a free cake for a child's 1st birthday, I wasn't huge on letting her smash and eat the cakes but said I would get her picture with it and if it happened well fine. Not knowing the outcome I decided to make backup cake: almond pound cake with homemade whipped cream which got great reviews. On top of that I had to take care of my sweet tooth and make GF peanut butter cookies and mini pumpkin cheesecakes. I also had a massive cookie fail with GF oatmeal caramel apple cookies that were way too chewy to serve, yikes those need work. I hope my coworkers are hungry tomorrow because I need to get these desserts out of my house!

Ophelia had a blast and really didn't care about the cake, she touched the frosting ate a little and signed "all done" and then instead ate 3 of the pumpkin cheesecakes and would have kept going had I not stopped giving them to her. I guess she developed a love of pumpkin from all I ate during my pregnancy! Presents were another success, she loved ripping the paper and was just a thrilled with the cards. The food theme continued as she received a kitchen set from my parents and a tea set from my sister in law. Soon after the gifts were opened Ophelia let us all know she was done with the party. She went to her room got her pacifier and bear and signed "sleep". I guess she matured and has finally decided naps are good, at least I can hope!

Updated Gluten Free Peanut Butter Cookies

2 large eggs

1 1/2 cups brown sugar

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon baking powder

2 cups natural peanut butter (I used half creamy and half crunchy)

2 teaspoons gluten-free vanilla extract

1 cup peanuts

Preheat oven to 325°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Beat together eggs, sugar, baking soda, baking powder and vanilla in a standing mixer with the paddle attachment or with a hand-held mixer. Beat in the peanut butter. Stir in peanuts.

Drop dough by teaspoonfuls onto prepared baking sheet, pressing lightly with hand. Bake for 10 minutes, until lightly set. Let cool a few minutes on pan to set and then transfer to a wire rack to finish cooling.

Makes 4-6 dozen depending on cookie size

Gluten Free Pumpkin Cheesecake (crustless)
1 15oz can pumpkin puree
4 large eggs
8 oz light cream cheese (at room temperature)
1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 teaspoon ginger

1 teaspoon nutmeg

2 teaspoons gluten free vanilla

2 tablespoons brown sugar

4 tablespoons agave nectar
4 tablespoons kahlua (can use rum)

Preheat oven to 375 degrees

Place all of the ingredients in a food processor and process until smooth. Pour the batter into greased 9 inch pie plate and bake 45 minutes or until the cheesecake is set and a cake tester inserted into the middle comes out clean.

Serve with Whipped Cream

1/2 pint heavy cream

2 teaspoons vanilla

1 tablespoon powdered sugar (can substitute white sugar, coconut sugar etc)

In a large bowl, whip cream until stiff peaks are just about to form. Beat in vanilla and sugar until peaks form.

Happy Birthday Pumpkin Seed!

2011-01-28T17:05:00.002-06:00

I can't believe that 1 year ago today my baby girl was born and I officially became a mother. She acquired the nickname Pumpkin Seed this Fall when she was wearing her "Little Pumpkin" pajamas and we decided that she was too small to be a pumpkin. What an educational and exciting year we've had.

Today I was thinking about how our lives have changed and I remembered this post and all the changes we had been told to expect. Well I don't think any of those things occurred: I do not own a minivan, we still travel, run, go out to dinner, sleep and haven't quit grad school. I still care about how I look, just a little less some days and all the pregnancy weight is long gone. We've just learned to incorporate a baby into these things, BOB is my best friend some days and the treadmill is a close second this Winter. Ophelia has a passport and so far she's been to California, Alabama, and Mexico. My advice (and some people may think this is wrong) make time for yourself. If I stopped running, traveling, sleeping, etc I wouldn't be a very good mother. It is true that some days nothing will go as you want, but you adapt and accept that there are days when the you won't shower, the house will be a mess and dinner will come from the freezer, but who cares. I've learned to get the important things done as early as possible in the day.

Ophelia has become such a great little girl with a huge personality. She is so inquisitive and loves to explore and socialize. She is also a climber and I am just waiting for the day when we need to make our first ER visit. She will eat just about anything as long as it has flavor: curry, chili, lentil tacos, anything Indian, lasagna, I could keep going! Just like her mom she doesn't like to sit and is constantly moving except to watch cooking shows or look through a cooking magazine, I might have a future chef on my hands! Happy Birthday Pumpkin Seed, mommy loves you and can't wait to see what the next year brings!

Making it up as I go

2011-01-25T20:52:00.000-06:00

When I trained for TCM this Fall I started off following a plan, but that quickly turned into a "make it up as I go" schedule. It worked, I ran a PR, but this time I said I would stick to a plan and hopefully get even better results. I made it maybe 2 weeks in and I'm back to making things up as I go. How do I manage to train others and have them stick to a plan when I can't even do it?

Today I spent another morning on the treadmill running 10 miles while Ophelia napped, I am thankful for this option but really missing outside runs. The combination of cold weather and unclear paths has prevented me from get out with the BOB during the week and then weekends have been bringing brutal cold. Where is the January heatwave we always get? The treadmill may or may not be a good thing for my training, I get bored really easily and have a tendency to increase my speed to get done quicker. I guess I'll have plenty of speedwork for Boston, now hills on the other hand those get tough with the treadmill, I have gotten better at increasing the incline to 4 for multiple short periods during my run.

I have a habit of watching cooking shows while I run and today as I watched a show all about baking french bread my mind wandered and I was coming up with a good sweet snack to make. So I came up with a plan and headed to the store. Even with the plan I made up the recipe as I went.

Peanut Date Balls

1 cup pitted dates

1/2 cup peanut flour + 1 tbsp

1 tbsp agave nectar

1/2 cup almonds
1/2 cup shredded coconut
1/2 cup Rice Chex: crushed

Put dates in food processor and process until a paste forms, add 1/2 cup peanut flour and agave nectar. Once a "dough" forms add almonds and coconut just until mixed. Add more peanut flour if too gooey or a little water if too dry. Form balls (about 1 tsp) and roll in mix of crushed Chex and remaining peanut flour mixed. Place balls on parchment paper lined cookie sheet and put in freezer 1 hour to set.

Makes 24. Substitute sugar, coconut, other crushed cookies/cereal etc for the Chex.

Now for the next run I need to figure out the menu, okay the desserts, for Ophelia's birthday party this weekend.

