I Registered For My First 5K

I'm running the New Suffolk Waterfront 5K on August 11, 2012 with my girl Maureen.  Scott and I will be on Long Island for his race, so I figured it was a perfect time to test out my knew running skills with one of my BFFs!  I'm excited to give my first race a try with a friend.  Hopefully having her with me will keep me motivated and also make it more fun (as fun as running can be).

Another Tough One (Week 6, Day 2)

Baby Boy and I went out for a run this morning.  I struggled a bit, but not quite as bad as last time.  I don't know if it's the weather, my route, the timing, or something else, but Week 6 has been tough!  We did a shorter loop around town (3 miles), running 10 minute intervals.  I did have to stop for a quick walk break here and there. Hopefully my endurance increases in the next couple of weeks because I registered for a 5K on August 11th!

I give myself a 3 for today.

The "Dreaded" Week 6 (Week 6, Day 1)

They don't call it the "Dreaded Week 6" for nothing, apparently.  Scott, Kellen and I hit the Cape Cod Rail Trail for the last run of our vacation today.  Boy was it a doozy!  We got a bit of a late start, and didn't get out of the house until 11am.  By this time, it was M-U-G-G-Y!!!  The running intervals were shorter than those in the last workout (5 minutes/8 minutes), but I was blowing hard from the first 3 minutes, or so.  I'm not going to lie.  I was glad when this one was over!


Today is a sad 4...

Another Gorgeous One on the Cape (Week 5, Day 3)

Scotty-boy, Kellen and I hit the Cape Cod Rail trail again this morning for a nice 5 mile walk/run.  It was cool and breezy, making it feel almost like a fall day.  I was a little nervous about the running part of the workout today because the plan was to run 20 minute intervals.  This is more than twice as long as the longest interval I've done so far.

All in all, I felt pretty good.  I did stop to stretch for a minute around the 7-minute mark, and then again for a 30 second walk around the 15-minute mark.  However, I'm proud of myself for persevering (and feeling decent) the majority of the run!

Today's run scores a 2!

Beautiful Morning on the Cape (Week 5, Day 2)

We're on V-A-C-A-T-I-O-N!!!  Normally that would mean lots of junk food and little exercise.  I won't lie, I'm still hitting up the junk food pretty hard, but I'm also still exercising!  Scott, Kellen and I went for a walk/run this morning, and let me tell you-it was awesome!  The weather was perfect (70 degrees and dry), and the scenery was beautiful.

We did about 5 miles on the Cape Cod Rail Trail.  This is a 22 mile trail that connects Dennis to Wellfleet.  The rail trail was flat and smooth and there was lots to see in the way of nature and fellow runners/bikers.  We ran 8 minute intervals (my longest to date) and I felt great!  I think we'll hit the trail again on Tuesday!

I give today's run a 1!!!

The iPhone Has Changed My (Running) Life

Now, let's be clear.  I'm no "techy" person.  I pretty much always wait until at least the 3rd or 4th edition of an electronic before jumping on the bandwagon, if at all.  Last fall, I was due for an upgrade on my phone and decided to get the free (old model) iPhone 3G. I figured it would be handy to check my emails and whatnot.

Now that I've crossed over to the other side, I don't think I could go back to an "un-Smart" phone.  Aside from idling away time on Facebook while I pump in the cave at work, the iPhone has made my new running habit a breeze (relatively speaking).  I have an app for the Couch-to-5K (C25K) program, as well as one for Pandora Radio and a nifty little pedometer/GPS/calories-burned counter.  When I'm out and about, I pump the tunes and use the C25K app to mindlessly keep track of my intervals, speed and distance.  There are several options for different "trainers" who can soothingly encourage me through my run or bark out orders to "JOG!!!!"

There's no need for me to wear a pedometer, carry a stopwatch, and strap on an MP3 player/headphones now that I've succumbed to the Apple juggernaut!

Early Morning 3-Miler (Week 4, Day 3)

Baby Boy K and I took it to the streets for a 3-mile jaunt while it was still cool and breezy this morning.  We did a loop around town.  I'm liking this particular route lately because it's just about exactly 3 miles.  There are minimal hills. The biggest one is at the very end of the loop so I usually hit it during my cool-down phase.  I also like running here because there is a lot to see and Kellen is entertained for the entire time.

Today's run was tough, but I felt much better than last time!  There was more actual running than walking.  My speed and distance were a little better.  I think the best part was that I didn't feel like I was going to die!


I give today's run a 2!

Today Kicked My Ass (Week 4, Day 2)

Yup.  That's right.  Ass whoopery!  I headed out bright and early to beat the heat.  Little Mister and I did a 3 mile loop around town at 7:30am this morning.  It took everything I had to make it those three measly miles.  My pace was off.  My endurance was off.  My distance was off.  Blah!  Maybe it was the humidity in the air (yeah, we'll blame it on that)...  More than likely it was all of the junk food I ate this week coupled with the fact that I haven't run since Monday.  Let's just say there was a lot more walking than running today.  Overall, I would give my run a 4.

