5K Race This Weekend & Day Care Nutrition

I'm gearing up for a 5K race this weekend which I will be running with my sister-in-law. The hubby and brother-in-law are doing a 1/2 marathon but someone has to watch Sam so I'm pushing her in the BOB for 3.1. Call me lazy but I'm not going to sign up for 13.1 pushing a jogging stroller. This week has been a pretty light training week. Travis & I were both sick on Tuesday and I've been taking it pretty easy since then.

Last weekend we headed to my in-laws and we got in a run together while Papa & Grandma watched Sam. It's always great to go on a run with my hubby! We also took some really cute pictures of Sam.

Now for the second subject in my title line. I read the post by misszippy about unhealthy America and it brought to light a struggle that I am having right now. Sam will be 11 months old next week and is pretty much ready to give up baby food. So yesterday I asked for a menu from day care of the table food they feed the kids and it is horrible. Here is a week of afternoon snacks just to give you a picture:

Monday: Banana Bread & Milk

Tuesday: Chips & Salsa with Water - infants & tods get Cookies & Milk

Wednesday: Vanilla Wafers & Juice

Thursday: Dill Pickles & Saltines (seriously - could you get any more sodium squeezed in. This is after a lunch of sausage links, hashbrown casserole, pears & milk) - infants & tods get Animal Crackers & Juice

Friday: Goldfish & Raisins with Water - infants & tods get juice instead of raisins

I don't really want her eating most of this crap. Where are the fruits (I haven't given her juice and I don't want to start), veggies & lean protein?????

Can I have her bring her own lunch and will they feed it to her? Will they think I am crazy - probably - but do I care.

HELP!!!!

Running & Mother's Day Actually Applies to Me?????

Hey all, Happy Mother's Day to all of you moms out there! It still seems surreal that the title "mom" applies to me! Congrats to all of you for being the best mom you can be and still trying to find the time to run, bike, swim, or whatever it is you love to do!

Tonight I finished another 13.1 mile run. I've got a 20K race on the horizon and I want to continue to build on the fitness I have from training for the 1/2 marathon I ran on 4/24. My question is will running 13.1 ever get easier. After every long run of that distance I feel nauseous and totally worn out. I recover pretty quickly but how in the world am I ever going to make it another 13.1?

It didn't help matters any that I ran the entire run on the treadmill. I normally like treadmill running but 13.1 is too much time to spend literally running in place. BORING with a capital "B"! I made it through though then finished up feeding Sam and headed to Jimmy John's for a ham and swiss sandwich. I know the nutrient value isn't too high but it is always what I crave after a long run.

Sam Update: She has another ear infection. I think we are on #5 or #6 since she was born. This time she had a fever too and I had to take her to a quick care clinic on Saturday evening. I have to make a follow up appointment with her pediatrician for next week. I think she is too young to talk about tubes yet but I'm starting to wonder how good it is for her to be on antibiotics so often.

She still isn't crawling but she is everywhere and wow does she get dirty now. We used to be able to get two wearings out of her pants but not any more. She spends so much time army crawling that our floors and the floor at day care should be clean enough to eat off of.

Today day care had a Mother's Day luncheon. I got to go spend my lunch with my favorite little girl - it was awesome!

I still can't get over the fact that I am a mom - how long does that take to sink in! Again, Happy Mother's Day to everyone and to my mom, if you are reading this, a very special Happy Mother's Day to you. Thank you so much for coming over this weekend to stay with Sam and I while Travis was out of town. You are the best mom ever and we love you lots!

13.1 Done

Today was my 2nd ever 1/2 marathon. 13.1 at 10 minute pace. Slow, I know, but good for me. My legs (calves mostly) felt sore immediately after so when I was done I sat on the floor and played with Sam and ran "The Stick" over my legs. Then I started getting a massive headache and a few chills. I didn't eat much before I ran and I didn't eat much after I got done either. I popped an ibuprofen and started feeling better shortly thereafter.

I'm glad I ran a 1/2 this morning & the people who run this race are fast. Last year the winner finished in 1:08, middle of the pack was 1:52 and the bottom 1/4 still posted a time of 2:04. Based on last year's results I finished 830 out of 943 runners. I know it doesn't really matter, I don't run to beat other people. This is just another one of my odd personality traits!

Sam update: She still isn't officially crawling but she gets around fast! She is starting to wave now too which is pretty cool. I still can't believe that after 5+ years of trying to have a baby she is here and she is soooooooo amazing! My wonderful sister-in-law is a budding professional photographer and took some awesome pictures of Sam last weekend. I have included a few of them here. We also took Sam to the zoo this weekend and I have included a picture of Travis & Tracy hanging out at the gate.

Well better run, I need to pump (yes, I'm still breast feeding) and Sam should be waking up from her afternoon nap shortly. Catch you all later. HAPPY RUNNING!

I can't commit

I've been training for a half marathon on 4/24 but I'm questioning why. I'm doing the training plan to a "T" but for some reason I wish I wasn't doing it. I think I'm scared. I also think I'm out of my comfort zone a bit. I like to run long but I'm not good at it.....I'm horribly slow. I hate finishing in the lower 1/2 at a race and I checked last years results for the race I was planning on running on the 24th and 75% of the finishers finished in under 2 hours. That is intimidating. It would be different if there were thousands of entrants but there are less than 1,000. I don't think I can do it. So now I have to adjust my training. I'm shooting for a 20K on 6/5 now. This race has thousands of entrants normally and a lot of first time runners. I can handle this.

