First I'll start off by saying that couponing went down the drain quickly. I just run out of time. I try to be good and make my list but in the last 2 weeks it has been: THINK FAST! what do you need? run in and get things and run out. I'm sure I've spent close to $100 a week. What can you do? I have not been doing well with the food budget and stopped entering it. I'll try to get back on that.
Post race thoughts. I feel off. I don't know why, but I'm waking up in the morning and it is hard to get out of bed and motivate to workout. This has been going on for oh, 2 weeks now. I still get out of bed and get into my workout eventually but not like I used to. I'm not excited to get up and do it and getting out of bed is a chore (I'm sure it is for most people!) I felt pretty good going into Broad Street but definitely questioned if I could hold the 7:30 pace when just 4 weeks before I ran an 8:10 pace for a half. I really put in the speed and tempo work for only 5 weeks and I just don't think it was enough. In addition to that, I went out too fast (7:11 or something like that) and just lost steam way too quickly. I didn't feel in shape to run the pace I wanted. I'm happy/fine with my time even though it wasn't a PR and I didn't reach my goal. My 1:18 was before kids so this is a post kids PR. And like Kara Goucher and Paula Radcliffe I plan to get faster. However, running isn't my job or my life so this will take some time!
Weaning. Kara stopped bfeeding at 8.5 months. She's 9 1/2 months and I think my stored milk will get her to 10 months. I haven't bought formula yet and I know it's silly but I'm sad that I have to! I woke up for 8.5 months at 4:30/5am pumping so that I could make it to 12 months. I know it's not a big deal, but it is bothering me. I know - move on.
Thoughts on Marathon Training. I'm not going to lie, I feel maxed out around 35 miles a week and 4 days. I think for marathon training (this fall) my goal is going to be around 50 miles/week for the first time ever but I don't know how I am going to put in this mileage w/o getting burnt out majorly! I think double sessions will help but I'm already not looking forward to that! I like the cross training too. I also signed up for Marine Corps and Philly (3 weeks apart). I am thinking MCM as a training run and Philly to make it happen? or MCM real marathon and Philly for fun? What do you think?
Kids. I really like this age that Nick is at and Kara's age is fun too. She is starting to babble and wants to move really bad! Nick at 27 months is a little person and I feel like I can explain things to him and reason with him. I feel maxed out in terms of getting everything done that I want to do and know it I was working it would be impossible, so I am glad that I am home and spending this time with the kids. I am going to be teaching an online course for my district over the summer and I'm looking forward to it, but I'm still not sure what I will do in one year when I have to decide about my job - giving it up or not.
I say MCM as your real race and Philly for fun... That way you can give it your all for MCM, and if you are still kinda drained when Philly rolls around it's okay because it's just for the heck of it! :)
ReplyDeleteIm with you on the coupling thing, I want to really get into it, but it's so time consuming and requires so much organization. I spend over 100/wk every week and I wish I could get it down. Are your kids interacting with each other. Mine are close in age to yours my daughter is 10 months and my son is 3. They play now and I love it!
ReplyDeleteSounds like it's time for a short break. Even if you don't woukout easier, just going into each workout with the "permission" to go easier may help you relax and mentally recharge. Slow the pace down, cut a workout short, etc. and do it completely guilt free. A week or two of no-pressure training may do the trick.
ReplyDeletePersonally I'd make the Marine Corp Marathon your "A" marathon. Even if you were to run it easy, you'd still be feeling some residual effects at Philly. Better to get the harder effort out of the way first.
Making it to 8.5 months breastfeeding is awesome. That's such a huge commitment of time and energy. Do you have a brand of formula in mind? For some reason I keep getting Similac checks and samples in the mail. I don't know what to do with them and can send them to you if you want. Kara won't be on formula for very long anyway.
As usual... thanks for your honesty. It confirms I am not alone when I feel burned out too and I don't even consider myself a serious athlete or as dedicated as you are! Sorry about the breastfeeding. My guy is 8 months old and I get sad just thinking about not nursing anymore, so I understand how you must feel.
ReplyDeleteLook into giving her goats milk for a while instead of formula. There is some info on Dr. Sears website. IF I had to do formula I would have to choose organic though.
ReplyDeleteBFing for as long as you did is amazing! And being so committed as to waking up everyday at 4:30 am to pump and store milk for her is also amazing! Formula never made anyone a terrorist, so don't feel even a smidgen of regret over transitioning to that.
ReplyDeleteAs for the lack of workout mojo, maybe you just need a break! You seem to push yourself awfully hard and hold yourself to REALLY high standards; maybe a few weeks or even just a few days off would be restful and re-energize you.
I think too many moms put a lot of pressure on themselves to strive for perfection -- when it's fine to relax every once in awhile and just appreciate what you ARE able to accomplish everyday, which is a lot!
Seriously, there are some days where I think it's a triumph that I remembered to brush my teeth! :)
Take a small break and then rebuild you will be suprised doeable the mileage is once you adjust
ReplyDeletein a way I am sooo happy to be in Europe where couponing isn't even an option; less pressure for sure! In the US I always felt compelled to save as much money as possible and even though it's not really possible with eating mostly fruits and veggies, I still ran out of time for couponing.
ReplyDeleteAnd I think you should do MCM for your real deal run. You can obviously come back and run Philly really well but at least you can go in knowing you're giving it your all so that if something DOES happen and you're not able to run Philly hardcare you know you've got one in the bank.
And same to being at home. I've recently been given an "opporunity" possibly to return to work. As much as I love the idea of working I think actually going back to work is just too tough of an idea for me to handle. I love being a mom. I really, really think I'd be happiest with a part time position, but that just isn't happening in my world right now since there aren't any jobs open anyway. Kind of frustrating. I always joke that I love the kids aspect of being a SAHM, just not so much the other aspects of the job, cleaning, organzing, cooking, etc. That part gets old quick. But to do all that AND work might put me over the edge ;-)
I know that feeling of getting burnt out. Dont over book yourself or your experiences will be miserable. I'm at that point & trying to get through everything isnt as fun as it should be.
ReplyDeleteI want to play with your kids! They are so cute!
You're doing Philly too?? YEAHHH so many of us going! I'd lean toward racing Marine and Philly for fun - I think 3 weeks is too close to have a marathon-distance "training run".
ReplyDeleteSorry you feel so burned out. Ive only been nursing for a month, but already know what a commitment it is. I applaud you for going so long! Take a break if you feel you need one; it may be just what you need to get your energy back.
ReplyDeleteI am with you on the couponing thing--I have bouts of greatness, where I make my list and gather my coupons and hit a sale, but this past week our whole household has been down for the count with illness and the last thing I care about at the moment is tring to save a few bucks on groceries.
ReplyDeleteI think you have done a great job with nursing and storing milk for your daughter. She's already miles ahead for having been on exclusive breastmilk for this long, so a few months of formula is nothing to be ashamed or regretful about. I am trying to introduce some formula into Eva's diet but so far she is having eczema rashes on her belly from it, keeping me pumping longer than I had planned. I am hoping that soy formula works out for us.
And for pete's sake--give yourself a break! You obviously are a good athlete and you just need a little down time. Take it and enjoy it!