I am a caffeine addict

2011-01-24T07:43:00.001-06:00

Wow, I guess I have a lot to say lately! Today I am doing more testing that the last docotr ordered and this requires me to avoid a list of foods and medications the worst being caffeine. The timing is awful as I have now gotten the sickness that has struck at our house the past week and my head is about to explode from the pressure. On top of this I also need to avoid Tylenol, good thing I found an old bottle of ibuprofen in my drawer at work to combat this combined sinus/caffeine headache. Yes there are foods I need to avoid too but most of those are easy, except bananas which I eat everyday and pineapple which is nicely cut and sitting in the fridge. I am over 24 hours into this and will be done when I wake up tomorrow morning, so for now I sit here drinking my decaf (yes I know it still has a small amount of caffeine) in attempts to trick my body.

I just hope all this is worth it and I have some concrete answers soon, if not then we move on to yet another doctor. Right now the theories have moved on to an adrenal issue such as Addison's. After some research the symptoms do fit, but we'll see what the labs say. So far they aren't matching since my cortisol is actually elevated along with my albumin (although this can be related to the cortisol). Luckily I have access to reliable sources for my medical information and don't have to rely on dr. google to provide me with answers and tell me I have some incurable disease that needs some experimental treatment. Don't get me wrong I love the internet for research but information from unreliable sources in the wrong hands can be brutal to the general public and us in healthcare.

Still on the topic of food: Black bean soup

2011-01-23T15:25:00.000-06:00

Another gluten free vegetarian recipe that Matt will eat. It was great served with gaucamole. This batch made dinner and enough for 2 bowls of leftovers.

Black Bean Soup
1 teaspoon vegetable oil
1 onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 15-ounce cans of black beans, rinsed
1 cup corn
1 can diced green chilis
2 cups vegetable broth or water
1 teaspoon chili powder
½ teaspoon paprika
½ teaspoon cayenne
1 teaspoon cumin
Squeeze of lime juice

Saute the onions and minced garlic in oil. Once the onions have become translucent add remaining ingredients. Simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Taste-test the soup after 20 minutes and remove from heat once the beans are cooked to your liking.
Top with cheese and gaucamole and serve.

Next up: Tonight's Dinner will be Peanut Sauce with tofu and veggies over rice.

Still experimenting with food

2011-01-21T20:48:00.001-06:00

After the food issues on vacation I needed to get back to closely watching what I ate and actually planned out meals for the week and beyond. Ophelia has been sick this week and napping a lot meaning I had plenty of time to cook.

Peanut butter (actually any nut butter) and cereal are two of my addictions so this new recipe for granola looked perfect. It is a variation on This Cinnamon Raisin Granola

GF Raisin Coconut Granola

4 cups gluten-free rolled oats (NOT quick cook)
1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon (I don't measure)

2 pinches finely ground sea salt

1/2 cup sliced almonds

1/2 cup shredded coconut

3/4 cup apple juice concentrate

1/2 cup almond butter

1/2 cup agave nectar (can use honey, brown rice syrup, or maple syrup)

2 Tbsp coconut oil

1 cup raisins

Preheat oven to 325º F and line a baking sheet with parchment.
Mix together oats, salt, cinnamon, almonds and coconut in a large bowl and set aside. Mix together apple juice, almond butter, agave nectar and coconut oil in a small saucepan. Heat over low flame, stir constantly to mix. Once is starts to thicken slightly, remove from heat, pour over dry ingredients and stir. Spread mixture evenly onto a baking sheet(s) no more than 1/2-inch thick.
Bake for 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes, until golden and crisp. Remove from oven and let cool completely, then stir in raisins and store in a well-sealed jar or container. If kept well-sealed, this will keep fresh for 2 weeks (pretty sure it won't last that long).
Pretty good, but just like my past attempts not the clusters you get at the store. Now to just figure out the secret to clumpy granola.
Tonight's meal was inspired from a box of quinoa and Costco stuffed peppers
Quinoa Stuffed Peppers
1 teaspoon vegetable oil

1 onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, peeled and chopped
1 cup uncooked quinoa
2 cups vegetable broth
2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
1/2 tsp oregano
salt and pepper to taste
1 cup frozen corn kernels
1 (15 oz) can black beans, rinsed and drained
1/2-1 cup shredded cheddar (or more if you want)
1 cup salsa or 1 can of diced tomatoes
4 bell peppers

Heat the oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Stir in the onion and garlic, and saute until lightly browned. Add cumin, cayenne pepper, oregano, salt, and pepper. Mix quinoa into the saucepan and cover with vegetable broth. Add corn and black beans. Bring the mixture to a boil. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 20 minutes or until liquid absorbed. Add in 1/2 salsa. Remove from heat and add about 1/2 cheese.

The quinoa is good on its own.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees

Slice peppers in half or remove stem/seeds from top and removed ribs/seeds. Fill peppers with quinoa and place in baking dish, top with remaining salsa and cheese. Cover with tinfoil and bake 25-35 minutes.

I really need to work on the food photographs, what's the secret? Besides being a runner my other love is cooking, secret's out. I love experimenting and making new recipes which is why I have issues with measuring and just throw in what I feel like so most of the recipes I post aren't exact, I change the non crucial ingredients, seasonings etc depending on what I have and am in the mood for. I actually considered switching careers and attending culinary school a few years back, now it's just something I do for fun. With all this cooking it's a good thing I'm a runner!

Finally back outside (at least for a short time)

2011-01-19T07:42:00.000-06:00

Little beach baby!

We just spent a week in Cozumel hoping for a week of sun and relaxation but instead we got a mix of sun, rain, clouds, and illness. The vacation started in typical me fashion with a flight delay and a mad dash through O'Hare to catch our connecting flight, but in the end we actually arrived in Cozumel early. The week was relaxing and time away, no internet or email to deal with and I even read a book.

Weatherwise the first few days were great: sunny and warm. Ophelia loved the beach and managed to keep most of the sand out of her mouth. She even made a few friends and made sure everyone talked to her, not sure where she got this outgoing personality since it wasn't from Matt or myself. Then the week turned and it was cloudy and rainy the rest of the week, we even woke to a leaking roof one night. It is just wrong that I spend half my time in pants and a sweatshirt!

The cold days!

It was great to get outside for a few runs last week. We found the road in front of our hotel to be pretty safe and low traffic and headed out for a few runs in the heat and sun. It seemed that every morning we'd get sun while we ran and then it disappeared just when we thought that day might actually turn nice. On other days I managed longer treadmill runs only to discover the treadmills were programmed to shut off at 1 hour, literally going from 7mm to nothing in seconds, good thing I was prepared the second day but then I wasn't prepared for the power outage that occurred in the gym that morning during my run. Needless to say it was interesting, but I managed 5 days of running, 1 day on the elliptical and 2 days of weights plus a lot of morning walks around the resort with Ophelia before breakfast, so no complaints on the exercise.

