Postpartum: Week 10

Week-beginning Thoughts:
This'll be a light week for Stroller Strides due to some other morning commitments, so maybe I'll make up for that with run mileage? 

Monday

Did: 3.3mi stroller running @ 8:52/mi avg (total) through Strides 360 class and partial daycare run

Ran one mile of the daycare dropoff route with the double, and got the rest of the mileage through the warm-up, cool-down and 4x4min runs at Strides 360 with the single.

Tuesday

Did: 6.3mi @ 9:52/mi avg, Big 5

I need to be better about stretching... :/ Felt slugging today during the run, and ended up sick that night. 

Wednesday

Did: 3.3mi walk with double, 20min weights

Took it easy in the morning, skipped Strides, and walked in the afternoon after some YouTube upper body.

Thursday

Did: 3.01mi stroller run @ 9:06/mi avg, Big 5, calf stretches x 6

Celebration run. Life is improving. :D 

Friday

Did: Stroller Strides with the Double

Took a day to enjoy maternity leave to the fullest, keeping both kiddos home with me an and enjoying some serious family bonding. :) It absolutely warmed my heart to have the older one pull out my resistance band when we got home and tell me he was "exercising like mommy to get strong muscles like her". One of Fit4Mom's "slogans" is "always watching", and the kiddos sure are-- watching and emulating. 

Saturday

Did: 10.05mi @ 9:56/mi avg, Big 5

After a rough night with a sick baby, I felt surprisingly awake at 4am when I got myself ready to meet my teammate for some miles. We've been doing the same route for the past few weeks, which gives me an opportunity to stop between 6-7mi while she continues for the rest of her long run. I felt super awesome today, though. So, fueled by great conversation and excellent running weather, I knocked out my first double digit run postpartum. :D 

Sunday

Did: 4.63mi stroller run @ 10:00/mi avg, calf stretches

This run ended up being an epic rain run, where I was completely unprepared (no visor/hat, no long shorts, and, ugh, no weathershield for munchkin in stroller)... but it turned out great. I spent the whole time smiling and laughing in the delightful 61 degree rain.

Total Weekly Mileage: 27.27

Week-ending Thoughts:

• Creepin' up on 30mpw again + 10mi long run = I'm starting to believe I could actually do a half marathon on Thanksgiving again. It wouldn't be pretty, but I could do it as an LSD without hating myself or getting injured. 
• Achilles is still "there", but SO much improved. Now, if I could just remember to put my anti-inflammation gel on twice a day. You'd think this would be easy, but it's not. :P 
• If I want to do Flying Pig, I'd need to start an 18w plan at the end of December. I feel like that's kind of achievable. It'd be the fastest zero-to-marathon I've done (I was 10.5mo pp for Chicago, and would only be 9mo postpartum for FP), and I wouldn't be going for a PR-- just a comfortable finish. 
• I've also thought about "waiting" for a fall marathon, but, with my chorus going to International Contest next fall, I'd be putting myself in the same chaotic situation I was in post-baby #1 with conflicting major events that require preparation. Add in work and a second kid, and I'm not sure that's a good idea. (Real talk: it's definitely not a good idea, but might not qualify as a bad idea either)

Postpartum: Week 9

Week-beginning Thoughts:
I should really delete this section... 

Monday

Did: Strides 360, 3.3mi double stroller walk

baby loves Strides 360

Tuesday

Did: 6.23mi@ 10:41/mi avg, 3.2mi double stroller walk

Wednesday

Did: 4mi double stroller walk

Thursday

Did: 3.3mi double stroller walk, Stroller Strides

Friday

Did: 3.12mi double stroller run @ 9:20/mi avg, calf stretches, Stroller Strides

Saturday

Did: 7.31mi @ 9:53/mi avg, Big 5

Suuuuuuper tough to get up this morning after baby wake-ups at 10:30, 12am, and 2am, with really zero sleep after that since I couldn't get back down... but I'd promised a teammate (who also has a newborn) I'd meet her for some early miles before our older kids woke up. It's easy to bail on yourself; it's impossible to bail on someone else. 

Within a mile, I was awake (still tired, but awake). I gave myself the option to back out at a 5K or a 10K, but found that I actually wanted to continue. I think I could've gotten through ten today if I'd had to, but, considering my lack of distance/consistency when it comes to running lately, figured 7 was a good stopping point. 

