Crazy-Long Road Trip, part one

We are now in the first leg of a cross-country road trip to see family. Well, it isn't really cross-country, since the farthest west we get is Little Rock, but we are crossing a lot of states in a crazy triangle of wedding, beach, and family.

We are in Memphis now for the wedding part, which will be Saturday. The Bambino is the ring bearer and Alfie is an honorary flower girl. ( No, she cannot walk or throw flowers. She has a beautiful dress and will be there. Get it?)

The thing about Memphis, besides the fact that it is enormous, is that it's hot and humid. When people tell you that it's not the heat- it's the humidity, they are talking about Memphis. Tomorrow is supposed to be 104. Gee wiz!

I went for a run Monday morning and felt great despite the heat. I guess it was early enough. Today I am supposed to run with someone else, and this scares me more than a little because I have run alone since Alfie was born and because I agreed to run three miles, which I have not done in almost three months. I ran 2.5 last week, but there is a ginormous mental chasm between 2.5 and 3. We will run at Shelby Farms on a trail, so that may help the heat factor. Fingers crossed.

The kids are doing really well with the long drives, especially the bambino. He has a dvd player in our minivan, but this is the first time he has used it. The boy has fallen in love with Charlie Brown! He laughs and commentates, and we don't have to listen to the movie because he has headphones. I love technology.

Feeling like a runner

Yesterday I took Jack on a little run in the woods, and I decided to do an experiment with speed.  Was I ready?  Would it kill me?  I warmed up for five minutes and then added six 30-second pick-ups on the odd minutes, followed by a five minute cool down.  Here's what I learned:

• A trail is not the best place to practice going faster.  I looked at my feet a lot to avoid roots, compromising whatever form I have left.
• Retractable leashes are amazing.  Jack has to pee on just about every tree, so even during a fast moment he has enough slack to run ahead, find a nice tree, do his thing, and catch up before he runs out of line.
• Hills matter.  The first two pick-ups felt amazing.  They were also downhill.  Funny how that makes it feel like you're flying, eh?  Three and four were flat, but numbers five and six were uphill.  I felt fine, but not like I was flying.
• Running fast(er) feels more natural to me than my slow pace.  Every time I sped up, my torso leaned forward, I landed more on my midfoot than my heel, and my body felt lighter.  My muscles did not seem to care that I was speeding up; if anything, they approved.
• I am out of shape.  Yes, my legs and feet and muscles felt great, but the lungs did not enjoy this little exercise!  By the end it felt like a workout.  At home, I was pink for half an hour, and I ran in the shade.

Based on all of that, I've decided to do these pick-ups with every run (or nearly every run) until my pace gets closer to my normal.  My body doesn't mind; I am only sore today because I thought it would be fun to do two one-minute planks after the run.  My lungs mind, but I don't care.  They will improve quickly.  Mostly, though, I just like feeling like a runner.  

Miles for Matthew 10k Plan

Since starting my running career my senior year of high school, I have run countless 5ks, at least 6 half marathons, and 2 marathons.  In addition, I've competed in 4 or 5 triathlons, all sprint distance.  But I have never run a 10k.  Seems silly, right?  I regularly run more than 6 miles, but I've never raced it.

That will change on Saturday, September 15 when I run the Miles for Matthew 10k in Greensboro.  The Matthew in question has Duchennes Muscular Dystrophy, and the race raises money for research.  I have attempted to run it several times, but life has always intervened.  This year, I will run it.  I will.  And since it's my first 10k, no matter how slowly I run will be a PR.

I prefer to make my own training plans instead of following a pre-made one, and this is especially important because I'm coming back from having a baby.  There will be no speed work in my plan, and no specific hill repeats.  In fact, I have vowed not to focus on pace at all and just run the distances set forth.  The plan begins the third week of July, when we get back from vacation.  Sunday, July 15- Saturday, September 15.  9 weeks of training to get to where I can comfortably run 6.2 miles, preferably without stopping.

