Wednesday, March 30, 2011

11 or 12 miles

I've allowed myself to be lazy thus far this week: going to bed shortly after the boy and only walking during breaks at work... So today I decided to do a longer walk.

I believe my walk was 5 miles each way, though the Nike+ puts it between 4.25 and 4.5. I took a little break at my destination before heading home. But, the walk was 9 or 10 miles. Adding in my work walks I got 11 or 12 miles today... which makes me feel a whole lot better about the 1/2 marathon being a little over a month away. 13 miles in one stretch will be a challenge, but one I now believe I can succeed at.

As has been the case, walking was a challenge. My mind still wants to go faster. The walk home was easier in that regard. And my legs/body really only hurt during the last mile. My main challenge ended up being blisters on my feet! I haven't had that problem since when I started running 5 miles... like 8 or so years ago. I wore socks with a lot of padding and I'm hypothesizing that my preggo feet were a little swollen since it was the end of the day. Need to find a remedy though.

I'm planning on walking 9 miles on Saturday; hopefully with the lady that I'm walking the 1/2 marathon with. Will try a different pair of  socks... and hopefully go earlier in the day.

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Frustrations with myself

Wow, so I've been horrible lately at the whole working out thing. Been walking more during breaks at work, but other than that, ugh!

The work walks have been nice. One of the perks to not pumping as much. On a side note, I'm down to pumping once per day... so my body is (soon) only going to be supplying nutrition to the baby within me... seems like that should probably effect my food intake. Anyhow, it's been nice to be getting out for walks on my breaks.

My most recent walk/run attempt was a lowly two miles. I've discovered the delima with running makes the baby bounce... and that makes me have to pee. But, running then gets me to my destination (and a bathroom) quicker. Maybe this is the motivation I need to just learn to walk. The urge to run probably won't go away, but if I can mentally tell myself that my bladder will be happier.... I'll have to try that next time.

So, it's like 5 weeks until I'll be walking 13 miles... sure wish the weather would stick with the 70s so I could get out there. This weekend is supposed to be pretty icky cold. I'm really ready for that to be done with!

Sorry to be a downer this blog. I waved to my boy the other day and didn't like the arm jiggle I saw... so maybe that'll push me in the right direction too...

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Highs and lows

It's been a long time since I've blogged. Happily not that long since I've worked out. That being said, I'm not the happiest with how much I've been working out. I'd really like to up my game. I'm feeling good now and I generally have energy. The motivation is what I'm lacking. I'm working out enough to feel like I'm not getting huge, but not enough to feel like I'm staying toned. I'm not happy with my current progress, but I'm not really dissatisfied... comlacently is a scary place to be.

The weather is warming and outside is calling to me. I got out for a 5 mile run/walk over the weekend and was able to run most of it. In fact, I was back to my problem of needing to make myself walk since that's what I should be training for. I've discovered that one of the things that is complicating my training is that walking takes longer and it's hard to find the time for that.

On the plus side I can get out for 2-3 mile walks with my boy in the stroller. And I'm able to walk a mile each day on my break at work. Bring on spring!!

Thursday, March 3, 2011

Twofold happy day

Another beautiful day. Temps near 60 and the sun shining. I decided to take advantage of it by running outside. After all, the roads have those stupid wet lines on them that tell me the road crews feel another storm is coming. Gotta enjoy the awesome days between. Went for 3 miles through the neighborhood. On Tues I did the same route and felt great. Today I felt sluggish, plus I feel like a cold may be coming on. I figured that I would run what I could and walk the rest. Surprisingly, the iPod told me that my pace was only half a minute off from Tues. And my legs are feeling much better. I really need to have more of these weeks when I get outside more than once.

Another positive today was the appointment we had with the midwife. We learned that our little baby is about the size of my cupped hand. They had a funny little jelly baby to show us the size. Heard the heartbeat again and set up the appointment for our ultrasound next month. With any luck we'll know what we're having on 4/4. As of today, we know that the baby is very active and has a strong heartbeat. I'd been thinking that I have felt movement the past couple of days and the midwife confirmed that what I've been feeling likely is the baby moving around.

Plus I was told that my weight gain is where it should be and my blood pressure is very good. And I was encouraged to keep running.

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Working out together

So, I meant to blog the other day about working out with the hubby. It was so wonderful. He did his main Insanity workout before I got home, but then had to do the ab part. It was only 20 mins long, so I thought that it made more sense to join him than try to fit in something of my own.

Going in I knew that I wouldn't be able to do all. I mean, an ab workout in my 15th week of pregnancy? I figured that it was Shaun T, so it wasn't like we were going to be doing crunches. I was right, it was more of a cardio standing workout. It also involved more jumping than I had planned on. I modified. I don't know that I got much from the workout. But it was more than nothing.

The nice part for me was that I was working out with the hubby again. That was my favorite part of when we started P90X. Accountability is easier with someone else. Once I push 'play' and get into the workout I'm generally having a good time, regardless of who I'm with. But being with someone makes that first step so much easier.

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Another great day for a run

Another beautiful day outside. The perfect day for a run through the neighborhood. What I really wanted to do was run to Ted's for a cigar, but that didn't seem realistic tonight. So, the neighborhood it was. I went out for the three mile loop and it was so fabulous. I ran most of the time, walking briefly at miles 1 and 2 while I drank some water. Then I hit the giant hill on Pioneers Blvd and thought, "I'm supposed to be training for a walk, so I think I'll walk now." I power walked and that reminded me that in some ways walking is harder; it definitely works different muscles.

And now that I'm done, my body has been alternating between "ah, that felt good" and "ah, what did I do?" A hot shower has relaxed my muscles and I'm feeling good until I stand up and my hip flexors start to scream at me. As early as I am in my pregnancy (just starting the second trimester) my lower back, hips, and round ligaments tend to wear me down. I think I'll have to incorporate a lot of stretching.

In other news, I've noticed that I'm back to drinking the amount of water I used to drink. When morning sickness was wearing on me I had a really hard time making it through two (40oz) bottles at work. I think my water intake decreased to 60-70oz at work plus whatever in the evening. These last two days I've flown through 3 bottles, for 120oz at work, plus evening water at home. I realize that I drink more water than most people, but other than water I probably have a glass or two of milk per day... and that's it. Drinking soda pop is extremely rare. Juice is nice, but I'm picky about the purity of the juice so it's more of a treat. Anyhow, it's made me happy to see my water intake back to where I feel it should be.

Here's hoping for another run or two this week!