3.22.2010

Motivated for the fall...

I need to bookmark this page and come back to it in August or September. I'm reading running articles, race reports of you speedy moms out there (Michelle, Allison, Kate), and writing results articles from this weekends halfs and marathons for Examiner, and I just want to be able to train hard, train with other people, and get fast!

I don't have a marathon lined up for the fall, which is probably a good thing. I was thinking of doing MCM until I found out it was halloween weekend - can't miss that one with kids! Maybe the goofy challenge? Or maybe skip a marathon and start doing tris? I can't decide but I know I have to act quickly for goofy since it sells out. My first post-baby race is on the horizon with the Philly Distance Run in September, which will give me 2 months to get in shape and hopefully PR. How about the tris? Are there any in the fall? Where are good sites to look?

It's been 2 years now since I had a fantastic spring and actually dropped all of my times significantly - it was 5ks, 10ks, and 10 milers. I didn't get to do any halfs or full marathons before I got pregnant and see what I could do out there. Fast forward to a couple months after Nick is born, I get by at Boston with a respectful time and burn out a few months later, to be followed by being pregnant again. Gosh, I have to come up with a plan post baby to slowly build up and bring back my old running. I'm just worried with 2 kids I am going to be exhausted. I think I can do it, but I couldn't even get back to my pre-pregnancy weight with Nick and nursing too. I'm nervous about how I am going to manage after #2!

How is running going right now? I am going so slow. After an awesome weather week and tons of running outside (Bill is home for a bit in perfect time!), my run yesterday was a downer. I was out of breath, already running really slow, and had to walk for probably half of the run. I was able to put perspective into it and realize it was beautiful out, I was running, I have my health, I'm still running, etc, but man, I love those runs that feel fantastic, which are decreasing by the day!

Pregnancy - I am just feeling like I'm 2 months further along than I really am because of my size and how my clothes fit. I feel like I have gained weight in my hips, which I didn't do with Nick. Maybe it is a girl this time? Everything else is the same as with Nick except showing quicker which I guess is to be expected when you don't even have a year to get your body back! Another thing I am going to really try hard at is getting ripped when I'm done with this pregnancy! I feel like I'm carrying around extra weight (obv besides the baby inside) and need to incorporate some lifting and figure out a plan for weight loss and toning and follow it!

I feel good, but tired. This morning I just could not get up to go swimming at 5am. When I was working and pregnant with Nick, I slept as long as I could too, but was able to do my workouts after work, and swimming was later in the morning before work.

Last but not least, I think I am going to fail on my food shopping goals this month - I don't think we can make it another week and a half :(

**I am looking for inspiring Philadelphia area runners to feature in Motivational Monday. The last one I wrote was last week.Let me know if you know someone or want me to write about you! :)

14 comments:

  1. Glad to hear you are feeling good! I am sure you look great! :)

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  2. YOU are a great motivator! Happy running...

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  3. Goofys challenege is fun! I've done it 5 time. It will cost you about $350 and they sell 7,500 numbers. For that price I can't imagine it selling out too fast! Tris are fun too tho...

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  4. I found the Liberty magazine calendar to be a good place to find local triathlons. on Sept 19 there is a sprrint triathlon in Downington called Marshman. I bet triathlons would be a fun change from marathons post-baby.

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  5. I can understand your desire to have a plan for racing but I would also try to be gentle on yourself about expectations. Having a new baby and a toddler is no easy feat in and of itself and you certainly don't want to come back too fast. I don't at all mean to sound negative, just don't be too hard on yourself! There is a time to race and a time to rest and enjoy your babies. Finding that balance is a hard one! Just don't want you to burn out like you did before.

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  6. 2 months to prepare for the Philly distance run? Wowzaa. But you ran a marathon like a minute after having Nick, so it doesn't sound that crazy for you to pull it off. Good luck!

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  7. I think it's awesome that you're looking at some events for the fall already.

    My recommendations would definitely be Goofy... and you can make a family vacation out of it!

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  8. I wish I could just give you a giant hug right now! You are doing great with your running, did you forget your growing a cute little person inside of you? :)
    Maybe having a fall marathon in sight will give you somthing to look forward to and help you make some achievable goals?
    Don't be too down, you are doing awesome! Hold on to that!

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  9. I agree with Allison. Go easy on yourself. While having a c-section sucked, the one nice thing about not being able to work out at all for 6 weeks was that it forced me to get into a routine for myself and the baby before I even thought about training again. I think killing yourself to try and do a marathon 2 months post baby is going to have you super burnt out. There is lots and lots of time to race and you'll enjoy it more if you aren't going crazy trying to fit it in when you are exhausted.

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  10. i'd focus on shorter, faster distances. i managed to set 2 prs a few months after andra, even though i was holding onto about 10 pounds more than my previous racing weight. fast and furious workouts were all i had time for, and i'd think with 2 it would be even more the case!

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  11. PDR is a rock n roll this year. I love that race, it's always so fun!! you'll get back to where you were and where you want to be. you still in great shape!!

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  12. I am sure you look awesome!! I love the new picture at the top ;)

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  13. Don't worry about getting any weight off (not that you look like you need too!) You'll be so busy with two of them to take care of - so far I'm finding it much easier to lose weight with the second one. Let me know what your plan is to get ripped. I had the same thing in mind :)

    It seems like your pregnancy is going so fast - hopefully it feels that way for you!

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  14. Glad to hear you're getting psyched for the fall!! I'm not doing the race, but I'm in if you want a running partner leading up to PDR :)

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