After that, I'm planning on a sprint tri in July, another sprint in August, and maybe an Olympic after that. Then it is time for my first full Marathon in October.

I'm starting to think I'm meant to be a triathlete & 5K runner. I usually finish in the top 20% of my age group in these and sometimes I break into the top ten. After I get through the Disney World Goofy next January, I'm going to focus on tri's and really try to get better. I love the environment at tri's. The people are amazing. So encouraging. Hanging out after the race is awesome. I love everything about it. I even secretly like the swim even though always scares the crap out of me and makes me hyperventilate!

This week of training has been pretty good. We did an 11 mile run last Friday night, an hour long bike ride on Saturday, an hour long hike on Sunday, 3 miles easy on Monday, an hour on the indoor trainer yesterday and an 8 mile run today (with 6 at 1/2 marathon goal race pace). The long run was pretty good and the weather was awesome. Today's 8 mile effort was pretty difficult. I ran it on the treadmill and had to stop and take a break 3 times. Once for a bathroom break and the other two because I just wasn't there mentally. I've been eating a Pop Tart prior to my Wednesday run because I did it a few weeks ago and had an amazing run. I haven't been able to replicate that again though & Pop Tarts really aren't very good for you so I think that is going to come to an end.

Tomorrow is supposed to be a rest night and then Friday we will run long because we are headed out of town this weekend.

Made banana bars out of some over ripe bananas tonight. I'm taking them to the ladies at day care - those women are amazing and feeding them a few sweets is the least I can do. The pic below is from Tasteofhome.com. Don't they look good?

Goodnight all....I've attached a few pictures from hiking and such this last week. Take care & keep training!

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My Baby Girl Kissed a Boy Today

Sam is 9 months old and today she kissed her first boy & he kissed her back! We're in trouble!

We had been teaching her to give her little stuffed monkey kisses but until today she wouldn't give a person a kiss. So she kisses a little boy at daycare today but Travis & I can't get her to give us any sort of kisses at all. What gives!

Tomorrow is her nine month appointment. Time flies. I was walking around today at lunch noticing all ofthe pregnant women and reflecting on what I was going through a year ago at this time. I really don't miss being pregnant - those last few weeks were torture!

Yesterday, I hit the pool for the first time in months. I only did about 600 meters and my arms, shoulders, & back are aching a bit today. We still haven't signed up for any races. We need to get on it before they are full.

My run training for the 20K in June is in full force. Today was killer - 9.5 miles with 5 mile repeats with 800's between repeats. Friday night we are doing an 11 mile long run while a sitter comes over to take care of Sam. Date night is usually a workout - we are so lame!

Time to hit the sack - take care all!

Half Marathon Training

I'm in week # - oh who the heck knows or cares what week I am on. Seriously, training is going fine. I still haven't signed up for a race though. My original plan was to run a 1/2 marathon on April 24th but I've been dragging my feet. Here is why....running outside is freaking hard! How is it that I can put in a ten mile run on the treadmill at a 1% incline and feel decent afterward (bored and exhausted but good) but if I run outside for two stinkin' miles I feel like I am going to puke!

Tonight I ran 2 miles outside with the hubby and Sam in the BOB. A quarter mile in I just kept repeating this mantra: There is no way I can run 13.1, there is no way I can run 13.1 and on and on. I don't know what I am going to do for sure. I'm thinking of bailing on the 1/2 marathon in April and instead I might do a 20K at the beginning of June.

It sounds like I need a break but I really don't. I'm enjoying the training and I really look forward to the long runs. I like the 2 hours of "me time" I get on Saturday morning!

If I am going to do a tri at all this year I really need to get back to the pool sometime. How do you find the motivation to go to the pool???

Sam update: She is almost nine months old and will be crawling any day now. She slithers around on her belly and loves laying on the wood floor. At first I felt bad having her lay on the wood but she really seems to like it, she can wiggle around like crazy and get where she wants to go. Once she is crawling we are in trouble! I think we got the baby I deserved = she doesn't like to take naps and is constantly on the go. Only 18 more years of a crabby kid who needs a nap but refuses to take one. I'm sorry mom - putting up with me must have been tough!

Adios for now - time to feed the baby and hit the sack! Sleep tight everyone!

Sam's First Swim

On Saturday morning we headed to my sister's for baptism of our new niece. She was born on Tuesday of last week, weighing in at 9lbs. 13oz and 21 1/4 inches long. In pictures she looked huge. In person she looked small - the way all newborn babies do. She is a cutie.

Saturday night was also Sam's first hotel stay and her first ever swim. Travis, Uncle Marty, Aunt Julee, Logan & River all got in the pool and I documented Sam's first pool experience. She loved it! No nervousness at all! Travis put her on her tummy and she started kicking and moving her arms. It was so awesome! She also did great sleeping in an unfamiliar place.

Yesterday Travis texted me and said, "Thinking of Sam swimming makes me smile". I love my hubby and he is a great dad.

Training for the half marathon on 4/24 continues according to the plan I documented a while back. So far so good. Saturday was 9 miles and it went well. Today was 8 miles with 4x1600 at 8:56 pace (remember all you fast people reading this blog....I am slow!). It was tough but not too bad. Am I starting to get my endurance back.......hmmmm..........we shall see.

Now on to tri training. We still haven't signed up for any races and I haven't been to the pool in months and months and months. Have I mentioned that I don't really mind swimming but going to the pool is a huge pain in the butt. I'm not even going to set a goal date for getting started again.

Well, I better feed my baby and get her to bed. Take care everyone!