Marathon Mom

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...

Guess what after years of being in denial I am finally on board with the fact that I am not Super Mom (or my previous thoughts of Super Woman!). I can’t do it all and am finally realizing that my attempts at everything are making us all suffer. The past 3 years I’ve poured into my career along with finishing grad school all while continuing to train for marathons and being a mom and wife, well I’m the first to admit that I wasn’t excelling at the most important jobs on the list. I watch these young women surgeons working long hours, building big careers and being moms. I kept telling myself that if they can do it on 80 hour work weeks that I have nothing to complain about but I see they lack family time, focus on things other than work and just life outside. This isn’t what I want… So I spent the past year figuring out what I want… A career with growth using my education A career I enjoy, one I look forward to most days A strong relationship with my daughter Time with fam...

Life has gotten crazy the last couple weeks, work is extra busy because part of my team is out plus I've been working longer days and weekends. Trauma season hit early this year! The consequence of an early spring,, oh well I'd rather have the nice weather. My hip has been achy so last week I got back in with my sports chiro for some work. I needed that! I also needed new shoes and thanks to Adidas for changing shoe names I was way too confused to order online like I usually do! Luckily I love my local running store and headed for a much needed visit on Monday and came home with these pretty purple guys! Finally after nearly 15 years running I get purple shoes :) Cooper made sure they were kept safe... But I did find out that I had unkowingly switched shoes and that was probably contributing to my current issues. Although he kept the shoes safe, my flash drive was a different story! The dog truly did eat my homework!! I have parts of my thesis saved on here, luckily most...

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 ...

Guess what?!.... One big stress is gone after yesterday and I am thrilled but now I have free time like never before. I Passed My Nurse Practitioner Boards! Okay maybe running career! I can honestly say that even after all the other certification and board exams I have taken this was the toughest! I am now adding certified Family NP to my certified Adult CNS, yay! I wonder how much better I will run now with this stress gone from my life, I mean I've been dreaming of anemia and antibiotics, heck even dreamed I had to take my test in the dark. Thanks to this guy I got out for a nice 4 mile run to clear my mind yesterday morning before heading to my test. Much needed run for us both! It is amazing how much better a run makes your mind feel. I honestly think all the mental work has left my body depleted and with little energy being a huge aspect of my bad running, poor healing and just overall blah feeling. I'm not normally one to worry over things  but his test was h...

June  actually meant summer! Racing season is in full force along with hamstring rehab and studying and job decisions. I have focused on enjoying the run and having fun again. It also meant continued sleep issues, no more naps and 3am wake ups from a certain 3 ½ year old, ugh! The last couple nights have been better so I hope we are on the fix with this. Fitness Goals 225+ running miles: Made 200.3 miles 3nd Half Marathon and 2nd Marathon of 2013 (goal = 3:30) Miserable Race and no goal time Start speed work late in June Not cleared until now to race L Biked 2-3x week, strength training 2-3x week and no swimming- are you surprised? Swan Lake Marathon before I was truly miserable! Life Organize the house:  Finally started! Weigh job opportunities and figure out best fit I accepted a great job J Schedule board certification exam and study Soon (but I never tell the day until it is over) Decide on a topic for doctoral project Not yet Foo...

I know you have all been on the edge of your seats all weekend waiting on my decision ...First thank you to everyone who commented, I think I already knew my answer but it really helps to know how others survived and made the choice. In September I will be going back to work full-time! Yikes, I am excited but nervous at the same time. When I was called with the offer I just felt a sense of calm and happiness, it just seemed right and where I needed to go. This was also the first time in my career life that I've negotiated and it was successful! Like I said I get the rest of the summer off as I go through the credentialing process before I can begin work, so I working down our summer fun list and enjoying the time with O. Beach & Playground  Races/Running with Friends Picnic Lunches Family Bike Rides (of course with ice cream stops) BBQs Drinking Wine on the Deck Making Popsicles & Ice Cream and of course Marathon Training Nothing too exciting but the things I l...