Until July 15, I will incorporate more and more runs into my week very conservatively.  I've been running once a week for three weeks.  This week, I will run twice (!!!).  I did two miles this morning and will run again by Saturday.  I'll stay at two runs/week for two or three weeks, and then I'll add on a third.

Why am I being so careful in upping my mileage?  Because Alfie is nursing full-time and I don't want to hurt my supply in any way.  I've read and researched, and most authorities say that running does not affect supply, but it still makes me nervous.  I want to make sure I'm getting enough calories for my added exercise, and that I'm hydrated enough.  Not enough calories and not enough liquids can affect supply, and running messes with both of those, you know?

So, what's the plan for the 10k on September 15?

June 24-July 14

We'll be traveling to Memphis, seeing family, and going to a wedding; then, we'll drive across Tennessee, Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, and New Jersey to get to the beach, where we will be lazy and hang out.  The best I can hope for is at least two runs per week and lots of walking otherwise.  I think when we get to the beach I can run three times without much fuss.

July 1-7

Three runs, including a long run of 4 miles

July 8-14

Three runs, long run of 5 miles

July 15-21

Three runs, long run of 5 miles

July 22-28

Three runs, long run of 6 miles

July 29-Aug 4

Three runs, long run of 6 miles

Aug 5-11

4 runs, long run of 4 miles

Aug 12-18

4 runs, long run of 6 miles

Aug 19-26

4 runs, long run of 7 miles

Aug 26-Sept 1

4 runs, long run of 8 miles

Sept 2-8

4 runs, long run of 9 miles

Sept 9-15

3-4 runs, including the 10k!

This is the kind of non-plan plan that has worked for me in the past.  If I make a set-in-stone calendar, I feel guilty for missing a workout and then somehow miss more workouts.  It's like I feel guilty and want to avoid running, like it's a person I have disappointed.  Strange, I know.

With this kind of plan, I have a checklist for every week and fit in the runs when I can.  I managed to run 4 or more times a week while pregnant, so I think I'll be able to fit it all in.

One Month and Numbers

As of yesterday, Alfie is one month old.  She has changed so much and grown so much in just four weeks and change!  Thursday she weighed 8 pounds 10.5 ounces, up from 8 the Thursday before.  She's gained more than two pounds in a month.  Can you tell that I love numbers?

Speaking of numbers, I've been keeping up with mine but do not plan on sharing them with cyberspace any time soon.  I weigh myself once a week and even measure my waist and hips. It's way too early to worry about that, you might say, and I agree.  Weighing myself weekly is my way of not worrying, because the pounds come off naturally at this point, albeit slowly.  By seeing those weekly numbers, I know that I don't need to worry.  I'm someone who needs to see progress toward a goal.  

What is that goal right now?  I don't even know.  I know I won't get down to racing weight (let's call that x) any time soon.  When I got pregnant, I was at (x + 10).  From there, I gained 20 pounds: [(x + 10) + 20].  With me so far?  So from (x + 30), I am now at (x + 15).  The reasonable goal is to get back to (x + 10) by the end of the summer.  

I will be racing this fall, but I don't plan on being in what you'd call racing shape.  I have a half marathon in October and hopefully another in November or December, if I can find one.  Next spring I will run a full marathon, God and training willing.  Even then, I don't think I need to be back to x since Alfie will still (hopefully) be nursing.  Feeding a baby burns calories, yes, but it also requires you to keep a little extra fat around, and there's nothing wrong with that.  

I think I'm happiest at around (x + 2) to (x + 5), and it's never been hard for me to maintain, so perhaps that is the goal by spring.  I've never had to work to lose weight, and I (optimistically) think that's how it will work now.  I know that once I'm running regularly, I'll get to where I want to be.  If that doesn't happen?  I'll have to reassess. 

