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!

Team Point Two!

Aaah the schedule lives on! Today I advanced to week two of the Couch to 5K program. Now I am running for 90 seconds and walking for 2 minutes. So far, so good. I detected a little bit of abdominal soreness while running today, but I guess it's about time.

I was able to increase my time spent on the elliptical yesterday with ease. Hopefully my legs are adjusting to it! Tomorrow I plan to cycle a while, but Chasen has been having to work late, so I may have to do the elliptical instead (since obviously I can not take Isaac along - and I do not want to go riding late at night).

Did anyone listen yet to episode 24 of the Runners Round Table? Yours truly has been selected for TEAM POINT TWO!!! I am honored, excited and nervous all at the same time. My training and progress toward marathon number three will be public. Yikes! My marathon advisor will be THE John Ellis. I am thrilled! This should be quite an experience. John is the one who suggested the C25K program. And soon I'll be climbing stadium stairs as part of training. Wow!

Isaac says Happy Easter! It's not always easy to photograph a 7 week old...

Gettin' Fitty With It

Last night I made a training schedule for the rest of this month. You know me... I need a schedule to feel like I am making progress. The schedule keeps me motivated! So every other day I will "Couch To 5K" and fill in the gaps with the elliptical machine, cycling and a post-baby fitness DVD. Now to elaborate:

I am really digging the Couch To 5K program. As Jen put it, I should not get hung up on the whole "C" part. I should think of it as the P25K program (Pregnancy To 5K). That works for me!

Yesterday I tried the elliptical machine (in our garage). Oh. My. Goodness. Mind you, I haven't done it in over a year... but holy cow! It was tough! I only made it 10 minutes, and that's only because I wouldn't let myself quit before then. Yeesh - next time will be easier. It better be; I must cross train!

And now for the cycling. As you'll recall, I purchased my awesome bike in January 2008 after my torn tendon was diagnosed. After a sedentary break I began cycling. But then when we moved here (and immediately, finally got pregnant) it has just hung in the garage, as the doc said to avoid potential abdominal trauma (i.e. a crash). So, come Thursday of this week, Daisy is coming off the rack!

I ordered a post-baby fitness DVD from Amazon on Sunday. I hope it arrives by the end of this week. According to my schedule, I'll do it about every 6 days. The schedule is run, elliptical, run, cycling, run, DVD, repeat.

What would this blog be without pics of my lil Isaac?

High five! He is starting to be very expressive and make lots of different faces. I make a lot of faces, according to Chasen.

A wink and a smile - look out, ladies!

After my run tonight on the treadmill, we enjoyed some family time. Chasen feeds him as I sit on the floor, and we chat. Then came tummy time.

Although this pic does not depict it, Isaac is getting quite good at holding his head up!

Sweaty Mommy holds the boy.

Elijah is back in Philadelphia for treatment/testing. Everyone please pray for good results!

Now Paying Attention

I had another great run on the treadmill today. I added 5 minutes to the prescribed workout since I am capable. Now that I am back at the computer, though, I realize that I have been short-changing the training; the five minute warm-up is NOT part of the overall time. So by adding 5 minutes, I actually only did the recommended workout. Duh! Now I know.

Chasen and I heading out to our anniversary dinner last night in Memphis. It was great!

Isaac now weighs 11 pounds 6 ounces. Holy formula, Batman!

Four Years

Today is World Autism Awareness Day. As most of you may know, Coach Terry, my dear friend, has created a non-profit organization called ASD Athletes. It stands to promote and support physical activity opportunities for the ASD community (those with Autism Spectrum Disorders). I have installed a widget at the upper left of this blog for you to support the foundation. Please do so! Every little bit helps.

Today is ALSO my fourth wedding anniversary. This past year has definitely been the best one yet: my new business, Chasen's new job, new house, new town, BABY ISAAC. That's hard to top!

Last night I officially did a Couch to 5K workout. It was suggested to me by someone who is going to be pivotal in my upcoming training, whose identity shall be concealed a bit longer. A little mystery is good, right? At first I was not thrilled at the idea of C25K, to be honest. I haven't been on the couch! I've been an actively walking pregnant woman! But then I got to thinking about it... and given my history with injury and the fact that I just delivered a baby, I think this is the perfect schedule. No sense pushing myself 'into the trenches' too soon. And it's not as easy as you'd think (for someone in my postpartum condition). For week one I alternate running for 60 seconds with walking 90 seconds. Yesterday was a JOY! And I am still not sore, thankfully. Here I am afterward, actually doing some real sweating:


Sweat is a beautiful thing. I couldn't be happier. I was on cloud nine!

Chasen brought Isaac out into the garage to watch me run for a few minutes. It was Isaac's first time to see his mommy run! Oh the precious moments!

Does this look comfortable to you? Not me. But he loves it.