This Is How We Roll

Rather than recap each run I've completed since the end of last week, I'll give you the short version: Saturday - good, Sunday - bad, Monday - good. Now you're all caught up!

I have been working like a madwoman. I have another pesky deadline. It has been tough because Isaac is wanting more and more attention. Chasen stayed home on Friday so I could get some uninterrupted work time. And I worked 8 hours over the weekend, also. Such is life!

On Saturday, one day after Isaac began to roll halfway over, a little of this started happening:

Yay! How exciting! He has done it only a few times since then, which is fine by me. I don't want him to grow up too quickly.

"Mommy, I am still your little baby boy. Now go run!"

I have another week's worth of training lined up. No more heart rate runs, thankfully. Those require a lot of attention. Just simple mileage with some speedwork built in. Hooray!

Just As Planned

I don't think I have EVER been so happy to see Chasen coming through the door as I was yesterday when he finally returned from his business trip. Return to normal!

I sprang out of bed, after an odd dream, at 5 AM today to get the [running] party started. I was to do another 60 minute run at a target heart rate of 160 bpm. I must admit that I am feeling so much better... stronger... more fit... than last week! It is amazing. John is right; consistency is key. And you know what else? I feel that I am getting my "distance runner's mindset" back. You name the [reasonable at this point] distance; I am not afraid!

On Monday 60 minutes of running netted me 4.07 miles. Today I made it 4.27 miles in the same time. Go me! My average heart rate was precisely 160 bpm. The miles were all over the map: 155, 160, 164, 161. But my overall average was right on target.

At the completion of the run I was supposed to do 8 10-second fast runs on a flat surface. I kind of dreaded that, in all honesty. Speed and I don't really get along. I set my Garmin to give me a one minute break in between each 10 second sprint. In hindsight one minute was probably WAY too long. Oh well. My paces went like this: 7:44, 7:47, 8:17, 9:00, 7:42, 8:56, 8:16, 10:57. With the exception of the last one, you'd think someone was chasing this turtle with a snake!

Isaac is trying to roll over! Oh my - next thing I know, he'll be asking for the keys to the car.

Not Exactly What I Planned

Well, my treadmill run in the wee hours yesterday morning did NOT happen. You know what they say... sometimes life gets in the way. With Chasen traveling for work (yuck) it's just Isaac and I here. I was about at my wit's end my mid-evening Monday (yes, already on night #1). I realized how much relief Chasen brings to my mommy duties when he comes home from work. Without him here I get zero relief, and Isaac has NOT been happy for various reasons. Not fun! He has turned into one of those babies who wants to be held ALL the time. He used to be quite the independent little man.

Anyway, I awoke to a noise on Tuesday morning at 1 AM and couldn't get back to sleep until well after 3 AM. That totally reminded me of my pregnant life. Needless to say, I couldn't will myself out of bed at 6 AM. I just slept until Isaac woke up. There was no treadmilling after that, either, because I just felt weak all day. It was very strange; I had a bad belly and almost didn't feel strong enough to walk with Isaac in my arms! So I just chalked Tuesday up to another day of rest.

Tuesday night came and Mr. Pre-Teething was inconsolable. Just like Monday night I "cheated" and let him sleep on his changing pad in his crib. For some reason he likes that. Chasen thinks it makes him feel more comforted, as it sort of wraps around him a little bit:


I got a fantastic night's sleep last night. I only woke once for about 1 minute! And now I am counting down the minutes until Chasen comes home after work. Yes, he had to go straight back to work after his plane landed. Not fair!

"Hurry up, Daddy. All this waiting for you to come home is wearing me out."

Alone

Hold on to your hats - I ran six miles on Sunday! I knew I had to get it done in the wee hours to avoid the heat and to have it done by the time I had my Team Point Two conference call that afternoon. It rained the night before, so the temp was actually below 80 degrees. I had humidity to contend with, but that's normal. I set out right at 6 AM. I did an out-and-back course to "ensure" success. I took my largest water bottle.

I was allowed to walk one minute per mile, which always helps. I ran what I believe to be the slowest miles in history... but I never cheated and walked more than I was supposed to. When I felt fatigued I just ran even slower. Mission accomplished!