The age old question that every mom asks and one that truly has no right or wrong answer: To work or stay at home. In the past 3 years I’ve had the opportunity to do both: work part-time while home part-time, work full-time and stay at home full-time. Over the past few months of being home I realized it truly isn’t for me! While I love my little girl and her independence and spunk I think I am too set in my ways and career focused to give that part of me away. I think I have come to the point of making this tough decision (and well thought out this time) once again. I knew it would come once I finished grad school. With a couple job offers I need to think… Do I Continue to be a SAHM? Like I said I don’t know that I have the patience for this. I have learned that this is the toughest job ever! I look up to women who can do this. But then I sit here thinking about the fun, spontaneous activities we do like jump in puddles the other day or riding bikes to the park. Will I m...

Have you even made a huge decision that is going to change your life? One that is scary but exciting all at the same time? Well this is exactly what we just did... I have just made a huge change in my life and will embark on something I have never done in years, starting today I am no longer employed! This was a huge decision that happened after Matt and I talked and realized how unhappy I was with my current situation and how this was causing issues in all aspects of my life. I know I have mentioned this is a vague way over the past few months but never came right out to say how much I hated what I was doing. It is amazing how something like a job can negatively effect all aspects of your life. I was realizing that my stress and attitude along with all the hours working at home were straining my role as a mom and wife. There were 3 choice: 1) keep the same and continue on an unhappy road, 2) look for something new and wait or 3) walk away now and hope for the best. I chose #3 whi...

Yesterday was the day and...I PASSED! AFter starting the study course 6 months ago with plans to take it much earlier than waiting until the last possible day I finally took the NASM CPT test and passed! This all started after I decided my job was not a good fit and started thinking about what I really wanted to do, early midlife crisis! I have taken 4 certification exams now and I think this was the toughest! With my medical background I knew a lot of the physiology but hadn't thought to look much at the business part of the information, some guessing was occuring there! What a year it has been for my career and furthering education. I took (and soon) left what looked to be the perfect job last Spring to fall into a teaching position for a small university. That move encouraged me to add an education specialty to my doctoral program which I am happy to say resulted in a 4.0 this semester! This Fall I became an RRCA certified run coach and now NASM certified personal traine...

Ever have those times when it is about 2 or 3pm and you are in desperate need of a nap? I do, way too often especially on my long days and this is often time for a meeting or driving home, neither times work well for sleep! Lately with my heavy loaded early week, less exercise post-marathon and changing season this has become more of an issue. There I days when it hits so hard I end up with a headache and my only options are sleep or a snack (which tends to result in mindless eating). Unfortunately this is a natural thing build into our body's sleep-wake rhythm ( Source ). But this can also be part of our own doing. A few things to consider: What was breakfast? (was there even a breakfast): Make sure to eat a quality breakfast with protein and carbs. What was lunch? Are you experiencing a crash from the high amount of carbs or sugar. Avoid high fat foods that sit in your stomach and take a long time to digest. Pro Bar has become a go to snack What to do: Move (espe...

  Yesterday marked the start of another school year for many including myself. August 20th actually marked the start of the school year for both Matt and I in the true sense as a student as we each began yet another year of graduate school, taking one more small step to finishing a grad degree in biology for him and a DNP (doctorate of nursing practice) for me. Tuesday began another milestone in my school life; I started my first day in front of the classroom! The job I took last month after my short stint as a stay at home mom was a full time faculty position in a small bachelors nursing program. I have always been a procrastinator and that part tuck even as the teacher as I sat awake at 10pm on Monday reading part of a novel for the class in order to give the students discussion topics for the following week. This was followed by a 4am wake to get rest in place before hitting Boot Camp at 5am. And only continued when I was making last minute copies 15 minutes before cl...

I know I have been slacking on my own blog this week but you can find my running advice on Just Me Plus My Trainer , I was happy to write a guest post for Tara who is training for her 2nd half marathon this fall. Wednesday was a long, but very productive day beginning with intervals at sunrise, what could be better?! Okay maybe sipping coffee at sunrise, but not for a group of crazy runners... 1 mile warm up 1/4 mile speed 1/4 mile easy Repeat x 6 1 mile cool down My realization after the intervals, push harder! Well duh! I was able to run faster on my final repeat and it still felt like I had more, so why not give it all that first through fifth intervals too? Then a very productive day at work where I finally feel like I am chipping away at my new responsibilities. After work I finished the day with 1 hour with my trainer who had some fun planned for me: TRX Suspension work...  Source Wow, what a workout! No wonder it was first done by Navy SEALS. There is no co...

