The picker

If it weren't for my girlfriend running with me in Saturdays 5 miler, I definitely wouldn't have been able to complete my goal of running 5 miles in under 50 minutes. Not only did she give me some swift kicks in the ass to keep moving, she also made it fun. How you ask? By what she calls "picking people off"- she'd point out a runner ahead, and say "you will pass that person" - and off we went. By the end, I won't lie, I was dying, and what does she have me do in the last half mile of the race? Pick people off.

First it was a younger kid. Then it was two other guys. I sprinted. And I almost peed my pants! Thankfully it was all down hill or else I am pretty sure I wouldn't have been able to beat the guys!

There we are in the back right. She's telling me to GO.

.....and I am off. Praying that all those kegels paid off.

Painful! 

First pick off complete! Little did I know I wasn't done yet....

I'm back!

Hell, I don't even know if anyone reads this blog anymore. I am not even sure I have time to post...but, I'll give it a try!

I don't even know where to begin. Let's see...the last time I blogged, was over a year ago. We were moving to DC.....Well, we did. But, you know what? We've moved back to Maine. If you're interested in our story, head on over to our blog and read this - so yeah, we're back in Maine, and adjusting to a new normal.

Last fall I was able to get up to 7 miles in my running, but then I stopped running, and restarted back in February. I guess I started too fast, with too much mileage, and ended up with a mean IT band issue. It was painful only when I ran. It was very discouraging! Especially when I was eager to get running again! Then I had a few other trials and tribulations which caused me to have to stop running....You can read about that here, too.....So, yeah, lots going on!

But you know what?! I think I've got it all under control. I'm making time for me and running and feeling great. I've joined a running group that my girlfriend has started, and giving me some accountability, and keeping me honest.

I just ran my very first 5 mile road race yesterday and finished in under 50 minutes!

And the biggest news!!!!!!! I just signed up for my very first half marathon! I will be running in the Maine Half Marathon on September 30th! And I WILL RUN.

Down to the wire!

Well, it looks as though I will be on the mad dash this week to finish up my miles. It's been a rainy mess here and since I don't own any outdoor rain gear or a treadmill, running was off limits for me.

Yesterday was gloomy so Kevin and I took our first family nap in a very, very long time! Of course, by the time I woke up, I didn't feel like running :)

I planned on running today, but this morning I woke up with a headache and a sore booby :) - I sometimes get whats called clogged milk ducts and my left breast is very painful, so it looks like running is off today. The up and down movement from running will make it worse or at least feel worse. It looks like this week I am going to have to really get down to business if I am going to complete my own challenge...

At least the sun will be out! These rainy days give me absolutely NO motivation at all!!!

I'm alive...

It's been busy here! Last week I was feeling a little fatigued, so I decided to take a few days off from exercising. I wanted to take a few days to rest, drink a lot of fluids and just enjoy.

On Monday, I set out to run 3 miles:
Duration: 34:58
Distance: 3.25miles
Pace: 10:54min/mile

The run actually felt really good and I could have kept going. I started remembering how I used to feel running 4-5 miles last year. I honestly think running over 3 miles is easier because your body is in a good rhythm and feeling loose.

Yesterday, I mentally prepared myself to run 4 miles. I wasn't sure if I would be able to do it, but I was going to try. I wasn't going to worry about pace, just finishing it. And that's what I did...

Duration: 42:53
Distance: 4.00 miles
Pace: 10:43min/mile

Month Total: 22 miles

Yesterdays run felt amazingly good, I was in a good pattern and felt really comfortable. It was actually the best running day this year and needed it badly. I was starting to get discouraged, but yesterday helped tremendously.

How is everyone else doing with their 30 mile challenge?

Baby Blubber

I am 9.5 weeks out from having a baby, and here we are in swimsuit season. UGH. This year probably won't be the year that I feel good in a bathing suit, but, that's okay, there's always next year!

Today, I followed my friends "plan" for running. I ran 2 miles.

Duration: I don't know....for some reason my app (mapmyrun) said 0.00
Distance: 2.0 miles
Pace: 9:56min/mile
Month total: 15 miles

The entire run I felt like I was dying, and my quads were BURNING. I couldn't figure it out until I saw my pace. HA.

Today, I took the day off. I had some shin splints and was feeling as though I needed to take a day. I still being really careful about maintaining my milk supply and making sure that I drink enough fluids. I sure have a hard time consuming extra water, but I've been working on it. The warmer weather doesn't help either, and we don't want Callum's milk to dwindle...that is more important than losing weight!

I hope everyone is doing well with their monthly challenge. I am starting to think of something "fun" (notice that's in parenthesis) to do for July! Any ideas?

Lucky number 13 & And a new plan...interested?

13 is my lucky number. Don't ask me why, it just is.

Today, I hit mile 13 for the month of June. My good friend, Kate (who is an avid runner), has put a little fire under my ass to help me get my 5K time under 30 minutes.