Sunday

Did: 5.62mi stroller run @ 9:59/mi avg, Big 5

Went further today than I had originally planned. :) 

Total Weekly Run Mileage: 22.28

Week-ending Thoughts:

• SO pleased that my Achilles is improving with the night splint + anti-inflammatory gel! I haven't KT-taped it at all this week, and have had mild issues only :D
• Cooler weather finally hit this weekend, but I'm not feeling as much of a boost as I'd hoped I would from it. Still not really feeling like I'm in any shape (mental or physical) to train for anything. We'll see if Flying Pig 2020 happens... I do have three more months before I'd need to start training. 
• After considering family and costs, we've decided against doing the Atlanta Thanksgiving Half that the track club puts on every year. Neither of us registered early, and I'm not sure I'll be up for a "full half" (lol) by then. We did, however, opt into continuing our family tradition of doing a race every Thanksgiving (well, except that one year where I was literally having a baby on race day). 
• I've found a cheaper and more convenient option close to home that also offers our visiting family the option of friendly spectating: https://www.fivestarntp.com/races/Five-Star-Turkey-Trot. 
• With lots of distance options (5K, 10K, 15K, and half) AND the option of running with either the single or double stroller at whatever pace/seeding we want, this is a home run for us.
• Bonus: since we did one of their races earlier in the year (the day before my due date, actually), Thanksgiving will be FREE for us. 

Postpartum: Week 8

Week-beginning Thoughts:

• Writing on Thursday... lol

Monday

Did: 3.5mi double stroller walk, Stroller Strides 360

Tuesday

Did: 6.31mi @ 9:35/mi avg, Big 5, 1.7mi treadmill walk, Stroller Strides

Wednesday

Did: Stroller Barre, 1.5mi walk

Thursday

Did: 3.5mi double stroller walk, calf stretching, doc visit

Had an official doctor's appointment for my Achilles today, since it's still lingering after almost three months. Dr. Google and my experience were correct: I've got insertional Achilles tendinitis, and have been treating it properly. I've also been prescribed a night splint and topical anti-inflammatory gel to help. Best part: I'm clear to keep running, but just avoid heavy hill work/speed work, though the doc isn't concerned at all about the risk for rupture. Hooray, peace of mind. 

Friday

Did: 3.5mi double stroller walk, calf stretches, Stroller Strides

Saturday

Did: 6.73mi @ 10:05/mi avg, Big 5, calf stretches

This run was hard. I feel pretty defeated when I'm only running about a 10K and wishing it were over after 5K... What happened to my marathon mama mentality? 

Sunday

Did: 4.5mi stroller run @ 10:00/mi avg, Big 5, calf stretches

This run was hard too, and I had to break it into segments to get through it. Blergh. 

Total Weekly Mileage: 17.54mi run

Week-ending Thoughts:

Maternity leave is great, really, but I'm struggling to feel satisfied each day. While I'm enjoying this "floating in limbo" feeling to some extent, it's also really frustrating to not feel any forward progress towards anything. I'm kind of ready for this Achilles thing to heal up already so I can get into some sort of training, maybe a 6 or 8 week program for the Thanksgiving 5K? 

Postpartum: Week 7

Week-beginning Thoughts:
Whelp, again, I'm writing this on Saturday, so... yeah. 

Monday

Did: 3.5mi double stroller walk, Stroller Strides 360 (2mi running @ 8:41/mi avg), 3.5mi double stroller walk

Another day living the maternity leave dream. Strides 360 involved four speed/agility/quickness circuits, each separated by a 2min out/2min back run. It's a fun way for me to get a HIT-ish workout in, because I would not do any of this myself (except the running). 

  

side shuffle slalom 

Tuesday

Did: 6.3mi run @ 9:55/mi avg, Big 5, 3.23mi double stroller walk, 3.13mi double stroller walk

today was exhausting
(in a good way)

Wednesday

Did: 3.25mi double stroller walk, 3.5mi stroller walk

Had a few professional org calls today and needed the baby to be quiet, so I took them from the road and literally walked the stroller to/from the grocery store to triple-use that time. It was a little awkward taking my running stroller into Kroger as a cart, but we made it happen (good thing I didn't need more than a few items). 