I just realized I haven't even thought about the goals I set last month and decided it was time to see where I was at and make the changes to reach them. Meal/Snack Planning and stick with it: Doing okay, still looking for more snack ideas, what are your go to healthy snacks?  Register for NASM test: Still need to do this, my studying has taken a backseat to what I don't know! I will register today Complete VO2 max testing and find HR monitor: Done this week and plan in place Start swimming: 1 swim done on Sunday ~800m and even contemplating a tri in August  Make 1 new meal each week: So far I have made Quinoa lasagna with eggplant and the kale quesadillas (below) Kale Black Bean Quesadilla 2 green onions (both white and green) chopped 2 cloves garlic minced 1 bunch (~1 cup shredded) Kale destemmed 1 15oz can black beans rinsed/drained 1 cup sweet corn 1 tsp cumin Sea Salt/Pepper to taste 2 tsp (or more/less) hot sauce 4 brown rice tortillas 2 cups shre...

Another fun week full of change behind me. Yesterday an email from a friend made me realize how much has changed in the past month and how much happier and less stressed I am now. I made the huge career decision last week and have managed to wrap up nearly everything meaning my final day will be Monday followed by a slow transition to my new job over a few weeks, got to have time to enjoy a little summer. Over that time I will take (and pass) my NASM exam. Other fun news is that I am registered to take a RRCA certification course this fall. Like I said the other day I decided against the detox diet and have just fully gone dairy and gluten free, Day 8 now and better each day. The bad part is I am running out of food at home making it more difficult so time to hit the store. The CSA is really helping as the house is overflowing with fresh fruit and veggies, I love this time of year. I could live on salads and fresh fruit, too bad I hate radishes and now have 2 bag fulls to get rid...

Today is Day 6 of completely being Gluten and Dairy Free and I am already feeling a difference. I decided against the big detox/elimination diet thing since I have a tough enough time finding foods that I didn't want to limit myself even more if I could avoid it. I know being vegetarian is my own doing, but add to that My List  of food intolerances: peanuts, yeast, refined sugar, eggs, gluten, milk and a few others and eating can get tough. After just this short time of being strict I no longer look 6+ months pregnant, the pain is much less and my energy and mood are improving. Still not back to "normal" but getting there. On a quick shopping trip the other day I discovered Amande almond milk yogurt . Yum! and even better, soy, dairy and gluten free and fruit juice sweetend. Unfortunately I only bought one, blueberry, guess I need to head back for more. It made a great snack after my quinoa breakfast. Quinoa Breakfast 1 cup cooked quinoa 1/4 cup almond milk ...

The past week has been interesting to say the least, lots of thinking, frustration and decisions to come. I am trying to take a minute each Friday to look back on the past week at what went well, what could be improved and make a goal(s) for the week ahead. Everything from food and not feeling well to job stress, possible new career options and new running aches. Sunday I finally did some real training on for my 50K trail race next month. I wanted to start months ago but the leg injury had other ideas and decided to listen. So Sunday I headed out on a 4 hour run without a mileage goal and hit the trails near home. In the end I finished my 4 hours with about 3 hours on the trails for a total of about 25 miles. Ironically the trail running felt better then the asphalt running. Monday I was quickly reminded that I overdid things when my knee was not happy. Luckily it has improved after some rest. I do blame Matt for the knee issue since his knee has been hurting again, it must be c...

What a month, not very highlight filled, but it definitely ended better then it started. May was filled with the stress of a new job (and strong consideration of a complete career change), a lingering running injury and poor racing and plenty of time to reassess where I was and where I need to head with training and life in general. Running: 158 miles (22 hours) nice to see this coming back up. Racing, like I said didn't go too well. Biking: 16 hours including spin class and a few nice outdoor rides Eliptical: 2hour 15 min, it is nice to see this decreasing Weights: Continued with 2x week Pilates: Weekly, usually the day after a long run, manged 2x one week I made changes to my diet, very unsuccessful on the breakfast change which only last a few days and the cereal was back! Help, I need more options. Otherwise things are pretty good and I feel better again.  June will be a new start in many ways; Summer weather is here, I am refocusing my training and will fully get ov...