I had fun watching others in the gym, this is who was in there with me: woman in high heel sandals walking on the treadmill while her barefoot child was running/jumping on the next one; guy who pounded so hard when he ran I thought he'd break the platform; guy who increased his speed every time I did and only lasted 15 minutes (I confess it was kind of fun watching him so I kept speeding up); couple who lifted weights while drinking coffee.

I found these at the airport (gluten free and peanut) yum!

We stayed at an all inclusive which I booked last Summer prior to all my issues, I figured gluten free in Mexico wouldn't be so tough, I was wrong and suffered much of the week (and still am). I quickly learned some safe foods: yogurt, fruit, grilled veggies, grilled fish, salad with guacamole/pico, rice, potatoes. Even with this I'm not so sure what else got into the foods or drinks. Traveling will take some work if this is the diet I need to stay with. I had another doctor appointment this week and she has a few more theories, mainly adrenal problems, which I will be tested for when I make it to work early enough and have fasted (this second part is tough). I also need to do some testing that involves avoiding certain foods for 48 hours, the dig ones being bananas (I eat one every morning for breakfast) and caffeine (this is the problem) on top of that no acetaminophen to combat the caffeine withdrawal headache those 2 days either.

Human again and a possible answer

2011-01-06T06:28:00.000-06:00

I am still lacking an official answer, but through elimination and trial it seems I have gluten intolerance (can't call it celiac since the often false negative bloodwork was negative). I have decided against the biopsy at this point and probably for good since it would require me to go back on gluten. I still have one more doctor to see regarding this, but don't expect anything to change. She is a newer endocrinologist focusing on metabolism and malabsorption so with my history of hypothyroidism my primary thought it would be a good direction.

It has been 1 month since I started the gluten free diet and what a difference. I have energy, the abdominal pain is gone, the weakness is gone, no more fatigue or headaches. I have even gained a few pounds and am back up to the low end of my training weight. I am a functioning human again. I've actually been really good at following the diet and have realized it really isn't too difficult with a little planning. GF food is getting better and we've found some pretty good options and some not so good ones, but you learn as you go. I've cheated twice, once on purpose: dang pumpkin pie and once on accident: duh breaded shrimp has gluten. Both times I suffered for it which tells me this really is my problem.

Over the last month I have taken to reading GF blogs and searching for recipes, it is quite interesting to me that a lot of these blogs are both GF and vegetarian/vegan. One of the surgeons I work with joked that there was a connection between vegetarianism and celiac since there is another surgeon we work with who is celiac and also a vegetarian. I'm also having fun experimenting and have found some good options. The hardest part has been quick foods since so many prepackaged things are gluten, in a way this is good as it prevents me from grabbing the cookies/desserts that are always sitting out at work. I do miss an occasional beer (still haven't tried GF beer) and have yet to find a good cereal to replace the Kashi I lived on.

Now my biggest worry is if this is something that has been passed to Ophelia. She is growing, but slowly and no matter how much I feed her she acts like she is starving. I'll discuss with her ped in a few weeks, but not worrying too much since she is getting much of her diet GF too now.

2010: The year of change

2010-12-31T16:12:00.001-06:00

2010 was definitely the year of change and new beginnings. The biggest being the birth of Ophelia and becoming a mother, I also made some big decisions about school and dealt with months of illness without answers.

Looking back my 2010 goals: How did I do?
Yearly Miles: 1330
-Pain free running after baby and a strong comeback: Yes, no injuries and plenty of PRs

-Continue with my new found attitude for running/racing: Kind of, as I started seeing my potential and setting PRs late Summer I started pushing harder, but I am still enjoying running more then ever.

-Start racing again and BQ: Yes, 3:31:44 at TCM

-PRs at all distances, actually run some 5Ks/10Ks: Kind of, Marathon PR (above), Half PR (1:39:56) and 10 Mile PR (1:10:36 ). I didn't run a 10K and only ran 1 5K and this was the day after a 17 mile long run.

-Continue with weights 2-3x week and XT 2x week as I get back to running: Another kind of here, I've been very good about strength training and even started working with a personal trainer recently, but XT not so good until the past few weeks when I got back on my bike.

-Find a good balance between being a mom and running: I think so, Ophelia and I enjoyed many runs with BOB and lucky for me her new found love of naps has let me get in longer runs the days I don't work.

So what about 2011? I see more changes ahead.
Goals
-Continue to run injury free
-Keep up with the strength training 2-3x week and XT 2x week, maybe even add in some yoga
-More PRs and run 5Ks/10Ks and PR: I would love sub 3:30 marathon, 1:35 half, sub1:10 10 Mile, 42:00 10K, and sub 20:00 5K
-Be a better mom and wife, the majority of the year was rough with adjusting to parenthood and how bad I felt most days with fatigue, pain, etc. I am feeling human again and enjoying my time with Ophelia and truly appreciating everything that Matt has done and all that he has put up with.
-Decide on my thesis topic by Spring and have a plan for the remainder of my school
-Run an ultra (maybe)
-More trail running and races
-Start biking to work once the weather is nicer
-Continue with gluten free eating and experiment with more meals: be better as weekly menu planning

2011 Races (so far)
April: Boston Marathon
June: Du at the Dam
July: Napa to Sonoma Half (coaching)
August: Mpls 13.1

11 months

2010-12-28T16:02:00.000-06:00

What a great toy!

11 months already, guess it's time to start planning the 1st birthday party. A lot has changed over the past month. A few weeks ago Ophelia started walking and is now more mobile then ever! She also has 4 more teeth, that was not a fun teething experience for any of us. We've been signing since very early and she has recognized some signs, but really only used "milk". Now she signs "eat", "more", "dog", "cat", "change", "sleep", "all done" and "bath". I am a huge fan of baby signing it is making communicating so much easier instead of trying to figure out what she is trying to say. I am really starting to love this age, just watching her play and discover new things is so great.

Over the past few weeks she has been a great sleeper and even manages to get herself to sleep. The naps have even improved, I even managed 10 miles on the treadmill this morning during her nap! This new found love of sleep makes for a much happier mommy and Ophelia. My inaccurate measurements: weight 17 1/2 lbs height: 29".

Attempting to wear a barrette.

Christmas

2010-12-26T20:31:00.001-06:00

The hat I took from my cousin

Not that I had any doubts but my child is spoiled! Our house is full of toys and her wardrobe keeps growing. I wasn't sure how Ophelia would feel about opening presents but the empty boxes/bags and ripping the paper and handing little pieces to mom and dad was much more exciting then finding out what was inside.