Thursday

Did: 4.13mi run @ 10:04/mi avg, Big 5

I had a few appointments today that conflicted with Strides, so I got in an early morning run with my training partner before the day began. It's nice to have that still feel normal. 

Friday

Did: 3mi double stroller run @ 10:21/mi, Stroller Strides, 1.9mi stroller run @ 10:00/mi avg, 0.45mi stroller walk
Munchkins wanted to run to school this morning, so we made that happen with the double. For the past month, I've needed to shower immediately upon returning home, even though I've only been walking. Today, I was able to leave the shower until after Strides class despite running the whole way (well, except this monstrous hill in my neighborhood). Hooray, 60s! 

Followed up Strides with another run with my other teammate and her little one, and a cool-down walk around. 

full house at Strides

Saturday

Did: 4.08mi run @ 10:41/mi avg, Big 5
Had a lot of SPD pain when I woke up this morning, probably because I've logged over 20mi in the past seven days. I'm doing some targetted exercises to help this, but have also accepted it's just a part of postpartum running. With my last pregnancy, it lingered for about a year (I remember waking up at 4am after running the Chicago Marathon at 10mo postpartum to trek down the hotel hallway for ice to put on). It's nowhere near as bad this time around, but still a nuisance. No trouble on the run, though, with the SPD, calf, or Achilles. 

I ran solo this morning due to some family stuff during the day, but really enjoyed the solitude (well, besides the constant anxiety need to be aware of my surroundings at all times).

Sunday

Did: 4.51mi stroller run @ 9:58/mi avg, Big 5
Just a nice, easy run with my running mamas this morning. Always a good time when you get to bust out the sleeves/blankets for the first run of "fall". 

Total Weekly Mileage: 22.87mi run (first over 20mpw since delivery)

Week-ending Thoughts:

• While my Achilles is definitely improving, I'm still probably going to schedule something with a doctor... just because it's gone on so long
• I'm eager to start more normal training soon (hill day, track day, long run day, etc), but can't see it really fitting into my schedule until I'm back at work and no longer doing daycare dropoff/pickup walks and Fit4Mom conditioning. I think I'll train for a 5K to just see where I'm at, and then we can go from there. I know I mentioned wanting to do a spring marathon next year, but I don't know that I have the motivation for that right now... We'll see what happens in a few months. 

Postpartum: Week 6

Week-beginning Thoughts:

• I'm starting this on Saturday, so... idk

Monday

Did: 2.1mi run as part of Strides360, 3.5mi double stroller walk

I tried something new today: Fit4Mom's Strides 360 class. When the chapter leader found out I was a runner, this was the class she recommended for me, due to the amount of running in it. The class wasn't quite as run-heavy as I'd imagined (I was thinking more like a track workout, but with strollers), but I enjoyed it nevertheless. We had four circuits of SAQ (speed, agility, quickness) drills separated by a 4min run. 

The thing I love about these Fit4Mom classes is that you can really make them whatever difficulty you want but adjusting your personal effort intensity. On days where I'm not feeling it, I can feel good about getting a 60-min workout in, even if that's just doing things slowly, power-walking, or modifying the exercises for lower resistance. On days like today, I can push myself to get as many reps of the quick exercises in during the time interval. 

Tuesday

Did: 6.31mi @ 9:47/mi avg, Big 5, Stroller Strides, 3.5mi double stroller walk

FINALLY! A 10K time I can be super proud of. Also, I finished the day with 15mi on my watch, which was super exciting. Maternity Leave = ALL the workouts = ALL the calm

3:43am up to feed baby
4:50am out the door for 10KTuesday

Wednesday

Did: Stroller Barre

Loving these Fit4Mom classes. I thought it would be good to take a pseudo "rest day", and opted for Stroller Barre since it's really more focused on stretching/slow strengthening exercises. That said, it's amazing how exhausting some of the armwork can be! 

Thursday

Did: 2.10mi double stroller run @ 9:35/mi (part of a 3.5mi walk)

Ran part of the way to school this morning for dropoff.