It's all good though.  I hear, from more experienced runners than I, that you sometimes just have those days.  Sometimes running is awesome and exhilarating and you could just go and go for miles and miles.  Other times you feel like crap.  Oh well, better luck next time!   I had the opportunity to enjoy a beautiful morning with one of my favorite guys.  I say that's worth it!

The Great Stroller Search Continues...

I've been on the hunt for a stroller suitable to my new running pursuits.  We have about 17 (well, maybe more like 4) different strollers, none of which are really tickling my fancy in terms of a jogger.

We started out with this one.  I LOVE this stroller, but it's not really a jogging stroller.  We'll call it a pseudo-jogger.  It looks like a jogger.  It feels like a jogger.  Until you start jogging.  The tires are plastic and the shock absorption is lacking.  Last week, while running some hills, parts started falling off.  Also, it doesn't have a break.  Hmmmm.....

I was given an old-school hand-me-down jogging stroller that was so bad, I only used it once and therefore have no pictures.  The straps were jerry-rigged, and when I put Kellen in the seat, he drooped so low in the unsupportive fabric that he might as well have been lounging in a hammock.  This is not ideal for cruising on the open road at 30 3 mph.  Moving on...

Yesterday, a friend of mine gave me this beauty.  It's functional.  The straps hold the baby in (miracle!).  The break works.  The tires are gen-u-ine rubber.  It has decent shock absorption.  So what if it pulls to the right a little.  I need calluses on my left hand.  I think it will do until I get the one I REALLY want.

Speaking of which, THIS it the one I REALLY want!  The BOB.  It's the creme-de-la-creme of jogging strollers.  A Cadillac of you will (oh, I will).  It's a little pricey, but oh so worth it.  I've pushed other babies around in one of these (not creepy at all) and it's like floating on a cloud.  I could probably steer with a finger if need be (No, Mom!  I won't push the Muppet around with a finger while running!  I'm just saying I COULD...).  

Every time I bring up the possibility of getting this stroller, Scott laughs in my face and says something about having 17 different strollers, blah, blah.  What he doesn't realize is that you need different strollers for different things (kind of like shoes).  I wish I had known about this gem while registering.  It probably wouldn't have mattered because I wasn't a "runner" (loose term) at that point.  Someday, this will be all mine (evil laugh)!!!

Active Day After a Gluttonous Weekend (Week 4, Day 1)

This past weekend, I ate. A lot.  Saturday was date day complete with appetizers, burgers, beer and ice cream!  Sunday we had a few people over for a BBQ so of course I stuffed my gullet with chips and hot dogs, chased by more ice cream...

What's a woman to do after such a hoggish couple of days?  Get moving!  This morning Kellen and I headed out bright and early to meet up with some friends for 3 miles on the rail trail.  It was a beautiful dry morning, and it felt great to get the blood pumping and socialize at the same time.  This was my first time on the rail trail (it's relatively new), and I was very impressed with everything the association has done to clean up the trail and make it accessible to the community.  We saw lots of wildlife, including a couple of very cool beaver dams.

Today was so gorgeous, I decided to take the nugget out for a nice walk/run in the afternoon as well.  We did a 3.5 mile circuit of town, making a couple stops at CVS and the library on the way.  Little Mister seems to really enjoy hitting the streets, taking in all of the sights and sounds from his stroller.  

Today's run gets a 1 on the rating scale!

It's funny; it wasn't long ago, in the weeks and months immediately following Kellen's birth, that  I could barely walk a block in our neighborhood without getting winded and exhausted.  As an athlete, and relatively fit person all my life, it was frustrating to be so limited in my activity.  Physical activities that I had taken for granted had become difficult and somewhat unattainable (being out of shape and sleep-deprived made these challenges  seem insurmountable).  While it's been 9 months, I am proud of myself that I have gotten to a point where I can clock 6.5 miles in one day and feel good about it.

To top off the day, I had a softball game this evening.  As I was sprinting to first base, I noticed that things seemed a little bit more normal.  My muscles felt limber and strong.  I wasn't huffing and puffing (too badly).  I felt like the old me.  The one BB.  To top it off, one of my teammates mentioned that I seemed like the "fast old Lindsay."  Maybe all of this exercising is starting to pay off!

I WANT TO DO THIS!!!

September 8th, I would love to run the Diva Dash, a 3 mile obstacle course run.  We shall see...

3 Miles, Baby! (Week 3, Day 2)

Today I felt great as I "wogged" (walked/jogged) 3 miles in a beautiful 84 degrees.  There's something about moderately hot weather that makes me feel like a rockstar runner (loose term).  The Nugget and I did a loop around Georgetown, making a stop at CVS (to buy bubbles of course) before returning home.  We were out and about for 45 minutes or so.  I was pleasantly surprised at how content Kellen was for the entire time.  We beat a thunderstorm home (luckily).

The run was great-a 0 on the scale!

Who wouldn't want to run a few miles looking at this face?!?!