We continued my family's tradition of non-traditional holidays with a great menu lacking all the typical foods (all gluten free with minimal changes):

Lentil tacos

Spanish rice

Pumpkin cheesecake (with a few adjustments) and all the cookies I baked last week

And of course wine

The food/cooking theme continued in gifts: we received a crockpot, espresso maker, beer and wine and gave my parents an ice cream maker. In all the excitement of the day Ophelia skipped her nap and still managed to stay happy. She had a blast playing with her older cousin and showing off her new found skill of walking and asking everyone for food.

4 Generations

Good thing I'm a runner

2010-12-23T17:31:00.000-06:00

With all the baking (and eating) I've done over the past week I need a way to burn all the calories. Since starting on a gluten free diet the beginning of the month I've gone a little crazy searching for recipes and have tried many of them. Some successful and others not so much. I had to add the pictures since I often choose recipes based on look, sorry mine aren't so pretty.

My favorite: Gluten Free Peanut Butter Cookies

Ingredients:

1 large egg

3/4 cup brown sugar

1 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup peanut butter (I used half creamy and half crunchy)
1 teaspoon gluten-free vanilla extract
1/2 cup peanuts
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Beat together egg, sugar, baking soda and vanilla in a standing mixer with the paddle attachment or with a hand-held mixer. Beat in the peanut butter. Stir in peanuts.
Drop dough by teaspoonfuls onto prepared baking sheet, pressing lightly with the back of a fork. Bake for 10 minutes, until lightly set. Transfer to a wire rack to finish cooling.

Yummy Peanut Butter Cookies

Another Good One: Fruit/Nut Bars (very easy to change the toppings)
Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups gingersnap crumbs (or a combination of ground nuts, rice cereal, gingersnaps)
5 tablespoons butter, melted
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup dried cranberries
1/2 cup vanilla chips
1/2 cup chopped pecans
1/2 cup shredded coconut
2/3 cup fat-free sweetened condensed milk
Directions:
Preheat oven 350° F. Coat 13x9x2-inch pan with nonstick cooking spray.
In prepared pan, mix gingersnaps, butter, and vanilla; press into pan. Sprinkle dried fruit, nuts, etc. evenly over gingersnap crust. Drizzle sweetened condensed milk over top. Bake 15-20 minutes or until bubbly and light brown.

Cranberry/Pecan Bars

This one needs a little help: Pistachio Lime Cookies

Ingredients:

1 package Gluten Free Sugar Cookie Mix
1 cup pistachios, shelled & crushed
1 tsp grated lime peel
For the lime icing:
1 cup sifted powdered sugar
2 tablespoons milk
1/2 teaspoon grated lime peel
Directions:
Prepare cookies according to package instructions, add 1/2 cup pistachios. Just before baking, roll bottoms of cookies into crushed pistachios. Bake at 325 for 12-14 minutes. Meanwhile, make the icing: Beat powdered sugar, milk and grated lime peel until smooth. If frosting is too stiff, beat in a few drops more milk; if too soft, beat in more powdered sugar. Drizzle on to cooled cookies.
.

Pistachio Lime Cookies

Holiday Photos

2010-12-15T17:42:00.000-06:00

We were a little behind and finally got holiday photos taken on Sunday and sent Christmas cards today, better then the ones I never sent last year!

Finally a family photo

She sat still long enough just to get this pose

Merry Christmas

Vegas Adventure: The Sequel

2010-12-12T15:43:00.000-06:00

Last year's trip to RnR Vegas resulted in an overnight delay in LA and cold, rainy weather, so I was hoping for a smooth trip this year. That wasn't the case! Starting Friday afternoon we got hit by a big snowstorm resulting in about 8" and leaving nasty roads. By the time we de-iced twice and finally took off we were over 3 hours behind schedule meaning that once we got to the hotel in Vegas we'd been awake for 24 hours, not fun!

The rest of the trip ended up smooth and with wonderful running weather. Saturday we took full advantage of the great Indian buffet that we'd found last year and then met some friends for drinks. That evening was the group pasta party with wonderful gluten free food, they even had angel food cake. Luckily for me I wasn't running for time since I started Sunday morning with a soy latte, banana, yogurt and GF granola, very different from my typical pre-race food. Race day was perfect, started in the 40s with highs of the low 60s and sunny. All my runners finished and felt great, many even ran PRs. I love the atmosphere of big races when not racing, 29,000 is a little too big for me I hate running elbow to elbow.

Team Minnesota

The weekend continued to be great, Sunday night staff/coach party in a penthouse suite complete with food and drinks followed by sushi with Matt. After a long coach certification on Monday we actually made it home without any issues, even landed early!

Walk coach Kathy and I

Ophelia enjoyed her weekend with my parents and I'm really happy we decided not to bring her. I think I would have run over a few people along the Vegas strip with my stroller. Walking alone was difficult enough with all the people stopping and just being dumb that I couldn't imagine doing it with a stroller.

Noncompliance or just failure, where are the answers?

2010-12-03T09:50:00.000-06:00

Trying to decide if I can classify myself as the noncompliant patient or if I am just failing at my diet. I'm not one to complain, but I've had enough so here goes...

As I have mentioned over the past few months, I've been having a lot of GI issues that continue to get worse and no one knows why. These have actually been going on for years but to a much lesser extent and have gotten worse especially over the past couple months. A few years ago I had the first doctor suggest I had celiac, instead my blood work showed hypothyroid, then again last year my endocrinologist thought I had both celiac and hypothyroid so I attempted a gluten free diet for a few months, but the pregnancy cravings got the best of me I gave in to "real" food again.

Fast forward to this Spring when the abdominal pain, cramping, nausea, bloating, etc returned. Over the Summer and into the Fall it has gotten worse and now add to that extreme physical fatigue and weakness combined with continued weight loss despite extreme hunger and eating like a teenage boy! I am still running what I can and breastfeeding, but I think the 4,000-5,000 calories I am consuming daily are plenty to make up for that. A few weeks ago I was in for my routine endocrinologist appointment and she too suggested celiac, so I followed up with my primary MD who's first thought too was celiac. That was shot down when the blood test was negative to everyone's surprise, although I did my research and found that there is a 20-40% rate of false negatives, almost seems like a pointless test then. We decided anyways to do a gluten free diet trial, that's where the noncompliance or failure comes in. Despite food help for friends, a lot of $ spent on gluten free food, and meal plans I just can't seem to make it the entire day. The pain returns and I just say "forget it" I want something and eat it anyways. The hardest part is breakfast, I am a cereal addict and have yet to find a gluten free cereal that meets my standards.