After an encouraging talk with John Ellis on the teleconference, I was pumped for a repeat of last week, schedule-wise. Chasen has to travel for two days for work (curses!!!) so today's anticipated 6-miler needed to be accomplished before he left for work. I was up at 5 AM to make it happen. On a whim, I checked my e-mail. The program had changed! Today was to be 60 minutes at a target heart rate of 160 bpm. Aaack! I could have slept an hour longer! Oh well - such is life. I set my Garmin to beep at me when I got too high or too low of a heart rate. I thought I'd be walking. Um... no. I ended up running (mostly) 4.07 miles. If nothing else I can say that I feel a little more "hard core" than I did a few days ago.

Tomorrow I have another target heart rate to accomplish (a much higher one - yikes!) but will have to use my treadmill due to Chasen being gone. I am not sure how I'll accomplish that, since I'll be running in place, Garmin-wise. I'll figure something out.

Today, the last day before my work project comes back to life, Isaac and I had our mommy and baby friends over. But first we had to do some last-minute shopping.

Personal Shopper Isaac, here, at your service!

Isaac and his new friend Emma. At one time they were holding hands!

After the moms and babies left, I realized that I am now a single parent (for about 48 hours) and I DO NOT like it. Not one bit. So we took a quick "I hate Chasen being gone" stroll around our 'hood.

Isaac sports his new hat that his friend Konrad gave him. So cute!

Stay tuned for more running reports and lonesome whines!

Independence Day 5K

What a HOT week! I was so thankful for my rest day on Wednesday. Then on Thursday I was supposed to run another 3 miles. Faced with either the heat and sunshine of my neighborhood or the heat of my garage (treadmill), I opted for the garage. In hindsight I should have opted for the roads. It was just roasting hot in the garage (Isaac was in the house with Chasen). Yes, the door was up. I admit that I walked a bit during the final mile. I just didn't know if I could go on!

On Friday I got to walk 6 miles. Yay! I was tired afterward, but it was quite enjoyable. I did it on the roads as I listened to podcasts. What could be better?

Today I had a 3 mile walk on the docket (tomorrow is a 6 mile run - yikes!) I must get that 6 mile run done in the wee hours of the morning, so I knew that I must do my 3 mile walk early today. The weather is quite nice today (90 degrees and breezy) so Isaac and I did a joyous walk on the treadmill in the garage as Chasen went to help a friend move. I had a spring in my step! I even bumped it up to a full-on 5K since I skipped last night's Firecracker 5k (which I did last year at about 7 weeks pregnant!) So today's walk was dubbed "Independence Day 5k."

Then it got good. A friend from back home in Arkansas arrived to spend the day with us. Fast forward to after lunch: as I was cleaning up I flipped off the light switch in the dining room. I heard a noise as I was walking away. The light was flickering... the noise was still happening.. I looked in the direction of the noise (a dimmer switch on an adjacent wall) and saw SMOKE! Oh my! My friend was in the nursery playing with Isaac and Chasen was 'indisposed' in the locked bathroom. I practically banged the door down yelling "FIRE IN THE DINING ROOM!!!!!" My handy husband came flying out, assessed the situation, turned off the breaker as us ladies (and Isaac!) went out the front door for some fresh air, and proceeded the fix it in about 15 minutes. Wiring redone, switch replaced, problem solved, electricity back on.

Dang I married a good man!

Running and Reading

Yesterday I had to actually run three miles. Eeek! The temp plummeted to only 90 degrees, as it appeared we were about to get some rain (we did not). The first mile went pretty smoothly. Then I walked the quickest one minute of my life. Back to running! The second mile went smoother than I anticipated. After another lightning-fast minute I was back at it to finish up the third mile. It seemed to take forever, and I sooooo wanted to walk. But I didn't let myself. I couldn't let down Team Point Two! I just kept focusing on the fact that today is a rest day. Hooray!

I have been reading to Isaac. What have I been reading to him, you ask? Runner's World, Women's Running and the Memphis Runners Track Club newsletter ("The Roadrunner"). He is captivated, I tell you! He just hangs on every word; I love it!

In other news, this is my 29th day with water as my only liquid. Yep - no more Diet Coke, Coke Zero, etc. Just water. OK, I've had one glass of wine and one martini... but those were special occasions. My point in doing this is to stay as hydrated as possible. I noticed shortly after Isaac was born that I was drinking a lot of the aforementioned soft drinks and less water than ever. This is a good way to attempt to get enough water, plus I am sure my body will thank me for it. Additionally, I no longer crave sweets! And FYI, I have never been a coffee drinker. Bring on the hydration!

Tomorrow I have to do another 3-mile run. Please send me some good vibes!