In running news, I ran last Saturday (1.4 miles) and haven't gone since.  Alfie's a little too small for jogging, even in her infant seat, and Jenn's been super busy at school.  My only option, then, was to run on the treadmill before she left (6:30 after 4-6 hours of broken sleep?  No thanks!) or after she got home, which just happens to be the witching hour.  From 6:00-9:00 each night, Alfie is either eating or crying, or so it seems.  And I'm tired by that time, too.  Oh well.  I plan to run tomorrow morning, still just 1-2 miles and still slow.

This month has been much more active than I imagined.  We've walked to the library or the coffee shop, had people over for dinner, gone out to dinner, school concerts, field trips, and more.  I remember staying in so much when The Bambino was born, but with a toddler and a newborn utter domesticity is not an option.

To conclude, I leave you with pictures from the last month. Enjoy!

April 25, 2012.  Still all goopy.

Alfie getting to know her best buddy Ella (the one the cat thief tried to steal and who is now an indoor cat).

The Bambino doing what he does best: being himself.  Please notice his striped socks, because they were my favorite rugby socks in college.  At least they're being put to good use.

 We are very intentional about including The Bambino in Alfie's activities.  Sure, she's boring now, but what toddler isn't interested in baths and pooping?  He helps change diapers, asking if she needs a cloth or disposable diaper.  He facilitated her first real bath, too.

First real bath.  See how much she's grown?  Big brother was a huge help.

After the bath.  'Nuff said.

 One brave thing we've been doing as a family is going to Saturday night music in Saxapahaw, about 45 minutes from us.  It's a free outdoor concert series, and we've been twice since Alfie's arrival.  We love the atmosphere, the music, and the ice cream, and she seems much happier out and about than in the house.

Alfie in her Maya Wrap, one of our favorite carriers.

The Bambino rolling down the hill.  You'd think it would wear him out, but you'd be wrong.

Taking an all-too-short rest after a roll. 

3 Weeks, Yoga, and the Cat Thief

Today Alfie is three weeks old.  Three weeks ago right now, we were at the hospital.  The midwife had broken my water, the contractions were very strong and close together, and we were less than two hours from meeting our daughter.  Three weeks is a lightning-fast blink and a lifetime, all at the same time.  I cannot remember life without her, just as I cannot imagine life without The Bambino.

Alfie and I went to Mom and Baby Yoga today, run by the kind but demanding Cheryl.  Alfie slept through most of the 75-minute session, waking to eat at the end.  Mom and Baby yoga is not a meditative, zen-like yoga experience; there are babies crying, crawling, laughing, nursing, and getting diaper changes.  The poses, however, are serious.  My body has recovered well from birth, but this kicked my butt!  I was able to do everything, but my shoulders, hips, and core all noticed the hard work.  I fear how my muscles will feel in the morning.  We will definitely go back to yoga next week, and every Wednesday that we're in town between now and August.  I only wish that there was more than one class per week.

I plan to run either tomorrow or Friday, depending on how sore my legs are.  Running even a mile or two will feel amazing.  Alfie is too little to run with me, even in her infant seat, and The Bambino is way too much trouble to push right now, so I'll head out solo after Jenn gets home.

In completely unrelated news, we got a strange call yesterday from the microchip company for our cat.  Apparently, she had been taken to the vet by someone in the neighborhood who wanted to adopt her.  Thankfully the vet checked for a microchip and we were alerted.

This on its own is not that strange.  I know that outdoor cats, especially friendly ones, will  eat whatever food is offered to them and act like they've never had a real meal.  I know that if a cat came to our door, we would pet it and offer it food and water.  When I posted that someone tried to steal our cat on Facebook, a lot of my friends admitted that they had accidentally done the same thing.  The difference is that this person did not really let up!  When Jenn went to get Ella from her house (which is one the same block as ours), she continued to talk about feeding her, letting her into the garage when it rained, etc.  Ella comes into our house whenever she wants.  She eats dinner every night, is up to date on shots, and loves to play outside.  She's half bobcat, for Pete's sake!  Ella is back at home, but I have serious doubts that this woman understands that the cat is ours.

