From no races to too many races!

Hey ya'll! Thanks so much for the kind comments and messages you've been sending my way. It really helps! Just a quick update - I had my post-op appointment this afternoon and it looks as though everything is officially done and over with, and all is healing up nicely. So that's a relief.

Now to running news - I don't know about what it's like in your neck of the woods, but here in the Northeast of the USA it is RUNNING SEASON! Road races abound, and the cool and comfortable weather is plentiful, which is so exciting - and more importantly motivating - to me. Aside from this wacky 10k "mud run" me, the hubby and a friend are doing on the 26th this month, I have a 5k and a 5 miler coming over the next few weeks, and I am contemplating signing up for my very favorite 1/2 marathon (the jersey shore half marathon in Sandy Hook), even though I am no where near there in my mileage these days... but I'm just feeling good and ambitious - looking for a reason to start sneaking in the longer runs again and pushing myself.

Yesterday after work, the hub and I tried to sneak in a run together before dinner time. Running alone all the time just gets to be so... well, lonely. And back in our pre-parenting days we used to really connect on our weeknight runs through the neighborhood (I am a chatterbox when running, and have found the hard way that not everyone appreciates that). But it didn't quite work out. First, we had to convince ourselves we'd get back in time to give him dinner at a decent hour. Even though we're only going to run three or four miles - you have to factor in the drive time to and from the park (probably 15 minutes total), the time it takes just to load up the stroller and the kid, get our water and our towels.. pack a cup of pretzels or something in case of an emergency... so it always ends up taking much longer than we planned. Once we got to the park (Veteran's for you local folks), we threw the little guy into the old and rusty jogging stroller, and off we went. Last fall, he wouldn't really put up much of a fight - he'd just sit back and enjoy the sights. However, yesterday we found that as we start to approach the playground portion of the park, we are greeted by shouts of delight and even applause. As soon as the swings came into view, we heard, "Swings! Yay!!!" (clapping, clapping) "Yay swings! Weeeeee!!!!" and repeat. I looked at hub and said "Oh no! What do we do?" Our course takes us right through the playground. At this point of course my mind was already made up. But to my surprise he goes "Sorry, buddy, mommy and daddy are running - no swings tonight." I was aghast! I volunteered to stop and play while the hub continued on the run - sans stroller so he could pick up the pace even more. He just had to get back to the truck and then drive around to where we were (probably 2 1/2 miles or so). About 20 minutes later the hub showed up, and we SHOULD have headed right home because it was getting late. BUT I could not handle leaving after going through all the running preparations (hey it takes effort to walk in the door after work and immediately change into running clothes) and then running only 1/2 mile. So I convinced hubs that I'd be quick - just hang out at the playground. Luckily there is a new playground so there was a whole section for them to explore. It took me about 25 minutes as well to make the whole loop - I actually lucked out because I got to run that 1/2 mile I had already run initially in order to get from where we parked to the playground. Since hub moved the truck, I had to run it. Yeah! Ah the life of a full-time working, running parent - it ain't easy folks. You try to squeeze in a mile here and there whenever you can!!! And for the record, we did get home late - we were eating dinner at 7 and the kid didn't get to bed til 9:00. That's another thing we have to work on - the bedtime process. It's too involved! I'm sure the rest of the week will involve solo runs.

I'm curious to hear from you fellow working/running parents about how you sneak in your weekday runs - especially if your spouse is also a runner or someone who likes to work out during the week. And no, we can't do mornings - my hub leaves at 5:45 a.m. to catch the train to NYC, so I'm home alone with the little guy every morning during the week before work.

IN MOURNING

I can't eat, I can't sleep... I just lie around in bed all day long feeling sorry for myself. No it's not because of our personal loss that I've discussed in some recent earlier blogs. That we are dealing with and are ready to move on and heal. This time, I'm talking about the loss of Nate - he has left RWJ fitness center, my gym, where he dutifully taught Boot Camp/Boxing classes 3x/week for several years. I was a newbie to his classes, only having just discovered them a few short months ago. It was love at first military push-up. Jumping jacks to his blaring Black Eyed Peas tracks from his iPod, jogging endlessly around the room in circles to "Single Ladies" by Beyonce, countless squats and holds to "Get Low" by Lil' someone-or-other, dreaded pushups if someone yawned in class - I was so inspired by his attitude, energy and class format that I even bought my own jump rope and practiced at home. That is saying a lot. His was the only class I ever made a true effort to attend every single week in quite a while. And I have been in the gym/group fitness game a loooooong time. I've taken everything from advanced step to "body pump" to that dumb class where you're jumping on trampolines. I even used to be a fitness instructor at Lucille Roberts years ago, where I ate, slept and breathed group fitness and aerobics classes. This past Tuesday, after a two-week hiatus, I showed up, jump rope in hand for my wonderful Boot Camp class - ready to be inspired and hoping to find a little bit of my recently lost energy and motivation. Some small white dude with tats on his arms came in, began babbling about how this was now going to be a boxing class every week, and started hanging up those giant punching bags. The other Nate followers and I glanced around in disbelief. This was the first we were all hearing about this. After class, another Nate disciple and I went to the front desk, and all we got was "Oh, he's no longer with the company." I honestly thought I was going to cry. I emailed Nate through FB and got "difference of opinion with management." And he asked me to email the gym with my complaint if I was unhappy. Of course I did, and here is the website: http://www.rwjhamiltonwellness.com/?s=comments if anyone else has ever taken his classes there or currently takes his classes there and would also like to complain.