Friday

Did: 3.5mi double stroller walk, Stroller Strides, 2mi stroller walk

Lots of stroller activity today. My favorite part was that our Stroller Strides instructor had a 90s themed class. Instead of feeling like I was working out for 60min, I was amped up by her playlist, constantly excited about what the next song might be. The power of music is always amazing.

partner work at Fit4Mom

Saturday

Did: 4.14mi run @ 10:04/mi avg, Big 5

Normalcy! I did a short run with my training partner at 5am today, before the kiddos woke up, and it was really nice. 

Sunday

Did: 4.29mi with stroller @ 9:56/mi avg, Big 5

Running Mamas morning at the river was great, especially since we ran into so many running friends who were also out and about.

Total Weekly Mileage: 18.93 run

Week-ending Thoughts:

• Achilles is feeling better. I only taped it for half the week, and am definitely feeling less sensitivity when I press on it. Still there, but improving.
• Calf is definitely improved. I haven't noticed it much at all the past few days, though I remember putting calf sleeves on for Tuesday's 10K. 
• LOVE LOVE LOVE the Fit4Mom classes. I was really on the fence about signing up for a maternity leave membership (since my maternity leave is unpaid), but it's totally been worth the $ to have unlimited options for weekday workouts with the little one (and some adult social time)

Postpartum: Week 5

Week-beginning Thoughts:

• well, my Achilles seems 90% healed, but now I've got this small tight spot in my left calf that acts up about a mile into my runs... 

Monday

Did: Stroller Strides class

Fun family class with my husband (and two kiddos in the double)

Tuesday

Did: 6.23mi @ 10:06/mi avg, Big 5, 2x3.5mi double stroller walk

Run felt way harder than it should have for that pace, but I got through it. Added in stretching (calf has been a little tight) and two daycare walks. 

Wednesday

Did: 3.5mi double stroller walk, 3.5mi walk

Was supposed to go hiking today, but ended up just doing a few walks instead. 

Thursday

Did: 2.29mi double stroller run, Stroller Strides class, 3.25mi double stroller walk

Ran/walked to daycare in the morning, Stroller Strides with weights, and then a leisurely walk to pickup oldest one from daycare later in the day. 

jump squats with a wall press

Friday

Did: 2.03mi stroller run @ 9:52/mi avg, Stroller Strides class, 1mi stroller walk

Stroller Strides with resistance bands, and then met a teammate for a stroller run/walk

SquishLife

Saturday

Did: 3.17mi stroller run @ 9:15/mi avg, Big 5

Now, we're talking! THIS is the pace I've been hoping to see, and, oddly enough, I don't know where it came from today. I went to bed around 8:30pm, was up from 11:30pm-1am, and then again from 3:30am-4:00am with the munchkin, and finally up for the day at 5am due to volunteering at our chorus garage sale. So, by the time I got home and ready to run, it was nearly noon, in Atlanta, in early September, and a disgusting high-80s temperature with full sun. OOF.

I ended up on the greenway with my oldest, ran comfortably, and clocked a fantastic pace! :D No Achilles trouble (it was taped), but I had a little issue with my left calf, though it was higher than it had been yesterday. Guess it'll just have to work itself out. 

Sunday

Did: 4.01mi stroller run @ 9:20/mi avg, Big 5

A glorious sunrise run with my potato at the river. Today felt harder than an easy run, but nowhere near a tempo pace. I had a lot of times where I wanted to just cut my run short, but kept going since I was using it to teach the potato about math (2 out + 2 back = 4mi total). Pace was a little faster than I expected, which was nice. Achilles was symptom-free (though taped), but my calf tightened a little on me late in mile 3 (though higher than before). I was diligent about stretching post-run, and think I'm starting to get some recovery... 

Total Weekly Mileage: 17.73mi run + walking 

Week-ending Thoughts:

• It's really weird not running much. I'm glad that I've got Stroller Strides in the meantime to keep my fitness up, though, and give me some new things to build different muscles. It's a nice workout that I can do as hard or as easy as I want on any given day. 
• Achilles is improved, but still "there". I've actually been running in normal-ish shoes (as opposed to my VFFs) to test that out, and it's been fine. I'm not super concerned, but still irked that it doesn't seem to be completely resolved after two months. I barely feel it unless I'm actually pushing on the spot, though, so that's good?
• Left calf tightens up a little during runs, but the spot of tightness moves around, so I'm not worried. Probably due to all the weird/new exercises I'm doing at Stroller Strides. 
• Maternity Leave Life rocks. I'm basically just working out all day long between walking kiddos to/from daycare, Stroller Strides, and whatever runs I do. 