Mr. & Mrs. Athletic

Hold on to your hats! I now have a week's worth of training for my next marathon, per John Ellis. I have been anxiously awaiting this; those of you who are familiar with this blog know that I am nothing without a schedule! Here's how my week looks:

Monday: walk 6 miles
Tuesday: run 3 miles
Wednesday: rest
Thursday: run 3 miles
Friday: walk 6 miles
Saturday: walk 3 miles
Sunday: run 6 miles (one minute walk breaks at every mile are recommended)

Yikes! That is quite a lot for me. I am just grateful that walking is a huge part of the plan (thus far). At least I know I can do that without much trouble. Or can I?

Tonight I went out at about 5:30 PM for the 6 mile walk (as Chasen ran on the treadmill in the garage as Isaac watched him). I am back to taking my ipod with me, and that soooooo helps. Why I stopped using it for quite a while is now a mystery to me. With the help of Nik and Dan I got the job done. I must say that I was feeling it after I finished mile 4. I was beginning to get sore everywhere. From walking! Yeesh. It's gonna be a long road to Rocket City! My splits were 16:02, 15:50, 15:50, 16:16, 16:38 and 17:10.

I'd like to formally thank Giselle V for her kind comments. It seems she has a little one just 2 weeks younger than Isaac and is now getting back on the roads. Go Giselle go!

An Important Day

Today, after 2 solid days of rest (or hiding from the heat, really) I made myself get out there at 6:30 AM. I wisely chose an out-and-back course. I aimed to do 4 miles. That's exactly what I did! I ran the whole first mile, which is about all I can muster up the heat endurance to do these days. After that I mixed in a whole lot of walking. I did it all in 59:16. Done!

Afterwards I had to hurry up and get ready for church. Today was a VERY big day. We became members of our church (after visiting for the past year - can you believe we've been in Mississippi a whole year already?) And both Isaac and I were baptized! (Chasen did it many moons ago.) Isaac was just perfect throughout the whole process. He was the baby to be today!


Once we got home, Chasen had some fun with Isaac:

Elvis lives!

Thank you, thank you very much!

Onward and upward!

My Treadmill Buddy

This morning Isaac and I headed out to the garage for a treadmill run. It was ONLY 80 degrees outside. It was actually more of a run/walk. But I did it... and that counts for something!

Here is my treadmill buddy, Isaac the Motivator!

10k!

Last night, with my dear Lisa, I covered the longest distance since Isaac was born: 10k! We walked the whole way, and it was so very therapeutic. It was great! Today is a rest day; tomorrow I'll be back at it in the early morning for some running. Heat-schmeat!

I believe Isaac is on the verge of rolling over soon. I'll have to break out the "pack-n-play."

Father's Day

Yesterday Isaac had the chance to splash in the water for the first time! At a "mommy and me" get-together (with the dads!) we gave him the chance to experience the ONLY way to cool down in the hot outdoor temps: the kiddie pool.

I'm not sure about this, Daddy.

Noooooooooo, Mommy!

After much fussing and an in-and-out pattern, he got OK with the water... somewhat.

I prefer the side of the pool, Mommy, thank you.

This morning, Father's Day, I got up and went running! Whoo hoo! It was ONLY 80 degrees at 7 AM. It was a success because I gave myself permission to walk as necessary -- and I didn't do a whole lot of it. Yay!

Happy Father's Day to Chasen. Like Isaac's shirt? :)

4-Month Trip to the Pediatrician

Isaac must have sensed that today was his day to go to the pediatrician for his 4-month check-up and further immunizations, because he "got back at me" by waking me up at 3:45 AM for a bottle. That little devil! Then I couldn't get back to sleep, so I did not run at 6 AM. Now it's a zillion degrees outside. Another day without running...

Hi Mommy! Got your kleenex ready? I about about to scream and make you cry!

Isaac's cute little head is in the 50th percentile for circumference. Height and weight at 75th percentile.

Just waiting in Daddy's safe arms for the doc, then the mean ole shot nurse.

Steve, you'd be happy to know that my mommy and daddy believe in vaccinations.

Let's get this show on the road!

Hot Hot Hot

What am I going to do? We're already to the point where the heat index is 105 degrees! I am trying to stick to an every-other-day running schedule, but it's just hard. Basically, if it's not indoors, I don't want to do it! It's close to 80 degrees even at 6 AM (which, granted, is better than 105). Ugh!

I know that my training schedule for my next marathon will be arriving soon, at which point I am going to have to snap to action very quickly. This, for me, will be the beauty of Team Point Two: accountability! I just hope that I can live up to this honor! Right now it feels like I'll never gain any endurance, to tell the truth, as two miles wear me out. And I worry that my 'war wound tendon' will not hold up. Hey - I'm just putting it out there!

