first two days back!

I got cleared to run on Monday...so I hit the road for the first time in about 4 months. Yesterday I just did a two mile loop in my neighborhood. The hardest thing to adjust to was the cold air. My lungs felt like they were frozen! I haven't been outside much in the cold in awhile, and I'm sure I was breathing a lot harder than usual...so that added up to some discomfort in the breathing category. Other than that, things felt ok. I was slow, heavy, and felt kind of awkward...but that is what I expected :)

Today I met up with Katie for a run at town lake. We did the 4 mile loop. We just walked a bit by the water stops, but it was probably 95% running and 5 % walking. I was happy with that. I still feel ridiculously out of shape, but that's ok. The way I feel now makes me have a lot of respect for people who have never been runners and are starting out for the first time. I have a feeling that's similar to how I am feeling now. Pretty much for as far back as I can remember, I've been playing some sort of sport. I've always been in "shape" even if it's not running shape. So when I start back up with running, I've usually been playing a lot of basketball, softball, swimming, biking, or some other sport. Since I've done NOTHING but walk since the summer, my fitness is worse off than it's even been before. I guess the thing to keep in mind is that it's only been 26 days since I had a baby, so I just need to be patient!

pluses: great Baucher family Christmas last night

minuses: sister in law and brother in law are moving

hike

Brian, Skylar, and I went on a hike yesterday at my parents house in the hill country. The land is pretty rocky and there are some nice hills, so it was definitely a workout for me. I'd say we walked around for about 45 minutes or so. Skylar tried out her new Jeep front-pack carrier so I actually had both hands free! We decided Brian would carry a gun and I'd carry the baby :) It felt great to be outside (it was really nice in Mason) and enjoy the weather, scenery, etc. It's not as nice in Austin, so I'm thinking I may do some treadmill walking this afternoon!

pluses: lost 25 pounds in 2 weeks

minuses: think i lost all muscle i may have had

skylar is here and i'm ready to run

So I am officially not pregnant (haven't been for 2 weeks) and have a beautiful baby girl to show for it! Skylar Jane was born on Nov 20th at 12:06pm. I know I have a very biased opinion, but she's kind of the cutest thing ever. After a short, painful, drug-free delivery, I'm on the road to recovery to start running again. I'll spare everyone the details, but the doctor is asking me to wait at least another week (maybe two) before I start running again. I'm ok to walk, so it's back to that for a bit. The only tricky part is going to be figuring out how/when to start running again with Skylar's schedule. Right now she likes to eat at 1:30am and 5am. Hopefully she'll be able to spread those times out as she gets a little older so I can just feed her once in the middle of the night. She's only 2 weeks now, so I'll cut her a little slack. We do have a sassy bob running stroller so she can go with me in Dec as I start gradually running again. I'm hoping to join back up with Rogue in January once I go back to work and get on a regular schedule. It'll be interesting to figure out how to get in my run and get myself and Skylar ready to go and get to Lakeway at a decent hour...but we'll see how it goes! Right now I'm just enjoying time with the little one and looking forward to getting back on the road!

pluses: baby :) , lost 22 pounds in 2 weeks

minuses: tired!

i can see the finish line!

So it's been about a month or so since I completely gave up on running. Too much SI pain to make it worth it. Also, I don't "love" running when it always involves feeling out of shape. I like running to feel fast and competitive. Running while pregnant doesn't really give you either of those things. The good news is, the end is in site! Skylar should be here in about 3 weeks. The plan now is to induce on November 20th if things are still looking good. If that's what ends up happening, then I only have 23 more days left!

Post-baby, I'm really looking forward to getting back out on the road. I know life will be much different, but I know I'll find a way to fit running in, even if it's a modified version of how it fit in my life pre-baby. I did pick up a nice BOB jogging stroller yesterday from Angie, so I'm looking forward to using that. I really want to get a race on the calendar so I have a goal and a focus, but it's a little too soon to do that. While I want to come back as quickly as possible, I do need to be realistic and listen to my body. I don't want to end up sidelined with another injury (hamstring) like before.

pluses: things are settling down at work

minuses: tired, sluggish

i miss running

105 days left until baby is here.....then a few weeks recovery....then CRAZY running will begin. i miss it so much!

it'll be a slow and gradual comeback, but will have potential for craziness as things progress.

i want to race!

team breakfast

Yesterday I was planning to meet up with Angie for breakfast after the team's long run. I'm not really in "long run" shape now, so I did 4-5 miles and met Angie and barton springs after her 20 miler. I was glad to see everyone from the team, but was sad that Mike, Ken, and Damon were missing!

We ended up going to Austin Java with a group of 12 or so. It was really nice catching up with everyone!

Good news as far as the run, my back felt good, and I actually felt kind of quick for the first 3 miles are so. Quick meaning closer to 8 minute pace as opposed to 10 minutes pace. I don't wear my watch anymore when I run, so I don't really know what pace I was going, but it felt better than normal :)

pluses: pool time today, relaxing weekend with Brian

minuses: drive to Galveston tomorrow

cravings

So one of the most common questions I've been asked about being pregnant is what weird cravings I've had. As far as food goes, none really. I guess I'm not that exciting when it comes to different foods. That's probably a good thing, otherwise I may be a bit larger :)

The one thing I have been craving like crazy is running! I've had a lot of people around me talking about running. Although I don't see my Rogue friends as much, there seem to be more people around me who are getting into running. A few women i my office decided to train for a half. I have some other friends who have been calling to ask questions about running or see if I want to meet up with them to run. While I'm not totally disabled at this point, it's just not the same as before! I'm craving a 20 mile long run on a sunny Saturday morning, a run through scenic and balcones, maybe even a run where I look down at my watch as we finish and realize our last 4 miles were around 6:40 pace. I've also really been craving the race environment. Walking up to the starting line with the nervous butterflies, checking the pace band, my watch, goo, electrolytes, etc...just waiting for those last few minutes to pass by before the gun goes off and the work begins. I really want that! I guess for now I'll have to settle for my treadmill at home and my walks in the neighborhood.

The plan is to be back racing in April. Maybe, if things go well with the pregnancy, I'll enter the Austin 1/2 or Full....obviously I wouldn't be in "pr" shape, but it'll be good to be back out there. To those of you who are working hard and putting in many many miles, enjoy it!

pluses: dinner with Laura tonight

minuses: can't chaperon work camp next week