So here I sit half asleep and exhausted as I eat everything in sight without an answer. Yes I am happy that the pregnancy weight came off so easily, but not that I am now 15+ lbs below pre-pregnancy weight with a BMI of 17 and per my personal trainer 9% body fat, no wonder why I lack energy. The lack of diagnosis is frustrating! Today is the next step a CT scan, I am not looking forward to my berry flavored barium waiting in the fridge, yuck! I guess if it will give me answers and let me function again then I'll suffer through.

10 months

2010-11-28T20:36:00.000-06:00

My little climber

Wow, 10 months already and quite the big personality. Ophelia is such a happy baby, most of the time, and loves people. You can just tell she is thinking about everything around her and just taking it all in. Over the past month we’ve gotten more adventurous with her food and what a difference that has made. It seems she likes “real” food much better than the boring flavorless baby food. Some of her favorites are lentil taco filling, curry vegetables, vegetable chili, fish, and corn bread.

She is standing on her own and has attempted a few steps, but tends to just throw herself forward whenever close to someone forgetting to move her feet. She loves to climb anything she can, I'm just waiting for that first ER trip and hoping it isn't in the near future! It is so interesting to see the difference between her and other babies close in age. We were at the in-laws on Thanksgiving and her cousin who is 1 week younger is not even crawling yet, but he is an excellent sleeper and can nap through anything. Ophelia on the other hand continues to go through phases of difficult sleep and/or lack of naps.

Her weight is 17 lbs and height 29” based on my accurate techniques.

All dressed up for Thanksgiving!

Motherhood has made me crazy!

2010-11-26T12:47:00.000-06:00

For the first time ever I was one of those crazy black Friday shoppers. Every year I look through the ads and then decide sleep sounds better then crowds and cold, but not this year my mom and I were at Target at 6am getting toys, movies, and clothes for Ophelia and most importantly a new coffee maker for Matt and I. Then it was off to Kohl's for more toys for Ophelia and finally to Borders for the free coffee for me and books for Ophelia. I hate to admit it but I kind of wish I was out there earlier since I missed a couple of the deals I was hoping for. I think this might become a new tradition. I guess I need some sort of Thanksgiving tradition since the only part of the meal I like is the pumpkin pie.

Freedom 10 Mile

2010-11-11T08:40:00.000-06:00

A short report of my final race of the season. The day was perfect for November weather, sunny and upper 50s. I think this race was a good preparation for the later start of Boston, since it not only started at noon, but on the day we changed the clocks back so thanks to Ophelia I had been awake since 5am. It was a small race and the thanks to the laid back race director I was able to get through the bathroom line before the start. The race was chipped timed, but all based on a clock start so I wanted to be near the front.

I headed out with a couple other women, but quickly realized I wasn't going to be keeping up with them. I ran a quick but comfortable pace and then the hills came, one after another and I was passed by another woman around mile 4 pushing me back to 4th. I tried to catch her and kept her in sight but never quite got there. I knew this was a hilly course, but wow it was much tougher racing on it then running a 20 mile training run. I started with high hopes of a PR, but knew that wasn't happening. I finished 1:11:44 (7:14 pace) 2nd AG and 4th woman. The 1st AG and woman finished in 1:02 and then headed out for a second lap, no way I was catching her.

I think I am coming to love the 10 mile and half marathon distance. I can push myself and race well for this and am realizing I can even place. I can't wait for next race season!

I am noticing that all my race pics are turning into "what Ophelia did while mommy ran."

Happy Halloween

2010-10-31T13:59:00.000-05:00

Is it wrong to use an infant to trick or treat so mommy and daddy can have some candy? I hope not, yesterday we took Ophelia to the community trick or treat and she had a blast watching all the peopls and digging through her bucket of treats. Next year getting this candy from her might be a little more work!

9 months

2010-10-29T17:16:00.000-05:00

Somehow this feels like a huge milestone for age, maybe it's because Ophelia has now been alive in the outside world as long as she was growing inside. She continues to develop her own inquisitive, adventurous, sassy, personality. Her favorite activities are climbing stairs, emptying out the cupboards, and throwing the dog bowls. Yep, none of these are activities aimed at 9 month olds, but she has much less interest in her toys then these activities. The last few weeks she has been eating better, much of this is us being more adventurous with foods, she loves pasta in any form. I think the thing is she just wants food with flavor, none of this boring baby food stuff. I don't blame her! She now waves good bye and has been working so hard on standing alone, soon she'll have it. And she's talking a lot more, repeating what we say and saying "dada", "bye", "pupu" (puppy). She is still taking after me and remains tall and thin 16lb 4oz (5-10%) and 27.5" (50%) although I think she is actually 28" since her head was tipped.

Sleep, what's that?

2010-10-27T07:45:00.000-05:00

I thought sleep got better as babies got older, not with mine! After the difficulties we had the first 6 weeks she started sleeping great, up maybe once a night and then slept through the night at about 3 months. Then it was only naps that were an issue, but within another month or so those worked out too. AT least in the first few months everything is a haze and your body has adjusted to the wake ups, but now my body has adjusted back to sleeping.

Not sure what the deal is now, for the past 3 weeks Sleep has not been good in our house and my coffee habit that I had gotten down to 2 cups a day during pregnancy has doubled. Ophelia has had cycles of nighttime wake ups that are easily remedied by a nighttime feeding and she’s quickly back to sleep. These usually last for a couple days and could be explained by a growth spurt, developmental milestone, teething, or illness, but this bad sleep cycle is going on 3 weeks. At first I thought growth spurt or she wasn’t eating enough before better, but that doesn’t seem to be it, then maybe teething since she is drooling terribly, but no doesn’t seem to be that either, now she has a cold so that could be it, but she wasn’t sick when this started. She is working on standing alone and taking some steps, so maybe that’s it, but then hurry up so we can sleep!

Monday night was the first night she slept all night, but this came with a price, no nap all day! I had a 9 month old on my hands who had been awake over 12 hours before she decided to crash. This wasn’t the first day she decided napping wasn’t fun, she has gone from 2 hour naps twice a day to maybe 2 hours total if I’m lucky. Last night we were back to waking up and this time it lasted for about 2 hours. We have been trying to avoid the nighttime feeding to get her out of the habit so Matt will go in first once it is obvious she isn’t going to get herself back to sleep and then once that doesn’t work it’s my turn, I feed her and then we all sleep, not last night. She fell asleep after a quick snack but was soon back awake for another hour. Come on baby, mommy and daddy need some sleep.