25 weeks 'til race day...

Four Months Old!

Rather than lament about how work has been consuming my life, how I don't know if I'll ever get back running endurance, how the 5K on Saturday evening was so hot I just had to throw in the towel and walk, and how I have fallen off the face of the blog-reading-and-commenting earth... let's focus on one very fantastic fact: my sweet baby is four months old today! Wow.

A friend from church, Brooke Ledbetter, came over a few weeks ago and took Isaac's 'three month' photos (and I am obviously just now getting around to posting a few - OK, more than a few). She even posted a few of her favorites on her blog. Here is my angel:

I'd say I'm pretty blessed and just need to zip my lips about all else!

My Hero Elijah

Click here to see my personal hero, Elijah, on television. If you're unfamiliar with my blog or with Elijah, this is a good way to catch up!

Just Above Water

I am working on my first official, semi-long term project for work since Isaac was born. As such, I work in whatever increments Isaac lets me during the day, and I rely on nights and weekends for bigger chunks of time. That is really not fun, but it's the way it goes. I want to work. Period.

However, at more stressful moments I wonder if it (working) is all worth it. Sometimes it comes to a head, and today was one of those days. I feel like we're just keeping our heads above water around here! My dear Lisa came over after work and we walked for FOUR miles talking about everything in both of our lives. After much venting with her, as well as brainstorming, and then a talk with Chasen I made the decision to seek out a part-time sitter in my home for Isaac. It was tough to swallow because I am a go-getter and think I need to do it ALL (as do most moms, I'm told). Well, at this point my project is coming due and I just need more hours in the day -- or a sitter. So I called a woman from church (also a neighbor) for a recommendation. She knows everyone. I can't say that I know too many teenage girls!

Minutes later I had a sitter (from my neighborhood!) lined up for tomorrow afternoon and possibly more this week. Goodness -- I can't even imagine getting to work for multiple hours straight on a weekday! That is, if I can keep my nose out of the next room. LOL

See, running (or walking...) solves all problems. :)

Captured on Film

This is the professional photograph taken of us as the Killer Kudzu 5K a week ago. It was among the hundreds posted on the website.

Harbortown 5K

I was very pleasantly surprised when Chasen suggested that we run another 5K. Sign me up, I said! The thing about Memphis is that there is a 5K every Friday night, it seems. Gotta love it!Our race was the Harbortown 5K. It takes place in the Harbortown neighborhood of downtown Memphis.

I helped Mommy work today so that we could get everything done before time to go.

What? Daddy is going to push me this time? Well, OK, if you say so...

We met up with Lisa. It has actually been several weeks since I last saw my dear friend, so it was high time! We all chatted before the start of the race. She didn't know if she'd run or walk/run, so we didn't make plans to try to stick together. I was feeling pretty good, so I aimed to RUN (sans Garmin). I made the first mile in 12:07 (minus my delayed start). So I was hustling! I kept up a good pace and at mile 2 the time was called out as 24:something. Whoa baby! I couldn't believe it! But then, as usual, there was lots of walking during mile 3. I crossed the line of the gorgeous course in 39:04, I think. Not too shabby! That's 5 minutes faster than last week -- but there was no stroller or monster hill involved tonight.

Lucky me - number 1234.

Chasen and Isaac were waiting on me. Together we all waited for Lisa to finish.

There's our girl, number 227.

Afterward Chasen headed to the beer tent. I chilled with my little man:

"I am a pro stroller sitter!"

Double-fisted Daddy. No drinking and racing! (or driving us home)

Where's my bottle? I've had quite enough of this.

The Terrific Trio

Post-race chillin' at home.

Just another wonderful Friday night!

Killer Kudzu 5K

Yesterday was a VERY big day for me. It was my first time running a race with Isaac! The whole fam traveled to nearby Holly Springs, Mississippi (home of lots of kudzu, historic homes, an extremely old cemetery, and a killer hill, among other things).

After a discussion with a friend from my "mommy and me" group, I was encouraged to put Isaac in the jogging stroller (that dear Petra gave us!) for the big race. But not before MUCH testing at home. I am sure that he is technically supposed to be older or bigger to really go in it, so I was antsy. Thus the testing. I had Chasen run with him in it as I watched from in front and behind. A lot. And then some more. He didn't move an inch, so I determined that it would be OK. He just needed a little "booster seat" of sorts to hold him up a bit higher for perfect strapping. So Chasen fashioned one out of towels. Job well done!

