Marathon Mom

It would be an understatement to say that April was a crazy month and not fun at times... The month started with my diagnosis of anemia  but at least I now know the reason for the lack of great running! A little update now that I am 1 month into iron supplement. The good news it is working but the bad news is  not as fast as it could if I was on a higher dose. Ferritin is now up to 19 from 5, yay! Still a ways to go but hoping to feel more normal before Grandmas in 6 weeks Other not so fun running news was missing my half marathon 2 weeks ago. I'm sure you have all seen the massive veggie recall going around, well guess who's salad lunches weren't a great idea 😠 . The only good news of this was finally realizing the cause since we were thinking it was related to the high doses of iron supplement. And now the non-running craziness... We are building a new house! It all happened super fast, within 4 days of deciding to not remodel our current home and build instead ...

As as sat last night with a glass of wine in hand and eating the Peanut Butter Salted Nut Rolls I took from O's Halloween candy I realized I was past my post marathon indulgence period! The past weeks have been filled with sleeping in, pizza, lack of workouts, wine and lack of great choices. We all deserve time to not focus of strenuous training and goals but I think I have reached the end of that. Especially considering that next week I double my work hours meaning less time to push off the workouts and need for better meal planning, not to mention the lovely winter weather that has already hit us. So here I am putting it out there for all to see, with 2 months left of 2017 I am setting new goals. As we all know the holidays are coming meaning busy days, parties, desserts, wine, colder weather plus with my job busier days and more work. Daily food tracking, mainly because it makes me think twice about the extra junk and mindless eating Morning workouts progressively incr...

So much has been happening in my life over the past month or so, some big changes in store for me and the family. I have finally made some decisions on what I need to be focusing on at this time in my life and how to be better. I'm learning what I want from myself and life (yes, it has taken me many years!). Today is the first day of many new things... 1. I worked the final day at my job yesterday! The job that has caused me so much stress and anxiety is now removed from my life. I am no longer required to push family commitments aside to be at work in evenings or weekends or working from home to finish countless hours of charting. I woke this morning with such a sense of relief and calm, I slept great and feel refreshed not dread and anxiety. I am excited for my new opportunity that is much different and very much employee friendly. I am scared leaving a very stable full time job for something with some uncertainty but sometimes you just need to take the leap! 2. Summer Bucket...

Sorry for my disappearance! 6 weeks of nothing, but lots has happened so here is a quick recap in pictures... Celebrated with my running girls! We changed out of running clothes and relaxed with food and drinks instead of miles for a change. O started skiing (and so did Matt and I!) We went to our first concert as a family...The Lumineers, so good! The boot making it's first appearance Celebrated my baby turning 7 while vacationing in Cancun! No pictures but I spent 2 weeks in a boot, out of running thanks to a stupid ankle injury from a slip on the ice while running. It coincided with Mexico so the only positive was no 19 mile long run on vacation! Things are all good now and it is back to running and regular mode... Back to regular running and life posting this week! More to come and even a race to report! What have you been up to lately?

I know I try to stick with a fitness theme on Fridays but today I'm venturing of to talk about the 5 big things happening in my life right now... 1) Preschool Graduation for O... With her friend She was thrilled to get her diploma and keep her tassel! So cute for all the littles in their caps/gowns. I think it has given her a little better idea of what my graduation will be like next month. They all had to say what they want to be when they grow up, the kids gave answers like race car driver, mom, author, astronaut and then O..."I want to be a doctor, but not do surgery maybe I'll just give medicines to fix them." 2) Despite not running I'm still pushing through! Lots of cross training and strength workout and not to mention about 1 hour of PT exercises spread throughout the day! This guy means business when he said I'll be strong by the time marathon training starts he wasn't joking! Spin class today in between writing sessions and laundry....

Maybe it is that we are planning the biggest transition in O’s life so far, maybe it is because I’ve been working long days, maybe it is the winter temps and lack of sun getting to me. Who knows! I’m missing my days at home with O and thinking about being home when I’m not. This is not to start the SAHM versus working mom debate but to give me a way to say my thoughts and I welcome you to share your’s. I mean I have done it all working part time, working full time and SAHM. I wasn’t cut out for the last job and only last months! Don’t get me wrong I enjoy going to work (most days) but as I see my baby grow up I’m realizing that she needs me even less. I want her to grow to be a strong girl and know her mom is here for her but I am torn. Being a full time working mom I get home tired and needing to get things done at home. Our weekends have been filled with plans: birthday parties, family get togethers and sometimes work. In the midst of this all I fit in my workouts and marathon t...