In other news, for anyone who has been wondering - I had a procedure done yesterday at the hospital that has finally and officially brought our personal ordeal to an end (called a D&E). So that's why at the beginning of this post I said we are finally ready to begin healing and hopefully move on to better and happier times. It's been a tough couple of weeks, but now more than ever I need to get back into my fitness/running routine. I am taking it easy today but am considering meeting with the trail running group tomorrow. I'm playing it by ear and will see how I am feeling.

Thanks to all you awesome people out there with the supportive comments, inspirational blogs, training programs and running schedules! You are all helping me more than you realize. Next stop - the bike shop up the road to get an idea of how much I have to put on my charge card to get myself a good bike. :-) (shhhh don't tell the hub!)

Later

Fleetingly kinda sorta considering a tri...

...or at the very least considering buying myself a decent bike. I would love to take the little guy out for rides once in a while - when I was a kid, that was one of my favorite things in the world. Riding on the back of my dad's bike - think Linus' little brother from Peanuts (after a quick google search, I found that his name is Rerun Van Pelt, apparently).



How much do I gotta spend for a good bike that may or may not in due time be used for training for and participation in a tri? Any tips/suggestions out there? I suppose I will first have to get over my fear of riding on roads with narrow shoulders in traffic!!? GULP

In running news, I went out for a really nice 5k-ish (remember: no Garmin) run on Saturday morning in "Slayerville" - aka Sayreville, my original hometown. It was pretty muggy there but the very light, minute drizzle totally offset it and actually made it a pleasant run.

I know I need to pick up the pace here if I'm going to do all the 5ks - 5ms I'd like to do this fall. I'm still in a little bit of a funk, but running always makes me feel better - even if it's only for 40 minutes or so. The biggest hurdle these days has been motivating myself to get up and go. (Noggin moms out there - "Get up, get out and go-go. Go go! A boom baba boom baba!" Anyone else want to pull their ear drums out with their bare hands thanks to The Fresh Beat Band?? Of course my kid loves them!!!)

This week, I hope to get back into my boot camp class at the gym on Tuesday night, and either join the group with a trail run on Saturday, or take the hike over to Holmdel Park for the Saturday in the Park 5k, which I've done once or twice before years ago, and remember it to be a really fast, fun course through the park's paths and trails. Hey everyone - September's upon us! Runners rejoice!!

Soul-cleansing run

Considering my current medical "condition," I wasn't sure how much high-impact exercising would be safe for me, and I really don't feel like calling the doctor to ask "Can I go for a run while having a m/c?" So I decided to take it upon myself and just do a very light 5k through the park last night. A small bout of depression came over me right before I was going to leave (it comes and goes in waves it seems) and I started to let myself feel fatigued. But I pep-talked myself out of it, and I am so very glad I did! The humidity had died down a bit by this point - it was around 6 p.m. - and I didn't need my sunglasses as the route I chose just by pure luck never had me facing the sun directly... it was behind me on the way out, and I was in the shade on the way back. So that was nice! I felt so good on this run, it's hard to explain. I tried running this past Sunday and felt like garbage. I guess it was because I was still processing the news of what was going on, plus it was almost mid-day during one of those sticky, disgusting, blaring sunny days. So that could have been factored in as well. But besides that Sunday run, it seems like every time I've gone out for a solo run over the summer, there was some invisible quick sand holding me back from picking up the pace. My feet just feel heavy all the time. But not last night. I felt light and quick, and that really boosted my mood. I'm sorry it was so short but I told myself it was better to take it easy than push it right now. There's always next week, and HOORAY! the fast-approaching fall - the most awesomest time to run!!! They are calling for mid-70s tomorrow and Friday. Maybe I'll shoot for a longer run. Can't wait! Thank god for running. :-)

Oh and we're officially signed up for that McGuire Air Force Base Mud Run on 9/26! Our friend Greg will be joining us as well. We're trying to figure out which of our other friends might be talked into doing it too. It just looks like it's a "the more the merrier" kind of a thing. We need some good ideas for wacky costumes/t-shirts!

it's so hot, wah wah wah...