So we arrived in Holly Springs and found a great parking spot. The race began and ended right on the town square. We got registered and picked up our cool shirts with ease. We had about a half hour to wait. Isaac was already perched on his throne:

Isaac kicks up his heels for the photo! His sign got lots of "oohs and aahs."

That stroller is THE BEST! I simply can't thank Petra enough for sending it. I thought just that as the race began. I started at the very rear of the pack with another stroller. Chasen was far ahead of us. By the first turn I was crying a little bit. Happy tears! I was just so happy about the situation, realizing that I was literally living my dream: running with my baby. Wow. I could end this post right now, because that's really the most important part. But then you wouldn't get to hear about the hill from hell!

So the course ran by many antebellum homes. So pretty! It also went out by the railroad tracks (i.e. the middle of nowhere). As Chasen put it, "There was not one smooth patch of road on the entire course." Once we got back into "town," there was the one and only water stop. Which was out of cups. Ick! But I just had less than one mile to go. That's when we entered the cemetery and the hill from hell. See below:

Yes, it was tough. Two ladies running near me literally asked if I needed help pushing Isaac up it! I declined, but it was quite a sight. I told Chasen I thought it was 45 degrees. He said 60!

Since Chasen finished about 10 minutes before us, he was able to perch with the camera and see us make a mad dash for the finish. You can see the cemetery in the distance.

We're almost there! Isaac never even made one sound. Chasen told me he wouldn't, but I was worried! Apparently worrying is mommy duty #1.

We were cheered in by everyone (well, Isaac was, anyway). So nice!

I finished in 43:06, I think. I ran without my Garmin, as this was all about soaking in the experience. I had hoped for 40:00, but that wasn't considering the hills and terrain.

Here we are after the excellent post-race grub. Isaac says "Where's my bottle?"

Awards. There wasn't one for "Cutest Baby," so we didn't hang around for the presentation.

Drooly Isaac and Scruffy Daddy

"When can we do this again, Mommy?"

On the arm: Carpe Kudzu. Bottom line: Life is too short for someday. (I agree.)

We all enjoyed ourselves. It was both the most challenging and most joyful 5K ever for us.

Running the Storm Out

Sometimes you just gotta do what you gotta do. Yesterday that meant that I had to run on the treadmill as we had rain, thunder and lightning outside. Times like that make me the most thankful for good ole Teddy Tready. Even though we lost power for a split second mid-run (and I lost my stats) it was a good run. I had wanted to do a full-on dress rehearsal for the Kudzu 5K with this little guy, though:

Babies can't run in the rain, silly Mommy! Haven't I taught you anything?

We'll just "wing it" tomorrow night. The course is said to be 'challenging' so hopefully Isaac and I can make it up all of the hills! Obviously I do not expect a PR. Actually, I am going to create a PR. It'll be my stroller PR. Hey - I'm a winner already. Whoo hoo!

Almost Done!

Part of my perfect morning on Tuesday included going to Breakaway Running in Memphis for a free skin cancer screening. What a marvelous thing to do for the running community! Docs from the medical school came to assess anyone who showed up. Isaac and I luckily showed up when there was not a crowd. I am happy to report that I got the "all clear." As fair skinned as I am, it is in my best interest to avoid the sun as much as possible. Running is just about the only time that I "invite" the sun into my life. And I try to cover up as much as possible and avoid the 'peak' hours.

Isaac, my fellow fair complected Bumbo buddy.

It is often quite a challenge to find time to work AND keep Isaac content. But this week has been quite wonderful! I have made a lot of progress on my current project. I am thankful for the opportunity.

Isaac Roy, in his current "cutest outfit" at our mommy and me group. A working mommy's got to have some fun!

Do you have the tickets? To the baby gun show! LOL

So Isaac is now 14 weeks old (14 lbs 13 oz). Wow. That means that I have been in training for 8 weeks already. I am nearly done with the C25K program. The last two runs have been tough. It has been very humid (and will only get worse) and I have had to take walk breaks. Ick. Oh well - better to take breaks than to just give up or even walk the whole thing.

I am really looking forward to getting my marathon training plan from John Ellis. I just hope that I can keep up!

A Perfect Morning

I've had an awesome morning. And it is all the guy's fault:


Isaac is starting to consistently sleep through the night. Whoo hoo! Last night he went precisely eight hours between bottles. Hallelujah! When we were in Shreveport, he went as much as ten. Wow! So this morning he woke at about 5:45 AM. He was changed, fed and snuggled up with Chasen by 6:15 AM. So I was out the door!