5 Things on my mind after an interesting Christmas. Like I mentioned yesterday we hosted Christmas Eve and planned to spend Christmas day relaxing well by noon I wasn’t moving from the couch thanks to some nasty stomach bug, my parents were heading over for dinner but that was quickly cancelled. 1. I love being a mom on Christmas! I don’t know how many times I heard “this is the best Christmas ever!” Seeing her eyes light up with joy was all I needed. When she wasn’t playing with presents (or eating cookies), O was dancing to the Nutcracker and trying to teach her cousins all about it. I’m so glad I could share this with her and can’t wait until next year. 2. Cooking healthy on a holiday that revolves around desserts is actually not too tough. I still enjoy my desserts but after cutting out refined sugar a few years ago to let my gut heal I don’t miss it and fell awful after eating something high in sugar. Combine this with needing gluten free and dairy free and baking can ...

Last month I was contacted to review a running stroller and while O is getting older she is still up for the occasional run with mom, although I know our days are limited. The Urbini Avi All-Terrain stroller arrived and the first thing I will say is assembly was a breeze even for me who has an issue reading the instructions! O and I had it out of the box and ready to go in 5 minutes! I will preface this by saying my run with the Urbini was my first post-marathon run on a windy day and resulted in more of a run walk. We needed to make our typical run to the store for a few groceries before dinner and grabbed the stroller to go. We are lucky to live within 2 miles of 3 different grocery stores meaning most of my small trips are done as part of a run. My first thought was “wow this thing is tough to push!” but then I looked down and realized I never inflated the tires! Oops! Love the back pocket! What did I think? For a run/walk with lockable swivel wheel was great Ea...

Are you like me and you as you run you write? Too bad Siri can’t read my thoughts and write for me! This morning after a rough few weeks and allergies kicking my butt I headed out for a much needed mind clearing run, grabbed my Boston 2011 jacket and went. The race that unexpectedly became my PR and still stands 2 ½ years later, not my most important race but one I will never forget. The jacket always reminds me of where I was and that I will get back there and be even stronger. I’m sure my full thoughts won’t make it out in this post but this is the basis of my run and where I am right now… As I’m sure you all have seen my blogging has lacked lately, I kind of lost hold on why I wrote. I tried turning this into something it wasn’t so I am going back to where I started. A place to write about my life as a mom and runner living healthy (or trying my best to). Over the next 10 months I will be over my head in diabetes research for my doctoral project, yikes but that also means...

As I sit here enjoying my morning coffee watching O and daddy play Candy Land and puppy sleep next to them I am thankful for my kid(s). I'm going to take a minute to brag about O and our newest kid... Somehow Matt and I, who did not grow up as natural athletes, seem to have a daughter who is one of those kids who catches on and looks so strong at any sport! In the past week she passed to the next level of gymnastics and looks so graceful and strong as she flies through the movements. Then after only 4 weeks of swimming lessons she shocked even the teachers and passed to the next level! My little fish is already starting to swim back stroke and front crawl on her own. She can't wait to do a triathlon like daddy. Then came dance rehearsal and trophy day. After saying she was done with dance class she now wants to continue but informed me she doesn't like tap, a girl after my own heart. I love having a big girl who I can have somewhat grown up conversations with, w...

4 years ago I began my crazy adventure called motherhood! I should have known what life would bring when you entered the world on your own time (8 days late!). You were calmly born, no tears or drama, just looking around and soaking in the craziness around you. That soon changed! Your determination and inquisitive mind have made you very independent and often dramatic! You have taught me what truly is important in life and to enjoy the little things. Every day you surprise me with your questions and knowledge you have gained. You want to be just like us: running, studying and cooking. You are a strong girl and set on being your own person. As tough as things are some days I love you and the person you are becoming. I may be in the minority here, but I do not miss the infant days, I love that we can talk and have fun together. Your mind, spirit and determination will truly make you a success in life! As tough as these are on mommy and daddy now, it will only benefit you in life! ...