We are nervous that this person will really poach our cat, so she is strictly inside for the foreseeable future.  She's not going to like it, but how else do you counteract wet cat food several times a day in a neighboring yard?

2 Weeks Already

Yesterday as of 5:17 pm, Alfie has been out in the world for two weeks.  She's thriving, and it turns out that she's a pretty easy baby.

We had her two week appointment yesterday, where we learned that baby girl gained 20 ounces in 8 days.  In case you were curious, that's a lot; the average is about 1 ounce per day.  This just means that she's a good nurser (and that her mom makes some pretty awesome milk- just sayin').  She has an adorable double chin and some good leg and neck strength. I now hope that she will be a runner AND play rugby (probably scrumhalf or flank, since she will not be tall).

So civic-minded at such a young age!  Note the pudgy cheeks and double chin.

I feel pretty much back to normal, although my core is very weak.  Having muscles stretched out that far for that long does not make for a six-pack once the baby arrives.  Tuesday I started doing daily yoga and I can already tell a difference.  Here are some typical poses right now:

• sun salutations- at least 4 total, 2 per side
• cat/cow with leg extensions and leg and arm extensions
• downward dog
• seated spine twists- this feels amazing after several months of having to turn my entire body to see what was happening over my shoulder
• tree pose
• chair pose
• bridge
• seated and reclining leg stretches
• plank
• low lunge

Yesterday I also did a few lunges and some sumo squats.  They felt hard at the time, but today my legs are not sore.  The trickiest thing right now with lunges, squats, and a lot of the yoga poses is keeping my spine and hips in alignment.  Because it's hard to do, I know that I need to be doing it.  Next week Alfie and I will go to mom and baby yoga, brought to you by the same wonderfully demanding woman who teaches prenatal yoga in town.  I went to mom and baby with our son as well, and it was not easy.  Not in the least.  

On the running front, I think I might try a few very slow miles next week.  I feel great, and any concerns I might have had about my milk supply went away at the pediatrician's office yesterday- Alfie is a champion eater, and I know logically that moderate exercise will not harm supply.  Until then, I need to walk at least every other day to remind my body what forward motion feels like.  

Alfie's Here!

Alfie (actually Eden) arrived Wednesday, April 25 at 5:17 p.m.  She weighed 6 pounds, 7 ounces and has a head of strawberry hair.  She's amazing!  We came home Thursday evening and have been enjoying family time ever since.

Wednesday morning, contractions started but they were not very close together or impressive.  We went to the midwife's office at 1:30 because they weren't stopping, and she informed us that I was already 6 cm dilated.  It was hospital time!

We got to the hospital, got checked in, and the midwife broke my water at 3:17.  Exactly two hours later Eden arrived.  To say it was a fast labor is a bit of an understatement.  It was exactly what I had hoped for: no drugs and quick.

6 pounds, 7 ounces of adorable love

Baby Alfie arrived ready to nurse and very alert. We thought that she was going to be at least as big as her brother, who was 6 pounds 11 ounces at 3 weeks early, but she was a small peanut (but long!  21 inches!).

Mama and baby resting together- it was a big day!

A family friend (who is the mother of James' best friend) took the toddler home after school Wednesday and brought him to the hospital to see baby sis .  Then my parents arrived, cuddled with the new addition, and took James to our house.  He is still going through grandparent withdrawal, after several days of favorite foods, exciting toys, and new people to read stories.

Since baby and I were both doing well, and since I do not voluntarily stay in a hospital longer than necessary, we came home as soon as we could, which was 24 hours after her birth.  It has been busy here since Alfie's arrival, but it's also pretty amazing.

love!

The Bambino and Baby Alfie together- he is so proud of being a big brother!