This was the scene yesterday as bath-bound (shirtless) Isaac caught some z's as I completed some chores.

Yesterday I had a mild panic when I realized that my C25K schedule no longer has walk breaks. Yikes! From here on out it is all running. So today I was to run 25 minutes. I warmed up for 5 minutes (in the 56 degree weather - wow) and then ran for 25 minutes. Yay me! I did both miles sub-12, which is darn good for me these days. Yesssss!

Isaac says "Do you have your tickets?"

I hope the rest of my day is half as good as my morning!

Locks of Love

This has nothing to do with running, but it's a big deal to me! One of my oldest and dearest friends, Sharon, inspired me to grow out my hair and donate it to Locks of Love. She has done this at least twice now. From their website:

Locks of Love is a public non-profit organization that provides hairpieces to financially disadvantaged children in the United States and Canada under age 18 suffering from long-term medical hair loss from any diagnosis. We meet a unique need for children by using donated hair to create the highest quality hair prosthetics. Most of the children helped by Locks of Love have lost their hair due to a medical condition called alopecia areata, which has no known cause or cure. The prostheses we provide help to restore their self-esteem and their confidence, enabling them to face the world and their peers.

Since Chasen and I had a trip to Louisiana planned for this weekend and would be driving right through our former hometown (Benton, Arkansas) I decided that this was the perfect time to take the plunge. I made an appointment with my former hair gal, Beth.

Beth admires my year and a half's worth of ponytail.

The she proceeded to chop it off!

I was soooooo happy to be rid of that 10 1/2" ponytail! (10" is the minimum donation)

Many, many hours later I took this "after" photo in our hotel.

This new look should prove to be easier to maintain and much lighter for running!

The Runners Round Table

Yesterday I, as well as the other members of Team Point Two, was featured on the Runners Round Table podcast! I was quite nervous, so I hope I didn't sound too odd. Give it a listen!

Afterwards I completed another C25K run. The program 'eased up' a bit after having to run 20 straight minutes on Sunday. I only had to run stints of 8 and 5 minutes. Soon I'll be running 25 straight minutes, and then 30. Wow!

I am now officially working on an actual work project. It is tough to find time with Isaac on my watch... so I rely mostly on evenings. This allows me to do most everything else during the day, such as household chores, running, mommying and fun stuff -- like my weekly 'mommy and me' group!

L-R: beautiful Keira, Callum and Isaac (who was playing possum)

Isaac will be 3 months old tomorrow. Man oh man - where has time gone? He now weighs 14 lbs 5 oz. Also tomorrow is my 'scalping' for Locks of Love. I'm going to have some very short hair in less than 24 hours. I can't wait!

Happy Mother's Day

It has been over a week since I last posted. Life has been busy! For starters, last Saturday I took a quick trip to nearby historic Holly Springs, Mississippi with my former book club from Arkansas. We had a great time, and they enjoyed getting to meet Isaac before we left. Before they arrived, I carved out enough time to do my Tracy Anderson post-baby workout DVD. Tracy is killing me!

Remember when we got this onesie for Isaac in Pennsylvania? It is almost too small now, and he has only wore it once.

When I got home on Sunday I did another C25K run. My treadmill has been doing overtime!

"This is not fair. Mommy gets all sweaty running and I get a bath."

On Monday night Tracy and I had another session together. Tuesday marked another treadmill run. During the running portions of the workout, I have been doing 12:00 miles.

"Running makes Mommy smile almost as much as me!"

Wednesday was spent doing final studying for my LEED AP exam. Wouldn't you know, given my history with testing, that I failed the darn thing my two lousy points? Sheesh - I can't catch a break. I can not retake the current exam and must wait for a long time. Oh well, such is life.

After that I picked myself up, dusted myself off, and went to my 'mommy and me' group. Hanging with those gals always puts a smile on my face! One even brought me a 'cheer me up' cupcake! (she saw my sad post on Facebook) That night Tracy helped me to burn it off (I hope).

Friday also did not go as planned, but I managed to get in a run late in the afternoon. Isaac sat right beside me in his bouncy seat as I ran; Chasen mowed the back yard. We very being quite productive!

Saturday was filled from dawn to dusk... so it was a rest day for me (which is so ironic, considering I was busy all day long).

And today is my first Mother's Day! Isaac gave me an early present; this week he has made attempts to sleep through the night!!! (12 weeks old today) He has gone 6-8 hours between feedings most nights this week. Hooray!