January 1 st 2014, time to look back at the last year and see how I did on my goals, without even looking I can tell you not so great. It was a tough year both in running and life. 2013 began by me walking away from a job that was making me very unhappy and staying home, finishing school, over training leading to injury after injury and poor racing but it ended with a new job I enjoy, new running friends, almost overcoming injury and discovering more about me. I’m happy to say many of my goals are now crossed off!! Fitness Goals Sub 3:30 marathon (okay actually 3:15 is what I really want)- Nope, 3:31 sub 1:30 half marathon- Nope, Never really raced a half healthy 1:08 10 Mile- Nope, 1:13 sub 43:00 10K- Nope, 44:20 still a PR!! sub 20:00 5K,- Nope, 21:00 Run 13 Half/Full Marathons   Yes!! Complete a Triathlon (meaning I need to swim!)  Swam x6 but no triathlon Run 2500 Miles   2576.5 miles Give yoga a try   30 Day Yoga Challenge completed February 15t...

It seems like this year has been the year of decisions, many leading me places I had never imagined and taking the road I veered away from in the past. I started the year by walking away from a high paying career with great growth potential to focus on the things that were important to me in life and now I am walking away from a marathon before it even begins. It is amazing how things just feel right at times. After my post on Monday I bet you were all on the edge of your seats just waiting to know what I decided! Like I said above I decided to not run Milwaukee, the first time I haven’t run a race I registered for when I wasn’t in a cast! Instead I will be running a marathon closer to home two weeks later. There were multiple reasons behind this and honestly I don’t know if waiting an extra two weeks will benefit me enough or not but it makes me feel better. So I have a couple race bibs we won’t be using, any takers? This decision has brought me a few other opportunities, I...

I feel like he most frequent question I get is “How do you do it?” This is often follow by some form of…”I can’t run because…I’m a mom, I don’t have time, my kids need me, etc.” Yes, I get it, everyone’s life is different but I always said that being a mom wouldn’t take away parts of me. I have run and trained through having a baby, motherhood, grad school and working multiple jobs. So, yes with planning and time management it can be done. Get Up Early For me early is 4am at times since I frequently worked at 7am or sooner, heck my sleeping in days were 5:30am spin class! It takes time to get in the habit but by adding a few minutes each day it gets easier. I used to hit the bike trainer for an easy workout, this transitioned to spin class or runs of hills or intervals. I feel so awake and refreshed by a morning workout. With “practice” I have even gotten my body used to 1 hour workouts without fuel in the morning. Stay Up Late While I am more of a morning person I have ...

Normally I am full of ideas on what to write and while I have a few in my head I am just lacking clarity and don't know where to start so I just want to write some thoughts and today get back to why I began this blog; to write what was on my mind... This past week has been a little crazy and stressful all around. I know I haven't said much about the surgery I had last week but while I am feeling better I am still without answers, so we wait more. Could be another week before the doctor has things back to discuss. I do have some answers to explain things that have been happening over the past few years and did find out that my hemoglobin is low and after looking at other labs, likely iron deficiency anemia, thanks to Tracy for her consult, got to love having sports minded physician friends J . I began on iron and hope to see a difference in the next month or so. Since Friday we have also been dealing with a sick puppy. Every time I think about bringing him in he ge...

July  is done, wow! I am starting to be recovered from the hamstring issue finally J It was a tough month, I think O can sense the changes ahead and is not choosing the best ways to show her frustration. Fitness         Run 225 miles Nope 213.4 I’m still happy since they were quality I swam twice during July! J 4 th  Half (7 th  half/full of 13in2013) and want to be back under 1:40 No on the time goal L 2 5Ks in July and a 3.7 Mile race that I haven’t run in years, time to push out of my comfort zone! Fun and even a win at 3.7 mile race! I focused on my rehab and core and have been cleared for speedwork, hills are still a struggle! Life Organize the house, get 2 more rooms done Bedrooms done and lots of clothes ready to be gotten rid of! Pass boards! : Yes! J I have a couple great opportunities that have come my way: writing, training and running related. Come back tomorrow when I share the link to my first post...