Let's talk food

2010-10-16T16:19:00.001-05:00

Baby food that is. I thought we had been pretty open and adventurous in feeding Ophelia, but lately I am starting to wonder if we have progressed enough. Last weekend we were together for a family event and my cousin's 11 month daughter was eating potato chips, probably not the best example but we are no where near the potato chip phase. Then I was talking to someone at work yesterday who's daughter is 2 weeks older and learned she has been eating pancakes and sausage the previous night at dinner. I have been making most of my own baby food and Ophelia's diet is mainly fruits, veggies, yogurt, and cereals. Although we have done bites crackers. She gets to taste anything that seems appropriate and has had Indian food, ice cream, beans and fish.

I know there are no hard rules to feeding a baby, but I am just wondering what other moms are/were feeding their 9 month olds. The pediatrician did say that by 9 months she should be eating 3 meals and pretty much what we're having. The first time we really did this was last night when she got diced up avocado and cheese, I suppose I could have added in bits of veggie burger too (or Matt's turkey burger).

3rd time's a charm, revenge at TCM!

2010-10-06T15:10:00.001-05:00

The past couple months I have had a few great races and have realized that my body might actually prefer the lower mileage I am sitting at. These races increased my confidence in running TCM, but I was still unsure of what was going to happen since training hadn't been the greatest and I'd been having tight hamstrings all week. I have run two previous TCMs, both with bad endings and was out for revenge or I decided I was done with the course.

Saturday, Ophelia did her first race, she participated in the diaper dash with TCM. Her version of the race consisted of picking and eating grass and playing with the little boy next to her, no "dashing" was involved. She got a cute little onsie and medal for the race and we got some cute pictures, well worth it for the cost of $7.

Sunday morning Ophelia once again cooperated with my plans and woke up right before my alarm and I was able to feed her with being rushed and needing to wake up a sleeping baby, I think she is figuring out the importance of race morning. We were at the start with plenty of time to hit the indoor bathrooms and then head out to the start. I had not gotten a corral 1 start since I ran my qualifying half too late. I encountered a huge crowd at the start and after unsuccessful attempts to get to the 3:40 pacer I accepted the fact that I was stuck by the 5:00 group until my new hero showed up, a well build man asked if I needed to get up further, he said he was a cop and knew how to get through crowds. He had three of us following and we were able to get up to the 4:00 mark when the gun went off. I hadn't remembered this race being this crowded in the past, I started and did my best to get through the crowds without the extra effort and make it closer to my mark.

By Mile 2 I had caught the first 3:40 group (there was one in each corral), this was also when I learned that PowerAde doesn't feel good when it gets in your eye. Running with full cups of PowerAde wasn't good. I was soon up to and past the other 3:40 pacer, nice. Mile 6 I am by the lakes and passing my parents, Ophelia, and some friends. The hamstrings are feeling a little tight, but I'm doing okay, "just keep going like this" I tell myself. Around the half point I have the 3:30 pacer in my sight. I see my split (1:41:30) and realize I probably went out too fast, but unfortunately that's not new . Now the hamstrings are less happy and I can feel myself starting to slow, all of a sudden I hear my name and see a friend and here comes the next burst of energy. That carried me for the next few miles as I closed in on the 3:30 pacer, I told myself that if I did catch him I was not allowed to pass, just run smart.

Before I know I am in St. Paul and have made it through the part of the course I hate. I have made it to Mile 20 with a good split (2:36:24) and I am attempting to do the math, but just knowing I have > 1 hour to still finish under my goal. I had somehow forgotten about this awful hill around Mile 22, my hamstrings are now pissed and I am slowing down. The 3:30 pacer is getting further ahead. "Just keep moving" I'm and get your a** to Summit, then you can walk. I get to Summit and the crowds are wonderful so I keep running. Mile 23 my back has now tighten up, not fun, now I'm saying "the faster you move the sooner you can sit down." I see a few more friends along the road and get that extra push. I look at my watch at Mile 24 and realize that I am going to do this, so I keep running. Mile 25, oh my gosh take advantage of the down hill and go. I see the finish line and realize this is for real, I wasn’t really excited or emotional when I finished my first marathon like many of people, but this time was different. At about the 26 mile mark there is a huge American flag that hangs over the course and I am running next to a guy who thought that was the finish, he pushed and then got there and started swearing when he realized he still has more to go.

The important part, I did it I crossed the finish line in: 3:31:44 (8:05 pace) BQ and a 12 min PR. When I started running I never thought Boston was even anything I could even hope for, but then I "learned" how to train and it got closer, but I still always figured I would just sneak in right at the 3:40 mark.

I collect my shirt, medal and food and head out realizing that Matt and I have a great plan to meet when he is finished, but I never figured out how/where to meet my parents and Ophelia when I finished. Luckily it all worked out, they found me and I found my spot to sit down and stretch my back and change clothes (yes, I was the one changing wrapped in the mylar blanket ) to wait for Matt. He had not trained well and decided to run for fun, stopping to have beer, champagne, and even hold Ophelia and finished in 4:56.

Women Run the Cities 10 Mile

2010-09-30T15:01:00.000-05:00

At the last minute I decided to register for a women’s only 10 mile race last weekend since it fit into my training schedule and I haven’t raced a 10 mile in a few years. I went to packet pick after an easy run with my team on Saturday morning to find out that once again women’s shirts means v-necks. Seriously, am I the only woman who hates these?!

Race morning to avoid the parking crowds we took the train to the race, this worked great, no hassle with parking and with the stroller I was able to bundle up before hand and leave Matt with my extra clothes. I wasn’t sure how this day would go since I was fighting a cold that was making it hard to breath.

In all the race information it said they would have pacers, so I headed to the start and pushed my way up towards the front to find the 1:15 pacer, but no such luck the fastest pacer I saw was 1:25 so I was on my own.

The race started and I had the lead runner in my sight, probably meaning I was going a little too fast. This was confirmed when I hit Mile 1 and the clock said 6:40, okay time to slow down. I settled into a comfortable pace and just ran for myself. I soon realized the mile markers were off, I hit the 5 mile mark and my Garmin said 4.6. This discrepancy kept up a few more miles until the markers got a little closer. I was keeping up a good pace around 7:00/mile and feeling good. Around Mile 7 I slowed and walked through the water stop in an attempt to clear all the junk out that had been settling in my throat and lungs and was passed by the girl who then became my target. She got a good distance ahead of me, but I just keep aiming for her and the gap was closing. This race also had a 5K which started 30 min after the 10 mile and was open to runners/walkers/strollers/kids. The 5K followed the same course and was an out and back so around Mile 8.5 I caught up with some of the 5K walkers, this continued for the remainder of the course making it tougher to keep my eye on my target. I have no problem with people walking in races but there needed to be a better course set up to avoid getting caught up with them or just more common sense on the parts of some people to not crowd the course with their strollers and children while talking on the phone. I cross the finish line right behind my target and not realizing it I think she was my direct competition because I was 1 second behind the woman who placed in front of me in my age group.