Here I am with my 12 lbs 8 oz little man and not-long-for-too-much-longer hair.

As my schedule would have it, today I got to do my longest stint of running since Isaac was born: 20 minutes straight! I opted to do it out on the roads. I knew it'd be easier on me on the roads. I was right. I DID IT!!! I felt like a million bucks afterward.

This upcoming week marks two big things for me. On Tuesday I am going to a meeting about my first real work project since Isaac was born (and I am quite inquisitive as to how I will manage to find time to do the work!) On Friday I am going to get my hair CHOPPED for Locks of Love. I will be sending in the required 10" ponytail! This goal took at least a year and a half to accomplish. I am nothing if not patient...

Have a good one, friends. I'll try to post more often!

Zoot Suit Riot

I've done it again! I accomplished another run while Isaac was sleeping! Life is good. I am rocking and rolling with the C25K program.

I was trying to capture my sweatyness. Not sure if it worked... but I was drenched.

Isaac in his very cute "zoot suit" outfit. Awww!

Fortunately he did not look like this when I got done with my run! He was sleeping happily.

Isaac has good timing, I must say. If I wake up before him, which is rare, he always follows suit in just about 60 seconds. The same thing happened after my run this morning. I got in, stretched, and the wailing began. Fine by me!

Running Solo

Today was a first for me. Today was the first time since Isaac was born that I went for a run on the treadmill while home alone with him. With much trepidation I headed out to the garage. Isaac, who has an excellent set of lungs, was a room away.

I'm smiling because Mommy is so happy about getting to run early in the morning!

It was great! I did my whole C25K workout in peace. And this week has me running 5 minutes straight. Dare I say it was easy? As I said, it felt great.

I'm just waiting on Mommy to come back in. I can give her 26 minutes if she insists.

I've picked a new race as mine and Isaac's "coming out" race. It's the Kudzu 5K in nearby Holly Springs, Mississippi. I've never raced in Mississippi! It takes place at the end of week 8 of the C25K program, and it is said to be a very challenging course. Hopefully I'll be able to run most of it without walking.

Junk Miles

I am happy to report that this week was MUCH better than last week. My cold has all but gone away. Hooray! And I got a good review on the project I helped the fellow architect out with. There may be another coming up soon, and it is a bit high profile. I will disclose if/when it actually comes through (if I can).

On the exercise front, I got back on track! I did my C25K workout on Sunday. I decided to re-do week 3 in its entirety since I had to take time off last week. No sense trying to jump ahead too quickly.

Isaac agrees; no sense having an injured mommy.

Isaac's only grandparent, Chasen's mom Beth, came to visit for 4 days. I took advantage of the "free child care" and spent Sunday, Monday (missed the Boston Marathon!), Tuesday and Wednesday studying for my upcoming LEED AP exam at the library for many hours each day. I missed my little angel... and Boston... but it had to be done. The library is not the silent place it was when I was a kid, I must point out.

Isaac hangs out with Gran (and misses his mommy, I hope).

On Monday I did the elliptical machine (20 minutes) and then my post-pregnancy fitness DVD (47 minutes). On Tuesday I did the C25K again, as I also did on Thursday.

"Phew - that run to the dump wore me out!" Thanks, Matt.

Today I suggested that Lisa and I meet at the city park. It has been a while since we got together. I would do whatever routine she did, as she is "starting over" after recovering from the Little Rock Marathon. So Isaac and I loaded up and headed over. I gotta tell ya -- pushing a stroller while running is NOT as easy as it looks. The uphills are obviously harder, and the downhills pose the challenge of hanging on to the stroller so it doesn't leave without you. That's an ab workout! But we ran 2 minutes and walked 3. I earned 2.25 miles that way, plus a lot more during our cooldown/gab session. What fun!

These older gentlemen cruising the track motivated me to quit my inner complaining about pushing the heavy stroller. Grandpas, unite!

Afterward I asked Lisa to take several photos of me 'fake running' so I can submit a more 'athletic' photo to the Team Point Two website. This is the best one:

I think I am too far away... we'll have to try again!

I have some good news to report. Since being cleared by my doctor 4 weeks ago for "strenuous exercise" and whatever else I want, I have lost 6 pounds! That makes a total of 30 since pre-birth. More to go... but I am very excited about this good start! Yay!

Running on 'E'

Phew - what a week. After taking last Sunday off to rest my knee(s), I tried desperately to do my post-pregnancy fitness DVD late Monday afternoon. Isaac was not having it! It's frustrating trying to comfort a little guy who has everything - except Mommy. With many pushes of the pause button I got it done. It was easier than the first time. Go figure.