Postpartum Week 4

Week-beginning Thoughts:

• My good diet/nutrition is starting to become a habit again. I've got somewhere between 9 and 14lbs to go to make it back to my pre-pregnancy weight, depending on what that actually was
• While my Achilles isn't 100%, it's definitely improved with a week of rest and dedicated PT sessions 2x/day. I'm planning on running 3-4 days this week (all easy runs) with KT tape, keeping up the PT, and seeing how it does.

Monday

Did: 3.11mi with stroller @ 10:01/mi avg, Achilles PT x2

Achilles PT at midnight with the baby, nice and easy run with the single to get the potato to school, and another round of PT in the afternoon.

Tuesday

Did: 6.22mi @ 10:19/mi avg, Achilles PT x 1

Wore my normal VFF shoes for 10KTuesday and had a symptom-free run for my Achilles, though it was still tight when I first got up and semi-sore for the rest of the day. Biggest issues today included: super sore quads (from stroller strides on Friday?!?), a really rough sore/achy patch on my right IT band (from Achilles PT on that leg?), and generally feeling big and out of shape on my run. If I'm 20lbs lighter than I was pregnant, how come I can't run any faster than I did when I was pregnant? :/ 

After the run, we did a family trip to a major attraction downtown, where I enjoyed some SPD aching near my pubic bone for the majority of the day. Hooray, postpartum running. :/ 

Wednesday

Did: 3.11mi stroller walk
Walk/ran the oldest to school. 

Thursday

Did: 1mi stroller run @ 10:02/mi, Stroller Strides, 1mi stroller walk, 3.04mi double stroller walk

Tight Achilles in the morning, but no trouble during activity. I did an easy jog with the stroller to warm-up before Fit4Mom Stroller Strides class, and then a 1mi cool-down. Later in the afternoon, I walked to/from school with the double to pick up my oldest. 

Friday

Did: 3.5mi double stroller walk, 3.11mi stroller run @ 9:24/mi avg, Achilles PT

Enjoyed a nice, cool walk to school with the kiddos (where I had to use my spare sleeves that live in the bottom of the double stroller as blankets for them-- oops!), and then followed up with a single stroller run along the river with one of my teammates. 

"Mommy, I don't like shirts as blankets. I like blankets as blankets."

being on maternity leave the same time as one of my teammates = awesomeness

Saturday

Did: 3.29mi run @ 9:59/mi avg, Achilles PT

Family run on the greenway = husband pushing the double and me running without anything in my hands--- that felt WEIRD. I was really down on myself for how hard this run felt, since I wasn't pushing any kiddos, had good weather, wasn't pregnant, and was still "only" around a 10min/mi average pace. It's hard to think I'm doing well when I feel like I've been "not pregnant" forever (it's only been a month) and should be easily running low-9s again. I mean, I've dropped 20lbs, so WHY AREN'T I GOING FASTER?

It's times like this where I have to think about what I'd say if one of my friends wrote the above. Why are we so supportive and uplifting of others, but so hard on and critical of ourselves? 

Sunday

Did: 4.01mi with double stroller @ 10:23/mi avg, Achilles PT, Big 5

I went on my first not-from-home run with the double stroller today. I was more nervous about getting the stroller in/out of my husband's car than the run itself. lol. Pushing 100 pounds of stroller + kiddo + stuff wasn't easy, and I, again, found myself disappointed with my pace. I need to get over that. :P

super hard to get everyone in the pic with the carrier... lol

RUN SQUAD <3 

Total Weekly Mileage: 16.95

Week-ending Thoughts:

• At this point during my last postpartum period, I'd only run a couple times, was still taking walk breaks, running 10:44-11:33/mi, finding running really hard, and definitely not running or working out more than every other day
• Definitely feeling some SPD/pubic bone soreness post-runs, but I remember that generally just being something I had to get through/deal with postpartum with my first
• My Achilles has definitely cleared up a ton this week. I"m attributing this to the PT.
• Now, I need to focus on stretching again, because I've had a small tight-ish patch in my left calf on my last two runs that shows up a few miles in...