I finished in 1:10:36 (7:04 pace) and a 9 minute PR. I think the course was short by maybe ¼ mile so a true 10 mile finish of closer to 1:13. 3rd place AG finish (behind two other women with the same first name) and 18th overall. Now I’m just hoping this great running and PR streak keeps un for Sunday at TCM.

Watching the runners and waiting for mommy to finish.

8 months

2010-09-30T07:49:00.000-05:00

I cannot believe my baby is 8 months old already. This past month she went on her second trip, spending a week in Alabama, started talking much more and waving good bye. She is turning into quite the climber and is always looking for new things/places/people to explore. She also discover peek-a-boo and will play and giggle for the longest time. After this last trip she got her first real illness, just a cold, but still along with teething was tough on her, Matt and I. This cold was then passed on to me and I am just hoping it is gone before TCM.

At the age of 8 months, she is now the owner of her own US passport, wow I didn’t get my fist one until I was 25. After an entire Winter in the cold weather I will be back to my routine of leaving the country for a warm weather break. Her measurements (inaccurate) 16 lbs and 28”. It seems odd to not be going back to the pediatrician this month, no more every two month appointments.

Elm Creek Trail Race, Playing in the Mud

2010-09-25T15:37:00.001-05:00

I can now officially say I am a trail runner, I completed my first trail race on Thursday and had a blast. The race was held in the evening and it had been raining since the previous night, but had decreased to only a mist by afternoon. This race was 5.75 miles, mostly on trails with a short portion on paved paths. I went into the race with three goal 1) Don’t get injured 2) Don’t get lost 3) Finish under 50 minutes.

The race started at 6:30 and the rain promptly returned making the grass extra slick especially the steep hills. I stayed with the group and spent a lot of time looking down to avoid injury. At about the halfway point I started running and chatting with a guy who had done all the previous races of this series. The conversation started as we navigated our way around and through a series of mud puddles. I’m not typically one to talk during a race, but since I was just doing this for fun and taking it easy, why not. Soon we caught up to his running buddy and the three of us talked and ran. They encouraged me as we ran up the final steep hill to the finish. 46:30 (8:06 pace) I was the 4th woman. Looks like I accomplished all three of my goals and had fun doing it.

I was a muddy mess and my shoes were soaked, good thing I opted for the old pair. The best part of this race was the Summit beer and pizza along with all the typical post-race foods. All this for $10. I had a blast trail running and plan to run more of the series races next year and start looking for longer trail races for next year.

The muddy legs, the picture doesn't quite show the entent of the mess.

We survived

2010-09-20T09:10:00.001-05:00

A week in 90+ weather and sitting through disorganization all day, I survived without too much complaining and only a few glassess of wine. Too much of my time was spend sitting and consuming coffee to stay awake, but I have to say I did benefit from at least one of the days. Suturing of pigs feet, I&D of chicken thighs, and gross anatomy lab. It's been years since spending any time in an anatomy lab and the smell brought me right back to my undergrad days almost 15 years ago. On the positive side, you actually get spice to your food when you order it that way, none of this midwestern idea of spice.

Ophelia on the other hand had a blast, playing in the pool, at the park, and at story time. Everyone at the hotel had to go out of their way to say hi to my little girl, she loved all the attention. And she chose this week to start really talking, I heard my first "mama". It must be a Southern thing, maybe someone can explain it, but she was called a "dandelion girl", I had never heard this before.

So close

2010-09-13T13:41:00.001-05:00

Any runner knows the truth behind taper madness, putting yourself in situations of stress and annoying people during this time is not the best idea. In the past 24 hours I have been on the verge of screaming multiple times and this is only likely to get worse until I am home on Friday. My grad program requires a once a year on campus week, so here I am sitting in an auditorium full of fellow grad students who like to hear themselves talk.
In attempts to make the week a little easier my mom and Ophelia are traveling with me to decrease the pumping and transporting of a gallon of milk on the flights home. Luckily for me Ophelia flies well until you experience delays leading to a late bedtime. Yesterday’s layover that should have been 1 hour, plenty of time to grab a quick meal and continue on turned into a much longer time and a crabby mom and baby. We arrived late, had car seat issues and Ophelia was up until 11pm, the only good from this was she slept through the night for the first time on weeks. Look at the positive, right?!

What else is about to push me over the edge, I could go on and on:
-Lack of vegetarian options at the airport, just because I don’t eat meat doesn’t mean I want a bowl of ice berg lettuce!
-People who don’t know how to travel and think everyone needs to cater to them.
-Very uncomfortable hotel beds and lack of sleep and then mini cups for coffee and lack of caffeine. I think I have solved this by purchasing a refillable mug from the campus coffee shop.
-People who continue to ask stupid questions that have already been answered.
-Being told there really isn’t time for a break or a place for me to pump. Okay, I have no problem pulling things out in the middle of the auditorium, but I thought it was a law to provide this to nursing mothers.
-Sitting through a lecture on how to use online searches, I am in my 2nd year of my 2nd grad program and heard this lecture last year. How do people survive undergrad and professional life without knowing how to search?
-Being stuck sitting all day and in a room where I have been told no food is allowed.
-This weather, I just left 60s and comfortable running conditions and here I am back in 90s and humidity.

I’ll stop now, but who knows how long this list will get by the end of the week, I need to go for a run and have a drink! Here's to hoping for a week from of screaming.

7 months (and a week)

2010-09-06T06:49:00.000-05:00

I’m a little late on this update so it will be short. Ophelia is now 7 months old and is quite the little mover. She is developing such a fun personality and is quite inquisitive with no fears. In the past month she mastered crawling and has moved on to standing while holding things and has even started taking some steps. She has also discovered climbing: the stairs, people, her bouncy seat, the fireplace. Nothing is off limits to this kid which has resulted in a couple falls and bruises; I’m only the first of many. Baby proofing is in full swing around here. She now has two teeth and shows them off while she smiles. My measurements put her at 15lbs and 27” this month.