In the wee hours of Tuesday, I developed a sore throat. Ugh. That day I was sitting on "go" waiting to hear from our CPA in Little Rock. Due to our relocation, to put it politely, our taxes were quite an ordeal this year. I'm not usually one to be scrambling on April 14th, but that's how the cookie crumbles. So, sick and exhausted, I drove to Little Rock and back to pick up our tax return. Fussy Isaac was at least asleep in the car for the whole ride. Peace and quiet! When I got home that night (after driving 326 miles) I did my C25K workout. That would be the last I'd see of physical activity for a while.

Look at me - I am Mr. Cute (and fussy).

Put 'em up, put 'em up.

On the way to Little Rock (a whirlwind trip) I received a call from a local architect wanting some help finishing up a project. With much trepidation I agreed to help. The trepidation came from the fact that I was now full-blown sick with a bad cold, had a very fussy baby who hasn't been giving me a minute's peace, have an exam coming up in now 18 days, and am just plain worn out. He needed it done in two days, and I let him know that I'd have minimal time to put toward it. So be it! We agreed to meet the next morning at his home office (he works from home, just like me).

Isaac and I went to the meeting together on Wednesday. He doesn't look thrilled.

In the span of five hours, Isaac let me work for about 30 minutes. Frustrating! But then Chasen came home and lucky me got to work a lot that night. Aaah, such is the life of a stay-at-home-architect.

The activity swing only kept him content for a few minutes at a time. :(

Early Thursday morning, looking like zombies, Chasen and I set out for the pediatrician's office. It was time for Isaac's 2-month check-up and the dreaded immunizations. The good news is that Isaac now weighs 12 pounds 1 ounce (75th percentile) and is 23 2/4" long (90th percentile). The bad news is that he got three shots. Oh well - better than disease!

Isaac admires the "stripped down" baby in the mirror as we wait for the doc to come in.

Thursday afternoon, presumably thanks to the Tylenol they told us to give him after the shots, he slept A LOT. I was able to get a lot of work done. And I still worked Thursday night - sick and exhausted. Not fun! But the project and source are stepping stones to bigger and better things. Fingers crossed.

On Friday we rested as best we could. I didn't do much of anything. It was NICE. At this point Chasen insisted that I take something other than Tylenol (I am Miss Anti-Medicine, unfortunately). So since then I have been "drugged up," yet getting/feeling much better. I have even gotten some sleep!

I hope that tomorrow I can re-enter the world of running, after four days off (which doesn't sound like much, but it feels like an eternity). Peace out!

Easter 2009

Last night I attempted my post-pregnancy fitness DVD. Oh my goodness - it was about 100 times tougher than I thought it would be. I literally sat at points and looked at the TV in disbelief. You want me to do WHAT? How many times? Oh no. The warm up, at least, was pretty easy! LOL. I am sure it will get easier. It can't get much harder...

I think I am going to NOT do my run today. Both knees are a bit sore. They were yesterday, also, so I think a day of rest from running is in order. I have done a lot this past week (7 days of working out - 3 runs, 2 ellipticals, 1 cycling, 1 DVD). I am no Kara Goucher! I took some Naproxen (left over from post-birth, actually - and I never needed it then) and will relax with Isaac.

Coach Terry edited/composed this for me.


After Easter service today we attempted a self-photo shoot in the backyard. I got stuck with the bunny ears...

The whole family! I look forward to next year; Isaac will be much bigger and I will be much smaller. :)

Chasen holds our 8-week-old angel.

Isaac says "It's too windy out here for me!"

Happy Easter, everyone.

Like Riding A Bike

Yesterday was my day to cycle. Mind you, it has been almost a year since I rode "Daisy," my Cannondale. I was so nervous/scared that I put it off until the last possible minute. I was honestly afraid of crashing. My thought was "If I get hurt, what will come of Isaac?" Silly, huh? Chasen encouraged me to get out there. And I did. You know what? It was like riding a bike! After the first few feet I was happy as a clam. I cruised every street in the neighborhood and scored a 5K PR -- 17:56! If only I had been on my feet...

Today was another C25K run. Have I mentioned in the last five seconds how thrilled I am to be running again? :)

Tomorrow I am going to attempt my post-pregnancy fitness DVD. It is 47 minutes long. In all honesty, I watched it today. Isn't that funny -- watching a workout video! I just wanted to know what all I was in for. Wish me luck!

The Team Point Two website is up. Check it out!