As most of you know by now I'm having a bad week, to say the least. Add to that the insane humidity and extreme temps, and you get a wishy washy cry baby of a "runner." I walked-ran about 4 miles on Sunday morning (LATE Sunday morning - bad idea) and that's after I totally cheesed out on the Saturday morning trail run, a decision I was still regretting. In my defense (here we go again) I was exhausted from our two-day jaunt to Point Pleasant with the little guy and my parents (we got back from that late Friday afternoon) AND I was hosting a baby sprinkle at my house for one my best friends Saturday at 3:00. Thus, the thought of getting up at 6 a.m., driving 20 minutes to meet up with the gang at 7, running in the rain for over an hour, hopping in the car muddy and exhausted, driving another 20 minutes home - and finally getting in the shower before starting my day sometime after 9 a.m. - just didn't seem like it was going to fit into my schedule! I did miss it though - from what I understand, only the "die hards" were out that morning. Dang.
On a more positive note, the hub and I will be signing up for the McGuire AFB Mud Run, which we're both really looking forward to (and wish we could invite spectators to, but from what I understand only registered participants are allowed to come due to security reasons). Also, surprise of all surprises, my uncle has recently started showing interest in building up some endurance and doing a 5k with us in the near future. He's been running on his own now, and can do a slow but steady 3 miles on the treadmill. He says he's ready to register for a road race. Anyone in Jersey know of some well-established 5ks coming up? It's gotta be a good one if we're gonna hook him! Here are a few I've thrown at him so far... I'm not really pushing for one in particular yet:

In Clark on 9/12: http://www.raceforum.com/09/rock.pdf

In Cranford this Sunday: http://www.cjrrc.org/index_files/CJRRC_Races.htm

9/6 in New Brunswick: http://www.jimmyd5k.com/

9/6 Crossroads of Woodbridge: http://compuscore.com/cs2009/sept/index.htm (not sure if you can register online for this one?)

Here's another one on 9/12 in Belmar: http://compuscore.com/cs2009/sept/fallenheroes.pdf

Appreciate any suggestions/feedback on the ones listed above!

Moving On

We learned the hard way what blabbing big news too early can get you. Looks like we are losing this one. Don't worry we are fine - we have our little guy to help get us through! In the meantime, I need to do some EXTRA running to work off all the poundage I've been accumulating the past few weeks - STAT!!! I did a great crossfit workout with two trail running friends this past Wednesday, and I'm looking forward to a good, hard, sweaty trail run tomorrow morning. Then it's back to reality on Monday when our vacation officially comes to a close. We spent the week doing lots of fun day trips - Bronx Zoo, Sesame Place, sleeping at grandmom and grandpop's house, and then two days in Point Pleasant. We are wiped out! Hope everyone is making the most of these last few days of summer - yes it's hot but enjoy it while it's still here... before we know it, we'll be leaping over patches of black ice again (I am so not looking forward to that!).

Don't believe the hype!

With the little man turning 2 on the 4th, we have been in full-on "let's get our yard and home looking somewhere between kinda nice to decent" mode. As such, my running has fallen by the wayside. To top that off, we had a rare night out on Friday with friends (dinner and a movie - The Hangover - bah. I fell victim to the overhype-ization), so we got to bed after 1, which typically precludes any productive pre- 9 a.m. activities the next day. However, I don't know if it was guilt, motivation to stay in shape or just my intense desire to run off all the movie candy, pasta and bread I had the night before, but I dragged my butt outta bed at 6:15 and headed over to Washington Crossing Park to meet up with the Hamilton Area Trail Run Group. Where I went wrong was allowing my GPS to take me to the meeting place instead of following the extremely simple directions posted on the trail group website. We were supposed to meet at 7, but around 7:10 I found myself just kind of stuck in the middle of an intersection that as far as I could tell was nowhere near the group's meeting place. So I called them and told them to go on without me. I went home to check the map of the park - I was probably a tenth or two of a mile away from them. STUPID TOM TOM! I went home very dejected and threw myself into landscaping efforts, which felt good but not as good as a hot and sweaty trail run! I managed to squeeze in a 3.8 mile run Sunday night, so that's something, I GUESS.

So, to recap the weekend: time out with friends 10%, quality time with hub & Harry 25%, cleaning 25%, landscaping 30%, eating junk food 8%, running 2%. I think all this sunny, hot weather is overhyped much like The Hangover. I thought it would mean more running... so far it's meant far less (I was told I'd be on the floor LingMAO during that movie - I think I am getting old but give me Tommy Boy, 40-Year-Old Virgin, Something About Mary or Wayne's World please - even Old School!!). My next races are 7/9, Thursday evening, RWJ Strides for Stroke (5k), and Saturday morning 7/11 - Belmar 5. Need to get my tush in gear for that one, speaking of HOT WEATHER. That one is always a faint-inducing, sweat-making, sweltering and hazy bitch of a run. But I love it! Bring on the garden hoses and the Springsteen-blasting boom boxes, Belmar residents! Love you! Drinks at Bar A afterward, por supuesto!!