Interested in what she said? Here you go!


1. 100 ounces of water a day (this accounts for the nursing and exercise).  Make sure you keep track - make sure to get it all in your system!!
2. Limited alcohol intake to 1 (yes a good size one is fine) drink a day (this means one glass of wine or one vodka mixer or one something-or-other or beer...But the rule is one a day)
3. Eat normally, eat when you're hungry....just eat normally.
4. Make sure you eat before your run.
5. Whats your music situation?  Do you have good running music?  When / where did you buy your shoes?  Are your boobies well supported?

Here we go!!!

Monday: go out and run 3.1 miles....run it slow, but don't walk...I would rather you run it slow the whole time, than run faster & have to walk a bit....just run it
Tuesday: speed work out: driveway sprints 15 - sprint the length of your driveway, walk back, sprint it, walk, etc. repeat 15 times.  Do 20 crunches, 20 lunges, and 20 push-ups (real ones & then drop to your knees when you need to)
Wednesday:  run 2 miles 
Thursday:  rest day, but do 20 crunches, 20 lunges, and 20 push-ups
Friday:  run 3.1 miles,
Saturday: speed work out: driveway sprints 15 - sprint the length of your driveway, walk back, sprint it, walk, etc. repeat 15 times.  Do 20 crunches, 20 lunges, and 20 push-ups (real ones & then drop to your knees when you need to)
Sunday: run 2.5 miles,
Monday: rest day, do 20 crunches, 20 lunges, and 20 push-ups
Tuesday: run a 5k in 30 minutes or less :)


Here are my stats for today, which by the way, I am pretty proud of...

Distance: 3.1 miles!
Duration: 33:45 min
Pace: 10:56min/mile!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Month total: 13

New Tunes?

I am looking for some new music to motivate me to run faster.

Check out my blog frog chat over to the right, click on the "what's on your iPod" - I am sure we'd all love to get some ideas on what everyone likes to listen to - or not!

PS - Since it was raining here in Maine today, I didn't get out for a real run, so Kevin and I tried the week one of 'Ripped in 30' again....yeah, that's a great workout! Even Kevin was hurting :)

A little of this...and a little of that...

This morning we spent about 3.5 hours at the beach. Needless to say, I had a tired crew! I put the kids to bed, and had some motivation to do a little work out.

I turned on OnDemand to see what was available and saw some new things from Jillian Michaels. She has a new video out that is called 6 pack in 6 weeks........hmmmm, I surely need a 6 pack after having a kid 9 weeks ago.

It was a pretty good workout! But halfway into it, Callum awoke. I got 15 minutes of a good ab workout in. Then Kevin came home and I had some time to go for a short run.

Duration: 21:57
Distance: 1.95 miles
Pace: 11:14 min/mile
Month total: 10 miles

Since I was running a shorter distance, I would run a 9-10 min/mile pace at every other mailbox or driveway and then an 11-12 min/mile pace at the opposite. It worked pretty good. When I finished running last year, my pace was more like a 9-10 min/mile, so I'd love to get to that point again.

Overall, I had a pretty good work out today. I am still feeling the other day workout in my hamstrings so I am trying to take it easy! I can feel the obsession starting to form!

Hope everyone else is doing well! Keep it up - remember a little exercise is better than none :)

Add 3 more to the count!

Yesterdays workout absolutely KILLED me. I got out of bed this morning and I could hardly walk! It even hurt to move my arms. I joked with Kevin saying I needed a wheelchair with a joystick so I didn't have to move my arms or legs today!

Once I got moving I felt better, but my hamstrings were killing me. I had a scheduled babysitter today so I could get some things done around the house, particularly a run.

I set out this morning with a goal of 3 miles. It was getting hot so I knew I had to do it now or I'd never do it today.

Duration: 33:56
Distance: 2.93 miles
Pace: 11:35 min/mile

Todays run definitely hurt, I think my muscles were so tight from yesterday, but I knew I had to do it - I have to keep up with everyone and finish my 30 miles! My hamstrings were quite tight in the beginning, but they loosened up (a little) during the run.

I was able to keep my pace between 10-12 minutes, so that is a big plus. I have a long way to go to get back to where I was pre-baby, but I am starting to feel good about my workouts...and once I make them a priority in my day, I'll feel better and better.

I can start to feel the "obsession" with exercising start and that's good, because that means I WILL make time for it everyday. Even if it is 10 minutes. Even if it is a long walk or bike ride with my kids. It is still exercise!

Attempting to get "ripped" in 30 days

Two weeks ago I was at Target getting my weekly staples. I walked down the "exercise" aisle and noticed Jillian Michaels had out some new videos.

I picked up "Ripped in 30 days" - it looked interesting and I was interested in doing something different then the shred.

At $12 I thought it was worth the try.

After two weeks of it sitting in our living room unopened, I thought I'd give it a try.