Why I love small races: Poker Run 5K

2010-08-29T21:06:00.002-05:00

The organization I coach for put on an inaugural 5K today to promote our upcoming season in Las Vegas. The race was Vegas themed and throughout the run participants collected cards to make a poker hand with the best hand winning. For a small race quickly put together the turnout was great, over 100 runners/walkers. The whole family did the race, Matt and I ran and my parents walked with Ophelia in BOB.

I rarely run 5Ks and never expect much, especially today since I had run 16 miles the day before. Prior to the start I was informed by the guy who organizes my running group and my friend who owns the running store that they expected nothing less than a win from me, uh ok sure. The race started and a couple guys were ahead of me and two young teens soon sped past me, I was wondering how long they’d keep up their pace. The answer came quick when I passed them and could tell they were fading. Around Mile 2 I was passed by a group of three other guys, so I was still the first woman. I just kept thinking don’t let any woman pass, just keep pushing. This got a little more difficult as Mile 2 was almost completely up hill, yikes, but the course was an out and back so I knew the other way would be downhill. On the way back I got a saw that the next woman was at least ½ mile behind me. I kept going and just pushed, knowing a PR wasn’t happening, it’s hard to push with tired legs after a speedy long run. I see the finish line and realize I had done it, 1st woman! This may be the only time it ever happens, but I can now say I won a 5K, this is what I love about small races.

Mile 1: 7:08
Mile 2: 7:32 (Hills and 5Ks shouldn’t go together!)
Mile 3: 7:13
Finish: 22:30 7:16 pace

Since this is the group I coach for I knew a lot of the other runners and the way back was fun to pass everyone on their way out, getting and giving encouragement. The whole family finished, Ophelia can now say she has done her first 5K. No luck on any winning poker hands, but my mom did win a gift certificate to the running store and now owns a running hat for her next race.

A PR for my birthday: Mpls 13.1

2010-08-25T09:22:00.001-05:00

A few months back I got an email advertising an inaugural half marathon that just happened to be on my birthday, so I figured why not run it. It was a point to point course which combined the early miles of the old (pre-bridge collapse) TC10 course and a reverse of the middle miles of TCM.
I should have known early on that this race would be different: (1) Ophelia woke on her own and we were ready to leave on time (2) I was not waiting in the porta-potty line when the race started (3) We were actually in the start corral with time to spare (4) I actually had a good training week leading up to the race.

I lined up near the 1:45 pacer, still with that as my goal but hoping for a PR (1:43:27). The race started and I kept near the pacer for a mile or so until I got frustrated with the massive amount of people weaving through the course, seriously run in a straight line unless you are passing! I quickly had the 1:40 pacer close in front of me and decided to keep him in my sight, but running a pace that felt good. I look down at my Garmin at Mile 2 and realized I had stopped it when I locked it around Mile 1, oops. Prior to the race I was trying to picture the course and had a much less hilly version in my head, oh well the hills weren’t terrible just a lot of short ones nicely followed by downhill stretches.

I was feeling great until about Mile 9 when my belly started in with its normal run issues plus some nausea, uh oh the last time I felt this way during a race was TCM ’08 when it was 90F and some how this happened about the same place on the course, maybe it was just my body remembering because it passed quickly. Maybe the PowerBar Chews were actually working. I first tried these about a month ago on a long run and think they are my new favorite, easy to chew, not sticky and actually taste pretty good. Best of all you can get a free sample by going to the PowerBar website.

I still had the 1:40 pacer within sight and the course was now on a short out and back. Passing Mile 12 and I am seeing those around me starting to slow, time to start pushing and see who I can pass. I see the finishline clock and realize I’m going to get a PR and could even make a sub 1:40 if I push.

Mile 1: 7:38
Mile 2: 7:26
Mile 3: 7:31
Mile 4: 7:22
Mile 5: 7:18
Mile 6: 7:52
Mile 7: 7:41
Mile 8: 7:43
Mile 9: 7:39
Mile 10: 7:52
Mile 11: 7:47
Mile 12: 7:36
Mile 13: 7:23

1:39:57 (7:38 pace) 19/1148 Woman 4/223 AG 3:30 PR!

Don’t get me wrong I am thrilled with this time and my race, but there is always that voice in the back of my head saying “what if?” What if I had been running more than 45 mpw? What if I had been doing more speedwork? What if I wasn’t breastfeeding? Yes I could possibly change that first two, but don't have any intention of changing the third for awhile. Looking at this it only makes me feel more confident about my running and what I can accomplish if I train better, an infant does make this a little difficult at times. Watch out next Summer! Next up TCM and according to McMillan I should be able to run a 3:31 marathon, not putting too much credibility in that, but who knows.

How pregnancy and motherhood changed me as a runner

2010-08-17T16:39:00.000-05:00

Running during my pregnancy taught me many things, most importantly to listen to my body and enjoy running. I have a bad habit of continuing to run through the pain figuring it will just get better. Last Friday I headed out with the BOB for a run only to have pain in my hip that got worse as I went, after a few blocks I turned around headed home, got Morgan and turned it into a pain free walk instead. A year and a half ago I would have never done this, probably the reason for so many injuries including the tibial stress fracture that I discovered during a 20 miler that started painful and only got worse or the foot stress fractures that I discovered the day after finishing TCM many years ago when I had a swollen, bruised foot and could barely walk after mile 20. As ma result of listening to my body I had a great 16 miler on Sunday that was pain free.

Motherhood has also changed me as a runner, I know everyone said it would, but I haven’t quit running and I never will because of my child. I am learning to make every mile count and am running for quality instead of just to bank miles. I am also turning into a morning runner, twice a week it is my goal to be up, finished pumping, and out running by 5am. Still working on this a bit, as I am usually a little behind schedule and end up needing to cut the run short to make it to work on time. I have also been running on the treadmill, yes in the Summer, but now that I actually have a child who naps I can take advantage of this and get in some interval work while watching some trashy daytime TV. I guess this 8-10 miles on the treadmill will never be as bad as the 20 miler I once did to finish off my marathon training a few years ago, got to love Minnesota Winters with -30 wind chill, blowing snow and zero visibility.

Watch Out

2010-08-06T09:05:00.000-05:00

Ophelia has been quite the mover since before birth, over the past few weeks she has gotten quite quick and discovering everything she shouldn't have. Earlier this week she decided it was time to start standing on her own, I thought it was a fluke, but nope not after she repeatedly pulled herself up to standing using the edge of the couch or my shoulder. We had always said she'd be walking at Christmas time, now I'm wondering if we need to change that prediction to Halloween!

So proud of herself!