It consists of four "weeks" or levels. It uses a similar approach of the 3,2,1 (3 minutes of strength training, 2 of cardio and 1 of abs). It is 24 minutes long.

It uses a lot of different exercises so it doesn't feel like repetition of the Shred, but some are similar. I think the cardio and strength exercises were very good, and pretty tough for the "first" week.

The ab work outs were okay, I think nothing compares to the ab work outs on her "No More Trouble Zones" - those are amazingly tough and awesome at the same time!

I was definitely feeling it after the workout. My muscles were shaking, shit, I could barely walk!

I highly recommend it if you're looking to change it up a bit! At 24 minutes in length, it's a great workout!!!

5 down......25 to go

I had intended to run during the weekend, but......guess what? It didn't happen.

To further complicate my life, we are moving back to the Washington DC region mid-summer. It will be a tough move primarily because Kevin and I are in love with our life here in Maine. Thankfully, it is temporary!

Anyways, I was able to motivate myself today and headed out for a run!

Duration: 33:39
Distance: 3.00 miles
Pace: 11:12min/mile - have improved that by almost a minute since I've started running a few weeks ago!

I was pretty proud of myself as I was able to run the entire time without stopping to walk - not even once....believe me, I was huffing and puffing and feeling as though I was going to die, and thought about running, but I just thought about all our little Callum went through after birth, and if he can fight for his life, I can fight to run a short distance, right?

So, how is everyone else doing with the challenge?

If you're feeling overwhelmed, do the best you can - getting out there is the most important part!!!

2 miles out of 30.....28 more to go!

Today, I started my 30miles in 30 days challenge.

I didn't think I was going to be able to run today, but my husband graciously took our oldest girls to lunch with him and left me home with our two littles (20 months and 8 weeks).

I dug out our jogging stroller and ran. It sucked. Both kids did great and our newest, Callum slept the entire way. On the way back, the wind was blowing in his face and he didn't like that too much, so he was a little fussy, but overall, it went well!

Duration: 24:55
Distance: 1.99 miles
Pace: 12:30 mins/mile

I did walk some, the wind was whipping hard and with that jogger, it was tough work, but I did it. Two down...28 to go!

How is everyone else doing?

I'm still running! And a challenge

On Saturday I headed out for a run. I had intended to do some interval training to help get my pace improved, but when I went to start running, I ran into my neighbor. I used to run with her a lot last summer, but since I was pregnant, I couldn't run. She's an avid runner, so I was intimidated to run with her, but I knew she'd help get my pace improved.

My MapMyRun app (which I highly suggest!) farted out, so I am not sure how accurate it is with the mileage, time and pace, but here it is:

Distance: 1.75 miles
There was not a time, so, I am not sure on that one, and I am pretty sure I ran longer than that......so......
My initial pace was 10:30 min/mile and then 11:35 min/mile, so much improved from my last run.

How is everyone else doing?

Anyone interested in doing a "run 30 miles in 30 days challenge" with me? Tomorrow is June 1st....so what are you waiting for? If you don't like to run, maybe you could do an "exercise for 30 hours in 30 days?"

I challenge you to do one or both together! what are you waiting for? Get out there and start!

My goal for the week.......exercise three days this week.

I did it!

The sun is finally out here in Maine after an eight day hiatus. My motivation was nowhere to be found. I even dressed "the part" on Monday planning to work out, but, guess what? It never happened.
Hey, getting dressed to exercise is one step closer to actually doing, it right?

On Wednesday, it was a beautiful afternoon. Kevin came home and I promised myself I would run. And run, I did....

Distance: 2.34 miles (getting closer to that 3 mile mark)
Time: 29.20 - definitely not proud of a 12 minute pace, but, I will take it....

A good friend of mine suggested running "telephone poles" - so for the first part of my run, I alternated running and walking with each telephone pole. By half of my run, I was starting to feel good, so I decided to run as far as I could. I was able to run the last part without walking. It felt pretty good, but a bit disappointing considering I was running 9-10 minute miles before I had a baby.

Then today, I promised myself I would run again. And I did.

I had told myself to run a little further than I did on Wednesday. When I got out there, it felt good, so I kept going until I reached the 1.5 mile mark and then I turned around.

Today, I ran:

3.0 miles in 36:20 ----- my first 5K since last summer! While I am not proud of my time, I am proud of being able to run 3 miles just shy of 7 weeks of giving birth.

I think I am finally starting to feel that motivation to keep going.....summer is just about here and this mamma needs to get herself back in shape again!

How is everyone else doing?

Staying Motivated

It's been a rainy mess here in Maine and it looks like it will be a while before the sun comes out. I don't know about you, but for me, cloudy days gives me absolutely NO motivation to do much of anything, especially exercise.

Check out my "blog frog" community to the right.....(click on the link "how do you stay motivated" to join a discussion)

Let's talk about staying motivated and how you do it.....I'd love some ideas and I am sure others would, too!